1 SECTION 23 

23 00
2 REFRIGERANT PIPING
3 BASED ON DFD MASTER SPECIFICATION DATED 10/25/2016
4
5 This section has been written to cover most (but not all) situations that you will encounter.
6 Depending on the requirements of your specific project, you may have to add material, delete
7 items, or modify what is currently written. The Division of Facilities Development expects
8 changes and comments from you.
9
10 PART 1 - GENERAL
11
12 SCOPE
13 This section contains specifications for all Refrigerant piping for this project. Included are the following
14 topics:
15 PART 1 - GENERAL
16 Scope
17 Related Work
18 Reference
19 Reference Standards
20 Shop Drawings
21 Quality Assurance
22 Delivery, Storage, and Handling
23 Design Criteria
24 PART 2 - PRODUCTS
25 Refrigerant Piping
26 Refrigerant Piping Accessories
27 PART 3 - EXECUTION
28 Preparation
29 Erection
30 Refrigerant Piping
31 Refrigerant Piping Accessories
32 Construction Verification Items
33
34 RELATED WORK
35 Section 01 91 01 or 01 91 02 – Commissioning Process
36 Section 23 05 29 - Hangers and Supports for HVAC Piping and Equipment
37 Section 23 07 00 - HVAC Insulation
38 Section 23 08 00 – Commissioning of HVAC
39
40 REFERENCE
41 Applicable provisions of Division 1 govern work under this section.
42
43 REFERENCE STANDARDS
44
45 Edit the following list so only the standards that are needed in your spec are included in it.
46
47 ANSI B16.22 Wrought Copper and Wrought Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings
48 ASTM B88 Seamless Copper Water Tube
49 ASTM B280 Seamless Copper Tube for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Field Service
50 ASHRAE 15 Safety Code for mechanical Refrigeration
51
52 SHOP DRAWINGS
53 Refer to division 1, General Conditions, Submittals.
54
55 Contractor shall submit schedule indicating the ASTM specification number of the pipe being proposed
56 along with its type and grade and sufficient information to indicate the type and rating of fittings for each
57 service.
58
59 COPPER TUBE:
60 Statement from manufacturer on his letterhead that the pipe furnished meets the ASTM specification
61 contained in this section.
62
63 QUALITY ASSURANCE

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 1 Order all copper refrigeration tube with each shipping unit marked with the purchase order number, metal
2 or alloy designation, temper, size, and name of supplier; with soft straight lengths or coils identified with a
3 tag indicating that the product was manufactured in accordance with ASTM B280; and with each hard
4 temper straight length identified throughout its length by a blue colored marking not less than 3/16 inch in
5 height and a legend at intervals of not greater than three feet that includes the designation "ACR" and pipe
6 outside diameter.
7
8 Any installed material not meeting the specification requirements must be replaced with material that meets
9 these specifications without additional cost to the Owner.
10
11 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING
12 Promptly inspect shipments to insure that the material is undamaged and complies with specifications.
13
14 Cover pipe to eliminate rust and corrosion while allowing sufficient ventilation to avoid condensation. Do
15 not store materials directly on grade. Protect pipe, tube, and fitting ends so they are not damaged. Where
16 end caps are provided or specified, take precautions so the caps remain in place. If end caps are not present
17 on tube bearing the "ACR" designation, clean and re-cap in accordance with ASTM B280. Protect fittings,
18 flanges, and unions by storage inside or by durable, waterproof, above ground packaging.
19
20 Offsite storage agreements will not relieve the contractor from using proper storage techniques.
21
22 Storage and protection methods must allow inspection to verify products.
23
24 DESIGN CRITERIA
25 Use only new material, free of defects and scale, and meeting the latest revision of ASTM specifications as
26 listed in this specification.
27
28 Where ASTM B88, type L hard temper copper tubing is specified, ASTM B88, type K hard temper copper
29 tubing may be substituted at Contractor's option.
30
31 PART 2 - PRODUCTS
32
33 REFRIGERANT PIPING
34
35 It is not the intent of this specification to require a hard piped system on small, 3-1/2 tons and
36 less, air cooled condensing units that are typically provided by the manufacturer with
37 precharged tubing. If precharged tubing is available in the proper length, it may be used. In
38 that case, use the manufacturer's standard liquid line refrigerant specialties also. If, however,
39 the application requires a special refrigerant piping system, use the following pipe specification.
40
41 ASTM B88 type L hard drawn copper tube, cleaned and capped in accordance with ASTM B280, and
42 marked "ACR", with ANSI B16.22 wrought copper or forged brass solder-type fittings.
43
44 Precharged tubing line sets may be used on systems 3-1/2 tons and less in size.
45
46 REFRIGERANT PIPING ACCESSORIES
47 Provide all refrigerant piping specialties with a maximum working pressure of full vacuum to 450 psig and
48 a maximum working temperature of 225 deg F. For systems using R-410A, provide all refrigerant piping
49 specialties with a maximum working pressure of full vacuum to 850 psig and a maximum working
50 temperature of 225 deg F.
51
52 Flexible pipe connectors: Double braided bronze hose flexible pipe connectors with solder end connections.
53
54 Filter Dryers: For circuits 15 tons and over provide angle pattern filter dryers with replaceable core. For
55 circuits below 15 tons provide straight pattern filter dryers without replaceable core.
56
57 Sight glasses: Two piece brass construction with solder end connections. Include color indicator for sensing
58 moisture.
59
60 Solenoid Valves: Two way normally closed with two piece brass body, full port, stainless steel plug,
61 stainless steel spring, teflon diaphragm and solder end connections. Provide replaceable coil assembly.
62
63 Hot Gas Bypass Valves: Provide with integral solenoid valve, external equalizer connection and adjustable
64 pilot assembly.

