Chapter 3
Pipes and Fittings
FUNDAMENTALS OF PLUMBING
ENGINEERING
ENGR. NORIEL P. CASTRO
Department of Engineering and Architecture
Bataan Heroes College
PIPES AND FITTINGS
In plumbing, pipes and fittings are the essential components that create a
functional water or gas distribution system. Pipes carry the fluid, while fittings
connect, redirect, or terminate the pipes, enabling various configurations and flow
control.
TYPES OF PIPES
1. CAST IRON SOIL PIPE
Most popular and generally specified material for drainage installation.
Extensively used in the 60s and 70s.
Durable, conveniently installed (<25 storey)
Commercial length: 600 cm
Diameters: 50-150mm
Affected to some extent by corrosion by acid formed by Carbon Dioxide, Sulphur
Oxide, and Methane Gases that create rust.
TWO TYPES OF CAST IRON SOIL PIPE
SV Type
refers to the Service class, a classification for hub and spigot cast iron soil
pipe and fittings.
SV pipes are suitable for standard drainage and venting applications
XV Type
extra duty; for underground installations.
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 2 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
4 VARIETIES:
STANDARD PIPE
DOUBLE HUB PIPE
SINGLE HUB PIPE
HUBLESS PIPE
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 3 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
2. ACID-RESISTANT CAST IRON PIPE
Made of an alloy of cast iron and silicon.
Installed in chemical
laboratories, industries and
other installations where acid
wastes are being discharged.
Brittle and cracks easily, thus
horizontal runs have to be
supported at every 1.50
meters interval to prevent sagging
3. ASBESTOS PIPE
Made of an asbestos fiber and Portland cement.
Used as soil, waste, ventilation pipe & downspouts.
Suited for concrete embedment because of similar properties.
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 4 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
4. BITUMINOUS FIBER SEWER PIPE
Cheapest of all types of pipes
Light in weight, slightly flexible
and can take slight soil movement
without danger of cracking or
pulling out of its joints. It is thus
suited for house sewer and septic
tank installations.
may be softened/damaged by
excessive hot water or chemical
flow.
5. VITRIFIED CLAY PIPE
One of the oldest materials used for sewer lines
Highly resistant to most acids
Because it is made of clay, it is brittle and cracks easily when laid on unstable
ground
Made in short lengths of 750mm
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 5 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
6. LEAD PIPE
The oldest pipe used for plumbing systems
Highly resistant to acid
Poisonous and injurious, is therefore not recommended to convey water for
human consumption.
7. GALVANIZED STEEL PIPE
Made out of mild steel and expected to last 15 to 25 years
Subject to deposits of salt and lime which can cause FHL
Comes in several commercial sizes: 10 (3/8”), 13 (1/2”), 20 (3/4”), 25 (1’), 32
(1¼”), 38 (1½”), 50 (2”), 75 (3”), and 100 (4”)
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 6 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
8. GALVANIZED WROUGHT IRON PIPE
Better then steel pipe for plumbing installation
More resistant to acid waste
9. COPPER PIPE
Durable and extremely corrosive resistant
Easy to install
Smooth interior surface
CLASSIFICATION:
K Type
heaviest; recommended for underground installations
L Type
lighter; available in both rigid and flexible form; recommended for residential
water supply line and radiant heating installations
M Type
thinnest; available only in rigid form; for small water supply lines and radiant
heating installations.
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 7 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
10. BRASS PIPE
Most expensive
Made of an alloy or zinc (15%) and
copper (85%)
Resistant to acids and has a smooth
interior surface
11. PLASTIC OR SYNTHETIC PIPE
Developed in Germany in 1935
Most are produced from synthetic resins
Superior type of pipe because it weighs less, is easy to cut, is flexible, has a
smooth interior surface, and is cheaper than steel.
2 TYPES:
Rigid Type (pipes)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
the world's third-most widely produced
synthetic plastic polymer. It's a versatile
material, available in both rigid and
flexible forms, and is used in a wide
range of applications from construction
(pipes, doors, windows) to packaging,
medical products, and more. PVC is
composed of repeating units of vinyl-
chloride, a molecule derived from salt
and oil.
