RNPCP Plumbing Terminology PDF

# Chapter 2 - Definitions ## Section 201 - GENERAL - For the purpose of this Code, the following terms shall bear the meanings indicated in this Chapter. - No attempt is made to define ordinary words, used in accordance with their established dictionary meanings except where a word has been used...

# Chapter 2 - Definitions ## Section 201 - GENERAL - For the purpose of this Code, the following terms shall bear the meanings indicated in this Chapter. - No attempt is made to define ordinary words, used in accordance with their established dictionary meanings except where a word has been used loosely, that it becomes necessary to define its meaning as adopted in this Code to avoid misunderstanding. - Since the primary purpose is to define terms in general rather than nouns, the definitions are arranged alphabetically according to the first word of the term rather than the noun. ## Section 202 - "A" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 202.1 | ABS | Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene | | 202.2 | ALLEY | any public space, public park or thoroughfare less than three (3) meters but not less than two (2) meters in width dedicated or deeded for public use. | | 202.3 | ALTER or ALTERATION | any change, addition or modification in construction or occupancy. | | 202.4 | ACCESSIBLE | when applied to a fixture, connection, appliance or equipment, shall mean having access thereto, but which may require prior removal of an access panel, door or similar obstruction. "Readily accessible" shall mean direct access without the necessity of removing any panel, door or similar obstruction. | | 202.5 | AIRBREAK | a physical separation, which may be a low inlet into the indirect waste receptor from the fixture, appliance or device indirectly connected. | | 202.6 | AIR GAP, DRAINAGE | the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe, plumbing fixture, appliance or appurtenance conveying waste to the flood level rim of the receptor. | | 202.7 | 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. | | 202.8 | APPROVED | accepted or acceptable under an applicable specifications or standard stated or cited in this Code, or accepted as suitable for any proposed use under procedures and powers of the Administrative Authority. | | 202.9 | APPROVED TESTING AGENCY | an organization primarily established for purposes of testing to approve standards and approved by the Administrative Authority. | | 202.10 | AUTHORITY, ADMINISTRATIVE | The Administrative Authority including the Building Official, the Commission, the Board and such other department or agency established and authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of Republic Act 1378 - The Plumbing Code of the Philippines, Presidential Decree No. 223; as amended by P.D. 657 - creating the Professional Regulation Commission and prescribing its powers and functions, and Letter of Instruction No. 1000 ordering and directing the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the former Ministry of Human Settlements, the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture, Public Works and Highways, Tourism, Transportation and Communication all 500T agencies concerned, to authorize and support PRC Accredited Bonafide Professional Organizations only, and their members to organize, host, sponsor, or represent the Filipino Professionals in national, regional and international fora, conventions where the concerned professions are involved; and further orders and directs that all government agencies and instrumentalities shall give priority to bonafide members of the accredited professional organizations in the hiring of its employees and engagement of professional services. | ## Section 203 - "B" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 203.1 | BACKFLOW | the flow of 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. | | 203.2 | BACKFLOW CONNECTION | condition or any arrangement whereby reverse flow can occur. | | 203.3 | BACKPRESSURE BACKFLOW | occurs due to an increased reverse pressure above the supply pressure. This may be due to pumps, boilers, gravity or other sources of pressure. | | 203.4 | BACKFLOW PREVENTER | device or means to prevent flow of liquid from returning to the source of supply. Also called vacuum breaker. | | 203.5 | 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. | | 203.6 | BACKWATER VALVE | a device installed in a drainage system to prevent reverse flow. | | 203.7 | 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 sometimes called an individual vent. See Revent pipe. | | 203.8 | BALL COCK | a valve opened and closed by the fall and rise, respectively, of an attached ball floating on the surface of the liquid. | | 203.9 | BALL JOINT | a type of pipe connection in which a ball-shaped end is held in a cuplike shell and allows movements in every direction. | | 203.10 | BATHROOM | a room equipped with a shower stall or bathtub. | | 203.11 | BATTERY OF FIXTURES | any of two or more similar adjacent fixtures which discharge into a common horizontal soil or waste branch. | | 203.12 | BELL OR HUB | that 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. | | 203.13 | BENDING PIN (or IRON) | a tool for straightening or bending lead pipe. | | 203.14 | BIBB | synonymous with faucet, cock, tap, plug, etc. The word "faucet" is preferred. | | 203.15 | BIDET | A plumbing fixtures used for washing the middle private part of the body, especially the genitals. Also called a "sitz" bath. | | 203.16 | BLANK FLANGE | A pipe flange that is not drilled for bolt holes. | | 203.17 | BLIND FLANGE | a flange that closes the end of a pipe. There is no opening for the passage of liquid