Copper Brass Bronze

Design Guide

FIRE
SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS

Copper Development Association

Introduction Table of Contents

Copper, with its unique combination of economy and versatility, Introduction ............................. 2
has proven itself repeatedly in piping systems. With established NFPA Standards
solid performance, these same qualities which have made it the and Model Codes ................ 3
material of choice in other applications prove its ability for use in fire Copper’s Benefits ................... 4
sprinkler systems. Copper has long-established advantages over ■ Ease of Handling ............. 4
steel and plastics. ■ Hangers, Supports
Copper is lightweight and compact, which eases fabrication and and Fittings ................... 4
installation and saves on the space needed to install tube in con- ■ Joining Techniques ......... 5
fined areas. Copper systems can be economically fabricated by ■ Dealing with
soldering or brazing using conventional equipment or electric resis- Space Limitations ........ 5
tance tools. Joining is done with standard fittings or mechanical Performance ........................... 6
tee-pulling devices. Bending and forming of the tube is easy due to Technical Data ....................... 7
copper’s ductility. Modification and repair is simplified. In occupied ■ Tube Characteristics ...... 7
spaces the installation is clean and copper can be easily fit into ■ Friction Loss Tables ....... 8
tight spaces and around fixtures. The corrosion resistance of cop- ■ Friction Losses:
per, both external and internal, helps to maintain a neat appearance Fittings and Valves ..... 10
and provides superior flow characteristics. ■ Tube Bending Guide ..... 10
In terms of installed costs and material integrity, copper provides ■ Hanger Spacing ............ 10
a low maintenance project with excellent economy. The result is ■ Hanger Sizing ................ 10
beneficial to everyone from the contractor to the building owner. ■ Soldering and Brazing ... 11
■ Material Specifications .. 11

Figure 1. Copper fire sprinkler system in a Figure 2. Copper is very effective in residen-
commercial building being installed tial applications, such as this multi-
with electric resistance heating. family unit.

2
 NFPA Standard and Model Code Acceptance

Copper is an effective mate- ■ Hospitals fire-test program aimed at find-

rial for sprinkler systems in a ■ Hotels & Motels ing the most functional and
large variety of construction — ■ Institutions cost-effective system.
especially in residential, light ■ Nursing Homes 1974 NFPA 13 (Sections 3-
hazard, and certain ordinary ■ Office Buildings 1.1.1 & 3-1.1.4) includes use of
hazard occupancies. It is ■ Public Buildings Types K and M copper as suit-
NFPA(1) approved for all types of ■ Rooming Houses able conductors and the use of
Light Hazard Classification with ■ Schools type 95-5 tin-antimony solder
no restrictions imposed. Cop- ■ Townhouses for joining copper tube and fit-
per systems have been in reli- 1963 The National Fire Pro- tings (Section 3-1.1.1).
able service for decades, due to tection Association (NFPA) in- 1976 Composite copper-
superior performance and cludes hanger spacings for steel systems are accepted
economy. copper conductors in NFPA 13 where steel risers supply cop-
NFPA 13, Standard for the (Section 3-15.1.11). per branch lines in high-rise
Installation of Sprinkler Sys- 1968 NFPA approves Type L buildings.
tems, Light Hazard Occupan- copper tube as a conductor 1980 NFPA 13D is published
cies includes the following (Section 3-1.1.4), revises the for one- and two-family dwell-
types of occupancies: hanger spacings, approves ings, and approves the use of
■ Apartments torch brazing, and recognizes copper.
■ Churches copper’s excellent corrosion 1989 NFPA 13R for residen-
■ Clubs/Restaurants resistance. tial occupancies up to four sto-
■ Dormitories 1969 Copper Development ries, is published approving the
■ Dwellings Association begins a full-scale use of copper.

(1)
National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269

National Model Building and Fire Code Agencies

National Model Codes recommend standards that are the bases for state and local
code requirements. Regulated by strict codes for safety and durability, copper is
readily accepted in the fire sprinkller industry. Building codes officials recognize
copper’s time proven qualities.

BOCA - BOCA International ICC - International Code Council

4051 Flossmoor Road 5203 Leesburg Pike (Suite 600)
Country Club Hills, IL 60478 Falls Church, VA 22041
(708) 799-2300 www.bocai.org (703) 931-4533 www.intlcode.org

IAMPO - International Association of NFPA - National Fire Protection

Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Association
20001 Walnut Drive, South One Batterymarch Park
Walnut, CA 91789 Quincy, MA 02269-9703
(909) 595-8449 www.iampo.org (800) 344-3555 www.nfpa.org

ICBO - International Conference of SBCCI - Southern Building Code

Building Officials Congress International
5360 S. Workman Mill Road 900 Montclair Road
Whittier, CA 90601-2298 Birmingham, AL 35213
(562) 699-0541 www.icbo.org (205) 591-1853 www.sbcci.org

