MORE REVIEWS…

SANITARY AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

A. WATER SUPPLY
A B D C B C A D C D B A D A C B

1. SEDIMENTATION – A method of purifying water wherein particles of matters that are

suspended in the water are allowed to stay in a container so tha t they will settle in the
bottom, then drawing the water out, leaving these matters in the container.

2. Water is treated by giving CHEMICAL TREATMENTS to kill the harmful bacteria

present and to cure the turbid taste or “mud taste”, remove clay, salts, i ron, etc. commonl y
used treating liquids is chlorine.

3. Water is purified by FILTRATION. In various processes, so as to remove the particles

of vegetable matter, mud and other particles of matter present in the water, most
commonl y used materials are sa nd and gravel.

4. Raw water is made to pass on pipes of tiny sieves (strainers ) and exposed to air of fine
mist to purify it. This is called AERATION method.

5. A PUMP is water equipment used whenever the w ater supply at its natural pressure
cannot be directl y piped to a building, tank or reservoir.

6. LIFT PUMP consist of a piston traveling up and down within a cylinder which is
connected with a pipe extending down into the source. The piston and the bottom of the
cylinder are each provided with a val ve opening upward. Upon the piston’s upstroke,
valve ‘A’ closes and valve ‘B’ opens. Upon the piston’s down stroke valve ‘A’ opens and
‘B’ closes.

7. FORCE PUMP is used to deliver water at a point higher than the position of the pump
itself. When the plunger (a piston) descends, valve ‘A’ is closed and water in the cylinder
is forced out through valve ‘B’ and up to the storage. When the plunger is raised, valve
‘B’ is closed and ‘A’ open to admit water to the cylinder. [A pump that uses pressure to
move liquid]

8. SUBMERS IBLE PUMP. This is a kind of pump attached to the end of deep well pipe
enclosed in a casing where the pump is capable of functioning while submerged.

CESSPOOL (SUMP) - underground container for waste matter: a covered underground

tank or well for the collection of waste matter and water, especiall y sewage.

9. C ISTERN TANK. A reservoir, tank or vessel for storing or holding water or other
liquids

10. WATER TANK may be used either for the collection of water without consideration of
pressure, or for storing water under air pressure or under a static head for future
distribution by pneumatic or gravit y means. Materials are PVC, G.I., reinforced concrete,
stainless steel or plain steel.
11. A SUCTION TANK is a tank constructed of riveted or welded steel plate; the larger
tanks often being divided into two compartments. They should be large enough to contain
at least one day’s suppl y for the entire building in case the city main is temporarily shut
off. The pipe from the pump to t he tank should be across connected to the cit y main so
that the water may be pumped directl y from the main in case of fire. These tanks are used
so that the pneumatic tank or other pumps suck the water from this tank and not from the
public main, so that it will not deprive the neighbors of water due to pressure.

12. PNEUMATIC TANK – A tank using air pressure from a suction tank to distribute
water for tall buildings which cannot be reached by normal pressure.

13. UPFEED SYSTEM. Water is distributed fro m the normal water pressure coming from
the public water main, for low rise buildings.

14. DOWNFEED SYSTEM. By gravit y, water is distributed from overhead water tanks
and is supported either by structural frames or on the roof decks. Fixtures are below the
gravit y tank . These elevated tanks are installed when normal water suppl y from main
public service pipes is not frequent and when normal pressure from cit y main is not
enough to force the water to the highest fixtures.

15. The pipe from the public w ater main or source of water suppl y to the building served
is called: SERVICING PIPE.

16. The vertical supply pipe which extends upward from one floor to the next is called a
RISER and the horizontal pipes that serve the faucets are called BRANCHES.

B. WATER SUPPLY
B D A C B C D A C D B A B C D

1. WATER MAIN refers to the public water system laid underground along the streets
where the house service is connected.

2. GOOSENECK. One end is 0.30M and the other end is 0.90M long. This prevents
the pipe from snapping (breaking?)when the soil settles. [U -shaped?]

3. CORPORATION COCK. A stop valve in a service pipe close to its connection with
a water main.

4. BUSHING. A kind of G.I. fitting used as a reducer from a bigger diameter to a

lesser diameter.

