CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO PLUMBING
Definition of terms
plumbing:
This is the systems of pipes, tanks, fittings, and other apparatus required for the water supply,
heating and sanitation in a building.
plumber? Is a person who specialize in installing and maintaining systems used for potable
water.
History of plumbing
The Indus Valley civilization extended from North-East Afghanistan to North-West India, and
archaeological sites in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa reveal that these sites once held buildings of
two or more storeys in which rainwater from the roof and wastewater from upper storey
bathrooms and toilets were carried downward through enclosed terracotta pipes or open chutes,
and finally disposed of in nearby street drains [2]. Even as early as 3000 BC, there are cities that
show evidence of a well-integrated public water supply system and well-planned drainage
system; this is thought to be the world’s first urban sanitation system, in which individual homes
or groups of homes obtained water from wells and wastewater was directed to covered drains in
major streets [3]. History also reveals that in Athens, Rome, there were water carriage drainage
systems. In Rome, there was a large drain known as “Cloaca Maxima”; measuring about 1.6 km,
it was designed as a paved and vaulted tunnel for conveying the city’s sewage, wastewater and
rainwater into the river Tiber [4]. The drain is still running for limited use.
During the time of Roman civilization (circa 40 BC), ceramic pipes were used, and water was
distributed by lead pipes [5, 6]. Since lead dissolves in water, continuous consumption of lead-
contaminated water resulted in sickness and death. The Indus civilization in Mohenjo-Daro and
Harappa was more advanced. At that time, copper and iron pipes were commonly used [7]. In
addition to executing water supply and drainage works, plumbers also worked on storm drainage
and installed flue pipes, used for removing gases from kitchens and fireplaces. According to the
Xinhua news agency, the world’s earliest water closet is in China; quite like what is used now,
this 2000-year-old toilet consisted of a stone seat and a comfortable armrest, complete with
running water [8].
In the mid-14th century, developing society and builders realized the importance of the role of
plumbers and demanded better quality of work at competitive prices. Plumbers also felt strongly
about their commitment to their jobs. This ultimately led to the formation of a guild of plumbers
in England in 1365 AD, known as the “Worshipful Company of Plumbers”. The company was a
trade association of plumbers and protected their professional rights and trade interests. It
provided technical education to the plumbers as well.
Until the middle of the 17th century, pipes made of wood, clay and lead were used. At that time,
no high pressure with standing pipes was available. Later, with the development of pumps driven
by steam, cast iron pipes were developed.
In the late 19th century, the invention of the flush toilet is widely attributed to the plumber
Thomas Crapper of England, who also installed toilets for Queen Victoria and patented a U-bend
siphoning system for flushing the pan [8].
Scope of plumbing systems
It is important to understand the scope of work of a plumbing professional and the type of
service one has to deliver. Plumbing professionals shall be capable of dealing with all these
services, and they will advise architects or other concerned professionals regarding the space,
load requirements for equipment, pipe etc. To be used in plumbing works. Plumbing services
include one or multiple systems of the following.
1. Water supply related various systems
a) Cold water supply
b) Hot water supply
c) Chilled water supply
d) Water treatment for building occupants
e) Pump selection, installation and maintenance
f) Steam and hot water boiler selection and related works
g) Fire suppression system
h) Garden hydrant system
i) Fountain, cascade and water fall
j) Swimming pool water supply, treatment and conditioning and
k) Interior-scape irrigation: manual and automatic
2. Waste disposal-related various systems
a) Plumbing fixture, pipe equipment selection, installation and maintenance
b) Soil, waste and vent piping
c) Building sewer
d) Basement drainage and pumping
e) Sewage pump selection and installation
f) Swimming pool, fountain, water cascade, water body and
g) Wastewater recycling and reuse.
3. Storm water management-related systems
a) Rainwater harvesting: rainwater collection, storage, filtration, disinfection and distribution
b) Storm water drainage and
c) Groundwater recharging.
4. Gas supply related systems
a) Fuel gas supply in building
b) Special gas like oxygen, nitrous oxide etc. For medical applications and
c) Steam supply for heating.
