Fittings, Valves and Plumbing Fixtures

Fittings
 A variety of fittings must be used to connect pipe lengths and make all the pipe turns, branch lines,
couplings that join the straight runs, and stops at the end of the runs. Fittings for steel and wrought-
iron pipe are made of malleable iron and cast iron.
 The fittings for plastic, copper, and brass pipe are made of the same materials as the pipe being
connected.

1. Adapter
 Adaptors connect pipes that are not the same type. Because an adaptor can be male or female on
one end, it can turn a pipe male or female.
 If ends are non- threaded, they are left to be welded, soldered or glued to the pipe. Adaptors are
used for PVC and copper piping.
2. Barb
 A barb connects hoses to pipes. It is usually male at one end. The other has a barbed tube, which
is a ridged and tapered cone.
 It may also have a type of clamp to keep it secure. Barbs are made of plastic if they carry cold
water and brass if they carry hot water.
3. Coupling
 A coupling makes it easy to connect two pipes that have the same diameter and are the same
type. It’s also used to repair a broken or leaking pipe. Along with a normal coupling, two other types
are the compression coupling and slip coupling.
 The compression fitting is connected between two pipes via rubber seals or gaskets on both sides
which prevents leaking. A slip coupling includes two pipes, one of which slides out of the other pipe
to a various length, to repair a specific length of damaged pipe.
4. Cross Fitting
 has openings on all four of its ends and can connect four pipes. It comes with three inlets and an
outlet or three outlets and an inlet. Because they are the connecting point for four pipes, they are
under more stress than other types of fittings and typically built tougher than other fittings
5. Double Tapped Bushing
 This is a type of nipple, but it has threading on both the inside and the outside. Because this center
hole is threaded (tapped) from both top and bottom, it’s referred to as double tapped.
6. Elbow
 Not surprisingly, this sort of fitting has a bend that reminds you of the arm joint. They help the flow
of water change direction. Elbows come in several degrees, including 22.5, 45, and 90 degrees.
7. Mechanical Sleeve
 This connects two pipes through the use of a screw or other device. This makes the fitting easy to
install. The mechanical sleeve or coupling is usually made of rubber that is inserted inside a metal
jacket (stainless steel clamp).
8. Nipple
 This is a short fitting that can be made of metals such as copper, brass or steel or chlorinated
polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). Instead of connecting two pipes, a nipple connects two fittings.
9. Plug and Cap
 Both are used to close up pipe openings during inspections and repairs. The main difference is that
a plug is male while a cap is female. Most often, caps and plugs are threaded.
10. Reducer
 This fitting makes a flow smaller and thus reduces it. Reducers come in two types. The concentric
reducer joins two pipes on the same axis, and the eccentric reducer is used to join pipes of
different diameters.
11. Tee
 A tee has an inlet and an outlet and is shaped like the letter “T.” These fittings come in different
sizes and are considered sturdier than the cross fitting.
12. Union
 Unions can have either male or female threads. They are similar to couplings, but the difference is
unions are easy to remove making them convenient for maintenance or a planned future
replacement.
13. Wye
 Built in the shape of the letter “Y,” this fitting is made to connect three pipes. Y fittings allow the
pipes to change their elevations and to branch out into fresh water lines or drains. Wyes are similar
to tee fittings but the smoother angling reduces friction and turbulence in the water. This fitting is
most commonly used to connect a vertical drainpipe to a horizontal one.

