SECTION 15050

BASIC PIPING MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. PART 1 - GENERAL
1.01 SECTION INCLUDES
A.

The Work under this Section consists of furnishing and

installing all basic mechanical piping, fittings,
specialties and related items as indicated on the
drawings and as specified herein.

B.

Materials and methods included in this Section are of a

general nature, and apply to most systems and
installations in this Contract.
Refer to individual
system Section for materials and methods specifically
required for the respective systems.

1.02 REFERENCES
A.

B.

ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A 53

Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black,

and
Hot-Dipped,
Zinc-Coated
(Galvanized), Welded and Seamless.

ASTM A 181

Carbon Steel
Forgings
Purpose Piping.

ASTM B 32

Specification for Solder Metal.

ASTM B 88

Seamless Copper Water Tube.

ASTM D 1785

Poly Vniyl Chloride(PVC) Plastic Pipe

Schedules 40, 80 and 120.

ASTM D 2000

Rubber
Products
Applications.

ASTM D 2564

Solvent
Cement
for
Chloride(PVC)
Plastic
Fittings.

ASTM D 2665

Poly Vniyl Chloride(PVC) Plastic Drain,

Waste and Vent Pipe and Fittings.

for

in

General

Automotive
Poly
Pipe

Vniyl
and

ANSI - American National Standard Institute

ANSI A21.10

Gray Iron and Ductile Iron Fittings for

Water and Other Liquids.

ANSI A21.10A
ANSI A112.21.1

Supplement to ANSI A21.10.

Floor Drains.
15050-1
Basic Piping Materials

C.

D.

E.

ANSI A112.26.1

Water Hammer Arrestors.

ANSI B2.1

Pipe Threads (Except Dry Seal).

ANSI B16.3

Malleable-Iron
and 300 Pound.

ANSI B16.4

Cast-Iron Screwed Fittings, 125 and 250

Pound.

ANSI B16.9

Factory-Made Wrought Steel Butt-welded

Fittings.

ANSI B16.12

Cast-Iron Threaded Drainage Fittings.

ANSI B16.18

Cast
Bronze
Fittings.

ANSI B16.22

Wrought Copper and Bronze solder-Joint

Pressure Fittings.

ANSI B16.23

Cast
Bronze
solder-Joint
Fittings - DWV.

ANSI B16.25

Butt-welded Ends.

ANSI B16.29

Wrought Copper & Wrought Copper Alloy

Solder-Joint Drainage Fittings.

ANSI B31.3

Code for Pressure Piping.

ANSI B31.5

Code for Refrigeration Piping.

Screwed

Solder

Fittings,

Joint

150

Pressure

Drainage

ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME A40.8

National Plumbing Code.

SECTION IX

Welded and Brazing and Pressure Vessel

qualifications Code.

AWWA - American Water Works Association

AWWA C110

Standard for Gray-Iron and Ductile-Iron

fittings, 2 In. through 48 In., for
Water and other Liquids. Includes AWWA
C110A (ANSI A21.10A).

AWWA C111

Standard
for
Ductile-Iron
Pipe,
Centrifugally Cast in Metal Molds or
Sand Lined Molds for Water and other
Liquids.

AWS - American Welding Society

15050-2
Basic Piping Materials

AWA A5.1
F.

Mild
Steel
Electrodes.

Covered

Arc-

Welded

SASO - Saudi Arabian Standards Organization

SASO-14&15

Pipes
for
Potable
Unplasticized Plastic.

Water

of

1.03 SUBMITTALS
A.

Shop Drawings: Submit for fabricated specialties,

indicating details of fabrication, materials and method
of support.

B.

Product
Data
and
Samples:
Submit
manufacturer's
technical
product
data,
including
installation
instructions, and dimensioned drawings for each type of
manufactured piping specialty.
Submit samples as may
be required by the Engineer.

C.

Welders' Certificates: Submit for all welders on the

Project as per AWS Standards.

1.04 TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING AND STORAGE

Refer to individual Section of the Specifications.
1.05 WARRANTY
Refer to individual Section of the Specifications.
1.06 QUALITY ASSURANCE
Refer to individual Section of the Specifications.
2. PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.01 PIPES AND FITTINGS
A.

Refer to the individual piping system Sections of

DIVISION 15 for specifications on piping and fittings
relative to that particular system.

2.02 JOINING MATERIALS

A.

Welding Materials: Comply with Section II, Part C, ASME

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for welding materials
appropriate for the wall thickness and chemical
analysis of the pipe being welded.

B.

Brazing Materials: Comply with SFA-5.8, Section II,

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for brazing filler
metal materials appropriate for the materials being
15050-3
Basic Piping Materials

joined.
C.

Soldering Materials: Refer to individual piping system

specifications for solder appropriate for the materials
being joined.

D.

Gaskets for Flanged Joints: Gasket material shall be

full-faced for cast iron flanges and raised-face for
steel flanges. Select materials to suit the service of
the piping system in which installed and which conform
to their respective ANSI Standard (A21.11, B16.20, or
B16.21).
Provide
materials
that
will
not
be
detrimentally affected by the chemical and thermal
conditions of the fluid being carried.

