User Guide

Plumbing Design Assistance Manual l Chapter 5 – System design and layout l 61
Controlling expansion
in cold-water systems
Best practice for controlling
expansion forces is to
continuously restrain the pipe
by installing Uponor PEX-a
Pipe Support. Domestic cold
water systems do not typically
experience the temperature
differentials seen in domestic
hot-water systems, therefore
requiring fewer xed anchor
points. Install PEX-a Pipe
Support in accordance with
the installation guidelines in
Chapter 6.
Strapping shall be:
• Nylon-coated stainless-steel
with a minimum tensile rating
of 300 lbs.
• Rated for operating
temperature ranges
• UV-resistant to withstand
expected life of the piping
system
To account for expansion, use
xed anchor points to restrict
piping movement. Fixed
anchor points shall be:
• Installed every 150 ft.
(45.7m)
• Constructed with materials
that provide rigidity (see
Figure 5-6)
• Used with a pipe clamp that
will restrain piping material
• Installed within 18" of a re-
rated wall penetration (see
Figure 5-7)
Expansion and
contraction: risers
Vertical piping runs must
comply with support spacing
as dened by code (see
Figure 6-40 on page 80). Best
practice is to utilize the oor
assembly as an anchor point
for controlling expansion and
contraction by means of riser
clamps. Do this by utilizing an
additional riser clamp at the
top of the oor assembly as
listed below:
• Domestic hot water: top of
every-other oor (see Figure
6-40 on page 80)
• Domestic cold water: top of
every fourth oor
Figure 5-7: Fixed anchor point — re-rated wall penetration
Fixed anchor point
Fire-rated
wall penetration
18" (45.7cm)
max.