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

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code XIV-619

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 3, March 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 through 619.A.8 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.

B. Materials Above Ground. Materials for water distribution pipes and tubing shall be brass, copper water tube minimum type L (i.e., type M copper is prohibited), stainless steel water pipe or tubing (Types 304/304L and 316/316L only), cast iron pressure pipe, ductile-iron, galvanized steel, pressure-rated polypropylene (PP), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic pipe or tubing, all to be installed with approved fittings and bends; except that changes in 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 a loss in cross-sectional area of the tube. Translucent PEX plastic pipe or tubing, when installed above ground, shall not be exposed to direct or indirect sunlight.

C. Materials Below Ground. Inaccessible water distribution piping under slabs shall be copper water tube minimum type L (i.e., type M copper is prohibited), brass, stainless steel water pipe (types 304/304L and 316/316L only), cast iron pressure pipe, ductile-iron pipe, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), pressure-rated polypropylene (PP) or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic pipe or tubing, all to be installed with approved joining methods or bends. All copper, brass and stainless steel joints below a building slab shall be brazed and/or welded in accordance with §315. D and §621. D through 621.G of this code, as appropriate. Heat fused joints for polypropylene shall be made in accordance with §621. E.3 of this code. With the exception of heat fused polypropylene, all other joints and fittings for plastic pipe below a building slab are prohibited. Any material subject to corrosion shall be protected when used in corrosive soils.

D. Valves. Valves shall conform to the standards listed in Table 619.D of this code below.

Table 619.D

Valve Standards

Materials

Standards

Valves, Bronze Gate, Globe, Angle, Check

MSS SP-80

Valves, Cast Iron

ASTM A 126

Valves, Ball

MSS SP-72. MSS SP-110

Valves, Resilient-Seated Gate

AWWA C509

The text in this Section will be effective on January 1, 2013.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:4(A)(7), R.S. 40:5(2)(3)(7)(9)(16)(17)(20), and R.S. 40:1299.27.1.

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