SIC 3432 Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings
SIC 3432
Companies that produce metal plumbing fixtures and parts make up the plumbing fixture and fittings industry. This classification also encompasses establishments engaged in the assembly of plastic components into fixtures and fittings. Companies that manufacture plastic, ceramic, earthenware, and other types of plumbing fixtures are classified in separate industries, as are firms that make steam or water line valves.
332913
Plumbing Fixture Fitting and Trim Manufacturing
332999
All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Although advanced plumbing systems have existed since 2000 B.C., metal pipes and fittings were not commonplace in the United States until the early 1900s, when they began playing an important role in the development of industrialized society. By 2003, the plumbing fixtures and fittings (PFF) industry had shipments valued at $3.4 billion, and the industry had nearly 12,500 employees.
The PFF industry is largely dependent on the new housing market. Other important market sectors are commercial and institutional construction, and replacement and renovation. The fixture industry had experienced steady expansion since the 1970s, despite economic recessions. To maintain profitability and growth during the dismal early 2000s, industry players introduced new products, increased productivity, and took advantage of propitious demographic trends. By the middle of the decade, the construction industry, and the PFF industry with it, was growing strong again. Sales of plumbing supplies alone reached $23 billion in 2004.
Plumbing refers to the system of pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus in a structure that supplies water and removes liquid and waterborne wastes. The foremost role of an integrated plumbing system is to safely deliver and remove water; therefore, fixtures and fittings must conform to strict codes, regulations, and trade standards. Manufacturers of fixtures also are concerned with producing styles that appeal to consumers by reflecting current trends in home decoration.
Most plumbing fixtures and fittings are built for residential use. Primary residential applications include kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and gardens. Fixtures also complement various commercial, industrial, and institutional plumbing systems. Most fixtures and fittings may be divided into one of four groups: traps, tubes, and drains; pipe fittings; faucets and toilets; and shower fixtures. Manufacturing metals used by the industry include copper, brass, bronze, and iron.
In 1997 the largest single product share of the PFF market was for miscellaneous plumbing fixtures and fittings and trims (brass goods) valued at more than $1.5 billion. The second largest product share was for single lever plumbing fixture controls, two or three handle bath or shower fittings, and anti-scald bath or shower valves valued at nearly $1.3 billion. The last was for nearly $800 million worth of lavatory and sink fittings (except single control) including drains and overflows.
Basin drains usually incorporate traps or tubes. Traps are essentially drainage pipes with a bend, or trap, beneath the drain for holding water and preventing odors and gases from backing up out of the drain. P, J, and S shaped traps are commonly used for sinks, while drum and bottle-type traps, which are typically used for bathtub and kitchen drains, consist of a cylindrical metal box or settling basin attached to the waste pipe. Other types of traps include grease, laundry tray, and slop sink. Most traps incorporate a clean-out plug or screw to remove debris caught in the trap. Tubes are used to connect traps, garbage disposals, dishwasher drains, and other drains and devices. They come in a variety of shapes and materials to suit all applications and configurations.
Pipe fittings are used to connect pipes and tubes and come in a multitude of shapes and sizes; several categories of fittings exist. Nipples are used to extend a pipe and to provide proper threading for connection to other pipes. Couplings are used to join standard sizes of pipe. Similarly, floor flanges connect pipes to a wall, floor, or other flat surface. Elbow fittings make it possible to change the direction of a straight pipe. Reducers, when incorporated with couplings, provide a means of connecting different sized pipes. Three- and four-way tees allow a pipe to branch out into two or three other pipes, often of smaller size. Other common fitting types include return bends, flair and compression fittings, wye (Y) bends, slip joints, and ground joint unions.
Faucets are available in several different forms. Compression faucets, common in residential plumbing, use a washer to control...
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