Do You Know All of These Plumbing Terms?

Annette

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About This Quiz

There's nothing more satisfying than fixing a faucet. But if you don't know correct plumbing terms, then you might as well be fixing things in the dark. In this quiz, we're going to seriously test your plumbing lingo.

Many health and safety standards are set by ______.

The American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, sets many health and safety standards. They are a not-for-profit, non-government organization.

Brass is composed primarily of _______.

Brass is an ancient alloy, composed primarily of copper and zinc. It's used for many faucets and other plumbing fittings.

What guides the flow of water?

A fitting is a device that is used to control and guide the flow of water. Faucets, shower heads and valves are all types of fittings.

Toilets, sinks and bathtubs are all types of ______.

A fixture is a device that receives water and waste matter. Toilets, sinks, bathtubs and shower receptors are all fixtures.

What is GPM?

GPM stands for gallons per minute. This is the measure of the rate at which water flows through a fixture or fitting at a certain pressure.

GPF stands for gallons per _______.

GPF stands for gallons per flush. This is the measure of the total volume of water required to flush a toilet or other fixture.

Which is the fitting with a movable part that opens and closes one or more passages?

A valve is a fitting with a movable part that opens or closes one or more passages. It regulates the flow of liquid.

What soft metal has been used in plumbing systems for thousands of years?

Lead is a soft metal that has been used in plumbing systems for thousands of years - before the health risk was understood. Lead is one of the basic elements (Pb).

True or False: Lead-free is really lead-free.

Lead-free is not entirely lead-free. According to the Safe Drinking Water Act, it's defined by no more than 0.2% materials used in solders, and no more than 8% of materials used in pipe, fittings and well pumps.

Potable water is ______.

Potable water is defined as water that is safe enough for drinking. It can also be used for culinary and domestic purposes.

When was the Safe Drinking Water Act passed?

The Safe Drinking Water Act was passed by Congress in 1974. It was created to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking supply.

What part of a toilet flush valve releases water from the tank into the bowl?

The flapper is responsible for releasing the water from the tank into the bowl when the toilet is flushed. It also seals the valve shut when the toilet is not being flushed.

The most common type of toilet in the U.S. is the _______.

The most common type of toilet in the U.S. is the gravity-fed toilet. It relies on the force of gravity to flush the toilet effectively.

Which toilet has an average consumption of 1.28 gallons per flush?

HET stands for high efficiency toilet. Its average water consumption is 1.28 gallons per flush.

What is the channel in a toilet that connects the bowl to the waste outlet?

The tramway is the channel in a toilet that connects the bowl to the waste outlet. It's measured in terms of the largest diameter ball that can pass through it.

Who do ADA-compliant devices benefit?

ADA-compliant devices benefit those with disabilities. ADA refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The reversal of the normal direction of wastewater is known as _______.

Backflow is the reversal of the normal direction of wastewater from homes and buildings. This can lead to the contamination of potable water systems.

What do you call a rapid change in water temperature?

The large and rapid change in water temperature is known as thermal shock. This is of particular concern in showers where water can lead to scalding.

What coating is used on metal fixtures?

Porcelain enamel is a coating used on metal fixtures, such as cast iron bathtubs and sinks. It gives metal plumbing fixtures their colors and glossy surfaces.

_____ companies produce most of the nation's plumbing products.

PMI member companies produce most of the nation's plumbing products. PMI stands for Plumbing Manufacturers International.

Product standards are established by ______.

Product standards are established by both research and consensus. Product standards define what products are made of and how they perform.

Dense coatings of exotic metal alloys onto fittings are known as ______.

Dense coatings of exotic metal alloys onto fittings are known as PVD finishes. PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition.

_______ requires water systems to monitor drinking water that comes through faucets in homes and buildings.

LCR stands for Lead and Copper Rule. It was established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1991.

Which high-efficiency toilet gives users the choice of how much water they flush?

The dual-flush toilet is a high-efficiency toilet that gives users the choice of how much water they flush. They can select the maximum amount of water allowed by law, or less than that.

In what year was the Energy Policy Act passed?

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 is also known as EPAct '92. It requires that all residential toilets flush using no more than 1.6 gallons per flush.

What do you call products that meet the standards of the Energy Policy Act?

Low-flow refers to products that meet the Energy Policy Act of 1992. These are fixtures and fittings that are low consumption.

What kind of toilet delivers a non-variable amount of water with each flush?

Metered toilets and metered flush are terms used to describe non-variable toilets. The mechanism within them delivers a precise water output with each flush.

What valves maintains the water temperature selected?

The automatic compensating valve is supplied with hot and cold water. It provides a means of automatically maintaining water temperature selected for an outlet.

What do you call products that permit access by all users, including those in wheelchairs?

Barrier-free products are those that permit access to all users, including those in wheelchairs. This can refer to showers that do not have a lip.

The pressure-compensating valve is also known as the ______ valve.

The pressure-compensating valve is also known as the pressure-balancing valve. It's designed to reduce the risk of thermal shock and scalding while showering.

What do you call the valves that allow for operation without being touched?

Proximity valves allow for operation without being touched. This is a kind of electronic valve for fixtures and fittings.

What technology senses the temperature of the water to adjust the mix of hot and cold water?

The thermostatic valve features technology that senses the temperature of the water to adjust the mix of hot and cold water. This maintains a safe, comfortable water temperature.

What is the term for accessible products that fit into a home's space and design scheme?

Universal design is a thoughtful design scheme whereby everyone is able to use the product. Often, you cannot tell the difference between universal design and normal design, and yet it can still be used by all.

What program promotes water efficiency and enhances the market for water-efficient products?

WaterSense is the program that promotes water efficiency and enhances the market for water-efficient products. It is sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Plumber's putty is used for _______.

Plumber's putty is specially designed for caulking and sealing. It is used to make watertight seals around faucets and drains.

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