LECTURE 1

1.​ Overview
○​ Plumbing: Systems of pipes and fixtures for water supply and wastewater
removal.
○​ Sanitary System: Specialized subset of plumbing for wastewater management.
○​ Essential for public health, comfort, environmental protection, and building
functionality.
2.​ Historical Development
○​ Ancient Civilizations: Egyptians, Romans, and Indus Valley Civilization pioneered
water transport, aqueducts, and urban sanitation systems.
○​ Middle Ages to Renaissance: Limited advances in Europe but saw revival of
Roman engineering principles.
○​ Industrial Revolution: Innovations in cast iron, lead, and copper pipes; sanitary
reform movements.
3.​ Importance
○​ Public health: Prevents waterborne diseases.
○​ Comfort: Provides modern amenities.
○​ Environmental protection: Minimizes pollution.
○​ Building functionality: Includes fire protection and HVAC integration.
4.​ Plumbing Systems Concepts
○​ Water Supply System: Includes pipes, valves, fittings, pumps, and tanks,
ensuring clean, pressurized, and uncontaminated water delivery.
○​ Drainage System: Gravity-based systems for wastewater removal.
○​ Ventilation System: Prevents sewer gas entry using vent pipes and air balance.
○​ Trap Systems: Maintain water seals to block sewer gases.
5.​ Common Terms
○​ Trap, vent pipe, backflow, cross-connection, fixture, and cleanout.
6.​ Philippine Plumbing Code
○​ Governs design, installation, and maintenance of plumbing systems.
○​ Ensures public health, safety, and compliance with international standards.
LECTURE 2
1.​ Sources of Water
○​ Surface water (rivers, lakes), groundwater (aquifers), precipitation, and reclaimed
water.
2.​ Uses of Water
○​ Domestic: Drinking, cooking, hygiene, and cleaning.
○​ Agricultural: Irrigation and livestock health.
○​ Industrial: Cooling, machinery cleaning, and processing.
○​ Environmental: Ecosystem health and recreational activities.
3.​ Properties of Water
○​ Physical: States (solid, liquid, gas), density, viscosity, surface tension, and
temperature sensitivity.
○​ Chemical: Polarity, pH levels, hardness, salinity, and dissolved solids.
○​ Biological: Presence of microorganisms, organic matter, and nutrients like
nitrogen and phosphorus.
4.​ Water Quality Issues
○​ Pollution: From point and non-point sources.
○​ Eutrophication: Excess nutrients causing algae blooms.
○​ Acidification: Decrease in pH harming aquatic ecosystems.
○​ Depletion & Salinization: Overuse and increased salt levels.
5.​ Water Treatment Methods
○​ Physical: Filtration, sedimentation.
○​ Chemical: Disinfection, coagulation, flocculation.
○​ Biological: Activated sludge, trickling filters.
○​ Advanced: Membrane filtration, UV disinfection.
6.​ Water Conservation
○​ Focused on sustainability, maintaining quality, and addressing challenges like
climate change and urbanization.
7.​ Future Challenges
○​ Climate change, population growth, industrialization, and the need for
technological innovation in water resource management.
LECTURE 3
1.​ Overview of the Plumbing Code
○​ Governs the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems in the Philippines
to protect public health and safety.
○​ Originates from the Plumbing Law of 1955, amended and updated as the
National Plumbing Code of the Philippines (NPCP) in 1999.
2.​ Types of Plumbers
○​ Apprentice Plumber: Beginners under supervision, typically for 3–5 years.
○​ Journeyman Plumber: Skilled in installing and repairing plumbing systems after
apprenticeship.
○​ Master Plumber: Licensed professionals responsible for designing and ensuring
compliance with plumbing systems.
3.​ 22 Basic Principles
○​ Principle 1: All premises must have pure, uncontaminated water with safeguards
against backflow or siphonage.
○​ Principle 2: Adequate water supply and pressure must be maintained for proper
functioning of fixtures.
○​ Principle 3: Systems should minimize water usage while ensuring performance.
○​ Principle 4: Water heating and storage devices must prevent overheating
hazards.
○​ Principle 5: Buildings with access to public sewers must connect to them.
○​ Principle 6: Basic sanitation fixtures are mandatory for family dwellings.
○​ Principle 7: Fixtures must be non-absorbent, smooth, and in ventilated
enclosures.
○​ Principle 8: Drainage systems must avoid clogging and ensure easy
maintenance.
○​ Principle 9: Plumbing materials must be durable and compliant with standards.
○​ Principle 10: Fixtures connected to drainage must include water-sealed traps.
○​ Principle 11: Proper venting is essential for air circulation and trap seal
protection.
○​ Principle 13: Systems should undergo rigorous testing to detect leaks or defects.
○​ Other principles address backflow prevention, fixture placement, and
environmental safeguards.
 4.​ Testing and Installation Standards
○​ Plumbing systems are tested with water or air to ensure durability and safety.
○​ Regulations include standards for pipe materials, layouts, and fixtures.

