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Propress application

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Bobby_2
Bobby_2 Member Posts: 8
in THE MAIN WALL
Can copper Pro-Press fittings be used in a residential steam pipe header (above the water line). Can anyone share links to, or offer an opinion, or link to the manufacturer(s) contact info.

Thank you,


Bobby

Comments

  • jim lockard
    jim lockard Member Posts: 1,059
    Short Answer

    NO. Propress fittings contain a rubber O ring. Along with the feeling that above the water line copper piping has no place in a steam heating system. Best Wishes J.Lockard
  • Bobby_2
    Bobby_2 Member Posts: 8
    jim

    Thanks so much for your reply. I agree with the "above the water line" reply. I'm unfortunatly on the "receiving" end of this install. Can you clarify?

    Thanks,


    Bobby
  • Michael Welch
    Michael Welch Member Posts: 43
    Yes

    Pro Press does make a replacement o ring rated high temperature steam applications. In the resturaunt equipment jobs that we do we have run a number of 3/4 copper - 1 1/4 copper lines to equipment using the Pro Press system with no problems at all. The copper is used so as not to have problems with dirt and rust possibly mixing with the food.
    But as far a normal steam boiler piping I will only pipe it in black iron.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,279


    I think if you go to the propress web site you will find it approved for steam.

    Is it a good idea????? Not in my opinion.


    ED
  • Chris_82
    Chris_82 Member Posts: 321
    Copper and steam

    Copper and steam are a bad idea. Many manufacturers certify equipment as working with copper; even the copper institute will say you can use copper. But it's a bad idea because it doesn’t reliably last. When it finally cracks, which it inevitably will, neither I nor anyone else will or can say when, but it will fail. Makes a huge mess of the basement or whatever room it fails in. Has to do with the properties of the metal, copper just doesn’t do repeated stretching and cooling with out becoming brittle, it’s one of the reasons you don’t find copper in vehicles that are subject to a lot of vibration, autos, trucks, and boats. Anyone pipe steam in K, that might work?? (That was a joke by the way.)
  • Bobby_2
    Bobby_2 Member Posts: 8
    Michael Welch

    Thank you for your reply Michael. I've just received a reply from Viega and they claim it can be used for steam, however the detailed submittal they sent me does say that the FKM Sealing Element is not suitable for food contact applications and cannot be installed in drinking water.

    I'm still not satisfied its appropriate for steam because Viega failed to include any ASTM numbers.

    I'll try them again.

    Bobby
  • Bobby_2
    Bobby_2 Member Posts: 8
    EBEBRATT

    Thank you for your reply. I posted above to Michael that Viega sent me a submittal, however I see that "they" claim its OK, I just want to know if the code says its OK. I requested they supply me with the ASTM numbers, but have yet to hear back.

    Bobby
  • John V
    John V Member Posts: 14
    yes you can if

    You remove the standard edpm o-ring and replace it with another( i forget the name) that is rated for temps. above 212.
  • Contractor
    Contractor Member Posts: 41


    Yes propress fittings can be used in a LOW pressure steam application (15psi and under) but the FKM sealing element must be used. The temperature is good up to 320*F with the FKM, the EPDM sealing element is good to 250*F and is not approved for steam applications.

    As for the approvals, I figured out that there are not individual standards for each sealing element but rather they got their approvals for the fittings and what they wanted the approved applications to be. (example- they tested the EPDM for potable water, the HNBR for gas only, and the FKM for low pressure steam etc.) So all the standards you see propress fittings pass the approved applications also passed.

    I hope this helps.
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