Trade of Plumbing

Module 2: Domestic Hot and Cold

Water Service
Unit 9: Valves and Taps
Phase 2
Trade of Plumbing – Phase 2 Module 2

Table of Contents
List of Figures .................................................................................................................... 4

List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... 5

Document Release History ............................................................................................... 6

Module 2 – Domestic Hot and Cold Water Services ...................................................... 7

Unit 9 – Valves and Taps ................................................................................................ 7
Duration – 11 Hours.................................................................................................... 7
Learning Outcome: ..................................................................................................... 7
Key Learning Points: .................................................................................................. 7
Training Resources: .................................................................................................... 7
Exercise: ...................................................................................................................... 8
Key Learning Points Code .......................................................................................... 8

Valves and Taps ................................................................................................................ 9

Back Siphonage ............................................................................................................... 19

Self Assessment................................................................................................................ 21

Index ................................................................................................................................. 22

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List of Figures
Figure 1. Stopcock ........................................................................................................ 11
Figure 2. Gate Valve .................................................................................................... 12
Figure 3. Drain-off Cock .............................................................................................. 13
Figure 4. Bib Tap.......................................................................................................... 14
Figure 5. Pillar Tap....................................................................................................... 15
Figure 6. Mixer Tap...................................................................................................... 16
Figure 7. Plug Cock ...................................................................................................... 17
Figure 8. Repacking Glands on Radiator Valves ......................................................... 18
Figure 9. Draw off Taps ............................................................................................... 20

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List of Tables
Table 1. Common Valves and Taps .............................................................................. 9
Table 2. Back Siphonage ............................................................................................ 19

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Document Release History

Date Version Comments

June 2006 V.1.0

04/03/14 2.0 SOLAS transfer

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Module 2 – Domestic Hot and Cold Water Services

Unit 9 – Valves and Taps
Duration – 11 Hours
Learning Outcome:
By the end of this unit each apprentice will be able to:
 Describe the types and application of valves and taps used in domestic plumbing
systems.
 Describe the operation and components of valves and taps.
 Replace stopcock, tap and ballvalve washers.
Key Learning Points:

RK Types and application of taps – pillar taps, mixer taps, monobloc taps, bib
taps, push taps and lever taps etc.

RK Types and application of valves – stopcocks, gate valves, lever valves,

drain cocks etc.

RK Operation and components of taps and valves.

RK Types, components and operation of float assisted valves – high pressure,

low pressure, diaphragm, Portsmouth (BS), equilibrium.

RK Ball valve problems – water hammer, leaking, sticking, furring, cavitaion.

Sk Replacement of tap and valve washers.

Sk Identification of different types of washers, o rings etc.

Sk Use of tap re-seating tools.

P Good working practice.

P Problem solving.

P Working independently.

Training Resources:
 Classroom facilities, workshop facilities.
 Information sheets.
 Sample taps, valves and washers.

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Exercise:
 Apprentice to dismantle and replace washers in pillar taps and ballvalves.
 Apprentice to replace the packing in a stopcock.
 Apprentice to answer sample questions:
Key Learning Points Code
M = Maths D= Drawing RK = Related Knowledge Sc = Science
P = Personal Skills Sk = Skill H = Hazards

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Valves and Taps

Valves and taps are devices designed to regulate, open or close the flow of liquid or gas
in a pipeline. They should be made of brass, gun metal or other corrosion resisting
alloys. They may be made by casting metal into moulds or by hot pressing metal
between dies.
Some of the more common valves and taps and their uses are given in the table below.
Table 1. Common Valves and Taps

Valve / Tap Use

Stopcock Used on incoming high pressure water mains.

Gate valve Used on low pressure pipework.

Drain off cock Used to drain pipework

Bib tap A well mounted tap primarily used over sinks and also for outdoor
use.

Pillar tap Used on sinks, wash hand basins and baths.

Mixer taps A tap in which hot and cold water are delivered through a common
spout. Used on sinks, wash hand basins and baths.

Plug cock A quick closing valve used mainly on gas installations.

