AS 1273-1991

Reconfirmed 2018

Australian Standard[

Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) downpipe

and fittings for rainwater
Thi s Australian Standard was prepared b;y Committee PL/34, PVC Rainwater Goods.
It was approved on behalf o f the Council of Standards Australia on 11 January 1991
and publi shed on 15 April 199 1.

The following interests are represented on Committee PL/34:

CSIRO, Division of Building, Construction and Engineering
Local Government Engineers A ssociation of V ictoria
The Plastics Industry Association
The University of Melbourne

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a111e11d111e111s !hereto.
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without delay in order thal !he matter 111ay be investigated a11d appropriate action rake11.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 90101.

 AS 1273- 199 1 (Reconfirmed) 20 18-05 -25

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

RECONFIRMATION
OF
AS 1273-1991
Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) downpipe and fittings for rainwater

RECONFIRMATION NOTICE

Technical Committee PL-021 has reviewed the content of this publication and in
accordance with Standards Australia procedures for reconfirmation, it ha s been
determined that the publication is still valid and does not require change.

Certain documents referenced in the publication may have been amended since the
original date of publication. Users are advised to ensure that they are using the latest
versions of such documents as appropriate, unless advised otherwise in this
Reconfirmation Notice.

Approved for reconfirmation in accordance with Standards Australia procedures for

reconfirmation on 06 May 20 18.

The fo llowing are represented on Technical Committee PL-021:

Association of Accredited Certification Bodies
Australian Building Codes Board
Chemistry Australia
Energy Networks Australia
Engineers Australia
Local Government New Zealand
Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia
Plastics New Zealand
Water New Zealand
Water Services Association of Australia
NOTES
 AS 1273-1991

Australian Standard[

Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) downpipe

and fittings for rainwater

First published as AS 1273.1 - 1974 and AS 1273.2- 1974.

Revised, amalgamated and redesignated AS 1273- 1991.

PUBLI SHED BY STANDARDS A USTRA LIA

(STA NDA RDS ASSOCIATI ON OF AUSTRA LIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOM EBU SH, NSW 2140
ISBN O 7262 6781 3
AS 12 73-1991 2

PREFACE

Thi s Standard was prepared by Standards Australia's Committee for PVC Rainwater Goods, under the
direction of the Plastics Standards Board, to super sede AS 1273 .1-1 974 , Unplasticized P VC (UP VC)
downpipe andfi ttings for rainwa ter, Part l : Downpipes, and AS 12 73 .2- 1974 , Unplasticized P VC (UP VC)
downpipe and fittings for rainwater, Part 2: M oulded fitting s.
Thi s Standard incorporates the content of both A S 1273 .l and AS 1273 .2. It is technically equivalent to
both these Standards, however the impact test is now carried out at 20°C only.

CONTENTS
Page
SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 3
3 DEFINITION .... 3
4 CLASSIFICATION 3
5 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 3
6 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 7
7 MARKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

APPENDIX A MEANS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS

STANDARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . ..... . . .. .. . 9

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 3 AS 12 73-1 991

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) downpipe and fittings for rainwater

1 SCOPE This Standard specifies requirements for rectangular and circular UPVC downpipe and fittings
for the disposal of rainwater. Such pipes and fittings are suitable for external or internal use above ground
where the head of water does not exceed 15 m.
NOTE: Alternative methods for determining compliance with this Standard are given in Appendix A.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this Standard:

AS
1199 Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes
1254 Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) pipes and fittings for storm or surface water applications
1399 Guide to AS 1199- Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes
1462 Methods of test for unplasticized PVC (UPVC) pipes and fittings
1462.l Method l: Method for determining dimensions of UPVC pipes and fittings
1462.2 Method 2: Method for determining the flattening properties of UPVC pipes
1462.3 Method 3: Method for determining the impact characteristics of UPVC pipes
1462.4 Method 4: Method of determining reversion of UPVC pipes
1462.5 Method 5: Method for determining the softening point of UPVC pipes and fittings
1462.11 Method 11: Method for high temperature stress-relief testing of UPVC fittings
1462.18 Method 18: Method for determination of PVC and titanium dioxide content
2032 Code of practice for installation of UPVC pipe systems
3900 Quality systems- Guide to selection and use
3904 Quality systems- Guide to quality management and quality system elements
ISO
Guide 44 General rules for ISO or IEC international third party certification scheme for products

3 DEFINITIO For the purposes of this Standard, the definition below applies.
3.1 Downpipe--a pipe for conveying rainwater, either externally or internally, from a roof or other parts
of a building.

