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Uniform Mechanical Code - 2009 Chapter 12
Uniform Mechanical Code - 2009 Chapter 12
Uniform Mechanical Code - 2009 Chapter 12
HYDRONICS
Part I – Steam and Water Piping. penetration of the branch tube into
the collar is of sufficient depth for
brazing and that the branch tube
1201.0 Scope.
does not obstruct the flow in the
Steam and water piping systems that are part of a main line tube. Dimple/depth stops
heating or cooling system shall comply with the shall be in line with the run of the
following requirements: tube. The second dimple shall be
1201.1 Those portions of piping systems in which one-fourth (1/4) inch (6.35 mm)
the pressure exceeds 160 psig (1,103 kPa) or the above the first and shall serve as a
temperature exceeds 250°F (121°C) shall comply with visual point of inspection.
nationally recognized standards and the require- All joints shall be brazed in
ments of Section 1201.2. accordance with Section 212.0. Soft
1201.2 Those portions of piping systems in which soldered joints shall not be allowed.
the pressure does not exceed 160 psig (1,103 kPa) 1201.2.1.4.3 Welding fittings shall be
and the temperature does not exceed 250°F (121°C) black steel.
shall comply with the following requirements:
1201.2.1.4.4 Fittings for asbestos-
1201.2.1 Materials and Construction. cement shall be cast-iron.
1201.2.1.1 Pipe. Pipe shall be brass, copper, 1201.2.1.5 Pipe Joint Compound. Pipe
cast-iron, galvanized or black wrought iron, joint compound shall be noncorrosive and
galvanized or black steel, or other approved
insoluble in the material being carried in the
materials.
pipe.
1201.2.1.2 Tubing. Tubing shall be copper
1201.2.1.6 Protective Coatings. Protective
water tube.
coatings shall be watertight, durable, heat
1201.2.1.3 Valves. Valves up through two resistant, electrically nonconductive, and
(2) inches (50 mm) in size shall be brass, tightly adherent to the pipe.
malleable iron, or steel bodies. Each gate
1201.2.1.7 Fluxes. Fluxes for solder, sweat,
valve shall be a full-way type with working
and brazed joints shall be a noncorrosive
parts of noncorrosive metal.
type and suitable for the use intended.
1201.2.1.4 Fittings.
1201.2.1.8 Insulation. Coverings and insu-
1201.2.1.4.1 Plain screwed fittings shall lation used for hot water pipes shall be of
be brass, bronze, cast-iron, galvanized material suitable for the operating tempera-
or black malleable iron, or galvanized or ture of the system. The insulation, jackets,
black steel. and lap-seal adhesives, including pipe
1201.2.1.4.2 Fittings for copper tubing coverings and linings, shall have a flame
shall be wrought copper, wrought spread index not greater than twenty-five
bronze, or cast brass. (25) and a smoke-developed index not
1201.2.1.4.2.1 Mechanically greater than fifty (50) when tested in accor-
Formed Tee Fittings. Mechani- dance with NFPA 255, Method of Test of
cally extracted collars shall be Burning Characteristics of Building Materials;
formed in a continuous operation or in accordance with ASTM E 84, Surface
consisting of drilling a pilot hole Burning Characteristics of Building Materials;
and drawing out the tube surface to or in accordance with the provisions of UL
form a collar having a height not 723, Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of
less than three times the thickness Building Materials. The specimen preparation
of the branch tube wall. and mounting procedures of ASTM E 2231,
The branch tube shall be Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Pipe
notched to conform with the inner and Duct Insulation Materials to Assess Surface
curve of the run tube and have two Burning Characteristics shall be used. Alter-
dimple/depth stops to ensure that nately, materials used for pipe coverings
183
1201.2 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE
and insulation (including the insulation, taper pipe threads. All burrs shall be
jacket, and lap-seal adhesives) shall have a removed. Pipe ends shall be reamed or filed
maximum peak heat release rate of 300 kW, out to the full size of bore, and all chips shall
a maximum total heat release of 50 MJ, a be removed.
