Plumbing Materials - Pipes

Cast Iron Soil Pipe

Primarily used for sanitary drain, vent, storm systems.

Cast Iron Soil Pipe

Used for building not more than 25 storey because if more than 25 storey, constant vibration will cause leak of pipe joints.

Cast Iron Soil Pipe - Types

There are two major types: Hub and Spigot, Hubless.

Cast Iron Soil Pipe - Classifications

There are two classifications: Class XH (Extra Heavy) used for underground installation, Class SV (Service Weight).

Cast Iron Soil Pipe - Sizes

Length: 5 feet to 10 feet, Diameter: 2 inches to 15 inches.

Cast Iron Soil Pipe - Methods of Joining (Hub and Spigot)

Rubber (neoprene) compression gaskets, Molten lead and oakum (Caulking).

Cast Iron Soil Pipe - Methods of Joining (Hubless)

Shielded couplings.

Ductile Iron Pipe

Primarily used in water and sewer systems for underground and industrial application.

Ductile Iron Pipe - Sizes

Diameter: 3 inches to 64 inches, Length: 18 feet or 20 feet.

Ductile Iron Pipe - Working Pressure

Working pressure is 350 psi.

Ductile Iron Pipe - Cement Lining

Cement lined piping is typically required for water distribution systems to avoid impurities and contaminants from leaching into water supply.

Ductile Iron Pipe - Methods of Joining

Push on rubber (neoprene) compression gasket, Mechanical, Flanged.

Concrete Pipe

Primarily used in sanitary sewers, storm sewers, culverts, detention systems, and low pressure force mains.

Concrete Pipe - Durability

Reinforced concrete pipe is the most durable and economical of all piping products.

Concrete Pipe - Ideal Use

It is ideal for situations where heavy loads or failures could pose a danger.

Concrete Pipe - Sizes (Non-Reinforced)

Diameter: 4 inches to 36 inches.

Concrete Pipe - Sizes (Reinforced)

Diameter: 12 inches to 144 inches.

Concrete Pipe - Methods of Joining

Rubber (elastomeric) gasket, Cement plaster.

Copper Pipe

Primarily used for water supply; drain, waste, and vent (DWV); boiler feed lines; refrigeration, and similar purposes.

Copper Pipe - Composition

It is made of almost pure copper having 99.9 percent of it is a combination of copper and silver and the maximum allowable range of phosphorus is 0.015 to 0.04 percent.

Copper Pipe - Types

Three major types: Type K (Green), Type L (Blue), Type M (Red), DWV (Yellow).

Copper Pipe - Sizes (Seamless)

Diameter: 0.25 inches to 12 inches.

Copper Pipe - Sizes (Soft Coil)

Diameter: 0.25 inches to 2 inches.

Copper Pipe - Sizes (Drainage)

Diameter: 1.25 inches to 8 inches.

Copper Pipe - Methods of Joining

Brazed, Soldered, Flared, Threaded, Press-connect (using crimping tool), Push-connect, Roll grooving and mechanical coupling.

Glass Pipe

Glass is unique because it is clear (you can see the content inside) and least susceptible to fire.

Glass Pipe - Uses

Primarily used in two ways: For pressure, For drainage.

Glass Pipe - Sizes (Pressure)

Diameter: 0.5 inches to 8 inches, Length: 5 feet to 10 feet.

Glass Pipe - Sizes (Drainage)

Diameter: 1.5 inches to 6 inches, Length: 5 feet to 10 feet.

Glass Pipe - Methods of Joining

Using compression type couplings, Electromeric compression liner, Sealing members of chemically inert tetrafluoroethylene (TFE).

Asbestos Cement Pipe

Primarily used for drainage, ventilation, and stormwater drainage.

Asbestos Cement Pipe Composition

Made of asbestos fiber (fibrous carcinogenic and silicate materials) and portland cement.

Asbestos Cement Pipe Joining Methods

Rubber (neoprene) compression gasket, Cast iron detachable joint, Solvent cement joint.

Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe (Orangeburg)

It is the cheapest among the sewer pipes.

Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe Usage

Used primarily for sewer pipes and septic tank installations.

Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe Characteristics

Lightweight and slightly flexible.

Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe Limitations

Excessive hot water or chemicals may damage the pipe.

Vitrified Clay Pipe

One of the oldest pipes used in sewer lines.

Vitrified Clay Pipe Properties

Extremely hard, abrasion resistant, acid resistant and corrosion resistant.

Vitrified Clay Pipe Installation

Used for underground installations of sewers from the building to the main sewer.

Vitrified Clay Pipe Suitability

Suitable for gravity flowing systems not pressurized.

Vitrified Clay Pipe Material

Made of clay that is fired in a kiln.

Vitrified Clay Pipe Installation Limitation

Should not be put in unstable ground because it is brittle.

