Domestic Water Piping
Neutrality remake batch: from-scratch field derivation with project parameters and derived fields
Showing changes from Rev 6
to Rev 7
in Domestic Water Piping.
−---
−title: Domestic Water Piping
−category: Plumbing
−toc_depth: 3
−description: >
− When to use: Domestic potable water supply and distribution piping within commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings. Covers cold water, domestic hot water, and hot water recirculation piping from the building water service entrance through all interior distribution piping to plumbing fixture connections and equipment connections. Applies to new construction and renovation work on buildings served by a municipal water supply or on-site well.
−
− Not intended for: Fire protection sprinkler piping (see [[sync/wet-pipe-fire-sprinkler-systems]]); hydronic heating, chilled water, or condenser water piping (see [[sync/hydronic-piping]]); sanitary waste, soil, and vent piping (see [[sync/sanitary-waste-and-vent-piping]]); site water service mains upstream of the building water service entrance; medical gas and vacuum systems; steam and condensate systems; or water distribution systems for irrigation, hose bibs on exterior site, or industrial process water. Water heaters, mixing valves, expansion tanks, pressure reducing valves, and point-of-use treatment equipment are addressed in [[sync/water-heaters]] and are not within the scope of this standard.
−---
−
−# Scope {toc}
−
−## This standard covers the materials, joining methods, fittings, valves, specialties, hangers and supports, pipe insulation, installation, disinfection, and pressure testing for domestic potable cold water, domestic hot water, and hot water recirculation piping systems within buildings. {note}
−
−## Pipe sizes, routing, riser configurations, and fixture connection rough-in dimensions are [[drawing: as indicated on the plumbing floor plans, plumbing riser diagrams, and fixture rough-in schedule]]. {note}
−## This standard establishes the material, quality, and performance requirements that govern those drawings. {note}
−
−## All materials and components in contact with potable water shall comply with NSF/ANSI 61 for health effects and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 for lead-free content.
−
−## The NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 requirement is a federal requirement under the Safe Drinking Water Act applicable to all plumbing components installed on or after January 4, 2014. {note}
−
−## The scope of this standard begins at the downstream side of the building water service entrance, defined as the point immediately downstream of the water meter assembly and the main building shutoff valve.
−
−## Piping covered by this standard terminates at fixture connection stops and equipment rough-in connections.
−
−## The water service from the utility main to the meter vault is a separate scope. {note}
−
−## Water heaters, tankless heaters, storage tanks, domestic water booster pumps, heat trace systems, water softeners, filtration, and backflow prevention devices at point of connection to equipment are specified separately in [[sync/water-heaters]] and [[sync/backflow-prevention]]; this standard addresses only the piping, fittings, valves, water hammer arrestors, recirculation pump accessories, supports, insulation, and connecting accessories. {note}
−
−# Referenced Standards {toc}
−
−## Materials, components, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of the following standards and codes.
−
−| Standard | Title |
−|----------|-------|
−| ASTM B88 | Standard Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube |
−| ASTM B32 | Standard Specification for Solder Metal (lead-free) |
−| ASTM B813 | Standard Specification for Liquid and Paste Fluxes for Soldering of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube and Fittings |
−| ASTM B828 | Standard Practice for Making Capillary Joints by Soldering of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube and Fittings |
−| ASTM F441/F441M | Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80 |
−| ASTM F442/F442M | Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe (SDR-PR) |
−| ASTM F493 | Standard Specification for Solvent Cements for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe and Fittings |
−| ASTM D2846/D2846M | Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems |
−| ASTM F876 | Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing |
−| ASTM F877 | Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems |
−| ASTM F1807 | Standard Specification for Metal Insert Fittings Utilizing a Copper Crimp Ring, or Alternate Stainless Steel Clamps, for SDR9 Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing |
−| ASTM F2080 | Standard Specification for Cold-Expansion Fittings with PEX Reinforcing Rings for PEX Tubing |
−| ASTM F2098 | Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Clamps for Securing SDR9 Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing to Metal Insert Fittings |
−| ASTM A312/A312M | Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes |
−| ASME B16.18 | Cast Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings |
−| ASME B16.22 | Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings |
−| ASME B16.51 | Copper and Copper Alloy Press-Connect Pressure Fittings |
−| ASME B31.9 | Building Services Piping |
−| NSF/ANSI 61 | Drinking Water System Components — Health Effects |
−| NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 | Drinking Water System Components — Lead Content |
−| ASSE 1010 | Performance Requirements for Water Hammer Arresters |
−| ASSE 1013 | Performance Requirements for Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assemblies |
−| ASSE 1015 | Performance Requirements for Double Check Backflow Prevention Assemblies |
−| ASSE 1017 | Performance Requirements for Temperature Actuated Mixing Valves for Hot Water Distribution Systems |
−| ASHRAE 90.1 | Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential (Pipe Insulation Tables) |
−| AWWA C651 | Disinfecting Water Mains |
−| MSS SP-67 | Butterfly Valves: Face-to-Face Dimensions, Pressure-Temperature Ratings, Materials, Non-Destructive Test, Examination, and Marking |
−| MSS SP-80 | Bronze Gate, Globe, Angle, and Check Valves |
−| MSS SP-110 | Ball Valves Threaded, Socket-Welding, Solder Joint, Grooved and Flared Ends |
−| ASCE 7 | Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (seismic restraint) |
−
−## Where the contract documents, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), or a referenced standard impose conflicting requirements, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
−
−## The applicable plumbing code — International Plumbing Code (IPC) or Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted by the jurisdiction — shall take precedence over all other references on any matter directly addressed by that code.
−
−# Submittals {toc}
−
−## Action Submittals {toc}
−
−### Contractor shall submit the following for the Engineer's review prior to procurement and installation:
−
−- Product data for all pipe and tubing, including the applicable ASTM standard designation, nominal wall type or SDR, pressure-temperature rating, and documentation of NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 listing for each material
−- Product data for all fittings, including the applicable ASME or ASTM standard, material, and NSF 61/372 certification
−- Product data for all valves, showing body and trim material, pressure-temperature rating, end connection type, and NSF 61/372 certification; include operating torque data for butterfly valves
−- Product data for pipe insulation, including thermal conductivity (k-value at the mean operating temperature), surface-burning characteristics (ASTM E84 flame spread index and smoke developed index), vapor permeability, and service temperature range
−- Hanger and support schedule listing hanger type, maximum spacing, rod diameter, and attachment method for each pipe material and size
−- Product data for water hammer arrestors, including ASSE 1010 listing, model designation, and capacity sizing calculations per the Plumbing and Drainage Institute (PDI) fixture unit method
−- Dielectric fitting and transition coupling product data for every location where dissimilar metals are joined
−- Expansion compensation details, including manufacturer's data for expansion loops, offsets, or mechanical expansion joints where used
−- Recirculation pump product data including flow rate, head, motor data, controls, and NSF 61/372 certification for wetted parts
−
−```datasheet
−label: Action Submittals Required
−type: checkbox
−options:
− - "Pipe and tubing product data (NSF 61/372 certification included)"
− - "Fitting product data (NSF 61/372 certification included)"
− - "Valve cut sheets with pressure-temperature ratings"
− - "Pipe insulation product data (k-value, E84 ratings, service range)"
− - "Hanger and support schedule"
− - "Water hammer arrestor product data and sizing calculations"
− - "Dielectric fitting product data"
− - "Expansion compensation details"
− - "Hot water recirculation pump product data"
−default: "Pipe and tubing product data (NSF 61/372 certification included)"
−```
−
−### Work shall not proceed on any system or zone until the corresponding action submittals have been reviewed and returned.
−
−## Closeout Submittals {toc}
−
−### Contractor shall provide the following at substantial completion before the domestic water system is accepted:
−
−- As-built drawings showing actual pipe routing, all valve locations, all access panel locations, and all cleanout and drain valve locations, reflecting field changes from the contract drawings
−- Operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals for all valves two inches and larger, backflow prevention assemblies, recirculation pumps, water hammer arrestors, and all specialties
−- Pressure test reports for all portions of the system, including test gauge calibration certificates, test date, test pressure, duration, and pass/fail determination signed by the Contractor's superintendent
−- Disinfection reports including the chlorination procedure, chlorine dosage and concentration records, contact time records, residual chlorine results, and certified bacteriological laboratory analysis results confirming the absence of total coliform bacteria
−- Warranty documentation for all products carrying a manufacturer warranty
−
−```datasheet
−label: Required Closeout Submittals
−type: checkbox
−options:
− - As-built record drawings
− - O&M manuals for valves two inches and larger and specialties
− - Pressure test reports with gauge calibration certificates
− - Disinfection reports with bacteriological laboratory results
− - Warranty documentation
−default: [As-built record drawings, O&M manuals for valves two inches and larger and specialties, Pressure test reports with gauge calibration certificates, Disinfection reports with bacteriological laboratory results, Warranty documentation]
−```
−
−# Quality Assurance {toc}
−
−## Installer Qualifications {toc}
−
−### Domestic water piping installation shall be performed by journeyman plumbers licensed in the jurisdiction where the work is performed and supervised by a licensed plumbing contractor.
−
−### The Contractor's license shall be current and shall cover the full scope of work.
−
−### Soldering and brazing of copper piping shall be performed by plumbers who have demonstrated proficiency in the applicable joining methods.
−
−### Where the AHJ requires individual certification for brazing, personnel shall hold current qualifying certification.
−
−## Lead-Free Compliance {toc}
−
−### The weighted-average lead requirement is a federal requirement under the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act) and is not subject to project-level waiver. {note}
−
−### All pipe, fittings, valves, solder, flux, gaskets, and components in contact with potable water shall be certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 372, confirming that the weighted average lead content of the wetted surface area does not exceed 0.25 percent.
−
−### The Contractor shall maintain current NSF 61 and NSF 372 certification documentation on site throughout construction.
−
−### The Contractor shall make NSF 61 and NSF 372 certification documentation available for inspection by the AHJ, the Engineer, or the Owner's representative upon request.
−
−## Material Compatibility {toc}
−
−### Where different pipe materials are joined in the same system — such as copper to CPVC, or copper to galvanized steel at the building water service entrance — appropriate transition fittings listed for the specific combination shall be used.
−
−### At connections between copper and ferrous metals, dielectric unions, dielectric flanges, or listed dielectric transition couplings shall be provided to prevent the galvanic cell that forms between dissimilar metals in an electrolyte.
−
−### Dielectric fittings shall be rated for the service pressure and temperature.
−
−### The Contractor shall verify the chemical compatibility of all materials that will contact CPVC.
−
−### Solvent-based adhesives, incompatible sealants, fire-stop materials, and insulation adhesives that cause environmental stress cracking in CPVC shall not be used adjacent to CPVC pipe or fittings.
−
−## Regulatory Inspection {toc}
−
−### Rough piping, pressure test, and disinfection stages shall be available for inspection by the AHJ.
−
−### The Contractor shall coordinate inspection timing and shall not conceal, insulate, or cover any portion of the piping system until inspections are complete and the work is released.
−
−### Below-slab and underground piping shall be pressure-tested and inspected before backfill or concrete placement.
−
−## ASTM and Listing Compliance {toc}
−
−### Every piece of pipe, tubing, and fitting shall bear the applicable ASTM standard designation, size, type or SDR designation, pressure rating, and NSF 61/372 certification mark, legibly printed or embossed on the product.
−
−### Materials that do not bear the required ASTM and NSF 61/372 markings shall not be incorporated into the work.
−
−# Piping Materials by Service {toc}
−
−## General Selection Criteria {toc}
−
−### The piping material shall be selected to suit the service conditions — temperature, pressure, water chemistry, installation environment (above-ground, below-slab, concealed, exposed), and the noise sensitivity of adjacent occupied spaces.
−
−### The material selected for cold water piping and hot water piping on a given project should be consistent throughout to simplify installation, inspection, spare parts management, and future maintenance.
−
−### Mixed-material installations are permitted but require additional attention to dielectric isolation, installer training, and compatible joining materials. {note}
−
−### All piping materials specified in this section shall be NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 certified for potable water service.
−
−## Copper Tube {toc}
−
−### Copper tube conforming to ASTM B88 is the established standard for commercial domestic water piping. {note}
−### ASTM B88 copper is available in Types K, L, and M, differentiated by wall thickness. {note}
−### Type K has the heaviest wall and is designated for underground and critical service. {note}
−### Type L has an intermediate wall and is the standard for above-ground interior commercial applications. {note}
−### Type M has the thinnest wall and is acceptable in low-pressure applications where permitted by the local plumbing code, but is generally not recommended for commercial service. {note}
−
−### The copper tube service and wall type shall be specified for each domestic water piping application, and Type M shall be used only where permitted by the local plumbing code.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Copper Tube — Service and Wall Type
−type: select
−options:
− - "Type K — underground and below-slab service (heaviest wall)"
− - "Type L — standard above-ground interior service"
− - "Type M — light-duty above-ground where permitted by code"
−default: "Type L — standard above-ground interior service"
−```
−
−### Copper is resistant to corrosion in most municipal water supplies, has a long service record, is joinable by multiple proven methods, and is compatible with all common joining temperatures; its principal vulnerabilities are accelerated corrosion in water with low pH (below approximately 6.5), high dissolved oxygen, elevated chloramine levels, or aggressive flux residue left in the pipe after soldering. {note}
−
−### On projects with known aggressive water chemistry, the Engineer shall evaluate alternative materials or internal protective measures.
−
−### Cold Water Piping — Copper {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Cold Water Piping Material
−type: select
−options:
− - "Copper — Type L, ASTM B88"
− - "Copper — Type M, ASTM B88 (light-duty, where code permits)"
− - "CPVC — ASTM D2846 (CTS dimensions, 1/2 in. through 2 in.)"
− - "PEX — ASTM F876"
− - "Stainless steel — Type 316L, ASTM A312"
−default: "Copper — Type L, ASTM B88"
−```
−
−### Hot Water Piping — Copper {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hot Water Piping Material
−type: select
−options:
− - "Copper — Type L, ASTM B88"
− - "Copper — Type M, ASTM B88 (light-duty, where code permits)"
− - "CPVC — ASTM D2846 (CTS dimensions, 1/2 in. through 2 in.)"
− - "PEX — ASTM F876"
− - "Stainless steel — Type 316L, ASTM A312"
−default: "Copper — Type L, ASTM B88"
−```
−
−#### Hot water piping material shall match the cold water piping material throughout the building to reduce complexity in installation, maintenance, and spare parts.
−
−#### Where CPVC is used for hot water service, operating temperature shall not exceed 180°F and operating pressure shall not exceed 100 psi continuous per ASTM D2846.
−
−### Underground and Below-Slab Piping — Copper {toc}
−
−#### Type K copper, conforming to ASTM B88, is the standard for underground and below-slab domestic water piping due to its heavier wall thickness, which provides additional resistance to external corrosion, soil loading, and incidental damage. {note}
−
−#### The pipe material for underground and below-slab domestic water piping shall be specified for each installation.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Underground / Below-Slab Pipe Material
−type: select
−options:
− - "Copper — Type K, ASTM B88"
− - "Copper — Type K, ASTM B88 with continuous polyethylene protective sleeve"
− - "PEX — ASTM F876 with protective sleeve"
− - "Stainless steel — Type 316L, ASTM A312"
−default: "Copper — Type K, ASTM B88"
−```
−
−#### Where soil conditions are known to be aggressive — low pH, high chloride content, high sulfate content, or the presence of corrosive fill material — Type K copper shall be sleeved in a continuous polyethylene protective sleeve conforming to AWWA C105 (polyethylene encasement), or stainless steel pipe shall be substituted.
−
−#### The protective sleeve shall extend at least 12 in. past all fittings and shall be lapped and taped at all joints.
−
−#### Below-slab piping shall be installed with a continuous sand bedding and sand envelope of minimum 4 in. compacted depth beneath the pipe and 4 in. above the pipe, or as detailed on [[drawing: the plumbing site plan and underground utility details]].
−
−#### Below-slab piping shall be pressure-tested before the slab is placed.
−
−## CPVC Pipe and Tubing {toc}
−
−### Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe and tubing conforming to ASTM D2846 (for CTS-dimension tubing in sizes 1/2 in. through 2 in.) or ASTM F441/F441M (for IPS Schedule 40 and 80 pipe above 2 in.) is a corrosion-resistant, cost-effective alternative to copper for hot and cold water distribution. {note}
−### CPVC does not corrode in aggressive water chemistries that attack copper, does not support pinhole leak failures, and has a pressure rating of 100 psi at 180°F for ASTM D2846 CTS material, making it suitable for domestic hot water service temperatures. {note}
−
−### The CPVC pipe standard and dimension system shall be specified for each CPVC domestic water piping application.
−
−```datasheet
−label: CPVC Pipe Standard
−type: radio
−options:
− - "ASTM D2846 — CTS dimensions, 1/2 in. through 2 in. (standard for domestic water)"
− - "ASTM F441/F441M — Schedule 40, IPS dimensions, 1/4 in. through 16 in."
− - "ASTM F441/F441M — Schedule 80, IPS dimensions, 1/4 in. through 16 in."
−default: "ASTM D2846 — CTS dimensions, 1/2 in. through 2 in. (standard for domestic water)"
−```
−
−### CPVC is sensitive to chemical attack from a category of materials known to cause environmental stress cracking (ESC), including certain solvent cements intended for standard PVC, certain solvent-based pipe joint compounds, some fire-stop materials applied directly to the pipe, and some closed-cell foam insulation adhesives. {note}
−
−### Before using any sealant, adhesive, coating, or fire-stop product adjacent to or in contact with CPVC pipe or fittings, the Contractor shall confirm compatibility with the CPVC manufacturer's published chemical compatibility data.
−
−### CPVC shall not be installed where exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light unless protected by an opaque UV-resistant cover.
−
−### CPVC outdoor or unconditioned space installations shall be evaluated for temperature range suitability.
−
−### CPVC becomes brittle below its service temperature floor and shall not be installed in spaces subject to freezing without freeze protection.
−
−## PEX Tubing {toc}
−
−### Crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing conforming to ASTM F876, assembled as a system per ASTM F877, is a flexible, corrosion-resistant, freeze-damage-tolerant tubing widely used in commercial branch distribution and manifold-based distribution systems. {note}
−### PEX is available in three crosslinking methods — peroxide (PEX-a), silane (PEX-b), and electron beam (PEX-c) — all of which meet ASTM F876 but which differ in flexibility, expansion memory, and fitting compatibility. {note}
−
−### The PEX crosslinking method shall be specified, since the fitting system and tools are not interchangeable between the three available methods.
−
−```datasheet
−label: PEX Tubing — Crosslinking Method
−type: select
−options:
− - "PEX-a (peroxide method) — most flexible, expansion fitting compatible"
− - "PEX-b (silane method) — standard flexibility, crimp/clamp fitting compatible"
− - "PEX-c (electron beam method) — crimp/clamp fitting compatible"
−default: "PEX-a (peroxide method) — most flexible, expansion fitting compatible"
−```
−
−### PEX is particularly suited to manifold-and-branch ("home-run") distribution layouts in which individual tubing runs extend from a central manifold to each fixture, eliminating branch tees within the wall cavities. {note}
−### Home-run layouts reduce the number of joints inside walls, improve water delivery response time, and facilitate individual circuit isolation. {note}
−
−### The crosslinking method and fitting system are proprietary and not interchangeable between manufacturers; the Contractor shall use the tubing, fittings, and tools from a single manufacturer's system throughout each assembly.
−
−### PEX shall not be used in exposed locations where it will receive direct ultraviolet (UV) exposure, which degrades the material over time.
−
−### PEX shall not be installed in mechanical rooms or other locations where sustained ambient temperature may exceed 140°F at the pipe surface.
−
−### PEX is not suitable for steam or high-temperature hot water systems.
−
−### PEX shall not be joined by solvent cement, adhesive, threading, or heat fusion; only mechanical fittings of the types described in this standard are approved.
