ROUGH IN FIXTURE

BY: GROUP 3
DE GUZMAN C, PARAS, SALONGA, ANTONIO, BITO
ROUGH IN FIXTURE: PLUMBING
■ Rough in plumbing is, as its name suggests, basically a “rough draft” of your plumbing
installation. The point is to get a diagram of your plumbing skeleton in place, a static
and unchanging framework upon which you’ll complete your plumbing installation. This
is beneficial because, once your rough in is approved, you can move forward with your
construction or remodel or plumbing appliance installation without having real plumbing
pipes getting in the way or posing an obstacle, but you’ll still know exactly where those
pipes will be going once the project is ready for them.

■ Some municipalities allow homeowners to install their own plumbing systems, however,
you may need to supply the building department with a rough-in plumbing diagram. The
drawing doesn’t need to be fancy, but should just show what size pipes you plan to use
and how the plumbing will be laid out and connected. The diagram is intended to show
the plumbing inspector your proposed system will meet all the local code requirements,
but it can also save you a lot of headaches, and expense. Once your diagram is
approved, you are ready to begin laying the pipe.
Laying Out the Pipes

The waste-water system is usually installed first in the

typical plumbing installation. This is because it is always
easier to work smaller pipes around larger ones, than the
other way around. The waste-water system is not
pressurized, depending on gravity to function. This means
all waste-water pipes must be angled downward, towards
the septic outlet and away from plumbing drains, at a
standard drop of at least 1/4 inches per each horizontal
foot of pipe

The waste-water system must be vented, to permit waste-

water to flow smoothly and allow for the escape of
methane gas. This requires the plumbing system to have a
pipe that extends upward, though the roof, and vents
outdoors. Each plumbing fixture is required to have its own
trap, or a U-shaped pipe that will remain filled with water,
to prevent sewer gas from entering the living space

No matter how expertly a system is constructed, clogs are

inevitable. As such, local plumbing codes will specify where
cleanouts must be installed.
Water Supply Pipes

The main cold-water pipe supplies water to the

individual lines that supply water to the fixtures
throughout the house. Supply pipes are typically
copper or PVC, with copper being more durable
and expensive. Copper pipe joints can be
soldered or flare-fitted, whereas PVC joints are
cemented.
The Fixtures

The only requirement for installing fixtures is

making sure there is enough space for people to
have access. For example, typically the center of
a toilet should be mounted 15 inches from a
wall or vanity on all sides.
Steps for Roughing in your Plumbing:
■ Step 1) Mark Key Locations

Determine where all the toilets will be and

mark its center on the wall and measure
out 13 1/2 inches from that point. Make a
mark on the floor at that point for the
toilet flange. Center the actual flange on
top of the mark and trace a line around
the outside of the ring.
■ Step 2) Cut the Drain Hole

Cut out the marked section and position the

flange in the hole with the two elongated slots to
the sides. Screw the flange to the floor, shimming
as needed.
■ Step 3) Drain Pipe Installation

Drain-pipe trap and vent assemblies must

both be installed beneath the floor. Bear in
mind that during roughing-in work that only
subfloors are installed, so there are no
problems placing drains under the floor.
Direct the drain towards the main waste-
water pipe, call the “waste stack,” with a 3-
inch long, 90-degree turn fitting, running it
into a 3-inch by 3-inch by 2-inch Y-shaped
fitting. Position the Y fitting so the 2-inch
opening can be connected to the main
vent pipe.
■ Step 4) Supply Line Installation

Run a supply line up through the floor or

wall so it comes out nearest the side of the
toilet-tank water supply fixture. Attach a “T”
fitting to the top of the supply line so the
water line going into the middle outlet of
the T extends upwards. Attach an 8-inch
piece of supply line onto the part of the “T”
that will supply the toilet and attach a
screw-on cap fitting to create an air space
to prevent “water hammer.”
Quality Checks
Here are some of the most important general contractor/owner builder quality checks
for the plumbing rough-in.

■ Review all trusses, beams, and girders to make sure nothing was cut or notched
■ Joists/I-Joists – Make sure these were cut and notched per the manufacturer recommendation or
code requirements. Check out this article on drilling joists for more information on what is allowed.
■ Check drains and supply lines were installed per plan
■ Nail Plates – Review to make certain the metal protector plates are installed where supply lines
pass through studs/plates
■ Toilet Flanges – Check measurements to verify toilet will be centered in opening
■ Verify that plumber has performed all pressure testing required and passed local municipal
inspection (or the inspection is called in)
■ Review vent flashings on roof to make sure they are all installed
■ Cold Climates – Check to make sure no water supply lines were installed in exterior walls
ROUGH IN FIXTURE: ELECTRICAL
■ Rough in electrical is, as its name suggests, basically a “rough draft” of your electrical
installation. The point is to get a diagram of your electrical skeleton in place, a static and
unchanging framework upon which you’ll complete your electrical installation. This is
beneficial because, once your rough in is approved, you can move forward with your
construction or remodel or electrical appliance installation without having electrical
conduits getting in the way or posing an obstacle, but you’ll still know exactly where
those tubes will be going once the project is ready for them.

■ Electrical systems in the Philippines are similar to that of the U.S. and Europe. From the
utility pole to the residence panel box we have one or two load wires and neutral
conductor. We have a ground (earth) provided by the homeowner.
Laying Out the Conduits

Just like some plumbing installations, electrical conduits

are placed on the columns and/or slabs before concrete is
poured and be cured. Before this is done, the final layout
of electrical fixtures and conduit lines are checked to know
which electrical fixtures are needed to be place before and
after pouring of concrete.

Conduits must be strong enough to avoid crushing from the

weight of the concrete which is why