Sweat Copper Pipe and Fittings

A. Finished-Project Specification

Quantity: one controlled copper-tube fitting arrangement, cleaned, fluxed, assembled, soldered with lead-free solder, cooled, inspected, water-pressure tested, and documented on one completed Soldered Joint Test Record.

B. Hot-Work and Joint Readiness Schedule

Item	Target Condition	Verification Method
Joint scope	Tube size, fitting count, and solder/flux product defined and does not change mid-project	Written record on test record
Isolation and drainage	Piping isolated, drained, and free of combustible gas or flammable vapor	Visual confirmation per Chapter 1
Hot-work setup	Heat shield, noncombustible surface, and fire extinguisher staged before ignition	Visual inspection before torch is lit
Surface preparation	Tube exterior and fitting cup cleaned to bright, uniform metal, free of oil and fingerprints	Visual inspection immediately before fluxing
Joint temperature and solder flow	Solder flows completely around the joint by capillary action with no gaps	Visual inspection after cooling
Fire watch	Work area observed for the required period after hot work ends	Timed observation and written record
Water-pressure test	No leakage at any joint under the approved test pressure and duration	Direct observation under pressure

C. Material Takeoff

• Copper tube: Type L or M copper tube in the size and quantity specified by the approved branch drawing or repair scope.
• Fittings: wrot copper fittings compatible with the tube size and joint pattern specified.
• Solder and flux: lead-free, water-safe solder and compatible flux sufficient for every joint in the joint scope, plus reasonable waste allowance.
• Cleaning materials: abrasive cloth or fitting brush sufficient to clean every tube end and fitting cup to bright metal.
• Documentation: one Soldered Joint Test Record per project, plus photographs of the hot-work setup and completed joints.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Surface preparation	Tube and fitting cup cleaned to bright, uniform metal with no oil, dirt, or fingerprints before fluxing
Flux application	Thin, complete coating on approved surfaces only; no excess flux left on exterior surfaces
Assembly	Tube fully inserted into the fitting cup, aligned, and supported without strain during heating
Solder flow	Complete ring of solder visible around the joint with no pinholes, cracks, or unfilled gaps
Joint condition	No overheating, scorched flux, discoloration beyond normal heat marking, or excess solder pooling
Fire watch	Required observation period completed with no delayed ignition or heat damage found
Water-pressure test	Assembly holds the approved test pressure for the approved duration with no leakage at any joint
Documentation	Soldered Joint Test Record complete with joint scope, hot-work controls, and test result

E. Hot-Work Area and Material Review

1. Review the copper tube type, fitting type, lead-free solder, flux, cleaning materials, torch, heat shield, fire-extinguisher, fire-watch, and test requirements. Confirm every product is the approved, water-safe type specified for this project.
2. Confirm that the work is permitted, piping is isolated and drained, and no combustible gas or flammable vapor is present. Do not proceed if any of these conditions is unresolved.
3. Inspect the work area for concealed combustible material, insulation, wiring, finished surfaces, and openings that could transmit flame or heat. Record every condition found, even if it does not by itself stop work.

F. Fire-Watch and Torch Setup

1. Establish a noncombustible work surface and place heat shields behind and below the joint. Confirm shielding covers the full range of flame and radiant heat exposure.
2. Stage a charged extinguisher, water spray where appropriate, and the required fire-watch equipment. Confirm staging is complete before the torch is ignited.
3. Inspect the torch, fuel cylinder, hose or valve, tip, ignition system, and fuel compatibility. Do not use torch equipment showing damage, leakage, or incompatible fuel fittings.

G. Tube Preparation and Cleaning

1. Cut, ream, and clean the copper tube according to Chapter 3. Confirm the cut is square and the tube is free of burrs before proceeding.
2. Clean the tube exterior and fitting cup to bright, uniform metal without excessive abrasion. Use the fitting brush or abrasive cloth on both surfaces.
3. Remove cleaning debris and keep prepared surfaces free of oil, dirt, and fingerprints. Handle cleaned surfaces only at their ends once preparation is complete.

H. Fluxing and Assembly

1. Apply a thin, complete coating of compatible flux to the approved surfaces. Cover the full insertion depth of the tube and the interior of the fitting cup.
2. Insert the tube fully into the fitting cup and align the assembly without strain. Confirm the tube seats against the internal stop of the fitting.
3. Wipe excess external flux from the joint. Leave no visible flux on the outside of the assembled joint.
4. Support the assembly so it cannot move while heated or cooling. Confirm the joint will not shift during the heating and soldering steps that follow.

I. Heating and Soldering

1. Ignite and adjust the torch according to the manufacturer's procedure. Confirm the flame is set to the correct type and size for the tube diameter being soldered.
2. Heat the fitting cup evenly rather than directing prolonged flame at one point. Move the flame around the circumference of the fitting.
3. Test joint temperature with the solder at the side opposite the flame. Confirm the joint has reached soldering temperature before feeding solder.
4. Remove or reduce the flame when the joint reaches soldering temperature. Avoid continuing to heat once solder will melt at the joint.
5. Feed the specified amount of lead-free solder around the joint and allow capillary action to draw it into the fitting. Confirm a complete ring of solder is visible around the joint.
6. Remove heat and solder, then allow the joint to cool without movement or forced cooling. Do not disturb the joint or apply water or forced air to speed cooling.

J. Cleaning, Inspection, and Fire Watch

1. Wipe residual flux using the approved method after the joint has cooled sufficiently. Confirm the joint is cool enough to handle safely before wiping.
2. Inspect the joint for complete solder flow, alignment, overheating, scorched flux, pinholes, cracks, or excess solder. Record the condition of every joint in the joint scope.
3. Maintain the fire watch for the required period and inspect concealed-adjacent areas for heat damage. Do not leave the work area unattended before this period is complete.

K. Testing and Documentation

1. Flush the assembly and complete the approved water-pressure test. Confirm the assembly holds the approved test pressure for the approved duration.
2. Depressurize and remake any leaking joint rather than coating it externally with solder or sealant. Cut out and rebuild a failed joint using fresh, cleaned, fluxed components.
3. Document hot-work controls, joint inspection, test result, and corrections. Complete every field on the Soldered Joint Test Record before concealment.