All Sections Flashcards
Should water service pipes be above sewage pipes?
Yes; 12 - 20 inches
what is the min size for water service piping
3/4 inch
where does galvanized steel first fail
threaded connections
should plastic be protected from the sun
yes
what are the 3 types of valves
globe
gate
ball
what is the function of the water pressure regulator
reduce water pressure to 50-60 psi
where is the location of the water pressure regulator
downstream of the main shut off
when is a water pressure regulator required
where muni water pressure may exceed 80 psi
when is a pressure relief valve needed
when there is no bypass
what are the 4 methods of making pipe connections
- soldered
- flare fitting
- joints
- compression fitting
what is a dielectric union
used to joint two dissimilar metals
what is back pressure
downstream pressure > pressure in main
what is back siphonage
reverse flow of soiled water into potable water
what is a water hammer
- loud banging sound in the pipe
- occurs when a valve is shut off
what locations in a house can cross connections occur
- fixtures
- garden hoses
- toilet tank
- dishwasher
- clothes washer
lawn/sprinkler system - bidet
- hot water boiler
- swimming polo
what devices prevent backflow
- air gap
- atmospheric vacuum breaker
- pressure-type vacuum breaker
- dual check valve
- double check valve assembly
- reduced pressure principal device
- backflow preventer
what is a combination sewer
- handles both sanitary & storm water
what is the ideal slope range for piping
1/8 to 1/2
what is the function of a trap
to prevent sewer odors entering the house
why should pipes downstream of a trap be horizontal
to maintain water velocity
what is a trap primer
whenever a fixture is used, a 3/8” diameter plastic tube drips water into the trap to maintain its seal
what is a wet vent
acts as a drain for one fixture and a vent for another
what is the difference b/w a soil stack & waste stack
soil stack carries solid, liquid, and air.
waste stack carries liquid and air
what are the functions of vents
- allows air/odor in front of waste to escape
- prevents vacuums forming behind waste
- prevents siphoning of traps
the stack vent is an extension of what
waste stack
what is the ideal location for a vent
downstream of the trap by 2x the pipe diameter
what is a crown vented trap
when the vent is too close to a trap. there is potential for waste to splash into the vent
what is the max distance a vent can be from a trap
5 feet
what is sway bracing
used to stabilize pipes where seismic activity is an issue
what is galvanized steel good for
vent piping
what does rust look like on copper
green
how high should galvanized steel & cast iron piping be above grade
6 inches
what is min drain pipe size for toilets
3 inches
what is the min trap size for sinks
1 1/2 inches
how many cleanouts should there be per horizontal drain
1
is welded steel permitted for piping
no
how should a clothes washer be connected to a drainage pipe
by using a standpipe
can condensate drain directly into a waste stack
no; potential for sewer gases to enter the house
what is the function of water heaters
provide hot water at 49C
what is a tempering valve
mixes cold water with hot water
what is the typical capacity of a water heater storage tank
30-60 gallons
what are the 4 types of water heaters
- oil-fired
- electric
- gas
4, propane
what material can a water heater be made of
- copper
- aluminum
- copper alloy
- nickel
- plastic
why are water heaters prone to corrosion
constantly use new waters which introduces corrosion causing oxygen
what is the temperature range water heaters operate
49-60C
what is a sacrificial anode
magnesium material that allows chemical reactions in the tank to attack it, instead of the tank
what is a vacuum relief valve
- located on the cold water inlet
- avoids cross connections & tank collapse due to vacuum pressure
- prevents hot water backing into cold water when the cold water pressure is low
larger the burner…
faster the recovery rate = smaller the tank can be
list the order recovery rate speed for water heater types from fastest to slowest
- oil
- gas
- electric
what is the element sequencing for electric water heaters
- cold water drawn into the bottom prompts the lower element on
- once the hot water is depleted from the top, the top element takes priority and turns on
- once the upper element is satisfied, the lower element can turn back on
- both turn off once the target temp is reached
what factors are used to rate a water heater
- volume of water it can hold
- size of the burner
