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Pipingandplumbingfitting
FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

Afittingisusedinpipesystemstoconnectstraightpipeortubing
sections,toadapttodifferentsizesorshapes,andforotherpurposes,
suchasregulatingormeasuringfluidflow.Thetermplumbingis
generallyusedtodescribeconveyanceofwater,gas,orliquidwaste
inordinarydomesticorcommercialenvironments,whereaspipingis
oftenusedtodescribehighperformance(e.g.highpressure,high
flow,hightemperature,hazardousmaterials)conveyanceoffluidsin
specializedapplications.Thetermtubingissometimesusedfor
lighterweightpiping,especiallytypesthatareflexibleenoughtobe
suppliedincoiledform.

Copperfittingsforsolderedjoints

Fittings(especiallyuncommontypes)requiremoney,time,
materials,andtoolstoinstall,sotheyareanontrivialpartofpiping
andplumbingsystems.[1]Valvesaretechnicallyfittings,butare
usuallydiscussedseparately.

Contents
1
2
3
4
5

Standards
Materials
Gaskets
Genderoffittings
Commonfittingsforbothpipingandplumbing
5.1 Elbow
5.2 Coupling
5.3 Union
5.4 Reducer
5.5 Olets
5.6 Tee
5.7 Cross
5.8 Cap
5.9 Plug
5.10 Nipple
5.11 Barb
5.12 Valves
6 Drainwastevent(DWV)andrelatedfittings
6.1 Sweepelbow
6.2 Closetflange
6.3 Cleanouts
6.4 Trapprimers
6.5 Combotee
6.6 Sanitarytee
6.7 Baffletee
6.8 Slipjointfitting

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Assortedpipefittings:1.Copper,
solder2.Ironorbrass,threaded
3.Brass,compression4.Brass,
transitionfromcompressiontosolder
5.Brass,specialadaptors

PVCfittings

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6.8 Slipjointfitting
6.9 Doublesanitarytee(sanitarycross)
6.10 Wye("Y")fitting
6.11 Doubletappedbushing
7 Hydraulicfittings
8 Connectionmethods
8.1 Fastener
8.2 Threadedpipe
8.3 Solventwelding
8.4 Soldering
8.5 Brazing
8.6 Welding
8.7 Compressionfittings
8.8 Pushtopullcompressionfittings
8.9 Flarefittings
8.10 Flangefittings
8.11 Mechanicalfittings
8.12 Crimpedorpressedfittings
9 Seealso
10 References
11 Externallinks

Standards
Therearecertainstandardcodesthatneedtobefollowedwhiledesigningormanufacturinganypiping
system.Organizationsthatpromulgatepipingstandardsinclude:
ASMETheAmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers
A112.19.1EnamelledcastironandenamelledsteelplumbingfixturesStandard,American
SocietyofMechanicalEngineers(ASME)
A112.19.2CeramicplumbingfixturesStandard,AmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers
(ASME)
ASTMAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials
APIAmericanPetroleumInstitute
AWSAmericanWeldingSociety
AWWAAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
MSSManufacturers'StandardizationSociety
ANSIAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute
NFPANationalFireProtectionAssociation
EJMAExpansionJointManufacturersAssociation
CGACompressedGasAssociation
Forexample,pipesneedtoconformtothedimensionalrequirementsof:
ASMEB36.10MWeldedandSeamlessWroughtSteelPipe
ASMEB36.19MStainlessSteelPipe
ASMEB31.32008ProcessPipinG
ASMEB31.4XXXXPowerPiping
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TheB31.3/B31.4codehasrequirementsforpipingfoundinpetroleumrefinerieschemical,
pharmaceutical,textile,paper,semiconductor,andcryogenicplantsandrelatedprocessingplantsand
terminals.Thiscodespecifiesrequirementsformaterialsandcomponents,design,fabrication,assembly,
erection,examination,inspection,andtestingofpiping.ThisCodeisapplicabletopipingforallfluids
including:(1)raw,intermediate,andfinishedchemicals(2)petroleumproducts(3)gas,steam,airand
water(4)fluidizedsolids(5)refrigerantsand(6)cryogenicfluids.

Materials
Thematerialwithwhichapipeismanufacturedoftenformsasthebasisfor
choosinganypipe.Materialsthatareusedformanufacturingpipesinclude:
CarbonSteel(CS),alsogalvanized
ImpactTestedCarbonSteel(ITCS)
LowTemperatureServiceCarbonSteel(LTCS)
StainlessSteel(SS)
Malleableiron(malleableiron)
NonFerrousMetals(Copper,Inconel,Incoloy,Cupronickeletc.)
NonMetallic(ABS,Fibrereinforcedplastic(FRP),PVC,HDPE,
temperedglass,etc.)
Chromemolybdenumsteel(Alloysteel)Generallyusedforhigh
temperatureservice
Thebodiesoffittingsforpipeandtubingaremostoftenofthesamebase
materialasthepipeortubingbeingconnected,forexample,copper,steel,
polyvinylchloride(PVC),chlorinatedpolyvinylchloride(CPVC),or
Displayofavarietyof
acrylonitrilebutadienestyrene(ABS).However,anymaterialthatis
threadedcastironfittings
allowedbytheplumbing,health,orbuildingcode(asapplicable)maybe
used,butmustbecompatiblewiththeothermaterialsinthesystem,the
fluidsbeingtransported,andthetemperaturesandpressuresinsideandoutsideofthesystem.Forexample,
brassorbronzebodiedfittingsarecommoninotherwisecopperpipingandplumbingsystems.Fire
hazards,earthquakeresistance,andotherfactorsalsoinfluencechoiceoffittingmaterials.

