PLUMBING DICTIONARY

cover_1

Sixth Edition

as to produce smooth threads.

2. An oil or oily preparation

used as a cutting uid espe

cially a water-soluble oil (such

as a mineral oil containing

a fatty oil)

Cut Grooving (cut groov-ing)

the process of machining away

material, providing a groove into

a pipe to allow for a mechani

cal coupling to be installed.This

process was invented by Victau

lic Corp. in 1925. Cut Grooving

is designed for stanard weight

or heavier wall thickness pipe.

cryolite (cry-o-lite) a mineral

consisting of sodium-alumi

num uoride. Used for solder

ing copper and alloys when

mixed with phosphoric acid.

Also used for soldering alumi

num bronze when mixed with

barium chloride.

crucible (cru-ci-ble) a pot of re

fractory material used for melt

ing or calcinating. A substance

such as metal and ore which re

quires a high degree of heat.

Bessemer Process (bes-se-mer

pro-cess) a process of making

steel from cast iron by burning

out carbon and other impurities

through the agency of a blast of

air which is forced through the

molten metal. The process is ei

ther acid or basic according to

the nature of the refractory lin

ing of the converter, or vessel in

which the blowing is conducted.

bell (bell) that portion of a pipe

or a pipe tting which, for a

short distance, is sufciently

enlarged to receive the plain or

spigot end of another length of

pipe or pipe tting of the same

diameter for the purpose of

making a joint. See HUB.

bee-hive strainer, urinal (bee-

hive strainer, uri-nal) a perfo

rated or slotted cage type strain

er, spiral shaped, attached to

drain of a urinal, used to allow

liquids to ow but retaining sol

ids. See PINEAPPLE STRAINER,

URINAL; URINAL.

bar strainer (bar strain-er) a

ltering or straining device hav

ing a single rod or several bars

earth by alternately dam

ming and ood

ing a stream. See STANK.

spanner wrench (span-ner

wrench) 1. one of various tools

for tightening, or loosening,

nuts and bolts. 2. chiey Brit.:

wrench. A wrench that has a

semicircular head with a hole,

or projection, at one end for en

gaging with the opposite device

on the object to which it is ap

plied and is used especially on

re hose couplings.

leaching cesspool (leach-ing

cess-pool) acesspool that is not

water tight.

at back (at back) 1. relating

to a xture such as a at back

the lower terminal, which re

ceives

the vapors from nonpressure

or the pressure sterilizers, and

conducts the vapors directly

to the outer air. Sometimes

called vapor, steam,

atmosphere or exhaust vent. See

LOCAL VENT.

stench trap (stench trap)

a ap

a frame which opens to

admit cellar drainage to a sewer

and then closes to prevent sew

er air from entering.

stanch (stanch) 1. archaic

English, a oodgate to accumu

late water for slashing a boat

over a shallow in a stream. 2. in

plumbing, the term stanking or

stanching is used to describe a

means of excavating or moving

tetrauoroethylene (tet-ra-

uo-ro-eth-yl-ene) a colorless,

nonammable gas used in mak

ing heat resistant and acid re-

sistant plastics such as teon.

Abbr. T.F.E.

thermal expansion (water)

[ther-mal ex-pan-sion (wa-ter)]

1. the increase in volume of

water when it’s temperature is

increased, or descreased, from

39.1 degrees F or 3.8 degrees C.

2. the increase of preasure in a

closed system due to the heat

ing and expanding of water.

swage (swage) 1. to change

shape by forcing means. 2. the

tool used in swaging. 3. any

decalescense (de-ca-les-cen-

se) a decrease in temperature

that occurs while heating met-

al through a range in which a

change in a structure occurs.

degree of hazard (de-gree

of haz-ard) derived from the

evaluation of conditions within

a water system which can be

classied as either a “health

hazard” or “nonhealth hazard.”

deep seal trap (deep seal trap)

a term applied to a trap having

a water seal of four inches or

more. cutting oil (cut-ting oil)

1. oi

l used to lubricate pipe and

bolt cutting equipment during

the preparation of a thread so

several variously shaped or

grooved tools. 4. a tool used by

metalworkers to shape material

to a desired form. 5. a tool used

to set the teeth of a circular

or band saw. 6. a tool used to

straighten damaged casing or

pipe in a drilled oil well. stress,

hoop (compression) [stress,

hoop (com-pres-sion)] the com

pression stress on the wall of a

pipe due to external pressure or

due to internal vacuum.

sterilizer vent (ster-i-liz-er

vent) a separate pipe or stack,

indirectly connected to the

building drainage system at

PLUMBING

DICTIONARY

Sixth Edition

cover_2

ASSE International membership

networking | education | publications |

give back to your

profession and learn

from each other.

A few privileges you will enjoy as an

ASSE International member:

• Networkingandeducationalopportunitieswithintheplumbing

and mechanical industries

• Freesubscriptiontopublications,includingtheASSEeNewsletter

• DiscountsonASSEstandardsandbooks(25%off)

• Participationonnationalcommittees

• VotingrightsatAnnualMeetings

• EligibilityforASSEInternationalAwardsandScholarships

(membersandtheirrelatives)

Why do professionals become

members of ASSE International?

(answers from an ASSE International

membership survey)

“ASSEisaleaderinthecross-

connection controlindustryand

Iwantedtobeapartofthe

organization.”

“ To maintain a relationship with a

cross-sectionofpeopleinthepiping

industryandtoadvancemycareer.”

“Mycompanypartnersandrelies

onASSEtoupholdstandardsand

certicationintegrity.”

“Tobecomemorefamiliarwithmy

industry,keepupwiththelatest

technology,ideasanddiscussions,

andtobepartofkeepingour

industrysafe.”

“Themainreasonwastostayinfront

ofcodechangesandnewtechnology,

andtosharethisinformationwithmy

co-workers.”

“Itismyprofessionalresponsibility

to do so.”

50%OFFNEW

MEMBERDUES

join online at

stores.assewebstore.com

ASSE International

18927HickoryCreekDrive,Suite220,Mokena,Illinois|(708)995-3019|http://www.asse-plumbing.org

PLUMBING

DICTIONARY

Sixth Edition

Publishedby

ASSEInternational

18927HickoryCreekDrive,Suite220

Mokena,Illinois60448

Editedby

ASSEPlumbingNomenclatureCommittee

CarlSchroeder,FASSE,Chairman

DianaCorcoran,ASSEStaffLiaison

©Copyright2007,1996,1988,1979,1975,1971

Mokena,Illinois

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinany

formorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording

orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutpriorwrittenpermissionin

writingfromthepublisher.

Foreword

Thiseditionisforpracticalandwidespreadusetollavoidinexistingtechnical

literatureforthiseldofknowledge.Itwillbetestedthroughuseandimproved

asneeded.Itistobeexpectedthatomissionswillbediscoveredbyreadersand

critics,andthatsomeoftheentrieswillengendercriticismandcomment.The

NomenclatureCommitteeofASSEInternationalwillwelcomeeverycriticismand

suggestionforinclusionsanddeletionsinfutureeditions.

Almosteveryprofessionalsocietyhasanomenclaturecommittee.Oursdecided

toventurewherenooneinplumbinghadgonebeforeus–thatis,tothisactual

publication.Itisabeginning.

Letspeciallegalmeaningsbedecidedbyconstitutedauthoritiesandthecourts.

Itisthepurposeofthisbooktobe“descriptive,”notprescriptive;todescribe,

dene,andexplain,andnottoprescribelimitationsorestablishxedand

restrictivemeanings;torecordthewordsandcombinationsofwordsusedin

plumbing,andtogivethedenitionsandmeaningsofthesewordsandterms.

Whereverpossible,nontechnicallanguagehasbeenused,butspecializedand

technicalterminologyhavebeenretainedwherevernecessarytohelpgivethe

truestpertinentmeanings.Itisintended,thereby,thateithertheknowledgeable

sanitarianorthestudentwhoseekstolearn,canrelyontheinformationtobe

foundinthisbook.

Plumbers’workencompassesmanyeldsofknowledge.Plumbingisaffectedby

advancementsintechnology,newinventions,improvementsofmaterials,and

discoveriesinseeminglyunrelatedelds.Similarly,theterminologyofplumbing

isderivedfromeverydayhumanlanguage,whichisconstantlychanging.In

thisdynamicenvironment,theNomenclatureCommitteeofASSEInternational

collectedthetermsandwordsofplumbingforthisPlumbingDictionary.

Thisdictionaryincludesmanywordsthatarenotcommonindailyspeech.On

theotherhand,ithasmanywordsthatareregularlyusedbyeveryone,buthave

becomespecializedandthushave,inthesenseused,becomeplumbingterms

–like“vent,”“xtures,”and“watercloset.”Topreparethisbook,westartedto

collectwordsandtermsfromplumbingtradepublications,productcatalogues,

textbooks,plumbingcodebooks,referencebooks,anddictionaries.We

solicitedlistsfrompeopleinallphasesofplumbing;frommanufacturers,

plumbers,plumbinginspectors,andeducators...andweareextremely

gratefulfortheenthusiasticresponseswereceived.

iii

Tradenamesandbrandnameshavebeenpurposelyomittedfromthisbook.

Severalgrammaticalfunctionssuchaspronunciationsymbols,inectionalforms,

andetymologieshavebeenomittedastheyareinmosttechnicaldictionaries.

Whentwoormorewordshavesimilarmeanings,orareusedinterchangeably,

thedenitiongivenunderthetermisthemost-usedorpreferred.Useofvaried

termsandmeanings,duetogeographicaldifferences,hasresulted,inseveral

instances,inapolysemousentry(manymeaningsforthesameword).

Themainentryappearsinboldtypewithoutcapitalization.Filingisinstrict

alphabeticalorderbyletter,withoutregardtospacing,hyphens,etc.–as

shellac,orange,andshellacwhite;beforeshell,tank.Awordhavingmorethan

onesyllableisusuallydividedintophoneticsyllables,retainingcorrectspelling.

Thisisshowninparenthesis.(pa-ren-the-sis).

Denitionsareshowninsentenceform.Whereverexamplesfollowthedenition

sentence,therstwordoftheexamplesentenceiscapitalized.Cross-references

areencouragedbyuseof“see”and“seealso”insmallletters,nopunctuation;

followedbythereferred-toterm.

Specialacknowledgmentandgratitudeofallcontributorstothiseditionisdue

tolexicographerAmyJacobsonforthededicationanddiligencethatprovided

thewealthofinformationthatwasgatheredfortherstedition.TheLibraryof

CongressinWashington,D.C.,TheClevelandPublicLibraryinCleveland,Ohio,

andTheLibraryofTheAmericanUniversityinWashington,D.C.wereused

atvariousstagesinthepreparationofthisbook.Thecommitteeresubmitted

sectionstothesubjectauthoritiesfortheircommentsandcriticism,andthuswere

abletomaintaincross-checksforaccuracyandcompleteness.Wewerecapably

assistedincross-referencingandinkeepingformatbyourlibrarian,AmyIsaacs.

Thepursuitofthisprojecthasgivenmanygreatpersonalpleasures,not

theleastofwhichwerethepleasuresoffriendshipsprovedoverandover

againinthecooperationofallwhoparticipatedinpreparingthisbook.The

patienceshownandtheencouragementgivenbyASSEofcersandmembers

isgratefullyacknowledged.Sincetheworkofallcontributorswasvoluntary,

itwasperformedintimenototherwisepreemptedinbusyschedules.Perhaps

thispatiencewillberewardedbytheearlyestablishmentofarepositoryfora

libraryofcataloguesandalonglistoftradenames,thebeginningsofwhich

hasbeencollectedbytheNomenclatureCommitteeinthecourseofpreparing

this book.

Dedications

I.D. “BUDD” JACOBSON

ASSEInternational,byactionofitsBoardofDirectors,dedicatestheSixth

EditionoftheASSEPlumbingDictionarytoI.D.(Budd)Jacobson,who,as

ChairmanoftheNomenclatureCommittee,originatedtheideaoftheASSE

PlumbingDictionary.Throughhisefforts,therstfoureditionsofthePlumbing

Dictionarywerepublished–eachcontainingmoreandmoredenitionsand

otherinformation,tothepointwherethebookisnowusedinternationallyasa

basisforplumbingterminology.Asitsauthor,hisnamewillberememberedfor

generations to come.

JOHN E. MATTHEWS, P.E.

ASSEInternational,byactionofitsBoardofDirectors,dedicatestheSixth

EditionoftheASSEPlumbingDictionarytoJohnE.Matthews,P.E.,through

whoseeffortstheFifthEditionofthePlumbingDictionarywaspublished.

SIXTH EDITION

Carl Schroeder –Chairman, Michigan Chapter

Sean Cleary–Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter

Shannon M. Corcoran –Northern Ohio Chapter

Robert L. Cross – Texas Gulf Coast Chapter

Joseph Fugelo – Pennsylvania Chapter

Thomas Molnar–New York Chapter

Richard J. Prospal –Northern Ohio Chapter

Nomenclature Committee

A.

 accessory

A. 1. in plumbing, a designer’s abbreviation.

for air. 2. less common in plumbing

terminology but sometimes used to

abbreviate acres or absolute.

Abbr. in this book, used to mean

abbreviation.

abdominal cavity discharges (ab-dom-

i-nal cav-it-y dis-charg-es) 1. the

body wastes from the abdomen. 2. the

discharges from the intestines, bladder,

etc.

abs. Abbr. for Absolute.

ABS Abbr. for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-

Styrene.

absolute (ab-so-lute) a term frequently

used to indicate a thing as being perfect

or exact. Abbr. abs.

absolute pressure (ab-so-lute pres-sure)

uid pressure measured above a perfect

vacuum. It is the pressure indicated

by an ordinary pressure gauge plus the

atmospheric pressure.

absolute scale (ab-so-lute scale) a

temperature scale based on absolute zero

(approximately - 460 °F on the Rankine

Scale or -273 °C on the Kelvin Scale)

absolute temperature (ab-so-lute tem-

per-a-ture) temperature measured on the

absolute scale. Symbol is T.

absorber (ab-sorb-er) that portion of

a solar energy collector which receives

incident radiant energy and transforms

it into thermal energy. It usually has a

solid surface through which energy is

transmitted to a surface through uid. e

transfer uid itself can be the absorber in

the case of black liquid.

absorption (ab-sorp-tion) if a solid takes

up a liquid or a gas or a liquid takes up

a gas and the latter permeates the former

through its entire substance, absorption

is said to take place.

abv. Abbr. for above.

accepted engineering practice (ac-cept-

ed en-gi-neer-ing prac-tice) that which

conforms to accepted principles, tests

or standards of nationally recognized

technical or scientic authorities.

access door (ac-cess door) See ACCESS

PANEL.

access panel (ac-cess pan-el) usually a

sunken or raised section of a surface in an

appliance or machine, in a wall, oor or

ceiling of a building, made to be opened

so that the interior may be reached for

service. Also called access door.

accessary (ac-cess-a-ry) See ACCESSORY.

accessible (ac-ces-si-ble) 1. capable of

being easily reached. 2. in a plumbing

code accessible usually means having

access thereto even though removal of an

access panel or door may rst be necessary.

Compare with readily accessible which has

come to mean direct accessibility without

removal of doors or panels.

accessory (ac-ces-so-ry) 1. a thing of

secondary or subordinate importance as

in achieving a purpose or an eect. 2. an

adjunct or accompaniment. 3. an object

or device that is not essential in itself but

that adds to the beauty, convenience,

or the effectiveness of something else

such as: toilet seat, soap dish, beaded

chain, towel bars, rubber stoppers, grab

accurate  acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene

rail, curtain pins and hooks, etc. 4. a

component which can, at the discretion

of the user, be readily added, removed or

replaced and which, when removed, will

not prevent the device from fullling its

primary function.

accurate (ac-cu-rate) without error;

precise; correct; conforming exactly to

a standard.

acet. Abbr. for Acetylene.

acetylene (acet-y-lene) a colorless gaseous

hydrocarbon HC=CH made especially by

the action of water on calcium carbide.

Used for illuminating and in welding

and soldering.

acid (ac-id) the name of a group of organic

or inorganic compounds with common

characteristics. One of the characteristics

is that it will ionize in water to produce

hydrogen ions. Turns blue litmus red.

Inorganic acids are used in producing

metals, plastics, explosives, and dyes. See

ALKALINE; CORROSION; ION; pH.

acid lead (ac-id lead) See HARD LEAD.

acid proof (ac-id proof) not susceptible to

acid attack. Compare with “acid resistant.”

acid proof drain pipe and ttings (ac-id

proof drain pipe and t-tings) piping

and ttings resistant to many acids. Used

in laboratory waste, vent, and drainage

systems.

acid resistant (ac-id re-sis-tant) term used

to describe a surface or material which

is not normally aected by contact with

acid. Compare with acid proof.

acid resistant pipe (ac-id re-sis-tant pipe)

a conduit made of material which is

resistant to corrosive action of acid. Used

in laboratories, acid conduits, etc.

acid sink (ac-id sink) a receptacle properly

trapped and connected to the acid waste

system. e sink is usually made of acid

resistant materials.

acid waste (ac-id waste) in plumbing,

the term used to describe any form of

waste in which acids appear in stronger

concentration than normally found in

household waste.

acid waste tting (ac-id waste t-ting)

a pipe fitting made of acid resistant

materials, suitable for use in acid waste

piping systems.

acid waste pipe (ac-id waste pipe) pipe

made of acid resistant materials. Some

of these are combinations of silicates and

iron, stainless steel, glass.

acid waste system (ac-id waste sys-tem) in

plumbing a system of pipe and ttings,

paralleling a plumbing drainage system,

except that it is installed where acids are

formed in stronger concentration than

normally found in household waste, i.e.:

a laboratory, research or medical building.

e system is constructed of materials

resistant to the acids encountered.

acme thread (ac-me thread) a screw thread,

the section of which is between the square

and V threads. Used extensively for feed

screws. e included angle of space is 29°

as compared to 60° of the National Coarse

or U.S. read.

acre-foot (a-cre-foot) the volume that

would cover one acre to a depth of one

foot.

acrylonitrile (a-cry-lo-ni-trile) a

colorless volatile ammable liquid nitrile

CH=CHCN soluble in most organic

solvents that is usually made by reaction

of hydrogen cyanide with acetylene or

with ethylene oxide with subsequent

dehydration of the ethylene cyanohydrin

formed and that is used chiey in organic

synthesis - as an insecticide, and as a raw

material for polymerization especially

to synthetic rubbers and acrylic bers.

Also called vinyl cyanide. Abbr. ABS. See

ACRYLONITRILEBUTADIENE

STYRENE.

acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (a-cry-

lo-ni-trile bu-ta-diene sty-rene) a

thermoplastic compound from which

fittings, pipe, and tubing are made.

Abbr. ABS. See ACRYLONITRILE;

BUTADIENE & STYRENE.

3

actinometer

adjustable tap

actinometer (ac-ti-no-me-ter) in the eld

of solar energy the general name for any

instrument used to measure irradiance

of the sun.

actinometry (ac-ti-nom-e-try) branch

of physics devoted to the study and

measurement of radiation; especially in

meteorological, solar, atmospheric and

terrestrial radiation.

activated carbon (ac-ti-va-ted car-bon)

1. a highly absorbent carbon or charcoal,

used for absorbing gases. 2. a highly

absorbent powdered or granular carbon

usually made by carbonization and

chemical activation and used chiefly

for purifying by absorption. Also called

activated charcoal.

activated charcoal (ac-ti-va-ted char-coal)

See ACTIVATED CARBON.

activated sludge (ac-ti-va-ted sludge)

sludge oc produced in raw or settled

sewage by the growth of zooglea and other

organisms in the presence of dissolved

oxygen, and accumulated in sucient

concentration by returning oc previously

formed.

activated sludge process (ac-ti-va-ted

sludge pro-cess) a biological sewage

treatment process in which a mixture of

sewage and activated sludge is agitated

and aerated. The activated sludge is

subsequently separated from the treated

sewage (mixed liquor) by sedimentation,

and wasted or returned to the process

as needed. e treated sewage overows

the weir of the settling tank in which the

separation of the sludge takes place.

active sludge (ac-tive sludge) sewage

sediment, rich in destructive bacteria, that

can be used to break down fresh sewage

more quickly.

active system (ac-tive sys-tem) in the

terminology of solar energy collection,

a solar heating or cooling system that

requires external mechanical power to

move the collected heat.

A.D. in plumbing, Abbr. for area drain.

adapter tting (a-dap-ter t-ting) 1. any

of various ttings designed to mate or t

to each other two pipes or ttings which

are dierent in design, so that connecting

the two together would otherwise not be

possible. 2. a tting that serves to connect

two dierent tubes or pipes to each other,

such as copper tube to iron pipe, etc.

additional grade (ad-di-tion-al grade)

to elevate or to move the oor plane by

additional ooring material, i.e.: plywood,

tile, etc.

adiabatic (ad-i-a-bat-ic) a process that

involves no gain of heat by, or loss from,

the system.

adiabatic temperature change (ad-

i-a-bat-ic tem-per-a-ture change) a

temperature change within a gas due to

compression resulting in a temperature

increase or due to expansion resulting in

a temperature decrease.

adjustable die stock (ad-just-able die

stock) a tool to hold adjustable dies that

are used for cutting threads on more than

one size of pipe or rod, as opposed to a

xed die stock which is only used for one

size pipe or rod. See DIE STOCK.

adjustable hanger (ad-just-a-ble hang-er)

a hanger consisting of a beam clamp, and

an adjustable ring. See PIPE HANGER.

adjustable open end wrench (ad-just-a-

ble o-pen end wrench) an open ended

wrench with a moveable lower jaw.

adjustable pipe support (ad-just-a-ble

pipe sup-port) a stand to support pipe

while cutting and threading.

adjustable reamer (ad-just-a-ble ream-

er) a reamer which can be increased

in size, usually by means of a central

bolt or screw, the tightening of which

causes an expansion of the reamer. See

EXPANSION REAMER; REAMER.

adjustable tap (ad-just-a-ble tap) an

instrument for cutting the thread of an

internal screw usually made with inserted

blades, or chasers, capable of radial

adjustment.

adjusted roof area (ad-just-ed roof area)

in plumbing, the roof space which must

be added to the projected roof area to

take into consideration the eect on roof

areas of parapets and other projections

of a building. See PROJECTED ROOF

AREA.

adjustment (ad-just-ment) the placing

and setting of parts or pieces in related

positions.

adjustment range (ad-just-ment range)

the lowest to highest pressure to which

a valve can be adjusted by the existing

means under static (no ow) conditions.

administrative authority (ad-min-is-tra-

tive au-thor-ity) an individual ocial,

board, department or agency established

and authorized by a state, county, city or

other political subdivision created by law

to administer and enforce the provisions

of the plumbing code as adopted or

amended. Shall include the administrative

authority’s duly authorized representative.

See PLUMBING INSPECTOR.

A.DR. Abbr. for Access Door.

adsorption (ad-sorp-tion) the adhesion in

an extremely thin layer of molecules as of

gases, solutes, or liquids, to the surface of

solid bodies or liquids with which they

are in contact. Compare to absorption.

advance (of an oset) [ad-vance (of an

o-set) ] the forward distance in a piping

oset.

aeration (aer-a-tion) an articial method

in which water and air are brought into

direct contact with each other. One

purpose is to release certain dissolved

gases which often cause water to have

obnoxious odors or disagreeable tastes.

Also used to furnish oxygen to waters that

are oxygen decient. e process may be

accomplished by spraying the liquid in the

air, bubbling air through the liquid or by

agitation of the liquid to promote surface

absorption of the air.

aerator (aer-a-tor) 1. any of a number

of types of devices designed to deliver a

mixture of air and water. 2. any specialized

apparatus for aerating a liquid, especially

water. 3. a drain, waste, and vent tting

designed to control the flow of waste

within the stack(s).

aerator tting (aer-a-tor t-ting) 1. any

of a number of types of devices designed

to deliver a mixture of air and water. 2.

any specialized apparatus for aerating a

liquid, especially water. 3. a drain, waste

and vent tting designed to control the

ow of waste within the stack or stacks.

aerogen (aer-o-gen) any of various gases

producing bacteria.

A.F.F. Abbr. for Above Finished Floor.

agglomeration (ag-glom-er-ation) the

uniting of dispersed suspended particles

into larger particles which settle rapidly.

air (air) a colorless, odorless, tasteless,

gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen

and other gases forming the atmosphere

enveloping the earth.

air admittance valve (air ad-mit-tance

valve) a device installed on a plumbing

drain, waste and vent system to allow air to

enter the drainage piping system, thereby

relieving negative pressure in the system.

air break (air break) a physical separation

which may be a low inlet into the indirect

waste receptor from the xture, appliance

or device indirectly connected. See

DRAINAGE SYSTEM AIR BREAK.

air chamber (air cham-ber) a vertical

or expanded pipe with its upper end

sealed, and its lower end connected to a

pressurized liquid system to absorb the

shock caused by sudden obstruction of

ow. See SHOCK ARRESTOR.

air chamber calculated (air cham-ber

cal-cu-lated) an air chamber designed in

accordance with the Dawson and Kalirski

formula for reducing the water hammer

pressure.

air compressor (air com-pres-sor) 1. any

devise used to compress air. A common

type works on the same principle as a

pump. It has a piston that moves back

and forth within a hollow cylinder,

compressing the air and forcing it into

adjustedroofarea air compressor

5

a closed chamber. Rotary (fan type)

compressors are used in gas turbines, jet

engines and other devices. 2. a machine,

usually driven by a gasoline engine,

electric motor or steam power, in which

a gas is compressed so that its expansion

may be utilized as a source of power.

air-cock (air cock) See AIR VALVE.

air conditioning (air con-di-tion-ing) the

articial process of treating air to adjust

its temperature, humidity, cleanliness,

distribution, and ventilation to meet the

requirements of the conditioned spaces.

air duct (air duck) a duct, conduit, or pipe

for conveying air.

air furnace (air fur-nace) a type of furnace

used in the production of malleable iron

castings. A furnace that depends on a

natural draft, as a reverberatory furnace,

and not on a blast.

air gap (air gap) in a water-supply system,

is the unobstructed vertical distance

through the free atmosphere between the

lowest opening from any pipe or faucet

supplying water to a tank or plumbing

fixture and the flood-level rim of the

receptacle. See AIR GAP, DRAINAGE

SYSTEM.

air gap, drainage system (air gap, drain-

age sys-tem) the unobstructed vertical

distance through the free atmosphere

between the outlet of waste pipe and the

ood rim of the receptacle into which it

is discharged

air gap, water supply system (air

gap, wa-ter sup-ply system) 1. the

unobstructed vertical distance through

the free atmosphere between the lowest

opening from any pipe or faucet supply

water to a tank or plumbing xture and

the ood-level rim of the receptacle 2. the

unobstructed vertical distance through

the free atmosphere between the lowest

opening of any pipe or faucet supply

water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or

other device, and the ood level rim of

the receptor

air hammer (air ham-mer) a portable tool

in which a chisel, rivet set, or other tool

is driven percussively by compressed air.

Also called pneumatic hammer.

air inlet (air in-let) an opening, or series

of openings, through the body of a device

from the free atmosphere to the liquid

passage.

air lock (air lock) a stoppage of ow, as in

a pumping device, caused by air being in

a part where liquid ought to circulate. See

VAPOR LOCK.

air plug (air plug) a removable plug

screwed in a water-tight manhole or

scuttle cover.

air pump (air pump) a pump for

exchanging air from a closed space or

for compressing air or forcing it through

other apparatus.

air shutter (air shut-ter) an adjustable

device for varying the size of the primary

air inlets thus controlling the volume of

air to be mixed with gas for combustion.

air valve (air valve) 1. any valve controlling

the passage of air as used in connection

with blast furnaces, gas producers, etc. 2.

a small valve of the cock type to draw o

or drain gas or liquid. See PET COCK.

alclad pipe (al-clad pipe) a composite pipe

with an aluminum alloy core, having on

one or both surfaces a metallurgically

bonded aluminum or aluminum alloy

layer that is anodic to the core alloy to

which it is bonded, thus electrolytically

protecting the core alloy against corrosion.

alga (al-ga) pl. algae. Any of a group of

chiey aquatic, non vascular plants such

as seaweed, pond scums, stonewarts, with

chlorophyll often marked by a brown or

red pigment. ese plant bodies carry on

photosynthesis and are independently able

to make their own food.

algaecide (al-gae-cide) See ALGICIDE.

algicide or algaecide (al-gi-cide or al-gae-

cide) any substance which kills algae; such

as copper sulfate.

air-cock algicide or algaecide

alignment (a-lign-ment) the act of forming

a straight line, either horizontal, vertical,

or at a given angle.

alinement (a-line-ment) S e e

ALIGNMENT.

alkali (al-ka-li) any base or hydroxide that

is soluble in water, neutralizes acids and

forms salts with them, and turns red litmus

blue. Sometimes dierentiated as mild —

sodium, potassium, ammonium, etc., and

caustic corresponding hydroxides. See

ALKALINE; pH; ION.

alkaline (al-ka-line) 1. containing more

alkali than normal. 2. having a pH factor

of more than seven. 3. having a relatively

low concentration of hydrogen ions. See

pH; ACID; ION; ALKALI.

alkyd (al-kyd) any of numerous

thermoplastic or thermosetting synthetic

resins made by heating polyhydroxy

alcohols with polybasic acids or their

anhydrides.

allen screw (al-len screw) cap screw and

set screw with a hexagonal socket in the

head. Such screws are adjusted by means

of a hexagonal key.

allen wrench (al-len wrench) an L shaped

hexagonal bar of hardened steel made with

special ends that t into the types of nuts

having heads made to receive them. Set

screws, machine screws, and some small

sizes of bolts are made with this special

head which can be turned direct mating

parts. See TOLERANCE.

alloy (al-loy) a substance composed of two

or more metals or a metal and non-metal

intimately united usually fused together

and dissolving in each other when molten.

all thread nipple (all thread nip-ple) a

short section of pipe on which the external

thread is continuous from one end to

the other. Made by threading a length

of piping and sectioning the resulting

product. Compare with close nipple.

alternative engineered design (al-ter-na-

tive en-gi-neer-ed de-sign) a plumbing

system that performs in accordance

with the intent of the plumbing code

and provides an equivalent level of

performance for the protection of public

health, safety and welfare. System design is

not specically regulated by the plumbing

code.

alternator (al-ter-na-tor) a generator, a

machine that generates an alternating

voltage when its rotating portion is driven

by a motor, engine or other means. It is

thus a means for converting mechanical

power into electric power. e frequency

of the generated alternating voltage is

exactly proportional to the speed at which

the alternator is driven. An alternator

generates one cycle of alternating current

each time one of its coils passes a pair of

magnetic poles in the eld structure.

alum (al-um) See ALUMINUM

SULFATE.

alum, black (al-um, black) alum containing

a small percentage of activated carbon.

Used in water works.

aluminum (alu-mi-num) a bluish silver-

white metallic element, very malleable,

ductile, and sonorous and noted for its

lightness, good electrical and thermal

conductivity, high reflectivity, and

resistance to oxidation. Widely used in

alloys.

aluminum pipe (alu-mi-num pipe) seam

welded internally coated (alclad) plain

end aluminum pipe for use in plumbing

sanitary drain, waste and vent (DWV) and

storm systems.

aluminum sulfate (alu-mi-num sul-fate)

a colorless salt usually made by treating

bauxite with sulfuric acid. Used in making

paper, water purication, and tanning.

ambient temperature (am-bi-ent tem-

per-a-ture) the actual air or liquid

temperature that occurs in the area

encompassing where a test or an event is

scheduled to take place.

American Standard Pipe reads (a-me-

ri-can stan-dard pipe threads) formerly

known as Briggs Pipe reads Standard.

It is the thread most commonly used on

metal or plastic pipe and ttings for steam,

gas, and water.

alignment  AmericanStandardPipeThreads

American Standard Straight Pipe reads

(a-me-ri-can stan-dard straight pipe

threads) See NATIONAL PIPE

THREAD STRAIGHT.

American Standard Tapered Pipe

Threads (a-me-ri-can stan-dard ta-

pered pipe threads) See TAPERED

PIPE THREAD; NATIONAL PIPE

THREAD TAPERED.

ammeter (am-me-ter) an instrument for

measuring the rate of ow of an electric

current in amperes by an indicator

activated by the movement of a coil in

a magnetic eld or by the longitudinal

expansion of a wire carrying the current.

ammonia soap (am-mo-ni-a soap) a nely

powdered rosin mixed with a strong

ammonia solution. Suitable for ux for

soldering copper.

ammonification (am-mo-ni-fi-ca-tion)

bacterial decomposition of nitrogeneous

matter producing ammonia.

ammonium chloride (am-mo-ni-um

chlo-ride) NH

CL. Colorless crystals or

a white soluble powder used in medicine,

as a reagent in fertilizers and as a ux in

soldering, etc.

amp meter (amp me-ter) slang; See

AMMETER.

amperemeter or amperometer (am-

pere-me-ter or am-per-om-e-ter) See

AMMETER.

analog gauge resolution (an-a-log gauge

res-o-lu-tion) analog gauge readings can

be taken to one-half of the smallest gauge

division (example: an analog gauge with

increments of 0.2 psi can resolve readings

of 0.1 psi)

anchor bolt (an-chor bolt) a bolt for

securing a machine, structure, or part to

masonry or other material. See ANCHOR

ROD.

anchor rod (an-chor rod) a threaded piece

of metal used with nuts and hangers to

secure pipes, unit heaters or many other

objects in plumbing. See ANCHOR

BOLT.

anchors (an-chors) 1. anything regarded

as a reliable support. 2. devices for

supporting and securing pipe, xtures,

and equipment, to walls, ceilings, oors, or

any other structural members. Also called

supports. See HANGER; SUPPORTS.

angle check valve (an-gle check valve) a

valve with intake and exit ports at right

angles permitting ow in one direction

but retarding a return ow.

angle gate valve (an-gle gate valve) a

valve with intake and exit ports at right

angles, and the valve in a pipeline consists

essentially of a at or wedgeshaped gate-

that can be lowered into a seat to seal o

the line or raised into an external recess

so that the full area of the line is open.

angle globe valve (an-gle globe valve) a

valve with intake and exit ports at right

angles and enclosed in a globular chamber.

angle of thread (an-gle of thread) the angle

included between the sides of the thread

measured in an axial plane.

angle shower valve (an-gle show-er valve)

faucet type valve with the inlet and outlet

ports at a 90° angle.

angle stops (an-gle stops) a 90° valve;

its inlet and outlet ports at 90° and the

operating stem at 180° to the inlet port.

See ANGLE VALVE.

angle valve (an-gle valve) a valve with

intake and exit ports at right angles. See

ANGLE STOPS.

annular (an-nu-lar) 1. ring shaped. 2. In

plumbing, the annular space is the ring

shaped open space between the inside

wall of the hub and the outside wall of the

spigot on a tting to be caulked.

annulate (an-nu-late) having rings, ringlike

structures, or ringlike characteristics.

annulation (an-nu-la-tion) the formation

of rings or a ringlike structure.

annulet (an-nu-let) 1. a little ring. 2. in

architecture; a small molding or ridge. 3.

the space in the hub of cast iron pipe to

be lled with sealant.

AmericanStandardStraightPipeThreads annulet

annulus (an-nu-lus) a ringlike part,

structure, or marking.

anode (an-ode) 1. the electrode at which

electrons have a device to enter the

external circuit – opposed to cathode. 2. in

a water heater, a rod of magnesium metal

anodic to the other metal in the tank,

therefore protective against corrosion.

antifriction alloy (an-ti-fric-tion al-loy)

any of various alloys of copper, tin, lead,

antimony or zinc, used especially in

bearings.

antimonial lead (an-ti-mon-i-al lead) See

HARD LEAD.

antimony (an-ti-mo-ny) a silvery, brittle

solid, having crystalline structure. It

expands when it solidies. Used in type

metal with lead and tin.

anti-scald valve (an-ti-scald valve) 1.

a pressure balancing valve (type P)

which senses incoming hot and cold

water pressure and compensates for

uctuations in either to stabilize outlet

temperature. 2. a thermostatic valve

(type T) which senses outlet temperature

and compensates for fluctuations in

incoming hot and cold water temperatures

to stabilize outlet temperature. 3. a

combination thermostatic/pressure

balancing valve (type T/P) which senses

outlet temperature and incoming hot and

cold water pressure and compensates for

uctuations in incoming hot and cold

water temperatures or pressure to stabilize

outlet temperature.

antisiphon (an-ti-si-phon) a device or

mechanism to cause the absence of

siphoning. See SIPHON BREAKER.

antisiphon hole (an-ti-si-phon hole) a

small hole placed in the wall of a dip tube

to prevent back syphonage beyond the

level in the tank at which the anti-siphon

hole is found. See DIP TUBE.

antisiphon trap (an-ti-si-phon trap) 1. a

type of water seal trap in which the outlet

leg is increased in diameter to contain a

sucient volume of liquid to prevent a

siphoning action which would break the

seal. 2. a trap designed to prevent the

emptying of a sanitary trap because of

dierence of pressure.

antisiphon vacuum breaker - non-

pressure type (an-ti-si-phon vac-u-um

break-er - non-pres-sure type) a device or

means to prevent backsiphonage. Not to

be used under continuous pressure. Also

called: backsiphonage preventer.

antisiphon vacuum breaker - pressure

type (an-ti-si-phon vac-u-um break-

er - pres-sure type) a device or means

to prevent backsiphonage. Designed to

be used under continuous pressure. Also

called: backsiphonage preventer. See

VACUUM BREAKERPRESSURE

TYPE.

antisweat covering (an-ti-sweat cov-

er-ing) a cellular covering over pipe to

insulate against the ambient temperature.

Made of berglass or felt with tar paper

inner lining.

A.P. Abbr. for Access Panel.

appearance (ap-pear-ance) a thing seen. In

plumbing – the eye appeal of the product,

connections, pipes, etc.

appliance (ap-pli-ance) 1. a device or

machine, especially for household use,

not permanently connected to the potable

water supply, indirectly drained through

a receptor. 2. a plumbing appliance is an

adjunct of the plumbing system, usually

mechanical, and similar to a plumbing

fixture except that it is designed for

a specific purpose and not generally

indispensable in the operation of a

plumbing system.

appliance flue (ap-pli-ance flue) See

FLUE.

appliances, automatically controlled

(ap-pli-ances, au-to-mat-i-cal-ly con-

trolled) any of a number of appliances,

such as water heaters, dishwashers, clothes

washers, which are activated and de-

activated by automatic controls such as

pressure switches, timers, and thermostats.

annulus  appliances,automaticallycontrolled

apprentice (ap-pren-tice) one who is

learning a trade by practical experience

under skilled workers.

apprentice plumber (ap-pren-tice plumb-

er) one who works under the supervision

and guidance of a skilled and qualied

journey or master plumber for a prescribed

course of training.

approved (ap-proved) in plumbing,

accepted or acceptable under an

application specication stated or cited

in a code, or accepted as suitable for

the proposed use under procedures and

powers of the administrative authority.

approved testing laboratory or agency

(ap-proved test-ing lab-or-a-to-ry or

agen-cy) refers to an accredited laboratory

or agency having capabilities for both

the laboratory and field evaluation of

backow prevention assemblies or devices.

approved water supply (ap-proved wa-

ter sup-ply) any public potable water

supply which has been investigated and

approved by the State Department of

Public Health or the local health agency

having jurisdiction. e system must be

operated under a valid health permit. In

determining what constitutes an approved

water supply, the State Department of

Public Health reserves nal judgement as

to its safety and potability.

approximately (ap-prox-i-mately)

nearly; frequently used when speaking

of the capabilities of machines, their

measurements, and near shipping weights.

Nearly exact, to come near in position.

appurtenance (ap-pur-te-nance) an

accessory or auxiliary part of a plumbing

appliance, device or assembly.

apron sink (a-pron sink) a sink type

xture, whose front and sides extend from

5" to 8" from the top forming an apron

around the xture.

aqua (a-qua) water.

aqua pura (a-qua pu-ra) pure water.

aqua regia (a-qua re-gia) a very corrosive

fuming yellow liquid made by mixing

hydrochloric and nitric acid, usually in

proportion of one volume of nitric to

three or four volumes of hydrochloric

acid, that dissolves gold and platinum.

Called royal water because it dissolves

gold. Converts lead into a chloride. Also

called: nitrohydrochloric acid.

A.R. Abbr. for Acid Resistant.

arbor press (ar-bor press) a device for

pressing an arbor or shaft into the bore

or hole of an article to be turned on a

lathe, and for removing same when work

is nished.

Archimedes’ Screw (ar-chi-me-des’ screw)

a spiral screw which turns within a tube or

pipe in order to move material. When set

on an inclined angle can be used to raise

water. A very ancient method.

arc weld (arc weld) to join by means of a

form of fusion welding in which the heat

for fusion is supplied by an electric arc

formed between metal or carbon electrode

and the part being welded or between two

separate electrodes or between the two

separate pieces being welded.

arc welding (arc weld-ing) arc welding is

considered the best of all surface fusion

methods for general purposes because it

creates the highest temperatures. e arc

is formed by an electric current which

travels down through the welder’s tool,

then jumps across the intervening space,

the metal joint, or it may travel between

the joint and the metal ller rod. e

piece to be welded is usually made the

positive terminal. Direct current is used.

e welding rod is the negative. e work

is touched with the rod and withdrawn

causing an arc.

area (ar-ea) a measure of the size of any

particular portion of a surface.

apprentice area

area drain (ar-ea drain) 1. a drain placed

in the floor of a basement areaway, a

depressed or basement entry way, a

loading platform, or a cemented driveway

which cannot otherwise be drained. Such

a drain is usually made of 4", or larger,

cast-iron pipe leading to a running trap

with clean out and into the house drain.

2. A receptacle designed to collect surface

liquid or storm water from an open area.

Abbr. A.D.

arsenic (ar-se-nic) acids which react with

lead, yielding arsenate or arsenide of lead.

arterial vent (ar-ter-i-al vent) a vent in

DWV systems of more than one story,

intended to provide circulation and

backpressure relief in multi-story systems.

See RELIEF VENT.

asb. Abbr. for Asbestos.

asbestos (as-bes-tos) a silicate of calcium

and magnesium, usually occurring in

fibers, that does not burn or conduct

heat. Used as an insulator and in the

manufacturing of cement asbestos pipe.

Abbr. Asb.

asbestos cement (as-bes-tos ce-ment)

a hardened mixture of asbestos bers,

portland cement and water used in

relatively thin slabs for shingles, wallboard

and siding. Also used for sewer pipe and

electrical conduit.

asbestos packing (as-bes-tos pack-ing) 1.

a formulation of short strands of asbestos

and any variety of chemicals. Used as a

seal or packing on valve stems. 2. a thin

layer or ring of elastic material (as paper,

rubber, asbestos, copper) inserted between

the surfaces of a ange joint to make it

impervious to leaking. See PACKING.

ASME valves (A-S-M-E Valves) valves

having ASME approval.

asphalt, also asphaltum (as-phalt, also as-

phalt-um) a brown to black bituminous

substance found naturally or obtained as

a by-product of coal-tar rening. Used for

coating pipes exposed to dampness. Also

used for paving.

asphyxia or suffocation (as-phyx-i-a

or suf- fo-ca-tion) local or systemic

deciency of oxygen and excess of carbon

dioxide in living tissues, usually as a result

of interruption of respiration.

asphyxiate (as-phyx-i-ate) to kill or make

unconscious through want of adequate

oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or

other obstruction to normal breathing.

asphyxiation (as-phyx-i-a-tion) act of

causing asphyxia. See ASPHIA.

aspiration (as-pi-ra-tion) 1. drawing out

by suction. 2.the removal of uids and/or

gases from a cavity by means of a aspirator.

aspirator (as-pi-ra-tor) 1. a device supplied

with uid under positive pressure which

passes through an integral orifice or

“restriction” causing a partial vacuum. 2.

any apparatus for producing a movement

of uid by suction.

assembly, hose spray (as-sem-bly, hose

spray) See SPRAY UNIT

assembly, mainline valve (as-sem-bly,

main-line valve) See MAINLINE

VALVE ASSEMBLY.

atmosphere (at-mo-sphere) 1. the air that

surrounds the earth. 2. the mass of gases

that surrounds, or may surround, any

heavenly body.

atmospheric air (at-mo-spher-ic air) air

of the surrounding atmosphere and at its

existing pressure.

atmospheric pressure (at-mo-spher-ic

pres-sure) 1. a unit of pressure equal

to 14.7 pounds per square inch. 2. the

pressure exerted in every direction at

any given point by the weight of the

atmosphere; the pressure exerted by the air

on the earth’s surface at sea level is about

one (1) atmosphere.

area drain atmospheric pressure

atmospheric type vacuum breaker-AVB

(at-mo-spher-ic type vac-u-um break-

er avb) a term applied to backflow

preventers or anti-siphon devices which

may incorporate moving or movable parts,

designed to operate only on the discharge

side of a control valve, for the purpose of

preventing backow or backsiphonage

in a water distribution system when the

backow source is subject to atmospheric

pressure only.

attic tank (at-tic tank) 1. a plumbing

xture, an open to atmosphere tank lled

over the top by a oat operated valve

from a pressurized water system. e tank

supplies water to all uses in the building by

gravity. 2. a tank installed in attic or above

highest plumbing xture. See HOUSE

TANK; ROOF TANK.

auger (au-ger) 1. a tool for boring holes in

wood or earth consisting of a shank with

a cross-wise handle for turning and having

spiral channels that end in two spurs for

marking the outline of the hole, a central

tapered feed screw and a pair of cutting

lips. 2. a tool similar to a drill.

auger bits (au-ger bits) a tool for drilling

or boring wood or metal. It is usually a

removable part of a brace or drill, one

end consisting of a square tong to t the

chuck of a brace.

autoclave (au-to-clave) a container for

sterilizing or cooking by superheated

steam under pressure.

autogenous welding (au-tog-e-nous weld-

ing) a type of welding in which metals are

united by fusing, without compression or

hammering, and without the use of ux.

e term also applies to gas welding in

which both ux and welding rod are used.

automatic center punch (au-to-mat-

ic cen-ter punch) a center punch so

constructed that, when pressure is

applied, a spring-controlled hammer

contained within the handle is released

with sucient force to cause the point to

leave its mark on metal.

automatic ow controller (au-to-mat-ic

flow con-trol-ler) l. a component or

accessory which limits the maximum

flow through the line in which it is

installed and incorporates a pressure

compensating restriction of such a nature

that increasing pressure drops across

the restriction causing the controller to

increase its resistance to the ow of water

and a decreasing line pressure up stream

of the restriction to the ow of water,

maintaining a substantially constant

ow of water over its designed pressure

range. 2. a component or accessory which

incorporates a flow restricting orifice

or xed geometrical construction such

that flow through the restricter varies

approximately direct proportion with the

square root of the pressure drop across the

restriction.

automatic gas shuto device (au-to-mat-

ic gas shut-o de-vice) a valve, or system,

constructed so that upon the attainment

of a water temperature in excess of some

predetermined limit, the device acts in

such a way as to cause the gas to the main

burner (s) of the appliance to be shut o.

It may also shut o the gas to the pilot

burner.

automatic pilot (au-to-mat-ic pi-lot) See

SAFETY SHUTOFF DEVICE.

automatic siphon (au-to-mat-ic si-phon)

1. usually associated with urinal ushing

tanks in which a constant supply of

water is involved. 2. a tube or conduit

in the form of an inverted “U” through

which liquid flows over the wall of a

tank or reservoir to a lower elevation by

atmospheric pressure. Sometimes used for

discharge from a septic tank.

automatic storage type water heater (au-

to-mat-ic stor-age type wa-ter heat-er)

1. a gas or electric heated tank with

designed controls to store water at various

temperatures. 2. a water heater that heats

and stores water at a thermostatically

controlled temperature for delivery on

demand.

atmospherictypevacuumbreaker-AVB  automaticstoragetypewaterheater

automatic valve (au-to-mat-ic valve) an

automatic device consisting essentially of

a gas valve that intermittently opens and

closes the main gas supply during normal

operation of the appliance, and which may

be actuated either by the application of

gas pressure upon a exible diaphragm,

by electrical energy or by thermostatic or

mechanical means.

automatic water siphon (au-to-ma-tic

wa-ter si-phon) an inverted “V” shaped

tube inside an open tube in which water

collects, and upon the elevation of liquid

to a height above the inverted tube the

siphon action takes place, i.e.: an elevated

ushing tank for a urinal.

autopsy table (au-top-sy ta-ble) a xture or

table used for the postmortem examination

of a body. See EMBALMING TABLE.

auxiliary energy subsystem (aux-il-ia-ry

en-er-gy sub-sys-tem) in solar energy, the

equipment utilizing energy sources such

as gas, oil or electricity to supplement the

output provided by a solar energy system.

auxiliary heat (aux-il-ia-ry heat) in solar

equipped systems, the extra heat that is

provided by a conventional heat source

for periods of cloudiness or intense cold,

when the solar collector cannot provide

enough heat.

auxiliary water supply (aux-il-ia-ry

wa-ter sup-ply) any waste supply on or

available to the premises other than the

water supplier’s approved public potable

water supply. ese auxiliary sources of

water may include water from another

supplier’s public potable water supply

or any natural source, such as a well,

spring, river, stream, harbor, etc., or used

waters or industrial fluids. They may

be polluted or contaminated, or they

may be objectionable and constitute an

unacceptable water source over which

the water supplier does not have control.

average (av-er-age) the computed or

estimated median figure between two

or more values (such as height, weight,

or pressure)

automatic valve  awlshaft

avg. Abbr. for Average.

avoirdupois (av-oir-du-pois) a system of

weights based on the 16-ounce pound

(or 7,000 grains).

A.W. Abbr. for Acid Waste.

awl (awl) a hole making or surface marking

tool. Designed for direct action by

punching with compression force. e

blade may be differently shaped and

pointed for dierent uses.

awl shaft (awl shaft) an awl handle.

Babbittmetal

 backowpreventer,laboratoryfaucettype

Babbitt metal or Babbitt’s metal (bab-bitt

met-al or bab-bitt’s met-al) an alloy of

tin, copper and antimony or lead, copper,

and antimony, discovered by Isaac Babbitt

in 1839. High grade metals use tin for a

base and low grade metals use lead.

back vent, or back venting (back vent, or

back vent-ing) 1. sometimes synonymous

with vent or venting. A pipe or system of

pipes of a plumbing system for the purpose

of supplying or removing air to relieve

pressures above or below atmospheric. 2.

that part of a vent line which connects

directly with an individual trap beneath or

behind a xture and extend to a branch or

main soil or waste pipe at any point higher

than the xture trap it serves. Sometimes

called an individual vent. See INDIRECT

VENT; INDIVIDUAL VENT.

backll (back-ll) term used to describe

the material that is used to rell a trench

or excavation after water or sewer services

are installed.

backflow (back-flow) 1. a term which

denotes the reversal of ow from that

normally intended. 2. the ow of water or

other liquids, mixtures, or substances into

the distributing pipes of a potable supply

of water from any source or sources other

than its intended source.

backow preventer (back-ow pre-ven-

ter) 1. any approved assembly used to

prevent backow into a potable water

system; the type of assembly or device used

shall be based on the degree of hazard;

existing or potential. 2. a device, or means,

to prevent backow.

backflow preventer, carbonated water

type (back-ow pre-ven-ter, car-bon-a-

ted wa-ter type) an assembly composed

of two independently acting check valves,

internally force loaded to a normally

closed position and separated by an

intermediate chamber (or zone) in which

there is a means of venting to atmosphere,

internally force loaded to a normally open

position. e part shall vent liquids, gases,

or both, under backow conditions.

backow preventer, double check valve

type assembly (back-flow per-vent-

er, dou-ble check valve type as-sem-

bly) See DOUBLE CHECK VALVE

ASSEMBLY DCVA.

backow preventer, dual check valve type

assembly (back-ow pre-vent-er, dual

check valve type as-sem-bly) See DUAL

CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY.

backow preventer, intermediate vent

type (back-ow pre-vent-er, in-ter-me-

di-ate vent type) an assembly composed

of two independently acting check valves,

internally force loaded to a normally

closed position and separated by an

intermediate chamber (or zone) in which

there is a means for venting to atmosphere,

internally force loaded to a normally open

position. Shall be designed to operate

under continuous conditions.

backflow preventer, laboratory faucet

type (back-ow pre-vent-er, lab-o-ra-

to-ry fau-cet type) an assembly composed

of two independently acting check valves,

internally force loaded to a normally

closed position and separated by an

intermediate chamber (or zone) in which

there is a means of venting to atmosphere,

internally force loaded to a normally open

position.

backflow preventer, reduced pressure

principle type (back-ow pre-vent-er,

re-duced pres-sure prin-ci-ple type) See

REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE

BACKFLOW TYPERP.

backow preventer, water supply (back-

ow pre-vent-er, wa-ter sup-ply) device

or means to prevent backow. Abbr. B.F.P.

backflow preventer, reduced pressure

zone type (back-ow pre-vent-er, re-

duced pres-sure zone type) an assembly

of differential valves and check valves

including an automatically opened

spillage port to the atmosphere. Gauges

must be installed where pressure reduction

is mandatory. Abbr. BFP

backow prevention assembly ( back-ow

pre-ven-tion as-sem-bly) any assembly

used to prevent backow into a potable

water system. e type of assembly, or

device, used shall be based on the degree

of hazard; existing or potential.

backflow prevention assembly tester

(back-flow pre-ven-tion as-sem-bly

test-er) a person who is certied to make

competent inspections, tests, and reports

on backflow prevention assemblies.

To become, and remain, certied, this

person shall successfully complete the

certication and continuing education

requirements through a certification

program for backow prevention which

is recognized by the regulatory agency

having jurisdiction. Also, this person

shall be conversant with applicable laws,

rules and regulations, have demonstrated

competency in plumbing; or have other

qualications which, in the opinion of the

regulatory agency having jurisdiction, are

equivalent.

backow prevention device (back-ow

pre-ven-tion de-vice) a mechanical

backow preventer without the shut-o

valves. An atmospheric vacuum breaker

is a device. It does not require shut-o

valves on either side of the backflow

prevention mechanism. Also, any

backow prevention assembly without the

shut-o valves is called a device. Several

Associations, including ASSE, approve

backow prevention devices.

backow prevention method (back-ow

pre-ven-tion me-thod) a mechanism

for preventing backflow. It includes

mechanical backflow prevention

assemblies (PVB, DCVA, RP) and devices

(AVB) as well as air gaps.

backhoe (back-hoe) an excavating machine

in which the bucket is rigidly attached to

a hinged stick on the boom and is drawn

toward the machine in operation.

backhouse (back-house) a small building,

usually to the rear of a building for human

habitation, built over a hole in the ground.

e ground was the bin for human waste

(archaic). See LATRINE.

back-outlet ell (back-out-let ell) an ell

with the outlet in the same place as run

and on the outside of the large radii curve.

Also referred to as heel outlet elbow. See

BRANCH ELL.

backpressure (back-pres-sure) 1. a reverse

pressure greater than that in the intended

normal direction and/or pressure of ow

or thrust 2. an escape of liquid by virtue

of the physics of a simple siphon. 3.

pressure in plumbing pipes that is less than

atmospheric pressure. 4. the owing back

of used, contaminated or polluted water

from a plumbing xture or vessel or other

source into a negative pressure in such a

pipe. 5. a pressure in the supplied system

which, for some cause, becomes greater

than the supply pressure (pressure above

atmospheric.)

backsiphonage (back-si-phon-age) 1. the

backow of possible contaminated water

into the potable water supply system or

the potable water distribution systems

as a result of the pressure in the potable

water system becoming unintentionally

less than the atmospheric pressure in the

plumbing xtures, pools, tanks or vats that

may be connected to the potable water

distribution system 2. the siphoning back

of used, contaminated or polluted water or

backowpreventer,reducedpressureprincipletype backsiphonage

other substances from a plumbing xture,

vessel, or other source, into the water

supply pipe due to negative pressure in

the supply pipe.

backsiphonage backow (back-siph-on-

age back-ow) the direction of ow at the

inlet and outlet of the device is horizontal.

backsiphonage preventer (back-si-phon-

age pre-vent-er) See ANTISIPHON

VACUUM BREAKER NON

PRESSURE TYPE; PRESSURE TYPE.

backwater valve (back wa-ter valve) a

device installed in a drain or pit or in the

pipe to prevent drainage from backing

into a low level. Usually used where

combination sewers exist. See TIDE

VALVE.

bacteria (bac-te-ri-a) plural of bacterium.

See BACTERIUM.

bacteria, aerobic (bac-te-ri-a, ae-ro-bic)

bacteria living, active, or occurring only

in the presence of oxygen.

bacteria, anaerobic (bac-te-ri-a, an-aer-

o-bic) bacteria living, or growing, in the

absence of free oxygen. Anaerobic bacterial

receives their oxygen by decomposing

compounds containing oxygen.

bacteria, coli-aerogenes (bac-te-ri-a,

co-li-aer-og-e-nes) See BACTERIA,

COLIFORM GROUP.

bacteria, coliform group (bac-te-ri-a,

co-li-form group) a group of bacteria,

predominantly inhabitants of the

intestines of humans but also found on

vegetation, including all aerobic and

facultative anerobic gram-negative, non-

spore-forming bacilli that ferment lactose

with gas formation.

bacteria count (bac-te-ri-a count)

Abbr. MPN. See MOST PROBABLE

NUMBER  BACTERIA COUNT;

MEMBRANE FILTER COLIFORM

COUNT.

backsiphonagebackow bald

bacteria, facultive anaerobic (bac-te-ri-a,

fac-ul-tive an-aer-o-bic) bacteria having

the quality of being able to live or thrive

under more than one set of conditions

with or without oxygen.

bacteria, parasitic (bac-te-ri-a, par-a-sit-

ic) bacteria having the quality of living

in or on another organism for existence

or support without making a useful or

adequate return.

bacteria, saprophytic (bac-te-ri-a, sap-

ro-phyt-ic) bacteria having the quality

of obtaining food by absorbing dissolved

organic decay from the product of organic

breakdown and decay.

bacterium (bac-te-ri-um) any of a class of

microscopic plants having round, rod-

like, spiral, or lamentous single celled

or non-celled bodies often aggregated into

colonies or mobile by means of agella,

living in soil, water, organic matter, or

bodies of plants and animals, and being

autotrophic, saprophytic, or parasitic,

in nutrition and important to humans

because of their chemical eects and as

pathogens.

bae (baf-e) an object used to retard or

direct the ow of air, air-gas mixtures, ue

gases or liquids.

bag trap (bag trap) a device to seal against

entry of sewer airs having its shape

resemble an inated bag.

bain-marie (bain-ma-rie) pl. bains-marie.

1. a double boiler. 2. in plumbing, a steam

table. 3. a secondary water reservoir into

which other pots are inserted to hold or

maintain temperature.

balanced backow valve (bal-anced back-

ow valve) a type of valve tted with a

counterbalanced gate.

balancing tting (bal-anc-ing t-ting) 1.

a valve or cock with a movable partition

which increases or decreases the amount of

ow by means of adjustment. 2. a tting

with a built-in bae.

bald (bald) See BALLED.

baldy (bal-dy) a slang term for a pipe nipple

which is threaded on only one end, the

other end is bare. Sometimes a water closet

nipple is called a baldy. See BALLED.

ball bearing (ball bear-ing) 1. a bearing

in which the journal turns upon loose

hardened steel balls that roll in a race and

thus convert sliding friction into rolling

friction. 2. a bearing in which the disk of

a watt-hour meter is mounted on a vertical

shaft that rotates with minimized friction

because of rolling action on a single steel

ball between cupped jewels.

ball cock (ball cock) a faucet valve opened

or closed by the fall or rise of a ball oating

on the surface of water, whose elevation

is controlled wholly or in part by the

faucet valve. See BALL VALVE; WATER

CLOSET FLUSHING VALVE.

ballcock, anti-siphon (ball-cock, an-ti-si-

phon) a ballcock designed to prevent the

back ow of water into the water supply

system by lack of or loss of water pressure

in the supply system.

ballcock seat (ball-cock seat) an orice

inside a valve thru which the liquid is

controlled; throttled, interrupted; allowed

to ow or ow is stopped.

balled (ball-ed) slang; in pipe work refers to

no threads, or bell and spigot connection.

ball oat (ball oat) a oating device in

the shape of a sphere, used to operate a

ball valve.

ball headed (ball head-ed) See BALLED.

ball joint (ball joint) a connection in

which a ball, hollow or solid, is held in a

cuplike shell that allows movement in any

direction in the joint other than along the

axis of the pipes that are joined.

ball reamer (ball ream-er) a hemispherical

rose reamer used in nishing the recess for

a ball joint. See REAMER.

baldy base

ball valve (ball valve) 1. a valve in which a

ball ts into a spherical seat and regulates

the aperture by its rise and fall due to

uid pressure, to a spring, or to its own

weight. 2. a type of motor operated valve.

See BALL COCK.

band clamp (band clamp) used to hold the

weight of a riser pipe. Made of two pieces

of wrought iron or steel shaped to t a pipe

with ends protruding to accommodate

bolts to secure same.

band hanger (band hang-er) See BAND

CLAMP.

B. & S. Abbr. for Bell and Spigot.

baptismal fountain (bap-tis-mal foun-

tain) a vessel for holding liquid, usually

water, for religious rites; not connected

directly to a drainage system.

baptistry (bap-tist-ry) a separate building,

a part of a church, or a tank, used for

baptismal services.

barber’s boiler (bar-ber’s boil-er) a water

heater used in barber shops.

barometer (ba-rom-e-ter) an instrument

for measuring pressure of the atmosphere.

Usually expressed in “inches of mercury”.

barometric loop (baro-met-ric loop)

consists of a continuous section of supply

piping that abruptly rises to a height of

approximately 35 ft. (10.7 m) and then

returns back down to the originating

level. It is a loop in the piping system that

eectively protects against backsiphonage.

It may not be used to protect against back

pressure. Its operation, in the protection

against backsiphonage, is based upon the

principle that a water column, at sea level

pressure, will not rise above 33.9 ft.

bar sink (bar sink) Abbr. B.S. See SINK.

bar strainer (bar strain-er) a filtering

or straining device having a single rod

or several bars or wires which interrupt

large objects and prevent their entry into

a sewer or drain.

base (base) the lowest portion or the lowest

point of a vertical stack.

baseboard (base-board) a board situated

at or forming the base of something.

Specic: a protecting or nish molding

of board or other material covering the

joint of a wall and the adjoining oor.

For heating, a “baseboard radiator” is part

of a heating system and is installed at the

base board or the lowest part of the wall.

base elbow (base el-bow) a cast-iron pipe

bend having a ange or pad cast on it as

a seat for a supporting column or bracket.

basement (base-ment) a story whose oor

line is below grade at any entrance or exit

and whose ceiling is not more than ve

feet above grade at any such entrance or

exit, or whose oor is three or more feet

below normal terrain.

base metals (base me-tals) 1. metals that

oxidize when exposed to air. 2. any metal

whose hydroxide is soluble in water

forming a solution of a base. 3. the chief

constituent of an alloy. 4. the metal to

which a coating of plating is applied.

basic steel (ba-sic steel) steel produced by

the “basic Bessemer” or the basic open

hearth process, i.e.: the means by which

sulphur, phosphorus, silicon, manganese,

and carbon can be removed from the

molten charge.

basin (ba-sin) 1. an open, usually circular

vessel or dish with sloping or curving sides

and wider than its depth, used typically

for holding water for washing. 2. a tank or

reservoir used for the treatment of liquids.

See LAVATORY.

basin chain (ba-sin chain) a beaded or link

chain, one end attached to the basin and

having a rubber stopper on the other end.

Used on a lavatory.

basin connections (ba-sin con-nec-tions)

thin-wall exible tubing as connectors of

the xture water ttings (faucets) to the

water supply.

basin drain plug (ba-sin drain plug) a

synthetic, circular shaped plug, used to

retain the water in a lavatory, usually

connected to a chain.

basin, earthenware (ba-sin, earth-en-

ware) See BASIN; CHINA; LAVATORY.

basin ttings (ba-sin t-tings) trim to

basin, i.e.: trap, waste, overow, faucet,

adaptors (iron pipe to exible connections,

copper to exible connection)

basin gaskets (ba-sin gas-kets) gaskets

used in trimming a basin to prevent liquid

leakage between the basin and faucets or

waste connection.

basin plug wrench (ba-sin plug wrench)

used for preventing the turning of the

bowl plug of a wash basin when the

locknut underneath is being set-up.

basin stoppers (ba-sin stop-pers) cork-like

units inserted into the xture spud from

the top to hold liquid in the basin.

basin wrench (ba-sin wrench) a long-

shanked wrench with ratchet-like jaws,

used to reach into tight spots. See

WRENCH.

bath connections (bath con-nec-tions)

1. cast brass 90° ttings used to connect

bath faucet to supply. 2. exible tubing

used to connect bath faucet to supply. See

LAVATORY CONNECTORS.

bath faucet (bath fau-cet) faucet especially

designed for installation in bathtub water

supply.

bathroom accessories (bath-room ac-ces-

so-ries) toilet seat, towel bars, soap dish,

robe hook, tooth brush holder, paper

holder, grab bars, shower curtain, shower

curtain rod, shower door, ash trays, etc.

bathroom groups (bath-room groups)

shall normally consist of a water closet,

a lavatory, a bathtub (with or without

shower head) or a shower stall.

bathroom sink (bath-room sink) a xture.

See LAVATORY.

bathseat (bath-seat) a bench used in a tub

for use in washing.

bath, sitz (bath, sitz) See BATHTUB,

SITZ.

baseboard  bath,sitz

bath trap (bath trap) 1. a “p” type trap used

in the waste line from a bath tub. 2. an

“area” design of a particular version of a

“p” type trap having a lesser depth seal.

bathtub (bath-tub) a xture, shaped to t

a body to bathe in, usually one forming a

permanent xture in a bathroom. Types:

(a) Built-In; a tub permanently attached to

a wall or walls and the oor. (b) Corner; a

tub designed to be installed with one end

and one side attached to the walls. (c)

Free Standing, Leg; a tub not attached to

a wall, installed on legs, not attached to

the oor. (d) Island; a tub installed with

one end attached to a wall or partition. (e)

Bench; a tub with a built-in seat, usually

in one corner or across the back. (f) Leg;

same as Free Standing. (g) Recessed; same

as Built-In. (h) Semi-Sunken (Sunken) ; a

tub installed with the tub bottom lower

than the nished oor of the room. (i)

Right Hand; a tub with the drain at the

right end as you face the length of the tub.

(j) Left Hand; a tub with the drain at the

left end as you face the length of the tub.

Abbr. B.T. or BT.

bathtub, hydrotherapy arm (bath-tub,

hy-dro-ther-a-py, arm) a bathtub for the

treatment of disease or disability by the

external application of water to the arm.

bathtub, hydrotherapy, body (bath-tub,

hy-dro-ther-a-py, bod-y) a bathtub for

the treatment of disease or disability by the

external application of water to the body.

bathtub, hydrotherapy, leg (bath-tub,

hy-dro-ther-a-py, leg) a bathtub for the

treatment of disease or disability by the

external application of water to the leg.

bathtub, sitz (bath-tub, sitz) 1. a tub in

which one bathes in a sitting posture. 2.

a bath used especially in postoperative

cases in which the hips and thighs of the

patient are immersed in hot water for the

therapeutic eect of the moist heat in the

perineal and anal regions.

battery charger (bat-ter-y charg-er) a

device for charging storage batteries. Also

called charger.

battery of xtures (bat-ter-y of x-tures)

any group of two or more adjacent

xtures which discharge into a common

horizontal waste or soil branch.

battery waste and vent system (bat-

ter-y waste and vent sys-tem) See

COMBINATION WASTE AND

VENT SYSTEM.

B. B. E. Abbr. for Ball Both Ends.

bbls. Abbr for Barrels.

B. Coli (b co-li) See BACTERIA,

COLIFORM GROUP.

B. Coli groups (b co-li groups) See

BACTERIA, COLIFORM GROUP.

bead chain (bead chain) a chain formed

of small hollow metal spheres connected

by short dumbbell-shaped metal links

that is used especially in electric pull

sockets and switches. Used in plumbing

to hold stoppers or plugs to keep liquid

in bathtubs or wash basins.

beam clamp (beam clamp) a holding

device used where beams are the supports.

