Galvanized steel potable water supply and distribution pipes are commonly found with nominal pipe sizes from 3?8 inch (9.5 mm) to 2 inches (51 mm).
It is also extremely durable and resistant to mechanical abuse.
Black lacquered steel pipe is the most widely used pipe material for fire sprinklers and natural gas. Źródło: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlumbingPlumbing equipment includes devices often hidden behind walls or in utility spaces which are not seen by the general public.
It includes water meters, pumps, expansion tanks, backflow preventers, water filters, UV sterilization lights, water softeners, water heaters, heat exchangers, gauges, and control systems. Specialized plumbing tools include pipe wrenches, flaring pliers, pipe vise, pipe bending machine, pipe cutter, dies and joining tools such as soldering torches and crimp tools.
New tools have been developed to help plumbers fix problems more efficiently. For example, plumbers use video cameras for inspections of hidden leaks or problems, they use hydro jets, and high pressure hydraulic pumps connected to steel cables for trench-less sewer line replacement.Źródło: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbing#Equipment_and_toolsThe difference between pipes and tubes is simply in the way it is sized.PVC pipe for plumbing applications and galvanized steel pipe for instance, are measured in IPS (iron pipe size).
PeX and CPVC tubing also comes in rigid "joints" or flexible rolls.
The temper of the copper, that is whether it is a rigid "joint" or flexible roll, does not affect the sizing.7 The thicknesses of the water pipe and tube walls can vary.Pipe wall thickness is denoted by various schedules or for large bore polyethylene pipe in the UK by the Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR), defined as the ratio of the pipe diameter to its wall thickness.
The schedule is largely determined by the operating pressure of the system, with higher pressures commanding greater thickness.
Copper tubing is available in four wall thicknesses: type DWV (thinnest wall; only allowed as drain pipe per UPC), type 'M' (thin; typically only allowed as drain pipe by IPC code), type 'L' (thicker, standard duty for water lines and water service), and type 'K' (thickest, typically used underground between the main and the meter).
Because piping and tubing are commodities, having a greater wall thickness implies higher initial cost.