CHAPTER-3

Plumbing
 Introduction
Plumbing is the system of pipes, drains fittings, valves, valve
assemblies, and devices installed in a building for the distribution of
water for drinking, heating and washing, and the removal of
waterborne wastes, and the skilled trade of working.
with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures in such systems
Plumbing is usually distinguished from water supply and sewage
systems, in that a plumbing system serves one building, while water
and sewage systems serve a group of buildings.
A complete plumbing system provides an adequate supply of water
and removes waste.
There are three principal parts:
Water supply system.
Water and waste removal system.
Plumbing fixtures.
There are 2 Types of Plumbing Systems
1.Water Supply System
2) Drainage, Waste, and Venting (DWV)
Water Supply System
•Distributes water under pressure throughout the structure
for drinking, bathing, cooking, and laundry.
•This is a 2 pipe system.

•One pipe carries cold water, and the other hot water
 Plumbing Materials
A. Tubing – pipe flexible enough to bend.
B. Nipple – short pipe under 12 inches long.
C. Pipe – rigid tube like material
D. Fitting – connects 2 pieces of pipe or
connects a pipe to a fixture.
 Piping and plumbing fitting

A fitting is used in pipe plumbing systems to connect

straight pipe or tubing sections, to adapt to different sizes or
shapes, and for other purposes, such as regulating or
measuring fluid flow. The term plumbing is generally used to
describe conveyance of water, gas, or liquid waste in ordinary
domestic or commercial environments, whereas piping is often
used to describe high-performance (e.g. high pressure, high flow,
high temperature, hazardous materials) conveyance of fluids in
specialized applications. The term tubing is sometimes used for
lighter-weight piping, especially types that are flexible enough to
be supplied in coiled form.
 Common fittings for both piping and plumbing
An elbow is a pipe fitting installed between two lengths of
pipe or tubing to allow a change of direction, usually
a 90° or 45° angle, though 22.5° elbows are also made.
The ends may be machined for butt welding, threaded
(usually female), or socketed, etc.
When the two ends differ in size, the fitting is called a
reducing elbow or reducer elbow.
 Coupling
A coupling connects two pipes to each other. If the size
of the pipe is not the same, the fitting may be called
a reducing coupling orreducer, or an adapter. By
convention, the term "expander" is not generally used
for a coupler that increases pipe size; instead the term
"reducer" is used.
 Union
A union is similar to a coupling, except it is designed to
allow quick and convenient disconnection of pipes for
maintenance or fixture replacement. While a coupling
would require either solvent welding, soldering or being
able to rotate with all the pipes adjacent as with
athreaded coupling, a union provides a simple
transition, allowing easy connection or disconnection at
any future time.

A combination pipe union and reducer fitting (brass threaded)

 Reducer
A reducer allows for a change in pipe size to
meet hydraulic flow requirements of the system, or to
adapt to existing piping of a different size. Reducers are
usually concentric but eccentric reducers are used when
required to maintain the same top- or bottom-of-pipe
level.
 Tee
A tee is the most common pipe fitting. It is available
with all female thread sockets, all solvent weld sockets,
or with opposed solvent weld sockets and a side outlet
with female threads. It is used to either combine or split
a fluid flow. It is a type of pipe fitting which is T-
shaped having two outlets, at 90° to the connection to
the main line. It is a short piece of pipe with a lateral
outlet. A tee is used for connecting pipes of different
diameters or for changing the direction of pipe runs.
 Cap
A type of pipe fitting, usually liquid or gas tight, which
covers the end of a pipe. A cap is used like plug, except
that the pipe cap screws or attaches on the male thread
of a pipe. A cap may have a solvent weld socket end or a
female threaded end and the other end closed off. In
plumbing systems that use threads, the cap has
female threads.
 Wye ("Y") fitting
A fitting with three openings, a wye is used to create
branch lines. It is a type of waste fitting tee which has
the side inlet pipe entering at a 45° angle, or an angle
other than 90 degrees. A standard wye is a "Y" shaped
fitting which allows one pipe to be joined to another at
a 45 degree angle. Wyes are similar to tees except that
the branch line is angled to reduce friction and
turbulence that could hamper the flow. The connection
is typically at a 45-degree angle rather than a 90-degree
angle. If a branch turns out further at the end to be
perpendicular to the through line, the fitting becomes a
"tee wye" (TY).
 Water and Waste Removal
Used water and other wastes are carried to the sanitary sewer
or septic tank through the waste removal system.

