REESE LIBRARY j, f UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. | - - AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. FROM THE ENGINEERING RECORD. - (Prior to 1887 THE SANITARY ENGINEER.) A. SELECTED REF>RINT OF ARTICLES DESCRIBING NOTABLE PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON PROBLEMS ARISING IN PLUMBING AND HOUSE DRAINAGE. WITH FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX ILLUSTRATIONS. NEW YORK : THE EXNGIXEERING RECORD, 1896. Copyright, 1896 By THE ENGINEERING RECORD- PREFACE, T HE ENGINEERING RECORD, prior to 1887 THE SANITARY ENGINEER, has for 17 years given much attention to domestic water supply, house drainage, ventilation, and plumbing. Beside the frequent illustrated descriptions of notable and interesting current work, a great variety of questions in this field have been answered. In 1885 "Plumbing and House Drainage Problems" was published. The present volume, "American Plumbing Practice," is a compilation of illustrated descriptions of plumbing installations in modern buildings of every character, together with Notes and Queries touching interesting points developed in practice, from articles which have appeared 'in THE ENGINEERING RECORD since the publication of " Plumbing and House Drainage Problems." Within this period the towering office building has been developed, involving special problems of drainage and plumbing. The equipment of hotels, hospitals, amusement halls, swimming baths, and other public buildings has been upon the most thorough and elaborate scale, and in the description of the plumbing of residences examples may be found of nearly every class of dwelling. Its division of Notes and Queries is intended to supplement "Plumbing Problems," bringing these queries well up to date. The greater part of the book consists of descriptive matter nowhere else available in permanent form. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PLUMBING OF RESIDENCES. An Attempt to Deceive a Plumbing Inspector 29 An Overhead Arrangement of Bathroom Pipes. 7*wo Illustrations 23 A Special Bathroom. Four Illustrations 18 A Special Roof Tank. Two Illustrations 65 Dangerous Blunders in Plumbing. One Illustration 22 Drainage and Water Supply of a Hartford House. Ten Illustrations 9 Kitchen-Boiler Arrangement in a New York Residence. One Ilhtstration 66 Kitchen Boilers in Residence of George Vanderbilt, Esq. One Illustration 23 Marble Plunge Bath in a Private Residence. Six Illustrations 17 Plumbing Details in R. P. Flower's Residence, New York. Four Illustrations 20 Plumbing iu a Country Residence at Seabright, N. ]. Ten Illustrations 36 Plumbing in a New England Residence. Three Illustrations , 67 Plumbing in a New York Bathroom. Seven Illustrations 24 Plumbing in a New York Residence. Seven Illustrations 13 Plumbing in a New York City Residence. Fourteen Illustrations 40 Plumbing in John D. Rockefeller's House at Tarrytown, N. Y. Eleven Ilhistrations 26 Plumbing in C. P. Huntington's Residence. Seventeen Illustrations 44 Plumbing in Seventy-second Street Houses, New York. Nine Illustrations 32 Plumbing in the Residence of Elbridge T. Gerry. Nine Illustrations 29 Some Plumbing Details in the Residence of John J. Astor. Three Illustrations , . . . 53 Some Plumbing Details in a Washington Residence. Five Illustrations 15 Some Plumbing in Boston. Four Illustrations 21 Water Supply in the House of Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt. Twenty Illustrations , 55 PLUMBING OF HOTELS. Hot and Cold Water System in a Milwaukee Hotel. One Illustration 88 Plumbing Details in an Omaha Hotel. Five Illustrations in Plumbing Details in the Plaza Hotel, New York, Twenty-seven Illustrations 93 Plumbing in the Holland House, New York. Ten Illustrations. ... 89 Plumbing in the Lakewood, N. J., Hotel. Eleven Illustrations ...... 78 Plumbing in the New Coates House, Kansas City, Mo. Twenty-one Illustrations 82 Plumbing in the New Netherland Hotel. Nineteen Illustrations 98 Plumbing in the Waldorf Hotel. Ten Illustrations ... 71 Remodeling an Elaborate Water System in a Hotel. Three Illustrations ... 109 PLUMBING OF HOSPITALS. Plumbing in a New York Infirmary. Eight Illustrations 113 Plumbing in the Isabella Home, New York. Ten Illustrations 19 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. PLUMBING IN OFFICE BUILDINGS. Automatic Subsewer Drainage in Large Buildings. Five Illustrations 160 Control of Hot and Cold Water Distribution in a Milwaukee Office Building. One I/lustration 142 Pipe Systems and Pressure Tests in the Haveraeyer Building. Thirteen Illustrations 130 Plumbing Details in the Mechanics' Bank Building. Five Illustrations 136 Plumbing in the American Surety Building. Nineteen Illustrations 162 Plumbing in the Bank of America Building, New York. Eleven Illustrations ... 149 Plumbing in the Constable Building. Fifteen Illustrations 153 Plumbing in Manhattan Life Insurance Building. Seven Illustrations 143 Plumbing in the Metropolitan Building. Seven Illustrations 122 Plumbing in the Presbyterian Building. Three Illustrations j 72 Plumbing in the Prudential Building, Newark, N. J. One Illustration 141 Plumbing in the Union Trust Company's Building. Seven Illustrations. 138 Plumbing in the Wainwright Building, St. Louis, Mo. Fourteen Illustrations 127 PLUMBING IN AMUSEMENT HALLS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Plumbing in the Madison Square Garden, New York. Nine Illustrations 176 Plumbing in the Railroad Men's Reading-Room, New York. Nine Illustrations 180 Plumbing in the Union Depot at St. Louis. Nine Illustrations 178 PLUMBING IN THEATERS. A Theater Fire-Pressure System. One Illustration 190 Plumbing Details in a New York Theater. Three Illustrations ... igi Plumbing in the Fifth Avenue Theater, New York. Fifteen Illustrations c . . 184 PLUMBING OF SWIMMING AND RAIN BATHS. Baths of the New York Athletic Club. Two Illustrations , . 193 European Rain Baths. Six Illustrations 197 Plumbing of a Swimming Bath. Seven Illustrations ... 194 Public Baths in New York City. Twelve Illustrations 200 Special Baths in St. Vincent's Hospital. Four Illustrations 206 MISCELLANEOUS: Adjustable Control of Church Gaslights. Two Illustrations 218 An Automatic Duplex-Connected House Pump. Four Illustrations 220 An Automatic Gas Engine Cut-Off. Two Illustrations ... 223 Drainage Blunders. Thirteen Illustrations , 209 Essential Requirements for the Gas Piping of Buildings 208 Gas Piping for Buildings 207 Paris Bathcarts 217 Plumbing of a Barber Shop in Boston. Two Illustrations 222 Principles to be Observed in Planning and Specifying for a Country House. One Illustration 214 NOTES AND QUERIES ON PLUMBING OF SWIMMING BATHS. Fuel Required in Heating a Swimming Bath 225 Heating a Swimming Bath Problem 225 Size of Pip for Heating of a Swimming Pool by Steam 225 TABLE OF CONTENTS. VH NOTES AND QUERIES ON HOT- WATER SUPPLY. Air- Bound Piping. Two Illustrations 226 Coil Heating of a Bath Supply. One Illustration 227 Equalizing the Flow in a Domestic Water Service. One Illustration 229 Materials for Doors of Turkish Baths 227 Size for House-Service Pipe Wanted 227 The Flow of Water in Pipes 228 To Keep Cold- Water Pipes from Sweating 227 To Make a Cellar Wall Water-Tight 229 Water Supply for a Country House "228 NOTES AND QUERIES ON HOUSE-DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. An Experience with Sewer Gas Due to the Closing of the Top of the Soil Pipe by Frost 230 Arrangement of a Group of Closets. Two Illustrations 244 Arrangement of Trap Vents. Three Illustrations 237 Arranging Fresh-Air Inlets to Prevent Freezing of Traps 233 Artificial Heat in Vent Pipes 239 As to Main House Traps and Separate Sewer Connections 236 Back Pressure in a Seaside Cottage Drain - { 234 Badly Designed Plumbing in a New York House. One Illustration 230 Cause of Stoppage on a House Drain. One Illustration 242 Deposit of Rust in the Bend of a Soil Pipe. Two Illustrations . 243 Disposal of House Waste in Tight Clay Soil 231 Does Discharge of Steam into Earthern Drains Injuriously Affect Them 237 Expansion of Soil- Pipe Line. One Illustration .... 244 Frozen Roof Conductor Pipes 233 House Connections on Pipe Sewers 230 Joining an Iron and Earthenware Drain Five Illustrations 240 Method of Pouring Lead in Making Iron Water-Pipe Joints 243 Method of Testing Plumbing in Minneapolis. One Illustration 239 Obstruction of a Vent Pipe. One Illustration 235 Running a Vent Pipe into a Smoke Flue 237 Size of Pipe Required to Drain a Field * 232 Subsoil Drainage of House Foundations. Three Illustrations 241 The Back Venting of Closet Traps . . 238 The Proper Size for a House Sewer 232 The Use of Grease Traps 231 To Prevent Tar-Coating from Showing through Paint on Soil Pipes 233 Traps at Foot of Lines of Soil Pipe 233 Traps on House Drains 235 Traps on House Drain at Newton, Mass 236 Trouble with Back Water. One Illustration 245 Ventilation of a Soil Pipe. One Illustration 234 Venting Traps into Fresh-Air Inlets. Two Illustrations 232 Which is the Best Method of Connecting House Drain to Sewer ? 239 NOTES AND QUERIES ON DOMESTIC HOT- WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS. An Interchangeable Hot and Cold Water System for Kitchen and Laundry. One Illustration 247 A Question of Hot- Water Circulation. Two Illustrations 247 Can a Boiler be Successfully Connected with a Stove at a Distance by Running the Pipes on the Ceiling and Below the Floor ? 249 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Connection of Kitchen Boilers to Prevent Syphonage. One Illustration 248 Fitting Up a Kitchen Boiler to Prevent Syphonage. One Illustration 250 Hot-Water Boiler with Hot-Water Heating Coil. One Illustration 246 Indirect Heating for a Large Kitchen Boiler. One Illustration 246 Temperature Observations of Hot- Water Pipes 249 The Joints of Pipes to a Kitchen Boiler 249 Two Much Coil for Heating the Boiler. One Illustration 248 Trouble with a Water-Bad* 250 NOTES AND QUERIES ON CIRCULATION FROM KITCHEN BOILERS. A Loop above and a Circuit below a Hot-Water Boiler. Two Illustrations 254 An Error in Connecting a Double Boiler. One Illustration 257 A Suspended Kitchen Boiler. One Illustration 251 Defective Hot-Water Circulation. One Illustration 257 Drawing Cold water from Hot- Water Pipe. One Illustration 251 Heating a Boiler from Two Water-Backs. One Illustration 255 Hot- Water Circulation in a Greenhouse. One Illustration . . . . 253 Hot- Water Circulation Question. One Illustration '. 258 Hot Water from the Return Pipes 254 Placing an Ordinary Kitchen Boiler in a Horizontal Position. One Illustration 251 Rumbling in a Kitchen Boiler. One Illustration , 258 Steam and Range Water-Back on Kitchen Boiler at Hampton, Va. One Illustration 257 Tank-Water Supply for a Kitchen Boiler 253 Trouble with a Hot-Water Supply Boiler. One Illustration 256 Trouble with a Kitchen and Laundry Boiler System. One Illustration 252 Water Wasted through Improper Arrangement of Boiler Vent and Tank Overflow. One Illustra- tion 259 What Cracked the Water-Back and Caused the Rumbling Noise. One Illustration 255 Why Water is Milky when First Drawn ^ 259 PLUMBING OF RESIDENCES. DRAINAGE AND WATER SUPPLY OF A HARTFORD HOUSE. (PUBL SHED IN 1892.) IN the recently finished house of C. K. Forrest, Esq , Hartiord, Conn., of which Andrews, Jacques & Rantoul, of Boston, were the architects, and Albert L. Webster, Assoc. M. Am. Soc. C. E., of New York, was the sanitary engineer, the general plans for the drainage and water-supply systems were carefully drawn to a scale of one forty-eighth, and showed the correct position and length of all pipe lines, their sizes and principal fittings. Ac- curate detail drawings were also made of special or complicated arrangements, and diagrams of each room bearing marginal specifications, notes for all fixtures, workmanship, and details required there, KEY nd Cfo7d ' ffyfer Jfof Wotergoiler CircvaHo Soil 'dnd \Sener Pipes Ti/eJ)rain Pipe \-d~Brirk Pirr DRAINAGE AND WATER SUPPLY OF A HARTFORD, CONN , HOUSE. 10 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. ///r Mffppj/ ffuny uoo now rapidly increasing in Washington. Figure i is a view of the kitchen and laundry boilers. The supply from street mains is through pipe A, with branch B to pipe F for direct house supply, and C to the filter D, through which all the water usually passes and is delivered, through branches G and E, to the kitchen sink S and the general supply F. I is the supply to the kitchen boiler J, which delivers hot water through pipe H, with branches K to the kitchen sink and L to the laundry boiler N. M is the hot-water circulation pipe, connected by branch O to the laundry boiler, and with circulation pipe P to the kitchen range Q. R is the sediment pipe for emptying boiler J. The laundry boiler N is supplied through pipe T and can be emptied by pipe X. It is heated from a laundry stove W by circulation pipes V V, and delivers hot water through pipe U to the laundry tub and a servants' bathtub. It supplies also a dis- tribution pipe for the rear part of the second floor. It is connected with kitchen boiler J by pipe L. Y Y are pipes supplying hot and cold water to a first- floor basin L L are supplies to an upper bathroom, and O is a branch connecting the circulation pipe M to the laundry-stove water-back. Ordinarily boiler J alone is heated, and branches L L and Y Yare supplied from it. When, however, boiler N is in use, its supply may be supplemented by boiler J. Z Z are drips for emptying rising lines. Generally, valve a is closed and b and c are open, so that the whole supply passes through the filter D. Reversing these valves cuts out the filter, which 16 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 17 can be washed out by reversing lever d and opening valves f and g. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sunken bath- tub in the private toilet-room, which is in a second- story bay window. Figure 3 shows the setting and support of the tub and arrangement of supply and waste pipe, etc. T is a tank of ^-inch iron, about 7x4x3 feet deep, supported on projecting joist, and secured to the main floor joist J J by wrought-iron hooks H H. S is the soil pipe receiving waste W W, etc. from bath, basin B, and water-closet. V V V are 2-inch vent pipes, branched from 4-inch stack W, which extends above the roof. Z is a 4x8- inch galvanized-iron local vent duct, which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and ventilates the bathroom through register R. G is a gas jet to promote a constant circulation. A is a steam coil to prevent freezing in the chamber C, which is lined with gal- vanized iron. Figure 4 shows one corner of the bathtub T, Figs. 2 and 3. A is the riveted iron tank, B B B the in- side and outside tiled surface, F the cement setting; D a layer of brick; E is the inlet cock with hot and cold handles H and C respectively, G is a marble top, and I is the overflow pipe, which can be raised and hung on hook K, to empty the tub through waste pipe L. Figure 6 shows the detail of connection of waste, etc. A, B, D, F, J, and L are the same as in Fig. 4. The brass overflow pipe fits closely into the brass ferrule N, and is supported from its upper flange by the rubber wing N, which is confined by the shoul- der M. Ferrule N screws into brass sleeve O, which is finally secured by its top flange and the jam nut P. Another ferrule Q is secured to O, and con- nected to the 2- inch lead waste pipe L by a wiped joint R. The plumbing was executed by Reynolds & Mur- phy, of Washington, and is comprised chiefly in one laundry-room, one servants' water-closet and bath- room, one butler's pantry, two tiled bathrooms, one chambermaid's sink-room, one dressing-room, and the kitchen A private 6-inch iron sewer runs out- side three sides of the house and receives all leaders and soil pipes. Harvey Page, of Washington, was the architect of the house, and John S. Larcombe the builder. MARBLE PLUNGE BATH IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. (PUBLISHED IN 1893.) THE following description illustrates an arrange- ment of a sunken bath lately executed by Mr. Paul S. Bolger in a residence in Fifty-eighth Street, New York City. Figure i is a perspective view of the owner's private bathroom, which is floored and wainscoted with white marble and contains a 420- gallon sunken bathtub, or pool, which is lined with polished white marble slabs. It is entered by two steps at S, descending from the floor level. The principal clear dimensions of the bath are 7'x3'x3' deep, with an overflow set to permit a depth of about 32 inches of water. Hot and cold water sup- plies are brought up through the floor at A A, and passing, as indicated by the arrows, through pipes H and C respectively, are carried behind the wall panels to the dolphin's head D. From the dolphin's \ ' THE ENGINEERING RECORD \L. MARBLE PLUNGE BATH IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Fis.2 THI CNCiNltmNC RECORD. MARBLE PLUNGE BATH IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. mouth the stream is delivered which fills the tub. Pipes C and H form part of the silver plated brass posts and rails which inclose and protect the pool. The dolphin's head delivery is controlled by valves E E, which are within easy reach of an occupant of the bath. Valves F F command the shower bath, the connections of which are so arranged that the hot water must pass through the cold-water valve, as shown in diagram, Fig. 2, thus insuring the cer- tainty of cold water being mixed with any hot that may be drawn through the shower. Cold water may be delivered by the shower, but not hot water alone. If the shower hot valve only be opened, no delivery follows, nor can it be secured until the cold valve also is opened, thus preventing any pos- sibility of scalding the bather. G, Fig. i, is the handle of the waste and overflow for the bath, and Fig. 3 is a detail showing how it passes through a hollow ring I, which carries the cold water from one length to another of the supply pipe rail C. The lower rail sections K K do not serve as water pipes and are connected by ordinary nipples to a solid guide ring J, through which the vertical pipe slips freely. Figure 4 shows the arrangement at a pan- try sink between two chambers. Here a square porcelain sink is set in a handsome marble slab 6 feet long, which extends across the full width of the alcove. The curtain panel in front is only about 6 inches deep, and the slab and bowl are supported by a special wrought-iron frame, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which clearly show in perspective and cross- section the manner of bolting the 2x2-inch angle bars to the wall above and building them into it below. The hot and cold water supplies were brought up behind the tiling to a point above the slab, where they are brought through and connected to angle pieces N N, to which sink faucets L L are attached, so as to leave an unobstructed surface on the table slab, and incidentally to permit the placing of pitch- ers, etc. beneath the faucets. The long marble slab of the kitchen sink is supported by an iron frame similar to that shown in Figs. 5 and 6. A SPECIAL BATHROOM. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) IN making recent improvements in a house at New York City the owner wished to utilize a very small, narrow room for a bath and water-closet, and there- fore designed the arrangement shown here. Figure i is a plan of the room, showing the new position of the water-closet and of special bath B, with shower ring S and needle posts N N N N The old fixed washstand was discarded and a marble side shelf substituted for a movable bowl, if required. Sufficient room was thus obtained for toilet and dressing purposes, and for shaving-cabinet, gas stove, etc. Figure 2 is a view from Z. Fig. i. The bath B is about 3'x4'xis" deep, the bottom A A being raised about 9 inches above the floor, so as to be at a con- venient height for a child to stand upon while being bathed by a person seated in a chair. The bathtub may be filled with water up to level P P of the over- flow O, and is intended as a tub for children and a shower and spray for adults. S is a i4-inch ring shower, and N N N N are water tubes perforated for needle sprays that pitch toward the center of the tub. Around the bath the room is paneled 8 feet high with Italian marble wainscoting; elsewhere it is 6 feet high all around. The floor is also marble-tiled and the tub is lined with marble. All the pipes and fix- tures are exposed and are of brass, silver-plated. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 19 BO AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Water under both street and tank pressure is sup- plied to the room, and its distribution there and for the upper part of the house is controlled by a Mor- rison cut-off M, that receives cold water under street and tank pressures through pipes D and E, and de- livers it through C and its horizontal branches C and C', and receives hot water under street and tank pressures through P and G, and delivers it through H and its horizontal branches H' and H'. The bath fixtures are supplied with hot water through branch I, the delivery to the needle spray N N N N being controlled by cock K, and the delivery to the shower S by cock L. Branch J supplies cold water, and cock M controls its delivery to the needle spray; cock N controls its delivery to the shower. The needle sprays are supplied through pipes Q Q, etc., and the shower ring through pipes T T. Pipes R R, etc. are blanks, merely for stiffening braces; U is a rubber curtain; W W are drawcocks, and V is a trap screw for cleaning the bath waste. The bathtub really consists of a deep, soldered, lead tray, set in cement, and with a cement coating all over inside, in which the marble surface is set. The marble lining itself would probably be nearly or quite water-tight, but the lead pan is put outside to give absolute assur- ance. Figure 3 is a section through the side of the tub, and Fig. 4 is a section through the front of it. L is the eight-pound lead tray; C is Portland cement; M M, etc. are marble slabs; W is a wooden faceboard, and A is a 4-inch marble cap. The overflow stand- pipe O fits into the waste pipe X, with a ground joint at Y, and a flange Z is soldered to both L and X to prevent leakage. This work was done by Messrs. Rossman & Bracken, New York. L PLUMBING DETAILS IN R. P. FLOWER'S RESIDENCE, NEW YORK. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) IN a recent remodeling of Mr. R. P. Flower's resi- dence, at New York, all the piping and many of the old fixtures were replaced, and a new supply, waste and ventilation system were adapted to the existing construction and its requirements. The following details show how some of the work was made to con- form to the necessities encountered. Figure i shows the i.ooo-gallon wooden storage tank T in the attic. It is filled through the pump pipe A, or, when city pressure suffices, through the ball cock B. C and D are circulation and relief pipes from the high and low-pressure boilers. They arc both connected to the check valve E that opens with a downward current and lets steam escape, but closes with an upward current, thus preventing escape of tank water through it by syphonage. G is the house supply, with a check valve H that closes with a downward current to prevent the filling and overflowing of the tank through it when city press- ure exceeds tank pressure. I is a lead safe, and J is a soil pipe carried, with the other risers, in the pipe shaft K. Figure 2 shows the connections of the gas-engine pump A and hand pump B in the subbasement. C PLUMBING DETAILS IN MR R. P FLOWER'S RESIDENCE, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 21 is the cold-water supply from city mains, with "branches D and E for the suctions to hand and gas pumps which deliver through branches G and H respectively to the i^-inch tank pipe F. Valve I is usually closed, but by opening it riser F may be drained through waste pipe J into the drip sink S. K is a cold-water supply to sink, M is a 2- inch refrigerator waste, and L L, etc. are drip and safe wastes, all provided with flap valves at sink. N is a gas pipe to engine, Q is an air chamber, V is a vent pipe, O O are soil pipes, and P is main 6-inch house sewer, supported on iron hooks from cellar wall at each joint. Figure 3 shows the arrangement, in a basement cupboard, of a Tucker grease trap T, S is a duct up to butler's pantry, C is a 2-inch waste from butler's pantry sink, A is the i-inch supply from city mains, B is the i-inch outlet with j^-inch branch E to butler's pantry and ^{-inch branch B to kitchen sink, F is the 2-inch waste, and G the ij^-inch vent. Figure 4 shows the large grease trap in the sub- basement for kitchen waste, B is the i-inch cold sup- ply under tank pressure with branches C to trap and D to kitchen. E is the delivery with branches F to laundry, H to servants' water-closet, and G to first- floor basins, I is the i>-inch waste from kitchen sink, and J the ly^-inch outlet to sewer K; Lis a vent pipe. The work was executed by John Tourney & Son, of New York. SOME PLUMBING IN BOSTON. (PUBLISHED IN 1889.) SOME interesting plumbing has recently been done by Henry Hussey & Co., of Boston, in a large build- ing in that city, and we illustrate seme of its details from sketches recently made by a member of our staff. Figure i is a view of the main attic tank. It is filled by pumping or from the street pressure, through FIG.. 4 the two ball cocks on the i ^-inch brass pipe A, and overflows through the i ^-inch pipe B. . The pipe A, where it comes down inside, is at- tached to the side of the tank by the foot E, which is soldered to the copper lining of the tank, as will be seen by the sketch. The two ball cocks are attached to branches from the tee D. It is intended ordinarily to keep the tank about two-thirds full of water, as shown, but in summer it is used temporarily to sup- ply water for the infrequent use of the freight ele- vator, and it is arranged to be then filled up to the top of the overflow pipe B. The ball cocks are then removed from tee D to tee F, and the plugs now in the branches of the latter are transferred to tee D and the overflow outlet at G is closed. H H, etc , are J^-inch brass vent pipes from the heating boiler, main lines, etc. I is the waste pipe for emptying the tank. J is its valve, which can be raised and opened by the chain K. Valves similar to Re. I SOME PLTJMBTNO TN BOSTON, MASS AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. J are at O O, etc., controlling the supply to the vari- ous pipes; lead weights are attached to the chains to insure the closing of the valves. Figure 2 shows the face of the tank, which is broken away in Fig. j. The tank supply through pipe A will, if the key valve N be opened, supply the ele- vator through the i ^-inch brass pipe P. R is a locked glass case containing the handles i, 2, 3, 4, and 5, of the chains from supply valves J O O O O, Fig. i. When the handles are pulled down, as i, 3, and 5 are, their valves are opened. When raised, as are 2 and 4, their valves are closed. Figure 3 shows the hot-water boiler A in the base- ment that supplies hot water to the kitchens, bath- rooms, etc., throughout the house. It is jacketed with asbestos, and contains a coil of brass pipe which receives live or exhaust steam through pipe B, and returns it through the 2-inch brass pipe C to the trap D and thence through the i-inch iron pipe E to the boiler. T is a thermometer. F is the cold-water supply pipe. H and H are hot-water supply pipes and G is the hot-water return circulation pipe. I is the i^-inch brass sediment pipe to empty the boiler. Figure 4 shows the sink in the boiler-room. It is neatly supported by a frame made of polished brass pipes nicely curved. H is the hot, and C is the cold-water pipe; W is the waste, and D the trap vent pipe. E is a waste pipe from the receiver into which all the safes and refrigerators in the house are drained. DANGEROUS BLUNDERS IN PLUMBING. ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE A BY-PASS. (PUBLISHED IN 1889.) E. H. KENDALL, architect, of New York City, has called our attention to the ingenious arrangement A BY-PASS FROM CESSPOOL. which he recently discovered, whereby the plumber of a country residence contrived to admit cesspool gas where it was most necessary to exclude it. Pic. 3 SOME PLUMBING IN BOSTON, MASS. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. A is the house drain, F the main trap cut-off drain from cesspool. C is a fresh-air pipe from inlet D. To ventilate the cesspool the plumber conceived the idea of extending the inlet pipe to E, where he con- nected it with the drain pipe and thus provided for the free escape of cesspool gas under the windows, and past the main trap F, as indicated by the arrows, thus making his main trap useless. AN OVERHEAD ARRANGEMENT OF BATH- ROOM PIPES. (PUBLISHED IN 1889.) A MEMBER of our staff some time ago saw, in a Boston building, the work that is here illustrated from sketches he made. Each suite of apartments has laundry tubs, kitchen sink, butlers' sink, two wash- stands, a large bathroom and a servants' bathroom. KITCHEN BOILERS IN RESIDENCE OF GEORGE VANDERBILT, ESQ. (PUBLISHED IN 1887 ) THE accompanying illustrations are from the resi- dence of Mr. George Vanderbilt, 9 West Fifty-third Street, New York. Figure i shows the boilers in the kitchen, one on either side of the range. That on the right is supplied trom the street pressure, while that on the left receives its water from the tank on the top floor. The water-back was made specially for this work, and has a partition through the center allow- ing each boiler to be heated independently of the other. The water pipes throughout are tinned brass, giving the work a very bright and pleasing appear- ance. Gate valves are used in place of the ordinary stop-cocks, and reverse cocks are placed directly over the kitchen sink where they can be readily reached. Each boiler contains 60 gallons, and is supported on specially made brass rims with four brass legs. The arrangement of the supply pipes to the sink is very simple and neat, with air chambers evenly spaced and a plug in the pipe to prevent the mingling of hot and cold water. The arrangement of the pipes will be evident on examination ot the illustration, making further description unnecessary. The master plumber was Mr. Alexander Orr, of New York. Rg.jg All the pipes are of brass, either polished or silver- plated, and all either entirely exposed or readily accessible by doors commanding all inclosed portions. Figure i is a view of the arrangement in a large bathroom. There are marble safes underneath all the fixtures, and the washbowl table and panels are of marble. The room is wainscoted with white ceramic tiles, and the cabinet-work is in polished cherry, except that on the ceiling, which is painted white. The bathtubs and bowls are of porcelain, and all the exposed metal-work is of brass silver-plated. C and C are cold-water supply pipes for the wash- bowls, and H and H are hot- water pipes. D is a KITCHEN BOILERS IN RESIDENCE OF GEORGE VANDERBILT, ESQ. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. OVERHEAD ARRANGEMENT OF BATHROOM PIPES special brass pipe, with wastes B B and trap vent A brazed on. E and E are trap vents; they can easily be removed, aud access had through the cap plates G G to their traps by unscrewing the unions F F. The supply and waste pipes and traps are all arranged underneath the floor in the same manner as those of the room above, which are shown at the ceil- ing of this room. P is a cupboard containing the flush tank for the water-closet in the same room and the trap for the water-closet in the room above. K and K are cupboards containing the other pipes and traps for the upper room. O is the soil pipe, M is the hot and N is the cold- water distribution pipe, and L is the trap for bath- tub waste. Figure 2 shows a special double waste and trap vent connection that is somewhat similar to the one shown at D, Fig. i, and was used by the same plumbers for their work in a club-house. It is made of i J^-inch brass pipe, nickle-plated, and has ground unions A A, etc. PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK BATHROOM. (PUBLISHED IN 1894 ) IN the recent reconstruction of the plumbing in a residence on West Eighty-first Street, New York City, some special work was done by John Tucker in arrangement and floor construction of a handsome bathroom adjacent to the owner's bedroom. There were half a dozen other bathrooms in the house that presented no especial features, but this one was more elaborately equipped and elegantly finished, and as its location is directly over some costly ceiling decora- tions, unusual pains were taken to prevent any possi- bility of leakage or moisture from percolating below the floor. The room was paneled 6 feet high with Italian marble wainscoting, and had a floor of large white marble slabs. The fixtures were of marble, porce- lain, and plated metal, and are designed to be both handsome and rich. Figure lisa floor plan showing the general arrangement and the pitch and jointing of the different sections of the floor, which sloped about one-half inch to th j line A B, besides which point B was about i inch lower than A, so that it re- ceives all the drainage and conducts it to the strainer- plate B. The floor surface is in three planes, ADD and ADEB.ADEB intersecting in the lines A D, A D, and A B. On the regular rough floor a sloping platform F was built on joists J J at i-inch pitch and entirely covered by a large safe pan of heavy sheet lead, in which a layer of Portland cement from i to z inches thick bedded the marble floor slab at a pitch of one-half inch. A deeper pan was made in the safe to receive the 4-inch slab of the needle bath, and to its sides on the outside corner was soldered a vertical sheet of iz-ounce copper about 8 feet high and weigh- ing 60 pounds. This was intended to prevent any possibility of water from the bath spattering and run- ning down behind the wainscot. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Figure 2 is a drawing of the lead safe, dog-eared at the corners. Figure 3 shows the arrangement of soil, waste, and water pipes. The soil pipe is 4-inch cast iron with calked joints and lie" on the rough floor. The waste pipes are i^-inch and 2-inch screwed wrought iron, also laid on the rough floor. The water pipes are laid in channels grooved in the sloping platform, into which the lead safe has been smoothly beaten down. Figure 5 is a diagram of the arrange- ment of the trap vent pipes behind the wainscoting and over the ceiling of the bathroom. Figure 6 shows the method of making traps on the screwed waste Trap fSf rfonnectwn tit ~ Wajte B ^-^"(ZopperWc, 7ZPI., Floor .Section X-X JtafhRoomTloorVslotulpitcli 1 ^ NJ ' 1] M 'V'My "up W 'y /' tlT ] 'ftHy Koifil 7 FloorJ Waste Pine a ' erflpfs J F'' J vamp-,! Floor 6ectionZ-Z. :'-. : j E X~ z- - 'i'-O !JJJU.. f.,,.....< .ICO.O f ottered, Joint) PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK BATHROOM. v AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. pipes and carrying them through the lead safe. In Fig. 7, S is the strainer-plate S, Fig. i, and W is the waste pipe from the needle bath. P is a 5^- inch pipe supplying hot or cold water at a considerable pressure to the nozzle N. which is concealed inside the waste pipe and furnishes a vertical jet commanded by valves V V. PLUMBING IN JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER'S HOUSE AT TARRYTOWN. N. Y. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) THE systems of hot and cold-water supply, drainage and trap ventilation in this house and its stables, etc. , illustrate the design and execution of extensive work for a large and costly establishment, having nearly all the requirements of a city house in addition to some others belonging to a country place, and under the conditions imposed by its isolated location. Water is brought from the Pocantico water supply, of Tarrytown, in a special 4-inch main, about 4 miles long, which supplies it at a pressure of about 140 pounds per square inch to a reducing valve. This maintains a constant delivery at about 40 pounds, which is sufficient to raise it to the storage tanks in the attic. All water pipes throughout are of galvanized iron. The branches to all fixtures are |^-inch AAA lead pipe; all boiler connections are brass. Two toilet- rooms on the first floor have exposed silver-plated pipes; elsewhere the washstands, etc. have the space underneath occupied with drawers. Lead safes are everywhere placed under the pipes and fixtures. All soil pipes are perfectly vertical from sewer to above roof; most of them are built in recesses left in the walls and subsequently bricked and plastered up. All are 4 inches except one line $ inches in diameter. All water supplies rise in elevator shafts to attic or fourth floor, where they are distributed in lead-lined troughs, see Fig. i, between floor and joist, and have vertical branches with stop cocks to all fixtures on second and third floors. For the basement and first floor all branches for water supply rise vertically from distribution pipes, suspended below the basement ceiling. All the drainage pipes are suspended below the basement floor, overhead in cellar. In the main part of the house there are, on the third floor, six toilet-rooms, each containing a water- closet, a bathtub and a washbasin; another toilet- room with water-closet, bathtub and two basins, and a chambermaid's slopsink. On the fourth floor is a photographers's sink. On the second floor is a toilet- room containing a water-closet, two washbasins, a long bathtub and a hip bathtub; another toilet-room with the same fixtures except the hip bath; three toilet-rooms with one basin, a bathtub and a water- closet in each, and one with a basin and water-closet only. On the first floor is one toilet-room with water- closet, washbasin, and urinal, another with a wash- basin and urinal only. There are also two butlers* pantry sinks, one servants' hall sink, one kitchen sink, one scullery sink, and one slopsink. In the basement there are two servants' water-closets, one engine- room sink, seven laundry tubs (in two sets), and one laundry sink. Besides the above, there is, in a portion of the house designed for the servants' hall, a water-closet and bathroom on the third floor; water-closet, bath, and slopsink on the second floor; and in the kitchen a house boiler, laundry boiler, and a water heater. The two stables have accommodations for the superintendent and coachman and their families, and bachelors' apartments for the stable hands. The superintendent has a bathroom, water-closet, kitchen boiler, sink, and two laundry tubs. The coachman has a water-closet and ordinary kitchen fixtures. The bachelors' apartments are furnished with a bath- tub, water-closet, and a sink. In the stables there are 26 box stalls and 16 open stalls. The latter drain into gutters at the rear with bell- trap waste pipes for every two stalls. Each box stall has separate waste and trap. There are two horse troughs, one harness-room, sink, one wash- basin, and two water-closets in the stable. Outside, under a roof, is a concrete platform, 30x60 feet, pitched to two wastes, with bell-trapped strainers and hose cocks for washing carriages. In the adja- cent engine and dynamo house there is one water- closet and one sink. There are about 25 fire hydrants distributed through the grounds, and 15 street washers for sprinkling lawn. All the sewage is discharged through an 8-inch main iron pipe into the river between high and low water. All the soil pipe was tested by water pressure up to the roof after the connections were made ready for the fixtures. Figure 2 shows the location of the house tanks A and B in the attic, and Figs. 3 and 4 are separate views of A and B respectively. Each tank is filled through a ball cock from the 2-inch pump pipe G, and overflows through funnel heads H on the branches of a 4-inch pipe D open above the roof and discharging into the engine-room sink. F is a 2-inch equalizing pipe which connects the two tanks, and through which they may be emptied directly into the sewer. J is the 2j^-inch house-supply pipe, and E is a 4-inch supply to the elevator tank. K, Fig. 3, is a special 2-inch branch to the kitchen boiler, and L is the i J^-inch supply for the distributing pipes through- out the house. M is a i inch supply for the photog- rapher's room on the attic floor. N N are ^"-inch safety pipes from the kitchen and laundry boilers. O is an iron safe, and P is its waste pipe. Figure 5 shows the 25o-gallon boiler A in the kitchen. It is about 40x70 inches and has a domed top, flat-bottomed, and is supported by a frame of brass pipes B, screwed into a floorplate C. The cold supply is through D, and the hot delivery through E, both i^-inch pipes. Circulation is through the i- inch pipe F, which runs from the third-floor pipes to the i^-inch circulation pipe G. The branch I con- nects with the water-back in the kitchen range R, which returns the heated water through the i ^-inch branch J of the upper circulation pipe K. All these pipes are of polished brass. Figure 6 shows the heater M (Bramhall, Deane & Co.'s No. 2), which is placed in the basement under- AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 27 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. neath boiler A, to help heat its water when the de- mand overtaxes the range water-back. The i j^-inch brass pipes L and H are connected to the water jacket and above, as shown in Fig. 5, with the circu- lation pipes G and K, in which part of the water flows through branch I to kitchen range and returns through branch ]. The remainder flows through branch H to the heater and returns through branch L. N is a key valve through which, and the pipe O, the hot-water system may be emptied into the sewer. Figure 8 is a diagram of the overhead arrangement of the hot and cold water pipes in the basement. A A are the laundry rooms. B is a closet, C and D are sets of enameled tubs, E is a sink, F is the 100- gallon laundry boiler, G is a steam pipe. Figure 7 shows the connections to laundry boiler F, Fig. 7. Cold water is supplied to it through the ij^- inch branch H from the tank pipe I, and as the main part of the house may be closed and the tanks emptied in the winter, it has also a special branch J, through which it may be supplied direct from the 4- inch main. Hot water is delivered to the tubs through i % -inch pipe K, which has also a branch L, connect- ing with the bathtub and washbasin supply, so that boiler F may assist the kitchen boiler to operate the house system if necessary, or the kitchen boiler can be connected with the laundry tubs. M is the return circulation pipe, and P is the sediment pipe to the sewer, with a key valve S; Q and R are the circula- tion pipes to the water-back. Figure 9 is a perspective from Z, Fig. 7, and shows the exposed arrangement, under the fireproof floor, of the distribution pipes to the tubs D, sink E, and risers T T, which are like the numerous other lines, taken from the basement ceiling vertically to the first floor HS 1 *. ~^w v^'v , ,->, r^i * f s& t-t-ftLJ cr J ^?- _A m ^!L-^:;.>Jf: PLUMBING IN MR. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER'S HOUSE AND STABLE, TARRYTOWN N. Y. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 29 and servants' fixtures, or lines of fixtures they supply. S S are steam heating pipes, and U is the refrigerator waste which terminates above the sink in a flap valve V. Figure 10 is a view from Y, Fig. 7, of the detached tubs C, which were especially designed by Mrs. Rockefeller to stand in the middle of the room and be provided with an adjustable table A, that, when not in use, should hang down as shown, to form a side panel, and may be raised to the position shown by broken lines. The hot and cold pipes H and B are protected by a case D, and are carried on the ceiling as shown in Fig. 9. XX are refrigerator drip pipe, and W is a trap vent. Figure n is a diagram showing the sizes and arrangement of the soil and waste pipes and leaders tinder the stable floor. The stable is in the second Story of the building, and all the pipes are suspended from its floor joists in the upper part of the basement. A A, etc. are the branches to the open and box stall; B B, etc. are branches to rainwater leaders; C C are wastes from hose troughs; D D are drains from the carriage-washing platform; E E are soil pipes from the employees' rooms; F is a drain pipe from the ex- ercising room; and H is the elevator shaft through which the trap ventilation pipe passes to above the roof. E. M. Roberts was the architect. The plumbing and gasfitting was executed by John Tourney & Son, of New York. AN ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE A PLUMBING INSPECTOR. (PUBLISHED IN 1889.) SOME time ago we had occasion to note the attempt of some plumber, we think in Cincinnati, to deceive the inspector in regard to the tightness of his drain pipes, by putting a plug in the upper part of the soil pipe and filling the part above with water, thus giving ing the false impression that all the pipes were filled and subjected to pressure. A similar trick is reported in the Asbury Park Journal as having been recently tried in that place. One of the requirements of the health laws gov- erning Asbury Park is that all plumbing, upon com- pletion, shall be examined and tested by the Inspector of Plumbing. The principal test is to see that the whole system in a house is perfectly air-tight, so that sewer gas may not escape, and for this purpose the ends of the pipe are sealed up and an air pump with pressure gauge is attached. Air is forced in the pipes until a pressure of five pounds to the square inch is attained. As soon as the pump is stopped the gauge will quickly indicate the presence of a leak; if it stands at the required notch for a certain length of time the test is deemed satisfactory. In this case, a plumber doing business in As- bury Park informed the Board of Health that he had completed the work on a house and was ready to have it inspected. Inspector Lippincott went to the build- ing and was met there by the foreman plumber, who remarked to him that he had a hard time to get the job tight. The air pump was attached, and the first two or three strokes indicated pressure on the gauge. This was unusual, and excited the suspicion of the inspector, for in a line of large pipe it requires more time to compress the air sufficiently for it to show on the indicator. The pressure went up to five pounds and stood there firmly, and the inspector then went upstairs to look over the line of pipe. He requested the foreman to open one of the capped inlets, but before doing so the foreman made an excuse to go downstairs after his tools. When the cap was re- moved no air escaped, and the inspector then knew that some trickery was being practiced. Returning to the pump he found there was no pressure on the gauge. The foreman declared that he had not touched it when he came down after his tools. The pump was again worked and the pressure immediately went up to five pounds and stood there, although the pipe was open upstairs. The pump was then removed, and in the pipe, about 2 feet from the end, was found a plaster of Paris plug, calked in with oakum, that effectually shut of the passage of air, so that not a single joint of the house drain pipe was subjected to pressure. When the foreman saw that the trickery was exposed he con- fessed that he and his helper had plugged the pipe. The boss plumber claimed to know nothing about it, and charged it all on the two men. Inspector Lippincott deserved praise for his quick detection of the fraud, and the owner of the house can thank the Board of Health for defending him against having a dangerous construction erected in his house, when he had contracted for and paid for a first-class job. The houseowner doubtless appreciates the efficiency of the inspector and the value of the plumbing law. PLUMBING IN THE RESIDENCE OF MR. ELBRIDGE T. GERRY. (PUBLISHED IN 1894 ) THE new house of Mr. Elbridge T. Gerry at Fifth Avenue and Sixty-first Street, New York City, is a large and costly building designed by Richard M. Hunt, architect, of New York, and equipped with an ample provision of hot and cold water supply and abundant fixtures for the comforts and necessities of the domestic and toilet requirements. The pipe lines are all screw-connected and pressure-tested. The water supply is received through two 2-inch con- nections with different street mains and is all filtered through a battery of four pressure filters, whence it is pumped by electricity to an attic tank which is in- tended to provide a day's storage and furnish uniform pressure. There are complete systems of trap and local ventilation and an abundant supply of hot water from several separate interchangeable sources. The installation, which was executed by James Muir, Sons & Co., of New York City, comprises nine bath- rooms, a butler's pantry, kitchen, scullery, and two laundries, together with metering, filtering, pumping and storing and heating apparatus, with its neces- sary machinery. There are in the house four water- closets, 10 washbowls, three slopsinks, one urinal, AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. //X a a 6-1 I t-r r-s one sitz bath, two butler's sinks, a kitchen sink with special marble table, two sets of five earthenware washtrays, and two iron sinks for washing, drips, etc. Most of the bathrooms have white tiled floor and walls and oak cabinet-work, but the boudoir bathroom is finished with rose-colored tiles, mosaic floor, and rosewood cabinet-work, the metal-work being of ornamental design, silver-plated, and the porcelain decorated in white. The bathtubs are of porcelain and enameled iron. Figure i shows the arrangement and connection of the Continental filters in the basement. A and B are 2-inch supplies from different street mains which de- liver to the filters through the independent branches D D. Filtered water is delivered through valves I and pipes, here omitted to avoid confusion, to the pump suction tank and basement distribution lines. The valves G and H of each filter are connected and operated by a link arrangement commanded by handle M (omitted in the general view, but shown in a detached detail) which operates both together, so that when turned into one position the filter is in service, delivering into the house system, and when reversed washes out the interior under tank pressure and delivers the water into funnels Q Q ot a waste pipe which empties freely into an adjacent trapped sink S. . Filters E are intended to be used for the supply to the kitchen and butler's pantry, and niters F F for the general house supply. Figure 2 shows the hot-water boiler, about 3x8 feet, for supplying the kitchen and bathrooms. Cold- water supply is received through pipe B and check valve V, which closes away from the boiler to prevent back flow. The coldest water in the boiler circulates through pipe C to the Hitchings greenhouse heater No. 3, A, and returns to the boiler at a higher temper- ature through pipe H. The boiler delivers hot water through pipe E to the basement and first-floor distri- bution lines and through pipe D to the upper floors. F is the return circulation and I the emptying pipe. S S, etc. is a pipe frame supporting the boiler. The cold-water supply to the hot-water boiler passes through five Tucker grease traps from sinks in the basement before supplying the boiler. If steam forms in the heater A it is immediately car- ried over into the drum N, and separating from the hot water that is delivered through pipe H, its press- ure is transmitted through pipe Q to a diaphragm at O, which actuates a lever M and operates the chain L commanding the dampers. The illustration shows the draft on, but if the water becomes too hot the lever M will move in the direction T, closing draft damper P and simultaneously opening check damper K. When the temperature of the water falls suffi- ciently and the steam pressure is relieved, the lever M will return to its former position and the dampers will be reversed. R is a support for diaphragm case O. Figure 2 shows the connections to the attic tank, which is made of riveted steel angles and plates, and is about s'x8'x6' deep. It rests on three rolled 12- inch beams A A A that distribute its weight upon the transverse beams B B B, beneath which are sup- AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. SSSSSSSSS^^ AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE, ported on the iron ceiling girders of the upper floor. C is the i^-inch delivery from the pump. D is the i J^-inch general house supply, down-vented by the 2^-inch pipe E, which promotes its emptying, and is fitted with a ball cock to close when the tank is full and prevent discharge through it. F is a ij^-inch riser from the city mains under street pressure. It has a check valve opening with a delivery from the tank, so as to serve as a supply from the tank to the city pressure pipes when the adjacent gate valve is open, and it delivers into the tank through pipe G and ball cock H. I is the emptying and ] is the over- flow pipes discharging into the open sink in the cellar, and V V V are hot-water expansion pipes carried 10 feet above the tank to the highest point under the peak of the roof. R is a copper float which, with its accom- panying counterweight L, is attached to the chain P which operates the spring lever O that makes and breaks the electric circuit between wires M and N, and sounds a high and low water alarm bell near the pump in the basement. Q is a canvas covered asbestos conduit through which the main pipe lines are run underneath the roof above the chamber ceilings. Fw.7 Figure 4 is a sketch plan showing the arrangement of the connected adjacent laundry-rooms. Figure 5 is a view from A, Fig. 4, showing the pipe connec- tions to one of the double ranges. Its Go-gallon boiler A is supplied through the i-inch street press- ure pipe B, and its circulation from the rear water- back is through the two pipes C C. It delivers hot water through pipe D, and E is its vent pipe, carried down and under the floor across to the riser shaft. The circulation pipes of the front water-back are connected directly to the flow and return pipes F and R that serve the radiator coil in the laundry dry- room. The water consumed in this system is re- placed by an automatic feed -water regulator G, fur- nished by the Duparquet, Moneuse & Huot Com- pany, that is supplied under street pressure through pipe H. When the inclosed float falls below a certain level X X it opens an interior valve and delivers water through I to pipe F. J is a gauge glass, and K K' are key valves that are ordinarily open. If it is desired to feed the coil by hand, valves K and N are closed and valves M and L are opened. O is a vent pipe, P is an overflow pipe, and Q is an empty- ing pipe. Figure 6 is a diagram of the piping for one set of five laundry tubs. Ordinarily valve A. is closed and the hot water is supplied from the range boiler, but by opening valve A supply may also -be taken from pipe E from the basement general boiler, Fig. 2. W W, etc. are waste pipes, and O O O, etc. are over- flow connections. Figure 7 shows one of several switchboards located in different bathrooms to control the supply of hot and cold water to the different fixtures in the room. Valve A commands the flush tanks, B the hot and C the cold supply. Offsets, intersections, and changes of direction are made by curving the plated brass pipe, which is so skillfully done as to present a not- ably handsome and elegant appearance. Special examples are at D, where the flush pipe is carried around a register handle, and at E, where the bath- tub pipes are carried around the water-closet bowl. P is a panel extending to the ceiling, on which the tile are secured, and which is removable throughout its entire length, together with the pipe on its face, to give access to the riser lines in the recess behind it. Figure 8 shows the arrangement for inserting cir- culation for local vent pipes. The box A is set in the attic wall, and inside it are burned two gas flames, visible through the glass door. These tend to ex- haust the air from the vent-pipe branches and dis- charge the lighter warmed air through conduit B above the roof. Figure 9 shows the method of flashing the soil and trap vent pipes. A copper plate S is laid under the slates and the copper thimble T soldered to it, in- closing the wrought-iron pipe up to its first joint, or to the top, where in either case a coupling C, cham- fered out and beveled on the lower edge, is screwed down over the sleeve and holds it firmly and caps it. PLUMBING IN SEVENTY-SECOND STREET HOUSES, NEW YORK. ^PUBLISHED IN 1891.) THE plumbing of two new houses on West Seventy- second Street, New York, provides for an unusually complete control of the hot water, which may be sup- plied from either or both of two boilers to any or all of eight subdivisions of the house at will. There are also some special details designed for this work by Paul S. Bolger, who executed the plumbing and gas- fitting. The largest house is four stories high with a basement and cellar, and its three upper floors are divided by central halls, to each side of which the water supply is independent. Figure i shows the two go-gallon boilers B and C, which are heated from water-backs in the kitchen range R. Both of them are at present supplied with water under street pressure, but it is intended that either of them shall be supplied from a roof tank if the city pressure becomes insufficient. Cold water is received from the street through pipe C and from the tank through pipe A. To connect either boiler, as B, with tank pressure, its supply pipe D must have the street pressure cut off and tank pressure admitted AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. by closing its valve at Z and opening its valve at X. Delivery pipe E and circulation pipe G must be cut off from the street pressure by closing their valves at X and Z, and the supply, delivery, and circulation pipes d,f, and h, of street pressure boiler b, must be cut off from tank pressure by closing their valves at x and z. Then boiler B will deliver through pipe F and boiler b through pipe e, pipes E and / and cir- culation pipes G and h being cut out. By reversing the valves, boilers B and b would work under street and tank pressures respectively, and pipes e, F, g, H would be cut out. I is street hot, J is tank hot, L is street circulation, and K is tank circulation for the upper storie.s. M is the street hot and N is the tank hot supply to the first floor and basement fixtures. By closing the valves at X and x on pipes D and d, and opening all others , both boilers are put under street pressure, or by clos- ing the valves on C, at Z and z, and opening all others, both are put under tank pressure. The circulation pipes G g and H h are united be- low the kitchen floor to pipes O for the tank and P for the street pressure systems, and they and the boilers may be emptied through valves at Z and z, and in the cellar. Q and q are check valves to pre- vent the escape of tank water into the street mains. U, u, etc. are eight unions. All the pipes, boilers, fixtures, and other metal-work are nickel-plated, and the kitchen walls are finished with white ceramic tiles. Figure 2 shows the continuation into an adjacent hall of the tank, hot-water, and circulation pipes A, I, J, and K L, and their division into two groups of risers, one supplying each side of the house. Pipe A t is connected with the tank, and both A x and A 3 serve for general tank supply. Each group of risers has from the foot of the vertical shaft an additional pipe G! C 3 (not shown here), supplying cold water under street pressure. Y is a drip pipe and S S are 10 special valves through which the riser lines may be emptied. B B are five unions and D D are 10 special angle valves controlling the riser lines. Figure 3 shows a glass cabinet G, on the wall of the back stairway, which contains a cut-off M and three-way cock O for connecting the fixtures on one side of the second floor, with either the tank or street pressure system. The risers are carried in a wall shaft X, accessible throughout through panels W W, but are deflected to one side at V, just below the cut off, to afford more room for connections, as shown in d.a^ram, Fig. 4. L t is the street and K t the tank pressure circulation; J is the tank and I the street pressure hot-water supply, and A x the tank and C t the street pressure cold-water supply; H is the hot- water and Q the cold-water distribution to the second- floor fixtures, and P is the return circulation pipe from them. When the cut-off handles are turned down, the cor- responding pipes H and Q are connected with tank pressure, when turned up, as shown, they are con- nected with the street pressure. When the handle of the three-way cock O is turned to the right, as shown, the circulation is under the tank-pressure system; it is under the street-pressure system, how- ever, when it is turned to the left. There are six switch arrangements like the above, three in the back stairway halls for the second, third, and fourth stories of one side of the house, and three under the washbasins for the same stories on the other side of the house. The system is essentially the same in the adjacent smaller house, except for the arrangement and con- PLUMBING IN SEVENTY- SECOND STREET HOUSES, NEW YORK. M AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 85 M A MEXICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. nection of the supply lines in the basement hall, cor- responding to Fig. 2. This is shown in Fig. 5, where the same reference letters have the same significance as in Fig. 2, and G G are ordinary valves controlling the rising lines, C C are 10 special drip cocks for emptying the rising lines into a pail, since it was not desirable to run a drip pipe from this point. The work throughout the house is well executed and is beautifully finished, corresponding with the costly materials and fixtures, but the most noticeable feat- ures are the symmetry and neatness in the pipe and valve work, as shown in Figs, i, 2, and 5, where the unions, valves, connections, etc. are set in exact regular lines and the pipes compactly and attractively arranged. Figure 6 shows the hot and cold supplies, H and C, for a set of four laundry tubs, adjacent to the kitchen. Hot water flows into distributing pipe D and air chamber B, and cold water flows into distrib- uting pipe E and air chamber F. A A are ordinary tees, but L L are tees with one branch left solid, as at L, Fig. 7. Faucets G and K, etc. are specially made for this work, as shown at K, Fig. 7, the sleeves Y Y being cast on ball Z, which has a waterway from the faucet to- only one of the sleeves, this being set downwards at G G G and upwards at K K K. Ball Z has a flange bearing on escutcheon plate X, to which it is fastened by screw V, and the whole is secured to the wall W, which is faced with white ceramic tiles T. At faucets M M the balls Z have the water through from one sleeve to the other. The tops of the air chambers R R are finished like those at the kitchen sink, Fig. i. The ball U being finished and fastened to the wall similarly to Z, above described, as shown at R, Fig. 7. T, in Fig. 7, shows the connection of the kitchen sink faucets which have extra long and heavy barrels screwed into ball S, which is similar to that at M, Fig. 6, S, Fig. 7, is a detail of the wall fastenings at S, Fig. i. The ceiling hangers in that figure are the same, except that shank N is made longer. V, Fig. 7, shows the arrangement of any two of the pipes at V, Fig. 2. The special corner valve a and tee-bend b are clearly shown at a and b, Fig. 7. S, Fig. 7, shows the connection of drip pipe Y, Fig. 2. E, Fig. 8, shows the arrangement at E, Fig. 5; e,f, and g show the details of special fittings at E ; C, Fig. 8, shows the drip cock at C, Fig. 5. In Figs. 7 and 8 the letters W, T, X, and V have the same meaning, and it will be seen that care was taken to secure uniformity and simplicity in their design, and to avoid unnecessary separate parts. The ball con- nections are all essentially similar, except that the internal waterways and the special bends, tees, and unions admit a very simple and close arrangement of intersecting pipes, while they dispense with separate additional hanger pieces, and secure strength and stiffness. Figure 9 shows an adjustable pipe hanger and an adjustable floor strainer. The former was used where a single pipe was to be supported from a wooden joist or board. Its stem N was made long, and fitted the socket in the top of the escutcheon base E. The stem N was cut to any required length and fastened in position by a screw S, of any desired length to penetrate to the proper firmness. After S is driven pipe P is put in place and yoke Y screwed on. For lengths A, of less than 3^ inches, stem N and base E were cast in one piece, and for very long lengths of A stem N was screwed into base E, which was tapped to receive a screw in the bottom, as shown at S and in other details, Figs. 7 and 8. In the strainer-plate, for bathroom flow wastes, etc., the brass waste pipe P has a flaring tap T and separate perforated cap C, and the two screw joints A and B afford sufficient play to adjust the cap exactly for a difference of an inch or more in the position of the floor slab, without altering the length of the pipe. PLUMBING IN A COUNTRY RESIDENCE AT SEABRIGHT, N. J. (PUBLISHED IN 1889.) " ROHALLION," the residence of Edward D. Adams, Esq., at Rumson, near Seabnght, N. J., comprises a large, isolated house, with conservatory, stables, etc., remote from public water, gas, or sewer lines. Modern conveniences and improvements are supplied throughout, and as illustrative of an entirely inde- pendent and self-contained system of plumbing, a description of the general features and some details are given that are not otherwise remarkable. The buildings were designed, and their construction supervised by the architects, McKim, Mead & White, of New York and the plumbing and drainage was done by S. & A. Clarke, also of New York Abundance of hard water is obtained from a private well, 6 feet in diameter and about 50 feet deep, through red clay. Rainwater from the house roofs is stored in a cistern. The house-drams, soil pipes, stable drains, etc., empty into the drain pipes, 6 inches in diameter, that empty into sealed brick cesspools, whose contents are automatically disposed of by subsurface irrigation through 2-inch unglazed tile pipes. The house and stable has each an independent sewerage system with about 1,000 feet of irragation pipe, occupying a total area of about one acre of meadow land. The cistern water is raised to a i.ooo-gallon roof tank by a Ryder gas engine pump, and is distributed thence throughout the house for all purposes, except flushing cisterns and slopsinks, which are supplied with well water at a head of about 15 feet at the highest fixture. Well water is also supplied to the butler's pantry and kitchen sink. A wooden water-tower furnishes a high and a low- pressure service and has a windmill to operate the pump. The tower is built in a conspicuous location, and is designed to present an attractive appearance and afford a commanding prospect from its observa- tory gallery. Figure 2 is a vertical section of the tower at Z Z, Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section at Z Z, Fig. 2. A is the Hercules windmill, built by the George AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 37 L. Squires Manufacturing Company, Buffalo, N. Y.. for an estimated daily service of raising 10,000 gal- lons of water 90 feet. The mill is about 14 feet high and 12 feet in diameter, with vertical axis. Its sails are vertical wooden slats whose angle with the cir" cumference is easily adjustable; they may be closed so as to receive no impulse from the wind, or set open to work at different speeds. At the right of the figure they are shown closed, so as to stop the mill, and at the left open as for work- ing. B is the observatory gallery, reached by stairs not here shown. C is a s.soo-gallon tank for house and fire service. D is a xy.soo-gallon tank for all other needs viz.: stables, conservatory, irrigation, etc. The lower tcory of the tower is used for storing garden implements, etc. C and D are both coopered wooden tanks that re- ceive their supply from the adjacent well through the 2-inch pump delivery pipe T. In winter only tank D is used, and tank C is cut off by closing valve G. A branch from pump pipe T has a ball cock H and a valve at U (accidently omitted in Fig. 2), In summer both tanks are used, and their opera- tion is as follows: Valve G being opened and U closed, pipe T delivers into tank C. When C is nearly full it overflows into D through the stand-pipe Y until D is full and the ball cock I closes; the water then rises above Y in C and closes ball cock E. The pump, still working, exerts a pressure in the small cylinder N, and raises its piston M, which operates a connecting-rod (shown broken off at V) that stops the windmill A that drives the pump. As soon as any water is used from tank, ball cock E is opened, the pressure is relieved in chamber N, and the weight of piston M pulls it down and set the windmill sails PLUMBING IN A COUNTRY RESIDENCE, SEABRIGHT, N. J. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. ready to run again; by this arrangement tank C is always filled first. In winter valve G is closed and U opened and tank D only is used. W is a i J^-inch overflow, with branch X from tank D. R is a 2-inch supply pipe from tank C to the house, and is con- trolled by valve F. S is a 2-inch supply pipe from tank D to the stables, and it is controlled by valve ]. Q is a cut-off valve ordinarily closed, but it may be opened and give high pressure to the stable system, or an additional low-pressure supply to the house There is a flagstone cap B with a manhole closed by the iron cover A. Figure 4 is a vertical section at W W, Fig. 5, and Fig, 5 is a horizontal section at Z Z, Fig. 4. Up to a point above the level of the 6-inch overflow pipe H, the cistern is divided by a filter partition composed of two 4-inch Portland cement-laid brick walls, Dand D, with the 4-inch space E between them filled with charcoal. The water is received in chamber L, and percolates rapidly through walls D and D to chamber PLUMBING IN A COUNTRY RESIDENCE, SEABRIGHT system. K is a check-valve to prevent tank C from emptying into D when Q is opened. O is a key valve, and P is a draw cock. Figures' 4 and 5 are sections of the house cistern for rainwater, which is received through the 4-inch leader G. The cistern is 15x20 feet, with i2-inch cement- lined brick walls C, laid directly on the smoothed clay surface of the excavation near the house. M, whence it is pumped to roof tank through the ij- inch suction pipe F with basket strainer I. The house is supplied with well water by the 2- inch galvanized- iron pipe R, Fig. 2, and with cistern water by a ij^-inch pipe from roof tank. Pipe R serves as a direct fire line to three hose cocks in the house, one on each floor, and to one inside and one outside of the stable. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. The 2-inch pipe S, Fig. 2, is direct to the stable, and has ^ and i-inch branches supplying water for sprinkling the lawn and garden and for the conser- vatories, etc. In the kitchen, and elsewhere that they are ex- posed, the water pipes are of brass, tin-lined and nickel-plated; where not exposed they are of galvan- ized iron. There is a kitchen boiler and sink, independent laundry boiler and tubs, butler's sink, one chamber- maid's slopsink, one toilet-room with washbowl only, one with water-closet only, and one private and one guests' bathroom with washbowl, bathtub, and water- closet, and one servant's bathroom with tub, wash- bowl, and water-closet. The stable, built for 10 horses and four cows, has one watering-trough, a number of convenient draw cocks and hose cocks, a washroom sink and a water- closet. In the upper parts of the building are apart- ments for the coachman's and gardener's families, These each contain a set of laundry tubs, kitchen boiler and sink, one washbowl, one bathtub, and one water-closet. Figure 6 shows the arrangement of kitchen boiler A, whose cold-water supply is through pipe C. D is hot-water upstairs, F is hot-water to lower floor (and may be connected to supply or receive from laundry boiler), and E is the hot-water return- circulation pipe. H H are circulation pipes to the water-back, and I is the sediment pipe emptying boiler and water-back. G is a relief pipe from boiler and terminates in a vacuum drip valve K over the kitchen sink, Fig. 7. B B are heavy wrought-iron brackets bolted through the wall. Figure 7 shows the kitchen sink and two wash- tubs provided for use when it is not convenient to use the laundry. A is pipe supplying well water, B is hot-water pipe, and C is cold-water pipe. Figure 8 shows the washbowl in private bathroom. The table and wall and floor slabs are of red Knox- ville marble, and the metal-work is nickel-plated. Figure q shows the hostlers' water-closet on the first floor of the stables. A is a slate slab and B is asphalt tiling. The room is ceiled with yellow pine, oiled, and there is an automatic cistern flushing the urinal. Figure 10 is a view of the washroom on the first floor of the stables. The floor is tiled with asphalt and the walls ceiled with yellow pine, oiled. The large iron sink B is furnished with hot and cold water, and is intended chiefly for washing the harness. The cold-water supply is controlled by cock A, and has branch C to sink, and I to the boiler. H is the hot-water from the boiler. The water circulates from the boiler to the water-back and return through pipes F and E. G is a sediment cock for emptying the boiler. PLUMBING IN A COUNTRY RESIDENCE, SEABRIGHT, N. J. 4f> AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK CITY RESI- DENCE. (PUBLISHED IN 1892.) THE residence of Kalmar Hass, Esq., on East Sixty-ninth Street, New York City, is a four-story brownstone-front house, which has just been com- pleted according to plans and specifications of John H. Duncan, architect. Its elaborate plumbing-work, which presents interesting arrangements and detail, was executed by Paul S. Bolger, of New York. The entire second floor of the house is shown in plan in Fig. i of the accompanying illustrations, and in ver- tical section at Z Z, Fig. i, in Fig. 2. Figures 3 to 6 inclusive show plans at U U, V V, X X, and Y Y, Fig. 2, respectively. From these it will be seen that, excepting the boilers and sink in the basement kitchen, there are no plumbing pipes or fixtures whatever in the main building, and, excepting the basement laundry tubs and the butler's sink, all the plumbing is in the special brick-walled tower, which absolutely isolates all the baths and water-closets and the soil and vent pipe risers to which all fixtures are con- nected. In the second and third floor toilet-rooms the wash- bowls W B, W B, Fig. i, are entirely unconnected with any plumbing. Stationary oval bowls are set in marble tables, but are fitted only with overflow and waste terminating in a long, vertical ferru 1 " Servants I ~ I Servants Chamber * Chamber -- ' ** 5 Scale of Feet. PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK CITY RESIDENCE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 41 which discharges into a special movable brass nickel- plated sloppail, the bottom of which is cushioned by a rubber-bearing ring sprung over a groove made for it in the flange. The water is supplied by pitchers. All the rising lines, 12 to the second floor and nine to the tank floor, are carried together in the corner S of the tower, where they are run behind a movable panel, which incloses them and leaves them entirely accessible. A double water- back in the kitchen range is con- nected with two loo-gallon boilers. One of them is double, providing hot water under street and tank pressure for all purposes except for the second-floor bathroom, which only is supplied by the other boiler under street pressure. Connecting pipes and valves are so arranged that this boiler may easily be put under tank pressure, or its hot water may be turned into the delivery pipe from either of the other boilers, as for an excessive demand by the laundry tubs, or that the double boiler can at pleasure be made to deliver to the second-floor bathroom, the principal consideration being, however, to afford a discharge for the bath boiler if its water is not required for the second-floor bathroom and becomes too hot. The kitchen boilers are shown in diagram in Fig. 14. A is the double boiler for general house supply, the inside part being under tank and the outside part under street pressure. B is the special bath boiler. Both boilers are heated from the kitchen range C by the circulation pipes D D D D. The cold- water supply comes from the city mains by the pipe E, with branches F F F to supply the boilers and G to supply the basement fixtures and the butler's pantry. The cold supply from the attic tank is by pipe H, filling the boilers through pipes K K. The special hot delivery L connects with the second-floor bathroom and may be put into communication with the street-pressure house boiler through pipe M by opening valve N, which is usually closed. The street- pressure hot-water delivery O connects with all base- ment and cellar fixtures. Tank pressure hot water is delivered to the upper floors through P, and Q Q are hot-water return-circulation pipes. The sediment pipes R R discharge into a cellar sink. S are the soil and vent risers, etc. shown in shaft S, Figs. 1,4, 5. Ordinarily, valves T T T N and U, which admit tank pressure to the special boiler, are closed and all others are open. Check valves I I are provided, opening up with street pressure against the tank Marble Cement -%$$& Asbestos Cement Iron THE. ENGINEERING RECORD PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK CITY RESIDENCE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. pressure, to prevent the possibility o the escape of tank water into the street mains. The check valve J, which is soldered shut, acts as a stopbetween the tank and street pressure hot water, and is placed there to preserve a symmetrical appearance. V V are dummy valves with the wings removed so that it is impossible to close them. They are placed there only for the sake of uniformity of appearance. The second-floor bathroom, shown in enlarged plan in Fig. 7, has a white marble floor, high wall panels and an ornamental domed ceiling. It is attractive for its elegance, spaciousness, and for its unique sunken bath, which is lined with white marble and forms a large pool below the floor level, and is reached by descending marble steps. It is supplied with hot and cold water issuing from a dolphin's head at R, the supply being controlled by valves P P. 7nf. ENGINEERING ffco/ri> Chamber (J hamper PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK CITY RESIDENCE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 43- An overflow and waste valve O allows of emptying the bath through strainer N. The movable panel M allows of access to all the risers. Of these A is the soil pipe, B back-air pipe, C D and E respectively special cold and hot supply and return-circulation pipes from the separate boiler serving this room only. The hot and cold-water supplies and the hot-water return-circulation pipes serving the upper floors are indicated by F G and H. Other reference letters signify: I, the cold-water supply pipe from the tank; J, the pump delivery pipe to the tank; K the sate waste pipe; and T a telltale pipe. An outline section and elevation at Z Z, Fig, 7, of the sunken bath is given in Fig. 8, showing the deeply countersunk 8-inch marble slab L, lining the mvt the smoking-room, and about 3 feet below the wooden joist of the bathroom floor. This tank was carefully calked water-tight and painted; then a thick bed of cement mortar was spread on the bottom, a thick layer of loose fibrous asbestos was pressed down on it before it set, and another thin layer of cement mortar immediately placed on top of the asbestos to receive the marble bottom slab of the bathtub lining. The sides were done in exactly the same manner, and finally the floor marble was laid, covering the edges. The asbestos was designed to prevent radia- tion of heat, and it was intended to have its fibers cohere thoroughly to the cement. Figure 12 shows the connection of the waste pipe and strainer N, Fig. 6. The brass waste A, con- nected to a unique overflow valve O, Figs. 7 and q, has an extra heavy flange threaded to receive the THfHG/Mfi'MCff(CO>,'D ' V -*-*<--- *5 '--v \ CcOR PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK CITY RESIDENCE. bottom of the tub. A perspective from Q, Fig. 7, is given in Fig. 9, showing one end of the tub and its valves P P O, which may be readily operated with- out leaving the tub. Ths perspective from point X, Fig. 7, given in Fig. 10 shows the exposed silver- plated piping for the not and cold-water supplies and indicates the arrangement of the waste and vent pipes in the chambers formed by the double flows between the marble tiling and the bottom of the bathtub. The connections to the risers of the branches serving this room are indicated by dotted lines on Fig. 7. E is a connection for a gas stove, and C is the water-closet flush tank entirely con- cealed behind the marble wainscoting. As it is im- practicable to draw water here for household use in pitchers or other portable vessels from the bath or basin cocks, the two self-closing hot and cold-water cocks D D have been set at the side of the washstand for the housemaids' use, and a similar arrangement is provided in the third-floor bathroom. The sunken bath is surrounded by a special boiler- iron tank, Fig. n, calked water-tight and supported on four special rolled iron I beams L L L L, Fig. 7, which are built into the tower walls, just above the dome of special sleeve B, which screws down and tightly grips the bottom plate of the tank, making a tight joint by compressing the gasket D and packing E. The sleeve B receives the extra heavy neck of strainer N, which may be removed at will. Figure 13 is a view of the i.ooo-gallon house tank on the fourth floor of the tower. It is built of 2-inch boards, and stands in a lead safe. It is filled through the i^-inchpipej and ball cock B, which admits water from the street mains during the night when the pressure is suffi- cient to rise to this height, but provision has been made to convert J into the delivery pipe for a force pump, if necessary, when the cock B would be re- moved. A is a i^-inch overflow discharging into the fourth-floor slopsink. C is a 3^-inch telltale dis- charging, together with the safe waste, into the base- ment sink. D D are relief pipes from the highest points of the hot-water circulation systems, and are provided with a ball cock F, which is set 3 inches higher than B so as always to remain open unless the street pressure in the boiler should cause their water to rise above Z Z, and escaping through D D to fill the tank to nearly the height of telltale C, when it would close until some water was drawn. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. PLUMBING IN MR. C. P. HUNTINGTON'S RESIDENCE. (PUBLISHED IN 1894.) THE house just being completed for Collis P. Hunt- ington, Esq., at Fifty-seventh Street and Fifth Avenue, New York City, by Architect George B. Post, is a large and costly edifice designed to provide every modern requirement for the convenience of the family, guests, and numerous servants, and is equipped with a complete and elaborate plant for heating, ventilating, lighting, drainage, elevator ser- vice, and gas and water distribution. The sanitary arrangements are extensive and complete, conform- ing to standard' advanced metropolitan practice, and embrace kitchen, laundry, and bath and toilet-room service, besides an extensive swimming pool and Turkish bath installation, and the necessary heating meters, pumps, etc., and the approximate arrange- ment of the horizontal distribution pipes in the cellar. The cold-water distributing pipe A, Fig. i. supplies 1 6 separate lines or groups of fixtures through branches three- fourths, i, ij, and 2 inches in diame- ter, which in general are carried along the cellar ceiling and are connected with vertical risers direct to the line of fixtures. Alongside each street pressure pipeis an equal sized tank water cold supply pipe and a hot water supply and a ^-inch circulation pipe under both street and tank pressure, making a group of six parallel adjacent pipes on all lines, which are generally carried up in boxes in wall recesses which are afterwards covered with wire lath and inaccessibly plastered in. At the foot of each riser is a con- trolling valve and just above it an emptying valve and waste pipe. Cellar Plan Showing horizontal lines of pipes. Key Scale of Feel r ""*"( WfeH PLUMBING IN MR. C. P. HUNTINGTON'S RESIDENCE, NEW YORK CITY. boilers, tanks, filters, and pump connections, which comprehend a more complicated and extensive sys- tem than is provided in some important public edifices. The contract for plumbing and gasfitting was awarded to Messrs. Rossman & Bracken, and partly from their contract drawings and largely from our notes and sketches made on the premises, we illustrate some of the principal features and details of the work. Three-inch water supplies are taken from the street mains on Fifth Avenue and Fifty-seventh Street, and each is connected with a 2-inch Worthington meter with inlet and outlet valves. These meters are di- rectly connected by a 2 inch pipe with check valves at each side so that water cannot escape from one me- ter through the other. The entire supply can thus be drawn from either main, or the supply for the swim- ming bath can be drawn from either main and the rest of the supply from the other main. Figure i is a plan showing the location of the boilers, filters, Figure 2 is a conventional elevation of riser lines on one of the vertical sections of the house. Each vertical pipe terminates in an air chamber on top, and just below it, on the hot-water pipes, is branched off the circulation return pipe. Then at each floor served, branches from both hot pipes are connected to a cut-off valve as V, from which the distribution branch H is taken Similarly the cold-water tank and street pipes are connected to a cut-off valve W, from which the distribution branch C is taken. All the cut-off valves are set so that when their handles are turned to the right, as shown, tank pressure is on and street pressure is cut off. When they are turned to the left street pressure is on and tank pressure is cut off, and when they are turned half-way, so as to be at right angles to the wall, both street and tank pressures are cut off. The main i j^-inch tank supply leads directly to the cellar, and there distributes through 12 ceiling i and 1 14-inch branches. The main hot street and tank AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 48 supplies ate 1^2 inches diameter, and have direct connections to eight and to five lines respectively. Water supply is arranged for direct street pressure to the fourth- story bathrooms and all fixtures below and for tank pressure in the fifth and fourth stories. It is also so that the entire building, or any part of it, can be supplied with either street or tank pressure. The roof tank is filled by an Ericsson hot-air pump- ing engine with 1 2-inch cylinder, which draws from an open suction tank supplied from the meters. The air chamber is of galvanized-iron pipe, 6x36 inches, with a i^-inch stop and waste cock. Beside this the street and tank main supply pipes each have a verti- cal i6-inch cylindrical air chamber 5 feet high. The suction and discharge pipes are also connected with an auxiliary electric pump and a 2-inch cylinder double-action Douglas hand-power pump with i j^- third, fifth, and cellar stories, each with ^-inch hot and cold-water supply. There are two iron drip and draw sinks in the cellar and three porcelain sinks, one each in the kitchen, scullery, and butler's pantry. There is one urinal in the first floor toilet-room. There are throughout the house 20 washbasins, all with ground top flange clamped to a marble slab with silver or nickel-plated cast-brass legs and frames and patent wastes. In the second and third stories are six porcelain roll-rim decorated bathtubs on marble legs, and in other stories are three porcelain-lined roll-rim cast- iron bathtubs. In the boudoir bathroom is a decorated porcelain roll-top sitz bathtub with silver-plated fit- ings. The other tubs are plain with nickel-plated fittings and the bathrooms are finished with white marble and ceramic tiles. On the first floor is a FiG.2 Diagram of System of Water Supply Pipes c i {^.Pressure Pipes iTcircubt'or, " ^ x x x- Tank O * " I f.ti "C Jtl_u! H-b IB Floor Lint J/B /'/pej Basement Floor Line Ti ffff Tfrrf <7e//<}/- /Vco/- ime PLUMBING IN MR. C P. HUNTINGTON S RESIDENCE, NEW YORK CITY. inch suction, and discharge is provided for the pur- pose of emptying the contents of the boiler pit cess- pool, which is below the sewer level. The suction tank is 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet high with a % inch iron top and is automatically sup- plied through a i-inch pipe and ball cock and open valve, or at will through a i J^-inch pipe and valve. There is also an attic house tank, two hot-water boilers, a laundry and a kitchen boiler, and two swimming-bath boilers. There are 15 water-closets, situated one in the cellar, four in the basement, one in the first story, three in the second story, three *n the third story, one in the fourth, and two in the fifth story. There is one slopsink in each of the second, swimming bath, need!e bath, shower bath, and two shampoos. In the laundry are four white porcelain wash trays. All waste and soil pipe connections to the main lines are 2 inches diameter for washbasins and sinks, 3 inches for slopsinks, and 4 inches for water-closets. Vent pipes are 1*4 inches for i^-inch and 2-inch traps and grease traps, and 2 inches for 3-inch traps and water-closet traps. All 2-mch vent pipes are galvanized or rustless wrought iron ; other sizes are cast iron . All brass pipes are extra heavy seamless tubing, tinned inside and outside, except where ex- posed, where they are polished and nickel-plated, and are subject to a one-year written guarantee. All 46 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. horizontal pipes are run in four and six-pound lead safes which, where in contact with cement or con- crete, are painted with two coats. All safe waste pipes in the cellar discharge through horizontal ends with hinged flap valves and engraved brass labels. Waste and soil pipes have 3-foot lead pipe connec- tions of thfe following weights: ij^-inch pipe, 3^ pounds per foot; 2 inch, four pounds; 3-inch, six pounds; 4-inch, eight pounds. All lead waste and soil pipes in contact with cement or concrete, also have two coats of paint. The concealed traps to bathtubs are of extra heavy lead with brass screws. All others are of cast solid brass, nickel-plated, full S, i^-inch for washbasins, 2 and 3 inches for sinks and washtrays, and 3 inches for slopsinks. Traps in the cellar are cast-iron with brass screws. Tucker No. 2 grease traps are provided in the kitchen and scullery sinks. All exposed pipes connected with brass and porcelain traps are of nickel-plated brass. All vertical vent pipes are connected to soil or wastes below the bottom fixtures so as to discharge into them freely any water, rust, or other accumulation. All cast-iron pipes and fittings have two coats of oil paint after testing. All valves are of Ludlow make, of steam metal, silver-plated where they are ex- posed to view above the cellar. All cocks are extra heavy with steam metal ground keys. All cast and galvanized pipes were tested with water pressure of a maximum of 40 pounds. The nine main vertical rainwater conductors have a handhole and brass cap in the foot trap, and are connected at the top to an extra heavy 3-foot length of lead pipe flanged and soldered to the copper gutter. All drains in area, yard court, and driveway have trapped and grated cast-iron cess- pools. In the refrigerator room are three and in the butler's pantry is one polished nickel-plated cast- brass floor pan with strainer discharging into a 2- inch waste pipe from the refrigerator to an open sink. In the vicinity of the swimming bath are n cast- brass cesspools with bell traps discharging into two 2 inch waste pipes which empty into the cellar sink. Under fixtures marble safes are provided with i^- inch galvanized-iron wastes to the cellar sink. Figure 3 shows the construction and connections of the attic tank, which is made of boiler-iron, stayed, ^'xs'x6' high, and sets in a four-pound lead safe- The tank is furnished with floats that operate a Bracken's patent electric high and low water alarm (not here shown), which rings a bell near the pump in the basement, where there is also a gauge indi- cating the height of water in the tank. The tank can be be emptied through a i ^-inch pipe and valve A, and the house supply is drawn through a fine copper strainer in the bottom of the tank and com- manded by valve B. The top of the 4-inch overflow terminates in a 4"x4"xs" T, opening upwards so as to form a kind of funnel to receive the ends of the vent and expansion pipes. They are so arranged in order that if any but hot water is discharged through them it may be wasted instead of mixing with the tank cold water. The overflow pipe empties directly into the roof gutter, and its waste is carried off to the sewer through the rainwater leaders. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Figure 4 shows the arrangement and connections of the hot-water heating boilers and air chambers in the cellar, the location of which is indicated at G, Fig. i. The function of the pipes and the opera- tion of the valves is in general clearly shown in the drawing. The boilers are about 2'6"x6' and hold about 1 50 gallons each. They are entirely separate and independent, one being connected to the street pressure and the other to the tank pressure system. Each brass boiler contains a so-foot coil of i-inch brass steam pipe which is accessible through hand- hole H. The boilers are supported at the rear end by being built into the wall a few inches, and in front rest on a brick pier P. A is a special street pressure supply to the tank boiler. As may be seen from Fig. i, the main distribution pipes A and B connect all branches, and secure free communication to all fixtures, so that if several faucets should be quickly closed simultaneously, they might produce a cumulative water hammer. To absorb this impact Mr. R. Maynicke provided two large air chambers C C to furnish adequate elastic cushions which should automatically receive all shocks and prevent injurious hammer. These tanks are about 5 feet long and 16 inches in diame- ter, made of ^-inch riveted steel plates, and com- municate with the mains by vertical pipes, open at the foot and extending to 9 inches from the bottom of the chambers. When the water supply is admitted to the system it enters the bottom of these cylinders, and soon stealing up the ends of the pipes, com- presses the contained air until its pressure is uniform with the water, and it occupies a proportionately re- duced volume in the top of the chamber and expands and contracts in conformity with the variations of pressure, so as to prevent violent strains in the pipes. The petcocks K K are set a few inches below the tops of the chambers so that if when they are tried they show any air, the system will be efficient. If, however, the air becomes absorbed so that the water rises and escapes from the petcocks, the valves B B should be closed and S S and K K opened so that all the water will escape and be replaced by air at atmospheric pressure, which, when the valves are re- versed to original positions, will again fill the upper parts of the chamber as shown. The fixtures in the house are in sets in approxi- mately vertical lines in the different stories, each group being served by a line of vertical risers from the main horizontal distribution pipes in the cellar, from which branches are taken as required at the dif- ferent floors. In general each stack of risers consists of six water pipes, besides which the soil, vent, and safe waste pipes maybe carried alongside or in a sep- arate place. Figure 5 is a sketch of the foot of one of the typical groups of water pipes at M, Fig. i, and shows the arrangement of valves for controlling and emptying them. The kitchen work, cooking, laundry work, etc., are done on the upper floors, and tubs, ranges, refrigera- tors, etc., are accordingly set there. In the steward's room are two refrigerators, and for these and the tiled floor special trapped floor strainers are provided. They are set on waste pipes which have a combined length of nearly 100 feet from their junction with the soil pipe, and although every angle is commanded by a handhole through the floor and a cleaning-out screw, a special arrangement was provided for flush- ing them under pressure and forcing out any obstruc- tions that may find lodgment there. This is accom- plished as shown in Fig. 6. The flow water, etc. is received in an 8-inch brass bowl B and flows through perforations in a hollow plug P into the elbow A, which is screw- connected to the waste pipe. If it is desired to flush out the waste pipes, the plug P is re- moved, and in its place a hose nozzle is screwed into the nipple N of one of the floor bowls B. Then at each of the other bowls B the plug P is screwed down till the shoulder S seats tightly and seals the nipple N so that no water can back up through it, and the required pressure may be safely applied through the hose connection. Figure 7 shows the connection of laundry tubs to the laundry and kitchen boilers, which, though really remotely separated in different rooms, are here indi- cated close together for convenience. C is the cold- water supply from tank main, K is an 8o-gallon boiler connected to the kitchen range water-back and sup- plying hot water for the kitchen and scullery sinks, etc., and L is the So- gallon laundry boiler set about 40 feet from the laundry range and intended to supply the laundry tubs only on ordinary occasions. To avoid unnecessary radiation it is located inside the laundry drying-room (not shown here), the tem- perature of which is raised by a steam radiator con- siderably above that of the laundry room. Ordi- narily valve D is closed and valve E is open, and the two boilers K and L operate entirely independently, but if it is desired to re-enforce boiler K, valves D and E are reversed and boiler K must be fed by water that has passed through boiler L and been ' warmed there. The washtrays are served by com- bination double supply cocks. The supply pipes are run on the opposite side of the partition so that they are accessible, and, as the tubs stand open in front of the tiled wainscoting, these cocks were made specially long in order to reach over the tub. The tail pieces were also made specially long in order to reach through the partition and connect with the supply pipes behind. After the plumbing had been designed throughout the house it was thought desirable to provide a special convenient toilet-room for the engineman and fireman, and as no room was available, and as the soil and waste pipes could not be depressed below the floor level, a special platform was built 2 or 3 feet above the cellar- floor, a bathtub, washbasin, and water-closet set upon it and side walls of light matched boards built inclosing it and reaching to the ceiling. Windows and doors were provided and the cabinet-work was nicely finished to present a neat and attractive appearance. All work was completely accessible and exposed and the appearance was clean and attractive. Figure 8 is an outside view showing the pipes, all carried outside, and Fig. 9 is a sketch of the interior. In the basement, slightly below the ground level, there is a large suite of rpetn^esg^ga^y comprising 4-s AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. a complete Turkish b'ath establishment equipped with all the steam, bath, and attendant's appurte- nances, and elaborately appointed in every detail. Figure 10 shows the plan and principal sections of these apartments, which are mainly finished in white marble and nickel-plated metal-work. The^lunge bath or swimming bath is nearly 10x34 feet in size, and consists of an iron tank lined with marble and set in a cement mortar bed on a brick and iron floor and surrounded by buttressed brick walls. Figure FiQ.5 TromCe/ffng (P J3) Tile Floor . .. -Hand Hole . Pipes torfttlc T inches in diameter, with the crown of each trap. The main vent pipes extend above the roof separately, and are enlarged to 4 inches in the same manner as the soil pipes, or are connected with the waste pipe above the highest fixtures. There are n soil and waste and n vent pipes extending above the roof of the building. Each water-closet bowl and waste pipe to urinals and slopsinks is vented, by a 2 inch local vent pipe made of i8-ounce sheet copper, with locked and soldered seams, and branched into vertical lines con- structed in the same manner, the area in cross-sec- tion of which at all points is equal to the total area of the several branches counted therewith The vertical lines are connected on the attic floor with round ven- tilating flues, as shown in Fig. 2, constructed of No. 24 galvanized sheet iron and terminating above the roof in a cowl. Each of these flues is provided with a Blackman air propeller, operated by an electric motor specified to be of sufficient capacity to insure a current of at least 10 feet per second a'; the inlet of each branch. All vent pipes are graded! GO as to discharge water collected by condensation io c: single point at the bottom, where it is connected: with a drain, soil, or waste pipe. The inside diam- eter of traps is as follows: For water-closets, 4 inches; urinals, 2 inches; slopsinks, 3 inches, sinks, 2 inches; basins, i finches; baths, iy 2 inches; wash- tubs, 2 inches. Brass floorplates are used with the water-closet traps and the joints made permanently secure and gas-tight by means of bolts and red lead. The enumeration of the total number of fixtures in the house shows their distribution as follows: O O O 8 L II fc ^ "u a a d J3 U at a a> kH o 3 M fe. V (H O Water-closets.. 6 6 Slop hoppers Urinals Washbasins 6 6 Bathtubs Washtubs Sinks Pantry sinks 2 2 Pumps 2 Refrigerators. .. I All water-closets are syphon-jet closets. In the boudoir bathroom on the second floor the bathtub is built to occupy the whole octagonal end of the room, and is constructed of a solid block of marble with a gracefully curved and molded front and a slightly projecting top, above which the wainscoting panels are made continuous for several feet in height, and contain in the center of the tub, at the back side, a large" beautifully carved shell, in which a cupid is seated between two graceful dolphins, from whose mouths the hot and cold water supplies gush, being controlled by wheel-handled valves conveniently set in the wall at the end of the tub. In the correspond- ing bathroom in the other part of the house the porcelain tub has a silver needle-bath canopy frame with rubber curtains and a special silver-plated stool to set in the tub beneath the canopy. The servants' basement water-closets are plain with hardwood, round-cornered tanks with polished-brass brackets, hardwood seats, with polished-brass brackets and polished-brass flush pipes. The mezzanine toilet- room closets have nickel-plated trimmings. The second-floor closets in Mr. and Mrs. Astor's rooms, guests' rooms, and salon toilets have gold-lined closets and plated trimmings. The nursery toilet- closet has silver-plated trimmings. The maids' toilet-closet has nickel-plated trimmings. The closets in guests' and public toilets on third floor have silver- plated trimmings. The closets in the servants' toilet- room on the fourth floor have nickel-plated trim- mings The bathtubs in Mr. and Mrs Astor's, salon, the guests', public, and the nursery toilets are porce- lain roll-rim baths, glazed inside and out, set on marble feet, with trimmings plated to match the water-closets. The six servants' bathtubs are roll-rim AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 59 enameled iron baths, with polished-brass trimmings in basement and nickel-plated trimmings on the fourth floor. Shower baths are provided in Mr. and Mrs. Astor's rooms and in the guests' toilet- room. All washbasins are 19x15 inches with ground rims. The waste pipes are vertical to the floor and the trap vent branches are horizontal to the wall. The sup- ply pipes are provided with finished valves and air chambers, and the slabs are supported on plated ornamental brass legs and apron holders. The basins WATER SUPPLY IN THE HOUSE OF MR. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. (PUBLISHED IN 1895.) PART I. FILTERS, SUCTION TANK, PUMPS, AND COLD- WATER DISTRIBUTION. THE new residence of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Esq. , Fifty-seventh Street and Fifth Avenue, New York City, is one of the largest and most costly private PLUMBING DETAILS IN THE RESIDENCE OF JOHN JACOB ASTOR, NEW YORK CITY. in Mr. and Mrs. Astor's rooms, guests' salon, and public toilets are specially decorated. In the base- ment laundry the set of eight porcelain roll-rim wash- trays is fitted up with bronzed iron standards, marble backs, and nickel-plated fittings. These trays are divided into two sets separately trapped. The four 37J^x24^-inch porcelain roll-rim sinks in the kitchen and scullery are set on galvanized- iron frames fast- ened to the wall, and have polished-brass legs. These sinks stand 4 inches clear of the finished wall, and waste through No. 2 polished-brass Tucker grease traps, and have all pipes and fittings of polished brass. These grease traps are connected up in the cellar below in the manner shown in Fig. 3. The two 25J^xi8^-inch porcelain roll-rim basement pantry sinks are fitted up in the same manner. The two German silver first-floor pantry sinks have Ger- man silver drain boards and backs, 3^-inch brass hot and cold water pipes placed in the wall with air chambers and swing pantry cocks. They waste through No. 2 Tucker grease traps, with brass waste and vent connection, and all exposed brasswork is nickel-plated. There is in the butler's pantry a No. 6 nickel-plated "Perfection" combined filter and cooler with supply and waste connections. There are in the cellar four i6x24-inch enameled iron sinks trapped and connected with soil and vent pipes, and supplied with hot water through j^-inch brass pipe. These sinks are to receive the drip from safe and refrigerator wastes, and are all connected up essen- tially like the one shown in Fig. 3. The plumbing above described was executed by John Tucker according to plans and requirements of the late Richard M. Hunt, architect. city residences in the world, and the unlimited care and expense devoted to its construction and decora- tion have also governed its equipment with modern mechanical and sanitary apparatus which for power, heating, ventilating, illuminating, water supply, and drainage is of the most improved and complete nature. It is chiefly constructed under special super- vision and specifications intended to secure above all the utmost superiority of workmanship and materials and efficient operation regardless of cost. The jsarmd <$ s/ to jo9^ Emptying PipeM Air Chamber. Waste Header J. END VIEW Off COLD-WATER DRUM. WATER SUPPLY IN THE HOUSE OF MR. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. plumbing system for the varied requirements of the extensive establishment includes complete service of hot and cold water, filtered, unfiltered, and double- filtered, under street and tank pressure, and the drainage, drip, and waste for the domestic establish- ment, besides the service for numerous general and private bath and toilet rooms and the servants' quar- ters. Water pipes are of galvanized iron or tinned brass, and waste and drainage pipes are of screwed galvanized iron up to i> inches, and of extra heavy cast iron for larger sizes. No lead pipes are used, and all are tested to a maximum water pressure of from 160 to 210 pounds. Gate valves are used throughout on all pipes above i% inches, and all hot- water lines have return circulation. Sets of com- plete standard apparatus are established in the kitchen and laundry, where steam is supplied from the boilers for the powtr and heating service and cooking and scullery uses. There are several miles of water and drain and back-air pipes in the house, and all the main hot and cold water lines are interchangeable from tank to street pressure, are independent of each other and other parts of the system, and have separate branches with valves commanding each set of fix- tures. The main or riser lines themselves are all commanded by sets of valves concentrated at one point in the cellar and controlled by the engineer, who has charge of a complicated labyrinth of pipes. This installation is more extensive and elaborate than the installations in many large hotels and public buildings, and presents many special and interesting features of construction, arrangement, and operation. The features and details shown have been sketched by a member of our staff, who received a general explanation of the work from Mr. George B. Post, of New York, the architect of the building, under whose requirements and superintendence the work was executed by James Muir & Co. The foreman in charge of the work for the Messrs. Muir explained the mechanical details and operation. The water supply is taken from the city mains on both Fifty-seventh and Fifty-eighth Streets through two 2-inch connections, which deliver it through two Worthington meters in the cellar to the suction tank. From this point it is pumped to the attic tank, and to the steam boilers and the No. 33 Jewell's filter, Fig. i, which delivers it eventually to the distribu- tion drum, where all the house supplies are controlled. The filter is designed to purify 50,000 gallons of water per diem without appreciable diminution of pressure head, valves i 3, and 6 being open and the others closed normally It is intended to wash the filter daily, for which operation valves i and 3 are closed and 2 and 4 are open for a few seconds, when valve 4 is closed and 5 open, valve 2 being set so as to admit only enough water to liquefy the bed sufficiently to promote the revolution of the agitator. The water is forced upward through the screens and perforated diaphragms that confine the filtering materials until it overflows into the sewer through valve 5. This operation is to cause the separation of the grains of quartz, and by increasing the sizes tf the interstices between them to detach the accu- mulated particles of impurities and carry them up- wards and outwards with the flowing water, while the heavier quartz, being continuously agitated, re- mains in semi-suspension and scours itself by the rubbing of its particles together. The revolution of the agitator is intended to break up any films or lumps and to thoroughly wash the sides of the filter. About five minutes is required for the washing, which is continued until water runs clear from the try cock D. When the filter is clean it is quickly rewashed to remove the unfiltered water left therein. To do this valves 2 and 5 are closed and i and 4 are opened until the discharge from try-cock E is clear and bright. The machine is then set to filtering by simply closing valve 4 and opening valve 3. .70 Sewer (i) JJ8- EFEFEF Distribution Risers PLAN OF COLD-WATER DRUM, In filtering, the water from the street mains is re- ceived on top of the quartz filtering bed, and per- colates downward through its rugged interstices and the screens and pipes at the bottom. The filter re- quires from 10 to 15 minutes' attention daily, and can be thoroughly washed with less than I per cent, of the amount of water filtered When a coagulant is used its cost varies from i cent to 10 cents per 10,000 gallons of water, according to its quality. The over- flow and discharge pipes are 5 inches in diameter, the other pipes shown are all 2 inches except the J^-inch ones connecting the alum tank which is controlled by valves F F. The shaft I extends vertically down- ward into the filter and carries, a little below the overflow outlet, a crosspiece from which a set of beveled rakes parallel to it extend about 2 feet down into the filter bed, and thoroughly cut it up and loosen it when revolved by the hand crank J. Tight and loose pulleys are also provided to drive it by a belt if it is wished to operate it by power. Just above the dished bottom piece an internal horizontal dia- phragm-plate makes a false bottom, beneath which the water is collected as filtered, and upon which the filtering bed (about 2j^ feet of two sizes of White's machine-crushed quartz, claimed to be 99 per cent, pure silicon) is supported. The diaphragm is per- forated by numerous round holes, which are capped above with inverted conical aluminum bronze strain- ers that distribute the washing water in small jets Bfl AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. in every direction, and prevent the passage of the quartz through the diaphragm. Figure 2 shows the 4-foot suction tank, about 5 feet high, which automatically receives water under street pressure direct from the meters and filter through a 2-inch pipe and ball cock, although by opening valve D the tank may be independently filled by hand. The overflow and waste pipes discharge freely into an adjacent trapped sink, and the 3-inch pump suc- tion pipe is connected to a Crocker- Wheeler Electric Company's one horse-power pump, which is driven by an attached motor with a speed of i ,050 revolu- tions per minute, and to a two horse-power Rider gas engine pump, the delivery of which is connected up with a section of rubber hose inserted just beyond the air chamber to diminish the transmission of noise, vibrations, etc., through the house by means of the riser pipes. Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 show the arrangement and construction of the cold-water distribution drums in and prevent water hammer in the pipes. The amount of air in the drums is indicated by the gauge glasses, and if its volume becomes diminished it can be increased by shutting off the riser lines, emptying the drums and waste pipes, admitting air, and refill- ing them with water. All the valves are consecu- tively numbered and marked by attached brass labels, and the service thus commanded is recorded on a printed chart or key numbered to correspond and framed and hung up conveniently near. The pipes are symmetrically arranged in a regular and mechan- ical manner, and are so connected up with unions that any one can be taken off for alteration or re- pairs without interfering with the others. PART II. HOT-WATER SYSTEM, BOILERS, SUPPLY LINES, RETURN CIRCULATION, STEAM CONNECTIONS, AND AUTOMATIC REGULATING VALVE. To SECURE an estimated maximum consumption of 500 gallons of hot water an hour for all culinary. Fi6.6 Wall Strap- T. "- Supply from SS* Si Supply from S7& Sf. THE ENGINEERING RECORD METHODS OF SUPPORTING WATER PIPES ON FIREPROOF CEILINGS AND WALLS. WATER SUPPLY IN THI HOUSE OF MR. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. the cellar. Figure 3 is a front perspective. Fig. 4 is an end elevation from X X, Fig. 5 is a plan from Y Y, and Fig. 6 is an elevation from Z Z of the pipes on the wall. The drums are of #-inch galvanized steel with flanged ends and tested to 200 pounds per square inch. They are supported solidly on heavy cast-iron chairs and are about 2i"x8' long, with a 6xi-inch longitudinal bar riveted on inside to provide rein- forcement for the screwed pipe connections. The upper drum is supplied with filtered tank water and the lower one with filtered street-pressure water, each through 2-inch pipe, while the riser lines to dif- ferent parts of the house above and below the second floor are respectively supplied from the branches E E, etc., and F F, etc., most of them i^ inches in diameter. Each line E or F has a ^-inch emptying pipe H connecting it with a i^-inch waste pipe ], through which it may be emptied into the sewer and the line left free for disconnection at any point by closing the main valve G and opening the small one I. The upper portions of the drums are designed to be filled with air, forming a cushion to absorb shocks toilet, and domestic purposes two boilers of T 5 ff -inch galvanized steel with flanged heads were provided. They are about 36 inches in diameter by 6 feet long and are compactly and symmetrically arranged in a narrow space between two massive foundation piers in the cellar adjacent to the cold-water drums and near the post of the engineer, who controls their operation. Figure 7 is a view, nearly in elevation, from a pho- tograph, of the front end of the boilers. Figure 9 is a similar view of the rear ends of the boilers after the hot-water pipes and valves were in place, but be- fore the steam connections had been made. Figure 8 is a general isometric drawing of the boilers and piping as seen from the front. Figure 10 is an isometric diagram of the rear after the connection of the steam pipes. Figure 1 1 is a plan from above the boilers. Figure 12 is a vertical section and elevation at Z Z, Fig. n. Figure 13 is a diagram of the connections for drip, waste, and return circulation to the underside of one boiler. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Fi G ,7 FaONT OF HOT-WATER DOUBLE-PRESSURE BOILERS. Figure 14 shows the steam connections only, omit- ting the water pipes shown in the preceding figures, and Fig. 15 shows the construction and details of the automatic steam regulating valve to control the amount of steam required to maintain the water at a given temperature under varying demands. Tank and street pressure cold water is delivered in 2-inch pipes so connected as to deliver either kind to either boiler without danger of backing into the other one. Water enters the bottoms of the boilers, and being heated by the interior steam coil is delivered from the tops through valved 5 -inch pipes which connect with a 5 -inch horizontal header which has a valve in the center between the boilers to separate them when they are operated as is usual under different press- ures. The header distributes the hot water to i-inch risers E E, etc., that supply the different groups of fixtures throughout the house, and are each connected at their highest points with ^-inch return-circulation pipes that enter corresponding 2^-inch headers J at the rear of the boilers. From these headers 2-inch pipes K K connect with the cold-water inlet so that the water that has been cooled in circuit enters with the fresh supply and is continually reheated. All the Cold Supply from Tank. Hot Hater Risers- TMC ENGINEERING RECORD HOT-WATER DELIVERY AND CONTROL OF RISER LINES FROM HOT-WATER BOILERS. WATER SUPPLY IN THE HOUSE OF MR. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. 60 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. risers are valved at the headers, and just above are tapped or bled by emptying pipes F F, etc., also valved, and wasted into an open bowl H, contents of which are trapped into a sewer pipe. This system is essentially the same as that for the cold-water drums, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and similarly provides for the control or emptying of any line by the reversing of its two valves. As with the cold-water distribu- tion drums and in all other places each valve is tagged and its number and corresponding service is printed on a key hung up near by. Some idea of the arrangement and extent of the system is given by the following copy of the hot- water board: TANK PRESSURE, HOT WATER. 1 and 34, boys' bath, Fifth Avenue bath, third floor, and servants' bath Fifty-eight Street, fourth floor. 2 and 35, Mrs. Vanderbilt's bath. 3 and 36, Miss Vanderbilt's bath and Fifty-seventh Street bath, third floor. 4 and 32, west bathrooms, second, third, fourth, and fifth floors. 5 and 33, slopsinks, second, third, fourth, and fifth floors. 6 and 31, Miss Vanderbilt's bath. STREET PRESSURE, HOT WATER. 7 and '30, Miss Vanderbilt's bath. 8 and 19, boys' bath and Fifth Avenue bath, third floor. 9 and 20, Mrs. Vanderbilt's bath. 10 and 21, Miss Vanderbilt's bath, Fifty-seventh Street, third floor bath, housekeepers' bath in base- ment, and library toilet-room. 11 and 22. gentlemen's toilet, men's cellar bath- room, and cellar sink. 12 and 23, ladies' toilet and musicians' toilet-room. 13 and 24, smoking-room toilet, laundry toilet, and cellar sink. 14 and 25, laundry trays. 15 and 26, west bathrooms, second and third floors, and basement slopsink. 1 6 and 27, kitchen sink, pastry- room, butler's pantry, and two cellar sinks, southwest. Circulation Header- Hot Water Risers Emptying Pipes Hot Hater Delivery Steam Return Cast Iron Chair- -\ - Cast Iron Chair Cellarfloor ELEVATION OF HOT-WATER BOILER AT Z Z, FIQ. H. 17 and 28, second and third floor slopsinks. 18 and 29, office toilet-room, scullery sink, and base- ment sinks in waiter's and brush rooms. 37, on circulation distributing pipe of tank pressure boiler. 38, on circulation distributing pipe of street press- ure boiler. 39, intermediate valve on distributing pipe con- necting tank and street pressure boilers. 40, on tank boiler distribution pipe. 41, on street boiler distribution pipe. 42, intermediate valve on distributing pipe con- necting street and tank boilers. 43, tank supply to tank pressure boiler. 44, tank supply to street pressure boiler. 45, street supply to tank pressure boiler. 46, street supply to street pressure boiler. 47, supply to boilers from Fifty-seventh Street. 48, supply to boilers from Fiftv-eighth Street. 49, to empty tank pressure boiler. REAR OF HOT-WATER DOUBLK-PRKSST7RE BOILERS. WATER SUPPLY IN THE HOUSE OF MR CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 'SteamSuppfy. dir Chamber. THE ENGINEERING RECORD To Sewer EETURN-CIBCULATION CONNECTIONS TO HOT-WATER BOILERS. THE ENGINEERING RECORD Steam Return Emptying Emptying ~-Pipes Hot Water Risers , Hot Water Delivery '-Distribution Header- Hot Water Risers ^Hot tfater Delivery FLAN OF DOUBLE-PRESSURE HOT-WATER BOILERS. ^sJVaste Pipe so * * ii(*f . Supply from S7&St.-ft\\\ n 58$ ;;-J v il "fy THE ENGINEERING RECORD r: AUTOMATIC STEAM CONTROL FOR HOT-WATER BOILERS. WATER SUPPLY IN THE HOUSE OF MR. CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. *r~*nj4s ^8^;; PIPES BENEATH HOT-WATER BOILERS. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE, 50, to empty street pressure boiler. 51 and 5 2, supply to steam regulator on tank boiler. 53 and 54, supply to steam regulator on street boiler. 55 to 90 inclusive are emptying valves. Although it is intended to use one boiler exclusively under street pressure for the lower-floor service, and the other one under tank pressure for the upper-floor service, they are arranged so as to be independent and interchangeable and either or both can be operated from either street or tank supply. Ordi- narily, however, the left-hand boiler, Fig. 10, is used for street and the right-hand one is used for tank pressure, and valves 44, 45, 42, and 39, and all emp- tying and waste valves are closed and all the other water valves are open. Closing valves 46 and 43 and opening 45 and 44 would admit street press- ure to the tank boiler and tank pressure to the street boiler, and opening valves 39 and 42 would equalize the pressure between them and connect each boiler with all the hot-water lines, while closing 38, 41, 44, and 46 would cut out the street pressure boiler and allow it to be emptied for cleaning and repairs. By opening valves 39 and 42 in the delivery and return headers all the pipe lines would be served by the tank pressure boiler. Similarly, by closing valves 37, 40, 43, and 45 the tank pressure boiler would be cut t out. The steam pipes supply steam at about 40 pounds pressure to a 6o-foot coil of 2 -inch brass pipe in each boiler, which is estimated to be capable of heating 300 gallons of water per hour up to 200 degrees. The Kieley traps, drip, and return, etc. are arranged in the usual manner and each boiler is independently supplied through valves T T, Fig. 14. Between valve T and the coil each boiler has a throttle valve U and two by-pass valves V V, so as to permit the AUTOMATIC SPECIAL STEAM VALVE. steam supply to be automatically proportioned to the amount of cold water heated. To effect this U is closed and V V are opened, admitting steam through regulating valve W, but by reversing valves V V and U the automatic arrangement is cut out and a full Bead of steam under boiler pressure is constantly freely admitted. The pipe F receives the hottest water from the top ot the boiler and returns it in a continuous stream through pipe N to the bottom of the boiler, thus always maintaining itself at the maximum tempera- ture of the water in the boiler. The variations in Section WATER SUPPLY IN THE RESIDENCE OF MR CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 03 Street Circulate 9 Street Ho Tank Circulation Hot Cold Street n Tank Cold ' Hot Street Cold r> Hot "' Cir. Fifi.18 WATER SUPPLY IN THE HOUSE OF MR CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, NEW YORK CITY. N AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. this temperature produce small but perceptible changes in the length of the upper horizontal portion of the pipe F (about 4 feet long), and as one end K is relatively fixed the other end that is supported by a loose head M sliding on guide rods G G vibrates longitudinally and actuates the valve stem I. By means of a multiplying device this stem opens and closes the valve W. Screwing up the adjustment nuts N N one revolution each shortens the distance to valve W by an amount equal to the contraction of the pipe F between N and W produced by a fall of temperature of 5 Fahr. and causes a slight motion in the elbow joints L L, which permits the pipe F to move slightly in a longitudinal direction towards Valve W. It may thus be made to operate valve W at any required degree of temperature. The instru- ment is set to open and close the valve at 170" and 175 Fahr. respectively. Figure 15 shows the details and operation of valve W. Its stem I is fastened to pipe F or head M, Fig. 14, and moves with it so that its expansion by increas- ing temperature pushes corrugated diaphragm D to the right and makes shoulder B engage the short arm C of the lever L, whose long arm F throws the valve E into its closed position E'. This regulator was in- vented and manufactured by Timothy Kieley, New York City. PART III. REFILTERING SYSTEM IN BUTLER'S PANTRY, TYPICAL ARRANGEMENTS IN SLOPSINK CLOSETS AND BATHROOMS. THE cold-water supply for the butler's pantry is received under street pressure from the cellar filter, and is refiltered through Pasteur niters conveniently placed in a cupboard under a dresser in the balcony or gallery of the butler's pantry. Figure 16 shows the arrangement of the two separate and independent niters, each about 15x18 inches high, and having a rated capacity of 50 gallons per hour. They are sup- plied through a ^-inch pipe, and deliver through a ball cock into a rectangular porcelain-lined tank about 36x18 inches and 24 inches high, with a i%- inch overflow pipe emptying into a trapped sink that also receives the discharge from the drip pipe of the lead safe. The dotted lines in the illustration indi- cate the position of the inclosing cabinet-work which forms below, a table and cupboard with sliding doors and top, and is a glass case above, thus inclosing and protecting the filters and tank, while leaving them perfectly accessible. There are numerous washbowls, sinks, toilet, bath, and dressing rooms throughout the house that are very completely and carefully fitted up. The fixtures designed for the use of the family and guests are re- markably elegant and costly. Those in the boudoir bathrooms are luxurious, with specially designed rich metal-work and large carved bathtubs hollowed out of solid blocks of marble, but there are no remark- able features in the mechanical details or in the arrangement and system of piping and connections. The general methods of arrangement and connec- tion and exposed valves and piping are shown in Figs. 17 and 18, which are typical of the distribution of street and tank pressure, hot and cold water, position of fixtures, etc. Figure 17 shows the interior of the maid's closet and slopsink on the third floor. Valves V V V V are introduced instead of a cut-off to utilize street or tank pressure at will. Offsets are made by one-quarter and one-eighth L fittings. All metal- work is heavily plated. The sink is porcelain, and the floors and walls are covered with marble or white ceramic tiles. Figure 18 shows the piping in the third-story family bathroom, the work being similar to that shown in Fig. 17. t'C/eat (f. WaterPipes Cross Section of Box only. Copper Chair E) 1 Waste PipeP. Thimble T Longitudinal Sect/on of Box. Finishect 'Duct and Pipes / ^j~~^~~'^7~' ^. _ ^ ,. "Fm.20 Copper Lining, Transverse Section of Duct Coppe r Cover A \before locking. Detail at A after locking. Figures rq and 20 show the methods adopted for the protection of walls and ceilings from any possible leakage in the pipe lines, which, in the remote con- tingency of its occurrence, would be caught in the sealed boxes and discharged by their waste pipes through numbered flap valves into cellar sinks, where the drip would he immediately evident, and would be readily identified so as to indicate the line requir- ing repairs. All horizontal water pipes are run beneath the floors and over the ceilings in hermetically sealed boxes as shown in Fig. ig, about 6 inches deep and 18 inches wide, made of i-inch boards. From the boards simple troughs were first constructed as shown at B, with beveled upper edges. Over these the 12- AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. ounce copper lining was folded and nailed. The joints at the ends of each section were locked and soldered, and the ends soldered tightly to make a water-tight receptacle. Then at intervals transverse copper ridges or chairs E E, etc. were soldered to the bottom so as to form supports, elevating the pipes about 3 inches from the bottom. Where the pipes enter the box, vertical sleeves or thimbles T pierce the bottom of the box (to which they are soldered tightly), and extended up to the tops of the chairs so as to allow the pipes to enter freely and ex- pand and contract without any danger of leakage, even if the box should become filled with water nearly 3 inches deep. Each box, however, is pro- vided with a waste pipe P, through which any leak- age would be carred directly to a slopsink in the cellar without any opportunity to collect in the boxes. After the pipes are laid in them the boxes have cleats C C nailed along each side, and the beveled cover piece, also lined on the bottom and ridges with 12- ounce copper nailed on, is supported on the cleats, and the V-shaped space between the beveled edges is filled with a slightly rounded wiped joint that com- pletes the sealing of that portion of the pipes. The vertical sections of them are run through somewhat different vertical ducts, as shown in Fig. 20. These ducts, having to carry 3-inch pump and tank risers, also are larger than the horizontal ones, and are about 30 inches wide and 6 or 7 inches deep. They consist of a wooden trough nailed vertically to the wall and lined with i2-ounce sheet copper, bent at the edges as shown in the transverse detail, and pro- vided with corresponding cover sheets. The pipes are run in the open box and secured by ordinary jointed saddle hangers H H, etc., which were screwed into the wood and white-leaded and tightly drawn up to the copper lining. Then the copper pieces, in convenient sections, slipped into place, their bends engaging and locking with those of the lining at A and B, and turned up against the outside of the duct and finally flattened tightly there, but not soldered. The different sections of the cover sheets were soldered together, and the bottoms of the ducts sealed and provided with waste pipes to the drip sink. The pipes are thus left practically inaccessible and most carefully provided against possibility of doing damage by leaking. A SPECIAL ROOF TANK. (PUBLISHED IN 1889.) IN a recent search for plumbing details, a member of our staff sketched the construction shown in Figs, i and 2 of a roof tank in a new residence on West End Avenue, New York. Figure i is a general perspective. A is a i-inchpipe affording an independent supply to a slopsink on third floor. B and C are ^-inch relief pipes from the hot-water supply and heating systems. D is the strainer-plate covering safe waste pipe. Figure 2 shows the tank broken at Z Z, Fig. i, and shows pipes and details not visible in Fig. i. A is the safe with lead cover B. C is a relief pipe. D is a i^-inch pipe supplying tank water to the house; it is connected with the city pressure, which, when sufficient, forces street water into the tank through branch E and ball cock G. F is a check valve that closes towards the right and thus prevents street water from overflowing the tank when ball cock G is closed. As the street water is likely to rise above FIG A SPECIAL ROOF TANK. M AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. the bottom of the tank sooner and oftener than it would rise to the top, the ball cock G is set very low and its floor H works on a long arm so as to operate whenever possible. I is the i J^-inch force pipe from the pump. J is the overflow and K the emptying pipe, both discharging through the 2-inch pipe L to the roof gutter. The tank is reinforced by twelve ^3 -inch tie-rods (see Fig. i) M; the six inside rods are jacketed by i-inch copper pipes N, that are soldered to the copper tank lining O. P P, etc., are2xi-inch tongues set with white lead in the grooves of the tank boards at all joints. The plumbing in this house was done by Byrne & Tucker, of New York, who were at that time com- pleting the work in an apartment-house on Eighty- fourth Street, where the hot-water pipes from the kitchen boilers to the bathrooms conspicuously crossed the dining-room walls. All the plumbing in this building was exposed, and as the position of these pipes could not be changed they were bronzed, supported on frequent brackets, and served for taste- ful picture rods. All distribution pipes were pitched up a little con- tinuously all the way from the main pipe, and so ar- ranged that when the water supply was turned off from any apartment all the pipes in its system could be emptied by one drip cock, thus avoiding the danger of freezing when the place chanced to be untenanted. KITCHEN BOILER ARRANGEMENT IN A NEW YORK RESIDENCE. (PUBLISHED IN i8gi.) THE accompanying illustration shows a kitchen water heater as fitted up in the residence of W. C. Andrews, 854 Fifth Avenue, New York. The upper part of the illustration represents the boiler in the basement, while the lower part shows the water heater in the celler. W is a hollow copper cylinder about 6 inches long, the end which is in- serted into the boiler being closed up so as to make it water-tight. The end projecting from the boiler is open so as to admit a thermostat. When the heater above is not required the valves B E and F are closed and the valves S and H are opened, and it will heat from the range. To use both heater and range open valves B E and F and close valves S H. A designates the Croton supply to kitchen sink and butler's pantry sink; B, tank supply to hot-water heater in cellar; the valve on this pipe is to be shut when hot water is not in use, and to be opened when in use; C, intermediate pipe; T, check valve; D, Croton supply to boiler; E, inside boiler or tank cir- culation, to be kept open when heater is in use, and to be kept .closed when not in use; F, connecting pipe for boiler and heater, to be kept open when heater is in use, and to be closed when heater is not in use; G emptying pipe for outside boiler; H, inside boiler or tank circulation, to be kept closed when heater is in use, to be kept open when heater is not in use; I, emptying pipe for inside boiler; J, Croton circulation for inside boiler; K, tank or inside circulation; L, hot water from outside boiler to supply lower floor . M, hot water from inside boiler of tank, to supply upper floor; N, tank supply to inside boiler, or to heater in cellar; O, hot- water supply to kitchen sink; P, Croton supply to kitchen sink; Q, hot-water sup- ply to butler's pantry sink; R, Croton supply to but- KITCHEN BOILER IN A NEW YORK CITV RESIDENCE. ler's pantry sink; S, tank supply to the inside or high- pressure boiler, to be kept closed when hot-water heater is in use, and to be kept open when heater is not in use; U, steam supply to boiler; V, return from boiler; W, thermostat. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. In this case the boiler in the basement is in a small room adjoining the kitchen. The walls are lined with Italian marble. The boiler and fittings are all nickel- plated; the pipes are of tinned brass. The pipes are hung about 4 inches from ceiling on nickel-plated plates and hangers, and where pipes go through the wall, floor or ceiling there is a nickel-plated flange, all in one piece, through which the pipes are put. We have here a self-acting water heater (connected with the kitchen boiler), heated, by steam, and regu- lated by electricity, and the temperature of water is said to never vary beyond 3 degrees. It is thus claimed to be a great improvement on the old hot- water heater, heated by a coal fire, and requiring constant attendance to maintain a proper tempera- ture, besides entailing dust and danger from a fire in the cellar. The reason that this heater was put in was that after taking one or two baths, the hot water in the boiler was used up, and consequently considerable time would elapse before another supply was availa- ble. In this case, however, the thermostat is so set that while drawing water for a bath, the cold water, which has displaced the hot water, is heated up again in a comparatively short time, because as soon as the temperature of the water drops 3 degrees the thermostat opens valves, admitting steam to the interior coil shown. Mr. W. C. Andrews has had one in his residence at 2 East Sixty-seventh Street, New York, for two years, where it is said to have given every satis- faction. Messrs. Lamb & Rich, of New York, were the archi- tects, and the arrangement described was put in by Mr. George A. Pace, of New York. PLUMBING IN A NEW ENGLAND RESIDENCE. (PUBLISHED IN 1896.) IN designing and executing the plumbing of the new house of Mrs. Edward Perkins, of Hartford, Conn., it was intended to make the work as complete, simple, efficient, and durable as possible, and to pro- vide very carefully for its operation and maintenance. The accompanying illustrations and description are intended to show the general plan, methods, and workmanship adopted for this purpose. The number and location of fixtures, their style and arrangement, and-the storage distribution and control of the hot and cold water supply were not unusual, but the principal features of the waste and vent systems and the materials, proportions, and workmanship of the whole installation are shown by the following draw- ings and description, prepared from the original designs. Figure i is a basement plan showing connections of soil and waste pipes to the main drain, and in- dicating by dotted lines those pipes which are on the ceiling or are buried, those on the cellar floor being shown in full. The different cleanouts, traps, and air pipes, leaders and tile drains are also noted on the drawing to show the thorough provision for the flow and ventilation, and for access to all parts of the system to remove obstructions if necessary. Figure 2 is a small-scale plan of the second story, merely intended to show the position of the fixtures, which in general were served by adjacent stacks of vertical pipes, not here shown. Figure 3 is a partial vertical section at Z Z, Figs. i and 2, showing an elevation of the main stack of soil pipes and most of the fixtures. From the street sewer a 6-inch salt-glazed Akron hub and spigot earthenware drain is laid, with con- tinuous grade of not less than i foot in 10 feet, and jointed with Alsen's neat Portland cement, each joint being thoroughly swabbed out. All pipe lengths bear throughout on the body of pipe, pockets in trench being cut for hubs. No stones or rock were allowed to come within 12 inches of the pipe. The backfilling was well rammed for each 12 inches in depth filled. At the property line a running trap was set, and a cleanout and s-inch iron fresh-air inlet and sewer vent, one on each side of the trap, were carried 18 inches above ground, and finished with one-quarter bends and brass-bar gratings screwed into the bends. Four-inch earthenware branches were connected for the rainwater leaders. Outside of the house this pipe connects with a 5-inch extra-heavy iron drain with the Y on the house sewer. In the cellar there is also a running trap, with a heavy brass cleanout on the house side, an iron plug on the sewer side, and a 4-inch fresh-air inlet, extended 30 feet or more from outside of the house, and turned up 18 inches above the ground, with a one-quarter bend and a brass-bar grating. An 8x8-inch brick pier was built at the base of each vertical column, and the pipe was supported solidly on the pier. All branch connections are Y's and one-eighth bends or TY's. Y-branch connections are well turned up. The floor openings were all cut from the top to the bottom of every column before the vertical pipe was put in. All openings in floors and ceilings about lines of pipes are entirely closed and packed with mineral wool so as to entirely seal the opening. All pipes at the roof are flashed with heavy copper, with slip-collar joint clamped to the pipe to allow for expansion. The rainwater leaders are connected in the cellar to the area drains, using an extra-heavy cast-iron ending 2 feet above grade for the leaders. The leaders and area drains have independent extra-heavy cast-iron traps inside of the cellar wall, with heavy brass cleanouts on the house side of the traps, which have not less than 3 inches of water seal. All wrought-iron pipe and fittings are galvanized. The water pipes are of "Standard" pipe, factory- tested to 300 pounds per square inch. All wrought- iron drain, waste, and vent pipes are " extra strong." Pipe up to 1% inches diameter is butt-welded, and the larger sizes are lap-welded. All water pipes and fittings are standard galvanized iron. Ground brass unions were used at frequent intervals to admit of ready repair. Bedroom basins were particularly required. The entire waste system from these basins is quite inde- pendent of the drains connecting with the sewer. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. The main waste from these basins discharges over an earthenware flushing rim slopsink in the cellar, provided with flush tank. The basin waste main at the sink is trapped and provided with an independent 3-inch fresh-air inlet extended 30 feet outside of the house. The basin waste branches are all vented to the roof, forming a complete vented system of basin wastes entirely cut off from any connection with the sewer or sewer-connected drains. The cellar underdrains connect into a deep-seal anti back-pressure trap in a brick pocket below the cellar floor. The discharge from the back-pressure trap connects back of a rain-leader trap and has a weeper from the cellar slopsink flush pipe, which will keep both the anti back-pressure trap and rain-leader trap supplied with water in case of drought, and will prevent evaporation of the seal in those traps. Stoppage in the waste beyond leader trap will be announced by flooding at the area drain at the foot of the steps leading to the cellar. Backflow into the under-cellar drains will be prevented by the anti back-pressure trap.* All threaded pipe work is put together with red lead. All lead soil, waste, and vent pipe is drawn pipe of the best quality, and of the following weights per lineal foot. Diameters. 1 A inch .. 3 /4 Weight oer Foot, i pound. All connections of lead and iron pipe are made by " heavy " brass ferrules of the same size as the lead pipe, threaded and screwed or calked into the hub of the iron pipe. All hot and cold supply pipes at fixtures have 12 inches extension beyond faucets or branches to prevent water hammer. The following A/o te- 6" Trap with Fresh-/tir Inlet carriedl8"S^y ^surface of around, to be p/aced near property fine ^"noar 3"Leader ' Trpp with Cfeancuf ~~--~----- S 3" Iron Pipe from Boile I Pit to Blind Drain Trench outside. Basm Waste-, 2" C/eanout T- -*i/z" w ee per from Slopsink Flush Tank to " i '4" Trap nTfh C/eanout "#/. Pipe hung on Cei/iry *. \ <4"LeaderTrapivith C/eanout\' '2" 'Basin Waste 2" Kitchen Jink Waste , 2" Waste and Back -Sir i \'. from Laundry Tubs. \-\'4"So>7 Pipe 2." Leader Trap trith C/eanout _ "Leader Trap with deanou Wleader THE ENGINEERING RECORD FlG.t Basement Plan PLUMBING IN A HARTFORD, CONN.. RESIDENCE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 4"6oil- \-4" Back-Air \-4" Basin Vent ' FiG.5 Section at Z-Z Basement 3" Basin tYasfe Trap & Cleanout 2" from Leader' a- '/a " Weeper from ,4 Second Floor. "H ** gl Water-closets Baths Basins 6 Sinks . .. . Slopsinks Laundry tubs i set of 3 The above work was designed and supervised by Mr. Albert L. Webster. C. E.. New York. Peabody & Stearns, of Boston, were the architects, and the installation was made by W. H. Spelman & Co., of New York City. PLUMBING OF HOTELS. PLUMBING IN THE WALDORF HOTEL. (PUBLISHED IN 1893.) PART I. ARRANGEMENT OF MAIN DRAINS IN THE BASE- MENT. PROMINENT among the hotels which have lately .been erected in that region of New York City extend- ing from Twenty-third Street to the Central Park is the Waldorf Hotel, now approaching completion. This structure, which is a 14-story building of iron, stone, and brick, occupies a corner of Fifth Avenue and Thirty-third Street. Its general drainage scheme is indicated on the accompanying plan, Fig. i, which shows the run of the horizontal pipes and the loca- tion of risers. About two-thirds of the area of the plan shown has a subbasement beneath it, and in this part of the building all the pipes are suspended from the subbasement ceiling, and are of screwed wrought iron. Where there is no subbasement the sewer pipes are of cast-iron and are bedded in trenches in the earth. With the exception of one piece of leader drain on the wall this is the only cast pipe used in the plumbing of the building. All the hot and cold water supply lines are so connected that every branch and fixture may be removed without interfering with the others on the same line. The floor drains are connected to special wastes which are trapped into the sewer and are flushed at daily intervals by special automatic flush tanks. All drainage below the level of the basement floor is received in a cesspool and automatically pumped out. In the general toilet-rooms there are three cisterns, each automatically flushing the urinals, and so con- nected that each cistern flushes all the urinal traps at each discharge. The trap vent risers are of large diameter, most of them being 4 inches or 5 inches at the foot and larger at the roof. In some instances, where practicable, several of them are connected at the foot by an open horizontal pipe intended to maintain an equilibrium between them, and to afford an air supply to each cluster of fixtures from each of the connected risers. The lines of sewer, soil, waste, and vent pipes have been tested in sections from time to time as the work progressed, so as to give frequent checks on the quality of the work and prevent the possibility of serious defects being developed by the ultimate test. The final test was made upon every cluster of fix- tures served by each set of risers, and so arranged as to be connected in one circuit and to receive air pressure from a single point. The pipes tested were /2 Iron 2" Brass Lock Nut Washer Cup Leather Wooden Spacer Cup Leather Washer Lock Nut Plug THE ENGINEERING RECORD Fig.3 Fig. 4 PLUMBING IN THE WALDORF HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. ira AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. from \y 2 to 8 inches in diameter, and aggregated over 15 miles in length. They satisfactorily sustained an air pressure of about 20 pounds per square inch, which was maintained for half an hour. The difficulties of designing and arranging the" drainage system were much increased by the impos- sibility of carrying any part of it through large areas of the lower floors which were required to be unob- structed for corridors, rotunda, halls, etc. Especial care was necessary in proportioning the lowest branches of the soil-pipe risers which served many clusters of fixtures and were obliquely carried for long horizontal distances. Their flow was carefully computed and then the pitch was made excessive enough to provide for the delivery of much more than the total volume of water that could come from the simultaneous discharge of all the fixtures, so as to prevent all possibility of backing up at the lowest connections. Their capacities were demonstrated by connecting three leaders to one of the waste pipes designed to serve only one, which freely discharged their combined flow without backing up at all. The estimated cost of the plumbing and gasfitting was about $200,000, and the contracts for it were executed by Messrs. Byrne & Tucker, of New York, in accordance with the plans of H. J. Hardenberg. PART II. TESTS OF SOIL AND VENT PIPES. THERE are in the hotel 29 sets of soil and ventila- tion riser pipes extending above the roof, and each serving clusters of fixtures in vertical tiers in most or all of the 15 stories. These pipes, all of screwed wrought iron, were tested from time to time as they were extended from the bottom up, and again when completed ready for the connection of the fixtures. The average height of each stack was about 170 feet, and an idea of the number of joints, i, 800 to 3,000 for each set of two pipes, con- nections and fittings thus tested and retested, may be derived from the statement that nearly every one of the 29 sets of risers served 10 bath and toilet rooms arranged as indicated in Fig. 2, where, however, only the system is shown and the necessary offsets and extra pipes are not indicated. A special trap screw, not shown in the figure, was put just beyond the vent pipe on the soil-pipe side of the bathtub trap, which was originally designed to be accessible through the overflow connections. Two important features of the arrangement are the unvarying location of the vent-pipe branches above the overflows, so as to avoid the possibility of their acting as overflows should the waste be obstructed, and the provision of what is substantially a double ventilation of the water-closet trap, which may be effected either through branch A or connected branch I. In testing, the open ends were all closed by screwed caps and air pressure applied through the flexible hose A, Fig. 3, one end being connected by screw coupling to a point near the foot of the soil pipe which was connected to its adjacent vent pipe, or "vice versa, and the other end to the discharge of an air pump P, Fig. 3, on which was set a mercurial gauge G. The commercial portable air pumps not proving of sufficiently rapid action, and being con- sidered not adapted to this work, it was found con- venient and economical to construct pumps on the spot, which was very easily and simply done, as indicated in Fig. 4. The barrel of the pump was simply a piece of 2 inch brass pipe B, which was so true and straight and of so exact a bore as manufac- tured as to need no finishing whatever to receive the plunger C, the rod of which D was constructed of a piece of >-inch gas pipe, and furnished with a gas- pipe crossbar F long enough for four men to grasp. A little piece of f^-inch iron pipe J served both for suction and delivery, and the inlet and discharge were respectively controlled by the two ordinary check valves E and K, both opening upwards. On the upstroke of the plunger valve K opened and ad- mitted outside air to the partial vacuum formed in the lower part of barrel B. On the downstroke of the plunger this air was compressed, and closing valve K opened valve E and was discharged through it, pipe H and hose A into the closed system of pipes. When plunger C again ascends the pressure in the barrel becomes diminished and the pressure in pipe H closes valve E. Atmospheric pressure opens valve K, more air is drawn into the pump barrel and forced into the pipes, and so on. Just above check valve E there is in the pipe H a stop-cock, which is not shown in Fig. 3. Figure 4 shows the details of construction of the plunger, etc., and like Figs. 2, 3, and 5, is not drawn to exact scale or dimensions, but is intended merely to show the arrangement, construction, and operation. Rod D passes loosely through cap I, but as the clear- ance did not allow the air to escape freely enough on the upstrokes, L L were cut in the rod and handle and allowed free discharge as indicated by the arrows. The apparatus was secured by a bottom flange to a 2-inch base plank, 12 inches wide by 6 feet long, on which the men stood to operate it. The entire weight was about 100 pounds, and it proved very efficient and satisfactory. Four of these pumps were made for this job at a nominal cost, as all the materials were taken from ordinary stock, and they required no repairs or alterations. In the beginning of a test, first one and then two men were required to pump. The average time re- quired to produce a pressure of 10 pounds was 20 minutes. The Board of Health Inspectors specified that a test would be considered satisfactory if a mercury gauge. column 20 inches high did not fall more than one half inch in 20 minutes after the pumping ceased. In the final tests the greatest leakage discovered caused a fall of only one-half of an inch in the 2o-inch mercury column in 22 minutes after the pumping ceased, and in many instances there was no appreciable fall whatever. When it is considered how slight an aperture will permit the escape of air and that the pressure is uniform at all points, it will be seen how thorough this test is, and how much more positive it is than the usual water column, especially for the upper part of the system, where the hydrostatic pressure diminishes to zero. Figure 5 shows the ordinary mercurial gauge G, Fig. 3, used to indicate the test pressures. Air pressure from the pump discharge pipe H is admitted AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. by pipe M to the cast-iron chamber N, in which is an open iron cup O filled with mercury. A plain glass tube Q, open at both ends, dips beneath the surface of the mercury nearly to the bottom of the cistern, and is protected by a brass tube or case R, which is capped at the upper end and screwed to the iron case containing the cup O, the packing S making an air- tight joint. The pressure is in the pipe system being communicated by pipe M to chamber N, acts downwards on the surface of the mercury in the cup and forces it up in tube Q, where its height is ob- served through a slot T T, in case R, and can be marked by the index U, which is a close-fitting sleeve, which can be set at any position to measure variations from. About 100 tests were made by Foreman John Hanson, who devised the pump, and was in charge of the work. PART III. PIPE SYSTEM AND TANKS FOR DOMESTIC AND FIRE SERVICE, SPECIAL BACK-PRESSURE VALVE, AND PNEUMATIC MERCURY GAUGE AND HOT-WATER BOILER, AND CIRCULATION LOOPS. ALL the cold water used above the first floor is pumped to the tanks A and B, Fig. 6, in the attic by the two 8-inch and I2"x8^"xio" compound duplex Worthington steam pumps C C in the basement. PLUMBING IN THE WALDORF HOTEL. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. These pumps connect through pipes O O O with the 8-inch horizontal pipe D, from which two 5-inch pipes E E rise, connecting to the two attic tanks. They are cross-connected by the 5-inch pipe F at the level of the bottom of tank A. Pipes E E discharge into the tanks through the 5-inch back-pressure valves G G, set so that the disk of the valve may be held open by the lever and chain connection H extending to the engine-room, where the ends are secured in such manner that they may be released at the will of the engineer. The details of valve G are shown in this figure. The tanks are built of fg-inch wrought iron, and each has a wrought-iron safe pan with a 2-inch waste a a. The tanks may be emptied through the i Yi -inch emptying pipes b b, and c c are the 4-inch overflow pipes. All these pipes may empty into the rainwater leader pipes. Upon each floor there is taken off from pipes E E a 2^ -inch connection to which is attached valve I for fire service. Each of these valves has connected 100 feet of linen rubber-lined hose and a hose pipe, all of which are housed upon a swinging rack ready for immediate use. For fire- extinguishing the 16,000 gallons of water in the attic tanks is always avail- able, the water passing back to the rising lines E E through the back- pressure valves G G which are held open by the lines H H. By letting go either line H the flap of the valve which it controls is closed and by starting the 2o"xn"xi5" Worthington steam fire pump J, which is connected to the pipe D, its full pressure may be directed into the lines being used for fire purposes. At the ends of pipe D are located the 4-inch check valves K K. The discharge ends of these connect with 4-inch pipes passing through the walls and turning upward, where they end with standard fire-department coupling connections. In the event of a fire calling the city department to the building the firemen would couple their hose to this pipe, using the pipes E E as stand-pipes, and availing themselves of the hose already in position upon the several floors. Safety valve Q on pipe D is intended to relieve excessive pressure in the event of the closing of valves G G while the steam pumps are working. The height of the water in the attic tanks is re- corded in the engine-room by means of a pneumatic mercury gauge especially designed for this work by Mr. Hanson, the foreman plumber engaged upon it. It is illustrated in Fig. 7. In each of the tanks an air compressor is erected, formed of the 3-inch wrought- iron pipe A, which is of equal height with the tank. The base, a cast-iron flange, is fastened to the tank bottom, and close to it is the open centered tie B. The upper end of the compressor is reduced to three- eighths of an inch in diameter and is connected to the 2^-inch pipe C, which, descending to the engine- room, is there connected with the mercury column H, Fig. 7. It is controlled at the point of connection by the valve D. The mercury column is of ordinary construction, except that at the base of the reservoir E is inserted the close-fitting piston head F, which may be raised as required by the screwed stem G to allow of adjustment when, by reason of reduc- tion of the quantity of mercury in the column, the scale fails to accurately register the height of water in the tank. The tank being empty mercury is intro- duced into the reservoir and columns until it shows at O. The valve D is opened and the water as the tank is filled closes the opening B, preventing the farther escape of air. As the water rises it gradually compresses the air, which pressure, transmitted through the pipe C to the mercury in the reservoir E, drives it up in the graduated glass tube H, which is long enough to indicate a full tank. The full marks on the glass agree with even feet of water in the tank, and the one-twelfth graduations correspond to immediate inches of depth. As the water is lowered in the tank and the air pressure is lessened the mercury drops in the gauge glass. From each of the attic tanks the 4-inch wrought- iron pipes L L, Fig 6, which, descending to the cellar, are connected through 3-inch pipe R with the 3ox84-inch heavy wrought-iron tank M. On the top of this tank is connected the 4 -inch horizontal drum N. from which radiate the 2-inch cold-water pipes P P, etc. leading to the several riser lines supplying cold water to the plumbing fixtures on all the floors above the first. All connections to tank M and the pipes from drum N have valves for use in case of repairs. These risers are cross-connected by a 4-inch horizontal pipe so valved that either tank may be cut out of service if necessary. Pipe R also serves to connect the cold-water pipes L L with the wrought- iron boiler S in the basement. This is built of y%- inch iron, and is strongly made to withstand the pressure from the attic tanks. The water in this boiler is heated by a brass coil, to which steam from the power boilers is admitted. There are also arrangements for heating this coil by exhaust steam from any of the several steam pumps or engines in the cellar. On the top of this boiler is built the double-connected 4-inch drum T, from which is laid the 2-inch galvanized-iron pipes U U, etc. supplying hot water to plumbing fixtures above the first floor. Pipes T rise to a point above the highest fixtures and then return by the i^-inch galvanized-iron circu- lation pipes V to the 3-inch drum W, which is double- connected to the bottom of the boiler S, thus forming a circulation loop which gives hot water at any point of draft on its line. The tops of all these loops are relieved of air or steam, which would interfere with the circulation, through the ^-inch galvanized-iron relief pipes X. Upon the same floor as tank A is the 3ox84-inch wrought-iron tank Y, Fig. 6, which is used for heat- ing the water for the laundry located on the floor immediately beneath. Cold water enters the boiler from the pipe F through the 2 j^-inch pipe e having the check valve Z to prevent the return of hot water into the tank A. The water in boiler Y is heated by a brass coil to which steam is supplied from a live- steam pipe in the laundry service, or by the exhaust steam from the 40 horse-power engine in the laundry which furnishes power for all the laundry machinery. From the top of this boiler Y is laid the 2^-inch galvanized-iron pipe d to the laundry, and from the highest point of this pipe is carried a %"-inch relief pipe/" into tank A. AM ERIC AX PLUMBING PRACTICE. PART IV. DRIP BOXES AND RUNNING TRAPS ON HOUSE DRAINS. ALL of the floor drains shown in the ground plan, Fig. i, and those in the cellar have square cast-iron drip boxes, as shown in Fig. 8, which are also used as cleanout boxes. Some of them are large enough to allow of the assembling in them of several drains, which are then carried to the main drainage system through a larger size pipe, having a full-size running trap. Each of these traps had a cleanout G set in a manhole with cast-iron cover to allow of ready in- spection. On long lines of drain pipes and at some of their intersecting points these cast-iron junction boxes are used in order that they may be readily cleaned or inspected. On these cases a flat cast-iron cover takes the place of the brass perforated top A. So far as possible two or more of these floor drains were connected with each run of the drainage pipes, and at the highest ends of each of them were set automatic flushing tanks supplied by the waste from the cold-water drinking-fountains. The cooling coils for these fountains are made a part of the general refrigerating and icemaking plant, and a current must consequently be continuously maintained to prevent freezing. Floor-drain bell traps, which are liable to become clogged when subjected to the severe service to be expected in a job of this magni- tude, are thus avoided, and a cleanout arrangement is provided. All of the brass covers A are arranged for ready removal. The inlets B and the outlet D' in the cast-iron box C are cast flush with the inside bottom, which is pitched to form canals through which the water may flow unimpeded. The cast-iron running traps A, Fig, 9, on the main house drains were set sufficiently beyond the inside lines of the area walls to give a vertical fall to any dirt, water, etc. which gained entrance to the fresh- air inlet B on the house side of the traps in order to guard against a common cause of failure of fresh-air inlets to operate. All matter or water so falling passes directly into the trap and is readily washed away. The cast-iron round bottomed bowls C were made especially for this job. They were set in the brickwork of the sidewalk arches, the wide flanges D allowing of a water-tight cement joint. The stone walk above the bowls was pierced and fitted with the oblong brass bar plates E. Ample clearing space is left between the bars, and as the widest part of the opening is at the bottom they are practically self- clearing. On the bottom of the bowls were cast collars upon which were tap-screwed the 6 and 8 inch flanges to which the upright wrought-iron pipe F DETAIL OF GRATING. EiC.iff, c RECORD. DRIP BOXES IN THE WALDORF HOTEL. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 57 connecting with the standing collar B was screwed. There are separate sinks for washing the silver- ware, dishes, and cooking utensils, each having a separate cast-iron Tucker grease trap 23 inches high and 28 inches in diameter, which is the largest size made, conveniently located for cleaning out. All the cold water used in the kitchen and pantry is passed through the water chambers of these traps, the pro- portion being divided according to the service. PART V. WATER FILTERS AND CONNECTIONS. ALL the water used in the hotel is filtered. The plant for this purpose comprises two Cummings fil- ters made by the Cummings Filter Company, of Phil- adelphia. Through one is passed the water for the icemaking apparatus, the boilers, the culinary de- partment, and for all other uses in the cellar, base- -12-0 is perforated with ^-inch holes and has soldered upon its under side a fine meshed brass wire cloth. Three inches below this plate is a similar one, and between them is a 3-inch bed of clean-washed pea- size gravel H. At the bottom of the cylinders at joints S S are placed perforated plates, gravel, joints, etc. similar to those described at the top. Upon the top of the lower diaphragms is palced 4 feet of loosly filled-in animal charcoal, shown at I. The cock B being set for delivery to the filter sand the water turned on from the pipe A, it passes up C C and into the cylinders passing through the perforated plates and gravel bed. It fills the water space J and passes down through the charcoal I and through the lower plates and gravel to the pipe K leading to the pumps. The animal charcoal is heavier than water and con- sequently remains sufficiently compacted for filtering FIG. 10 ' TMI ENGINEERING RECORD. WATER FILTERS IN THE WALDORF HOTEL. ment, and first floor. Through the other is passed all the water used on floors above the first. Each of these filtering tanks is composed of a 6o-inch sectional cast-iron cylinder with bases and tops as shown in elevation and broken section in Fig. 10. The filters stand 9 feet 6 inches high. All the internal metallic surfaces are treated by the Bower-Barff anti-rusting process. Water is delivered from the 4 inch Thomson meters through the 4-inch pipe A to the six way cock B. The line is then branched into the 4-inch pipes C C, which enter the tops of the separate cylinders E E. The cast-iron top plate F is dished so as to allow a 3-inch space between its upper surface, and a T \-inch galvanized-iron diaphragm plate which, with its pack- ing, is inserted at the upper joints at G. This plate without compression. By closing valve L which controls the flow of filtered water to the pumps and turning the six- way cock B, filtered water from one of the cylinders may be passed upward into the other through pipe K for the purpose of washing the filter. This waiter passes in the reverse direction through the bed of charcoal and down through pipe C to the six-way cock by which it is directed into the waste pipe M leading to the sewer N. A single movement of the cock B will make the effluent of either cylinder wash the other. Each of these cylinders occupies a ground space of 72x1 50 inches. The weight of each charged and ready for service is about 14 tons, of which three tons is animal charcoal. The plant is designed to filter 150,000 gallons daily. 