BASIC PRINCIPLES 

No portion of any plumbing system shall be

 Plumbing fixtures, devices & appurtenances shall be supplied with concealed until inspected & approved
water in sufficient volume and at pressure adequate to enable them  All Administrative Plumbing Personnel,
to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal Plumbing Inspector shall be a Registered
conditions of use. Licensed Master Plumber
 Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum  Inspection Request:
quantity of water consistent with proper performance and cleaning.  Shall be filed at least three (3) working days
 Each family dwelling unit on premises abutting on a sewer or with a before such inspection is intended.
private sewer-disposal system shall have at least one water closet  Shall be in writing & jointly signed by Owner
and one kitchen-type sink. Further, a lavatory and bathtub or shower & the Registered and Licensed Master
shall be installed to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and Plumber-Contractor.
personal hygiene. 4. CONNECTION APPROVAL
 Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent material,  Permanent Connection: shall be approved by
free from concealed fouling surfaces & shall be located in ventilated Administrative Authority
enclosures.  Temporary Connection: shall be endorsed by
 All piping of plumbing systems shall be of durable NAMPAP- Administrative Authority to other authorities or
APPROVED materials, free from defective workmanship, designed government agencies.
and constructed by Registered Master Plumbers to ensure CHAPTER 2: DEFINITIONS
satisfactory service.
 ABS - Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene
 Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be
 ACCESSIBLE - When applied to a fixture, connection,
equipped with a water-sealed trap.
appliance or equipment, shall mean having access thereto, but which
 The drainage piping system shall be designed to provide adequate
may require prior removal of an access panel, door or similar
circulation of air free from siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap
obstruction.
seals under ordinary use.
 READILY ACCESSIBLE - shall mean direct access
 Plumbing systems shall be subjected to such tests to effectively
without necessity of removing any panel, door or similar obstruction
disclose all leaks and defects in the workmanship.
 AIRBREAK- a physical separation, which may be a low inlet into
 Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of
the indirect waste receptor from the fixture, appliance or device
food, water, sterile goods & similar materials by backflow of
indirectly connected.
sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall be
 AIR GAP, DRAINAGE- the unobstructed vertical distance through
connected indirectly with the building drainage system.
the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe,
 No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment, which is
plumbing fixture, appliance or appurtenance conveying waste to the
not properly lighted & ventilated.
flood level rim of the receptor.
 If water closets or other plumbing fixtures are installed in the
 AIR GAP, WATER DISTRIBUTION - an unobstructed
buildings where there is no sewer within a reasonable distance,
vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest
suitable provision shall be made for disposing of the building
opening from any pipe or faucet conveying potable water to the
sewage by some accepted method of sewage treatment and disposal,
flood-level rim of any tank, vat or fixture.
such as septic tank.
 APPROVED TESTING AGENCY - an organization
 Sewage or other waste from a plumbing system which may be
primarily established for purposes of testing to approve standards
deleterious to surface or sub-surface waters shall not be discharged
and approved by the Administrative Authority.
into the ground or into any waterway, unless first rendered
 BACKFLOW- the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or
innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.
substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water
from any source other than from its intended source.
CHAPTER 1: ADMINISTRATION  BACKFLOW CONNECTION- condition or any arrangement
whereby reverse flow can occur.
1. APPLICATION FOR PERMITS  BACKPRESSURE BACKFLOW- occurs due to an increased
 A Registered and Licensed Master Plumber shall file reverse pressure above the supply pressure. This may be due to
an application at the office of the Building Official in pumps, boilers, gravity or other sources of pressure.
behalf of the building owner: Application shall:  BACKFLOW PREVENTER- device or means to prevent flow of
 Identify & describe the plumbing work covered liquid from returning to the source of supply. Also called “Vacuum
 Have the description of the land upon which Breaker”
the plumbing work is to be done  BACK-SIPHONAGE- the flowing back of used, contaminated or
 Indicate the use or occupancy polluted water from a plumbing fixture or vessel into a water supply
 Be accompanied by plans, drawings, diagrams, pipe due to a negative pressure in such pipe.
computations, technical specifications, & other  BACKWATER VALVE- a device installed in the drainage system
pertinent data required by Administrative to prevent reverse flow.
Authority  BACKVENT PIPE - the part of the vent line, which connects
 Be signed by the Owner or permittee 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
 Be signed & sealed by the Registered &
fixture or fixture traps it serves. This is sometimes called an
Licensed Master Plumber.
“Individual Vent”
 Plans & Specifications:
 BALL COCK- a valve opened & closed by the fall & rise,
 All plumbing plans, drawings, diagrams,
respectively of an attached ball floating on the surface of the liquid.
design analyses/computations as required,
 BALL JOINT - a type of pipe connection in which a ball-shaped
technical specifications, bill of materials &
end is held in a cuplike shell and allows movements in every
other required documents for all types of
direction.
occupancy shall be prepared, signed & sealed
 BATTERY OF FIXTURES - any of two or more similar
by a Registered & Licensed Master
adjacent fixture which discharge into a common horizontal soil or
Plumber, without limitation pursuant to
waste branch.
Republic Act 1378, as amended.
