Table 14.1. Copper Tube: Types, Standards, Applications, Tempers, Lengths

Tube type Color code Standard Application 1 Commercially available lengths 2
Nominal or standard sizes Drawn Annealed
Type K Green ASTM B 88 3 - Domestic water service and distribution
- Fire protection
- Solar
- Fuel/fuel oil
- HVAC
- Snow melting
- Compressed air
- Natural gas
- Liquified petroleum (LP) gas
- Vacuum
Straight lengths:
1/4 inch to 8 inch 20 ft. 20 ft.
10 inch 18 ft. 18 ft.
12 inch 12 ft. 12 ft.
Coils:
1/4 inch to 1 inch - 60 ft.
- 100 ft.
1-1/4 inch and 1-1/2 inch - 60 ft.
2 inch - 40 ft.
- 45 ft.
Type L Blue ASTM B 88 - Domestic water service and distribution
- Fire protection
- Solar
- Fuel/fuel oil
- Natural gas
- Liquified petroleum (LP) gas
- HVAC
- Snow melting
- Compressed air
- Vacuum
Straight lengths:
1/4 inch to 10 inch 20 ft. 20 ft.
12 inch 18 ft. 18 ft.
Coils:
1/4 to 1 inch - 60 ft.
- 100 ft.
1-1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inch - 60 ft.
2 inch - 40 ft.
- 45 ft.
Type M Red ASTM B 88 - Domestic water service and distribution
- Fire protection
- Solar
- Fuel/fuel oil
- HVAC
- Snow melting
- Vacuum
Straight lengths:
1/4 inch to 12 inch 20 ft. N/A
DWV Yellow ASTM B 306 - Drain, waste, vent
- HVAC
- Solar
Straight lengths:
1-1/4 inch to 8 inch 20 ft. N/A
ACR Blue ASTM B 280 - Air conditioning
- Refrigeration
- Natural gas
- Liquefied petroleum (LP) gas
- Compressed air
Straight lengths:
1/4 inch to 4-1/8 inch 20 ft. 4
Coils:
1/8 inch to 1-5/8 inch - 50 ft.
OXY, MED
OXY/MED
OXY/ACR
ACR/MED
(K) Green
(L) Blue
ASTM B 819 - Medical gas
- Compressed medical air
- Vacuum
Straight lengths:
1/4 inch to 8 inch 20 ft. N/A

1 There are many other copper and copper alloy tubes and pipes available for specialized applications. For information on these products, contact the Copper Development Association, Inc.

2 Individual manufacturers may have commercially available lengths in addition to those shown in this table.

3 Tube made to other ASTM standards is also intended for plumbing applications, although ASTM B 88 is by far the most widely used. ASTM Standard Classifications B 698 lists six plumbing tube standards including B 88.

4 Available as special order only.