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How To Design And Install Plumbing

In the following paragraphs a general description of the mechanics, design, flushing devices and installation procedures of plumbing fixtures is offered.

WATER CLOSETS

The water closet is the most commonly used fixture and, from the standpoint of sanitation, it is one of the most efficient. Up to 25 years ago, the crude, unscientifically constructed water closet was considered a luxury, and very few buildings were equipped with them. Sanitation standards, however, increased steadily, and, at present, very few buildings, even among those located in rural communities, are without this fixture.

The water closet is a plumbing fixture used to convey organic body wastes to the plumbing system. It is made from imported clay of a quality equal to that used in the manufacture of fine china. The clay, which is obtained in powdered form, is mixed with water, and when it is of proper consistency it is poured into plaster of Paris molds. A water closet is cast in about thirteen pieces, all of which are molded together by skilled mechanics to form the closet bowl.

As a final operation, the closet is treated with liquid glaze, placed in dry kilns, and fired to a temperature of 2500°F. This process renders it entirely impervious to moisture.

Types of Water Closets. There are two types of water closets used in standard plumbing installations; namely, the siphon washdown closet and the siphon jet washdown closet.

The siphon washdown closet, Fig. 278, is considered highly sanitary and generally is used for residence service. The siphon jet closet, Fig. 279, is similar to the washdown closet in appearance, but its design embodies an integral jet which produces a more rapid siphon action. The jet closet is not as quiet in operation as the washdown closet and generally is used for industrial or commercial installations.

Operating Principle of a Closet Bowl. Siphon Washdown Closet. The quality of a closet bowl is established by the efficiency with which it eliminates organic wastes. Its action, which is that of a siphon, is produced by a decrease in atmospheric pressure on the outlet side of the trap. When a closet is in a neutral position it contains a seal of water, and the atmospheric pressure is the same on both sides of the trap.