78 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. PLUMBING IN THE LAKEWOOD, N. J., HOTEL. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) PART I. ENGINE-ROOM, PUMPS, SUCTION TANKS, AND LAUNDRY BOILER. THE Lakewood, at Lakewood, N. J., is a four-story brick and iron building, with a frontage of 465 feet and a total depth of 408 feet. Figure i is a general view of the engine-room in the basement. Lake water is received in suction tank A, through two ball cocks in the supply pipe B. C is a 4-inch suction pipe to the (Blake) house pump D, which delivers through 3-inch pipe E to the roof tanks. F is the live and G the exhaust-steam pipe H is the fire pump, with a 4-inch suction I, from the tank, and a 3-inch suction J, from an artesian well. K is an air chamber. Pump H delivers through pipe L, in which a short section of heavy rubber M is set to prevent the transmission of vibrations through the house by the riser and branch pipes. N is a branch by which the tank A may be filled from the artesian well if lake supply fails. O is a 4-inch fire line, with hose cocks and reels in every corridor. P is a branch connecting with delivery E from pump D to the house tanks. Q is a pressure reg- ulating valve. R and S are branches from the exhaust and live steam pipes G and F respectively. T is the 400-gallon hot- water boiler supplying the wash- I PLUMBING IN THE LAKEWOOD, N. J., HOTEL. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. /A// pq S- P T: '? E P 4 1 3 JV/ \l 4 4 t T i -c ^ O AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. basins and bathtubs throughout the house and the kitchen through 2-inch pipe U. It is supplied through branch X and may be emptied through Y. The coils receive live and exbaust steam through pipes V and W respectively. & & & are condensa- tion and drip pipes and Z Z are emptying pipes for riser lines. Figure 2 shows the laundry boiler A, about 8 feet long by 3 feet 6 inches diameter, and containing a ioo-foot coil of i j^-inch copper pipe. This receives steam through pipe B, connected with live supply C and exhaust supply D. E E are i-inch return pipes, and F is a drip and emptying pipe for the coil. G is a special cold-water supply from the roof tank, but the regular supply is from city mains through pipe H and check valve I that prevents tank water escaping to the street. J is thei^-inch cold-water distribution to the laundry, and K is the 2-inch emptying pipe. L is the i^-inch hot-water supply with i^-inch branches to servants' toilet and bath room, and laundry tubs. O is a steam pipe, and P is the safety valve set at 75 pounds. Q Q, etc., is a i J^-inch pipe frame supporting the boiler. PART II. ROOF TANKS, PUMP GOVERNOR, URINAL AND SOIL PIPE. FIGURE 3 shows the construction and arrangement of the house storage tanks in the attic. They are built of i^-inch wrought iron, and have a united capacity of about 15,000 gallons. They are rilled through the 3-inch pump pipe A and separate valves B B on 2^-inch branches, and may be emptied through the 2J4-inch pipes C C that discharge through the waste pipes W W of the 4-inch overflow stand-pipes O O. The latter terminate in copper funnels F F, about 8 inches in diameter and 8 inches high. The house supply is through the 4-inch pipe S, with 3-inch branches D D, which serve as equalizing pipes between the two tanks and valves E E. These last enable either tank to be cut out for emptying, etc., without interrupting the house supply. G is a 2^-inch pipe from the hot-water boiler T, Fig. I, and H H are ^"-inch relief pipes from the hot-water circulation pipes of the east and west wing systems. I I are 2 -inch safe wastes that discharge into a sink in the pump-room. J is the ^-inch pressure pipe to the pump governor. Figure 4 is a section through the bottom of the tank, showing details of safe and support. Figure 5 shows the automatic governor for pump D, Fig. i. S is the suction and T the tank pipe. A is a >-inch pressure pipe from the tank connected to a diaphragm damper regulator B, which has a slide weight P, and suspended weight Q, so adjusted that the lever arm C will only rise when the pressure is just equivalent to a full tank head on pipe A. E is a flexible copper wire cable tightly strained by weights P and Q, and having two adjustable clips I and J, set so that when lever C rises, clip J engages the lever G of valve U, and raising it, closes it and shuts off steam supply to the pump through pipe M. When tank pressure falls, lever C also falls, and clip I engages lever G, depressing it and opening valve U so as to admit steam and start the pump; when tank is again full, lever C rises and shuts off the steam and so on. K is a valve for operating the pump by hand, and L is a petcock. Figure 9 is a view of the urinals in the principal toilet-room. The cistern C is in three compartments, each supplied through double ball cocks through water pipe B and flushing through }^-inch curved, silver-plated brass pipes that have special connections at A A to equalize the flow through pipes D D and E, in order that the latter may not receive more than one-third of the total amount. The diaphragm H is in - troduced at Z Z (see detail) to obstruct pipe E, and divert equal amounts of water through D and D. Adjacent to the above toilet room is another con- taining three sets of water closets and one row of basins. The waste and soil pipes from all these fix- tures are carried exposed just below the ceiling of the basement room underneath, and this arrangement is shown in the diagram. Fig. 7. In this A A and B B are the branches to fixtures, each being connected with double Y's to the main soil pipes G and H, that Y into the 6 inch sewer-pipe S. The latter goes di- rect to the main sewer. D is a rainwater leader flushing out pipe S, and E and F are connections to washstands and urinal wastes. All parts of the pipes are commanded by the cleaning screws K K K. PART III. KITCHEN AND SCULLERY SYSTEMS. FIGURE 8 is a view of the kitchen arrangement. K K, etc. are boilers, and L L, etc. are steamers, to all of which live steam is supplied through pipe S, and returns through pipe E. F F are wooden vege- table tanks, and D is a wooden soaking tank. Q Q are iron safes, and Z Z their drip pipes. G is a trap vent from the waste of tank F, and I is a trap vent from trap on safe wastes. C C C are cold, and H is a hot-water supply pipe. A is a steam, and B a hot-water pipe for flushing traps for tank D. J J, etc. are 2-inch ventilation pipes for taking the vapor away from the cooking food. They are re- ceived in 3-inch branch N, which discharges through. 6-inch pipe O into an exhaust flue, wnich conveys it away from any danger of penetrating the hotel rooms. Figure 9 shows a cross-section through one of the copper boilers K ; the meaning of the same reference letters is the same as in Fig. 8. A chamber is formed between the outer and inner shells, and receives live steam which is used for cooking. W is a perforated strainer cap, and X an empty- ing cock. U is an iron supporting frame, and I the cold-water cock. R is a vent pipe controlled by valve M. Figure 10 shows the dishwashing sinks G G, in the scullery. The waste traps are commanded by screws as at S. E E are draining boards. H is a hot, and C a cold-water supply, and A is a live steam pipe with branches D D, etc., and perforated heads K K,. etc., for blowing steam into the water to heat it rap- idly in the sinks. The 2-inch trap pipes V V are con- nected by branches M and N respectively with the steam and cold-water pipes, so as to clean out the wastes in the following manner : Close valve O and open P; then steam will be forced through lower AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 81 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. part of vent pipe V and through waste pipe W to the sewer, blowing out all grease, sediment, and other obstructions; then close P and open Q, and the pipe will be flushed with hot water, and the trap seal re- stored if broken; finally close Q and open O and then the operation is completed. This system has been applied to all the sinks in the kitchen. Throughout the kitchen waste system, which is separate from main building, all pipes are cast iron with rust joints. A full diameter, open-way valve is set below the sink strainer in each waste pipe, per- mitting discharge from above and preventing the escape of steam into the sink. Figure u shows a large grease trap, through which all waste water from the kitchen is discharged to the subbasement sink S. A is the inlet, and B the outlet pipe, both 2^ inches in diameter; C is a key valve, and D a screw plug for emptying by means of a hose. P is a supporting- pipe frame. The top is removable. All water pipe in this hotel is of galvanized wrought iron, except where plated brass pipe is exposed in the toilet-room, etc. All waste, soil, and vent pipes were tested to about 40 pounds hydraulic pressure after being set. William Schickel & Co., of New York, were the archi- tects, and John Tourney & Son, of New York, exe- cuted the plumbing. PLUMBING IN THE NEW COATES HOUSE, KANSAS CITY, MO. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) PART I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION, BASEMENT AND MAIN PIPE PLAN. THE following illustrations and description of the plumbing-work in the new Coates House, at Kansas City, Mo., of which Messrs. Van Brunt & Howe were the architects, have been prepared from photographs of the completed work and blue-prints of the plans under which the work was done. These were pre- pared by Messrs. E. D. Hornbrook & Co., plumbers, of Kansas City, and submitted with their proposal. The source of water supply for the new addition, as well as the old portion of the hotel, is from tne house tanks located on the roof of the old part of the building. The hot-water supply is connected with the hot-water boilers located in the basement of the old part. The main galvanized-iron supply pipes suspended from ceiling, and which are connected to hot and cold-water headers in the old part of the building, are 2 inches in diameter. All rising lines throughout the building, hot and circulation pipes, are of brass. Cold water and safe waste pipes are of galvanized iron. At the base of all risers there is a valve placed in the hot, cold, and circulating pipes for controlling each line separately, with tees and drain cocks for draining the lines. Each private bathroom is cut off independently by valves located in each room. All underground house and rainwater drainage, as well as rising lines, including ventilating lines, with closet traps, vent and waste connections all con- nected in place with ends closed up, were tested by water test, by filling the entire system with water to 5 feet above the roof, which is 100 feet high. The method of making the soil-pipe joints was by special tools. The entire job was perfectly tight with but three exceptions, and the plumbing inspec- tor was called upon only twice to pass this entire job. Underneath all fixtures in private bathrooms there are Italian marble floor slabs, fitted with 6-inch base all round, and polished- cherry wainscoting, 5 feet high all round the rooms. Water-closet partitions, back and sides are all Italian marble 7 feet high. Urinal and closet tanks are also cased with marble. Urinal stalls, backs and sides are Italian marble, backs 7 feet high, and partitions 6 feet. The marble- work is put together and supported in a special manner, without the use of brass or nickel-plated clamps, bolts, etc., such as are ordinarily used. Figure i is a basement plan, showing the arrange- ment of the underground drainage, soil and waste pipes of the different fixtures throughout the building, as well as the roof drainage. The main roof drain- age is 8-inch extra heavy cast-iron pipe with connec- tions leading to the various down-spouts (D D, etc.) and area drains throughout the building. The bot- toms of the areas are 5 to 6 feet above the basement floor. This 8-inch pipe is connected to a 12 inch main drain outside of the main house trap, with back- pressure valves as shown, so that if at any time the main sewer becomes stopped it would not back up into the roof or down-spout drainage pipe. The main house drainage is 10 inch extra heavy cast-iron soil pipe, fitted with house trap and 6-inch fresh-air inlet I is a section showing the method of connecting the branch soil pipes with the main 10- inch iron drain ; J is a detail showing method of con- necting the wastes from six bathtubs in the Turkish bath department ; K is a detail of the overflow and waste from the plunge pool in the Turkish bath de- partment, which is fitted with 4-inch gate valve and 4-inch Barrett back-pressure valve and trap. This pool is also fitted with a 3-inch polished-brass nickel plated standing overflow pipe, which is con- nected outside of the gate valve. The top of the stand- ing overflow is funnel-shaped, S inches in diameter, and is so arranged that it can be lifted out of its socket at the bottom of pool when it is desired to empty the pool in a hurry, by the use of both valve and the removal of standing waste. L is the trap under each bathtub, which is fitted with a 4-inch polished-brass trap screw flush with marble floor, from which the vent is connected by a union joint. This method of trapping the bathtubs is carried out throughout all the bathrooms. M is a 4-inch extra heavy branch drain fitted with 4-inch Barrett back- pressure valve and trap, which is connected to the various polished-brass floor strainers for draining the marble floors under needle baths, rubbing and sham- poo slabs. PART u. GENTLEMEN'S TOILET-ROOM, PLAN, ELEVATION, SECTION AND DIAGRAM OF URINALS AND CLOSETS, SECTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PUBLIC TOILET-ROOMS. ALL the public toilet-rooms are in the same vertical line in the center of the house. The back-air pipe is AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 83 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE, //y^^ PLUMBING IN THE NEW COAXES HOUSE, KANSAS CITY, MO AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 85 Tt P=p 3 ^-inch branches L L L L. M is a i-inch supply to em- ployees' basement toilet-room, and N is i^-inch sup- ply direct to the boilers. O is a i^-inch waste pipe to empty pipe D into the drip sink P. Each filter has two valves R R, and two valves S S, command- ing its four connection pipes H H and F F respect- ively. These gate valves are connected by links (omitted here to avoid confusion), which are arranged to command them all by a single handle which oper- ates them simultaneously, closing all or opening all at once. Ordinarily, valves Q, T, U, and U are PLUMBING IN THE HOLLAND HOUSE, NEW YORK. M AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. closed and all others are open, but to wash out the filter these valves are opened and V V and X are closed. Unfilterea water is then supplied from pipe E, through by-pass pipe W W and pipe J to the header I, and entering the filters through connections H H H H escapes to header D through connections F F F F, and is discharged through waste pipe O. If it is only desired to wash one filter at once while the other is in use, valves Q T and X are left as usual, and the valves V and U belonging to this filter being respectively closed and opened, the flow of water will be reversed in it and it will be washed as before de- scribed, only filtered water will be used. Y Y are separate supplies to the elevator tanks and hot-water boilers, and Z Z Z Z, etc. are drip pipes. In Fig. 2, A is the open suction tank about io'x25'x3' deep, supported at the ceiling of the corridor by the 6 inch rolled iron beams B B, etc. It is filled through four ball cocks on branches L L, etc. of 3-inch pipe K (see also Fig. i), and overflows through the 4-inch pipe C; D is a ^-inch telltale, and E is the 6-inch suction pipe to the two Worthington pumps F F for the house service. They deliver through the s-inch pipe G to the roof tanks, about 140 feet above them, and have a capacity of about 500.000 gallons in 10 hours. H H are hose cocks and I is a pipe to the boiler-room. J J are steam pipes, K K and L L are patent valve regulators, which automatically cut off steam from the pumps when the tanks are full. O is the usual hand throttle valve. P is a ^-inch telltale from the roof tanks. When they are nearly full water escapes through P and the partly closed valve Q, and producing a pressure in branches J J forces down the piston in the cylinder M, so ihat its rod R closes the steam valve in S. PART II. ROOF TANK CONNECTIONS, SUPPORT AND PRO- TECTION. FIGURE 3 is an isometric general view of the twin 6o,ooo-gallon roof tanks T T, with the tank-house and all pipe connections removed for clearness. Figure 4 is a plan ot the tanks and tank girders, and Fig. 5 is an elevation at Z Z, Fig. 4. The tanks are made of T \-inch tank steel, single-riveted, on frames of 2"x2*x T B I " angle iron, about 24'xio'x6' deep. Each tank has two longitudinal tie-rods and two sets of eight transverse tie-rods, all one-half inch in diameter, and hooked into angle clips. The tanks stand on five rolled-iron I beams 12 inches high, which are framed into similar longitudinal girders B B, resting on wooden cushion sills C C, laid on the main outer wall W, and on spe- cial bearing wall V. Beams A A, etc. are connected by 32 small crossbeams D D, etc., which may have been designed to support wooden cushion pieces on their top flanges, or a mass of concrete bedding to afford support for the bottom of the tanks through- out. Light vertical angle and beam posts E E, etc. are riveted to the beams A aud B, to support the roof and side frames, which are covered with corru- gated iron, and all connected by angle iron. This covering, built after the tanks were finished and con- nected, is thought to be sufficient, together with the frequent fluctuations of its level, to prevent the water in them from freezing, but the position is very much exposed, and a steam radiator will be put in the house if necessary. Jtetai/ qf-Z, PLUMBING IN THE HOLLAND HOUSE, NEW YORK. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Figure 6 is a view with tho supporting beams, floor, ind house removed, so as to show the pipe connec- tions clearly. G is the 4 inch delivery from pumps. H the 4-inch house supply, and I the 4-inch fire line. K is a i j^-inch supply to the hot-water boilers. L is ai^-inch supply to the main toilet-room. M is a i^-inch supply to the kitchen, and N isai^-inch supply to the laundry. O is a 2^-inch telltale and pressure pipe to the pump governors. The horizon- tal offsets in the small service pipes were necessi- tated to avoid the obstructions caused by beams A A, E E, etc.. Figs. 3, 4, and 5. P P are 3-inch overflow stand-pipes discharging directly to the roof gutter. V V, etc are 3^-inch vent pipes to facilitate the mptying of the risers when the upper valves are :losed. It will be noticed that the valves are arranged ;o as to permit any service pipe to be connected or iisconnected with either or both tanks. PART III HOT-WATER BOILERS, FLUSHING AND VENT- ILATION OF URINALS AND ARRANGEMENT OF SOIL AND VENT LINES. FIGURE 7 is a view of the basement battery of three hot-water boilers A A A, each of which is about 4 feet diameter by 10 feet long. B is a live and C an exhaust pipe, from either of which each boiler can receive steam through its branch D, which connects with a 2oo-foot interior coil of i^-inch brass pipe, whose drip, " etc. discharge through branches E E E. and return main F. Cold water under street and tank pressure respectively is supplied through 2- inch pipe G and 4-inch pipe H, and the i^-incb. branches I and 2-inch branches ]. Hot water is de- livered at M M M, and is admitted to the 4-inch tank pressure main K, or the 2 inch street pressure main L, according to whether that boiler is supplied with PLUMBING IN THE HOLLAND HOUSE, NEW YORK. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. cold, street or tank water. N is a 2-incb circulation pipe, with i >^-inch branches O O O to each boiler. P P P are safety valves, and Q Q Q are check valves, closing with a current away from the boiler, so as to prevent possible escape of tank water into the street mains. R is an emptying: pipe from rising lines to the sewer. In the public toilet-room a group of five urinals automatically flushed by one cistern, arranged as shown in Fig. 8, the header B being designed to have a capacity in excess of the combined draft of all the branches B B, etc. to each bowl. A grated floor drainer S is set under every urinal and its vent- ilation, together with that of the trap and the bowl, is shown in Fig. 9, where full arrows indicate the di- rections of air currents and dotted arrows indicate that of the waste. Galvanized-iron duct V connects with a vertical conduit extending through a light shaft to above the roof, and containing at the bottom 32 gas flames to promote the circulation. Figure 10 shows the arrangement of all the hot and cold-water risers which supply the different lines of fixtures throughout the house. Immediately above the dis- tribution main C an air chamber D is branched off from the riser A, which is continued above the supply B, of the highest story, to form a second air chamber E. Beside this an air chamber is provided at every fixture. F F are petcocks. Ji -I PLUMBING IN THE HOLLAND HOUSE. NEW YORK AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. PLUMBING DETAILS IN THE PLAZA HOTEL, NEW YORK. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) PART I. STEAM PUMP CONNECTIONS, AUTOMATIC PUMP REGULATOR AND SUCTION TANK. IN designing and executing the plumbing in the Plaza Hotel it was necessary to conform to the plans and conditions of the building, and to meet the requirements of the successive changes in construc- tion and system that accompanied the changes made in its owners, architects, builders, and contractors. William Paul Gerhard, C. E., of New York City, was consulting engineer for the drainage and ventilation, and S. & A. Clark, also of New York, were the con- tractors for the plumbing, various detached features of which are illustrated in this and succeeding parts. The water supply for the hotel is received' from the city mains, passes through Worthington meters, and is delivered through 3-inch pipes A and B from the Fifty-ninth Street and the Fifth Avenue mains re- spectively. These pipes deliver through branches may be supplied from the main A directly through branch G. The pumps are also similarly connected with pipe B. Figure 2 shows the connections of the pump suc- tion and delivery pipes. A A are two Worthington pumps, whose suction pipes B B are connected with the 6-inch header D, which may be supplied from any or all of the branches, E, F, and G. E is a 6-inch pipe to suction tank D, Fig. i. P is a 3-inch pipe to the cistern which receives the rainwater from the roofs, etc., and G is a 6-inch pipe connected direct to the city mains. The pump-delivery pipes C C are connected to the 4-inch headers H H, which have the branches N N, etc , with valves L L, etc. , so arranged that either or both pumps can deliver through anyone or more of the pipes O, P, Q, R, and S, four of which lead to the different roof tanks, and one to the eleva- tor tank. All the pipes are jacketed to prevent the condensation of moisture on their surfaces. Figure 3 shows the pipe A supplying steam to the pumping engine cylinders B B. When the tank is full its supply pipe is closed and the action of the pump develops pressure in it. This pressure operating PLUMBING IN THE PLAZA HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. C C and double ball cocks into the boiler-plate tank D, which rests on the basement floor and affords some storage in case the city mains are shut off, be- sides preventing a draft on the meters. E is a 6-inch suction pipe connected to all the pumps, and F is a 2-inch emptying pipe; J is a 4-inch overflow pipe which empties freely into the bell- mouthed pipe I . The latter is trapped into the sewer. The top of pipe J has a hinged flap plate K, to which a heavy ball float L is connected by a long arm. When the water in the tank is below the overflow level this float acts as a weight to hold the cover down, tightly closed, and to prevent any discharge of gas, cellar air, etc. above the water. When the tank is nearly full of water the ball L acts as a buoy to open the flap and permit overflow through J. Ordi- narily the valve H is open, and all the street water is first received in ta.nk D, but by closing H the pumps on the diaphragm of a pump regulator, produces a pull on chain C which raises the weighted lever D and closes valve E, thereby shutting off the steam and stopping the engine. When the water level is lowered in the tank the weight of W opens valve E, and the pump starts up and so on. F is a throttle valve for independently controlling the steam. PART II. ROOF TANK AND HOT-WATER TANKS. FIGURE 4 is a view of one of the four roof tanks which, with a united capacity of about 60,000 gallons, store the house water supply. The tanks are built of angle and plate iron, and are supported about 3 feet above the floor on broad wooden frames A A, which, rest on the tops of the iron floor beams. K K K are 6-inch iron beams under the tank. They are tied together by the ^ inch rods L L. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. B is the 2-inch pump delivery pipe, through which the supply is automatically controlled. D is the 2-inch pipe which serves both for the house- supply riser and the pump-delivery riser. It is con- nected to the tank by branch C, in which a check valve, not here shown, permits the flow of water from the tank, but prevents any flow into it. E is a branch to a cock F, for a roof supply, and G is an air chamber. H is 2-inch emptying pipe, and I is the 3-inch overflow discharging on the roof. The tanks are covered by galvanized-iron houses, just large enough to inclose them, and containing steam coils on two sides of the tanks to protect them from freezing. Figure 5 is a view of the rear end of the hot-water tanks. A and B are 3 -inch supplies from Fifty-ninth Street and Fifth Avenue respectively. They are connected to the header C, and have valves arranged so that either or both A or B can supply either or both tanks. D D D D are the tank connection pipes, made 2 inches in diameter, for convenience of tap- ping into the tanks, and put on in pairs to secure s-o ately or together by operating the valves F and G. The drum is supplied by the branches H H, etc. These were made 2 inches in diameter for conven- ience in coupling up, and four of them were used to secure ample area of cross-section. I is an independent 2-inch supply to the basement water-closets; K K, etc. are ij^-inch supplies to dif- ferent parts of the house; L is an emptying pipe, and M is a hose cock; N N are i inch drip pipes for empty- ing the rising lines; O is a i-inch safe waste pipe, and P is a i y 2 inch refrigerator waste pipe. Figure 7 is a view of another cold-water distribu- tion drum A, adjacent to the hot-water tanks M M, Fig. 5. It receives its supply through the 3-inch mains G and H. These mains are connected to the 24-inch by 5-foot galvanized steel drum A by four branches B B B B, made of 2-inch pipe for conven- ience of connecting D D, etc., are i}-inch supplies to different lines of washbowls and bathtubs; K is a continuation of the i-inch drip pipe shown in Fig. 5, and empties the ris- ing lines; F is an emptying pipe, controlled by an PLUMBING IN THE PLAZA HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. equivalent area of cross-section. E rs the 3-inch hot- water header connected to the tanks by 2-inch branches F F F, and controlled by valves, so as to receive water from either or both tanks. Its 2-incti branches G and H, to different parts of the house, can be put in communication or separated by opening or closing valve J. I is a i%-inch special hot-water supply direct to the kitchen; K is a j^-inch drip pipe to empty various riser lines. Another direct house supply, not here shown, is taken from the opposite ends of the tanks. PART III. HOT AND COLD WATER DISTRIBUTION DRUMS. FIGURE 6 shows a distribution drum A for the cold- water house supply. It is made of galvanized steel and is about 30 inches diameter and ic feet long. It is suspended by the flat iron hangers B B, etc. from the iron floor beams above. C and D are 3-inch supply mains from Fifty-ninth Street and Fifth Avenue respectively, and are con- nected by branch E so that they may be used separ- ordinary valve F, with the handwheel removed; I is a 2^-inch cold supply to sink J; K is a i-inch safe waste pipe; L is a i"^-inch refrigerator drip; MM, etc. are iron hangers supporting the drum from the iron floor beams above. PART IV. VENTILATION AND FLUSHING OF URINALS. FIGURE 13 is a general view of the principal gentle- men's toilet-room, which is fitted up throughout with Italian veined marble and nickel plated metal- work. Figure 14 shows the arrangements for flushing the seven urinals by the three independent automatic flush tanks F F F. That in the center has a special arrangement to operate equally for the three con- nected urinals. The branches A A each receive half of the flush water and are so placed that the distance D to pipe B is only one-half as great as the distance E to pipe C, thus offering less resistance and secur- ing a greater flow to B, while C has its smaller sup- ply doubled by the flow from the other side. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 03 Figure 15 shows the waste and ventilation pipes of the same set of urinals; D D. etc. are 2-inch waste to the main soil pipe A; B is the 3-inch trap vent pipe and C C C are floor drains with plated strainer tops ; E F and G are local vent, screwed iron pipes of i X- inch, 2-inch and 3-inch diameters respectively. They all enter the closed galvanized-iron box H, to which they are screwed by lock nuts. Box H is 2'x2'x8", and contains a gas flame I, accessible through a handhole with close-fitting glass door. Box H is exhausted through a 6-inch copper pipe J, to a 24* 3O-inch galvanized-iron ventilation stack K, which discharges above the roof and contains an exhast steam pipe L to promote the circulation. Figure 16 shows the urinal in the bar-room toilet- room. The paneling is of Italian veined marble; ex- posed metal- work is nickel-plated and the floor of mosaic. The front panels are continually washed by fine streams of water from the perforated branches A A, controlled by the valve B. Valve C controls hose coupling D for use in washing down the floor. The washbowl in this room is provided with a special overflow and emptying valve controlled by handle F. By twisting it, a peg turning in a spiral slot raises stand-pipe E from the valve seat and empties the basin. Releasing the handle F, the stand-pipe returns to its seat and acts as an overflow. PART v. SERVANTS' WATER-CLOSETS AND CELLAR, DRAINAGE TANK. FIGURE 17 is a diagram of basement toilet-room with six water-closets and one slopsink A. This is adjacent to the laundry, and is intended for the ex- clusive use of the female employees of that depart- ment. The plastered walls have a hard finish, the floor is of cement, partition slabs are slate, and the only woodwork is in the half-doors and the oak seat boards. The partitions are raised from the floor, as shown in Fig. 18, to facilitate circulation of light and air, and cleaning. The seat boards E are instantly removable by being lifted out of the open brass hinge sockets D, which are bolted to the partitions. The front sup- port C is also brass, bolted to B. The water-closet seats throughout the house are of a similar pattern, though of more expensive and highly polished wood in the guests' rooms. General bath and toilet rooms are provided in the servants' quarters on the upper floor. The men servants' gen- eral water-closets are in two adjacent basement rooms, intended for the separate use of the white and colored employees. Figure 19 is a diagram of these rooms, which have cement floors, plastered walls, slate paneling with ash trimmings, and cabinet-work. A A, etc. are wardrobe cupboards; B is a washstand with marble slab and table, and plated legs and fixtures; S is a slopsink, D is a dripsink receiving the discharge from safe wastes, overflows, etc. ; E is a pair of steps to the raised floor of the toilet-room; C C, etc. are water-closets; and U U are urinals. Figure 20 is a view from Z, Fig. 19, showing the details and piping. The slate urinal trough U is aonstantly washed bv fine streams of water from the AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. U-- PLUMBING IN THE PLAZA HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. perforated pipes H H, commanded by the cocks I I, by which the flow can be regulated at will. J and K are i-inch cold-water supply pipes, the former ter- minating in hose cock M for washing out the room, and the latter having branches to afford an inde- pendent supply to each of the automatic flush tanks L L, etc. for the water-closets. The local vent pipes PP of these are connected to main 3-inch vent flue O, which opens into a ventilation flue extending above the roof, and heated by an exhaust steam riser. Figure 21 is a section, not to scale, showing the construction of the tank below the cellar. This tank receives the drainage from the refrigerator engine- water-closets; E E E, washstands, F F, bathtubs, and G, a chambermaid's slopsink. The rooms have mosaic floor, marble panels and slabs, and ash cabinet-work. The pipes are all ex- posed and, as well as the fixtures, are nickel-plated. The soil and waste pipe branches are shown by solid black lines. H is a 3-inch fire line with hose cock and hose reel; I, J, K, L, M, N and P are riser lines; I is the s-inch soil pipe; J, i^-inch safe waste; K, 4-inch trap vent; L, 2-inch cold-water supply; M, i^ inch hot-water supply; N, ^-inch hot-water cir- culation pipe; and P is 4-itich vent pipe for slopsinks and washbasins. PLUMBING IN THE PLAZA HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. room and the laundry. It is about I2'xi2'x6' high, and is lined with a i-inch coating of asphalt. It overflows through the 6-inch pipe D, and is accessible through the manhole B, with cast-iron cover C. PART VI. ARRANGEMENT AND PIPING OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TOILET-ROOMS. FIGURE 22 is a diagram of the gentlemen's toilet and bath rooms on the fourth floor, and is one of a series of six similar ones, directly above one another. A is the main corridor; B, an entrance to hall; C, a pipe and ventilation shaft, and W, a window; D D are Figure 23 is a perspective view of pipe connections in shaft C, Fig. 22, and the same pipes are designated by the same reference letters as in that figure. Q is a 2-inch cast-iron vent pipe to three washbasins and one bathtub; R is a 2-inch cast-iron vent pipe to two water-closets; S is a ^ inch hot- water supply to four washbasins and two bathtubs; T is a i-inch cold- water supply to all the fixtures shown in Fig. 22; U is a i inch waste pipe from all the lead safes under the fixtures; V is a 3-inch soil pipe from one water-closet; and W is 4-inch soil pipe from one water-closet, four washbasins, two bathtubs, and one slopsink. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Figure 24 is a diagram of the arrangement of a toilet-room, designed to serve two suites of guest rooms, which communicate with it by doors D D. There is a set of six of these rooms in the same vertical line, on the successive guest floors, in the front of the house, and the same in the rear. A is a washbasin; B, a porcelain bathtub; C, a water-closet; E, a ventilation, light and pipe shaft; and L, a 3-inch local vent pipe; F, G, H, I, J, and K are riser lines, designated by the same reference letters as in Fig. 25, which is a diagram of their branches to the toilet-room connections. F is a 2- inch safe waste with i-inch branches D and W. to the water-closet and the bathtub respectively; G is a 4-inch trap vent, with 2-inch branches N, O, and T to the washbasin, water closet and bathtub; H is the 6 inch soil pipe, with 3-inch branch S to water- closet and washbasin, and 2-inch branch X to the bathtub; I is a 2-inch cold-water supply, with ^-inch branches M, R, and V to the water-closet, cistern, the washbasin and bathtub; J is the hot-water supply with 3^-inch branches O to the washbasin, and U is the bathtub; K is the i^-inch hot-water return circulation pipe. In Fig. 24 none of the hori- zontal branches is shown except for the soil pipe, which is made solid black. Figure 26 shows the arrangement of one of a set of six double toilet-rooms, which are in the same verti- cal line and communicate, through doors D D, with special suites of guest chambers on the successive guest floors of the house. A A are bathtubs; B B are washbasins; and C C, water-closets; E is the light, ventilation and pipe shaft, about 42x36 inches square, and F. G, H, I, J, and K are the riser lines which correspond to those designated by the same reference letters in Fig. 27. The latter shows their connections for the branches serving this floor. The soil-pipe branches N N, to the bathtubs, only, are shown by solid black lines. F is a 5-inch soil pipe, with 4-inch branches L L to the water-closets, 2-inch branches M M to the washbasin, and 2 inch branches N N to the bath- tubs; Z Z are cleaning-out screens; G is the 4 inch trap vent pipe with 2-inch branches, O to one bath- tub and washbasin, P to one bathtub, Q to one basin, and R R to one water-closet each; H is a i^- inch safe waste pipe with i-inch branches S S, to one water-closet safe each, and T to two bathtub safes. I is the i^-inch cold water supply, with i ^-inch branches U U, to the bathtubs, 5^-inch branches V V to the washbasins, and ^-inch branches W W to the water-closet cisterns, in the toilet-room next below the one shown in Fig. 26; J is the i^-inch hot- water supply, with i-inch branches X X to the bath- tubs, and >^-inch branches Y Y to the washbasins; K is the i^-inch hot- water return circulation pipe. The private toilet-rooms attached to the guest suites are all paved with mosaic tiles, have marble paneling, porcelain bathtubs, and polished natural wood cabinet- work. All pipes are exposed and nickel-plated. Throughout the house all pipes are exposed, access!- ble; and all waste and soil pipes are provided with numerous scrub holes for cleaning. The pipes are of extra heavy cast iron, and were tested by water press- ure after the joints were calked. Special care was taken in arranging the trap vent pipes to carry the horizontal branches always well above the fixtures so as to prevent possibility of their acting as an overflow. There are in the house a total of about 200 water- closets, 200 washbasins, 150 bathtubs, 20 slopsinks, 20 iron sinks, and 15 urinals Jeremiah Delaney was the foreman plumber in charge of the work. PLUMBING IN THE NEW NETHERLAND HOTEL. (PUBLISHED IN 1803.) PART I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION, PLANS AND ELEVATION OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM, PRESSURE TEST AND DETAILS OF HANGERS AND FRESH AIR INLETS. A NOTABLE addition to the hotel accommodations of New York City was made in the construction of the New Netherland on the northeast corner or Fifty-ninth Street and Fifth Avenue, with its main entrance on Fifth Avenue opposite the "Scholars Gate " entrance to Central Park. The structure, which was constructed according to the plans of William H. Hume, of New York City, architect, is of iron, stone, and brick. It has 125 feet frontage on Fifty-ninth Street and 100 feet on Fifth Avenue. It is 17 stories high, four stories being in the mansard roof. The first or main story is 16 feet high, the others varying from 12 feet to 9 feet 6 inches. The seventeenth-story floor is 210 feet above the sidewalk. There is also a basement and cellar below grade, each ii feet in the clear. The plumbing, including gas and water piping and house drainage, has been done by Macdonald & Co., of New York City. The sectional elevation, Fig. i, is a general diagram of the arrangement of four of the 19 lines of risers which serve the different vertical groups of bath and toilet rooms, only the drainage stacks being here shown, soil pipes A being indicated by heavy full black lines, basin wastes B by lighter black lines, and the main stacks of trap vent pipes C by double light lines, their branches to the fixtures being shown by broken lines. There are 14 stacks of 5-inch soil pipe A extending from the cellar ceiling to the sixteenth floor, where they ave enlarged to 6-inch, and then continued up through and above the roof to a point safely isolated from all house openings, the top of each being crowned by a copper wire hood. There are also five stacks of 3-inch basin waste B, with enlarged upper end and of the same height and general character as the soil pipes. Each of those stacks is composed OL standard size wrought-iron pipe with cast-iron fit- tings, all tested and dipped in hot coal tar before de- livery on the ground. All joints are screwed and internal burrs removed. Face joints are metallic only. All fittings have recessed threads giving a practically smooth bore to the entire drainage sys- tem; in order to prevent the lodgment of insoluble matter on or against shoulder burrs, etc. The con- nections at each floor are by 45 degree bends, and AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. BO 41 ife I5I-" STORY 12 -"STORY 1? STORY ^ gj_ ^ STORY 7 tr STORY -5S ^ STORY AC!- 1 cl A ^ STORY B P- a'Q' 1 QiE "^ STORY I S STORY 1 BAStMENT THE ENGINEERING RECORD PLUMBING IN THE NEW NETHERLAND HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. ICO AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Lj Y- T T T 5" ? u 41 1 J T *3' n a T T T IK k T 5" T s~Y CUD T 1 . T- CESSPOOL D -T -X V il 5'U ^ THE E N IN EERING RECORD. PLUMBING IN THE NEW NETHERLAND HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 101 the pipes are securely fastened to the floor beams, or were anchored in recesses in the walls as they were built up. Each stack of soil or waste pipes has a corresponding air vent pipe C of same quality, diam- eter, height, and workmanship. From these vent pipes branches are taken off at points sufficiently high to guard against a possible inflow from the fix- ture wastes, if from any cause these should become stopped, and are designed to afford ample protection from syphonage of traps. The soil and waste pipes connect just below the cellar ceiling with the horizontal house drains of the same size and quality, which are nung from the cel- lar ceiling and shown in Fig. 2. They have a fall of not less than one-quarter of an inch to a foot, and in- crease in size as the service requires. The closets, sinks, etc. in the cellar are raised sufficiently to give a clear drainage into the house drain before it passes to the outside of the wall. The hangers used were specially made for this job. and are shown in Fig. 4. They are made of malleable cast iron. The saddle piece is tapped for iron pipe threads to suit the size of pipe carried, the clamp piece being held up by tap bolts. On account of the power plant and other apparatus in the cellar, direct lines could not in all cases be located for the house drains from the foot of risers to the point of exit or main drains, but they were run as directly as the condition would permit. The junctions of two lines are invari- ably effected by a 45 -degree connection or a long go- degree bend, as shown in Fig. i. The same general practice is followed in laying the horizontal pipe as holds with the uprights; there are no deadends, and ample arrangements are made for cleanouts by the full-sized screwed brass plugs Y. No short 90- degree bends are used on any of the lines. For convenience of changes or repairs, a specially designed stepped- faced union was used, which dispenses with the use of gaskets or other packing, which might in time be- come porous or offensive. When the stacks had been erected to the ninth floor, it became necessary to facilitate the work to inclose some of them in the fireproof partition and to cover up much of the work in the fireproof arches so that floors could be laid An air test was there- fore made then, to the end that all joints should be proved perfectly tight before inclosure, as small leaks, which may occur in the most carefully executed work, would prove very troublesome and costly to repair after they had become inaccessible. This test was made to the satisfaction of the building inspectors. At such points as were necessary in the suspended house drainage, 45-degree entrances T, Fig. 2, were allowed for caring for the closet, urinal, basin, and kitchen service on the basement floor. The outflow of sewage was through one 6-inch and one 8-inch line on Fifty-ninth Street, and one 6-inch and one 8-inch line on Fifth Avenue, all marked U, as shown on Fig. 2. Each line had a deep-seal running trap V with cleanout close to the inside wall line, on the house line of which there were 4-inch and s-inch fresh- air inlets W connecting by wrought-iron pipes X to fresh- air gratings at the curb line of the sidewalks, as shown in Fig. 5. The cast-iron box a being io"xi8"xg", a hole on one side allowed the connecting of the 4 or s-inch pipe X, which is fastened by the two locknuts b b. These connections are close to the bottoms of the boxes, so that by flushing them oc- casionally they are kept clear of dirt. The brass grating c is flush on top, and by allowing the entrance of storm or other waters, helps to keep them clear. From the running traps V, Fig. 2, extra heavy cast-iron pipes of the same size with leaded joints were laid to the city sewers. Those pipes were tested to 20 pounds pressure to the square inch, and were dipped in hot coal tar before being laid. The rainwater leaders enter the house-drainage system in the cellar through the deep-seal cast-iron running traps Z. The surface drainage of the cellar is into a 4x6-foot cement-lined brick cesspool beneath the cel- lar floor, and from there is automatically pumped into the house-drainage system. When all necessary connections were made, every opening was closed and the entire system of sewer, drain, soil, waste, and air vent pipes was united by a communicating temporary pipe, so that air could be pumped into them, and an equal pressure be gotten at all points from one pumping station. A large size gas force pump was used for the purpose and a mercury column showing 25 inches of mercury recorded the pressure. The test was made in the presence of the representative of the Board of Health and the architects. When an air pressure of 25 inches of mercury was attained the pump was shut off For three hours there was no perceptible loss of pressure and the test was therefore declared to be satisfactory. Such a severe test as this and its result is a standing testimonial to the workmanship of those actually engaged upon the work. PART II GENERAL SYSTEMS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION, DIAGRAM OF VERTICAL LINES. ON account of the great height of this hotel, and in order to secure a more equable delivery to the several floors, it was decided to have three separate systems of water supply and distribution, the lower one to supply the cellar, basement, and first floor, the intermediate one supplying from the second to the eighth stories inclusive, and the upper one beginning at the ninth story and supplying all above. There are two 4 inch Croton water-service pipes, each delivering only through a Worthington meter. One of them directly supplies the water which is used in the lower system; the other discharges through ball cocks into a s.ooo-gallon iron storage tank in the cellar. From this tank water is pumped to the tanks of the intermediate and upper systems. All of the water used in the building is filtered in the cellar before entering the storage tank. The entire storage capacity of the roof, intermediate and cellar tanks is over 32,000 gallons. Each tank has over- flows, wastes, recording gauges and independent shut-offs on discharges. The cold-water storage supply for the intermediate system is for convenience of arrangement and economy of space distributed in two open tanks on the ninth and tenth floors. The 103 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. -pi Ml COLO '1 WATER DRIPS, WASTES OVERFLOW PIPES HOT WATE.R PIPES CIRCULATION )j I EXPANSIONS 3- ]sr S THE ENGINEERING RECORD T7 LI tt fi, ee ee COLO WATER J PN tr M !L if i!-! HI P (J fi !! [HfF i i i F] Ik T^ 1 -^ N :H jF PLUMBING IN THE NEW NETHERLAND HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 103 tanks are of quarter-inch riveted wrought iron. Each holds 2, 500 gallons, and is set in a special closet. Three quarter-inch riveted and stayed wrought- iron tanks on the roof store about 22,000 gallons of water, and furnish a pressure head for the upper system. They are protected from the weather by two iron and brick houses, which have steam radia- tors to prevent freezing in winter. Each of the three pressure systems has a separate hot-water supply from its own boiler. These boilers are substantially alike and are located in the cellar. Each is a hori- zontal cylindrical steel tank of 550 gallons capacity, supplied with a brass steam coil which can be operated with either live or exhaust steam at will, though the former is not intended to be used when the supply of the latter is sufficient. The water is pumped into intermediate and roof storage tanks by two pumps, one for each system, has steam on constantly for fire service, and these pumps, together with a boiler feed pump, are interchangeably connected, so that all can work together, or any one can be cut out and its duty performed by any one or all of the rest. Figure 3 is a diagram not drawn to scale or exact location and detail, but prepared to present clearly the relative position, connections and operations of the three systems and show their characteristic features. In it the filters, one of the roof tanks and the hot-water heater for the basement system are omitted to avoid confusion. Pressure gauges are shown as open circles and some principal valves are conventionally indicated by small open circles. The intermediate tanks are filled by the cellar pump through its delivery pipe L, which has branches to each tank and fills the lower one first. The roof tanks are filled by pump pipe M, delivering through separate branches, and they are connected by open equalizing pipes. The distribution of cold water in the upper system is made by horizontal pipes on the seventeenth-story ceiling and that of cold water for the lower and hot water for all three systems is made by horizontal pipes on the cellar ceiling. Vent pipes are carried from the summits of each of the hot-water risers and open freely with return bends above their respective pressure tanks. The reference letters in Fig. 3 have the following significance: S, fire sys- tem; R, safe wastes from fixtures; e e, etc., ball cocks; y"y, tank overflows; g g, save all pans under tanks; // />, safe wastes from tank pans; j j, emptying pipes for hot, cold, and circulation lines; k k, water- level gauges. In the intermediate system: D, cold-wattr risers to groups of fixtures; F, hot- water risers to groups of fixtures; H, circulation pipe from group of fixtures; J, expansion pipe from group of fixtures; N, tank cold supply to hot-water boiler; P, cold-water supply from tanks to distribution system. In the upper system: E. cold-water risers to groups of fixtures; G, hot- water risers to groups of fixtures; I, circulation pipe from group of fixtures; K, expansion pipe from group of fixtures; O, tank cold supply to hot-water boiler; Q, cold-water supply from tanks to distribution system. The highest point of every hot-water riser F or G is connected with the lower side of its hot-water boiler by its circulation pipe H or I, and with the atmosphere by its half-inch open vent or expansion pipe J or K. This prevents the collection of cold water at any point of the system, and provides for the delivery of the hottest water in the boiler at any valve on any branch immediately on its opening, in conformity to the well-known principles of pressure head and circulation. The first is provided by the tank storage and gives sufficient uniform levels of water throughout the system, and the second insures the continual ascent of the hottest water to the summit of the system and corresponding return flow of an equal volume as fast as its specific gravity is inci eased by cooling. The open expansion pipe taken from the highest point of the loop, prevents accumulation of air or steam, which, if in sufficient quantities, would interfere with the circulation in those pipes, and its upper open end allows all vapors to pass over and into the tank. Two vertical 4-inch galvanized-iron fire mains S S are supplied from the roof tanks and extend the full height of the 'building, connecting in the basement with the pump system and providing complete fire service by outlets taken off at each floor and con- trolled by a 25-2 -inch fire valve, which is provided with 50 feet of 2^-inch hose and nozzle housed on a swinging hose rack. By the proper manipulation of valves, the entire contents of the three tanks on the roof can be used for fire service, or, at the will of the engineer, the discharge from the fire pump in the cellar can be turned directly into the fire mains and used upon any floor. Each of the 19 sections of risers and lines of fixtures is designated by a letter which identifies every main pipe therein and locates any vertical pipe in the house, as soil D, vent G, in- termediate cold E, upper hot F, etc. The save-alls of each of the 19 sections of fixtures have an inde- pendent waste. The lower ends of all of them are assembled over a large sink in view of the engineer. Each waste has a brass label lettered to show its section, so that if it shows a leak the engineer can shut off the supply valves lettered to correspond with this section. Excepting the valves of the cold water for the upper system, all valves are under his imme- diate control. To prevent the passage of cellar air or sound through them, the ends of each of the safe wastes are provided with a hinged flat disk, so hung as to close by its own weight, but to open out for the discharge of leaking water, All the water pipes were made of galvanized wrought iron, those for the upper system being extra heavy throughout, although the specification only re- quired special strength below the ninth floor, where they were subjected to very heavy pressures, reach- ing a maximum of about 100 pounds per square inch. The diameters of risers are- cold and hot supplies; iyi inches; return circulation, i inch; vent or expan- sion, three-quarters inch; and emptying pipes, one- half inch. The hot-water risers and circulation pipes of the upper system having a direct rise of 220 feet, their expansion was provided for by a lateral spring at the ninth floor, as indicated in Fig. 3 and shown in detail in Fig. 6. The return bends A and elbows B are extra heavy; the lower section was hung from 104 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. the crosspipe C, its expansion being downwards and allowed for at the lower end by flexure of a horizon- tal connection. The upper section was made fast at its center, and so expanded up and down from that point. PART III. WATER-HEATING TANKS AND PUMP CONNEC- TIONS. THE water-heating tanks for the three systems are nested as shown in Fig. 7. They are each heated by exhaust steam through the 7-inch pipe A, which con- nects to each tank by the two 3-inch pipes B B with stop valves close to the tanks. Each of the pipes B B is connected to the 4 inch brass tube return coil heater C, shown through the broken shell of tank D, HORIZONTAL LOOP BETWEEN^ A] FLOOR AND CEILING. '-"' The exhaust steam enters at both ends of the coil C, acting as a surface condenser and without circulation, the waste passing off to cesspool through the pipe H and the valve I. Should it be necessary to heat the water by live steam, the valves E are closed and the valves F on the live-steam pipe G are opened. Valve I is closed and the valve J is opened, allowing the condensation to pass to the trap K and on to the pump through the pipe L. Cold water is laid on to the tank D from the upper system cold-water tank, through the 2-inch pipe M, and the hot water for the same system leaves the tank through the pipe N. The pipes O and P serve in like manner the intermediate system and tank Q t while the pipes R and S serve lower system and tank T. To guard against excessive pressure each tank was provided with the safety valves U, the wastes of which empty into the storage tanks. The valves V are for emptying the tanks. The cold water for the upper and intermediate sys. terns is pumped to the respective tanks by two i2*x 6'xio" Worthington duplex pumps. The 4-inch pipe A, Fig 8, is for fire service, the 2-inch pipe B is to the tanks on the seventeenth floor, and the 3-inch pipe C is to the tanks on the ninth and tenth floors. FART IV. DETAILS OF ROOF TANKS AND INTERMEDIATE TANKS AND CONNECTIONS. FIGURE 9 is a diagram of the arrangement of the roof tanks conventionally shown in Fig. 3. They are filled through a 3-inch pump pipe M, and are con- nected by an open equalizing pipe A. Figure 10 is a side elevation of one of the tanks, and Fig. n is an elevation at Z Z, Fig. 10. The tanks each rest on four 12 inch rolled steel beams D D, etc., which are supported at a convenient FIQ.7 TO PUMP -TO C5 SPOOL PLUMBING IN THE NEW NETHERLAND HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. "height above the floor by I-beam pillars E E, etc., which are set on the iron floor girders below. These pillars, as well as all pipes that pass through the roof, are cased with copper flashings G G, etc., which have horizontal flanges H H, etc., resting directly upon the brickwork and covered by the cement surface I I. The pipes are also provided with sleeves L L and bottom escutcheons. The water supply from pump main M is controlled by valve B and received in stand pipe C. Delivery is through pipe O to the hot-water boiler in the base- ment, through N to the house service main for the upper system, and through Q to the five mains. At k is represented a J^-inch pressure pipe to the engine- room gauge. J is a vent and K is an expansion pipe, T is a telltale to a sink in the engine-rooom. P P are a row of 2^-inch air pipes from different riser lines. There is a 4-inch overflow f emptying on the roof. S S are angle braces for the supporting beams. Figure 12 shows the connections of the two 3,500- gallon tanks on the ninth and tenth floors for sup- plying the intermediate system. Water is received through the 2-inch pump pipe L. which is sleeved to prevent noise and splashing, and immediately fills the lower tank through the 2-inch pipe d, and five i -inch ball cocks, which close when the lower tank is full and permit the upper tank to fill up to the level of its 3-inch overflow/'. This overflow empties into the lower tank and causes it to overflow through the 4-inch galvanized-iron emptying pipe P ; at the same time indicating the fact by a discharge of water through the small telltale pipe/", the discharge of 4-6 "Deep X >iX. THE ENGINEERING RECORD PLUMBING IN THE NEW NETHERLAND HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. ICC AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. which is visible in a sink in the engine-room. is a pressure pipe to a gauge in the engine-room which indicates the height of water in the upper tank; h h are safe wastes. P is an emptying pipe to the sewer. M is a 3-inch supply to the cold-water distribution system in the cellar. N is a 3-inch sup- ply to the hot- water boiler of the intermediate system. At J there are 36 >^-inch vent pipes from rising lines of the intermediate system. PART V DISTRIBUTION OF COLD WATER IN THE UPPER SYSTEM. GENERAL LOCATION OF BATH AND TOILET ROOMS. FIGURE 13 is a plan from above, looking down- ward, of the pipes on the attic ceiling which govern the distribution of cold water for the upper system. The valves have their handles down, but they are here shown up for distinctness. The 4-inch vertical branches C C C from the roof tanks, Fig. 9, supply the 4-inch fire line S and the pipe Q to the hot-water boiler, while a branch D connects with the 4-inch header F. from which the i6-inch pipes E E, etc. are branched to the rising lines of the different parts of the systems for the ninth to the sixteenth floors in- clusive, and lines G and H are taken to supply the kitchen and laundry and the servants' quarters on the seventeenth floor. I I etc. are j^-inch vent pipes opening above the roof tank. Figures 14 and 15 are sectional elevations looking PLUMBING IN THE NEW NETHERLAND HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 107 in different directions from Z Z, Fig. 13. Figure 16 is a sectional elevation at Y Y, Fig. 13. Vent pipes 1 I, etc. pass through the roof in i-inch sleeves J J, with flashings above and escutcheons below. The distribution pipes E E, etc. are suspended in tees one size larger than themselves and are supported from above by vertical pipe hangers B B, etc., which either pass through the floor and have tee-connec- tions to pipes K that lie on the iron beams or are tee- connected to i^-inch bearing pipes A, which are sup- ported underneath the ceiling by clamps L to the lower beam flanges. Figure 27 is a plan of one of the guest floors show- ing the arrangement of the bath and toilet rooms. The position of the vertical hot and cold water risers is indicated by pairs of small black circles. The ar- rangement of all the other guest floors is substan- tially similar to that shown. Each hot and cold water riser and circulation pipe has an independent globe valve shut- off. A brass tag fastened to each valve is plainly stamped with a letter designating the particular section the valve controls. Upon the house service side of these valves ^-inch globe valves are connected to the galvanized-iron pipe I, Fig. 3, leading to a sink in the engine-room. Through these valves and pipes the lines may be emptied if neces- sary. All rising lines are parallel below the eighth floor, and all the pipes in the upper system are extra heavy to sustain the maximum pressure due to a head of 244 feet at the lowest point. All of the fixtures are set on full-size marble slabs, having a ><-inch countersink for a save- all, with a 3-inch brass rose, screw-top strainer, connected to a i^-inch galvanized-iron waste pipe with a good in- cline and entering its 2-inch sectional save-all waste pipes R, Fig. 18, by a 45-degree connection. All rooms in which plumbing fixtures are located have tiled floors, tile wainscoting 7 feet high, and heavy platerglass mirrors permanently set into the walls. All stall partitions are of marble. No toilet-rooms are built against outside walls, but to insure to each room a sufficient supply of fresh air six vertical vent shafts 2'6"x5', equipped with exhaust fans at their tops above the roof, were located in different parts of the building, and the water-closets were clustered as near them as possible, and each was connected to it by a ventilating space formed between the main ceiling and an auxiliary one hung 18 inches below it. The foul air thus removed is replaced by fresh air drawn in from the halls through wall openings just above the floor, which are screened with open bronzed fretwork. The several soil, waste, and venting stacks, water and circulating pipes were run in the vent shafts and ducts wherever it was possible in order to make ac- cess easy for repairs or alterations. Beside the kitchen, laundry, and barber-shop fixtures and other fixtures in the cellar, basement, first, sixteenth, and seventeenth floors, the 14 guest floors have 210 bath- tubs, 316 washbasins, 243 water-closets, 14 slopsinks. and two urinals. Each fixture has an independent trap which is back-vented and has cleanout holes. All water connections have a separate globe valve shut-off. The wastes are of the stand-pipe pattern y r n :0 C3 4? s N ^ i C3 :C= ' 308 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. iniOl SdUH N3IAI rrloln o AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 109 and all brasswork is nickel-plated. The marble basin slabs are i^ inches thick and have i4-inch backs. All fixtures are exposed, the basin slabs being sup- ported by nickel-plated brass legs and the bathtubs resting 5 inches from the floor on marble footings. Figure 18 shows the general plan of drainage, trap vent, and safe wastes for the several bath and toilet rooms. A is the s-inch soil pipe with the 5-inch con- nection B for the water-closet. From the s-inch vent stack C at a point well above all fixtures is taken a 2-inch branch E, which has tee branches F and G to the water-closet and bathtub traps and pitches con- tinuously to the branch H. forming the basin waste. This is intended to provide a free circulation of air through all the connected pipes. The safe waste J has a heavy pitch and is accessible for cleaning if obstructed. PART VI PLAN OF BASEMENT AND DESCRIPTION OF PLUMBING IN UPPER STORIES. FIGURE 19 is a basement plan showing the arrange- ment of the plumbing fixtures and indicating by arrows the direction of foul air exhausted into the ventilating shafts A A, etc. There are in the cellar some dripsinks and water-closets; on the sixteenth floor washbowls, water-closets, and bathrooms for the servants; and on the seventeenth floor the usual laundry apparatus and a steam drying closet. There is also on this floor the following kitchen apparatus installed by the Duparquet, Huot & Moneuse Com- pany: 40 feet of ranges, 6 feet of broilers, two steam stock boilers, two steam vegetable steamers, one four-compartment dry steamer, one steam egg boiler, two steam bain-marie boxes, two steam tables, six steam dish heaters, two steam dish washers, 10 coffee, tea, and hot-water urns, two steam confectioners' kettles, cooks' and marble tables, freezer, ice breaker, steel canopies over ranges, kettles, etc., and copper and tin cooking utensils, etc. IV ire Cable to Pump Room REMODELING AN ELABORATE WATER SYSTEM IN A HOTEL. (PUBLISHED IN 18(55.) AFTER the completion of the new Hotel Pfister in Milwaukee, Wis. it was found that the hot and cold water distribution and circulation systems were com- plicated, confused, and unsatisfactory, and Messrs. Halsey Brothers, of Milwaukee, were engaged to make such changes and reconstruction as were neces- sary to secure the efficient and positive operation and control of the system. Their examination dis- closed an irregular arrangement and a great multi- plication of pipes, many of them not properly con- nected, valved, or identified. Separate lines were not always distinguishable, and it was often impossible either to locate the pipes leading to certain fixtures or to command them afterwards without involving many others, thus making satisfactory mainte- nance and operation almost impossible. This state of affairs illustrates the necessity of installing large work by the simplest and most carefully developed direct system with experienced practical treatment of arrangement and connections as well as of adher- ing to the letter of specification and architects' gen- eral requirements on the plans. As it was impracti- cable to change the pipe lines already permanently built into the walis and floors and it was not per- mitted to disturb the decorations of the upper floors a series of careful measurements and plans was first made, locating and tracing every pipe line in the building down to the cellar where the engines, pumps, etc. were located. Then an accurate cellar plan was made to large scale showing the existing arrangement of pipes and connections, and on it a new system was laid out dividing the different lines into suitable groups, and arranging and connecting iron branches so as to conform as well as possible to the old arrangement and yet secure the utmost sim- Wire Cable Co Pump Room ' I'Safe Haste House Supply to Cellar Approximate Scale of Feet. REMODELING AN ELABORATE WATER SYSTEM IN A HOTEL. no AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. , sddy uoijeiMwujnidy -^ S .^ ^ ^ iTl M^ ^ *iT L Return Header SECTION Z-Z. SECTION V-V. VSTEM IN A HOTEL. , i^ * - % * * x\N^sXVx\?o\\ % ^J sss$^^^$$$$$s . ^ * - fiiXTa Ass^rf Tf&tfj/ ^ * ^ ^N^ .^ ijjijjj^. ^ Q-JpP-Jf > HotandCir Tank n Cold FireLmeitc. .1 n - KIG. I. (, IN A NEW YORK INFIRMARY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 115 iSection - Columns B and C. FIG. 3. PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK INFIRMARY. Section- Column A.. FIG. 4 116 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 117 118 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. tire length on shelves or wooden carrying strips. All pipes are laid to drain completely. The main drain pipes are laid below the basement floor in a brick drain trench with 16 inches clear width inside. The bottom of the trench is of 3 inches con- crete with half-inch Portland cement finish, troweled smooth. The trench begins at the front area wall and extends back with a continuous rising grade of one-fourth inch to the foot. The side walls of the trench are 12 inches thick where more than 2 feet be- low the surface, elsewhere 8 inches thick. The trench is covered with 2 l /2-inch hammer-dressed blue- stone flags flush with the floor, cut with perfect joints, laid in Portland cement, and having full 4-inch bear- ings on each side wall. There is also a masonry trench under the laundry floor to carry floor drain and a 3-inch and 2-inch line to laundry tubs and laundry machinery. The mortar was mixed i part cement to 2 parts sand; concrete i of cement, 2 of sand, 3 of 2-inch broken stone. Over the main house trap in the front is set a i6xi6-incn iron cover coun- tersunk into the stone and with countersunk lifting ring, and over the rain leader trap a loxio-inch cast- iron cover countersunk flush with the surface. At the front wall is set an 8-inch running trap with brass screw-cover cleanout and a 6 inch fresh-air in- let to the front curb with brick box and iron grating let into the flag, hinged and with street wash lock and key. Laundry Tub.,, Sloptfink. Portable Batt) < opper c over for Laundry Tubs. PART II. PIPE AND JOINT SPECIFICATIONS, DESCRIPTION OF FIXTURES, SPECIAL COVERED SINKS AND STEAM JETS, EIGHT FLOOR PLANS AND DETAILS OF ALCOVE SINK, COMBINATION COCK TUBS, ETC. THE cast-iron pipes must have the following aver- age weights per lineal foot: Two inches 5^ pounds, 3 inches g}4, pounds, 4 inches 13 pounds, 5 inches 17 pounds, 6 inches 20 pounds, 7 inches 27 pounds, 8 inches 33^ pounds. All joints in cast-iron pipe are made with picked oakum and pure soft pig lead, well calked home. For each joint in cast-iron pipe 12 ounces of lead was specified to be used for each inch of diameter of pipe in which joint was made, and no joints were allowed to be covered or painted before being tested under water pressure. Afterwards pipes and fittings were painted three coats of lead paint. All wrought-iron pipe, plain galvanized or otherwise treated, is " standard " pipe, factory -tested to 300 pounds per square inch. Pipe to i ^f- inch diameter butt-welded, larger sizes lap-welded. All lead soil, waste, and vent pipe is drawn pipe of the best quality and of the following weights per lineal foot: One- half inch one pound, three- fourths inch i^ pounds, i inch two puonds, iy 2 inches 3 Y?, pounds, 2 inches4^ pounds, 3 inches seven pounds, 4 inches eight pounds. All connections of lead and iron pipe are made by "heavy " brass ferrules of the same size as the lead pipe, threaded and screwed into the hub of the iron pipe. Fixture connections with iron pipe have short lengths of heavy lead pipe where not exposed to view. There are no safes under any of the fixtures. When the work was com- pleted ready to set the fixtures, the soil, waste, and drain pipes were tested by water pressure maintained without leakage, from the level of the main house trap to the top of the highest pipe, and after the en- tire completion of the work it was subjected to the peppermint test. The number and location of fixtures is as shown in the accompanying table: Sixtl) Floor Alcove Sink Cellar. | Basement. u E Second. Third. Fourth. .c s .c Jj Seventh. 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 1 r 1 Baths - Sinks i 3 2 I 3 I I 2 3 i 2 3 I 2 2 2 2 i T Basins New laumiry tubs 3 , 5 . iJL - FIG. 7. The new laundry tubs are of brown glazed earthenware, and each has a 2^-inch nickel-plated AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 119 crosspipe at the bottom, capped at both ends, per- forated with small holes, and supplied with steam through a ^"-inch nickel-plated globe valve with wood wheel handle. All are arranged so that water may be boiled in the tub by injecting steam into it as shown in Fig. 7. All tubs have stiff wire-bound planished copper movable covers with lip turned down inside all around and with two lifting handles on each cover with rubber guard. The roll-rim kitchen sink is of brown glazed earthenware with bronzed iron legs,, marble back, cap, and ends, with porcelain-lined iron body grease trap. The scullery sink is of earthenware, with nickel-plated recess standing overflow, set on iron brackets with marble back, caps, and ends along the entire wall at the back and ends of sink space. There are 24"xT7"x6" butlers' earthenware sinks on the first and third floors and 28"xi6"x6" earthenware tea sinks on the first, second, third, and fourth floors, all with recessed standing overflows On the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors are earthenware draw sinks with 1 8-inch Italian marble back, sides, and caps. The sixth -floor sink is set in an alcove with Italian marble back and sides 18 inches high, and rests ori galvanized- iron pipe through marble so as to be free all round. It has a steam jet turned down into the sink and hot and cold water and steam combination cock with globe valve with wood handle. On the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh floors are five 3o"x2o"x7" earthenware instrument sinks with ^"-inch nickel-plated brass steam supply to the bottom of the sink with perforated crosspiece and globe valve with wood wheel handle. Each sink has a stiff wire-bound nickel- plated brass or copper movable cover with two lifting handles with rubber handholes and a lip turned down inside and neatly fitted to make a tight joint. All is finished so that water may be boiled in the sinks by steam jets. There are nine stationary porcelain-lined bathtubs with nickel-plated double compression faucets, rub- ber-tube coupling and nickel-plated sprinkler. Also one portable indurated fiber 5 foot tub on wheels with nickel-plated draw-off cock to discharge into a nickel-plated brass funnel connected with lead trap and back-air complete This tub has on the side wall a nickel-plated combination cock with nickel-plated coupling hose and nickel- plated sprinkler. The wash- basins are oval, 19x15 inches, and they and the porcelain water-closets are ivory-tinted, with nickel- plated fixtures. PLUMBING IN THE ISABELLA HOME, NEW YORK. (PUBLISHED IN 188} ) THE Isabella Home is an institution founded by Oswald Ottendorfer, Esq., and completed in 1889, in the northern part of Manhattan Island (at Tenth Avenue and One Hundred and Ninetieth Street), as a hospital and home for sick and aged persons. It is a large building with granite walls, fireproof interior, and natural wood finish, and designed to accommodate 200 inmates, besides Sisters of Mercy, nurses, attendants, servants, etc. The architects were William Schickel & Co., of New York, and the plumbing and gasfitting was done by Oliver Barratt, of the same city. The building is four and five stories high above the basement, and consists essentially of a center portion about 60x200 feet flanked by a hospital wing of 60x100 feet at each end, the whole inclosing three sides of a rectangle, whose fourth side is partly occupied by a detached three-story brick stable building, with carriage-house and coachman's apartments. The plumbing system in the main building comprises four lines of 2-inch fire pipe, with hose cocks on each floor, eight main distribution lines of hot and cold water and six main lines of soil pipe, connected with a private sewer to the city system several blocks away. There are, besides, three main soil-pipe lines in the stable. All water pipe -is of galvanized iron, bronzed, and all soil pipes were extra heavy cast iron tested, after fitting, by air pressure of about 10 pounds per square inch (21 inches of mercury). All pipes were entirely exposed and everywhere accessible, and never closer than i inch to the finished wall or ceiling; most of them were offset much further than i inch, affording ample opportunity for calking joints, setting fixtures, and for painting around them. All horizontal lines were suspended below the ceilings, and the cleaning holes for soil pipes were placed below the ceilings. There are 18 general toilet-rooms, containing 28 water-closets, six urinals, 36 washbowls, 18 bathtubs, and 18 slopsinks. There are two servants' rooms in the basement, that together contain two double washbowls, four water-closets, one urinal, and one slopsink. There are, besides, two detached washbowls, nine porcelain sinks for butler's pantry use, etc. : three kitchen iron sinks, three basement sinks for receiving the dis- charge from drip and waste pipes, etc.; two iron sinks for chambermaid's use, one iron sink in the boiler room and one iron sink -in the dead-house. In the coachman's apartments are laundry tubs, two kitchen sinks and boilers, and two water-closets. In the stables is a horse trough, carriage washer, and numerous hose cocks and draw cocks, and there are about a dozen lawn sprinklers; all water is sup- plied from the city mains through a 3-inch pipe, and all the soil and drain pipes are served by a 12-inch terra-cotta sewer pipe from the outside walls to the city sewer. Figure 3 shows the receiving tank and boiler in the basement adjacent to boiler-room. A is a wrought-iron tank about 10x6 feet and 5 feet deep. Water from the city main is received through the 3 i ch pipe B and ball cock C, and is pumped out through the 3 inch suction pipe D. The 2-inch emptying pipe F is branched above its valve G to afford a supply to the boilers through the 2-inch pipe E independent of the roof tanks or pumps. H is a 3-inch overflow. The boiler I, about 10 feet long and 4 feet in diameter, is supported above A, as shown by iron beams J J. on columns K K, and con- tains two loo-foot steam coils that are supplied with live or exhaust steam through L and return it through 120 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. pipes M and M. N is a 2-inch pipe supplying cold water from the roof tank, and O is a check valve to prevent any upward flow. T is a i-inch supply to lawn sprinklers, and Q is a 2^- inch branch to sink faucet. R is the 2-inch hot-water supply and has a 2^-inch branch S to the sink faucet. T is the s^-inch emptying pipe. U is the 2 -inch (increased above to zy 2 inches) force pipe from the adjacent pump to the roof tanks; it can be emptied by ^-iiich drip pipe V. W is a i ^-inch safe waste and X is a 2-inch trap vent pipe. Y is an iron sink receiving the discharge from pipes H, T, and W, and emptying to sewer through trap Z. Figure 4 shows diagrams of the twin roof tanks A and A. They are built of -j^-inch wrought iron and are each about I2'x8'x6' deep. B is the 2j^-inch force pipe from the pump, filling the tanks through their inde- pendent valves C and C. D is a 2,'^-inch delivery for house supply, and can draw from either or both tanks by regulating valves E E. On the opposite side of the tanks the overflow pipe F discharges into the roof gutter, and the tanks may be emptied through the 3-inch pipe G that discharges into a sink on the next floor beneath. Figure 5 shows a portion of one tank and its tie- rods and the details of support. D * / i *- -* FiQ<3 PLUMBING IN THE. ISABELLA HOME *N *Y* J^LUMBINO IN THE ISABELLA^HOME -N -Y- PLUMBING IN THE ISABELLA HOME, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 121 PLUMBING IN THE ISABELLA HOME-N-Y- PLUMBING IN THE ISABELLA HOME, NEW YORK CITY. Figure 6 shows the hose bracket, designed by Mr. Barratt, to fasten on the fire-line pipe instead of against the wall as is customary. A is the fire line and E is the hose cock, H is the hose supported on bracket B that swings on hinge blocks C C. A thin steel band D passes through a slot in C and is sprung over the pipe A and tightly clamped by set screw F. Figure 7 shows the arrangement of hinge block and band, and Fig. 8 is a section through Fig. 7, showing in solid black the pipe A, that is omitted for clearness, in Fig. 7. Figure 9 is a section at W W of Fig. 10, and Fig -10 is an elevation from V V, Fig. 9; both show the method adopted for carrying the soil and trap vent pipes, as A, through the roof. B is the top and C the riser of a small board step just at the top of a hub D. A sheet of lead E is flanged into the hub and its upper edge is laid under the slates F, and its lower edge is laid on top of them; the next section of pipe is then joined on and calked at G, as usual, PLUMBING IN OFFICE BUILDINGS. PLUMBING IN THE METROPOLITAN BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN 1894.) PART I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION, PLANS, AND PIPE LINES. THE Metropolitan Building, at Madison Square and Twenty-third Street, New York City, occupies an area of about 120x140 feet and rises 10 stories above the sidewalk. Several entire floors are occupied by the offices of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and the remainder is offered for rental as business and profes- sional offices. The style and proportions of the build- ing are imposing and it is constructed and equipped in accordance with the modern practice for great of- fice buildings. The large interior court and the cor- ner location promote the lighting and ventilation, and the fireproof construction and interior finish, high ceilings, light, abundant tiling, and exposed metal- work give an effective background for the exposed plumbing-work, especially in the airy and commodi- ous subbasement, where the pumps, etc. are most attractively set. The plumbing was executed by contract by John Tourney & Son, of New York, in conformity to the plans and specification of the architects, N. LeBrun & Sons. The system includes a filter plant, suction tank supply to boilers, toilet-rooms, and washbowls, and elevator system and fire lines, besides the waste, soil, and drip lines and trap ventilation, in all requir- ing about 10 miles of pipes, including 22 vertical sets of fixtures, most of them with risers about 200 feet in extreme height. The soil pipes from closets and urinals and a few other fixtures are extra-heavy cast iron, as are the trap vent pipes. All other waste and water pipes throughout are brass, tinned inside, and polished where exposed in toilet-rooms, etc. Nearly all closets, washbowls, slopsinks, etc. are fitted up with white marble slabs, white or cream ceramic tiles, oak cabinet-work, and polished brass fixtures and trimmings. The soil and waste pipes serving each toilet-room aresetjust below the ceiling of the toilet-room be- neath it, and all the angles of the different branches are commanded by cleaning screws at their extremi- ties. All riser lines are set in recesses left for them in the exterior and partition walls, and are in some cases sealed up in plaster and in others are accessible by movable panels. The pump lines, fire lines, and distributing risers ascend through the ventilator exhaust shaft, which also contains the exhaust-Lteam pipe and elevator pipes. As the vertical lines of vent, soil, and waste pipes were completed, each was successively tested with hydraulic pressure of a max- imum of 100 pounds by connecting the foot to a tem- porary steam pump and filling them with water. lit cale of R. ij Horizontal Diagram, Key Soil Pipe == Waste " Vent 4 " S.B. Linc-U. