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Section P2906 Materials, Joints and Connections
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The installation of water service pipe, water distribution pipe, fittings, valves, appurtenances and gaskets shall be prohibited in soil and groundwater that is contaminated with solvents, fuels, organic compounds or other detrimental materials that cause permeation, corrosion, degradation or structural failure of the water service or water distribution piping material.
Where detrimental conditions are suspected by or brought to the attention of the building official, a chemical analysis of the soil and groundwater conditions shall be required to ascertain the acceptability of the water service material for the specific installation.
Where a detrimental condition exists, approved alternate materials or alternate routing shall be required.
The lead content in pipe and fittings used in the water supply system shall be not greater than 8 percent.
Pipe, pipe fittings, joints, valves, faucets and fixture fittings utilized to supply water for drinking or cooking purposes shall comply with NSF 372 and shall have a weighted average lead content of 0.25-percent lead or less.
Polyethylene pipe shall be cut square using a cutter designed for plastic pipe. Except where joined by heat fusion, pipe ends shall be chamfered to remove sharp edges. Pipe that has been kinked shall not be installed. For bends, the installed radius of pipe curvature shall be greater than 30 pipe diameters or the coil radius where bending with the coil. Coiled pipe shall not be bent beyond straight. Bends within 10 pipe diameters of any fitting or valve shall be prohibited. Joints between polyethylene plastic pipe and fittings shall comply with Section P2906.3.1 or P2906.3.2.
Joint surfaces shall be clean and free from moisture. Joint surfaces shall be heated to melting temperature and joined. The joint shall be undisturbed until cool. Joints shall be made in accordance with ASTM D2657.
Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Water service pipe shall conform to NSF 61 and shall conform to one of the standards indicated in Table P2906.4. Water service pipe or tubing, installed underground and outside of the structure, shall have a working pressure rating of not less than 160 pounds per square inch at 73°F (1103 kPa at 23°C). Where the water pressure exceeds 160 pounds per square inch (1103 kPa), piping material shall have a rated working pressure equal to or greater than the highest available pressure. Water service piping materials not third-party certified for water distribution shall terminate at or before the full open valve located at the entrance to the structure. Ductile iron water service piping shall be cement mortar lined in accordance with AWWA C104/A21.4.
TABLE P2906.4
WATER SERVICE PIPE
| MATERIAL | STANDARD |
| Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic pipe | ASTM D1527; ASTM D2282 |
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic pipe | ASTM D2846; ASTM F441; ASTM F442/F442M; CSA B137.6 |
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride/aluminum/chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC/AL/CPVC) plastic pipe | ASTM F2855 |
| Copper or copper-alloy pipe | ASTM B42; ASTM B43; ASTM B302 |
| Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, WK, L, WL, M or WM) | ASTM B75/B75M; ASTM B88; ASTM B251; ASTM B447 |
| 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) pipe | ASTM F1986 |
| Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic tubing | ASTM F876; AWWA C904; CSA B137.5 |
| Ductile iron water pipe | AWWA C115/A21.15; AWWA C151/A21.51 |
| Galvanized steel pipe | ASTM A53 |
| Polyethylene/aluminum/polyethylene (PE-AL-PE) pipe | ASTM F1282; CSA B137.9 |
| Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe | ASTM D2104; ASTM D2239; AWWA C901; CSA B137.1 |
| Polyethylene (PE) plastic tubing | ASTM D2737; AWWA C901; CSA B137.1 |
| Polyethylene of raised temperature (PE-RT) plastic tubing | ASTM F2769; CSA B137.18 |
| Polypropylene (PP) plastic tubing | ASTM F2389; CSA B137.11 |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe | ASTM D1785; ASTM D2241; ASTM D2672; CSA B137.3 |
| Stainless steel (Type304/304L) pipe | ASTM A312; ASTM A778 |
| Stainless steel (Type 316/316L) pipe | ASTM A312; ASTM A778 |
Trenching, pipe installation and backfilling shall be in accordance with Section P2604. Where water service piping is located in the same trench with the building sewer, such sewer shall be constructed of materials listed in Table P3002.1(2). Where the building sewer piping is not constructed of materials indicated in Table P3002.1(2), the water service pipe and the building sewer shall be horizontally separated by not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) of undisturbed or compacted earth. The required separation distance shall not apply where a water service pipe crosses a sewer pipe, provided that the water service is sleeved to a point not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) horizontally from the sewer pipe centerline on both sides of such crossing. The sleeve shall be of pipe materials indicated in Table P2906.4, P3002.1(2) or P3002.2. The required separation distance shall not apply where the bottom of the water service pipe that is located within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the sewer is not less than 12 inches (305 mm) above the highest point of the top of the building sewer.