−
−## Stainless Steel Pipe {toc}
−
−### Type 316L austenitic stainless steel pipe conforming to ASTM A312/A312M is used in domestic water systems where extreme water quality aggressiveness, hygiene requirements, or corrosion resistance in high-chloride environments makes copper and thermoplastics unsuitable. {note}
−### Type 316L (low-carbon) is preferred over Type 304 or 316 for domestic water service because the lower carbon content provides superior resistance to sensitization and intergranular corrosion. {note}
−### Stainless steel is common in food service, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and certain healthcare applications where water purity and cleanability are paramount. {note}
−
−### Where stainless steel pipe is used, the grade shall be specified based on the required water purity and cleanability of the application.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Stainless Steel Grade (Where Used)
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Type 304 — general stainless service, low-chloride water"
− - "Type 316L — higher chloride resistance, preferred for domestic water"
−default: "Type 316L — higher chloride resistance, preferred for domestic water"
−```
−
−## Hot Water Recirculation Piping {toc}
−
−### Hot water recirculation piping is subject to continuous elevated temperature and constant flow throughout the building's occupied hours. {note}
−### These conditions accelerate corrosion in metallic piping and creep in plastic piping compared to the hot water supply piping, which may sit stagnant.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hot Water Recirculation Pipe Material
−type: select
−options:
− - "Same material as hot water supply piping"
− - "Copper — Type L, ASTM B88"
− - "CPVC — ASTM D2846"
− - "Stainless steel — Type 316L, ASTM A312"
−default: "Same material as hot water supply piping"
−```
−
−### Recirculation piping material shall be rated for the maximum recirculation temperature on a continuous duty basis.
−
−### Where the recirculation temperature is maintained at 120°F or above (as required for Legionella control in most commercial facilities), the material shall be confirmed suitable for continuous service at that temperature.
−
−## Pipe Sizing and Velocity {toc}
−
−### Pipe sizes shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the plumbing floor plans, riser diagrams, and pipe schedules]].
−### The Engineer shall size piping to limit water velocity to protect against erosion-corrosion, water hammer, and noise.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Maximum Pipe Velocity — Cold Water
−type: select
−unit: ft/s
−options:
− - "6 ft/s (noise-sensitive or conservative)"
− - "8 ft/s (standard commercial)"
−default: "8 ft/s (standard commercial)"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Maximum Pipe Velocity — Hot Water Supply
−type: select
−unit: ft/s
−options:
− - "4 ft/s (noise-sensitive or conservative)"
− - "5 ft/s (standard commercial)"
−default: "5 ft/s (standard commercial)"
−```
−
−### Maximum velocities shall be as follows: cold water mains and branches, 8 ft/s; hot water supply, 5 ft/s; hot water recirculation, 3 ft/s.
−
−### In noise-sensitive locations — above occupied spaces, in corridors adjacent to patient rooms or classrooms, or within 10 ft of sound-sensitive occupancies — velocity shall be limited to 4 ft/s for all services regardless of pipe material.
−
−# Fittings {toc}
−
−## General Fitting Requirements {toc}
−
−### Fittings shall be of a material compatible with the pipe material they join, shall comply with the applicable ASTM or ASME standard, and shall be NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 certified.
−
−### Fittings shall be rated for the same service pressure and temperature as the adjacent piping.
−
−### Dissimilar-material fittings used at transitions between pipe materials shall be listed for the specific combination and shall incorporate dielectric isolation where required.
−
−## Copper Fittings {toc}
−
−### Wrought copper fittings conforming to ASME B16.22 are the standard for solder-joint connections. {note}
−### Wrought fittings are preferred over cast bronze fittings because they are available in the full range of sizes, have tighter dimensional tolerances, and provide a slightly stronger joint due to their homogeneous material at the joint interface. {note}
−
−### The copper fitting standard and joining method shall be specified for each copper domestic water piping application.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Copper Fitting Standard
−type: select
−options:
− - "Wrought copper solder-joint — ASME B16.22 (preferred)"
− - "Cast bronze solder-joint — ASME B16.18"
− - "Press-connect — ASME B16.51"
−default: "Wrought copper solder-joint — ASME B16.22 (preferred)"
−```
−
−### Cast bronze fittings conforming to ASME B16.18 are acceptable as an alternative where wrought fittings are not available in the required configuration.
−
−### Press-connect copper fittings conforming to ASME B16.51 are approved as an alternative joining method that eliminates open flame during installation.
−
−### Press-connect fittings shall incorporate a visual unpressed indicator that ensures an unpressed connection leaks visibly at system pressure during testing rather than appearing to hold pressure until the joint fails in service.
−
−## CPVC Fittings {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: CPVC Fitting Standard
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Socket-type — ASTM D2846 (CTS sizes, 1/2 in. through 2 in.)"
− - "Socket-type Schedule 40 — ASTM F438 (IPS sizes)"
− - "Socket-type Schedule 80 — ASTM F439 (IPS sizes)"
−default: "Socket-type — ASTM D2846 (CTS sizes, 1/2 in. through 2 in.)"
−```
−
−### CPVC socket-type fittings conforming to ASTM D2846 shall be used with ASTM D2846 CTS-dimension tubing.
−
−### For larger-diameter CPVC pipe conforming to ASTM F441/F441M (IPS Schedule 40 or 80), fittings shall conform to ASTM F437 (threaded) or ASTM F438/F439 (socket type, Schedule 40 and 80 respectively).
−
−### All CPVC fittings shall be clearly identified as CPVC; standard PVC fittings shall not be used with CPVC pipe, as PVC fittings and PVC solvent cements are chemically incompatible with CPVC and will produce defective joints.
−
−## PEX Fittings {toc}
−
−### Cold expansion fittings conforming to ASTM F2080 use a PEX reinforcing ring that is expanded over the tubing end, and then both the ring and tubing are expanded over the fitting body and allowed to recover. {note}
−### The recovered tubing grips the fitting with the memory force of the crosslinked polyethylene, creating a full-flow connection with no reduction in internal bore. {note}
−
−### Metal insert fittings with copper crimp rings conforming to ASTM F1807, or with stainless steel clamp rings conforming to ASTM F2098, reduce the internal bore at the fitting but are widely used in residential and light commercial branch circuits. {note}
−### The crimp or clamp is applied with a calibrated, go/no-go tool that provides a defined, verified joint geometry. {note}
−
−### PEX fittings shall be selected to match the tubing's crosslinking method and shall be used with the manufacturer's specified tools only.
−
−### The Contractor shall not mix fitting systems; use of a crimp tool to install an expansion-type fitting, or the use of one manufacturer's expansion ring on another manufacturer's fitting, shall not be permitted and shall be cause for rejection of the joint.
−
−### Cold expansion is the preferred fitting method for commercial PEX installations in 1/2 in. through 2 in. sizes.
−
−```datasheet
−label: PEX Fitting Method
−type: select
−options:
− - "Cold expansion with PEX reinforcing ring — ASTM F2080 (preferred for commercial)"
− - "Metal insert with copper crimp ring — ASTM F1807"
− - "Metal insert with stainless steel clamp ring — ASTM F2098"
−default: "Cold expansion with PEX reinforcing ring — ASTM F2080 (preferred for commercial)"
−```
−
−# Joining Methods {toc}
−
−## Copper — Soldering {toc}
−
−### Soldering is the standard joining method for copper tube and fittings 2 in. and smaller.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Copper Joining Method — 2 in. and Smaller
−type: select
−options:
− - "Soldered — lead-free solder ASTM B32, flux per ASTM B813"
− - "Brazed — BCuP-series filler metal per AWS A5.8"
− - "Press-connect — ASME B16.51 with visual leak indicator"
−default: "Soldered — lead-free solder ASTM B32, flux per ASTM B813"
−```
−
−### All solder shall be lead-free conforming to ASTM B32, with a tin-silver or tin-antimony alloy composition; solder containing lead is prohibited for potable water service and constitutes a federal violation under NSF/ANSI/CAN 372.
−
−### Flux shall conform to ASTM B813 and shall be water-soluble type to facilitate thorough flushing after installation; petroleum-based, non-water-soluble fluxes shall not be used.
−
−### Residue from non-water-soluble flux accelerates internal copper corrosion and cannot be fully removed by flushing alone. {note}
−
−### Joints shall be made per ASTM B828: cut tube square with a wheel cutter or hacksaw, remove internal burrs and external sharp edges, clean both the tube exterior and the fitting socket interior to bright copper using emery cloth or a fitting brush, apply flux to both mating surfaces sparingly, and assemble immediately.
−
−### Steel wool shall not be used to clean copper for soldering, as it leaves ferrous particles.
−
−### Heat the fitting — not the tube — and apply solder at the back edge of the joint when the fitting is hot enough to melt solder on contact, then allow the fitting to cool undisturbed.
−
−### Overheating burns flux, oxidizes copper surfaces, and produces a porous, weak joint, and quenching a hot joint with water can stress the metal. {note}
−
−## Copper — Brazing {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Copper Joining Method — 2-1/2 in. and Larger
−type: select
−options:
− - "Brazed — BCuP-series filler metal per AWS A5.8 (standard)"
− - "Press-connect — ASME B16.51 (tool-rated for size)"
− - "Grooved mechanical coupling — listed for copper and pressure-temperature rated"
−default: "Brazed — BCuP-series filler metal per AWS A5.8 (standard)"
−```
−
−### Brazing shall be used for copper piping 2-1/2 in. and larger, and is required by many plumbing codes for these sizes.
−
−### Brazing shall also be used for any copper piping subject to operating temperatures above 250°F or operating pressures above 100 psi where soldering is insufficient.
−
−### Brazing filler metal shall be silver-bearing BCuP-series alloy per AWS A5.8, applied per ASTM B828.
−
−### Flux is not required with self-fluxing BCuP alloys on copper-to-copper joints, but shall be used at copper-to-bronze joints to prevent oxide formation.
−
−### Personnel performing brazing shall have demonstrated proficiency.
−
−### Where the AHJ requires qualification testing for brazing personnel, tests shall be current before the work begins.
−
−## Copper — Press-Connect {toc}
−
−### Press-connect fittings conforming to ASME B16.51 create a permanent mechanical joint without heat, eliminating hot work permits, reducing fire risk, and significantly accelerating installation compared to soldering or brazing. {note}
−### The joint is formed by pressing an O-ring-equipped fitting onto the tube using a calibrated hydraulic pressing tool. {note}
−
−### Each fitting manufacturer specifies the compatible pressing tool jaw profiles and tool calibration intervals; the Contractor shall use only the specified tooling and shall maintain calibration records on site.
−
−### Press-connect fittings shall incorporate a visible gap or leak-path feature on the O-ring that causes an unjoined fitting to leak at system test pressure, providing a visible quality verification during hydrostatic testing.
−
−### Press-connect joints are permanent and cannot be disassembled once pressed. {note}
−
−### Location of all press joints shall be accessible for inspection; press joints shall not be installed in poured-concrete or masonry chases where a failed joint cannot be repaired without structural damage.
−
−## CPVC — Solvent Cementing {toc}
−
−### A continuous bead of cement should be visible around the full circumference of a properly assembled CPVC joint, and excess cement should be wiped from the surface.
−
−```datasheet
−label: CPVC Solvent Cement Standard
−type: radio
−options:
− - "ASTM F493 — CPVC-specific cement (required)"
−default: "ASTM F493 — CPVC-specific cement (required)"
−```
−
−### CPVC joints shall be assembled using CPVC-specific two-step primer and solvent cement conforming to ASTM F493.
−
−### PVC-specific solvent cement shall not be used on CPVC; the solvent formulations differ and a PVC cement will not produce an adequate bond in CPVC.
−
−### Cut the CPVC tube square using a miter box saw or wheel cutter; a hacksaw that leaves a ragged edge shall not be used.
−
−### Deburr and bevel the cut end at approximately 10 to 15 degrees to ease insertion, dry-fit the joint, and mark the insertion depth with a pencil.
−
−### Apply the primer to both the tube exterior and fitting socket interior using a full-circle stroke, then immediately apply the CPVC solvent cement to the tube first and then to the fitting socket using a full-circle stroke with a slightly smaller applicator.
−
−### Insert the tube into the socket with a slight twisting motion and hold assembled for 30 seconds to resist pipe spring-back.
−
−### Do not disturb the joint until the manufacturer's cure time has elapsed for the ambient temperature at time of assembly.
−
−### Cure times increase dramatically below 60°F. {note}
−
−### Do not apply CPVC solvent cement at ambient temperatures below 40°F unless the manufacturer provides specific cold-weather procedures.
−
−### Do not apply solvent cement to wet pipe surfaces.
−
−### Maintain the manufacturer's published cure time before pressure testing; premature testing causes joint failure.
−
−## PEX — Mechanical Connections {toc}
−
−### PEX tubing shall be joined using the fitting method selected in the Fittings section, with joints made per the fitting manufacturer's installation instructions using the manufacturer's specified and calibrated tools.
−
−### Tool and fitting systems are proprietary and not interchangeable between manufacturers; do not use tools from one system to make connections with a different system's fittings.
−
−### For cold expansion fittings (ASTM F2080), cut the tube square, expand the PEX reinforcing ring over the tube end to the manufacturer's specified depth, expand the tube end over the fitting body using the expansion tool, and push the assembly together completely.
−
−### The tube memory will recover and grip the fitting within 30 seconds at 65°F or higher; below 40°F recovery time increases significantly. {note}
−
−### The Contractor shall ensure full recovery of cold expansion joints before continuing work on the branch.
−
−### For crimp ring (ASTM F1807) and clamp ring (ASTM F2098) methods, cut the tube square, slide the ring onto the tube, insert the fitting body fully, position the ring at the correct setback from the tube end per the manufacturer's instructions, and crimp or clamp with the calibrated go/no-go tool.
−
−### The go/no-go gauge shall be checked after each joint and shall be re-calibrated when it fails the verification check.
−
−### Record tool calibration status in the installation log.
−
−# Valves {toc}
−
−## General Valve Requirements {toc}
−
−### Valve sizes, types, and specific locations are [[drawing: as indicated on the plumbing floor plans, riser diagrams, and valve schedule]]. {note}
−
−### All valves installed in potable water service shall be NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 certified.
−
−### Valve certification shall extend to all wetted surfaces including the body, trim, seat, and packing.
−
−### Valves shall be full-port configuration to minimize pressure drop and to permit thorough flushing and pigging where applicable.
−
−## Isolation Valves {toc}
−
−### Ball valves are the standard for 2 in. and smaller isolation service. {note}
−### They provide a tight, reliable shutoff with quarter-turn operation and minimal pressure drop in the fully open position. {note}
−### Bronze-body ball valves with PTFE (Teflon) seats are the standard for domestic water. {note}
−### Butterfly valves are preferred for 2-1/2 in. and larger isolation service due to their lower cost, lighter weight, and easier manual operation compared to large ball or gate valves. {note}
−
−### The isolation valve type shall be specified for each isolation valve location 2 in. and smaller.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Isolation Valve Type — 2 in. and Smaller
−type: select
−options:
− - "Full-port ball valve — bronze body, PTFE seats, NSF 61/372, MSS SP-110"
− - "Full-port ball valve — stainless steel body, NSF 61/372, MSS SP-110"
− - "Gate valve — bronze body, MSS SP-80 (not recommended for new work)"
−default: "Full-port ball valve — bronze body, PTFE seats, NSF 61/372, MSS SP-110"
−```
−
−### The isolation valve type shall be specified for each isolation valve location 2-1/2 in. and larger.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Isolation Valve Type — 2-1/2 in. and Larger
−type: select
−options:
− - "Full-port ball valve — bronze or stainless steel, NSF 61/372, MSS SP-110"
− - "Butterfly valve — EPDM body liner, stainless steel disc, NSF 61/372, MSS SP-67"
− - "Gate valve — bronze body, MSS SP-80 (not recommended for new work)"
−default: "Butterfly valve — EPDM body liner, stainless steel disc, NSF 61/372, MSS SP-67"
−```
−
−### Isolation valves shall be provided at the following minimum locations: at the main building water service entry; at the base of each riser and the top of each downfeed; at the inlet and outlet of each water heater, pressure reducing valve, and backflow preventer; at each branch serving a group of three or more fixtures; at each individual fixture where shut-off without disrupting adjacent fixtures is required; and at the inlet and outlet of the recirculation pump.
−
−### Additional isolation valve locations shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the valve schedule]].
−
−### Stainless steel body valves are required in highly aggressive water environments or where code requires them for hygienic applications.
−
−### Gate valves conforming to MSS SP-80 remain code-acceptable but are being replaced in modern practice by ball valves. {note}
−
−### Gate valves are prone to internal corrosion of the wedge and seat when left in one position for extended periods, and gate valves near full-closed can suffer erosion damage to the seat faces. {note}
−
−### Butterfly valve disc and body liner materials shall be rated for potable water service and confirmed NSF 61/372 certified.
−
−### For hot water service, the EPDM or EPDM/stainless butterfly valve disc construction shall be rated for the maximum system temperature on a continuous basis.
−
−### Butterfly valves shall be installed with sufficient straight pipe upstream and downstream to avoid turbulence-induced seat erosion, per the valve manufacturer's minimum installation distances.
−
−## Check Valves {toc}
−
−### Silent (spring-loaded, center-guided) check valves close without the slam associated with swing check valves because the spring begins closing the disc as soon as flow decelerates rather than waiting for flow reversal. {note}
−### They are the preferred type for pump discharge applications and for any location where water hammer from abrupt check valve closure is a concern. {note}
−
−### Check valves shall be provided at all pump discharges, at all locations where backflow through the check valve could cause contamination or system damage, and at all other locations indicated on the drawings.
−
−### Swing check valves are acceptable in non-critical, gravity-drain, or low-velocity applications where water hammer is not a concern.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Check Valve Type
−type: select
−options:
− - "Spring-loaded center-guided (silent) — full-bore, wafer or threaded end"
− - "Swing check — bronze body, MSS SP-80"
− - "Dual-plate wafer check — stainless steel"
−default: "Spring-loaded center-guided (silent) — full-bore, wafer or threaded end"
−```
−
−## Drain Valves {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Drain Valve Type
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Full-port ball valve with female hose thread outlet and cap"
− - "Globe hose bibb with cap"
−default: "Full-port ball valve with female hose thread outlet and cap"
−```
−
−### Hose-end drain valves shall be provided at all system low points, at the base of risers, and at any isolated zone or section that cannot drain back through the main distribution piping.
−
−### Drain valves shall be full-port ball valve type with female hose thread outlet, NSF 61/372 certified, with a threaded cap on the outlet.
−
−## Pressure Reducing Valves {toc}
−
−### PRV selection and sizing is the responsibility of the Engineer; this standard covers the installation requirements for the PRV piping assembly. {note}
−
−### Where building water pressure exceeds 80 psi at the service entrance, a pressure reducing valve (PRV) shall be installed to limit system pressure to a level safe for the piping and fixtures served.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Pressure Reducing Valve Required
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Yes — inlet pressure exceeds 80 psi"
− - "No — inlet pressure within acceptable range"
−default: "Yes — inlet pressure exceeds 80 psi"
−```
−
−### The PRV piping assembly shall include isolation valves on the inlet and outlet, a strainer on the inlet, a pressure gauge on the outlet, and a union or flanged connection for PRV removal and replacement.
−
−### An expansion tank downstream of the PRV shall be provided per the applicable plumbing code to accommodate the thermal expansion of water heated in a closed system, per [[sync/water-heaters]] for expansion tank requirements.
−
−# Specialties {toc}
−
−## Water Hammer Arrestors {toc}
−
−### Water hammer is the hydraulic shock wave produced when fast-closing valves, solenoid valves, or dishwasher and washing machine fill valves abruptly stop or redirect flow. {note}
−### The resulting pressure spike can reach several times normal operating pressure, is transmitted throughout the connected piping, and over time causes fatigue cracking at fittings, joint failure, and valve seat damage. {note}
−### Water hammer arrestors absorb the pressure spike using a precharged gas chamber separated from the waterway by a piston; when the surge arrives, the piston compresses the gas cushion and dissipates the energy before it propagates. {note}
−
−### Water hammer arrestors shall conform to ASSE 1010 and shall be sized using the Plumbing and Drainage Institute (PDI) fixture unit method, which assigns water supply fixture units (WSFU) to each fixture type and then determines the required arrestor capacity rating (PDI sizes A through F).
