Chapter 2

PLUMBING MATERIALS, FITTINGS AND FIXTURES

Introduction:

There are numerous kinds of materials available for plumbing installation yet
these plumbing materials will be used in one plumbing system installation.

General Objectives:

1. Identify available materials available for plumbing.

2. Understand some considerations on the use of plumbing materials.
2. Enumerate different kind of pipes for water supply, pipes used for engineering
purposes, and the different type of pipes.
3. Enumerate different considerations in the choices of pipe when installing a
plumbing system.

Considerations in the use of plumbing materials

1. Quality and durability.
2. Resistance to external and internal contact with foreign matters.
3. Resistance to acid waste and other chemical elements that will pass into it.
4. Cost of Materials and labor.
There are instances that a combination of two or more types of plumbing
materials, are used to suit the purpose intended for installation, while availing the
advantages it offers to plumbing.

Two Types of Plumbing Systems in Building

Direct Water Supply System

used in European countries and America because the pressure is sufficient
from the municipal supply of water. The system consists of underground tank and a
pump. The underground tank obtain water from the municipal supply of water and
then pump into different parts of the building using the hydro-pneumatic pump.
Advantages:
1. No overhead tank required so less piping and less maintenance is
required and is economical.
2. The pump was designed so that water can be supplied at any pressure at
any parts of the building.
3. Consumes less energy.
Disadvantages:
1. Pipes may leak due to presence of high-water pressure flowing through it.
2. Requires back-up generator to provide continues power. No power no
water supply.

Indirect Water Supply System

Used when the supply of water from the source is low. It is commonly
observed in Asian countries, Pakistan and India. The system consists of
underground tank and overhead tank. And due to lower water pressure, the water is
supplied to the OH tank through use of pump and flows to respective floors by due of
gravity.
Advantages:
1. There is no threat of pipe burst.
2. If water supply stops due to some reasons, water can still be supplied
from the overhead tank.
Disadvantages
1. Since water in upper portion of the building has less pressure while the
lower floor has high pressure, it will cause problem in working of showers
and flush valves.
2. Requires extra cost of pipes and tanks.
3. Dead weight of building increases.

Pipe
a tube of metal, plastic, or other material used to convey water, gas, oil, or other fluid
substances.

Types of Pipes
1. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Pipes - is resistant to corrosive
chemicals and has a low melting temperature. While used for pipes, it is well-known
for Lego toys, computer keyboards, and wall socket faceguards. This type of pipe
can be used for draining sewage and wastewater from households. It is good for
DWV (drain waste vent) systems. It is not flexible. In other words, it is solid.
Figure:

2. Brass Pipes - is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is widely utilized in and for many
household items like locks, bearings, doorknobs and plumbing applications such as
tubes.
Figure:

3. Cast iron Pipe - Most common types of pipes and is made predominantly
from gray cast iron. Is popular for water-distribution systems due to its high
resistance to corrosion and consequent long life. Such pipes are generally made
from 5 cm to 120 cm in diameter. Under normal conditions, a cast-iron pipe could be
expected to last 10 years.
The usual length of a pipe section is 12 feet, but lengths up to 20 feet may be
obtained. Cast iron pipe is made in several wall thickness classes for various
pressures up to a maximum of 350 psi. Used in sewer lines of homes and
commercial properties. It is strong and can withstand the weight of dirt and stone
without breaking. Yet, these pipes can rust and corrode very fast.

