Guide Specifications on Plumbing
Part 3 - Execution

3.1 PIPING SYSTEMS - COMMON REQUIREMENTS

INSTALL PIPING AS DESCRIBED BELOW:

  1. General Locations and Arrangements: Drawings (plans, schematics, and diagrams) indicate general location and arrangement of piping systems. Indicated locations and arrangements were used to size pipe and calculate friction loss, expansion, pump sizing, and other design considerations. Install piping as indicated, except where deviations to layout are approved on coordination drawings.
  2. Install piping at indicated slope.
  3. Install components having pressure rating equal to or greater than system operating pressure.
  4. Install piping free of sags, bends, and kinks.
  5. Install fittings for changes in direction and branch connections in hard drawn copper tube. Where approved changes in direction may also be made by bending of Types K and L tube. Type M tube shall not be bent. Branch connections may also be made using an approved mechanically formed tee/outlet.
  6. Fabricate mechanically formed tees/outlets according to manufacturer's standard written procedure. Mechanically formed outlets shall have a collar with a height not less than three times the thickness of the branch tube wall. The branch shall be notched to conform to the inner curve of the run and shall be dimpled or otherwise impeded from penetrating the run pipe/tube to a depth that would obstruct the flow of fluid through the run pipe/tube. The branch tube shall also be dimpled or otherwise marked to indicate the location of the notches with respect to the run. Such marking shall be at a sufficient distance from the face of the joint to allow for a visual point of inspection after the joint is brazed. All joints constructed using this method shall be brazed. Brazing filler metals shall conform to the requirements of Article 2.4 "Joining Materials."
  7. Fabricate mechanically formed couplings by expanding one tube end to form a solder-joint fitting cup using a tool specifically for this purpose in accordance with the tool manufacturer's standard written procedure. The formed fitting cup shall meet or exceed the dimensional requirements of ASME B16.22 for use with solder-joint connections. Solder filler metals shall conform to the requirements of Article 2.4 "Joining Materials." Fitting cup depths that are less than those required in ASME B16.22 for soldered joints may be used provided that the cup has a minimum depth equal to three times the thickness of the tube and the joint is brazed. Brazing filler metals shall conform to the requirements of Article 2.4 "Joining Materials."
  8. Piping Joint Construction: Join tube/pipe and fittings as follows.
    1. Ream ends of pipe and tube and remove burrs to restore full inside diameter and remove burr from outer diameter.
    2. Remove scale, slag, dirt, and debris from inside and outside of pipe, tube, and fittings before assembly.
    3. Soldered Joints: Construct joints according to ASTM B 828.
    4. Brazed Joints: Construct joints according to ANSI/AWS C3.4.
    5. Threaded Joints: Ream threaded pipe ends to remove burrs and restore full inside diameter. Join pipe fittings and valves as follows:
      1. Note the internal length of threads in fittings or valve ends, and proximity of internal seat or wall, to determine how far pipe should be threaded into joint.
      2. Apply appropriate tape or thread compound to external pipe threads (except where dryseal threading is specified).
      3. Align threads at point of assembly.
      4. Tighten joint with wrench and backup wrench as required.
      5. Damaged Threads: Do not use pipe or pipe fittings having threads that are corroded or damaged.
    6. Flanged Joints: Align flange surfaces parallel. Select appropriate gasket material, size, type, and thickness for service application. Install gasket concentrically positioned. Assemble joints by sequencing bolt tightening to make initial contact of flanges and gaskets as flat and parallel as possible. When required, use suitable lubricants on bolt threads. Tighten bolts gradually and uniformly. When flange bolt torque values are provided, tighten to the appropriate torque using a torque wrench.
    7. Mechanical Joints: Grooved copper tube and grooved-tube fitting joints shall be assembled with coupling, gasket, lubricant, and bolts according to coupling and fitting manufacturer's standard written procedure. Grooved ends on copper and copper alloy tube shall be roll-formed only using the appropriate roll-groove tool to construct a groove meeting the coupling and fitting manufacturer's written specifications. Cut grooving methods shall not be used on copper and copper alloy tube.
    8. Flared Tube Joints: Flared copper tube joints shall be made by the appropriate use of cast copper alloy fittings conforming to ASME B16.26. Flared ends of copper tube shall be of the 45-degree flare type and shall only be made with a flaring tool designed specifically for that purpose. Copper alloy tube shall be reamed to remove burrs on the interior and exterior surfaces to restore full inside diameter and a smooth outside diameter prior to forming the flared end.
    9. Press-Connect Joints: Press-connect joints shall be made in accordance with the fitting manufacturer's written installation instructions using a press-connect tool and jaws approved for use for the manufacturer's specific fitting configuration. Copper alloy tube shall be mechanically cleaned and reamed prior to joining to remove all burrs (interior and exterior) and restore full inside diameter and a smooth, chamfered exterior surface.
    10. Push-Fit Joints: Push-Fit joints shall be made in accordance with the fitting manufacturer's written installation instructions. Copper alloy tube shall be mechanically cleaned and reamed prior to joining to remove all burrs (interior and exterior) and restore full inside diameter and a smooth, chamfered exterior surface.
  9. Piping Connections: Except as otherwise indicated, make piping connections as specified below:
    1. Install solder-joint to male-thread adapters, or solder-joint to male-thread unions meeting the requirements of ASME B16.18 or ASME B16.22, adjacent to each threaded valve and threaded equipment connection in a copper tube system.
    2. Install ASME B16.24 cast copper alloy pipe flanges adjacent to each flanged valve and flanged equipment connection in a copper tube system.
  10. Piping Protection: Except as otherwise indicated protect piping as specified below:
    1. Allowance for thermal expansion and contraction shall be provided for copper and copper alloy tube passing through a wall, floor, ceiling or partition by wrapping with an approved tape or pipe insulation, or by installing through an appropriately sized sleeve to allow for thermal movement.
    2. Protection against abrasion shall be provided where copper and copper alloy tube comes in contact with other building members by wrapping with an approved tape, pipe insulation or otherwise suitable method of isolation.
    3. No ashes, cinders, refuse, stones, boulders or other materials which can damage or break the piping or promote corrosive action shall be used in backfilling any trench or excavation in which piping is installed.

