BUILDING

UTILITIES 1

AR.NUR-AISA L. MADJALES,uap,rmp
Definition

P l u m b i n g
-is the art and technique of installing pipes, fixtures,
and other apparatuses in buildings for bringing in
the supply, liquids, substances and/or ingredients
and removing them; and such

- water, liquid and other carried-wastes hazardous

to health, sanitation, life and property; also,

- the pipes and fixtures after installation,

i.e., the ‘plumbing system’

- NPC 217.6
History of Plumbing Practice
17th CENTURY
The birth of plumbing profession. The 18th and 19th CENTURY
Walled City known as Intramuros was The Filipino plumbers were
established by the Spaniards as a assigned the task of
model city. maintaining, repairing
and/or remodeling
plumbing systems in all
pueblos.
1902 20th CENTURY
Plumbing Trade was duly recognized Plumbing took a great leap
by the government in the City of with the arrival of American
Manila. Master Plumber John F. soldiers, engineers,
Haas became the first Chief of the Thomasites, doctors and
Division of Plumbing Construction evangelists. Health and
and Inspection. A Plumbing Code hygiene became priority when
based on the Plumbing Code of the epidemics engulfed the
United States was incorporated into Philippines that lead Gov. Gen
the Building Code for the City of Harrison to issue a letter of
Manila. instruction on proper waste
disposal in all municipalities.
1954 1935
The Third Congress approved House National Master Plumbers
Bill No. 962 which in June 18, 1955, Association of the
became R.A. 1378 “Plumbing Law of Philippines (NAMPAP) was
the Philippines” upon ratification of organized and was registered
President Ramon Magsaysay. with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

June 18,1955
R.A. 1378, otherwise known as the January 28, 1959
“PLUMBING LAW OF THE the National Plumbing Code
PHILIPPINES” of the Philippines prepared
was signed by President Ramon by NAMPAP was promulgated
Magsaysay. and approved by Malacañang.
1966-1969
NAMPAP assisted the passage
The Board of Examiners for Master
of the law creating the
Plumbers and the NAMPAP prepared a
National Waterworks and
Curiculum for Plumbing Engineering,
Sewerage Authority
wise known as the “PLUMBING LAW
(NAWASA).
OF THE PHILIPPINES” was signed by
President Ramon Magsaysay.
November 28,1967
First amendment to the Plumbing Pre- Martial Law,1972
Code was approved, with the Republic Act No. 6541
inclusion of “Asbestos-Cement Pipe” otherwise known as the
as an approved plumbing material. “National Building Code of
the Philippines” was passed
1996 with the “National
NAMPAP Pres. Jaime M. Cabase Plumbing Code of 1959” as
spearheaded the updating of the referral code in full text.
Revised National Plumbing Code.

December 21, 1999

October 1999 The Professional Regulation
NAMPAP submitted the Draft Code to Commission (PRC) adopted
the Board of Master Plumbers chaired the Revised Plumbing Code of
by Engr. Fortunato H. Amosco. 1999 which President Joseph
Estrada approved pursuant to
Section 4 of R.A. 1378 known
as the Plumbing Law.
22 Basic Principles

1
All premises intended for human use or habitation shall be
provided with a supply of pure and wholesome water,
neither connected to unsafe water supply nor subject to
backflow or back- siphonage.

2 Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be

supplied with water in sufficient volume and at pressure
adequate to function satisfactorily and without undue noise.

3
Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the
minimum quantity of water consistent with proper
performance and cleaning.

4 Devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed

and installed as to prevent dangers from explosion
through overheating.
5
Every building abutting on a street, alley or easement with a
public sewer shall connect its plumbing fixtures to the sewer
system.

6
Each family dwelling unit shall have at least one water
closet, one kitchen type sink, a lavatory and a bathtub or
shower to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and
personal hygiene.

7
Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent
material, free from concealed fouling surfaces and shall
be located in ventilated enclosures.

8
The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and
maintained to safeguard against fouling, deposit of solids,
clogging and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the
pipes may be readily cleaned.
 9
All piping shall be of durable NAMPAP-APPROVED
materials, free from defective workmanship, designed and
constructed by Registered Master Plumbers to ensure
satisfactory service.

10 Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall

be equipped with a water-sealed trap.

11
The drainage pipes piping system shall be designed to
provide adequate circulation of air free from siphonage,
aspiration or forcing of trap seals under ordinary use.

12 Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and installed to

prevent clogging and the return of foul air to the building.

13
Plumbing systems shall be subjected to such tests to effectively
disclose all leaks and defects in the workmanship.
14
No substance which will clog the pipes, produce explosive
mixtures, destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly
with the sewage-disposal process shall not be allowed to
enter the building drainage system.

15
Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of
food, water, sterile goods and similar materials by backflow of
sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall
be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.

16 No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment

which is not properly lighted and ventilated.

