Utilities & Plumbing Systems – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms in building utilities, especially plumbing and water systems, based on the lecture notes.

Building Technology

Field that focuses on the technical systems, materials, and methods used in constructing buildings.

Structural System

The load-bearing framework of a building that resists gravity and lateral forces.

Utilities (in architecture)

Building subsystems that provide water, power, mechanical services, lighting, acoustics, safety, and communications.

Plumbing & Sanitary Engineering

Design and installation of systems for water supply, drainage, waste disposal, and sanitation.

Electrical & Mechanical Systems of Buildings

Integrated systems that deliver electric power, HVAC, elevators, and other mechanical services.

Acoustics & Lighting

Building science disciplines that address sound control and illumination quality.

National Plumbing Code of the Philippines (NPCP)

Primary code governing plumbing design, materials, and installation standards in the Philippines.

Philippine Electrical Code (PEC)

National standard detailing safe electrical design, installation, and inspection practices.

Sanitary & Plumbing Systems

Subsystems covering water source, storage, distribution, drainage, sewerage, waste treatment, and recycling.

Mechanical Systems

Building subsystems such as HVAC, conveyors, and other mechanical equipment.

HVAC

Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning system that controls indoor climate and air quality.

Electrical Power System

Network that generates, distributes, and supplies electrical energy within a building.

Acoustics & Illumination

Study of sound behavior and lighting physics for comfortable and efficient interior environments.

Disaster Prevention & Protection Systems

Fire-fighting, prevention, and mitigation systems installed to protect life and property.

Security Systems

Electronic or mechanical installations that safeguard buildings from unauthorized access or threats.

Communication Systems

In-building infrastructure for data, voice, and signal transmission (e.g., telephone, internet, PA).

High-tech Systems

Advanced building technologies such as robotics, BMS, BAS, and intelligent building controls.

Building Management System (BMS)

Computer-based control system that monitors and manages a building’s mechanical and electrical equipment.

Building Automation System (BAS)

Automated network that integrates HVAC, lighting, security, and other systems for energy efficiency.

Intelligent Building

Structure equipped with advanced sensors and controls that adaptively optimize occupant comfort and energy use.

Service Zone (House)

Residential area designated for utilities and support functions, typically oriented on the west side.

Plumbing System

Interconnected piping, fixtures, and equipment for potable water, drainage, and stormwater management.

Potable Water

Water safe for drinking, culinary, and domestic uses according to health standards.

Sanitary Drainage System

Network of pipes that removes wastewater from fixtures and conveys it to the sewer.

Storm Drainage System

Pipe network that collects and disposes of rainwater runoff from roofs and site surfaces.

Plumbing Appliance

Device such as a washing machine or drinking fountain that uses plumbing connections.

Plumbing Appurtenance

Prefabricated assembly or device that is part of a plumbing system (e.g., water hammer arrester).

Plumbing Fixture

Approved receptacle or device that receives or discharges water and connects to the plumbing system.

Administrative Authority

Governmental body (e.g., MWSS, LWUA) that enforces the National Plumbing Code.

Plumbing Permit

Official authorization required before installing or altering plumbing systems.

Roughing-in

Initial plumbing work installed before placement of fixtures and final finishes.

Master Plumber

Registered and licensed professional qualified to design and supervise plumbing installations.

Cross-Connection

Unwanted link between potable water and non-potable sources that can cause backflow contamination.

Combustible Construction

Building materials that ignite at or below 756 °C, posing fire risks.

Confined Space

Room or compartment with less than 1.4 m³ of air per fuel-burning appliance.

Chase

Vertical shaft used to conceal pipe stacks within a building.

Shaft (building)

Vertical opening housing elevators, dumbwaiters, or mechanical systems.

Contamination (High Hazard)

Impairment of potable water quality that presents a health danger.

Pollution (Low Hazard)

Degradation of water quality that is objectionable but not an immediate health threat.

Level I Water Service

Point source (protected well or spring) without a distribution network, serving about 15 households.

Level II Water Service

Communal faucet or standpost serving 4–6 households, usually in rural or peri-urban areas.

Level III Water Service

Individual house connections supplied by a waterworks system or city mains.

Coagulation & Flocculation

Water treatment processes that add chemicals to aggregate suspended particles for easier removal.

Filtration (water treatment)

Process of passing water through granular media (sand, anthracite, GAC) to remove impurities.

Disinfection

Use of chlorine, chloramines, ozone, or UV light to destroy pathogenic organisms in water.

Cistern

Ground-level water storage tank, often paired with a pump for domestic supply.

Elevated Water Tank

Raised storage vessel that supplies water to a building by gravity.

Corporation Cock

Stop valve installed in the service pipe near its connection to the water main.

Goose Neck

Flexible, curved lead connection between a service pipe and a water main.

Service Pipe

Pipe that conveys water from the main to the building supply system.

Meter Stop (Gate Valve)

Shut-off valve controlling water flow into a water meter.

Water-Distributing Pipe

Pipe that delivers potable water from the building supply to fixture branches.

Branch (plumbing)

Any pipe other than a main, riser, or stack that distributes water horizontally.

Riser

Vertical water supply pipe that extends one full storey or more.

Fixture Branch

Supply pipe between the water-distributing pipe and individual fixtures.

Effective Opening

Minimum cross-sectional area at a water outlet’s point of discharge.

Flood Level Rim

Top edge of a plumbing fixture where overflow begins.

Critical Level (C/L)

Marking on a backflow prevention device denoting the minimum height above a fixture’s flood rim.

Static Pressure

Water pressure in a system when no flow is occurring.

Residual Pressure

Available pressure in a water system during peak demand after all losses.

Direct Upfeed System

Cold-water distribution where pressure from the main directly supplies fixtures.

Indirect Upfeed System

Distribution system using pumps to deliver water from a cistern to upper floors.

Downfeed System

Water supplied from an elevated tank and distributed downward by gravity.

Piston Pump

Positive-displacement pump employing a reciprocating piston to move water; includes single-action and double-action types.

Centrifugal Pump

Pump with a rotating impeller that imparts velocity to water, suitable for tall buildings.

Air Chamber

Vertical section of pipe that absorbs pressure surges to reduce water hammer.

Water Hammer Arrester

Manufactured device with a diaphragm-sealed chamber that eliminates hydraulic shock.

B.P. 344 (Accessibility Law)

Philippine law requiring barrier-free design features such as ramps and accessible toilets.

Wellhead Protection

Safeguarding the area around a well to prevent groundwater contamination.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

Porous filtration medium used to remove taste, odor, and chemical contaminants from water.

Water Hammer

Shock wave caused by sudden stoppage of water flow, leading to noise and pipe damage.