Importance of plumbing
1. Plumbing is related to environment, particularly water environment
2. Plumbing may pose health hazards and endanger life
3. Plumbing is a concern for energy and resource saving
4. Plumbing can cause loss of property
5. Plumbing is indicator of development and
6. Plumbing development is subject to regulatory systems.
Plumbing is the most vital and basic building service to be developed in a building to be used by
any living beings, even it is for a short while. Plumbing addresses not only various natural needs
for living in a building but also the environment and safety of the occupants in the building. So,
plumbing in a building shall have to be developed with utmost care so that it doesn’t pose any
negative impact on the environment and health of the occupants. Plumbing has many other
implications for which its importance is well considered in building development. Following are
the important reasons that plumbing is getting recognized for its importance.
i. Environmental aspects of plumbing
The basic objective of plumbing development is developing water supply and sanitary drainage
systems in a building and its premises. The source of water is either surface water or, in some
cases, underground water. Due to faulty or non-engineered plumbing development and poor
maintenance, excess consumption and waste of water might happen. This will ultimately result in
over-extraction of water from these sources, causing various negative impacts on the water
environment. On the other hand, over-consumption of water means excess wastewater
generation, which might cause an overload in treatment, resulting in poor quality effluent and
degrading water environment in the disposal area. Faulty plumbing, particularly drainage
systems, primarily pollutes the indoor environment through ingress of foul sewer gas into toilets
or kitchens and after to the respective building floor spaces, thus polluting the indoor
environment. So, good plumbing development helps to reduce water consumption and
wastewater generation, thereby safeguarding both the inside and outside environment.
ii. Health aspects of plumbing
Plumbing is primarily of concern for health, sanitation and agronomy aspects of any given
building’s occupants as well as for the plumbers. Plumbing codes provide strict guidelines for
plumbing installation in the interest of public health. The majority of the guidelines are governed
with respect to the environment and safety issues, as these are also concerns of public health.
Plumbing addresses all sorts of microbial, chemical and physical risks in its planning, design,
installation and maintenance. Even in choosing plumbing material, health risks are considered.
The surface finish and features of some fixtures and appurtenances are categorically guided
considering the public health benefits.
iii. Energy aspects of plumbing
In plumbing, various equipment and appliances are used which need energy to operate. More and
bigger sizes of equipment or appliances used mean more energy will be consumed. So, avoiding
those elements or, where unavoidable, using smaller sizes would be the good engineering
practice to save energy and cost. Pumps, water heaters, pressure reducing valves etc. Are the
important elements of plumbing from the perspective of energy consumption. So, in selecting the
types and sizes of these elements, special attention is to be given.
iv. Plumbing damaging property
Plumbing elements, predominantly pipes and some appurtenances, are generally installed behind
the wall, under the floor or suspended from the ceiling of a building. In some cases, pipes are
installed inside the masonry walls, passing through walls, beams or floors. In special cases,
openings into floors, walls or beams are needed to pass through a good number of pipes.
Punching holes in masonry walls, beams or floors after construction might cause damage to these
structural elements, which weakens the strength and stability of the structure. In water-retaining
structures, particularly in water reservoirs, installing pipe by making holes and then sealing the
gap around can hardly ensure a watertight joint, resulting in leaking water accumulating on
supporting floors and ultimately damaging the affected masonry elements. The most notorious
occurrence in plumbing are micro leakages in pipes, in very remote, not quickly visible and hard-
to-reach locations, which might cause substantial damage to a property and incur additional costs
for rectification. Poor maintenance or carelessness in repairing pipe leakages intensifies the
damage of a building structure,
v. Plumbing as a development indicator
Plumbing can be considered as an indicator of development. In developed countries, plumbing in
all buildings is highly valued as an important building service for safety, sanitation and comfort.
