The superintendence of piping installations in buildings: sanitary, hydraulic, and gas

Preface

HE book has grown out of a series of articles contributed, some years ago, by the author, to an architectural publication. The articles have been revised and brought up to date, and considerable new matter has been added.

The rules, suggestions, and observations are based upon a practical experience of more than twenty-five years in this branch of building construction and sanitation.

The aim throughout has been to deal with the subject from a practical point of view only. Purely theoretical considerations are purposely omitted as they may be found in other works by the author, to some of which reference has been made.

The book is intended chiefly for the younger men beginning actual practical work, for architectural superintendents, as well as for plumbing and health inspectors, and for the superintendents and foremen of plumbing firms. Property owners who build houses and who prefer to look after the plumbing and sanitary work themselves — parenthetically I may state that there are quite a number of these — should find the book a useful guide.

The Author.

February 25, igo'/.

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THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF PIPING INSTALLATIONS IN BUILDINGS.

Introduction

IN executing sanitary, hydraulic and gas piping work in buildings, something more than correct, complete and detailed plans and a carefully drawn-up specification are required: it is necessary that during the entire construction of the work the same be properly superintended.

Superintendence is required, first, to make sure that the plans are followed, that the materials and appliances specified are actually used, that the workmanship is of a proper character, of the highest grade, where it is the intention of the specification and of the contract to secure this, and of a thoroughly good kind, where a plain, inexpensive, substantial but sanitary job is called for.

Superintendence is necessary, secondly, to establish a close relationship between the architect of the building and the contractor, for no matter how accurate and correct the specification may be drawn, no matter how detailed the plans and sections are worked out, numerous questions arise in practice in every job, whether large or small, costly or inexpensive, regarding which the contractor’s foreman will require instructions or explanations, in order to be able to follow the plans and specifications “according to their true intent. ”

Superintendence is, thirdly^ required, in directing and witnessing the different tests to which now-a-days all hydraulic, sanitary and gas fitting work is subjected, no matter whether the building is a tenement house or a millionaire’s mansion.

Superintendence is also necessary in order to foresee changes from the plans due to structural reasons so as to avoid “extras.” It is likewise required in order to keep a proper record of any work omitted with the architect’s approval, and for which a proper credit should be given by the contractor.

It is often erroneously supposed that with the inspection given to modern work, at least in the larger cities, by building, plumbing, or health inspectors, a close super\dsion of this work on the part of the architect or of his office staff is rendered unnecessary. No greater mistake than this is possible. For it should be remembered that city plumbing ordinances are, without exception, framed so as to secure satisfactory sanitary results with the cheapest permissible class of work and material. Where general laws are passed intended to govern such work, it is always with the intent of establishing a minimum standard. It would be obviously out of the question to enforce, by laws, a different standard of workmanship and material in the houses of the wealthy than in the cheaper types of homes or in plain stores and warehouses.

On the contrary, in both cases cited one and the same building department specification is used, the same rules are applied, the same amount of inspection is given, hence it follows that the very highest results in sanitation cannot be reached by simply using the building department blank specifications and trusting to the casual supervision of an

INTR ODUC TION official inspection as to the proper execution of the work. As a matter of fact these official inspections are carried out in some of our large cities in a very inefficient and careless manner.

Where a higher grade of work is expected — and I incline to the belief that this should be secured in every instance — proper and constant supervision is required.

It cannot be expected that a busy architect should visit a building in course of construction more than twice a week. He will be guided in the number of his visits by the kind of work and the cost of the building; the character of the contractor employed by the owner will also naturally govern him in the attention given to secure his client’s satisfaction.

In important cases, the sanitary, hydraulic and gas piping work, as well as the electric and heating and ventilating work, are, as a rule, now-a-days, entrusted to specialists, to expert engineers in their respective branches of the work. In other cases, where more than the usual architect’s supervision is expected, a clerk of works or building superintendent is engaged, whose duty it is to give special attention to the general construction, but also to all those numerous minor details which it is impossible for an architect, having at one time several buildings in charge, to follow up.

The schedule for the professional practice of architects, adopted by the American Institute of Architects, defines supervision as follows:

“The supervision or superintendence of an architect (as distinguished from the continuous personal superintendence of a clerk of the works* means such inspection by the architect, or his deputy, of a building or other work in process of erection, completion, or alteration as he

* Or that secured by the engagement of the services of a sanitary, heating or electrical expert. W. P. G.

finds necessary to ascertain whether it is being executed in conformity with his designs and specifications or directions, and to enable him to decide, when the successive installments of payments are due or payable, as provided for in the contract or agreement. He is to determine in constructional emergencies, to order necessary changes, and to define the true intent and meaning of the drawings and specifications, and he has authority to stop the progress of the work and order its removal when not in accordance with them.”

