Fixtures Flashcards
What are fixtures made from?
Porcelain, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, fibreglass / various plastics
Plumbing code requires every fixture to have what?
A hard, corrosion-resistant surface that can be kept clean and sanitary.
What is porcelain made with?
Kaolin, quartz. feldspar and silica
What is Vitrification?
A process which porcelain and glaze are heated to 1400 C (2600F)
Then cooled rapidly
Vitrified porcelain is also called?
Vitreous china
What is vitreous china used to make?
W/C, lavs and urinals
What has high strength and are resistant to chemicals?
Vitrified fixtures
What has high density and low noise transmission?
Cast iron
Enamel prevents corrosion of what?
Ferrous metal and resists mild acids / alkalis
True or False: Stainless steel sinks that heavier in gauge are more resistant to dents + better sound insulation
True
What is the downside of Acrylic / other plastics?
Has a high rate of thermal expansion + may split when subject to very high / low temps
What does Fixture trim include?
Faucets, drain fittings, showerheads / chrome finish.
A combination of brass + chrome, zinc, copper, plastic or china make up what?
Faucets
What are the most common materials used for supply / waste trim?
Cast brass + acrylic plastic
What type of material makes up internal components of trim?
Brass (made from copper / zinc)
Why are valves made of brass?
Highly resistant to corrosive effects of hot / cold water
True or false: Brass fittings used in potable water are required to be lead free.
True
What is the max lead % that can be used for pipes, pipe/plumbing fittings + fixtures?
0.25%
True or false: Fixtures are regulated by nationally developed (CSA or equivalent) standards.
True
What are the basic plumbing fixtures?
W/C, urinals. lavs, drinking fountains, sinks, bathtubs, showers, bidets, floor drains, interceptors, hospital / institutional fixtures + Emerg fixtures.
What are the common materials used for making W/C?
Porcelain, stainless steel + reinforced plastic.
What are the 2 most common W/C mounting patterns?
1) floor mounted (bottom or back outlet)
2) wall mounted (back outlet)
Code: W/C installed in public washrooms must be…
Elongated / have a front opening in toilet seat
What are the most common W/C designs? (there’s 4, BRSW)
Siphon jet
Reverse trap
Blowout
washdown
(You need a siphon jet for a blow out to have a reverse washdown)
Explain Siphon jet
Uses jets + siphoning action to evacuate contents
Is used in normal toilets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmsIYwf8QqQ
What is a trapway?
Is a passage that carries waste + water from the bowl –> outlet
Is a min of 5 cm (2”) in diameter
What is a weir?
Is the trapway’s highest point
Maintains a certain level of water in the bowl to prevent sewer gas to enter the dwelling
What is a Reverse Trap?
Had a trapway that discharged toward the back of the closet bowl
Is the same as Siphon jet toilet BUT trapway is smaller (less than 2”), also less surface area of water in the bowl.
Designed due to water conservation concerns.
What is the Blowout style flush?
Seen in a wall-hung toilets
Has a large water surface area + deep water seal
A large vol of water is needed to evacuate contents due to lack of S trap.
Carrier support needed with these toilets
Not common for residential
What is a washout style toilet?
The earliest design of flushing toilet
Waste outlet is at the front of the bowl
Suction is not developed in order to help with waste removal
Relies on only head pressure to empty bowl. This causes water to rise high before contents are removed.
What are Urinals made with?
Vitreous china or stainless steel
What are 2 main types of urinals?
Stall urinals
wall-hung urinals
Explain stall urinals
Are not equipped with dividing walls
Are washdown-style urinal –> gravity flow of water along the inner walls of fixture –> trapway does not empty completely dt slow water flush = grossness + pn in the ass
floor mounted
Drain is located near users feet
Trap is located below the finished floor level
Wall - hung urinals, GO
Flushing style differ: gravity - assisted flush tank, metering valve or direct flush style.
Carriers are needed for support
What methods of urinal flushing are there? (WASH)
Washdown
Automatic flush
Siphon Jet
High - Efficiency
Explain Washdown Urinal Flush
Water connection at top, water slowly flows to wash inside of fixture. (pee pee washed out instead of flushed out)
Flushed via 1/2” self closing metering valve or flush tank
Explain Automatic Urinal flush tank
Not used dt large amounts of water used up
Tanks fill slowly via constant trickle of water / discharge automatically when full.
Siphon jet urinals
wall hung urinal
water in trapway is completely replaced on each flush.
flushing action is dt 3/4” direct - flush valve
High - Efficiency urinal
Has a flush vol of 1.9 L (0.4 gal)
Can save 18000L (3900 gal) of water / year
What is the purpose of a Lav?
To wash hands / faces
What are Lavs made from?
vitreous china, enamelled cast iron or steel, copper, stainless steel, stone or plastic
True or False: Lavs don’t have a concealed overflow
False: they do have one.
What are the 3 styles of lavs?
Wall hung –> used free access for wheelchairs
-Supported by wall - mounted bracket
-Pedestal basin = false center leg
Vanity (countertops)
-Are self-rimming - must be carefully measured
Pedestal
What is a dental cuspidor?
spitoon for a dentist office (includes suction, water / compressed air)
What are the various types of sinks? (KLS)
Kitchen sinks - 16 g = thick, 22g thin
- Mastic coated beneath to insulate sound transfer
- Prohibited from having concealed overflows (traps
food/organic waste)
- Overflow prevention = weir (middle divider) is lower
Service sinks –> aka floor mounted sinks
- Found in commercial, industry + medical facilities
- Includes janitors faucet => hose attachment to fill quickly
- Cast iron P-trap standard - are common
- Trapway = 3”
Laundry sinks
- common in older homes.
