Copper Alliance HSDG Australia

Pipe Systems
Copper is the ideal pipework material for
plumbing, heating, gas and fire sprinkler pipework.
(Figure 2.5) Copper is probably the most
used material for plumbing in the World.
Benefits Of Copper Tube
Reliable and time proven: Copper has been
conveying water for thousands of years. The
first known installation was laid in an ancient
Egyptian temple, almost 5,000 years ago.
High resistance: It can withstand extreme
high and low temperatures and pressures and
can be exposed to the UV rays, temperature
and oxygen of outside environments.
Versatile: Copper tube is used in many services:
drinking water, heating (domestic and radiant),
gas, medical gases, solar energy systems, fire
sprinklers, air conditioning systems. It meets the
requirements of safety in a unmatched, wide
range of temperatures and pressures.
Energy saving: Thanks to its excellent
thermal conductivity, copper is the best
material to exchange heat (or cold fluids).
That’s why the most efficient radiant hydronic
heating have circuits in copper tube.
Hygenic: Copper is an excellent tube
material for installations to combat build up of
germs and bacteria, like legionella.
Recyclable: In cases of demolition or
renovation, copper tube can be 100% recycled
without loss of performance; so, the volume of
waste at landfill is not increased and the mine
resources are not further exploited.
Healthy: The tube is made of 99,90% copper,
and the composition will not change in time;
no additives, volatile organic compounds or
pigments are inside it. Beyond that, it is the
material of choice for transport of medical
gases - like pure oxygen - in hospitals.
Beautiful: Copper tube can be fitted on the
outside of a wall and, thanks to its attractive
look, can even be exploited to make beautiful
wall radiators.
Drinking water
Copper has a unique feature among the
materials used for the transport of drinking water:
its hygienic properties can fight and inhibit the
proliferation of bacteria coming in contact with
its inner surface, like legionella pneumophila.
Several research papers have proved the benefit
of copper tube, and some hospitals have decided
to again install copper tube for their water piping
system to protect the health of their patients. In
addition, copper tube can release only copper ions
into water, which are necessary for the metabolism
of our body: the water we drink and use transported
by copper tubes will not contain additives, pigments,
VOCs or other synthetic compounds.
Figure 2.5
Copper Tubes
Hydronic Heating
Copper is the material of choice for heating
installations, thanks to its reliability and safety. It
melts at 1083°C: therefore, hot water or steam
do not soften or alter the shape of the tube; high
temperature does not shorten the life of the tube,
and consequently the life of the installation.
In addition, copper has excellent thermal
conductivity and, for that reason, is the most
efficient material for systems that have to exchange
heat. This is the case, for example, with underfloor
or wall radiant heating: systems made with copper
have shorter piping paths compared to plastic
systems, which means less head loss and less
energy consumption for the circulation pumps.
Gas Pipelines
Copper tube for gas can be placed almost
everywhere: indoor and outdoor, embedded, in
the ground or in dedicated structures, because
it is able to meet the safety requirements for this
kind of installation. The red metal is not permeable
to gases and air, so no leakage or contamination
from outside is possible; oxygen, UV rays and
temperature do not lower its mechanical properties.
All over the World copper tube is approved for use
by international and local standards; designers and
installers rely on it, knowing that it doesn’t burn or
propagate fire and it provides gas-tight joints.
Hydraulic Services Design Guide - 5 th Edition March 2022
Chapter Two
12
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