Practical No.

15&16

Assemble a pipe line as per given drawing

using pipes of one inch diameter, pipes of half
inch diameter, nipple, reducer, union, valves
T, elbow and then dissemble this pipe line.
Part I and Part II
Introduction

• At the same time, a plumber must also have knowledge of the various pipe
fittings like elbow, union, gasket, etc., joints and valves, and where these
should be used while carrying out the tasks. Not only does this help in
smooth functioning, but also ensures cost-effectiveness. For proper
installation of the plumbing system in a building, various types of joints
are used, which are shown in Fig. As already mentioned, various types of
fittings like elbow, gasket, union, etc., are used for making joints. It helps
in changing the direction of water supply from main pipes to subsidiary
pipes. Proper fitting also helps in checking leakage in the plumbing lines.
Tools Used for plumbing
The major tools used in plumbing are categorised as:
1. Holding tools (d) Rover jumper
(a) Bench vice (e) Trowel
(b) Pipe vice (f) Screw driver
2. Fitting tools (g) File
(a) Wrenches (h) Pliers
(b) Water-pump pliers (i) Caulking tools
(c) Spanners (j) Drill machine
3. Cutting tools (k) Drill bit
(a) Pipe cutter (l) Hanger
(b) Hacksaw (m) Measuring tape
4. Pipe bending tools (n) Plumb rule and bob
(a) Pipe bending machine (o) Spirit level
(b) Threading dies (p) Spade
5. Other tools (q) Shovel
(a) Chisel
(r) Pickaxe
(s) Mortar pan
(b) Hammer
t) Masons' square
(c) Chain wrench
(u) Water level tube
Pipe Fittings
• Pipe fittings are an important component of the plumbing system. In
plumbing, many types of fixtures are joined with the help of various types of
material as per the requirement. Fittings are fixed in the plumbing system to
join straight pipes or any section of tubes. We can say that the water-supply
fittings like elbow, tee, socket, reducer, etc., are fitted to change the direction
of flow, distribute the water supply from the main pipe to other pipes of equal
size or lower size, etc. Any part used in connection with water supply,
distribution, measurement, controlling, use and disposal of water is known as
a pipe fitting (Fig. 5.2).
• Type of Fittings
1. Collar
2. Elbow
3. Gasket
4. Union
5. Reducer
6. Tee
7. Nipple
8. Trap
• Collar: While joining two pipes in the same length, collar is used. Collar
is fitted in the end of pipe
• Elbow: It is installed at the time of joining two pipes. With the help of an
elbow, the direction of liquid is changed. Normally a 45° or 90° elbow is
used. When the two sides of pipes differ in size, an elbow of reducing size
is used. This is called reducing type elbow or reducer type elbow.
• Elbows are categorised as follows
• Long Radius (LR) Elbows
Here, the radius is 1.5 times
the diameter of pipe.
• Short Radius (LR) Elbows
In this, the radius is 1.0 times
the diameter of pipe.
• 90° Elbow This is used
when the change in
direction required is 90°
• 45° Elbow This is used
when the change in
direction required is 45°
Gasket
• They are mechanical seals, generally ring-shaped type
and fitted for sealing flange joints. A flange joint is a
plate or ring to form a rim at the end of a pipe when
fastened to the pipe. Gaskets are made as per by
construction, materials and features. Important gaskets
used are non-metallic, spiral-wound and ring-joint type
• Union When two ends of pipes are joined, the pipe
fitting used is called union. A union is made of three
parts namely a nut, a male end and a female end. The
male and female ends are assembled with the support of
the nuts, and necessary pressure is made to connect the
joint. Since the pairing ends of the union are
interchangeable, the union can be changed easily in a
short time
• Reducer It is used to connect pipes of different
diameters. A reducer may be of various types like
reducer tee, reducer elbow and reducer socket
• Tee It is an important fitting with a side outlet at 900 to
the run of the pipe. Tees connect pipes of various
diameters and help in changing the direction of water or
material in a pipe. Tees are made in various sizes like
equal or unequal. The equal tee is most commonly used
• Nipple It is a piece of pipe having thread at both
sides, and could be used for short extension of
plumbing lines. It can also be used for connecting
two fittings within small distance
• Trap It is a fitting in a P, U, S or J-shaped
type .Traps are fitted near a plumbing fixture. The
trap bend is fitted to prevent sewer gases from
entering the building. If the gases are inserted
back into home, then it could lead to people
inhaling foul smell, which could cause illnesses.
It could even explode.
• Cross When four pipes are joined, a cross is
formed. It is also called a cross branch line or a
four-way fitting. This fitting has three outlets and
one inlet. Cross fittings may deteriorate when
temperatures change, because cross fitting is
made at the centre of the four connection points.
• Offset When an assembly of fittings on a pipeline
makes one section of pipe out of line and parallel
to a second section, then it is known as an offset
Pipe Joints
• Pipes are connected with the help of joints. A variety of joints are used in
an assembly of pipes. Connecting two or more pipes together is called a
fitting. Various types of joints could be used in a pipe as per the
requirement. Joints are also used for multiple pipe connections, and are an
important component of the plumbing system. Generally, the pipe joint
fitted can easily sustain the pressure created in the pipe.
• Types of pipe joints Various types of pipe joints are as follows.
1. Threaded joint
2. Welded joint (butt welded, socket welded)
3. Brazed joint
4. Soldered joint
5. Grooved joint
6. Flanged joint
7. Compression joint
• Threaded joint When pipes are joined by screwing in threads which are
provided in the pipe, it is called a threaded joint. In this joint, one of the pipes
has internal threads whereas the other pipe has threads externally. Thethreads
are also made in various pipes like PVC, CI pipes, copper pipes and GI pipes,
etc. Threaded joints are used from 6 mm diameter to 300 mm diameter pipes.
• Welded joints (Butt-welded joints) It is one of the most common methods of
joining pipes used in large infrastructure like commercial, institutional and
