NATIONAL PLUMBING

CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES
CHAPTER 1. PLUMBING

 1. PLUMBING – is defined as the art and science of installing

pipes, fixtures and other apparatus to convey or supply water to
the building and to dispose or discharge wastes out of the
building.

 2. PLUMBARIUS – refers to an individual who worked in the

sanitary field of ancient Rome.

 3. PLUMBUM – on the other hand, mean LEAD.

OBJECTIVES OF PLUMBING

PLUMBING HAS TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES

 1. To supply water to different parts of the building.

 2. To remove and discharge human wastes and other

substances out of building into the public sewer or
septic tank.
CONDITIONS FOR AN EFFECTIVE WATER SUPPLY IN
BUILDING

 1. Toprovide sufficient amount of water to

supply each fixture.

 2. Toprevent back flow of used water into water

supply system.
THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM SHOULD ACCOMPLISHED THE
FOLLOWING:

 1.Fast removal of the waste with a minimum

probability of leakage and stoppage of drains.

 2. Toprevent the entry of house vermin and

obnoxious gases into the house from the piping
system.
THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM
 1.SOLID WASTE – that is being discharge by
water closet.

 2.LIQUID WASTE – that are also coming from

various fixtures.
TWO TYPES OF DRAINAGE PIPING
 1. WASTE PIPE – pipe that conveys waste from
various fixtures other than water closet.

 2.SOIL PIPE – pipes that conveys waste from

water closet.
THE DRAINAGE INSTALLATION IS SOMETIMES
REFERRED TO AS DWV WHICH MEANS:

 1. D – for drainage of solid waste.

 2. W – for waste coming from various fixtures

other that water closet.

 3. V –refers to the ventilation of the piping

system.
DEFINITIONS
 ABS – Acrylonitrile Butadine Styrene

 ALLEY – any public space, public park or thoroughfare less

than three (3) meters but not less than two (2) meters in
width dedicated for public use.

 ALTER OR ALTERATION – any change, addition of

modification, any construction, retrofit or renovation to an
existing structures other than repair of addition that requires
a permit.
 ACCESSIBLE – when applied to a fixtures, connection, appliance or
equipment, shall mean having access thereto, but which may require prior
removal of an access panel, door or similar obstruction.

 READILY ACCESSIBLE – shall mean direct access without the necessity of

removing any panel, door or similar obstruction.

 ACCESS DOOR – hinged panel mounted in a frame with a lock, normally

mounted in a wall or ceiling, to provide access to concealed valves or shock
absorbers which require frequent attention.

 ACCESS PANEL – removal panel mounted in a frame, normally secured with

screws and mounted in a wall or ceiling, to provide access to concealed valves
or items which do not require frequent attention.
 AIRBREAK – a physical separation, which may be a low inlet into the indirect waste
receptor from the fixture, appliance or device indirectly connected.

 AIRBREAK (DRAINAGE SYSTEM) – a piping arrangement in which a drain from a

fixture, appliance or device discharges indirectly into another fixture, receptacle or
interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the trap seal.

 AIR GAP (DRAINAGE SYSTEM) – the unobstructed vertical distance through the free
atmosphere between the outlet of the waste pipe and the flood level rim of the
receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.

 AIR GAP (WATER DISTRIBUTION) – the unobstructed vertical distance through the
free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to
a tank, plumbing fixtures or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
 APPROVED – accepted or acceptable under an applicable specifications or
standard stated or cited in this code or accepted as suitable for any proposed
under procedures and powers of the Administrative Authority.

 APPROVED – accepted to the code official or other authority having

jurisdiction for compliance with the provisions of the applicable code or
references standard.

 APPROVED TESTING AGENCY – an organization primarily established for

purposes of testing to approve standards and approved by the Administrative
Authority.

 AREA DRAIN – a receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water from

an open area.
 ASPIRATOR – a fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under
positive pressure that passes through an integral orifice or construction,
causing a vacuum. Also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar in
operation to an ejector.

 BACKFLOW (DRAINAGE) – a reversal of flow in the drainage system.

 BACKFLOW (WATER DISTRIBUTION) – the flow of water or other

liquids, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply
of water from any source other that from its intended source.

