Installation of copper pipes for heating and water supply. Performance characteristics and advantages of copper pipes and fittings for plumbing DIY copper plumbing

29.08.2019

If you want to carry out or repair a water pipe, while there is a desire to perform installation copper pipes with your own hands, you will probably need to learn more about this. If you turn to modern varieties water pipes, then, for example, copper pipes are perfect for plumbing in residential buildings: they are less than steel types, subject to corrosion, more reliable than plastic ones and quite easy to install.

How to choose copper pipes that are most suitable for a particular water supply system? Our article will answer this and other questions.

When choosing a pipe material, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the advantages, but also to the disadvantages.

The choice in favor of copper pipes is usually made when significant pressure in the water supply and / or sudden changes in temperature are expected.

Features of the installation of a copper pipeline

Installation of copper pipes for water supply is carried out in two ways: by soldering or by connecting a threaded type with a compression ring.

The second method is so easy to perform that it is suitable even for a beginner. It does not require any specific tool: it is easy to mount using ordinary wrenches that tighten the connection. When choosing a fitting, it is necessary to pay attention to the diameter of the copper pipes.

Soldering makes copper pipes more secure, but this method requires some skill and safety precautions.

Tools for installing copper pipes

To install a water pipe from copper pipes, you will need the following set of tools:

Materials for copper piping

Materials that will be required:

Pipes directly - for the future water supply should be drawn up detailed diagram, the required pipe footage is calculated. If you are doing the installation for the first time, copper pipes must be purchased with a small margin. Sometimes copper pipes insulated with PVC are used as the supply pipeline. hot water- if this is your case, at the end of the pipe it is necessary to remove the insulation near each connection.
Fittings for copper pipes. If you plan to solder pipes, then the fittings should be selected “for soldering”, if “twisted” - compression fittings will do. It can be tees, elbows, couplings, adapters from one diameter to another. It is better to select them according to the previously drawn up scheme.
Fum-tape sealing threaded connections.
Flux and solder for copper pipes.

Installation of copper pipes with a threaded connection and the use of ferrules

This connection is collapsible, but if it becomes necessary to dismantle it, the ring will need to be replaced. Laying copper pipes involves tracking down problems in a timely manner and replacing parts if necessary. This will need to be done after each disassembly, if any.

This type of connection is performed according to the following scheme:

Cut a piece of pipe to the desired length.
When using pipes with PVC insulation, it will be necessary to remove the insulating layer from the end of the pipe. An incision is made with a sharp knife, after which a piece of insulation is removed by hand.
The burrs formed after the cut are removed with a file.
Prepare the fitting.
First, a union nut is put on the pipe, then a compression ring.
The nut is docked with a compression fitting, after which the threaded connection is tightened. The nut should be tightened smoothly - first with your hands, then with a wrench, when it becomes difficult to do it with your hands. In the process, the ring compresses the pipe and the joint is sealed.

When connecting a transition fitting from a steel pipe to copper pipes, the installation involves sealing using fum-tape or tow with paint. First, the tape is wound onto the thread, then the fitting is screwed in.

Copper pipes are widely used in various engineering systems of houses and apartments. The main advantages of the material are resistance to corrosion and high temperatures, as well as ultraviolet radiation. In addition, copper pipes can be easily bent to any angle, making it easy to do-it-yourself connections.

As a disadvantage, it is often indicated that the material has a high cost, however, with such excellent characteristics of the metal, its price cannot be low. Installation of copper pipelines is carried out using fittings. They can be crimp or solder, depending on this, the connection of copper pipes also differs. Crimp fittings create a detachable connection, and solder fittings create a one-piece connection.

The main advantages and areas of use of copper pipeline

Copper pipes have a working temperature from -200 to +250 degrees, as well as a low linear expansion, which allows them to be successfully used for such systems:

heating;
Plumbing;
Conditioning;
Gas transportation;
Receiving alternative energy, for example, solar systems.

When installing copper pipelines for supplying cold and hot water, you do not have to worry about overgrowing or silting of the internal section. Also, they are not destroyed by chlorine, which is added to tap water in high concentrations. On the contrary, chlorine creates the thinnest protective layer on the inner wall of pipelines, which significantly extends the life of the pipelines. In turn, a small amount of copper is released into drinking water, which has a beneficial effect on human health.

Features of installing pipes for water supply

Installation of copper plumbing for cold and hot water does not differ in technology. However, attention should be paid to appearance pipelines and related fittings: parts intended for hot water are insulated with PVC film. Installation of copper pipes for water supply can be carried out in one of the following ways:

With the use of threaded fittings.
With soldering.

Push-in connections with threaded fittings are the easiest and most affordable way to install with your own hands.

Threaded fittings create detachable connections that can be unscrewed or tightened repeatedly as needed. In order to carry out the installation, you must:

Slide the compression nut onto the pipes.
Put on top of the compression ring.
Connect elements together.
Tighten the nut.

