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Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING ZURN PEX PIPEAlways strappipe downbefore bending.Zurn PEX straps and hangers hold pipe inposition and prevent strain on fittingswhen the pipe is bent.6'Straps can be as far as 6 feet apart if thepipe is continuously supported.32"Vertical runs need support at every floorlevel.Horizontal runs should be supportedevery 32 inches.Or, bymakinga loop.12"Don’t bend in aradius of lessthan 8 timesO.D. of tubing.Since Zurn PEX expands or contracts oneinch every 100 feet of pipe with every 10 of temperature change, you must allowfor expansion and contraction in longruns with a 12-inch horizontal offset.Page 9Always cut the pipe longer than necessaryto allow some slack for any contractionin the pipe.Strapping support should be firm but looseenough to allow the pipe to move backand forth as it expands and contracts.1-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING ZURN PEX PIPE, cont’d.If installing under a slab, use only a continuous length through the trench.There must be no connections under the slab.For details on buried pipe installations, see Page 19 of thisInstallation Guide.Long exposure to sunlight can weakenmost plastics. Always store Zurn PEXtubing under cover – never in anylocation exposed to direct sunlight.WallStudProtect pipe with a steel plate if it’swithin two inches of a stud, plate, orjoist nailing surface.SleeveZurn PEX may be connected directly toelectric water heaters for residentialplumbing applications. Zurn PEX has brassmale and female threaded adapters andswivel adapters that can be used for thisapplication.Zurn PEX must be kept at least 6" awayfrom the exhaust vent of a gas-fired waterheater. This is easily accomplished byusing flexible water heater connectors.When the inlet and outlet connections arewell away from the exhaust vent, suchas most heaters with side connections,Zurn PEX may be connected directly tothe water heater.Use protective sleeves or bushings onZurn PEX tube when penetrating metalstuds. Sleeves and bushings are notrequired when penetrating ordinarywood or particle board if the holes are atleast 1/8" larger than the tube size andtube movement is not restricted.Be sure to protect pipe with plastic sleeveswhere it enters and leaves the slab.Best results are achieved by usingclamps, pipe insulators, and strappingdesigned for plastic plumbing systems.Page 101-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING QICKPORT MANIFOLDSThe QickPort Manifold System is designed for efficient installation bythe plumber. The purpose of this guide is to point out some of thefeatures of the system and how to use them.Other sections of this Zurn PEX illustrated Installation Guide should bereferred to for general information on the use and installation of theZurn PEX plumbing systems.Sizing the ManifoldThe manifold system allows individual hot or cold lines to be connecteddirectly to each fixture inlet from the manifold. To size a cold watermanifold, count the number of cold water locations in the house. Besure to include outside hose bibbs. Also, include a line for the refrigeratorice maker, particularly if the refrigerator is not on the same wall as thekitchen sink.To size the hot water manifold, count the number of hot water locationsin the house.QickPort manifolds are available in increments of five (5) outlet ports.Always purchase a manifold that has at least as many ports as the househas hot or cold locations. Attempting to supply two locations from asingle manifold outlet may give unsatisfactory performance and mayviolate the local plumbing code. For a double vanity that has a continuouscabinet, some local codes will allow the second lavatory faucet to beconnected to the first by using a tee fitting under the vanity. This willreduce the needed manifold ports by one on each manifold but caremust be taken that it is acceptable to the local authorities.All unused ports should be capped, even if the valve is closed.Locating the ManifoldIn general, manifolds should be installed in an accessible location verynear the water heater.They should be accessible because one-half of the joints in the plumbingsystem are at the manifolds and an accessible location improves theplumber’s efficiency.The hot water manifold should be as close as possible, but not closerthan 18" from the water heater outlet. This will assure the minimumtime for hot water to arrive at a fixture.The cold water manifold may be located in any convenient location,but it is usually located near the hot water manifold or near theincoming water supply.Page 111-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING