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Posted By: sid123456 Bonding water pipe - 11/07/05 03:43 PM
Do you think in my situation that my copper water line is bonded properly? The unistrut which carries the copper water line is bolted to the building steel. The building steel is bonded to the egc. Would that be a sufficient bond? In the building I'm working on the plumber has changed over from pvc to copper all over the place. So, I'm just tring to figure out everywhere I need to run a bond wire. {It's a industrial cemical building}
Posted By: raider1 Re: Bonding water pipe - 11/07/05 04:19 PM
Take a look a 205.104 NEC 2005.

I think that to be code compliant you would need to use a water pipe clamp and install a bonding jumper to the building steel installed in accordance with 250.64(A)(B)(E)

JMHO, Chris
Posted By: Tesla Re: Bonding water pipe - 11/08/05 10:13 PM
That plumber better have his work cleared by the engineers. Many, many chemicals will tear up copper. I suspect that is why the original installation was in plastic.

Don't be too surprised if the plumber gets spanked. Who approved this dramatic change?
Posted By: sid123456 Re: Bonding water pipe - 11/08/05 11:33 PM
He passed his final inspection. I asked the same question. Why am I using pvc coated ridged when he is using copper. It's water treatment cemicals, very corrosive.
Posted By: caselec Re: Bonding water pipe - 11/09/05 01:45 AM
The copper water lines should have isolation straps at the strut so there is no metal to metal contact. If the copper lines are held with standard strut clamps both the plumber and the plumbing inspector are not very bright.

Curt
Posted By: Paul O'Connell Re: Bonding water pipe - 11/19/05 05:17 PM
Two key words in bonding requirements.

1. Perminent.
2. Approved fittings.
Posted By: earlydean Re: Bonding water pipe - 11/19/05 08:14 PM
It may be that the particular chemicals used do not react with copper, but do react with steel. Or, the copper pipes may be slated to be painted or covered later. The inspector may not be aware of the corrosive qualities, but the designing engineer should.

The code (250.104(A)(1)) requires water piping SYSTEMS to be bonded to the grounding electrode system, either to the GEC, to the service neutral bus or to a grounding electrode used (such as building steel)

If you have isolated sections of water pipe, you may not have to bond all of them together. This call, as to when an isolated pipe becomes long enough to be considered a system, lies with the AHJ. To be safe bond them all together, and to the grounding system.

Like Paul said, make your connections permanent and use approved fittings designed for the purpose and conditions of use.
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