INTRODUCTION (PLUMBING)

The plumbing and sanitary system is an essential part of every house or building. Proper planning and designing of
plumbing system is crucial as it takes care of the hygiene requirements of the occupants. It has been reported that about
8 per cent of the construction cost of a building is marked for plumbing and sanitary work. A plumber’s job role consists
of installation, repair, maintenance and servicing of plumbing fittings and fixtures. Besides having a thorough
understanding of the mechanisms required for performing various tasks, a plumber should be laborious, have effective
communication skills and be a result-oriented worker with a positive attitude.

HISTORY OF PLUMBING
The plumbing trade has a long and fascinating history. There is evidence of sanitation and plumbing skill from
ancient times, such as water-conveying aqueducts constructed of terra cotta and brick and holes in the ground lined with
tile and used as bathtubs. Even though these aqueducts and bathtubs were crude by today's standards, they of fer proof
that early civilizations realized the consequences of poor plumbing. Early Egyptian, Grecian, and Roman rulers promoted
sanitary facilities. An individual who worked in the sanitary field in ancient Rome was called a "plumbarius," taken from
the Latin word "plumbum," which means lead. The term "plumbarius" was appropriate since the work consisted of
shaping lead. Until recently, lead was commonly used for water supply and wastewater removal.

PLUMBING EQUIPMENTS
The skill and art that is needed to transport water from the source to the users, then to the treatment plants,
and finally supplying the treated water to the users through a distribution system is known as plumbing. It is a system of
pipes and fittings that carry water.

Lots of plumbing tools are available in the market as per their purpose and uniqueness. But here we listed some very
common and most useful plumbing tools that are mostly used for plumbing works.

1. PIPE CUTTER

Pipe cutter is one of the most common type of plumbing tool that is used to cut
water, sanitary, or sewer pipes. Generally, Solid type, Hook Type, and chain type
pipe cutters are mostly used.

Pipe cutter includes the cutting reels, moving reels base, screw, and adjusting
handles. Moving reels base is adjusted as per pipe size with the help of
adjusting screwed handle. The pipe was cut by a rotating cutter surrounding it.

2. PIPE VICE

Pipe vice is a holding Plumbing tool that is used to hold the pipe for carrying out
cutting, threading, assembly, disassembly, etc. purposes. There are two types of pipe
vices.
[Link] Side Pipe Vice
[Link] Side Pipe Vice

Pipe vice includes the set of the jaw, one is fixed while another is moveable to adjust
as per the size of pipe.
3. PIPE WRENCH Pipe wrench is a fitting plumbing tool that is used to loosening or tightening the
connections of pipes, joints, nuts, etc. It is also used to hold the pipe and turn
around it for tightening or loosening purposes.
Pipe wrenches were available in two types, adjustable and non-adjustable
wrenches. These wrenches are used to screw and unscrew the pipe upto 75 mm
dia.
Non-adjustable wrenches are available in fixed size while the adjustable wrenches
are adjusted as per pipe diameter.

Adjustable wrenches include the Fixed flat jaw, moveable flat jaw, handle and
square toothed screw. The moveable flat jaw slide in the body with the help of a
screw. The gap between fixed flat jaw and moveable flat jaw is used to hold the
pipes, nuts, joints, etc.

4. HACKSAW
Hacksaw is a cutting plumbing tool that is used to cut the plastic pipes, steel
hollow roads, steel thin sheets, angles, etc. Hacksaw includes the handle, frame,
blade and adjustable wing screw.

Cutting operation using manually operated hacksaw includes the forward stroke
and reverse stroke, where the forward stroke is known as cutting stroke while
reverse stroke is known as idle stroke.

Hand-operated hacksaw is used in site work while power hacksaw is used in

workshop works.

5. PIPE BENDING MACHINE

Pipe bending machine is used to turn or bend the pipes at various angles as per
requirement. The hand-operated pipe bending machine is used to bend small
sizes pipes while the hydraulic pipe bending machine was used to bend large size
pipes.

6. WATER PUMP PLIERS

Water pump pliers or pipe pliers is one of the most essential home plumbing tools
that is used to cut pipes, wires, tightening or loosening the various parts, etc.
Different shape and sizes pliers are available in market.
7. THREADING DIES

Threading dies are used to create threads on pipes to join them with
another one to make a strong joint connection. It was used to make
threads on plastic pipes as well as steel pipes.

8. CHAIN WRENCH
Chain wrench is holding plumbing tools that are used to hold and open or
close the large dial pipes. Chain wrench includes the chain and toot which
helps to hold and rotate the pipes.

The chain wrench is available in 3″, 4″, 6″, 8″ and 12″, with the length 475
mm, 585 mm, 834 mm, 1100 mm, and 1360 mm respectively.