QICKPORT MANIFOLDS, cont’d.Cold WaterIn ToWater HeaterHot WaterOut ToManifoldCold WaterOut ToFixturesHot WaterOut ToFixturesWaterHeaterManifold SystemIncomingWater SupplyPage 121-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING QICKPORT MANIFOLDS, cont’d.Horizontal Manifold InstallationFirst, before installing the manifold, attach any shut-off valves that aregoing to be connected to the manifold.Next, position the manifold in the desired location and nail or screw themounting bracket to the studs. Make sure all valve handles have roomfor operation.NOTE: A vertical manifold installationusually requires bending the Zurn PEXtube immediately off the manifold.Extra care must be taken to assurethat the tube is not bent in a radiussmaller than the minimum permittedfor Zurn PEX which is six (6) timesthe outside diameter of the tube. Also,make sure that bending stress is notapplied to the fitting that connects thetube to the manifold.Do not install two vertical manifoldson opposite sides in the same studcavity. There generally isn’t room forcorrect bending of the Zurn PEX tube.Vertical Manifold InstallationQickPort manifolds may be coupled end to end and installed verticallyalong a stud. Be sure to install any main shut-off valves before mountingthe manifold to the stud.Position the manifold in the desired location and fasten it to the studs.Selecting the Tube SizeQickPort manifolds are designed for easy connection to 3/8" or 1/2" CTSZurn PEX tube. When selecting the tube size, the following factorsshould be considered:1. local code requirements;2. water demand of the fixture;3. distance from the manifold to the fixture;4. elevation change from manifold to the fixture; and5. water pressure available to the manifold.Where possible, we recommend the use of 3/8" tubing. The smaller tubingmeans hot water arrives at the fixture faster and the smaller tubing canmake smaller bends. With the reduced water usage of most sink andlavatory faucets and showers (typically 2.0 GPM), 3/8" tube is usuallyadequate unless the distance to be covered is more than 80 feet. Thepressure loss information for 3/8" and 1/2" CTS tube is listed below.QickPort manifolds have less than 1 psi pressure drop at total flow ratesup to 20 GPM. Even if several branches are operating simultaneously,the pressure loss due to flow through the manifold is minimal.Flow(GPM)123456Page 133/8"Pressure Droppsi/100 e Droppsi/100 7.29.010.81-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING QICKPORT MANIFOLDS, cont’d.Running the Zurn PEX TubeAfter the manifolds have been installed and the tube size selected, thenext step is to install the Zurn PEX tube. When installing the tube,there are several points that must be considered:1. Bending2. Expansion and Contraction3. Abrasion4. Heat Sources5. Friction Damage6. Freeze ProtectionZurn PEX’s flexibility is key to making manifold systems practical.Like any material, it can be damaged if it is bent too tightly.TUBEmimuMin ndBeiusRadWRONGRadius less than minimum. Tubing strainsbecomes oval. Maykink or foil.The minimum recommended bend radius for Zurn PEX is six (6) timesthe outside diameter of the tube when bending with the natural curvatureof the coil. For 3/8" tube, this is a radius of 3" and for 1/2" tube, theminimum radius is 4". If the tube must be bent against the naturalcurvature of the coil, multiply the values by 3.Zurn PEX expands and contracts more than most piping materials. Besure to allow slack of approximately 1/8" per foot of length of tube tocompensate. This will make sure the tube does not apply tension to theconnections at the manifold or the fixture inlet.Use protective sleeves or bushingson Zurn PEX tube when penetrating metal studs. Sleeves and bushings are not required when penetrating ordinary wood or particleboard if the holes are at least 1/8"larger than the tube size and tubemovement is not restricted.Page 141-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING QICKPORT MANIFOLDS, cont’d.Multiple tube bundles should be protected by wrapping a heavy gaugeplastic sheet around the bundle at any area of potential abrasion. Thisplastic sheet may be fastened by using tape or nylon wire ties. Apply thetape to the sheet, not the Zurn PEX tube. This ensures that the tube canslide inside the protective plastic sheet. With nylon ties, be sure they arenot so snug that they deform any of the tube.Metal StudPlastic andStrappingTubingZurn PEX tube should be supportedor strapped every 32" when hungfrom floor joists or running acrossrafters. When supporting tube bundles,use a strap to support the entirebundle. Do not use a hook on onetube in a bundle to carry the weightof the entire