How to Calculate Pipe Length with Fittings- Simply Calculate in 2 Quick Steps

Plumbing is not so easy. Every time you go for a new arrangement, you have got to be stuck with tons of measurements and calculations. Like measuring the pipe, lengths are never just the length of the pipes. It needs a lot of considerations, including the fitting allowance, threads, centers, diameters, and whatnot. In this article, we will give you a basic idea of how to calculate pipe length with fittings.

If you are struggling with measuring pipe length with fittings, we might have a perfect solution for you right here. Also, we will get through examples based on different factors of pipe sizes and many more. So, have a close look and don’t miss a part.

How to Calculate Pipe Length with Fittings

As we have already mentioned in the intro, the pipe length measurement has a lot of factors to consider, like the fitting allowance, threads, centers, diameters, etc. Depending on the size and shape of fittings, the measurements can vary. In the further discussions, you might find some terminology to make the distance points more specific such as, center to center (CC), face to center (FC), also known as the throw, and the thread engagement (TE) distances.

For a better understanding, keep the terms in mind. Let’s start with the calculation procedure.

How to Calculate

To make the calculation easy for you, we have divided the whole procedure into a few steps. Have a look,

Step-1: Finding out the Face Allowance

In the first step, you will need to calculate the face allowance of the fittings that are to be set in the pupe end. The thread engagement or (TE) is always required to subtract from the face to center distance to find out the Fitting allowance. So, fitting allowance (FA) is calculated by the following expression,

FA = FC – TE

Step-2: End to End Measurement of the Pipe

In this step, we will subtract the face allowance of the fittings of both ends. When the FAs of both fittings are the same, we will simply double it by multiplying by two and then subtracting from the main length. If not, the FAs will be required to calculate separately. So, the expression would be,

EE = CC – (FA₁ + FA₂); [EE = CC – 2 FA, when the FAs are same]

A Quick and Easy Example

Let’s consider the CC measurement of a pipe is 575 mm required in between two fittings of 40 mm diameter. The FC measurement for a class 150 Malleable Iron Fitting is 49.3 mm, and the TE is 17.8 mm. can you calculate the length of the pipe with the two-step calculation stated above? Make an assessment on your own. If it’s not working, we have the solutions here.

Also Read: Most Effective 3 Methods On How To Remove Algae From Pipes

Solution: according to the calculation process, we have to find out the Fa in the first step, and then with the value of FAs, we will calculate the end-to-end pipe length.

Step-1: Finding out the Face Allowance

So, to find out the FA, we know the expression, FA = FC – TE

= 49.3 mm – 17.8 mm

= 31.5 mm

As we are considering a CC measurement, there will be two fittings, and thus two face allowances will be calculated by simply multiplying the FA we have just found with two. The fitting of both sides may differ in size, where this simple multiplying technique will not be applicable. In that case, we will need to count the FA twice. For the current situation, let’s keep it simple and go ahead.

Step-2: End to End Measurement of the Pipe

Our desired length was 575 mm, and we will need to subtract two FAs from the length.

EE = CC – 2 FA

    = 575 mm  – 2* 31.5 mm

    = 512 mm

Was it easy enough to understand? You can give a few more trials before starting with the piping system at your home. Believe it or not, this will make the whole process way easy for you to understand and make you confident enough to take the risk. If needed, get through the process over and over again.

A Helpful Tutorial You May Need!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Words

Have you gone through the calculation method? Hoping you understood, because no other source will show you how to calculate pipe length with fittings so easy and can be calculated in just two steps.

This content is not for the picky readers because we warned you to go through the entire process thoroughly right at the starting of this content. If you have yet skipped something, then our suggestion will be to go back and closely look at those.

Our aim is to make plumbing issues easy, and that’s why we hate to see our readers leaving clueless. Skipping information can mislead you and leave you with a disaster. So, take your time, and let us help you out.

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