DEFINITION OF PLUMBING TERMS

ALLEY - Alley is any public space, public park moroughiare less than three (3) meters

but not less than two (2) meters in width which has been dedicated or deeded to the

public for public use.

ALTER OR ALTERATION - Alter or alteration is any change, addition or modification in

construction or

occupancy. (Change or repair). visit http://philarchreview.blogspot.com/

APPROVED - Approved means accepted or acceptable under an applicable

specificationstated or cited in this Code, or accepted as suitable for the proposed use

under procedures and powers at the authority.

AUTHORITY - Authority in this Code is mean to be the individual official, board,

department or agency established an authorized by the office of the President (R.A. No.

1378) to administer and enforce the provisions of this National Plumbing Code as

adapted or amended. (Prof. Sanitary Engineering) Plans and specs, (Master Plumber)

- Install

BACKFLOW - The flow of water into a water supply system from source other than its

regular source. Back siphonage is one type of backflow.

BAK PRESSURE - Air pressure in drainage pipes greater than atmospheric pressure.

BACK VENT PIPE - the part of a vent line which connects directly with an individual

trap underneath or behind the fixture and extends to the branch or main, soil, or waste

pipe at any point higher than the fixture or fixture trap it serves. This is sometimes called

an individual vent.

BALL COCK - a faucet opened or closed by the fall or rise of a ball floating on the

surface of water. - A float valve with a spherical float.

BALL JOINT - a connection in which a ball is held in a cuplike shell that allows

movement in every direction.

BATTERY OF FIXTURES - Battery of fixtures is any of two or more similar adjacent

fixtures which discharge into a common horizontal soil branch.

BELL OR HUB - that portion of a pipe which for a short distance, is sufficiently enlarged

to received the end of another pipe of the same diameter for the purpose of making a

joint.

BENDING PIN (OR IRON) - a tool used for straightening or expanding lead pipe.

BIBB - Synonymous with faucet is preferred. Faucet or Spigot.

BIDET - A plumbing fixture used for washing the middle part of the body, specially the

genitals. Also a sitz bath (Used to wash posterior parts of the body).

BLANK FLANGE - A flange that is not drilled.

BLIND FLANGE - A flange that closes the end of a pipe. There is no opening for the

passage of water. (Used for black iron pipes).

BLOW OFF - A controlled outlet on a pipe line used too discharge water or detritus. (In

Sanitary house trap).

BRANCH - A branch is any part of a piping system other than the main, riser or stack.

MWSS / OPWH - Installation of national local water works.- For installation & excavation

respectively.

BRANCH INTERVAL - A length of soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a

story height, but- in no case less than eight (8) feet, within which the horizontal

branches from one floor or story of a building are connected to the stack.

BRANCH VENT - A vent pipe connecting from a branch of the drainage system to a

vent stack.

BUILDING - Building is any structure built, erected and framed of component structural

parts designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure or support of persons, animals, or

property of any kind.

BUILDING DRAIN - See house Drain.

BUILDING SEWER - See House Sewer.

BUILDING SUBDRAIN -That portion of a drainage system which cannot drain by

gravity into the

building sewer. ( Any piping system which needed to be elevated from basement to the

N.G.L.)

CALKING - Plugging an opening with oakum, lead or other materials that are pounded

into place. Also, the material that is pounded into the opening.

CAP - A fitting into which the end of a pipe is screwed for the purpose of closing the end

of the pipe.

CATCH BASIN - A receptacle in which liquids are retained for a sufficient period to

deposit settle able material visit http://philarchreview.blogspot.com/

CESSPOOL - A pit for the reception or detention of sewage.

CHECK VALVE - A valve that automatically closes to prevent the flow of water in

reverse direction.(Prevents reverse flow)

CIRCUIT VENT - A group vent extending from in front of the last fixture connection on a

horizontal branch to the vent stack. See also loop vent. (Loop vent, Branch vent)

COMMON VENT - See unit vent and dual vent

CONDUCTOR, LEADER, OR DOWNSPOUT - a vertical pipe to convey rain water.

CONTINUOUS VENT - - a continuous vent is a vertical vent that is a continuation of the

drain, to which

the vent connects. (or VSTR)

CORPORATION COCK - A stop valve placed in a service pipe close to its connection

with a water main.

COURT - A court is an open , unoccupied space bounded on two (2) or more sides by

the walls of the buildings. An inner court is a court entirely within the exteriorwalls of a

building. All other courts are outer courts.