3.2 HANGER AND SUPPORT INSTALLATION

HANGER SPACING AND ROD SIZE REQUIREMENTS TAKEN FROM MSS-SP-69. CONSULT THE LOCAL PLUMBING, MECHANICAL OR BUILDING CODE FOR REQUIRED HANGER SPACING REQUIREMENTS.

  1. Install hangers for horizontal piping with the following maximum spacing and minimum rod sizes:
    Nominal Tube Size
    (Inches)    		Copper Tube Max. Span
    (Feet)    		Min. Rod Diameter
    (Inches)
    Up to 3/4 5 3/8
    1 6 3/8
    1-1/4 7 3/8
    1-1/2 8 3/8
    2 8 3/8
    2-1/2 9 1/2
    3 10 1/2
    3-1/2 11 1/2
    4 12 1/2
    5 13 1/2
    6 14 5/8
    8 16 3/4
    10 18 3/4
    12 19 3/4
  2. Support vertical copper tube, copper pipe, or brass pipe at each floor.
  3. In areas where excessive moisture is anticipated, either the piping or the support shall be wrapped with an approved tape or otherwise isolated to prevent contact between dissimilar metals and inhibit galvanic corrosion of the supporting member.

3.3 PIPE AND FITTINGS APPLICATIONS

  1. The following list contains allowable pipe, fitting and joining methods and materials combinations for piping systems included in this specification. Specific requirements for individual piping system applications are contained in Part 4 "Piping Systems Applications".

ALL SIZES ARE DESIGNATED AS EITHER NOMINAL TUBE SIZE (NTS) OR OUTSIDE DIAMETER (OD).

