Republic of the Philippines

Bicol University
INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
Legazpi City 4500

PLUMBING MATERIALS, FITTINGS

AND FIXTURES
ABU1
BUILDING UTILITIES 1 - PLUMBING AND SANITARY
SYSTEMS

MARY ANN C. CESTINA

BS ARCHITECTURE 2F

AR. MAUREEN M. SIA, UAP, NAMPAP, MS ARCH

PROFESSORIAL LECTURER
 PLUMBING MATERIALS, FITTINGS AND FIXTURES

Fig.1: Layout of pipeline (internal) in a building

A plumber must also have knowledge of the various pipe fittings like elbow, union,
gasket, etc., joints and valves, and where these should be used while carrying out the
tasks. Not only does this help in smooth functioning, but also ensures cost-effectiveness.
For proper installation of the plumbing system in a building, various types of joints are
used, which are shown in Fig.1. As already mentioned, various types of fittings like
elbow, gasket, union, etc., are used for making joints. It helps in changing the direction
of water supply from main pipes to subsidiary pipes. Proper fitting also helps in checking
leakage in the plumbing lines.

PLUMBING MATERIALS
Plumbing materials refer to the pipes, valves,
and other components used in plumbing systems.
These materials are typically made from various
materials such as copper, PVC, PEX, and galvanized
steel. The choice of material depends on factors like
cost, durability, and the intended application.
Fig.2: Plumbing Materials

 Copper pipes are commonly used in residential plumbing

due to their durability, resistance to corrosion, and ability
to handle high water pressure.

Fig.2.1: Copper pipes

 PVC pipes are lightweight, easy to install, and cost-

effective. They are commonly used for drainage and
waste systems.

Fig.2.2: PVC pipes

 PEX pipes are flexible, making them easy to install in tight

spaces. They are also resistant to scale and chlorine,
making them suitable for hot and cold water distribution.

Fig.2.3: PEX pipes

  Galvanized steel pipes are durable and resistant to
corrosion. However, they are being phased out due to the
risk of lead contamination.

Fig.2.4: Galvanized steel pipes

PIPE FITTINGS
Pipe fittings are crucial in the plumbing system,
joining various fixtures using various materials. They
are fixed to join pipes or tubes, such as elbows,
tees, sockets, and reducers. These fittings change
flow direction and distribute water supply from the
main pipe to other pipes of equal or lower size.
Fig.3: Pipe Fittings

 Collar - while joining two pipes in the same length, collar is

used. It is fitted in the end of pipe.

Fig.3.1: Collar

 Elbow - is used to change the direction of liquid in pipes, typically a 45° or 90°
elbow. When pipes have different sizes, a reducing type elbow or reducer type
elbow is used.
Long Radius (LR) Elbows
Here, the radius is 1.5 times the diameter of pipe.
Short Radius (LR) Elbows
In this, the radius is 1.0 times the diameter of pipe.

90° Elbow
This is used when the change in
direction required is 90°

Fig.3.2: Bend 90°

45° Elbow
This is used when the change in
direction required is 45°

Fig.3.3: Bend 45°

Fig.3.4: Y-T Joint Fig.3.5: Double Y-T Joint-1

Fig.3.6: Double Y-T Joint-2 Fig.3.7: T Trap

 Gasket - they are mechanical seals, generally ring-

shaped type and fitted for sealing flange joints. A
flange joint is a plate or ring to form a rim at the end
of a pipe when fastened to the pipe. Gaskets are
Fig.3.8: Gasket made as per by construction, materials and features.
Important gaskets used are non metallic, spiral-
wound and ring-joint type.

 Union - when two ends of pipes are joined, the pipe

fitting used is called union. A union is made of three
parts namely a nut, a male end and a female end.
 Fig.3.9: Union The male and female ends are assembled with the
support of the nuts, and necessary pressure is made
to connect the joint. Since the pairing ends of the
union are interchangeable, the union can be changed
easily in a short time.