5. UNION. A G.I. fitting which is used when a pipe has already been installed but
dismantling is difficult.

6. Excessive pressure produces a rumbling sound called the WATER HAMMER. This
occurs when a valve is suddenl y turned off and causes the water to stop, forcing th e
pipes to shake and to reduce this, an additional 0.30m to 0.90m length of pipe is
added to the riser to give air pressure which absorb it.

7. STREET ELBOW or TEE . A kind of G.I. fitting that has one end external threads,
while the other end has internal t hreads.
 8. To insure no leakage, a G.I. pipe when threaded has to use lead liquid or TEFLON
tape around the thread before tightening the fittings.

9. uPVC means: UNPLASTICIZED POLYVINYL CHLOR IDE pipe.

10.GATE VALVES. This consists of a wedge -shaped plug which i s screwed down to
seat between two brass rings surrounding the inlet pipe so that a double seal is
obtained. The inlet and outlet are in a straight line. This valve is used when a
normal full y open or closed position is desired. Either end may be used a s inlet.

11.CHECK VALVES . These valves are used when it is desired that the flow through a
pipe be always in one direction and there is a possibilit y of a flow taking place in
the opposite direction. One t ype has a pivoted flap which is readil y pushed open by
the pressure of water from one side but is tightl y closed by the force of a reverse
flow.

12.CASING. A material used as a covering, such as a pipe bigger than the main pipe
of a deep well so that the main pipe can be pulled out for repair.

13.OVERHEAD HEIGHT. This is the vertical distance from the higher source of water
or overhead tank to the outlet (faucets, shower head) and is distributed by gravit y.

14.WATER TABLE. Subsurface conditions of ground water and rock must be known.
Sites with subsurface which are about 1.80m to 2.40m below grade can cause
problems with excavations, foundations, utilit y placement and landscaping. This is
described as a level underground in which the soil is situated with water.

15.PIPE CHASE. An opening or space to accommoda te a group of pipes.

16.When the water supply of a very tall building is designed as a unit, the required
capacities or tanks, pumps and pipings become undul y large and excessive pressures
are developed in lower portions of the downfeed risers. The buildings therefore are
divided into horizontal sections or GROUPING, and to design the hot and cold
water suppl y systems separatel y for each.

C. FIRE PROTECTION, STORM WATER

A D C B C B D A

1. STANDP IPES & HOSES with separate water reserve or up feed pumping are
extremel y valuable in any buildings but become highl y essential in tall buildings.
This s ystem, intended for use by building personnel until the fire engines arrive and
thereafter by the trained staff of the fire department.

2. Automatic SPR INKLER systems consist of horizontal pattern of pipes placed near
the ceilings of industrial buildings, warehouses, stores, theatres and other structures
where the fire hazard requires their use. These pipes are provided with outlets and
heads so constructed that temperatur es of 55-70 degree Celsius will cause them to
open automaticall y and emit a series of time water sprays.
 3. WET PIPE SYSTEM. A system of sprinklers with its pipes constantl y filling both
mains and distribution pipes.

4. DRY P IPE SYSTEM. Generall y confined to unheated buildings, there is no water in

the distribution pipes except during a fire. Remote valves may be adequate by
sensitive elements to admit water to sprinkler heads.

5. SIAMESE TWIN. An inlet placed outside a building close to ground level, having
two openings so that fire engines can pump water to the dry stand pipes and
sprinkler system of the building.

6. Sprinkler heads are the ‘quartzoid’ bulb type. The bulb is transparent and contains
a colored liquid. At 360 degrees Fahrenheit, the bulb break s and releases a water
stream. One is called UPR IGHT when used above piping when piping is exposed
but when it is hidden inside ceilings that show onl y the bulb it is called PENDENT.

7. The portion of the plumbing system which conveys rainwater to a suit able terminal.
This is usuall y discharged into a street gutter conveyed by a public STORM DRAIN
s ystem and carried to some drainage terminal such as lakes or rivers.

8. PEFORATED P IPE. When the soil is not permeable, and it touches a concrete or
hollow block wall of a basement, rainwater will seep on it and may flood. The
gravel is placed all around this wall 0.30m wide and about 0.30m below the
basement floor rainwater from the gravel towards the drainage terminal.