or gas. | | 203.18 | BLOW-OFF | a controlled outlet of a pipeline to discharge liquid or detritus. | | 203.19 | BOARD | the Licensure Board for Master Plumbers | | 203.20 | BOILER BLOW-OFF | a valved outlet of a boiler that permits discharge of accumulated sediment. | | 203.21 | BRANCH | any part of the piping system other than a main, riser or stack. | | 203.22 | BRANCH INTERVAL | a length of soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a story height, but in no case less than 2.43 meters within which the horizontal branches from one floor or story of a building are connected to the stack. | | 203.23 | BRANCH, FIXTURE | see Fixture Branch | | 203.24 | BRANCH, HORIZONTAL | see Horizontal Branch | | 203.25 | BRANCH VENT | a horizontal vent connecting one or more individual vertical back vents with the vent stack or stack vent. | | 203.26 | BRAZED JOINT | any joint obtained by joining of metal parts with alloys which melt at temperatures higher than 449 degrees centigrade, but lower than the melting temperature of the parts to be joined. | | 203.27 | B & S | Brown and Sharpe (Specification) or Bell and Spigot (Ends of Pipes) | | 203.28 | BUILDING | a structure built, erected and framed of component structural parts designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure or support of persons, animals or property of any kind. | | 203.29 | 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. | | 203.30 | 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. | | 203.31 | BUILDING SUBDRAIN | that portion of an underground system, which cannot drain by gravity into the building sewer. | | 203.32 | 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. | ## Section 204 - "C" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 204.1 | CAULKING | plugging an opening with oakum, lead or other materials that are pounded into the annular space. Also, the material pounded into the annular opening. | | 204.2 | CAP | a fitting, screwed or caulked over the end of a pipe for closing the pipe end. | | 204.3 | CATCH BASIN | a receptacle in which liquids are retained for a sufficient period of time to allow settleable material to deposit. | | 204.4 | CERTIFIED BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER | a person who has shown competence to test and maintain backflow assemblies to the satisfaction of the Administrative Authority having jurisdiction. | | 204.5 | CESSPOOL | a non-watertight lined excavation in the ground which receives the discharge of a sanitary drainage system or part 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. | | 204.6 | CHASE | a vertical shaft for installation of different pipe stacks. | | 204.7 | CHECK VALVE | a valve that automatically closes to prevent the flow of liquid or gas in a reverse direction | | 204.8 | CIRCUIT VENT | a group vent pipe which starts in front of the extreme fixture connection on a horizontal branch and connects to the vent stack. See loop' vent, also. | | 204.9 | CLARIFIER | See Interceptor. | | 204.10 | CODE | The word "Code" or "this Code," when used alone, shall mean these regulations, subsequent amendments thereto or any emergency rule or regulation which the Administrative Authority having jurisdiction may lawfully adopt. | | 204.11 | COMMON VENT | see unit vent and dual vent. | | 204.12 | COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM | a specially designed system of waste piping embodying the horizontal wet venting of one or more sinks or floor drains by means of a common horizontal waste and vent pipe, adequately sized to provide free movement of air above the flow line of the drain. | | 204.13 | COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION | a structure which any part of its structural framework will ignite and burn at a temperature of 756 degrees centigrade or less. | | 204.14 | COMMISSION | The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). | | 204.15 | COMMON | that part of a plumbing system designed and installed to serve more than one (1) appliance, fixture, building or system. | | 204.16 | CONFINED SPACE | a room or space having a volume less than 1 4 cu. m with 250 kilogram calorie of the aggregate input rating of all fuel-burning appliances installed in that space. | | 204.17 | CONTAMINATION | an impairment of the quality of the potable water which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste. Also, defined as High Hazard. | | 204.18 | CONTINUOUS VENT | a continuous vent is vertical vent that is a continuation of the drain to which the vent connects. | | 204.19 | CONTINUOUS WASTE | a drain connecting the compartments of a set of fixtures to a trap or connecting other permitted fixtures to a common trap. | | 204.20 | CONDUCTOR OR DOWNSPOUT | a vertical pipe to convey rainwater. | | 204.21 | CORPORATION COCK | a stop valve placed at the connection of the water service pipe to the water main. | | 204.22 | COURT | an open, unoccupied space, bounded on two (2) or more sides by the walls of the building. An inner court is a court entirely within the exterior walls of a building. All other courts are outer courts. | | 204.23 | 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 served 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. | | 204.24 | CROSS-CONNECTION | any connection or arrangement, physical or otherwise, between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture or any tank, receptable, equipment or device, through which enables non-potable, used, unclean, polluted, contaminated water or other substances to enter into any part of such potable water system under any condition. | ## Section 205 - "D" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 205.1 | DEAD-END | the