2.03 VALVES
A.

Refer to Section 15100 - VALVES.

2.04 PIPING SPECIALTIES

A.

General: Provide factory-fabricated piping specialties

recommended by manufacturer for use in service
indicated. Provide piping specialties of types and
pressure ratings indicated for each service, or if not
indicated, provide proper selection as determined by
the
Contractor
to
comply
with
installation
requirements.
Provide
sizes
as
indicated,
and
connections, which properly mate with pipe, tube, and
equipment connections. Where more than one type is
indicated, selection is Contractor's option.

B.

Escutcheons: Chrome-plated, stamped steel, hinged,

split ring escutcheon, with set screw. Inside diameter
shall closely fit pipe outside diameter, or outside of
pipe insulation where pipes insulated. Outside diameter
shall completely cover the opening in floors, walls, or
ceilings.

C.

Unions

D.

1.

Unions in steel pipe shall be malleable iron and

have female pattern, brass to iron seat and ground
joint.
Unions shall be rated for minimum of 1.0
MPa water working pressure.

2.

Unions in copper piping shall be cast bronze,

female pattern, brass to brass seat and ground
joint, threaded end connections for 50 mm and
smaller, and flanged connections for larger than 50
mm. Unions shall be rated for minimum of 1.0 MPa
water working pressure.

Dielectric Unions: Provide dielectric unions with

appropriate end connections for the pipe materials in
15050-4
Basic Piping Materials

which installed (screwed, soldered, or flanged), which

effectively
isolate
dissimilar
piping
materials,
prevent galvanic action and stop corrosion.
E.

Dielectric Waterway Fittings: Electroplated steel or

brass nipple, with an inert and non-corrosive,
thermoplastic lining.

F.

Strainers: Strainers shall be Y-pattern having ASTM B61

bronze body, full line size of connecting piping, with
ends matching piping system materials. Strainers shall
have Type 304 stainless steel screens and tapped
blow-off plug. Strainers shall be rated for 1.5 Mpa
water working pressure.

G.

Sleeves

H.

1.

Sheet Metal Sleeves: 10 gage, galvanized sheet

metal, round tube closed with welded longitudinal
joint.

2.

Steel Pipe Sleeves: Schedule 40 galvanized, welded

steel pipe, ASTM A53, Grade A.

3.

Plastic Pipe Sleeves: Schedule 80 PVC plastic pipe.

Mechanical Sleeve Seals: Modular mechanical type,

consisting of interlocking synthetic rubber links
shaped to continuously fill annular space between pipe
and sleeve, connected with bolts and pressure plates
which cause rubber sealing elements to expand when
tightened, providing watertight seal and electrical
insulation.

3. PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.01 GENERAL PIPING AND INSTALLATIONS
A.

General: Installation instructions contained in this

Section pertain to all systems, unless specified
otherwise. For specific requirements for installation
of each system, refer to individual Specification
Sections.

B.

Preparation: Ream ends of pipes and tubes, and remove

burrs. Bevel plain ends of steel pipe. Remove scales,
slag, dirt, and debris for both inside and outside of
piping and fittings before assembly.

C.

General Locations and Arrangements: Drawings indicate

the general location and arrangement of the piping
systems. Location and arrangement of piping layout take
into consideration pipe sizing and friction loss,
expansion,
pump
sizing,
and
other
design
15050-5
Basic Piping Materials

considerations. So far as practical, install piping as

indicated. Refer to individual system specifications
for requirements for coordination drawing submittals.
D.

Piping
1.

Conceal all pipe installations in walls, pipe

chases, utility spaces, above ceilings, below grade
or floors, unless indicated otherwise.

2.

Install piping free of sags or bends and with ample

space between piping to permit proper insulation
applications.

3.

Install piping at right angles or parallel to

building walls. Diagonal or bent piping will not be
permitted.

4.

Install piping tight to slabs, beams, joists, etc.

where possible and such that any removable ceiling
panels may be removed for access above ceilings.

5.

Protect all piping from entrance of dirt or other

foreign materials during the construction period.
At the completion of the Project, all dirt and
foreign
matter
in
piping
shall
be
removed
completely.

6.

Install pipe sleeve seals at all foundation and

wall penetrations. Piping passing through exterior
building walls shall be caulked weather tight. Seal
pipe penetrations of fire barriers using fire
barrier penetration seals approved by the Engineer.

7.

All water piping shall have drain valves at low

points in mains, risers, and branch lines; and same
shall be provided with 19 mm drain valve with
threaded hose connection.

8.

Water piping shall be securely anchored to insure

proper direction of expansion and contraction.

9.

Anchor piping to ensure proper direction of

expansion and contraction. Install expansion loops
and joints as indicated or required. For further
requirements refer to Section 15125 - PIPE
EXPANSION JOINTS.

