CHAPTER 2 – TERMS any proposed use under fixture traps it serves.

procedures and powers This is sometimes called

• ABS - Acrylonitrile-
of the Administrative an individual vent. See
Butadiene-Styrene
Authority. Revent pipe.
• ALLEY - any public
• APPROVED TESTING • BALL COCK - a valve
space. public park or
AGENCY - an opened and closed by
thoroughfare less than
organization primarily the fall and rise,
three (3) meters but not
established for purposes respective! y, of an
less than two (2) meters
of testing to approve attached ball floating on
in width dedicated or
standards and approved the surface of the liquid.
deeded for public use.
by the Administrative
• BALL JOINT- a type of
• ALTER or ALTERATION Authority.
pipe connection in which
- any change, addition or
• BACKFLOW - the flow of a ball-shaped end is held
modification in
water or other liquids, in a cuplike shell and
construction or
mixtures or substances allows movements in
occupancy.
into the distributing pipes every direction.
• ACCESSIBLE - when of a potable wpply of
• BATHROOM - a room
applied to a fixture, water from any source
equipped with a shower
connection, appliance or other than from its
stall or bathtub.
equipment, shalt mean intended source.
having access thereto, • BATTERY OF
• BACKFLOW
but which may require FIXTURES- any of two
CONNECTION -
prior removal of an or more similar adjacent
condition or any
access panel, door or textures which discharge
arrangement whereby
similar obstruction. into a common
reverse flow can occur.
"Readily accessible" horizontal soil or waste
shall mean direct access • BACKPRESSURE branch.
without the necessity of BACKFLOW - occurs
• BELL OR HUB - that
removing any panel, due to an increased
portion of a pipe which,
door or similar reverse pressure above
for a short distance, is
obstruction. the supply pressure.
sufficiently enlarged to
This may be due to
• AIRBREAK- a physical receive the end of
pumps, boilers, gravity
separation. which may another pipe of the same
or other sources of
be a low inlet into the diameter for the purpose
pressure.
indirect waste receptor of making it caulked or
from the fixture, • BACKFLOW push-on joint.
appliance or device PREVENTER- device or
• BENDING PIN (or
indirectly connected. means to prevent flow of
IRON)-a tool for
liquid from returning to
• AIR GAP, DRAINAGE - straightening or bending
the source of supply.
the unobstructed vertical lead pipe.
Also called vacuum
distance through the free
breaker. • BIBB - synonymous with
atmosphere between the
faucet, cock, tap, plug,
lowest opening from any • BACK SIPHONAGE -
etc. The word "faucet" is
pipe, plumbing fixture, the flowing back of used,
preferred.
appliance or contaminated or ·
appurtenance conveying polluted water from a • BIDET - A plumbing
waste to the flood level plumbing fixture or fixtures used for washing
rim of the receptor. vessel into a water the middle private part of
supply pipe due to a the body, especially the
• AIR GAP, WATER
negative pressure in genitals. Also called a
DISTRIBUTION- an
such pipe. See backflow. "sitz" bath.
unobstructed vertical
distance through the free • BACKWATER VALVE - a • BLANK FLANGE- A pipe
atmosphere between the device installed in a flange that is not drilled
lowest opening from any drainage system to for bolt holes.
pipe or faucet conveying prevent reverse flow.
potable water to the • BLIND FLANGE - a
• BACKVENT PIPE - the flange that closes the
flood-level rim of any
part of a vent line, which end of a pipe. There is no
tank, vat or fixture.
connects directly with an opening for the passage
• APPROVED - accepted individual trap of liquid or gas.
or acceptable under an underneath or behind
applicable specification the fixture and extends • BLOW-OFF - a
or standard stated or to the branch or main controlled outlet of a
cited in this Code., or vent pipe at any point pipeline to discharge
accepted as suitable for higher than the fixture or liquid or detritus.
• BOARD - the Licensure building and conveys it which receives the
Board for Master to the building sewer discharge of a sanitary
Plumbers beginning 0.6 meter drainage system or part
outside the building wall. thereof, designed to
• BOILER BLOW-OFF- a
retain the organic matter
valved outlet of a boiler • BUILDING SEWER -
and solids discharging
that permits discharge of that part of the horizontal
therefrom, but permitting
accumulated sediment. piping of a drainage
the liquid to seep
system which starts from
• BRANCH -any part of through the bottom and
the end of the building
the piping system other sides of the cesspool.
drain and which receives
than a main, riser or
the discharge of the • CHASE-a vertical shaft
stack .
building drain and for installation of
• BRANCH INTERVAL - a conveys it to a public different pipe stacks.
length of soil or waste sewer, private sewer,
• CHECK VALVE-a valve
stack corresponding in individual sewage
that automatically closes
general to a story height, disposal system or other
to prevent the flow of
but in no case less than point of disposal.