Used with hangers, etc., to secure pipe

and appliances.

bedpan (bed-pan) a shallow vessel so

constructed that it can be used by a person

in bed for urination or defecation.

bedpan steamer (bed-pan steam-er) a

fixture used for scalding bedpans or

urinals by direct application of steam.

bedpan washer (bed-pan wash-er) a xture

designed to wash bedpans and to ush the

contents into the soil drainage system. It

may also provide for steaming the utensils

with steam or hot water.

bedpan washer and sterilizer (bed-pan

wash-er and ster-il-iz-er) in addition to

washing the bedpan, this device frees it

from living micro-organisms usually by

the use of physical or chemical agents.

Also called bedpan washer and sanitizer.

bedpan washer hose (bed-pan wash-er

hose) a device supplied with hot and

cold water and located adjacent to a

water closet or clinic sink, to be used for

cleaning bedpans.

bath trap bedpan washer hose

bee-hivestrainer,urinal

biochemical

bee-hive strainer, urinal (bee-hive strain-

er, uri-nal) a perforated or slotted cage

type strainer, spiral shaped, attached to

drain of a urinal, used to allow liquids to

ow but retaining solids. See PINEAPPLE

STRAINER, URINAL; URINAL.

bell (bell) that portion of a pipe or a pipe

fitting which, for a short distance, is

suciently enlarged to receive the plain

or spigot end of another length of pipe

or pipe tting of the same diameter for

the purpose of making a joint. See HUB.

bell and spigot joint (bell and spi-got

joint) each length of cast-iron pipe is

made with an enlarged or bell end, and

a plain or spigot end. e spigot end of

one length ts into the bell end of the

next length. e joint is made tight by

caulking. Also called spigot joint. Abbr.

B. & S.

bell floor drain (bell floor drain) See

BELL TRAP.

bell oor drain frame (bell oor drain

frame) the outer pieces of a bell oor

drain.

bell metal (bell me-tal) a bronze that

consists usually of three or four parts

of copper to one of tin and is used for

making bells.

bell trap (bell trap) 1. a stench-trap

consisting of an inverted bell with water-

seal. 2. a bell-shaped trap below the inlet

of a oor drain.

bell trap for cesspool (bell trap for cess-

pool) See BELL TRAP.

belt (belt) a continuous band of tough

flexible material (as leather, rubber,

fabric, wire) for transmitting motion and

power from one pulley to another, or for

conveying materials.

bench mark (bench mark) 1. a mark on

a xed and enduring object indicating

a particular elevation and used as a

reference in topographical surveys and

tidal observations. 2. a point of reference

from which measurements of any sort may

be made. Abbr. B.M.

bending iron (bend-ing iron) a round,

tapered, and arched tool for forming

lead pipes, ttings, and/or sheet lead. See

BENDING PIN.

bending pin (bend-ing pin) a tool used

for throwing up an edge on lead pipe

in preparing it for “wiping”. Used for

straightening or expanding exible pipe.

See BENDING IRON.

bending spring (bend-ing spring) steel lead

working tool used in bending lead pipe.

See SAND PLUG.

bent coupling (bent cou-pling) same as

boiler coupling except at a 90° angle.

Sometimes referring to the corporation

ferrule coupling. See BOILER

BUSHING; CORPORATION

FERRULE.

Bessemer Process (bes-se-mer pro-cess) a

process of making steel from cast iron by

burning out carbon and other impurities

through the agency of a blast of air which

is forced through the molten metal. e

process is either acid or basic according to

the nature of the refractory lining of the

converter, or vessel in which the blowing

is conducted.

Bessemer steel (bes-se-mer steel) steel made

by the Bessemer Process.

B.F.P. Abbr. for Back Flow Preventer.

bibb (bibb) See FAUCET.

bibb washer (bibb wash-er) 1. a faucet

washer. 2. a disc with a hole in it used to

stop the liquid when the faucet is closed.

bidet (bi-det) a xture about the height of

the seat of a chair that often has xtures

for running water and is used especially

for bathing the external genitals and the

posterior parts of the body.

big inch (big inch) a term used to describe

pipe and pipe lines that are 24" in

diameter and larger.

biochemical (bi-o-chem-i-cal) dealing with

the chemical compounds and processes

occurring in living organisms (plant and

animal)

biochemical action blind vent

biochemical action (bi-o-chem-i-cal ac-

tion) chemical changes resulting from the

metabolism of living organisms.

biochemical oxygen demand (bi-o-chem-

i-cal ox-y-gen de-mand) the oxygen used

in meeting the metabolic needs of aerobic

micro-organisms in water rich in organic

matter (as water polluted with sewage)

Also called biological oxygen demand.

Abbr. B.O.D.

biological tank (bi-o-log-i-cal tank) See

SEPTIC TANK.

biota (bi-o-ta) the animal and plant life

of a region; ora and fauna collectively.

bismuth (bis-muth) a brittle grayish-

white metal with a pink or red tint. Pure

bismuth is harder than lead and melts at

520 °F. Also used with lead, tin, or iron

to make alloys used for fusible bulbs

and safety plugs for automatic sprinkler

systems and boiler plugs. Bismuth is

used chiey in the formation of alloys

characterized by low fusibility or by

expanding upon solidication.

bit (bit) 1. part of an instrument for boring.

2. a drill worked by a brace. See BRACE.

bit brace (bit brace) See BRACE.

bitransit (bi-tran-sit) a standing overow.

bi-transit waste-bath tub (bi-tran-sit

waste-bath tub) free standing waste, i.e.:

bathtub waste and overow.

bitumen (bi-tu-men) any of a number of

mineral substances that will burn, such as

asphalt, petroleum and naptha.

bituminous fiber pipe (bi-tu-min-ous

fi-ber pipe) non-metallic pipe made

by combining an interwoven structure

of threads of cellulose material with a

bituminous material such as asphalt.

Usually spelled bre. Used for sewers and

drains, sleeves and conduits between 1949

and 1971. See BITUMEN.

bi-vinyl (bi-vi-nyl) See BUTADIENE.

black alum (black a-lum) See ALUM,

BLACK.

black cast iron tting (black cast iron

t-ting) uncoated or black painted cast

iron tting.

black lead (black lead) a commercial form

of graphite. Used for coating patterns and

the faces of cast-iron chilling molds.

black pipe (black pipe) uncoated, or black

painted, conduit. Sometimes steel pipe

which has no coating, is called black pipe

because of the color of the oxide scale

which forms on steel when it is worked

through tools in the process of being

manufactured.

blade for hack saw (blade for hack saw)

a serrated edged cutting tool inserted in

a frame shaped as an inverted “U”. See

HACKSAW.

blank ange (blank ange) a ange without

bolt holes. See BLIND FLANGE.

blau gas (blau gas) an oil gas consisting

chiey of a mixture of lower saturated

and unsaturated hydrocarbons supplied

in liquid form under pressure and used

especially for heating and lighting and as

a motor fuel. Distinguished from blue gas.

See BLUE GAS.

bldg. Abbr. for Building.

bleach (bleach) See CHLORINATED

LIME.

bleed (bleed) 1. to shed or exude a liquid as

in a minute leak. 2. to leak; especially to

leak an iron-stained liquid, as the seams

of a boiler.

blind ange (blind ange) a ange without

an opening for the passage of water, liquid,

or gas. It closes the end of a pipe. See

BLANK FLANGE.

blind man’s rule (blind man's rule) a slang

description of a rule or measure on which

the marks and numbers are pronounced

and large.

blind vent (blind vent) a fixture vent

terminating in a wall or in such a manner

that only the appearance of a vent is

provided.

blister steel (blis-ter steel) crude

steel formed from wrought iron by

cementation; so called from its blistered

surface.

blk. Abbr. for Black.

block and tackle (block and tack-le) a

machine used to aid in moving, hoisting

and hauling weights; made of ropes and

pulleys. e pulleys are called blocks and

the rope is the tackle.

block tin (block tin) 1. commercial tin

casting blocks containing small quantities

of various impurities (such as copper,

lead, iron or arsenic) 2. solid tin, as

distinguished from tin plate.

blow-o (blow-o) 1. a blowing o of

water, steam, etc., or an apparatus for

same. 2. a controlled outlet from a

pipeline used to discharge water, steam,

vapor, sludge or waste.

blow-o cock (blow-o cock) See BLOW

OFF VALVE.

blow-o valve or drain (blow-o valve

or drain) a valve or drain connection on

a steam or hot water boiler so arranged

that the water and steam may be drawn

o with any accumulated oil, grease and

dirt. Also called blow-o drain.

blow out closet (blow out clo-set) a toilet

which empties with the aid of a large

volume of water under pressure directed

to the outlet of the bowl which causes the

contents of the bowl to be literally forced,

or blown, to the drainage system.

blue gas (blue gas) a gas that burns with

a blue or so-called nonluminous ame

only, specically uncarbureted water gas

used for industrial heating. Distinguished

from blau gas. See BLAU GAS.

blue water gas (blue wa-ter gas) a mixture

of approximately equal proportions of

CO and H made by passing steam over

incandescent coke in a special generator.

See WATER GAS, CARBURETED;

CARBURETED WATER GAS.

blunt cold chisel (blunt cold chis-el) a dull

chisel made of tool steel of a strength,

shape and temper suitable for chipping

or cutting cold metal.

board (board) See ADMINISTRATIVE

AUTHORITY.

bobbin (bob-bin) wooden lead working

tool used to draft lead waste pipe in

the same manner as drift plug; also

employed in bending lead pipe without

bending spring or sand. See BENDING

SPRING; DRIFT PLUG; DUMMY;

SAND PLUG.

B.O.D. Abbr. for Biochemical Oxygen

Demand.

body wastes (bo-dy wastes) discharges from

the abdominal cavities. See ABDOMINAL

CAVITY DISCHARGES; SOIL.

boiler (boil-er) 1. a vessel used for heating

water. 2. the part of a steam generator in

which water is converted into steam and

which consists of metal shells, headers,

and tubes that form the containers for

the steam and other liquids are heated or

where hot water is stored.

boiler accessories (boil-er ac-ces-so-ries)

any of several attachments or mechanical

devices that aid in the operation of a

boiler, i.e.: gauges, valves, ttings, pet cocks,

water switches, relief valve and drain valves.

boiler band (boil-er band) See BOILER

HANGER.

boiler basin (boil-er ba-sin) See BOILER

BLOWOFF TANK.

boiler blow-off (boil-er blow-off) an

outlet on a boiler to permit emptying

of discharge of sediment; a drain. See

BLOW-OFF VALVE.

boiler blow-off tank (boil-er blow-off

tank) a vessel designed to receive the

discharge from a boiler blow-o outlet

and to cool the discharge to a temperature

of 130 °F or less which permits its safe

discharge to the drainage system.

blister steel  boilerblow-offtank

boiler bushing (boil-er bush-ing) a tting

containing an outer thread and two pipe

connections inside and outside the tank.

See BENT COUPLING; RANGE

BOILER COUPLING.

boiler, cement lined (boil-er, ce-ment

lined) a vessel or container lined with

cement (coated internally)

boiler cleaner (boil-er clean-er) See

BOILER CLEANING COMPOUND.

boiler cleaning compound (boil-er clean-

ing com-pound) chemicals compounded

to remove deposits in boilers.

boiler cleaning liquid (boil-er clean-ing

liq-uid) See BOILER COMPOUND.

boiler compound (boil-er com-pound) any

chemical added to feed water for boilers,

as for preventing corrosion, foaming or

the formation of scale.

boiler control, automatic (boil-er con-trol,

au-to-mat-ic) a device to automatically

control the temperature within boiler.

boiler coupling (boil-er coup-ling) a

specially designed straight through

coupling, having no union connection

used in connecting piping in a boiler

system. See BOILER BUSHING.

boiler cover (boil-er cov-er) usually

referring to the covering (insulation) of a

boiler, made of various types of insulating

material.

boiler covering (boil-er cov-er-ing) See

BOILER COVER.

boiler cut-o valve (boil-er cut-o valve)

a valve installed in the water inlet line to

a boiler. See BOILER FEEDER VALVE.

boiler drain (boil-er drain) a valve

connected at or near the bottom of a

boiler for the purpose of draining and/or

ushing. See WATER HEATER DRAIN

VALVE.

boiler drain cock (boil-er drain cock) See

BOILER DRAIN.

boiler elbow (boil-er el-bow) a specially

designed 90° fitting with a union

connection used in connecting piping to

a range boiler. See BOILER FITTING.

boiler feeder valve (boil-er feed-er valve)

an automatically controlled valve which

maintains a desired amount of water in the

boiler. See BOILER CUTOFF VALVE.

boiler tting (boil-er t-ting) a specially

designed tting, either straight through,

or with a 90° turn having a union

connection. Used in connecting piping

to a range boiler. See BOILER ELBOW.

boiler gauge (boil-er gauge) a temperature

or pressure registering device installed

in boilers. See BOILER GAUGE

COLUMN; HOT WATER BOILER

THERMOMETER.

boiler gauge column (boil-er gauge col-

umn) a glass tube used to indicate the

level of water in a boiler. See BOILER

GAUGE.

boiler hanger (boil-er hang-er) a metal

strap or rod device to support a boiler by

hanging them from some other support.

Also called boiler band.

boiler jacket (boil-er jack-et) See BOILER

COVER.

boiler jacket asbestos (boil-er jack-et as-

bes-tos) a boiler cover made of asbestos

bers for insulating purposes.

boiler mixing valve (boil-er mix-ing

valve) a multi-port valve used to mix

waters of separate temperatures to a

desired temperature, usually an automatic

control.

boiler, monel metal (boil-er, mo-nel me-

tal) a boiler made of metal known as

monel, similar to German Silver or some

type stainless steel.

boiler pressure gauge (boil-er pres-sure

gauge) a device which registers boiler

pressure.

boiler bushing boiler pressure gauge

boiler stand (boil-er stand) 1. a device

on which to set a storage tank, raising it

above the oor to allow for pipe ttings to

be inserted in bottom of tank. 2. support

frame for a boiler constructed of cast

iron or steel.

boiler temperature gauge (boil-er tem-

per-a-ture gauge) See BOILER GAUGE.

boiler trim (boil-er trim) hot water boiler

or steam boiler accessories.

boiler tube (boil-er tube) a tube inserted in

the top of a tank to direct the cold water

to the bottom, thus preventing the cooling

of the stored hot water.

boiling point (boil-ing point) the

temperature at which a liquid boils.

Specic: the temperature at which the

vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the

external pressure, the boiling point thus

decreasing with a decrease in pressure

(as 100 °C for water at a pressure of 760

mm of mercury and 51 °C at 100 mm)

Abbr. B.P.

bolt (bolt) 1. a bar or other usually

cylindrically shaped length of metal,

wood, or other strong material that

moves through the guides (as iron staples)

attached to a door or other movable frame,

the end being received into an adjoining

xed socket (as one attached to the jamb

or lintel). 2. a rod or heavy pin (as one

made of steel) designed to fasten two or

more objects (as metal plates) together or

to hold one or more objects in place. 3.

often having a head at one end and screw

thread cut upon the other end and being

usually secured by a nut or by riveting.

bolt cutter (bolt cut-ter) large pincer for

cutting bolts and reinforcing rod.

bolt for faucet (bolt for fau-cet) a threaded

rod with a head on one end to hold on

the handle or to hold the washer in place.

bolt stud (bolt stud) See STUD BOLT.

bolt threader (bolt thread-er) stock and

die for threading common sizes of bolts

or rods.

bonnet (bon-net) 1. a cover used to guide

and enclose the stem of a valve. 2. that

portion of a gate valve into which the disc

rises when the valve is opened.

borax (bo-rax) a hydrate sodium

borate. Used as a ux, cleansing agent,

preservative, fire retardant and water

softener.

borosilicate glass (bo-ro-sil-i-cate glass)

See ACID WASTE.

bossing stick (boss-ing stick) a wooden tool

for shaping lead for tank lining.

bottle trap (bot-tle trap) a bottle shaped

partioned chamber so designed to provide

a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet

to prevent the passage of sewer gas without

materially aecting the ow of sewage or

liquid wastes.

bottle washer (bot-tle wash-er) a machine

that washes bottles.

bottled gas (bot-tled gas) gas under

pressure in portable cylinders, usually

propane.

box end wrench (box end wrench) a

combination open end and box wrench.

box union (box un-ion) a tting, device, or

coupling for linking the ends of pipes (the

nut portion of which is square) that can be

opened, or separated, without dismantling

the pipes. See UNION.

B.P.S. Abbr. for Bedpan Sterilizer.

B.P.W. Abbr. for Bedpan Washer.

brace (brace) a hand held device into which

is fastened a “bit” or “drill” used to bore

holes. See BIT.

brace and bit (brace and bit) See BRACE.

branch (branch) a pipe in a plumbing

system from which no other branch

pipes discharge. Any part of the piping

system other than a main, riser, or stack.

e branch pipe discharges into a main

or submain.

branch ell (branch ell) an elbow having a

back inlet in line with one of the outlets of

the “run”. Also called a heel outlet elbow.

boiler stand branch ell

branch interval (branch in-ter-val) a

length of soil or waste stack corresponding,

in general, to the height of one story, but

in no case less than eight feet, within

which the horizontal branches from one

oor or story of a building are connected

to a stack.

branch joint (branch joint) a “T” or “wye”

connection made in lead pipe ttings

involving the wiping of a solder joint.

branch line (branch line) a water supply

line connecting one or more xtures with

a water supply main, riser or other branch.

branch pipe (branch pipe) a general term

used to designate a pipe, either cast or

wrought, that is equipped with one or

more branches.

branch vent (branch vent) 1. a vent

connecting one or more individual vents

into a vent stack or stack vent. 2. a vent

pipe in which two or more venting xtures

are connected.

brass (brass) an alloy, essentially of

copper, with a base metal of zinc. Often

other metals are added to make the

alloy stronger, harder, or to improve

machinability. Other elements added for

a specic purpose are lead, nickel, tin,

aluminum and manganese.

brass faucet (brass fau-cet) a valve (faucet)

made of brass metal.

brass are tting (brass are t-ting) a

tting with threads internal or external

to which a mating nut compresses the

pipe or tube whose end is ared or made

funnel shaped. Compression is of the

ared portion of the tube or pipe.

brass pipe vise (brass pipe vise) See BRASS

PIPE WRENCH.

brass pipe wrench (brass pipe wrench)

a wrench arranged for brass tubing; the

curve preventing the crushing of the

tubing.

braze (braze) 1. to solder with an alloy

that is relatively infusible compared with

common solder. 2. a high temperature

solder.

brazed joint (braze joint) a joint obtained

by joining of metal parts with alloys which

melt at temperatures higher than 840

°F (449 °C) but lower than the melting

temperature of the parts to be joined.

brazing (braz-ing) 1. joining metals by the

use of a brass ller. 2. to unite by intensely

heating the parts to be joined and applying

any one of a number of high temperature

melting solders which range in melting

point from alloys rich in silver to pure

copper. See HARD SOLDER.

brick chisel (brick chis-el) an 18" or longer

cold chisel for cutting brick masonry.

brim stone or brimstone (brim stone or

brim-stone) See SULFUR.

brine (brine) water saturated or strongly

impregnated with common salt.

brine tank (brine tank) a tank or vessel

for containing water saturated or strongly

impregnated with common salt. Abbr.

Br.T.

britannia metal (bri-tan-ni-a met-

al) a silver-white alloy largely of tin,

antimony, and copper; similar to pewter.

See PEWTER; WHITE METAL.

British Standard Taper Pipe read (brit-

ish stan-dard ta-per pipe thread) thread

form used in Britain. Includes external

threads which can be assembled to either

straight or tapered internal threads.

Straight external threads cannot be used

for a leakproof or joint threads. In this

thread form, the sides of the thread form

an angle of 55° with each other and the

depth of the thread is equal to 0.640327

x the pitch of the thread. e taper is the

same as American Standard Taper,

per foot.

British thermal unit (brit-ish ther-mal

u-nit) the quantity of heat required to

raise the temperature of one pound of

water one degree fahrenheit at or near 39.2

°F (1 BTU/hr = 0.293 watts) Abbr. B.T.U.

broad curve nose (broad curve nose) a

caulking tool.

branch interval broad curve nose

bronze (bronze) an alloy of copper and

tin. For special purposes other metals

such as phosphorus, lead, zinc, silicon, or

aluminum are added. Most bronze alloys

resist corrosion.

brushes, tting (brush-es, t-ting) See

FITTING BRUSHES.

Br.T. Abbr. for Brine Tank.

B.S. Abbr. for Bar Sink.

bsmt. Abbr. for Basement.

B.T. Abbr. for Bath Tub.

B.T.U. Abbr. for British ermal Unit.

bubbler (bub-bler) the mouthpiece of

a drinking fountain. See DRINKING

FOUNTAIN.

bucket trap (buck-et trap) a contrivance to

let air and condensed water out of steam

pipes and radiators with little escape of

steam.

bualo box (buf-fa-lo box) See CURB

BOX.

buer (buf-fer) a substance, or mixture

of substances, whose pH is relatively

constant when in solution is capable of

neutralizing both acids and bases and thus

acts to maintain the original hydrogen ion

concentration of the solution.

building (build-ing) a structure having

walls and a roof designed and used for the

housing, shelter, enclosure, or support of

persons, animals, or property. Abbr. Bldg.

building classication (build-ing clas-

si--ca-tion) 1. designation of building

according to occupancy or use. 2. in

a plumbing code for the purpose of

administration, buildings are sometimes

classied according to occupancy.

building drain (build-ing drain) that

part of the lowest horizontal piping

of a plumbing drainage system which

receives the discharge from soil, waste,

and/or other stacks inside the building

and terminates at least three feet outside

the inner face of the foundation wall. See

HOUSE DRAIN.

building drainage system gravity (build-

ing drain-age sys-tem gra-vity) a drainage

system which drains by gravity into the

building sewer.

building drain combined (build-ing

drain com-bined) a building drain which

conveys both sewage and storm water or

other drainage.

building drain, sanitary (build-ing

drain, san-i-tary) a building drain

which conveys the discharge of plumbing

xtures.

building drain, storm (build-ing drain,

storm) 1. a building drain which conveys

storm water or other drainage. 2. a

building drain used for conveying rain

water, surface water, ground water,

subsurface water, condensate, cooling

water, or other similar discharge to a

storm sewer or a combined building sewer,

extending to a point not less than three

feet outside of the building wall.

building sewer (build-ing sew-er) that part

of the horizontal piping of a plumbing

drainage system that extends from the end

of the building drain to the public sewer or

other building drain. e building sewer

is the pipe which begins at least three feet

outside the inner face of the building wall

and extends to a public sewer, septic tank,

or other place of sewage disposal.

building sewer, combined (build-ing sew-

er, com-bined) a building sewer which

conveys both sewage and storm water

or other drainage. Note: In many places,

combined sewers are prohibited.

building sewer, storm (build-ing sew-er,

storm) 1. a building sewer which conveys

rain water, surface water, condensate,

cooling water, storm water or other

drainage but no sewage. 2. the extension

from the building storm drain to the

public storm sewer, combined sewer, or

other point of disposal.

building storm sewer (build-ing storm

sew-er) See BUILDING SEWER,

STORM.

bronze building storm sewer

building subdrain (build-ing sub-drain)

that portion of a building drainage system

which cannot drain by gravity into the

building sewer.

building trap (build-ing trap) a device,

tting, or assembly of ttings installed in

the building drain to prevent circulation

of air between the drainage system of

the building and the building sewer. See

HOUSE TRAP.

bull headed tee (bull head-ed tee) a tee

where the branch is larger than the run.

bull point (bull point) a heavy steel bar,

pointed and used to make holes in rock,

or stone, by driving with a hammer. Also

called bull prick.

bull prick (bull prick) See BULL POINT.

burner (burn-er) a device for the nal

conveyance of the fuel, or a mixture of fuel

and air, to the combustion zone. e four

types of burners are: (a) injection burner.

(b) yellow ame burner. (c) power burner.

(d) pressure burner.

burner head, gas (burn-er head, gas) the

portion of the burner beyond the outlet

end of the mixer tube which contains

the ports.

burner valve, gas (burn-er valve, gas) a

manually, or mechanically, operated valve

which permits control of the ow of gas.

burr (burr) roughness, or extra metal,

protruding from the walls of a pipe; often

as a result of improper nishing after the

cutting of a pipe.

burst pressure (burst pres-sure) 1. the

capacity of an object (such as pipe

or tubing) to maintain its continuity

when subjected to pressure. 2. the

pressure, expressed in pounds per square

inch, that would burst a pipe, or tube,

under controlled conditions. 3. a non-

operational pressure level in excess of the

proof pressure established to provide an

additional margin of safety in the event

of unscheduled pressure in excess of

operation level.

bushing (bush-ing) a lining, or sleeve, of

metal, or other material, inserted into a

hole to limit its size, resist wear, or act

as a guide.

bush metal (bush met-al) an alloy of copper

and tin similar in composition to gun

metal and used for bushings.

butadiene (bu-ta-di-ene) a flammable

gaseous diolefin CH

= CHCH =

very reactive and polymerizing

readily. Made by several processes as by

catalytic dehydrogenation of normal

butane or normal butylenes at high

temperatures. Used chiefly in making

synthetic rubbers. Also called bu-vinyl.

See ACRYLONITRILEBUTADIENE

STYRENE.

butt chisel (butt chis-el) a short

woodworking chisel suitable for tting

hinges or strike plates.

butt joint (butt joint) a joint made by

fusing together two pipe ends, or a pipe

end and a tting opening, usually with

heat. In plastic, a butt joint can be made

with solvent welding.

buttress thread (but-tress thread) a screw

thread in which the driving face is made

perpendicular to the axis of the screw (as

in a square thread) while the back face

makes an angle with the axis (as in a V

thread) in order to combine eciency in

the transmission of power with strength.

butt weld (butt weld) a butt joint made

by welding.

butt welded pipe (butt weld-ed pipe) a

pipe made by welding the butted edges

of a strip of steel. Most standard sizes of

steel water pipes are made by this method.

bu-vinyl (bu-vi-nyl) See BUTADIENE.

bypass (by-pass) any method which will

permit water, or other uid, to pass around

a valve, xture, appliance, connection, or

pipe. Sometimes incorrectly applied to a

connection between a drain pipe and a

vent pipe which allows sewer air to enter

the building.

building subdrain  bypass

bypass relief valve (by-pass re-lief valve)

a check valve which opens to permit a

reverse ow of water from the building

system back into the supply main when

the system pressure is increased to greater

than the supply pressure by the expansion

of water as it is heated in the system.

bypass tee (by-pass tee) a tee tting of

splinted or direction of flow variety

intended to cause the direction of ow.

Originally (1670AD)used as a juncture

of the heater outlet to principal water

piping. About 1905 a similar tting made

its appearance in the steam, water and

vacuum vapor space heating industries.

bypass vent (by-pass vent) a vent pipe

(usually vertical) with its ends connected

below the lowest xture connection of

a stack and above the highest fixture

connection or the vertical vent pipe

connected below the lowest xture and

terminating above the roof. In either case,

a separate distinct pipe in addition to all

other vent pipes.

bypass vent stack (by-pass vent stack) a

vent stack parallel to a soil or waste stack

with frequent connections at branch

intervals between the two stacks.

bypassreliefvalve  bypassventstack

C. cap screw

C. Abbr. for Centigrade; also for Hundred.

C. A. Abbr. for Compressed Air.

cabinet top (cab-i-net top) the upper

surface of cabinet structures – a work

bench or table.

cadmium (cad-mi-um) a white metallic

element that looks much like tin. Its

alloys help reduce friction and oer great

resistance to fatigue. It is softer than

zinc and resists corrosion better, and

often replaces zinc in galvanizing iron

and steel.

cage valve (cage valve) a valve (faucet)

inside a skeleton frame and used as a

protection to the working members of

the valve.

cake sludge (cage sludge) the material

resulting from air drying or dewatering

sludge.

calcined gypsum (cal-cined gyp-sum) See

PLASTER OF PARIS.

caliber (cal-i-ber) internal diameter or

bore.

calibration (cal-i-bra-tion) ascertaining

the amount of variation from absolute

accuracy in a scientic instrument.

caliper (cal-i-per) a measuring instrument

having two legs or jaws that can be

adjusted to determine thickness, diameter

caliber and distance between surfaces.

calorie (cal-o-rie) 1. the amount of heat

required to raise the temperature of one

gram of water one degree centigrade at a

pressure of one atmosphere, also called

gram calorie. 2. the amount of heat

required to raise the temperature of one

kilogram of water one degree celsius at one

atmosphere pressure; 1000 gram calories is

equal to 3.968 BTU. Also called kilogram

calorie, large calorie.

can (can) a slang expression. See WATER

CLOSET.

candle (can-dle) a cylindrical piece of

tallow or wax with a wick running through

it that can be burned to give light. Used

by plumbers when working lead.

candle wick (can-dle wick) center wick of

wax candle or latern using oil

candle wicking (can-dle wick-ing) a ne

thread of cotton used on pipe threads

and under packing nuts to make them

water tight.

Candy’s fluid (can-dy’s flu-id)

permonganate of potash. Once used for

deodorizing cesspools and sewage.

canvas jacket or covering (can-vas jack-

et or cov-er-ing) a jacket or cover made

of cloth used to cover insulation usually

associated with heated devices in plumbing.

cap. Abbr. for Capacity.

cap (cap) a tting into which the end of a

pipe is screwed, soldered, or caulked for

the purpose of closing the end of the pipe.

capacity (ca-pa-ci-ty) 1. the maximum

amount that can be obtained. 2. the

maximum ability to hold or contain

(e.g. lled to capacity) 3. rate of water

ow under specied pressure conditions

expressed in gallons per minute (GPM)

or liters per second (L/s).

cap screw (cap screw) See TAP BOLT.

cape chisel (cape chis-el) a cold chisel that

has a long taper on the top and bottom

of the cutting end and a narrow edge. It

is forged with a thin V shaped blade for

cutting in slots, grooves, keyways and

deep corners.

capillary (cap-il-lar-y) the action by which

the surface of a liquid where it is in contact

with a solid is elevated or depressed

depending upon the relative attraction of

the molecules of the liquid for each other

and for those of the solid.

carafe (ca-rafe) variants: carafe, craft, croft.

A bottle usually made of glass with a

narrow neck and spherical body and used

to hold water or beverages.

carafe ller (ca-rafe l-ler) a water supply

control device (faucet) designed to ll

distinct (carafe) devices.

carbide tip bit (car-bide tip bit) See BIT.

carbon (car-bon) a very common non-

metallic chemical element occurring

native (as in diamonds, and graphite) and

forming as constituent in coal, petroleum,

asphalt and all organic compounds.

Obtained articially in varying degrees

of purity; especially as carbon black,

lampblack, activated carbon, charcoal

and cake. Used in these, and other forms,

chiefly as a pigment, absorbent, fuel,

electrode material, structural material and

reducing agent.

carbon, activated (car-bon, ac-ti-va-ted)

See ACTIVATED CARBON.

carbonated water (car-bon-a-ted wa-ter)

See SODA WATER.

carbonated water type backow preventer

(car-bon-a-ted wa-ter type back-

flow pre-vent-er) See BACKFLOW

PREVENTER CARBONATED WATER

TYPE.

carbon dioxide (car-bon di-ox-ide) a

colorless gas, heavier than water, that does

not support combustion. Called dry ice in

the frozen state.

cape chisel  castironttings

carbonic acid refrigeration system (car-

bon-ic a-cid re-frig-er-a-tion sys-tem)

cooling system using a weak dibasic acid

in solution.

carbureted water gas (car-bur-et-ed wa-

ter gas) See WATER GAS.

card-weight pipe (card-weight pipe) a

term applied to standard or full-weight

pipe, which is the Briggs Standard

thickness of pipe.

carrier (car-ri-er) a device used to mount

an o-the-oor plumbing xture such as

lavatory, water closet, urinal or sink.

carrier fitting (car-ri-er fit-ting) the

drainage tting used with, or integral

with, a carrier. Also known as closet

ttings, urinal ttings, etc.

cast copper tting (cast cop-per t-ting)

a pipe size or tube size pipe tting made

from any of a number of commercial

grades of copper by pouring the molten

metal into a mold. Compare with wrought

copper fittings which are formed by

pressure from tubing.

cast iron (cast i-ron) a commercial alloy of

iron, carbon, and silicon cast in a mold,

being hard, brittle, non-malleable and

incapable of being hammer welded but

more easily fusible than steel. Abbr. C.I.

See PIG IRON.

cast iron, charcoal hearth (cast i-ron,

char-coal hearth) cast iron from which

silicon and, generally, phosphorous have

been removed in a charcoal hearth, but

still containing so much carbon.

cast iron closet bend (cast i-ron clos-et

bend) a 90° tting used in “soil” work to

connect a water closet to a soil stack or

branch soil pipe.

cast iron fittings (cast i-ron fit-tings)

ttings of many shapes and sizes made of

cast iron. Fittings used in connection with

cast iron pipe consist of Y’s, tees sanitary

tees, double Y’s and bends and elbows of

° to 90°.

cast iron flanged fittings (cast i-ron

anged t-tings) ttings made with discs

at the ports. e discs are either supports

or may have holes so that bolting can join

several such units.

cast iron ux (cast i-ron ux) a wetting

agent used in brazing, soldering, or

welding cast iron by either gas or electric

or combination methods.

cast iron pipe (cast i-ron pipe) pipes of

various sizes and lengths made of cast iron.

See DOUBLE HUB SOIL PIPE; CAST

IRON SOIL PIPE.

cast iron pressure pipe and ttings (cast

iron pres-sure pipe and t-tings) See

CAST IRON SOIL PIPE FITTINGS.

cast iron soil pipe (cast i-ron soil pipe) cast

iron soil pipe is manufactured in lengths of

ve feet. e lengths are cast in two forms,

single and double hub of standard and

extra heavy specication, and standard

specication hubless type.

Single-hub pipe is equipped with one

hub and one spigot end. It is used as a rule,

in the installation of plumbing in its full

length. Double-hub pipe is constructed

with a hub on each end so it may be cut

into two pieces when a short piece of pipe

is needed.

Cast iron pipe and ttings are dipped

in a bath of coal tar pitch which has

been heated to a temperature of 300 °F.

is practice makes the pipe more acid-

resistant and more favorable for drainage

installations.

Cast iron pipe is sometimes used to

replace vitried clay sewer pipe. It may

be laid in unstable soil without danger of

sagging. See SOIL PIPE.

cast iron soil pipe ttings (cast iron soil

pipe t-tings) soil pipe ttings made of

cast iron. For use with cast iron soil pipe.

Manufactured in three classes; a. service

class, b. extra heavy class, and c. hubless

class. When furnished in either the service

or extra heavy class, the ttings will be of

the hub and spigot varieties. In the hubless

class, the ttings will be of the plane end

varieties. See CAST IRON FITTINGS.

cast iron soldering (cast iron sold-er-ing)

1. the art of soldering cast iron. 2. a

process consisting of decarbonizing the

surface of the cast iron to be soldered,

the molten hard solder being at the same

time brought into contact with the red

hot metallic surfaces.

cast steel (cast steel) steel which has been

in a state of fusion; either in the making

or otherwise.

catch basin (catch ba-sin) a water tight

receptacle built to arrest sediment of surface

subsoil or other waste drainage, and to

retain oily or greasy wastes from entering

the house sewer or drain. Abbr. C.B. See

RECEPTOR; INTERCEPTOR.

cathodic protection (cath-od-ic pro-tec-

tion) 1. the control of the electrolytic

corrosion of an underground or

underwater metallic structure by the

application of an electric current in such a

way that the structure is made to act as the

cathode instead of anode of an electrolytic

cell. 2. the use of materials and liquids to

cause electricity to ow to avoid corrosion.

caulked joint (caulked joint) to connect

soil pipe by use of packed oakum and

molten lead, sealed by caulking with tools

designed for that purpose.

caulker (caulk-er) one who caulks.

caulk tting (caulk t-ting) a tting which

is connected to another, or a piece of pipe,

by means of caulking; usually with lead

and oakum.

caulking (caulk-ing) 1. stopping up by

pounding, tapping, or pushing into and

making watertight the seams as by lling

with a water-proofing compound or

material to prevent leakage from materials

such as with oakum, lead, or other. 2. to

keep from slipping. 3. to make tight by

pouring. 4. to force by pounding.

caulking coupling (caulk-ing coup-ling)

a male and female assembly where the

annulus is packed to make a joint. Some

couplings join similar material, some join,

dissimilar material.

castironangedttings caulking coupling

caulking ferrule, brass (caulk-ing fer-rule,

brass) See CAULKING COUPLING

(except made of brass metal)

caulking iron (caulk-ing iron) 1. a tool

used in conjunction with a hammer or

mallet to compress material by impaction.

2. tools impacted against a substance

to compress or force or compact. ere

are many sizes, shapes, and weights of

caulking irons. See SHORTNOSED

CAULKING IRON.

caulking recess (caulk-ing re-cess) a

counterbore or recess in the back of a

ange into which lead can be caulked for

water pipes and similar connections.

C.B. Abbr. for Catch Basin.

ceiling (ceil-ing) the interior upper surface

of a room.

ceiling ange (ceil-ing ange) a ange, or

escutcheon, covering an opening in the

ceiling caused by an pipe penetration.

See SPLITHANGER, PIPE; SLIPON

FLANGE.

ceiling iron (ceil-ing iron) used in caulking

joints very close to a ceiling, the blow of

the hammer being delivered on the oset

near the handle. See INVERT IRON.

cellulose (cell-u-lose) the chief substance

composing the cell walls or woody parts

of plants. Used in making bre piping for

sewers and conduits. See FIBRE PIPE.

Celsius (cel-si-us) a term which is used

when referring to temperature in the

Centigrade scale. Anders Celsius, Swedish

astronomer, invented the Centigrade

scale.

cem. Abbr. for Cement.

cement (ce-ment) 1. any substance that

hardens to form an adhesive. 2. to cover

or coat with cement. Abbr. Cem.

cement joint (ce-ment joint) the union

of two ttings by insertion of material.

Sometimes this joint is accomplished

mechanically; sometimes chemically.

center line (cen-ter line) a line dividing an

area into equal portions.

center to end (cen-ter to end) A means of

clarifying in plumbing design, the basis

for a measurement. Abbr. C. to E.

Centigrade (cen-ti-grade) relating,

conforming to, or having a thermometric

scale on which the interval between the

two standard points, the freezing and the

boiling point of water, is divided into

one hundred, zero degrees representing

the freezing and one hundred degrees the

boiling point. Abbr. C. See CELSIUS.

centrifugal pump (cen-tri-fu-gal pump)

a pumping machine in which pressure

is created as the liquid or gas is moved

outward from center by the rotary motion

of the impeller.

centrifuge (cen-tri-fuge) a machine using

centrifugal force for separating substances

of dierent densities, removing moisture,

or stimulating gravitational eects.

certied backow assembly tester (cer-

ti-ed back-ow as-sem-bly tes-ter) an

individual who has shown competence

to test and maintain backow assemblies

to the satisfaction of the administrative

authority having jurisdiction.

certied plumber (cer-ti-ed plumb-er)

See MASTER PLUMBER.

ceruse (ce-ruse) white lead as a pigment.

cess pit (cess pit) an open pit for the

disposal of sewage or refuse. From

cesspool plus pit. Compare with septic

tank in the sense that a septic tank or

system is equipped with outlets.

cesspool (cess-pool) a pit for the reception

or detention of sewage. Sometimes called a

dry well, especially when of relatively small

diameter and large depth. Distinguished

from a septic tank by the fact that water,

or sewage, does not enter and leave the

cesspool at the same time and rate. See

DRY WELL; SEPTIC TANK.

cesspool cover (cess-pool cov-er) a lid or

covering over a cesspool.

cesspool strainer (cess-pool strain-er) a

tool or a ladle like unit with holes to allow

separation of liquid from solids.

caulkingferrule,brass cesspool strainer

C.F.M. Abbr. for Cubic Feet per Minute.

C.F.S. Abbr. for Cubic Feet per Second.

chain saw (chain saw) a cutting tool that

has the teeth t on an endless chain that

is powered by a gasoline engine, or electric

motor, or compressed air.

chain tongs or chain pipe tongs (chain

tongs or chain pipe tongs) 1. tongs for

turning large pipe. Consists of a lever

with notched head whose teeth engage

the pipe and an adjustable short chain

which encircles the pipe and whose ends

are secured to the head. 2. a lever handle

with jaws with teeth and a chain. 3. a

form of wrench utilizing a chain. See PIPE

WRENCH; PIPE TONGS.

chain vise (chain vise) a vise in which

round work (as a pipe) is held in a

V-shaped support by a chain clamped

tightly around the work.

chain wrench (chain wrench) a pipe

wrench which may be used in close

quarters provided with a chain for ratchet

like action.

chair carrier (chair car-rier) supporting

ttings for water closets, urinals, lavatories.

chalk line (chalk line) a heavy string or

twine which is impregnated with chalk

so that a straight, accurate mark can be

made on a surface usually by stretching

the string between two marks and then

plucking or striking it to cause a chalk

line, or mark.

charcoal (char-coal) a dark colored or

black porous form of carbon made from

a vegetable, or animal, substance (as from

wood by charring in a kiln or retort from

which air is excluded) and used for fuel in

various mechanical, artistic, and chemical

processes.

charcoal plates (char-coal plates) when

iron was used instead of steel the highest

quality tin plate was called charcoal

plate. Charcoal plates now have a heavier

coating and higher finish. Grades of

charcoal plates are identied by a letter

A to AAAAA with the latter having the

heaviest and brightest coating.

chase (chase) 1. a lengthwise groove for the

reception of a part to make a joint. 2. to

cut threads. See PIPE CHASE.

chaser (cha-ser) a threading tool, either

many toothed or having a single cutting

edge, especially shaped for cutting or

nishing external or internal screw threads

or specied pitch and standard. Usually on

work revolving in a lathe.

chasing threads (chas-ing threads) cutting

threads with a chaser, which usually is a

at tool containing several teeth of the

desired pitch.

chatter (chat-ter) a sustained vibration

magnied by the supply piping.

check damper (check damp-er) a valve, or

moveable plate, in the ue or other part of

a stove, furnace, or replace for regulating

the draft or in a duct for regulating the

ow of air or other gas.

check valve (check vakve) a valve that

permits ow in one direction but that

closes automatically to retard the ow

of uid in a reverse direction. Abbr. ck.v.

check valves, independently acting

(check valves, in-de-pen-dent-ly act-

ing) See INDEPENDENTLY ACTING

CHECK VALVES.

check valve-straight way (check valve -

straight a-way) a valve automatic in its

ability to stop, or hinder, reverse ow

(opposite to intended) in a uid, or gas,

carrying conduit and having its inlet and

outlet in a straight line in either a vertical

or horizontal plane.

checking member (check-ing mem-ber)

part of the backow assembly in the valve.

chemical lead (chem-i-cal lead) See

HARD LEAD.

chemical precipitation (chem-i-cal pre-

cip-i-ta-tion) 1. precipitation induced

by addition of chemicals. 2. the process of

softening water by the addition of lime or

lime and soda ash as precipitants.

chemical waste (chem-i-cal waste) See

SPECIAL WASTE.

C.F.M. chemical waste

chimney ue (chim-ney ue) See FLUE.

china (chi-na) a vitrified ceramic-ware

originally brought from the Far East,

composed chiey of clay, feldspar and

int, and diering from porcelain only

in being made in two rings; one for the

body and one for the glaze.

china basin (chi-na ba-sin) a fixture

receptacle. In plumbing, a receptacle

supplied with water and waste connections

and made of glazed fired clay. See

LAVATORY.

china cap (chi-na cap) a unit, usually

ceramic, cemented in place to cover bolt

and/ or screwheads of a plumbing xture.

china closet connections (chi-na clos-et

con-nections) See CLOSET BOLT.

chipping knife (chip-ping knife) 1. a knife

used for chipping or cutting lead. 2. a lead

worker’s tool. Also used for chipping o

uneven thin edges of wiped joints. See

HACKING KNIFE.

chisel (chis-el) tool with rectangular cutting

edge used for cutting, dressing and

carving hard substances such as stone,

wood and metal (those for metal are

called cold chisels); held by the handle

and often driven by a mallet. Also used

to cut cast iron pipe. Common types of

chisels: (a) blunt cold chisel, (b) brick

chisel, (c) butt chisel, (d) cape chisel, (e)

cold chisel, (f) diamond point chisel,

(g) rmer chisel, (h) at brick chisel, (i)

oor chisel, (j) framing chisel, (k) gate

chisel, (l) gauge chisel, (m) half round cap

chisel, (n) hammer head chisel, (o) joint

chisel, (p) mill chisel, (q) packet chisel,

(r) paring chisel, (s) picking out chisel,

(t) wood chisel.

chisel packet (chi-sel pack-et) a pouch

containing several small chisels.

chloralum (chlor-al-um) a disinfectant

and antiseptic preparation consisting

of an aqueous solution of chloride of

aluminum.

chlorinate (chlo-rin-ate) 1. to treat,

or cause to combine with chlorine or

chlorine compounds. 2. to apply chlorine

(to water or sewage) for purposes of

sterilization, oxidation of organic matter

or retardation of putrication.

chlorinated lime (chlo-rin-at-ed lime)

bleaching powder, or chloride of lime. It is

made by passing chlorine gas over slacked

or hydrated lime. It is used as a bleaching

agent, disinfectant and deodorant.

chlorination (chlo-rin-a-tion) act or

process of chlorinating.

chlorine (chlo-rine or chlor-ine) a halogen

element isolated as a heavy greenish

yellow irritating gas of pungent odor used

especially as a bleach, oxidating agent and

disinfectant in water purication. Usually

made by electrolysis of aqueous solutions

of sodium chloride.

chloromines (chlo-ro-mines) compounds

or organic amines or inorganic ammonia

with chlorine.

C.I. Abbr. for Cast Iron.

cir. Abbr. for Circumference.

circ. Abbr. for Circular.

circuit vent (cir-cuit vent) a branch vent

that serves two or more traps, or xtures

with integral traps, that are battery wasted.

Said vent extends from the top of the

horizontal soil and/or waste branch in

front of the last xture waste to a vent

stack adjacent to the upstream end of the

horizonal branch. See LOOP VENT;

UTILITY VENT.

circular saw (cir-cu-lar saw) has a round

disk or plate with teeth around the edge.

Dierent sizes and shapes of the teeth

enable the saw to cut rough or ne work

on many dierent materials.

circulating line (cir-cu-lat-ing line) a run

of pipe to cause uid to ow in a closed

circuit.

circulator (cir-cu-la-tor) a pump to force

the circulation of liquid in a system.

chimneyue circulator

circumference (cir-cum-fer-ence) the

boundary line of a circle, perimeter. e

length of such a boundary.

cistern (cis-tern) a reservoir used to store

rain water.

city water (ci-ty wa-ter) water in a

municipal piping system. See WATER.

ck. v. Abbr. for Check Valve.

C.L. Abbr. for Center Line.

cl. Abbr. for Chlorine.

clamp coupling (clamp coup-ling) pipe

fitting consisting of a tube of pliable

material and a strap clamp for the sealing

of the pipe or tting ends to be coupled.

clamp coupling assembly (clamp coup-

ling as-sem-bly) any of several types of

coupling where the seal is eected by strap

and screw type clamps located at the ends

of the couplings.

clarier (clar-i-er) See INTERCEPTOR.

clay puddle (clay pud-dle) an earthy

mixture (as of clay, sand, and gravel)

worked while wet into a compact mass

that becomes impervious to water when

dry.

cleanout (clean-out) a plug or cover joined

to an opening in a pipe, which can be

removed for the purpose of cleaning or

examining the interior of the pipe.

clear water waste (clear wa-ter waste) 1.

cooling water and condensate waste from

refrigeration, air conditioning equipment,

and cooled condensate from steam heating

systems. 2. cooled boiler blowdown water.

3.waste water drainage from any area

where water is used without an appreciable

addition of oil, gasoline, chemicals, etc.

clevis hanger (clev-is hang-er) a pipe

hanger or support consisting of a

suspension bracket in the form of a “U”

with two ends perforated to receive a bolt.

clg. Abbr. for Ceiling.

clinic sink (clin-ic sink) See BEDPAN

WASHER.

close nipple (close nip-ple) a piece of

pipe with external pipe threads on each

end. e shortest piece of pipe in a given

size that is possible to have an externally

disposed pipe thread on each end.

close return bend (close re-turn bend)

a short cast or malleable U-shaped pipe

tting with arms joined together. Also

called pattern return bend. See RETURN

BEND.

closet (clos-et) 1. a small room or cupboard

for clothes, household supplies, linens,

etc. 2. a water closet, toilet.

closet bend (clos-et bend) 1. an L-shaped

soil tting used directly underneath the

water closet. 2. a specially designed tting

which connects the closet collar and the

stack tting.

closet bolt (clos-et bolt) a T-headed bolt

used for fastening the water closet to the

drainage system.

closet bowl (clos-et bowl) a fixture for

receiving abdominal discharges. See

WATER CLOSET.

closet bumper (clos-et bump-er) See

WATER CLOSET, SEAT BUMPERS.

closet chain (clos-et chain) archaic, a

exible wire or metal cord like device

extending from the high closet ushing

tank downward for the operator to reach.

closet collar (clos-et col-lar) a flanged

tting connected to the drainage system,

to which a water closet is fastened. See

FLOOR FLANGE.

closet ell (clos-et ell) the connecting pipe

between the ushing tank or valve and

the closet bowl.

closet tting (clos-et t-ting) See CLOSET

BEND; CARRIER FITTING.

closet gasket (clos-et gas-ket) a seal

between the closet bowl and the drainage

system.

closet horn (clos-et horn) the projection

of the discharge spud or hollow base of

the water closet.

circumference closet horn

closet oset (clos-et o-set) an oset tting

for attaching the water closet when the

inlet and outlet are parallel but not in a

straight alignment.

closet plunger, rubber (clos-et plung-er,

rub-ber) 1. a rubber force cup. 2. a bell-

shaped unit on a handle used to cause

pressure to dislodge stoppage in a water

closet. Also called “plumber’s friend”.

closet reverse action bowl (clos-et re-verse

ac-tion bowl) a type of water closet bowl

where the water way leads toward the front

of the xture.

closet screw (clos-et screw) a wood-type

screw usually with a detachable head, used

for fastening a water closet to the oor.

closet seat (clos-et seat) a rim device to

support a person using a water closet.

closet seat bumper (clos-et seat bump-

er) See RUBBER BUMPER, TOILET

SEAT.

closet seat hinge (clos-et seat hinge) hinge

for a closet seat to allow swinging motion

of the seat above the water closet bowl.

closet siphon jet bowl (clos-et si-phon jet

bowl) a form of water closet in which a

jet way allows water to inuence ushing

by siphon action.

closet spud (clos-et spud) an internal

expanding device used to make

connections to the ush water part of the

water closet bowl.

closet spud reducer (clos-et spud re-duc-

er) a tting to reduce the initial bore of

the spud.

closet tank, vitreous china (clos-et tank,

vit-re-ous china) a reservoir intended to

hold liquid for ushing a water closet and

made of china (earthenware).

closet tank, wood (clos-et tank, wood)

a reservoir intended to hold liquid for

ushing a water closet and made of wood.

closing member (clos-ing mem-ber) that

part of the valve member which shuts o

ow in the valve.

clothes washer (clothes wash-er) an

appliance used to wash clothes.

C.O. Abbr. for Clean Out.

Abbr. for Carbon Dioxide.

coach screw (coach screw) See LAG

SCREW.

coagulation (co-ag-u-la-tion) the

agglomeration of nely divided suspended

matter by the addition to the liquid of

an appropriate chemical coagulant, by

biological processes or by other means.

cock (cock) a valve. In the 15th century,

a cock was a spout with a means of

controlling the rate of flow of liquid

passing through its. See FAUCET.

cock hole cover (cock hole cov-er) 1. a

removable door or panel in a cover area

over a valve handle. Slang expression. 2.

cover for an opening which was to be used

for a valve, faucet or spray. 3. a cover for

the hole in a sink which would have been

used for the spray.

code (code) an authoritative book of

rules and regulations. ose regulations,

subsequent amendments thereto, or

any emergency rule or regulation which

the Administrative Authority Having

Jurisdiction may lawfully adopt.

code official (code of-fi-cial) See

ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY.

cohesion (co-he-sion) the force of attraction

between molecules of any substance which

tends to hold them together.

coke plates or coke tin (coke plates or coke

tin) plates made from coke iron.

col. Abbr. for Column.

cold chisel (cold chis-el) a chisel made

of steel of a strength, shape and temper

suitable for chipping or cutting cold

metal. Name is usually applied to plain,

at cold chisel.

closetoffset cold chisel

cold-rolled steel (cold-rolled steel) may be

either a open-hearth or Bessemer Process.

e carbon content runs from 0.12 to

0.20%. This steel is marketed with a

bright, smooth surface and is made quite

accurate to size so that for many purposes

no machining is necessary. It may be

casehardened but will not temper.

cold rolling (cold roll-ing) cold rolling of

steel produces a high tensile strength but

with a sacrice of ductility and toughness.

Cold-rolled steel has a much smoother

nish than hot-rolled steel.

cold water (cold wa-ter) for test purposes,

water at a temperature of forty to seventy

degrees Fahrenheit (40 °F to 70 °F) [four

to twenty-one degrees Celsius (4 °C to

21 °C).

coli-aerogenes group (co-li-aer-og-e-nes

group) See BACTERIA; COLIFORM

GROUP.

collar (col-lar) 1. a tapered sleeve around

other parts in an assembly. 2. ange used

on a pipe where it passes through an

opening in a wall, or oor, to cover such

an opening.

collector eciency (col-lec-tor ef--cien-

cy) the ratio of energy collected on any

collector to the radiation incident on the

collector.

collet (col-let) a clamping ring or holding

device. In the shops the term is freely

applied to sockets for tapered shank

drills, reducing sleeves and bushings of

various types.

colloids (col-loids) nely divided solids

which will not settle but may be removed

by coagulation or biochemical action.

column (col-umn) 1. a supporting pillar.

2. a vertical shaft designed to bear axial

loads in compression. Abbr. col.

combination bath tting (com-bin-a-tion

bath t-ting) 1. a valve or faucet which

intermixes hot and cold water for the

bathtub. 2. diverter valve, when a shower

attachment is included.

combination fixture (com-bin-a-tion

fix-ture) 1. a fixture combining one

sink and laundry tray or a two or three

compartment sink or laundry tray in one

unit. 2. a xture combining two or more

wells or receptors of unequal depth.

combination lavatory tting (com-bin-a-

tion lav-a-to-ry t-ting) a valve or faucet

to mix hot and cold water delivered to

the lavatory.

combination sewer (com-bin-a-tion sew-

er) a conduit which carries storm water,

rain, melted snow, etc., and sewerage. Also

called sanitary water or combined sewer.

combination sink and tray (com-bin-a-

tion sink and tray) See COMBINATION

FIXTURE.

combination sink and tray, laundry tub

(com-bin-a-tion sink and tray, laun-dry

tub) a xture with two compartments of

unequal depth.

combination thermostatic pressure/

balancing valve (com-bi-na-tion ther-

mo-stat-ic pres-sure/bal-anc-ing valve)

See ANTISCALD VALVE.

combination waste and vent system (com-

bin-a-tion waste and vent sys-tem) a

specially designed system of waste piping

embodying the horizontal wet venting of

one, or more, plumbing xtures or oor

drains by means of a common waste and

vent pipe adequately sized to provide free

movement of air above the ow line of

the drain.

combination water closet, one piece

(com-bin-a-tion wa-ter clos-et, one

piece) a xture design in which the water

closet bowl and ushing tank are made

of one piece.

combined hopper and trap (com-bined

hop-per and trap) 1. a receptacle with

integral trap or attached trap. 2. a funnel

type receptacle. 3. a waste receptacle.

combustion (com-bus-tion) the act or

process of burning.

combustion chamber (com-bus-tion

cham-ber) the portion of an appliance

within which combustion occurs.

cold-rolledsteel combustion chamber

combustion products (com-bus-tion pro-

ducts) constituents resulting from the

combustion of a solid, liquid, or gas fuel

with the oxygen of the air, including the

inerts, but excluding excess air.

commercial dishwashing machine (com-

mer-ci-al dish-wash-ing mach-ine)

a machine, or appliance, designed,

constructed and intended for other than

household use which washes, rinses and

sanitizes dishes.

commercial standards (com-mer-cial stan-

dards) standards developed by consensus

of the particular industry group.

comminution (com-mi-nu-tion) the

process of screening sewage and cutting

the sewage into particles ne enough to

pass through the screen openings.

commode (com-mode) area word for

fixture. Derived from cabinet which

housed portable receptacle used for

holding and/or receiving abdominal cavity

discharges. Later “commode” became a

piece of parlor furniture. See WATER

CLOSET.

common (com-mon) that part of a

plumbing system which is designed and

installed to serve more than on appliance,

xture, building or system.

common vent (com-mon vent) a vent

connecting at the junction of two xture

drains and serving both xture and drain.

See UNIT VENT; DUAL VENT.

companion ange (com-pan-ion ange) a

pipe ange threaded internally to receive

a pipe length and drilled so it may be

bolted to another like ange. Sometimes

a similar arrangement is used for coupling

two parts of a shaft.

compass (com-pass) a mathematical tool.

It consists of two pointed legs that are

joined at the top so the legs can be moved

closer together or farther apart. A pencil

or penpoint may be attached to one leg

to draw circles or arcs.

compass saw (com-pass saw) has a narrow,

tapered blade, usually less than 1" wide

at the tip and 12" to 14" length. Used to

make both curved and straight cuts but

must be used perpendicular to the surface

for curved work.

component (com-po-nent) any fitting

or appurtenance, other than the pipe,

recommended for use in the assembly of

a plumbing system.

composition joint (com-po-si-tion joint)

in plumbing, a general reference to joining

bell and spigot pipe with packing materials

such as rope and rosin, cement and hemp.

compound (pipe joint) (com-pound [pipe

joint]) a cement having an oil base applied

to a threaded pipe connection to prevent

leakage.

compound drain (com-pound drain) a

drain that receives the discharge from

more than one xture.

compound leverage pipe wrench (com-

pound lev-er-age pipe wrench) a wrench

which enables user to double leverage.

e hook jaw turns pipe, or tting, one

way and the oset chain trunnion exerts

pressure the opposite way.

compressed air (com-pressed air) 1. air

under greater than atmospheric pressure.

2. air reduced in volume by pressure so

that its expansive force can be used to

perform work. Abbr. C.A.

compression faucet (com-pres-sion fau-

cet) a faucet or valve in which the ow

of water is terminated by means of a disk

that is forced down onto its seat. See

COMPRESSION VALVE.

compression tting (com-pres-sion t-

ting) a tting designed to join pipe or

tube by means of pressure or friction. See

FITTING, COMPRESSION.

compression joint (com-pres-sion joint) a

joint made to connect the plain or spigot

end of a pipe or pipe tting of the same

diameter by the insertion of an elastomeric

gasket into the bell or hub end of the pipe

or pipe tting and pushing or drawing

the plain or spigot end of another pipe or

pipe tting into the gasket until it is fully

combustion products compression joint

seated. e seal in the joint is obtained by

displacement of the gasket body making

a compression seal between the interior

wall of the bell and the exterior wall of

the spigot end.

compression type stop (com-pres-sion

type stop) a valve using a disc tted to

a seat to control the ow of liquids. See

COMPRESSION VALVE

compression valve (com-pres-sion

valve) 1. a valve using a disc tted to

a seat to control the flow of liquids.

2. a type of motor operated valve. See

COMPRESSION FAUCET.

conc. Abbr. for Concrete.

concave (con-cave) 1. a hollow within

a mass, or in a surface. 2. hollowed or

rounded inward. 3. the inner face of a

bowl. Compare with convex.

concealed fouling surface (con-ceal-

ed foul-ing sur-face) any surface of a

plumbing fixture which is not readily

visible and is not scoured or cleansed with

each xture operation.

concrete (con-crete) a construction material

consisting of conglomerate gravel, pebbles,

stone in a mortar or cement matrix.

concrete insert (con-crete in-sert) a device

inserted into concrete to ax other items.

concussion (con-cus-sion) in a piping

system, usually referred to as water

hammer.

condensate (con-den-sate) the liquid

which separates from a gas (including blue

gases) due to a reduction in temperature.

condition of service (con-di-tion of ser-

vice) refers to an agreement between

the water supplier and the consumer

which specified the obligation and

responsibilities of each in order for water

service to be provided.

condensate water (con-den-sate wa-ter)

water which has served its purpose of

extracting heat as it owed through a

condenser. See WATER.

conductivity (con-duc-tiv-i-ty) a measure

of the ability of a material to permit

conduction heat to ow through it.

conductor (con-duc-tor) a pipe inside

the building which conveys storm

water from the roof to a storm, or

combined building, drain or sewer.

See CONDUIT; DOWNSPOUT;

LEADER.

conductors (con-duc-tors) pipes located

in or outside buildings, conveying

storm or rain water from the roofs of

buildings or areas to the storm or yard

sewer, basin, or rain water cistern. See

DOWNSPOUT.

conduit (con-duit) 1. a natural, or

articial, channel through which water

or other uid passes or is conveyed.

2. pipe, tube, or tile for receiving and

protecting electric wires or cables. See

DOWNSPOUT; CONDUCTOR;

LEADER; PIPE.

cone washer (cone wash-er) a washer

having the general shape of a section of

a cone. Developed to permit use with

beveled seat valves and to t a variety

of sizes of openings where the washer is

used as a seat or seal in a valve.

configuration, vertical reduced

pressure (con-g-ur-a-tion ver-ti-cal

re-duc-ed pres-sure) See VERTICAL

CONFIGURATION, REDUCED

PRESSURE.

conned spaces (con-ned spaces) area

large enough and so congured that an

employee can bodily enter and perform

assigned work and has limited or

restricted means for entry or exit and is

not designed for continuous employee

occupancy.

conuent vent (con-u-ent vent) a vent

pipe that serves two or more xture

vents.

conformance (con-for-mance) 1. when

used in, or with reference to, a plumbing

code, it means the act of conforming

to (as a regulation or code). 2. to be

obedient. 3. to comply to a requirement

or need.

compressiontypestop  conformance

conn. Abbr. for Connection.

connected drain and overow (con-nect-

ed drain and o-ver-ow) a prearranged

interconnection of the drain and safety

spillage conduit.

connection, dishwasher discharge

(dish-wash-er dis-charge con-nec-tion)

See DISHWASHER DISCHARGE

CONNECTION.

connection, indirect (in-dir-ect con-nec-

tion) See INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.

connections (con-nec-tions) the

joints, pipe, fittings, valves, etc. See

CONNECTORS.

connectors (con-nec-tors) any fittings

or devices used for joining together

pipes, ttings, valves, xtures, etc. See

CONNECTIONS; DIELECTRIC

UNIONS; UNION.

construction documents (con-struc-tion

doc-u-ments) all the written, graphic

and pictorial documents prepared, or

assembled, for describing the design,

location and physical characteristics of

the elements of the project necessary

for obtaining a building permit. The

construction drawing shall be drawn to

an appropriate scale.

consumer (con-sum-er) person of a facility

receiving service from a potable water

system.

consumer’s industrial piping system (con-

sum-er’s in-dus-tri-al pip-ing sys-tem)

refers to any system used by the consumer

for transmission of or to conne or store

any uid, solid or gaseous substance other

than an approved water supply. Such a

system would include all pipes, conduits,

tanks, receptacles, xtures, equipment and

appurtenances used to produce, convey

or store substances which are, or may be,

polluted or contaminated.

consumer’s potable water system (con-

sum-er’s po-ta-ble wa-ter sys-tem) a

portion of the privately owned potable

water system lying between the point

of delivery and the point of use. is

system will include all pipes, conduits,

tanks, receptacles, xtures, equipment and

appurtenances used to produce, convey,

store or dispense potable water.

consumer’s water system (con-sum-er’s

wa-ter sys-tem) any water system located

on the consumer’s premises, whether

supplied by a public potable water system

or an auxiliary water supply. e system,

or systems may be either potable water or

industrial piping.

consumption (con-sump-tion) a measure

of volume of water used per ushing cycle.

containment (con-tain-ment) a method

of backow prevention which requires a

backow prevention assembly or device

at the water service entrance. Sometimes

called premise isolation.

containment policy (con-tain-ment pol-

i-cy) to conne potential contamination

caused by a cross-connection by installing

a backflow prevention assembly at

the point of service within a facility.

(Sometimes called premise isolation.)

contaminant (con-tam-i-nant) 1. any

material (solid, liquid or gas) which, if

introduced into a potable water supply,

would cause it to be unt for human or

animal consumption. 2. an impairment

of the quality of the water which creates

an actual health hazard to the public

through poisoning, or through the spread

of disease, by sewage, industrial uids,

or waste.

contamination (con-tam-i-na-tion) an

impairment of the quality of the water

which creates an actual health hazard to

the public health through poisoning or

through the spread of disease by sewage,

industrial uids or waste.

continuous hot water recirculating

system (con-tin-u-ous hot wa-ter re-

cir-cu-la-ting sys-tem) a portion of the

water distribution system that allows for

continual circulation and movement of

the hot water supply within the piping

between xture outlets and the hot water

heating source; usually by means of a

pump or gravity loop.

conn.  continuoushotwaterrecirculatingsystem

continuous pressure (con-tin-u-ous pres-

sure) a condition where upstream pressure

is applied continuously (more than twelve

hours) to a device or assembly. Continuous

pressure can cause mechanical parts within

a backow preventer to become stuck,

or frozen, in place, causing the backow

preventer to malfunction.

continuous vent (con-tin-u-ous vent)

1. a vertical vent that is the continuation

of the vertical drain to which the vent

connects. 2. a continuation of a vertical,

or approx. vertical, waste pipe above the

connection at which liquid wastes enter

the waste pipe. e extension may, or

may, not continue in a vertical direction.

continuous waste (con-tin-u-ous waste)

a waste from two, or more, fixtures

connected to a single trap.

cont. or contr. Abbr. for Contractor.

contractor (con-trac-tor) See PLUMBING

CONTRACTOR.

control (con-trol) device designed to

regulate the gas, water, or electricity to a

gas, water, or electric appliance. is may

be manual, semi-automatic, or automatic.

See LIMIT CONTROL.

control stop (con-trol stop) valve which is

used to control the ow of water into the

pressurized ushing device.

control valve (con-trol valve) 1. a discharge

valve. 2. a value that is operated each

time water is supplied to, or shut-off

from, a receptacle or plumbing xture.

e control valve is not to be confused

with the ordinary stop valve, sometimes

installed in the water supply branch to the

control valve.

convection (con-vec-tion) heat transfer by

uid motion between regions of unequal

density that result from non-uniform

heating.

convex (con-vex) 1. arched up, bulging

out. 2. the outer face of a bowl. Compare

with concave.

cooling tower (cool-ing tow-er) a

hydromechanical device used to re-

circulate water to release heat or energy

so water may be used to cool.

copolymer (co-pol-y-mer) a product of

copolymerization.

copolymerize (co-po-ly-mer-ize) to

polymerize together.

copper (cop-per) a tough, reddish brown,

metallic chemical element that resists rust,

and is easily shaped into thin sheets or ne

wire. Used extensively in piping systems.