 BELL OR HUB - that portion of a pipe which, for a short
 The above requirements shall be submitted in distance, is sufficiently enlarged to receive the end of another pipe
(6) sets of the same diameter for the purpose of making a caulked or push-
2. PERMIT ISSUANCE on joint.
 the Administrative Authority may issue Partial Permit  BENDING PIN (or IRON) - a tool for straightening or
for the construction of a part of a large and/or bending lead pipe.
complicated plumbing system before the entire plans &  BIDET- Also called a “stiz” bath.
specifications for the whole system submitted or  BLANK FLANGE- a pipe flange that is not drilled for bolt holes.
approved:  BLIND FLANGE- a flange that closes the end of the pipe. There is
 Retention of approved plans, specifications, computations no opening for the passage of liquid & gas.
& other pertinent data:  BLOW-OFF- a controlled outlet of a pipeline to discharge liquid or
 One (1) set for Administrative Authority detritus.
 Two (2) sets returned to the Applicant  BOILER BLOW-OFF- a valve outlet of a boiler that permits
 One (1) set kept at the Jobsite discharge of accumulated sediment.
 Expiration:  BRANCH- any part of piping system other than the main, riser or
 One (1) year from date of issuance stack.
 Within 120 days if the work is suspended or  BRANCH INTERVAL- a length of soil or waste stack
abandoned corresponding in the general to a storey height, but in no case less
2. APPLICATION FOR EXISTING PLUMBING SYSTEM than 2.43m within which the horizontal branches from one floor or
 Additions, Alterations or Repairs storey of a building are connected to the stack.
 Changes in Building Occupancy  BRANCH VENT- a horizontal vent connecting one or more
 Maintenance individual vertical back vents with the vent stack or stack vent.
 Moved Buildings  BRAZED JOINT- any joint obtained by joining of metal parts with
3. INSPECTIONS alloys which melt at temperatures higher than 499 degrees
 General: centigrade, but lower than the melting temperature of the parts to be
joined.
 B & S - Brown & Sharpe (Specification) or Bell & Spigot (Ends of  DRAIN- a pipe, which carries ground surface waters, storm water or
Pipes) wastewater into a building drainage system.
 BUILDING DRAIN- that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a  DRAINAGE SYSTEM- includes all the pipings within public or
drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste & private premises which convey sewage or other liquid wastes to a
other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building & conveys it to legal point of disposal but does not include the mains of a public
the building sewer beginning 0.6m outside the building wall. sewer system or a public sewage system or disposal plant.
 BUILDING SEWER- that part of the horizontal piping of a  DURHAM SYSTEM- a term used to describe soil or waste system
drainage system which starts from the end drain & conveys it to a where all pipings are of threaded pipe, tubing or other such rigid
public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage disposal system or construction using recessed drainage fittings to correspond to the
other point of disposal. types of piping.
 BUILDING SUBDRAIN - that portion of an underground system,  EFFECTIVE OPENING- is the minimum cross-sectional area at
which cannot drain by gravity into the building sewer. the point of water supply discharged measured or expressed in terms
 BUILDING SUPPLY- the pipe carrying potable water from the of: (also applicable to air gap installation)
water meter or other source of water supply to a building or other  Diameter of a circle
point of use or distribution on the lot. Building supply shall also  Diameter of a circle of equivalent cross-
mean water service connection. sectional area (if the opening is not circular)
 CAULKING- plugging an opening with oakum, lead or other  EXISTING WORK- the on-going installation of the plumbing
materials that are pounded into the annular space. Also, the material installation of the plumbing system or any part thereof which has
pounded into the annular opening. been installed prior to the effectivity of the National Plumbing
 CATCH BASIN - a receptacle in which liquids are retained Code.
for a sufficient period of time to allow settable material to deposit.  FERRULE- a metallic sleeve, caulked or joined to an opening in a
 CERTIFIED BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER - a person pipe, into which a plug is screwed that can be removed for cleaning
who has shown competence to test and maintain backflow or examining the interior of the pipe.
assemblies to the satisfaction of the Administrative Authority having  FIXTURE- a receptacle other than a trap attached into a plumbing
jurisdiction. system in which water or wastes may be collected or retained for
 CESSPOOL- a non-watertight lined excavation in the ground ultimate discharge into the plumbing system.
which relieves the discharge of a sanitary drainage system or part  FIXTURE BRANCH - the water supply pipe between the fixture
thereof, designed to retain the organic matter & solids discharging supply pipe & the water-distributing pipe.
therefrom, but permitting the liquid to seep through the bottom &  FIXTURE DRAIN-the drainpipe from the trap of a fixture to the
sides of the cesspool. junction of that drain with any other drainpipe.
 CHASE- a vertical shaft for installation of different pipe stacks.  FIXTURE SUPPLY- a water supply pipe connecting the fixture
 CHECK VALVE- a valve that automatically closes to prevent the with the fixture branch.
flow of liquid or gas in a reverse direction.  FIXTURE UNIT - is an arbitrary quantity in terms of which
 CIRCUIT VENT- a group vent pipe which starts in front of the the load producing effects of water requirements on the plumbing
extreme fixture connection on a horizontal branch and connects to system of different kinds of plumbing fixtures are expressed in some
the vent stack. A.k.a. “Loop Vent”. arbitrary chosen scale.
