TERMINOLOGIES

AIR GAP, DRAINAGE

The unobstructed vertical distance

through the free atmosphere between the
lowest openings from any pipe, plumbing
fixture, appliance or appurtenance
conveying waste to the flood level rim of
the receptor.
AIR GAP, WATER DISTRIBUTION
An unobstructed vertical
distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any
pipe or faucet conveying potable
water to the flood-level rim of any
tank, vat or fixture.
 BACKFLOW

The flow of the water or other

liquids, mixtures or substances into
the distributing pipes of a potable
supply of water from any source
other than from its intended source.
 BACKFLOW PREVENTER

Device or means to prevent flow

of liquid from returning to the source
of supply. Also called vacuum
breaker.
 BACK-SIPHONAGE

The flowing back of used, contaminated

or polluted water from a plumbing fixture
or vessel into a water supply pipe due to a
negative pressure in such pipe. See
backflow.
 BACKWATER VALVE

A device installed in a drainage

system to prevent reserve flow.
 BACKVENT PIPE
The part of a vent line, which
connects directly with an individual trap
underneath or behind the fixture and
extends to the branch or main vent pipe at
any point higher than the fixture or
fixture traps it serves. This is something
called an individual vent. See revent
pipe.
 BALL COCK
A valve opened and closed by the fall
and rise, respectively, of an attached ball
floating on the surface of the liquid.
 BATTERY OF FIXTURES
Any of two or more similar adjacent
fixtures which discharge into a common
horizontal soil or waste branch.
 BELL OR HUB
The portion of a pipe which, for a
short distance, is sufficiently enlarged to
receive the end of another pipe of the
same diameter for the purpose of making
a caulked or push-on joint.
 BIBB
Synonymous with faucet, cock, tap,
plug, etc. The word “faucet” is preferred.
 BIDET
A plumbing fixtures used for washing
the middle private part of the body,
especially the genitals. Also called a “sitz”
bath.
 BUILDING DRAIN
That part of the lowest horizontal
piping of a drainage system which
receives the discharge from soil, waste
and other drainage pipes inside the walls
of the building and conveys it to the
building sewer beginning 0.6 meter
outside the building wall.
 BUILDING SEWER
That part of the horizontal piping of a
drainage system which starts from the
end of the building drain and which
receives the discharge of the building
drain and conveys it to a public sewer,
private sewer, individual sewage disposal
system or other point of disposal.
 BUILDING SUPPLY
The pipe carrying potable water from
the water meter or other source of water
supply to a building or other point of use
or distribution on the lot. Building supply
shall also mean water service connection.
 CAP
A fitting, screwed or caulked over the
end of a pipe for closing the pipe end.
 CATCH BASIN
A receptacle in which liquids are
retained for a sufficient period of time to
allow settle abled material to deposit.
 CESSPOOL
A non-watertight lined excavation in
the ground which receives the discharge
of a sanitary drainage system or part of
thereof, designed to retain the organic
matter and solids discharging therefrom,
but permitting the liquid to seep through
the bottom and sides of the cesspool.
 CHASE
A vertical shaft for installation of
different pipe stacks.
 CHECK VALVE
A valve that automatically closes to
prevent the flow of liquid or gas in a
reverse direction.
CONDUCTOR OR DOWNSPOUT
A vertical pipe to convey rainwater.
 CORPORATION COCK
A stop valve placed at the connection
of the water service pipe to the water
main.
 CRITICAL LEVEL
C-L or C/L marking on a backflow prevention
device or vacuum breaker is a point conforming to
approved standards and established by the testing
laboratory (usually stamped on the device by the
manufacturer) which determines the minimum
elevation above the flood level rim of the fixture or
receptable serve where the device may be installed.
When a backflow prevention device does not bear a
critical level marking, the bottom of the vacuum breaker,
combination valve or the bottom of any such approved
device shall constitute the critical level.
 DEAD-END
The extended portion of a pipe that is
closed at one end to which no connection
is made on the extended portion, thus
permitting the stagnation of liquid or air
therein.
 DEVELOPED LENGTH
The length of a pipe along its center
line and fittings.
 DOMESTIC SEWAGE
The liquid and water-borne waste
derived from the ordinary living
processes, free from industrial wastes and
of such character that permit satisfactory
disposal without special treatment. It is
discharged into the public sewer or into a
private sewage disposal system.
 DOUBLE-BEND FITTING
A pipe fitting with adjacent reverse
bends and shaped like the letter “s”.
 DOUBLE OFFSET

Two offsets in succession or

in series such that the centerlines
of the outside ends are in the
same straight line.
 DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Includes all the pipings within public
or private premises which convey
sewage or other liquid wastes to a legal
point of disposal but does not include
the mains of a public sewer system or a
public sewage treatment or disposal
plant.
 FAUCET
A valve located at the end of a water
pipe through of which water can be drawn
from or held within the pipe.
 FERRULE

