Asse Plumbing Dictionary 6thed PDF
Asse Plumbing Dictionary 6thed PDF
Asse Plumbing Dictionary 6thed PDF
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DICTIONARY
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Sixth Edition
drain of l shaped, attach tr
cover_1
liquids toa urinal, used to ed
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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
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.
i
Foreword
This edition is for practical and widespread use to fill a void in existing technical
literature for this field 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.
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,
define, and explain, and not to prescribe limitations or establish fixed and
restrictive meanings; to record the words and combinations of words used in
plumbing, and to give the definitions 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.
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,” “fixtures,” 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.
ii
Trade names and brand names have been purposely omitted from this book.
Several grammatical functions such as pronunciation symbols, inflectional 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 definition 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).
Definitions are shown in sentence form. Wherever examples follow the definition
sentence, the first 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.
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 officers 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.
iii
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 first four editions of the Plumbing
Dictionary were published – each containing more and more definitions 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.
iv
Nomenclature Committee
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
v
A. accessory
Aa
1
accurate acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
rail, curtain pins and hooks, etc. 4. a the term used to describe any form of
component which can, at the discretion waste in which acids appear in stronger
of the user, be readily added, removed or concentration than normally found in
replaced and which, when removed, will household waste.
not prevent the device from fulfilling its
acid waste fitting (ac-id waste fit-ting)
primary function.
a pipe fitting made of acid resistant
accurate (ac-cu-rate) without error; materials, suitable for use in acid waste
precise; correct; conforming exactly to piping systems.
a standard.
acid waste pipe (ac-id waste pipe) pipe
acet. Abbr. for Acetylene. made of acid resistant materials. Some
of these are combinations of silicates and
acetylene (acet-y-lene) a colorless gaseous
iron, stainless steel, glass.
hydrocarbon HC=CH made especially by
the action of water on calcium carbide. acid waste system (ac-id waste sys-tem) in
Used for illuminating and in welding plumbing a system of pipe and fittings,
and soldering. paralleling a plumbing drainage system,
except that it is installed where acids are
acid (ac-id) the name of a group of organic
formed in stronger concentration than
or inorganic compounds with common
normally found in household waste, i.e.:
characteristics. One of the characteristics
a laboratory, research or medical building.
is that it will ionize in water to produce
The system is constructed of materials
hydrogen ions. Turns blue litmus red.
resistant to the acids encountered.
Inorganic acids are used in producing
metals, plastics, explosives, and dyes. See acme thread (ac-me thread) a screw thread,
ALKALINE; CORROSION; ION; pH. the section of which is between the square
and V threads. Used extensively for feed
acid lead (ac-id lead) See HARD LEAD.
screws. The included angle of space is 29°
acid proof (ac-id proof) not susceptible to as compared to 60° of the National Coarse
acid attack. Compare with “acid resistant.” or U.S. Thread.
acid proof drain pipe and fittings (ac-id acre-foot (a-cre-foot) the volume that
proof drain pipe and fit-tings) piping would cover one acre to a depth of one
and fittings resistant to many acids. Used foot.
in laboratory waste, vent, and drainage
acr ylonitrile (a-cr y-lo-ni-trile) a
systems.
colorless volatile flammable liquid nitrile
acid resistant (ac-id re-sis-tant) term used CH=CHCN soluble in most organic
to describe a surface or material which solvents that is usually made by reaction
is not normally affected by contact with of hydrogen cyanide with acetylene or
acid. Compare with acid proof. with ethylene oxide with subsequent
dehydration of the ethylene cyanohydrin
acid resistant pipe (ac-id re-sis-tant pipe)
formed and that is used chiefly in organic
a conduit made of material which is
synthesis ‑ as an insecticide, and as a raw
resistant to corrosive action of acid. Used
material for polymerization especially
in laboratories, acid conduits, etc.
to synthetic rubbers and acrylic fibers.
acid sink (ac-id sink) a receptacle properly Also called vinyl cyanide. Abbr. ABS. See
trapped and connected to the acid waste ACRYLONITRILE-BUTADIENE-
system. The sink is usually made of acid STYRENE.
resistant materials.
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (a-cry-
acid waste (ac-id waste) in plumbing, 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.
2
actinometer adjustable tap
3
adjusted roof area air compressor
adjusted roof area (ad-just-ed roof area) apparatus for aerating a liquid, especially
in plumbing, the roof space which must water. 3. a drain, waste, and vent fitting
be added to the projected roof area to designed to control the flow of waste
take into consideration the effect on roof within the stack(s).
areas of parapets and other projections
aerator fitting (aer-a-tor fit-ting) 1. any
of a building. See PROJECTED ROOF
of a number of types of devices designed
AREA.
to deliver a mixture of air and water. 2.
adjustment (ad-just-ment) the placing any specialized apparatus for aerating a
and setting of parts or pieces in related liquid, especially water. 3. a drain, waste
positions. and vent fitting designed to control the
flow of waste within the stack or stacks.
adjustment range (ad-just-ment range)
the lowest to highest pressure to which aerogen (aer-o-gen) any of various gases
a valve can be adjusted by the existing producing bacteria.
means under static (no flow) conditions.
