Module 01: Concepts, Principles and Definitions of Plumbing

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the technical definitions, historical background, and specific components of plumbing systems as presented in Module 01.

Plumbing (General Technical Definition)

The art and science of creating and maintaining sanitary conditions in building used by humans.

Plumbing (Functional Definition)

The art and science of installing, repairing and servicing the pipes, fixtures, and appurtenances necessary for bringing in water supply and removing liquid and water-borne wastes.

Plumbum

The Latin word for lead, a soft material widely used for piping and water channels in the Roman empire and the derivative for the term plumbing.

Plumbarius

A person who worked in the field of sanitation during the Roman times.

Indus Valley Copper Pipe

A $5,500$ year old artifact unearthed in the ruins of an ancient palace; it is the oldest known evidence of a water system.

Babylonian Plumbing Knowledge

Evidence of knowledge in the science of hydraulics manifested as a skillfully planned network of canals.

Roman Empire Infrastructure ($500\text{ BC} - 455\text{ AD}$)

Included the construction of aqueducts, extensive underground sewers, and public water supply systems made of cast lead sections.

Baths of Diocletian

An architectural marvel in the Roman era that could accommodate $3,200$ bathers at a single time, featuring hot, cold, and tepid baths lined with ceramic tiles.

Family Dwelling Unit Minimum Requirement

Each family dwelling unit or premises with a sewer or private sewage disposal system shall have at least one water closet and one kitchen-type sink.

Water Supply and Distribution System

A system in plumbing which provides and distributes water to different parts of a building for purposes such as drinking, cleaning, washing, or culinary use; includes cold or hot water systems.

Drainage Systems

All the piping within public or private premises which conveys sewage, rainwater, or other liquid wastes to a point of disposal, excluding public sewer mains.

Sanitary Drainage and Vent Piping System

Installed to remove wastewater and waterborne wastes from plumbing fixtures and to provide air circulation within the drainage piping.

Storm Drainage System

A system of pipes, fittings, and devices for removing storm water, rainwater, surface runoff, and underground seepage resulting from precipitation.

Pipes

Cylindrical conduits or conductors with wall thickness sufficient to receive a standard pipe, used to convey water or liquid wastes.

Fittings

Standardized pre-fabricated components used to connect sections of pipes, equipment, fixtures, and trims, such as elbows, couplings, and tees.

Fixture

A receptacle attached to a plumbing system other than a trap in which water or wastes may be collected or obtained for ultimate discharge into the plumbing system.

Plumbing Fixture Trim

Water supply and drainage fittings installed on fixtures to control the flow of water into the fixture and the flow of waste water from the fixture.

Plumbing Appurtenance

A prefabricated assembly or device adjunct to the basic piping system that does not require additional water or discharge load, such as a cleanout or vacuum breaker.

Plumbing Equipment

An assembly of mechanical or electrical components designed to perform a specific purpose such as conveying water, pressuring water systems, or heating.

Plumbing Appliance

A special class of plumbing fixture intended to perform a special function, such as a washing machine or dishwasher.

Plumbing Accessories

Devices added to a plumbing facility for convenience, comfort, or aesthetics, such as soap holders, towel bars, or mirrors.

Valve

A device used to control, regulate, or divert the flow, pressure, or heat of liquid, fluid, or gas in a plumbing system.

Plumbing Trap

A fitting or device designed to provide a liquid seal which prevents backflow and passage of foul air and gases when properly vented.

Air break

The physical separation between a waste pipe and an indirect waste receptor or device indirectly connected.

Air gap

The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of a faucet and the flood level rim of the fixture.

Angle valve

A valve in which the inlet and outlet openings are at a $90^\text{o}$ angle to one another.

Backflow

The flow of water or wastewater in pipes in a reverse direction from that normally intended.

Back pressure

A pressure within the sanitary drainage system or vent piping system that is greater than atmospheric pressure ($> 14.7\text{ psi}$).

Back Siphonage

The flowing by negative pressure of contaminated or polluted water from a plumbing fixture into a potable water system.

Backwater valve

A device installed in piping to prevent the reverse flow of storm or sewage into the drainage system.

Ball valve

A valve in which flow is controlled by a rotating drilled ball that fits tightly against a resilient (flexible) seat.

Battery of fixtures

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

Bell or hub

The enlarged end portion of a pipe designed to receive the end of another pipe of the same diameter for the purpose of making a joint.

Bibb

A term synonymous with faucet, cock, plug, tap, or spigot.

Branch

Any part of the piping system other than the main, riser, or stack.

Branch interval

A vertical length of soil or waste stack at least $8\text{ feet}$ in height (a storey height) where horizontal branches are connected.

Building drain (House drain)

The lowest horizontal piping of a plumbing system inside a building that receives discharge from soil and waste pipes and conveys it to the building sewer.

Building sewer (House sewer)

The part of the drainage system extending from the end of the building drain to the public sewer or other point of disposal.

Caulking (Calking/Cogging)

Plugging an opening with oakum, lead, or other material pounded into the annular space.

Cleanout

A fitting with a removable plate or plug placed in drainage lines to allow access for cleaning and maintenance.

Conductor (Leader)

Part of the roofing or area gutter system that takes water from a roof above-surface area to a storm drain.

Cross connection

Any physical connection between two separate building water supply pipes through which water may flow depending on pressure difference.

Deadend

The extended portion of a pipe closed at one end, permitting stagnation of wastewater or air.

Drainage fixture unit (dfu)

A measure of discharge rate where $1\text{ dfu}$ is equal to $7.5\text{ gals./min}$ or $1\text{ cubic foot of water/min}$.

DWV

The abbreviation for drainage, waste, and vent.

Flood level

The level in a fixture at which water begins to overflow the top or rim.

Flushometer valve

A device actuated by direct water pressure that discharges a predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing.

Gate valve

A valve where water flow is cut off by a circular disk raised or lowered by a threaded stem at right angles to the direction of flow.

Globe valve

A valve where water flow is cut off by a circular disk that fits against a valve seat, with the disk movement parallel to the normal direction of flow.

Indirect waste pipe

A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system but conveys wastes through an air break or gap into a trap or interceptor.

Potable water

Water that meets government agency standards and is used for culinary, domestic, and drinking purposes.

Roughing-in

The installation of plumbing parts (drainage, water supply, vent piping) that can be completed prior to the installation of fixtures.

Seepage pit (Cesspool)

A loosely lined excavation in the ground which receives the discharge of a septic tank and allows effluent to seep through the bottom and sides.

Septic tank

A watertight receptacle designed to retain solids and digest organic matter while allowing liquids to discharge into the soil.

Soil Pipe

A pipe that conveys the discharge of water closets or similar fixtures containing fecal matter.

Waste Pipe

A pipe that conveys only liquid waste free of fecal matter; it can be connected directly or indirectly.

Yoke vent

A pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack below the floor to an adjacent vent stack above the floor to prevent pressure changes.