Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Water Pipe Regulations.

Alan M. Dukes

Ceist:

62 Mr. Dukes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the procedures in force to set standards for water piping for use in dwelling houses; the number of these products certified for use in Ireland; whether there are common European Union standards for these products in these cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10513/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

In Ireland water pipes used in dwelling houses must comply with Part D of the National Building Regulations on Workmanship and Materials. Pipes manufactured to the relevant national standards in Ireland or equivalent national standards in a country forming part of the European Economic Area, EEA, are deemed to comply with these regulations.

For pipes which are manufactured from materials for which, as yet, there are no national standards, an Irish Agreement Board assessment and certificate establish conformance with the regulations. The current basis in Ireland for assessing general purpose polyethylene pipes for compliance with the national building regulations is a draft European standard prEN 12318-1. This draft standard is likely to be adopted as a harmonised European standard in about two years time. In practice, the Irish Agreement Board certify such pipes as fit for purpose within buildings where they are suitable for both hot and cold services, including hot water radiators. On this basis the following four pipes have been certified.

Qual-pex	Certificate No. 95/0067.
Pex-gol	Certificate No. 97/0090.
Fab-pex	Certificate No. 97/0087.
Cobra-pex	Certificate No. 98/0088.

There are as yet no harmonised European standards for piping. European harmonised standards and technical approvals are currently being developed. When adopted, pipes complying with them will be deemed to meet the relevant regulations.