Page 532 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

CHAPTER 8 RAINWATER SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION

The UK has more than its fair share of rain. Rainfall varies greatly in the different regions. On average,
the south-east of the UK has around 500 mm of rainfall a year compared to around 1.8 m for the
north-west. Rain penetrating a building can do a vast amount of damage. Without guttering systems, the
rainfall will run off a roof and erode the ground around a dwelling, it will penetrate the structure and may even
affect a building’s foundations.

In this chapter, we investigate the need for guttering systems, their function and design. We will also look at
the various types of guttering system, the materials they are made from and their methods of jointing and
installation.
Guttering installation invariably involves working at height and this brings with it immediate danger. During
the course of the chapter, we will also review previous learning on working safely at height.
By the end of this chapter, you will have knowledge and understanding of the following:
l layouts of gravity rainwater systems
l installation of gravity rainwater systems
l the maintenance and service requirements of gravity rainwater systems
l the decommissioning of rainwater and gutter systems and components
l how to perform a soundness test, and commission rainwater, gutter systems and components.

1 UNDERSTAND LAYOUTS OF

GRAVITY RAINWATER SYSTEMS

All dwellings have some form of rainfall collection system to take the rainfall
that falls onto the building structure away from the building. This is achieved by
the use of an eaves-level, usually fascia board-mounted, guttering system, which
collects the water that runs off the roof and discharges it away harmlessly. The
main purposes of a guttering system are:
l to protect the building’s foundations
l to reduce ground erosion
l to prevent water penetration and damp in the building structure
l to provide a means for collecting rainwater for later use, i.e. rainwater
harvesting.

520

9781510416482.indb 520 29/03/19 9:04 PM