PLUMBING

Plumbing is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range of applications.
Plumbing uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other apparatuses to convey
fluids. Heating and cooling (HVAC), waste removal, and potable water delivery are among
the most common uses for plumbing, but it is not limited to these applications. The word
derives from the Latin for lead, plumbum, as the first effective pipes used in the Roman
era were lead pipes. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbing)

ORIGIN OF PLUMBING
The history of plumbing goes back to Crete four thousand years ago. The Minoan
Palace on Crete is the oldest known structure to have sewerage and water pipes. All the
piping was hidden from view in the walls just like it is today. They even had both a flushing
toilet and taps that had both hot and cold running water.
The Romans continued this tradition of plumbing, building enormous viaducts to
supply their cities with water. They had massive sewerage systems under the cities as
well, that rivalled many modern city’s systems up until the 19th Century for size and
sophistication.
Unfortunately, most of this technology was lost in the prevailing centuries after the
fall of the Roman Empire and it was not until around the 16th Century that Europe would
rediscover the principle of having municipal water and sewerage. The first toilets as we
would recognize them were patented in the 18th Century and around the same time many
houses were being plumbed in to the main water and sewerage systems and that is where
plumbing originated. (https://www.fallonsolutions.com.au/Handy_Hints/a-brief-history-
of-plumbing)

