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ASTM Piping Color Coding

This document discusses potential solutions to conflicts between pipe color codes used by utilities and plumbing codes. It outlines that ASTM standards designate specific colors for different types of copper pipe that are used for potable water, medical gases, and other purposes. However, these color codes sometimes conflict with requirements in plumbing codes. The document proposes using ASTM standard pipe colors and modifying some standards, like allowing green medical gas pipe, to resolve the conflicts in pipe color codes between industry standards and plumbing codes. This would provide consistent color coding that complies with both sets of requirements.

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Gede Darmajaya
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2K views18 pages

ASTM Piping Color Coding

This document discusses potential solutions to conflicts between pipe color codes used by utilities and plumbing codes. It outlines that ASTM standards designate specific colors for different types of copper pipe that are used for potable water, medical gases, and other purposes. However, these color codes sometimes conflict with requirements in plumbing codes. The document proposes using ASTM standard pipe colors and modifying some standards, like allowing green medical gas pipe, to resolve the conflicts in pipe color codes between industry standards and plumbing codes. This would provide consistent color coding that complies with both sets of requirements.

Uploaded by

Gede Darmajaya
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Water Reuse in Texas 2012

Don Vandertulip, PE, BCEE Principal

July 12, 2012

Presentation Outline
Problem Recognition Current Utility Pipe Color Codes Plumbing Code Pipe Colors/Revision Process Plumbing Code Pipe Conflicts Potential Solutions

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Problem Recognition
Purple pipe - accepted international pipe color for reclaimed water Identified in the EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse Adopted/required by most US states Plumbing code changes now require purple pipe for alternate waters

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Plumbing Code - Alternate Waters


All alternate waters are non-potable
Graywater y Rainwater Stormwater AC condensate, etc. Onsite reclaimed water

Cross-connection C ti risk ik

Potable water cross-connection potential with 5 nonpotable sources p Municipal reclaimed water system contamination Cross connection between two non-potable sources

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Historical Utility Pipe Color Codes


Two national standards familiar to utilities
American Public Works Association AssociationUniform Color Standard Common Ground Alliance AllianceBest Practices, Feb 2009

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Reclaimed Water Guidance/Standards


1980 AWWA California-Nevada Section adopted purple standard 1980 APWA-ULCC blue/green code 2003 APWA reclaimed l i d purple l EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse many states-Pantone 512 or 522 Draft AWWA Standard for Reclaimed Water Included in numerous professional Manuals of Practice
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Onsite Plumbing Code Changes


International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) 3-year update cycle 2006 required yellow pipe/ black text 2009 requires purple pipe/ black text 2012 amended-new and old colors 2009/12 International Code Council (ICC) International Plumbing Code (IPC) also requires purple pipe
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Plumbing Code Revision Process


Water reuse organizations contacted IAPMO

TIA AWWA/WEF/WRA White Paper - green pipe with black text proposed August 2009-rejected 2012 UPC Code revision done, 2015 in process 2010/2011 - several requests q submitted to change alternate water pipe color one amended Council accepted one amendment during Public Comment from Alliance For Water Effi i Efficiency
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Amended Color Coding in 2012 UPC


Final amendment accepted to Section 601.2 601.2.1 Potable Water. Green background with white lettering 601.2.2 Color and information. Except as required in Section 601.2.2.1, nonpotable water systems shall have a yellow background with black uppercase lettering 601.2.2.1 601 2 2 1 Alternate Al Water W Sources. S P l b Purple background k d
Reclaimed (municipal) - black uppercase lettering G Gray water - yellow ll l letters (P (Pantone 108) On-Site Treated Water Systems - yellow letters (Pantone 108) R i Rainwater t C Catchment t h tS Systems t - yellow ll l letters tt (P (Pantone t 108)
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Conflicts Remain in UPC


Section 601.2.2 requires yellow pipe with black marking for non-potable water Remember - 2006 required yellow pipe/ black text

UPC considers id green pipe i to carry potable bl water onsite a potential cross connection? ASTM B88 B88, T Type K copper with green stripe

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Alternate Water Standards


Monitoring alternate waters
State agency review/approve/monitor alternate water treatment or quality Alternate water match quality of other state regulated waters

National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Treatment Standard 350 and 350-1, July 2011
Treatment Capacity > 379 lpd (100 gpd) and < 5,678 l d (1500 lpd (1500gpd) d)

IAPMO Standard
Treatment T Capacity C i < 379 lpd l d (100 gpd) d)
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Acceptable Existing Pipe?


Pipe choices available PVC coated copper, PVC, CPVC, HDPE Codes possibly driven by product protection Codes often influenced by those seeking patent protection Utilities confident in the ROW color code We must cross the property line

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Plumbing Code Color Requirements


IAPMO 2009 UPC-601.2.1 Potable Water. Green background with white lettering. ICC 2012 IPC-608.8.2 Color. The color of the pipe shall be discernable and consistent throughout the building. UPC/IPC require labeled purple pipe, flow arrow, text listing material in pipe CAUTION: NONPOTABLE RECLAIMED (RECYCLED) WATER, DO NOT DRINK. UPC/IPC allow alternate material-ie PVC, CPVC, copper
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

ALTERNATE PIPE SOLUTIONS - ASTM CODE


ASTM STANDARD B-88 TYPE OF PIPE
Seamless Copper Water Tube Type K Seamless Copper Water Tube Type L Seamless Copper Water Tube Type M Seamless Copper Water Tube Type K Seamless Copper Water Tube yp L Type Threadless Copper Pipe (TP) Copper Drainage Tube (DWV) Seamless Copper Tube for Medical Gas Systems Type K Seamless Copper Tube for Medical Gas Systems Type L

DRAWN OR ANNEALED
Drawn Drawn Drawn Annealed Annealed Drawn Drawn

COLOR CODE
Green Blue Red none none Gray Yellow

USE
water distribution water distribution water distribution water distribution water distribution general plumbing sanitary drain, waste, vent non-flammable medical gases with type marked non flammable medical non-flammable gases with type marked

B-302 B-306 B-819

Drawn

Green

B-819

Drawn

Blue

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Plumbing Code Color Conflicts


Green G Stripe St i C Copper
B-88 Type K Drawn - Potable Water B-819 Type yp K Drawn - Medical Gas

Blue Stripe Copper


B-88 Type L Drawn - Potable Water B-819 B 819 Type T LD Drawn - Medical M di l G Gas

Yellow Stripe Copper


B-306 DWV drain/vent, / , 2009 UPC/IPC non-potable, flammable gas pipe code

Gray Stripe Copper


B-302 TP general purpose p plumbing g Consider for graywater?
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Potential Pipe Solutions


Blue pipe or blue stripe pipe for onsite potable piping Green pipe or green stripe pipe for onsite wastewater Yellow pipe or yellow stripe pipe for flammable gas pipe Gray pipe or gray stripe pipe for graywater or drains Purple pipe or purple stripe pipe for highly treated reclaimed l i d water
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Potential Plumbing Code Arguments


Type L copper is lower pressure!
Yes- 7,765 psi for 0.5 in copper to 2,650 psi for 8-in Incised type K, L, or M to designate thickness Thickest class K still available

May create conflict with medical gas pipe!


Change ASTM B-819 B 819 to allow green as medical gas color Incised type K or L to designate thickness
ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

Questions
Don Vandertulip, PE, BCEE CDM Smith - San Antonio 210.253.2870 Direct 210.426.5843 Cell Vandertulipwd@cdmsmith. com

ASTM STANDARDS OFFER A SOLUTION TO THE PIPE COLOR CODE ISSUE

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