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 1
2 Thermostatic Expansion Valves: Brass body, bronze disc, neoprene seat, bronze bonnet, stainless steel
3 spring and solder end connections.
4
5 Charging Valves: Provide ¼” SAE brass male flare access ports with finger tight, quick seal caps. Provide
6 2-inch long copper extension sections.
7
8 Check valves: Spring loaded type with bronze body, bronze disc, neoprene seat, bronze bonnet, stainless
9 steel spring and solder end connections.
10
11 PART 3 - EXECUTION
12
13 PREPARATION
14 Remove all foreign material from interior and exterior of pipe and fittings.
15
16 ERECTION
17 Install all piping parallel to building walls and ceilings and at heights which do not obstruct any portion of a
18 window, doorway, stairway, or passageway. Where interferences develop in the field, offset or reroute
19 piping as required to clear such interferences. In all cases, consult drawings for exact location of pipe
20 spaces, ceiling heights, door and window openings, or other architectural details before installing piping.
21
22 Do not route piping through transformer vaults or above transformers, panelboards, or switchboards,
23 including the required service space for this equipment, unless the piping is serving this equipment
24
25 This requirement is based on NFPA 70, 2014 450-47.
26
27 Do not install piping running through any elevator shaft, public stairway, stair landing, or means of egress.
28
29 Install all valves and piping specialties, including items furnished by others, as specified and/or detailed.
30 Make connections to all equipment installed by others where that equipment requires the piping services
31 indicated in this section.
32
33 REFRIGERANT PIPING
34 Refrigeration piping to be installed by firms who are experienced in installation of such piping and in
35 accordance with the requirements of the International Mechanical Code, Chapter 11 and the Wisconsin
36 Administrative Code Chapter SPS 345.
37
38 All brazing filler metals shall have a melting temperature above 1400 degrees F and contain a mimimum of
39 6% silver.
40
41 Tubing to be new and delivered to the job site with the original mill end caps in place. Clean and polish all
42 joints before brazing. Avoid prolonged heating and burning during brazing. Purge all lines with nitrogen
43 during brazing. Provide manual shut-off and check valves as required.
44
45 No refrigerant is to be vented directly to the atmosphere except that which may escape through leaks in the
46 system during leak testing. During evacuation procedures, use equipment designed to recover and allow
47 recycling of the refrigerant.
48
49 Leak test the system by charging the system to a pressure of 10 psig with an HFC refrigerant, with the
50 compressor suction and discharge valves closed and with all other system valves open. Increase pressure to
51 300 psig with dry nitrogen. Rap all joints with a mallet and check for leaks with an electric leak detector
52 having a certified sensitivity of at least one ounce per year. Seal any leaks that may be found and retest.
53
54 After completion of the leak test, evacuate the system with a vacuum pump to an absolute pressure not
55 exceeding 1500 microns while the system ambient temperature is above 60°F. Break the vacuum to 2 psig
56 with the refrigerant to be used in the system. Repeat the evacuation process, again breaking the vacuum
57 with refrigerant. Install a drier of the required size in the liquid line, open the compressor suction and
58 discharge valves, and evacuate to an absolute pressure not exceeding 500 microns. Leave the vacuum pump
59 running for not less than two hours without interruption. Raise the system pressure to 2 psig with
60 refrigerant and remove the vacuum pump.
61
62 Charge refrigerant directly from original drums through a combination filter-drier. Each drier may be used
63 for a maximum of three cylinders of refrigerant and then must be replaced with a fresh drier. Charge the
64 system by means of a charging fitting in the liquid line. Weigh the refrigerant drum before charging so that

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 1 an accurate record can be kept of the weight of refrigerant put in the system. If refrigerant is added to the
2 system through the suction side of the compressor, charge in vapor form only.
3
4 REFRIGERANT PIPING ACCESSORIES
5 Install accessories in accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions and recommendations.
6
7 CONSTRUCTION VERIFICATION ITEMS
8 Contractor is responsible for utilizing the construction verification checklists supplied under specification
9 Section 23 08 00 in accordance with the procedures defined for construction verification in Section
10 01 91 01 or 01 91 02.
11
12
13 END OF SECTION

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