Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Building Construction
Curriculum Theme: Building Services
Previous Lesson: Drainage Installation: Methods of testing drainage.
Topic: SANITARY APPLIANCES AND INSTALLATION
Subject Matter: Meaning of SANITARY APPLIANCES AND INSTALLATION (sanitary fittings and how they are installed), Soil and waste appliances (examples and functions), Materials for sanitary appliances (types of materials used).
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Define sanitary appliances and their installation.
- Identify different soil and waste appliances.
- State the functions of various soil and waste appliances.
- List common materials used for sanitary appliances.
Affective Domain:
- Appreciate the importance of proper sanitary installations in buildings.
- Participate actively in class discussions about sanitary systems.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Sketch simple diagrams of common sanitary appliances.
- Explain the basic principles of installing sanitary appliances.
Social Domain:
- Collaborate with peers to discuss and share knowledge on different types of sanitary appliances.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
- State Unified Scheme of Work
- Okoro, J. O. O. (2010). Building Construction for Senior Secondary Schools. Evans Brothers (Nigeria Publishers) Limited.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO-oF94f-fU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW01e1-eXzE
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Charts showing different sanitary appliances.
- Diagrams illustrating sanitary appliance installation.
- Pictures of various materials used for sanitary fittings.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps pupils understand the essential components of building sanitary services and their correct installation. It enables them to appreciate the role of proper sanitation in maintaining hygiene and overall building functionality for healthy living.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have basic knowledge of plumbing and drainage systems in buildings from previous lessons.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
SANITARY APPLIANCES AND INSTALLATION
Meaning of Sanitary Appliances
Sanitary appliances are fixtures or fittings designed to receive and discharge wastewater and human waste from buildings into a drainage system. They are essential components of a building’s plumbing system, ensuring hygiene and proper waste disposal.
Installation refers to the process of correctly setting up these appliances and connecting them to water supply and drainage pipes according to building codes and standards.
Soil and Waste Appliances
Soil and waste appliances are sanitary fittings that handle the discharge of human excreta (soil water) and other wastewater (waste water) from a building.
Examples and Functions:
- Water Closet (WC): Used for the disposal of human excreta.
- Wash Hand Basin (WHB): Used for washing hands and face.
- Kitchen Sink: Used for washing dishes, food preparation, and general kitchen cleaning.
- Bathtub: Used for bathing.
- Shower Tray: Used to collect water from showers and direct it to the drain.
- Urinal: Primarily used by males for the disposal of urine.
- Bidet: Used for personal hygiene after using the toilet.
- Gully Trap: A trap placed outside the building to collect wastewater from various sources (e.g., sinks, baths) and prevent foul air from entering the building.
- Floor Trap: A trap installed in the floor, typically in bathrooms or laundries, to drain wastewater and prevent sewer gases from entering.
Materials for Sanitary Appliances
Sanitary appliances are manufactured from various materials, each with specific properties regarding durability, aesthetics, and cost. Common materials include:
- Vitreous China: A glazed ceramic material, durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains. Commonly used for WCs, basins, and urinals.
- Stainless Steel: Corrosion-resistant, hygienic, and durable, often used for kitchen sinks and specialized sanitary fittings.
- Acrylic: A lightweight plastic material, warm to the touch, and available in various colours. Commonly used for bathtubs and shower trays.
- Cast Iron: Heavy, durable, and strong, often used for bathtubs (though less common now) and some drainage components.
- Plastic (PVC/UPVC): Lightweight, cost-effective, and corrosion-resistant, primarily used for waste pipes, toilet seats, and some fittings.
- Fireclay: Similar to vitreous china but thicker and heavier, used for large sinks and specialized industrial applications.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to mention any plumbing fixtures they know in their homes or schools.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention items like toilets, sinks, and bathtubs.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge related to the topic.
Step 2: Meaning of Sanitary Appliances and Installation
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines sanitary appliances and explains what their installation entails, using simple language and examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and ask clarifying questions.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core definitions of the lesson.
Step 3: Soil and Waste Appliances (Examples and Functions)
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains soil and waste appliances, providing examples such as WCs, basins, sinks, and bathtubs, and describes their respective functions. The teacher uses charts to show visual representations.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the appliances on the charts, note their examples and functions, and discuss their uses.
Learning Point: Pupils gain knowledge of various soil and waste appliances and their purposes.
Step 4: Materials for Sanitary Appliances
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Classification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher lists and briefly explains the different types of materials used for manufacturing sanitary appliances, such as vitreous china, stainless steel, and acrylic.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and list the various materials, noting their common applications.
Learning Point: Pupils become aware of the different materials and their properties.
Step 5: Overview of Installation Principles
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Briefing/Summarisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher gives a brief overview of the importance of proper installation, mentioning considerations like correct gradient for drainage, sealing, and connection to water supply.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and understand the general principles involved in installing sanitary appliances.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the basic requirements for effective installation.
Step 6: Visualisation and Sketching
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visualisation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays diagrams of installed sanitary appliances and encourages pupils to attempt simple sketches of familiar appliances like a WC or basin.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the diagrams and make simple sketches in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils develop visual recognition and basic drawing skills related to the topic.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- Define sanitary appliances.
- List three examples of soil and waste appliances and state their functions.
- Mention four materials commonly used for manufacturing sanitary appliances.
- Why is proper installation of sanitary appliances important?
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, re-emphasising the importance of sanitary appliances in building construction.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and assimilate the final points.
Learning Point: Reinforce the main concepts learned during the lesson.
Lesson Keywords
- Sanitary – Relating to health, especially by means of cleanliness.
- Appliances – Devices or fixtures designed for a particular purpose.
- Installation – The act of setting up or placing something for use.
- Soil pipe – A pipe that carries human waste from a water closet.
- Waste pipe – A pipe that carries wastewater from sinks, basins, etc.
- Water Closet – A toilet.
- Trap – A U-shaped pipe that holds water to prevent sewer gases from entering a building.
- Vitreous China – A type of glazed ceramic material.
Differentiation
For struggling learners, the teacher will provide simplified diagrams and focus on fewer examples of appliances and materials. Advanced learners will be encouraged to research different types of traps or complex sanitary layouts and discuss their findings.
Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Teachers should encourage pupils to observe sanitary appliances in their homes and school environment. If possible, arrange a visit to a construction site or a plumbing workshop to provide practical exposure to different appliances and installation methods. Emphasise the health and environmental importance of proper sanitation.

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