Ch 4 Supply Pipe Fittings (PVF College of Product Knowledge) Flashcards
Supply Pipe Fittings are designed to do what five things?
1. Extend or join a pipe line in the same direction. 2. Change the direction of a pipe line. 3. Branch off a pipe line. 4. Close off an opening in a pipe line. 5. Connect pipe sections of different diameters (reduce or enlarge).
First and most basic thing to determine in fitting specification?
What Material is being used for the piping system - copper, pvc, pex?
Are most types of pipe fittings interchangeable between systems?
No, most are not, for example, fittings for SS cannot be used with copper.
Except with certain adapter types of fittings
What is the Weight Grade?
In terms of
strength, the fittings used must have
a pressure capability equal to the
piping material being used.
The method of identifying pressure grades of fittings varies from one system to another. What are they?
1) With some, the identification is essentially the same
as the pipe with which it is used (for plastic piping—Schedule 40, Schedule 80, etc.
2) With others, the classes are identified according to
pressure rating (class 150, class 300, etc.).
After determining the basic type and weight grade of the piping system, what consideration comes next?
The means of connection involved. What method of
connection will be used? Sweat (soldered or brazed)? Flare? Compression?
What additional consideration applies to fittings for metal piping systems specifically?
The
material and process employed to
make the fittings
For a steel piping system with greater pressure capability, would you use malleable iron or cast iron fittings?
Malleable
After selecting Malleable iron for great pressure capability steel piping system, what would help you further identify the desired strength?
pressure rating (class 150, class 300, etc.).
What are the Type Options for fittings used with steel piping?
there is commonly the option of plain (also called “black” or “unfinished”) or galvanized. In addition, certain fittings are sometimes specified with a chrome- plated finish (usually in applications where they would be exposed to view, or where sanitation or corrosion resistance would be factors).
What is the Geometric Explosion Syndrome? How does it relate to pipe fittings?
If you start out with 100 different models of widgets in your line, and decide you “simply” want to add a left-handed option, you don’t just add one more model to your catalog—you add 100 more. That’s what we’re dealing with here on the subject of pipe fittings.)
3 types of fittings to extend or join a pipe line in the same direction?
Couplings, Nipples, and Unions
What is a Coupling and how is it used?
The coupling is one of the simplest fittings used. In function, it is a sleeve used to join two sections of pipe or tube in a straight, in-line run.
What are the 2 Coupling Variations
1) Conventional
2) Extension Piece
What is a Conventional Coupling?
By far the most common, this is a simple sleeve with a female opening at either end for connecting to the mating pipe ends.
What is an Extension Piece Coupling?
In this case, the fitting has a female opening on one end, with a male connection on the other end.
What are Nipples?
Nipples are short “male” pieces used to join with female components. Essentially, nipples are simply short pieces of pipe.
Where are store bought Nipples primarily used?
Threaded piping systems. On the other hand, nipple
requirements in copper and non-threaded plastic piping systems are simply met by cutting pieces of tube
or pipe to length on the job.
When is a piece of pipe male threaded at both ends technically considered a Nipple?
Technically, a nipple is
considered to be a piece of pipe that
is 12” or less in length.
The numerous specific lengths of nipples available fall within what 3 general size categories?
1) Close: This is the easiest to identify, not only because it is the shortest, but because it is the only type with threads across the entire length (threads from both ends meet in the middle).
2) Short (sometimes called “shoulder”): This term covers the intermediate lengths, and has a portion of plain, unthreaded surface between ends.
3) Long: Obviously, this is a longer version than the short, threaded on both ends with an expanse of plain unthreaded surface in between.
Some Nipples have a Hex in the middle to facilitate tightening with a wrench. What is a Hex?
“Hex” is a common industry term referring to a six-sided shape—like a nut—for engaging with a wrench.
What is a Union?
A union is a fitting that is used to permit a quick disconnection in a pipe line, or to make possible the final assembly of components.
Having right-hand threads on both ends, the nipple cannot screw into both openings at the same time. In other words, screwing one end unscrews the other end. What the solution?
The Union.