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 8 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
a thermoplastic material made by chlorinating polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This
process increases PVC-C's temperature and chemical resistance compared to
standard PVC. CPVC is known for its ability to withstand higher temperatures
and pressures, making it suitable for hot and cold-water distribution systems,
industrial piping, and fire sprinkler systems.
Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC)
a rigid type of PVC pipe commonly
used in plumbing and other
applications due to their durability,
chemical resistance, and
affordability. Unlike flexible PVC,
uPVC does not contain plasticizers,
making it more rigid and suitable for
applications requiring structural
integrity, such as water supply and
drainage systems.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
a common thermoplastic polymer known for its strength, impact resistance, and
ability to be molded into various shapes
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 9 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene has a wide range of
applications, including: hot and
cold-water sanitary systems, heating
systems, transport of liquid for
human consumption, compressed air
and transport of aggressive liquid
substances
Styrene Rubber Plastic (SR)
It is primarily used for plumbing
stacks, drains, and vent lines in
residential, commercial, and
industrial applications.
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 10 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
Flexible Type (tubing)
The Polyethylene (PE)
is a versatile and durable type of pipe made
from polyethylene, a thermoplastic material
derived from ethylene. It's widely used in
various applications due to its flexibility,
corrosion resistance, and ease of
installation.
The Polybutylene (PB)
A type of plastic piping, typically grey or
white, that were widely used in residential
plumbing systems from the late 1970s to
the mid-1990s. They were a popular
alternative to copper pipes due to their low
cost and ease of installation. However,
polybutylene pipes are known to be prone
to failure due to degradation from
chemicals like chlorine, leading to leaks
and potential property damage
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 11 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING MATERIALS:
Quality and durability
Resistance to external and internal contact with foreign matters
Resistance to acid waste and other chemical elements that will pass into it
Cost of materials and labor
TYPES OF FITTINGS:
Coupling / Socket
Extension piece / Nipple
Reducer
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 12 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
Reducing Elbow
Male Adaptor
Female Adaptor
45° Street Elbow
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 13 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
90° Street Elbow
Union
Tee
Reducing Tee
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 14 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
Cap
Cross
Plug
Double Hub
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 15 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
OTHER WATER SERVICE FITTINGS & DEVICES:
Corporation Stop
Curb Stop
Curb Stop Box
Meter stop
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 16 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
Water meter
SANITARY FITTINGS
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 17 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
PIPING SYMBOLS FOR PLUMBING PLAN
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 18 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 19 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
COMMON SYMBOLS IN PLUMBING LAYOUT
JOINTS AND CONNECTION METHODS
1. Caulking
2. Threading
3. Welding/soldering
4. Rubber ring method
5. Hub less connection
6. Adhesives
7. Flanged connections
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 20 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
TEST AND INSPECTIONS
A. WATER TESTING
Testing of water supply piping is conducted by closing all outlets & filling the
system with water from the main to locate leaks and other potential problems
B. AIR PRESSURE TESTING
Used in detecting leaks by filling the piping system with compressed air (use of
soap suds in locating escaping air)
PLATE 2: PIPES AND FITTINGS
A. Identification & Sketching
1. Draw at least 10 common pipe fittings (e.g., elbow, tee, coupling, union, reducer, nipple,
flange, cap, cross, plug).
2. Provide the name and function of each fitting below the sketch.
3. Use proper engineering lettering for labeling.
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 21 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
Bataan Heroes College
REFERENCES:
Max B. Fajardo Jr. (2001), PLUMBING Design and Estimate, 2nd Edition, 5138
Merchandising
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook
Volume 1, Fundamentals of Plumbing Engineering (2004) ASPE
National Plumbing Code of the Philippines 1999
This module or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or
distributed in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the College or the
Author.
For Permission: Contact Bataan Heroes College, Roman Super Hi-way, Balanga City,
Bataan, Philippines
PLUMBING ENGINEERING Page 22 of 22
ENGR.NORIEL P. CASTRO
