Overview
EN ISO 15874-3:2013/A2:2021 is Amendment 2 to Part 3 of the ISO 15874 series - the European adoption that updates requirements for polypropylene (PP) fittings used in plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations. Approved by CEN in October 2021, this amendment revises definitions, material and dimensional rules, physical/chemical test requirements and adds new tests and annexes relevant to PP and metallic fittings used with ISO 15874 piping systems.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope update & harmonization: Amendment A2 modifies EN ISO 15874-3:2013 without changes to ISO text and requires national adoption.
- New and revised definitions: Clear definitions added/updated for compression fittings, radial press fittings, axial press fittings and push‑fit fittings (including notes on internal supports, seals and re‑use).
- Materials for metallic fittings: Metallic fittings intended to be used with ISO 15874 components shall be copper alloys or stainless steel, defined by applicable standards or regulations.
- Appearance and opacity: Visual requirements for plastic and metal fittings - surfaces must be clean, free from production residues, scoring or cavities; ends perpendicular to axis; opacity clause renamed for plastics.
- Dimensional measurement standards: Plastic fitting dimensions - measured per ISO 3126; metallic fittings - per ISO 2768‑1 and/or ISO 22081.
- Physical and chemical testing
- Melt flow rate (MFR): For PP compounds, MFR determined per ISO 1133‑1 (230 °C/2.16 kg); difference between compound and injection‑moulded part MFR ≤ 30%.
- Copper alloy corrosion: Requirements for stress corrosion resistance (hardness criteria and reference to ISO 6506‑1, ISO 6957) and dezincification testing per ISO 6509‑1 (maximum depth ≤ 200 µm, average ≤ 100 µm).
- Dimensional & mechanical limits: Annex A (normative) specifies minimum wall thicknesses for copper alloy fittings by nominal diameter (machined/wrought and cast).
- Tightness test for cast fittings: New Clause 12 mandates leak testing of cast alloy fittings - immersion in water while applying compressed air ≥ 0.5 MPa (5 bar); bubbles indicate leakage.
Applications and users
This amendment is essential for:
- Manufacturers of PP piping fittings, metal fittings and joint systems (compression, press, push‑fit)
- Plumbing engineers, MEP designers and specifiers working on hot and cold water installations
- Test laboratories and quality managers performing MFR, corrosion, dezincification and leak tests
- Building regulators, procurement teams and installers ensuring compliance with EN/ISO requirements
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 15874-3:2013/A2:2021, polypropylene fittings, PP fittings, plastics piping systems, hot and cold water, compression fittings, press fittings, push-fit fittings, copper alloys, dezincification, melt flow rate (MFR).