crimpPlus®

manual

Contents2

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Overview

Pipe

Fittings

Features & benefits

Installation considerations

Jointing instructions

FAQ

Crimp fitting range

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crimpPlus®

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OverviewThe Crimp Plus system was developed to satisfy the requirements of customers who were seeking an alternative to the existing Pex Plus compression system.

One of the key requirements was the need for a quick and effective jointing method combined with the peace of mind provided by the performance ben-efits of pex pipe. It was also clear that customers had a definite preference to continue using our existing and already proven Pex Plus pipe.

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PipePex Plus pipe is a high quality Pex-a cross linked pipe. Pex is an industry accepted name for cross linked polyethylene pipe. In general terms polyethylene in its nor-mal state is not capable of handling high pressure or temperature loads. However once subjected to the cross-linking proc-ess, its ability to handle these conditions is increased substantially.

Pex Plus pipe consists of an inner sec-tion of Pex-a material encased in an outer layer of tough hdpe.

Pex Plus also offers a pipe specifically for use in hydronic heating. This pipe is identified by its bright pink colour. Pex Plus pink is a similar construction to the standard Pex Plus pipes. However it also incorporates a layer of evoh ma-terial which acts as an oxygen barrier, thus preventing the entry of additional oxygen into the sealed heating system.

Pex Plus pipe is available in sizes 16, 20, 25 & 32mm, in either coils or straight lengths.

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Nomsize

Mean OD(mm)

Mean ID(mm)

16mm 16.15 11.45

20mm 20.15 14.15

25mm 25.15 17.75

32mm 32.15 22.85

Pex Plus pipe dimensions

Nompipesize

Straightlengths

(all)

Coil length(black)

Coil length(green, lilac)

Coil length(pink)

16mm 5m 100m 50m 200m

20mm 5m 100m 50m 100m

25mm 5m 50m 50m

32mm 5m 25m

16mm black + conduit

50m

20mm black + conduit

50m

Pex Plus pipe - standard supply units

The Pex Plus pipe is colour coded to assist the installer in avoiding cross connections.

BLACK Hot & cold potable water

GREEN Rainwater

LILAC Recycled water (non-potable)

PINK Hydronic heating

CONDUIT In/under slab hot & cold water

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PerformanceThe use of Pex Plus pipe provides users with many advantages over traditional piping materials. It has excellent flexibility, is not adversely affected by freezing, offers excellent pressure and temperature resistance, is lightweight and also has low noise and heat transmission qualities. The Pex Plus pipe pro-vides very low levels of friction loss and therefore can often save users needing to upsize piping when in-stalling long runs. As jointing methods are mechani-cal it does not require the use of solvents. Nor does it require soldering, welding or brazing.

Recommended working pressure relative to pipe material temperature

Temp (ºC) 20 40 60 80

Pressure (Kpa) 2000 1800 1500 1330

Pex Plus pipe heat & pressure performance

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Cross-sectionBlack, green, lilac pipe

1. Inner layer: combination of hdpe & crosslinking agent.2. Outer layer: hdpe compound.

Pink pipe

1. Inner layer: the same Pex layer as standard Pex Plus™ pipe.2. Middle layer: adhesive to bind internal pex-a layer to the external evoh layer(<0.01mm)3. Oxygen barrier (<0.01mm). Clear outer layer which prevents oxygen from entering the pipe system from the outside atmosphere.

Inner layer (PEX-a)

Outer layer (coloured HDPE)

Inner layer (PEX-a)Middle layer(red adhesive)Outer layer(EVOH)

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FittingsThe bodies of Crimp Plus fittings are manufactured from dzr brass whilst the crimp rings are of a high quality copper construction to provide exceptional resistance to corrosion.

All Crimp Plus fittings come with sleeve protection plugs to protect the integrity of the crimp ring during shipping and storage. Other systems without these plugs are often prone to problems caused by out-of-shape crimp rings. These sorts of problems can slow down the installation process considerably.

