Robert Kroening
Robert Kroening
January 7, 2026 at 2:24 pm

Reftekk Bendable Tubing

What does this group think about this manufacturer stating that their bendable copper tubing mis NFPA 99 approved.

I have recently been asked if I have seen this manufacturer installed in a NFPA 99 compliant healthcare facility.

I have not seen this, but their web site states that they are medical gas approved.

  • Robert Woisard

    January 9, 2026 at 5:19 pm

    Hi Robert

    I hadn’t heard of this before. My thoughts are that there are approved methods and materials for use with medical gas systems. Corrugated medical tubing is a newer example. This was deemed acceptable and introduced into the code. Once introduced it could then be installed. Code states that turns cannot be made by bending copper tube, therefore this should not be allowable. Code also states that tubes shall be either in accordance with ASTM B819 or CMT. If this is bendable copper I do not believe this is either. It would need to be specifically approved first before being allowable for installation on med gas systems.

  • Mark Allen

    January 26, 2026 at 8:57 am

    Bob,

    Have not heard of them either, but they are wrong to say they are “NFPA 99 approved”. NFPA does not approve anything. If they meet the requirements of the code, they can be used under the code, but there is no valid “approval” they can produce.

    The manufacturer must confirm: does the product meet all the requirements in the Code? (I suggest that should take the form of a point by point checklist referenced to Code paragraphs). The engineer, the owner and the Installer must validate that and accept the product for use. With that, they can use it and you can verify the install. Without it, they should not use it anyway.

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