Utilities 2

Utilities

• A service that is used by the public, such as water, electricity or gas supply.
• The usefulness of something, especially in a practical way.

• Utilities (water, electricity and gas) are essential services that play a vital role in economic and social
development.

• Quality utilities are a prerequisite for effective poverty eradication.

Utilities Sector
THE UTILITIES SECTOR REFERS TO A CATEGORY OF COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE BASIC AMENITIES, SUCH
AS WATER, SEWAGE SERVICES, ELECTRICITY, DAMS, AND NATURAL GAS.

ALTHOUGH UTILITIES EARN PROFITS, THEY ARE PART OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LANDSCAPE AND ARE
THEREFORE HEAVILY REGULATED.

INVESTORS TYPICALLY TREAT UTILITIES AS LONG-TERM HOLDINGS AND USE THEM TO INJECT STEADY
INCOME IN THEIR PORTFOLIOS.

Example of Utilities
HVAC CONVEYING SYSTEM

ELECTRICITY PLUMBING
AIR CONDITIONING FIRE PROTECTION

GAS SYSTEM

MEPFS (MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, FIRE, AND SANITARY)

A MEPS Engineer is a professional classification responsible for planning and design in the area of
Mechanical, Electrical and plumbing and safety system including developing policies standard,
inspection procedure and evaluation tools for MEP matters along with prepare, review drawing,
specification and cost estimates for the mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing.

PLUMBING
It is the practice of installation of pipes, fixtures and other apparatus and maintenance of all pipes in
connection with both water supply and sanitary system.
2 MAIN PURPOSES OF PLUMBING SYSTEM
1. To convey and supply water in buildings or structure for human use and

2. To dispose and discharge wastewater 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.

What is a plumbing system and how does it work?

•The plumbing system is really made up of two systems: the supply system that brings in fresh water,
and the drain -waste -vent system that takes out used water and sewage.

•The drain -waste -vent system, commonly abbreviated DWV, also lets air in and waste gases out.

• Between these two systems are the fixtures (sinks, tubs, toilets, and so on).

• Every plumbing system design begins with identification of needs.

• Consider the kind and number of fixtures along with the quantity of both hot and cold water that will
likely be used.

• With these needs in mind, select adequate piping for water supply and DWV for each fixture.

• To increase efficiency and reduce costs, design the plumbing so that fixtures are clustered close
together.

• If your property is in town, the water supply is easily obtained by tapping into the city’s water main.
• If you live in the county, your water will likely come from a well.

What is needed for the plumbing supply system?

• Once hooked into the water source, the supply system carries fresh clean water to all the various
fixtures in the building.

• The supply system is a closed continuous system where water flows under pressure.

• Recommended pressure varies from 40–60 pounds per square inch (psi) depending on such things as
the number of fixtures, the height of the building, the length of piping, and the size of the piping.

Water pressure is created by using a water pump to pump water, or by allowing water to flow by
gravity from a water tower.

Water towers are filled by pumping water into them.

They have the advantage of providing a more constant pressure than water pumps.

• They also provide a reserve of water for peak use periods.

• Tall buildings may use the water tower principle and store water in a storage tank on the roof of the
building.

• To maintain water pressure, design and run supply lines as short and direct as possible using a
minimum number of fittings.
• Use pipe of adequate size, but do not use pipe larger than needed.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PLUMBING

PLUMBER

A plumber is the one who works or engages in the business of installing in building the pipes, fixtures, &
other apparatuses.

DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF PLUMBERS

Apprentice Plumber – serves 3-5 years as a helper to a journeyman.

Journeyman Plumber – served as an apprenticeship and is competent to perform the tasks of installing
and repairing the plumbing works.

Master Plumber – a person technically and legally qualified and licensed to practice the profession
without limitations in accordance to R.A. 1378 or the National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

HISTORY

In 1954, the Third Congress approved House Bill No. 962 which in June 18, 1955, became R.A. 1378
“Plumbing Law of the Philippines” upon ratification of President Ramon Magsaysay.

On January 28, 1959, the National Plumbing Code of the Philippines prepared by NAMPAP was
promulgated and approved by Malacañang.

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.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) adopted the Revised Plumbing Code of 1999 which
President Joseph Estrada approved December 21, 1999 pursuant to Section 4 of R.A. 1378 known as the
Plumbing Law.

