How to Determine the Pipe Material

Suggested Items

• Rough sandpaper in case there's paint on the pipes. 

Overview

Determining the pipe material is an important first step in preparing the flow monitor. The pipe material will stipulate the process used to prepare and calibrate the flow monitor prior to installation. Pipe material spec will ensure the flow monitor is calibrated for accuracy.  The most common pipe materials are listed below along with images. 

Pipe Materials

Copper Pipe

Metal pipe, typically orange/copper in color but can look browner with a thin patina. Green corrosion (think Statue of Liberty) can sometimes be spotted around joints of copper pipe. Copper pipe comes in 2 varieties; type M and type L. It is important to determine if the copper pipe is type L or M. The letter "L" or "M" is usually stamped into the pipe to indicate its type. 

• Copper L Pipe: Typically used for underground water service and distribution lines, as well as above-ground domestic water systems. It is a medium-thick walled pipe and is slightly thicker than copper M pipe.
• Copper M Pipe: Typically used for above-ground domestic water systems. Copper M has a thinner walled pipe than Copper L, so it is primarily used indoors.

Copper L Pipe (color coded w/ Blue strip)	Copper M Pipe (color coded w/ Red strip):

PVC Pipe (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Plastic pipe, typically white in color or gray in color; this pipe may say Schedule 40 somewhere on it. 

CPVC Pipe (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)

Plastic pipe, typically beige or light yellow in color. CPVC is similar to PVC but is designed to handle higher temperates and pressures. The pipe may have "CPVC" or "NSF-PW" (National Sanitation Foundation-Potable Water) printed somewhere on the pipe. 

Pex Piping

Plastic pipe, typically blue for incoming water supplies. This type of pipe will be somewhat flexible. 

Galvanize Steel

Metal pipes, typically silver, steel, or black in color. The metal pipe is coated with a layer of zinc to protect it from corrosion. Galvanized steel pipe can also be identified by the letter "G" stamped on the pipe. 

Please Note: Galvanized Steel pipes are not compatible with FM350 powered by UltraSonix. There are many reason not to use galvanized steel for potable water. It is recommended to replace Galvanized Steel pipes when possible. 

In summary, each pipe material has its own unique characteristics that can be used to identify it. Once the pipe material and pipe size for each monitor point location has been identified, HPDS will provide a quote for the flow monitor required for each location point. To determine the size of the water pipe, please see KB article How to Determine Pipe Size. 

Non-Compatible Pipe Materials:

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