Also used in alloys such as brass and bronze.

copperas (cop-per-as) a green sulfate

of iron, used as a disinfectant and in

purifying water.

copper bit (cop-per bit) 1. a bar of copper

used for soldering. 2. usually called a

soldering iron. See SOLDERING IRON;

COPPER.

copper boiler (cop-per boil-er) a boiler

made of copper.

copper bolt (cop-per bolt) See COPPER

BIT.

copper drainage (cop-per drain-age) a

system of drain or waste pipe made of

copper metal.

copper drainage tting (cop-per drain-age

t-ting) tting for assembling a drain or

waste system made of copper metal. See

DRAINAGE FITTING.

copper float (cop-per float) a devise

intended to be buoyant in a liquid and

made of copper. Used to control a oat

valve.

copper lead (cop-per lead) See HARD

LEAD.

copper-lined tank (cop-per-lined tank) a

tank lined with sheet copper. See OAK

TANK SHELL.

copper pipe I. P. S. (cop-per pipe i. p. s.)

copper pipe having the dimensions and

sizes of iron pipes.

continuous pressure  copperpipeI.P.S.

copper-plated nipple (cop-per-plat-ed

nip-ple) any short piece of pipe copper

plated. See NIPPLE.

copper range boiler (cop-per range boil-

er) a boiler made of copper. See RANGE

BOILER.

copper sheet (cop-per sheet) rectangular

thin pieces of copper metal; copper

drawn into sheets of various thicknesses

or gauges.

coppered steel hanger (cop-per-ed steel

hang-er) copper-plated steel devices used

to support pipes.

copper stop (cop-per stop) 1. a valve made

to receive copper tube. 2. a sweat joint

connection for inlet and outlet ports.

copper-to-male or female thread adaptor

fitting (cop-per-to-male or fe-male

thread a-dap-tor t-ting) See COPPER

TO THREAD ADAPTER FITTING.

copper to thread adapter tting (cop-per

to thread a-dap-tor t-ting) a tting,

with one threaded (male or female) end,

and the opposite 180° female socket for

inserting copper tube.

copper tube tting, drainage (cop-per

tube t-ting, drain-age) a thin walled

copper tting for use in a drainage system.

copper tube fitting, flared (cop-per

tube fit-ting, flar-ed) See FITTING;

FLARED.

copper tube tting, sweat (cop-per tube

t-ting, sweat) copper tting with female

bore to receive tube. Axed by heating

and tting annulus with a lower melting

material.

copper tubing (cop-per tub-ing) pipe

tubing made of copper.

core (core) the inner port or part (i.e.: the

core of a core cock ground key) the core

is machined or ground to t the body of

the cock.

core grease (core grease) a nonwater-

soluble lubricant in paste form. Used in

lubricating the core of valves, cocks, etc.

corporation cock (cor-po-ra-tion cock)

a valve installed in a water main to

which a building supply (service) pipe is

connected.

corporation ferrule (cor-po-ra-tion fer-

rule) a tee connection to a water main,

either threaded into the sidewall of the

main or joined by mating tapers. e

water supply connection made into the

water main or community supply pipe.

See TAP; BENT COUPLING; BOILER

BUSHING.

corporation valve (cor-por-a-tion valve)

See CORPORATION COCK.

corrode (cor-rode) to undergo corrosion.

corrosion (cor-ro-sion) the gradual

deterioration or destruction of a substance

or material by chemical action. Frequently

induced by electron-chemical process. See

CORROSION CONTROL.

corrosion control (cor-ro-sion con-trol) 1.

in water correction, the prevention of the

discharge of the metallic ions of a conduit

from going into solution by increasing the

pH-value of the water, removing the free

oxygen from the water, and controlling

the carbonate balance. 2. the sequestration

of metallic ions and the formation of

protective films on metal surfaces by

chemical treatment. See CORROSION.

corrosive wastes (cor-ro-sive wastes)

acid and other unwanted wastes that are

capable of causing corrosion in a piping

system.

cotter pin (cot-ter pin) usually a form of

split pin which is inserted into a hole near

the end of a bolt to prevent a nut from

working loose.

cotton wicking (cot-ton wick-ing)

packing made of cotton strands of various

thicknesses.

countersink (coun-ter-sink) consists of a

conical rose bit, or uted reamer, generally

used for enlarging bolt holes to a conical

recess for the reception of the tapered head

of the bolt, and the bolt head is ush with

the exterior surface.

copper-platednipple countersink

countertop (coun-ter-top) See CABINET

T O P.

coupling (coup-ling) a pipe tting with

female threads only. Used for connecting

two pipes in a straight line.

cover plate (co-ver plate) a sheet of glass

or transparent plastic that covers the solar

absorber in a at plate solar collector.

cowl (cowl) a hood on the top of a vent pipe

or similar device.

craft union (craft un-ion) a labor union

whose membership is limited to workmen

following the same craft.

crane (crane) a siphon or bent pipe for

drawing liquids out of a large vessel; a ship

or cask. See FAUCET.

crapper (crap-per) after omas Crapper,

British, who was generally considered to

be the mid-nineteenth century developer

of the ush toilet cistern. See WATER

CLOSET.

crescent wrench (cres-cent wrench)

See ADJUSTABLE OPEN END

WRENCH.

critical installation level (critical level)

(C-L or C/L) [crit-i-cal in-stal-la-tion

lev-el (crit-i-cal lev-el) (c-l or c/l) ]

a designated operational limitation

prescribing a safe height for the installed

vacuum breaker above the flood level

rim of the xture or receptacle served. In

absence of physical mark on the device,

indicating a height measurement reference

point, the extreme bottom of the device

shall be considered this height reference

point.

critical level marking (crit-i-cal lev-

el mar-king) a point on a backflow

prevention device or vacuum breaker that

is usually stamped on the device by the

manufacturer to specify the minimum

elevation above the ood level rim of the

xture served. A plumbing code term.

crockery (crock-er-y) a product made with

clay as the prime ingredient. Molded or

shaped, baked or red for rmness.

crooked thread (crook-ed thread) a

thread on a pipe or nipple which is out

of alignment. Sometimes this is done

purposely to connect pipes which are out

of alignment. Also called drunken thread.

cross (cross) a tting used for connecting

four pipes at right angles.

cross connection (cross con-nec-tion) 1.

a physical connection or arrangement

between two otherwise separate (piping)

systems, one of which contains potable

water and the other water of questionable

or unknown safety: such as steam, gas, or

chemicals. ere may be a ow from one

system to the other, the direction of ow

depending on the pressure dierential

between the two systems. 2. Unintentional

connection between two dierent systems,

e.g. connections between hot and cold

water piping.

crossover tting (cross-o-ver t-ting) 1. a

connection between two pipes in the same

water supply system or between two water

supply systems containing potable water.

2. a tting used to allow two dierent

pipes to cross at a right angle in the same

plane.

cross connection control (cross con-nec-

tion con-trol) the use of assemblies,

devices, methods and procedures to

prevent contamination or pollution of

a potable water supply through cross

connection.

cross connection, non-potable (cross con-

nec-tion, non po-table) any connection

to a potable water supply system through

which potable water is supplied to a service

outlet through which contaminants can

enter the potable water supply lines by

back pressure or backsiphonage backow.

crossover (cross-over) 1. a connection

between two pipes in the same water

supply system or between two water

supply systems containing potable water.

2. a tting used to allow two dierent

pipes to cross at a right angle in the same

plane.

countertop crossover

crossover fitting (cross-o-ver fit-ting)

a tting to allow pipes installed at the

same elevation or parallel to cross. See

RETURN OFFSET.

cross valve (cross valve) a valve fitted

on a transverse pipe so as to open

communication at will between two

parallel lines of piping. Much used in oil

and water pumping arrangements.

crow-bar (crow-bar)a tough iron bar,

used as a lever, for prying and lifting. So-

called from its pointed end, supposed to

resemble a crow’s beak.

crown of trap (crown of trap) that part of

the trap in which the direction of ow is

changed from upward to downward.

crown saw (crown saw) a saw for cutting

round holes having its teeth at the edge

of a hollow cylinder. Also called cylinder

saw or hole saw.

crown vent (crown vent) a vent pipe

connected at the topmost point in the

crown of a trap.

crown weir (crown weir) the highest part

of the inside portion of the bottom surface

at the crown of a trap.

crucible (cru-ci-ble) a pot of refractory

material used for melting or calcinating.

A substance such as metal and ore which

requires a high degree of heat.

crucible steel (cru-ci-ble steel) a high grade

steel made by melting wrought iron in a

crucible and adding charcoal, pig iron and

some other substance rich in carbon. Used

for cutlery, tools, dies, etc.

crumb cup strainer (crumb cup strain-er)

See DUOSTRAINER.

cryolite (cry-o-lite) a mineral consisting

of sodium-aluminum uoride. Used for

soldering copper and alloys when mixed

with phosphoric acid. Also used for

soldering aluminum bronze when mixed

with barium chloride.

C.S. Abbr. for Commercial Standards.

CSST (c-s-s-t) Flexible Corrugated Stainless

Steel Tubing with an exterior PVC

covering that is used in natural gas and

propane piping systems.

C. to E. Abbr. for Center to End.

C. to F. Abbr. for Center to Face.

cubic feet per second (cu-bic feet per sec-

ond) speed measure of a unit of volume

equal to a cube one foot long on each side

every second. A ow rate of one cubic foot

per second at a given point. Abbr. C.F.S.

cubic foot of gas (cu-bic foot of gas) the

amount of gas which would occupy one

cubic foot when a temperature of 60 °F

is saturated with water vapor and under a

pressure equivalent to that of thirty inches

of mercury.

Cu. Ft. Abbr. for Cubic Foot/Feet.

Cu. In. Abbr. for Cubic Inch.

cup joint (cup joint) a pipe joint in which

one end of the pipe is opened enough to

receive the tapered end of the pipe to be

joined. Used in joining lead pipe.

cup sink (cup sink) a small round cup

shaped acid resistant receptacle six to eight

inches in diameter across top. Generally

used in chemical laboratories.

cuprichloramine (cu-pri-chlor-a-mine)

a chemical mixture of copper sulfate,

ammonia and chlorine. Used as an

algicide.

cup washer, leather, rubber (cup wash-er,

lea-ther, rub-ber) 1. a gasket or washer

in the form of a disc with a hole in its

center and raised out peripheral edge. 2.

shaped like a cup, may be of rubber or

other material.

curb box (curb box) a device usually

consisting of a long piece of pipe or

tube-like casing placed over a curb cock

through which a key is inserted to permit

the operation of the curb cock. Also called

bualo box.

curb box key (curb box key) a long handled

wrench to reach the stop cock in the

ground at the base of a deep box.

crossovertting  curbboxkey

curb cock  cylindersaw

curb cock (curb cock) a valve placed in a

water service pipe usually at a point near

the street curb. Also called tee head.

curb valve (curb valve) See CURB COCK.

curtain and rod (cur-tain and rod)

reference to a shower curtain and its

hanging or support assembly. A tubular

rod with anges on ends used to hang

shower curtains with the aid of curtain

pins.

curved yarning iron (curv-ed yarn-ing

iron) a blunt caulking iron with an oset

or curved blade.

cuspidor (cus-pi-dor) a receptacle for

spitting; a spittoon. Also cuspidore. See

FOUNTAIN.

cut grooving (cut groov-ing) the process

of machining away material, providing

a groove into a pipe to allow for a

mechanical coupling to be installed.is

process was invented by Victaulic Corp.

in 1925. Cut Grooving is designed for

stanard weight or heavier wall thickness

pipe.

cutting oil (cut-ting oil) 1. oil used to

lubricate pipe and bolt cutting equipment

during the preparation of a thread so as

to produce smooth threads. 2. An oil or

oily preparation used as a cutting uid

especially a water-soluble oil (such as a

mineral oil containing a fatty oil)

Cu. Yr. Abbr. for Cubic Yard.

C. V. or ck. v. Abbr. for Check Valve.

C. W. Abbr. for City Water or Cold Water.

cycle, regular (cycle, re-gu-lar) See

REGULAR CYCLE.

cylinder lining (cyl-in-der lin-ing) an

internal sleeve inside an outer shell, i.e.:

a sleeve in a pitcher pump in which the

piston travels.

cylinder saw (cyl-in-der saw) See CROWN

SAW.

D. Abbr. for Diameter.

damper regulator chain (damp-er reg-u-

la-tor chain) a chain used to connect a

damper regulator and damper. Used on

coal red boilers and furnaces.

dandy clean out (dan-dy clean out)

a straight piece of soil pipe having a

threaded opening on the run with a brass

removable plug.

Dayton joint (day-ton joint) See

NORMANDY JOINT.

dead end (dead end) 1. that part, or

branch, of a drainage piping system which

is without a free circulation of air. 2. the

extended portion of a pipe that is closed at

the end opposite its connection to another

pipe, pump, xture, or other device. 3. a

branch leading from a soil, waste, vent

pipe, building drain, or building sewer,

and terminating at a developed length

of two feet or more by means of a plug,

cap, or other closed tting, except piping

serving as cleanout extensions to accessible

areas.

deaerator (de-aer-a-tor) a drain, waste, and

vent tting designed to relieve pressures

within the stack(s).

decalescense (de-ca-les-cense) a decrease

in temperature that occurs while heating

metal through a range in which a change

in a structure occurs.

Dec. Lgth. Abbr. for Decrease Length.

deck (deck) See FLOOD LEVEL RIM.

deck mounted (deck mount-ed) a pipe

applied atmospheric vacuum breaker that

allows a maximum water rise of ½ inch

(12.7 mm) in its discharge piping when

the inlet of the device is subjected to a

vacuum of less than, or equal to, 25 inches

(84.5 kPa) of mercury.

deep seal trap (deep seal trap) a term

applied to a trap having a water seal of

four inches or more.

deferrization (de-fer-ri-zation) in

water treatment, the removal of soluble

compounds of iron from water.

Deg. Abbr. for degree.

degree (de-gree) a unit of a temperature

scale.

degree of hazard (de-gree of haz-ard)

derived from the evaluation of conditions

within a water system which can be

classied as either a “health hazard” or

“non-health hazard.”

demand (de-mand) the ow necessary to

satisfy system requirements.

demineralization (de-min-er-al-ization)

the removal from water of those dissolved

mineral constituents which cause it to be

unsatisfactory for domestic or industrial

use.

denitrication (de-ni-tri--ca-tion) 1. act,

or process, of denitrifying. 2. a process by

which nitrates and nitrites are reduced. It

is commonly brought about in soil and

sewage by denitrifying bacteria resulting

in the escape of nitrogen into the air.

dental cuspidor (den-tal cus-pi-dor) a

water ushed device to receive uids from

the mouth. Used in dental oces.

D. dental cuspidor

dentallavatory  dif.

dental lavatory (den-tal lav-a-tory)

a water and waste connected fixture

primarily for dental hygiene practices.

dental unit (den-tal unit) a plumbing

xture which includes a cuspidor used

for the examination and treatment of a

person’s teeth.

detergent (de-ter-gent) any of numerous

synthetic water soluble, or liquid organic,

preparations that are chemically dierent

from soaps but resemble them in the

ability to emulsify oils and hold direct in

suspension.

detergent brush (de-ter-gent brush) a

hose and brush assembly with a detergent

supply for cleaning utensils and other

services for attachment to a faucet with a

built-in diverter.

detritus (de-tri-tus) the sand, grit,

and other coarse material removed by

dierential sedimentation in a relatively

short period of detention.

developed length (de-vel-op-ed length)

1. a length of a pipeline measured along

the centerline of the pipes or ttings. 2.

the linear measurement of a part, such as

a pipe or bar that includes the length of

the useful threads or extensions necessary

to yield the length that is needed for a

particular function. 3. the length of a

nipple, or piece of pipe, needed to connect

two ttings for a specied distance.

developing tank (de-vel-op-ing tank)

a xture, a tank used to develop lm,

x-rays, etc.

D. F. Abbr. for Drinking Fountain.

D. H. Abbr. for Double Hub.

diag. Abbr. for Diagram.

diam. Abbr. for Diameter.

diameter (di-am-e-ter) 1. the length of

a straight line through the center of an

object; thickness. 2. a chord passing

through the center of a gure.

diamond drill bits (di-a-mond drill bits)

a bit on a diamond drill which is a type

of rotary drill and has a cutting edge faced

with poor quality diamonds and is used

for boring into solid rock.

diamond point or lozenge chisel (di-a-

mond point or loz-enge chi-sel) has a

point that is ground at an angle across

diagonal corners. Useful in square and

angled corners, grooves and other close

places where material must be removed.

diaphragm packing (di-a-phragm pack-

ing) a thin membrane separation between

two cavities or a cavity and space held in

position by other substance as in a groove.

diatomaceous earth (di-a-to-ma-ce-ous

earth) See DIATOMITE.

diatomite (di-a-tom-ite) a light friable

siliceous material derived chiey from

diatom remains and used especially as

a lter.

die (die) 1. a tool for cutting external

threads. 2. an internal screw used for

cutting an outside thread.

die chaser (die cha-ser) a threaded section

of a screw-cutting die.

die head (die head) the device which carries

the threading dies in a screw-cutting

machine.

die stock (die stock) a device to hold dies

used for cutting threads on pipes or on

rods; may be adjustable for varying sizes

or may be solid for one size thread.

dielectric ttings (di-e-lec-tric t-tings)

1. a unit, or units, which interrupt the

continuity of electrical connection. 2.

to separate; to cause non-continuity

electrically. See CONNECTORS.

dielectric unions (di-e-lec-tric un-ions)

1. a union used to join dissimilar pipe

materials to prevent the ow of galvanic

current 2. a union used to isolate sections

of pipe from stray currents which would

cause accelerated corrosion of the pipe

system.

dif. Abbr. for Dierence.

differentialpressure

 dishwasher,household

dierential pressure (dif-fer-en-tial pres-

sure) See PRESSURE, DIFFERENTIAL.

diuser (dif-fus-er) any of a variety of

devices, usually tubular with holes, or

openings, provided in the wall or end,

used in water tanks to disperse incoming

uid in a desired pattern. Used in water

heaters to prevent, or control, turbulence

of inbound cold water in the heated water.

digester (di-ges-ter) 1. a covered tank in

which digestion of sewage sludge is carried

out. 2. In plumbing, a tank for storage of

the sedimentation of sewage to permit

aerobic decomposition.

digestion mesophytic (di-ges-tion mes-o-

phyt-ic) digestion by biological action at

or below 113 °F.

digestion thermophilic (di-ges-tion

ther-mo-phil-ic) digestion carried on at

a temperature generally between 113 °F

(44.8 °C) and 145 °F (62.5 °C).

dilution (di-lu-tion) the process of

disposing of sewerage by allowing it to

mix with a large volume of water.

dip of trap the lowest portion of the inside

top surface of the channel through the

trap.

dip tube (dip tube) 1. a pipe, or tube, inside

a reservoir to convey the incoming water

to, or near, the bottom of the container,

as in a water storage tank. 2. A water inlet

pipe inside a water storage tank of the

heated or non-heated type. See DOWN

COMER PIPE.

direct cross connection (di-rect cross

con-nec-tion) 1. a continuous, enclosed

interconnection or cross connection so

that the ow of uid from one system to

the other can occur. 2. any arrangement

of pipes, xtures or devices connecting a

potable water supply directly to a non-

potable source.

direction of ow (dir-ec-tion of ow) 1. the

path a liquid follows through an assembly,

as mandated by the manufacturer’s

design specications. 2. the intended, or

designed, ow path in a piping system of

a gas, uid or solid or a combination of a

gas, uid and/or solid.

disch. Abbr. for Discharge.

discharge (dis-charge) 1. to send, or pour,

fourth. 2. to emit. 3. to release as from

connement.

discharge capacity (dis-charge ca-pac-i-ty)

the carrying capacity in gallons per minute

(GPM) or liters per second (L/s) of the air

gap device, without spillage of water from

the air gap to the atmosphere.

discharge tting (dis-charge t-ting) any

component installed downstream of the

shut-o assembly.

discharge valve or control valve (dis-

charge valve or con-trol valve) a valve

for reducing, or increasing, the ow in a

pipe, as opposed to a stop valve.

disc seat (disc seat) a valve in which the seat

is shaped to allow a disc shaped stem, or

closure, member to t closely.

dishes (dish-es) multi-use eating and

drinking utensils adaptable to machine

washing which are used in the preparation,

serving and consumption of food.

dishwasher (dish-wash-er) an appliance or

machine for washing dishes.

dishwasher discharge connection (dish-

wash-er dis-charge con-nec-tion) an

opening which permits the discharge

from a domestic kitchen dishwasher to be

drained into a disposer hopper.

dishwasher, commercial (dish-wash-er,

co-mmer-cial) See COMMERCIAL

DISHWASHING MACHINE.

dishwasher, household (dish-wash-

er, house-hold) See HOUSEHOLD

DISHWASHER.

dishwasher, commercial or domestic

(dish-wash-er, com-mer-cial or do-mes-

tic) an appliance which, with the aid of

water, automatically washes, rinses and

dries (where drying process is included)

dishware, glassware and cutlery and most

cooking utensils by chemical, mechanical

or electrical means and discharges to the

plumbing drainage system.

dishwasher discharge connection (dish-

wash-er dis-charge con-nec-tion) an

opening which permits the discharge

from a domestic kitchen dishwasher to be

drained into a disposer hopper.

disinfection (dis-in-fec-tion) a process of

destroying disease germs or other harmful

microorganisms (ordinarily not bacteria

spores) by means of an agent that is free

from infection; usually a chemical agent.

displacement (dis-place-ment) the volume

or weight of a uid such as water displaced

by a oating body.

displacement pump (dis-place-ment

pump) a pump, such as an air lift,

that raises or transfers a uid by direct

displacement with no transformation

of energy due to the uids motion into

pressure.

disposal unit (dis-pos-al u-nit) 1. in

plumbing, a device or system intended to

reduce particle size and shape of material

to facilitate entrance into the drainage

system. 2. a portion of a sewage treatment

operation. Abbr. D.U.

distillation (dis-til-la-tion) a process of

raising the temperature of water, or other

liquids, to a boiling temperature, and

condensing the resultant vapor to liquid

form by cooling. It is used to remove

certain substances from a liquid, or to

obtain a pure liquid from one which

contains impurities.

distilled water (dis-tilled wa-ter) water

that has been puried by removal of the

suspended solids and organisms through

gasifying the liquid and then recovering

the liquid through cooling. Abbr. Dis. W.

distribution box (dis-trib-u-tion box) a

container-like device installed between

a septic tank and the means used to

dispose of its euent so that all branches

of the sub-surface disposal eld receive

approximately the same amount of

material.

distribution eld (dis-trib-u-tion eld)

that portion of a septic eld in a septic

system which diverts the outfall liquid

from the tank.

distribution system (dis-trib-u-tion sys-

tem) refers to all pipes, ttings and xtures

used to convey liquid or gas from one

point to another.

Dis. W. Abbr. for Distilled Water.

diverter (di-ver-ter) a device in a faucet

in which water ow can be automatically

directed from the faucet spout to a spray

or other attachment.

divider (di-vid-er) drafting instruments

used to divide lines into equal parts. It

also transfers dimensions from a ruler to

a map or drawing. Measures and plots

small distances between two points more

accurately than a ruler.

Di. W. Abbr. for Deionized Water.

dn. Abbr. for Down.

dog-earing (dog-ear-ing) the procedure of

folding up the sides and ends of a metal

pan and turning ,or folding, the metal

at the corners to form an angle without

cutting the metal.

dom. Abbr. for Domestic.

domestic dishwasher (do-mes-tic dish-

wash-er) a mechanical device connected

to a water supply and a waste system

designed to wash table settings, dishes

and utensils used in residential occupancy.

domestic water applications (do-mes-

tic wa-ter ap-pli-ca-tions) the normal

areas where hot water is utilized in

potable systems such as sinks, lavatories,

showers and tubs, washing machines,

dishwashers, etc.

dishwasher,commercialordomestic domestic water applications

dome,gas

 draftcontrols

dome, gas (dome, gas) See GAS DOME.

domestic sewage (do-mes-tic sew-age) the

waterborne wastes derived from ordinary

living processes. Also called sanitary

sewage.

dope (dope) See PIPE THREAD DOPE.

dormant (dor-mant) having biological

activity suspended, as being in a state of

suspended animation.

dosing tank (dos-ing tank) a water tight

tank in a septic system placed between

the septic tank and the distribution box

and equipped with a pump or automatic

siphon designed to discharge sewage

intermittently to a disposal eld. is is

done so that rest periods may be provided

between discharges.

double action pump (dou-ble ac-tion

pump) a pumping machine in which

suction, or pressure, is created by

movement of a piston, plug or plunger

in each direction of motion. Compare to

single action pump.

double-bend fitting (dou-ble-bend fit-

ting) a pipe tting shaped like the letter

"S".

double caulking iron (dou-ble caulk-ing

iron) a combination tool for caulking

a joint with two separate ends. One is

used at the outer periphery of the sealant

material and a reverse tool is used on the

inner periphery of the sealant material.

double check detector backflow

prevention assembly (dou-ble check

de-tec-tor back-flow pre-ven-tion as-

sem-bly) a specially designed assembly

composed of a line-size approved double

check valve assembly with a specic bypass

water meter and a meter-sized approved

double check valve assembly. e meter

shall register accurately for only very low

rates of ow and shall show a registration

for all rates of ow. is assembly shall

only be used to protect against a non-

health hazard, such as a pollutant.

double check valve assembly-DCVA (dou-

ble check valve as-sem-bly-d-c-v-a) an

assembly composed of two independently

acting approved check valves, including

closing shut-o valves at each end of the

assembly and tted with properly located

test cocks. Shall only be used to protect

against a non-hazard pollutant.

double extra heavy pipe (dou-ble ex-tra

heav-y pipe) the term used to denote

that a given pipe has a wall thickness

which is approximately twice the weight,

or thickness, of extra-heavy pipe. See

EXTRA HEAVY.

double extra strong pipe (dou-ble ex-tra

strong pipe) same as double extra heavy

pipe.

double hanger (dou-ble hang-er) a device

used to support more than one pipe

or appliance; sometimes called twin or

multiple hanger.

double hub soil pipe (dou-ble hub soil

pipe) soil pipe made with a hub on both

ends of the length of pipe. Generally

referring to cast iron soil pipe. See CAST

IRON SOIL PIPE; HUB.

double oset (dou-ble o-set) two changes

in direction installed in succession or series

in continuous pipe.

double waste and vent (dou-ble waste and

vent) See UNIT VENT.

down comer pipe (down com-er pipe) a

pipe in which the ow is substantially

downward. About 1700 A.D. since

abandoned. See DIP TUBE.

downspout (down-spout) 1. the vertical

portion of a rain-water pipe. 2. a

pipe leading downward to carry off

rain water from a roof. Abbr. D.S.

See CONDUCTOR; CONDUIT;

LEADER.

dr. Abbr. for Drain or Drainage.

draft controls (draft con-trols) used

primarily on coal-fired domestic hot

water, steam, and hot water heating

boilers. The temperature or pressure

regulates the draft.

draft diverter (draft di-vert-er) a device

to diminish velocity and resultant

extinguishing of gas ames.

draft hood (draft hood) a device placed in,

and made a part of, the vent connector

from an appliance or in the appliance

itself, which is designed to: (a) assure

the ready escape of the products of

combustion in the event of backdraft;

(b) prevent a back draft from entering

the appliance; and c. neutralize the eect

of stack action of the chimney or gas vent

upon the operation of the appliance.

drain (drain) any pipe which carries waste

water, or waterborne wastes, in a building

drainage system. Abbr. Dr.

drain clean rod (drain clean rod) a

non-exible device , or spring, of the

at, or coil, type used to dislodge pipe

obstruction.

drain cleaner (drain clean-er) any of a

number of chemical preparations used for

cleaning drains.

drain cleaning machine, electric (drain

clean-ing ma-chine, e-lec-tric) an

electrically powered device to bore or

burr to remove obstructions in drain or

waste lines.

drain cock (drain cock) See DRAIN

VALVE; WATER HEATER DRAIN

VALVE.

drain field (drain field) the area of a

system of piping arranged in troughs for

the purpose of disposing of unwanted

liquid waste.

drain outlet (drain out-let) See

TERMINAL OUTLET.

drainage, cast iron soil pipe fittings

(drain-age, cast i-ron soil pipe t-tings)

See FITTING, DRAINAGE.

drainage tting (drain-age t-ting) See

FITTING, DRAINAGE.

drainage xture unit (drain-age x-ture

unit) Abbr. DFU. See FIXTURE UNIT,

DRAINAGE.

drainage system (drain-age sys-tem)

includes all the piping within public or

private premises, which conveys sewage,

rain water, or other liquid wastes to a legal

point of disposal. It does not include the

mains of public sewer systems or private

or public sewage treatment or disposal

plants.

drainage system air break (drain-age sys-

tem air break) a piping arrangement in

which a drain from a xture, appliance, or

device discharges indirectly into another

fixture, receptacle, or interceptor at a

point below the ood rim of the receptacle

installed so as to prevent backflow or

siphonage.

drainage system air gap (drain-age sys-

tem air gap) See AIR GAP, DRAINAGE

SYSTEM .

drainage system below sewer (drain-age

sys-tem be-low sew-er) See BUILDING

SUBDRAIN.

drainage system, building gravity (drain-

age sys-tem, build-ing grav-i-ty) See

BUILDING DRAINAGE SYSTEM

GRAVITY.

drainage system, storm (drain-age sys-

tem, storm) system which is used for

conveying rain water, surface water,

condensate, cooling water, or similar

liquid wastes, exclusive of sewage or

industrial waste, to the storm sewer or

other legal place of disposal.

drainpipe (drain-pipe) a large pipe used

to carry o water, sewage, etc.

drainpipe solvent (drain-pipe sol-vent)

a chemical used in the alleviation of

sluggish drains.

draintile (drain-tile) 1. piping arranged

to either gather or dispel liquids. 2. a

pipe arranged in the subsoil to receive

and disperse underground water. Does

not include any other drainage or waste

liquids.

draftdiverter draintile

drain valve

drop ell

drain valve (drain valve) a valve, usually

installed at or near the lowest part of a

storage vessel, through which a controlled

flow of liquid, usually water, may be

drawn. Also called drain cock, boiler

drain, draw-o. See WATER HEATER

DRAIN VALVE.

draw cock (drain cock) See PET COCK.

drawing knife (draw-ing knife) knife

used for cutting thin sheet lead (up to ten

pounds) A straight handled knife with a

hook on the end for a blade. A pocket

knife or knife similar to a linoleum cutting

knife may be substituted. See HACKING

KNIFE.

draw-o (draw-o) See BOILER DRAIN.

draw oil cock (draw oil cock) See

INTERCEPTOR.

dresser (dres-ser) a tool used in shaping

metal, usually of lead, lead alloy, soft

copper or similar material. See FLAT

DRESSER; ROUND DRESSER.

drier or dryer (dri-er or dry-er) a power

driven machine for drying fabrics by

evaporation.

drift (drift) to reform or form into shape.

drift plug (drift plug) a wooden, lead-

working tool used to drift, or force,

through lead pipe to take out any dents,

or uneven places in the lead pipe previous

to working. Usually made of dogwood,

boxwood or lignum vitae. See BOBBIN.

drill (drill) 1. to make a rounded hole, or

cavity, in a solid by removing bits with a

rotating drill. To make, or excavate, a hole

in a solid material with a drill. 2. to drive a

hole in, puncture, or perforate as if with a

drill; pierce, penetrate, or drive deep into

the interior of. 3. to pen or sink (a well)

in the earth by striking a spot repeatedly

with a sharp pointed instrument, or key,

using a rotary drill. 4. an instrument with

an edged, or pointed, end used for making

holes in hard substances: specically, a tool

that cuts with its end by revolving or by

succession of blows.

drill press (drill press) consists of a heavy

metal base with a cylindrical steel column

rising from the back to support the drill

press “head”. The head contains the

motor, the step pulleys that regulate speed,

and the spindle that carries the drill chuck

to its lower end.

drill stand (drill stand) See DRILL

PRESS.

drilled strainer (drilled strain-er) the

cover of a drain opening which has been

perforated by holes drilled or punched

in a pattern.

drinking fountain (drink-ing foun-tain)

a fixture with a nozzle delivering a

stream or jet of water used for drinking

water especially one with an upward jet

enabling one to drink directly without

use of a cup. Types: (a) fountain-cuspidor

combination; (b) semi-recessed; (c)

wall-hung; (d) pedestal. See BUBBLER;

FOUNTAIN.

drip pan (drip pan) on a water heater, a

receptacle located below the burner(s)

for the purpose of collecting water

condensation from the ue gases.

drive cap (drive cap) a cavity device placed

over a pipe to protect the pipe end being

driven, (i.e.: well pipe being driven).

drive pipe or well point (drive pipe or well

point) a pipe with a sharp edge for driving

short distances into the solid ground as to

reach a water-bearing stratum or to insert

into concrete piles.

drive pipe hook (drive pipe hook) a wire,

or thin metal device, in a U shape which

has sharp prongs, or spike-like ends, which

are driven into a building members to

support pipes, conduits, etc.

drive point (drive point) a pointed and

perforated pipe at the lower end of a

vertical pipe driven or inserted into the

ground, (i.e.: a well point of a driven well).

drop ell (drop ell) an ell with lugs on the

sides by which it can be attached for

support.

drop head rachet (drop head rach-

et) a ratchet tool (handle) in which

interchangeability of thread-cutting

members are used.

drop tee (drop tee) a tee with lugs on the

sides by means of which it can be attached

for support.

drop tube (drop tube) See DIP TUBE.

dross (dross) 1. the solid scum that forms on

the surface of a metal, as lead or antimony,

when molten or melting; largely as a result

of oxidation but sometimes because of

the rising of dirt and impurities to the

surface. 2. waste, or foreign matter, mixed

with a substance or left as a residue, after

the substance has been used or processed.

drum trap (drum trap) a trap consisting

substantially of a cylinder with its axis

vertical. e cylinder is larger in diameter

than the inlet or outlet pipe, and is usually

about four inches in diameter with smaller

sized inlets and outlets. Abbr. D.T.

drunken thread (drun-ken thread) See

CROOKED THREAD.

dry sewer (dry sew-er) cast iron sewer

pipe from the house to the curb line and

installed at the time of construction under

the oor in anticipation of main laterals

to be added at future date.

dry vent (dry vent) a vent that does not

carry water or waterborne wastes.

dry well (dry well) 1. a well constructed

similar to a water well but intended to

receive and dispose of sewage by dispersion

into and absorption by surrounding

underground material. 2. a hole excavated

in porous ground and usually covered and

lled with loose gravel or rubble or walled

(with brick or stone) to receive drainage

water and allow it to percolate away. See

CESSPOOL.

dryer (dry-er) a power driven machine for

drying fabrics by evaporation.

D.S. Abbr. for Downspout.

D.T. Abbr. for Drum Trap.

D.U. Abbr. for Disposal Unit.

dual check valve assembly (du-al check

valve as-sem-bly) an assembly composed

of two independently acting check valves,

internally forced loaded to a normally

closed position, and designed and

constructed to operate under intermittent

or continuous pressure conditions. Shall

be considered suitable for use only where

there is no health hazard. ASSE 1024.

dual check valve backow preventer (du-

al check valve back-ow pre-vent-er) a

device composed of two independently

acting check valve members internally

forced loaded to a normally closed

position, designed and constructed to

operate under intermittent or continuous

pressure conditions; the removal of one

checking valve member shall not negate

the operation of the remaining check valve

member; shall be considered suitable for

use only where there is no health hazard.

dual check valve backflow preventer

assembly (du-al check valve back-ow

pre-vent-er) an assembly composed of a

dual check valve backow preventer device

at each end of the assembly.

dual vent (du-al vent) a vent serving more

than one inlet. See COMMON VENT;

UNIT VENT.

duct (duct) usually an underground pipe,

or tubular, runway for carrying an electric

power line, telephone cables, or other

conductors. Today’s use involves above, as

well as below, ground pipes, etc.

dummy (dum-my) lead working tool

consisting of a one-quarter inch spring

steel rod with one end bent into a small

loop upon which is cast a lead weight; used

in bending lead waste pipe three inches

in diameter and larger by the bobbin

method; employed to boss the lead. See

BOBBIN.

duostrainer (du-o-strain-er) a double

strainer, one above the other. A strainer

within a strainer to prevent large particles

from entering the xture drain. Also called

a crumb cup strainer.

drop head rachet duostrainer

Durhamtting

 dynamicpressure

Durham tting (dur-ham t-ting) See

DRAINAGE FITTING.

Durham System (dur-ham sys-tem) a term

describing a soil or waste pipe system

where all piping is of threaded pipe,

tubing or other rigid construction using

recessed drainage ttings corresponding

to the types of piping.

duriron (dur-iron) a high silicon

alloy that is resistant to practically all

corrosive wastes. e silicon content is

approximately fourteen and one-half

percent and the acid resistance is in the

entire thickness of the metal.

duriron application (dur-iron ap-pli-

ca-tion) duriron is used throughout the

chemical and allied industries whenever

corrosives are handled. They are used

extensively for handling mineral acids

in manufacturing explosives; petroleum

refining; metal cleaning or pickling;

electroplating; textile manufacture;

paper making; beverage making;

metal processing; paint and pigment

manufacturing; sulfuric and nitric acid

production; dye and color manufacturing;

fertilizer production; sewage disposal;

water-treating plants; and many others.

ese alloys are especially suitable for

services which require good resistance to

a variety of chemicals. Duriron pipe and

laboratory equipment is extensively used

in hospitals, colleges, industrial chemical

laboratories, and photo-engraving plants

where a variety of different corrosive

wastes are handled each day. Under these

adverse conditions, many years successful

service can be expected with the pipe

usually remaining in service as long as

the building.

dutchman (dutch-man) a lead nipple, or

piece(s), not more than about one inch

long, that is placed in a wiped joint to

make up the desired length in joining two

pipes which are too short. Slang.

D.W. Abbr. for Dishwasher.

Dwg. Abbr. for Drawing.

D.W.V. Abbr. for Drainage, Waste and Vent.

dynamic (dy-nam-ic) of, or relating, to

power and having the characteristic of

continuous movement.

dynamic head (dy-nam-ic head) the head

of water necessary to produce velocity

of ow.

dynamic pressure (dy-na-mic pres-sure)

the pressure on a surface at which a

owing uid is brought to rest, in excess

of the pressure on it when the uid is

not owing.

earth auger bit  elbow-45degrees

earth auger bit (earth au-ger bit) a tool

for drilling or boring in earth.

earth, diatomaceous (earth, di-a-to-ma-

ceous) See DIATOMITE.

earthenware basin (earth-en-ware ba-

sin) a lavatory made of china (clay). See

LAVATORY.

earthenware closet combination (earth-

en-ware clos-et com-bi-na-tion) a water

closet made of china (clay). See WATER

CLOSET.

earthenware urinal (earth-en-ware u-ri-

nal) 1. a xture made of red clay and

coated with a glass-like glazed surface. 2. a

urinal made of china (clay) See URINAL.

eave (eave) 1. the lower border of a roof that

overhangs the wall. 2. the corresponding

overhang of thatch. Also referred to as a

trough. Usually eaves.

eaves trough or eave trough (eaves trough

or eave trough) a gutter along the eaves.

SEE LAP JOINT, EAVES TROUGH.

eccentric bushing (ec-cen-tric bush-ing)

See REDUCER, ECCENTRIC.

eccentric tting (ec-cen-tric t-ting) a

tting in which the center line of the run

is oset in the tting. See REDUCER,

ECCENTRIC.

eccentric fuller stem (ec-cen-tric ful-ler

stem) 1. the operating stem of a faucet. 2.

a crank-like unit. 3. two cylindrical units

in a single plain, but oset to each other.

E.C.O. Abbr. for Energy Cut-o Valve.

E.-E. Abbr. for End to End. See E. TO E.

E.E.W. Abbr. for Emergency Eye Wash

Fountain.

eective opening (ef-fec-tive o-pen-ing)

1. the minimum cross-sectional area

at the point of water supply discharge,

measured or expressed in terms of: (a) the

diameter of a circle, or (b) if the opening

is not circular, the diameter of a circle

of equivalent cross-sectional area. 2. for

faucets and similar ttings, the eective

opening shall be measured at the smallest

orice in the tting body or in the supply

piping to the tting.

eorescense (ef-o-res-cense) the giving

off of moisture upon exposure to the

atmosphere.

euent (ef-u-ent) 1. the liquid outow

from any treatment tank or device. 2.

liquid discharged as waste (as water used

in an industrial process or sewage) 3.

liquid such as water or sewage, owing

from or out of a treatment basin or tank. 4.

a thing that ows out or forth specically:

(a) a stream owing out of a body of

water, (b) the outow of a sewer, sewage

tank, etc.

E.H.C.I. Abbr. for Extra-Heavy Cast Iron.

ejectors (e-jec-tors) a device operated

either electrically, by other power or

other mechanical means so constructed

as to elevate liquids from a lower level to

a point of discharge.

el. Abbr. for Elevation.

elbow (el-bow) ell, a tting with parts that

form a 90° bend. See STREET ELL.

elbow - 45 degrees (el-bow - 45 de-grees)

an angular pipe tting of 45°.

elec.

emissions

elec. Abbr. for Electric.

electric drill (e-lec-tric drill) a tool or

machine for drilling or boring holes in

metal, stone, or other hard substance.

electric hacksaw (e-lec-tric hack-saw) an

electrically driven saw usually hand held,

sometimes referred to as a sabre saw.

Interchangeable blades are used allowing

the operator to cut through wood or steel.

SABRE SAW.

electric hammer (e-lec-tric ham-mer)

an electrically driven hammer used in

riveting, caulking, chipping concrete or

mortar. For driving threaded inserts into

concrete for the purpose of hanging or

supporting pipe, etc.

electric pipe thawer (e-lec-tric pipe thaw-

er) an electrically energized device which

causes a ow of current sucient to heat

the pipe which in turn heats the entrained

substance.

electric sewer machine (e-lec-tric sew-

er ma-chine) a machine, powered by

electricity, used for dislodging sewer pipe

obstruction. See SEWER ROD.

electric thermostat (e-lec-tric ther-mo-

stat) a device which senses changes in

temperature and controls electrically, by

means of separate components, the ow of

fuel to the burner(s) to maintain selected

temperatures.

electric type automatic valve (e-lec-tric

type au-to-mat-ic valve) a valve device

actuated by electrical energy.

electric water cooler (e-lec-tric wa-

ter cool-er) a drinking water fountain

operated by electrical energy which is used

to make, store, and deliver refrigerated

water. Abbr. E.W.C.

electro-galvanize (elec-tro-gal-va-nize)

See ELECTROPLATE.

electrolysis (e-lec-trol-y-sis) the happenings

in electrolyte. e process of producing

chemical changes by passage of an electric

current through an electrolyte (as in a

cell) the ions present carrying the current

by migrating to the electrodes where

they may form new substances (as in the

deposition of metals or the liberation of

gases)

electrolyte (e-lec-tro-lyte) 1. a non-metallic

electric conductor (such as a liquid) in

which current is carried by the movement

of ions instead of electrons, with the

liberation of matter at the electrode. 2. a

liquid, electrical conductor.

electro-plate (elec-tro-plate) to plate or

cover a substance with a metallic coating by

use of electrolysis. See ELECTROLYSIS.

elevation (el-e-va-tion) the height to which

something is elevated above a reference

point or above the ground.

ell (ell) See ELBOW.

elutriation (e-lu-tri-a-tion) a process of

sludge conditioning in which certain

constituents are removed by successive

decontations with fresh water or plant

euent, thereby reducing the demand for

conditioning chemicals.

embalming table (em-balm-ing ta-ble)

a table used to embalm a body. See

AUTOPSY TABLE.

emergency eye wash fountain (e-mer-gen-

cy eye wash foun-tain) a specially shaped

plumbing xture provided to facilitate

the immediate ushing of the human eye

or eyes with potable water. Abbr. E.E.W.

emergency pipe clamp (e-mer-gen-cy

pipe clamp) 1. a device to encapsulate a

pipe as an emergency repair. 2. a curved

piece of metal clamped around a pipe and

secured by bolts.

emery cloth (em-er-y cloth) cloth covered

with emery grit used to clean and polish

metal surfaces.

emissions (e-mis-sions) blowback of water,

or gas, into occupied spaces due to positive

pressure.

enamel (enam-el) 1. to cover or inlay with

enamel. 2. to beautify with a colorful

surface. 3. to form a glossy surface on an

opaque vitreous composition applied by

fusion to the surface of metal, glass or

pottery. 4. a surface that resembles enamel.

5. a usually opaque or semi-opaque,

vitreous composition applied by fusion

to the surface of metal, glass or pottery

for ornamentation, protection or as a

basis for protection. 6. a paint that ows

out to a smooth hard coat when applied,

that contains especially prepared vehicle

instead of raw oil, and that usually dries

with a glossy appearance. 7. the coating of

carbonized glue or shellac that forms the

acid resisting portion of a metal photo-

engraving plate.

enameled grease trap (enam-eled grease

trap) 1. a plumbing unit of a waste and

drainage system. 2. a vitrified coated

grease trap.

enameled ware (enam-eled ware) a

plumbing xture coated with enamel.

end to center (end to cen-ter) a means of

clarifying, in plumbing design, the basis

for a measurement.

end to end (end to end) a means of

clarifying, in plumbing design, the basis

for a measurement.

end wrench (end wrench) a tool having

parallel jaws which are open at one end.

See WRENCH.

energy cut-off valve (en-er-gy cut-off

valve) a valve designed to automatically

shut o energy supply, i.e.: gas or a gas

water heater. Considered a safety device.

Abbr. E.C.O.

eng. Abbr. for Engineer.

ensemble (en-sem-ble) group, complete

unit, or composed of segments to

constitute a group or organic unity.

equip. Abbr. for Equipment.

equipment mounted See DECK

MOUNTED.

enamel E. to E.

equivalent length (equiv-a-lent length)

the length of straight pipe of a specic

diameter that would produce the same

frictional resistance of a particular tting

or valve or a line comprised of pipe and

ttings.

escharichia coli (esch-e-rich-ia co-li) a

genus of aerobic gram-negative, rod-

shaped bacteria that forms acid and gas

on many carbohydrates and that include

forms normally present in the human and

various other vertebrate intestines which

are pathogenic and indicative of fecal

contamination when found in water and

other forms which typically occur in soil

and water.

escutcheon (es-cutch-eon) a ange used on

a pipe to cover a hole or opening in a oor

or well through which the pipe passes.

essentially non-toxic transfer uids (es-

sen-tial-ly non-tox-ic trans-fer u-ids)

fluids have a Gosselin rating of one,

including: propylene glycol; mineral oil;

polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorouo-

rocarbon, chlorouorocarbon and hydro-

fluorocarbon refrigerants; and FDA

approved boiler water additives for steam

boilers.

essentially toxic transfer uids (es-sen-

tail-ly tox-ic trans-fer fluids) fluids

having a Gosselin rating of two or

more, including: soil, waste or gray

water; ethylene glycol; hydrocarbon oils;

ammonia refrigerant and hydrazine.

ethyl or ethine (eth-yl or eth-ine) See

ACETYLENE.

ethyl chloride (eth-yl chlo-ride) 1. a gas

that liquies under pressure, used as a local

anesthetic. 2. a refrigerant, and a solvent

or agent in various chemical reactions.

ethyl chloride refrigerating system (eth-

yl chlo-ride re-frig-er-at-ing sys-tem) a

refrigerating or cooling system of ethyl

chloride.

E. to C. Abbr. for End to Center.

E. to E. Abbr. for End to End.

eutectic salts

extended closet horn

eutectic salts (eu-tec-tic salts) a group of

materials that melt at low temperature

absorbing large quantities of heat. Used

in some types of solar collectors.

eutrophic (eu-troph-ic) rich in dissolved

nutrients but frequently shallow and with

seasonal oxygen deciency, said of lakes.

See OLIGOTROPHIC.

eutrophication (eu-troph-ic-a-tion) the

process of becoming more eutrophic

either as a natural phase in the maturation

of a body of water or articially (as by

fertilization).

evaporation (e-vap-o-ra-tion) the change

by which any substance is converted from

a liquid, or solid, state into a vapor and is

carried o in that vapor.

evapotranspiration (e-vap-o-trans-pi-ra-

tion) loss of water from the soil both by

evaporation and by transpiration from the

plants growing thereon.

E.W.C. Abbr. for Electric Water Cooler. See

WATER COOLER.

E.W.F. Abbr. for Eye Wash Fountain.

Sometimes called emergency eye wash

fountain.

excavation (ex-ca-va-tion) the action, or

process, of forming a hole, tunnel or cavity

by cutting, digging or scooping out earth,

sand or other material.

excess air (ex-cess air) 1. air which passes

through the combustion chamber and

the appliance ues in excess of that which

is required for complete combustion. 2.

more than sucient.

exchange, base (ex-change, base) the

replacement of the sodium in a complex

compound called a zeolite by calcium

and magnesium cations. If brought in

contact with their solutions in the zeolite

process of water softening, the reaction

is reversible if the concentrations are

changed, following the law of mass action.

exfoliation (ex-fo-li-a-tion) corrosion

that proceeds laterally from the site of

initiation along planes parallel to the

surface, generally at grain boundaries

forming corrosion products that force

metal away from the body of the material

giving rise to a layered appearance.

existing work (ex-ist-ing work) referred

to in the plumbing code as a plumbing

system, or any part, installed prior to the

eective date of the most recent code.

expansion bolt (ex-pan-sion bolt) a bolt

equipped with a split casing which acts

as a wedge; used for attaching to brick

or concrete.

expansion joint (ex-pan-sion joint) 1. a

telescopic pipe connection. 2. a coupling

(as of steam pipes) designed to permit an

endwise movement that compensates for

expansion or contraction resulting from

temperature changes. 3. the hydraulic

action or jack created in a plumbing

system by the minus or plus pressures.

expansion reamer (ex-pan-sion ream-er)

a reamer which admits a limited amount

of adjustment for size. Such adjustment is

usually through wedge action controlled

by a screw. See ADJUSTABLE REAMER;

REAMER.

expansion shield (ex-pan-sion shield)

a device for anchoring attachments to

masonry, or concrete, surfaces consisting

of a metal insert that is driven into a

drilled hole and expands tightly against

the sides of the hole.

exposed drain and supplies (ex-posed

drain and sup-plies) plumbing pipe and

conduits not concealed as in walls, oors

or partitions open to constant view.

exposed tting (ex-posed t-ting) a tting

where the body is mounted above, or in

front, of the xture.

extended closet horn (ex-ten-ded clos-et

horn) projecting below the oor line of

the water closet xture.

extension cord (ex-ten-sion cord) exible

insulated wires with a male plug on

one end and female plug on the other

used to transmit electrical power from a

permanent outlet to portable tools, light

to portable tools, light bulbs, etc.

extension shanks (ex-ten-sion shanks) a

tool to extend the length of other devices

(tools).

extension stem, radiator (ex-ten-sion

stem, ra-di-a-tor) extension stem in an

extended rod used to operate a valve at a

remote distance.

extra boiler tapping (ex-tra boil-er

tap-pings) with reference to water tank

(hot water storage) where more than

two openings in the top and one in the

bottom exist, (i.e.: extra side openings

[tappings]) , etc.

extra heavy (ex-tra heav-y) is thicker or

stronger than standard; has reference

to greater strength. This term is used

to describe pipe and fittings of any

composition. When applied to pipe,

indicates pipe thicker than standard pipe.

See SOIL PIPE.

extra heavy class cast iron soil pipe (ex-

tra hea-vy class cast iron soil pipe) a

designation, by wall thickness, to classify

cast iron soil pipe according to intended

end-use.

extra radiator tapping (ex-tra ra-di-a-tor

tap-ping) a tapping on the end section

of a radiator, in addition to regulation

tappings, is called an extra tapping, usually

an air valve tapping.

extra strong pipe (ex-tra strong pipe)

refers to pipe wall thickness. See EXTRA

HEAVY.

extrude (ex-trude) to shape a malleable

material, hot or cold, by forcing it to ow

out of a specially designed opening, and

taking the shape of the die. As in tubing

or molding.

extrusion (ex-tru-sion) 1. the process of

forming malleable material through a die.

2. an article, or the product, made by the

process of extruding.

eye bolt (eye bolt) a bolt provided with

a hole, or eye, at one end instead of the

usual head. e eye receives a pin, stud,

or hook which takes the pull of the bolt.

eye socket (eye sock-et) 1. the center of the

socket. 2. a tool. 3. an anchor. 4. the eye

of a bolt or hanger.

eye wash fountain (eye wash foun-tain)

a plumbing fixture. Abbr. E.W.F. See

EMERGENCY WASH FOUNTAIN.

extension cord  eyewashfountain

F.

 F.F.

F. Abbr. for Fahrenheit

face bowl (face bowl) slang, See

LAVATORY.

faced bushing (fac-ed bush-ing) a tting

with internal and external threads of

the standard pipe type equipped with

two or more projecting lugs or bosses,

for torqueing, twisting or tightening in

position.

facultative organism (fac-ul-ta-tive

or-gan-ism) See FACULTATIVE

PARASITE.

facultative parasite (fac-ul-ta-tive par-a-

site) an organism, usually a fungus, that

normally lives on dead organic matter but

is able to grow during the whole, or part,

of its development as a parasite.

Fahrenheit (fahr-en-heit) relating or

conforming to a thermometric scale

on which, under standard atmospheric

pressure, the boiling point of water is at

212 degrees and the freezing point at 32

degrees above the zero of the scale. e

zero point approximating the temperature

produced by mixing equal quantities by

weight of snow and common salt. Abbr. F.

F.A.I. Abbr. for Fresh Air Inlet.

family (fam-i-ly) dened in a plumbing

code as a unit of one or more individuals

living together and sharing the same

facilities.

fats sewage (fats sew-age) triglyceride

esters of fatty acids, erroneously used as a

synonym for grease.

faucet (fau-cet) a device at the end of a

water pipe in which water can be drawn

from, or held within, the pipe.

faucet, combination (fau-cet, com-bi-

na-tion) a faucet controlling both hot

and cold water and discharging through

a common spout.

faucet nut (fau-cet nut) the nut that screws

onto the shaft of the faucet to hold the

faucet in place.

faucet regulator (fau-cet reg-u-la-tor) a

device inserted into the supply line of a

faucet to regulate and control the liquid

volume which can be discharged from

the faucet.

faucet screw (fau-cet screw) a screw that

holds the washer to the stem; a screw that

holds the handle to the stem.

faucet seat (fau-cet seat) the surface

around, or within, the orifice in the

faucet through which water, or other

liquid, ows and against which the closing

member, such as stem washer, is pressed or

seated to terminate the ow. See VALVE

SEAT.

faucet spout (fau-cet spout) the tubular

like end of a faucet when opened water

ows.

faucet, washerless (fau-cet, wash-er-less)

Any faucet whose controlling operation

is based upon the juxtaposition of mating

ceramic discs, o-rings, or resilient seals,

and whose function is not patterned after

the compression faucet.

F.B. Abbr. Footbath.

F.C.O. Abbr. for Floor Cleanout.

F.D. Abbr. Floor Drain.

federal specication (fed-er-al spec-i--

ca-tion) specication promulgated and/

or published by the federal government

for work in federal installations.

ferrule (fer-rule) 1. a tube, or bushing,

that is used to make a tight joint between

two tubes. 2. or to strengthen the end of

a tube. See STIFFENER.

F.F. Abbr. for Finished Floor. Sometimes

Abbr. Fin. Fl.

F.G. Abbr. for Finished Grade.

F.H. Abbr. for Fire Hydrant.

ber (-ber) 1. a thread or object resembling

a thread as a root of grass. 2. an elongated

tapering thick walled plant cell void at

maturity that imparts elasticity, exibility

and tensile strength, capable of being

spun. Various berous materials are used

as reinforcing agents in making bre pipe.

fiberglass (fi-ber-glass) glass in fiber

form. e ne threads of glass are used

to strengthen materials, (i.e.: sheets of

structural material, and pipe).

berglass reinforced epoxy tubing (-

ber-glass re-in-forced e-pox-y tub-ing)

pipe or tube in which the material is a

thermosetting resin combined for added

strength with glass bers.

ber pipe (-ber pipe) See FIBRE PIPE

and BITUMINOUS FIBRE PIPE.

ber pipe ttings (-ber pipe t-tings) See

FIBRE PIPE FITTINGS.

bra (-bra) See FIBER.

bre pipe (-bre pipe) sometimes spelled

ber pipe, a non-metallic pipe made by

combining interwoven brous threads

with an impregnation of bituminous

compound. Used for sewers and drains.

See BITUMINOUS FIBER PIPE.

bre pipe ttings (-bre pipe t-tings) 1.

any pipe ttings made for use with bre

pipe. 2. pipe ttings made of the same

materials as bre pipe.

bre pipe to clay sewer pipe adapter (-

bre pipe to clay sew-er pipe a-dap-ter)

an adapter with a female tapered joint on

one end and the opposite end enclosing

the spigot end of a clay pipe.

bre pipe to soil pipe female adapter (-

bre pipe to soil pipe fe-male a-dap-ter)

an adapter with a female taper joint on one

end and the opposite end shall be enclosed

by the spigot end of the soil pipe.

bre pipe to soil pipe male adapter (-

bre pipe to soil pipe male a-dap-ter) an

adapter tting with a male taper joint on

one end and the opposite end ts into the

hub end of soil pipes.

bre pipe to threaded metal pipe adapter

(-bre pipe to thread-ed me-tal pipe

a-dap-ter) an adapter with a female taper

joint on one end and the opposite end

shall have a female thread enclsoing a male

threaded metal pipe.

ll valve (ll valve) a water supply valve,

frequently called a ballcock, opened or

closed by means of a float, or similar

device, used to supply water to a tank.

An anti-siphon ll valve also contains

an anti-siphon device in the form of an

approved air gap mechanical backow

preventer, or vacuum breaker, which is

an integral part of the ll valve unit and

which is positioned on the discharge side

of the water supply control valve.

lter (l-ter) a device, or a specic material,

capable of separating, or screening out,

impurities, or extraneous materials, from

the water supply or distribution system.

ltrate (l-trate) something that has been

ltered, such as a uid which has passed

through a lter.

filtration (fil-tra-tion) S e e

PERCOLATION.

ne solder (ne sol-der) a solder consisting

of equal parts of lead and tin with a

melting point of 370 °F.

ne thread (ne thread) 1. a thread having

more threads per inch than standard U.S.

pipe thread. 2. a tubing thread. Fittings,

such as valves and traps, are sometimes

made with ne threads.

nished grade (n-ished grade) the actual

elevation, or level, of the ground when the

work on it is completed.

finishing (fin-ish-ing) plumbing work

done after the roughing-in.

re cock (re cock) a re hydrant.

F.G.  recock

recisternwater

 xturebranch

re cistern water (re cis-tern wa-ter)

a man-made cavity in the ground for

the storage of water for the purpose

of preventing the spread of re or the

extinguishing of re. See WATER.

re damp (re cock) a combustible mine

gas that consists chiey of methane.

fire hose (fire hose) a hose supplied

with water for the explicit purpose of

extinguishing res.

re hydrant (re hy-drant) a valve, a series

of valves and spouts, or spouts supplying

water under pressure for connecting

apparatus used in extinguishing res.

re line (re line) 1.a system of pipes and

equipment used exclusively to supply

water for re extinguishing. 2. to supply

water to a hose cabinet or to supply water

to a sprinkler head.

fire meter (fire me-ter) 1.a meter to

measure liquid. Installed as a by-pass

around a weighted check valve in a re

system. 2. principal supply pipe by which

leaks are detected.

re plug (re plug) originally, in England,

re plugs were wooden plugs driven at

intervals in wooden or cast iron water

mains. When a re occurred, a plug could

be removed and the water was allowed to

ow out to be used by a re bucket brigade

to put out the re. See FIRE HYDRANT.

fire pot (fire pot) See PLUMBER’S

FURNACE.

re pump, centrifugal (re pump, cen-

tri-fugal) pumps of especially rugged

design and are usually built under the

specication of the National Board of

Fire Underwriters or other authority.

Standard sizes specied by NBFU are

500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500

GPM, discharge pressures are suited to

the particular service. e pump should

be equipped with a pressure relief valve,

a hose or discharge valve, a test valve,

pressure gauges and a hose manifold.

rmer chisel (rm-er chis-el) a thin at

blade usually at least six inches long and

1/8" to 2" wide used by woodworkers.

fitting (fit-ting) l. any device designed

to control, or guide, the ow of water

into a fixture. 2. parts of a pipeline

other than straight pipe, or valves, used

to connect two pieces of pipe together,

to change direction or to reduce or

increase the size of the pipe line. See

CAST IRON FITTING; CAST IRON

SOIL PIPE FITTING; COPPER

DRAINAGE FITTING; FITTING

COMPRESSION; FITTING,

DRAINAGE; FITTING, FLARED;

MALLEABLE IRON FITTING; PIPE

FITTING; PLASTIC FITTING; SOIL

PIPE FITTING.

tting brushes (t-ting brush-es) wire type

brushes shaped and sized to brush clean

inside surfaces.

fitting, aerator (fit-ting air-a-tor) See

AERATOR.

tting, compression (t-ting, com-pres-

sion) a tting that compresses the pipe or

tube into a socket to form a joint or seal.

See FITTING.

tting, discharge (t-ting dis-charge) See

DISCHARGE FITTING.

tting, drainage (t-ting, drain-age) a

tting designed for a drainage system.

See FITTING.

tting, ared (t-ting, ar-ed) a tting

which requires the pipe or tube to be

expanded, or ared, to form a joint or

seal. See FITTING.

ttings, transition (t-tings, trans-i-tion)

See TRANSITION FITTINGS.

xture (x-ture) l. any sanitary plumbing,

or related item, of equipment which can

demand water from a branch line. 2. a

receptor that receives water, or waterborne

wastes, and discharges into a drainage

system.

xture branch (x-ture branch) a pipe

connecting several xtures.

fixture count (fix-ture count) l. the

summation of all supply xture unit valves

to determine the maximum probable

demand on the water supply system or

source. 2. the summation of all drainage

fixture unit valves to determine the

maximum probable discharge into the

drainage or sewer system.

xture drain (x-ture drain) the drain

from the trap of a xture to the junction

of that drain with any other drain pipe.

xture opening (x-ture o-pen-ing) a term

used to identify a plumbing xture’s water

supply at the xture location on a wall or

oor. Sometimes called a water supply

plaster stub opening.

xture supply (x-ture sup-ply) a water

supply connecting a xture to a branch

water supply pipe or directly to a main

water supply pipe.

fixture unit, drainage (fix-ture u-nit,

drain-age) l. a quantity in terms of

which the load producing eects on the

plumbing system of dierent kinds of

plumbing xtures are expressed in some

arbitrarily chosen scale. 2. the rate of

discharge through a plumbing fixture

of 7.5 gallons per minute is termed one

xture unit. 3. a measure of the probable

discharge into the drainage system by

various types of plumbing xtures. e

value for a particular xture depends on

its volume rate of drainage discharge,

on the time and duration of a single

drainage operation, and on the average

time between successive operations.

Abbr. DFU.

xture unit ow rate (x-ture u-nit ow

rate) the total discharge ow in gallons

per minute of a single xture divided by

7.5 which provides the ow rate of that

particular plumbing xture as a unit of

ow; xtures are rated as multiples of this

unit of ow.

xture unit, supply (x-ture unit, sup-

ply) a measure of the probable hydraulic

demand on the water supply by various

types of plumbing xtures. e valve for

a particular xture depends on its volume

rate of supply, on the time duration for a

single operation, and on the average time

between successive operations. Abbr. SFU.

xture vent (x-ture vent) a vent pipe

leading from the trap of a xture to the

atmosphere or to another vent.

flame arrester (flame ar-rest-er) that

which arrests, stops, halts, hinders or

slows the motion, course, or progress of

re or ame.

ange (ange) a rim, or edge, on a shaft or

a pipe tting projecting at right angles to

provide strength or means of attachment

to another part. Abbr. Flg.

ange, adjustable (ange, ad-just-a-ble) a

two section escutcheon used on a pipe to

cover a hole opening that the pipe passes

through.

flange, cast iron (flange, cast iron) 1.

a raised-edge tting made of cast iron.

2. a rib or rim for strength, guiding,

attachment to another object, another

pipe tting; or to fasten to a wall; ceiling;

or oor, etc.

ange, closet (ange, clos-et) See CLOSET

COLLAR.

ange, companion (ange, com-pan-ion)

a pipe ange threaded internally to receive

a pipe length and drilled so it may be

bolted to another like ange. Sometimes

a similar arrangement is used for coupling

two parts of a shaft.

ange covering tube (ange cov-er-ing

tube) a chrome plated tube used to cover

an unnished pipe. Generally used on the

outlet side of a “P” trap.

flange facings (flange fac-ings) the

arrangements of the joining surfaces of

anges. May be smooth face to smooth

face, tongued and grooved, etc.

xturecount  angefacings

ange,faucet

 atdresser

ange, faucet (ange, fau-cet) a faucet

ared out, as in a ange shape, to cover

over edges of mounting hole, or holes, or

to provide a support.

ange, oor (ange, oor) a tting of

metal disc form tapped in the center with

a standard pipe thread and the residual

surface equipped with holes for mounting,

such as with bolts, screws, etc. Generally

used with pipe rails to secure pipe to wall

or oor.

ange for shower rod (ange for show-er

rod) a tting disc in a shape having a hole

in its center for holding a shower rod.

ange, galvanized (ange, gal-van-ized)

a disc tting with, or without, a hole in

its center and is coated with molten zinc.

ange, hanger (ange, hang-er) that part

of a hanger that secures to a wall or oor

by means of bolts or screws.

ange, joint (ange, joint) 1. a mating

of two annular rings of flat surfaces

extending outward from the sides of the

pipes or ttings and joined by bolts. 2. a

form of soldered connection.

ange making on (ange mak-ing on) the

securing of a ange onto a pipe.

ange, roof (ange, roof) an annular tting

used around a stack terminal on the top

side of a at roof or on a pitch roof to

make pipe rain tight at the roof.

ange, spun (ange, spun) 1. a disc tting

produced by metal spinning process. 2.

a one-piece collar that ts over a pipe

to cover an opening that the pipe passes

through.

flange union (flange un-ion) a pair of

anges joined by bolts holding the anges

together.

flange, valve (flange, valve) a valve

constructed with a ange on the inport

and outport ends, as opposed to a

threaded or sweat valve.

ange welding (ange weld-ing) a ange

constructed to be welded onto a pipe or

tting.

anged ttings (ang-ed t-tings) any of

a number of types of pipe ttings used to

connect pipes by means of holed anges

extending outside the pipe-way.

ank (ank) a valley, or inclined, channel

formed by two roofs meeting.

flared fitting (flared fit-ting) See

FITTING, FLARED.

aring tool (ar-ing tool) a tool used to

spread the walls of tubing outward as

a bowl or skirt to form a pressure joint

against the ange of the tube tting.

ashing (ash-ing) a term used to mean

water tight as on, or in, a roof with two

and ve strips of sheet metal, as copper

or galvanized iron, bent to fit in the

intersecting interior angle between two

intersecting roof surfaces to make a

watertight joint. e upstanding leg of

the ashing strip must be covered with

counterashing; a lap joint.

at back (at back) 1.relating to a xture

such as a at back sink, urinal, etc. 2. a

xture with a straight, or upright, rear

surface.

at bastard le (at bas-tard le) a at le

that is intermediate between the coarsest

and the second cut.

at boring bit (at bor-ing bit) a tool

rectangular in shape with two cutting

edges and rotated to bore or drill holes.

at brick chisel (at brick chi-sel) a chisel

tool wide and thin usually impacted with

a hammer for cutting masonry, sometimes

called a mason’s chisel or stone cutting

chisel. It diers from a marble cutting

chisel in that the latter has a serrated

cutting edge.

at dresser (at dress-er) a wooden lead

working tool employed to flatten. In

many cases, to boss lead sheet; shaping

and smoothing lead pipe and sheet lead.

Used in bending lead pipe and has other

numerous useful and working purposes.

See DRESSER; ROUND DRESSER.

at plate solar energy collector (at

plate so-lar en-er-gy col-lec-tor) a solar

collection device in which sunlight is

converted to heat on a plane surface

without the aid of reecting surfaces to

concentrate the rays.

at steel sewer rod (at steel sew-er rod)

See DRAIN CLEAN ROD.

ax packing (ax pack-ing) a graphite, or

asbestos, rope round or square in shape

and treated with ax.

exible supplies (ex-i-ble sup-plies)

tubing connectors between the water

supply and the xture faucet, or faucets

and exible to accommodate dierences

in design of xture. .

g. Abbr. for Flange or Flanges.

oat rod (oat rod) a nonferrous metal,

threaded rod to connect a oat device

to a ush valve mechanism in a water

closet.

oat valve (oat valve) an automatic

valve whose opening and closing are

controlled by a oat at the end of a lever.

oc (oc) small gelatinous masses formed

in a liquid by the addition of coagulants

through biochemical processes or by

agglomeration.

flocculate (floc-cu-late) to cause to

aggregate, or coalesce, into small lumps,

loose clusters or into a occulent mass

or deposit.

occulator (oc-cu-la-tor) something

that induces occulation; especially on

apparatus in which material (as water or

sewage) occulates certain suspended, or

dissolved, constituents.

flood control valve (flood con-trol

valve) a device to automatically, or

semi-automatically, control the rate of

ow of uids.

ooded (ood-ed) when the liquid in a

xture, or receptacle, rises to the ood

level rim.

ood level (ood lev-el) See FLOOD

LEVEL RIM.

ood level mark (ood lev-el mark) a

mark on the device 1/4” (6.4mm), or

more, below the critical level.

ood level rim (ood lev-el rim) 1. the

edge of the receptacle from which water

overows 2. the level from which liquid

will ow to the oor when all drain and

overow openings built into the device

are obstructed 3. the lowest point in a

receptacle from which water overows.