Valves
 Valves are found throughout both household and industrial plumbing.
 Used to change the flow of water, regulate flow, or shut- off water in the event of an emergency,
valves are a valued component of any plumbing system.
1. Ball Valve
 controls water flow by using a rotational ball located in the center of the valve. This ball has a
hollow core through its center that controls the flow of water. When the ball’s hollow core is parallel
to the water inlet, fluids are allowed to flow through the valve and exit out into the pipes.
2. Gate valve
 another popularly used shut-off valve. Gate valves are equipped with a wedge-shaped metal gate
that can be lowered to halt water flow and raised to allow flow to continue. When the gate is fully
drawn up into the valve, it retracts entirely, allowing the water to flow through without any reduction
in pressure.
3. Globe valve
 Globe valves are used to open, close, and regulate the flow of fluids. Unlike ball valves and gate
valves, globe valves are designed to modulate and throttle water flow. The spherical valve of the
body (hence the name “globe”) houses a stationary ring seat.
4. Butterfly Valve.
 At the center of a butterfly valve is a rotating disc. This movable element is controlled by the
quarter-turn of a handle. When the handle is turned, this disc flares open, allowing fluid to pass
through the pipe. When the disc is closed, it prohibits the movement of any fluids.
5. Needle valves
 allow for precise control of water flow by the raising and lowering of a threaded, conical spindle.
The sharp tip of this spindle seals perfectly within a valve seat at the bottom of the valve. Needle
valves are controlled by a rotating stem. As the stem is turned, the spindle slowly swivels out of
its valve seat and water is incrementally allowed through the narrow passage within the valve.
6. Check Valve
 ensures that water is only permitted to flow in one direction. Check valves are a form of backflow
prevention. They prevent contaminated water and sewage from drain lines from flowing back into
plumbing and polluting clean water. Check valves regulate water flow exclusively in a single
direction.
7. Plug valve.
 Within the plug valve is a cone-shaped “plug”. When the handle is turned a quarter, the plug
rotates to face the oncoming flow of water and allow passage. When it is closed, the hollow
center turns flush to the walls of the valve and all flow through the valve is blocked.
Plumbing Fixture
 A plumbing fixture is an exchangeable device which can be connected to a plumbing system to
deliver and drain water.

1. Lavatory or washbasin- is the plumbing fixtures provided for washing hands and face and brushing
teeth in a standing position. These are usually made of glazed earthenware or vitreous china.
Sometimes these are also made of enameled iron, stainless steel or plastic, especially where the
number of users is more.
2. Kitchen Sink- Sinks are the plumbing fixtures provided in kitchens for cleaning utensils. These are
also provided in laboratories for cleaning laboratory ware. Sinks are usually of rectangular shape
and are made of glazed earthen ware or vitreous china, cement concrete with or without terrazzo
finish, marble, stainless steel and enameled iron.
3. Bathtubs- are plumbing fixtures used for bathing. They are available in enameled iron, cast iron, or
fiberglass. Tubs are available in a variety of sizes, the most common being 30 or 32 in (760 or 810
mm) wide; 12, 14, or 16 in (300, 350 or 400 mm) high; and 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) long. Whirlpool
bathtubs are fitted with jets that propel a current of warm water in a swirling motion.
4. Laundry tubs- are found in a laundry room but they are often used for more than laundry. A laundry
tub looks much like a bigger and deeper version of a kitchen sink. The depth of the tub provides
the space needed to properly soak and rinse clothing.
5. Combination fixture- is provided for institutional use which combines a toilet, wash basin and
drinking fountain. Both the water and the waste connections are made through the floor, making it
adaptable for use in buildings which do not have a pipe chase.
6. Urinals- are plumbing fixtures that are commonly used in public restrooms where it is desirable to
reduce possible contamination of the water closet seats. They are commonly available in vitreous
china and sometimes in enameled iron.
7. Shower- is an overhead nozzle that sprays water down on the bather. Shower fittings may be
placed over bathtubs instead of having a separate shower space. However, it is important that
when a showerhead is used with a bathtub fixture, the walls be constructed of an impervious
material such as ceramic tile.
8. Floor drain- floor drain is a plumbing fixture that is installed in the floor of a structure, mainly
designed to remove any standing water near it. They are usually round, but can also be square or
rectangular.
9. Slop sink- is a sink specifically designed for messy and dirty tasks. An example of a slop sink is a
sink installed in a barn for washing off muddy, dirty boots or tools.
10. Water closet- is a plumbing fixture that serves as an indoor receptacle and removal system for
human waste. Water closets are typically made of solid vitrified china cast with an integral (built-in)
trap.
11. Bidets- are personal hygiene plumbing fixtures used for genital and perineal cleanliness. It is
typically used after using the water closet. The bidet is not designed or intended to carry away solid
human waste. It is installed alongside the water closet. The user sits on the fixture facing the wall
(and the water controls) and is cleansed by a rinsing spray.
12. Drinking fountains- offer users a limitless supply of drinking water at any location where water and
sanitary drainage are readily available. Water coolers can deliver 8 gal/hr. (30 L/hr.) or more of
chilled drinking water. They require connections to power, water, and drainage. Drinking fountains
and water coolers are available in wall-mounted and floor units. Drinking fountains and water
coolers should not be installed in public restrooms.
13. Faucet- is any device for controlling the flow of liquid from a pipe or the like by opening or closing
an orifice