Water supply pipes ver1.0
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1. The document compares different types of pipes used for water supply in residences, including CPVC, composite, PEX, and stainless steel pipes. It analyzes the cost of each type based on typical usage in a house and provides a comparison table. 2. Composite pipes combine advantages of metal and plastic pipes, but are more expensive than CPVC. PEX tubing allows eliminating fittings behind walls but cannot be used outside. Stainless steel is durable but expensive for residential use. 3. Proper design and workmanship are important to ensure long performance of any pipe material. Reasonable consideration should be given to selecting water supply pipes, as they are embedded and difficult to replace, though their cost
Water supply pipes ver1.0
- 1. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES Selection of Pipes for Water Supply in Residences Earlier only GI pipe was available for water supply but now new piping materials are being introduced in the market making it dif鍖cult to chose the best to use in your dream house . Properties of some of the more common pipes used these days like, CPVC, Composite (PE/Al/PE), PEX and Stainless Steel have been compared; cost has been analysed based on the length of pipes and 鍖ttings like, bends, tees etc. used in a typical house (excluding CP 鍖ttings like angle or concealed valves, faucets etc. which can vary according to personal preference). Comparison table is attached. Major observations are summarised below: 1. Water supply pipe like drainage pipes and electrical wires are the arteries of any building supplying services to a building. These get embedded in the building behind wall and 鍖oor 鍖nishes and are hidden from view, but they are expensive and troublesome to replace, therefore reasonable thought should go in selecting these vital items for your house. Even though the cost of water supply pipes may be less than 0.5% of the total cost of the house they deserve serious consideration. 2. CPVC has the lowest cost, is easy and quick to install. Pipes which are exposed to sunlight can age and become brittle. CPVC has been used for quite some time and can be a good choice where there is a constraint for budget. 3. Composite pipes constructed with a Aluminium layer sandwiched between two PE(Polyethylene) or PEX(Cross Linked Polyethylene) layers combine the advantages of both metal as well as plastics. It has thermal expansion close to metal pipes; can be easily bent. making it easy to lay. Recently one manufacturer has introduced pre-insulated composite pipes. This pipe, though about 4 -5 times more expensive as compared to CPVC pipes, is an excellent choice for water supply for external as well as internal use. 4. PEX tubing is the latest piping on the market. It has the unique advantage that it can reduce all 鍖ttings behind the wall to zero and if installed properly can be pulled out like a wire for replacement. However it cannot be used for external application like carrying water from the Overhead Water Tank to the toilet. PEX is about 25% to 50% more expensive than Composite pipes. 5. Stainless Steel is an excellent pipe material but seems an overkill in residences. 6. Proper design and workmanship is the key, manufacturers instructions should be strictly followed in laying and jointing methods for all pipes to perform well in the long run. The above is based on information from various sources and is being shared in good faith to assist people in taking an informed decision. For any feedback please contact sudhirgupts@me.com. April 8, 2020 Water Supply Pipes.ver1.0 Page of1 3
- 2. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES Comparison of Water Supply Pipes 12 3.1.2.3 Multilayer pipes Multilayer composite tubes consist of two polymer layers, one of them inside the pipe, the other outside. These layers are made of polyethylene with a high heat resistance. The two layers are separated by a central polymer layer made of aluminum. This gives greater strength pipe and provides an oxygen barrier. Aluminum layer on the outside and the inside is covered with adhesive layers. FIGURE 9. Principal scheme of the multilayer pipe Multilayer pipe produced using TIG-welding (Tungsten Inert Gas). In TIG welding method uses inert argon gas. With it welded aluminum layer. Multilayer pipe can be used for hot and cold water and under floor heating. Multilayer pipes can operate at temperatures ranging from 0 属C to 70 属C. Pipes can withstand a maximum pressure of 10 bars. For 100 hours for all the life cycle of the pipe it is capable of operating at a temperature of 95 属C /14./ Multilayer pipes have good UV protection. This allows you to install from the open way. As with PEX pipe must adhere to the same manufacturer. You have to buy the pipe, fittings, and tools with a single manufacturer. This is a pretty big drawback. As well as PEX tubing and copper pipes, multilayer pipes can be in rolls or individual pieces of straight pipes. This gives us a choice. For laying long lines would be better to use pipes in the coil to reduce the number of connecting nodes. Coil length may reach 500 meters /14./ CPVC Composite PEX/ Al/PEX PEX (for internal use only) Stainless Steel Brand /Series name Astral, Vectus, Supreme, Kisan, Ashirwad Kitec, Veiga, Nexgen, Jindal, Kan-therm, Vectus Giacomini, Astral Jindal, Viega Material of Construction Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride Multilayer, PEX/ Aluminum/PEX Cross-linked polyethylene Stainless Steel Jointing/ Connecting method Cold solvent welding Crimped, Compression Crimped, Compression and push-鍖t Press 鍖tting Temperature Range Can be used for Cold and Hot Water Can be used for Cold and Hot Water Can be used for Cold and Hot Water Can be used for Cold and Hot Water Thermal expansion, mm in 50 m with 50o C rise 180 60 500 27.5 UV Resistance, Exposed application Can be used exposed but becomes brittle with time Can be used exposed Cannot be used exposed, degrades rapidly in sunlight No effect Durability Good Very Good Very Good Very high Bendability None Very Good, and stays in place Excellent, but bounces back None Pipe Interior surface smoothness Smooth Very smooth Very smooth Very smooth Chlorine Resistance Good Good Ease of installation and training of plumbers Easy and fast Easy installation Easy installation April 8, 2020 Water Supply Pipes.ver1.0 Page of2 3
- 3. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES Advantages 1. Low cost 2. Easy and fast to instal 1. Combines the advantages of both metal and plastic while avoiding both of their weaknesses. 2. Completely eliminating oxygen permeation and 3. Small linear expansion coef鍖cient 4. Can be easily located with metal detector 5. Kitec has started making pre- insulated pipes which is a big advantage 1. Practically no 鍖tting behind the surface. 2. Manifolds can be built with isolating valves for easy maintenance. So leakages can be attended without shutting down the toilet. 3. Can be pulled out and changed like electrical wiring. 4. Kinks in the pipe can be 鍖xed by applying heat. 1. Corrosion resistance 2. Hygiene and suitability for transporting drinking water, 3. Less prone to deposit formation or bacteria colonization, 4. Strength and ductility. Disadvantages 1. Can become brittle with age and UV exposure 2. Since glue can quickly worsen over time, CPVC pipes are more likely to start leaking. 3. Care needs to be taken to account for expansion in length by providing expansion loops in longer pipe runs 1. Degrades with sunlight therefore cannot be used exposed 2. Different pipe has to be used for external exposed piping 3. Pipe length can be about 20% more because of distribution from manifold. 4. Requires a lot of predesign and proper skill for installation to take advantage of ability to pull out pipe to replace damaged pipe 1. High initial cost Price Index 1 4-5 5-8 24 CPVC Composite PEX/ Al/PEX PEX (for internal use only) Stainless Steel April 8, 2020 Water Supply Pipes.ver1.0 Page of3 3