4 CLASSIFICATION Pipe and fittings manufactured to this Standard shall be classified DOWNPIPE.

5 GENERAL REQUIREME TS
5.1 Composition The material from which the pipe and fittings are produced shall consist of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) together with additives necessary for the manufacture and performance of pipe to this
Standard.
The additives shall contain a minimum of 2 parts of titanium dioxide pigment per l 00 parts mass of PVC
content , as determined by AS 1462. 18.
5.2 Dimensions
5.2.1 Rectangular pipe When measured in accordance with AS 1462.1, the dimensions ofrectangular pipe
measured at the midpoint of the sides shall comply with the requirements of Table 1.
5.2.2 Circular pipe When measured in accordance with AS 1462.1 , the dimensions of circular pipe shall
comply with the requirements of Table 2.
5.2 .3 Fittings When measured in accordance with AS 1462 .1 , the dimensions of sockets on fittings shall
conform with the dimensions of Table 3 or Table 4 for solvent cemented fittings (see also Figure l and
Figure 2), and Table 5 for rubber ring jointed fittings (see Figure 3).

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AS 1273- 1991 4

TABLE 1
DIMENSIONS OF RECTANGULAR PIPE
Outs ide Tolerance Max. internal Tolerance
P ipe Minim um wall
dimension on nominal m in. external on end
designa tion thickness
of pipe size co rner radius s quareness
mm mm mm mm mm
DN 80 X 50 84 X 54 ±1.0 1.5 1.5 4
DN 100 x 50 105 X 54 ± 1.0 1.5 1.5 4
DN 100 x 65 102 X 65 ± 1.0 1.5 1.5 4
DN 100 x 80 102 X 84 ± 1.0 1.5 1.5 4

TABLE 2
DIME SIONS OF CIRCULAR PIPE
Mean o utside Tolerance
Pipe
dia m ete r Minimum wall thickness on end
designa tion
mm squarenes s
Min. Max. mm mm
DN 75 75.0 75.3 1.5 2
DN 90 9 0.0 9 0.3 1.8 3
DN 100 11 0.0 110.4 2.2 4
DN 150 16 0.0 16 0.5 2.9 6
DN 225 250.0 25 0.7 4.5 9

TABLE 3
DIMENSIONS OF SOCKETS FOR SOL VE T CEME T JOI TS- CIRCULAR
PIPE AND FITTINGS
Min. Min.
Socket m ean root Socket m ean m outh
Pipe wall socket
diam eter (D,) diamete r (DJ
designatio n thickness leng th
mm mm
(1) (l)
mm mm Min. Max. Min. Max.
DN 75 1.5 20 74.2 75.0 75.4 75.9
DN 90 1.8 28 89.6 90.0 90.4 90.9
DN 100 2.2 51 109.7 110.3 110.5 111. 1
DN 150 2.9 76 159.7 160.4 160.7 161.5
DN 22 5 4.5 110 249.6 250.6 250.9 252.5

TABLE 4
DIMENSIONS OF SOCKETS FOR SOLVENT CEMENT JOINTS-RECTANGULAR PIPE AND
FITTINGS
Max. Min.
Min.
Pipe internal socket Socket d imensions
wall
design ation corner length mm
thickness
radius (l)
Mean root Mea n mouth
mm mm mm Tolera nce
dimensions dimen sions
DN 80 X 50 1.5 1.5 30 84.2 X 54.2 84.6 X 54.6 ±0.5
DN 100 x 50 1.5 1.5 30 104.6 X 54.2 105 .5 X 54.6 ±0.5
DN 100 x 65 1.5 1.5 30 102.2 x 65.l 102.6 X 65 .6 ±0.5
DN 100 x 80 1.5 1.5 30 102.2 X 84.2 102.6 X 84.6 ±0.5

