ALLEY - ALLEY IS 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.
ALTER OR ALTERATION - ALTER OR
ALTERATION IS ANY CHANGE, ADDITION
OR MODIFICATION IN CONSTRUCTION OR
OCCUPANCY. (CHANGE OR REPAIR).
APPROVED - APPROVED MEANS
ACCEPTED OR ACCEPTABLE UNDER AN
APPLICABLE SPECIFICATIONSTATED OR
CITED IN THIS CODE, OR ACCEPTED AS
SUITABLE FOR THE PROPOSED USE UNDER
PROCEDURES AND POWERS AT THE
AUTHORITY.

BACK PRESSURE - AIR PRESSURE IN

DRAINAGE PIPES GREATER THAN
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.
BACK VENT PIPE - THE PART OF A VENT
LINE WHICH CONNECTS DIRECTLY WITH
AN INDIVIDUAL TRAP UNDERNEATH OR
BEHIND THE FIXTURE AND EXTENDS TO
THE BRANCH OR MAIN, SOIL, OR WASTE
PIPE AT ANY POINT HIGHER THAN THE
FIXTURE OR FIXTURE TRAP IT SERVES.
THIS IS SOMETIMES CALLED AN
INDIVIDUAL VENT.
BALL COCK - A FAUCET OPENED OR
CLOSED BY THE FALL OR RISE OF A BALL
FLOATING ON THE SURFACE OFWATER. - A
FLOAT VALVE WITH A SPHERICAL FLOAT.

AUTHORITY - AUTHORITY IN THIS CODE

IS MEAN TO BE THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICIAL,
BOARD, DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY
ESTABLISHED AN AUTHORIZED BY THE
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (R.A. NO. 1378)
TO ADMINISTER AND ENFORCE THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS NATIONAL PLUMBING
CODEAS ADAPTED OR AMENDED. (PROF.
SANITARY ENGINEERING) PLANS AND
SPECS, (MASTER PLUMBER) - INSTALL
BACKFLOW - THE FLOW OF WATER INTO
A WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FROM SOURCE
OTHER THAN ITS REGULAR SOURCE. BACK
SIPHONAGE IS ONE TYPE OF BACKFLOW.

BALL JOINT - A CONNECTION IN WHICH A

BALL IS HELD IN A CUPLIKE SHELL THAT
ALLOWS MOVEMENT IN EVERY DIRECTION.
BATTERY OF FIXTURES - BATTERY OF
FIXTURES IS ANY OF TWO OR MORE
SIMILAR ADJACENT FIXTURES WHICH
DISCHARGE INTO A COMMON
HORIZONTAL SOIL BRANCH.
BELL OR HUB - THAT PORTION OF A PIPE
WHICH FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, IS
SUFFICIENTLY ENLARGED TO RECEIVED
THE END OF ANOTHER PIPE OF THE SAME
DIAMETER FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING
A JOINT.
BENDING PIN (OR IRON) - A TOOL USED
FOR STRAIGHTENING OR EXPANDING LEAD
PIPE.

BUILDING DRAIN - SEE HOUSE DRAIN.

BIBB - SYNONYMOUS WITH FAUCET IS
PREFERRED. FAUCET OR SPIGOT.
BIDET - A PLUMBING FIXTURE USED FOR
WASHING THE MIDDLE PART OF THE BODY,
SPECIALLY THE GENITALS. ALSO A SITZ
BATH (USED TO WASH POSTERIOR PARTS
OF THE BODY).
BLANK FLANGE - A FLANGE THAT IS NOT
DRILLED.
BLIND FLANGE - A FLANGE THAT CLOSES
THE END OF A PIPE. THERE IS NO OPENING
FOR THE PASSAGE OF WATER. (USED FOR
BLACK IRON PIPES).
BLOW OFF - A CONTROLLED OUTLET ON
A PIPE LINE USED TOO DISCHARGE WATER
OR DETRITUS. (IN SANITARY HOUSE TRAP).
BRANCH - A BRANCH IS ANY PART OF A
PIPING SYSTEM OTHER THAN THE MAIN,
RISER OR STACK.
MWSS / OPWH - INSTALLATION OF
NATIONAL LOCAL WATER WORKS.- FOR
INSTALLATION & EXCAVATION
RESPECTIVELY.
BRANCH INTERVAL - A LENGTH OF SOIL
OR WASTE STACK CORRESPONDING IN
GENERAL TO A STORY HEIGHT, BUT- IN NO
CASE LESS THAN EIGHT (8) FEET,
WITHIN WHICH THE HORIZONTAL
BRANCHES FROM ONE FLOOR OR STORY
OF A BUILDING ARE CONNECTED TO THE
STACK.
BRANCH VENT - A VENT PIPE
CONNECTING FROM A BRANCH OF THE
DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO A VENT STACK.
BUILDING - BUILDING IS ANY 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 SEWER - SEE HOUSE SEWER.