liquid or gas in a reverse
2.43 meters within which
• BUILDING SUBDRAIN - direction
the horizontal branches
that portion of an
from one floor or story of • CIRCUIT VENT - a
underground system,
a building are connected group vent pipe which
which cannot drain by
to the stack. starts in front of the
gravity into the building
extreme fixture
• BRANCH, FIXTURE - sewer.
connection on a
see Fixture Branch
• BUILDING SUPPLY - the horizontal branch and
• BRANCH, pipe carrying potable connects to the vent
HORIZONTAL - see water from the water stack. Sec loop' vent,
Horizontal Branch meter or other source of also.
water supply to a
• BRANCH VENT - a • CLARIFIER - Sec
building or other point of
horizontal vent Interceptor
use or distribution on the
connecting one or more lot. Building supply shall • CODE -The word ''Code"
individual vertical back also mean water service or "this Code," when
vents with the vent stack connection. used alone, shall mean
or stack vent.
these regulations,
• CAULKING ·- plugging
• BRAZED JOINT - any subsequent
an opening with oakum,
joint obtained by joining amendments thereto or
lead or other materials
of metal parts with alloys any emergency rule or
that are pounded into the
which melt at regulation which the
annular space. Also, the
temperatures higher Administrative Authority
material pounded into
than 449 degrees having jurisdiction may
the annular opening.
centigrade, but lower lawfully adopt.
than the melting • CAP- a fitting, screwed
• COMBINATION WASTE
temperature of the parts or caulked over the end
AND VENT SYSTEM - a
to be joined. of a pipe for closing the
specially designed
pipe end.
• B & S- Brown and system of waste piping
Sharpe (Specification) or • CATCH BASIN - a embodying the
Bell and Spigot (Ends of receptacle in which horizontal wet venting of
Pipes) liquids are retained for one or more sinks or
sufficient period to allow floor drains by means of
• BUILDING -a structure settleable material to a common horizontal
built, erected and framed deposit. waste and vent pipe.
of component structural adequately sized to
parts designed for the • CERTIFIED
provide free movement
housing. shelter, BACKFLOW
of air above the· flow line
enclosure or support of ASSEMBLY TESTER - a
of the drain.
persons, animals or person who has shown
property of any kind. competence to test and • COMBUSTIBLE
maintain backflow CONSTRUCTION - a
• BUILDING DRAIN - that assemblies to the structure which any part
part of the lowest satisfaction of the of its structural
horizontal piping of a Administrative Authority framework will ignite and
drainage system which having jurisdiction. burn at a temperature of
receives the discharge 756 degrees centigrade
from soil, waste and • CESSPOOL - a non-
or less.
other drainage pipes watertight lined
inside the walls of the excavation in the ground
• COMMISSION -The • CRITICAL LEVEL - C-L • DEVELOPED LENGTH -
Professional Regulation or C/L marking on a the length of a pipe along
Commission (PRC). backflow prevention its centerline and fittings.
device or vacuum
• COMMON - that part of a • DIAMETER- unless
breaker is a point
plumbing system specifically stated, the
conforming to approved
designed and installed to term "diameter'' is the
standards and
serve more than one (1) nominal diameter as
established by the
appliance, fixture, designated
testing laboratory
building or system. commercially. I. D.
(usually stamped on the
denotes inside diameter
• COMMON VENT - see device by the
of pipe and O.D. denotes
unit vent and dual vent. manufacturer) which
outside diameter of tube.
determines the minimum
• CONFINED SPACE - a elevation above the flood • DOMESTIC SEWAGE-
room or space having a level rim of the fixture or the liquid and water-
volume less than 14 receptable served where home wastes derived
cubic meter with 250- the device may be from the ordinary living
kilogram calorie of the installed. When a processes, free from
aggregate input rating of backflow prevention industrial wastes and of
all fuel burning device does not bear a such character that
appliances installed in critical level marking, the permit satisfactory
that space. bottom of the vacuum disposal without special
• CONTAMINATION - an breaker, combination treatment. It is
impairment of the quality valve or the bottom of discharged into the
of the potable water any such approved public sewer or into a
which creates an actual device shall constitute private sewage disposal
hazard to the public the critical level. system.
health through poisoning • CROSS-CONNECTION- • DOUBLE-BEND
or spread of disease by any connection or FITTING -· a pipe fitting
sewage, industrial fluids arrangement, physical or with adjacent reverse
or waste. Also, defined otherwise, between a bends and shaped like
as High Hazard. potable water supply the letter "S''
• CONTINUOUS VENT - a system and any
plumbing fixture or any • DOUBLE OFFSET- two
continuous vent is
tank. receptable, offsets in succession or
vertical vent that is a
equipment or device, in series such that the
continuation of the drain
through which enables centerlines of the outside
to which the vent
non-potable, used, ends are in the same
connects.
unclean, polluted, straight line.