LECTURE 4
1.​ Introduction
○​ Adequate, clean, and running water is essential for all plumbing fixtures.
○​ Systems must include mechanisms for flushing toilets and maintaining sanitary
conditions.
2.​ Unlawful Connections
○​ Cross-connections or unprotected piping carrying unsafe substances are
prohibited to prevent contamination.
3.​ General Requirements
○​ Backflow prevention devices include atmospheric vacuum breakers (AVB),
double-check valves, and pressure vacuum breakers.
○​ All water systems must meet listed standards, maintain accessibility, and ensure
proper spacing and clearances.
4.​ Installation Requirements
○​ Water pipes must be at least 0.3 meters below ground level and separated from
sewer lines to prevent contamination.
○​ Gravity supply tanks must have vents and corrosion-resistant screens.
○​ Systems experiencing inadequate or excessive pressure must incorporate
pressure regulators and relief valves.
5.​ Sizing of Potable Water Piping
○​ Pipes must be sized to accommodate fixture units (FU) and ensure appropriate
water pressure throughout the system.
○​ Maximum piping lengths, elevation differences, and street main pressure are
factors for determining pipe sizing.
6.​ Key Installation Details
○​ Water pipes crossing sewers must maintain at least 0.3 meters of vertical
separation.
 ○​ Ferrous piping must be coated or wrapped to prevent corrosion.
○​ Union fittings should be positioned for maintenance access near regulating
equipment or heaters.

LECTURE 5

Major Components of Drainage Systems

1.​ Sanitary/Soil Drainage System: Manages wastewater with fecal matter from toilets and
similar fixtures.
2.​ Vent System: Ensures airflow in the drainage system to prevent siphonage and back
pressure.
3.​ Waste Drainage System: Handles wastewater without fecal matter, such as from sinks
and showers.
4.​ Storm Drainage System: Manages rainwater and clear water, excluding sanitary waste.

Types of Wastewater

●​ Blackwater: Wastewater containing high organic matter and pathogens from toilets,
needing careful treatment.
●​ Greywater: Wastewater from sinks and showers, typically easier to treat and can be
reused for irrigation.

Key Terms in DWV (Drain-Waste-Vent) System

●​ Building Drain: Collects internal drainage to direct it outside.

●​ Building Sewer: Carries waste from the building to the public sewer.
●​ Vent Pipe: Ensures airflow in the plumbing system to maintain pressure and prevent
odors.

Wastewater Treatment Process

1.​ Pumping: Uses gravity to transport wastewater to treatment plants.

 2.​ Screening: Removes large objects like rocks and wood.
3.​ Removing Grit & Sludge: Separates organic sludge for further processing.
4.​ Sedimentation: Removes scum such as oils and grease.
5.​ Aeration: Adds oxygen to remove odors and support biological treatment.
6.​ Final Sedimentation: Settles any remaining large particles.
7.​ Disinfection: Chlorine is used to kill bacteria, with treated water then discharged.

Municipal Wastewater Treatment

●​ Primary Treatment: Removes large solids and grit.

●​ Secondary Treatment: Breaks down organic material biologically.
●​ Tertiary Treatment: Optional, further purifies water for reuse in irrigation and industrial
processes.