“On buildings where it is deemed necessary to employ a clerk of the works, the remuneration of said clerk is to be paid by the owner, or owners, in addition to the commission or fee due to the architect. The selection or dismissal of the clerk of works is to be subject to the approval of the architect.”

In the dictionaries, we find superintendence defined as “the act or right to superintend, the guiding and controlling, the supervision or oversight, the general inspection of the work, the direction and management, the watchful care and rule, the inspection.” Supervision is defined as “the act of superintendence.” No particular distinction seems to be made in the meaning of the two words.

The following pages are intended as a helpful guide for clerks of works in superintending a building. While the points discussed are, probably, more or less familiar to men in long practice, it is believed they will be useful to the younger men of the profession, and will serve to answer many questions constantly recurring to all engaged in building construction, and particularly in the sanitary, hydraulic and gas piping branches.

The subject of superintendence will be discussed, as nearly as possible, in the relative order in which such work is usually carried out in city buildings, viz.:

1. Sewer, water and gas connections.

3. Rough work, drain, soil, vent and leader system.

4. Water pipes, pumps, tanks, etc.

5. Roughing for the plumbing fixtures.

6. Setting up and connecting the plumbing fixtures.

7. Completing the work, turning on the water and gas.

8. Tests.

9. Records and plans.

I. Sewer, Water, And Gas Connections

1. The sewer connection or connections (where more than one is called for) must he properly located according to the drainage plan; any deviation from same, made necessary hy existing unavoidable conditions, should he recorded on the plans for future reference.

Unless good and sufficient reasons are given, the superintendent should not permit the sewer connection to be made in a different location from that shown on the plans. As a rule, where the plans show the drainage, the mason will leave out arched holes in the foundation walls, for the sewer pipe to pass through, or build pipe sleeves into them. A change in the location of the sewer connection frequently means extra work for the mason in cutting new holes. In some cases a change might require the sewer to run through a pier which, for obvious reasons, would be improper.

2. The sewer connection to he made of proper size.

The size of the house sewer is usually determined by the size of the lot and building to be drained. In some cities, the municipal departments govern by rules the size of the sewer to be used. Without good and sufficient reasons the contractor should not deviate from the size shown on the plans or called for in the specifications.

3. The grade of the house sewer, both inside and outside of the house, to he carefully determined hy levels, before pipe laying is commenced.

SEIVERj WATER, AND GAS CONNECTIONS y

Though the depth of the street sewer is usually given in the engineer’s survey of the lot, a careful workman should always, before commencing actual work, ascertain the available fall from the highest point of the drainage system to the connection with the street sewer. The superintendent should, wherever his duties permit, check the levels taken by the contractor’s foreman, in order to avoid establishing a wrong grade. It should be noted that the surveys give the depth of the inner flow line of the sewer below the curb, and that the connection must in the case of brick sewers be made at least one foot higher than this level.

4. The house sewer to he laid with proper fall, and the fall to he continuous.

It is a common experience to find that workmen, in order to save some excavation or the taking out of some rock in the sewer trench, will distribute the available fall unevenly, and run the house sewer with a steep grade from the outer house wall to the street sewer. The superintendent should not permit this, but should see to it that the total fall is evenly distributed throughout the entire length of the house sewer.

5. Where the availahle fall from the house to the sewer is deficient, proper flushing arrangements should he provided.

This IS a necessary precaution which is only too often neglected. When it happens that the house sewer, for some reason, cannot be laid on a grade which would render it self-cleansing, it becomes necessary to provide some means for artificially flushing the same. In the case of city houses this is not usually required. But should the superintendent happen to find a case where the fall of the house sewer is insufficient to create a velocity of flow which will prevent deposits, he should take note of it, and report the fact to

PIPING INS TALL A no NS headquarters, so that some means for flushing (by self-acting flush tank or otherwise) can be devised and installed.

6. The house sewer to he of proper material as specified.

Usually the sewer connection is made of glazed or vitrified sewer pipe, and if the conditions are favorable there is no better material available. In made ground, however, it is better to use heavy iron pipe for the entire distance from the house to the street sewer. In New York City, this is the common method. Should the specification call for earthen pipe and the superintendent find that, for good reasons, iron pipe would be preferable, he should report the fact without delay to the office so that the proper change can be made. If in the case of country residences the house sewer should pass near a well for drinking water, or near the roots of trees, the outside sewer should also be made of heavy iron pipe. All cast iron pipe sewers should be painted two coats after being laid in the trench.

