Copper Pipes

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Types and Durability

Description

Copper pipes 

 Expected Lifespan

(Years)

 Adjustment Factors
Copper pipes or tube to BS 2871: Part 1: 1971, or to ASTM B302-00 for treadless and B42-02 for seamless. 35 Pipes embedded in screed but not plastic sheated or fully wrapped: limited to 5 years.

Pipes embedded in screed and plastic sheated or fully wrapped: – 15% of no. of years

Mains water below 7pH: -15% of no. of years

Test certificate from approved local testing authorities: +15% of no. of years
Copper pipes or tubes not to BS 2871: Part 1 or as stated above < 35

In the case of 2 or more condition of adjustment factor occur, the percentage of year shall be added to obtain the durability value.

Note:

  • All copper alloy water fittings except for exposed terminal fittings shall be of gunmetal, bronze or DZR brass materials only. For gunmetal or bronze fittings, they shall comply with BS 1400 : 1985 or BS EN 1982 : 1999. Plans incorporating gunmetal and bronze fittings submitted after 1 Nov 2002 shall comply with BS EN 1982 : 1999.
  • Those which are of Dezincification resistant type (DZR) shall comply with the tests on ‘Composition’ and ‘Resistance to dezincification’ of BS EN 12163 : 1998 or BS EN 12165 : 1998 or BS EN 12420 : 1999. Such fittings shall have an additional marking of ‘DZR’ or ‘CR’.
  • All metallic material in contact with water shall comply with the test on ‘Extraction of Metals – App H’ of AS/NZS 4020 : 1999. The maximum allowable concentrations of metals listed in Table 2 of AS/NZS 4020:1999 shall not exceed the limits specified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality.
  • All elastomeric seals for joints in pipework, pipelines and water fittings shall comply with SS 270 : 1996.
  • Capillary fittings and compression fittings shall comply with BS 864: Part 2. Compression fittings shall be of type B. All copper pipes embedded in masonry shall be jointed by an approved method of welding or jointing. (PWD)