Plumbing
The system of pipes, valves, fixtures, and other apparatus of a water supply or sewage system
Water Supply
The supply of purified water to a community, usually including such facilities as reservoirs and pipelines for storing and distributing this water
Cistern
A reservoir or tank for storing or holding water, such as rainwater collected from a roof, for use when required
Aqueduct
A conduit or artificial channel for conducting water from a remote source, usually by gravity, especially an elevated structure constructed by the Romans to carry a water channel across a valley or over a river
Well
A hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, or natural gas
Aquifer
A geological formation containing or conducting groundwater, esp. one capable of providing water in usable quantities to springs or wells
Artesian well
A well in which water rises under pressure from a permeable stratum overlaid by impermeable rock
Drawdown
A lowering of the water surface level, as in a well, or the distance by which the groundwater level is lowered as a result of pumping
Reservoir
A natural or artificial place where water is collected and restored for use, esp. water for supplying community, irrigating land, or furnishing power
Raw water
Water that requires treatment before it can be used for drinking
Water treatment
The act or process of making water more potable or useful by purifying, clarifying, or softening
Potable water
Water fir for human consumption
Water tower
A tower into which water is pumped to a height sufficient to maintain a desired pressure for distribution to customers, or for firefighting
Corporation stop
A valve controlling the flow of water or gas from a main to a service pipe
Curb box
A vertical enclosure with a removable cover providing access to a curb cock. Also called Buffalo box
Shutoff valve
Any valve for shutting off the flow of water or gas from a supply pipe
Water main
A main pipe or conduit through which a public or community water system conveys water to all service connections
Curb cock
A control valve for shutting off the water supply to a building in case of an emergency, installed in a water service pipe and operated by means of a long key inserted through a curb box. Also called curb stop
Service pipe
A pipe connecting a building to a water or gas main, usually installed by or under the jurisdiction of a public utility
Water meter
A device for measuring and recording the quantity of water that passes through a pipe
Gravity water system
A water supply and distribution system in which the water source is set at a height sufficient to maintain adequate supply pressure throughout the water distribution system
Head
The pressure at the lower of two given points in a liquid, expressed in terms of the vertical distance between the points. Also called pressure head
Pressure drop
A loss of head or fluid pressure between two points of a pipe or across a valve, due to hydraulic friction
Fixture unit
A unit for measuring the probable demand for water by a plumbing fixture, or the probable discharge of liquid waste from the fixture, equivalent to 7 1/2 gallons or one cubic foot per minute
Water system
A system of pipes, valves, and fixtures for distributing and using water in a building
Branch
Any member of a piping system other than a main, riser, or stack
Riser
A vertical pipe, conduit, or duct in a utility system
Main
A principal pipe, conduit, or duct in a utility system
Expansion bend
An expansion joint of pipe and pipe fittings permitting thermal expansion to occur in a long run of hot-water piping. Also called expansion loop
Hose bibb
A threaded exterior faucet for attaching a garden hose, often attached to the side of a house at about the height of a sill. Also called hosecock, sillcock
Faucet
A device for controlling the flow of a liquid from a pipe by opening or closing an orifice. Also called spigot, tap
Flow pressure
The fluid pressure in a supply pipe at a faucet or other outlet while the faucet or outlet is wide open and water is flowing, expressed in psi (N/m2)
Mixing Faucet
A faucet having a single outlet for water from separately controlled hot-water and cold-water taps. Also called mixer
Aerator
A sievelike device for mixing air with the water flowing from the end of a spigot
Anti-scald faucet
A faucet having a thermostatically controlled valve for maintaining the desired water temperature regardless of pressure of flow
Water heater
An electric or gas appliance for heating water to a temperature between 120 degrees fahrenheit and 140 degrees fahrenheit and storing it for use
Water softener
An apparatus that removes calcium and magnesium salts from hard water by ion exchange in order to give the water more efficient sudsing ability with soap
Hard water
Water containing dissolved salts of calcium or magnesium and forming soap lather with difficulty
Plumbing fixture
Any various receptacles for receiving water from a water system and discharging the liquid waste into a drainage system
Sanitary ware
Plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and toilet bowls, made of vitreous china, porcelain, enamel, or enameled metal
Ball cock
A device for regulating the supply of a water in a flush tank by means of a hollow floating ball, which by its rise or fall shuts or opens a supply valve. Also called float valve
