View the PDF document

20 Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory
●
●
●
Never plug a new piece of equipment into the electricity supply without first
checking the plate to see whether the voltage marked is the same as that of the
laboratory supply (110V, 220V, etc.).
Never remove a plug from a socket by pulling the cable.
Never replace fuse wire with wire that is thicker.
2.3 Plumbing: simple procedures
A fault in the plumbing of the laboratory (a dripping tap, a blocked sink, etc.) can
hamper laboratory work considerably. Some simple remedies are described below,
in case a plumber is not readily available.
Fig. 2.15 Tools and materials for plumbing repairs
2.3.1 Tools and materials (Fig. 2.15)
●
●
●
●
●
Adjustable wrench
Pipe wrench
Set of screwdrivers
Bottle brush
Rubber washers for taps
● Rubber stoppers such as those used in penicillin
bottles
● Plunger for clearing blocked pipes
● Tow and jointing compound for sealing joints, if
available.
Important: Before starting any plumbing operation, cut off
the water at the mains.
2.3.2 Taps
A tap is made up of two parts (Fig. 2.16):
— the body (B), through which the water flows
— the head (H), which controls the flow of water by means of a rubber
washer (W).
Between the head and the body, there is a joint (J) of rubber or tow.
Fig. 2.16 Components of a tap
B: body; H: head; J: joint; W: washer.
Fig. 2.17 Removing the head of a tap