A union is essentially a coupling that breaks in the middle, with the two ends being joined together by means of a threaded nut. Each end component has a female provision for connecting to a pipe end. The third primary component in a union design is a threaded collar—a nut that draws the two ends together when tightened.
What is the most common union type?
The more common type is one that seals with a
sort of “ball and socket” relationship.Called a “ground joint,” this design is a little more “forgiving” in cases where sections of pipe being joined may not be perfectly in line with each other.
Two Types of Fittings to Change Direction?
1) Elbows
2) Return Bends
3 types of elbows?
1) Regular Elbows
2) Street Ells
3) Drop Tear Ells
What are the characteristics of regular elbows?
regular elbows have two
female openings for connection to
the adjoining pipe sections.
What are the common Elbow Angles
45 and 90 degrees
What are the characteristics of a Street Ell?
This variation is different than the regular elbow in that it has a female connection on one end, and a male connection on the other. The advantage of this design is that it can eliminate the need for a nipple in certain cases.
What are the characteristics of Drop Tear Ells?
These are essentially regular elbows with short flanges (ears) extending f r o m one end of the bend. Holes in the ears are used to secure the fitting to the wall framing, which in turn, makes the pipe run rigid at that
point.
What are Return Bends?
Here, we have a
“U”-shaped fitting with female
connections at both ends (like two
90° elbows stuck together).
Return bends are commonly available in
what three configurations that relate to
the radius of the bend itself in each
case?
Close, Medium and Open.
A close return bend has a very tight radius, resulting in positioning the connecting pipe sections extremely close together.
What are the 3 Types of Fittings that Branch Off?
1) Tees
2) Wyes
3) Crosses
What are the characteristics of a Tee?
Shaped like the letter “T,” this design has two female connections in line with the primary pipe run, and a third female connection at a right angle out the
side.
What are the characteristics of a Wye?
Same basic concept here as
the “tee,” except that the side outlet
comes off the fitting at a 45° angle,
rather than a 90°.
What are the characteristics of a Cross?
These are like “double tees” —they permit the creation of two branch lines off the single fitting that contains four female connections positioned at 90° angles to each other.
What are the 2 Types of Fittings to Close off a pipe line?
1) Plugs
2) Caps
Purpose of a plug?
These parts are designed to
seal off a female opening in a piping
system.
What is the purpose of a Cap?
These are the female counterparts of plugs. Instead of mating with openings, caps are used to close off male components—pipe ends.
What are the 2 types of Fittings to connect Pipe Sections of different diameters?
1) Reducers
2) Bushings
What are the characteristics of a Reducer?
This is similar to the coupling in that it has two female connections for joining the related pipe ends. In this case, however, one female opening is always smaller than the other.
What are the characteristics of a Bushing?
These fittings are often confused with reducers; however, the bushing has one male connection (always the larger), and one female connection (always the
smaller).
Bushings are available in what two
basic configurations?
1) Hex Bushing
2) Face Bushing
What are the characteristics of a Hex Bushing?
This type has wrench flats on one end, and is used where it is not necessary for the part to be screwed flush with the mating female component.
What are the characteristics of a Face Bushing?
On this type,
the male threads run the entire
length of the fitting. It is used where
a flush fit is desired.
What is it called when engineers combine functions into a single fitting?
Hybrid Variations
What are Transition (Adapter) Fittings?
Fittings designed to allow one type of pipe system to be joined to another.
True or False: Most fittings are not interchangeable between systems of connections.
True
Name three basic types of fittings that join a piping run in the same direction.
Couplings, Nipples, and Unions
Name two basic types of fittings used to change the direction of a piping run.
Elbows and Return Bends
Name three basic types of fittings used to branch off a piping run.
Tees, Wyes, and Crosses
Name two basic types of fittings used to close off a piping run.
Plugs and Caps
Name two basic types of fittings used to connect pipe of different diameters.
Reducers and Bushing
What do you call a coupling that has a male connection on one end?
Extension Piece
True or False: Nipples are basically short pieces of pipe.
True
What are the three general length categories of nipples?
Long, Short, Close
What fitting permits a quick disconnection in a pipe line, or permits assembling the final components in place?
Union
