4. Plumbing Materials Flashcards
What is PVC?
Polyvinyl Chloride pipe used for sanitary drain, vent piping, above and underground water drainage, water mains, and water service lines. Connected with primer and solvent cement
What is CPVC?
Clorinated Polyvinyl Chloride cream colored piping used for hot and cold water distribution connected with solvent cement. 180 degrees, 100 psi. Very expensive
What is CPVC typically used for?
Sprinklers. Chicago won’t allow use.
What is PEX?
Cross-linked Polyethylene used for hot and cold water distribution. Flex line connected via press fittings or expander tool. 1/2 inch to 2 inch.
What are the benefits of PEX over Copper?
Faster installation, chemical and corrosion resistance, superior strength, high-temp and pressure resistance
What is the Extrusion Process?
Resins are heated, softened, and forced through a circular die. Creates a completely smooth inner surface.
What is an Expansion Loop and what is it for?
Allows water to expand in line through heating. Ticks and bangs in a drain line are a sign of expansion
What info does Plastic Pipe Markings provide?
Size, manufacturer, resin type, press. rating, standardization authorities like ASTM, etc.
What types of material are used for DWV?
Plastic, copper, cast iron.
What is a Home Run System and what does it do?
Plumbing design in which centrally located manifolds ditribue water to wach fixture with dedicated hot and cold lines. PEX
Review Fitting Styles on pg. 99.
Elbows, long-turn elbows, street elbows, stanitary tee, double sanitary tee, long-radius T-Y, cleanout adapter, why, double wye, test tee, closet flange, coupling, bushing, trap adapter, etc.
What is Fire Caulk and what is its purpose?
Fire resistant caulk used to seal joints around piping and other gaps to prevent fire from jumping floors in a building
What is a Steel Plate Protector and its purpose?
Placed between drywall and wooden beams to protect pipes from being puncured by nails or screws
What are the charicteristics of K copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?
Heaviest gauge, used in refrigeration. Green writing. Very expensive
What are the charicteristics of L copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?
Standard gauge, used in water piping. Blue writing. OK for Chicago Codes
What are the charicteristics of M copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?
Thinnest and cheapest water piping. Red writing. Against Chicago Codes
What are the charicteristics of DWV copper pipe, its primary use, and color markings?
Thin copper for Drainage only, typically in commercial buildings due to cost. Yellow writing
What is the difference between K,L,M copper fittings and DWV fittings and why?
K,L,M fittings have deeper wells to receive more solder, because they are pressurized pipe
What are the two styles of copper pipe called and what are their characteristics?
Annealed Copper, soft and flexible. Drawn Copper, rigid and sturdy
What is Wrought Copper fittings?
Dull gold in color, heavier duty, made from 99.0 percent commercially pure copper. Rare
What are Copper Press Fittings?
Solderless fittings joined through compressing fittings to pipe. Compressing pipe seals rubber gasket inside the fitting.
What are benefits of Copper Press Fittings?
No sweating, more expensive but much faster install 20 to 1 ratio, water in pipe doesn’t prevent sealing. Direct Crimp is the best type
Where are Compression and Flare Fittings used and why?
Typically buried underground. Don’t handle strain on joints
Why is No-Hub Cast Iron drain pipe not allowed in Chicago?
Union pushing to maintain Bell and Spigot for added labor time
How do you join No-Hub Cast Iron?
Sliding on a neoprene sleeve and then a coupling band and tighten
What are Malleable Iron Fittings and what are reasons for not using them often?
Poured iron into dies and are threaded for connection. Heavy and split if over-tightened. Worst made in China
What are the two class sizes for malleable iron pipe fittings?
Class 150, thinner. Class 300, heavy-duty
How are 2” and smaller valve bodies made different from 2 1/2” and larger?
2” and smaller are typically made of all cast-bronze. 2 1/2” and larger are typically cast-iron with bronze internals
What is a Gate Valve?
Full-way valve in which a threaded stem raises and lowers a wedge. Not for water regulation. Replaced by Ball Valves
What is a Globe Valve?
Valve with a pliable, circular disk that is compressed against a seat. Can regulate water flow
What is a Stop and Waste Valve?
Nonrated Globe Valve with a side port used to drain fluid from the outlet side of valve. Controls water flow to fixtures like sillcocks to prevent freezing
What is a Sillcock?
Valve with a pipe that extends 10 inches into a house with an inner seat that stops water before the valve to prevent freezing
What is a Corecock?
Valve through which water or gas flow is controlled by a circular core or plug that fits closely to a seat. 90 degree turn, water flows through the core as the valve is turned
What is a Ball Valve?
Valve in which flow is controlled by a ball that fits tightly against a pliable seat. The best valve
What is a Butterfly Valve?
Thin valve with a rotating disc that seats against a resilient material. 90 degree rotation
What is a Check Valve?
Valve which only allows water to flow one way
What is a Backwater Valve?
Valve used to prevent backflow of sewage into a building. Flapper-type, Combination, Auto-knife
What is a Pressure Reducing Valve?
Automatic valve used to convert high or fluctuating pressure to a lower or constant outlet pressure. Usually 30 year lifespan
What is a Relief Valve?
Valve designed to relieve pressure, high temp, or both to prevent. T and P valves have a temp probe
