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
TABLE M2101.1 HYDRONIC PIPING MATERIALS
| MATERIAL | USE CODEa | STANDARDb | JOINTS | NOTES |
| Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic pipe | 1, 5 | ASTM D 1527; ASTM F 2806; ASTM F 2969 | Solvent cement joints | |
| Brass pipe | 1 | ASTM B 43 | Brazed, welded, threaded, mechanical and flanged fittings | |
| Brass tubing | 1 | ASTM B 135 | Brazed, soldered and mechanical fittings | |
| Chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) (CPVC) pipe and tubing | 1, 2, 3 | ASTM D 2846 | Solvent cement joints, compression joints and threaded adapters | |
| Copper pipe | 1 | ASTM B 42, B 302 | Brazed, soldered and mechanical fittings threaded, welded and flanged | |
| Copper tubing (type K, L or M) | 1, 2 | ASTM B 75, B 88, B 251, B 306 | Brazed, soldered and flared mechanical fittings | Joints embedded in concrete |
| Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) | 1, 2, 3 | ASTM F 876, F 877 | (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 F 1281 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 D 3309 | 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 F 1282 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 F 2623 ASTM F 2769 | Copper crimp/insert fitting stainless steel clamp, insert fittings | |
| Raised temperature polyethylene (PE-RT) fittings | 1, 2,3 | ASTM F 1807 ASTM F 2159 ASTM F 2735 ASTM F 2769 ASTM F 2098 | Copper crimp/insert fitting stainless steel clamp, insert fittings | |
| Steel pipe | 1, 2 | ASTM A 53, A 106 | 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. |
| a. 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. |
| b. 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.
Exception: The buried portions of systems embedded underground or under floors.
Exception: The buried portions of systems embedded underground or under floors.
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 light-frame 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
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 ≥ 11/4 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 ≥ 11/4 inches | 4 | 10a |
| PEX tubing | 2.67 | 4 |
| PP < 1-inch pipe or tubing | 2.67 | 4 |
| PP > 11/4 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. |
| a. For sizes 2 inches and smaller, a guide shall be installed midway between required vertical supports. Such guides shall prevent pipe movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe. |
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.