 COMMON VENT- A.k.a. “Loop Vent or Unit Vent”.  One fixture unit is equivalent to a rate of flow
 COMBINATION WASTE & VENT SYSTEM- a specially at 28.3 liters per minute or (1 cu. ft. per
designed system of waste piping embodying the horizontal wet minute)
venting of one or more sink or floor drains by means of a common  FLOOD LEVEL - the level in a fixture at which water
horizontal waste & vent pipe, adequately sized to provide free begins to overflow over the top of rim of the fixture.
movement of air above the flow line of the drain.  FLOOD LEVEL RIM- is the top edge of the receptacle from
 COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION - a structure which where water overflows.
any part of its structural framework will ignite & burn at a  FLOODED- a fixture is flooded when the liquid therein rises to the
temperature of 756 degrees centigrade or less. flood level rim.
 COMMON- that part of plumbing system designed & installed to  FLUSH TANK- a tank located above or integral with water closet,
serve more than (1) appliance, fixture, building or system. urinal or similar fixtures for flushing or removing excrements in the
 CONFINED SPACE- a room or space having a volume less than fixture.
1.4 m3 with 250 kilogram calorie of the aggregate input rating of  FLUSH VALVE - is a device located at the bottom of the
all fuel-burning appliances installed in that space. tank for the purpose of flushing water closet or similar fixtures.
 CONTINUOUS VENT- a continuous vent is vertical vent that is a  FLUSHOMETER TANK- is integrated within a n air accumulator
continuation of the drain to which the vent connects. vessel which is designed to discharge a predetermined quantity of
 CONTINUOUS WASTE- a drain connecting the compartments of water into fixtures for flushing purposes.
a set of fixtures to trap or connecting other permitted fixtures to a  FLUSHOMETER VALVE- is a device, which discharges a
common trap. predetermined quantity of water into fixtures for flushing purposes
 CONDUCTOR OR DOWNSPOUT- a vertical pipe to convey & is actuated by direct water pressure.
rainwater.  GATE VALVE- a valve in which the flow of water is cut off by
 CORPORATION COCK - a stop valve placed at the connection of means of a circular disc fitted against a machine-smoothed faces, at
the water service pipe to the water main. right angles to the direction of flow. The disk is raised or lowered by
 CRITICAL LEVEL- C-L or C/L marking on a backflow means of a threaded stem connected to the handle of the valve. The
prevention device or vacuum breaker is a point conforming to opening in the valve is usually as large as the full bore of the pipe.
approved standards & established by the testing laboratory (usually  GLOBE VALVE - a valve in which the flow of fluid is cut
stamped on the device by the manufacturer) which determines the off by means of a circular disc that fits over & against the horizontal
minimum elevation above the flood level rim of the fixture or valve seat. The movement of the plane of the disc is parallel to the
receptacle served where the device may be installed. When a normal direction of flow of water through the orifice (hole) resulting
backflow prevention devices does not bear a critical level marking, to tortuous passage which offers a high-pressure loss. (to throttle
the bottom of the vacuum breaker, combination valve or the bottom water pressure)
of any such approved device shall constitute the critical level.  GOOSENECK - a return bend of a small sized pipe, one
 CROSS-CONNECTION- any connection or arrangement, physical end of which is about 30cm long & the other end is about 7.5cm
or otherwise, between a potable water supply system and any long. It is commonly used as a faucet for a pantry sink. Also, the
plumbing fixture or any tank, receptacle, equipment or device, term means the flexible tubing connection between the service
through which enables non-potable, used, unclean, polluted, pipe & the water main.
contaminated water or other substances to enter into any part of such  GREASE INTERCEPTOR -an interceptor of at least 3
potable water system under any condition. cubic meters capacity to serve one or more fixtures which is
 DEAD-END- the extended portion of a pipe that is closed at one remotely located.
end to which no connections are made on the extended portion, thus  GREASE TRAP - a device designed to retain grease from
permitting the stagnation of liquid or air therein. 1 to a maximum of 4 fixtures.
 DEVELOPED LENGTH- the length of a pipe along its centerline  GROUP VENT - a branch vent that performs its functions
& fittings for 2 or more traps
 DIAMATER- is the “nominal diameter” as designated  HORIZONTAL BRANCH - is a drain pipe extending
commercially: laterally from a soil or waste stack or building drain with or without
 I.D. - inside diameter vertical sections or branches, which receives the discharge from one
 O.D. - outside diameter or more fixture drains and conducts it to the soil or waste stack or to
 DOMESTIC SEWAGE- the liquid & water-borne wastes derived the building drain.
from the ordinary living processes, free from industrial wastes & of  HORIZONTAL PIPE- is any pipe or fitting installed in a
such character that permit satisfactory disposal without special horizontal position or which forms an angle of not more than
treatment. It is discharged into the public sewer or into a private forty-five 45 degrees from the horizontal plain.
sewage disposal system.  HOUSE DRAIN- is that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a
 DOUBLE-BEND FITTING - a pipe fitting with adjacent plumbing system which receives the discharges from soil, waste and
reverse bends and shaped like letter “S”. other drainage pipes inside of a building and conveys it to the house
 DOUBLE OFFSET- two offsets in succession or in series such that sewer outside of the building.
the centerlines of the outside ends are in the same straight line.  HOUSE SEWER- is that part of a plumbing system extending from
 DOWNSPOUT - the vertical portion of a rainwater the house drain at a point 0.60m from the outside face of the
conductor foundation wall of a building to the junction with the street sewer
 or to any point of discharge, and conveying the drainage of one performs some useful functions in the operation, maintenance,
building site. servicing, economy or safety of the plumbing system.
