The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
How To Design And Install Plumbing
Relief Vent. The overhead system, because of its construction, is likely to become airbound. This condition prevents circulation of the hot water. An accumulation of air occurs at the highest point of the distribution piping. It must be eliminated in some practical way. There are two methods by which this is accomplished. The most practical method is to connect an uncirculated riser to the highest point of the overhead distributing main. The connection into the main must be made in a vertical manner, directly from the top of the pipe, as illustrated in Fig. 245 at A. This makes it possible to relieve the air lock from time to time, using the fixture that the riser serves.
Fig. 246 shows another method of air relief, using a patented air relief valve. The valve opens when accumulation of air occurs, and closes automatically when the air is eliminated. The relief valve must be equipped with a drain pipe, dripped into an open fixture.
PUMP CIRCUIT SYSTEM
The pump circuit system of water distribution is the circulation of hot water to the plumbing fixtures by means of a mechanical device. It is rapidly replacing natural methods of water distribution. A pump installed on a system of hot-water distribution greatly increases its efficiency.
Pump circuit installations generally are confined to the larger types of buildings. They are also installed where, due to construction difficulties, it is impossible to produce a natural circulation of hot water.
The one objectionable feature in a pump circuit system is the possibility of breakdown of the pumping equipment. However, because of the reliability of mechanical devices at the present time this objection is reduced to a minimum.
Circulating Pumps. The centrifugal type of pump is the most practical circulating pump for use on a hot-water system. This type of pump is especially dependable in water circulation because it has few working parts to get out of order, and it can be repaired easily should a breakdown occur. Furthermore, it is compact in construction and requires little space for installation. The motive power of such a pump usually consists of an electric motor that can be made to operate on any electric circuit. Another important reason why the centrifugal pump should be used is the fact that the rotary motion of the impeller creates an even movement of water in the piping system rather than a pulsating movement, such as that produced by a piston pump.
