WRAS approved end feed female iron centre tee for copper pipework. Available in 22x22x1/2″ and 22x22x3/4″ FI. Suitable for potable water systems. Sold individually or in boxes of ten.
The end feed FI centre tee is a copper fitting designed to branch off a run of copper pipe while providing a female iron (BSP) threaded outlet at the centre port. WRAS approved, meaning it meets the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme requirements for use in mains potable water installations. Available in two common sizes: 22x22x1/2″ FI and 22x22x3/4″ FI, covering the vast majority of domestic and light commercial plumbing branch connections.
End feed fittings work by soldering the copper pipe directly into the fitting sleeve. There is no integral solder ring inside, so you supply and apply your own solder to the joint. This gives you full control over the joint and, done correctly, produces a clean, reliable connection. The centre outlet is a female iron thread, meaning you screw a male BSP fitting, valve, or threaded component directly into it. That makes this tee useful wherever you need a branch point on a copper run that also connects to a threaded fitting or component.
Where End Feed FI Centre Tees Get Used
You will find this type of fitting on boiler and heating pipework, domestic water distribution, cylinder connections, and anywhere a copper run needs a threaded branch for a valve, gauge, or other threaded component. The 1/2″ FI version is common for radiator valves, flexi connections, and smaller branch lines, while the 3/4″ FI outlet suits larger valves and connections feeding higher-flow branches.
The WRAS approval is not a minor detail. For any plumbing work on mains water supply, fittings without approval can cause issues on inspection and may not comply with building regulations sign-off. Using approved fittings keeps the job clean from a compliance standpoint, which matters more when work is being certified or handed over to a building control officer.
End feed fittings do require a bit more care than solder ring equivalents, particularly getting the pipe clean and fluxed properly before heat goes anywhere near it. But for experienced plumbers, they are perfectly straightforward and often preferred for the visible confirmation of a full solder joint. Buying in boxes of ten makes sense on any job where you are installing multiple branch connections, keeping unit cost down without overstocking your van with fittings you might not use for months.
Pro Tip: When soldering an FI centre tee, wrap the female iron thread with a damp cloth before applying heat to avoid burning any thread tape or fittings already in place, and keep the flame directed at the copper sleeves rather than the centre body.
End feed FI centre tees are used in domestic and light commercial plumbing wherever a copper pipe run needs a threaded branch connection. Typical applications include radiator valve connections, boiler pipework, cylinder feeds, and branch lines off mains supply runs. Plumbers and heating engineers are the primary users, with the 1/2" FI outlet covering most valve and flexi connections and the 3/4" FI serving higher-flow or larger-bore branches. The WRAS approval makes these fittings suitable for mains potable water installations without compliance concerns.
Best For
Branching copper pipework with a threaded outlet
Radiator valve connections
Boiler and heating pipework
Cylinder and mains water branch lines
Connections to threaded valves and components
Available In
22x22x1/2" Female Iron
22x22x3/4" Female Iron
Single unit
Box of 10
Key Properties
WRAS approved for potable water use
End feed (no integral solder ring)
Female BSP centre thread
Copper construction
Suitable for mains water and heating systems
Not suitable for: Not suitable for push-fit or compression systems. End feed fittings require soldering, so these are not appropriate for anyone without torch and soldering experience or in situations where naked flame cannot be used safely.
Clean the outside of the copper pipe ends with wire wool or emery cloth until the surface is bright. Apply flux to both the pipe ends and the inside of the fitting sleeves before assembling. Push the pipes fully into the fitting, ensuring each pipe seats correctly against the internal pipe stop.
Apply heat evenly to the copper sleeve with a plumber's torch until the fitting reaches soldering temperature, then feed solder into the joint mouth. The solder should be drawn in by capillary action to form a complete joint. Allow to cool before handling and wipe away excess flux residue. Apply thread tape or jointing compound to any male fitting before screwing into the FI thread.
Cut copper pipe square and deburr the ends inside and out
Clean pipe ends and fitting sockets with wire wool or emery cloth until bright
Apply flux paste to all pipe ends and the inside of both copper sockets
Assemble the fitting onto the pipes, pushing fully home to the internal pipe stop
Wrap a damp cloth around the female iron thread to protect it during soldering
Apply heat to the copper sleeve with a torch, moving the flame to heat evenly
Feed solder into the joint mouth when the fitting reaches temperature and allow capillary action to draw it in
Repeat for the second copper socket
Allow the joint to cool fully before moving or pressurising
Wipe off excess flux with a damp cloth once cooled
Apply PTFE tape or jointing compound to the male fitting thread before connecting to the FI outlet
What does FI mean on a centre tee?
FI stands for Female Iron, which refers to the internal BSP thread on the centre outlet. You screw a male-threaded fitting, valve, or component into it. The two end ports are plain copper sockets for end feed soldering onto copper pipe.
Are these fittings suitable for drinking water systems?
Yes. These fittings carry WRAS approval, which means they have been assessed as suitable for use in contact with mains potable water. This is the approval you need for any plumbing work on drinking water supplies in the UK.
Manufactured from copper to standard end feed tolerances, these centre tees incorporate a female BSP threaded port at the branch outlet and plain solder-entry sockets at the run ends. The WRAS approval confirms compliance with Water Regulations for use in mains water supply pipework. End feed construction requires site-applied solder, with joint integrity dependent on correct surface preparation and flux application.
Approval
WRAS Approved
Fitting Type
End Feed (no solder ring)
Centre Outlet
Female Iron (BSP) Thread
Available Sizes
22x22x1/2" FI, 22x22x3/4" FI
Material
Copper
Pack Options
1, 10
Size
22x22x1/2" FI, 22x22x3/4" FI
Box Quantity
1, 10
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