Introduction to Copper Tube, Pipe and Fittings

Main ideas / lessons conveyed

• Copper tubing products are valued for long-lasting durability and reliable performance in building construction.
• Copper is easily recycled without loss of quality.
• Before installing any copper piping system, it’s important to select the right copper material (tube type, pipe type, and fittings type) for the job.
• The video addresses:
  • Differences between copper tube vs. copper pipe
  • Type designations and sizing conventions
  • Where each product is best used
  • Common joining methods and fitting types/materials

Methodology / decision guidance (as presented)

1) Start by choosing the correct copper product type

• Confirm the application requirements and codes/regulations.
• Match the product to the system’s operating conditions (e.g., pressure, purity requirements).

2) Use the correct designation and sizing rules

Copper tube (water tube)

• Sized based on tube type (K, L, M) rather than pipe schedule.
• Types correspond to different wall thicknesses:
  • Type K = thickest wall
  • Type L = medium wall thickness
  • Type M = thinnest wall
• Tubes are permanently stamped with:
  • Type
  • Manufacturer name/trademark
  • Country of manufacture
• Additional marking behavior (drawn straight lengths):
  • Type/manufacturer info is printed every 18 inches
• Color coding:
  • Type K = green
  • Type L = blue
  • Type M = red
• Size coverage:
  • Range from 1/4 inch to 12 inches
• Outside diameter rule:
  • The actual outside diameter is always 1/8 inch larger than the standard designation.

3) Understand tube manufacturing/availability

• Seamless Type K, L, M tubes:
  • Produced as drawn or hard-tempered straight lengths.
• Coil availability:
  • Type K and L: available in soft-tempered coils
  • Type M: not produced in soft temper

4) Know additional specialized tube types

• DWB (Drainage, Waste, and Vent) tube

  • Designed for low-pressure systems → thin walls
  • Color: yellow
  • Typical uses:
    • Above/below ground waste, soil, and vent lines
    • Roof and building drainages
    • Sewage

• Med Gas Tube (medical gas systems)

  • Nominal size; only available in hard-tempered straight lengths
  • Available as Type K or L depending on pressure application
  • Purity control requirement:
    • Interior remains capped until ready to be installed

5) When considering uses of copper tube, match system categories

Copper tube is stated as used for:

• Domestic water distribution
• Fire protection
• Solar energy applications
• Fuel and fuel oil distribution
• Natural gas and LP distribution
• Refrigeration

Copper tube vs. copper pipe (key distinctions)

Copper tube

• Described as the standard plumbing tube used in America.
• Often mistaken for copper pipe, but the differences matter.

Copper pipe

• Rarely used compared to tube.
• Two naming/size concepts are emphasized:
  • Standard iron pipe sizes (IPS)
  • Standard specification schedule wall thickness for seamless copper pipe
• Availability:
  • Sizes from 1/8 inch to 12 inches
• Wall thickness designations:
  • Regular and Extra strong
• Temper/production:
  • Available in soft, light drawn, or hard drawn tempers
• Joining methods:
  • Commonly joined mechanically (e.g., threading)
  • Can also be welded and brazed using appropriate fittings and filler metal
• Replacement note:
  • Copper pipe can often be replaced with tube (for many applications).

Fittings: what they are, how they connect, and notable material/pressure points

Common purpose

• Connect copper tubing based on the system type.

Joining methods and fitting types (most common)

• Soldering and brazing using solder-joint fittings are the most common.
• Rat fittings:
  • Available for both solder and braze
• Fitting standards:
  • Produced to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards for both solder and braze.

Pressure/wall-thickness implications

• Rat fittings are manufactured at high pressure, so:
  • They can withstand higher pressure than tube
  • Therefore, there are no different wall thickness types for them.

Materials and regulatory/environmental notes

• Most copper alloy fittings are made of brass.
• Low-lead and lead-free brass are available for drainage systems.

DWB-marked fittings (built-in slopes)

• Some rod and cast fittings may include a built-in slope.
• These fittings include:
  • Letters DWB
  • Manufacturer’s mark printed on them.

Speakers / sources featured (identified)

• Harold Moret — Copper Development Association (speaker)
• Ron Gamuccio — guest (speaker)
• Copper Development Association — organizational source (implied by intro and Copper Tube Handbook reference)
• American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) — standards referenced for copper tube requirements
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) — standards referenced for fittings
• Copper Tube Handbook / copper.org — referenced resource and download location