Gaskets
Gasketsaremechanicalseals,usuallyformedlikearingandusedforsealingofflangejoints.Ingeneral,
gasketsshouldnotbereused.[2]Varioustypesofgasketsareavailabledependingupontheirconstruction,
materials,andfeatures.Thefollowingarethetypeofgasketscommonlyused:
NonMetallicGaskets(ASMEB16.21)
SpiralWoundGaskets(ASMEB16.20)
RingJointGaskets(ASMEB16.20)
NonMetallicGasketsareusedwithflatfaceorraisedfaceflanges.SpiralWoundGasketsareusedwith
raisedfaceflanges.Theyareavailablewithaninnerringandouterring,whichisalsoknownasthe
canteringring.RingJointGasketsareusedwithRingTypeJoint(RTJ)flanges.Theyareavailablein
octagonalorovalcrosssections.
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AveryhighsurfacestressisdevelopedbetweenanRTJgasketandtheflangegroovewhenRTJisboltedup
inaflange.Thisleadstoplasticdeformationofthegasket.Thus,thehardnessofthegasketiskeptlessthan
thehardnessofthegroovetoachievecoiningi.e.bringingtwometalsurfacesofdifferenthardnessso
tightlytogetherthatthesoftersurfacedeformstomatchhardersurfaceexactlyinshapeandfinish.Hence
RTJgasketsarenotrecommendedforreuse.[3]

Genderoffittings
Pipingortubingareusually(butnotalways)insertedintofittingstomakeconnections.Toavoidconfusion,
connectionsareconventionallyassignedagenderofmaleorfemale,respectivelyabbreviatedas"M"or
"F".Anexampleofthisisa"3/4inchfemaleadapterNPT,"whichwouldhaveacorrespondingmale
connectionofthesamesizeandthreadstandard(inthiscase,NPT).

Commonfittingsforbothpipingandplumbing
Whiletherearehundredsofspecializedfittingsmanufactured,somecommontypesoffittingsareused
widelyinpipingandplumbingsystems.FittingsASMEB16.9

Elbow
Anelbowisapipefittinginstalledbetweentwolengthsofpipeortubingto
allowachangeofdirection,usuallya90or45angle,though22.5elbows
arealsomade.Theendsmaybemachinedforbuttwelding,threaded
(usuallyfemale),orsocketed,etc.Whenthetwoendsdifferinsize,the
fittingiscalledareducingelboworreducerelbow.
Elbowsarecategorizedbasedonvariousdesignfeaturesasbelow:
LongRadius(LR)Elbowsradiusis1.5timesthepipediameter
ShortRadius(SR)Elbowsradiusis1.0timesthepipediameter
90DegreeElbowwherechangeindirectionrequiredis90
60DegreeElbowwherechangeindirectionrequiredis60
45DegreeElbowwherechangeindirectionrequiredis45

Shortradiusorregular45
elbow(coppersweat)

A90degreeelbowisalsocalleda"90bend"or"90ell".Itisafittingwhich
isbentinsuchawaytoproduce90degreechangeinthedirectionofflowin
thepipe.Itisusedtochangethedirectioninpipingandisalsosometimes
calleda"quarterbend".A90degreeelbowattachesreadilytoplastic,
copper,castiron,steelandlead.Itcanalsoattachtorubberwithstainless
steelclamps.Itisavailableinmanymaterialslikesilicone,rubber
compounds,galvanizedsteel,etc.Themainapplicationofanelbow(90
degree)istoconnecthosestovalves,waterpressurepumps,anddeck
drains.TheseelbowscanbemadefromtoughnylonmaterialorNPTthread.
A45degreeelbowisalsocalleda"45bend"or"45ell".Itiscommonly
usedinwatersupplyfacilities,foodindustrialpipelinenetworks,chemical
industrialpipelinenetworks,electronicindustrialpipelinenetworks,air
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Longradiusorsweep90
elbow(coppersweat)

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conditioningfacilitypipeline,agricultureandgardenproductiontransportingsystem,pipelinenetworkfor
solarenergyfacility,etc.
Mostelbowsareavailableinshortradiusorlongradiusvariants.Theshortradiuselbowshaveacenterto
enddistanceequaltotheNominalPipeSize(NPS)ininches,whilethelongradiusis1.5timestheNPSin
inches.Shortelbowsarewidelyavailable,andaretypicallyusedinpressurizedsystems.
Longelbowsaretypicallyusedinlowpressuregravityfedsystemsandotherapplicationswherelow
turbulenceandminimumdepositionofentrainedsolidsareofconcern.Theyarereadilyavailablein
acrylonitrilebutadienestyrene(ABSplastic),polyvinylchloride(PVC)forDWV,sewageandcentral
vacuums,chlorinatedpolyvinylchloride(CPVC)andcopperfor1950sto1960shouseswithcopperdrains.

Coupling
Acouplingconnectstwopipestoeachother.Ifthesizeofthepipeis
notthesame,thefittingmaybecalledareducingcouplingor
reducer,oranadapter.Byconvention,theterm"expander"isnot
generallyusedforacouplerthatincreasespipesizeinsteadtheterm
"reducer"isused.Therearetwodifferenttypesofcouplings:slipand
regularcouplings.
Pipecoupling(coppersweat)

Union
Aunionissimilartoacoupling,exceptitisdesignedtoallowquick
andconvenientdisconnectionofpipesformaintenanceorfixture
replacement.Whileacouplingwouldrequireeithersolventwelding,
solderingorbeingabletorotatewithallthepipesadjacentaswitha
threadedcoupling,aunionprovidesasimpletransition,allowing
easyconnectionordisconnectionatanyfuturetime.Astandard
unionpipeismadeinthreepartsconsistingofanut,afemaleend,
andamaleend.Whenthefemaleandmaleendsarejoined,thenuts
thenprovidethenecessarypressuretosealthejoint.Sincethe
matingendsoftheunionareinterchangeable,changingofavalveor
otherdevicecanbeachievedwithaminimumlossoftime.Pipe
unionsareessentiallyatypeofflangeconnector,asdiscussed
furtherbelow.