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 123 134 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 125 || CU 4-> I* t/3 C oj cj !.: tc ^3 4-> O 5 g S3 2 .s fa "3 cu a) ' H3 ag S bo .* V rt g m 3^0 .s'-S - TJ X 22 , o .t! '&. ID *S "rt 4) O 1- O rt II o ^ d "" a a rt J3 * S S > P O J rt 0) -- 5 o en ^ 3| t/i rt rt S3 .3 _ ^j ^s g 2 S o a O tn y rt a tr. r rt NN ja N r^J S *: t/J O 3 C ^30) O rt .2 - ^ c a> O J3 5^0 ^ be 5 t/J O 4) C ~ *K U 2 &1 M (D -t- S s s^^ 111 H nj I S.g P 4)* P J^ DH ^ O 'Si O ^ jg $3 ^30^ *M ..-H .T-. CO -a 4- to 'So' S3 >, U3 1 ^.s g > ^ s g-= a ^ s a 4) g> s- o rt TANKS. ^3 bo n o t_, r ^^ a 2 .S t/j A M 8 o rt o _4_i W 5 S c <+H 'S p 5 5 O d V cu G. 'S, VJ (L) o ^~ 4) OJ E?U ,2 '*^ rt c 4) .,_ rt CH in (" y V IH .52 & rt S3 o G, D CJ CO 3 ^ & ll B cd S 0) n c (L) H U o 9 rt a i-H s ^ o CD NN rt u f ^ cu S t-H H S main main "5 d CO CO g 2 *-( J3 ( 5^ ^ .52 "rt 'O M ba d a II > ft 3 3 I & O ^ C SS r-^ *- /^ fli i ? 1 1 r Q r^ " i-5 zi s-a^-sfl 2 S 2 S? rt s -S 2 *"g & (3 ' rt S < & ^ till A !> rt <*H 8*3 S3 O bO O fe 1 SfS .11 rt J3 4) P O 4) a a rt o 126 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. cistern, and boiler-feed service are interchangeably connected, and are used alternately so as to keep each one in regular working order. Figure 2 shows conventionally the general arrange- ment of the vertical soil and vent lines, the position of the branches and fixtures being sometimes re- volved into a different vertical plane to bring them into side view. All soil pipes are shown by double lines, all waste pipes by full heavy lines, arid all trap vent pipes by dotted lines. A and B are respectively the lines for the closets and washbowls in the princi- pal toilet- rooms (see Fig. i, seventh story, p. 210). C and D are lines serving the janitors' closets, which contain slopsinks, basins, and water-closets. I is a line direct for one set of washbowls, and having branches through the floor under the doors to basins in adjacent rooms through which no vertical pipe was carried. J and N are lines to office washbasins in the upper floors, and P is a line with double horizontal offsets to avoid passing through a wide open floor space in the lower stories. its main overflow, and exerts a pressure through E that drives the piston down in cylinder H and shuts off steam until, the overflow clearing, all the water in the telltale escapes and the valve is opened by its spring. Figure 5 shows the connection of the pair of alter- nate pumps that lift the water from the cistern to the flush tank reservoir on the roof or discharge it to the sewer. A third pipe delivers it to the street washing hose, which is usually supplied with Croton water to avoid danger of discoloring the marble front. It has an automatic regulating valve G corresponding to that shown in Fig. 4. Figure 6 shows the arrangement of house tanks for general purposes and for flushing. The flushing tank is set a few inches higher than the former so that its safe waste can discharge into the pan of the former. Both are of the usual riveted boiler-plate construction with internal tie-rods, and are intended to be always pumped full, the pumps being arranged to work automatically until the water escapes through the telltale, which is the only provision for indicating /CntmTarik for General / Purposes. ~ ^H- A J 5 Fiq-7 , j i. *rr ffl 1*r* S I Juppty/romSf. Su _ HI 'rVfj t Supply from. Tank Figure 3 shows the arrangement of the filter plant. Each filter has a rated capacity ot 1,280 gallons a day, and receives its supply through pipe A and delivers it through pipe B. By reversing lever D the discharge valve is closed, and the filter is washed until the escaping water to the subdrainage cistern seen through glass C becomes clear. E is a small tank to contain alum, which can be introduced into the supply through pipe H, in proportions controlled by the graduated lever F. Figure 4 shows the con- nection of one of the duplicate Worthington house pumps, the discharge of which is also connected to the boiler- feed and fire-line pipes. A A A, etc. are emptying pipes which are carried down below the concrete floor and discharge into the broken stone surrounding the cistern, where the subsoil waters are all collected. Ordinarily all the discharge valves are closed except F, and the throttle valve is left open so that steam may be freely admitted to valve G, which is automatically controlled by the Ford's pump governor B, which consists essentially of a piston-rod attached to the stem of the gate valve and held open by a spring. When the tank is full it overflows through the i-inch telltale C just below the level of the height of water. The two tanks are entirely in- dependent, and the connection between them is usually closed, but may be opened to admit water from either tank into the other. B is an expansion pipe to relieve the hot-water boiler, which can blow off into the tank. V V, etc. are vents to promote the emptying of riser lines, and C is a check valve opening away from the tank, to permit constant tank pressure on the fire line and to close against direct pump pressure from below and permit the fire pump to operate without wasting water through the tank. Figure 7 shows the large steel drum, about 30x50 inches, in the subbasement, through which all the cold water supply for the building passes and is de- livered through branches E and F to horizontal pipes, each of which half encircles the building and dis- tributes the water to the different riser lines D D, etc. These can be independently cut off, and may be drained through pipes C C, etc. Ordinarily valve A is closed and B is open, but in an emergency valve A may be opened and B closed to shut off the tank, and the street water will supply the system as high as its pressure limit, and the check valve will prevent any escape into the street when it fluctuates. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 121 PLUMBING IN THE WAINWRIGHT BUILD- ING, ST. LOUIS, MO. (PUBLISHED IN 1894.) PART I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND PLANS OF PUMPS, TANKS, BOILER, AND PIPE DETAILS. THE Wainwright Building is a lo-story fireproof office structure situated at the corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets, St. Louis, Mo. In general dimen- sions it is about 117x127 feet and in plan it is U- shaped, being divided into one front and two rear sections by a long open court 30x75 feet in the rear. In the basement are the engines, elevator machinery, plumbing, heating, and power plant, and some rooms available for rental. In the attic are a barber shop and toilet-rooms, storage and pipe chambers, and janitor's apartments, while the rest of the building is devoted to offices and suites of offices. 210 in all. Each office has a washbowl supplied with hot and cold water, and there are slopsinks on every floor, general toilet-rooms in the attic, detached closets and urinals in several stories, and ordinary kitchen and bathroom plumbing in the janitor's apartments. The total list of fixtures comprises 37 water-closets, 15 urinals, 226 washbowls, n slopsinks, one common sink and one drip sink, two bathtubs, and three washtrays. The toilet-rooms and washbowls are fitted up with nickel-plated piping, white marble slabs, and polished-oak cabinet-work. Main lines of water pipes are all of galvanized iron, and connections to faucets, traps, and vents are made with lead branches. The soil and vent pipes are subjected to a water- pressure test, and the general features and specifica- tions of the system and workmanship were those usual in standard modern practice exposed connec- tions, accessible pipe lines, careful trap and local ventilation, and simple direct arrangement and the PLUMBING IN THE WAINWRIGHT OFFICE BUILDING, ST. LOUIS, MO. 128 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. r \/[\y -4= 7; H r\/ D AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 123 use of very strong and heavy materials being the principal features of the work, which was executed on a contract price of about $25,000. Water from the street mains is received through a 4-inch pipe C, Fig. i, and passing through two 3-inch Worthington meters A A is delivered to the Jewell filter B, which discharges through pipe D to the 8x5- foot suction tank H, which supplies the pump through its suction pipe G. F is an overflow pipe and I is a water glass. A special 2-inch meter L is provided to record the supply to the steam boilers through pipe J. but it can be cut out and the supply taken through pipe K. Two duplicate Smith- Vaile duplex pumps are con- nected to pipe G for house and fire service and are cross-connected with two 7"x5"xio" boiler feedpumps, so that each of the four is available for any part of the duty. A s-inch fire line rises to the roof in each wing of the building, and at every floor has ico feet of 2 inch hose connected as shown in Fig. 2. These lines are under tank pressure through check valves and there is an automatic governor to start the pump whenever the pressure in them falls below 70 pounds. The boiler feed pumps are controlled by automatic regulating valves operated by float attachments, and the house pumps are controlled by Fisher gravity governors, both automatically regulating the supply of steam so that they will begin and stop pumping when the water reaches the required levels. The suction and discharge headers of the tank pumps are so connected as to be available for re-enforcing the elevator pumps when special service, such as lifting safes, etc., is required. The tank pumps normally discharge into a s.ooo-gallon iron roof tank, from which a 4-inch distributing pipe is carried along the attic floor and supplies 13 vertical lines of i^-inch pipe which descends to the different groups of fix- tures, and a separate 2-inch pipe that feeds a hot- water boiler 4 feet in diameter and 10 feet long, from which a riser goes to the attic and there distributes downwards to a system of vertical pipes, supplying washbowls, etc., similarly to the above-mentioned cold-water lines, and adjacent to them. These pipes have a circulation connection at their bottoms to the boiler, and are all accessible throughout by panel doors in the walls. The boiler contains two 1 8-foot coils of 3^-inch brass pipe, so connected as to be supplied at will with either live or exhaust steam to heat the water. Figure 3 is a diagram plan of one of the office floors, showing the arrangement of rooms and the location of washbowls, which are set in pairs, each \ FIG. 13 \ r. -^-Automatic Urinal- L ; J Fliah Cistern \ F ( jUrinali f '" / /' ( \ 'Standard " Standard supplied by separate vertical pipes. Local ventila- tion for all the toilet-rooms is secured through galvanized : iron ducts exhausting into an attic chamber, where a 25 horse-power Eddy electric motor drives two steel-cased go-inch Buffalo blowers which discharge the foul air out through the roof. The ventilating fans consist of a duplex Buffalo loo-inch steel-plate machine, which is in reality two loo-inch pulley fans, but both driven by a common driving pulley. These machines are regularly built with 45^-inch round inlets and 37^-inch square out- lets, the diameter of the blast wheel inside of -the casing being 71 inches; width, 35^ inches. There is also employed one so-inch Buffalo upblast left-hand steel plate exhauster. This machine has an inlet 24^" inches in diameter and a square i8^-inch out- let, with blast wheel 36 inches in diameter by 17 '/ inches wide. The soil pipes are all enlarged one size at the top and project about 3 feet above the roof, through which they pass with an expansion jointed flashing shown in Fig. 4, which indicates the construction and operation too clearly to need further explanation. Charles K. Ramsey, of St. Louis, is the architect, Adler & Sullivan, of Chicago, associated. The plumbing was installed by F. Abel & Co. , of St. Louis. PART II. DETAILS IN THE BARBER ROOMS. SHOP AND TOILET- THE principal closet and toilet- rooms are located in the front part of the building on the tenth floor as shown in the plan, Fig. 5. Figure 6 is a perspective sketch from P, Fig. 5. The principal feature of the plumbing-work here is that the pipes are arranged in a special chamber between the rows of closets, and while shut off from the public are located con- veniently for the original construction or for sub- ELEVATION AT V-V. eZoje&t PLUMBING IN THE WAINWRIGHT OFFICE BUILDING, ST. LOUIS, MO. ISO AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. sequent work and cleaning, and are exposed and ac- cessible, besides being directly and systematically arranged. The main soil and vent pipes are of cast iron, and all connections are with lead branches soldered to brass ferrules. Figure 7 is a diagram of the pipe lines, omitting the ventilating pipe or duct, and showing the trap vent pipe a little displaced to separate it from the soil pipe, which is really exactly beneath it. Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section through the pipe chamber at V V, Fig. 7. Figure 9 is a corresponding longitudinal section at S S. Figure 10 is a plan and section at Q Q. Figure n is a section at R R to show the connection of the trap vent and soil-pipe connections from the pairs of closets. Figure 12 is a section at Z Z to show the pipe frames supporting the main trap vent pipe V. Figure 13 is an elevation diagram from V V showing the arrangement of urinal pipes on the back of the marble slab N, Fig. 5. The cistern is set to flush automatically every 15 minutes during the daytime, and the pipes are dimensioned so as to give equal supply to each of the urinals. Figure 14 is a plan of the ventilation duct for exhausting the foul air. PIPE SYSTEMS AND PRESSURE TESTS IN THE HAVEMEYER BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN i8qz.) PART I. GENERAL PLAN AND ELEVATIONS. THE Havemeyer Building, situated at Cortlandt, Dey, and Church Streets, New York City, for busi- ness purposes, is an iron-frame building occupying an area over 200x80 feet, and it is provided with a very extensive water supply, drainage, and trap ventila- tion system for 16 stories, exclusive of roof drains and subbasement. We precede a comprehensive de- tailed statement of some interesting features of an unusually severe and prolonged pressure test now being executed by the contractors by the accompany- ing general drawings of the architect, George B. Post. These are of interest as showing the character of the work, its classification and concentration into distinct groups of fixtures and lines, the proportions adopted for the varying services and the develop- ment of the system. Figure i is a diagram plan of the basement, and Figs. 2 and 3 are diagram elevations of the riser lines on the main walls, corresponding to the black circles in Fig. i, which indicate riser pipes. Three of these pipes are here shown in each group, which actually embraces four or five, the additional parallel galvan- ized-iron pipes for hot and cold water supply being omitted for sake of clearness. PART II DISTRIBUTION DRUMS AND DETAILS OF PRESS- URE TESTS. FIGURE 4 is a diagram of the distribution tanks at C, Fig. i. D and E are for cold water under street and tank pressure respectively, and F is for hot water under tank pressure. T is the roof tank. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the connections by which either or both supplies may be put in service. In construction the rising lines were started at the basement floor about 12 feet above their connections AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 131 with the sewer under the cellar floor, and a system of horizontal pipes connecting their bottoms, was con- nected to the house pump temporarily set tip for the purpose. As each story in height was successively added to all the lines they were pumped full of water, which was allowed to remain there till another section was set and filled, and so on till when the final height of about 200 feet had been reached the bottom sections had been under a continually increas- ing pressure for perhaps six weeks. Then the City Inspector was called to inspect the work. This severe test was made in this manner by the con- tractors, Byrne & Tucker, for their own satisfaction and to facilitate the prompt discovery of any imper- fection of material developed by the pressure, and it proved satisfactory to them. Figure 6 shows the pump P connected up for the pressure test. B is its suction from a reservoir C supplied by independent connections D and E from the city mains on Dey and Cortlandt Streets respec- tively. The discharge pipe F delivers into systems of pipes supplied by G on the basement ceiling, and H H under the basement floor, which together con- nect as at K, Fig. 6, with all the vertical rising lines shown in Figs. 2 and 3. System G is formed of the drip and emptying pipes provided for the risers, though they are in some instances moved from their final permanent positions. Pipes H and H are per- manent tank-pressure distribution mains, and S S are street-pressure mains. L is an emptying pipe. Figure 7 shows the connection of test pressure pipe A to the riser lines D D D. A and B are here the W-'.^X^-/*,,/////. ! a'^^W^^ 0-3 F-} n-3 r ^****S**iSSFH>i . ^.j PIPE SYSTEMS IN THE HAVEMEYER BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. 132 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. TH ENGtNEERING RECORD. FIG. 3 frfSoi/ Pipes. Sff/e Waste L B-fros/> Bos/ns "8" U- Vrina/s. " " Va^/W f>,er*j. To Main Dram of Pier H To Vn&eryrouncf C/s/err> Sink Pier C j Ce//or T O Mo,n Drain. - 70 J/nA Pier T0 Ma/n To l/nc/frgr0isrn7C uteri. y/y///////^///ff//^^^ PIPE SYSTEMS IN THE HAVEMEYER BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 133 permanent supply and riser lines for cold water and remain permanently as shown after pipes F F F are disconnected and the tee E is closed. Eventually lines D D D are continued to the sewer, and separ- ate tests are to be made of these additional joints and those at the fixtures. Figure 8 shows the method of connecting pressure test pipe T by screwing it into the cap C, which (Section of Basement F/oor, ENGINEERING H H ' 2' Ateng/Mfo? "Tut. Lwi\vAft\Wi ?KX.O*X" /fo/?a'/fr/e' FIG. 5 ^ee/x/yye/y/ //x?e / \ W//////////////////M^^^ ' i PIPE SYSTEMS AND PRESSURE TESTS IN THE HAVEMEYER BUILDING. 134 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. ^ n - ~\ )"' ^ i i \ i fi AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. screws into wrought-iron riser R, and Fig. 9 shows the method of connecting test pipe T to .he cast socket S, which is calked on the cast-iron riser C. PART III. ARRANGEMENT OF METERS, SUCTION-TANK PUMPS, AND DISTRIBUTION TANK. THE water supply for the building is received through two 4-inch pipes A A, Fig. 10, one of which is supplied from the regular city distribution main, and the other from a special street fire line. All the water passes through the 4-inch Worthington meters C C, which deliver through the 4-inch pipe D. Ordi- narily valves E and F are closed and G and H are open, so that the suction tank L is filled through the 2-inch branch I and ball cock K, and the pumps draw through the 4-inch suction pipe J and branch M, but by closing H and opening F the suction is through J, direct from the meter pipe D. If valve F is closed and E opened the suction tank will be filled direct from the meters without reference to the ball cock. N is a separate 2-inch supply to the cellar distribution tanks, O is a 4-inch overflow, and P is a ij^-inch emptying pipe which, together with O, discharges into one of the 3-inch pipes Q Q which carry the cellar drainage, drips, etc. to the iron tank R, Fig. ii, which is about 7 feet in diameter and 30 inches deep, and is set several feet below the level of the street sewer into which its contents are periodically pumped through the aVa-inch suction pipe S of a steam pump. A 2-inch pipe T is connected with the exhaust head above the roof and brings its condensa- tion water to the tank; its i^-inch branch U serves as a vent opening at the cellar ceiling. The tank is tightly closed by the manhole cover V, which is ac- cessible through the cast-iron well W, the cover-plate X of which is set flush with the cellar floor. Figure 12 shows the connection of the 6"x4"x6" Worthington pumps, one of which H is for the house D DO 3 and roof tank and the other B is for the boiler ser- vice. Their supply is through the 4-inch pipe J, as described in Fig. 10, and the suction branches K K and their delivery through pipes C and D. Ordinarily valves E and F are closed and G and I are open so that pump H delivers through branch L to the 4-inch roof-tank pipe A, and pump B delivers through branch M to the boiler feed supply pipe N but by closing valve E and opening G pump H will deliver through branch P to the boilers, and by closing valve I and opening F, pump B will deliver through branch O to the tank. Q is an air chamber, and S S S S are steam pipes. Figure 13 shows a perspective of the distribution tanks or drums whose connections have been devel- oped from the original preliminary arrangement of two of them shown in Fig. 5. The three vertical cylindrical galvanized iron tanks are respectively T, 200 gallons, cold, tank pressure; S, 200 gallons, cold, street pressure; and H, 150 gallons, hot. tank press- ure. A is the 4-inch supply pipe from the roof tank with 2-inch branches B B, N is the 2-inch supply from street mains, as shown in Fig. 10. C is the 2- inch emptying pipe. E and E are ^-inch steam and exhaust pipes to the 4-inch brass steam heating coil inside tank H. D and D are ^-inch hot- water return- circulation pipes from the systems in the north and south sections of the building respectively. All the other pipes shown are i^-inch hot and cold water supply pipes to different parts of the distribution system as follows: Cold water, I and J to the basins, flush tanks, etc. in the north section; L and M, the same to the south sections; K and R to the suction tank of the elevator pumps; O to the barber shop and bathtubs; P to the south and Q to the north section; U to the basement toilet-room. The hot- water supplies are: V to barber shop and bathtubs, W to slopsinks, and X to the restaurant. Z Z Z Z, _ /-J PIPE SYSTEMS AND PRESSURE TESTS IN THE HAVEMEYER BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY 136 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. etc. is a pipe frame supporting the tanks. Tanks T and H are always under pressure from the roof tank, and tank S is normally under street pressure, but it also may be placed under tank pressure by closing valve G and opening F. The supply pipes are com- manded by valves Y Y, etc., which are connected to the tops of right and left nipples which can be un- screwed so as to disconnect any riser from its hori- /ifStorr Oec/i #0e,j & Stor //& Starr * for* * 6& Storr 3 & Story ^ Stor zontal branch into the tank, without moving or dis- turbing any other connection. PLUMBING DETAILS IN THE MECHANICS BANK BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN 1890.) THIS building, at 33 Wall Street, New York City, is designed for an office building and to accommodate the Mechanics' Bank, which occupies all of the first floor. The building is about 30 feet front by 70 deep and is nine stories high, exclusive of basement and janitor's apartme nts on the roof. PLUMBING IN MECHANICS' BANK BUILDING, NEW YORK. The plumbing includes the following fixtures: One basement toilet-room for the bank employees, con- taining four water- closet sinks, three urinals, and five washbasins. One private toilet-rcom on the first Moot; for the bank officers, containing one water-closet, one bathtub, one washbasin, and one urinal. One gen- eral toilet-room on the ninth floor that contains eight water-closets, three urinals, and one washbasin. On the flour there is a ladies' toilet-room containing three water-closets and one washbasin. The eighth floor has a small toilet-room with one washbasin, and there is a slopsink on every floor above the basement, and on each floor from the second to the seventh inclusive there is a toilet-room, one water-closet, one washbasin, and one urinal. The janitor's apartments contain one bathtub, one water closet, one washbasin, one pantry sink, one kitchen sink, and 13 tray laundry tubs. In the base- ment engine-room are the hot and cold-water distri- bution drums, a dripsink, and water-closet. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 137 138 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Figure i shows the distribution system of the base- ment near the pumps. Y is the cold and Z is the hot water drum, each about 2x5 feet, made of galvanized iron and supported by the gas-pipe table X X, etc , set in the footing of the foundation walls. The drum Z contains a 2^-inch pipe a, supplied with live or exaust steam through a pipe S . The arrangement of the pipe a is similar to that made by Byrne & Tucker for the Mills and the Dun- can Buildings in New York, described respectively on p. 203, Vol. VI., and p. 296, Vol. VIII., of THE ENGINEERING RECORD. The pipe S passes through a stuffing-box b, and is screwed into a wrought-iron head plate that is welded into the top of the pipe a. The return steam pipe .y is screwed into a hollow rivet that is cast on the bottom of the cap c that is screwed into the bottom of the boiler and tapped to receive the pipe a. The stuffing-box permits the pipe S to slide back and forth through it with the expan- sion movement, which is taken up by the spring of the horizontal branch S S. The large pipe a is used instead of the usual steam coil to prevent noise when the full head of steam is turned on, and to heat the water rapidly. Cold water under tank pressure is received through the 2-inch* pipe C and supplied to the distributing drums through branches W and W. Q is a ij^-inch pipe supplying water under street pressure. Ordinarily its valve V is closed, but by opening it the drums Y and Z may be filled directly from the street mains, or the basement fixtures, which are branched from Q, may be supplied from the tank. Cold water is distributed through the building from the drum Y through the i J^-inch pipe D and the i- inch pipes E, F, and G to different lines ot wash- basins, and through the i-inch pipes N, O, and P to the various flushing cisterns. Hot water is delivered from the drum Z through the 2^-inch pipe R to the engine-room sink and through the i J^-inch pipe A to all the slopsinks and to the officers' toilet-room. B is a ^-inch return-circulation pipe, H is a 2-inch safe waste from the roof tank, and I, J, K, and M are i-inch safe wastes from the toilet - rooms. L is a 2 inch delivery pipe from the pumps to the roof tank. V is a drip pipe through which all the rising lines may be drained by opening their cocks T T, etc. The drums Y and Z may also be drained into it through their emptying pipes U U. Figure 2 shows the roof tank, built of ^f-inch iron plate and 2X2-inch angles with ^j.inch tie-rods A A, arid tee-bar stiffeners B B, etc. The tank is filled through the 2-inch pump pipe G, overflows directly upon the tiled roof through the 3-inch pipe D and may be emptied also directly upon the roof through the i j^-inch pipe E. F is a 3-inch fire line .vith hose couplings on every floor. C is the 2-inch supply pipe to the distributing drums Y and Z (Fig. i), H is a i^- inch supply pipe direct to the janitor's apartments, and I is a 2-inch supply pipe direct to the ninth- floor toilet- room. K K K are vent pipes to facilitate the dis- charge of all the water in the supply lines C, H, and I, after their valves J J J are closed. L is a vent *The sizes given for pipes are correct but the sketch is not drawn to scale. pipe from the hot- water drum Z, Fig. i. M is a float whose chain N operates the index of the tank gauge in the pump-room. The float M is made of a butler's pantry copper sink with a sheet of copper tightly soldered over the top. Figure 3 is a diagram of the ninth-floor toilet- room, which is about 12 feet wide by 22 long, and contains eight water-closet sinks, three urinals, and one wash- basin. It has a tiled floor, oil-finished woodwork, and white marble wainscot and panels A A, etc. The irregular shape of the room made it necessary to arrange the urinals as shown, two of them, U U, placed back, to back opposite the entrance and screened by a y-foot marble slab B. C is a marble safe. Figure 4 shows the suspended horizontal boiler in the janitor's kitchen. Cold water is received through the pipe C and hot water through the pipe H; the branch B supplies the kitchen sink and the branch A supplies the laundry tubs, bathroom, etc. The janitor's bathroom is finished with unusual elegance, having marble washbasin table, royal porcelain bathtub, ivory-finished water-closet, and nickel-plated exposed brass pipes. The floor and wainscot are finished with white and tinted ceramic tiles. Figure 5 shows the dripsink S in the engine-room. It is supported on pieces of i-inch gas pipe A A, leaded into the footing of the foundation wall over which it is set so as not to occupy much floor space. An adjacent water-closet at B is also arranged so as to be convenient for the firemen, etc., and not take up unnecessary floor space. Q is the drip pipe from the roof- tank safe, and H, I, J, K, and M are drip pipes from the toilet-room safe wastes. R is the hot and Q the cold supply (Fig. i). N N are safe wastes, P is a trap vent pipe, and O is the drip pipe from the steam radiators. C. W. Clinton, of New York, was the architect of this building, and Byrne & Tucker, also of New York, did the plumbing PLUMBING IN THE UNION TRUST COM- PANY'S BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN 1890.) PART 1. ROOF, SUCTION, AND DRIP TANKS AND PUMP CONNECTIONS. THE Union Trust Company's new building on Broadway, New York City, is about 100 feet front. 120 feet deep, and has 13 stories above the basement. It is designed to accommodate a bank on the first floor and the offices of the Union Trust Company on the second floor, while the upper floors are fitted for offices; a restaurant, kitchen, etc., being built on the main roof. The plumbing comprises, in general, the hot and cold water supply to the toilet-rooms and to basins in all office rooms, and the drainage from all fixtures. The most of the water is pumped through the 4-inch pipe A, Fig. i, to the iron roof tank T, that is about 14 feet square and 8 feet 6 inches deep, and is closed by iron plates over the top. The tank rests or AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 139 wooden sills B B B, laid in a sheet-iron lined safe S, which is supported by wooden beams C C C, resting on the floor directly under the sills B B B. The tank overflows through a 4-inch pipe D to the roof gutter, and may be emptied, also to the roof gutter, through a key valve E and a 2-inch pipe F. H is a 2-inch supply pipe to the eighth and ninth floor toilet- rooms, and G is a 4-inch supply pipe to the distribution drums in the cellar. I I are i-inch vent pipes to the pipes G and H. 1 J is a vent pipe from the hot-water system, and L is the i^-inch safe waste, discharging on the roof. M is a wire cable from the tank float operating the index of the indicator in the pump- room Water under street pressure is delivered through a 2-inch pipe A, Fig. 2, and ball cock B to the closed iron suction tank C, about 5x5 feet, that is in the cellar near the pumps. This tank overflows through a 4-inch pipe D, which has a trap with a 24-inch seal that is preserved by the constant discharge from the steam drip pipe I. E is a valve for emptying the tank F and G are ij^-inch pipes to empty the pump delivery to the tank and the 4-inch supply pipe from the tank to the distribution drums. H is the 4- inch suction pipe to the pumps. Figure 3 shows the connections of the special tank pump A and one of the boiler pumps B. H is the 4-inch suction pipe from the tank C, Fig. 2, with a branch E to the pump B. D is the 4-inch delivery pipe to the roof tank with a branch F from the pump B. G is a 2-inch branch connected with the delivery pipe of another steam pump, generally used for the steam boilers. Ordinarily the valves M and N are open, while I is closed, and the tank is filled by the pump A; but if the valves I, K, and L are open the pump B can also be turned to the tank, and by open- ing the valve J the third pump may also be used for the tank in case of fire or in any other emergency. Figure 4 shows the cellar drip tank A, which is simply an iron shell about 6 feet long and 30 inches in diameter, to receive the overflow from the suction tank C, Fig. i, the waste from emptying the pipes of the distribution drums, discharge from drip- sinks and cellar drainage, all of which is below the PLUMBING IN THE UNION TRUST COMPANY'S BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY* 140 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. street sewer level. B is a collector from the waste pipes of the floor strainers I I, etc., and the drip- sinks. C is the emptying pipe from the distribution drums, and D is the emptying pipe from the tank C, Fig. 2. E is an aspirator to which steam can be admitted through the valve F to produce suction and draw the contents of the tank A out through pipe G, which discharges through a branch K to the house drain L that empties into the street sewer. H is a vent pipe to maintain atmospheric pressure in the tank A. PART II. DISTRIBUTION DRUMS, SEWER VENTILATION, AND PIPE SUPPORTS. THE supply of hot and cold water to all parts of the building is controlled entirely from the distribution drums in the cellar, shown in Fig. 5. They are of galvanized steel, about 5 feet long; -v is for hot water under tank pressure, and b and c for cold water under tank and street pressure respectively. Tank water is received through the 4-inch pipe n and its 2-inch branch o. Water under street pressure is received through a 2-inch branch q from a 4 inch pipe^ to the suction tank C, Fig. 2. Live or exhaust steam is delivered through a |^-inch pipe I to the 2 ^-inch pipe a, and, after heating the water in the drum v, escapes through a ^-inch pipe s. The pipe A is a hot-water i-inch supply to two slopsinks, and B is a i J^-inch supply to all other slop- sinks. C and D are i-inch supply pipes to the president's and directors' rooms. F is a |^-inch and E and G are ^-inch hot-water return-circulation pipes from the tops of the lines B, C, and D, and con- nect above its valve with the sediment pipe m of the drum v. The pipes H, J, K, and L are i-inch tank cold-water supplies to different lines of washbasins. M is a i^-inch supply pipe to a group of washbasins and urinals, N is a i^-inch supply pipe to a group of basins, urinals, and slopsinks, and O, P, Q, and R are i-inch supply pipes to lines of washbasins. S is a i-inch supply pipe to the directors' room. T is a i- inch supply pipe to the president's room. U is a i l / 2 - inch cold-water supply pipe under street pressure to a basement toilet-room, and V is a i-inch supply pipe Hanger* to the same. W is a i l^-inch supply to another basement toilet-room. Y is a ij^-inch supply pipe to the elevator tank. Z and d are i-inch supply pipes to the front and rear cellar sinks; j is a i^- inch by-pass connecting the drums i> and *:, the valve (k) of which is usually closed to keep the two systems separate, but may be opened to admit tank water to the drum c if the street water is turned off. The lines of pipe, W and U, are generally supplied by street pressure, the valves w and K being open and the valves x and y closed. By reversing these valves, however, the supply is under tank pressure. All the rising lines may be emptied through their valves ii, etc. into the drip pipe g g that discharges into the trap of a 5-inch rainwater leader z. The drums v, b, and c may also be emptied by branches m m m, through the pipe g; 1 1, etc. are pipe legs supporting the drums; f f, etc. are pipe hangers supporting the horizontal lines from the iron floor beams; p is the 4-iiich pump delivery pipe to the roof tank. Figure 6 shows the method of supporting stacks of cast-iron pipes from the iron floor beams by the welded iron strap S, carefully fitted just under the hubs. Figure 7 shows the special fresh-air inlet at the main sewer trap. Each of the main house sewers C C has a branch A to a double Y connection D at the sidewalk grating, and any dirt or other obstruction can be very readily removed through its cleaning hole at B and another at E in the double Y connec- tion F with the main sewer. The plumbing in this building was done by Byrne & Tucker, of New York City. PLUMBING IN THE PRUDENTIAL BUILD- ING, NEWARK. N. J. (PUBLISHED IN 1804.) THE Prudential Building at Newark, N. J., is located upon one of the principal streets of that city, is perhaps the most prominent business structure in the place, and is a large and thoroughly equipped Front Elevation Section PLUMBINO IN THE PRUDENTIAL BUILDING, NEWARK, N. J /* Roof S- /- \ 3 \ AttTc Floor ":; " :'. Cold Hot Circulation ipX Waste WATER DISTRIBUTION IN THE MATHEWS OFFICE BUILDING MILWAUKEE, WIS. CONTROL OF HOT AND COLD-WATER DISTRIBUTION IN A MILWAUKEE OFFICE BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN 1893 ) THE Mathews Building, at Third and Grand Ave- nues, Milwaukee, Wis., has been erected for general business and office purposes at a cost of about $200,- ooo. It is a modern six-story building of iron and brick fireproof construction about looxnofeetin size, and 92 feet high above the basement. It is provided with five toilet and water-closet rooms, has slopsinks on every floor, fire-hose cocks in each main corridor and a washbasin with hot and cold water supply in each of 50 suites of rooms. The plumbing, which was in accordance with the requirements of architects Ferry & Clas, cost about $14,000, and was executed by Halsey Brothers, of Milwaukee. The work con- forms to present standard practice, and is designed to secure special thoroughness and simplicity throughout. The head in the city mains supplies sufficient press- ure for the required service, but an attic tank was provided to store a supply for possible in- terruption in the street mains, for fire purposes and to insure abundant supply at those times of the day when the maxi- mum draft is made on the mains. This tank is filled through ball cock M, and delivered through valve N connected to the separate rising pipes P and Q. It was desirable to have a simple and direct con- nection between this pipe P and the hot- water heater F and the distribution risers I I, etc., which furnish cold water to the different floors, and the accompanying sketch shows the arrangement designed to distribute the water among all, what- ever their respective drafts may be. Cold water from the city main is received through a check valve in the 3-inch pipe C and delivered to the 3-inch header B, which distributes it to the i-inch risers 1 1, etc., supplying different floors. The z]^- inch pipe D furnishes cold water to the hot- water boiler F. The tank riser P con- nects directly with header B and the end of boiler feed D. G is a 2^-inch header for the distribution of hot water, which leaves the boiler through pipe H and AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. K3 returns through circulation pipes K K, etc., which are taken from the highest points of the risers T T, etc., that supply the different floors. L and N are drip and waste pipes, V V, etc. are valves to empty the rising lines, U is a safety valve, W is a catch basin, and X X are steam connections to the coil heat ing the boiler. All the supplies are individually con trolled by valves R R, etc. Usually valve O is closed, and all others except V V V, etc. are open; but they are arranged so as to cut out any part of the system for repairs, extensions, etc. without affecting any other part. The rising lines all converge to ascend through a vent shaft S, in which they are accessible and, like all the rest of the plumbing-work here, ex- posed. The figure is prepared from a sketch made to illus- trate the arrangement and operation, and is not drawn to exact scale or position. PLUMBING IN MANHATTAN LIFE INSUR ANCE BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN 1894.) PART I. GENERAL CONDITIONS, REQUIREMENTS, AND FEA- TURES OF THE SYSTEM, ARRANGEMENT AND OPERA- TION. DESCRIPTION OF WATER, DRAINAGE, AND TRAP VENTILATION PLANT, ENUMERATION OF PRINCIPAL APPARATUS AND OUTLINE OF ITS OPERATION, METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION, PLANS OF PIPE CELLAR, MAIN SEWER LINES, CHARACTERISTIC OFFICE-FLOOR INSTALLATION AND DETAIL OF PIPE SHAFT. No PERSON who has been in New York City during the winter of 1893-94 needs a labored explanation to aid in identifying the Manhattan Life Insurance Building as the lofty structure which towers above the finial of Trinity Church steeple, just across Broad- way, and the building, which is remarkable even in an era of tall structures, has been made familiar through the medium of illustrations to all who are interested in architectural development. The pneu- matic caissons and other details of the foundation were described in THE ENGINEERING RECORD of January 20, 1894. The building is about 120x67 feet in size, has a height of over 300 feet from the cellar floor to the main roof, and has 19 stories devoted to the uses of the Insurance Company, to tenants' offices, and to the operating plant and equipment. It has a complete system of plumbing and drainage conforming to the requirements of Messrs. Kimball & Thompson, the architects of the building, and Mr. William Paul Gerhard, consulting engineer for san- itary work, which was installed by J. W. Knight & Son, contractors, under the supervision of Mr. Ger- hard. The system comprises a supply of Croton or artesian- well water in every toilet- room throughout the build- ing and for fire service, steam-heated hot water to slop- sinks, and the drainage and ventilation of all water, soil, and drip lines. Water through the city mains is received through a 4-inch pipe, meter, and gate valve and discharged in the cellar through two 2-inch -". EIGHTH FLOOR, Scale effect, ball cocks into a 2,ooo-gallon open iron suction tank I2'9"x7'4", set on brick foundations and provided with hinged wooden cover. This tank has emptying and overflow pipes and a supply to the suction pipes of all the pumps, three of which are for house and fire service, two for the elevators, and two for the boiler feed water, the house and feed pumps being inter- changeably connected. The house pumps lift the water about 300 feet into a boiler-iron 5,000 gallon house tank ii'6"x8'x7'6". From this tank i^-inch riser lines supply the distribution branches to the washbowls on each floor above the seventh, and a 2- inch pipe supplies the steam hot-water heater in the cellar. A 4-inch line also supplies an auxiliary 2,000- gallon tank on the eighth floor, which is filled through ball cocks and connected with a drum in the cellar, from which risers lead to all the fixtures on the A-Blor, off Tan/,. B-Hot Hater Heater. C-Distn'bution Drums. D-3'/z >S' Fire Pump. E-Tank Pump.. , f-Keturn^Pump .J- Feet/. Pump*. H- Sewer Pump . J- Suction Tank . A/I Pipes Corr/et/on Cft/tjr Ce/7/np, PLUMBING IN THE MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. 144 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and mezza- nine floors. These are controlled from one central point and are subjected to a pressure much less than would be imposed by direct communication with the roof tank. Adjacent to this distributing drum in the cellar is another one which is connected directly with the street pressure and delivers it to riser lines sup- plying all fixtures on and below the first floor. A 6-inch artesian well 2,000 feet deep has been drilled in the cellar, and water from it is delivered by a separate pump to a roof tank, the counterpart of the one described for the Croton water, and sup- plies all the water-closet and urinal flushing cis- terns direct to vile eighth floor, and from an auxiliary tank below the eighth floor, thus effecting a consid- erable economy of metered water purchased. The roof tanks and the eighth-floor tanks for street and artesian water and the distributing drums in the cellar for street and tank pressure are respectively cross-connected so that either or both may be sup- plied from either source. All riser lines are valved at their bottoms, and each horizontal branch is sep- arately valved. All the hot water is under full roof- tank pressure. A separate 3-inch riser extends from the cellar to the roof tank and has valves and hose on every floor for fire protection. It is under constant tank and pump pressure and has check valves to prevent the escape of water at increased pressure. The two Worthington duplex steam house pumps each has 6-inch steam cylinder, 5-inch water cylinder, i2-inch stroke, and a capacity of 100 gallons per minute, and are connected to draw from the suction tank or from the Croton main direct and to deliver either into the roof tank or to boiler feed pipes. The boiler feed pumps are similarly connected. The house pumps are fitted with sight feed lubricators and Fisher's automatic regulating attachment to start them when- ever the tank water falls below a certain level. The height of water in the tanks is also indicated in the engine-room by an electric alarm operated by high and low water floats. The fire pump is a Worthington new pattern "Un- derwriters' fire pump," with steam cylinder 14 inches in diameter, water cylinder 7 inches in diaraeter, length of stroke 12 inches, and a nominal capacity of 500 gallons per minute, equal to two i^-inch fire streams at 250 gallons per minute each. This pump is built strictly and entirely in accordance with the specifications for underwriters' pumps, as adopted by the Boston Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Boston, and is fitted up with all the at- tachments, fittings, etc., therein described, and im- proved polished-brass sight-feed lubricators. This pump is connected with the 3-inch fire stand-pipe, and has an automatic regulating device for starting Vault Shaft V. I/Vires Ropes &c \J. ^'np from Hell I ^ 'J - /*v// /*/f />O/TI f rtSK'- inch drip pipe from the marble safes or platforms under the fixtures. These drip pipes are carried down to the engineer's sink in the pipe cellar, each line separately, and the mouth of each is protected by a stamped brass-hinged flap valve. Waste-pipe lines for office washstands are 3 inches in diameter (except 5 inches where there are water-closets on the line). Waste pipes for urinals, basins, and slopsinks in toilet-rooms are 4 inches in diameter. All soil pipes are 5 inches in diameter. The roof drainage is carried down through four 4 and one 6-inch extra-heavy asphalted wrought-iron inside leaders, each trapped at the foot of the stack by a full-size extra-heavy cast-iron trap, and con- nected by Y branches and eighth bends with the two sewer lines. All outside leaders for domes, sky- lights, etc. are connected with brass or copper fer- rules and calked joints to the rainwater inlets in the wrought-iron leaders. Figure 3 shows the arrangement and connections of the two 5,ooo-gallon roof tanks, which are located in a separate tank-house built on the main roof. Each tank rests on three rolled-steel girders, which distribute its weight over four lines of floor beams, and is made of boiler-iron, lap-riveted and stayed by 10 intersecting internal tie-rods. The tanks are 7 feet 6 inches deep, and are intended to hold 7 feet of water. The bottoms of the tanks are connected by a 3-inch flanged cast-iron pipe A with vertical ends, having gate valves B and D, through which the main house supply is drawn. Ordinarily it is in- tended that the tank W shall be filled with well water for use in flushing cisterns only, and tank C should be filled with city water for other general purposes. When this is the case valve D is closed and valve B is open, supplying the intermediate tanks, boiler, and riser lines through pipe A and its connections. Valve E is open to sup- ply the special cistern system, and valve F is always open to insure a constant tank-pressure fire service. R is a check valve closing toward the tank with the pressure from the fire pump. By reversing valves B and D the whole supply may be taken from the well tank W, and by opening both of them the water in both will be mixed and equalized. G G are vent pipes to promote the emptying of the riser lines, and H H are copper floats operating the electric alarms indicating in the engine-room. The vertical outlet pipes at B and D rise 6 inches above the bottom of the tanks. PART III. CELLAR DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE PUMP, TEST- ING OF PIPE LINES. HOT-WATER HEATER, DETAIL DRAWINGS AND DESCRIPTION OF INTERMEDIATE PRESSURE TANKS AND BASEMENT DISTRIBUTION DRUMS. THE drips, tanks, wastes, etc., in pipe cellar, being below the level of the street sewer, are drained into a mason's cesspool. The contents of this tank are emptied periodically by means ot a pump, and dis- charged through a proper waste pipe into an elevated. 148 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. trapped, and water-supplied sink in the basement, with waste to sewer. The tank is a round, open well, of 500 gallons capacity, 6 feet in diameter, and 3 feet deep. There are two sewer connections with the street sewer in New Street, each 6 inches in diam~- ter, trapped by 6-inch traps and fitted with s-inch fresh- air inlet pipes. After the pipe lines were completed all openings of soil, waste, drain, and vent pipes and the ends of horizontal drains were securely closed by means of soil-pipe plugs, the lead bends of branches properly soldered up, and braced where required to withstand the pressure, and the whole system of piping was filled with water to the top of the building. The water remained at the original level for 12 to 48 hours without signs of leaking. This test was made in two parts, sections of the pipes being first filled up to the thirteenth story, as they were put in place from the bottom up. Figure 4 shows the arrangement and connections of the intermediate tanks designed to relieve the ex- cessive pressure on the lower sections of the pipes. No special provisions having been made for their re- ception it was necessary to limit them in size and place them in two tiers in a small closet on the eighth floor, where they are filled through the overflow pipes K and L from the roof by Croton and well water tanks respectively, the roof tanks having their electric indicators arranged to show when the pipes K and L are full and overflow begins. Provision for a separate pump line to the eighth floor has been contemplated, so as to avoid raising the water unnecessarily high for the lower floors, but, as the expense of pumping is only slightly increased by lift- ing the water an increased distance after it is once started, it was thought best, for convenience and simplicity, to arrange it as shown. In the four cor- ners of the room were set special riveted steel col- umns C C C C, which support at convenient heights xo-inch rolled I beams, two of which carry each tank, so as to leave it well exposed and accessible for con- nections, inspection, and the manipulation of its. Front Elevation 'A Pr Croton Water from Roof Tank. Artesian Water from Roof Tank. _tcr 9^ -^Hf. x, Q Side Elevation 0verflo* Detail at Z-Z. f 7 ] Croton Drum ?_] | Artesian Dru Front Elevation Elevation V-Y. PLUMBING IN MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 149 valves, and to allow the convenient arrangement of pipes and valves with economy of pace. Croton \vater from the roof tank is delivered through the 3- inch falling main K and a gate valve to the three ball cocks B B B, arranged as shown in plan on a horizontal branch pipe, which is fastened to the upper edge of the tank, and having check chains to limit the motion of the floats. These tanks are en- tirely independent of and unconnected with each other, and all their pipes are carried up and down 'hrough the adjacent large ventilation shafts at the rear. Figure 5 shows the connections to the distributing drums in the cellar. They are made of boiler-iron and tested by a hydrostatic pressure of 500 pounds per square inch. Drum T for supplying the base- ment to the seventh floor inclusive with Croton water is 8^ feet long. 2 feet in diameter, and holds 200 gallons. It is supplied from the eighth-floor inter- mediate tank C by the 3-inch pipe A, and distributes water to the different lines of fixtures through the independent ij^-inch risers B B, etc.. each with a separate gate valve F and emptying valve D, by which its contents may be discharged into drip pipe E when D is open and F closed. G is a separate 3- inch main from the main roof tank to supply the drum directly if necessary, but its valve is ordinarily kept closed. Drum C. of about 100 gallons capacity, is in- tended to receive the artesian well water supply through 3-inch pipe H from the intermediate tank shown in Fig. 4. and distribute it to all flushing cisterns below the ninth' floor through the ij^-inch pipes K K, but by opening valve L. which is usually closed, it may be supplied from the roof or in- termediate tanks. M is a 3-inch main from the artesian roof tank W, Fig. 3, and its valve is usually closed. It will be noticed that the pipes and valves are arranged with symmetry and connected with unions which allow the disconnection of any one without disturbing the rest. The valves allow each line to be separately cut out and emptied for new connec- tions, alterations, etc. N N are i^-inch emptying pipes. Adjacent to these distributing drums, as shown in Fig. i, is set on wrought-iron standards or supports a boiler-iron closed hot-water tank of 250 gallons capacity, 2J^ feet diameter by 6j, ? feet long. This tank is warranted to have been tested by a hydrostatic pressure of 500 pounds per square inch. It is supplied from roof-tank pressure and provided with manhole, emptying pipe, and proper supply connections from the falling main. Inside of the tank is a i-inch tinned brass steam coil, with connec- tions to live and exhaust and return steam pipes, and a Powers automatic heat regulating attachment to shut off the steam supply when the temperature of the water rises to 150 Fabr. The tank has one 2- inch delivery pipe supplying the hot-water fixtures and a i-inch return circulation pipe entering the emptying pipe at the bottom just above its valve. There is a 2-inch cold-water roof-tank supply pipe, and the tank has a non-conducting covering and a manhole opening. PLUMBING IN THE BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING. NEW YORK. (PUBLISHED IN 1889 ) PART I. TANKS, BOILERS, ETC. IN the Bank of America's new xo-story building in Wall Street, New York, the first floor is occupied by the bank and its offices and the other stories are ar- ranged as single offices and suites, each of which is supplied with hot and cold water. There are also public and private water-closets, urinals, etc. The architect of the building was Charles W. Clin- ton. New York, and the plumbing, some details of which we shall describe, was done by John Tourney, New York, whose foreman in charge of the job was John B. Donovan. To prevent possible interruption of the supply and to insure its sufficiency, water is taken from two separate branches of the city mains viz., from Wall Street, through the 2-inch pipe B, Fig. i, and from William Street through the i% -inch pipe A. Both pipes deliver through ball cock C to the receiving tank T, which is on the cellar floor adjacent to the heating and distributing system. By opening valve D and closing valve E water is drawn from Wall Street only; by reversing the valves, from William Street only, and by opening both valves, from both streets. F is the 2 inch suction pipe to boiler, tank, and fire pumps, and G is the sediment pipe for emptying the tank. H is the overflow pipe, Figure 2 shows the heating and distributing system, in which portions of tank T and pipe A, B, H, and F of Fig. i reappear. C is a boiler containing a coil that receives live or exhaust steam from pipe G and discharges it through pipe I and trap E. J is the 2- inch pipe from the roof tank and its 1 5^-inch branch K supplies cold water to the boiler C, N is the hot- water pipe from boiler to the different floors. O is the hot-water return-circulation pipe. M is a branch from tank pipe J and supplies distributor D, from which the i-inch pipes P P, etc. supply the various upper floors. Q is a direct supply from street press- ure to the bank offices. S is a pipe discharging all safe waste drips into a sink in boiler-room. U is a branch from Wall Street main direct to the suction pipe of the tank pump. V is a drip pipe draining the rising lines and discharging into tank T. R is a sediment pipe draining D. A sediment pipe hidden behind it empties the boiler C. Figure 3 shows the arrangement of tank pump Z in the cellar near the receiving tank, A is its suction pipe that is supplied directly from the Wall Street main, through pipe U. or from receiving tank T, Fig. i, through pipe F, B is the delivery pipe that is connected to the roof tank pipe E by branch G, and to the fire line pipe by branch J. Ordinarily valves C and P are closed and valve D is open, and the pump delivers to the tank, but in case of fire valve D may be closed and C opened, and the pump worked on the lire line. I I are branches from the fire and boiler pumps that connect by pipe H with the pipe E and provide for the filling of the tank if pump Z should be disabled. K is a drip pipe empty- ing the tank pipe. O is the hot-water return-circula- 150 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. tion pipe (see Fig. 2 also), M and L are cold-water pipes supplying engine-room sink and water-closet. N is an extra supply for boilers to furnish water when pumps are not working. P is a valve to which hose may be attached for washing the floor, etc. Q is a check valve. Figure 4 shows the engine-room sink that is sup- ported by the polished-brass pipe frame and standard A, has hot and cold taps, H and C, and receives the drip and safe waste pipes and the overflow from tank T, Fig. i. PART II. ROOF TANK, PIPE LINES, AND DETAILS. FIGURE 5 is a sketch of the roof tank A that is about 6x12 feet and 7 feet deep, built of T V inch iron, with 2^x2j^-inch corner angles and stiffening bars of 4x4 T iron and 2x3 angles. It rests on sx6-inch yellow pine sticks B B, that raise it from the iron safe C that is provided, notwithstanding that it is above the iron roof surface D, from which all water drains directly to the gutters. E is the 4- inch fire line. F is the 2 inch house supply. G is the 4 inch overflow that discharges directly on the roof, and has a lo-inch copper flaring top H, in- tended to increase the rapidity of discharge. I is a 2-inch sediment pipe emptying the tank. It also discharges on the roof. J is a 2-inch pump pipe, and K is a i-inch relief pipe from the boiler C, Fig. 2. L is a 2-inch safe waste discharging in the sink, Fig. 4. M is an 1 8-inch copper float operating the gauge index in the engine-room. This building contains about 40 water-closets, 20 urinals, 50 washbowls, and six slopsinks, exclusive of the janitor's apartments, which have a kitchen sink and washtubs with marble panels and safes, one toilet-room containing urinal and water-closet, another Fio.l PLUMBING IN THE BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 151 containing bathtub and water-closet, another with a sink only and two washbasins. Ail the water pipes are brass, and where exposed are polished and lacquered. There are 20 lines of soil, waste, and vent pipes from 3 to 6 inches in diameter, and rising to about 150 feet above their lowest points. These lines were all filled to the top with water, and it is stated that DOOK I I DOOR. PLUMBING IN THE BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING, NEW YORK 152 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. FmJi fv ra.e PLUMBING IN THE BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 153 no leaks were found, and the water did not settle perceptibly in any of them during the five or ten hours' test. In the eighth-floor toilet-room, 16x20 feet, it was necessary to crowd in 16 water closets, four urinals, two washbasins, and a slopsink. The complicated arrangement of soil and vent pipes used here is shown in diagrams, Pigs. 6 and 7. J J is a pipe shaft containing all the rising lines, A is a 4- inch vent pipe from lower floors, B is the gas main, C the main soil pipe, D is a ij^-inch hot-water pipe from the basement boiler, and is continued to open above the roof tank, E is a 6 inch rainwater leader, F is the 2-inch pump pipe to tank, G is the 2-inch supply pipe from tank, H is the 2-inch drip pipe from tank safe and lower safes, I is the i-inch hot-water return- circulation pipe. The soil pipe C extends above the roof, and its main branches, M and M, connect at O and Q with vertical pipes extending above the roof. K, L, and K are the trap vent pipes and rise above the roof from points N, P, and T. At each tee and at S. V, and W a 2-inch lead branch connects with the trap of the corresponding fixture. At Z Z, etc. are water-closets, at X a slopsink, at Y two washbowls, and at U four urinals. The lines M and M are laid beneath the floor tiles. The vent lines, K and K, are behind the wainscot, and L is concealed in a fireproof partition that crosses the room. The walls and ceiling of this room are plastered and tinted, the floor tiles, wain- scot, and other panels are of Italian marble, and the cabinet-work (which is all elevated from the floor) is of oil-finished oak. The shaft J J is faced inside with glazed brick, and to avoid defacing these two special iron supports, shown in Fig. 8, were built in the first or bank story, and one in each of the other stories, to carry the rising lines of pipes. Figure 9 shows different methods of supporting the pipes from the ijron floor beams. Figure 7 is an elevation of vent pipe L in Fig. 6. PART III. WATER-CLOSETS AND DETAILS. FIGURE 10 shows the automatic tank T and flush pipes B B B that serve three urinals in the basement. The tank has a capacity of 10 gallons, and is usually set to flush every 15 minutes; it is a wooden box lined with copper, faced with marble panels and neatly fitted around iron floor joist J. The supply is through a ball cock, and is controlled by valve C. The discharge is through the special brass three-way branch A with ground couplings F F F connecting it to the flush pipes B B B that are smoothly and sym- metrically curved. Figure 1 1 is a general view of a room on the seventh floor. The walls and floor have white ceramic tiling and the paneling is of white marble. The supply pipes D and E are controlled by valves A and B, and are easily accessible behind the marble panels. The automatic flush tank T is similar to that shown in Fig. 10, except that its branch C is two-way. The flush tanks, shown in Figs. 10 and n, and all others in the building are ingeniously supported as shown in Fig. 12, where the ^-inch brass rods A A are leaded into the marble at the lower end, and into the brick at the upper ends, and the j^-inch rods B B are tightly screwed up against iron washer plates C C on the back of the wall. A furring strip (omitted for clearness in the illustration) separates the marble from the wooden box far enough to permit the rods B B to be placed as shown. PLUMBING IN THE CONSTABLE BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN 1895.) PART I. WASTE AND VENT AND HOT AND COLD WATER PIPE LINES, FITTINGS. VALVES, AND CONNECTIONS, ARRANGEMENT OF PIPES IN BASEMENT, CONNEC- TIONS OF RISERS TO DISTRIBUTION MAINS, AND SECTIONS SHOWING HOT AND COLD WATER RISER SYSTEMS AND SOIL-PIPE LINES. AN office and store building has just been erected by Marc Eidlitz & Son. builders on the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and Eighteenth Street, New York City, for the estate of Henrietta Constable according to the plans of William Shickel & Co-, architects. The plumbing has been executed by T. J. Byrne, with Arthur H. Napier, C. E., as con- sulting engineer. The building has a frontage of 100 feet on Fifth Avenue and a frontage of 200 feet on Eighteenth Street, and consists of a basement and 12 full stories, with bulkheads, tank-house, toilet-room, and janitor's apartments, forming a thirteenth story over portions of the building. The first and second st tries are arranged for large stores and the remain- der of the building for offices singly and en suite. The plumbing comprises a supply of cold water to washbasins throughout the building, hot water to the slopsinks on every floor and to the main toilet-room; filtered water to each corridor, water under tank and pump pressure for fire service, public and private toilet-rooms, and complete independent domestic apparatus in the janitor's apartments. There is also the necessary system of tanks, pumps, filters, and meters, beside the main and distribution supply pipes, soil, vent, and sewer pipes. Some of the essen- tial and characteristic features of this installation are here described and illustrated from original sketches and the working drawings and specifications. All exposed drains in the basement, and all soil, waste, and vent pipes and branches, and all leaders are made of standard welded steel tubing. All such pipe and fittings (except where exposed in basement) are thoroughly coated inside and outside with a good asphalt varnish. Exposed pipe in the basement is tar-coated on the inside only and painted on the out- side. All fittings, traps, etc. for steel pipe are spe- cial extra heavy, recessed threaded, cast-iron drain- age fittings. Branch fittings and ells have threads tapped at a grade. Reducing fittings are used in- stead of bushings, and no steam fittings or cast bushed fittings were used. All cold supply piping, mains, pump, tank, heater, and filter connections, cold risers, fire lines, and safe wastes (except ^-inch pipe) are of galvanized wrought-iron pipe, with heavy galvanized malleable and galvanized cast-iron fittings. All lead traps are of six-pound and eight-pound lead, with brass trap screws; water-closet bends are of eight-pound lead. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. All hot supplies, all exposed fixture branches, and all ^-inch supply pipes are of brass. Brass waste and vent branches at traps are of "iron pipe size," and all brass traps were specially made to permit the use of this heavy pipe. All supply and fire lines have finished brass gate and globe valves, with iron or brass wheel handles, and are plated or polished to correspond with pipe. Valves 2 inches and over are gate, others are globe valves, and 4 inch valves have an iron body. Connections between cast-iron and steel drain pipes are made with special calking fittings. Joints between lead and cast-iron, wrought- iron, or stetl pipe are made with brass ferrules and soldering nipples the size of the fitting, with the lead run through the ferrule. The joints between pipe stacks and the roof are made by special roof fit- tings and sleeves of ao-ounce cold-rolled copper, extending 18 inches on all sides of the pipe fittings under the tile and its chambered sleeve above. All changes in direction, and fixture connections are made with Y branches and 45-degree elbows, or on upright lines only, with the special long go-degree Y's. All branch fittings and bends on waste and soil lines, etc. have threads accurately tapped to give a uniform grade of one-fourth inch or one-half inch per foot. All sewers and drains and horizontal IBFST. 6" Ma in 5 Fie.3 /icr r r/ins Line - Hot Hater - Horaonta/Br* MIUSC TANK ) I r ^f 'if^ e e. ^' r fa a ee ** I 1 UOFlMt ' T ' \ 9VFLOOK ' j , i ' '', BtfFLOOR * 5 V r w 1 '//. T^FLOOR 5 \ t : i M I : S ! t \ - H '// 4-ntFUXR ' ' H V f If" 5 \ fy 3!f FLOOR ^^ xX X \ ^ / "^ , . Lr H U, 7 S r. S H L, H , ^ i ^X- \ ^ 0. GROUND 4 mi If 1 ' f r, j I U % MSEMENT SUCTION TANK "!--. {"_, wr St. ft " Pump & Ffre Line ~3 "Floor Safe Waste " Gauge -' Hot Welter RgCORD ^Supply to Feed Pump. PLUMBING IN THE CONSTABLE OFFICE BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 157 branches aie taken off from the vertical pipes up to the fourth floor, above which level the lines are direct to the rows of superimposed fixtures Figure 4 is a tranverse section showing the princi- pal lines of soil waste, and vent pipes and the ar- rangement of risers to avoid obstructing the stores on the lower floors and to connect with one of the three separate lines of sewer pipe which cross the building tranversely. PART II. PUMPS, SECTION TANK AND ROOF TANK. FIGURE 5 shows the arrangement of suction tank, pumps and main pipe connections. Water from both the Fifth Avenue and Eightetnth Street mains is taken in through 4-inch branches each of which has a 4-inch meter with a check valve on the outlet side of the meter set so as to prevent water from one main escaping through both meters and into the other main if it should be broken or emptied, or to prevent a crossflow when the pressure in the two mains varies. Each main is separately controlled by a valve and can independently fill the suction tank through four 2^-inch ball cocks. The suction tank is about I2'x7'x8' deep, made of 3^-inch steel plates, with tee-bar and angle-iron stiffeners and cross tie-rods, and holds about 5,000 gallons. It is considered an open tank in that it is provided with an overflow, and the water it contains is not under pressure, but it is tightly closed with an iron-plate cover to keep out dust, and has a hinged manhole door to give access to the interior. All its pipe con- nections are made with inside and outside flanges and the galvanized-iron 4- inch overflow and 2-inch emptying pipes (not shown here) are run to the re- ceiving tank, which is set below the basement floor. It is made of boiler-iron and is about I4'xg'x5' deep, with riveted iron cover with two manholes with heavy cast-iron covers flush with the floor. This tank re- ceives surtace drainage from the light court engine- roonj floor, and overflows from all basement tanks, etc., and is pumped out to the sewer. The pumps are connected as shown, to be supplied either from the street main direct or usually through the suction tank, and are connected together for regular house and fire service and cross-connected to re enforce the boiler feed pumps if necessary. There are in all five Blake duplex pumps. The two io"x4'/"xi2" shown are for fire and house service, two 6"x4"x6" for boiler feed, and one 6"x4"x6" for receiving tank, drip tanks, etc. Figure 6 shows the connection of pipes to the roof tank and the connections to the pumps. When the tank is full its rising main is closed by the ball cock B and is immediately subjected to pressure by the action of the pump. This pressure is instantly trans- mitted through the small pipe P to the Kieley auto- matic regulating valves V V, which shut off the steam and the pumps stop. As soon as the water in the tank is lowered, the ball cock opens, the pressure in the pump discharge pipe, and consequently in pipe P, is relieved, valves V V are opened by springs, and the pumps immediately start up. Of course the auto- matic valves VV are provided with bypasses, and the pumps can be governed by hand or arranged to work up to a heavy fire pressure much in excess of the pressure cf the tank head. The 6 soo-gallon house tank is about I6'x7'6"x8' deep, constructed of tank steel plate, with all seams riveted and calked. It is stiffened and braced by T bars set vertically about 4 feet apart round the tank, and with two sets of tie-rods. Heavy 3X3-inch angle iron is riveted round the top, and the tank is covered with ^-inch p'ates (not here shown), with two large manholes with frames and covers. All pipe connec- tions to tank are made with inside and outside riveted ! Brass Pipe >t ^ .'/ SSN ' * iMa DETAIL ATZ-Z. DETAIL AT F. flange joints. The galvanized standing overflow pipe opens with a large copper funnel about 6 inches be- low the top of the tank and runs down to the main roof, with a metal flap over the opening. The tank- room floor is protected by an iron pan, which wastes through a 3-inch galvanized-iron waste pipe into the tank overflow. A separate %"-inch galvanized pipe is connected with a Schmidt's best pattern hydraulic indicator gauge, set in the boiler-room to show the depth of water in the tank in feet and inches. 158 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. PART III. TOILET-ROOMS AND DETAILS OK BRASSWORK. FIGURE 7 is a plan of the main toilet-room in the twelfth story, and shows the arrangement of fixtures and location of vent and drain pipes, the latter being run between the floor and the ceiling of the eleventh story. Between the two rows of closets in the center of the room there is a high double wainscot, the marble walls of which inclose a narrow chamber, which separates them and leaves room for the waste branches and for the trap vent and water supply. The flush cisterns rest on top of these walls. On each of the lower office floors there is a small toilet- room containing two urinals and one slopsink, and on the sixth floor there is a toilet- room for women with eight water-closets and four washbesins. All these toilet-rooms and the twelfth-floor one are handsomely finished with marble floor, tiled walls, and heavy white marble slabs for partitions and the 7-foot wain- scot. The partitions are fitted with special heavy nickel-plated brass trimmings,' as shown in Fig. 8, which is a sketch of part of the sixth-floor toilet- room. All the exposed edges of the marble are trimmed with i^-inch brass pipe, polished and plated, and connected at corners and right angles by spherical couplings, so that where the four pieces around the edges of a slab are screwed tightly to- gether they form a secure frame to hold it in position and attach it to the walls, doors, etc. These frames are locked on by being fitted closely into a concave ROOT TANK r A I 1 * ! * 1- ' - y * ^ *TTF brass bedplate or chair, which is flanged over the edges of the marble. Figure 9 is a detail cross-section of the brass chair, which was rolled down from a tube to approximately the required form, and then accurately shaped by being drawn through dieplates. The small interior areas shown are small brass tubes, put in to fill up open space and to re-enforce the walls of the large tube. Figure 12 is a plan of the fourth floor and is typical of the office stories. It shows the arrangement of washbowls and the location of riser lines and th crossing of waste and vent branches under the floof to the wall risers. The washbasins that are located in pairs have, on the upper floors, vertical flues be- tween them (not here shown) in the thickness of the partition wall or in its enlargement, through which the riser lines are carried as shown in Fig. 13, which illustrates the general arrangement and the use of a Fl6.ll FlQ.13 PLUMBING IN THE CONSTABLE OFFICE BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 159 special connection B uniting the wastes and trap vents from both basins. Each office basin wastes through a i^-inch nickel-plated trap with i^-inch waste and vent branches. Where two office basins come together a double waste fitting is used, with 2- inch waste and vent branches. These basin branches are generally of steel, and the waste fitting is screwed directly into the iron-pipe fittings. In the sketch, which is a conventional one, not drawn to accurate position or scale, but merely intended to show clearly the general arrangement of pipes, the size of the shaft or hollow- wall space is exaggerated, and the pipes are separated in the drawing much more than is actually the case. This is done to avoid confusion and to show the connections distinctly. Actually the distance from the trap to. the vent pipe is about 6 inches. All the basin branches were capped and tested under pressure. Each office basin is supplied with cold water through j^-inch nickel-plated supply, with j-inch nickel plated angle valve and self- closing cock. Each branch has a i2-inch air chamber of i-inch galvanized pipe behind the casing. The basins in the toilet-rooms are the same as in the offices, except that they have also a hot-water supply. PART IV. HOT-WATER AND FILTERED-WATER SYSTEMS, REQUIREMENTS FOR FIXTURES AND CONNECTIONS, LOCAL VENTS, SLOPSINKS, URINALS, AND WASHBASINS. FIGURES loand n are conventional diagrams which are not drawn to scale nor position, but are simplified to show principles and operation. Figure 10 illus- trates the hot-water supply and circulation system. Water is delivered under tank pressure to the 400- gallon boiler in the basement, and is there heated by an interior coil of 2 inch brass pipe about 30 feet long that is supplied with either live or exhaust steam^ The heated water rises from the top of the boiler through a main that runs along the basement ceiling across the center of the building and over to the side wall, thence rises to the twelfth story, and crossing horizontally to the opposite side descends and returns full sized to the under side of the boiler, thus forming a complete circulation system of itself. Distribution branches are taken at intervals from this main to supply toilet- rooms and slopsinks, and a check valve at the bottom, opening towards the boiler, prevents a reverse draft of water and permits free circulation. A connection is made with the janitor's kitchen boiler so as to permit him to draw from the main system through a check valve that closes downwards to prevent the escape of water from his boiler if the pressure there should be the greater. A relief pipe terminates m a Bryant safety and vacuum valve, wasting into the roof tank. All the hot-water pipes are of tin-lined brass. Figure n shows the relation of pump and tank service to the filtered water supply. A branch from the tank-pressure house-supply main in the basement connects with a Loomis filter, which delivers through a special riser line to faucets in one vertical set of slopsinks in the corridors, where drinking-water can be secured on each floor. Regular emptying and washing valves, etc. for the filter are of course pro- vided, but are not here shown. Figure 14 shows a slopsink supplied with hot, cold, and filtered water controlled by the three upper valves, and also commanded by three lower valves at L, behind the sink, to cut off the supply for repack- ing or repairing the valves. Delivery is through a special long and heavy spout, designed for this work, and re-enforced by a brass knee brace underneath. Figure 15 shows the connections of theurinals, where access is had for cleaning out the trap through a i '/- inch brass ferrule that extends through the slab and is capped in front under the urinal. The flues in general are rectangular and so proportioned that each urinal has a branch 2 inches in diameter, and the main vents an area equal to all the branches. From the twelfth-floor toilet-room urinals a 6-inch vent is run well above the roof, with 8-inch jacket and globe ventilator. From the basement toilet-room a 12x18- inch heavy galvanized sheet-iron vent duct, with white enamel register face, is run on the ceiling to the space in the chimey around the inclosed boiler flue. All local vent urinal flues and branches are of 20 ounce cold-rolled copper with soldered joints. All fixtures are set open without wood casings, and all traps, wastes, vents, supplies, and fittings about all fixtures are also exposed and generally nickel-plated. Each water-closet has a large-sized plain pine copper- lined syphon cistern, which is cased in marble. The flush-tank cistern is on top of the marble wainscoting and overhangs, so that the position of the flush pipe is on the face of the marble, and it is made perfectly straight, without bend, curve, or offset. Each water- closet is connected to the soil pipe by a 4 inch lead bend with heavy brass floorplate. The vent from the lead bend is a 2-inch lead and steel branch. Each cistern is supplied through a j<-inch nickel-plated branch with separate globe valve and hush pipe on the ball cock. All urinals waste through 2-inch lead trap and waste, with i^-inch nickel-plated trap screw brought through the face of the marble back, and with i^-inch vent branch. Each urinal, or set of two to four urinals, is flushed through a i^-inch nickel-plated flush pipe from an automatic syphon cistern set and fitted like the water-closet cisterns. The main copper local vent runs behind the marble as high up as practicable, and a 2 inch branch drops down to each urinal waste. These are of lead, wiped 160 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. to the brass waste fitting and carried up to the copper vent. Besides the house tank, suction tank, receiving tank, filter, acd two water meters, there are 46 water-closets, 29 urinals, 203 washbasins, nine slop- sinks, one sink, and in the janitor's apartments one sink, one bathtub, three washtrays, one boiler, and one water-closet. The entire plumbing and drainage system was tested by the plumber with a force pump and mercury gauge under an air pressure equal to 20 inches of mercury, and the gauge column did not show any appreciable loss of pressure in five minutes. AUTOMATIC SUBSEWER DRAINAGE IN LARGE BUILDINGS. (PUBLISHED IM 1895.) THE cellar and basement floors of large city build- ings are often? at or below the level of the adjacent city sewer, and when this is the case it prevents a gravity drainage of water, sewage, condensations, washings, etc., into it. This is the more likely to be the case as the buildings increase in height, and have proportionately deeper and heavier foundations, the excavations for which it is naturally desirable to util- ize for such purposes as underground space may be convenient for. These uses under modern conditions of construction are many and diverse; cellars and subcellars furnish an inconspicuous position for ma- chinery and steam plant, storage, etc ; steam boilers in cellar vaults are more easily reached for repair or renewal, especially if under the sidewalk, than if in the center of the building. In hotels these parts of the structure are used for supplies, stores, wine bins, etc , and in newspaper offices the large presses are installed in the basement, and sometimes the type- setting and stereotyping departments as well are be- low the street level. When the foundations are on piles it is a desidera- tum that the timber should not extend above perma- nent ground-water level; indeed in some cases it has been planned to artificially irrigate the subsoil for the benefit of the piles, &o that the cellar floor and walls are likely to be exposed not only to certain moisture, but to possible hydraulic pressure, which may readily penetrate ordinary masonry or water-proofing. Be- side this, the lowest parts of the steam and sewerage systems are likely to fall below the flow line of the street sewer, and thus several causes may contribute to deposit waste liquid in the cellar that must be me- chanically removed and should be constantly disposed of, automatically and with positive certainty. Form- erly it has been customary to collect all drainage in a cesspool or tank below the lowest floor, and periodi- cally pump its contents out into the sewer. Objec- tions have been made to this method, and another system has been developed, which consists essen- tially in collecting thesubsewer drainage in air-tight iron vessels into which, as soon as they are filled, air AUTOMATIC SUBSEWER DRAINAGE IN LARGE BUILDINGS. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 101 pressure is automatically admitted on top of the liquid, which operates to force it out through a sealed outlet, up and into the sewer above. This method is called the Shone ejector system and was explained fully on page 358 of Volume XXVII. of THE ENGI- NEERING RECORD, where the details and operation of the ejectors and the service in several installations were described. It was adopted for the sewage col- lection at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and has been provided in recent large buildings in Chi- cago, plans of two of which have been sent to us as typical of improved plant for metropolitan buildings by Urban H. Broughton, Asscc. M. Inst. C. E., Engi- neer and Manager of the Shone Company, Chicago, From these the following description has been pre- pared: Figure i is a basement plan of the Chicago Daily News Building, and shows the arrangement of drain- age pipes from areas, floor strainers, engines, eleva- tors, and other machinery, etc. (but not including any sewage), emptying into a depressed brick-walled catch-basin, whence it flows to a pair of Shone eject- ors, which deliver it to the city sewer at a higher level. Figure 2 is a plan of the east end of the basement of Marshall Field & Co.'s large new mercantile build- ing, where the sewage from two large sets of water- closets and surface drainage is piped through back- pressure valves to catcn-basins whose contents flow to two ejectors that have a capacity of delivery to the sewer of 50 gallons per minute each, and are inclosed in a covered circular, brick-walled, water-tight cham- ber, about 9 feet in internal diameter and 7 feet deep. Figure 3 is a conventional vertical sectional dia- dram at Z Z Z Z, Fig. i, showing the relative verti- cal positions and features of arrangement of air com- pressors, receiver, ejectors, and drainage connections to the ejectors and to the sewer. Figure 4 is a plan and elevation of the two ejectors set in the standard manner, but with their chamber not covered. SECTIONAL ELEVATION OF BASKMKNT, Figure 5 is a diagram of an ejeotor in section to illustrate its operation. The sewage gravitates through the inlet pipe A and flap valve G into the ejector and gradually rises therein until it reaches the under side of the bell D. The air is thus confined at atmospheric pressure inside this bell, and the sewage continuing to rise around it lifts it, together with the spindle, etc., which opens the compressed- air admission valve E. The compressed air thus automatically admitted into the ejector presses on the surface of the sewage, driving it through the bell- . \ IV [JViU^tf y l ^$ 1 ln~j I] ra P 1 fj*Q>yrtace Basin ____ jU51ii y *SwAi/e^ r^i [ I , <. UJsJlssxi .- .-!-- 1 1 H 3* 3' 3' r 1 j i| ^Surface Basin 4" T* . /) to "~ >mmmmmmmmmmmm*mt k- M ^ii^.2. M - M o...^^ / ^. e ' 1 '2i / '' 1 i...., > .^Em^ | SKEX Surface Drainage --.- _. 3" 4' 5' i (faSurfiKe Basin 3" 4' v" r ' G~ jap -yy 5' i3' Fia.2 o s to s fo ss y i^rty 3" ^ wf* .. 21 *"""tbli3Bcra tJf-L-4-inch three-ply heavy unlined linen fire hose, tested and guaranteed to a pressure of 300 pounds per square inch, and wound on a swinging bracket reel. The overflow and emptying pipes discharge on the roof, where their contents can be received in the rainwater lead- ers and their open ends are protected by brass flap valves. Since the pressure due to the head of the supply from the upper tanks, which reaches 140 pounds maximum, would be excessive for the fixtures in the lower part of the building, all supplies below the eleventh floor are taken from intermediate tanks placed in the tenth and eleventh stories as shown in the elevations, Fig. 6. These tanks are in effect two sections of one tank, and are designed to operate as one, but were constructed separately to enable them to utilize the limited portions of space that could best be assigned to them without obstructing the floors or infringing on rentable room. Portions of upper parts of the lavatories in the tenth and eleventh stories were provided with double ceilings, and in these spaces suspended by iron straps from the steel floor beams above were placed the tanks constructed of the dimensions required to fit their given position. The upper tank is a rectangular open one supplemented by a closed cylindrical one about 13 feet below it, with which it freely connects with a 5-inch equalizing pipe. The normal supply to the tanks is through four 2-inch ball cocks at- tached to a 4-inch vertical main opening into the bottom of the upper tanks. There is also a 4-inch rising main direct from the steam pumps through which the tanks can be independently filled by open- ing a valve that is usually kept closed. The supply to the basement drums, whence distribution is made for the lower stories, is through the 4-inch pipe a, valves B, C, and D being open, and valve E being closed. By opening valve E and closing valves B and F, the lower system can be supplied directly from the roof tanks. An overflow is provided for the open tanks, but none is of course needed for the lower closed tank. Each tank has a separate valved connection to the waste pipe, through which its con- tents may be independently emptied into a basement sink. Figure 7 is a plan of the open and Fig. 8 is a plan of the closed or auxiliary tank. PART II. HOT- WATER AND COLD-WATER DISTRIBUTION. As BEFORE stated, all the water used in the build- ing, except for some purposes in the basement and cellar, is ordinarily first pumped up to the twenty- first story, and is either distributed from there by separate lines that run from those tanks to all fixtures above the tenth floor or is drawn (through an over- flow pipe) to an open eleventh-floor tank that supplies all lower stories, thus reducing the maximum press- ure to about 70 pounds, or one-half of what would be due to the extreme height from the pumps to the upper tank. The eleventh-floor tank serves merely to regulate the head and store a small supply, hardly more than enough to insure abundant provision for sudden severe draft. It is not conveniently accessible for constant examination and regulation, and is so arranged as never to require any attention except in case of accident or periodical inspection and cleaning unless some unusual necessity occasions it to be filled direct from the pumps or to be cut out of ser- vice, when its valves would have to be reversed. Its discharge pipe, the falling main shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, is connected in the basement machine- room with the hot and cold water drums shown in Fig. 9, and also outlined in Fig. 2. These drums also have a direct connection to the street- pressure supply by a 4-inch pipe, in which a check valve is set, opening towards the drums so that tank AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 167 water could not escape into the street through it if its valve should accidentally be left open. From these drums separate rising mains are carried as required for all the water supply, for plumbing fixtures, up to the eleventh story. The cold-water drum is of steel tested and guaranteed to 600 pounds pressure per square inch; it is 24 inches in diameter by 74 inches long, with manhole and cover, and is sup- ported on iron standards. The rising mains vary in size according to their re- quired service, and in some instance diminish in size upwards, starting, for example, as for line B, at i l / 2 inches up to the sixth floor, and therce running i% inches to the ninth floor, the section being thus pro- portioned to the fixtures beyond it. The construction of drums and connection of manifold tor the conven- ient connection of pipes, the arrangement and valv- manded by a Powers automatic regulating attach- ment adjusted to shut off steam when the temperature of the water exceeds 200 degrees. This drum is supplied like the cold-water one, from the interme- diate eleventh-floor tank, and distributes hot water through similar risers connected to its upper mani- fold to all the lavatories up to the eleventh floor, and to all the isolated washbasins up to tbe seventh floor. From the top of each of these rising lines a return circulation pipe one size smaller than the smallest or uppermost section of the hot water pipe is brought directly down to the lower manifold that communi- cates with the drum as shown by the two 3-inch branches similarly to the flow connections above. A vent and relief pipe is carried from the top of one of the risers and inverted, open, above the house tank. ELE.OFHOT WATER DRUM FROM A-A PLUMBING IN THE AMERICAN SURETY BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. ing of risers, and provision of drip pipes for cutting out and emptying any line, are clearly shown in Fig. 9. An air vent and pressure relief is secured by ex- tending a i-inch pipe up from the top of one of the risers and turning it over open above the top of the house tank. Besides the services mentioned distribu- tion is made for boiler- feed pumps, injectors, elevator pit pump, drips, and blow-off tanks, etc., by means of a receiving tank in the subcellar, from which the water is automatically discharged into the sewer by means of a float-valve connected pump. All pipes to pumps and hot and cold water drums are connected up with ground brass flanged unions, so that repairs can be made without disturbing the runs of pipes. Adjacent to the cold-water drum is a hot-water drum, 24x76 inches, tested and guaranteed to 600 pounds pressure per square inch, and provided with a manhole and cover. Inside this drum is a single loop of large, heavy brass pipe con- nected with both live and exhaust steam mains and drips to a steam trap and floor drain. The steam supply pipe has a hand valve and is also corn- All flow, circulation, and drip pipes are symmet- rically arranged and valved as shown so as to permit the independent operation and emptying, and the drum is cased with non-conducting covering A hot- water supply for the upper part of the building is secured without increasing extreme pressure on the basement heater or lower parts of the pipes by the unusual expedient of making an intermediate heating system and distributing hot water for the upper ser- vice from an elevated heater. To this end a No. 3 Berryman feed-water heater is set on steel cross- beams built into the walls of the ventilating shaft in the ninth story and connected up as shown in Fig. 10. Just below the back-pressure valve in the exhaust pipe, which is set at five pounds, a branch is taken out and steam supplied through a pressure regulating valve set at three pounds. Steam cir- culates from the heater into the main exhaust pipe above its back-pressure valve and escapes freely into the atmosphere above the roof. Both steam pipes have a 2 inch drip connection, and the heater may be emptied through a 2 inch mud pipe, another 2 inch 168 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. pipe is provided for a surface blow-off and the cold water is introduced in the power part of the heater opposite to the entrance of the two return circulation pipes. The cold-water supply pipe is taken directly from the manifold at the twenty-first story tank as shown in Fig. 4. The two hot-water distribution mains supply all the main toilet-rooms from the tenth i/ii/iiiiiiiiii/iiiiiiiiniii W/f////////////////////////, PLAN !' Z' 3' 4' |"'| i i i Scale ELEVATION to the twentieth stories inclusive, and together with the return circulation pipes are run horizontally in a wood box lined with four-pound sheet lead, with a water-tight cover of 18 ounce copper with the edges turned over and hermetically sealed. Under the heater is placed a heavy sheet-iron drip pan, con- nected with the above-mentioned box, which has a ij4-inch waste pipe emptying into a slopsink on the eleventh floor. The horizontal portions of the pipes are placed on rollers and firmly secured at the center with the ends left free to act. Each of the supply and circulation pipes is provided with valves so that they may be turned off independently. The pipes and heater drain into the nearest waste line. The pressure regulating valve in the branch supplying steam to the heater has a three-pound counterweight opposed to its regulating weight so that it is about balanced, and it is connected to a thermostat inside the heater, set so as to shut off steam when the tem- perature of the water rises to 200 degrees. PART III MAIN LINES OF PIPES, DRAINAGE, CESSPOOL TANK AND TESTS. BESIDES the mains to and from the tanks, there are eight sets of vertical water pipes supplying groups of fixtures, and these lines are run in all cases adjacent to the columns of the main framework of the build- ing. All lines of cold-water supply pipes (except where nickel-plated brass pipe is used) are lap- wekied standard galvanized iron pipes, warranted to have been tested to withstand a pressure of 500 pounds per square inch. All hot-water supply and circulation pipes are heavy tinned and annealed brass pipes, warranted to have been tested to stand a pressure of 600 pounds per square inch. All hot and cold water supply branches for fixtures are taken from the rising lines above mentioned, and where exposed they are nickel-p 1 ated brass. Branches are of the following sizes: Single basins, one-half inch; two or more basins, three-fourths inch; slopsink and engineer's sink, three-fourths inch; all flush tanks, one-half inch or three-fourths inch, according to size. All supply pipes for hot and cold water are increased one size, from the source of supply to the vertical or falling point. This is in addition to the sizes specified, and shown on the drawings. All rising lines are provided with metal-faced flanged couplers at every other floor, in such a manner that the pipe may be disconnected and sections cut without disturbing section above or below. All pipes of every descrip- tion are laid to drain completely. All supply pipes were tested by the contractor with a pressure pump and high-pressure spring gauge to a pressure of 125 pounds per square inch. Each column of fixtures. A, B, BB, C, D, E. F, G, H, and I, with the excep- tion of isolated washbasins in offices from the eighth to the twentieth story, each inclusive, has independent risers for hot, cold, and circulation, with stop valve, drainout valve, and drip at the base of each column. The circulation pipe is one size smaller than the hot- water pipe, and connects with the hot-water pipe at the highest point of the fixture, with a branch taken above to supply a fixture to relieve the circulating head from the accumulation of air. On each of the hot-water risers there are expansion loops on every third floor, beginning at the bottom. All pipes are supported between the loops, allowing the pipe to expand from the first support back to the lower loop from the next support above and so on. Circulating pipes are also provided with loops top and bottom, and in intermediate places where they are connected directly with the hot-water main and branches. Loops are provided on branches, thus avoiding any direct connections or short connections with the main. In these instances care was taken to AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 169 allow the branches connecting with mains to expand with the main. All tank service, hot and circulation risers have at least three expansion loops in the ver- tical run. The pipes are clamped and hung midway between the loops and the ends of the risers. The clamps are firmly secured to the beams. All water pipes have frequent heavy flanged ground brass unions to admit of easy alteration and repair. All joints and connections between lead and iron pipes are made by means of extra heavy, carefully inspected brass screw ferrules or nipples. The fer- rules are screwed into the iron fittings and connected with the lead pipes by means of solder wiped joints. All main lines of drain, soil, waste, leader, and vent pipes are of heavy wrought-iron pipes, of the follow- ing weights per running foot: 8-inch pipe, 24^ pounds per foot; 6-inch pipe, 14^ pounds per foot; 4-inch pipe, 10% pounds per foot; 3-inch pipe, 7^ pounds per foot; 2-inch pipe, z l A. pounds per foot. All pipes and fittings were required to be tested by hy- drostatic pressure of 300 pounds per square inch, and by the hammer test, before leaving the pipe mills, and the contractor filed a written guarantee that tests had been so applied. All fittings are of special wrought-iron, flush, and the pipes when screwed to- SIDE ELEVATION t Boiler Room floor /-Cover 3* Suction Pipe 3 a ,' cb Strainer EE |J FiG.12 SECTION a-Manho!e b-3"Pipeto Blow-off Tank c-3" 'Drain Pipe For Overflows from Pumps- Tanks sc. THE ENGINEERING RECORD. PLAN gether have a smooth interior surface. All joints ol iron pipes are screw joints, made with a mixture of red and white lead and oil. Rising lines of soil, vent, and waste pipes connect with the main drains and rise to the roof in columns marked AB, BB, C, D, E, F, 10' > WetalLath \ ': 4" Overflow \ '4' Falling Main 4 "To Intermediate Tank " To Poof Tank PLANATA-A THE ENGINEERING RECORD ELEVATION LOOKING SOUTH ELEVATION I DOKING EAST PLUMBING IN THE AMERICAN SURETY BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. 170 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. G, H, and I, as shown on the plans. All vent lines increase 2 inches in diameter, before passing through the roof. Where the pipes pass through the roof they are made water-tight by means of 24-ounce cop- per sleeves fitting around the pipe atfd extending down on the roof at least 6 inches all round. After the roof was completed, the flashing was overflashed with 24-ounce copper as above. All back-air lines are dripped at the bottom of the line and all the branches for vents from fixtures are set high and above the overflow point of the fixture, so that the vent line cannot act as a waste pipe in case of stop- page. There are three leader lines of 5-inch extra heavy wrought-iron pipe, marked, carried full size to the roof, and connected there with I2"xi2"xi2" copper boxes by extra heavy brass soldering nipples. These connections are made with the 5-inch leaders by means of 5-inch pipe connecting with the gutter of the cornice at the twentieth story. These connections On the house side of the 8- inch main sewer trap there is a 6-inch fresh-air inlet extending up to the sidewalk near the curb, and there provided with a galvanized-iron box and frame 2 feet long, 2 feet deep, and 14 inches wide. Over this box is a brass- grating leaded in the sidewalk. All branch connec- tions are Y-T's or Y's and ^-inch bends. The Y- branch connections are well turned up. Only " long " bends are used. With the exception of the valves directly at the fixtures, all valves on supply lines at tanks, at pumps, etc., are provided with polished cast-brass tags properly numbered to correspond with printed lists giving the location, description, and use of every such valve in the building. After all the drain, soil, waste, and vent pipes had been run in the building, with the lead or iron bends or branches from fixtures set and connected with the upright stacks, and before any fixtures were set and connected, and the drain permanently connected with the sewers, the tightness of all joints and sound- BROADWAY PLUMBING IN THE AMERICAN SURETY BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. between leader and gutter are made by means of cop- per boxes, and 24-ounce copper tubes, wiped to extra heavy brass soldering nipples, with heavy soldered joints. Over the mouth of each le'ader is a heavy brass basket. These rainwater leaders have 5-inch extra heavy cast-iron traps, provided with two 4-inch brass screw caps. All vent pipes are graded so as to discharge the water collected by condensation, and connected at the bottom with the drain, soil, or waste pipes, in such manner as to avoid obstruction from accumu- lated rust. The bottom of all vent pipes receives the wash from some fixture. All horizontal pipes are carried with a continuous descent, in no case less than one-fourth inch per foot. Where pipes run along brick walls they are supported on the walls by heavy special wrought-iron semicircular straps, with holes for expansion bolts. ness of iron pipes, was tested by the contractor, who closed all openings of soil, waste, drain, and vent pipes and ends of horizontal drains. The lead bends or branches were soldered and braced up where re- quired to withstand the pressure, and the whole sys- tem of piping was filled with water to the top of the building, and remained for five hours without show- ing perceptible leakage. Figure 1 1 shows the arrangement ana manner of carrying the tank riser pipes from the basement to the eighth floor, and the offsets made. Above this point they are run straight in an air shaft, accessible for inspection, etc. Figure 12 shows a wrought-iron cesspool 3 feet deep, 4 feet 6 inches square, strongly riveted and provided with two manholes, set flush with the floor. The tank is made with two com- partments, one to receive the sewage, and the other to receive a Kieley governor, which automat- AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 171 ically controls a blow-off pump, by which the con- tents of the tank are automatically pumped out and discharged through a waste pipe terminating in a brass flap valve over a sink that is trapped into the sewer. This arrangement is necessitated because the boiler-room floor is below the level of the street sewer. PART IV. FLOOR PLANS AND DETAILS AT FIXTURES. THE American Surety Company uses the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh stories for its own purposes, the first, second, and third stories are devoted to banks and special commercial purposes, and all have washbowls, closets etc., arranged to conform to their special requirements. Above the seventh floor the building is intended to be rented in suites of private offices, and the arrangement of rooms and plumbing fixtures throughout is similar to that shown in Fig. 13, which is a plan of the eighth floor and typical of all floors above it except the eleventh, shown in Fig. 14, and the thirteenth, which is very much like it. Figure 15 shows the arrangement and connection for two interior washbasins supplied from one set of risers that are carried in the partition. Figure 16 similarly shows two basins, the risers to which are run along an interior column. Figure 1 7 shows the arrangement and connections when only a single basin is served from an interior column line. Figure 18 is where two basins are set adjacent to an exterior column, and Fig. 19 is where a single basin is set against an interior wall. ColdWater^ r////fi////////* ^_J PLAN PLAN y v .Waste* Vent 6 h /Cote! Water i //////////////////XT/fa'//////////////;/'. Circulation-- o Hot Hbter.-& B^^P3 o THE ENOINESWNO RECORD. PLUMBING IN THE AMERICAN SURETY BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. 172 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Figures 17. 18, and 19 show the expansion loop in- troduced in the hot-water riser to compensate for temperature elongations, and in all these figures the hot and cold water faucets above the basins and waste valve are omitted to avoid confusion. In all lavatories and at all isolated basins, all ex- posed pipes at fixtures (not the rising supply mains) are nickel-plated brass pipes. There are separate shut-offs for the supplies to each and every fixture, including shut-effs at each urinal and each water- closet flushing cistern. All water-closets have glazed earthenware traps molded in one piece with the water-closet bowl. All connections between floor flanges of water-closets and iron pipe are made with short lengths of D lead pipe to avoid rigid connec- tion. Besides iron sinks and some fixtures in the subbasement, the list of bowls, etc. throughout the building is as follows : Story. Water-closets. Urinals. Washbowls. Slopsinks. Basement First Second Third Fourth 6 Fifth , Sixth 8 Seventh Eighth Ninth to Twentieth in- clusive 60 Total PLUMBING IN THE PRESBYTERIAN BUILDING. (PUBLISHED IN 1895.) PART I GENERAL DESCRIPTION, CLASSIFICATION OF WORK, CHARACTER OF WATER, SEWER, AND VENT PIPES AND CONNECTIONS, BASEMENT CESSPOOLS AND DIAGRAM OF WATER-PRESSURE SYSTEMS. THE Presbyterian Building, at Twentieth Street and Fifth Avenue, New York City, is a large 12- story edifice planned, constructed, and equipped essentially upon the lines of modern metropolitan office buildings, but having some additional features, such as a large first-floor chapel or auditorium, com- mittee rooms, etc. The main part of the building is however devoted to stores and upper- story offices, and by the requirements of such uses the features of the plumbing are mainly determined. Mr. J. B. Baker, C. E., is the architect and engineer, and the plumbing was executed in conformity with his plans and detailed specifications by Messrs. Byrne & Murphy, of New York City. The plumbing comprises the cold-water street supply, which is received in a suction tank and pumped to storage tanks in the roof house, and thence brought down to distribution drums in the basement, where the separate risers to different lines of fixtures are controlled; three fire lines with hose connections on every floor; hot-water service to sinks, toilet-rooms, and janitor's apartments; wash- basins in offices and elsewhere, public urinals and water-closets, slopsinks, basement sinks, and fixtures in janitor's apartments; waste and soil pipe and trap- vent system; local vents from all water-closets and urinals, roof drainage, and cellar-floor drainage. The fixtures, connections, and piping, etc. in offices and toilet-rooms, etc., present a neat and attractive appearance and workmanlike finish, while the princi- pal features of design and arrangement are developed in the systems of receiving, storing, elevating, dis- tributing, and controlling the water supply, and are chiefly connected with the storage tanks and the pump-room apparatus, both of which are unusually well provided for in convenient and attractive loca- tions. The special tanks are built in a large room with finished floor and good lights, just beneath the steep- pitched roof, and the room is warmed by a steam radiator. The pumps, hot-water boiler, distribution drum, and valves controlling the separate supply lines are compactly and systematically arranged in one part of the engineer's room, at all times access- ible and convenient for his inspection and control. An ample floor space in the basement is devoted to the engine-room, which contains the engines, pumps, dynamos, feed-water heaters, electric switchboard, much of the plumbing apparatus, etc., and is a high, light, and well- ventilated apartment, tastefully fin- ished with glazed tiling, all carefully designed and adapted to the purposes of the large mechanical and power plant of the building. It forms an attractive hall, the apparatus being well displayed and the whole arrangement conducive to sanitary conditions and the proper operation of the different installations there. The three main house sewers from street sewers to the inside of the house traps are extra-heavy cast iron tested and tarred. All pipes in the soil, vent, waste, and leader system inside of the house traps are of best lap-welded extra-heavy standard wrought- iron steam pipe, and of these all the vent or back-air pipes throughout are galvanized, and all the others are thoroughly coated with asphalt. The connections and fitting of soil, waste, and leader pipes are in accordance with the " Durham System of House Drainage," with screw joints packed with red lead and giving perfectly smooth inside passage at all joints. Vent pipes have ordinary steamfitter's joints. All fittings are extra heavy, of uniform thickness, and those of vent pipes are galvanized. All connections with lead pipes are made by means of soldering nipples and all connections with iron pipes are screw joints packed with red lead. Horizontal lines of pipes are provided with hand- hole openings and brass scre>v caps located not more than 20 feet apart. All iron pipes of the water ser- vice are of best quality heavy wrought-iron tubing, galvanized, with extra-heavy galvanized-iron fittings and screw joints packed with red lead supported on galvanized-iron hangers and holdfasts. Lead waste and soil pipe where used for short connections is of the following weights: i;^-inch pipe, 3^ pounds per AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 173 running root; 2 pipe. f ur pounds per running foot; 3-inch pipe, six pounds per running foot. Lead water-service pipes are of the following weights: j^-inch pipe, three pounds per running foot; fjj-inch pipe, 2j^ pounds per running foot; 3^-inch pipe, 4^ pounds per running foot. Other sizes are extra-heavy drawn, of uniform thickness "AAA." All are put up with hard metal tacks and screws, not over 30 inches apart. All lead pipe in contact with concrete or deafening is painted two coats of metallic paint. All brass supply pipes are tinned. All exposed brass pipes are polished. Hot and cold water pipes are kept apart everywhere that it is possible; when they cannot be separated isolated packing is used. Where water pipes are exposed to frost they are wrapped in boiler felting and the whole protected by a galvanized- iron sleeve pipe of proper size. There are three cesspools under the basement floor, one in the boiler-room, one in the western storeroom, and one in the eastern part. At various points cast- iron catch-basins are built in, with perforated covers, set flush with the graded floors as follows: One in :HEY the pump-room, one in the dynamo-room, two in the boiler room, and two in the storeroom. These catch- basins discharge through 2-inch trapped pipes into the cesspools. A 3 inch pipe is run from each of the cesspools to the cesspool in the boiler-room, connect- ing with the latter 4 inches below its cover. Inside of this cesspool extending through its wall, are two pipes with screw caps and 2-inch stop valves, so that possible ground- water pressure under the main build- ing can be relieved. The boiler-room cesspool is on a lower level than the others, and is provided with an automatic steam syphon having an auxiliary water connection so that the house-tank water pressure can operate the syphon instead of steam, if necessary. The general features and arrangment of the main pipe lines and operation of the water-pressure system were developed by the architect, and a conventional diagram of it was made and attached to the contract specifications. The principal points of it were carried out in construction, subject of course to modifications of convenient position and relative location of pumps, tanks, etc., which will be shown in detail in the I/ .pe,^ Roo :$ e ............ > 7 ' ' <:^-.. Basement Toilet " "' i T"' "1 J f. 1 II tBd'semtntSinlo\ i fpnn PLUMBING IN THE PRESBYTERIAN BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY 174 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. following part. The specification diagram, Fig. i, needs no additional explanation and forms a desirable supplement to the written specifications, from which some of the data of this article have been prepared. FART II. ENUMERATION AND DESCRIPTION OF FIXTURES, LOCAL VENT SYSTEM, DRAWINGS AND DESCRIPTION OF STORAGE TANKS AND CONNECTIONS, AND OF PUMPS, DISTRIBUTION DRUM. HOT-WATER BOILER, SUCTION TANK, RISER LINES, AND OPERATING VALVES IN BASEMENT. A LIST of the principal fixtures includes 79 water- closets, 24 urinals, seven earthenware hopper slop- sinks, five cast-iron slopsinks, one cast-iron sink in engineer's basement toilet-room, and three cast-iron drip sinks, etc. in the basement. There are 291 washbasins, mostly single, 12^x15 inches, and one porcelain-lined roll-rim bathtub, besides two school sinks temporarily connected up in the basement for use as workmen's water-closets. One end of the elevator shaft is partitioned off to make a separate main vertical flue through which the pump and tank risers and other stacks of pipes are run, and into which foul-air flues for the ventilation of toilet-rooms are connected on different floors. In this ventilation shaft a special galvanized-iron flue is run and pro- vided with branches extending to within 2 feet of the different water-closets and urinals, from each of which a local vent pipe 3 inches or 2 inches respec- tively is taken to the flue branch. The top of the main flue opens freely in an iron exhaust chamber on top of the roof, where an electrically driven s-foot Blackman fan exhausts the air from both the toilet- rooms and their fixtures. Figure 2 shows the location of basement pumps, tank, hot and cold water drums, and the arrange- ment of distribution lines and position of the valves by which they can be completely controlled from this one point near the engineer's headquarters. Separate metered supplies are taken from the two adjacent street mains and discharged through four i^-inch ball cocks into a i.ooo-gallon open iron suction tank, from which the two i^xy'xio" Deane house pumps are supplied. The pumps deliver through a 4-inch pipe D to the roof tanks, and also through two 3-inch fire lines E E that have valve and hose couplings on every floor. A third similar fire line is branched overhead from pipe D, but is not here shown. Pipe D has a check valve, opening up to prevent the escape of water from the tanks. The supply and pressure from the tanks is brought through a 4 inch pipe F to the distribution drum G, 8x2 feet, that has dished heads, is tested to 200 pounds hydraulic pressure, and is hung from the floor beams above by iron suspension straps. This drum has two 8-inch handholes, and distributes the house supply of cold water through 121 !^-inch risers H, etc., which are controlled by the angle valves I I, etc., and may be separately emptied through the drip pipes and waste valves just above. A 2-inch pipe K from the bottom of the drum supplies the hot- water boiler J, whose contents are heated by two interior 3-inch brass coils, each 30 feet long, and con- nected to the live and exhaust steam mains. This boiler delivers hot water under tank pressure to the different groups, of fixtures through the three 2-inch lines L L L that vent above the roof tanks, and are connected above their highest fixtures with 2^-inch return-circulation pipes M M M, that are branched into the 2-inch emptying pipe N, between its valve and the boiler. These pipes are commanded by valves O, and each one can be separately and in- dependently emptied by closing its valve O and opening its valve P. t Hater Sups/y Pipes L r Return C/rcuhtion Pipes M | City Supply rmrnZ* hole t WOT HlfTfft BOILER J. SUCTION TMHi eamSupply Pipe V 'Hydraulic Pressure from Roof Tenh "Automatic Regulating Valve Jacketted PUMP PLUMBING IN THE PRESBYTERIAN BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 175 Each of the three systems, hot water, cold water, and tank delivery, has a blow-off above the roof tank. The pipe Q that supplies the first floor and basement fixtures with cold water is connected as shown with the mains from each of the two streets and by a valve not shown with tank-pressure system, which is usually cut off, but maybe used if necessary. All hot water, to basement fixtures inclusive, is sup- plied under tank pressure. Each of the duplicate Deane steam pumps receives steam through pipe V and valve U, which is usually open, and admits it to a valve T which is operated by a piston attached to its stem and continued in hydraulic cylinder S. This cylinder is connected with the roof tanks by a small pressure pipe R so .arranged that when the water in the tank is more 4han 6 inches below the overflow it opens valve T, upper edge inside, and two sets of nine i-inch hori- zontal tie-rods hooked to inside lugs riveted to the side plates. The tanks measure io'xi2'x6' high and have a capacity of 5,000 gallons below the overflow line. The tanks are supported on lo-inch rolled- steel I beams that distribute its weight upon the col- umns of the building and are placed in a ^-inch iron safe pan 3 inches deep and I2'8"x29'2", projecting 16 inches beyond the sides of the tanks and drained by two 3-inch safe waste pipes. The connections of the pipes are clearly indicated in the illustration. All pipes have flange joints to tanks. The main tanks T T are filled through sepa- rate valves from 4-inch pump riser D, that is carried along the ridge of the roof about 8 feet above their tops and has a vent and air valve at its highest point. They are connected at the bottom by an Roof Line . F- House Supply SafeHtostef, NVj C-Check WM fire Line E P- P- Emptying Pipes to Roof ~ Equa/izing Pipe B t ENG".tiBiNG aecoRC PLUMBING IN THE PRESBYTERIAN BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY. admits steam to the pumps and starts them; when the water rises in the tank to i inch below the overflow line the valve automatically closes and stops the pumps, the practical result being that the pump usually works very slowly most of the time, the valve T being only a little open. Of course valve T can be fixed open and the pumps operated by hand by valve U. Another pressure pipe and dial in the engine-room, not here shown, indicates constantly the height of water in the tank by a spring gauge with its index arranged to show feet instead of pounds. Figure 3 shows the arrangement of storage tank T T in the roof house. Each tank is made of i^-inch steel plates, with 3x4 inch vertical T-bar stiffeners 4 feet apart inside, a 4x3 inch flange angle around the equalizing pipe B, with valves to cut off either tank if requisite for cleaning, painting, alterations, repairs, etc., and from this pipe the 4-inch house-supply pipe F and three 3-inch fire lines E E E (see also Fig. 2) are branched, the latter with check valves to prevent fire-pump pressure from entering the tanks. All the lines are separately valved, though the valves are normally kept open and a small vent pipe suffices to promote the ready emptying of all of them. The arrangement of pump governor pressure gauge, over- flow and emptying pipes is clearly shown, and a frame A made of 2-inch riveted angles rests upon the top of one tank and supports a 500 gallon tank J that is elevated to give sufficient head for the supply to janitor's apartments on the same floor as the main tanks T T. PLUMBING IN AMUSEMENT HALLS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. PLUMBING IN THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK. (PUBLISHED IN i8gi.) THE water supply ot the Madison Square Garden is divided into two separate systems. The one for the auditorium building receives water through the 2^. inch pump pipe A, Fig. i. which delivers to the fire tank S The latter is supported above the roof by the 6-incb iron beams R R R, etc., which are carried by the wal. W and plate-girder T. Figure 2 is an elevation at Z Z. Fig. i. Water enters freely from the pump pipe without any ball valve, and overflows through the 3-inch stand-pipe B to the house tank Q, Fig. 3, which is below it and conveniently placed some distance away on the upper gallery floor. When this tank is full the pipe is closed by ball cock F, and the water, rising in tank S, rings an electric alarm X, which is in tank S, not shown here. This arrangement insures the constant maintenance of the upper tank S, full of water for fire purposes, as required by law. The height of the water in house tank Q is always indicated in the pump-room by a gauge operated by the heavy float G. The latter is a copper vessel filled nearly to submersion with sand, and then tightly sealed. The fire tank S must always be full. The overflow is through 4-inch pipe H to an adja- cent slopstnic. I is the 2-inch house supply pipe; J is a ^-inch branch to an upper washbasin, and also serves as a vent pipe to facilitate the emptying of I when its valve K is closed, and the stop cock L is opened; M is a lead-lined safe. Figure 4 is a diagram of the system of sprinklers placed in the roof over the stage of the amphitheater for protection, while in use as a theater. C is the 4- inch pipe from the fire tank S, Fig. 2. It is run hori- zontally for some distance, just under the ceiling of the upper gallery, and then descends by the 2;^-inch riser O to the cellar, where it is connected with the fire line A, Fig. 5. P is a check valve, opening with a current towards O; Q is a main supplying the sprinkler branches R R R, etc. Different sections of both Q and R R, etc. vary in size to correspond with the number of sprinklers supplied from given po.nts. All these pipes are suspended directly from the roof trusses. The sprinkler heads were supplied by John Sim- mons, New York, for this job. They were placed about 10 feet apart, as indicated by the black circles in Fig. 4, and are nominally closed, but will auto- matically open whenever the temperature in any part of the auditorium exceeds 160 degrees. They are cs^^^^^^^^^^ let W y PLUMI1ING IN THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 377 intended to be operated by the high pressure main- tained by the pumps throughout riser O and the rest of the fire line. This pressure closes check valve P, and prevents waste through tank S. Should this pump pressure fail, valve P will open and supply the contents of tank S to the sprinklers or to any hose cock on the fire line. Figure 8 is a general view, and Fig. 9 is a section of the automatic sprinkler head, which is screwed on to the pressure mains R R. etc., Fig. 4. Figures shows the sprinkler head closed, and Fig. 9 shows it open and delivering a spray, as indicated by the arrows. A is the supply tube carrying two slide rods F F, on which the perforated valve cap C moves vertically. Rods F F carry the head L, which has the adjustable yokes M M, to which are pivoted the catches N N. The stem J of cap C moves freely through head L, and is held up by a weak spring K. Ordinarily cap C is raised to embrace collar P and make a press- ure contact between ground edge B and copper gasket D resting on the rubber cushion E, which closes the tube A. Cap C is maintained in position by the catches N N, which secure the lower end of its spindle J, and are bound together by the fusible sleeve O, as in Fig. 8 Tightness of the joint at B is obtained by screwing up yoke M. If now the temperature be raised to 160 degrees the seams of sleeve O will be fused, and it will separate into two parts and release catches N N, as shown in Fig. 9. The pressure of water in A against cushion E will then overcome the weak spring K, and forcing down cap C and spindle J, open the valve and admit water into chamber H. From this it will escape through the perforations I I, etc. The house pump and the steam boiler pump and elevator pumps are all interchangeably connected, so as to be able to command a 4-inch fire main A, Figs. 5 and 6, which is carried completely around the MADISON SQUARE GARDEN PLUMBING IN THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY. 178 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. amphitheater on its outside foundation walls, and is constantly commanded by the special fire pumps at Z. This pipe has several 3-inch risers C C, etc., each of which has a 3-inch hose cock D in a corridor of every floor. The fire system commands the entire building, and serves the concert hall, restaurant, theater and tower, as well as the amphitheater. There are also, on opposite sides of the building, two 4-inch hose cocks E, each supplied with hose enough to meet that from the other. Just beyond the cocks E E are gate valves F to shut the water off from the rest of the system if a fire occurs between that point and the pumps. The main A is made without elbows, the lengths being very smoothly bent on the ground by hand to a radius of about 3 feet to fit the offsets in the wall, and so as to present a very regular and mechanical appearance. Different kinds of hangers, G, H, I, and J, are used to support the pipe according to cir- cumstances, and are placed at intervals of not more than 10 fett. All of them, except J, are drilled and leaded into the masonry. Figure 7 is a diagram plan showing the drainage system of the amphitheater and the horse stalls be- neath it. The reference letters designate: C, cast- iron drain pipe; D, horse drinking-trough; F, drain from center stalls; G, gutter around the stalls; L, rainwater leader; S, soil pipe; T, main trap; M, branch to street sewer. The gutter G is simply an asphalt-lined trough, covered with iron gratings, and connects through half-S traps with the drain pipe. Each trap is ac- cessible through a handhole, and every bend of these, and all other drain and soil pipes in the building, are commanded by cleaning caps. As is shown by the current arrows of Fig. 7, almost all parts of the main drain pipes are flushed by the leaders L L. etc. whenever it rains, and by the waste from the horse troughs. As the horse stalls and basements are unoccupied during intervals of several months each year, the gutter branch traps would lose their seals, and each one would have to be guarded by a gate valve if the stable drain pipes received also the discharge from the soil and waste pipes in the rest of the building. If this large number of valves had been provided, employees would probably neglect to close some or all of them when the stables were empty. It was therefore proposed to make the stable drainage and the general soil and waste systems entirely separate, the former having main traps T T, etc., and the latter main traps T' T', etc., connecting them with the branches M M, etc. to the street sewers. This plan was adopted by the contractors in consultation with John C. Collins, Chief Inspector of Plumbing for the New York Health Department, and the rain- water leader and stable-drainage system is, as above described, entirely independent of the plumbing and drainage elsewhere throughou the house. All the soil and ventilation pipes were subjected to a water- pressure test. The work was executed by Byrne & Tucker, of New York, who also fitted up the toilet-rooms and all other plumbing in the building, which, although similar to corresponding work done elsewhere by the same firm, does not present unusual features for special description here. PLUMBING IN THE UNION DEPOT AT ST. LOUIS. (PUBLISHED IN 1805.) THE mechanical and sanitary equipment of the large new Union passenger station used by the numerous railways having their termini in St. Louis, Mo., has been designed to be of correspond- ing beauty and excellence with the elaborate pro- vision for the accommodation of passenger move- ment and the rich decorations of all public rooms in the new station, and is complete and conformable to modern advanced practice. Theodore C. Link was the architect and Herbert P. Taussig Chief Engineer of the depot. Adams & Chandler were general con- tractors and the Abel & Gerhard Plumbing Company contractors for the plumbing, some details of which are illustrated herewith from sketches made by a member of our staff. The main building is four stories in height, the lower or basement floor and the first floor being de- voted to ticket and waiting rooms, emigrant rooms, restaurant, etc. The second and third stories contain the galleries of the main hall, and in the east and west wings over 100 offices for railroad and other pur- poses. The mail and express, baggage, and other departments are in adjacent separate buildings with individual plumbing equipments. In the depot itself the plumbing fixtures are designed and arranged for the greatest convenience and comfort of travelers and employees, and have been generously allotted, mak- ing some provisions not ordinarily found in similar installations. For example, in the special travelers' bathrooms, baths can be quickly furnished toymen or women between arrival and departure of terminal trains. The refrigerating system comprehends cooling all the drinking-water at one place without contact with the ice, and piping it thence through insulated pipes to the various drinking-fountains, some of which are elaborately decorated. The plumbing substantially consists of the drain- age and trap vent system, the cold-water supply, AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 179 FlG.7 -SECTION AJX-X. TRAIH HOUSE mi mi mi mi mi. mi mi nil mi mi mi mi mi mi mi PLUMBING IN THE ST. LOUIS UNION DEPOT. 160 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. THE ENGINEERING RECORD PLUMBING IN THE ST LOUIS UNION DEPOT. toilet-rooms for male and female emigrants and for first-class passengers, barber shop, washbowls, men's and women's bathrooms, hot and cold water and cooking apparatus in the restaurant, dining-room, and kitchen, employees' toilet-rooms, private and public water-closets, washbowls in the offices on the second and third floors, public toilet- rooms in the upper stories, a system of drinking-water fountains, fire -protection lines, and a hot- water heating appar- atus for baths and the barber shop. Figures 1,2, and 3 are diagrams of the different floor plans showing the location of fixtures. The second floor is arranged like the third. Figure 4 shows the arrangement of bracket wash- stands, one of which is provided on each chair in the barber shop. Figure 5 shows the center washbowl in the barber shop. Figure 6 is a cross- section through two of the water-closets in the first-floor toilet-room, showing that passageway between the stalls behind them in which the pipe lines are both concealed and access- ible. Figure 7 is an elevation at X X, Fig. 6. Figure 8 shows the connections of the sx4-foot Western filter through which all the drinking-water is passed. Figure g shows the Seaman's automatic water heater by which a gas flame is made to raise to a uni- form fixed temperature the water in the tank for the barber shop and the bathrooms. The device is ar- ranged to cut off the heat when the temperature of the water rises too high. architectural treatment is prominent among the sightly edifices of that neighborhood. It was erected by Mr. William K. Vanderbilt, and is maintained as a kind of club-house wherein employees of the rail- ways having their terminus at the Grand Central Station may pass their leisure time. It is admin- istered with a view to the healthful recreation and mental and moral improvement of those making use of its facilities, and contains beside parlor and gen- eral meeting-rooms, offices, club and committee rooms, a library, a gymnasium, baths, bowling alleys, etc. i j Fio,9 4 ^ * ^Mirrors ^T"-1'- f 1 'Mirror /fe/^ /? .,.... ECORO TRANSVERSE ' ELEVATION SECTION PLUMBING IN THE RAILROAD MEN'S READING-ROOM, NEW YORK. (PUBLISHED IN 1805.) THE Railroad Men's Reading-room is a handsome four-story structure about 80 feet square on the ground, located on Madison Avenue, New York City, near the Grand Central Station, and by reason of its The plumbing embraces a main lavatory and toilet-room in the basement, bathrooms with tubs, shower and plunge baths and sinks, slopsinks. wash- trays, water-closets, urinals, and washbowls as re- quired for convenience upon the upper floors. The soil and vent pipes are provided with cleanouts on dead ends and at principal angles, and are in lines branched from a 6-inch sewer pipe which extends under the basement floor to about the center of the building, and receives most of the discharge from rainwater leaders and floor strainers. One group of rainwater leaders discharges into an old outside masonry trapped cacth-basin, and the discharge from the plunge bath is received in a catch- basin whose contents are pumped out into the sewer. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 181 PLUMBING IN THE RAILROAD MEN'S READING-ROOM, NEW YORK CITY. 182 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 183 Figure i is a basement plan showing the arrange- ment of drain and trap vent pipes and the location of baths, lavatory, etc. Figure 2 is a general vertical section and elevation showing five of the principal stacks of pipes. Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are cross-sections show, ing views of portions of the lines and the fixtures at right angles to the plane of Fig. 2. Figure 3 is of line A at the third story. Fig. 4 of line B at the second and third stories, Fig. 5 of the basement water-closets. Figure 6 shows how the vent and soil pipes of line D are run through the second, third, and fourth stories and are branched together in the mansard roof space. Figure 7 is a diagram of the basement urinals, and Fig. 8 shows the bends necessitated in line C to avoid obstructing windows and to go through the third-story partition. Figure 9 shows the oval table, with the washbowls and handsome marble and plate-glass mirrors, in the basement. Marble^ FiG.4 Marble Fic.8 3" PLUMBING IN THE RAILROAD MEN'S READING-ROOM, NEW YORK CITY. PLUMBING IN THEATERS. PLUMBING IN THE FIFTH AVENUE THEA- TER. NEW YORK. (PUBLISHED IN 1892.) PART I. GENERAL PLAN, DIAGRAMS OK BASEMENT, PIPE SYSTEMS, AND DESCRIPTION OF PLUMBING. CURRENT plumbing practice, in its application to a modern metropolitan theater building, may be held to be illustrated in the work in the new Fifth Avenue Theater, in New York City. This structure is situated in West Twenty-eighth Street, near Broad- way, and replaces one burned a year before. It was built according to the plans of Francis H. Kimball, architect, of New York, and all the work described in this article was designed or approved in accordance with his plans by William Paul Gerhard, C. E,, con- sulting engineer for sanitary works, of New York. The contractors were John Tourney & Son, of New York. The fire service in this theater is notable as having been designed with the intention of con- forming to the latest revised requirements of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters and of the new building law, and this is said to be the first large theater system installed since the adoption of these rules. The plan and general features of the plumbing, gas, and fire-service systems, are shown in the engravings, the details conforming in general to the illustrations familiar to our readers. Figure i is a diagram showing the pipe system and general arrangement of the apparatus in the cellar. A A, etc. are 2j^-inch fire-line risers. B is the gas distributer. C and C' are 3-inch and i ^inch- risers of the automatic sprinkler system and are supplied by the independent 3-inch pipe D, forming the outside connection to which the hose from a fire engine may be connected, and from a downpipe, not here shown, from the special elevated fire tank. E E, etc. are sinks to receive overflows, drips and for other purposes. F is the suction tank. G is the Worthington compound duplex house pump. H is a 6-inch meter. I is the 2o"xi:^"xio" Worthington fire pump. J is the hot-water boiler. Figure 2 is a plan of the gallery floor and indicates sufficiently the arrangement of the other floors, which are similar, at least, as regards that portion of the building which adjoins the stage. The riser pipes are indicated by the following reference letters: H, hot water; D, cold water; S, soil pipe; T, trap vent pipe; L V, local vent pipe; I, house-pump pressure; J, tank pressure. F is the regular set of hot, cold, circulation, soil, and vent pipes. The plumbing equipment and fixtures comprise: On thereof, one 6,ooo-gallon fire tank, for fire supply only; at the top of the stage, one house tank, on the gallery floor, two water-closets, three urinals, one porcelain washbasin, one slopsink, five iron enamled washstands; on the second intermediate floor above the balcony, one water-closet, five iron enamled washstands, one painter's sink; on the balcony floor, four iron enamled washstands; on the first inter- mediate floor above orchestra floor, one water-closet, four iron enameled washstands; on the orchestra floor, four water-closets, three porcelain washbasins, one iron enamled washstand; in the basement, two water-closets, four urinals for men's toilet-room, two urinals and one slopsink, two water-closets under Twenty-eighth Street sidewalk, oce engineer's sink and connection for future engineer's closet, con- nections under stage for supernumeraries' toilet-room and washtrough, one water meter, one receiving or suction tank, one fire pump, one house pump, one hot-water heater, one carpenter's sink in carpenter shop. The i.soo-gallon cold-water house tank is on top of the loft over the stage. It is made of ^-inch boiler-iron, with riveted joints, has three coats of Prince's metallic paint inside and out, has a 3-inch galvanized wrought-iron overflow pipe to the nearest roof gutter, a ij^ inch sediment valve and blow-off pipe, and is fitted with a cut-off connected with the house pump to automatically start the pump when the water in the tank is drawn down. The hot-water heater J, Fig. i, is a 2Oo-gallon galvanized-iron closed tank containing a brass steam coil to the water. The tank is guaranteed to be tested at 300 pounds hydrostatic pressure, and is covered complete with asbestos and canvas covering. The open receiving tank F, Fig. i, is supplied direct from the city mains and serves as a suction tank for the pumps. It has a capacity of 1,000 gallons, is made of ^-inch boiler-iron, and painted with three coats of Prince's metallic paint The house pump always draws from this reservoir, as does the fire pump when filling the fire tank. In case of fire the house pump will draw directly from the 6-inch main. The 3-inch overflow discharges into a sink, the waste from which is trapped and connected with the sewer. The weight of all cast- iron pipes was specified to be as follows: Six-inch pipes to weigh 20 pounds per foot; 5-inch pipes to weigh 17 pounds per foot; 4-inch pipes to weigh 13 pounds per foot; 3 inch pipes to weigh 9^ pounds per foot; 2-inch pipes to weigh 51^ pounds per foot. The branch waste and vent pipes from fixtures were specified to be drawn D lead pipes of the following AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE, 183 weights: One and one-half-inch pipes, 3^ pounds per foot; 2-inch pipes, five pounds per foot; 3-inch pipes, six pounds per foot; 4-inch pipes, eight pounds per foot. Where nickel-plated pipes are exposed at fixtures they are drawn brass pipe of iron pipe size. All pipes were tested by the usual water-filling method. PART II. PUMPING CONNECTIONS, HOT-WATER TANK AND GAS DISTRIBUTER. FIGURE 3 is a plan of the pump connections. The reference letters indicate pipes as follows: A A, cold supply from house tank; B B, supply mains to fire tank; D D, etc., fire lines; H, C, and I are re- spectively hot, cold, and circulation pipes to the dif- ferent sets of fixtures, etc., G is the steam connection to the tank coil, S S are pump suctions, L is a supply to the receiving tank, K K are drip pipes for empty- ing rising lines, and M is the main 6-inch supply un- der city pressure. Figure 4 is a view of the fire pump. Letters B, D, M, and S have the same significance as in Fig. 3. H is the 6-inch Thomson meter, N is a hose cock, Q is the steam supply, P the exhaust and Q the auto- matic regulator. Figure 5 is a view of the connection of house pump G, Fig. i. City water from pipe L is ordinarily delivered through two 2 inch ball cocks to tank F, whence it is delivered by the 3-inch suction S to the pump and forced to the house tank, about 85 feet above, through the 2 '/4-inch pipe B. Water may however be drawn directly from the city mains by opening the valve U, which is usually closed, and by closing the valves a b and opening c d it can be pumped directly to the fire lines and fire tank through pipe E. C C C are cold- water supplies to fixtures on the lower floor, and O is a i J^-inch boiler feed pipe. M is a 4-inch overflow and N is a i^-inch emptying pipe for the receiving tank. K is an emptying pipe for the fire-tank force main. Steam is supplied to the pump through pipe R and is exhausted through T; a i-inch pressure pipe P connects with the house tank and has a ^ inch branch to the automatic governor D, which shuts off steam when the water in the tank reaches a level near its top, and admits it and starts the pump when the level falls a few inches. Figure 6 shows the connections of the hot-water tank J, Fig. i, which is supplied from the roof tank through iy 2 -inch branch C of pipe A, and delivers hot water under tank pressure through the i^-inch pipes H and I, which supply groups of fixtures in the north and south parts of the building respectively. The return circulation is brought to main F, and enters the tank through branch P, which also serves to empty it to the sewer through pipe Q, when valves K K are closed and valve G is opened. N is a safety valve and pipes B B, D D, and E are supplies to the fire tank and fire lines from the pumps, as in Figs, i, 4, and 5. Figure 7 is an elevation and Fig. 8 is a vertu :l center section of the steam-pump governor D, Fig. 5, which controls the operation of the house pump to correspond with the level of water in the tank. In 186 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 187 188 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Fig. 8 the valve is shown open so that steam is ad- mitted at A, passes through seats C C of the double balanced valve D, and enters the steam chest of the pump through the inlet B. The valve D is supported by stem E, which is connected to the rod H by the adjustable sleeve yoke F. The rods E and H work through glands, and the latter terminates in a piston head I which works in cylinder J under tank pressure from pipe K. As soon as the operation of the pump has filled the tank to a fixed level the increased press- ure on piston I overcomes the resistance of spring G, and depresses and closes valve D, thus stopping the pump. Drawing off a small quantity of the water in the tank diminishes the pressure in cylinder J so that spring G raises and opens valve D, and so on. L is a lock nut and adjustment for lengthening or shortening rod E in sleeve F, so as to set the spring G at any required tension. A similar governor (Q, Fig. 4) is attached to the fire pump, so arranged as to be balanced by a constant pressure of 100 pounds, maintained in the stand-pipes, and to turn on steam the moment that pressure falls. Figure 9 shows the gas distributer B, Fig. i. A 4-inch gas supply P is connected to a 10 inch drum O, from which the supplies B, C, D, E, F, and G are taken for different groups of stage and auditorium lights, which can be quickly adjusted by the key valves P P, etc., which, however, cannot totally ex- tinguish them even when entirely closed, because a ^-inch by pass pipe H is always open and admits enough gas to preserve the flame at all times. These by-passes are all supplied from branch Q, taken from the pipe N to the stage chandelier. Pipe A supplies the orchestra, gallery, and balcony burners; pipe S is to the ground lights on each side of the stage; pipe E is to the footlights, F is to border lights, and I, J, K, L. and M are for the rigging loft. The dressing- rooms, corridors, foyers, halls, toilet-rooms, entrance, and all stairways, etc. have a separate meter and independent 3-inch supply. All the piping was put together without the use of red lead, and the use of gasfitters' cement was absolutely prohibited. After the piping was completed it was tested to success- fully maintain for one hour an air pressure of 15 inches of mercury. No pipe is less than ^-inch bore, and this size is used only for one or two bracket lights. No pipe for chandeliers is less than ^-inch bore up to four burn- ners, or three-fourths of an inch for chandeliers with from four burners up to 15. Gas pipes were propor- tioned according to the following table of sizes, etc.: %-inch pipe. i feet. 100 150 2OO 3OO 4OO 3 burners. 4 2S 40 70 140 225 300 PART III. FIRE SERVICE. THE fire pump I, Fig. i, has a capacity of 1,348 gallons of water per minute when running at the rate of 125 feet per minute piston travel, and deliv- ers by separate horizontal lines of 2j^-inch pipe to five lines of fire stand-pipes, each 2 ^ inches diame- ter, of galvanized wrought iron, screw-jointed, upon which are 25 2^-inch fire valves, as follows: 10 valves on the two lines on each side of the stage, seven valves on line in corroder along dressing-rooms, eight valves on the two lines on each side of the audi- torium. Just below each fire valve the fire stand- pipe is provided with a 2^x^-inch tee, into which an extra strong steam metal detached lever-handle ground-key bibb may be screwed to be used for fill- ing the fire pails. The fire valves are 2% inches inside diameter, and are finished and nickle-plated in all places except in basement under the stage, on the fly gallery, and in the rigging loft. Each fire valve is fitted with 50 feet of best quality four-ply rubber-lined cotton fire hose, able to stand a pressure of 300 pounds per square inch, and the hose has a ij^-inch plated fire nozzle. The hose and nozzle are supported in im- proved hose racks, attached by pipe clamps to the fire stand-pipes. The fire pump, its automatic attach- ment, the fire valve, and the fire hose were subjected to tests directed by the fire commissioners. The fire pump was operated under a water pressure of 120 pounds per square inch, which the hose and fire noz- zles successfully endured. Besides this stand-pipe system the Harkness wet-pipe system of automatic sprinklers was installed to protect that portion of the theater back of the proscenium wall designated as follows: Under roof , over stage, under gridiron, fly galleries and under the stage as shown by the accom- panying plans, also the dressing-rooms, property- room and dressing-room for "supers" in the base- ment. The apparatus comprises a cedar tank of 6,000 gal- lons capacity, 227 automatic sprinklers placed so as to meet the requirements of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters, one 2^-inch and one 3-inch riser and all pipes and fittings necessary for the equipment, a separate valve for each floor or gallery, a drip pipe with suitable valve for each floor or gallery, a watch- man's automatic fire alarm having one 8-inch gong placed inside and one 10 inch located on the outside of the building, a low-water alarm having an indica- tor in the engine-room, a 3-inch pipe connected to the main pipes of the system and carried down and through the walls of the building to the street and provided with a check valve and coupling and cap of the Fire Department Standard, a 2V-inch supply pipe connecting the water tank to the fire pump, and a 2-inch overflow pipe for the water tank. There was a steam connection made with the roof tank, and its riser was jacketed with felt to prevent the danger of freezing. Movable fire-extinguishing appliances were also provided as follows: A number of portable- copper fire extinguishers, fire axes and pick heads, sets of polished axe brackets, one fire hook 6-foot pole, one fire hook io-foot pole, one fire hook is-foot pole, one fire hook 2o-foot pole, and contracts were made for the systematic maintenance of the electrical works of the equipment and for the monthly inspec- tions required by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters. 190 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. IS* A !V ; "' '' ji fg X ~C] t^ KTJ wi 3-- _- r --. V - . *'*" a. '" w - V \ V '"* . W ''* I'/cTlV T^ -t V r r V ~' " ^ iv i K k *i fW M ...y.. r V vf r V a E i C l I T *f I'/ I V r V ^- SP^CE UNDER ST^G,E H va' 1 IT s V V Vn: -'->: H V L V. k v F|G ' 14 T H t- i, 1 , ^ /\Rt Ksi SVM.I uxoia (\\jonosvu> PLUMBING IN THE FIFTH AVENUE THEATER, NEW YORK CITY. Figure 10 is a vertical section showing arrangement of the main riser lines of the sprinkler system. B is the supply from the fire tank placed on raised plat- form above highest roof over stage; J, K, and Q are distributing risers; N and R are the horizontal trunk mains supplying the roof gridiron and substage sys- tems respectively; P P are branches supplying the dressing-room sprinklers; S is the outside Fire De- partment connection on Twenty-eighth Street; A and G are gate valves, and E is an electric attach- ment under the roof near the riser, which is con- nected to an alarm bell outside the manager's office on the stage, and one large outside bell over the stage entrance. These bells ring automatically when water moves in the sprinkler system. The fire pump is not connected automatically with the sprink- lers, but with the tank only, as required by the laws of the Building and Fire Departments. Figures n, 12, 13, and 14 are diagrams showing the arrangement of sprinkler heads L L, etc. on branches H H, etc. of main pipes T T, etc. in differ- ent horizontal planes. G G, etc., are gate valves. D D, etc. are drip cocks. F F, etc. and A are risers, B, Fig. 14, is a check valve, and C is a 2-inch riser. Figure u is the roof plan at N, Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is the gridiron plan at M, Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a plan of the second gallery at T T, Fig. 10. The plan of the first gallery is similar to it, except that branch L 1 is omitted. Figure 14 is a plan of the system for the dressing-rooms for " supers," and for toilet-rooms in basement. Figure 1 5 is a plan of the system in one of the sets of dressing rooms (see Fig. 10), to which the others are similar. A THEATER FIRE-PRESSURE SYSTEM. (PUBLISHED IN 1890.) THE automatic steam and tank pressure arrange- ment for general and fire purposes in the Broadway Theater, New York City, is shown in the accompany- ing diagram, where T is a 6,ooo-gallon iron roof tank filled through a pump pipe A. B is an overflow. C is an emptying pipe. The general house supply is through a pipe D, which pierces the tank at E half- way up, so that it can draw off the water in the up- per half of the tank only, always leaving below the level E 3,000 gallons of water that can be drawn only through the fire line F, which has branches to four other lines G G, etc. H is a check valve, closing by an upward pressure. I I, etc. are hose cocks. J is a Worthington pump with a patent automatic pressure regulator connected by a pipe K to the pump pipe F. Steam at a pressure of about 60 pounds is always kept up, received through the pipe L. A spring at N is regulated so that a pressure of aboout 70 pounds in the pipe will balance the steam pressure in the pipe L, and close a valve at M. If now water be drawn from any hose cock I, the pressure is dimin- ished, the steatri opens the valve M and starts the pump, whose pressure closes the check valve H and allows the pump to work at any pressure on the fire stream until the hose cocks are closed and the press- ure in the pipe F becomes great enough to close the A THEATER FIRE-PRESSURE SYSTEM. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. valve M. The tank water is thus shut off while the pump is working and so is preserved for use while the pump is starting if the street supply should fail. This arrangement is illustrated from a description by W. R. Bracken, of the firm of Moody & Bracken, of New York City, who did this work, with the other plumbing in the building. PLUMBING DETAILS IN ABBEY'S THEATER, NEW YORK CITY. (PUBLISHED IN 1893.) THE plumbing in the new Abbey Theater, Broad- way and Thirty-eighth Street, New York City, was executed by Messrs. Rossman & Bracken, in con- formity to the requirements of J. B. McElfatrick & Son, architects, and does not differ essentially from standard metropolitan work, except in some practical details of connections which have been sketched to illustrate the convenient and advantageous methods used. The system consists substantially of a pump plant, tank and street supply, hose connections, hot- water supply, toilet-rooms for the theater, public, office and private use, and washbasins. The auto- matic fire extinguishers are a separate installation. A 4-inch street connection directly supplies the suction pipes of a 2o"xio"xio" fire pump anda6"x4"x6* house pump, both of Worthington make. The fire pump is commanded by an automatic governor placed on the steam pipe between the throttle valve and the cylinder, so that, the throttle being open and steam continually on, the governor will exclude it when pressure in the discharge pipe is 100 pounds, and ad- mit it and start the pump the moment the pressure falls in the discharge pipe. The fire riser has three hose cocks and reels with 100 feet of hose in each corridor (12 in all). Great care has been taken to assure the reliability of the fire apparatus in case of an emergency, and its magnitude is indicated by the statement that the fire pump has a capacity of 750 gallons per minute, or more than 1,000,000 gallons in 24 hours, enough to supply 50 gallons per capita per day to a city of 20,000 inhabitants. The automatic apparatus is so arranged that in case of fire anyone Iron back air pipe F. PLUMBING DETAILS IN ABBEY S THEATER, NEW YORK CITY. 192 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. can run out a length of hose, open the valve, and in- stantly turn on a fire stream, while the pump simulta- neously automatically starts at full speed without sig- naling the engineer, thus gaining time that may be of the utmost value. The house pump supplies the house tank and steam boilers and is controlled by hand. It delivers into a s.ooo-gallon iron roof tank, the sup- ply in which is indicated by an electric high and low water alarm of Bracken's patent. The house supply of cold water is from a 3-inch tank pipe branched to distribution pipes in every story above the street which is supplied directly from the street pressure. A separate i}-2-inch supply from the tank connects with the soo-gallon hot-water boiler, which is heated by a 2-inch brass live-steam coil about 70 feet long. The water pipes are all galvanized iron except where exposed in toilet-rooms and at fixtures, where they are nickel-plated brass. There are in all 90 wash- bowls, 35 water closets, 26 urinals, two bathtubs, six slopsinks, and eight ordinary sinks, which are in- stalled for the public and private uses of the theater, for rented offices, clubrooms, and other tenants of the building. Washbasins with marble slabs and hot and cold water and handsome fixtures are a notice- able feature in all of the 36 dressing rooms. When the main riser lines were run it was impossible to locate fixtures with precision, but the tees, Y's, etc., were set as nearly right as possible and closed with screw or calked caps, and a water-pressure test was applied. Afterwards everything but the tee or Y was built in or plastered up, and when the washbowls were set they were connected up with special adjustable pieces which allowed for a variation in position of several inches. Figure i shows the connection of the washbowl waste and overflow to the soil pipe S by means of two slip joints, the lower one of which is screwed on to the projecting end of a brass tee " Y " B, which is united by wiped joints to the lead pipe branches con- necting it to the brass ferrules F F calked into the cast-iron hubs of the main pipes. Figure 2 shows the connections of the basin sup- plies, which are all made with a ^x^-inch angle V and short nickel-plated pipe P screwed on to the tee T, after the bowl is set. The coupling C is con- nected to the foot of the cock by a ground joint N, and the distance between it and valve V being measured, a J^-inch nickel-plated pipe A is cut to fit and connected up with a packing nut D, thus making an easy screwed job, claimed to be perfectly tight and durable and to be not much more expensive than lead pipe and wiped joints. One man has fitted up six such bowls in a day. Figure 3 shows the connection of the two 3 -inch Thomson meters M M to the 4-inch supply S, thus avoiding the use of a 4-inch meter and providing a by-pass to enable one meter to be cut out for repairs, etc.. without interrupting the supply. PLUMBING OF SWIMMING AND RAIN BATHS. BATHS OF THE NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB. (PUBLISHED IN 1886.) THE accompanying illustrations show the baths of the New York Athletic Club. Figure i is a ground plan of the main floor of the building, which is de- voted to office and bathing purposes. The second story contains a cafe, dining-room, reading-room, parlor, and public and private billiard-rooms. The third floor has a private dining-room, 1,024 private lockers for the members, a boxing- room, fencing- room, douche and shower rooms, lavatory, and water- closets and urinals. The fourth floor is entirely occupied by a gymnasium, the gallery of which is a running track of 21 laps to a mile, and the kitchen is in the top of the house. In the basement are four public bowling alleys and two private. A repository is also provided for bicycles or tricycles, and 84 lockers are here provided for the use of the help The building is 100x75 feet, the greatest length being on Fifty-fifth Street, and it is on this front the main entrance is. The staircase hall is a square of about 21 feet, open to the top of the building. On the left is the office, and beyond it a committee-room. Op- posite the main entrance is the coat-room, 14x18 feet, and adjacent to both stairways. The remainder of the floor is devoted to bathing. There is a large swimming bath, 66 feet long by 22 feet wide, lined with glazed brick, as is also the whole room, and shown in perspective in Fig. 2. At one end the depth of water maintained is about 4 feet 6 inches, at the other about 6 feet 6 inches. To the left of this bath are the dressing-rooms, and on the right is a position for spectators. Light is admitted through skylights over the spectators' gallery. The temper- ature of this room is maintained at from 65 to 70 de- grees in cold weather. At one end of the spectators' FIG. I. , BATHS OF THE NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB. 194 AMERICAN PLUM ING PRACTICE. gallery the water-closets, etc. are placed, and they can be approached either from the steps- of the swim- ming bath or the gallery. Here also are two shower baths for the bathers. At the opposite end is the barber shop. Gas and electric lights are both pro- vided for evening use. and a swimming master is always in attendance. Turkish and Russian oaths are also provided. A room 23x24 feet is devoted to dressing-rooms and lounges; a steam-room with marble terraces is i4'6"xg'6"; the " hot-room ' is 9x6 feet, a hot-room with plunge is I2'6"xi8'6", one side of which is terraced. A spray and needle bath oc- cupies one corner of this room, marked S N. The temperature maintained here is about 100 Fahr., while a temperature of 160 Fahr., is maintained in the dry hot room. The scrubbing-room is i8'6"x8', and the cooling-room i2'xn'6". A study of the plan of this floor will show the relative positions of the ad- joining rooms of the baths and closets. To warm the water in the swimming bath or plunge the exhaust steam from the pump and electric- light engines can be used, but the principal mode of tempering the water for the swimming bath is to pass it through a coil of 16 i-inch pipes. 30 feet long, arranged in the boiler smoke flue so the waste heat of combustion can be utilized. This is a header coil within a long iron smoke flue, and the Croton con- nections are so arranged that the water in flowing to the swimming pool, after passing a filter, can be either passed through the coil or to the pool direct by the manipulation of two valves in the engineer's de- partment. The architect was Mr. Charles W. Clinton, and the plumbers Messrs. Locke & Monroe, all of New York. PLUMBING OF A SWIMMING BATH. (PUBLISHED IN 1892.) PART I. GENERAL VIEW AND CROSS-SECTION OF THE BATH, DETAILS OF CIRCULATION CONNECTIONS AND CASCADE, ARRANGEMENT OF HEATER AND PUMPS. FIGURE i is a general view of the large swimming bath in the house of the Manhattan Athletic Club, New York City. The dimensions of the pool are about ioo'x2i'x8' deep. Fresh water is periodically supplied through pipe A, being aerated by falling several feet into the pool in a wide sheet at B. Ordinarily, circulation with the heating boiler is maintained through the 6-inch pipes A and D, as indicated by the full arrows. E is the overflow and F is a suction pipe to a filter pump. G is an empty- ing pipe to the sewer. Figure 2 is a general cross- section of the swimming bath showing its construc- tion. Figure 3 is a partial horizontal section and plan, showing an enlarged view of the supply and FIG. 2. BATHS OF THE NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 195 circulating: connections. Supposing the tank to be full of water it- temperature is maintained or ele- vated by the steam-coil beater H, hot water from which circulates through pipe D and enters the pool through a grating a. O colder water flowing back to the heater to replace it through the outlet I and the pipe A. Inlet O is at the middle of one side wall 01 the pool about 3 feet above outlet I, which is in the bottom at one end, 50 feet away, so as to insure diffusion of the hottest water throughout the pool, while the circulation through heater H is so easy chat the water returns to the tank as fast as its tem- perature is slightly raised, thus never becoming too hot in small quantities. For this circulation, valves K and L are open and more water may or may not be supplied at pleasure from the pump delivery pipe N. When however, it is desired to aerate the water by delivery through cascade B, Fig. i, valve L and outlet I are closed and the pump delivers through pipe M, heater H pipe A and branches J J. Figure 4 is a vertical elevation at Z Z, showing the connections at outlet O, Fig 3 The cascade was designed after the completion of the bath, so the sleeve Q was calked into the outlet elbow P of cir- culation pipe A. Brass pipes J J were branched from Q, whose top was fitted with a screw plug R. Master /a l <-*/&* f-cf tt/es /flic/ in * t&icS fyrtck u/a/l gff^gffi FIG. 5 PLUMBING IN A SWIMMING BATH. 196 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Branches J J have two vertical risers T T about 12 feet long, which are connected by an 8-foot horizontal pipe B, which has for nearly its entire length a 3*7- inch wide slot S (or of a total area about equal to the cross-section of the pipe), through which the water escapes, forming the cascade when plug R is screwed in. When R is removed, circulation is directly through the top I, of sleeve Q. A key wrench and guide enable the attendant to insert plug R from the surface of the water. Figure 5 shows the heating tank H and its connections. M is the 3-inch cold-water supply from the roof tank. A and D are circulation pipes to the swimming bath, and with their valves L and K are designated by the same reference letters as in Figs, i and 3. B is a 4- inch supply from the city mains. It passes through meter C and has for the pump service a branch E with the connections F to the roof- tank pump N, G to the filter pump, J and I to to the bath pump K. House pump N delivers to the roof tank through pipe M, or to the boilers by O, or to the fire line by P; Q is an equalizing chamber. R, S, and T are branches PLUMBING OF A SWIMMING BATH. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 197 to the suction and delivery pipes of pumps J and K. U is the emptying pipe of the swimming bath, and V and W are branches for sewer waste and pump suction respectively. X X are live and exhaust steam supplies to the heating coil H, and Y is the return steam pipe with trap Z. PART II. BATH PUMP. FILTER PUMP AND FILTER. WHEN fresh water is admitted to the swimming bath, the dirty water, overflowing from the opposite end through pipe U, Fig. 5, may be discharged through sewer pipe V, but is generally taken through the suction pipe W of pump J, Fig. 6, which delivers it through pipe A to the Jewett gravity filter B, whence it is drawn through suction pipe C of pump K, and delivered through pipe D to the bath heater H, Figs. 3 and 5. When the water in the filter rises to a fixed height, the heavy float E, suspended by chain F, attached to the counterweigh ted lever G, opens the valve H, and admits steam from branch I of main V to the pump K which works until it reduces the level of the water in B and the descending float cuts off the steam and stops the pump. The pump may also be operated by the hand valve W. L is a steam pipe to pump J. and M M are exhaust pipes. N and O are overflow pipes discharging into the sewer. Ordinarily valve P is closed, but it may be opened to drain pipes V and I through pipe C into N. R R are delivery pipes to the boiler feed pipe. S is a hose connection T T are suctions direct from the city water supply- and U is a connection to the delivery pipe of the feed pump. Thus these two pumps, J and K, the roof tank pump N, Fig. 5, and the boiler feed pump (not here shown) are interchangeable throughout, and each can be connected on to the system of any of the others. When it is necessary to wash the filter, pump J forces city water from pipe T through pipe C and it passes through the filter in the reverse direction, and thus escapes into the sewer pipes. Figure 7 shows the construction of filter B, Fig. 6, but represents the well to be made of hooped wooden staves instead of steel plates, as is really the case. About half of the upper part of the filter and the front wall of the remainder is removed so as to show the washing and collecting apparatus in the filter chamber, from which the filtering medium is shown removed. The hand wheel W, through pinion G, shaft S, and beveled gear B, drives shaft A, revolv- ing its horizontal arms D D, which carry cutting bars E E, which, when the filter is washed, disinte- grate the filter bed. On the bottom of the filter a cast-iron collecting box H has connected to it numer- ous lateral pipes with horizontal inlets, through which the water is received and delivered to the supply main at C. Mr. P. Lauritzen was the architect of the club-house, s and the plumbing was executed by Byrne & Tucker, all of New York City. EUROPEAN RAIN BATHS. