Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B.

Hadulla, CE

PLUMBING
Plumbing
(derived from Latin word plumbarium / plumbum means lead)
The art and technique of installing pipes, fixtures and other apparatuses in
buildings for bringing in supply, liquids, substances and/or ingredients and removing
them; and such water, liquid and other carried-wastes hazardous to health, sanitation,
life, property; also the pipes and fixtures after installation i.e., the plumbing system.
Historical
During the heights of Greco-Roman civilization, the Romans are fascinated of
bathing daily. They are sanitary conscious that is why they introduced construction of
underground holes for sewage disposal. The need for water, they developed the aqueduct
which supply water.

PLUMBING SYSTEMS
MATERIALS:
1. Pipes
2. Valves and Fittings
3. Fixtures
4. Accessories
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PIPES:
1. Galvanized Iron (G.I.) or Steel Pipes made out of a Mild Steel drawn
through a die and welded cast into 6.00 meters long.
2. Plastic or Synthetic Pipe (two types : Rigid Type and Flexible Type)
Rigid Type: 3.00 meters in length
a. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
b. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (cPVC) - used for hot water
c. Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC)
d. Polypropylene (PP) - use for hot water
e. Acrylonitrile Butadine Styrone (ABS)
f. Styrene Rubber Plastic (SR)
Flexible Type:
a. Polyethylene (PE) - 30 meters long in coil form
b. Polkybutylene (PB) - 150 meters long in coil form
3. Cast Iron Pipe - one of the more popular materials used for plumbing.
Available in four (4) varieties: the standard pipe (with bell and spigot), the
double hub, the single hub, and the hubless pipe
Two Types:
a. SV - for building installations
b. XV - for underground installations this is extra heavy.
4. Acid Resistant Cast Iron Pipe - made of an alloy of cast iron and silicon,
commonly installed in chemical laboratories.
5. Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe - cheapest and lightweight, recommended for
house sewer and septic tank installation. It could take slight soil movement.
6. Vitirfied Clay Pipe - made form clay and with a length of 0.75 meter treated
with glazed compound, recommended either as public or house sewer or storm
drain. This pipe is brittle.
7. Lead Pipe - one of the oldest plumbing materials, and is highly resistant and
is very suitable to underground installation. Never use this pipe for human
consumption because it is poisonous.
8. Galvanized Wrought Iron Pipe
resistant to acid waste.

better than the steel pipe because it is more

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

9. Brass Pipe - The most expensive pipe, made of alloy of zinc and copper.
This pipe is a superior material for waste and water installation because of its
smooth surface and high resistance to acids.
10. Copper Pipes - a durable material which is extremely corrosive resistant-easy
to install.
Types:
a. K - heaviest for underground installations
b. L - lighter than type K, comes in flexible and rigid type
c. M - thinner and available only in rigid form
Color Code for Pipes:
Potable water
Sewage
Industrial system
Stand pipe
Hot water
Electrical
Communication cable

blue
orange brown
gray
red
white
orange or light gray
yellow

VALVES AND FITTINGS:

Types of Valves and Controls:
1.

Gate Valve - a valve in which the flow of water is cut off by means of a
circular disk. This valve is used when a normal fully open or closed position is
required. Either end may be used as an inlet.

2.

Globe Valve - used when it is desired to throttle the water supply. Same
end must always be used as inlet.

3.

Check Valve - a valve that automatically closes to prevent the flow of water
in a reverse direction.
Kinds of check valve:
a. Swing check valve
pressure.

has pivoted flap which is readily pushed open by

b. Horizontal or lift check valve - consist of a loose disk which closes by

gravity when the pressure on both sides are equal.
4.

Angle Valve - changes the direction of the flow of water as well as control
it. Act somewhat like glove valve but are usually used for a right angle turn.

5.

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.

6.

Corporation Cock - a stop valve placed in a service pipe close to its

connection with a water main; a device installed when tapping a city water main
with pressure.

7.