 BACKFLOW CONNECTION – condition or any arrangement whereby

reverse flow can occur.
 BACKPRESSURE BACKFLOW – occurs due to an increased reverse
pressure above the supply pressure. This may be due to pumps, boilers,
gravity or other sources of pressure.

 BACKFLOW PREVENTER – device or means to prevent flow of liquid

from returning to the source of supply. Also called vacuum breaker.

 BACKFLOW PREVENTER – a backflow prevention device or other means

or method to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.

 BACK-SIPHONAGE – the flowing back of used, contaminated or polluted

water from a plumbing fixture or vessel into a water supply pipe due to
negative pressure in such pipe.
 BACKFLOW PREVENTER, REDUCED-PRESSURE-ZONE-TYPE – a backflow
prevention device consisting of two independently acting check valves, internally
force loaded to a normally closed position and separated by an intermediate
chamber (or zone).

 BACKPRESSURE (LOW HEAD) – a pressure less than or equal to 4.33 psi (29.88
kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10 feet (3048 mm) column of water.

 BACKWATER VALVE – a device installed in a drainage system to prevent reverse

flow.

 BACKWATER VALVE – a device or valve installed in the building drain or sewer

pipe where a sewer is subjected to backflow, and that prevents drainage or waste
from backing up into a lower level or fixtures and causing a flooding condition.
 BACKVENT PIPE – the part of vent line which connects directly with
an individual trap underneath or behind the fixture and extends to the
branch or main vent pipe at any point higher than the fixture or fixture
traps it serves.

 BACKVENT PIPE – sometimes called an individual vent.

 BALL COCK - a valve opened and closed by the fall and rise,
respectively, of an attached ball floating on the surface of the liquid.

 BALL JOINT – a type of pipe connection in which a ball-shaped end is

held in a cuplike shell and allows movements in every direction.
 BATHROOM - a room equipped with shower stall or bathtub.

 BATHROOM GROUP – a group of fixtures consisting of a water

closed, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or excluding a bidet, an
emergency floor drain or both.

 BATTERY OF FIXTURES - any group of two or more similar adjacent

fixtures that discharge into a common horizontal waste or soil branch.

 BELL OR HUB – 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 making a caulked or push-on joint.
 BENDING PIN (OR IRON) – a tool for straightening or bending lead pipe.

 BIBB – synonymous with faucet, cock, tap, plug, etc. The word “ faucet” is
preferred.

 BIDET – a plumbing fixtures used for washing the middle private part of the
body, especially the genitals. Also called “sitz” bath.

 BLANK FLANGE – a pipe flange that is not drilled for bolt holes.

 BLIND FLANGE – a flange that closes the end of a pipe. There is no

opening for the passage of liquid or gas.
 BLOW-OFF – a controlled outlet of a pipeline to discharge liquid or detritus.

 BOARD – the licensure for Master Plumbers.

 BOILER BLOW-OFF – a valve outlet of boiler that permits discharge of

accumulated sediment.

 BRANCH – any part of the piping system other than or except a main, riser or
stack.

 BRANCH INTERVAL – a distance or length of soil or waste stack corresponding,

in general, to a story height, but not less than 8 feet (2438mm or 2.438m) within
which the horizontal branches from one floor or story of a structure are connected
to the stack.
 BRANCH MAIN – a water-distribution pipe that extends horizontally
off a main or riser to convey water to branches or fixtures groups.

 BRANCH VENT – a horizontal vent connecting one or more individual

vents or vertical back vents with a vent stack or stack vent.

 BRAZED JOINT - any joint obtained by joining of metal parts with

alloys which melt at temperatures higher than 449 degrees centigrade,
but lower than the melting temperature of the parts to be joined.

 B & S – brown and sharp (specification) or bell and spigot (ends of

pipes)
 BUILDING – a structure built, erected and framed of component structural parts
designed for the housing shelter enclosure or support of persons, animals or
property of any kind.

 BUILDING – any structure occupied or intended for supporting or sheltering any

occupancy.

 BUILDING (EXISTING) – is a building erected prior to the adoption of this code,

or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.

 BUILDING DRAIN – that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage

system which receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes
inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer beginning 0.6
meters outside the building wall.
 BUILDING DRAIN (COMBINED) – a building drain that
conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.

