Designation: F 1563 – 01 An American National Standard

Standard Specification for

Tools to Squeeze-off Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pipe or Tubing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1563; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope accordance with Terminology D 1600, unless otherwise speci-

1.1 This specification covers the physical requirements for fied.
tools used to squeeze-off polyethylene (PE) pipe and tubing. It 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
is limited to squeeze-off procedures set forth by the pipe 3.2.1 squeeze-off—a technique used to control the flow of
manufacturer as referred to in Specification D 2513 for gas gas through a pipe by the compressing action of a mechanical,
pressure pipe systems. hydraulic or pneumatic device. Squeeze-off may be used, as
1.2 Nothing in this specification shall be construed as recommended by the tool or pipe manufacturer, to reduce the
recommending practices or systems at variances with govern- flow of gas to an acceptable rate. Under certain conditions
ing codes and project specifications. complete stoppage of flow may be obtained.
1.3 Where applicable in this specification, “pipe” shall 4. Materials and Manufacture
mean “pipe and tubing,” and “tool” shall mean “squeeze-off
tool.” 4.1 Tools shall be manufactured from materials that have
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded the structural properties to meet the requirements of this
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for specification.
information only. 5. Other Requirements
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
test methods portions, Section 5 and Appendix X1 of this 5.1 Force Mechanism—The force mechanism (mechanical,
specification: This standard does not purport to address all of hydraulic or pneumatic) shall provide a force of at least 1.25
the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the times the force required to squeeze-off the most rigid pipe size
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- within the squeeze parameters recommended by the manufac-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- turer of the tool. The most rigid pipe is a function of pipe
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. diameter, wall thickness, pipe material and temperature. The
tool manufacturer determines which pipe products his tool is
2. Referenced Documents suitable for. Power tools such as impact wrenches or pneumatic
2.1 ASTM Standards: motored torque multipliers shall not be used.
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics2 5.2 Tool Strength—A tool shall not be structurally damaged
D 1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe or functionally affected when tested as follows:
Under Constant Internal Pressure3 5.2.1 Measure the load (P) required to squeeze-off the most
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to rigid pipe (largest size, thickest wall, highest density, lowest
Plastics2 temperature) within the range of the tool.
D 2513 Specification for Thermoplastic Gas Pressure Pipe 5.2.2 Prepare a pipe specimen from this pipe. The specimen
Tubing and Fittings3 length shall be no less than five times the nominal outside
F 412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Pipe Systems3 diameter of the pipe, but in no case less than 12 in. (305 mm).
F 1041 Guide for Squeeze-off of Polyolefin Gas Pressure 5.2.3 Insert the pipe specimen into the tool. Center the
Pipe and Fittings3 specimen in the tool.
5.2.4 Apply the largest load attainable by the force mecha-
3. Terminology nism (without additional mechanical advantage) onto the
3.1 General—Definitions are in accordance with Terminol- mechanical stops and then inspect. Any permanent damage or
ogy F 412, unless otherwise specified. Abbreviations are in deformation to the mechanical or hydraulic components is
cause for rejection of the tool.
1
5.2.5 Apply a load of 1.25 3 P (see 5.2.1) on the pipe for
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.60 on Gas. twenty cycles. A cycle is: apply load, hold load for one minute,
Current edition approved April 10, 2001. Published June 2001.Originally remove load. For each cycle, use a new unsqueezed area of
published as F 1563–93. Last previous edition F1563-94(2000). pipe, at least three pipe diameters from a previous squeeze.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04.
5.3 Release Protection—Each tool shall be built to prevent

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 F 1563
TABLE 1 Minimum Squeeze Bar RadiiA
Round Bar Minimum
Flat BarB Minimum Radius
Nominal Pipe Size in. Radius (R in Fig. 1) in.
(R in Fig. 1) in. (mm)
(mm)
1⁄4 to 3⁄4 0.50 (12) 0.25 (6.4)
1 to 13⁄4 0.62 (16) 0.31 (7.9)
3 to 4 0.75 (19) 0.38 (9.7)
6 to 8 1.00 (25) 0.50 (13)
10 to 12 1.00 (25) 0.50 (13)
14 to 16 1.25 (32) 0.62 (16)
A
The suggested radii do not necessarily provide the strength required to comply
with Section 5. Squeeze bar materials and tool applications may require radii
greater than the minimums listed.
B
Minimum length of flat area is two times R.

