CE 312(BUILDING DESIGN 2)

UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

Topic Learning Outcomes (TLO)
a. Differentiate different plumbing and construction materials.
b. Interpret and apply the plumbing code and other codes of the Philippines in making
plumbing plans.

Definition of Plumbing
Plumbing is the art and science of installing pipes, fixtures and other apparatus to convey
and supply water in buildings and to dispose and discharge waste water and other liquids,
gases and other substances out of buildings, in a safe, orderly, healthy and sanitary way
to ensure the health and sanitation of life and property.

Scope of Plumbing
1. Water Supply System for the building
➢ The water supply system shall supply water to the different parts of the building,
providing enough water to supply each plumbing fixture and to prevent
backflow of used water (wastewater) into the water supply system.

Gate valve
Branch
Household Water Supply Distribution

Rise
r
Gate valve
Check valve
Branch
Water meter
Corporation
Meter stop
stop
Sidewalk Gate valve
Stop box

Curb stop Branch

Water main House Service Pipe

Water Supply and Drainage Systems

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2. Drainage System of the building (DWV)

➢ The drainage system shall remove and discharge human wastes and other
substances out of the building into the public sewer or septic tank with a
minimum probability of leakage and stoppage of drains and to prevent the entry
of house vermin and obnoxious gases into the building from the piping system.

152 cm

Drainage System

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BASIC PRINCIPLES

➢ The basic principles as basic goals in environmental sanitation worthy of

accomplishment through properly designed, acceptably installed, and adequately
maintained plumbing systems. Some of the details of plumbing construction must
vary, but the basic sanitary and safety principles are the same.

1. All buildings, structures and premises intended for human habitation, occupancy, use
or employment; or the preparation or processing of food, drinks or other materials for
human consumption shall be provided with adequate, safe and potable water supply
through a safe system of piping to all fixtures, appliance, appurtenances, etc.

2. Every building having plumbing fixtures installed and intended for human habitation,
occupancy, or use on premises abutting a street, alley, or easement in which there is
a public sewer shall have a separate connection with the sewer.

3. Dwelling type building provided with a drainage system, a public sewer connection or
a private sewage disposal system, shall have at least one water closet, one bath tub
or shower, one lavatory, one kitchen-type sink, and an adequate source of hot water
(where it is a necessity), for each family unit to meet minimum basic requirements for
health, sanitation and personal hygiene. Water heating facilities shall be accessible
for emergency maintenance without entering any individual apartment or living unit,
except that water heaters may be located within an apartment on living unit when
supplying hot water to that unit only.

4. Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent material, shall be free from
concealed fouling surfaces, and shall be located in ventilated enclosures.

5. Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with a water-
seal trap.

6. No substances 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.

7. Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of food, water, sterile

goods, and similar materials by backflow of sewage. When necessary, the fixture,
device or appliance shall be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.

8. No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment which is not properly lighted
and ventilated.

9. 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 methods of sewage treatment and disposal.

10. Where a plumbing drainage system may be subject to backflow of sewage, suitable
provision shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.

11. Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to preservation of the strength of structural
members and prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.

12. Sewage or other waste from a plumbing system which may be deleterious to surface
or sub-surface waters shall not be discharged into the group or into any waterway
unless it has been rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form
or treatment.

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13. All plumbing fixtures, devices, appliances, and appurtenances shall be adequately
supplied with water in sufficient volume and pressure to enable them to function
properly.

14. The pipes conveying water to plumbing fixtures, appliances, devices and
appurtenances shall be of sufficient size as to supply water at rates that will prevent
undue pressure drops at any one fixture, when any other fixture, appliance, device, or
appurtenance or group is being flushed, operated or used.
15. There shall be no direct or indirect cross-connections, either existing or potential,
between a safe potable water supply and an unsafe, non-potable supply.

16. Adequate protection shall be provided to prevent possible backflow or back siphonage
of an unsafe or potentially hazardous fluid or material into a safe water system.

17. The piping and connection of the plumbing system shall be durable materials, free
from defects in workmanship or materials, and designed and constructed to provide
adequate service for a reasonable life, including structural loading, temperature,
variation, vibration and other conditions.

