Module 1A: Sanitary & Plumbing Systems & Equipment Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary terms from the NPCP focusing on plumbing general terms, water source, storage, supply, and distribution systems.

PLUMBING

The art and technique of installing plumbing systems.

ALTER OR ALTERATION

Any change, addition, or modification to a plumbing system.

ACCESSIBLE

A condition defined as being without obstruction.

AUTHORITY, ADMINISTRATIVE

The entity responsible for administering and enforcing the National Plumbing Code of the Philippines (NPCP).

PLUMBING OFFICIAL

Also known as the Administrative Authority, responsible for enforcing plumbing regulations.

MASTER PLUMBER

A Registered Master Plumber (RMP) recognized as a professional in the field.

NAMPAP

The National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines.

COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION

Construction that will burn at a temperature of $756^{\circ}C$ or less.

COMMON

A part of a plumbing system designed or installed to serve more than $1$ appliance, fixture, building, or system.

CROSS-CONNECTION

A connection between a potable water supply and a plumbing fixture.

BUILDING

A constructed structure built for various purposes.

FLOOR AREA

The area of a floor exclusive of vent shafts and courts.

HEIGHT OF BUILDING

The vertical distance measured from the "Grade Line" to the highest point of the coping.

STOREY

The portion of a building between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above.

ALLEY

A passage or lane measuring $2-3\,m$ in width.

CONFINED SPACE

A space having a volume less than $1.4\,m^3$.

UNCONFINED SPACE

A space having a volume equal to at least $1.4\,m^3$ of aggregate input rating of a fuel-burning appliance.

CHASE

A vertical shaft used for pipe stacks.

COURT

An open, unoccupied space within a building.

SHAFT

A vertical opening for elevators, dumbwaiters, or air wells.

CONTAMINATION

The impairment of potable water, categorized as a High Hazard.

POTABLE WATER

Water used for drinking, culinary, and domestic purposes, meeting the Philippine Standards for Drinking Water.

GROUND WATER

Water standing in or passing through the ground.

HIGH HAZARD

A condition associated with contamination of the water supply.

LOW HAZARD

A condition associated with pollution of the water supply.

SURFACE WATER

The portion of rainfall that runs off over the surface of the ground, such as lake or river water.

Dug well

A shallow construction where the shaft is excavated and installed with a casing.

Bored wells

A well where the hole is bored with a hand or machine-driven auger.

Driven wells

A well where a pipe is driven into the ground and equipped with a well point using a maul or pile driver.

Drilled wells

A well where the hole is made by a drilling machine, including the installation of casing and screen.

Level I (point source)

A protected well or spring with an outlet but without a distribution system, serving an average of $15$ households in rural areas.

Level II (communal faucet system)

A source, reservoir, and piped distribution network serving communal faucets, where $1$ faucet serves $4-6$ households.

Level III (waterworks system)

A system with a source, reservoir, and piped distribution network for individual household taps in densely populated areas.

The Water Cycle

Also known as the Hydrologic Cycle, involving precipitation, evaporation, condensation, and groundwater recharge.

Coagulation and Flocculation

Key processes in water treatment where coagulants and filter aids are added and mixed into the water.

Settling

A treatment process that slows the flow of water so heavier items can settle to the bottom.

Filtration

Treating water by passing it through a granular medium (sand, anthracite coal, or activated carbon) or a membrane barrier.

Disinfection

The use of agents like chlorine, chloramines, ozone, ultraviolet light, or chlorine dioxide to kill pathogens.

Aquifer

An underground lake surrounded by layers of rock and soil from which groundwater is pumped.

MAIN

The principal artery of a water system to which branches connect.

CORPORATION COCK

A stop valve placed in a service pipe close to the connection with the water main.

GOOSE NECK

A return bend lead connection between the service pipe and water main, with one end $30\,cm$ long and the other $7.5\,cm$ long.

SERVICE PIPE

The pipe extending from the water main to the building served.

WATER-DISTRIBUTING PIPE

A pipe that conveys potable water from the building supply pipe to plumbing fixtures and water outlets.

Corporation Stop

A valve controlling the flow of water from the main to a service pipe.