- Also used to drain washer’s discharge hose (if standpipe
absent)
The skirt or apron describes what part of the tub?
The front of the tub (side not touching the wall)
Determines if tub is a left side or right side tub
Do bathtub drains have overflows?
Yes
Showers…
I gots nothing
What were bidets designs for?
Washing the genital areas
True of False: a bidet is only designed for clear water waste.
True
Floor drains, go
- a plumbing fixture installed in a floor of a building to accept a flow of water or other liquid.
- Typically 2 - 4”
What is the point of an Interceptor
To intercept unwanted particles or substances before they can enter the downstream drainage system
What is the primary purpose of a grease interceptor?
- To slow the flow of FOG and separate it from liquid waste.
- Also called grease traps (must maintain min 1 1/2” water seal)
What does an internal baffle do?
Separates fats / grease from wastewater.
How does autoclaves clean?
Moist heat that is supplied by boiling water, free-flowing steam or pressurized steam.
What is a portable or installed sterilizer?
sanitizer that submerges instruments or needles in boiling water for a fixed period of time.
Does not kill all bacteria.
What is a prison toilet?
W/C that are made from stainless steel, have a small basin above it and all seems / fasteners remain out of sight.
What is the purpose of an outlet fitting? (pop up tailpiece)
It prevents dirt / debris from collecting at the rim.
Designed to be flush with the surface
What are the common types of drain mechanisms?
(Private Play Makes Life Toe touch)
Plug + play
Pop-up (aka mechanical PO)
Mechanical
- Brass plug
- Rocker arm
- Cable driven
Lift and turn
Toe touch
What does PO mean?
Patent Overflow
What type of drain does a bath tub use?
Waste and overflow fitting to prevent overflow if left running.
What is a crumb cup?
Basket strainer
What are the rules of Dishwasher drainlines?
- Connection must be made upstream of sink’s trap to prevent
sewer gas entering the dishwasher. - Discharge hose must be connected as high as possible in order to
prevent backflow of sewage into dishwasher sump.
What is another name for a fixture stop?
Shutoff valve
Rules for Fixture supply tubes?
- Max length: 30”
- Min ID of tube 1/4”
What is the max permitted flow rate of a faucet?
8.3 LPM (2.1 US GPM)
What are the 4 types of Faucet mechanisms?
(Becky Calls Cousins C*nts)
Ball
Ceramic
Compression
Cartridge
What are tub diverters?
Combination shower + tub valve
What is the max permitted flow rate for a shower head?
9.5 LPM (2.5 us Gal)
What is the max outlet temp for a bath or shower?
49C (120F)
Explain pressure balance valve
Does not sense temp of water. Only the ratio of hot and cold water supplied to the valve.
Explain Thermostatic valves
Has 2 handles:
1 - controls mix of hot and cold
1 - controls on / off + volume of water passing through the valve
Senses the actual temp
Laundry boxes often have a ___ “ drain connection
2”
What weight must a water - closet carrier support?
weight of the wall mounter bowl + full weight of user and not transfer any weight to the wall of piping
Universal design focuses on what?
Ease of use
Easy access
Adjustability
Safety / stability
Plumbing codes set the what for fixture installation support?
min standards
Manufacture specs provide what?
detailed information on proper installation / finish
Types of supports / fastenings required for each fixture are listed where>
Manufactures specs
Curtain rods are installed at what height?
1.9m (6’-6”) above subfloor
Shower heads are installed at what height?
1.9 - 2m (6’ - 8’) above subfloor
A wingback measurement is what?
1/2” (13mm) female iron pipe thread (FIP)
How big of an opening should be made to fit the tub overflow / drain in?
6” x 12”
Where should a stop flow control be roughed in for a W/C?
6” to the left of centreline of w/c flange
6-8” up (from finished floor)
Stop itself is 3/8
What are the rough-in measurements for a w/c
min 12” from finished wall (1/2” for drywall) for behind the toilet
min 15” from finished wall (1/2” for drywall) for the side toilet
Dishwasher info, go
A separate stop for hot water supply connection
Connection is made upstream from P trap
washing machine standpipe is a min of what?
24” (600mm)
Building code when cutting holes?
holes cannot be larger than 1/4 depth of a member
no closer than 2” from the edge
W/c should have how much clearance in front and to the side?
In front = 18”
to the side = 15”
Architectural drawings supply what?
- provides dimensions for each room / identify arrangement of fixtures
- Contains info about materials, floor plans + elevations
- Rough - in connections
Structural drawing provide?
- helps plan the way that piping can travel within walls
- Identifies load-bearing members
Mechanical drawings provide?
- Where supply piping, drainage / waste / vent lines travel
True or False: Authority having jurisdiction has the final say regarding plumbing fixture installation.
True
Should plumbers putty be used on countertops or basins made of synthetic marble?
No, causes staining
High temperature dishwashers must heat water to what temp?
82C (180F)
