Plumbing Fittings and Joints

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering common plumbing fittings, materials, and joint types based on the lecture notes.

Fittings

Pre-manufactured components used to join sections of pipe, change the direction of flow, or connect different sizes of pipe.

PVC

A plumbing material typically used for cold water supply and drainage.

CPVC

A plumbing material used for both hot and cold-water supply.

PEX

A material commonly used in residential water distribution systems.

Copper

A material standard for potable water systems.

Cast Iron

A material primarily used for building drainage systems.

Elbows

Angular fittings, usually at $45^\circ$ and $90^\circ$, used to change the direction of a supply pipe.

Tees

Fittings with three connections, forming a “T” shape, used to combine or divide fluid flow.

Sanitary T and Sanity Y

Tee-like fittings used in sanitary drainage systems that make a more gradual turn to prevent blockage.

Wye (Y) Fitting

A fitting similar to a tee but with a $45$-degree angle to allow for smoother water flow, often used in drainage.

Couplings

Small fittings used to connect two pipes in a straight line for extending a pipeline or repairing broken sections.

Reducer

A straight fitting used to decrease the diameter in a pipe in a water supply system.

Increaser

A straight fitting used to increase the diameter in a pipe in a sanitary drainage system.

Union

A fitting similar to a coupling that allows easy disconnection and reconnection of pipes without having to cut the pipeline.

Cross

A fitting with four openings used when pipes meet at a central point, allowing for four-way flow.

Caps

Fittings used to close off the end of a pipe to seal a pipeline and prevent flow.

Plugs

Fittings used to close off an unused outlet in a fitting rather than a pipe end.

Nipple

A short piece of pipe with threads on both ends used to connect two female-threaded fittings.

Adapters

Fittings used to connect two different types of pipes or fittings that would otherwise be incompatible.

Bushing

Fittings used to connect pipes of different sizes by threading inside one pipe and outside the other.

Valves

Fittings that control the flow of fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing passageways.

Saddle

A fitting that clamps onto an existing pipe to create a branch line without cutting the main pipe.

Trap

A fitting designed to retain a small amount of water to create a seal that prevents sewer gases, odors, and bacteria from entering a building.

Cleanout

A fitting with a removable cap or plug that provides access to the interior of a drainage pipe for inspection and maintenance.

Insert Fitting

A fitting where the end is inserted into the pipe and secured using a clamp, crimp ring, or compression ring, commonly used with PEX.

Flared Fitting

A connection created by expanding the end of a metal pipe into a flare shape, fitted against a cone-shaped surface and tightened with a nut.

Joint

The physical connection between two or more pipes focused on how they are sealed or secured together.

Threaded joints

Connections using male threads cut into the pipe and female threads cut into the fitting, typically used for galvanized iron or brass.

Welded Joint

A permanent connection formed by welding two pipes together, typically used in high-pressure industrial applications.

Soldered/Brazed Joint

A watertight seal created by melting a filler metal (solder) to connect copper pipes, typically using a torch.

Compression Joint

A seal made by tightening a nut onto a pipe to compress a ring (ferrule) between two pipes.

Push-fit joints

Fittings where the pipe is pushed into the fitting and an internal mechanism locks it in place without tools or glue.

Solvent Cement Joint

A permanent bond created by applying a chemical solvent to soften the surface of PVC or CPVC pipes and fittings.

Grooved joints

A mechanical connection using grooves cut into pipe ends, a rubber gasket, and clamps, commonly used in fire protection systems.

Bell and Spigot (Socket) Joint

A joint where the spigot end of one pipe is inserted into the enlarged bell or socket of another, sealed with a gasket or adhesive.

Flanged Joint

A connection consisting of two pipes with flanges on the ends that are bolted together with a gasket between them.