Figure:

4. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes (CPVC) - A non-corrosive pipe can be

used for cold and hot (around 180°F). It is durable and easy to use. CPVC is
different than PVC because it is altered with a free radical chlorination reaction
that effectively increases the chlorine content of the material.
CPVC can also be a thermoplastic that is molded into many of the same
products as PVC. This process makes it possible to with-stand a greater range
of temperatures. Because CPVC has more applications than PVC, it is more
expensive.
Figure:

5. Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride Pipes (uPVC) - also known as rigid PVC,

Pipes & Fittings are used for all plumbing purposes in residential &
commercial buildings. Ideally suited for looping at each floor level, outdoor
 installations & concealed pipelines for cold water distribution. UPVC is having
strong resistance against chemicals, sunlight & oxidation from water. UPVC is
widely used in construction because it is durable, cheap, and easily worked.
Figure:

6. PVC Pipes - is one of the best-known pipe options. PVC is synonymous with
“pipe”. It is widely utilized in residential plumbing for waste drainage and vent
applications.
Figure:

7. Copper Pipes - are made of small diameter. a tube-like material made by copper
and is often used for heating systems and as refrigerant line in HVAC with
considerable strength, reasonable ductility and high corrosion resistance. It is a mild
metal and can be bent easily. It is joined by flanged joints or union joints and does
not bend or sag even at high temperature. Copper pipes come from two types: soft
copper and rigid copper.
It is classified into:
Heavy gauge – refers to the wall thickness which is considerably thicker.
Medium gauge – wall thickness is medium
Light gauge – wall thickness is lighter
Figure:

8. Cross-Linked Polyethylene Pipes (PEX) - cross linked polyethylene, commonly

abbreviated PEX, XPE of XLPE is a form of polyethylene with cross-links used
predominantly in building services pipework systems, hydronic radiant heating and
cooling systems, domestic water piping and insulation for high tension electrical
cables. It is heat resistance and can be used for hot and cold water supply. Easy
plumbing material to use.
Drawback:
Cannot be used in outdoor application because UV rays can damage its
plastic layer and can be a breeding of insects if it perforated.
Figure:

9. Galvanized Steel Pipes - Galvanized steel is coated with zinc to prevent rust.
This type of pipe has been popular in houses built before 1960 – replaced lead
 pipes for water lines. The problem with galvanized steel pipes would be
eventually the zinc coating erodes which then results in rust.
Figure:

10. Galvanized Iron Pipes - G.I pipes are made of mild steel sheet. It is coated with
a layer of zinc to prevent rusting and increase its durability and lifespan. The process
is called galvanization. These pipes are prepared from 12 mm to 150 mm in
diameter. They can be found in 6 meters length and with ab average age of ten
years. It can easily be joined by threading, cutting with the help of socket. However,
these pipes is prone to rusting with the effect of water acidity and alkalinity.
Figure:

11. Steel Pipes – These pipes are used to carry gas, water, or certain other liquid
from one place to another under pressure. These are made from steel sheets. Small
pipes have welded joints along the length, which is not visible while large pipes have
a riveted joint or welded joint. It can be joined by a welded joint and can easily bend.
However, acidic water and alkaline water will rust these pipes and repair of these
pipes is difficult.
Figure:

12. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipes - probably the most effective pipes
on the market. It comes in various thicknesses and may be used in demanding
pressure environments.
This type of pipe may bend into a 90-degree angle, and a few have 50 years
warranty on account of their high quality. Roots may never grow into this type
of pipe, and that is why they are best recommended for water lines and sewer
lines in different applications.
Figure:
13. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Pipes - For plumbing purposes, this tubing
can be used for water softening lines. It is resistant to many solvents, acids,
alkalis, and gases. It is very stress crack resistant, flexible, and durable.

Figure:

14. Polypropylene Pipes – this pipe is flexible, which may be bent and run around
different objects. It is ideal for transferring hot liquids and gases in beverage
and food handling applications. It may be used for small fluid system support
structures, or as a liner in metal piping systems.
Use in manufacturing operations where extreme resistance to acids and alkalis
is required.
Figure:
15. Polythene Pipes - Polythene pipes are used for cold water services. Today,
plastic pipes dominate the others by some advantages as follow:
 Ease of installation.
 Do not require threading.
 Resistant to bacterial scale.
 Do not corrode.
 Cheap in cost.
 Less weight.
But, its use is limited to cold water only because it cannot sustain high
temperatures.
Figure:

