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BS1387 Pipe Classification: Class A / B / C
BS1387 sorts pipes by wall thickness, which defines working pressure capacity:
- Class A: Lightest wall thickness, for low-pressure water service and general drainage. Low weight, economical for non-critical plumbing.
- Class B: Medium wall, the most common grade. Suitable for potable water distribution and domestic gas pipelines, the most frequently requested class in export inquiries.
- Class C: Heavy wall variant, higher pressure resistance. Used for industrial water lines and sites requiring enhanced mechanical strength.
Note: Class C has thicker wall than Class B, Class B thicker than Class A. This classification system is the core difference from ASTM A53, which grades by steel material instead of wall thickness class.
Steel Grades & Material Properties
BS1387 ERW pipe adopts low carbon mild steel. Base material normally corresponds to S195T / equivalent mild carbon steel.
Mechanical Properties
- Tensile strength: Minimum 320 MPa ~ 500 MPa
- Yield strength: Min 195 MPa
- Elongation: ≥20%
- The low-carbon composition delivers good ductility, making threading, cutting and bending easy during site installation.
Manufacturing & Key Features
BS1387 pipes are produced by Electric Resistance Welding (ERW). Continuous steel strip is formed into round tube, welded, sized and cut to required lengths. Core characteristic features:
1. End Options
- Plain ends: Simple cut ends for welding connection
- Threaded ends: Taper BSP threads (British Standard Pipe thread), commonly paired with sockets
- Socketed ends: Factory fitted sockets for fast threaded assembly on site
2. Standard length: Typically 6 meters per length, custom cut lengths available.
3. Surface: hot-dip galvanized coating for corrosion resistance.
Surface Treatment: Hot-dip Galvanized
Hot-dip galvanization is the mainstream finish for BS1387 pipe. The steel tube is immersed in molten zinc to form a tightly bonded zinc coating on both outer and inner surfaces.
- Purpose: Prevent rust and corrosion inside water/gas pipelines
- Zinc coating: 30um - 85um
- Advantage: Suitable for above-ground plumbing in humid climates, widely preferred in Middle East and African water supply projects
Note: Black (non-galvanized) BS1387 ERW pipe is also available for internal temporary pipelines where corrosion protection is not required.
Inspection & Test Requirements
Each batch of BS1387 ERW pipe must pass mandatory factory tests:
- Hydrostatic Test: Every pipe undergoes pressure test to verify leak tightness. Test pressure differs for Class A/B/C according to wall thickness.
- Tensile Test: Validate yield, tensile strength and elongation of base metal.
- Flattening Test: Confirm weld ductility, check weld integrity without cracking under flattening load.
- Visual Inspection & Dimension Check: Verify OD, wall thickness, length, thread dimension and coating quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is BS1387 still a current active standard?
A: BS1387 has been superseded by newer European standards such as EN 10255. But it is still widely specified for maintenance, renovation and legacy projects across Middle East, Africa and old British commonwealth countries. Many clients still ask for BS1387 galvanized threaded pipes.
Q: What thread type for BS1387 pipe?
A: Standard thread is BSP (British Standard Pipe) taper thread, different from NPT thread on ASTM A53 pipe. Thread matching is critical for on-site fitting connection.
Q: Can BS1387 Class C pipe replace Class B?
A: Mechanically yes, Class C thicker wall gives higher pressure rating. But it has higher cost, so clients usually select Class B as default unless project specs require heavy wall.
Q: What is the difference between BS1387 galvanized pipe and ASTM A53 galvanized pipe?
A: Main differences are thread type, wall classification system and dimension tolerance. BS1387 uses BSP thread and Class A/B/C wall grouping, ASTM A53 uses NPT thread and grade-based material grouping.
Brisk Steel supplies full-size BS1387 ERW steel pipe, black or hot-dip galvanized, with BSP threading and socket fabrication. Send your size, class and quantity requirements for latest quotation.
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