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Water Service Pipe Lines

Water service pipe lines extends from the potable water source to the interior of buildings.

A "water-service" pipe line extends from the potable water source to the interior of a building. Inside the building the "water-service" pipe becomes a "water-distribution" pipe.

A water service pipe must be rated for the pressure produced by the water source and in the service line by pumps or static differences.

  • it is common to rate water service lines for more than 160 psi (11 bar) and temperatures below aprox. 75 oF (25 oF)

Commonly used materials in water service pipe lines are

  • Cast iron pipe (ductile pipe) - used in large water mains
  • PE - Polyethylene
  • PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride
  • PB - Polybutylene
  • Asbestos cement pipe

Other commonly approved and rarely used materials are

  • ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
  • Brass pipe
  • Copper tube - can be used as service lines without joints. Primarily used as water distribution pipes.
  • CPVC - Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
  • Galvanized Steel

Water Service Pipes

Materials used in water service pipes according U.S. standards.

Piping Materials - U.S. Standards
Piping MaterialUS Standards
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic pipe ASTM D1527; ASTM D2282
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic pipe ASTM D2846; ASTM F441; ASTM F442; CSA B137.6
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride/aluminum/chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC/AL/CPVC) ASTM F2855Copper or copper-alloy pipe ASTM B42; ASTM B302
Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, WK, L, WL, M or WM) ASTM B75; ASTM B88; ASTM B251; ASTM B447
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plastic pipe and tubingASTM F876; AWWA C904; CSA B137.5
Cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) pipe ASTM F1281; ASTM F2262; CSA B137.10
Cross-linked polyethylene/aluminum/high-density polyethylene (PEX-AL-HDPE) ASTM F1986
Ductile iron water pipe AWWA C151/A21.51; AWWA C115/A21.15
Galvanized steel pipe ASTM A53
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe ASTM D2239; ASTM D3035; AWWA C901; CSA B137.11
Polyethylene (PE) plastic tubing ASTM D2737; AWWA C901; CSA B137.1
Polyethylene/aluminum/polethylene (PE-AL-PE) pipe ASTM F1282; CSA B137.9
Polyethylene of raised temperature (PE-RT) plastic tubing ASTM F2769; CSA B137.18
Polypropylene (PP) plastic pipe or tubing ASTM F2389; CSA B137.11
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe ASTM D1785; ASTM D2241; ASTM D2672; CSA B137.3
Stainless steel pipe (Type 304/304L) ASTM A312; ASTM A778
Stainless steel pipe (Type 316/316L) ASTM A312; ASTM A778
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