Radiator valves Used to control the flow of water to and from radiators.
 Stopcocks are used on high pressure water mains. They must be fitted the correct
way round, so that the water passing through the valve pushes the jumper up from
its seating. For this reason stopcocks are stamped with an arrow indicating the
direction of the water flow.
 Gate Valves are used to control the flow of fluids in low pressure systems, such
as distribution pipework from storage cisterns, or heating systems. Gate valves do
not have washers fitted and therefore there is no restriction to the flow of liquids
through them. A wedge shaped gate closes into a matching seating when the
valve is operated.
 Drain off cock (DOC) is used to drain boilers, cylinders, sections of pipework
etc. They are usually fitted at low points in plumbing and central heating systems.
 Bib taps are fixed to the wall with a back plate. They are used with Belfast and
cleaner’s sinks and are useful for filling buckets. Bib taps are often fitted
externally for outside use. A hose union connection is also available. Bib taps
can be plain or chromium plated.
 Pillar taps are manufactured with long inlet threads which allow them to be fitted
through sanitary appliances and thereby clamped in position. When fitting pillar
taps it is essential to ensure that an adequate “air gap” is allowed for, to prevent
back siphonage.

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 Mixer taps are designed to deliver hot and cold water through a common spout.
There are two basic designs of mixer taps: in which the hot and cold water is
mixed in the tap body or spout (single outlet mixer), and those in which the hot
and cold water do not actually mix until it is discharged from the outlet nozzle
(double outlet mixer). The first type is only suitable for use when the water from
the hot and cold supplies are at equal pressures. Failure to observe this could
result in the water having greater pressure flowing back down the other feed pipe.
This results in unsatisfactory water flows discharging from the nozzle outlet.
There is also a risk of contamination from stored water getting into the mains
water supply.
 Many mixing taps are fitted with a swivel outlet. This allows the water to be
discharged at various positions and proves useful with modern sinks which often
have more than one bowl. One major drawback to mixer taps with a swivel outlet
is the fact that the neoprene “O” ring used to ensure a watertight seal tends to
wear out and therefore requires frequent replacement.
 Plug cocks can be fully opened or closed by turning the square top through one
quarter of a turn. This means that the valve can be closed very quickly, and for
this reason it is not used on water supply systems because of the risk of water
hammer. Plug cocks have a square head into which a slot is cut; if this slot is in
line with the pipe it means the valve is open; if the slot is at right angles to the
pipe the valve is closed. Plug cocks are used almost exclusively on gas services.
 Radiator valves are fitted to radiators and convector heaters. In general one
valve is fitted to each end. They may be straight or angle pattern with a
wheelhead or lock-shield cover. The lock-shield valve is used when balancing the
heating system, ensuring an equal distribution of hot water. It the radiator has to
be taken down, the lock-shield valve can be shut off. The wheelhead valve is
used to turn the heater on or off. Thermostatic radiator valves are also available.
These valves are fitted with a built-in heat sensor. They are designed to open and
close automatically, allowing hot water to the radiator as heat is required.

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Figure 1. Stopcock

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Figure 2. Gate Valve

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Figure 3. Drain-off Cock

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Figure 4. Bib Tap

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Figure 5. Pillar Tap

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Figure 6. Mixer Tap

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Figure 7. Plug Cock

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Figure 8. Repacking Glands on Radiator Valves

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Back Siphonage
The backflow of water by siphonic action from an appliance or storage cistern into the
pipe feeding it, thus contaminating the water supply. To overcome the problems caused
by back-siphonage the water authority lay down strict guidelines which must be observed
and any pipe on mains supply connected to appliances and cisterns must have some
means of backflow prevention. This could be achieved by ensuring that where an outlet
discharges allowance is made for an air gap of at least that shown in the chart.
Table 2. Back Siphonage

Internal Pipe Diameter Vertical distance (air gap) between outlet and highest
possible water level

Up to 14mm 20mm
15mm – 21mm 25mm
22mm – 41mm 70mm
Over 41mm Twice the internal bore of the inlet pipe

If a specified air gap cannot be achieved some other means of backflow prevention must
be catered for. In the case of hose pipes and shower hoses connected to the mains supply
a double check valve assembly or similar arrangement such as a check valve followed
by an anti-vacuum valve must be used.

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Figure 9. Draw off Taps

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Self Assessment
1. State where the following valves and taps are used:
a) Stopcock,
b) Gatevalve,
c) High neck pillar tap
d) Bib tap
2. Water is seen to be flowing from the overflow pipe of a storage cistern. Give reasons
for this and how the problem could be rectified.

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Index

B P
Back Siphonage ........................................................ 19
bib taps........................................................................ 9 pillar taps.................................................................... 9
plug cocks ................................................................ 10

D S
drain of cock ............................................................... 9
stopcock ..................................................................... 9
stopcocks .................................................................... 9
G
gate valves .................................................................. 9 T
taps ............................................................................. 9
M
mixer taps ................................................................. 10 V
valves ......................................................................... 9

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