• CONTINUOUS WASTE contaminated water or • DOWNSPOUT - the
- a drain connecting the other substances to vertical portion of a
compartments of a set of enter into any part of rainwater conductor.
fixtures to a trap or such potable water
connecting other system under any • DRAIN - a pipe, which
permitted fixtures to a condition. carries ground and
common trap. surface waters, storm
• DEAD-END - the water or wastewater into
• CONDUCTOR OR extended portion of a a building drainage
DOWNSPOUT - a pipe that is closed at one system.
vertical pipe to convey end to which no
rainwater. connections arc made • DRAINAGE SYSTEM -
on the extended portion, includes all the pipings
• CORPORATION COCK
thus permitting the within public or private
- a stop valve placed at
stagnation of liquid or air premises which convey
the connection of the
therein. sewage or other liquid
water service pipe to the
wastes to a legal point of
water main. • DEPARTMENT HAVING disposal but does not
JURISDICTION - the include the mains of a
• COURT - an open,
Administrative Authority public sewer system or a
unoccupied space,
and includes any other public sewage treatment
bounded on two (2) or
law enforcement agency or disposal plant.
more sides by the walls
concerned by any
of the building. An inner
provision of this Code, • DRY VENT- a vent that
court is a court entirely
whether Such agency is does not carry liquid or
within the exterior walls
specifically named or water-borne wastes.
of a building. All other
not.
courts are outer courts. • DUAL VENT- see unit
Vent.
• DURHAM SYSTEM-a a fixture to the junction of • FLUSHOMETER
term used to describe that drain with any other VALVE-is a device,
soil or waste system drainpipe. which discharges a
where all pipings are of predetermined quantity
• FIXTURE SUPPLY - a
threaded pipe, tubing or of water into fixtures for
water supply pipe
other such rigid flushing purposes and is
connecting the fixture
construction using actuated by direct water
with the fixture branch.
recessed drainage pressure.
fittings to correspond to • FIXTURE UNIT - is an
• GATE VALVE-a valve in
the types of piping. arbitrary quantity in
which the flow of water is
terms of which the load
• EFFECTIVE OPENING - cut off by means of a
producing effects or
is the minimum cross- circular disc fitted
water requirements on
sectional area at the against machine-
the plumbing system of
point of water supply smoothed faces, at right
different kinds of
discharge measured or angles to the direction of
plumbing fixtures are
expressed in terms of: ( flow. The disk is raised or
expressed in some
1) diameter of a circle; lowered by means of a
arbitrarily chosen scale.
(2) if the opening is not threaded stern
One fixture unit is
circular, the diameter of connected to the handle
equivalent to a rate of
a circle of equivalent of the valve. The opening
flow at 28.3 liters per
cross-sectional area. in the valve is usually as
minute ( l cu. ft ./minute).
(This is applicable also large as the full bore of
to air gap installation.) • FLOOD LEVEL- the the pipe.
level in a fixture at which
• EXISTING WORK - the • GWBE VALVE-a valve in
water begins to overflow
on-going installation of which the flow of fluid is
over the top or rim of the
the plumbing system or cut off by means of a
fixture.
any part thereof which circular disc that fits over
has been installed prior • FLOOD LEVEL RIM -is and against the
to the effectivity of this the top edge of a horizontal valve seat.
Code. receptacle from where The movement of the
water overflows. plane of disc is parallel to
• FAMILY - one person
the normal direction of
living alone or a group • FLOODED - a fixture is flow of water through the
Jiving together, whether flooded when the liquid orifice resulting to a
related to each other by therein rises to the flood tortuous passage which
birth or not. level rim. offers a high-pressure
• FAUCET-a valve located • FLOOR AREA - the area loss.
at the end of a water pipe included within • GOOSENECK - a return
through of which water surrounding walls of a bend of small-sized pipe,
can be drawn from or building (or portion one end of which is
held within the pipe. thc1eof), exclusive of about 30 em. long and
vent shafts and courts. the other end is about 7.
• FERRULE - a metallic
sleeve, caulked or joined • FLUSH TANK·-a tank 5 em. long. It is
to an opening in a pipe, located above or integral commonly used as a
into which a plug is with water closet, urinal faucet for a pantry sink.
screwed that can be or similar fixtures for Also, the term means the
removed for cleaning or flushing or removing flexible tubing
examining the interior of excrements in the connection between a
the pipe. fixture. service pipe and a water
main.
• FIXTURE - a receptacle • FLUSH VALVE - is a
other than a trap device located at the • GRADE - is the slope or
attached to a plumbing bottom of the tank for the fall of a line of pipe with
system in which water or purpose of flushing reference to a horizontal
wastes may be collected waster closet and similar plane. In drainage, it is
or retained for ultimate fixtures. usually expressed as the
discharge into the fall in centimeters per
plumbing system. • FLUSHOMETER TANK- meter or percentage
is integrated within an air slope of pipe.
