What Are Plumbing Parts?
Plumbing parts are used to transport fluids from one location (device) to another (equipment).
Piping is designed, manufactured, and installed to satisfy its function, taking into consideration the environment in which it will be used, the fluid, and other factors.
Piping must be strong enough to withstand the pressure of the internal fluid, reduce fluid pressure loss, and select the best route to the desired endpoint.
Plumbing specifically provides the following equipment and plumbing parts:
- Pipes
- Pipe fittings
- Valves
- Piping supports (hangers and supports)
Uses of Plumbing Parts
Plumbing parts have the following applications:
- Water Supply Piping
Tap water is generally taken from rivers and lakes, dams, or underwater intake towers.
Ductile cast-iron pipes and polyethylene pipes are mainly used for piping. - Piping for City Gas
City gas is imported in liquefied form (LNG) from its place of origin and vaporized at a gas production plant.
The vaporized gas is adjusted in the order of high pressure, medium pressure, and low pressure, and then delivered to households.
Steel pipes and synthetic resin steel pipes are mainly used for high-pressure pipes, polyethylene pipes, ductile cast-iron pipes for medium-pressure pipes, and PE pipes for low-pressure sensation.
Principle of Plumbing Parts
The following is a description of the characteristics of each plumbing part:
- Pipe
Pipes are made of a wide variety of materials, including metals, non-metals, and resins, and new materials are still being developed.
In industry, metal pipes are the mainstream, with steel pipes being the most commonly used.
They are strong and resistant to deterioration, with the disadvantage of being prone to rust.
Cast-iron pipes have the disadvantage of being impact-weak and brittle but are often used in buried piping because they are less susceptible to corrosion than steel.
Non-ferrous metals are used in aircraft, taking advantage of their lightweight characteristics. - Pipe Fittings
Pipe fittings are divided into the following categories according to the application: those that change the direction of flow (elbows, etc.), those that change the size of pipes (reducers, etc.), and those that merge or divert flows (tees, etc.). - Valves
Valves are used to “stop the flow” or “adjust the flow rate,” like a water tap. - Piping Support Device (Hanger/Support)
Pipe supports are used to support the weight of piping and to release thermal expansion properly.