E.N.G.I.N.E.E.R., Inc.

SANITARY INSPECTIONS,
DESIGN AUDIT, SAFETY &
GREEN PLUMBING PRACTICES
BY
William J. Juan, mepf, rmp, pee
0915 292 8668/0943 0616 215/0919 605 4873

Facebook Pages Administered:

ESEA Advocates /NAMPAP-PSUMP Groups / MEPF ENGINEERS../ ATTEMP/ STOP FLOODING…
TALAKAYANG PINOY/ PUGAD LAWIN INTERNATIONAL
January 2017
 Invocation
• Amang Banal, pinupuri Ka namin at
pinsasalamatan sa mga biyaya at sa tuloy-tuloy
mong paggabay sa amin, Maraming salamat
po sa pagkakataon na makapaglingkod sa
aming mga kapatid at sa aming Bayan, Sana po
ang gawaing ito ay magdudulot ng positibong
resulta na magbibigay ng dagdag na kaalaman,
kakayahan at kaunlaran ng bawat isa at para
na din sa aming Bayan Panginoon, Lahat pong
ito ay aming itinataas sa Iyo Dakilang Ama, sa
Pangalan ng Inyong Anak na si Jesus, Amen…
 Short Resume of Speaker/Lecturer

 Engr. William Jacinto Juan, rmp,pee,mepf

National President – Philippine Integrated Plumbing Engineers Society (PIPES), 2014-present
 Founding President – Phil. Society of United Master Plumbers (PSUMP), 2013
 National President – Pro-Change NAMPAP, 2012-2014
 Co-founder, E.N.G.I.N.E.E.R.S.,Inc. (a political group)
 Lecturer/ Director for Skills Training, MEPF Engineers Co.
 Gen.Manager/Proprietor of FEMP Safety Engineering Construction, 2013-present
 Was President/CEO/Founder of Versatech Consultants & Mngt.Corp., 1985-2015
 Former IIEE National Officer/ Governor-at-Large
 Former Chairman – IIEE Balik Liwanag & IIEE Electrical Safety Committees
 Was Engineering Consultant/ Designer for PICOP/ SMC/ Parsons/ AEP/ Caltex/ Petron/
 Coca Cola/ Selecta/ Avida / DMCI/ Motolite Projects
 EE Professor @ National U, 1979-1991
 PEE-Top 1 (Oct.1980)/ Asso.EE-Top 3 (Sept.1979) / Asst.EE-Top 8 (Aug.1976) /
 RMP-Top 5 (Sept.1989) / Radio Amateur License DU1-ICH (94.6% rating)
 BSEE 1976 – NU / BSME 1987 – NU
 National President - Pugad Lawin Philippines, Inc., 2009,2010,2011
 President – Rotary Club of Pasig North, RID3800, 2005-2006
 Co-Broadcaster – Talakayang Pinoy-KakammpiOnline & DWAD 1098Khz
 Table of Contents
• 1. INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND
• 2. SAFETY in LPG PIPING SYSTEMS
• 3. SEPTIC TANKS/ TOXIC SEPTIC GASES
• 4. SEWER VENTILATION SYSTEMS
• 5. PLUMBING WORKS - MINIMUM SLOPE/ CLEAN-OUTS/
AIR GAPS/ ELBOW ROOMS/ P-TRAPS/ GREASE TRAPS/ ETC
• 6. WATER PUMPING
• 7. RAINWATER HARVESTING
• 8. CONDENSATE COLLECTION
• 9. GRAY WATER USE
• 10. FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
 PLUMBING ENGINEERING/ Sanitary
trends in Buildings & Homes…