The compression ring is responsible for the tightness of the connection, therefore it cannot be reused. If the connection had to be untwisted, the rubber ring should be put in a new one. Copper pipes can be bent in any direction, and therefore there is an opportunity to save on the number of fittings.

Solder connection - somewhat more hard way installation, however, is quite doable with your own hands. It is necessary to be careful and observe all safety measures when working with open fire. The connection itself consists of the following steps:

Cleaning of pipe ends and fittings sandpaper to bare metal.
A thin layer of soldering flux is applied with a brush.
The pipe is inserted into the fitting up to the maximum mark.
The connection point is heated with a gas burner or a building hair dryer.
It is very important to evenly heat the elements to be joined, for this it is recommended to use blowtorch with two burners.
When the heating temperature is sufficient to melt the solder, it is injected into the joint.
After curing, excess flux can be removed.

On sale are copper fittings with a pre-specified solder in a special groove. This simplifies do-it-yourself installation: you just need to insert the end of the flux-lubricated pipeline and heat it to the required temperature. The solder will melt and flow into the gap between the pipe and fitting, creating reliable connection.

Features of installing a heating system using copper pipes

Installation of copper pipes for a heating system begins with preparatory work. The material can be easily bent and cut, but it must be done in the right way. Key recommendations:

Before installation, it is necessary to cut the pipes into segments of the required length.
It is better to cut pipes for heating with a pipe cutter or a hacksaw.
The inner surface of pipelines must be free of burrs and metal chips. To complete this task, you will need a file and scraper.
The cut point must be leveled, especially in cases where the cutting was carried out with a hacksaw for metal, which slightly deforms the pipe.
You can bend the tubular product manually or using a special tool.
If the heating system has curved sections of a particularly complex shape, it is recommended to use a pipe bender. Such a bend will protect the material from unwanted creases, which can subsequently become a place of corrosion.
Products should be bent with the minimum allowable radius.
The bending radius when performing work with a pipe cutter must be at least 3.5 times the diameter of the pipeline. If pipes are bent by hand, a bending radius of at least 8 diameters should be performed.

The connection of elements of the copper heating system is carried out in two already known ways:

Crimp fittings;
soldering method.

Due to the fact that copper can be easily bent, installation is simple and requires a small number of fittings. However, it is necessary to remember some rules for combining materials in the heating system.

Copper pipes must not be connected to aluminum radiators.

If use aluminum radiators cannot be avoided, it is necessary to cross over the steel pipe. This will help to avoid the onset of corrosion when joining copper and aluminum. As for radiators made of other materials, such as steel or cast iron, there are no such problems.

Copper is an excellent material for conducting gas pipeline systems, heating and so on. Also, copper pipes are widely used in the installation of air conditioners. A wide range of applications is determined by such qualities of the material as resistance to high temperatures of the passing medium, resistance to corrosion, durability. Installation of copper pipes is carried out in two main ways: soldering or compression fittings.

Assembling the pipeline with fittings

The connection of copper pipes with fittings is carried out exclusively in places accessible for inspection. This rule is due to the fact that the connection is not completely sealed and leaks may form over time.

advantage threaded connection is that, if necessary, repairs can be made without additional effort, since the resulting connection is detachable.

Tools and materials

To assemble the pipeline, you will need the following materials and tools:

suitable copper pipes;
connecting crimp or press fittings;

The types and number of fittings are selected in accordance with the pipeline scheme.

pipe cutter or hacksaw;
pipe bender for copper pipes. The device is used to organize a pipeline with fewer connections, which increases the strength of the system;
file for processing pipes after cutting (before joining). Additionally, you can use fine sandpaper;
FUM-tape for sealing threads. In addition to the FUM tape, you can also use linen thread, Tangit Unilok thread or any other sealing material;
wrench.

Assembly instructions

Do-it-yourself assembly of a copper pipeline using the following method:

cutting pipes for the pipeline. The length of each pipe must fully comply with the scheme drawn up during the development of the system;
removal of the insulating layer. If pipes with insulation are used for an equipped pipeline system for any purpose, then for strong connection the insulation layer is removed. To do this, the desired section is cut with a knife and the pipe is cleaned;
the cut edge is processed with a file, sandpaper until it is obtained flat surface. If burrs, potholes or other irregularities remain at the end of the pipe, the connection will turn out to be less airtight;

if necessary, pipes are bent;
a union nut and a compression ring are put on the prepared pipe;

the pipe is connected to the fitting. Initially, the tightening is done by hand, and then wrench. During tightening, the ferrule completely seals the connection, eliminating the need for additional sealants. However, when connecting a copper pipe to a pipe or fitting made of a different material, additional sealing with FUM tape is required.

It is important not to overtighten the threads, as soft copper is easily deformed.

Assembly of a copper pipeline by soldering

The greatest tightness can be achieved if the pipes are connected by soldering. When performing work, it is necessary to strictly observe the recommended safety rules.