. Abbr. for Floor.

oor chisel (oor chis-el) 1. a caulking

iron for decks and oors. 2. a chisel with

a broad edge and long shank for ripping

out oorboards.

floor drain (floor drain) an opening

in the oor used to drain water into

the plumbing system. Abbr. F.D. See

RECEPTOR.

oor drain grate (oor drain grate) a

form of strainer at the oor plane over

a drain.

oor drain trap (oor drain trap) a “P”

shaped conduit under a floor drain.

See TRAP.

oor ange (oor ange) a tting of a

metal disc form tapped in the center

with a standard pipe thread and the

residual surface equipped with holes

for mounting with bolts, screws, etc.

Generally used with pipe rails to secure

pipe to wall or oor.

oor plan (oor plan) 1. a horizontal

section at a distance above the oor

varying so as to cut the walls at a height

which will best show constructions. May

be used for other purposes. 2. a drawing

indicating the physical arrangements

of all building components within a

specied area.

oor sink (oor sink) a receptor used for

the drainage of indirect drains.

oor stand (oor stand) a xture support.

Usually xed on studs or bolted to the

oor.

atplatesolarenergycollector  oorstand

otation

 ueloss

flotation (flo-ta-tion) the collection of

substances immersed in a liquid by taking

advantage of variable specic gravities,

or by the buoyance produced by the

evolution of gas by chemicals or heat.

ow controller (automatic) [ow con-

trol-ler (auto-mat-ic)] a component or

accessory which limits the maximum ow

through the line in which it is installed

and incorporates a pressure compensating

restriction maintaining a substantially

constant ow of water over its designed

pressure range.

flow passages (flow pas-sa-ges) the

openings, or passages, within the device

through which water, or air, ows from

the inlet to the outlet or to atmosphere.

owing pressure (ow-ing pres-sure) See

RUNNING PRESSURE.

flowing pressure differential (flow-ing

pres-sure dif-fer-en-tial) the dierence

between initial and reduced flowing

pressure.

ow passages (ow pas-sages) the openings

or passages within the device through

which water or air ows from the inlet to

the outlet or a atmosphere.

ow pressure (ow pres-sure) the residual

pressure in the water supply pipe at a

faucet, pressurized ushing device, water

outlet, or other endpoint device when in

an open and owing condition.

ow rate (ow rate) 1. an empirical value

of a rate of ow of a liquid or other mobile

substances, expressed in an accepted unit

of measure, through a pipe, tting, valve,

or device that characterizes its capacity

2. the rate of ow of water, silt, or other

mobile substance which emerges from an

opening, pump, or turbine or passes along

a conduit or channel, usually expressed as

cubic feet per second, cubic meters per

second, gallons per minute, or million

gallons per day.

ow restricter (xed) [ow re-stric-ter

(xed)] a component or accessory which

incorporates a ow restricting orice of

xed geometrical construction such that

ow through the restricter does not self-

adjust with uctuation in pressure. See

AUTOMATIC FLOW CONTROLLER.

ow valve (ow valve) 1. a valve that closes

when the velocity or the pressure gradient

of the uid passing through it reaches a

certain value. 2. a type of motor-operated

valve.

flue (flue) 1. the general term for the

passages and conduits through which ue

gases pass from the combustion chamber

to the outer air. 2. appliance ue: the ue

passages within an appliance. 3. chimney

ue: a conduit for conveying the ue gases

delivered into it by a vent connector to

the outer air. 4. a dilution ue: a passage

designed to eect the dilution of ue

gases with air before discharge from an

appliance. 5. vent connector: the conduit

connecting an appliance with the chimney

or gas vent.

ue cleaner (ue clean-er) a chemical of

powder formation sprinkled onto the hot

walls of a combustion chamber and used

to dissolve unburned carbon in a heating

appliance or ue.

ue collar (ue col-lar) a projection, or

recess, provided to accommodate the vent

connector or draft hood.

ue gas (ue gas) the mixture of gases

resulting from combustion and other

reactions in a furnace, passing through the

smoke ue, composed largely of nitrogen,

carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water

vapor, and often sulfur dioxide. Sometimes

serving as a source from which CO

and

other compounds are recovered.

flue gases (flue gas-es) products of

combustion and excess air.

ue loss (ue loss) the sensible heat and

latent heat above room temperature of the

ue gases leaving an appliance.

ue stopper (ue stop-per) a disc with a

spring-like metal attached and used to

cover a hole in a chimney.

uidics (u-id-ics) the control of liquids,

solids or gases by uid operated devices.

In plumbing, at-operated valves, or dash

pots, as in ush valves.

ush (ush) to wash out by drenching with

copious supplies of water.

ush bushing (ush bush-ing) a tting

having a male and female thread the entire

length of the tting. When inserted into a

larger tting, it makes up ush so threads

are not exposed.

ush ell (ush ell) a ush tting constructed

in a 90° bend. Used in the installation of

a wall hung closet and a oor mounted

bowl. See CLOSET BEND.

ush tank (ush tank) 1.a container for

a measured quantity of water, tted with

an inlet valve (ballcock) and a ush valve,

either wall hung or close coupled (with

closet bowl), used to ush a water closet

or urinal by gravity discharge. 2. a tank

holding water for ushing a water closet or

a urinal. It is normally lled by a ll valve

and emptied by a ush valve using gravity.

flush pipe (flush pipe) a straight tube

through which ushing water is conveyed

from the source of supply and the xture

(whether a tank or valve).

ush pipe tting (ush pipe t-ting) the

pipe and ttings extending from the ush

tank, ushometer or ush valve to the

xture (water closet or urinal, etc.).

ush pipe hangers (ush pipe hang-ers)

See FLUSH PIPE HOLDERS.

ush pipe holders (ush pipe hold-ers)

ttings designed to secure the ush pipe

from a tank, urinal, toilet, or other device,

or xture.

flush rim (flush rim) a portion of a

plumbing xture through which liquid

(water) is induced to flood the inner

surfaces of the xture.

ush rim closet bowl (ush rim clos-et

bowl) that upper part of a toilet bowl,

bedpan washer, or urinal, through which

water is diverted to wet down the sides

of the xture during the ushing action.

ush tank (ush tank) a container for a

measured quantity of water, tted with

an inlet valve (ballcock) and a ush valve,

either wall hung or close coupled (with

closet bowl), used to ush a water closet,

or urinal, by gravity discharge.

ush valve (ush valve) a valve located

at the bottom of a ush tank used to

discharge water into a water closet, or

urinal, for ushing the xture.

flushing cycle (flush-ing cy-cle) the

complete operating sequence of a water

closet, urinal, or similar device or xture

in emptying the contents, cleansing the

inside surfaces, and relling the water seal.

flushing type floor drain (flush-ing

type oor drain) a oor drain which is

equipped with an integral water supply

which enables flushing of the drain

receptor and trap.

ushing surface (ush-ing sur-face) the

surface, visible after installation, which

may be wetted during the operation of

the xture.

ushing system, gravity type (ush-ing

sys-tem, grav-i-ty type) See GRAVITY

TYPE FLUSHING SYSTEM.

flushing system, pressurized type

(ush-ing sys-tem, pres-sur-ized type)

See PRESSURIZED PLUMBING

FIXTURE FLUSHING DEVICE.

ushometer valve (ush-o-me-ter valve)

a valve attached to a pressurized water

supply pipe and designed that when

actuated, it opens the line for direct ow

into the xture at a rate and quantity to

properly operate the fixture and then

gradually closes in order to avoid water

hammer. e pipe to which this device is

connected is of sucient size that, when

open, will allow the device to deliver water

at a sucient rate of ow for ushing

purposes.

uestopper  ushometervalve

ushometertank

 F.P.S.C.

ushometer tank (ush-o-meter tank) a

valve in a pressurized water supply pipe

but integrated within an accumulator

vessel axed and adjacent to the xture

inlet to cause an eective enlargement of

the supply line immediately before the

ushometer valve.

ux (ux) 1. a substance used to promote

fusion, especially of metals or minerals. 2.

a substance (as rosin) applied to surfaces

to be joined to clean and face them from

oxide and promote their union.

follower (fol-low-er) part of a threading

tool intended to keep the thread straight.

food (food) any raw, cooked or processed

edible substance, beverage or ingredient

used, or intended for use, in whole, or in

part, for human or animal consumption.

food waste (food waste) the perishable

food refuse resulting from the preparation,

handling, serving and scrapping of food.

food waste disposer (food waste dis-pos-

er) See FOOD WASTE GRINDER

UNIT.

food waste grinder unit (food waste grin-

der u-nit) a device that reduces food

waste to a particle size which, with the

aid of water, can be discharged into the

plumbing drainage system.

food waste grinder unit, batch feed type

(food waste grind-er u-nit, batch feed

type) a food waste type grinder which is

rst charged with food waste and requires

the locating of a device in such a position

that the disposer is energized.

food waste grinder unit, continuous feed

type (food waste grind-er u-nit, con-

tin-u-ous feed type) a type of food waste

grinder which may be charged with food

waste continually.

footbath (foot-bath) 1. a bath for cleansing,

warming, or disinfecting the feet (as at the

entrance to an indoor swimming pool) 2.

a small portable tub. Abbr. F.B.

footing (foot-ing) the supporting base,

foundation or groundwork of a structure

as for a wall, or column.

foot-rest cup, for radiators (foot-rest

cup, for rad-i-a-tors) a pedestal that ts

under the leg of a radiator to raise it to a

higher level.

foot valve (foot valve) 1. a check valve at

the lower end of a section pipe (as in a

well). 2. a valve operated by one’s foot. 3.

a urinal or water closet foot valve.

force cup (force cup) a rubber plunger,

with a wooden handle, used on

plumbing fixtures to clear stoppages.

See PLUMBER’S FRIEND; CLOSET

PLUNGER, RUBBER.

forced circulating control (forced cir-cu-

la-ting con-trol) inducing energy, to cause

circulation and its (circulation) behavior

(control).

forced convection (forced con-vec-tion) in

the solar energy eld, the transfer of heat

by the ow of warm uids driven by fans,

blowers, or pumps.

fore arm handle faucet (fore arm han-dle

fau-cet) 1. a type of faucet operated by

the lower part of the arm. 2. a surgeon’s

sink faucet.

fountain (foun-tain) 1. a spring of water

issuing from the earth. 2. an articially

produced jet of water; also the structure

from which it arises. 3. a reservoir

containing a liquid that can be drawn o as

needed. See CUSPIDOR; DRINKING

FOUNTAIN.

four way tee (four way tee) See SIDE

OUTLET TEE.

F.P. Abbr. for Fire Plug.

F.P.S. Abbr. for Feet Per Second.

F.P.S. C. Abbr. for Frost Proof Sill Cock.

See SILL COCK.

frame (frame) 1. the form in which

something is fashioned. 2. the

constructional system that gives shape

or strength. 3. an underlying structure,

or skeleton, specically the arrangement

of supporting girders, beams, columns,

joists, or trusses forming the main

support. 4. a basic structural unit which

other constituents of a whole are tted,

attach, or integrated. 5. an open case, or

structure, made for admitting, enclosing,

or supporting something.

frames and grates (frames and grates) 1. a

frame containing parallel, or crossed, bars

forming an open lattice work, permitting

the passage of light, air, liquid, or sound,

and commonly used to prevent unwanted

ingress or egress (as of persons to or from

a building) or passage (as of solids into a

conduit for liquids). 2. a frame, bed, or

basket of iron bars for holding fuel while

it is burning. 3. a replace. 4. an open

latticed, or barred, frame for cooking over

a re. 5. a screen, or sieve, for use with

stamp mortars for grading ore.

framing chisel (fram-ing chi-sel) a long

sturdy chisel designed for rough carpentry

work.

freeboard (free-board) 1. in plumbing

the vertical distance between the normal

maximum liquid level in a tank or

reservoir and the top of the tank or

reservoir. 2. the height that is above the

recorded high-water mark of a structure

associated with a body of water such

as a dam, seawall, or culvert and is an

allowance against overtopping by waves

or other transient disturbances.

free circulation (free cir-cu-la-tion) free

circulation of air means a plumbing and

drainage system so designed and installed

as to keep the air within the system in

free circulation and movement, and to

prevent, with a margin of safety, unequal

air pressure of such forces as might blow,

siphon, or affect trap seals, or retard

the discharge from plumbing fixtures

or permit sewer air to escape into the

building.

frame  full“s”trap

french drain (french drain) a drain

consisting of an underground passage

made by lling a trench with loose stones

and covering with earth. Also called

rubble drain.

french solder (french sol-der) a readily

fusible silver solder composed of ne silver

and brass in varying proportions.

fresh-air inlet (fresh-air in-let) a

connection made to a house drain above

the main trap leading to the outside air.

Abbr. F.A.I. same as fresh air pipe.

friction (fric-tion) 1. resistance to the

relative motion of a liquid, or body,

sliding, rolling or owing over another

with which it is in contact. 2. the resultant

drag, or diminishment, of velocity of a

uid at the surface with which it is in

contact.

frostproof closet (frost-proof clos-et) a

toilet that has no water in the bowl and has

the trap and control for its water supply

installed below the frost line.

F.S. Abbr. for Federal Specications.

F.S.P.S. Abbr. for Female Standard Pipe Size.

ft. Abbr. for Foot or Feet.

F.T. F. Abbr. for Face to Face. Sometimes

F. - F.

ftg. Abbr. for Fitting or Footing.

F. to C. Abbr. for Face to Center.

F. to E. Abbr. for Face to End.

F.U. Abbr. for Fixture Unit.

fuel oil (fu-el oil) any oil used for fuel. It

usually has a ashpoint higher than that

of kerosene.

Fuller balls and/or washer (ful-ler balls

and/or wash-ers) 1. a pear-shaped

resilient device and the back up or

reinforcing conical-shaped unit. 2. Parts

of a particular type of faucet.

full “s” trap (full s trap) a trap (unvented).

A waterway in the shape of the letter “s”

when turned 90°.

fumigator

 F.V.T.

fumigator (fu-mi-ga-tor) a machine

patented in 1871 for applying smoke

tests to drains. Also used for fumigating

rat holes by blowing fumes of sulphur

into them.

fungi (fun-gi) small non-chlorophyll

bearing plants which lack roots, stems,

or leaves, and occur (among other places)

in water sewage, or sewage effluents;

grows best in the absence of light. eir

decomposition after death may cause

disagreeable tastes and odors in water. In

some sewage treatment processes, they are

helpful and in others they are detrimental.

fungus (fun-gus) any of a major group

(fungii) or saprophitic and parasitic lower

molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms;

usually bacteria. See MOLD.

funnel connection (fun-nel con-nec-tion)

1. a tting shaped like a funnel. Reference

a means of drainage. 2. an indirect

connection.

furnace (fur-nace) slang. See PLUMBER’S

FURNACE.

furnace bulb (fur-nace bulb) a ball type

pump.

furnace bulb cement (fur-nace bulb ce-

ment) a rubber cement to adhere rubber

or rubber-like units.

furnace fittings, galvanized (fur-nace

t-tings, gal-va-nized) a tting with an

inlet and an outlet which is galvanized,

coated, and installed in a water line inside

the combustion space of a stove furnace,

etc., to generate heated water.

furnace pipe and ttings (fur-nace pipe

and ttings) used to connect a gas water

heater or any other appliance requiring a

ue to a chimney.

fusible link (fu-si-ble link) a joining

member designed to be destroyed by pre-

determined heat.

fusible metal (or alloy) [fus-i-ble me-tal

(or al-loy)] an alloy, usually containing

bismuth, lead, tin, or cadmium which

melts at a low temperature [usually below

300 °F (149 °C)] and used especially for

boiler safety plugs and automatic sprinkler

fuses.

fusible plug (fu-si-ble plug) a metal plug

used as a liquid stopper which melts at a

predetermined temperature and installed

as a safety device.

fusion (fu-sion) 1. the process of liquifying,

or turning a solid into a plastic, by heat. 2.

uniting by melting the same or dierent

materials together.

fusion welding (fu-sion wel-ding) the

joining of plastic pipe and ttings by

melting or by heat alone. e surfaces of

the parts to be joined together to form a

union. Compare with: solvent welding.

F.V. Abbr. for Flush Valve.

F.V. T. Abbr. for Float Valve Tank.

G.  gasket,wedge

G. Abbr. for Gas or Gravity.

ga. Abbr. for Gauge.

gage (gage) See GAUGE.

gal. Abbr. for Gallons.

galena (ga-le-na) a mineral pbs consisting

of native lead sulde occurring in cubic,

or octahedral, crystals and massive,

bluish-gray in color with metallic luster,

showing highly perfect cubic cleavage,

and constituting the principle ore of lead.

galv. Abbr. for Galvanized.

galvanic action (gal-van-ic ac-tion) when

two dissimilar metals are immersed in the

same electrolytic solution and connected

electrically, there is an interchange of

atoms carrying an electric charge between

them. e anode metal with the higher

electrode potential corrodes, the cathode

is protected. Thus magnesium will

protect iron. Iron will protect copper.

See ELECTROLYSIS.

galvanize (gal-va-nize) 1. to coat (iron or

steel) with a thin coating of zinc as an aid

in resisting rust or corrosion. 2. to subject

metal to the action of an electric current.

Abbr. galv.

galvanized iron (gal-va-nized iron) iron

covered with a thin coating of zinc, which

resists rust. Abbr. G.I.

gang shower (gang show-er) See

SHOWER, GANG.

garbage disposer (gar-bage dis-po-ser)

See FOOD WASTE GRINDER UNIT.

garbage grinder (gar-bage grind-er) See

FOOD WASTE GRINDER UNIT.

garden hose (gar-den hose) usually a

rubber, or rubber-like, exible tubing

or smaller, equipped with a

" standard

hose thread female inlet tting and a

standard hose male outlet and intended

for garden, grass, shrubbery, etc. It may

be reinforced or non-reinforced tubing.

gas cock (gas cock) a core-type shuto valve

incorporated in the gas line and used to

control the ow of gas. It may be lever

handle, wrench handle, plain or lock type.

gas cock wrench (gas cock wrench) a

wrench of either the open-end or box

type used to operate the generally square

or oblong-headed core valves used in gas

ttings.

gas dome (gas dome) a steel cover oating

on the gas overlying the sludge in sludge

digestion tanks.

gascon (gas-con) (foreign) See OAKUM.

gasket (gas-ket) packing of any material

placed between two metals, or similar

surfaces, that are to be drawn together in

a water or gas-tight joint.

gasket, closet (gas-ket, clo-set) a sealing

unit doughnut in shape used to form a

gas and liquid tight connection between

the outlet of the water closet bowl (horn)

and the plumbing drainage system.

gasket tool (gas-ket tool) a tool which cuts

gaskets, usually circular gaskets.

gasket, wedge (gas-ket, wedge) a sealing

material fashioned in wedge shape and

thick to thin in two planes.

gas meter riser

 G.I.

gas meter riser (gas me-ter ris-er) a tting

in the form of a tube or a pipe, usually

metal which connects the underground

gas line to the above-ground meter.

Typically supports the weight of the meter.

gas pliers (gas pli-ers) stout pliers designed

for gripping small pipe, rods, or other

round objects.

gas scrubber (gas scrub-ber) an

arrangement for washing gas to remove

dust, ammonia and other impurities.

gas stop (gas stop) See GAS COCK.

gas stop and wrench (gas stop and wrench)

A core type gas valve with a removable

operating handle (key) called gascock.

Gascock and wrench may be of plain or

lock type.

gas valve (gas valve) See GAS COCK.

gate (gate) 1. an opening for passage in an

enclosing wall, fence, or barrier, especially

such an opening with a movable frame

or door for closing it. 2. a door, valve, or

other device for controlling the passage of

uid or other material (as through a sluice,

channel or pipe).

gate box (gate box) See CURB BOX.

gate valve (gate valve) 1. a valve in which

the ow of water is controlled by means of

a circular disk tting against, and sliding,

on machine smoothed faces, the motion

of the disk being at right angles to the

direction of ow. e straight through

opening of the valve is as large as the

full bore of the pipe. 2. a type of motor-

operated valve. Abbr. ga.

gauge (gauge) 1. a device for determining

whether the dimensions of a part are

within specied limits. 2. a measuring

instrument. 3. to measure exactly.

gauge glass cutter (gauge glass cut-ter)

a tool for cutting tubing of glass, which

scores the tube either internally or

externally.

gauge pressure (gauge pres-sure) the

pressure at a point in a uid above that of

the atmosphere. Compare with absolute

pressure. Abbr. G.P.

gauge siphon, steam (gauge si-phon,

steam) a pipe formed in the shape of a

pig’s tail used between a gauge and a steam

boiler. Its function is to prevent water or

steam from entering the gauge by means

of an air cushion.

gauge, tank (gas tank) external glass or

transparent sight glasses or gauges for

a tank.

gauge washer (gauge wash-er) a peripheral

resilient sealing member used around

gauge glass tubing at its connection to

metal ttings.

geared valves (gear-ed valves) valves

operated with gears to provide easier

opening and closing.

gel coat (gel coat) a coating of epoxy or

resinous material applied to seal the

surface of reinforced resin. See RESIN.

general contractor (gen-er-al con-trac-tor)

a person, rm or corporation who secures

a contract, or agreement, to build, repair,

renovate or maintain work supplying

articles and materials to complete all

phases of work agreed upon in contract.

Abbr. G.C.

general information (gen-er-al in-for-ma-

tion) common knowledge.

generally accepted standard (gen-er-al-ly

ac-cep-ted stand-ard) a specification,

code, rule guide, or procedure in the

eld of construction or related thereto,

recognized and accepted as authoritative.

German silver (ger-man sil-ver) See

NICKEL SILVER.

geyser (gey-ser) an intermittent hot water

spring. In plumbing, an old style type

of water heater in which a measured

amount of water passed through piping in

a cylinder containing burners. e water

was thus heated at the point of use.

G.F.D. Abbr. for Garage Floor Drain.

G.I. Abbr. for Galvanized Iron.

G.I. Abbr. for Grease Interceptor.

gilding metals grating

gilding metals (gild-ing met-als) a kind of

brass rich in copper, from which articles

to be gilded are made.

gimlets (gim-lets) a device for boring small

holes by hand pressure. e bit form of

gimlet is used in a brace, being adapted to

heavier and quicker boring than the gimlet

which has a handle. See TWIST DRILLS.

gland ring, metal (gland ring, met-al) a

metal ring usually in packing boxes or

glands as a friction ring.

glass cutter (glass cut-ter) a tool (as a metal

hand tool equipped with a small wheel of

hardened steel or a tooth with a diamond

point) used for cutting or scoring glass.

glass tubing cutter (glass tub-ing cut-ter)

any number of tools for scaling the surface

of glass tubing so that it can be broken, or

separated, cleanly.

glauconite (glau-co-nite) a mineral

consisting of a dull, green, earthy iron

potassium silicate occurring abundantly

in greensand. See ZEOLITE.

glazier putty (gla-zier put-ty) a mastic

used by glaziers for setting glass and like

substances. See PUTTY.

globe radiator valve (globe ra-di-a-tor

valve) 1. supply, or return, valve used on

steam radiators. 2. a compression valve.

globe valve (globe valve) 1. (compression

type) a valve in which the ow of water

is controlled by means of a circular disk

which is forced against, or withdrawn,

from an annular ring, known as the seat,

which surrounds the opening through

which water flows in the valve. The

direction of movement of the valve is

parallel to the direction of ow of water

through the valve opening and normal to

the axis of the pipe to which the valve is

connected. 2. a type of motor operated

valve.

globe valve disc (globe valve disc) the

moveable member of a compression valve.

go devil (go dev-il) a cleaning scraper

rotated and propelled through a pipeline

by the force of owing oil or water.

gold (gold) a malleable, ductile, yellow,

metallic element sometimes used in

plating faucets. It is indierent to most

chemicals but attached by chlorine and

aqua regia, and is hardened, or changed in

color, and of commercial use by alloying

with copper, silver, zinc, cadmium and

other metals.

gold solder (gold sol-der) 1. an alloy

containing gold used as a joiner requiring

heat application. 2. a hard solder

comprised of gold, silver, copper, or brass.

gooseneck (goose-neck) 1. the “J” bend

of a trap (an improper term for a return-

blend). 2. the lead or similar flexible

connection between a water service pipe

and a water main. It is commonly used as

a faucet for a pantry sink.

gouge chisel (gouge chis-el) a chisel with

a hollow-shaped blade. It is a specialized

tool for cutting rounded grooves.

G.P. Abbr. for Gauge Pressure.

G.P.D. Abbr. for Gallons Per Day.

G.P.M. Abbr. for Gallons Per Minute.

G.P.S. Abbr. for Gallons Per Second.

grade (grade) 1. the fall (slope) of a line of

pipe in reference to a horizontal plane. In

drainage it is usually expressed as the fall

in a fraction of an inch per foot length of

pipe. 2. an indicator of category, or rank,

related to features, or characteristics, that

cover dierent sets of needs for products,

or services, for the same functional use.

gram calorie (gram ca-lo-rie) See

CALORIE.

graphite packing (graph-ite pack-ing) 1.

a string-like packing of several strands. 2.

a packing impregnated with graphite. See

PACKING.

grating (grat-ing) a screen or grid in a

waste line. Used to prevent solids or other

undesirable or insoluble contaminants

from entering and blocking the line.

gravityconvection

gunmetal

gravity convection (gra-vi-ty con-vec-

tion) the natural movement of heat

through a body of uid that occurs when

a warm uid rises and cool uid sinks

under the inuence of gravity.

gravity type ushing system (grav-i-ty

type ush-ing sys-tem) 1.a method which

relies on a storage tank or vessel, open to

atmospheric pressure and usually used for

ushing plumbing xtures 2. products

which predominantly rely on storage

vessels, open to atmospheric pressure for

ushing plumbing xtures.

gray iron (gray i-ron) cast iron, or pig iron,

which has a high carbon content which

causes a fractured section to appear to

be dark gray.

grease (grease) in sewage, includes fats,

free fatty acids, waxes, calcium and

magnesium soaps, mineral oils, and other

non-fatty materials.

grease cup (grease cup) a lubricating, cup

shaped tting

grease cup, oil (grease cup, oil) a heavy

viscosity oil used in lubricating cups.

grease gun (grease gun) a small hand

pump for forcing grease under pressure

into bearings.

grease interceptor (grease in-ter-cep-tor)

See INTERCEPTOR.

grease, soldering (grease, sol-der-ing) See

SOLDERING GREASE.

grease trap (grease trap) 1. a trap in a

drain or waste pipe to prevent grease

from passing into a sewer system. 2. a

device installed in a drainage system to

hold the grease content while allowing

other materials to continue to ow. 3.

interceptor used in drainage system

to trap grease by the use of baes and

enlargement chambers slowing velocity

of flow so grease coagulates on top

and can be removed or drawn o. See

INTERCEPTOR.

grease trap draw-o valve (grease trap

draw o valve) a special valve used on

some types of grease traps for removal of

contained grease.

grease trap, pot-type (grease trap, pot-

type) a cylindrical unit having a height

equal to its diameter installed in a drainage

system to retain the entrapped grease

while allowing the continued ow of other

materials. See INTERCEPTOR.

green sand (green sand) a common name

for glauconite, a natural zeolite. See

ZEOLITE.

grinder (grind-er) a rotating, solid stone

or abrasive wheel used for grinding,

sharpening, shaping, etc. (bench or

portable).

grit cloth (grit cloth) sheets of cloth which

are glued or imbedded, bits of abrasive

material. Used generally in metalwork as

sandpaper is used in woodwork.

ground joint (ground joint) a machined

metal joint that ts tightly without gasket

or packing.

ground key faucet (ground key fau-cet)

See GROUND KEY VALVE.

ground key valve (ground key valve) a

valve, or faucet, through which the rate

of ow of water is controlled by means

of a circular plug, or key, that ts closely

in a cylindrical or conical machined seat.

The axis of the plug is normal to the

direction of the ow of water. e plug

has a hole or passageway bored through

it as a waterway.

ground water (ground wa-ter) water that

is standing in, or owing through, the

ground.

group vent (group vent) a branch vent

servicing two or more traps.

gunmetal (gun-met-al) 1. a bronze nine

parts copper and one of tin. 2. an alloy

or metal treated to imitate nearly black

tarnished copper alloy gunmetal.

gutter (gut-ter) 1. a channel, or gulley, worn

by running water. Something forming, or

intended, to form a channel. 2. a groove

at an eaves or metal trough under an eaves

to catch rainwater and carry it o (as to a

downspout) 3. a low area, course, ditch,

or furrow (as at a roadside) to carry o

surface water (as to a sewer)

gypsum (gyp-sum) a mineral used for

making plaster of paris, fertilizer, etc.

G.V. Abbr. for Gate Valve.

gutter  G.V.

h. or ht.

hanger

h. or ht. Abbr. for Height.

hacking knife (hack-ing knife) 1. lead

working tool. 2. knife used for cutting

heavy sheet lead; the knife has a wide

back on the blade which can be struck

with a hammer. See CHIPPING KNIFE;

DRAWING KNIFE.

hacksaw (hack-saw) hand held saw with a

narrow blade set in a bow used primarily

for cutting metal. Types: (a) close-quarter,

(b).pistol-grip. See HAND SAW.

hacksaw blade (hack-saw blade) a blade

used in a hacksaw. A thin blade of metal

with cutting teeth on edge commonly

with a hole at each end for attaching to

the holder.

hair felt (hair felt) 1. a non-woven

material. 2. a matted under pressure

made of either animal or human hair. 3.

an insulation material.

half round cape chisel (half round cape

chis-el) See CAPE CHISEL.

half round le (half round le) a le semi-

circular in section, or one side curved to a

circular segment and the other at. Half

round les are made in all lengths.

half-S trap (half-s-trap) ½-S=P type. See

TRAP.

hammer (ham-mer) tool for striking, or

repeated blows, consisting of a relatively

long handle, with heavy metal head

set at right angles to it; used to drive

nails, caulking lead joints, drive chisels,

work metal, break concrete, etc. Types

of hammers: a.claw or carpenter’s

b.machinists or ball peen c.various weights

d.sledge hammers, various weights.

hammer head chisel (ham-mer head chis-

el) used to cut through oors, timbers, etc;

preferable for hard usage.

hammer head gouge (ham-mer head

gouge) used to cut through oors, timbers,

etc.; preferable for hard usage.

hammond joint (ham-mond joint) See

NORMANDY JOINT.

hand held discharge piece (hand held dis-

charge piece) a type of hand held shower

head or other accessory.

handhole (hand-hole) 1. a hole large

enough only for the insertion of a hand,

as for lifting, or of a hand and arm, as for

cleaning out otherwise inaccessible places

or giving access to enclosed parts. 2. a

shallow form of manhole giving access

to a top row of ducts in an underground

electrical system.

handhole gasket (hand-hole gas-ket) 1. a

gasket to t the oval tank or other opening

covering member. 2. a cleanout opening

cover gasket. See MANHOLE GASKET.

hand pump and spray (hand pump and

spray) a pump operated manually having

a suction inlet and pressure outlet.

hand saw (hand saw) saw worked with one

hand and operated by a backward and

forward drive of the arm; wood cutting.

See HACKSAW.

hanger (hang-er) 1. something that

hangs, overhangs, or is suspended. 2.

a depending part containing a bearing

for a revolving piece, especially, a metal

frame secured to the ceiling and carrying

a bearing for overhead shafting. 3. a device

or contrivance by which or to which

hard lead head pressure

something is hung or hangs. 4. a metal

strap used to hold an eave in place. 5. a

vertical tension member receiving its stress

only from the part of the structure directly

attached to it. 6. an iron box secured to

any projection from a wall or beam to

carry one end of a joist or girder. 7. devices

for supporting and securing pipe, xtures,

and equipment, to walls, ceilings, oors,

or any other structural members. See

ANCHORS; PIPE HANGER.

hard lead (hard lead) lead with alloys to

stien the base. Sometimes called acid

lead, antimonial lead, chemical lead or

copper lead.

hard pressure (hard pres-sure) (back

pressure) a condition in which the pressure

in a non-potable system is greater than the

pressure in the potable water distribution

system. Hard pressure will cause non-

potable liquids to ow into the potable

water distribution system through cross

connections.

hard solder (hard sol-der) higher

temperature than soft solder. A solder used

for joining metals such as copper, silver,

gold, or brass. Due to the high melting

point of hard solder, a soldering copper

cannot be used necessitating a coke,

charcoal re or blow pipe. Composed

principally of copper and zinc. Terms

hard soldering and brazing are often

used interchangeably. See SOLDER;

SPELTER SOLDER; BRAZING.

Harrington (Tapered Sleeve) Joint [har-

ring-ton (ta-pered sleeve) joint] refers

to machined tapered pipe ends, joined

by a matching tapered sleeve coupling.

Used in joining bre pipe. Sometimes

called taper joint or tapered sleeve joint.

See BITUMINUS FIBRE PIPE, FIBRE

PIPE.

hatchet copper (hatch-et cop-per) See

SOLDERING IRON.

hatchet iron (hatch-et iron) a form of

soldering iron.

hazard (haz-ard) l. a possible source of

danger or peril. 2. a condition that tends

to create or increase the possibility of loss

or harm.

hazard, health (haz-ard, health) an actual

or potential threat of contamination or

pollution of a physical or toxic nature to

the potable water system to such a degree

that there would be a danger to health.

hazard, high (haz-ard, high) a connection

made to the potable water system whereby

the risk of backow occurring would be

from toxic or chemically charged sources.

hazard, low (haz-ard low) 1. a connection

made to the potable water system whereby

the risk of backflow occurring would

be limited to the contamination of the

potable water with objectionable, but

nontoxic substances such as steam,

air, food, beverage, etc. 2. any actual,

or potential, threat of pollution to the

potable water supply that is considered

aesthetically objectionable and would

make the water look, smell, or taste bad

but would not kill or cause illness

H. B. Abbr. for Hose Bibb.

hd. Abbr. for head.

Hd. P. Abbr. for Head Pressure.

head (head) 1. a body of water kept in

reserve at a height like a bank, dam, or

wall. 2. the dierence in elevation between

two points in a body of fluid. 3. the

resulting pressure of the uid at the lower

point expressible at this height; broadly:

pressure of uid. 4. a ship’s toilet. slang

(Navy) for xture. See WATER CLOSET.

head and pressure (head and pres-sure)

the result of height converted to pounds

per square inch pressure (kilograms per

square centimeter)

head pressure (head pres-sure) the

resulting pressure of the uid at the lower

point expressible at this height; broadly:

pressure of uid. Abbr. Hd.P.

head shower and stop

 holdbacksforshower

head shower and stop (head show-er

and stop) an elevated water distributor

equipped with an integral water flow

control valve.

header (head-er) a pipe of many outlets.

e outlets can be parallel or may be at

90° to the center line of the header. See

MANIFOLD.

health agency or department (health agen-

cy or de-part-ment) the organization

established by law to have jurisdiction

over the water supply quality.

health hazard (health ha-zard) See

HAZARD, HEALTH.

heater (heat-er) a plumbing xture which

heats water by the combustion of gas,

electricity; oil, or other combustibles.

heat exchanger (heat ex-chang-er) a

device, such as a coiled copper tube,

immersed in a tank of water, that is used

to transfer heat from one uid to another

through an intervening surface.

heat loss (heat loss) 1. loss of heat from

one space to another. 2. energy or power

transmitted out of a system in the form

of heat.

heat sources (class I and I-V) (heat sources)

heat sources provided by the enclosure

manufacturers shall be constructed and

installed so that water or other liquids

do not enter and/or or accumulate in, or

on, the live wired sections or electrical

components or wiring. (Electric heat

sources and electrical components which

are associated with the heat source and

supplied by the manufacturer shall be

listed by an independent product safety

listing and certication agency for use in

damp locations.)

heating surface (heat-ing sur-face) all

surfaces which transmit heat from the

ames or ue gases to the medium to

be heated.

heat pump (heat pump) a mechanical

device that transfers heat from one

medium to another thereby heating the

rst and cooling the other.

heat transfer (heat trans-fer) the

movement of heat from one body to

another by means of radiation, convection

or conduction.

heat transfer uid (heat trans-fer u-id)

in a solar system the air, water, or other

uid which is used to carry thermal energy

from one subsystem to another.

heat trap (heat trap) a device incorporating

a down-flow, or return, designed to

prevent auto-circulation of heated water

in the outlet tting of a water heater, thus

preventing heat loss.

heel inlet (heel in-let) See BRANCH ELL.

heel inlet elbow (heel in-let el-bow) See

BRANCH ELL.

height of building (height of build-ing)

the height of a building measured at the

center line of its principal front, from the

street grade (or, if setting back from the

street, from grade of the ground adjoining

the building) , to the highest part of the

roof, if a at roof or to a point two-thirds

the height of the roof (if a gabled or hip

roof).

hematite (hem-a-tite) an important iron

ore.

hex wrench (hex wrench) hex jaws aord

multi-sided grip on hex and square nuts,

unions, packing nuts, etc.; smooth jaw

design for use on polished surfaces. See

OFFSET HEX WRENCH.

“h” tting (“h” t-ting) a drainage tting

designed exclusively for venting purposes.

e side branch may be the same as the

main, or reduced, in size. Sometimes

called Limberdick.

high hazard (high haz-ard) See HAZARD,

HIGH.

hinged hook (hinged hook) a hook, or

joint, on which a door or lid turns.

hold backs for shower (hold backs for

show-er) sometimes called shower curtain

tie back. A hook and chain, nickel or

chrome plated, used in retaining cloth or

plastic shower curtains in the full open

position.

holecover,faucet  hoseconnectionbackowpreventer

hole cover, faucet (hole cov-er, fau-cet)

a convex disc to close unused holes, or

drillings, in plumbing xtures.

hole saw (hole saw) Also called cylinder

saw or crown saw. See CROWN SAW.

hole shooter (hole shoot-er) See

ELECTRIC DRILL.

holiday (hol-i-day) an area of applied

lining or coating to tanks or vessels

that has a discontinuity or an electrical

resistance less than the specied value.

hook, bead chain (hook, bead chain) a

hook usually of the “S” shape designed

to be attached to the end of a bead type

chain.

hopper (hop-per) 1. entry part of a food

water disposer; household or commercial.

2. the space, or cavity, within a food waste

grinder for receiving and containing food

waste prior to and during the reduction

process.

hopper-bowl or closet (hop-per-bowl or

clos-et) the upper funnel-shaped portion

of a hopper water closet. See HOPPER 

LONG AND SHORT.

hopper-long and short (hop-per-long

and short) the upper funnel-shaped

portion of a hopper waste closet. Short

pattern approx. 40" (101.6 cm) long; long

pattern: longer than 40" (101.6 cm) See

HOPPER  BOWL OR CLOSET.

hopper trap (hop-per trap) the four inch

waste trap at the bottom of the hopper in

a water closet.

hor. Abbr. for Horizontal.

horizontal branch (hor-i-zon-tal branch)

a branch drain extending laterally from a

soil, or waste stack, or a 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

the building drain.

horizontal caulked joint (hor-i-zon-tal

caulked joint) a bell and spigot caulked

connection in a horizontal run.

horizontal pipe (hor-i-zon-tal pipe) a pipe

that is installed in a horizontal position, or

that makes an angle of less than 45 degrees

with the horizontal.

horsepower (horse-pow-er) a unit of power

in the U.S. customary system equal to

745.7 watts or 550 foot-pounds per

second. Abbr. H.P.

hose bibb (hose bibb) a faucet to which a

hose may be attached. Abbr. H.B.

hose bibb backow preventer (hose bibb

back-flow pre-ven-ter) an assembly

composed of a check valve internally

force loaded to a closed position and an

atmospheric vent valve or means force

loaded in a closed position when device

is not under pressure. Shall only be used

on systems where additional sources

of pressure are not introduced. For

protection of the potable water supply

against pollution by contaminants which

can otherwise be caused to enter the

system by backsiphonage through the hose

threaded outlets.

hose bibb vacuum breaker (hose bibb

vac-u-um break-er) a vacuum breaker

designed to be installed on the discharge

side of the hose bibb or sill cock; the

design embraces a check valve member

force loaded or biased to a closed position

and an atmospheric vent valve, or means,

force loaded, or biased, to an open

position when the device is not under

pressure; the device shall only be used on

systems where additional sources of back

pressure are not introduced by any means

other than head pressure developed in a

connected hose.

hose connection backow preventer (hose

con-nec-tion back-ow pre-vent-er) a

backow prevention device designed to

be connected to a hose treaded outlet on

a potable water system, consisting of two

independent check valves force loaded in

the closed position with an atmospheric

vent located between the two check

valves which is force loaded in the closed

position, and provided with a means for

attaching a hose.

hosefaucet

house sewer

hose faucet (hose fau-cet) a type of lawn

faucet. A faucet, or valve, equipped with

hose threads (

U.S. standard hose) to

which a hose may be connected. e hose

faucet may have a wheel, lever, tee, key

or other handle permanently mounted;

removable; or locked. See HOSE

THREADED FAUCET; FAUCET;

SILL COCK.

hose gate valve (hose gate valve) 1. a

re-extinguishing system component. 2.

a valve with one threaded end for hose

application.

hose globe valve (hose globe valve) globe

valve with hose threaded at one end. See

GLOBE VALVE.

hose rack (hose rack) a frame work for

storing hose. Abbr. H.R.

hose station (hose sta-tion) a combination

of valve, hose, nozzle, and hose rack. A

part of a re-extinguishing system.

hose thread (hose thread) a screw thread

used on ttings to provide an attachment

for a garden hose. Sometimes called

garden hose thread. Usually 12 threads

per inch of threaded surface on

" pipe

size, as compared to 14 threads per inch

of threaded surface on

" thread size.

hose threaded faucet (hose thread-ed

fau-cet) a type of lawn faucet equipped

with threads for attachment of a hose. See

HOSE FAUCET.

hose washer (hose wash-er) a disc with a

hole in its center. Used as a seal between

the hose connector and its mate.

hot air damper (hot air damp-er) a shutter

type device to control air passing through

a pipe or duct.

hot water (hot wa-ter) water at a

temperature not less than 120

F (49

C).

Abbr. H.R.

hot water boiler (hot wa-ter boiler) a vessel

for storing and/or heating water.

hot water boiler ow control tting (hot

wa-ter boil-er flow con-trol fit-ting)

a valve automatic, semi-automatic or

manually operated to control the outlet

ow of heated water from the hot water

boiler.

hot water boiler thermometer (hot wa-ter

boil-er ther-mom-e-ter) heat registering

device installed in water boiler to indicate

internal temperature. See BOILER

GAUGE.

hot water dispensers, electric storage

type (hot wa-ter dis-pen-sers, e-lec-tric

stor-age type) designed for household, or

single, xture and continuously vented

to atmosphere, electrically heated storage

tanks.

hot water generator (hot wa-ter gen-er-

a-tor) an enclosed vessel in which water

is heated for domestic or industrial use.

hot water meter (hot wa-ter me-ter) a

device to measure volume of hot water

and made of material compatible with

the temperature involved. See WATER

METER.

hot water supply and return (hot wa-ter

sup-ply and re-turn) a system of piping

to cause circulation of the heated water.

Abbr. H.W.S. and H.W.R.

house drain (house drain) that part of the

lowest horizontal piping of a drainage

system which received the discharge

from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes

within a building and conveys it to the

building or house sewer (beginning three

feet to ve feet outside the building wall)

See BUILDING DRAIN.

household dishwasher (house-hold dish-

wash-er) an appliance which, with the aid

of water, automatically washes, rinses and

dries (where drying process is included)

dishware, glassware and cutlery and most

cooking utensils by chemical, mechanical

or electrical means and discharges to the

plumbing drainage system

house sewer (house sew-er) See

BUILDING SEWER.

house slant  hydrodynamics

house slant (house slant) a tee or wye

connection in the sewer for the purpose

of connecting to the house sewer. See

SLANT.

house tank (house tank) an elevated

reservoir which received water to be

distributed, usually by gravity, to the

building’s water system. See ATTIC

TANK.

house trap (house trap) a trap in the house

drain for preventing the entrance of gases

from a sewer. See BUILDING TRAP.

H.P. Abbr. for Head Pressure and

Horsepower

Hr. Abbr. for Hour.

H.R. Abbr. for Hose Rack.

hub (hub) the enlarged end of a pipe made

to provide a connection into which the

end of the joining pipe ts. See BELL.

hubless class cast iron soil pipe (hub-less

class cast iron soil pipe) a descriptive

designation of various sizes cast iron, soil

pipes. See SOIL PIPE.

hub-type ferrules, or sleeves, brass (hub-

type fer-rul-es, or sleeves, brass) See

SOIL PIPE.

hub-type soil pipe (hub-type soil pipe)

See SOIL PIPE.

humidity (hu-mid-i-ty) 1. moisture.

2. dampness. 3. a moderate degree of

wetness, which is perceptible to the eye

or touch, esp. of the atmosphere, or of

anything which has absorbed moisture

from the atmosphere. 4. a relationship of

O to air given usually in percentage.

humus (hu-mus) 1. a brown, or black,

complex and varying material formed

by slow decomposition of vegetable and

animal matter 2. the organic portion of

soil.

H.W. Abbr. for Hot Water.

H.W.H. Abbr for Hot Water Heater.

H.W.R. Abbr. for Hot Water Return.

H.W.S. Abbr. for Hot Water Supply.

hydrant (hy-drant) a valve, or faucet, for

drawing water from a pipe. e term is

usually applied to an outside installation

for supplying a relatively large quantity

of water for sprinkling, watering, fire

protection, and similar purposes. See

YARD HYDRANT.

hydraulic (hy-draul-ic) 1. operated by

or employing water or other liquids in

motion. 2. operated by water, or other

liquids, under pressure.

hydraulic gradient (hy-draul-ic gra-di-

ent) represents the slope of the surface of

the sewage, or drain water, in a pipe and

depends on the velocity head.

hydraulic jump (hy-draul-ic jump) the

increase in depth of water in the horizontal

drain at the base of a stack caused by the

reduced velocity of water owing in the

horizontal pipe when receiving ow from

a vertical stack.

hydraulic pipe cutter (hy-draul-ic pipe

cut-ter) chain pipe-cutter utilizing

hydraulic ram to cut cast iron pipe. See

SOIL PIPE CUTTER.

hydraulic radius (hy-draul-ic ra-dius) 1.

the ratio of the cross-sectional area of a

channel or pipe in which a uid is owing

to the wetted perimeter of the conduit.

2. the ratio of area to wetted perimeter.

hydraulic ram (hy-draul-ic ram) the

utilization of gravity flow to increase

pressures.

hydrochloric acid (hy-dro-chlo-ric ac-id)

an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride

(HCL) that is a strong, corrosive, irritating

liquid which is normally present in diluted

form in gastric juices, and is widely used

in industry (as for pickling metals) and in

the laboratory. Also called Muriatic Acid.

hydrodynamics (hy-dro-dy-nam-ics) the

science or study of the motions of uids

and the forces acted on solids within these

uids and in motion within them.

hydrogen

 hygroscopicmaterial

hydrogen (hy-dro-gen) a non-metallic

univalent element that is the simplest and

lightest of the elements and is normally

a colorless, odorless, highly ammable

diatomic gas. Used especially in the

production of its economic compounds.

hydrogen sulfide (hy-dro-gen sul-fide)

a flammable poisonous gas H

S of

disagreeable odor. Found especially in

many mineral waters and in putrefying

material.

hydrokinetic (hy-dro-ki-net-ic) 1. the

term used to describe the phenomena of

the motions of uids or the forces which

produce or affect such motions. 2. a

branch of kinetics that deals with liquids;

opposite of hydrostatic. See KINETIC.

hydro-mechanical (hy-dro-me-chan-i-cal)

a term sometimes used to describe the

physical, or mechanical, phenomena of

hydraulics.

hydro-mechanics (hy-dro-me-chan-ics) a

branch of mechanics that deals with the

equilibrium and motion of uids and

solids immersed in them.

hydronics (hy-dron-ics) a coined word

meaning the art, or practice, of heating

and cooling with water.

hydropneumatic (hy-dro-pneu-mat-ic)

referring to, or relating to, operation by a

combination of water and air or other gas.

hydropneumatic test (hy-dro-pneu-

mat-ic test) a test for uid leakage in a

piping system. In this test the portion of

the piping system to be tested is sealed

with water under air pressure. Test is to

determine where there is leakage which

will be indicated by pressure drop.

hydrostatic joint (hy-dro-stat-ic joint)

used in large water mains in which sheet

lead, or other sealant material, is forced

lightly into the bell of a pipe by means of

the hydrostatic pressure of a liquid.

hydrostatic pressure (hy-dro-stat-ic pres-

sure) 1. pressure exerted by, or existing

within, a liquid at rest with respect to

adjacent bodies. 2. a pressure exerted

uniformly and perpendicularly to all

surfaces, as by a homogeneous uid.

hydrostatics (hy-dro-sta-tics) the science,

or study of, the characteristics of uids at

rest; particularly with the pressure exerted

by a liquid on an immersed body.

hydrostatic test pressure (hy-dro-sta-tic

test pres-sure) the pressure applied to

a vessel, or other equipment, to test its

ability to operate safely at its rated water

working pressure.

hygroscopic (hy-gro-scop-ic) readily taking

up and retaining moisture.

hygroscopic material (hy-gro-scop-ic ma-

te-ri-al) a material which readily takes up

and retains moisture.

icebox  independentlyactingchecks

icebox (ice-box) an insulated container

having a compartment for ice and used

for refrigeration.

icebox waste (ice-box waste) 1. a drain to

carry away the liquid (result of melted ice)

from food storage coolers. 2. a drain to

carry away the condensate from the cooler

coils of a food storage unit. Waste is not

connected to plumbing drainage or waste

system except by indirect means.

ice cube maker (ice cube ma-ker) See ICE

MACHINE, ICE MAKER.

ice machine (ice ma-chine) a term used

to describe the equipment used to make

and/or store and dispense a variety of

potable ice.

ice maker (ice ma-ker) term used to

describe the equipment which makes or

produces potable ice, usually in the form

of cubes. See ICE MACHINE.

I. D. Abbr. for Inside Diameter.

Imho cone (im-ho cone) a conically

shaped graduated vessel used to measure

approximately the volume of settleable

solids in various liquids of sewage origin.

Imhoff tank (im-hoff tank) a tank for

sewage clarification consisting of an

upper or sedimentation chamber with

sloping floor leading to slots through

which the solids settle to the lower or

sludge-digestion chamber. Named after

its developer. Diers from septic tanks

in that digestion takes place in a separate

compartment from which settlement

occurs.

Imp. Abbr. for Imperial.

impact wrench (im-pact wrench) an

electrically, or pneumatically, operated

wrench that gives a rapid succession of

sudden torques.

impeller (im-pel-ler) 1. a rotor or blade

of a rotor or pump. 2.one which pushes

or impels a liquid.

impervious (im-per-vi-ous) a surface and

texture generally smooth which does not

oer suitability to absorption.

in. or " Abbr. for Inches.

inc. Abbr. for Increaser or Increased.

inch (inch) a unit of measure equal to

one-twelfth (1/12) part of a foot or

to a thirty-sixth (36th) part of a yard.

Abbr. in. or ".

incinerator (in-cin-er-a-tor) a furnace

or a container for incinerating waste

materials.

increaser (in-crea-ser) 1. a tting which

permits an increase in the size of a pipe.

Constructed of many dierent materials.

2. a fitting so shaped that one end

receives smaller pipe size in direction

of ow. See REDUCER; WYE. ABBR.

INC.

independently acting checks (in-de-pen-

dent act-ing checks) 1. two independent

check valves with no common parts

except for the body housing. There

can be no contact between any moving

components of either check valve

through its normal operation. Total

failure of either check valve shall in no

way aect the operation of the other

check valve. 2. when one check valve

becomes inoperative in any position

index-sludgevolume

input rating

through its full travel it shall not aect

the normal operation of the other check

valve. 3. an independently acting check

valve is one that is not aected by any

other component nor does it aect the

action of another component.

index-sludge volume (in-dex- sludge vol-

ume) the volume in milliliters occupied

by one gram of dry solids after the aerated

mixed liquor settles 30 minutes.

indicator post (in-di-ca-tor post)

mechanically operated indicator showing

the seat position when a valve (with a

non-rising stem) is buried underground.

indirect connection (in-di-rect con-nec-

tion) See INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.

indirect cross connection (in-di-rect cross

con-nec-tion) a potential cross connection

in which the interconnection is not

continuously enclosed and the completion

of the cross connection depends on the

occurrence of one or more abnormal

conditions.

indirect vent (in-di-rect vent) a pipe

installed to vent a fixture trap and

connects with the vent system above the

xture served or terminates in the open

air. See BACK VENT.

indirect waste pipe (in-di-rect waste pipe)

a waste pipe that does not connect directly

with the drainage system, but discharges

into the drainage system through an

air break or air gap into a trap, xture,

receptacle, or interceptor, properly wasted

and vented.

indirect waste receiver (in-di-rect waste

re-ceiv-er) a receptacle to receive wastes

from other xtures or plumbing units.

individual sewage disposal system (in-

di-vid-ual sew-age dis-pos-al sys-tem)

a system for disposal of domestic sewage

by means of a septic tank, cesspool, or

mechanical treatment. Designed for use

apart from a public sewer to serve a single

establishment where a public sewer is not

available. See CESSPOOL; SEPTIC

TANK.

individual vent (in-di-vid-u-al vent) a

pipe installed to vent a xture drain. It

connects with the vent system above the

xture served or terminates outside the

building into the open air at a point above

the roof level. See BACK VENT.

individual water supply, private (in-

di-vid-u-al wa-ter sup-ply, pri-vate)

a supply other than an approved public

water supply which serves one or more

families.

industrial wastes (in-dus-tri-al wastes) the

liquid wastes resulting from the processes

employed in industrial and commercial

establishments.

inuent (in-u-ent) owing in, especially

contributing water to the zone of

saturation and thereby sustaining or

raising the water table.

infrared radiation (in-fra-red ra-di-a-

tion) radiation with wave lengths greater

than 70 millionths centimeter (7000

angstroms units) but less than the radio

waves, about 5.5 centimeters.

initial outlet set temperature (in-i-tial

out-let set tem-per-a-ture) the average

of the values of the mixed temperature

(T3) for the ten (10) seconds immediately

preceding the start of the test.

injection burner (in-jec-tion burn-er) a

burner employing the energy of a jet of

gas to inject air for combustion into the

burner and mix it with gas.

inlet (in-let) supply opening to the

plumbing xture or device.

inline oset (in-line o-set) one or more

ttings close coupled to control the ow

rate of waste in the stack(s).

input rating (in-put rat-ing) the gas-

burning capacity of an appliance in B.T.U.

per hour as specied by the manufacturer.

Appliance input ratings are based on sea

level operation and need not be changed

for operation up to two thousand feet.

Input ratings should be reduced at the

rate of four percent per one thousand feet

above sea level.

insanitary (in-san-i-tary) a condition

which is contrary to sanitary principles

or is injurious to health. Conditions to

which the word insanitary applies include

the following: (a) any trap which does

not maintain a proper trap seal. (b) any

opening in a drainage system, except

where lawful, which is not provided

with an approved water-sealed trap. (c)

any plumbing fixture or other waste

discharging receptacle or device, which is

not supplied with water sucient to ush

it and maintain it in a clean condition.

(d) any defective xture, trap or pipe.

(e) any trap, except where in this code

exempted directly connected to a drainage

system the seal of which is not protected

against siphonage and backsiphonage by

a vent pipe. (f) any connection, cross-

connection, construction or condition,

temporary or permanent, which would

permit or make possible by any means

whatsoever, any unapproved foreign

matter to enter a water distribution system

used for domestic purposes.

NOTE: the foregoing enumerations of

conditions to which the term insanitary

shall apply does not preclude the

application of that term to conditions

that are in fact insanitary.

insertable sisson joint (in-sert-able sis-son

joint) 1. a bell and spigot connection in

which the hub or bell depth is several

pipe diameters long. 2. specialty tting

used only in a vertical line of waste or soil

installations.

inside caulking (in-side caulk-ing) See

CAULKING IRON.

inside soil pipe cutter (in-side soil pipe

cut-ter) the tool employs cutting wheels

xed radially near the end of a shaft which

is inserted into the open end of a pipe. A

handle on the opposite end of the shaft

is turned causing the cutting wheels to

revolve and extend developing sucient

pressure to cut the pipe. See SOIL PIPE

CUTTER.

inside thread (in-side thread) continuous

regularly spaced grooves and ribs in the

internal wall of a tting, or tube, which

form a helix. Used for connecting

fixtures together. Sometimes called

female thread. Compare outside thread.

in-situ (in-si-tu) from Latin “in place; in

its original place.”

inspector (in-spec-tor) S e e

ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY.

installed (in-stalled) altered, changed, or

a new installation.

insulated pipe units (in-su-la-ted pipe

units) prefabricated complete unit of

one or more pipes insulated usually with

ber glass and protected by a tube or

conduit against external damage.

integral seat (in-te-gral seat) a seat that

is not a separate unit but integral with

the water closet xture. Found in prison

or detention-type buildings for safety

reasons.

integral strainer (in-te-gral strain-er)

a strainer within the body, or within

an extension of the body, of the device.

integrated type (in-te-gra-ted type)

a complete and independent device

which is assembled but is separate and

independent of any working part of

the device.

intercepting sewer (in-ter-cep-ting

sew-er) a large sewer, or conduit, which

receives the discharges from many

smaller tributary sewers. Sometimes

called a trunk sewer.

interceptor (in-ter-cep-tor) a device

designed and installed so as to separate

and retain deleterious, hazardous,

or undesirable matter from normal

wastes while permitting normal sewage

or liquid wastes to discharge into

the drainage system by gravity. See

RECEPTOR; CATCH BASIN;

GREASE TRAP; GREASE TRAP,

POTTYPE; AND TRAP.

insanitary interceptor

interconnection

isolation or internal protection

interconnection (in-ter-con-nec-tion)

1. to connect solidly, permanently or

temporarily. 2. a cross connection (not

to be confused with crossover). 3. a cross

connection between two separate systems

(i.e.: a vendor’s system and a user’s system).

internal pipe wrench (in-ter-nal pipe

wrench) any of several types of wrenches

having jaws or gripping devices designed

to grip a pipe or tube internally.

internal strainer (in-ter-nal strain-er) a

perforated plate, screen or mesh within

the body, or within an extension, of the

body of a valve.

inv. el. Abbr. for Invert Elevation.

invert (in-vert) 1. the lowest portion of the

inside of any horizontal pipe. 2. to turn

as upside down.

invert elevation (in-vert el-e-va-tion) the

elevation of the inside bottom of a pipe

or conduit.

inverted joint (in-vert-ed joint) a tting

reversed in position, upside down, or

turned in a contrary direction.

inverted key curb stop (in-vert-ed key

curb stop) a core-type valve in which

the larger diameter of the core is at the

bottom; the key or operating device or lug

is on the smaller diameter end of the core.

inverted poured joint (in-vert-ed poured

joint) a molten lead joint made with the

bell pointed downward and the male

inserted end pointing upward.

invert iron (in-vert iron) a caulking, or

yarning iron, shaped similar to the letter

“S” for awkward locations. ese tools

are also available in left and right versions

or styles.

inverts (in-verts) general reference to ports

in the sewage system; either entry or outlet.

ion (i-on) 1. an atom, or group of atoms,

that carry a positive, or negative, electric

charge as a result of having lost, or gained,

one or more electrons. 2. a free electron

or other charged subatomic particle. See

ACID; ALKALI.

I.P.S. acronym for iron pipe size

iron (i-ron) a heavy, malleable, ductile,

magnetic element, chiey bivalent and

trivalent, that readily rusts in moist air. It

is silver-white when pure. Very chemically

active. Occurs native in meteorites and

combined in most igneous rocks, that is

usually extracted from its ores by smelting

with coke and limestone in a blast furnace.

It is widely used metal and plays a vital

role in biological processes. Atomic #26,

atomic wt. 55.85, density 7.86, hardness

4-5 (iron) ; steel 5-8.5, melting point 1535

°C, boiling point 3000 °C.

iron, cast (i-ron, cast) See CAST IRON.

iron drain (i-ron drain) a drain, oor,

barn, or other made of iron; usually,

cast iron.

iron pipe (i-ron pipe) piping made of iron.

Several types: cast iron, wrought iron,

centrically cast iron pipe and alloys.

iron pipe size (i-ron pipe size) the

approximate inside diameter of pipe. Pipe

in these sizes may be made from several

materials such as steel, brass, copper,

plastic, etc. Abbr. I.P.S.

irons (i-rons) See CAULKING IRON.

iron, sand of (i-ron, sand of) a common

name for ferrous sulphate.

iron water lter (i-ron wa-ter l-ter) a

lter used to remove iron from water or

other liquid. Abbr. I.W.F.

irrigation (ir-ri-ga-tion) 1. to wet; to

range; to dislodge, (i.e.: lawn or ground

wetting.). 2. hospital’s, or clinic’s, device

used in treating humans or animals.

irrigation water (ir-ri-ga-tion wa-ter)

water distributed on, or toward, plant life

to promote growth. See WATER.

isolation or internal protection (is-o-

la-tion or in-ter-nal pro-tec-tion) the

appropriate type of method of backow

protection within the consumer’s

potable water system at the point of use,

commensurate with the degree of hazard.

isolation(policy  I.W.F.

isolation (policy) (is-o-la-tion [pol-i-

cy]) 1. to conne a potential source of

contamination to the non-potable system

being served 2. to provide a backow

prevention mechanism at each actual or

potential cross-connections. (sometimes

called: internal isolation)

isometric view (i-so-met-ric view) an

“exploded”, or open drawing, of the

component of an assembly shown

separately in their relative positions.

Italian-corrugation (i-tal-ian- cor-ru-

ga-tion) a roof with no boards under the

metal roong.

I.W. Abbr. for Indirect Waste.

I.W.F. Abbr. for Iron Water Filter.

jacket

junction manhole

jacket (jack-et) the outer casing, shell,

hater or storage vessel.

jackhammer (jack-ham-mer) a pneumatic

rock drill of the hammer type usually held

in the hands of the operator.

jackscrew (jack-screw) a screw operated

jack for lifting or for exerting pressure.

J Bend (j bend) a return bend - a 180 degree

turn. See TRAP; P TRAP; S TRAP.

jet pump (jet pump) a pump in which a

small jet of steam, air, water, or other uid

in rapid motion lifts, or otherwise moves

by its impulse, a large quantity of the uid

with which it mingles.

jig saw (jig saw) a narrow saw mounted

vertically in a frame used for cutting

curves.

john (john) slang. See WATER CLOSET.

joint (joint) 1. the result of joining either

solidly or loosely; tightly or loosely. 2. the

juncture of two pipes.

joint cement (joint ce-ment) See PIPE

DOPE.

joint chisel (joint chis-el) a tool chisel in

an arc form at the cutting edge which is

at right angles to the center of the tool.

joint component (joint com-pon-ent) any

gasket, collar, clamp or other device used

to connect pipe to pipe or pipe to tting,

in the form of a mechanical joint.

joint runner (joint run-ner) a piece of

asbestos rope with clamps placed around

a pipe, or tile joint, to serve as a dam for

the retention of poured molten metal later

to be caulked in. An incombustible type

of packing, generally used for guides and

holds lead in a bell during the pouring

of a joint.

joint wiping (joint wip-ing) 1. to spread

by or as if by wiping. 2. to form a joint

between lead pipes, by applying solder in

repeated increments individually spread

and shaped with greased cloth pads.

journey plumber or journey (jour-ney

plumb-er or jour-ney) 1. a plumber who

does plumbing work for another for hire.

2. one who has served his apprenticeship.

3. a person, who by himself, does work in

plumbing, subject to inspection under any

law, ordinance, by law, rule, or regulation.

jumpover (jump-o-ver) See CROSSOVER;

RETURN OFFSET.

junction manhole (junc-tion man-hole)

a manhole at the joining point of two or

more sewers. See MANHOLE.

kerosine or kerosene  “K”typecoppertube

kerosine or kerosene (ker-o-sine or ker-

o-sene) a ammable hydrocarbon that is

less volatile than gasoline usually obtained

by distillation of petroleum and used for

a fuel and as a solvent.

key hole saw (key hole saw) a hand held

long bladed saw set into a pistol grip for

cutting out or around objects.

kilogram calorie (ki-lo-gram ca-lo-rie)

See CALORIE.

kinetic (ki-net-ic) relating to kinetics or to

the motion of material bodies and to the

force and energy associated therein.

kinetic energy (kin-et-ic en-er-gy) energy

available from a owing column of water

due to its velocity.

knockout (knock-out) 1. something that

can be loosened or forced out typically

to release or force out something else. 2.

the hole produced when such a piece is

forced out.

krapper (krap-per) SEE CRAPPER.

“K” type copper tube (“k” type cop-per

tube) a designation of wall thickness of a

copper tube.

l. or lgth. Abbr. for Length.

laboratory faucet type, backflow

preventer (lab-o-ra-to-ry fau-cet type,

back-ow pre-vent-er) See BACKFLOW

PREVENTER.

labor union (la-bor un-ion) an

organization created for the purpose of

advancing (as by collective bargaining) its

members’ interests (as in respect to wages

and working conditions)

ladder (lad-der) an instrument of wood,

metal, or rope for climbing, consisting

of two parallel pieces connected by cross

pieces at regular intervals which serve as

foothold.

ladle (la-dle) spoon, or cup-shaped, tool

with a long handle, used in pouring

molten wiping solder, caulking lead, zinc,

sulphur, etc.; made in either single or

double lipped and in various sizes.

lag bolt (lag bolt) See LAG SCREW.

lag hook (lag hook) a course threaded rod

with a hook on the protruded end.

lag screw (lag screw) a screw having a

wrench head and wood-screw threads

terminating in a point. Also called lag bolt.

lamp hole (lamp hole) 1. an opening

provided in the side or top of a tank so that

a light may be inserted to aid examination

of the interior. 2. a vertical pipe or shaft

between manholes, to enable inspection

of the interior of a sewer.

lap joint, eaves trough (lap joint, eaves

trough) the joined areas are overlayed by a

given dimension. See EAVES TROUGH.

lap weld (lap weld) a weld in which two

metallic surfaces are connected by lapping

one over the top of the other. Sometimes

used in making small-sized iron pipe from

sheet metal.

large calorie (large ca-lo-rie) See

CALORIE.

lateral (lat-er-al) in plumbing, a secondary

pipeline. In sewage, a common sewer

to which no other common sewer is a

tributary. It receives sewage from building

sewers.

latrine (la-trine) 1. a water closet

consisting of a continuous trough in a

oor containing water. e trench extends

under two, or more, adjacent seats, or

spaces, for occupancy. Multi-person use

at one time. 2. a xture, or apparatus,

to receive abdominal cavity discharges;

device sometimes ushed with a constant

flow of liquid (water) See WATER

CLOSET; RANGE CLOSET.

laundry faucet (laun-dry fau-cet) a valve

to control the ow of water either hot or

cold, at laundry tray.

laundry tray (laun-dry tray) a sink for the

purpose of washing laundry. Abbr. L.T.

laundry tub (laun-dry tub) See

LAUNDRY TRAY.

lav. Abbr. for Lavatory.

l. or lgth. lav.

lavatory lead joint

lavatory (lav-a-to-ry) 1. a basin, or vessel,

for washing. 2. a plumbing fixture,

as above, especially placed for use in

personal hygiene. Principally not used

for laundry purposes and never used

for food preparation, or utensils, in

food services. 3. a xture designed for

the washing of the hands and face.

