WEEK TWO: PLUMBING.

TECHNOLOGIST’S NAME: MR. NYAGA.

Abstract.
Different types of plumbing pipes are available in building construction works for various
purposes such as water supply, drainage, waste disposal made of different materials. In every
building sufficient quantity of water at required locations to meet various needs of occupants.
So water needs must be properly computed before the construction of structure. The
transmission water is carried through pipes within the structure above and below the ground.
At the same we must compute the proper drainage facilities to drain the wastewater through
pipes.
PLUMBING SYSTEM.
The plumbing system comprises the whole system of pipe fittings and appliances used for water
supply and drainage. In this supply and drainage system different pipes are used for different
purposes which are explained below.
1. Supply or service pipes.
2. Drain pipes or waste disposal pipes.

1. Supply Pipes or Service Pipes.

The pipes which are leading from the distribution main of water supply to the plumbing system
of a house are known as service pipes. These service pipes are made from the different
materials as classified below.

 Copper pipes.
 Galvanized iron pipes.
 Polythene pipes.
 Lead pipes.
1. Copper Pipes.
When ground water is highly corrosive to metals then copper pipes are used. Copper have a
high corrosive resistance when compared to other pipe metals and they also have considerable
strength, reasonability ductility. They are available in long length in the market. They can bare
high pressure so; these pipes are also used for industrial purposes for heavy flows.
There are two types of copper pipes available namely HEAVY GAUGE and LIGHT GAUGE pipes.
Heavy gauge pipes are used where pressure is very high, like as leading pipe from distribution
main, for large flows etc. Light gauge pipes are used when the pressure does not exceed
0.15N/mm2 that is for internal domestic purposes.
 2. Galvanized Iron Pipes.
When compared to copper pipes, G.I pipes or steel pipes are very economical. But they corrode
easily in soft and acid waters. In the other case galvanized iron pipes are much stronger than
copper pipes, so , we can use these pipes in places where chance of corrosion is less or in hard
water areas. Hammering is needed to remove the scales formed by hard water.
3. Poythene Pipes.
Polythene pipes are used for cold water services. Nowadays, plastic pipes dominate the others
by some advantages as follow
 Do not corrode.
 Cheap in cost.
 Less weight.
 Ease of installation.
 Do not require threading.
 Resistant to bacterial scale.
So they are mostly used in the world but they are limited to cold water supplies. The do not
sustain high temperature.
4. Lead Pipes.
Lead pipes has high corrosion resistance, flexibility and hydraulic coefficient of flow. But lead
content in water may lead to poisoning effects which are harmful for people. So, it is not
preferred.

Generally, in a house waste water is produced from different places like kitchen,
bathrooms, e.t.c.These whole waste is does not carried by single pipe instead of
different pipes are arranged to dispose the waste. The types of waste water pipes are
described below.

Pipe rigs
If you’re running pipers along wall or concealing then behind or beneath if you must make
contain they’re firmly held in place at regular interval with pipe dips. This will stop them from
creaking or vibrating.
HOW TO RUN NEW SUPPLY OF PIPERS
Moving or modifying elements of you plumbing system of them nearly you need to run. New
pipework. There are plenty of option for doing this plane the route first and try to keep bends
to a minimum so the water can flow freely.
ALONG YOUR WALLS.
The easiest and the quickest way of running new pipework is simply to clip the pipes to a
wall .One can buy plastic ducting to hide them or box them in with plywood and timber battens
PIPE FITTINGS
Various types of pipes fittings are available in plumbing systems for different purposes and
functions. A pipe fitting is used in plumbing systems for join multiple pipes of the same size or
different sizes, to regulate the flow or to measure the flow.
They are made of different materials like copper, iron, brass, PVC, etc.
TYPES OF PIPE FITTINGS IN PLUMBING SYSTEMS.
Different pipe fittings and their functions are explained below:
a) Elbow pipe fittings.
Elbow are used to change the direction of flow between two pipes. They are generally available
with an angle 22.5degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees. If pipes are of the same diameter than
normal elbows are used otherwise reducer bends are used.
Elbows are made of different materials. They are generally coming with female threads and we
can fix them by butt or socket welded joint.
b) Reducer pipe fitting.
Reducer is a pipe fitting component which reduces the flow size from larger to smaller by
reducing the size of a pipe. Usually there are two types of reducers available.
One is concentric reducer which is like cone shaped with gradual decreasing around the pipe
but in this case accumulation of air may possible and it results in cavitation.
Other one is eccentric reducer which is having none edge parallel to connecting pipe due to
which air accumulation is not possible.
c) Tee type
Tee type fitting is a component of plumbing system which is in T-shape. It is having one inlet
and two outlets, outlets are arranged at 90 degrees to the main line connection.
It can also be used to combine the flow the flow from two inlets to one outlet. They are also in
different materials and different sizes. If the 3 sides of the T-fitting are similar in size then it is
called as Equal tee otherwise it is called as Unequal tee.
d) Cross-type.
Cross type fitting contains 4 openings in four directions. Then are connected when there are
four pipes meeting at a point. These fittings generate more amount of stress on the pipe as the
temperature change because thet are located at the centre of four connection points. Cross
fitting are generally used for sprinkler systems.
e) Coupling.
A coupling is used to connect the pipes of the same diameter. Coupling are also useful if the
pipe is broken or leakage occurs. Generally, there are two types of coupling available,
compression coupling and slip coupling.
Compression coupling is regular coupling which is connected between two pipes and it prevents
leakage by the arrangement of rubber seals on both sides, otherwise glue is provided.
Slip coupling is easier to install and it contains two pipes which are arranged as one into the
other, inner pipe can slide up to some length. So, we can fix long length damaged pipe by slip
coupling.
f) Unions.
Union is a type of fitting, which function as similar to coupling. But, coupling cannot be
removed after fixing but in this case we can remove the union whenever we needed. Union
consist of a nut, male and female ended threads. So, this is also useful for maintaining purpose
of pipe.
g) Adaptors.
If the pipes are not having special ends or plan ends then adaptors make them threaded either
male or female whichever is needed. Adapters are generally used for copper and PVC pipes.
Male adapters contains male threads and female adapters contains female threads.
One end of adapter is plain which is glued or welded or soldered to the plain pipe end.
h) Olets.
Olets are used when there is standard sizes of fittings are not suitable for our requirements.
Sometimes, the inlet pipe is larger than the outlet pipe in T-sections then also olets are used.
There are many types of olets that are available. Some important types of olets are:

