What is a black pipe BS1972 we have found 4 inches below ground in our garden?

[happle26]

Hi,
Please could someone provide any advice on what a black pipe with Tenaplas Ltd BS1972 on it, could be? Do you think it is a water pipe, rather than any other utilities? (e.g. telephone, electricity, etc...)
We have found it 4in below our garden (we haven't unearthed all of it yet), so don't know where it starts or ends....who can we contact to obtain information on what this is for, is it still in use, and how can we move it?
Hope this all makes sense - I have posted a photo of it, in case this helps identify it.
Thank you for any advice anyone can give.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Could be elec

Garden shed outside lights?

 

[happle26]

Could be elec

Garden shed outside lights?

thank you for your quick reply.....I really don't know - we moved into the house 2 years ago and am not aware of any electrics going outside...we want to build an extension - hence why we have started to clear the ground.
I've put in a request to SEB to take a look as well. When I have googled BS1972 I see lots about it being a water pipe - so thats why I thought maybe someone on here may have seen this before.
Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Rob Foster]

Hi,
Please could someone provide any advice on what a black pipe with Tenaplas Ltd BS1972 on it, could be? Do you think it is a water pipe, rather than any other utilities? (e.g. telephone, electricity, etc...)
We have found it 4in below our garden (we haven't unearthed all of it yet), so don't know where it starts or ends....who can we contact to obtain information on what this is for, is it still in use, and how can we move it?
Hope this all makes sense - I have posted a photo of it, in case this helps identify it.
Thank you for any advice anyone can give.
View attachment 39138
View attachment 39139

You were quite right to contact
UKPF we always try to help
This is probably not a water or gas pipe. I would lift the exposed section higher and see if you can make it break, it might be brittle. turn you lecky off and break into it. In situations like this I would just turn lecky off and then set fire to it and see what happens
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[firemant]

Quick Google says:

BS. 1972 is for above ground or pipe and cold services.

 

[happle26]

Quick Google says:

BS. 1972 is for above ground or pipe and cold services.

Thank you - yes that is what I have found...

"BS 1972: Polythene pipe (Type 32) for above ground use for cold water services"

"This pipe is coloured black for above ground use only and conforms to imperial sizes. The standard has effectively been replaced by BS 6730 and may be withdrawn"

Well this definitely wasn't above ground - or at least it isn't now...it may have started it's life as above ground and someone thought it would be useful to bury it??

Who would manage 'cold water services'?

 

[happle26]

You were quite right to contact
UKPF we always try to help
This is probably not a water or gas pipe. I would lift the exposed section higher and see if you can make it break, it might be brittle. turn you lecky off and break into it. In situations like this I would just turn lecky off and then set fire to it and see what happens
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

Thanks for your advice - I'm not sure I feel comfortable enough to just turn the electrics off,break it and set fire to it and see what happens - but thank you for your thoughts.

 

[Burger]

Hello happle26,

This is what I have found:
Alkathene Pipe Fittings | Information Page | Stevenson Plumbing & Electrical Supplies

It could be an old service that has been left, it could still be a live service. Cold water services are managed by plumbers and local water undertakers. Are you able to trace it to anywhere? Outside wc perhaps, or see what pipe your incoming mains water is piped up in?

 

[happle26]

Hello happle26,

This is what I have found:
Alkathene Pipe Fittings | Information Page | Stevenson Plumbing & Electrical Supplies

It could be an old service that has been left, it could still be a live service. Cold water services are managed by plumbers and local water undertakers. Are you able to trace it to anywhere? Outside wc perhaps, or see what pipe your incoming mains water is piped up in?

Thanks - am just about to go out and brave the rain for a bit and try and trace it out a bit more....am hoping that I'll come to a deadend where it has been cut at some point and just left in the ground....fingers crossed, will let you all know if I find anything else

 

[Stigster]

I'm fairly certain it's what's called Black Alkathene which is marked with that standard. It was used a lot for water services where I am and also commonly used to sleeve sections of underground oil lines too.