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    Lightning Strikes 635055c9acb98
    1. Fire / Smoke

    Studying the Effect of Lightning Strikes on PEX-AL-PEX Hoses

    Oct. 19, 2022
    LAB TESTS: Researchers compared the effects with those from similar strikes on common CSST hoses and black iron pipes.

    By ZUHAIR IBRAHIM, Ph.D., P.E., and ASIF SHAKEEL, Ph.D., Ibrahim & Associates

    Lightning strikes occur during extreme weather conditions and can be the cause of severe damage. In 2021, lightning strikes caused $1.3 billion In U.S. homeowners claim payouts1. In the past two decades, lightning strike research has progressed in both experimental and simulation fields. This has been driven by increased awareness of the risks associated with climate uncertainty and the frequency of extreme events.

    This study looked at the effect of direct lightning strikes on pipes and flexible hoses, typically used in building gas plumbing, with special focus on cross-lined polyethylene (PEX) hoses. PEX, a type of flexible plastic, is increasingly being used in construction as a conduit for gas and water transport. It is a material derived from polyethylene (common plastic) through a process involving radiation treatment. PEX tubing made its way into the U.S. market in the 1980s, beginning with its use in radiant floor heating systems, and finding numerous applications thereon.

    PEX-AL-PEX tubing goes further and sandwiches a layer or aluminum between two layers of PEX (Fig. 1), increasing the sturdiness and resilience of the tube. Among the PEX tubing, PEX-AL-PEX has the highest-pressure rating, and through a memory feature, the ability to retain its shape.    

    Fig. 1: Jones Stephens Brand Pex-Al-Pex (Construction).
    Fig. 1: Jones Stephens Brand Pex-Al-Pex (Construction).

    Our study used a random, 45 to 50 samples from two types of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) pipes -- regular CSST (non-arc resistant jacket) and Arc-resistant jacket CSST; black iron pipes, and Pex-Al-Pex pipes. Each sample was tested using the setup shown using the below schematic for the test setup. These tests were conducted at the DNB Laboratories, Fullerton, CA. The current enters the sample at one end and exits to a ground point located 1/8-inch from the sample. The simulated lightning occurs near the ground metal bar, with the potential damage accompanying it.

    Shared Screenshot Lightning2
    All the pipes and hose assemblies were subjected to high-current tests of the type described in Clifford, et al, Lightning Simulation and Testing,2 most relevant to lightning strike testing. Tests were consistent with the guidelines of LC1027, and MIL-STD- 1757A, and were designed to examine damage from high currents on the hose and pipe assemblies. The high current testing included Component A at 50 KA, which is greater than 83.67%3,4 (Fig. 2), of the lightning strike intensities in the distribution of the naturally occurring lightning strikes. Component A has action integral greater than 55000 A2-S, Component B with an average current of 2000 amps and 10 coulombs of charge transfer, and Component C with a minimum charge transfer of 27 coulomb. The shape of the test waveforms, adapted from Sun, et al.,5 are shown here.
    Fig. 2: Probability density function for maximum current.
    Fig. 2: Probability density function for maximum current.
    Fig. 3: Continuous test waveforms A, B, C, and D redrawn from Sun, et al.
    Fig. 3: Continuous test waveforms A, B, C, and D redrawn from Sun, et al.

    Following the lightning test, each sample which did not exhibit a clear failure (hole), was subjected to a pressurized leak test using compressed air. Black iron pipes, and Pex-Al-Pex hoses were tested at 60 psi. The CSST hoses (regular and arc resistant jacket) were tested to 25 psi which was their maximum rating. The test duration was 10 minutes in accordance with the guidelines of NFPA 546 . At the conclusion of the tests, the following results were recorded:   

    Shared Screenshot Lightning5
    Shared Screenshot Lightning6

    Conclusion

    The report presents the results and findings from an extensive experimental lightning strike study of common piping and CSST used by the gas industry. The high current value chosen as 50kA, which is 60% higher than the mean value of a direct lightning strike. The study examined the response and damage to two common CSST types, and black iron pipe. The results were analyzed using pairwise using hypothesis test of two sample proportions at a significance of 0.05. The statical tests confirm that Pex-Al-Pex hoses have a failure rate which is significantly lower than comparable CSSTs. Pex-Al-Pex hoses had a pass rate similar to those of black iron pipes. Pex-Al-Pex hoses were found to withstand up to 50 kA without exhibiting noticeable damage and were capable of holding pressure at 60 psi.     

    The hypothesis Test for Two-Sample Proportions was conducted pairwise among the listed pipes, to statistically compare the above test results (Appendix A), at the standard significance level of 0.05 (95% confidence level). It shows that the Pex-Al-Pex and Black Iron pipe are not distinguishable, while, with at least 95% confidence, both Pex-Al-Pex and Black Iron pipe in general would have failure rates significantly lower than the CSST pipes, hence a higher resilience to direct lightning strikes, as far as the test conditions and samples are representative of the true conditions and populations, respectively. 

    Shared Screenshot Lightning7
    Shared Screenshot Lightning8

    #####  

    1 Insurance Information Institute - https://www.iii.org/press-release/triple-i-lightning-caused-13-billion-in-ushomeowners-claim-payouts-in-2021-supply-chain-issues-exacerbate-losses-062122 ;

    2 D.W. Clifford, K. E. Crouch and E. H. Schulte, "Lightning Simulation and Testing," in IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, vol. EMC-24, no. 2, pp. 209-224, May 1982, doi: 10.1109/TEMC.1982.304032;

    3 K. Berger, R.B. Anderson, H. Kröninger, Parameters of Lightning Flashes,” Electra, No. 41, 1975 23–37;

    4 P. Venturino et al. “Pipeline failures due to lightning”, Engineering Failure Analysis 64 (2016) 1–12;

    5 Sun J, Yao X, Tian X, Chen J, Wu Y. Damage characteristics of CFRP Laminates subjected to multiple lightning current strike. Appl Compos Mater 2018;26:745–62;

    6 NFPA 54-2021 8.1.4 and 8.1.4.3.    

    Acknowledgment

    This research was supported by Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. The experiments and the analysis were independently conducted, and the authors have no financial interest in any commercial tubing used in the study.