Instruments

To assemble the pipeline by soldering, you will need the following set of materials and tools:

copper pipes, the number and diameter of which is determined according to the scheme;
pipe cutter (in the absence of a device, you can use a conventional hacksaw);
pipe bender;
a metal brush for preparing pipes for soldering;
sandpaper (used in addition to the brush);
pipe expander - special device to increase the diameter of one of the connected pipes;
gas-burner;
beveler (device for removing burrs after cutting pipes);
flux composition, which allows for additional cleaning of pipes and contributes to a more uniform distribution of solder;

solder - a metal alloy that fills the space between pipes during the soldering process.

Flux and solder are selected depending on the type of soldering (low-temperature or high-temperature), and the flux and solder should match each other as much as possible.

soldering process

How to connect copper pipes by soldering? To obtain a strong connection, it is recommended to adhere to the following scheme:

pipes are cut. The length of each section of the pipeline must correspond to the scheme, which indicates the copper piping in the living quarters;

chamfer is removed from the ends of the pipes. Then the areas for soldering are cleaned to achieve the most even surface and cleaned of oxides and other contaminants with a metal brush;

to achieve maximum tightness of the solder joint, the end of one pipe must be expanded by 2 mm - 3 mm;

the place of future soldering is treated with flux. Since the chemical composition can adversely affect the skin of the hands, the work is done in protective gloves. Flux in the form of a paste is most conveniently applied with a small brush;

heated up to the desired operating temperature burner;
the flux melts a little;
pipes are connected;
excess flux is removed with a dry soft cloth;
soldering is performed. Solder is smoothly applied to the heated area, which, when heated, melts and fills all the free space;

for 3 - 5 minutes (until complete cooling), the connection is left stationary;
the next section of the pipeline is connected in the same way.

The soldering of pipes is carried out at high temperature. In addition, often in the course of performing work, harmful substances. Therefore, the assembly of the pipeline by soldering must be carried out in a well-ventilated area and away from flammable substances or objects.

Possible ways to install copper pipes are discussed in detail in the video.

After pre-assembly, copper pipes are laid according to a previously developed scheme. To fix the pipeline, you can use a clamp, bracket or other devices. In addition, pipes can be laid in the walls.

Recently, copper pipes, for the manufacture of which seamless technology is used, are becoming increasingly popular. It is the production technology, along with the characteristics of the material itself, that is the main reason for the wide distribution of such products.

Characteristics of copper pipes for water supply systems

The main advantage for which copper pipes for plumbing are especially valued is their exceptional reliability. If we compare such products with similar steel ones, then with the same parameters (diameter 12 mm and wall thickness 1 mm), the latter are designed for pressures reaching 100 bar at an operating temperature of the coolant of 250 degrees. Copper pipes, in turn, can be successfully operated at pressures up to 500 bar, and operating temperatures can reach up to 600 degrees. In addition, copper, unlike many other materials, not only does not become brittle when the temperature drops, but even increases its ductility and strength.

Due to this quality, copper pipes painlessly endure repeated freezing and thawing (up to 3 times), while not losing their performance characteristics. If a breakthrough occurs on a copper water supply system, then it is localized on a minimum area, which compares favorably with such a water supply system from steel, a breakthrough in which begins to spread along the entire length of the pipes. This quality makes copper water pipes more economical in maintenance, it is much cheaper to eliminate the consequences of accidents on them than to almost completely change pipes in a failed steel water supply system.

Copper pipes are also distinguished by the ease of their installation and processing. different ways: they bend perfectly and successfully connect both with fittings and with each other. In order to work with such pipes, it is enough to have a traditional set of tools of a manual or mechanized type in your arsenal and watch a video on the relevant topic.

Copper pipes and all other elements for the installation of water supply systems are extremely versatile. Pipes made in accordance with the requirements of one standard can be used without problems for the installation of communications for various purposes using the same equipment and tools.

Most often, the method of capillary soldering is used to connect copper pipes, which is highly reliable. A slight disadvantage of this method, which makes it possible to obtain joints that are stronger and more reliable than even welded ones, is the width of the solder joint: it cannot be less than 7 mm, which is typical even for mounting products of small diameter. When soldering copper pipes, a special expander (manual or mechanized) can be used to obtain a better connection. Using an expander, a socket is made at the end of one pipe, into which the end of the second connecting element is inserted.

The advantages of capillary soldering become even more obvious when compared this method with welding of both plastic and steel pipes. In the first case, it is necessary to make the connection very carefully and carefully, and bulky equipment is required for steel welding.

For quick installation of pipes made of copper (if high reliability is not required from the connection), special fittings can be used. You should know that only combined fittings can be used to connect copper pipes of a water supply system, since threading is not allowed on them. This connection method, along with the speed of its implementation, makes it possible to obtain reliable and sealed water supply systems.

Copper pipes can be embedded in walls, while they are placed in a special box or other shell of a larger diameter (corrugated or ordinary plastic pipe), which is necessary so that during thermal expansion they destroy the material in which they are mounted. In exposed installations, copper pipes, which look very aesthetically pleasing in both painted and natural state, must be positioned to minimize the risk of accidental damage. By the way, the exceptional decorativeness of copper water pipes can be appreciated even from a photo or video.

