LAWS AFFECTING PLUMBING AND SANITARY IN THE

PHILIPPINES NAMPAP - National Master Plumbers

Association of the Philippines -founded in
PD 1096 (RA 1378) -National Building Code 1935
of the Philippines
IRR of NBC, Rule 9, Sanitation RMP “Registered Master Plumber” -Board
“Subject to the provisions of Book II of the Civil Exam Passer for Plumbing
Code of the Philippines on Property, Ownership, Who can take Master Plumber Exam?
and its Modification, all buildings hereafter • Plumbing Engineering
erected, altered, remodeled, relocated or repaired • Architect.
for human habitation shall be provided with • Mechanical Engineering.
adequate and potable water supply, plumbing • Civil Engineering.
installation, and suitable wastewater treatment or • Chemical Engineering.
disposal system, storm water drainage, pest and • Mining Engineering.
vermin control, noise abatement device, and such
other measures required for the protection and The Plumbing Code for the City of Manila
promotion of health of persons occupying the - It was created by an Act of Congress initiated by
premises and others living nearby.” NAMPAP and the Department of Public Services of
Potable Water the City of Manila.
- Shall be supplied from existing municipal or city - Adapted by the National Government,
waterworks system. through the Bureau of Public Works, and other
- The quality of drinking water shall conform to the cities and municipalities.
criteria set in the latest approved National -In 1954, the Third Congress of the Republic of
Standards for Drinking Water Standards. the Philippines, The Plumbing Code of Manila was
- Possible use of deepwells for the abstraction of became
groundwater shall be subject to the provisions of
the Water Code of the Philippines.
- Proper venting of water piping for water supply
and distribution to each fixture inside building Republic Act No.1378
and premises, shall conform to the provision of - On June 18, 1955, R.A. 1378, otherwise known
the Revised National Plumbing Code of the as the "PLUMBING LAW OF THE PHILIPPINES"
Philippines. was signed by

Waste Water and Disposal System President Ramon Magsaysay.

- Sanitary sewage from buildings and neutralized or - In 1996, the Revised National Plumbing Code
pre-treated industrial wastewater shall be was drafted. After careful review, the Professional
discharged directly into the nearest street Regulation adopted the Revised Plumbing Code of
sanitary sewer main of existing municipal or city 1999 which His Excellency, President JOSEPH
sanitary sewerage system. EJERCITO ESTRADA approved last December
- If no available sanitary sewerage system shall 21, 1999 pursuant to Section 4 of R.A. 1378
dispose their sewage to “Imhoff” or septic tank known as the Plumbing Law.
and subsurface absorption field or to a suitable
waste water treatment plant or disposal system PRINCIPLES OF PLUMBING
The basic principles of the 1999 National
Plumbing Code of the Philippines is an update of
History of Plumbing the tenets established in the "Plumbing Law of
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the the Philippines" approved on 18 June 1955 as
Filipino plumbers were assigned the task of amended on 28 November 1959.
maintaining, repairing and/or remodeling PRINCIPLE 1
plumbing systems in all "pueblos" or towns “All premises intended for human habitation,
including churches, convents and government occupancy or use shall be provided with a
buildings. supply of pure and wholesome water, neither
PLUMBING took a great leap at the turn of the connected with unsafe water supplies nor subject
20th century, health and hygiene became to hazards of backflow or back-siphonage.”
priority when epidemics including cholera, and
other contagious diseases engulfed the PRINCIPLE 2
Philippines. Alarmed, Governor General Harrison “Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances
issued a letter of instruction on proper waste shall be supplied with water in sufficient
disposal in all municipalities. volume and at pressure adequate to enable
Master Plumber John F. Hass became the first them to function satisfactorily and without undue
Chief of the Division of Plumbing Construction and noise under all normal conditions of use.”
Inspection.
PRINCIPLE 3
“Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and
use the minimum quantity of water personal hygiene .”
consistent with proper performance and PRINCIPLE 7
cleaning.” “Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth
DUAL FLUSH non·absorbent material, free from concealed
fouling surfaces and shall be located in
ventilated enclosures.”
PRINCIPLE 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.”

PRINCIPLE 4
“Devices for heating and storing water shall
be so designed and installed as to prevent
dangers from explosion through overheating.”
PRINCIPLE 9
“All pipings of plumbing systems shall be of
durable NAMPAP- APPROVED materials, free
form defective workmanship, designed and
constructed by Registered Master Plumbers
to ensure satisfactory service”

PRINCIPLE 10
“Each fixture directly connected to the
drainage system shall be equipped with a
water-sealed trap.”