PLUMBING CODE

• PLUMBING CODE IS THE MANIFESTATION OF THE RIGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO REGULATE THE
PRACTICE OF THE PLUMBING PROFESSION BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC
HEALTH.
 22 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE PLUMBING CODE
PRINCIPLE 1 (CLEAN WATER)

All premises intended for human use or habitation shall be provided with a supply of pure and
wholesome water, neither connected to unsafe water supply nor subject to backflow or back-siphonage.

• CROSS CONNECTIONS – CAN RESULT TO UNCLEAN POLLUTED AND CONTAMINATED WATER

• BACKFLOW – UNWANTED FLOW OF WATER IN REVERSE DIRECTION

• BACK SIPHONAGE – PRESSURE IN THE TANK IS LOWER THAN THE WATER SYSTEM PRESSURE

PRINCIPLE 2 (PRESSURE AND VOLUME)

Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume and
pressure adequate to function satisfactorily and without undue noise

• INADEQUATE WATER PRESSURE (W.P.) – WHENEVER THE W.P. IN THE SOURCE OF SUPPLY WILL NOT
PROVIDE A PRESSURE OF AT LEAST 103 kPa. SOLUTION: USE ELEVATED TANKS OR BOOSTER PUMP

• EXCESSIVE W.P. – WHEN LOCAL W.P. IS IN EXCESS OF 551 kPa. SOLUTION: PRESSURE REGULATOR

• WATER HAMMER – A PRESSURE SURGE RESULTING TO NOISE AND VIBRATION DUE TO PIPE COLLAPSE

PRINCIPLE 3 (EFFICIENCY)

Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water consistent with proper
performance and cleaning.

PRINCIPLE 4 (EXPLOSION)

Devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed and installed as to prevent dangers from
explosion through overheating.

PRINCIPLE 5 (SEWER)

Every building abutting on a street, alley or easement with a public sewer shall connect its plumbing
fixtures to the sewer system.
PRINCIPLE 6 (DWELLING UNITS)

Each family dwelling unit shall have at least one water closet, one kitchen type sink, a lavatory and a
bathtub or shower to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene.
22 BASIC PRINCIPLES
1. All premises intended for human use or habitation shall be provided with a supply of pure and
wholesome water, neither connected to unsafe water supply nor subject to backflow or back-
siphonage.
2. Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume
and pressure adequate to function satisfactorily and without undue noise.
3. Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water consistent with
proper performance and cleaning.
4. Devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed and installed as to prevent dangers
from explosion through overheating
5. Every building abutting on a street, alley or easement with a public sewer shall connect its
plumbing fixtures to the sewer system.
6. Each family dwelling unit shall have at least one water closet, one kitchen type sink, a lavatory
and a bathtub or shower to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene.
7. Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent material, free from concealed fouling
surfaces and shall be located in ventilated enclosures.
8. The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained to safeguard against
fouling, deposit of solids, clogging and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may
be readily cleaned.
9. All piping shall be of durable NAMPAP-APPROVED materials, free from defective workmanship,
designed and constructed by Registered Master Plumbers to ensure satisfactory service.
10. Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with a water-sealed
trap.
11. The drainage pipes piping system shall be designed to provide adequate circulation of air free
from siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals under ordinary use.
12. Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and installed to prevent clogging and the return of
foul air to the building.
13. Plumbing systems shall be subjected to such tests to effectively disclose all leaks and defects in
the workmanship.
14. Substance which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes or their joints
or interfere unduly with the sewage-disposal process shall not be allowed to enter the building
drainage system.
15. 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.
16. No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment which is not properly lighted and
ventilated.
17. If there is no sewer system in the area, suitable provision shall be made for the disposal of
building sewage by some accepted method of sewage treatment and disposal, such as a septic
tank.
18. Where a plumbing drainage system may be subject to backflow of sewage, suitable provision
shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.
19. Plumbing systems shall be maintained in serviceable condition by Registered Master Plumbers.
20. All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly spaced, to be accessible for their intended use.
 21. Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to the preservation of the strength of structural
members and the prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.
22. Sewage or other waste from plumbing system which may be deleterious to surface or sub-
surface waters shall not be discharged into the ground or into any waterway, unless first
rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.

SOURCES OF WATER
3 Major Phases:

1. Evaporation
2. Condensation
3. Precipitation

WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN A WATER CYCLE, BUT IF WE HAVE A WATER CYCLE, WE ALSO
HAVE A PLUMBING CYCLE.