Acombinationpipeunionand
reducerfitting(brassthreaded)

Inadditiontostandard,simpleunions,othertypesofunionexist:
Dielectricunionsareunionswithdielectricinsulation,usedtoseparatedissimilarmetals(suchas
copperandgalvanizedsteel)toavoidthedamagingeffectsofgalvaniccorrosion.Whentwo
dissimilarmetalsareincontactwithanelectricallyconductivesolution(eventapwateris
conductive),theywillformabatteryandgenerateavoltagebyelectrolysis.Whenthetwometalsare
indirectcontactwitheachother,theelectriccurrentfromonemetaltotheotherwillcausea
movementofionsfromonetotheother,dissolvingonemetalanddepositingitontheother.A
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dielectricunionbreakstheelectriccurrentpathwithaplasticlinerbetweentwohalvesoftheunion,
thuslimitinggalvaniccorrosion.
Rotaryunionsareunionsthatallowforrotationofoneoftheunitedparts.

Reducer
Areducerallowsforachangeinpipesizetomeethydraulicflow
requirementsofthesystem,ortoadapttoexistingpipingofa
differentsize.Reducersareusuallyconcentricbuteccentricreducers
areusedwhenrequiredtomaintainthesametoporbottomofpipe
level.MaterialASTMA234WPB

Reducerfittings,bronzethreaded
(left)andcoppersweat(right)

Olets
Wheneverbranchconnectionsarerequiredinsizewherereducingteesarenotavailableand/orwhenthe
branchconnectionsareofsmallersizeascomparedtoheadersize,oletsaregenerallyused.Thefollowing
arefewconfigurationsofoletconnections:
FlangedOlet
SocketWeld&ThreadedOlet
Lateral&ElbowOlets
NippleOlet
ButtWeldOlet
SwageNipples

Tee
Ateeisthemostcommonpipefitting.Itisavailablewithallfemale
threadsockets,allsolventweldsockets,orwithopposedsolvent
weldsocketsandasideoutletwithfemalethreads.Itisusedto
eithercombineorsplitafluidflow.Itisatypeofpipefittingwhich
isTshapedhavingtwooutlets,at90totheconnectiontothemain
line.Itisashortpieceofpipewithalateraloutlet.Ateeisusedfor
connectingpipesofdifferentdiametersorforchangingthedirection
ofpiperuns.Theyaremadeofvariousmaterialsandavailablein
varioussizesandfinishes.Theyareextensivelyusedinpipeline
networkstotransporttwophasefluidmixtures.Theyare
categorizedas:

Pipetee(coppersweat)

Equal
Unequal
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Whenthesizeofthebranchissameasheaderpipes,equalteeisusedandwhenthebranchsizeislessthan
thatofheadersize,reducedteewillbeused.Mostcommonareteeswiththesameinletandoutletsizes.
SomeoftheindustrialteesareStraightTee,ReducingTee,DoubleBranchTee,DoubleBranchReducing
Tee,ConicalTee,DoubleBranchConicalTee,BullheadTee,ConicalReducingTee,DoubleBranch
ConicalReducingTee,TangentialTee,andDoubleBranchTangentialTee.
Theaboveteesarecategorizedonthebasisoftheirshapesandstructure.Theycanalsobeclassifiedonthe
basisoftheapplicationtheyarerequiredtoperform.
Thethreeoutletsizesshouldbenamedinorder(e.g.left,middle,rightmeasuring152215).Thethree
sizesofateeareendxendxcenter,soateethatis1"onbothendsand3/4"inthecenteritwouldbe1"x
1"x3/4".

Cross
Crossfittingsarealsocalled4wayfittings.Ifabranchlinepassescompletelythroughatee,thefitting
becomesacross.Acrosshasoneinletandthreeoutlets,orviceversa.Theyoftenhavesolventwelded
socketendsorfemalethreadedends.
Crossfittingscangenerateahugeamountofstressonpipeastemperaturechanges,becausetheyareatthe
centeroffourconnectionpoints.Ateeismoresteadythanacross,asateebehaveslikeathreelegged
stool,whileacrossbehaveslikeafourleggedstool.(Geometrically,"any3noncollinearpointsdefinea
plane"thus3legsareinherentlystable.)Crossesarecommoninfiresprinklersystems,wherestresses
causedbythermalexpansionarenotgenerallyanissue,butnotinplumbing,duetotheirextracostas
comparedtousingtwotees.

Cap
Atypeofpipefitting,usuallyliquidorgastight,whichcoverstheendofapipe.
Acapisusedlikeplug,exceptthatthepipecapscrewsorattachesonthemale
threadofapipe.Acapmayhaveasolventweldsocketendorafemalethreaded
endandtheotherendclosedoff.Inplumbingsystemsthatusethreads,thecap
hasfemalethreads.Industrialcapscanberound,square,rectangular,Ushaped,
Ishapedandmayhavearoundhandgriporaflathandgrip.
Ifasolventweldcapisusedtoprovideforafutureconnectionpoint,several
inchesofpipemustbeleftbeforethecap.Thisisbecausewhenthecapiscut
offforthefutureconnection,enoughpipemustremaintoallowanewfittingto
begluedontoit.

