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Questions and Answers
What contributes to the total pressure exerted by a gas mixture such as air?
What does discharge pressure refer to?
What is an aquifer?
What are the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations designed to do?
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What can cause water pressure to be released from an artesian well?
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What is the water table?
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How is surface water defined?
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What is the primary function of a reservoir regarding surface water?
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What is the typical pressure range maintained by a community water supply?
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What is the minimum height that water in a water tower must be above the highest plumbing fixture?
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How much water can a community water tower typically hold?
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How long is the tank of a water tower typically sized to hold water for?
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What is one reason elevated water storage tanks are used in tall buildings?
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What is the common purpose of stored water in a water tower during a power failure?
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During peak demand, what is the maximum water consumption at the pumping station mentioned?
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What is an alternative to an elevated storage tank in tall buildings?
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What is the purpose of a reducing tee in a plumbing system?
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Which fitting is used to make a gradual turn in sanitary drainage systems?
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What do couplings specifically do in a piping system?
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When would you use a union in a plumbing system?
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What attaches threaded pipe to other materials like copper in a plumbing system?
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Which joining technique uses melted filler metal with a lower melting temperature?
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What is the primary function of compression fittings?
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At what temperature does soldering typically occur?
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What is the maximum operating temperature for brazed joints?
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Which type of valve generally has the highest friction loss?
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What is a distinguishing feature of welding compared to brazing and soldering?
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How does a swing check valve operate?
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Which type of valve is commonly used in lavatories and hose connections?
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What are the two main types of check valves mentioned?
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What is the primary function of a gate valve?
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What is the operational principle of an angle valve similar to?
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What ancient invention was used by Egyptians for irrigation?
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Which device did Archimedes invent to aid in irrigation?
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What was a significant public health discovery related to sanitation in the mid-1800s?
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What did the 1848 Public Health Act in England mandate?
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How was colonial hygiene typically characterized in America?
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What misconception did people have about foul-tasting mineral water?
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What unfortunate event happened to Dr. Benjamin Rush regarding his well?
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What practice was common in colonial America for waste disposal?
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Study Notes
History of Plumbing
- The ancient Egyptians used water wheels with buckets for irrigation.
- Archimedes invented the Archimedes screw, a screw pump used for draining and irrigating the Nile Valley over 2000 years ago.
- Modern plumbing began in the early 1800s with the development of steam engines and inexpensive cast iron pipes.
- Bathing was considered unhealthy in the 1800s.
- Cholera epidemics in the mid-1800s led to the discovery of the link between sanitation and public health, resulting in the development of modern water and sewage systems.
- England passed the Public Health Act in 1848, which mandated sanitary disposal in every residence, including flushing toilets, privies, or ash pits.
- Colonial hygiene and sanitation practices were poor, similar to those in Europe.
- Colonials primarily bathed in ponds or streams.
- Waste disposal in the New World emulated Native American practices, often involving open fields, shrubs, or forests.
- Early colonial towns often had ordinances prohibiting the throwing of waste onto the streets.
- Drinking water in colonial America came from streams, rivers, and wells.
- Foul-tasting mineral water was believed to have medicinal value.
- Dr. Benjamin Rush’s well, connected to his privy, demonstrated the dangers of poor sanitation.
Water Pressure
- Discharge pressure is the pressure at the point of discharge, such as a showerhead, faucet, or hose bibb.
- Water pressure is the pressure that exists after pressure losses from friction, elevation change, and other factors are subtracted.
Water Vapor Pressure
- Water vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by water vapor molecules in the air.
- It is based on the amount of water vapor present in the air.
Surface Water
- Surface water is rainwater runoff that collects in streams, rivers, and lakes.
- It is a readily available source of water for various uses.
- Reservoirs can store surface water during periods of high runoff and release it during periods of low runoff.
- Surface water can be collected in a storage tank called a cistern.
Groundwater
- Groundwater seeps through the soil and is trapped on impervious stratum, a layer of soil or rock that water cannot pass through.
- An aquifer is a saturated permeable stratum capable of providing a usable supply of water.
- The water table is the level of groundwater.
- Artesian wells are formed when the water pressure is released by drilling through the top stratum or through a natural opening in the stratum, causing water to be forced upward.
Drinking Water Standards
- The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulates the nation’s public drinking water supply to protect public health.
- National Primary Drinking Water Regulations are legally enforceable standards that limit contaminant levels in drinking water.
- Typical community water supplies maintain pressures between 50 and 100 psi.
- Plumbing fixtures require 8 psi to 30 psi to operate properly.
Water Towers
- Private water towers are typically located on high ground and must be tall enough to provide sufficient pressure.
- They hold a two-day supply of water for a small community.
- Their capacity is typically 1,000,000 gallons or more.
- Water towers provide a reserve of water for firefighting situations and for periods of high demand or power outages.
Elevated Water Storage Tanks
- Elevated water storage tanks are used for buildings that are too tall to rely on street water pressure.
- They are located on top of buildings and typically hold one to two days of water supply.
- They are sized to provide a reserve for firefighting.
Pressurized Tanks
- Pressurized tanks are an alternative to elevated storage tanks in tall buildings.
- They are pressurized to the appropriate pressure.
Reducing Tee
- A reducing tee allows joining different pipe sizes in a supply system.
Sanitary T and Sanitary Y
- Sanitary T and sanitary Y are tee-like fittings used in sanitary drainage systems.
- They create a more gradual turn to prevent blockage.
Couplings
- Couplings are used to join straight runs of pipe.
Unions
- Unions join straight runs of pipe but also allow for easy disconnection for future piping revisions or equipment replacement.
Reducers and Increasers
- Reducers decrease the diameter of a pipe in a water supply system.
- Increasers increase the diameter of a pipe in a sanitary drainage system.
Adapters
- Adapters connect threaded pipe to copper or thermoplastic pipe.
- They have one threaded end for connection to threaded pipe.
Joining Pipes and Fittings
- Mechanical techniques for joining pipes and fittings include threaded joints, insert fittings, hub and spigot, and flared joints.
- Fire suppression sprinkler pipes are often joined using a grooved Victaulic fitting.
- Compression fittings are used for tubing or pipe and involve a nut, sleeve, or ferrule that is compressed tightly around the tube.
- Soldering, brazing, and welding are techniques for joining metal surfaces.
- Soldering involves melting solder below 840°F.
- Brazing involves melting filler metal above 430°F.
- Welding involves a partial melting of the metal surface, resulting in the greatest physical strength.
- Solvent-cementing and fusion welding are used for some plastic pipes.
Valves
- Valves control water flow in a plumbing system.
- The four main valve types are: gate, globe, check, and angle.
Gate Valves
- Gate valves are manual valves with a wedge-shaped leaf that seals against two metal seats when closed.
Globe Valves
- Globe valves are compression-type valves used for occasional or periodic use.
- They regulate water flow.
- They have a higher friction loss than gate valves.
Angle Valves
- Angle valves are similar to globe valves but have a much higher friction loss than gate valves.
- They are commonly used for outside hose bibbs.
Check Valves
- Check valves allow water to flow in one direction and prevent flow in the other direction.
- Swing check valves use water pressure to open the gate and gravity to close it.
- Spring check valves use a spring to close the gate when flow stops.
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Description
Explore the fascinating evolution of plumbing from ancient civilizations to modern times. Learn about key inventions and public health milestones that shaped water sanitation systems. Discover how sanitation practices have changed over the centuries.
