Plumbing Flashcards
supply systems
clean, clear and potable water systems under pressure
sanitary waste systems
for removal of contaminated water; rely on gravity for drainage
static head
pressure available to overcome friction in the entire system; measured in inches of water
1 psi = ___ ft. of water = ___kPa
- 31 feet (1 psi will raise a column of water by 1 ft)
6. 895 kPa
1 ft^3 of water = ____ gallons
7.5 gallons
lift = ___
height (ft)
- 31 psi/ft
acidic/alkaline
pH below 7/pH above 7
hard water
contains limestone, magnesium, or calcium. these get deposited in the plumbing system; can be removed by ion exchange
carcinogenic water
contains insecticides, DDT, PCBs, asbestos…
diseased water
contains bacteria or viruses (often from human or animal waste)
cause of color or odor in water
organic mater, inorganic salt, dissolved gas. can be corrected by filtration or chlorination
turbidity of water
caused by suspended solids; not usually hazardous. can be treated by filtration
water source: well
drilled or bored; cast iron perforated pipe inserted to prevent collapse but allow seeping
water source: suction pumps
used to raise water less than 25’
water source: deep well jet pump
used to draw water up to 100’ or more
water source: turbine pump
for deep, high capacity wells
water source: subversive pump
for small residential use; pumps from below the water line into a pressure tank
water source: municipal supply
upfeed
downfeed
treated water pumped at 50 psi
pressure from main delivers to fixtures; limits height to 40-60’
water from main pumped up to holding tank; gravity provides feed to fixtures
water pressure: pneumatic tank
pressurized tank on lowest level provides for upper levels
water pressure: tankless system
multiple variable-speed pumps provide pressure on demand. accounts for friction, which is greater when pipes have smaller diameter
psi and water use: toilet
25 psi
3-5 gal/flush
psi and water use: shower
12 psi
3 gal/min
psi and water use: bathtub faucet
5 psi
4 gal.min
psi and water use: hand washing
8 psi
2.5 gal/min
psi and water use: washing machine
8 psi
4 gal/min (40 gal/load)
psi and water use: dishwasher
8 psi
4 gal/min (15 gal/load)
surface runoff
water flow when soil is saturated
catch basin
reservoir in which debris and sediment from runoff can settle before entering storm drains
invert
lowest point or inside surface of drain or pipe
culvert
drain/passage that moves water below ground - typ. large diameter concrete or metal pipe
storm drain
underground conduit that carries runoff from a catch basin to a body of water
dry well
underground structure above the water table that dissipates unwanted water into the ground
3 quality control measures in stormwater systems
- infiltrate water into soil
- retain/detain for later release
- convey runoff slowly through ventillation
solar water heater: direct (open loop)
water is heated in collectors then used in fixtures. simple and efficient, but freezes easily
solar water heater: indirect (closed loop)
a fluid (with antifreeze) collects the heat and transfers it to the water through a heat exchanger. there is a loss of efficiency
solar water heater: batch
water is heated directly in a black tank in a glass box. simple but freezes and loses efficiency - nighttime cooling
solar water heater: thermosiphon
passive open loop - natural movement of water circulates it. storage tanks are above conductors
solar water heater: drain-down
open loop that drains collectors when the temperature is freezing; water is wasted, so it’s best in climates where freezing is rare
solar water heater: drain-back
indirect stem: water collects heat, in pumped into heat exchanger to heat a coil of domestic water. pump turns off when it’s cold and water is drained to a solar storage tank
on-site waste disposal: septic tank/leach field
underground tank collects sewage. solids remain and liquids are drained to the leach field, a grid of ceramic pipe that lets it soak into gravel and soil. 100 gal/day/person; 500 gal min.
on-site waste disposal: cesspool
cheapest and worst; an underground pourous chamber leaks into ground until it clogs. then you start over.
