The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
How To Design And Install Plumbing
A 34-inch branch is taken from the main at right angles, using proper fittings to the fixture supply riser which serves bathrooms on the first and second floors of the building. The base of the riser is provided with a valve for control purposes.
Another 3/4-inch branch is taken from the main at right angles to serve the laundry tub and kitchen sink. The sink riser is extended with 3/4-inch pipe to the upper floors and is equipped with a valve at its base. The laundry tub drip may be of 1/2-inch diameter. A valve must also be used on this installation.
The sill cock which serves the front portion of the premises is connected to the main somewhere near the house meter.
The hot water portion of the distribution system is also constructed of 3/4-inch pipe and is aligned with the cold-water piping. A spread between pipes of about 6 inches is recommended. The risers of the hot-water system are of 3/4-inch pipe and must be provided with valves aligned with those used in the cold-water supply.
The distribution system may be suspended from the ceiling of the basement and should never be strapped lightly to the floor joists. A space of 6 inches is advisable.
The method of supporting the installation as well as the storage tank connections to the heating device is discussed in other chapters of this book.
Insulation of Water Distribution Systems. Insulation of the water distribution system is a necessary precaution against property damage and inconvenience caused by condensation. Condensation occurs because the water within the system usually is at a low temperature and the warmer atmosphere which comes in contact with the pipe tends to release water held in suspension by the pipe. The nuisance can be overcome by covering the cold-water piping with approved antisweat covering. This material consists of layers of hair felt and tarred paper. The fittings of the distribution system may be wrapped with hair felt and an applied coat of asbestos. Cheesecloth is used to complete the job.
The hot-water piping should also be covered if for no other reason than that of economy. The heat loss which occurs when hot-water pipe is exposed to the atmosphere is tremendous, and over a period of time it may be costly. The covering used for this purpose should be of the air cell variety made of asbestos paper formed in such a manner that the pipe is encircled with a jacket filled with air. Air is a very poor conductor of heat, hence it becomes an efficient insulator.