3
Copper’s Benefits

economy and less overall

Ease of Handling weight for shipping, storing, Hangers, Supports
handling and installing. and Fittings
Copper’s combination of ri- Due to copper’s installation
gidity with light weight makes flexibility, the choice of field or Copper systems require
both shipping and storing easier shop fabrication allows for free- fewer hangers and supports
for the contractor. Copper tube dom in engineering design. than do plastic piping systems
is easier to handle. It does not Copper is ductile; it can be bent because of the rigidity of cop-
have the fragility of plastic nor without producing kinks in the per. In general, at least one
the weight of steel. In on-site tube or causing it to collapse. hanger is required for each hori-
storage, copper tube, unlike Bending in the field can be done zontal tube length installed. For
plastic alternatives, is unaf- cold using hand tools, and shop hanger spacing detail, see
fected by exposure to sunlight. bending may utilize either hand Table 5, page 10.
Copper will not support com- or power bending machines. Tube straps, U-hooks, or
bustion or produce toxic gases. Fabrication of copper is pos- perforated straps are all accept-
Comparisons to steel in wall sible in a very small work area. able hangers where structural
thickness and weight show Heavy pipe threading machines conditions permit. Flat iron
another advantage of copper. are replaced with portable, (steel band) hangers, ring hang-
Smaller pipe sizes can be easy-to-use hand tools, making ers, and clevis hangers may
used, which means greater the job much easier and also be employed and are
cleaner. made to copper tube sizes.
Standard pipe size (SPS) steel
Type M Copper band and ring hangers can also
be used. Special plating or
Type M Copper painting of ferrous hangers is
not required when used with

FPO
Sch. 10 Steel
Sch. 40 Steel
copper tube since the potential
for galvanic corrosion of the
hangers is slight, except in wet
or corrosive atmospheres, for
Sch. 40 Steel example, where special coated
sprinklers are required.
Pressure fittings are available
lbs* 2 4 6 8 in all standard tube sizes and in
a wide variety of patterns. Typi-
*Weight is based on pounds per linear foot for 2"
diameter tube and/or pipe, including water.
cally, with copper systems the
fittings are smaller than with
Figure 3. Comparative wall thicknesses and weights of steel or plastics.
copper tube vs. steel pipe.

Figure 4. Typical fittings used in copper fire sprinkler installations.

4
 fittings and soldered/brazed straight tees and grooved flange
Joining Techniques joints. (Figure 6) The mechani- adapters.
cal branch forming tool enables Finally, a copper system
Copper tube and fittings can you to produce copper tube can be tested without delay
be joined by soldering or braz- outlets from 1/2 inch to 4 inches. immediately after it has been
ing and are leak-free due to the Records show this state-of-the- completed. If a leak does occur,
positive metallic-bonded joints. art forming tool can save 10% the system can be either
Soldering and brazing are fast to 25% on site costs. drained or quick-frozen in the
and efficient methods of joining Mechanical grooved joining area of the joint and promptly
with standard torches and a offers a practical alternative to repaired.
variety of gases, facilitating high soldering and brazing copper
productivity on the job site. water tube. Grooved-end piping
There are also electric resist- systems have a proven and Dealing with Space
ance soldering hand tools reliable performance record. Limitations
which employ heating elec- This method of joining pipe has
trodes for joining tube and fit- been used on steel and iron
pipe in plumbing, HVAC, fire Buildings with Light Hazard
tings (Figure 5). The tools are Occupancies are often de-
lightweight and should be con- protection, process piping and
related applications since 1925. signed with severe mechanical
sidered when an open flame is a space limitations. Copper’s
concern. This method of mechanical join-
ing is available in a system for excellent properties not only
Another advancement in allow smaller pipes to be used
joining technology is a hand tool copper tube in sizes from 2
through 8 inches (Figure 7). (see Figure 8), but also allow
designed to enable the quick the tube to be bent to bypass
formation of outlets, thus Included are copper couplings,
45 and 90 degree elbows, obstructions if necessary.
reducing the number of tee Connections are clean and
easy and can be made in very
tight spaces. This becomes a
significant advantage in retrofit
installations. Frequently, details
of the actual construction site
may not exactly match the
drawings. Last minute design
changes may be needed. If
copper is used, job changes
are rarely a problem because
the system can be adjusted in
the field to accommodate varia-
tions from the plans. Only
changes that are within the limi-
tations of your hydraulic calcu-
Figure 5. Electric resistance hand tools are suit-
lations should be made.
able for joining copper tube.

