Page 146 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

At the end of the first fix stage, the systems should be pressure tested in
accordance with the Water Supply Regulations to make sure there are no leaks.
This will be discussed on page 139.
Above-ground sanitation systems are quite easy to install and most of the
work can be completed at firstfix stage using either push-fit or solvent cement
pipework.

Second fix
This is the process of installing the sanitary appliances, boiler, radiators, etc.,
and connecting them up to the first-fix pipework. It is at this stage that shower
valves are fitted, and any shower doors and the like installed.

Final fix
The final fix is where tap heads are fitted, and WC seats fitted and adjusted.
Sealing in sanitary appliances with waterproof sealant often takes place at
this stage. Not all plumbers perform a separate final fix, preferring instead to
complete this task during second fix.

Snagging
When the systems are completed and commissioned, then the Clerk of
Works will inspect the work to ensure that it complies with the customer’s
KEY TERM requirements. Any problems found, such as loose tap heads and incorrectly

Rectification: putting adjusted showers, are noted down and the list of snags passed over to the
something right, correcting. plumber for rectification.

Installing plastic pressure pipe: polybutylene
Building Regulations Document A allows for joists to be notched or drilled for
the installation of pipes and cables. On new buildings, one of the major benefits
INDUSTRY TIP to plumbers offered by polybutylene pipe is during the installation process, as
its flexibility allows the pipe to be installed through holes drilled in the centre of
You can access the Building the joists rather than placed in notches. This is known as cabling and has several
Regulations 2010 Approved advantages for the building structure:
Document A: Structure at: ● The integrity of the joist is maintained with little or no loss of strength.
www.gov.uk/government/ ● Because the pipe is supplied in coils, longer runs of pipe without joints are
uploads/system/uploads/ possible, which means less likelihood of damaging leaks.
attachment_data/
file/429060/BR_PDF_ ● It allows the floorboards to be fitted before installation takes place, giving
AD_A_2013.pdf the building added strength and rigidity.
● Pipes are less likely to be damaged by nails when the floor is laid.
The benefits to the installer are:

● faster installation leads to savings on installation costs
● push-fit joints ensure there is no fire risk
● the use of a bending machine is not required as the pipe is flexible enough to
be bent without pipe wall collapse, with a minimum radius of eight diameters
of pipe
● testing can begin immediately after the installation is completed.

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