−
−```datasheet
−label: Water Hammer Arrestor Sizing Method
−type: radio
−options:
− - "PDI fixture unit method per ASSE 1010"
− - "Per project-specific hydraulic analysis"
−default: "PDI fixture unit method per ASSE 1010"
−```
−
−### Arrestors shall be installed as close as practical to the quick-closing valve that generates the surge, and in the orientation — vertical, horizontal, or multi-position — permitted by the manufacturer.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Water Hammer Arrestors — Installation Requirement
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Required at all quick-closing valves and solenoid valves (comprehensive)"
− - "Required at fixture groups per plumbing code minimum (IPC or UPC)"
− - "Not required — system analysis confirms acceptable surge levels"
−default: "Required at fixture groups per plumbing code minimum (IPC or UPC)"
−```
−
−### Arrestors shall be located in an accessible position — behind an access panel if concealed in a wall — to permit inspection and replacement without demolition.
−
−## Hot Water Recirculation System {toc}
−
−### In commercial buildings, domestic hot water must be delivered to fixtures within a time that satisfies both the occupant comfort standard and the energy code.
−### Without a recirculation system, water in long horizontal branches stagnates and cools; drawing hot water requires purging the cooled water to drain — wasting water, wasting the energy used to heat it, and failing to satisfy occupant expectations. {note}
−
−### ASHRAE 90.1 requires recirculation systems on all service hot water systems in commercial buildings with long supply piping, and the applicable energy code shall govern the specific threshold.
−
−### The recirculation system shall keep water circulating continuously or on a timer-controlled schedule through a return loop from the distribution piping back to the water heater.
−
−### The return piping shall be sized by the Engineer for a minimum recirculation flow rate sufficient to maintain the return temperature above the Legionella control threshold throughout the loop under worst-case heat loss conditions.
−
−### Legionella Temperature Management {toc}
−
−#### Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease, colonizes domestic water piping when water temperatures fall into the range of approximately 68°F to 122°F and stagnation occurs. {note}
−
−#### The operational conflict between energy codes (which encourage lower water heater temperatures) and Legionella prevention (which requires higher temperatures) is addressed through thermostatic mixing valves at point-of-use: the water heater stores and circulates water at 120°F to 140°F for Legionella control, and a certified thermostatic mixing valve conforming to ASSE 1017 blends down to a safe delivery temperature at the fixture. {note}
−
−#### Hot water storage shall be maintained at a minimum of 120°F, and the recirculation return temperature shall be maintained at a minimum of 110°F, to inhibit Legionella multiplication throughout the distribution system.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hot Water Storage Temperature (Legionella Control)
−type: select
−unit: °F
−options:
− - "120°F minimum (standard commercial)"
− - "130°F minimum (enhanced protection)"
− - "140°F minimum (healthcare and high-risk facilities)"
−default: "120°F minimum (standard commercial)"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hot Water Recirculation Return Temperature Setpoint
−type: select
−unit: °F
−options:
− - "110°F minimum return (standard commercial)"
− - "115°F minimum return (enhanced protection)"
− - "120°F minimum return (healthcare facilities)"
−default: "110°F minimum return (standard commercial)"
−```
−
−#### Healthcare facilities shall comply with NFPA 99 and the applicable state health department requirements, which typically require higher storage and distribution temperatures and a formal water management program.
−
−#### In healthcare applications and in facilities serving immunocompromised or high-risk populations, the Engineer shall coordinate with the Owner's infection control program to establish water management protocols.
−
−### Recirculation Pump {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Recirculation Pump Control Mode
−type: select
−options:
− - "Time clock only — operates during programmed occupied hours"
− - "Aquastat (return temperature sensor) only"
− - "Time clock with aquastat override (combined control)"
− - "Demand-based control with push-button or motion activation"
−default: "Time clock with aquastat override (combined control)"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Recirculation Pump Wetted Material
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Bronze body and impeller"
− - "Stainless steel body and impeller"
−default: "Bronze body and impeller"
−```
−
−#### The recirculation pump shall be a bronze or stainless steel wetted-parts, in-line centrifugal pump sized for the recirculation flow rate and head loss determined by the Engineer.
−
−#### The recirculation pump shall be NSF 61/372 certified for all wetted materials.
−
−#### The recirculation pump shall be controlled by a time clock, aquastat, or combination control to operate only during occupied hours or when the return temperature falls below the setpoint, as required by ASHRAE 90.1 and the applicable energy code.
−
−### Recirculation Balancing {toc}
−
−#### Without balancing, the shortest-path branches circulate at excess flow while the longest branches stagnate, defeating Legionella control in the dead legs. {note}
−
−#### Where the recirculation loop serves multiple branches or multiple risers, balancing valves or pressure-independent automatic balancing valves shall be provided at each branch take-off or riser base on the return circuit to ensure that flow is proportional to the heat loss of each branch rather than taking the path of least resistance.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Recirculation Balancing Valve Type
−type: select
−options:
− - "Manual balancing valve with memory stop and flow indicator"
− - "Automatic pressure-independent balancing valve (self-regulating)"
− - "Not required — single-loop system with no branches"
−default: "Manual balancing valve with memory stop and flow indicator"
−```
−
−#### Balancing valve locations shall be [[drawing: as indicated on the plumbing riser diagrams]].
−
−# Hangers, Supports, and Expansion {toc}
−
−## Support Principles {toc}
−
−### Support shall be provided at sufficient intervals to prevent sagging, which creates undrainable low points; excessive deflection, which stresses fittings and joints; and vibration transmission to the building structure, which generates noise.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hanger and Support Material
−type: select
−options:
− - "Carbon steel with protective coating (galvanized, epoxy, or paint)"
− - "Stainless steel Type 304"
− - "Stainless steel Type 316 (corrosive environments)"
−default: "Carbon steel with protective coating (galvanized, epoxy, or paint)"
−```
−
−### Piping shall be supported in accordance with ASME B31.9 and the applicable plumbing code.
−
−### Hangers and support materials shall be compatible with the pipe material; direct contact between copper tube and bare steel or bare galvanized steel hangers shall not be permitted.
−
−### The galvanic cell between dissimilar metals in a humid environment consumes the zinc coating and then the steel rod and hanger hardware. {note}
−
−### Where copper, CPVC, or PEX piping is supported by carbon steel or galvanized steel hangers, a full-length dielectric isolation liner, isolator insert, or neoprene-lined copper pipe clamp shall be provided between the pipe and the hanger or support to electrically isolate the dissimilar metals and prevent abrasion to plastic piping.
−
−## Horizontal Support Spacing {toc}
−
−### The Contractor shall not exceed the following maximum horizontal pipe support spacings.
−### Larger pipe sizes within each material group follow the longer spacing where a range is given. {note}
−
−| Pipe Material | Nominal Pipe Size | Maximum Horizontal Spacing |
−|---|---|---|
−| Copper tube — Type K, L, or M | 3/4 in. and smaller | 6 ft |
−| Copper tube — Type K, L, or M | 1 in. | 6 ft |
−| Copper tube — Type K, L, or M | 1-1/4 in. through 2 in. | 8 ft |
−| Copper tube — Type K, L, or M | 2-1/2 in. and larger | 10 ft |
−| CPVC | 1 in. and smaller | 3 ft |
−| CPVC | 1-1/4 in. and larger | 4 ft |
−| PEX | 1/2 in. through 1 in. | 32 in. |
−| PEX | 1-1/4 in. and larger | 48 in. |
−| Stainless steel | All sizes | Per ASME B31.9 |
−
−### CPVC and PEX require significantly shorter support spacing than copper because thermoplastics creep under sustained load, sagging between inadequately spaced supports over time under their own weight plus the water weight. {note}
−
−## Vertical Support {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Vertical Riser Support Method
−type: select
−options:
− - "Riser clamp at each floor — supports full riser weight"
− - "Pipe roll and guide at each floor — allows axial expansion"
− - "Combination — support at base, guides at upper floors"
−default: "Combination — support at base, guides at upper floors"
−```
−
−### Vertical risers shall be supported at each floor penetration and at the base of the riser.
−
−### A riser clamp or pipe clamp welded to the structure shall carry the full weight of the riser at each floor.
−
−### PEX and CPVC risers shall be guided at each floor penetration to permit axial thermal movement without lateral deflection.
−
−## Thermal Expansion {toc}
−
−### Domestic hot water piping expands along its length when heated to operating temperature. {note}
−### Copper tube has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of approximately 9.4 × 10⁻⁶ in./in./°F; a 100 ft copper run heating from a 70°F installation temperature to 140°F operating temperature will elongate approximately 0.79 in. per 100 ft of run. {note}
−### CPVC has a coefficient of approximately 3.8 × 10⁻⁵ in./in./°F — approximately four times that of copper — and will elongate approximately 3.3 in. per 100 ft under the same conditions. {note}
−### PEX has a still higher coefficient. {note}
−
−### Expansion loop, expansion offset, and mechanical expansion joint locations shall be [[drawing: as detailed on the plumbing riser diagrams and expansion detail drawings]].
−
−```datasheet
−label: Thermal Expansion Compensation Method — Hot Water Piping
−type: select
−drawing_ref: "plumbing riser diagrams and expansion detail drawings"
−options:
− - "Expansion loops — fabricated from pipe and fittings in the routing"
− - "Expansion offsets — L and Z bends inherent in the routing"
− - "Mechanical expansion joints — axial bellows or slip-type"
−default: "Expansion offsets — L and Z bends inherent in the routing"
−```
−
−### Straight runs of piping shall incorporate thermal expansion provisions — expansion loops, offset L or Z configurations, or mechanical expansion joints — at the following intervals: metallic piping (copper), every 50 ft of straight run; CPVC piping, every 30 ft of straight run; PEX, every 20 ft on continuous horizontal runs or as directed by the manufacturer.
−
−### All piping shall be installed with sufficient freedom of movement at anchors, guides, and wall penetrations that the piping can expand and contract without binding.
−
−### The Contractor shall not anchor both ends of a long straight run of hot water piping without providing a mid-run expansion device.
−
−## Seismic Bracing {toc}
−
−### Seismic bracing requirements depend on the Seismic Design Category (SDC) of the building, the importance factor of the facility, and the pipe size. {note}
−### In SDC C and above, domestic water piping 2-1/2 in. and larger generally requires lateral and longitudinal seismic restraint. {note}
−
−### Where required by the applicable building code (IBC and ASCE 7), piping shall be braced for seismic loads.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Seismic Bracing
−type: select
−options:
− - "Not required — SDC A or B, or piping below code threshold size"
− - "Required — standard occupancy (Ip = 1.0) per IBC/ASCE 7"
− - "Required — essential facility (Ip = 1.5) per IBC/ASCE 7"
−default: "Not required — SDC A or B, or piping below code threshold size"
−```
−
−### The Contractor shall confirm the project's SDC and the applicable threshold pipe size with the Engineer before beginning installation.
−
−# Pipe Insulation {toc}
−
−## Insulation Functions and Code Basis {toc}
−
−### Pipe insulation on domestic water piping serves three distinct functions depending on the service: on hot water supply and recirculation piping, insulation reduces heat loss to the surrounding space, maintains acceptable delivery temperature at fixtures, reduces the energy consumed by the water heating system, and is required by ASHRAE 90.1 and the applicable energy code. {note}
−### On cold water piping in conditioned spaces, insulation prevents condensation on the pipe exterior when the pipe surface temperature is below the space dew point — uninsulated cold water piping in humid conditioned spaces drips condensate that damages ceilings, supports biological growth, and triggers mold complaints. {note}
−
−### All pipe insulation in air plenums and in rated assemblies shall have a flame spread index not exceeding 25 and a smoke developed index not exceeding 50 when tested per ASTM E84, as required by the applicable building code.
−
−## Hot Water Insulation {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hot Water Pipe Insulation Material
−type: select
−options:
− - "Fiberglass pipe insulation with all-service jacket (ASJ) — ASTM C547"
− - "Closed-cell elastomeric foam — ASTM C534"
− - "Mineral wool pipe insulation with ASJ jacket — ASTM C547"
−default: "Fiberglass pipe insulation with all-service jacket (ASJ) — ASTM C547"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hot Water Pipe Insulation Thickness
−type: select
−options:
− - "1 in. — nominal pipe size through 1-1/4 in., operating temp 140°F or below"
− - "1-1/2 in. — nominal pipe size 1-1/2 in. through 4 in., operating temp 140°F or below"
− - "2 in. — nominal pipe size 5 in. and larger, or any size above 200°F"
− - "Per ASHRAE 90.1 Table 6.8.3-1 (governing — varies by pipe size and temperature)"
−default: "Per ASHRAE 90.1 Table 6.8.3-1 (governing — varies by pipe size and temperature)"
−```
−
−### All domestic hot water supply and hot water recirculation piping shall be insulated continuously from the water heater through all distribution piping.
−
−### Insulation shall be provided on all fittings, valves, flanges, and accessories as well as straight pipe sections.
−
−### Bare fittings and valve bodies are the most common source of excessive heat loss and condensation in partially-insulated systems. {note}
−
−### Insulation thickness shall be the greater of the ASHRAE 90.1 minimum and the project-specified minimum.
−
−### Where the energy code adopted by the jurisdiction imposes greater thicknesses than ASHRAE 90.1, the energy code governs.
−
−### For operating temperatures above 140°F (such as systems maintained at higher temperatures for Legionella control), the Contractor shall confirm that the selected insulation material and adhesive are rated for the continuous service temperature.
−
−## Cold Water Insulation {toc}
−
−### Closed-cell elastomeric foam is preferred because the closed-cell structure provides an inherent vapor retarder, eliminating the need for a separate vapor barrier. {note}
−### Fiberglass insulation with ASJ jacket is acceptable but requires that every seam, longitudinal cut, end cap, fitting insulation, and valve cover be properly sealed; any unsealed gap allows water vapor to migrate to the cold pipe surface, condense, saturate the insulation, and eventually drip. {note}
−
−### The cold water pipe insulation material shall be specified, and vapor retarder integrity shall be maintained where a fiberglass ASJ jacket system is selected.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Cold Water Pipe Insulation Material
−type: select
−options:
− - "Closed-cell elastomeric foam — ASTM C534 (integral vapor retarder, preferred)"
− - "Fiberglass pipe insulation with sealed ASJ vapor retarder jacket — ASTM C547"
−default: "Closed-cell elastomeric foam — ASTM C534 (integral vapor retarder, preferred)"
−```
−
−### The cold water pipe insulation thickness shall be specified based on pipe size, ambient humidity, and the governing energy code.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Cold Water Pipe Insulation Thickness
−type: select
−options:
− - "1/2 in. (condensation control minimum for small pipe in low-humidity space)"
− - "3/4 in. (standard for most commercial applications)"
− - "1 in. (high-humidity environments, large pipe, or high dew point conditions)"
− - "Per ASHRAE 90.1 (governing — applicable in most jurisdictions)"
−default: "3/4 in. (standard for most commercial applications)"
−```
−
−### Cold water piping in conditioned spaces, and any cold water piping exposed to conditions where pipe surface temperature may fall below the dew point of the surrounding air, shall be insulated with a vapor-retarder-jacketed system.
−
−### Where fiberglass insulation with ASJ jacket is used on cold water piping, every seam, longitudinal cut, end cap, fitting insulation, and valve cover shall be sealed with the manufacturer's adhesive and foil tape to maintain vapor retarder integrity.
−
−## Insulation Continuity {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Insulation at Valves and Fittings
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Pre-formed removable insulation covers at all flanged and bolted valves"
− - "Field-wrapped insulation — cemented and jacketed to match pipe insulation"
−default: "Pre-formed removable insulation covers at all flanged and bolted valves"
−```
−
−### Insulation shall be continuous and uninterrupted at all hangers, supports, valve bodies, flanges, and fitting insulation covers.
−
−### Insulation shall not be cut back or omitted at structural penetrations.
−
−### Where pipe passes through sleeves in walls and floors, the annular space between pipe insulation and sleeve shall be packed with a compressible, non-combustible filler and sealed at fire-rated assemblies per [[sync/firestopping]].
−
−### Insulation shall not be installed until pressure testing and the AHJ inspection are complete.
−
−# Installation {toc}
−
−## General Installation Requirements {toc}
−
−### Install piping in accordance with ASME B31.9, the applicable plumbing code, and the manufacturer's installation instructions for the specific pipe material and joining method.
−
−### Install all piping to permit complete drainage when required.
−
−### Horizontal piping shall be pitched at a minimum of 1/8 in. per foot toward drain valves unless the pipe is kept completely full and air venting is provided at high points.
−
−### Where horizontal piping is installed level, provide air vent valves at all high points and drain valves at all low points.
−
−### Install drain valves at the low point of each zone, branch, or section that can be hydraulically isolated.
−
−### Cap or plug all open pipe ends at the end of each workday, without exception, from first installation through final pressure test.
−
−### Potable water piping that is left open accumulates construction debris, insects, standing water, and contamination that is extremely difficult to fully remove during flushing and disinfection. {note}
−
−## Pipe Cutting and Preparation {toc}
−
−### Cut pipe and tube squarely using appropriate tools: wheel cutters for copper tube; miter saw or fine-tooth hacksaw for CPVC; and tubing shear or scissors for PEX.
−
−### Remove all burrs and sharp edges from cut ends.
−
−### Copper tube cut with a wheel cutter will have an internal raised burr from the cutter wheel; remove it completely with the cutter's reamer or an external chamfering tool.
−
−### Unremoved internal burrs cause velocity noise, turbulence, and erosion of downstream fittings and valves. {note}
−
−## Penetrations and Sleeves {toc}
−
−### Pipe penetrations through walls, floors, and roofs shall be sleeved.
−
−### Sleeves shall be sized to allow free movement of the pipe (and its insulation) within the sleeve and to accommodate the expected thermal movement.
−
−### Sleeves through fire-rated assemblies shall be sealed with listed fire-stop systems in accordance with the fire-stop system listing and as directed by [[sync/firestopping]].
−
−### Exterior wall sleeves and below-grade sleeve entries shall be sealed watertight with a mechanical link seal or equivalent system to prevent water and air infiltration.
−
−## Coordination with Other Trades {toc}
−
−### The Contractor shall coordinate pipe routing with structural, HVAC, electrical, and fire protection trades before installation to avoid conflicts.
−
−### Plumbing piping shall not be installed above electrical switchgear, panelboards, motor control centers, or transformers without prior written approval from the Engineer.
−
−### Where conflicts are identified, the Contractor shall request a routing modification from the Engineer before cutting or installing structure-penetrating sleeves.
−
−### Piping crossing expansion joints in the building structure shall be provided with flexible connections or expansion loops that permit the required differential movement without imposing force on the piping or the structure.
−
−## Slope and Drainage {toc}
−
−### Install horizontal piping with adequate slope to facilitate complete drainage when required.
−
−### The minimum slope for drainable horizontal piping is 1/8 in. per foot toward the nearest drain valve.
−
−### Where horizontal piping serves as a standing supply main that is never drained, install piping level with air vents at all high points to prevent air locking.
−
−## Protection During Construction {toc}
−
−### Protect open pipe ends with factory-supplied or field-fabricated caps or plugs.
−
−### Protect installed piping from physical damage from other trades.
−
−### Where mechanical equipment or material will be staged or moved through areas containing installed piping, provide temporary physical protection (lumber, protective barriers) around the piping.
−
−### PEX piping installed above ceilings shall be protected from UV exposure with an opaque wrapping if the ceiling will remain open during an extended construction period.
−
−# Disinfection {toc}
−
−## Disinfection Requirement and Code Basis {toc}
−
−### Disinfection destroys bacteria introduced during construction from handling, pipe cutting, soldering flux residue, standing water, and construction debris. {note}
−### The applicable plumbing code (IPC Section 610 or UPC Section 610) mandates disinfection of potable water piping before it is placed in service, and this requirement cannot be waived. {note}
−
−### All domestic water piping shall be flushed and disinfected after pressure testing and before being placed in service.