 Reducer - it is used to connect pipes of different

diameters. A reducer may be of various types like
reducer tee, reducer elbow and reducer socket.
Fig.3.10: Reducer

 Tee - it is an important fitting with a side outlet at 900 to the run of the pipe.
Tees connect pipes of various diameters and help in changing the direction of
water or material in a pipe. Tees are made in various sizes like equal or unequal.
The equal tee is most commonly used.

Fig.3.11: Single Tee Socket Fig.3.12: Double Tee Socket

 Nipple - it is a piece of pipe having thread at both

sides, and could be used for short extension of
plumbing lines. It can also be used for connecting
two fittings within small distance.

Fig.3.13: Nipple

 Trap - it is a fitting in a P, U, S or J-shaped

type.Traps are fitted near a plumbing fixture. The
trap bend is fitted to prevent sewer gases from
entering the building. If the gases are inserted back
into home, then it could lead to people inhaling foul
smell, which could cause illnesses. It could even
explode.
Fig.3.14: Trap

 Cross - when four pipes are joined,a cross is formed.

It is also called a cross branch line or a four-way
fitting (Fig. 5.18). This fitting has three outlets and
one inlet. Cross fittings may deteriorate when
temperatures change, because cross fitting is made
at the centre of the four connection points.
Fig.3.15: Cross

 Offset - when an assembly of fittings on a pipeline

makes one section of pipe out of line and parallel to
a second section, then it is known as an offset.

Fig.3.16: Offset

PIPE JOINTS
Pipes are connected with the help of joints. A
variety of joints are used in an assembly
of pipes. Connecting two or more pipes together
is called a fitting. Various types of joints could
be used in a pipe as per the requirement.
Joints are also used for multiple pipe connections,
and are an important component of the plumbing Fig.4: Pipe Joints
system. Generally, the pipe joint fitted can easily
sustain the pressure created in the pipe.

 Threaded joint - when pipes are joined by screwing

in threads which are provided in the pipe, it is called
a threaded joint. In this joint, one of the pipes has
 Fig.4.1: Threaded joint internal threads whereas the other pipe has threads
externally. The threads are also made in various
pipes like PVC, CI pipes, copper pipes and GI pipes,
etc. Threaded joints are used from 6 mm diameter to
300 mm diameter pipes.

 Welded joints (Butt-welded joints) - it is one of the

most common methods of joining pipes used in large
infrastructure like commercial, institutional and
industrial systems. Cost of material are low, but the
labour costs are more due to the non-availability of
Fig.4.2: Welded joint trained welders and fitters.

 Socket-welded joints - these are used when there is a

high chance of leakage in the joints. Pipes are joined
as putting one into other and welded around the joint,
as shown in Fig. 4.3. Pipes having different
diameters are suitable for this type of a joint. Socket-
welded joint gives good results as compared to other
Fig.4.3: Socket-welded joint joints.

 Brazed joints - when pipes are joined with the help of

molten filler material at above 840°C, it is called
brazing. Brazing is done for connecting copper pipes
or copper alloy pipes. It is important to note that the
melting point of the parent material (pipe material)
should be higher than the filler material. Brazed joints
have less mechanical strength, and are preferred in
Fig.4.4: Brazed joint case of moderate temperatures.

 Soldered joints - soldering and brazing are similar

activities. In soldering, the filler material melts below
840oC. With the help of soldering, copper and copper
alloy pipes are joined. During soldering, flux or metal
joining material is used to prevent oxidation due to
the flame. Soldered joints are suitable for low
Fig.4.5: Brazed & temperature areas and have low mechanical strength.
Soldered joint

 Grooved joints - when two pipes are joined together

by making grooves (narrow cuts or depression) at the
end of pipes with the help of sockets or couplings,
such joints are called grooved joints. Due to the ease
Fig.4.6: Grooved joints of assembly of the grooved joints, the labour cost is
less. The piping system can be easily uninstalled and
reinstalled frequently for maintenance. These are
mostly used for fire protection.