BUILDING SUBDRAIN -THAT PORTION OF
A DRAINAGE SYSTEM WHICH CANNOT
DRAIN BY GRAVITY INTO THE
BUILDING SEWER. ( ANY PIPING SYSTEM
WHICH NEEDED TO BE ELEVATED FROM
BASEMENT TO THE N.G.L.)
CAULKING - PLUGGING AN OPENING WITH
OAKUM, LEAD OR OTHER MATERIALS THAT
ARE POUNDED INTO PLACE. ALSO, THE
MATERIAL THAT IS POUNDED INTO THE
OPENING.
CAP - A FITTING INTO WHICH THE END OF
A PIPE IS SCREWED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CLOSING THE END OF THE PIPE.
CATCH BASIN - A RECEPTACLE IN WHICH
LIQUIDS ARE RETAINED FOR A SUFFICIENT
PERIOD TO DEPOSIT SETTLE ABLE
MATERIAL
CESSPOOL - A PIT FOR THE RECEPTION
OR DETENTION OF SEWAGE.
CHECK VALVE - A VALVE THAT
AUTOMATICALLY CLOSES TO PREVENT THE
FLOW OF WATER IN REVERSE DIRECTION.
(PREVENTS REVERSE FLOW)
CIRCUIT VENT - A GROUP VENT
EXTENDING FROM IN FRONT OF THE LAST
FIXTURE CONNECTION ON A HORIZONTAL
BRANCH TO THE VENT STACK. SEE ALSO
LOOP VENT. (LOOP VENT, BRANCH VENT)
COMMON VENT - SEE UNIT VENT AND
DUAL VENT
CONDUCTOR, LEADER, OR
DOWNSPOUT - A VERTICAL PIPE TO
CONVEY RAIN WATER.
CONTINUOUS VENT - - A CONTINUOUS
VENT IS A VERTICAL VENT THAT IS A
CONTINUATION OF THE DRAIN, TO WHICH
THE VENT CONNECTS. (OR VSTR)

LINE.
CORPORATION COCK - A STOP VALVE
PLACED IN A SERVICE PIPE CLOSE TO ITS
CONNECTION WITH A WATER MAIN.
COURT - A COURT IS AN OPEN ,
UNOCCUPIED SPACE BOUNDED ON TWO
(2) OR MORE SIDES BY THE WALLS OF THE
BUILDINGS. AN INNER COURT IS A COURT
ENTIRELY WITHIN THE EXTERIORWALLS OF
A BUILDING. ALL OTHER COURTS ARE
OUTER COURTS.
CROSS CONNECTION - ANY PHYSICAL
CONNECTION OR ARRANGEMENT OF PIPES
BETWEEN TWO OTHERWISE
SEPARATE BUILDING WATER-SUPPLY PIPES
OR A SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH OR BY
MEANS OF WHICH WATER SUPPLY MAY
FLOW FROM ONE SYSTEM TO THE OTHER,
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 WATER
OR AIR THEREIN. (WATER HAMMER
ARRESTER OR AIR GAP OR AIR CHAMBER).
DEVELOPMENT LENGTH -THE LENGTH
ALONG THE CENTER LINE OF THE PIPE
AND THE FITTINGS.
DIAMETER - DIAMETER OF A PIPE OR
TUBE SHALL MEAN THE NOMINAL
INTERNAL DIAMETER (I.D.) OF SUCH
PIPE; EXCEPT BRASS AND COPPER TUBING
WHEREIN THE TERM SHALL MEAN THE
OUTSIDE DIAMETER (O.D.) OF TUBING.
DOMESTIC SEWAGE - SEE SANITARY
SEWAGE.
DOUBLE-BEND FITTING - A PIPE FITTING
SHAPED LIKE THE LETTER S.
DOUBLE OFFSET - TWO OFFSETS IN
SUCCESSION OR IN SERIES IN THE SAME