Choosing between plastic and copper pipes

Copper pipes are not innovative products, they have been successfully used for many decades. However, in terms of their characteristics, they are in many ways superior to similar products that have appeared quite recently and are the result of the development of advanced technologies. Such products, in particular, include pipes made of plastic and metal-plastic, which are significantly inferior to copper products in a number of parameters.

Copper pipes do not let in foul-smelling and harmful substances, including gases.
Copper pipes are not destroyed by the chlorine contained in every water supply. Such quality cannot be boasted by modern plastic pipes supplied mainly from European countries, where the water contains a small amount of chlorine. Moreover, chlorine contributes to a significant increase in the service life of copper pipes, as it creates on them inner surface thin and durable film - patina.

operational, specifications and reliability of copper products do not deteriorate under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
The inner surface of copper pipes is characterized by a lower degree of roughness than that of plastic products. With the same parameters of the water supply system, copper pipes of a smaller diameter can be used in it than similar plastic products.
Copper pipes for water supply are more resistant to long-term thermal loads, which significantly increases their service life.
Unlike plastic and metal-plastic, for copper water pipes, the most reliable places are the areas of their connections (soldering, fittings, etc.) made during the installation process.

When choosing copper pipes from different manufacturers, it is almost impossible to encounter low-quality or counterfeit products, which cannot be said about similar plastic products.
Copper (and, accordingly, pipes made from it) has antibacterial properties. Even with a long service life, copper pipes are not covered with biofilm, which is overgrown with plastic water pipes.
The service life of water pipes, which are made using copper pipes and appropriate fittings, is comparable to the period of operation of the building in which they are installed.

Comparison of copper and steel pipes

Pipes made of copper and steel have comparable characteristics, but copper products, when compared with steel, have whole line undeniable advantages, including:

exceptional resistance to the formation and development of corrosion, high tensile strength and reliability, which significantly increases the service life, which significantly (2–3 times) exceeds the period of operation of similar steel products;
lower material consumption (when using copper pipes, there is no need to choose their wall thickness with a margin, taking into account further corrosion);

a lower coefficient of friction compared to steel products, which makes it possible to use copper products of a smaller diameter for the installation of water supply systems;
reliability of soldering points and connections with fittings in copper water pipes (in steel systems, such elements require constant attention and regular maintenance);
the possibility of using all known connection methods for the installation of water supply systems from copper pipes;
possibility machining even during the installation process (which is convenient, this does not require the use of complex and bulky equipment).

Limitations when using copper pipes

Despite the many advantages that copper pipes have, there are certain limitations to their use. These limitations are due to the following characteristics of this metal.

Copper is a very soft and ductile metal, so the fluid flow rate through pipes made of this material should not exceed 2 m/s.

If the water that flows through the water supply systems contains solid particles of contaminants that mechanically act on the walls of the pipes, this can cause gradual washing out of the metal (erosion) and a significant reduction in the life of the water supply system. That is why, in order to ensure the reliable operation of copper pipelines, it is necessary that the water for them undergo preliminary purification from impurities.
The oxide film that forms on the inner walls of copper pipes and provides them with even more reliable protection, can form only when the hardness of the water in contact with them is 1.42–3.42 mg/l, and the pH is 6.0–9.0. If this requirement is neglected, then the oxide film (patina) on the surface of copper pipes will be constantly destroyed and restored, which will eventually lead to a gradual decrease in the thickness of their walls and premature wear.
If the water transported through copper pipes will be further used for food or drinking purposes, then lead-based solders cannot be used for their installation.
Given the fact that the average life of copper water pipes is 50 years, they should be installed in such a way as not to reduce it in any way. So, it is not allowed: to twist the pipes, to make creases when they are bent, to edit jams on them more than once.

Installation of pipelines from copper pipes should be carried out according to the installation project, taking into account the requirements of SNiP 12-01, and taking into account the features reflected in SP 40-108-2004. Until now, cases of violation of the basics of designing copper pipelines, even by designers, are not uncommon.

Among the most frequent design violations: exceeding the flow rate in excess of the norm, which copper, as a more ductile metal compared to steel, especially does not like, and non-observance of galvanic incompatibility:
maximum permissible water movement speeds: 4m/s - for cold water supply systems, 3m/s - hot water supply, 2m/s - for heating;
optimal for the purposes of long service life are flow rates from 0.25 to 0.5 m / s for heating systems, and within 1.5-2 m / s for water supply systems;
the transition to other metals must be carried out through fittings made of bronze, brass or stainless steel;
it is forbidden to place pipelines made of steel, aluminum and zinc after copper pipelines in the direction of water flow without the use of passive anodes.

When designing pipeline systems from copper pipes, the requirements of SNiP2.04.01 and SNiP 41-01 should be followed. For the installation of pipelines, pipes must be used according to TU 48-0808-47-96 (copper water pipes) made of copper grades M1f according to GOST 859 or copper grade Cu-DHP.

