Module 1: Introduction to Plumbing,

Water Supply Systems,

Piping Materials, Fittings, Valves,
and Plumbing Fixtures

University of Batangas – Civil Engineering Faculty

Plumbing

PLUMBING
• Plumbing is the art and technique of installing pipes, fixtures, and other
apparatuses in buildings for bringing in the supply of liquids, substances
and/or ingredients and removing them; and such water, liquid and other
carried-wastes hazardous to health, sanitation, life and property pipes and
fixtures after installation i.e., the ‘plumbing system’. (Section 217.6 The
Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines 1999)
Plumbing

• Plumbing System includes all potable water supply and distribution pipes,
all plumbing fixtures and traps; all sanitary and storm drainage systems;
vent pipes, roof drains, leaders and downspouts; and all building drains
and sewers, including their respective joints and connections; devices,
receptacles, and appurtenances within the property; water lines in the
premises; potable, tap, hot and chilled water piping; potable water treating
or using equipment; fuel gas piping; water heaters and vents for same.
(Section 217.12 NPC 1999)
Plumbing

Major Components of Plumbing System

• The water supply and water distribution system. Carries water from the
water source, street main or a pump to the building and to various points in
the building at which water is used.
• The plumbing fixtures. The receptacles that receive the supplied water
and allow the occupants of the building to use the water.
• The drainage system. The piping network within the building which
conveys from the plumbing fixtures all wastes and fecal matter (sanitary
drainage) as well as rainwater (storm drainage) to a point of disposal or a
treatment facility.
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• All premises intended for human use or habitation shall be provided with a
supply of pure and wholesome water, neither connected to unsafe water
supply nor subject to backflow or back- siphonage
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with water

in sufficient volume and pressure adequate to function satisfactorily and
without undue noise.
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of

water consistent with proper performance and cleaning
• Devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed and installed as
to prevent dangers from explosion through overheating
• Every building abutting on a street, alley or easement with a public sewer
shall connect its plumbing fixtures to the sewer system
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• Each family dwelling unit shall have at least one water closet, one kitchen
type sink, a lavatory and a bathtub or shower to meet the basic
requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene.
• Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent material, free
from concealed fouling surfaces and shall be located in ventilated
enclosures.
• The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained to
safeguard against fouling, deposit of solids, clogging and with adequate
cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily cleaned
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• All piping shall be of durable NAMPAP-approved materials, free from

defective workmanship, designed and constructed by Registered Master
Plumbers to ensure satisfactory service
• Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped
with a water-sealed trap.
• The drainage pipes piping system shall be designed to provide adequate
circulation of air free from siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals
under ordinary use.
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and installed to prevent
clogging and the return of foul air to the building.
• Plumbing systems shall be subjected to such tests to effectively disclose all
leaks and defects in the workmanship.
Basic Principles of Plumbing
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• Substance which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy
the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage-disposal
process shall not be allowed to enter the building drainage system.
• Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of food,
water, sterile goods and similar materials by backflow of sewage. When
necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall be connected indirectly
with the building drainage system.
• No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment which is not
properly lighted and ventilated.
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• If there is no sewer system in the area, suitable provision shall be made for
the disposal of building sewage by some accepted method of sewage
treatment and disposal, such as a septic tank.
• Where a plumbing drainage system may be subject to backflow of sewage,
suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.
• Plumbing systems shall be maintained in serviceable condition by
Registered Master Plumbers
Basic Principles of Plumbing

• All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly spaced, to be accessible for

their intended use
• Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to the preservation of the
strength of structural members and the prevention of damage to walls and
other surfaces through fixture usage
• Sewage or other waste from plumbing systems, which may be deleterious
to surface or sub-surface waters shall not be discharged into the ground or
into any waterway, unless first rendered innocuous through subjection to
some acceptable form of treatment.
Water Sources

• Water Sources - A supply of good water is more important to human

survival than food. Potable is clean water that is suitable for human
drinking. It must be available for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Non-
potable water may be used for flushing water closets (toilets), irrigating
grass and gardens, washing cars, and for any use other than drinking,
cooking, or cleaning. An abundant supply of potable water that is easily
distributed is vital to a prosperous economy.
Water Sources