D. SANITARY DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

C D B A C A B D D A C B A B D C

1. BLACK WATER. Water plus human waste, solid and liquid, urine that is flushed
out of toilets and urinals.

2. SOIL STACK PIPE. A vertical soil pipe containing fecal matter and liquid waste.

3. WASTE P IPES. A pipe which conveys onl y liquid wastes free of fecal matter.

4. VENT. A pipe or opening used for ensuring the circulation of air in a plumbing
s ystem and for reducing the pressure exerted on trap seals.

5. CLEANOUT FERRULE. A metallic sleeve calked (to fill the gaps , to seal or to
waterproof) or otherwise, joined to an opening in a pipe, into which a plug is
screwed that can be removed for the purpose of cleaning or examining the interior
of the pipe.

6. TRAP. A fitting or device so constructed as to prevent the passage of air, gas and
materiall y affecting the flow of sewage or waste water through it.

7. HOUSE DRAIN. The part of the lowest horizontal piping of a plumbing system
which receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside of a
building and conveys it to the hou se sewer. It should have a slope of at least ¼” to
a foot or 6mm for every 300mm or 2%.
 8. UNDERGROUND P IT (why not sump pits ). A pit or receptacle at a low point to
which the liquid wastes are drained.

9. SHAFT. A vertical opening though a building for elev ators, dumbwaiters, light,
ventilation and others.

10. SLEEVE. A sheet metal placed when concrete is poured to accommodate plumping
pipes (through the hole made).

11.CAULKING. lugging an opening around pipe joints with oakum (hemp soaked with
oil) lead or o ther materials like epox y adhesive on vinyl that are pounded place.

12.GRADES OF HOR IZONTAL PIP ING. All horizontal piping shall run in practical
alignment and at a uniform grade of not less than 2% and shall be supported or
anchored at intervals not exceedi ng 3.00M length (10 feet). All stacks shall be
properl y supported at their bases and all pipes are rigidl y hundred (100 inches)
length.

13.DREASES TRAP. This kind of trap must be installed wherever oil y, lard contained
wastes from hotels, restaurants, club houses or similar public eating places are
discharged into the sewer or septic vault. Sand traps shall be placed as near as
possible to the fixture from which it receives the discharge and shall have an air -
tight cover, easil y removable to permit its cle aning.

14.TRAP SEAL. This is the vertical distance between the dip and the crown weir (an
embankment or levee) built to hold water in its course or to divert it to a new course
of a p-trap. Also it is the water in the trap between the dip and the crown wei r to
prevent unpleasant and odorous gases to enter the room through the fixtures.

15.SIPHONAGE. The result of a minus pressure in the drainage system. (Pressure is a

force required to move gas or liquid) when a large amount of the trap (seal) is
absolutel y discharged. When the seal is lost, back flow of gases from the sewer line
will pass into the trap, finds its way to the fixture drain outlet and spread into the
room.

16.Upon the completion of the entire water distribution system including connections
to apprentices, devices, tanks, or fixtures, it shall be tested and inspected by means
of WATER & AIR TEST.

E. SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM, REFUSE HANDLING

A D B C C B D A B D A C

1. SEPTIC TANK. A receptacle or water tight vault used to collect organic waste
discharge from the house sewer and designed and constructed so as to separate
solids from the liquid, digest the organic matter through a period of detention, and
allow the effluent to discharge a storm drain.

2. CATCH BASIN. A receptacle in which liquids are retain ed for a sufficient period
of time to deposit ‘settleable’ materials.
3. PUBLIC SEWER MAIN . A public sanitary waste disposal system consisting of a
treatment unit which conveys the raw waste to the disposal system.

4. A common way of disposing solids is by INCINERATION. This is a controlled

burning of combustible waste. This can be an effective waste reduction method for
70 percent of all municipal wastes. If this is operated properly, it can reduce bulk
by 90 to 95 percent. Ash left over is generall y dispo sed off in a landfill.

5. Another method of disposing municipal solid wastes is by dumping of refuse at a

pre-planned site, compacted and covered with a layer of earth. This method is
called a SANITARY LANDFILL.

6. When garbage from different floors of a high -rise building is disposed off from an
opening and is directly led to the basement garbage bin. This is called the
RUBBISH CHUTES.

