PVC Pipe Pressure Classes & Sizes
PVC and uPVC pressure pipe is rated by class or PN — Class 4 is roughly 10 Bar and Class 5 roughly 16 Bar — while ASTM pipe is rated by Schedule (40, 80, 120). Sizes run from 20 mm conduit up to 710 mm drainage. This guide explains the classes, schedules and sizes so you can specify correctly. 4B Factory manufactures the full range in Al-Kharj.
Pressure
Understanding Pressure Class & Schedule
Pressure pipe is rated for the maximum working pressure it can safely carry. uPVC pressure pipe uses a class or PN (nominal pressure) system: Class 4 is rated to around 10 Bar and Class 5 to around 16 Bar. The higher the class, the thicker the wall relative to diameter, and the higher the pressure it withstands.
ASTM PVC pipe uses the Schedule system instead — Schedule 40, 80 and 120 — where a higher schedule means a thicker wall and higher pressure rating at a given size. SDR (Standard Dimension Ratio) is another way of expressing wall thickness relative to diameter. Matching the class or schedule to the working pressure is the core of specifying pressure pipe.
Pressure Classes, Schedules & Sizes
A quick reference for specifying PVC and uPVC pipe by class, schedule and size. Confirm exact ratings against the product datasheet for your application.
| Rating | Pressure / Size & Application |
|---|---|
| Class 4 (PN 10) | ~10 Bar · uPVC pressure mains · potable & utility water · 50–315 mm |
| Class 5 (PN 16) | ~16 Bar · higher-pressure uPVC mains · 50–315 mm |
| Schedule 40 | ASTM D 1785 · standard-wall PVC pressure pipe · ½″–8″ |
| Schedule 80 | ASTM D 1785 · thicker-wall, higher-pressure PVC · ½″–8″ |
| Sewer Class 2–4 | SAS 1395/1396 · gravity drainage (non-pressure) · 110–710 mm |
| Duct / Conduit | SAS 254/255 · NEMA TC 2 · cable protection · 20–63 mm |
Matching Class & Size to the Job
Water Mains → Class 4 & 5
Potable and utility pressure lines use Class 4 or 5 uPVC — see watermain pressure pipes.
Industrial → Schedule 40/80
Higher-pressure industrial duty uses ASTM Schedule pipe — see PVC ASTM pipes.
Drainage → Sewer Class 2–4
Gravity drainage uses non-pressure sewer classes in large diameters — see uPVC sewer pipes.
Cable Protection → Duct
Electrical and telecom conduit uses smaller-diameter duct pipe — see uPVC duct pipes.
Custom Sizes & Bends
Non-standard sizes and fabricated bends are made to order — see fabricated products.
Confirm the Standard
Match class or schedule to the working pressure and confirm the standard — see the full product range.
Pressure Pipe by Class & Schedule
Every class and schedule below is manufactured in Al-Kharj to Saudi and international standards. Open any product for full size and pressure data.
Need Help Specifying Pressure Class?
Send your working pressure, flow and size requirements and 4B Factory will recommend the right class, schedule and diameter, manufactured in Al-Kharj with standards documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Class 4 uPVC pressure pipe is rated to around 10 Bar and Class 5 to around 16 Bar. Class 5 has a thicker wall relative to diameter and withstands higher working pressure, so it is used where the network pressure is greater.
Schedule refers to wall thickness in ASTM PVC pipe. Schedule 80 has a thicker wall than Schedule 40 at the same diameter, giving it a higher pressure rating for industrial duty.
PN stands for nominal pressure, expressed in Bar. PN 10 corresponds roughly to Class 4 and PN 16 to Class 5. It states the maximum working pressure the pipe is rated to carry.
4B Factory manufactures from 20 mm duct pipe up to 710 mm sewer and drainage pipe, covering pressure mains, ASTM Schedule pipe, conduit and fabricated products.
Match the class or schedule to the maximum working pressure of your network, with a safety margin. For water mains that usually means Class 4 or 5; for industrial pressure, Schedule 40 or 80. Confirm against the product datasheet.
Request Pressure Pipe by Class & Size
Send your working pressure, sizes, class or schedule and quantities for a factory-direct quotation. Call, WhatsApp, or email info@4bfactory.com.