7. Proper attention should he given to the making of the pipe joints.

Careless workmen often neglect to make permanently tight joints in the house sewer outside of the house, assuming that any leakage in this part of the work will not be harmful nor be detected. Where iron pipe is used the joints should be leaded and caulked with the same care as the joints of inside pipes. Vitrified pipes must have well-made cement joints, and. attention should be given particularly to the inside of the pipe joint which should be kept free from protruding cement. In the best work the superintendent should require the length of the outside house sewer to be filled with water to test the tightness of the joints. In ordinary work this precaution is frequently neglected.

SEIVER, WA7ER, AND GAS CONNECTIONS

8. Proper provision to he made for manholes, lampholes, handholes for inspection, etc.

In the case of city houses the distance from the house walls to the street sewer rarely exceeds thirty feet (very wide streets excepted) and the necessity for manholes does not exist. For country houses, where the outside sewer is sometimes of great length, manholes and lampholes should be provided at distances of about loo feet, and they should be rendered easily accessible by iron covers, and by having iron steps built into them.

9. The connection with the sewer in the street to he made in a workmanlike manner.

Great carelessness often prevails in making this connection, notwithstanding the fact that in cities the work is inspected by special inspectors of the sewer department. Where the sewer is a brick sewer, the connection should be made at or above the spring line of the sewer arch; it is best to use one of the special vitrified slant connections made by pipe manufacturers, so as to make the house sewer enter the main sewer under an oblique angle to the flow. Careful sewer regulations provide this, but in New York and Brooklyn, for instance, the connection is always made at right angle to the sewer. I have never yet met a municipal inspector who would suggest or insist upon a connection in the shape of a Y-branch. In making new sewer connections with pipe sewers it is common to find the “spurs” or branches already provided for in the line of the street sewer. In this case the connection is made at the line of the axis of the pipe. Sometimes it happens that the diameter of the branch is smaller than the size of the house sewer. The superintendent should not, in this case, permit the use of a reducing fitting, but should insist upon lO the spur being changed by the sewer department to one corresponding to the size of the house sewer. In no case should clumsily made or imperfect connections with the street sewer be tolerated.

lo. The water connection or connections {where several taps or services are required by the specifications) to he properly located^ and to he made of size as called for. See that openings are left in the front cellar wall for the pipes to pass through.

Where the point at which the water service is to be introduced into the building is marked on the plans, the contractor should place his service connection in accordance with the measurements given, unless a good reason exists for deviating from this location. The superintendent should see that the proper size of tap is obtained by the plumber from the Water Department. In New York City, the usual size of tap for a dwelling house is f inch, and unless a water meter is used in the house, no larger tap is given. But, even where such a size of tap is used, it is' a good plan to enlarge the service immediately behind the tap, as this secures a better supply of water to the house.* In New York it is permissible to run any size of service pipe from the tap into the house. In Brooklyn, however, not only the size of the tap is controlled by the Water Department, but also the diameter of the service up to the house or building line. Thus the usual size of tap for houses up to twenty feet front is only | inch, and the service pipe must not be larger than J inch. For small houses this may answer the purpose, provided there is a good pressure of water in the mains; but for larger

* See the author's article on the discharge of service pipes and taps in CassiePs Magazine Vol. 29, p. 22.

SEWER, WATER, AND GAS CONNECTIONS II

houses this inevitably leads to the result that when water is drawn in the basement, the flow of water at faucets in the upper stories is almost, if not entirely, stopped.

EXAMPLES

{Based upon the diagrams in the above quoted article).

A four-story city dwelling receives its water supply through a |-inch corporation tap and a |-inch service pipe, 58 feet long. The water pressure is 25 pounds per square inch and the quantity of water delivered is 890 gallons per hour. A j-inch tap and service, other conditions remaining the same, would furnish 940 gallons per hour.

If the house is a larger one and provided with more than the usual plumbing, we may run a i-inch service pipe into the building, use a i-inch tap and set a meter. We then obtain a delivery of 1900 gallons per hour.

If we wish for a still larger supply, we use a |-inch tap and I J-inch service, and obtain under the same pressure of 25 pounds, and for a length of service pipe of 58 feet, 2280 gallons per hour.