−
−### The disinfection procedure used shall be coordinated with the local water utility, which may impose additional requirements.
−
−## Pre-Disinfection Flushing {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Pre-Disinfection Flushing
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Required — full system flush before chlorination (mandatory)"
−default: "Required — full system flush before chlorination (mandatory)"
−```
−
−### Before chlorination, flush the entire system with clean potable water at the highest achievable velocity to dislodge and remove particulate debris, solder flux residue, CPVC primer and cement residue, cutting oil from pipe threads, and any standing construction water.
−
−### Flushing shall continue from the most upstream inlet through each branch and riser until the discharge water at all outlets runs visually clear and has the appearance, odor, and taste of the supply water.
−
−### Document flushing by branch or zone.
−
−### Do not proceed to chlorination until flushing is complete.
−
−## Chlorination Procedure {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Disinfection Method
−type: select
−options:
− - "Chlorination — sodium hypochlorite solution (standard)"
− - "Chlorination — calcium hypochlorite tablets or granular"
− - "Superheated water method — 180°F minimum, 30 minutes (healthcare facilities, where CPVC/PEX not installed)"
−default: "Chlorination — sodium hypochlorite solution (standard)"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Initial Chlorine Concentration
−type: select
−unit: mg/L (ppm)
−options:
− - "25 mg/L minimum"
− - "50 mg/L minimum (standard and AWWA C651 recommended)"
− - "100 mg/L (heavily contaminated or long retention time)"
−default: "50 mg/L minimum (standard and AWWA C651 recommended)"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Chlorine Contact Time
−type: select
−unit: hours
−options:
− - "24 hours (standard)"
− - "48 hours (large systems or where contamination is suspected)"
−default: "24 hours (standard)"
−```
−
−### The chlorination procedure shall be in accordance with AWWA C651, adapted for building piping systems, and the applicable plumbing code.
−
−### Fill the system with a chlorine solution at a free chlorine concentration of not less than 50 mg/L (50 ppm).
−
−### The chlorinating agent shall be sodium hypochlorite (liquid, typically 5 to 12.5 percent available chlorine concentration) or calcium hypochlorite tablets or granular, and all chlorinating agents shall be food-grade or potable-water-grade.
−
−### Retain the chlorinated water in the system for a minimum of 24 hours.
−
−### During the contact period, operate all valves and specialty devices through their full range to expose all wetted surfaces to the chlorine solution.
−
−### After the 24-hour contact period, measure the residual free chlorine concentration at representative points throughout the system, including all zone ends and all branches most remote from the fill point.
−
−### A minimum residual free chlorine concentration of 25 mg/L shall remain throughout the system at the end of the retention period.
−
−### If the residual falls below 25 mg/L at any sample point, re-dose the system to restore the 50 mg/L initial concentration and repeat the 24-hour retention period.
−
−### After satisfactory retention test, flush the system completely with clean potable water until the free chlorine concentration at all outlets equals or is less than the maximum residual disinfectant level of the incoming water supply.
−
−### Do not discharge chlorinated flushing water to sanitary drain without dechlorination where required by the local municipality.
−
−## Bacteriological Testing {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Bacteriological Testing Scope
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Total coliform analysis only (standard)"
− - "Total coliform plus heterotrophic plate count (HPC) — healthcare and enhanced standard"
−default: "Total coliform analysis only (standard)"
−```
−
−### After chlorination flushing is complete, collect bacteriological water samples from representative discharge points distributed throughout the system, at a minimum one sample per building floor, or one sample per zone if the system is divided into isolated zones, with a minimum of three samples for any system.
−
−### Samples shall be collected in sterile sample bottles and submitted to a state-certified or accredited laboratory for total coliform analysis.
−
−### The system shall not be placed in service until bacteriological test results confirm the absence of total coliform bacteria (zero total coliform colonies per 100 mL).
−
−### If bacteriological testing reveals total coliform presence, the system shall be re-chlorinated and re-tested before being placed in service.
−
−### Identify the possible source of contamination — commonly a cross-connection, a skipped branch, or a valve that was not operated during chlorination — before re-disinfection.
−
−### Do not place a system with confirmed positive coliform results in service under any circumstances.
−
−## Superheated Water Method {toc}
−
−### This method effectively pasteurizes the system without chemical residuals, and is common in healthcare facilities per NFPA 99 where chemical residuals are unacceptable. {note}
−
−### Where the superheated water thermal disinfection method is used, heat all domestic water piping and storage to a minimum of 180°F and maintain that temperature at all outlet points for a minimum of 30 minutes.
−
−### CPVC piping systems shall not be subjected to superheated water disinfection above the ASTM D2846 maximum rated temperature of 180°F continuous.
−
−### Verify that all components — including valves, seals, and arrestors — are rated for the thermal disinfection temperature before proceeding.
−
−### PEX tubing rated for maximum 140°F service shall not be subjected to the superheated water method.
−
−# Pressure Testing {toc}
−
−## Purpose and Requirements {toc}
−
−### Testing demonstrates that all joints are leak-free and that the system can withstand pressures significantly above the normal operating range. {note}
−
−### All domestic water piping shall be hydrostatically pressure tested after installation, after all joints are complete, and before insulation is applied, ceilings are closed, or piping is otherwise concealed.
−
−### The pressure test shall be witnessed by the Contractor's superintendent and shall be available for observation by the AHJ and the Engineer.
−
−## Test Pressure and Duration {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hydrostatic Test Pressure
−type: select
−unit: psi
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "150 psi (standard for domestic water piping up to 80 psi operating pressure)"
− - "200 psi"
− - "1.5 times the maximum design operating pressure, 125 psi minimum"
− - "Per applicable plumbing code"
−default: "150 psi (standard for domestic water piping up to 80 psi operating pressure)"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Hydrostatic Test Duration
−type: select
−unit: hours
−options:
− - "2 hours (standard plumbing code minimum)"
− - "4 hours"
− - "24 hours (critical facilities, large systems)"
−default: "2 hours (standard plumbing code minimum)"
−```
−
−### The test pressure shall be sufficient to confirm joint integrity without damaging the piping.
−
−### The test pressure shall not exceed the pressure rating of the lowest-rated component in the test section, including valves, backflow preventers, or other rated components.
−
−## Test Procedure {toc}
−
−### A test is satisfactory when the gauge pressure does not drop during the test period and there are no visible leaks at any joint, fitting, valve, or component connection. {note}
−
−### Fill the system slowly from the lowest point, opening all high-point air vents and all fixture outlet stops or temporary drain connections as required to purge air from the system completely.
−
−### Air in the test water compresses and creates a false pressure reading, and a pressure drop from air dissolution does not indicate a leak. {note}
−
−### Allow the system to stabilize for at least 15 minutes after reaching test pressure to account for thermal expansion or contraction of the test water before beginning the test period.
−
−### Record the gauge pressure at the beginning and end of the test period and at 30-minute intervals during the test.
−
−### Test gauges shall have a maximum range not exceeding twice the test pressure, a minimum dial diameter of 4 in., and shall have been calibrated within the 12 months immediately preceding the test.
−
−### Include the gauge identification number and calibration expiration date in the pressure test report.
−
−### Do not apply test pressure to CPVC piping until the solvent cement joints have achieved the minimum cure time specified by the cement manufacturer for the ambient temperature at the time of assembly.
−
−### Premature testing of partially-cured CPVC joints will cause joint failure, and the failed section must be cut out and remade. {note}
−
−### Follow the CPVC manufacturer's cure time table precisely; cure times may be two to four times longer at 40°F than at 75°F.
−
−## Below-Slab Testing {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Below-Slab / Underground Pressure Test Documentation
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Photographs of exposed joints and gauge reading required"
− - "Inspector witness required — AHJ observation before cover"
− - "Both photographs and inspector witness"
−default: "Both photographs and inspector witness"
−```
−
−### Below-slab and underground piping shall be pressure-tested before backfill or concrete placement.
−
−### Conduct the below-slab test at the same pressure and duration as above-ground piping.
−
−### Document the below-slab test with dated photographs showing the pressure gauge reading and the exposed piping at all joints, and include the photographs in the pressure test report.
−
−# Delivery, Storage, and Handling {toc}
−
−## Receipt and Inspection {toc}
−
−### Pipe and fitting materials shall be delivered in original packaging with labeling, ASTM standard designations, and NSF 61/372 certification marks intact.
−
−### Inspect all deliveries immediately upon receipt; reject and return any pipe or fitting that arrives without legible ASTM and NSF markings, with visible physical damage, with end caps missing (open ends), or that cannot be confirmed as the correct material and type for the service application.
−
−### Substitution of a lower-grade material — for example, substituting Type M copper for specified Type L — shall not be accepted even when packaging appears identical.
−
−## Storage {toc}
−
−### Store pipe and tubing indoors or under weatherproof cover, elevated a minimum of 4 in. off the ground on wood dunnage, and supported at sufficient intervals to prevent sag.
−
−### Copper tube shall be stored with original end caps or field-applied caps to prevent moisture, insect, and debris entry.
−
−### CPVC and PEX shall be stored completely out of direct sunlight and away from artificial UV sources such as UV cure lamps; UV exposure degrades both materials and creates brittle failure risk even before installation.
−
−### PEX shall be stored coiled at the manufacturer's minimum recommended coil diameter or in straight lengths; overly tight coiling creates memory bends that are difficult to straighten during installation.
−
−## Handling {toc}
−
−### Handle pipe and tube to avoid dents, kinks, scratches, and deformation.
−
−### Do not drop pipe, drag pipe across rough surfaces, or use pipe as a lever or fulcrum.
−
−### Damaged or kinked sections — particularly PEX, which can develop interior micro-cracks at kinks — shall be cut out and discarded.
−
−### Do not install damaged material.
−
−# Warranty {toc}
−
−```datasheet
−label: Installation Warranty Period
−type: select
−options:
− - "1 year from date of substantial completion (standard)"
− - "2 years from date of substantial completion"
−default: "1 year from date of substantial completion (standard)"
−```
−
−```datasheet
−label: Extended Piping System Warranty
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Manufacturer's standard product warranty only"
− - "Contractor extended warranty — labor and materials for defects"
−default: "Manufacturer's standard product warranty only"
−```
−
−## The Contractor shall warrant the domestic water piping installation against defects in materials and workmanship for the warranty period.
−
−## The warranty shall cover pipe joint failures, valve packing and seat leaks attributable to manufacturing defects or workmanship, fitting failures, and failures of water hammer arrestors under normal operating conditions.
−
−## The warranty shall not cover: damage from freezing caused by inadequate building heat maintenance; water hammer damage caused by system design, equipment selection, or operational conditions outside the Contractor's scope; damage caused by water quality conditions outside the material manufacturer's published limits; or physical damage from other trades or building users.
−
−## Manufacturer warranties for certified pipe and fitting systems, where applicable, shall be transferred to the Owner at substantial completion and included in the closeout submittal package.
−
−## Where manufacturer warranty documentation requires Owner registration, the Contractor shall initiate registration before substantial completion.
+---
+title: Domestic Water Piping
+category: Plumbing
+description: >
+ When to use: Potable cold water, hot water, and hot water return piping inside a building — the pipe and tube, the fittings and joints, the valves and water hammer arrestors installed in the line, and the supports, expansion provisions, insulation, freeze protection, identification, pressure testing, flushing, and disinfection that go with them. The scope runs from the discharge of the building water service assembly to the stop, union, or rough-in connection at each fixture and each item of equipment, in commercial, institutional, industrial, and multifamily buildings served by a utility supply or by a private on-site source.
+
+ Not intended for: The water service, meter assembly, and backflow assembly at the building entrance ([[sync/backflow-prevention]]); water heating equipment, storage vessels, master mixing valves, thermal expansion vessels, and the recirculation pump with its controls ([[sync/water-heaters]]); the fixtures, faucets, stops, supplies, and fixture-mounted temperature limiting devices served ([[sync/plumbing-fixtures]]); water softening, filtration, and chemical treatment equipment; fire protection piping ([[sync/wet-pipe-fire-sprinkler-systems]]); hydronic heating, chilled water, and condenser water piping ([[sync/hydronic-piping]]); sanitary drainage and vent piping ([[sync/sanitary-waste-and-vent-piping]]); site water mains outside the building footprint; irrigation and exterior site water distribution; medical gas, vacuum, laboratory, and process water systems; and steam and condensate piping.
+---
+
+# Scope {toc}
+
+## This standard governs the piping that carries potable water through a building — the pipe and tube itself, the fittings and joints that connect it, the valves and specialties installed in the line, and everything that supports, insulates, protects, tests, and disinfects it. {note}
+
+## The scope begins at the discharge connection of the building water service assembly and ends at the stop, union, or rough-in connection serving each fixture and each item of equipment. {note}
+
+## The following are governed elsewhere and are outside this standard: {note}
+
+- the water service, the meter assembly, and the backflow assembly protecting the building supply
+- water heating equipment, storage vessels, master mixing valves, thermal expansion vessels, and the recirculation pump with its controls and its balancing devices at the equipment
+- the fixtures, faucets, stops, supplies, and fixture-mounted temperature limiting devices the system serves
+- water softening, filtration, and chemical treatment equipment installed as a treatment train
+- fire protection piping, hydronic piping, sanitary drainage and vent piping, and laboratory and process water piping
+- site water mains outside the building footprint, exterior irrigation distribution, and exterior site hydrants
+
+## Pipe sizes, routing, riser arrangement, and fixture rough-in dimensions shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the plumbing plans, riser diagrams, and rough-in schedules]].
+
+## This standard sets what the piping must be and what it must do; the drawings set where it goes and how large it is. {note}
+
+## Every component of the piping system that contacts potable water shall be certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for health effects.
+
+## Every pipe, fitting, valve, solder, flux, gasket, lubricant, and appurtenance that contacts potable water shall be certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 for lead content.
+
+## The NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 limit of 0.25 percent lead as a weighted average of the wetted surfaces is a federal requirement under the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act and shall not be waived at the project level. {note}
+
+# Referenced Standards {toc}
+
+## Materials, components, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited.
+
+## Where the contract documents, the Authority Having Jurisdiction, or two referenced standards impose conflicting requirements, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
+
+## The adopted plumbing code shall take precedence over every other reference on any matter that code addresses directly.
+
+| Standard | Title |
+|----------|-------|
+| IPC | International Plumbing Code |
+| UPC | Uniform Plumbing Code |
+| IBC | International Building Code |
+| IECC | International Energy Conservation Code |
+| ASHRAE 90.1 | Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings |
+| ASHRAE 188 | Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems |
+| ASCE 7 | Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures |
+| NFPA 70 | National Electrical Code |
+| ASME B31.9 | Building Services Piping |
+| ASME A13.1 | Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems |
+| ASME B16.18 | Cast Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings |
+| ASME B16.22 | Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings |
+| ASME B16.26 | Cast Copper Alloy Fittings for Flared Copper Tubes |
+| ASME B16.51 | Copper and Copper Alloy Press-Connect Pressure Fittings |
+| ASTM B88 | Seamless Copper Water Tube |
+| ASTM B32 | Solder Metal |
+| ASTM B813 | Liquid and Paste Fluxes for Soldering Applications of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube |
+| ASTM B828 | Making Capillary Joints by Soldering of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube and Fittings |
+| AWS A5.8/A5.8M | Filler Metals for Brazing and Braze Welding |
+| ASTM D2846/D2846M | Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastic Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems |
+| ASTM F441/F441M | Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80 |
+| ASTM F442/F442M | Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastic Pipe, SDR-PR |
+| ASTM F437 | Threaded Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 80 |
+| ASTM F438 | Socket-Type Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 40 |
+| ASTM F439 | Socket-Type Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 80 |
+| ASTM F493 | Solvent Cements for Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastic Pipe and Fittings |
+| ASTM F876 | Crosslinked Polyethylene Tubing |
+| ASTM F877 | Crosslinked Polyethylene Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems |
+| ASTM F1807 | Metal Insert Fittings Utilizing a Copper Crimp Ring for SDR9 PEX and PE-RT Tubing |
+| ASTM F1960 | Cold Expansion Fittings with PEX Reinforcing Rings for Use with PEX and PE-RT Tubing |
+| ASTM F2080 | Cold-Expansion Fittings with Metal Compression-Sleeves for PEX and PE-RT Pipe |
+| ASTM F2098 | Stainless Steel Clamps for Securing SDR9 PEX Tubing to Metal Insert Fittings |
+| ASTM F2159 | Plastic Insert Fittings Utilizing a Copper Crimp Ring for SDR9 PEX Tubing |
+| ASTM F1281 | Crosslinked Polyethylene/Aluminum/Crosslinked Polyethylene Pressure Pipe |
+| ASTM F2434 | Metal Insert Fittings for SDR9 Crosslinked Polyethylene/Aluminum/Crosslinked Polyethylene Pipe |
+| ASTM F2769 | Polyethylene of Raised Temperature Plastic Hot- and Cold-Water Tubing and Distribution Systems |
+| ASTM F2389 | Pressure-Rated Polypropylene Piping Systems |
+| ASTM A312/A312M | Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes |
+| ASTM A269/A269M | Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service |
+| ASTM A53/A53M | Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless |
+| ASTM E84 | Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials |
+| ASTM C547 | Mineral Fiber Pipe Insulation |
+| ASTM C534/C534M | Preformed Flexible Elastomeric Cellular Thermal Insulation in Sheet and Tubular Form |
+| ASTM C552 | Cellular Glass Thermal Insulation |
+| ASTM C591 | Unfaced Preformed Rigid Cellular Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation |
+| ASTM C1136 | Flexible Low Permeance Vapor Retarders for Thermal Insulation |
+| ASTM C1729 | Aluminum Jacketing for Insulation |
+| NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 | Drinking Water System Components — Health Effects |
+| NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 | Drinking Water System Components — Lead Content |
+| NSF/ANSI 14 | Plastics Piping System Components and Related Materials |
+| ASSE 1010 | Water Hammer Arresters |
+| ASSE 1061 | Push-Fit Fittings |
+| ASSE 1079 | Dielectric Pipe Unions |
+| PDI WH 201 | Water Hammer Arresters |
+| MSS SP-58 | Pipe Hangers and Supports — Materials, Design, Manufacture, Selection, Application, and Installation |
+| MSS SP-67 | Butterfly Valves |
+| MSS SP-69 | Pipe Hangers and Supports — Selection and Application |
+| MSS SP-80 | Bronze Gate, Globe, Angle, and Check Valves |
+| MSS SP-110 | Ball Valves Threaded, Socket-Welding, Solder Joint, Grooved and Flared Ends |
+| AWWA C651 | Disinfecting Water Mains |
+| AWWA C105/A21.5 | Polyethylene Encasement for Ductile-Iron Pipe Systems |
+| IEEE 515.1 | Testing, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Resistance Heat Tracing for Commercial Applications |
+
+# Submittals {toc}
+
+## Action Submittals {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall submit the following for review before any piping material is procured:
+
+- product data for each pipe and tube furnished, giving the material, the ASTM designation, the wall series or dimension ratio, the pressure and temperature rating, and the potable-contact certification
+- product data for each fitting and joining component, giving the material, the ASME or ASTM designation, the pressure and temperature rating, and the potable-contact certification
+- product data for each valve, giving the body, trim, seat, and stem seal materials, the pressure and temperature rating, the end connections, the operator, and the potable-contact certification
+- product data for the water hammer arrestors, giving the certification listing, the size designation, and the rated discharge capacity in fixture units
+- product data for the pipe insulation, giving the thermal conductivity at the mean service temperature, the flame spread and smoke developed indices, the water vapor permeance of the facing or jacket, the service temperature range, and the jacketing proposed for each location
+- product data for the hangers, supports, guides, anchors, saddles, and insulation protection shields, with the attachment method proposed for each structure type
+- product data for the dielectric fittings and transition couplings proposed at each dissimilar-material joint
+- product data for the temperature maintenance heat trace, giving the output rating, the maximum circuit length, the control method, and the electrical characteristics
+- shop drawings of the expansion loops, offsets, anchors, and guides, showing the movement each provision accommodates
+- shop drawings of the hot water return piping showing each branch balancing device and the flow it is to be set to
+- a valve schedule listing every valve by tag number, service, size, type, and location
+
+```datasheet
+label: Action Submittal Package
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Pipe and tube product data"
+ - "Fitting and joining component product data"
+ - "Valve product data"
+ - "Water hammer arrestor product data"
+ - "Pipe insulation product data"
+ - "Hanger and support product data"
+ - "Dielectric fitting product data"
+ - "Temperature maintenance heat trace product data"
+ - "Expansion provision shop drawings"
+ - "Hot water return balancing shop drawings"
+ - "Valve schedule"
+```
+
+### Piping fabrication and installation shall not begin until the corresponding action submittals have been reviewed and returned.