Wall-hung
Designed to be attached to or hung from a wall
Low-flow toilet
A flush toilet that uses no more than 1.6 gallons (6 liters) of water per flush (gpf), a requirement of the US Energy Policy Act of 1992
High-efficiency toilet
A flush toilet that has a flush volume 20% below the 1.6 gpf maximum: 1.28 gpf (4.8 liters). Abbr.: HET
Maximum performance score
A measure of the performance of a flush toilet in removing human waste with a single flush. The U.S. Environmental Agency mandates a minimum MaP score of 350. Abbr.: MaP
Water hammer
The concussion and banging noise that results when a volume of water moving in a pipe suddenly stops or loses momentum
Air chamber
A compartment in a water system containing air that elastically compresses and expands to equalize the pressure and flow of water in the system
Overflow
An outlet, pipe, or receptacle for excess liquid
Backflow
A flow of a liquid opposite to the usual or desired direction
Back-siphonage
A backflow of used or contaminated water from a plumbing fixture into a pipe supplying potable water due to negative pressure in the pipe
Backwater valve
A valve for preventing flowing liquid, such as sewage, from reversing its direction, Also called backflow valve
Flow rate
The rate of discharge from a plumbing fixture, equal to the total number of gallons discharged per minute divided by 7.5 and expressed in fixture units
Water closet
A fixture consisting of a ceramic bowl with a detachable, hinged seat and lid and a device for flushing with water, used for defecation and urination. Also called toilet
Flushometer valve
A valve that supplies a fixed quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes when actuated by direct water pressure
Water Hammer
The concussion and banging noise that results when a volume of water moving in a pipe suddenly stops or loses momentum
Air chamber
A compartment in a water system containing air that elastically compresses and expands to equalize the pressure and flow of water in the system. Also called air cushion
Overflow
An outlet, pipe, or receptacle for excess liquid
Backflow
A flow of a liquid opposite to the usual or desired direction
Back-siphonage
A backflow of used or contaminated water from a plumbing fixture into a pipe supplying potable water due to negative pressure in the pipe
Flow rate
The rate of discharge from a plumbing fixture, equal to the total number of gallons discharged per minute divided 7.5 and expressed in fixture units
Backsplash
A vertical panel of waterproof material attached to the wall behind a countertop or stovetop to protect against splashed liquids
Air gap
The clear vertical distance between the spout of a faucet or other outlet of a supply pipe and the flood level of a receptacle
Flood level
The level at which water would overflow the rim of a plumbing fixture
Trap
A U- or S-shaped section of drainpipe in which liquid remains and forms a seal for preventing the passage of sewer gas without affecting the normal flow of waste water or sewage through it. Also called air trap
Drum trap
A cylindrical trap closed on the bottom and having a cover plate for access, usually installed on the drain line from a bathtub
Siphon-jet
A toilet bowl in which the flushing water enters through the rim and siphonic action initiated by a water jet draws the contents of the bowl through the trapway
Reverse-trap
A toilet bowl similar to the siphon-jet, but having a smaller water surface and trapway
Siphon-vortex
A toilet bow similar to the siphon-jet, but having the flushing water directed through the rim to create a vortex that scours the bowl
Wash-down
A toilet bow having a simple washout action and emtying through a small irregular passage
Bidet
A basin-like fixture designed to be straddled for bathing the genitals and posterior parts of the body
Urinal
A flushable fixture used by men for urinating
Waterless Urinal
A urinal that employs a liquid sealant that floats on top of the liquid collected in a trap, through which draining liquid can pass while preventing odors from escaping the drain
Toilet partition
A panel forming an enclosure around a water closet for privacy in a public lavatory
Bathtub
An oblong tub to bathe in, esp. one that is a permanent fixture in a bathroom
Shower
A bath in which water is sprayed on the body from an overhead nozzle or shower head
Grab bar
A bar attached to a wall near a bathtub or shower to provide a hand grip for a person who is bathing
Receptor
The shallow or basin with running water for washing the face and hands
Sink
A basin, as in a kitchen or laundry, connected with a water supply and drainage system for washing
Disposal
An electrical device in the drain of a sink, for grinding food wastes to be washed down the drain. Also called disposer
Laundry tray
A deep sink for washing clothes
Service sink
A deep Sink used in janitorial work. Also called slop sink
Roughing-in
The act or process of installing all parts of a plumbing system that will later be concealed, usually to the fixture connections
Valve
Any device for controlling or stopping the flow of a liquid or gas by a movable parts that opens, partially obstructs, or shuts a passage, pipe, inlet, or outlet
Bonnet
The part of a valve casing through which the stem passes and that forms a guide and seal for the stem
Seat
