Composite fuel pipe coils usually arrive in good condition, and most of the damage that shows up later happens between delivery and installation. Coils stored flat on uneven ground, stacked too high, dragged across a slab or uncoiled in the wrong direction can be kinked or scuffed before anyone has laid a metre of pipe. Handling on site is therefore a real part of quality control, not just a logistics detail.
Acceptance at delivery
Check the coils before the delivery vehicle leaves. Confirm the count against the packing list, look for crushed or deformed coils, check that end caps are in place and that the strapping is intact, and compare the markings on the pipe with the order. Damage found while the driver is still on site is resolved quickly; the same damage found a week later becomes a discussion.
Storage on site
Store coils on firm, level ground, ideally on timber or on a prepared area rather than on bare soil. Keep them clear of the route that plant will use, because a coil that has to be moved twice is a coil that gets dragged twice.
Stacking, support and protection
| Aspect | Practical guidance | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | Firm and level, with timber or a prepared pad under the coil | Prevents distortion and point loading |
| Stacking | Keep to the height the supplier advises, and avoid stacking coils of different diameters | Reduces crushing and rolling risk |
| Sun exposure | Where the supplier advises shading or covering, follow it | Long term exposure can affect the outer surface |
| Open ends | Keep caps fitted until the joint is about to be made | Stops debris and moisture entering the bore |
| Movement | Lift rather than drag, wherever the equipment allows it | Abrasion and kinking are most often handling damage |
Paying out the coil
- Position the coil so the pipe leaves in the direction the trench runs, and plan the whole run before starting;
- Uncoil in the direction the pipe was wound, allowing it to relax naturally rather than pulling it straight by force;
- Roll the coil out gradually, keeping a person at the coil to control release and a person ahead to guide the pipe into the trench;
- Never pull the pipe around a sharp corner or over a bare concrete edge;
- Lay the pipe with a gentle sweep rather than tight bends, keeping to the bend radius the design allows;
- Leave enough length at each end for the joint and for any termination, and cap the ends again once the run is laid.
Checks before backfill
Walk the laid run and look for kinks, scoring, flattening or damage around the fittings. Confirm the pipe is fully supported along its length and that fittings are positioned as drawn. A short inspection at this stage is the last chance to correct a handling problem at low cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can coils be stored outdoors for a long period?
Shorter storage periods with the coils supported and capped are straightforward. For longer periods, follow the supplier guidance on covering and on protection from prolonged direct exposure, and re-check the coils before use.
How do I know if a coil has been kinked?
A kink usually shows as a visible crease or a flattening of the section, and the pipe will not lie in a smooth sweep. Check the suspect length, and if the deformation does not relax, refer it to the supplier before installation rather than laying it and hoping.
Does pay-out direction really matter?
Yes. Uncoiling against the wound direction puts the pipe under unnecessary stress and makes it harder to lay in a smooth sweep. Following the wound direction lets the pipe relax naturally and reduces the chance of residual curvature in the trench.
Luoyang Wohong Petrochemical Equipment Co., Ltd. supplies double-wall composite fuel piping, fittings and electrofusion accessories for gas station and fuel depot projects. Contact us for pipeline layout review and product selection support.