16. Vinyl Pipes – a type of tubing that is widely used in laboratory settings and at
home such as home-brewing. It is not widely used for plumbing applications,
but we included it because it is sometimes a useful tubing option to run liquids
through.
Figure:
17. Lead Pipes – a pipe that has high corrosion resistance, flexibility, and hydraulic
coefficient of flow. But lead content in water can lead to poisoning effects that
are harmful to people. Thus, it is not preferred.
Figure:

18. Asbestos Cement Pipes - are made of mixtures of asbestos paste and cement
compressed by steel rollers to form a laminated material of great strength and
density. This type of pipe is available in diameter of 4 to 36 inches in 13 feet lengths.
The pipe is made in various grades, the strongest being intended for internal
pressures up to 200 psi.
The joint is as resistant to corrosion as the pipe itself and is flexible enough to
permit up to 12° deflection in laying pipe around curves. Used as vent pipe, soil
pipes and rainwater pipes.

Figure:
19. Stoneware Pipes - These are manufactured in ceramic industries by burning
soft soil at high temperatures. These are used for carrying drainage in the
underground. For the installation of a stoneware pipe, skilled workers are
required.
Figure:

20. Concrete Pipes - known as a rigid pipe that provides both structure and conduit
when it arrives on site. Can be reinforced or unreinforced with varying diameters. A
small unreinforced concrete pipe are considerably used for drainage of rainwater
Large diameter are generally used for major water supply works.
Figure

Pipe Fittings
Refers to piping components in a piping system to achieve a certain geometry
as per the requirements of piping system. It is a piece (such as coupling or elbow)
which is used to connect straight sections of pipe or tube, adapt to different sizes
and for other purposes such as regulating fluid flow.
Fittings Purposes:
Fittings that changes the direction of flow of water: elbows and tees
Fittings that change the size of plumbing: reducers, reducing tees
Fittings that stop the flow at dead-end of the plumbing line: couplings and caps
Types of Pipe Fittings
1. Adaptor – used for extending pipe runs in forward direction with the same or
different diameters. By using adaptor, two dissimilar pipes can be connected in the
same run. Its function is similar to couplings.
Figure

2. Barb - generally used to

connect hoses to pipe. It is essential to have a male at one end and on the other
end has a barbed tube, which is a ridged and tapered cone. Plastic barbs are used
when it needs to carry cold water and brass if they carry hot water.
Figure:

3. Couplings - It is mainly used to connect the two pipes of the same diameter.
Couplings can also be used to fix pile leakage or broken problem.
Two types
1. Compression coupling - is mostly used to connect two pipes and it is able to
prevent leakage by the arrangement of gaskets or rubber seals on both sides,
otherwise, glue is provided.
2. Slip coupling - has two pipes that are arranged as one into another. It is made up
such that the inner pipe can slide up to some length. So, it can solve the problem of
long length damaged pipe by slip coupling.

Figure:

3. Cross-Type - Cross-type pipe fitting has 4 vents or opening in all 4

directions and there are perpendicular to each other. This type of fitting is used
when there are 4 pipes that are meeting at the same point. These types of pipe fitting
must be made from strong material as it has to bear more stress. These stresses
come from the point where all 4 pipes connect from different directions. These types
of pipe fitting are majorly used in the sprinkler system.
Figure:

5. Double Tapped Bushing - is one type of nipple itself, but it has to thread on
both the inside and the outside. It is named as double-tapped bushing because of
its center hole is threaded (tapped) from both top and bottom. It has only a female
end.
Figure:
6. Elbow - It is generally used to change the direction of the pipe run. Elbows
are available in different angles 22.5º 45 º and 90 º. Normal types of elbows are
used for a pipe of the same diameter and reducer types of elbows are used when
diversion is to be done for a pipe of different diameters. They are made from different
materials. Elbows are mostly available with female threads and we can fix them by
butt or socket welding also.
Figure:

7. Mechanical Sleeve - are generally used to connect two pipes by a screw or other
fixtures. This arrangement makes it easy to fix and repair. The mechanical sleeves
are mostly manufactured from a rubber material that is inserted inside a metal
jacket (stainless steel clamp). As we tight the mechanical sleeves claim, it
compresses the rubber inside to make a tight seal.
Figure:

8. Nipple - most useful pipe fixture in the plumbing system. The nipple is not
connected to two pipes, but it connects two pipe fittings together. It is a small pipe
fitting that can be made of metals such as copper, brass or steel, or chlorinated
polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). A nipple with continuous threading, then it is called a
closed nipple. The nipple is available in males and comes in varying lengths.
Figure:

9. Reducer - The fitting used to make a larger flow area smaller is called a
reducer. It has two types one is concentric reducer joins two pipes on the same axis,
and the eccentric reducer is used to join pipes of different diameters.
The concentric reducer mostly has a cone shape while eccentric reducers look
somewhat like bells with offset center lines. They prevent air bubbles in the pipes.
Figure:

10. Tee - It is has shaped like the letter “T.” it has an inlet and outlet. Tees are
available in different sizes and are considered sturdier than the cross fitting. A
diverter type of Tee is used in heating systems that use water. This Tees has the
directional marking and needs to be installed correctly for the system to operate.
Figure
11. Union – Somehow similar to couplings, but the difference is unions are easy to
remove making them convenient for maintenance or a planned future replacement.
Generally, it has three parts: nut, male end, and female end. It is mainly utilized to
join the male and female ends.
A coupling nature is more permanent and needs to be cut out.
Figure:

12. Valve - mainly used to regulate or stop the flow of fluid in a pipe. There are
various types of valves such as throttling, non-return, and isolation.
Non-return valves only allow the liquid to flow in one direction and are often found
in drains. They’re also called check valves.
Isolation valves are an important part of the plumbing system so that the system
can be serviced or maintained. These valves have the nature of left open or left
closed all the time. However, they are mostly used in an emergency, they should
be checked now and then to see if they’re operational.
Throttling valves are likely used to control the pressure and amount of fluid.
Because this valve experiences the stresses mechanism, they tend to wear out
faster than other valves. Generally, these types of valves are installed near isolation
valves.
Figure:
13. Wye – These type of pipe fitting resembles the letter “Y,” this fitting is made to
connect three pipes. It permit the pipes to change their elevations and to branch
out into freshwater lines or drains. It is somehow similar to tee but the smoother
angling reduces friction and turbulence in the water. It is mainly used to connect a
vertical drain pipe to a horizontal one.
Figure:

14. Cap - It has almost similar utility to a plug. But the main difference is that the
plug contains male threads and the cap contains female threads which are screws
on the male thread of the pipe. They are manufactured from different materials
like rubber, copper, steel, plastic, etc.
Figure:

15. Olet - types of pipe fitting are generally utilized where there are standard sizes
of fittings that are not suitable for our requirement. If there is inlet pipe size is
larger compared to outlet pipes in t-sections then also Olets are used.
There are different types of olet available. Some important types of olets are:
  Butt-Weldolet
 Socket weld Olet
 Threaded olet
 Elbow olet
Figure:

16. Plug - one of the most important accessories of a plumbing system which is
generally used to close pipe opening during inspections and repairs. Plug most
has male threads.
Figure:
References:

1. Fajardo, Max [Link]. , Plubming Design and Estimate., 2nd edition.

2. Grondzik, W. T. and Kwok, Alison G., Mechanical and Electrical Equipment
for Buldings, 12th edition., Interactive Resource Center, Wiley.
3. Janis, R. R. and Tao, William K. Y., Mechanical and Electrical Systems in
Buildings, 6th edition. Pearson Educatinal, 2019.

Video Resources:

2. [Link]