In underdeveloped countries, plumbing is comparatively poorly valued, mostly from a sanitation
perspective. Health, environmental and energy aspects of plumbing are generally well addressed
in the plumbing of developed countries, where these works are highly regulated along with other
building service works. In developed countries, plumbers are given a license subject to acquiring
job competency by going through practical training and certificate courses, and thus becoming a
comparatively high-paid, skilled worker. In developing or underdeveloped countries, many
plumbers are found working without a valid license, and so, plumbing there is poorly developed
in many cases.
vi. Regulatory aspects of plumbing
Where there is a building to be occupied by any living beings, plumbing is there. Areas under
man-made development need to be built where plumbing is unavoidable. So, all countries need
some sort of guidelines to develop plumbing. In developing areas, much of the plumbing work is
mostly regulated by the government or semi-government agencies due to its direct impact on the
public’s health, safety, welfare, environment etc. To protect the occupants of the buildings and to
ensure quality and safety of their property, plumbing development must be done according to the
plumbing and building codes. Plumbing works need permits to be obtained by the plumbing
contractors and the plumbers and are typically secured from the relevant building regulatory,
water supply and sewerage authorities on behalf of building owners
Principles of plumbing
Plumbing is installed in a building for providing convenience, comfort and safety as well as
sanitation and good environment for the occupants. It also helps to maintain a good environment
inside and around the building.
In a building, water and gas are mostly supplied in adequate quantity and with desired quality to
the points of use; however, human excreta, ablutionary water, kitchen wastewater and excess rain
or storm water are drained off of and from buildings, through developing a plumbing and
drainage system. The basic objective of plumbing installations should be such that the system
provides quick supply of wholesome, sufficient water, and at the same time disposes of waste
quickly and sanitarily. Furthermore, it should be kept in mind that the plumbing system shall be
safe for users, particularly where high pressure, temperature and electricity are concerned.
Plumbing installation should be done in such a way that it does not impair the strength of
building structures or deface the building aesthetic.
To accomplish the job of plumbing, energy is consumed, mostly in the water supply system, for
which dependency on power – either electricity or fuel (diesel) – increases. Loss of energy
means loss of money and resources. So, energy conservation is another major concern of
plumbing.
From these facts, it can be well understood that the plumbing system must be developed based
on some principles. The basic principles of plumbing development are as follows.
1. The supply of any resource (water and gas) shall be made safe and sound, ensuring adequacy in
quantity and acceptability in quality, collecting from a potential source and carrying to the points
with demand
2. Drainage of wastewater shall be done quickly and in a sanitary way, maintaining good indoor
and outdoor environments and ensuring safety as well
3. Drainage of storm and rainwater shall be done after its maximum harvesting, ensuring safety of
user and environment
4. Plumbing shall be developed without impairing structural integrity and aesthetics.
In order to follow these principles, the following sub-principles shall be fulfilled.
1. All the premises and buildings made for human use or habitation for a considerable time shall be
provided with the supply of pure water, having no chance of any contamination.
2. The supply of water or gas shall be made at sufficient flow rate and maintain adequate pressure
for all plumbing items to function satisfactorily without creating any unwanted situation.
3. Plumbing system shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water or gas
consistent with proper performance of devices and appliances and efficient cleaning of
wastewater.
4. Plumbing elements susceptible to potential hazard shall be installed, maintained and operated
properly and carefully.
5. Every premise and building located near a public sewer shall have its drainage connection to the
sewer system properly.
6. Each family dwelling unit shall have a minimum of one water closet, one basin or sink, a shower
to fulfil the basic requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene.
7. Plumbing fixtures should be made of non-absorbent material with smooth finished, and shall be
free from sharp edges and fouling spaces, and shall be housed in ventilated enclosures.
8. The drainage system shall be designed, installed and maintained to prevent the fouling, deposit
of solids, clogging, supported by adequate clean-outs so located to facilitate easy maintenance.
9. To ensure satisfactory service, all planning and design shall be done by certified professionals,
elements shall be made of durable approved materials and installation shall be free from
defective workmanship, done by licensed plumbers.
Building trade relationship to plumbing
1. Masonry the major work of a building construction of a masonry deal with stones,
concrete, bricks. The mason construct floors and walls, pipes will be expected to pass
through a wall or floor, in this respect the plumber should know the core technique
and tools used in masonry work, so work schedular require the plumber.
2. Carpentry this is the work of a carpenter in the building construction, his major note is
(a) Construction of timber structures for roof work
(b) Fixing ceiling
(c) Making doors and door frames
(d) Timber wall and floors
3. Surveying the main role are examining the site and are.
i. Levelling and boundaries
ii. Mapping of the site
Revision exercise
1. Briefly describe the history of plumbing?
2. Distinguish between plumbing and masonry
3. State the relationship between plumbing and carpentry
State the role of the plumber