  1. Size 1/4 to 8 inches (NTS):
    1. Copper Tube with Solder/Braze Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tube:
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K or L, annealed temper
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K, L, or M, hard temper
        ASTM B 819, Type K or L, hard temper
      2. Fittings:
        Solder joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.22 wrought copper alloy
        ASME B16.18 cast copper alloy
      3. Fittings:
        Brazed joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.50 wrought or copper alloy
      4. Joints:
        1. Soldered joints: ASTM B 32 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph C
        2. Brazed joints: ANSI/AWS A5.8 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
  2. Size 1/4 to 2 inches (NTS):
    1. Copper Tube with Flared Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tube:
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K or L, annealed temper
      2. Fittings: ASME B16.26, cast copper alloy fittings for flared copper tube
      3. Joints: Flared
  3. Size 2 to 6 inches (NTS):
    1. Copper Tube with Grooved Ends and Mechanical Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tube with rolled-groove ends:
        ASTM B 88 or B75, Type K, L, or M, hard temper
        ASTM B 306 Type DWV, hard temper
      2. Fittings: Wrought or cast copper alloy, grooved end fittings as specified in Article 2.3
      3. Joints: Mechanical couplings as specified in Article 2.3
  4. Size 1-1/4 to 8 inches (NTS):
    1. Copper Tube with Solder/Braze Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tubes:
        ASTM B 306, Type DWV, hard temper
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K, L, or M, hard temper
      2. Fittings: ASME B 16.23, Cast copper alloy solder joint drainage fittings - DWV
      3. Joints:
        1. Soldered joints: ASTM B 32 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph C
        2. Brazed joints: ANSI/AWS A5.8 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
  5. Size 1-1/4 to 4 inches (NTS):
    1. Copper Tube with Solder/Braze Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tubes:
        ASTM B 306, Type DWV, hard temper
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K, L, or M, hard temper
      2. Fittings:
        Copper alloy solder joint drainage fittings - DWV:
        ASME B16.29, wrought copper alloy
        ASME B16.23, cast copper alloy
      3. Joints:
        1. Soldered joints: ASTM B 32 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph C
        2. Brazed joints: ANSI/AWS A5.8 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
  6. Size 3/8 to 4-1/8 inches (OD):
    1. Copper Tube with Solder/Braze Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 280, Type ACR, hard temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings:
        Solder joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.22, wrought copper alloy
        ASME B16.18, cast copper alloy
      3. Fittings:
        Brazed joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.50 wrought copper alloy
      4. Joints:
        1. Soldered joints: ASTM B 32 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph C
        2. Brazed joints: ANSI/AWS A5.8 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
  7. Size 3/8 to 1-5/8 inches (OD):
    1. Copper Tube with Solder/Braze Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 280, Type ACR, hard or annealed temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings:
        Solder joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.22, wrought copper alloy
        ASME B16.18, cast copper alloy
      3. Fittings:
        Brazed joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.50 wrought copper alloy
      4. Joints:
        1. Soldered joints: ASTM B 32 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph C
        2. Brazed joints: ANSI/AWS A5.8 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
    2. Copper Tube with Flared Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 280, Type ACR, annealed temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings: ASME B16.26, cast copper alloy fittings for flared copper tube.
      3. Joints: Flared
  8. Size 1/8 to 1-5/8 inches (OD):
    1. Copper Tube with Solder/Braze Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 280, Type ACR, annealed temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings:
        Solder joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.22, wrought copper alloy
        ASME B16.18, cast copper alloy
      3. Fittings:
        Brazed joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.50 wrought copper alloy
      4. Joints:
        1. Soldered joints: ASTM B 32 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph C
        2. Brazed joints: ANSI/AWS A5.8 filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
    2. Copper Tube with Flared Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 280, Type ACR, annealed temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings: ASME B16.26, cast copper alloy fittings for flared copper tube.
      3. Joints: Flared
  9. Size 3/8 to 1-1/8 inches (OD):
    1. Copper Tube with Brazed Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 837, Type GAS, hard temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings:
        Solder joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.22, wrought copper alloy
        ASME B16.18, cast copper alloy
      3. Fittings:
        Brazed joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.50 wrought copper alloy
      4. Joints:
        Brazed joins:
        ANSI/AWS A5.8 BAg Series filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
  10. Size 3/8 to 7/8 inches (OD):
    1. Copper Tube with Brazes Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 837, Type GAS, hard or annealed temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings:
        Solder joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.22, wrought copper alloy
        ASME B16.18, cast copper alloy
      3. Fittings:
        Brazed joint pressure fittings:
        ASME B16.50 wrought copper alloy
      4. Joints:
        Brazed joins:
        ANSI/AWS A5.8 BAg Series filler metals according to Article 2.4, Paragraph D
    2. Copper Tube with Flared Joints:
      1. Tube: ASTM B 837, Type GAS, annealed temper seamless copper tube
      2. Fittings: ASME B16.26, cast copper alloy fittings for flared copper tube.
      3. Joints: Flared
  11. Size 1/2 to 2 inches (NTS):
    1. Copper Tube with Press-Connect Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tube:
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K, L, or M hard temper
      2. Fittings: ASME B16.51, cast or wrought copper or copper alloy press-connect pressure fittings
      3. Joints: Press-Connect
    2. Copper Tube with Push-Fit Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tube:
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K, L, or M hard temper
      2. Fittings: ASSE 1061, cast or wrought copper or copper alloy push-fit fittings
      3. Joints: Push-Fit
  12. Size 1/2 to 4 inches (NTS):
    1. Copper Tube with Press-Connect Joints:
      1. Tube:
        Seamless copper tube:
        ASTM B 88 or B 75, Type K, L, or M hard temper
      2. Fittings: ASME B16.51, cast or wrought copper or copper alloy press-connect pressure fittings
      3. Joints: Press-Connect
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This Guide Specification has been prepared for the use of professionals involved in the design, specification, installation and repair of copper and copper alloy piping systems in buildings. It has been compiled from information sources that the Copper Development Association Inc. (CDA) believes to be competent. However, CDA assumes no responsibility or liability of any kind in connection with this document or its use by any person or organization and makes no representations or warranties of any kind thereby.

The requirements contained in this Guide Specification are intended solely as a guide for the design professional and represent minimum recommendations and requirements. These should in no way be substituted for sound engineering practice and judgment. Local codes should be consulted and used to modify this Guide Specification to meet actual project requirements.