Vitrified Clay Pipe Sizes

Diameter: 3 inches to 48 inches, Length: 10 feet.

Lead Pipe

One of the oldest plumbing materials used for soil and waste pipe.

Lead Pipe Properties

Highly resistant to acid.

Lead Pipe Installation

Suitable for underground installation.

Lead Pipe Health Risk

It is poisonous and injurious to humans so it is never used in human consumption.

Lead Pipe Joining Method

Wiped or Burned.

Galvanized Steel Pipe

Galvanized steel pipes are easily corroded by alkaline and acid water.

Galvanized Steel Pipe Issues

It is subject to salt deposition that gradually accumulates and choke the pipe.

Galvanized Steel Pipe Length

Typically cast into 6 meters long.

Galvanized Steel Pipe Deterioration

Deteriorate faster when used in a hot water system.

Galvanized Steel Pipe Joining Methods

Welding, Threading, Grooving.

Brass Pipe Composition

It is made of 15 percent zinc and 85 percent copper.

Brass Pipe Properties

It has smooth interior surface and acid resistance which make it superior material for waste and water supply installations.

Plastic Pipe Usage

Primarily used for DWV, water supply, gas service and transmission lines, laboratory and chemical drainage and piping systems.

Plastic Pipe Types

Thermoset (permanently rigid, examples are epoxy and phenolics) and Thermoplastic (softened when heated and hardens when cooled, examples are ABS, PVC, PB, PE, PP, PEX, and CPVC).

Polybutylene (PB)

Primarily used in hydronic slab heating systems, fire sprinklers systems, plumbing and water supply.

Polybutylene (PB) Manufacturing Status

PB is no longer manufactured.

Polybutylene (PB) Properties

Is an inert polyolefin material meaning it is chemical resistant material.

Polybutylene (PB) Joining Methods

Mechanical, Flared, Heat fusion methods.

Polyethylene (PE) Properties

Is an inert polyolefin material meaning it is chemical resistant material.

Polyethylene (PE) Joining Methods

Inserts and Clamps, Heat fusion.

Polyethylene (PE) Sizes

Diameter: 0.5 inches to 63 inches.

Polyethylene (PE) Working Pressure

50 to 250 psi.

Polyethylene (PE) Resin Types

Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

Polyethylene (PE) Usage

Mostly used in low-pressure streets for natural and propane gas distribution networks.

HDPE

90 percent of polyethylene in the piping industry; typically colored black.

Pipes (½ inch to 2 inches)

Often sold in rolls of 100 feet to 5,000 feet.

Pipes (2 inches to 63 inches)

Typically available in 40-foot lengths.

Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX)

Primarily used for hot and cold water distribution systems; provides greater resistance to rupture and wider temperature and pressure range.

PEX Characteristics

Solvent and heat resistant, differing from PE.

Methods of Joining PEX

Includes mechanical joints, barbed joints, and compression fittings.

PEX-AL-PEX

An aluminum tube sandwiched by PEX in the interior and exterior; resistant to rupture.

Working Pressure of PEX-AL-PEX

125 psi at 82 degrees Celsius.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Primarily used for water distribution systems, irrigation, storm drainage, sewage, laboratory and hospital waste, chemical lines, chilled water lines, heat pumps, fire mains, and ultra-pure water.

PVC Working Pressure

Depends on the temperature; limited to 60 degrees Celsius to 65.6 degrees Celsius.

Methods of Joining PVC

Includes solvent welding, threaded, and socket fitting.

Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)

A higher temperature version of PVC; maximum temperature limit is 104 degrees Celsius.

CPVC Applications

Extensively used in wet fire protection systems.

Methods of Joining CPVC

Includes solvent welding, threads, flanges, compression fittings, O rings, transition fittings, bell rings, and rubber gaskets.

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)

Primarily used for DWV plumbing, main sanitary and storm sewers, underground electrical conduits, and applications in chemical and petroleum industries.

Methods of Joining ABS

Includes solvent welding and threading.

ABS Color Coding

Color black if used in DWV plumbing and color gray if used in low temperatures.

Polypropylene

Primarily used for a wide range of industrial liquids, salt water disposal, and corrosive waste systems.

Polypropylene Sizes

Diameter: 0.5 inches to 24 inches; Length: 10 feet and 20 feet.

Methods of Joining Polypropylene

Includes mechanical joints and heat fusion.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)

Primarily used for high-purity electronic or medical grade water or chemical piping systems that need to remain pure but function in high temperature.

PVDF Applications

Can also be used in industrial liquids and corrosive waste systems where high temperature is required.

PVDF Properties

Offers excellent flame and smoke resistant materials; normally natural color but red coloring is added for transporting.

PVDF High Temperature Resistance

Able to withstand high temperatures for elevated temperature cleaning.