DOWNSPOUT - THE VERTICAL PORTION

OF A RAINWATER CONDUCTOR.
DRAIN - A SEWER OR OTHER PIPE OR
CONDUIT USED FOR CONVEYING GROUND
WATER, SURFACE WATER, STORM WATER,
OR SEWAGE.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM -THE DRAINAGE
PIPES OF A PLUMBING SYSTEM TAKE THE
WATER FROM THE PLUMBING FIXTURES
AND DELIVER IT TO THE SEWER OR SOME
OTHER OUTLET. THE DRAINAGE PIPES
MUST BE GAS-LIGHT, AND WATER-LIGHT.
THE PASSAGE OF AIR, ODORS OR VITAMIN
FROM THE SEWER INTO THE BUILDING
MUST BE PREVENTED.
DRY VENT - A VENT THAT DOES NOT
CARRY WATER OR WATER- BORNE
WASTES.
DUAL VENT - SEE UNIT VENT.
EXISTING WORK - THE TERM EXISTING
WORK SHALL APPLY TO THOSE PORTIONS
OF PLUMBING SYSTEM WHICH HAVE BEEN
INSTALLED AND APPROVED PRIOR TO THE
CONTEMPLATED ADDITIONS,
COLLECTIONS, OR CORRECTIONS.
FAMILY - FAMILY IS ONE PERSON LIVING
ALONE OR A GROUP OF TWO (2) OR MORE
PERSONS LIVING TOGETHER, WHETHER
RELATED TO EACH OTHER BY BIRTH OR
NOT.
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.
FERRULE - 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.

FIXTURE - 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 PLUMBING SYSTEM.
FIXTURE BRANCH - THE SUPPLY PIPE
BETWEEN THE FIXTURE AND THE WATER
DISTRIBUTING PIPE.
FIXTURE DRAIN - THE DRAIN FROM THE
TRAP OF A FIXTURE TO THE JUNCTION OF
THE DRAIN WITH ANY OTHER DRAIN PIPE.
FIXTURE UNIT - 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.
FLASHING - A PIECE OF SHEET METAL
FITTED UNDER ANOTHER PIECE OF FLAT
METAL OR WOOD OVER WHICH WATER IS
EXPECTED TO RUN.
FLOOD LEVEL - THE LEVEL IN A FIXTURE
AT WHICH WATER BEGINS TO OVERFLOW
THE TOP OR RIM OF THE FIXTURE.
FLOOR AREA - THE AREA INCLUDED
WITHIN SURROUNDING WALLS OF A
BUILDING (OR PORTION THEREOF),
EXCLUSIVE OF VENT SHAFTS AND COURTS.
FLUSH VALVE - A VALVE USED FOR
FLUSHING A FIXTURE BY USING WATER
DIRECTLY FROM THE WATER SUPPLY PIPES
OR IN CONNECTION WITH A SPECIAL
FLUSH TANK.
GATE VALVE - A VALVE IN WHICH THE
FLOW OF WATER IS CUT OFF BY MEANS OF
A CIRCULAR DISK, FITTING AGAINST
MACHINE-SMOOTHED FACES, AT RIGHT
ANGLES TO THE DIRECTION OF FLOW. THE
DISK 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 DISK THAT FITS AGAINST THE
VALVE SEAT. THE PLANE OF MOVEMENT OF
THE DISK 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 DISK.
GOOSE NECK - A RETURN BEND OF
SMALL-SIZED PIPE ONE END OF WHICH IS
ABOUT ONE (1) FOOT LONG AND THE
OTHER END IS ABOUT 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.
GRADE - THE SLOPE OR FALL OF A LINE
OF PIPE IN REFERENCE TO A HORIZONTAL
PLANE USUALLY EXPRESSED IN PERCENT.
GROUND WATER - THE WATER THAT IS
STANDING IN OR PASSING THROUGH THE
GROUND.
GROUP VENT - A BRANCH VENT THAT
PERFORMS ITS FUNCTION 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 DECK LINE OF A
MANSARD ROOF OR TO THE AVERAGE
HEIGHT OF THE HIGHEST GAB LE OF A
PITCH OR HIP-ROOF.
HORIZONTAL BRANCH - A BRANCH
DRAIN EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SOIL
OR WASTE STACK, WITH OR WITHOUT
VERTICAL SECTIONS OR BRANCHES, THAT
RECEIVES THE DISCHARGE FROM ONE OR
MORE FIXTURE DRAINS AND CONDUCTS IT
TO THE SOIL OR WASTE STACK OR TO THE
BUILDING DRAIN.
HOUSE DRAIN - THE HOUSE DRAIN IS
THAT PART OF THE LOWEST HORIZONTAL