 BUILDING DRAIN (SANITARY) – a building drain that

conveys sewage only.

 BUILDING DRAIN (STORM) – a building drain that conveys

storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.

 BUILDING SEWER – that part of the drainage system that

extends from the end of the building drain and conveys the
discharge to a public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage
disposal system or other point of disposal.
 BUILDING SEWER (COMBINED) – a building sewer that
conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.

 BUILDING SEWER (SANITARY) – a building sewer that

conveys sewage only.

 BUILDING SEWER (STORM) - a building sewer that conveys

storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.

 BUILDING SUBDRAIN – that portion of a drainage system or

underground system that does not or cannot drain by gravity into
the building sewer.
 BUILDING SUPPLY – the pipe carrying potable water from the
water meter or other source of water supply to a building or other
point of use or distribution on the lot. Also mean water service
connection.

 BUILDING TRAP – a device, fitting or assembly of fittings

installed in the building drain to prevent circulation of air
between the drainage system of the building and the building
sewer.

 CAULKING / CALKING / PLUG – plugging an opening with

oakum, lead or other materials that are pounded into the annular
space. Also, the material pounded into the annular opening.
 CAP – a fitting, screwed or caulked over the end of a pipe for closing the pipe end.

 CATCH BASIN – a receptacle in which liquids are retained for sufficient period of
time to allow settleable material to deposit.

 CERTIFIED BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER – a person who has shown

competence to test and maintain backflow assemblies to the satisfaction of the
Administrative Authority having jurisdiction.

 CESSPOOL – a non-watertight lined excavation in the ground which receives the

discharge of sanitary drainage system of part thereof, designed to retain the organic
matter and solids discharging therefrom, but permitting the liquid to seep through
the bottom and sides of the cesspool.
 CHASE – a shaft for installation of different pipe stacks.

 CHECK VALVE – a valve that automatically closes to prevent the

flow of liquid or gas in a reverse direction.

 CIRCUIT VENT – a group vent pipe which starts in front of the

extreme fixture connection on a horizontal branch and connects to
the vent stack.

 CIRCUIT VENT – a vent that connects to a horizontal drainage

branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight (8) traps or
trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
 CIRCULATING HOT WATER SYSTEM – a specifically designed water
distribution system where one or more pumps are operated in the service
hot water piping to circulate heated water from the water heating
equipment to fixture supply and back to the water heating equipment.

 CISTERN – a small covered tank for storing water for home or farm.
Generally, this tank stores rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than
in the potable water supply, and such tank is placed underground in mast
cases.

 CLEANOUT – an access opening in the drainage system utilized for the

removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts include a removable plug or
cap, and a removable fixture or fixture trap.
 CODE – the regulations, subsequent amendments thereto, or any
emergency rule or regulation that the Administrative Authority having
jurisdiction has lawfully adopted.

 CODE OFFICIAL – the officer or other designated authority charged

with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly
authorized representative.

 COLLECTION PIPE – unpressurized pipe used within the collection

system that drains on-site nonpotable water or rainwater to a storage
tank by gravity.

 COMBINATION FIXTURE - a fixture combining one sink and

laundry tray or a two – or three – compartment sink or laundry tray in
one unit.
 COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM – a specially designed
system of waste piping embodying the horizontal wet venting of one or more
sinks, lavatories, drinking fountains or floor drains by means of a common
waste and vent pipe adequately sized to provide free movement of air above the
flow line of the brain.

 COMMON VENT – a vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or

to a fixture branch and serving as a vent for both fixtures.

 COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION – a structure which any part of it

structural framework will ignite and burn at a temperature of 756 degrees
centigrade or less.

 COMMISSION – the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

 COMMON – that part of a plumbing system designed and installed to serve more
than one (1) appliance, fixture, building or system.

 CONDENSING APPLIANCE – an appliance that condenses water generated by the

burning of fuels.

 CONDUCTOR / DOWNSPOUT – a pipe inside the building that conveys storm

water from the roof to a storm or combined building drain.

 CONDUCTOR / DOWNSPOUT – a vertical pipe to convey rainwater.

