Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 51 - PUBLIC HEALTH-SANITARY CODE › Part XIV - Plumbing › Chapter 6 - Water Supply and Distribution › Section XIV-619 - Water Distribution Pipe, Tubing and Fittings

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A. General. Water distribution pipe, tubing
				and fittings shall comply with the following.
1. Minimum working pressure for plastic hot
				and cold piping material installed inside of the foundation walls shall be 100
				psi (689.5 kPa) at 180°F (82°C), with permanent identification
				markings.
2. Materials subject to
				corrosion shall be protected when installed in corrosive soils. Approved
				fittings shall be used on the water distribution system and the water supply
				system, except that changes of direction in copper tube (ASTM B 88) may be made
				with bends having a radius of not less than four diameters of the tube,
				providing that such bends are made by use of forming equipment which does not
				deform or create loss in cross-sectional area of the tube. If allowed by the
				manufacturer, bends of pressure-rated plastic pipe listed in Table 603 of this
				code shall be installed to conform with the manufacturer's recommendations but
				in no case shall the bend radius be less than the requirements contained within
				§619. A.5 of this code, as applicable.
3. All potable water pipes, pipe fittings,
				plumbing fittings, or fixtures for the water distribution system shall be
				evaluated and listed as conforming to NSF/ANSI 372. Any solder or flux which is
				used in the installation or repair of any plumbing including, but not limited
				to, water distribution pipes in a residential or nonresidential facility
				providing water for human consumption shall be lead free.
a. Exception. The lead free requirement of
				§619. A.3 of this code above shall not apply to:
i. leaded joints necessary for the repair of
				existing cast iron pipes;
ii.
				pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, or fixtures, including backflow
				preventers, that are used exclusively for nonpotable services such as
				manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation, outdoor watering, or any
				other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption;
				or,
iii. toilets, bidets, urinals,
				fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles,
				or water distribution main gate valves that are 2 inches in diameter or
				larger.
4.
				All pipes and pipe fittings shall conform to the standards listed in Table 603
				of this code. All solder and flux shall conform to the applicable standard(s)
				listed in Table 303 of this code.
5. Bends of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)
				plastic tubing shall be installed to conform to the manufacturer's
				recommendations but in no case shall the bend radius be less than the
				following:
a. When bent with the coil-a
				bending radius equivalent to or greater than 8 times the outside diameter of
				the tubing shall be maintained. Outside diameter is equal to the inside nominal
				diameter plus 1/8-inch.
b. When
				bent against the coil-a bending radius equivalent to or greater than 24 times
				the outside diameter of the tubing shall be maintained. Outside diameter is
				equal to the inside nominal diameter plus 1/8-inch.
6. Because the linear expansion rate for
				cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing is about 1 inch/10°F for each 100 feet
				(30 m) of tubing, it should not be rigidly anchored to any support in order to
				allow for freedom of movement during expansion and contraction. When installing
				long runs of tubing, a longitudinal clearance of 1/8 to 3/16 inch per foot of
				run should be allowed to accommodate for thermal expansion. PEX tubing, where
				it passes through concrete or a similar building material which would not allow
				for freedom of linear expansion, shall be provided with a pipe sleeve of
				Schedule 40 pipe which shall be built into the foundation, footing, floor, wall
				or ceiling. Such pipe sleeve shall be of sufficient inside diameter to allow
				for the free expansion and contraction of the PEX tubing and to prevent any
				rubbing action.
7. The maximum
				recommended spacing between horizontal supports for cross-linked polyethylene
				(PEX) tubing is 32 inches (813 mm) for nominal tubing diameters from 1/4- inch
				through 2-inch. It should not be rigidly secured to a joist or stud but should
				be secured with smooth plastic strap hangers, which permit ease of movement
				during expansion or contraction. Valve and fixture connections to which PEX
				pipe is connected shall be rigidly anchored.
8. Bends of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
				(CPVC) plastic pipe shall be installed to conform to the manufacturer's
				recommendations but in no case shall the bend radius be less than the
				following:
a. A bending radius equivalent to
				or greater than 18 inches (457 mm) for 1/2 and 3/4-inch inside nominal diameter
				piping.
b. A bending radius
				equivalent to or greater than 24 inches (610 mm) for 1-inch inside nominal
				diameter piping.