PVC-U pipe, sometimes written uPVC, is an unplasticised polyvinyl chloride pipe and has been the predominant drainage material in UK new builds since the 1980s. Manufactured to BS EN 13476 and Building Regulations Part H, PVC-U is lightweight, corrosion resistant and supplied in 110mm and 160mm diameters for domestic foul and surface water drainage. It is normally orange-brown for underground use and grey or white for above ground. On a CCTV survey the smooth interior and clear ring or socketed joints make PVC-U straightforward to identify. While long lasting, the material can become brittle in prolonged UV exposure or sustained ground heave. Modern London developments specify PVC-U almost exclusively for new connections to the Thames Water network.
PVC-U pipe
Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride pipe, the modern standard for UK domestic drainage.