maximum total smoke release of five-thou- 1201.2.2.2 Solder Joints. Surfaces to be
sand, three-hundred and eighty-two (5,382) joined by soldering shall be cleaned bright
square feet (500 m2) and shall not generate by manual or mechanical means. The joints
flames that extend one (1) foot (305 mm) or shall be properly fluxed using a listed
more above the top of the vertical portion of soldering flux. (See Soldering Fluxes in
the apparatus at any time during the test Referenced Standards, Chapter 17, Part II of
when tested in accordance with NFPA 274, this code). Tubing shall be reamed out to the
Standard Test Method to Evaluate Fire Perfor- full size of bore.
mance Characteristics of Pipe Insulation. Insu- 1201.2.2.3 Welded Joints. Welding shall be
lation coverings and linings shall not flame, performed in accordance with nationally
glow, smolder, or smoke when tested in recognized standards by certified welders.
accordance with ASTM C 411, Hot-Surface 1201.2.2.4 Flanged Joints. Flanged joints
Performance of High Temperature Thermal shall be tightened evenly and provided with
Insulation, at the temperature to which they suitable nuts, bolts, and gaskets.
are exposed in service. In no case shall the
1201.2.2.5 Mechanical Joints. Mechanical
test temperature be below 250ºF (121ºC).
joints shall comply with nationally recog-
1201.2.1.9 Flashing Material. Flashings nized standards.
shall be lead, copper, galvanized iron, or
1201.2.3 Connections.
other approved materials.
1201.2.3.1 Brass and Copper Piping.
1201.2.1.10 Gaskets. Flange gaskets shall
Joints in brass and copper piping shall be
be metal, asbestos, or other approved mate-
threaded, brazed, welded, flanged, or
rials.
mechanical type.
1201.2.1.11 Hangers and Anchors.
1201.2.3.2 Cast-Iron Piping. Joints in cast-
Hangers and anchors shall be suitable for
iron pipe shall be threaded, flanged, or
the use intended.
mechanical type.
1201.2.1.12 Sleeves. Sleeves shall be of
1201.2.3.3 Galvanized Wrought-Iron and
steel, cast-iron or wrought-iron pipe, or tile.
Galvanized Steel Piping. Joints in galva-
1201.2.1.13 Standards. All piping, tubing, nized wrought-iron and galvanized steel
valves, joints, fittings, devices, and materials piping shall be threaded, flanged, or
shall be free of defects and comply with mechanical type.
nationally recognized standards.
1201.2.3.4 Black Wrought-Iron Piping.
1201.2.1.14 Marking. Materials and devices Joints in black wrought-iron piping shall be
shall be suitably identified. In addition to threaded, brazed, welded, flanged, or
the incised marking required in the stan- mechanical type, except that joints built into
dards, all hard-drawn copper tubing shall or embedded in concrete or masonry shall
be marked in accordance with the applicable be welded.
standard found in Chapter 17. Color coding 1201.2.3.5 Black Steel Piping. Joints in
shall be as follows: black steel piping shall be threaded, brazed,
Type L – Blue welded, flanged, or mechanical type.
Type K – Green 1201.2.3.6 Asbestos-Cement Piping.
Type M – Red Joints in asbestos-cement piping shall be
Type ACR – Blue mechanical type and suitable for the service
temperature intended.
Type DWV – Yellow
1201.2.3.7 Copper Water Tubing. Joints in
1201.2.2 Fabrication of Joints. Joints shall be copper tubing shall be soldered, brazed or
made by the use of fittings except as otherwise flared, except that joints under a building
permitted in this chapter. and in or under any concrete slab resting on
1201.2.2.1 Screwed Joints. Threads on the ground shall be silver brazed, or equal,
iron pipe size (IPS pipe) shall be standard and fittings shall be of wrought copper.
184
HYDRONICS 1201.2
Mechanically formed tee fittings are also 1201.2.6.2.2 In Ground. Piping and
acceptable when brazed and installed in tubing in the ground shall be laid on a
accordance with Section 1201.2.1.4. All firm bed for its entire length except
solder joints shall be made with solders when otherwise approved by the
meeting the standard for solder metal found Authority Having Jurisdiction.
in Chapter 17. However, if steam pressures Asbestos-cement piping shall be
exceed fifteen (15) psig (103 kPa) or water provided with adequate thrust
pressures exceed thirty (30) psig (206 kPa), blocking.
then 50 percent tin - 50 percent lead solder 1201.2.7 Installation.