+
+## Informational Submittals {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall submit the following supporting calculations and records with, or before, the action submittals:
+
+- the pipe sizing calculation, identifying the sizing method used and the demand it is based on
+- an evaluation of the incoming water analysis against the published water chemistry limits of every piping material proposed
+- the water hammer arrestor sizing calculation for each protected fixture group
+- the insulation thickness determination for each service and pipe size, citing the governing table or the calculation performed
+- the condensation control determination for cold water piping in each space where the design dew point exceeds the calculated pipe surface temperature
+- seismic restraint calculations sealed by a registered design professional, or the pre-approved restraint detail the Contractor intends to use with its listing identified
+- the qualification records of every person who will make brazed, fusion, or press joints
+- written confirmation from the pipe manufacturer that each sealant, adhesive, coating, firestop material, and insulation adhesive proposed for use in contact with plastic piping is compatible with that piping
+- the proposed flushing, disinfection, and bacteriological sampling procedure, with the sample points identified
+
+```datasheet
+label: Informational Submittal Package
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Pipe sizing calculation"
+ - "Water chemistry evaluation"
+ - "Water hammer arrestor sizing calculation"
+ - "Insulation thickness determination"
+ - "Condensation control determination"
+ - "Seismic restraint calculations or pre-approved detail"
+ - "Joining personnel qualification records"
+ - "Plastic piping chemical compatibility confirmation"
+ - "Flushing and disinfection procedure"
+```
+
+## Closeout Submittals {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall submit the following before the domestic water system is accepted:
+
+- as-built drawings recording the installed routing and the location of every valve, drain, arrestor, air vent, expansion provision, and access panel, with the valve tag numbers as fitted
+- operation and maintenance manuals for the valves, arrestors, heat trace, and specialties furnished, with the recommended maintenance tasks and their intervals tabulated
+- the valve chart, framed under glass or rigid laminate, listing every valve by tag number, service, and location
+- pressure test reports for every test section, recording the test medium, the test pressure, the start and end times, the gauge readings, the gauge identification number and calibration date, and the result, signed by the person who witnessed the test
+- flushing and disinfection reports recording the disinfectant used, the dose, the contact time, the residual measured at each sample point, and the final flush result
+- the certified laboratory report for every bacteriological sample taken
+- warranty documentation for each product carrying a manufacturer warranty, identifying the coverage period and the date coverage begins
+- a signed receipt from the Owner for the spare parts delivered
+
+```datasheet
+label: Closeout Submittal Package
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "As-built drawings with valve tag numbers"
+ - "Operation and maintenance manuals"
+ - "Framed valve chart"
+ - "Pressure test reports"
+ - "Flushing and disinfection reports"
+ - "Certified bacteriological laboratory reports"
+ - "Warranty documentation"
+ - "Spare parts receipt"
+```
+
+# Quality Assurance {toc}
+
+## Installer Qualifications {toc}
+
+### Piping work shall be performed by personnel holding the license the Authority Having Jurisdiction requires for that trade in the jurisdiction where the work is performed.
+
+### Brazed joints shall be made only by personnel qualified in the brazing procedure being used, and the qualification records shall be on site before brazing begins.
+
+### Heat fusion joints shall be made only by personnel who have completed the pipe manufacturer's training for the fusion method and equipment being used.
+
+### Press and cold expansion joints shall be made only by personnel who have completed the fitting manufacturer's training for the tool and fitting system being used.
+
+### The Contractor shall keep the tools used to make press, crimp, clamp, cold expansion, and fusion joints within the calibration or service interval the tool manufacturer publishes, and shall keep the calibration records on site.
+
+## Product Marking and Certification {toc}
+
+### Every length of pipe and tube shall carry a continuous, legible marking giving the manufacturer, the material designation, the size, the wall series or dimension ratio, the applicable ASTM designation, and the potable-contact certification mark.
+
+### Every fitting shall carry a legible marking giving the manufacturer, the material or alloy designation, the size, the applicable standard, and the potable-contact certification mark.
+
+### Material that does not carry the required markings shall not be incorporated into the work.
+
+### The Contractor shall keep the certification listings for every potable-contact product on site for the duration of the work.
+
+### The Contractor shall make the certification listings available for inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, the Engineer of Record, and the Owner's representative on request.
+
+## Inspection and Concealment {toc}
+
+### The rough piping, the pressure test, and the disinfection shall each be made available for inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction before the next stage of work proceeds.
+
+### Piping shall not be concealed, insulated, backfilled, or covered until the inspections applicable to that portion of the work are complete and the work has been released.
+
+### Work concealed before the applicable inspection is complete shall be uncovered at the Contractor's cost, and the concealing construction shall be reinstated at the Contractor's cost.
+
+# Water Chemistry and Service Conditions {toc}
+
+## Incoming Water Chemistry {toc}
+
+### Every candidate piping material has a published water chemistry envelope, and the same supply that is benign for one material can be aggressive to another: soft, low-alkalinity, low-pH water attacks copper; high chloride attacks austenitic stainless steel; free chlorine and chloramine oxidize the inner wall of some polymers over time; and hardness deposits scale on whatever surface runs hottest. {note}
+
+### The Engineer of Record shall establish the design water chemistry from [[parameter: site-water-supply-source]] and [[parameter: site-water-supply-hardness]].
+
+### The Contractor shall evaluate the incoming water analysis against the published water chemistry limits of every piping material proposed and shall report any exceedance before that material is ordered.
+
+### The Contractor shall not be held responsible for material failure caused by water chemistry outside the pipe manufacturer's published limits where the exceedance was reported under this article and the piping was installed as specified.
+
+### Treatment equipment installed to condition the incoming supply is the subject of a separate standard and is not furnished under this standard. {note}
+
+## Incoming Water Temperature {toc}
+
+### The coldest incoming water temperature sets the lowest surface temperature the cold water piping will reach, and that surface temperature is what condensation control is designed against. {note}
+
+### Cold water piping shall be evaluated for condensation using a pipe surface temperature derived from [[parameter: site-water-supply-temperature-minimum]] and the design dew point of each space the piping passes through.
+
+## Ambient Conditions Along the Route {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall identify every portion of the route that passes through an unconditioned space, an exterior wall cavity, a ventilated attic, a crawl space, a loading dock, or any other location subject to freezing.
+
+### Piping in those locations shall be freeze-protected as specified in this standard.
+
+### The Contractor shall identify every portion of the route exposed to direct sunlight or to artificial ultraviolet sources.
+
+### Polymer piping in those locations shall be shielded from ultraviolet exposure or shall be a material listed for continuous ultraviolet exposure.
+
+# System Pressure and Flow Velocity {toc}
+
+## Pressure Control {toc}
+
+### The pressure the utility delivers is a site fact, not a design choice, and it is often well above what fixtures, appliance fill valves, and pipe joints are rated to see continuously. {note}
+
+### The pressure reducing arrangement for the building shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Pressure Reducing Arrangement
+type: select
+derived: "[[parameter: site-water-supply-pressure-maximum]] compared against the maximum static pressure the adopted plumbing code permits at a fixture supply"
+options:
+ - "None because the supply pressure is within the permitted range"
+ - "A single pressure reducing valve on the building supply"
+ - "Parallel pressure reducing valves sized for high and low demand"
+ - "A pressure reducing valve on the building supply with additional zone valves on upper floors"
+ - "Zone pressure reducing valves only"
+default: derived
+```
+
+### Where a pressure reducing valve is provided, the assembly shall include an isolation valve upstream, a strainer upstream, an isolation valve downstream, a pressure gauge downstream, and a union or flange permitting removal of the valve without cutting pipe.
+
+### The system working pressure downstream of the pressure reducing arrangement shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: System Working Pressure
+type: range
+unit: psi
+options:
+ min: 20
+ max: 160
+ setpoints: [20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, 80, 100, 125, 150, 160]
+```
+
+### Closing the building supply with a pressure reducing valve, a check valve, or a backflow assembly turns the system into a closed vessel, and water heated in a closed vessel raises system pressure until something relieves it. {note}
+
+### Thermal expansion control for the closed system is provided under [[sync/water-heaters]] and is not furnished under this standard. {note}
+
+### Air vent valves shall be provided at every high point of the distribution piping that cannot be purged through a fixture outlet.
+
+## Flow Velocity Limits {toc}
+
+### Velocity is the design lever that governs erosion at fittings, the strength of the pressure wave a fast-closing valve produces, and how much noise the pipe radiates into the space around it; the limit that governs at a given point is whichever of those three is most sensitive there. {note}
+
+### In copper tube, sustained high velocity strips the protective oxide film at elbows, tees, and partly closed valves, and hot water is more aggressive in this respect than cold, which is why the hot water limit is the lower one. {note}
+
+### The maximum design velocity in cold water piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Design Velocity — Cold Water
+type: range
+unit: ft/s
+options:
+ min: 2
+ max: 12
+ setpoints: [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12]
+default: 8
+```
+
+### The maximum design velocity in hot water supply piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Design Velocity — Hot Water Supply
+type: range
+unit: ft/s
+options:
+ min: 2
+ max: 10
+ setpoints: [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10]
+default: 5
+```
+
+### The maximum design velocity in hot water return piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Design Velocity — Hot Water Return
+type: range
+unit: ft/s
+options:
+ min: 1
+ max: 6
+ setpoints: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
+default: 3
+```
+
+### The maximum design velocity in piping serving or passing through acoustically sensitive spaces shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Design Velocity — Acoustically Sensitive Areas
+type: range
+unit: ft/s
+options:
+ min: 1
+ max: 8
+ setpoints: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8]
+```
+
+### The spaces to which the acoustically sensitive velocity limit applies shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the plumbing plans]].
+
+## Pipe Sizing Basis {toc}
+
+### The basis on which the distribution piping is sized shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Pipe Sizing Basis
+type: select
+options:
+ - "The fixture unit method in the adopted plumbing code"
+ - "A statistical peak demand analysis"
+ - "A measured or metered demand profile for a comparable facility"
+ - "A process or equipment demand schedule established by the Owner"
+```
+
+### The fixture unit tables in the plumbing codes were built on fixture flow rates far higher than current water-conserving fixtures deliver, so on a building full of low-flow fixtures the fixture unit method returns larger pipe than the demand justifies, and oversized pipe lengthens the time water sits in the building. {note}
+
+### Where the sizing basis produces a size smaller than the adopted plumbing code minimum for that fixture or branch, the code minimum shall govern.
+
+# Distribution Arrangement {toc}
+
+## The distribution arrangement shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Distribution Arrangement
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Trunk and branch with tees taken off a main"
+ - "Central manifold with an individual run to each fixture"
+ - "Remote submanifolds fed from a main, with individual runs to the fixtures each submanifold serves"
+ - "Trunk and branch mains with submanifolds serving fixture groups"
+```
+
+## A trunk-and-branch arrangement puts fittings inside the wall and ceiling cavities and shares a main between fixtures; a manifold arrangement moves the fittings to one accessible location and gives every fixture its own uninterrupted run, at the cost of more total tubing and a dedicated space for the manifold. {note}
+
+## Smaller individual runs also hold less water, so the volume that must be purged before hot water arrives at a fixture is lower on a manifold arrangement than on a branch of the same length. {note}
+
+## Where a manifold or submanifold arrangement is used, the manifold shall be installed in an accessible location and shall be provided with an isolating valve on each outlet port.
+
+## Where a manifold or submanifold arrangement is used, each outlet port shall be permanently labeled with the fixture it serves.
+
+## Manifold locations shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the plumbing plans]].
+
+## The manifold material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Manifold Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Copper"
+ - "Cast or forged copper alloy"
+ - "Stainless steel"
+ - "Engineered polymer listed for potable water"
+```
+
+## Dead Legs and Stagnation {toc}
+
+### Water that is not moved does not stay potable: disinfectant residual decays, biofilm establishes on the pipe wall, and in the warm part of the temperature band the organisms that colonize building water systems multiply. {note}
+
+### Branches serving fixtures that are removed, capped, or taken out of service shall be cut back to the active main and capped at the main.
+
+### Branch piping serving a fixture shall not exceed the maximum length the datasheet indicates between the active main and the fixture outlet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Branch Length from an Active Main to a Fixture Outlet
+type: range
+unit: ft
+options:
+ min: 2
+ max: 60
+ setpoints: [2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60]
+```
+
+### Capped stub-outs provided for future fixtures shall be valved at the main and shall be left drained.
+
+# Piping Material Selection by Service {toc}
+
+## Cold water distribution, hot water supply, hot water return, and buried or below-slab piping each see a different combination of temperature, duty cycle, and external environment, so each is selected on its own rather than inheriting one building-wide answer. {note}
+
+## Every piping material offered in this standard is permitted by the model plumbing codes for potable water distribution in at least some jurisdictions, and the adopted code and the Authority Having Jurisdiction determine which of them may be used on a given project. {note}
+
+## The cold water distribution piping material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Cold Water Distribution Piping Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Copper tube"
+ - "CPVC"
+ - "PEX"
+ - "PE-RT"
+ - "PEX-AL-PEX"
+ - "Polypropylene"
+ - "Stainless steel"
+ - "Galvanized steel"
+```
+
+## The hot water supply piping material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hot Water Supply Piping Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Copper tube"
+ - "CPVC"
+ - "PEX"
+ - "PE-RT"
+ - "PEX-AL-PEX"
+ - "Polypropylene"
+ - "Stainless steel"
+```
+
+## The hot water return piping material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hot Water Return Piping Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "The same material as the hot water supply piping"
+ - "Copper tube"
+ - "CPVC"
+ - "PEX"
+ - "PE-RT"
+ - "Polypropylene"
+ - "Stainless steel"
+```
+
+## Hot water return piping runs hot continuously and moves water the whole time, whereas the supply piping is hot but largely still between draws, so the return sees the higher time-at-temperature and the higher cumulative flow of the two. {note}
+
+## The hot water return piping material shall be rated for continuous service at the maximum return temperature the system is controlled to.
+
+## The buried and below-slab piping material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Buried and Below-Slab Piping Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Copper tube"
+ - "Copper tube with a continuous polyethylene encasement"
+ - "PEX in a continuous sleeve"
+ - "PE-RT in a continuous sleeve"
+ - "CPVC"
+ - "Polypropylene"
+ - "Stainless steel"
+```
+
+## Piping under a slab or in soil is reached only by breaking the floor, so the material choice there is being made against a repair cost the same failure would not carry above the ceiling. {note}
+
+## Where two different materials are used on the same system, the transition shall be made with a fitting listed for that specific combination.
+
+## The Engineer of Record shall confirm that every material selected is permitted by the adopted plumbing code for the service, the location, and the pipe sizes involved.
+
+# Copper Tube and Copper Alloy Fittings {toc}
+
+## Copper Tube {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects copper tube for a service.
+
+### Copper water tube shall conform to ASTM B88.
+
+### ASTM B88 tube is made in three wall series that share the same outside diameter: Type K is the heaviest, Type L is intermediate, and Type M is the lightest, so the same fittings serve all three and the choice is a wall thickness and pressure rating decision rather than a dimensional one. {note}
+
+### The copper tube wall series for above-ground piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Copper Tube Wall Series — Above-Ground Piping
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Type K"
+ - "Type L"
+ - "Type M"
+default: "Type L"
+```
+
+### The copper tube wall series for buried and below-slab piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Copper Tube Wall Series — Buried and Below-Slab Piping
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Type K"
+ - "Type L"
+default: "Type K"
+```
+
+### The copper tube temper shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Copper Tube Temper
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Drawn temper in straight lengths"
+ - "Annealed temper in coils"
+ - "Drawn temper above grade and annealed temper below grade"
+```
+
+### Annealed tube bends without fittings and can be pulled through a slab or trench in a continuous length, which removes the buried joints; drawn tube is stiffer, holds a straight line between supports, and carries a higher rated working pressure in the same wall series. {note}
+
+### Type M tube shall be used only where the adopted plumbing code permits it for the service and the location in which it is installed.
+
+### Copper tube shall not be used where the water analysis falls outside the pH, alkalinity, or dissolved oxygen limits published for copper without the corrosion control measures the Engineer of Record directs.
+
+## Copper Alloy Fittings {toc}
+
+### The copper fitting type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Copper Fitting Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Wrought copper solder joint fittings to ASME B16.22"
+ - "Cast copper alloy solder joint fittings to ASME B16.18"
+ - "Press-connect fittings to ASME B16.51"
+ - "Flared fittings to ASME B16.26"
+ - "Grooved mechanical couplings listed for copper tube"
+ - "Push-fit fittings listed to ASSE 1061"
+```
+
+### Wrought fittings are drawn from tube stock and hold a tighter socket tolerance than cast fittings, which affects capillary fill on a soldered joint; cast fittings are made in configurations that cannot be drawn, so the two are commonly used together on the same system. {note}
+
+### Fittings shall carry a pressure and temperature rating not less than that of the tube they join.
+
+### Cast copper alloy fittings shall be a dezincification-resistant alloy where the water analysis indicates dezincification potential.
+
+### Press-connect fittings shall carry a sealing element listed for the service temperature of the piping in which they are installed.
+
+### Press-connect fittings shall incorporate a feature that causes an unpressed joint to leak visibly at the test pressure.
+
+### Without that feature, an unpressed joint can hold static pressure through the test and separate later under a surge or a thermal cycle. {note}
+
+### Push-fit fittings shall be listed to ASSE 1061 and shall be installed only where the joint remains accessible.
+
+### Flared joints shall be made only in annealed tube.
+
+# CPVC Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings {toc}
+
+## CPVC Pipe and Fittings {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects CPVC for a service.
+
+### The CPVC dimension system shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: CPVC Dimension System
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Copper tube size tubing to ASTM D2846"
+ - "Iron pipe size Schedule 40 pipe to ASTM F441/F441M"
+ - "Iron pipe size Schedule 80 pipe to ASTM F441/F441M"
+ - "Iron pipe size SDR-PR pipe to ASTM F442/F442M"
+default: "Copper tube size tubing to ASTM D2846"
+```
+
+### Copper tube size CPVC is made in sizes through 2 in. and iron pipe size CPVC continues above that, so a building with mains larger than 2 in. will normally carry both dimension systems and needs a transition fitting where they meet. {note}
+
+### CPVC fittings shall conform to ASTM D2846 for copper tube size systems, to ASTM F438 for Schedule 40 socket fittings, to ASTM F439 for Schedule 80 socket fittings, and to ASTM F437 for Schedule 80 threaded fittings.
+
+### PVC pipe, PVC fittings, and PVC solvent cement shall not be used in a CPVC system.
+
+### CPVC and PVC fittings are visually similar and are stocked side by side, so the marking on the fitting is the only reliable way to tell them apart at the point of installation. {note}
+
+### The pressure rating of CPVC falls as temperature rises, and the published rating at the system's maximum operating temperature shall be used rather than the rating at 73°F.
+
+### CPVC piping shall not be operated above the maximum continuous service temperature published for the dimension system installed.
+
+### CPVC shall not be installed in a location exposed to direct sunlight or to an artificial ultraviolet source unless it is shielded by an opaque covering or coated with a product the pipe manufacturer lists for that purpose.
