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Hailiang Fact Sheet (PDF file 144kb)

AQUAFLOW COPPER PLUMBING SYSTEMS

Aquaflow Copper tube is manufactured to New Zealand Standards to comply With NZS3501: 1976 Tables 1, 2 and 3.

The three tables in NZS 3501 specify tube for the following applications:

• Table 1 Copper tube for water and gas reticulation

• Table 2 Copper tube for sanitation

• Table 3 Light gauge copper tube for water and gas reticulation

AQUAFLOW COPPER PLUMBING SYSTEMS PRODUCT RANGE & TECHNICAL DATA

Aquaflow Copper Tube For Water And Gas Reticulation

Copper tube in the sizes specified in Table 1 is manufactured to either annealed, half hard or "as drawn" temper.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Aquaflow Copper Tube for Sanitation
The copper tube in Table 2 is manufactured to "as drawn" temper.
Sizes over 100mm may not be readily available and enquiries should be directed to the supplier.

TABLE 3

Aquaflow Light Gauge Copper Tube For Water And Gas Reticulation
The copper tube in Table 3 is manufactured to halfhard temper.

Maximum Working Pressures

When tubes are brazed or softened the maximum working pressure for annealed temper must apply.

The maximum working pressures at temperatures up to 65 deg C in Tables 1 & 3 are calculated using the following formula:

P = 2Ft/(D-t) Where: P = Pressure (MPa) F = Stress (MPa) t = Wall thickness (mm) D = Outside diameter (mm) The value for F (stress) is: F = 46MPa, for tube in annealed condition F = 60MPa, for tube in half hard condition F = 70MPa, for tube in as drawn condition

Lengths and Packaging

Aquaflow Copper tube is made to NZS 3501 and is supplied in 5 metre standard lengths.

INSTALLATION OF AQUAFLOW COPPER PLUMBING SYSTEMS

Design & Specification

Key design considerations include calculating the correct tube size for each part of the system to balance the inter-relationships of six primary parameters:

1. Available mains pressure

2. Pressure required at individual fixtures

3. Static pressure losses due to height

4. Water demand in the total system and each of its parts

5. Pressure losses due to the friction of water flow in the system

6. Velocity limitations based on noise and erosion

Pipe Sizing

Correct pipe sizing is important to obtain acceptable water velocities and volumes. Velocities of less than 0.5 m/s may allow suspended solids in the water to be deposited within tubes. Conversely velocities of greater than 3m/s can cause turbulence and may destroy the protective surface film that is essential for the longevity of copper systems. In extreme cases if the flow velocity is too high, suspended solids can cause erosion corrosion. New Zealand Building Industry Authority Approved Document G12/AS1 gives correct tube sizes to achieve acceptable flow rates.

A flushing facility should be provided where there is low draw-off. To prevent problems with stagnation, fixtures which are seldom used should be placed in a main flow line and/or close to a regularly used service.

It is vital to ensure that the tubes in both hot and cold water lines are not damaged by denting, flattening or twisting during installation. Such damage can cause stress concentrations leading to premature failure by fatigue, or excessive localized turbulence which may lead to erosion failure.

Jointing

New Zealand Building Authority Approved Document G12/AS1 Tables 5 & 6 give details of the acceptable methods of jointing copper tube for supply of hot and cold water. These include:

• Copper and copper alloy capillary fittings suitable for use with silver brazing alloy

• Silver brazing in accordance with BS 1723: The copper tube must be expanded with proper tools to form sockets and receive spigots

• Copper alloy compression fittings with flares formed with proprietary tool

• "Crox" type joints

• Seal ring compression jointing systems

Where silver brazing is used for jointing, the filler rod must have a nominal silver content of not less than 1.8% - this gives adequate ductility to the joint and eliminates the need for flux when making copper to copper joints.

