LESSON 1: Building Plumbing System water into the structure.

The total amount of water that enters

the system is monitored by a meter.
The plumbing and sanitary system is an essential part of
every house or building. Proper planning and designing of 2. Sanitary Drainage System
plumbing system is crucial as it takes care of the hygiene Wastewater that is generated in households and buildings, is
requirements of the occupants. It has been reported that eliminated through sanitary drainage systems. Wastewater
about 8% of the construction cost of a building is marked for from laundry, cooking, human waste etc. are disposed outside
plumbing and sanitary work. using these pipes. Vent pipes are installed vertically and are
connected to the sanitary drainage systems. This helps in
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE PLUMBING SYSTEM operating the venting of gases and other systems work at

The aims and objectives of a good local plumbing system is…

 The drinking-water supply that serves a building and the

system for liquid waste removal that connects the building
to the sewer mains.
 The system should be operating within a context of
standards and codes, determined and overseen by
qualified public authorities, that specify the requirements
for its design, composition and management, and the
training and practices of the plumbers and operators who
build and maintain it.

THREE CHIEF AIMS OF GOOD PLUMBING SYSTEM

 To supply safe drinking-water in adequate quantities, atmospheric pressure. The sanitary drainage system eventually
 To remove liquid wastes efficiently, takes wastewater to the community sewer system.
 To minimize risk of failure through vigilance and quality
assurance.

WATER SUPPLY GOALS

a. The local drinking-water supply should be adequate in terms
of quantity, safety, continuity and reliability.
b. Water supplied for human consumption should be safe at all
times.
c. Every building should have an internal drinking-water piped
system.
d. Water should be conserved by minimizing leakage and
wastage.
e. Water should be supplied from a suitable number of
accessible and hygienic fixtures.
f. Building contents should be protected from the effects of
malfunctioning of the plumbing system.
g. Adequate lighting and ventilation should be provided for
toilet and washing fixtures.
h. Hot water systems should be carefully designed to avoid
health hazards.

LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL GOALS

 Liquid wastes should be disposed of promptly and

hygienically.
 Drainage systems should be of adequate size and easily
cleaned.
 Drainage systems should be equipped with liquid seal traps.
 All drains should be adequately ventilated.
 Deleterious substances should be excluded from sewers.
 Backflow of sewage should be prevented.

PLUMBING GOALS
a. Plumbing materials and workmanship should conform to
accepted quality standards.
b. Plumbing installations should be tested and disinfected
before being put into service.
c. Adequate training should be provided for plumbing
professionals and the public should be made aware of the
dangers of poor plumbing.
d. Plumbing systems should be properly maintained.

TYPES OF PLUMBING
1. Potable Water System
The water that comes from the community water is brought into
a structure by the potable water system. To shut off the
structure's water supply, there is a valve on the water main
itself for each structure. Through a network of pipes, the water
is distributed to individual fixtures after a single pipe brings
3. Rainwater Drainage System 13. Plumping systems shall be subjected to such tests to
The purpose of the rainwater drainage system is to carry effectively disclose all leaks and defects in the workmanship.
rainwater away from a structure. In some old infrastructures, 14. The materials which will clog or choke the pipes and
rainwater simply drains into the sanitary drainage system, but produce explosive mixtures or destroy the pipes or their joints
in buildings that are more modern, a separate system of drains or interfere unduly with the sewage-disposal process shall not
carry water into the community rain sewers. Gutters are a part be allowed to enter the building drainage system.
of the rainwater drainage system visible from outside the
building; other components, such as drains and pipes, are 15. Proper protection shall be used to prevent spoilage of food,
below the ground." water, sterile goods and similar materials by backflow of
sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall
be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.

16. No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment

which is not properly lighted and ventilated.

17. If water closet or other plumbing fixtures are installed in

buildings where there is no sewer within reasonable distance ,
suitable provision shall be made for disposing of the building
sewage by some accepted method of sewage treatment and
disposal such as a septic tank.

18. Where a plumbing drainage system may be subjected to

backflow of sewage, suitable provision shall be made to prevent
its overflow in the building.

19. Plumbing systems shall be maintained in serviceable

condition by Registered Master Plumbers

20. All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly spaced, to

be accessible for their intended use.
BASIC PRINCIPLE OF PLUMBING SYSTEM
1. All the premises made for human use or habitation shall be 21. Plumbing shall be installed by Registered Master Plumbers
provided with the supply of pure and water, connected neither with due regard to the preservation of the strength of structural
to unsafe water supply nor subject to backflow or back- members and the prevention of damages to walls and other
siphonage. surfaces through fixture usage.

2. Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be 22. Sewage or other waste from plumbing system which may
supplied with water in sufficient volume and pressure adequate be deleterious to surface or sub-surface shall not be discharge
to function satisfactorily and without undue noise. into to the ground or into any waterway.