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 5 AS 1273-1991

TABLE 5
DIMENSIONS OF SOCKETS
FOR RUBBER RING JOINTING

Min. socket
Pipe Min. wall
depth
designation thickness
(Am;,)
mm mm
DN 100 2.2 45
DN 150 2.9 56
DN 225 4.5 80

Dr

LEGEND:
0, mean root diameter
D; mean mouth diameter
T minimum wall thickness
L socket length

FIGURE 1 TYPICAL FITTING SOCKET FOR SOLVENT CEMENT JOINTING

Dr
-I Di

~~~~~~?ZZJJ
FIGURE 2 TYPICAL PIPE SOCKET FOR SOLVENT CEMENT JOINTING

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AS 12 73-1991 6

5.3 Length
5.3.1 Effective length The effective length of pipe shall be 3.0 +0.05, - 0 m at 20°C.
NOTE: Other lengths may be agreed upon between purchaser and supplier.
5.3.2 Sp igoted and socketed pipe for rubber ring jointing The effective length shall be determined by
subtracting the insertion length from the overall length (both measured in accordance with AS 1462. l ) and
then, if necessary, making an adjustment for temperature.
NOTE: The coefficient of thermal expansion of UPVC pipe may be taken for reference as 7 x I0-;°C (see AS 2032).
5.3.3 Spigoted and socketed p ipe for solvent cement jointing The effective length of spigoted and
socketed pipe for solvent cement jointing shall be determined by subtracting the socket length from the
overall length (both measured in accordance with AS 1462.l) then, if necessary, making an adjustment for
temperature.
5.3.4 Plain-ended pipe For plain-ended pipes, the overa ll length, measured in accordance with AS 1462. 1,
shall be the effective length.
5.4 Pipe spigot ends Pipe spigot ends, measured in accordance with AS 1462.1 , shall be normal to the
main axis of the pipe spigot w ithin the appropriate tolerance for end squareness given in Table l or 2.
5.5 Sockets formed on pipe ends Sockets, measured in accordance with AS 1462. 1, shall be normal to
the main axis of the pipe socket w ithin the tolerances for end squareness given in Table l or 2. Sockets
formed on the ends of pipe shall be parallel within ±2 degrees to the axis of the pipe. Sockets shall be
concentric with the pipe to within 2.5 percent of pipe outside diameter, for pipes up to and including
DN 150 , and 1.0 percent for larger pipes.
Sockets formed on the ends of pipe for solvent cement j oints shall conform to the dimensions giv en in
Table 3 or 4 (see also Figure 2). Socket wall thickness shall be not less than 90 percent of the specified
pipe minimum w all thickness. The jointing shall taper uniformly from the mouth to the root of the socket.
Sockets formed on the ends of pipe for rubber ring joints shall conform to dimensions given in Table 5
(see also Figure 3) .
5.6 Freedom from defects
NOTE: The defects described in Clauses 5.6. l and 5.6.2 cannot be completely quantified. Where the presence, size or frequency
of any of these is considered to be of concern, arrangements should be made between purchaser/Regulatory Authority/Certifying
Body (as appropriate), and the manufacturer. Agreement on permissible defects may be achieved by the provision of acceptable
type samples.
Where defects are present and the product is submitted for acceptance, the manufacturer should be able to demonstrate fi tness for
purpose.
5.6.1 General Defects shall not affect the performance or function of the pipe or fitting when in service.
Pipes and fittings shall not have any blisters or heat marks. When grooves, wrinkl es, rippling, dents or
projections are present, the minimum wall thickness of the pipe or fitting shall comply with the
requirements of Tables l to 5, as appropriate.
5.6.2 P ipe and fitting ends Pipe and fitting ends shall not have any chips or rough edges, and shall have
sharp edges removed. Jointing surfaces shall be smooth.

Amin.

FIGURE 3 RUBBER RING JOI NT WITH GROOVE IN

SOCKET (HALF SECTION)

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 7 AS 1273-1991

6. PERFORMA CE AND TEST REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Softening point When determined in accordance with AS 1462.5, the softening point of the material
shall be not less than 75 °C. The test specimen may be cut from a fitting or pipe and machined to size, or
moulded from the extrusion compound from which the pipe or fitting was made.
6.2 Rubber ring joint test When tested in accordance with the hydrostatic test for joints with elastomeric
seals given in AS 1254, joint assembli es, made in accordance with the manufacturer's directions, shall
su stain an internal pressure of 150 +5, -0 kPa of water for l h without evidence of leaks.
6.3 Flattening (circular pipes only) When determined in accordance with AS 1462.2, the flattening
