Uponor AquaSAFE User manual

Uponor AquaSAFE™ System
Installation Guide

Uponor AquaSAFE™ System Installation Guide
is published by
Uponor Inc.
5925 148th Street West
Apple Valley, MN 55124
T800.321.4739
F 952.891.2008
uponor-usa.com
Uponor Ltd.
6510 Kennedy Road
Mississauga, ON L5T 2X4
T 888.594.7726
F 800.638.9517
uponor.ca
© 2021 Uponor
All rights reserved
First edition May 2016
Fifth printing July 2021
Printed in the United States of America
ii l Uponor AquaSAFE System Installation Guide

The Uponor AquaSAFE™ system installation guide is a manual
published for architects, engineers, building ofcials, plumbing
and re safety professionals, and authorities having jurisdiction
(AHJs). This guide describes the recommendations for installing
the Uponor AquaSAFE residential re sprinkler system in
one- and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes,
as specied in NFPA 13D.
Always refer to the NFPA 13D standard, and/or any other
applicable codes, standards, or ordinances for nal
determination of installation requirements.
Uponor has taken reasonable efforts in collecting, preparing,
and providing quality information and material in this
document. However, system enhancements may result in
modication of features or specications without notice.
For the most current technical information, go to the Uponor
website at uponor-usa.com or uponor.ca.
Uponor is not liable for installation practices that deviate from
this document or are not acceptable practices within the
mechanical trades.
Note: Some of the information provided in this installation guide
may be pending formal documentation from listing agencies.
Please direct any questions regarding an application
or a specic design to Uponor Construction Services at
[email protected].
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Table of contents
Chapter 1: General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Model code approvals, certifications, ratings, and
material standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
AquaSAFE exposed listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Exposed wood joist ceiling assemblies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Exposed finished ceiling assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Handling and storing Uponor AquaPEX® piping and
components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Uponor AquaSAFE multipurpose fire sprinkler
system overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Features and benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Standalone sprinkler system overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Backflow prevention requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
AquaSAFE system components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Uponor AquaPEX piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ProPEX sprinkler adapters and fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Equivalent piping lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Residential sprinklers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Concealed sprinklers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Recessed pendent sprinklers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Flat concealed horizontal sidewall sprinklers . . . . . . . . . .11
Recessed horizontal sidewall sprinklers . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Recessed escutcheons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Chapter 2: Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sprinkler plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Design information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Layout example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Chapter 3: Installation overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Recommended tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Product verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Job-site verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
iv l Uponor AquaSAFE System Installation Guide

Locating sprinkler and connection locations . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Spacing from continuous obstructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Minimum distances from heat sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Floor-to-floor connection locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Plumbing connection locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Dead-end and arm-over connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
What to do if changes are required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Chapter 4: Installing sprinkler adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 5: Installing sprinklers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Chapter 6: Installing piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
More than the recommended number of expansions
are needed to make a connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Cold-weather expansions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Bend radius and piping support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Bending PEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Piping support and pipe talon guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Piping support spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Reforming kinked piping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Piping uncoilers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Extreme temperature installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Chapter 7: Making ProPEX connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Distance between fittngs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
General ProPEX connection tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Making ProPEX connections with Milwaukee® ProPEX
expansion tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
With auto rotation (standard Milwaukee heads) . . . . . . 34
Without auto rotation (standard Uponor heads) . . . . . . 34
Making ProPEX connections with Milwaukee M18 FORCE LOGIC
ProPEX expansion tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
FORCE LOGIC expansion head installation. . . . . . . . . . . 36
Making a ProPEX connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Making ProPEX connections with ProPEX 201 corded
expander tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
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Making 33 ⁄88" ProPEX connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Proper expander tool and head maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 43
Disconnecting a ProPEX brass fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Troubleshooting ProPEX connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Fittings won’t seal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Expansion is difficult . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Expansion head slips out of piping when
making expansions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ProPEX ring slides down piping during expansion . . . . . . 46
More than the recommended number of expansions
are needed to make a connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Cold-weather expansions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Chapter 8: Connecting plumbing runs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Chapter 9: Domestic water bypass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Bypass components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Installation guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Hard or unfiltered water issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Flow test failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Chapter 10: Pressure testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Chapter 11: Flow testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Flow test setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Flow test assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Performing the test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Potential system supply problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Potential system piping problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Potential flow test procedure or equipment problems . . . . . .61
Chapter 12 : Homeowner information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Sprinkler cabinet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Warning sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Warranty information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
vi l Uponor AquaSAFE System Installation Guide