NOTE— Other bar shapes may also be acceptable (see 6.1). Squeeze tools designed for more than one size pipe (outside
FIG. 1 Squeeze Bar Configurations diameter and wall thickness) shall have adjustable stops
provided to match the designated pipe sizes for that tool.
unintentional release in the squeeze mode. A screw-feed 6.3 Squeeze Bar Guide Spacing—The tool shall have suffi-
mechanism used to apply force in some tools qualifies as cient squeeze bar length and spacing between the bar guides to
premature release protection if the force can only be removed allow the maximum diameter pipe for that tool to be centered
by unscrewing the mechanism at the 1.25 3 P test load. between the guides and squeezed to the correct bar stops
5.4 Release Rate—For pipe sizes greater than 1 in. (25 mm) without the squeezed pipe touching the guides.
IPS, it is recommended4 the tool design provide a release rate
7. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
of 0.5 in./min (12.7 mm/min) or less, as suggested in Guide
F 1041. 7.1 The manufacture of these tools shall be in accordance
5.5 Flow Control—Squeeze-off results in the reduction of with good commercial practice to consistently produce tools
gas flow and in some cases the complete stoppage of gas flow. that meet the requirements of this specification.
This specification does not specify to what degree of gas flow 8. Sampling
control is required for any set of squeeze-off conditions.
Appendix X1 provides a procedure for evaluating flow control. 8.1 Use a separate sampling procedure for each different
Other procedures for flow control evaluation may also be used. style or size of tool. Select tools at random for testing. The pipe
5.6 Grounding—Squeezing and releasing the squeeze of used to evaluate each tool shall be the same as pipe specified
plastic pipe containing flowing gas can increase the presence of in 5.2.
static electricity on the pipe surfaces. The tool shall include a 9. Inspection
suitable electrical grounding feature or recommendations for
9.1 A quality control (QC) inspection method shall be
controlling electrostatic discharges.
established that will ensure conformance to this specification.
NOTE 1—Static discharge through pipe wall may occur in some cases if Deviations shall be agreed upon between the purchaser and the
electrostatic charges exceed the dielectric strength. Some tool manufac- supplier as part of the purchase contract.
turers recommend checking the squeeze area for pinhole leaks by soaping.
10. Product Marking
6. Dimensions Mass, and Permissible Variations
10.1 Tools shall be permanently marked on a portion of the
6.1 Squeeze Bar Configuration—The squeeze bars shall be tool which will not interfere with its use or performance. Each
of a size and configuration that compresses the pipe walls to tool shall be permanently marked with the following:
reduce the gas flow, but does not damage the pipe. Squeeze 10.1.1 Nominal size of pipe or pipes for which the tool is
bars may be configured as round (circular), flat with rounded designed, including IPS or CTS designation, and SDR or wall
edges, two round bars side by side or any other configuration thickness, or both,
that can meet the requirements of this specification (see Fig. 1). 10.1.2 Manufacturer’s name or trademark,
For suggested4 minimum squeeze bar radii areas, see Table 1. 10.1.3 ASTM designation number, and
6.2 Over-Squeeze Protection—The tool shall have mechani- 10.1.4 Maximum hydraulic, pneumatic pressure allowed, if
cal stops to provide over-squeeze protection. These mechanical applicable.
stops shall prevent the squeeze bars from reaching a separation
(minimum gap) less than 70 % times twice the maximum pipe 11. Packaging and Package Marking
wall thickness as noted in Guide F 1041: 11.1 The tool shall be packaged in accordance with the
minimum gap 5 ~2!~0.7!~ maximum wall thickness! supplier’s standard practice in a manner ensuring arrival at
destination in satisfactory operating condition.
11.2 Tool packages shall be labeled with the same informa-
tion as in Section 10.
4
GRI-92/0147.2 Volume 2, Technical Reference on Squeeze-Off of Polyethylene 12. Keywords
Gas Pipes. Available from the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), 1510 Hubbard Dr.,
Batavia, IL 60510. 12.1 flow control; squeeze-off; squeeze tools

2
 F 1563

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. PROCEDURE FOR EVALUATION OF TOOL FLOW CONTROL PERFORMANCE

X1.1 Gas Flow Rate:

X1.1.1 The gas flow rate through the squeeze-off area of the
pipe specimen can be determined when tested as follows:
X1.1.1.1 Prepare three randomly selected pipe specimens in
accordance with Test Method D 1598 except they will be
unfilled.
X1.1.1.2 Test the specimens in sequence using the tool
being tested.
X1.1.1.3 Set the test specimen in the test apparatus as
shown in Fig. X1.1. Locate the tool at the mid-point of the
specimen. Close the squeeze bars to the recommended me- FIG. X1.1 Gas Flow Rate Apparatus
chanical stops. Wait at least 1 min per inch diameter of the
specimen. Adjust the pressure regulator to give an upstream in.3 (0.001 m3) of water. Calculate the gas flow rate. The gas
pressure equal to the maximum line pressure that the tool is flow rate can be calculated as follows:
designed to squeeze-off, or to be the maximum pressure that
the test pipe is rated for, whichever is less. Test pressures less Q 5 125/t
than the maximum designed for may be used to establish
specific gas flow control rate information as required by the gas where:
pressure pipe system owner, the pipe manufacturer, and the Q = gas flow rate in cubic feet (meters) per hour, and
tool manufacturer. Place the rubber hose inside the inverted t = time in seconds to displace 60 in.3 (0.001 m3) of water.
measuring flask and note the time in seconds to displace 60

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