Exposed copper (for water) OK in industrial building?
Exposed copper (for water) OK in industrial building?
(OP)
Does code allow the use of exposed copper tubing for water delivery system inside an industrial building? And for compressed air also?





RE: Exposed copper (for water) OK in industrial building?
Copper piping for compressed air service is sometimes used. In many general industrial plants, the joints are often soft soldered. I've had several inspectors tell me that this isn't strictly prohibited by code, but I wouldn't do it. These joints can fail if there's a fire in the plant, as there's no liquid in the pipe to keep them cool. If you're using copper for compressed air, have somebody licenced under Section IX silver solder the joints.
RE: Exposed copper (for water) OK in industrial building?
Be advised, however, that I've had more than one contractor provide a zero cost option to use socket weld schedule 10S stainless for air systems instead of copper (power plant applications). They apparently prefered a stainless socket weld to a solder joint.