 CONFINED SPACE – a room or space having a volume less than 1.4 cu.m with 250
kilogram calorie of the aggregate input rating of all fuel burning appliances installed
in that space.
 CONTAMINATION – an impairment of the quality of the potable
water that creates an actual hazard to the public health through
poisoning or spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or
waste. Also, defined as High Hazard.

 CONTINUOUS VENT – a vertical vent that is a continuation of

the drain to which the vent connects.

 CONTINUOUS WASTE – a drain connecting the compartments

of a set of fixtures to a trap or connecting other permitted fixtures
to a common trap.

 CONTINUOUS WASTE – a drain from two or more similar

adjacent fixtures connected to a single trap.
 CORPORATION COCK - a stop valve placed at the connection of the water service pipe to
the water main.

 COURT – an open, unoccupied space, bounded on two (2) or more sides by the walls of the
building.

 INNER COURT – a court entirely within the exterior walls of a building.

 CRITICAL LEVEL (C-L OR C/L) – marking on a backflow prevention device or vacuum

breaker is a point conforming to approved standards established by the testing laboratory
( usually stamped on the device by the manufacturer) which determine the minimum
elevation above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptacle serve where the device may
be installed. When backflow prevention device does not bear a critical level marking, the
bottom of the vacuum breaker, combination valve or the bottom of any such approved
device shall constitute the critical level.
 CROSS CONNECTION – any connection or arrangement, physical or otherwise,
between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture or any tank receptacle,
equipment or device, through which enables non-potable, used unclean, polluted,
contaminated water or other substances to enter into any part of such potable water
system under any condition.

 CROSS CONNECTION – any physical connection or arrangement between two

otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other
either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or chemical, whereby there
exists the possibility for flow from one system to the other, with the direction of flow
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.

 DEAD END – 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 liquid
or air therein.
 DEAD END – a branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or
a building sewer, and terminating at a development length of 2 feet (610 mm) or
more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.

 DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM – a water distribution system

where pumps prime the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand
for hot water.

 DEPARTMENT HAVING JURISDICTION – the Administrative Authority and

includes any other law enforcement agency concerned by any provision of this
Code, whether such agency is specifically named or not.
 DEPTH OF TRAP SEAL – the depth of liquid that would have to be removed
from a full trap before air could pass through the trap.

 DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION – the elevation of the “design flood”,

including wave height, relative to the datum specified on the community’s
legally designated flood hazard map.

 DEVELOPMENT LENGTH – the length of a pipeline measured along the

centerline of pipe and fittings.

 DIAMETER – unless specifically stated, the nominal diameter as designated

commercially I.D. denotes inside diameter of pipe and O.D. denotes outside
diameter of tube.
 DIRECT SYSTEM – a solar thermal system in which the gas or
liquid in the solar collector loop is not separated from the load.

 DISCHARGE PIPE – a pipe that conveys the discharge from

plumbing fixtures or appliances.

 DOMESTIC SEWAGE – the liquid and water-borne wastes

derived from the ordinary living process, free from industrial
wastes and of such character that permit satisfactory disposal
without special treatment. It is discharge into the public sewer or
into a private sewage disposal system.

 DOUBLE-BEND FITTING – a pipe fitting with adjacent reverse

bends and shaped like the letter “S”.
 DOUBLE OFFSET – two offsets in succession or in series such that the
centerlines of the outside ends are in the same straight line.

 DRAIN – any pipe that carries waste water or water-borne wastes in a building
drainage system.

 DRAIN-BACK SYSTEM – a solar thermal system in which the fluid in the solar
collector loop is drained from the collector into a holding tank under prescribed
circumstances.

 DRAINAGE FITTING – the type of fittings utilized in the drainage system. It is

also similar to cast iron fittings, except that instead of having a bell and spigot, and
also recessed and tapped to eliminate ridges on the inside of the installed pipe.
 DRAINAGE (dfu) – a measure of the probable discharge into the drainage
system by various types of plumbing fixtures. The drainage fixture-unit value for
a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of drainage discharge, on the time
duration of a single drainage operation and on the average time between
successive operations.

 DRAINAGE SYSTEM – piping within a public or private premise that conveys

sewage, rainwater or other liquid waste to a point of disposal but does not
include the main of a public sewer system or private or public sewage treatment
or disposal plant.

