Nearly a good reference - but basic errors in it , 19 Oct 2008
This book so very nearly could have been an excellent reference, but there are fundamental misprints in it. These should have been corrected by this, the 3rd edition. For example, on page 38 re: Water pressure. It states ...."the 1000Kg of water would weigh 1000x9.81 =
9810 newtons per square meter..." No it wouldn't - it would 'weigh' 1000Kg! (on earth). Strictly speaking, N/m2 are units of pressue, not weight. It would exert a PRESSURE of 9810 newtons per square metre.

Then it goes on to say in an example "... the pressure at the base of a 4m high container of water with a cross-sectional area of 1m square is 4x9.81 = 39.24 kN"

Wrong again - kN are units of FORCE, not pressure. This should be kN per square metre.

These are not the only examples of errors in this book. Somewhat confusing, and not adequately explained, so only 3 stars.

Well laid out, concise and comprehensive., 13 Jul 2007
This book is great. I bought it to help with redesigning an old central heating and drainage system in a large, dilapidated house and needed more detail than one finds in the otherwise excellent Collins DIY series. One of this book's best achievements is its layout - every aspect of plumbing has been skillfully divided into concise, separate sections, saving the need to wade through a load of extraneous detail to get to the bit you're interested in. Each section describes and lists clearly any applicable building regs, and outlines the various advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls associated with different strategies and systems. There's a great section on noise transmission in pipework, as well as on working with lead, steel and other materials. The book is aimed at NVQ/SVQ, but is a great reference work for any competent DIYer

A Quality Text for Training, 27 Feb 2007
This text covers all aspects needed by an aspiring plumber,covering everything from the basics through to gas fitting. Here at Panda Plumbing Training in Barnsley we use this text as a regular reference source. The alternate page layout of text and images is good but it would benefit from colour!

Great book, not all about measurements!, 14 Feb 2007
I bought this in addition to some other plumbing books that I'd already bought from Amazon (e.g. JTL Plumbing Level 2, Muscroft Plumbing) and am glad that I did.
I was initially rather dubious, especially after reading Andy Mason's review which indicated that the book was all about measurements ... what a load of rubbish. Yes, on pages 124 to 127 there is a section on sizing hot and cold pipework but that's about it. So far I have read through parts 1 and 2 and only encountered a few pages of numbers, formulas etc ... all of which if you're doing a C&G Level 2 or NVQ 2 will be very useful.
This book is excellent for allowing you to do some quick revision and/or reviewing before sitting an exam OR after having done other reading and studying as a way of dotting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s.
Get it if (like me) you're doing your C&G/NVQ level 2 and/or 3.

Fabulous Plumbing Book, 17 Jul 2006
"A great book. Full of information - covered everything I needed to know and more"