Figure 7. Mechanical grooved-

Figure 6. Hand-held tool for pulling outlets to end joining system
quickly form tee connections. for copper piping.
5
Performance

The assured performance periodic maintenance flushing Copper is an inherently safe

offered by copper fire sprinkler operations. Copper is also material. It will not burn or sup-
systems is important to every- highly resistant to external port combustion, nor does it
one involved — the architect, sources of corrosion, including decompose to toxic gases.
engineer, building owner, con- exposure to moisture, most Also, it will not carry fire through
tractor, insurer, and fire service chemical fumes, process va- floors, walls and ceilings. A
personnel. pors, and similar atmospheres. copper system maintains its
Copper tubing exhibits excel- The superior flow capacity integrity and ability to carry wa-
lent resistance to damage from of copper permits reduced ter where planned when ex-
internal and external corrosion. cross- and feed main-sizing in posed in a fire situation. Copper
It does not develop internal sur- many hydraulically calculated tube will not deteriorate with age
face roughness or experience a systems. In pipe schedule sys- or become embrittled and fail,
gradual narrowing of the pas- tems this advantage is reflected but remains effective for the life
sage caused by internal corro- in the increased number of of the installation. Should any
sion. The potential for plugging sprinklers permitted by appli- part of the system be damaged,
of sprinkler head orifices and cable standards for copper it can be repaired quickly and
small diameter branch lines is lines of two-inch and larger. easily, often by soldering or
significantly reduced with cop- Furthermore, NFPA recognizes brazing in a new piece. Tees for
per tube since the normal thin, the use of 3/4-inch copper tube new sprinkler drops can also be
protective corrosion film in the in sprinkler applications while mechanically formed in place
tube bore does not flake off. the minium size requirement for using hand tools.
This also reduces the need for steel pipe is one inch.
1 1
Copper, Type K PEX PB Steel, Sch. 40 CPVC

10

15
Flow Rate (GPM)

25

50

75

100

0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

Pipe/Tube, Actual OD of Required Size (inches) (Shorter bars indicate less space required)
1
not available in sizes over 2-inch, nominal size.

Figure 8. Minimum Pipe/Tube OD Required for Various Flow Rates at 5 psi/100 ft. pressure drop

6
Technical Data

not widely used. Types L and K

Contents 1. Physical Characteristics are used where bending is re-
of Copper Tube quired. All copper tube is avail-
1. Physical Characteristics of able in drawn (hard) temper in
Copper Tube For use in fire protection sys- straight lengths (ordinarily 20
2. Friction Loss Tables tems, three types of seamless feet long). Types K and L are
3. Friction Losses: Fittings drawn copper tube (Type K, L also available in annealed (soft)
and Valves and M) are currently accepted temper, supplied in either 20-
4. Tube Bending Guide by NFPA 13, 13D and 13R. For foot straight lengths or in 100-
5. Hanger Spacing all three types, the outside di- foot coils for sizes up to 1 inch
6. Hanger Sizing ameter is equal to the nominal and 45-foot coils for sizes up to
7. Soldering and Brazing diameter plus 1/8 inch. However, 2 inches.
8. Material Specifications wall thicknesses (and thus in- Wrought and cast copper
side diameters) vary. Type M and copper alloy solder joint
copper tubing has the thinnest pressure fittings are accepted
wall and is also the least costly. by NFPA 13, 13D and 13R.
Type L is the second thinnest. These are available in a wide
Type K tube has the thickest choice of configurations for use
wall, the smallest inside diam- with each type of copper tube.
eter, the greatest cost, and is

Table 1. Dimensions and Physical Characteristics of Tube, Types L and M

SIZE O.D. I.D. WALL CROSS SECTION WEIGHT (lbs/ft)

THICKNESS OF BORE
(inches) (inches) (inches) (inches) (inches2) TUBE TUBE &
ONLY WATER
TYPE L M L M L M L M L M L M

3
/4 0.875 0.875 0.785 0.811 0.045 0.032 0.484 0.517 0.46 0.33 0.66 0.55
1 1.125 1.125 1.025 1.055 0.050 0.035 0.825 0.874 0.66 0.47 1.01 0.84
11/4 1.375 1.375 1.265 1.291 0.055 0.042 1.257 1.309 0.88 0.68 1.43 1.25
1 /2
1
1.625 1.625 1.505 1.527 0.060 0.049 1.779 1.832 1.14 0.94 1.91 1.73
2 2.125 2.125 1.985 2.009 0.070 0.058 3.095 3.170 1.75 1.46 3.09 2.83
2 /2
1
2.625 2.625 2.465 2.495 0.080 0.065 4.773 4.890 2.48 2.03 4.54 4.14
3 3.125 3.125 2.945 2.981 0.090 0.072 6.813 6.980 3.33 2.68 6.27 5.70
4 4.125 4.125 3.905 3.935 0.110 0.095 11.978 12.163 5.38 4.66 10.56 9.83

