Mild Steel for Domestic Hot Water

[Joesteam]

We are to specify a centrifugal separator on the recirculation line on the domestic hot water system in a large building. This will take out large particulates in the water. Are there regulations against using a mild steel vessel on domestic water? The manufacturer makes one of stainless steel but the price is much greater.

 

[hydrae]

In the US most local plumbing codes will require all materails be approved for the use, such as NSF-PW, NSF-14, or NSF-61. Uncoated steel may need an approved coating, the approval also includes temperature limitations.

Hydrae

 

[bimr]

This type of equipment (separator)is not typically addressed in the plumbing code, at least not in this state (Illinois).

Galvanized steel is an approved material for water service pipe and water distribution pipe. Code doesn't say anything about using steel.

http://www.legis.state.il.us/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07700890ZZ9997aaR.html

If you are going to specify this item, you probably should specify one that will be fabricated from stainless. Can't imagine that it could be that expensive.

Not sure that a centrifugal separator will be that effective for your application. You would probably be better off with a wound filter or if you are just interested in large particles, a strainer.

 

[abcmex]

1. What is you system made of? Carbon steel?

2. Where are the particles comming from?

a)outside of the system? I would filtrate the make up water.
b)inside?

Rgs

 

[Joesteam]

Thank you for the response, I will use stainless. This is a neat application where we are using this filter to remove the larger particals (mostly products of corrosion). We install on the recirculation line in a domestic hot water system. It is like a side stream filter. We can make it smaller by not having to filter the entire instantaneous flow. Since the recirc is flowing all of the time, we should remove most of the large particals in a short while.

 

[hydrae]

Joesteam
I suggest you check with your plumbing inspector, some jurisdictions use a tight interperation on materials acceptable for use in plumbing. Stainless steel is a wonderful product, but I have run into inspectors who require that NSF cert. And for a fabricated product, an approved internal coating (NSF epoxy) on carbon steel was the only way I could comply.
Hydrae

 

[jherbert]

hi,

Don't forget too that all that debris
is supporting a nice population
of Legionella bacteria, unless of course
you are maintaining a minimum of 60 Deg C.

cheers,