 Flanged joints - this joint is commonly used for joining

pipes in pumping stations, filter plants, hydraulic
laboratories and boiler houses, etc. These joints are
preferred due to easy process of assembly and
disassembly, however these connections are costly.
These joints can be disassembled and re-assembled
when required. A pipe has flanged ends on both
sides of the pipe length. Both the ends of pipes are
joined at a proper level near one another. A hard
rubber washer is placed between flanges and bolted.
Flanges are generally fixed to the pipe by welding or
threading. In certain cases, a flange-type joint is also
called a lap joint. It may also be made by forging the
Fig.4.7: Flanged joints process and machining the pipe end. There is no
leakage in flanged joints even after rapid temperature
fluctuations.

 Compression joints - these are applied to join the pipe

without any preparations. The cost of installation of
these joints is very economical. The pipes having
 Fig.4.8: Compression joints plain ends are joined by fixing fittings at their ends,
and such a joint is called a compression joint. The
pipe ends are joined with threaded fittings or
couplings. Joints are placed properly to check the
flow pressure, otherwise, leakage may occur. These
fittings are manufactured from different types of
material. Selection of fittings is done as per
requirement.

VALVES
For proper functioning of the pipeline, valves
made of iron or brass are used in the water-supply
mains. Valves stop or control the flow of fluid like
liquid, gas, condensate, etc. These are classified
according to their usage like isolation, throttling
and non-return corrector. Various types of
valves are manufactured depending upon their Fig.5: Valves
use and type of construction.

 Sluice valve - it is fitted at an important place like at

the entrance of a pipe. It may be the start of a new
pipe from a tank, or a number of branches from the
tank. This valve isolates the water-supply, as and
when required. The sluice valve is specified by the
pipe bore (diameter) of the water-way. The standard
sizes are 50 mm, 65 mm, 80 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm,
200 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm. The sluice valves are
classified as Class 1 and Class 2.
Fig.5.1: Sluice valve

Table 5.1: Test pressure in sluice valve

 Scour valve - this valve is provided at the lower level

in a pipeline, so that such sections can be supplied
and drained for maintenance purpose. The water is
distributed into natural drains. It is basically a sluice
valve and the very nature of its use has created the
difference in the name.
Fig.5.2: Scour valve

 Air valve - designed to automatically release air when

a pipe is filled with water and allows air entry when it
is drained. It is fixed at the end of a communication
pipe and controls water supply. Standard sizes range
from 8mm to 50mm. The body components and
washer plate are made of cast brass or leaded tin
Fig.5.3: Air valve bronze, with washers made of fiber, leather, rubber,
or nylon.

 Gate valve - it is used for starting or stopping flow. For

a straight-line flow of fluid, minimum flow restriction
can also be done with gate valve. In service, these
valves are generally either fully open or fully closed.
These valves are used for various types of liquids and
make a tight seal when closed. Gate valves have
gates of wedge type, solid or split type, or gate of
Fig.5.4: Rising spindle split double disc or parallel type. The movement of the
wedge gate valve gate shall be by the internal or external screw on the
 spindle. The spindle, which controls the flow of a
liquid, can be of the rising or non-rising type.

Fig.5.5: Split taper non

rising gate valve

 Parallel slide valve - it has two discs without

spreading mechanism which slides between the two
parallel body seats. The activation of the valve discs
is by the internal and the external screw on the
spindle and the spindle may be of the rising or non-
rising type.

Fig.5.6: Parallel slide valve

 Globe valve - it is a type of valve used for controlling

flow in a pipeline. A component of valve includes a
movable disc element and a stationary ring seat fitted
in a generally spherical body. The globe valve is used
for controlling flow control.

Fig.5.7: Globe valve

 Angle valve - it is used to control the movement of a

fluid like liquids, gases, fluidised solids, or slurries by
opening, closing or partially obstructing various
pathways. This type of a valve generally has a round
body, in which the body ends are fitted at right angles
Fig.5.8: Angle valve-1 with each other and the disc moves up and down.
The valve is moved to action by the internal or
external screw on the spindle. The spindle may be of
the rising or non-rising type.

Fig.5.9: Angle valve-2

 Check valve or non-return valve - it is a valve which

permits (fluid) water to move in one direction but
checks all the returning flow. It is operated by the
pressure above, having no external means of control.
Fig.5.10: Check valve or
non-return valve

 Ferrule - it is used for connecting a service pipe to

the water main. It is usually made of non-ferrous
metal and screwed to the main pipe.

