PRACTICAL PROBLEMS MODULE 1

BY ENGR. DELENJER H. ALASAGAS, CE, RMP

CONTENTS
 PLAN READING AND INTERPRETATION
 PLUMBING MATERIALS
 PLUMBING FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES
PLAN READING AND INTERPRETATION

PLUMBING SYMBOLS

 Piping Symbols - generally shown on drawings by a single line

 Pipe Runs - identified for nominal size by placing printed figure size next to the pipe with
an arrow towards the pipe
 Fixtures - represented symbolically and drawn to scale in planned locations
PLUMBING MATERIALS
PLUMBING MATERIALS - shall be free from defects which
could impair service or result to unsanitary conditions.

TYPES OF PIPES IN PLUMBING WORK

A. CAST IRON SOIL PIPE (CISP)
• a.ka. Gray Cast Iron Pipe, fabricated from an alloy containing
carbon and silicon
• Manufactured in 2 classifications:
Service (Standard) weight - generally used; for building
installations
Extra heavy weight - extra duty; for underground installations
• Most popular and generally specified material for drainage
installation
• Extensively used in the 60s and 70s
• Commercial length: 5’ to 10’; Diameters: 50-150mm
• Affected to some extent by corrosion by acid formed by Carbon
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B. ACID RESISTANT CAST IRON PIPE
• Made of an alloy of cast iron and silicon
• Installed in chemical laboratories, industries and
other installations where acid wastes are being
discharged
• Brittle and cracks easily, thus horizontal runs have
to be Supported at every 1.50 meter interval to
prevent sagging

C. ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE

• Made of an asbestos fibers and portland cement
• Used as soil, waste, ventilation pipe & downspouts
• Suited for concrete embedment because of similar
properties
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D. GALVANIZED STEEL PIPE
• Is made of mild steel that is drawn through a die and welded
• Easily corroded by Alkaline and Acid water
• Comes in several commercial sizes: 10 (3/8”), 13 (1/2”), 20 (3/4”), 25 (1”),
32 (1 1/4”), 38 (1 1/2”), 50 (2”), 75 (3”), and 100 (4”)
• Two (2) types of Galvanized steel pipes:
Welded Pipe - made by drawing flat strip of steel through die to form
the round shape and then electric butt welded down the seam
Seamless Pipe - made by piercing red hot solid, cylindrical billet of
steel with series of mandrels while passing the metal through rollers

E. VITRIFIED CLAY PIPE

• Commonly used for storm as well as sanitary sewer installations
• Made of clay to which water has been added and cast into lengths of 2
feet 6 inches. Resistant to most acids and is well fitted for underground
work
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F. LEAD PIPE
• Is made from 99.7% pig lead; various alloys are available for
special applications
• Used for connections to floor mounted water closets, radioactive
wastes, and for special laboratory corrosive wastes
• Rarely used in modern plumbing system since medical findings
showed that the use of this material has harmful effects to
human

G. COPPER TUBES
• Used in water supply system for hot and cold, sanitary (drainage, waste and vent) systems
• A seamless tube made from almost pure copper (99.9%) and is available only in drawn, soft
form with plain ends. Joints for this pipe can be either soldered or brazed
• Outside dimension is always 1/8 inch bigger than the given size
• Copper tubes are manufactured in rigid (hard temper) and are available in lengths by the foot in
straight lengths and other type is flexible (soft temper) which is manufactured in lengths ranging
from 30 to 60 feet in coil form.
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TYPES OF COPPER TUBE AND ITS APPLICATION

1. Type K (green) - heaviest, used in municipal residential application. Available in both rigid and
flexible forms with diameters 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”.
2. Type L (blue) - lighter than type K, used in residential water lines. K and L are manufactured in
hard (20’ lengths) and soft (60’, 100’, and 200’). Diameters 1/4” to 1”.
3. Type M (red) - hard (20’ lengths). Recommended for light domestic water lines and is not
permitted in some city codes.
4. Type DWV (yellow) - rigid only (20’ lengths) in drawn, soft form, with plain ends. Available in
diameters from 2” - 6”. Lightweight and easy to assemble but is prone to corrosive attack by ordinary
sewage, poor fire resistance and needs dielectric union to eliminate galvanic corrosion.
5. Type ACR (Air conditioning and refrigeration) - 50’ coils and rigid in 20’ lengths. Most
refrigeration copper has moisture removed and ends sealed for better performance or refrigerants.
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TYPES OF COPPER TUBE AND ITS APPLICATION
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H. BRASS PIPE
• Manufactured from an alloy containing 85% and 15% zinc.
• Most expensive
• Joints can be either screwed or soldered
• Resistant to acids and has a smooth interior surface