Pipecap(coppersweat)

Plug
Aplugclosesofftheendofapipe.Itissimilartoacapbutitfitsinsidethefittingitismatedto.Ina
threadedironpipeplumbingsystem,plugshavemalethreads.Someofthepopulartypesofplugsare:
Mechanicalpipeplug
Pneumaticdiskpipeplug
Singlesizepneumaticallrubberpipeplug
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Multisizepneumaticpipeplug
Multisizeflowthroughpipeplug
Highpressurepipeplug

Nipple
Ashortstubofpipe,usuallythreadedsteel,brass,chlorinatedpolyvinylchloride(CPVC)orcopper
occasionallyjustbarecopper.Anippleisdefinedasbeingashortstubofpipewhichhasexternalmalepipe
threadsateachend,forconnectingtwootherfittings.Nipplesarecommonlyusedforplumbingandhoses,
andsecondasvalvesforfunnelsandpipes.

Barb
A"barb"or"hosebarb"fittingisusedtoconnectflexiblehoseortubingto
pipes.Abarbfittingtypicallyhasamalethreadedendusedtomatewith
femalethreads.Theotherendofthefittinghaseitherasingleormultiple
barbedtubehavingataperedstubwithridges,whichisinsertedintoa
flexiblehosetosecureit.Anadjustablewormdrivescrewclamporother
typeofclampisoftenadded,tohelptokeepthehosefromslippingoffthe
barbedtube.Barbfittingscanbemadeofbrassforhotwaterapplications,
whileplasticmaybeusedforcoldwaterbrassisconsideredmorerobust
anddurableforheavydutyuse.Thebarbfittingcanbeeitherelbowshaped
orstraight.

Hosebarbfittingsmadeof
brass

Valves
Valvesareequipmentdesignedtostoporregulateflowofanyfluid
(liquid,gas,condensate,stem,slurry,etc.)initspath.Valvesare
categorizeddependingontheirapplicationslikeisolation,throttling,
andnonreturn.Varioustypeofvalvesareavailabledependingupon
thetypeofconstructionasfollows:
Gatevalveusedforisolationonly
Plugvalveusedforisolationonly
Globevalveusedforthrottling
Butterflyvalveusedforisolationaswellasthrottling
Checkvalveusedforpreventingreverseflow(nonreturn)
Diaphragmvalveusedforisolationaswellasthrottling
Ballvalveusedforisolationonly
NeedleValveusedtocontrolflowratetoadesiredamount

Watershutoffvalvesbelowakitchen
sink

Drainwastevent(DWV)andrelatedfittings

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Becausetheyoperateatlowpressureandrelyongravitytomove
fluids(andoftenentrainedsolids),drainwasteventsystemsuse
fittingsdesignedtobeassmoothaspossibleontheirinterior
surfaces.Thefittingsmaybe"belled"orexpandedslightlyin
diameter,orotherwiseshapedtoaccommodateinsertionofpipeor
tubing,withoutformingasharpinteriorridgethatmightcatch
debrisoraccumulatebuildupofmaterialandcauseclogging.[4]The
absenceofinteriorsnagsalsomakesitmucheasierto"snakeout"or
"rodout"acloggedpipeusinglongflexibletoolsmadeforthis
purpose.

CastironandcopperDWV
installation

Undergroundpipingsystemsforlandscapingdrainage,ordisposal
ofstormwaterorgroundwater,similarlyusegravityflowatlowpressure,oftenwithentrainedsolids.
PipingfittingsusedforthesesystemsbearastrongresemblancetoDWVfittings,thoughoftenatalarger
scale.[5]Whenhighpeakflowvolumesareinvolved,thedesignandconstructionofthesesystemsare
closelyinterrelatedtosewerdesign.
FittingsforcentralvacuumsystemsareverysimilartoDWVfittings,thoughusuallyofthinnerandlighter
construction,sincetheweightofthematerialsconveyedthroughthesystemismuchless.Vacuumsystem
designssharewithDWVdesignsaconcernabouteliminatinginternalridges,burrs,sharpturns,orother
obstructionstosmoothflowthatmightcausebuildupofmaterialintopipeblockages.

Sweepelbow
DWVelbowsareusuallylongradius("sweep")types.Toreduceflowresistanceandsolidsdepositionwhen
thedirectionofflowischanged,theyemployashallowcurveratherthanasharpturn.[6]Awelldesigned
systemwilloftenemploydouble45elbowsinpreferenceover90elbows(evensweep90elbows),to
reduceflowdisruptionasmuchaspossible.
Centralvacuumsysteminletfittingsareintentionallydesignedwithatighterradiusofcurvaturethanany
otherbendsinthesystem.Thisisdonetoensurethatifanyvacuumeddebrisbecomesstuck,itwilljam
rightattheinlet,whereitiseasiesttodiscoverandtoremove.

Closetflange
Theclosetflangeisthedrainpipeflangetowhichawatercloset(toilet)isattached.Itisaspecializedtype
offlangeconnectiondesignedtositflushwiththefloor,allowingastandardtoilettobeinstalledaboveit.

Cleanouts
Cleanoutsarefittingswithremovableelementsthatallowaccesstodrainswithoutrequiringremovalof
plumbingfixtures.Theyareusedforallowinganaugerorplumber'ssnaketocleanoutapluggeddrain.
Cleanoutsshouldbeplacedinaccessiblelocationsatregularintervalsthroughoutadrainagesystem,often
includingoutsidethebuilding,becausecleanoutaugershavelimitedlength.Theminimumrequirementis
typicallyattheendofeachbranchinpiping,justaheadofeachwatercloset,atthebaseofeachvertical

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stack,andbothinsideandoutsidethebuildinginthebuildingmaindrain/sewer.Cleanoutsnormallyhave
screwoncapsorscrewinplugs.Cleanoutsarealsoknownasroddingeyesfromtheeyeshapedcover
platesoftenusedonexternalversions.

