EN 744 for falling weight impact testing of thermoplastics pipes

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EN 744 Plastics Piping and Ducting Systems – Thermoplastics Pipes – Test Method for Resistance to External Blows by the Round-the-Clock Method

EN 744 specifying the round-the-clock falling-weight impact method to evaluate the resistance to external blows of circular cross-section thermoplastics pipes. It's a standardized procedure to determine the ability of thermoplastic pipes to withstand external impacts without failing. (EN 744 already withdrawn and replaced by EN ISO 3127)

Test Principle

Randomly selected pipe specimens are impacted by a standardized falling weight at defined circumferential positions under controlled temperature. The True Impact Rate (TIR)—total failures ÷ total blows × 100%—estimates the batch failure rate. The maximum acceptable TIR is 10% (90% confidence level). Results are classified into three regions:

Region A: TIR ≤10% (batch accepted).

Region B: Inconclusive, continue testing.

Region C: TIR >10% (batch rejected).

Specific Test Method:

The round-the-clock method applies controlled falling-weight impacts at equally spaced positions around the pipe circumference to assess batch impact performance statistically. It is mainly used for isolated batch testing; type testing and audit testing may use 0 °C or −20 °C.

Notice a special exception: PP-H homopolymer pipes for soil/waste discharge may be tested at (23±2)°C (marked as not for installation below +5 °C).

Test Equipment required for EN 744:

Recommend UnitedTest Falling-weight testing machine comprising the following key components:

Component	Specifications
Falling-weight testing machine	Features vertical guide rails or a tube to ensure the striker falls vertically and freely. The impact speed must be at least 95% of the theoretical free-fall speed. With release Mechanism: Allows the striker to be dropped from a precisely adjustable height (up to at least 2 meters).
Striker	Part of a hemispherical form combined with a cylindrical stem (min. 10 mm long). Two types are defined (d25 and d90) based on the pipe diameter being tested.
Striker masses	Selected from a predefined list ranging from 0.25 kg to 16.0 kg, depending on the material and specification requirements.
Support device	A 120° Vee-block (at least 200 mm long) that holds the pipe firmly. It must be rigid enough not to absorb or "cushion" the impact energy.
Temperature control device	Environmental chamber or bath maintaining test temperature (0°C ± 1°C) for conditioning and testing
Measuring instruments	Calipers, height gauge, balance for dimensional and mass verification.

Test Specimen Information

Preparation: Test pieces are randomly cut from the pipe batch. Each specimen must have a length of 200 ± 10 mm. The cut ends must be perfectly square to the pipe's axis, clean, and undamaged .

Markings: For pipes with a nominal outside diameter (d_n) greater than 40 mm, a specific number of equidistant longitudinal lines must be drawn around the circumference (e.g., 3 lines for 40<d_n≤63mm, up to 24 lines for d_n>355mm) to ensure systematic strike placement.

Test Parameters details:

Parameter	Specification
Standard test temperature	0 °C ±1 °C
Optional test temperature	−20 °C ±2 °C; PP-H: 23 °C ±2 °C
Impact positions	Equally spaced around the circumference (round-the-clock)
Minimum total blows	≥25 per test run
Time limit after conditioning	10 s (dn ≤110 mm); 30 s (110 mm < dn ≤200 mm); 60 s (dn >200 mm)
Failure definition	Shattering, visible cracks/splits through the wall; indentation/crease ≠ failure

Test Stipulations:

Impact must be perpendicular to the pipe surface at marked positions.

Minimum interval between blows on the same specimen: 10 s to avoid local warming.

Specimens must stay at test temperature during the full test sequence.

TIR is calculated at the 10% threshold; test severity is adjusted by striker mass and drop height only.

For corrugated/ribbed pipes, impact the crest of ribs/corrugations.

Report all deviations, striker type/mass, conditioning details, and failure count.

Step by step details guide of EN 744 test procedures:

1, Setup: Place the conditioned test piece in the Vee-block support.

2, Positioning: Align the pipe so the first marked line (or a random starting point for small pipes) is directly under the striker's fall path. For corrugated pipes, ensure the striker hits the crest of a rib/corrugation.

3, Striking: Release the striker from the specified height to deliver a blow.

4, Inspection: Immediately inspect the pipe for failure according to the defined criteria.

5, Rotation (Round-the-Clock): If the pipe does not fail, rotate it to the next marked line. Re-condition the pipe if necessary (depending on the time elapsed), and deliver another blow.

6, Repetition: Continue this process until the pipe either fails or has been struck once on every marked line.

7, Statistical Evaluation (TIR): Once enough blows (minimum 25) are accumulated across all test pieces, the results are evaluated against a 10% TIR limit using a statistical table or formula.

Region A: Accept (TIR is definitively below 10%)

Region B: Inconclusive (requires more testing)

Region C: Reject (TIR is definitively above 10%) .