The choice of the diameter of the copper pipes must be made on the basis of a hydraulic calculation. Pipes in a soft state should be used for the installation of collector water supply systems and heating systems with a radial distribution of the coolant to heating devices.

As a rule, pipes with a minimum wall thickness should be taken. Thermal insulation of pipelines from copper pipes must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of SniP41-03 and SP 41-103.

During installation, the main difficulty for an installer who is not familiar with the features of copper plumbing is the soldering and softness of copper compared to steel. Therefore, during installation, the main violations are the assembly of connections with deviations from the technology:

overheating or non-soldering of the connection;
excessive use of flux or its application inside the fitting;
non-deburring and flux removal;
incorrect installation or use of a non-standard connection.

Preparing for installation

Before installation work copper pipes, fittings, fittings and fasteners must be subjected to incoming inspection. Pipes, fittings, as well as fasteners must have an accompanying document confirming their compliance with regulatory requirements.

Pipes must be marked with the diameter of the pipe. On the surface of the pipes there should be no mechanical damage and kinks. Pipes must not be twisted or flattened. Mating parts must be free of dents, burrs and scratches. Gaskets must have the correct geometric shape.

The means of fastening copper pipes must have a surface that excludes the possibility of mechanical damage to pipes and galvanic corrosion. Steel fasteners must have an anti-corrosion coating or contact with copper through chlorine-free rubber. Fasteners must be free of sharp edges and burrs. The dimensions of the clamps, clamps, brackets must strictly correspond to the diameter of the pipes.

Pipe cutting

Before starting the installation of pipelines, it is necessary to perform the following preparatory operations:
select pipes and fittings that have passed the input control;
place the pipe in accordance with the project or in place, taking into account the allowance for subsequent processing with the maximum use of pipe material.

Pipe marking can be carried out with standard measuring tools: a measuring ruler, a folding ruler, a tape measure, as well as a specially made template and a marking device. Marks for subsequent cutting on pipes are applied with a pencil or marker. It is unacceptable to scratch or cut the pipe surface outside the cutting area.

Pipes must be straight cut. Pipe cutting should be carried out with a fine-toothed hacksaw according to the marking at an angle of 90 degrees to the pipe axis, preventing pipe collapse and burr formation. Or use a pipe cutter for this purpose. The oblique cut should not exceed the values indicated in the table.

Outer Diameter(mm)	Oblique cut(mm)
6mm-18mm	2 mm
22mm-42mm	3 mm
54mm-76mm	4 mm
88mm-108mm	5 mm

After cutting, be sure to clean the outer and inner side obtained ends, using a file or scraper, or a special chamfer (burr). The removal of burr from pipe cutting and, if necessary, burr from soldering, is a must to ensure a long service life for copper systems.

To eliminate ovality, it is necessary to calibrate the ends of the pipes using special tools - calibrators. The unwinding of the coils must be carried out so that the marking on the pipes is on one generatrix of the pipe.

Pipe laying

Before soldering and wiring systems, preparation is made - the necessary strobes are made, openings are made. The laying of copper pipes in the room is carried out after construction works and installation of fastening elements, and in case of open laying - endings and finishing works. Installation of pipes should also be carried out after the completion of the assembly of metal structures. Pipe laying should be carried out without interference.

To prevent dirt and debris from entering the pipes, their free ends must be closed with plugs. Flattening and fractures of pipelines during installation are not allowed. If the pipe is crushed, straighten it and give it a cylindrical shape with a wooden or rubber mallet. Such an operation is allowed to be carried out only once in a particular area.

Between copper pipes hot and cold water the clear distance must be at least 50 mm (taking into account the thickness of the insulation). When crossing pipelines, the distance between them must be at least 30 mm. Cold water pipelines should be laid below hot water and heating pipelines. Thermal insulation on water supply and heating pipelines should be carried out in full accordance with the project.

bending

Turns of pipelines should be carried out using standard elbows and bends, as well as bending elements. Independent bending of soft pipes with an outer diameter of up to 22 mm can be carried out manually with a minimum allowable bending radius of at least six times the outer diameter of the pipe. Bending with tube bending springs is carried out while observing the minimum permissible bending radii in accordance with the table. Jams, waves and folds are not allowed on the inner, in relation to the center of the bend, of the surface of the pipes.

Soft pipes (in bays) bend easily. Cold bending of semi-hard and hard pipes with diameters of 22 mm and above is allowed only after preliminary softening annealing. Heating at the same time reaches a temperature of 650 ° C and copper goes into a "soft" state. Hot bending is technologically more complicated, but heating occurs up to 550°C and the pipe is “annealed” less. For bending pipes, a special pipe bender is used for each diameter of copper pipes.

Bends allow you to save the use of bends, reduce the number of connections and a smooth bend avoids the occurrence of unnecessary resistance to water flow at the junctions and turns. If installation requires sections of pipes of complex shape, then regardless of the type of copper pipe, in order to avoid the formation of creases and flattening, it must be bent with a special tool - a pipe bender or a bending spring. Poorly executed copper pipe bending can subsequently lead to corrosion damage due to a change in the flow pattern (turbulence) of the fluid.