Fig.5.11: Ferrule

 Foot valve - it is a valve used in the pump. It is also

called check valve, as it makes sure that the pump is
ready to use. If the pump is off, then the foot valve
keeps enough fluid in the pump to ensure that it can
start again. In a well, the foot valve will be between
the water surface and the pump. In a water intake
system, the foot valve will be at the end of the water
intake line. The foot valve has a strainer on the
Fig.5.12: Foot valve outside which prevents obstructions.

Fig.5.13: Swing check Fig.5.14: Horizontal check Fig.5.15: Vertical check

  Float valve - it is used for stopping water when the
water tank or flush toilet is filled, so that it stops
overflowing. When the water level rises, the float also
rises; once it rises to a pre-set level, the water level
forces the lever to close the valve and stops the
water flow. A float valve is a fitting used for filling
water tanks as well as flush toilets.
Fig.5.16: Float valve

FIXTURES
Plumbing fixtures are essential components
of any building's plumbing system, serving
specific functions in kitchens, bathrooms,
and other areas where water is required.
These fixtures are designed to provide
water supply, drainage, and sanitation
functions within a building. These fixtures
are connected to the plumbing system Fig.6: Fixtures
through fittings and pipes.

 Sinks - used for washing hands, dishes, and other

items. They consist of a basin, faucet, and drain.
Sinks come in various materials like stainless steel,
porcelain, and composite materials. They are
available in different styles and sizes to suit the
specific needs of the space.
Fig.6.1: Sink

 Toilets - used for human waste disposal. They

consist of a bowl, seat, flushing mechanism, and
tank. Toilets come in different types such as gravity-
fed, pressure-assisted, and composting toilets. They
are essential for maintaining hygiene and sanitation
in a building.

Fig.6.2: Toilet

 Bathtubs - used for bathing and relaxation. They

come in various shapes and sizes, including alcove,
freestanding, and corner tubs. Bathtubs can be
made of materials like acrylic, fiberglass, and cast
iron. They often include features like jets for a spa-
like experience.
Fig.6.3: Bathtub

 Showers - used for bathing and come in different

types like walk-in showers, shower stalls, and
shower-tub combos. Showers consist of a
shower head, controls, and a drain. They are
available in various designs, including rain showers,
handheld showers, and body sprays.

Fig.6.4: Shower

 Faucets - used to control the flow of water from

pipes. They are installed on sinks, bathtubs,
showers, and other plumbing fixtures. Faucets come
in different types such as single-handle, double-
handle, and touch less faucets. They are available
in various finishes like chrome, brass, and stainless
steel.

Fig.6.5: Faucet
  Bidets - used for personal hygiene after using the
toilet. They consist of a basin, faucet, and controls
for water temperature and pressure. Bidets are
common in European and Asian countries and are
becoming more popular in other regions as well.

Fig.6.6: Bidet

 Urinals - used for male urination in public restrooms

and commercial buildings. They are designed to
conserve water and space compared to traditional
toilets. Urinals come in various styles like wall-
mounted, floor-mounted, and waterless urinals.

Fig.6.7: Urinal

In conclusion, plumbing materials, fittings, joints, and fixtures are essential components
of a plumbing system that work together to ensure the efficient and reliable distribution of
water and waste. By selecting the right materials and components and ensuring proper
installation, the plumbing system can function effectively for years to come.

REFERENCES:

https://theconstructor.org/building/types-of-pipe-joints-in-plumbing/12559/

https://www.slideshare.net/nikharmehra/fitting-and-fixtures

https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/malayan-colleges-laguna/industrial-plant-
engineering/pipe-fittings-joints-and-valves/46098768

https://www.hermanallenplumbing.com/fixture-
replacement/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR31FDjBlluCHzZGT75rWHaZhU1-
Op4J2JDw9PgsCmFMiP1-Rp9aK6iMrwg_aem_ASZ59LUQi_Ci01kzjmXTq-
lX5WkRIu4iMyvJg3rIOmJNZWOl9wnLg6ZSJTEkQfTrfI1LPHNN0pxP3nNEb3egrtm-