Test Application (Industry Fields)

EN 744 is used for quality and conformity assessment of thermoplastics pipes in:

Drainage, waste, and sewage (soil and waste discharge)

Potable water supply systems

Building utility piping

Non-pressure fluid transport

Civil engineering and construction buried pipelines.

Related test standard:

ISO 3127	Thermoplastics pipes - Determination of resistance to external blows - Round-the-clock method
GBT 14152	China standard, equivalent with ISO 3127
ISO 11173	Thermoplastics pipes - Determination of resistance to external blows - Staircase method
EN 1411	PLASTICS PIPING AND DUCTING SYSTEMS. THERMOPLASTICS PIPES. DETERMINATION OF RESISTANCE TO EXTERNAL BLOWS BY THE STAIRCASE METHOD.
NF T54-9106	Plastics piping and ducting systems. Thermoplastics pipes. Determination of resistance to external blows by the staircase method.
TCVN 6144	Thermoplastics pipes. Determination of resistance to external blows. Round-the-clock method
BS 2782-11: Method 1108C	UK implementation of EN 744
EN 1705	Plastics piping systems — Thermoplastics valves — Test method for the integrity of a valve after an external blow‌
ASTM D2444	Standard Practice for Determination of the Impact Resistance of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings by Means of a Tup (Falling Weight)
ASTM D5628	Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart (Tup or Falling Mass)
ASTM D5420	Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimen by Means of a Striker Impacted by a Falling Weight (Gardner Impact)

Pipe Falling Hammer Impact Testing Machine for assessing the impact resistance and toughness of plastic and metal pipes, offering controlled hammer energy, accurate impact measurement, and reliable quality evaluation for industrial and laboratory testing.

Q1: What is the primary purpose of the EN 744 test?

A: The main purpose of the EN 744 test is to evaluate the resistance to external blows of thermoplastic pipes with circular cross-sections. It uses a "round-the-clock" falling weight method to simulate the mechanical stress and sudden impacts that pipes might encounter during transportation, storage, and installation. Ultimately, it helps determine if a batch of pipes meets the required safety and quality standards.

Q2: Why is the EN 744 impact test so important for piping materials?

A: This test is crucial for several reasons:

Prevents System Failures: Pipes often face rough handling, such as being dropped from heights or struck by heavy tools during installation. If a pipe cracks or shatters easily, it can lead to leaks, structural weaknesses, or even catastrophic system failures later on.

Ensures Material Durability: It verifies the toughness and quality of the thermoplastic material (like PVC, PE, or PP) and ensures the manufacturing process yields a durable product.

Guarantees Safety: By enforcing a strict statistical pass/fail criterion (the 10% True Impact Rate), it ensures that the probability of a defective pipe being used in infrastructure (like water supply or sewage systems) is mathematically minimized.

Q3: What does "TIR" (True Impact Rate) mean in the context of EN 744?

A: TIR stands for True Impact Rate. It is a statistical concept used in the test to estimate the overall quality of an entire batch of pipes.

Instead of testing every single pipe (which would be destructive and impractical), a random sample is tested. The TIR is the percentage of total failures compared to the total number of blows struck on the sample. According to EN 744, for a batch to be accepted, the estimated TIR must not exceed 10% .

Q4: How does the "round-the-clock" method work, and why is it used?

A: The "round-the-clock" method refers to the practice of striking the pipe at multiple, equally spaced points around its circumference.

How it works: For larger pipes, longitudinal lines are drawn at equal intervals around the pipe. The falling weight strikes the pipe at the first line, then the pipe is rotated to the next line for the next blow until it breaks or all lines have been tested .

Why it's used: Pipes can have varying wall thicknesses or structural weaknesses at different angles. Testing all around the circumference ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the pipe's uniformity and overall impact resistance.

Q5: Why doesn't EN 744 specify exact weights or drop heights for all tests?

A: EN 744 is a methodology standard, not a product specification. Its job is to provide a rigorous, standardized procedurefor how to conduct the impact test.

The specific variables—such as the exact mass of the striker, the height from which it is dropped, and the conditioning temperature—are intentionally left flexible. These parameters are defined by the specific product standard (e.g., a standard for PVC pressure pipes vs. a standard for PP waste discharge pipes) that references EN 744 . This allows the test to be universally adapted to different materials and real-world applications.

Q6: Can PP‑H pipes be tested at room temperature?

A: Yes. PP‑H pipes for soil and waste discharge may be tested at 23±2 °C if marked “not for installation below +5 °C”.

Q7: How are impact positions arranged in EN 744?

A: For pipes with outer diameter >40 mm, equally spaced longitudinal lines are marked around the circumference. Impacts are applied sequentially on each line.

Q8: What is defined as a test failure in EN 744?

A: Shattering, visible cracks, splits, or through‑wall damage caused by impact. Indentations and creases are NOT failures.

Q9: What is the minimum number of blows required?

A: At least 25 blows per test run for valid results.

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