+
+## CPVC Chemical Compatibility {toc}
+
+### CPVC is susceptible to environmental stress cracking from contact with incompatible plasticizers and solvents, and the products that cause it are ordinary construction materials — some firestop sealants, some pipe thread compounds, some spray-applied insulation and adhesives, some cutting oils, and some leak detection sprays. {note}
+
+### A stress-cracking failure typically appears weeks or months after installation, at a fitting shoulder where the residual stress is highest, so the contact that caused it is usually concealed by then. {note}
+
+### The Contractor shall obtain written confirmation from the CPVC manufacturer that each sealant, adhesive, coating, firestop material, thread compound, insulation product, and leak detection product proposed for use in contact with the piping is compatible with CPVC.
+
+### Products for which that confirmation is not obtained shall not be used in contact with, or adjacent to, CPVC pipe and fittings.
+
+### Where an incompatible product has contacted CPVC pipe or fittings, the affected pipe and fittings shall be removed and replaced at the Contractor's cost.
+
+# PEX and PE-RT Tubing and Fittings {toc}
+
+## PEX and PE-RT Tubing {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects PEX, PE-RT, or PEX-AL-PEX for a service.
+
+### PEX tubing shall conform to ASTM F876 and shall be furnished as a system conforming to ASTM F877.
+
+### PE-RT tubing shall conform to ASTM F2769.
+
+### PEX-AL-PEX pipe shall conform to ASTM F1281.
+
+### PEX is crosslinked by one of three production methods — peroxide, silane, or irradiation — and all three meet ASTM F876; they differ in the degree of crosslinking, in how much expansion memory the tube retains, and therefore in which fitting systems the tube can be used with. {note}
+
+### The PEX crosslinking method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: PEX Crosslinking Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Peroxide crosslinked, designated PEX-a"
+ - "Silane crosslinked, designated PEX-b"
+ - "Irradiation crosslinked, designated PEX-c"
+ - "Not applicable because PE-RT is selected"
+```
+
+### Cold expansion fittings rely on the tube recovering its shape after being stretched, so a tube used with that fitting system shall be one the fitting manufacturer lists for it.
+
+### The chlorine resistance classification of the tubing shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Tubing Chlorine Resistance Classification
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Class 1 end use"
+ - "Class 3 end use"
+ - "Class 5 end use"
+```
+
+### The end use classification printed on the tube states the combination of temperature, pressure, and disinfectant exposure the tube is rated for over its design life, so it is the marking that governs whether a given tube may carry recirculated hot water. {note}
+
+### Tubing selected for hot water supply or hot water return service shall carry an end use classification covering continuous service at the maximum system temperature.
+
+### PEX, PE-RT, and PEX-AL-PEX shall not be installed in a location exposed to direct sunlight or to an artificial ultraviolet source beyond the exposure period the tube manufacturer publishes.
+
+### Tubing shall not be installed where the surface temperature can exceed the maximum the tubing is rated for, including locations adjacent to flues, vents, recessed luminaires, and uninsulated hot piping.
+
+### Tubing shall be installed with the bend radius the manufacturer publishes, and a bend support shall be used where the routing requires a tighter radius.
+
+### A kinked section shall be cut out and replaced, and shall not be repaired by heating and re-rounding unless the tube manufacturer publishes that repair for the specific product.
+
+## PEX and PE-RT Mechanical Fittings {toc}
+
+### The fitting system shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: PEX and PE-RT Fitting System
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Cold expansion with a reinforcing ring to ASTM F1960"
+ - "Cold expansion with a metal compression sleeve to ASTM F2080"
+ - "Metal insert with a copper crimp ring to ASTM F1807"
+ - "Plastic insert with a copper crimp ring to ASTM F2159"
+ - "Metal insert with a stainless steel clamp to ASTM F2098"
+ - "Metal insert fittings to ASTM F2434 for PEX-AL-PEX"
+ - "Push-fit fittings listed to ASSE 1061"
+```
+
+### A cold expansion joint is made by stretching the tube and a reinforcing ring over the fitting and letting the material recover onto it, which leaves the full tube bore at the fitting; an insert joint places the fitting body inside the tube and squeezes a ring down onto it, which reduces the bore at each fitting by the wall thickness of the insert. {note}
+
+### Fitting bodies shall be a dezincification-resistant alloy, a polymer listed for the service, or stainless steel where the water analysis indicates dezincification potential.
+
+### Fittings, rings, sleeves, and tools shall be used only in the combinations the fitting manufacturer lists.
+
+### A tool from one fitting system shall not be used to make a joint in another fitting system.
+
+### Joints made with a tool and fitting combination the manufacturer does not list shall be cut out and remade at the Contractor's cost.
+
+### Crimp and clamp joints shall be verified with the go/no-go gauge the tool manufacturer supplies, and the gauge shall be applied to every joint.
+
+### A tool that fails the gauge check shall be removed from service until it has been recalibrated, and every joint made since the last successful check shall be re-gauged.
+
+### Cold expansion joints shall be allowed to recover fully before the assembly is moved or loaded.
+
+### Recovery time lengthens as ambient temperature falls, and a joint disturbed before it has recovered will not develop its full grip. {note}
+
+### PEX, PE-RT, and PEX-AL-PEX shall not be joined by solvent cement, adhesive, or threading.
+
+# Polypropylene Pipe and Fittings {toc}
+
+## Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects polypropylene for a service.
+
+## Polypropylene pipe and fittings shall conform to ASTM F2389.
+
+## The polypropylene pipe construction shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Polypropylene Pipe Construction
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Solid wall"
+ - "Faser composite with a fiber-reinforced middle layer"
+ - "Multilayer with an aluminum middle layer"
+```
+
+## The fiber-reinforced and aluminum-layered constructions carry a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than solid wall pipe, which changes how much movement the routing has to absorb on a long hot run. {note}
+
+## Polypropylene joints shall be made by socket fusion, butt fusion, or electrofusion using the equipment and the time and temperature parameters the pipe manufacturer publishes.
+
+## The fusion method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Polypropylene Fusion Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Socket fusion"
+ - "Butt fusion"
+ - "Electrofusion"
+ - "Socket fusion in smaller sizes and butt fusion in larger sizes"
+```
+
+## A fusion joint is a homogeneous weld rather than a mechanical seal, so it has no gasket or sealing element to age, and it also cannot be disassembled or adjusted after it is made. {note}
+
+## Fusion joints shall be made only at ambient temperatures within the range the pipe manufacturer publishes for the fusion method being used.
+
+## Fusion joints shall be allowed to cool undisturbed for the period the pipe manufacturer publishes before the assembly is moved or loaded.
+
+## Transitions from polypropylene to threaded or flanged connections shall be made with the manufacturer's transition fittings incorporating a metal insert.
+
+## Polypropylene shall not be installed in a location exposed to direct sunlight or to an artificial ultraviolet source unless the pipe carries a factory ultraviolet-protective layer or is shielded by an opaque covering.
+
+# Stainless Steel Pipe and Fittings {toc}
+
+## Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects stainless steel for a service.
+
+## Stainless steel pipe shall conform to ASTM A312/A312M and stainless steel tubing shall conform to ASTM A269/A269M.
+
+## The stainless steel grade shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Stainless Steel Grade
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Type 304"
+ - "Type 304L"
+ - "Type 316"
+ - "Type 316L"
+ - "A duplex grade listed for potable water"
+```
+
+## The molybdenum in Type 316 raises its resistance to chloride pitting relative to Type 304, so on a supply with elevated chloride the two grades behave differently in service even though both are austenitic stainless. {note}
+
+## The low-carbon grades reduce carbide precipitation in the heat-affected zone, which matters where joints are welded and matters much less where they are pressed or grooved. {note}
+
+## The stainless steel joining method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Stainless Steel Joining Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Press-connect fittings listed for stainless steel"
+ - "Orbital or manual gas tungsten arc welding with an inert backing gas"
+ - "Grooved mechanical couplings listed for stainless steel"
+ - "Threaded and flanged connections"
+```
+
+## Welded joints shall be made with an inert backing gas maintained inside the pipe until the weld has cooled below the temperature at which oxidation occurs.
+
+## A weld made without backing gas forms an oxide scale on the inside of the joint that both roughens the surface and depletes chromium locally, which is where crevice corrosion starts. {note}
+
+## Welded joints shall be cleaned of heat tint and passivated after welding.
+
+## Sealing elements in press-connect and grooved stainless steel joints shall be listed for the service temperature and for potable water contact.
+
+## Stainless steel shall not be brought into contact with carbon steel tools, brushes, or wool, and tools used on stainless steel shall be dedicated to stainless steel.
+
+## Iron particles embedded from carbon steel tooling rust on the stainless surface and initiate pitting under the rust deposit. {note}
+
+# Galvanized Steel Pipe {toc}
+
+## Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects galvanized steel piping, or where existing galvanized steel piping is extended, altered, or tied into.
+
+## Where galvanized steel is selected or extended, the pipe shall conform to ASTM A53/A53M, Type E or Type S, hot-dip galvanized, and shall carry the potable-contact certification.
+
+## Where galvanized steel is selected or extended, fittings shall be galvanized malleable iron or galvanized cast iron carrying the potable-contact certification.
+
+## Where galvanized steel is selected or extended, threads shall be cut clean and full, and the thread compound or tape shall carry the potable-contact certification.
+
+## Where galvanized steel is selected or extended, cut ends shall be reamed to full bore before assembly.
+
+## Where galvanized steel is joined to copper or to a copper alloy, a dielectric separation shall be provided as specified in this standard.
+
+## The zinc coating protects the steel sacrificially and is consumed over time, at a rate that depends on the water chemistry and the temperature; hot water lines consume it faster than cold, and once the coating is gone the exposed steel corrodes and the corrosion product reduces the bore. {note}
+
+## Where an existing galvanized system is being extended, the Contractor shall report the internal condition of the existing pipe at each tie-in point before the connection is made.
+
+# Dissimilar Material Transitions {toc}
+
+## Two different metals in contact with a common electrolyte form a galvanic cell, and the less noble metal corrodes preferentially at the junction; the water in the pipe is the electrolyte, so the cell operates on the inside of the joint where nothing can be seen. {note}
+
+## A dielectric separation shall be provided at every joint between copper or a copper alloy and a ferrous material.
+
+## The dielectric separation method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Dielectric Separation Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Dielectric unions listed to ASSE 1079"
+ - "Dielectric flange kits with an insulating gasket, sleeves, and washers"
+ - "A dielectric nipple with an inert internal lining"
+ - "A brass or copper alloy nipple of sufficient length to separate the metals"
+```
+
+## Dielectric fittings shall be rated for the pressure and temperature of the service in which they are installed.
+
+## Dielectric fittings shall be installed in an accessible location.
+
+## The insulating components of a dielectric fitting are the part that wears out, and a fitting concealed in a chase cannot be replaced without opening the construction around it. {note}
+
+## Transitions between plastic and metal piping shall be made with a fitting the pipe manufacturer lists for that transition.
+
+## A threaded plastic male adapter shall not be threaded into a metal female fitting where the manufacturer's instructions call for the opposite arrangement.
+
+## Threading a plastic male end into a metal socket puts the plastic in hoop tension as the joint is tightened, and that is where a threaded plastic adapter splits. {note}
+
+# Valves {toc}
+
+## Valve Certification and Construction {toc}
+
+### Every valve installed in potable water service shall be certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 across every wetted surface, including the body, the trim, the seat, the stem seal, and the packing.
+
+### Valves shall carry a pressure and temperature rating not less than that of the piping in which they are installed.
+
+### Valve end connections shall be compatible with the piping material in which the valve is installed and shall be made by a method this standard permits for that material.
+
+### Valves in hot water and hot water return service shall carry seat and seal materials rated for continuous service at the maximum system temperature.
+
+### Copper alloy valve bodies shall be a dezincification-resistant alloy where the water analysis indicates dezincification potential.
+
+## Isolation Valves {toc}
+
+### The isolation valve type for sizes 2 in. and smaller shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Isolation Valve Type — 2 in. and Smaller
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Full port ball valve with a copper alloy body"
+ - "Full port ball valve with a stainless steel body"
+ - "Full port ball valve with a polymer body listed for potable water"
+ - "Gate valve to MSS SP-80"
+ - "Globe valve to MSS SP-80"
+default: "Full port ball valve with a copper alloy body"
+```
+
+### The isolation valve type for sizes 2-1/2 in. and larger shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Isolation Valve Type — 2-1/2 in. and Larger
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Full port ball valve"
+ - "Lug or grooved body butterfly valve to MSS SP-67"
+ - "Wafer body butterfly valve to MSS SP-67"
+ - "Resilient seated gate valve"
+ - "Gate valve to MSS SP-80"
+```
+
+### A quarter-turn valve reaches full closure in one motion and holds its seat by compression, while a multi-turn valve closes gradually and can be throttled; the quarter-turn motion is also what makes a hand-closed quarter-turn valve capable of generating a surge on a long run. {note}
+
+### A gate valve left in one position for long periods can seize on its stem or corrode at the wedge seating faces, and a gate valve held part-open erodes at the seat faces where the flow accelerates past the partly withdrawn wedge. {note}
+
+### Butterfly valves shall be installed with the straight pipe upstream and downstream that the valve manufacturer publishes.
+
+### Butterfly valves 6 in. and larger, and butterfly valves in any size where the differential pressure exceeds the manual operating limit, shall be furnished with a gear operator.
+
+### Valves 2-1/2 in. and larger shall be furnished with a means of locking the valve in position.
+
+### Isolation valves shall be provided at each of the following locations, and additional isolation valves shall be provided where indicated on [[drawing: the valve schedule]]:
+
+- immediately downstream of the building water service assembly
+- at the base of each riser and at the top of each downfeed riser
+- at the take-off of each branch main from a riser or a horizontal main
+- at the inlet and the outlet of each item of equipment connected to the system
+- at each manifold and at each outlet port of a manifold
+- at the branch serving each group of fixtures within a single tenant space, restroom group, or department
+- at each fixture, where the adopted plumbing code requires a fixture stop
+- on the hot water return at each branch take-off and at each riser base
+
+### The fixture stops, supplies, and escutcheons at the fixture connection are furnished under [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]]; this standard governs the branch piping up to that connection. {note}
+
+### Isolation valves concealed in construction shall be provided with an access panel sized to permit operation and removal of the valve.
+
+### Access panel locations shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the architectural drawings and the plumbing plans]].
+
+## Check Valves {toc}
+
+### The check valve type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Check Valve Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Spring loaded center guided silent check valve"
+ - "Dual plate wafer check valve"
+ - "Swing check valve to MSS SP-80"
+ - "Lift check valve"
+ - "In-line spring check cartridge"
+```
+
+### A spring loaded check begins to close as soon as flow decelerates, so the disc is nearly seated when flow reverses; a swing check waits for reverse flow to move the disc, and the disc slams into the seat against a column of water that is already moving backward. {note}
+
+### Check valves shall be provided at each pump discharge and at each point where reverse flow could carry water from one system or one zone into another.
+
+### Check valves shall be installed in the orientation the valve manufacturer publishes.
+
+### Check valves shall not be installed immediately downstream of an elbow, a tee, or a valve unless the valve manufacturer publishes that arrangement.
+
+## Drain and Vent Valves {toc}
+
+### The drain valve type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Drain Valve Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Full port ball valve with a hose thread outlet and a cap"
+ - "Hose bibb with a cap"
+ - "Stop and waste valve"
+default: "Full port ball valve with a hose thread outlet and a cap"
+```
+
+### Drain valves shall be provided at every low point of the system and at every zone, branch, riser, or section that can be isolated and cannot drain back through the main.
+
+### Drain valve outlets shall be furnished with a cap or plug secured to the valve.
+
+### Automatic air vents installed on potable water piping shall be certified for potable water contact and shall discharge to a location where a discharge will be observed.
+
+### Air vent discharge locations shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the plumbing plans]].
+
+## Valve Access and Operation {toc}
+
+### Every valve shall be installed so that its operator can be reached and turned through its full travel without removing permanent construction.
+
+### Valves shall be installed with the stem at or above the horizontal.
+
+### A valve installed with its stem below the horizontal collects sediment in the bonnet and traps air in the body. {note}
+
+### Valves installed more than 8 ft above the finished floor shall be furnished with a chain operator or shall be located where a permanent platform or ladder gives access.
+
+# Water Hammer Arrestors {toc}
+
+## When a valve closes faster than the pressure wave can travel to the end of the pipe and back, the moving column of water stops against the closed valve and its momentum converts to a pressure spike that travels the system; solenoid valves, self-closing faucets, flush valves, and appliance fill valves all close that fast. {note}
+
+## The spike does not stay where it was generated — it reflects off closed ends and tees and fatigues joints, valve seats, and fixture connections throughout the connected piping. {note}
+
+## Water hammer arrestors shall be certified to ASSE 1010 and shall carry a size designation to PDI WH 201.
+
+## The water hammer arrestor type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Water Hammer Arrestor Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Sealed piston arrestor with a permanent gas charge"
+ - "Sealed bellows arrestor with a permanent gas charge"
+ - "Diaphragm arrestor with a permanent gas charge"
+default: "Sealed piston arrestor with a permanent gas charge"
+```
+
+## An air chamber formed from a capped length of pipe shall not be used as a water hammer arrestor.
+
+## A capped pipe air chamber loses its air cushion as the air dissolves into the water, and once the chamber is water-filled it provides no attenuation and gives no outward sign that it has stopped working. {note}
+
+## The arrestor sizing method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Water Hammer Arrestor Sizing Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "The fixture unit method in PDI WH 201"
+ - "A surge analysis of the system"
+ - "The fixture manufacturer's published arrestor selection for the specific fixture"
+default: "The fixture unit method in PDI WH 201"
+```
+
+## The extent of arrestor coverage shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Water Hammer Arrestor Coverage
+type: select
+options:
+ - "At every quick-closing valve in the system"
+ - "At every fixture group containing a quick-closing valve"
+ - "At the locations the adopted plumbing code requires"
+ - "At the locations a surge analysis identifies"
+```
+
+## Arrestors shall be installed within the maximum distance from the quick-closing valve that the arrestor manufacturer publishes.
+
+## Arrestors shall be installed in an orientation the arrestor manufacturer permits for the model furnished.
+
+## Arrestors concealed in construction shall be provided with an access panel sized to permit removal and replacement of the arrestor.
+
+# Hot Water Temperature Maintenance {toc}
+
+## Maintenance Method {toc}
+
+### Hot water that has cooled in the pipe has to be run to drain before usable water reaches the outlet, which wastes the water, wastes the energy already spent heating it, and leaves the branch sitting in the temperature band where building water organisms grow. {note}
+
+### The method by which hot water delivery temperature is maintained in the distribution piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hot Water Temperature Maintenance Method
+type: select
+derived: "the volume of water contained between the source of hot water and the farthest fixture outlet, compared against the maximum uncirculated volume [[parameter: adopted-energy-code]] permits"
+options:
+ - "None because every run is within the permitted uncirculated volume"
+ - "A circulated return loop"
+ - "Electric heat trace on the supply piping"
+ - "A circulated return loop on the mains with heat trace on the branches"
+ - "Demand-initiated circulation using the cold water piping as the return path"
+default: derived
+```
+
+### The recirculation pump, its control, and the balancing devices at the equipment are specified in [[sync/water-heaters]]; the return piping, the branch balancing devices in that piping, and the heat trace are furnished under this standard. {note}
+
+### The maximum volume of water permitted between the circulated main or heat-traced main and the fixture outlet shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Uncirculated Volume to a Fixture Outlet
+type: range
+unit: gal
+derived: "the maximum volume [[parameter: adopted-energy-code]] permits between the source of hot water and the fixture served"
+options:
+ min: 0.1
+ max: 4
+ setpoints: [0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4]
+default: derived
+```
+
+### Energy codes state this limit as a water volume rather than a pipe length because the same length of larger pipe holds several times the water, and it is the volume that has to be purged before hot water arrives. {note}
+
+## Return Loop Piping {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects a circulated return loop.
+
+### Where a circulated return loop is selected, the return piping shall be arranged so that every hot water main and riser served is included in a circulating path.