The part or surface of a valve on which the stem is closed to stop flow completely
Globe valve
A valve with a globular body, closed by a disk seating on an opening in an interval wall
Gate valve
A globe valve having an outlet at a right angle to the inlet
Alignment valve
A washer-less valve opened by aligning holes in a disk, cylinder, or ball
Mixing valve
A valve for controlling the relative amount of hot and cold water admitted from separate hot-water and cold-water lines
Check Valve
A valve permitting a liquid or gas to flow in one direction only
Plumbing wall
A wall or partition containing vertical space for a plumbing stack. Also called stack partition
Closet bend
A 90 degrees soil fitting installed directly beneath a water closet
Developed length
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and pipe fittings
Molded insulation
Thermal insulation pre-molded to fit around pipes and pipe fittings
Bell-and-spigot
A pipe joint made by fitting the end (spigot) of one pipe into the enlarged end (bell) of another pipe and sealing with a caulking compound or a compressible ring
Gasket
A rubber or metal ring inserted between two mating surfaces to make the joint watertight
Pipe
A hollow cylinder of metal or plastic used for the conveyance of water, steam, gas, or other fluid material
Pipe fitting
A standard parts, such as an elbow, union, or toe, for connecting two or more pipes
Elbow
A pipe fitting having an angled, usually 90 degrees bend. Also called ell, el
Drop elbow
An elbow having lugs for attachment to a wall or joist. Also called drop ell
Sweep fitting
A pipe having a large radius of curvature
Return bend
A 180˚ bend in a pipe
Tee
A T-shaped pipe fitting for making a three-way joint
Drop tee
A tee having lugs for attachment to a wall or joist
Sanitary tee
A tee having a slight curve in the 90˚ transition to channel the flow from a branch pipe in the direction of the main
Wye
A Y-shaped pipe fitting for joining a branch pipe with a main, usually at a 45˚ angle
Cross
A pipe fitting for making a four-way connection
Sanitary cross
A cross having a slight curve in each of the 90˚ transitions to channel the flow from branch pipes in the direction of the main
Crossover
A U-shaped pipe for bypassing another pipe
Nipple
A short length pipe with threads on each end, used for joining couplings or other pipe fittings
Coupling
A short length of pipe having each end threaded on the inside, used for joining two pipes of the same diameter
Increaser
A coupling increasing in diameter at one end
Reducer
A coupling decreasing in diameter at one end
Union
A coupling device for connecting two pipes, neither of which can be turned, consisting of two internally threaded end pieces that are tightened around the pipes ends to be joined, and an externally threaded center piece, which draws the two end pieces together as it is rotated
Plug
An externally threaded fitting for closing the end of a pipe
Cap
An internally threaded fitting for inclosing the end of a pipe
Drainage system
A system of pipes, traps, and other apparatus for conveying sewage, waste water, or rainwater to a public sewer or a private treatment facility
Drain
Any pipe of channel by which a liquid is drawn off
Vent system
A system of pipes supplying a flow of air to or from a drainage system or providing a circulation of air within the system to protect trap seals from siphonage and back pressure
Fixture drain
A drain extending from the trap of a plumbing fixture to a junction with a waste or soil stack
Plumbing
The system of pipes, valves, fixtures, and other apparatus of a water supply or sewage system
Water Supply
The supply of purified water to a community, usually including such facilities as reservoirs and pipelines for storing and distributing this water
Cistern
A reservoir or tank for storing or holding water, such as rainwater collected from a roof, for use when required
Aqueduct
A conduit or artificial channel for conducting water from a remote source, usually by gravity, especially an elevated structure constructed by the Romans to carry a water channel across a valley or over a river
Well
A hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, or natural gas
Aquifer
A geological formation containing or conducting groundwater, esp. one capable of providing water in usable quantities to springs or wells
Artesian well
A well in which water rises under pressure from a permeable stratum overlaid by impermeable rock
Drawdown
A lowering of the water surface level, as in a well, or the distance by which the groundwater level is lowered as a result of pumping
Reservoir
A natural or artificial place where water is collected and restored for use, esp. water for supplying community, irrigating land, or furnishing power
Raw water
Water that requires treatment before it can be used for drinking
Water treatment
The act or process of making water more potable or useful by purifying, clarifying, or softening
Potable water
Water fir for human consumption
Water tower
A tower into which water is pumped to a height sufficient to maintain a desired pressure for distribution to customers, or for firefighting
Corporation stop
A valve controlling the flow of water or gas from a main to a service pipe
Curb box
A vertical enclosure with a removable cover providing access to a curb cock. Also called Buffalo box
Shutoff valve