Faucet - a valve on a water pipe by means of which water can be drawn

from or held within the pipe.
Kinds:
a. compression cock - operate by compression of soft packing upon a
metal seat. (used for high pressure pipes)
b. key cock - operate by means of a round, tapering plug, perforated in one
direction perpendicular to its axis and ground to fit a metal seat.
c. self-closing faucet - arranged to discharge water while they are held
open by the hand and to close by a spring inside the faucet as soon as the
pressure of the hand is removed.

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

d. automatic (one-touch) faucet e. hose bibb - similar to compression cock but has a screw for connection
of water hose.
Type of Joints and Connections:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Caulked Joints
Threaded Joints
Compression Joints
Soldered or Welded Joints

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Flared Joints
Fusion Joints
Flanged
Solvent Cement Joints
Elastomeric Gasketed and Rubber-ring Joints

Types of Pipe Fittings:

Cap - a fitting into which the end of a pipe is screwed for the purpose of closing
the end of the pipe.
Plug - a pipe fitting with thread and projecting heads that is used for closing the
opening in another fitting.
Nipple

a pipe fitting with outside thread for connecting two pipes.

Coupling - a pipe fitting with inside thread for connecting two pipes; method of
pipe connection; a hort internally threaded section of a pipe, used to join two pipes or
conduit.
Sleeve

Union can be turned.

a pipe coupling
a pipe fitting used to connect the ends of two pipes, neither of which

Bushing
- a pipe fitting for connecting a pipe with a female fitting of a larger
size. It is hollow plug with internal and external threads.
Adapter fitting - any of various fittings designed to mate or fit to each other, two
pipes or fittings which are different in designed, when connecting the two
together would otherwise not be possible.
Service ell, or Street ell - a malleable iron fitting for threaded pipe having 45 or
90 degree bend, with inside thread on one end and outside thread on the other.
Reducer - are fittings used to connect pipes of different sizes in the same line;
a pipe coupling with inside threads, having one end with smaller diameter than the
other.
Increaser

a coupling with one end is larger than the other.

Trap
a fitting or device so designed and constructed as to provide, when
properly vented, a liquid seal which will prevent the back passage of air without
materially affecting the flow of sewage or waste water through it.
Tee - T-shaped fitting with two outlets, one at 90 to the connection to the main
line; Fitting should never be used with pipes carrying sewage but may be used with
vent pipes; change in drainage horizontal direction.
Elbow

a fitting joining two pipes at an angle.

Bend equivalent in degrees:

1/4

90

1/5

72

1/8

45

1/16

22.5

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

TYPES OF PLUMBING FIXTURES:

Fixtures serve by direct waste are:
1. Water closet
a. Washdown
d. siphon vortex

b. reverse trap
e. direct flush valve

c. siphon jet
f.. squat bowl

3. Urinal
a. pedestal

b. stall

c. wall hung

4. Lavatory
a. wall hung

b. pedestal

c. two piece

5. Sink
a. kitchen sink

b. pantry sink

c. scullery sink

d. slop sink

e. laundry sink

2. Bidet

6. Bathtub
a. sitz bath

b. foot bath,

7. Shower
a. single stall

b. gang shower

9. Laboratory
Fixtures serve by indirect waste are:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Soda fountain
Bar wastes
Refrigerator
Drinking Fountain

ACCESSORIES:
1. Soap holder
2. Roll paper holder or tissue paper holder
3. Shower curtain rod
4. Strainers
5. Medicine cabinet, etc.

WATER SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION

Water is a combination of two substances Hydrogen and Oxygen.
Three sources of water:
1. Rainfall
2. Natural Surface: rivers, lakes and ponds
3. Underground water: deep and shallow wells
Methods of purification and treatment of water:
1. Sedimentation:
2. Chemical treatments: chlorine
3. Filtrations: use of sand and gravel
a. slow process
b. mechanical or rapid process: by pressure and by gravity
4. Aeration: ex. Balara filters

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

Water Supply Equipment:

1. Pumps
Types:
1. Lift pump
2. Force pump
3. Reciprocating
4. Rotary
5. Centrifugal
6. Hydraulic Rams
7. Turbine pump
8. Seep well ejector
9. Submersible pump
10. Deep well reciprocating pump
2.