CROSS CONNECTION - Any physical connection or arrangement of pipes between two

otherwise

separate building water-supply pipes or a system through which or by means of which

water supply may flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on

the pressure differential between the two systems.

DEAD END -The extended portion of a pipe that is closed at one end to which no

connections are made on the extended portion, thus permitting the stagnation of water

or air therein. (Water hammer arrester or air gap or air chamber).

DEVELOPMENT LENGTH -The length along the center line of the pipe and the fittings.

DIAMETER - Diameter of a pipe or tube shall mean the nominal internal diameter

(I.D.) of such pipe; except brass and copper tubing wherein the term shall mean the

outside diameter (O.D.) of tubing.

DOMESTIC SEWAGE - See sanitary sewage.

DOUBLE-BEND FITTING - A pipe fitting shaped like the letter S.

DOUBLE OFFSET - Two offsets in succession or in series in the same line.

DOWNSPOUT - The vertical portion of a rainwater conductor.

DRAIN - A sewer or other pipe or conduit used for conveying ground water, surface

water, storm water, or sewage.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM -The drainage pipes of a plumbing system take the water from

the plumbing fixtures and deliver it to the sewer or some other outlet. The drainage

pipes must be gas-light, and water-light. The passage of air, odors or vitamin from the

sewer into the building must be prevented.

DRY VENT - A vent that does not carry water or water- borne wastes.

DUAL VENT - See unit vent.

EXISTING WORK - The term existing work shall apply to those portions of plumbing

system which have been installed and approved prior to the contemplated additions,

collections, or corrections.

FAMILY - Family is one person living alone or a group of two (2) or more persons living

together, whether related to each other by birth or not.

FAUCET - A valve on a water pipe by means of which water can be drawn from or held

within the pipe. The valve is placed on the end of the pipe.

FERRULE - A metallic sleeve, called or otherwise, joined to an opening in a pipe, into

which a plug is screwed that can be removed for the purpose of cleaning or examining

the interior of the pipe.

FIXTURE - A receptacle attached to a plumbing system other than a trap in which water

or wastes may be collected or retained for ultimate discharge into the plumbing system.

FIXTURE BRANCH - The supply pipe between the fixture and the water distributing

pipe.

FIXTURE DRAIN - The drain from the trap of a fixture to the junction of the drain with

any other drain pipe.

FIXTURE UNIT - One fixture unit is equivalent to a flow rate of one (1) cubic foot of

water per minute or seven and a half (71/2) gallons of water per minute.

FLASHING - A piece of sheet metal fitted under another piece of flat metal or wood

over which water is expected to run.

FLOOD LEVEL - The level in a fixture at which water begins to overflow the top or rim

of the fixture.

FLOOR AREA - The area included within surrounding walls of a building (or portion

thereof), exclusive of vent shafts and courts.

FLUSH VALVE - A valve used for flushing a fixture by using water directly from the

water supply pipes or in connection with a special flush tank.

GATE VALVE - A valve in which the flow of water is cut off by means of a circular disk,

fitting against machine-smoothed faces, at right angles to the direction of flow. The disk

is raised or lowered by means of a threaded stem connected to the handle of the valve.

The opening in the valve is usually as large as the full bore of the pipe. visit

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GLOBE VALVE - A valve in which the flow of water is cut off by means of a circular disk

that fits against the valve seat. The plane of movement of the disk is parallel to the

normal direction of flow of water, which is turned through a tortuous passage to direct

the flow normal to the face of the disk.

GOOSE NECK - A return bend of small-sized pipe one end of which is about one (1)

foot long and the other end is about three (3) inches long. It is commonly used as a

faucet for a pantry sink. Also, the lead connection between a service pipe and a water

main.

GRADE - The slope or fall of a line of pipe in reference to a horizontal plane usually

expressed in percent.

GROUND WATER - The water that is standing in or passing through the ground.

GROUP VENT - A branch vent that performs its function for two (2) or more traps.

HEIGHT OF BUILDING - The vertical distance from the Grade Line to the highest

point of the coping of a flat roof or to the deck line of a mansard roof or to the average

height of the highest gab le of a pitch or hip-roof.

HORIZONTAL BRANCH - A branch drain extending laterally from soil or waste stack,

with or without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge from one or

more fixture drains and conducts it to the soil or waste stack or to the building drain.

