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Plumbing Code Essentials

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mbloomer

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Plumbing Code Essentials

Students will identify the five mandatory plumbing fixtures, list eleven prohibited drain disposals, differentiate between four types of copper pipes (M, L, K, DWV), and understand safe water heater temperature settings according to 248 CMR.

Understanding basic plumbing codes and practices is essential for safe home maintenance, environmental responsibility, and recognizing when professional help is needed. This knowledge provides practical life skills and promotes awareness of regulations impacting daily living.

Audience

12th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction and interactive discussion.

Materials

Plumbing Code Essentials Slide Deck, Prohibited Drain Disposals Worksheet, and Temperature Settings Cool Down

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare Examples

10 minutes

  • Review the Plumbing Code Essentials Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
  • Print copies of the Prohibited Drain Disposals Worksheet for each student.
  • Prepare for the Temperature Settings Cool Down activity.
  • Consider any local plumbing anecdotes or examples to share with students to make the content more relatable.

Step 1

Introduction: Why Plumbing Matters (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a hook question: "Besides drinking water, what's one essential thing plumbing does for your home?" Allow a few student responses.
  • Introduce the lesson: "Today, we're diving into the Massachusetts Plumbing Code, 248 CMR, to understand the basics of what makes a house livable and safe from a plumbing perspective. This isn't just for plumbers; it's vital life knowledge for every homeowner or renter."
  • Present the learning objectives. (Use Plumbing Code Essentials Slide Deck - Slide 1-2)

Step 2

Mandatory Fixtures (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Discuss the five mandatory fixtures required in a house by 248 CMR.
    • Water Closet (Toilet): Essential for sanitation.
    • Lavatory (Bathroom Sink): For personal hygiene.
    • Shower or Bathtub: For bathing.
    • Kitchen Sink: For food preparation and dishwashing.
    • Laundry Tub or Washing Machine Connection: For clothes washing (often combined or a dedicated connection).
  • Ask students: "Why do you think these specific fixtures are mandated?" Facilitate a brief discussion. (Use Plumbing Code Essentials Slide Deck - Slide 3-4)

Step 3

Prohibited Drain Disposals (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of what not to put down drains.
  • Distribute the Prohibited Drain Disposals Worksheet.
  • Go through the list of 11 prohibited items, explaining why each is prohibited (e.g., grease clogs, chemicals damage pipes or environment, pharmaceuticals contaminate water).
    1. Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
    2. Coffee Grounds
    3. Eggshells
    4. Pasta, Rice, Bread
    5. Fruit Pits and Peels (especially fibrous ones like banana peels)
    6. Fibrous Vegetables (e.g., celery, asparagus)
    7. Hair
    8. Disposable Wipes (even

Step 4

Copper Pipe Types (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Explain the four commonly used copper pipe types in plumbing, focusing on their differences in wall thickness and typical applications.
    • Type K (Thickest): Underground service, main water lines, oil lines. Color-coded green.
    • Type L (Medium): Interior potable water lines, radiant heating, fire suppression. Color-coded blue.
    • Type M (Thinnest): Residential potable water supply, drainage, waste, and vent lines (DWV). Color-coded red.
    • DWV (Drainage, Waste, Vent): Specific for drainage, waste, and vent systems, larger diameters. Thinner walls than K or L, often comparable to M for certain applications but designed for non-pressurized systems.
  • Show examples or diagrams if possible. Ask: "Why do you think different thicknesses are needed for different jobs?" (Use Plumbing Code Essentials Slide Deck - Slide 6-7)

Step 5

Temperature Settings & Cool Down (6 minutes)

6 minutes

  • Discuss safe water heater temperature settings.
    • Recommended: 120°F (49°C) to prevent scalding and reduce energy costs.
    • Legally allowed: Can go higher, but 120°F is generally considered the safest maximum for homes with children or elderly.
    • Mention Legionella risk at lower temperatures (below 100°F / 38°C) but emphasize that 120°F balances safety and health.
  • Conclude with the Temperature Settings Cool Down:
    • Ask students to write down one key takeaway from today's lesson on their exit ticket.
    • Collect cool-downs as students leave. (Use Plumbing Code Essentials Slide Deck - Slide 8-9)
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Slide Deck

Plumbing Code Essentials: What You Need to Know

Ever wonder what keeps your home running smoothly?

It's not just magic – it's plumbing! Today, we'll uncover the essential rules that keep our water clean and our homes safe.

Why this matters to YOU:

  • Homeownership/Renting preparedness
  • Basic safety knowledge
  • Environmental responsibility
  • Understanding household systems

Source: Massachusetts Plumbing Code (248 CMR)

Welcome students and get them thinking about plumbing. This slide sets the stage for why understanding plumbing codes is relevant to them, even if they aren't plumbers.

