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MRc4.2 Copper Piping Joints
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Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
May 23, 2012 - 10:42 am
I believe that brazing is the process and solder is the material in the process. Does anyone know more about mechanical crimping? My questions to the plumbing engineers usually are answered with a 'we don't do that'. Is it a regional thing?
Simon Sue
SL+A INTERNATIONAL ASIA INC.411 thumbs up
May 24, 2012 - 2:24 am
Soldering happens at 450 degrees C or below while brazing happens above 450 degrees C. Both ASTM B828 and ASTM B813 are only applicable to soldering.
We received similar answers on mechanical crimping as well. The concern seems to be on joint strength.
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
July 5, 2012 - 4:13 pm
Have you submitted this yet or called? I'm wondering if we aren't splitting hairs on the solder versus brazing. I've been rumbling this through my head and can't figure out a reason brazing isn't mentioned (and not allowed?) and it is in the MR section.
Simon Sue
SL+A INTERNATIONAL ASIA INC.411 thumbs up
July 5, 2012 - 10:41 pm
Susan,
We received the following email from USGBC LEED HC Committee upon contact:
"Brazing is not addressed explicitly one way or the other by the Rating System Requirements. You could take this lack of instruction either way: 1- brazing is allowed b/c it is not explicitly disallowed, or 2- brazing is not specifically allowed, thus it is not allowed to be used in any copper joint applications when pursuing this credit.
However, if you look on page 191 of the LEED for Healthcare supplement it states: “Consider silver and other lead-free solder …”…so it is implied that the approach proposed in your inquiry (brazing w/silver) would be acceptable."
It is still not very clear how this complies with one of the two criteria, but brazing is allowed.
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
July 6, 2012 - 4:39 pm
Thanks for the update. I suspect this is an evolving understanding on their end as well as ours. I agree with you, the brazing is allowed.