HOUSE DRAIN - The house drain is that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a

plumbing system which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage

pipes inside of a buildings conveys it to the house sewer.

HOUSE STORM SEWER - A house storm sewer is the pipeline from the building to the

public storm

sewer system.

INDIRECT WASTE PIPE - A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the building

drainage system

but discharges into is through a properly trapped fixture or receptacle.

INDIVIDUAL VENT - See back vent.

INDUSTRIAL WASTES - Industrial waste are liquid waste resulting from the processes

employed in

industrial establishments and are free from fecal matter.

INSANITARY - Contrary to sanitary principles or injurious to health.

INTERCEPTOR - A receptacle designed and constructed to intercept or separate, and

prevent the passage of oil, grease, sand, or other materials into the drainage system to

which it is directly or indirectly connected.

INVERT - The lowest portion of the inside of any pipe conduit that is not vertical.

LATERAL - In plumbing, a secondary pipe line. In average, a common sewer to which

no other common sewer is tributary, receives sewage only from building sewers.

LATRINE - A water closet consisting of a continuous though containing water. The

trough extends under two (2) or more adjacent seats. Prohibited by most authorities for

permanent installations.

LAVATORY - A fixture designed for the washing of the hands or face. Sometimes

called a wash basin.

LEACHING CESSPOOL A cesspool that is not watertight.

LEADER - See conductor.

LENGTH OF PIPE - The length as measured along.

LOCAL VENT - A pipe or shaft serving to convey foul air from a plumbing fixture or a

room to the outer air.

LOOP OR CIRCUIT

VENT - A continuation of a horizontal soil or waste pipe beyond the connection at which

liquid wastes from a fixture or fixtures enter the waste or soil pipe. The extension is

usually vertical immediately beyond its connection to the soil or waste pipe. The base of

the vertical portion of the vent may be connected to the horizontal portion of the soil or

waste stack between fixtures connected thereto.

MAIN - The main of any system of continuous piping is the principal artery of the

system, to which branches may be connected.

MAIN VENT - See vent stack.

MANHOLE - An opening constructed in a sewer or any part of a plumbing system of

sufficient size for a ,an to gain access thereto.

MASTERPLUMBER - A person with knowledge of and experience in plumbing who

employs journeymen plumbers or who conducts a plumbing business.

OAKUM - Hemp or old hemp rope soaked in oil to make it waterproof.

OCCUPANCY - Occupancy is the purpose for which a building is used or intended to be

used. The term shall also include the building or room housing such use. Change of

Occupancy is not intended to include change of tenants or proprietors.

PERSON - A natural person, his heirs, executors, administrators, its or their successor

or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.

PITCH - See grade.

PLUMBING - The art and technique of installing in buildings the pipes, fixtures, and

other apparatuses for bringing in the water supply, liquids, substances or ingredients

and removing them and such water, liquid, and other carried-wastes affecting health

and sanitation and hazardous to life and property; also the pipes and fixtures after they

have been installed, i.e. the plumbing system.

PLUMBING FIXTURE - A receptacle attached to a plumbing system other than a trap in

which water or

wastes may be collected or retained for ultimate discharge into the plumbing system.

PLUMBING SYSTEM - The plumbing system of a building, institution,, factory or

industrial establishment, includes the water-supply, liquids, substances and or

ingredients distributing pipes; and those pipes removing them and such water, liquid,

and other carried-wastes; the fixtures and fixture traps; the soil, waste, and vent

pipes; the house drain, the foundation drain, and the house sewer; the storm-water

drainage; drainage ejectors, all with their devices, appurtenances, and connections

within or on a building, a factory, or an industry.

PLUMBING OFFICIAL - The authority or the officer charged with the administration and

enforcement

of the National Plumbing Code, or his regularly authorized deputy.

POTABLE WATER - Potable water is water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary,

domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the health authority having

jurisdiction.

PRIMARY BRANCH - A primary branch of the building drain is the single sloping drain

from the base of a stack to its junction with the main building drain or with another

branch thereof.

PRIVATE OR PRIVATE USE - Private applies to fixtures in a residence where the

fixtures are intended for the use of a family or an individual.

PRIVATE SEWER - A private sewer is a sewer privately owned and not directly

controlled by public authority.

PRIVY - An outhouse or structure used for the deposition of excrement.

PRIVY VAULT - A pit beneath a privy in which excrement collects.

