PIPES and the PLUMBER

"Actually, in ChE 134 we would all become plumbers  (tubero in Filipino) because what we would be discussing is all about pipes." This was one of the earliest statements I remember coming from my instructor. Of course it was supposed to be a joke and so my seatmate that day decided to expound the joke in his way.

Seatmate: "Hey Hanna, my mom told me to shift out from chem eng'g."

Me:(raising a brow) "Eh. Why?"

Seatmate: "Because she doesn't want me to become a plumber."

The end.

The Plumber's Job

A chemical engineering course being compared to plumbing just proves that chemical engineering is indeed a very versatile discipline which is applicable to a lot of industries. Actual installation of plumbing is may not be included in the course but the science and engineering plans behind it is basic part of chemical engineering. So here is a list showing the similarity of a chemical engineer and a plumber's knowledge.

What the plumber knows that I (should) know:

1. Specifications to determine layout of water supply, waste, and venting systems.

2. Plumbing or pipping plans for hot and cold domestic water supplies.

3. Familiarity with ice-machine work, thermostatic work connected with plumbing, pipework connected with pneumatic vacuum-cleaning systems, gas piping, with making connections for gas fire-logs, furnaces, driers, boilers, and heaters. 

 4. Ensuring safety standards and build regulations.

5.  And the fact that"There is nothing in the work of the plumber which embodies physical or nervous strain, and as the work is extremely varied in character, it should stimulate the intelligence of the worker. The successful plumber must have strength, endurance, initiative, and special adaptability for his work."

Read more: http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/metal/Applied-Science-Metal-Workers/554-Work-Of-The-Plumber.html#ixzz20wZjxVG4 

Examining the scope of  a plumber's job also gives an  insight of how pipping systems are of great significance and of great use to a lot of industries.

You call a plumber when

 

  1. there's water dripping from the water pipes

2. your toilet doesn’t flush

3. your boiler or furnace needs repair

  

 

4. you need your home cooling or heating system repaired

  

5. you want to remodel your fixtures

 6. you want a another  bathroom

7. you want machines installed

 These are the common works of a plumber and these illustrates as well the of pipping systems commonly seen and used in our houses. Pipping systems are all around wherever you are. But pipping systems in large scales are seen in big commercial establishments involved in industrial processes.