 Master Plumbers/ Plumbing Engineers design or

oversee installation of lower pressure fire protection
(without fire pump), hot and cold potable water
supply and pumping systems, gray water re-use,
sanitary sewer lines and sanitary ventilation systems,
septic tanks, sump water pumping, AC condensate
drainage, rainwater collection and filtering systems,
and storm water drainage systems, LPG/gas lines,
among others.
 The Registered Master Plumber is mandated by
law (R.A.1378) to design/check and sign & seal
plumbing plans, specifications & plumbing permits,
and/or supervise the plumbing works.
SANITARY-PLUMBING
DESIGN/WORKS AUDIT/
SAFETY INSPECTIONS
 So what would be the samples of
sanitary-plumbing errors or code
violations that you should be mindful
of when you do your checking/ audit/
inspection of plumbing designs &
sanitary installations?
 What are some of the best sanitary-
plumbing practices?
2.
SAFETY in
LPG PIPING
SYSTEMS
 2.1 TWO SERENDRA EXPLOSION
(2013)
What was the
real cause of
the LPG Gas
Explosion at the
Two Serendra
located in the
Bonifacio Global
City in May 31,
2013, which
killed some 4
people?
 Look how far a big part of the wall debris fell
down - on a van moving on the other side of the
road about 30 meters far!


A closer look at the L300 van hit by a large

concrete debris, with 3 casualties… the
foregoing photos show how devastating could
be an LPG explosion..
 2.1a Cause of the Two Serendra
Explosion
During a routinary house cleaning of the
condo unit, the LPG hose connection to
the gas range was inadvertently left
loose, with gas leak and unnoticed. And
of all chances, the LPG gas detector of
the condo unit was left unplugged
rendering it of no use. When the visitor
from the U.S. came inside the unit, the
room was already full of leaked LPG gas
so that when he turned on the switch of
the light, this created a spark to cause
the gas explosion.
Suggested solution: The Gas
Detector must be wired permanently
to the branch circuit.
2.1b PROPER LOCATION OF LPG
GAS DETECTOR
 2.2 General Description of LPG
1) LPG is a mixture of propane
(30 - 40%) and butane (60 - 3) LPG vapour is heavier
than air. Therefore, the
70%), it is stored as a liquid
vapour may flow along the
under pressure, is colorless and
ground and into drains and
odorless in its natural state.
be ignited at a considerable
2) LPG forms a flammable distance from the source of
mixture when mixed with air leakage.
within the flammability limit
to large volumes of 4) LPG is odorized before
vapour/air mixture and thus distribution, such that any
escape of gas may be
cause considerable hazard.
noticeable by its smell by
adding ethyl mercaptan.
2.3 LPG TANKS SHOULD BE
LOCATED OUTDOORS!
 2.4 LPG Piping Systems
LPG VESSELS & PIPING
* LPG is stored at consumer’s premises in pressurised LPG
vessels or bullets (for bulk storage systems) or in LPG
cylinders, which can be manifolded or piped together.
* The design pressure of the vessel or cylinder is usually
1725 kiloPascal (kPa) or 250 pounds per square inch
(psig).
* Bulk LPG storage vessels or bullets may be installed in
any of the following configurations:
• Aboveground - tank is fully exposed aboveground
• Underground - tank is fully buried underground
• Mounded - tank is fully earth-covered above the ground
 2.5 LPG MANIFOLD & SUPPLY
LINE

SOLENOID VALVE

PRESSURE
REGULATOR GAS METER

GAS
MANIFOLD
2.6 Delivery or Service Pipeline
1) Service pipeline is used for delivering the LPG vapour from
the storage tank to the gas appliances.
2) Pressure regulators are installed along the line to reduce
the vapour pressure progressively from the tank operating
pressure about 414 – 690 kPa (60-100 psig) to appliance
operating pressure 300 mm w.c. (water column) or 0.5 psig.
This pressure reduction is normally carried out in two stages
(for better reliability and safety) such that the gas line
pressure in the building is reduced to not more than 35 kPa
(5 psig). Schematic diagrams showing a typical configuration
of LPG storage and piping system installed on consumer’s
premises are shown in Fig.1 & Fig.2.
3) Pressure losses in the piping system: 0.2-0.5 inch(5-12.7 mm) WC
Approximately 0.3 inch(7.6 mm) WC as commonly used number.
2.7 LPG Manifolded Cylinders Storage &
Piping System

Fig.1 LPG Cylinder Storage & Piping

2.8 LPG Bullet & Piping System
2.9 FLEXIBLE HOSES ARE TOO
LONG!
 2.10a LPG MANIFOLD
VIOLATIONS..

1.The tanks are

not secured
properly.

2.A tank cabinet

should be
provided.
 2.10b LPG MANIFOLD
VIOLATIONS..

