The Plumbing System
Posted by | Posted in Plumbing Systems | Posted on 10-04-2009
A good plumbing system should deliver hot water to the occupants of a building on a 24/7 basis. In addition, it must be able to carry out waterborne wastes through a separate piping system. The Plumbing system has evolved dramatically since it was first invented back in 2700 B.C. New building construction incorporates a plumbing system in its designs whether it is for a low-storey townhouse or a high-rise office building. Pipes made from lead are no longer used due to their proven toxicity.
Plumbing has several subsystems such as hot water supply for bathing, cold water supply for drinking, traps and drains, septic tank system and “grey water” treatment system. Included here is the heating gas piping system in most homes since it involves a system of pipes although it no longer concerns water but still plumbing-related nonetheless.
The plumbing systems for either an office or a home are almost similar. The only difference is perhaps the use of several high-pressure pumps that force the water coming from water mains to the topmost level of a high-rise edifice in the case of offices. Residential houses normally do require the following basic piping-related structures: toilets, bathrooms, kitchen sinks and water heaters (if necessary). Multi-level offices need to have additional fire-stopping systems installed as required by building safety codes. Unfortunately in the U.K., the plumbing industry is still not properly regulated by the government. This resulted in a situation where there are unlicensed or even unqualified plumbers doing services despite some health and safety concerns.
This site gives an overview of the plumbing industry as it relates to our modern lives. Everyday activities require us to take a bath, wash hands or brush our teeth. All these personal necessities need clean water and so a good plumbing system should be part of any building structure. An addition to conventional (drinking water, grey water and waterborne waste drainage) plumbing is heating gas piping. The same principles are used in gas piping as in water plumbing except that extra care is taken since gas can leak out more easily and also very flammable.