Attention is called to the value of observing houses in process of construction and the means employed for the placement of the pipes for the sewer, gas, water, electric conduits, etc. These are generally located by direction of the specifications provided by the architect but observation of their installation is necessary for a comprehension of actual working conditions. It is suggested that the work be made that of, first, acquiring an idea of established practice, and second, that of investigating the examples of its application. CONTENTS PREFACE v CHAPTER I PAGE THE STEAM HEATING PLANT 1 Heat of Vaporization--Steam Temperature--Gage Pressure--Absolute Pressure--Two-pipe System--Separate-return System--Overhead or Drop System--Water-filled Radiators--Air Vents--Automatic Air Vents--Steam Radiator Valves--The House-heating Steam Boiler--Boiler Trimmings--The Water Column--The Steam Gage--The Safety Valve--The Draft Regulator--Rule for Proportioning Radiators--Proportioning the Size of Mains--Forms of Radiators--Radiator Finishings--Pipe Coverings--Vapor-system Heating. CHAPTER II THE HOT-WATER HEATING PLANT 37 The Low-pressure Hot-water System--The High-pressure Hot-water System--Heating-plant Design--Overhead System of Hot-water Heating--Expansion Tanks--Radiator Connection--Hot-water Radiators--Hot-water Radiator Valves--Air Vents--Automatic Hot-water Air Vents. CHAPTER III THE HOT-AIR FURNACE 51 Construction--Furnace-gas Leaks--Location of the Furnace--Flues--Combination Hot-air and Hot-water Heater. CHAPTER IV TEMPERATURE REGULATION 59 Hand Regulation--Damper Regulator for Steam Boiler--Damper Regulators for Hot-water Furnaces--The Thermostat Motor--Combined Thermostat and Damper Regulator--Thermostat-motor Connections. CHAPTER V MANAGEMENT OF HEATING PLANTS 70 General Advice--The Economy of Good Draft--General Firing Rules--Weather and Time of Day--Night Firing--First-day Firing--Other Day Firing--Economy and Fuels--For Burning Soft Coal--For Burning Coke--Other Rules for Water Boilers--Air-vent Valves on Radiators--The Air Valves--End of the Season--The Right Chimney Flue--“Smokey” Chimneys. CHAPTER VI PLUMBING 82