Plumbing

Fire hydrants are connected to cast or wrought iron pipes, in which the water is under constant pressure, their disposition being such that operators may have easy escape. Pipe sizes for this work should be carefully calculated to ensure an adequate supply at all points.

Drinking fountains are usually connected to the main water supply, while unfiltered water may be used for ornamental fountains.

Drains.

With ever increasing heavy traffic, drains are best constructed of heavy cast iron, jointed with metallic lead. The use of this material is facilitated by the number of fittings of varying angles now obtainable. In large buildings drains are often fixed on walls or suspended from ceilings in basements, especially where basement floors are below sewer levels. Such drains must be properly sealed at all openings and traps. This procedure necessitates extra provision of ventilating pipes to protect the water seals of traps and to remove gases. Access covers are made air-tight with greased felt washers.

Soil pipes may be in lead or iron. Lead is preferable because of its internal smoothness, adaptability, freedom from corrosion, and permanent soundness when jointed with wiped soldered joints, especially when in concealed positions inside buildings. Lead should not be used for the waste of slop sinks where hot water is used. Cast iron pipes are used where strength is required.

Waste pipes may be in lead, iron or copper. When lead is used for main waste pipes through which heated discharges pass it must have expansion joints to obviate fracture, it must be well sup ported to prevent sagging. Wrought iron and copper pipes are largely supplanting lead for waste pipes because of their greater strength, whereby they maintain their alignment between fixings.

Special malleable iron fittings are used with wrought iron wastes to maintain internal bore without recesses for lodgement.

Both soil and waste pipes require adequate ventilation to pre serve the water seals of traps.

Sanitary Fittings.—All fittings such as baths, bidets, lavatories, slop sinks and water closets should be fixed on impervious floors. The craze for open baths is disappearing. When covered, these fitments should be entirely enclosed so that there is no possibility of undesirable articles being placed underneath. The essential points of sanitary fittings are absence of corners where filth may collect, adequate water supply, quick discharge arrangements, proper trapping and ventilation to preserve the water seals of traps.

In large houses different types of sinks are used for various purposes, such as the reception of slops, preparation of vegetables and food, washing up, etc.

Bath rooms en suite with bedrooms are becoming common, and wash basins with running water are frequently fixed in bedrooms. These often necessitate concealed piping systems, which work should only be entrusted to skilled plumbers who have proved their ability as craftsmen and their knowledge of sanitary principles.

Roof Work.

An outstanding feature of plumbing is lead work on roofs. Although lead is not so largely used for covering large flat roof surfaces as formerly, it is in evidence upon practically all roofs in the form of gutters, flashings, etc., for making watertight joints between slated or tiled roofs and brick walls, chimneys, etc., in addition to covering dormer windows, stone cornices, domes, turrets and other ornamental features. The great malleability of lead and comparative ease with which skilled plumbers can boss it into intricate shapes renders it invaluable for this purpose.

For some years there has been a revival in the use of cast lead rain-water pipes, heads, cornices, etc., because of its undoubted superiority and lasting qualities.

Milled sheet lead is more generally used for roof work, al though for the very best work, as on cathedrals, and the like, cast sheet lead is still largely used.

An entirely new feature of plumbing is the covering of steel columns and constructional work with ornamental cast lead, both for preservation of the metal structure and to give artistic appearance.

Hot Water.

The increasing number of baths and wash-basins has added much work under the category of plumbing in the arrangement and fixing of domestic hot water apparatus. This consists of the fixing of boilers and storage vessels with circulating pipes between the same, and adequate draw off pipes. Especial points to be considered are the sizing of pipes and vessels to ensure adequate heating of the water, while at the same time providing sufficient supplies; effective insulation to conserve heat; and gen eral arrangement of pipes to ensure the withdrawal of all heated water, upon the opening of taps, before cold water can find exit. One of the greatest faults in this direction is the possibility of drawing cold water from taps while heated water is bottled up in the apparatus. While gravity circulations are more general, accelerating pumps are often installed to ensure adequate circu lation and supplies.