A.F.F. Abbr. for Above Finished Floor.
administrative authority (ad-min-is-tra-
agglomeration (ag-glom-er-ation) the
tive au-thor-ity) an individual official,
uniting of dispersed suspended particles
board, department or agency established
into larger particles which settle rapidly.
and authorized by a state, county, city or
other political subdivision created by law air (air) a colorless, odorless, tasteless,
to administer and enforce the provisions gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen
of the plumbing code as adopted or and other gases forming the atmosphere
amended. Shall include the administrative enveloping the earth.
authority’s duly authorized representative.
air admittance valve (air ad-mit-tance
See PLUMBING INSPECTOR.
valve) a device installed on a plumbing
A.DR. Abbr. for Access Door. drain, waste and vent system to allow air to
enter the drainage piping system, thereby
adsorption (ad-sorp-tion) the adhesion in
relieving negative pressure in the system.
an extremely thin layer of molecules as of
gases, solutes, or liquids, to the surface of air break (air break) a physical separation
solid bodies or liquids with which they which may be a low inlet into the indirect
are in contact. Compare to absorption. waste receptor from the fixture, appliance
or device indirectly connected. See
advance (of an offset) [ad-vance (of an
Drainage System Air Break.
off-set) ] the forward distance in a piping
offset. air chamber (air cham-ber) a vertical
or expanded pipe with its upper end
aeration (aer-a-tion) an artificial method
sealed, and its lower end connected to a
in which water and air are brought into
pressurized liquid system to absorb the
direct contact with each other. One
shock caused by sudden obstruction of
purpose is to release certain dissolved
flow. See Shock Arrestor.
gases which often cause water to have
obnoxious odors or disagreeable tastes. air chamber calculated (air cham-ber
Also used to furnish oxygen to waters that cal-cu-lated) an air chamber designed in
are oxygen deficient. The process may be accordance with the Dawson and Kalirski
accomplished by spraying the liquid in the formula for reducing the water hammer
air, bubbling air through the liquid or by pressure.
agitation of the liquid to promote surface
air compressor (air com-pres-sor) 1. any
absorption of the air.
devise used to compress air. A common
aerator (aer-a-tor) 1. any of a number type works on the same principle as a
of types of devices designed to deliver a pump. It has a piston that moves back
mixture of air and water. 2. any specialized and forth within a hollow cylinder,
compressing the air and forcing it into
4
air-cock algicide or algaecide
a closed chamber. Rotary (fan type) air hammer (air ham-mer) a portable tool
compressors are used in gas turbines, jet in which a chisel, rivet set, or other tool
engines and other devices. 2. a machine, is driven percussively by compressed air.
usually driven by a gasoline engine, Also called pneumatic hammer.
electric motor or steam power, in which
air inlet (air in-let) an opening, or series
a gas is compressed so that its expansion
of openings, through the body of a device
may be utilized as a source of power.
from the free atmosphere to the liquid
air-cock (air cock) See Air Valve. passage.
air conditioning (air con-di-tion-ing) the air lock (air lock) a stoppage of flow, as in
artificial process of treating air to adjust a pumping device, caused by air being in
its temperature, humidity, cleanliness, a part where liquid ought to circulate. See
distribution, and ventilation to meet the Vapor Lock.
requirements of the conditioned spaces.
air plug (air plug) a removable plug
air duct (air duck) a duct, conduit, or pipe screwed in a water-tight manhole or
for conveying air. scuttle cover.
air furnace (air fur-nace) a type of furnace air pump (air pump) a pump for
used in the production of malleable iron exchanging air from a closed space or
castings. A furnace that depends on a for compressing air or forcing it through
natural draft, as a reverberatory furnace, other apparatus.
and not on a blast.
air shutter (air shut-ter) an adjustable
air gap (air gap) in a water-supply system, device for varying the size of the primary
is the unobstructed vertical distance air inlets thus controlling the volume of
through the free atmosphere between the air to be mixed with gas for combustion.
lowest opening from any pipe or faucet
air valve (air valve) 1. any valve controlling
supplying water to a tank or plumbing
the passage of air as used in connection
fixture and the flood-level rim of the
with blast furnaces, gas producers, etc. 2.
receptacle. See Air Gap, Drainage
a small valve of the cock type to draw off
System.
or drain gas or liquid. See Pet Cock.