7
2. Friction Loss Tables

Table 2. Friction Loss (psi per linear foot) for Types L and M Copper Tube with “C Factor” = 150*

Velocity: 0-10 feet per second 11-20 feet per second

3
/4" 1" 11/4" 11/2" 2" 1" 11/4" 11/2" 2" 21/2" 3" 4"
GPM L M L M L M L M L M GPM L M L M L M L M L M L M L M

1 .001 .001 31 .217 .188 .078 .070 .033 .031 .009 .008 .003 .003 .001 .001
1.5 .003 .003 .001 .001 32 .230 .200 .083 .075 .035 .033 .009 .009 .003 .003 .001 .001
2 .005 .004 .001 .001 33 .243 .212 .087 .079 .037 .035 .010 .009 .003 .003 .001 .001
2.5 .008 .006 .002 .002 .001 .001 34 .257 .224 .092 .084 .040 .037 .010 .010 .004 .003 .002 .001
3 .011 .009 .003 .003 .001 .001 35 .271 .236 .097 .088 .042 .039 .011 .010 .004 .004 .002 .001
3.5 .014 .012 .004 .003 .001 .001 .001. .001 36 .286 .248 .103 .083 .044 .041 .011 .011 .004 .004 .002 .002
4 .018 .015 .005 .004 .002 .002 .001 .001 37 .301 .261 .108 .098 .046 .043 .012 .011 .004 .004 .002 .002
4.5 .022 .019 .006 .005 .002 .002 .001 .001 38 .316 .275 .113 .103 .049 .045 .013 .012 .004 .004 .002. 002
5 .027 .023 .007 .006 .003 .002 .001 .001 39 .332 .288 .119 .108 .051 .048 .013 .014 .005 .004 .002. .002
5.5 .032 .028 .009 .008 .003 .003 .001 .001 40 .348 .302 .125 .113 .054 .050 .014 .013 .005 .005 .002 .002 .001
6 .038 .033 .010 .009 .004 .003 .002 .001 41 .364 .316 .131 .118 .056 .052 .015 .014 .005 .005 .002 .002 .001 .001
6.5 .044 .038 .012 .010 .004 .004 .002 .002 42 .380 .330 .137 .124 .059 .055 .015 .014 .005 .005 .002 .002 .001 .001
7 .051 .043 .014 .012 .005 .004 .002 .002 .001 .001 43 .397 .345 .143 .129 .061 .057 .016 .015 .006 .005 .002 .002 .001 .001
7.5 .058 .049 .016 .014 .006 .005 .002 .002 .001 .001 44 .415 .360 .149 .135 .064. 059 .017 .016 .006 .005 .002 .002 .001 .001
8 .065 .055 .018 .015 .006 .006 .003 .003 .001 .001 45 .432 .375 .155 .140 .067 .062 .017 .016 .006 .006 .003. 002 .001 .001
8.5 .073 .062 .020 .017 .007 .006 .003 .003 .001 .001 46 .450 .391 .162 .146 .069 .065 .018 .017 .006 .006 .003 .002 .001 .001
9 .081 .069 .022 .019 .008 .007 .003 .003 .001 .001 47 .468 .407 .168 .152 .072 .067 .019 .018 .007 .006 .003 .003 .001 .001
9.5 .089 .076 .024 .021 .009 .008 .004 .003 .001 .001 48 .487 .423 .175 .158 .075 .070 .019 .018 .007 .006 .003 .003 .001 .001
10 .098 .084 .027 .023 .010 .009 .004 .004. .001 .001 49 .506 .440 .182 .164 .078 .073 .020 .019 .007 .007 .003 .003 .001 .001
10.5 .107 .092 .029 .025 .011 .010 .005 .004 .001 .001 50 .525 .456 .188 .171 .081 .075 .021 .020 .007 .007 .003 .003 .001. 001
11 .117 .100 .032 .028 .011 .010 .005 .005 .001 .001 51 .545 .473 .196 .177 .084 .078 .022 .021 .008 .007 .003 .003 .001 .001
11.5 .127 .108 .035 .030 .012 .011 .005 .005 .001 .001 52 .565 .491 .203 .184 .087 .081 .023 .021 .008 .007 .003 .003 .001 .001
