That portion of a pipe which for a short distance, is sufficiently enlarged to

receive the end of another pipe of the same diameter for the purpose of ma
king a joint.

A tool used for straightening or expanding lead pipe.

Synonymous with faucet is preferred. Faucet or Spigot

‐ A plumbing fixture used for washing the middle part of the bod
y, specially the genitals. Also a sitz bath (Used to wash posteri
or parts of the body).

A flange that is not drilled.

A flange that closes the end of a pipe. There is no

opening for the passage of water. (Used for black iron pipes).

A branch is any part of a piping system other than the main, riser or
stack.

Installation of national local water works

A length of soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a st

ory height, but in no case less than eight (8) feet, within which
the horizontal branches from one floor or story of a building a
re connected to the stack.
any public space, public park moroughiare less than three (3) meters but not less than two (2) meters in
width which has been dedicated or deeded to the public for public use.

any change, addition or modification in construction or occupancy. (Change or repair)

accepted or acceptable under an applicable specification stated or cited in this Code, or accepted as suita
ble for the proposed use under procedures and powers at the authority.

The flow of water into a water supply system from source other than its regular source. Back siphonage is
one type of backflow

Air pressure in drainage pipes greater than atmospheric pressure.

the part of a vent line which connects directly with an individual trap underneath or behind the fixture an
d extends to the branch or main, soil, or waste pipe at any point higher than the fixture or fixture trap it s
erves. This is sometimes called an individual vent.

A faucet opened or closed by the fall or rise of a ball floating on the surface of water. ‐ A float valve with a spheri
cal float.

A connection in which a ball is held in a cuplike shell that allows movement in every direction.

Battery of fixtures is any of two or more similar adjacent fixtures which discharge into a common horizon
tal soil branch.
A vent pipe connecting from a branch of the drainage system to a vent stac
k.

any structure built, erected and framed of component

structural parts designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure o
r support of persons, animals, or property of any kind.

That portion of a drainage system which cannot drain by gra

vity into the building sewer. ( Any piping system which needed to
be elevated from basement to the N.G.L.)

Plugging an opening with oakum, lead or other materials that are

pounded into place. Also, the material that is pounded into the
opening.

A fitting into which the end of a pipe is screwed for the purpose
of closing the end of the pipe.

A receptacle in which liquids are retained for a sufficie

nt period to deposit settle able material ).

A pit for the reception or detention of sewage

A valve that automatically closes to prevent the flow of water

in reverse direction.(Prevents reverse flow)

A group vent extending from in front of the last fixture connec

tion on a horizontal branch to the vent stack. See also loop ve
nt. (Loop vent, Branch vent)
 A vertical pipe to convey rain water.

a vertical vent that is a continuation of the drain, to which t

he vent connects. (or VSTR)

A stop valve placed in a service pipe close to its connection with

a water main.

an open , unoccupied space bounded on two (2) or more sides by

the walls of the buildings. An inner court is a court entirely wi
thin the exterior walls of a building. All other courts are outer
courts.

Any physical connection or arrangement of pipes between two otherwise sep

arate building water‐
supply pipes or a system through which or by means of which water suppl
y may flow from one system to the other, the direction of flow depending
on the pressure differential between the two systems.

The extended portion of a pipe that is closed at one

end to which no connections are made on the extended
portion, thus permitting the stagnation of water or air the
rein. (Water hammer arrester or air gap or air chamber).

The length along the center line of the pipe and the fittings.

“Diameter” of a pipe or tube shall mean the nominal internal diam

eter (I.D.) of such pipe; except brass and copper tubing wherein
the term shall mean the outside diameter (O.D.) of tubing.

A pipe fitting shaped like the letter “S”.

 Two offsets in succession or in series in the same line.

The vertical portion of a rainwater conductor.

DRAIN ‐ A sewer or other pipe or conduit used for con

veying ground water, surface water, storm water, or sewage.

The drainage pipes of a plumbing system take the water from the plumbing fix
tures and deliver it to the sewer or some other outlet. The drainage pipes m
ust be gas‐light, and water‐
light. The passage of air, odors or vitamin from the sewer into the building mu
st be prevented.

A vent that does not carry water or water‐ borne wastes.

The term “existing work” shall apply to those portions o

f plumbing system which have been installed and approved
prior to the contemplated additions, collections, or correc
tions.

Family is one person living alone or a group of two (2) or more perso
ns living together, whether related to each other by birth or not. .

A valve on a water pipe by means of which water can be draw

n from or held within the pipe. The valve is placed on the end o
f the pipe.