18. Devices for heating and storing water shall be designed installed to prevent all
dangers from overheating and explosion and to prevent undue flow of hot water or
stream into the cold-water supply pipes.

19. Refrigerators, coolers, receptacles, sterilizers, vats and similar equipment used for
storage or holding foods, beverages, sterile goods and water conditioning equipment,
etc., shall discharge into the building drainage system through an indirect waste.

20. Water closets, baths, showers, urinals, and similar fixtures shall be suitably enclosed
and screened for privacy.

21. Plumbing systems, including fixtures, shall be maintained sanitary and properly
usable.

22. Sewage and waste from plumbing and drainage systems shall be adequately treated
and disposed of in accordance with the requirements of the Plumbing Officials having
jurisdiction.

PLUMBING TERMINOLOGY

ACID VENT - a pipe venting an acid waste system.

ACID WASTE – a pipe, which conveys liquid waste matter containing a pH of 6.9 or less.
ACTIVE SLUDGE – sewage sediment, rich in destructive bacteria that can be used to
break down fresh sewage quickly.
AEROBIC – bacteria living or active only in the presence of free oxygen.
AIRBREAK – a piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance, or device
indirectly discharges into a fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood
level of the receptacle to prevent backflow or back siphonage.
AIRGAP – the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the
lowest opening from any pipe or faucet conveying water or waste to a tank, plumbing
fixture receptor or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
AIR TEST - a test that is applied to the plumbing system upon its completion, but before
the building is plastered.
ANAEROBIC – bacteria living or active in the absence of free oxygen.

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AREA DRAIN – a receptacle designed to collect surface or rainwater from a determined

or calculated open area.
ARTERIAL VENT – a vent serving the building drain, it also vents the public sewer.
BACKFLOW – the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the
distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other its
intended source.
BACK PRESSURE – air pressure in drainage pipes greater than atmospheric pressure.
BACKING RING – a metal strip used to prevent melted metal from the welding process,
from entering a pipe when making a but-welded point.
BACK-SIPHONAGE – the flowing back of used, contaminated or polluted water from a
plumbing fixture or vessel into the potable water supply pipe due to a negative
pressure in such pipes.
BACK VENT PIPE – also called as individual vent. The part of the vent system which
connect directly with an individual trap underneath or behind the fixtures and extend
to the branch or main soil, or waste pipe at any point higher than the fixture or
fixture’s trap it serves.
BALL CHECK VALVE – A device used to stop the flow of media in one direction while
allowing flow in an opposite direction. The closure member used is spherical or ball
shaped.
BALL COCK- a faucet opened or closed by the fall or rise of a ball floating on the surface
of the water.
BALL JOINT – A connection in which a ball is held in a cup-like shell that allows movement
in every direction.
BALL VALVE – A spherical- shaped gate valve providing very tight shut-off.
BATTERY OF FIXTURE – Any group of two or more similar adjacent fixtures, which
discharge into a common horizontal waste or soil branch.
BELL OR HUB – that portion of the pipe which for a short distance, is sufficiently enlarged
to receive the end of another pipe of the same diameter for the purpose of making a
joint.
BIBB – Synonymous with faucet, cock tap, plug, etc. The word faucet is preferred.
BIDET – a plumbing fixture used for washing the middle part of the body, especially the
genitals.
BLACK PIPE – A steel pipe that has not been galvanized.
BLOW-OFF – A controlled outlet on a pipe used to discharge water.
BRANCH – Any part of the piping system other than a main, riser, or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL – a length of soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a storey
height but in no case less than 2.4 meter within which the horizontal branches from
one floor or storey of a building are connected to the stack.
BUILDING (House) DRAIN – that part of the lowest piping of a drainage system receives
the discharge from the soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the
building and conveys it to the building sewer, which begins outside the building walls.
The building drain shall be considered to extend 152.4 cm outside the building wall.
BUILDING (House) SEWER – that part of the horizontal piping of a drainage system
which extends from the end of the building drain and which receives the discharge
of the building drain and conveys it to the public sewer, private sewer, individual
sewage disposal system or other point of disposal.
BUILDING TRAP – a device, fitting or assembly of fittings installed in the building drain
to prevent the circulation of air between the drainage of the building and the building
sewer. It is usually installed as a running trap.
BUSHING – a pipe fitting for connecting a pipe with a female fitting of larger size. It is a
hollow plug with internal and external threads.
BUTT WELD JOINT – a welded pipe joint made with the ends of the two pipes butting
each other, the weld being around the periphery.
CAP – a fitting into which the end of a pipe is screwed for the purpose of closing the end
of the pipe.

