Document No: SPC-FXI-009 Issue Date: 25/01/2015

Classification: Restricted Revision: 00

STANDARD SPECIFICATION
FOR OBC DUCTING MATERIALS AND TESTING

Document No: SPC-FXI-009

Issue Date: 25/01/2015

Revision: 0

Classification: Restricted

Documentation security classification applies to this document.

Please familiarise yourself to the requirements.

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 Document No: SPC-FXI-009 Issue Date: 25/01/2015

Classification: Restricted Revision: 00

i Document Authorisation

This document is authorised for issue

ii Revision History

The following is a brief summary of the most recent revisions to the document. Details of all
revisions prior to these are held by the issuing department.

Revision Date Author Scope / Remarks

No.
0 25/01/2015 Alex Spicer Initial version

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 Document No: SPC-FXI-009 Issue Date: 25/01/2015

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1 Table of Contents
2 Scope ................................................................................................... 4
3 Applicable Standards and Codes .................................................................... 4
4 Climatic Data .......................................................................................... 4
5 Material characterisation ............................................................................ 4
6 Classification .......................................................................................... 5
7 Duct Technical Features ............................................................................. 5
7.1 Flexibility ......................................................................................... 6
7.2 Lubricants......................................................................................... 6
7.3 Duct Accessories ................................................................................. 6
7.3.1 Couplers ..................................................................................... 6
7.4 Marking ............................................................................................ 7
8 Inspection and Testing ............................................................................... 7
9 Criteria of acceptance/rejection of material ..................................................... 8
10 Quality assurance/control ........................................................................ 8
11 Packing and Delivery: .............................................................................. 8
12 Documentation: .................................................................................... 8
13 Guarantee ........................................................................................... 8

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 Document No: SPC-FXI-009 Issue Date: 25/01/2015

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2 Scope
This specification sets the minimum acceptable requirements for supply of underground ducting
materials to be used in the OBC fibre network
In case of difference between this specification and the specified international standards then
the most stringent requirements shall prevail.

3 Applicable Standards and Codes

BS EN 61386-24:2010. Conduit systems for cable management. Particular
requirements. Conduit systems buried underground

BS EN 60529 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP

code)

4 Climatic Data
For this document, the climatic conditions of the Sultanate of Oman shall be taken into account.
The following data provided is for guidance only.

 Maximum ambient temperature: 55 ᴼC,

 Maximum humidity: can reach 100%
 Maximum metal temperature in sun: 80 ᴼC,
 Rainfall: 100mm per year approx.

5 Material characterisation
The material shall consist of uPVC (110mm) and HDPE (25mm) to which may be added only those
additives that are needed to facilitate the manufacture of the polymer, and the production of sound,
durable ducts and fittings of good surface finish, mechanical strength and opacity.
All additives are to be evenly dispersed and shall be compatible with all other ingredients.
The material used shall be prime grade 80 or 100. At least 90% of the composition shall be virgin
material.
A proportion of the composition may be re-worked material from the manufacturers own
production provided such re-worked material has been processed no more than once and that the
proportion of re- worked material does not exceed 10% of the total composition.

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The raw material used for ducts shall meet the following requirements:
1) The anti-oxidants used shall be physiologically harmless.
2) The raw material used for extrusion shall be dried to bring the moisture content to less than
0.1%.
3) Suitable UV stabilizers shall be used for manufacture of the duct to protect against UV
degradation, when stored in open for a minimum period of 8 months.
4) The raw material used in the manufacture of the duct shall be such that the service life of
the duct and all its accessories can be expected to be more than 50 years including the life
of permanent lubricant.

Primary Duct
Nominal Size 110mm Shall be of a single wall construction extruded to provide a
Installed in Open-Cut smooth inner and outer wall surface.
trenches bedded in sand,
gravel or graded material
Secondary Duct
May be manufactured as a single extrusion or may contain a co-
Nominal Size 25mm extruded inner layer consisting of a low friction polymeric
compound.
Table 1: Duct Size and Construction

The inner surface of all ducts shall be smooth.

All finished product shall be free from blisters, holes, flaking, chips, scratches, surface roughness,
cracks, voids and other defects.
All Ducts shall be solid-walled. Non homogenous ducts with honeycomb, air or foam-filled
construction between the inner and outer walls will not be permitted.