Sometimes called a wash basin. Abbr.

lav. See BASIN; CHINA BASIN;

SINK; EARTHENWARE BASIN;

LAVATORY, INSTITUTIONAL;

LAVATORY, PEDESTAL; LAVATORY,

SURGEONS; LAVATORY, WALL

HUNG; OVAL BASIN.

lavatory connectors (la-va-to-ry con-nec-

tors) See BASIN CONNECTIONS;

BATH CONNECTIONS; FLEXIBLE

SUPPLIES.

lavatory (corner) [lav-a-to-ry (cor-ner)]

lavatory constructed with sides in contact

with two adjacent walls.

lavatory (dental) [lav-a-to-ry (den-tal)]

a xture supplied with water and waste

connections used in a dentist oce for

the washing of hands.

lavatory, institutional (lav-a-to-ry, in-sti-

tu-tion-al) a lavatory constructed to be

vandal-proof. See LAVATORY.

lavatory leg (lav-a-to-ry leg) pedestal

or other vertical member intended to

support the xture, but may be primarily

decorative.

lavatory, pedestal (lav-a-to-ry, ped-es-tal)

a lavatory constructed and supported by a

base. See LAVATORY.

lavatory supply pipe (lav-a-to-ry sup-ply

pipe) the water carrying conduit from the

branch supply pipe to the lavatory faucet.

lavatory, surgeons (lav-a-to-ry, sur-geons)

a xture used by doctors to scrub up.

lavatory, wall-hung (lav-a-to-ry, wall-

hung) a lavatory hung on the wall. See

LAVATORY.

lawn faucet (lawn fau-cet) Abbr. L.F. See

HOSE BIBB; HOSE FAUCET.

lb. Abbr. for Pound.

leach (leach) 1. the action of percolating

water, or other liquids, in order to separate

the soluble components. 2. to dissolve out

by the action of a percolating liquid. 3. to

remove nutritive, or harmful, elements

from (soil) by percolation.

leaching cesspool (leach-ing cess-pool) a

cesspool that is not water tight.

leaching eld (leach-ing eld) a system

of pipes installed to leak its ow liquid

into the soil.

leaching well/pit (leach-ing well/pit)

a pit or receptacle having porous walls

which permit the contents to seep into

the ground.

lead (lead) a heavy, soft, malleable, ductile

plastic but inelastic metallic element

that is bluish white when freshly cut but

tarnishes readily in moist air to dull gray

and used especially in pipes, cable sheaths,

solder type metal, and shields against

radioactivity. Symbol Pb.

lead bend (lead bend) a 90° lead tting

between the vertical discharge opening

of a water closet and the entry into a soil

pipe system.

lead burning (lead burn-ing) lead welding.

lead caulking (lead caulk-ing) a gray-blue

soft metal used for caulking.

lead C. P. (lead c p) chemically pure.

Sometimes commercially pure.

leader (lead-er) an exterior drainage pipe

for conveying storm water from roof

or gutter drains. A pipe to convey rain

water from the roof to the building storm

drain, combined building sewer, or other

means of disposal. See CONDUCTOR;

CONDUIT; DOWNSPOUT.

lead joint (lead joint) usually means the

making of a joint by pouring molten lead

into the annular space between a bell and

spigot and then making the joint tight

by caulking.

lead of a screw thread (lead of a screw

thread) the distance that a nut, or female

threaded, tting will move forward if it is

turned one revolution on the thread. In a

single threaded screw the lead and pitch

are equal; in a double threaded screw

thread, the nut will move forward through

two threads, etc. Compare with pitch of

screw threads.

lead pig (lead pig) the term “pig” means the

metal as cast into bars at the conclusion

of the process of smelting.

lead pipe (lead pipe) pipe made from lead.

See LEAD.

lead pipe cutter (lead pipe cut-ter) a

tool with thin rotating discs which cut

through the side wall of lead pipe when

rotated around the pipe or when the pipe

is rotated inside it.

lead pipe expanding pliers (lead pipe ex-

pand-ing pli-ers) devised to do the work

of several sizes of turn pins.

lead pot (lead pot) See SOLDER POT.

lead screw anchor (lead screw an-chor) an

envelope unit between the screw and the

hole in some solid material as rock, stone,

and masonry.

lead sheet (lead sheet) thin, but large

square or rectangular piece of lead. Usually

dened by weight per square foot, i.e. 21

lbs. = 21 lbs./square foot, 4 lbs. = 4 lbs./

square foot, etc. Used for lining tanks,

roof, or chimney ashings.

lead sundries (lead sun-dries)

miscellaneous items made of lead. See

LEAD TACKS.

lead tacks (lead tacks) pieces of lead that

are soldered or burned or welded to lead

pipe so that it can be secured or supported.

lead trap (lead trap) a plumbing tting

(trap) made of lead. See TRAP.

lead wool (lead wool) lead in the form of

ne shreds or shavings used for caulking

pipe joints.

leak cement (lead ce-ment) a compound to

stop leaks by swelling action or by causing

corrosion.

leat (leat) an artificial water trench,

especially one to, or from, a mill.

leather-side (leath-er- side) pertaining to a

leather washer; the nished side.

leather-side washers and packing (leath-

er- side wash-ers and pack-ing) leather

materials treated and nished on one side.

length of pipe (length of pipe) the overall

distance measured along the center line.

level (lev-el) instrument for ascertaining a

level, for testing whether objects are on the

same horizontal line, or whether dierent

parts of a surface are horizontal.

lever handle faucet (lev-er han-dle fau-cet)

a valve operated by means of a lever, rather

than a wheel.

L.F. Abbr. for Lawn Faucet, See HOSE

BIBB; HOSE FAUCET.

L.H. Abbr. for Left Hand.

lime wash (lime wasjh) to wash with a

solution of lime; to whitewash.

limit control (lim-it con-trol) an electrical

control used to limit the pressure of steam,

the temperature of water or air, depending

on the type of system to which the control

is applied. See CONTROL.

line, pressure equalizing (line, pres-

sure e-qua-liz-ing) See PRESSURE

EQUALIZING LINE.

line, pressure relief (line, pres-sure re-lief)

See PRESSURE RELIEF LINE.

line pipe (line pipe) a special, high test

pipe having recessed and taper-thread

couplings, and usually greater length of

thread than Briggs Standard.

line pressure (line pres-sure) single or

multiple lines that, when tested, show(s)

a positive pressure above zero (0).

line support (line sup-port) See PIPE

HANGER.

leadofascrewthread line support

lining loadstone

lining (lin-ing) a coating applied to the

inside surface of piping, tanks or vessels.

linings - copper (lin-ings - cop-per) sheet

copper formed into a box-like shape

minus cover.

linseed oil (boiled) [lin-seed oil (boil-ed)]

linseed oil whose drying properties have

been improved by heating usually with

dryers. e vehicle of putty, paints, etc.

See LINSEED OIL RAW

linseed oil (raw) [lin-seed oil (raw)] the

oil extracted from linseed but uncooked

therefore slow to evaporate. See LINSEED

OIL BOILED

lipped urinal (lipped uri-nal) a xture

with a projection toward the user. See

URINAL.

lip union (lip un-ion) a special form of

union having a lip or seat that prevents

the gasket from being squeezed into the

pipe so as to obstruct the ow.

liq. Abbr. for Liquid.

liquefaction (liq-ue-fac-tion) 1. the

changing of the organic matter in sewage

from an insoluble state to a soluble state,

and effecting a reduction in its solid

contents. 2. act, or process, of making, or

becoming, liquid by heat, or of a gas into

a liquid by cold or pressure.

liqueed petroleum gases (liq-ue-ed pe-

tro-le-um gas-es) 1. fuel gases, including

commercial propane (predominately

propane and/or propylene) or commercial

butane (predominately butane, isobutane,

and/or butylene). 2. liqueed petroleum

gas supplied in cylinders and used

without liquid vaporizers must be either

commercial propane or butane as dened

above in order to avoid major variations

in heating value of the gas as it is released

from the cylinder. Abbr. for LPG

liquid waste (liq-uid waste) the discharge

from any fixture, appliance, area, or

appurtenance, which does not contain

human or animal waste matter. See

WASTE.

liquor (li-quor) 1. any liquid 2. water

sewage 3. industrial sewage, or any

combination of the three.

liquor, mixed (in sewage treatment) [li-

quor, mixed (in sew-age treat-ment)] a

mixture of activated sludge and sewage

in the aeration tank undergoing activated

sludge treatment.

liquor, supernatant (li-quor, su-per-na-

tant) 1. the liquor overlying deposited

solids. 2. the liquid in a sludge-digestion

tank which lies between the sludge at the

bottom and the oating scum at the top.

litharge (li-tharge) a fused lead monoxide.

(In plumbing) used as a threaded joint

compound when mixed with boiled

linseed oil or glycerine.

litmus (lit-mus) a blue colored matter from

lichens that turns red in acid solutions and

remains blue in alkaline solutions and is

used as an acid-base indicator.

litmus paper (lit-mus pa-per) unsized

paper treated with litmus.

little inch (lit-tle inch) a term used to

describe pipe and pipe lines that are less

than 24" in diameter. Compare with

big inch.

load factor (load fac-tor) the percentage

of the total connected xture unit ow

which is likely to occur at any point in

the drainage system. It varies with the type

of occupancy, the total ow unit above

this point being considered, and with the

probability factor of simultaneous use.

loading (load-ing) 1. material used to

load something; ller. 2. BOD lter, the

pounds of oxygen demand in the applied

liquid per unit of lter bed area, or volume

of stone per day. 3. Weir: gallons overow

per day per foot of weir length.

loadstone (load-stone) variation of

lodestone.

local vent (lo-cal vent) 1. a pipe or conduit

to convey foul air from a plumbing xture,

room or other space, to the outer air. 2. a

pipe on the xture side of the trap through

which vapor or foul air is removed from

the room or xture. not connected to

plumbing piping system of waste, soil,

or pressure equalization piping. See

STERILIZER VENT.

locknut (lock-nut) a supplementary nut to

hold a cock or valve in place.

lodestone (lode-stone) magnetite

processing polarity.

long curve nose pliers (long curve nose

pli-ers) See PLIERS.

long nosed caulking iron (long nosed

caulk-ing i-ron) a packing tool of extra

length to reach extraordinary conditions

of construction.

long radius tting (long ra-dius t-ting)

any tting on which the radius of the

elbow turn between openings is greater

than the standard radius for that size

tting.

long screw (long screw) a nipple six inches

long with one thread six inches longer

than the standard thread.

loop vent (loop vent) a vent pipe connected

to a horizontal drainage pipe receiving the

discharges from one, or more, unvented

xtures. e vent pipe rises above the

overow level or ood rim of the highest

xture connected to the vented drainage

pipe, and the vent pipe is connected to a

vent stack.

loose key faucet (loose key fau-cet) a valve

of a design that requires a tool (the key)

to operate, the tool (key) or handle is

not axed. To keep unauthorized use or

vandalism to a minimum.

loose key stop (loose key stop) See LOOSE

KEY FAUCET.

low hazard (low ha-zard) See HAZARD,

LOW.

low head pressure (low head pres-sure)

pressure considered to be equal to, or less

than, ten feet or three meters.

low water cut-off (low wa-ter cut-off)

a water leveling control - its function

is to break electric contact when water

in a heating device is lower than safe

operating level.

lozenge point chisel (loz-enge point chis-

el) See DIAMOND POINT CHISEL.

L.P. Abbr. for Low Pressure.

LPG Abbr. for Liquied Petroleum Gases.

LP gas-air mixture (l-p gas-air mix-ture)

liquefied petroleum gases distributed

at relatively low pressures and normal

atmospheric temperatures which

have been diluted with air to produce

desired heating value and utilization

characteristics.

L.T. Abbr. for Laundry Tray.

“L” type copper tube (“l” type cop-per

tube) a designation of the wall thickness

of a copper tube.

lute (lute) a substance, as cement or clay,

for packing a joint or coating a porous

surface to make it impervious to gas or

liquid. See PUTTY.

L.W. Abbr. for Light Weight.

local vent  L.W.

m.  mainlinevalveassembly

m. Abbr. for thousand.

machine bolt (ma-chine bolt) a metal

rod with usually a square, or hexagonal,

wrenchhead at one end and threads at

the other that is commonly available in

a size range of from ¼ inch to 3 inches

in diameter.

magnesium (mag-ne-si-um) 1. a very

light, silver-white metallic chemical

element, noted for its ductility and

unmalleability. Magnesium is used in

photography, reworks, metal alloys, etc.

2. for plumbing, magnesium is used in

water heater storage tanks. It interacts

electrochemically in the tank to produce

a current which prevents corrosion. See

CATHODIC PROTECTION.

magnesium anode rod (mag-ne-si-um an-

ode rod) a rod-shaped bar of magnesium

used in a water heater tank as a sacricial

element to produce an electrical potential

in the hot water to prevent corrosion

by making a cathode of the tank metal.

See CATHODIC PROTECTION;

GALVANIC ACTION.

magnetic iron ore (mag-net-ic iron ore)

See MAGNETITE.

magnetite (mag-net-ite) an important iron

ore that is strongly attracted by a magnet;

blackiron oxide. Magnetite that possesses

polarity is called lodestone.

mag rod (mag rod) See MAGNESIUM

ANODE ROD.

main (main) the principal pipe artery to

which branches may be connected.

main control valve (main con-trol valve)

a valve in the gas line before all regulating

devices and the branch to the pilot (s),

except when such pilot (s) are equipped

with independent shutoff valves, for

the purpose of completely turning on,

or shutting off, the gas supply to the

appliance.

main sewer (main sew-er) See PUBLIC

SEWER.

main soil or waste vent (main soil or

waste vent) the main soil or waste vent

is the part of the stack above the highest

installed branch of the xture connection.

main trap (main trap) See BUILDING

TRAP.

main vent (main vent) vent pipe extending

vertically with, or without, changes of

direction and acts as a terminal for other

vents, and terminates through the roof

or connects with the main soil or waste

vent at a point two feet or more above the

highest soil or waste opening, but in no

case less than three feet above the highest

oor on which soil, or waste, openings

are installed.

mainline valve assembly (main-line valve

as-sem-bly) 1. any backow prevention

assembly located at the point nearest

the connection of the water service. 2.

the primary valve assembly in a double

check valve detector assembly, or reduced

pressure zone valve detector assembly, in

relation to the smaller by-pass assembly

that contains the flow meter. 3. the

primary assembly in a dual, or parallel,

assembly with the secondary assembly

acting as a redundant, or by-pass, assembly

when the primary assembly is out of

service due to maintenance, repair or

replacement.

major diameter (ma-jor di-am-e-ter)

formerly called outside diameter. It refers

to the largest diameter of a thread on a

screw or nut.

male thread (male thread) an external

thread of a pipe or ttings, etc. Preferably

called an outside thread. See OUTSIDE

THREAD.

mall. Abbr. for Malleable.

malleable (mal-lea-ble) capable of being

extended, or shaped, by beating with

a hammer, or by the pressure of the

rollers. Most metals are malleable. e

term “malleable iron” also has the older

meaning (still universal in Great Britain)

of “wrought iron.” Abbr. Mall.

malleable drop ell (mal-lea-ble drop

ell) a malleable iron 90° fitting with

two internal threads and the tting has

extended anges with holes to facilitate

anchoring.

malleable ell, outside outlet (mal-lea-

ble ell, out-side out-let) a tting having

three outlets each a female thread and any

opening related to any other opening has

a 90° included angle; sometimes referred

to as a three way ell.

malleable iron (mal-lea-ble iron) cast iron

that has been heat treated to render it less

brittle than cast iron and to toughen it.

Abbr. M.I. See WROUGHT IRON.

malleable iron tting (mal-lea-ble iron

t-ting) plumbing ttings made of heat-

treated cast iron.

malleable iron hanger (mal-lea-ble iron

hang-er) a hanger consisting of a lag

screw, a piece of pipe, a socket, and an

adjustable ring. See PIPE HANGER.

malleable iron pattern return bend (mal-

lea-ble iron pat-tern re-turn bend) a

tting of small radii in which the inlet and

outlet at 180° included angle are parallel.

mallet (mal-let) a type of hammer fashioned

of wood with a strong cane-like handle

and, preferably, a boxwood head used in

working lead in place of the steel hammer;

many other uses.

manganese (man-ga-nese) a grayish-white,

usually hard and brittle, polyvalent

metallic element that resembles iron, but

is not magnetic. It increases the strength,

harness and soundness of steel.

manhole (man-hole) an opening

constructed to permit a human to gain

access to an enclosed space.

manhole gasket (man-hole gas-ket) a

gasket to make a tight joint between the

opening of a tank and manhole cover. See

HANDHOLE GASKET.

manifold (man-i-fold) 1. the conduit

of an appliance which supplies gas to

the individual burners. 2. a fitting or

pipe with many outlets or connections

relatively close together. See HEADER.

manometer (man-o-me-ter) an instrument

for measuring the pressure of gases and

vapors. Pressure is balanced against a

column of mercury in a U-tube, or against

the elastic force of a spring, diaphragm,

or the like, as in the aneroid barometer.

march gas methane (march gas meth-

ane) a colorless, odorless flammable

gaseous saturated hydrocarbon CH

that

is lighter than air and forms explosive

mixtures with air, or oxygen, that occurs

naturally as a product of decomposition

of organic matter in marshes and mines

and especially in natural gas. Is used

chiey as a fuel.

master plumber (mas-ter plumb-er) 1. a

contracting plumber. 2. a contractor. 3.

in charge of the mechanics, apprentices,

and journeymen plumbers. 4. a plumber

having a regular place of business and

who works by himself, with journeymen

plumber, or has apprentices in his employ.

math. Abbr. for Mathematic.

major diameter math

mathematics merchant pipe

mathematics (math-e-ma-tics) the study

of number, form, arrangement and

associated relationships, using rigorously

dened literal, numerical and operational

symbols.

Matheson joint (math-e-son joint) a bell

and spigot joint in wrought pipe.

matter (mat-ter) anything which occupies

space. In plumbing, solids, liquids,

or gases. Material (as feces or urine)

discharged from the living body.

matter, inorganic (mat-ter, in-or-gan-ic)

1. being or composed of matter other

than plant, animal or mineral. 2. being,

containing, or relating to, a chemical

substance not usually classed as organic.

3. articial.

matter, organic (mat-ter , or-gan-ic)

matter relating to, or derived from,

living organisms; plant; animal; human;

includes carbon.

matter, suspended (mat-ter, sus-pend-

ed) oating, or non-settled, material in

a liquid vehicle. In plumbing, solids in

suspension in liquid vehicle.

max. Abbr. for Maximum.

maximum demand (max-i-mum de-

mand) in plumbing, the greatest

requirement of ow of either water supply

or waste discharge for all the xtures of a

building, or any specic segment thereof.

maximum projected roof area (max-i-

mum pro-ject-ed roof area) in plumbing,

the addition of the adjusted roof area to

the projected roof area. See: ADJUSTED

ROOF AREA, PROJECTED ROOF

AREA.

may (may) this word, when used in a

plumbing code, is permissive and implies

that the authority has the power to do that

which is specied. Compare meanings

of “Must” and “Shall”, each of which

requires an action.

mech. Abbr. for Mechanical.

mechanical joint (me-chan-i-cal joint) 1.

a connection between pipe, ttings, or

pipes and ttings which is neither screwed,

caulked, threaded, soldered, brazed, or

welded. 2. a semi-telescopic joining using

a form of internal gasket to assemble. Said

compression is applied along the center

line of the pieces being joined.

medical gas system (med-i-cal gas sys-tem)

the system to convey medical gases for

direct application from a central supply

system (bulk tanks, manifolds and medical

air compressors) through piping networks

with pressure and operating controls alarm

warning systems, etc. and extending to

station outlet valves at use points.

medical vacuum system (med-i-cal vac-

u-um sys-tem) the system consisting of

central vacuum producing equipment

with pressure and operating controls,

shut-o valves, alarm warning systems,

gages, and a network of piping extending

to and terminating with suitable suction

inlets at locations where suction may be

required.

medium soil pipe (me-di-um soil pipe) the

side wall thickness of soil pipe between

service and extra heavy weights.

medium solder (me-di-um sol-der) a

solder of equal parts of lead and tin. A

degree of soft solder. See SOLDER.

melting point (melt-ing point) the

temperature at which a solid melts. Abbr.

M.P.

membrane lter coliform count (mem-

brane fil-ter col-i-form count) a

technique for determining presence of

members of the coliform group of bacteria

using a thin porous dish made generally of

cellulose esters. Abbr. MFCC. See MOST

PROBABLE NUMBER.

memory (mem-o-ry) the ability to retain

original physical characteristics despite

being subjected to extremes of temperature

and/or pressure.

merchant pipe (mer-chant pipe) a pipe

usually ve to ten percent thinner than

full weight pipe.

mercury (mer-cu-ry) a heavy silver-

white univalent and bivalent poisonous

metallic element that is liquid at ordinary

temperatures. It is used chiey in scientic

instruments, mercury boilers, mercury

pumps, and mercury vapor lamps.

mercury gauge (mer-cu-ry gauge) a gauge

using liquid mercury for measuring;

generally pressures both positive and

negative.

mercury switch (mer-cu-ry switch) a

switch in which an electric circuit is closed

and opened by tilting a reservoir of liquid

mercury.

metal (met-al) any of certain chemical

elements, as iron, gold, silver, copper, lead,

and aluminum, typically characterized

by high specific gravity, fusibility,

malleability, conductivity for heat and

electricity and a characteristic (more or

less) identifying luster.

metal, base (met-al, base) See BASE

METALS.

metal, bell (met-al, bell) See BELL

METAL.

metals, noble (met-als, no-ble) See

NOBLE METALS.

meter (me-ter) a ow measurement and

recording device.

metering faucet (me-ter-ing fau-cet) a

valve with an adjustment, either manual

or automatic, which measures the ow of

liquid to a desired rate.

mfcc. Abbr. for Membrane Filter Coliform

Count.

mfg. Abbr. for Manufacture.

M.H. Abbr. for Manhole.

M.I. Abbr. for Malleable Iron.

micro-organism (mic-ro-or-ga-nism) any

organism of microscopic size, applied

especially to bacteria and protozoa.

mill board asbestos (mill board as-bes-

tos) hard pressed asbestos material in

sheet form.

mill le (mill le)a single-cut (tapered or

blunt) le which acquired its name from

its early use in ling mill or circular saws.

It is thinner than the ordinary hand le.

min. Abbr. for Minimum or Minutes.

mineral wool (min-er-al wool) any of

various light-weight vitreous materials

produced in the form of fibers that

resemble wool or glass and are used after

conversion into granular form, felted form

(as in batts, blankets, or boards) or molded

form, chiey in heat and sound insulation

in insulating cements, and as lter media,

(i.e.: an insulated blanket of mineral wood

covers a hot water tank).

minimum (min-i-mum) red lead of Iberian

origin. Found as a mineral, but usually

prepared synthetically; tri-lead tetroxide.

See RED LEAD. Abbr. min.

minor diameter (mi-nor di-am-e-ter)

the smallest diameter of the thread on a

screw or nut.

minor repairs (mi-nor re-pairs) 1. repairs

are dened to consist of xing leaks and

removing of obstructions in soil, waste,

and supply lines and to restore defective

valves, faucets and similar appliances to an

ecient operating condition. 2. to restore

to sound or good condition.

mirror (mir-ror) a polished or smooth

substance that forms images by the

reection of light. A looking glass used

by mechanics in repair work.

miter box (mi-ter box) a box or apparatus

for use in cutting miters. e abutting

surface or level on either of the pieces

joined in a miter joint.

mixer face (mix-er face) the fair inlet end

of the mixer head.

mixing valve (mix-ing valve) a valve

or faucet to mix liquids by means of

automatic or manual regulation. See

SHOWER REGULATOR.

modulating water temperature control

(mod-u-lat-ing wa-ter tem-per-a-ture

con-trol) a valve in which the intermixing

of hot and cold water is done by slow

reactance.

mercury modulating water temperature control

module  muriaticacid-raw

module (mod-ule) the size of one part.

In plumbing, the complete unit of

an ensemble.,( i.e.: a dishwasher to a

kitchen).

mold (mold) 1. cavity for casting material

such as metal or plastic in the heating or

uid state. 2. to form a malleable material,

hot or cold, by pressing into a cavity. See

FUNGUS.

monel (mon-el) an alloy of approximately

67% nickel, 28% copper and 5% other

elements that is made by direct reduction

for ore in which the constituent metals

occur in these proportions.

monkey wrench (mon-key wrench) a

wrench with an adjustable jaw for turning

nuts of dierent sizes.

mop sink (mop sink) a deep receptacle

supplied with running water, connected

to a drainage system; especially installed

for janitorial use. Abbr. M.S.

most probable number - bacteria count

(most prob-a-ble num-ber - bac-te-ria

count) in testing the bacterial density

by the dilution method, that number

of organisms per unit volume which, in

accordance with statistical theory, would

be more likely than any other possible

number to yield the observed test results

or which would yield the observed test

results with the greatest. Abbr. M.P.N.

mother liquor (moth-er liq-uor) the

solution remaining after a salt has been

crystallized out. Also called mother liquid

or mother water.

motor-operated valve (mo-tor op-er-ated

valve) any valve which is opened, or

closed, by a motor.

M.P. Abbr. for Melting Point.

M.P.N. Abbr. for Most Probable Number.

M.R. Abbr. for Mop Receptor.

M.S. Abbr. for Mop Sink.

M.S.P.S. Abbr. for Male Standard Pipe Size.

“M” type copper tube (“m” type cop-per

tube) the designation of a given wall

thickness in a copper tube.

multiple dwelling (mul-ti-ple dwell-ing)

building containing more than one

dwelling unit.

municipal sewage waste (mu-ni-ci-pal

sew-age waste) 1. the residual material

after sewage treatment processes. 2. the

input to a sewage treatment plant. 3. the

combined outfall from a community's

untreated sewage.

muriatic acid (mu-ri-at-ic ac-id) a

commercial name for hydrochloric acid.

See HYDROCHLORIC ACID.

muriatic acid - cut (mu-ri-at-ic ac-id - cut)

the commercial name of hydrochloric acid

in less than full strength.

muriatic acid - raw (mu-ri-at-ic ac-id -

raw) undiluted muriatic acid.

N. Abbr. for Nitrogen.

nail, copper (nail, cop-per) any shape or

size nail made of copper.

nail, masonry (nail, ma-son-ry) a hardened

nail capable of being driven directly into

masonry without a lead hole or pilot hole.

nail puller (nail pul-ler) a device, as a bar

with a notched end, for gripping and

drawing a nail.

nail, roong (nail, roof-ing) a large headed

nail used principally by the roong trade.

Sometimes called tar-paper nails.

nail set (nail set) a short, stout piece of

steel one end is at for striking with a

hammer and the other end tapered to a

rather pointed but at end. Used to drive

nails ush with, or into, a wooden surface

avoiding hammer marks.

naphtha (naph-tha) petroleum; any

of several volatile, flammable, liquid

hydrocarbon mixtures obtained by

distilling certain carbonaceous materials.

Used chiey as solvents and dilutents and

as raw materials for conversion to gasoline.

national coarse thread (na-tion-al coarse

thread) reference to number of threads

per inch - coarser than National Fine

reads. Abbr. N.C.

national pipe thread straight (na-tion-

al pipe thread straight) a pipe thread

without taper. The diameter of the

threaded surface is uniform over the

length of the effective threads; not

usually used for water pipe. Abbr. N.P.S.

See NATIONAL PIPE THREAD

TAPERED.

national pipe thread tapered (na-tion-al

pipe thread ta-pered) a tapered pipe

thread which enlarges at the rate of 3/4”

per foot. Abbr. N.P.T.

N.C. Abbr. for National Coarse read.

N.D.T.S. Abbr. for Not Drawn to Scale.

needle valve (nee-dle valve) a valve in

which the opening, consisting of a small

hole, is opened or closed by a long,

needle-like spindle that is thrust into or is

withdrawn from the hole. Used where the

ne control of liquids is required.

negative pressure (neg-a-tive pres-sure)

pressure that is less than atmospheric. In

a piping system it can induce a partial

vacuum that can siphon non-potable

liquids back into the potable water

distribution system.

negligence (neg-li-gence) not meeting one’s

responsibilities and causing harm. e

failure to exercise the care that a prudent

person usually exercises.

neutral solution (neu-tral so-lu-tion) a

solution with a pH of seven, i.e.: it is

neither acid nor base. A neutral solution

contains both hydrogen and hydroxide

ions at the same concentration.

N.I.C. Abbr. for Not In Contract.

nickel (nick-el) a nearly silver-white hard,

malleable, ductile, metallic element

capable of a high polish and resistant to

corrosion. Used chiey in alloys and as a

catalyst. Nickel increases both the strength

and toughness of steel.

nickeled (nick-eled) plated with nickel.

N. nickeled

100

nickel plated  non-freezeprotectionenclosures

nickel plated (nick-el plat-ed) coated with

nickel by electroplating or other means.

nickel plated chain, S-hook (nick-el plat-

ed chain, s-hook) an “S” shaped hook for

nickel plated chains. Used to connect two

pieces of chain or accessory.

nickel silver (nick-el sil-ver) a silver white

alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel.

nip. Abbr. for Nipple.

nippers (nip-pers) small pincers used

for cutting light reinforcing rod, nails,

wire, etc.

nipple (nip-ple) 1. a short piece of pipe.

2. a device (as a stopcock) with an orice

through which the discharge of a liquid

can be regulated. 3. a small projection

through which oil, or grease, is injected

into machinery. Abbr. Nip. See COPPER

PLATED NIPPLE.

nipple extractor (nip-ple ex-tract-er) See

Internal Pipe Wrench.

nipple holder (nip-ple hold-er) a device

to receive the end of a nipple which is

rst threaded to save the thread from

the damage while the other end is being

threaded.

nitric acid (ni-tric ac-id) a corrosive liquid

inorganic acid HNO

used chiey as an

oxidizing agent, in nitrations and used

in making dyes, explosives, etc., and in

etching.

nitrication (ni-tri--ca-tion) the process

of nitrifying; specically, the oxidation

by bacteria of ammonium salts to nitrites

and to nitrates whenever the proper

conditions of temperature, air, moisture

and alkalinity allow the nitrobacteria to

act as in all productive soils and in the

heaps of waste organic matter formerly

used in manufacturing potassium nitrate.

nitrication bed or eld (ni-tri--ca-tion

bed or eld) a septic tank euent soil

absorption system such as a seepage bed

or seepage trench.

nitrogen (ni-tro-gen) a non-metallic

element occurring as a colorless, odorless,

almost inert diatomic gas, constituting

nearly four-fths of air by volume. Abbr.

nitro-hydrochloric acid (ni-tro- hy-dro-

chlo-ric ac-id) See Aqua Regia.

nitrous oxide (ni-trous ox-ide) a colorless,

sweet inorganic gas N

O used as an

anesthetic. Also call laughing gas.

no. or # Abbr. for Number.

no-ow set pressure (no-ow set pres-sure)

pressure setting at device outlet with no

water owing through the device.

noble metals (no-ble met-als) 1. a metal (as

gold, silver or platinum) or alloy relatively

superior in resistance to corrosion or

oxidation. 2. any metal that is not readily

oxidized or attacked by acids, i.e. gold,

silver, platinum.

nominal pipe size (nom-i-nal pipe size)

1. the approximate inside diameter of

pipe. 2. a standard expression in inches

and fraction, or in millimeters, to denote

an equal (i.e.: the conduit or tube is

nominal pipe size in keeping with the

general dimensions of Schedule 40 steel

pipe). Abbr. NPS.

non-absorbent or non-absorbable (non-

ab-sor-bent or non-ab-sorb-able) unable

to absorb or soak into.

non-freeze protection enclosures (non-

freeze pro-tec-tion en-clo-sures) class III

and III-V are designed and constructed to

provide system security for components

when freezing temperatures are not a

consideration. Class III enclosures are

designed for components that do not

generate positive and/or negative air

pressures. Class III-V enclosures are

designed for components that generate

positive and/or negative air pressures and

include an air inlet and/or outlet.

101

non-health hazard (non-health

haz-ard) a cross-connection, or potential,

cross-connection involving any pollutant

which will not create a health hazard, but

will create a nuisance or be aesthetically

objectionable if introduced into the

potable water supply.

non-potable water system (non- po-ta-

ble wa-ter sys-tem) water not safe for

drinking, personal, or culinary use.

non-siphon trap (non- si-phon trap) 1.

a kind of trap which cannot siphon. 2. a

trap in which the diameter is not greater

than about four inches, the depth of seal

is between about three and four inches,

and the volume of water held in the trap

is not less than one quart.

non-toxic (non-tox-ic) refers to something

non poisonous; a substance that will not

cause illness or discomfort if consumed.

normal recovery capacity (nor-mal re-

cov-er-y ca-pac-it-ty) (water heater)

amount of water in U.S. gallons raised

100°F (38°C) per hour, or per minute,

when calculated on a thermal eciency

of seventy percent, representing the water

heated by a gas input of 1190 B.T.U. per

cubic foot.

normal supply pressure (nor-mal sup-ply

pres-sure) the water pressure normally

provided in the supply system.

normal test pressures (nor-mal test pres-

sures) (water heater) those pressures

specied for testing purposes at which

adjustment of the burner ratings and

primary air adjustments are made.

normandy joint (nor-man-dy joint) a

joint in which the plain ends of two pipes

are connected by a sleeve whose ends are

made tight by rings of packing compressed

between bolting rings and the sleeves.

novels solder (nov-els sol-der) a solder for

aluminum.

nozzle (noz-zle) 1. the outlet from a faucet,

the end of a pipeline or hoses designed so

the issuing stream of water is thrown in a

shape, or size, dierent from the diameter

of the pipe. 2. to shape. 3. to increases

velocity.

N.P.S. Abbr. for Nominal Pipe Size.

Formerly I.P.S. for Iron Pipe Size.

N.P.S. Abbr. for National Pipe Thread

Straight.

N.P.T. Abbr. for National Pipe Thread

Tapered.

NTS Abbr. for Nominal Tube Size.

nuisance (nui-sance) 1. obnoxious,

inconvenient, or insanitary. 2. public

nuisance known as common law or in

equity jurisprudence. 3.dangerous to

human life or detrimental to health 4.

a building, structure, or premise not

suciently ventilated, sewered, drained,

cleaned, or lighted, in reverence to its

intended or actual use; and whatever

renders the air or human food or drink

or water supply unwholesome.

non-healthhazard nuisance

102

O. ohmmeter

O. Abbr. for Oset

oak, seat and cover (oak, seat and cov-er)

a toilet seat with a cover, each piece made

of oak wood.

oak tank shell (oak tank shell) reference is

to the lining or a tank made of oak wood.

See COPPERLINED TANK.

oakum (oa-kum) 1. loosely twisted hemp,

or jute ber, impregnated with tar, or a

tar derivative, and used in caulking seams

and packing joints. 2. a ropelike material

used in making joints in systems of piping.

O.C. Abbr. for On Center.

O.D. Abbr. for Outside Diameter.

odor control (o-dor con-trol) in water

and sewage treatment, the elimination,

or reduction, of odors and/or algea by

aeration, super-chlorinatio, activated

carbon treatment, or other processes.

oset (o-set) a combination of elbows,

or bends, which brings one section of the

pipe out of line but into a line parallel with

the other section. Abbr. O.

oset caulking tool (o-set caulk-ing tool)

right and left hand oset, or corner iron,

used to caulk the back side of pipe joints

run in corners.

oset coupling (o-set cou-pling) a tting

to cause a change in the straight line of

a pipe.

oset ush pipes (o-set ush pipes) 1.

pipes with a change in direction and

returning to the original direction of ow

of uid. 2. a pipe connecting the water

closet tank and the bowl which is oset.

oset hex wrench (o-set hex wrench)

a hex smooth jaw opening parallel to

handle, for use on hard-to-get-at ttings

and nuts. See Hex Wrench.

oset iron, caulking (o-set iron caulk-

ing) same as a caulking iron except that

the force from the impactor is directed in

a non-straight line. Oset irons are made

in left and right versions.

oset pipe wrench (o-set pipe wrench)

a wrench with the jaw opening parallel

to the handle and designed for use in

conned areas.

oset soil pipe (o-set soil pipe) a tting

to digress the flow and return it to

the original direction. Used in soil

installations or drainage conduits.

offset tool, left hand (off-set tool, left

hand) a caulking tool offset to reach

out of straight line of reach or sight. See

CAULKING IRON.

oset tool, right hand (o-set tool, right

hand) a caulking tool oset to reach out

of a straight line of reach or sight. See

CAULKING IRON.

ogee joint (o-gee joint) a cement joint in

a plain end spigot to bell in other pipes.

ere is some belief that ogee joint only

refers to cement joint when materials

are not similar such as cast iron to clay

pipe or copper to cast iron, etc. So called

because of “S” shape of cement prole as

in ogee molding.

ohmmeter (ohm-me-ter) an instrument

for indicating resistance of a conductor

in ohms directly.

103

O.I. Abbr. for Oil Interceptor.

oil can (oil can) a small container used

to apply oil, and lubricate cutting and

threading equipment.

oiler (oil-er) a device designed to serve as a

reservoir to supply, collect, and resupply

oil as needed to lubricate the surface of

pipe while cutting and threading.

oil interceptor (oil in-ter-cep-tor) See

INTERCEPTOR.

oligotrophic (ol-i-go-tro-phic) decient

in plant nutrients and usually having

abundant dissolved oxygen with no

marked stratication. Said of lakes. See

EUTROPHIC.

open hearth steel (open hearth steel) either

wrought iron or steel scrap made from pig

iron, usually charged with lime, etc.

open plumbing (open plumb-ing) 1.

installation of plumbing so that traps,

drainage pipes and the surroundings

beneath these fixtures are ventilated,

accessible, and open to inspection. 2.

exposed plumbing installations.

open return bend (open re-turn bend)

similar to a close return bend except

that the arms are separated, but remain

parallel.

operating pressure (op-er-at-ing pres-

sure) the pressure at which the water

supply system nominally operates.

operating pressure range (op-er-at-ing

pres-sure range) that pressure which will

permit the device to function properly in

accordance with the standard.

organoleptic (or-gan-o-lep-tic) use of

(human) sense organs - odor, color, taste,

etc., of food and drug products. Recently

developed in plumbing with advent of

plastics because of leeching or degrading.

orientation (o-ri-en-ta-tion) the direction

of ow in a backow prevention device

identied by the direction of ow at the

inlet and outlet.

orientation, horizontal (o-ri-en-ta-tion

hor-i-zon-tal) the direction of ow at the

inlet of the device and outlet of the device

is horizontal.

orientation, horizontal/vertically down

(o-ri-en-ta-tion, hor-i-zon-tal/ver-ti-cal-

ly down) the direction of ow at the inlet

of the device is horizontal and at the outlet

of the device is vertically down.

orientation, horizontal/vertically up

(o-ri-en-ta-tion, hor-i-zon-tal/ver-ti-cal-

ly down) the direction of ow at the inlet

of the device is horizontal and at the outlet

of the device is vertically up.

orientation, vertical down (o-ri-en-ta-

tion, ver-ti-cal down) the direction of

ow at the inlet of the device is horizontal

and at the outlet of the device is vertically

down.

orientation, vertical down/horizontal

(o-ri-en-ta-tion, ver-ti-cal down/hor-i-

zon-tal) the direction of ow at the inlet

of the device is vertically down and at the

outlet of the device is horizontal.

orientation, vertical down/up (o-ri-en-ta-

tion, ver-ti-cal down/up) the direction of

ow at the inlet of the device is vertically

down and at the outlet of the device is

vertical up.

orientation, vertical up (o-ri-en-ta-tion,

ver-ti-cal up) the direction of ow at the

inlet of the device and outlet of the device

is vertical up.

orientation, vertical up/down (o-ri-en-ta-

tion, ver-ti-cal up/down) the direction of

ow at the inlet of the device is vertically

up and at the outlet of the device is

vertical down.

orientation, vertical up/horizontal (o-ri-

en-ta-tion, ver-ti-cal up/hor-i-zon-tal)

the direction of ow at the inlet of the

device is vertically up and at the outlet of

the device is horizontal.

O.I.  orientation,verticalup/horizontal

104

orice  oxyacetylene

orifice (or-i-fice) 1. the opening in an

orice cap, orice spud or other device,

whereby the ow of gas is limited and

through which the gas is discharged. 2. a

given opening in a tting allowing a given

amount of gas, or liquid, to pass through

based on a given pressure.

orice insert (or-i-ce in-sert) a metering

device, one which may be replaced.

orice spud (or-i-ce spud) a removable

plug, or cap, containing an orice which

permits adjustment of the ow of gas by

substitution of a spud with a dierent

sized orice or by the motion of a needle

with respect to it (water heater).

O-Ring (o-ring) 1. a washer, the section of

the material of the gasket is round. 2. a

gasket in the form of the letter “O”.

O.S. and Y. Abbr. for Outside Screw and

Yoke.

osmosis (os-mo-sis) the passage of one uid

into another through a semi-permeable

membrane between them. It occurs with

both liquids and gases. e transfusion

results in a mixture of the two uids.

O.S.Y. Abbr. referring to an open sight yoke

valve of either the gate or compression

type.

ounce (ounce) a unit of weight in the

United States customary system,

of a

pound. Abbr. oz.

outfall sewers (out-fall sew-ers) large

sewers that receive the sewage from

smaller sewer units. The large sewers

carry the sewage to the treatment or nal

discharge point.

outlet (out-let) 1. the discharge opening

from the ushometer, faucet, hydrant, or

similar device. 2. discharge opening from

the ushometer.

outlet, drain / terminal (out-let, drain /

ter-mi-nal) See TERMINAL OUTLET.

outside caulking (out-side caulk-ing) See

CAULKING.

outside drop (out-side drop) a sewer

connection to a manhole made by a

vertical pipe tapped horizontal at, or near,

the bottom of the manhole. Sometimes

referred to as a drop manhole.

outside thread (out-side thread) an

external thread of a pipe or tting.

oval basin (oval ba-sin) oval shaped xture.

See LAVATORY.

overow tube (over-ow tube) a pipe, tube

or conduit which conveys liquid after the

desired amount has been received in a

tank, vat, xture, tray, pool apparatus, or

mechanism.

over-rim tub tting (over-rim tub t-ting)

a valve or faucet intended to be installed

above the highest liquid level of the tub.

oxidant (ox-i-dant) a substance, as

dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate,

etc., which gives up oxygen in the

oxidation of organic matter.

oxidation (ox-i-da-tion) 1.the act, or

process, of oxidizing. 2. the state, or result

of, being oxidized.

oxidation, biochemical (ox-i-da-tion,

bi-o-chem-i-cal) See OXIDATION;

SEWAGE.

oxidation, biological (ox-i-da-tion, bi-o-

log-i-cal) See OXIDATION; SEWAGE.

oxidation, sewage (ox-i-da-tion, sew-age)

the process where living organisms and

organic matter contained in sewage in

the presence of oxygen is converted into

a more stable form.

oxidize (ox-i-dize) 1.to combine with

oxygen. 2. add oxygen chemically to a

substance often by means of a series of

reactions.

oxyacetylene (ox-y-a-cet-y-lene) of,

pertaining to, or consisting of, a mixture

of oxygen and acetylene.

105

oxygen

ozone

oxygen (ox-y-gen) a colorless, tasteless,

odorless gas in the atmosphere and is

used in oxyacetylene and oxyhydrogen

ames in welding and cutting metals and

other metallurgical processes in chemical

industries and combustion processes.

Abbr. O

oxygenate (ox-y-gen-ate) to impregnate,

combine, or supply with oxygen.

overow rim (o-ver-ow rim) See FLOOD

LEVEL RIM.

oz. Abbr. for Ounce.

ozone (o-zone) an allotropic triatomic

form of oxygen. Sometimes used for the

disinfection of water but more frequently

for the oxidation of taste.

106

P. peen

P. Abbr. for Pitch.

packing (pack-ing) a relatively soft material

used in making joints watertight or

airtight by being squeezed or compressed

in the joining operation. See ASBESTOS

PACKING; GRAPHITE PACKING.

packing, asbestos graphite (pack-ing, as-

bes-tos graph-ite) 1. a brous, ropelike

material made from asbestos (mineral)

and impregnated with graphite. 2. a lead

by-product known for its lubricity in

dry form.

packing tool (pack-ing tool) See

CAULKING IRON.

packing-yarn (pack-ing-yarn) a stringlike

woven, or twisted, asbestos, jute, or hemp,

material, or combinations.

pantry cock (pan-try cock) See PANTRY

FAUCET.

pantry faucet (pan-try fau-cet) 1. a valve

(faucet) for use on food service sink. 2. an

elevated discharge spouted faucet.

pantry sink (pan-try sink) See SINK.

pap (pap) 1. a nipple shaped projection. 2.

the bulge on the bottom of a sink or basin.

paraffin oil (par-af-fin oil) 1. any of

various hydrocarbon oils obtained

from petroleum and used for burning,

lubricating, making oil, gas, etc. 2. a

lubricating oil from paran distillate.

paring chisel (par-ing chis-el) a long-

handled hand chisel having a short thin

blade for paring wood surfaces.

parlor stove lining (par-lor stove lin-ing)

a re clay material shaped to t the inner

walls of the re box of a parlor stove.

passages, flow (pas-sag-es, flow) See

FLOW PASSAGES.

passive solar energy collector system

(pas-sive so-lar en-er-gy col-lec-tor sys-

tem) a solar heating system that uses no

mechanical power to move the collected

solar heat.

paste (paste) See SOLDERING PASTE.

pathogen (pa-tho-gen) a disease causing

agent or organism.

patina (pa-ti-na) a usually green film

formed naturally on copper and bronze by

long exposure or articially (as by acids),

and often valued esthetically for its color.

pazzuelona or pozzolana (paz-zue-lo-na

or paz-zo-la-na) a volcanic rock or ash

used in molding hydraulic cement. It

contains silica, alumina, lime, etc. See

ROMAN CEMENT.

P.C. Abbr. for Plumbing Contractor.

P.E. Abbr. for Professional Engineer. Also

commonly used to designate plain end

pipe.

peat acid (peat ac-id) peat, vegetable

matter, and moisture combined. Peat acids

in water readily dissolve lead.

pedestal urinal (ped-es-tal uri-nal) See

URINAL, PEDESTAL  BLOWOUT.

peen (peen) to forge or shape hot or

cold metal by hammering repeatedly.

In plumbing, to tighten a joint by

compression with repeated blows of a

hammer or other similar tool.

107

peppermint oil

 piezometerorice

peppermint oil (pep-per-mint oil) a

pungent, aromatic mint oil sometimes

used in testing a drainage system, or soil

and water piping systems. By pouring

peppermint oil down each closed roof

terminal followed by hot water; the

odor of peppermint indicates a leak. See

PEPPERMINT TEST.

peppermint test (pep-per-mint test) a test

for leakage using peppermint and heated

or hot water as the medias, and the sense

of smell as the determining factor. See

PEPPERMINT OIL; SCENT TEST.

percolation (per-co-la-tion) 1. the ow or

trickling of a liquid downward through a

contact, or ltering medium, the liquid

may, or may not, ll the pores of the

medium. 2. the movement or ow of

water through the interstices or the pores

of a soil or other porous medium, also

termed ltration.

permanent set (per-ma-nent set) 1. to

become solid, or thickened, by chemical

or physic alterations. 2. to acquire a

permanent twist, or bend, resulting from

strain, 3. the amount by which a material

stressed beyond its elastic limit fails to

return to its original size, or shape, when

the load is removed.

person (per-son) 1. a human being, man,

woman, or child. 2. every individual,

partnership, corporation, rm, association,

or group, including a city, town, county or

other governmental unit, owning property

or carrying on an activity regulated by a

particular plumbing code or law.

pet cock (pet cock) a small cock, faucet or

valve, set in a water pipe, pump, drain

outlet, end of a cylinder, in a radiator

or water jacket and used to drain water,

steam or air.

petroleum (pe-tro-le-um) ammable liquid

hydrocarbon. Processed for natural gas,

gasoline, naphtha, kerosene and oils.

pewter (pew-ter) any of various alloys

having tin as the chief component

especially a dull alloy with lead. Formerly

used for domestic utensils. See WHITE

METAL; BRITANNIA METAL.

Pex Tubing (pex tub-ing) the common

name for cross linked high density

polyetylene tubing. It is used in hydronic

heating systems and for domestic water

piping. It is predominantly used in radient

heating systems.

P.G. Abbr. for Pressure Gauge.

pH (p h) the hydrogen-ion activity in gram

equivalents per liter used in expressing

both acidity and alkalinity on a scale

whose values run from zero to fourteen,

with the lower the number less than seven

indicating increasing acidity and numbers

greater than seven increasing alkalinity.

See ACID; ALKALI.

phosphorus (phos-pho-rus) a non-metallic,

multivalent element of the nitrogen family

that occurs especially as phosphates.

Sometimes used in steel as it enhances

the strength and makes it better able to

resist abrasion.

photosynthesis (pho-to-syn-the-sis)

the formation of carbohydrates in the

chlorophyll-containing-tissues of plants

exposed to light.

physical disconnection (phy-sic-al dis-

con-nec-tion) removal of pipe, ttings

or xtures which connect a potable water

supply to a non-potable system or one of

questionable quality.

picking out chisel (pick-ing out chis-el)

picking iron used in picking out the lead

of a caulked joint.

piezometer (pie-zom-e-ter) a device for

the measurement of pressure in pipes,

or conduits, consisting of a vertical

transparent tube which is connected at

its lower end to a piezometer orice in

the wall of the pipe, or conduit, and is

open to atmosphere at its upper end. e

height to which uid rises in the tube is a

measure of the head pressure in the pipe

or conduit.

piezometer orice (pie-zom-e-ter or-i-

ce) a small hole through the wall of a

pipe, or conduit, drilled at a 90° angle to

the wall and carefully nished at the inner

edge of the hole.

108

pig pipe grip

pig (pig) 1. a crude casting of metal

(as iron). 2. an oblong mass of metal,

especially of iron or lead obtained from

the smelting furnace and run into a mold,

usually of sand while hot so that it is of

a size and shape convenient for storage.

pig bed (pig bed) a bed of sand in which

iron is cast into pigs.

pig, caulking lead (pig, caulk-ing lead)

See LEAD.

pig ears (pig ears) soldered on tabs for

fastening lead pipe as a support. Named

because of their shape.

pig iron (pig i-ron) 1. crude iron, the direct

product of the blast furnace. Pig iron is

either rened to produce steel, wrought

iron, or ingot iron, or is remelted and cast

into special shapes. 2. another name for

cast iron, the molten iron being run into

molds called “pigs”. See CAST IRON.

pig lead (pig lead) the term “pig” means

the metal cast into bars at the conclusion

of the process of smelting.

pig-lugging (pig- lug-ging) See DOG

EARING.

pilot (pi-lot) a small ame which is utilized

to ignite the gas at the main burner(s).

pilot light, gas (pi-lot light, gas) a small

ame that burns constantly to ignite the

main gas supply.

pine and oak tank shells (pine and oak

tank shells) reference to wooden material

from which tanks (usually water closet and

urinal) are made. e outer side clad to

lead, copper or other sheet metal tanks.

pineapple strainer, urinal (pine-ap-ple

strain-er, uri-nal) the shape (pineapple

or pear) of the added, vertically, strainer

to trough urinals. A vertical “bee hive”

is another name given the strainer. See

URINAL.

pipe (pipe) a cylindrical conduit or

conductor, the wall thickness of which

is sucient to receive a standard pipe

thread conforming to national standards

for United States standard tapered pipe

thread. May be installed plain ended or

threaded. Compare with tube.

pipe and tting sizes (pipe and t-ting

sizes) the dimensions of pipe and ttings

refers to the bore, or diameter, of the pipe.

pipe bending tools (pipe bend-ing tools)

a variety of devices composing hand tools

and machines for bending pipe or tubing.

pipe chase (pipe chase) a recess, or channel,

in a wall for the purpose of recessing pipes

and / or other conduits. See CHASE.

pipe coating (pipe coat-ing) any of a

number of materials such as lacquer,

paint, or plastic used as a covering over

the surfaces of piping material.

pipe covering (pipe cov-er-ing) 1. an

insulating material used to wrap around

pipe. 2. insulating material applied around

a pipe to prevent heat exchange between

contents and surroundings.

pipe cutter (pipe cut-ter) 1. a pipe cutter is

an instrument for cutting pipes, consists

of a bent lever, partially encircling the

pipe, on which one, or more, cutting

discs are mounted, the pressure and feed

of the cutting discs being regulated by a

screw as the lever is rotated around the

pipe. 2. a tool, or machine, for cutting

pipe: especially a hand tool comprising

a grasping device and three sharp-edged

wheels forced inward by screw pressure

that cut into the pipe as the tool is rotated.

See TUBE CUTTERS.

pipe die (pipe die) a screw plate used for

cutting threads on pipe.

pipe dope (pipe dope) See PIPE THREAD

DOPE.

pipe fitter (pipe fit-ter) one who fits,

threads, installs and repairs piping.

pipe tting (pipe t-ting) a piece (as a

coupling or elbow) used for connecting

pipe lengths or to change the direction.

pipe grip (pipe grip) See PIPE WRENCH.

109

pipe hanger

pipe wrench

pipe hanger (pipe hang-er) 1. a device

for suspending pipe. 2. a bracket, clamp,

clip or loop used to suspend pipe (as

from ceilings, overhead beams). See

ADJUSTABLE HANGER; ANCHORS;

HANGER; MALLEABLE IRON

HANGER; STRAP HANGER.

pipe holders (pipe hol-ders) tool, or clamp,

to hold pipes rigidly or to keep pipes in a

desired position or places.

pipe, i.p.s. (pipe i p s) pipe bearing i.p.s.

refers to the standard wall thickness and

outside diameter of iron or steel pipes. See

IRON PIPE SIZE.

pipeless furnace (pipe-less fur-nace) a

furnace with a single short pipe to connect

it with the space to be heated.

pipeline (pipe-line) a line of pipe including

ttings, valves, and control devices for

conveying liquids, gases or nely divided

solids.

pipe machine (pipe ma-chine) a machine

used in the cutting and threading of pipe.

pipe reamer (pipe ream-er) a device to

remove a burr left on the inside of the

pipe in order that the circulation of

water owing through the pipe may not

be impeded. It consists of a uted and

tapered tool, the blades being out of the

solid metal by planing or milling on a

machine, the utes are then backed o like

a tap to give a good cutting edge.

pipe rest (pipe rest) See PIPE SUPPORT.

pipe ring hook (pipe ring hook) a hanger

shaped in a circle, or ring, on the tangent is

a bar or boss for the purpose of anchoring

the hanger to allow pipes to be supported.

pipe roll (pipe roll) a roller for supporting

a pipe without restraining its longitudinal

movement caused by expansion and

contraction.

pipe saddle (pipe sad-dle) See SADDLE

FITTING.

pipe size (pipe size) a reference, usually

expressed in inches and portions of inches,

to the nominal, or average, bore size of a

conduit or pipe.

pipe stock (pipe stock) a die holder.

pipe support (pipe sup-port) a bracket, or

brace, which supports pipes. Also called

pipe rest.

pipe tap (pipe tap) tool to cut female screw

threads in ttings, etc. See T A P.

pipe thread (pipe thread) a screw thread

used on pipe and pipe ttings characterized

by a some what ne pitch and usually a

tapering diameter.

pipe thread chaser (pipe thread cha-ser)

1. a tool used to clean or restore threads.

2. a thread cutting tool, formed to cut a

pipe thread of predetermined dimension.

pipe thread dope (pipe thread dope) a

general term describing a number of

compounds of plastic type materials used

to lubricate pipe threads to help achieve

maximum engagement or make-up. Also

a help in sealing threads.

pipe threader (pipe thread-er) tool used

to cut threads into pipe ends; consists of

a handle called a stock, and a die with

which to cut threads. ere are basically

two types: a. ratchet and xed; or b. solid.

pipe threading (pipe thread-ing) the act or

science of cutting threads in or on pipes.

pipe thread stock (pipe thread stock)See

PIPE THREADER.

pipe tongs (pipe tongs) 1.a hand tool

for gripping or turning pipes, etc. 2. a

crude form of pipe wrench. See CHAIN

TONGS.

pipe vise (pipe vise) a gripping appliance

for holding pipes while being threaded, or

cut, having two v-shaped serrated jaws

sliding within one another, the grip being

applied, or released, by means of a screw

and toggle.

pipe wrench (pipe wrench) wrench

designed to grip pipe having an adjustable

L-shaped jaw sliding in a sleeve that is

pivoted to and loosely encircles the handle

so that pressure on the handle increases the

grip. See CHAIN TONGS; STILLSON

WRENCH.

110

piping plug

piping (pip-ing) an assembly of pipes,

or conduit, together with fitting of

compatible design which serves in a

plumbing system. See PIPE.

piston pump (pis-ton pump) a pumping

machine in which either pressure or

suction is the result of the movement of

a piston type plug or plunger.

pitch (pitch) the number of threads per

inch of thread surface. See GRADE.

Abbr. P.

pitch of screw threads (pitch of screw

threads) the distance from the center of

one thread to the center of the next thread.

Sometimes used to denote the number of

threads per inch of thread surface.

P.I.V. Abbr. for Post Indicator Valve.

plain end pipe (plain end pipe) the term

used to describe pipe on which there is

no end treatment such as threads. e

ends are plain or merely left as cut o.

Abbr. P.E.

plankton (plank-ton) the passively oating

or weakly swimming animal and plant life

in a body of water.

plaster of paris (plas-ter of par-is) a

fine white powder consisting of the

hemihydrate of calcium sulfate [CaSO

½ H

O or 2CaSO

O] and made by

calcinating gypsum until it is partially

dehydrated, combining it with water to

form a paste which soon sets, and is used

chiefly for casts and molds, building

materials and surgical bandages. Also

called calcinated gypsum.

plastic (plas-tic) 1. capable of being

molded. 2. any of numerous organic,

synthetic, or processed materials that

are molded, cast, extruded, drawn or

laminated into objects, lms or laments.

3. any of various non-metallic compounds,

synthetically produced (usually form

organic compounds by polymerization),

which can be molded into various forms

and hardened for commercial use. Among

the various trademark names for plastic

are: Lucite; Vinylite; Bakelite, etc.

plastic tting (plas-tic t-ting) ttings

made of resinous (non-metallic) materials.

See FITTING.

plasticizer (plas-ti-ci-zer) a chemical added

to rubber and resins to impart exibility,

workability, or stretchability.

plastic pipe (plas-tic pipe) pipes or tubes

made from resinous material other than

metal.

plastic tubing (plas-tic tub-ing) 1. conduit

made of non-metal. 2. conduit made of

resinous material. 3. conduit made of

several types of man-made non-metallic

materials. Sometimes it may be rigid or

sometimes exible or pliable. See ABS;

PVC.

plate (plate) 1. to cover with an adherent

layer mechanically, chemically, or

electrically. 2. to deposit (as a layer) on

a surface. 3. a smooth, at, thin piece

of metal; forged, rolled, or case metal in

sheets usually thicker than ¼ inch. See

GALVANIZE; ELECTROPLATE.

plated ange (plat-ed ange) a disc tting

with a cover over plating, i.e.: chrome,

brush brass, nickel, etc.

platina (pla-ti-na) crude native platinum.

pliers (pli-ers) small pinchers for holding,

bending or cutting small objects or

wire. Types include: (a) arc joint type

“channel-locks or pump pliers”; (b)

slip joint type with or without side

cut; c. lineman’s pliers; (d) end-cutting

nippers; (e) diagonal-cutting; (f) wide-

jaw diagonal; (g) long chain nose; (h)

bent needle-nose; (i) curved diagonal; (j)

wire and cable strippers; (k) locking plier

wrenches (used as clamping tool; vise, pipe

or locking wrench, referred to commonly

as “vise grips”).

plot plan (plot plan) the overview or drawn

representation of an entire property as it

would be seen from directly above.

plug (plug) a pipe tting with male thread

that is used for closing the opening in

another tting.

111

plug cock

plumbing appurtenance

plug cock (plug cock) See GROUND

KEY VALVE.

plumb (plumb) 1. to seal with lead. 2. to

supply with a system of plumbing. 3. to

be vertical. Abbr. for Plumbing.

plumb bob (plumb bob) the metal bob

suspended by a cord used to determine

perpendicularity.

plumber (plumb-er) 1. one who installs

and repairs piping xtures, appliances,

appurtenances in conjunction with

water supply, and drainage systems, etc.;

both inside and outside of buildings.

2. a worker of lead or similar materials.

3. a person trained and experienced in

the art of plumbing, design, fabrication,

engineering and installation.

plumber’s candle (plumb-er’s can-dle)

a cylindrical burnable material with a

wick. In plumbing it is a non-salted, non

paran compound - mixture of chemicals

including tallow - is used as a soldering

ux as well as a lubricant and light source.

plumber’s friend (plumb-er’s friend)

a cup-shaped device of rubber on the

end of a wood, or metal handle used

for eliminating stoppage in pipes by the

action of siphonage or compression. Also

called pneumatic plunger. See FORCE

CUP; CLOSET PLUNGER, RUBBER.

plumber’s furnace (plumb-er’s fur-nace) a

red repot or similar device for melting

or heating as needed by the artisan. Types

of furnaces: gasoline; liquid petroleum

gas; charcoal; natural gas; and electric. See

SOLDER POT.

plumber’s rasp (plumb-er’s rasp) a le type

tool for ling lead.

plumber’s round iron (plumb-er’s round

iron) a form of soldering iron used for

soldering seams in tanks.

plumber’s soil (plumb-er’s soil) a mixture

of lampblack and glue used in leadwork.

plumber’s tape (plumb-er’s tape) See PIPE

HANGER.

plumber’s test plug (plumb-er’s test plug)

a device inserted into a pipe or tting and

expanded to form a temporary stoppage.

plumbing (plumb-ing) 1. includes the

work and/or practice, materials and

xtures used in the installation, removal,

maintenance, extension, and alterations of

a plumbing system of all piping, xtures,

xed appliances and appurtenances in

connection with any of the following:

sanitary drainage, storm drainage

facilities, special wastes, the venting

system and the public or private water

supply systems, within or adjacent to

any building, structure, or conveyance to

their connection with any point of public

disposal or other acceptable terminal

within the property line. 2. the pipes,

xtures and all other apparatus concerned

in the introduction, distribution and

disposal of water in a building. 3. the

pipes, xtures and other apparatus of a

water, gas or sewage system. 4. the work

of a plumber.

plumbing appliance (plumb-ing ap-pli-

ance) 1. a unit whose operation and/

or control may be dependent upon one

or more energized components, such as

motors, controls, heating elements, or

pressure or temperature sensing elements.

Such xtures may operate automatically

through one or more of the following

actions: a time cycle; a temperature

range; a pressure range; a measured

volume or weight; or, the xture may be

manually adjusted or controlled by the

user or operator. 2. an adjunct, usually

mechanical, and similar to a plumbing

fixture except that it is designed for

a specific purpose and not generally

indispensable in the operation of the

plumbing system.

plumbing appurtenance (plumb-ing

ap-pur-te-nance) a manufactured, pre-

fabricated, or an on-the-job assembly of

component parts and is an adjunct to

the basic piping system and plumbing

fixtures. An appurtenance demands

no additional water supply, nor does

it add any discharge load to a fixture

112

plumbing contractor plumbism

or the drainage system. It is presumed

that it performs some useful function in

the operation, maintenance, servicing,

economy, or safety of the plumbing system.

plumbing contractor (plumb-ing con-

trac-tor) in plumbing, a person who

contracts on predetermined terms to

provide labor, materials and knowledge

and be responsible for installing a

plumbing job according to established

practices and specications. See MASTER

PLUMBER. Abbr. P.C.

plumbing fixture (plumb-ing fix-ture)

1. an installed appurtenance to the

potable water supply system, which makes

available intended potable water; or a

receptor which receives and discharges

liquids, or liquid-borne, waste directly

or indirectly into the drainage system.

2. plumbing xtures are approved type

installed receptacles, devices or appliances

which are supplied with water or which

receive liquids, or liquid-borne, wastes and

discharge such wastes into the drainage

system to which they may be directly

or indirectly connected. 3. industrial

or commercial tanks, vats, and similar

processing equipment are not plumbing

fixtures; but they may be connected

to, or discharged into, approved traps

or plumbing fixtures. 4. a permanent

appendage usually designed as a receptacle

and intended to receive and/or discharge

liquid or liquid-borne waste to a drainage

system.

plumbing hazard (plumb-ing haz-ard)

an integral type cross-connection in a

consumer’s potable water system that may

be either a pollution or a contamination

type of hazard. is includes, but is not

limited to, cross-connections to toilets,

sinks, lavatories, wash trays, domestic

washing machines and lawn sprinkling

systems. Such a connection, if permitted

to exist, must be properly protected by an

appropriate type of backow prevention

assembly.

plumbing inspector (plum-ing in-spec-

tor) 1. a trained person qualied to pass

judgment. 2. administrative authority.

plumbing system (plumb-ing sys-tem)

1. plumbing system includes the water

supply and distribution pipes, plumbing

xtures and traps, soil, waste and vent

pipes; building drains and building sewers,

including their respective connections,

devices and appurtenances within the

property lines of the premises; and water-

treating and water-using equipment.

Plumbing system means and includes

all potable water supply and distribution

pipes, all plumbing xtures and traps, all

drainage and vent pipe and all building

drains, including their respective joints

and connections, devices, receptacles and

appurtenances within the property lines

of the premises and shall include potable

water piping, potable water treating or

using equipment, fuel gas piping, water

heaters and vents for same. Sometimes

re protection systems, and chilled water

piping in connection with refrigeration,

and gas piping systems are excluded from

the piping systems are excluded from the

legal meaning of plumbing, sometimes

all or some of these parts are included. 2.

An arrangement of pipes, ttings, traps,

vents, and component parts so designed

as to provide an adequate supply of water

to the premises and convey liquids and

liquid borne wastes to a disposal terminal.

plumbing trap (plumb-ing trap) a tting

placed in a drain line from a plumbing

xture for the purpose of holding water, or

other uid, to form a seal that will prevent

the passage of gases or odors from the

drain pipe into the air within a building.

plumbing wall (plumb-ing wall) a wall-

like structure resulting by prefabrication

in the enclosure. A part of a plumbing

system.

plumbism (plum-bism) poisoning through

lead or some compound of lead. is

condition might arise from soft water

dissolving lead from pipes, or through

other means. e dangers are now so well

recognized that this is rare.

113

plumbum

 polyvinylchloride

plumbum (plum-bum) latin for lead. See

PLUMB.

plunger (plun-ger) device used to remove

stoppages at plumbing fixtures. See

FORCE CUP.

pneumatic hammer (pneu-ma-tic ham-

mer) See AIR HAMMER.

pneumatic plunger (pneu-ma-tic plung-

er) See PLUMBER’S FRIEND.

point-of-use (point-of-use) the nal outlet

of the water supply system just prior to

discharge to atmosphere.

point of cross-connection (point of cross-

con-nec-tion) the specic point or location

in a public or a consumer’s potable water

system where a cross connection exists.

point of relief (point of re-lief) a larger

mass of water in the system to which

the branch is connected; point of relief

could be a larger diameter main or riser,

water tank or hot water boiler; a larger

diameter pipe is a main which is at least

two nominal pipe sizes larger than the

branch line in question

pointed copper (point-ed cop-per) See

SOLDERING IRON.

poison (poi-son) a substance that can

injure, impair or cause death to a living

organism.

poker (po-ker) a rigid, fairly heavy, straight

metal rod (iron or steel) that typically has

one end tted with, or shaped with, or

shaped into, a handle and the other bent

or hooked; is usually used for adjusting,

or stirring, burning logs or coals (as in

a replace) or similar burning material.

policy (po-li-cy) a denite course or method

of action selected from among alternatives

and in light of given conditions to

guide and determine present and future

decisions.

polished brass (pol-ished brass) brass

material in a polished state rather than

rough or unnished.

pollutant (pol-lu-tant) 1. the addition to

a natural body of water of any material

which diminishes the optimal economical

use of the water body by the population

which it serves, and has an adverse eect

on the surrounding environment. 2. a

substance that deteriorates the aesthetic

quality of water, or other materials, but is

not harmful to health. 3. the impairment

of the quality of water to a degree which

does not create an actual hazard to the

public health, but which does adversely

and unreasonable aect such waters for

domestic use.

pollution (pol-lu-tion) the specific

impairment of water quality by

agricultural, domestic or industrial

wastes (including thermal and atomic),

to a degree that has an adverse effect

upon any beneficial use of water. See

CONTAMINATION

pollution hazard (pol-lu-tion ha-zard)

a water quality impairment to a degree

which does not create a health hazard,

but does adversely and unreasonably aect

the water for domestic use. Pollution will

make the water look, smell, and/or taste

bad, but illness or death will not result.

See NONHEALTH HAZARD.

polyester (poly-es-ter) any number of

synthetic resins, produced by reaction of

dibasic acids with dihydric alcohols. Used

especially in making bers and plastics.

polymer (poly-mer) a chemical compound

or mixture of compounds formed by

polymerization and consisting essentially

of repeating structural units.

polymerization (poly-mer-i-za-tion) the

uniting of two, or more, monomers to

form a polymer.

polystyrene (poly-sty-rene) a hard, rigid,

dimensionally stable, clear thermoplastic

polymer that is easily colored and molded.

polyvinyl chloride (poly-vi-nyl chlor-

ide) man-made plastic used in making

conduit, ttings and valves.

