Plumbing Terminology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of a septic tank?

To receive and partially treat raw wastewater (correct)

To accumulate floating material like grease and oils

To measure the distance from the liquid level line to the inside top of the tank

To allow the untreated wastewater to flow freely into the tank

What does 'influent' refer to in the context of a septic tank?

The material that results from wastewater pretreatment

The accumulated floating material in the tank

The untreated wastewater entering the septic tank (correct)

The groundwater seepage into the tank

What causes a decrease in treatment efficiency in a sewage collection system?

Groundwater seepage into the system (correct)

Treatment of raw wastewater in the tank

Accumulation of floating material in the tank

Separation of solids and liquids in the tank

What is 'scum' in the context of a septic tank?

Accumulated floating material in the tank including grease and oils Signup and view all the answers

What must be done with septage produced in a septic tank?

It needs to be pumped, hauled, treated, and disposed of properly Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a vent pipe in a plumbing system?

Relieves negative pressure exerted thru the roof Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the drainage system conveys only wastewater or liquid waste free of fecal matter?

Waste pipe Signup and view all the answers

What does a house/building drain do in a plumbing system?

Receives discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside a building Signup and view all the answers

What is a branch in a plumbing system?

Any part of piping system other than a main, riser, or stack Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the drainage system extends from the house drain to the street?

House sewer Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a stack in a plumbing system?

Main vertical piping system Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cone of Depression?

The lowering of water level near a well due to increased flow convergence. Signup and view all the answers

According to Darcy's Law, what does the flow of water through a column of saturated sand depend on?

The difference in hydraulic head at the ends of the column. Signup and view all the answers

How is drawdown defined in relation to a well?

The extent of lowering of the water level when pumping is in progress. Signup and view all the answers

What does head refer to in hydrogeology?

The pressure of water due to the height above sea level. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an artesian aquifer?

An aquifer where water rises above the level at which it is encountered. Signup and view all the answers

What factor does flow velocity depend on in hydrogeology?

The type of soil or rock present. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a trap seal in a drainage system?

To provide a liquid seal to prevent backflow of foul air or methane gas Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a septic tank in a drainage system?

To digest organic matter and retain solids Signup and view all the answers

What does a down spout do in a building's drainage system?

Conveys rainwater vertically Signup and view all the answers

How is potable water distinguished from nonpotable water visually?

Green background with white lettering Signup and view all the answers

What is the trap dip in a drainage trap?

The U-bend portion of the trap Signup and view all the answers

In a drainage pipe, how is the slope usually expressed?

In inches per foot length of pipe Signup and view all the answers

What does transmissivity refer to in hydrogeology?

The capacity of an aquifer material to transmit water under pressure gradient Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the water table in hydrogeology?

It is the upper surface of a zone of saturation Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a corporation cock in water infrastructure?

Valve screwed into the street water main Signup and view all the answers

In hydrogeology, what does well interference refer to?

Drawdown in a pumping well due to drawdown from another pumping well Signup and view all the answers

What is measured using units like gallons per minute and cubic feet per second in hydrogeology?

The volume of water discharged from a well per unit of time Signup and view all the answers

What does a curb stop typically serve as in a building's water supply system?

Control valve for building water supply Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sanitary Drainage System

Freeboard or Airspace: the distance measured from the liquid level line to the inside top of the septic tank
Influent: untreated wastewater or raw sewage entering into a septic tank or any wastewater treatment facility
Infiltration: seepage of groundwater into a sewage collection system that causes dilution of sewage resulting in a decrease in treatment efficiency

Septic Tank and its Components

Scum: accumulated floating material, including grease, oils, and other low-density solid in a septic tank
Septage: liquid, solid, and semisolid material that results from wastewater pretreatment in a septic tank
Septic tank: a watertight rectangular receptacle designed and constructed to receive and partially treat raw wastewater

Essential Parts of the Sanitary Drainage System

Waste Pipe: conveys only wastewater or liquid waste free of fecal matter
Soil Pipe: any pipe that conveys the discharge of water closet, urinal fixtures, with or without the discharges from other fixtures to the building drain or building sewer
Vent Pipe: used for ensuring the circulation of air in a plumbing system and for relieving the negative pressure exerted through the roof
Stack: the vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping extending through one or more stories and extended through the roof
Vent Stack: the vertical vent pipe installed primarily for providing circulation of air to and from any part of the soil, waste, or drainage system
Branch: any part of the piping system other than a main, riser, or stack
House/Building Drain: part of the lowest horizontal piping of a plumbing system which receives the discharge from the soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside of a building and conveys it to the house sewer outside of the building
House/Building Sewer: extends from the house drain at a point 0.60 meters from the outside face of the foundation wall of a building to the junction with the street or to any point of discharge, and conveying the drainage of one building site
Grade: the fall of a line of pipe in reference to a horizontal plane

Trap and Septic Tank

Trap: a fitting or device designed and constructed to provide, when properly vented, a liquid seal that prevents the backflow of foul air or methane gas without materially affecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through it
Trap Arm: the waste are portion of a drainage trap
Trap Dip: the U-bend portion of a drainage trap
Trap Seal: the height of water in a toilet bowl “at rest”
Trap Seal Depth: the vertical distance between the trap dip and the trap weir
Trap Weir: the point of a trap where water will begin to flow down the trap arm

Water Supply and Distribution

Potable Water: water that is safe for human consumption
Nonpotable Water: water that is not safe for human consumption
Alternate Water Systems: alternative sources of water supply

Well Hydrogeologic Definitions

Artesian Aquifer: an aquifer where groundwater is under sufficient pressure to rise above the level at which it is encountered
Cone of Depression: the form of the water surface developed around a well when pumping, resembling a cone-shaped depression
Darcy's Law: the flow of water through a column of saturated sand is proportional to the difference in hydraulic head at the ends of the column and inversely proportional to the length of the column
Drawdown: the extent of lowering of the water level when pumping is in progress or when water is discharging from the flowing well
Flow Velocity: the rate in distance per unit of time that groundwater moves through a soil or rock
Head: the pressure of water on an area due to the height at which the water stands above the point where the pressure is determined
Transmissivity: the capacity of an aquifer material to transmit water under the influence of a pressure gradient
Well Interference: drawdown in a pumping well due to drawdown from another pumping well
Well Yield: the volume of water per unit of time discharged from a well, either by pumping or by free flow

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Description

Test your knowledge of plumbing terminology with this quiz covering terms like fall, trap, trap arm, trap dip, and trap seal. Learn about the different components of a drainage system and their functions.