bundle. Tubing run on acontinuous support such as a floor in an attic, may be strapped atsix-foot intervals.The potential for heat transfer between different tubes in a bundle isvery low. Zurn PEX’s heat transfer rate is substantially less than copper.For this reason, we think mixing hot and cold lines in a bundle is not aproblem. However, some plumbing codes do not permit mixing of hotand cold lines in the same bundle. Be sure to check the requirements ofthe local code.12" plusWhen running the Zurn PEX tube, be sure to keep it away from potentialsources of heat. Maintain a minimum of 12 inches between Zurn PEXand any recessed light fixture and a minimum of six inches between ZurnPEX and any gas appliance vent.GasVentWhen installing runs of Zurn PEX, it is sometimes necessary to pullone tube past another. Care should be taken to make sure that thefriction of the moving tube does not burn or wear a notch in thestationary tube. If this occurs, the notched section of tube must becut out and replaced.When it is necessary to drill holes for the tube in structural componentsof the building, be sure to comply with the requirements of the localbuilding code.Page 151-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideINSTALLING QICKPORT MANIFOLDS, cont’d.StubOutElbowStub Outs Through WallsMost Zurn PEX runs will terminate with some sort of stub-out fittingbecause the depth of a standard 2 x 4 wall is not sufficient to allow theZurn PEX tube to be bent with a recommended bend unless a metal bendsupport is used. Zurn offers a metal bend support with a face plate,QMBS3WB, that is ideal for this purpose. Be sure the local code allowsPEX stub-outs through walls. Zurn also offers several other fittings forstub-outs.Copper stub-out elbows are available with either a 3/8" or 1/2" crimpconnection to the Zurn PEX tube in the wall. The portion of the elbowthat comes through the wall is 1/2" nominal copper tube (5/8" O.D.).Zurn drop ear elbows are available with either a 3/8" or 1/2" crimpconnection to the Zurn PEX tube in the wall. These fittings have a1/2" female pipe thread to allow the use of a threaded nipple tocome through the wall.Connecting Zurn PEX to the ManifoldThe outlets of the valves on the QickPort manifold have 1/2" straightpipe threads. This allows several options for connecting the Zurn PEXtube to the manifold.When using crimp fittings, the recommended connection is the QQSFC23Xfor 3/8" tube or the QQSFC33X for 1/2" tube. These brass swivel adaptersallow you to make the crimp directly to the Zurn PEX tube and thenconnect the tube to the manifold. The same fittings with plastic nuts arealso available.If a compression connection at the manifold is desired, the recommendedconnection is a Zurn nut, ring, and cone set. For 3/8" tube, use theQFNCR2QP. For 1/2" tube, the QAFA33FQP is required.Finishing TouchesIt is recommended that all tubes be labeled so they can be readily identifiedin the event the water must be shut off to a particular fixture. Zurn haspreprinted label kits that allow this to be done in a professional manner.The labels are self-adhesive and are applied directly to the Zurn PEX tube.Doors are usually used to cover the manifolds. These may be made by acarpenter to match the other cabinets in the house or Zurn sells a plasticaccess panel that can be used. Zurn access panels come with a frame thatcan be fastened to the sheetrock with adhesive or screws for easy installation.The panels snap into place and are essentially flush with the sheetrock.Access PanelPage 161-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideZURN PEX PIPE DON’TSWhile an all Zurn PEX system is resistant to freeze damage, we recommendthat all plumbing systems be protectedfrom freezing in the usual manner.Zurn PEX cannot prevent damage toconventional materials if frozen andZurn PEX itself may be damaged ifconventional materials in the systemare allowed to freeze.Don’t use metal hangers with sharp orabrasive edges.Or hangers that pinch the pipe!Don’t crush it.Don’t scratch it.Brass Insert FittingCopperKeep Zurn PEX pipe away from extreme heat.Page 17NEVER apply flame directly to Zurn PEX.If you need to braze, solder, or weld, do itBEFORE you connect Zurn PEX to metal pipe.1-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideTESTING SYSTEM Test pressure shall be at least equal to normal system working pressure(main pressure), but not less than40 psi and not greater than 225 psi. Test duration should not be less than 15 minutes.Pressure Test Test media may be water or compressed air. Test should meet local code requirements.CAUTIONDo not use leak detectors or otherliquid solutions. Chemicals in certainsoaps can cause