For copper piping 1-1/4 inch or smaller, what are the maximum horizontal and vertical spacings?

For copper piping 1-1/4 inch or smaller, what are the maximum horizontal and vertical spacings?

• A. 12 feet horizontal - 12 feet vertical
• B. 10 feet horizontal - 10 feet vertical
• C. 6 feet horizontal - 10 feet vertical
• D. 12 feet horizontal - 15 feet vertical

Answer: (C)

The idea is to keep piping securely supported so it doesn’t sag, move, or put stress on joints as temperatures change. For copper tubing that is 1-1/4 inch or smaller, supports should be spaced no more than six feet apart on horizontal runs. On vertical runs, supports should be no more than ten feet apart. These limits help resist the pipe’s own weight and the weight of any contained fluid, while also accommodating thermal expansion and contraction and keeping everything aligned and properly drained. If you go beyond these spacings, the pipe can sag between supports, joints can loosen or fail, and vibration or movement can cause leaks or damage. Larger-diameter copper or different materials often require different spacing, so these values are specific to the smaller copper sizes.

The idea is to keep piping securely supported so it doesn’t sag, move, or put stress on joints as temperatures change. For copper tubing that is 1-1/4 inch or smaller, supports should be spaced no more than six feet apart on horizontal runs. On vertical runs, supports should be no more than ten feet apart. These limits help resist the pipe’s own weight and the weight of any contained fluid, while also accommodating thermal expansion and contraction and keeping everything aligned and properly drained. If you go beyond these spacings, the pipe can sag between supports, joints can loosen or fail, and vibration or movement can cause leaks or damage. Larger-diameter copper or different materials often require different spacing, so these values are specific to the smaller copper sizes.