• Surface Water - Surface water readily provides much of the water needed
by cities, counties, large industry, and others. However, this source is
dependent on recurring rain. During a long period of drought, the flow of
water may be significantly reduced. Reservoirs hold surface water during
periods of high runoff and release water during periods of low runoff.
Surface water is typically treated to provide the potable water required.
Where non-potable water may be used, no treatment of the water is
necessary.
Water Sources

• Groundwater - Groundwater seeps through

the soil and is trapped on impervious stratum,
a layer of soil or rock that water cannot pass
through. The water collects in pores of
permeable stratum; a layer of porous earth
that water can pass through such as sands,
gravels, limestone, or basalt. Saturated
permeable stratum capable of providing a
usable supply of water is known as an aquifer.
Water Sources
Water Sources
Water Sources

• Water Purification - Water purification is any method that will remove one or more
materials that make the water unsuitable for a given use.
– Aeration- Water is sprayed into the air to release any trapped gases and absorb additional
oxygen for better taste.
– Coagulation- Flocculation- This is the process by which small sediment particles which do not
settle well combine together to form larger particles which can be removed by sedimentation.
– Sedimentation- This is the process by which suspended solids are removed from the water by
gravity settling and deposition. This process usually follows coagulation-flocculation. The
objective of this process is to remove most of the suspended solids, reducing the loads on the
filters.
– Filtration- This is the passage of fluid through a porous medium suspended matter which did not
settle by gravity. In water purification, matter to be removed includes suspended silt, clay,
colloids, and microorganisms including algae, bacteria, and viruses. A filter bed consists of a
granular non-porous material held one place by the force of gravity or by the direction of flow.
– Disinfection/ Chlorination- This is the most important process used in the production of water of
a safe and sanitary quality. Chlorination is the method of introducing a controlled amount of
chlorine to the water in order to attain a desired degree of disinfection
Water Sources
Water Supply Systems

• Water Supply Systems - In large metropolitan areas, most of the drinking

water originates from a surface source such as a lake, stream, river, or
reservoir. In rural areas, people are more likely to drink groundwater that
was pumped from a well.
– Community Water Supply Systems - are public or private entities that install and
provide a central supply of water to a neighborhood, city or special district. They are
government owned, as in most cities, or privately owned, such as in a rural housing
development where the builder or real estate developer develops the water system
– Private Systems - Large industrial and commercial projects may draw all of their
supply from one source (e.g., a stream) or they may draw part of their supply from one
source (such as a stream) and supplement the supply with another source (e.g., a
well). Such systems often include treatment plants, water storage towers, and
sometimes reservoirs to store the water.
Water Supply Systems

• Water Supply Systems - In large metropolitan areas, most of the drinking

water originates from a surface source such as a lake, stream, river, or
reservoir. In rural areas, people are more likely to drink groundwater that
was pumped from a well.
– Well systems - A modern well system consists of a well, a motor-driven pump, and a
storage tank. In most systems, the pump draws water from the well where it is stored
in a storage tank. A switch activated by water pressure controls the pump.
– Water Towers and Elevated Storage tanks - Water towers used in community systems
and elevated water storage tanks used in private systems carry a reserve capacity of
water
Fittings

• Fittings - A variety of fittings must be used to connect pipe lengths and

make all the pipe turns, branch lines, couplings that join the straight runs,
and stops at the end of the runs. Fittings for steel and wrought-iron pipe
are made of malleable iron and cast iron. The fittings for plastic, copper,
and brass pipe are made of the same materials as the pipe being
connected.
Fittings

• Elbows - usually at 45° and 90°, are angular fittings used to change the
direction of a supply pipe. On a sanitary drainage system, a sanitary bend
makes a more gradual turn to prevent blockage.
Fittings

• Tees - Tees are used in a supply system when a line must branch off at a
straight run. A reducing tee allows different pipe sizes to be joined together
in a supply system. Sanitary T and sanitary Y are tee-like fittings used in
sanitary drainage systems that make a more gradual turn to prevent
blockage. A sanitary Y can accept two or three branches before combining
flow into one pipe.
Fittings

