Maximising PE 100 Liner Potential with BS EN ISO 12201
As an industry, we need to start asking serious questions about liner thickness. BS EN ISO 12201 provides a clear framework for liner design – yet time and time again, we see the industry defaulting to thicker SDR 11 and SDR 17 liners, even when they are unnecessary. This approach increases costs, reduces flow capacity, and raises environmental impact with no technical justification in most cases. Why is this happening?
Lower SDR liners should only be used where required – yet in many cases, they are being applied indiscriminately. We need to challenge this mindset and start considering thinner, more efficient solutions that still meet all necessary pressure requirements. At Die Draw, we are keen to open up this discussion and welcome any engagement on the subject.
Reg 31-approved PE 100 pipes and liners are designed for a service life of 50 to 100 years, based on accelerated high-temperature ageing tests and the application of a conservative safety factor. For applications operating at lower pressures and shorter timeframes than the full design life, the true safety factor is even greater. Given the inert nature of PE 100, these materials could remain functional for centuries.
PE 100 has been the predominant material for low-pressure water systems for over 30 years, showing no signs of degradation. Earlier generations of PE pipe, installed 70 years ago, remain in service today despite having significantly inferior properties to modern PE 100 grades. This is clear evidence that BS EN ISO 12201 offers a technically sound foundation for pressure pipe and liner design.
However, a trend has developed in which thick-walled SDR 11 and SDR 17 pipes and liners are often promoted as the default choice, despite no technical requirement for such high wall thicknesses in many applications. Some water companies have further reinforced this by restricting the use of thinner liners, inadvertently limiting opportunities to optimise flow capacity, reduce costs, and lower environmental impact.
The potential within BS EN ISO 12201 is not being fully realised. By designing to the required pipeline pressure rating, much thinner PE 100 liners can be used while maintaining full compliance. This approach maximises bore, improves flow dynamics, and significantly reduces both material costs and carbon footprint.
It is time for the industry to seriously reconsider liner selection practices. We encourage engineers and network designers to explore the full flexibility of BS EN ISO 12201 and specify the thinnest possible liner that meets the pressure requirements of the system. Doing so ensures a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to pipeline rehabilitation.
We welcome any discussion on this subject. Let’s start asking the right questions.
Please refer to Die Draw’s new Liner Optimisation Tool