I. PLASTIC OR SYNTHETIC PIPE

• Suitable for drainage and vents as well as for water
supply systems - hot and cold application.
• Manufactured in two general types:
Thermoset (TS) - epoxy and phenolic, not affected by
heat and will remain permanently rigid. More resistant
to solvents than thermoplastic
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I. PLASTIC OR SYNTHETIC PIPE
Thermoplastic (TP) - softens when subjected to heat
and rehardens upon removal of heat

• Advantages include: excellent resistance to a very wide

variety of sanitary and chemical effluents, resistance to
aggresive soils, availability in long lengths, low
resistance to fluid flow and low initial cost.
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TYPES OF PLASTIC OR SYNTHETIC PIPE
1. Rigid Type (10 ft. long)
a. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - rigid, strong and
economical pipe. Has excellent chemical resistance, good
crush resistance and impact strength. Functional up to 123°F
in pressure systems and pressure 180°F in non-pressure
systems.

b. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) - has

excellent chemical, crush and fire resistance, high impact and
tensile strength, and non-toxic. Can be used for hot and cold
water applications. Functions at 180°F in pressure systems
and at higher temperature in low and non-pressure systems.
Does not require special solvent cement used for other types
of plastic welding.
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TYPES OF PLASTIC OR SYNTHETIC PIPE
c. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) - has good
chemical resistance, excellence impact strength, especially at
low temperatures and maintains rigidity at high temperature.

d. Rubber modified Styrene (SR) - has good crush

resistance, fair impact strength and moderate chemical
resistance. It is lightweight but terrible at low temperatures.

e. Polypropylene (PP) - excellent chemical resistance,

resistant to Sulphur bearing compounds, lightweight, good
tensile strength and saltwater resistant.
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TYPES OF PLASTIC OR SYNTHETIC PIPE
f. Polyvinylidine Fluoride (PVDF) - this is strong, tough,
and abrasive resistant fluorocarbon material. It has excellent
resistance to most acids, bass and organic solvents and is
ideally suited for handling wet and or dry chloride, bromine and
other halogens.

g. Polyacetal (ACETAL) - excellent resistance to paraffins

and solvents, high resistance to surge fatigue, non-taxic and
approved for potable water.
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TYPES OF PLASTIC OR SYNTHETIC PIPE
2. Flexible Type (30m up to 50m long)
a. Polyethylene (PE) - Excellent chemical and crush resistance has impact
strength and flexibility and good low temperature performance. Functions in
temperatures from 65° to 120° F in low pressure applications and up to 200° F
in non-pressure applications. PE is used in low pressure water system such as
golf course sprinkler; used to carry corrosive liquied and gases; used as
underground conduits and in industrial and chemical laboratories.

b. Polybutylene (PB) - a flexible plastic tubing suitable for use with hot and
cold-water pressure system. Has excellent chemical resistance to acids but is
not suitable for fuel oil, gasoline or kerosene distribution systems. PB can be
joined with heat fusion, flare or compression fittings and is not solvent weldable.
PB is rated to function at 180° F at 100 psi; higher temperature can be tolerated
with relatively small reduction in pressure.
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PIPE FITTINGS
Is a deviced used to connect one or more pipes and/or used to change the direction of a straight
run pipe. The Plumbing Code requires that any change of direction of piping in a drainage system
should have a radius of curvature large enough to prevent solids from accumulating and to provide
good hydraulic flow.

PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Bends (Sweep) - Is a fitting used to change direction
especially used on sanitary drainage system. A 1/4 bend is 90°
angle fitting available either in short sweep (short curvature) or
long sweep (long curvature)

Return Bend - a pipe fitting which provides 180° change in

direction
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PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Elbow - Is a fitting having a 90° change in direction with a
very short radius. Suitable for use in water supply and vent
system.

Street/Service Elbow - a malleable iron fitting for threaded

pipie, having a 45° or 90° bend with an outside thread on
one and inside thread on the other.

Wye/Wye Branch - a fitting used to connect a branch pipe

into a straight run of piping at 45° angle.
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PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Combination Wye Branch - a single fitting which is a
combination of a wye branch and a 1/8 bend; used in
drainage system in changing direction such as horizontal
branch to vertical (stack).

Upright Wye Combination - a one-piece fitting composed

of 1/8 bend and wye branch where the branch inlet is
parallel to the drum. This is used when two stacks are
provided where one stack is used as a vent and the other
for soil or waste or both soil or waste stack.

