Section M2101 Hydronic Piping Systems Installation

Hydronic piping shall conform to Table M2101.1. Approved piping, valves, fittings and connections shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Pipe and fittings shall be rated for use at the operating temperature and pressure of the hydronic system. Used pipe, fittings, valves or other materials shall be free of foreign materials.

TABLE M2101.1
HYDRONIC PIPING MATERIALS

MATERIAL	USE CODEa	STANDARDb	JOINTS	NOTES
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene    (ABS) plastic pipe	1, 5	ASTM D1527; ASTM F2806; ASTM F2969	Solvent cement joints
Brass pipe	1	ASTM B43	Brazed, welded, threaded, mechanical and flanged fittings
Brass tubing	1	ASTM B135	Brazed, soldered and mechanical fittings
Chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride)    (CPVC) pipe and tubing	1, 2, 3	ASTM D2846	Solvent cement joints, compression joints and threaded adapters
Copper pipe	1	ASTM B42, B302	Brazed, soldered and mechanical fittings threaded, welded and flanged
Copper tubing (type K, Lor M)	1, 2	ASTM B75, B88, B251, B306	Brazed, soldered and flared mechanical fittings	Joints embedded in concrete
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)	1, 2, 3	ASTM F876, F877	(See PEX fittings)	Install in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
Cross-linked polyethylene/    aluminum/cross -linked    polyethylene-(PEX-AL-PEX)    pressure pipe	1, 2	ASTM F1281 or CAN/CSA B137.10	Mechanical, crimp/insert	Install in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
PEX fittings		ASTM F 877 ASTM F 1807 ASTM F 1960 ASTM F 2098 ASTM F 2159 ASTM F 2735	Copper-crimp/insert fittings, cold expansion fittings, stainless steel clamp, insert fittings	Install in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
Polybutylene (PB) pipe and tubing	1, 2, 3	ASTM D3309	Heat-fusion, crimp/insert and compression	Joints in concrete shall be heat-fused
Polyethylene/aluminum/polyethylene    (PE-AL-PE) pressure pipe	1, 2, 3	ASTM F1282 CSA B 137.9	Mechanical, crimp/insert
Polypropylene (PP)	1, 2, 3	ISO 15874 ASTM F 2389	Heat-fusion joints, mechanical fittings, threaded adapters, compression joints
Raised temperature polyethylene    PE-RT)	1, 2, 3	ASTM F2623 ASTM F2769	Copper crimp/insert fitting stainless steel clamp, insert fittings
Raised temperature polyethylene    PE-RT) fittings	1, 2, 3	ASTM F1807 ASTM F2159 ASTM F2735 ASTM F2769 ASTM F2098	Copper crimp/insert fitting stainless steel clamp, insert fittings
Steel pipe	1, 2	ASTM A53, A106	Brazed, welded, threaded, flanged and mechanical fittings	Joints in concrete shall be welded. Galvanized pipe shall not be welded or brazed.
Steel tubing	1	ASTM A 254	Mechanical fittings, welded

For SI: °C = [(°F)-32]/1.8.

1. Use code:
   1. Above ground.
   2. Embedded in radiant systems.
   3. Temperatures below 180°F only.
   4. Low temperature (below 130°F) applications only.
   5. Temperatures below 160°F only.
2. Standards as listed in Chapter 44.

Hydronic piping systems shall be installed to permit draining of the system. Where the system drains to the plumbing drainage system, the installation shall conform to the requirements of Chapters 25 through 32 of this code.

The potable water system shall be protected from backflow in accordance with the provisions listed in Section P2902.

Openings through concrete or masonry building elements shall be sleeved.

A hydronic piping system shall not be in direct contact with any building material that causes the piping material to degrade or corrode.

Wood-framed structural members shall be drilled, notched or altered in accordance with the provisions of Sections R502.8, R602.6, R602.6.1 and R802.7. Holes in load bearing members of cold-formed steel light-frame construction shall be permitted only in accordance with Sections R505.2.6, R603.2.6 and R804.2.6. In accordance with the provisions of Sections R505.3.5, R603.3.4 and R804.3.3, cutting and notching of flanges and lips of load-bearing members of cold-formed steel lightframe construction shall not be permitted. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) shall be drilled and notched or altered in accordance with the provisions of Section R610.7.

Fluid in the supply side of a hydronic system shall not enter a tee fitting through the branch opening.

Piping shall be installed so that piping, connections and equipment shall not be subjected to excessive strains or stresses. Provisions shall be made to compensate for expansion, contraction, shrinkage and structural settlement.

Hangers and supports shall be of material of sufficient strength to support the piping, and shall be fabricated from materials compatible with the piping material. Piping shall be supported at intervals not exceeding the spacing specified in Table M2101.9.

TABLE M2101.9
HANGER SPACING INTERVALS

PIPING MATERIAL	MAXIMUM HORIZONTAL SPACING (feet)	MAXIMUM VERTICAL SPACING (feet)
ABS	4	10a
CPVC ≤ 1-inch pipe or tubing	3	5a
CPVC ≥ 1 1/4 inches	4	10a
Copper or copper alloy pipe	12	10
Copper or copper alloy tubing	6	10
PB pipe or tubing	2.67	4
PE pipe or tubing	2.67	4
PE-RT ≤ 1 inch	2.67	10a
PE-RT ≥ 1 1/4 inches	4	10a
PEX tubing	2.67	4
PP < 1-inch pipe or tubing	2.67	4
PP > 1 1/4 inches	4	10a
PVC	4	10a
Steel pipe	12	15
Steel tubing	8	10

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

Hydronic piping systems shall be tested hydrostatically at a pressure of one and one-half times the maximum system design pressure, but not less than 100 pounds per square inch (689 kPa). The duration of each test shall be not less than 15 minutes and not more than 20 minutes.