Suppose we are dealing with a large building. The pressure in the street main is 35 pounds and we wish to deliver 3000 gallons per hour under a pressure of 25 pounds, the service pipe being 58 feet long. The head lost being 10 pounds we find from the diagrams referred to in above footnote as follows:

A I J-inch pipe and i J-inch tap will give 3360 gallons per hour. Or we may obtain two (2) i J-inch pipes with f-inch taps and receive from each 1430 gallons, or from the two 2860 gallons per hour. Or else we may use one 2 -inch service and i-inch tap and obtain 4150 gallons per hour.

PIPING INS TALL A no NS

11. Proper material should he used for the house service pipes.

The specifications usually call for either lead or galvanized iron water pipe connections. Lead is in many respects the best material for street water connections, but the superintendent should see to it that the lead pipe be of the proper grade, either “AA” or “AAA,” as may be specified. If galvanized iron pipe is used, this should be painted outside as a protection against the corroding influence of some kinds of soil. Brass pipe, tinned on the inside, is not often used for street service connections.

12. Proper provision to be made in the arrangement of the service pipe connection with the tap in the street main for settlement.

Notwithstanding all precautions in refilling the trenches, settlement may occur, and should the connection be made too rigid, the service may break off at the main tap. If lead is used, a bow or loop should be provided at the connection with the tap which will guard against breakage. Even where the service consists of iron pipe, there should be inserted a short length of lead pipe between the tap and the iron pipe, or else a loop made of iron fittings. Even the larger water connections (above two inches) are seldom made rigid, and in all cases extra care is advisable in filling up the trenches. When completed the water supply service should be tested in the superintendent’s presence under hydrostatic pressure.

13. A gas service pipe of proper size {or several companies^ services if required) to he run into the building at the point indicated by the superintendent.

Gas companies, at least in New York City, seldom refuse to grant any size of service required by the architect for a

SEWER, WATER, AND GAS CONNECTIONS building. The size is, of course, determined according to the expected consumption of gas, i. e., the number of gas lights, the number and size of the fireplace gas logs, and the size of the ranges for cooking by gas and for doing the work in the laundry. Where there are in one street the service mains of several companies, it is advisable to request at least two companies to put in their house branches, as the owner may, at some future time desire to change the company which supplies him with gas. The gas service should be tested by turning on the gas before the trench is closed.

14. The superintendent should see that the gas and water services are provided with shutoffs located in an easily accessible position in the sidewalk.

In New York City the Water Department does not insist, as is the case in many other cities, upon the service being provided with a shutoff to cut off the water from a building from the outside. It is, however, an excellent precaution to provide for this. Shutoffs on gas services are not usually put in, useful though they may prove to be, except the service is one and one-half inches or larger. The shutoff is, however, always required by law in the case of theatres and places of assembly. In this case the law stipulates that the stopcock or valve should be placed in the sidewalk near the curb, for if placed in the street pavement it may not be accessible during winter time, when covered up with snow, for instance. It is, to my mind, better to place all such shutoffs in the sidewalk notwithstanding the fact that they may require extra holes to be cut in the case of sidewalks constructed of stone flags.

15. All trenches for sewer ^ water, and gas pipes to he properly refilled, and the earth used in refilling the trenches to he well tamped or puddled to prevent subsequent settlement. The filling to he done with clean earth, sand, gravel, or loam, and no stones to he used immediately over the pipes.

This requirement is almost self-evident, still it is one which in the building practice is constantly violated, and it will require special vigilance on the part of the building superintendent to enforce the rule. In refilling, the earth should be deposited in layers not exceeding nine inches in depth, and each layer should be well rammed with heavy wooden or iron tampers. It is a bad practice to allow the lower part of the trench to be filled up with stones taken out of the same.

1 6. Always locate sewey, water, and gas connections, when completed, on the plans, particularly the points at which they enter a building. Also record the height from the finished cellar fioor to the center or axis o f the various pipes.

The superintendent can easily take these records, which it is of importance to keep for future reference. Many questions will arise during the subsequent construction of the plumbing and drainage, heating and electrical work, for which it is of value to be able to use these records.

II. Gas Piping

When the sewer, water, and gas connections for a building are made, the first work usually required is the running of the gas pipes. It is desirable to finish at least the main runs before the first or rough floor is laid ; it is also necessary that the entire gas piping should be completed before the plastering is begun.