1. The LPG tank

cabinet should
not be used for
storage
purposes.

2. The LPG tank

cabinet should be
padlockable.
2.11a VIOLATION! – POORLY
SITED LPG BULLET TANK W/
CLUTTER AROUND
2.11b VIOLATION! LPG BULLET
TANK W/ GRASS AROUND IT
2.11c A WELL SITED BULLET TANK-
W/ IMPACT RAILING AROUND
2.12
PRESSURE
REGULATOR &
GAS METER
INSIDE
BUILDING
2.13 VAPORIZERS
2.14 KNOCK-OUT POTS
 2.15 TYP. LPG SYSTEM
INSTALLATION OUTSIDE BUILDING
2.16 EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF
VALVES..
2.17 GAS PIPE SLEEVE
REQUIRED..
2.18 LPG GAS STORAGE ROOMS - IMPROPER
INSTALLATION in HAZARDOUS AREAS
This LPG gas storage room
shows an large size ventilation
louver on one side of the
room. But for full safety
provision, a cross ventilation is
required, meaning another
louver should be provided on
another side.
Another violation is there is an
ordinary type tumbler switch
(seen on the right side of the
lower photo) controlling the
explosion-proof/vapor tight
lighting fixture shown on the
above photo. A solution to this
is to relocate the tumbler
switch outside of the room.
 2.19 KITCHENS USING LPG GAS -
IMPROPER CONSTRUCTION
This door for this large
kitchen using LPG gas
for cooking shown, the
doors should be
provided with
ventilation louvers
near the bottom
edges to allow
adequate ventilation
of LPG gas which is
heavier than air.
 2.20 KITCHENS USING LPG GAS -
IMPROPER CONSTRUCTION

This same large

kitchen have been
provided with open
trenches which may
trap LPG gas that
may be leaked. This
trenches should be
avoided. A sloping
finish of the floor to
the door is preferred.
 3. SEPTIC
TANKS/
TOXIC SEPTIC
GASES
3.1 Glorietta 2 Methane Explosion
(2007)
In Oct 19, 2007, a section of Glorietta 2
shopping center in Makati City exploded,
killing 11 people and injuring more than a
hundred. Initial investigators found out that
methane gas was produced at the basement
due to the accumulation of sewage due to a
non-functioning sewer transfer or sump
pump. There were a series of differing
claims by the owners and the government
investigators.
In 2011, the final report of the DOJ special
fact-finding panel sustained the PNP's
earlier findings that the blast was caused by
methane (CH4) and not an explosive
device.
It is therefore imperative
to be mindful of the
possible effect of the
accumulation of septic
gases in enclosed areas
including Methane (CH4)
and Hydrogen Sulfide
(H2S) which are all
flammable gases.
 3.2 DESIGN ERROR-1

 The inadvertent lack of cross ventilation of the septic tank

due to the use of elbows instead of tees stops the biological
process in the digestive chamber!
 3.3 DESIGN ERROR-2

 The inadvertent lack of cross ventilation of the

septic tank due to the upper pipe extension of the
tees stops the biological process in the digestive
chamber.
3.4 NEED FOR CROSS VENTILATION
In the use of septic tanks that drain its effluent to the storm drainage
system in some communities (when STPs are not provided), the
attached sketch shows the movement of air from the street drainage
pipe at right, to the VTR of the house at left, via the septic tank,
passing through the settling chambers then to the digestive chamber to
the sanitary pipe all the way to the atmosphere thru the vent pipe
through the tee fittings. The obnoxious and lethal septic gases that are
produced in the digestive chamber which include methane gas (CH4, a
gas of foul odor), hydrogen sulfide (H2S, a colorless, odorless, toxic
gas), carbon monoxide (CO, also a lethal gas), among others, also find
their way to the atmosphere through this process. This process is being
hastened by the rise in temperature in the VTR pipe during day time
wherein the hot air gas inside the upper part of the vent pipe is moves
up and is being suck out to the atmosphere. This process supplies air
and oxygen to the digestive chamber supporting the biological micro-
organism there which hastens the sewage treatment process. It is
therefore clear that never should elbow fittings be used in lieu of the
tee fittings nor the tee fittings be extended up to the clean outs at the
top of the septic tank, as these would stop the cross ventilation
process.