Tee - Is a fitting used to connect a branch pipe into straight

run of piping at right angles.
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PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Note: in drainage system where flow characteristic is important, the
code requires use of sanitary tee. On the other hand where flow is
not a consideration, such as water supply and vent system, standard
tees can be used

Street Tee/Service Tee - A malleable iron fitting for threaded

pipe in the form of a tee having outside thread on one and inside
thread on the other branch

Sanitary Tee - A tee used as fitting for a soil pipe which is

designed with a slight curve in the 90° transition so as to channel
flow from a branch line toward the direction of the main flow.
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PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Sanitary Cross Tee - A type of cross pipe used as a fitting, designed
with a slight curve in each of the 90° transitions so as to channel flow
from branch lines toward the direction of the main flow.

Tapped Tee - A bell-end tee, which has a branch that is tapped to

receive a threaded pipe or fitting

Coupling - Is a short internally threaded section of pipe, used to join

two pipes

Socket - It has similar application with the coupling but its ends are
enlarged to provide additional mechanical strength
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PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Adapter - A type of fitting to connect different pipe materials
such as galvanized steel pipe to plastic pipe in which galvanized
pipe being threaded and the plastic having no threads; a type of
transition fitting

Nipple - A short length of pipe with external threads at each end,

used to join couplings or fittings. May be categorized to:
Close Nipple - a type of nipple with the entire length
externally threaded
Open/Shoulder Nipple - a type of nipple having both ends
externally threaded and the mid-section unthreaded
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PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Cap - an internally threaded fitting used to close
the end of a pipe

Plug - An externally threaded usually with square

head; used to close the end of a pip

Bushing - A pipe fitting, used to connect the ends

of two pipes, neither of which can be turned;
consists of three piece, the two end pieces
(having inner threads) which are tightened around
the pipe ends to be joined, and a center piece
which draws the two ends pieces together as it is
rotated affecting a seal
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PIPE FITTINGS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Bend Offset - A change in the direction of a pipe line (other than 90°)
e.g. by a combination of elbows or bends, which brings one section of
the pipe out of line with but into a line parallel to another section

Reducer - A pipe fitting with inside threads, larger at one end than at the
other

Increaser - A tapered coupling used for jointing a pipe to another of

larger size (diameter)
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PLUMBING VALVES & CONTROLS
A valve is a device (usually made of bronze) to start, stop, and regulate the flow of liquid, steam,
or gas into, through, or from pipes. Faucets are valves that turn on or off hot and cold water in
lavatories, sinks, bathtubs, and showers.

TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES

1. GATE VALVE - are valves that control the flow of liquid
moving through the valve by means of a gate-like wedge disc
which fits against a smooth machined surface (called seat)
within the valve body.
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TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
Two Types of Wedge Disc Gate Valve
a. Solid-wedge Disc
b. Split-wedge Disc
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
Three Types of Stems
a. Rising Stem-outside Screw
and Yoke (OS & Y)
b. Rising Stem-Inside Screw
c. Non-rising Stem inside
Screw
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
2. GLOBE VALVE- is a compression type valve in
which the flow of water is controlled by means of a
circular disc that is forced (compressed) onto or
withdrawn from an annular ring (known as valve seat),
which surrounds the opening through which water
flows.
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
Types of Globe Valve
1. Plug Type
2. Conventional
3. Composition
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TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
3. CHECK VALVE- a valve that permits the flow of water within
the pipe in only one direction and closes automatically to
prevent backflow.

Two Types of Check Valve according to Installation

1. Horizontal Check Valve
2. Vertical Check Valve
Type of Check Valve according to Mechanism
1. Swing Check Valve
2. Lift Check Valve
3. Ball Check Valve
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
4. BALL VALVE- a valve in which the flow of fluid is controlled by
a rotating drilled ball that fits tightly against a resilient (flexible)
seat in the valve body.

5. ANGLE VALVE- A globe valve in which the inlet and outlet

openings are at 90° angle to one another ; used for individual
plumbing fixture control such as lavatory, water closet etc.

6. BUTTERFLY VALVE- a valve with rotating disk (the butterfly)

that fits with the valve body. The rotation of the disk is by means of
a shaft from the disk connected to the handle.
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
7. BACKWATER VALVE- a type of check valve installed to
prevent the backflow of sewage from flooding the basement or
lower floors of a building.

