The 20 Revision to the ASTM B 813 Standard
ASTM B 813- Plumbing or Mechanical systems are only as strong as the weakest joint
ASTM B 813- The revisions to the ASTM B813 Standard are in General Requirements Section 3 as follows:
ASTM B 813- Section 3.5 3. General Requirements The flux residue shall be water flushable after soldering as specified in accordance with Section 7 and 9.
ASTM B 813- Section 3.6 The flux residue shall not be corrosive or toxic after soldering potable water systems.
ASTM B 813- Section 3.7 The flux shall not release toxic fumes during the soldering operation or corrosive or toxic substances into the water inside or outside the completed system.
ASTM B 813- Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM B813- Standard Specification for Liquid and Paste Fluxes for Soldering of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube, copyright ASTM International (ASTM), 0 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard may be obtained from ASTM, www.astm.org. Link to ASTM: http://www.astm.org/standards/b813.htm
ASTM B 813- Code enforcement officials require updated ASTM standards information referenced in the Plumbing/Mechanical codes The Active current ASTM standards are referenced by Code Officials & users of Codes and Standards Distributors are required to sell products compliant with state laws and current standards: California: AB1953 Vermont: S.152
ASTM B 813- Liability increases significantly with non-compliant products Manufacturers of listed products will provide a copy of their listing from the listing agency. Listing Agencies also provide copies of their listings on their websites or their book publications.
ASTM B 813- Contractors/Installers are required to install products compliant with current Plumbing/Heating/Mechanical codes and referenced standards
ASTM B 813- The goal of Plumbing Codes and Standards regarding products and installation remains constant: Protect the Public Health and Potable water supply, providing specifications and pass/fail requirements.
The revisions to ASTM B813 will impact: potable water quality & purity (no corrosive & toxic residues) reduction of health hazard to the plumber/pipefitter environmental quality workmanship & system longevity how products are manufactured, specified & distributed
FAQ s What is the relevant State Code? CA: California State Plumbing Code 2007 (UPC w/ amendments) HI: Hawaii State Plumbing Code (2006 UPC w/amendments) WA: Washington Plumbing Code 2009 (UPC w/ amendments)
FAQ s What is the relevant State Code? OR: Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (based on the UPC w/ amendments) AK: Alaska State Plumbing Code (2006 UPC w/ amendments) NY: New York State Plumbing Code 2007 (based on the 2003 IPC w/ny modifications) *Exception: Detached one and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories in height above grade with separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the Residential Code of New York State. TX: Texas uses either the UPC the IPC with amendments (2000,2003,2006, 2009 versions depending on the jurisdiction)
FAQ s Where do I find the Plumbing Code requirements for paste flux used in soldered joints? In the UPC 2009: Administration: 1.2, 1.4.3, 1.5.2, 3.8.2 Definitions: 207.0, 214.0 General Regulations: 301.1.3, 316.1.3 Water Heaters: 506.4.2 (2) (a) Water Supply & Distribution: 602.1, 603.4.4.1, 606.2.1, ***605.3.4 Soldered Joints (20 preprint) Mandatory Referenced Standards: 14-1
FAQ s IPC 2009 Scope and Administration: 1.2, 2.1 General Regulations: 301.7, 303.2, 303.4 Water Supply and Distribution: 605.14.3, 605.15.4 Sanitary Drainage: 705.9.3, 705..3
FAQ s 2007 California Plumbing Code: see matrix for specific agency General Code Provisions: : 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.5, 8.2.1.1 Definitions: 203.0 approved, 214.0 General Provisions: 301.1.3 Water Heaters: 506.4.2 Water Supply & Distribution: 602.1, 603.4.4.1, 604.1, 606.2.1 Mandatory Referenced Standards: 14-1
FAQ s 2007 New York State Plumbing Code (IPC-modified) General Requirements: 2.4 Chapter 3 General Regulations: 301.7 Materials: 303.2, 303.4, Water supply & Distribution: 605.14.3, 605.15.4 Sanitary Drainage: 705.9.3, 705..3 Referenced Standards List: Chapter 13
FAQ s What determines Code compliance? Compliance means product has 3 rd party certification to referenced mandatory standards which are included in the respective code.
FAQ s Are Listing Agency logos on the products? Yes, listing agency logos are on compliant products. Listings are also published on the Websites of listing organizations: ASTM, NSF, IAPMO, ICC, UL,, LADBS etc.
ASTM B 813- What is governing authority if a Code and a Standard conflict? Code is the governing authority
ASTM B 813- International Residential Code -2009 is also used by many jurisdictions. Sections R2.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a general eral requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction n or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. Section R 2 Applicability R2.4 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be considered part of the requirements ents of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between provisions of this code and referenced codes and standards, the provisions of this code shall apply. Exception: Where enforcement of a code provision would violate v the conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance, the conditions of the listing and manufacturer s s instructions shall apply.
ASTM B 813- UPC Chapter 3 General Regulations 301.1.3 Standards Standards listed or referred to in this chapter or other chapters cover materials that will conform to the requirements of this code, when used in accordance with the limitations imposed in this or other chapters thereof and their listing.
ASTM B 813- NYS Plumbing Code Chapter 1 General Requirements 2.1 General. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different, materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall be applicable. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable.
ASTM B 813- Plumbing or Mechanical systems are only as strong as the weakest joint
ASTM B 813- Corrosive residue is toxic and prohibited inside and outside completed potable water systems. Corroded joints lead to premature system failure.
Acronyms: IAPMO: INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL OFFICIALS UPC: UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE produced by IAPMO UMC: UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE produced by IAPMO ICC: INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL IPC: INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE produced by ICC IRC: INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE FOR ONE- AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS produced by ICC
Summary of Changes to ASTM B813- Section 3.5 The flux residue shall be water flushable after soldering as specified in accordance with Section 7 and 9. Section 3.6 The flux residue shall not be corrosive or toxic after soldering potable water systems. Section 3.7 The flux shall not release toxic fumes during the soldering operation or corrosive or toxic substances into the water inside or outside e the completed system.
Complies with ASTM B 813- Standard Water Flushable after soldering Lead free & Environmentally safe Does not leave corrosive or toxic residue after soldering No toxic fumes while soldering No zinc or ammonium chlorides (extremely corrosive) No petrolatum (i.e. Vaseline) Will not freeze or separate and does not absorb water Will not contaminate Freon or glycol systems Does not pop when soldering Works on wet pipes Does not burn on skin or in open wounds Does not turn hands black or green Solder up to 4 4 pipe without burning away Easy and economical to use