LESSON 1: Building Plumbing System structure.

Through a network of pipes, the water is distributed to

individual fixtures after a single pipe brings water into the structure.
The plumbing and sanitary system is an essential part of every
The total amount of water that enters the system is monitored by a
house or building. Proper planning and designing of plumbing system meter.
is crucial as it takes care of the hygiene requirements of the
occupants. It has been reported that about 8% of the construction 2. Sanitary Drainage System
cost of a building is marked for plumbing and sanitary work. Wastewater that is generated in households and buildings, is
eliminated through sanitary drainage systems. Wastewater from
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE PLUMBING SYSTEM laundry, cooking, human waste etc. are disposed outside using these

The aims and objectives of a good local plumbing system is…

• The drinking-water supply that serves a building and the system

for liquid waste removal that connects the building to the sewer
mains.
• The system should be operating within a context of standards
and codes, determined and overseen by qualified public
authorities, that specify the requirements for its design,
composition and management, and the training and practices of
the plumbers and operators who build and maintain it.

THREE CHIEF AIMS OF GOOD PLUMBING SYSTEM

pipes. Vent pipes are installed vertically and are connected to the
• To supply safe drinking-water in adequate quantities, sanitary drainage systems. This helps in operating the venting of gases
• To remove liquid wastes efficiently, and other systems work at atmospheric pressure. The sanitary
• To minimize risk of failure through vigilance and quality assurance. drainage system eventually takes wastewater to the community sewer
system.
WATER SUPPLY GOALS
a. The local drinking-water supply should be adequate in terms of
quantity, safety, continuity and reliability.
b. Water supplied for human consumption should be safe at all times.
c. Every building should have an internal drinking-water piped system.
d. Water should be conserved by minimizing leakage and wastage.
e. Water should be supplied from a suitable number of accessible and
hygienic fixtures.
f. Building contents should be protected from the effects of
malfunctioning of the plumbing system.
g. Adequate lighting and ventilation should be provided for toilet and
washing fixtures.
h. Hot water systems should be carefully designed to avoid health
hazards.

LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL GOALS

• Liquid wastes should be disposed of promptly and hygienically.

• Drainage systems should be of adequate size and easily cleaned.
• Drainage systems should be equipped with liquid seal traps.
• All drains should be adequately ventilated.
• Deleterious substances should be excluded from sewers.
• Backflow of sewage should be prevented.

PLUMBING GOALS
a. Plumbing materials and workmanship should conform to accepted
quality standards.
b. Plumbing installations should be tested and disinfected before
being put into service.
c. Adequate training should be provided for plumbing professionals
and the public should be made aware of the dangers of poor
plumbing.
d. Plumbing systems should be properly maintained.

TYPES OF PLUMBING
1. Potable Water System
The water that comes from the community water is brought into a
structure by the potable water system. To shut off the structure's
water supply, there is a valve on the water main itself for each
3. Rainwater Drainage System 13. Plumping systems shall be subjected to such tests to effectively
The purpose of the rainwater drainage system is to carry rainwater disclose all leaks and defects in the workmanship.
away from a structure. In some old infrastructures, rainwater simply 14. The materials which will clog or choke the pipes and produce
drains into the sanitary drainage system, but in buildings that are explosive mixtures or destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere
more modern, a separate system of drains carry water into the unduly with the sewage-disposal process shall not be allowed to enter
community rain sewers. Gutters are a part of the rainwater drainage the building drainage system.
system visible from outside the building; other components, such as
15. Proper protection shall be used to prevent spoilage of food, water,
drains and pipes, are below the ground."
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 water closet or other plumbing fixtures are installed in buildings

where there is no sewer within reasonable distance , suitable provision
shall be made for disposing of the building sewage by some accepted
method of sewage treatment and disposal such as a septic tank.

18. Where a plumbing drainage system may be subjected 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

BASIC PRINCIPLE OF PLUMBING SYSTEM Registered Master Plumbers
1. All the premises made for human use or habitation shall be provided
with the supply of pure and water, connected neither to unsafe water 20. All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly spaced, to be
supply nor subject to backflow or back- siphonage. accessible for their intended use.

2. Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with 21. Plumbing shall be installed by Registered Master Plumbers with
water in sufficient volume and pressure adequate to function due regard to the preservation of the strength of structural members
satisfactorily and without undue noise. and the prevention of damages to walls and other surfaces through
fixture usage.
3. Plumbing system shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum
quantity of water consistent with proper performance and cleaning. 22. Sewage or other waste from plumbing system which may be
deleterious to surface or sub-surface shall not be discharge into to
4. Devices which are used for heating and storing water shall be
the ground or into any waterway.
designed and installed in such a manner so as to prevent dangers from
explosion through overheating.
LESSON 2
5. Every building located on a street, alley or easement with a public
sewer shall have its plumbing fixtures to the sewer system. Sources of potable water

6. Each family dwelling unit shall have minimum of one water closet, What is potable water?
kitchen type sink, a bathtub or shower to fulfill the basic Potable water, also known as drinking water, comes from the surface
requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene. and ground sources and is treated to levels that meet state and local
standards for consumption. Water from natural resources is treated
7. Plumbing fixtures should be made of smooth non-absorbent material
for microorganisms, bacteria, toxic-chemicals, viruses and fecal
and they should be free from concealed fouling surfaces and they
water.
must be located in ventilated enclosures.
TYPES OF WATER SOURCES
8. The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained
to prevent the fouling, deposit of solids, clogging and with adequate 1.Surface Water Resources
cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily leaned.
Surface water is water located on
9. All piping shall be made of durable NAMPAP approved materials. top of the earth’s surface such as
They should be free from defective workmanship and should be rivers, creeks, and wetlands. This
designed and constructed by skilled Plumbers to ensure satisfactory may also be referred as blue
service. water. It is a body of water above
ground, including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoir and
10. Every plumbing fixture connected directly to the drainage system
creeks. The ocean, despite being saltwater, is also considered
shall be equipped with a water-sealed trap.
surfaces water.
11. The piping system of drainage pipes shall be designed to provide
adequate circulation of free air from siphonage aspiration.

12. Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and installed to
prevent clogging and the return of foul air to the building.
2. Ground Water Resources be screened out using normal treatment methods at a reasonable
These are sources beneath price.
the land surface and springs
and wells. As can be seen C. Distance of the Source of Supply
from the hydrologic cycle, The source of supply must be as close as possible to the point of
when rain falls to the ground, delivery. If the distance is less, it will help in reducing the overall cost
some water flows along the of the project as small-sized pipes would be used, and the number of
land to streams or lakes, appurtenances required would also be less
some water evaporates into
the atmosphere, some is taken up by plants and some seeps into the D. Topography of Surrounding Area
ground. The land between the source of supply and the city/society shouldn’t
have high mountains, deep valleys, or ridges. In other words, the
3. Storm Water Resources
surface shouldn’t be highly uneven as uneven topographies would
The water that originates from rain, including snow and ice melt. require tunnels to be constructed or a greater number of trestles for
Storm water can soak into the soil (infiltrate), be stored on the supporting the water pipes. This will increase the overall cost.
land surface in ponds and puddles, evaporate, or contribute to surface
runoff. Most runoff is conveyed directly to nearby streams, E. Elevation of Water Source
rivers, or other water bodies (surface water) without treatment. In The water source must be on a higher elevation as compared to the
natural landscapes, such as forests, soil absorbs much of the storm
town or city. This would facilitate gravity flow of water. When the
water. Plants also reduce storm water by improving
water sources are at a lower level, equipment like pumps have to be
infiltration, intercepting precipitation as it falls, and by taking up used. This would increase operational and maintenance costs.
water through their roots.
LESSON 3
4. Wastewater Resources
Wastewater is used water that has been affected by domestic, FIXTURES
industrial and commercial use. Wastewater effluents are released to Are approved-type installed receptacles, devices or appliances
a variety of environments such as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and supplied with water or liquid-borne wastes & discharge such wastes
oceans. Wastewater also includes storm runoff, as harmful into the drainage system to which they may be directly or indirectly
substances wash offs roads, parking lot & rooftops. connected. Industrial or commercial tanks, vats & similar processing
equipment are not plumbing fixtures, but may be connected to or
5. Saltwater Resources
discharge into approved traps or plumbing fixtures as approved for in
Salt water or saline water is water with a large amount of salt in it. It this code.
usually means the water from the seas and oceans (sea water). Almost Their common types are:
all the water on Earth is saline. Saltwater is abundant in the surface
1. Water Closet
of the planet. However, saltwater is currently not particularly useful 2. Lavatory
when it comes to potable water supplies. Desalination plants, while 3. Kitchen Sink
they do exist, are scarce because the energy required for desalination
4. Urinal
makes the process extremely expensive. 5. Bidet
6. Bath tub
6. Ice Cap Water Resources
An ice cap is a thick layer of ice and snow that covers large areas of
land. Ice caps can usually found in North and South Poles of the Earth.
Water Closet
Ice caps form like other glaciers. Snow accumulates year after year, A plumbing fixture used to receive human excremental and to
then melts. The slightly melted snow gets harder and compresses. It discharge it through a waste pipe, using water as a conveying medium.
slowly changes texture from fluffy powder to a block of hard, round
Water closets are classified according to design, make, flushing
ice pellets. New snow falls and buries the grainy snow. The hard snow mechanism, shape and installation.
underneath gets even denser. It is known as firn.
Water Closet
A plumbing fixture used to receive human excremental and to
discharge it through a waste pipe, using water as a conveying medium.
FACTORS IN SELECTING WATER SOURCE
Water closets are classified according to design, make, flushing
mechanism, shape and installation.
A. Quantity of Water
The quantity of water at the source should be adequate to meet all
the demands of the design population for the entire design period of
the scheme. In certain cases, the water source is mobilized to meet
the present-day demand, and as time passes, extra units can be added.
As mentioned earlier, in case the quantity of water is not sufficient,
distant sources of water should be considered.

