Lawton Tubes
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Working Pressures / Mechanical Properties

Dimensions and Tolerances (includes chrome plated and PVC covered)

O.D.
(mm)
Wall (mm)TemperMax Working
Pressure bar up
Thickness
Tolerance
 Diameter Tolerance MeanDiameter Tolerance Including Ovality
60.6 (TX)Half Hard133Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
60.6Soft90Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmNot applicable
60.8 (TY)Half Hard188Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
80.6 (TX)Half Hard97Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
80.6Soft66Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmNot applicable
80.8 (TY)Half Hard136Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
100.6 (TX)Half Hard77Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
100.7 (TY)Soft62Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmNot applicable
100.8 (TY)Half Hard106Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
120.6 (TX)Half Hard63Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
120.8 (TY)Half Hard87Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
150.7 (TX)Half Hard58Âħ10%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
151.0 (TY)Half Hard87Âħ13%Âħ 0.04mmÂħ0.09mm
151.0 (TY)Soft67Âħ13%Âħ 0.04mmNot applicable
220.9 (TX)Half Hard51Âħ10%Âħ 0.05mmÂħ0.10mm
221.2 (TY)Half Hard69Âħ15%Âħ 0.05mmÂħ0.10mm
221.2 (TY)Soft57Âħ15%Âħ 0.05mmNot applicable
280.9 (TX)Half Hard40Âħ10%Âħ 0.05mmÂħ0.10mm
281.2 (TY)Half Hard55Âħ15%Âħ 0.05mmÂħ0.10mm
351.0 (LiteX)Hard42Âħ15%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.07mm
351.2 (TX)Half Hard42Âħ10%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.11mm
351.5 (TY)Hard64Âħ10%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.07mm
421.0 (LiteX)Hard35Âħ15%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.07mm
421.2 (TX)Half Hard35Âħ10%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.11mm
421.5 (TY)Hard53Âħ10%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.07mm
541.2 (TX)Hard33Âħ15%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.07mm
542.0 (TY)Hard55Âħ10%Âħ 0.06mmÂħ0.07mm
66.71.2 (TX)Hard26Âħ15%Âħ 0.07mmÂħ0.10mm
66.72.0 (TY)Hard45Âħ15%Âħ 0.07mmÂħ0.10mm
76.11.5 (TX)Hard29Âħ15%Âħ 0.07mmÂħ0.10mm
76.12.0 (TY)Hard39Âħ15%Âħ 0.07mmÂħ0.10mm
1081.5 (TX)Hard20Âħ15%Âħ 0.07mmÂħ0.20mm
1082.5 (TY)Hard34Âħ15%Âħ 0.07mmÂħ0.20mm
1331.5 (TX)Hard16Âħ15%Âħ 0.20mmÂħ0.70mm
1592.0 (TX)Hard18Âħ15%Âħ 0.20mmÂħ0.70mm
2193.0 (TX)Hard20Âħ15%Âħ 0.60mmÂħ1.50mm

Water Capacity

Table W Microbore

O/D mmCapacity kg/m
60.0169
80.0347
100.0558

Table X 6mm – 159mm Copper Pipe capacity

O/D mmCapacity kg/m
60.0169
80.0347
100.0615
120.0890
150.1416
180.2063
220.3140
280.5308
350.8220
421.2163
542.0712
673.2134
764.1699
1088.6107
13313.2647
15918.8351

Table Y 6mm – 108mm

O/D mmCapacity kg/m
60.0139
80.0302
100.0529
120.0818
150.1280
180.1952
220.2943
280.5050
350.7888
421.1758
541.9317
673.2375
764.0438
1088.2527
Expansion of copper pipe

Copper has a coefficient of linear expansion of 17 x 10-6oC. for example, a 10-metre length of copper pipe carrying hot water at 600C will increase in length by almost 7mm when heated from 200C. Assuming that the temperature cycling of the system is 200C, there will be a continuous cycle of expansion and contraction of 3.4mm. Refer to table below.

Temperature change3m4m5m6m7m8m9m10m12m25m
10°0.5mm0.7mm0.9mm1.0mm1.2mm1.4mm1.5mm1.7mm2.0mm4.3mm
20°1.0mm1.4mm1.7mm2.0mm2.4mm2.7mm3.0mm3.4mm4.0mm8.5mm
30°1.5mm2.0mm2.6mm3.1mm3.6mm4.1mm4.6mm5.1mm6.1mm13.0mm
40°2.0mm2.7mm3.4mm4.1mm4.8mm5.4mm6.1mm6.8mm8.2mm17.0mm
50°2.6mm3.4mm4.3mm5.1mm6.0mm6.8mm7.7mm8.5mm10.2mm21.0mm
60°3.1mm4.1mm5.1mm6.1mm7.1mm8.2mm9.2mm10.2mm12.2mm26.0mm
70°3.6mm4.8mm6.0mm7.1mm8.3mm9.5mm10.7mm11.9mm14.3mm30.0mm
80°4.1mm5.4mm6.8mm8.2mm9.5mm10.9mm12.2mm13.6mm16.3mm34.0mm
90°4.6mm6.1mm7.7mm9.2mm10.7mm12.2mm13.8mm15.3mm18.4mm38.0mm
100°5.1mm6.8mm8.5mm10.2mm11.9mm13.6mm15.3mm17.0mm20.4mm43.0mm
150°7.65mm10.2mm12.75mm15.3mm17.85mm20.4mm22.95mm25.5mm30.6mm63.75mm
200°10.2mm13.6mm17.0mm20.4mm23.8mm27.2mm30.6mm34.0mm40.8mm85.0mm
Fixing Copper Pipes

Copper pipe installations have been tried and tested over many years of use in all parts of plumbing and heating systems. Copper’s versatility in such a wide variety of situations has resulted in the design and development of many different types of fixing clips and bracketing systems.

