Quality assurance of district heating pipes

The Finnish quality assurance system for district heating pipe systems, organised and maintained by the Finnish Energy Industries (ET) and the Finnish Plastic Industries Federation (MT), is used in Finland. The system has been in operation since 1984.

The system consists of the certification procedure for products and materials used in the building of the district heating network (pipes and pipe parts, joint solutions and valves) on the one hand, and the authorisation procedure for contractors and mechanics carrying out pipe installation work on the other hand.

Certification and authorisation are not required by the authorities, but companies take part in the quality assurance system on a voluntary basis.  However, Finnish district heating suppliers extensively require the certificate and authorisation in their procurement in accordance with ET’s recommendation.

With respect to product certification, the Finnish national procedure and LT mark will be replaced by a corresponding European certification procedure, which has started phased year 2007. The procedure is maintained by Euroheat & Power, the European co-operation organisation in district heating. For more information from Euroheat & Power