It is not the intention to dwell here upon all the points which a young superintendent should know about the arrangement of the gas piping, but merely to call attention to some of the more important ones. For more complete information he should study one of the elementary works on gas fitting and gas lighting.*

17. See that the piping and the fittings for gas are of the proper material^ and that shutoffs are provided where necessary or called for.

In this country wrought iron pipe is the material universally used for gas piping. It is in every respect superior to lead pipe which is sometimes used in England and on the Continent of Europe. A great deal of butt-welded steel pipe is now sold in the market, which is inferior to wrought iron, being more brittle and harder to cut and thread. The superintendent should ascertain that none of the cheaper material is used. Even where the specifications do not dis-

* See Gerhard, “ Gas Lighting and Gas Fitting,” in the Science Series, price 50c.; al§o his papers on “Dangers to Health from Illuminating and Fuel Gas,” and his “ Specifications and Rules for Gas Piping.”

i6 tinctly call for galvanized iron fittings, a good gas fitter will purchase these, and use them in preference to plain fittings, which often have sandholes, and cause much trouble and loss of time to the fitter when the gas piping is tested. I prefer using the malleable iron fittings which are stronger.

The superintendent should also observe that proper fittings are used, and that crosses are put in in place of elbows where there is a possibility of future additions to the gas piping. He should prohibit the use of common bushings, and require the use of the proper reducing fittings; this may cause a little trouble to the gas fitter in the beginning, but it secures a far superior job. Where shutoffs for gas are called for on the risers, or in some cases for each floor separately, the superintendent should see that these are put in.

1 8. Gas pipes should he run with a proper fall to the riser or risers and the gas meter. At the foot of all risers provide proper drip plugs.

This is one of the cardinal rules in piping buildings for gas. It is of particular importance where the house is to be supplied with machine gas, but all gas, whether coal or water gas, or machine gas, contains some vapor which condenses and which would trap and obstruct the pipes unless they are run with some continuous fall to the riser, so that the watery vapor, when condensed, may run back into the meter, and not into the fixtures. The drip plugs are useful in permitting the removal of a part of the condensation or of occasional stoppages.

19. All gas pipes to he properly fastened and supported.

This is required to prevent pipes from becoming loose,

and to avoid sags in horizontal runs, also to make sure that the fixtures are sufficiently well supported.

20. No beams should he cut, notched or bored by the gas fitter. In no case shall it he permitted to notch beams in the middle of their span so that the fitter may get short and direct connections for the ceiling lights in the center o f the rooms.

Wherever possible gas pipes should be carried on top of the floor beams, not at their bottom, except where ceilings are not plastered. In case of r^epairs it is easier to take up a few floor boards than to cut a plastered ceiling.

It is quite important that the superintendent should from the start make the gas fitter understand that he must not cut any beams, and that all required notching and cutting will be done for him by the framer or carpenter. The superintendent should instruct the latter that the notching shall not be farther than two feet away from the bearing of the beams, and not deeper than two inches. If attention is not given by him in time to this matter, he may find that the fitter has done irreparable injury to the beams of the building.

2 1 . Gas risers should not he placed in outer walls.

It is always preferable to place risers for gas in minor closets and to keep them exposed, but where they must be hidden some inside partition should be chosen. This is of special importance in the case of country houses supplied with gas from an air gas machine, for a cold outside wall will cause the vapor to freeze in extremely cold weather.

22. Gas pipe branches should not come from the bottom of running lines but from the sides or the top.

This is another important precaution to which the superintendent should pay attention. The intention of the rule is to avoid any condensation in gas pipes from flowing down into the gas fixtures, which would soon become obstructed with naphthaline.

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23. No gas -jitter^ s cement to he used on joints or at fittings.

The superintendent should instruct the fitter at the beginning of the work that he must not use gas-fitter’s cement, and that he will be expected to put all pipes and fittings together tightly with screwed joints, made “metal to metal,” or else with the use of linseed oil or a paste of red lead. Gas fitter’s cement is a very dangerous material to use, and any work so treated should be immediately condemned.

24. Gas pipes must never be filled with water to tighten the joints hy rusting.

This bad practice is, fortunately, but seldom met with, still the author knows of at least two cases in his own practice where the pipes were filled with water between his visits, so that the same would stand the severe test called for by him. The superintendent can easily find out whether the pipes have been so treated by requiring some caps to be removed from drop lights, when water will usually run down. It is safest to condemn the entire piping where such a discovery is made, for sooner or later such a gas pipe system is bound to give trouble from rusting of the pipes, particularly at the foot of vertical risers or branches.