+
+### Where a circulated return loop is selected, a balancing device shall be provided in the return of each branch and each riser.
+
+### Without balancing, the return flow takes the path of least resistance through the shortest circuit, and the long circuits — which are the ones that most need the flow — receive almost none of it. {note}
+
+### The branch balancing device type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hot Water Return Branch Balancing Device
+type: select
+options:
+ - "A manual balancing valve with a memory stop and flow measurement ports"
+ - "An automatic flow limiting valve with a fixed cartridge"
+ - "A thermostatic balancing valve that modulates on return temperature"
+ - "A pressure independent balancing valve"
+```
+
+### Balancing device locations shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the plumbing riser diagrams]].
+
+### Where a circulated return loop is selected, the return piping shall be insulated to the same requirements as the hot water supply piping.
+
+### Where a circulated return loop is selected, the Contractor shall record the flow or the temperature each balancing device is set to and shall include the record in the closeout submittals.
+
+## Heat Trace {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where the datasheet selects electric heat trace.
+
+### Where heat trace is selected, the heat trace type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Temperature Maintenance Heat Trace Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Self-regulating parallel resistance cable"
+ - "Zoned parallel resistance cable"
+ - "Series resistance cable"
+ - "Mineral insulated cable"
+```
+
+### Where heat trace is selected, it shall be listed for potable water pipe temperature maintenance and shall be installed, tested, and commissioned in accordance with IEEE 515.1 and NFPA 70.
+
+### Where heat trace is selected, it shall be applied to the pipe before the insulation is installed and shall be covered by the full specified insulation thickness.
+
+### Where heat trace is selected, each circuit shall be protected by a ground-fault equipment protection device.
+
+### Where heat trace is selected, the insulation jacket shall be permanently labeled to identify the presence of electric heat trace beneath it at intervals not exceeding 10 ft and at every access point.
+
+### Where heat trace is selected, insulation resistance shall be tested before the insulation is installed, after the insulation is installed, and again before acceptance, and each result shall be recorded.
+
+### Heat trace damaged during insulation work is invisible once the jacket is on, which is why the resistance test is repeated after insulating rather than only before. {note}
+
+# Hangers and Supports {toc}
+
+## Support Materials and Attachment {toc}
+
+### Piping shall be supported in accordance with ASME B31.9, MSS SP-58, MSS SP-69, and the adopted plumbing code.
+
+### The hanger and support material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hanger and Support Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Carbon steel, hot-dip galvanized"
+ - "Carbon steel, electroplated zinc"
+ - "Carbon steel with a factory-applied epoxy or polymer coating"
+ - "Type 304 stainless steel"
+ - "Type 316 stainless steel"
+ - "Copper plated carbon steel"
+```
+
+### Bare carbon steel or bare galvanized steel shall not bear directly against copper tube.
+
+### The galvanic cell that forms where a steel hanger touches wet copper tube consumes the zinc coating first and then the steel, and the assembly fails at the hanger rather than at the pipe. {note}
+
+### An isolating liner, an isolating insert, or a coated clamp shall be provided between the pipe and every hanger, support, guide, clamp, and sleeve where the hanger material and the pipe material differ.
+
+### Plastic and polymer piping shall be supported with hangers that provide a continuous bearing surface without sharp edges.
+
+### Hangers shall not restrain axial movement of the piping except at points designated as anchors.
+
+### Support attachments to the building structure shall be made only at points and by methods the structural drawings permit.
+
+### Support attachment methods shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the structural drawings and their attachment details]].
+
+### Piping shall not be supported from another pipe, from ductwork, from conduit, from cable tray, from suspended ceiling framing, or from equipment.
+
+## Horizontal Support Spacing {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall not exceed the following support spacings.
+
+| Piping Material | Nominal Size | Maximum Horizontal Spacing | Maximum Vertical Spacing |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| Copper tube, drawn temper | 1-1/4 in. and smaller | 6 ft | 10 ft |
+| Copper tube, drawn temper | 1-1/2 in. and larger | 10 ft | 10 ft |
+| Copper tube, annealed temper | All sizes | Continuous support | 10 ft |
+| CPVC | 1 in. and smaller | 3 ft | 10 ft |
+| CPVC | 1-1/4 in. and larger | 4 ft | 10 ft |
+| PEX and PE-RT | All sizes | 32 in. | 10 ft |
+| PEX-AL-PEX | All sizes | 8 ft | 10 ft |
+| Polypropylene | 1 in. and smaller | 32 in. | 10 ft |
+| Polypropylene | 1-1/4 in. and larger | 4 ft | 10 ft |
+| Stainless steel pipe | All sizes | 12 ft | 15 ft |
+| Galvanized steel pipe | All sizes | 12 ft | 15 ft |
+
+### Thermoplastics creep under sustained load, so an unsupported span that looks acceptable at installation sags progressively over the years under the weight of the pipe and its water, which is why the plastic spacings are a fraction of the metal ones. {note}
+
+### Support spacing shall be reduced where the adopted plumbing code, the pipe manufacturer, or the operating temperature requires a shorter span than the table gives.
+
+### A support shall be provided within 12 in. of each change of direction and within 12 in. of each valve, arrestor, or in-line specialty.
+
+### A support shall be provided at each side of a flexible connector, an expansion joint, and a fixture connection assembly.
+
+## Vertical Support {toc}
+
+### The vertical support method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Vertical Riser Support Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "A riser clamp at every floor carrying the weight at each level"
+ - "A base support carrying the riser weight with guides at every floor above"
+ - "A base support with a spring hanger at the top of the riser and guides between"
+ - "Riser clamps at alternating floors with guides at the intervening floors"
+```
+
+### Riser support methods differ in where the weight lands and in how much axial movement is permitted: clamping at every floor divides the weight but also restrains expansion at every floor, while supporting at the base and guiding above lets the riser grow along its length. {note}
+
+### Risers shall be supported at the base and at every floor penetration or guide point the selected method requires.
+
+### Riser clamps bearing on the structure shall bear on a surface the structural drawings permit them to load.
+
+### Plastic and polymer risers shall be guided at each floor penetration so that axial movement is permitted and lateral deflection is not.
+
+## Seismic Restraint {toc}
+
+### A gravity hanger carries load in one direction only, so in a seismic event the pipe swings on its rods until it strikes something or until a joint takes the bending; a restraint adds the lateral and longitudinal capacity the hanger does not have. {note}
+
+### The scope of seismic restraint on the domestic water piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Seismic Restraint Scope
+type: select
+derived: "[[parameter: seismic-design-category]], the component importance factor the project assigns to domestic water service, and the pipe size threshold IBC and ASCE 7 apply at that category"
+options:
+ - "None because the piping falls below the threshold at which restraint is required"
+ - "Piping above the code threshold size, restrained laterally and longitudinally"
+ - "All distribution piping regardless of size, restrained laterally and longitudinally"
+ - "All distribution piping, restrained laterally and longitudinally, with the additional bracing an essential facility requires"
+default: derived
+```
+
+### Where seismic restraint is required, it shall be designed and installed in accordance with IBC and ASCE 7.
+
+### Seismic restraint shall be designed by a registered design professional, or shall use a pre-approved detail listed for the loads, the pipe size, and the attachment condition in which it is installed.
+
+### Seismic restraint attachments to the structure shall be made only at points and by methods the structural drawings permit.
+
+### Seismic restraint shall not restrain the axial thermal movement the expansion provisions in this standard depend on.
+
+### Flexible connections shall be provided where piping crosses a building seismic joint, and shall accommodate the differential movement in every direction the structural drawings state.
+
+### Flexible connections shall be provided where piping enters a building through a foundation wall or a slab and where it connects to seismically isolated equipment.
+
+# Thermal Expansion {toc}
+
+## Piping grows when it is heated, and the growth is a property of the material and the temperature change rather than of the pressure or the flow, so a hot water run expands by the same amount whether it is full-flow or idle. {note}
+
+## Copper tube expands about 9.4 × 10⁻⁶ in./in./°F, austenitic stainless about 9.6 × 10⁻⁶, CPVC about 3.4 × 10⁻⁵, polypropylene about 8 × 10⁻⁵, and PEX about 9 × 10⁻⁵, so over a 100 ft run heated 70°F above its installed temperature the movement ranges from roughly 0.8 in. in copper to roughly 7-1/2 in. in PEX. {note}
+
+## The expansion compensation method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Thermal Expansion Compensation Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Direction changes inherent in the routing, with anchors and guides positioned to use them"
+ - "Fabricated expansion loops"
+ - "Fabricated expansion offsets"
+ - "Axial bellows expansion joints"
+ - "Slip type expansion joints"
+ - "Flexible expansion compensators listed for the piping material"
+```
+
+## Expansion provision locations shall be as indicated on [[drawing: the plumbing riser diagrams and the expansion details]].
+
+## Anchors shall be provided where the shop drawings show them and shall be constructed to transfer the anchor load into the structure at a point the structural drawings permit.
+
+## Guides shall be provided on each side of every expansion loop, offset, and joint, at the spacing the expansion joint manufacturer publishes.
+
+## A long straight run shall not be anchored at both ends without an expansion provision between the anchors.
+
+## Piping shall pass through sleeves, penetrations, and firestop assemblies with enough clearance for the calculated movement.
+
+## Piping shall not be restrained by insulation, by firestop material, or by contact with the structure at any point that is not a designated anchor.
+
+## An expansion provision that cannot move because the pipe is pinched at a penetration transfers the whole load to the nearest joint, and that joint is where the failure appears. {note}
+
+# Pipe Insulation {toc}
+
+## Insulation Materials and Ratings {toc}
+
+### Pipe insulation does two different jobs on the two services: on hot piping it keeps heat in the water, and on cold piping it keeps the pipe surface above the dew point of the air around it. {note}
+
+### Insulation on cold piping fails in a way hot insulation does not — once vapor reaches the cold surface it condenses inside the insulation, and the wet insulation both loses its thermal value and holds water against the pipe. {note}
+
+### Pipe insulation, its facing, its jacket, and its adhesives and sealants shall have a flame spread index not exceeding 25 and a smoke developed index not exceeding 50 when tested to ASTM E84.
+
+### Insulation used inside an air plenum shall be listed for plenum use.
+
+### The hot water pipe insulation material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hot Water Pipe Insulation Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Mineral fiber to ASTM C547 with an all-service jacket"
+ - "Closed cell elastomeric to ASTM C534"
+ - "Rigid cellular polyisocyanurate to ASTM C591 with a jacket"
+ - "Cellular glass to ASTM C552 with a jacket"
+ - "Flexible aerogel blanket with a jacket"
+default: "Mineral fiber to ASTM C547 with an all-service jacket"
+```
+
+### The cold water pipe insulation material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Cold Water Pipe Insulation Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Closed cell elastomeric to ASTM C534"
+ - "Mineral fiber to ASTM C547 with a sealed vapor retarder jacket"
+ - "Rigid cellular polyisocyanurate to ASTM C591 with a sealed vapor retarder jacket"
+ - "Cellular glass to ASTM C552 with a sealed vapor retarder jacket"
+ - "Flexible aerogel blanket with a sealed vapor retarder jacket"
+```
+
+### A closed cell material carries its vapor resistance in the insulation itself, so the vapor path is broken along the whole run; a fibrous material carries it in the jacket, so the vapor path is only as good as the last seam that was sealed. {note}
+
+### Where a jacket provides the vapor retarder, the jacket shall have a water vapor permeance not exceeding 0.02 perm when tested to ASTM C1136.
+
+### Insulation materials shall be rated for continuous service at the maximum operating temperature of the piping on which they are installed.
+
+## Insulation Thickness {toc}
+
+### The hot water and hot water return pipe insulation thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hot Water Pipe Insulation Thickness
+type: range
+unit: in.
+derived: "the nominal pipe size, the fluid operating temperature, and the insulation conductivity, evaluated against the minimum thickness [[parameter: adopted-energy-code]] requires for that combination"
+options:
+ min: 0.5
+ max: 4
+ setpoints: [0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4]
+default: derived
+```
+
+### The cold water pipe insulation thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Cold Water Pipe Insulation Thickness
+type: range
+unit: in.
+derived: "the design dew point of the space, the pipe surface temperature that follows from [[parameter: site-water-supply-temperature-minimum]], and the minimum thickness [[parameter: adopted-energy-code]] requires for the pipe size"
+options:
+ min: 0
+ max: 3
+ setpoints: [0, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3]
+default: derived
+```
+
+### Where the calculated condensation control thickness exceeds the energy code minimum, the calculated thickness shall govern.
+
+### Insulation thickness shall not be reduced to fit an obstruction, and where the space available will not accept the specified thickness the Contractor shall request a routing change from the Engineer of Record before installing the pipe.
+
+## Jacketing and Protection {toc}
+
+### The insulation jacket for piping in exposed interior locations shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Insulation Jacket — Exposed Interior Locations
+type: select
+options:
+ - "The factory-applied all-service jacket alone"
+ - "A polyvinyl chloride jacket"
+ - "An aluminum jacket to ASTM C1729"
+ - "A stainless steel jacket"
+ - "A field-applied reinforced mastic coating"
+```
+
+### The insulation jacket for piping in exterior and wet locations shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Insulation Jacket — Exterior and Wet Locations
+type: select
+options:
+ - "An aluminum jacket to ASTM C1729 with sealed laps"
+ - "A stainless steel jacket with sealed laps"
+ - "A polyvinyl chloride jacket with sealed laps"
+ - "A field-applied reinforced mastic coating"
+```
+
+### Jacket laps on horizontal exterior piping shall be arranged to shed water.
+
+### Insulation on piping in locations subject to physical damage shall be protected by a metal jacket or by a mechanical guard.
+
+### The treatment of insulation at valves, flanges, and fittings shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Insulation at Valves, Flanges, and Fittings
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Field-fabricated insulation finished to match the adjacent pipe insulation"
+ - "Preformed fitting covers matching the pipe insulation material"
+ - "Removable and reusable insulation jackets with mechanical fasteners"
+ - "Removable jackets at valves and flanges with preformed covers at fittings"
+```
+
+### Bare valve bodies, flanges, and fittings are a small fraction of the surface area and a large fraction of the heat loss, and on cold piping they are where condensation appears first. {note}
+
+## Insulation Continuity {toc}
+
+### Insulation shall be continuous through sleeves, wall and floor penetrations, and hanger points.
+
+### An insulation protection shield or a rigid insert of sufficient compressive strength shall be provided at every hanger and support on insulated piping.
+
+### Without an insert, the hanger crushes the insulation at every support and the pipe bears on the hanger, which on cold piping puts a bare cold metal surface in the open air at every support point. {note}
+
+### On cold piping and on piping with a vapor retarder, the vapor retarder shall be continuous and unbroken at every seam, butt joint, end, fitting cover, valve jacket, hanger insert, and penetration.
+
+### Vapor retarder seams and joints shall be sealed with the vapor retarder manufacturer's adhesive, mastic, or matching tape.
+
+### Insulation shall be terminated and sealed at every point where it stops, so that no insulation end is left open.
+
+### Insulation shall not be installed until the pressure test on that section is complete and the section has been released.
+
+### Insulation that has become wet before or during installation shall be removed and replaced at the Contractor's cost.
+
+# Freeze Protection {toc}
+
+## Water expands as it freezes, and the pipe fails not where the ice forms but at the closed section between the ice plug and a closed valve or fixture, where the trapped water has nowhere to go. {note}
+
+## Piping shall not be routed through an exterior wall cavity outboard of the insulation, through an unheated attic, or through any other location subject to freezing, unless it is freeze-protected as specified in this standard.
+
+## The freeze protection method for piping in locations subject to freezing shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Freeze Protection Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Rerouting the piping into conditioned space"
+ - "Insulation alone, with the space maintained above freezing"
+ - "Self-regulating freeze protection heat trace under the insulation"
+ - "Series resistance freeze protection heat trace under the insulation"
+ - "A drain-down arrangement with valves and drains for seasonal isolation"
+```
+
+## Where freeze protection heat trace is provided, it shall be listed for the pipe material on which it is installed and shall be installed, tested, and commissioned in accordance with IEEE 515.1 and NFPA 70.
+
+## Where freeze protection heat trace is provided, each circuit shall be protected by a ground-fault equipment protection device.
+
+## Where freeze protection heat trace is provided, the control method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Freeze Protection Heat Trace Control
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Self-regulating cable with no external control"
+ - "An ambient sensing thermostat serving the circuit"
+ - "A pipe sensing thermostat on each circuit"
+ - "An electronic controller with alarm contacts to the building system"
+```
+
+## Where freeze protection heat trace is provided, loss of the heat trace circuit shall be annunciated at a location the Owner monitors.
+
+## A freeze protection circuit that has failed gives no indication until the pipe bursts, which is the reason the circuit is monitored rather than simply installed. {note}
+
+## Piping in a location subject to freezing shall be arranged so that it can be drained completely from an accessible drain valve.
+
+# Buried and Below-Slab Piping {toc}
+
+## Cover, Bedding, and Backfill {toc}
+
+### Buried piping shall be installed on a continuous bedding of sand or of screened granular material, free of rock, debris, and frozen material.
+
+### The bedding and cover thickness surrounding buried piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Bedding and Surround Thickness Around Buried Piping
+type: range
+unit: in.
+options:
+ min: 2
+ max: 12
+ setpoints: [2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12]
+default: 4
+```
+
+### The minimum cover over buried water piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Cover Over Buried Water Piping
+type: range
+unit: in.
+derived: "[[parameter: frost-depth]] and the minimum cover the adopted plumbing code requires over a water service"
+options:
+ min: 0
+ max: 96
+ setpoints: [0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 96]
+default: derived
+```
+
+### Piping under a heated slab is protected by the building above it, while piping that leaves the heated footprint is not, so the cover requirement changes at the point the pipe passes beyond the conditioned envelope. {note}
+
+### Backfill over buried piping shall be placed and compacted in lifts, and mechanical compaction equipment shall not be operated directly over the pipe until the specified cover is in place.
+
+### Where buried piping is installed below [[parameter: seasonal-high-groundwater-elevation]], the trench shall be dewatered until the backfill is placed, and empty piping shall be restrained against flotation.
+
+## Corrosion Protection and Sleeving {toc}
+
+### Metallic piping in soil shall be protected against external corrosion by the method the datasheet indicates.
+
+```datasheet
+label: External Corrosion Protection for Buried Metallic Piping
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Continuous polyethylene encasement to AWWA C105/A21.5"
+ - "A factory-applied bonded coating"
+ - "A field-applied tape wrap system"
+ - "A continuous polyethylene sleeve with taped and lapped joints"
+ - "A corrosion resistant material selected in place of a coating"
+```
+
+### Where an encasement, sleeve, or wrap is provided, it shall be continuous, shall extend not less than 12 in. beyond every fitting, and shall be lapped and sealed at every joint and at every termination.
+
+### The Engineer of Record shall evaluate the soil for resistivity, pH, chloride, sulfate, and the presence of corrosive fill before a buried metallic material is selected.
+
+### Piping shall be sleeved where it passes through a slab, a footing, or a foundation wall.
+
+### A pipe cast directly into concrete is restrained against thermal movement and abrades against the concrete, and it cannot be replaced without breaking the structure. {note}
+
+### The annular space at a sleeve through an exterior foundation wall or a below-grade slab shall be sealed watertight with a mechanical seal.
+
+## Below-Slab Joints and Testing {toc}
+
+### Joints in below-slab and buried piping shall be minimized, and where the piping material is available in a continuous length for the run it shall be installed without intermediate joints.
+
+### Below-slab and buried piping shall be pressure tested and inspected before it is covered, backfilled, or encased in concrete.
+
+### The below-slab and buried piping test shall be documented with dated photographs showing the gauge reading and every exposed joint, and the photographs shall be included in the pressure test report.
