Plumbing, from the Latin plumbum for lead, is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Characteristics Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, Ductile, very soft highly A pipe is a tube or hollow cylinder used to convey materials or as a structural component Tubing is a Pipe or hollow cylinder for the conveyance of fluids (liquids or gases A plumbing fixture is a device which is part of a system to deliver and drain away water but which is also configured to enable a particular use Water of sufficient quality to serve as drinking water is termed potable water whether it is used for drinking or not A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters. A plumber is a Tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking Water, sewage Drainage, or industrial For other uses see Pipe. Within Industry, piping is a system of pipes used to convey Fluids ( Liquids and Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat Water above its initial Temperature. The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy due to the need for clean water, and proper collection and transport of wastes. [1]
Plumbing also refers to a system of pipes and fixtures installed in a building for the distribution of potable water and the removal of waterborne wastes. Plumbing is usually distinguished from water and sewage systems, in that a plumbing system serves one building, while water and sewage systems serve a group of buildings or a city. Sewage is the mainly liquid Waste containing some solids produced by humans which typically consists of washing water Feces, Urine, laundry waste and other
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History
Standardized earthenware plumbing pipes with broad flanges making use of asphalt for preventing leakages appeared in the urban settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization by 2700 B. The Indus Valley Civilization (Mature period 2600&ndash1900 BCE abbreviated IVC, was an ancient Civilization that flourished in the Indus River basin C. [2] Plumbing originated during the ancient civilizations such as the Greek, Roman, Persian, Indian, and Chinese civilizations as they developed public baths and needed to provide potable water, and drainage of wastes. Water of sufficient quality to serve as drinking water is termed potable water whether it is used for drinking or not Improvement in plumbing systems was very slow, with virtually no progress made from the time of the Roman system of aqueducts and lead pipes until the 19th century. An aqueduct is an artificial channel that is constructed to convey water from one location to another Eventually the development of separate, underground water and sewage systems eliminated open sewage ditches and cesspools. A cesspit, or cesspool, is a pit conservancy tank or covered Cistern, which can be used for Sewage or Refuse.
Materials
Water systems of ancient times relied on gravity for the supply of water, using pipes or channels usually made of clay, lead or stone. Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained Minerals which show plasticity through a variable range of Water content, and Characteristics Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, Ductile, very soft highly Present-day water-supply systems use a network of high-pressure pumps, and pipes are now made of copper,[3] brass, plastic, steel, or other nontoxic material. Present-day drain and vent lines are made of plastic, steel, cast-iron, and lead. Lead is not used in modern water-supply piping due to its toxicity. [4][5]
The 'straight' sections of plumbing systems are of pipe or tube. A pipe is typically formed via casting or welding, where a tube is made through extrusion. Pipe normally has thicker walls and may be threaded or welded, where tubing is thinner-walled and requires special joining techniques such as 'brazing', 'compression fitting', 'crimping', or for plastics, 'solvent welding'.
Fittings and valves
In addition to the straight pipe or tubing, many fittings are required in plumbing systems, such as valves, elbows, tees, and unions. The piping and plumbing fittings and valves articles discuss them further. Fittings are used in pipe and plumbing systems to connect straight pipe or tubing sections to adapt to different sizes or shapes and to regulate Fluid For other uses see Valve (disambiguation. For the electronic component see Thermionic valve.
Fixtures
Plumbing fixtures are designed for the end-users. A plumbing fixture is a device which is part of a system to deliver and drain away water but which is also configured to enable a particular use Some examples of fixtures include Water Closets (also known as toilets), urinals, bidets, showers, bathtubs, utility and kitchen sinks, drinking fountains, ice makers, humidifiers, air washers, fountains, and eye wash stations
Equipment
Plumbing equipment, not present in all systems, include, for example, water meters, pumps, expansion tanks, backflow preventers, filters, water softeners, water heaters, heat exchangers, gauges, and control systems. A toilet is a Plumbing fixture and disposal system primarily intended for the disposal of the bodily wastes: Urine and fecal matter. A urinal is a specialized Toilet for urinating only generally by men and boys A bidet is a low-mounted Plumbing fixture or type of Sink intended for Washing the Genitalia, inner Buttocks, and Anus. A shower (also called shower bath is a booth for washing usually in a Bathroom, having an overhead nozzle that sprays water down on the body A bath (bɑθ bathtub ( AmE) or Tub ( informal) is a Plumbing fixture used for Bathing. In Plumbing, a sink or basin is a bowl-shaped fixture that is used for washing hands or small objects such as Food, dishes A traditional fountain is an arrangement where water issues from a source ( Latin fons) fills a basin of some kind and is drained away An icemaker is a device often found inside a Freezer that is used to make Ice. A humidifier is a household Appliance that increases Humidity (moisture in a single room or in the entire home A traditional fountain is an arrangement where water issues from a source ( Latin fons) fills a basin of some kind and is drained away For information on Wikipedia project-related discussions see WikipediaVillage pump. Water heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat Water above its initial Temperature. A heat exchanger is a device built for efficient Heat transfer from one medium to another whether the media are separated by a solid wall so that they never mix or the media
Now there is equipment that is technologically advanced and helps plumbers fix problems without the usual hassles. For example, plumbers use video cameras for inspections of hidden leaks or problems, they use hydro jets, and high pressure hydraulic pumps connected to steel cables for trench-less sewer line replacement.