what are poor locations for a gas meter
- under a combustible stairwell
- in unvented locations
- < 3 ft from an ignition source
- under the drip line of a roof
what material is not allowed for gas piping
PVC, ABS
what is the function of a sediment trap
catch obstructions before it reaches mechanicals
what is the drip leg function
collect moisture
what is a Flammable vapor ignition resistant water heaters
Designed to prevent water heat burners from igniting vapor from gas & other flammable liquids
why should vent connectors be as short as possible
make it easy of exhaust products to exit outdoors
how much clearance should be given from water heater vents
6 inches unless a B vent is used
how should manifolding be arranged with multiple exhausting systems
- flue should connect one above the other
- larger appliance should vent before the smaller one
how far. away should oil storage tanks be from an oil water heater
atleast 10 ft
what are some clues there is a buried oil tank
- cant find one indoors
- pipe w/ oil filter and/or shut off valve emerging from the foundation wall
- fill pipe is not right next to the wall
why should oil pipe lines be larger than plumbing pipe lines
in cold climates, fuel oil thickens & doesnt flow well
what size pipe diameter is used for oil pipe lines
2 inch steel
how far away should an oil burner be from combustibles
24 inches
what is the function of the primary controller on an oil burner
ensure the burner has ignited; if it hasn’t ignited b/w 60-90 secs, will shut down
how much should a vent connector slope until it reaches the chimney
1/4 inches uphill per foot
what is max length of a vent connector
10 ft
what is the clearance required for vent connectors from combustible material
9-18 inches
how high should oil & gas water heaters be above the floor of a garage
18 inches
how hot does water have to be to be considered superheated
100c
what is the function of the temp/pressure relief valve
- open & dump water out of the tank if the temp > 100C
- open & dump water out if the tank is > 150psi
when is a trap primer used
on infrequently used traps
what is the min & max trap depth
1 1/2 - 2 inches
when can a trap be below the floor for a kitchen island
if a 36 inch tailpiece is permitted
what can be used for kitchen islands if a 36 inch tailpiece is not permitted
loop vent or circuit vent
where are automatic trap primers located
on the cold water supply leading into the fixture
what are the typical drainage times for basins, kitchen sinks, & bathtubs
Basins = 15-25 seconds
Kitchen sinks = 30-60 seconds
5 ft bathtub = 2-5 mins
what are the functions vent piping
- Equalize air pressure in the waste plumbing system
- Allows air to escape so waste can move through the pipes
- Allows air to be drawn in to prevent vacuums forming
what is the ideal vent pipe arrangement downstream of the trap arm
- run vertically until pipe is atleast 6 inches avove flood level of the fixture
should vent piping be upstream or downstream of a trap
downstream
what is the requirement for wet venting
fixtures must be on the same level
what is the max length vent piping can extend beyond the roof
12 inches
what is the function of sewer ejector pumps
- Used when there are toilets below the sewer line
- If waste cant flow to the sewer line by gravity, pumps are needed to lift the waste to the sewer
what is the function of a sump pump
Handle rain & snow that accumulate around the building
what is the function of a laundry tub pump
Used when the laundry is below the elevation of the sewer
what materials are not allowed in basins, sinks, laundry tubs
wood
concrete
tile
what type of faucet is prone to water hammer
washerless faucets
what is the function of pressure balancing valves
- Sense the drop in pressure on the hot or cold side & reduce the pressure by the same amount on the other side
- Temp stays the same
- Pressure will drop
what is the function of stop & waste valves
- Prevents water from sitting where the pipe will freeze
- Isolates the through-wall section of pipe & drains the water out through the waste valve
what are the 2 types of flushing mechanisms for toilets
- siphon vortex
- siphon jet
what are the recommended clearances for toilets
- 15-18 inches clearance on both sides from the centre line of the toilet
- 21-24 inch clearance in front
what prevents the cross connection issue with bidets
vacuum breaker
how far away should light switches be from the bathtub
Atleast 3 ft away
how far away should light fixtures be from a bathtub
8 ft above the top of the tub
3 ft away horizontally