air gap, drainage system (air gap, drain-
alclad pipe (al-clad pipe) a composite pipe
age sys-tem) the unobstructed vertical
with an aluminum alloy core, having on
distance through the free atmosphere
one or both surfaces a metallurgically
between the outlet of waste pipe and the
bonded aluminum or aluminum alloy
flood rim of the receptacle into which it
layer that is anodic to the core alloy to
is discharged
which it is bonded, thus electrolytically
air gap, water supply system (air protecting the core alloy against corrosion.
gap, wa-ter sup-ply system) 1. the
alga (al-ga) pl. algae. Any of a group of
unobstructed vertical distance through
chiefly aquatic, non vascular plants such
the free atmosphere between the lowest
as seaweed, pond scums, stonewarts, with
opening from any pipe or faucet supply
chlorophyll often marked by a brown or
water to a tank or plumbing fixture and
red pigment. These plant bodies carry on
the flood-level rim of the receptacle 2. the
photosynthesis and are independently able
unobstructed vertical distance through
to make their own food.
the free atmosphere between the lowest
opening of any pipe or faucet supply algaecide (al-gae-cide) See Algicide.
water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or
algicide or algaecide (al-gi-cide or al-gae-
other device, and the flood level rim of
cide) any substance which kills algae; such
the receptor
as copper sulfate.
5
alignment American Standard Pipe Threads
6
American Standard Straight Pipe Threads annulet
7
annulus appliances, automatically controlled
annulus (an-nu-lus) a ringlike part, siphoning action which would break the
structure, or marking. seal. 2. a trap designed to prevent the
emptying of a sanitary trap because of
anode (an-ode) 1. the electrode at which
difference of pressure.
electrons have a device to enter the
external circuit – opposed to cathode. 2. in antisiphon vacuum breaker - non-
a water heater, a rod of magnesium metal pressure type (an-ti-si-phon vac-u-um
anodic to the other metal in the tank, break-er - non-pres-sure type) a device or
therefore protective against corrosion. means to prevent backsiphonage. Not to
be used under continuous pressure. Also
antifriction alloy (an-ti-fric-tion al-loy)
called: backsiphonage preventer.
any of various alloys of copper, tin, lead,
antimony or zinc, used especially in antisiphon vacuum breaker - pressure
bearings. type (an-ti-si-phon vac-u-um break-
er - pres-sure type) a device or means
antimonial lead (an-ti-mon-i-al lead) See
to prevent backsiphonage. Designed to
Hard Lead.
be used under continuous pressure. Also
antimony (an-ti-mo-ny) a silvery, brittle called: backsiphonage preventer. See
solid, having crystalline structure. It Vacuum Breaker-Pressure
expands when it solidifies. Used in type type.
metal with lead and tin.
antisweat covering (an-ti-sweat cov-
anti-scald valve (an-ti-scald valve) 1. er-ing) a cellular covering over pipe to
a pressure balancing valve (type P) insulate against the ambient temperature.
which senses incoming hot and cold Made of fiberglass or felt with tar paper
water pressure and compensates for inner lining.
fluctuations in either to stabilize outlet
A.P. Abbr. for Access Panel.
temperature. 2. a thermostatic valve
(type T) which senses outlet temperature appearance (ap-pear-ance) a thing seen. In
and compensates for fluctuations in plumbing – the eye appeal of the product,
incoming hot and cold water temperatures connections, pipes, etc.
to stabilize outlet temperature. 3. a
appliance (ap-pli-ance) 1. a device or
combination thermostatic/pressure
machine, especially for household use,
balancing valve (type T/P) which senses
not permanently connected to the potable
outlet temperature and incoming hot and
water supply, indirectly drained through
cold water pressure and compensates for
a receptor. 2. a plumbing appliance is an
fluctuations in incoming hot and cold
adjunct of the plumbing system, usually
water temperatures or pressure to stabilize
mechanical, and similar to a plumbing
outlet temperature.
fixture except that it is designed for
antisiphon (an-ti-si-phon) a device or a specific purpose and not generally
mechanism to cause the absence of indispensable in the operation of a
siphoning. See Siphon Breaker. plumbing system.
antisiphon hole (an-ti-si-phon hole) a appliance flue (ap-pli-ance flue) See
small hole placed in the wall of a dip tube Flue.
to prevent back syphonage beyond the
appliances, automatically controlled
level in the tank at which the anti-siphon
(ap-pli-ances, au-to-mat-i-cal-ly con-
hole is found. See Dip Tube.
trolled) any of a number of appliances,
antisiphon trap (an-ti-si-phon trap) 1. a such as water heaters, dishwashers, clothes
type of water seal trap in which the outlet washers, which are activated and de-
leg is increased in diameter to contain a activated by automatic controls such as
sufficient volume of liquid to prevent a pressure switches, timers, and thermostats.