These pipes are isolated from the water supply system and
must be sized for sufficient capacity, have the proper slope
and venting, and have provisions for cleanouts.

Typically it is practical to drain as many of the fixtures as

possible into a single main drain.

The drainage system is not under pressure and depends on

gravity to carry the waste to the sewer.
 Water and Waste Removal
A vertical drain pipe that collects waste from one or more
fixtures is called a soil stack.
Soil stacks that drain water closets are called main stacks.
Every house must have at least one main stack, which is
generally 3" in diameter.

Each bathroom must have a main stack.

Stacks that do not drain water closets are called secondary

stacks.
Secondary stacks are 1-1/2" diameter.
Water and Waste Removal
Fixtures are connected to the stack using a branch main.

All stacks extend into basement and empty into the

house drain.
All structures must have at least one house drain, but
may have several.

The house drain becomes the house sewer once it is

outside the house. The house sewer empties into the city
sanitary sewer or private septic system.
Water and Waste Removal
Gases from the system dissipate through the vent
stack—12" above roof. The vent stack provides an air
inlet for the drainage system to operate properly

A trap is installed below each fixture to prevent gases

from entering the house. The trap is always filled with
water. Water closets have a built-in trap.

Each stack requires a cleanout at the base.

 House Drain
A house drain is the pipe that receives all waste and water
discharged by the soil stacks and waste lines. This house
drain is laid from a point just outside the building
foundation wall where it connects to the house sewer, then
through the wall, and either along or under the cellar floor
to the point where connection with the soil stack is made.
Before laying this drain, determine its overall length and
how much pitch to give it so that it will drain as it should.
 Cleanouts
A plumbing cleanout is a cleanout fitting with a removable
plug that is found in a roughed in waste system. It is
designed to help keep clear any type of debris that could
cause any type of stoppage in the water drain lines.
Cleanouts are usually placed at the connection point
between the sewer lines and the drain lines where the base
is located of a vertical stack and at all places were the pipe
direction changes at 90 degrees.
 Vents
VENTS
To prevent the siphon age of a trap seal in fixture traps and
allow gravity flow of drainage, you must let atmospheric air
from outside the building into the piping system to the outlet
(or discharge) end of the trap. The air is supplied through
pipes called VENTS. This air provides pressure on the outlet
end of the seal equal to pressure on the inlet end.

Since the air supplied by the vent to the outlet end provides a
pressure equal to that at the inlet end of the trap, the trap seal
cannot escape through siphon age.

All vent systems should be provided with a main vent or vent

stack and a main soil and waste vent. A “main vent” may be
defined as the principal artery of the
venting system, and vent branches may be connected to
the main vent and run undiminished in size as directly as
possible from the building drain to the open air above the
roof.

The term main soil and waste vent, or soil stack vent, refers
to the portion of the stack extending above the highest fixture
branch. In the figure, this vent extends through the roof.
Actually, it is an extension of the main soil and waste stack.
 Vents
An INDIVIDUAL VENT is a
vent that connects the main
vent with the individual trap
underneath or behind a fixture
Vents
A COMMON VENT vents two
traps to a single vent pipe.

The unit vent can be used when a

pair of lavatories are installed
side by side, as well as when they
are hung back to back on either
side of a partition
 Riser Diagram
Riser diagrams are used as supplementary details on
working drawings in order to show more clearly how the
plumbing system is to be installed.
Riser diagrams of plumbing systems can be shown in both
orthographic and isometric views. The most commonly
used type of riser diagram for plumbing is the isometric
riser diagram. The isometric riser diagram provides a three-
dimensional representation of the plumbing system.
A riser diagram is not drawn to scale but should be
correctly proportioned.
The proper use of symbols for the piping and fittings
makes it easier to read and interpret the drawing.
Riser Diagram

Typical elevation riser diagram

Plumbing Plans
The plumbing plan is a plan view that shows the
complete plumbing system. The plumbing plan shows
the location, size, and type of all plumbing equipment.
The plumbing plan should include:
Waste lines and vent stacks.
Drain and plumbing fixture locations.
Size and type of pipe to be used.
A plumbing fixture schedule.
Symbols Legend.
General notes.

A plumbing plan is required for each floor of the house.

Plumbing Symbols