 Butt-weldoles.
 Socket weld olets.
 Threaded olets.
 Elbow olet.
 Nipple olet.
i) Plug.
Plug is a plumbing component which is generally used to close pipe opening during inspection
and repairs. Plug generally contains male threads.
j) Cap.
Cap is a type of pipe fitting which function same as the as the plug but the only difference is
that plug contains male threads and cap contains female threads which is crew on the male
thread of the pipe.
They are available in different materials like rubber, copper, steel and plastic.

VALVES IN PIPE FITTINGS.

Valves are compounds in plumbing systems which are used to stop or regulate flow of fluid in
its path. Difference types of valves are available depending up on their application.
Some important types of valves and their application are as tabulated below:

No. Type of valve. Application

1 Gate valve, plug
valve and Ball valve
2 Globe valve
3 Check valve
4 Butterfly valve
5 Diaphragm valve
Used for isolation only.
Used for throttling.
Used for preventing reverse flow (non-
return)
Used for isolation as well as throttling.
Used for isolation as well as throttling..

Different types of pipe joint in Plumbing.

Types of pipe joints are major components of plumbing system provided to connect multiple
pipes. Pipe joint provided provided should withstand pressure of each pipe.
There are several ways to join pipes, but selection of pipe joint depends upon the pipe size,
pipe material and flow pressure.

TYPES OF PIPE JOINTS IN PLUMBING.

1. Threaded Joint.
Threaded joint means, pipes are connected by screwing with the help of a thread provided for
each pipe. One pipe having internal threads and the other one having threads externally. Cast
iron pipes, copper pipes, PVC and G.I pipes are available with threads.
Threaded joints are available from 6mm diameter to 300mm diameter pipe. They are preferale
for low temperature areas and low pressure flow. In the areas of high temperatures, the joints
may expand and leaked due to the thermal expenses. Installation of the threaded joint is easy
but good maintenance is required.
2. Brazed joint in Pipe.
Brazing is the process of joining pipes using molten filler material at above 840degrees
Celsius…….. Brazing is generally used for joining copper pipes or copper alloy pipes.
The filler material majorly consists of tin which has a great affinity towards copper. But because
of its weak properly tin is added to other materials like nickel, bismuth, silver and copper. The
melting point of the parent material should be higher than the filler metal. Mechanical strength
of brazed joint is low compared to other joint. This type of joint is suitable in moderate range of
temperatures areas.
3. Butt welded joint in Pipes.
When the pipes are of the same diameter butt welding is done to join the pipes. It is the most
common type of welding. Skilled workers are required to install the joint. These joints are
generally used for large commercial and industrial piping systems.
Butt weld provide good strength for the joined and it can resist high pressure because of
smooth and continuous surface inside the joined. Butt weld joins are expensive, to make it
economical .Sometime internal weld backing rings are used which joint the pipe with less
amount of filler material.

4. Flanged joint in pipe.

Flanged join are used for high pressure flows and for large diameter pipers. It general they are
used for plain end pipes or threaded pipers. Two components are connected by both. At the
piper joint to prevent leakage.
Generally two are modern cost iron strict etc. there are heaving