1. Subject area

With the development and diversification of contemporary technology, the concept of "hydraulic installation" can be applied to most areas of human activity. The control and distribution of fluids is an integral part of most industries - civil engineering, agriculture, food processing, petrochemicals, etc. - with specific constraints and objectives. For the purposes of this article, therefore, we shall confine ourselves to that part of this technology which concerns the habitat, in the sense of the dwelling, as well as complementary establishments (shops, crafts, schools, hospitals, administrations, etc.), where the day-to-day activities of the inhabitants are carried out, deliberately excluding all industries or related sectors, which have to manage constraints specific to their activities.

On the other hand, we will take a specific interest in external networks...