Advantages of Copper Tube

Strong, corrosion resistant, copper tube is, by far, the leading choice of modern contracttors for plumbling, heating and cooling installations in all kinds of residential and commercial buildings. There are seven primary reasons for this choice:

1. Copper is economicial. The combination of easy handing, forming and joining permits savings in installation time, meterial and overall costs. Longterm performance and reliability mean fewer callbacks, and that makes copper the ideal cost-effective tubing material.

2. Copper is lightweight. Copper tube does not require the heavy thickness of ferrous or threaded pipe of the same internal diameter. This means copper costs less to transport, handles more easily and, when installed, takes less space.

3. Copper is formable. Because copper tube can be readily bent and formed, it is frequently possible to eliminate elbows and joints. Smooth bends permit the tube to follow contours and corners of almost any angle. With soft temper tube, particularly when used for renovation or modernization projects, much less wall and ceiling space is needed.

4. Copper is easy to join. Copper tube can be joined with capillary fitting. These fitting save material and make smooth, neat, strong and leakproof joints. No extra thickness or weight is necessary to compensate for material removed by threading.

5. Copper is safe. Copper tube will not burn or support combustion and decompose to tsxic gases, it will not carry fire through floors, walls and ceilings. Volatile organic compounds are not required for installation.

6. Copper is dependable. Copper tube is manufactured to well-defined composition standards and marked with permanent identification so you know exactly what it is and who made it. Copper tube is accepted by virtually every plumbling code.

7. Copper resists corrosion. Excellent resistance to corrosion and scaling assures long, trouble-free service with copper, which in turn means satisfied customer.

Recommendations for Varous Applications

it is the designer's responsibility to select the type of copper tube to be used in a particular application. Strength, formability and other mechanical factors frequently and other mechanical factors frequently determine the choice. Plumbling and mechanical codes govern what types may be used. When a choice. Plumbling and mechanical codes govern what type may be used. When a choice can be made, it is helpful to know which type of copper tube has served and can serve sucessfully and economically in the following applications:

Underground Water Services- - Use Type M hard for straight lengths joined with fittings, and Type L soft where coils are more convenient.

Water Distribution Systems - - Use Type M for above and below ground.

Chilled Water Mains - - - Use Type M for all sizes. Type DWV, where approved, may by used for size of 1 1/4 inch and larger; however, joints must be made with solder-joint pressure fittings.

Drainage and Vent Systems - - - Use Type DWV for above-and below ground waste, soil and vent lines, roof and building drains and sewers.

Heating - - - For radiant panel and hydronic heating and for snow melting systems, use Type L soft temper where the coils are formed in place or prefabticated, Type M where straight lengths are use Type L soft temper where the coils are formed in place or prefabricated, Type M where straight lengths are used, For water heating and low-pressure steam, use Type M for all sizes. Tpye DWV, where approved, may be used for size of 1 1/4 inch and larger; however, joints must by made with solder-joint pressure fittings. For condensate return lines, Type L is sucessfully used.

Solar Heating - - - See Heating section above. For information on solar installation and on solar collectors, write CEA.

Fuel Oil, L.P. and Natural Gas Service - - - Use copper tube in sccordance with local codes.

Nonflammable Medical Gas Systems - - - Use Medcal Gas tube Types K or L. suitably cleaned for oxygen service per NFPA Publication No.99, Health Care Faxilities.

Air-Conditioning and Refrieration System - - - Copper is the preferred material for use with most refrigeration. Use Types L, ACR or as specified.

Ground Source Heat Pump Systems - - - Use Type L or ACR where the ground coils are formed in place or prefabricated, or as specified.

Fire Sprikler Systems - - - Use Type M hard. Where bending is required, Type K or L are recommended. Types K, L and M are all accepted by NFPA.