Page 338 - 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

Preparing to install

In Chapter 2, Common processes and techniques, we discussed taking care of
the customer’s property and possessions during the installation process, and
how we should use various methods to protect the customer’s environment
and property. There are also other steps we can take before we start the
installation to help save time, as described below.
● Walk the job: take the time to walk around the job and plan the routes that
you intend to take your pipework.
● Prepare the job: use this time to lift floorboards and cut notches in
preparation for the pipework installation. The floorboards can be replaced
temporarily so that the customer is not inconvenienced by holes in the
floors. Remember to clear any mess as you go along. Don’t leave it all to the
last minute and never leave cleaning to the customer.
● Mark out: if you have decided on the routes that you intend to take, then
mark out any surface-mounted pipework and drill any holes that you need to
drill. Chases in walls and floors can also be marked at this point. Don’t forget
to use the correct PPE, such as protective goggles, when carrying out drilling
and chasing procedures. It may be necessary to perform a risk assessment first.
● Keep the customer informed: let the customer know where you are going
to be working and how long you plan to be in this area.
● Keep entrances and exits clear: don’t leave trip hazards, such as cables and
tools, lying around the work area.

Installation, testing and commissioning of cold water
systems
The fabrication of pipework, installation techniques, commissioning and
testing are dealt with elsewhere in this book. These, however, are important
subjects that require reinforcement of your learning. The important aspects
of installation are as follows.
● Keep all exposed pipework as neat as possible. Use the recommended clipping
distances and protect the building fabric when making soldered joints.
● Prefabrication techniques for copper tube can save time and money on
installations. Try to use machine bends wherever possible as these help
with the flow rates in the finished installation.
● If the installation is an existing system, leave the final connections to the
system until last. This will help to keep the decommissioning and turnover
time of the system as short as possible.
● Pipework installed in floors and walls should be placed in properly prepared
and accessible chases and ducts. Protect the customer’s property at all
times with dust sheets when cutting in chases.
● Hot and cold pipework should not be installed together unless the cold
water can be protected from undue warming from the other surrounding
services. If possible, when pipework is to be fixed on wall surfaces, the
hot water pipework should be installed above the cold water pipework
and, when installed in a floor cavity, a gap of at least 300 mm should be
maintained horizontally.

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