Water distribution piping within dwelling units shall conform to NSF 61 and shall conform to one of the standards indicated in Table P2906.5. Water distribution pipe and tubing shall have a pressure rating of not less than 100 psi at 180°F (689 kPa at 82°C).
TABLE P2906.5
WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE
| MATERIAL | STANDARD |
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic pipe and tubing | ASTM D2846; ASTM F441; ASTM F442/F442M; CSA B137.6 |
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride/aluminum/chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC/AL/CPVC) plastic pipe | ASTM F2855 |
| Copper or copper-alloy pipe | ASTM B42; ASTM B43; ASTM B302 |
| Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, WK, L, WL, M or WM) | ASTM B75/B75M; 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) pipe | ASTM F1986 |
| 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 B137.18 |
| Polypropylene (PP) plastic pipe or tubing | ASTM F2389; CSA B137.11 |
| Stainless steel (Type 304/304L) pipe | ASTM A312; ASTM A778 |
Pipe fittings shall be approved for installation with the piping material installed and shall comply with the applicable standards indicated in Table P2906.6. Pipe fittings used in water supply systems shall comply with NSF 61.
TABLE P2906.6
PIPE FITTINGS
| MATERIAL | STANDARD |
| Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic | ASTM D2468 |
| Cast iron | ASME B16.4 |
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic | ASSE 1061; ASTM D2846; ASTM F437; ASTM F438; ASTM F439; CSA B137.6 |
| Copper or copper alloy | ASME B16.15; ASME B16.18; ASME B16.22; ASME B16.26; ASME B16.51; ASSE 1061; ASTM F3226 |
| Cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/high-density polyethylene (PEX-AL-HDPE) | ASTM F1986 |
| Fittings for cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic tubing | ASSE 1061; ASTM F877; ASTM F1807; ASTM F1960; ASTM F2080; ASTM F2098; ASTM F2159; ASTM F2434; ASTM F2735; CSA B137.5 |
| Gray iron and ductile iron | AWWA C110/A21.10; AWWA C153/A21.53 |
| Malleable iron | ASME B16.3 |
| Insert fittings for polyethylene/aluminum/polyethylene (PE-AL-PE) and cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) | ASTM F1281; ASTM F1282; ASTM F1974; CSA B137.9; CSA B137.10 |
| Polyethylene (PE) plastic | ASTM D2609; CSA B137.1 |
| Fittings for polyethylene of raised temperature (PE-RT) plastic tubing | ASSE 1061; ASTM D2683; ASTM D3261; ASTM F1055; ASTM F1807; ASTM F2098; ASTM F2159; ASTM F2735; ASTM F2769; CSA B137.18 |
| Polypropylene (PP) plastic pipe or tubing | ASTM F2389; CSA B137.11 |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic | ASTM D2464; ASTM D2466; ASTM D2467; CSA B137.2; CSA B137.3 |
| Stainless steel (Type 304/304L) pipe | ASTM A312; ASTM A778 |
| Stainless steel (Type 316/316L) pipe | ASTM A312; ASTM A778 |
| Steel | ASME B16.9; ASME B16.11; ASME B16.28 |
The use of saddle tap fittings and combination saddle tap and valve fittings shall be prohibited.
Flexible water connectors, exposed to continuous pressure, shall conform to ASME A112.18.6/CSA B125.6. Access shall be provided to flexible water connectors.
Joints and connections in the plumbing system shall be gastight and watertight for the intended use or required test pressure.