12 .137 .117 .037 .033 .013 .012 .006 .005 .001 .001 53 .585 .508 .210 .190 .090 .084 .023 .022 .008 .008 .003 .003 .001 .001
12.5 .148 .126 .040 .035 .015 .013 .006 .006 .002 .002 54 .605 .526 .217 .197 .093 .087 .024 .023 .008 .008 .004 .003 .001 .001
13 .159 .136 .043 .038 .016 .014 .007 .006 .002 .002 55 .626 .544 .225 .204 .096 .090 .025 .024 .009 .008 .004 .003 .001. 001
13.5 .171 .146 .047 .040 .017 .015 .007 .007 .002 .002 56 .648 .563 .232 .211 .100 .093 .026 .024 .009 .009 .004 .004 .001 .001
14 .183 .156 .050 .043 .018 .016 .008 .007 .002 .002 57 .669 .581 .240 .218 .103 .096 .027 .025 .009 .009 .004 .004 .001 .001
14.5 .195 .166 .053 .046 .019 .017 .008 .008 .002 .002 58 .691 .600 .248 .225 .106 .099 .028 .026 .010 .009 .004 .004 .001 .001
15 .208 .177 .057 .049 .020 .018 .009 .008 .002 .002 59 .713 .620 .256 .232 .110 .102 .029 .027 .010 .009 .004 .004 .001 .001
16 .234 .200 .064 .055 .023 .021 .010 .009 .003 .002 60 .736 .639 .264 .239 .113 .106 .029 .028 .010 .010 .004 .004 .001 .001
17 .262 .223 .071 .062 .026 .023 .011 .010 .003 .003 61 .759 .659 .272 .247 .117 .109 .030 .029 .011 .010 .004 .004 .001 .001
18 .291 .248 .079 .069 .028 .026 .012 .011 .003 .003 62 .782 .679 .281 .254 .120 .112 .031 .029 .011 .010 .005 .004 .001 .001
19 .321 .274 .088 .076 .031 .029 .014 .013 .004 .003 63 .805 .700 .289 .262 .124 .116 .032 .030 .011 .011 .005 .004 .001 .001
20 .353 .302 .096 .084 .035 .031 .015 .014 .004 .004 64 .829 .720 .298 .270 .128 .119 .033 .031 .012 .011 .005 .005 .001 .001
21 .387 .330 .105 .092 .038 .034 .016 .015 .004 .004 65 .853 .741 .306 .277 .131 .122 .034 .032 .012 .011 .005 .005 .001 .001
22 .422 .360 .115 .100 .041 .037 .018 .017 .005 .004 66 .878 .763 .315 .285 .135 .126 .035 .033 .012 .012 .005 .005 .001 .001
23 .458 .391 .125 .108 .045 .041 .019 .018 .005 .005 67 .902 .784 .324 .293 .139 .130 .036 .034 .013 .012 .005 .005 .001 .001
24 .495 .423 .135 .117 .048 .044 .021 .019 .005 .005 68 .927 .806 .333 .302 .143 .133 .037 .035 .013 .012 .005 .005 .001 .001
25 .534 .456 .146 .127 .052 .047 .022 .021 .006 .005 69 .953 .828 .342 .310 .147 .137 .038 .036 .013 .013 .006 .005 .001 .001
26 .574 .490 .157 .136 .056 .051 .024 .022 .006 .006 70 .979 .850 .351 .318 .151 .140 .039 .037 .014 .013 .006 .005 .001 .001
27 .616 .525 .168 .146 .060 .055 .026 .024 .007 .006 71 .873 .361 .327 .155 .144 .040 .038 .014 .013 .006 .006 .001 .001
28 .659 .562 .180 .156 .064 .058 .028 .026 .007 .0007 72 .896 .370 .335 .159 .148 .041 .039 .014 .014 .006 .006 .002 .001
29 .703 .600 .192 .167 .069 .062 .030 .028 .008 .007 73 .919 .380 .344 .163 .152 .042 .040 .015 .014 .006 .006 .002 .002
30 .748 .638 .204 .177 .073 .066 .031 .029 .008 .008 74 .942 .389 .353 .167 .156 .043 .041 .015 .014 .006 .006 .002 .002