114

pond precipitate

pond (pond) a body of water smaller than a

lake and larger than a pool either naturally

or articially conned.

pool (pool) a reservoir of water. See

SWIMMING POOL.

pop safety valve (pop safe-ty valve) See

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

RELIEF VALVE.

population equivalent (pop-u-la-tion

e-qui-va-lent) in plumbing and sewage

treatment the estimated number of people

contributing sewage equal in strength to

a unit volume of the waste or to some

other unit.

pop valve (pop valve) See RELIEF VALVE.

porcelain (por-ce-lain) a ne ceramic ware

that is hard, translucent, sonorous and

non-porous.

porcelain enamel (por-ce-lain e-na-mel)

See VITREOUS ENAMEL.

port (water heater) [port (wa-ter heat-er)]

any opening in a burner head through

which gas, or an air-gas mixture, is

discharged for ignition.

portland cement (port-land ce-ment)

named after the Isle of Portland, England;

a powder containing about 60 percent

lime, 25 percent silica, 10 percent

alumina, iron oxide and gypsum. It is

mixed with water and other materials

such as sand and gravel to make concrete.

ports, vent (ports, vent) See VENT

PORTS.

post hole auger (post hole au-ger) an

auger specically designed for digging

post holes.

post hydrant (post hy-drant) a vertical

hydrant for the supply of water in places

such as parks, golf courses, cemeteries. See

HYDRANT.

post indicator valve (post in-di-ca-tor

valve) a buried valve stem extended above

grade usually enclosed in a casing with a

visible indication of the valve being open

or closed. Abbr. P.I.V.

pot (pot) slang for Water Closet or Plumber’s

Furnace. See PLUMBER’S FURNACE;

SOLDER POT; WATER CLOSET.

potable water (po-ta-ble wa-ter) 1. water

which is suitable for drinking, culinary,

and personal purposes. 2. water free from

impurities present in amounts sucient

to cause disease or harmful physiological

eects. 3. water from any source which has

been approved for human consumption

by the health agency having jurisdiction.

pot, grease trap (pot, grease trap) See

GREASE TRAP, POTTYPE.

pothook (pot-hook) a hook used for lifting

the lead, solder sulphur, etc., pot from the

furnace or heating device, etc.

pot metal (pot met-al) 1. an alloy of copper

and lead used especially for making large

vessels. 2. zinc or other die casting metals.

3. a cast iron used for making pots and

other hollow ware.

pound (pound) a unit of mass in the

English Absolute system of units. Abbr. lb.

pouring rope (pour-ing rope) rope, usually

asbestos, which is wrapped around a pipe

at a joint to retain the molten lead when

it is poured into the caulked joint.

power burner (pow-er burn-er) (water

heater) a burner in which either gas or

air (or both) are supplied at pressures

exceeding the gas line and atmospheric

pressures. This added pressure being

applied at the burner. A pre-mixing burner

is a power burner in which all, or nearly

all, of the air for combustion is mixed with

the gas as primary air.

power vise (pow-er vise) a tool to hold;

operated by some source of energy other

than human.

P.P.M. Abbr. for Parts Per Million, i.e.: three

parts chlorine (liquid) with one million

parts water.

precipitate (pre-cip-i-tate) a substance,

usually crystalline, separated out from a

solution as a solid.

115

precipitation

pressure reducing valve

precipitation (pre-cip-i-ta-tion) the

phenomenon which occurs when a

substance held in solution in a liquid

passes out of solution into a solid form.

precipitation, chemical (pre-cip-i-ta-tion,

chem-i-cal) precipitation induced by

addition of chemicals.

press. Abbr. for Pressure.

pressure (pres-sure) the normal force

exerted by a homogeneous liquid, or

gas, per unit of area, on the wall of the

container. Abbr. Press.

pressure, atmospheric (pres-sure at-

mos-pher-ic) See ATMOSPHERIC

PRESSURE.

pressure, back (pres-sure, back) See BACK

PRESSURE.

pressure burner (pres-sure burn-er) a

burner which is supplied with an air-gas

mixture under pressure (usually from 0.5

to 14.0 inches of water and occasionally

higher).

pressure, burst (pres-sure, burst) See

BURST PRESSURE.

pressure, dierential (pres-sure, dif-fer-

en-tial) the dierence in pressure of the

fluid between two points in a piping

system, (i.e.: the difference between

the inlet and outlet on a water lter or

backow preventer.)

pressure envelope (pres-sure en-ve-lope)

the outside of the tting, tank, vessel,

etc. which withstands and contains the

water pressure.

pressure equalizing line (pres-sure e-qual-

i-zing line) a branch within the drainage

system serving as a shunt to equalize the

pressure between two points.

pressure lter (pres-sure l-ter) a lter

used to strain solids from a gas, or liquid,

while the material to be strained is under

pressure higher than atmospheric 29.92"

@ 59°F (14.8°C).

pressure, ow (pres-sure, ow) See FLOW

PRESSURE.

pressure gauge (pres-sure gauge)

instrument for measuring the pressure of

uids, gases or air. Abbr. P.G.

pressure, hydrostatic (pres-sure, hy-

dro-sta-tic) See HYDROSTATIC

PRESSURE.

pressure, initial (pres-sure, i-ni-tial) See

SUPPLY PRESSURE.

pressure, line (pres-sure, line) See LINE

PRESSURE.

pressure, lock-up (pres-sure, lock-up) See

NOFLOW SET PRESSURE.

pressure loss (pres-sure loss) 1. the

reduction of pressure that occurs when

liquid passes through an assembly. 2. the

decrease in pressure in a piping system due

to the resistance caused by pipes, ttings,

valves, filters, water meters, backflow

assemblies, etc.

pressure, low head (pres-sure, low-head)

See LOW HEAD PRESSURE.

pressure, no-ow (pres-sure, no-ow) See

NOFLOW SET PRESSURE.

pressure, normal supply (pres-sure, nor-

mal sup-ply) See NORMAL SUPPLY

PRESSURE.

pressure, operating (pres-sure, op-er-at-

ing) See OPERATING PRESSURE.

pressure recorder, sensitive electronic

(pres-sure re-cord-er, sen-si-tive elec-

tron-ic) a pressure gauge utilizing an

electronic transducer capable of recording

pressure in specied increments.

pressure reducing regulator (pres-sure

re-duc-ing reg-u-la-tor) a diaphragm, or

piston, operated device designed to reduce

and maintain lower pressures in liquids or

gases. See PRESSURE REGULATOR.

pressure reducing valve (pres-sure re-

duc-ing valve) a valve which maintains

a uniform pressure on its outlet side

irrespective of how the pressure on its

inlet side may vary above the pressure to

be maintained. Abbr. P RV.

116

pressure reducing tank private dwelling

pressure reducing tank (pres-sure re-duc-

ing tank) a storage vessel used to bleed o,

or receive, liquids from a pressure line to

atmospheric pressure.

pressure regulator (pres-sure reg-u-la-tor)

any device by means of which pressure may

be regulated, as in a reducing valve, where

a high pressure is reduced to a denite

lower pressure, maintaining the latter at a

constant height irrespective of uctuations

in the higher pressure. See PRESSURE

REDUCING REGULATOR;

SHOWER REGULATOR.

pressure relief line (pres-sure re-lief line)

a branch extending from the deaerator

tting to a minimum point of ten (10)

pipe diameters (based on stack size)

downstream of the base of the stack.

pressure relief valve (pres-sure re-lief

valve) a safety valve. A valve held

closed by a spring or other means,

which automatically relieves pressure in

excess of its setting. See POP VALVE;

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

RELIEF VALVE.

pressure, static (presssure, sta-tic) See

STATIC PRESSURE.

pressure, supply (presssure, sup-ply) See

SUPPLY PRESSURE.

pressure surge (pres-sure surge) a sudden

increase in pressure caused by turbulance

in a contained liquid.

pressure transducer (pres-sure trans-duc-

er) a pressure sensitive device that will

produce an electric signal proportional to

the pressure to which it is subjected. e

signal capable of amplication.

pressure type flushing system (pres-

sure type ush-ing sys-tem) a product

which uses the water supply to create a

pressurized discharge to ush exclusive of

gravity type ushing systems.

pressure vacuum breaker assembly

(pres-sure vac-u-um break-er as-sem-

bly) the term shall apply to an assembly

containing an independently operating

loaded check valve and an independently

operating loaded air inlet valve located

on the discharge side of the check valve.

The assembly is to be equipped with

properly loaded test cocks and tightly

closing shut-o valves located at each end

of the assembly. is assembly is designed

to protect against a health hazard (i.e.:

contaminant) under a backsiphonage

condition only. Abbr. PVB.

pressure valve (pres-sure valve) a device

to maintain, control or release pressure.

pressure, working (presssure, work-ing)

See WORKING PRESSURE.

pressurized plumbing xture ushing

device (pres-sur-i-zed plumb-ing

fix-ture flush-ing de-vice) a product

which uses the water supply to create a

pressurized discharge to ush the xture

exclusive of gravity type ushing systems.

Flushometer valves and tanks are examples

of pressurized plumbing xture ushing

devices.

primary air (pri-mary air) (water heater)

the air introduced into a burner which

mixes with the gas before it reaches the

port(s).

primary air inlet (pri-mary air in-let)

(water heater) the openings through

which primary air is admitted into a

burner.

primary branch (pri-mary branch) (water)

the largest single branch of the main water

supply in the building or structure.

primary branch, drainage (pri-mary

branch, drain-age) the 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.

primary use (pri-mary use) a bleeding

application control which reduces the hot

water temperature to an acceptable range

at source of hot water.

private dwelling (pri-vate dwell-ing) any

building used only for living purposes and

occupied by not more than one family.

117

private sewer

puddle

private sewer (pri-vate sew-er) 1. a sewer

that is privately owned, servicing one

or more buildings or areas. 2. a sewer

serving two or more buildings or areas.

3. a sewer, serving one or two or more

buildings, privately owned, and not

directly controlled by public authority.

See SEWERS.

private use (pri-vate use) in plumbing

codes the term used to differentiate

xtures which are intended for use in

residences, apartments and similar in-

stallations for private or individual use.

privy (priv-y) a structure used for the

deposition of human excrement in a

container or in a vault beneath the structure.

privy vault (priv-y vault) a pit beneath a

privy in which excrement collects.

probe (probe) a slender, blunt-ended

instrument used for exploring and to

ascertain depth.

process, activated sludge (pro-cess, ac-

ti-va-ted sludge) See ACTIVATED

SLUDGE PROCESS.

professional engineer (pro-fes-sion-al

en-gi-neer) an engineer who has been

licensed, or registered, by a state to

practice engineering. Abbr. P.E.

projected roof area (pro-ject-ed roof

a-re-a) in plumbing, the plan size of the

roof space to be drained as the result of

the placement of a building. See ROOF

AREA.

protected cross connection (pro-tec-ted

cross con-nec-tion) a cross connection

between a potable and non-potable system

where adequate methods are provided to

prevent backow.

protected waste pipe (pro-tec-ted waste

pipe) a waste pipe from a xture that is

not directly connected to a drain, soil,

vent, or waste pipe.

protractor (pro-trac-tor) an instrument

with graduated scales, for measuring

angles.

PRV Abbr. for Pressure Reducing Valve.

ASSE 1003.

psig Abbr. 1. pound pressure per square

inch as viewed on a gauge. 2. pounds per

square inch above atmospheric pressure.

p-trap (p-trap) a p-shaped trap used

especially for sinks, lavatories and tubs.

public or public use (pub-lic or pub-lic use)

in the classication of plumbing xtures,

public applies to xtures in general toilet

rooms of schools, gymnasiums, railroad

stations, public buildings, bars, public

comfort stations, hotels (including the

xtures in rooms) and other installations

(whether pay or free). The number

of xtures are installed so their use is

similarly unrestricted.

public potable water system (pub-lic po-

ta-ble wa-ter sys-tem) any publicly, or

privately, owned water system operated as

a public utility under a valid health permit

to supply water for domestic purposes.

This system will include all sources,

facilities, and appurtenances between

the source and the point of delivery such

as valves, pumps, pipes conduits, tanks,

receptacles, fixtures, equipment and

appurtenances used to produce, convey,

treat or store potable water for public

consumption or use.

public building (pub-lic build-ing)

any building where the use is similarly

unrestricted.

public sewer (pub-lic sew-er) 1. a sewer

that is publicly owned to which all

abutters have equal rights of connection.

2. a common sewer directly controlled by

public authority. See SEWERS.

public water main (pub-lic wa-ter main) a

water supply pipe for public use controlled

by public authority.

puddle (pud-dle) the stirring of molten

metal during welding, brazing, lead

burning or joining methods.

118

puddling, iron (pud-dling iron) the

process of converting pig iron into

wrought iron or, rarely, steel by subjecting

it to heat and frequent stirring in a furnace

in the presence of oxidizing substances.

puddling, steel (pud-dling steel) the

process of converting pig iron into

wrought iron or rarely iron by subjecting it

to heat and frequently stirring in a furnace

in the presence of oxidizing substances.

pump (pump) 1. a device, or machine, that

raises, transfers, or compresses uids or

that attenuates gases especially by suction

or pressure or both. 2. apparatus for

raising, exhausting, driving or compressing

uids, air, or gases, by means of a piston,

plunger, or rotating vanes.

pump, jockey (pump, joc-key) a small,

usually high pressure, pump used to

maintain the design system pressure in

a re protection (sprinkler or standpipe)

system.

pump gauge (pump gauge) an instrument

to measure pressure or volume of ow

associated to a pump.

punch (punch) a tool usually in the form

of a short, stout piece of steel one end

of which is made at for striking with a

hammer and the other being shaped either

to a blunt point or hollow with a cutting

edge. Used primarily to set into metal a

small indentation to act as a guide, or

pilot, for the boring, or drilling, of a hole.

purication (pu-ri--ca-tion) the removal,

by natural or artificial methods, of

objectionable matter from water.

push-t connector (push-t con-nec-tor)

a connection that is integral to plumbing

devices.

puddling,iron  PVC

push-t tting (push-t t-ting) a type

of tting that joins pipes that are not

caulked, threaded, soldered, cemented,

brazed or welded. ese joints consist

of elastomeric seals and corrosion

resistant tube grippers. Such jointss

can be permanent, or nonpermanent,

depending on design and must be installed

in accordance to the manufacturer’s

instructions.

putrefaction (pu-tre-fac-tion) 1. the

decomposition of organic matter by the

agency of bacterial and fungi with the

formation of foul smelling incompletely

oxidized products. 2. decay.

putrescibility (pu-tres-ci-bil-i-ty) capable

of putrefaction.

putty (put-ty) 1. a cement usually made

of whiting and boiled linseed oil beaten,

or kneaded, to the consistency of dough

and used in fastening glass in sashes and

stopping crevices in woodwork. 2. a

mixture of red and white lead and boiled

linseed oil used as a lute in pipe tting.

See GLAZIER PUTTY; LUTE.

PVC. Abbr. for PolyVinyl Chloride.

119

Q. quick silver

Q. Abbr. for quantity or total.

quarter bend (quar-ter bend) 1. a tting

changing direction 90° (as in piping). 2.

a 90° tting.

quick compress faucet stop (quick com-

press fau-cet stop) a fast operating

shut-o valve in the water supply pipe

to a faucet. Sometimes in reference to a

spring return faucet. One which shuts o

automatically, must be held open.

Quick-Disconnect Device (quick dis-

con-nect de-vice) a hand operated device

which provides a means for connecting

and disconnecting an appliance or an

appliance connector to a gas supply, and

which is equipped with an automatic

means to shut o the gas supply when the

device is disconnected.

quick opening valve (quick o-pen-ing

valve) a valve designed to open quickly;

usually with a lever.

quick silver (quick sil-ver) See MERCURY.

120

rad.  rangeboileruetube

rad. Abbr. for Radius.

radiant heat (ra-di-ant heat) heat

transmitted by radiation

radiant heating / cooling system (ra-di-

ant heat-ing / cool-ing sys-tem) a piping

grid system usually installed in oors,

walls or ceilings that circulates heated/

chilled water to heat/cool a space by

the radiation of the energy within the

circulated system.

radiator (ra-di-a-tor) a heating device for

the circulation of steam or hot water.

radiator accessories (ra-di-a-tor ac-

ces-so-ries) any of several attachments

or mechanical devices that aid in the

operation of a radiator; such as valves,

legs, ns, covers, tubes, coils, hangers

and vents.

radiator valves (ra-di-a-tor valves) a shut

o valve to control steam, or hot water,

in a radiator.

radioactivity (ra-di-o-ac-ti-vi-ty) the

emission of radiant energy. e property

that some elements (such as radium,

uranium) have to spontaneously give out

rays which may be measured.

radius (ra-di-us) 1. the length of a straight

line segment from the center of a circular

plane to the circle or surface. 2. the

measurement of a straight line from

the center of a circle of a sphere to the

circumference or surface. Abbr. rad.

rainbow gasket (rain-bow gas-ket) a sheet

material of rubber compound usually

red in color and used to form, or make,

gaskets or seals. See RUBBER GASKET.

rainwater conductor (rain-wa-ter con-

duc-tor) a pipe to conduct rainwater from

the roof of a building to the house storm

drain or other piping serving as a storm

drain. See DOWNSPOUT. Abbr. R.W.C.

raised-face ange (raised face ange) a

ange faced about

inch higher inside

the bolt circle.

rake angle (rake an-gle) the angle of the

cutting edge of a tap or die, drills and

similar tools.

random length pipe (ran-dom length

pipe) pipe which is furnished from the

steel mill in lengths which vary from the

normal 21' length by as much as 12"

variance.

range boiler (range boil-er) 1. a cylinder-

shaped vessel with closed ends. 2. a name

given to a water reservoir intended to

store water heated by an auxiliary unit;

(i.e.: water heater; cooking range; side

arm heater, etc).

range boiler coupling (range boil-er cou-

pling) a tting unique to the era of range

boiler. See BOILER BUSHING.

range boiler covering (range boil-er cov-

er-ing) See BOILER COVER.

range boiler elbow (range boil-er el-bow)

1. a 90° tting unique to the era of range

boilers. 2. a combination elbow and ½

union.

range boiler ue tube (range boil-er ue

tube) the tube of a range boiler through

which products of combustion are allowed

to escape. is tube passes longitudinally

through the water reservoir.

121

range boiler stand

 recessedcastirontting,black

range boiler stand (range boil-er stand) 1.

the support for a range boiler. 2. a circular

ring on top of a pedestal to support a

water reservoir.

range boiler tube (range boil-er tube) the

tube inside a range boiler to deliver the

inlet cold water to the bottom of the tank.

range burner (range burn-er) a source of

heating, (i.e.: such as a gas burner).

range closet (range clos-et) a battery

of seats placed close together or one

continuous opening in a seat. All placed

above a single water bearing trough, or

receptacle, designed to receive human

excrement. Also called a latrine. See

LATRINE; WATER CLOSET.

range lining (range lin-ing) a stove lining

made of re clay used to line the re box

of a range.

rasp (rasp) kind of coarse le for smoothing

rough surfaces usually worked by grasping

at either end and drawing smartly across

the rough surface.

ratchet (ratch-et) 1. a pawl, click or detent

for holding, or propelling, a ratchet

wheel. 2. a mechanism composed of a

ratchet wheel and a pawl; specically, a

mechanism on a special wrench. 3. a tool

with a toothed-blade used to turn the

toothed-wheels that clamp and release

patent blocks on areas.

ratchet screwdriver (ratch-et screw-driv-

er) a screwdriver that is operated by the

reciprocating motion of the handle and

usually has a removable screwdriver bit.

ratchet stock (rat-chet stock) See PIPE

THREADER.

ratchet thread (ratch-et thread) See

BUTTRESS THREAD.

ratchet wrench (ratch-et wrench) a wrench

in which torque is applied in one direction

only by means of a ratchet.

rate of flow (rate of flow) See FLOW

RATE.

rated ow (rat-ed ow) See FLOW RATE.

raw (raw) in, nearly in, the natural state.

R.D. Abbr. for Roof Drain.

readily accessible (rea-di-ly ac-cess-i-ble)

that which enables a xture, appliance or

equipment to be directly reached without

requiring the removal or movement of

any panel, door or similar obstruction

and without the use of a portable ladder,

step stool or similar device. Compare

with accessible, which has come to mean

having access thereto even though removal

of an access door, or panel, may rst be

necessary.

ream (ream) to cut the burr from the inside

of a pipe or to increase the opening of a

pipe or orice by cutting with a circular

motion. See REAMER.

reamed and drifted pipe (ream-ed and

drift-ed pipe) the term used to describe

an end treatment of pipe in which the

bore, or inside diameter at the very end,

has been reamed and the outside diameter

at the very end has been chamfered or

de-burred.

reamer (ream-er) a special tool with

cutting edge for reaming, countersinking,

or enlarging a hole in metal. See

ADJUSTABLE REAMER; BALL

REAMER; EXPANSION REAMER;

REAM.

recalescence (re-ca-les-cence) an increase

in temperature that occurs while cooling

metal through a range of temperatures in

which change in structure occurs.

receptor (re-cep-tor) a xture, or device,

which receives the discharge from indirect

waste pipes. See FLOOR DRAIN;

CATCH BASIN; INTERCEPTOR.

recessed cast iron fitting, black (re-

cessed cast iron t-ting, black) a non-

coated iron drainage tting in which the

female thread terminates in an enlarged

annulus. See RECESSED CAST IRON

FITTING, GALVANIZED.

122

recessedcastirontting,galvanized reduced pressure zone between the checks

recessed cast iron tting, galvanized (re-

cessed cast iron t-ting, gal-va-nized) a

tting which has been coated with molten

zinc. See RECESSED CAST IRON

FITTING, BLACK.

recessed drainage fitting (re-cessed

drain-age fit-ting) See RECESSED

CAST IRON FITTING, BLACK;

RECESSED CAST IRON FITTING,

GALVANIZED.

recessed drain fitting, brass (re-cessed

drain t-ting, brass) a brass drainage

fitting in which the female thread

terminates in an enlarged annulus.

recessed roof connection (re-cessed roof

con-nec-tion) a rain water leaderhead

tting installed in a at roof where most

of the tting is below the roof and is

supported by the ange at roof plane level.

reclaimed water (re-claimed wa-ter)

treated wastewater now suitable for a

direct benecial or controlled use. It is

not safe for human consumption. May

also be known as “grey water”.

red. Abbr. for Reducer.

red lead (red lead) an orange-red to brick-

red lead oxide Pb

that is prepared by

heating lead monoxide in the presence of

air that, when produced commercially,

may contain litharge and other impurities.

Used chiey in storage battery plates, glass

and ceramics, and as a paint pigment (as

for protecting metals from corrosion).

In plumbing: used as a threaded joint

compound.

reduced owing pressure (re-duced ow-

ing pres-sure) the pressure maintained at

the outlet of a valve when water is owing

at some measured rate.

reduced pressure fall-o (re-duced pres-

sure fall-o) the change downward in the

reduced pressure from lockup (no ow)

which causes the valve to open and allow

water to ow through it at the rate needed

to satisfy demand.

reduced pressure principle backflow

preventer assembly (re-duced pres-sure

prin-ci-ple as-sem-bly) an assembly

containing two independently acting,

approved check valves together with a

hydraulically operating, mechanically

independent pressure dierential relief

valve located between the check valves

and at the same time, below the rst check

valve. The unit shall include properly

located test cocks and tightly closing shut-

o valves at each end of the assembly. e

assembly is designed to protect against a

health hazard (i.e. contaminant). Abbr.

RP.

reduced pressure principle-detector

backow prevention assembly (re-duced

pres-sure prin-ci-ple de-tec-tor back-

ow pre-ven-tion as-sem-bly) a specially

designed assembly composed of a line

size approved reduced pressure principle

backflow preventing assembly with a

specic bypass water meter and a meter-

sized approved reduced pressure principle

backow prevention assembly. e meter

shall register accurately for only very low

rates of ow and shall show a registration

for all rates of flow. This assembly is

designed to protect against a health hazard

(contaminant). Abbr. RPDA.

reduced pressure zone assembly (re-duced

pres-sure zone as-sem-bly) a mechanical

assembly consisting of two independently

operating spring loaded check valves with

a reduced pressure zone between checks.

e zone contains a relief port which will

open to atmosphere if the pressure in

the zone falls within two (2) p.s.i. of the

supply pressure . e unit shall include

properly located locks and tightly closing

shut-o valves at each end of the assembly.

e assembly is designed to protect against

both backpressure and backsiphonage.

Abbr. RPZ.

reduced pressure zone between the checks

(re-duced pres-sure zone be-tween the

checks) the zone contains a relief port

which will open to atmosphere if the

pressure in the zone falls within two (2)

p.s.i. of the supply pressure.

123

reducer

 reliefvalve

reducer (re-duc-er) 1. a pipe tting with

inside threads; larger at one end than at

the other. 2. a tting so shaped at one end

to receive a larger pipe size in direction

of ow. See INCREASER; TEE; WYE.

ABBR. RED.

reducer, eccentric (re-duc-er, ec-cen-tric)

a tting that maintains the ow line at

the same elevation as it reduces the size of

the run. See ECCENTRIC FITTING.

reducing elbow (re-duc-ing el-bow) a 90°

tting in which the inlet and outlet are

dissimilar in size.

reducing flange (re-duc-ing flange) a

ange tapped, or bored, smaller than the

original intended pipe size.

reductant (re-duc-tant) organic matter in

streams and sewage which is stabilized

under anaerobic conditions.

reduction chamber (re-duc-tion cham-

ber) See HOPPER.

rell tube (re-ll tube) a discharge conduit

of a ll valve that conveys a portion of the

owing water through a separate orice

to the overow tube for the purpose of

relling the trap.

refrigerator ice (re-frig-er-a-tor ice) a

cabinet, or room, for keeping food or

other articles cool by means of ice or

some other cooling agent. Some plumbing

codes classify an ice refrigerator as a

xture.

refusal of services (re-fus-al of ser-vices)

(shut o policy) a formal policy adopted

by a utilities' governing board to enable

the utility to refuse, or discontinue, service

where a known, or potential, hazard

exists and corrective measures are not

undertaken to eliminate the hazard.

registered design professional (re-gis-

tered de-sign pro-fes-sion-al) an architect

or engineer, registered, or licensed, to

practice professional architecture, or

engineering, as dened by the statutory

requirements of the professional

registration laws of the state in which the

project is to be constructed.

regular caulking irons (reg-u-lar caulk-

ing irons) having blades of different

lengths beveled to caulk either the inside

or outside edge of the joint.

regular cycle (reg-u-lar cy-cle) the

sequence of dishwasher operations for

regular, or normal soils, as indicated by

the manufacturer.

regulating agency (reg-u-la-ting a-gen-cy)

any local, state or federal authority given

the power to issue rules, or regulations,

having the force of law for the purpose

of providing uniformity in details and

procedures.

regulator (reg-u-la-tor) 1. a governor

to maintain an accurate designated

characteristic of temperature or pressure

of liquid, air or gases. 2. a device for

controlling and maintaining a uniform

gas supply pressure.

regurgitate (re-gur-gi-tate) 1. gush, rush,

or surge back 2. to throw, cast, or pour

back or out again (as from a cavity).

reinforced resin (re-in-forced res-in) a

structural material made from mixing of

resinous material which is strengthened,

or led, with bers or fragments such

as glass, hemp metal, particles, etc. See

RESIN.

relief device (re-lief de-vice) 1. a

safety device designed to forestall the

development of a dangerous condition

in the medium being heated by relieving

either the pressure, temperature or

vacuum built up in the appliance. 2. an

automatic device which opens or closes

a relief vent, depending on whether the

pressure is above or below a predetermined

value.

relief valve (re-lief valve) 1. fusible plug

type - a device which opens and keeps

open a relief vent by the melting, or

softening, of a fusible plug or cartridge at a

predetermined temperature. 2. Reseating

or self-closing type - an automatic device

which opens and closes a relief vent,

depending on whether the temperature is

above or below a predetermined value. See

HOT WATER BOILER; THERMAL

EXPANSION RELIEF VALVE.

124

reliefvalvediaphragm return bend

relief valve diaphragm (re-lief valve di-a-

phragm) a thin membrane, or sheet, as a

part of the valve.

relief valve, hot water boiler (re-lief

valve, hot wa-ter boil-er) a safety device

which relieves overheated water or

excessive pressure from the boiler. See

RELIEF DEVICE; SAFETY DEVICE;

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

RELIEF VALVE; TEMPERATURE

VALVE.

relief vent (re-lief vent) 1. an auxiliary vent,

supplementary to regular vent pipes. Its

function is to provide circulation of air

between drainage and vent systems. 2. a

vent so planned as to permit additional

circulation of air between drainage and

vent systems.

remote xture (re-mote x-ture) a single

fixture located on a branch line at a

distance greater than 20 ft. from the

upstream end of the branch line.

reoxygenation (re-ox-y-gen-a-tion) the

replenishment of oxygen in a system

from a) dilution water entering streams,

b) biological reoxygenation through the

activities of certain oxygen producing

plants, and c) atmospheric reaction.

representative sample (rep-re-sen-ta-tive

sam-ple) for the purpose of establishing

a rated ow, a representative sample shall

be of sucient size of each model so that

there is a probability of not less than 0.95

that the mean, maximum ow rate of

the sample is within plus or minus ve

percent of the true mean maximum ow

rate of the units.

req’d Abbr. for Required.

resealing trap (re-seal-ing trap) a trap on

a plumbing xture drain pipe designed so

the rate of ow at the end of a discharge

from that xture will seal the trap and will

not cause self-siphonage.

reseating tool (re-seat-ing tool) facing tool

used to resurface worn faucet seats.

residual chlorine (re-sid-u-al chlo-rine)

See CHLORINE.

residual pressure (re-sid-u-al pres-sure)

See FLOWING PRESSURE.

resin (res-in) 1. any of various hard brittle

solid to semi-solid amorphous fusible

flammable substances that are usually

transparent, or translucent, and yellowish

to brown in color with a characteristic

luster; are formed especially in plant

secretions and are obtained as exudates

of recent, or fossil, origin or as extracts of

plants that contain usually resin acids and

their esters and are soluble in ether and

other organic solvents but not in water.

ey are electrical, non-conductors and

are used chiey in varnishes, printing

inks, plastics, medicine and as incense.

2. any of a large class of synthetic

products, usually of high molecular

weight that have some of the physical

properties of natural resins but typically

are very dierent chemically, that may be

thermoplastic or thermosetting and are

made by polymerization or condensation.

Used chiey as plastics or the essential

ingredients of plastics, in varnishes and

other coatings, in adhesives, and in ion

exchange. 3. any of various products made

from a natural resin or natural polymer.

respirator mask (res-pi-ra-tor mask) 1.

appliance worn over a mouth or nose to

warm, or lter, the air which is breathed.

2. a device used to prevent the inhalation

of gas-fumes.

restrained (re-strain-ed) held securely

in an immobile position that prevents

movement.

retention tank (re-ten-tion tank) a vessel

on which means are provided for holding

uids until their release is desired.

retrofitting (ret-ro-fit-ting) 1. the

application of a solar heating system to

an existing building. 2. the adding of

auxiliary, or replacement, equipment to

equipment already in place.

return bend (re-turn bend) an open return

bend usually with inside threads but

applied also to a 180° bend in a pipe. See

CLOSE RETURN BEND.

125

return line

rope

return line (re-turn line) part of a

circulating system in which the restoration

to the point of a source is accomplished.

return oset (re-turn o-set) a double

oset installed so as to return the pipe to

its original alignment. See CROSSOVER

FITTING.

revent pipe (re-vent pipe) an individual

pressure equalization pipe interconnected

with other pressure equalization pipes.

reverberatory furnace (re-ver-ber-a-to-ry

fur-nace) designating a furnace kiln in

which the ame is reected from the roof

on to the material treated.

reverse impact (re-verse im-pact) an

impact applied to the pipe wall opposite

to the lined wall.

revolutions per minute (rev-o-lu-tions

per min-ute) a unit of measurement of

an object as it revolves about its axis in

a minute’s time, such as a motor or pump,

etc. Abbr. R.P.M.

right angle drill (right an-gle drill) a drill

forming and having a right angle.

rim (rim) an unobstructed open edge of

a xture.

rim sink (rim sink) a sink made of many

dierent sheet metals in which the outer

peripheral edges are folded to give strength

and eye appeal.

ripening (sludge) [ri-pen-ing (sludge)]

the completion of the sludge digestion

process.

riser (ris-er) 1. vertical principal pipes. 2.

a water supply pipe that extends vertically

one full story or more to convey water to

branches or to a group of xtures.

river water (ri-ver wa-ter) See WATER.

rock wool (rock wool) mineral wool made

by blowing a jet of steam through molten

rock, as limestone or siliceous rock, or

through slag. Used chiey for heat and

sound insulation.

roll grooving (roll groov-ing) the process

of impressing a groove into a pipe or tube

to allow for a Mechanical coupling to be

installed. Roll grooving removes no metal,

displacing metal to form the groove. e

process was invented by the Victaulic

in 1955 and is used in many plumbing,

pipetting, and re sprinkler applications

Roman cement (ro-man ce-ment) a

mixture of slacked lime and volcanic

ash pazzuolana. The ash produces a

hydraulic cement that sets under water.

See PAZZUELANA.

roof area ( roof ar-ea) in plumbing, the

space on a roof bounded by any barriers

which create a drainage surface.

roof collar (roof col-lar) a metallic ange

used to prevent weather damage between

pipestack and roof.

roof cutter (roof cut-ter) a valley shaped

device to collect storm water from a roof.

See ROOF DRAIN.

roof drain (roof drain) receives water

collected on the surface of a roof and

discharges it to the leader, downspout,

or conductor. Normally fitted with a

strainer, or screen, to prevent inux of

solids. Abbr. R.D.

roof ange (roof ange) device in tting

form used around pipe (vent, soil, waste,

local) on at roofs to form a leak proof

seal.

roof leader (roof lead-er) See LEADER.

roof tank (roof tank) mounted on roof or

in penthouse for the storage of water. See

ATTIC TANK.

rope (rope) 1. thick, strong twist of

intertwined fibers of flax, hemp,

jute, usually from one to ten inches

circumference. 2. something that binds,

connes or holds in check. 3. in plumbing,

any of several rope-like materials used in

caulking. See CAULKING.

126

rosin rubber gasket

rosin (ros-in) a translucent pale yellow or

amber to dark red or darker brittle friable

resin that is obtained by chemical means

from the oleoresin, or dead wood, of pine

trees by removal of the volatile turpentine

or from tall oil by removal of the fatty

acid components, that contains abietic

acid and other resin acids as principal

components and is used in the modied

or unmodied form of a derivative chiey

in making varnishes, lacquers, printing

materials, soldering fluxes, polishes

and for rosining the strings of musical

instruments.

rosin and grease box (ros-in and grease

box) a device containing rosin and

grease to prevent them from scattering

throughout the tool box or kit.

rotary compressor, fan type (ro-ta-

ry com-pres-sor, fan type) See AIR

COMPRESSOR.

rotary hammer (ro-ta-ry ham-mer) a

tool which electricity, or compressed

air, furnishes the energy to impact and

revolves the driven member.

roughing (rough-ing) See ROUGHIN.

rough-in (rough-in) 1. the installation of

all parts of a plumbing system which can

be completed prior to the installation of

xtures which includes drainage, water

supply, vent piping and all necessary

xture supports. 2. the dimension from

the nished wall or oor to center of waste

or supply opening, or mounting holes. 3.

dimension from the nished wall, oor

to center of waste, supply opening or

mounting holes.

round basin (round ba-sin) a circular

shaped basin, a xture. See LAVATORY.

round dresser (round dress-er) wooden

lead working tool used as a companion

tool to the at dresser. Employed to boss

sheet lead, and in the bending of lead

pipe, best suited for drawing lead from

one point to another; one of the most

useful of lead working tools. See FLAT

DRESSER; DRESSER.

round le (round le) a le circular in

section either tapered or parallel; the

tapered les of small size being termed

rat tail les. Round les are used generally

for enlarging holes and shaping hollow

curves. Round parallel les are also used

for gulleting the teeth of large circular

and pit saws.

royal water (roy-al wa-ter) See AQUA

REGIA.

RP Abbr. for REDUCED PRESSURE

PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW

PREVENTER ASSEMBLY.

RPDA Abbr. for Reduced Pressure

Principle-Detector Backow Prevention

Assembly

R.P.M. Abbr. for REVOLUTIONS PER

MINUTE.

RPZ Abbr. for REDUCED PRESSURE

ZONE ASSEMBLY.

rubber (rub-ber) an elastic substance

obtained from the milky juice of various

tropical plants, or made synthetically by

various chemical processes. Pure rubber is

a whitish hydrocarbon that becomes black

and more easily worked when vulcanized

for commercial use.

rubber bumper (rub-ber bump-er)

rubber-shaped devices to absorb shock or

dampen noises, i.e.: rubber bumpers on

toilet seat, cover, etc.

rubber bumper, toilet seat (rub-ber

bump-er, toi-let seat) rubber devices

attached to a toilet seat to act as a cushion

between toilet bowl and seat.

rubber closet plunger (rub-ber clos-et

plung-er) 1. a ball or pear-shaped unit

on a handle to cause pressure to remove

obstructions. 2. a form of pump.

rubber closet seal (rub-ber clos-et seal) a

gasket used between outlet of closet bowl

and drain pipe ange.

rubber gasket (rub-ber gas-ket) a flat

rubber material used as a sealer for water,

gas, or steam used between two objects.

See RAINBOW GASKET.

127

rubber mallet

 R.W.C.

rubber mallet (rub-ber mal-let) hammer

having the head and striking surface made

of rubber.

rubble drain (rub-ble drain) See

FRENCH DRAIN.

rule (rule) an instrument for measuring.

Consists of a strip, or strips, of material

marked in units of length such as inches

or centimeters.

run (run) that portion of a pipe or tting

continuing in a straight line in the

direction of ow in the pipe to which it

is connected. Sometimes an appreciable

length of straight or approximately

straight pipe.

running pressure (run-ning pres-sure) 1.

the gauge pressure in a owing plumbing

supply line immediately upstream of a

xture valve. 2. the residual pressure in

the water supply pipe at the pressurized

ushing device, or water outlet, while the

water outlet is open and owing.

running rope (run-ning rope) a braided

asbestos rope used with a spring loaded

scissors-type clamp for retaining hot,

poured lead in caulked-type joints when

these joints are made in other than level

positions.

running thread nipple (run-ning thread

nip-ple) See ALL THREAD NIPPLE.

running trap, lead (run-ning trap, lead)

a tting made of lead metal in which the

inlet and outlet form a horizontal straight

line. However, between these two points,

the water way is depressed to below the

bottom side wall tangent of either the

inlet or outlet.

running trap, soil pipe (run-ning trap,

soil pipe) a tting made of cast iron four

inches or larger in diameter in which the

inlet and outlet are a horizontal straight

line. However, between these two points

the water way is depressed to below the

bottom side tangent of either the inlet

or outlet.

rural or isolated buildings (ru-ral or

i-so-la-ted build-ings) those buildings

situated at such a distance from a public

sewer system that their drainage systems

cannot become tributary.

rust (rust) 1. the reddish, porous, brittle

coating that is formed on iron especially

when chemically attacked by moist air and

that consists essentially of hydrated ferric

oxide and sometimes iron carbonates and

iron sulfates. 2. similar coating provided

on any of various metals by corrosion.

rust joint (rust joint) 1.the resultant

joining by the forces resulting from

oxidation of materials placed as wicking.

2. a joint in which some oxidizing agent

is employed; either to cure a leak or to

withstand high pressure.

R.W.C. Abbr. for Rainwater Conductor.

128

S.A.  safetyshutoffdevice

S.A. Abbr. for Shock Arrestor.

sabre saw (sa-bre saw) used to make

straight cuts and it can make its own

starting hole when a cut must begin in

the middle of a board or panel. Also

spelled saber.

sacrarium (sa-crar-i-um) 1. a fixture

used in a place of worship. 2. a xture

used for the washing of religious articles.

Connected to a water supply, drained into

a French drain or pit.

saddle connection (sad-dle con-nec-tion)

in plumbing, a means of making a branch

connection by virtue of a saddle and girth

member or members. Saddle connections

are prohibited in many areas.

saddle tting (sad-dle t-ting) a tting

attached to the outside of a pipe and

sealed to the pipe with a gasket. Used to

create a change in direction or to create a

branch. See BELL.

safe (safe) a pan, or collector, placed

beneath a pipe, or fixture, to prevent

and catch the dispense leakage or other

unusual discharge of uid from the pipe

or xture.

Safe Drinking Water Act (safe drink-

ing wa-ter act) act of 1974 the Federal

Government established, through the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

national standards of safe drinking water.

Abbr. SDWA.

safety chain (safe-ty chain) a chain formed

of sheet metal links with an elongated hole

through each broad end and constructed

by a repeated series of doubling a link

upon itself, slipping the next link through

the two now superimposed holes of the

rst and doubling it.

safety device (safe-ty de-vice) a device to

provide safety against heat, cold, explosion,

ood, etc. See RELIEF VALVE, HOT

WATER BOILER; TEMPERATURE

AND PRESSURE VALVE.

safety eye goggles (safe-ty eye gog-gles)

large, transparent face wear to protect

principally the eyes.

safety eye shield (safe-ty eye shield) large,

transparent, blister-like unit to protect the

face with emphasis on protecting the eyes.

safety rubber apron (safe-ty rub-ber

a-pron) 1. a rubber, or rubber-like,

apparel. 2. a personal body shield.

safety shower (safe-ty sho-wer) a deluge

shower used in laboratories, industrial

and power plants where occupants are

exposed to toxic, corrosive or ammable

materials, for washdown of the entire

body, when spillage, splash or explosion

occurs. Abbr. Saf. Sh.

safety shuto device (safe-ty shut-o de-

vice) a device that will shut o the gas

supply to the controlled burner(s) in the

event the source of ignition fails to ignite

the gas at the burner(s). is device may

interrupt the flow of gas to the main

burner(s) only or to the pilot(s) and main

burner(s) under its supervision.

129

safetyvalve

 S.B.

safety valve (safe-ty valve) 1. an automatic

escape, or relief valve, (as for a steam

boiler or hydraulic system) held shut

by an arrangement exerting a denite,

usually adjustable pressure so that the

valve lifts and the steam, water, or other

contents escape when the pressure exceeds

a predetermined amount. 2. a similar valve

opening inward to admit air to a vessel

in which the pressure is less than that of

the atmosphere to prevent collapse. See

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

RELIEF VALVE; TEMPERATURE

REGULATOR.

safe waste (safe waste) the waste pipe

from a safe.

Saf. Sh. Abbr. for Safety Shower.

sal ammoniac (sal am-mo-ni-ac) See

AMMONIUM CHLORIDE.

san. Abbr. for Sanitary.

sand bending (sand bend-ing) a process

sometimes used in the bending of pipe.

e pipe is lled tightly with dried sand

to prevent attening.

sand box (sand box) an interceptor, or

settling basin, designed to allow sand and

grit to settle out.

sand catcher (sand catch-er) a device

installed in a plumbing drainage system

to allow the particles heavier than water

to precipitate for later removal.

sand cloth (sand cloth) same as sand paper

except sheeting material is made of cloth

rather than paper.

sand interceptor (sand in-ter-cep-tor) See

INTERCEPTOR. Abbr. S.I.

sand paper (sand pa-per) consist of tough

paper covered with nely ground abrasing

material.

sand plug (sand plug) sizes 1", 1¼", 1½",

and 2". wooden lead working tool used

in bending lead pipe when inserted in the

ends of the pipe after lling pipe with hot

sand, it keeps the sand compressed. See

BENDING SPRING; Bobbin.

sand trap (sand trap) a catch basin for the

collection of sand or other gritty material.

See INTERCEPTOR.

sanitarian (san-i-tar-ian) a professional

practitioner of hygiene who works

within the administrative framework of

a community hygiene program.

sanitary (san-i-tary) 1. pertaining to, or

tending to promote, preserve, or restore

health; hygienic. 2. a water closet, urinal,

or similar equipment tted with sanitary

plumbing. Abbr. san.

sanitary engineer (san-i-tar-y en-gi-neer)

one who supervises the planning and

construction of water supply, sewage

systems, etc.

sanitary sewage (san-i-tar-y sew-age)

sewage containing human excrement

and liquid household wastes. Also called

domestic sewage.

sanitary sewer (san-i-tar-y sew-er) 1. a

sewer intended to receive sanitary sewage

with, or without, industrial wastes and

without the admixture of surface water,

storm water, or clear water drainage. 2.

a pipe which carries sewage and excludes

storm, surface and ground water.

sanitary tee (san-i-tar-y tee) a tting used

for drainage purposes only, with the inlet

the same size or reducing. e inlet has a

curved downward pitch forming a sanitary

pattern.

sanitation (san-i-ta-tion) the neutralization

or removal of conditions injurious

to health. (e.g.sanitary engineering;

purication of water supply; disposal of

sewage; etc.)

scaold (scaf-fold) temporary structure

of poles and planks put up for workmen

to stand on while erecting, repairing,

painting, or working on a building.

S.B. Abbr. for Sitz Bath.

130

scale scrubber

scale (scale) 1. an accumulation of solid

material, precipitated out of waters

containing certain mineral salts in

solution and formed on the interior

surfaces of pipe lines, tanks, boilers, etc.,

under certain physical conditions. 2. to

separate and come o in scales; akes.

3. sometimes graduated especially when

used as a measure or rate. 4. very similar

to rules and have graduations in the same

fractions of an inch, but they are used

for scaling work. 5. used by draftsmen in

laying out drawings of work. 6. balance.

7. an instrument or machine for weighing.

8. the process, or situation, in which

something is opposed to, or contrasted

with, other like things or an established or

assumed standard for such things.

scavenger (scav-en-ger) a person who

engages in cleaning and emptying septic

tanks, privies, or any other sewage facility.

Slang: Honey Dipper.

scavenger pumping system (sca-ven-ger

pump-ing sys-tem) a pumping system

used to return liquid from a lower tank

for re-use.

scent test (scent test) a test for leakage

in a piping system. Usually made by

putting into the piping a quantity of some

pungent chemical. See PEPPERMINT

TEST.

schedule of pipe sizes (sched-ule of

pipe sizes) a formal listing of pipe wall

thickness to allow the use of standard

ttings for a given pipe size and produce

uniform inside dimensions of the pipe.

schematic plan or view (sche-mat-ic plan

or view) a diagrammatic representation

of a plan, procedure or method of

accomplishing a desired result by a specic

application.

scissors (scis-sors) See SHEET METAL

SHEARS.

scoria (sco-ri-a) 1. excrement. 2. the refuse

from melting of metals or reduction of

ores.

scratch awl (scratch awl) See SCRIBER.

scratch cloth (scratch cloth) a tool in the

form of a pad resembling a ne wire brush

used in cleaning and preparing lead pipe

and ttings for soldering.

screw (screw) 1. a simple machine of

the inclined plane type consisting of

a spirally grooved solid cylinder and a

correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder

of equal dimensions in which the applied

force acts in a spiral path along the grooves

while the resisting force acts along the axis

of the cylinder. 2. a cylinder with a helical

cut groove on the outer surface or a cone

with a conical spiral groove used variously

(as to fasten, apply pressure, transmit

motion, or make adjustments) especially

where a large mechanical advantage

and irreversible motion are desired;

specically, a small cylindrical or conical

metal screw with a slotted or recessed

head used alone or when cylindrical with

a nut to unite two objects or to fasten one

or more objects usually by being rotated.

3. a hollow cylinder or cone with a spiral

groove upon its inner surface into which

a male screw may advance and t when

rotated in the proper direction.

screwdriver (screw-driver) a tool shaped

like a chisel with a blunt edge/s and used

for turning screws.

screwed ttings (screw-ed t-tings) any

of the threaded type of pipe fittings.

Sometimes called screw ttings as opposed

to welded, soldered or leaded joint ttings.

See SCREW THREAD JOINT.

screw thread joint (screw thread joint) a

threaded connection.

scriber (scrib-er) 1. a hardened and pointed

metal tool, usually steel, designed to mark

other metals with a ne line. 2. a hand

tool. 3. a scratch awl.

Scr. S. Abbr. for Scrub Sink.

scrubber (scrub-ber) 1. an apparatus

for removing impurities. 2. a filter

used in a water treatment plant for the

partial removal of turpidity, prior to nal

ltration.

131

scrub sink

 self-actuated

scrub sink (scrub sink) a sink used in

medical installations for surgeons scrub-

up prior to surgical procedures. Abbr.

Scr.S.

scum (scum) 1. extraneous matter or

impurities which rise to, or are formed

on the surface of liquids. 2. any foul lmy

covering oating on a liquid such as on a

stagnant pool.

scupper drain (scup-per drain) a drain

installed in the side of a wall, vessel or

gutter to carry o water, or rainwater from

the deck, roof or vessel. Abbr. S.D.

S.D. Abbr. for Scupper Drain.

S.D.W.A. Abbr. for Safe Drinking Water

Act.

seal of a trap (seal of a trap) See TRAP

SEAL.

sealing ring (seal-ing ring) a soft or

resilient ring-shaped gasket used to seal

this xture to the piping through the

oor or wall.

seamless pipe or tubing (seam-less pipe

or tub-ing) pipe or tubing which has

been extruded through a die when it is

made so that there is no seam in the

resulting pipe.

seasonal eciency (sea-son-al ef--cien-

cy) in the solar energy eld, the ratio of

solar energy collected and used to that

striking the collector over an entire season

or segment of the year.

seat (seat) 1. a part, or surface, upon

which the base of something rests. 2. in

plumbing, the xed portion in a valve

usually a smooth surface to receive the

moving stem and thereby accomplish a

seal. See FAUCET SEAT.

seat key (seat key) tool used to remove and

replace faucet seats.

seat union (seat un-ion) a tting to join

pipes in which no gasketing material is

used; metal to metal contact.

seating width (seat-ing width) the seating

surface area in contact with the resilient

portion of the check valve disc at a

pressure equal to its rated pressure.

secondary air (sec-ond-ar-y air) the air

externally supplied to the ame at the

point of combustion.

secondary branch (sec-ond-ar-y branch)

any branch in a building drain other then

the primary branch.

secondary water (sec-ond-ar-y wa-ter)

See WATER.

second foot (sec-ond foot) a unit of ow

used especially in connection with the

ow of streams that is equal to one cubic

foot per second.

second hand (sec-ond hand) when used in

a plumbing ordinance, or code, to describe

plumbing xtures and/or materials, the

term means the fixture, or material,

has been installed and used or removed

from its rst installation and changed

ownership.

sectional pipe covering (sec-tion-al pipe

cov-er-ing) an annulus material used

in covering bers of a plumbing system

which can be wrapped around the pipes,

etc. and usually manufactured in three

foot lengths.

seeding, sludge (seed-ing, sludge) the

inoculation of undigested sewage

solids with sludge that has undergone

decomposition, for the purpose

of introducing favorable organisms

accelerating the initial stages of digestion.

seepage pit (seep-age pit) See SEEPAGE

WELL.

seepage well or pit (seep-age well or

pit) a covered pit with an open-jointed

lining through which the septic tank

euent receives, seeps or leechs into the

surrounding porous soil.

self-actuated (self-ac-tu-at-ed) a condition

or state that requires no external

mechanical, pneumatic, or electrical

energy source to institute a control

function.

132

self-closingfaucet service tee

self-closing faucet (self-clos-ing fau-cet)

a valve which automatically closes upon

release of the operating handle.

self-scouring ow (self-scour-ing ow)

1. a discharge into a drainage system in

sucient volume and velocity to cause

a lling of the drain pipe so as to have a

cleaning action. 2. in plumbing, swift ow

while the conduit is full.

self-siphonage (self si-phon-age) 1.the

breaking of the seal of a trap as a result

of removing the water 2. discharge of the

xture to which the trap is connected

through siphonic action.

semi-water gas (semi-wa-ter gas) a mixture

of CO, CO

, H, and N obtained by

passing a mixture of air and steam

continuously through incandescent coke.

sensing element (sen-sing el-e-ment)

a device such as a bi-metal element, a

fluid-filled bellows, or a thermostatic

bulb, capable of sensing temperature

variations.

separator (sep-a-ra-tor) S e e

INTERCEPTOR.

septic (sep-tic) See SEPTICIZATION.

septicization (sep-ti-ciz-a-tion) a term

applied to anaerobic decomposition,

whereby intensive growths of bacteria with

the enzymes secreted by them liquify and

gasify solid organic matters.

septic tank (sep-tic tank) 1. a reservoir, or

tank, which receives crude sewage, and by

bacterial action and sedimentation eects a

process of clarication and decomposition

of solids. 2. a tank in which the solid

matter of continuously owing sewage is

deposited and retained until it has been

disintegrated by anaerobic bacteria. 3. a

water tight receptacle which receives the

discharge of a building sanitary drainage

system, or part, and is designed and

constructed so as to separate solids from

the liquid, digest organic matter through a

period of detention, and allow the liquids

to discharge into the soil outside of the

tank through a system of open joints, or

perforated piping, or a seepage pit. See

CESSPOOL; INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE

DISPOSAL SYSTEM.

service box (ser-vice box) See CURB

BOX.

service clamp (ser-vice clamp) a saddle-like

connection used on a water main for a

service connection.

service class cast iron soil pipe (ser-vice

class cast iron soil pipe) a designation by

the wall thickness of various sizes of cast

iron soil pipe and ttings.

service connection (ser-vice con-nec-tion)

the terminal end of a service connection

from the public potable water system

where the water purveyor may lose

jurisdiction and sanitary control over

the water at its point of delivery to the

consumer’s water system. If a meter

is installed at the end of the service

connection, then the service connection

shall mean the downstream end of the

meter.

service ell (ser-vice ell) a 45°or 90° bend

with one male thread and one female

thread. See STREET ELL.

service hopper, sink (ser-vice hop-per,

sink) a sink, receptor or receptacle

connected to a drainage system into which

sink, or other services drain.

service pipe (ser-vice pipe) the pipe from

the water, gas, etc., main in the street or

other source of supply to the building

served.

service protection (ser-vice pro-tec-

tion) the appropriate type, or method,

of backflow protection at the service

connection, commensurate with the

degree of hazard within a customer’s

potable water system.

service tee (ser-vice tee) a tee with one

male thread on one end of the run and a

female thread on the other end of the run

and on the branch.

133

service water

shall

service water (ser-vice wa-ter) domestic

hot water, up to 180°F or 82°C, generated

for the purpose of direct delivery to the

kitchen, laundry process or other high

temperature requirements.

service weight (ser-vice weight) a class of

cast iron soil pipe. Abbr. S.W.

service weight piping system (ser-vice

weight pip-ing sys-tem) See SERVICE

CLASS CAST IRON SOIL PIPE.

set tub (set tub) See LAUNDRY TRAY.

sewage (sew-age) 1. the liquid wastes

conducted away from residences, business

buildings, or institutions, together with

those from industrial establishments, and

with ground, surface, and storm water

present. 2. Any liquid waste containing

animal or vegetable matter in suspension,

or solution and may include liquids

containing chemicals in solution. 3. may

be considered to be the used water supply

of a community.

sewage ejector (sew-age e-jec-tor) 1.

a device for lifting and discharging

sewage. 2. a device for moving sewage by

entraining it on a high velocity stream,

air or water jet.

sewer (sew-er) 1. a ditch or surface drain. 2.

an articial, usually subterranean, conduit

to carry o water and waste matter (as

surface water from rainfall, household

waste from sinks or baths, or waste water

from industrial works). 3. a combined

sewer in a sewer, or drain, intended to

receive domestic sewage, industrial water-

carried wastes, surface, storm, and clear

water, including: (a) a house drain that

is part of the underground horizontal

piping of a drainage system which receives

the discharge of all soil, waste, and other

drainage pipes inside of the walls of any

building and conveys the same to the

house sewer, three to ve feet outside the

foundation wall of such building. (b) a

house sewer is that part of the horizontal

piping beginnning three feet from the

foundation walls to its connection with

the main sewer, bacterial tank, or other

disposal terminal. (c) a private sewer is

a privately owned sewer. (d) a public

sewer is a publicly owned sewer. (e) a

sanitary sewer. (f) a storm drain is a

conduit for carrying o surface, storm,

and clear water. (g) a subsoil drain is that

part of a drainage system which conveys

the ground, or seeping, water from foot

of walls or below the cellar oor under

buildings to the house or storm drain. (h)

a yard drain is that part of a horizontal

piping and its branches which convey

the surface drainage from areas, courts

or yards, outside the walls of a building,

to the house drain, house sewer or storm

water drain. See PRIVATE SEWER;

PUBLIC SEWER.

sewerage (sew-er-age) 1. as a noun,

the works comprising a sewer system,

pumping stations, treatment works, and

all other works necessary to the collection,

treatment, and disposal of sewage. 2. as an

adjective, having to do with the collection,

treatment, and disposal of sewage. 3. the

systematic removal and disposal of sewage

and general surface water by sewers.

sewer air or sewer gas (sew-er air or sew-

er gas) the mixture of vapors, odors, and

gases found in a sewer.

sewer cleaning machine (sew-er clean-ing

ma-chine) auger for probing or dislodging

obstructions. Any of several types of power

may be used, i.e.: electric, gasoline, etc.

sewer pipe (sew-er pipe) a conduit into

which waste and sewage are conveyed. See

SEWER PIPE CURVE.

sewer pipe curve (sew-er pipe curve) a long

radius pipe. See SEWER PIPE.

sewer rod (sew-er rod) a exible metal

(generally steel) probe (rod-like) for

disturbing, or dislodging, sewer pipe

obstructions. See ELECTRIC SEWER

MACHINE.

shall (shall) 1. the term when used in

a plumbing code, has a mandatory

meaning. Compare “may” which is

permissive rather than mandatory. 2. a

mandatory requirement.

134

shampoo bowl shoulder nipple

shampoo bowl (sham-poo bowl) a lavatory

type fixture appropriately shaped to

comfortably rest a person’s head during

shampooing operations. Used in beauty

and barber shops.

shampoo faucet (sham-poo fau-cet) a

special valve on a xture (lavatory) in

barber and/or beauty shops.

shave hook (shave hook) plumbers’, or

metal workers’, implement for scraping

metal before soldering; used to bevel

edges of lead pipe; for shaving o the

oxidized surface of sheet lead pipe prior

to soldering. Shave hook blades are made

in three styles: ovals, half ovals, and

triangular. Consists of a sharp-edged steel

plate, set transversely at the end of a shank

xed in the handle.

shears (shears) See SHEET METAL

SHEARS.

shear steel (shear steel) 1. steel produced

by heating blister steel (sheared in short

lengths) to a high heat, welding by

hammering, rolling or both, and nally

nishing under the hammer at the same,

or a slightly greater, heat. 2. forge welding.

sheet (sheet) 1. a broad, thinly expanded

portion of metal or other substance. 2.

a plate forming part of a tank, or boiler,

regardless of thickness. 3. a portion

of metal less than about a quarter or

sometimes an eighth of an inch in

thickness.

sheet metal shears (sheet me-tal shears)

“snips”; “shears”; “scissors”; a cutting

implement of two blades with overlapping

edges crossing like a scissors pivoted

together in the middle and opening

into the form of X; types: (a) light metal

straight-cut snips; (b) duckbill snips;

and (c) compound-leverage snips (right

cutting only; compound cutting only,

straight cutting).

sheet packing (sheet pack-ing) See

RAINBOW GASKET.

shellac, orange and white (shel-lac, or-

ange and white) puried lac resin that

is prepared in the form of thin orange

or yellow flakes usually by heating

and filtering seed lac, and is often

bleached white and is used chiefly in

varnishes, polishing and sealing waxes,

binding agents, stiening agents, electric

insulators, phonograph records and other

molded products.

shell, tank (shell, tank) See TANK

SHELL.

shielding device (shield-ing de-vice) a

component of the piping system used

to protect the installed tubing from

accidental puncture by nails, screws or

similar hardware at concealed tubing

support points

shock (shock) the force generated in a

piping system by water hammer.

shock arrestor (shock ar-res-tor) in a pipe

line, an engineered device to absorb the

shock of energy which accumulates when

liquid ow is suddenly obstructed. See

AIR CHAMBER.

s-hook (s-hook) an s-shaped hook.

s-hook, brass (s-hook, brass) an s-shaped

hook of brass.

short-nosed caulking iron (short-nosed

caulk-ing iron) short end tool to face

for packing or joining material. See

CAULKING IRON.

short-nosed packing iron (short-nosed

pack-ing iron) See SHORTNOSED

CAULKING IRON.

should (should) 1. a term which indicated

a feature, or requirement, which is

desirable but not mandatory. 2. indicates

a recommended procedure, technique, or

requirement.

shoulder nipple (shoul-der nip-ple) a

nipple somewhat longer than a close

nipple. It has an unthreaded space about

¼" between external threads.

135

shovel

 singleleverfaucet

shovel (shov-el) a tool somewhat resembling

a spade in general shape but not usually

used for digging, having a broad, slightly

hollowed blade with a blunt edge. Used

normally for shifting loose earth.

shower (show-er) a plumbing xture and/

or tting. See SHOWER BATH.

shower arm (show-er arm) a bent pipe to

accommodate a shower head.

shower bath (show-er bath) a bath in

which water is showered upon the

body from above or from the sides of

the shower enclosure. See SHOWER

COMPARTMENT.

shower cabinet (show-er cab-i-net) a

complete three wall enclosure for the

purpose of bathing under ne streams

of water.

shower compartment (show-er com-part-

ment) an enclosure, especially equipped

with shower head or heads, water supply,

control valves, and floor drain. See

SHOWER BATH.

shower curtain hook (show-er cur-tain

hook) 1. a hook cast on a plate secured to

a wall by screws. Its use is to hold shower

curtain in place by means of a chain. 2.

a series of hooks which, when attached

to the shower curtain allows it to move

laterally along the shower curtain rod.

shower, gang (show-er, gang) two or more

shower heads in a common area that can

be used individually or simultaneously.

shower head ( show-er head) a nozzle from

which the water ows in a shower.

shower hook (show-er hook) See

SHOWER CURTAIN HOOK.

shower regulator (show-er reg-u-la-tor) a

device introduced into the supply line of

a shower valve to regulate, or control, the

liquid volume which can be discharged

from the shower head. See MIXING

VALVE; VOLUME REGULATOR.

shower stall (show-er stall) See SHOWER

COMPARTMENT.

shr. d. Abbr. for Shower Drain.

shrink fit (shrink fit) a joint made by

shrinking a heated piece of pipe over the

ends of two cool pipes.

S.I. Abbr. for Sand Interceptor.

siamese connection (si-a-mese con-

nec-tion) a flush, or exposed divider

on a building having two or three hose

threaded inlets feeding a single outlet,

and serves as part of that building’s re

protection system.

side outlet cross (side out-let cross) a ve

opening “T” tting.

side outlet ell (side out-let ell) an ell with

outlet at right angles to the plane of the

run.

side outlet tee (side out-let tee) a tting in

the shape of a “T” with another opening

at the juncture of the two lines at 90° to

the through line or run.

side vent (side vent) a vent connecting the

drain pipe through a tting at an angle not

greater than 45° to the vertical.

signicant surface (sig-nif-i-cant sur-face)

any exposed surface which, if marred,

would spoil the appearance of the xture,

tting or equipment.

sill cock (sill cock) a faucet used on the

outside of a building to which the garden

hose can be attached.

silver (sil-ver) a white metallic element

that is sonorous, ductile, very malleable,

capable of a high degree of polish.

Obtained as the main product and as a

by-product in copper and lead smelting.

Usually alloyed with copper to increase

its hardness. In plumbing, used as an

ingredient of hard solders.

single control mixing valve ( sin-gle

con-trol mix-ing valve) a device with a

single control which serves to turn water

on and o, and to change volume and

temperature of the discharge ow.

single lever faucet (sin-gle lev-er fau-cet) a

mixing valve, or valves, operated (turned

on/o) by a single handle.

136

singlesinkfaucet slant

single sink faucet (sin-gle sink fau-cet)

reference to a single water supply valve as

used on a sink.

single sweep tee (sin-gle sweep tee) a

tting in the shape of a “T” with the side

opening directing the ow to one end of

the straight through line.

sink (sink) 1. a shallow fixture that

is commonly used in a kitchen (in

connection with the preparation of food),

for laboratory purposes, and for certain

industrial processes. There are many

types of special sinks, the purpose of

which is indicated by the name prexed

before the word sink, such as slop sink,

vegetable sink, etc. 2. a stationary basin

or a cabinet connected with a drain and

usually a water supply for washing and

drainage. Abbr. SK.

sink bolt (sink, bolt) a bolt used in the

assembly of section xtures (sinks) of a

yesteryear era.

sink, cook (sink, cook) a xture used as an

aid in food preparation.

sink, oor (mop basin) [sink, oor (mop

bas-in)] a shallow (10"-12" deep) oor

mounted fixture used for filling and

emptying mop pails and for cleaning and

rinsing of oor mops.

sink, ushing rim (sink, ush-ing rim)

See FLUSH RIM.

sink funnel (sink fun-nel) the outlet or

opening in the bottom of a sink.

sink, pot (sink, pot) a sink designed and/

or used to clean pots and other cooking

utensils.

sink, scullery (sink, scul-ler-y) a sink

designed and/or used for the cleaning and

preparing of produce for cooking. Also

called a vegetable sink.

sink, service (slop) [sink, ser-vice (slop)]

a deep bowl fixture intended for the

ling and emptying of buckets or pails.

Generally used for janitorial services.

Abbr. S.S.

siphon (si-phon) 1. a tube, or conduit,

in the form of an inverted U tube, one

leg is longer than the other through and

uid ows over the weir of the tube to a

lower level. 2. a tube, or conduit, in the

form of an inverted U which water can

be caused (by atmospheric pressure) to

ow from a vessel up over a barrier at an

elevation above the level of the water in

the vessel and down into another vessel

at a lower level.

siphon breaker (si-phon break-er) a valve,

device or appurtenance constructed and

installed to prevent to backow in the

plumbing system or any portion thereof.

See BACKFLOW; BACKSIPHONAGE.

siphon jet (si-phon jet) denes the action

usually in plumbing xtures.

siphon jet closet (si-phon jet clos-et) a

toilet which empties and ushes with a

volume of water assisted by a jet stream

of water to enhance the built-in siphon

of the toilet bowl drainage passageway.

sitz bath (sitx bath) See BATHTUB,

SITZ. Abbr. S.B.

size of pipe and tubing (size of pipe and

tub-ing) pipe is sized according to the

approximate dimension of the bore or

inside diameter, while the size of tubing

is usually determined by measuring the

outside diameter, expressed in inches and

fractions. See DIAMETER.

SK Abbr. for Sink

skimmer, grease (skim-mer, grease) 1. a

piece of iron used to hold back grease

(dirt) on the surface of molten metal to

prevent it from entering the mold. 2. a

device for removing oating grease, or

scum, from the surface of sewage in a tank.

slag (slag) the dross or scoria of a metal.

slant (slant) a branch connection from

a house sewer to a common sewer. See

HOUSE SLANT.