 DRAINAGE SYSTEM (BUILDING GRAVITY) – a drainage system that drains

by gravity into the building sewer.
 DRAINAGE SYSTEM (SANITARY) – a drainage system that carries sewage
and exclude storm, surface and ground water.

 DRAINAGE SYSTEM (STORM) – a drainage system that carries rainwater,

surface water, subsurface water and similar liquid waste.

 DRINKING FOUNTAIN – a plumbing fixture that is connected to the potable

water distribution system and the drainage system. The fixtures allows the user to
obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water without the use of any
accessories.

 DRY VENT – a vent that does not carry liquid or water-borne wastes.
 DURHAM SYSTEM – a term used to describe soil or waste system where all
piping's are of threaded pipe, tubing or other such rigid construction using
recessed drainage fittings to correspond to the types of piping.

 EFFECTIVE OPENING – is the minimum cross-sectional area at the point of

water supply discharge measured or expressed in terms of : 1. diameter of a circle;
2. if the opening is not circular, the diameter of a circle of equivalent cross-
sectional area.

 EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN – a floor drain that does not receive the discharge
of any drain or indirect waste pipe, and that protects against damage from
accidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
 ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID – fluids having Gosselin rating
of 1, including propylene glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane;
hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigerants; and FDA
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.

 ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID – soil, waste or gray water and fluids
having a Gosselin rating of 2 or more; including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils,
ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.

 EXISTING INSTALLATION OR WORK– any plumbing system regulated by this

code that was legally installed prior to the effective date of this code, or for which a
permit to install has been issued.
 EXISTING INSTALLATION OR WORK – the on-going
installation of the plumbing system or any part thereof which has
been installed prior to the effective of this code.

 FAMILY – one person living alone or a group living together,

whether related to each other by birth or not.

 FAUCET – a valve located at the end of a water pipe through of

which water can be drawn from or held within the pipe.

 FERRULE – a metallic sleeves, caulked or joined to an opening

in a pipe into which a plug is screwed that can be removed for
cleaning or examining the interior of the pipe.
 FILL VALVE – a water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or
similar device, utilized to supply water to a tank.

 ANTISIPHONE FILL VALVE – contains an antisiphon device in the form of an

approved air gap or vacuum breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit
and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply control valve.

 FIXTURE – a receptacle other than a trap attached to a plumbing system in

which water or wastes may be collected or retained for ultimate discharge into
the plumbing system.

 FIXTURE BRANCH (WATER SUPPLY) – a water supply pipe between the

fixture supply and a main water distribution pipe or fixture group.
 FIXTURE BRANCH (DRAINAGE) – a drain serving two or
more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.

 FIXTUER DRAIN – the drainpipe from the trap of a fixture to

the junction of that drain with any other drainpipe.

 FIXTURE SUPPLY FITTING - a fitting that controls the

volume, direction of flow or both, of water and is either attached
to or accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or
atmospheric discharge.

 FIXTURE WASTE FITTING – a combination of components

that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the
connection to the sanitary drainage system.
 FIXTURE GROUP (MAIN) – the main water-distribution pipe
(or secondary branch) serving a plumbing fixture grouping such
as a bath, kitchen or laundry area to which two or more individual
fixture branch pipe are connected.

 FIXTURE SUPPLY – the water supply pipe connecting a fixture

or fixture fitting to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a
main water supply pipe.

 FIXTURE UNIT – is an arbitrary quantity in terms of which the

load producing effects or water requirements on the plumbing
system of different kinds of plumbing fixtures are expressed in
some arbitrarily chosen scale. One fixture unit is equivalent to a
rate of flow at 28.3 liters per minute (1 cu.ft. / minute)
 FIXTURE UNIT, DRAINAGE (dfu) – a measure of probable discharge into the
drainage system by various types of plumbing fixture, used to size DWV piping
system. The fixture unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the
average time between successive operations.

 FIXTURE UNIT, WATER-SUPPLY (wsfu) – a measure of probable hydraulic

demand on the water supply by various types of plumbing fixtures used to size
water piping system. The fixture unit value for a particular fixture depends on its
volume rate of supply, on the time duration of a single supply operation and on the
average time between successive operations.