8
apprentice area
apprentice (ap-pren-tice) one who is aqua regia (a-qua re-gia) a very corrosive
learning a trade by practical experience fuming yellow liquid made by mixing
under skilled workers. hydrochloric and nitric acid, usually in
proportion of one volume of nitric to
apprentice plumber (ap-pren-tice plumb-
three or four volumes of hydrochloric
er) one who works under the supervision
acid, that dissolves gold and platinum.
and guidance of a skilled and qualified
Called royal water because it dissolves
journey or master plumber for a prescribed
gold. Converts lead into a chloride. Also
course of training.
called: nitrohydrochloric acid.
approved (ap-proved) in plumbing,
A.R. Abbr. for Acid Resistant.
accepted or acceptable under an
application specification stated or cited arbor press (ar-bor press) a device for
in a code, or accepted as suitable for pressing an arbor or shaft into the bore
the proposed use under procedures and or hole of an article to be turned on a
powers of the administrative authority. lathe, and for removing same when work
is finished.
approved testing laboratory or agency
(ap-proved test-ing lab-or-a-to-ry or Archimedes’ Screw (ar-chi-me-des’ screw)
agen-cy) refers to an accredited laboratory a spiral screw which turns within a tube or
or agency having capabilities for both pipe in order to move material. When set
the laboratory and field evaluation of on an inclined angle can be used to raise
backflow prevention assemblies or devices. water. A very ancient method.
approved water supply (ap-proved wa- arc weld (arc weld) to join by means of a
ter sup-ply) any public potable water form of fusion welding in which the heat
supply which has been investigated and for fusion is supplied by an electric arc
approved by the State Department of formed between metal or carbon electrode
Public Health or the local health agency and the part being welded or between two
having jurisdiction. The system must be separate electrodes or between the two
operated under a valid health permit. In separate pieces being welded.
determining what constitutes an approved
arc welding (arc weld-ing) arc welding is
water supply, the State Department of
considered the best of all surface fusion
Public Health reserves final judgement as
methods for general purposes because it
to its safety and potability.
creates the highest temperatures. The arc
approximately (ap-prox-i-mately) is formed by an electric current which
nearly; frequently used when speaking travels down through the welder’s tool,
of the capabilities of machines, their then jumps across the intervening space,
measurements, and near shipping weights. the metal joint, or it may travel between
Nearly exact, to come near in position. the joint and the metal filler rod. The
piece to be welded is usually made the
appurtenance (ap-pur-te-nance) an
positive terminal. Direct current is used.
accessory or auxiliary part of a plumbing
The welding rod is the negative. The work
appliance, device or assembly.
is touched with the rod and withdrawn
apron sink (a-pron sink) a sink type causing an arc.
fixture, whose front and sides extend from
area (ar-ea) a measure of the size of any
5" to 8" from the top forming an apron
particular portion of a surface.
around the fixture.
aqua (a-qua) water.
aqua pura (a-qua pu-ra) pure water.
9
area drain atmospheric pressure
10
atmospheric type vacuum breaker-AVB automatic storage type water heater
11
automatic valve awl shaft
12
Babbitt metal backflow preventer, laboratory faucet type
Bb
14
backsiphonage backflow bald
15
baldy base
baldy (bal-dy) a slang term for a pipe nipple ball valve (ball valve) 1. a valve in which a
which is threaded on only one end, the ball fits into a spherical seat and regulates
other end is bare. Sometimes a water closet the aperture by its rise and fall due to
nipple is called a baldy. See Balled. fluid pressure, to a spring, or to its own
weight. 2. a type of motor operated valve.
ball bearing (ball bear-ing) 1. a bearing
See Ball Cock.
in which the journal turns upon loose
hardened steel balls that roll in a race and band clamp (band clamp) used to hold the
thus convert sliding friction into rolling weight of a riser pipe. Made of two pieces
friction. 2. a bearing in which the disk of of wrought iron or steel shaped to fit a pipe
a watt-hour meter is mounted on a vertical with ends protruding to accommodate
shaft that rotates with minimized friction bolts to secure same.
because of rolling action on a single steel
band hanger (band hang-er) See Band
ball between cupped jewels.