• FIXTURE BRANCH -the accumulator vessel
water supply pipe which is designed to • GREASE
between the fixture discharge a INTERCEPTOR - an
supply pipe and the predetermined quantity interceptor of at least 3
water-distributing pipe . of water into fixtures for cubic meters capacity to
flushing purposes. serve one or more
• FlXTURE DRAIN - the fixtures and which is
drainpipe from the trap of remotely located.
• GREASE TRAP - a outside face of the approved water-sealed
device designed to retain foundation wall of a trap;
grease from one to a building to the junction
• INSANITARY
maximum of four with the street sewer or
fixtures. to any point of discharge • Any plumbing fixture or
and conveying the other waste-discharging
• GROUND WATER - the
drainage of one building receptacle or device. not
water that stands in or
site. supplied with water
passes through the
sufficient to flush it and
ground • HOUSE STORM
maintain it in a clean
SEWER-is the pipeline
• GROUP VENT- a branch condition; Any defective
from the building to the
vent that performs its fixture, trap, pipe or
public or street storm
functions for two (2) or fitting.
drainage system.
more traps.
• INSANITARY
• HURLESS PIPES - are
• HANGERS- see
cast iron soil pipes with • Any trap, except were
Supports.
plain ends connected exempted in this Code,
• HEIGHT OF BUILDING - together with bolted directly connected to a
the vertical distance from stainless steel bands drainage system, the
the "Grade Line" to the and neoprene gaskets. seal of which is not
highest point of the protected against
• INDIRECT WASTE PIPE
coping of a flat roof or to siphonage and
- is a pipe that does not
the top line of mansard backpressure by a vent
connect directly with the
roof or to the average pipe;
drainage system but
height of the highest
conveys liquid wastes by • INSANITARY
gable of a pitch or hip-
discharging into a
roof. • Any connection, cross-
plumbing fixture,
interceptor or receptacle connection, construction
• HIGH HAZARD - see
directly connected to the or condition, temporary
Contamination.
drainage system . or permanent, which
• HORIZONTAL permit or make possible,
BRANCH- is a drain pipe • INDIVIDUAL VENT- is a by any means
extending laterally from pipe installed to vent a whatsoever, for any
a soil or waste stack or fixture trap and which unapproved foreign
building drain with or connects with the vent matter to enter into a
without vertical sections system above the fixture water distribution system
or branches, which se1ved or terminates in used for domestic
receives the discharge the open air. purposes; and
from one or more fixture
• INDUSTRIAL WASTE - • INSANITARY
drains and conducts it to
all liquid or water-borne
the soil or waste stack or • The foregoing
waste from industrial or
to the building drain. enumeration of
commercial processes,
except domestic conditions which the
• HORIZONTAL PIPE - is
sewage. term "insanitary" applies,
any pipe or fitting
shall not preclude the
installed in a horizontal
• I.P.S.- means Iron Pipe application of that term
position or which forms
Size. to conditions that are, in
an angle of not more
fact, insanitary.
than forty-five (45) • INSANITARY - a
degrees with the condition contrary to • INTERCEPTOR
horizontal plane. sanitary principles or (CLARIFIER) - is a
injurious to health. device designed and
• HOUSE DRAIN-is that
Conditions where the installed to separate and
part of the lowest
word "insanitary" shall retain deleterious,
horizontal piping of a
apply include the hazardous or
plumbing system which
following: undesirable matters from
receives the discharges
normal wastes and
from soil, waste and • INSANITARY
permits normal sewage
other drainage pipes
• Any trap which does not or liquid wastes to
inside of a building and
maintain a proper trap discharge into the
conveys it to the house
seal. disposal terminal by
sewer outside of the
gravity.
building. • INSANITARY
• INVERT - The lowest
• HOUSE SEWER- is that • Any opening in a
portion of the interior part
part of a plumbing drainage system. except
of any pipe or conduit
system extending from where lawful, which is
that is not vertical.
the house drain at a point not provided with an
0.60 meters from the
• JURISDICTION- the • LIQUID WASTE - is the validated by other
Administrative Authority discharge from any means acceptable to the
under the Department of fixture, appliance or Administrative Authority
Health, the Department appurtenance in where a building is
of Public Works & connection with a situated or site of any
Highways, the plumbing system which work regulated by this
Department of Interior does not receive fecal Code, together with the
and Local Government, matter. yard, court, and
the City Mayors of unoccupied space
• LISTED - equipment or
Chartered Cities, legally required for the
materials included in a
Environmental building or works; and
LIST published by a
Management Bureau which is owned by or in
listing agency that
(D.E.N.R) and other the lawful possession of
maintain periodic
government: entities that the owner of the building
inspection on current
regulate the practice of or works.
production of listed
Registered & Licensed
equipment or materials • LOW HAZARD - see
Master Plumbers.
and whose listing state Pollution.
