TOPIC 4

Plumbing Pipes and Fittings

Cast Iron Soil Pipe

2 Types: SV (for building installations) and XV (extra duty, for underground installations). Commercial length: 600 cm. Diameters: 50-150mm HUB Spigot. Affected by corrosion from acid gases.

Acid Resistant Cast Iron Pipe

Made of cast iron and silicon alloy. Used in chemical labs and industries for acid waste. Brittle and cracks easily, horizontal runs supported every 1.50 meters.

Asbestos Pipe

Made of asbestos fibers and Portland cement. Used for soil, waste, ventilation, and downspouts. Suitable for concrete embedment due to similar properties.

Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe

Cheapest of all pipe types. Lightweight, slightly flexible, suitable for house sewers and septic tanks. Prone to damage by excessive hot water or chemicals.

Vitrified Clay Pipe

One of the oldest materials used for sewer lines. Resistant to most acids, but brittle and cracks on unstable ground. Made in short lengths of 750mm.

Lead Pipe

Highly resistant to acid. Poisonous, not recommended for water supply for human consumption.

Galvanized Wrought Iron Pipe

Better than steel pipe for plumbing installations. More resistant to acid waste.

Galvanized Steel Pipe

Made from mild steel, expected lifespan of 15

Copper Pipe

Durable, corrosion

Brass Pipe

Most expensive type, made of 15% zinc and 85% copper. Resistant to acids, has a smooth interior surface.

Plastic or Synthetic Pipes

Developed in Germany in 1935. Types: Rigid (pipes) and Flexible (tubing). Materials: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), cPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride), uPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), Polypropylene (PP), Styrene Rubber Plastic (SR), Polyethylene (PE)

Tees

branch of 90/ right angles

Plug

Closing end of pipe or fitting having female thread

Cleanout plugs

raised square heads; plastic/brass; brass-metallic fittings

Bushing

Reduces pipe size.

Cleanout

Provides access for cleaning the plumbing system.

Elbows

45° or 90° for gas, water, and steam.

Caps

Close the end of a pipe.

Flanges

For closing flanged fittings.

Wye

Hose connection with two gated outlets.

Offset

Combination of elbows or bends.

Double Offset

Two offsets in succession.

Ferrule

Metallic sleeve for cleaning pipe interiors.

Return Bend

Two 90° bends that form a 180° turn.

Tailpiece

Connects the outlet of a fixture to a trap.

Tapped Tee

Receives a threaded pipe or fitting.

Caulking

Lead and oakum method for cast iron joints. Align pipes, pack oakum, and seal with lead.

Threaded joints

Standard taper pipe threads for iron pipe sizes (IPS). Threads on plastic pipes should be factory cut or molded.

Cement Mortar Joints

prohibited on new building sewers

Solder and sweat joints

for joints in copper tubing

Wiped Joints

Joints in lead pipe or fittings; between lead pipe or fittings. Joints between lead pipe and cast iron, steel or wrought iron pipe shall be made by means of caulking ferrule or soldering nipple

Welding/Soldering

For copper tubing. Lead content in solders and fluxes exceeding 0.002% is prohibited in potable water systems.

Rubber Ring Method

Uses rubber gaskets for hubless connections. Common in modern plumbing for ease of installation.

Flanged Connections

Used for fixtures like water closets, sinks, urinals, and trap standards. Secured with screws and bolts.

Slip Joints

Used in fixture traps for easy access and maintenance. Common in exposed plumbing like under sinks.

Expansion Joints

Allow for movement in soil and waste stacks, ensuring the joints remain free and accessible.

Solvent Cement Joints

Used for joining plastic pipes. Clean pipe ends, apply solvent cement, and insert the pipe into the fitting.

Burned Lead Joints

For joining lead pipes or lead-to-brass/copper. The assembly is fused together by welding.

Copper Water Tube

joints shall be made by the use of approved brass fittings soldered, or by brass compression type fitting

Flared Joints

Used for soft copper water tubing, expanded using a flaring tool.

Ferrule

A metallic sleeve used for cleaning or examining the interior of pipes.

Return Bend

Made up of two 90° bends with inside and outside threads forming a 180° turn.

Tapped Tee

A tee fitting tapped to receive a threaded pipe or fitting.

Copper Tubing to Screw Pipe Joints

Joints made using brass adaptor fittings, sweated, or soldered.

Special Joints

Designed for transitions between plastic pipes and other materials. Only approved fittings and adapters should be used.

Asbestos Cement Sewer Pipe Joints

Sleeve couplings of the same composition as the pipe, sealed with neoprene rubber rings or compression couplings.

Prohibited Joints

Joints that obstruct the flow, such as an enlargement or ledge within the pipe, are prohibited. An enlargement in closet bends or stubs from 76 mm to 102 mm is considered an obstruction.

Plastic Pipe Connection to Other Materials

Use only approved types of fittings & adapters designed for the specific transition intended

For Drainage Systems

any fitting or connection which has an enlargement, chamber or recess with a ledge, shoulder or reduction of pipe area, that offers any obstructions to flow through the drain

Water Testing

Closing all outlets and filling the system with water from the main to locate leaks.

Air Pressure Testing

Used in detecting leaks by filling the piping system with compressed air (use of soap suds in locating escaping air)