Piping and plumbing fitting

A fitting or adapter is used in pipe systems to connect straight sections of pipe or tube, adapt to different sizes or shapes, and for other purposes such as regulating (or measuring) fluid flow. These fittings are used in plumbing to manipulate the conveyance of water, gas, or liquid waste in domestic or commercial environments, within a system of pipes or tubes. Fittings (especially uncommon types) require money, time, materials, and tools to install and are an important part of piping and plumbing systems. Valves are technically fittings, but are usually discussed separately. Standard codes are followed when designing (or manufacturing) a piping system. Organizations which promulgate piping standards include: ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineers A112.19.1 Enameled cast-iron and steel plumbing fixtures standards A112.19.2 Ceramic plumbing fixtures standard ASTM International: American Society for Testing and Materials API: American Petroleum Institute AWS: American Welding Society AWWA: American Water Works Association MSS: Manufacturers Standardization Society ANSI: American National Standards Institute NFPA: National Fire Protection Association EJMA: Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association CGA: Compressed Gas Association PCA: Plumbing Code of Australia Pipes must conform to the dimensional requirements of: ASME B36.10M: Welded and seamless wrought-steel pipe ASME B36.19M: Stainless-steel pipe ASME B31.3 2008: Process piping ASME B31.4 XXXX: Power piping The material with which a pipe is manufactured is often the basis for choosing a pipe. Materials used for manufacturing pipes include: Carbon (CS) and galvanized steel Impact-tested carbon steel (ITCS) Low-temperature carbon steel (LTCS) Stainless steel (SS) Malleable iron Chrome-molybdenum (alloy) steel (generally used for high-temperature service) Non-ferrous metals (includes copper, inconel, incoloy, and cupronickel) Non-metallic (includes acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and toughened glass; polybutylene has also been used, but is now banned in North America because of poor reliability) The bodies of fittings for pipe and tubing are often the same base material as the pipe or tubing connected: copper, steel, PVC, CPVC, or ABS.