75 .966 .399 .361 .171 .160 .044 .042 .015 .015 .007 .006 .002 .002

8
 21-30 feet per second > 30 feet per second

11/4" 11/2" 2" 21/2" 3" 4" 2" 21/2" 3" 4" 3" 4"
GPM L M L M L M L M L M L M GPM L M L M L M L M GPM L M L M

76 .409 .370 .175 .164 .046 .043 .016 .015 .007 .006 .002 .002 260 .444 .418 .154 .146 .065 .061 .016 .016 710 .417 .393 .105 .102
77 .419 .379 .180 .168 .047 .044 .016 .015 .007 .006 .002 .002 270 .476 .449 .166 .156 .070 .066 .018 .017 720 .428 .403 .108 .104
78 .429 .389 .184 .172 .048 .045 .017 .016 .007 .007 .002 .002 280 .509 .480 .177 .167 .075 .070 .019 .018 730 .439 .413 .111 .107
79 .439 .398 .189 .176 .049 .046 .017 .016 .007 .007 .002 .002 290 .543 .512 .189 .178 .079 .075 .020 .019 740 .450 .424 .114 .110
80 .450 .407 .193 .180 .050 .047 .017 .016 .007 .007 .002 .002 300 .578 .545 .201 .190 .085 .080 .021 .021 750 .461 .435 .117 .112
81 .460 .417 .197 .184 .051 .048 .018 .017 .008 .007 .002 .002 310 .614 .579 .214 .202 .090 .085 .023 .022 760 .473 .445 .120 .115
82 .471 .426 .202 .188 .052 .049 .018 .017 .008 .007 .002 .002 320 .651 .614 .227 .214 .095 .090 .024 .023 770 .484 .456 .123 .118
83 .481 .436 .207 .192 .054 .051 .019 .018 .008 .007 .002 .002 330 .689 .650 .240 .226 .101 .095 .026 .025 780 .496 .467 .125 .121
84 .492 .446 .211 .197 .055 .052 .019 .018 .008 .008 .002 .002 340 .729 .687 .254 .239 .107 .101 .027 .026 790 .508 .478 .128 .124
85 .503 .456 .216 .201 .056 .053 .020 .018 .008 .008 .002 .002 350 .769 .725 .268 .252 .113 .106 .028 .027 800 .520 .490 .131 .127
86 .514 .466 .221 .206 .057 .054 .020 .019 .008 .008 .002 .002 360 .810 .764 .282 .266 .119 .112 .030 .029 810 .532 .501 .135 .130
87 .525 .476 .225 .210 .059 .055 .020 .019 .009 .008 .002 .002 370 .852 .804 .297 .280 .125 .118 .032 .030 820 .544 .513 .138 .133
88 .536 .486 .230 .214 .060 .056 .021 .020 .009 .008 .002 .002 380 .895 .844 .312 .294 .131 .124 .033 .032 830 .556 .524 .141 1.36
89 .548 .496 .235 .219 .061 .058 .021 .020 .009 .008 .002 .002 390 .939 .886 .327 .308 .138 .130 .035 .034 840 .569 .536 .144 .139
90 .559 .506 .240 .224 .062 .059 .022 .020 .009 .009 .002 .002 400 .984 .928 .343 .323 .144 .136 .036 .035 850 .581 .548 .147 .142
91 .571 .517 .245 .228 .064 .060 .022 .021 .009 .009 .002 .002 410 .972 .359 .338 .151 .142 .038 .037 860 .594 .560 .150 .145
92 .582 .527 .250 .233 .065 .061 .023 .021 .010 .009 .002 .002 420 .375 .354 .158 .149 .040 .038 870 .607 .572 .154 .148
93 .594 .538 .255 .238 .066 .062 .023 .022 .010 .009 .002 .002 430 .392 .369 .165 .155 .042 .040 880 .620 .584 .157 .151
94 .606 .549 .260 .242 .068 .064 .024 .022 .010 .009 .003 .002 440 .409 .385 .172 .162 .044 .042 890 .633 .596 .160 .154
95 .618 .560 .265 .247 .069 .065 .024 .023 .010 .010 .003 .002 450 .426 .402 .179 .169 .045 .044 900 .646 .609 .164 .158
96 .630 .571 .270 .252 .070 .066 .024 .023 .010 .010 .003 .003 460 .444 .419 .187 .176 .047 .046 910 .659 .622 .167 .161
97 .642 .582 .276 .257 .072 .068 .025 .024 .010 .010 .003 .003 470 .462 .436 .194 .183 .049 .047 920 .673 .634 .170 .164
98 .655 .593 .281 .262 .073 .069 .025 .024 .011 .010 .003 .003 480 .480 .453 .202 .190 .051 .049 930 .686 .647 .174 .167
99 .667 .604 .286 .267 .074 .070 .026 .024 .011 .010 .003 .003 490 .499 .470 .210 .198 .053 .051 940 .700 .660 .177 .171
100 .679 .615 .292 .272 .076 .071 .026 .025 .011 .010 .003 .003 500 .518 .488 .218 .205 .055 .053 950 .714 .673 .181 .174
105 .744 .674 .319 .297 .083 .078 .029 .027 .012 .011 .003 .003 510 .537 .507 .226 .213 .057 .055 960 .728 .686 .184 .177
110 .811 .734 .348 .324 .090 .085 .031 .030 .013 .012 .003 .003 520 .557 .525 .234 .221 .059 .057 970 .742 .699 .188 .181
115 .880 .797 .378 .352 .098 .093 .034 .032 .014 .014 .004 .004 530 .577 .544 .243 .229 .061 .059 980 .756 .713 .191 .184
120 .952 .862 .409 .381 .106 .100 .037 .035 .016 .015 .004 .004 540 .597 .563 .251 .237 .064 .061 990 .771 .726 .195 .188
125 .930 .441 .411 .114 .108 .040 .038 .017 .016 .004 .004 550 .618 .583 .260 .245 .066 .063 1000 .785 .740 .199 .191
130 .474 .441 .123 .116 .043 .040 .018 .017 .005 .004 560 .639 .602 .269 .253 .068 .065

