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In domestic applications, traps are typically U, S, Q, or J-shaped pipe located below or within a plumbing fixture. An S-shaped trap is also known as an S-bend. It was invented by Alexander Cumming in 1775 but became known as the U-bend following the introduction of the U-shaped trap by Thomas Crapper in 1880. The U-bend could not jam, so ...
All plumbing fixtures have traps in their drains; these traps are either internal or external to the fixtures. Traps are pipes which curve down then back up; they "trap" a small amount of water to create a water seal between the ambient air space and the inside of the drain system. This prevents sewer gas from entering buildings.
The simplest, most reliable way to provide backflow prevention is to provide an air gap. An air gap is simply an open vertical space between any device that connects to a plumbing system (like a valve or faucet) and any place where contaminated water can collect or pool. A simple air gap has no moving parts, other than flowing water.
'S' trap inlet to drain [further explanation needed]. The air lock phenomenon can be used in a number of useful ways. An 'S' trap (a pipe that descends from a reservoir, then curves back up, then down again) allows liquid to flow from top to bottom unhindered, and gas cannot flow through the trap unless it has enough extra pressure to overcome the liquid head of the trap.
According to the International Residential Code 2003, an air gap length must meet the requirements of being two times the effective inner diameter of the pipe (2×D) in order to be sufficient. [2] A standard widely use in the United States is: A112.1.2 Air Gaps in Plumbing Systems (For Plumbing Fixtures and Water-Connected Receptors)
In the U.S., every plumbing fixture must also be coupled to the system's vent piping. [1] Without a vent, negative pressure can slow the flow of water leaving the system, resulting in clogs, or cause siphonage to empty a trap. The high point of the vent system (the top of its "soil stack") must be open to the exterior at atmospheric pressure.
Heat traps are valves or loops of pipe on the cold water inlet and hot water outlet of water heaters. The heat traps allow cold water to flow into the water heater tank, but prevent unwanted natural convection and heated water to flow out of the tank. [1] [2] Newer water heaters have built-in heat traps.
Plumbing systems also service air distribution/control, and therefore contribute to the mechanical part of MEP. Plumbing for HVAC systems involves the transfer of coolant, pressurized air, water, and occasionally other substances. Ducting for air transfer may also be consider plumbing, but is generally installed by different tradespeople. [11]