PIPING OF A PLUMBING SYSTEM WHICH

RECEIVES THE DISCHARGE FROM SOIL,
WASTE, AND OTHER DRAINAGE PIPES
INSIDE OF A BUILDINGS CONVEYS IT TO
THE HOUSE SEWER.
HOUSE STORM SEWER - A HOUSE
STORM SEWER IS THE PIPELINE FROM THE
BUILDING TO THE PUBLIC STORM
SEWER SYSTEM.

PROHIBITED BY MOST AUTHORITIES FOR

PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS.
LAVATORY - A FIXTURE DESIGNED FOR
THE WASHING OF THE HANDS OR FACE.
SOMETIMES CALLED A WASH BASIN.
LEACHING CESSPOOL A CESSPOOL
THAT IS NOT WATERTIGHT.
LEADER - SEE CONDUCTOR.

INDIRECT WASTE PIPE - A WASTE PIPE

THAT DOES NOT CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH
THE BUILDING DRAINAGE SYSTEM BUT
DISCHARGES INTO IS THROUGH A
PROPERLY TRAPPED FIXTURE OR
RECEPTACLE.

LENGTH OF PIPE - THE LENGTH AS

MEASURED ALONG.
LOCAL VENT - A PIPE OR SHAFT SERVING
TO CONVEY FOUL AIR FROM A PLUMBING
FIXTURE OR A ROOM TO THE OUTER AIR.

INDIVIDUAL VENT - SEE BACK VENT.

INDUSTRIAL WASTES - INDUSTRIAL
WASTE ARE LIQUID WASTE RESULTING
FROM THE PROCESSES EMPLOYED IN
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ARE
FREE FROM FECAL MATTER.
INSANITARY - CONTRARY TO SANITARY
PRINCIPLES OR INJURIOUS TO HEALTH.
INTERCEPTOR - A RECEPTACLE
DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO
INTERCEPT OR SEPARATE, AND PREVENT
THE PASSAGE OF OIL, GREASE, SAND, OR
OTHER MATERIALS INTO THE DRAINAGE
SYSTEM TO WHICH IT IS DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY CONNECTED.
INVERT - THE LOWEST PORTION OF THE
INSIDE OF ANY PIPE CONDUIT THAT IS NOT
VERTICAL.
LATERAL - IN PLUMBING, A SECONDARY
PIPE LINE. IN AVERAGE, A COMMON
SEWER TO WHICH NO OTHER COMMON
SEWER IS TRIBUTARY, RECEIVES SEWAGE
ONLY FROM BUILDING SEWERS.
LATRINE - A WATER CLOSET CONSISTING
OF A CONTINUOUS THOUGH CONTAINING
WATER. THE TROUGH EXTENDS UNDER
TWO (2) OR MORE ADJACENT SEATS.

LOOP OR CIRCUIT VENT - A

CONTINUATION OF A HORIZONTAL SOIL OR
WASTE PIPE BEYOND THE CONNECTION AT
WHICH LIQUID WASTES FROM A FIXTURE
OR FIXTURES ENTER THE WASTE OR SOIL
PIPE. THE EXTENSION IS USUALLY
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 SOIL OR
WASTE STACK BETWEEN FIXTURES
CONNECTED THERETO.
MAIN - THE MAIN OF ANY SYSTEM OF
CONTINUOUS PIPING IS THE PRINCIPAL
ARTERY OF THE SYSTEM, TO WHICH
BRANCHES MAY BE CONNECTED.
MAIN VENT - SEE VENT STACK.
MANHOLE - AN OPENING CONSTRUCTED
IN A SEWER OR ANY PART OF A PLUMBING
SYSTEM OF SUFFICIENT SIZE FOR A ,AN TO
GAIN ACCESS THERETO.
MASTERPLUMBER - A PERSON WITH
KNOWLEDGE OF AND EXPERIENCE IN
PLUMBING WHO EMPLOYS JOURNEYMEN
PLUMBERS OR WHO CONDUCTS A
PLUMBING BUSINESS.