 FLOOD LEVEL – the level in a fixture at which water begins to overflow over the
top of rim of the fixture.
 FLOOD LEVEL RIM – the top edge of a receptacle from which water
overflows.

 FLOODED – when the liquid therein rises to the flood level rim.

 FLOOR AREA – the area included within surrounding walls of a building (or
portion thereof), exclusive of vent shaft and court.

 FLOOR DRAIN – a plumbing fixture for recess in the floor having a floor level
strainer intended for the purpose of the collection and disposal of waste water
used in cleaning the floor and for the collection and disposal of accidental
spillage to the floor.
 FLOW CONTROL (VENTED) – a device installed upstream from the interceptor
having an orifice that controls the rate of flow through the interceptor and an air
intake (vent) downstream, from the orifice that allows air to be drawn into the flow
stream.

 FLOW PRESSURE – the pressure in the water supply pipe near the faucet or
water outlet while the faucet or water outlet is wide open and flowing.

 FLUSH TANK – a tank located above or integral with water closet, urinal or
similar fixtures for flushing or removing excrements in the fixture.

 FLUSH TANK – a tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the
contents of the bowl or usable portion of the fixture.
 FLUSH VALVE – a device located at the bottom of the flush tank that is operated to
flush water closet and similar fixtures.

 FLUSHOMETER TANK – a device integrated within an air accumulator vessel which

is designed to discharge a predetermined quantity of water into fixtures for flushing
purposes.

 FLUSHOMETER VALVE – is a device, which discharge a predetermined quantity of

water into fixtures for flushing purposes and is actuated by direct water pressure.

 FLUSHOMETER VALVE – a valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so

designed that when activated it opens the line for direct flow into the fixture at a rate
and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually closes to reseal fixture
traps and avoid water hammer.
 FULLWAY VALVE – a valve that in the full open position has an opening cross-
sectional area that is not less than 85 percent of the cross-sectional area of the
connecting pipe.

 GATE VALVE – a valve in which the flow of water is cut off by means of circular
disc fitted against machine-smoothed faces, at right angles to the direction of flow.
The disk is raised or lowered by means of a threaded stern 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 liquid is cut off by means of
circular disc that fits over and against the horizontal valve seat. The movement of
the plane of disc is parallel to the normal direction of flow of water through the
orifice resulting to a tortuous passage which offers a high pressure loss.
 GOOSENECK – a return bend of a small sized pipe, one end of which is about 30 cm.
long and the other end is about 7.5 cm. long. It is commonly used as faucet for a pantry
sink. Also, the term means the flexible tubing connection between a service pipe and
water main.

 GRADE – is the slope or fall of a line of pipe with reference to a horizontal plane. In
drainage, it is usually expressed as the fall in centimeters per meter or percentage slope
of pipe.

 GREASE INTERCEPTOR – an interceptor of at least 3 cu.m capacity to serve one or

more fixtures and which is remotely located.

 GREASE INTERCEPTOR ( FATS, OILS AND GREASES (FOG) DISPOSAL

SYSTEM) – a plumbing appurtenance that reduces nonpetroleum fats, oils and greases
in effluent by separation or mass and volume reduction.
 GREASE INTERCEPTOR (GRAVITY) – plumbing appurtenances
that are installed in the sanitary drainage system to intercept free
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge. Separation
is accomplished by gravity.

 GREASE INTERCEPTOR (HYDROMECHANICAL) – plumbing

appurtenances that are installed in the sanitary drainage system to
intercept free floating fats, oils and grease from waste water
discharge. Continuous separation is accomplished by air
entrainment, buoyancy and interior baffling.

 GREASE LADEN WASTE – effluent discharge that is produced

from food processing, food preparation or other sources where
grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse stations,
sink or other appurtenances.
 GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD) - a plumbing appurtenance
that is installed in the sanitary drainage system to intercept free floating fats, oils and
grease from waste water discharge. Such a device operates on a time or event-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free floating fats, oils and grease
automatically without intervention from the user except for maintenance.

 GREASE TRAP – a device designed to retain grease from one to a maximum of tour
fixtures.

 GRIDDED WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM – a water distribution system where

every water distribution pipe is interconnected so as to provide two or more paths to
each fixture supply pipe.
 GROUND WATER – the water that stands in or passes through the ground.