Crimp Plus fittings are manufactured with longer barbs and crimp rings than many similar products–also adding to the integrity of each joint.

All Crimp Plus fittings are manufactured to comply with as/nzs 2537–mechanical joint fittings for use with Pex pipe for hot & cold water applications.

Crimp Plus fitting dimensionsNomsize

Mean bore (mm)

16mm 8.5

20mm 11.2

25mm 14.2

32mm 19.0

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Features & benefitsQuick & easy jointing system– less time on the job.

Same pipe for Crimp Plus or Pex Plus system–carry less stock.

Simple hand tool crimp method–less capital outlay on tooling.

Minimal need for brazing–less outlay on gas and consumables.

Low noise transmission in pex pipe–quieter, reduced water hammer.

Internal sealing method–reduced chance of leaks due to scratched/scuffed pipe.

Installation considerationsProximity to flame/external heat sourcesThe Crimp Plus system should not be installed in positions where it is likely to be exposed to a naked flame. If it is, there’s a danger the pipe could ignite and continue to burn even after the source of the flame is extinguished. In accordance with as/nzs 3500 all plastic pipes for water supply must be pro-tected from excessive ambient heat.

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Thermal expansionThe Crimp Plus pipe has an expansion rate of approx. 0.3mm per metre for every 10°C change in tempera-ture. Care should be taken not to pull the pipe tightly between fixed points during installation as the pipe may later contract causing excessive tensile force to any joints. This could cause a joint failure.

Heat & Pressure performanceAs with all plastic pipe systems the ability of the pipe to withstand pressure decreases as the pipe tempera-ture increases. (Refer to table on page 5)

Protection from physical damageDue care should be taken to protect pipe and fittings from any physical damage both prior to, during and after installation. Possible causes of physical dam-age may include (but are not limited to) sharp edges or implements, machinery, rodents, excessive heat, long term uv exposure, radiation, mechanical forces.

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Pipe BendingDo not apply bending forces to joints which have al-ready been completed. Finish all bending operations prior to crimping the fitting.Pex pipe is very flexible and as such can save the need to use additional fittings. Due care should be taken during bending to ensure that pipe is not kinked or damaged. If you do encounter a kinked section of pipe it should be cut out and replaced as a precaution.Pex Plus pipe may be subjected to a minimum bend-ing radius of approx. 8 times the od of the pipe.

ClippingClipping requirements are outlined in the relevant Australian standards. The recommended clip spac-ings for Pex Plus pipe are:

Pipesize

Horizontalpipe work

Verticalpipe work

16mm 0.6m 1.2m

20mm 0.7m 1.4m

25mm 0.75m 1.5m

32mm 0.85m 1.7m

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Framework penetrationsWhere pipe is required to pass through timber or steel studs/frames, holes should be sized to allow for adequate pipe movement due to thermal expansion or contraction. In all cases, steps should be taken to protect the pipe from any possible physical damage (particularly due to abrasion) where it passes through studs or frames. This can be achieved by installing grommets, sleeves or stud clips as applicable.

UV exposureBoth Pex Plus Black and Pex Plus Green pipes are able to be installed in direct sunlight with no degradation likely to occur. Pex Plus Lilac should be protected from long term exposure to uv by way of either lagging or enclos-ing in a conduit.Note: The above does not completely exclude the need for lagging to protect any of the pipes from tem-perature extremes.

TESTINGIt is essential that appropriate pressure testing (in accordance with AS/NZS 3500 or relevant local requirements) is carried out prior to burying or conceal-ing the Crimp Plus system.

Installationinstructions

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Jointing instructionsCut pipeCut pipe to desired length. Cut should be square and free from any swarf or burrs. Use of the Pex Plus pipe cutter is highly recommen-ded. Do not use a hacksaw as this creates excessive swarf.

Check assemblyEnsure that the copper crimp ring and plastic ring retainer are assembled correctly onto the fitting. Both can be pushed on by hand if they have moved away from the fitting shoulder.Witness hole should be located toward the rear of each barb.

