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Installers Handbook 2005
PEX Plumbing Systems
Installers Handbook 2005
Revised March 2005







PEX Plumbing Systems
Installers Handbook
by
Roth Industries, Inc.
Revised March 2005 All Rights Reserved
US Office:
Roth Industries, Inc.
77 Circuit Drive
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Phone: 401.267.9044
Toll Free: 888.316.7684
Fax: 401.267.9048
Website: www.roth-usa.com
E-mail: info@roth-usa.com
Canadian Office:
Roth Canada
1607 Rue de lIndustrie
Beloeil, QC J3G 4S5
Phone: 450.464.1329
Toll Free: 800.969.7684
Fax: 450.464.7950
Website: www.roth-canada.com
E-mail: service@roth-canada.com
Copyright © 2005 Roth Industries, Inc. 3
1.1 The Roth Advantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
1.2 The PEX Advantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.1 Roth PEX Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.1.1 The Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.1.2 The Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.1.3 The Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.1.4 Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.1.5 Sizes & Lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2.2 Roth Plumbing Manifolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2.2.1 Roth 3/4" PEX Manifolds with closed end. . . . . . . . .7
2.2.2 Roth PEX Manifold Blocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2.3 Roth PEX Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2.3.1 Roth PEX inserts to Sweat adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2.3.2 Roth PEX inserts to IP thread transitions . . . . . . . . . .8
2.4 Roth PEX Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.4.1 PEX insert Tees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.4.2 PEX insert Couplings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.4.3 PEX insert Elbows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.4.4 PEX insert Reducer Coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.4.5 PEX to PB Transition insert Coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.4.6 PEX insert Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.5 Roth Special Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.5.1 PEX insert to Faucet Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.5.2 PEX insert Drop-ear Elbow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.5.3 PEX insert Elbow to Sweat Tub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.5.4 PEX insert to Frostproof Sillcock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.5.5 PEX insert to Stub-out Elbow (closed end) . . . . . . . .10
2.5.6 PEX insert in-line valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
2.5.7 PEX insert to 2" Shower-lock Elbow . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2.5.8 PEX insert service loop w/200 W.O.G. gate valve . . .11
2.5.9 PEX 3/4" insert to 3/4" swivel IP thread . . . . . . . . .11
2.6 Roth Tools & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.6.1 PEX Crimp Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.6.2 PEX Crimp Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.6.3 PB Crimp Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2. COMPONENTS (continued)
2.6.4 Roth HDSS PEX Clamp & Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.6.5 HDSS PEX Clamp Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
2.6.6 HDSS PEX Clamp Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2.6.7 Tubing Fastener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2.6.8 Twin Fastener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2.6.9 Plastic Ties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2.6.10 Roth Bend Supports and Isolator Guides . . . . . . . . .14
2.6.11 Tubing Cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
2.6.12 Other Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
3.1 Layout Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
3.1.1 Manifold Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
3.1.2 Tee Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
3.1.3 Combination Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
3.2.1 The Fixture Unit Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
3.2 Sizing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
3.2.2 Designing using the Fixture Unit Method . . . . . . . .17
3.3 PEX Tubing Pressure Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
3.3.1 Chart for 60°F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
3.3.2 Chart for 120°F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
4.1 Installation of Tubing runs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
4.1.1 Applications & Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
4.1.2 Arrival inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
4.1.3 Working with PEX Tubing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
4.2 Finishing the Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
4.2.1 Working with the Roth PEX Plumbing System
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
4.2.2 Water Heater Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
4.2.3 Pressure Testing the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
4.2.4 The Final Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
PEX Plumbing Systems
Installers Handbook 2005
Revised March 2005
TABLE OF CONTENT
2. COMPONENTS
3. SYSTEM DESIGN
4. INSTALLATION
1. GENERAL PEX Plumbing Systems
Installers Handbook 2005
Revised March 2005
4
1. GENERAL
1.1 The Roth Advantage
Since incorporating in 1947, Roth has become an
industry leader for products in home improvement
and plastics technology. Roth has over 1,100
employees worldwide, 8 manufacturing plants
with 861,000 sq. ft. of building space on 110
acres of land. The revenues in 1996 exceeded
200 million US dollars. Roths ISO 9001 certified
PEX tubing manufacturing plant is one of the
largest in Europe.
The Roth Plumbing System was engineered to
provide the installer with products that could be
installed quickly and with the flexibility needed
to meet the requirements of the individual project.
The result is a system that is reliable, long-lasting
and safe all at a competitive price.
Roth has been a market leader for the past
50 years because it is constantly developing and
improving its products to provide solutions for
the modern plumbing system. This commitment
guarantees that our systems will perform as
designed and have the flexibility to adapt to
meet future challenges. The combination of inno-
vation, modern manufacturing equipment, tech-
nical know-how and experienced personnel will
ensure the continuing evolution and success of
the Roth Plumbing System.
1.2 The PEX Advantage
The backbone of the Roth Plumbing System is
our high-quality PEXc tubing. We crosslink our
tubing with high-energy electron beams and not
with chemicals like other manufacturers. We are
one of the largest plastic pipe manufacturing
companies in Germany and our experience and
quality shows through.
PEX tubing is becoming the material choice
for modern piping systems and there are many
reasons for it.
Corrosion free and not subject to the pitting
and erosion caused by water quality, electrolysis
and chemical reaction that destroy traditional
metal piping systems.
Resistant to the scaling and mineral build-up
that plagues metal piping systems. Flow rates
remain constant over the life of the system.
Non-toxic pipe and connections eliminate the
problem of chemicals leaching from your piping
into your water supply.
Environmentally friendly when compared to the
impact of mining, refining and manufacturing
metal piping materials.
Electron beam cross-linked PEX is the material
of choice for potable water systems in Europe.
Proven long-term strength when operated
within our specifications.
Easy to install flexible PEX tubing can be run
around obstacles without hidden joints all the
way to the fixture.
Quieter than metal piping systems because flow
velocity noise is absorbed instead of amplified.
Abrasion resistant on the outside and erosion
resistant on the inside because PEX tubing has
thick, flexible plastic walls that resist installa-
tion damage and have less flow resistance than
metal pipes.
Lightweight and easy to handle because a 300
coil of 1/2 tubing only weighs 16 lbs (7.25 kg).
Repair kinks in the tubing with a heat gun
without impairing strength or performance.
Remains flexible at low temperatures and with-
stands up to 110 psi at 230°F (758 kPa @ 110°C)
for short durations in the case of a system
malfunction.
The flexibility of Roth PEX tubing helps it resist
freeze damage (but its not freeze-proof) that
would normally destroy traditional rigid metal
piping systems.
Twenty-five (25) year limited warranty on Roth
PEX tubing and five (5) year limited warranty
on Roth plumbing accessories (see warranty for
details).
PEX prices are more stable than metal piping
prices.
Available in coils of varying length or 20 (6 m)
straight lengths to fit your project.
The benefits of t