An Introduction to Commonly Used Plumbing Fittings A presentation by Douglas Webley and Debra Taylor-Croather

The aims of this slideshow are to: Introduce the different types of fittings. Develop an understanding of different types and sizes of fittings. The objectives of this slideshow are to ensure that students will be able to differentiate between the following types of fittings: End feed Integral solder ring Speed fit Hep 2 O Male & female Iron fittings And be able to correctly record a Tee fitting. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings

End Feed Fittings (E/F) End feed fittings, are fittings where the solder is manually fed in from the end of the fitting during soldering. All pipes used must be cleaned and have flux applied to each joint before heating with a blow torch and the application of solder An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 15mm End Feed Coupler15mm End Feed Tee

Integral Solder Ring (Yorkshire) Yorkshire fittings (Yorkshire is a trade name) already contain a ring solder inside them All pipes used must be cleaned and have flux applied to each joint before heating evenly with a blow torch until the solder is seen to melt An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 15mm Integral Solder Ring Coupler 15mm x 15mm x 15mm Integral Solder Ring Tee

Compression Fittings (COMP) Compression fittings use a nut and olive (copper,brass or rubber compression ring) to make a water tight seal between the fitting and the pipe. All pipes used must be clean and free from burrs before assembly. A suitable sealing paste should also be applied before the joints are tightened using a wrench or spanner. Do not over tighten as this can lead to problems should the fitting need to be removed An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 15 millimetre Compression Tee 15 millimetre Compression Service Valve

Speed Fit, HEP2O, Copper/Brass Push Fit There are many different types of push fit joints are now being marketed, they're available in plastic, brass & copper. There's not much difference between them, they all incorporate some form of grip ring which creates a seal between the pipe and the fitting and prevents the pipe from pulling out. All pipes used must be clean and free from burrs before assembly. Insert the cleaned pipe into the fitting and push into place by hand. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings Hep20 Straight CouplerSpeed Fit Straight Coupler

Male Iron (MI) Fittings Male Iron (MI) fittings have an external thread and are made as the name suggests from iron. These fittings are tightened using a wrench or spanner. Always use a suitable sealing compound when assembling joints using these fittings. Do not over tighten. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 1/2" MI bsp x15mm Elbow3/4" MI bsp x 22mm coupler

Female Iron (FI) Fittings Female Iron (FI) fittings have an internal thread and are made as the name suggests from iron. These fittings are tightened using a wrench or spanner. Always use a suitable sealing compound when assembling joints using these fittings. Do not over tighten. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 1/2" FI BSP x 15mm Integral Solder Ring Coupler 1/2" FI BSP x 15mm Compression Elbow 1/2" FI BSP x 15mm Wall Plate Elbow

Fitting Sizes Fittings are supplied in a variety of sizes ranging from 6mm through to what ever size you require,although larger size fittings may have to be specially ordered. Generally the average plumber working in domestic properties will come into contact with fittings ranging from 6mm to 28mm. As a plumber you will continue to come into contact with fittings still measured in old imperial (inches). Some merchants catalogues will have fittings still measured in inches especially internally or externally threaded fittings as these are to BSP (British Standard Pipe). 1/2"=12.7 mm 3/4"=19.05mm 1"=25.4 mm An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings

Ordering Fittings 1 Ordering couplers is straight forward as they are the same size at both ends (eg 15mm coupler) Ordering tees is slightly more complicated. State the largest size first then the opposite side and then the centre size (eg 22mm x 15mm x 22mm or 22mm x 22mm x15mm see examples below) An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 22mm x 15mm x 22mm Compression Tee 22mm x 22mm x15mm Hep2O Tee

Ordering Fittings 2 What if all the sides of a Tee fitting are the same? The Tee would simply be called an Equal Tee. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 15mm Equal Tee (York)15mm Equal Tee (Hep2o)

Other Fittings - Tap connectors: These fittings are also known as swivel fittings and they come in either straights or elbows. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 15mm Straight Tap Connector in Brass 15 mm Straight Tap Connector (Speed Fit)

Other Fittings - Tap connectors continued: Further examples of tap connectors An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 15 mm Compression Elbow Tap Connector 15 mm Hep2o Elbow Tap Connector

Other Fittings - Reducers These are used when you need to reduce the pipe size e.g. 22mm cold feed to a bath tap would then be reduced to 15mm to supply a basin tap, not only is this more pleasing to the eye it is also more economical. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings Integral Solder Ring Copper Reducer Push Fit Plastic Reducer 15 mm x 22mm End Feed Reducer

Other Fittings - Stop Ends These fittings are used for capping off water supplies either temporally or when permanently decommissioning. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 22mm Integral Solder Ring Stop End 22mm Compression Stop End 15mm Speed Fit Stop End

Other Fittings - Drain Off The drain off is a valve located at the lowest point of any system and has a serrated hose connection out-let. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings Drain Off (Male Iron)Drain Off (end feed)Drain Off (Hep20 or Speed Fit)

Other Fittings - Couplers Couplers are used to connect pipes together to form longer pipe runs. An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings 15 mm Straight Coupler Compression 15mm End Feed Coupler 15mm Integral Solder Ring Coupler 15mm Speed Fit Coupler

Identify the following fittings An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings

Accurately describe the following fittings Imagine you are ordering these fittings over the phone, what would you ask for? An Introduction to Common Plumbing Fittings

Acknowledgements Written and produced at South Birmingham College The Centre for the Built Environment Textual content written by Douglas Welby and Debra Taylor-Croather with additional content by Christopher Poole E-Learning Content Development Unit Web Development by Christopher Poole and Roland Douglas All photographs by Christopher Poole Distribution Distributed by the Learning and Skills Development Agency and the National Learning Network as part of Project Q 2005

Important Information Please Note While every attempt has been made to ensure that the contents of this learning object are correct and follow the guidelines as laid down in the Water Regulations Guide second edition South Birmingham College cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage caused by reliance on these materials. All works should carried out by fully qualified persons.