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CAULKING – the method of rendering a joint tight against water or gas by plugging it with
oakum, lead or other materials.
CATCH BASIN – a receptacle in which liquids are retained for a sufficient period to
deposit materials.
CESSPOOL – a lined excavation in the ground which receives the discharge of a drainage
system or part thereof, so designed as to retain the organic matter and solids
discharging therein, but permitting the liquids to seep through the bottom and sides.
CLEANOUT – a plug or cover joined to an opening in a pipe, which can be removed for
the purpose of cleaning or examining the interior of the pipe.
CIRCUIT VENT – a branch vent that serves two or more traps and extends from the front
of the last fixture connection of a horizontal branch to the vent stack.
CLOSE NIPPLE – a nipple with a length twice the length of a standard pipe threads.
COCK – an original form of valve having a hole in a tapered plug, which is rotated to
provide passageway for fluid.
CORPORATION COCK – a stopcock screwed into the street water main to supply the
building/house service connection.
COUPLING – a pipe fitting with female threads only used to connect two pipes in a straight
line.
CROSS CONNECTION – any physical connection or arrangement between two
otherwise separated piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the
other water or other substances of unknown or questionable safety, whereby flow
may occur from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending on the
pressure differential between the two systems.
CROWN – that part of the trap in which the direction of flow is changed from upward to
downward.
CURB BOX – a device at the curb that contains a valve that is turned to shut off a supply
line, usually of gas or water.
DEAD END – a branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe, building drain or building
sewer which is terminated at a developed distance of two feet (0.60 m) or more by
means of a plug or other closed fitting.
DEVELOPED LENGTH – the length along the centerline of pipe and fittings, both
horizontal and vertical.
DEW POINT – the temperature of a gas or liquid at which condensation or evaporation
occurs.
DOWN SPOUT – the rain leader from the roof to the building storm drain, combined
building sewer or other means of disposal and located outside of the building.
EFFLUENT – sewage, treated or partially treated, flowing out of sewage treatment
equipment.
ELBOW – a fitting that makes an angle between adjacent pipes, the angle 90 0, unless
another angle is specified.
EXPANSION JOINT – a joint whose primary purpose is to absorb longitudinal thermal
expansion in the pipeline due to heat.
FAUCET – a valve on a water pipe by means of which water can be drawn from or held
within the pipe. The valve is placed on the end of the pipe.
FEMALE THREAD – internal thread in a pipe fitting, valve, etc., for making screwed
connections.
FERRULE – a metallic sleeve, joint to an opening in a pipe into which a plug is screwed
that can be removed for the purpose of cleaning or examining the interior of the pipe.
FIRE LINE – a system of pipes and equipment used exclusively to supply water for
extinguishing fires.
FIXTURE BRANCH – a pipe connecting several fixtures.
FIXTURE DRAIN – the drain from the trap of a fixture to the junction of the drainpipe.
FIXTURE UNIT – A quantity in terms of which the load-producing effects on the plumbing
systems of different kinds of plumbing fixtures are expressed on some arbitrarily
chosen scale. A measure of probable discharge into the drainage system of various
types of plumbing fixtures. Laboratory tests have shown that the rate of discharge of