 HOUSE STORM SEWER - is the pipeline from the  PLUMBING FIXTURES- are approved-type installed receptacles,
building to the public or street storm drainage system. devices or appliances supplied with water or receive liquid or liquid-
 HUBLESS PIPES- are cast iron soil pipes with plain ends borne wastes and discharge such wastes into the drainage system to
connected together with bolted stainless steel bands and neoprene which they may be directly or indirectly connected. Industrial or
gaskets. commercial tanks, vats & similar processing equipment are not
 INDIRECT WASTE PIPE- is a pipe that does not connect directly plumbing fixtures, but may be connected to or discharged into
with the drainage system but conveys liquid wastes by discharging approved traps or plumbing fixtures.
into a plumbing fixture, interceptor or receptacle directly connected  PLUMBING SYSTEM- includes all potable water supply &
to the drainage system. distribution pipes, all plumbing fixtures & traps; all sanitary &
 INDIVIDUAL VENT- is a pipe installed to vent a fixture trap & storm drainage systems; vent pipes, roof drains, leaders &
which connects with the vent system above the fixture served to downspouts; & all building drains & sewers, including their
terminate in the open air. (a.k.a. backvent) respective joints & connections; devices, receptacles, tap, hot &
 INDUSTRIAL WASTE- any and all liquid or water-borne waste chilled water pipings; potable water treating or using equipment;
from industrial or commercial processes, except domestic sewage. fuel gas piping; water heaters & vents for same.
 I.P.S.- means Iron Pipe Size  PLUMBING UNIT- a minimum standard quantity of plumbing
 INSANITARY- a condition contrary to sanitary principles or fixtures that discharge wastes into a plumbing installation including:
injurious to health.  1 water meter
 INTERCEPTOR (CLARIFIER)- is a device designed & installed  1 water closet
to separate & retain deleterious, hazardous or desirable matters from  1 lavatory
normal wastes & permits normal sewage or liquid wastes to  1 shower head & drain for a bathtub or
discharge into the disposal terminal by gravity. shower stall
 INVERT- the lowest portion of the interior part of any pipe or  1 kitchen sink
conduit that is not vertical.  1 laundry tray
 LABELLED- equipment or materials bearing a label of a listing
 3 floor drains
agency. All labels shall be embossed, stamped or indelibly marked
 4 faucets/hose bibb
with stickers, glued on the finished product indicating the weight,
 PRESSURE- the normal force exerted by a homogeneous liquid or
specifications & logo of the manufacturer.
gas, per unit of area on the wall of the container
 LATERAL
 Static Pressure- the pressure existing without
 In plumbing – A secondary pipeline
any flow of motion
 In sewerage – A common sewer to which no
 Residual Pressure- the pressure available at
other branch sewer is connected. It receives
the fixture or water outlet; allowance is made
sewage from building sewer service
for pressure drop due to friction loss, head,
connections only.
meter & other losses in the system during
 LATRINE- a water closet consisting of a continuous through
maximum demand period.
containing water. The though extends under two or more adjacent
 PRIMARY BRANCH - of the building drain is the single sloping
seats. Prohibited by health authorities for permanent installations.
drain from the base of a stack to its junction with the main building
 LAVATORY- a.k.a. wash basin
drain.
 LEACHING CESSPOOL- a cesspool that is not watertight.
 PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM – a septic tank with
 LEADER- a pipe connected from building gutter to the downspout
the effluent discharging into a subsurface disposal field ,into one or
or conductor.
more seepage pits or into a combination of subsurface disposal field
 LENGTH OF PIPE- is measured along its centerline
& seepage pit or of such other facilities as may be permitted under
 LIQUID WASTE- is the discharge from any fixture, appliance or
the procedures set forth elsewhere in the Plumbing Code.
appurtenance in connection with a plumbing system which does not
 PRIVATE SEWER- a building sewer, which receives the
receive fecal matter.
discharge from more than one building drain & conveys it to the
 LOCAL VENT- a pipe or shaft to convey foul air from a plumbing
public sewer, private sewage disposal system, or other points of
fixture or a room to the outer air.
disposal.
 LOOP OR CIRCUIT VENT- a vertical vent connection on a
 PRIVY- an outhouse or structure used for the deposition of
horizontal soil waste pipe branch at a point downstream of the last
excrement.
fixture connection and turning to a horizontal line above the highest
 PRIVY VAULT- a pit beneath a privy where excrement collects.
overflow level of the highest fixture connected thereat; the terminus
 PUBLIC SEWER- a common sewer directly controlled by public
connected to the stack vent in the case of loop venting or to the vent
authority to which all abutters have equal rights of connections.
stack nearby in the case of circuit venting.
 PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE)
 MAIN- any system of continuous piping, which is a principal artery
of the system were branches are connected.  Potable water pipings- color-coded BLUE
 MAIN VENT- the principal artery of the venting system to which  Drainpipes- color-coded GRAY, ORANGE or
vent branches are connected. BROWN
 MOBILE HOME PARK SEWER - that part of the horizontal  QUALITY OF MATERIALS- all plumbing fixtures and materials
piping of sanitary drainage system which measures 0.6 meter used in any discharge or plumbing system or parts thereof shall be
downstream from the last mobile home site and conveys sewage free from defects.
to a public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage disposal system  RECEPTOR- an approved plumbing fixture device of such
or other points of disposal. materials, shape & capacity to adequately receive the discharge from
 NUISANCE- any work regulated by the “Plumbing law” that is indirect waste pipes, constructed & located to be readily cleaned.
dangerous to human life or detrimental to health & property  REGULATING EQUIPMENT- include all valves and controls
 OAKUM- hemp or old hemp rope soaked in oil or tar to make it used in plumbing systems which are accessible.
waterproof.  RELIEF VENT - a vertical vent line, the primary function of which
 OFFSET- in a line of piping is a combination of elbows or bends, is to provide additional circulation of air between the drainage &
which brings one section of the pipe out of the line but into a line vent systems or to act as an auxiliary vent on a specially designed
parallel with the original section. system such as a “yoke vent” connection between the soil & vent
 PB (POLYBUTELENE)- tube made of plastic material colored stacks.
black. The cross-sectional shape is normally oval and is denoted by  RETURN BEND- an open return bend usually made up of two
its outside diameter (O. D.). Normally used as water service 90degree bends with inside & outside threads, flanged, or welded
connection from main to meter. fittings; and also applied to 180 degrees bend in copper tubing.
 PE (POLYETHYLENE)- tube made of plastic material colored  RIM- an unobstructed top open edge of a fixture.
black. The cross-sectional shape is circular and is denoted by its  RISER- a water supply pipe, which extends vertically to one full
outside diameter (O. D.). story or more to convey water into a pipe branches or plumbing
 PIPE - a cylindrical conduit or conductor conforming to fixtures.
the particular dimensions commonly known as “pipe size” & its  ROUGHING-IN- the installation of all pipings and fitting parts of
denoted by its interior diameter (I. D.). the plumbing system, which can be completed prior to the
 PLUMBING- the art & technique of installing pipes, fixtures & installation of fixtures & accessories. These include sanitary &
other apparatuses in buildings for bringing the supply, liquids, storm drainage, tap, hot & chilled water supplies, gas pipings, vent
substances &/or ingredients & removing them; & such water, liquid pipings & the necessary fixture supports.
& other carried-wastes hazardous to health, sanitation, life, property;  SANITARY SEWAGE- the wastewater containing human
also the pipes and fixtures after installation i.e., the plumbing excrements & liquid household waste. Also called domestic sewage
system.  SEAL- the vertical distance between the dip & the crown weir of a
 PLUMBING APPLIANCE – any one of a special class of device trap. Also, the water in the trap between the dip & the crown weir.
or equipment intended to perform a special plumbing function. Such  SECONDARY BRANCH- any branch in the building drain or
device or equipment may operate automatically or may be manually other than the primary branch.
adjusted or controlled by the user or operator.  SEEPAGE PIT- a loosely lined excavation in the ground, which
 PLUMBING APPURTENANCE- a manufactured device or a receives the discharge of a septic tank & designed to permit the
prefabricated assembly or an on-the-job assembly of component effluent from the septic tank to seep through pit bottom & sides.
parts, and serves as adjunct to the basic piping system & plumbing  SEPTIC TANK- a water-tight receptacle which receives the
fixtures. An appurtenance demands no additional water supply nor discharge of a sanitary plumbing system or part thereof, designed &
does it add any discharge load to a fixture or the drainage system. It constructed to retain solids, digest organic material through a period
of detention & to allow the liquids to discharge into the soil outside
 of the tank through a system open-jointed sub-surface pipings or a  Sumps, condensers or intercepting tanks constructed of metal
seepage pit. shall be not less than No.12 U.S. Standard Gauge (2.77
 SERVICE PIPE- the pipe from the street water main or other mm thickness)
source of water supply to the building served.
 SEWAGE- any wastewater containing animal or vegetable matter 5. CHEMICAL WASTES
in suspension or solution and may include liquids containing  Where acid or corrosive chemical is placed & each vent pipe
chemicals in solution. connected thereto, shall be constructed of chemical-resistant
 SEWER- a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage & wastewater. glass-lined pipe, high silicon iron pipe, lead pipe not less
 SEWERAGE OR SEWERAGE WORKS- a comprehensive term, than 3.2 mm wall thickness, an approved type of ceramic
including all constructions for collection, transportation, pumping, glazed or unglazed vitrified clay or other approved corrosion
treatment & final disposition of sewage. resistant material.
 SHAFT - a vertical opening through a building for elevators,
6. VERTICAL WET PIPING
dumbwaiters, lights, ventilation or similar purposes.
 SIAMESE CONNECTION- a hose fitting with clapper valves for  Wet venting is limited to vertical drainage piping receiving
combining the flow from two or more lines of hose into a single the discharge from the trap arm of one (1) & two (2) fixture
stream. The inlet fitting of a fire standpipe located above ground unit. Fixtures that also serves as a vent for not to exceed
level. four (4) fixtures.