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Insert pipeSlide pipe onto fitting until it reaches the depth stop. Pipe should be fully visible through the witness holes on the crimp ring.

Crimp tool positioningPosition crimping tool evenly over the copper crimp ring. You should leave a similar distance between the outside of the jaw and the end of the crimp ring at both ends. Crimp tool should be placed at 90˚ to the pipework.

Crimp Fully close jaws of the crimping tool to compress the copper crimp ring. Do not compress the plastic ring retainer.

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Witness hole.

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Check crimp ringFinally, check the crimp ring dimension by placing the crimp gauge over the centre of the indented ring on the crimp sleeve. On a correctly crimped fitting the crimp gauge should pass freely over the crimp ring at this point.

Pressure testAt completion, carry out pressure testing as required per as/nzs 3500 and or any requirements specified by local authorities.

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FAQWhat are some possible causes for joints leaking?When installed in accordance with the installation in-structions, Crimp Plus should prove a very simple and effective piping system. However certain conditionsmay increase the possibility of a faulty or leaking joint.

Pipe has not been cut squarely.Pipe is not fully engaged on fitting barb.Crimp ring is not properly attached to the fitting body. Crimp ring is not fully crimped due to tool not being properly centred over the crimp ring.Crimp ring may have been incorrectly tested with crimp gauge, therefore incomplete crimping has not been detected.

What do I do if the pipe kinks during installation?If during installation you encounter a kink in the pipe the kinked section should be cut out and replaced.

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Can I braze adaptors after the pex pipe has been fitted? No, all brazing or soldering must be performed on the fittings prior to the pex pipe being connected. Sufficient time should be allowed for the fitting to cool prior to attaching the pex pipe.

Is the Crimp Plus system approved? Yes, the Crimp Plus system is approved under the following as/nzs standards. Fittings–as/nzs 2537 and Pipe–as/nzs 2492

Can I use Crimp Plus to connect solar panels to the storage tank? No, the Australian Standards do not allow pex pipe to be used on the flow or return lines between solar panels and solar storage vessels.

What if the crimp gauge won’t pass over the fittings I have crimped? In this case the crimp tool requires adjustment. This is a simple matter of tightening the adjustment screw on the side of the tool (just below the jaws). Continue to tighten the screw and test re-crimped fitting against the crimp gauge until the screw tension is correct. (refer to jointing instructions–page 14, point 6)

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#1 Straight Coupling 16mm#1 Straight Coupling 20mm#1 Straight Coupling 25mm#1 Straight Coupling 32mm

#1R Reducing Coupling 20 × 16mm#1R Reducing Coupling 25 × 16mm#1R Reducing Coupling 25 × 20mm#1R Reducing Coupling 32 × 25mm

Crimp fittings

335096335097335098335099

335102335103335104335105

#2 Connector 16mm × ½” BSPF#2 Connector 16mm × ¾” BSPF#2 Connector 20mm × ½” BSPF#2 Connector 20mm × ¾” BSPF#2 Connector 25mm × ¾” BSPF#2 Connector 25mm × 1” BSPF#2 Connector 32mm × 1” BSPF

335149335144335150335151335301335305335306

#3 Connector 16mm × ½” BSPM#3 Connector 16mm × ¾” BSPM#3 Connector 20mm × ½” BSPM#3 Connector 20mm × ¾” BSPM#3 Connector 25mm × ¾” BSPM#3 Connector 25mm × 1” BSPM#3 Connector 32mm × 1” BSPM#3 Connector 32mm × 1¼” BSPM

335154335152335155335156335158335159335161335162

#12 Elbow 16mm#12 Elbow 20mm#12 Elbow 25mm#12 Elbow 32mm

335108335109335110335111

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#13 Elbow 16mm × ½” BSPM #13 Elbow 20mm × ½” BSPM #13 Elbow 20mm × ¾” BSPM #13 Elbow 25mm × 1” BSPM