Chapter 1
General information
Model code approvals, certications, ratings,
and material standards
Uponor AquaPEX®piping and ProPEX® ttings have achieved
the following regulatory compliance (model code approvals,
standards, and certications).
• UL • NSF • UPC • CSA • IPC
Uponor AquaPEX piping and ProPEX ttings are listed for re
sprinkler systems of residential occupancies as dened in
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13D: Standard
for Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-family
Dwellings and Manufactured Homes.
Use only the materials specically identied on the sprinkler
plans and material lists to ensure compliance with re
protection listings.
Uponor AquaPEX piping is manufactured in compliance with
ASTM F876, ASTM F877, ASTM F1960, and ASTM F2023 as certied
by NSF International.
Uponor AquaPEX piping carries the following maximum pressure
and temperature ratings.
• 80 psi at 200°F (5.5 bar at 93.3°C)
• 100 psi at 180°F (6.9 bar at 82.2°C)
• 130 psi at 120°F (8.9 bar at 48.9°C)*
• 160 psi at 73°F (11 bar at 23°C)
* This applies to ¾", 1", and 1¼" Uponor AquaPEX white piping, in compliance with UL 1821.
The piping and ttings for systems that are not equipped
with a re department connection are designed to have a
working pressure of up to 130 psi (8.9 bar) at a temperature
of 120°F (49°C).
Water supplies for standalone systems must be maintained
at less than 80 psi (5.5 bar) in accordance with NFPA 13D
requirements.
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Uponor AquaPEX piping carries a standard grade rating
recommended by the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI).
Uponor AquaPEX piping is listed to NSF International Standard 14,
which denes requirements for ingredients, materials, products,
quality assurance, and marking.
Uponor AquaPEX piping and Uponor sprinkler adapters are
listed to NSF International Standard 61, which denes
requirements for health effects.
Uponor AquaPEX piping and ProPEX ttings are certied
compliant with the Canadian Standards Association,
CAN/CSA B137.5: Standard for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX)
Piping Systems for Pressure Applications.
AquaSAFE exposed listing
Uponor AquaSAFE systems are listed for use in exposed
installations (basements) when installed in accordance with NFPA
13D, the QAI listing to UL 1821, Thermoplastic Sprinkler Pipe and
Fittings for Fire Protection Service, and the following guidelines.
Installation requirements
Uponor AquaPEX white piping and ProPEX ttings listed to
UL 1821 may be installed without protection (exposed) in the
following assemblies.
Exposed wood joist ceiling assemblies
• The ceiling shall be horizontal and constructed using
dimensional lumber (solid wood), engineered wood, or
engineered wood I-joists.
• Joist depth must be between 6" and 16" deep with on-center
spacing between 12" and 24".
• Joists may remain exposed after installation.
• Listed residential sprinklers with an activation temperature of
155°F (68.3°C) and 4.9 minimum K-factor shall be used in the
exposed portion of the sprinkler system. Sprinkler spacing shall
be no larger than 16 ft. Per NFPA 13D, sprinklers shall be installed
with deectors no more than 1¾" below the bottom of the joist
to account for future nished ceilings.
2 l Uponor AquaSAFE System Installation Guide

• Uponor AquaPEX piping shall not be installed in locations with
direct exposure to sunlight.
• Piping shall be supported every 24" with metal pipe hangers
designed for use with non-metallic pipe/piping. Follow
minimum bend radius limitations as detailed on page 26 of
this installation guide. Drilling through joists is an acceptable
method of support if allowed by the AHJ, joist manufacturer,
and applicable building codes.
Exposed nished ceiling assemblies
• Ceiling shall be horizontal and must be nished with minimum
33⁄88"-thickness gypsum wallboard, a suspended membrane
ceiling with lay-in panels or tiles having a minimum weight
of 0.35 lf/ft2 installed with metallic support grids, or ½"-thick,
code-complying plywood or solid sheathing.
• Piping shall be supported every 24" with metal supports
designed for use with non-metallic pipe/piping. Follow
minimum bend radius limitations as detailed on page 26 of
this installation guide. Drilling through joists is an acceptable
method of support if allowed by the AHJ, joist manufacturer,
and applicable building codes.
• Listed residential sprinklers with an activation temperature of
155°F (68.3°C) and 4.9 minimum K-factor shall be used in the
exposed portion of the sprinkler system. Sprinkler spacing shall
be no larger than 16 ft. Per NFPA 13D, sprinklers shall be installed
with deectors no more than 1¾" below the bottom of the joist
to account for future nished ceilings.
uponor-usa.com | uponor.ca l 3

Handling and storing Uponor AquaPEX piping
and components
Although not comprehensive, the following highlights the
most common guidelines and listing requirements when
handling Uponor AquaPEX piping and Uponor AquaSAFE
system components:
• Install Uponor systems according to the installation instructions
of the manufacturer. Failure to follow the instructions and
installation guidelines can result in system function failure.
• Do not store sprinkler assemblies or cover plates in areas that
may exceed 100°F (37.8°C).
• Uponor PEX piping is listed for re protection systems that do
not exceed 130 psi (8.9 bar) 120°F (48.9°C).
• Do not use PEX piping where temperatures and pressures
exceed ratings.
• Store Uponor PEX piping in its packaging under cover to avoid
dirt accumulation and exposure to direct sunlight. Do not
expose PEX piping to direct sunlight for more than 30 days.
Do not use piping that has been exposed to direct sunlight for
more than 30 days.
• Do not install PEX piping in direct view of uorescent lighting.
Do not use piping that has been exposed to direct uorescent
lighting for more than 30 days.
• Do not weld, glue or use adhesives or adhesive tape on
PEX piping.
Note: You may temporarily afx adhesive tape to Uponor PEX
piping during installation. However, to protect the integrity of
the system, the tape should not be permanent. Remove the
tape and residual adhesive after completing the installation.
• Do not apply open ame to PEX piping.
• Do not install PEX piping within 6" of any gas appliance vents,
with the exception of double-wall B-vents or plastic vents,
which have a minimum clearance of 1".
• Do not install PEX piping within the rst 18" of a connection to
a water heater, unless otherwise allowed by code. Follow your
local code requirements.
• Do not install PEX within 12" of any recessed light xtures, unless
the PEX piping is protected with suitable insulation.
4 l Uponor AquaSAFE System Installation Guide