Types of Pipe

1. Chapter 3 Types of Pipe

2. 2 Objectives After completing this chapter, the student should be able to: identify and describe common types of pipe and tubing used in a residential plumbing installation. understand that certain pipe and tubing materials can only be used for specific systems. understand that some pipe and tubing materials can be used in all residential systems. relate pipe and tubing selection to plumbing codes. order pipe and tubing materials.

3. 3 Pipe Diameters All pipe in a plumbing system is round and ordered based on its diameter. Pipe and tubing have an inside diameter (ID) and outside diameter (OD). Pipe and tubing are ordered based on their nominal diameter. The wall thickness of a pipe varies with the material type. The ID is used to determine flow requirements for specific types of piping.

4. 4 Copper is a thin-wall type of tube used in the air conditioning and refrigeration. (ACR) trades as well as the plumbing trade. Plumbers order copper tubing using both the OD and ID, but the AC trade uses only the OD for ordering. Copper

5. 5 Steel piping materials are manufactured with tolerances having the same outside diameter for each particular pipe size. Sizing system is known as iron pipe size (IPS). Steel Piping

6. 6 Plastic pipe used for drainage waste and vent (DWV) installations is manufactured using IPS, and the inside diameter varies based on the wall thickness. Three common wall thickness classifications are Schedule (S) 10, 40, and 80. A higher schedule rating indicates a greater wall thickness. Plastic Pipe

7. 7 Plastic Pipe

8. 8 Pipe Types and Usages

9. 9 Available Lengths of Common Pipe Materials

10. 10 PVC is the abbreviation for polyvinyl chloride. Popular because of its lightweight characteristics and method of joining Outside diameters manufactured to IPS standards All PVC used for residential applications has a maximum temperature rating of 140? Fahrenheit (F). PVC Pipe

11. 11 DWV PVC pipe used for residential applications is typically a Schedule 40 (S-40) and can be either a solid type or a cellular-core type. Cellular-core PVC is known as foam-core, and can only be used for gravity-type systems. Foam-core PVC pipe has a zero pressure rating, and subjecting it to any pressure other than that created by filling the system for a water test inspection voids the warranty. A thin-wall PVC type is acceptable for installing the building sewer. DWV PVC Pipe

12. 12 Types of PVC pipe used in residential applications are white. A type of thin-wall PVC commonly used for sewer installations is green and uses a rubber O-ring (a push-on type) connection as opposed to a solvent weld connection. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays will damage PVC pipe. PVC and Outdoor Usage

13. 13 PVC and Outdoor Usage

14. 14 CPVC is the abbreviation for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. CPVC pipe is a type of flexible pipe. The glue used for CPVC is different than the glue used for PVC. The OD of CPVC is not the same as PVC, and their nominal sizes do not reflect their actual sizes. The common type of CPVC manufactured for residential applications is identified as SDR 11. Sizes of SDR 11 range from 1/2” to 2” diameter. CPVC Pipe

15. 15 CPVC Pipe

16. 16 It is black in color and used to install DWV systems. It is not compatible with PVC. It is offered in a foam-core option, and available sizes range from 1-1/2” through 6”. Its maximum water temperature capability is the same as PVC DWV (140?F). The OD of ABS pipe is manufactured to IPS standards. It also cannot be tested with air pressure or have long-term exposure to UV rays. ABS Pipe

17. 17 ABS Pipe

18. 18 It is used for water service installations and is not allowed by code to be installed on the interior of a residential building. It is black in color and typically sold in rolls of 100’-0”. It is commonly used for well pump installations because of its long lengths and durability in cold conditions. Polyethylene Pipe

19. 19 Polyethylene Pipe

20. 20 PEX is the abbreviation for cross-linked polyethylene It is used for water distribution systems. One of the most popular selections due to its productive installation benefits One common method of joining is with a specially designed crimp ring, and it can be pressurized immediately after a connection is complete. Another method of connecting expands the inside diameter of the tubing, which uses a different tool than a crimping tool. The expanding tool connection method uses different tubing than that used for the crimp method. PEX Pipe

21. 21 PEX Pipe

22. 22 Copper Tubing Four basic types (going from the thinnest wall to the thickest wall): Type DWV (color coded YELLOW) Type M (color coded RED) Type L (color coded BLUE) Type K (color coded GREEN) Two other types used for medical and industrial piping systems. Types differ based on wall thickness. Most common diameters used in residential plumbing industry 1/4” to 1” Size selection based on codes and number of specific fixtures served.

