Page 618 - 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

Commissioning process for appliances and

systems

By using the job specification and manufacturers’ instructions during a visual
inspection of a sanitary system, a plumber can verify that all complies with the
original design and nothing has been changed.

Once the plumber is satisfied that the installation of a sanitary system is
complete, it is important to check that all connections are properly fitted, such
as any push-fit spigots are completely engaged in the fitting socket and any
solvent welding is complete on waste and soil pipe joints.
It is essential that none of the joints or components leaks. Appliance pipework
falls should be inspected and tested to confirm a smooth and efficient
discharge. If a macerator is fitted, make sure there are no push-fit connections
on the discharge pipework.
Any WC cistern mechanisms should be adjusted to discharge so that they
comply with requirements for low water consumption. Mixing valves should be
tested to make sure they are operating at a safe temperature, and the flow rates
of showers and basins confirmed as being satisfactory.

Clips are often overlooked but they must be checked to confirm that they
are properly anchored and spaced in accordance with the Standards, as their
performance will be tested under load conditions.

If problems are identified during the commissioning process, then an apprentice
plumber should consult with their supervisor and seek guidance as to a
remedy. Quite often only an adjustment is required to a float-operated valve
or temperature settings to a mixing valve. On some occasions, though, there
could be a more serious problem, such as very slow discharge from an appliance
that previously performed normally. It could be that, since the first fix, some
debris has entered a trap or discharge pipe. It is possible that an improvised
plug of compressed plastic has travelled down the soil stack and caused a major
blockage, affecting all the appliances that are connected. The solution would be
to remove it via an access point on the soil stack.

Once the installation procedures of all the sanitary appliances to a new soil stack have
been completed, soundness testing can begin. In the case of multi-storey property
installations, testing of appliances on a floor-to-floor basis is required. The installation
needs to be checked in accordance with BS 12056–2:2000 to ensure that there are
no leaks as this will result in the ingression of foul odours into a property.

Soundness and performance testing of

above-ground sanitation systems
The testing of above-ground sanitation systems is the final part of the
installation process. When we test sanitary pipework, there are two elements
we are looking at:
1 ensuring that the pipework is sound and does not have any leaks
2 ensuring that it performs to the recommendations of BS 12056.

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