All pipework systems must be adequately supported if they are to give trouble-free service, especially over the long life of a copper system. Manufacturers’ catalogue illustrate a vast range of clips and brackets to meet specific requirements, a few of which are illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Typical clips and brackets

Selection of the most appropriate pattern of clip or bracket depends on a number of factors which will vary with the type of job and position or situation in which the tube is installed. For example, a pipe has to be insulated against heat or frost in accordance with Water regulations. In this situation, a simple plastic stand-off clip will not give sufficient clearance for the thickness of insulation required between the tube and the fixing surface. Therefore, an alternative type of support must be chosen, such as a ring bracket with a threaded rod and backplate.

Another factor which can have a very significant effect on the overall cost of an installation is the actual number of tube supports required. Because copper tube is a relatively rigid and self-supporting material, it requires comparatively few supports when compared to non-metallic tube.

How far apart should the supports for copper pipes and tubes be placed?

The recommended intervals are set out in Table 1. Studying the table will show that fewer supports are required on vertical runs. This is because the vertical tube will not be subjected to possible sagging between supports. Excessive sagging will occur on horizontal runs of pipes made from any material if the supports are too far apart.

Diameter of Copper Pipe (mm)Intervals for Vertical Runs (m)Intervals for Horizontal Runs (m)
60.60.4
80.90.6
101.20.8
121.51
151.81.2
222.41.8
2.42.4
2832.4
3532.7
4233
5433
673.63
763.63
1083.63
1333.63
1594.23.6
Table 1: Recommended Maximum Fixing Intervals for Copper Tube Supports.

Another factor which must be borne in mind, especially when considering supports for larger diameter tube and/or lightweight building structures, is the method to be used to fix the tube support to the building fabric. The fixing method used must be able to transmit the weight of the tube and its contents as well as any other forces acting on the tube to the building fabric without damage.

Bracing long runs of tube

On long runs of tube with fixing supports such as hanging brackets anchor bracing should be used at 12m centers to avoid swaying. The distance between anchor fixings used for bracing and expansion joints in hot water lines is determined by the type of expansion joint used and the amount of movement which the joint can accommodate. Figure 2 shows how a long run of tube can be anchored by means of supports at each change of direction. The expansion can then be accommodated by an expansion joint or by fabricating an expansion loop, either from fittings or by bending the tube. If an expansion loop is used it should be installed and supported in the horizontal plane to prevent air locks.

Figure 2

Where a gland type expansion joint is used and the tube is subjected to a temperature difference of 60°C, then if the expansion joint can accommodate 25mm of expansion the length of straight tube each side of the joint to an anchor fixing can be up to 12.5m.

This is because each 1 metre length of copper tube will change in length by approximately 1mm when its temperature is changed by 60°C. So, 1mm of movement within the expansion joint permits 1m of pipe length between expansion joint and anchor points.

Similarly, if a bellows type expansion joint is used, the tube should be installed so that it stretches the bellows. By applying “cold draw” in this way the bellows will be able to accommodate the expansion. n order to avoid possible breakdown of branch joints connected to a heating or hot water main, it may be advisable to use the branch joints as anchor fixings. Where, however, the branch is connected to a tube which will itself be moving due to thermal expansion, then the leg of the branch should also be able to move. In this situation “cross-over tees” should be used to permit the movement as in Figure 3.

Figure 3

All tube runs should be aligned correctly to prevent undue strain. This is particularly important when connecting tube to a plastic cistern. Suitable backing plates or washers without sharp edges should be fitted between the tube connection and the cistern to spread any load.

Notching and drilling floor and roof joists

Notches and holes in simply supported floor and roof joists should be within the following limits:

  • Notches should be cut no deeper than 1/8 of the depth of the joist.
  • They should not be cut closer to the support than 0.07 times the span, nor further away than 1/4 of the span.

Drilled holes should be no greater in diameter than 1/4 of the depth of the joist. They should be drilled on the neutral axis and should be not less than 3 diameters apart, measured from center to center. Holes should be located in the area between 0.25 and 0.4 times the span of the joist from the support.

Note: Notches or holes for pipes must NOT be cut in roof rafters. Figure 4 shows the permitted limits of notches and holes in floor and roof joists.

Figure 4

Cabling soft copper tube through joists

The ability to drill holes through joists means that where soft coiled copper tube
(up to 10mm O.D. Table W or up to 12mm O.D. Table Y) is to be installed it is quite easy to drill and cable the tube through the joists. This means that in new build work the tube can sometimes, if desired, be installed from below after the floorboards have been laid but before ceilings are boarded.

Use of Joist Clips

Where straight lengths of half – hard copper tube are required to be run in floors they can be laid in notches. By using pipe joist clips with integral protective metal plates, the risk of damage due to punctures from nailing accidents should be eliminated. Furthermore, the rectangular shape of the joist clip can be used as a template when notching joists. This should avoid the joists being weakened accidentally by excessively deep notches.

Although unseen when the installation is complete, joist clips improve the overall quality of the installation. They do this by helping to align the tube and permit expansion movement due to temperature changes in hot water lines. This will help to prevent clicking noises and the water hammer which can arise due to badly-aligned pipework.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs
What test certificates do you offer for your copper pipes and tubes?

All our copper pipes are manufactured to BS EN1057, ISO 9001, and kitemarked

What’s your minimum order for copper pipes?

1,000kgs of copper tube for FOC (approx. £6,000 ex VAT in value)

Where do your copper products originate from?

A large proportion of copper for our products, including our 15mm pipe, is mined in Chile. There are around 30 processing plants and factories around the world with a variety of capabilities; we have two drawing plants based in the UK.

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