 GROUP VENT – a branch vent that performs its functions for two (2) or more traps.

 HEIGHT OF BUILDING – the vertical distance from the “Grade Line” to the highest
point of the coping of a flat roof or to the top line of a measured roof or to the average
height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip-roof.

 HORIZONTAL BRANCH DRAIN OR HORIZONTAL BRANCH – is 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.
 HORIZONTAL PIPE – is any pipe or fitting installed in a horizontal position or which
forms an angle of not more than forty-five (45) degrees (0.79 rad.) with the horizontal
plane.

 HOT WATER – water at a temperature greater than 110 ºF (43 ºC).

 HOUSE DRAIN – is that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a plumbing system
which receives the discharges from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside of a
building and conveys it to the house sewer outside of the building.

 HOUSE SEWER – is that part of a plumbing system extending from the house drain at
a 0.60 meters from the outside face of the foundation wall of a building to the junction
with the street sewer or to any point of discharge, and conveying the drainage of one
building site.
 HOUSE STORM SEWER – is the pipeline from the building to the public or street
storm drainage system.

 HUBLESS PIPES – are cast iron soil pipe with plain ends connected together with
bolted stainless steel bands and neoprene gaskets.

 INDIRECT SYSTEM – a solar thermal system in which the gas or liquid in the solar
collector loop circulates between the solar collector and a heat exchanger and such gas
or liquid is not drained from the system or supplied to the load during normal
operations.

 INDIRECT WASTE PIPE – a waste pipe that does not connect directly with the
drainage system, but that discharges into the drainage system through an air break or
air gap into a trap, fixture, receptor or interceptor.
 INDIRECT WASTE RECEPTOR – a plumbing fixture designed
to collect and dispose of liquid waste from other plumbing
fixture, plumbing equipment or appliances that are required to
discharge to the drainage system through an air gap.

 INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM – a system for

disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic tank, cesspool
or mechanical treatment, designed for utilization apart from a
public sewer to serve a single establishment or building.

 INDIVIDUAL VENT – a pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and

that connects with the vent system above the fixture served or
terminates in the open air.
 INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY – a water supply that
serves one or more families, and that is not an approved
public water supply.

 INDUSTRIAL WASTE – any and all liquid or water borne

waste from industrial or commercial processes, except
domestic sewage.

 I.P.S – means Iron Pipe Size

 INSANITARY – a condition contrary to sanitary principles

or injurious to health.
 CONDITIONS WHERE THE WORD “INSANITARY” SHALL APPLY INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING:
1. Any trap which does not maintain a proper trap seal;
2. Any opening in a drainage system, except where lawful, which is not provided with an
approved water sealed trap;
3. Any plumbing fixture or other waste-discharging receptacle or device. Not supplied with
water sufficient to flush it and maintain it in clean condition;
4. Any defective fixture, trap, pipe or fitting;
5. Any trap, except where exempted in this Code, directly connected to a drainage system, the
seal of which is not protected against siphonage and backpressure by a vent pipe;
6. Any connection, cross-connection, construction or condition temporary or permanent, which
permit or make possible, by any means whatsoever, for any unapproved foreign matter to
enter into a water distribution system used for domestic purposes; and
7. The foregoing enumeration of conditions which the term “insanitary” applies, shall not
preclude the application of that term to conditions that are, in fact, insanitary.
 INTERCEPTOR (CLARIFIER) – a device designed and installed
to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual
means, deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal
wastes, while permitting normal sewage or wastes to discharge
into the drainage system by gravity.

 INVERT – the lowest portion of the interior part of any pipe or

conduit that is not vertical.

 JOINT EXPANSION / EXPANSION JOINT – a loop, return

bend or return offset that provides for the expansion and
contraction in a piping system and is utilized in tall buildings or
where there is a rapid change of temperature, as in power plants,
steam rooms and similar occupancies.
 JOINT FLEXIBLE / FLEXIBLE JOINT – any joint between two
pipes that permits one pipe to be deflected or moved without
movement or deflection of the other pipe.

 JOINT SLIP / SLIP JOINT – a type of joint made by means of a

washer or a special type of packing compound in which one pipe
is slipped into the end of an adjacent pipe.

