Sanitary Engineering

SANITARY ENGINEERING. This term is understood to mean: 1) in a narrower sense, the aggregate of all those devices, installations, and apparatuses that are used in communal living for the purposes of sanitary improvement; 2) in a broader sense, the aggregate of all technical knowledge connected with the implementation of sanitary measures. Sanitary engineering, understood in the first sense, therefore includes information about the aforementioned devices (sanitary-technical devices and apparatuses), for example, heating appliances, ventilation devices and installations, vacuum cleaners, small sewage installations and the corresponding equipment for latrines, baths, tubs, showers, small incinerators, spittoons, room filters, etc. A number of devices for occupational safety in its sanitary sense can also be included here. (For a description of all these devices and installations, see the corresponding articles.) Sanitary engineering, understood in the second sense, includes those technical disciplines that one must encounter during sanitary measures. This includes the study of water supply, hydrogeology and hydrology, the study of soil science, heating and ventilation, artificial lighting and acoustics, as well as certain areas of energy engineering. The study of planning issues and, to a certain extent, the methodology of drafting and surveying must also be included here. Among technical personnel, therefore, the profile of a sanitary engineering specialist is gradually emerging, familiar mainly with issues of design, construction, and operation of sanitary-technical structures (water supply, sewage, purification, bath and laundry business, and equipping housing with corresponding heating, ventilation, and lighting devices). Health authorities have or should have their own sanitary-technical workers (sanitary engineers) who are familiar with these structures and have at the same time become acquainted with sanitary interests. In the USSR, there is a well-known All-Union Society of Water Supply and Sanitary Engineering, the organ of the corresponding All-Union congresses on water supply and sanitary engineering. Knowledge of certain disciplines in the field of sanitary engineering is necessary for every sanitary physician (see Sanitary physician). For the significance of this knowledge in sanitary affairs and the significance of sanitary engineering as a basic method of raising the sanitary standard of living, see Improvement of populated places, Hygiene, Sanitary legislation, Planning, etc.