• LABELED - equipment either that the equipment
• MAIN - any system of
or materials bearing a or materials complied
continuous piping, which
label of a listing agency. with approved standards
is the principal artery of
All labels shall be or have been tested and
the system where
embossed, stamped or found suitable for use in
branches are connected.
indelibly marked with specified manners.
stickers, glued on the • MAIN SEWER - see
• LISTING AGENCY -· is
finished product Public Sewer
an agency accepted by
indicating the weight,
the Administrative • MAIN VENT - the
specifications and logo
Authority in the business principal artery of the
of the manufacturer.
of listing nr labeling and venting system to which
• LATERAL - in plumbing, which maintains a vent branches are
a secondary pipeline. In periodic inspection connected.
sewerage, a common program on current
sewer to which no other production of listed • MANHOLE - a large
branch sewer is models and makes opening in a sewer line
connected. It receives available a published or part of a plumbing
sewage from building repot1 of such listing system constructed with
sewer service where specific sufficient size for a man
connections only. information is included to gain access therein for
tint the product has been maintenance purposes
• LATRINE - a water closet and facility for changes
tested against approved
consisting of a of line and/or grade of
standards and found
continuous trough pipeline.
safe for use in a specific
containing water. The
manner. • MASTER PLUMBER - a
trough extends under
two or more adjacent • LOCAL VENT - a pipe or person technically and
seats. Prohibited by shaft to convey foul air legally qualified and
health authorities for from a plumbing fixture licensed to practice the
permanent installations. or a room to the outer air. profession of Master
Plumbing without
• LAVATORY - a fixture • LOOP OR CIRCUIT limitations in accordance
designed for the washing VENT - a vertical vent with Republic Act 1378,
of the hands or face. connection on a having passed the
Sometimes called a horizontal soil or waste examination conducted
wash basin. pipe branch at a point by the Professional
downstream of the last Regulation Commission,
• LEACHING
fixture connection and has received a
CESSPOOL-a cesspool
turning to a horizontal Certificate of
that is not watertight.
line above the highest Registration from the
• LEADER- (See overflow level of the Board of Master
Conductor)- a pipe highest fixture Plumbing and
connected from building connected thereat; the possesses the current
gutter to the downspout terminus connected to license to practice.
or conductor. the stack vent in the case
of loop venting or to the • MAY-the word "may" is a
• LENGTH OF PIPE- is vent stack nearby in the permissive term.
measured along its case of circuit venting. • MOBILE HOME PARK
centerline.
• LOT- a single area of SEWER- that part of the
land legally recorded or horizontal piping of
 sanitary drainage • PB - Polybutylene. Tube equipment may be
system which measures made of plastic material manually adjusted or
0.6 meter downstream and colored black. The controlled by the user or
from the last mobile cross-sectional shape is operator.
home site and conveys normally oval and is
• PLUMBING
sewage to a public denoted by its outside
APPURTENANCE - a
sewer, private sewer, diameter or 0.0.
manufactured device or
individual sewage Nom1ally used as water
a prefabricated
disposal system or other service connection from
assembly or an on-the-
points of disposal. main to meter.
job assembly of
• NAMPAP-National • PE - Polyethylene. Tube component parts, and
Master Plumbers made of plastic material serves as adjunct to the
Association of the and colored black. The basic piping system and
Philippines. cross-sectional shape is plumbing fixtures. An
circular and is denoted appurtenance demands
• NUISANCE - includes,
by its outside diameter or no additional water
but is not limited to the
O.D. supply nor does it add
following:
any discharge load to a
• PIPE - a cylindrical
• Any public nuisance fixture or the drainage
conduit or conductor
known in common law or system. It performs
conforming to the
in equity jurisprudence; some useful functions in
particular dimensions
the operation,
• Whenever any work commonly known as
maintenance, servicing,
regulated by this Code is "pipe size", and is
economy or Safety of the
dangerous to human life denoted by its interior
plumbing system.
or detrimental to health diameter or l.D.
and property~ and • PLUMBING FIRM- a
• PITCH - see Grade .
sole proprietorship or
• Inadequate or unsafe corporation composed of
• PLUMBING - the art and
water supply and or Registered and Licensed
technique of installing
sewage disposal Master Plumbers
pipes, fixtures and other
system. together with allied
apparatuses in buildings
• OAKUM - hemp or old for bringing in the supply, professionals, with the
hemp rope soaked in oil liquids, substances Master Plumbers
or tar to make it and/or ingredients and composing the majority
waterproof. removing them; and of the membership,
such water, liquid and incorporators, directors
• OCCUPANCY-the other carried wastes and/or executive officers
purpose for which a hazardous to health, and Licensed Master
building is used or sanitation, life, property; Plumber only render
intended to be used. The also the pipes and work and services within
term shall also include fixtures after installation the cognizance of a
the building or room i.e., the plumbing Registered Master
housing used. Change of system. Plumber and members
occupancy is not of the allied professions
interpreted to mean • PLUMBING also only render work
change of tenants or APPLIANCE - any one of and services within the
proprietors. a special class of device cognizance of their
or equipment intended to respective professions.
