Air Gap

eyr gap

Noun

A gap between two materials that allows airflow between them.

Example usage: We need to install an air gap between the wall and the insulation.

Most used in: Construction and HVAC projects.

Most used by: Tradespeople such as carpenters, plumbers, and HVAC technicians.

Popularity: 8/10

Comedy Value: 2/10

Also see: Void Gap, Unsealed Joint, Unconnected Joint, Movement Joint,

.

What is an Air Gap in Plumbing Construction?

An air gap is a physical separation between the water supply and the drainage system used in plumbing construction. It is designed to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the water supply, and is required by most plumbing codes. This gap is usually in the form of a vertical distance, and the size of the gap is determined by the local plumbing codes.

The air gap is an important part of the plumbing system and helps to provide a safe and sanitary environment. It is also used to ensure that the water supply is not contaminated by any sewage or other contaminants. In the United States, the National Plumbing Code requires that all water supply systems have at least a two inch air gap between the water supply and the drainage system.

In addition to providing safety, an air gap also helps to improve the efficiency of the plumbing system. By providing a physical separation between the water supply and the drainage system, it reduces the amount of backflow that can occur. This helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to move water through the system, and can help to reduce the cost of running the plumbing system.

According to the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, over 70% of plumbing professionals report that they have installed an air gap in their projects. This statistic shows just how important an air gap is in plumbing construction.

.

Origin of the Term 'Air Gap' in Plumbing Construction

The term 'Air Gap' is used to refer to a physical gap in the piping of a plumbing system, which is designed to prevent contamination from a backflow of water. The term was first used in the early 1900s in the United States, and is still used today in plumbing construction.

The term 'Air Gap' was first used by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering as a method to prevent backflow contamination of drinking water systems. In the early part of the 1900s, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering was responsible for setting the standards for plumbing systems in the United States. The term was first used in the ASSE Standard 1020, which was published in 1912. The standard defined an 'Air Gap' as a physical gap of at least twice the diameter of the supply pipe, and not less than one inch.

The concept of an Air Gap has been around for many centuries, but it was not until the early 1900s that the term became widely used. Since then, the term has been used to refer to any gap in a plumbing system that is designed to prevent backflow contamination. The use of an Air Gap is still a common practice in plumbing construction and is an important part of any system designed to provide safe, potable drinking water.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

1 of 3
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding

    SHEELD-ed MEH-tul ARK WELD-ing Shielded Metal Arc Welding (noun) A welding process that uses a consumable electrode coated in flux to lay the weld. Example usage: 'We need to use...

    Shielded Metal Arc Welding

    SHEELD-ed MEH-tul ARK WELD-ing Shielded Metal Arc Welding (noun) A welding process that uses a consumable electrode coated in flux to lay the weld. Example usage: 'We need to use...

  • Self-Shielded Flux-Cored Arc Welding (SSFCAW)

    SELF-SHEED-ELD FLUX-CORED ARK WELD-ING Self-Shielded Flux-Cored, Arc, Welding A welding process that uses an electric arc to join metals together while protecting the weld from atmospheric contamination. Example usage: 'We'll...

    Self-Shielded Flux-Cored Arc Welding (SSFCAW)

    SELF-SHEED-ELD FLUX-CORED ARK WELD-ING Self-Shielded Flux-Cored, Arc, Welding A welding process that uses an electric arc to join metals together while protecting the weld from atmospheric contamination. Example usage: 'We'll...

  • Gas-Shielded Flux-Cored Arc Welding (GSFCAW)

    Gass-Shi-eldd Flux-Kored Arck Welding (GSFCAW) Gas-Shielded, Flux-Cored, Arc, Welding A welding process using an arc and a flux core wire, with an external shielding gas. Example usage: The tradesperson welded...

    Gas-Shielded Flux-Cored Arc Welding (GSFCAW)

    Gass-Shi-eldd Flux-Kored Arck Welding (GSFCAW) Gas-Shielded, Flux-Cored, Arc, Welding A welding process using an arc and a flux core wire, with an external shielding gas. Example usage: The tradesperson welded...

1 of 3