Tanks
Types:
1. Suction tank
2. Overhead tank
3. Pneumatic tank

Three ways of water distribution

1.
2.
3.

Upfeed system (normal)

Pneumatic tank (air pressure)
Downfeed system (by gravity)

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL
1. Cesspool
- hole in the ground with stones and bricks laid in such a manner
as to allow raw contaminated sewage to leach into the undersurface of the ground;
a pit for the reception or detention of sewage.
2. Pit Privy - is a concrete vault constructed for the collection of raw sewage
sealed with wooden shelter; an outhouse or structure used for the deposition of
excrement.
3. Septic Tank - is a receptacle or vault used to collect organic waste discharge
from house sewer.
4. Public Sewer Line - a public sewage disposal system consisting of sewage
treatment unit which conveys the raw sewage to the disposal system.
Kinds of Public Sewer Line:
a. Combination of Public Sewer - oldest type of sewer it conveys storm water
and sanitary wastes.
b. Sanitary Sewer - is a public sewer that only carried regular sanitary wastes
and terminated in a modern sewage disposal plant. Rainwater is not accepted.
c. Storm Sewer - is another kind of public sewer that carries storm water
and terminates into a natural drainage.
Types:
Intercepting sewer
directly to disposal plant.

construction is made of concrete pipes, and runs

Tributary sewers - made of vitrified clay or cement pipe laid in an open

trench not more than 3.00 meters below the street grade and terminates into
natural drainage such as lakes and river.
SEPTIC TANK
- Is a watertight receptacle which receives the discharge of a plumbing system or
parts thereof. Septic tank combines two process:
1. Sedimentation in then upper portion of the tank.
2. Anaerobic decomposition of accumulated sludge in the bottom.
Gases produced in the septic tank:
1. Metahane (CH4)
2. Carbon Dioxide (DO2)
3. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
4. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
5. Hydrogen (H2)
6. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Factors - considered in the construction and location of septic tanks:
1. It should be located of at least 15 meters (50 feet) away from any source of water.
2. Must be provided with inlet and outlet submerge and arranged so as not to disturb
the sludge and scum.
Sludge Scum

a semi-liquid mass that settles down the bottom of the tank (nonsoluble material).

- a mass of organic matter which floats on the surface of sewage.

3. Water content of the tank must be at least 1.20 meter deep for satisfactory results.

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

4. The base of digestive chamber should be sloped by 1% towards the center to

facilitate cleaning.
5. The top cover must be at least 0.15 meter above the surface of the soil.
Size of Septic Tank (for single family dwelling only; refer to the RA 1378 for sizing)
Width
=
0.90 m
Length
=
1.50 m
Depth
=
1.20 m
Note:
1. Leaching well is approximately 1/2 the volume of the digestion chamber or 1/3
length of the tank.
2. A downspout that collects water from the roof should not be permitted to terminate
into the septic tank.

SANITARY DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Three Grades of Waste Water:
1. Storm water

- from the rain

2. Grey water

- waste from laundries, wash basins, sinks, showers, bath tubs.

3. Black water

- water plus human waste solid and liquid, urine, that is flushed out
of toilets and urinals.

The Drainage System:

1. Drainage
2. Waste
3. Vent
Drainage System
Includes all the piping within public or private premises which convey sewage or
other liquid wastes to a legal point of disposal but does not include the mains of a public
sewer system or a public sewage treatment or disposal plant.

Drain
a pipe, which carries ground and surface waters, storm water or
wastewater into a building drainage system.

Area drain
open area.

Catch basin - a receptacle in which liquids are retained for a sufficient period
of time to allow settleable material to deposit.