OAKUM - HEMP OR OLD HEMP ROPE

SOAKED IN OIL TO MAKE IT WATERPROOF.
OCCUPANCY - OCCUPANCY IS THE
PURPOSE FOR WHICH A BUILDING IS USED
OR INTENDED TO BE USED. THE TERM
SHALL ALSO INCLUDE THE BUILDING OR
ROOM HOUSING SUCH USE. CHANGE OF
OCCUPANCY IS NOT INTENDED TO
INCLUDE CHANGE OF TENANTS OR
PROPRIETORS.
PERSON - A NATURAL PERSON, HIS HEIRS,
EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ITS OR
THEIR SUCCESSOR OR ASSIGNS, OR THE
AGENT OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID.
PITCH - SEE GRADE.
PLUMBING - THE ART AND TECHNIQUE OF
INSTALLING IN BUILDINGS THE PIPES,
FIXTURES, AND OTHER APPARATUSES FOR
BRINGING IN THE WATER SUPPLY, LIQUIDS,
SUBSTANCES OR INGREDIENTS AND
REMOVING THEM AND SUCH WATER,
LIQUID, AND OTHER CARRIED-WASTES
AFFECTING HEALTH AND SANITATION AND
HAZARDOUS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY;
ALSO THE PIPES AND FIXTURES AFTER
THEY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, I.E. THE
PLUMBING SYSTEM.
PLUMBING FIXTURE - 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
PLUMBING SYSTEM.
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 CONNECTIONS
WITHIN OR ON A BUILDING, A FACTORY,
OR AN INDUSTRY.
PLUMBING OFFICIAL - THE AUTHORITY
OR THE OFFICER CHARGED WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF
THE NATIONAL PLUMBING CODE, OR HIS
REGULARLY AUTHORIZED DEPUTY.
POTABLE WATER - POTABLE WATER IS
WATER WHICH IS SATISFACTORY FOR
DRINKING, CULINARY, DOMESTIC
PURPOSES AND MEETS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE HEALTH
AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION.
PRIMARY BRANCH - A PRIMARY BRANCH
OF THE BUILDING DRAIN IS THE SINGLE
SLOPING DRAIN FROM THE BASE OF A
STACK TO ITS JUNCTION WITH THE MAIN
BUILDING DRAIN OR WITH ANOTHER
BRANCH THEREOF.
PRIVATE OR PRIVATE USE - PRIVATE
APPLIES TO FIXTURES IN A RESIDENCE
WHERE THE FIXTURES ARE INTENDED FOR
THE USE OF A FAMILY OR AN INDIVIDUAL.
PRIVATE SEWER - A PRIVATE SEWER IS A
SEWER PRIVATELY OWNED AND NOT
DIRECTLY CONTROLLED BY PUBLIC
AUTHORITY.
PRIVY - AN OUTHOUSE OR STRUCTURE
USED FOR THE DEPOSITION OF
EXCREMENT.
PRIVY VAULT - A PIT BENEATH A PRIVY IN
WHICH EXCREMENT COLLECTS.
PUBLIC OR PUBLIC USE - IN THE
CLASSIFICATION OF PLUMBING FIXTURES,
PUBLIC APPLIES TO FIXTURES IN GENERAL
TOILET ROOMS OF SCHOOLS,
GYMNASIUMS, HOTELS, RAILROAD
STATIONS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BARS,
PUBLIC COMFORTS STATIONS, OR PLACES
TO WHICH THE PUBLIC IS INVITED OR

WHICH ARE FREQUENTED 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
SIMILARLY UNRESTRICTED.
PUBLIC SEWER - A PUBLIC SEWER IS A
COMMON SEWER DIRECTLY CONTROLLED
BY PUBLIC AUTHORITY TO WHICH ALL
ABUTTERS HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS OF
CONNECTIONS.
RELIEF VENT - A RELIEF VENT IS 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.
RETURN BEND - AN OPEN RETURN BEND,
USUALLY WITH INSIDE THREADS, BUT
APPLIED ALSO TO A ONE HUNDRED
EIGHTY (180 DEGREE) BEND IN A PIPE.