3.5 GAS VENTILATION TO VTR
 3.6 DESIGN ERROR-3
 As per the Philippine
Clean Water Act of 2004
(RA 9275), the sewage
water in the leaching
well in this design may
contaminate the
underground water
table, henceforth it is
no longer allowed. Due
to this, the settling
chamber must now be
consist of two (2)
sections to allow for a
longer settling period to
produce a cleaner
effluent.
3.7 SUGGESTED DESIGN
(2-CHAMBER)

SHOULD BE
W/ NO
COVER
 3.8 ARTICULATED 3-CHAMBER
SEPTIC TANK
The added settling chambers provide additional removal and digestion of organic
matter: BOD can be reduced which is far better than a conventional septic tank.

VENT VENT

OUTLET BOX
OR
CARBON FILTER
BOX

DIGESTIVE SETTLING SETTLING

CHAMBER TANK-1 TANK-2
3.9 ARTICULATED ANAEROBIC BAFFLED
SEPTIC TANK (4-CHAMBER)

The added settling chambers further provide additional removal and

digestion of organic matter: BOD can be reduced further which is far better
than a conventional septic tank.
 3.10 ARTICULATED ANAEROBIC BAFFLED
SEPTIC TANK (7-CHAMBER)
The additional series chambers provide additional removal and digestion of organic
matter: BOD can be reduced by up to 90%, which is far superior to that of a
conventional septic tank.
4. SEWER
VENTILATION
SYSTEMS
 4.1 LIMIT OF USE OF AIR
ADMITTANCE VALVES (AAVs)
Although AAVs are now generally
acceptable plumbing vents, the
main vent stack or the vent-thru-
roof ( VTR) should be better be
normally vented to the atmosphere
in order that any pressure build-up
of septic gases including the
release of toxic H2S from the
sewer system would be released.
AAVs are mechanical one-way
vents allowing only the entry of air
from the outside to enter the
sewer system and equalize the
pressure, in the event of a
mechanical mulfunction of any AAV
in the system, the VTR ensures
pressure balance.
4.2
VENTING
ERRORS 3.2A
(BY REDWOOD KARDON)

3.2B

3.2C
• 5. MINIMUM SLOPE/
CLEAN-OUTS/ AIR
GAPS/ ELBOW
ROOMS/ P-TRAPS/
GREASE TRAPS/
PLUMBING DEVICES
5a. MINIMUM
SLOPE
5a. INADEQUATE DRAIN
SLOPES
(BY REDWOOD KARDON)
5b.CLEAN-
OUTS
5b.1 INADEQUATE
CLEAN-OUTS
(BY REDWOOD KARDON)
5b.2
INACCESSI
BLE CLEAN-
OUTS
(BY REDWOOD KARDON)