135 .508 .473 .132 .124 .046 .043 .019 .018 .005 .005 570 .660 .622 .278 .262 .070 .068 * Based on
Hazen-Williams formula:
140 .543 .506 .141 .133 .049 .046 .021 .019 .005 .005 580 .682 .643 .287 .270 .073 .070
4.52 Q1.85
145 .580 .540 .151 .142 .052 .049 .022 .021 .006 .005 590 .704 .663 .296 .279 .075 .072 P=
C 1.85 d 4.87
150 .617 .575 .160 .151 .056 .053 .023 .022 .006 .006 600 .726 .684 .305 .288 .077 .074
* Where:
160 .696 .648 .181 .170 .063 .059 .026 .025 .007 .006 610 .748 .705 .315 .297 .080 .077
P= friction loss, psi
170 .778 .725 .202 .191 .070 .066 .030 .028 .007 .007 620 .771 .727 .324 .306 .082 .079
per linear foot
180 .865 .806 .225 .212 .078 .074 .033 .031 .008 .008 630 .794 .749 .334 .315 .085 .081 Q= flow, g.p.m.
190 .956 .891 .248 .234 .086 .082 .036 .034 .009 .009 640 .818 .771 .344 .324 .087 .084 d = average I.D.,
200 .979 .273 .257 .095 .090 .040 .038 .010 .010 650 .842 .793 .354 .334 .090 .086 in inches
C= constant, 150
210 .299 .282 .104 .098 .044 .041 .011 .011 660 .866 .816 .364 .343 .092 .089

220 .326 .307 .113 .107 .048 .045 .012 .012 670 .890 .839 .374 .353 .095 .091

230 .354 .333 .123 .116 .052 .049 .013 .013 680 .915 .863 .385 .363 .097 .094

240 .383 .361 .133 .126 .056 .053 .014 .014 690 .940 .886 .395 .372 .100 .096

250 .413 .389 .144 .135 .060 .057 .015 .015 700 .965 .910 .406 .383 .103 .099

9
3. Friction Losses: Fittings and Valves

Table 3. Pressure Loss in Fittings and Valves Expressed as Equivalent Length of Tube, feet.
Fittings Valves
Fitting Size Standard Ells 90° Tees Coupling Ball Gate Btfly Check
(inches) 90° 45° side straight
branch run
/4
3
2 0.5 3 – – – – – 3
1 2.5 1 4.5 – – 0.5 – – 4.5
11/4 3 1 5.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 – – 5.5
11/2 4 1.5 7 0.5 0.5 0.5 – – 6.5
2 5.5 2 9 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 7.5 9
21/2 7 2.5 12 0.5 0.5 – 1 10 11.5
3 9 3.5 15 1 1 – 1.5 15.5 14.5
31/2 9 3.5 14 1 1 – 2 – 12.5
4 12.5 5 21 1 1 – 2 16 18.5
Notes: The equivalent length values above are actual values for copper fittings based on a C factor of 150 in the Hazen-Williams friction
loss formula. They are actual values and need not be increased by the correction factor of 1.51 as indicated in NFPA 13 to translate
values developed for fittings with a C factor of 120. The lengths shown are rounded to the nearest half foot.

4. Tube Bending Guide 5. Hanger Spacing

Table 4. Bending Guide for Copper Tube* Table 5. Hanger Spacing

Tube Tube Min. Bend Horizontal run
Size Type Temper Radius Tube Size Hanger spacing
(inches) (inches)** (inches) (feet)
K,L Annealed 3
3
/4 K,L Drawn 3
3
/4, 1 8
11/4, 11/2 10
1 K,L Annealed 4 2, 21/2, 3 12
31/2 to 8 15
11/4 K,L Annealed 9
** NFPA 13, Sec. 2-3.6 allows bending K and L copper tube.
** NFPA 13D and 13R have no restrictions on bending copper tube.
** Bending done with mechanical tools.

6. Hanger Sizing

Table 6. Hanger Sizing

Copper Tube SPS Steel Band or Ring Hanger
Tube Nominal Minimum
Size O.D. Size I.D.
(inches) (inches) (inches) (inches)

3
/4 0.875 /2 or 3/4
1
0.840 or 1.050
1 1.125 3
/4 or 1 1.050 or 1.315
11/4 1.375 1 1.315
11/2 1.625 11/4 1.660
2* 2.125 2 2.375
* Above 2-inch, use the same SPS hanger size as the tube size.