Types of Backwater valve

1. Swing Backwater Valve
2. Ball Type Backwater Valve

8. PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE (Pressure Regulating

Valve) - an automatic device used for converting high fluctuating
inlet water pressure to a lower constant pressure.
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
9. RELIEF VALVE- a safety device that automatically provides protection against
excessive temperatures, excessive pressure or both. This is installed in water
heating equipment to protect from the danger of overheating and explosion.

10. STOP AND WASTE VALVE- a type of compression stop valve with a side
port into the valve body. This is used to control the flow of water to fixtures, such
as sillcocks, that are subject to freezing.

11. SILLCOCKS AND BOILER DRAINS- are two types of angle compression
stop valves. A sillcock is installed on the outside of a building so that a garden
hose may be attached. A boiler drain is a valve that is installed on a tank (such as
a water heater) for draining and/or flushing. Boiler drains and sillcocks are nearly
identical, except that a sillcock has a mounting flange and the boiler drain has a
screw threads for direct mounting onto a tank.
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TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
12. FOOT VALVE- a valve that is installed at the base or foot of the
suction line of a pump in a water cistern or reservoir.

13. FLOAT VALVE- a valve used to control the water level in a

tank or other container. It is operated by a float and the closing or
opening which is dependent on the rise and fall of the bloat ball.

14. Flush Valve/Flushometer/Flushometer Valve - a valve used

for flushing a fixture by using water directly from the water supply
pipe or in connection with a special flush tank.
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TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
15. MIXING VALVE- a valve which mixes liquid, by either
automatic or manual regulation.

16. HYDRANT VALVE- a valve in a hydrant used for drawing

directly from the main; primarily used in connection with the
protection or suppression system.

17. WATER METER- is a device used to measure the volume

that passes through the water service.
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TYPES OF PLUMBING VALVES
Types of Water Meter
1. Disk Type Water Meter - a disk type water is used for measuring
the flow of water through small water services; also called
displacement meters.
2. Turbine Meter - a turbine meter is used in buildings in which
water is used in large and constant volume.
3. Compound Meter - a compound meter is a meter that unites a
disk and turbine meter in one body.
PLUMBING MATERIALS Common types of
PLUMBING FIXTURES fixtures are:
1. Water Closet
are receptacles intended to receive water, liquid, or 2. Lavatory
water carried wastes and discharge them into the 3. Bathtub
drainage system. These are approved-type 4. Sinks
installed receptacles, devices or appliances 5. Bidet
supplied with water or receive liquid or liquid-borne 6. Urinal
wastes and discharge such wastes into the
drainage system to which they may directly or
indirectly connected. Industrial or commercial
tanks, vats and similar processing equipment are
not plumbing fixtures, but may be connected to or
discharged into approved traps or plumbing
fixtures as provided for in the National Plumbing
Code.
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Water Closet - fixture used to carry organic body wastes to the sewer system. Water closets are
made of vitreous china. They can be installed on a floor or suspended from a wall. Water Closets
can be classified to (a) Design (b) Flushing Mechanism (c) Shape (d) Installation.

TYPES AS TO DESIGN
1. Siphon Washdown
The least efficient, noisiest, less expensive, with bulging
front. The trap is at front of the bowl, and the bowl is flushed by
small streams of water running down from the rim.

2. Siphon Jet
Expensive and more efficient. Larger amount of standing
water, larger trap way causing less clog and flushing action is
greater.
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES AS TO DESIGN
3. Siphon Vortex
Very efficient, less noisy, and most expensive flushing by
whirlpool action. It has large amount of standing water almost
covering the whole bowl interior.

4. Reverse Trap
More expensive than washdown. Flushes through a siphon
action created in the trap way, moderately noisy.
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TYPES AS TO MAKE
1. One-Piece Water Closet
The water closet fixture is manufactured with the bowl & the flush tank molded into a single unit
2. Close-Coupled Water Closet
A water closet wherein the flush tank is separate but is attached to the toilet bowl. It is a two-piece
model.
3. Pail Flush Water Closet
A water closet comprising only of a bowl without a flush tank. Flushing action is obtained only
through water poured from a pail or bucket. This is used in areas where running water system is not
available.
4. Squat Bowl Water Closet
A water closet that is otherwise known as “eastern type” water closet since the user user assumes a
squatting position rather than a sitting position.
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PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES AS TO FLUSHING MECHANISM
1. Flush Tank
A tank’s flushing mechanism is mechanically operated to
flush the water closet. It holds a supply of water for flushing the
water closet which flushes 3 to 6 liters. The two most common
mechanism for Flush Tank are Ball Cock and Float Cup.

