Specifying Weights Of Pipes

There are no standard weights for pipes established by law for the grades known as strong, extra strong, heavy, extra heavy and standard, and while the weights corresponding to the grades are generally established by agreement among manufacturers, there is nothing to prevent manufacturers outside of the association, or even those within, manufacturing a lighter grade of pipe and designating it by the usual trade name; consequently, when specifying lead, iron, brass or other kind of pipe, it is well to not only specify it by the trade name for that weight, but to append a table of weights to which the pipe must conform.

Weights And Quality Of Brass Goods

There is no uniformity in the manufacture of brass goods used in plumbing, and no official or government standards to which they must conform, so in order to insure a proper grade of brass work being supplied, not only the weights, but likewise the quality of brass, should be specified.

Testing The Drainage Pipes

In the absence of a plumbing law requiring that the drainage system be tested before being passed by the inspector, it is not necessary for the contractor to test the work unless expressly called for in the specifications. For this reason a clause should be inserted in every specification requiring the contractor to test the entire drainage system in the presence of the architect or his representative, and specifying how many tests shall be applied and how they shall be made.

Connections To Drains

In the absence of drawings showing the kind of fittings to be used, in cities where there are no plumbing codes, almost any branch from saddle hubs to T fittings may be used, unless Y branches are called for in the specifications. For this reason it is well to specify just what kind of fittings will, and what will not, be allowed in the work, and likewise state, if not already shown, the distance from doors, windows and other openings that vent pipes must end.