Although laying conditions vary from site to site, the following information will cover eventualities encountered in the normal installation of Hardie Pipes.

Care should be taken to ensure that trenching conforms to any local regulations or other statutory requirements, particularly in regard to shoring. The following methods of jointing pipe will result in efficient and speedy installation.

Trench Sizes
The width and depth of trenches to be excavated will depend on the following factors:

• Pipe size
• Type of soil
• Location (under roadway, pathway or in countryside)
• Pipe invert
• Pipeline direction (whether straight or deflecting around a curve).

Trenches should be excavated in accordance with drainage plans and specifications. The pipe designer has specified the pipe strength class based on a maximum trench width at the level of the top of the pipe and the trench depth and/or pipe invert level. The width and depth of the trench nominated should not be exceeded without first checking with the pipeline designer.

Preparing the Trench
When preparing the pipe trench, care should be taken to insure that the foundation is free of rock, hard, lumpy, or other unyielding material. The trench bottom provides the foundation for the pipeline and therefore should be stable and uniform along the pipeline. Consult the Hardie Pipe Installation Guide below for more information about correct bedding and compaction.

Pipe Jointing
Hardie® Pipe can be laid in either direction as long as care is taken to put the joint together properly and keep debris out of the joint during assembly. It is preferred to face the bell end of the pipe in the direction that the pipe is being laid to prevent bedding material from entering the bell during jointing.

Join pipe by inserting the spigot into the bell end at the smallest angle possible. Lower the pipe to grade and insert the remainder of the spigot into the bell. Bring the pipe home by pulling the cable or strap. Avoid the use of excavating equipment to push the pipe sections together, as this can damage the pipe.

Once the pipe is set to the proper grade, confirm that the gasket has not rolled and is not exposed at the joint.

The remaining backfill material should be placed and compacted around the pipe in accordance with project plans and specifications.

To insure that the pipe does not move when installing the next section of pipe, uniformly place and compact soil on each side of the pipe to the specified density to prevent lateral displacement of pipe.

Cutting Pipes
Refer to our Working Safe information before installation.

Use a cutting device capable of cutting reinforced concrete products. The preferred method of cutting is by a saw with a diamond-tipped blade. All power cutting operations should be carried out in an open-air situation or in well ventilated spaces. Power cutting tools should be equipped with either a dust suppressant or dust collection system.