Curb Cock

A control valve installed in the water service pipe used to shut off the water supply to a building in an emergency.

Water Meter

A device used for measuring and recording the quantity of water passing through it.

Faucet

A device for controlling the flow of liquid from a pipe by opening or closing an orifice.

BRANCH

Any part of a plumbing system other than a main, riser, or stack.

BRANCH INTERVAL

A distance along a soil or waste stack approximately equal to a storey height, defined as $8\,ft$ or $2.43\,m$.

HORIZONTAL BRANCH

A branch drain extending laterally from a soil or waste stack.

FIXTURE BRANCH

The supply pipe between the fixture and the water-distributing pipe.

FIXTURE SUPPLY

The water supply pipe connecting the fixture with the fixture branch.

RISER

A water supply pipe that extends vertically one full storey or more.

BIBB

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

SPIGOT

The end of a pipe which fits into a bell, also synonymous with faucet.

EFFECTIVE OPENING

The minimum cross-sectional area at the point of water supply discharge.

FLOOD LEVEL

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

CRITICAL LEVEL

A marking on a backflow prevention device (C-L or C/L) that determines the minimum elevation above the flood level rim.

FLOOD LEVEL RIM

The top edge of a receptacle from which water overflows.

FLOODED

The condition when liquid rises to the flood level rim.

PRESSURE

The normal force exerted by a homogenous liquid or gas per unit area on the wall of a container.

STATIC PRESSURE

The pressure of water in a system without any flow motion.

RESIDUAL PRESSURE

The pressure available after accounting for friction loss, head, and other system losses during maximum demand.

INDIRECT SYSTEM

A distribution system where only the kitchen sink is fed from the rising main, and other outlets are fed from a head tank via gravity.

DIRECT SYSTEM

A distribution system where cold water taps and water closet cisterns are fed directly from the rising main.

GATE VALVE

A valve where the flow of water is cut off by a circular disk moving at right angles to the direction of flow.

GLOBE VALVE

A valve used for throttling where flow is cut off by a disk fitting against a valve seat within a tortuous passage.

ANGLE VALVE

A valve used in making a $90^{\circ}$ turn in the piping.

CHECK VALVE

A valve that automatically closes to prevent the reversal of flow of water.

BACKWATER VALVE

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

FOOT VALVE

A non-return suction valve located at the inlet end of a pipe.

SAFETY VALVE

A valve for the automatic release of substance from a pressure vessel when pressure or temperature exceeds preset limits.

BALL VALVE

A quarter-turn valve used for shutoff applications, often preferred for fine control in throttling.

CUT-OFF VALVE

A valve used with water heaters or main lines to stop the flow of water.

PUMP

A mechanical device that produces a vacuum within itself to lift water from a source using atmospheric pressure.

Piston Pump

A pump used for smaller water distribution systems, available in single-action, double-action, or duplex types.

Centrifugal Pump

A pump commonly used for tall buildings that utilizes an impeller.

AIR CHAMBER

A device used to minimize pulsating discharge and uneven flow from a pump.

Submersible Pump

A pump/motor unit installed in a well below the water level, suitable for deep or shallow wells.

AIR PRESSURE SYSTEM

An assembly of mechanical devices that raises water using compressed air as the delivery agent; also called a pneumatic system.

OVERHEAD FEED SYSTEM

A system that distributes water to plumbing fixtures by gravity.

Range Boiler

A small hot-water tank measuring $12-24\,inches$ in diameter and $6\,ft$ long.

Storage Tank

A large hot-water tank measuring $24-54\,inches$ in diameter and $15\,ft$ long.

Upfeed and Gravity Return

A hot-water installation for small residential or industrial buildings featuring constant circulation.

Overhead Feed and Gravity Return System

A system for buildings of extreme height where heated water rises and is then returned to storage by gravity.

Pump Circuit System

A hot-water distribution system for larger buildings where circulation is managed by a mechanical device.

Instantaneous water heater

A heater that operates via gas and water valves that open and close as water is drawn.

Automatic storage water heater

A heater with thermostatic control and a magnesium rod to control rust and corrosion.

Under water-line heater

A heating coil system where the inlet and outlet are connected to the boiler below its water line.