Clamp.
ball cock (ball cock) a faucet valve opened
B. & S. Abbr. for Bell and Spigot.
or closed by the fall or rise of a ball floating
on the surface of water, whose elevation baptismal fountain (bap-tis-mal foun-
is controlled wholly or in part by the tain) a vessel for holding liquid, usually
faucet valve. See Ball Valve; Water water, for religious rites; not connected
Closet Flushing Valve. directly to a drainage system.
ballcock, anti-siphon (ball-cock, an-ti-si- baptistry (bap-tist-ry) a separate building,
phon) a ballcock designed to prevent the a part of a church, or a tank, used for
back flow of water into the water supply baptismal services.
system by lack of or loss of water pressure
barber’s boiler (bar-ber’s boil-er) a water
in the supply system.
heater used in barber shops.
ballcock seat (ball-cock seat) an orifice
barometer (ba-rom-e-ter) an instrument
inside a valve thru which the liquid is
for measuring pressure of the atmosphere.
controlled; throttled, interrupted; allowed
Usually expressed in “inches of mercury”.
to flow or flow is stopped.
barometric loop (baro-met-ric loop)
balled (ball-ed) slang; in pipe work refers to
consists of a continuous section of supply
no threads, or bell and spigot connection.
piping that abruptly rises to a height of
ball float (ball float) a floating device in approximately 35 ft. (10.7 m) and then
the shape of a sphere, used to operate a returns back down to the originating
ball valve. level. It is a loop in the piping system that
effectively protects against backsiphonage.
ball headed (ball head-ed) See Balled.
It may not be used to protect against back
ball joint (ball joint) a connection in pressure. Its operation, in the protection
which a ball, hollow or solid, is held in a against backsiphonage, is based upon the
cuplike shell that allows movement in any principle that a water column, at sea level
direction in the joint other than along the pressure, will not rise above 33.9 ft.
axis of the pipes that are joined.
bar sink (bar sink) Abbr. B.S. See Sink.
ball reamer (ball ream-er) a hemispherical
bar strainer (bar strain-er) a filtering
rose reamer used in finishing the recess for
or straining device having a single rod
a ball joint. See Reamer.
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.
16
baseboard bath, sitz
17
bath trap bedpan washer hose
bath trap (bath trap) 1. a “p” type trap used battery of fixtures (bat-ter-y of fix-tures)
in the waste line from a bath tub. 2. an any group of two or more adjacent
“area” design of a particular version of a fixtures which discharge into a common
“p” type trap having a lesser depth seal. horizontal waste or soil branch.
bathtub (bath-tub) a fixture, shaped to fit battery waste and vent system (bat-
a body to bathe in, usually one forming a ter-y waste and vent sys-tem) See
permanent fixture in a bathroom. Types: C ombination Waste and
(a) Built-In; a tub permanently attached to Vent System.
a wall or walls and the floor. (b) Corner; a
B. B. E. Abbr. for Ball Both Ends.
tub designed to be installed with one end
and one side attached to the walls. (c) bbls. Abbr for Barrels.
Free Standing, Leg; a tub not attached to
B. Coli (b co-li) See Bacteria,
a wall, installed on legs, not attached to
Coliform Group.
the floor. (d) Island; a tub installed with
one end attached to a wall or partition. (e) B. Coli groups (b co-li groups) See
Bench; a tub with a built-in seat, usually Bacteria, Coliform Group.
in one corner or across the back. (f ) Leg;
bead chain (bead chain) a chain formed
same as Free Standing. (g) Recessed; same
of small hollow metal spheres connected
as Built-In. (h) Semi-Sunken (Sunken) ; a
by short dumbbell-shaped metal links
tub installed with the tub bottom lower
that is used especially in electric pull
than the finished floor of the room. (i)
sockets and switches. Used in plumbing
Right Hand; a tub with the drain at the
to hold stoppers or plugs to keep liquid
right end as you face the length of the tub.
in bathtubs or wash basins.
(j) Left Hand; a tub with the drain at the
left end as you face the length of the tub. beam clamp (beam clamp) a holding
Abbr. B.T. or BT. device used where beams are the supports.
Used with hangers, etc., to secure pipe
bathtub, hydrotherapy arm (bath-tub,
and appliances.
hy-dro-ther-a-py, arm) a bathtub for the
treatment of disease or disability by the bedpan (bed-pan) a shallow vessel so
external application of water to the arm. constructed that it can be used by a person
in bed for urination or defecation.
bathtub, hydrotherapy, body (bath-tub,
hy-dro-ther-a-py, bod-y) a bathtub for bedpan steamer (bed-pan steam-er) a
the treatment of disease or disability by the fixture used for scalding bedpans or
external application of water to the body. urinals by direct application of steam.
bathtub, hydrotherapy, leg (bath-tub, bedpan washer (bed-pan wash-er) a fixture
hy-dro-ther-a-py, leg) a bathtub for the designed to wash bedpans and to flush the
treatment of disease or disability by the contents into the soil drainage system. It
external application of water to the leg. may also provide for steaming the utensils
with steam or hot water.
bathtub, sitz (bath-tub, sitz) 1. a tub in
which one bathes in a sitting posture. 2. bedpan washer and sterilizer (bed-pan
a bath used especially in postoperative wash-er and ster-il-iz-er) in addition to
cases in which the hips and thighs of the washing the bedpan, this device frees it
patient are immersed in hot water for the from living micro-organisms usually by
therapeutic effect of the moist heat in the the use of physical or chemical agents.
perineal and anal regions. Also called bedpan washer and sanitizer.
battery charger (bat-ter-y charg-er) a bedpan washer hose (bed-pan wash-er
device for charging storage batteries. Also hose) a device supplied with hot and
called charger. cold water and located adjacent to a
water closet or clinic sink, to be used for
cleaning bedpans.