TO RECEIVE SANITARY SEWAGE WITH OR

WITHOUT INDUSTRIAL WASTESAND
WITHOUT THE ADMIXTURE OF SURFACE
WATER, STORM WATER, OR DRAINAGE.
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.
SECONDARY BRANCH - AND BRANCH IN
A BUILDING DRAIN OTHER THAN THE
PRIMARY BRANCH.
SEPTIC TANK - A SEPTIC TANK IS A
WATERTIGHT RECEPTACLE, WHICH
RECEIVES THE DISCHARGE OF A
PLUMBING SYSTEM OR PART THEREOF,
AND IS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED SO
AS TO SEPARATE SOLIDS FROM THE
LIQUID DIGEST THE ORGANIC MATTER
THROUGH A PERIOD OF DETENTION, AND
ALLOW THE EFFLUENT TO DISCHARGE
INTO A STORM DRAIN; OR DIRECTLY TO
THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE TANK
THROUGH A SYSTEM OF OPEN JOINT OR
PERFORATED PIPING.
SERVICE PIPE - THE PIPE FROM THE
WATER MAIN OR SOURCE OF WATER
SUPPLY TO THE BUILDING SERVED.

REVENT PIPE - SEE BACK VENT PIPE.

RISER - A WATER SUPPLY PIPE THAT
EXTENDS VERTICALLY ONE FULL STORY OR
MORE TOO CONVEY WATER TO BRANCHES
OR FIXTURES.
ROUGHING-IN - THE INSTALLATION OF
ALL PIPES IN THE PLUMBING SYSTEM THAT
ARE IN PARTITIONS AND UNDER FLOORS.
IT INCLUDES THE PLUMBING WORK DONE
BEFORE THE SETTING OF THE FIXTURES,
OR FINISHING.
SANITARY SEWAGE - THE SEWAGE
CONTAINING HUMAN EXCREMENT AND
LIQUID HOUSEHOLD WASTE; ALSO CALLED
DOMESTIC SEWAGE.
SANITARY SEWER - A SEWER INTENDED

SEWAGE - THE LIQUID WASTES

CONDUCTED AWAY FROM RESIDENCES,
BUSINESS BUILDINGS, INSTITUTIONS,
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS; AND WITH
SUCH GROUND, SURFACE, AND STORM
WATER AS MAY BE PRESENT.
SEWER - A PIPE OR CONDUIT FOR
CARRYING SEWAGE AND WASTE LIQUIDS.
SEWERAGE, OR SEWERAGE WORKS - A
COMPREHENSIVE TERM, INCLUDING ALL
CONSTRUCTION FOR COLLECTION,
TRANSPORTATION, PUMPING, TREATMENT
AND FINAL DISPOSITION OF SEWAGE.
SHAFT - A VERTICAL OPENING THROUGH
A BUILDING FOR ELEVATORS, DUMBWAITER, VENTILATION OR SIMILAR

