Definition of Plumbing
The Practice, Materials, and Fixtures to any Building in connection with the following:
- Sanitary Drainage and Vents
- Storm Drainage
- Water Supply
- Backflow Device Connections
- Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems
- Indirect Waste Piping
- Connections of any Premises to Water Supply System and/or Sewage Disposal Facility
Basic Plumbing History
- Natural features of Earth as plumbing systems (water transport via clouds and delivery by rain, purification from rocks in streams, waste removed by streams and rivers. Plumber is concerned with man-made systems.
- First plumbers were people using cups and trenches to move water then it was the Babylonians 5000 years ago creating Cisterns made from stones to collect rainwater.
- Vented toilets were used in Crete 4000 years ago The Romans had the most extensive system in these times.
- Romans gave us the word plumber which comes from Latin word Plumbum meaning Lead. Lead workers were known to do the plumbing tasks.
- After the fall of Rome plumbing declined in use causing the epidemics of the Middle Ages.
- During the late Middle Ages plumbing made a comeback for survival of large population centers.
- Modern fixtures were invented in the nineteenth century.
- Bathtub was invented by Lord Russell of England in the 1830s.
- Siphonic toilet invented by Sir John Harrington and improved by Sir John Crapper in the 1880s.
- In the US inventors and plumbers developed plumbing systems in the 1850s.
- In the 20th century three fields combined to produce safe water systems: 1. pure water production and delivery to public 2. The total field of Plumbing and 3. The sewage and waste treatment industry.
- 2 DVDs history channel’s Modern Marvels, Plumbing the Arteries of Civilization and Modern Marvels, Bathroom Tech.
Ensuring The Health, Safety, and Comfort of Society (4 areas)
Most Important responsibility of a plumber is to ensure the safety of our potable water supply.
Cross Connections -
A connection between two otherwise separate piping systems, one that contains potable water and one with questionable safety, steam, gas or chemical that may flow into the other depending on pressure differential between the two.
Leakage -
Occurs due to material failure or poor workmanship. Plan piping locations to minimize the consequences of a leak should one occur.
Inadequate Systems -
Sewage and potable water may mix due to inadequate space or size of components or failure due to overload.
Physical Failures -
Water Heaters without relief valves may explode.
Inadequate supports of fixtures, piping, or appliandces may fail.
Buried Pipe may be crushed or broken by imposed loads.
Extreme temperatures can produce pipe and/or joint failures.
Codes
The code protects the public by requiring safe installation of plumbing fixtures. Protects property investment and entire community is safeguarded from the hazards that could arise from faulty work.
Licenses, Permits, and Inspections
Methodologies that the community uses to assure that proper designs are approved before qualified persons perform work that proves to be acceptable when completed.
License - Waiver for general prohibition to perform work.
Permit - serve as notice to inspection agencies that work will be performed soon.
Inspection -
Performed after work is completed to assure work meets code requirements.
Basic Principles of Plumbing (22 items)
National Standard Plumbing Code Principles (22 Principles)
- All occupied premises shall have potable water.
Note- Safe water sources and not subject to hazardous back-flows. - Adequate Water Required
Note- sufficient volume and pressure for normal fixture function. - Hot Water Required
- Water Conservation
- Safety Devices
Note- guard against explosion, expansion, or overheating. - Use public sewer where available
- Required Plumbing Fixtures
- Drainage System
- Durable Materials and Good workmanship
- Fixture Traps
- Trap Seals shall be Protected
- Exhaust foul air to outside
- Test the plumbing system.
- Exclude certains substances from the plumbing system.
- Prevent Contamination
- Light and Ventilation
- Individual Sewage Disposal systems
- Prevent Sewer Flooding
- Proper Maintenance
- Fixtures shall be accessible
- Stuctural Safety
- Protect Ground and Surface Water
Note - No sewage or waste on ground unless it has been treated in an acceptable form.
Careers in the Plumbing Industry
Apprentice - beginning
Journeyman - skilled technician able to plan and can work alone
Foreman - plans the work and supervises several journeyman
Superintendent supervisor of several foreman on large projects
Estimator
Contractor
Technical skills
Physical abilities
Business skills
Solar
Water conservation
Green technologies
Employer Expectations and Ethics (2 items)
I. Employer and Customer Expectations (11 items)
- Be on time
- Drive company carefully.
- Be professional in appearance
- Be a Team Player
- Be Honest
- Listen
- Respect Owner’s Property
- Be a self starter
- Keep work areas clean and safe
- Use Proper methods
- Stay in Learning Mode
II. Soft Skills and Productivity
Soft Skills are on the job abilities that go beyond an employee’s job description.
Soft Skills (collaboration, communication, and organizational skills) are the hardest to learn and not having them is a major reason why people don’t advance on the job.
Key Skills (Plumbing Students)
1. Resume and job portfolio
2. interview skills
3. Written communication
4. Verbal communication
5. Clear explanation of problems and solutions
6. Time management
7. Listening
8. Collaboration skills in teams
9. Decision making and critical thinking
10. Show responsibility
11. Professional appearance at school and on the job
12. Look people in the eye
13. Stand up straight
14. Smile when speaking to others
15. Show that you are listening to others.
16. Find out customers needs and figure out how to meet them.
17. Keep all promises made on deliverables.
Skills USA - Employability and Job Skills for Students. www.skillsusa.org
