Water Distribution Pipes - Materials
Materials used in water distribution pipes.
A water-distribution pipe is located inside a building and delivers potable water to the fixtures. The supply system delivering water from the potable source to the building is the "water service" pipe.
The water distribution system includes normally both hot and cold water. The temperature range limits the materials allowed.
- it is common to rate water-distribution pipes for a minimum working pressure of aprox. 100 psi (7 bar) and 180 oF (80 oC)
It the the water-service to the building exceeds the rated water-distribution pressure, a pressure-reducing valve must be installed.
Commonly used and approved materials in water-distribution pipe lines are
- Copper tube
- Galvanized steel pipe
- PB - polybutene
- PEX - cross-linked Polyethylene
Water Distribution Pipes
Materials used for water distribution pipes according U.S. standards.
| Piping Material | US Standards |
|---|---|
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic pipe and tubing | ASTM D2846; ASTM F441; ASTM F442; CSA B137.6 |
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride/aluminum/chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC/AL/CPVC) | ASTM F2855 |
| Copper or copper-alloy pipe | ASTM B42; ASTM B302; ASTM B43 |
| Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, WK, L, WL, M or WM) | ASTM B75; ASTM B88; ASTM B251; ASTM B447 |
| Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic tubing | ASTM F876; CSA B137.5 |
| Cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) pipe | ASTM F1281; ASTM F2262; CSA B137.10 |
| Cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/high-density polyethylene (PEX-AL-HDPE) | ASTM F1986 |
| Ductile iron pipe | AWWA C151/A21.51; AWWA C115/A21.15 |
| Galvanized steel pipe | ASTM A53 |
| Polyethylene/aluminum/polyethylene (PE-AL-PE) composite pipe | ASTM F1282 |
| Polyethylene of raised temperature (PE-RT) plastic tubing | ASTM F2769; CSA B137.158 |
| Polypropylene (PP) plastic pipe or tubing | ASTM F2389; CSA B137.11 |
| Stainless steel pipe (Type 304/304L) | ASTM A312; ASTM A778 |
| Stainless steel pipe (Type 316/316L) | ASTM A312; ASTM A778 |
