1.5 Plumbing Tools: Layout, Cutting, Joining, Threading & Test Equipment
Key Takeaways
IPC 605.12.3 and 605.13.6 require copper tube ends to be reamed to the full inside diameter, cleaned, fluxed with ASTM B813 flux and soldered with ASTM B32 solder containing no more than 0.2% lead.
Press-connect joints must be made with a pressing tool certified by the fitting manufacturer, after full insertion of a reamed and cleaned tube (IPC 605.13.5).
Pipe-joint compound or tape goes on the male threads only (IPC 605.12.4), and plastic may be threaded only if it is Schedule 80, using dies made for plastic, with its pressure rating cut by 50% (IPC 605.14.3).
IPC 312.1.1 requires test gauges in increments of 0.10 psi or less for tests of 10 psi or less, 1 psi or less for tests over 10 and up to 100 psi, and 2 psi or less above 100 psi.
Temporary 120-volt, 15- and 20-amp receptacles on construction sites need GFCI protection unless an assured equipment grounding program is used (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)).
Why tools matter on a code exam
Five questions are in the Tools area. They draw on Modern Plumbing (8th edition) and on IPC sections that say how a joint must be made. A tool question usually asks which tool does a job, how to use it correctly, or what the code requires of the tool, such as a press tool certified by the manufacturer or a gauge with the right scale.
Layout and measuring tools
| Tool | Use and key points |
|---|---|
| Steel tape and folding rule | Measure center-to-center, end-to-end and face-to-face dimensions. Folding rules have extensions for inside measurements. |
| Torpedo and spirit levels | Set grade. Many plumbing levels have a vial marked for 1/4 inch per foot. A 2-foot level with a 1/2-inch shim under its downhill end reads level when the pipe falls 1/4 inch per foot. |
| Laser and builder's levels | Transfer elevations and set long runs of underground pipe at a constant grade. |
| Plumb bob | Locates a point directly below another, such as a stack centerline from floor to floor. |
| Framing and combination squares | Square cuts and layouts. The 3-4-5 triangle squares large layouts. |
| Chalk line and markers | Snap long straight lines for hangers or trench runs. |
Cutting and reaming tools
- Tubing cutter: Its cutting wheel scores copper tube a little more with each turn. Over-tightening deforms the tube. The cutter leaves an inside burr, so IPC 605.12.3 and 605.13.6 require cut ends to be reamed to the full inside diameter before soldering or pressing.
- Reamers and deburring tools: Spiral and cone reamers for metal pipe, and deburr-and-bevel tools for plastic. A small bevel on plastic pipe keeps solvent cement from being wiped off as the pipe enters the socket.
- Hacksaw: Pick the blade by tooth count. Thin-wall tubing needs a fine blade, about 32 teeth per inch. Heavier pipe uses 24 or 18 teeth per inch. Keep at least two or three teeth on the work.
- Plastic pipe cutters: Ratchet and wheel-type cutters give square cuts on PVC, ABS, CPVC and PEX. PEX tubing cutters must cut square for fittings to seal.
- Soil pipe cutter: A chain (snap) cutter breaks cast-iron soil pipe cleanly. A hubless joint needs a square end that seats against the coupling's center stop.
- Power saws and core drills: Reciprocating saws, band saws and abrasive saws cut metal pipe. Core drills cut sleeves in concrete. Cutting concrete or masonry creates respirable silica dust, which is covered in section 1.6.
Soldering, brazing and heat tools
| Process | Code requirements | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Soldering copper water tube (605.13.6) | Ream, clean, apply ASTM B813 flux, solder with ASTM B32 solder. Water-supply solder and flux must be lead-free (0.2% lead or less). Work follows ASTM B828. | Propane or MAPP-type torch, sand cloth, fitting brushes, flux brush |
| Brazing (605.13.1) | Clean the joint, use flux where required, and use AWS A5.8 filler metal | Air-acetylene or oxy-fuel torch, brazing rod |
| Lead and oakum joints in cast iron (705.3.1) | Pack oakum, then pour lead at least 1 inch deep in one pour. Lead may not sit more than 1/8 inch below the hub rim, and must be caulked tight. | Lead pot and ladle, yarning iron, caulking irons, joint runner for horizontal joints |
Oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders must be stored and handled as described in section 1.6.
Mechanical joining tools
- Press tools (605.13.5): Press-connect fittings for copper conform to standards such as ASME B16.51. Tube ends must be reamed and cleaned, fully inserted (mark the insertion depth), and pressed with a tool certified by the manufacturer, using matching jaws or rings.
