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How To Design And Install Plumbing
It is usually concealed in building partitions, and unless careful workmanship is used in its installation, the efficiency of the entire plumbing installation may be jeopardized.
Before the plumber is able to begin the roughing in of the soil pipe, he must lay out the entire building installation. This includes the location of fixtures, the size of partitions, and the relation of these to each other. Location of windows and doors must be considered, as well as lowered ceilings which often serve to conceal soil and waste pipe branches.
The soil pipe generally is placed in such a manner that the branches which serve the water closets of a toiletroom are as direct and short as possible. Architects and building designers do not always use good judgment in indicating the location of the soil pipe. Relocation of the stack is therefore necessary to accommodate the plumber in making the runs of associated vent, waste, and water pipes more practical. To do this effectively, the plumber's knowledge of the layout must be complete. It is advisable for him to see the building designer before changes are made, and consult with him as to the best location of the soil pipe.
The minimum diameter of pipe which is practical for soil pipe use is 3 inches. Four-inch pipe has been most commonly used and is still considered most favorable. Because of its large diameter, concealment of the soil pipe becomes a difficult task. For this reason the location of partitions in which the pipe is to be installed is important. In some instances the partition on the second or third floor is not directly above the partition on the lower floors. A condition of this kind requires the use of an offset, which is often difficult to make, or too short to build with available standard fittings. Furring of the partition, under these circumstances, may be necessary. The carpenter or bricklayer must be consulted, and each trade involved must have an understanding of what is to be done before work may proceed.
The location of windows, doors, electric outlets and boxes, cabinets and other building necessities must be set up. The soil pipe generally is placed before partitions are constructed. Passing the soil pipe through any of these necessary units would be a reflection on the mechanical ability of the plumber and a fault which would be exceedingly hard to correct.
Materials Used. There are two materials most commonly used in the construction of a soil stack. The first is cast-iron soil pipe; the second, galvanized steel or wrought-iron screw thread pipe. The building design, in many cases, governs the material used for soil pipe purposes.
