Ameron has been supplying Fuel Handling solutions since 1973 when the Dualoy® 3000/L product line was first introduced and Listed by underwriters Laboratories (UL). Rigid fiberglass pipe was the answer then for replacing metallic pipe that was prone to corrosion. It is still the best answer today for piping liquid fuels and fuel vapors between underground storage tanks (UST's) and dispensers.
Over the years, Ameron has developed new products and added features to the Dualoy product line in response to changing needs in the Fuel Handling industry. Ameron was the first to introduce products UL Listed for use with alcohol (ethanol and methanol) and blends of alcohol and gasoline (gasohol and E-85, primarily). The Dualoy product was the first UL Listed for secondary containment when environmental regulations required it. Dualoy 3000/LCX is the first and only fiberglass pipe with coaxial construction, greatly reducing costs and simplifying the installation labor. Dualoy 3000/MCX can be used above ground and above water (marina applications), incorporating technology used by Ameron in their Offshore products.
The many advantages of Ameron Dualoy Fiberglass pipe systems
Up to 50% labor savings
Installation of Dualoy 3000/LCX is much easier and faster than a standard 'size-over-size' containment system traditionally used (3-inch over 2-inch, for example). The primary pipe and secondary pipe are together in this design and are handled and cut to length with each other. No separate measuring, cutting and carrying is needed, reducing the time, effort and waste associated with using two independent pieces of pipe. The larger the job, the more this saves up to 50% on large jobs (20% on small ones).
Up to 35% material savings
Dualoy piping systems are very versatile. Installing pipe in series patterns (through the sump) will reduce the number of fittings, joints and cost. Pipe can also be installed in a parallel pattern. Let the site layout and costs decide, not the product.
Near-zero permeation
Permeation, the silent, slow leak. While no material is totally impervious, the Dualoy products have consistently shown extremely low permeation of fuel and additives throughout its service and testing history. The UL Listing requirement in 1973 stated that a pipe could show no weight loss over a period of 180 days when filled with fuel and capped off. Dualoy piping meets that requirement. UL has changed the requirement several times over the years, allowing as much as 4 grams per square meter per day (this equates to one gallon through 32 feet of 2-inch pipe in a year!). We believe this unnecessary pollution is unacceptable.
Few joints underground
Dualoy pipe is made on a continuous process and can be supplied in lengths limited only by shipping and handling restrictions. Most pipe is supplied in 20-foot lengths, but joints 40-feet long can be used if they can be handled correctly to and at the jobsite. Other custom lengths are also available on request. This capability allows Dualoy piping to connect between dispensers with a single full length, with no joints or couplings in between. The taper-taper bonded joint on the Dualoy system is totally reliable, but if the cost associated with making a joint (and a containment joint if in a secondarily contained system) can be avoided, the savings are significant.
High pressure ratings
Normal operating pressure in a fuel system is around 30 psi. When flow is suddenly stopped, however, such as when a nozzle slams shut, transient pressure spikes over 200 psi. can occur. Obviously, this happens repeatedly during the course of normal operations. Dualoy piping is resistant to this type of cyclic pressure and fatigue. Flexible hoses, typically with lower pressure ratings than Dualoy, have failed in numerous sites for this cause. Where the flexible hose is connected to the metallic end fitting, the abrupt change in stiffness cause a stress riser which can eventually leads to problems.
High flow rate
Dualoy products have larger-than-nominal inside diameters and have the highest flow coefficient in the market. This means higher flow rates and faster customer turnover.
Slope
Every installation guide for fuel piping states the pipe is to be sloped to the tank. This is true for product pipe, vents and vapor recovery lines, alike. Flexible hoses don't meet this requirement. What if an accident occurs and your system is out of NFPA, API and PEI compliance?
Long-life pipe
Pipe is used when plumbing is needed to last a long time. Hose is used for temporary lines. What would make a fuel system different? (The're not!)
Compatibility
Dualoy products are made with thermosetting resin that is compatible with methanol, ethanol, and MTBE, fuel blends, moisture, bacteria and compromised soils, inside and out. There?s no need to use layers of different material such as the inner one resists fuel, the next film has low permeation, the outer one can be exposed to moisture (but can't stand up to gasoline), etc.
Compact
Dualoy 3000/LCX has a smaller outside diameter than other systems, allowing its centerline spacing to be closer. Low profile crossovers (for parallel layouts) minimize the depth of burial required. Excavation, backfill and haul-off savings result.
Keep it simple - Keep it fiberglass - Keep it Ameron Dualoy