• OFFSET - in a line of perform a special
piping is a combination plumbing function. Its • PLUMBING FlXTURES -
of elbows or bends, operation and/or control are approved-type
which brings one section may be dependent upon installed receptacles.
of the pipe out of line but one or more energized devices or appliances
into a line parallel with components, such as supplied with water or
the original section. motors, controls, heating receive liquid or liquid-
elements and pressure- borne wastes and
• PERSON - a natural
temperature-sensing discharge such wastes
person, his heirs,
elements. Such device into the drainage system
executors,
or equipment may to which they may be
administrators or
operate automatically directly or indirectly
assigns; and includes a
through one or more of connected. Industrial or
firm, partnership or
the following actions: a commercial tanks, vats
corporation, its or their
time cycle, a and similar processing
successors or assigns or
temperature range, a equipment are not
agents of any of the
pressure range, a plumbing fixtures, but
aforesaid.
measured volume or may be connected to or
weight~ or the device or discharged into
 approved traps or meets the requirements building drain and
plumbing fixtures as of the Philippine National conveys it to a public
provided for in this Code. Standards for Drinking sewer, private sewage
Water. disposal system, or other
• PLUMBING OFFICIAL -
points of disposal.
the Administrative • PRESSURE·- the
Authority or the officer normal force exerted by • PRIVY - an outhouse or
charged with the a homogeneous liquid or structure used for the
administration and gas, per unit of area on deposition of excrement.
enforcement of the the wall of the container.
• PRIVY VAULT-a pit
National Plumbing Code,
• STATIC PRESSURE- beneath a privy where
or his regularly
the pressure existing excrement collects.
authorized deputy.
without any flow motion.
• PUBLIC OR PUBLIC
• PLUMBING SYSTEM -
• RESlDUAL USE: - In the
includes all potable
PRESSURE- the classification of
water supply and
pressure available at the plumbing fixtures,
distribution pipes, all
fixture or water outlet; "public" or "public use"
plumbing fixtures and
allowance is made for shall mean all buildings
traps; all sanitary and
pressure drop due to or structures that are not
storm drainage systems;
friction loss, head, meter defined as private or
vent pipes, roof drains,
and other losses in the private use.
leaders and
system during maximum
downspouts; and all • PUBLIC SEWER - a
demand period.
building drains and common sewer directly
sewers, including their • PRIMARY BRANCH - of controlled by public
respective joints and the building drain is the authority to which all
connections; devices, single sloping drain from abutters have equal
receptacles, and the base of a stack to its rights of connections.
appurtenances within junction with the main
the property; water lines • PVC - Polyvinyl
building drain.
in the premises: potable, Chloride. Potable water
tap, hot and chilled water • PRIVATE OR PRIVATE pipings are color-coded
pipings; potable water USE- In classification of BLUE. Drainpipes are
treating or using plumbing fixtures, manufactured with toxic
equipment; fuel gas "private" applies to components and are
piping; water heaters plumbing fixtures in color-coded gray, orange
and vents for same. residences and or brown.
apartments, to private
• PLUMBING UNIT- a • QUALITY OF
bathrooms in hotels and
minimum standard MATERIALS- all
hospitals, to rest rooms
quantity of plumbing plumbing fixtures and
in commercial
fixtures that discharge materials used in any
establishments for
wastes into a plumbing discharge or plumbing
restricted use, single
installation including: system or pa11s thereof
fixture or group of single
one (I) water meter, one shall be free from
fixtures and to similar
(1) water closet, one (1) defects.
installations where the
lavatory, one (1) shower fixtures are intended for • RECEPTOR - an
head and drain tor a the use of a family or an approved plumbing
bathtub or shower stall, individual. fixture or device of such
one ( 1) kitchen sink, one materials, shape and
( 1) Iaundry tray and • PRIVATE SEWAGE
capacity to adequately
three (3) f1oor drains DISPOSAL SYSTEM - a
receive the discharge
and four (4) faucets/hose septic tank with the
from indirect waste
bibb. effluent discharging into
pipes, constructed and
a subsurface disposal
• POLLUTION- an located to be readily
field, into one or more
impairment of the quality cleaned.
seepage pits or into a
of the water to a degree combination of • REGULATING
which creates hazard to subsurface disposal field EQUIPMENT - include
the public health and and seepage pit or of all valves and controls
adversely affects the such other facilities as used in plumbing
aesthetic and potable may be permitted under systems which are
qualities of waters for the procedures set forth accessible.
domestic use. elsewhere in this Code.