18
bee-hive strainer, urinal biochemical
bee-hive strainer, urinal (bee-hive strain- bending iron (bend-ing iron) a round,
er, uri-nal) a perforated or slotted cage tapered, and arched tool for forming
type strainer, spiral shaped, attached to lead pipes, fittings, and/or sheet lead. See
drain of a urinal, used to allow liquids to Bending Pin.
flow but retaining solids. See Pineapple
bending pin (bend-ing pin) a tool used
Strainer, Urinal; Urinal.
for throwing up an edge on lead pipe
bell (bell) that portion of a pipe or a pipe in preparing it for “wiping”. Used for
fitting which, for a short distance, is straightening or expanding flexible pipe.
sufficiently enlarged to receive the plain See Bending Iron.
or spigot end of another length of pipe
bending spring (bend-ing spring) steel lead
or pipe fitting of the same diameter for
working tool used in bending lead pipe.
the purpose of making a joint. See Hub.
See Sand Plug.
bell and spigot joint (bell and spi-got
bent coupling (bent cou-pling) same as
joint) each length of cast-iron pipe is
boiler coupling except at a 90° angle.
made with an enlarged or bell end, and
Sometimes referring to the corporation
a plain or spigot end. The spigot end of
f e r r u l e c o u p l i n g . S e e B oiler
one length fits into the bell end of the
B ushing ; C orporation
next length. The joint is made tight by
Ferrule.
caulking. Also called spigot joint. Abbr.
B. & S. Bessemer Process (bes-se-mer pro-cess) a
process of making steel from cast iron by
bell floor drain (bell floor drain) See
burning out carbon and other impurities
Bell Trap.
through the agency of a blast of air which
bell floor drain frame (bell floor drain is forced through the molten metal. The
frame) the outer pieces of a bell floor process is either acid or basic according to
drain. the nature of the refractory lining of the
converter, or vessel in which the blowing
bell metal (bell me-tal) a bronze that
is conducted.
consists usually of three or four parts
of copper to one of tin and is used for Bessemer steel (bes-se-mer steel) steel made
making bells. by the Bessemer Process.
bell trap (bell trap) 1. a stench-trap B.F.P. Abbr. for Back Flow Preventer.
consisting of an inverted bell with water-
bibb (bibb) See Faucet.
seal. 2. a bell-shaped trap below the inlet
of a floor drain. bibb washer (bibb wash-er) 1. a faucet
washer. 2. a disc with a hole in it used to
bell trap for cesspool (bell trap for cess-
stop the liquid when the faucet is closed.
pool) See Bell Trap.
bidet (bi-det) a fixture about the height of
belt (belt) a continuous band of tough
the seat of a chair that often has fixtures
flexible material (as leather, rubber,
for running water and is used especially
fabric, wire) for transmitting motion and
for bathing the external genitals and the
power from one pulley to another, or for
posterior parts of the body.
conveying materials.
big inch (big inch) a term used to describe
bench mark (bench mark) 1. a mark on
pipe and pipe lines that are 24" in
a fixed and enduring object indicating
diameter and larger.
a particular elevation and used as a
reference in topographical surveys and biochemical (bi-o-chem-i-cal) dealing with
tidal observations. 2. a point of reference the chemical compounds and processes
from which measurements of any sort may occurring in living organisms (plant and
be made. Abbr. B.M. animal)
19
biochemical action blind vent
biochemical action (bi-o-chem-i-cal ac- black cast iron fitting (black cast iron
tion) chemical changes resulting from the fit-ting) uncoated or black painted cast
metabolism of living organisms. iron fitting.
biochemical oxygen demand (bi-o-chem- black lead (black lead) a commercial form
i-cal ox-y-gen de-mand) the oxygen used of graphite. Used for coating patterns and
in meeting the metabolic needs of aerobic the faces of cast-iron chilling molds.
micro-organisms in water rich in organic
black pipe (black pipe) uncoated, or black
matter (as water polluted with sewage)
painted, conduit. Sometimes steel pipe
Also called biological oxygen demand.
which has no coating, is called black pipe
Abbr. B.O.D.
because of the color of the oxide scale
biological tank (bi-o-log-i-cal tank) See which forms on steel when it is worked
Septic Tank. through tools in the process of being
manufactured.