5c.
AIR
GAPS
5c.1
IN-
ADEQUATE
AIR GAPS
(BY REDWOOD KARDON)
5d.ELBOW
ROOMS
5d.1
INADEQUATE
SPACE
AROUND
TOILETS
& BASINS
(BY REDWOOD KARDON)
5e. P-TRAPS/
GREASE
TRAPS
5e.1 RESTO KITCHEN SINK WITH NO
P-TRAP/ NO GREASE TRAP
 5e.2
RESTO
KITCHEN
SINK WITH
P-TRAP
BUT NO
GREASE
TRAP
 5e.3 GREASE TRAPS
(MANDATORY IN COMMERCIAL
OR LARGE KITCHENS)
5f.
OTHER
PLUMBING
ERRORS
5f.1
PRESSURE &
TEMP-
ERATURE
RELIEF OF
WATER
HEATERS
IMPROPERLY
INSTALLED
(BY REDWOOD
KARDON)
5f.2 IMPROPER PLUG..
6.
WATER
PUMPING
 6.1 DIRECT CONNECTION OF
BOOSTER PUMP TO MAIN SUPPLY
LINE
Direct
connection
to main
supply line
is not
acceptable
as
impurities
may enter
the system
during low
pressure
time
especially
when
flooding
occurs.
 6.2 USE WATER CISTERN SO AS
NOT TO CONTAMINATE CLEAN
WATER
 A receiving
tank or an
underground
cistern with a
float valve
should be
used before a
pump is used
to boost
water
pressure or
to transfer
water to
other storage
tanks.
6.3 USE CONSTANT PRESSURE
PUMPS (WILO PUMPS) TO SAVE
ENERGY
Green Practices - The
Wilo pump which
originated from Germany
are powered by variable
frequency drive (VFD)
motor controllers (from 0
Hz to 60Hz) which the
output pressure is
calibrated to deliver the
designed water pressure
at the farthest valve.
6.4 SOLAR
POWERED
PUMPS
 Green
Practices- The
use of solar
powered pumps
for domestic use
as well as for
farm irrigation is
now becoming
more popular.
 7.
RAINWATER
HARVESTIN
G SYSTEMS
7.1 RAINWATER
HARVESTING
As of the present, more and more
urban centers and cities in our
country like Quezon City,
Mandaluyong, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo,
among others have taken the
initiative to adapt and implement
Green programs that requires the
installation and utilization of a
Rainwater Harvesting Systems. The
Green Building Code prepared by
the government through the DPWH
is another program that shows a
growing commitment and
realization by our government on
the benefits of this Green
Technology. Rainwater Harvesting
not only saves money but also helps
mitigate urban floodings.
 7.2 RAINWATER INJECTION

One good option is the
re-injection of rainwater
to an underground well
through sand filters. This
scheme which saves
space help save rainwater
from being wasted to the
sea and to evaporation.
The water in the well can
be pumped up for
domestic purposes.
7.3 RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS
 This a rainwater harvesting system is similar to the
one adopted by the Changi Airport of Singapore.
 7.4 RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS
The best option is
the provision of
an underground
cistern with filters
and baffles to
further filter
rainwater from
the roof and the
gutters through
sedimentation.
The capacity of
this tank should
be equal or larger
to that of the
calculated size of
the domestic
water tank.
 7.5 RAINWATER FILTERING
A recommended filter element is
similar to the device shown at right or
below before the rainwater is piped
to the rainwater storage tank.
8.AIRCON
CONDENSATE
COLLECTION
8.1 CONDENSATE WATER COLLECTION
The left photo do
not have a fixed
plumbing pipe to
drain or collect the
condensate water
from the ACU while
the right photo has
collecting pipe.
Provision of
condensate pipe
makes the
surrounding area
more neat and it
can also pave the
way of recovering
condensate for
possible reuse as
gray water.
9.GRAY
WATER USE
 9.1 GRAY WATER USE
Effluent from the
septic tank, sewer
water from the
kitchen,
condensate from
ACUs and
unfiltered rain
water can be
collected to a
Gray Water tank
which can be use
supply flashing
water to water
closets in toilets
and can be piped
to irrigate of
garden plants.
 9.2 RECYCLING FOR WATER CLOSETS, COOLING
TOWER, AND IRRIGATION

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
 10.
FIRE
PRO
SYSTEMS
 When is a Wet Sprinkler System
Mandatory?
• AS REQUIRED IN THE R.A. 9514, WHICH IS THE NEW FIRE
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, FOR A BUILDING NOT MORE
THAN 5-STOREYS (15 METERS HIGH), AN AUTOMATIC FIRE
SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS NOT MANDATORY, EXCEPT IF IT IS A
HOTEL, A MOTEL, A DORMITORY, A HOSPITAL, OR A
BUILDING INTENDED TO STORE FLAMMABLE MATERIALS.
• OTHERWISE, INSTEAD OF A FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, A DRY
STAND-PIPE SYSTEM COMPLETE WITH FIRE HYDRANTS WITH
FIRE HOSE PER FLOOR IS REQUIRED & A FIRE DEPARTMENT
CONNECTION (SIAMESE TWIN). IN ADDITION, FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS ARE REQUIRED IN EACH FLOOR LEVEL.
Sprinkler System – an active fire protection system
The most widely used apparatus for fire protection in buildings is the
automatic sprinkler system.

