Vitrified Clay Pipe Installation 

• Over 5 Billion linear feet of VCP installed in the U.S.
• In service in the U.S. for over 200-years
• THE longest-lasting, most sustainable pipe material

Installation practices encountered throughout the country are many and varied. Those described here are considered sound, although it is recognized that there may be other equally satisfactory methods. Technical data presented are considered reliable, but no guarantee is made or liability assumed.

The recommendations in this Handbook should not be substituted for the judgment of a professional engineer.

Additional information on the installation of clay pipe is found in ASTM C12 Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines and NCPI’s Vitrified Clay Pipe Engineering Manual.

Get our Vitrified Clay Pipe Installation & Inspection Handbook in its entirety by clicking on the button provided or go directly to the chapter of your interest by clicking on the links below.

6 Keys of Success

Chapter 1: Planning the Work

Scope of Work ● Job Records ● Working Relationships

Chapter 2: Pipe Specifications & Inspection

Pipe Specifications ● Pipe Inspection ● ASTM Standards

Chapter 3: Trench Excavation

Excavation – Line and Grade, Trench Walls ● Sheeting, Shoring and Moveable Trench Boxes – Dewatering

Chapter 4: Foundation & Bedding Classes

Foundation ● Bedding and Materials – Bedding Classes, Load Factors, Joints, Geotextile Fabric

Chapter 5: Pipe Installation

Pipe Handling – Bell or Coupling Holes ● Pipe Joining ● Bedding & Haunching – Good Hauch Support ● Initial Backfill ● Final Backfilling Compaction, Compaction Abuse

Chapter 6: Laterals & Special Features 

Pipe Fittings ● Tapping for Service Connections ● Excavation of Laterals ● Installation ● Backfill ● Stoppers

Chapter 7: Connecting to Manholes & Other Structures

Chapter 8: Testing Installed Lines

Low-Pressure Air Testing – Test Procedures, Safety During Testing ● CCTV Inspection ● Hydrostatic Infiltration Testing

Chapter 9: Trenchless Installation Using Vitrified Clay Jacking Pipe

Manholes ● Pipe Manhole Connections ● Terminal Cleanout Structures

Index