shall not be used. Solders and fluxes with a
lead content which exceeds two-tenths (0.20) 1201.2.7.1 Same Materials Required. All
of 1 percent shall be prohibited in piping piping materials used, except valves and
systems conveying potable water. similar devices, shall be of a like material,
except as otherwise acceptable to the
1201.2.3.8 Piping to Tubing. Joints Authority Having Jurisdiction.
connecting piping to tubing shall be made
with adapter fittings connected as required 1201.2.7.2 Wall Thickness.
in Sections 1201.2.3.1 through 1201.2.3.7. 1201.2.7.2.1 Piping shall be at least
1201.2.4 Changes in Direction. Changes in standard-weight brass or copper, Class
direction shall be made by the appropriate use of 150 cast-iron, standard-weight wrought
fittings, except that changes in direction in iron, ASTM Schedule 40 steel, or suit-
copper tubing may be made with bends having a able asbestos-cement of adequate pres-
radius not less than six (6) diameters of the sure rating.
tubing, provided that such bends are made by 1201.2.7.2.2 Tubing shall be at least
the use of forming equipment that does not Type K—for condensate return lines;
deform or reduce appreciably the cross-sectional Type L—for steam condenser cooling
area of the tubing. water lines, underground water lines,
1201.2.5 Changes in Pipe Sizes. Where and aboveground water lines; Type
different sizes of pipe or pipe and fittings are to M—for aboveground water lines not
be connected, the proper size increasers or embedded in concrete or masonry.
reducer fittings shall be used between the two 1201.2.7.3 Piping Embedded in Structure.
sizes. When the branch is at least two sizes Piping shall not be built into or embedded
smaller than the main, weldolets or threadolets in concrete or masonry, except where used
may be used in lieu of welding tees. Bushings for radiant panel heating or cooling. Black
shall not be used. Eccentric reducing fittings steel pipe, wrought-iron piping, or Type L
shall be used wherever necessary to provide free copper tubing may be so embedded.
drainage of lines. 1201.2.7.4 Cutting Structure. Structural
1201.2.6 Hangers and Supports. All piping members shall not be seriously weakened or
and equipment shall be adequately supported to impaired by cutting or notching.
the satisfaction of the Authority Having Jurisdic- 1201.2.7.5 Providing for Expansion,
tion. Hot-water and steam piping shall be Contraction, and Settling. Piping shall be
supported, anchored, and provided with swing installed so that piping, connections, and
joints, expansion loops or joints, or other means
equipment shall not be subjected to exces-
to avoid excessive strain on piping, equipment,
sive strains or stresses, and provisions shall
or the building structure to the satisfaction of the
be made for expansion, contraction,
Authority Having Jurisdiction.
shrinkage, and structural settlement.
1201.2.6.1 Vertical Piping—Attachment.
1201.2.7.6 Circulation. Piping shall provide
Vertical piping and tubing shall be secured
adequate circulation. Piping shall be graded
at sufficiently close intervals to keep the
so that all gases can move in the direction of
pipe in alignment and carry the weight of
the water flow to a vented section of the
the pipe and contents.
system. When sections of a piping system
1201.2.6.2 Horizontal Piping. cannot be installed with the required grade,
1201.2.6.2.1 Supports. Horizontal such sections shall be provided with auto-
piping and tubing shall be supported at matic or manual air vents whose discharge
sufficiently close intervals to keep it in is piped to an approved location. Steam
alignment and prevent excessive sagging. traps shall be provided where required.
185
1201.2 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE
186
HYDRONICS 1201.2 – 1201.3
driven, the drive pipe shall be at least 1201.2.8.6 Exceptions. In cases where
one size larger than the pipe to be laid. it would be impractical to provide the
1201.2.7.9.4 Backfilling. Excavations aforementioned tests, or for minor
shall be completely backfilled as soon installations and repairs, the Authority
after inspection as practicable. Having Jurisdiction shall have the
Adequate precaution shall be taken to authority to make such inspection as it
ensure proper compaction of backfill deems necessary.
around piping without damage to such 1201.3 Those portions of the hot water piping
piping. Trenches shall be backfilled in systems in which the continuous pressure-tempera-
thin layers to twelve (12) inches (304 ture relationship does not exceed the following may
mm) above the top of the piping with be constructed of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)
clean earth that shall not contain stones, tubing of SDR-9 conforming to specifications ASTM
boulders, cinderfill, or other materials F876 and F877.
that would damage, break the piping, or
cause corrosive action. Mechanical Temperature Pressure
devices, such as bulldozers, graders,
°F (°C) psi (kPa)
etc., may then be used to complete back-
fill to grade. Fill shall be properly 73 (23) 160 (1,103)
compacted. Suitable precautions shall 180 (82) 100 (689)
be taken to ensure permanent stability
200 (93) 80 (550)
for pipe laid in filled or made ground.
