5.1 The Device record includes information about how the heat butt fusion joint was made (heater temperature, pressures and times for the heating, fusion and cooling steps) and other important information about the process, job, equipment used, etc. The Device record is compared to the specified heat butt fusion procedure parameters to determine if the procedure was followed correctly. For comparison purposes, a graph of time versus pressure is generated from the data record to show pressure changes that occur during the butt fusion process. Comparing the time versus pressure graph to the steps in the procedure helps determine that the procedure parameters were observed, (Note 1). (See Appendix X1.) These records may be downloaded from the device and stored.

5.2 When used in conjunction with manually-operated machines, the Device records information about the procedure used, the operator, the equipment, and the piping material. The Device may capture photographs of the set up (alignment and cleanliness) as well as the completed fusion bead. These records may be downloaded from the device and stored.

Note 1: The Device cannot show all aspects of the heat butt fusion conditions (such as wind, cold weather, blowing dust and sand, etc.) and does not preclude periodic joint testing as described in the applicable fusion standard or procedure.

1.1 This practice specifies the data recording information that is recorded, when data recording equipment is used, on heat butt fusion joints in a plastic piping system in order to compare the procedure used in making the joint to the heat butt fusion joining procedure specified. This practice is suitable for use with all heat butt fusion joining procedures such as Practice F2620, Specification F3372, Specification F2945 international standards or other qualified procedures. This practice primarily applies to hydraulically operated heat butt fusion machines and can be utilized for documenting heat butt fusion joints completed with manually-operated fusion machines.

1.2 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.