biota (bi-o-ta) the animal and plant life
of a region; flora and fauna collectively. blade for hack saw (blade for hack saw)
a serrated edged cutting tool inserted in
bismuth (bis-muth) a brittle grayish-
a frame shaped as an inverted “U”. See
white metal with a pink or red tint. Pure
Hacksaw.
bismuth is harder than lead and melts at
520 °F. Also used with lead, tin, or iron blank flange (blank flange) a flange without
to make alloys used for fusible bulbs bolt holes. See Blind Flange.
and safety plugs for automatic sprinkler
blau gas (blau gas) an oil gas consisting
systems and boiler plugs. Bismuth is
chiefly of a mixture of lower saturated
used chiefly in the formation of alloys
and unsaturated hydrocarbons supplied
characterized by low fusibility or by
in liquid form under pressure and used
expanding upon solidification.
especially for heating and lighting and as
bit (bit) 1. part of an instrument for boring. a motor fuel. Distinguished from blue gas.
2. a drill worked by a brace. See Brace. See Blue Gas.
bit brace (bit brace) See Brace. bldg. Abbr. for Building.
bitransit (bi-tran-sit) a standing overflow. bleach (bleach) See Chlorinated
Lime.
bi-transit waste-bath tub (bi-tran-sit
waste-bath tub) free standing waste, i.e.: bleed (bleed) 1. to shed or exude a liquid as
bathtub waste and overflow. in a minute leak. 2. to leak; especially to
leak an iron-stained liquid, as the seams
bitumen (bi-tu-men) any of a number of
of a boiler.
mineral substances that will burn, such as
asphalt, petroleum and naptha. blind flange (blind flange) a flange without
an opening for the passage of water, liquid,
bituminous fiber pipe (bi-tu-min-ous
or gas. It closes the end of a pipe. See
fi-ber pipe) non-metallic pipe made
Blank Flange.
by combining an interwoven structure
of threads of cellulose material with a blind man’s rule (blind man's rule) a slang
bituminous material such as asphalt. description of a rule or measure on which
Usually spelled fibre. Used for sewers and the marks and numbers are pronounced
drains, sleeves and conduits between 1949 and large.
and 1971. See Bitumen.
blind vent (blind vent) a fixture vent
bi-vinyl (bi-vi-nyl) See Butadiene. terminating in a wall or in such a manner
that only the appearance of a vent is
black alum (black a-lum) See Alum,
provided.
Black.
20
blister steel boiler blow-off tank
blister steel (blis-ter steel) crude blunt cold chisel (blunt cold chis-el) a dull
steel formed from wrought iron by chisel made of tool steel of a strength,
cementation; so called from its blistered shape and temper suitable for chipping
surface. or cutting cold metal.
blk. Abbr. for Black. board (board) See Administrative
Authority.
block and tackle (block and tack-le) a
machine used to aid in moving, hoisting bobbin (bob-bin) wooden lead working
and hauling weights; made of ropes and tool used to draft lead waste pipe in
pulleys. The pulleys are called blocks and the same manner as drift plug; also
the rope is the tackle. employed in bending lead pipe without
bending spring or sand. See Bending
block tin (block tin) 1. commercial tin
Spring; Drift Plug; Dummy;
casting blocks containing small quantities
Sand Plug.
of various impurities (such as copper,
lead, iron or arsenic) 2. solid tin, as B.O.D. Abbr. for Biochemical Oxygen
distinguished from tin plate. Demand.
blow-off (blow-off) 1. a blowing off of body wastes (bo-dy wastes) discharges from
water, steam, etc., or an apparatus for the abdominal cavities. See Abdominal
same. 2. a controlled outlet from a Cavity Discharges; Soil.
pipeline used to discharge water, steam,
boiler (boil-er) 1. a vessel used for heating
vapor, sludge or waste.
water. 2. the part of a steam generator in
blow-off cock (blow-off cock) See Blow- which water is converted into steam and
off Valve. which consists of metal shells, headers,
and tubes that form the containers for
blow-off valve or drain (blow-off valve
the steam and other liquids are heated or
or drain) a valve or drain connection on
where hot water is stored.
a steam or hot water boiler so arranged
that the water and steam may be drawn boiler accessories (boil-er ac-ces-so-ries)
off with any accumulated oil, grease and any of several attachments or mechanical
dirt. Also called blow-off drain. devices that aid in the operation of a
boiler, i.e.: gauges, valves, fittings, pet cocks,
blow out closet (blow out clo-set) a toilet
water switches, relief valve and drain valves.
which empties with the aid of a large
volume of water under pressure directed boiler band (boil-er band) See Boiler
to the outlet of the bowl which causes the Hanger.
contents of the bowl to be literally forced,
boiler basin (boil-er ba-sin) See Boiler
or blown, to the drainage system.
