Plumbing fixture
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A plumbing fixture is an exchangeable device which can be connected to a plumbing system to deliver and drain water.
Common fixtures
Supply
The most common plumbing fixtures are:
- Bathtubs
- Bidets
- Channel drains
- Drinking fountains
- Showers
- Sinks
- hoses)
- Tapware - an industry term for that sub-category of plumbing fixtures consisting of tap valves, also called water taps (British English) or faucets (American English), and their accessories, such as water spouts and shower heads.
- Terminal valves for dishwashers, ice makers, humidifiers, etc.
- Urinals
- Toilets
- Flush toilets
Waste
Each of these plumbing fixtures has one or more
Each fixture usually has a characteristic means of connection. Normal plumbing practice is to install a
Lavatories and water closets normally connect to the water supply by means of a supply, which is a tube, usually of nominal 3/8 in (
Drains
The actual initial drain part in a lavatory or sink is termed a strainer. If there is a removable strainer device that fits into the fixed strainer, it is termed a strainer basket. The initial pipe that leads from the strainer to the trap is termed the tailpiece.
Floor-mounted water closets seal to the
Traps and vents
All plumbing fixtures have
Most water closets, bidets, and many urinals have the trap integral with the fixture itself. The visible water surface in a toilet is the top of the trap's water seal.
Each fixture drain, with exceptions, must be vented so that negative air pressure in the drain cannot siphon the trap dry, to prevent positive air pressure in the sewer from forcing gases past the water seal, and to prevent explosive sewer gas buildup.
Electronic plumbing
In public facilities, the trend is toward sensor-operated (automatic) fixtures that improve hygiene and save money. For example, sensor operated automatic-flush urinals have fewer moving parts, reduce wear, and tend to last longer than manual-flush valves. Also, they ensure fixtures are flushed only once per use. Some contain intelligence that flushes them at different amounts of water flow depending on traffic patterns: e.g., the fixture can detect a lineup of users and only give a full flush after the last person has used the urinal. For the same purpose, dual-flush toilets are also becoming more popular. A combination of both technologies can allow for saved power and water.
Automatic flush compensates for users who do not bother to flush. Also, since the fixtures are always flushed, there is no need for a
However, many people, especially children, dislike or even fear automatic flush toilets, since they have the tendency to flush without warning, even while the user is still sitting on the toilet. Some parents have started keeping track of public bathrooms that have manual flush toilets, or even carrying post-it notes or other devices with them to temporarily disable the automatic flush sensor.[1]
These fixtures typically cost more to install than conventional plumbing fixtures, because they require the services (or presence) of both a licensed plumber and a licensed electrician. Construction companies on cost-plus contracts may actually favor these fixtures for this reason, although their clients may not. The additional complexity of these fixtures also complicates repairs, particularly the diagnosis of malfunctions causing unexpected flushing. Few electricians, and fewer plumbers, understand microelectronics well enough for complex diagnosis.
Standardization
Some widely used standards for plumbing fittings and accessories located between the supply stop and the terminal fitting area are:
- A112.18.1 Plumbing Supply Fittings Standard, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- A112.18.2 Plumbing Waste Fittings Standard, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
See also
- Automatic balancing valve
- Drain-waste-vent system
- Plumbing
- Tap water
- Trap (plumbing)
- Flushing trough
References
- ^ Kelley, Tina (Nov 12, 2007). "For Children, a Scary World Out There (in There, Too)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-25.