1201.2.8 Pressure Testing. 1201.3.1 Materials and Construction.
1201.2.8.1 Responsibility. The equip-
1201.3.1.1 PEX Tubing. Tubing shall be
ment, material, and labor necessary for
copper tube size, SDR-9 cross-linked
inspection or test shall be furnished by
polyethylene conforming to ASTM F876.
the person to whom the permit is issued
PEX tubing and fittings shall be installed in
or by whom inspection is requested.
accordance with the manufacturers’ recom-
1201.2.8.2 Media. The piping shall be mended installation instructions.
tested with water.
1201.3.1.2 Fittings. Fittings shall be manu-
1201.2.8.3 Pressure Test. Piping shall factured and tested in accordance with the
be tested with a hydrostatic pressure of nationally recognized standards.
not less than 100 psig (689 kPa), but at
1201.3.1.3 Insulation. Coverings and insu-
least fifty (50) psig (345 kPa) greater
lation used for hot water pipes shall be of
than operating pressure. This pressure
material suitable for the operating tempera-
shall be maintained for at least thirty
ture of the system. The insulation, jackets,
(30) minutes. Required tests shall be
and lap-seal adhesives, including pipe
conducted by the owner or contractor in
coverings and linings, shall have a flame-
the presence of an authorized inspector.
spread index not greater than twenty-five
The piping being tested shall remain
(25) and a smoke-developed index not
exposed to the inspector and shall not
greater than fifty (50) when tested in accor-
leak during the test.
dance with NFPA 255, Method of Test of
1201.2.8.4 Moved Structures. Piping Burning Characteristics of Building Materials;
systems of a building and parts thereof or in accordance with ASTM E 84, Surface
that are moved from one foundation to Burning Characteristics of Building Materials;
another shall be completely tested as or in accordance with the provisions of UL
prescribed elsewhere in this section for 723, Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of
new work, except that walls or floors Building Materials. The specimen preparation
need not be removed during such test and mounting procedures of ASTM E 2231,
when equivalent means of inspection Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Pipe and
are provided. Duct Insulation Materials to Assess Surface
1201.2.8.5 Test Waived. No test or Burning Characteristics shall be used. Alter-
inspection shall be required where a nately, materials used for pipe coverings
system, or part thereof, is set up for and insulation (including the insulation,
exhibition purposes and has no connec- jacket, and lap-seal adhesives) shall have a
tion with a water system. maximum peak heat release rate of 300 kW,
187
1201.3 – 1201.4 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE
188
HYDRONICS 1201.4 – 1201.6
189
1201.6 – 1206.0 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE
190
HYDRONICS 1207.0
1207.0 Testing.
Approved piping or tubing installed as a portion of a
radiant panel system that will be embedded in the
walls, floors, or ceilings of the building it is designed
to heat shall be tested for leaks by the hydrostatic
test method by applying at least 100 psi (689 kPa)
water pressure or 1.5 times the operating pressure,
whichever is greater.
For metal piping, a pressure gauge shall be
connected to the piping, and after the pressure has
been raised, the hydrostatic pressure connection
shall be discontinued and the systems under pres-
sure shall remain at the test pressure for a sufficient
period of time to determine whether any leaks exist
in the system. Leaks shall be indicated by the pres-
sure drop on the gauge. The minimum test period
shall be thirty (30) minutes.
For flexible plastic piping, the test pressure shall
be applied for a period of thirty (30) minutes. During
this time, the system shall be maintained at the test
pressure by the periodic addition of makeup water
to compensate for the initial stretching of the pipe.
The system shall then be visually inspected for tight-
ness.
Tests for tightness of radiant piping systems
shall be witnessed by the Authority Having Jurisdic-
tion.
191
UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE
192