Any valve for shutting off the flow of water or gas from a supply pipe
Water main
A main pipe or conduit through which a public or community water system conveys water to all service connections
Curb cock
A control valve for shutting off the water supply to a building in case of an emergency, installed in a water service pipe and operated by means of a long key inserted through a curb box. Also called curb stop
Service pipe
A pipe connecting a building to a water or gas main, usually installed by or under the jurisdiction of a public utility
Water meter
A device for measuring and recording the quantity of water that passes through a pipe
Gravity water system
A water supply and distribution system in which the water source is set at a height sufficient to maintain adequate supply pressure throughout the water distribution system
Head
The pressure at the lower of two given points in a liquid, expressed in terms of the vertical distance between the points. Also called pressure head
Pressure drop
A loss of head or fluid pressure between two points of a pipe or across a valve, due to hydraulic friction
Fixture unit
A unit for measuring the probable demand for water by a plumbing fixture, or the probable discharge of liquid waste from the fixture, equivalent to 7 1/2 gallons or one cubic foot per minute
Water system
A system of pipes, valves, and fixtures for distributing and using water in a building
Branch
Any member of a piping system other than a main, riser, or stack
Riser
A vertical pipe, conduit, or duct in a utility system
Main
A principal pipe, conduit, or duct in a utility system
Expansion bend
An expansion joint of pipe and pipe fittings permitting thermal expansion to occur in a long run of hot-water piping. Also called expansion loop
Hose bibb
A threaded exterior faucet for attaching a garden hose, often attached to the side of a house at about the height of a sill. Also called hosecock, sillcock
Faucet
A device for controlling the flow of a liquid from a pipe by opening or closing an orifice. Also called spigot, tap
Flow pressure
The fluid pressure in a supply pipe at a faucet or other outlet while the faucet or outlet is wide open and water is flowing, expressed in psi (N/m2)
Mixing Faucet
A faucet having a single outlet for water from separately controlled hot-water and cold-water taps. Also called mixer
Aerator
A sievelike device for mixing air with the water flowing from the end of a spigot
Anti-scald faucet
A faucet having a thermostatically controlled valve for maintaining the desired water temperature regardless of pressure of flow
Water heater
An electric or gas appliance for heating water to a temperature between 120 degrees fahrenheit and 140 degrees fahrenheit and storing it for use
Water softener
An apparatus that removes calcium and magnesium salts from hard water by ion exchange in order to give the water more efficient sudsing ability with soap
Hard water
Water containing dissolved salts of calcium or magnesium and forming soap lather with difficulty
Plumbing fixture
Any various receptacles for receiving water from a water system and discharging the liquid waste into a drainage system
Sanitary ware
Plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and toilet bowls, made of vitreous china, porcelain, enamel, or enameled metal
Ball cock
A device for regulating the supply of a water in a flush tank by means of a hollow floating ball, which by its rise or fall shuts or opens a supply valve. Also called float valve
Wall-hung
Designed to be attached to or hung from a wall
Low-flow toilet
A flush toilet that uses no more than 1.6 gallons (6 liters) of water per flush (gpf), a requirement of the US Energy Policy Act of 1992
High-efficiency toilet
A flush toilet that has a flush volume 20% below the 1.6 gpf maximum: 1.28 gpf (4.8 liters). Abbr.: HET
Maximum performance score
A measure of the performance of a flush toilet in removing human waste with a single flush. The U.S. Environmental Agency mandates a minimum MaP score of 350. Abbr.: MaP
Water hammer
The concussion and banging noise that results when a volume of water moving in a pipe suddenly stops or loses momentum
Air chamber
A compartment in a water system containing air that elastically compresses and expands to equalize the pressure and flow of water in the system
Overflow
An outlet, pipe, or receptacle for excess liquid
Backflow
A flow of a liquid opposite to the usual or desired direction
Back-siphonage
A backflow of used or contaminated water from a plumbing fixture into a pipe supplying potable water due to negative pressure in the pipe
Backwater valve
A valve for preventing flowing liquid, such as sewage, from reversing its direction, Also called backflow valve
Flow rate
The rate of discharge from a plumbing fixture, equal to the total number of gallons discharged per minute divided by 7.5 and expressed in fixture units
Water closet
A fixture consisting of a ceramic bowl with a detachable, hinged seat and lid and a device for flushing with water, used for defecation and urination. Also called toilet
Flushometer valve
A valve that supplies a fixed quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes when actuated by direct water pressure
Branch drain
A drain connecting one or more fixtures to a soil or waste stack
Stack
A vertical waste pipe or vent pipe seerving a number of floors