What We'll Cover Today

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify 5 mandatory plumbing fixtures in a home.
  • List 11 items prohibited from being put down a drain.
  • Differentiate between 4 types of copper pipes (M, L, K, DWV).
  • Understand safe water heater temperature settings.

Introduce the learning objectives clearly so students know what they will gain from the lesson.

Mandatory Home Fixtures (248 CMR)

According to the Massachusetts Plumbing Code, every dwelling unit must have at least these five essential fixtures:

  1. Water Closet (Toilet): For human waste disposal.
  2. Lavatory (Bathroom Sink): For personal hygiene.
  3. Shower or Bathtub: For bathing.
  4. Kitchen Sink: For food preparation and dishwashing.
  5. Laundry Tub or Washing Machine Connection: For clothes washing.

Begin the discussion on mandatory fixtures. Encourage students to think about why these are necessary for health and safety.

Why Are These Mandatory?

Consider the health, safety, and daily living implications.

  • What problems would arise without these fixtures?
  • How do these mandates protect public health?
  • What's the difference between a 'lavatory' and a 'sink'?

Prompt students to engage and think critically about the 'why' behind these regulations.

Drain Do Nots: 11 Prohibited Items

What goes down the drain doesn't just disappear!

Putting the wrong things down your drains can lead to:

  • Clogged Pipes: Costly repairs and backups.
  • Environmental Damage: Contamination of water systems.
  • Septic System Failure: Expensive and messy problems.

(See Prohibited Drain Disposals Worksheet for details)

Transition to drain disposals. Explain the importance of proper disposal for plumbing and the environment. Prepare to distribute the worksheet.

Copper Pipe Types: Know Your K, L, M, and DWV

Copper piping is common, but not all copper pipes are the same!

They differ in wall thickness and are used for specific applications:

  • Type K (Green): Thickest walls, heavy-duty. Often for underground water service lines.
  • Type L (Blue): Medium walls. Common for interior water supply, radiant heating, fire suppression.
  • Type M (Red): Thinner walls. Most common for residential potable water supply, waste, and vent lines.
  • DWV (Drainage, Waste, Vent): Specifically designed for non-pressurized drainage systems. Varies in thickness, often comparable to Type M for certain uses.

Introduce the different types of copper pipes. Explain the color-coding system and the general principle of wall thickness.

Why Different Types?

The thickness of the pipe wall directly relates to its strength and the pressure it can withstand.

  • High-Pressure/Corrosion Risk? Thicker pipes (K, L).
  • Standard Residential Use? Medium to thinner pipes (L, M).
  • Non-Pressurized Drainage? DWV specific pipes.

Think about a garden hose vs. a main water pipe – different jobs, different needs!

Reinforce the understanding of pipe types by asking students to think about the reasons for varying thicknesses.

Water Heater Temperature Settings: Safety First!

Setting your water heater correctly is crucial for both safety and efficiency.

  • Recommended Setting: 120°F (49°C)

    • Prevents Scalding: Especially important for children and the elderly.
    • Energy Efficiency: Reduces heating costs.

  • Below 100°F (38°C): Risk of Legionella bacteria growth.

  • Above 120°F (49°C): Increases risk of severe burns, higher energy usage.

Discuss water heater temperature settings. Emphasize the balance between safety (scalding) and health (Legionella).

Wrap-Up & Reflection

You now have a foundational understanding of key plumbing requirements and best practices!

Think about:

  • How will this knowledge help you in the future?
  • What was the most surprising thing you learned today?

Complete your Temperature Settings Cool Down to share your key takeaway!

Conclude the lesson and prepare for the cool-down activity. This is an opportunity for students to reflect and for the teacher to gauge understanding.

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Worksheet

Prohibited Drain Disposals: What NOT to Flush

Instructions: For each item listed below, explain why it should not be put down a drain. Think about the impact on your pipes, the environment, and wastewater systems.

  1. Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)






  2. Coffee Grounds






  3. Eggshells






  4. Pasta, Rice, Bread






  5. Fruit Pits and Peels (especially fibrous ones like banana peels)






  6. Fibrous Vegetables (e.g., celery, asparagus)






  7. Hair






  8. Disposable Wipes (even "flushable" ones)






  9. Pharmaceuticals/Medications






  10. Paint, Solvents, or Hazardous Chemicals






  11. Kitty Litter






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Cool Down

Temperature Settings Cool Down

Instructions: Briefly write down one key takeaway or something new you learned from today's lesson on plumbing essentials and water heater temperature settings.










Bonus Question: Why is setting your water heater to 120°F (49°C) generally recommended?










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