 Size of wet vent shall be:
 SIPHONAGE- a suction created by the flow of liquids in pipes. A
 Max. of 1 pipe size larger than the required min. waste
pressure less than atmospheric.
pipe size of:
 SHIELDED COUPLING- an approved elastomeric sealing gasket  the upper fixture
with an approved outer shield & a tightening mechanism.  the sum of the fixture units served by such wet-
 SLIP JOINT- an adjustable tubing connection, consisting of a vented section
compression nut, a friction ring, & a compression washer, designed  Min. 51 mm diameter
to fit a threaded adapter fitting or a standard taper pipe thread.
 SOIL STACK PIPE- a vertical soil pipe conveying fecal matter & 7. COMBINATION WASTE & VENT SYSTEMS (CW & VS)
wastewater.  Shall be permitted only where structural conditions preclude
 SOIL PIPE- any pipe, which conveys the discharge water from the installation of conventional systems
water closet, urinal or fixtures having similar functions, with or  Any branch more than 4.6 m in length shall be separately
without the discharges from other fixtures to the building drain or vented
building sewer.  Min. area of vent shall be 1/2 the inside cross-sectional
 SOLDERED JOINT- a pipe joint obtained by joining metal parts area of the drain pipe served.
with metallic fixtures or alloys which melt a temperature below 427  Min. dia. of traps shall be 2 pipe sizes larger than any
degrees centigrade & above 149 degrees centigrade. fixture, tailpiece or connection.
 SPIGOT- the end of a pipe which fits into a bell. Also a word used  In no case any tailpiece or connections shall exceed 0.6 m
“synonymously with faucet”. long.
 SPECIAL WASTE- wastes which require some special methods of
handling such as the use of indirect waste piping & receptors; 8. AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT
corrosion-resistant piping; sand, oil or grease interceptors;  19.1 mm min. size of condensate wastes pipe
condensers or other preteatment facilities.  Air-conditioning condensate waste pipes shall connect
 STACK- the vertical main of a system of soil, waste or vent pipings indirectly to the drainage system through an airgap or
extending through one or more stories & extended thru the roof airbreak.
 STANDPIPE- a vertical pip, or a reservoir, into which water is CHAPTER 9: VENTS & VENTING
pumped to give it at a head, classified as:
 Wet Standpipe- water pressure is maintained 1. MATERIALS
at all times
 Vent Pipes shall be of Cast Iron, Ductile Iron, Galvanized
 Automatic Standpipe System- operates Steel, Galvanized Wrought Iron, Lead, Copper, Brass,
automatically by opening a hose valve Schedule 40, ABS, DWV, Series 1000 PVC or other approved
 Manually-Operated Standpipe System- remote materials having smooth & uniform bore except that:
control device at each hose station  No Galvanized Wrought Iron or Galvanized Steel Pipe &
 Dry Standpipe- having no permanent water Fittings shall be used underground & shall be kept at least
inside the pipe. 152 mm above ground.
 STORM WATER- that portion of the rainfall or other precipitation  Horizontal & vertical vent lines & vent stacks shall be
which runsoff over the earth surface after a storm Copper, Cast Iron, Galvanized Wrought Iron or Polyvinyl
 SUBSOIL DRAIN- an underground drainpipe that receives only Chloride Pipes.
sub-surface or seepage water & convey it to a sump for disposal by  Vent Fittings shall be Cast Iron, Galvanized Malleable Iron
gravity flow or by lift pump. or Galvanized Steel, Lead, Copper, Brass, ABS, PVC,
 STACK VENT- an extension of a soil or waste stack above the Vitrified Clay Pipe or other approved materials having
smooth interior waterway of the same diameter as the piping
highest horizontal drain connected to the stack. The uppermost end
served.
above the roof is called “Stack Vent Through Roof” (SVTR).
 SUMP- an approved tank or pit which receives sewage or 2. SIZE OF VENTS
wastewater and is located below the normal grade of the gravity
system & must be emptied by mechanical means.  Shall not be less than 1 1/4 (32 mm) nor less than 1/2 the
dia. of the drain to which it is connected.
CHAPTER 8: INDIRECT WASTE PIPING, WET VENTED  The aggregate cross-sectional area shall not be less than the
SYSYTEMS & SPECIAL WASTES largest required building sewer.

1. INDIRECT WASTE CONDITIONS 3. VENT TERMINATION

 The airgap for drainage shall be not less than 25 mm  Each vent stack through roof (VSTR) shall:
between the plumbing fixture, appliance or appurtenance  extend its flashing all around the stack
outlet & the rim of the floor sink or receptor.  terminate vertically not less than 15 cm above the roof
 have a clearance of 0.3 m away from any vertical
2. INDIRECT WASTE PIPING surface nearby
 Each vent opening shall:
 Indirect waste pipes less than 4.6 m in length need not to be  not terminate not less than 3 m from or at least 0.9 m
larger in diameter than the drain outlet or tailpiece of the above any operable window, door opening, air intake or
fixture or 13 mm in diameter min. vent shaft
 at least 0.9 m min. away from any lot line, alley &
3. INDIRECT WASTE RECEPTORS
street boundary lines.
 No standpipe receptor for any clotheswasher shall extend
more than 8 m or less than 0.45 m above its trap. 4. VENT STACKS & RELIEF VENTS
 Stills, sterilizers & simillar equipment shall be drain  Yoke vent in connection with the vent stack shall be placed
through an airgap. not less than 1.0 m above the floor level.
