Basic Principles of Plumbing & Sanitary Design

Basic Principles of Plumbing & Sanitary Design

• Plumbing is the art and science of installing pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus to convey and supply water in buildings, and to dispose of and discharge wastewater and other liquids, gases, and other substances. The aim is to ensure health and sanitation.
• A plumber is skilled in these practices designed to maintain health and sanitation of people and property.
• Plumbing has two core objectives:
  • To supply water throughout a building
  • To remove and dispose of wastewater and other substances from a building, usually into a city sewer system or septic tank.
• Modern plumbing includes sophisticated water delivery and wastewater treatment systems.
• Building plumbing typically consists of water supply systems, sanitary drainage systems, and wastewater treatment.

History of Plumbing

• Ancient Greeks, nearly 4000 years ago, had hot and cold water systems in buildings.
• The Minoan Palace of Knossos, Crete, had terra cotta pipes placed under the palace floor to supply water for fountains and fixtures. These were made of marble, gold, and silver, and provided both hot and cold water.
• Drainage systems were connected to large, stone sewers.
• The Minoans used land levels effectively for drainage systems including lavatories, sinks, and manholes.
• The earliest known flushing toilet was found at Knossos. This toilet was separated from other areas and flushed with rainwater or stored water.
• During the Roman era, the Cloaca Maxima, a sewer, facilitated stormwater runoff from the Forum district to the Tiber River.
• Lead pipes were used for water distribution in residential buildings.
• Romans had female and male plumbers who installed, repaired, and maintained plumbing systems, including roofs and gutters.
• Lead exposure, according to historians, may have contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. Lead was used in plumbing pipes which leached into drinking water.
• During the Middle Ages, community plumbing virtually ceased in some areas. Around 1500, London rebuilt some of its water delivery systems using modified and retained portions of the Roman architecture.
• The 1800s saw the beginnings of modern plumbing with steam engines supplying pressurized water through iron pipes.
• Despite advances, some cities banned or discouraged bathing in the 1800s.
• In the mid-1800s, the relationship between sanitation and public health became clear. This led to the national Public Health Act in England in 1848 which was a model for plumbing codes worldwide.
• People in Colonial America relied on streams, rivers, and wells for drinking water; and believed that water with a foul taste had medicinal properties.

Mandatory Requirements of a Drainage System

• Pipe joints must be securely fitted and connected; prevent leakage of gas and liquid.
• Drainage pipes must be sloped or graded downward, and connected to the main sewer or septic tank.
• Adequate clean-outs are required on drain pipes, which are accessible for maintenance and repair.
• Ventilation pipes are necessary to direct gases and prevent health issues while the plumbing and water waste system is functioning. The ventilation pipe ensures proper drainage into the atmosphere.
• Trapping should be applied to water fixtures besides the toilet to keep backflow of gases and air from entering the home.

Degrees of Wastewater

• Storm water: rainwater
• Grey water: water from washing, showers, and bathtubs.
• Black water: waste water produced from toilets and urinals.

Elements of Plumbing/Sanitary Systems

• Diagrams showing components like soil stacks, vents, waste pipes, traps, wet vents, unit vents, branches, house sewers, main lines, and clean outs.

Plumbing Fixtures

• Plumbing fixtures, such as sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and showers, receive or discharge water and are connected to the building's drainage system.

Other Components

• Public Sewers: A common sewer under public control where buildings connect to.
• Siphonage: Suction in pipes caused by water flow.
• Spigot: A pipe's end that fits into a bell fitting.
• Seal: Vertical distance between a trap's dip and crown wire.
• Roughing-In: Pipes are placed in partitions and under floors.
• Finishing: Setting and installing all fixtures.
• Sump: A low-point receptacle for draining wastewater, often found with pumps for removal.
• Sleeves: Metal pieces used in concrete work to aid installations.
• Pipe Chase: An opening meant to contain pipes.