Plumbing and Building Codes: Definitions A and B

• Section 202 and 203 provide definitions for terms starting with "A" and "B" used in the context of plumbing and building codes.

Terms Starting with "A"

• ABS: Acrylonitrile - Butadiene - Styrene.
• Alley: A public space, park, or thoroughfare with a width between two and three meters dedicated for public use.
• Alter or Alteration: Any change, addition, or modification to a construction or occupancy.
• Accessible: Fixtures, connections or equipment that can be accessed, sometimes with the removal of a panel or door.
• Readily Accessible: Direct access without needing to remove panels or doors.
• Air Break: Physical separation which may be a low inlet into the indirect waste receptor.
• Air Gap (Drainage): The unobstructed vertical distance through the air between the waste pipe opening and the flood level rim of the receptor.
• Air Gap (Water Distribution): The unobstructed vertical distance through the air between the potable water pipe opening and the flood-level rim of the receiving tank or fixture.
• Approved: Accepted under specified standards or deemed suitable by the administrative authority.
• Approved Testing Agency: An organization established to test and approve standards.
• Authority, Administrative: Includes the Building Official, Commission, Board, authorized to enforce Republic Act 1378 - The Plumbing Code of the Philippines, Presidential Decree No. 223, as amended by P.D. 657.

Terms Starting with "B"

• Backflow: Water or liquids flowing into potable water supply pipes from unintended sources.
• Backflow Connection: A condition facilitating reverse flow.
• Backflow Preventer: A device preventing liquid flow from returning to the source; also known as a Vacuum Breaker.
• Back-Siphonage: Used or contaminated water flowing back into a water supply pipe due to negative pressure.
• Backwater Valve: A device installed in a drainage system to prevent reverse flow.
• Back Vent Pipe: Part of the vent line connecting to the trap and extending to the branch or main vent pipe, also known as an individual vent,
• Ball Cock: A valve controlled by a floating ball on the liquid surface.
• Ball Joint: A type of pipe connection allowing movement in every direction.
• Bathroom: A room containing a shower or bathtub.
• Battery of Fixtures: Two or more similar fixtures discharging into a common waste branch.
• Bell or Hub: The enlarged end of a pipe for joining to another pipe of the same diameter, allowing for caulked or push-on joints.
• Bending Pin (Iron): A tool used to straighten or bend lead pipe.
• Bibb: Synonym for faucet, cock, tap, plug.
• Bidet: A plumbing fixture for washing the genital area, also called a "sitz" bath.
• Blank Flange: A pipe flange without bolt holes.
• Blind Flange: A flange closing the end of a pipe without an opening.
• Blow-Off: A controlled pipeline outlet to discharge liquid or detritus.
• Board: The Licensure Board for Master Plumber.
• Boiler Blow-Off: A valved outlet on a boiler for discharging accumulated sediment.
• Branch: Any part of a piping system except the main, riser, or stack.
• Branch Interval: A length of soil or waste stack, generally a story height, but not less than 2.43 meters, where horizontal branches connect to the stack.
• Branch, Vent: A horizontal vent connecting individual back vents with the vent stack or stack vent.
• Brazed Joint: A joint using metal alloys that melt above 449 degrees centigrade but below the melting point of the parts being joined.
• B & S: Brown and Sharpe specification or Bell and Spigot Ends of Pipes.
• Building: A structure designed to house, shelter, or support persons, animals, or property.
• Building Drain: The lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system receiving discharge and conveying it to a sewer or disposal system.
• Building Subdrain: An underground system section that cannot drain by gravity into the building sewer.
• Building Supply: The pipe carrying potable water from the water meter or source to the building for use and distribution.