9. SET OF COMMON RING SPANNERS

The spanners are the fitting plumbing tool that is used to loosening or
tightening the standard size nuts and bolts. The various types of spanners
are available in market mentioned as below.
Ring Spanners
Ring spanners are included circular closed rings at both ends. Uses of ring
spanners sometimes cause damage due to slips.
Open-Ended Spanners
Open-ended spanners include the open jaw at both ends of spanners that is
mostly used to open or close the nut and bolts.
Combination Spanners
Combination spanners include the combination of Ring and Open-ended
spanners. It is one end with a circular ring while other ends consist open-
ended jaw.
Bi-Hexagonal Ring Spanners
Bi-hexagonal spanners include the hexagonal rings at both ends to hold
and open nuts and bolts. It is available in the market in various sizes.
10. PLUMB BOB

Plumb Bob is the most common tool in construction and house drainage
works. Plumb Bob is used to check the vertical alignment of any members or
pipes.
 PLUMBING MATERIALS

1. FITTINGS
Fittings are the metal link that connect pieces of pipe with or without a
change in direction.

2. FLEXROCK PACKING
In some cases, where the threading on a trap is imperfect, or you need to
seal a leak at the junction of pipe or trap, either wicking or flexrock packing
can be used. This is a metallic, self forming, self-lubricating packing.

3. HANGERS
Hangers or supports are used to support pipe running along walls or ceilings

4. HARDWARE

Various hardware supplies (screw, nails, gaskets, etc.). Find use in plumbing
work. They are usually made of steel, iron, or rubber.
5. INSULATING MATERIALS

Hair and wool felt, cork, asbestos, and various mineral insulators such as
mica and mineral wool are used to insulate pipe systems where it is
necessary to prevent loss of heat or protect occupants of the house from
burns.

6. LEAD
Lead finds several uses in plumbing. Lead pipes are common in some
installations; sheet lead is used as a waterproof; molten lead is often used to
seal joints in cast iron pipe.

7. OAKUM

Oakum is a close, stringy fiber used to pack seams and joints when caulking.
It is forced into the hubs of jointed pipe with caulking irons to form a seal
prior to leading.

8. PIPE

The all-inclusive term pipe covers a variety of tubular materials which differ
in size and composition. Each kind has its purpose or is suggested as being
best for a specific use. In plumbing work the most commonly use dare cast
iron, galvanized iron, and galvanized steel. All three are used for
fittings in water, drainage and vent system IS.

9. HEAT INCREASE THERE RATE OF

CORROSION
That is the reason why, other things being equal, hot water lines become
clogged before cold water lines, and cast iron water-backs produce red
water and clog. It is also the reason why brass pipes are used on hot
waterlines, while iron steel is used on the cold water lines. To reduce initial
cost.
10. SANDPAPER, STEELWOOL, AND
SAND OR EMERY CLOTHS

These abrasives are most frequently used to remove rust patches, brighten
copper fixtures, and clean surface prior to soldering.

11. SHEETING (ZINC, TIN & LEAD)

Sheets of zinc, tin, or lead are used to make flashing which prevent water
leaks and to line pipes as a protection against corrosion.

12. VALVES AND FAUCETS

Valves are device used to control the flow through pipes of either gas or
water. They may be operated manually or automatically, depending on the
needs of system they help control. The faucet, which releases and regulates
the flow of water, is a common manual valve.

13. WICKING
A packing material used when making pipe junctures as a preventative
against leakage, lamp wicking is the most common type for water and waste
lines l, when there is no heat present. Wicking is often used by plumbers to
cover up a badly cut thread on a pipe. This is extremely bad practice and
should be avoided as the cure is only temporary and will eventually result in
weakness
 ROLES OF PLUMBING
As you may be aware, water is supplied to a house or a building from storage tanks through pipes. Similarly, the
waste water from kitchen and washrooms is drained out with the help of pipes. Any building, be it a residential,
commercial or industrial, cannot function properly without having plumbing and sanitary arrangements in place. It is,
therefore, important to have regular and adequate water supply and a proper system for the disposal of waste water.
Plumbing cycle refers to a mechanism through which water is taken from a source, then supplied to the users, and finally
waste water is collected and recycled to the source after proper treatment (Fig. 1.1). Plumbing and pipe-fittings play a
major role in the construction of all types of buildings. An efficient plumbing work keeps the atmosphere free from bad
smell and ensures better sanitation.

INTRODUCTION (SANITARY)
Sanitary drainage piping conveys wastewater and waterborne waste from the plumbing fixtures and appliances to
the sanitary sewer. Vent piping provides circulation of air to or from a sanitary drainage system and also provides air
circulation within the sanitary drainage piping to protect trap seals from siphonage or back pressure. Storm water
drainage piping conveys rainwater or other precipitation to the storm sewer or other place of disposal.