137

sleek/slick

snake

sleek/slick (sleek/slick) the thin oily lm

which gives characteristic appearance to

the surface of water into which sewage,

or oily waste, has discharged and having

a smooth or polished surface.

sleeve (sleeve) 1. a cylindrical tube

surrounding the pipe, shaft or to create

a void. 2. a tubular part designed to t

over another part.

sleeve axle (sleeve ax-le) a hollow axle

having relative movement to a shaft inside

it. A long bushing or thimble.

sleeve coupling (sleeve coup-ling) a piece

of pipe, or a thimble, for covering a joint

or for coupling two lengths of piping.

slick (slick) See SLEEK.

slide rule (slide rule) an instrument

consisting in its simple form of a ruler

and a medial slide that are graduated with

similar logarithmic scales labeled with the

corresponding antilogarithms. Used for

making mathematical calculations.

slim taper le (slim ta-per le) triangular

le, more slender than the regular taper,

used mainly for handsaw sharpening.

slip coupling (slip coup-ling) 1. a form

of coupling adapted for the use on slip

carriages. 2. a coupling designed to slip

at heavy loads, and thus relieve the duty

on the driving unit.

slip tting (slip t-ting) another name

for telescopic t of pieces of tubing or

pipes in which a seal is made by a gland

and packing.

slip joint (slip joint) a connection in which

one pipe slides into another. e joint is

made tight with a gasket, packing, “O”

ring, or caulking.

slip-on ange (slip-on ange) a circular

disc-like unit which readily envelops a

pipe. See FLOOR FLANGE; CEILING

FLANGE.

slope (slope) See GRADE.

slop sink (slop sink) a xture deeper than

an ordinary sink and intended for the

receipt of slops. It is often equipped with

an integral trap.

slop stones (slop stones) a fired, clay

receptacle set over a trap and used as a

slop receiver. Usually equipped with a

grate or strainer.

sloughing (slough-ing) 1. a lter casting

o a thin lm of scum or bacterial growth

or fungus. 2. the phenomenon associated

with trickling lters and contact aerators,

where slime and solids accumulated in the

media are discharged with the euent.

sludge (sludge) 1. a muddy or slushy mass,

deposit or sediment (as on tide land or

river bed). 2. the precipitated solid matter

produced by water and sewage treatment

processes. 3. muddy sediment in a steam

boiler. 4. precipitate or settling from oils.

sludge bed (sludge bed) See SLUDGE

DRYING BED.

sludge drying bed (sludge dry-ing bed) an

area comprising natural, or articial, layers

of porous material upon which digested

sewage sludge is dried by drainage and

evaporation. A sludge bed may be open to

the atmosphere or covered with a green-

house type of superstructure.

slug (slug) the discharge of liquid or liquid

carried wastes in which the volume of ow

of discharge exceeds ve times the daily

average volume of ow for a period longer

than fteen minutes.

smelting process (smelt-ing pro-cess)

1. to melt or fuse, as one, with an

accompanying chemical change, usually

to separate the metal. 2. to reduce, rene,

ux or scorify. Usually done in a blast

furnace in which combustion is forced by

a current of air under pressure.

smoke test (smoke test) a testing procedure

using smoke to locate potential leaks, or

defects, to determine the soundness of a

system(s).

snake (snake) See DRAIN CLEANER.

138

snap cutter soil branch

snap cutter (snap cut-ter) a tool used for

cutting pipes and ttings of the cast iron

variety. See SOIL PIPE CUTTER.

sni hole (sni hole) 1. very old (approx.

1560 A.D.) identication of the hole in

the side wall of a dip tube in a heated, or

unheated, water reservoir. 2. later version,

a hole in the side wall of dip tube claimed

to stop siphonage of water from tank.

snifter valve (snif-ter valve) a device with

a threaded male end and on the other end

with air-core attachment used to inject air

into system to raise pressure for testing

purposes. See HYDROPNEUMATIC

TEST.

snift hole (snift hole) See SNIFF HOLE.

snips (snips) See SHEET METAL

SHEARS.

snow guard (snow guard) any of several

devices to prevent a slide of snow from a

sloping roof.

soakers (soak-ers) flashings that are

installed in pieces with about half of each

piece going against the brick and the other

half going under the roong material.

soap, soldering ( soap sol-der-ing) a nely

powdered rosin with strong ammonia

solution suitable for soldering copper

wires.

socket (sock-et) See COUPLING.

socket-eye hanger (sock-et-eye han-ger) an

opening, or cavity, into which anything is

tted endwise.

socket plug (sock-et plug) a plug with a

recess in the face which a wrench will t

to turn the plug.

soda ash (so-da ash) partly puried sodium

carbonate. Commercial anhydrous

sodium carbonate Na

obtained as a

grayish white powder or as lumps.

soda water (so-da wa-ter) 1. drinkable

water charged with carbon dioxide gas

to make it bubble and zz for either taste

and/or sparking effect. 2. carbonated

water.

sodium (so-di-um) a soft, silver white,

metallic chemical element occurring

only in compounds. Sodium is of the

alkali metals which oxidizes rapidly in the

presence of air and reacts violently with

water ( stored under kerosine).

sodium carbonate (so-di-um car-bon-

ate) 1. a salt that occurs in a powdery

white form and in a hydrated crystalline

form called washing soda. It is used for

softening water. 2. a neutralizing agent,

etc.

sodium chloride (so-di-um chlo-ride)

common salt.

sodium hydroxide (so-di-um hy-drox-ide)

caustic soda.

sodium hypochloride (so-di-um hy-po-

chlo-ride) a crystalline salt, used as an

insecticide and disinfectant.

sodium phosphate (so-di-um phos-phate)

any of various colorless crystalline or white

granular salts of sodium and phosphorus.

Used in water softeners, laxatives, etc.

sodium tetraborate (so-di-um tet-ra-bo-

rate) See BORAX.

soft solder (soft sol-der) solder which melts

readily. An alloy of lead and tin that melts

below 700

F and is used when melted to

join metallic surfaces. See SOLDER.

soil (soil) 1. earth and/or rm land. 2. the

upper layer of earth that may be dug or

plowed, specically. 3. the loose surface

material of the earth in which plants

grow, usually consisting of disintegrated

rock with an admixture of organic matter

and soluble salts. 4. in plumbing: to

cause non-adherence, (to non whet) as in

soldering techniques to guide and control.

See BODY WASTES.

soil branch (soil branch) a horizontal

projection of a vertical sanitary sewerage

pipe or system of pipes.

139

soil pipe

solar collector cover

soil pipe (soil pipe) 1. a pipe through which

liquid wastes carrying human excrement

can ow. 2. term generally applied to

cast iron pipe in ve feet lengths used for

house drainage. 3. any pipe which conveys

the discharge of water closets, urinals or

xtures having similar functions with, or

without, the discharge from other xtures,

to the building drain or building sewer.

See EXTRA HEAVY.

soil pipe connection (soil pipe con-nec-

tion) See CONNECTIONS.

soil pipe cutter (soil pipe cut-ter) there

are three basic types: (a) a tool similar

to a pipe cutter as normally used to cut

steel, etc. e pipe is held in a vice. (b)

a tool with cutting wheels xed to the

shaft end, as well as to a chain which is

wrapped around the outside wall of the

pipe. As the tool is turned the chain is

tightened causing the pipe to separate.

e pipe is held in a vice. (c) a cutter

employing a chain with cutting wheels,

however, not turned around the pipe in

the usual manner. e chain is wrapped

around the outside of the pipe and the

pipe cut with a tightening of the chain.

Mechanical advantage principles are

included. No vise is needed. See INSIDE

SOIL PIPE CUTTER; HYDRAULIC

PIPE CUTTER; SNAP CUTTER.

soil pipe joining tool (soil pipe join-ing

tool) special tool designed to assemble and

disassemble gasketed soil pipe.

soil stack (soil stack) a vertical soil pipe.

soil vent (soil vent) that portion of a soil

stack above the highest fixture waste

connection to it.

solar (so-lar) 1. of or relating to the sun

and its eect, especially on the earth’s

surface. 2. produced or operated by action

of the sun.

solar absorber area (so-lar ab-sorb-er ar-

ea) the total heat transfer area in which the

absorbed solar radiation heats the transfer

uid or of the absorber media if both

transfer uid and solid surfaces jointly

perform the absorbing function, ft

solar absorber plate (so-lar ab-sorb-er

plate) the part of the solar collector which

receives the incident solar radiation energy

and transforms it into thermal energy. In

some cases, the heat transfer uid itself

could be the absorber.

solar absorptance (so-lar ab-sorp-tance)

1. the ratio of the absorber ux to the

total incident ux, measured in terms of

percent (%). 2. the fraction of the solar

irradiance which is absorbed.

solar angle of incidence (so-lar an-gle

of in-ci-dence) the angle between the

line of direct solar irradiation and the

perpendicular to the aperture plane,

degrees.

solar angle of refraction (so-lar an-gle

of re-frac-tion) the angle between the

refracted ray’s propagation direction and

perpendicular to the interface at the point

of refraction, degrees.

solar aperture area (so-lar ap-er-ture ar-

ea) the maximum projected area of a solar

collector module area or a solar collector

module including any integral mounting

devices, ft

solar auxiliary energy subsystem (so-

lar aux-il-ia-ry en-er-gy sub-sys-tem)

a configuration of equipment and

components, utilizing conventional

energy sources, to supplement the output

of the solar system.

solar collector (so-lar col-lec-tor) a device

used to absorb the sun’s energy.

solar collector, concentrating (so-lar

col-lec-tor, con-cen-tra-ting) a collector

which uses reflectors, lenses or other

optical devices to concentrate the radiant

solar energy passing through the aperture

onto an absorber of which the surface area

is smaller than the aperture area.

solar collector cover (so-lar col-lec-tor

cov-er) the transparent material placed

over the aperture or absorber area of a solar

collector to provide protection from the

environment and reduce thermal losses

from radiation or convection.

140

solarcollectorefciency  solarradiantintensity

solar collector eciency (so-lar col-lec-

tor ef--cien-cy) the ratio of the energy

collected (or absorbed) to the total solar

energy incident on the collector, expressed

in percent (%).

solar collector gross area (so-lar col-lec-tor

gross ar-ea) the maximum projected area

of a solar collector which unconcentrated

solar radiant energy is admitted, ft

solar collector subsystem (so-lar col-lec-

tor sub-sys-tem) that portion, or assembly,

of the solar system used for absorbing

incident solar radiation, converting it

to thermal energy and transferring this

thermal energy to heat transfer uid. e

collector subsystem includes the solar

collector(s), related piping or ducts, and

regulating devices.

solar collector tilt (so-lar col-lec-tor tilt)

the angle above the horizontal plane at

which a solar collector is mounted.

solar collector, trickle (so-lar col-lec-tor,

trick-le) a at-plate collector over which

nonpressurized liquids ow.

solar concentrating ratio (so-lar con-cen-

tra-ting ra-tio) the ratio of the aperture

area to the absorber of a solar collector.

solar concentrator (so-lar con-cen-tra-tor)

a reector, lens or other optical device

in concentration solar collectors used to

focus the incident solar energy on the

reduced absorber area.

solar constant ( so-lar con-stant) the solar

radiation intensity which is incident on a

surface normal to the sun’s rays, outside

the earth’s atmosphere at the distance

from the sun equal to the mean distance

between the earth and the sun. The

accepted value of the solar constant is

equal to 428.8 BTU/hr-ft

(1353W/m

solar degradation (so-lar deg-ra-da-tion)

the process by which exposure to sunlight

deteriorates the properties of materials.

solar emittance (so-lar e-mit-tance) the

fraction of heat radiated by the solar

collector, measured in percent (%) of the

absorbed energy by the panel.

solar energy (so-lar en-er-gy) the photon

(electromagnetic) energy originating from

the sun.

solar energy transport subsystem (so-lar

en-er-gy trans-port sub-sytem) that

portion of a solar system which contains

the heat transfer media and transports

the energy throughout the solar system,

including related piping and regulating

devices.

solar heat transfer medium (so-lar heat

trans-fer me-di-um) uid used in the

transport of thermal energy.

solar hot water system (so-lar hot wa-

ter sys-tem) the complete assembly of

subsystems or components necessary to

convert solar energy into thermal energy

and use this energy, in combination

with auxiliary energy, where required, to

provide hot water for domestic uses.

solar irradiation (insolation) [so-lar ir-ra-

di-a-tion (in-so-la-tion)] instantaneous.

e quantity of solar radiation incident

on a unit surface area in a unit time,

BTU/h-ft (W/m2).

solar of reflection (so-lar of re-flec-

tion) the angle between the reflected

ray’s propagation direction and the

perpendicular to the surface at the point

of reection.

solar performance factor eciency (so-lar

per-for-mance fac-tor ef--cien-cy) the

ratio of the useful output capacity of a

system to the input required to obtain it.

solar radiant emittance (existence) [so-

lar ra-di-ant e-mit-tance (ex-ist-ence)]

the quotient of the radiant ux leaving

an element of the surface containing the

point by the area of the element.

solar radiant intensity (so-lar ra-di-ant

in-ten-si-ty) the quotient of the radiant

ux emitted by a source (or by an element

of a source in an infinitesimal cone

containing the given direction) by the

solid angle of the cone.

141

solarradiationux

 solderingiron,copper

solar radiation ux (so-lar ra-di-a-tion

flux) power emitted, transferred or

received in the form of electromagnetic

waves or photons.

solar selective surface (so-lar se-lec-tive

sur-face) a coating applied to a solar

collector, or its absorber, having a high

absorptance and a low emittance.

solar system (so-lar sys-tem) equipment

and components arranged in a manner

to collect, convey, store, and convert

solar energy.

solar system active (so-lar sys-tem ac-

tive) a solar system in which the incident

solar radiation is absorbed by the solar

collectors, transferred to an independent

thermal storage unit and distributed

to the point of ultimate use by means

of mechanical devices powered by

conventional fuels, i.e. pumps and fans.

solar system, air (so-lar sys-tem, air) a

solar system which uses air as the primary

heat transfer uid.

solar system, closed (so-lar sys-tem, closed)

a solar system which has a completely

enclosed collector subsystem circulating

the heat transfer fluid under pressure

above atmospheric pressure, and shut-

o from the atmosphere, except for an

expansion tank.

solar system, liquid (so-lar sys-tem, liq-

uid) a solar system which uses liquid as

the primary heat transfer uid.

solar system, open (so-lar sys-tem, open) a

solar system which exchanges heat directly

with the end use application.

solar system passive (so-lar sys-tem pas-

sive) a solar system in which solar energy

utilization becomes the prime objective of

engineering architectural design. e ow

of heat is achieved by natural convention,

conduction, and radiation.

solar system thermosiphon (so-lar sys-tem

ther-mo-si-phon) a solar system in which

uids circulate due to their temperature

differentials, rather than under the

inuence of pumps or fans.

solder (sol-der) 1. a metal, or metallic,

alloy used when melted to join metallic

surfaces and usually applied by means

of a soldering iron, or a blowpipe, with

a ux (as rosin, borax, or zinc chloride)

to cleanse the surfaces; especially an

alloy of tin and lead so used. 2. the act

of joining. See MEDIUM SOLDER;

HARD SOLDER.

soldered dot (sol-der-ed dot) 1. a device

for xing sheet lead to woodwork. 2. a

hollow formed in vertical boarding which

is covered with sheet lead, secured in the

hollow by splayed screws, the hollow

being lled with solder.

solder ange (sol-der ange) usually a

ring-shaped metal shape placed over the

pipe, or tting, which solder will adhere.

solder ux (sol-der ux) chloride of zinc,

this ux may be used for brass, copper,

gun metal, gold, silver, and tinned steel.

Approximately three parts of hydrochloric

acid, one part of water with zinc pieces

added as long as the acid reacts on the zinc.

solder flux, fluid (sol-der flux, flu-id)

liquid wetting agent used in soft soldering.

soldering, autogenous (sol-der-ing, au-

tog-e-nous) uniting metal surfaces by

fusion without hammering and without

the addition of metal.

soldering grease (sol-der-ing grease) a

mixture of olive oil, tallow, rosin, and sal

ammoniac.

soldering iron (sol-der-ing iron) a tool

used in the act, or process, of uniting,

with a fusible metal alloy called solder, two

metal surfaces or edges and for lling holes

in metal objects. e act, or process, is

commonly called soldering. e soldering

iron is made of copper. See COPPER BIT;

SOLDERING IRON, COPPER.

soldering iron, copper (sol-der-ing iron,

cop-per) a piece of copper used to hold

heat and/or transfer heat in soldering. See

COPPER BIT; SOLDERING IRON.

142

soldering paste spatter stick

soldering paste (sol-der-ing paste) in

plumbing, a neutral soldering liquid

thickened with starch paste.

solder nipple (sol-der nip-ple) a plumbing

nipple with a pipe thread on one end and

the other end plain for soldering into the

end of a pipe.

solder pot (sol-der pot) a metal pot used for

holding wiping solder and caulking lead,

made in the following diameters: 5", 6",

7", 8", 9" and 12"; the smallest size is used

principally for wiping solder, the 6" and 7"

sizes for caulking lead on the smaller sizes

of pipe and the larger sizes for lead used

on larger sizes of pipe. See PLUMBER’S

FURNACE.

solenoid valve (so-le-noid valve) a valve

which is opened, or closed, by the action

of an electrically excited coiled wire

magnet upon a bar of steel attached to

the valve disc (or seat).

solid die stock (sol-id die stock) a die stock

which is usable for only one size of thread.

See DIE STOCK.

solubility (sol-u-bil-i-ty) the amount of a

substance which will dissolve in a given

amount of another substance.

soluble (sol-u-ble) susceptible to being

dissolved in a uid; capable of solution.

solute (sol-ute) 1. a dissolved substance.

2. a solution made up of the solvent and

solute.

solvent (sol-vent) 1. a liquid that produces

a homogeneous mixture. 2. a solution

able to dissolve another material. 3. a

substance capable of or used in dissolving

or dispensing one or more substances.

solvents, drain pipe (sol-vents, drain pipe)

See DRAINPIPE SOLVENT.

solvent welding (sol-vent wel-ding)

the process of fusing the materials of

plastic ttings together by dissolving the

surfaces to be joined with a plasticizer or

solvent and placing the softened surfaces

together to cure. Compare with: fusion

welding.

source of water supply (source of wa-ter

sup-ply) rivers, lakes, streams, ponds,

springs, wells, cisterns. In plumbing,

the identication of the source of local

origin of the water to be used in supply

lines, (i.e.: rivers, lakes, streams, ponds,

springs, wells, cisterns.)

sovent building drain (so-vent build-

ing drain) that portion of the drainage

system beginning at the base of the stack

and ending at the point where the sovent

pressure relief line connects with the

building drain.

sovent drainage system (so-vent drain-

age sys-tem) a term applied to a single

stack drainage, waste and vent system

that uses special ttings (aerator and

deaerators) to maintain the dierential

pressure within the system near

atmospheric, thereby protecting the

trap seals of the connected fixtures.

ASSE 1043.

spaghetti (spa-ghet-ti) in plumbing, a

slang expression for small diameter soft

annealed metal tubing, usually copper,

which can be bent by hand as desired.

spanner wrench (span-ner wrench) 1.

one of various tools for tightening, or

loosening, nuts and bolts. 2. chiey

Brit.: wrench. A wrench that has a

semicircular head with a hole, or

projection, at one end for engaging with

the opposite device on the object to

which it is applied and is used especially

on re hose couplings.

sparge pipe (sparge pipe) a horizontal

perforated water pipe for flushing a

urinal. Also called a “weeper”.

sparkling water (sparkling wa-ter) See

SODA WATER.

spatter stick (spat-ter stick) a wooden

spoon-like tool used in splashing molten

metal (usually solder) onto pipes,

or fittings, to join them by the soft

soldering method. (e.g. lead art of joint

wiping.) See SPIT STICK; SPLASH

STICK.

143

spec.

spring cushion pipe hanger

spec. Abbr. for Specication.

special waste (spe-cial waste) waste pipes

which are not permitted to connect

directly to the soil, waste or vent stacks

house drain or house sewer.

special waste pipe (spe-cial waste pipe)

pipes which convey separate or special

wastes.

special wastes, piping or treatment (spe-

cial wastes, pip-ing or treat-ment) wastes

which require special treatment before

entry into the normal plumbing system.

specication (spe-ci--ca-tion) a detailed

statement of requirements. Abbr. spec.

specic gravity (spe-cif-ic grav-i-ty) as

applied to gas, specic gravity is the ratio

of the weight of a given volume to that of

the same volume of air, both measured at

the same temperature and pressure.

specular iron (spec-u-lar iron) hematite,

especially in its brilliant crystalline form.

spelter (spel-ter) zinc cast in slabs for

commercial use.

spelter solder (spel-ter sol-der) a zinc

solder (as one of three parts of zinc to four

of copper); used in soldering copper, iron

and brass. See HARD SOLDER.

spigot (spig-ot) 1. the end of a pipe that ts

into a bell. 2. a word used synonymously

with faucet. 3. a valve, or plug, in a faucet.

spigot joint (spig-ot joint) See BELL AND

SPIGOT JOINT.

spill-proof vacuum breaker (spill-proof

vac-u-um break-er) Abbr. SRPVB. See

SPILLRESISTANT PRESSURE TYPE

VACUUM BREAKER.

spill-resistant pressure vacuum breaker

(spill-re-sis-tant pres-sure vac-u-um

break-er) an assembly containing an

independently operating, internally

loaded check valve and independently

operating loaded air inlet valve located

on the discharge side of the check valve.

This assembly is to be equipped with

a properly located resilient seated test

cock, a properly located bleed/vent valve,

and tightly closing resilient seated shut-

o valves attached at each end of the

assembly. is assembly is designed to

prevent water spillage at the air inlet valve,

and to protect against a health hazard (i.e.

contaminant) under a backsiphonage

condition only. Abbr. SRPVB.

spirit level (spir-it lev-el) glass tube almost

completely lled with spirit and used in

surveying showing any deviation from

the level.

spit stick (spit stick) a tool resembling

a small paddle used in dispensing or

directing small quantities of molten metal

to a surface or space in which it might be

impossible to pour the molten product.

See SPATTER STICK; SPLASH STICK.

splash stick (splash stick) used to throw

solder onto lead joint and usually

necessary to wipe vertical joints. See

SPATTER STICK; SPIT STICK.

split-hanger, link (split-hang-er, link)

same as split pipe hanger. A pipe support

consisting of two halves of a ring, and

bracket. See SPLITHANGER, PIPE.

split-hanger, pipe (split-hang-er, pipe) a

pipe support consisting of two halves of a

ring and bracket. See SPLITHANGER,

LINK.

spout (spout) 1. the end of a tube through

which liquid is expelled or ows into

open space. 2. a tube, pipe end or nozzle

for the discharge of water, as a bathtub or

sink ller tting.

spout, faucet (spout, fau-cet) See FAUCET

SPOUT.

spray unit (spray u-nit) an assembly

of a flexible hose and spray head for

attachment to a faucet with a built in

diverter.

spring cushion pipe hanger (spring cush-

ion pipe hang-er) a device for suspending

pipe. Included in the device is a coil

of steel or a rubber cushion to allow

exibility against vibrations and expansion

and contraction of the pipe.

144

springline standard

springline (spring-line) on an oval sewer

the horizontal line where the invert ends

and upper arch begins. On a circular

sewer, the horizontal centerline.

spring loaded relief valves (spring load-ed

re-lief valves) any of several types of relief

valves which are kept closed by spring

devices by which the operating pressure

is controlled as required.

sprinkle lter treatment plant (sprink-le

l-ter treat-ment plant) a portion of the

process of sewage treatment; a xture or

apparatus in a sewage treatment plant.

sprinkler alarm, water supply (sprink-ler

alarm, wa-ter sup-ply) an electrically

operated sound system which operates to

alert occupants when a sprinkler system

is actuated. Usually set to sound when the

ow of water through the sprinkler system

exceeds ten gallons per minute.

sprinkler hanger (sprink-ler hang-er) a

ring-type hanger with threaded rod and

ange support.

sprinkler system, water (sprink-ler sys-

tem, wa-ter) may be used for irrigation or

for re prevention. See WATER.

sprue (sprue) 1. the hole through which

metal is poured into the gate and then

into the mold. 2. the waste piece cast in

this hole; hence, dross.

spud (spud) 1. a short connecting tting

between the supply line and a device (i.e.

the tting used for a meter connection.

2. a tting used to connect a steam valve

or trap to a radiator. 3. a tting used to

connect a pressurized ushing device to a

water closet or urinal.

spud wrench (spud wrench) similar to

monkey wrench, used primarily on large

square nuts at plumbing xtures.

sq. ft. Abbr. for Square Feet.

square (square) this tool is a 90° or right

angle standard and is used for marking or

testing work.

square feet (square feet) a unit of area given

in feet. Abbr. Sq. Ft.

square le (square le) 1. a square steel

bar with ne chisel like surfaces. 2. a form

of ne rasp.

SRVB Abbr. for Spill Resistant Vacuum

Breaker.

S.S. Abbr. for Service Sink. See SINK,

SERVICE.

S.St. Abbr. for Stainless Steel.

stack (stack) a general term for any vertical

line of soil, waste, vent or inside conductor

piping.

stack group (stack group) a term applied to

the location of xtures in relation to the

stack so, by means of proper ttings, vents

may be reduced to a minimum.

stack vent (stack vent) the extension of

a soil ,or waste, stack above the highest

horizontal drain connected to the stack

terminating at a point above the roof level.

stack venting (stack vent-ing) 1. stack

venting consists of a continuous venting

of a single xture connected directly into a

soil or waste stack. 2. a method of venting

a xture, or xtures, through the soil or

waste stack.

stainless steel (stain-less steel) any of a

large and complex group of corrosion-

resistant iron-chromium alloys, sometimes

containing other elements such as nickel,

tungsten and molybdenum. Abbr. S.St.

stall (stall) a partition or compartment.

stanch (stanch) 1. archaic English, a

oodgate to accumulate water for slashing

a boat over a shallow in a stream. 2. in

plumbing, the term stanking or stanching

is used to describe a means of excavating or

moving earth by alternately damming and

ooding a stream. See STANK.

standard (stan-dard) 1. an established

measure of weights, lengths, quality. 2.

one serving as a model by which accuracy

of others may be determined. 3. any

example or model generally accepted as

correct. Abbr. Std.

145

standard methods

sterilizer vent

standard methods (stan-dard meth-ods)

methods of analysis of water, sewage,

and sludge.

standard pressure (stan-dard pres-sure)

term applied to valves and ttings suitable

for a working steam pressure of 125

pounds per square inch.

standard tools (stan-dard tools) portable

tools, such as, but not limited to, a

screwdriver, key wrench, flat jawed

wrench, or pliers which are normally

carried by mechanics/plumbers for

the installation and maintenance of

plumbing.

standard weight pipe (stan-dard weight

pipe) pipe weights are denoted by

schedules which specify wall thicknesses

(i.e.: Schedule 20, 30, 40, 80, 120.)

Schedule 40 is considered standard

weight. Schedule 80 is extra heavy weight,

etc.

standpipe, re system (stand-pipe, re

sys-tem) a vertical pipe generally used for

the storage and distribution of water for

re extinguishing.

stank (stank) 1. British dialect for a ditch

containing water. 2. Connotates holding

of water. See STANCH.

star drill (star drill) a drill for stone, or

masonry, that has a star-shaped point

and that operates by being struck with a

hammer and rotated.

static line pressure (sta-tic line pres-sure)

the pressure existence without any ow.

static pressure (stat-ic pres-sure) the force

per unit of an area that is exerted by a uid

upon a surface at rest relative to the uid.

static water level (sta-tic wa-ter lev-el)

the height of a liquid measured within a

vessel when the contained liquid is at rest.

Std. Abbr. for Standard.

steam boiler (steam boil-er) a boiler for

producing steam.

steam cock (steam cock) ground cock

shut-o valve.

steam, three way cock (steam, three way

cock) a ground key shut-o valve directing

the ow of steam in one of two directions.

steam trap (steam trap) a device used at

the return end of a radiator or steam dip

line, trapping the steam and allowing the

condensate water to return to boiler.

steel pipe (steel pipe) pipes made from

steel.

stench trap (stench trap) a ap in a frame

which opens to admit cellar drainage to

a sewer and then closes to prevent sewer

air from entering.

ster. Abbr. for Sterilizer.

sterilization (ster-i-li-za-tion) the act, or

process, of killing all living cells, especially

micro-organisms or the germ cells of

higher plants and animals. Abbr. ster.

sterilizer, bed pan (ster-i-liz-er, bed pan)

See BEDPAN.

sterilizer, boiling type (ster-i-liz-er, boil-

ing type) a xture, non-pressure type, used

for boiling instruments, utensils, and/or

other equipment used for disinfection.

May be portable or connected to the

plumbing system. See STERILIZER,

PRESSURE AUTOCLAVE.

sterilizer, instrument washer-pressure

(ster-i-liz-er, in-stru-ment wash-er-pres-

sure) a pressure xture designed to both

wash and sterilize instruments during the

operating cycle of the xture. Temperature

unlimited.

sterilizer, pressure autoclave (ster-i-

liz-er, pres-sure au-to-clave) a xture;

pressure vessel, designed to use steam

under pressure for sterilization. See

STERILIZER, BOILING TYPE.

sterilizer vent (ster-i-liz-er vent) a separate

pipe or stack, indirectly connected to the

building drainage system at the lower

terminal, which receives the vapors from

nonpressure or the pressure sterilizers,

and conducts the vapors directly to the

outer air. Sometimes called vapor, steam,

atmosphere or exhaust vent. See LOCAL

VENT.

146

sterilizer,water straight pipe thread

sterilizer, water (ster-i-liz-er, wa-ter) a

device for sterilizing water and storing

sterile water.

stiener (stif-fen-er) 1. a male ferrule,

usually a tubular shaped member for

supporting a plastic tube being clamped.

2. a angle iron, channel or other shape to

prevent buckling or increase rigidity of a

plate or tube.

still (still) 1. a device used in distilling

liquids. 2. an apparatus used in distillation,

comprising sometimes only the chamber

in which the vaporization is carried out;

at other times other parts of the entire

distillation equipment. 3. a vessel, or

boiler, together with a condenser for

use in distilling alcoholic liquors or

other liquids. 4. a fractionating column

or condensing equipment and receiver

for use in distilling various substances

sometimes with decomposition. 5.

equipment consisting essentially of an

evaporator and a condenser for producing

distilled water. 6. a compact device for

converting salt water to fresh water. 7.

a vessel in which manganese dioxide is

treated with hydrochloric acid to form

chlorine or a bleaching liquid.

stillson wrench (still-son wrench) a pipe

wrench having an “L” shaped adjustable

end which slides loosely on a sleeve so that

increased pressure on the handle provides

an increase in gripping power.

stock (stock) the tool that holds the dies

in outside threading of pipes, rods, etc.

stop (stop) 1. something that impedes,

obstructs, or brings to a halt. 2. a valve

placed to be used as a shut-o.

stop and waste cock (stop and waste cock)

a ground key stopcock or valve designed

so that when the supply of water is shut

o, a drain in the valve is opened through

which water in the pipe downstream from

the stopcock is allowed to escape.

stop and waste valve (stop and waste

valve) a gate, or compression type, valve

having a side opening or port to drain

the liquid from up stream of the shut-o.

stopcock (stop-cock) a valve with a ground

key or seat.

stopper (stop-per) 1. a device or appliance

to stop machinery. 2. something (as a

bung or cork) used to plug an opening.

storage medium (stor-age me-di-um)

in the eld of solar energy, the material

in the storage device, independent of

the containing structure, in which the

collected energy is stored.

storage vessel (stor-age ves-sel) container

provided for storage of hot water under

pressure.

storm drain (storm drain) See BUILDING

DRAIN, STORM.

storm drainage system (storm drain-age

sys-tem) See DRAINAGE SYSTEM,

STORM.

storm sewer (storm sew-er) a conduit

(horizontal) which receives rain water,

and ground and pavement overow. A

storm sewer does not receive sewerage. See

BUILDING SEWER, STORM.

storm water (storm wa-ter) that portion of

the rainfall, or other precipitation, which

runs o over the ground surface, or other

catchment, area during or following a

storm.

story pole (sto-ry pole) a gauge. A stick

equal in length to the floor to floor

measurement in a building.

stove bolt (stove bolt) a bolt with a round,

or at, slotted head and a square nut,

resembling a machine screw but usually

having coarser threads and used for

joining metal parts.

straight edge (straight edge) tool used to

guide the pencil or scriber in marking a

straight line, and in testing a faced surface

as the edge of a board to determine if it

is straight.

straight pipe thread (straight pipe thread)

a continuous helical ridge or thread that

has the same diameter over its entire

length of eectiveness.

147

strainertting

 sulfur,alsosulphur

strainer fitting (strain-er fit-ting) the

receptor fitting to receive drainage.

Equipped with a bar perforated, or drilled,

cover to prevent introduction of solids

larger than the drainage system can carry.

“S” trap (s trap) an S-shaped trap used in

plumbing.

strap hanger (strap hang-er) a hanger

consisting of a metal strap, or band,

nailed or screwed to the ceiling, or a

rafter, and slung around the pipe. See

PIPE HANGER.

strap wrench, brass pipe wrench (strap

wrench, brass pipe wrench) a tool using

a strap and a lever to create torque. Used

when working with any polished pipe

or tting.

stratification (strat-i-fi-ca-tion)

the formation of layers of different

temperatures in bodies of water.

Sometimes occurs in water heaters and

hot water storage tanks.

street ell (street ell) a pipe elbow with a

female thread on one end and a male

thread on the other. See ELBOW;

SERVICE ELL.

street tee (street tee) a three opening

tting, two of which are female threaded

and one male threaded. Street “T”. See

SERVICE TEE.

stress, hoop (compression) [stress, hoop

(com-pres-sion)] the compression stress

on the wall of a pipe due to external

pressure or due to internal vacuum.

stress, hoop (tensile) [stress, hoop (ten-

sile)] tensile stress on the wall of a pipe

due to the internal positive pressure.

striker plate (stri-ker plate) a special type

of shielding device used when concealed

tubing is run through wall studs, orr or

ceiling joists or other structural members

where tubing movement is restricted.

string tting (string t-ting) See TUCKER

FITTING.

stub caulking iron (stub caulk-ing iron)

can be given almost a direct blow with less

springing of the tool.

stud bolt (stud bolt) a bolt threaded on

both ends. One end is screwed into

something permanent to receive a part

(such as a pipe hanger) and a nut on the

other end.

styrene (sty-rene) a fragrant mobile liquid

unsaturated hydrocarbon C

CH=CH

that is obtained by the distillation of

storox or the decomposition of cinnamic

acid or more often from ethylbenzene

caused by catalytic dehydrogenation or

by oxidation to acetophenone followed

by partial reduction and dehydration,

that polymerizes in the presence and that

is used chiey in making synthetic rubber,

resins, and plastics and in improving

drying oils. Also called phenylethylene,

vinylbenzene. See ACRYLONITRILE

BUTADIENESTYRENE.

sublimation (sub-li-ma-tion) the

phenomenon occurring when matter

passes from a gaseous state to a solid state

without liquefying or passing directly

from a solid to a vapor state.

submerged inlet (sub-merged in-let) 1. in

water supply, the opening of an inlet pipe,

faucet or valve below the ood level rim

of a receptacle. 2. in waste systems, the

terminal end of the discharge pipe from

a xture to a device in a drainage system.

subsoil drain (sub-soil drain) a drain

which collects subsurface or seepage water

and conveys it to a place of disposal.

suffocation (suf-fo-ca-tion) See

ASPHYXIA.

sulfur, also sulphur (sul-fur, also sul-

phur) a non-metallic element occurring

naturally in large quantities. Its presence

in iron and steel always has an undesirable

eect. In very small quantities, it makes

cast iron hard and white. In wrought

iron, or steel, a mere trace will produce

red shortness.

148

sullage swing

sullage (sul-lage) 1. refuse. 2. sewage. 3.

scoria on molten metal in the ladle.

sump (sump) a watertight pit, or receptacle,

at a low elevation into which liquid wastes

or liquid carried wastes are drained. A

tank or pit which receives sewage or liquid

waste, located below the normal grade of

gravity system and which must be emptied

by mechanical means. Sometimes called

sump pit.

sump pump (sump pump) a mechanical

device other than an ejector, or bucket,

for removing sewage or liquid waste from

a sump or pit.

supernatant (su-per-na-tant) See

LIQUOR, SUPERNATANT.

supply xture unit (sup-ply x-ture unit)

See FIXTURE UNIT, SUPPLY.

supply or initial pressure (sup-ply or in-i-

tial pres-sure) the pressure supplied from

street main or other main supply source.

supply pipe (sup-ply pipe) a branch pipe

of the principal supply pipe. A pipe which

supplies a service gas, water, etc., to one,

or more, xtures or stations.

supply pressure (sup-ply pres-sure) 1. the

pressure supplied from street main or

other main supply source. 2. the water

distribution system pressure available at

the utility service connection.

supports (sup-ports) devices for supporting

and securing or holding pipe, xtures and

equipment to walls, ceilings, oors, or

any other structural members. Also called

anchors. See HANGER.

surface water (sur-face wa-ter) that portion

of the rainfall or other precipitation,

which is on or relatively near the ground

surfaces.

surge (surge) the pressure increase in a

branch line caused by water hammer.

surge pressure (surge pres-sure) the

maximum pressure obtained in a branch

line as caused by rapid valve closure.

S.W. Abbr. for Service Weight.

swab (swab) a rake-like tool to remove

obstructions from inside plumbing pipes.

swage (swage) 1. to change shape by forcing

means. 2. the tool used in swaging. 3. any

of several variously shaped or grooved

tools. 4. a tool used by metalworkers to

shape material to a desired form. 5. a tool

used to set the teeth of a circular or band

saw. 6. a tool used to straighten damaged

casing or pipe in a drilled oil well.

sweating (sweat-ing) 1. the collection of

condensed moisture from the air on the

surface of a cool pipe or xture. 2. the

term is used also to indicate joining by

soldering or brazing of metals.

sweat joint (sweat joint) a heat soldered

joint of two or more pieces of closely

tting surfaces.

swedge (swedge) See SWAGE.

swedge joint, or swage joint (swedge

joint, or swage joint) the connection

of pipe or tting ends by expanding the

bore of one so that the mating tting

may be telescoped into it and soldered or

otherwise sealed.

swedging tool (swedg-ing tool) variation

of swaging tool. See SWAGE.

sweep tting (sweep t-ting) a tting with

a long radius curve.

sweet water (sweet wa-ter) 1. water drawn

from a drinkable source used as a media of

heat exchange, generally to a food product

of liquid nature. (i.e.: a coolant media to

a carbonated beverage from an ice bank.)

2. a result of mechanical refrigeration.

swimming pool (swim-ming pool)

any structure, basin, chamber, or tank

containing an articial body of water for

swimming, diving, or recreational bathing

and having a depth of two feet or more at

any point. See POOL.

swing (swing) the term used to describe the

capacity or diameter, of a lathe; usually

referred to in inches.

149

swing joint

 systemhazard

swing joint (swing joint) a joint in a

threaded pipe line permitting motion in

the line in a plane normal to the direction

of one part of the line. See SWIVEL

JOINT.

swivel joint (swiv-el joint) a moveable

water-tight connection: i.e.: the spout of

a faucet. See SWING JOINT.

syphon (sy-phon) variation of siphon. See

SIPHON.

system hazard (sys-tem haz-ard) 1. refers

to an actual, or potential, threat of severe

danger to the physical properties of the

public, or the consumer’s, potable water

system. 2. a pollution, or contamination,

which would have a protracted eect on

the quality of the potable water in the

system.

150

T. tap screw

T. the universal abbr. for temperature. Also

in plumbing design, T. is sometimes used

for abbr. for thermometer.

tackle (tack-le) See BLOCK AND

TACKLE.

tailpiece (tail-piece) 1. a short length of

pipe extended from a sink, lavatory, vessel

or tank. 2. connection used from outlet of

xture to waste or trap connection.

tailpipe (tail-pipe) See TAILPIECE.

tallow (tal-low) sometimes used with rosin

and small amount of sal ammoniac as a

ux for tinned ware.

tampion, turn pin (tam-pi-on, turn pin)

1. a leadworker’s tool of boxwood, shaped

like a toy top and used for swedging out

the end of lead pipes. 2. something that

stops an opening; plug.

tank (tank) usually a large manufactured

receptacle used for holding, transporting

or storing liquids.

tank ball (tank ball) a moulded piece of

rubber generally used in a toilet tank valve

to control the ush of water.

tank, closet (tank, clo-set) See WATER

CLOSET.

tank, detritus (tank, de-tri-tus) a chamber

for removing the large, heavy, suspended,

matter from sewage.

tank, occulating (tank, oc-cu-la-ting)

a chamber which aggregates a number

of small suspended particles into small

lumps.

tank, Imho (tank, Im-ho) See IMHOFF

TANK.

tankless heater (tank-less heat-er) a water

heater involving no storage vessel other

than the pipes, or tubes, in which water

is conned. It can be heated by any source

of heat energy.

tank, septic (tank, sep-tic) See SEPTIC

TANK.

tank shell (tank shell) the outer lining of

a tank. e outer lining of a glass-lined

storage tank is made of steel. A steel tank

shell can be lined with copper, plastic, etc.

tank valve guide (tank valve guide) a

device which guides or restrains the

rods of the mechanism in a closet tank

(i.e.: the tank valve/ush valve) wire rod

operating unit.

tap (tap) 1. a tool for cutting the thread of

an internal screw. 2. a hole made in tapping

as one in a tting to furnish connection for

a branch pipe. 3. a faucet, valve, a hole.

4. a hole drilled into a water main into

which is inserted a corporation valve to

receive water service pipe from building.

See CORPORATION FERRULE;

FAUCET; VALVE; PIPE TAP.

tap bolt (tap bolt) a headed bolt used

without a nut for screwing into a hole.

Also called cap screw and tap screw.

tap borer (tap bor-er) special kind of

boring instrument used by plumbers for

making, or enlarging, holes in lead pipes.

tap screw (tap screw) See TAP BOLT.

151

tap wrench

 temperature,initialoutletset

tap wrench (tap wrench) 1. a tool to hold a

tap and/or an “S” shaped wrench to t the

various sizes of corporation ferrule core

cock stems and collars. 2. a tool to hold

another tool, or device, which grooves, or

cuts, threads of an interior surface. 3. a

wrench of a special design to t the parts

of a corporation ferrule.

tape (tape) made of steel or cloth-like

material, flexible, used in measuring.

Electricians use tape for insulation;

plumbers use tape made of fibrous

materials for pipe thread sealant.

tapeline (tape-line) See TAPE MEASURE.

tape measure (tape mea-sure) a rule in the

form of a narrow strip of a strong, but

limp or exible material (as cloth or steel)

marked o in units of measure of length

(as inches or centimeters) and usually

contained on or in a reel for easy carrying.

tapered pipe thread (ta-per-ed pipe

thread) a continuous helical ridge

(thread) that is cut or rolled deeper at the

end of a pipe than at any other portion,

and gradually enlarges to a point of non-

existence; in plumbing, the American

standard taps for pipe threads yields a

diameter increase of

" per foot of thread

length.

taper le (ta-per le) used to denote the

shape of a le as distinct from blunt.

Custom has also established it as a short

name for the triangular handsaw le.

taper joint (ta-per joint) Se e

HARRINGTON TAPERED SLEEVE

JOINT.

tapped tee, soil pipe (tap-ped tee, soil

pipe) a cast iron bell end tee with the

branch tapped to receive a threaded pipe

or tting.

T.B.E. Abbr. for read Both Ends.

T.C. Abbr. for Terra Cotta.

tee (tee) something shaped like a capital

“T”, a tting that has one side opening set

at 90° angle to the run. See INCREASER;

REDUCER; WYE.

tee handle air cock (tee han-dle air cock)

a valve in which the operating handle

extends equal distance from the center of

movable core.

tee head (tee head) See CURB COCK.

tee, street (tee, street) a tee tting where

the straight portion, or run, has one female

and one male end, and the third opening

is female.

tell-tale (tell-tale) an indicating device used

to indicate the elevation of water surface

in a tank.

temp. Abbr. for Temperature.

temper (tem-per) 1. to bring to a specic

consistency (e.g. to bring steel, glass or the

like, to a proper degree of hardness and

toughness.) 2. steel that has been hardened

by high heat and sudden cooling, as by

plunging into water, usually required to

be gently reheated to a degree depending

on its proposed use, and it is this latter

process that is tempering in the strict

sense e word is loosely applied to the

combined hardening and reheating or the

hardening alone.

temperature actuated (tem-per-a-ture

ac-tu-a-ted) a device which derives its

energy for operation from water or other

uid temperature changes.

temperature, ambient (tem-per-a-

ture, am-bi-ent)See AMBIENT

TEMPERATURE.

temperature and pressure relief valve

(tem-per-a-ture and pres-sure re-lief

valve) a device designed to control both

temperature and pressure by releasing the

water to atmosphere at a predetermined

settings. See SAFETY VALVE; RELIEF

VALVE, HOT WATER BOILER.

temperature, initial outlet set (tem-per-a-

ture, i-ni-tial out-let set) See INITIAL

OUTLET SET TEMPERATURE.

152

temperature limiting device thermal element

temperature limiting device (tem-per-a-

ture lim-it-ing de-vice) (water heater)

the following devices are considered

limiting devices: (a) automatic gas shut-

o system, (b) temperature relief valves or

relief valves.

temperature limit setting (tem-per-a-ture

lim-it set-ting) an adjustable means to

limit the maximum setting of the device

towards the hot position, limiting the

maximum discharge temperature.

temperature regulator (tem-per-a-ture

reg-u-la-tor) a device which opens, or

closes, at a set temperature and used to

control temperature of uid. See SAFETY

VALVE.

temperature valve (tem-per-a-ture valve)

a device to control the temperature or

to discharge at a given temperature.

See RELIEF VALVE, HOT WATER

BOILER.

tempered water (tem-pered wa-ter) a

mixture of hot and cold water to produce

warm water suitable for use.

terminal fitting (ter-mi-nal fit-ting) a

tting which is the last valve for shut-o

on a line.

terminal length (ter-mi-nal length) the

vertical distance that water in a stack

travels to reach the terminal velocity

(about fteen feet of vertical distance).

terminal outlet (ter-min-al out-let) a

physical part of the disposer construction

or a tting supplied with a disposer to

permit connection to the household

plumbing drainage system.

terminal velocity (ter-mi-nal ve-loc-ity)

the fastest rate at which water falls in a

vertical pipe (stack) by gravity. (Usually

about ten to fteen feet per second).

terne (terne) sheet iron or steel coated with

an alloy of about four parts of lead and

one part of tin.

terne plate (terne plate) See TERNE.

terra cotta (ter-ra cot-ta) a brownish

orange clay used in the production of

vitried clay pipe. Abbr. T.C.

test ball (test ball) a ball used to test the

internal diameter such as the waterway

of a trap.

test cock (test cock) an appurtenance on

an assembly, or valve, which is used when

testing the assembly.

test plug (test plug) used for blocking

openings in piping systems during test

procedure.

tetrauoroethylene (tet-ra-uo-ro-eth-yl-

ene) a colorless, nonammable gas used

in making heat resistant and acid resistant

plastics such as teon. Abbr. T.F.E.

T.F. E. Abbr. for Tetrauoroethylene.

thawing machine (thaw-ing ma-chine)

electrode device connected by cables to

frozen piping which regulates passage

of an electric current through the pipe

creating heat sufficient to thaw the

contents of the pipe.

thawing steamer (thaw-ing steam-er) for

thawing pipes, is usually made to carry

sucient water to make steam for about

two hours continual use.

therm (therm) a measurement of heat

equivalent to 100,000 B.T.U.

thermal capacity (ther-mal ca-pa-ci-ty) in

a solar energy eld, the quantity of heat

needed to warm a collector to its operating

temperatures.

thermalcouple (ther-mal-coup-le) an

electric generating heat sensor that is used

to verify the operating pilot light and to

maintain the main gas valve in an open

position.

thermal element (ther-mal el-e-ment) a

temperature responsive component unit

which acts with the hot and/or cold water

inlet control ports, in a mixing valve,

activating them as necessary to maintain

a desired discharge water temperature.

153

thermal expansion

thimble coupling

thermal expansion (water) [ther-mal

ex-pan-sion (wa-ter)] 1. the increase in

volume of water when its temperature

is increased, or decreased, from 39.1°F

or 3.8°C. 2. the increase of pressure in

a closed system due to the heating and

expanding of water.

thermal expansion relief valve (ther-mal

ex-pan-sion re-lief valve) a check valve

member which isolates the pressure

associated with thermal expansion from

other parts of the plumbing system.

thermal shock (ther-mal shock) 1. a large

and rapid change of temperature. 2. the

sensation felt by the body due to a sudden

change in temperature.

thermal storage device (ther-mal stor-age

de-vice) in solar energy, the containers

including all the contents used for storing

thermal energy. e transfer uid and

accessories such as heat exchangers, ow

switching devices, valves and baes which

are integral with the thermal storage

containers and are considered part of a

thermal storage device.

thermometer (ther-mom-et-er) an

instrument for determining temperature

usually by means of a scale graduated

directly in temperature units and

consisting typically of: a. a valve having

a bimetallic element whose expansion,

or contraction, indicates a change in

temperature. b. a glass bulb attached

to a ne tube of glass with a numbered

scale etched on, or fastened, to it and

containing a liquid, as mercury or colored

alcohol, is scaled in and rises and falls

with changes of temperature and that

indicates the temperature by the number

corresponding to the top of the column

of liquid.

thermoplastic (ther-mo-plas-tic) having

the property of softening or fusing when

heated and of hardening again when

cooled.

thermosetting (ther-mo-set-ting) having

the property of becoming permanently

rigid when heated or cured.

thermostat (ther-mo-stat) 1. an automatic

device for regulating temperature by

opening, or closing, the damper of a

heating furnace, regulating supply of

gas, or the like. Also for actuating re or

low temperature alarms, for controlling

automatic sprinklers or re doors, etc.

ermostats utilize either the dierential

expansion of solids, liquids, or gases

subjected to heat or else the principle of

the thermopile.

thermostatic radiator trap (ther-mo-stat-

ic ra-di-a-tor trap) a device to receive

condensate and drain off. Contains

thermostatic expansion element to open

and close.

thermostat, integral gas valve type (ther-

mo-stat, in-te-gral gas valve type) (water

heater) 1. an automatic device actuated

by temperature changes designed to

control the gas supply to the burner(s), in

order to maintain temperatures between

pre-determined limits, and in which

the thermal actuating element is an

integral part of the device. 2. graduating

thermostat: a thermostat in which the

motion of the valve is approximately

in direct proportion to the effective

motion of the thermal element induced

by a temperature change. 3. snap-acting

thermostat: a thermostat in which the

thermostatic valve travels instantly from

the closed to an open position, and vice

versa.

thickener tank (thick-en-er tank) an

apparatus for the sedimentation and

collection of suspended solids in industrial

liquids.

thimble (thim-ble) a sleeve, or short tube,

through which a bolt passes, or unites two

rods or tubes. A bushing or coupling, See

THIMBLE COUPLING.

thimble coupling (thim-ble coup-ling)

a permanent coupling in which two

shafts are connected by placing their

ends together in a common thimble. See

THIMBLE.

154

thread dope torch

thread dope (thread dope) See PIPE

THREAD DOPE.

threaded and coupled pipe (thread-ed

and cou-pled pipe) a term used to denote

merchant pipe which is furnished from

the pipe mill with threaded ends and a

coupling attached. Abbr. T & C

threaded bushing (thread-ed bush-ing) 1.

a tting. 2. an annulus walled short pipe

threaded internally and externally on the

cylinder so same can be screwed into and

also receive pipe.

threader (thread-er) a device for cutting a

screw thread.

threading machine (thread-ing ma-chine)

See THREADER.

thread lubricant (thread lub-ri-cant)

any of a number of lubricating materials

which are applied on threads to prevent

corrosion and to provide an aid to make-

up or tightening. See PIPE THREAD

DOPE.

thread make up (thread make up) a term

used to denote the amount of engagement

or penetration of one thread within

another. Usually refers to the number of

threads which are in contact in a threaded

assembly.

threads (threads) continuous, regularly

spaced grooves and ribs around a material

which form a denite helix. ere are

many types of threads in either taper

or straight varieties. May vary in forms,

materials, and length. When these threads

are disposed on the external surface of a

pipe or tting, they are called outside or

male threads. reads located on internal

surfaces of pipe, tube, or tting are called

inside or female threads. See INSIDE

THREAD; OUTSIDE THREAD.

three way cock (three way cock) a ground

key valve with three openings in the valve

body and core. e core, when turned,

directs ow to a matched opening.

throat iron (throat iron) useful for

caulking such ttings as bends where there

is little room for a direct blow.

throne (throne) (slang) See WATER

CLOSET.

thunder mug (thun-der mug) (slang)

xture. See WATER CLOSET.

tide valve (tide valve) a device installed in

sewer systems to prevent backow. Acts as

dam obstruction in pipe to water ooding

backwards. See BACKWATER VALVE.

tin foil (tin foil) a thin sheet of tin, alloy

of tin or lead.

tinned (tinned)covered or coated with tin.

tin plate (tin plate) 1. thin sheets of iron

or steel coated with tin. 2. to plate or

coat with tin.

T.O.E. Abbr. for read One End.

toggle bolt (tog-gle bolt) a bolt that has a

nut with pivoted anged wings that close

against a spring when passed through

a constricted passage and open after

emerging and that is used to fasten objects

to thin or hollow walls.

toilet (toi-let) See WATER CLOSET.

toilet seat (toi-let seat) See CLOSET

SEAT.

tolerance (tol-er-ance) 1. leeway for

variation from a standard. 2. the

permissible deviation from a specied

value of a structural dimension.

tongs (tongs) foreceps; one of various kinds

of objects, mostly consisting of two legs

of metal joined by a pivot or by a spring.

Used for gripping, lifting, or twisting.

tool box (tool box) box especially designed

and used for keeping tools.

tools, standard (tools, stan-dard) See

STANDARD TOOLS.

torch (torch) piece of inammable wood

or wood soaked in inammable substance

such as resin, pitch, etc, which flares

when kindled and is used to give light. In

plumbing, any of various portable devices

for emitting an unusually hot ame which

can be useful in melting, or heating, of

metal, soldering, etc.

155

torpedo level

trickle solar collector panel

torpedo level (tor-pe-do lev-el) a spirit

level with a plan view shape of a torpedo.

See LEVEL.

torque (torque) 1. a measurement, usually

stated in foot pounds, of the tightness

of a connector. In plumbing, usually the

tightness of a tting. 2. term meaning

twist. When used in this sense means

measurable tightness.

torque wrench (torque wrench)a wrench

that measures and indicates the amount

of turning and twisting force applied in

tightening a nut or bolt.

toxic (tox-ic) 1. a substance which is

poisonous and capable of causing injury or

death. A toxin may be ingested, inhaled or

absorbed through the skin. 2. a substance

which has not been approved for human

consumption by the health agency having

jurisdiction.

trade union (trade un-ion) an organization

of workers, all of whom are engaged in

the same trade or occupation, formed for

the purpose of advancing its members’

interests in respect to wages and working

conditions. See LABOR UNION.

trail water (trail wa-ter) the residue of

water in a tub, or other at bottom xture,

that drains from the xture after the main

body of water has drained.

transition tting (tran-si-tion t-ting)

a fitting that has different types of

connections on each outlet, one of which

is a push-t.

trap (trap) 1. a “U” shaped fitting

constructed to prevent the passage of

air,, or gas, through a pipe without

materially aecting the ow of sewage or

liquid waste. 2. a device for drains; sewers;

etc. consisting of a bend or partitioned

chamber in which the liquid forms a seal

to prevent the passage of sewer gas, etc.,

as a stench trap. 3. a tting, or device,

which provides a liquid seal to prevent the

emission of sewer gases without materially

aecting the ow of sewage or waste water

through it.

trap arm (trap arm) the horizontal portion

of the xture waste between the trap and

the vent connection.

trap, ame (trap, ame) 1. a device, as

a wire gauze across a nozzle inlet, for

preventing the flame of burning gas

from backing up into the supply pipe

and causing an explosion. 2. a device

containing a ne metal gauze placed in

a gas pipe, which prevents a ame from

traveling back in the pipe.

trap seal (trap seal) 1. the vertical distance

between the crown weir and the top of

the dip of the trap. 2. the water in the

trap between the dip and the crown weir.

trap seal primer valve (trap seal prim-er

valve) a device connected to a water line

that is automatically activated by a faucet

opening to deliver a metered amount of

water to a seldom used trap.

travel (of an oset) [trav-el (of an o-set)]

1. measurement along the angular section

of a piping oset. 2. the hypotenuse of the

triangle created by a piping oset.

tray, laundry (tray, laun-dry) a xture

used in a laundry for washing, usually

set permanently, and sewer and water

connected.

tray, plug (tray, plug) tapered cylinder-like

device that can be inserted into the drain

outlet of a laundry tub, tray or similar

xture to hold liquids from draining.

trench brace (trench brace) 1. a jackscrew

device. 2. a jack placed horizontally to

exert energy horizontally.

triangle (tri-an-gle) a at triangular piece

of wood, vulcanite, plastic or the like, with

straight edges, used in connection with a

T-square for drawing perpendicular lines.

tributary sewer (trib-u-tary sew-er) a

small sewer, a waste carrying conduit

which empties into an intercepting sewer.

trickle solar collector panel (tri-ckle so-lar

col-lec-tor pa-nel) a at plate over which

unpressured heat transfer liquid ows or

“trickles”.

156

trim  turbulentow

trim (trim) parts, regularly supplied with

xtures, as for example, closet spuds, wall

hangers and tank trim; does not include

ttings.

trough (trough) See EAVE.

trough urinal (trough uri-nal) trough

designates design of the xture. Usually

long and narrow shaped receptacle.

Accommodates more than one person.

trunk sewer (trunk sew-er) See

INTERCEPTING SEWER.

try square (try square) a device which has

two straight edges secured at a right angle.

Used to lay o right angles and for testing

whether work is square. Also called right

angle gauge and trying square.

tube (tube)conduit or conductor of

cylindrical shape, the wall thickness of

which is less than that needed to receive

a standard pipe thread conforming to

national standards for United States

standard tapered pipe thread. Compare

with pipe.

tube cutters (tube cut-ters) works the same

as a pipe cutter but is smaller. See PIPE

CUTTER.

tube-in-plate absorber (tube-in-plate

ab-sorb-er) in the eld of solar energy

equipment, a sheet metal absorber, usually

copper or aluminum, in which the heat

transfer fluid flows through passages

formed in the plate itself.

tube liner (tube lin-er) a cylindrical

device, having one anged end, that is

inserted into the end of PEX tubing to

accommodate assembly within a tting;

also referred to as a tube stiener.

tube stiener (tube stif-fe-ner) See

TUBE LINER.

tubercle (tu-ber-cle) an attached deposit

of products of corrosion of metal in iron

pipe; formed by botryoidal crystallization.

tuberculation (tu-ber-cu-la-tion) a

condition which develops on the interior

of pipe lines due to corrosive materials

present in the water passing through the

pipe and results in the creation of small,

hemispherical lumps (tubercules) on the

walls of the pipe.

tubing (tub-ing) 1. a material in form,

or shape, of pipe, usually of thin wall

structure and joined by fittings of its

design. 2. a conduit. 3. an assembly

of tubes formed together by ttings of

compatible design to serve in a plumbing

system. See TUBE.

tubing, brass ne thread (tub-ing, brass

ne thread) tubing of brass equipped with

ne threads for assembly.

tubing, chromed (tub-ing, chrom-ed)

thin wall brass conduit, coated or plated

with chrome.

tubing, copper (tub-ing, cop-per) thin wall

pipe made of copper metal.

tubing, plastic (tub-ing, plas-tic) conduit

made of non-metal. Conduit made of

resinous material.

tucker tting (tuck-er t-ting) an adapter

from iron pipe to cast iron pipe. is

tting has a cast iron hub and a female

iron pipe thread.

turbid (tur-bid) in water, this term refers

to clear water that is suspected as polluted.

May also refer to “muddy” or “stirred-up”

water resulting in suspension of mud or

bottom sand.

turbidity (tur-bid-i-ty) 1. in water,

cloudiness caused by suspended solids.

2. in meteorology, any condition of the

atmosphere which reduces transmittance,

especially to visible radiation.

turbulence (tur-bu-lence) 1. a uid ow

in which the velocity varies erratically in

magnitude and direction. 2. an essentially

variable and disturbed ow of liquid or air.

turbulent ow (tur-bu-lent ow) disturbed

movement of fluid in a container or

conned area.

157

turn pin (turn pin) wooden lead working

tool used to are the ends of lead pipe

when making all kinds of joints; should

be made of boxwood, dogwood or lignum

vitae.

T.W. Abbr. for Tempered Water.

twist drills (twist drills) for drilling small

holes where the ordinary auger, or gimlet,

would split the wood. See GIMLETS.

typ Abbr. for Typical.

typical (ty-pi-cal) symbolic, representative

of a class. Like others of its kind. Abbr.

Typ.

turn pin  typical

158

“U”bolt  unitsystem

“U” bolt (u bolt) a “U” shaped bolt with

threads and a nut at each end.

unapproved water supply (un-ap-proved

wa-ter sup-ply) a water supply which

has not been approved for human

consumption by the health agency having

jurisdiction.

unglazed collector (un-glazed col-lec-

tor) in the eld of solar energy collection

systems, a collector with no transparent

cover plate.

union (un-ion) 1. a coupling device to join

or disconnect pipes. 2. an association of

people. See CONNECTORS; TRADE

UNION.

union coupling, right and left threaded

(un-ion cou-pling, right and left thread-

ed) a right and left threaded sleeve

coupling used to join pipe together with

matched right and left hand threaded

ends.

union ferrule (un-ion fer-rule) joining by

thread one side of pipe. e other joining

side telescopes into tting and is sealed by

tapered ferrule compressed with collar.

union, ne thread (un-ion, ne thread)

same as union, receiving ends for tubing;

threaded ne thread size.

union, I. P. S. (un-ion, ips) same as union,

receiving ends for pipe; threaded iron

pipe size.

unions (un-ions) See CONNECTORS.

union vent (un-ion vent) a dual vent or

a unit vent.

union washer (un-ion wash-er) 1. a

resilient disc with a hole in the center.

2. a gasket used in the mechanical joint

known as a union.

unions, dielectric (un-ion, di-e-lec-tric)

See DIELECTRIC UNIONS.

unit, food waste disposer (batch feed

type) [u-nit, food waste dis-po-ser

(batch feed type)] See FOOD WASTE

GRINDER UNIT, BATCH FEED

TYPE.

unit, food waste disposer (continuous

feed type) [u-nit, food waste dis-

po-ser (con-ti-nu-ous feed type)] See

FOOD GRINDER WASTE UNIT,

CONTINUOUS FEED TYPE.

unit heater (u-nit heat-er) a heater

consisting of a fan, or blower, and an

indirect radiator enclosed in a common

casing and designed to circulate and warm

the air that passes through the radiator or

heat exchanger.

unit heater control (u-nit heat-er con-trol)

a device used to operate the ow of gas,

steam, or liquid to a unit heater.

unit heater, gas red (u-nit heat-er, gas

red) a space heater, fan operated, to

move heated air in a given space or room.

e unit is heated by gas.

unit heater valve (u-nit heat-er valve) a

shut o valve to control the supply of fuel

or other source of heat. e operation of

the valve could be manual or automatic.

unit system (u-nit sys-tem) a complete

part of a total plumbing system, such as

a bathroom piping system as a part of the

piping system of a building.

159

unit vent (u-nit vent) one vent pipe which

serves two traps. See COMMON VENT;

DUAL VENT.

universal drive shaft (u-ni-ver-sal drive

shaft) a joined shaft allowing free

movement in all directions within certain

limits between pipe machine and pipe

cutting equipment.

unprotected cross connection (un-

pro-tect-ed cross con-nec-tion) a cross

connection between a potable and non-

potable system where inadequate methods

are provided to prevent backow.

unstable ground (un-stable ground) earth

that does not provide a uniform bearing

for the barrel of the drain or sewer pipe

between the joints at the bottom of the

pipe trench.

upfeed system (up-feed sys-tem) the supply

from the bottom of piping or vessels.

urinal (uri-nal) a water ushed plumbing

xture designed to receive human urine

and discharge the waste materials safely

into the sanitary system.

urinal, pedestal blow-out (uri-nal, ped-es-

tal blow-out) receiving bowl of a xture

supported by a pedestal from the oor and

not connected to a wall or support. Blow-

out designates the ushing action of the

trap of xture by inducing large amounts

of water in trap seal of xture.

urinal, pedestal, siphon-jet (uri-nal,

ped-es-tal, si-phon- jet) receiving bowl of

xture supported by a pedestal from the

oor; siphon jet designates the ushing

action of trap of xture by inducing jet

stream of water in trap seal of xture.

urinal, stall, wash out (uri-nal, stall,

wash-out) stall in the style of xture where

the base and sides are molded in one piece

and rests on oor. Washout is cleansing

action of trap of xture.

urinal, wall hung (uri-nal, wall hung) the

design of the xture fastened to the wall,

no part touches the oor.

urinal, women’s (uri-nal, wom-en’s) a

xture so designed for use by women that

it can be straddled.

used water (used wa-ter) any water supply

by a water purveyor from a public potable

water system to a consumer’s water system

after it has passed through the service

connection and/or a xture outlet and is

no longer under the control of the water

purveyor.

utility vent (u-til-i-ty vent) a vent in which

the vent pipe rises well above the highest

water level in the xture vented and then

turns down before connecting to the stack

or main vent. See CIRCUIT VENT;

LOOP VENT.

unit vent  utilityvent

160

V. valve

V. Abbr. for Vent.

vac. Abbr. for Vacuum.

vac. br. Abbr. for Vacuum Breaker.

vacuum (vac-u-um) 1. pressure below

atmospheric. 2. a space absolutely devoid

of matter; it is usually measured by the

number of inches of mercury below

atmospheric pressure, such as ten or

twenty inches of mercury. Abbr. vac.

vacuum breaker (vac-u-um break-er)

a device to prevent the creation, or

formation, of a vacuum by admitting air at

atmospheric pressure and used to prevent

backsiphonage. Abbr. vac. br.

vacuum breaker, atmospheric or non-

pressure type (vac-u-um break-er,

at-mos-pher-ic or non-pres-sure type)

an assembly containing a float-check,

a check seat and an air inlet port. e

ow of water into the body causes the

oat to close the air inlet port. When

the ow of water stops, the oat falls and

forms a check valve against backsiphonage

and at the same time opens the air inlet

port to allow air to enter and satisfy the

vacuum. A shutoff valve immediately

upstream may be an integral part of

the assembly. An atmospheric vacuum

breaker is designed to protect against

a health hazard (contaminant) under

a backsiphonage condition only. Abbr.

AVB. See ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM

BREAKER.

vacuum breaker - pressure type (vac-u-um

breaker - pres-sure type) an assembly

containing an independently operating,

internally loaded check valve and an

independently operating, loaded air inlet

valve located on the discharge side of

the check valve. e assembly shall be

equipped with the properly located test

cocks and tightly closing shuto valves

attached at each end of the assembly . is

assembly is designed to protect against

a health hazard (contaminant) under

a backsiphonage condition only. Abbr.

PVB. See PRESSURE TYPE VACUUM

BREAKER.

vacuum breaker, spill resistant type (vac-

u-um break-er, spill re-sis-tant type) a

device to prevent backow of non-potable

material into the potable water supply

caused by backsiphonage only.

vacuum cleaner (vac-u-um clean-er) an

electrical appliance for cleaning, oors,

carpets, tapestry or upholstered work,

by suction. Also called vacuum sweeper.

vacuum relief valve (vac-u-um re-lief

valve) 1. a device which admits air to

the system if and when the system is

attempting to reduce its pressure to less

than atmospheric. 2. a device to prevent

excessive vacuum in a water storage tank

or heater.

vacuum sweeper (vac-u-um sweep-er) See

VACUUM CLEANER.

vacuum system (vac-u-um sys-tem) a

piping system in which the pressure is

drawn below atmosphere.

valve (valve) 1. a device by which the ow

may be started, stopped, or regulated by a

moveable part which opens, or obstructs,

the passage. 2. a type of lawn faucet. See

TAP; FAUCET.

161

valve,backwater

 ventsystem

valve, backwater (valve, back-wa-ter) See

BACKWATER VALVE.

valve box (valve box) an enclosure extended

to grade to protect the valve stem of a

buried valve and to give access to the

operating unit. Abbr. V.B.

valve, control (valve, con-trol) See

CONTROL VALVE.

valve, disc (valve, disc) a disc, or circular

member, of a valve or faucet which aects

the control of ow when motivated.

valve, ushometer (valve, ush-o-me-ter)

See FLUSHOMETER VALVE.

valve ush, automatic (valve ush, au-

to-mat-ic) a device to start suddenly the

free ow of water, or other liquid, under

pressure, by release of pilot valve causing

main valve seat to rise and water to ood

through, until pilot valve is reseated and

valve is pressurized through bypass jet

above ow, causing main valve to seat.

valve pump (valve pump) a device held

closed by spiral spring tension. Can be

used to admit or discharge. Usually used

for air or gas.

valve, safety (valve, safe-ty) an automatic

escape, or relief, valve to vent excessive

build-up of pressure.

valve seat (valve seat)the port/s against, or

into a disc or tapered stem is pressed, or

inserted, to stop the ow of uid or gas.

valve, tide (valve, tide)See TIDE VALVE.

valve wheel (valve wheel)outer disc-like

member used to twist or torque the valve

stem to operate (i.e.: turn on or o by a

twisting motion.)

vanity (van-i-ty) a bathroom fixture

consisting of a lavatory set into top of

dressing table or cupboard.

vapor (va-por) 1. diffused matter

suspended in the air and impairing its

transparency. 2. a substance in a gaseous

state as distinguished from a liquid or solid

state. 3. a gaseous substance that is at a

temperature below its critical temperature

and therefore liquiable by pressure alone.

vapor heating (va-por heat-ing) steam

heating at approximately atmospheric

temperature (usually one to ve ounces).

vapor lock (va-por lock) partial or

complete interruption of fuel ow in an

internal combustion engine caused by

the formation vapor bubbles, or gas, in

the fuel feeding system. See AIR LOCK.