Shower water heater

PRINCIPLE 5
“Every building having plumbing fixtures
installed and intended for human habitation,
occupancy or use on premises abutting on a
street, alley or easement where there is a public
sewer, shall be connected to the sewer
system”
“In the Philippines, less than 10% of the
population has access to piped sewerage
systems. For populations without access to a
PRINCIPLE 11
sewerage system, septic tanks are the main
“The drainage piping system shall be designed
sanitation technology to contain wastewater both
to provide adequate circulation of air free
in urban and rural areas” -WHO
from siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap
seals under ordinary use.”
PRINCIPLE 6
PRINCIPLE 12
“Each family dwelling unit on premises
“Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air
abutting on a sewer or with a private sewage-
and installed to preempt clogging and the return
disposal system shall have at least one water
of foul air to the building.”
closet and one kitchen type sink. Further, a
lavatory and bathtub or shower shall be installed
 PRINCIPLE 22
PRINCIPLE 13
“Sewage or other waste from a plumbing system
“Plumbing systems shall be subjected to
which may be deleterious to surface or sub-
such tests to effectively disclose all leaks
surface waters shall not be discharged into the
and defects in the workmanship.”
ground or into any waterway, unless first
rendered innocuous through subjection to some
PRINCIPLE 14
acceptable form of treatment.”
“No substance which will clog the pipes,
produce explosive mixture~ destroy the pipes or
their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage-
disposal process shall be allowed to enter the
building drainage system.”
PRINCIPLE 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.”
PRINCIPLE 16
“No water closet shall be located in a room or
compartment which is not properly lighted and
ventilated.”
PRINCIPLE 17 WATER SUPPLY
“If water closets or other plumbing fixtures are
installed in buildings where there is no sewer
within a reasonable distance, suitable provision WATER - is a combination of two elementary
shall be made for disposing of the building substances, hydrogen and oxygen.
sewage by some accepted method of sewage
treatment and disposal, such as a septic tank.” WEIGHT OF WATER IN LIQUID FORM:

PRINCIPLE 18 3.778 kg. per U.S Gallon

“Where a plumbing drainage system may be
1.000 kg. per cubic meter
subject to backflow of sewage, suitable provision
shall be made to prevent its overflow in the
building.”
PRINCIPLE 19 3 SOURCES OF WATER:
“Plumbing systems shall be maintained in
serviceable condition by Registered Master 1. RAINFALL
Plumbers.”
PRINCIPLE 20 - ADVANTAGES -
“All plumbing fixtures shall be installed Obtained from roofs and watersheds, good on
properly spaced, to be accessible for their
places where there is an abundant rainfall.
intended use”
PRINCIPLE 21 - DISADVANTAGES -
“Plumbing shall be installed by Registered
Master Plumbers with due regard to the Hard to store for a long, bad for places that
preservation of the strength of structural receives a little amount of rainfall.
members and the prevention of damage to walls
and other surfaces through fixture usage. 2. NATURAL SURFACE

- ADVANTAGES -

Obtained from ponds, lakes, rivers, good for

locality near such bodies of water.
- DISADVANTAGES - PUMPS - Used whenever the water supply at its
natural pressure cannot be directly piped to a
It contains large amounts of bacteria. building, tank or reservoir.
3. UNDERGROUND WATER

- ADVANTAGES - TYPES of PUMPS

Obtained from below ground surface by means of 1. Lift Pump - Consist of a piston traveling up and
mechanical and manual equipment. More water down within a cylinder which is connected with an
can be obtained depending by equipments used extending down into the source.
and locality.
2. Force Pump- Used to deliver water at a point
- DISADVANTAGES - higher than the position of the pump itself. When
It requires treatment of various nature, such as the plunger descends; the valve a is closed and the
sedimentation, chemical, filtration, aerations. water in the cylinder is forced out through the
valve b and up to the storage

3. Reciprocating Pump - Include that class of

METHODS OF PURIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF pumps in which the piston moves to and from
WATER either horizontally or vertically.
1. SEDIMENTATION 4. Rotary
Particles of matters that are suspended in the 5. Centrifugal
water are allowed to stay in a container so that
they will settle in the bottom, then drawing the 6. Hydraulic Rams
water out, leaving these sediments in the
container.
TANKS
2. CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Used either for the collection of water without
Water are given chemical treatments to kill the consideration of pressure, or for storing water
harmful bacterias present and to cure the turbid under air pressure or under a static HEAD for
taste or mudtaste, remove clay, salts, iron etc. future distribution by pneumatic or gravity means.
commonly used chemical is chlorine.