Roof drain (gargoyle)

Roof leader
known as conductor or downspout. It connects the roof
terminal to the storm drain.

Downspout

a receptacle designed to collect surface or rainwater from an

receives storm water or rainwater from the roof.

the vertical portion of a rainwater conductor.

House drain (Building drain)

is that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a
plumbing system which receives the discharges from soil, waste and other
drainage pipes inside of a building and conveys it to the house sewer outside of
the building.
Types of house drain:
1. Combined drain waste..
2. Sanitary drain
only.
3. Industrial drain
-

receives the discharges of sanitary as well as storm

receives the discharges of sanitary and domestic wastes
receives the discharges from industrial equipments.

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

4. Storm drain
- receives the discharges of all storm, clear water or
surface water waste except sanitary wastes. Terminates into lakes, rivers, dry
runs or natural basins.

Sewer
a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage and wastewater
(conveys sewage).

Sewage

Sewerage - a comprehensive term, including all construction for collection,

transportation, pumping, treatment and final disposition of sewage.

The liquid wastes, storm water, ground/surface water.

House sewer (Building sewer) - is that part of a plumbing system extending from
the house drain at a point 0.60 meter from the outside face of the foundation wall
of a building to the junction with the street sewer or to any point of discharge,
and conveying the drainage of one building site.
House storm sewer drainage system.

is the pipeline from the building to the public or street storm

Waste pipe - is a pipe which receives the discharge of any fixture except water
closet and conveys the same to the soil pipe, soil branch or house drain.
Two types of waste pipe:
1. Direct waste - is one with the terminal directly connected to the plumbing
system.
2. Indirect waste - is one with a terminal not directly connected to plumbing
system.
Soil pipe - any pipe which receives and conveys the drainage of water closet, with
or without the discharges from other fixtures to the house drain.
Vent pipe - a pipe or opening used for ensuring the circulation of air in a plumbing
system and for relieving the negative pressure exerted on a trap seal.

Vent System - pipes installed to provide flow of air to or from a drainage system or
to provide a circulation of air within such system to protect trap seals from
siphonage and backpressure.
Different type of Vents:
1. Main soil or waste vent - is that portion of the soil pipe stack above the
highest fixture branch extended through the roof.
2. Main vent - the principal artery of the venting system to which vent
branches are connected.
3. Individual vent (Back vent pipe) - is a pipe installed to vent a fixture trap
and which connects with the vent system above the fixture served or
terminates in the open air.
4.

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 vent pipe at any point higher than the fixture or fixture raps it serves.
This is sometimes called an individual vent.

5. Unit vent (Dual vent) - an arrangement of venting so installed that one

vent pipe will serve two traps.
6. Common vent
vents).
7. Branch vent

used for back to back fixtures (same also to unit and dual
a horizontal vent connecting one or more individual back

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

vents with the vent stack of stack vent

8. Group vent
traps.
9.

a branch vent that performs its functions for two (2) or more

Loop or circuit vent a vertical vent connection on a horizontal soil or

waste pipe branch at a point downstream of the last fixture connection and
turning to a horizontal line above the highest overflow level of the highest
fixture connected thereat; the terminus connected to the stack vent in the case
of loop venting or to the vent stack nearby in the case of circuit venting.
(minimum of 5 fixtures or possible of 20 fixtures)

10. Relief vent - a vent the primary function of which is to provide circulation
of air between drainage and vent systems or to act as an auxiliary vent on a
specially designed system such as yoke vent connection between the soil
and the vent stacks (used if there are more than 10 fixtures).
11. Continuous vent - is a vertical vent that is a continuation of the drain to
which the vent connects (or vstr).
12. Wet vent (term for secondary branch) - is that portion of a vent pipe through
which liquid waste flow.
13. Dry vent

a vent that does not carry water or water-borned wastes.