Pipe connection

For the assembly of copper pipes between themselves and the connecting parts, fittings and fittingless connections should be used, depending on the application. In order to ensure the alignment of the end of the pipe with the socket of the fitting for their connection by soldering, if necessary, it is possible to select pipes and fittings by randomly controlling their size.

When carrying out soldering work, solders and fluxes should be used in accordance with the recommendations of manufacturers. The use of lead-containing solders in water supply systems is not allowed. When connecting two copper elements by hard soldering using solders made on the basis of copper with phosphorus or copper with phosphorus and silver, flux is not used.

If elements from different copper alloys are soldered together - copper with bronze or copper with brass, it is always necessary to use a flux. When using solders with a high silver content, flux must also always be used. Solder melting is allowed to be carried out by gas and electric heating devices. More than two elements must be connected at the same time.

Connection of copper pipes with steel pipes, shut-off and control valves and water fittings are threaded using special connecting parts. Threading copper pipes is not allowed. Assembly of pipes with fittings having external thread, is carried out along the mating surfaces of the parts without sealing the threaded nut.

For connecting pipes to parts with internal thread, it is necessary to use a nipple with a seal of the threaded part with FUM tape. Joint soldering of copper pipes and fittings is not allowed.

The system is tested immediately after installation is completed in order to remove flux residues on the inner surface of the connection. In the event that the test is delayed in time, a process flush is performed immediately after the assembly of the system. There are no contraindications to the use of washing solutions containing free chlorine up to 200 mg/l.

Forbidden

Soldering of fittingless connections obtained without extending the end of the pipe with an expander, for example, bell connections - obtained by flaring or rolling the end of the pipe. Adapter sleeves should be used.

Soldering bends made without special tools or in the bend (elbow) of the pipeline. Standard tees or an elbow formed with a special tool should be used.

Soldering any non-standard connections obtained without expanding the pipe with an expander or a special tool for extracting a branch.

Pipeline laying

Copper pipes are preferably laid hidden in furrows, channels and shafts. At the same time, access to detachable connections and fittings should be provided by arranging doors and removable shields on the surface of which there should be no sharp protrusions. At hidden gasket pipelines at the locations of collapsible connections and fittings, hatches or removable shields that do not have sharp protrusions should be provided. It is advisable to place risers in channels, niches, furrows behind decorative panels or as an exception, embed them in walls and partitions.

Horizontal pipelines and connections to heating devices may be placed along ceilings and behind skirting boards. Open laying of copper pipes is allowed in places excluding mechanical damage. open areas can be closed decorative elements. It is allowed to monolithic copper pipelines only in a casing (for example, in corrugated polyethylene pipes). The use of corrugated PVC pipes is not allowed.

Before embedding pipelines, it is necessary to carry out executive scheme installation of this section and conduct hydraulic tests. Furrows or channels should be closed after hydraulic testing of pipelines. For passage through building structures, it is necessary to provide cases, for example, made of polyethylene pipes.

The inner diameter of the case should be 5-10 mm larger than the outer diameter of the pipe being laid. The gap between the pipe and the case must be sealed with a soft waterproof material that allows the pipe to move along the longitudinal axis. The clear distance between the building structure and the copper pipeline running along it must be at least 20 mm. Copper pipelines for heating and hot water supply should be laid at least 50 mm above the pipelines of cold water supply systems.

Distribution manifolds and shut-off and control valves should be fixed using independent fixed fixtures. For fastening copper pipes, it is recommended to use products according to the catalogs of manufacturers. With appropriate justification, it is allowed to use fasteners, for example, used for polymer pipes.

The minimum distance from the axes of the bends and tees to the fixtures should be taken into account the temperature change in the length of the pipe. In this case, the fastening should be located at a distance of at least 50 mm from the connecting parts.

Fixing pipelines

The choice of approximate values of the distances between the fastenings of pipelines from solid copper pipes should be carried out according to the table below. The distance between the fastenings of horizontal pipelines from semi-solid and soft pipes must be taken less by 10% and 20%, respectively.

More accurate distances between fasteners on horizontal pipelines should be determined by calculation. The distance between vertical piping fixings can be increased by 25 and 30 percent. At least one fastener must be installed on the riser, regardless of the height of the floor.

temperature compensation

To ensure compensation for the thermal expansion of copper, structurally provide the possibility of mobility of parts of the pipeline, without compromising the integrity of the system. For this purpose, some of the fasteners are made movable, and when laying, L-shaped and U-shaped compensators, loops or bellows are installed (rarely).

