PLUMBING VOCAB

Plumbing Design and Estimate by Max B. Fajardo Jr. | Audio Review

AIR GAP

IN DRAINAGE: The unobstructed vertical distance (Usually 2 times the diameter of the supply pipe or more) through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.

IN WATER DISTRIBUTION: The 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 or fixture.

Typically required when there is a higher risk of backflow contamination or when there are strict codes in place to ensure the safety of potable water.

BACK FLOW

The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable supply of water from any source other than from its intended source.

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.

BATTERY OF FIXTURES

Any group of two (2) or more similar, adjacent fixtures which discharge into a common horizontal waste or soil branch.

BIBB

Synonymous with faucet, cock, tap, or plug.

BLOW OFF

A controlled outlet of a pipeline to discharge liquid or detritus.

A valve or system designed to release pressure, sediment, or trapped air from a system, often used in boilers or water mains to prevent damage or ensure proper operation.

BRANCH

Any part of the piping system other than a main, riser, or stack. Often used to connect fixtures to the main drainage or supply lines.

Can be either horizontal or vertical, depending on its function and orientation in the system.

BRANCH INTERVAL

A length of soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a storey height, but in no case less than 2.43 meters within which the horizontal branches from one floor or storey of a building are connected to the stack.

BRANCH VENT

Is a vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.

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.

Refers to using flexible materials like caulk or sealant to seal gaps and joints around fixtures, preventing leaks, water damage, and mold growth.

CIRCUIT VENT

A group of vent pipe which starts in front of the extreme fixture connection on a horizontal branch and connects to the vent stack.

CONTINUOUS VENT

Is a vertical vent that is a continuation of the drain to which the vent connects.

COMBINATION FIXTURES

A fixture combining one sink and tray or a two or three compartment sink or tray in one vent.

Single fixture that serves multiple functions using a common drain and trap. It is designed to save space and reduce plumbing complexity.

Examples:

1. Sink and Wash Tray Combination

2. Toilet and Sink Combination

3. Bathtub and Shower Combination

4. Kitchen Sink with Garbage Disposal

COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM (DWV - Drain-Waste-Vent system)

Especially 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.

Safely and efficiently remove wastewater from sinks, showers, toilets, and other fixtures, preventing sewer gases from entering the building.

COMMON VENT (Unit Vent or Dual Vent)

An arrangement of venting so installed that a single vent pipe will serve 2 traps.

CROSS-CONNECTION

Any connection or arrangement, physical or otherwise, between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture or any tank receptacle, 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.

Actual or potential connections between a potable and non-potable water supply. This may cause a backflow condition or a serious health hazard to occur.

DEAD END (Dead Leg)

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.

A section of a pipe that is no longer in use or has become isolated from the regular flow of water, potentially leading to water stagnation and increased risk of bacterial contamination.

DEVELOPED LENGTH

The length of a pipe along its centerline and fittings.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Network of pipes, drains, and fixtures designed to collect and remove wastewater, including sewage, rainwater, and other liquid waste, from a building, ensuring proper disposal and preventing sewer gases from entering.

DIAMETER

Unless, specifically stated, the term, “diameter” is the nominal diameter as designated commercially.

Refers to the size of a pipe, measured as either the outside diameter (OD) or the inside diameter (ID), and is crucial for determining compatibility with fittings and ensuring proper flow rates and water pressure.

DRY VENT

A vent pipe that solely carries air and does not transport wastewater.

EFFECTIVE OPENING

the minimum cross-sectional area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or expressed in terms of diameter of a circle.

(If the opening is not a circle, the diameter of a circle that is equivalent to the cross sectional area.)

EXISTING WORK

That portion of a plumbing system that has been installed and approved prior to the contemplated addition, alteration, or correction

FIXTURE BRANCH

Drain pipe that serves 2 or more fixtures (excluding toilets) and conveys their waste to another drain or a stack.

Pipe connecting several fixtures

FIXTURE DRAIN

Connects a single fixture to a branch.

FIXTURE SUPPLY (Water Supply Line)

Is a water supply pipe connecting the fixture with the fixture branch

FIXTURE UNITS

Quantity in terms of which the load producing effects on the plumbing system of different kinds of plumbing fixtures are expressed on some arbitrarily chosen scale

FIXTURE UNIT FLOW RATE

Total discharge flow in gallons per minute of a simple fixture divided by 7.5 gallons that provides the flow rate of that particular plumbing fixture as a unit of flow.

FLOOD LEVEL

Is a device located inside the tank for the purpose of maintaining water level for effective flushing of the water closet.

FERRULE

A small, cylindrical component, often made of metal or plastic, used to create a secure, leak-proof connection between a pipe or tube and a fitting.

A metallic sleeve called or otherwise joined to an opening in pipe into which a plug is screwed that can be removed for the purpose of cleaning or examining the interior of the pipe.

FLUSH VALVE

They serve as the mechanism that releases water from the toilet tank to the bowl, initiating the flush to remove waste.

Located at the bottom of the tank for flushing water closets and similar fixtures

FLUSHOMETER VALVE

Commercial flush valve

Uses water pressure to flush toilets and urinals, instead of relying on a water tank like residential toilets.