14. Stack vent (wet) - the extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest
horizontal drain connected to the stack. The uppermost end above the roof is
called stack vent through roof (SVTR).
15. Vent stack (dry)
- the vertical vent pipe installed primarily for providing
circulation of air to and from any part of the soil, waste of the drainage system
Trap

a fitting or device designed and constructed to provide, when properly

vented, a liquid seal which prevents the backflow of foul air or methane gas
without materially affecting the flow or sewage or wastewater through it.
Types of Trap:
1. P-Trap - the most common and practical shape of trap manufactured in
the form of ap. Use in fixtures suspended from wall, lavatory, etc.
2. Drum trap

use for fixture set on the floor.

3. Grease trap - a device designed to retain grease from one to a maximum of

four units. Use where large amount of grease or oil is being discharged into
the plumbing system.
4. Garage trap
grease pit.

device designed to received waste from garage, wash rack,

Trap Seal - the maximum vertical depth of liquid that a trap will retain, measured
between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the trap.
Trap Seal loss is a problem and difficulty experienced in a drainage system.
Primarily due to inadequate ventilation of the trap wherein atmospheric pressure
affect the installation.
Trap seal may be lost under the following ways:
1. Siphonage - a suction created by the flow of liquids in pipes. The result
of minus pressure in the drainage system.
2. Back pressure
- air pressure in drainage pipes greater than atmospheric
pressure. Caused by plus pressure which blows the water out of the fixture.
3. Evaporation - happen only on floor drain not regularly use.
4. Capillary
the action by which the surface of a liquid, where it is in
contact with solid, is elevated or depressed depending upon the relative

Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

attraction of the molecules of the liquid for each other and for those of the
solid.

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).

APPROVED

- Approved means accepted or acceptable under an applicable

specification stated 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 / DPWH

- 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.

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Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

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.)

CAULKING

- 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

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 exterior walls 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
DIAMETER

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

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

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Prepared by: Engr. Adzcer B. Hadulla, CE

SYSTEM

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.
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.

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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
WASTE

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

MASTER
PLUMBER

- 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.

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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 partitins

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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
waste and without the admixture of surface water, storm water, or
drainage.
SEAL
SECONDARY
BRANCH

- 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.
- 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
SEWAGE WORK

- 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.

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-

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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.

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I. ESSENTIAL PARTS OF PLUBMING SYSTEM

(SANITARY DRAINAGE)
1. HOUSE SEWER OR
BUILDING SEWER - That horizontal run of pipe, starting from 5 outside the building
which receives the sewage from the house drain or building and
conveys the same to the sewer main or approved point of disposal..
2. HOUSE DRAIN OR
BUILDING DRAIN
-The lowest horizontal run of pipe inside the building which receives
the discharge from fixtures and other branches and conveys the same
to the house or building sewer.
3. PRIMARY BRANCH
4. SECONDARY
BRANCH
5..HORIZONTAL
BRANCH

-The Primary Brach of a building drain is the single sloping drain from
the base of a stack up to its junction with the main building drain or
with other branches. The primary branch is also called a Lateral.
-That horizontal run of pipe emanating from a fixture or group of
fixtures up to its junction with the primary branch.
-That t horizontal run of pipe, which receives the distance from fixture
and convey the same to the stack.

6. BRANCH INTERVAL

-That length of pipe of a stack no less than eight feet which receives
the discharge from the horizontal branch.

7. SOILSTACK

-The vertical run of pipe, which receives discharge from fixture without
fecal matter.

8. WASTE STACK

-That vertical matter run of pipe, which receives discharge from

fixtures without fecal matter.

9. LATERAL

- In lateral plumbing - a secondary pipe line. In sewerage a common

sewer to which no other common sewer is tributary. It receives
sewage only from building sewer.

10. FIXTURE DRAIN

-The drain from the trap of the fixture to the junction of the fixture to
the drain of the pipe. ( See definition of terms).

11. SPECIAL WASTE OR

INDIRECT WASTE
PIPE

- Waste water pipe from fixtures or appliances which is allowed to

discharge into a properly vented fixture and with no direct connection
with the drainage system.

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