Trapprimers
Trapprimersregularlyinjectwaterintotrapssothat"waterseals"aremaintained,asnecessarytokeep
sewergasesoutofbuildings.Thetrapprimermustbeinstalledinareadilyavailableplaceforeasyaccess
foradjustments,replacement,andrepair.Strictlyspeaking,atrapprimerisaspecializedvalve,anditis
usuallyconnectedtoacleanwatersupply,inadditiontoaDWVsystem.[7]Becauseofthisdualconnection,
thedesignusuallymustbecertifiedtoresistaccidentalbackflowofcontaminatedwater.

Combotee
Acombinationtee("combotee","combowye",[8]"teewye","longsweepwye",or"combi")isateewitha
graduallycurvingcentralconnectingjoint.Acombinationteeisawyeplusanadditional1/8bend(45)
combinedintoonesolidunit(90total).Itisusedindrainsystemstoprovideasmooth,graduallycurving
pathtoreducethelikelihoodofclogs,toeasepushingaplumber'ssnakethroughadrainsystem,andto
encouragewaterflowinthedirectionofthedrain.

Sanitarytee
Asanitaryteeisateewithacurvedcentersection.Indrainagesystems,itisprimarilyusedtoconnect
horizontaldrains(includingfixturetraparms)toverticaldrains.Thecenterconnectionisgenerally
connectedtothepipewhichleadstoatrap(thetraparm).However,itisagainstallmajorplumbingcodes
touseasanitaryteetoconnectaverticaldraintoahorizontaldrain,becauseofthelikelihoodthatsolids
willaccumulateatthebottomofthejunctionandcauseablockage.

Baffletee
Alsocalleda"teewithdiverterbaffle",[9]thesearetypicallyconnectorsforwastelinesbeforetheyenterthe
Ptrap,andhaveanaddedbaffletotryandhelpdirectwaterfromonewastepipetonotgoupintoanother
attheconnectionpoint.Alsocalled"wastetee"or"endoutlettee".[10]

Slipjointfitting
Slipjointfittingsarefrequentlyusedinkitchen,bathroomandtubwaterdrainsystems.[11]Theyincludea
detached(movable)"slipnut"and"slipjointwasher"(thewasherismadeofrubberornylon[12]).Anadded
benefitofthistypeoffittingisthatthepipeitisconnectingtodoesn'thavetobecuttoprecisefit,butthe
slipjointcanattachwithinarangeoftheendoftheinsertingpipe.Manyslipfittingsare"handtightenable"
foreasierentrytotheresidentialdrainpipesystems(forinstancetocleanoutthePtraporhaveaccessto
thedrainlinepastthePtrap).

Doublesanitarytee(sanitarycross)

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Similartoacross.Thisfittingdiffersfromastandardcrossinthattwooftheportshavecurvedinlets.The
fittinghasbeenusedinthepastforconnectingthedrainsofbacktobackfixtures(suchasbacktoback
sinks).Somecurrentcodes(includingthe2006UPC)prohibittheuseofthisfittingforthatpurpose,instead
requiringaspecial"doublefixturefitting"(doublecombinationwye)sincethatpreventsthetwosidesfrom
flowingintoeachothermore.

Wye("Y")fitting
Afittingwiththreeopenings,awyeisusedtojoinorcreatebranchlines.Itisatypeofwastefittingtee
whichhasthesideinletpipeenteringata45angle,oranangleotherthan90degrees.Astandardwyeisa
"Y"shapedfittingwhichallowsonepipetobejoinedtoanotherata45degreeangle.
Wyesaresimilartoteesexceptthatthebranchlineisangledtoreducefrictionandturbulencethatcould
hampertheflow.Acommonuseisattachingaverticaldrainagepipetoahorizontalone,tohelpmaintain
flowdrainagedirectionTheconnectionistypicallyata45degreeangleratherthana90degreeangle,ifa
branchturnsoutfurtherattheendtobe90degree(perpendicular)thefittingbecomesacombotee.[13]
Wye'sandcombowye'sarereferredtoasfollowinga"longsweep"pattern,[14]relativetosanitaryteesand
shortsweepbends,whicharereferredtoas"shortsweep"(i.e.smallerradiustocompleteturn).Short
sweeptakeuplessspacetoturn,butdon'thavetheadvantageslistedabove.
Awyebranchmayalsobeusedtosplitabranchlineequallyintwodirections.Theopeningsizescanvary
fordifferentsituations,forinstanceinsituationwherealargemainlineneedstobesplitintotwosmaller
branches.
Wyesalsohaveuseinindustrialapplications.Lowpricedwyesareoftenspotweldedtogether,whereas
industrialwyeshaveacontinuousweldateachseam.Inlongdistancepipelineapplications,atrueWye
fittingisalsoengineeredforclosedsysteminstrumentationpiggingconfigurationsorwhereverasmooth
pipebranchisused.

Doubletappedbushing
Adoubletappedbushingisafittingthathasopposingthreadsontheinsidediameterofthebushing.

Hydraulicfittings
Hydraulicsystemsuseextremelyhighfluidpressurestocreateusefulwork,suchasinthehydraulic
actuatorsforpoweredmachinerysuchasbulldozersandbackhoes.Therefore,hydraulicfittingsare
designedandratedformuchgreaterpressuresthanthoseexperiencedingeneralpipingsystems,andthey
aregenerallynotcompatibleforuseingeneralplumbing.Hydraulicfittingsaredesignedandconstructedto
resisthighpressureleakageandsuddenexplosivefailure.Moreinformationonhydraulicsandtheir
specializedfittingscanbefoundinthehydraulicmachineryarticle.