23. 23 Copper Tubing

24. 24 Types and Basic Uses of Copper Pipe in a Residential Installation

25. 25 It is available in hard and soft forms. Type M is the most common copper tube in the residential plumbing industry and is less expensive than types L and K. OD relevant to a specific size of copper remains the same regardless of the type and form. Rolls of soft copper are more common for supplying water to a dishwasher and icemaker. 1/4” OD is used for icemaker connections and 3/8” OD is used for supplying a dishwasher. Type L and Type K Copper

26. 26 Cast iron pipe is often used for vertical installations in a residential DWV system to silence the water flow. The two different types of cast iron (CI) most commonly used in plumbing systems are no-hub (NH) and service weight (SV). Because most codes do not allow any pipe smaller than 2” to be buried below ground, SV is more commonly used for that installation. Cast iron pipe is also referred to as soil pipe. Cast Iron Pipe

27. 27 Cast Iron Pipe

28. 28 Steel Pipe Two types most commonly used in residential plumbing are galvanized and black steel. Galvanizing is a process that coats steel pipe to minimize corrosion, so it can be used to distribute potable water. It is used for gas supply piping for residential applications. Many gas codes still allow galvanized steel pipe to be installed for gas systems. The most common type of steel pipe is schedule 40.

29. 29 Steel Pipe

30. 30 It is used to manufacture faucets, valves, and other products used in the plumbing industry to distribute potable water. One of the most common uses is in the form of pipe nipples. Common brass nipples range in length from a short length known as a close nipple up to 6” long. A close nipple consists of threads throughout its length with no exposed pipe in between the opposing threads. The total length of a close nipple depends on the pipe size. Brass Pipe

31. 31 Brass Pipe

32. 32 It is most commonly used for septic tank systems. PVC is commonly used to manufacture perforated pipe. The most common size is a diameter of 4” and a length of 10’-0”. It has a series of 5/8” diameter holes along the sides of the pipe; these allow water to drain from the pipe into the surrounding stone, gravel, and soil. Perforated Pipe

33. 33 Perforated Pipe

34. 34 CSST is a new product for gas distribution. May not be approved by many local plumbing codes. It is a stainless steel flexible tube that is sheathed with a yellow plastic jacket. Yellow is an approved industry standard color to identify gas piping. Connections of CSST are performed with a compression-type fitting. Rigid gas piping such as black steel can leak after a small earthquake, while flexible tubing can absorb the shock and move with a structure. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tube (CSST)

35. 35 Corrugated Stainless Steel Tube

36. 36 Summary Pipes are manufactured to specific standards. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) are organizations that rate materials. Copper tubing is rated by type. The most common pipe ratings are known as schedules. Plastic pipe and flexible tubing have a maximum temperature rating.

37. 37 Summary PVC can be used for DWV and limited water distribution installations. PVC water pipes cannot be installed for use inside a building. CPVC can be used for water distribution inside a building. PEX is a flexible tubing used for water distribution. Two connection methods are used for installing PEX fittings to the tubing.

38. 38 Summary Solvent welding process is known as gluing plastic pipe connections. Solder copper connections use flux and solder. Brazing copper connections is known as silver soldering. Brazing copper connections does not require flux. Service weight (SV) and no hub (NH) are the two types of cast iron pipes used for DWV systems. Black steel pipe is used for gas piping systems. Galvanized steel pipe is used for water distribution systems. Brass pipe and fittings can be used for all piping systems.