Black Iron to copper in school?

[spikewt]

Hi all.
Just wandering if it's OK to convert a section of black Iron to copper (about 15m) as there's a door way going in and the pipe work is in the way.
The contractor isn't bothered but im wandering if there's a good reason why it should stay black Iron. It's in offices so wont get bashed by any kids.
Thanks

 

[Whyme]

Being bashed is the main reason in places like that if its exposed, i suppose in an office would be ok as long as it stays an office. Is it an academy or city run school.

 

[spikewt]

Tbh I'm not exactly sure but I think it a city run as it's not got academy in the name if that means anything.

 

[Whyme]

if the council run the school they will probably have specific requirements for exposed pipe and clips etc etc. I'd get in touch with somebody there just in case pal..Don't just take a contractors word for it.

 

[Ermintrude]

Smash it in copper. Sweat fittings or use a steel crimp systems

 

[spikewt]

I got a meeting with the head caretaker in the morning so hopefully he will know.
When I had the site visit with the contractor I noticed there was copper on a few sections elsewhere but only as Tees off for rads.
The section I gotta work on is 3/4 feeding about 8 rads by the looks of it.

 

[Ermintrude]

Up size to28mm as steel has better flow rates than equivalent copper . ID just use speed fit

 

[spikewt]

Smash it in copper. Sweat fittings or use a steel crimp systems

"smash it in copper" haha

 

[spikewt]

Na not a fan of speed fit on show but im alot happier copper could be ok.

 

[Whyme]

A caretaker wont know. If it does get knocked and floods the place your stuffed. threaded black irons piece of pysh to fit anyway.

 

[Ermintrude]

Not without experience or right tools .

 

[spikewt]

Exactly. Easy with the right tools. Could possible do it with the bare essentials but then it wouldn't really be a proper job and it'll take far too much time I recon.

 

[Whyme]

Yeah i hear ya. If you feel ok about it then go nuts. Just remember schools and public buildings (even the non public parts) do usually have the strongest materials plumbing wise if exposed.

 

[bright spark]

If it's only 15m of pipe I'd go with d stronger pipe if your not sure. Sure it'll take you a little longer but you won't have to worry about some kid reefing it off d wall and flooding the place. You won't need much. Stocks and dies for your pipe size and a good bench. It's only small pipe so it'd be easy to thread by hand.
if in doubt use the stronger. It less likely to come back to haunt ye.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

If it's only 15m of pipe I'd go with d stronger pipe if your not sure. Sure it'll take you a little longer but you won't have to worry about some kid reefing it off d wall and flooding the place. You won't need much. Stocks and dies for your pipe size and a good bench. It's only small pipe so it'd be easy to thread by hand.
if in doubt use the stronger. It less likely to come back to haunt ye.

Id go for that, if it's a short run thread it by hand won't take long at all and save dragging half a ton around in the van!!

 

[MarkAqua]

Just do it in barrel. If there is only a few fittings just hire a hand threader and Ridgid Bench. If there is more than say 15 fittings get a Ridgid 300. Or i'll come do it for you. Good price.

 

[Marka1411]

I agree with the above, iron all the way. We do a lot in schools and you have to stick to what they want, like said if council ran and stuff like that. We had a spell where carbon steel crimped was used but now we can't, just threaded steel all the way. Also i no you said it was an office so kids can't use it as a climbing frame but if its anything like the schools i work in the rooms swop and change all the time. But then again if you don't do a lot of it you'll have to get the right gear to do the job but be worth it.

 

[stevetheplumber]

for a small amount id use an electric hand held machine but you still need a bench with a vice