Assembling non-metallic pipework

​

This standard identifies the competences you need to produce assemblies in non-metallic pipework, in accordance with approved procedures. In producing assemblies, you will be expected to select and use a range of equipment, hand tools and techniques appropriate to the operations being performed.

The assembly activities will include producing cemented/glued joints, compression joints and push-fit joints. The pipe assemblies produced will use a range of fittings, which will include straight connectors, elbows, tee pieces, reduction pieces, flanges, tank connectors, tap connectors, valves and other fittings, as appropriate to the application.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the pipework assembly activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the equipment, materials or assembly activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you produce.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying non-metallic pipework assembly procedures. You will understand the pipework assembly, and its application, and will know about the assembly techniques, pipe components and materials used, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the work output is produced to the required specification.

You will understand the safety precautions required when working on the pipework assembly activities and with the associated tools and equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.

---

​

1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
2. follow the relevant instructions, assembly drawings and any other specifications
3. ensure that the specified fittings are available and that they are in a usable condition
4. use the appropriate methods and techniques to assemble the fittings in their correct positions
5. secure the pipework using the specified connectors and securing devices
6. check the completed assembly to ensure that all operations have been completed and the finished assembly meets the required specification
7. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved

---

​

1. how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
2. the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used when assembling non-metallic pipework
3. the hazards associated with the pipework assembly activities and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
4. how to extract and use information from engineering drawings and related specifications (to include symbols and conventions to appropriate standards) in relation to work undertaken
5. how to interpret first and third angle drawings, imperial and metric systems of measurement, work reference points and system of tolerancing
6. the preparation of pipework and fittings for the assembly operation
7. the range of pipe fittings that can be used, and how to identify them
8. the different types of fitting available
9. how to determine the overall length of the pipework required, taking into account allowances for pipe fittings and bends
10. how to identify the correct orientation of fittings with regard to flow, and the consequences of incorrectly orientating the fitting
11. the methods used to prepare pipe ends and fittings when using adhesives, and why it is necessary to ensure that these preparations are carried out
12. the methods used to cemment/glue the joints, and how to recognise when the fitting is correctly secured
13. the various adhesives and sealing compounds that are used on non-metallic pipework
14. the precautions to be taken when using the adhesives and sealing compounds
15. the precautions to be taken when using hot air/gas torches to form the joint, and the effect of overheating the joint
16. the use of compression fittings; how the pipes are sealed; and the effects of over tightening the fittings
17. the use of push-fit connectors, and their advantages and disadvantages
18. methods of supporting pipework and the types of fitting that are used
19. the tools and equipment used when assembling pipework
20. the standards to be attained, and the company quality procedures
21. the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve

---

---

​

1. Carry out all of the following during the pipe assembly activities:
   1. obtain and use the appropriate documentation
   2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
   3. check that all tools and equipment are in a safe and usable condition
   4. follow safe practice/approved pipe fitting and assembly techniques at all times
   5. ensure that the fittings and pipes used are free from foreign objects, dirt or other contamination before assembling them
   6. return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the pipe fitting activities
   7. leave the work area and assembly in a safe and appropriate condition on completion of the activities
2. Cut pipes and assemble them using all of the following methods:
   1. compression fittings
   2. snap-on/push fittings
   3. cemented/glued fittings
3. Produce pipework assemblies which contain six of the following types of fitting:
   1. straight couplings
   2. elbows
   3. tee pieces
   4. reduction pieces
   5. valves
   6. blanking caps
   7. pipe clips/supports
   8. drain/bleeding devices
   9. screwed fittings (such as tank, tap, pump, gauges)
4. Produce assembled pipework which contains two of the following features:
   1. angular bends
   2. offsets
   3. bridge sets
5. Assemble pipework using all of the following methods and techniques:
   1. securing pipework supports to structures
   2. connecting pipe-to-equipment
   3. fitting pipework supports
   4. using gaskets, seals or jointing compounds
   5. connecting pipe-to-pipe
   6. alignment/levelling equipment
   7. hand tools
   8. torque loading of fasteners
   9. adhesives
   10. hot air/gas torches
6. Produce pipework assemblies which comply with one of the following quality and accuracy standards:
   1. BS, ISO or BSEN standards
   2. customer standards and requirements
   3. company standards and procedures
   4. specific system requirements

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

3

---

31 Mar 2028

---

Current

---

Original

---

Enginuity

---

SEMMME3078

---

Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Engineering Technicians

---

3113

---

Engineering; manufacturing; mechanical; assemble; pipe; non-metal pipe; cement joints; glue joints; compression fittings; push fit connectors; valves

---