industrial systems. Cost of material are low, but the labour costs are more due to
the nonavailability of trained welders and fitters. Socket-welded joints These are
used when there is a high chance of leakage in the joints. Pipes are joined as
putting one into other and welded around the joint, as shown. Pipes having
different diameters are suitable for this type of a joint. Socket-welded joint gives
good results as compared to other joints.
• Brazed joints When pipes are joined with the help of molten filler material at
above 840°C, it is called brazing. Brazing is done for connecting copper pipes
or copper alloy pipes. It is important to note that the melting point of the parent
material (pipe material) should be higher than the filler material. Brazed joints
have less mechanical strength, and are preferred in case of moderate
temperatures
• Soldered joints Soldering and brazing are similar activities. In soldering, the
filler material melts below 840oC. With the help of soldering, copper and
copper alloy pipes are joined. During soldering, flux or metal joining material is
used to prevent oxidation due to the flame. Soldered joints are suitable for low
temperature areas and have low mechanical strength
• Grooved joints When two pipes are joined together by making
grooves (narrow cuts or depression) at the end of pipes with the help of
sockets or couplings, such joints are called grooved joints. Due to the
ease of assembly of the grooved joints, the labour cost is less. The
piping system can be easily uninstalled and reinstalled frequently for
maintenance These are mostly used for fire protection.
• Flanged joints This joint is commonly used for joining pipes in
pumping stations, filter plants, hydraulic laboratories and boiler houses,
etc. These joints are preferred due to easy process of assembly and
disassembly, however these connections are costly. These joints can be
disassembled and re-assembled when required. A pipe has flanged ends
on both sides of the pipe length. Both the ends of pipes are joined at a
proper level near one another. A hard rubber washer is placed between
flanges and bolted. Flanges are generally fixed to the pipe by welding
or threading. In certain cases, a flange-type joint is also called a lap
joint. It may also be made by forging the process and machining the
pipe end. There is no leakage in flanged joints even after rapid
temperature fluctuations.
• Compression joints These are applied to join the pipe without any
preparations. The cost of installation of these joints is very economical.
The pipes having plain ends are joined by fixing fittings at their ends,
and such a joint is called a compression joint. The pipe ends are joined
with threaded fittings or couplings. Joints are placed properly to check
the flow pressure, otherwise, leakage may occur. These fittings are
manufactured from different types of material. Selection of fittings is
done as per requirement
 Valves
• For proper functioning of the pipeline, valves made of iron or brass are used in the water-
supply mains. Valves stop or control the flow of fluid like liquid, gas, condensate, etc.
These are classified according to their usage like isolation, throttling and non-return
corrector. Various types of valves are manufactured depending upon their use and type of
construction.
1. Sluice valve It is fitted at an important place like at the entrance of a pipe. It may be the
start of a new pipe from a tank, or a number of branches from the tank. This valve
isolates the water-supply, as and when required. The sluice valve is specified by the pipe
bore (diameter) of the water-way. The standard sizes are 50 mm, 65 mm, 80 mm, 100
mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm. The sluice valves are classified as Class 1
and Class 2
2. Scour valve This valve is provided at the lower level in a pipeline, so that such sections
can be supplied and drained for maintenance purpose. The water is distributed into
natural drains. It is basically a sluice valve and the very nature of its use has created the
difference in the name.
3. Air valve It is fitted to release the air automatically when the pipe is filled with water.
This valve also permits entry of air when the pipe is drained. This valve is fixed at the
end of a communication pipe and controls or stops the supply of water. This valve is
specified by the standard bore (diameter) of the socket or pipe outlet, to which it is fitted.
The standard sizes are 8 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 32 mm, 40 mm and 50
mm. The body components and washer plate are made of cast brass or leaded tin bronze.
The washers are made from fibre, leather, rubber or nylon. This valve is available in two
types: internally threaded and externally threaded.
4. Gate valve It is used for starting or stopping flow. For a straight-line flow of fluid,
minimum flow restriction can also be done with gate valve. In service, these valves
are generally either fully open or fully closed. These valves are used for various
types of liquids and make a tight seal when closed.

Types of Gate Valve:

– Parallel slide Gate Valve
– Angle Valve
– Non Return Valve
– Globe Valve
– Foot Valve
– Float Valve
Safety during work
The following precautionary measures may be taken for the safe use of the
plumbing tools.
1. Use the correct methods given in the ‘Instruction Manual of tools’ while using
them.
2. Use the appropriate tools required for the specific work or job. For example, do
not use pliers instead of a hammer; use only a hacksaw to cut.
3. Keep the tools in working condition and ensure the required maintenance.
4. Ensure that the necessary protective equipment are available.
5. Follow safety methods while using electrical wires.
6. Use kerosene oil for removing dust from rusty nuts.
7. Do not use tools without a handle as they may not give proper grip.
8. Remove burrs or stuck material from the head of the chisel and the edges of
tools.
9. Wear safety glasses while using power tools like a drill machine.
10. Keep metal parts lightly lubricated.
11. Do not apply excessive pressure or force.
12. Inspect the tools regularly.
13. Use or wear safety gear (helmet, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, ear plugs, etc.).
Thank You...