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an ordinary lavatory with a nominal 1-1/4 inch (31.8 mm) outlet, trap and waste is
about 7.5 gal/min (0.5 L/s).
FLANGE – in pipe work, a ring-shaped plate on the end of a pipe at right angles to the
end of the pipe and provided with holes for bolts to allow fastening the pipe to a
similarly equipped adjoining pipe. The resulting joint is a flanged joint.
FLASHING – a piece of sheet metal fitter under another piece of flat metal or wood over
which water is expected to run.
FLOAT VALVE – a valve, which operated by means of a bulb or ball floating on the
surface of the liquid within the tank. The rising and falling action operates a lever,
which opens and closes the valve.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM – the top edge or rim of a receptacle or fixture from which water can
overflow regardless of the location of any overflow piping from the receptacle.
FLUSH VALVE – a device located at the bottom of the tank for the purpose of flushing
water closets and similar fixtures.
FOOT VALVE – a check valve installed at the base of a pump suction pipe. The purpose
of a foot valve is to maintain pump prime by preventing pumped liquid from draining
away from the pump.
GATE VALVE – a valve in which flow of water is cut off by means of a circular disc, fitting
against machine-smoothed faces at right angles to the direction of flow. The disc is
raised or lowered by means of a threaded stem connected to the handle of the valve.
The opening in the valve is usually as large as the full bore of the pipe.
GLOBE VALVE – a valve in which the flow of water is cut off by means of a circular disc
that fits against the valve seat. The plane of movement of the disc is parallel to the
normal direction of flow of water, which is turned through a tortuous passage to direct
the flow normal to the face of the disc.
GOOSE NECK – a return bend of a small-sized pipe one end of which is about 30.48 cm
(1 foot long) and the other end is about 7.62 cm. (3 inches long). It is commonly used
as faucet for a pantry sink. Also, the lead connection between a service pipe and
water main.
GRADE - the slope or fall of a line of pipe in reference to a horizontal plane. In drainage
it is usually expressed as the fall in a fraction of a cm or percentage slope per meter
length of pipe.
HORIZONTAL BRANCH – a drain pipe extending laterally from a soil or waste stack or
building drain with or without vertical sections or branches, which receives the
discharge from one or more fixture drains and conducts it to the soil or waste stack
or to the building drain.
INDIRECT WASTE PIPE – a pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system
but conveys liquid wastes by discharging into a plumbing fixture, interceptor or
receptacle which is directly connected to the drainage system.
INDIVIDUAL VENT – a pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and connects with the vent
system above the fixture served or terminates in the open air.
INDUCED SIPHONAGE – Siphonage which reduces the depth of a fixture trap seal due
to the discharge of another fixture.
LATERAL – in plumbing, a secondary pipe line. In sewerage, a common sewer to which
no other common sewer is tributary. It receives sewage only from building sewers.
LATRINE – a water closet consisting of a continuous trough containing water. The trough
extends under two or more adjacent seats prohibited by most health authorities for
permanent installation.
LAVATORY – a fixture designed for washing of the hands or face. Sometimes called a
wash basin.
LEACHING WELL OR PIT – a pit or receptacle having porous walls which permit the
contents to seep into the ground.
LEADER – the water conductor from the roof to the building storm drain, combined with
building sewer, or other means of disposal.
LOCAL VENTILATING PIPE – a pipe on the fixture side of the trap through which vapor
or foul air is removed from a room or fixture.