PUBLIC OR PUBLIC USE - In the classification of plumbing fixtures, public applies to

fixtures in general toilet rooms of schools, gymnasiums, hotels, railroad stations, public

buildings, bars, public comforts stations, or places to which the public is invited or which

are frequented by the public without special permission or special invitation, and other

installations (whether pay or free) where a number of fixtures are installed so that their

use is similarly unrestricted.

PUBLIC SEWER - A public sewer is a common sewer directly controlled by public

authority to which all abutters have equal rights of connections.

RELIEF VENT - A relief vent is a vent the primary function of which is to provide

circulation of air between drainage and vent system.

REPAIR - The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the

purpose of its maintenance. The word repair or repairs shall not apply to any change

of construction.

RETURN BEND - An open return bend, usually with inside threads, but applied also to

a one hundred eighty (180 degree) bend in a pipe.

REVENT PIPE - See back vent pipe.

RISER - A water supply pipe that extends vertically one full story or more too convey

water to branches or fixtures.

ROUGHING-IN - The installation of all pipes in the plumbing system that are in

partitions and under floors. It includes the plumbing work done before the setting of the

fixtures, or finishing.

SANITARY SEWAGE - The sewage containing human excrement and liquid household

waste; also called domestic sewage.

SANITARY SEWER - A sewer intended to receive sanitary sewage with or without

industrial wastesand without the admixture of surface water, storm water, or drainage.

SEAL - The vertical distance between the dip and the crown weir of a trap. Also, the

water in the trap between the dip and the crown weir.

SECONDARY BRANCH - And branch in a building drain other than the primary branch.

SEPTIC TANK - A septic tank is a watertight receptacle, which receives the discharge

of a plumbing system or part thereof, and is designed and constructed so as to separate

solids from the liquid digest the organic matter through a period of detention, and allow

the effluent to discharge into a storm drain; or directly to the ground outside the tank

through a system of open joint or perforated piping.

SERVICE PIPE - The pipe from the water main or source of water supply to the building

served.

SEWAGE - The liquid wastes conducted away from residences, business buildings,

institutions, industrial establishments; and with such ground, surface, and storm water

as may be present.

SEWER - A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage and waste liquids.

SEWERAGE, OR

SEWERAGE WORKS - A comprehensive term, including all construction for collection,

transportation,

pumping, treatment and final disposition of sewage.

SHAFT - A vertical opening through a building for elevators, dumb-waiter, ventilation or

similar purpose.

SHALL - As used in this Code, is mandatory.

SIAMESE CONNECTION - A wye connection used on fire lines so that two lines of

hose may be connected to hydrant or to the same nozzle.

SIPHONAGE. - A suction by the flow of liquids in pipes. A pressure less than

atmospheric.

SOIL PIPE - A soil pipe is any pipe which conveys the discharge of water closets,

urinals, or fixtures having similar functions. Also, a cast-iron pipe, with bell and spigot

ends, used in plumbing to convey fecal matter or liquid wastes.

SOIL STACK PIPE - A vertical soil pipe conveying fecal matter and liquid waste.

SPIGOT - The end of a pipe, which fits into a bell. Also a word used synonymously with

faucet.

STACK - A general term used for any vertical line of soil, waste, or vent piping.

STACK VENT - A stack vent is the extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest

horizontal drain connected to the stack.

STANDPIPE - A vertical pipe usually used for the storage of water, frequently under

pressure.

STORM WATER - Storm water is that portion of the rainfall or other precipitation, which

runs off over the surface after the storm and for such a short period following a storm as

the flow exceeds the normal runoff.

STORY - Story is that portion of a building included between the upper surface of any

floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall

be that portion of a building of a building included between the upper surface of the

topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. If the finished floor level directly above a

basement or cellar is more than six (6) feet above grade such basement or cellar shall

be considered a story.

SUBSOIL DRAIN - Subsoil drains are underground drain pipes that receives only sub-

surface or seepage water and convey it to place of disposal.

SUMP - A pit or receptacle at a low point to which the liquid wastes are drained.

SUPPORTS - Supports, hangers, anchors, brackets, cradles are devices for holding

and securing pipes and fixtures to walls, ceiling, floors, or structural members.

SURFACE WATER - Surface water is that portion of a rainfall or other precipitation

which runs off over the surface of the ground.

SWIMMING POOL - A water receptacle used for swimming designed to accommodate

more than one bather at time and properly connected to a disposal system.