The Fire Code of the Philippines requires an approved and supervised

sprinkler system conforming to NFPA 13 for buildings 15 meters high from
ground floor to topmost floor level or more. (Section 10.2.14.6)

Sprinkler system consists of a network of piping installed at the ceiling or

roof and supplied with water by means of an approved fire pump from a
suitable source.

10.1 FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Fire Pump is a fire fighting equipment or apparatus usually connected to the
fire protection piping system and provided with a dedicated source of steady
water.

Jockey Pump is a small pump that maintain the required pressure in the wet
sprinkler system.

Fire Pump Controller is an electrical panel that controls the operation of the
fire pump automatically.

Jockey Pump Controller is an electrical panel that controls the operation of

the jockey pump automatically to maintain system pressure.

10.2 MAJOR COMPONENTS

 A. HORIZONTAL SPLIT CASE

B. VERTICAL-IN-LINE

D. VERTICAL TURBINE

C. PACKAGED TYPE ENGINE DRIVEN

10.3 FIRE PUMPS

 10.4 FIRE PUMP SELECTION
Fire pump which is FM approved/ UL listed is required by establishments such as
industrial, institutional, commercial, offices, and residential which fire insurers are
members or affiliated with FM global or as an Owner option.

What is the requirement of RA 9514 regarding fire pump application?

The 2008 Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514) in Section 10.2.6.6-4f it says…
”Fire pumps shall be approved and shall deliver not less then the required fire flow
and pressure, Such pumps shall be supplied with adequate power source and shall be
automatic in operation. Where the wet standpipe system is supplied with water from
the domestic supply of the building, approved fire pumps shall not be required
provided the domestic pump used delivers the required fire flow.”

The code is not specific regarding FM approval or UL listing.

What is the difference in price between an non- UL/FM and UL/FM fire pump?

A UL/FM fire pump is twenty to fifty percent higher in cost.

 10.5 HOW A SPRINKLER SYSTEM
OPERATES
 This
schematic
riser diagram
shows an
Elevated
Firewater
Tank which
maintains the
minimum
pressure in
lieu of a
Jockey
Pump.
 10.6 SPRINKLER HEADS /
NOOZLES

 NFPA 13
requires a
minimum
starting
pressure of
7 psi for
sprinklers.
Min. operating
temperature is
57 degrees
Centigrade.
 10.7 Typical Minimum Fire Water
Sprinkler Facility
 An elevated firewater
3M high Water
tank with adequate Tank at 15M
volume (minimum 30 elevation,
minutes supply) which 15 psi at the
can deliver firewater to tank bottom.
the sprinkler heads at
the minimum
operating pressure of
7psig is a minimum 7 psig
requirement for fire Min.
protection of a Pressure
drop on
building. And in this
the fire
case, a registered water
master plumber can supply
sign and seal the fire lines, say
protection plans. 5 psi.
10.8 POSSIBLE CLOGGING
OF SPRINKLER NOOZLE
10.9 CORRECT WAY OF
MOUNTING
Size of Pipe Max.No. of Sprinklers Allowed
1” 2 sprinklers
1 ¼” 3 sprinklers
1 ½” 5 sprinklers
2” 10 sprinklers
2 ½” 20 sprinklers
3” 40 sprinklers
3 ½” 65 sprinklers
4” 100 sprinklers
5” 160 sprinklers
6” 275 sprinklers
From NFPA #13, Table 8-5.3.2(a)

10.10 BASIC RULE OF THUMB IN FIRE

SPRINKLER DISTRIBUTION (NFPA 13)
 10.11 Typical Minimum Fire
Protection Facility (NFPA 13)

When sprinklers are

not required, a fire
hose cabinet must be
provided on each end
of the building lobby
near the stairs, with
the length of the fire
hose that could reach
the farthest point on
the floor or level
(20M or 15M).
10.12 FIRE DEPT CONNECTION-
SIAMESE TWIN (NFPA 13)
 10.13 A TYPICAL FIRE
SPRINKLER SYSTEM
BRANCHES

FIREWATER TANK
RISER MAIN

FIREPUMP CONTROLLER SPRINKLERS

FIREPUMP-1

JOCKEY PUMP
CROSS MAIN
FIREPUMP-2
MAIN LINE
 S!Mabuhay!
If you need further help, my contact numbers are:
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