Device that discharges a predetermined quantity of water to the fixture for flushing purposes activated by direct water pressure.

GRADE

Slope or fall of a pipe, typically expressed as a percentage to indicate the drop in feet (or meters) per hundred feet (or meters) of pipe length, ensuring proper drainage and preventing blockages.

GROUP VENT

A branch vent that performs its function for two or more traps.

A system where multiple plumbing fixtures, like lavatories, bathtubs, or shower stalls, are vented by a single vent pipe, rather than each fixture having its own individual vent.

HORIZONTAL PIPE

Any pipe or fitting which makes an angle of more than 45 degrees with the vertical.

INVERT

Lowest portion of the inside of any pipe or conduit that is not vertical

LIQUID WASTE

Is the discharge from any fixture, appliance or appurtenance in connection with a plumbing system which does not receive fecal matter.

LOCAL VENT PIPE

Pipe on the fixture side of the trap that removes foul air or vapors from a room or fixture, conveying them to the outer air

Local - specific to a certain fixture or area

Different from individual vent. Not part of a drainage vent - more like an air exhaust.

LOOPED VENT

Same as Circuit Vent except that it loops back and connects with a stack vent instead of a vent stack

Specific type of circuit vent

LATERAL (Sewer Lateral or Sewer Line)

In plumbing, a secondary pipe.

In sewage, a common sewer to which no other common sewer is tributary. It receives sewage only from the building sewer.

Refers to the pipe connecting a building’s plumbing system to the public sewer line, responsible for transporting wastewater from the home to the main sewer.

MAIN

principal artery of the system to which branches may be connected

MAIN SEWER

Is a sewer line or system directly controlled by public authority

MAIN VENT (Vent Stack)

Principal artery of the venting system to which vent branches may be connected.

Vertical pipe that regulates airflow within the plumbing system, preventing sewer gases from entering the home and ensuring proper drainage

PLUMBING FIXTURES

Are installed receptacles, devices, or appliances which are supplied with water, or which receives or discharges liquid or liquid borne waste, with or without discharge into drainage system which maybe directly or indirectly connected.

PLUMBING SYSTEM

Includes the water supply distribution pipes, plumbing fixtures and traps, soil, waste and vent pipes, house drain and house sewers including their respective connections, devices, and appurtenances within the property line at premises, and water treating or water using equipment

RELIEF VENT

Its primary function is to provide circulation of air between drainage and vent systems.

RE-VENT PIPE (Individual Vent)

That part of the vent pipeline which connects directly with an individual waste or group of wastes underneath or back of the fixture, and extend either to the main or branch vent pipe

PUBLIC SEWER

Common sewer directly controlled by public authorities where all abutters have equal rights of connection

SANITARY SEWAGE (Domestic Sewage)

The sewage containing human excrement and liquid household waste.

SANITARY SEWER

A sewer intended to receive sanitary sewage with or without industrial wastes and without the admixture of surface water, storm water or drainage.

SECONDARY BRANCH

Any branch in a building drain other than the primary branch.

Pipe that connects to a main branch or riser (often from fixtures like sinks or toilets). Connects a group of fixtures to the main system.

Sub-branch in a tree, coming off the main branch.

SEWERAGE OF SEWAGE WORK

Is a comprehensive term including all construction or collection, transportation, pumping, treatment and final disposition of sewage.

SIAMESE CONNECTION

Is a Y connection used on fire lines so that two lines of hose maybe connected to a hydrant or to the same nozzle.

A fitting with 2 or more inlets used to connect multiple hoses to a sprinkler system, allowing fire trucks to pump water into the system.

Fire Department Connection (FDC) that enables firefighters to quickly access a building’s fire suppression system.

STANDPIPE

A vertical pipe usually used for the storage of water, frequently under pressure.

SIDE VENT

A vent connecting to the drain pipe through a fitting at an angle not greater than 45 degrees or to the vertical.

SOIL PIPE

Any pipe that conveys the discharge of water closets or fixtures having similar functions, with or without the discharge from other fixtures, to the building drains (house drain) or building sewer (house sewer)

STACK

The vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent pipe

STACK GROUP

Term applied to the location of fixtures in relation to the stack so that by means of proper fittings, vents may be reduced to a minimum

STACK VENT (Soil or Waste Stack)

Extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack

STACK VENTING

Method of venting a fixture or fixtures through the soil or waste stack.

SUBSOIL DRAIN

Are underground drain pipes that receive sub-surface or seepage water only and convey it to a place of disposal

SUMP

A pit or receptacle at a low point to which the liquid waste are drained.

Constructed pit or basin, typically located in a basement or crawl space, that collects excess water.

TRAP

Is a fitting or device so designed as to provide when properly vented a liquid seal that will prevent the back passage of air without materially affecting the flow of sewage through it.

TRAP SEAL

Maximum vertical depth of liquid that trap will retain, measured between the crown weir and top of the dip of the trap

VENT STACK

Vertical pipe installed primarily for the purpose of providing circulation of air to different parts of the drainage system

VENT SYSTEM

Pipe/Pipes installed to provide a flow or circulation of air within the plumbing system to protect trap seals siphoning and back pressure.