HISTORY OF PLUMBING PRACTICE OF THE PHILIPPINES

The birth of the plumbing profession in the Philippines is traced back to the 17th
century. The WALLED CITY known as Intramuros was established by the Spaniards as
a model community. The Friar Engineers who built the government buildings, residential
and other structures, incorporated European standards in their plumbing installations.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Filipino plumbers were assigned the task of
maintaining, repairing and/or remodelling plumbing systems in all "pueblos" or towns
including churches, convents and government buildings.
The recognized plumbers then were called upon by the ''ilustrados" or the elite
group to act as consultants of plumber journeymen on matters pertaining to plumbing
installations in villas and mansions.
PLUMBING took a great leap at the turn of the 20th century with the arrival of the
American soldiers, engineers, Thomasite teachers, doctors and evangelists. Health and
hygiene became priority when epidemics including cholera, leprosy. schistosomiasis and
other contagious diseases engulfed the Philippines. Alarmed, Governor General Harrison
issued a letter of instruction on proper waste disposal in all municipalities.
Sometime in 1902, the PLUMBING TRADE was duly recognized by the
government. The City of Manila was the model community. Master Plumber John F. Hass
became the first Chief of the Division of Plumbing Construction and Inspection.
Through the initiative of the Filipino Master Plumbers, a plumbing code based on
the Plumbing Code of the United States was incorporated into the Building Code for the
City of Manila.
In 1935, Francisco Geronimo, Mariano de Ocampo, Igmidio Suarez, Eusebio Mina
Jose Rivera, Raymundo Reyes, Sr., Roberto Feliciano, Gregorio Lazaro, Raymundo
Gumapac, John Jones, Trinitario Ortiz, Valentin Casupanan, Catalino Casupanan.
Crispin Francisco, Teodoro Pastor, Cornelio Odvina and Jesus Tanghal Dera organized
the National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines (NAMPAP) and had it
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Initiated by NAMPAP, the Department of Public Services of the City of Manila was
created by an Act of Congress. City Ordinance 2411, otherwise known as "the Plumbing
Code for the City of Manila" was enacted in consultation with NAMPAP. The practice of
plumbing was eventually placed under the Department of Public Services, Manila.
The National Government, through the Bureau of Public Works, and other cities
and municipalities adopted the Plumbing Code of Manila. NAMPAP spearheaded the
enactment of a law regulating the practice of master plumbing in the Philippines.
In 1954, the Third Congress of the Republic of the Philippines in its Second
Session, approved after the third reading House Bill No. 962. This became Republic Act
No. l378. On June 18, 1955, R.A. 1378, otherwise known as the "PLUMBING LAW OF
THE PHILIPPINES" was signed by President Ramon Magsaysay.
On January 28, 1959, the National Plumbing Code of the Philippines prepared by
the NAMPAP was promulgated and approved by Malacanang. NAMPAP also assisted in
the passage of the law creating the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority
(NAWASA).
In 1966-1969, the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers and the NAMPAP
prepared a Curriculum for Plumbing Engineering that was approved by the Department
of Education and was first introduced at the Feati University.
On November 28, 1967, the First Amendment to the National Plumbing Code was
approved, which effected the inclusion of "Asbestos Cement Pipe" as an approved
plumbing material.
Before Martial Law in 1972, Republic Act No. 6541 otherwise known as
the“Building Code of the Philippines” was passed with the "National Plumbing Code of
1959" as referral code in full text.
 In 1996, NAMPAP President JAIME M. CABASE spearheaded the updating of the
Revised National Plumbing Code. Finally, in October 1999, NAMPAP submitted the Draft
Code to the Board of Master Plumbers (BoMP) Chaired by Engr. FORTUNATO H.
AMOSCO. After careful review, the Professional Regulation Commission under Chairman
HERMOGENES POBRE adopted the Revised Plumbing Code of 1999 which His
Excellency, President JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA approved last December 21, 1999
pursuant to Section 4 of R.A. 1378 known as the Plumbing Law.
In order to continuously upgrade the technical expertise of Master Plumbers and
propagate the growth of the plumbing industry; NAMPAP have caused the holding of
regular National Convention as well as Regional Conferences such as LUZON, VISAYAS
and MINDANAO, as well as the Midyear Forum where manufacturers, dealers and
suppliers of plumbing tools, equipment, materials and services are given the opportunity
to conduct product presentations for the benefit of the plumbing practitioners.
(https://www.scribd.com/doc/239877171/History-of-Plumbing-Practice-of-thePhilippines)
SEVEN INTERESTING PLUMBING FACTS:
#1: The World's Oldest Sewer Systems
The oldest sewer system discovered to date is located in the palace ruins of the
Indus River Valley in India, dating back to 4000 BCE.
Evidence of indoor plumbing has also been found in ancient Egypt at the Pyramid
of Cheops dating from 2500 BCE. Archeologists have discovered that the ancient
Egyptians used copper piping, much like modern plumbing. It seems the Egyptians knew
their stuff!
However, the most elaborate ancient sewer system is located in Rome. The
Cloaca Maxima, which translates to Great Sewer, was built in the 6th or 7th century BCE.
Previous plumbing systems had simply carried away rainwater, but this system was used
to drain marshland, and carry waste to the nearby Tiber River.
#2: The First Underground Sewer
You may not be surprised to learn this interesting plumbing fact: the first
underground sewer was built in New York City. After residents complained about the
smell coming from the open sewers, NYC Health Officials decided to construct an
underground system in 1728. We are glad they did; outside of the change that made in
civil engineering across the world, we would hate to have to call NYC the Smelly Apple.
#3: Origin of the Word "Plumber"
The word plumber can be traced back to the Romans. The word comes from the
Latin term "plumbum" which means lead. Romans who worked with lead were called
"Plumbarius", which has shortened over time to the word we use today.
#4: The Inventor of the Toilet
 You may think you know the answer, so let us set you straight with this fun
plumbing fact. The first flush toilet was invented in England by Sir John Harington in 1596.
His contraption used a flush valve that would release water from a tank.
Sir Harrington was godson to Queen Elizabeth, who was an enthusiastic user of
his invention. Sadly the rest of the world did not agree, and the chamber pot continued its
reign of popularity. Sir Harrington got the last laugh, however, as the term "the John"
derives from the name of its inventor.
Another Englishman managed to do what Sir Harrington could not: he made
flushing toilets popular. In the 1880's plumber Thomas Crapper replaced the old floating
valve system with a siphon system. Along with making toilets more user-friendly, he
successfully advertised his product to the masses. We know this is true today, as we still
use the term "the Crapper".
#5: Einstein Loved Plumbing
Albert Einstein was inducted as an honorary member in the Plumbers and
Steamfitters Union in Washington, D.C. According to The Reporter from November 18,
1954 Einstein said:
"If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would
not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber
in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present
circumstances."
This quote gained him many fans in the plumbing community.
#6: The Most Expensive Toilet
Here's a fun plumbing fact! You might think that the world's most expensive toilet
is covered in gold (like the Hang Fung toilet), or comes from Japan (where toilets can
warm your bum and talk to you), but you would be wrong.
The most expensive toilet in the world lives on the International Space Station.
Costing a cool $19 million, this toilet not only straps astronauts in place, it sucks waste
away into a tank where it is then converted into drinking water.
#7: Things That Should Never Go Down Your Drain
Although we love it when we get called in for a job, here are some things that
history has taught us again and again to never put down the drain:
Stringy vegetables like asparagus and celery
Rice and pasta, Bones and Grease
(https://www.servicepumpingdrain.com/interesting-plumbing-facts-never-knew.html)
 BU-1
ASSIGNMENT #1

SUMBITTED TO: AR. RHOEL SAMSON

SUBMITTED BY: OBCIANA, ANJO S.