17
If there is no sewer system in the area, suitable provision
shall be made for the disposal of building sewage by some
accepted method of sewage treatment and disposal, such
as a septic tank.
18 Where a plumbing drainage system may be subject to backflow of
sewage, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow
in the building.

19 Plumbing systems shall be maintained in serviceable

condition by Registered Master Plumbers.

20 All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly spaced, to be

accessible for their intended use.

21
Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to the preservation
of the strength of structural members and the prevention of
damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.

22
Sewage or other waste from plumbing system which may be
deleterious to surface or sub-surface waters shall not be
discharged into the ground or into any waterway, unless first
rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form
of treatment.
 C o m p o n e n t s

WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

PLUMBING FIXTURES

SANITARY DRAINAGE SYSTEM

STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM

FUEL GAS PIPING SYSTEM

Nature of Water
The Water Cycle:
3 Major
Phases:
Evaporation

Condensation

Precipitation
 The Plumbing Cycle
Components & Flow in Water Systems:

S U P P L Y DISTRIBUTION U S E
Pressure,
Water Mains, Plumbing
Piping
Storage Tanks Fixtures
Networks

S O U R C E COLLECTION
Gravity,
Lakes, Rivers, Piping
Reservoirs Networks
TREATMENT DISPOSAL

Treated water Sewage Plants,

Sanitary and
returned to the Natural
Storm Sewers
original source Purification
 The Plumbing Cycle
Water Functions Diagram:

SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION U S E COLLECTION DISPOSAL

Flow of water (& water carried wastes) should always be only

in one direction (from supply to disposal).
The two sides should always be carefully separated from each
other.
WATER DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM
 Sources of Water
For Domestic Use:
SOURCE COLLECTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Rain Collected from Water is soft & Only a source

roofs of pure and is during the wet
Water buildings and suitable for the season;
special water hot water
sheds and supply system Storage becomes
stored in a breeding place
cisterns or for mosquitoes;
ponds;
Roofs may not be
Cistern water clean
for drinking
should be
boiled,
chlorinated or
otherwise
sterilized
 Sources of Water
For Domestic Use:
SOURCE COLLECTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Natural Obtained from Easy to acquire; Contains a large

Surface ponds, lakes amounts of
and rivers Usually in large bacteria, organic,
Water quantities; & inorganic
substances;
Used for Purification &
irrigation, treatment is
industrial necessary
purposes and,
when treated,
for community
water supply
 Sources of Water
For Domestic Use:
SOURCE COLLECTION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Ground Obtained from Usually has an May have organic

underground by abundant matter &
Water means of supply; chemical
mechanical & elements;
manual requires less treatment is
equipment; treatment suggested;
because of
From springs natural filtering Character of
and wells and is ground water, its
the principal hardness,
source of water depends upon the
for domestic use nature and
in most rural condition of the
areas soil and rock
through which it
passes or
percolates
 Water Treatment
Treatment & Purification:
OBJECTIONALBLE REASONS FOR TREATMENT
ELEMENT
Calcium, Magnesium Produces hardness
Sulfur Bad taste & odor, highly corrosive to plumbing,
stains clothing, etc.
Salt Bad taste, highly corrosive
Iron Stains clothing & plumbing fixtures, interferes
with water softeners, iron bacteria clogs pipes

Pathogenic germs Unhealthy; may cause poliomyelitis

Acid Highly corrosive, picks up lead, stains clothing

Algae Bad taste & odor

 Water Treatment
Treatment & Purification:
OBJECTIONALBLE METHOD OF TREATMENT
ELEMENT
Carbon Dioxide, Aeration
Hydrogen Sulfide
Suspended Material Coagulation & Settling Process
Bacteria Chemicals & Sand filtration
Calcium & Magnesium Addition of water softeners

Iron Iron Filters

Sulfur Chlorination
Pathogenic Germs Disinfection
Acid Marble or Limestone Filtration
 Quality of Water
Water Quality Problems &Their Correction:

PROBLEMS CAUSE EFFECTS CORRECTION

1. Acidity Entrance of •Corrosion of •Raising alkaline

oxygen and non-ferrous content by the
carbon dioxide pipes introduction of
•Rusting & a neutralizer
clogging of (sodium
steel pipes silicate)
2. Hardness Presence of •Clogging of •Boiling
magnesium and pipes •Use of an ion
calcium salts •Impaired exchanger
laundry and (zeolite
cooking process)
3. Turbidity Silt or mud in •Discoloration •Filtration
surface or in •Bad taste
ground
 Quality of Water
Water Quality Problems &
Their Correction:
PROBLEMS CAUSE EFFECTS CORRECTION

4. Color Presence of • Discoloration of •Oxidizing

Iron and fixtures filter
manganese and laundry
5. Pollution Contamination •Disease •Chlorination
by organic
matter or
sewage
END