7. GARBAGE DISPOSER. This is a contraption inverted to dispose leftovers straight

from the kitchen sink. Simpl y turn on the f aucet, flick the power switch and place
the leftovers such as bones, fruit p its, rotten vegetables, spoiled bones and washed
down the drain pipes.

8. After the ground preparation, a LINER should be laid out on the area enclosed for
sanitary landfill. The ma in purpose is to prevent the seepage of leachate (dirt y
water, to cause liquid to percolate) deep down to the ground water strata. This
consists of soil or composite material such as synthetic plastic or asphalt sheets.

9. TRENCH METHOD. A method of landfi ll wherein a tractor digs a trench with a

bulldozer blade and trucks dump the refuse to it. Then the tractor compacts the
refuse thoroughl y and covers it with earth that was dug up earlier. This method is
primaril y used on ground level.

10.AREA METHOD. This method of landfill is generall y used on rolling terrain where
the existing slope of the land can be used as a basin. In this method, trucks deposit
refuse over the selected area. Huge, heavy tractors with special compacting wheels
press down the refus e. Then the refuse is covered with earth hauled in from
elsewhere.

11.Collection of human wastes is done by elaborate systems to carry most liquid

sewage to WATER TREATMENT P LANTS , where the sewage undergoes a series of
treatment steps to remove polluting m aterials, biological and chemical contaminants
that can harm human health or ecological systems. The first stage is the trapping or
screening of coarse suspended matter into a grit chamber. Then the use of aerobic
microorganisms to break down the organic matter left in the sewage called the
biological oxidation . Then the third phase, chemical treatments used to remove
undesirable constituents that remain. What results is drinking qualit y water.

12.BIDET. A fixture that appears like a water closet, since a person sits down on it.
But it is designed as a combination lavatory which can plug the drain and collect
hot & cold water, with an inverted water sprayer to clear the most delicate and well -
guarded parts of the body.
F. MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
B A D C C A D B A C

1. What determines the size of a leaching field? PERCOLATION TEST

2. What is an important concern in private water suppl y? HARDNESS.

3. What part of water suppl y design is affected by building height? STATIC HEAD

4. Statements:

a. Correct
*Dry pipe sprinkl er systems are more efficient than wet pipe systems.
*The hazard classification does not necessaril y affect sprinkler layout.
b. Incorrect
*Siamese connections serve both sprinklers and standpipes
*Standpipes must be located within stairways or vestibules of smoke-proofed
enclosures.
*Standpipes are required in buildings four or more stories high or those exceeding
150 feet.

5. The pressure in a city water main is (0.39273 MPa). If the pressure loss through
piping, fittings, and the water meter has been calcula ted as 231 psi (o.15847 MPa)
and the highest fixture requires 12 psi (0.08268 MPa) to operate, what is the
maximum height the fixture can be above the water main? 50 FEET (15M)

6. You have been retained by a client to design a house in a suburban location. The
nearest water main is one block away (about 1000M) and the city has no plans to
extend the line in the near future. Cit y and count y regulations do permit the
drilling of wells. What should you recommend you client regarding water suppl y?

ESTIMATE THE COST OF EXTENDING THE MUNIC IPAL LINE, S INCE THE
WATER QUALITY IS KNOWN AND IT WOULD ENSURE A LONG -TERM
SUPPLY. CONSULT WITH NEARBY PROPERTY OWNERS WHO PLAN TO
BUILD IN THE AREA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE THE
COST OF EXTENDING THE LINE.

7. Which statements about drainage are correct?

a. Correct
*Vents help prevent the drainage of water from traps
*The house drain cannot also be called the building sewer
*Cleanouts are always a necessary part of a drainage system
b. Incorrect
*Drains should always s lope at a minimum of 1/8 inch per foot (.0099 per meter)
or 9.9mm/meter. [0.99%]

8. Water hammer most often occurs when:

WATER SUDDENLY STOPS WHEN FLOW IS TURNED OFF.

9. One component of a plumbing system that every building has is a : STACK VENT
10.Select the i ncorrect statements:

a. Correct
*Several t ypes of plastic can be used for cold water piping, but onl y PVDC is
used for hot water suppl y where allowed by local codes.
*Steel pipe is more labor intensive and requires more space than copper pipes in
plumbing chases.
*ABS is suitable for water suppl y.
b. Incorrect
*Type M pipe is normall y specified for most interior plumbing