3. Plumbing system shall be designed and adjusted to use the

minimum quantity of water consistent with proper performance
LESSON 2
and cleaning.
Sources of potable water
4. Devices which are used for heating and storing water shall be
designed and installed in such a manner so as to prevent What is potable water?
dangers from explosion through overheating. Potable water, also known as drinking water, comes from the
surface and ground sources and is treated to levels that meet
5. Every building located on a street, alley or easement with a
state and local standards for consumption. Water from natural
public sewer shall have its plumbing fixtures to the sewer
resources is treated for microorganisms, bacteria, toxic-
system.
chemicals, viruses and fecal water.
6. Each family dwelling unit shall have minimum of one water
TYPES OF WATER SOURCES
closet, kitchen type sink, a bathtub or shower to fulfill the basic
requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene. 1.Surface Water Resources
7. Plumbing fixtures should be made of smooth non-absorbent Surface water is water located
material and they should be free from concealed fouling on top of the earth’s surface
surfaces and they must be located in ventilated enclosures. such as rivers, creeks, and
wetlands. This may also be
8. The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and
referred as blue water. It is a
maintained to prevent the fouling, deposit of solids, clogging
body of water above ground,
and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be
including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoir and creeks.
readily leaned.
The ocean, despite being saltwater, is also considered surfaces
9. All piping shall be made of durable NAMPAP approved water.
materials. They should be free from defective workmanship and
2. Ground Water Resources
should be designed and constructed by skilled Plumbers to
These are sources
ensure satisfactory service.
beneath the land surface
10. Every plumbing fixture connected directly to the drainage and springs and wells. As
system shall be equipped with a water-sealed trap. can be seen from the
hydrologic cycle, when
11. The piping system of drainage pipes shall be designed to rain falls to the ground,
provide adequate circulation of free air from siphonage some water flows along
aspiration. the land to streams or
lakes, some water
12. Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and installed to evaporates into the atmosphere, some is taken up by plants
prevent clogging and the return of foul air to the building. and some seeps into the ground.
3. Storm Water Resources
The water that originates from rain, including snow and ice E. Elevation of Water Source
melt. Storm water can soak into the soil (infiltrate), be The water source must be on a higher elevation as compared to
stored on the land surface in ponds and puddles, evaporate, or the town or city. This would facilitate gravity flow of water.
contribute to surface runoff. Most runoff is conveyed directly to When the water sources are at a lower level, equipment like
nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies (surface pumps have to be used. This would increase operational and
water) without treatment. In natural landscapes, such as maintenance costs.
forests, soil absorbs much of the storm water. Plants also
reduce storm water by improving infiltration, intercepting LESSON 3
precipitation as it falls, and by taking up water through their
FIXTURES
roots.
Are approved-type installed receptacles, devices or appliances
4. Wastewater Resources supplied with water or liquid-borne wastes & discharge such
Wastewater is used water that has been affected by domestic, wastes into the drainage system to which they may be directly
industrial and commercial use. Wastewater effluents are or indirectly connected. Industrial or commercial tanks, vats &
released to a variety of environments such as lakes, ponds, similar processing equipment are not plumbing fixtures, but
streams, rivers, and oceans. Wastewater also includes storm may be connected to or discharge into approved traps or
runoff, as harmful substances wash offs roads, parking lot & plumbing fixtures as approved for in this code.
rooftops. Their common types are:
1. Water Closet
5. Saltwater Resources 2. Lavatory
Salt water or saline water is water with a large amount of salt in 3. Kitchen Sink
it. It usually means the water from the seas and oceans (sea 4. Urinal
water). Almost all the water on Earth is saline. Saltwater is 5. Bidet
abundant in the surface of the planet. However, saltwater is 6. Bath tub
currently not particularly useful when it comes to potable water
supplies. Desalination plants, while they do exist, are scarce
because the energy required for desalination makes the process Water Closet
extremely expensive. A plumbing fixture used to receive human excremental and to
discharge it through a waste pipe, using water as a conveying
6. Ice Cap Water Resources
medium. Water closets are classified according to design, make,
An ice cap is a thick layer of ice and snow that covers large
flushing mechanism, shape and installation.
areas of land. Ice caps can usually found in North and South
Poles of the Earth. A. TYPES OF WATER CLOSET AS TO DESIGN
Ice caps form like other glaciers. Snow accumulates year after 1. Siphon wash-down
year, then melts. The slightly melted snow gets harder and
compresses. It slowly changes texture from fluffy powder to a 2. Siphon jet
block of hard, round ice pellets. New snow falls and buries the
grainy snow. The hard snow underneath gets even denser. It is 3. Siphon Vortex
known as firn.