Additional Processes

●​ Stormwater Harvesting: Collects and treats rainwater for reuse.

●​ Industrial Wastewater Recycling: Treats wastewater for industrial reuse.

LECTURE 6

Key Qualities for Plumbing Materials

1.​ Quality & Durability: Resistant to external/internal contact with foreign matter.
2.​ Chemical Resistance: Withstands acid waste and other chemicals.
3.​ Cost: Considers both material and labor expenses.

Types of Plumbing Pipes

1.​ Acrolonitrile Butadiene Pipes (ABS): Corrosion-resistant, used for

sewage/wastewater, and joined with ABS pipe cement.
2.​ Brass Pipes: Durable but expensive, primarily used for fittings.
3.​ Cast Iron Pipes: Corrosion-resistant, commonly used in city water systems.
 4.​ Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes (CPVC): Non-corrosive and suited for both hot
and cold water.
5.​ Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC): Durable, used in residential/commercial
settings.
6.​ Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Commonly used for waste drainage and venting.
7.​ Copper Pipes: Rust-resistant, often used for hot water but costly.
8.​ Galvanized Steel and Iron Pipes: Coated to prevent rust; popular pre-1960s.
9.​ Steel Pipes: Typically used for high-pressure liquids.
10.​Polyethylene Pipes (HDPE, LDPE, PE): Used for water lines, flexible and resistant to
stress.
11.​Polypropylene Random (PPR) Pipes: Flexible, highly resistant to acids/alkalis.
12.​Lead Pipes: Corrosion-resistant but toxic, rarely used today.
13.​Asbestos Cement and Concrete Pipes: Strong, used for drainage with varying
diameters.

Pipe Fittings

●​ Elbows: Change pipe direction; can be short or long sweep.

●​ Tees: Create branches with options like equal, reducer, and sanitary tees.
●​ Cross Tees: Connect four pipes, with equal or reducing outlets.
●​ Wyes: Create 45-degree branch lines, including double-wye and combo wye & bend.
●​ Couplings & Reducers: Join pipes of the same or different diameters.
●​ Bushings: Reduce pipe diameter abruptly.
●​ Unions & Adapters: Allow for separation/reconnection and change pipe threading.
●​ Caps & Plugs: Seal the ends of pipes.
●​ Nipples: Short pipe sections, usually threaded on both ends.

Local Brands for DWV and Waterline Pipes

●​ DWV: Neltex, Saniguard, Moldex/Sanimold, Emerald, Atlanta.

●​ Waterline: Neltex Waterline, Moldex Blue, Unitec/Belden, Phildex, Solutherm, Rehau,
Atlanta-PPR.
LECTURE 7
Introduction to Pumps: It introduces pumps as devices used to transfer water into buildings,
tanks, or reservoirs when natural water pressure is insufficient.

Types of Pumps:

●​ Lift Pump: Utilizes a piston within a cylinder to pull water up from a source, with valves
to control water flow during up and down strokes.
●​ Force Pump: A pump that can move water to heights above the pump’s level by using
pressure. The plunger motion alternates valve openings to push water upwards.
●​ Submersible Pump: Designed to operate while submerged, typically at the end of a
deep well pipe.
●​ Sump Pump: Used to collect and manage waste water, especially in sewage
applications.

Water Storage and Tanks:

●​ Cistern Tank: A tank for storing water or other liquids.

●​ Water Tank: Used for water collection or storage under pressure for future distribution.
Materials include PVC, galvanized iron, reinforced concrete, and stainless steel.
●​ Suction Tank: Typically steel, used to supply water to pneumatic tanks or pumps,
preventing water pressure issues for neighboring properties.
●​ Pneumatic Tank: Uses air pressure to distribute water in tall buildings where regular
pressure may be insufficient.

Water Distribution Systems:

●​ Upfeed System: Relies on public main pressure to distribute water in low-rise buildings.
●​ Downfeed System: Uses gravity from an elevated tank to distribute water in buildings,
especially useful where city pressure is inadequate to reach higher floors.