- PEX crimp tools: Crimp-ring joints (ASTM F1807 metal inserts, ASTM F2159 plastic inserts) are checked with the manufacturer's go/no-go gauge. Crimp tools drift out of calibration and must be checked.
- PEX expansion tools: ASTM F1960 cold-expansion joints stretch the tubing and ring over the fitting. The tube's shape memory then makes the seal.
- Flaring tools (605.13.2): Flared joints for water tube must be made with a tool designed for flaring.
- Grooving tools: Roll groovers prepare pipe for grooved and shouldered mechanical couplings (ASTM F1476 for copper, 605.13.3).
- Torque wrench for hubless couplings: Shielded hubless couplings (CISPI 310, ASTM C1277 or ASTM C1540) are tightened to the coupling maker's torque value. That is commonly 60 inch-pounds for standard CISPI 310 couplings and higher for heavy-duty couplings. Tighten bands alternately.
Threading equipment
- Die stocks and power threading machines: Cut tapered pipe threads to ASME B1.20.1 (NPT). NPT threads taper 1 in 16 on the diameter, which is 3/4 inch per foot. Use cutting oil, then ream the cut end.
- Pipe vises: Yoke, chain and tripod vises hold pipe for cutting and threading. Pipe wrenches are used in pairs, one to turn and one to back up. Pull on a wrench rather than push, and never lengthen the handle with a cheater bar.
- Joint compound or tape goes on the male threads only (605.12.4, 705.8.1).
- Plastic threading: CPVC and PVC may be threaded only if the pipe is at least Schedule 80, with dies designed for plastic. The pressure rating of threaded pipe is reduced by 50% (605.14.3).
Drain cleaning, inspection and locating tools
- Closet auger: For water closet stoppages. Its sleeve protects the china.
- Drum and sectional machines: Cable machines for branch and building drains. Choose cable size by pipe size.
- Water jetters: High-pressure nozzles that scour grease and roots.
- Inspection cameras with a sonde transmitter and receiver: Locate and depth-check buried lines and blockages.
- Cleanouts: Code cleanouts (IPC 708) exist so these tools can reach the whole drainage system. Section 708.1.9 says a cleanout must let you clean in the direction of flow.
Test equipment and the gauges IPC 312 requires
| Test pressure | Required gauge increments (IPC 312.1.1) |
|---|---|
| 10 psi or less, such as a 5 psi DWV air test | 0.10 psi or less |
| Over 10 psi up to 100 psi, such as a water supply test | 1 psi or less |
| Over 100 psi | 2 psi or less |
Other test tools include:
- Test plugs, test balls and test tees to isolate sections for the 10-foot water test (312.2).
- Smoke machines and a manometer for the 1-inch water column smoke test (312.4).
- Backflow test kits with gauges meeting ASSE 1064 for testing assemblies (312.10.2).
- Thermometers to confirm the 120°F shower-valve limit (412.3) and the 110°F tempered-water limit.
- For fuel gas, approved combustible gas detectors or noncorrosive leak-detection fluid. Never look for a gas leak with a flame.
Power tool and hand tool safety
- On construction sites, all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp temporary receptacles used by workers need GFCI protection unless the employer runs an assured equipment grounding conductor program (29 CFR 1926.404(b)(1)).
- Keep guards in place, unplug tools before changing bits or blades, and inspect cords.
- Replace cracked hammer handles and grind mushroomed chisel heads.
- Rotary hammers and core drills can kick back. Brace them and use the side handle.
Exam traps
- Ream every cut end. The code requires it before soldering or pressing.
- Compound goes on male threads only.
- Threaded plastic: Schedule 80 minimum, with half the pressure rating.
- Gauge increments: 0.10 psi for a 5 psi air test, and 1 psi for a 50 to 100 psi water test.
After cutting copper water tube with a tubing cutter, what must be done to the cut end under IPC 605.13.6 before soldering?
Flare it with a 45-degree flaring tool
Bevel the outside edge to 15 degrees
Tin it with solder before inserting it into the fitting
Ream it to the full inside diameter of the tube
Under IPC 605.12.4, where is pipe-joint compound or tape applied on a threaded joint?
On the male threads only
On neither, because tapered threads seal dry
On both the male and female threads
On the female threads only
A rough-in DWV system will be air tested at 5 psi. Under IPC 312.1.1, what is the coarsest increment the test gauge may have?
2 psi
1 psi
0.5 psi
0.10 psi
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.