Basic Principles of Plumbing

Plumber

A person who installs pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus for water supply and waste removal in buildings.

Apprentice Plumber

A beginner at the plumbing trade who serves as a helper to a journeyman for 3 to 5 years.

Journeyman Plumber

A plumber who has completed their apprenticeship and is competent to install and repair plumbing systems.

Master Plumber

A person who is qualified, licensed, and certified to practice the profession of master plumbing without limitations.

Plumbing Code

A set of regulations that govern the practice of the plumbing profession and ensure the protection of public health.

Backflow

The flow of water or other substances into a potable water supply system from an unintended source.

Back-siphonage

The flow of used, contaminated, or polluted water from a plumbing fixture back into a water supply due to negative pressure.

Water Hammer

A pressure surge or wave that occurs when a fluid in motion is suddenly forced to stop or change direction, causing noise, vibration, and potential pipe damage.

Pressure

The force per unit area exerted on a surface by a fluid, such as water, in a plumbing system.

Airgap

An unobstructed vertical distance between a pipe or faucet conveying potable water and the flood level rim of a tank or fixture, preventing backflow.

Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker (AVB)

A device that prevents back-siphonage by closing an air inlet valve when water flows in the normal direction and opening it when water ceases to flow.

Water Test

A test conducted on plumbing systems using water to detect leaks and defects in workmanship.

Air Test

A test conducted on plumbing systems using air pressure to detect leaks and defects in workmanship.

Water Sealed Trap

A trap equipped with water to prevent the entry of foul air and sewer gases into a building.

The basic goal of the National Plumbing Code

of the Philippines is to ensure the qualified

observance of the latest provisions of the

plumbing & environmental laws.

to ensure the qualified observance of the latest provisions of the plumbing & environmental laws.

Principle No.1

Principle No. __: All premises intended

for human habitation,

occupancy or use shall

be provided with a

supply of pure and

wholesome water,

neither connected with

unsafe supplies nor

subject to hazards of

backflow or back

siphonage.

CROSS-CONNECTION 

any connection or arrangement, physical or otherwise,

between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture or 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.

Principle No. 2:

Principle No. __: Plumbing fixtures,

devices and

appurtenances shall be

supplied with water in

sufficient volume & at a

pressure adequate to

enable them to function

satisfactorily & without

undue noise under

normal conditions of

use.

Inadequate Water Pressure

whenever the water pressure in the main or other source of supply will not provide a water pressure of at least 103 kPa (15 psi) after allowing friction and other pressure losses, a hydro pneumatic pressure tank or an elevated tank and booster pump will provide 103 kPa pressure.

Excessive Water Pressure

when the local water pressure is in excess of 551 kPa (80 psi), an approved-type pressure regulator preceded by an adequate sized strainer shall be installed to reduce pressure on the building side of the regulator to the required supply pressure.

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AIR CHAMBER

is a space filled with air, commonly to act as cushion or shock absorber for equalizing the flow of liquid in a pump or part of the hydraulic system

Principle No. 3

Principle No. __: Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water consistent with proper performance and cleaning.

Principle No. 4

Principle No. __: Devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed and installed as to prevent dangers from explosion through overheating.

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Principle No. 5

Principle No. __: Every building having plumbing fixtures installed & intended for human habitation, occupancy or use on premises abutting on a street, alley or easement where there is a public sewer, shall be connected to the public sewer system.

Principle No. 6

Principle No. __: Each family dwelling unit on premises abutting on a sewer or with a private sewage disposal system shall have at least 1water closet & 1 kitchen-type sink. Further, a lavatory or bathtub or shower shall be installed to meet the basic requirement of sanitation & personal hygiene.

Principle No. 7

Principle No. __: Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth nonabsorbent material, free from concealed fouling surfaces & shall be located in ventilated enclosures.

Principle No. 8

Principle No. __: The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained to safeguard against fouling, deposit of solids, clogging and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the pipes might be readily cleaned.

Principle No. 9

Principle No. __: All piping of plumbing systems shall be of durable NAMPAP – APPROVED materials, free from defective workmanship, designed & constructed by Registered Master Plumbers to ensure satisfactory service.

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Principle No. 10

Principle No. __: Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with water – sealed trap.

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Principle No. 11

Principle No. __: The drainage piping system shall be designed to provide adequate circulation of free air from siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals under ordinary use.

Principle No. 12

Principle No. __: Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and installed to preempt clogging and the return of foul air to the building.

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Principle No. 13

Principle No. __: Plumbing systems shall be subjected to such tests to effectively disclose all leaks and defects in the workmanship.

Testing Media

the piping of the plumbing, drainage and venting system shall be tested with water or air.

WATER TEST

shall be applied to the drainage and vent system either in its entirety or in sections. The water shall be kept for at least 15 minutes before inspection starts.

AIR TEST

shall be made by attaching an air compressor testing apparatus to any suitable opening, and after closing all other inlets and outlets of the system, air is forced into the pipe system until there is a uniform gauge pressure of 34.5 kPa (5 psi) or sufficient to balance a column of mercury 254 mm in height. The pressure shall be held without introduction of additional air for a period of at least 15 minutes.

WATER PIPING

upon completion of a section or of the entire hot and cold water supply systems, it shall be tested and proved tight under a water pressure not less than the working pressure under which it is to be used plus 50%. The water for test shall be obtained from a potable source of supply. A 344.5 kPa (50 psi) air pressure may be substituted for the water test. In either method of test, the piping shall withstand the test without leaking for a period of not less than 15 minutes.

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Principle No. 14

Principle No. __: No substance which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures ,destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage disposal process shall be allowed to enter the building drainage system.

Principle No. 15

Principle No. __: Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of food, water, sterile goods & similar materials by backflow of sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.

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Principle No. 16

Principle No. __: No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment which is not properly lighted or ventilated.

Principle No. 17

Principle No. __: If water closets or other plumbing fixtures are installed in buildings where there is no sewer within a reasonable distance, suitable provision shall be made for disposing of the building sewage by some accepted method of sewage treatment and disposal, such as septic tank.

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Principle No. 18

Principle No. __: Where a plumbing drainage system may be subject to backflow of sewage, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.

Principle No. 19

Principle No. __: Plumbing systems shall be maintained in serviceable condition by Registered Master Plumbers.

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Principle No. 20

Principle No. __: All plumbing fixtures shall be properly spaced, to be accessible for their intended use.

Principle No. 21

Principle No. __: Plumbing shall be installed by Registered Master Plumbers with due regard to the preservation of the strength of structural members and the prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.

Principle No. 22

Principle No. __: Sewage or other waste from a plumbing system which may be deleterious to surface or sub – surface waters shall not be discharge into the ground or onto any waterway, unless first rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.

18 June 1955

When was the plumbing law approved?

28 November 1959

When was the plumbing law amended?

21 December 1999

When was the plumbing law revised?