+
+### The documentation required before covering buried piping shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Buried Piping Documentation Before Cover
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Dated photographs of the gauge reading"
+ - "Dated photographs of every exposed joint"
+ - "Written witness by the Authority Having Jurisdiction"
+ - "Written witness by the Engineer of Record"
+ - "A surveyed record of the as-built horizontal and vertical location"
+```
+
+### Buried piping covered before the required documentation is complete shall be uncovered at the Contractor's cost and reinstated at the Contractor's cost.
+
+# Installation {toc}
+
+## General Installation {toc}
+
+### Piping shall be installed in accordance with ASME B31.9, the adopted plumbing code, and the pipe manufacturer's published installation instructions for the material and joining method used.
+
+### Piping shall be installed parallel or perpendicular to the building lines except where a slope is required.
+
+### Piping shall be installed to permit the removal of every valve, specialty, and item of equipment without cutting pipe, using unions or flanges as required.
+
+### Piping shall be installed clear of the openings of electrical equipment, and shall not be routed directly above a switchboard, a panelboard, a motor control center, a transformer, or an open electrical enclosure.
+
+### Where the Contractor identifies a conflict that cannot be resolved by adjusting the routing within the allowances the drawings give, the Contractor shall request a routing change from the Engineer of Record before penetrating the structure.
+
+### The Contractor shall coordinate the routing with the structural, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection work before installation begins.
+
+## Cutting and Preparation {toc}
+
+### Pipe and tube shall be cut square with a tool the pipe manufacturer publishes for the material.
+
+### Burrs, chips, and sharp edges shall be removed from every cut end, inside and outside, before the joint is made.
+
+### An internal burr left in copper tube after wheel cutting creates a local acceleration in the flow at the fitting, and that is where erosion-corrosion starts on an otherwise correctly sized line. {note}
+
+### Cut ends shall be cleaned of cutting fluid, filings, and debris before the joint is made.
+
+### Steel wool and carbon steel brushes shall not be used to clean copper or stainless steel.
+
+## Copper Soldered Joints {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where copper joints are soldered.
+
+### Solder shall conform to ASTM B32 and shall be a lead-free alloy.
+
+### The solder alloy shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Solder Alloy
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Tin-silver"
+ - "Tin-copper"
+ - "Tin-antimony"
+ - "Tin-copper-silver"
+ - "Tin-silver-bismuth"
+```
+
+### Flux shall conform to ASTM B813 and shall be a water-flushable type.
+
+### Flux residue left inside the tube is mildly acidic and continues to attack the copper at the joint after the system is in service, and only a water-flushable flux can be removed by the flushing this standard requires. {note}
+
+### Flux shall be applied sparingly to the cleaned tube end and the cleaned fitting socket, and shall not be applied inside the fitting beyond the socket depth.
+
+### Joints shall be made in accordance with ASTM B828.
+
+### Heat shall be applied to the fitting rather than to the tube, and solder shall be applied at the joint edge when the assembly is hot enough to melt solder on contact.
+
+### A completed joint shall be allowed to cool without being quenched, moved, or loaded.
+
+### Overheating burns the flux and oxidizes the surfaces the solder must wet, which produces a joint that is filled at the mouth and void inside. {note}
+
+### External flux residue shall be wiped from the completed joint.
+
+## Copper Brazed Joints {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where copper joints are brazed.
+
+### The brazing filler metal shall conform to AWS A5.8/A5.8M.
+
+### The brazing filler metal shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Brazing Filler Metal
+type: select
+options:
+ - "A copper-phosphorus alloy"
+ - "A copper-phosphorus-silver alloy"
+ - "A silver alloy with flux"
+```
+
+### Copper-phosphorus filler metals are self-fluxing on copper-to-copper joints and shall not be used without flux on joints to copper alloy, bronze, or steel.
+
+### Copper-phosphorus filler metals shall not be used on ferrous base metals.
+
+### Joints shall be brazed in accordance with ASTM B828.
+
+### A hot work permit shall be obtained before brazing, and a fire watch shall be maintained for the period the permit requires.
+
+### Piping in which a brazed joint is being made shall be purged with an inert gas where the pipe manufacturer or the Engineer of Record requires it, to prevent internal oxide scale.
+
+## Solvent Cement Joints {toc}
+
+### Requirements in this section apply where CPVC joints are solvent cemented.
+
+### Solvent cement shall conform to ASTM F493 and shall be listed for CPVC.
+
+### Solvent cement listed for PVC shall not be used on CPVC.
+
+### The solvent cement system shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: CPVC Solvent Cement System
+type: select
+options:
+ - "A primer followed by a separate solvent cement"
+ - "A one-step solvent cement without a primer"
+ - "A low volatile organic compound solvent cement system"
+```
+
+### Where the adopted plumbing code or the Authority Having Jurisdiction requires a primer, a primer shall be used regardless of the cement system selected.
+
+### Joints shall be made with the tube cut square, the end deburred and beveled, the joint dry fitted, and the insertion depth marked before cement is applied.
+
+### Cement shall be applied to the tube end and then to the fitting socket, and the joint shall be assembled immediately with a quarter turn and held until it resists push-out.
+
+### Cement surfaces shall be dry before cement is applied, and cement shall not be applied to a wet surface.
+
+### Excess cement shall be wiped from the outside of the completed joint.
+
+### A continuous bead of cement shall be visible around the full circumference of the completed joint.
+
+### Joints shall not be disturbed, moved, or loaded until the set time the cement manufacturer publishes for the ambient temperature has elapsed.
+
+### Joints shall not be pressurized until the cure time the cement manufacturer publishes for the ambient temperature, the pipe size, and the test pressure has elapsed.
+
+### Cure time lengthens sharply as ambient temperature falls, and a joint that would be ready in an hour at 75°F can need several hours at 40°F. {note}
+
+### Solvent cement shall not be applied at an ambient temperature outside the range the cement manufacturer publishes, unless the manufacturer publishes a procedure for that condition and the Contractor follows it.
+
+### The area in which solvent cementing is performed shall be ventilated as the cement manufacturer's safety data sheet requires.
+
+## Protection During Construction {toc}
+
+### Open ends of installed piping shall be capped or plugged at the end of each work period, from the first length installed through the completion of the pressure test.
+
+### An open pipe end left overnight collects dust, insects, standing water, and construction debris, and none of that is reliably removed by flushing once it is inside a distribution system. {note}
+
+### Installed piping shall be protected from damage by other trades, and temporary physical protection shall be provided where material handling, staging, or lift traffic passes an installed run.
+
+### Polymer piping installed before the building is closed in shall be shielded from ultraviolet exposure.
+
+### Piping damaged during construction shall be cut out and replaced rather than repaired, unless the pipe manufacturer publishes a repair for the specific damage.
+
+### The Contractor shall not use the domestic water piping as a grounding electrode, a support, a lever, or a lifting point.
+
+# Piping Identification {toc}
+
+## Piping shall be identified in accordance with ASME A13.1.
+
+## Identification shall give the contents of the pipe and the direction of flow.
+
+## The pipe marker type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Pipe Marker Type
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Preprinted self-adhesive markers"
+ - "Preprinted snap-on markers"
+ - "Preprinted markers secured with color-coded bands"
+ - "Stenciled markings applied to the jacket"
+```
+
+## Markers shall be applied at every point where the piping enters or leaves a wall, floor, ceiling, or enclosure, at every valve, at every branch take-off, at every change of direction, at every access point, and at intervals not exceeding the datasheet value along straight runs.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Pipe Marker Spacing on Straight Runs
+type: range
+unit: ft
+options:
+ min: 10
+ max: 50
+ setpoints: [10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50]
+default: 20
+```
+
+## Markers shall be applied over the finished insulation or jacket rather than on the pipe beneath it.
+
+## Every valve except a fixture stop shall be tagged with a permanently marked tag bearing the valve number in the valve schedule.
+
+## The valve tag material shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Valve Tag Material
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Stamped brass"
+ - "Stamped stainless steel"
+ - "Stamped anodized aluminum"
+ - "Engraved laminated plastic"
+default: "Stamped brass"
+```
+
+## Valve tags shall be attached with a corrosion resistant chain, cable, or S-hook.
+
+## A valve chart listing every tagged valve by number, service, and location shall be framed under glass or rigid laminate and mounted where the Owner directs.
+
+## Buried piping shall be marked with a continuous detectable marking tape placed in the backfill above the pipe.
+
+## Buried non-metallic piping shall be provided with a continuous tracer wire terminating in an accessible location at each end.
+
+# Pressure Testing {toc}
+
+## Test Requirements {toc}
+
+### Piping shall be pressure tested after the joints in the test section are complete and cured, and before the section is insulated, concealed, backfilled, or covered.
+
+### The test medium shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Pressure Test Medium
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Water"
+ - "Air"
+ - "Water on plastic piping and air on metallic piping"
+ - "Water with air used only for a preliminary tightness check at reduced pressure"
+default: "Water"
+```
+
+### Air is compressible and stores far more energy at a given pressure than water does, so a joint that separates during an air test releases that energy rather than simply weeping; several plastic pipe manufacturers prohibit air testing of their products for that reason. {note}
+
+### Air shall not be used as the test medium on any piping whose manufacturer prohibits it.
+
+### Where air is used as the test medium, the test area shall be cleared of personnel who are not conducting the test, and the pressurizing source shall be fitted with a relief device set no higher than the test pressure.
+
+### The test pressure shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Test Pressure
+type: range
+unit: psi
+derived: "1.5 times the system working pressure, limited by the lowest pressure rating among the pipe, fittings, valves, and specialties in the test section, and not less than the minimum the adopted plumbing code requires"
+options:
+ min: 50
+ max: 300
+ setpoints: [50, 80, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300]
+default: derived
+```
+
+### The test duration shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Test Duration
+type: range
+unit: hours
+options:
+ min: 0.25
+ max: 24
+ setpoints: [0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24]
+default: 2
+```
+
+### The test pressure shall not exceed the pressure rating of the lowest-rated component in the test section.
+
+### Components whose rating is below the test pressure shall be isolated from the test section or removed and replaced with a spool for the duration of the test.
+
+### Piping shall be tested in sections small enough that a failure can be located, and the extent of each test section shall be recorded in the test report.
+
+## Test Procedure {toc}
+
+### The system shall be filled slowly from the lowest point with every high point vent and every outlet stop open, and shall be vented until water flows free of air from each vent.
+
+### Air trapped in a hydrostatic test compresses under pressure and then dissolves into the water, and the resulting pressure decay looks exactly like a slow leak on the gauge. {note}
+
+### The section shall be allowed to stabilize at test pressure for not less than 15 minutes before the test period begins.
+
+### The gauge pressure shall be recorded at the start of the test period, at intervals not exceeding 30 minutes during the test period, and at the end of the test period.
+
+### Test gauges shall have a full scale range not less than 1.5 times and not more than 4 times the test pressure, shall have a dial not less than 4 in. in diameter or an equivalent digital resolution, and shall have been calibrated within the 12 months preceding the test.
+
+### The gauge identification number and the calibration date shall be recorded in the test report.
+
+### The test is satisfactory when the gauge pressure holds without decay for the full test period and no leakage is visible at any joint, fitting, valve, or connection in the section.
+
+### Where the Contractor and the Engineer of Record disagree whether an observed pressure change constitutes a failure, the Engineer of Record shall make the initial determination.
+
+### A failed joint shall be cut out and remade rather than caulked, peened, or re-soldered in place.
+
+### The section shall be retested in full after any repair.
+
+### The cost of retesting after a failed test, including the cost of removing and reinstating any construction that conceals the section, shall be borne by the Contractor.
+
+# Flushing and Disinfection {toc}
+
+## Flushing {toc}
+
+### The system shall be flushed with potable water before it is disinfected.
+
+### Flushing shall be carried out progressively from the point of supply outward, through each riser, each branch, and each outlet in turn.
+
+### Flushing shall continue at each outlet until the discharge is free of visible particulate and discoloration and matches the appearance of the incoming supply.
+
+### Where the Contractor and the Engineer of Record disagree whether an outlet has run clear, the Engineer of Record shall make the initial determination.
+
+### Strainers, aerators, and flow restrictors shall be removed before flushing and shall be cleaned and reinstalled after the final flush.
+
+### The flush shall be recorded by riser, branch, and outlet, and the record shall be included in the disinfection report.
+
+### Disinfection shall not begin until the flushing record is complete.
+
+## Disinfection {toc}
+
+### Disinfection is what removes the organisms introduced during construction — from handling, from cut ends, from standing water in a stored coil, and from debris that entered an open pipe end — and the adopted plumbing code requires it before the system is placed in service. {note}
+
+### The system shall be disinfected after the pressure test and after flushing, and before it is placed in service.
+
+### The disinfection procedure shall be coordinated with the water purveyor, and any additional requirement the purveyor imposes shall be met.
+
+### The disinfection method shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Disinfection Method
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Sodium hypochlorite solution"
+ - "Calcium hypochlorite granules or tablets"
+ - "Chlorine dioxide"
+ - "Hydrogen peroxide with silver stabilizer"
+ - "Thermal disinfection by circulating water above the pasteurization temperature"
+default: "Sodium hypochlorite solution"
+```
+
+### Disinfectants shall be of a grade certified for potable water use.
+
+### Thermal disinfection shall not be used on piping whose material is not rated for continuous service at the disinfection temperature.
+
+### The initial disinfectant concentration shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Initial Disinfectant Concentration
+type: range
+unit: mg/L
+options:
+ min: 5
+ max: 200
+ setpoints: [5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200]
+default: 50
+```
+
+### The contact time shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Disinfectant Contact Time
+type: range
+unit: hours
+options:
+ min: 0.5
+ max: 48
+ setpoints: [0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48]
+default: 24
+```
+
+### The minimum residual disinfectant concentration at the end of the contact period shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Residual at the End of the Contact Period
+type: range
+unit: mg/L
+options:
+ min: 1
+ max: 100
+ setpoints: [1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100]
+default: 25
+```
+
+### The procedure shall follow AWWA C651 as adapted for building distribution piping, together with any additional requirement of the adopted plumbing code.
+
+### Every valve, stop, faucet, and specialty in the system shall be operated through its full travel during the contact period so that every wetted surface is exposed to the disinfectant.
+
+### A valve left closed during disinfection shields everything behind it, and that branch is the one that later returns a positive sample. {note}
+
+### The residual shall be measured at the point of supply, at the end of each riser, at each zone extremity, and at the outlets most remote from the fill point, and each reading shall be recorded against its location.
+
+### Where the residual at any sample point falls below the specified minimum, the system shall be redosed to the initial concentration and the contact period shall be repeated in full.
+
+### After a satisfactory contact period the system shall be flushed until the disinfectant concentration at every outlet is no greater than that of the incoming supply.
+
+### Disinfectant-bearing flush water shall be neutralized or dechlorinated before discharge where the water purveyor, the sewer authority, or the discharge permit requires it.
+
+## Bacteriological Testing {toc}
+
+### Samples shall be collected after the final flush from outlets distributed across the system, including the outlet most remote from the point of supply on each riser and in each zone.
+
+### The number of samples shall be not less than one per floor, or one per isolated zone where the system is zoned, and not less than three for any system.
+
+### The bacteriological analysis scope shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Bacteriological Analysis Scope
+type: select
+options:
+ - "Total coliform"
+ - "Total coliform with heterotrophic plate count"
+ - "Total coliform with heterotrophic plate count and Legionella culture"
+default: "Total coliform"
+```
+
+### Samples shall be collected in sterile containers, held within the temperature and holding time the laboratory specifies, and analyzed by a laboratory accredited or certified by the state for drinking water analysis.
+
+### The system shall not be placed in service until every sample returns an absence of total coliform.
+
+### Where a sample returns a positive result, the Contractor shall identify the probable cause before redisinfecting, and shall report the cause and the corrective action to the Engineer of Record.
+
+### Where a sample returns a positive result, the system shall be redisinfected and resampled in full.
+
+### The cost of redisinfection and resampling after a positive result shall be borne by the Contractor, except where the Engineer of Record determines that the contamination originated in the incoming supply.
+
+### The system shall not be placed in service with an outstanding positive bacteriological result.
+
+# Delivery, Storage, and Handling {toc}
+
+## Pipe, tube, fittings, valves, and specialties shall be delivered in the manufacturer's packaging with the markings and the potable-contact certification marks legible and intact.
+
+## Deliveries shall be inspected on receipt, and material that arrives unmarked, damaged, open-ended, or of a grade other than that specified shall be rejected and returned.
+
+## Material of a lighter wall series, a lower grade, or a lower pressure rating than specified shall not be accepted, and packaging similarity shall not be treated as evidence of equivalence.
+
+## Pipe and tube shall be stored under cover, off the ground on continuous dunnage, and supported at intervals that prevent permanent sag.
+
+## Pipe and tube shall be stored with end caps or plugs in place.
+
+## Polymer pipe and tube shall be stored out of direct sunlight and away from artificial ultraviolet sources.
+
+## Coiled tubing shall be stored at or above the coil diameter the manufacturer publishes.
+
+## Valves shall be stored with their operators in the position the valve manufacturer specifies for storage, and with their end protectors in place.
+
+## Gaskets, sealing elements, solvent cements, primers, and fluxes shall be stored within the temperature range the manufacturer publishes, and shall not be used after the expiration date printed on the container.
+
+## Solvent cement that has thickened, gelled, or separated shall be discarded and shall not be thinned for use.
+
+## Material shall be handled without dropping, dragging, or bending, and shall not be used as a lever, a support, or a lifting point.
+
+## Kinked, dented, gouged, flattened, or scored material shall be cut out and discarded.
+
+# Warranty {toc}
+
+## The Contractor shall warrant the domestic water piping installation against defects in materials and workmanship for the period indicated in the datasheet, beginning at the date of substantial completion.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Installation Warranty Period
+type: range
+unit: years
+options:
+ min: 1
+ max: 10
+ setpoints: [1, 2, 3, 5, 10]
+default: 1
+```
+
+## The warranty shall cover joint failure, fitting failure, pipe failure, valve seat and stem seal leakage attributable to a manufacturing or workmanship defect, water hammer arrestor failure, insulation and vapor retarder failure, and heat trace failure.
+
+## The warranty shall cover the repair of the failed component, the restoration of any construction opened to reach it, and the repair of building finishes and Owner property damaged by the failure or by the water it released.
+
+## The warranty shall not cover damage from freezing where the building heating system was not maintained in operation, damage from water chemistry outside the pipe manufacturer's published limits where the Contractor reported the exceedance before ordering the material, damage from operation outside the specified pressure and temperature range, or physical damage caused by others after the work was accepted.
+
+## Where a warranty repair is made, the repaired work shall carry a new warranty for the full original period from the date the repair is accepted, or for the remainder of the original period, whichever ends later.
+
+## The Contractor shall respond to a reported warranty failure that is actively releasing water within 24 hours of the report.
+
+## The Contractor shall respond to a reported warranty failure that is not actively releasing water within 5 business days of the report.
+
+## Manufacturer warranties for the products furnished shall be assigned to the Owner at substantial completion and included in the closeout submittal package.
+
+## Where a manufacturer conditions its warranty on registration, the Contractor shall complete the registration in the Owner's name before substantial completion.
+
+# Spare Parts {toc}
+
+## The Contractor shall deliver the spare parts indicated in the datasheet to the Owner before substantial completion.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Spare Parts to Be Delivered
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "One repair kit for each type and size of valve installed"
+ - "One spare valve of each type and size installed at a critical isolation point"
+ - "One spare water hammer arrestor of each size installed"
+ - "Operating keys for every loose-key valve, with two spares"
+ - "One spare handle or handwheel for each valve type installed"
+ - "Sufficient pipe, fittings, and joining materials to make one repair in each pipe material and size installed"
+ - "One spare heat trace termination and splice kit for each circuit type installed"
+ - "One spare removable insulation jacket for each valve size fitted with one"
+```
+
+## Spare parts shall be the same product, from the same manufacturer, as the item installed.
+
+## Spare parts shall be delivered in labeled packaging identifying the part, the equipment it serves, and the quantity, and shall be stored where the Owner directs.
+
+## The Contractor shall obtain a signed receipt from the Owner for the spare parts delivered and shall include the receipt in the closeout submittals.