6 Classification
Ducts shall be manufactured to be “Normal Duty” as classified in BS EN 61386-24:2010.
Ducts and related fittings and accessories shall, as a minimum, be manufactures as a TYPE 450
or TYPE 750 NORMAL DUTY system as defined in BS EN 61386-24:2010 and shall exhibit the
minimum mechanical characteristics specified in the relevant parts of BS EN 61386-24:2010.

Ducts shall have a BS EN 60529 IP Code of IP47.

7 Duct Technical Features

The preferred nominal sizes for Primary and Secondary ducts are given.
Ducts shall be circular in cross section and the wall thickness shall be uniform.

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7.1 Flexibility

The construction of the duct shall be pliable providing a limited

degree of flexibility such that the duct can be routed around a
Primary Duct 110mm
1.0m square obstacle from one side to the other.
Subject to limits determined by testing, the duct may also be
required to flex through minor changes in direction.
Secondary Duct 25mm The duct shall be capable of being routed in trenches along
Single/Dual wall Smooth the same route as water pipes. Routes will typically have a
outer surface series of bends with a radius of ≥1200mm.
Table 2: Flexibility Requirements

7.2 Lubricants
Where a co-extruded low friction internal coating is employed, the coating shall be applied in an
even thickness to the inner wall of the duct to provide a permanent coating with co-efficient of
friction values of ≤0.06.

7.3 Duct Accessories

Both the Primary and Secondary ducts shall be made available with a range of compatible
couplers and accessories as follows:

7.3.1 Couplers
110 mm ducts will be extruded in 6m and 1.5m lengths, each length having a ‘male’ and ‘female’
end to provide a plug and socket effect.

Couplers shall be provided to join two lengths of duct of the same material, construction and size
for as ‘male’ to ‘male’ connection.
Couplers shall be of a compression fit construction capable of being installed without prior
dismantling of the coupler. The coupler shall be of simple design and shall not require the use of
skilled labour for installation.
Joints achieved through the use of a coupler will ensure continuity of the smooth inner surface of
the duct.

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7.4 Marking
All covers in the OBC network will be Black in colour and annotated in English and Arabic –
 OBC Fibre Optic
 Manufacturer name or Logo

8 Inspection and Testing

The material shall meet the above mentioned criteria.
Material shall be inspected randomly during installation for non-compliance to specification and
any bad installation practices.

OBC may reject any item that does not totally comply with requirements of this specification.

Where possible, duct proving and testing should be carried out after installation and backfilling but
prior to final surface reinstatement

Unless otherwise specified, the following test will be carried out on all 110mm Primary Ducts
A mandrel will be attached to a brush and the duct will be tested by passing them through the
complete length of the duct.
 The length of the mandrel will be 120mm and its diameter will be at least 90% of the inside
diameter of the duct.
 The length of the brush will be 200mm and its diameter will be at least 110% of the inside
diameter of the duct.

Unless otherwise specified, the following test will be carried out on all 25mm Secondary Ducts .
 They shall be cleaned through the entire length by means of compressed air or the use of
a blown sponge or by any other proposed method approved by the OBC.

Notes on Duct Tests:

 Brushes shall be attached to suitable stranded steel or polypropylene rope by means of
suitable eyelets.
 Swivels shall be used between the rope and the mandrel to prevent twists during drawing.
 Swivels and eyelets shall be sheathed or taped to prevent damage to the duct bore during
drawing.
 If necessary the passage of the mandrel and draw rope may be lubricated using a suitable
water based polymer cable lubricant. Under no circumstances shall any solvent, oil or
detergent based lubricants be used.

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9 Criteria of acceptance/rejection of material

Contractor shall supply full MDS for the selected product. This will be checked against the relevant
specification and the material will only be sourced once OBC have accepted the product.

10 Quality assurance/control
A copy of manufacturer`s Quality Assurance and Quality Control shall be submitted for review
and approval.

11 Packing and Delivery:

The manufacturer shall provide packing and shipping procedures for OBC’s approval.

12 Documentation:
The manufacturer shall provide the following vendor data as a minimum.

 Catalogues of the proposed manufacturers.

 Dimensional details.
 Local agent name and address.
 Detailed material specification.
 Manufacturer’s drawings showing dimensions.

13 Guarantee
The manufacturer will provide guarantees and warranties and OBC will review prior to
acceptance of the product.

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