Maharashtra HSC NSQF Plumber General II key terms

Clothing and gear worn to reduce injury risk on site, such as helmets, safety shoes, gloves, goggles and harnesses. It is the last line of defence after eliminating or guarding hazards.

A written authorisation issued before a hazardous job begins, stating the work, its hazards, controls and validity period. It confirms that precautions such as isolation and gas testing are in place before work starts.

A procedure for isolating energy sources with locks and warning tags so equipment cannot be started during maintenance. Only the person who applied a lock removes it, preventing accidental energisation or release of stored pressure.

Entering an enclosed or poorly ventilated space such as a manhole, septic tank or sump where hazardous gas or oxygen deficiency may exist. Entry requires gas testing, forced ventilation, a standby observer and rescue arrangements.

A short safety briefing held at the worksite before a shift or task, covering the day's hazards, method and controls. It is recorded and helps keep workers alert to changing site conditions.

A document describing how a specific construction task will be carried out, in sequence, with the plant, materials, manpower and safety controls required. It supports consistent, safe execution and inspection.

Immediate basic care given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional medical help arrives. On plumbing sites it commonly covers cuts, burns, eye injuries, electric shock and exposure to sewage.

A precision measuring instrument with a calibrated screw spindle used to measure small outside or inside dimensions accurately, typically to 0.01 mm. It is used for checking pipe wall thickness and bolt sizes.

A measuring tool with a main scale and sliding vernier scale that reads internal, external and depth dimensions, usually to 0.02 mm. Plumbers use it for pipe outside diameter, flange thickness and fitting checks.

A tool containing sealed vials of liquid with an air bubble used to check whether a surface or pipe run is horizontal or vertical. Correct slope is essential for drainage flow.

An adjustable wrench with serrated jaws that grip round pipe for turning and holding during assembly or dismantling. It is used on threaded steel pipe and fittings, not on finished chrome or plastic surfaces.

A wrench using a loop of chain to grip large-diameter pipe or fittings without damaging the surface as deeply as serrated jaws. It is useful for turning coated, cast iron or large steel pipe.

A clamping device fixed to a bench or stand that holds pipe firmly while it is cut, threaded or reamed. Correct clamping prevents rotation and keeps cuts square.

A tool holding a threading die that is rotated around a pipe end to cut external screw threads. Proper lubrication and reversing the die produce clean, standard threads.

A standard size designation for pipe based on approximate internal diameter, not an exact measured dimension. It lets fittings and pipes of the same nominal size be matched across materials.

The thickness of the pipe material between its inner and outer surfaces, which determines pressure rating and strength. It is checked with a micrometer or ultrasonic gauge and reduced by corrosion over time.

A number indicating the wall thickness series of a pipe for a given nominal size, such as Schedule 40 or 80. Higher schedule numbers mean thicker walls and higher pressure ratings.

British Standard Pipe thread, a widely used screw thread for plumbing joints, designated BSPP for parallel and BSPT for tapered forms. Matching thread type and size prevents leaks and cross-threading.

Steel pipe coated with a zinc layer to resist corrosion, commonly used for water supply lines. Cut ends and threads must be protected because the coating is removed there.

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe, a rigid plastic pipe resistant to hot water and many chemicals. It is joined with solvent cement and used for hot and cold water distribution.

A joint made by applying solvent cement to mating plastic pipe and fitting surfaces so they soften and fuse. The joint must be clean, square and held briefly while it sets.

A mechanical joint in which a nut compresses a ring or ferrule against the pipe to seal it. It needs no threading or soldering and is common on copper and plastic service lines.

A fitting with three parts that allows a pipe run to be disconnected without cutting or disturbing the rest of the line. It is placed at valves and appliances for easy maintenance.

The tendency of molten solder to flow into a narrow gap between closely fitted copper tube and fitting by surface tension. Correct clearance and flux allow a sound soldered joint.

A paste or liquid applied to metal surfaces before soldering or brazing to remove oxides and prevent new oxidation. It helps solder wet and flow into the joint.

The fall or slope of a drain expressed as a ratio or percentage, allowing wastewater to flow by gravity. Too little slope causes silting; too much leaves solids behind.

The depth of water held in a trap that blocks sewer gas from entering a building. It is typically 50 mm and is lost through evaporation or siphonage if the system is faulty.

A pipe that admits air into the drainage system to equalise pressure and protect trap seals. It also carries foul gases safely above roof level.

A pipe that carries sewage containing human waste from water closets to the drain. It is distinct from a waste pipe, which carries sullage from sinks and basins.

A pipe conveying sullage, that is wastewater free of human excreta, from fixtures such as sinks, basins and baths to the drainage system. It must still be trapped and vented properly.

A device installed on the service connection that measures the volume of water supplied to a premises. It is used for billing and for detecting leaks or unauthorised use.

A small valve, usually with a screw-down or lever handle, used to shut off water supply to a fixture, appliance or premises. It allows isolation for repairs without draining the whole system.

A valve in which a wedge-shaped disc moves up and down to open or close flow, giving low resistance when fully open. It is used for isolation rather than throttling.

A valve controlled by a floating ball that closes the inlet when the water level in a tank reaches the set height. It maintains storage level and prevents overflow.

A sanitary fixture, either Indian squat type or western pedestal type, that receives human waste and discharges it to the soil pipe through a trap. Correct installation ensures a proper seal and flush.

A cistern that stores water and releases a measured quantity to clear a water closet or urinal. It may be low level, high level or a flush valve type.

A storage tank placed at the top of a building to supply water by gravity to fixtures below. It needs a float valve, overflow pipe and periodic cleaning.

A pictorial drawing in which the three axes are drawn at 120 degrees to show length, width and height in one view. Plumbers use it to plan pipe routes and count fittings.

Orthographic drawings showing a layout viewed from above and from the side, used to fix fixture positions and pipe routes. Dimensions on these drawings guide setting out and material take-off.

The process of listing and quantifying materials from drawings, such as pipe lengths, fittings, valves and fixtures, to prepare an estimate. Accurate take-off prevents shortage and waste.

The calculation of the cost per unit of work from labour, material, plant and overhead components. It supports tendering and checking whether a quoted rate is reasonable.

A priced schedule listing items of work with quantities and rates, forming part of a contract. It is used for tendering, progress billing and final settlement.

A pressure test in which a pipeline is filled with water and held at a specified pressure to reveal leaks and weak joints before commissioning. It is safer than pneumatic testing for stored energy.

A drainage test in which smoke is introduced into the system to detect leaks and faulty joints by visible escape. It also helps trace illegal connections.

Removal of scale, rust or mineral deposits from the inside of pipes, tanks and fixtures to restore flow and hygiene. It may be done mechanically or with approved chemicals.

Scheduled inspection, cleaning and servicing carried out before faults develop, such as checking valves, clearing drains and cleaning tanks. It reduces breakdowns and extends equipment life.

The general workplace abilities that support technical work, including communication, teamwork, problem solving, digital literacy and workplace discipline. They are assessed alongside trade skills in NSQF qualifications.

The activity of identifying a need, organising resources and taking financial risk to run a business, such as a plumbing service enterprise. It involves costing, marketing, licensing and managing customers.

The practice of protecting workers from work-related injury and illness through hazard control, training, safe systems and health surveillance. It is a legal and ethical duty on every worksite.