Connectionmethods

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Muchoftheworkofinstallingapipingorplumbingsysteminvolvesmakingleakproof,reliable
connections.Inaddition,mostpipingrequiresmechanicalsupportagainstgravityandotherforces(suchas
windloadsandearthquakes)thatmightdisruptaninstallation.[15]Dependingontheconnectiontechnology
used,basicskillsmaybesufficient,orspecializedskillsandprofessionallicensuremayberequired.

Fastener
Afastenerisahardwaredevicethatmechanicallyjoinsoraffixestwoormoreobjectstogether.Theyare
usuallyusedtoattachpipeandfittingstomechanicalsupportsinbuildings,butnottointerconnectthe
actualpipestoeachother.Thefollowingarethetypeoffastenerscommonlyusedwithpiping:
StudboltwithnutUsuallythestudboltsareusedwithfullthreadingandwithtwoheavy
hexagonalnuts.
Machineboltwithnut
Powderactuatedtool(PAT)fastenerUsuallyasimplenail,orathreadedstud,drivenintoconcrete
ormasonry

Threadedpipe
Athreadedpipeisapipewithascrewthreadatoneorbothendsfor
assembly.Steelpipeisoftenjoinedusingthreadedconnections,
wheretaperedthreads(intheUS/CanadaseeNationalPipeThread,
inCommonwealthNationssuchastheUK,Australia,NewZealand
seeBritishstandardpipethread)arecutintotheendofthetubing
segment,sealantisappliedintheformofthreadsealingcompound
orthreadsealtape(alsoknownasPTFEorTeflontape),anditis
thenthreadedintoacorrespondingthreadedfittingusingapipe
wrench.
Threadedsteelpipeisstillwidelyusedinmanyhomesand
MIPpipeandFIPelbowfitting(steel
businessestoconveynaturalgasorpropanefuel,andisapopular
threaded)
choiceinfiresprinklersystemsduetoitshighheatresistance.
Threadedbrasspipewasonceusedinasimilarfashion,andwas
consideredsuperiortosteelforcarryingdrinkingwater,butisnoweffectivelyobsolete.
Assemblingthreadedsteelpipetakessomeskill,pluscarefulplanningtoallowlengthsofpipetobe
screwedtogetherinpropersequence.Mostthreadedpipesystemsrequireoccasionaluseofpipeunion
fittingstoallowfinalassembly.

Solventwelding
AsolventisappliedtoPVC,CPVC,ABS,orotherplasticpiping,topartiallydissolveandfusetheadjacent
surfacesofpipingandfitting.Solventweldingisusuallyusedwithasleevetypejoint,toconnectpipeand
fittingsmadeofthesame(orcloselycompatible)material.
Unlikeregularweldingofmetals,solventweldingisrelativelyeasytoperform,althoughcareisstillneeded
toproducereliablejoints.Solventstypicallyusedforplasticsareusuallytoxic,maybecarcinogenic,and
mayalsobeflammable,requiringadequateventilation.
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Polypropylenefittingsforsolvent
welding

Soldering
Tomakeasolderconnection,achemicalfluxisappliedtotheinner
sleeveofasleevetypejoint,andthepipeisinserted.Thejointis
thenheatedusingapropanetorchorMAPPgastorch,solderis
appliedtotheheatedjoint,andthemeltedsolderisdrawnintothe
jointbycapillaryactionasthefluxvaporizes.Sweatingisan
alternatetermsometimesusedtodescribesolderingofpipejoints.
Insituationswheremanyconnectionsmustbemadeinashort
periodoftime(suchasplumbingofanewbuilding),solderoffers
muchquickerandmuchlessexpensivejoinerythancompressionor
flarefittings.Adegreeofskillisneededtorapidlymakelarge
numbersofreliablesolderedjoints.Iffluxresiduesarethoroughly
cleaned,solderingcanproducealonglastingconnectionatlow
cost.However,theuseofopenflamesforheatingjointscanpresent
fireandhealthhazardstooccupantsofabuildingbeingworkedon,
andrequiresadequateventilation.

Brassfittingsoftsolderedtocopper
pipe

Brazing
Brazingisathermaljoiningprocessinwhichthetwopiecesofthebasemetalarejoinedwhenamolten
brazingfillermetalisallowedtobedrawnintoacapillarygapbetweenthem.Itisusedtojoinmostmetals
andalloyscommonlyusedinengineering.Brazingfillermetalshaveveryhighmeltingpoints,butalways
belowthemeltingpointofthemetalsbeingjoined.Itiscloselyrelatedtosoldering,butusesharder
materialsandhighertemperatures.Brazingcanbeusedtojoinpipes,rods,metalpiecesoranyothershape
aslongasthepiecesfitneatlyagainsteachotherwithoutleavinglargegaps.Itisalsocapableofjoining
tungstencarbide,ceramicsandsimilarnonmetallicmaterials.
Successfullybrazedjointsareasstrongastheparentmetalpiecesbeingjoinedandcanwithstand
demandingserviceconditionsi.e.theyarestrongandductile.Wellbrazedjointshavesmooth,neatfillets
andtheyoffergoodelectricalconductivity.

Welding
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Weldingofmetalsdiffersfromsolderingandbrazing,inthattheconnection
ismadewithoutaddingaspeciallowmeltingpointmaterial(e.g.solder)to
completeajoint.Instead,thematerialofthepipeortubingisitselfpartially
meltedinacarefullycontrolledmanner,andthefittingandpipingare
directlyfusedtogether.Generallythisrequiresthatthepipingandthefitting
bemadeofthesame(orcloselycompatible)material.Properventilationis
essentialtoremovedangerousmetallicfumesfromweldingoperations,and
specialpersonalprotectiveequipmentmustbeworn.
Properlyweldedandinspectedjointsareconsideredtobeveryreliable,
robust,andlonglasting.Pipeweldingisaspecializedskill,andisoften
performedbyspeciallylicensedworkerswhoaretestedperiodicallyforthe
qualityoftheirwork.Forcriticalapplications,everyjointistestedusing
nondestructivetestingmethods.Becauseoftheexpensiveskilledlabor
required,weldedpipejointsareusuallyrestrictedtohighperformance
applications,suchasinshipbuilding,chemicalreactors,andnuclear
reactors.