2. Flushometers
The flushometer valve delivers (under pressure) a preset
amount of water directly into a water closet for flushing. It is a
valve designed to supply a fixed quantity of water for flushing
purposes. It is activated by direct water pressure without the use
of a flush tank. It requires a flow pressure of 69 to 138 kPa (10 to
20 psi). The most common type of flushometers are the
diaphragm and piston type.
PLUMBING MATERIALS
TYPES AS TO SHAPE
1. Round Front
A type that is intended for installation on a limited place.

2. Elongated Front
A water closet that is more comfortable but occupies a
larger space. Water closet bowls for public use shall be the
elongated type as per RNPCP Section 401 “Water Closet
bowls for public use shall be the elongated bowl types
equipped with open-front seats”.
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TYPES AS TO INSTALLATION
1. Floor-Mounted
The most common type of water closet installation. To install
a floor-mounted water closet bowl, you will need a floor flange,
water closet bowl, level, wrench, and a wax or rubber gasket.

2. Wall-Hung
Install the bowl after the finished wall is up. A wall-hung,
water closet bowl is installed on a carrier mounted between the
wall studs. This type of water closet is used mainly in
commercial buildings, but may also be found in residential
buildings.
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PLUMBING FIXTURES
Lavatory is a fixture designed for the washing
of the hands or face. It is also known as a Wash
Basin. They are made of vitreous china,
enameled cast iron, stainless steel, and plastic.
Hot and cold water is supplied through the
supply system and the waste drains into the
sanitary sewer.

The Four (4) types of Lavatory are:

1. Wall-hung
2. Pedestal
3. Counter type
4. One-piece
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PLUMBING FIXTURES
Bathtub is a tub for bathing, usually a fixed plumbing
installation designed for 1 person. But tubs today, are
now designed not only for one person but large enough
to accommodate couple bathing together. Some one-
person bathtubs are equipped with seats, shelves for
soap and shampoo with non-skid surface.
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PLUMBING FIXTURES
Sinks are available for different uses and come in
several sizes and shapes. They are made of
enameled cast iron, enameled prcxscd-steel,
galvanized steel, and stainless steel.

Common Types of Sinks

a. Scullery Sink - are large, deep sinks used in
mess-hall type facilities
b. Slop Sink - are used for buckets and mops
c. Kitchen Sinks - can be either single or double-
compartment and can be wall-hung or set in a
counter top. Kitchen sinks have a strainer to prevent
food waste from entering the waste system.
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PLUMBING FIXTURES
Bidet is a plumbing fixture used for washing the middle part
of the body, especially the genitals. It is also known as Sitz Bath.

Urinal is a fixture equipped with a water supply and drain for flushing away urine.

COMMON TYPES OF URINAL

a. Wall Hung - Can have a built-in water-seal trap or a P-trap with a washdown or siphon-
jet flushing action. The hushing device for a wall-hung urinal is a flushometer valve.
b. Stall - urinal is set into the floor. A beehive strainer covers the waste outlet, which is
caulked to a P-trap below floor level. The flushing action is the washdown-type produced
by a flushometer valve.
c. Trough - A trough urinal is wall-hung with a flush tank. The urinal has perforated pipe
across the rear, which allows water to flow down the back of the trough when flushed.
PLUMBING MATERIALS
COMMON TYPES OF URINAL
PLUMBING APPLIANCES
PLUMBING APPLIANCES
Is any one of a special class of device or equipment intended to perform a special plumbing
function. Its operation and/or control may be dependent upon one or more energized
components, such as motors, controls, heating elements and pressure-temperature-sensing
elements e.g. Pumps and Water Heaters.

COMMON TYPES OF PUMPS USED IN BUILDING PLUMBING SYSTEM

a. Transfer Pump – Is an equipment used to transmit water from underground or above
ground storage tank, going to higher level or elevated tank. Usually compose two (2) units of
pumps, especially for servicing purposes.
b. Booster Pump – Used to upgrade the existing low pressure to a desired pressure setting for
cut-in or cut-off (25 to 50 psi).
c. Sewage Ejector Pump – Usually installed in a holding tank for pump out waste water
collective from the building and discharge to a treatment facility before final disposal.
PLUMBING APPLIANCES
COMMON TYPES OF PUMPS USED IN BUILDING PLUMBING SYSTEM
d. Sump Pit Pump – Usually installed in a
sump pit tank, to regularly pump out water
seepage from the building and under drain
perforated drainage pipe system, and finally
discharge to public drainage system.
e. Elevator Pit Pump – A plumbing
equipment whose function is to eliminate
water from elevator pit core and discharge to
drainage system.