10. Verify existing grades, inverts, and topographic

conditions prior to any trenching, excavation, or
installations. In the event existing conditions
prevent installation in accordance with contract
documents, immediately notify the Engineer for a
decision.
15050-6
Basic Piping Materials

11. Pitch horizontal lines to low points to provide for

complete drainage of system. Minimum pitch, unless
otherwise shown, shall be 20 mm in 10 m. Install
drain valves at low points and air vents at high
points and at locations where air may pocket in
water lines.
12. Piping shall be cut accurately to measurements
established at the site, worked into place without
springing or forcing, and shall clear all windows,
doors and other openings. Cutting or other
weakening of building structure to facilitate
piping installation is not permitted.
Install to
permit free expansion and contraction without
damage.
13. Swing joints at run outs to equipment and risers.
Provide expansion joints at all other points for
flexible piping systems.
14. Drain piping from pump glands, relief valves,
condensate drain pans, etc. shall discharge into
open
sight
drains,
floor
drains,
or
other
acceptable collection points terminating the drain
line with a 50 mm minimum air gap and plain end
(unthreaded) pipe.
15. Provide necessary temporary connections, valves,
oversize flushing connections, pumps, etc. as
required to properly clean and test systems.
16. Coordinate piping installations with duct work,
structure, lighting, electrical conduit, and all
other materials and equipment.
17. Use flexible pipe connectors for all inlet and
discharge connections to pumps (except in-line
pumps) and other vibration producing equipment.
18. Provide flanges on all valves, apparatus
equipment having 60 mm and larger connections.

and

19. Reduction in pipe sizes (except in drainage pipe)

shall be made using eccentric reducer couplings
installed with the level side up on water piping
and condensate piping and level side down on all
stems.
20. Provide unions adjacent to each valve, and at the
final connection to each piece of equipment and/or
plumbing
fixture
having
50
mm
and
smaller
connections and where otherwise indicated. Unions
are not required at flanged devices.
21. Wherever

wells

are

installed

in

piping

for

15050-7
Basic Piping Materials

thermometers, pressure gages, probes, etc., pipe

diameter shall be increased by one pipe size to
accommodate same.
22. Provide water hammer arrestors at the top of all
hot and cold domestic water risers, at the end of
each water header in utility spaces, at the end of
each branch line, and at the top of the branches to
batteries of two or more fixtures. Provide shock
absorbers at each solenoid valve or piece of
equipment that has a quick closing type valve.
23. Do not run piping over electrical equipment such as
transformers, switchgear and panel boards. Extend
the clear space above those equipment to the
structural ceiling above except in high bay areas
where the structural ceiling is more than 7600 mm
above the floor. Dropped, suspended and similar
ceilings not indicated to add strength to the
building structure are not considered structural
ceilings.
24. Do not run piping or ductwork within 914 mm clear
space in front of electrical equipment panels,
starters, etc. as required by NFPA 70.
25. Install packed mechanical equipment that has
factory mounted electrical panels or starters in
compliance with clear space required by NFPA 70.
26. Do not install piping and ductwork of any kind in
electrical
rooms,
telecommunication
rooms
or
elevator equipment rooms.
E.

Valves and Specialties

1.

Valves shall be installed where indicated and

relief valves shall have a relieving capacity of
not less than the rated output of the equipment.
Relief shall be piped full size, without shutoff
devices in line, to the nearest floor drain.

2.

Strainers shall be installed on the supply side of

each
control
valve,
pressure
reducing
and
regulating valves, solenoid valves and else where
as indicated.

3.

Floor plans and flow diagrams are intended to be

complimentary since not all valves can be shown on
the floor plans. In general, flow diagrams and
details show valve arrangement and floor plans show
locations when possible.

4.

Use fittings for all changes in direction and all

branch connections and take-offs from mains. Use
15050-8
Basic Piping Materials

commercially available fittings for all changes in

direction and branch connections having changes in
pipe sizes of one pipe size.

F.

5.

All water valves which regulate flow shall be

globe, plug, ball or butterfly type, and valves
that are either "open" or "closed" shall be gate,
ball or butterfly type as indicated.

6.

Provide shut-off valves in each supply branch from

mains and at each supply connection to equipment;
provide a balance valve at each return branch to
mains and at each return connection from equipment.
For shut-off valves 50 mm (2 inch) and smaller, use
gate or ball valves; for shut-off valves 63 mm (21/2 inch) and larger, use gate or butterfly valves.

7.

Check Valves: Install swing

discharge side of each pump
indicated on drawings.

8.

Connect
dissimilar
piping
materials
dielectric unions or insulating flanges.

on
as

using

Hangers and Supports

1.

G.

check valves
and elsewhere

Refer to Section 15140 - HANGERS AND SUPPORTS.

Joints
1.

Any leaking joints shall be completely disassembled

and remade with new materials.

2.

Ends of all copper tubing and the interior of the

cup of the fitting shall be thoroughly cleaned and
polished prior to the application of the flux and
solder. The flux shall not be used as a substitute
for proper joint preparation.

3.

All pipes shall be carefully reamed.

Threaded
pipes shall have full length clean cut threads.

4.

All sockets and pipe ends of PVC shall be cleaned,

solvent cement applied for full circumferential
cover.
END OF SECTION

15050-9
Basic Piping Materials