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) THE recent agitation in New York City for public baths lends renewed interest to a number of descrip- tions of similar European establishments, published in THE ENGINEERING RECORD several years ago. The illustrations first published in THE ENGINEERING RECORD of October u 1883, show a bath exhibited at the Berlin Hygienic Exhibition, by Mr. David Grove, of Berlin. The establishment was designed to afford baths at very low prices, in reach of the poorer classes, and is an extension of a plan first adopted by Mr. Grove in a bath at the barracks of Kaiser Franz Garde Grenadier Regiment No. 2, which was established in 1878. At the Berlin exhibition, baths were given at a price of about 2% cents each, including soap and towels. A special building of corrugated iron was erected at the Berlin exhibition f r r the bath. Each bathing cell in the men's department is provided with a shower bath at about 90 Fahr., and a small douche fitted to a flexible tube and supplied with cold water. In the cells of the women's department the arrange- ment is the same, with the addition of a similar douche supplied with warm water. The water for PUBLIC BATHS IN THE BERLIN EXHIBITION. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. the baths is heated by an apparatus placed at one end of the building in the center of the chamber used for drying the towels, Either fire or steam can be employed as heating agent for the apparatus. At the end of the building opposite to that containing the drying chamber and heating apparatus is the wash- house containing a machine for washing the towels. The building has brick foundations for outside and middle partition walls : thickness of foundation one brick; height. 12 inches. Floors are made of one course of bricks covered with asphalt. Each cell has, besides, a movable grating of laths covering the whole floor The cells are drained by a cast-iron pipe under the floors with a branch to each cell. The inlets to the drains are covered with a copper sieve. The dram pipe is trapped at its lower extremity at u the end ot the building. The supply pipe for each douche is a |^-inch wrought-iron pipe. The boiler of the shower bath exhibited is ar- ranged for heating by steam only, as shown. If a fire were placed beneath the boiler the condensed steam would have to be carried off at the lower end. of side of boiler, and a smoke flue could be arranged in the center of the steam coil. The water for the shower bath (only warm) is turned on or off by a closet valve which allows a certain regulated quan- tity of water to pass through, and then closes auto- matically if not held open The valves are pro- vided with a chain and pull. The douches each have a separate screw-down tap for cold or warm water only. (See letters and explanation on illustrations ) The rooms of the bath at the exhibition were not heated, as the establishment was intended for use only during the exhibition, which closed before winter. The best place for fixing pipes for heating the rooms would probably be along the foot of the outer wall in the passages; or under the floors of the latter The reservoir was made of wrought iron, and was about 59 inches long 39 inches wide, and 30 inches high. The cut and data of the public bathing-houses at Frankfort-on-the-Main. Germany, were given in THE ENGINEERING RECORD of May 25 1889. Space, water, and fuel were limited, and it was desired to furnish baths with soap and towel for about 2 cents each The roof of the house is an octagonal pyramid , 14 feet 9 inches high in the center. The outside octagonal wall is n feet 9 inches high, and 13 feet 9 inches long on each face M is the entrance for women, and N that for men. A is the cashiers office: B is the linen-roomt C, the drying room, S. chimney. E, the stairs to the basement where a furnace heats water in reservoir D This is in the upper part of room C The same furnace also heats the air supplied to each bathroom through registers K, L is the partition between the men s and women's corridors; I I are water-closets- F F are sliding doors to dressing-rooms G, which are sup- plied each with a chair, a mirror, and a wardrobe. The floors are covered with linoleum The parM- tions O are about 7 feet 3 inches high. P are water- proof curtains for the bath closets H There is no full-length bath, but each closet con- tains a basin and a douche with hoc and cold water mr. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 199 cocks, by which the bather can regulate the quantity and temperature of the water at will. The floors of the closets have wooden gratings, through which the water is drained off. The establishment cost 25,000 francs, and it is estimated that it will cost about 4,000 francs per year to maintain it. A public bath at Vienna, Austria, described in the RECORD of August 4, 1888, occupies the ground floor of a house, and comprises, on the right, 42 baths for men; on the left, 28 baths for women, and at the end a lavatory. Each division contains an attendant's hall, a dressing-room and the bathing-room. In the latter a closet is assigned to each bather for his clothes. The bathrooms have sheet-iron walls, and are closed by curtains. They are 2.6 feet deep, 3.28 feet long, and each is supplied with a douche cock, which the bather can operate at pleasure. The passages between the groups of baths are 3.28 feet wide, and are paved with Holland tiles set in betorr. Water is taken directly from the city mains to two reservoirs, each having a capacity of 3,434 gallons. The water is maintained in the reservoirs at a temperature of 68 Fahr. in summer and 104 degrees in winter by means of hoc-water coils separately heated. Each reservoir is employed alternately. The rooms are heated by an independent hot- water system. For the modest sum of 5 kreutzers each bather is entitled for 20 minutes to the use of a dressing-room, douche room, and ioj^ gallons of water, besides a pair of drawers and a towel, and for each woman a bathing dress besides. According to Dr. Lassar, Professor of Hygiene at the University of Berlin, who took the initiative in the establishment of this type of bath, from one-eighth to one- quarter of the above quantity of water would suffice. The total cost of establishing the baths was 43,855 fl., apd the annual main- tenance, inclusive of 5 per cent, interest on the first cost, is 17,195.5 fl. SCO AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. PUBLIC BATHS IN NEW YORK CITY. (1'CBLIS^ED IN 1892 ) PART I. DEVELOPMENT OF FOREIGN AND AMERICAN PUBLIC BATHS, GEkRAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BARON DE HIRSCH RAIN BATHS, AND FLOOR PLANS. THE subject of public bathhouses, which has been so often represented in the columns of THE ENGI- NEERING RECORD, has received recent increased attention and has developed into practical operation in several places in New York City. Some of the features of design and construction are adapted and modified from the practice abroad, and some are en- tirely of a special nature. A number of the leading characteristics and practical details will be illustrated in this and subsequent descriptions, which we have prepared from the working drawings and from spe- cial sketches. A brief re'sume' of the subject will show the conditions and circumstances now existing. The Greeks. Romans, Egyptians, and other ancients provided and used abundant facilities for public baths, freely available to the poorest citizens, and in an article of the Dietetic Gazette of May, 1891, Si- mon Baruch, M. D,, says that in Russia every vil- lage has its vapor bath, where the bather, after being steamed, is well scrubbed with soap and water and receives a massage with switches, and a shower bath. Public baths are quite common in Constantinople and in the interior of Turkey, the fees being suited to the very poorest people. The same is true now in Egypt, there being 60 or 70 baths in Cairo alone. In Japan public and private baths are much fre- quented by both sexes, a bathhouse being visible every 100 paces in Yeddo. Since the first one was established at Frederick Street, Liverpool, in 1842, public bath and wash houses have become both popular and cheap in Eng- land, and they are numerous and excellent in France, Belgium, and Germany, where the fees, although moderate, are often beyond the means of the poor- est. The adaptation of these baths to the popu- lous tenement districts requires that they be located near by and afford a good bath quickly, com- fortably, and cheaply. The development of the sys- tem has tended to the abolition of the old-fashioned tub, and the adoption of shower baths, or, as they are termed, rain baths, for which the following advan- tages are claimed. First, a large economy over the provision and maintenance of tubs; second, economy of labor, time, and expense of filling and cleaning the tub for every bath, the rain bath being auto- matic, simple, and requiring only supervision, not attendance; third, quickness, greater efficiency, the mechanical effect of the descending stream, and the prevention of contact of soiled water with the body; fourth, economy of space; fifth, economy of water; sixth, freedom of danger of communicating dis- eases; seventh, stimulating and refreshing effects. Among the requisites for public baths it is import- ant that they should be located in the most populous districts of laborers' residences, that they should be neat, clean, inviting, and well warmed, ventilated, and lighted; that they should be substantially and economically constructed and managed, and open every day and night. The first bath fulfill'flg these conditions approximately was exhibited at Berlin Hygienic Exposition in 1883. It was a corrugated- tin house of about 430 square feet, and was so suc- cessful that it has since been adopted by many bar- racks and factories. The first public bath on this principle was constructed in the Mondscheingasse, Vienna, when an old building was divided into 72 BASEMENT FLOOR THE BARON DE HIRSCH RAIN BATHS. bathing cells, and nine gallons of warm water, soap, and towel are furnished for about 2 cents. A public bath association in Berlin furnishes different kinds of baths for from 2 J^ to 12^ cents each. Rain baths have also been provided for schools in Goettingen, Munich, and Weimar, and are used daily by 75 per cent, of the pupils. Rain baths are also provided in many European factories. In this country rain baths are of very recent public adoption. One of the first was provided at the sug- gestion of Dr. Baruch for the New York Juvenile Asylum. It consists of 68 sprinklers, 20 inches AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 201 apart, placed near the ceiling above a bathing space, where companies of children can soap and rub them- selves every 10 minutes at the rate of 280 an hour. The water is heated by the admixture of steam and delivered warm. Recently the trustees of the Baron de Hirsch fund in America adopted the rain-bath system for the first of a series of free baths intended to be distributed FIRST THE BARON DE HIRSCH RAIN BATHS throughout the tenement district of New York. These baths are located in a corner building at the intersection of Henry and Market Streets, in the eastern end of lower New York City. A basement and street floor of an apartment-house have been rented for five years, with privilege of renewal, and the place has been transformed into a bathhouse ac- cording to plans and specifications prepared by Will- iam Paul Gerhard, C. E., assisted by Messrs. Brun- ner & Tryon as consulting architects, Kennedy & McDermott being the plumbers, Hitchings & Co. fur- nishing the heating apparatus, and James Elgar general contractor, all of New York City. Figures i and 2 are plans of the basement and first floors, for men and wometf respectively. Provision has been made for 30 douchesfin all, but only 20 are yet put up. The baths are, open five days of the week from 9 A. M. to 10 p. &. and Sundays 6 A. M. until noon. A cake of soap and. clean Turkish towel accompany every bath, for whtch adults are charged 5 cents and children 2 cents. The rooms have ce- ment floors and are heated by direct radiators sup- plied with hot water from the bath heaters. The rooms are lighted by gas and ventilated by registers into a i6x24-inch galvanized-iron flue, inside of which the n-inch smoke flue from the heaters is carried up above the roof. The bath apartments are partitioned by corrugated-iron walls on angle-iron frames with wooden caps, and have wooden screen half-doors. All walls, iron-work, pipes, etc. are painted five coats of special white bath enamel. The water-closets, uri- nals, slopsinks, and drinking- fountains are of porce- lain, and the bathtub, Fig. 2, is of enameled iron with glazed rolled edge, and stands on high legs. It is also provided with movable seat inside for small children. PART II DETAILS OF BATH COMPARTMENT, HEATING, f- TORINO, AND MIXING ARRANGEMENTS IN THE BARON DE HIRSCH RAIN BATHS. FIGURE 3 shows the arrangements for heating, stor- ing, and mixing water in the basement. Water un- der direct street pressure is taken through a i-inch trap and 2-inch service pipe to a 2-inch meter M, Fig. i, from which it is delivered through pipe D to the 600 gallon galvanized-iron boiler B, and from it flows through the 4-inch circulation pipe E, and the 2-inch branches F F to the two Hitchings heaters A A, re- turning hot through the 4-inch circulation pipe G, and the 2- inch branches H H. The heaters are also connected to the hot-water radiators by the i J^-inch flow pipe I and the return pipe J. Hot water is de- livered from the boiler through the 2-inch pipe K, which, entering with the cold-water pipe N direct from the meter M, delivers to the 2o-gallon galvan- ized-iron mixing chamber C, from which the water is delivered at any required constant temperature to the bath douches through the 2-inch pipe O and its i >^-inch branches P P P. Ordinarily valves a. b, d, and e, are closed and cold water enters at the bot- tom of the boiler B through pipe D, and hot water from the circulation pipe G enters through branch S, but if hot water is needed quickly, as early in the morning, before all that in the boiler B is heated, valve E is opened so that the boiler is supplied most directly from the heaters. When the heaters A A are not required to heat water for the radiators, the thermal energy supplied to the boiler B will be so much increased that a means for cooling the water in the boiler has been provided viz., by means of the branch V that is taken from the cold supply pipe D and terminates in a perforated horizontal pipe 6 feet long that is near the top of the boiler B, inside of it. Ordinarily the valve a being open and b closed, this device is not in operation, but if a is closed and b opened the cold-water supply is distributed all over the top of the boiler and instantly mixes with and lowers the temperature of the hot water supplied AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. H. fl through pip 3 K. The boiler can be emptied through the waste pipe X. W is a drip pipe to empty the ris- ing lines. R is a cold-water supply to the slopsinks anu bowls and Q is a water-pressure gauge. Tj , T a , Tj, are special hot- water thermometeis made by the Hohman & Maurer Thermometer Company, of Pea- body, Mass. Thermometer T indicates the tempera- ture of the hot water in the center of the hot-water tank, T! indicates the temperature of the mixing of hot and cold water, T 3 indicates the temperature of the water as supplied to the douches, and T s indi- cates temperature of hot water as coming from top of hot-water tank. The mixing is adjusted by valves f f, which are so sensitive that a very slight movement is shown on the scale of the thermometer T x , by which the baths may be regulated, though thermometer T a is usually consulted after the valves are approximately set; h is a safety valve. Pipes N and K were at first con- nected to the heating chamber at //, but have been found to operate more satisfactorily arranged as shown wiih a common delivery L. Y is a smoke flue and Z is the high angle-iron frame supporting the boiler. Figure 4 shows the construction and arrangement of a bath compartment. C is the corridor from the wooden screen doors D D, etc., open into a dressing-room A, about 4^x4^ feet, which is sepa- rated by half-partition E from the bath place B, which is about 4 '-2x4 feet wide, with a depressed basin F about 8 inches deep. Water at about a temperature of 100 degrees is sup- plied through the i^-inch distribution pipe G, with THR BARON UK. H1RSCH RAIN BATHS, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. branches H H, to the copper douches I I, etc., which are above the bather's reach and set at an inclination to deliver water upon his neck and body, but not upon his head unless he especially pre- sents it. The douche is governed by a self-closing bibb, which is opened by a lever I and chain K, whose ring may be pulled down to hook I and secured there, so as to hold the valve open and leave both the bather's hands free. Each bath compartment is pro- vided with a stool P, seat O, mirror M, gas burner N, comb, soap tray S, and with shelf, clothes hooks, and a bolt on the door D. The brass strainer or waste pipe W is designed to be not quite large enough to 20* carry off the water as fast as it is received from the douche I, so that it rises in the basin F until it over- flows through R, thus keeping a few inches in the basin F to cover the bather's feet. Figure 5 shows the floor drainer (Figs, i and 2). It is essentially a brass bowl B, nearly hemispherical, and about 9 inches in diameter, which receives the house flushings, etc., and delivers through pipe P, which discharges freely into a trapped waste pipe. The flange F is set flush with the surface of the floor, which is graded to this point, and when the valve V is fully shut, the cover C can be entirely closed and rest in its seat, offering no obstruction above the floor surface, [f however the valve is raised at all, its stem S will project above the bottom A of the cover seat, and interfere as^Sfiown^wlth the cover, thus compelling the attendant to screw it down and close it tightly in order to remove the floor obstruction. The valve stem S screws up and down in block G, which is removable from ring D, cast with legs E E solid to the bowl B. The solid head H of stem S lifts valve box I by its cap J, through which the screw passes loosely. K is a rubber gasket, L a brass washer, M a nut. This floor drainer was designed by Oliver Barret, New York, who has placed it upon the market. PART III RAIN BATHS AT THE DEMILT DISPENSARY, GENERAL PLAN, DESCRIPTION, SECTION OF BATH- COMPARTMENT, DETAIL OF MIXING VALVES AND ARRANGEMENT OF HEATER AND BOILER. THE Demilt Dispensary is at Second Avenue and Twenty-third Street, New York, and in its basement six rain baths and one tub have lately been placed, with provision for increasing the number. The rooms are arranged as shown in Fig. 6 and are open to men and women on alternate days, a charge of 10 cents each being made, unless the bathers are unable to pay, when free tickets are issued to them. The rooms are lighted by gas and heated by steam. The six rain-bath compartments are duplicates and fitted the same as the Baron de Hirsch baths except that the bath proper is paneled with i^-inch blue- veined Italian marble slabs, and the dressing-rooms with wood painted with five coats of Aspin all's special bath enamel. The floor of the office and cor- ridor is of wood, that of the bath being of cement. Unlike the system adopted for the Baron de Hirsch baths, the douches at this bath have no bibbs, and are not under the control of the bather, but are operated from a valve board in the office. Figure 6 is a gen- eral floor plan showing a hot-water heater A, the 200- gallon boiler B, and the valve board C; i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are the rain baths and 7 is a room for invalids, chil- dren, etc., with a high, enameled iron, rolled-edge tub T. Figure 7 is a section at Z Z, Fig. 6. When a bather is undressed he touches the electric button and the attendant at the valve board mixes the hot and cold water and turns it in his douche, afterwards further regulating the temperature if requested to. When the bather has finished he again presses the button and the water is turned off. Figure 8 shows the heating, storing, mixing, and delivering arrange- ments. Cold water under city pressure is delivered to the boiler B through the 2-inch pipe E; circulates to and from the heater A through 2-inch pipes F F and is delivered through 2-inch pipe Gto the 2^-inch heater H (on the valve board C, Fig. 6). Cold water is also delivered through the pipe D to the heater I. and a branch J from each of these headers unites in the mixing chamber K to form a pair for each of the six rain baths, the numbers of which are painted between them. The water is mixed by valves M M, and when the special thermometer N indicates the required temperature (normally ico Fahr.), valve O is opened and the water is delivered through pipe L to whichever bath compartment is indicated by the electric annunciator P, which rings a bell and raises a pendulum bob attached to the corresponding numeral above. A is a safety valve, R an emptying 204 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. pipe, and S S S pipe legs supporting the boiler B. T is a drip pipe for emptying lines I I, etc. Meter experiments by Mr. Gerhard showed that with both cocks open the bathtub was filled to within 5 inches of the overflow (45 gallons) in two minutes, and that the douche with both valves half open, under the same water pressure, about 20 pounds discharged about 7.1 gallons per minute, so that, allowing three minutes douche for each bather, not quite half a tub- ful of water is used. Probably, however, it is used much more lavishly in practice, as the attendant states that the 2oo-gallon boiler does not suffice well for more than six simultaneous baths. PART IV. RAIN BATHS IN THE HEBREW INSTITUTE, GEN- ERAL DESCRIPTION, PLAN, ELEVATION AND SECTION OF A BATH COMPARTMENT, ELEVATION OF HEATER. THE Hebrew Institute is a newly completed build- ing designed by Architects Brunner & Tryon, assisted by William P. Gerhard, as consulting engineer for the sanitary work, and Mr. Alfred R. Wolff, as con- sulting engineer for the heating and ventilation. It is located at Jefferson Street and East Broadway, in eastern lower New York. Its functions are intended to be similar to those of Cooper Institute,, and it contains a large assembly-room with stage, several classrooms, reading-room and library, work- shop, gymnasium, and shower baths. There are five baths (Figs. 9, 10, and u) located in the upper story, and have a cement floor (" flintolithic pavement ") raised one step above the general floor level. The bathroom also contains a large enameled washup sink, in the adjoining large dressing-room are lockers, and in another room a slopsink, a large enameled sink, water-closets, and urinals. The five compartments are about 4x5 feet in size and paneled with blue- veined Italian marble slabs 6 feet high. Each entrance is furnished with a portiere and a half screen *O door. The rooms are ventilated by wall registers, fur- nished with gas and electric light and heated by direct steam radiators. Figuresg, 10, and n show the fittings for one of the bath compartments. Hot and cold water is supplied by pipes H and C respectively, the bather admitting first cold water by valve c and then tempering it to the required degree by admitting hot water through valve L. The water is mixed in the chamber G, where a special hot-water thermometer T indicates the temperature of the water delivered RAIN BATHS IN THE DEMILT DISPENSARY, NEW YORK CITY. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 205 through pipe P to the brass douche A. The douche is controlled by the self-closing bibb B, is operated by a chain D, which terminates in a ring E and may thus be secured to the hook F so as to hold the valve open and permit the bather to use both hands freely. I is an emptying cock, J is a towel rack, K is a soap cup, L the floor strainer, and M a waist trap, the trap screw of which is accessible from the room below. The douche and all the pipes and fittings are of brass, nickel-plated. Water is furnished from two storage tanks on the roof and the hot supply is obtained from a small Foley hot-water heater in the basement. Figure 12 is an elevation of the heater, which is located in the basement, and is operated by steam from the steam-heating boilers. Cold water enters the main drum k through the supply pipe A and is heated by the steam coil B with flow and return pipes L and M. The hot water passes at C into the upper drum I, where it operates the expansion rod D and is delivered to the baths, washbowls, etc. through pipe H. D is a flexible metal rod fastened at F, passing around a loose drum E and movable at G, where it is attached to a rod bearing on the short arm of lever N. When the water cools to a certain temperature, rod D contracts and throws SECTION Y-Y-Y-Y the bottom of lever N to the right, carrying with it the attached stem V of the valve P, which is thus opened to a greater or less degree and admits to the coil B an amount of steam from the pipe L pro- portioned to the coldness of the water. As the tem- perature of the water rises, rod D elongates and allows the arm N rb be forced back, and the valve P is closed by the action of the counterweight W attached to the long arm S of the bent lever, of which the short arm R is opposed to N. This lever is pivoted at T to a supporting bracket Q. V is a cir- culation pipe. O is a set screw to adjust the rod D to operate within the temperature limits desired, and it is ordinarily set to allow a maximum temperature of 120 Fahr. The valve acts positively with a dif- ference of about 10 Fahr., and as it automatically proportions the steam used to the water drawn, it is believed to be economical, besides preventing the possibility of scalding at the baths by too hot water. The plumbing of the work described above was executed by S. & A Clark, of New York City. 206 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. SPECIAL BATHS IN ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL. (PUBLISHED IN i8g2 ) IN St. Vincent's Hospital, Seventh Avenue and Tweltth Street. New York City, a suite of rooms has been arranged and fitted for ordinary and special baths, as shown in plan in Fig. i , where A A are reclining and massage rooms with chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture. B B are steam rooms, C is a needle bath, D a Turkish bathroom, E an elec- tro-chemical bathroom, and F is a special medicinal vapor bathroom, where the patient is seated inside a marble cabinet G, within which his body is surrounded by the medicated vapor. The opening L fits about the patient's neck, so that his head is in the outer atmosphere. Figure 2 is a general perspective view of the cabinet G as closed, and Fig. 3 is the same open. The wails, panels, bottom and adjacent wainscot are of Italian marble, and all the exposed metal-work is silver-plated. A channel H H H is cut in the bottom siab, and may be filled with water from pipe I, commanded by valve J. Any required substance may be dissolved in this water, and when the patient is properly seated, with his neck in the opening L, the panels P P P P are closed and steam admitted through the valve K to the pipe H, which is perforated on its under side, produces the vapor. The vapor is chiefly confined by the close lap joints of the marble. M is a stand-pipe overflow and waste plug, and N N are brass counterweights, lead-filled. Figure 4 shows the joints of the panels a, b, c, d, e, and f> Fig. 2. The work was designed and con- structed by Byrne & Tucker, New York City. SPECIAL BATHS IN ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL, NEW YORK CITY. MISCELLANEOUS. GAS PIPING FOR BUILDINGS. (Reprint of an editorial from THE ENGINEERING RECORD of September 22, 1894.) THERE are few features of modern building con- struction which do not now receive thorough treat- ment when the design is fortunate enough to fall into the hands of competent architects and engi- neers, and yet there is one very important portion of the structural outfit, so to speak, of a building, which up to the present time receives no intelligent consideration whatever, except in very rare cases. We refer to the gas piping of buildings of all classes. The gas companies have made practically all pos- sible advances in processes of manufacture and dis- tribution, and while there may be unfairness in some exceptional instances, in the main the gas consumers have largely reaped the benefit of the resulting economies. Municipal building regulations have generally pre- scribed fairly wise and reasonable general rules under which buildings and their various structural appointments are to be constructed, but on the ques- tion of running gas lines for proper distribution within the buildings they have been essentially silent. Architects also virtually have turned over to gasfitters, as a general statement, the whole question of fitting the buildings which come under their design and supervision. What ought to be everybody's business seems to have been nobody's business, and consequently there probably has never been any portion of the construction and fitting of a building which has exhibited more ignorance and gross blun- dering than the general run of the gas-pipe plans of many structures now standing, and that is saying a great deal. As is almost or quite the invariable result in ?uch matters the purchaser and the con- sumer are the principal sufferers. It certainly is not creditable to the architect or engineer thus to fail to properly specify, or generally to specify at all, for so important a part of his work, and no municipal regu- lation can be considered as complete, either in its form or operation, unless it suitably covers a class of work which so immediately affects the comfort and health of almost every human being and the welfare of every business within its corporate limits. It is the legitimate desire, of course, of the gasfitter to reduce to his client the total cost of his work to a minimum, and he gets his work as the lowest bidder, hence the result is all but a universal decrease of size of. pipes in a building far below those which ought to exist for a proper supply at the points of actual consumption. Besides, a lack of proper knowledge of design causes a very general and sometimes an utterly absurd disproportion between the main and running lines and branches, which results, in con- nection with the fundamental difficulties of small pipes, in excessive complaints from users in many instances, and in costly and inefficient, if usually un- noticed, illumination or heating, and very costly alterations and additions to the piping in the modern fireproof building. Indeed it cannot be expected that gasfitting will be done carefully and efficiently or with materials and workmanship of excellent quality unless, like other branches of mechanical work, it is done under intelligent specifications, faithfully executed. It is true that there have been a few very creditable efforts to remedy this state of things, but they may be said almost to be included in the excellent little work by William Paul Gerhard, and perhaps the un- duly short printed regulations of one or two gas com- panies in the country, and they have not produced any apparent improvement in the general situation. Since the advent of high buildings with fire- proof floors and the demand for gas for cooking and heating has arisen, the embarrassment due to the causes cited have been more pronounced. In view, therefore, of the interests involved, THE ENGINEER- ING RECORD, in pursuance of its policy to elevate and advance all branches of building construction, submits to architects and engineers, as well as munic ipal authorities, a general system of specifications and rules under which buildings may be fitted with gas pipes so as to produce the greatest excellence in design and the most efficient and economical use of gas. After a very thorough examination of the whole question, and after many conferences with large firms of gasfitters, engineers of gas works, and 208 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. others directly interested in the attainment of the desired end, the specifications, tables, and rules which we print herewith have been prepared. These regulations have been made essentially to agree with the few best efforts which have already been made for the same purpose; they in- volve no conditions inconsistent with the best inter- ests of gas consumers, gas producers, or gasfitters, but they have been based upon such reasonable con- ditions as will secure in all respects the best practice to all those departments of gas interests. The tables showing the sizes required for the prescribed number of burners, logs, heaters, and ranges are based upon a very careful and thorough investigation, both ana- lytical and experimental, in regard to the flow of gas through the pipes of the maximum lengths indicated. The resulting sizes are in some cases a little larger than hitherto prescribed, while in other cases they are not; but in all cases they will insure the freeflow of the necessary volume of gas, and thus entirely avoid the annoyances and loss due to too small pipes. The slight increase of cost of piping from this source is too small to be appreciable in the total cost of any building whatever. Should it be desired by architects or engineers, these general regulations can easily be supplemented by other clauses or paragraphs designed to cover special cases or details which it would not be proper or suitable to recognize in the concise regulations designed to meet the purposes of those which we print. We commend these specifications to the most careful and favorable consideration of architects, gas companies, and the building departments of cities. They have been carefully and rationally designed to fill a gap in building specifications and general regu- lations which has been the cause of most serious and widespread annoyance and loss. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GAS-PIPING OF BUILDINGS. As THE result of a special investigation, the accom- panying table and recommendations are submitted as the basis for proper specifications for the gas-piping of buildings to meet the demands of modern require- ments for lighting, heating, cooking, and manufac- turing: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. 1. All lines of piping throughout the building, ex- cept drops, must be laid with grade so as to drip or drain back into the risers, with no depressions to hold condensation. Drips with drip pipes where needed must be provided at meters and at such other points as the plan of piping may render necessary. 2. No riser must be less than three-fourths inch in diameter in any case, and all risers must be covered up on inside partitions so as to be thoroughly pro- tected from freezing. Wherever risers or other pipes cannot be guarded in this manner, they shall be protected from frost by special and effective cov- erings. Table of Maximum Lengths of Pipe and Number of Lights with Corresponding Diameters. The results in this table are based upon a specific gravity of 0.6 and a pressure of gas of 0.5 inch of water. Diameter of Pipe, Inches. Maximum Length, Feet. Maximum Number, Lights.* 3/8 20 2 X 1 30 40 60 3 6 10 1 K 70 15 2 IOO 150 30 60 2 /^ 2OO IOO 3 300 2OO 4 400 3OO 4^ 500 4OO * One burner delivering 6 cubic feet per hour. Gas Logs and Ranges* Diameter of Pipe, Inches. Maximum Length, Feet. Maximum Number, Lights. X IOO I H IOO 2 i IOO 4 'X IOO 7 * The numbers for gas logs and ranges in the third column of the table refer to sizes for which the consumption in any log or range does not exceed 35 cubic feet per hour. The sizes of piping for gas logs and ranges are for single lines run from or near the meter, or source of supply, for the specific purpose indicated. When gas logs and ranges are supplied by branch pipes, or when any branch pipes are run trom the main system of the building, the combined sectional areas of all the pipe sections must exceed the sectional area of the main supply pipe sufficiently to maintain the proper flow. 3. Wherever practicable all piping shall be ex- posed, but piping that must be concealed shall first be thoroughly inspected by the gas company, and the gasfitter shall give due notice when the piping is ready for inspection. Unexposed piping must be so concealed as to be readily accessible in case of examination or repairs. Wherever practicable, as in floors, the concealment shall be made by boards over the pipes, secured by brass or other non-corrodible screws. 4. In cases where extensions are made care must be taken to extend with such sizes that the rules al- ready prescribed shall be maintained. 5. All drop pipes must be left perfectly plumb and well secured in that position. 6. Long runs of piping must be firmly supported at frequent intervals so that no sagging nor de- pressions can occur in which condensation can col- lect. 7. If pipes run across wooden beams or joists the requisite cutting, notching, or boring shall never be more than 2 inches in depth nor more than 3 feet from bearings, and as near the latter as possible. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 209 8. Lines of piping shall not be placed under tiled or parquet floors, marble or other stone or metal platforms, or under hearthstones, unless the local conditions render such procedures imperatively necessary. 9. All pipes shall be of the best quality of vvrought-iron welded gas pipe, and all fittings, in- cluding couplings, elbows, bends, tees, crosses, re- ducers, etc., under z inches diameter, shall be extra heavy malleable fittings; those of larger diameter maybe of cast iron. These pipes 'and fittings may be plain, galvanized, or made non-corrodible by any effective method. 10. Pipes and fittings are to be put together with screw joints and red lead, or red and white lead mixed with joints made perfectly gas-tight. 11. All pipes shall be firmly and safely secured in position with hooks, wrought-iron straps, or hold- fasts, secured with screws at close intervals, so that continued use in proper line and grade may be effectively secured. 12 Meters shall be placed where they will be most conveniently accessible for reading the index and for examination and repairs, and when placed on the walls the minimum height above floors shall be 2 feet for the bottom of the smallest meters and the maximum height shall be 8 feet for the top of the largest meters. The sizes of connections shall be as follows: 3 light 3^-inch diameter. 5 ^A 10 i^ 20 1% 30 I >4 45 i# 60 light 2-inch diameter. 13. The completed piping shall be tested by some competent authority, who shall give a written certifi- cate of the results before any of it is covered at any point. All outlets shall be tightly capped and the whole system shall be tested preferably with a mercury gauge, or by a low-pressure spring gauge which has been recently and authoritatively tested by a mercury column. When air is pumped into a completed system of pipes until the pressure reaches 12 inches of mercury and stands or remains stationary for five minutes, or if the column of mercury does not fall more than i inch per hour, the system may be considered satisfactorily tight. Otherwise leaks must be sought and stopped and the testing repeated until the preceding requirements are satisfied. When extensions to completed systems are made the same tests shall be applied to the extensions before they are put in use. In the case of large buildings the entire system may be tested in suitable sections. DRAINAGE BLUNDERS. [BY ALBERT M. WEBSTER, A. M. AM. SOC. C. E. (PUBLISHED IN 1892 AND 1893) CHAPTER I, THE foundation stone on which the structure of Sanitary Science and Preventive Medicine rests is the germ theory of disease. The assumption is that a spec fie disease is produced by the presence of a specific germ in the blood, without which the disor- der cannot occur. The diseases at present attributed to germ origin are known as zymotic diseases, and it is with these that sanitary science has to deal. The assumption of the presence of the specific germ in the blood directs attention to the channels through which it may be introduced, and to methods of inter- cepting and destroying it before it enters the system. Food consumed and air breathed are the general con- veyors of the zymotic germs, infection through wounds excepted. Complete sterilization of these conveyors would stamp out zymotic disease; but san- itary science, recognizing the practical impossibility of this effort, directs attention also to the source of 'Tilt otra,, the difficulty, the breeding grounds most favorable to the development of the germs; in other words, at- tempts the sterilization, removal, and destruction of organic filth. Municipal sanitation directs its efforts to these fields in the aggregate, as effecting the community. House sanitation extends this work into the dwelling. Its canons are the immediate removal of all organic waste, and the insurance of pure air and food within the dwelling. 210 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. The removal of waste is largely effected through the drains by the water-carriage system. The nec- essary fouling of the drains makes it imperative that the air from them should find no entrance into the household, and it is one of the purposes of modern sanitary plumbing to insure the security of these drainage channels. The accompanying illustrations of defects in plumb- ing in this particular have been taken from examples found in New York houses of the better class in fash- ionable parts of the city. In general they are houses in which the visible plumbing has been remodeled. In each case the defective drain was in direct air communication with the furnace, and when the fur- nace was in operation there was little reason to doubt that the air from the drains was drawn into the fur- nace and distributed through the hot-air flues to the house. The defects were discovered by the smoke test. A fan blower with furnace and appliance for producing pungent sulphurous smoke is attached to the soil pipe at the roof and set in operation. The smoke travels through the system of pipes and issues from defects or openings which may exist, either concealed or exposed. In the case shown in Fig. 4. smoke was blown into the main soil pipe at the roof. It issued through the other pipes, extending to the roof, and also through the soil and other pipes at the roof of the adjoining house, and at the fresh air inlet of the adjoining house; arguing the connection of the drains of the two houses. The smoke also appeared at every hot- air register, in the house under test. The owner was confident that there was no connection between the furnace and drains in his house, as the plumbing had been very recently renewed at considerable expense. On opening the furnace air chamber it was found full of the smoke, which was seen to issue through defec- tive joints in the masonry of the party wall, against which the furnace was built. The drains in the neighboring house were uncovered and found to be leaking and defective close to the party wall. Re- ferring to Fig. 4, the course of the smoke had been through the pipe at the roof to the cellar and through to the adjoining house drain B into the furnace air chamber D by way of the defective joints in the party wall C, and from the furnace through the flues F to the rooms in the house G G. Figure i illustrates a somewhat similar example, except that the drains which ran under the furnace were of earthenware and the joints defective, and there was no connection with the neighboring house. As in the first case, the smoke blown into the soil pipe at the roof issued from every register in the house. Figure 2 illustrates a case similar to Fig. i, except that the drain which ran under the furnace was an old brick drain with flagstone cover, the joints of which were open, and the drain itself was in foul condition. Figure 3 is an example of the contamination of the air supply to the house, through an untrapped yard drain A opening close to the cold-air inlet B to the furnace F. When the furnace was in operation air was drawn into the air chamber, through the cold-air box B, and was distributed to the rooms of the house through the flues G. The untrapped yard drain A being so near to the furnace inlet, made it more than likely that air from the drains was at times drawn into the house. CHAPTER II. THE examples of air contamination shown in this chapter relate in general to defects in the house plumbing proper. The first example shown in Fig. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 811 BEDROOM > BUTLER* "7ffE EN6INERIflG RECORD. & FIG. 5. FIG. 8. FIG. 9. Tttt tHUNiR\H&TC.OH\k FIG. 6. FIG. 7. DRAINAGE BLUNDERS. 212 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 5 was found in a Madison Avenue, New York, dwell- ing of comparatively recent construction. The main soil pipe A extended from the cellar to the roof, and was provided with an accompanying " back-air " pipe B for trap ventilation. Both pipes passed through bedrooms on the upper floors, and were boxed in with a light wood casing F. A smoke test revealed the presence of a serious leak near the butler's sink, and on stripping the pipe it was found that the lower end C of the " back-air " pipe B was quite open, no at- tempt having been made to seal it. The plumber who did the work had evidently intended to connect with C the back-air pipe from fixtures on the floor below, but another arrangement had proved more convenient, and the open end C was overlooked and forgotten. An interesting feature connected with the test was the course of the smoke, which traveled from the open end of pipe C behind the wood casing Fas through a flue, and appeared three stories above in the children's bedroom, issuing through openings G at the floor. As the children at the time were under treatment for diphtheritic throat affections, there appears reasonable ground to believe that the defective plumbing was the cause of the difficulty. Figure 6 was an arrangement found in a, country house where at certain times one of the rooms H seemed to be contaminated with drain air. The soil pipe A extended above the roof with the open end B close to the top C of the chimney flue D, from the fireplace F of the loom H. Under certain condi- tions, especially where there was an open-grate fire in an adjoining room, with no fire in F, the fire in the adjoining room appeared to establish a down- draft in the flue D, and to carry with it air streaming from the open end B of the soil pipe A. The trouble was corrected by moving the open end of the soil pipe. Figure 7 is a curious example of the possibilities of the city dwelling. It was discovered in a block of houses on Lexington Avenue, New York. The bed- room A in one of the houses was occupied by an unpro- tected aristocratic lady of highstrung and somewhat nervous temperament. The party wall B separated her from inoffensive but unknown neighbors in the adjoining house. All went well for a season. Suddenly the inoffensive neighbors gave way to midnight disturbances that threatened nervous prostration to the occupant of bedroom A. She was awakened from her sleep by the clanking of chains, the clang of machinery, and the roar of the rush of mighty waters. At all hours of the night these horrors would awaken her. She contemplated building a massive sound-proof masonry lining against the party wall; and in final desperation called for an ex- amination of the wall to see what could be done. The examination revealed the con- ditions shown in Fig. 7. The neighbors' bath- room D and closet C were next to the party wall B in which there were two ventilating flues F and H; the former connecting through a register E near the ceiling with the bedroom H, the latter connecting with a register G near the ceiling of the closet C. The brick partition K between the flues had been omitted or broken out by the mason near the registers; and direct sight and sound and air communication existed between the two rooms near the ceiling. The flush tank for the closet was close to register G, and might as well have been in the bedroom A so far as its powers of disturbance were concerned. The partition K between the flues was bricked up and the trouble ceased. It has been found that certain features of house plumbing are so often defective under test that they should be condemned on general inspection without special trial. To this class belongs the cast-iron plate cover cleanouts so frequently used on iron traps. Figure 8 shows this cover. It is a plate A cast with two lugs B B, arranged to grip flange C C, on the under side. Two ears D D are cast on the top face to allow it to be turned. The flange C C is wedge- shape, or screwed on the under side with two vertical slots through which the clips B B pass when the plate is lifted off. A bed of putty is generally placed on the top of the flange C C and the cover pressed into it until the clips B B pass through the vertical slots in the flange. The cover is then turned by means of the ears D D, the clips B B bear against the screw under face of C C, and the plate is drawn to a firm seat in the putty. The security of the cover depends on the putty, and at its best will not stand a very mild pressure test. When the putty dries out, the cleanout is very apt to be found de- fective under the smoke test. Figure 9 shows an improved, form of cleanout. The trap is cast with a vertical cleanout hub A, into which a brass ferrule B is calked with oakum and lead. The brass ferrule has an inside turned thread, and is provided with a brass screw cover C with a wrench nut D cast on it. This form of cover properly set can be made to stand a severe water test. CHAPTER III. The foregoing chapters have been confined to de- fects contaminating the air supply to the building or the air in the building. The present chapter will FIG. IO. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 213 'deal with the contamination of the supply of house water. Figure 10 represents an arrangement of the water pipes which has been frequently described and condemned in print, but of which many examples at present exist in New York City as the inheritance of ante health-board days. The fact that the same blunder is being repeated daily in towns and villages away from the larger cities is sufficient ground for again calling attention to it. The water supply pipe A A has branches B, .C, N, etc. at various levels. B supplies a kitchen or butler's sink, where drinking- water is drawn for the tank. C supplies and con- nects directly with the bowl D of a pan closet or other form of direct flushing closet. A valve E on the pipe C is connected by levers with the seat handle F of the closet. The size of the water pipe A and the pressure of the water supply is such that when B is open water will not only not flow to the other branches C and N, but will draw the water out of A A and draw air into the branches C or N, if either of the cocks on those branches is open. If the closet G is in use and the handle F is raised at the time B is opened for drawing drinking-water, air is drawn directly from the bowl D of the closet and enters the water pipe A A if it does not mingle directly with the water being drawn through B. If there are germs of disease in the air from the bowl D they contami" nate the water which flows through A A. To avoid this possibility, small flush tanks are required for each closet or group of closets, so arranged that this suction of air into the water pipe is prevented. Figure ii was an arrangement for providing for the overflow from a water tank in a Madison Avenue dwelling. It was not uncommon some years ago and may still be found in new work outside of the larger cities. As the street pressure was at first insufficient, the tank E was placed on the top floor of the build- ing and was used for supplying water to all fixtures except the kitchen and first floors. A pump in the cellar was used for filling it, and an overflow pipe B was connected with the tank and branched into the main soil pipe A of the house. Ihe overflow B was trapped at C to prevent air from the soil pipe finding access to the tank water. The trap was provided with a back-air pipe D to protect it against syphon- age. As long as the tank overflowed at frequent in- tervals the trap C was supplied with water and re- mained secure. But improvements in the city water supply were made and increased the street pressure so that water would rise at night to the level of the tank. The pump in the cellar was done away with, and the tank was supplied directly from the street pressure, with a ball cock on the supply pipe, which shut off the flow of water when the tank was full. In connecting this ball cock the plumber had set it so that the water was shut off before the tank had filled to the level of the overflow B; in fact it could not have been otherwise arranged without continual waste of water. As a result the trap C very soon evaporated and the air from the soil pipe had free access to the surface of the water in the tank. The water was used, among other things, for bedroom "basins, and a case of diphtheritic sore throat which had occurred in the house was thought to be due to the use of the water in brushing the teeth. The tank overflow was cut off from communication with the soil pipe and an independent pipe led to the ex- tension roof and provided with a flap valve. Figure 12 shows the contamination of the water supply which was discovered in an isolated country dwelling. The water was drawn from a cistern A supplied by the rain falling on the roof. Under the pump B, which stood on the back piazza close to the kitchen door, there was a sink or hopper C to catch the drip from the pump. The hopper was connected with some lengths of clay pipe leading to a trough and ultimately into a cesspool. It was found that the hopper, being convenient to the kitchen door, had been used to receive much of the liquid waste from the kitchen and from floor washings. The connection of the hopper and the clay pipe and the pipe joints were found defective, as was also the brickwork of the dome of the cistern. As a result much of the waste water poured into the hopper found its way into the cistern, which in time became so foul that it was very offensive and was abandoned. Before this was arrived at two cases of diphtheria had developed in the house. FIG. 13. FIG. II. Figure 13 shows a very common blunder, found in new work as well as in old. The hot-water boiler A in the kitchen is almost always provided with a " sediment pipe " B B, for blowing out the sediment which in time collects in the bottom of the boiler. This pipe is controlled by a stop-cock C, and to pro- vide a means of disposing of the water when the boiler is being blown off, the sediment pipe B is con- nected with the waste pipe D from the kitchen sink F. This connection is frequently made below the trap E of the sink. The danger lies in the fact that when the house is closed for any length of time it is very common for the plumber to turn off the water from the house and to empty all the pipes, as well as to draw off the water in the boiler through the sedi- ment pipe B, and to leave the stop-cock C open. In this case air from the drains enters the boiler A through B B, and from the boiler connects with all of the water.pipes in the house. When the water 4s again turned on it receives any contamination which the drain air may have lodged in the pipes or boiler. Two cases of typhoid fever followed the occupancy of a house which had been left, in the condition noted for a few months. The sediment pipe should be ar- ranged to have a free discharge into a trapped fixture, or to be emptied through a hose temporarily laid to a yard drain. 214 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED IN PLAN- NING AND SPECIFYING PLUMBING FOR A COUNTRY HOUSE. [BY ALBERT L. WEBSTER CIVIL AND SANITARY ENGINEER, NEW YORK ] (PUBLISHED IN 1894 ) DRAIN, SOIL, AND VENT PIPES. FOR drains, waste, soil, and vent pipes use "extra heavy" factory-tested cast-iron pipe.* Standard cast-iron pipe, which is very frequently used, is too light to permit of the joints being securely calked; in addition to which the metal in the body of the pipe is too scant, and as the core is frequently eccen- tric in casting, the pipe is often very thin in spots, and blowholes are trequent. As many as a dozen of such blowholes have been found in a single length of pipe under test. The iron pipe, which extends at least 5 feet out- side of the foundation wall,^should be thrust well into the earthenware drain, with which it may con- nect outside, and a full Portland cement joint be made between the earthenware and iron. The iron drain, where it passes through the foundation wall, should be protected by an iron sleeve, or the wall should be arched over the pipe to prevent breaking the pipe in case the wall settles. The spaces about the pipe may be packed with mineral wool. The running trap, with brass screw-cover cleanout, should be placed just inside of the house wall. The outlet of the trap should be slightly lower than the inlet, and to effect this the trap maybe made up of fittings as shown, or a trap of this pattern which is found in the market may be used. Just back of the trap insert a 4-inch fresh-air inlet extending outside of the house and opening above the ground not less than 20 feet from windows, and well removed from the cold-air inlet to the furnace. The fresh-air inlet should be finished with a quarter-bend and wire cage or grating, allowing a free inlet for air. The open- ing should be 1 8 inches above the ground, or enough to prevent choking with snow. Main drain inside of the house should follow along the foundation wall when practicable or be supported on brick piers to prevent settlement. If below the floor it should be laid on a 3-inch bed of concrete in a brick trench with stone covers. If it is necessary to bury the pipe, it should not be covered until after the rough work has been tested with water pressure and the pipe to be buried has been tar-coated. A brass screw-cover cleanout should be left at the upper end, and if the pipe is buried, a pocket should be left in the cellar floor s through which a wire or cleaning rods may be worked into the pipe to remove stoppages. The vertical run of pipes should be arranged to connect with the horizontal drain with Y branches and one-eighth bends, and should rise true to a plumb well above the roof. Avoid, if pos- sible, offsets in vertical pipes, especially in vent and back-air pipes. If offsets cannot be avoided, they must be arranged to receive the wash from some *The use of screw-joint wrought-iron pipe will not b discussed at present. The additional expense of wrought- iron work generally excludes its use in inexpensive small buildings. fixture. This is to prevent the accumulation of rust scales which drop from the inside of the pipe and accumulate at bends, and in time cause stoppages. The base of all back-air columns must drop directly into a soil or waste pipe to avoid rust accumulation. See on the drawing this arrangement at the base of t-he main back-air and kitchen-sink back-air pipes. The base of all vertical columns should be firmly supported on masonry piers to take the entire weight of the column. Pipe hooks should be used to keep the columns in vertical line only, and should not support the pipe, as any settlement in the lower part of the column would pull the joints apart if the upper part of the column is secured. The weight of the soil and back-air columns shown in the drawing is about 800 pounds. Where the vertical pipes pass through the roof a water- tighc, flexible roof flashing should be calked into the hub above the roof, turned over and flashed under the roof covering. This admits movement of the pipes due to changes of tem- perature without breaking the roof joints. Y branches should be left in the drain and soil pipe to receive drainage from all fixtures. The house should be planned and the fixtures arranged to connect them as close as possible about the vertical column of soil pipe. The branches for all fixtures should be extended in iron as close to fixtures as possible, and kept as much s possible above floors, and open to inspection. TRAPPING. All fixtures should be trapped with bend traps, and all traps should be back aired from the crown of the trap. If brass traps are used, they should have ground brass couplings only. Traps with rubber or leather washers should not be used; they cannot be made permanently secure. Earthenware closets and other fixtures having the trap formed in the earthenware should have short lead bends connecting with the iron pipe. This admits of settlement in the floors without breaking tbe earthenware. Connect lead with iron pipes by a wiped solder joint and brass ferrule calked into the hub of iron pipe. All back-air branches from traps should be con- nected into T or reversed Y branches on the back-air column; these branches to be placed above the fixtures from the trap of which the back-air branch is taken. This prevents the fixture discharging through the back-air pipe if the waste pipe becomes choked. All lead or metal traps should have a brass screw cleanout below the seal of the trap. After all the iron-work is completed, and traps and back-air connections and bends have been connected, all of the traps and bends and other openings must be securely sealed and the main drain and fresh-air inlet plugged outside ol t the house. The entire sys- tem of pipes and branches should then be filled with water to the level of the top of the pipes above the roof. The entire system of pipes should then be carefully inspected while under this water test, and any leaks discovered in the joints must be made tight by calking the lead home. Any split hubs and AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 215 pipes or fittings with sandholes must be broken out and replaced by sound material, and the test repeated until the entire work stands the test without show- ing leaks of any description. The fixtures may then be permanently set and connected. On final com- pletion of the work, and after all traps have been filled with water, a smoke test or peppermint test should be applied to the drains to test the connec- tions not subjected to the water test. This applies All pipes should be run as direct as possible and the fixtures planned to lie close to the main pipes and avoid long branch connections. All pipes and fixtures should be left as much ex- posed as possible and with the least amount of joiner-work and boxing, and with the least amount of absorbent material about them. Fixtures should be located so as to avoid running water-supply pipes on outside walls where they are exposed to frost. ead Joint- SCALE OF rrer 5 10 SECTION T^ we .ffl-.i \ ^ //Tt:::.' f Wash Bos n r^n Both rub SECOND STORY *2 " FIR: "^^3 | iT STORY SmH WMi Wash Tubs ^ PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED IN PLANNING AND SPECIFYING PLUMBING FOR A COUNTRY HOUSE. especially to connections with earthenware fixtures and brass trap connections. The joints in the iron pipe and fittings should be made by firmly calking a roll of oakum into the joint between the hub and spigot, care being taken to p-event the oakum entering the bore of the pipe. The joint must then be run full with pure soft lead, which must be firmly calked home when co.d. Tbe joint must be level with the face of the hub when finished. RAIN LEADERS. If the rain leader from the roof is carried inside of the house it should be of the same material as the soil pipe and should have an iron trap and brass cleanout on the house side close to the drain. If outside leaders are used they should connect with an accessible iron trap inside of the house wall. See that leader lines are secure against settlement and leakage, as damp foundations and cellars fre- quently result from defective underground leaders. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. CLEANOUTS. Cleanoutsfor all large traps should be on the house side of the trap This gives added protection to the trap in case the covers are not made secure at any time. YARD, AREA, AND COURT DRAINS. All yard, area, and court drains may connect with the rain leader branch inside of the leader trap. When pipes pass through floors the opening should be sealed to prevent air and odors from the cellar and lower floors passing to the floors above. SAFE WASTES. Safe wastes, if provided, should discharge over a sink in the cellar or upon the cellar floor. In no case should they connect directly with the drains. EARTHENWARE DRAINS. Earthenware drains outside of the house should be laid with a fall of not less than i foot in 60 feet. If the line is a long one sealed T's or cleanouts should be left, to permit the removal of obstructions without breaking the pipe. Earthenware pipe should be laid true to line and grade and be well bedded to pre- vent settling. Pockets should be cut out in the trench for the hubs so that the pipe shall bear along its entire length and not rest on the hubs only. Pipes should be centered and the joints made full with Rosendale or Portland cement mortar, each joint to be swabbed out to remove cement from the inside of the pipe. In a wet trench during construc- tion keep trench water down by outside draining or pumping and avoid draining through the pipe laid, as mud will deposit in the pipe and cannot be easily removed. Seal the open end of the drain when the work is left standing during construction. See that stones are not thrown against the pipe or come within 18 inches of it in backfilling the trench. If the trench is through rock, cut deep enough to allow 4 inches below the hubs and fill in with a bed of earth or sand for the pipe to lie on. If the outside house drain is a long one, place one or more ventila- tion pipes on the line, opening 18 inches or more above the ground and well removed from the house or points where the escape of foul air from the drain would be objectionable. If the trench is through soft ground or quicksand, prepare a bed of broken stones or tarred planks to prevent settlement of the pipes and pack well under the pipes in backfilling. GROUND-WATER DRAIN TRAP. ' If the cellar is wet and foundation or subsoil drains are needed, the discharge from them must not be direct to the house drains, but must be into a tight masonry or iron box below the cellar floor, with a cover in the floor, and with a securely trapped dis- charge connecting with the main drain. The box must be arranged to receive an infallible supply of water from a draw cock or fixture flush pipe, or must be provided with ball cock connected to the water supply. If direct connection is made with the house drain there is danger of stoppage in the house drain, causing the back-floodage of sewage into the subsoil and foundation drains, and consequent saturation of the earth with foul water * WATER-CLOSETS. Water-closets should be of earthenware with brass floor flanges and bolted connections with white lead and putty or other secure joints. Avoid rubber or other perishable washers. Brass back-air connections should be cemented in earthenware of closet and located so as to avoid receiving the splash from the closet into the back-air opening. When the closet is flushed the back-air coupling should be of ground brass. Avoid washer connections. Each closet should have an independent flush tank supplied by ball cock from the water supply pipe. No closet should have a direct flush from the water pipes. Avoid closets with valves or concealed fouling space; and leave the closet, as well as other fixtures, as much exposed as possible, and free from unnecessary joiner-work. BATHTUBS. Bathtubs should be exposed, with accessible trap and with standing overflow, or overflow which can be readily cleaned. Baths may be of wood or in- durated fiber lined with tinned and planished copper, steel-shell lined with tinned and planished copper, enameled iron or porcelain, the selection depending upon the available money to spend and the preference of the user. Avoid all unnecessary woodwork. BASINS. Basins should have an exposed overflow or stand- ing overflow, which can be readily cleaned. Traps should be as close to outlet as possible. SINKS. Kitchen and butlers' sinks receive large amounts of grease, and the wastes from them are liable to stoppage. Provision should be made for the ready cleaning of these wastes. The sinks should have the least possible amount of absorbent material, and, if possible, should be set free from walls to admit of cleaning all around. Iron, copper stone, and earthen- ware are the materials employed. Avoid concealed overflows. Place the trap close to the sink. GREASE TRAPS. Where much dishwashing is done, or where the discharge from the sink has some distance to go to reach the sewer or cesspool, one of the approved forms of grease trap should be used to intercept the grease. These can only be relied upon to remove part of the grease, and they need careful attention on the part of the servants to render them of service. SLOPSINKS. Slopsinks should have flushing rims with a flush tank supplied by a ball-cock. They should be free all round and be set with marble or slate floor and wall slabs, or metal splashboards. LAUNDRY TUBS. Lanndry tubs should be of porcelain, earthenware, soapstone, slate, cement, or other non-absorbent * Good suggestions for Rround-watr drain trap and con- nection with newer is shown in "House Driinaee rd Plumb ne Problems," pp. 45 and 47, and reorinted from THK ENGINEERING RECORD, priorto 1887 The Sanitary Engineer AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 217 material. Avoid wooden tubs and wooden or other covers. All fixtures should be placed so as to receive direct light and outside ventilation. Avoid set fixtures in bedrooms and living-rooms or unventilated and ill-lighted closets adjoining them, and do away with fixtures not needed for constant or frequent use. The water seal evaporates from the traps of fixtures not frequently used, and leaves direct outlets for drain air. WATER SUPPLY. The main water supply to the building should be laid below the frost line and should have a stop valve inside of the wall where the pipe enters the house. Care should be taken to see that there are no leaks in the buried pipe, as the cause of wet cellar walls has sometimes been traced to defects in the buried supply pipe. The pipes should be arranged to drain completely when water is shut off. Lead or galvan- ized wrought-iron pipe is preferred for general use, . dependent on the character of the water used. For country houses used only a portion of the year, from which the water would be turned off, lead should be used, as iron pipes rust quickly when empty of water. Filters may be placed on the supply main in the cellar i desired. They will remove sediment and screen the water. They do not remove salts in solu- tion or bacteria. If employed, filters must be ar- ranged to allow of ready cleaning and washing. The waste discharge must not connect directly with the house drains. Direct supply branches should be laid to the kitchen and butlers' sinks and fixtures where drinking-water will be drawn. If the water pressure is so strong as to cause wear of the faucets, or so light as to fail on upper floors, a tinned copper-lined or iron house tank should be placed in the attic and supplied through a ball cock or filled by a pump. The tank should have a large overflow, safe-waste, and emptying pipe, discharging upon a roof or over a fixture with a large outlet. The overflow must not connect with the drain pipes. Provide a flap valve on the end of overflow pipe. The tank should be cleaned frequently. Provide a dust-proof cover with ventilation opening protected by wire gauze and a cloth screen. DIRECT OR MAIN TANK SUPPLY. The direct or main tank supply should have branches to all fixtures and to hot-water boiler. The boiler may be of galvanized wrought iron or tinned copper. The boiler should have a valved sediment pipe for emptying, and this should be opened at in- tervals to remove the sediment deposited in the boiler. The sediment pipe must not connect directly with the house drains All branch lines must drain completely. The hot- water riser, if the water service is from a tank, must have an expansion pipe extend over the top of the tank and raised well above the tank. Branches should have a stop-cock, and wastes and runs of pipes should have brass unions to admit of ready repair. PARIS BATHCARTS. (PUBLISHED IN 1891.) AN American familiar with the fact that every house or apartment, renting as low as $300 per year in the United States, has its own bathtub with hot and cold water supply and waste to remove the con- tents of the tub, is amused if not amazed when, on a visit to Paris, he gets an idea of the custom still pre- vailing in that metropolis of luxury and elegant buildings. The large hotels, some very costly private mansions and apartments, and the public bathhouses have their bathrooms as is the custom in the United States, though the French bathroom usually is much larger and is elegantly furnished with rugs, lounges, and dressing tables, etc., the idea being that if one takes a bath one must lie down and take a nap after it. People living in apartments costing as high as a thousand dollars a year, and in the new quarter of Paris in the neighborhood of the Champs Elysees, when they wish to bathe, other than take a sponge bath in a small, portable tub, either go to the public bathing establishments or send thence to have a bath brought to their apartments. Sunday morning one sees a strange-looking, two-wheeled cart, like a very high dog-cart, on which there is a framework built over the wheels. This framework can hold three bathtubs. They are made entirely of copper and are about 5 feet long, about 20 inches deep at the end, and 18 inches on the side. The driver of this vehicle is perched up high on a small seat in front, is bare- headed and wears a blouse. On each side of him an iron ring encircles a copper-covered vessel holding about three gallons of hot water, which rests on a little shelf. He also carries a supply of dry towels and sheets. The bathing establishments have these carts, and when a patron sends word that he wants a hot bath at a certain hour, the bath is put on the cart, the kettle filled with hot water, and the cart with its strange load is rapidly driven to the building in which the apartment is. The driver carries the bathtub, as an Adirondack guide carries a canoe, on his head and shoulders from the first to the fifth floor, as the case may be, and after spreading a sheet to protect the carpet he spreads also a clean sheet in- side of the tub, so that the bather does not touch the metal. Then he carries up the kettle of hot water which he has brought from the main establishment. The necessary cold water he gets on the premises, either on the same floor with the apartment or in the court yard. When the bather has had his bath the attendant removes the soiled water by dipping it out, wipes out the tub and carries it with his kettles and soiled towels downstairs to his cart. The charge for all this is about 60 cents, with the usual additional tip to the man. 218 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. BATHTUBS AND BATHCARTS IN PARIS. (PUBLISHED IN i8gi.) H. D. WOOD, C. E , of Boston, who resided at Paris a number of years, in referring to the foregoing article on Paris bathcarts, sends further information as follows: " There were three good ordinary bathhouses within a quarter of a mile of where I lived, each hav- ing from 30 to 50 bathrooms. These averaged about 6xio feet, and the furniture consisted of two chairs, a looking-glass, two shelves, with a comb and brush, a shoe horn, a pair of slippers, a decanter of water, and a glass, a bootjack, coathooks, and a square of cork 14x18 inches to step out on. The charge for a plain hot bath was 16 cents, with a discount if buy- ing six tickets at once. The attendant furnished hot towels at the rate of 2 cents apiece, when rung for. Soap was extra, as in all continental Europe. A printed schedule of extras was hung in each room, including soaps, bran baths, almond-cream baths, etc , hair wash, services of barber or pedicure, also a list of cordials, lunches (hot steaks, chops, etc.), all fur- nished by the attendant. Besides the plain bath, there was the complete bath, in a larger room, with a sofa, lounge, a sheet spread inside of the tub, so that the body does not touch the metal, and a towel over the cork mat. Price, about 20 cents. Also one or two rooms for shower, hose, etc., baths; and six or eight rooms with iron or porcelain-lined tubs, for med- icated baths. These establishments furnish Seine River water. In the cheaper districts, the bath- houses are supplied with canal water, which is not of so good a quality, nor as clean " The public washhouses, sort of charitable estab- lishments, where, for a few cents (nominal price) a woman may have the use of washtubs and hot and cold water for doing her laundry, and also the use of a drying closet, usually have a few bathrooms at- tached. These are more especially for the use of the poorer class (here a tramp may get a bath, and have his clothes washed and dried, while he waits). The object of the washhouse is to help those living in one room, as the police regulations forbid any laundry work done where a person has but one room to live in. " The shape and form of the Paris bathtub is such that when sitting back at the head of the tub one has water up to the shoulders. That is the way the bath is prepared for the customer. If sufficient water were used here to get the "same depth I fear the boiler in the $300 house you speak of would give out often, and even in the larger house, but I may be prejudiced. " One appliance used in the bathhouses is a port- able brass tube about the size of an ordinary stand- ing overflow plug, which the attendant hooks on to the hot-water faucet when he fills the bath. The cold water being turned in at the same time, the hot water is delivered under, the body of warm water mixes quicker, and no steam is thrown out in the room. " The Paris bathtub is somewhat larger than those in common use here; they are generally of planished copper, thick enough to stand common use without any wooden frame or boxing. The portable ones are on castors, and the stationary ones are set upon blocks an inch or two from the floor, and the outlet sets over a floor catch basin connected with the drain pipe, so that a tub can at any time be removed for tinning or repairs without affecting the plumbing; all the water pipes and faucets being made fast to the wall and located at the middle of the side of the tub. There are several shapes and styles, weighing from 70 to 88 pounds, holding from 75 to 120 gallons. In estimating for water- works, or for bathhouse tanks, a bath is called 60 gallons. " In the more thickly built-up sections, where bath- houses are numerous, the carts for portable baths are drawn by the attendant, and carry two bathtubs. A horse is used in the less populous districts. In either case the cart consists of a barrel set on a two-wheeled frame, on top of which are placed the tubs. On a shelf in front are two copper pails with large cork floats for carrying the water upstairs, the pails being hung on the ends of a stick slung across the shoulder of the attendant. Usually on the cart each pail con- tains a closed doubled-lined copper cylinder in which the towels are carried and kept warm by a hot-water lining. The barrel is filled with hot water at the bathhouse tank before starting, and this water is carried up to the apartment with the bath, and cold water taken either at the kitchen sink or taken up from the faucet in the yard. When all the baths on the team have been delivered the attendant, before starting for home, lets off the remainder of hot water from the barrel into the gutter, and frequently small shopkeepers help themselves to a free supply of hot water. Thus the attendant lightens his return load, as it would be of no use taking the water back to the establishment." ADJUSTABLE CONTROL OF CHURCH G S- LIGHTS. (PUBLISHED IN l8ga.) IN many churches, especially cathedrals and city churches, it is desirable to quickly and definitely vary the intensity of the gaslight in different sections of the building at different periods of the service, This regulation should be done easily and certainly from one place, and should avoid danger of entirely ex- tinguishing the lights, or any lack of uniformity. An arrangement devised to accomplish this has just been applied to the gas system in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Forty-second Street, New York City, and operates as shown in the accompanying illustrations. The 4-inch gas main A (Fig. i) terminates on the floor of the auditorium in a corner near the rear, and into it are tapped the i^-inch branches B B, etc., which each supply all the group of lights in a partic- ular part of the edifice, as the nave, the transept, the chancel, the right gallery, left gallery, etc. Each of these branches is controlled by an ordinary gate AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 219 valve C, operated by a hand lever D, so that the sex- ton may from this point graduate any set of lights at will. Figure 2 is a side view of a valve C showing an attachment E intended to fix the opening of the gate at one or more exact positions, thus producing several unvarying intensities of illumination, or to allow it to be entirely closed when necessary. A guide bar F is screwed rigidly to the valve and has one or more rounded seats G, which engage with a spur K. attached to the adjustable bar H, which is fixed at I to any part of the valve lever and slides over bar F. When handle D is depressed from D 1 (the full open position), spur K slides easily along down on F until, in the position shown, it rides over into the seat G, which is curved so as to offer some resistance to slipping. The lever is thus held at D as shown, unless the force is noticeably increased to push it down, when K leaves its seat G with a dis- tinct click, and maybe pushed successively into other similar seats (not shown here), or the handle D may be completely depressed and the lights shut off alto- gether. M is a steel spring maintaining spur K in contact with guide F. L is a set screw for adjusting the stops to any position of the valve lever, and N is a set screw for the direct adjustment of the gate stem. This arrangement has been in operation for several months, and is considered convenient and effectual. It was devised and made by Paul S. Bolger, New York, contractor for plumbing and gas work in the church. . V To Mefer-- -!'--:> ^- -- -O \ JVv/';-- ---' -- < *-^/vL_j; ^ ' Tt=*=S ADJUSTABLE CONTROL OF CHURCH LIGHTS. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. AN AUTOMATIC DUPLEX-CONNECTED HOUSE PUMP. (PUBLISHED IS 1894.) IN the residence of J. Pierpont Morgan, Esq., at Fifth Avenue and Thirty-ninth Street, New York City, the extensive plumbing system has been in- stalled for years and includes pump connections for the water supply to the lower floors, roof tank, and elevator service. The general features of the original pump arrangement are conventionally indicated in 9o Rouse Tank, Ci t ' To'Elevdtor Tarifc r\ ^ Bistribulion Pipe B ^-Uj j-p< E From City Mains 8. "- Fig.1 ^SurgeTank the diagram, Fig. i, \\hich shows a hot-air pump connected up to be supplied either from the city mains direct or from the surge tank that receives the water discharged from the elevator cylinders, and to deliver correspondingly either to the house supply tank or the elevator pressure tank, both on the roof. The operation of this system, like all other double systems, requires accuracy and attention for the valves, which must always be correctly manipulated and individually changed whenever the pump service is varied. To pump into the house tank, valves B and E were opened and valves D and F were closed. To pump into the elevator tank the oily water that. had already been used there, valves E and B were closed and F and D opened. Valves D and F were to be opened only when the elevator" tank was to be filled. As the control of these four valves developed upon servants who were likely to be careless or ignorant and negligent, and might often be replaced by new- comers, there was always danger of improper man- ipulation. It was found that the surge tank was sometimes overflowed by city water, and that the dirty water from the surge tank was at other times distributed throughout the house. Check valves C C, opening upwards, were accordingly put on the tank pipes, but of course had no effect except to relieve the pump valves. Considerable difficulty continued to be felt, and Spellman & Blair, of New York City, were employed to remedy it. They first put on a check valve C', opening up, so as to prevent water from the city pipes overflowing the surge tank if valve D should be left open. But this did not pre- vent the possibility of pumping from the surge tank into the house system. One day when both tanks had been filled and the pump was under full headway the servant closed all its valves and it immediately burst, making a complete wreck. To prevent the possibility of a repetition of this accident and to avoid confusion with the two systems of suction and delivery it was advised to use two separate inde- pendent pumps. But Mr. Spellman objected to this and devised an arrangement for automatically oper- ating both services with one pump without danger of mixing the water or possibility of impeding the discharge. An Otis electric pump No. 3 was put in and fitted up as shown in Fig. 2, with its suction and discharge pipes connected to a special valve A, which consists substantially of two three-way cocks operated sim- ultaneously by one handle H. These cocks are separate and independent except that they are so connected that they must both be operated together by the connecting spindle S, which makes the house tank and city supply pipes register with the pump delivery and suction ports, and closes the surge tank and elevator pressure tank pipes, or -vice versa. Figure 3 shows the details of the valve, which con- sists essentially of twin chambers C C, connected by a body B and operated by a spindle S, which is com- manded by a lever H. The valve is entirely of brass, with ground joints at G, capstan -headed stuffing, boxes D D, asbestos packing E, and holding rings Q. The spindle S is -jointed in the middle, where it is riveted to the lever head, and it has at each end a wing W, over which the ground valve V slips freely and is snugly seated by the pressure of two spiral springs A A. The pump suction and the delivery pipes are screwed on at I and J, and their ports are -Delivery tc HouseTarik,. Delivery to Elevator TanTt. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 221 always open into the chambers, \vhich have discharge and delivery pipes screwed an at K K K K with their ports P P' commanded by valves V. The length .M of the face of the valve V is made exactly equal to the distance N between ports P and P , so that, in changing from one system to the other, when the valve V is revolved to position V port P begins to open as soon and as fast as port P' closes and there is always a full area of discharge ports open under all possible circumstances. When lever H is hori- zontal, as shown in Fig. 2, the pump is connected to city main and house tank. When it is pulled down to H' the pump is connected to the surge tank and the elevator tank. As the house tank requires filling two or three times a day and the elevator tank only about once a week, the valve is left set open to house connections, and a card affixed directing the handle to be depressed to fill the elevator tank, and then raised and left in its former position; and the pump can only be stopped by replacing the lever in its horizontal position. The electrical connections are so arranged that when the water in the house falls to a certain depth its float operates a switch and turns the current from the street main into the motor circuit and starts the pump, breaking the circuit and stopping the pump when the float rises to the top of the tank, thus mak- ing the house service automatic. When the handle H is depressed to connect the pump to the elevator pipes, its attached rod R pulls down the lever T and makes a contact between the copper bars U U and the posts X X, which completes the circuit between the main line wire Z and the pump wires Z', and thus starts and stops the pump by opening and closing the elevator valves. Y is merely a brass frame by which the elevator switch is supported from the ceil- ing. Figure 4 shows the details of the switch open, the valve making connections for the house tank. Re- versing the valve so as to make elevator connections makes rod R pull handle T down to T' and closes the circuit between the main wires Z and the pump wires Z' through copper bars U U and posts X X. The operation of this valve and pump system has proved convenient and satisfactory. The designers believe it to be complete and reliable and well adapted to conditions where two different services are required from the same pump, and that it is the first instance where a house pump has been con- nected to two suctions and two discharges controlled by a single valve. The house tank was originally arranged to be filled as fast as the water fell 8 inches from the high-water tank, but by suspending its float weight by a spiral spring the motion of the exterior lever is reduced one-half and the pump only operates for a fall of 16 inches in level. As first arranged the elevator-tank float was made to operate at low water an electromagnet that exerted sufficient pull on the valve handle H to pull it down and open .the elevator ports. When the tank was full the handle was re- leased, allowing a counterweight to return it to its original position. As this arrangement made the entire system automatic, it was feared that no atten- tion would ever be paid to the machinery, so it was AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. made to require personal attention about once a week when the low-water alarm sounded for the elevator tank, and the attendant is thus reminded to clean and oil the pump. PLUMBING OF A BARBER'S SHOP IN BOSTON. (PUBLISHED IN 1887.) THE accompanying illustration shows the plumb- ing fixtures of the barber shop in the Quincy House. Boston. This room is very elaborate in its appoint- ments. The floor is of black and white marble. The walls for 3 feet 6 inches high are covered with pan. eled white marble, finely polished; above the marble the walls are covered with mirrors. The ceiling is covered by mirrors and stained and ornamental glass set in lead frames. The chandeliers are of special design, with a one-light fixture, which hangs in front of each chair. About 3 feet from the floor in front of each chair a marble slab 16 inches wide is contin- ELEVATION OF BARBERS' BOWLS FLAN OF SHAMPOOING BASINS DETAILS IN QUINCY HOUSE BARBER SHOP, BOSTON, MASS. ELEVATION OF BARBERS BOWLS AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 223 tied quite round the room; it rests on turned and fluted polished marble legs. In this slab a small individual basin is set a little to the right of each chair supplied by hot and cold water. The supplies and traps are of polished brass. These pipes and traps are in full view, and in a few moments can be uncoupled in case of accident. The pipes have brass plates where they pass through the marble. Back-air vents are on the other side of the wall. In the middle of the room are four large basins set in one white marble slab which rests on four legs with brass supply and traps, the same as the individ- ual bowls. These basins are for shampooing pur- poses only. The supply cocks for this fixture are from a special design. It is claimed that the hot and cold water can be readily regulated to the desired temperature without causing the customer the usual annoyance of changes from hot to cold unless great care is observed by the workman. The difficulty of ventilating the traps of the shampooing fixture was overcome by using a 2-inch wrought-iron pipe which passes from the traps through the center of the fix- ture and through the ceiling. This pipe has inside of it. a small gas pipe which lights the fixtures by four brackets. The architect was Mr. Samuel J. F. Thayer, and the plumbers were Messrs. Tucker & Titus, all of Boston. AN AUTOMATIC GAS ENGINE CUT-OFF. IN a system of ventilation recently established in New York City, the fresh-air blast is produced by a Root blower, which is driven by an Otto gas engine. As there is a possibility of the flame at the engine being extinguished, the gas might escape and prove dangerous, so the arrangement herewith described was devised to insure the prompt shutting off of the gas the moment the engine stops, as it must imme- diately do if the jet is extinguished. Figure i Is a diagram of arrangement showing the operation of the cut-off without regard to scale or pre- cise details. In it A is the gas engine, driving the blower C from the countershaft B. D is the blast main, F is a branch hose to the collapsible bag G, H is the cut-off valve, I is the gas meter, K is the sup- ply to the engine, and J J are equalizing bags. So long as pressure is maintained in the main D, it will be the same in F, and will keep bag G distended, thereby holding open valve H. But if the pressure ceases in D and F, bag G collapses, allowing valve H to close by a counterweight and shuts off the gas. Figure 2 shows the operation of valve II by bag G, which rests on a shelf or table P, and supports on top a disk O pivoted to the lever L, which has a ful- crum at M and a guide at N, and raises or depresses /?f O AN AUTOMATIC GAS ENGINE CUT-OFF. 224 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. valve stem S. When the bag G is inflated the posi- only necessary to hold lever L up until the blower tion of the lever, etc. is as shown, but if the bag is starts, when it will remain as shown, emptied the lever L, actuated by its adjustable coun- For a description and sketch, from which our illus- terweight W, falls to position L 1 , and the double trations are prepared, we are indebted to W. J. Bald- poppet valves fall to their seats, thus promptly shut- win, consulting engineer, who devised the arrange- ting off the gas. When the engine is started it is ment. NOTES AND QUERIES. PLUMBING OF SWIMMING BATHS. FUEL REQUIRED IN HEATING A SWIMMING BATH. A. T. ROGERS, of New York, writes: "This problem has been put to me: 'How much coal is required to heat the water in a swimming bath containing, say 85,000 gallons of water, by hot-water circulation?' The system proposed is to connect the flow pipe from the heater at one end of the tank, near the top, and the re- turn at the bottom at the other end., thus caus- ing all the water of the bath to pass through the heater. From data which I have obtained I have calculated that to raise this amount of water from, say 40 to 90 Fahr., would require the consumption of about 2,800 pounds of coal. Allowing a consump- tion of five pounds of coal per hour per square foot of grate surface, a grate containing 56 square feet of surface would be required to do the work in 10 hours. I should like to hear from the experience of others in this kind of work." [The 85 ooo gallons of water would weigh ap- proximately 708,333 pounds. To raise the tempera- ture of this weight of water from 40 to 90 Fahr. , or through 50 Fahr. , would call for the expenditure of about 708,333 X 50, or 35,416,650 heat units. Assum- ing that 10 pounds of water can be evaporated by one pound of coal (good ordinary practice), it will require about 3,541 pounds of coal to do the work required in 10 hours, or at the rate of 354 pounds of coal burned per hour. Allowing, say, 10 pounds of coal to be burned per square foot of grate surface per hour, which is a fair figure, 35.4 square feet of grate area would be required to do the work.] HEATING A SWIMMING BATH PROBLEM. X. L., from San Francisco, says: " My swimming tank will be 80 feet long by 30 feet wide, and of an average depth of 5 feet. It will have an 8 inch inlet and the same size outlet. The temperature of the water will be about 74 Fahr., as it runs into the tank, and I would like to raise it to 84 degrees. I want also to supply hot water to 20 bathtubs. Now, how can I get the desired tempera- ture with this large volume of water running through the tank? By answering the above information through the columns of your journal you will greatly oblige a subscriber." [A tank of the size given will hold approximately 744,000 pounds of water when full, and if you desire to increase its temperature from 74 to 84 degrees in one hour of time, you .vill require a boiler that is capable of evaporating 744,000 pounds of water in an hour, or thereabouts, say, in round numbers, 250 horse-power. This, remember, is for one hour; in other words, if you want to warm that tank full of water 10 degrees in one hour, you will require boilers equal to 250 horse-power. On the other hand, if you are satisfied to start your boiler, say the evening before, and spend 10 hours of the night in warming the water, instead of one hour, then a boiler of about one -tenth the capacity, or a little over, will do, say a 30 horse-power boiler, the extra five horse-power being sufficient to cover the loss of heat from the tank during the 10 hours you are warming it up. You have omitted a very important item in ask- ing this question, by not mentioning the quantity of water that runs through the tank every hour. You say, " How can I get at the desired temperature with this large volume of water running through the tank?" You omit to say how great this volume is, and also the time taken for it to run through the tank. If you mean to run the full contents of the tank through every hour, then it will require boilers of 250 horse- power, as before stated. If you intend to run it through in 10 hours it will take a 30 horse-power boiler, as before. If, however, you are satisfied with running only 1,000 gallons of fresh water in every hour, a boiler of about three horse- power will be ample, and for every additional 1,000 gallons you will want another three horse-power added to the boiler. With this you will be able to find the boiler power. Fifteen pounds of steam per hour (one-half horse- power) condensed to water, will warm a bathtub full of water once. If your 20 tubs are used continuously, once in an hour for 10 hours a day (or for any time) you will require five horse-power additional for baths. To apply the heat of the boiler to the swimming bath you may simply circulate direct from a hot-water boiler, or use steam in a coil in the bottom of the swimming bath.] SIZE OF PIPE FOR HEATING OF A SWIM- MING POOL BY STEAM. N. K. HOWARD, Lincoln, Neb., writes: "I wish to heat a swimming pool I2<>X38 feet in size and 6 feet deep. I want to use live steam at high pressure, run through a deadener. How large a pipe will I need, what kind of a deadener should I have to insure freedom from noise, and about how long will it require to heat the water in the pool ? " [In THE ENGINEERING RECORD of November 22, 1892, an illustration is given of a " deadener " which appears to be well adapted to this case. We suggest that you make it about 4 feet long, the internal per- forated brass pipe to be 2 inches in diameter and the 4-inch space about it to be filled with broken pebbles or some such substance. Locknuts should be used at top and bottom of the deadener so that it may be AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. taken apart for cleansing. This should rest on the bottom of the tank, and have a galvanized-wire guard about it large enough to prevent bathers from touching it. With high pressure steam a i^-inch pipe will be amply large. The valve should be out of the reach of the bathers, so that the pipe on the tank side of the valve will be cooled when the steam is shut off. Steam should be turned off when the temperature of the water reaches 70 Fahr.,as the 4,750 square feet of water surface in the tank will absorb heat from the greater heat of the air in the tank-room. The time required to heat the water will depend upon the temperature of the air in the room and of the water to be heated. The overflow pipe should be at the opposite end of the tank from the heater, as the top current when heating will naturally be towards it. If a small stream of water is allowed to flow continuously into the tank, the floating animal fats, etc. on the top of the water will pass off through the overflow, which will thus act as an effective skimmer. A coil of i-inch brass pipe, four high, across one end of your plunge bath, the bottom pipe being capped and J^-inch holes drilled a few inches apart, on its bottom side, will also make a very good heater, and, like the other, should be faced with a wire guard.] NOTES AND QUERIES ON HOT-WATER SUPPLY AIR-BOUND PIPING. F. A. C., Chicago, writes: " The inclosed sketch represents a defective hot- water supply in a private residence in Chicago. B B indicates the hot-water pipe and C the cold. It will be noticed that the pipe B is carried down from boiler to basement, thence suspended from ceiling and carried a distance of about 7 feet, from which point it extends up direct to second floor to washbasin in bathroom A branch not shown is taken off in the basement and extends to laundry tubs. "When the temperature falls very low several minutes will pass before hot water flows to second floor; there is frequently no flow at all when faucet is first opened, and water is always cold. The cause of this trouble is in pipe B at A, where air accumulates, causing it to become air-bound, produced by eleva- tion of pipe at this point. To remove the air it is necessary to open faucet in laundry tubs, which soon releases the air, restoring flow to normal condition, permitting hot water to ascend to basin on second floor. "The writer advised a change in the pipe B by extending it up to ceiling of first floor, connecting with ascending pipe as shown by broken lines at D. When this change is made hot water can be drawn at once in bathroom. " I present the following to be answered by your readers, as a reply may be of interest. " The tap and service pipe for this dwelling are each one-half inch in diameter. The head is dimin- ished during early portion of the day, caused by an increase in the consumption at this time. To improve the supply a plumbet states that the head would be improved if service pipe was increased to i inch in diameter. His reason for this is that a greater quantity of water would be carried into dwelling through a i-inch pipe, thereby increasing the height of flow on second floor. Is the plumber correct ? " MORE AIR-BOUND PIPING. A PHILADELPHIA apprentice asks: " Will you tell me what is the trouble with the job shown in this sketch? A horizontal ij^-inch iron pipe A A runs from the pump to the lower tank, with a branch B leading off to the upper tank and a branch C acting as an overflow from the higher to the lower tank. The difference in elevation between the tanks is 15 feet and they are about 300 feet apart. When the stop-cock D is closed and the pump started up, water refuses to overflow from the higher to the lower tank, but when the cock D is open the pump forces water through all right." [It is probable that air collects in the short hori- zontal overflow pipe. The whole difficulty can undoubtedly be removed by putting in a T instead of the elbow E, and running a piece of pipe with an open end about a foot above the top of the tank. The reason the water does not flow through the pipe C is that you cannot force water into a space already occupied by air, as in this pipe C. You must arrange for the air to escape, which it could not do with the bend at E as shown in your sketch.] AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 227 COIL HEATING OF A BATH SUPPLY. N. K. HOWARD, Lincoln, Neb , writes: " I send a sketch of a bathroom plunge bath and a lank to heat its water supply. The plunge bath is 31 feet long, 12 feet wide by 6 feet deep at one end, and 4 feet deep at the other. The tank is 10 feet long by 36 inches in diameter. I intend to try and heat the bath by using live steam in a coil in the tank made on the plan of a box coil, containing 175 feet of i^-inch pipe, taking steam from the heating boiler through a 2 inch pips and returning to the boiler. PLAN. The hot- water supply to the bath is i ^-inch. with a pressure of 40 pounds to the square inch (city press- ure). Can I heat the water as fast as it is taken through the i ^ inch pipe ? How long will it take to fill the plunge bath?" [A very short i^-inch pipe, under the most favor- able conditions, will deliver about two-thirds cubic foot of water per second at a pressure of 40 pounds, so that under the most favorable circumstances it would take a half-hour to put, say, 4 feet of water in the bath. The friction of your pipes, however, forms a factor which will reduce the quantity so greatly that we would not be surprised if it took four to five hours to fill the bath. At the rate of filling in five hours 17,856 pounds of water must be warmed in an hour, and to warm this, say from 40 Fahr. to 60 Fahr., is the equivalent of condensing 357 pounds "weight of steam to water every hour, or, say, ioj^ horse-power. Under such circumstances, we are of the opinion you have coil surface enough, but that your inlet to the coil should be about a 3-inch pipe, and your return pipe 2-inch, if you are to have a gravity apparatus.] SIZE FOR HOUSE SERVICE PIPE WANTED. SUBSCRIBER, Ypsilanti, Mich , writes: " In the city of Ypsilanti, Mich., in which thev are putting in water-works, the Superintendent of the Water Board claims that a ^-inch connection of common black iron pipe run from a city main the distance of about 50 feet, and the pressure on the city main is 70 pounds to the square inch would be sufficient to supply a house containing one bathtub, four washstands, one water-closet, one sink, and one ^-inch street-washer. Bathtub, washstands, and sink are supplied with hot and cold water. " The plumber wanted a i-inch connection, but the Board of Water Commissioners laughed at him. As it was, he put in a i-inch connection from service cock. Please state in your paper what you think about it." [Under the conditions of pressure stated, a J^-inch round-way corporation cock would probably answer the purpose, but the service pipe should not be less than three-fourths inch, and a i-inch service pipe is not a needless extravagance, as the additional ex- pense is small, and the loss of head by friction is much less in a pipe of any length.] TO KEEP COLD-WATER PIPES FROM SWEATING. ARCHITECT writes: " We are called upon to remedy a trouble that seems to be very general, and we would like to have your advice through your paper as to the best means of remedying it. The hot and cold water pipes in ths house in question are fastened to the ceiling of the basement; the hot- water pipe is painted, thecold- watar pipe is not. They are both lead pipes. Since the furnace has been stopped the cold-water pipe sweats to such an extent that the floor in the base- ment is wet all the time. Can you suggest any remedy that would overcome the trouble in a simple and inexpensive manner? " [Your trouble is simply the condensation of the moisture in the air on a cold surface, the same thing that occurs on the inside of the kitchen windows in winter and on the outside of the ice pitcher in sum- mer. The remedy is to surround the pipe with some non-conductor so that the exposed surface shall not be so cold; any non-conductor will do, but if pervious to the air like felt it will be kept damp by the moist- ure passing through it and condensing on the pipe inside, and will be liable to rot. A thick coat of paint will somewhat reduce the condensation and will be the neatest arrangement. If the paint is thickened with ground cork the condensation may be reduced to an inconsiderable amount, although the job will not be as smooth. Such paint is used on the interior of iron ships for a similar purpose. If ground cork is not readily obtainable probably sawdust would answer a similar purpose, though it is not quite as good a non-conductor. The increase of your trouble since the furnace fire went out has probably nothing to do with the absence of the furnace fire, but is most likely due entirely to the fact that there is much more moisture in the air in summer than in winter, and hence more of it is condensed on your cold pipe.J MATERIALS FOR DOORS OF TURKISH BATHS. B & C , Rochester, N. Y., write: "Will you please let us know .what they line the doors in bathrooms with when the heat is to be 180 degrees, and oblige." [The proprietor of the Lafayette Place Turkish and Russian baths in New York says: " Florida cypress AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. is by far the best of all woods for doors, window- casings, and sills. It should be thoroughly kiln-dried, then given several coats of the best linseed oil, and finished rough dry, no paint, no flannel covering. Georgia pine and other woods decay quickly. All woods will shrink a little, but Florida cypress will shrink the least and last the longest."] THE FLOW OF WATER IN PIPES. N. K. LUDLOW, Mobile, Ala., writes: " Will you kindly answer this question and give me the rule to work out the same, to wit: A i-inch iron pipe is attached to an 8-inch cast-iron water main in the street and is run in this shape a distance as is shown on the inclosed slip. [Sketch described in answer ED.] Now, how much water would this pipe discharge per hour with a pressure of 75 to 80 pounds per square inch on the main in street? Please answer and send rule to work it out, and oblige." [If an elastic ball is thrown against a hard sub- stance we should expect it to rebound with the same force or velocity with which it struck, and when we find that a ball of glass or ivory dropped on a smooth flagstone rebounds nearly to the height from which it fell \ve are prepared to believe that, making allow- ance for the resistance of the air. a ball or other body thrown upward with a given velocity will rise to the height from which it would have had to fall to acquire that velocity. When, therefore, we further observe that a vertical jet of water will under favor- able conditions rise nearly as high as the surface of the reservoir from which it is supplied we see that if our former supposition is correct it must issue with a velocity as great as it would have acquired in falling freely through a distance equal to the amount that the surface of the reservoir is higher than the orifice of the jet. This is in theory exactly true and would be equally true in practice but for the effect of the friction of the water through the pipe and nozzle be- fore escaping. Let us then first see how much the theoretical dis- charge of our pipe would be and then how much the friction is likely to reduce it. To find the theoretical velocity of the flow we must know what head of water will give a pressure of 75 or 80 pounds. A cubic foot of water weighs about 62 \',. pounds, consequently a column of water i foot square and 2.3 feet high will weigh 144 pounds and give a pressure of one pound per square inch on the bottom; therefore, to get a pressure of, say 76 pounds per square inch, requires a head of 76 X 2. 3= 175 feet. A body in falling acquires a velocity per second equal to about eight times the square root of the distance fallen. The square root of 175 is 13^, which, multi- plied by 8, is 106 feet per second. A " i-inch " pipe is a little more than i inch in di- ameter, but rust and roughness make it unsafe to count on more, and therefore as the area of a i-inch circle is. 7854 of a square inch, that amount multiplied by 1,272, the number of inches in io6feet, and divided by 231 , the number of cubic inches in a gallon, equals 4.32 gallons per second, or 15,600 gallons per hour, the theoretical discharge through a i-inch pipe with 76 pounds pressure per square inch. How much the friction of the pipe will reduce this discharge is un- certain. The problem of the flow of water in pipes is most difficult and complicated, and though the ablest hydraulic engineers have long endeavered to devise a formula for it at once simple, accurate, and generally applicable, their efforts have so far been only partially successful. Your sketch shows your pipe to be 132 feet long with two elbows and a stop- cock in it. The frictional resistance of an ordinary screwed elbow is estimated to be equal to that of a. length of pipe equal to 100 diameters, whicn in this case would be about 8 feet. A stop-cock, with its reduced opening, offers perhaps twice as much re- sistance as an elbow, or altogether the resistance of stop cock and elbows may be assumed equal to that of 32 feet of pipe, so your question practically be- comes what will be the discharge per hour through 165 feet of i-inch pipe with a pressure of 76 pounds per square inch. To this, some standard formulas give answers varying from 1,747 to 2,605 gallons, a difference of 50 per cent., which well illustrates the uncertainty of our present knowledge of the subject. On August ii, 1888, we published some " Notes on Simple Methods of Calculating the Flow of Water Through Pipes," by Edward Murphy, in which occurs the formula \/(4 2 5 X d X p) * / = v; or, in other words, multiply the diameter in inches by the press- ure in pounds per square inch and multiply the pro duct by 425, divide this new product by the length > j feet and extract the square root of the quotient a. id the answer will be the velocity in feet per second, from which the discharge can be found as before. Applying the rule to this case i X 76 X 425 = 32,300, which divided by 165 = 195.76, of which the square root is 14. This velocity in feet per second multiplied by .7854. the area of the pipe, and by 3,600, the num- ber of seconds in an hour, and then by 12 to reduce it to inches and divided by 231, the number of cubic inches in a gallon, equals 2,056, the discharge in gal- lons per hour. As this is reasonably between the extremes mentioned before and agrees very closely with the discharge found by the rule in Box's hydrau- lics, it is probably as near the truth as we can expect to get by any process of calculation. From this it appears that the friction will in this case reduce the discharge to about one eighth of the theoretical amount. We have taken more than usual space to answer what seems a very simple question, but it is one of very general interest, and the answer here given may serve for many similar questions.] WATER SUPPLY FOR A COUNTRY HOUSE. A. S., West Point, N. Y., writes: " I wish to supply my house with water from a spring i, 800 feet distant and discharging 600 gallons of soft and pure water every 24 hours. This spring is 172 feet above the ground floor of the house. What is the best method of piping this supply for culinary purposes, bathroom, water closets, and lawn sprink- lers?" [Nearly 10 years ago the late E. S. Philbrick an- swered a similar question in our columns substantially AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 223 as follows: A ^f-inch cement-lined pipe should be used to conduct the water. The method of making such a pipe is fully described in Billings's " Details of Water- Works Construction." Care should be taken to cut the screw-thread so as to allow the ends of the pipe to abut against each other when screwed into the couplings, for if a gap of one-eighth of an inch or more is left the inside of the coupling it will rust and fill up the pipe. If you must have a storage of water for sprinkling lawns or any exigency demanding a rapid delivery for a short time, make a small tank in your attic or as close to your house as possible, of a few barrels capacity, and draw your drinking and cooking water, not from this but by a branch tap from the main. Let the water enter the tank at the top and discharge the surplus by an overflow pipe into the open air. In this way the branch tap will never draw from the tank, but always direct from the source. Then put in a pipe from the bottom of the tank to supply the hose.] EQUALIZING THE FLOW IN A DOMESTIC WATER SERVICE. B. S. M , Motftreal, writes: " A half-inch water service i? all that the water company will allow here. Introduced into a dwell- ing of three stories and basement, with fixtures dis- tributed as shown on the sketch, it is desired to equalize the flow from the different fixtures so as to prevent the shutting off of the supply from a fixture in an upper flat by the opening of a cock on a flat below. The service is increased to three-fourths inch and run to the highest fixture. The cocks are graded in size for the flats below, being three-eighths inch for the basement, one-half inch for ground floor, five- eighths inch for the first floor, and three-fourths inch for the top floor. Will this arrangement shown in Fig. 2 have the desired effect? The architect pro- poses running the main direct to the top floor, bend- ing and dropping to the flats below, taking cocks from the drop pipe (see Fig. i). Will that be an im- provement I propose running the ^-inch service into a closed tank, say a 30 gallon galvanized kitchen boiler, and taking a separate branch from it to each flat, Fig. 2. What would be the effect of that plan 1 " [We would not advise the consideration of any of the three plans proposed. Carry your ^-inch sup- ply directly to a tank placed in the attic, the tank to have a ball cock and float to control the supply of water. From the tank take out a house supply large enough to supply hot and cold water to all fixtures, tht pipe to start as a i i^-inch with a |^-inch branch to the upper floor; then reduce at the branch to I inch for second floor, reduce again to three-fourths inch for first floor, and from there carry a J^-inch pipe to the basement. A s'x4'x3^' tank would give about 450 gallons, and with the piping mentioned would furnish a plentiful supply for all the fixtures. We have noc sufficient data as to the length of the pipes and pressure on the main to say which of the plans would be the most satisfactory, but know that the method illustrated by Fig. 2 has been used with success. The drawback to it in your case is the small supply pipe from the street main, but if the pressure is excessively high, we believe the arrange- ment shown in Fig. 2 would give the best result of those you propose.] TO MAKE A CELLAR WALL WATER-TIGHT SUBSCRIBER, Boston, Mass., writes: " Is there any way of constructing a cellar which shall be reasonably water-tight? After repeated sad experiences, I have given up any hope for one which shall be absolutely damp-proof; but it does seem as though there coula be some way devised for keeping out water. My house is on a hilltop, yet the cellar is flooded regularly every spring. If you can suggest W.C. FloorH Both Tub IV.C.- Water C/os W.B.- iVdJri Basin KB. et Batt Tut \ 1 MB. Cistern ff WfuJL FlaorTl Ba-th _ y IV.B. , HUQL. 1 / Floor *nnz* Floor T Bait Tub I 1 / 4 &7//1 7^ s* 8 - 4 I 7 Floor Floor ? Sink \J//lAc * Floor i IV.C. + '' ^M> a" T'" 10 Gal. IV.C. 2 /K/f. 2 Floor Floor THI I NCINIIR. RECORD, '''""""'>" FIG. I -FIG.2 FIG.3 EQUALIZING THE FLOW IN A DOMESTIC WATER SERVICE. 2SO AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. any remedy, even a partial one, you will greatly oblige." [Subscriber's trouble is a very old one, to which hilltop houses are nearly as liable as those in a valley. A very good plan is to dig the cellar 18 inches deeper than required for finished height, filling in with coarse, broken stone, well rammed down to prevent settling. The outside walls should be started over a similar filling, laid in a trench a little deeper than the bottom of the cellar excavation. Then over the broken stone in the cellar is laid a course of concrete 3 or 4 inches thick, the walls being laid up in cement mortar. In most localities the water will never rise higher than the stone filling, but in a clay soil, if full of seams, the cellar bottom had better be sloped slightly towards a sump at the center, or other convenient place, which should be connected with a tile drain carried far enough away from the building to discharge properly below the level of the cellar bottom, but of course not connected with any sewer or cesspool. It is possible to make tight a cellar bottom which is below tide water, but the process is usually too expensive to be considered in connection with ordinary dwellings. There are parties in New York who make a business of constructing such water-proof cellars.] NOTES AND QUERIES ON HOUSE-DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. BADLY DESIGNED PLUMBING IN A NEW YORK HOUSE. THE results which may follow carelessness or in- competency of design in plumbing systems are illus- trated by the condition of affairs lately discovered in a New York house where the pipes were being over- hauled to make alterations for the remodeling of some plumbing which had been done within three years. It is not stated that the workmanship or ma- terial were found defective, but the arrangement, while conforming to most of the ordinary specific re- quirements, was so bad as to permit and produce an unsanitary condition of operation, entirely nulliiy the trap ventilation and effect a discharge to the sewer in an improper manner, which was never in- tended, and was not suspected until revealed by the .Hollow leg waste. Kitchen Sinn i Choked u/itTi grease^ / 2"Vem alterations. The waste from the kitchen sink was trapped below the floor, and the back-air pipe also run below the floor, nearly horizontal to its riser, so that when the kitchen-sink waste became stopped by the collection of grease below its trap the discharge was forced through the back-air pipe, and at first es- caped through the foot of its riser, which also vented the cellar-sink waste, and through that waste into the sewer. After a time the vertical riser also became obstructed with grease just above the cellar-sink trap, and cutting off the discharge through it backed the water up until it escaped through another higher branch from the riser that vented the trap of the laundry tubs, through which the sink water was thus compelled to flow to the soil pipe and thence to the drain. A considerable body of dirty untrapped water was thus always standing in the vent pipe, which it filled completely up to the inlet from the laundrjr tubs, and the ventilation of the kitchen and cellar sinks was entirely destroyed. The use of a grease trap would have prevented the grease from obstruct- ing the pipes, and the location of the sink vent-pipe branch above the overflow, as is carefully provided for in every case in good practice, would have made it impossible for discharge to have taken place except through the waste pipe. HOUSE CONNECTIONS ON PIPE SEWERS. G., of Boston, writes: " Will you tell me what is generally used for house connections on what is known as a separate system of pipe sewers; I mean whether Y or T connections are generally used, and why one has the advantage over the other ? I have generally understood that a Y branch is not so liable to clog as a T, but I heard lately that a T makes a better connection. Do you know of any sewerage system where house connec- tions have been made with T branches ?" [For pipe sewers the general practice is to use Y branches, as offering the least resistance to flow and possible clogging. The best practice contemplates the use of a one-eighth bend, with the Y branch, the same as in house drainage. On large brick sewers in the combined system T connections are often used.] AN EXPERIENCE WITH SEWER GAS DUE TO THE CLOSING OF THE TOP OF THE SOIL PIPE BY FROST. H. B. in the Toronto Globe writes: " I think my experience lately in regard to sewer gas, if it is generally known, will put all persons on their guard, and be the means of diminishing, if not totally preventing, typhoid and other similar fevers in the winter season. "The facts are these: My house has a bath and water-closet connected with a cesspool in my garden, and I have taken every precaution to prevent any foul smell coming into the house, and have been successful, except on a few occasions in the winter, and I could not discover the reason until recently. AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 231 During the recent cold snaps with the wind from the east and northeast the sewer smell in my bath- room was intolerable. And I consequently made up my mind that it was caused by some recent obstruction m some of the escape pipes. In my quandary I went on the roof of the house to examine tne ventilating pipes, and found the ventilating pipe from the water-closet completely filled up with hoar- frost and ice. I immediately emptied a kettle of hot water down the pipe, and at once the smell disap- peared and the bathroom was as sweet as could be; but on came another cold snap, and on again came the smell of sewer gas, and I found again the venti- lating pipe filled up with hoar-frost and ice as before, and immediately it was thawed out the smell went away, and as there has been no very cold weather since, I have had no more trouble. Now. sir, it strikes me that if the moist gas from a private house connected with a cesspool is sufficient to cause the complete freezing up of the ventilating pipe, how much more likely must be the pipes in a city like Toronto, where the amount of moist gas escaping must be enormous, and I have no doubt the ventilat- ing pipes are often frozen up the same as I have de- scribed, and this should put every person on the alert to examine their escape pipes and keep them clear of ice." [The above letter to the Toronto Globe relates an experience to which we have often called attention. It was this contingency that induced us long since to advise that the end of soil pipes should be open, without bends, hoods, caps, or cowls of any kind, and in cold latitudes that the smaller pipes should be en- larged from the roof upward to at least 4 inches in diameter, and more if experience indicated it to be necessary in a particular locality.] Residences," by E. S. Philbrick, reprinted from this journal, and in William Paul Gerhard's little book (Van Nostrand's Science Series) on "The Disposal of Household Wastes."] DISPOSAL OP HOUSE WASTE IN TIGHT CLAY SOIL. E. W. L , Troy, N. Y., writes: ' Please refer me to articles in THE ENGINEERING RECORD, which I have from the beginning of its publication, covering the subject of sewage disposal like the instance 1 have in hand. " The lot is 300 fee.t front by about 800 feet deep, and the greater part inclines upward from the front about i foot in 10, and at the ridge the house stands. There is no creek nor any sewer to which house drains can possibly be connected, the location being quite outside of the village limits. The soil is 8 feet and 4 feet deep on the rock, and is all very compact clay. In half a dozen places I caused test holes to be dug, and all filled with water in 24 hours, which later somewhat decreased in depth; but they always con- tain more or less water. " It is desired to put in complete bathroom accom- modations and water supply to the house. I think the only course is to build tight cesspools. But I prefer to ascertain if similar difficulties have received consideration in your paper." [From the facts given it would seem that tight cesspools will have to be relied on and the expense of pumping them out incurred, though the depth of the lot, 800 feet, will probably allow for good sized ones, or several. The water may also be utilized, in some degree, in the garden. If first expense be no important consideration, a sufficient amount of clay might be removed, specially prepared soil substituted, and the subsurface irrigation system adopted. This, with suitable soil, is the best thing to do. It is de- scribed fully in "The Disposal of Sewage in Suburban THE USE OF GREASE TRAPS. A MEM. Am. Soc. C. E., New York, writes: " In your opinion, is a grease trap an absolute ne- cessity in a well-planned drainage system for a coun- try house, and if so, why not equally necessary in a city house, where the horizontal run from the kitchen sink to the sewer is 80 or oo feet? Most country houses have a grease trap close to the house. Granted the necessity of the grease trap, why should this be nearer the house than the sewer in the city ? Granted the necessity of the grease trap, what is the extreme distance from the house at which it may be placed, and sewer properly ? Is it not as objectionable as a cesspool, and, with subsoil irrigation to avoid the latter, do we remove the danger it the grease trap re- mains ? Do you know of any case where flush tanks have been used without grease traps or settling basins, the house sewage draining to the flush tanks direct, and being disposed of immediately ? " [The necessity for using a grease trap depends on several things: First, the probable amount of greasy water disposed of in a kitchen; second, the distance the greasy water must flow to reach the sewer or cesspool; and third, the length of soil pipe or earthern drain that may be buried in the ground. A grease trap, like other traps used in drainage, must be considered as a compromise; in other words, it is used to prevent a greater evil. A small family, keeping one or two servants, may safely dispense with one, but when a number of servants are em- ployed, and much cooking is done, and in a country house, where the waste water must pass through pipes buried in the ground where the greasy water will be rapidly chilled, we should advise the use of a grease trap. In a city house, as in New York, for instance, the average distance of the sewer from the kitchen sink is about 90 feet, but for 60 feet of this distance the hot greasy water flows through an exposed and ac- cessible iron pipe in a cellar which, during the winter months, when the house is occupied, is warm, so that the water is not chilled, and grease precipitated until it reaches the sewer. Besides, in properly planned work, cleanouts are provided for the removal of ob- structions. If a grease trap is placed within a hou?e, the grease should be removed from it every few days and before it becomes putrid, otherwise cleaning it is a very offensive operation. A grease trap should be located nearer the house than the sewer, and as near the source of the grease as circumstances will permit, taking into account the offensive smells when grease is removed. In country houses they are usu- ally located in a vault just outside the house. From the point of view of the householder, if all the grease could reach the sewer no grease trap would be needed. On the other hand, a town pro- vided with small pipe sewers is liable to find trouble from stoppages from this cause. We believe that Mr. E. W. Bowditch, of Boston, has recommended towns where he has designed a small pipe sewer sys- 232 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. tern, that they require grease traps when houses are within 50 feet of sewers, but when the private drain is more than 50 feet, to leave it optional, relying on the grease to precipitate in the drain and not reach the sewer. A grease trap is not as objectionable as a cesspool, since itis not supposed to receive any thing but greasy water, and is intended to be frequently cleaned. We do not recall any place where house sewage is delivered to a flush tank and periodically discharged from it into a sewer, and should consider such use of a flush tank objectionable. This of course does not apply to disposal by subsurface irrigation, where a settling basin and flush tank are required.] THE PROPER SIZE FOR A HOUSE SEWER. A. J. C., Binghamton, N. Y., writes: "In planning a house which I am building, the architect has designed to use a house sewer only 6 inches in diameter. I claim that nothing smaller than an 8-inch sewer should be used. In the house in which I now live there is an 8-inch sewer which is frequently obstructed, causing expense and annoy- ance Both architect and plumber are against me in this matter. Who is right ? " [If the house sewer is for sewage which will come to it through properly set and flushed fixtures and storm water, the architect and plumber are right; if it is for old cans, ashes, shoes, rags, and broken dishes, you are right, though you will only be right a short time, unless you make the sewer large enough to allow a cleaner to enter and remove the accumu- lation of insoluble matter with which it will soon be choked. A 6-inch sewer should be large enough for any private residence in the country, provided it is properly laid, with the right material, has the right kind of bends and connections, a proper pitch, and is sufficiently flushed. It must also be understood, however, that only soluble matter should be allowed to enter the sewer. We know of a large i6-room city house which has but a 4-inch drain inside and a 5-inch sewer from the house to the main sewer. This sewer is over 100 feet long. The house has been occupied 10 years, and so far the sewer has not failed to perform its functions. The house has seven water-closets, four bathtubs, five washstands, laundry tubs, slopsinks, china sink, kitchen-sink, etc. In this case the owner was willing to pay a fair price and left the entire matter in the hands of the architect, who in turn gave his instruc- tions to a competent plumber, who carried out the details. A small sewer, sufficiently large, will scour, the flow of water and matter being more confined and rapid. A larger sewer induces a sluggish move- ment, tending to convey only the fluids and dissolving matters. The others remain to adhere and clog and eventually to choke the sewer.] VENTING TRAPS INTO FRESH-AIR INLET. CHARLES O'GRADY, Marlboro, Mass., writes: "I send sketch of a plumbing job of two water- closets in a basement, and one sink on the first floor. 1 have back- vented the water-closets into the foot vents. Is there any objection to doing so? " [Figure i shows our correspondent's sketch. The practice of venting fixture traps into the fresh-air inlet (foot vent) is not to be recommended. The fresh-air inlet if open in the sidewalk is liable to become choked, in which case the traps are not pro- tected. Circulation of air through the vent pipes is more liable to take place if the vent pipes are con- nected with a long upcast pipe to the roof. Dis- charge from fixtures, as shown in Fig. i, would tend to cause an out-draft in the foot vent, while the traps would need an in-draft to prevent syphonage and the vent currents would be working against each other. Other faults in your design are: i The FIG. 1 FIG. 2 _3 fresh-air inlet (foot vent) opens too close to the house. 2. The basement closets appear to be in the center of the house. They should have direct light and ven- tilation through outside windows. 3. The main trap cleanout should be on the house side of the trap If the cleanout cover is not tight and leaks, air from the house drain is preferable to air from the sewer. Figure 2 shows an improvement on your design, with some slight economy in piping. The bottom of the 2-inch pipe A opens directly into the crown of the trap, so that rust, scale, etc. will be washed out by the water-closet discharge. The pipe B should be given a sharp angle so that dirt and rust will run down the pipe. The upcast pipe C should at its upper end be well removed from bedroom windows. Brass cleanouts should be used at the points D D.] SIZE OF PIPE REQUIRED TO DRAIN A FIELD. RODMAN SANDS, New York, writes: " Will a 12 inch earthen pipe be large enough to carry off the water from a stone drain, 2 feet square and 700 feet long ? The drain is simply a ditch 2 feet deep and 2 feet wide, filled with stones and covered over. " I can give the earthen pipe a fall of about 5 feet in 700. " The field, which is 700 feet square, floods in rainy weather, and now takes from three days to a week to run off, and I want to keep it dry all the time if pos- sible. " [A 12-inch pipe would carry off the equivalent of about one third of an inch of rainfall per hour on the area to be drained. Ordinarily, this would keep the field dry, but in very heavy rainstorms there would be flooding of the field. A 2o-inch pipe would insu r e perfect drainage.] AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 233 TRAPS AT FOOT OF LINES OF SOIL PIPE. PLUMBER, of Pottsville, Pa , writes: " Inclosed please find rough sketch of county grounds and buildings to show drainage system. The dotted lines show new connections, ink circles show perpendicular run of soil pipe to be put in new. All places marked ' inlets ' are not trapped, but those marked ' trap ' are inlet traps. The size of drain is marked on same. The creek is open and very sel- dom gets as high as drain pipe. The drain is salt- glazed terra-cotta pipe. " What I want to know is this: I have the con- tract to do new work, and the architect has specified running traps at the bottom of all lines of soil pipe with air vent and to continue the same to roof of buildings, each fixture to be trapped and ventilated. " Now I claim that the best way would be to leave out the running traps and connect direct to drain; and that all foul air would at once escape above buildings and that the running traps only form a cushion whenever any of the fixtures are used, and forms foul air out ot fresh-air supply. Am I not right ? By answering the above you will confer a favor." [As we understand the case from your description and sketch we concur in your opinion, that traps at foot of lines of vertical pipes are objectionable. The trap should preferably be on each drain where it leaves the building, with a suitable fresh-air inlet.] FROZEN ROOF CONDUCTOR PIPES. T. M. G., Cleveland, O., writes: ' Each winter we have great trouble with our pipes for conducting the storm water from the roof to sewer. They seemed to begin to freeze at the foot of the pipe, after some stoppage which we cannot account for, as we keep our roof clean. They will then fill to the top of the pipes, overflowing and forming threaten- ing and dangerous icicles, or making a disagreeable dripping, generally most annoying in the afternoon. Each spring we have to replace those pipes or pay large repair bills, many of the seams and joints being found burst. Our roof is of tin with a pitch of one- half inch to i foot. Our engineer suggests that we write you on the subject in the hope that you may suggest a remedy." [Your complaint is a very common one in cold cli- mates, and is especially common in New York in the winter. The fact that the dripping begins generally ic the afternoons is because by that time the steam heat in your building (we assume you have steam heat, as you refer to your engineer) has begun to affect the snow and ice on your roof by passing through the wood sheathing and tin, which have been frozen hard by the colder air of the night. This action is accelerated by the sun's rays, if the temper- ature is above the freezing point. If unobstructed, the water will fall through the conductor pipe to the sewer or outlet, as it cannot freeze while in rapid motion, or when the air is at a temperature that will allow of thawing. Here this water comes in contact with the cast-iron or earthen sewer pipe imbedded in the earth or stone sidewalk, which is surrounded by all the influences of frost, and which has the nucleus of an ice formation in the hoar frost on the inside, the result of warmed damp air ascending and condensing its moisture, which is readily frozen. This operation continues until the pipes are entirely closed. Then the pipe will gradu- ally fill to the first relief point, and if the pipe has been made perfectly tight it will freeze to the top. The practice of making these pipes tight is wrong, as loose fitting joints united only, will allow the water to escape when it fills to them. The most certain and direct cure for your trouble would be to have large conductor pipes placed on the inside of your building, where they will be removed from the influences of frosty blasts or frozen outlets. But in this case it should he of extra-heavy cast-iron pipe with leaded joints to prevent sewer gases or odors from entering the building. This is the prac- tice adopted for public building and business struct- ures. The pipes should be in recesses and accessible for repairs. If you cannot change your conductors, see that the snow is removed from the roof before it has had time to freeze to the tin. This will help you, save when there is a cold rain or sleet storm. A sure method to keep the pipes open without regard to the severity of the frost is to enter a steam pipe with jet end at the lowest accessible point of the leader, arranged with a swivel joint, so that the jet may be turned up when desired to clean the pipe, or downwards when not in use, when it will not become filled with water and freeze. A valve at a convenient point under the charge of your engineer will enable him to use it as his judgment dictates in thawing the ice or frost.] TO PREVENT TAR-COATING FROM SHOW- ING THROUGH PAINT ON SOIL PIPES. HARTFORD, CONN., April 10, 1886. SIR: One way to prevent discoloration of paint over tarred pipe is to paste firm, non-absorptive paper over the pipe and then apply the color. M. P. HAPGOOD, Architect. ARRANGING FRESH-AIR INLETS TO PRE- VENT FREEZING OF TRAPS, R. HADDOW, Winnipeg, Man., writes: " With reference to the correspondence on fresh-air inlets in THE ENGINEERING RECORD, the experience of another plumber in Winnipeg might not be out of place. Bearing in mind that the thermometer goes down to 40 degrees and 50 degrees below zero, I never have found a single instance wherein a fresh- air inlet froze over with hoar frost with properly ad- justed drain and soil pipes. I think Mr. Hughes must be making a mistake, because it is not the fact of cold air rushing in a pipe that freezes up the mouth of the pipe; it is the warm vapor coming out of the soil pipe at top that freezes up But even that I be- lieve can be obviated, by enlarging the pipe at its terminus, and have as little pipe as possible after go- ing through roof, leaving mouth of pipe clear and open. " But the greater trouble of all with us is to get a fresh-air inlet that will not freeze up the main trap, and that I think you cannot have where you eater your pipe immediately over the trap. Mr. McAr- thur's idea of the cold air striking the bend before entering the trap I fail to see, because the cold air never has time to strike on that point, from the fact that the suction of the soil pipe is so great. If it was forced in, then it would be another thing. I think it AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. it is more from the fact that he put the inlet further from the trap than it was before that kept it from freezing, so that I think by haying as much fresh-air inlet pipe inside of house (as is workable according to circumstances) as possible, and entering one or even two lengths of soil pipe from trap, will keep the trap from freezing. I use generally 2-inch pipe and carry it 7 or 8 feet up the wall; this is to prevent it getting covered over with snow. These few remarks are drawn from practical experience." [Letters based on experience are always welcome. Our correspondent seems to indorse the views fre- quently expressed as to location of fresh-air inlets in cold climates.] with the emanations from whatever filth may have been left in the drain from the previous summer's occupancy. BACK PRESSURE IN A SEASIDE COTTAGE DRAIN. COTTAGER, New York City, writes: " I have hired a cottage for the summer close to the shore, where the tide rises or falls 7 or 8 feet. The waste from the kitchen sink and water-closet is carried in a drain of earthen or iron pipe some ways down the beach to about half-way between high and low water, where it terminates in a hole filled with loose stones. This is not exactly in front of the house, and as it is well washed out with salt water twice every day it does not seem to be objectionable. The other night, however, happening to be in the kitchen when the house was quiet, my attention was attracted by a bubbling in the trap of the sink, which I at first could not understand, until I remembered that the tide was about three-quarters high and rising, and concluded that perhaps the rising water was forcing the air out ot my drain though the trap. " I would like very much to know if you think my conjecture correct, and if you consider the inflow of air from such a drain as likely to be dangerous, and what is the best way to prevent it." [From our correspondent's account we have no doubt that his conjecture is correct; certainly the cause he suggests is abundantly able to produce the effect which he describes, and no other seems prob- able. The remedy is very simple: a hole in the drain pipe anywhere above high water mark, even if only big enough to admit a lead pencil, will relieve the confined air and avoid the trouble; the only points to be observed in making such a vent are to place it where it will not be liable to become obstructed, and where the escaping air will not be an annoyance or danger to anyone. As to the danger, it is hardly probable that under the conditions described the sewage would have sufficient opportunity to become putrid, and give off unwholesome exhalations, and seaside cottages, dur- ing the time of their occupancy, usually have doors and windows so widely open that such exhalations would be very greatly diluted; still it is much better to be on the safe side, and even if it should be safe, it certainly is not nice to have such vapors pumped into one's house twice a day. Perhaps the most objectionable feature of the ar- rangement is that in winter, when the traps dry out for lack of use, or are emptied to prevent freezing, then unless the drain is closed in some way, the air from it has free access to the house, the tide main- taining a forced circulation, so that the whole build- ing has a chance to become pretty well saturated VENTILATION OF A SOIL PIPE. D. G. ADELSBERGER, Baltimore, Md., writes: " I have a contract for plumbing, etc , etc., of the university now building at Washington City. Mr. E. F. Baldwin (who is the architect and one of your subscribers) and myself, have had a consultation about the construction of the soil and vent pipes for water-closets, etc., etc. He has an opinion one way, and I another, so we agree to write to you for ^our opinion. Inclosed is a sketch showing the soil pipe running the highest at ridge of roof, and traps of closets all emptying into it and vent pipe the lowest which would cause a current of air to come down the vent pipe and follow the water, etc. from the clcjets. and vent the closet pipes and syphon up the soil pipe at highest point and make current of air circulate down the lowest or shortest pipe and up the longest. " Now suppose the soil pipe to be placed where the vent pipe now is and would thus be the shortest, and place the vent pipe where the soil pipe now is and reverse the closet pipes and run them into the short- est pipe, the water from the closets and traps would t~:3n run into the shortest pipe, thereby running against the. current of air coming down the short pipe. I say coming down the short pipe because it would not do otherwise according to natural philoso- phy, the other pipe being the highest would cause the current of air to come down the shortest and lowest and go up the highest pipe which would be the water from closets running against the current of air. " Will you please give me your opinion on the sub- ject, which plan will ventilate the pipes best ?" [We have reproduced the sketch as sent, which shows no traps, although they are mentioned in the letter. Our correspondent is mistaken in supposing that the air will necessarily flow down the shorter and up the taller pipe. The strength of a draft of a chimney or any other flue is proportional as much to its temperature as to its height, and in this case in whichever pipe the product is the greater of its height multiplied by the number of degrees that it is warmer than the outside air, the draft will be the stronger and the air will flow up. So that in this case if the shorter pipe is enough warmer the air in it will flow up and draw down in the taller. If two pipes or flues are equally high and warm no current will start, but if started it will continue, because the descending current will cool one flue, and being somewhat warmed before it escapes from the other the difference of temperature necessary for the flow will be maintained. If the pipes shown in the sketch are all equally warm the air will circulate as our correspondent supposes. The discharge from the water-closets will not, we think, materially affect the flow of the air in the pipes above the highest range. When one or the upper closets discharges, it will for the moment reverse the currents of air in all the pipes below it, but they will resume their normal direction as soon as the flow has passed. A discharge from one of the lowest closets would accelerate the air currents in the lower part of the vertical pipes, but would probably reverse the AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 235 currents in the upper cross pipes and produce little if any effect above them. A discharge from the middle range would produce a combination of these two results. If it were possible to get a fresh-air inlet at any point below, a much more efficient ventilation could be obtained. If the lower inlet cannot be had, the arrangement shown is perhaps the next best thing, and we do not think it makes much difference which way the closets discharge as far as the ventilation is concerned, as the effect of their discharge will be only local and temporary. It should be remembered that in taking in fresh air from above, the two pipes act as flues pulling against each other, and only the difference of their respec- tive drafts is available for ventilation.] OBSTRUCTION OF A VENT PIPE. Y. N. S., West Newton, Mass., writes: "A peculiar case of obstruction of a 4-inch vent pipe was brought to my notice to day. It was novel to me and may be of interest to others of your readers. According to the rules of the Board of Health, a soil pipe in the City Hall was extended full size (4 inches) through the roof several years ago. In order to get around roof timbers the stack was carried horizontally for a few feet under the roof, then by a quarter-turn was passed through the roof by a hub into which the flashing was turned, and a 3-foot length of pipe calked in the arrangement being shown by the accompanying sketch. Recently this piece A rusted off and fell over into the snow guard. When the plumbers went up to replace it, they found the section of pipe B passing through the roof cracked, and in removing it found the quarter bend C at the bottom entirely closed with rust. The hori- zontal section D laid over some ceiling joists, and from appearances may have had a slight fall towards the rusted elbow, but certainly not sufficient to hold much water. It would seem as if the small amount of rain that from time to time fell in the open end caused the rust to start, and as there was never any flow to carry it off or scour the pipe, it gradually ac- cumulated till it closed the pipe. This winter snow accumulated, melted, and finally the water thus formed froze and cracked the pipe. " This shows the great objection to any horizontal runs, especially above fixtures on a soil pipe where there will be no flushing, and that especially near the roof outlet where direct run is not practicable, one- eighth bend should be used." [Such stoppage from accumulations of scale rust are frequent in badly planned work in both vent pipes and extensions of soil and waste lines above the highest fixture connections. But it can be entirely prevented by following the New York regulations on this point that all such pipes where offsets are re- quired must be run at an angle not greater than 45 degrees .with the vertical, or in othef words, one- eighth bends must be used instead of one-quarter bends. At this angle the scale rust will slide down and be washed away. It seems difficult to make some workmen comprehend that a vent pipe through which no water runs ought to have a much greater pitch than is necessary for w:.ste pipes. There is no excuse for this defect in modern work, and such arrangements of piping have not been permitted in New York for some years. The work described was certainly not " according to Board of Health rules," as we know them.] TRAPS ON HOUSE DRAINS. WALTER H. RICHARDS, Engineer Sewer Depart- ment, New London, Conn., writes: "After reading the discussion recently published in THE ENGINEERING RECORD regarding the propriety of dispensing with a trap between the house and the main sewer, it appears that a plain statement of the whole question is desirable. It is well known that a current of air through all sewers is desirable, and is conceded by all to be necessary in the house pipes. A more complete ventilation of the street sewers can be secured by omitting the trap and ventilating through the house. A more complete ventilation of the house pipes can be secured with the trap and fresh-air inlet. A partial ventilation of the street 236 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. sewers may be obtained by perforated manhole covers, and, if the sewers are reasonably well built and flushed, this without offense or danger to the community. "In some cases, and possibly in all cases, if plumb- ing and traps were perfect and could be kept so, the trap on the .main drain could be omitted without danger arising from the fact that by so doing all houses on a line of sewer are connected together. The question is then a practical one. Can the house plumbing be always perfect ? With the most careful planning traps sometimes syphon or the water in them evaporates because of non-use of fixture, and with the most thorough inspection plumbing is some- times defective or becomes so after inspection. A thoroughly constructed system of sewers may suffer from neglect after a few years I think that the ad- vantage of cutting off each building from the main sewer and adjoining buildings and confining any danger to the sewer air and disease germs in the building itself, more than compensates for a more thorough ventilation of the main sewers or for the slight saving in expense effected by omitting the trap." AS TO MAIN HOUSE TRAPS AND SEPAR- ATE SEWER CONNECTIONS. MR. O. P. DENNIS, office of Proctor & Dennis, architects and superintendents, .Tacoma, Wash., writes: " I wish to ask you a question or two, trusting you will give me the desired information. " First, I will state our city plumbing ordinance provides that there shall be no running trap (or any other kind) in sewer or soil pipe between street sewer and fixtures in house (that is not mentioning traps connected with fixtures). But the ordinance provides that conductors from the roof must connect with the sewer. This I think all right. What I wish to know is if it is not better to have a running trap at a point just outside of the building, and then at a point between sewer and trap connect the con- ductor pipe. Lastly, what are the rules in New York City in regard to making sewer connections for a double building, or rows of connected houses ? Is it the custom to make separate connections, or is one connection allowed for two or more where they are owned by the same owner ? " [As often explained in these columns, it is safer to place the main trap on the house drain between the sewer and the house system either just outside or inside of the house wall, as may be most convenient. A running trap is not, however, a good form of trap. It is better to use a half-S trap with a tee branch, so that the bottom of the inlet is a few inches above the water seal in the trap. (See illustration on page 218 of " House Drainage and Plumbing Problems.") If it is desired to ventilate the town sewers by pipes running up on the outside ot the house walls, the leaders from the roof may be connected outside of this main trap. These pipes, however, should be of cast iron and made perfectly tight, especial care being taken that no leakage of gas can occur near windows. The regulations of New York require that each house shall have a separate sewer connection. This is a wise provision, and should be insisted on every, where. This regulation is without regard to the size of the house, and is intended to protect each householder, so that no single householder who may keep his drains in order shall be subject to annoy- ance or risk from the negligence of any other house- holder. It is also a wise provision, from the fact, that though one owner may build several adjoining houses, they usually in time become the property of different owners.] TRAPS ON HOUSE DRAIN AT NEWTQN, MASS. T. M CLARK. Boston. Mass., writes: " I should like to know how long it is since the health authorities of Newton, Mass., began to dis- courage the use of house traps, as your Pittsburg cor- respondent states in your issue of December 2, 1893 Five years ago I built two houses in that town. I agree with you in every point on the subject of house traps, believing that, with good plumbing inside, a detached country house, draining only into its own cesspool, is better off without a main trap, which is sure sooner or latter to be stopped with grease or rags, and flood the basement with sewage. Accord- ingly I laid the drains of these houses without main traps. The Board of Health made a complaint against me, and although they were polite enough to consider the arguments that I submitted to them, compelled me to dig up the drains, and put in main traps, both of which have since been choked with rags so as to discharge the sewage from the upper stories over the basement floor by the way of the basement water-closet, causing a great deal of trouble in both houses. Within the past two years the city sewers have been begun and are partly in use. Is it since then that the Board of Health have begun to discourage the use of main traps? If so I shall come into collision with them again if I build any more houses there. Objectionable as it is to have main traps get stopped, I consider that the risk of this, where houses drain into a sewer, is less to be feared than the risk of infection from disease germs entering the sewers from other nouses. I read to-day in the papers that there was an epidemic of scarlet fever and diphtheria in Newton. If the Board of Health has really encouraged or allowed the omis- sion of traps between the sewers and the houses, or schoolhouses, I am not surprised." [We presume the regulations were modified to suit the new conditions arising from the introduction of a sewerage system in 1890-91.] TRAPS ON HOUSE DRAINS AT NEWTON MASS. ALBERT F. NOYES, West Newton, Mass., writes: " In answer to the questions asked by Mr. T. M. Clark in a communication headed " Traps on House Drains at Newton, Mass.," as published in THE EN- GINEERING RECORD under date of December 16, 1893, I would state that your editorial comment was correct. " The plumbing ordinances were changed so that the requirements now are that there shall be a fresh- air connection with the soil pipe and a running trap between it and the house drain, except when con- nected with a public sewer. In that case it is optional with the householder whether he has or has not a running trap and fresh-air inlet. "This recommendation was made in my report to the City Council on a plan for a system of sewers for the city of Newton, only after a very careful study of the best practicable plan for the ventilation of the sewers, and after receiving the approval of several of the best sanitary engineers who were consulted upon this as well as other details in the design AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. wherein it seemed desirable to depart from the com- mon practice. " I might here state that the plumbing rules of the Board of Health are very complete in their require- ments, and the plumbing is carefully tested by the inspector with either the water, smoke, or pepper- mint test, and a careful superficial examination of every fixture or trap, before any portion is covered up. " All traps are to be ventilated and all soil pipes and vent pipes are to be carried full size through, and at least 3 feet above the roof. The sewers are carefully laid, so that every section between man- holes can be and is frequently inspected by the use of mirrors reflecting light through the sewer so every joint of the pipe can be seen. " With the conditions as above described. I doubt if Mr. Clark has ever known of a case where there was a flow of air from the soil pipe into the house. On the contrary, my experience has been that should an opening occur in a ventilated soil pipe the flow of air is invariably into the pipe and cot out of it. " The introduction of a large volume of fresh air into the sewer and through the soil pipes creates conditions not only unfavorable to the life and generation of disease germs, but favorable to their destruction. It also produces conditions unfavorable to the formation of what may be known as sewer gas in any condensed or concentrated form. If the gas is created at all, it is so diluted as not to be offensive or dangerous to health. " I have had a canvass of all the cases of scarlet fever or diphtheria which have occurred in Newton as reported to the Board of Health since August 10, 1893, and find that out of 41 cases of scarlet fever but four cases have occurred in houses connected with the sewer, and out of 25 cases of diphtheria but two cases have occurred in houses connected with the sewer. " The cases have also occurred in sections where the sewers have either not been laid at all or laid this season only, and I do not find a single case of sickness of a person attending a school where the fresh- air inlet or running trap has been omitted." DOES DISCHARGE OF STEAM INTO EARTHEN DRAINS INJURIOUSLY AFFECT THEM? W. M. DEXTER, East Providence, R. I., writes: " Can you give me any information upon the effects of steam from the waste of steam heating (coming direct from a steam boiler, pressure, say 60 to 80 pounds) upon vitrified drain pipe cemented at joints thereof, the pressure in the drain being from two to six pounds, perhaps? "There is a manufactory which is turning steam, such as above, directly into drain pipes with ordi- nary traps, without trying to condense same in water. Will the use of steam in the manner above be injuri- ous to drain pipes in the long run or not ? " [William Webb, foreman of the New York Bureau of Sewers, has observed that iron pipes having steam discharged into them become weakened, displaced, and more liable to break and leak, and that tile pipe becomes saturated with moisture, crumbles away, and breaks easily, and loses the elasticity and clear metallic ring that new pipes have when struck; that cement in brick sewers is entirely disintegrated by the action of steam, and the loose brick may be easily removed, only dry sand remaining. Mr. Webb does not think the cement used in the joints of tile pipes is sufficiently exposed to be injured, and has never observed any indications of its de- struction by contact with steam. The sewer regulations of this and other cities re- quire that steam shall not be discharged into sewers. Besides the question of its effect on the materials of which the sewer is constructed, the sudden presence of it makes it unsafe for men to enter sewers for pur- poses of inspection, and the smell in them is rendered much worse than it otherwise would be.] ARRANGEMENT OF TRAP VENTS. G. F. J , Denver, Colo., writes: "Will you kindly settle a question in dispute. I send two sketches of a kitchen sink with connections, Fig. i. as placed by the plumber, Fig. 2, as con- tended by me to be better, as there is no contraction in the size of pipes when continued direct as a ventilating pipe." [Figure 2 is preferable. The bend at the foot of the 2-inch vent pipe, as shown in Fig. i, is liable to stoppage from falling rust if the pipe is of wrought iron. Likewise the bend at the foot of the vent in Fig. 2. although in this latter case it might not affect the trap. We add Fig. 3, as better practice than either of the others. It will be noticed that the Y branch for the trap vent is put in just above the bottom of the sink, so that in case of stoppage in the waste pipe below, it would be indicated by the waste water not running off. In Fig. 2, if a stoppage occurred in the waste, the trap could discharge through the vent pipe without its being known. The discharge, as shown in Fig. 3, helps keep the bend flushed out and the cleanout is desirable in such positions for the removal of obstructions.] RUNNING A VENT PIPE INTO A SMOKE FLUE. J. REYNOLDS & SON, Philadelphia, Pa., write: " THE ENGINEERING RECORD contains an article headed ' Objections to Running a Vent Pipe into a Smoke Flue.' " We ventilate apartments, etc. into the smoke flue, but not into a plain chimney. Our method is to run a cast-iron p'ipe from the cellar to a few inches above the chimney coping in the center of said flue. For example, if a flue measures 12x12 inches in the clear, we run an 8 inch cast-iron pipe for smoke im- mediately up the center of said flue, properly secur- ing each length of s-inch by iron stays; we then use the brick flue surrounding said pipe for the introduc- tion of all ventilating ducts. It works like a charm and there is no conflict." [In this case the smoke flue is an iron pipe, and the brick flue, possibly built for a smoke flue, is AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. made to serve the purpose of a ventilating flue. There are doubtless many cases where the conditions were favorable, and satisfactory results were secured, yet it might be well to consider a variety of condi- tions where satisfactory results would not be secured. We therefore should not advise laying down hard and fast rules in an ordinance to cover all cases. Vent pipes from the bowls or seats of water-closets can pretty safely be connected with any warm flue in the walls of a building, provided said flue is used for no other purpose and connected with no other flue, unless under conditions mentioned below. When the waste heat from a furnace or boiler chimney is carried through an iron pipe within a flue, the flue becomes an aspirating shaft, and into it the water-closet rooms may be ventilated; but should there be another vent shaft in the building, then the object of the separate vent shaft for the closets might be vitiated, and the necessity for bring- ing them together at the top made apparent. If there is a systematic exhaust ventilation (by fan or aspirating shaft) in the building, this flue should enter the main outlet duct just below the fan, if one is used, and pretty near the top of the heated aspir- ating shaft certainly above all other ventilating flues to the shaft which lead from rooms. In such a case, presumably, it is best to vent the water closet room into the same flue as the vent from the bowl or seat, as thereby the possibility of drawing air down one flue and up another is prevented, which might be the case with exhaust ventilation should there be two flues from the same water-closet room, and which in all