Plumbing Systems Overview

Plumbing Systems

• A septic tank is designed to retain solid waste, digest organic matter, and allow liquids to discharge into the soil through a seepage pit.
• A pressure less than atmospheric is referred to as a vacuum.

Standpipes

• An automatic standpipe system operates by opening a hose valve.

Soil, Waste, and Vent Piping

• The vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping extending through one or more stories and extending through the roof is called a stack.
• The extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack is called a stack vent.

Fittings

• A tapped tee is a type of tee with a branch to receive a threaded pipe or fitting.
• A loop vent is similar to a circuit vent, but it loops back and connects with a stack vent instead of a vent stack.

Water Supply Systems

• A water supply system consists of the water service, water supply line, water distributing pipe, and necessary branch pipe fittings, valves, and appurtenances for supplying potable water.
• A welded joint or seam is obtained by joining metal parts in a plastic molten state.
• A yoke vent is a pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack below the floor and below the horizontal connection to an adjacent vent stack at a point above the floor.

Vents

• A dual vent is also known as a revent or backvent.
• A circuit vent is a pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack below the floor and below the horizontal connection to an adjacent vent stack at a point above the floor.

Drains

• A yard is an open, unoccupied space other than a court, unobstructed from the ground to the sky.
• A U-shaped fitting is also known as a wye.

Pipes and Fittings

• A tee with two-gated outlets permitting two connections of the same or smaller coupling diameter to be taken from a single supply line is called a wye.
• PPR stands for Polypropylene Random, which is commonly used on water supply piping.

Traps

• A drum trap is a cylindrical trap commonly used on the drain pipes of bathtubs and bidets.
• A P-trap is commonly used on the drain pipes of sinks and lavatories.

Joints

• Screwed joints are commonly used on galvanized steel pipes.
• An adapter is used in joining galvanized steel pipe with plastic pipe.

Expansion Loops

• Expansion loops are used in hot water supply piping systems.