A. TYPES OF WATER CLOSET AS TO DESIGN

1. Siphon wash-down
B. Quality of Water
2. Siphon jet
The water of the source should be free from poisonous and toxic
substances. The level of impurities in the water should be as low as to 3. Siphon Vortex
4. Reverse trap
CLOSED COUPLED WATER CLOSET
A water closet where
SIPHON WASHDOWN in the flush tank is
The least expensive but separate but is
the noisiest; only small attached to the toilet
amount of standing water bowl. It is a two-piece
susceptible to fouling, model.
staining and
contamination. It is
mechanically
satisfactory and is lower in price. Hence, it is widely used and entirely PAIL FLUSH WATER CLOSET
acceptable where price is the main consideration.

SIPHON JET
The jet being submerged
introduces its water
underwater so that its
operation is entirely
muffled. It has a large
amount of standing water
to prevent fouling. It is A water closet comprising only of a bowl without a flush tank. Flushing
mechanically efficient but expensive. action is obtained only through water poured from a pail or bucket.
This is used in areas where running water systems are not available.

SIPHON VORTEX SQUAT BOWL WATER

this type of bowl
develops its flushing
action through the
water entering
through diagonal holes
around the rim which
creates a swirling
A water closet that is otherwise known as “Eastern type” since the
action which forms a vortex in the center. It is considered to be the
user assumes a squatting position rather than a sitting position.
quietest, most efficient and most sanitary water closet.
Types of Water Closet as to Flushing Mechanism
REVERSE TRAP
The trap way located • Flush Tank
at the rear of the • Flush Valve (Flushometer)
water closet
eliminated the bulge FLUSH TANK Holds a
at the front. The supply of water for flushing a fixture
design and such as the water closet. It has a
appearance of the capacity of 5 to 6 gallons.
bowl plus its large
FLUSH VALVE Valve
water area and
designed to supply a fixed
quietness in operation, make it desirable than siphon wash down.
quantity of water for
flushing purposes. It is
TYPES OF WATER CLOSET activated by direct water
pressure without the use of a
• One-piece flush tank. It is also known as
• Close Coupled Flushometer or Flushometer valve. The flush valve requires 10 to 20
• Pail Flush psi flow pressure.
• Squat bowl

ONE-PIECE WATER CLOSET

The water closet fixture is manufactured with the bowl and the flush
tank molded into a single unit. Usually used in tandem with the bidet.
Types of Water Closet as to Shape LAVATORY
1. ROUND FRONT - intended for installation on a limited space. A fixture designed for the washing of the hands or face. It is also
known as wash basin.

2. ELONGETED FRONT- is more comfortable but occupies a larger

space.

TYPES OF LAVATORY

Wall Hung Lavatory

TYPES OF WATER CLOSET AS TO INSTALLATION

1. Free Standing (Floor Mounted

Pedestal Lavatory

2. Wall Hung (Wall Mounted

 One- Piece Lavatory

Counter Type Lavatory

MATERIALS FOR LAVATORY

a. Vitreous China
b. Enameled Cast Iron
c. Stainless Steel
d. Plastic
Urinal
A sanitary fixture equipped with a water supply and drain for flushing
Kitchen Sink away urine.
A plumbing fixtures usually consisting of a basin with a water supply,
connected with a drain & used for dishwashing. Types of Urinal

Wall Hung Urinal

Types of Kitchen Sink
 Pedestal Urinal OTHER PLUMBING FIXTURES

Stall Urinal

Trough Urinal

PLUMBING ACCESSORIES
Plumbing Accessories are items that are not usually essential, but
which can be used with or added to something else in order to make it
more efficient, useful, or decorative.
BIDET & BATH TUB 1. Soap Holder
2. Paper Holder
BIDET
3. Toothbrush and Tumbler Holder
A plumbing fixture used for washing the middle part of the body,
4.TowelHolder/Towel Bar Post
especially the genitals. It is also known as the Sitz Bath.
5. Seat Cover

Plumbing Accessories
BATH TUB
A tube for bathing, usually a fixed plumbing installation designed for
one person. It is available in left outlet and right outlet.
 MOUNTING DIMENSIONS OF ACCESSORIES AND FITTINGS
AT BATH TUB/ SHOWER

MOUNTING DIMENSIONS OF ACCESSORIES AND FITTINGS

AT SHOWER AREA

MINIMUM WATER CLOSET CLEARANCES