335163335164335165335166

#15BP Elbow 16mm × ½” BSPF#15BP Elbow 20mm × ½” BSPF#15BP Elbow 20mm × ¾” BSPF

3351783351770335177

#19BP Elbow 16mm × ½” BSPM (65mm)#19BP Elbow 16mm × ½” BSPM (90mm)#19BP Elbow 20mm × ½” BSPM (95mm)

#19BP Elbow 16mm × ½” BSPM (200mm)#19BP Elbow 16mm × ½” BSPM (150mm)#19BP Elbow 20mm × ¾” BSPM (150mm)

335179335176335173

335174335175335181

#14 Elbow 16mm × ½” BSPF#14 Elbow 20mm × ½” BSPF#14 Elbow 20mm × ¾” BSPF

335169335170335171

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#24 Tee Equal 16mm#24 Tee Equal 20mm#24 Tee Equal 25mm#24 Tee Equal 32mm

#25 Tee Red Branch 20 × 20 × 16mm#25 Tee Red Branch 25 × 25 × 20mm#25 Tee Red Branch 32 × 32 × 25mm

#26 Tee Red End 20 × 16 × 20mm#26 Tee Red End 25 × 20 × 25mm

#27 Tee Red End & Branch 20 × 16 × 16mm

335114335115335116335117

335120335122335123

335126335128

335132

#61 Stopper 16mm#61 Stopper 20mm#61 Stopper 25mm#61 Stopper 32mm

335204335205335206335207

#62 Straight Tap Connector 16mm × ½” BSPF -Flat Seat + Washer#62 Straight Tap Connector 20mm × ¾” BSPF - Flat Seat + Washer

335183

335184

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#62 Straight Tap Connector 16mm × ½” BSPF - Cone Seal#62 Straight Tap Connector 20mm × ¾” BSPF - Cone Seal

3351831

3351841

#63 bent tap connector 16mm × 1/2” BSPF#63 bent tap connector 20mm × 3/4” BSPF

335185

335186

Connecting Barb 16mm × ½” CuConnecting Barb 20mm × ¾” CuConnecting Barb 25mm × 1” CuConnecting Barb 32mm × 1¼” Cu

335145335146335147335148

Flared Copper Compression Union 16mm Pex × ½” CuFlared Copper Compression Union 20mm Pex × ¾” Cu

335094

335095

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Crimp Ring assy only 16mmCrimp Ring assy only 20mmCrimp Ring assy only 25mmCrimp Ring assy only 32mm

335090335091335092335093

Bath/laundry assembly right angle (300mm centres)Bath/laundry assembly right angle (200mm centres)

335193

335194

Bath/laundry assembly straight (300mm centres)

335192

Shower Assembly Right Angle (150mm Centres)Shower Assembly Right Angle (200mm Centres)

335195

335199

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Shower Assembly Right Angle Barbs Up (150mm Centres)Shower Assembly Right Angle Barbs Up (200mm Centres)

335197

335198

Shower assembly straight (150mm centres)

335196

Open Clip Masonry Nail 16mmOpen Clip Masonry Nail 20mmOpen Clip Masonry Nail 25mm

Open Clip Metal screw 16mmOpen Clip Metal screw 20mmOpen Clip Metal screw 25mm

235073235074235075

235076235077235078

Notes

The Crimp Plus hot & cold water plumbing system carries a 25 year warranty against defects in materi-als or manufacturing of pipe and fittings produced under the Crimp Plus name.This warranty is restricted by the following clauses:

Installation must have been carried out by a licenced plumber.Installation must be carried out in accordance with the Crimp Plus installation instructions.Installation must be in full accordance with the relevant local and national plumbing codes and standards.

The Plumbing Plus merchant from whom you purchase Crimp Plus product supports the warranty on this product and as such may request suitable information or evidence from the installer to support any warranty claim. The Plumbing Plus merchant concerned also reserves the right to engage a nominated outside agent of its own choice to assess any faulty product before honouring any warranty claim.

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Quicker…Easier…More versatile…

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