probability would be the case if they went separately to the coping or outer air. If the ventilation of the building is plenum venti- lation, then the flue, presumably, is best when run to the atmosphere direct, with a separate flue for each purpose, unless indeed there is a combined plenum and exhaust system, when the flues are best arranged as though they were for exhaust ventilation alone. Houses or buildings warmed by furnace, taking air from outside or by indirect steam radiation with or without a fan may be considered " plenum ventila- tion," while all warmed by fireplaces or stoves, hav- ing the air drawn out of the rooms by waste heat or otherwise, are vacuum or " exhaust ventilation." With a condition of plenum within a house, chimneys and flues " draw," and all flues will show an outward current of air unless they are proportioned too large. With vacuum ventilation, if there is more than one outlet or aspirator (fan or otherwise), the stronger is apt to draw the weaker, and will do so unless there is means of admitting air below or through windows sufficient to supply the outlets which have power to draw. Small aspirating shafts are made by providing a flue on each side of the kitchen range flues, and boiler and furnace flues, with partitions of one brick between, or by using earthen or iron pipe, or special earthen flues with partitions, within a large brick flue. The cast-iron pipe within a flue makes the best aspirating shaft, but we know of a case where a building was so tight that the air to supply the boiler furnace was drawn down the aspirating shaft, up which the very same boiler smoke pipe ran, until the boiler was supplied with air directly from the outer air. In our modern kitchens it now and then happens that the flue running parallel with the range flue for the purpose of drawing the hot air and fumes of cooking from the range under the hood, works the wrong way; in fact, cold air comes down to supply the fire unless a window or door is open, some of the buildings being so air-tight. In such a case it would not be a good thing to have water closets vented into the same flue.J THE BACK-VENTING OF CLOSET TRAPS. CANADIAN, Berlin, Ont.. writes: " In a small house the plumbing fixtures usually consist of a bath and closet upstairs and a kitchen sink down stairs. The traps of the bath and sink are usually required to be vented, but is there any valid reason why the closet trap should be vented? Even if the bath waste were connected with the lead bend under the closet, which is not now considered good practice, the discharge from the bath would hardly cause the closet trap to syphon, and of course the dis- charge from the sink below cannot affect the water in the closet trap when the soil pipe is continued through the roof. A vent to the closet trap would hardly be required to prevent it syphoning itself dry while being discharged; that would scarcely be possi- ble with a 4 inch trap and a i-^-inch supply, so that I am at a loss to know why, here in Canada, we have not in the market a single porcelain washout closet without a horn for the trap vent." [There are undoubtedly cases where fixtures are few in number, and their relative position and partic- ular connections to the soil such as to make back- ventilation of traps an unnecessary precaution, but the cases where back venting can be omitted with safety are so rare and the uncertainty of how the traps may be affected is so great that the rule for the greatest safety to the greatest number must govern, and back-venting be considered a factor of safety well worth introducing into the work. It is like all generalizations not applicable or requisite for certain isolated cases. It has, however, value for air circula- tion and ventilation aside from the mere protection of the trap against syphonage, but in the case cited these considerations do not appear to apply. Referring to your immediate inquiry, the form of closet and its relation to soil pipe and the method of venting the soil pipe at the roof, would have some influence on the question of syphonage. We have seen the seal of hopper water-closet traps affected by a strong wind blowing across the open end of the soil pipe. The actual seal of water in the trap is about \y 2 or 2 inches, representing a pressure of 1.15 ounces per square inch. The atmospheric pressure is 2.40 ounces per square inch, and any influence in- creasing the pressure 1.15 ounces on one side of the trap or reducing it 1.15 ounces on the other would unseal the trap. The conditions are so delicately balanced that special circumstances of construction would outweigh theoretical considerations. A prac- tical test repeated under various conditions of atmos- AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 239 phere, coincident discharge of fixtures, etc , would best answer your question for the particular case named It has been found experimentally and in a vast field of practice that back-venting properly done practically insures the seal of the trap, and as a matter of insurance the outlay incidental to it seems to be well invested against the hazard.] WHICH IS THE BEST METHOD OF CON- NECTING HOUSE DRAIN TO SEWER. JAY, of Riverside, Cal., writes: " This city is provided with a system of pipe sewers ia...ff ni> in ize from 6-inch to 12-inch. Flush tanks on laterals Main sewer flushed from canal every week in addition. Rainwater excluded. Manholes with perforated covers at interval? As I understand it, there are the following well- defined methods of making house connections, it being understood tnat the house drain is extended through the roof in all cases: (i) Having no trap on the houe dram, and ventilating the public sewer through it; (2) having a trap outside the building and a fresh-air inlet on the house side of the trap; (3) same as (2), but having, in addition, a ventilating pipe extending from a point between the trap and main sewer to a point above the roof outside the building. " Will you kindly tell me which of these three methods would be considered preferable in the case of a system of sewers such as I have described 1 The practice here heretofore has been No. 3, but there are not many buildings plumbed that way. The plumbers favor No. i, while I might favor No. 2 under other circumstances; here, however, we have many detached closets and sinks in which any other method than No. i is hardly practicable. The climate is semi-tropic, and all houses are well ventilated by open doors and windows, and there are few large buildings." [In our opinion, the choice lies between systems i and 2. We have usually preferred No. 2, simply be- cause an ideal condition of the sewers of the average town cannot be permanently depended <*~.] ARTIFICIAL HEAT IN VENT PIPES. H. G., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, writes: " Referring to your answer to a correspondent yon say that you prefer artificial heat for local ventilation. Where should a gas jet be inserted to give the best results? Would it answer just as well if it is put in the upcast pipe on the bottom floor or any of the intermediate floors, and would not an atmospheric burner be the best to use, as they give off a much greater heat ?" [As the efficiency of ventilation by artificial heat depends mainly upon the height of the column of heated air, it is obviously important to put the burner or other source of heat as low as possible, for the same reason that a fire in the basement usually draws much better than one on the top floor. As to the use of an atmospheric or Bunsen burner, we should say that provided the gas is completely consumed, which is the case when the flame is clear and smokeless, it makes little or no difference what kind of a burner is used, the total heat resulting from the combustion will be the same. The ordinary burner is more readily obtained and has the incidental advantage that its light shows more plainly than the other whether it is burning or not. I" if true that it radiates more heat than the Bunsen burner and that the heat thus radiated is most of it lost as far as heating the sir currents is concerned, but we should not think the difference sufficient to warrant any extra trouble or expense in procuring atmospheric burners The ordinary burner is very easily made into an atmospheric one by slipping over it a slightly tapered sleeve, say 3 inches long and enough larger than the burner to permit a current of air to flow up all around it, the upper and smaller end of the sleeve extending slightly above the top of the burner. Such an attach- ment, called " Dare's burner," is, or was, patented in this country and could probably be obtained of any dealer in gas fixtures. Our correspondent could readily determine the relative efficiency of different burners in producing air currents by a very simple experiment whose re- sults we should be pleased to learn and publish. Let nim place in or over the outlet of his vent pipe, or in any place where it can be seen and at the same tmit> moved by the current of heated air, a wheel of thin metal, pasteboard, or even of paper, then if he will count the number of turns it makes in say one minute with each kind of burner, he will learn which of them gives the strongest draft.] METHOD OF TESTING PLUMBING IN MINNEAPOLIS. WE are indebted to Mr. J. M. Hazen, Assistant Plumbing Inspector at Minneapolis, Minn., for a blue- print of an apparatus he has designed for testing soil and waste pipes, from which the following illustration is made. Mr. Hazen describes his apparatus and his method of making a test as follows: To prepare new work for this test, all the iron soil and ventilation pipes must be roughed in, running trap and fresh-air inlet included. If the water- closets have a trap, then calk in a 4-inch lead bend; otherwise, calk in the lead trap and solder a piece of APPARATUS FOR TESTING SOIL PIPES. heavy sheet lead over the top. Wipe on the trap ventilation and connect with vent pipes. Calk in ferrules in all openings for waste or ventilation, with a short piece of lead pipe wiped on. Pinch these ends and solder them. If the ventilation connects with stack before reaching the roof, then you only have to close the bottom and top of stack, put the proving apparatus on the fresh-air inlet, and apply the test, 240 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Thus \ve have the whole system of plumbing under test at the same time. Whereas, if only the soil pipe were tested, there are yet three joints to make for every fixture, which will never be under proper test. Instead of a short piece of lead waste or vent pipe being calked in, I would, if circumstances would ad- mit, connect up the entire waste with trap attached, take out the crown vent and connect it with main ventilation pipe. Then, if the work stands a pressure of 10 pounds to the square inch, and holds up to that, it is absolutely tight beyond question, for all fixtures that go on are outside of the traps, now under test. I consider 10 pounds air pressure ample test for ordinary plumbing. If the work stands at that pressure, it will, as a rule, stand 15 or more. I was told at first that cast-iron soil pipe could not be calked with lead and oakum, to stand an air pressure of TO pounds, but that theory has vanished, and good workmen have no trouble in making their work as tight as a glass bottle. The greatest danger is in calking around brass ferrules, and great care should be taken lest they " buckle in." To test a job of plumbing with the proving ap- paratus, in the absence of a three-eighths nipple to connect the rubber hose to, it is necessary to havo a 2 or 4-inch iron plug with iron gasket to fit on the shoulder of the pipe in the hub "F," held in place by a clamp over the end of the hub, with a set-screw in the center to screw down on the plug. Into one side of this plug, screw in a short nipple and cock " G." To attach a hose from the pump close cock " D " and open cock E. Work the pump until the gauge C shows five pounds pressure, then close cock E. If the work is absolutely tight the indicator will remain at five pounds; if defective the indicator will go down. Now unscrew tap of ether cup B; open cock D and let the pressure off from the pipe; close cock D; put one ounce of ether in the cup; screw oil cap; open cock D, to let the ether down, and at the same time begin to work the pump; close cock D; pump up to five pounds pressure, and close cock E. The ether will indicate where the leaks are, which the plumber will at once calk tight. Test the work again at 10 pounds pressure, and if the indicator stands at that the work is absolutely tight. To test the pump, put on 10 pounds pressure, close cocks G and E, and if the indicator stands the pump is tight. A little soap and water put on the leaky joints with a brush will show the exact location of a leak by the formation of bubbles. Plumbers, archi- tects, and builders here are perfectly satisfied with its ability to make a thorough test. That, together with its simplicity, commends it at once. JOINING AN IRON AND EARTHENWARE DRAIN. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, DULUTH, MINN., November 25, 1892. Tc the Editor of THE ENGINEERING RECORD. SIR: Will you please discuss in your department of " Notes and Queries," the different methods of join- ing a 6-inch tile house drain to a 4-inch iron soil pipe, such as the introduction of the end of the soil pipe a foot or so into the tile and cementing well out- side, use of a tile reducer 6 inches to 4 inches, use of an iron reducer 6 inches to 4 inches, use of a 4-inch iron "double hub," fitting into the body of the 6-inch tile pipe, and any other methods which you may know of, giving the advantages and disadvantages of each, with your judgment as to the best method X. [In answering our correspondent's inquiry we shall assume, to prevent any misunderstanding, that by " soil pipe " he means the main drain of cast-iron pipe inside the house walls, receiving, through various branches the drainage from all the plumbing fixtures and, as a rule, running horizontally for a greater or less distance through the cellar before passing out at the front wall. This main pipe is in New York known technically as the "house drain," to distinguish it from the vertical lines called "soil" and "waste pipes," and also from the continuation of the main A Section C-D. FIG. 5 drain outside the house and extending to the public sewer, which is known as the " house sewer." The "house drain," whether above or below the cellar floor should always be constructed of iron pipe carried through and several feet beyond the house, vault, or area wall. From this point hard, salt glazed earthen- ware pipe may be safely used under proper condi- tions as to foundation, etc. If, however, the practice in Duluth corresponds more nearly to that of Chicago than New York, and the " house drain," as defined above, is commonly laid with earthenware pipe, so that the connections in question are made inside the house, we should answer that such arrangement, is no longer considered good practice in this country, the safe rule being to use only iron pipe within the walls of a building. Presuming, therefore, that it is the connection of a cast-iron "house drain " with the earthenware drain outside the walls, the accompanying sketches will ex- plain the methods suggested by our correspondent. In Fig. i the end of the 4-inch extra-heavy cast-iron pipe is introduced into the earthen pipe for any de- sired distance and the space above the iron pipe and AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. 241 the entire hub carefully filled with good cement mortar. This gives an easily made and strong con- nection, with a good and fairly continuous line of flow, and applicable to all cases where the iron is at least one size smaller than the earthen pipe. The objection that the pipes are not properly centered seems of little practical importance. It may be noted in passing that under ordinary conditions either the iron pipe would be larger or the tile smaller than those given in the inquiry. Figure 2 shows an earthenware " increaser," with the connection made between pipes of the same di- ameter. However, as the earthen hub is much larger than a corresponding one of iron, there is always a danger that the unskilled workman will lay the pipes as indicated in Fig. 5, where the discharge will be partially obstructed by the projection of the earthen pipe above the line of flow, even if no burr of cement has been left inside the pipes. In addition to this, the ordinary earthenware hub is not deep enough to make a very strong cement joint with iron pipe. The "increaser " is, of course, simply another length of earthen pipe, which it might perhaps be in- convenient to set at a proper distance beyond the walls. Figure 3 is a cast-iron "reducer" calked on the end of the 4-inch iron pipe and cemented into the hub of the 6- inch tile. Though more expensive in labor and material, there seems to be little advantage in this method, while there are the possible objections noted in Fig. 5, and also a greater difficulty, because of the reducer, in removing any cement which may be forced inside the pipe in making the joint. In Fig. 4 a 4-inch iron " double hub " has been used, as suggested, giving a connection similar to that in Fig. i, but at an increased expense. T-o do this, however, the so-called "standard" or light- weight cast-iron pipe must be used, as this fitting in the " extra-heavy" grade measures about 6% inches outside. The former grade of pipe has been very generally discarded in favor of the heavier and safer material which is now commonly required by the city plumbing regulations throughout the country. It is, however, quite possible to modify this method by calking a ring of s-inch iron pipe on the end of the 4-inch so as to make the pipes more nearly con- centric when introduced into the body of the tile. This would make a good connection with slightly more labor than No. i. All things considered, therefore, it would seem that the method shown in Fig. i, while apparently less careful and accurate than the others, will under the ordinary conditions of careless workmanship and the like, give a thoroughly good and strong connection at a less expenditure of time and material than with any of the others suggested.] SUBSOIL DRAINAGE OF HOUSE FOUNDA- TIONS. THOMAS LLOYD BETTON, of Kansas City, Kan., writes: ' ' In preparing plans of foundation for a building we have arranged drain tile running around foundation. Tile is hubless, such as is used on farms for draining farm land. It runs about 8 inches above footing, and the architect wishes us to connect same to sewer, which has to convey water from two water-closets, two washstands, two bathtubs, two sinks, as you will see it shown connected in our plan. We say it is not proper to connect it to main sewer, for in case trap should become stopped up in any way every- thing from house would be forced back into the hub- less tile, and would be the means of saturating the ground around building before it would be discov- ered. Please give us your opinion as to whether the tile should be laid above or below footing." [Two-inch cylindrical land tiles with slip collar joints should be used with Y branches and curved pieces for change in directions. The tiles should be placed on a plank bottom laid to grade of about 6 inches in 100 feet. The invert of the tile should be level with the bottom of the footing course at the front of the house (or at the point of discharge of the tiles), and should rise in both directions from this k-0'.il 'Manhole FIG. From Rain Leader SUBSOIL DRAINAGE OF HOUSE FOUNDATIONS. point to a " summit " at the back (or opposite side) of the house. Care should be taken to prevent mud from flowing into the drains while being laid. The joints in the tile are sometimes made with cloth or tar paper wrapping instead of slip collars. It is a good plan to fill in the trench with broken stones to a depth of 6 inches over the pipe and to cover this with salt hay or straw before filling in the earth. The outside wall of the house should be thoroughly plastered and troweled smooth with Portland cement mortar (i to 2) and allowed to set before the tile is- laid. This plaster coat should extend from an inch, or two above the surface of the ground to the bottom, of the footing course. A coating of bitumen laid on hot outside of this will make the foundation walls- doubly proof against water and dampness. The dis- charge from the subsoil drains should not connect 242 AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE. with the sewer if it can be otherwise disposed of. In case it is impossible to provide other means of draining the subsoil line, it may connect with the house sewer under the following conditions: First It must be independently trapped against the entrance of drain air. Second. The trap must be supplied with water from an unfailing source, and had best be connected with a rain leader or yard drain. The ground-water supply alone should not be relied on to furnish seal for the trap, as during dry seasons the subsoil drains may carry no water. Third. The subsoil drains should be effectually trapped against the back flow of sewage, which may be occasioned by a stoppage in the main drain beyond the junction of the subsoil line. For this reason it is perhaps best to connect the subsoil line on the sewer side of the .house drain ; as stoppages in the main house trap, which are not infrequent, would not then affect the subsoil line. For the purpose in view, the prevention of the back flow of sewage, a mechanical trap with a floating ball should be used. A failure in the operation of the mechanical trap, in case of stoppage in the house sewer beyond the subsoil junction, will result in flooding the subsoil drains with house sewage which is not liable to be dis- covered until some of the house fixtures fail to operate properly or until the flooded subsoils become offensive. This is a risk which cannot be overcome, and it is essential, therefore. Fourth. That the traps be located where they can be frequently and readily inspected and cleaned. A convenient arrangement of traps to cover the points enumerated is shown in Figs, i and 2, in con- nection with which it will be noted that, when work- ing properly, the trap B is supplied with water from a yard drain or rain leader. The trap C, Fig. 3, is a ball float mechanical trap- allowing the subsoil water to flow into B, but preventing back flow of water or sewage when the ball is seated. If C runs dry, B prevents the back flow of drain air, and, in case of the back flow of sewage, the first entrance of sewage into C would float the ball and seat it. The rain leader should be carried up with iron pipe and tight joints to the height of the fresh-air inlet, or abova the level of a yard drain, so that sewage backing into the leader may not escape until it has found its way out at some opening, where it will be a nuisance and be brought to the attention of the householder. The traps, as shown in the drawing, can be grouped in an oval manhole 4x3 feet. From what has been said it is evident that you were right in saying it would not be proper to con- nect the subsoil drain as shown in your sketch. The correct method of laying the tile has been indicated. If laid below the footing course, it may undermine it and crack the wall; if laid above the footing course it is not draining the subsoil to the greatest available depth. Plans for removing ground water from a house to sewer are also shown on pages 45 and 46 of " House Drainage and Plumbing Prob- lems."] CAUSE OF STOPPAGE ON A HOUSE" DRAIN. ALLAN M. BARROWS, architect, Chicago, 111., writes: ' Will you kindly furnish me through your valuable journal with a comment upon the scheme of drainage as shown by the sketch inclosed and described here- in. A contract for plumbing has been recently ex- ecuted in a dwelling at Oak Park, 111., in accordance with accompanying sketch. A few days after its completion and during a heavy rainstorm water was found to be overflowing the basement water-closet. An examination quickly made resulted in the dis- covery that the running trap in the chamber had been chocked full of paper; as also the vent pipe from the trap on the house side. The toilet paper had accumulated at the first bend and the flush from one closet at so short rise had failed to discharge it past the seal dip into the sewer. This stoppage had caused the pipe to fill with rainwater from the leader and back up, overflowing the closet as de- scribed. "The owner in his efforts to locate the blame had called upon the plumber, who, in response to the Vertical 'Soil 'Pipe BASEMENT. t>LAH ~ - ToS ot/ing horizontal lines of pipes. owner's inquiries, said that he had followed the ar- chitect's drawings and specifications, which require*! the installation of running trap chamber, vent, etc., though contrary to his ideas of good plumbing. He further said that he deemed a trap of any sort placed in the soil drain an unnecessary obstruction, and if this were his job he should remove the trap chamber and all, and insert in its place a straight section. In my next interview with the owner I was subjected to considerable reproach, and it was only, through the suggestion that for the present we re- move the chief source of danger that the whole system was spared destruction. The rainwater leader was disconnected, and then I suggested that in fairness to me he should consult an expert in this matter. Time has now passed and he has failed to do this, so I have written you asking your opinion which I am aware he will consider authoritative, for my own justification." [Theoretically, every trap used is an obstruction, fixture traps included; their use is deemed the lesser of two evils. The position of THE ENGINEERING RECORD on the need of a trap on main house drains is again explained in the issue of December 2, 1893. From the sketch submitted we should look for the cause of stoppage either in a drain laid without sufficient incline cr in some foreign substance caught or lodged in the main trap. Or the basement closet may be set too low and be inadequately flushed, or the drain beyond the rainwater leader connection may be too small to serve the roof area drained in case of a heavy shower. In that case there would be a back flow at the bailment closet. Assuming that this is a case where a trap is only a proper safe- guard, we should look for the trouble then either in AMERICAN PLUMBING PRACTICE, defective details of construction, insufficient fall in pipe or insufficient size, or improper use of the drain, this latter a very common cause of stoppages in new work. We see no cause for stoppage in the general design submitted, but prefer a form of trap in which the drain enters a little above the dip.] DEPOSIT OF RUST IN THE BEND OF A SOIL PIPE. NEW YORK, April 30, 1887. SIR: The following unusual experience which came under my notice recently is worthy of record. The drainage and plumbing of a five-story dwelling in the city was submitted for examination and revision. There were two vertical columns of " standard " iron pipe; the one marked A in Fig. i connecting with bathrooms and sink on the top floors was carried by a 4-inch pipe close to the roof and there pieced out and extended above it by a 3-inch lead pipe drawn together at the top and perforated for ventilation. The column B, which was 4 inches at the base, re- duced to 2 inches for the top floors, connected only with hand-basins, and was also pieced out and re- duced by lead pipe drawn together and perforated above the roof. There was no trap on the main drain and no ventilation of fixture traps. To "back-air" the traps and ventilate the drains two columns of "extra heavy" 3-inch iron pipes were put in parallel to the soil columns and all traps vented into them. The soil and back-air columns A, Fig. 2, joined near the roof and were continued by a 5-inch pipe above it. Column B, Fig. 2, was to have been similarly arranged, but it was found more con- venient to carry the 2-inch soil and 3-inch vent above the roof independently, each being increased to 4 inches before passing out. The main drain was trapped at the front wall and vented to the street. Upon completing the work the smoke test was ap- plied at the newly inserted fresh-air inlet at the curb. Columns A and C, Fig. 2, filled at once and poured out streams of smoke, but none came from B, even after A and C were plugged up. Two pails of water poured down B showed there was a stoppage, the water rising in the pipe above the roof. The top of the column was broken out at once and cut down to a point (e, Figs, i and 2) 5 feet below where the old 2-inch pipe had been increased to 4 inches. It was then seen that in passing through the top floor an 1 8-inch offset had been made with quarter-bends. The horizontal internal of 2-inch pipe at this point was found completely choked for several inches with a closely compacted mass of iron-rust flakes, which had fallen from the original 10 feet of 2-inch pipe above the elbow, or from a surface of about 5 square feet. The total amount of rust scales taken out weighed something over a half a pound, some of the scales being as large as a dime. The pipe did not appear seriously corroded. How long the pipe had been choked and without ventilation is not known. The stoppage being above the highest fixture, did not speak for itself, nor would the peppermint test have necessarily shown it. The A Perforated Perforated Lead Pipe. Roof- Lead Pipe '1*6 *f 55 ^ . Celling 3" i ? FIG.! f 4" ! ^ Top Floor 2" 2" 4 1 4 /p/ -Jfe/ v - /^ ^ ./f C ~5" 4t Poof F 2 1 / j / | . Ceiling " '5" -3" Top Floor ^ * i s- ^ ^ .5, Bath ^ ROOM * illustrations of recent practice. For many of these I am indebted to THE: ENGINEERING RECORD, in which the descriptions first appeared. I am aiso indebted to Dr. A. C. Abbott for much valuable assistance in its preparation, and to the architects and heating engineers who have furnished me with plans and information, and whose names are mentioned in connection with the descriptions of the several buildings, etc., referred to in the text. WASHINGTON, D. C., JOHN S. BILLINGS. December, 1892. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Introduction. Utility of Ven- tilation. CHAPTER II. History and Literature of Ventilation. CHAPTER III. The Atmosphere: Its Chem- ical and Physical Properties. CHAPTER IV. Carbonic Acid. CHAPTER V. Conditions Which Make Ven- tilation Desirable or Necessary. Physi- ology of Respiration. Gaseous and Par- ticulate Impurities of Air. Sewer Air. Soil Air. Dangerous Gases and Dust* in Particular. Occupations or Processes of Manufacture. Drying Rooms. CHAPTER VI. On Moisure in Air, and Its Relations to Ventilation. CHAPTER VII. Quantity of Air Required for Ventilation. CHAPTER VIII. On the Forces Concerned in Ventilation. CHAPTER IX. Examination and Testing ot Ventilation. CHAPTER X. Methods of Heating. Stoves. Furnaces. Fireplaces. Steam and Hot Water. Thermostats. CHAPTER XL Sources of Air Supply. Fil- tration of Air. Fresh-Air Flues and In- lets. By-passes. CHAPTER XII. Foul-Air or Upcast Shafts. Cowls. Syphons. CHAPTER XIII. Ventilation of Mines. ADDRESS, BOOK DEPARTMENT, CHAPTER XIV. Ventilation of Hospitals and Barracks . Barrack Hospitals. Hos- pitals for Contagious Diseases. Blegdams Hospital. U. S. Army Hospitals. Cam- bridge Hospital. Hazleton Hospital. Barnes Hospital. New York Hospital. Johns Hopkins Hospital. Hamburg Hos- pital. Insane Asylums. Barracks CHAPTER XV. Ventilation of Halls of Audience and Assembly Rooms. The Houses of Parliament. The U. S. Capitol. The New Sorbonne. The New York Music Hall. The Lenox Lyceum. CHAPTER XVI. Ventilation of Theaters. Manchester Theaters. Grand Opera House- in Vienna. Opera House at Frankiort-on- the-Main. Metropolitan Opera House, New York. Madison Square Theater. Academy of Music, Baltimore. Pueblo- Opera House. Empire Theater, Philadel- phia. CHAPTER XVII. Ventilation of Churches. Dr. Hall's Church, New York. Hebrew Temple, Keneseth-Israel, Philadelphia. CHAPTER XVIIL Ventilation of Schools. Bridgeport School. Jackson School, Min- neapolis. Garfield School, Chicago. Bryn Mawr School, near Philadelphia. College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. CHAPTER XIX. Ventilation of Dwelling Houses. CHAPTER XX. Ventilation of Tunnels, Railway Cars, Ships, Shops, Stables, Sew- ers. Cooling of Air. Conclusion. ENGINEERING RECORD, 100 WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK. L. \Volff rianufacturing Company, PLUMBING GOODS. Wolff's Under=RolI Rim Enameled Iron Baths. The "NEPTUNA." D 109. General Offices, 93 W. LAKE STREET. CHICAGO. Illustrated Circular will be mailed on application. Show Rooms, 91 DEARBORN STREET. Branches DENVER, MINNEAPOLIS. Davis Purifyjng and Filtering Systems. Capacities of the horizontal Cylindrical Filters range from 100,000 to 1,000,000 gallons each in 24 hours, according to size. Our upright Filters are essentially the same in construction as those of the largest class. Capacities range from 2,400 to 90,000 gallons in 24 hours. CONTRACTS MADE FOR FILTERS AND FILTER PLANTS OF ANY CAPACITY. SATISFACTORY RESULTS GUARANTEED. PITTSBURGH FILTER CO, 30 Sandusky Street, ALLEGHENY, PA. = Loomis Improved Water Filter FOR PRIVATE RESIDENCES, OFFICE BUILDINGS, HOTELS, MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, AND CITY WATER SUPPLIES. Estimates furnished for large and small plants. Results guaranteed. LOOM is-M AN MING FILTER Co. 402 Chestnut St., PHILADELPHIA. 77 Liberty St., NEW YORK CITY. A FACT Admitted now by all, that Porcelain Enameled Iron Baths are superior to all others. THE BRIGHTON. BEAUTIFUL, SANITARY, AND DURABLE. We make all styles but only one quality THE BES T. They are handled by all first-class supply houses. Architects who require the best specify them. DA WES & MYLER, Manufacturers, NKW BRIQHTON, F>A. PLUMBING PROBLEMS; OR, Questions, Answers and 'Descriptions, FROM THE ENGINEERING RECORD, ESTABLISHED 1877. (Prior to 1887, THE SANITARY ENGINEER.) With 142 Illustrations. "A feature of THE ENGINEERING RECORD (prior to 1887, The Sanitary Engi- neer), is its replies to questions on topics that come within its scope, included in which are Water- Supply, Sewage Disposal, Ventilation, Heating, Lighting, House-Drainage and Plumbing. Repeated inquiries concerning matters often explained in its columns, suggested the desirability of putting in a convenient form for reference a selection from its pages of questions and comments on various problems met with in house-drainage and plumbing, improper work being illustrated and explained as well as correct methods It is. therefore, hoped that this book will be useful to those interested in this branch of Sanitary Engineering." TABLE OF DANGEROUS BLUNDERS IN PLUMBING. Running Vent-Pipe in Improper Places Con- necting Soil- Pipes with Chimney-Flues By- Passes in Trap-Ventilation, etc. Illustrated. A Case of Reckless Botching. Illustrated. A Stupid Multiplication of Traps. Illustrated. Plumbing Blunders in a Gentleman's Country House. Illustrated. A Trap Made Useless by Improper Adjustment of Inlet and Outlet Pipes. Illustrated. Unreliability of Heated Flue as a Substitute for Proper Trapping. Illustrated. Need of Plans in Doing Plumbing-Work. HOUSE-DRAINAGE. City and Country House-Drainage Removal of Ground-Water from Houses Trap-Ventila- tion Fresh-Air Inlets Drain-Ventilation by Heated Flues Laying of Stoneware Drains. Requirements for the Drainage of Every House. Drainage of a Saratoga House. Illustrated. Ground-Water Drainage of a Country-House. Illustrated. Ground- Water Drainage of arCity House. Il- lustrated. Fresh-Air Inlets. The Location of Fresh-Air Inlets in Cities. Illustrated. Fresh- Air Inlets. Illustrated. Air-Inlets on Drains. The Proper Way to Lay Stoneware Drains. Risks Attending the Omission of Traps and Re- lying on Drain- Ventilation by Flues. Illustrated. The Tightness of Tile-Diains. Danger of Soil-Pipe Terminals Freezing unless Ends are without Hoods or Cowls. Objection to Connecting Bath-Waste with Water-Closet Trap. How to Adjust the Inlets and Outlets of Traps. Illustrated. How to Protect Trap when Soil-Pipe is used as a Leader. Size of Ventilating-Pipes for Traps. How to Prevent Condensation Filling Vent - Pipes. Ventilating Soil-Pipes. How to Prevent Accidental Discharge into Trap Vent-Pipe. Why Traps should be Vented. CONTENTS : MISCELLANEOUS. Syphoning Water through a Bath-Supply. Illustrated. Emptying a Trap by Capillary Attraction. Il- lustrated. As to Safety of Stop-Cocks on Hot Water Pipes. How to Burnish Wiped Joints. Admission to the New York Trade Schools. Irregular Water Supply. Illustrated. Hot Water from the Cold Faucet, and how to Prevent it. Illustrated. Disposal of Bath and Basin Waste Water. To Prevent Corrosion of Tank Lining. Number of Water Closets Required in a Fac- tory. Size of Basin Wastes and Outlets. Tar Coated Water Pipe Affect Taste of Water. How to Deal with Pollution of Cellar Floors. How to Heat a Bathing Pool. Objections to Galvanized Sheet Iron Soil Pipe. To Prevent Rust in a suction Pipe. Automatic Shut Off for Gas Pumping Engines when Tank is Full. Illustrated. Paint to Protect Tank Linings. Vacuum Valves not always Reliable. Size of Water Pipes in a House. How to Make Rust Joints. Covering for Water Pipes. Size of Soil Pipe for an ordinary City House. How to Construct a Sunken Reservoir to Hold Two Thousand Gallons. Where to Place Burners to Ventilate Flues by Gas Jets. Illustrated. How to Prevent Water Hammer. Why a Hydraulic Ram does not Work. Air in Water Pipes. Proper Size of Water Closet Outlets. Is a Cement Floor Impervious to Air ? Two Traps to a Water Closet Objectionable. Connecting Bath Wastes to Water Closet Traps. Illustrated. Objections to Leaching Cesspool and need of Fresh Air Inlet. The Theory of the Action of Field's Syphon. How to Disinfect a Cesspool. Drainage into Cesspools. Slabs for Pantry Sinks Wood vs. Marine- Test for Well Pollution. Cesspool for Privy Vault. PLUMBING PROBLEMS. Corrosion of Lead Lining. Size of Flush 1 ank to deal with Sewage of a Small Hospital. Details of the Construction of a House-Tank. Illustrated. The Construction of a Cistern under a House. To Protect Lead Lining of a Tank, and Cause of Sweating. Stains on Marble. Lightning Strikes Soil Pipes. Will the Contents of a Cesspool Freeze ? Bad Tasting Water from a Coil. Illustrated. How to Fit Sheet Lead in a Large Tank. Why Water is " Milky " When First Drawn. Material for Water Service Pipes. Carving Tables. Illustrated. Is Galvanized Pipe Dangerous for Soft Spring Water. How to Arrange Hush Pipes in Cisterns to Pre- vent Syphoning Water Through Ball Cock. Depth of Foundations to Prevent Dampness of Site. WhTe to Place a Tank to get Good Discharge at Faucet. Self Acting Water Closets. Illustrated. Wind Disturbing Seal of Trap. How to Draw Water from a Deep Well. Cause of Smell of Well Water. Absorption of Light by Gas Globes. Defective Drainage. Illustrated. /itting Basins to Marble Slabs. Illustrated. Intermediate Tanks for the Water Supply of High Buildings. Illustrated. How to Construct a Filtering Cistern. Illus- trated. Objections to Running Ventilating Pipe Into Chimney-Flue. Size of Water Supply Pipe for Dwelling House. Faulty Plan of a Cesspool. Illustrated. Connecting Refrigerator Wastes with Drains. Illustrated. Disposing of Refrigerator Wastes. Illustrated. Pumping Air From Water Closet into Tea Kettle as Result of Direct Supply to Water Closets. Illustrated. Danger in Connecting Tank Overflows with Soil Pipes. Arrangement of Safe Wastes. Illustrated. The kind of Men Who do not Like the Sani- tary Engineer What is Reasonable Plumbers' Profit. HOT WATER CIRCULATION IN BUILD- INGS. Bath Boilers. Illustrated. Setting Horizontal Boilers. Illustrated. How to Secure Circulation Between Boilers in Different Houses. Illustrated. Connecting One Boiler with Two Ranges. Illustrated. Taking Return Below Boiler. Illustrated. Trouble with Boiler. An Ignorant Way of Dealing with a Kitchen Boiler. Illustrated. Returning into Hot Water Supply Pipe. Illus- trated. Where should Sediment Pipe from Boiler be connected with Waste-Pipe ? Several Flow Pipes and one Circulation Pipe. Illustrated. How to Run Pipes from Water Back to Boiler. Illustrated. Hot Water Circulation when Pipes from Boiler pass under the Floor. Illustrated. Heating a Room from Water Back. The Operation of Vacuum and Safety Valves. Illustrated. Preventing Collapse of Boilers. Collapse of a Boiler. Illustrated. Explosion of Water Backs. A Proposed Precaution against Water Back Explosions. Illustrated. The Bursting of Kitchen Boilers and Connect- ing Pipes. Illustrated. Giving out of Lead Vent Pipes from Boilers in an Apartment House. Illustrated. Connecting a Kitchen Boiler with One or More Water Backs. Illustrated. New Method of Heating Two Boilers by Ons Water Back. Illustrated. Plan of Horizontal Hot Water Boiler. Illus- trated. HOT WATER SUPPLY IN VARIOUS BUILDINGS. Kitchen and Hot Water Supply in the Resi- dence of Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt, New York. Illustrated. Kitchen and Hot Water Supply in the Resi- dence of Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt, New York. Illustrated. Kitchen and Hot Water Supply in the Resi- dence of Mr. Henry G. Marquand, New York. Illustrated. Kitchen and Hot Water Supply in the Resi- dence of Mr. A. J. White. Illustrated. Hot Water Supply in an Office Building. Illus- trated. Kitchen and Hot Water Supply in the Resi- dence of Mr. Sidney Webster. Illustrated. Plumbing and Water Supply in the Residence of Mr. H. H. Cook. Illustrated. Large 8vo. cloth, $2.oo. Address, BOOK DEPARTMENT, THE ENGINEERING RECORD, f. O. BOX 3037. ioo WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK. The Wilson Solid Copper Bath Tub REGULAR PATTERN. -SOLID COPPER TUB. Iron or Steel to Rust. Enamel to Chip. Made in Regular French and Roman Patterns. HOSPITAL BATH. -SOLID COPPER TUB. Send for our New Catalogue on Closet Tanks and Seats, Copper Range Boilers, and General Brass and Copper Work BY_ Manufacturers of--- R. M. WILSON, NEW YORK Office and Salesroom, 92 Walker St. ROME, N. Y. RAYMOND LEAD COMPANY, CHICAGO, U. 5. A. Manufacturers of Lead=Pipe and Sheet=Lead, The only Ferrule made with Extra Thickness of lead over shoulder. Drawn Lead=Traps and Bends, Raymond's Combination Ferrule, Solders, Babbitt=Metal and ...Lead Specialties... SEND FOR CIRCULAR AND PRICE-LIST. T*f ur-M-** | n 1 he Tideway Siphon-Jet Closet is simple in construc- tion, absolutely noise- less in action, and is the best closet on the market for Hotels and Residences. Our S^ew "Tideway" Automatic Urinal, intended specially for Public Buildings, can be seen in operation at our Show Room. Minton's Tiles are so well known as to scarcely need ad- vertising. Just a re- minder that we are sole importers. Glazed Tiles for Bath Rooms of the very best quality. Free from crazing. THE "TIDEWAY.*' MILLER & COATES, 279 PEARL ST. NEW YORK. Importers of and dealers in all kinds of Plumbing Specialties. AMERICAN STEAM AND Hoi- WATER HEATING PRACTICE. FROM THE ENGINEERING RECORD. (Prior to 1887 The Sanitary Engineer.) A SELECTED REPRINT OF DESCRIPTIVE ARTICLES, QUESTIONS, AND ANSWERS. WITH FIVE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS. PREFACE. THE ENGINEERING RECORD (prior to 1887 THE SANITARY ENGINEER) has for sixteen years made its department of Steam and Hot- Water Heating and Ventilation a prominent feature. Besides the weekly illustrated descriptions of notable and interesting- current work, a great variety of questions in this field have been answered. In 1888 Steam-Heading: Problems was pub- lished. This was a selection of questions, answers, and descriptions that had been published during the preceding nine years, and dealt mainly with steam heating. The present book is intended to supplement this former publication, and includes a selection of the descriptions of hot- water, steam- heating, and ventilating installations in the different classes of buildings in the United States, pre- pared by the staff of THE ENGINEERING RECORD, besides a collection of questions and answers on problems arising in this department of building engineering, covering the period since 1888, in which the heating of dwellings by hot water has become popular in the United States. The favor with which Steam-Heating Problems has been received encourages the hope that American Steam and Hot- Water Practice may likewise prove useful to those who design, construct, and have change of ventilating and heating apparatus. TABLE OF* CONTENTS. HEATING OF RESIDENCES AND APARTMENT HOUSES. Alternate Steam or Hot-Water Heating of a Residence. (Three Illustrations.)--Heating and Ventilation of a Philadelphia Suburban Residence. (Five Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating in a Chicago Residence. (Pour Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating in a City Residence. (Five Illus- trations.) Hot- Water Heating in a Country Residence. (Three Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heat- ing in a Melrose, Mass., Residence. (Three Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating in the Office and Salesrooms of the Murphy & Co.'s Varnish Works, Newark, N. J. (Three Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating of a Store. (Two Illustrations.) Hot-Water Heating of Suburban Residence. {Four Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating Plant in a Brooklyn Residence. (Six Illustrations.) Hot- Water Radiators Below the Boiler Level. (Two Illustrations.) Indirect Heating in a Residence. (Five Illustrations.) Indirect Steam or Hot- Water Heating in a Massachusetts Residence. (Four Illustrations.) Remodeled Heating Plant in a City Residence. (Four Illus- trations.) Unusual Piping in a Hot- Water Heating Apparatus. (Three Illustrations.) Ventila- tion and Heating of the Residence of Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt. (Six Illustrations.) HEATING OF CHURCHES. Heating and Ventilation of a Baltimore Church. (Six Illustrations.) Heating and Ventilation of a Rocktord Church. (Three Illustrations. ) Heating of the Temporary Chapel, Cathedral ef St. John the Divine. (One Illustration.) Hot- Water Heating Apparatus in a Danbury, Conn., Church. (Three Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating in a Church and Rectory. (Eleven Illustrations.) One-Pipe Hot- Water Heating of a Church. (Three Illustrations.) Hot-Water Heating of a City Church. (Five Illustrations.) Steam Heating in Trinhv Church, New York. (Five Illustrations.) Steam Heating of a Brooklyn, N. Y., Church. (Two Illustrations.) Steam Heating of a Church. (Two Illustrations.) Ventilation and Heating of St. Augustine's Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. (Three Illustrations.) HEATING OF SCHOOLS. Heating and Ventilating a Milwaukee School. ( Nine Illustrations.) Heating and Ventilating in the Engineering Building of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (Four Illustrations.) Heat- ing and Ventilation of the Jefferson School, Duluth, Minn. (Seven Illustrations.) Heating and Ventilating of yanderbilt Hall, Yale College. (One Illustration.) Hot- Water Heating in the Con- vent of the Visitation, St. Louis, Mo. (Ten Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating in the New Poly- technic Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y. (Fifteen Illustrations.) Steam Heating and Ventilating Plant in the Irving School, West Dubuque, Iowa. (Three Illustrations ) Steam-Heating Plant In the Hill Seminary. (Eleven Illustrations.) Ventilation and Heating of a School Building. (Three Illustrations.) Ventilation and Warming of the New High School, Montclair, N. J. (Ten Illus- t-ations.) Warming and Ventilating in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. (Five Illustrations.) AMERICAN STEAM AND HOT-WATER HEATING PRACTICE. HEATING OF THEATERS AND AMUSEMENT HALLS. Heating and Ventilating the New York Music Hall. (Seventeen Illustrations.) Ventilation and Heating ot the American Theater, New York. (Eleven Illustrations.) HEATING OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Heating and Ventilation ot the Suffolk County Court-House. (Ninety-seven Illustrations.) Re- modeling the Ventilating Plant in a New York Court-House. (Two Illustrations.) HEATING OF HOSPITALS. Heating and Ventilating rf a Reception Hospital. (Four Illustrations.) Heating and Ventilation in the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, M J. (Fifty-one Illustrations.) Heating and Ventila- tion of Mount Vernon, N. Y., Hospital. (Six Illustrations.) Heating and Ventilation of the Royal Heating at Sanford Hall. (Twelve Illustrations.) Wet Air-screen for Ventilating Purposes. HEATING OF RAILWAY SHOPS. Heating and Ventilating a Roundhouse and Railroad Shop. (Four Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating of an Elevated Railroad Station. (Six Illustrations ) Steam Heating in the Boston and Albany Railroad Stations at Springfield, Mass. (Two Illustrations.) Steam-Heating Plant for Northern Pacific Railroad Shops. (Thirty Illustrations J Vacuum Circulation Steam-Heating System. (Three Illustrations.) HEATING OF HOTELS. Steam Heating in the Holland House. (Twelve Illustrations.) Steam Plant in the New Nether, land Hetel. (Fourteen Illustrations.) Steam Heating in the Plaza Hotel, New York. (Thirty- eight Illustrations.) Ventilation of the New Netherland Hotel. (Six Illustrations ) HEATING OF OFFICE BUILDINGS. Heating and Ventilating the Walbridge Office Building, Toledo, O. (Nine Illustrations.) Heating and Ventilation of a New Haven Office Building. (Two Illustrations.) Heating in the Wain- wright Building, St. Louis, Mo. (Eight Illustrations.) Heating of the Columbus Building in Chicage. (Seven Illustrations.) Power and Heating Plant, Manhattan Life Insurance Building. (Eight Illustrations.) Test of a Steam-Heating Plant in the Carter Building. (One Illustration. MISCELLANEOUS HEATING INSTALLATIONS. Fire Under a Boiler-room Floor. (Two Illustrations.) Heating a Florist's Delivery Van. (Two Illustrations.) Heating of a Minneapolis Store. (Four Illustrations.) Heating of the Horticul- tural Building, World's Columbian Exposition. (Four Illustrations.) Steam Pipe Conduit. (Six Illustrations ) Utilization of Low-Pressure Steam for Heating and Elevator Service. (Four Illustrations.; STEAM-HEATING NOTES AND QUERIES. BOILER PROPORTIONS. Figuring the Capacity of Steam-Heating Boilers. Heating a Swimming Bath. Heating Boiler Proportions. Horse-Power of Heating Boilers. How to Proportion Radiat ng Surface. How to Find the Boiler Surface when the Radiating Surface is Known. Proportions of Boiler and Radiating Surface. Steam Heating of a Public Building. (One Illustration.) CONDENSATION NECESSARY. Amount of Radiation in Indirect Stacks. Heating Surface Required to Heat Water in Tank. Proportioning of Radiation. Relative Condensation in Heati-ig Apparatus. Rules for Estimat- ing Radiating Surface for Heating Buildings. Rules for Figuring Steam-Heating Surface. Steam Consumption for Heating in New York in Different Months. Steam-Heating Estimate Wanted. Steam-Heating Surface for Drying-rooms. COST ON STEAM HEATING. Charge for Heating Surface. Estimating Cost of Steam. COAL REQUIRED. Amount of Coal Required to Heat Water from 40 to 200 Degrees. Steam Required for Heating a Railway Train. METHODS OF HEATING. Direct-Indirect versus Indirect Heating for Large Buildings. Direct or Indirect Radiation for Schoolhouses. Heating by the Gravity System. High and Low Pressure Heating. ONE-PIPE SYSTEMS. Comparative Merits of the One and Two-Pipe Systems of Steam Heating. Defective Circulation in a One-Pipe Heating Job. (Two Illustrations.) One-Pine System and Its Relief Pipes. One- Pipe System for Heating Two Rooms by Steam. (One Illustration.) Why do Steam-HeatiLg Concerns Condemn the One-Pipe System of Steam Heating ? EXHAUST-STEAM HEATING. Heating by Exhaust Steam, Engine Horse-Power, Sizes of Flues and Registers. Heat of Exhaust Steam. (One Illustration.) Method of Using Exhaust Steam to Warm Building's. (One Illus- tration.) Steam Heating at the Edison Phonographic Works, Llewellyn, N. J. (Three Illustra- tions.) When is it Economical to Use Exhaust Steam for Heating ? SYSTEMS OF PIPING. Butt Joints in Main Return Pipe Below the Water Line. (One Illustration.) By-Pass Around a Steam Meter. (One Illustration.) Connecting Steam and Return Risers. (One Illustration.) Gravity versus Return Trap Systems of Heating by Steam. Heating Coils in a Steam Boiler Firebox. (One Illustration.) Overhead Steam Heating. Pump-Governor Heating System. (One Illustration.) Pump Return System of Steam Heating. (One Illustration.) Radiator and Coil Connections Under the Mills System. (Two Illustrations.) Radiator Connections. Return- ing Water of Condensation to a Boiler. (One Illustration.) Steam Returns Near the Water Level. (One Illustration.) Where to Place a Reducing Valve. (One Illustration.) EXPANSION OF PIPING. Expansion of Steam Pipes. Pipe Supports and Connections for a Boiler. (One Illustration.) AMERICAN STEAM AND HOT-WATER HEATING PRACTICE. TROUBLE WITH APPARATUS. An Elevated Retuin and Water Level. (One Illustration ) Decreased Heating Power of Coil*. Defective Circulation in a Steam-Heating Job. (One Illustration.; Failure in bteam Heating from Careless Management. (One Illustration.) Failure of a Boiler to Heat Water. Faulty Ar- rangement of Cvlinder Drips. (One Illustration.) Improper Arrangement of Drip Pipes in a Heat- ing and Power System. (One Illustration.) Noise Caused in the Mains of a Steam- Heating Appa- ratus by an Improperly Arranged Relief Pipe. (Two Illustrations.) Trouble with a Steam- Heating and Power Plant. (One Illustration.) Trouble with a Steam-Heating Plant. (One Illustration.) PIPE SIZES. Questions About Steam Heating. Steam-Heating Problems. (One Illustration.) AIR VALVES. Air Valve for Steam Coils. (One Illustration.) Can an A''r Valve on a Radiator Syphon Water from a Boiler? Circulation in a Church Steam- Heating System. (One Illustration.) MISCELLANEOUS. About a Stop Valve on a Heating Main. Circulation in Heating Tanks. Cold A'r from a Steam- Heating Radiator. Combustible Gas from a Hot-Water Heater. Continuous Use of Water in a Steam-Heating Boiler. Heat-Conducting Properties of Building Materials. Letting Cold Water into a Heating Boiler. Measuring Pipe in Forty-five Degree Fitting. (One Illustration.) Method of Regulating Draft by Expansion Tank. (One Illustration.) Objection to Three Lugs on a Boiler. Radiating Surface and Reduced Steam Pressures. Responsibility for Freezing of Steam Coils. Smead System for Schools. Steamfitter's Knock-Down Bench. (One Illustration. To Prevent Rust in Heating Boilers During the Summer. Trouble from Priming. (Two Illustrations.) HOT-WATER HEATING NOTES AND QUERIES. GREENHOUSES. Heating a Greenhouse. (One Illustration ) Heating Water for Watering Greenhouses. (Two Illustrations.) Hot- Water Heating of a Greenhouse. (One Illustration.) TROUBLE WITH APPARATUS. Impaired Circulation of a Hot- Water Heating System. (One Illustration.) Trap in a Hot-Wa^er Heating Return Pipe. (One Illustration.) Trouble with a Hot- Water Heating System. (One Illustration. ONE-PIPE HOT-WATER JOB. One-Pipe Hot- Water Jobs. FUEL CONSUMPTION. Excessive Fuel Consumption in a Hot- Water Heater. HEATING BELOW THE WATER LEVEL. Hot- Water Heating at the Boiler Level. (One Illustration.) Hot- Water Radiators on a Level with Boiler. Hot- Water Heating on Three Floors. (One Illustration.) Piping for Hot- Water Radiators on Boiler Level. EXPANSION TANKS. Connection to an Expansion Tank. (One Illustration.) Danger from Closed Hot- Water Apparatus. (Three Illustrations.) Expansion Tank Connection. (One Illustration.) Position of Expansion Tank in Hot- Water Heating Apparatus. (One Illustration.) METHODS OF PIPING. Hot-Water Circulation Question. Hot Water from the Return Pipes. Hot- Water Radiator Con- nections to a Steam-Heating Boiler. (Two Illustrations.) Increased Hot- Water Supply Wanted. Large versus Small Diameters for Hot- Water Heating Pipes. Pitch of Hot- Water Heating Pipes. Warming a Jail bv Hot-Water. (Five Illustrations.) Warming the Water Supply by Sttam. (One Illustration.) MISCELLANEOUS QUERIES. Cleaning Out a Hot- Water Heater. Friction of Elbows in Hot- Water Pipe. Gas in Hot- Water Radiators. Heating a Carving Table. (One Illustration. ) Heating and Ventilation of a Church. (On Illustration.) Heating by Steam from an Electric Light Plant. Temperature Observations of Hot- Water Pipes. To Prevent Hot- Water Radiators from Freezing When Not in Use. HEATING SURFACE. Efficiency of Hot -Water Radiators. Pipe Surface for Greenhouse Warming. VENTILATION NOTES AND QUERIES. LOUVERS. Damper to Prevent Back Drafts. (Two Illustrations.) Louver in Ventilator of Trainshed Roof to Let Out Smoke and Exclude Snow. (Seven Illustrations.) SIZE OF FLUES. Exhaust Ventilation Unused. Size of Chimney Flue for Boiler. Size of Ventilating Flue. SIZE OF REGISTERS. Allowance for Friction in Register Openings. (One Illustration .) Heating and Ventilating a Hospital. (One Illustration.) How Much Cold Air to Admit and How to Retain It When Warmed. Prison Ventilation. Ratio of Register Area to Radiating Surface. Simple Damper Regulator. (One Illustration.) Ventilating a Vault. (Two Illustrations.) UNWISE HEATING CONTRACTS. Heating Guarantee and Zero Weather. Heating Guarantee and Zero Weather. Required Heat- ing of Buildings to "Seventy Degrees in Zero Weather." SENT POSTPAID ON RECEIPT OF $4.00. Address Book Department, THE ENGINEERING RECORD, 100 William St., New York. THE TRENTON POTTERIES Co. CRESCENT POTTERY. DELAWARE POTTERY. EMPIRE POTTERY. ENTERPRISE POTTERY. EQUITABLE POTTERY. IDEAL POTTERY. TRENTON, N. J. Largest Manufacturers of Sanitary Earthenware in the World, and make the Leading Spec- ialties in America. Our VITREOUS CHINA, Sanitary, is recognised by the Archi- tects and Engineers of the Country as the very best Ware ever produced. Our Stamp on Ware is a guar- antee of quality. We beg to caution our patrons not to confound our Ware with that produced by other Trenton potteries. OUR PRODUCT GUARANTEED SUPERIOR TO ANY IMPORTED WARE AS TO STYLE, QUALITY, AND DURABILITY. TRADE MARK. The Ahrens & Ott Manufacturing Co. INCORPORATED, GUARANTEE THE QUALITY OF THEIR White Enameled Baths. Besides French Pattern, Wood and Roll Rim, we make THE "IDEAL," Under-Roll Rim. "COLUMBIA," Half Round and Roll Rim. 'OLYMPIAN," ;-in. Under-Roll Rim. THE "VEDORA," 4f-in. Under-Roll Rim. "LUXURIA," 4-in. Flat Top Under-Roll. "DIANA," 3^-in. Roll Rim. The ''Favorite" is all its name implies. It is roomy, comfortable, and cheap. WE ALSO MANUFACTURE PLAIN, TARRED. AND ENAMELED SOIL PIPE AND FITTINGS Tested to 50 Pounds Water Pressure, The Enamel on our Baths is Pure Enamel on our Baths is Pure ) T /~VT TTC^^V TXT T TIT*- White, Hard and Glossy. i LOUIS VlIvLE^, | Enameled Soil Pipe is the Best for i House Drainage. CRIBBEN, SEXTON & CO. MANUFACTURERS OF STRICTLY HIGH GRADE ENAMELED IRON BATH-TUBS, SINKS AND LAUNDRY TUBS. I, a ^^Hliliisi^HMIliiiii!,:!, HHHIIg HSU HR IMPERIAL. 5O to 1OO Erie Street, and 57 to 67 Ontario Street, CHICAGO, ILLS. Henry Hussey & Co. MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN PLUMBERS' SUPPLIES 84 Harrison Avenue, BOSTON, MASS. BASIN, BATH, URINAL, WASH TRAPS. THOS. MADDOCK & SONS PIONEER MANUFACTURERS of Sanitary Earthenware EVERY DESCRIPTION. All Specialties Pertaining to the Plumbing Business or for other purposes. FACTORY: TRENTON, N. J. OFFICE A\D WAREROOMS: NEW YORK, 51 CLIFF STREET, W. W. PKRBINK, Manager. No. 1 "Co H. Ball Cock. No. 2 "C. H." Ball Cock. WITHOUT SHUT-OFF VALVE. \A/1 T H ^ ^ THE " C. H." Ball Cock closes with the water pressure SHUT-OFF jpOIBli VALVE. JETliSff an d is absolutely noiseless under extreme pressures* The feature of controlling the water supply by a valve in combination with the ball cock is one that commends, itself to all Plumbers and Architects in setting up tanks. The " C. H." Ball Cock is furnished complete with specially tested copper float and adjustable rod. "C. H." Slow-Closing Valve. T 1 HE simplicity of this Valve commends it- self to PI ambers and Architects desirous of using a Valve that will give the required amount of water to thoroughly flush the closet WITHOUT WASTE, the adjusting of regulating screw shown in cut accomplishing this result. The'C.H. Syphon-Jet Closet is fitted with the"C.H." Slow- Clos- ing Valve and"C.H." Ball Cock. Any informa- tion relative to my specialties will be cheer- fully fu rnished on application. MANUFACTURED BY C. HOFFMAN, JR. Manufacturer of MANHOFF and " C. H." FINE PLUMBING SPECIALTIES, 277 Pearl Street, NEW YORK. Sent Post-paid on Receipt of $3.00. STEAM-HEATING PROBLEMS; OR. Questions, Answers and descriptions Delating to Steam- Heating and Steam- Fitting, THE ENGINEERING RECORD, ESTABLISHED 1877. (Prior to 1887, THE SANITARY ENGINEER.) With log Illustrations. PREFACE. THE ENGINEERING RECORD, while devoted to Engineering, Architecture, Con- struction, and Sanitation, has always made a special feature of its departments of Steam and Hot-Water Heating, in which a great variety of questions have been answered and descriptions of the work in various buildings have been given. The favor with which a recent publication from this office, entitled "Plumbing and House- Drainage Problems, "has been received suggested the publication of" STEAM-HEATING PROBLEMS," which, though dealing with another branch of industry, is similar in character. It consists of a selection from the pages of THE ENGINEERING RECORD of questions and answers, besides comments on various problems met with in the design- ing and construction of steam-heating apparatus, and descriptions of steam-heating work in notable buildings. It is hoped that this book will prove useful to those who design, construct, and have the charge of steam-heating apparatus. CONTENTS: BOILERS. On blowing off and filling boilers. Where a test-gauge should be applied to a boiler. Domes on boilers: whether they are necessary or not. Expansion of water in boilers. Cast vs. wrought iron for nozzles and magazines of house-heating boilers. Pipe-connections to boilers. Passing boiler-pipes through walls ; how to pre- vent breakage by settlement. Suffocation of workmen in boilers. Heating-boilers. (A problem.) A detachable boiler-lug. Isolating-valve for steam-main of boilers. On the effect of oil in boilers. Iron rivets and steel boiler-plates. Proportions for rivets for boiler-plates. Is there any danger in using water continuously in boilers? Accident with connected boilers. A. supposed case of charring wood by steam-pipes. Domestic boilers warmed by steam. VALUE OF HEATING-SURFACES. Computing the amount of radiator-surface for warming buildings by hot water. Calculating the radiating-surface for heating buildings the saving of double-glazed win- dows. Amount of heating-surface required in hot-water apparatus boilers and in steam-apparatus boilers. Calculating the amount of radiating-surface for a given room. How much heating-surface will a steam-pipe of _ given size supply ? Coiis -vs. radiators and size of boiler to heat a given building. Calculating the amount of heating-surface. Computing the cost of steam for wanning. RADIATORS AND HEATERS. A woman's method of regulating a radiator (cov- ering it with a cosey). Improper position of radiator- valves. Hot-water radiator for private houses. Remedying air-binding of box-coils. How to use a stove as a hot-water heater. " Plane " vs. "Plain " as a term as applied to out- side surface of radiators. Relative value of pipe on cast-iron heating sur face. Relative value of pipe on steam-coils. STEAM-HEATING PROBLEMS. "Warming churches (plan of placing a coil in each pew). Warming churches. PIPE AND FITTING. Steam-heating work good and indifferent. Piping adjacent buildings: pumps vs. steam- traps. True diameters and weights of standard pipes. Expansion of pipes of various metals. Expansion of steam-pipes. Advantages claimed for overhead piping. Position of valves on steam-riser connection. Cause of noise in steam-pipes. One-pipe system of steam-heating. How to heat several adjacent buildings with a single apparatus. Patents on Mills' system of steam-heating. Air-binding in return steam-pipes. Air-binding in return steam-pipes, and methods to overcome it. VENTILATION. Size of registers to heat certain rooms. Determining the size of hot-air flues. Window ventilation. Removing vapor from dye-house. Ventilation of Cunard steamer "Umbria." Calculating sizes of flues and registers. On methods of removing air from between ceiling and roof of a church. STEAM. Economy of using exhaust steam for heat- ing. Heat of steam for different conditions. Superheating steam by the use of coils. Effect of using a small pipe for exhaust steam- heating. Explosion of a steam-table. CUTTING NIPPLES AND BENDING PIPES. Cutting large nipples large in diameter and short in length. Cutting crooked threads. Cutting a close nipple out of a coupling after a thread is cut. Bending pipe. Cutting large nipples. Cutting various sizes of thread with a solid die. RAISING WATER AUTOMATICALLY. Contrivance for raising water in high buildings. Criticism of the foregoing and description of another device for a similar purpose. MOISTURE ON WALLS, ETC. Cause and prevention of moisture on walls. Effect of moisture on sensible temperature. MISCELLANEOUS. Heating water in large tanks. Heating water for large institutions and high city buildings. Questions relating to water-tanks. Faulty elevator-pump connections. On heating several buildings from one source. Coal-tar coating for water-pipe. Filters for feeding house- boilers. Other means of clarifying water. Testing gas-pipes for leaks and making pipe- joints. Will boiling drinking-water purify it? Differential rams for testing fittings and valves. Percentage of ashes in coal. Automatic pump-governor. Cast-iron safe for steam-radiators. Methods of graduating radiator service according to the weather. Preventing fall of spray from steam-exhaust pipes. Exhaust-condenser for preventing fall of spray from steam-exhaust pipes. Steam-heating apparatus and plenum (ventila- tion), system in Kalamazoo Insane Asylum. Heating and ventilation of a prison. Amount of heat due to condensation of water. Expansion-joints . Resetting of house-heating boilers -a possible saving of fuel. How to find the water-line of boilers and position of try-cocks. Low-pressure hot-water system for heating buildings in England (comments by The Sanitary Engineer). Steam-heating apparatus in Manhattan Com- pany's and Merchants' Bank Building, New York. Boilers in Manhattan Company's and Merchants' Bank Building, with extracts from specifica- tions. Steam-heating apparatus in- Mutual Life Insur- ance Building on Broadway. The setting of boilers in Tribune Building, New York. Warming and ventilation of West Presbyterian Church, New York City. Principles of heating-apparatus, Fine Arts Exhi- bition Building, Copenhagen. Warming and ventilation of Opera-House at Ogdensburg, N. Y. Systems of heating houses in Germany and Austria. Steam-pipes under New York streets difference between two systems adopted. Some details of steam and ventilating apparatus used on the continent of Europe. MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS. Applying traps to gravity steam-apparatus. Expansion of brass and iron pipe. Connecting steam and return risers at their tops. Power used in running hydraulic elevators. On melting snow in the streets by steam. Action of ashes street fillings on iron pipes. Arrangement of steam-coils for heating oil-stills. Converting a steam-apparatus into a hot-water apparatus and back again. Condensation per foot of steam-main when laid under ground. Oil in boilers from exhaust steam, and methods of prevention. Address, BOOK DEPARTMENT, Sent Post-paid on Receipt of 3.00. THE ENGINEERING RECORD, p. o. BOX 303T. ioo WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK. The GUIDE SLEEVE^ OPERATING VALVE The great advantage of this Valve is its simplicity. When you look into the bowl and see the Valve, you know that it must go down into the outlet pass- age to close it, and you push it down instinctively. Architects and 'Plumbers will appreciate its special value for use in public lavatories wbicb are SPECIAL PASSAGE FROM OVERFLOW To open the Valve pull the loop up, and push it down to close it. Write for Descriptive Circulars. frequented by people who are using the fixtures for the first time and understand nothing about their action. MANUFACTURED BY... THE MODEL MANUFACTURING CO., IMPROVED PLUMBING APPLIANCES, 123 and 130 Oliver Street, BOSTON. MASS The Merrell Manufacturing Co, TOLEDO, OHIO, U. S. A. thie most complete line of HAND and POWER PIPE THREADING MACHINERY IN USE. CATALOGUE: ON ARRL.ICAXIOIM. MAYOR, LANE & 131 Wfrite Street, NEW YORK. MANUFACTURERS OF ALL KINDS OF Sprjys, 'Douches, and Bathing Appliances for Hydropathic Establish- ments, Sanitariums, etc. Plumbing Materials and Sanitary Specialties. The Turkish Bath Cabinet SANITARIUMS, HOSPITALS, ASYLUMS, ETC. This Bath is especially adapted for use in Sanitar- iums, Hospitals, and Asylums, and can easily be operated by inexperienced persons. Ordinary gas conducted through flexible tubing trom any fixture is used in the heating apparatus, which tub- ing is furnished with the Generator, and where gas is not convenient, the use of oil or alcohol is recommended. All products of combustion are absolutely excluded from the bath. SHOWING CABINET OPEN WITH SEAT, LAMP, AND FOOT WARMER. Illustrated Descriptive Circulars sent for tJic asking. Turko-Russian Folding Bath Cabinet FOR Homes, Sanitariums, Electricians, Massage Operators, etc. Portable and can be used in any room. Sure cure for Colds, Rheumatism, etc. Prevents contracting disease. Insures a healthy, clear complexion, and prevents obesity. Furnishes in a compact and convenient form facilities whereby anyone may enjoy at home the various types in which these famous baths have become so deservedly popular. Dry Steam, Vapor, Oxygen, Medicated, and Perfumed Baths. + <$ f * Maryland Pottery Company. * TpHE advantages of Plumbers' ware made of Vitreous China (a hard, thoroughly non- absorbent body which does not depend alone on its glaze for protection, but the body of which is as equally non-absorb- ent as the glaze), will be appre- ciated by those familiar with the ends to be attained by Scientific Plumbing. None genuine unless stamped with our Trade Mark as follou-s : VITREOUS CHINA. Positively guaranteed against crazing, i. e., glaze cracking. PIONEERS in the manufac- ture of Plumbers' ware in Vitreous China, and to- day the only makers in the world making such Vitreous goods exclusively. BENAAA.RE: OR SF^LJRIOLJS UVUTATIONS. Works and Office, * * BALTIMORE, U. S. A. * * J^ ^-> * fcj * fc} *^> <^ fcj- t* wf< A. Xrf v{- *& ^* X A ^ *X* *X* A> c^> ** A. X* *J- A* wj< X* X* A fc}< X* *fc J^ THE FOR STEAM AND HOT WATER HEATING. 1C SEND FOR CATALOGUE. THE ELECTRIC BOILER CO. ROCHESTER, N Y IN MORE THAN jOO SIZES. BOILER 'N.C. Ball Cock "(Non Corrodible) **""'"?' feature of the N. C Ball Cock is that the Seat is of G/ass and CAN NEVER WRAR OUT, as it is not affected by chemical or mineral deposits in the water or by acids. The'* will stand 140 Ibs. pres- sure. Where the pres is greater than 140 Ibs. our High Pressure Adjustment can be readily attached to the Ball Cock after it is in position in the Tank, when it will stand 300 Ibs. pressure. Boston BRASS PIPE HANGER is complete in itself, requiring no screws or other means of fastening. The only ^Adjustable Hanger requiring but one form of bolder. MANUFACTURED KY CRAWFORD & YOUNQ, 224 Franklin Street, BOSTON, MASS- EM-ESS is the phonetic spelling of the letters M and S, which are the initial letters of the names Meyer and Sniff en. IT MEANS that Faucet* and Plumbing Fixtures so marked or designated are made by The Meyer-Sniff en Co., Limited, and are of superior quality. It has become necessary to prefix this trade-mark to the name of the genuine faucets made by us because a U. S. District Judge has decreed that when an article on which a patent has been obtained is known by the inventor's name, this inventor's name becomes public property when the first patent expires. This decision disregards the right to a name which has been earned by years of careful manu- facture and use of best materials. It explains however the presence of so many imitations of the "Em-Ess Fuller" Faucets and "Em-Ess Doherty" Self -Closing Cocks, and has given the con- tractor the right to put in any faucet embodying the feature originally patented, no matter by whom made, when the words ' ' Fuller " or " Doherty " are used without the prefiix in a specifica- tion. If those made by The Meyer-Sniffen Co., Ltd., are desired PLAINLY SPECIFY "Em-Ess Fuller" Faucets (wS^Mk.). "Em-Ess Doherty" Self-Closing Faucets ( v Many plumbers do not know that our present Price-List is lower than the old Fuller Price-Lint still used by the makers of the imitations the difference in net cost being less than they imagine. This is equally true of the "Em-Ess Doherty" Self-Closing Cocks. THE MEYER=SNIFFEN CO., Ltd., (Established 1868). MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS High Grade Plumbing Fixtures, S EAST ipth ST., NEW YORK. FOR SCHOOLS, FACTORIES, AND INSTITDTIONS. 'HE EM-ESS " PARSONS SCHOOL WATER-CLOSET. A radical and successful departure from latrines and sinks retaining filth for a period. The arrangement of each basin in the trough at EM: ESS PARSONS! School Water.Closet. a slightly lower level, with its weir or dam toward the out- let, is novel and ingenious, giving an equal flush to each basin with a minimum quan- tity of water. An important consideration when meter rates have to be paid or drainage is into a cesspool. The important advantage is secured of a body of water in each depression, as in a wash- out closet, that may be auto- matically removed with all its contents at predetermined intervals. For Illustrated Circular and Price-Lists address THE MEYER-SNIFFEN CO., LIMITED, MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS OF THE "EM-ESS" High Grade Plumbing Fixtures, .,{ 5 East I9th Street. NEW YORK. HOT- WATER HEATING AND FITTING; OR, WARMING BUILDINGS BY HOT-WATER. A DESCRIPTION OF Modern Hoi-Water Heating Apparatus The Methods of their Construction and the Principles Involved. WITH OVER Two HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS, DIAGRAMS, AND TABLES. BY WILLIAM J. BALDWIN, M. Am. Soc. C. ., Member American Society Mechanical Engineers. AUTHOR OF "STEAM-HEATING FOR BUILDINGS,'' ETC., ETC. Graphical methods are used to illustrate many of the important principles that are to be remembered by the Hot-Water Engineer. The volume is 8vo.,of 385 pages, besides the index; handsomely bound in cloth, and will be sent postpaid on receipt of $4.00 Among the questions treated are the following: Laws of Hot- Water Circulation. Flow of Water in the Pipes of an Apparatus. Graphical Illustration of the Expansion of Water. Graphical Illustration of the Theoretical Velocity of Water in Flow- Pipes. Efflux of Water Through Apertures. Passage of Water Through Short Parallel Pipes. Passage of Water Through Long Pipes. Friction' of Water in Long Pipes. Quantity of Water that will Pass Through Pipes under Different Press- ures. Diminution of the Flow of Water by Friction in Long Pipes. Loss of Pressure by Friction of Elbows and Fittings. How the Friction of Elbows and Fittings may be Reduced to a Minimum. Flow of Water Through the Mains of an Apparatus, Considered under its Various Practical Conditions. How to Find the Total Head Required when the Quantity of Water to be Passed and the Size and Length of the Pipes are Known. How to Find the Quantity of Water in U. S. Gallons that will Pass Through a Pipe when the Total Head and Length and the Diameter of the Pipe is Known. To Find the Diameter of the Pipes for a Given Passage of Water. How to Find the Direct Radiating Surface Required for Buildings. How Heat is Lost from the Rooms of a Building. Simple Formula for Finding the Radiating Surfaces for Buildings. Experiments by Different Authorities on Radiating Surfaces. To Find the Amount of Water that should Pass Through a Radiator for a Certain Duty. How to Determine the Size of Inlet and Outlet Pipes for Hot-Water Radiators. Diagrams Giving Graphical Methods for Finding the Diameters and Lengths of Flow and Return Pipes for Hot-Water Apparatus. Proportioning Coils and Radiators of an Apparatus for Direct Radiation. Description of Different Systems of Piping in Use. Proportioning an Apparatus for Indirect Heating. Illustrations of Boilers. Hot-Water Heating in the State, War, and Navy Department Building. Hot-Water Heating in Private Residences. Boilers Used for Hot- Water Heating. Direct Radiators Used for Hot-Water Heating. Indirect Radiators Used for Hot-Water Heating. The Effect of Air-Traps in Hot- Water Pipes. Expansion Tanks and How they should be Prepared. Danger of Closed Expansion Tanks. The Various Valves Used for Hot-Water Heating. Air- Vents Used for Hot-Water Radiators. Automatic Regulators Used in Hot- Water Heating. Special Fittings for Hot-Water Heating. How to Conduct Tests of Hot-Water Radiators. Method of Connecting Thermometers with Hot-Water Pipes and Radiators. Tables of Contents of the Pipes of an Apparatus. Table of Co-efficients of the Expansion of Water from Various Sources, with an Ample Table of Contents from which the above Items were Selected; also an Alphabetically Arranged Index, the Whole Containing a Large Amount of Useful Information of Great Value to the Engineer, Architect, Mechanic, and Householder. No Archi- tect, Engineer, Steam-Fitter, or Plumber throughout the United States should be without a copy of this book. It is written in the simple style of Mr. Baldwin's former book, "Steam-Heating for Buildings," and is within the ready comprehension of all. Address, BOOK DEPARTMENT, THE ENGINEERING RECORD, P. 0.60x3037. I00 WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK. D. SAUNDBRS' SONS, Manufacturers of Patent PIPE CUTTERS CUTTER. <*X ALSO OF Pipe Cutting and Threading Machines, \ to 18" SEXD FOR CATALOGUE 5 Atherton Street, YONKERS, N. Y. I. X. L. '"'RECORD GIVES PROMINENCE TO MUNICIPAL AND BUILDING ENGINEERING WHICH INCLUDES Water- Works (Construction and Operation), Sewerage, Bridges, Metal Construction, Pavements, Subways, Road Making, Docks, River and Harbor Work, Tunneling, foun- dations, Building Construction, Industrial Steam and Power Plants, Ventilation, Steam and Hot-Water Heating, Plumbing, Lighting, Elevator and Pneumatic Service. The success of this publication has been marked In many ways; not only has It become a source of protlt to its projector but it has been of incalculable value to the general public whose interests it has always served." Cincin- nati Gazette. "Itstands as a tine example of clean and able journalism." Railroad Gazette. Published Saturdays at 100 William St., NEW YORK. $5.OO PER YEAR. SINGLE COPY, 12 CCNTS. THE ENGINEERING RECORD is the recognized medium for advertisements inviting proposals for all Municipal and U. S. Government Engineering and Public Building Work. Jts subscribers include the experienced and reliable Contractors ana Manufacturers of Engineering and Building Supplies in all sec- tions of the United States and Canada, 'ine RECORD'S valut to \ecurt competition in bids is therefore obvious. IN its Proposal Advertisements and Contracting News Department THE ENGINEERING RECORD furnishes weekly information of special interest to Contractors, Builders, and Manufacturers of Engineering and Building Supplies. An extensive staff is maintained for the collec- tion and 'verification of this news; most of the intelligence published is received in correspondence from the persons directly interested in the work, and especial endeavor is made to authenticate every item published. THE ENGINEERING RECORD PUBLICATIONS. SOME DETAILS OF WATER-WORKS CONSTRUCTION. By W. R. BILLINGS, Superintendent of Water-Works at Taunton, Mass. With Illustrations from sketches by the Author. Large 8vo. Cloth. Price, $2.00. ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE. Prize Essays. Reprinted from THEENGINEERING RECORD. Large 12mo., 109 pp. Price : Paper, 60 Cents ; Cloth, $1.00. PAVEMENTS AND ROADS; Their Construction and Maintenance. Reprinted from THE ENGINEERING RECORD. Compiled by E. G. LOVE, Ph. D. 8vo. Cloth. 410 pp. Price, $5.00. THE BERLIN VIADUCT RAILWAY. With 23 Illustrations. Reprinted from THE ENGINEERING RECORD (prior to 1887 The Sanitary Engineer). Price, 25 Cents. WATER TOWER AND PUMPING STATION DESIGNS. THE ENGINEERING RECORD'S Prize Designs for Water Towers, Pumping and Power Stations. Cloth. Price, $2.00. An Index to matter pertaining to SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL. In Volumes V.-XVII. (December, 1881, to June, 1888,) of THE ENGINEERING RECORD (prior to 1887 The Sanitary Engineer). Compiled by DANA C. BARBER, C. E. Large 8vo. Cloth. Price, $2.00. " PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES; Their Collection, Storage, Distribution. Engineering, Plant, Purity, and Analysis. A digest and index to Volumes V.-XVIII. of THE ENGINEERING RECORD (prior to 1887 The Sanitary Engineer). Compiled by D. WALTER BROWN, Ph. D. 8vo. 242 pp.' Price, $2.00. WATER WASTE PREVENTION. Its Importance and the Evils Due to Its Neglect. With an account of the methods adopted in various cities in Great Britain and the United States. By HENRY C. MEYER, Editor of THE ENGINEERING RECORD. With an Appendix. Large 8vo. Cloth. Price, $1.00. VENTILATION AND HEATING. By JOHN S. BILLINGS, A. M., M. D., LL. D. Edinb. and Harvard. D. C. L. Oxon Member of the National Academy of Sciences. Surgeon, U. S. Army, etc. Over 500 pp. 210 Illustrations. Price, $6.00. AMERICAN STEAM AND HOT-WATER HEATING PRACTICE. Being a selected reprint of descriptive articles, questions and answers from THE ENGINEERING RECORD. Boards; size, 8x11 inches; pp. 317; illustrations 585. Price, $4.CO. AMERK AN PLUMBING PRACTICE. Being a selected reprint of descriptive articles, questions and answers from THE ENGINEERING RECORD. Boards; size, 8x11 inches; pp. 268; illustrations, 536. Price, $3.50. HOT-WATER HEATING AND FITTING; Or, Warming Buildings by Hot Water. A description of modern hot-water heating apparatus the methods of their construction and the principles involved. With over 200 illustrations, diagrams, and tables. By WILLIAM J. BALDWIN, M. Am. Soc. C. E., Member American Society Mechanical Engineers, Author of "Steam- Heating for Buildings," etc., etc. The volume is 8vo., of 385 pages, besides the in- dex. Graphical methods are used to illustrate many of the important principles that are to be remembered by the hot-water engineer. Handsomely bound in Cloth. Price, $4 00. STEAM-HEATING PROBLEMS; Or, Questions, Answers, and Descriptions Relating to Steam- Heating and Steam- Fitting, from THE ENGINEERING RECORD (prior to 1887 The Sanitary Engineer). With 109 Illustrations. Large 8vo. Cloth. Price, |3.00. PLUMBING PROBLEMS; Or, Questions, Answers, and Descriptions, from THE ENGINEERING RECORD (prior to 1887 The Sanitary Engineer). With 142 Illustrations. Large 8vo. Cloth. Price, $2.00. Any of these Publications sent postpaid on receipt of the Price, in Postal Note, Regis- tered Letter, or Draft on New York, drawn to the order of THE ENGINEERING RECORD, f. O. BOX 303T. 1OO WILL' AM ST., NEW YORK. I51P THE trouble and expense involved in the clerical work of keeping the accounts and trying to collect small amounts due for books sold to persons, often of undoubted responsibility, simply because small accounts are apt to be neglected, has compelled THE ENGINEERING RECORD to adopt the rule to decline to open accoimts for books. Orders for books, therefore, will only be filled when accompanied by Postal Note, Check, or Draft on New York, drawn to the order of THE ENGINEERING RECORD. RICHMOND HEATERS SECTIONAL VIEW. STEAM CAPACITIES, 17? to 3,000 square feet. HOT-WATER CAPACITIES, 300 to ^,000 square feet. WE SELL ONLY TO THE TRADE, Steam and Hot-Water for Heating of Homes a Specialty. STEAM VIEW. The Richmond Stove Company, NORWICH, CONN. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW OCT 11 1915 OCT 19 MAR AUG , ; ' 7 30?7i-l,'15 QfJ89 '