4. STEAM & HOT WATER DRAINAGE CONDENSERS & SUMPS CHAPTER 10: TRAPS & INTERCEPTORS
 No steam pipe shall be directly connected to any part of a
plumbing or drainage system, nor shall any water having a 1. TRAPS REQUIRED
temperature above 60 degrees C be discharged under  Not more than 1 traps shall be permitted on a trap arm.
pressure directly into any part of a drainage system.  1 trap may serve:
 All condensers & sumps shall be properly trap with a deep  3 single compartment sink of the same depth
sealed trap extending within 152 mm at the bottom of the  3 lavatories immediately adjacent to each other not
tank. more than 0.75 m apart.
 Traps shall have 19 mm dia. opening to serve as siphon  In no case any tailpiece or connections shall exceed 0.6
breaker. m long.
 Sumps, condensers or intercepting tanks constructed of
concrete shall have: 2. TRAP SEALS
 Walls & bottom 102 mm thickness
 Each fixture trap shall have a water seal of not less than 51
 Cement plaster not less than 13 mm thickness
mm & not more than 102 mm deep.
3. INDUSTRIAL INTERCEPTORS (CLARIFIERS) & 6. ABANDONED SEWERS & SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
SEPARATORS  Every abandoned building (house) sewer, or part thereof,
 Shall be so designed & located as to be readily accessible for shall be plugged or capped in an approved manner within
cleaning & shall have a water seal of not less than 152 mm 1.5 m of the property line.
deep.  All drainage piping shall clear domestic water supply wells
by at least 15.2 m. The distance may be reduced to not less
4. GREASE TRAPS than 7.6 m when the drainage piping is constructed of
 Shall not be installed for a facility that has an approved rate materials approved for the use within a building.
of flow of greater than 3.4 L/sec & lower than 1.3 L/s. CHAPTER 13: JOINTS & CONNECTIONS
 The total capacity of fixtures discharging to any grease trap
shall not exceed 2 1/2 times the certified liters per minute 1. TYPES OF JOINT
flowrate of grease traps.
 Grease traps may be used as a fixture outlet provided:  Caulked joints - for bell-&-spigot Cast Iron Soil
 Hor. distance between the fixture & the grease trap (CISP) & other similar joints shall be firmly packed with
does not exceed 1.2 m. oakum or hemp & filled with pig lead to a depth of not less
 Vertical tailpipe or drain does not exceed 0.75 m. than 25.4 mm.
 Grease traps shall have an approved water seal of 51 mm  Threaded joints - for Iron Pipe Size
min. in depth or the diameter of its outlet. (IPS) pipe & fittings shall be standard taper pipe threads.
Threaded Plastic Pipe shall be Sch.80 min. wall thickness.
5. SAND INTERCEPTORS  Wiped joints - joints in lead pipe fittings or
2 between lead pipe or fittings & brass or copper pipe, ferrules,
 Shall be have a dimension of 0.2 m min. for the net free
solder nipples or traps shall be full-wiped lead joints. Wiped
opening of the inlet section & a 610 mm min. depth under
lead joints shall have an exposed surface on each side of a
the invert of the outlet pipe.
joint not less than 19 mm & at least as thick as the material
CHAPTER 11: STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM being joined.
 Solder & Sweat joints - joints in copper tubing shall be
1. RAINWATER SYSTEMS made by the appropriate use of approved brass or copper
fittings. Solders & fluxes with a lead content which exceeds
 Rainwater Downspout or Conductor Pipings placed within 0.002 are prohibited in piping systems used to convey potable
the interior side of the building inside a vertical pipe chase or water.
run within a vent shaft shall be of Cast Iron, Ductile Iron,  Flared joints - for soft copper water tubing
Galvanized Steel, Iron, Lead, Copper, Brass, Schedule 40,  Cement Mortar joints - except for repairs &
ABS, Series 1000 PVC DWV, or other approved materials. connections to existing lines constructed with such joints
 Rainwater Downspout or Conductor located on the such joints prohibited on new building sewers.
exterior side of a low height building shall be not less than  Burned Lead joints - shall be fused together to form a
Ga. 26 galvanized sheet metal. uniform weld at lest thick as the lead sheets being joined.
 Asbestos Cement Sewer Pipe joints - shall be a sleeve
2. ROOF DRAIN
coupling of the same composition as the pipe or of other
 Strainers approved materials, and sealed with neoprene rubber rings or
 Should not exceed 102 mm above the surface of the joined by approved type compression coupling
roof immediately adjacent to the drain  Mechanical joints - shall be for
 Dome-type strainers shall have at least 1 1/2 times the Centrifugal Cast Iron water pipe.
area of the outlet pipe to which it is connected.  Molded Rubber Coupling Joints - joined by means of
 Roof Deck strainers shall have at least 2 times the area molded neoprene rubber coupling joints. Neoprene rubber
of the outlet pipe to which it is connected. shall be used in soils subject to oil intrussion.