3. FILTRATION
TYPE OF TANKS
Water are filtered on various processes, so as to
remove the particles of vegetable matter, mud, 1. Cylindrical G.l. Tank
and other particles of matter present in the water, 2. Spherical PVC Tank
most commonly used materials are sand and 3. Rectangular Reinforced Concrete
gravel. 4. Rectangular Steel Tank Riveted
5. Pneumatic Tank (pressurized)
4. AERATION 6. Stainless Steel Tank
Raw water is made to pass on pipes of thiny sieves 7. Suction Tank
and exposed to air of fine mist. SUCTION TANK

- are constructed of riveted or welded steel plate;

TYPES OF WELLS the larger tanks often being divided into two
compartments. ·They should be large enough to
1. DUG WELLS contain at least one days' supply for the entire
building in case the city main is temporarily shut
When excavated by hand for shallow water.
off.
2. DEEP WELLS
WAYS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION
When sunk by machine. When the water is
-Upfeed System
obtained from loose formation above solid rock
such as sand and gravel and drilled wells - when -Pneumatic Tank
the water is tapped from the fissures.
-Downfeed System
 COMMON PLASTIC PIPES AND FITTINGS

UPFEED SYSTEM - From normal water pressure Polybutylene (PB) - comes in coils used for HOT
from public water main for low rise buildings. and COLD in-House water piping systems.

PNEUMATIC TANK- From air pressure from suction Polyethylene (PE) - Used for service connections,
tank for tall buildings which cannot be reached by in-house plumbing, distribution mains, sewer,
normal water pressure. waste disposal.

DOWNFEED SYSTEM - By gravity from overhead Polypropylene (Ppr) - Used for Hot and cold potable
tanks and are supported either by structural water piping in residential, industrial, and public
frames or on the roof decks. It is also used when installations. Commonly used water supply pipes
normal pressure from the city main is not enough nowadays.
to force the water to the highest fixtures.
PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) - used for waterworks and
irrigations. Commonly used for sanitary pipes.

HOUSEHOLD WATER SUPPLY

Water is conveyed to the plumbing fixtures by PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC)

means of PIPES.
uPVC-Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride
Water Main refers to the public water system laid
underground along the streets where house service cPVC-Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
is connected. uPVC-Unplasticized PVC - a low maintenance and
low-cost material that is widely used in buildings
for distribution of potable water, or water transfer
The pipe from the public water main or source of in bathrooms, kitchens, sink, laboratories, etc.
water supply to the building served is called
HOUSE SERVICE or SERVICE PIPE. cPVC-Chlorinated PVC - A strong and rigid
thermoplastic material that is used for hot and cold
The vertical supply pipe which extends upward potable water applications in residential
from one floor to the next is called a riser. construction. Because of its makeup, CPVC is
immune to damage from highly chlorinated
The horizontal pipes that serves the faucets or domestic water and has a higher temperature
fixtures are called BRANCHES. tolerance than PVC.

PIPE FITTINGS -include the equipment required for HOT WATER TANK
the joining of the various lengths of pipe, such as
couplings for connections in a straightline, elbows This is one of the essential requirements for a
for connections at 90° or 45°; Tees for 45° or 90° domestic hot water system.
branches from one side, and crosses for 90°
branches opposite each other.
Two Types:

FIVE TYPES OF FITTINGS 1. Range boiler- small hot water tank.

- Threaded or screw connection 2. Storage Tank - large hot water tank.

- Flanged

- Soldered or welded MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR PLUMBING

INSTALLATION
-Compression
1. Galvanized iron (G.I or Steel Pipes)
- Glued or cement
2. Plastic or Synthetic Pipe

3. Cast Iron Pipe

UNION - used when a pipe has already been
installed but dismantling is difficult. 4. Acid Resistant Cast Iron Pipe

5. Asbestos Pipe
6. Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe

7. Vitrified Clay Pipe Angle Valve – Acts somewhat like globe valve but
are usually used for a right angle turn.
8. Lead Pipe

9. Galvanized Wrought Iron Pipes

FAUCETS
10. Brass Pipe
Key Cock - operate by means of a round, tapering
11. Copper Pipes plug, perforated in one direction perpendicular to
its axis and ground to fit a metal seat.

