Thread: Water Main Material Composition

Can someone identify the material composition of the main incoming water supply pipe (red) in this photo for me (i.e. steel, cast iron, etc.).

I would call it 'steel' because it could be cast or it could be rolled and we don't have the info from the manufacturer.

A question for you. Is this a blank that needs to be filled in in your software or are you required to report this info? It is a fire sprinkler system and it appears to be built to modern standards. Does your client need to know more than that?

If I can't be sure I will put 'metal' and move on. Works for me.

Originally Posted by John Kogel

I would call it 'steel' because it could be cast or it could be rolled and we don't have the info from the manufacturer.

A question for you. Is this a blank that needs to be filled in in your software or are you required to report this info? It is a fire sprinkler system and it appears to be built to modern standards. Does your client need to know more than that?

If I can't be sure I will put 'metal' and move on. Works for me.

Thanks for your input John. I was just curious for my own knowledge. It is the main that comings into a large condo building and feeds both the potable water supply, fire suppression sprinkler, and the exterior irrigation systems.

The joints between the steel pipe and the red fittings are likely "grooved joints" where a groove is cut or rolled into the pipe, the fittings have a matching groove, an "O" ring goes on the pipe and into the groove, then the fitting is clamped over it.

Most people prefer the rolled groove over the cut groove as the cut groove removes (cuts) out some of the pipe wall, whereas the rolled groove doesn't.

Other say that the rolled groove creates a thin area in the pipe when the roller creates the groove, similar to braking a piece of sheet metal on a sheet metal brake - the thickness of the sheet metal is 'stretched' around the angle of the bend and is therefore thinner.

I just say "Is that a leak right there?"

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

The joints between the steel pipe and the red fittings are likely "grooved joints" where a groove is cut or rolled into the pipe, the fittings have a matching groove, an "O" ring goes on the pipe and into the groove, then the fitting is clamped over it.

Most people prefer the rolled groove over the cut groove as the cut groove removes (cuts) out some of the pipe wall, whereas the rolled groove doesn't.

Other say that the rolled groove creates a thin area in the pipe when the roller creates the groove, similar to braking a piece of sheet metal on a sheet metal brake - the thickness of the sheet metal is 'stretched' around the angle of the bend and is therefore thinner.

I just say "Is that a leak right there?"

The red pie coming out of the wall is ductile iron, the silver pipe is galvanized steel pipe, the fittings are Victaulic. The Victaulic fittings do not use an o-ring but special gasket. As to the statement about thin areas FM & UL approve these of these fittings. Thin areas are also created when pipe is threaded.

go to this link for additional info: http://static.victaulic.com/assets/u...ture/06.01.pdf

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

The joints between the steel pipe and the red fittings are likely "grooved joints" where a groove is cut or rolled into the pipe, the fittings have a matching groove, an "O" ring goes on the pipe and into the groove, then the fitting is clamped over it.

Most people prefer the rolled groove over the cut groove as the cut groove removes (cuts) out some of the pipe wall, whereas the rolled groove doesn't.

Other say that the rolled groove creates a thin area in the pipe when the roller creates the groove, similar to braking a piece of sheet metal on a sheet metal brake - the thickness of the sheet metal is 'stretched' around the angle of the bend and is therefore thinner.

I just say "Is that a leak right there?"

Jerry, Thanks for the info about the fittings and joints. But what "kind" of material would you call the horizontal pipe (reddish in color) that comes in through the wall (bottom corner) with bolts used to make the connection in the flange end of the pipe?

Originally Posted by Andrew Kolar

Jerry, Thanks for the info about the fittings and joints. But what "kind" of material would you call the horizontal pipe (reddish in color) that comes in through the wall (bottom corner) with bolts used to make the connection in the flange end of the pipe?

The red pipe is ductile iron.

Originally Posted by William Heuberger

The red pipe is ductile iron.

Ah ha! Thank you William!