ENGINEERING SYSTEM I & II

PLUMBING PIPES,VALVES & JOINERY

BS Islamic Arts and Architecture

Arch. Komal Amjad Mirza

Islamic Arts and Architecture Department

International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI)
 ASBESTOS PIPES
• This material is like light cement but much stronger. For
small diameter pipes we do not need reinforcements in
asbestos pipes.
• These pipes are available in long lengths, therefore risk
probability is reduced because of less joinery.
• Asbestos-cement (AC) pipe was used extensively in the
mid-1900s in potable water distribution systems.
• AC pipe lifespan at 70 years, but actual service life
depends largely on pipe condition and working
environment.
• Over time, AC pipe undergoes gradual degradation in
the form of corrosion. Such corrosion leads to reduction
in effective cross-section, which results in pipe softening
and loss of mechanical strength.
 GALVANIZED PIPES
• Galvanized pipes are steel pipes that have been dipped in a
protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust.
• Galvanized piping was commonly installed in homes built before
1960.
• Hasn’t been used as often due to possible rust build-up inside
small diameter pipes.
• If the pipe is old enough, then you can see water coming from
the faucet with rust traces as the scale can break loose from the
inside of the pipe.
• Mainly used for grey water (excess bath, sink, and appliance
water).
 BRASS PIPES
• The best brass pipe grade is obtained when the
alloy contains 85% copper and is called red brass
pipe.
• Brass piping provides a long-lasting material that
does not rust in the interior.
• Brass plumbing pipes are easier to thread than
steel pipes and excellent for hot-water and large
distribution systems, such as pump fittings, water
tanks, and wells.
• Brass pipe normally tends to last longer than any
other plumbing material.
 COPPER PIPES
• Most common material used for plumbing
• Extremely durable and reliable against
corrosion
• Can be used with both hot and cold water
• Does need to be soldered together, so
expert skill is required
 CAST IRON PIPES
• Cast iron plumbing pipes are normally manufactured as
bell-and-spigot type.
• It can be found also with threaded joints but are more
expensive than the bell and spigot one.
• These pipes are heavier than any other pipes, normally
used for water distribution systems, or underground
installation as the main pipe on drainage systems.
• Cast iron pipe is heavy and must be supported while you
assemble a joint.
 STAINLESS STEEL PIPES
• Stainless steel can look very neat but it is very expensive.
• Stainless steel pipe is used in areas subject to corrosion and near coastal
areas.
• This type of pipe is available in both flexible and rigid and will need some
special couplings to be attached to other types of pipes.
 PVC PIPES
• PVC piping used for potable (drinking) water will be specially designed so that it
will meet the proper health requirements
• PVC pipes have long life as they are inert to water, therefore no rusting problem.
• Not suitable for distributing hot water .
 PEX PIPING
• Flexible, plastic piping that is generally leak-free.
• Best piping for indoor water distribution.
• Initial cost is higher than other piping materials, however,
maintenance is minimal and installation is extremely
quick.
• Popular in small businesses and residential homes.
• Only drawback is that it can not be used outside, as UV
rays can ruin the plastic.
TYPES OF PIPE FITTINGS IN
PLUMBING SYSTEM
 ELBOW PIPE FITTINGS
• Elbows are used to change the direction of flow between two pipes. Elbows are
generally available with an angle of 22.5o, 45o and 90o. If pipes are of same
diameter then normal elbows are used otherwise Reducer elbows are used.
 REDUCER PIPE FITTING
• Reducer is a pipe fitting component which reduces the flow size from larger to
smaller by reducing size of pipe.
 TEE TYPE FITTING
• 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 90o to the main line
connection (inlet). It can also be used to combine the flow from two inlets to one
outlet. If the 3 sides of T-fitting are similar in size then it is called as Equal tee
otherwise it is called as Unequal tee.
 CROSS TYPE
• Cross type fittings contains 4 opening in 4 directions. These are connected when
there are 4 pipes are meeting at a point. Cross fittings are generally used for fire
sprinkler systems.
 COUPLING
• A coupling is used to connect the pipes of same diameter.
• Coupling are also useful if the pipe is broken or leakage occurs.
• The regular coupling which is connected between two pipes, prevents leakage by
the arrangement of gaskets or rubber seals on both sides, otherwise glue is
provided.
 UNIONS
• Union is a type of fitting, which functions as similar to coupling. But coupling
cannot be removed after fixing but in this case we can remove the union
whenever we needed. Unions consists nut, male and female ended threads. So,
this is also useful for maintaining purpose of pipe.
 ADAPTORS
• If the pipes are not having special ends or plain ends then adaptors make them
threaded either male or female whichever is needed. Adopters are generally used
for copper and PVC pipes. Male adapters contain 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.
 PLUG
• Plug is a component of plumbing which is generally used to close pipe opening
during inspections and repairs.
 CAP
• Cap is a type of pipe fitting which function is same as plug but the only difference
is plug contain male threads and cap contain female threads which screws on the
male thread of pipe. These are available in different materials like rubber, copper,
steel, plastic etc.
 JOINERY
• Different materials have different joining techniques.
• Ideal case is that pipes should be seamless/joint less but it is not possible due to
the transportation of pipes from one place to another.
• Therefore joints should be strong enough that inner content does not go out and
vice versa.
• Maximum pressure causes chances of leakage whereas due to weak joinery of
pipes, impurities can come inside the pipe, hence reducing the pressure of water.
• While joining any two pipes, to make them leak proof, we fill the gaps with soft
materials called sealers.
✓Thread (cotton/jute)
✓Putty – mixture of linseed oil and zinc oxide
✓PVC tape
VALVES IN PLUMBING
SYSTEM
 VALVES IN PIPE FITTINGS
• Valves are components of plumbing system which are used to stop or regulate
flow of fluid in its path. Different types of valves are available depending up on
their applications.
• Some important types of valves and its applications are listed below.
✓Gate valve, plug valve and Ball valve – used for isolation only
✓Globe valve – used for throttling
✓Check valve – used for preventing reverse flow
✓Butterfly valve – used for isolation as well as throttling
✓Diaphragm valve – used for partial isolation
✓Pressure relief valve – used to control or limit pressure
GATE VALVE