PIPE LENGTH (M)	Pipe length change (mm)
	Temperature difference (°С)
	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90
1	0,2	0,3	0,5	0,7	0,8	1,0	1,2	1,3	1,5
5	0,8	1,7	2,5	3,3	4,2	5,0	5,9	6,7	7,6
10	1,7	3,4	5,0	6,7	8,4	10,1	11,8	13,4	15,1
15	2,5	5,0	7,6	10,1	12,6	15,1	17,6	20,2	22,7
20	3,4	6,7	10,1	13,4	16,8	20,2	23,5	26,8	30,2
25	4,2	8,4	12,6	16,8	21,0	25,2	29,4	33,6	37,8
30	5,0	10,1	15,1	20,2	25,2	30,2	35,3	40,3	45,4
40	6,7	13,4	20,2	26,9	33,6	40,3	47,0	53,8	60,5
50	8,4	16,8	25,2	33,6	42,0	50,4	58,8	67,2	75,6

In a water supply system, a short length of temperature compensation can be achieved using movable fasteners. In heating systems, to compensate for longitudinal temperature deformations (elongations and shortenings) of straight sections of pipelines, it is necessary to provide for the installation of special compensators.

To do this, on straight sections of the pipeline, it is necessary to provide U-shaped and L-shaped, loop and other compensators and correctly place fixed and movable fasteners, the distance between which is determined by calculation. Pipe holders attached to building structures can be used as fixed supports.

Calculation of the L-shaped compensator

Outer diameter in mm	Pipe extension
	5mm	10mm	15mm	20mm
	Minimum length A (mm)
12	475	670	820	950
15	530	750	910	1060
18	580	820	1000	1160
22	640	910	1110	1280
28	725	1025	1250	1450
35	810	1145	1400	1620
42	890	1250	1540	1780
54	1010	1420	1740	2010

Calculation of the U-shaped compensator

Outer diameter in mm	Pipe extension
	12	25	38	50
	U-shaped compensator size R (mm)
12	195	281	347	398
15	218	315	387	445
18	240	350	430	495
22	263	382	468	540
28	299	431	522	609
35	333	479	593	681
42	366	528	647	744
54	414	599	736	845

Corrosion of copper pipes during installation

Although copper pipes are very resistant to corrosion, a violation of their production technology, soldering errors and heavy contamination of tap water with abrasive impurities can lead to dangerous, so-called pitting corrosion. It occurs in places of destruction of the oxide protective film on the inner surface of the pipes. There are a number of factors that hinder the formation of such films in copper pipes for cold and hot water supply and lead to damage to existing ones.

First of all, this is the use of pipes for general technical purposes, not intended for plumbing and soldering. The use of low-quality pipes, not trusted manufacturers (to avoid such troubles, it is better to purchase copper pipes from well-known world manufacturers).

Other reasons may be flux leakage to the inner surface of the pipes during soldering. To prevent this, technological flushing of the assembled pipeline is mandatory.

The presence of solid abrasive particles (mainly sand) inside the pipeline, which penetrated into it during installation or during operation. To combat particles, it is required to install filters for water purification from mechanical impurities at the inlet to the system, and during transportation and installation, if necessary, close the openings of the pipes.

It is not allowed to lay copper pipes in battery charging rooms or other rooms where current induction is possible. And also near powerful sources of high-frequency radiation. It is not allowed to use copper piping systems as the main ground electrode.

It is also not allowed to lay pipes in rooms with environments containing ammonium, nitrites or sulfides, for example, livestock farms, slaughterhouses. When flush-mounted under lime mortar or gypsum plaster, no anti-corrosion protection is required, except for the use of mixtures containing ammonium additives.

When operating copper pipes in aggressive environments, including those laid underground, it is necessary to additionally apply: anti-corrosion protection made at the factory (polymer coating) and anti-corrosion protection of joints, made on site by means of an adhesive or heat-shrinkable polymer coating.

It is recommended to avoid constant exposure to moisture on the outer surface of the pipeline. In rooms with high humidity: swimming pool, sauna, bath - it is necessary to apply measures to isolate such pipes. In any premises, the formation of condensate on the surface of the pipeline is not desirable.

Drinking water must comply with the requirements of SanPiN 2.1.4.1074. (with pH values from 7.5 to 8.5, increased durability and reliability are provided). In addition, there should not be an excess of free carbon dioxide in the water.

DRINKING WATER PARAMETERS
Indicator	Unit	Minimum	Maximum
Indicator	measurements	admissible	admissible
Hydrogen indicator	pH	6.0 (recommended 7.5)	9.0 (recommended 8.5)
chlorides	mg/l	—	350
General hardness	mg-eq/l	1,42	3,1
HCO3/SO4 ratio	mg/l	1	—
sulfates	mg/l	—	300
Nitrates	mg/l	—	45
Free carbon dioxide	mg/l	—	35
Oxygen	mg/l	—	Not controlled
ammonium chloride	mg/l	—	2
Iron (in solution)	mg/l	—	0,3
Manganese (in solution)	mg/l	—	0,1
Sulfides	—	—	Undesirable
Chlorine free	mg/l	—	No restrictions

In water supply systems, the location of pipelines made of steel (with the exception of stainless steel), aluminum, zinc after copper (in the direction of water flow) should be avoided in order to avoid premature corrosion of the former. If the installation of products from such metals is necessary after the section with copper pipes, then it is necessary to provide for the presence of passive anodes in such products, for example, from magnesium.