disintegration ofplastic tubing, so it is not a good ideato use a soap solution in any pressuretest or for leak-checking in any way.TROUBLE SHOOTINGProblemCheck1. Crimp Ring will not gointo “Go” gauge opening.1. Crimp tool needs adjustment.Increase handle space.2. Crimp Ring goes into“No-Go” gauge opening.2. Crimp tool needs adjustment.Decrease handle space.3. Crimp tool needs frequentadjustment.3. Check for wear at pivot points.If holes or bolts are worn, toolmust be replaced. Pivot pointsshould be oiled every time toolis adjusted.4. Tube is kinked.4. Tubing was bent too tightly. Cutout kinked section and increasebend radius.5. Tubing has chalkyexterior surface orcracks when bent.5. Tubing has been stored in sunlightand is damaged. DO NOT USE.6. Crimp rings have a“silver” or “copper”color.6. Proper crimp rings for Zurn PEXinsert fittings are blackened copper.Zurn PEX crimp rings have “Q”and “PEX” stamped on them.Use only Zurn PEX crimp rings.7. Crimped ring is distorted.7. Tool was not at 90 to tube whencrimp was made. Cut out andreplace fitting.Page 181-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideWATER SERVICE INSTALLATIONSubstandard tube performance may result if these instructions are notfollowed.Before You StartApplicationsCheck to be sure that the tube you are using has the correct pressure ratingfor local requirements. Usual practice is to have the pressure rating of thetube 1-1/2 times higher than the maximum water system pressure to allowfor pressure surges in the system due to water hammer, pumps turningon and off, etc. Zurn PEX tube has a pressure rating of 160 psi @ 73 F.InspectionInspect all pipe before installing. Cut out any damaged areas (cuts, punctures,excessive abrasion) and areas where the pipe has been kinked or pinched.Contaminated SoilZurn PEX tube is not recommended for underground use in areas ofknown soil contamination or where there is a high risk of chemical spills.Zurn PEX should not be installed in contact with soil or under slabs inareas known to be contaminated by, for example, organic solvents orpetroleum distillates. It should not come in contact with soil near hazardouswaste disposal sites or underground chemical or petroleum storage tanks.If you are uncertain about the possibility of soil contamination at yourinstallation site, contact your local authorities.FittingsSeveral types of fittings are available for use with Zurn PEX. However, Zurncannot be responsible for the performance or design of other manufacturer’s products.PVC FittingsMolded PVC fittings for use with Zurn PEX are commercially availablefor water service tube. These fittings have a molded internal stiffener,an O-ring seal, a steel gripper, and a nut to hold it all together. They areavailable as couplings, male and female adapters, and spigot adapters.See Figure 2.Note: Zurn Qicktite fittings are not recommended for use and shouldnot be used in water service applications.Figure 2Brass FittingsCompression fittings normally used with copper tubing can be used toconnect Zurn PEX to corporation and curb stops. When compressionfittings are used, a type with a split clamp is recommended to ensure thatthe internal stiffener will not move as a result of expansion and contractionof the pipe. Follow the fitting manufacturer’s recommendations for properinstallation and use of their fitting.Teflon tape is the only recommended thread sealant for fittings used withZurn PEX. Conventional pipe thread compounds, putty, mineral orlinseed oil-based products, and unknown mixtures should never beused as these materials may cause damage to the pipe and fittings.Page 191-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com

Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application GuideWATER SERVICE INSTALLATION, cont’d.Cutting the PipeZurn PEX should be cut with a tubing cutter that is equipped with athin cutting wheel designed specifically for plastics. Gould Imperial,Reed Manufacturing Co., Ridge Tool Co., and other firms furnish thistype of cutter. To cut the tube, make a single revolution in one directionfor tracking followed by one or two revolutions in the opposite direction.Cuts should always be square and clean. If other methods are used to cutthe pipe (such as a saw), sandpaper should be used to remove any excessmaterial, flashing or burrs, and to smooth the end of the pipe.See Figure 3.InstallationProcedures for installing

Mixing of PB and Zurn PEX components may cause plumbing system failure and result in severe water damage. Page 2 1-800-872-7277 · www.zurn.com Zurn PEX Plumbing Design and Application Guide CAUTION: Never use any chemicals, pipe thread compounds, putty, mineral or linsee