 Vertical Wall Areas  Elastomeric Gasketed & Rubber-ring Joints - shall
 For 1 wall – add 50% of area of the wall to the roof conform to IAMPO (International Association of Plumbing
area & Mechanical Officials) Installation Standard. Neoprene
 For 2 adjacent walls – add 35% of the total wall areas gaskets are recommended for oil handling piping works.
to the roof area  Pressure-Lock Type Connection - a mechanical
 For 2 walls opposite each other & of the same heights connection which depends on an internal retention device to
– add NO additional area prevent pipe or tubing separation. Connection is made by
 Vertical piping may be round, square or rectangular provided inserting the pipe or tubing inside the filling to a prescribed
that the area of a rectangular piping shall have at least the depth.
equivalent cross sectional area of a circular piping & its  Shielded Coupling & Hubless Cast Iron Pipe joints - shall
dimensions shall not exceed 3 to 1. not be considered as slip joints.
CHAPTER 12: HOUSE DRAINS & HOUSE SEWERS 2. USE OF JOINTS
1. SEWER REQUIRED  Clay Sewer pipes - shall be joined with
neoprene gasket for hub & spigot joints.
 It is considered that public sewer is not available if it is  Screwed Pipe to Cast iron Pipe - shall be either
located more than 61 m from the proposed building or caulked or threaded
exterior drainage facility or any lot or premises thereat.  Lead to Cast Iron, Wrought Iron or Steel - shall be
 Building sewer  beginning 0.6 m from outside face of the by means of wiped joints to caulking ferrule, soldering nipple
wall. or bushing.
 Copper Water Tube - shall be joined by brass fittings
2. SIZE OF BUILDING SEWERS
properly soldered or brazed together.
 Size of any building sewer shall be determined on the basis
of the total number of fixture units drained by such sewer, but 3. SPECIAL JOINTS
in no case size of building sewer shall be less than 150 mm.  Copper Tubing to Screw Pipe Joints - shall be made by the
use of brass adaptor fittings. Joints between copper tubing &
3. GRADE, SUPPORT, & PROTECTION OF BUILDING SEWER
the fittings shall be properly sweated or soldered or made
 Grade of building sewers shall not be less than 2%. In with flared & screw ends adaptor fittings the connection
special cases where 2% grade cannot be achieved, it may be between the treaded pipe & the fitting made with a standard
reduced but shall not be less than 1%. pipe size screw joint.
 Building sewer shall be installed not less than 0.6 m from  Slip joints - may be used in fixture drains &
the outer face of the building, foundation or wall nor less traps.
than 0.3 m below the finish surface of the ground.  Expansion joints - used in soil & waste stacks to
provide necessary expansion & contraction joints of the pipes
4. CLEANOUTS for high-rise buildings.
 Additional building sewer cleanouts shall be installed not to
exceed 15 m o.c. in straight runs & each aggregate change in
direction exceeding 135 degrees. 4. FLANGED FIXTURE CONNECTIONS
 No cleanouts will be required when a building sewer or a  Gasket Material shall be graphite - impregnated asbestos,
branch thereof does not exceed 3 m in length. felt, or similar approved types.
 Manholes can be installed in lieu of cleanouts & shall be
located not exceeding 91 m in between & outlet pipe
connections shall be made by the use of flexible compression CHAPTER 14: QUALITY & WEIGHTS OF MATERIALS, PLUMBING
joints no closer than 0.3 m from outside of the manhole. MATERIALS & REFLECTED STANDARDS

5. SEWER & WATER PIPES 1. USE OF COPPER TUBING

 The bottom of the water pipe, at all points, shall be at least  Copper tube shall not be used for piping carrying chemical or
0.3 m above the top of the sewer or drain line. industrial wastes
 Water pipes constructed of clay or other materials not
approved for the use within a building shall be laid a 0.3 m 2. LEAD
min. clear above the sewer or drain pipe.  Lead bends & lead traps shall not be less than 3.2 mm in
 Water pipe joints shall be installed not less than 3 m away wall thickness.
from sewer line in both directions.
3. CLOSET RINGS (CLOSET FLANGES)
 Each such closet ring or closet flange shall be approximately
178 mm in diameter, when installed together with the soil
pipe, present a 38 mm wide flange & a groove face to
receive the fixture gasket or ball wax.
 Caulked-on closet rings or closet flanges shall not be less
than 6.4 mm thick & not less than 51 in overall depth.

 Four (4) bolts per water closet.

4. VALVES & FITTINGS

 Drainage Gate Valves shall be:
 Cast Iron bodies for 102 mm or larger
 Cast Brass or Bronze bodies for sizes less than 102
mm

5. REFERENCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR PLUMBING

MATERIALS
 AHAM - Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers
 ANSI - American National Standard Institute
 ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
 ASSE - American Society of Sanitary Engineers
 AWWA - American Water Works Association
 CISPI - Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute
 CS & PS - Commercial Standards & Product
Standards
 FS - Federal Specifications
 IAPMO - International Association of Plumbing &
Mechanical Officials
 PDI - Plumbing & Drainage Institute
 PNS - Philippine National Standard Certification Mark
 UL - Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc.
 WQA - Water Quality Association
 ISO - International Standard Organization
 EN - European Committee for Standardization
Central Secratariat

6. PLUMBING MATERIALS (some)

 ABS - Acrylonitrile-Butadine-Styrene
 DWV - Drain, Waste & Vent
 CPVC - Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
 UPVC - Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride
 CPE - Chlorinated Polyethylene
 min. below the inlet.