A metallic sleeve, caulked or

joined to an opening in a pipe, into
which a plug is screwed that can be
removed for cleaning or examining
the interior of the pipe.
 FIXTURE

A receptacle other than a trap

attached to a plumbing system in
which water or wastes may be
collected or retained for ultimate
discharge into the plumbing system.
 FIXTURE BRANCH
The water supply pipe between the
fixture supply pipe and the water-
disturbing pipe.
 FIXTURE DRAIN
The drainpipe from the trap of a
fixture to the junction of that drain with
any other drainpipe.
 FIXTURE SUPPLY

A water supply pipe connecting the

fixture with the fixture branch.
 FLOOD LEVEL RIM
Is the top edge a receptacle from
where water overflows.
 FLUSH TANK
A tank located above or integral with
water closet, urinal or similar fixtures for
flushing or removing excrements in the
fixture.
 FLUSH VALVE
Is a device located at the bottom of
the tank for the purpose of flushing
waster closet and similar fixture.
 FLUSHOMETER TANK
Is integrated within a air accumulator
vessel is designed to discharge a
predetermined quantity of water into
fixtures for flushing purposes.
 FLUSHOMETER VALVE
Is a device which discharges a
predetermined quantity of water into
fixtures for flushing purposes and is
actuated by direct water pressure.
 GATE VALVE
A valve in which the flow of water is
cut off by means of a circular disc fitted
against machine-smoothed faces, at right
angles to the direction of flow. The disk is
raised or lowered by means of a threaded
stem connected to the handle of the valve.
The opening in the valve is usually as
large as the full bore of the pipe.
 GLOBE VALVE
A valve in which the flow of fluid is
cut off by means of a circular disc that’s
fits over and against the horizontal valve
seat. The movement of the plane of disc is
parallel to the normal direction of flow
water through the orifice resulting to a
tortuous passage which offers a high-
pressure loss.
 GOOSENECK

A return bends of small-sized pipe,

one end of which is about 30 cm long
and the other end is about 7.5 cm long.
It is commonly used as a faucet for a
pantry sink. Also, the term means the
flexible tubing connection between a
service pipe and a water main.
 GREASE TRAP
A device designed to retain grease
from one to a maximum of four fixtures.
 HORIZONTAL BRANCH
Is a drain pipe extending laterally
from a soil or waste stack or building
drain with or without vertical sections or
branches, which receives the discharge
from one or more fixture drains and
conduct it to the soil or waste stack or to
the building.
 HORIZONTAL PIPE
Is any pipe of fitting installed in a
horizontal position or which forms an
angle of not more than 45 degrees with
the horizontal plane.
 HOUSE DRAIN
Is that part of the lowest horizontal
piping of a plumbing system which
receives the discharge from soil, waste
and other drainage pipes inside of a
building and conveys it to the house
sewer outside of the building.
 HOUSE SEWER
Is that part of a plumbing system
extending from the house drain at a point
0.60 meters from the outside face of the
foundation wall of a building to the
junction with the street sewer or to any
point of discharge and conveying the
drainage of one building site.
 HOUSE STORM SEWER
Is the pipeline from the building to
the public of street storm drainage
system.
 INVERT
The lowest portion of the interior
part of any pipe or conduit that is not
vertical.
 LATRINE
A water closet consisting of a
continues through containing water. The
trough extends under two or more
adjacent seats. Prohibited health
authorities for permanent installations.
 LAVATORY
A fixture designed for the washing of
the hands or face. Sometimes called a
wash basin.
 LEACHING CESSPOOL
A cesspool that is not watertight.
 LEADER

A pipe connected from building gutter

to the downspout or conductor.
 MAIN SEWER
A common sewer directly controlled by
public authority which all Abutters have
equal rights of connections.
 MANHOLE