VERTICAL PIPE

Is a pipe installed in a vertical position or at an angle of not more than 45 degrees with the vertical

WASTE PIPE

Pipe that conveys liquid waste from fixture that is free of fecal matter

WATER DISTRIBUTING PIPE

Pipe that conveys water from the water service pipe to the plumbing fixtures and other water outlets

WATER SERVICE PIPE

Pipe from the water main or other source of water supply to the building served

WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Consists of the water service pipes, the water distributing pipes, and the necessary connecting pipes, fitting, control valves, and all appurtenances in or adjacent to the building or premises.

WET VENT

Is a vent that receives the discharge from wastes other than water closet

PLUMBING

The art and science of installing pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus to convey and supply water in the buildings, and to dispose and discharge waste water and other liquids, gases, and other substances out of buildings in a safe, orderly, healthy and sanitary way to ensure the health and sanitation of life and property.

PLUMBER

A person who is skilled in the field of sanitation.

PLUMBARIUS

Refers to an individual who worked in the sanitary field of Ancient Rome.

PLUMBUM

Lead. A metal used as plumbing material by the Romans, preferred for its twin properties of malleability and resistance to acid.

17th CENTURY

English Parliament passed the first plumbing apprentice law.

SEPTIC TANK

A buried, watertight tank designated and constructed to receive and partially treat raw domestic sanitary wastewater. It is a proper sewage disposal system.

ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene)

Black plastic pipe commonly used for drainage, sewage, and vent. Good at handling severely cold temperatures, but can warp with exposure to direct sunlight. Maybe used in buried or above ground DWV applications.

AIRBREAK

Physical separation between the potable water system and a waste system. It is created by providing an open vertical space between the end of a pipe that carries potable water and the wastewater or drain it is discharging into.

Typically used when the risk of backflow is lower, or when it’s allowed by local plumbing codes in less critical applications.

APPRENTICE PLUMBER

An entry level plumber, learning the trade. May work with a journeyman, under the supervision of a master plumber.

AREA DRAIN

A receptor designed to collect surface or storm water from an open area

RECEPTOR

A fixture that receives waste from appliances and fixtures. It can be a floor drain, standpipe, hub drain, or floor sink.

Typically used to receive discharge from fixtures or appliances that are required to discharge through an air break or air gap.

ASPIRATOR

A device, like a fitting or suction apparatus, that uses fluid under pressure to create a vacuum, often used for removing fluids or air, similar to an ejector.

VACUUM

Refers to a negative pressure condition in the pipes that can occur when the pressure inside the drainage system becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure.

BACKFLOW CONNECTION

A condition or any arrangement whereby reverse flow can occur.

BACKPRESSURE BACKFLOW

Type of unwanted reverse flow in a plumbing system where the pressure downstream (in the building or fixture) exceeds the pressure in the supply line, forcing contaminated water back into the potable water system.

Occurs due to an increased reverse pressure above the supply pressure. This maybe due to pumps, boilers, gravity, or other source of pressure.

BACK FLOW PREVENTER

Device or means to prevent flow of liquid from returning to the source of supply. It is also known as vacuum breaker.

BACKWATER VALVE

A device installed in a drainage system to prevent reverse flow.

VALVE

A device that controls the flow of fluids through pipes, either by opening, closing, or partially obstructing the passage.

Used to direct flow, shut off water access, prevent backflow, and adjust water pressure within a system.

BACKVENT PIPE (Individual vent)

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.

BALL COCK

A valve opened and closed by the fall and rise, respectively, of an attached ball floating on the surface of the liquid.

Vital component in plumbing, specifically in toilet tank mechanisms. It controls the flow of water into the tank and maintains the water level.

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.

BATHROOM

A room equipped with a shower stall or bathtub

TYPES OF BATHROOM

Full Bath - Lavatory, Toilet, Shower Stall, and Bath Tub

¾ Bath - Toilet, Lavatory, and Shower Stall

½ Bath - Toilet and Lavatory

¼ Bath - aka Powder Room, Either Toilet or Shower

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.

CAULKED JOINT

A joint that uses molten lead and oakum or hemp to seal the pipes. This type of joint is used in cast iron pipework.

These typically involve sealing the joint with a material like lead, which is poured or hammered into a space around the pipe to create a watertight seal.

Historical plumbing method. They are still used in specific applications, particularly for cast iron pipe in drainage and venting systems, but are less common than other modern joint types.

OAKUM

Loose fiber obtained by untwisting old rope, used especially in caulking wooden ships.

A preparation of tarred fibers used to seal gaps.

PUSH-ON JOINT

A type of connection, commonly used with ductile iron pipe, that uses a rubber gasket to form a watertight seal by simply pushing the pipe ends together.

GASKET

A mechanical seal, typically made of rubber or silicone, used to prevent leaks between two mating surfaces, ensuring a tight, waterproof seal when compressed between pipes, fittings, or other plumbing components.