V. B. Abbr. for Valve Box.

velocity meter (vel-o-city me-ter) in

plumbing, a device for observing the

velocity of flow of water through a

transverse cross section of known area. e

rate of ow is the product of the velocity

and the area of the cross section.

vent or venting (vent or vent-ing) an

opening. See BACK VENT.

vent cap (vent cap) a tting used on the

terminal of the vent, waste or soil stacks to

guard against falling objects and vandalism.

vented sewer or drain (vent-ed sew-er or

drain) a sewer, or drain, that is designed

to be owing at, or less than, half full

during the peak period of use.

vent pipe, plumbing (vent pipe, plumb-

ing) a part of the plumbing system used

to equalize pressures and ventilate system.

Part of the vent system.

vent ports (vent ports) the openings from

the inside of a device or assembly to

the outside for allowing air to enter the

device or assembly under backsiphonage

conditions, or water to drain from the

device or assembly under backpressure

backow conditions.

vent stack (vent stack) a vertical vent pipe

installed to provide circulation of air to

and from the drainage system.

vent system (vent sys-tem) a pipe, or pipes,

installed to provide a ow of air to, or

from, a drainage system or to provide

a circulation of air within such system

to equalize pressures and ventilate the

system, and to protect trap seals from

siphonage and back pressure.

162

vent tee vol.

vent tee (vent tee) a drainage tting of

any of several materials used for venting

purposes only. e side opening may be

the same size, or reduced, and does not

have the sanitary throat as the regular

sanitary drainage tee.

vertical conguration, double check (ver-

ti-cal con-g-ur-a-tion, dou-ble check)

a backow preventer is considered to be

in the vertical configuration when all

the components of the device are in the

vertical position; the check valves shall

be installed in the vertical or a maximum

of 45° from the vertical; the two shut-o

valves can be installed either horizontally

or vertically.

vertical conguration, reduced pressure

(ver-ti-cal con-fig-ur-a-tion, re-duc-

ed pres-sure) a backflow preventer

is considered to be in the vertical

conguration when all the components of

the device are in the vertical position; the

relief valve or vent shall be situated above

the rst check valve and have a means of

completely evacuating the water from the

second check valve chamber; the check

valves shall be installed in the vertical or

maximum of 45° from the vertical; the

two shut-o valves can be installed either

horizontally or vertically.

venturi or venturi tube (ven-tu-ri or ven-

tu-ri tube) a short tube that is inserted in

a pipeline, that has aring ends connected

by a constricted middle section forming

a throat that depends for operation

upon the fact that as the velocity of ow

of a liquid increases in the throat the

pressure decreases. Used for measuring the

quantity. Devices for measuring airspeed,

and for producing suction.

venturi effect (ven-tu-ri ef-fect) as the

velocity (speed) of water increases, the

pressure decreases. The venturi effect

can create a vacuum (sub-atmospheric

pressure condition) in a distribution

system. Also known as the Bernoulli’s

Principle.

vertical caulked joint (ver-ti-cal caulked

joint) a bell and spigot connection in a

vertical position.

vertical pipe (ver-ti-cal pipe) a pipe or

tting that is installed in a vertical position

and makes an angle of not more than 45°

with the vertical.

vestibule (ves-ti-bule) a cavity, passage,

hall or tube between oors or buildings

in which the piping is made available for

inspection or servicing.

vice (vice) chiey British for vise. See VISE.

vinyl benzene (vi-nyl ben-zene) See

STYRENE.

vinyl cyanide (vi-nyl cy-a-nide) See

ACRYLONITRILE.

virus (vi-rus) the causative agent of an

infectious disease.

vise (vise) any of various devices usually

having two jaws, which may be brought

together, or separated, by means of a

screw, lever, etc. Used to hold an object

rmly while work is being done.

vise grips (vise grips) common name for

special pliers which can be locked after

gripping an object. See PLIERS.

vitreous (vit-re-ous) 1. of, relating to,

derived from, or consisting of glass. 2.

resembling glass. 3. red clay.

vitreous enamel (vit-re-ous e-na-mel)

1. a red-on opaque glassy coating on

steel or other metals. Sometimes called

porcelain enamel. 2. silicate opaque glass

red onto metal. 3. a glass-like surface

on a plumbing xture formed by melting

of glass due to high temperature to cause

bonding. Provides a durable decorative

surface on plumbing xtures. Sometimes

called enamelled iron when found on

metal xtures.

vitrified sewer pipe (vit-ri-fied sew-er

pipe) conduit made of red and glazed

earthenware intended to be installed to

receive waste or sewage.

vol. Abbr. for Volume.

163

voltage meter (volt-age me-ter) an

instrument that measures the voltage

dierence (potential) between two points

of an electric current. Also known as

voltammeter.

voltammeter (volt-am-me-ter) an

instrument designed to measure current.

voltampere (volt-am-pere) a unit of electric

measurement that is equal to the product

of a volt and an ampere and that for direct

current constitutes a measure of power

equivalent to a watt and for alternating

current a measure of apparent power.

volume (vol-ume) a measure of the size

of a body, or denite region, in three

dimensional space. e amount of space

lled. Abbr. Vol.

volumeter (vol-u-me-ter) a type of

ushometer valve.

V.T.R. Abbr. for Vent rough Roof.

voltage meter  V.T.R.

164

W.  waste,leadmaterials

W. Abbr. for Waste.

wall cleanout (wall clean-out) a cleanout

of a drainage system installed in a wall or

partition. Abbr. WCO

wall-hung water closet (wall-hung wa-ter

clo-set) See WATER CLOSET, WALL

HUNG.

wall hydrant (wall hy-drant) an assembly

of pipes and valves generally used to bring

water through the wall from the inside

of building to outside. See HYDRANT.

wall hydrant freeze resistant vacuum

breaker type (wall hy-drant freeze re-

sis-tant vac-u-um break-er type) a device

to supply potable water without danger

of damage to the device due to freezing,

and to provide protection of the potable

water supply from contamination due to

backsiphonage or backpressure. Abbr. WH

wash basin (wash ba-sin) See LAVATORY.

wash fountain (wash foun-tain) a

plumbing fixture usually circular or

semicircular, designed so that more than

one person may have access to the xture

for hand-washing. Usually installed in

schools and industrial plants.

washed metal (wash-ed met-al) iron

treated by the Bell-Krupp process so

as to remove most of the silicon and

phosphorus and not too much of the

carbon.

washer (wash-er) 1. a power driven

machine for washing fabrics in water. 2.

a device for removing dirt and soluble

impurities from pulp and paper stock. 3.

any of various at, thin, smooth, annual

rings or perforated plates (as of metal

or leather) used in joints or assemblies

to insure tightness, prevent leakage or

relieve friction.

washer cutter (wash-er cut-ter) See

GASKET TOOL.

wash out (wash out) 1. the act, or process,

of washing or ushing out a container

or pipe. 2. a plumbing device for such

a process.

wash out closet (wash out clos-et) a toilet

bowl which is emptied or ushed out by

discharging into it a large volume of water

in a relatively short period of time. No

assist by siphons, etc.

waste (waste) unwanted liquid and

industrial by-products. In plumbing,

material excreted from the body as useless

or superuous material as feces or urine.

Abbr. W. See LIQUID WASTE.

waste hammer (waste ham-mer) the term

used to identify the hammering noises

and severe shocks that may occur in a

pressurized water supply system when ow

is halted abruptly by the rapid closure of

a valve or faucet.

waste, lead materials (waste, lead ma-

te-ri-als) lead waste pipes should be of

the best quality of drawn lead having

a recommended minimum weight per

foot as indicated below: inside diameter:

inches 1

, 1

, 2, 3, 4; weight per foot:

(pounds) 2

, 3

, 4

, 6, 8.

165

waste line interceptor

 waterclosetushingvalve

waste line interceptor (waste line in-ter-

cep-tor) a basin, or structure, installed to

prevent the passage of liquids, or semi-

liquids, such as oil, gasoline and grease,

and such solids as sand, large or small

objects, precious metals, etc. from passing

through the drainage or sewer system.

Shall provide a means for the removal or

clean-out of the collected liquids, semi-

liquids and solids.

waste pipe (waste pipe) a drain line that

carries the discharge from any fixture

that does not contain human or animal

waste matter.

waste stack (waste stack) a vertical pipe

receiving the discharge of waste only.

waste vent (waste vent) that portion of the

waste stack above the highest xture or

waste connection into it.

wastewater (waste-wa-ter) the spent

water of a community. A combination

of the liquid and the liquid carried

waste matter from residences, factories,

together with any surface water and

storm water which may be present. See

SEWAGE; CONDENSATE WATER;

IRRIGATION WATER; RIVER

WATER; SPRINKLER SYSTEM,

WATER.

water (wa-ter) the liquid that descends

from the clouds as rain; forms streams,

lakes and seas; issues from the ground in

springs, and is a major constituent of all

living matter and, when pure, consists

of an oxide of hydrogen H

O, in the

proportion of two atoms of hydrogen

to one atom of oxygen. It is an odorless,

tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid

which appears bluish in thick layers.

Freezes at 32°F (0°C), and boils at 212°F

(100°C). Has a maximum density at

39.2°F (4°C), and a high specic heat,

contains very small equal concentrations

of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions,

reacts neutrally and constitutes a poor

conductor of electricity, a good ionizing

agent.

water back or/front water (wa-ter back

or/front wa-ter) 1.a reservoir at the back

of a wood, or coal, range for heating and

storing water. 2. a system of tubes often

enclosed in a solid casting, placed in the

rebox of a wood, or oval, range on the

side opposite the oven for heating water,

and connected with a storage tank separate

from the range. See WATERFRONT.

water closet (wa-ter clos-et) a water ushed

plumbing fixture designed to receive

human excrement directly from the user

of the xture. e term is sometimes used

to indicate the room or compartment

in which the fixture is located. See

LATRINE; RANGE CLOSET;

CLOSET BOWL; EARTHENWARE

CLOSET COMBINATION; HOPPER.

Abbr. WC.

water closet, back outlet closet

combination (wa-ter clos-et, back out-

let clos-et com-bin-a-tion) a trap from the

bowl ushes into connection in wall. Bowl

molded so base rests on oor.

water closet, blow-out closet bowl (wa-ter

clos-et blow-out clos-et bowl) blow-out

denotes ushing action of bowl trap by

inducing large amounts of water through

jet in trap seal.

water closet, close-coupled tank (wa-ter

clos-et, close coup-led tank) tank bolted

to bowl; no interconnections such as a

ush pipe or ell.

water closet, corner installation reverse

trap closet (wa-ter clos-et, cor-ner

in-stall-a-tion re-verse trap clos-et)

corner-triangular shape of ushing tank.

Reverse-way trap of bowl washes.

water closet, oor-mounted (wa-ter clos-

et, oor moun-ted) outlet of bowl trap

empties downward through base.

water closet ushing valve (wa-ter clos-et

ush-ing valve) commonly called “ball

cock”. Used to control water level in ush

tank by the action of rise or fall of oat

ball, attached to fulcrum arm to open and

close valve.

166

watercloset,ushvalve water gauge column

water closet, ush valve (wa-ter clos-et,

ush valve) a ushing device used in

toilet tanks to actuate the motion of

ushing water.

water closet, frostproof (wa-ter clos-et,

frost-proof) pressurized tank and hopper

type bowl. Trap installed below frost line.

Water to ll tank for ushing actuated by

movement of hopper seat.

water closet nipple (wa-ter clos-et nip-ple)

the nipple which carries the euent from

a water closet into the waste line. Usually

threaded on one end, plain on the other.

Water closet nipple for a wall hung closet

is usually threaded on both ends.

water closet, one-piece closet combination

(wa-ter clos-et, one-piece clos-et comb-

in-a-tion) tank and bowl molded as

one unit; the ushing device of special

construction.

water closet, range (wa-ter clos-et, range)

a battery of seats placed close together or

one continuous opening in a seat with

all placed above a single water bearing

trough, or receptacle, designed to receive

human excrement.

water closet, reverse trap combination

(wa-ter clos-et, re-ver-se trap comb-

in-a-tion) tank and bowl referred to as

combination. Reverse way trap of bowl

washes.

water closet, seat bumpers (wa-ter clos-et,

seat bump-ers) spacers made of rubber, or

plastic, used on toilet (water closet) seats

to act as shock absorbers between the seat

and toilet.

water closet, siphon jet closet combination

(wa-ter clos-et, si-phon jet clos-et comb-

in-a-tion) tank and bowl referred to

as combination. Siphon action of trap

created by water jet in trap of bowl.

water closet, siphon jet elongated closet

bowl (wa-ter clos-et, si-phon jet e-lon-

ga-ted clos-et bowl) elongated pattern of

mold of top part of bowl. Siphon action of

trap created by jet in trap of bowl.

water closet, wall-hung (wa-ter clos-et,

wall hung) 1. trap of bowl ushes into

connection in wall with special support

to fasten toilet, as no part rests on oor.

2. a wall-mounted water closet installed

in such a way that no part of the water

closet touches the oor.

water closet, washdown (wa-ter clos-et,

wash-down) washdown-trap in bowl

washed by ooding trap from ushing

rim.

water-coil heater (wa-ter-coil heat-er) a

series of pipes conveying water to which

heat is applied.

water, cold (wa-ter, cold) See COLD

WATER.

water cooler (wa-ter cool-er) 1. a tank or

container in which water is cooled, stored

and dispensed through the necessary heat

transfer equipment. 2. a tank containing

articially cooled drinking water.

water distributing pipe (wa-ter dis-tri-

bu-ting pipe) a pipe within the building

or on the premises which conveys water

from the water service pipe to the point of

usage.

waterfront (wa-ter-front) a portion of a

stove used to heat water; either a gravity

vessel, or a cored-out casting with the

water under pressure. See WATERBACK.

water gas, carbureted or enriched (wa-ter

gas, car-bu-ret-ted or en-riched) blue

water gas which has been enriched by

passing it through a carburetor into which

gas oil is sprayed. Usually mixed with coal

gas to form town gas.

water gauge cock (wa-ter gauge cock)

angle-type valve with a opening in the

vertical to receive glass tube in which the

level of liquid may be observed.

water gauge column (wa-ter gauge col-

umn) the vertical, transparent member

of a water gauge in which the uid level

may be observed.

167

water hammer

 watersoftener

water hammer (wa-ter ham-mer) 1. a

concussion, or sound of concussion,

of moving water against the sides of a

containing pipe or vessel on a sudden

stoppage of ow. 2. a pressure that results

from a sudden deceleration of ow of

water in a closed pipe. 3. the term used to

identify the hammering noises and severe

shocks that may occur in a pressurized

water supply system when ow is halted

abruptly by the rapid closure of a valve

or faucet.

water hammer arrester (wa-ter ham-

mer ar-rest-er) 1. a device to absorb

hydraulic shock. 2. a device other than

an air chamber or calculated air chamber

designed to provide continuous protection

against excessive surge pressure without

maintenance. Also called a shock arrester.

water heater (wa-ter heat-er) an appliance

for supplying hot water for domestic or

commercial purposes other than for space

heating. A domestic storage heater is a

water heater that heats and stores water at

a thermostatically controlled temperature

for delivery on demand.

water heater drain valve (wa-ter heat-er

drain valve) a valve through which water

stored in a water heater may be drained

from the tank or by which water may

be held within the tank as desired. See

BOILER DRAIN.

water inch (wa-ter inch) the discharge

from a circular orice one inch in diameter

which is commonly estimated at fourteen

pints per minute and constitutes an old

hydraulic measure.

water lifts (wa-ter lifts) See SEWAGE

EJECTOR.

waterlogged (wat-er logged) the condition

of an air chamber when all, or part, of

its normal air content has been replaced

by water.

water main (wa-ter main) 1.a principal

water supply pipe to one, or more,

buildings including water for fire

protection. 2. a pipe used to convey

public water supply.

water meter (wa-ter me-ter) a mechanical

device to measure volume of water.

water meter riser (wa-ter me-ter ris-er) a

pipe to, or from, a meter; vertical position.

water outlet (wa-ter out-let) a water

outlet, as used in connection with the

water distributing system, is the discharge

opening for the water. a) to a xture;

b) to atmospheric pressure (except into

an open tank which is part of the water

supply system); c) to a boiler or heating

system; d) to any water-operated device

or equipment requiring water to operate,

but not a part of the plumbing system.

water, potable (wa-ter, po-ta-ble) See

POTABLE WATER.

water purveyor (wa-ter pur-ve-yor) 1.

any agency charged with the delivery,

distribution and protection of potable

water to the consumer. 2. the municipal

water department, water board, public

service district or other administrative

authority invested with the authority and

responsibility for the implementation of

a cross connection control program and

for the enforcement of the provisions of

the ordinance.

water rise (wa-ter rise) the maximum rise

of water in inches (mm) observed in a

transparent tube attached to the outlet

end of a vacuum breaker, measured

with reference to the water level in a

receptacle in which the transparent tube is

submerged in water open to atmospheric

pressure, while specic conditions of a

vacuum exist on the supply or inlet side of

the device during test proceedings.

water riser pipe (wa-ter ris-er pipe) a

principal, vertical water supply pipe, hot

or cold, supplied from the bottom or

from the top.

water service pipe (wa-ter ser-vice pipe)

the pipe from the water main or principal

source of water supply to the water

distributing system of the building.

water softener (wa-ter soft-en-er) a tank

containing zeolite, or strontium, mineral

used to remove the hardness from water.

168

water supervisor welding cap

water supervisor (wa-ter su-per-vi-sor)

the consumer or person on the premises

appointed by the consumer, charged

with the responsibility of maintaining

the consumer’s water system(s) free from

cross-connections and other sanitary

defects, as required by regulations and

laws.

water supplier (wa-ter sup-plier) 1.

the public/private owner or operator

of a potable water distribution system

that supplies water to consumers in

compliance with the requirements of the

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). 2. an

organization that is engaged in producing

and/or distributing potable water.

water supply (wa-ter sup-ply) 1. the

sources of water for public, or private, use.

2. the furnishing of a good, potable water

under pressure for domestic, commercial,

industrial and public service and an

adequate quantity of water under pressure

for re ghting.

water supply plaster stub opening (wa-

ter sup-ply plas-ter stub open-ing) See

FIXTURE OPENING.

water supply system (wa-ter sup-ply sys-

tem) the water service pipe, the water

distributing pipes, and the necessary

connecting pipes, ttings, control valves,

and all appurtenances in, or adjacent to,

the building or premises.

water test (wa-ter test) a testing procedure

using water to locate potential leaks, or

defects, and to determine the soundness

of a system.

waterborne disease (wa-ter-borne

dis-ease) any disease that is primarily

transmitted through water, for example

typhoid, cholera, giardiasis.

watertight joint (wa-ter-tight joint) See

SEALING RING.

water way (wa-ter way) 1. the aperature, or

passageway, through which water ows. 2.

water way of a closet. 3. the passage way

for waste through the water closet.

water well casing (wa-ter well cas-ing)

the tube which is used to line or encase

a drilled well.

W.C. Abbr. for Water Closet.

W.C.O. Abbr. for Wall Clean Out.

wedge (wedge) 1. a piece of material (as

wood or metal) tapering to a thin edge

used for splitting wood, rocks, for raising

heavy bodies and by being driven into a

space between objects for tightening. 2. a

lump, or mass, of something solid. 3. the

type of cutting and piercing machinery

formerly classed as a mechanical power.

wedge gate valve (wedge gate valve) a gate

valve in which the sliding disc which shuts

o the ow of water is in the shape of a

triangular wedge or spade. See GATE

VALVE.

weeper (weep-er) See SPARGE PIPE.

weir (weir) 1. a dam in a stream to raise

the water level or direct its ow. 2. a

notch in a levee, or other barrier, across

or bordering a stream to regulate the ow

of water (as in time of ood). 3. a device

for determining the quantity of the depth

of water over the crest, or sill, of known

dimensions of the device.

weld (weld) the joint formed by welding.

welded joint (burned) [weld-ed joint

(burned)] shall be uniformly fused

together into one continuous piece. e

thickness of the joint shall be at least as

thick as the lead being used. e ller

metal shall be of the same material as

the pipe.

welding (weld-ing) the art of joining metals

by heating to a plastic, or uid, state and/

or pounding while in contact until they

ow together and adhere with. Wthout

the addition of other molten metals by

hammering or compressing with, or

without, previous softening by heat.

welding cap (weld-ing cap) a closure over

the outside end of a pipe, or tube, to seal

same; held in place by welding.

169

weld iron

wire brush

weld iron (weld i-ron) iron made without

complete fusion.

well casing (well cas-ing) the tubular lining

of a bored, or drilled, well. Usually a light

wall steel tube.

well, drilled (well, drilled) a well

constructed by making a hole in the

ground with a drilling machine of any

type and installing metal casing.

well, driven (well, driv-en) a well

constructed by driving a pipe into the

ground. e drive pipe is usually tted

with a well point and screen on bottom

section.

well, dug (well, dug) a well constructed

by excavating a large diameter shaft to

the water table in the ground and lining

walls with a casing of metal or masonry.

well water (well wa-ter) water produced

from a well. Abbr. W W.

wet column (wet col-umn) a structural

building column beside or within which

water, waste, and vent piping is located.

wet standpipe (wet stand-pipe) a vertical

pipe that is part of a re extinguishing,

or re ghting, system containing either

chemicals or water and kept lled at all

times.

wet vent (wet vent) a pipe vented and

serving as a waste for a xture at a higher

elevation and connected into the drain of

a lower xture. Any waste pipe which also

serves as a vent, on the same oor level.

W.F. Abbr. for Wash Fountain.

W.H. Abbr. for Wall Hydrant.

whirlpool bath (whirl-pool bath) a

hospital plumbing xture for immersion

of the extremities, or entire body, in a bath

of water in rapid motion by use of water

jets. Abbr. WPB.

whirlpool bathtub (whirl-pool bath-

tub) a plumbing appliance consisting

of a bathtub xture which is equipped

and tted with a circular piping system,

pump, and other appurtenances and is so

designed to accept, circulate and discharge

the water from the bathtub after each use.

whiskey stick (whis-key stick) a spirit level

usually with an alcohol lled levelling

tube.

white metal (white met-al) 1. any of several

lead or tin-base bearing metals. 2. any

of several white alloys. See BRITANIA

METAL; PEWTER.

Whitworth thread form (whit-worth

thread form) a “V” thread form developed

in Britain by Sir Joseph Whitworth in the

19th century. Used for pipe and ttings

in England. See BRITISH STANDARD

TAPER PIPE THREADS.

wicking (wick-ing) 1. material made

especially for wicks. 2. a loosely braided,

or woven, cord, tape or tube of cotton.

Used for making joints tight.

wicking asbestos (wick-ing as-bes-tos) See

ASBESTOS PACKING.

wiped joint (wiped joint) a water and/or

gas tight joint between the ends of two

pipes, formed manually by forming and

fusing a ball of molten solder about the

ends of the two pipes.

wiping cloth (wip-ing cloth) a fabric pad

used in forming molten solder joints.

wiping ferrule (wip-ing fer-rule) a tube

with one end equipped with a raised edge.

e other end is plain. Sometimes called

a wiping sleeve.

wiping sleeve (wip-ing sleeve) See

WIPING FERRULE.

wiping solder (wip-ing sol-der) a lead

and block tin alloy of 60% lead and 40%

block tin.

wiping thimble (wip-ing thim-ble) See

WIPING FERRULE.

wire brush (wire brush) a hand operated,

or power-driven, tool composed of wire

bristles set into a back, handle, or attached

to a roller and designed, or adapted, for

uses as scrubbing, smoothing, etc.

170

wire hook  wye

wire hook (wire hook) a holding device

made of wire in a return bend shape with

each end bent at 90° and as sharpened

as a nail.

wood chisel (wood chis-el) a tool; a sti

bar of metal sharpened at one end. It

has a handle so that it may be pushed or

hammered on the other end to cut, shape

or sever wood.

wool, lead (wool, lead) See LEAD WOOL.

wool, rock (wool, rock) See ROCK

WOOL.

working pressure (work-ing pres-sure)

the maximum pressure in a water piping

system or its appurtenances allowable

under normal working conditions (i.e.:

the maximum pressure a storage tank can

be subjected to under normal working

conditions).

workmanship (work-man-ship) work of

such character that will fully secure the

desired or needed results.

W.P. a notation which could mean: water

pipe, working pressure, water pressure,

depending on context depending on

association with other sections of the

sentence structure plans or print.

WPB Abbr. for Whirlpool Bath.

wrench (wrench) 1. an implement with a

vise, socket or opening adapted to turn,

or twist, mechanical parts. 2. a hand tool

that usually consists of a bar, or lever, with

adjustable jaws, lugs or socket either at the

ends or between the ends used for holding,

twisting, or turning a bolt, nut, screwhead,

pipe, or other object. 3. a power tool for

similar purposes. See BASIN WRENCH;

END WRENCH.

wrought copper ttings (wrought cop-per

t-tings) copper pipe ttings formed by

applying pressure in a die on a tube or a

at strip of copper metal. Compare with

“cast copper ttings”. Sometimes spelled

“Wrot”.

wrought iron (wrought i-ron) a commercial

form of iron that is rough, malleable, and

relatively soft and contains less than 0.3%

of slag mechanically mixed with it. See

MALLEABLE IRON.

wrought iron nipple (wrought iron nip-

ple) a malleable, steel material cut in

short lengths (under 1 foot in length)

and threaded.

wrought iron pipe (wrought i-ron pipe)

form of iron, tough, malleable, soft.

Contains a very small percentage of

carbon and has slag mixed with it.

wrought steel nipple (wrought steel nip-

ple) ordinary carbon steel pipe cut in

short lengths (under 1 foot in lengh) and

threaded.

W.W. Abbr. for Well Water.

wye (wye) a fitting that has one side

opening set at less than 90° angle. See

INCREASER; REDUCER; TEE.

171

X.H.  X-raydevelopingtank

X.H. Abbr. for Extra Heavy.

x-ray developing tank (x-ray de-vel-

op-ing tank) a container made of acid

resisting materials with sectional dividers

that contain chemical agents to sensitize

surface of lm and bring out image.

172

yardcatchbasin  yokevent

yard catch basin (yard catch ba-sin) an

interceptor of stone, block, brick or clay

tile construction to gather and prevent

large objects from entering the sewerage

system.

yard hydrant (yard hy-drant) a type of

lawn faucet. See HYDRANT.

yarn (yarn) the thread in the form of a

loosely twisted aggregate of bers (e.g. as

of hemp, of which rope is made.)

yarning iron (yarn-ing iron) 1. a blunt

caulking iron usually with a thin oset

blade. 2. an oset handle tool for inserting

and packing yarn, jute, etc., in the annulus

of ttings, etc.

yellow ame burner (yel-low ame burn-

er) (water heater) a burner in which

secondary air only is depended on for the

combustion of the gas.

yoke (yolk) 1. the collar by which a lead

pipe is secured to its support. 2. a pipe

with two branches uniting them to form

on stem. 3. a vertical connection between

a branch waste line or wet vent and a

continuous vent stack.

yoke vent (yolk vent) 1. a vertical, or 45°,

relief vent of the continuous waste-and-

vent type formed by the extension of an

upright wye-branch inlet of the horizontal

branch to the stack. It becomes a dual

yoke vent when two horizontal branches

are vented by the same relief vent. Its

purpose is to prevent pressure changes in

the stacks. 2. a pipe connecting upward

from a soil, or waste stack, to a vent stack

for the purpose of preventing pressure

changes in the stack. Same as yoke as

applied to vent piping.

173

zeolite “z” wrench

zeolite (ze-o-lite) a chemical compound

so imperfectly bound together that its

composition will change in accordance

with the concentration of chemicals

in the solution in its presence. See

GLAUCONITE; GREEN SAND.

zone (zone) 1. any division of a planetary

surface bounded by two encircling

parallels. 2. a region, or area, set o, or

characterized, as distinct from surrounding

or adjoining parts. 3. one of the sections,

or divisions, of an area created for a

particular purpose. 4. to surround with,

or include within, a zone or band. 5. to

arrange in, or mark o, into zones.

zone tank (zone tank) a tank connected

or intended to serve or service a specic

section or circuit.

zone valve (zone valve) a device by which

the ow of liquids, air and gas may be

started, stopped or regulated by a movable

part which opens ,or obstructs, passage to

a specic section or circuit.

zooglea/zoogloea (zo-o-gle-a/ zo-o-gloe-a)

a jelly like matrix developed by bacteria.

Usually associated with activated sludge

growths in biological beds.

“z” wrench (z wrench) a tool in the form of

a letter z. Common use is for a household

food waste disposer, unjammer.

174

About ASSE International

ASSEInternationalisanANSIaccreditedstandardsdeveloperandproduct

certicationbodycomprisedofindividualandsustainingmemberswho

representalldisciplinesoftheplumbingandmechanicalindustries.Itsmission

istocontinuallyimprovetheperformance,reliabilityandsafetyofplumbing

andmechanicalsystems.ASSE’sproductperformancestandards,professional

qualicationsstandards,professionalcerticationandproductlistingprograms

aredevelopedintheinterestofpublichealthandsafety.ASSE’smotto,

“PreventionRatherthanCure,”hasguidedtheorganizationforover100years.

ASSEInternationalmaintainsmorethan50productperformancestandards,

rangingfromdoublecheckandreducedpressurebackowpreventersto

dielectricpipeunions,withmanymoreinthedevelopmentstages.ASSE’s

productstandardsareminimumperformancerequirementsforcomponent

partsoftheplumbingsystem.Thesestandardsdetailhowaproductisintended

tofunctionundernormaloperatingconditions,nothowitisdesignedor

manufactured.ASSEalsohasmultipleprofessionalqualicationsstandards,

jointlydevelopedwiththeInternationalAssociationofPlumbingandMechanical

Ofcials(IAPMO),includingtheASSE/IAPMOANSISeries5000,

Cross-ConnectionControlProfessionalQualicationsStandard,andthe

ASSE/IAPMO/ANSISeries6000,ProfessionalQualicationsStandards

forMedicalGasSystemsPersonnel.

ASSEstandardsaredevelopedandrevisedundertheANSIaccredited

standards development process.

TheASSEProductListingProgramisanANSIaccreditedthirdpartycertication

bodywhichoperatesinaccordancewithISOGuide65.Withmorethan1,000

productlistings,thisprogramiscontinuallyevolvingandgrowingtomeetthe

needsoftheplumbingindustry.ASSE’sdirectoryoflistingsisavailablefreeof

chargeandupdatedonlinedaily.Thispermitsbothmembersandnonmembers

toreferenceASSE’sProductListingDirectoryduringthedesign,installationor

inspectionprocess.TheASSESealgivesinspectors,codeofcials,customers

anduserscondenceoftheproduct’sperformancewithintheplumbingsystem

175

Inadditiontocertifyingplumbingandmechanicalproducts,ASSEInternational

isalsoathirdpartycertierforprofessionalsintheplumbingandmechanical

industries.Cross-connectioncontrolprofessionals,medicalgaspersonneland

installers/inspectorsofresidentialpotablewaterreprotectionsystemsmay

becertiedtooneormoreofthestandardswithintheASSE/IAPMO/ANSI

professionalqualicationstandards.Eachindividualmustpassbothawritten

and a practical examination on the criteria established in the course outline.

ASSEInternational’smembershipisacross-sectionoftheplumbingand

mechanicalindustries,includingcontractors,engineers,inspectors,journeymen,

apprentices,manufacturersandmanyothers.Thisuniquecompositiongives

memberstheopportunitytoexchangeideasandprovidesaforumwhere

allsidescanexpresstheirviews.Nootherindustrygroupprovidessucha

widerangeofinformation.BenetsofASSEmembershipincludethemonthly

eNewsletterandBackowPrevent&PlumbingStandards(BPPS)magazine,

discountsonallpublicationorders,votingrightsatAnnualMeetings

andnetworkingopportunitiesinallsegmentsoftheplumbingand

mechanical industries.

Since1906,themotto,“PreventionRatherThanCure,”hasguidedASSE’s

activitiesinawiderangeofprogramsdesignedtoeducatetheindustryandthe

publiconthenecessityofcorrectplumbinginstallations.

176

°F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C

-60.0

-50.0

-40.0

-30.0

-20.0

-10.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

11.0

12.0

13.0

14.0

15.0

16.0

1 7.0

18.0

19.0

20.0

21.0

22.0

23.0

24.0

25.0

26.0

27. 0

28.0

29.0

30.0

31.0

32.0

33.0

34.0

35.0

36.0

37. 0

38.0

39.0

-51.1

-46.6

-40.0

-34.4

-28.9

-23.3

-17.8

-17.2

-16.7

-16.1

-15.6

-15.0

-14.4

-13.9

-13.3

-12.8

-12.2

-11.7

-11.1

-10.6

-10.0

-9.4

-8.9

-8.3

-7. 8

-7. 2

-6.7

-6.1

-5.6

-5.0

-4.4

-3.9

-3.3

-2.8

-2.2

-1.7

-1.1

-0.6

0.6

1.1

1.7

2.2

2.8

3.3

3.9

40.0

41.0

42.0

43.0

44.0

45.0

46.0

47.0

48.0

49.0

50.0

51.0

52.0

53.0

54.0

55.0

56.0

57. 0

58.0

59.0

60.0

61.0

62.0

63.0

64.0

65.0

66.0

67. 0

68.0

69.0

70.0

71.0

72.0

73.0

74.0

75.0

76.0

7 7. 0

78.0

79.0

80.0

81.0

82.0

83.0

84.0

85.0

4.4

5.0

5.6

6.1

3.7

7. 2

7. 8

8.3

8.9

9.4

10.0

10.6

11.1

11.7

12.2

12.8

13.3

13.9

14.4

15.0

15.6

16.1

16.7

17.2

17.8

18.3

18.9

19.4

20.0

20.6

21.1

21.7

22.2

22.8

23.3

23.9

24.4

25.0

25.6

26.1

26.7

27. 2

27. 8

28.3

28.9

29.4

86.0

87. 0

88.0

89.0

90.0

91.0

92.0

93.0

94.0

95.0

96.0

97. 0

98.0

99.0

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

144

145

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

154

155

156

157

158

159

160

161

162

163

164

165

166

167

168

169

170

171

172

173

174

175

176

177

178

179

180

181

182

183

184

185

186

187

188

189

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

198

199

200

201

202

203

204

205

206

207

208

209

210

211

212

213

214

215

220

230

240

250

260

270

280

290

300

310

320

330

340

350

360

370

380

390

400

410

420

430

440

450

460

470

480

490

500

525

550

575

600

625

650

675

700

725

750

775

800

825

850

875

900

925

950

975

1000

30.0

30.6

31.1

31.7

32.2

32.8

33.3

33.9

34.4

35.0

35.6

36.1

36.7

37. 2

37. 8

38.3

38.9

39.4

40.0

40.6

41.1

41.7

42.2

42.8

43.3

43.9

44.4

45.0

45.6

46.1

46.7

47. 2

47. 8

48.3

48.9

49.4

50.0

50.6

51.1

51.7

52.2

52.8

53.3

53.9

54.4

55.0

55.6

56.1

56.7

57. 2

57. 8

58.3

58.9

59.4

60.0

60.6

61.1

61.7

62.2

62.8

63.3

63.9

64.4

65.0

65.6

66.1

66.7

67. 2

67. 8

68.3

68.9

69.4

70.0

70.6

71.1

71.7

72.2

72.8

73.3

73.9

74.4

75.0

75.6

76.1

76.7

7 7. 2

7 7. 8

78.3

78.9

79.4

80.0

80.6

81.1

81.7

82.2

82.8

83.3

83.9

84.4

85.0

85.6

86.1

86.7

87. 2

87. 8

88.3

88.9

89.4

90.0

90.6

91.1

91.7

92.2

92.8

93.3

93.9

94.4

95.0

95.6

96.1

96.7

97. 2

97. 8

98.3

98.9

99.4

100

100.6

101.1

101.7

104.4

110.0

115.6

121.1

126.7

132.2

137.8

143.3

148.9

154.4

160.0

165.6

171.1

176.7

182.2

187.8

193.3

198.9

204.4

210.0

215.6

221.1

226.7

232.2

237. 8

243.3

248.9

254.4

260.0

273.9

287. 8

301.7

315.6

329.4

334.3

357. 2

371.1

385.0

39.8.9

412.8

426.7

441.0

454.4

468.3

482.2

496.1

510.0

523.9

537. 8

Appendix A

TemperatureConversionTable–FahrenheittoCelsius

177

Appendix B

GeneralConversionFactors

Feet/min. 0.01136 Miles/hr.

Feet/min 0.00508 Meter/sec.

Feet/sec. 0.6818 Miles/hr.

Feet/sec. 0.01136 Miles/min.

Feet/sec. 0.3048 Meter/sec.

Fluidounces 29.57 milliliter

Gallons 0.3785 Cubiccentimeters

Gallons 0.1337 Cubicfeet

Gallons 231 Cubicinches

Gallons 4 Quarts(liq.)

Gallons 3.785 Liter

Gallonswater 8.33 Poundsofwater

Gallons/min. 0.002228 Cubicfeet/sec.

Gallons/min. 8.0208 Cu.ft./hr.

Gallons/min.(GPM) 3.785 Liters/min.

Gallons/min.(GPM) 0.063 Liters/sec.

Gallonswater/min. 6.0086 Tonswater/24hours

Inches 2.540 Centimeters

Inches 25.4 Millimeters

Inchesofmercury 0.03342 Atmospheres

Inchesofmercury 1.133 Feetofwater

Inchesofmercury 0.4912 Lbs./sq.inch

Inchesofwater 0.002458 Atmospheres

Inchesofwater 0.07355 Inchesofmercury

Inchesofwater 5.202 Lbs./sq.ft.

Inchesofwater 0.03613 Lbs./sq.inch

Kilogramforce 9.807 Newton

Liters 1000 Cubiccentimeters

Liters 61.02 Cubicinches

Liters 0.2642 Gallons

Meters 3.281 Feet

MULTIPLY BY TO OBTAIN

178

MULTIPLY BY TO OBTAIN

Acres 43,560 Squarefeet

Acre-feet 43,560 Cubicfeet

Acre-feet 325,851 Gallons

Atmospheres 76.0 Cms.ofmercury

Atmospheres 29.92 Inchesofmercury

Atmospheres 33.90 Feetofwater

Atmospheres 14.70 Lbs./sq.inch

B.T.U./min. 12.96 Foot-lbs./sec.

B.T.U./min. 0.02356 Horse-power

Celsius 9/5x°C+32 Fahrenheit

Centimeters 0.3937 Inches

Centimetersofmercury 0.01316 Atmospheres

Centimetersofmercury 0.4461 Feetofwater

Centimetersofmercury 27.85 Lbs./sq.ft.

Centimetersofmercury 0.1934 Lbs./sq.inch

Cubicinches 16.387 Cubiccentimeters

Cubicfeet 1728 Cubicinches

Cubicfeet 0.03704 Cubicyards

Cubicfeet 7.48052 Gallons

Cubicfeet 29.92 Quarts(liq.)

Cubicfeet/minute 472.0 Cubiccms./sec.

Cubicfeet/minute 0.1247 Gallons/sec.

Cubicfeet/minute 62.43 Poundsofwater/min.

Cubicfeet/second 0.646317 Milliongals./day

Cubicfeet/second 448.831 Gallons/min.

Cubicyards 27 Cubicfeet

Cubicyards 202.0 Gallons

Fahrenheit 5/9(x°F-32) Celsius

Feet 0.3048 Meters

Feetofwater 0.02950 Atmospheres

Feetofwater 0.8826 Inchesofmercury

Feetofwater 62.43 Lbs./sq.ft.

Feetofwater 0.4335 Lbs./sq.inch

Feet/min. 0.01667 Feet/sec.

179

MULTIPLY BY TO OBTAIN

Miles 5280 Feet

Miles/hr. 88 Feet/min.

Miles/hr. 1.467 Feet/sec.

Millimeters 0.1 Centimeters

Millimeters 0.03937 Inches

Milliongal./day 1.54723 Cubicft./sec.

Poundforce 4.448 Newton

Pounds 0.45359 Kilograms

Poundsofwater 0.01602 Cubicfeet

Poundsofwater 27.68 Cubicinches

Poundsofwater 0.1198 Gallons

Pounds/cubicinch 1728 Lbs./cubicfoot

Pounds/sq.foot 0.01602 Feetofwater

Pounds/sq.inch 0.06804 Atmospheres

Pounds/sq.inch 2.307 Feetofwater

Pounds/sq.inch 2.036 Inchesofmercury

Pounds/sq.inch 6.895 Kilopascal

Quarts(dry) 67.20 Cubicinches

Quarts(liq.) 57.75 Cubicinches

Quarts 0.9464 Liters

Squareinches 645.2 Squaremillimeters

Squareinches 6.452 Squarecentimeters

Squarefeet 144 Squareinches

Squarefeet 0.09290 Squaremeters

Squaremiles 640 Acres

Squareyards 9 Squarefeet

Temp.(°C.)+273 1 Abs.Temp.(°C.)

Temp.(°C.)+17.28 1.8 Temp.(°F.)

Temp.(°F.)+460 1 Abs.Temp.(°F.)

Temp.(°F.)-32 5.9 Temp.(°C.)

Tons(short) 2000 Pounds

Tonsofwater/24hours 83.333 Poundswater/hour

Tonsofwater/24hours 0.16643 Gallons/min.

Tonsofwater/24hours 1.3349 Cu.ft./hr.

180

Inches 0 1/8 1/4 3/8

0.0000

0.0833

0.1667

0.2500

0.3333

0.4167

0.5000

0.5833

0.6667

0.7500

0.8333

0.9167

1.0000

0.0104

0.0937

0.1771

0.2604

0.3438

0.4271

0.5104

0.5938

0.6771

0.7604

0.8438

0.9271

---

0.0208

0.1042

0.1875

0.2708

0.3542

0.4375

0.5208

0.6042

0.6875

0.7708

0.8542

0.9375

---

0.0313

0.1146

0.1979

0.2813

0.2646

0.4479

0.5313

0.6146

0.6979

0.7813

0.8646

0.9479

---

Inches 1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8

0.0417

0.1250

0.2083

0.2917

0.3750

0.4583

0.5417

0.6250

0.7083

0.7917

0.8750

0.9583

---

0.0521

0.1354

0.2188

0.3021

0.3854

0.4688

0.5521

0.6354

0.7188

0.8021

0.8854

0.9688

---

0.0625

0.1458

0.2292

0.3125

0.3958

0.4792

0.5625

0.6458

0.7292

0.8125

0.8958

0.9792

---

0.0729

0.1563

0.2396

0.3229

0.4063

0.4896

0.5729

0.6563

0.7396

0.8229

0.9063

0.9896

---

To convert to feet (or decimal of a foot) do the following:

= decimal equivalent of a foot

(inches + decimal fraction )

Appendix C

InchesandFractionsExpressedinDecimalsofaFoot

181

1/64 = 0.015625

1/32 = 0.03125

3/64 = 0.046875

1/16 = 0.0625

5/64 = 0.078125

3/32 = 0.09375

7/64 = 0.109375

1/8 = 0.125

9/64 = 0.140625

5/32 = 0.15625

11/64 = 0.171875

3/16 = 0.1875

13/64 = 0.203125

7/32 = 0.21875

15/64 = 0.234375

1/4 = 0.25

17/64 = 0.265625

9/32 = 0.28125

19/64 = 0.296875

5/16 = 0.3125

21/64 = 0.328125

11/32 = 0.34375

23/64 = 0.359375

3/8 = 0.375

25/64 = 0.390625

13/32 = 0.40625

27/64 = 0.421875

7/16 = 0.4375

29/64 = 0.453125

15/32 = 0.46875

31/64 = 0.484375

1/2 = 0.5

33/64 = 0.515625

17/32 = 0.53125

35/64 = 0.546875

9/16 = 0.5625

37/64 = 0.578125

19/32 = 0.59375

39/64 = 0.609375

5/8 = 0.625

41/64 = 0.640625

21/32 = 0.65625

43/64 = 0.671875

11/16 = 0.6875

45/64 = 0.703125

23/32 = 0.71875

47/64 = 0.734375

3/4 = 0.75

49/64 = 0.765625

25/32 = 0.78125

51/64 = 0.796875

13/16 = 0.8125

53/64 = 0.828125

27/32 = 0.84375

55/64 = 0.859375

7/8 = 0.875

57/64 = 0.890625

29/32 = 0.90625

59/64 = 0.921875

15/16 = 0.9375

61/64 = 0.953125

31/32 = 0.96875

63/64 = 0.984375

Appendix D

DecimalEquivalents

182

Liquid Measure or

Weight

U.S. Gallon

Imperial Gallon

U.S. Pint

U.S. Pound Water *

U.S. Cubic Foot

U.S. Cubic Inch

Liter

Cubic Meter

U.S.

Gallon

1.0

1.2009

0.125

0.11995

7. 48 0 52

0.004329

0.2641779

264.170

Imperial

Gallon

0.833

1.0

0.1041

0.1

6.22888

0.00361

0.2199756

219.969

U.S. Pint

8.0

9.60752

1.0

0.9596

59.8442

0.034632

2.113423

2113.34

U.S. Pound

Water*

8.337

10.0

1.042

1.0

62.365

0.03609

2.202

2202.0

Liquid Measure or

Weight

U.S. Gallon

Imperial Gallon

U.S. Pint

U.S. Pound Water *

U.S. Cubic Foot

U.S. Cubic Inch

Liter

Cubic Meter

U.S. Cubic

Foot

0.13368

0.16054

0.01671

0.016035

1.0

0.0005787

0.0353154

35.31446

U.S. Cubic

Inch

231.0

27 7. 42

28.875

27. 70 8

1728.0

1.0

61.02509

61023.38

Liter

3.78533

4.54596

0.473166

0.45405

28.31702

0.016387

1.0

999.972

Cubic

Meter

0.003785

0.004546

0.000473

0.000454

0.028317

0.0000164

0.001000

1.0

*Water at 60.0 °F

1 Barrel = 42 gallons (petroleum measure)

Problem:

10 U.S. Gallons equals how many Imperial Gallons?

Solution:

The Imperial Gallon equivalent of 1 U.S. Gallon is 0.833.

Then, 10 x 0.833 = 8.33 Imperial Gallons.

Appendix E

EquivalentsofLiquidMeasuresandWeights

183

Pressure or Head

lb./in.

lb./ft.

Atmospheres

kg/cm

kg/m

in water*

ft. water*

in mercury**

mm mercury **

lb./in.

1.0

0.0069445

14.696

14.2234

0.001422

0.036092

0.433103

0.491157

0.0193368

lb./ft.

144.0

1.0

2116.22

2048.17

0.204817

5.1972

62.3668

70.7266

2.78450

Atmospheres

0.68046

0.000473

1.0

0.96784

0.0000968

0.002456

0.029471

0.033421

0.0013158

kg/m

703.067

4.88241

10332.27

10000.0

1.0

25.375

304.50

345.316

13.59509

kg/cm

0.070307

0.000488

1.0332

1.0

0.0001

0.00253

0.03045

0.03453

Pressure or Head

lb./in.

lb./ft.

Atmospheres

kg/cm

kg/m

in water*

ft. water*

in mercury**

mm mercury **

in.

water

(60.0 °F)

27. 707

0.19241

407.17

394.08

0.03941

1.0

12.0

13.608

0.535764

ft.

water

(60.0 °F)

2.3039

0.01603

33.931

32.840

0.003284

0.08333

1.0

1.1340

0.044647

in.

mercury

(32.0 °F)

2.03601

0.014139

29.921

28.959

0.002896

0.073483

0.88180

1.0

0.03937

mercury

(32.0 °F)

51.7148

0.35913

760.0

735.559

0.073556

1.8665

22.3980

25.40005

1.0

*Water at 60.0 °F ** Mercury at 32.0 °F

Problem:

10 inches of water equals how many inches of mercury?

Solution:

1 inch of water is equal to 0.073483 inch mercury.

Then, 10 x 0.073483 = 0.73483 inch mercury.

Tons of water/24 hours ..................... 1.3349 ................................................... Cu. ft./hr.

To convert from one set of units to another, locate the given unit in the left hand

column, and multiply the numerical value by the factor shown

horizontally to the right, under the set of units desired.

Appendix F

EquivalentsofPressureandHead

184

Onehorsepower=33,000ft.poundsperminute

CubicFeetperSecond=GPM/449

VelocityinFeetperSecond=

VelocityinFeetperMinuteNecessarytoDischarge

aGivenVolumeofWaterinaGivenTime =

AreaofRequiredPipe,VolumeandVelocityofWaterBeingGiven=

VelocityHead(orheadduetovelocity)H= V=

G=AccelerationDuetoGravityor32.16FeetperSecondperSecond.

Agallon(U.S.Standard)ofwatercontains

231cubicinchesandweighs8.345

pounds(avoirdupois)atmaximum

densityandatnormaltemperatures.

Agallon(BritishImperial)ofwater

contains277.418cubicinchesand

weights10.022pounds(avoirdupois)at

maximumdensity.

TondBritishImperialgallons,multiply

theU.S.gallonsby0.833.

TondU.S.gallons,multiplytheBritish

Imperialgallonsby1.201.

Acubicfootofwatercontains7.482

gallonsorapproximately7

gallons,

1728cubicinches,andweighs62.428

pounds(avoirdupois)atmaximum

densityandat39.2degreesFahrenheit.

Theheightofacolumnofwaternecessary

toproduceapressureofonepoundper

squareinchis2.309feet.

Tondthepressureinpoundspersquare

inchofacolumnoffreshwater,multiply

theheightinfeetby0.433.

1,000,000U.S.gallonsperday-695U.

S. gallons per minute.

Poundsperhour

500xSpecicgravity

Gallons

per

Minute

(GPM)

449xCubicfeetpersecond

Poundsperminute

8.33xSpecicgravity

0.069xBoilerhorsepower

(approx.)

cubicfeetperminute

7.5

0.0292xBbl.perday

0.7xBbl.perhour

Head

Feet

PressureinPoundsPerSq.In.x2.31

SpecicGravity

1.13xInchesofMercury

SpecicGravity

Brake

Horse-

power

(BHP)

GPMxHeadinFeetxSp.Gr.

3960xPumpEfciency

Theoretical Horsepower

PumpEfciency

GPMxPoundsPerSq.In.

1715xPumpEfciency

HeadinFeetxSp.Gr.

2.31

Pressure

in Pounds

Per Sq. In.

GPMx0.32

AreaofPipeinSq.Inches

U.S.GPMx.408

(DiameterofPipeinInches)

Cu.Ft.x144

AreaofPipeinSq.Inches

Cu.Ft.x144

Vel.inFt.PerMinute

{

2GH

Appendix G

UsefulInformation

185

Linear Measure

12 inches (in) = 1 foot ft

3 feet = 1 yard yd

5.5 yards = 1 rod rd

10 rods = 1 furlong fur

8 furlongs = 1 mile mi

Square Measure

144 square inches (sq in) = 1 square foot sq ft

9 square feet = 1 square yard sq yd

30¼ square yards = 1 square rod sq rd

160 square rods = 1 acre A.

640 acres = 1 square mile sq

Cubic Measure

1.728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot cu ft

27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard cu yd

128 cubic feet = 1 cord cd

24½ cubic feet = 1 perch P

Measures of Angles or Area

60 seconds = 1 minute

60 minutes = 1 degree

90 degrees = 1 rt. angle or quadrant

360 degrees = 1 circle cir

360 degrees = 2 pi radians

Avoirdupois Weight

537.5 grains (gr) = 1 ounce oz

16 ounces = 1 pound lb

100 pounds = 1 hundredweight cwt

20 cwt., or 2,000 lbs. = 1 ton T

Long Ton Table

16 ounces = 1 pound lb

112 pounds = 1 hundredweight cwt

20 cwt., or 2,240 lbs. = 1 ton T

Troy Weight

24 grains (gr.) = 1 pennyweight

pwt.

20 pennyweights = 1 ounce oz.

12 ounces = 1 pound lb.

Dry Measure

2 pints (pt.) = 1 quart qt.

8 quarts = 1 peck pk.

4 pecks = 1 bushel bu.

Liquid Measure

4 gills (gi.) = 1 pint pt

2 pints = 1 quart qt.

4 quarts = 1 gallon gal.

31½ gallons = 1 barrel bbl.

2 barrels, or 63 gallons = 1 hogshead hhd.

42 gallons = 1 barrel bbl.

1 hhd. = 2 bbl. = 63 gal. = 252 qt. = 504 pt. = 2,016 gi.

The U. S. gallon contains 231 cu. in. = .134 cu. ft. nearly: or

1 cu. ft. contains 7.480 gal. The following cylinders contain

the given measures very closely.

Diameter (in) Height(in)

Gill 1

Pint 3

Quart 3

Gallon 7 14

8 gallons 14 12

10 gallons 14 15

With water at its maximum density (weighing 62.425 lb per

cu ft), a gallon of pure water weighs 8.345 lbs.

For approximations, 1 cu ft of water is considered equal to

gal, and 1 gal as weighing 8

lbs.

Miscellaneous Table

12 articles = 1 dozen

12 dozen = 1 gross

12 gross = 1 great gross

2 articles = 1 pair

20 articles = 1 score

24 sheets = 1 quire

20 quires = 1 ream

1 league = 3 miles

1 fathom = 6 feet

1 hand = 4 inches

1 palm = 3 inches

1 span = 9 inches

General Data – Weight and Measures

Appendix H

TablesandRules

186

Metric and English Measures

Measures of Length

Metric English

1.0 meter = 39.37 inches

1.0 meter = 3.28 feet

0.3048 meter = 1 foot

1.0 centimeter = 0.3937 inch

2.54 centimeters = 1.0 inch

1.0 millimeter = 0.03937 inch (~1/25“)

25.4 millimeters = 1.0 inch

1.0 kilometer = 1093.61 yards

Measures of Volume

Metric English

1.0 cubic meter = 35.314 cubic feet

0.02832 cubic meter = 1.0 cubic feet

10. cubic decimeter = 61.023 cubic inches

1.0 cubic decimeter = 0.0353 cubic foot

28.32 cubic decimeter = 1.0 cubic foot

16.387 cubic decimeter = 1.0 cubic inch

1.0 cubic centimeter = 0.061 cubic inch

Measures of Surface

Metric English

1.0 square meter = 10.764 square feet

0.0929 square meter = 1 square foot

1.0 square centimeter = 0.155 square inch

6.452 square centimeters = 1.0 square inch

1.0 square millimeter = 0.00155 square inch

645.2 square millimeters = .0 square inch

Measures of Weight

Metric English

28.35 grams = 1.0 ounce avoirdupois

1.0 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds

0.4536 kilogram = 1.0 pound

1.0 metric ton (1000 kg) = 0.9842 ton of 2240 lbs

1.0 metric ton (1000 kg) = 19.68 cwts, or 2204.6 lbs

1016 kilograms = 1 ton or 2240 pounds

(1.016 metric tons)

Measures of Capacity

1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter = 61.023 cubic inches

1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter = 0.0353 cubic foot

1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter = 0.2202 gallon - Imperial

1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter = 2.202 pounds of water

at 62.0 °F

28.317 liters = 1 cubic foot

(6.25 Imperial gallons)

4.543 liters = 1 gallon - Imperial

3.785 liters = 1 gallon - American

Miscellaneous

Metric English

1.0 gram per square millimeter = 1.422 Pounds per

square inch

1.0 kilograms per square = 1422.32 Pounds per

millimeter square inch

1.0 kilogram per square = 14.233 Pounds per

centimeter square inch

1.0335 kilogram per square = 14.7 Pounds per

centimeter square inch

1.0 atmosphere = 14.7 Pounds per

square inch

0.070308 kilogram per square = 1.0 Pound per

centimeter square inch

Weight of One Cubic Foot

of Pure Water

At 32.0 °F (freezing point) 62.418 lbs.

At 39.1 °F (maximum density) 62.425 lbs.

At 62.0 °F (standard temperature) 62.355 lbs.

At 212.0 °F (boiling point, under 59.76 lbs.

1 atmosphere)

Imperial gallon = 277.274 cubic inches

of water at 62.0 °F = 10 lbs.

American gallon = 231 cubic inches of water

at 62 °F = 8.3356 lbs.

General Data

1 Calorie = 3.968 Btu

1 Btu = 0.252 Calorie

1 lb per sq. in2 = 703.08 kilograms / m

1 Kilogram per m2 = .00142 lb per sq in

1 Calorie per m2 = .3687 Btu per sq ft

1 Btu per sq ft = 2.712 calories per m

1 Calorie per m2 per = .2048 Btu per sq ft

degree difference Cent. per degree

difference Fahr

1 Btu per sq ft. per = 4.882 Calories per m

degree difference Fahr. per degree

difference Cent.

1 Btu per lb = 0.556 Calorie per kilog.

1 Calorie per kilog = 1.8 Btu per lb.

Water expands in bulk = One twenty-third

from 40 °F to 212 °F

A cubic inch of water evaporated under ordinary atmo-

spheric pressure is converted into 1 cubic foot of steam

(approximately).

187

Metric and English Measures

Measure of Pressure and Weight

1 lb. per square inch = 144 lbs. per

square foot

1 lb. per square inch = 2.0355 inches of

mercury at 32.0 °F

1 lb. per square inch = 2.0416 inches of

mercury at 62.0 °F

1 lb. per square inch = 2.309 ft. of water

at 62.0 °F

1 lb. per square inch = 27.71 inches of

water at 62.0 °F

1 Atmosphere = 2116.3 lbs. per

(14.7 lbs. per sq in.) square foot

1 Atmosphere = 33.947 ft. of water

(14.7 lbs per sq in.) at 62.0 °F

1 Atmosphere = 30 inches of mercury

(14.7 lbs per sq in.) at 62.0 °F

1 Atmosphere = 29.929 inches of

(14.7 lbs per sq in.) mercury at 32.0 °F

1 Atmosphere = 760 millimeters of

(14.7 lbs per sq in.) mercury at 32.0 °F

1 Foot of Water at 62.0 °F = 0.433 lb. per

square inch

1 Foot of Water at 62.0 °F = 62.355 lbs. per

square foot

1 Inch of Mercury at 62.0 °F = 491 lbs. or 7.86 oz.

per sq. in.

1 Inch of Mercury at 62.0 °F = 1.132 ft. of water

at 62.0 °F

1 Inch of Mercury at 62.0 °F = 13.58 inches of

water at 62.0 °F

188

Chamber’s Technical Dictionary

EditedbyC.F.TweneyandL.E.C.

Hughes

TheMacMillanCo.

NewYork-1949

Concise Chemical and Technical

Dictionary

Editor:H.Bennett

ChemicalPublishingCo.,Inc.

NewYork-1962

Construction Dictionary

PublishedbyGreaterPhoenix,

Arizona,Chapter#98

TheNationalAssociationofWomen

inConstruction-1973

New Mechanical Dictionary

Publisher:TheoAudelandCo.

NewYork-1960

Dictionary of Plastics

J.A.Wordingham&P.Reboul

GeorgeNewnesLimited

London-1965

Dictionary of Technical Terms

FrederickSwingCrispin

TheBrucePublishingCompany

Milwaukee-1964

Modern Science Dictionary

CompiledbyA.Hechtlinger

FranklinPublishingCo.,Inc.

NewJersey-1959

A Glossary of Sanitary

Engineering Terms

Isaac,P.S.G.-1955

How to Design and Install

Plumbing

FourthEdition-1960

Van Nostrand’s Scientific

Encyclopedia - 4th Edition

NewJersey-1968

Dictionary of Civil Engineering

JohnS.Scott

PenguinBooks-1965

An Illustrated Dictionary of

Plumbing Terms

EvanBerry

LondonTechnicalPress-1960

Introductory Readings on Language

WallaceH.AndersonandNorman

C.Stageberg

Hart,Rinehart,andWinston

NewYork-1966

Pg.133-149

The Machinist Dictionary

FredHerbertColvin

Simmons-BoardmanPublishingCorp.

NewYork-1956

State and Local Plumbing Codes

Webster’s Third New

International Dictionary

G.C.MerrimanCo.,Publishers

Springeld,Mass.,U.S.A.-1965

Dictionary of Water and

Sewage Engineering

Meink,F.andMohle,H.

Amsterdam-London

Elsenier-1963

National Plumbing Code

(Illustrated)

VincentT.Manas

ManasPublications

St.Petersburg,Florida-1968

National Standard Plumbing Code

Publisher:NationalAssociationof

Plumbing,HeatingandCooling

Contractors-1973

A.J.Matthias,Jr.andEstesSmith,Sr.

AmericanTechnicalSociety

Chicago,Illinois

Plumbers and Steamfitters Guide -

Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4

TheoAudelandCompany

NewYork-1959,1960

The Plumber’s Companion

ByJamesHastings

BristolTypesettingCo.,Ltd.

Bristol,England-1972

Appendix I

Bibliography

189

Manual of British Water

Engineering Practice

Editor:Skeat,W.O.-1961

A Practical Handbook of

Water Supply

Dikey,F.-2ndEdition

London,Murby-1950

Public Health Engineering Abstracts

RobertA.Taft,Sanitary

EngineeringCenter

U.S.Dept.ofHealth,Education

&Welfare

c/oSuperintendentofDocuments

U.S.GovernmentPrintingOfce

Washington,D.C.20025

Glossary: Water and Waste Water

Control Engineering

JointlypreparedbyanEditorial

Board,representing:AmericanPublic

HealthAssn.,AmericanSocietyof

Civil

Engineers,AmericanWaterworks

Assn.TheWaterPollutionControl

Federation-1969

Water Supply Engineering

Babbitt,HaroldE.andothers

6thEdition

NewYork-1962

Water Pollution Abstracts

DepartmentofScienticand

IndustrialResearch

WaterPollutionResearchLaboratories

London,H.M.

A Glossary of Water and

Sewage Terms

WorldHealthOrganization-1956

The Technical and Engineering

Data Book

DomesticEngineeringCompany

Chicago,Illinois-1962

Uniform Plumbing Code

InternationalAssociationofPlumbing

andMechanicalOfcials

1967Edition

Semantics

StephenUllman

BasilBlackwell

Oxford-1967

Year Books of American Society of

Sanitary Engineering

Publisher:ASSE

Cleveland,Ohio

Plumbing

H.E.Babbitt-ThirdEdition

McGraw-HillBookCompany,Inc.

NewYork,Toronto,London-1960

The Reader’s Digest Great

Encyclopedic Dictionary

Reader’sDigestAssociation

Pleasantville,NewYork

Building Officials Conference

of America

Homewood,Illinois

The Secretary’s Desk Book

JohnC.WinstonCo.

The American Heritage Dictionary

WilliamMorris,Author

PublishedbyAmericanHeritage

PublishingCo.,Inc.andHoughlin

MifinCo.

NewYork,NewYork

The Solar Home Book

byBruceAndersonwith

MichaelRiddar

The ASHRAE Guide

PublishedbyAmericanSocietyof

Heating,RefrigeratingandAir

ConditioningEngineers

NewYork,NewYork

New ASTM Standard Definition

of Terms Relating to Solar Energy

Conversion

AmericanSocietyforTesting

andMaterials

Philadelphia,Pennsylvania-1979

190

Editor I.D.Jacobson

Water Supply and Plumbing Fixtures JamesT.McNeive

Chief Plumbing Inspector

St. Louis, MO

Drainage and Waste Systems JamesE.Lewis

Chief Plumbing Inspector

Beloit, WI

Tools of the Trade TomDevereaux

Plumbing Supervisor

Minneapolis, MN

Chemistry of Plumbing StanGroenier

Wisconsin State Bd. of Health

Madison, WI

Plumbing Specialties and Parts BobLebowitz

Vice President, ASSE

Lawrence, MA

Abbreviations GeorgeSmart

Chief Plumbing Inspector

Montgomery, AL

Technical Consultant E.J.Zimmer

Director, Plumbing Testing Lab.

Chicago, IL

Technical Consultant MorrisWeinberg

Plumbing Engineer

Philadelphia, PA

Technical Consultant DominicSofetto

Secretary, Joint Apprentice and

Training Committee

Burbank, CA

Technical Consultant WilliamKoenig

Past President, ASSE

Lexicographer and Researcher AmyL.Jacobson,B.A.,M.A.

American University

Washington, DC

Cross References and Consulting  AmyRuthIsaacs,B.S.,M.S.in

L.S.

Librarian School of Library Science

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

Critical Assistance GeorgeMacy

Former Chief Plumbing Inspector

Cudahy, WI

Associate Librarian FrancesKnerem

Madison,OH

Appendix J

ContributingAuthorities

191

ABPA AmericanBackowPreventionAssociation

www.abpa.org

AGA AmericanGasAssociation

www.aga.org

ANSI AmericanNationalStandardsInstitute

www.ansi.org

ASCE AmericanSocietyofCivilEngineers

www.asce.org

ASHRAE AmericanSocietyofHeating,RefrigeratingandAir-

conditioningEngineers,Inc.

www.ashrae.org

ASME AmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers

www.asme.org

ASPE AmericanSocietyofPlumbingEngineers

www.aspe.org

ASSE ASSEInternational

 www.asse-plumbing.org

ASTM AmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials

www.astm.org

ASA AmericanSupplyAssociation

www.asa.net

AWWA AmericanWaterWorksAssociation

www.awwa.org

AWS AmericanWeldingSociety

www.aws.org

AHAM AssociationofHomeApplianceManufacturers

www.aham.org

CISPI CastIronSoilPipeInstitute

www.cispi.org

CDA CopperDevelopmentAssociation,Inc.

www.copper.org

CGA CompressedGasAssociation

www.cganet.com

CSA CSAInternational

 www.csa-international.org

EPA EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

www.epa.gov

Appendix K

IndustryAssociationsandGovernmentAgencies

192

FDA Food&DrugAdministration

 www.fda.gov

IAPMO InternationalAssociationofPlumbing&Mechanical

Ofcials

www.iapmo.org

ICC InternationalCodeCouncil

 www.iccsafe.org

ISEA InternationalSafetyEquipmentAssociation

 www.safetyequipment.org

ISH-NA ISH-NorthAmerica

 www.ish-na.com

MSS ManufacturersStandardizationSociety

 www.mss-hq.com

MCAA MechanicalContractorsAssociationofAmerica,Inc.

www.mcaa.org

NACE NationalAssociationofCorrosionEngineers

www.nace.org

NFPA NationalFireProtectionAssociation

 www.nfpa.org

NFSA NationalFireSprinklerAssociation

 www.nfsa.org

NIST NationalInstituteofStandardsandTechnology

www.nist.gov

NITC NationalInspection,TestingandCertication

www.nationalitc.com

NSF NSFInternational

 www.nsf.org

PCA PlumbingContractorsofAmerica

 www.mcaa.org/pca

PDI Plumbing&DrainageInstitute

www.pdionline.org

PHCC Plumbing,Heating,CoolingContractors

www.phccweb.org

PMI PlumbingManufacturersInstitute

www.pmihome.org

PPFA PlasticPipeandFittingsAssociation

 www.ppfahome.org

PPI PlasticsPipeInstitute

www.plasticpipe.org

193

UA UnitedAssociationofJourneymen&Apprenticesofthe

Plumbing&PipeFittingIndustryoftheUnitedStates&

Canada

www.ua.org

UAC UnionAfliatedContractors

www.naphcc.org

UL UnderwritersLaboratory

www.ul.com

USC-FCCC&HR UniversityofSouthernCaliforniaFoundationforCross

ConnectionControl&HydraulicResearch

 www.usc.edu/fccchr

WQA WaterQualityAssociation

www.wqa.org

WPC WorldPlumbingCouncil

www.worldplumbing.org

194

Promoting"PreventionRather

ThanCure"Since1906.

18927HickoryCreekDrive,Suite220

Mokena,Illinois60448

(708)995-3019

www.asse-plumbing.org

stores.assewebstore.com