• Couplings - Couplings are used to join straight runs of pipe. A union joins
straight runs of pipe but also allows the pipes to be more easily
disconnected when future piping revisions are expected or equipment
needs to be replaced.
Fittings

• Reducer - straight fitting used to decrease the diameter in a pipe in a water

supply system. An increaser is a straight fitting used to increase the
diameter in a pipe in a sanitary drainage system
Fittings

• Adapters - Adapters are used in a supply system where threaded pipe is

being connected to copper or thermoplastic. Adapters have one threaded
end to accommodate threaded pipe.
Valves

• Valves - used to control flow of the water throughout the system. Proper
location of valves simplifies repairs to the system, fixtures, or equipment
being serviced. Valves also regulate flow to deliver the appropriate quantity
of water and reduce water consumption. In building plumbing systems,
there are usually valves at risers (vertical pipe serving the building),
branches (horizontal pipe serving the fixtures), and pipes to individual
fixtures or equipment. The inner workings of most valves are generally
accessible for repairs.
Valves

• Gate Valve - manual valve that has a wedge-shaped leaf that, when
closed, seals tightly against two metal seats that are set at slight angles.
This type of valve is usually used where the flow of the water is left either
completely opened or closed for most of the time
Valves

• Globe Valve - manual, compression-type valve, commonly used where

there is occasional or periodic use, such as lavatories (faucets) and hose
connections (called hose bibbs). This type of valve regulates the flow of
water. Design of the globe valve is such that the water passing through is
forced to make two 90° turns, which greatly increases the friction loss in
this valve compared with that in a gate valve
Valves

• Angle Valve - manual valve similar in operation to the globe valve, utilizing
the same principle of compressing a washer against a metal seat to cut the
flow of water. It is commonly used for outside hose bibbs. The angle valve
has a much higher friction loss than the gate valve and about half the
friction loss of the globe valve.
Valves

• Check Valve - allow the flow of water in the direction desired and prevents
flow in the other direction. There are two types of check valves, swing
types and spring types. In the swing check valve design, the pressure of
the water forces the valve gate to swing open, but once the flow stops,
gravity causes the gate to fall closed, preventing a reversal of the flow.
Plumbing Fixtures

• A plumbing fixture is an approved receptacle, device, or appliance that

uses water and discharges wastewater such as a water closet, urinal,
faucet, shower, dishwasher, drinking fountain, hose connection, hose bibb,
water heater, water softener, underground sprinkler, hot tub, spa, and
clothes washer. They must be made of dense, durable, nonabsorbent
materials with smooth, impermeable surfaces. Plumbing fixtures are the
only part of the plumbing system that the owners or occupants of the
building will see regularly, because most of the plumbing piping is
concealed in walls and floors
Plumbing Fixtures

• Water Closet - plumbing fixture used to receive human excremental and to

discharge it through a waste pipe, using water as a conveying medium.
Water closets are classified according to design, make, flushing
mechanism, shape and installation

A. Types of Water B. Types of Water C. Types of Water E. Types of Water

Closet as to design: Closet as to make: Closet as to Flushing Closet as to
1. Siphon 1. One piece mechanism: Installation:
washdown 2. Close Coupled 1. Flush tank 1. Free Standing
2. Siphon jet 3. Pail Flush 2. Flush Valve 2. Wall Hung
3. Siphon Vortex 4. Squat Bowl
4. Reverse Trap D. Types of Water
Closet as to shape:
1. Round Front
2. Elongated Front
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing Fixtures

• Lavatory - a fixture designed for the washing of the hands or face. It is also
known as wash basin
Plumbing Fixtures

• Urinal - A sanitary fixture equipped with a water supply and drain for
flushing away urine.
Plumbing Fixtures

• Kitchen Sink - a plumbing fixtures usually consisting of a basin with a water

supply, connected with a drain.
Plumbing Fixtures

• Bidet - a plumbing fixture used for washing the middle part of the body,
especially the genitals. It is also known as the Sitz Bath.
• Bath Tub - a tube for bathing, usually a fixed plumbing installation designed
for one person. It is available in left outlet and right outlet.
• Shower head - an overhead nozzle that sprays water down on the bather.
• Drinking fountain - Drinking fountains offer users a limitless supply of
drinking water at any location where water and sanitary drainage are
readily available.
Homework