Systems
The major categories of plumbing systems or subsystems are:
- Potable cold and hot water supply
- Traps, drains, and vents
- Septic systems
- Rainwater, surface, and subsurface water drainage
- Fuel gas piping
For their environmental benefit and sizable energy savings hot water heat recycling units are growing in use throughout the residential building sectors. Tap water ( running water) is part of indoor Plumbing, which became available in the late 19th century and common in the mid-20th century A building's waste-disposal system has two parts the drainage system and the venting system Description A septic tank generally consists of tanks between the size of 1000 and 2000 gallons (4000 - 7500 litres which is connected to an inlet wastewater pipe at one end and Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area For other uses see Pipe. Within Industry, piping is a system of pipes used to convey Fluids ( Liquids and Hot water heat recycling (also known as drain water heat recovery, greywater heat recovery, or sometimes shower water heat recovery) is the use of Further ecological concern has seen increasing interest in gray-water recovery and treatment systems. Greywater, also known as sullage, is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as dish washing
Firestopping
Firestopping is required where mechanical penetrants traverse fire-resistance rated wall and floor assemblies, or membranes thereof. A firestop is a Passive fire protection System of various components used to seal openings and joints in fire-resistance rated wall A fire-resistance rating typically means the duration for which a Passive fire protection System can withstand a standard fire resistance test. This work is usually done worldwide by the insulation trade and/or specialty firestop sub-contractors.
Regulation
Much of the plumbing work in populated areas (cities, towns, etc. . . ) is regulated by government or quasi-government agencies due to the direct impact on the public's health, safety, and welfare. Plumbing installation and repair work on residences and other buildings generally must be done according to plumbing and building codes to protect the inhabitants of the buildings and to ensure safe, quality construction to future buyers. If permits are required for work, plumbing contractors typically secure them from the authorities on behalf of home or building owners. Unusually, in the United Kingdom the plumbing trade still remains virtually ungoverned; there are no systems in place to monitor or control the activities of unqualified plumbers or those home owners who choose to undertake installation and maintenance works themselves, despite the health and safety issues which arise from such works when they are undertaken incorrectly - see Health Aspects of Plumbing (HAP) published jointly by the World Health Organisation (WHO)[1] and the World Plumbing Council (WPC) [2]. The World Plumbing Council is an international organization which aims to develop and promote the image and standards of the Plumbing Industry worldwide WPC has subsequently appointed a representative to the World Health Organisation to take forward various projects related to Health Aspects of Plumbing. [3]. Furthermore, despite having in place an infrastructure dedicated to formally training plumbers and various statutes, regulations and bye-laws designed to dictate and control how and in what manner plumbing works are undertaken, there is nothing to stop anyone without any training whatsoever working as a plumber, safe in the knowledge that it is unlikely that their lack of technical know-how will ever be found out. Such people are commonly referred to as "cowboys".
See also
- Active fire protection
- Firestop
- Heat pipe
- Hot water heat recycling
- Passive fire protection
- Plastic pipework
- Water pipe
- World Plumbing Council
References
- ^ Plumbing: the Arteries of Civilization, Modern Marvels video series, The History Channel, AAE-42223, A&E Television, 1996
- ^ Teresi et al. Active fire protection (AFP is an integral part of Fire protection. A firestop is a Passive fire protection System of various components used to seal openings and joints in fire-resistance rated wall A heat pipe is a heat transfer mechanism that can transport large quantities of heat with a very small difference in Temperature between the hotter and colder interfaces Hot water heat recycling (also known as drain water heat recovery, greywater heat recovery, or sometimes shower water heat recovery) is the use of Passive fire protection (PFP is an integral component of the three components of structural Fire protection and fire safety in a Building. Plastic pipework standards for the conveyance of drinking waterwaste water chemicals heating and cooling fluids foodstuffs ultra-pure liquids slurries gases compressed air and vacuum For the various smoking devices see Hookah or Bong. For other uses see Pipe. The World Plumbing Council is an international organization which aims to develop and promote the image and standards of the Plumbing Industry worldwide 2002
- ^ Copper Tube Handbook, the Copper Development Association, New York, USA, 2006
- ^ Uniform Plumbing Code, IAPMO
- ^ International Plumbing Code, ICC
- Teresi, Dick; et al. (2002). Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science--from the Babylonians to the Maya. New York: Simon & Schuster, 351-352. ISBN 0-684-83718-8.