PURPOSE.
SHALL - AS USED IN THIS CODE, IS
MANDATORY.
SIAMESE CONNECTION - A WYE
CONNECTION USED ON FIRE LINES SO
THAT TWO LINES OF HOSE MAY BE
CONNECTED TO HYDRANT OR TO THE
SAME NOZZLE.
SIPHONAGE. - A SUCTION BY THE FLOW
OF LIQUIDS IN PIPES. A PRESSURE LESS
THAN ATMOSPHERIC.
SOIL PIPE - A SOIL PIPE 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
FECAL MATTER OR LIQUID WASTES.
SOIL STACK PIPE - A VERTICAL SOIL PIPE
CONVEYING FECAL MATTER AND LIQUID
WASTE.
SPIGOT - THE END OF A PIPE, WHICH FITS
INTO A BELL. ALSO A WORD USED
SYNONYMOUSLY WITH FAUCET.
STACK - A GENERAL TERM USED FOR ANY
VERTICAL LINE OF SOIL, WASTE, OR VENT
PIPING.
STACK VENT - A STACK VENT IS THE
EXTENSION OF A SOIL OR WASTE STACK
ABOVE THE HIGHEST HORIZONTAL DRAIN
CONNECTED TO THE STACK.
STANDPIPE - A VERTICAL PIPE USUALLY
USED FOR THE STORAGE OF WATER,
FREQUENTLY UNDER PRESSURE.
STORM WATER - STORM WATER IS THAT
PORTION OF THE RAINFALL OR OTHER
PRECIPITATION, WHICH RUNS OFF OVER
THE SURFACE AFTER THE STORM AND FOR
SUCH A SHORT PERIOD FOLLOWING A
STORM AS THE FLOW EXCEEDS THE
NORMAL RUNOFF.

STORY - STORY IS THAT PORTION OF A

BUILDING INCLUDED BETWEEN THE UPPER
SURFACE OF ANY FLOOR AND THE UPPER
SURFACE 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 ABOVE. IF THE
FINISHED FLOOR LEVEL DIRECTLY ABOVE A
BASEMENT OR CELLAR IS MORE THAN SIX
(6) FEET ABOVE GRADE SUCH BASEMENT
OR CELLAR SHALL BE CONSIDERED A
STORY.
SUBSOIL DRAIN - SUBSOIL DRAINS ARE
UNDERGROUND DRAIN PIPES THAT
RECEIVES ONLY SUB-SURFACE OR
SEEPAGE WATER AND CONVEY IT TO
PLACE OF DISPOSAL.
SUMP - A PIT OR RECEPTACLE AT A LOW
POINT TO WHICH THE LIQUID WASTES ARE
DRAINED.
SUPPORTS - SUPPORTS, HANGERS,
ANCHORS, BRACKETS, CRADLES ARE
DEVICES FOR HOLDING AND SECURING
PIPES AND FIXTURES TO WALLS, CEILING,
FLOORS, OR STRUCTURAL MEMBERS.
SURFACE WATER - SURFACE WATER IS
THAT PORTION OF A RAINFALL OR OTHER
PRECIPITATION WHICH RUNS OFF OVER
THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND.
SWIMMING POOL - A WATER
RECEPTACLE USED FOR SWIMMING
DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE MORE
THAN ONE BATHER AT TIME AND
PROPERLY CONNECTED TO A DISPOSAL
SYSTEM.
TAPED TEE - A CAST-IRON BELL-END TEE
WITH THE BRANCH TAPPED TO RECEIVE A
THREADED PIPE OF FITTING .
TRAP - A FITTING OR DEVICE SO
CONSTRUCTED AS TO PREVENT THE
PASSAGE OF AIR, GAS, AND SOME VERMIN

THROUGH A PIPE WITHOUT MATERIALLY

AFFECTING THE FLOW OF SEWAGE OR
WASTE WATER THROUGH IT.

WET VENT - WET VENT IS THAT PORTION

OF A VENT PIPE THROUGH WHICH LIQUID
WASTE FLOW.

TRAP SEAL - SEE SEAL.

UNIT VENT - AN ARRANGEMENT OF
VENTING SO INSTALLED THAT ONE VENT
PIPE WILL SERVE TWO (2) TRAPS.
VACUUM - AN AIR PRESSURE LESS THAN
THAT ATMOSPHERIC. ALSO, SIPHONAGE.
VENT - A PIPE OR OPENING USED TO
ENSURING THE CIRCULATION OF AIR IN
PLUMBING SYSTEM AND FOR REDUCING
THE PRESSURE EXERTED ON TRAP SEALS.

WASTE PIPE - A WASTE PIPE IS A PIPE,

WHICH CONVEYS ONLY LIQUID WASTE,
FREE OF FECAL MATTER.
YARD - A YARD IS AN OPEN, UNOCCUPIED
SPACE, OTHER THAN A COURT,
UNOBSTRUCTED FROM THE GROUND TO
THE SKY, EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFICALLY
PROVIDE BY THIS CODE, ON THE LOT ON
WHICH A BUILDING IS SITUATED.