Weeks 1-2 Water Systems

Question 1

Information and regulations can be found where?

Answer 1

Part 7 of OBC, ASHRAE, and National Plumbing Code of Canada.

Question 2

Water treatment

Answer 2

Pumped and filtered, typically by municipality before distribution.

Question 3

What is the pressure of water?

Answer 3

Force over area; litres per meter (pascal) or pound per square inch (psi)

Question 4

Types of pipes:

Answer 4

Steel pipes - industrial non potable.
Copper pipe - potable heavy use.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - economy drainage.
Polyethylene cross-linked (Pex) high strength plastic for high pressure systems.

Question 5

Plumbing systems are designed using…

Answer 5

Fixture units (defined as 1 cubic feet of water) to determine pipe sizes. Pipe sizes on flow rate chart - flow rate at pressure drop.

Question 6

How to find pressure.

Answer 6

Pressure ranges recommend pipe lengths based on pressure, pipe size and fixture units

Question 7

Plumbing system design requires:

Answer 7

Fixture units, pressure, flow rate, distance.

Question 8

Drainage

Answer 8

PVC is cheap but not suitable for hot water. Used in drainage, waste and vent.

Question 9

Black iron pipe

Answer 9

Only suitable for gas, hot water heating, chilled water cooling.

Question 10

Common drainage slopes

Answer 10

0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%

Question 11

Invert

Answer 11

Is the lowest level of the pipe at the floor or base level.

Question 12

Oil receptors

Answer 12

Used for garages, commercial plants to reduce contaminants in system. Sensors placed by municipality.

Question 13

Clean outs

Answer 13

Required by municipality to allow for cleaning. Usually at each bend and inline.

Question 14

Water traps

Answer 14

Used to block odours

Question 15

Drainage funnel

Answer 15

To stop backflow

Question 16

To calculate domestic piping:

Answer 16

Find fixture units which gives flow, and distance which gives pressure drop. Ensure slop meets invert.