• Research about the history of plumbing

• History of plumbing practice in the Philippines
• Sketch the minimum roughing-ins and clearances of the different plumbing
fixtures
• Prepare a floor plan and elevation plan of a 2-storey apartment type
building (6 doors, each room shall have a CR, common CR for 1st and 2nd
floor)
Building Supply
Building Supply

• The building supply or water service is a large water supply pipe that
carries potable water from the district or city water system or other water
source to the building.
• The Domestic Cold Water Supply of the plumbing system consists of the
piping and fittings which supply cold water from the building water supply
to the fixtures, such as lavatories, bathtubs, water closets and kitchen
sinks. This is also known as Water Distribution System.
Building Supply

The Elements of the Water Supply and Distribution System are:

1. Water Service or House Service
2. Water Meter
3. Distribution Main or Horizontal Supply Main
4. Fixture Branches
5. Riser
6. Valves and Control
7. Storage Tanks
Building Supply

• Water (Street) Main – A water supply pipe for

public or community use controlled by public
authority.
• Water – Service Pipe – The pipe from the water
main, water meter, water supply system or other
approved source of water supply, to the building
or structure served.
• Water – Distribution Pipe – A pipe which
conveys potable water from the building supply
pipe to the plumbing fixtures & other water
outlets in the building.
• Fixture Branch – A pipe connecting several
fixture.
• Fixture Supply – A water supply pipe connecting
the fixture with the fixture branch or directly to a
main water supply pipe.
Building Supply
Service Tap Connection Details

• Corporation Cock – A valve screwed into the street water main to supply the house service
connection.
• Gooseneck – The part of the pipe curved like the neck of a goose, usually flexible. Also the
lead connection between a service pipe and water main.
• Curb Stop or Curb Cock – A control valve for the water supply of a building, usually placed
between the sidewalk and the street curb; used to shut off the water supply in case of
emergency or should the water supply of the building be discontinued.
Meter Connection Details

• Water Meter – A mechanical device used to measure the volume of water passing through a
pipe.
• Meter Stop – A valve placed at the street side of the water meter and serves as a controlling
device for the building installation.
Distribution System

• Upfeed Distribution System

– a. Direct Pressure
– b. Hydropneumatic Pressure System or Pneumatic Air-Pressure system
• Downfeed Distribution System a. Gravity Tank
Distribution System
Water Supply Design Concerns

• Water Velocity
• Noise, erosion of inner pipe walls and valves, and economy of installation,
operation, and maintenance dictate the minimum and maximum water velocity
in a plumbing system; as a result, these have a bearing on pipe diameter. If
pipe diameters are small, cost is low but noise, erosion (from high velocities),
and pumping costs (from high-pressure losses) are high. In contrast, large
diameter pipes reduce noise erosion and pumping costs, but result in high
installation costs. An intermediate pipe diameter is desirable.
Water Supply Design Concerns

• Cavitation
• Cavitation is a physical phenomenon that occurs in a liquid when it
experiences a drastic drop in pressure that causes the liquid to vaporize into
small vapor bubbles. As the low pressure returns to normal pressure levels,
these bubbles implode as the vapor changes phase back to a liquid and thus
drastically decreases its volume. This implosion causes noise and high levels
of erosion where the imploding bubbles contact the walls of a pipe, fitting,
pump, or valve. The noise that develops sounds similar to gravel flowing
through the system in the area where the cavitation is developing. Over time,
the erosion results in excessive wear; this eventually manifests itself as
pinhole leaking.
Water Supply Design Concerns

• Cross-Connection
• A cross-connection is an unsatisfactory connection or arrangement of piping
that can cause nonpotable water to enter the potable water system. A cross-
connection can cause used or contaminated water to mix with the water
supply. It is an unsanitary and potentially hazardous condition. For example, a
garden hose with one end immersed in a bucket of soapy water or in a
swimming pool are possible backflow conditions.
Water Supply Design Concerns

• Water Hammer
• a knocking in the pipes caused when faucets in the lower levels are shut off
abruptly or automatically
• the force exerted by the decelerating water causes the pipes to shake and
rattle