Joints in plastic piping shall be made with approved fittings by solvent cementing, heat fusion, corrosion-resistant metal clamps with insert fittings or compression connections. Flared joints for polyethylene pipe shall be permitted in accordance with Section P2906.10.1.
Solvent-cemented joints shall comply with Sections P2906.9.1.1 through P2906.9.1.4.
Solvent cement for ABS plastic pipe conforming to ASTM D2235 shall be applied to all joint surfaces.
Joint surfaces shall be clean and free from moisture. Joints shall be made in accordance with the pipe, fitting or solvent cement manufacturer's installation instructions. Where such instructions require a primer to be used, an approved primer shall be applied, and a solvent cement, orange in color and conforming to ASTM F493, shall be applied to joint surfaces. Where such instructions allow for a one-step solvent cement, yellow or red in color and conforming to ASTM F493, to be used, the joint surfaces shall not require application of a primer before the solvent cement is applied. The joint shall be made while the cement is wet, and in accordance with ASTM D2846 or ASTM F493. Solvent cement joints shall be permitted above or below ground.
Joint surfaces shall be clean and free from moisture, and an approved primer shall be applied. Solvent cement, orange in color and conforming to ASTM F493, shall be applied to all joint surfaces. The joint shall be made while the cement is wet, and in accordance with ASTM D2846 or ASTM F493. Solvent-cemented joints shall be installed above or below ground.
Exception: A primer shall not be required where all of the following conditions apply:
- The solvent cement used is third-party certified as conforming to ASTM F493.
- The solvent cement used is yellow in color.
- The solvent cement is used only for joining 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) through 1-inch (25 mm) diameter CPVC/AL/CPVC pipe and CPVC fittings.
- The CPVC fittings are manufactured in accordance with ASTM D2846.
A purple primer, or other approved primer that conforms to ASTM F656 shall be applied to PVC solvent-cemented joints. Solvent cement for PVC plastic pipe conforming to ASTM D2564 shall be applied to all joint surfaces.
Joints between cross-linked polyethylene plastic tubing or fittings shall comply with Section P2906.9.10.1 or Section P2906.9.10.2.
Flared pipe ends shall be made by a tool designed for that operation.
Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Fittings for cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic tubing shall comply with the applicable standards indicated in Table P2906.6 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. PEX tubing shall be factory marked with the applicable standards for the fittings that the PEX manufacturer specifies for use with the tubing.
Joints between polypropylene plastic pipe and fittings shall comply with Section P2906.11.1 or P2906.11.2.
Heat fusion joints for polypropylene pipe and tubing joints shall be installed with socket-type heat-fused polypropylene fittings, butt fusion polypropylene fittings or electrofusion polypropylene fittings. Joint surfaces shall be clean and free from moisture. The joint shall be undisturbed until cool. Joints shall be made in accordance with ASTM F2389.
Mechanical and compression sleeve joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Joints between polyethylene/aluminum/polyethylene (PE-AL-PE) and cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) pipe and fittings shall comply with Section P2906.12.1.
Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Fittings for PE-AL-PE and PEX-AL-PEX as described in ASTM F1281, ASTM F1282, ASTM F1974, CSA B137.9 and CSA B137.10 shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Joints between stainless steel pipe and fittings shall comply with Section P2906.13.1 or P2906.13.2.
Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Joint surfaces shall be cleaned. The joint shall be welded autogenously or with an approved filler metal in accordance with ASTM A312.
Threaded joints shall conform to American National Taper Pipe Thread specifications. Pipe ends shall be deburred and chips removed. Pipe joint compound shall be used only on male threads.
Soldered joints in copper and copper alloy tubing shall be made with fittings approved for water piping and shall conform to ASTM B828. Surfaces to be soldered shall be cleaned bright. Fluxes for soldering shall be in accordance with ASTM B813. Brazing fluxes shall be in accordance with AWS A5.31M/A5.31. Solders and fluxes used in potable water-supply systems shall have a lead content of not greater than 0.2 percent. Solder and flux joining pipe or fittings intended to supply drinking water shall conform to NSF 61.
Flared joints in water tubing shall be made with approved fittings. The tubing shall be reamed and then expanded with a flaring tool.
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