Punjab PSEB Sr. Sec. NSQF Plumbing (Advanced Plumbing Technician) key terms

Equipment worn by a worker to reduce exposure to hazards, such as helmets, safety goggles, gloves, ear protection, respirators, and safety footwear. In plumbing it protects against cuts, burns, chemicals, and falling objects.

A formal safety procedure in which an energy source-electrical, water, gas, or steam-is isolated, locked, and tagged before maintenance. Only the person who applied the lock removes it.

An enclosed or partially enclosed area not designed for continuous occupancy, with limited entry and exit, such as a manhole, septic tank, or underground sump. Entry requires testing the atmosphere and standby support.

A standardized document supplied with hazardous chemicals that lists their hazards, safe handling, first aid, storage, and spill response. Workers must read it before using products such as solvent cement or drain cleaners.

A heavy adjustable wrench with serrated jaws that grip round pipes for turning or holding. The Stillson type is common. Correct jaw direction and clean teeth prevent slipping and pipe damage.

A long-handled wrench with a pivoted jaw, designed to reach taps and supply nuts behind a basin or sink where access is tight. It allows one-person tightening without removing the fixture.

A tool that expands the end of soft copper tube into a cone or flare so it can be joined to a fitting with a flare nut. It is used where soldering is unsafe or forbidden.

A valve with a sliding gate that opens fully to give straight-through flow with low resistance. It is used for on/off isolation, not throttling, because partial opening erodes the seat.

A quarter-turn valve containing a drilled sphere that stops or allows flow. It gives quick, tight shutoff and is common on water supply lines and fixtures.

A frame holding a pipe threading die that cuts external screw threads on steel pipe ends. The die size must match the pipe nominal bore and thread standard.

British Standard Pipe thread, a widely used tapered or parallel thread standard for plumbing fittings in India and many other countries. BSPP is parallel; BSPT is tapered and seals in the thread.

A fast-evaporating adhesive that softens and fuses the surfaces of PVC or CPVC pipe and fittings. Apply evenly to both surfaces, assemble with a quarter-turn, and hold briefly.

The ability of a liquid to flow into a narrow gap without external force. In soldering, molten solder is drawn into the clearance between copper tube and fitting to form a leak-free joint.

A method of joining polyethylene pipes by inserting an electric heating coil fitting and passing current through it, melting the pipe and fitting into one continuous joint. Used for water mains and gas.

A tank placed on a roof or elevated platform to supply water by gravity to fixtures below. It must have an overflow, vent, and cleaning access, and be insulated against heat.

A valve that automatically lowers high inlet water pressure to a safe, steady outlet pressure. It protects fixtures and appliances from damage and reduces water hammer and noise.

A backflow prevention device with an air inlet that opens when supply pressure drops, breaking the siphon. It stops contaminated water from being drawn back into the drinking water supply.

A device that measures the volume of water passing through a supply pipe, usually in cubic metres or litres. It is used for billing, leak detection, and consumption checks.

The depth of water held in a trap, typically 50–75 mm, that blocks sewer gas from entering a building. It is lost by evaporation, siphonage, or back pressure.

The main vertical drainage pipe that carries soil and waste from water closets and fixtures down to the drain. It must be vented to prevent pressure changes in traps.

A vertical pipe connected to the drainage system that admits air and relieves pressure, protecting trap seals. It extends above the roof and must not be used for drainage.

An access chamber on a drainage line where pipes change direction, size, or gradient, allowing rodding and inspection. It is fitted with a removable cover and channel.

A sanitary fixture used for defecation and urination, connected to a trap and soil pipe. Types include squat pan, wash-down, and siphon ic, with either a cistern or flush valve.

A tank that stores water and releases a measured flush to a water closet through a flush mechanism. Modern cisterns offer dual flush to save water.

A safety valve on a water heater that opens when temperature or pressure exceeds a set limit, releasing water and preventing tank rupture or explosion. It must never be plugged.

A storage water heater with an insulated tank and electric heating element, controlled by a thermostat. It requires earthing, a safety valve, and regular scale removal.

A three-dimensional pipe layout drawn on angled axes that shows pipe sizes, fittings, and connections without the need for separate plans and elevations.

A priced or unpriced schedule listing materials, labour, and work items with quantities for a plumbing project. It is used for tendering, comparison, and payment.

The process of counting and measuring materials from drawings and specifications to prepare a purchase list or estimate. Accuracy prevents delays, waste, and cost overruns.

A test in which the pipe system is filled with water, air is expelled, and pressure is applied with a pump. The pressure must hold for a set time without drop.

Scheduled inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and replacement of plumbing parts before failure, such as descaling heaters and checking valves. It reduces breakdowns, water waste, and repair cost.

A drainage test where smoke is forced into the pipe system to reveal leaks and illegal connections. Escaping smoke shows where sewer gas or water could leak.

A written summary of a person's education, skills, work experience, and references used when applying for a job. It should be brief, truthful, and tailored to the role.

A written offer stating the price, scope, materials, and terms for plumbing work. It protects both customer and technician by fixing what will be supplied before work begins.

The collection and storage of rain from roofs for reuse or groundwater recharge. A typical system has gutters, a first-flush diverter, a filter, and a storage tank or recharge pit.

Wastewater from baths, basins, and laundry, excluding sewage from water closets. After treatment it can be reused for flushing, gardening, or irrigation, reducing freshwater demand.

A tap, shower, or water closet designed to use less water than conventional models while giving acceptable performance. It cuts consumption and is often required by green building norms.

The unobstructed vertical distance between a water supply outlet and the flood level of a fixture. It is the most reliable backflow prevention method and must be maintained.