Related Water Pipe Equipment
A water distribution system may include equipment such as:
- valves
- water services (smaller pipes, as opposed to watermains)
- various pipe fittings
- hydrants
Valves
Valves are used to control the movement of water within a water system.
Specialized valves are used to:
- reduce pressure
- release trapped air
- reduce the effects of water hammer
Valves can be operated manually or automatically.
Some are suitable for burying directly in the earth, while others that must be accessible for operation and servicing will have to be put in valve chambers.
Hydrants
Hydrants are devices that allow large quantities of water to be discharged from a water system for fire protection, or watermain flushing. Common types include yard hydrants, blow-offs, or fire hydrants.
Water Services
Water service connections are the small-diameter pipes that join a customer to the larger watermain.
The hookup is made to the user’s service pipe by a connection to the watermain; usually a small fitting inserted into the pipe or into a saddle or tee.
Additionally, an isolation valve, known as a curb stop, is located between the watermain and the home in order to stop flow in the event that repairs are required. Each home should have an isolation valve located within the building.
Pipe Fittings
Pipe fittings are generally used to:
- join two different pipe materials
- join two different pipe sizes together
- change direction of pipe alignment (vertically and horizontally
- terminate the end of a pipe.
Thrust restraint may be required for pipe fittings to withstand the forces of changing water direction or pressure.
Some common fittings are:
- tees, wyes, crosses, and bends
- reducers
- couplers
- end caps
- restraints
Fittings may require glue-type solvents, pipe threads, or compressed rubber gaskets for joining, depending on the specific application and pipe material.