Plumbing
**History of Plumbing:**
– Plumbing originated in ancient civilizations for public baths and water removal.
– Mesopotamians used clay sewer pipes around 4000 BCE.
– Uruk had the oldest brick latrines with fired clay sewer pipes.
– Copper piping appeared in Egypt by 2400 BCE.
– Lead plumbing was common in ancient Rome, with aqueducts and lead pipes.
– Lead was commonly used in water pipes for centuries.
– Roman aqueducts rarely poisoned people due to calcium in the water.
– Wooden pipes were used in London and the US in the past.
– Cast iron and ductile iron pipes were alternatives to copper.
**Plumbing Systems and Components:**
– Major plumbing systems include potable water supply, plumbing drainage, sewage, and septic systems.
– Hydronics systems use water for heating and cooling.
– Buildings may have hot water heat recycling and graywater treatment systems.
– District heating systems like the New York City steam system are examples.
– Pipe fittings like valves, elbows, tees, and unions are used in plumbing systems.
– Plumbing fixtures include water closets, urinals, showers, and sinks.
**Types of Pipes and Materials:**
– Water pipes carry treated water to buildings and are made of plastic or metal.
– Lead, steel, copper, and plastic have been historically used for plumbing pipes.
– Galvanized steel pipes are durable and resistant to mechanical abuse.
– Copper pipes are known for their durability and resistance to corrosion.
– PVC, CPVC, PP, PBT, and PEX are commonly used plastic pipes in modern plumbing.
**Regulations and Standards:**
– Plumbing work in populated areas is regulated by government agencies to protect public health and safety.
– Plumbing installation must adhere to plumbing and building codes.
– The Australian Building Codes Board and the Plumbing Code of Australia govern plumbing regulations in Australia.
– Compliance with building codes ensures safety and quality in plumbing work.
– The Canadian Standards Association sets standards for plumbing products to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency.
**Safety, Health, and Environmental Considerations:**
– Plumbing work directly impacts health and sanitation.
– Regulations ensure uncontaminated drinking water and proper wastewater treatment.
– Certified plumbers play a vital role in public health.
– Canada emphasizes sustainable plumbing practices for water conservation and environmental impact reduction.
– Technological advancements continue to improve plumbing materials and systems for sustainability.
Plumbing is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range of applications. Plumbing uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other apparatuses to convey fluids.Heating and cooling (HVAC), waste removal, and potable water delivery are among the most common uses for plumbing, but it is not limited to these applications. The word derives from the Latin for lead, plumbum, as the first effective pipes used in the Roman era were lead pipes.
In the developed world, plumbing infrastructure is critical to public health and sanitation.
Boilermakers and pipefitters are not plumbers although they work with piping as part of their trade and their work can include some plumbing.