• RELIEF VENT- a vertical
• POTABLE WATER - • PRIVATE SEWER- a vent line, the primary
water satisfactory for building sewer, which function of which is to
drinking, culinary and receives the discharge provide additional
domestic purposes and from more than one circulation of air between
 the drainage and vent treated industrial wastes treatment and. final
systems or to act as an and without the disposition of sewage.
auxiliary vent on a admixture of rain or
• SHAFT - a vertical
specially designed ground water.
opening through a
system such as a ''yoke
• SEAL-the vertical building for elevators,
vent" connection
distance between the dip dumbwaiters, lights.
between the soil and
and the crown weir of a ventilation or similar
vent stacks.
trap. Also, the water in purposes.
• REPAIR- the the trap between the dip
• SIAMESE
reconstruction or and the crown weir.
CONNECTION - a hose
renewal of any part of an
• SECONDARY BRANCH fitting with clapper valves
existing building for its
- any branch in a building for combining the flow
maintenance. The word
drain other than the from two or more lines of
"repair" or "repairs" shall
primary branch. hose into a single
not apply to any change
stream. The inlet fitting of
of construction or • SEEPAGE PIT - a
a fire standpipe located
occupancy. loosely lined excavation
above ground level.
in the ground which
• RETURN BEND - an
receives the discharge of • SIPHONAGE - a suction
open return bend usually
a septic tank and created by the t1ow of
made up two 90° bends
designed to permit the liquids m p1pes. A
with inside and outside
effluent from the septic pressure less than
threads, flanged or
tank to seep through pit atmospheric.
welded fittings~ and
bottom and sides.
applied also to a one • SHALL - the word "shall"
hundred eighty degrees • SEPTIC TANK - a water- denote mandatory
bend in copper tubings. tight receptacle which acceptation.
receives the discharge of
• REVENT PIPE-see • SHIELDED COUPLING-
a sanitary plumbing
backvent pipe . an approved elastomeric
system or part thereof,
sealing gasket with an
• RIM - an unobstructed designed and
approved outer shield
top open edge of a constructed to retain
and a tightening
fixture. solids, digest organic
mechanism.
matter through a period
• RISER - a water supply
of detention and to allow • SINGLE FAMILY
pipe, which extends
the liquids to discharge DWELLING- a building
vertically to one full story
into the soil outside of designed as a home by
or more to convey water
the tank through a the owner of such
into pipe branches or
system of open-jointed building and shall be the
plumbing fixtures.
sub-surface pipings or a only dwelling located on
• ROUGHING-lN - the seepage pit meeting the a parcel of ground with
installation of all pipings requirements of this the usual accessory
and fitting parts of the Code. building.
plumbing system, which
• SERVICE PIPE - the • SIZE AND TYPE OF
can be completed prior
pipe from the street TUBING-· see Diameter.
to the installation of
water main or other
fixtures and accessories. • SLIP JOINT - an
source of water supply to
These include sanitary adjustable tubing
the building served.
and storm drainage, tap, connection, consisting of
hot and chilled water • SEWAGE - any a compression nut, a
supplies, gas pipings, wastewater containing friction ring, and a
vent pipings and the animal or vegetable compression washer,
necessary fixture matter in suspension or designed to fit a
supports. solution and may include threaded adapter fitting
liquids containing or a standard taper pipe
• SAND INTERCEPTOR -
chemicals in solution. thread.
see Interceptor.
• SEWER-a pipe or • SLOPE - see Grade.
• SANITARY SEWAGE -
conduit for carrying
the wastewater • SOIL STACK PIPE - a
sewage and wastewater.
containing human vertical soil pipe
excrements and liquid • SEWERAGE OR conveying fecal matter
household waste. Also SEWERAGE WORKS - and wastewater.
called domestic sewage. a comprehensive term,
including all • SOIL PIPE - any pipe,
• SANITARY SEWER- a which conveys the
constructions for
sewer intended to discharge of water
collection,
receive sanitary sewage closet, urinal or fixtures
transportation. pumping.
with or without pre- having similar functions,
 with or without the surface of any floor and constructed to provide,
discharges from other the upper surface of the when properly vented, a
fixtures to the building floor next above. liquid seal which
drain or building sewer. prevents the backflow of
• SUBSOIL DRAIN - an
foul air or methane gas
• SOLDERED JOINT - a underground drainpipe
without materially
pipe joint obtained by that receives only sub-
affecting the flow of
joining metal parts with surface or seepage
sewage or wastewater
metallic mixtures or water and convey it to a
through it.
alloys which melt at a sump for disposal by
temperature below 427 gravity flow or by lift • TRAP ARM - that portion
degrees centigrade and pump of a fixture drain
above 149 degrees between a trap and the
• STACK VENT - the
centigrade. vent.