In heating systems, the following rules should be observed: avoid excessive (unreasonable) replenishment of closed circuits with a coolant containing oxygen; it is necessary to ensure that the oxygen content in the coolant is below 0.1 mg/l. When systematically replenishing the coolant with oxygen, it is recommended to use hydrazine or sodium sulfide.

Pairs: copper-steel, copper-iron, copper-zinc in heating systems can only cause problems when the coolant is replenished with oxygen. Provision should be made to separate such pairs by the use of bronze or stainless steel adapters.

In heating systems made of copper pipes, it is advisable to use heating devices made of copper, including bimetallic aluminum-copper ones. In cold and hot water supply systems, the connections "copper - brass", "copper - bronze", "copper - plastic" are safe from the point of view of corrosion.

Pipeline testing

The system is tested immediately after installation is completed, including in order to remove flux residues on the inner surface of the joint. Technological flushing of the system in order to remove flux residues that may have entered the system is a mandatory operation.

In the event that the test is delayed in time, a process flush is performed immediately after the assembly of the system. There are no contraindications to the use of washing solutions containing free chlorine up to 200 mg/l. When using modern water-soluble fluxes, such washing should be carried out no later than 2-3 months after the installation is completed.

Upon completion of their installation, water supply systems must be flushed with water until it leaves without mechanical suspensions for the time specified in the technical documentation. Flushing of the drinking water supply system is considered completed after the release of water that meets the requirements of sanitary standards.

The modes and sequence of hydrostatic (hydraulic) or manometric (pneumatic) tests of pipelines are given in the relevant regulatory documents. At a positive ambient temperature, internal sanitary systems installed using copper pipes must be tested hydraulically.

Acceptance of internal sanitary systems for operation is carried out in accordance with the current rules. In this case, a preliminary visual control should be carried out for compliance with the requirements of this document, the project and the current regulatory and technical documentation of all installed pipelines and their individual elements.

Hydraulic testing of pipelines embedded in building structures must be carried out before the pipes are embedded. Water supply systems at the end of their installation must be washed with water until it leaves without mechanical suspensions for the time specified in the technical documentation. Flushing of domestic and drinking water supply systems is considered completed after the release of water that meets the requirements of sanitary standards.

After the installation of the heating system, it should be visually inspected and subsequently tested for tightness at a pressure exceeding the working one and a half times, but not less than 0.6 MPa at a constant water temperature. During preparatory work before hydraulic testing, it is necessary:

turn off safety valves, control valves, sensors, etc., if the allowable pressure of the specified valve
less than the test pressure;
replace the disconnected elements with plugs or shut-off valves, the allowable pressure for which is greater than the test pressure value;
connect a pressure gauge with a measurement accuracy of 0.1 MPa to the system.

The system should be filled with water slowly with the air vents open to avoid air pockets. Hydraulic tests must be carried out at a constant temperature in two stages:
Stage 1 - within thirty minutes, raise the pressure twice to the calculated value every ten minutes. In the next thirty minutes, the pressure drop in the system should not exceed 0.6 MPa;
2nd stage - in the next two hours, the pressure drop (from the pressure reached in the first stage) should not be more than 0.2 MPa. The tested pipeline system should be put into operation in accordance with SNiP 3.01.04.

Operation and repair

In case of damage to a pipeline section, it is necessary to cut and replace the defective section. Replacement is carried out using a piece of copper pipe of the required length connected to the pipeline by soldering. When replacing a pipe during a repair, it is not allowed to install pipes of a smaller diameter.

When using compression and other fittings in the absence of a special justification, at the first opportunity, it is necessary to replace the connections with those provided for by the project. Leaks in detachable connections are eliminated by tightening nuts or replacing seals.

Mechanical damage to pipes during other repair work is not allowed. Barriers should be installed where damage is likely to occur. To clean the outer surface, a material that excludes mechanical damage to the pipe walls should be used.

When freezing water in water supply and heating systems from copper pipes, it should be borne in mind that pipes and connections can withstand no more than: 3 cycles - for pipes "M"; two cycles - for pipes "PT"; and one cycle - for pipes "T". Freezing of internal sanitary systems should not be allowed.

In case of freezing, the presence of blockages in the pipes can be recognized by the local expansion of the pipe. The pipe should be heated with warm air or hot water. It is strictly forbidden to use an open flame and tap the pipe with a hammer. Use of induction electric heaters is allowed. When using gas heating, direct exposure to an open flame on pipes is unacceptable.

As soon as possible, the damaged section of the pipeline should be replaced. When the seal between the pipe and the sleeve passing through the building structure is loosened, it must be sealed with a sealant.

In the event of a break in the operation of water supply systems, prolonged stagnation of water in copper pipes should be avoided. Before resuming the operation of a water supply system from copper pipes, it should be washed with drinking water until the water properties regulated by sanitary standards are achieved.

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