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LOOP VENT – 1. a circuit vent which loops back to connect with a stack vent instead of
a vent stack. 2. Any vent connecting a horizontal branch or fixture drain with the
stack vent of the originating waste or soil stack.
MAIN – the principal artery of the system of continuous piping to which branches may be
connected.
MAIN VENT – the principal artery of the venting system to which vent branches may be
connected.
MANHOLE – an opening constructed in a sewer or any part of the plumbing system of
sufficient size for a man to gain access thereto.
OAKUM – hemp or old hemp rope soaked in oil to make it waterproof.
PRIVY – an outhouse or structure used for the deposition of excrement.
PRIVY VAULT – a pit beneath a privy in which excrement collects.
PUTREFACTION – biological decomposition of organic matter with the production of ill-
smelling products and usually takes place when there is a deficiency of oxygen.
RAW SEWAGE – untreated sewage
RECEPTOR – an approved plumbing fixture or device of such material, shape and
capacity as to adequately receive the discharge from indirect waste pipe, so
constructed and located as to be readily cleaned.
REDUCER – a pipe fitting with inside thread, larger at one end than at the other.
RELIEF VENT – a vent installed so as to permit additional circulation of air between the
drainage and the vent system where the drainage system might otherwise be air
bound.
RISER – a water supply pipe, which extends vertically one full story or more to convey
water to branches or fixtures.
ROOF DRAIN – a drain installed to receive water collecting on the surface of a roof and
to discharge it into the leader (downspout).
SANITARY SEWAGE – the sewage containing human excreta and liquid household
waste. It is also called domestic sewage.
SEAL – the vertical distance between the dip and the crown weir of a trap. Also, the water
in the trap between the dip and the crown weir.
SEPTIC TANK – a watertight receptacle which receives the discharge of a drainage
system, or part thereof, and is designed and constructed to separate solids from the
liquid, digest organic matter through a period of detention.
SERVICE PIPE – the pipe from the watermain or source of water supply to the building
served.
SEWAGE – any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or
solution and may include liquids containing chemicals in solution.
SEWAGE EJECTOR – a mechanical device used to pump or eject sewage.
SIAMESE CONNECTION – an eye connection used on fire lines so that two lines of hose
may be connected to a hydrant or to the same nozzle.
SLUDGE – the accumulated suspended solids of sewage deposited in tanks, beds or
basins, mixed with water to form a semi-liquid mass.
SOIL PIPE – any pipe which conveys the discharge of water closets, urinals or fixtures
having similar functions, with or without the discharge from other fixtures to the
building drain or building sewer.
SOIL STACK PIPE – a vertical soil pipe conveying fecal matter and liquid wastes.
SPIGOT – the end of a pipe which fits into a bell.
STACK – a general term for any vertical line of soil, vent or inside leader piping.
STACK VENT (main soil/waste vent) – the extension of a soil or waste stack above the
highest horizontal drain connected to the stack.
STALE SEWAGE – sewage, which contains little or no oxygen and is free from
putrefaction.
STANDPIPE – a vertical pipe usually used for the storage of water, frequently under
pressure.
STOP VALVE – a valve used for the control of water supply, usually to a single fixture.

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SUMP – a tank or pit that receives sewage or liquid waste, located below the normal
grade of the gravity and must be emptied by mechanical means.
SUMP PIT – a tank or pit that receives clear liquid wastes, that do not contain organic
materials or compounds subject to decomposition, located below the normal grade
of the gravity system and must be emptied by mechanical means.
SUMP PUMP – a mechanical device used to eject or pump the liquid waste from the
sump pit into the gravity drainage system.
TRAP – a fitting or device so designed and constructed as to provide, when properly
vented, a liquid seal which will prevent the back passage of air without materially
affecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through it.
TRAP ARM – that portion of a fixture drain between a trap and its vent.
TRAP SEAL – the maximum vertical depth of liquid that a trap will retain, measured
between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the traps. Seal two inches (5.08
cm) in normal traps and three inches (7.64 cm) or more for deep seal traps.
UNIT VENT – an arrangement of venting so installed that one vent pipe will serve two
traps
LOOP VENT – A vent from a single fixture or battery of fixture which is connected into the
same stack into which the fixtures discharge. If the loop vent serves more than one
fixture, it is one type of circuit vent.
VENT PIPING – is the piping that conveys air to or from a drainage system.
VENT STACK – a vertical vent pipe installed primarily for the purpose of providing
circulation of air to and from any part of the drainage system.
VENT SYSTEM – a pipe or pipes installed to provide a flow of air to or from a drainage
system or to provide a circulation of air within such system to protect trap seals from
siphonage and back pressure.
WASTE PIPE – a pipe, which conveys only liquid waste free of fecal matter
WATER HAMMER – the forces, pounding noises and vibration which develops in a piping
system when a column of non-compressible liquid flowing through a pipeline at a
given pressure and velocity is stopped abruptly.
WET VENT – a vent, which also serves as a drain.
YOKE VENT – a pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack to a vent stack for
the purpose of preventing pressure changes in the stacks.

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PLUMBING MATERIALS

Some of the common pipe materials that are used for water supply and drainage systems
are the following:

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