A metallic sleeve, called or otherwise, joined 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. ”.
A receptacle attached to a plumbing system other than a trap in which water
or wastes may be collected or retained for ultimate discharge into the plumbin
g system..

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

A sewer or other pipe or conduit used for conveying g

round water, surface water, storm water, or sewage.

The drain from the trap of a fixture to the junction of the drain with any
other drain pipe.

One fixture unit is equivalent to a flow rate of one (1) cubic foot of water
per minute or seven and a half (71/2) gallons of water per minute.

A piece of sheet metal fitted under another piece of flat metal

or wood over which water is expected to run.

The level in a fixture at which water begins to overflow the top or

rim of the fixture. . .

The area included within surrounding walls of a building

(or portion thereof), exclusive of vent shafts and courts.

A valve used for flushing a fixture by using water directly from

the water supply pipes or in connection with a special flush tan
k.
A valve in which the flow of water is cut off by means of a circular disk, fi
ting against machine
smoothed faces, at right angles to the direction of flow. The disk is raised o
r 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.

A valve in which the flow of water is cut off by means of a circular disk t
hat fits against the valve seat. The plane of movement of the dis
k is parallel to the normal direction of flow of water, which is turned th
rough a tortuous passage to direct the flow normal to the face of the disk.

A return bend of small‐

sized pipe one end of which is about one (1) foot long and the other end is a
bout three (3) inches long. It is commonly used as a faucet for a pantry sink
. Also, the lead connection between a service pipe and a water main

The water that is standing in or passing through the ground

A branch vent that performs its function for two (2) or more traps.

The vertical distance from the “Grade Line” to the highest point
of the coping of a flat roof or to the deck line of a mansard r
oof or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch o
r hip‐roof.

A branch drain extending laterally from soil or waste stack, with or

without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge fro
m one or more fixture drains and conducts it to the soil or waste st
ack or to the building drain. . . .

part of the lowest horizontal piping of a plumbing system whic

h receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pi
pes inside of a buildings conveys it to the house sewer.

A house storm sewer is the pipeline from the building to the p

ublic storm sewer system.
A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the building drainage syste
m but discharges into is through a properly trapped fixture or receptacle.

Industrial waste are liquid waste resulting from the proc

esses employed in industrial establishments and are free from fe
cal matter. .

Contrary to sanitary principles or injurious to health.

A receptacle designed and constructed to intercept or separate, an

d prevent the passage of oil, grease, sand, or other materials into the drain
age system to which it is directly or indirectly connected.

The lowest portion of the inside of any pipe conduit that is not vertical. .

In plumbing, a secondary pipe line. In average, a common

sewer to which no other common sewer is tributary, receives s
ewage only from building sewers

A water closet consisting of a continuous though containing water. Th

e trough extends under two (2) or more adjacent seats. Prohibited b
y most authorities for permanent installations.

A fixture designed for the washing of the hands or face. Sometim

es called a wash basin.

A cesspool that is not watertight.

 A pipe or shaft serving to convey foul air from a plumbing fixture or a r
oom to the outer air..

‐ A continuation of a horizontal soil or waste pipe beyond the connection at which liqui
d wastes from a fixture or fixtures enter the waste or soil pipe. The extension is us
ually vertical immediately beyond its connection to the soil or waste pipe. The base of
the vertical portion of the vent may be connected to the horizontal portion of the s
oil or waste stack between fixtures connected thereto.

The main of any system of continuous piping is the principal arter

y of the system, to which branches may be connected

An opening constructed in a sewer or any part of a plumbing sy

stem of sufficient size for a man to gain access thereto.

A person with knowledge of and experience in plumbing who employs

journeymen plumbers or who conducts a plumbing business.

Hemp or old hemp rope soaked in oil to make it waterproof.

Occupancy is the purpose for which a building is used or intended to

be used. The term shall also include the building or room ho
using such use. Change of Occupancy is not intended to include ch
ange of tenants or proprietors.

The art and technique of installing in buildings the pipes, fixtures, and ot
her apparatuses for bringing in the water supply, liquids, substances or ingredients a
nd removing them and such water, liquid, and other carried‐
wastes affecting health and sanitation and hazardous to life and property; also the p
ipes and fixtures after they have been installed, i.e. the plumbing system.

A receptacle attached to a plumbing system other than a trap in

which water or wastes may be collected or retained f
or ultimate discharge into the plumbing system.
 the plumbing system of a building, institution,, factory or industrial establishment, includes the water‐
supply, liquids, substances and or ingredients distributing pipes; and those pipes removing them and
such water, liquid, and other carried‐
wastes; the fixtures and fixture traps; the soil, waste, and vent pipes; the house drain, the foundation drain,
and the house sewer; the storm water drainage; drainage ejectors, all with their devices, appurtenances, and c
onnections within or on a building, a factory, or an industry.