10
 Table 7. Typical Consumption of Solder per 100 Joints
7. Soldering and Brazing
Information Tube
Size /4
3
1 11/4 11/2 2 21/2 3 4
(inches)
NFPA 13, 13D and 13R rec-
ognize the use of 95-5 tin-anti- Solder*
0.60 0.90 1.1 1.5 2.4 3.2 4.3 7.5
mony solder for the joining of (pounds)
wet-pipe copper fire sprinkler *Pounds per 100 joints includes an allowance of 100% to cover wastage
systems. 1 and loss for tube sizes up to 2 inches and 25% for 21/2 inches and larger.
For all copper systems, Flux requirements are usually 2 ounces per pound of solder.
NFPA 13 recognizes the use of
filler metals for brazing which
withstand higher temperatures. CAUTION
NFPA 13 allows the use of Careless workmanship, especially during flux application, can result in
corrosion of tube and sprinkler heads long after the sprinkler system has
BCuP-3 and BCuP-4 brazing been installed. If excessive flux is used, the residue inside the tube can
filler metals. For more informa- cause corrosion. In an extreme case, such residual flux can actually lead to
tion, refer to AWS A5.8, perforation through the tube wall causing leakage. To guard against this
(“Specification for Brazing danger, it is important to follow the correct joining procedures as stated in the
Filler Metal”).* ASTM B 828.
Excellent results are attained
in using a non-aggressive sol-
dering or brazing flux which 8. Material Specifications
should be applied sparingly in a
thin, even coating to both tube Table 8. Specifications for Tube, Fittings, Solder and
and fitting. The fluxes best Brazing Alloys and Flux
suited for soldering copper and
copper alloy tube should meet
the requirements of ASTM B Materials Applicable Specification
or Standard
813. The fluxes used in brazing
are different in composition to TUBE:
soldering fluxes and can not be Seamless Copper Tube ASTM B 75
used interchangeably.
Seamless Copper Water Tube ASTM B 88
(Type K, L and M)
1. To consistently make satisfactory
soldered joints, follow the sequence General Requirements for ASTM B 251
of joint preparation and operations Wrought Seamless Copper and
prescribed in ASTM Standard Practice Copper-Alloy Tube
B 828.
Copper Drainage Tube ASTM B 306
(DWV)
FITTINGS:
Cast Copper Alloy Solder Joint ASME B 16.18
References Pressure Fittings
ANSI: American National Standards Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy ASME B 16.22
Institute, Inc. 1819 L Street NW Solder Joint Pressure Fittings
Washington, DC 20036.
Cast Copper Alloy Pipe Flanges and ASME B 16.24
ASME: The American Society of Flanged Fittings
Mechanical Engineers,
3 Park Avenue,
JOINING MATERIALS:
New York, NY 10016-5990. Brazing Filler Metal ANSI/AWS A 5.8
(Classification BCuP-3 or BCuP-4)
ASTM: American Society for Testing and
Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Dr., Solder Metal ASTM B 32
West Conshohocken, (95-5 Tin-Antimony, Alloy Grade Sb5)
PA 19428-2959.
Standard Specification for Liquid and ASTM B 813
*AWS: American Welding Society, Paste Fluxes for Soldering of Copper
550 N.W. LeJeune Road and Copper Alloy Tube.
Miami, FL 33126.
Standard Practice for Making Capillary ASTM B 828
Joints by Soldering of Copper and
Copper Alloy Tube and Fittings

11
 RELEVANT COPPER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
LITERATURE
Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems (A4010)
Copper vs. CPVC for Automatic
Fire Sprinkler Systems (A4026)
The Copper Tube Handbook (A4015)
Copper Tube Sizing Calculator and Handbook (A4005)
Guide Specifications on Plumbing (A4018)
Soldering and Brazing Copper Tube and Fittings (A1143)
Application Bulletins — Copper Fire Sprinkler Systems:
Pelican Bay Apartments, Mesa, Arizona (410/5)
Peabody Court Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland (405/4)
Wanamaker House Apartments, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania (406/4)
Stone Creek Apartments, Tyler, Texas (404/4)
Phoenix Municipal Building: Copper Installation (4014)
Contractor Finds Copper System Saves
More than Just Pennies (4043)

NOTICE: This Design Guide has been prepared for the use of professional
engineers and fire sprinkler system designers and installers. It has been compiled
from information supplied by testing, research, manufacturing, standards and
consulting organizations that Copper Development Association Inc. believes to be
competent sources for such data. However, recognizing that each fire sprinkler
system must be engineered to meet particular circumstances, CDA assumes no
responsibility or liability of any kind whatsoever in connection with this Design Guide
or its use by any person or organization and makes no representations or
warranties of any kind hereby.

Copper Development Association

A4003-96/02