4. Reverse trap
FACTORS IN SELECTING WATER SOURCE
SIPHON
WASHDOWN
A. Quantity of Water The least
The quantity of water at the source should be adequate to meet expensive but
all the demands of the design population for the entire design the noisiest; only
period of the scheme. In certain cases, the water source is small amount of standing water susceptible to fouling, staining
mobilized to meet the present-day demand, and as time and contamination. It is mechanically satisfactory and is lower
passes, extra units can be added. As mentioned earlier, in case in price. Hence, it is widely used and entirely acceptable where
the quantity of water is price is the main consideration.
not sufficient, distant
sources of water SIPHON JET
should be considered. The jet being submerged introduces its water underwater so
that its operation is entirely muffled. It has a large amount of
B. Quality of Water standing water to prevent fouling. It is mechanically efficient
The water of the but expensive.
source should be free
from poisonous and
toxic substances. The
level of impurities in the water should be as low as to be SIPHON VORTEX
screened out using normal treatment methods at a reasonable this type of bowl
price. develops its flushing
C. Distance of the Source of Supply action through the
The source of supply must be as close as possible to the point water entering
of delivery. If the distance is less, it will help in reducing the through diagonal
overall cost of the project as small-sized pipes would be used, holes around the rim
and the number of appurtenances required would also be less which creates a
swirling action which
D. Topography of Surrounding Area forms a vortex in the center. It is considered to be the quietest,
The land between the source of supply and the city/society most efficient and
shouldn’t have high mountains, deep valleys, or ridges. In other most sanitary
words, the surface shouldn’t be highly uneven as uneven water closet.
topographies would require tunnels to be constructed or a
greater number of trestles for supporting the water pipes. This REVERSE TRAP
will increase the overall cost. The trap way
located at the rear of the water closet eliminated the bulge at fixture such as the water closet. It has a capacity of 5 to 6
the front. The design and appearance of the bowl plus its large gallons.
water area and quietness in operation, make it desirable than
siphon wash down. FLUSH VALVE
Valve designed to supply a fixed quantity of water for flushing
purposes. It is activated by direct water pressure without the
use of a flush tank. It is also known as Flushometer or
TYPES OF WATER CLOSET
Flushometer valve. The flush valve requires 10 to 20 psi flow
 One-piece pressure.
 Close Coupled
 Pail Flush
 Squat bowl

ONE-PIECE WATER
CLOSET
The water closet
fixture is manufactured
with the bowl and the
flush tank molded into a
single unit. Usually
used in tandem with the
bidet.

Types of Water Closet as to Shape

CLOSED COUPLED WATER CLOSET
A water closet
where in the flush
tank is separate but
is attached to the
toilet bowl. It is a
two-piece model.

PAIL FLUSH WATER CLOSET

A water closet comprising only of a bowl without a flush tank.
Flushing action is obtained only through water poured from a
pail or bucket. This is used in areas where running water
systems are not available.

TYPES OF WATER CLOSET AS TO INSTALLATION

1. Free Standing (Floor Mounted

2. Wall Hung (Wall Mounted

LAVATORY
A fixture designed for the washing of the hands or face. It is
also known as wash basin.

TYPES OF LAVATORY

SQUAT BOWL WATER

A water closet that is otherwise known as “Eastern type” since
the user assumes a squatting position rather than a sitting
position.

Types of Water Closet as to Flushing Mechanism

 Flush Tank
 Flush Valve (Flushometer)

FLUSH TANK
Holds a supply of water for flushing a
 Wall Hung Lavatory c. Stainless Steel
d. Plastic

Kitchen Sink
A plumbing fixtures usually consisting of a basin with a water
supply, connected with a drain & used for dishwashing.

Types of Kitchen Sink

Pedestal Lavatory

One- Piece Lavatory

Counter Type Lavatory

MATERIALS FOR LAVATORY

a. Vitreous China
b. Enameled Cast Iron
Urinal body, especially the genitals. It is also known as the Sitz Bath.
A sanitary fixture equipped with a water supply and drain for
flushing away urine.
BATH TUB
Types of Urinal
A tube for bathing, usually a fixed plumbing installation
Wall Hung Urinal designed for one person. It is available in left outlet and right
outlet.

Pedestal Urinal

Stall Urinal

Trough Urinal

OTHER PLUMBING FIXTURES

PLUMBING ACCESSORIES
Plumbing Accessories are items that are not usually essential,
but which can be used with or added to something else in order
to make it more efficient, useful, or decorative.
1. Soap Holder
2. Paper Holder
3. Toothbrush and Tumbler Holder
BIDET & BATH TUB 4.TowelHolder/Towel Bar Post
5. Seat Cover
BIDET
A plumbing Plumbing Accessories
fixture used
for washing
the middle
part of the