properties of circular pipes shall be such that the pipe shows no evidence of splitting, cracking or beading.
6.4 Impact Characteristics at 20°C
6.4.1 Circular pipe When determined in accordance with the 20°C multiple impact test of AS 1462.3,
using the appropriate striker mass and number of impacts per test specimen specified in Table 6 with a
drop height of 2 + 0.1 , -0 m, the impact characteristics of circular pipe shall be such that the pipe shall
have a true impact rate (TIR) below l 0 percent at a confidence level of 90 percent.
6.4.2 Rectangular pipe When rectangular pipe is tested in accordance with the 20°C single impact test
of AS 1462.3, using a striker mass of 2.5 kg and a drop height of 2.0 + 0.1 , - 0 m, the impact
characteristics of the pipe shall be such that there are no failures in any of the 14 test sp ecimens, selected
from the same length of pipe. Failure is defined as fracturing or cracking through the complete wall
thickness. In the event of one, two or three test specimens failing, 28 specimens shall be selected from
consecutive leng ths of pipe for further testing. In the event of four or more of the initial 14 test specimens
fai ling, the p ipe shall be deemed to have failed the test.
When further testing is permitted, i.e. one, two or three failures out of 14, 28 additional test specimen s
shall be tested and there shall be not more than four failures in the total of 42 specimens tested.
For this test, rectangular pipes shall be laid on a flat horizontal surface in such a manner that the striker
hits the centreline of the side of greater dimension.
6.5 Reversion When determined in accordance with AS 1462.4, the reversion of the pipe shall not exceed
5 percent, nor shall the specimen show any signs of cracks, cavities or blisters resulting from the
immersion.
6.6 High temp erature stress relief of fittings When determined in accordance with AS 1462 .1 1, at a
temperature of 150 ±4°C for 30 +3, - 0 min, the high temperature stress relief properties of the fitting shall
comply with the following requiremen ts:
(a) There shall be no evidence of inclusions in the fitting.
(b) Delamination or damage at the inj ection p oint shall not have reduced the wall thickness to less than
50 percent of the minimum wall thickness specified in Table 3 or 4.
( c) No part of the weld line shall have opened except when at abrupt changes in direction, opening of the
weld to a depth of not more than 50 p ercent of the minimum wall thickness specified in Table 3 or 4,
as appropriate, shall not constitute a failure.
NOTE: The weld line is likely to become prominent and the fitting distorted but this does not constitute a fai lure .
( d) Any blisters or surface delamination shall not exten d over more than 5 percent of the total surface area
of the fitting.
7 MARKING
7.1 Circular pipe All circular pipe or its packaging shall be legibly and indelibly marked using a
distinctive colour. Alternatively, a pressure sensitive adhesive label may be used.

TABLE 6
TOTAL MASS OF STRIKER AND UMBER OF IMP ACTS FOR 20°C IMP ACT
TEST ON CIRCULAR PIPE
Nominal outside diameter Total mass of striker Number of
mm kg impacts/specimen
75 2.00 3
90 2.25 4
110 2.75 6
150 3.50 8
225 5.75 14
250 6.25 16
300 7.50 20

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AS 12 73-1991 8

The fo llowing information sh all be shown:

(a) The manufacturer' s name or registered trade mark.
(b) The nominal outside diameter of the pipe in the form ' 100', as appropriate.
(c) The letters 'UPVC' .
( d) Classification ' DOWNPIPE '.
( e) Identification of place of manufacture. The manufacturer 's code is acceptable, e.g. P 1.
7.2 Rectangular pipe Rectangular pipe or its packaging shall be marked with the following information:
(a) Manufacturer 's name or trade mark.
(b) Outside dimensions.
(c) The letters 'UPVC'.
( d) Classification ' DOWNPIPE' .
(e) Identification of place of manufacture. The manufacturer 's code is acceptable, e.g. Pl.
7.3 Fittings All fittings shall be durably marked or moulded with the following information:
(a) The manufacturer' s name or registered trade mark.
(b) Nominal size in the form '90' , as appropriate.
(c) The letters ' PVC ' , or 'UPVC ' .
( d) Classification ' DOWNPIPE' .
(e) The angle of the fitt ing in the case of bends and branches.
(f) Identification of place of manufacture. The manufacturer 's code number is acceptable, e.g. P 1.
7.4 Additional marking
NOTE: Manufacturers making a statement of compliance with this Austra lian Standard on a product, or on packaging or