Compression Cock - operate by the compression of

soft packing upon a metal seat. They close against
the flow of water and can be used upon high
pressure pipes without causing water hammer.
SIZE OF PIPES
Hose Bibb - similar to a compres· lion cock but has
-maximum demand
a screw outside for connection of water hose.
-probable demand or peak load
Self Closing Faucet - arranged to discharge water
while they are held open by the hand and to close
by a spring inside the faucet as soon as the
MAXIMUM DEMAND pressure of the hand is removed
Refers to the maximum water discharge for
plumbing fixtures in terms of unit. The maximum
demand of water supply is equal to the total fixture FIRE PROTECTION
units in the plumbing system wherein one unit is
Stand Pipes and Hoses - Fire companies with their
approximately valued at 8 gallons of water
apparatus find difficulty in fighting fires from the
discharge per minute.
street in tall structures.

Standpipes and hoses with a separate water

PROBABLE DEMAND OR PEAK LOAD reserve or upfeed pumping are extremely valuable
in any building but become highly essential in tall
Another factor considered in determining the size buildings.
of the water service pipe. The question of how
many fixtures will be used simultaneously is Fire Sprinkler
difficult to ascertain. but according to survey.
-Upright
a. The Fewer the number of Fixtures installed the
-Pendent
higher the percentage or probability of their
simultaneous use. -Sidewall
b. The greater the number of Fixtures installed, the
lesser the percentage or possibility of simultaneous
use. STORM WATER SYSTEM

Roof Leader and Gutter - This is commonly known

as conductor or downspout. It connects the roof
VALVES AND CONTROL terminal to the storm drain either insider or outside
leader.
Gate Valve - Consists of a wedge-shape plug which
is screwed flown to seat between two brass rings PLUMBING SYSTEMS
Globe Valve - are operated by screwing down a
disk with softpacking until it presses tightly upon a
metal seat. As per NBCP, Rule XII, Section 1204,

Check Valve - used when it is desired that the flow No.2,

Swing Check Valve - has a pivoted flap which is Maximum distance of firesprinklers:
readily pushed open by the pressure of water 1.80m center to center
 Seal - The vertical distance between the dip and
crown wire of a trap.
Waste Water
Sleeves - A sheet metal placed when concrete is
-Storm Water poured to accommodate future plumbing pipes
-Grey Water Shaft - a vertical opening through a building for
-Black Water elevators, dumbwaiters, light, ventilation, etc.

Pipe Chase - an opening or space to accommodate

a group of pipes
Soil Pipe VS Waste Pipe
Duct - Opening for ventillation circulation of air

Soil Pipes are designed to transport the soiled

Color Coding for Pipes and Fittings
water (blackwater) from your toilet, urinal, or
Potable Water- Blue
bidet (if you're fancy).
Electrical Conduit- Orange or Light Gray

Industrial System – Gray

Waste Pipes are designed to transport the
Communication Cable- Yellow
wastewater (greywater) from your sinks,
Sewage System- Orange Brown
shower, bath, washing machine, or dishwasher.