SANITARY DRAINAGE PIPING

Soil pipes convey discharge containing fecal matter from water closets or similar fixtures, with or without the
discharge of other fixtures, to the building drain or building sewer. Waste pipes convey only liquid waste that is free from
fecal matter. Since waste pipes do not convey solid or semisolid materials, waste pipes are typically sized smaller that soil
pipes in a building. A sanitary drainage system is a system of piping within public or private premises that conveys sewage
or other liquid waste to an approved point of disposal. The intent is to design and install sanitary drainage systems that
will function reliably, are neither undersized nor oversized, and are constructed from materials, fittings and connections
whose quality is regulated by codes and standards. The basics of sanitary drainage systems include, but are not limited to,
the following: public and private sewage disposal; selection of materials; installation of the building sewer, including the
building drainage system and components; joining methods between drainage piping and fittings; drainage fixture units
for sizing the drainage system; and sumps and ejectors.

TYPES OF PIPES

1. CAST IRON PIPE

Cast Iron pipe is widely used for city water-distribution systems because of
its high resistance to corrosion and consequent long life.

Cast iron pipe is made from pig iron. Such pipes are normally made from 5
cm to 120 cm in diameter.
2. G.I PIPE
G.I pipes are made of mild steel sheet. Its length-wise joint is Welded Seam
Type. G.I pipe is used to supply water, gas or any other liquid inside the
building.

These types of pipes are prepared from 12 mm (0.5 inches) to 15 cm ( 6

inches) in diameter. They are available in 6 meters (20 feet) length.

3. WROUGHT IRON PIPE

Wrought pipe and tubing is steel formed into a tube and welded down the
seam or drawn seamless pipe or tubing. It is used for higher pressure
application as well as decorative work. It is normally welded to elbows, etc.

4. STEEL PIPE
Steel pipes are the most commonly used pipes in water supply systems.
They are also used in pipelines for natural gas, and sewerage systems.

5. COPPER PIPE
 Copper pipes are commonly used in the construction industry for water
supply lines and refrigerant lines in HVAC (heating, cooling, and air-
conditioning) systems. Copper pipes can be manufactured as soft or rigid
copper and offer excellent corrosion-resistance and reliable connections.

6. PLASTIC PIPE
Water mains, hot and cold water distribution, drain, waste, and vent
(DWV), sewer, gas distribution, irrigation, conduit, fire sprinkler and
process piping are the major markets for plastic piping systems throughout
the world.

7. ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE

Asbestos cement pipe is a special type of pipe that uses asbestos to
provide improved mechanical properties to traditional cement pipe. Plain
cement pipe often lacks tensile strength. The added asbestos fibers
provide cement pipe with improved tensile strength.

8. CONCRETE PIPE
Concrete pipe is a rigid pipe that provides both structure and conduit
when it arrives on site. Unlike flexible alternatives, concrete pipe has little
dependence on the surrounding soil for its structural performance.

9. VITRIFIED CLAY PIPE

 Vitrified clay sewer pipes are used for sanitary drainage for their corrosion
and abrasion resistance. They are manufactured by mixing clay, grog and
feldspar as fluxing agent.

10. PEX PIPES

PEX pipe is approved for residential and commercial hot and cold water
distribution systems, municipal water service lines, radiant panel heating
systems, hydronic baseboard heating systems, snow and ice melting
systems and building services pipe.

INSTALLATION
Installation of the Building Drainage and Building Sewer System Drainage piping installation must have uniform
slope. The minimum desired velocity in a horizontal drainage pipe is approximately 2 feet per second. This velocity is often
referred to as the "scouring velocity," even though such velocity might not always clean the walls of drainage pipe. The
scouring velocity is intended to keep solids in suspension. For example, if the velocity is too low, where a drainpipe is
excessively oversized, the solids tend to drop out of suspension, settling to the bottom of the pipe. This could eventually
result in drain stoppage. A greater velocity is required to move solids at rest than is required to keep moving solids in
suspension. A true scouring velocity would then be higher than the velocity initially used to transport solids.

SANITARY WORK
Sanitary work refers to carrying the waste water to the waste disposal system (sewerage system) through
plumbing fixtures. The plumbing installation is governed by the regulations and rules adopted by the concerned
municipal corporations or committees of different States and Union Territories. Plumbing and sanitation work thus
plays an important role in the construction of a building. A plumbing system consists of pipe fittings and appliances
used for water supply and drainage, as you see the fitting for the wash basin. In this system, different pipes are used
for different purposes. The plumbing system includes:
• water supply, galvanized iron (or plastic) pipes and fixtures;
• soil pipes and fixtures;
• sanitary drainage system; and
• rainwater drainage system.

For an efficient plumbing system, it is important that standard plumbing and sanitary material, as per the Bureau of
Indian Standards (BIS), are used. It is also important that quality workmanship, practical checks and supervision are
ensured during plumbing and sanitary work. It helps in getting the best out of the skilled and unskilled labour. Before
starting the work, the plumber must keep the following points into consideration.
1. Water supply system: sources of clean and potable water
2. Plumbing fixtures and pipes: knowledge about different requirements and specifications
3. Sanitary and drainage system: knowledge about sewerage system
4. Rainwater drainage system