 JURISDICTION – the governmental unit that has adopted this

code under due legislative authority. (DOH, DPWH, DENR …
etc.)

 KITCHEN – shall mean an area used, or designated to be used,

for the preparation of food.
 LABELED – equipment or materials bearing a label of a listing
agency. All labels shall be embossed, stamped or indelibly marked
with stickers, glued on the finished product indicating the weight,
specifications and logo of the manufacturer.

 LABELED – equipment, devices, fixtures or materials bearing the

label of an approved agency.

 LATERAL – in plumbing, a secondary pipeline. In sewage, a

common sewer to which no other branch sewer is connected. It
receives sewage from building sewer service connections only.

 LATRINE – a water closet consisting of a continuous trough

containing water. The trough extends under two or more adjacent
seats. Prohibited by health authorities for permanent installations
 LAUNDRY TRAY – a fixed tub with running water and drainpipe for washing
clothes and other household linens, also called set tub.

 LAVATORY – a fixture designed for the washing of the hands or face. Sometimes
called wash basin.

 LEACHING CESSPOOL - a cesspool that is not water-tight.

 LEADER (CONDUCTOR) – a pipe connected from building gutter to the

downspout or conductor.

 LEADER (CONDUCTOR) – an exterior drainage pipe for conveying storm water

from roof or gutter drains to an approved means of disposal.
 LEAD-FREE PIPE AND FITTINGS – containing not more that a
weighted average of 0.25 percent lead when used with respect to the
wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings and fixtures.

 LEAD-FREE SOLDER AND FLUX – containing not more than 0.2

percent lead.

 LENGTH OF PIPE – is measured along its centerline.

 LIQUID WASTE – is the discharge from any fixture, appliance or

appurtenance in connection with a plumbing system which does not
receive fecal matter.
 LISTED – equipment or materials included in a LIST published by a listing agency
that maintain periodic inspection on current production of listed equipment or
materials and whose listing state either that the equipment or materials complied with
approved standards or have been tested and found suitable for use in specified
manners.

 LISTING AGENCY – is an agency accepted by the Administrative Authority in the

business of listing or labeling and which maintains a periodic inspection program on
current production of listed models, and makes available a published a report of such
listing where specific information is included that the product has been tested against
approved standards and found safe for use in a specific manner.

 LOCAL VENT – a pipe or shaft to convey foul air from a plumbing fixture or a room
to the outer air.
 LOCAL VENT STACK – a vertical pipe to which connections are made from the
fixture side of traps and through which vapor or foul air is removed from the fixture or
device utilized on bedpan washers.

 LOOP OR CIRCUIT VENT – a vertical vent connection on a horizontal soil or waste

pipe branch at a point of downstream of the last fixture connection and turning to a
horizontal line above the highest overflow level of the highest fixture connected
thereat; the terminus connected to the stack vent in the case of loop venting or to the
vent stack nearby in the case of circuit venting.

 LOT – a single area of land legally recorded or validated by other means acceptable to
the Administrative Authority where a building is situated or site of any work regulated
by this Code, together with the yard, court, and unoccupied space legally required for
the building or works; and which is owned by or in the lawful possession of the owner
of the building or works.
 MACERATING TOILET SYSTEM – an assembly consisting of a water closet and
sump with a macerating pump that is designed to collect, grind and pump wastes
from the water closet and up to two other fixtures connected to the sump.

 MAIN – any system of continuous piping, which is the principal artery of the system
where branches are connected.

 MAIN VENT – the principal artery of the venting system to which vent branches are
connected.

 MANHOLE – a large opening in a sewer line or part of a plumbing system

constructed with sufficient size for a man to gain access therein for maintenance
purposes and facility for changes of line and/or grade of pipe line.
 MANIFOLD WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS – a fabricated piping
arrangement in which a large supply main is fitted with multiple branches in close
proximity in which water is distributed separately to fixtures from each branch.

 MASTER PLUMBER – a person technically and legally qualified and licensed to

practice the profession of Master Plumbing without limitations in accordance with
RA 1378.

 MAY – the word is a permissive term.

 MECHANICAL JOINT – a connection between pipes, fittings, or pipes and fittings

that is not screwed, caulked, threaded, soldered, solvent cemented, brazed, welded
or heat fused.