A large opening in a sewer line or part of a

plumbing system constructed with
sufficient size for a man to gain access
therein for maintenance purpose and
facility for changes of line and/or grade of
pipeline.
 MASTER PLUMBER
A person technically and legally qualified
and licensed to practice the profession of
Master Plumbing without limitations in
accordance with Republic Act 1378,
having passed the examinations
conducted by the Professional Regulation
Commission, has received a Certificate of
Registration from the Board of Master
Plumbing and possess the current license
to practice.
 NAMPAP
National Master Plumbers Association of
the Philippines.
 PB (Polybutylene)
Tube made of plastic material and colored
black. The cross-sectional shape is
normally oval and is denoted by its outside
diameter or O.D. Normally used as water
service connection from main to meter.
 PE (Polyethylene)
Tube made of plastic material and colored
black. The cross-sectional shape is circular
and is denoted by its outside diameter or O.D.
 PLUMBING APPLIANCE
Any one of a special class of device or equipment
intended to perform a special plumbing function. Its
operation and/or control may be dependent upon
one or more energized components, such as motors,
controls, heating elements and pressure-
temperature-sensing elements. Such device or
equipment may operate automatically through one
or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a
temperature range, a pressure range, a measured
volume or weight; or the device or equipment may be
manually adjusted or controlled by the user or
operator.
 PLUMBING APPURTENANCE
A manufactured device or a prefabricated
assembly or an on-the-job assembly of
component parts and serves as adjunct to
the basic piping system and plumbing
fixtures. An appurtenance demands no
additional water supply nor does it add any
discharge load to a fixture or the drainage
system. It performs some useful functions
in the operation, maintenance, servicing,
economy or safety of the plumbing system.
 PLUMBING FIXTURES
Are approved-typed installed receptacles, devices
or appliances supplied with water or receive
liquid or liquid-borne wastes and discharge such
wastes into the drainage system to which they
may directly or indirectly connected. Industrial or
commercial tanks, vats and similar processing
equipment are not plumbing fixtures, but may be
connected to or discharged into approved traps or
plumbing fixtures as provided for in this Code.
 PRIVATE SEWEGE DISPOSAL
SYSTEM
A septic tank with the effluent discharging
into a subsurface disposal field, into one
or more seepage pits or into a
combination of subsurface disposal field
and seepage pit or of such other facilities
as may be permitted under the
procedures set forth elsewhere in this
Code.
 PRIVATE SEWER
A building sewer which receives the
discharge from more than one building
drain and conveys it to a public sewer,
private sewage disposal system or other
points of disposal.
 PRIVY
An outhouse or structure used for the
deposition excrement.
 PRIVY VAULT
A pit beneath a privy where excrement
collects.
 PUBLIC SEWER
A common sewer directly controlled by
public authority which all abutters have
equal rights of connections.
 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Potable water pipings are color-coded
BLUE. Drainpipes are manufactured with
toxic components ad are color-coded gray,
orange or brown.
 RELIEF VENT
A vertical vent line, the primary function
of which is to provide additional
circulation of air between the drainage
and vent systems or to act as an auxiliary
vent on a specially designed system such
as a yoke “vent” connection between the
soil and vent stacks.
 RETURN BEND
An open return bend usually made up two
90 degrees bends with inside and outside
threads, flanged or welded fittings; and
applied also to a 180 degrees bend in
copper tubing’s.
 RIM
An unobstructed top open edge of a
fixture.
 RISER
A water supply pipe which extends
vertically to one full story or more to
convey water into pipe branches or
plumbing fixtures.
 SANITARY SEWER
A sewer intended to receive sanitary
sewage with or without pre-treated
industrial wastes and without the
admixture of rain or ground water.
 SEEPAGE PIT
A loosely lined excavation in the ground
which receives the discharge of a septic
tank and designed to permit the effluent
from the septic tank to seep through pit
bottom and sides.
 SEPTIC TANK
A water-tight receptacle which receives
the discharge of sanitary plumbing
system or part thereof, designed and
constructed to retain solids, digest
organic matter through a period of
detention and to allow the liquids to
discharge into the soil outside of the tank
through a system of open-jointed
subsurface pipings or a seepage pit
meeting the requirements of this Code.
 SERVICE PIPE
The pipe from the street water main or
other source of water supply to the
building served.
 SEWAGE
Any wastewater containing animal or
vegetable matter in suspension or
solution and may include liquids
containing chemicals in solution.
 SEWER
A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage and
wastewater.
 SIAMESE CONNECTION
A hose fitting with clapper valves for
combining the flow from two or more
lines of hose into a single stream. The
inlet fitting of a fire standpipe located
above ground level.
 SOIL STACK PIPE
A vertical soil pipe conveying fecal matter
and wastewater.
 SOIL PIPE
Any pipe, which conveys the discharge of
water closet, urinal or fixtures having
similar functions, with or without the
discharges from other fixtures to the
building drain or building sewer.
 SPIGOT
The end of a pipe which fits into a bell.
Also a word used synonymously with
faucet.
 SWIMMING POOL
A water basin used for swimming
designed to accommodate many bathers
at a time and properly connected to a
disposal system, fills ad draws water
supply or provided with approved water
purification and recirculation.
 VERTICAL PIPE
Any pipe or fitting installed in a vertical
position forms an angle of not more than
45 degrees with the vertical line.
 WATER TREATMENT
A device which conditions or treats water
supply to improve water quality, remove
suspended solids by filtration.
 WATER DISTRIBUTING PIPE
A pipe which conveys potable water from
the building supply pipe to the plumbing
fixtures and other water 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, fitting, valves and all
appurtenances required for the supply of
potable water.
 WYE
A hose connection with two-gated outlets
permitting two connections of the same
or smaller coupling diameter to be taken
from a single supply line. Also, fitting of
three branches that form the letter “wye”.