TAPED TEE - A cast-iron bell-end tee with the branch tapped to receive a threaded

pipe of fitting .

TRAP - A fitting or device so constructed as to prevent the passage of air, gas, and

some vermin through a pipe without materially affecting the flow of sewage or waste

water through it.

TRAP SEAL - See seal.

UNIT VENT - An arrangement of venting so installed that one vent pipe will serve two

(2) traps.

VACUUM - An air pressure less than that atmospheric. Also, siphonage.

VENT - A pipe or opening used to ensuring the circulation of air in plumbing system and

for reducing the pressure exerted on trap seals.

WET VENT - Wet vent is that portion of a vent pipe through which liquid waste flow.

WASTE PIPE - A waste pipe is a pipe, which conveys only liquid waste, free of fecal

matter.

YARD - A yard is an open, unoccupied space, other than a court, unobstructed from the

ground to the sky, except where specifically provide by this Code, on the lot on which a

building is situated.

Types Of Water Closet

SIPHON-VORTEX

Water enters through diagonal punching around the rim of the bowl, creating a vortex

that draws the water down into the rear trap with a swirling action that scours the walls

of the bowl. Water strikes two parallel ridges and folds over forming a jet, producing

siphonic action. Large water surface provides a very efficient and clean process, and

the flushing is extremely quiet. This model is mostly of one-piece construction with a low

profile. Expensive.

SIPHON-JET

Water enters through rim punchings and jets placed in an up-leg of the rear trap, filling

the trapway and creating an instant siphon action without rise of water level. The result

is quick water withdrawal. Large water surface provides an efficient and clean operation.

With quiet flushing and moderate cost, this is the most popular residential model.

REVERSE-TRAP

Water enters through rim punchings and through a jet that fills the rear trapway

completely, creating a siphon action and resulting in quick withdrawal of water from the

bowl. A water jet is located at the inlet of the trapway. Most of the bowl surface is

covered with water. This model is efficient but moderately noisy. Its cost is reasonably

low.

WASH-DOWN

Water enters through an open rim, as though a bucket of water were dumped into the

bowl, filling the front trapway and creating siphon action. This model provides quick

removal of water with minimum water rise. Small water surface makes the model more

vulnerable to soiling and clogging. This is the least efficient and most noisy type but

lowest in cost.

PRESSURE/TANKLESS

Strong flushing action is created by a jet of water directed into the rim and jet. The force

of the jet draws the bowl contents into the rear trap. It doesn't use siphonic action but

relies on the driving force of jet action. At flush valve 25 psi is needed with 1.5-in. inlet

spud. Large water surface and large trapway size make this model efficient and suitable

for commercial use. Flushing is very noisy. Expensive.

PRESSURE/TANK

A steel tank is located inside the china tank. Uses pressure from the water supply

system. A 1.5 in. water supply line provides 25 psi pressure, compressing trapped air in

the tank. When flushed the compressed air forces the water out. The bowl is designed

to accept the torrent of water. The crest of the surging water empties the bowl through

the enlarged trap. Large water surface makes this model efficient. Design features

make it suitable for residential use. Flushing is very noisy. Low water usage (1.5 gpf)

helps conserve water. Expensive.

IDENTIFICATION OF PIPE BY COLOR

COLOR MATERIAL PIPED PIPE IDENTIFICATION

RED Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide

Water (Fire Service) Fire Service Water

ORANGE Acetylene Acetylene

Blast Furnace Gas B.F. Gas

Gasoline Gasoline

Grease Grease

Hydrogen Hydrogen

Oxygen Oxygen

Oil Oil

Tar Tar

Producer Gas Producer Gas

Liquid Petroleum Gas LPG

Oil and Water Oil and Water

Vacuum-High High Vacuum

YELLOW Acid Acid

Air-High Pressure H.P. Air

Ammonia Ammonia

Steam-High Pressure H.P. Steam

Steam-Low Pressure L.P. Steam

Water-Boiler Feed Boiler Feed Water

Water-Hot Hot Water

Water-High Pressure H.P. Water

GREEN Air-Low Pressure L.P. Air

Argon-Low Pressure L.P. Argon

Helium-Low Pressure L.P. Helium

Nitrogen-Low Pressure L.P. Nitrogen

Water-Cold Cold Water

Water-Distilled Distilled Water

Water-Low Pressure L.P. Water

Water-Treated Treated Water

Oil and Water Oil and Water