Stack - term used for any vertical line of soil, National Plumbing Code of the Philippines
waste, or vent piping. (Summary)
GRADES OF HORIZONTAL PIPING
Soil Stack Pipe - A vertical soil pipe conveying fecal All horizontal piping shall be run in practical
matter and liquid waste alignment and at a uniform grade of not less than
two (2%) percent 20 mm rise per meter
Vent - ensuring the circulation of air in a plumbing length, and shall be supported or anchored at
system intervals not exceeding 3.000 m (10 feet). All
stacks shall be properly supported at · their bases
Stack Vent - an extension of a soil or waste stack
and all pipes shall be rigidly secured. Two (2
above the highest horizontal drain connected to inches) rise per every one hundred (100 inches)
the stack. length.
GRADES OF HORIZONTAL PIPING
RELATIONSHIP OF PIPE CHASE TO GRADES OF
Branch HORIZONTAL PIPING
RELATIONSHIP OF PIPE CHASE TO GRADES OF
Main - Principal artery of the system to which HORIZONTAL PIPING
branches may be connected. CHANGE IN DIRECTIONS
All changes in direction shall be made by the
Drain - used for conveying ground water, surface appropriate use of forty-five (45°) degree wyes,
water, waste water, or sewage half wyes, long sweep quarter bends, except that
single sanitary tees may be used on vertical
stacks, and short quarter bends may be used in soil
Trap - A fitting or device used to prevent the and waste lines where the change in the direction
of flow is from the horizontal to the vertical. Tees
passage of air, gas, and some vermin through a
and crosses may be used in vent pipes.
pipe
SECTION 157. CHANGE IN DIRECTIONS
House Drain - receives the discharge from soil,
waste and other drainage pipes inside of a building PROHIBITED FITTINGS
No double hub, double T branch shall be used
Public Sewer - A common sewer directly controlled on horizontal soil or waste line. The drilling and
by public authority tapping of house drains, soil waste, or vent pipes
and the use of saddle hubs and bends are
prohibited.
 SECTION 158. PROHIBITED FITTINGS 2 x 4 LAV. = 8
2 X 3 SHO. = 6
ROOF JOINTS 2 x 2 K.sink = 4
The joints of protruding pipes thru roofs shall 42 Fixture Units
be made water tight by the use of copper, lead or Step 3: Use table to get Vent Pipe Size
glavanized iron plates or flashings. Example
SECTION 175. ROOF JOINTS Determine the size of the soil/waste stack pipe and
main vent required to vent a drainage installation
TRAPS WHERE REQUIRED serving 90 fixture units installed on the first floor
Each fixture shall be separately trapped by a of a 5 storey building with a height of 19.00
water-seal trap placed as near to the fixture as meters.
possible except that a set of similar fixtures Step 1: Get the Total Fixture Unit Value
consisting of not more than three (3) wash basins, 90 Fixture Units
or a set of three (3) sinks may connect with a Step 3: Use table to get Vent Pipe Size
single one and one half ( 1 ½) inches trap. In no
case shall the waste from a bath tub or other
fixture discharge into a water closet trap. No fixture
shall be double trapped.
SECTION 182. TRAPS WHERE REQUIRED

TRAP CLEAN OUTS

Types of Vents
PIPE CLEANOUTS WHERE REQUIRED
A clean out easily accessible shall be provided at
the upper end of every horizontal waste or
soil pipe . Also at every change of horizontal Main Vent - vent pipe system which serves as a
direction, unless said change of direction is made terminal of the smallest forms of units and grouped
at an angle of not more twenty two and a half (22 fixture trap ventilation
½°) degrees and is easily reached conveniently
with sewer rod Wire
SECTION 187. PIPE CLEANOUTS WHERE Individual Vent - portion of the vent pipe which
REQUIRED serves a single trap.
GREASE TRAPS
ROOF EXTENSIONS

DRAINAGE BELOW SEWER LEVEL Unit Vent - This is that portion of the vent pipe
In all buildings in which the whole or part of the which ventilate two fixture traps. Usually used in
house drainage and plumbing system. Thereof is apartments arranged back to back
located below the crown level of the main
sewer, sewage or have wastes shall be lifted by
an approved artificial means and discharged
Circuit or Loop Vent - This is employed where two
into the house sewer.
SECTION 243. DRAINAGE BELOW SEWER or more fixture traps are installed on a horizontal
LEVEL soil or waste branch.
SIZE OF SOIL/WASTE PIPE AND VENT PIPE
SIZE OF SOIL/WASTE PIPE AND VENT PIPE
Relief Vent - installed to ventilate the soil and
SIZE OF SOIL/WASTE PIPE AND VENT PIPE waste pipe and the connecting branches other than
the fixture traps
Example
How large is the soil/waste stack pipe and Vent
pipe required for fixtures consisting of 4 water
closets. 4 lavatories 3 showers and 2 kitchen Yoke/By-Pass Vent - On a long vertical soil pipe a
sinks installed on the first floor of a two storey relief vent is installed at 3 to 5 floor intervals. In
building 6.00 meters high? this case, the relief vent is referred to as the YOKE
Step 1: Get the Total Fixture Unit Value or by-pass ventilation.
6 X 4 W.C. = 24
2 x 4 LAV. = 8
2 X 3 SHO. = 6
2 x 2 K.sink = 4 Wet Vent - vertical pipe of the plumbing system
42 Fixture Units used as ventilation of the plumbing, in· stallation
Step 2: Use table to get Soil/Waste Pipe Size and fixture traps which at the same time receives
6 X 4 W.C. = 24
and convey liouid waste discharge from the
fixtures

Looped Vent - Used on Fixtures in a room away

from partitions. Common to beauty parlors, barbers
shops and dental clinics and surgical rooms.