The authority or the officer charged with the administration and enforcement of the
National Plumbing Code, or his regularly authorized deputy.

Potable water is water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary,

domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the health authori
ty having jurisdiction.

is the single sloping drain from the base of a stack to its junction with th
e main building drain or with another branch thereof.

is water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary, domestic purpose

s and meets the requirements of the health authority having jurisdi
ction.

Is the single sloping drain from the base of a stack to its junc
tion with the main building drain or with another branch thereof.
.

applies to fixtures in a residence where the fixtures are intended f

or the use of a family or an individual.

sewer privately owned and not directly controlled by public authority.

An outhouse or structure used for the deposition of excrement.

 A pit beneath a privy in which excrement collects

In the classification of plumbing fixtures, public applies to fixtures in general

toilet rooms of schools, gymnasiums, hotels, railroad stations, public buildings, bars, pu
blic comforts stations, or places to which the public is invited or which are frequente
d by the public without special permission or special invitation, and other installations (
whether pay or free) where a number of fixtures are installed so that their use is si
milarly unrestricted.

a common sewer directly controlled by public authority to which all

abutters have equal rights of connections.

a vent the primary function of which is to provide circulation of

air between drainage and vent system. REPAIR ‐ The reconstruction or
renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its
maintenance. The word “repair” or “repairs” shall not apply to any change of
construction.

An usually with inside threads, but applied also to a one hundred eighty (180
degree) bend in a pipe.

A water supply pipe that extends vertically one full s

tory or more too convey water to branches or fixtures.

The installation of all pipes in the plumbing system that are in partiti
ons and under floors. It includes the plumbing work done before the s
etting of the fixtures, or finishing.

The sewage containing human excrement and liquid household waste; als
o called domestic sewage.

A sewer intended to receive sanitary sewage with or wi

thout industrial wastes and without the admixture of surface w
ater, storm water, or drainage.
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.

And branch in a building drain other than the primary branch

is a watertight receptacle, which receives the discharge of a plumbing system or p

art thereof, and is designed and constructed so as to separate solids fro
m the liquid digest the organic matter through a period of detention, and allow the ef
fluent to discharge into a storm drain; or directly to the ground outside the tank th
rough a system of open joint or perforated piping.

The pipe from the water main or source of water supply to the building ser
ved.

The liquid wastes conducted away from residences, business buildings, in

stitutions, industrial establishments; and with such ground, surface, an
d storm water as may be present. .

A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage and waste liquids.

A comprehensive term, including all construction for collection, trans

portation, pumping, treatment and final disposition of sewage.

A vertical opening through a building for elevators, dumb‐

waiter, ventilation or similar purpose. .

A wye connection used on fire lines so that two lines of hose

may be connected to hydrant or to the same nozzle.
A suction by the flow of liquids in pipes. A pressure less than atmosphe
ric.

is any pipe which conveys the discharge of water closets, urinals,

or fixtures having similar functions. Also, a cast‐
iron pipe, with bell and spigot ends, used in plumbing to convey f
ecal matter or liquid wastes.

A vertical soil pipe conveying fecal matter and liquid waste.

A stack vent is the extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest ho
rizontal drain connected to the stack.

A vertical pipe usually used for the storage of water, frequently

under pressure.

is that portion of the rainfall or other precipitation, which run

s off over the surface after the storm and for such a short p
eriod following a storm as the flow exceeds the normal runoff. .

s that portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper sur
face of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a building
of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof a
bove. If the finished floor level directly above a basement or cellar is more than six (6) feet ab
ove grade such basement or cellar shall be considered a story.

drains are underground drain pipes that receives only subsurface or

seepage water and convey it to place of disposal. .

A pit or receptacle at a low point to which the liquid wastes ar

e drained
are devices for holding and securing pipes and fixtures to walls, c
eiling, floors, or structural members.

portion of a rainfall or other precipitation which runs off ove

r the surface of the ground.

A water receptacle used for swimming designed to accommodate

more than one bather at time and properly connected to a disposal sys
tem.

A cast‐iron bell‐
end tee with the branch tapped to receive a threaded pipe of fitting

An arrangement of venting so installed that one vent pipe will serve two (2)
traps.

An air pressure less than that atmospheric. Also, siphonage. .

A pipe or opening used to ensuring the circulation of air in plumbing sys

tem and for reducing the pressure exerted on trap seals.

portion of a vent pipe through which liquid waste flow.

a pipe, which conveys only liquid waste, free of fecal matter.