Punjab PSEB Matric NSQF Plumbing (Assistant Plumber) key terms

A heavy adjustable pipe wrench with serrated jaws that grip and turn round pipes and fittings. The jaw angle tightens the grip as force is applied, so it is used for installing and dismantling threaded pipework.

A bench-mounted clamping device that holds a pipe firmly while it is cut, threaded or filed. The hinged jaws are tightened by a screw handle so the pipe cannot rotate or slip during hand work.

A wrench using a toothed chain looped around large-diameter pipe or fittings to grip and turn them. It is used where a Stillson jaw cannot open wide enough, such as large cast-iron soil pipes.

A hand tool with a hardened cutting wheel and adjustable rollers that scores and severs metal pipe as it is rotated around the circumference. It gives a square cut with little swarf compared with a hacksaw.

A tapered tool rotated inside a freshly cut pipe end to remove the internal burr and restore full bore. Deburring prevents turbulence, reduces scale build-up and protects die threads from damage.

The frame and handles that hold and rotate a pipe threading die around a pipe end. Combined with ratchet action it cuts a tapered external BSP thread on galvanised steel pipe in the field.

British Standard Pipe thread, the internationally used family of pipe threads. Sizes are quoted by nominal bore, not by measured diameter, and the thread is tapered on the external part to seal in a matching socket.

A three-part screwed fitting (two end nuts and a central body) that joins two pipes and can be unscrewed for maintenance without cutting or turning either pipe. Commonly used at fixtures and appliance connections.

A joint in which a soft metal or plastic olive is crushed between a fitting body and a tightening nut to seal onto the pipe wall. It needs no heat or threading and suits copper and plastic pipework.

A jointing method for uPVC pipe where solvent cement softens both surfaces so they fuse into one continuous material. The pipe end is chamfered and cleaned, cement applied, then pushed home and held until set.

A mechanical connection where a pipe is pushed past a grab ring and sealed by an O-ring inside the fitting, needing no tools. Used widely in PEX and uPVC drainage systems; the pipe end must be cut square and marked.

Steel pipe coated with a zinc layer to resist corrosion, traditionally used for domestic water supply. Cut ends and threads expose bare steel, so joints need protection; internal zinc loss causes rust-coloured water.

A standard size label for pipe that is close to, but not exactly, the internal diameter in inches or millimetres. Fittings and threads are matched to nominal bore, so pipe is ordered and specified by this number.

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe rated for hot and cold potable water. It resists higher temperatures than uPVC and is joined with solvent cement, making it common in indoor plumbing where copper is not used.

Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride pipe, rigid and chemically resistant. It is used mainly for cold water supply and soil, waste and rainwater drainage, joined by solvent cement or push-fit rubber-ring sockets.

A U-shaped bend under a fixture that retains a water seal to stop sewer gases entering the building. Its depth and self-cleansing flow are set by code, and it must be accessible for rodding and cleaning.

The depth of water held in a trap that blocks foul air from the drainage system. Typically 50 mm in Indian practice; it can be lost by evaporation, siphonage or back pressure, causing smell in the room.

The vertical discharge pipe that carries sewage from water closets to the drain. It is distinguished from the waste pipe, which carries sullage from sinks and baths, and must continue upward as a vent stack.

A pipe carrying sullage, that is, waste water free of human excreta, from sinks, basins, baths and floors to the drain. It is sized by fixture discharge units and needs a trap at each fixture.

A pipe open to atmosphere that admits air into the drainage system and releases foul gases above roof level. It protects trap seals from siphonage and back pressure and keeps flow smooth in the stack.

An access chamber on a drain, fitted with a removable cover, that allows rodding, testing and inspection at changes of direction or junction. It is placed at intervals along the drain run and at the boundary.

A trapped fitting at ground level that receives waste water from a kitchen, bathroom or yard and connects it to the drainage line. The water seal blocks smells while the grating stops solids entering the drain.

A covered opening in a drain or sewer large enough for a person to enter for cleaning and inspection. Spacing depends on drain size and depth, and covers must be strong enough for the traffic above them.

A storage tank at roof level that supplies fixtures by gravity through down-take pipes. Its height above the highest fixture sets the available pressure, and it needs overflow, washout and a floating ball valve.

A valve in a tank operated by a floating ball on an arm, which closes the inlet when water reaches the set level. Correct adjustment prevents overflow and wastage while keeping adequate storage.

A trapped pocket of air in a pipe or fitting that restricts or stops water flow, often after a supply is refilled. It is cleared by opening a high-level tap or by flushing the line at a vent.

A valve with a sliding wedge that opens or closes flow fully, used as an isolating valve rather than for throttling. It offers low resistance when open, and its position should be marked clearly for emergencies.

A check that pipework is sound by filling it with water or air and holding it above working pressure for a set period while watching a gauge. Any pressure drop indicates a leak that must be located and repaired.

A drainage test in which smoke is forced into the system and escaping smoke reveals leaks, broken pipes or lost trap seals. It is useful for tracing foul smells and checking connections that cannot be seen.

A simple leak test where coloured water is poured into a fixture or drain and the colour appearing elsewhere shows the path of a leak or a wrong connection. It is cheap and needs no equipment beyond the dye.

The flushing tank of a water closet, holding water released by a flush valve or siphon when the handle is pressed. Its float valve refills it, and an air gap above the water line prevents backflow into supply.

The sanitary fixture, commonly called a toilet, that receives human excreta and flushes it into the soil pipe through an integral or separate trap. It is set with a minimum water seal and connected to the stack.

A wall-mounted or pedestal hand-washing fixture supplied with hot and cold water and drained through a trap. Its waste outlet and tap centres are standard sizes, and it must be fixed at a comfortable height.

The unwanted reversal of water flow from a contaminated source into the potable supply, caused by pressure loss or cross-connection. It is prevented by air gaps, non-return valves and proper separation of supply and drainage.

The clothing and gear worn to protect the worker, such as helmet, safety goggles, gloves, ear plugs, dust mask and safety shoes. It is the last line of defence after hazards are removed or controlled.

An enclosed or poorly ventilated area such as a manhole, septic tank or deep trench where toxic gas or low oxygen can build up. Entry requires testing, ventilation, a standby person and a permit.

A written authorisation that confirms hazards have been assessed and controls put in place before high-risk work such as confined-space entry, hot work or excavation. It records the responsible persons and validity period.

A three-dimensional style of plumbing drawing in which pipe runs are shown on angled axes, with sizes and fittings labelled along each line. It lets a fitter visualise the whole installation and cut pipe accurately.

An itemised list of materials and work with measured quantities, used to price a plumbing job and to order stock. It is prepared from drawings and specifications before work begins and checked against actual use.

Indirect business expenses that cannot be charged to one job, such as rent, tools, transport, insurance and office costs. They are recovered by adding a percentage to direct costs when quoting a price.

A written offer stating the price for specified work, including scope, materials, time and validity. Accepting it forms a contract, so it must be clear about what is included and what is charged extra.

The total amount earned by an employee before deductions such as provident fund, tax and insurance. Net pay is what remains after those deductions are subtracted from gross pay.