promotional material related to that product, are advised to ensure that such compliance is capable of being verified.
Independent certification is available from Standards Au stralia under the StandardsMark Product Certification Scheme. The
StandardsMark, shown below, is a registered certification trade mark owned by Standards Australia and granted under licence to
manufacturers whose products comply with the requirements of suitable Australian Standards and who operate sound quality
assurance programs to ensure consistent product qua lity .
Further information on product certification and the suitability of this Standard for certification is availab le from Standards
Australia ' s Quality Assurance Services, I The Crescent, Homebush, N.S.W., 2 140.

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 9 AS 1273-1991

APPENDIX A

MEANS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE WITH THIS STANDARD

(Informative)

Al SCOPE This Appendix sets out the different means by which compliance with this Standard can be
demonstrated by the manufacturer or supplier:
(a) Assessment by means of statistical sampling.
(b) The use of Standards Australia's StandardsMark scheme.
(c) Assurance u sing the acceptability of the supplier' s quality system.
( d) Other such means proposed by the manufacturer or supplier and acceptable to the customer.

A2 STATISTICAL SAMPLI G Statistical sampling is a procedure that allows decisions to be made

about the quality of batches of items after inspecting or testing only a portion of those items. This
procedure will only be valid if the sampling plan has been determined on a statistical basis and the
following requirements are met:
(a) The sample must be drawn randomly from a population o f product of known history. The history must
enable verification that the product was made from known materials at essentially the same time by
essentially the same processes and under essentially the same system of control.
(b) For each different situation, a suitable sampling plan needs to be defined. A sampling plan for one
manufacturer of given capability and product throughput may not be relevant to another manufacturer
producing the same items.
In order for stati stical sampling to be useful to the customer, the manufacturer or supplier needs to
demonstrate how the above conditions have been satisfied. Sampling and the establishment of a sampling
plan should be carried out in accordance with AS 11 99, guidance to which is given in AS 1399.

A3 PRODUCT CERTIFICATION-STANDARDSMARK The general purpose of StandardsMark

certification is to provide independent assurance of the claim by the manufacturer that products comply
with the stated Australian or International Standard.
It is a certification scheme that meets the criteria of an ISO Type 5 scheme as specified by ISO Guide 44
in that, as well as full type testing from independently sampled production and subsequent verification of
conformance, it requires the manufacturer to maintain an effective quality plan to control production to
ensure conformance with the relevant Standard.
The StandardsMark serves to indicate that the products consistently conform to the requirements of the
Standard.
The StandardsMark can only be used by manufacturers approved and licensed by Standards Australia and
only when accompanied by the number of the applicable Standard.

A4 SUPPLIER'S QUALITY SYSTEM Where the manufacturer or supplier can demonstrate an audited
and registered quality management system complying with the requirements of the appropriate or stipulated
Austral ian or International Standard for suppliers' quality systems, this may provide the necessary
confidence that the specified requirements will be met. The quality assurance requirements need to be
agreed between the customer and supplier and should include a qua Ii ty or inspection and test plan to ensure
product conformity.
Guidance in determining the appropriate quality management system is given in AS 3900 and AS 3904.

AS OTHER MEANS OF ASSESSMENT If the above methods are considered inappropriate,

determination of compliance w ith the requirements of this Standard may be assessed by being based on
the results of testing coupled with the manufacturer's guarantee of product conformance.
Irrespective of acceptable quality levels (AQLs) or test frequencies, the responsibility remains with the
manufacturer or supplier to supply products that conform with the full requirements of the Standard.

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NOTES
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