Partiallyweldedsteelpipe
joint

Compressionfittings
Compressionfittings(sometimescalled"lockbushfittings")consist
ofataperedconcaveconicalseat,ahollowbarrelshaped
compressionring(sometimescalleda"ferrule"),andacompression
nutwhichisthreadedontothebodyofthefittingandtightenedto
makealeakproofconnection.Fittingsaretypicallymadeofbrassor
plastic,butstainlesssteelorothermaterialsmaybeused.
Compressionconnectionsdonottypicallyhavethelonglifethat
sweatconnectionsoffer,butareadvantageousinmanycases
becausetheyareeasytoinstallusingbasictools.Adisadvantageof
compressionconnectionsisthattheytakelongertomakethan
sweatedjoints,andsometimesrequireretighteningtostopslow
leaksthatdevelopovertime.

Compressionconnectorsonan
isolatingvalve.Theredmetalisa
coppercompressionring.

Pushtopullcompressionfittings
Flarefittings
Flaredconnectorsshouldnotbeconfusedwithcompressionconnectors,withwhichtheyaregenerallynot
interchangeable.Flaredconnectorslackacompressionring,butdouseathreadednut.Aspecialflaringtool
isusedtoenlargetubingintoatapered"bellmouth"shapethatmatchesthetaperedprojectingconicalshape
oftheflarefitting.Theflarenut,whichhaspreviouslybeeninstalledoverthetubing,isthentightenedonto
thefitting.Fittingsaretypicallymadeofbrassorplastic,butstainlesssteelorothermaterialsmaybeused.

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Flareconnectionsarealaborintensivemethodofmaking
connections,butarequitereliableoverthecourseofmanyyears.
Flaredfittingsaresometimesthoughttobemoresecureagainst
leaksandsuddenfailures,andareoftenpreferredforsafetycritical
connections,suchasinhydraulicbrakesystems.

Flareconnection:1Screwthread,2
Oring,3Body,4Nut,5Seal
interface,6Supportring(sleeve),7
Flaredtubing.

Flangefittings
Flangesaregenerallyusedwhenthereisaconnectiontovalves,in
lineinstrumentsand/orconnectiontoequipmentnozzlesisrequired.
Flangefittingsgenerallyinvolvepressingtwosurfacestobejoined
tightlytogether,bymeansofthreadedbolts,wedges,clamps,or
othermeansofapplyinghighcompressiveforces.[16]Often,a
gasket,packing,oranOringisinstalledbetweentheflangesto
preventleakage,butitissometimespossibletouseonlyaspecial
grease,ornothingatall,ifthematingsurfacesarepreciselyformed.
Flangesaredesignedtothefollowingpressureratings:150lb,
Flangeconnection,usingagasket
300lb,400lb,600lb,900lb,1500lband2500lbor10Bar,15Bar,
25Bar,40Bar,64Bar,100Barand150Bar.Varioustypesofflanges
areavailabledependinguponthetypeoftheirconstructionalfeatures.Thefollowingaretypesofflanges
generallyusedinpiping.Theseflangesareavailablewithdifferentfacinglikeraisedface,flatface,ring
jointfaceetc.
Orifice
Threaded
SlipOn
Blind
WeldNeck
Socket
LapJoint
Reducing
SlipOnflangesareslippedoverthepipeandthenweldedfrombothinsideandoutsidetoprovidesufficient
strengthandpreventleakage.Thisflangeisusedinsteadofweldnecksbymanyusersbecauseofitslower
costandalsothefactthatitrequireslessaccuracywhencuttingpipetolength.
Blindflangesdonothaveaboreandareusedtoshutoffapipingsystemorvassalopening.Itsdesign
permitseasyaccesstovassalorpipingsystemforinspectionpurpose.Itcanbesuppliedwithorwithout
hubsatthemanufacturer'soption.
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Weldneckflangesaredesignedtobejoinedtoapipingsystembybuttwelding.Theyareexpensive
becauseofitslongneck,butispreferredforhighstressestothepipe,reducingstressapplications.The
neck,orhub,transmitsstressconcentrationatthebaseoftheflange.Thegradualtransitionofthickness
fromthebaseofthehubtothewallthicknessatthebuttweldprovidesimportantreinforcementofthe
flange.Turbulenceanderosionarereducedduetothematchingboresizeofthepipeandflange.
SocketFlangesaresimilartoasliponflangesinoutline,buttheboreiscounterboredtoacceptpipe.The
diameteroftheremainingboreissameastheinsidediameterofthepipe.Afilletweldaroundthehubof
theflangeattachestheflangetothepipe.Anoptionalintervalweldmaybeappliedinhighstress
applications.Itsbiggestuseisinhighpressuresystemsuchashydraulicandsteamlines.
LapJointflangeisagainsimilartoaslipflange,butithasradiusattheintersectionoftheboreandthe
flangefacetoaccommodatealapstubend.Thefaceonthestubendformsthegasketfaceoftheflange.Its
applicationsarewheresectionsofpipingsystemsneedtobedismantledquicklyandeasilyforinspectionor
replacement.
Flangedconnectionstendtobemorebulkythanotherconnections,butcanperformwellindemanding
applications,suchaslargewatermainsandhydroelectricpowersystems.

