Piping Materials

Pipe
Pipe is a round, hollow channel used to transport liquids such as
water or solid-liquid mixtures such as wastewater from one point
to the next. In a building plumbing system, pipes transport hot and
cold water and remove liquid and solid waste. Piping in buildings
is also used in transporting natural and liquefied petroleum gases,
fuel oil, compressed air, refrigerants and irrigation water.
Categories of Water Pipe:
Pressure Pipe - delivers supply water
Drain, waste and Vent (DWV) - carries waste and soil water away.
Both categories are sold in metal and plastic; however, metal (copper in
plumbing system) dominates the pressure category. Plastic and cast iron are the
most common piping material for DWV.
Pressure Pipe - must be heavy enough to hold continuous pressure without rupture and all
connections must be leak proof. This type tends to be of a smaller diameter, and it must be
made of material that will not react with the chemicals or minerals in the water.
DWV - pipe provides a channel for waste materials to flow freely away from the fixtures
and the building by the force of gravity. It is typically lighter weight with thinner walls
than pressure pipe, and joints do not need to be as tightly sealed because there is no
pressure exerted on them. DWV pipe is generally larger in size than pressure pipe to allow
for free gravity flow, and it must not react to common chemicals that might be poured
down in drain.
Copper Pipe and Tubing
Copper Pipe and Tubing
Copper tubing is traditionally the most popular water supply pipe material. It is also used
in water space heating (hydronic) systems, air conditioning and refrigeration systems,
sanitary drainage, and natural gas and liquid petroleum gas piping.
The thin walls of copper tubing are usually soldered to fittings. This allows the pipes and
fittings to be set into place before the joints are connected with solder.
This advantage allows for faster installation of copper pipe in comparison to threaded steel
or brass.
The types of copper tubing available are K, L, and M, with K having the thickest walls
then L, and finally M with the thinnest wall in the group.
Type K
■ Available as either rigid (hard temper) or flexible (soft temper).
■ Used primarily for underground water service in water supply systems.
■ Available in the following nominal diameter: ⅜, ½, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6
and 8 in.
■ Soft temper tubing 1 in and smaller is usually available in coils 60 to 100 ft (18.3 or
30.5 m) long, while 1¼, and 1½ in tubing is available in 40 or 60 ft (12.2 or 18.3 m)
coils.
■ Hard temper is available in 12 in and 20 ft (3.7 and 6.1 m) straight lengths.
■ Type K copper tubing is color coded in green for quick visual identification.
Type L
■ Available in either hard or soft temper and in coils (soft temper only) and straight
lengths.
■ It is available in the following nominal diameters: ⅜, ½, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½,
4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 in.
■ The soft temper tubing is often used as replacement plumbing because the flexibility
of the tube allows easier installation.
■ The hard temper tubing is often used for new installations particularly in commercial
use.
■ Type L is copper tubing is color coded blue.
■ This type of tubing is most popular for use in water supply system.
Type M
■ Is made in in hard temper only and is available in straight lengths of 12 and 20 ft (3.7
and 6.1 m).
■ It is used for branch supplies where water pressure is not too great, but it is not used
for risers and mains.
■ It is available in the following nominal diameters: ½, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4,
5, 6, 8 and 10 in.
■ It is also used for chilled water system, exposed lines in hot water heating system,
and drainage piping.
■ Is color coded red.
DWV
■ DWV copper tube is thinnest copper tube and is used in non pressure applications.
■ It is made in hard temper only and is obtainable in straight lengths of 20 ft (6.1 m).
■ It is available in the following nominal diameter: 1¼, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 8 and
10 in.
■ Compared with iron or steel pipe, copper pipe has the advantage of not rusting and of
being highly resistant to any accumulation of scale (particles in the pipe.
■ Copper piping should not be installed if it will carry water having a pH of 6.8 or less,
as this would cause copper to corrode from the acidic nature of the water at this pH.
■ The majority of public utilities supply water at a pH between 7.2 and 8.0. Private
well water system often have a pH below 6.8. When this is the case, it is suggested
that the treatment system be installed to make the water less acidic.
Brass Pipe
Brass Pipe
● Red brass piping, consisting of approximately 85% copper and 15% zinc is used as
water supply piping.
● The pipe is threaded for piping connections, but this requires thicker walls to
accommodate the threading, making installation and handling more difficult than for
copper.
● Its relative higher cost, installed on the job, limits its usage.
● Brass piping has seen limited use in new construction.
Steel and Iron Pipe
Steel and Iron Pipe
● Steel pipe is available in the following nominal diameters: ⅜, ½, ¾, 1, 1¼, 1½, 2,
2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12 in.
● Typically sold in lengths of 21 ft.
● When steel pipe is forged, a black oxide scale forms on its surface that gives it a dull
black finish and as a result it is called black pipe.
● Because steel is subject to rust and corrosion, the pipe manufacturer also coats it with
protective oil.
● Black pipe is most commonly used for natural gas supply lines and fire suppression
sprinkler system lines.
Galvanized Steel Pipe
Galvanized Steel Pipe
● Is covered with protective coating of zinc that greatly reduces its tendency to corrode
and thus extends its life expectancy.
● It is moderately corrosion resistant and suitable for mildly acid water. It was
commonly used for water supply, waste and vent lines in plumbing systems through
the early 1950s. It is not frequently used for water supply lines today because the
minerals in the water react with the galvanizing material and form scale, which builds
up over time and will eventually clog the pipe.
● Steel pipe is typically cut and threaded to fit the job. They connect by screwing onto
the threaded pipe, after applying a small amount of pipe joint compound on the
threads. Larger diameter pipe is typically welded rather than threaded.
Lightweight Wrought-iron Pipe
● Is the type mostly commonly used for
water supply system and fire
suppression sprinkler systems.
● Commonly zinc-galvanized coating to
add extra corrosion resistance.
● Used as the service main from the
community main to the riser.
● Nominal diameters: ⅜, ½, ¾, 1, 1¼,
1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12
in.
Cast Iron Pipe
● Used in gravity building and storm
drain/sewer systems.
● It is available in two grades: Service
(SV) for above grade installations;
and Extra Heavy (XH) for
applications below grade.
● Available at 5 and 10 ft lengths with
the following nominal diameter: 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15 in.