Since publication of the paper in Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Water Management, 158, No. 3, 119–125 and subsequent consultations with manufacturers and water industry engineers, the authors have reviewed the objectives, methodology and conclusions reached in the work reported.
Some of the test parameters chosen were outside the criteria laid down by both the BS EN 295 and BS EN 1610 and any relevant manufacturers’ recommendations. The stated angular deflections employed and the fact that only minimal restraint arrangements were in place were not in compliance with the requirements of BS EN 295.
Accordingly the authors wish to retract the findings of the original paper and revise the conclusions as follows.
The research did not demonstrate that the pipes and joints tested failed to comply with BS EN 295. It is expected that they will give satisfactory performance for the designed service life when properly installed in accordance with BS EN 1610 and the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Clayware non-pressure pipe systems have been extensively and satisfactorily used for many years in the UK water industry and are likely to continue to be so.
BS 295 and BS 1610 have provided satisfactory industry procedures for pressure testing of leak tightness.
The research has highlighted the problems that could potentially arise if adequate restraint is not applied.
In the study a range of pipes was tested and there was no intention for this to be directed towards any specific product. The authors therefore unreservedly apologise to any manufacturer whose products were inadvertently identifiable in the photographs.
The opinions expressed in the original paper were those of the authors and were not necessarily endorsed by Thames Water. Thames Water agrees with the retraction of the original findings.