extension of a soil or
• SPIGOT - the end of a waste stack above the • TRAP SEAL - the
pipe which fits into a bell. highest horizontal drain maximum vertical depth
Also, a word used connected to the stack. of liquid that a trap will
synonymously with The uppermost end retain, measured
faucet. above the roof is called between the crown weir
stack vent through roof and the top of the dip of
• SPECIAL WASTES -
(SVTR). the trap.
wastes which require
some special methods of • SUMP - an approved • TUBE - a cylindrical
handling such as the use tank or pit which conduit or conductor
of indirect waste piping receives sewage or conforming to the
and receptors; wastewater and is dimensions known as
corrosion-resistant located below the normal "tube sizes" and denoted
piping; sand, oil or grade of the gravity by its outside diameter or
grease interceptors~ system and must be O.D.
condensers or other emptied by mechanical
• UNCONFINED SPACE -
pretreatment facilities. means.
a room space having a
• STACK - the vertical • SUPPORTS - supports, volume equal to at least
main of a system of soil, hangers, anchors, 1.4 cu. m. of the
waste or vent pipings brackets, cradles are aggregate input rating of
extending through one or devices for holding and the fuel-burning
more stories and securing pipes and appliance installed in
extended thru the roof. fixtures to walls, ceiling, that space. Rooms
floors or structural adjacent and open to the
• STANDPIPE - a vertical
members. space where the
pipe, or a reservoir, into
appliance is installed,
which water is pumped • SURFACE WATER- that
through openings not
to give it at a head, portion of rainfall or other
furnished with doors, are
classified as: precipitation which runs
considered a part of the
off over the surface of
• 1. Wet Standpipe- water unconfined space.
the ground.
pressure is maintained
• UNIT VENT- an
at all times. • SWIMMING POOL - a
arrangement of venting
water basin used for
• 2. Automatic Standpipe so installed that one vent
swimming designed to
System - operates pipe will serve two (2)
accommodate many
automatically by opening traps.
bathers at a time and
a hose valve.
properly connected to a • VACUUM - an air
• 3. Manually Operated disposal system, fills and pressure less than
Standpipe System - draws water supply or atmospheric. Also,
remote control device al provided with approved implies siphonage in
each hose station; and water purification and piping system.
recirculation system.
• 4. Dry Standpipe - • VACUUM BREAKER-
having no permanent • TAILPIECE -the pipe or sec Backflow Preventer.
water inside the pipe. tubing that connects the
• VENT PIPE - a pipe or
outlet of a plumbing
• STORM WATER - that opening used for
fixture to the trap.
portion of the rainfall or ensuring the circulation
other precipitation which • TAPPED TEE - a tee of air in a plumbing
runs off over the earth with the branch tapped system and for relieving
surface after a storm. to receive a threaded the negative pressure
pipe or fittings. exerted on trap seals.
• STOREY- that portion of
a building included • TRAP - a fitting or device • VENT STACK - the
between the upper designed and vertical vent pipe
 installed primarily for • WELDED JOINT OR
providing circulation of SEAM -any joint or seam
air to and from any part obtained by the joining of
of the soil, waste of the metal parts in a plastic
drainage system. molten state.
• VENT SYSTEM - pipes • WELDER, PIPELINE-- a
installed to provide flow person who specializes
of air to or from a in the welding of pipes
drainage system or to and holds a valid
provide a circulation of certificate of competency
air within such system to from a recognized
protect traps seals from testing agency, based on
siphonage and back the requirements of the
pressure. regulating authority.
• VERTICAL PIPE - any • WYE - a hose
pipe or fitting installed in connection with two-
a vertical position or gated outlets permitting
which forms an angle of two connections of the
not more than forty-five same or smaller coupling
(45) degrees with the diameter to be taken
vertical line. from a single supply line.
Also, a pipe fitting of
• WASTE - see Liquid
three branches that form
Waste and Industrial
the letter "wye".
Waste.
• YARD - an open,
• WASTE PlPE - a pipe,
unoccupied space, other
which conveys only
than a court,
wastewater or liquid
unobstructed from the
waste, free of fecal
ground to the sky, except
matter.
where specifically
• WATER TREATMENT - provided in this Code.
a device which
• YOKE VENT - a pipe
conditions or treats
connecting upward from
water supply to improve
a soil or waste stack
water quality, remove
below the floor and
suspended solids by
below horizontal
filtration.
connection to an
• WATER-DISTRIBUTING adjacent vent stack at a
PlPE- a pipe which point above the floor and
conveys potable water higher than highest spill
from the building supply level of fixtures for
pipe to the plumbing preventing pressure
fixtures and other water changes in the stacks.
outlets.
• WATER MAIN - or street
main is the water-supply
pipe for public or
community use.
• WATER SUPPLY
SYSTEM - of a building
or premises consists of
the water service pipe,
water supply line, water
distributing pipe and the
necessary branch pipes,
fittings, valves and all
appurtenances required
for the supply of potable
water.
• WET VENT - that portion
of a vent pipe through
where wastewater also
flows through.