Mechanicalfittings
ManufacturerssuchasVictaulicorGrinnellproducespecialsleeveclamp
fittingsthatareincreasinglyreplacingclassicflangedconnections.They
typicallyattachtotheendofapipesegmentbyusingcircumferential
groovespressed(orcut,inolderdesigns)aroundtheendofthepipetobe
joined.Mechanicalconnectorsarewidelyusedonlargersteelpipes,butcan
alsobeusedwithothermaterials.
Thechiefadvantageofthesenewerconnectorsisthattheycanbeinstalled
inthefieldaftercuttingthepipetolength,whichismuchfasterthan
traditionalflangedconnections,whichmustbefactoryweldedorfield
weldedtopipesegments.However,mechanicallyfastenedjointsare
sensitivetoresidualstressissuesandthicknessstressescausedbydissimilar
metalsandtemperaturechanges.

Multiplemechanicalsleeve
clampsconnectingpiping

Agroovedfitting,alsocalleda"groovedcoupling",hasfourelements:
thegroovepipe
thegasket
couplinghousing
thenutsandbolts
Thegrooveismadebycoldformingormachiningagrooveintotheendofapipe.Agasketencompassed
bythecouplinghousingiswrappedaroundthetwopipeends,andthekeysectionsofthecouplinghousing
engagethegrooves.Theboltsandnutsaretightenedwithasocketwrenchorimpactwrench.Inthe
installedstate,thecouplinghousingencasesthegasketandengagesthegroovesaroundthecircumference
ofthepipetocreatealeaktightsealinaselfrestrainedpipejoint.
Therearetwobasicgroovedcouplingstyles:
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Flexiblegroovedcouplingsallowalimitedamountofangularmovement
Rigidgroovedcouplingsdonotallowmovementandcanbeusedwhereverimmobilityinthepipe
jointisneeded,similartoaflangedorweldedjoint.

Crimpedorpressedfittings
Crimpedorpressedconnectionsusespecialfittingswhichare
permanentlyattachedtotubingwithapoweredcrimper.Thespecial
fittings,manufacturedwithsealantalreadyinside,slideoverthe
tubingtobeconnected.Highpressureisusedtodeformthefitting
andcompressthesealantagainsttheinnertubing,creatinga
leakproofseal.
Theadvantagesofthismethodarethatitshouldlastaslongasthe
tubing,ittakeslesstimetocompletethanothermethods,itis
cleanerinbothappearanceandthematerialsusedtomakethe
connection,andnoopenflameisusedduringtheconnection
Fittingsforcrimping
process.Thecrimpedfittingprocessisbasicallydesignedwithboth
hardandhalfhardcoppertube,withoutusingfluxesorfillermetals.
Thepossibilitytogettheconnectiondone,evenwhenthelineis"wet"givestheprocessanadded
advantage.Theseareidealfordrinkingwaterpipesandotherhotandcoldsystemsthatincludecentral
heatingaswell.Thedisadvantagesarethatthefittingsusedarehardertofindandcostsignificantlymore
thansweattypefittings.

Seealso
Flange
Gladhandconnector
Pipefitting
Plumber
Rainwater,surface,andsubsurfacewaterdrainage
Sanitaryware
Septicsystems
Traps,Drains,andVents
Watercooling
Watersupplysystems

WikimediaCommonshas
mediarelatedtofitting.

References
1."UseProperPlumbingToolsToAvoidFlushingMoneyDownTheDrain".BangorDailyNews.October25,
1996.RetrievedDecember26,2013.
2."ProperReplacementOfGasketsImportant".TheVictoriaAdvocate.Feb26,1963.RetrievedDecember26,
2013.
3."GasketsGeneralNonMetallicFlat,SpiralWoundGaskets,CamprofileGaskets,MetalJacketedGasketsand
MetallicGaskets".wermac.org.
4."YouCanFixPlumbingProblemsWithTheRightEquipment.".TheDailyCourier.October20,1996.
RetrievedDecember27,2013.
5."TrenchlessWaterSupplyLineInstallation".RetrievedDecember26,2013.
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6."plumbingHowdoImakemybathroompipesmorepractical?HomeImprovementStackExchange".
stackexchange.com.
7."AdviseCheckOfDrains".LodiNewsSentinel.Oct4,1937.Retrieved20131226.
8."LayingonyourbackPlumbingTees,Wyesandwhynot.".ncwhomeinspections.com.
9."Disposalwon'tdrain".homerepairforum.com.
10.http://www.nettally.com/palmk/GDplumbing.html
11."SlipJoint".freeonlineplumber.com.
12."plumbingInslipjoints,what'sthedifferencebetweenrubberandnylonwashers?HomeImprovementStack
Exchange".stackexchange.com.
13."plumbingcomboteevs.teewyeHomeImprovementStackExchange".stackexchange.com.
14.http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/docs/Drainage%20Piping.pdf
15."NewMethodsSimplifyPlumbingProblems".SchenectadyGazette.Sep26,1933.RetrievedDecember26,2013.
16."SealBetweenFlange,ToiletWhenTroubleshootingInLeakybathrooms".NorthwestColumbusNews.
September4,2002.RetrievedDecember27,2013.

Externallinks
InternationalAssociationofPlumbingandMechanicalOfficials(http://www.iapmo.org/)
InternationalCodeCouncil(http://www.iccsafe.org/)
theAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials(http://www.astm.org/)
SocietyofPipingEngineersandDesigners(http://www.spedweb.com/)Societyofpiping
professionalswithmanyresourcesandtechnicalinformation
StandardSS/CSpipedimensionscalculator(http://www.enggcyclopedia.com/calculators/standard
pipingdimensionscarbonsteelstainlesssteelansi/)
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title=Piping_and_plumbing_fitting&oldid=707136985"
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