If flux is used for brazing, it is important to remove any residue left afterwards as:

• Hardened flux can temporarily seal a poorly brazed joint

• Corrosion of the copper tube can occur if the flux residue becomes wet

The following methods of jointing are not permitted by AS/NZS 3500.1.2:

• Crimping of a larger diameter tube to fit into a smaller tube prior to welding or brazing

• Jointing by filling the space between unequal sized tubes with filler rod

Bending

Half hard and annealed temper tube specified in tables 1 and 2 of the New Zealand Standard NZS 3501 are suitable for bending, however:

• Specialised equipment should always be used to form bends in copper tube

• "As drawn" temper tube should be annealed prior to bending

• The smallest recommended radius for bending copper tube is at least three times the outside diameter of the tube, measured to the centre line of the tube

Care needs to be taken when bending light gauge tubing (NZS 3501 Table 3). The correct size bending tools must be used to ensure the tube is not damaged, or approved fittings used.

Lagging

Lagging is insulation placed around tubing either by the manufacturer in the case of pre-lagged copper tube, or by the installer to:

• Provide protection against water freezing

• Reduce heat loss from the water within the tube

• Protect against mechanical damage to the tube

• Protect the tube from aggressive environments such as acidic soils

Fibrous lagging materials, and in particular natural products such as wool should only be used where moisture can be prevented from reaching the lagging.

The thickness of the lagging required is dependent on the material used and the degree of protection required. In all cases the lagging manufacturer's instructions must be adhered to for satisfactory installation.

If weather conditions are particularly severe, the presence of lagging may not prevent water in the tube from freezing. Where a building is unattended during winter months it may be prudent to drain the pipe work completely to prevent damage from water freezing.

Tube Support

New Zealand Building Authority Approved Document G12/AS1, Section 5.3 specifies the requirements for tube supports and Table 7 from the same document gives details of the support spacing as follows:

For other tube sizes, AS/NZS 3500.1.2:1998, National plumbing and drainage. Part 1.2 - Water supply - Acceptable solutions should be consulted.

Hot Water Piping

In addition to the considerations required for cold water supply, there are two other matters that must be addressed in designing and installing hot water piping systems:

Heat expansion and contraction stress

Sufficient allowance must be made for expansion and contraction to occur freely, stress concentrations should be avoided so that movement can occur over as long a length as possible. The amount of expansion with temperature depends on the length of the run and the temperature rise - minimum practical values can be obtained from AS/NZS 3500.4.2.

Three accepted methods for accommodating thermal expansion are:

1. Providing a clear space to permit movement within the system

2. Allowing the expansion to occur in a controlled loop. Various other shapes can be used to allow controlled expansion, AS/NZS 3500.4.2 gives suitable dimensions for these loops

3. Installation of expansion bellows

Elevated Temperatures

The combination of internal sediment and elevated temperature has the potential to initiate corrosion. Such problems can be alleviated with careful design and selection of tube sizes to obtain suitable water velocities and by maintaining temperature in the range 60deg C to 65deg C.

System Access

It is difficult to effect repairs to pipework concealed in buildings. For this reason it is recommended that all such pipework be installed so that it is readily accessible. Tubes enclosed by concrete must be continuously wrapped in impermeable, flexible material and ducts fitted with removable covers.

Generally, it is not recommended that pipework be cast into reinforced concrete or installed under floor slabs. If pipework has to be installed under floor slabs then the following precautions must be taken:

• Light gauge tubing (NZS 3501 Table 3) shall not be used under concrete

• Tubes shall be continuous and laid in a bed of river sand or fine grained soil which I placed and compacted in a manner which will not damage the pipework

• The tube shall be at least 75mm below the slab

• If jointing is required then silver brazing shall be used

Water Hammer

In order to eliminate Water Hammer care needs to be taken during the design of the system. It is also important to ensure that all pipework is secured correctly.

Pressure Testing

As soon as possible after installation the water supply system must be tested for leaks in accordance with Clause 8.0 of New Zealand Building Industry Authority Approved Document G12/As1. This document outlines the required procedure.

Commissioning

All systems should be thoroughly flushed out as soon as possible after installation to remove foreign matter. The flushing should continue until the flush water runs completely clear. The system should be put into full use immediately and not left for any period with stagnant water within it.

If a period between installation and full system use is unavoidable, then:

• Drain the system completely and dry out by blowing air through the system, or

• Keep the system completely full and flush clean water from each fixture at least twice per week until the system is in full use.

Coil copper certification:
NSF International
Kitemark Licence
Intertek
Zhejiang Hailiang Co Ltd
Zhejiang Hailiang Co Ltd licence

Copper tube warranty:
Copper Tube Warranty (PDF file 122kb)