Water Supply & DistributionQuestion 41 of 120

To limit erosion-corrosion and noise, what is the generally accepted maximum design velocity in a copper hot water distribution line?

a.5 feet per second
b.8 feet per second
c.10 feet per second
d.12 feet per second

Explanation

Hot water accelerates erosion of the copper tube wall, so hot lines are held to about 5 fps while cold lines are commonly designed to about 8 fps. The 8 fps answer is the cold water limit and is too aggressive for hot water. The 10 and 12 fps values are well above accepted design practice for any copper water line and would produce velocity noise and premature pinhole failures.

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