extended portion of a pipe that is closed at one end to which no connections are made on the extended portion, thus permitting the stagnation of liquid or air therein. | | 205.2 | DEPARTMENT HAVING JURISDICTION | the Administrative Authority and includes any other law enforcement agency concerned by any provision of this Code, whether such agency is specifically named or not. | | 205.3 | DEVELOPED LENGTH | the length of a pipe along its centerline and fittings. | | 205.4 | DIAMETER | unless specifically stated, the term "diameter" is the nominal diameter as designated commercially. I.D. denotes inside diameter of pipe and O.D. denotes outside diameter of tube. | | 205.5 | DOMESTIC SEWAGE | the liquid and water-borne wastes 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. | | 205.6 | DOUBLE-BEND FITTING | a pipe fitting with adjacent reverse bends and shaped like the letter "S" | | 205.7 | DOUBLE OFFSET | two offsets in succession or in series such that the centerlines of the outside ends are in the same straight line. | | 205.8 | DOWNSPOUT | the vertical portion of a rainwater conductor. | | 205.9 | DRAIN | a pipe, which carries ground and surface waters, storm water or wastewater into a building drainage system. | | 205.10 | 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. | | 205.11 | DRY VENT | a vent that does not carry liquid or water-borne wastes | | 205.12 | DUAL VENT | see Unit Vent | ## Section 206 - "E" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 206.1 | EFFECTIVE OPENING | is the minimum cross-sectional area at the point of water supply discharge measured or expressed in terms of (1) diameter of a circle; (2) if the opening is not circular, the diameter of a circle of equivalent cross-sectional area. (This is applicable also to air gap installation.) | | 206.2 | EXISTING WORK | the on-going installation of the plumbing system or any part thereof which has been installed prior to the effectivity of this Code. | ## Section 207 - "F" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 207.1 | FAMILY | one person living alone or a group living together, whether related to each other by birth or not. | | 207.2 | FAUCET | a valve located at the end of a water pipe through of which water can be drawn from or held within the pipe. | | 207.3 | 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. | | 207.4 | 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. | | 207.5 | FIXTURE BRANCH | the water supply pipe between the fixture supply pipe and the water-distributing pipe. | | 207.6 | FIXTURE DRAIN | the drainpipe from the trap of a fixture to the junction of that drain with any other drainpipe. | | 207.7 | FIXTURE SUPPLY | a water supply pipe connecting the fixture with the fixture branch. | | 207.8 | FIXTURE UNIT | is an arbitrary quantity in ternis of which the load-producing effects or water requirements on the plumbing system of different kinds of plumbing fixtures are expressed in some arbitrarily chosen scale. One fixture unit is equivalent to a rate of flow at 28.3 liters per minute (1 cu. ft./minute). | | 207.9 | FLOOD LEVEL | the level in a fixture at which water begins to overflow over the top or rim of the fixture. | | 207.10 | FLOOD LEVEL RIM | is the top edge of a receptacle from where water overflows. | | 207.11 | FLOODED | a fixture is flooded when the liquid therein rises to the flood level rim. | | 207.12 | FLOOR AREA | the area included within surrounding walls of a building (or portion thereof), exclusive of vent shafts and courts. | | 207.13 | FLUSH TANK | a tank located above or integral with water closet, urinal or similar fixtures for flushing or removing excrements in the fixture. | | 207.14 | FLUSH VALVE | is a device located at the bottom of the tank for the purpose of flushing waster closet and similar fixtures. | | 207.15 | FLUSHOMETER TANK | is integrated within an air accumulator vessel which is designed to discharge a predetermined quantity of water into fixtures for flushing purposes. | | 207.16 | FLUSHOMETER VALVE | is a device, which discharges a predetermined quantity of water into fixtures for flushing purposes and is actuated by direct water pressure. | ## Section 208 - "G" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 208.1 | 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. | | 208.2 | GLOBE VALVE | a valve in which the flow of fluid is cut off by means of a circular disc that fits over and against the horizontal valve seat. The movement of the plane of disc is parallel to the normal direction of flow of water through the orifice resulting to a tortuous passage which offers a high-pressure loss. | | 208.3 | GOOSENECK | a return bend 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. | | 208.4 | GRADE | is the slope or fall of a line of pipe with reference to a horizontal plane. In drainage, it is usually expressed as the fall in centimeters per meter or percentage slope of pipe. | | 208.5 | GREASE INTERCEPTOR | an interceptor of at least 3 cubic meters capacity to serve one or more fixtures and which is remotely located. | | 208.6 | GREASE TRAP | a device designed to retain grease from one to a maximum of four fixtures. | | 208.7 | GROUND WATER | the water that stands in or passes through the ground. | | 208.8 | GROUP VENT | a branch vent that performs its functions for two (2) or more traps. | ## Section 209 - "H" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 209.1 | HANGERS | see Supports. | | 209.2 | HEIGHT OF BUILDING | the vertical distance from the "Grade Line" to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof or to the top line of a casa roof or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip-root. | | 209.3 | HIGH HAZARD | see Contamination. | | 209.4 | 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 conducts it to the soil or waste stack or to the building drain. | | 209.5 | HORIZONTAL PIPE | is any pipe or fitting installed in a horizontal position or which forms an angle of not more than forty-five (45) degrees with the horizontal plane. | | 209.6 | HOUSE DRAIN | is that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a plumbing system which receives the discharges from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside of a building and conveys it to the house sewer outside of the building. | | 209.7 | 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. | | 209.8 | HOUSE STORM SEWER | is the pipeline from the building to the public or street storm drainage system. | | 209.9 | HUBLESS PIPES | are cast iron soil pipes with plain ends connected together with bolted stainless steel bands and neoprene gaskets. | ## Section 210 - "I" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 210.1 | INDIRECT WASTE PIPE | is a pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system but conveys liquid wastes by discharging into a plumbing fixture, interceptor or receptacle directly connected to the drainage system. | | 210.2 | INDIVIDUAL VENT | is a pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and which connects with the vent system above the fixture served or terminates in the open air. | | 210.3 | INDUSTRIAL WASTE | any and all liquid or water-borne waste from industrial or commercial processes, except domestic sewage. | | 210.4 | I.P.S. | means Iron Pipe Size. | | 210.5 | INSANITARY | a condition contrary to sanitary principles or injurious to health. | Conditions where the word "insanitary" shall apply include the following: - Any trap which does not maintain a proper trap seal; - Any opening in a drainage system, except where lawful, which is not provided with an approved water-sealed trap; - Any plumbing fixture or other waste-discharging receptacle or device, not supplied with water sufficient to flush it and maintain it in a clean condition; - Any defective fixture, trap, pipe or fitting; - Any trap, except where exempted in this Code, directly connected to a drainage system, the seal of which is not protected against siphonage and backpressure by a vent pipe; - Any connection, cross-connection, construction or condition, temporary or permanent, which permit or make possible, by any means whatsoever, for any unapproved foreign matter to enter into a water distribution system used for domestic purposes; and - The foregoing enumeration of conditions which the term "insanitary" applies, shall not preclude the application of that term to conditions that are, in fact, insanitary. ## Section 211 - "J" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 211.1 | JURISDICTION | the Administrative Authority under the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works & Highways, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the City Mayors of Chartered Cities, Environmental Management Bureau (D.E.N.R) and other government entities that regulate the practice of Registered & Licensed Master Plumbers. | ## Section 212 - "K" - No Definitions. ## Section 213 - "L" | Section | Term | Definition | | :------- | :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 213.1 | LABELED | equipment or materials bearing a label of a listing agency. All labels shall be embossed, stamped or indelibly marked with stickers, glued on the finished product indicating the weight, specifications and logo of the manufacturer. | | 213.2 | LATERAL | in plumbing, a secondary pipeline. In sewerage, a common sewer to which no other branch sewer is connected. It receives sewage from building sewer service connections only. | | 213.3 | LATRINE | a water closet consisting of a continuous trough containing water. The trough extends under two or more adjacent seats. Prohibited by health authorities for permanent installations. | | 213.4 | LAVATORY | a fixture designed for the washing of the hands or face. Sometimes called a wash basin. | | 213.5 | LEACHING CESSPOOL | a cesspool that is not watertight. | | 213.6 | LEADER | (See Conductor) - a pipe connected from building gutter to the downspout or conductor. | | 213.7 | LENGTH OF PIPE | is measured along its centerline. | | 213.8 | LIQUID WASTE | is the discharge from any fixture, appliance or appurtenance in connection with a plumbing system which does not receive fecal matter. | | 213.9 | LISTED | equipment or materials included in a LIST published by a listing agency that maintain periodic inspection on current production of listed equipment or materials and whose listing state either that the equipment or materials complied with approved standards or have been tested and found suitable for use in specified manners. | | 213.10 | LISTING AGENCY | is an agency accepted by the Administrative Authority in the business of listing or labeling and which maintains a periodic inspection program on current production of listed models, and makes available a published report of such listing where specific information is included that the product has been tested against approved standards and found safe for use in a specific manner. | | 213.11 | LOCAL VENT | a pipe or shaft to convey foul air from a plumbing fixture or a room to the outer air. | | 213.12 | LOOP OR CIRCUIT VENT | a vertical vent connection on a horizontal soil or waste pipe branch at a point downstream of the last fixture connection and turning to a horizontal line above the highest overflow level of the highest fixture connected thereat; the terminus connected to the stack vent in the case of loop venting or to the vent