Blow-off Tank.
blue gas (blue gas) a gas that burns with
boiler blow-off (boil-er blow-off) an
a blue or so-called nonluminous flame
outlet on a boiler to permit emptying
only, specifically uncarbureted water gas
of discharge of sediment; a drain. See
used for industrial heating. Distinguished
BLOW-OFF VALVE.
from blau gas. See Blau Gas.
boiler blow-off tank (boil-er blow-off
blue water gas (blue wa-ter gas) a mixture
tank) a vessel designed to receive the
of approximately equal proportions of
discharge from a boiler blow-off outlet
CO and H made by passing steam over
and to cool the discharge to a temperature
incandescent coke in a special generator.
of 130 °F or less which permits its safe
See Water Gas, Carbureted;
discharge to the drainage system.
Carbureted Water Gas.
21
boiler bushing boiler pressure gauge
boiler bushing (boil-er bush-ing) a fitting boiler elbow (boil-er el-bow) a specially
containing an outer thread and two pipe designed 90° fitting with a union
connections inside and outside the tank. connection used in connecting piping to
See Bent Coupling; Range a range boiler. See Boiler Fitting.
Boiler Coupling.
boiler feeder valve (boil-er feed-er valve)
boiler, cement lined (boil-er, ce-ment an automatically controlled valve which
lined) a vessel or container lined with maintains a desired amount of water in the
cement (coated internally) boiler. See Boiler Cut-off Valve.
boiler cleaner (boil-er clean-er) See boiler fitting (boil-er fit-ting) a specially
Boiler Cleaning Compound. designed fitting, either straight through,
or with a 90° turn having a union
boiler cleaning compound (boil-er clean-
connection. Used in connecting piping
ing com-pound) chemicals compounded
to a range boiler. See Boiler Elbow.
to remove deposits in boilers.
boiler gauge (boil-er gauge) a temperature
boiler cleaning liquid (boil-er clean-ing
or pressure registering device installed
liq-uid) See Boiler Compound.
in boilers. See Boiler Gauge
boiler compound (boil-er com-pound) any Column; Hot Water Boiler
chemical added to feed water for boilers, Thermometer.
as for preventing corrosion, foaming or
boiler gauge column (boil-er gauge col-
the formation of scale.
umn) a glass tube used to indicate the
boiler control, automatic (boil-er con-trol, level of water in a boiler. See Boiler
au-to-mat-ic) a device to automatically Gauge.
control the temperature within boiler.
boiler hanger (boil-er hang-er) a metal
boiler coupling (boil-er coup-ling) a strap or rod device to support a boiler by
specially designed straight through hanging them from some other support.
coupling, having no union connection Also called boiler band.
used in connecting piping in a boiler
boiler jacket (boil-er jack-et) See Boiler
system. See Boiler Bushing.
Cover.
boiler cover (boil-er cov-er) usually
boiler jacket asbestos (boil-er jack-et as-
referring to the covering (insulation) of a
bes-tos) a boiler cover made of asbestos
boiler, made of various types of insulating
fibers for insulating purposes.
material.
boiler mixing valve (boil-er mix-ing
boiler covering (boil-er cov-er-ing) See
valve) a multi-port valve used to mix
Boiler Cover.
waters of separate temperatures to a
boiler cut-off valve (boil-er cut-off valve) desired temperature, usually an automatic
a valve installed in the water inlet line to control.
a boiler. See Boiler Feeder Valve.
boiler, monel metal (boil-er, mo-nel me-
boiler drain (boil-er drain) a valve tal) a boiler made of metal known as
connected at or near the bottom of a monel, similar to German Silver or some
boiler for the purpose of draining and/or type stainless steel.
flushing. See Water Heater Drain
boiler pressure gauge (boil-er pres-sure
Valve.
gauge) a device which registers boiler
boiler drain cock (boil-er drain cock) See pressure.
Boiler Drain.
22
boiler stand branch ell
boiler stand (boil-er stand) 1. a device bonnet (bon-net) 1. a cover used to guide
on which to set a storage tank, raising it and enclose the stem of a valve. 2. that
above the floor to allow for pipe fittings to portion of a gate valve into which the disc
be inserted in bottom of tank. 2. support rises when the valve is opened.
frame for a boiler constructed of cast
borax (bo-rax) a hydrate sodium
iron or steel.
borate. Used as a flux, cleansing agent,
boiler temperature gauge (boil-er tem- preservative, fire retardant and water
per-a-ture gauge) See Boiler Gauge. softener.
boiler trim (boil-er trim) hot water boiler borosilicate glass (bo-ro-sil-i-cate glass)
or steam boiler accessories. See Acid Waste.
boiler tube (boil-er tube) a tube inserted in bossing stick (boss-ing stick) a wooden tool
the top of a tank to direct the cold water for shaping lead for tank lining.
to the bottom, thus preventing the cooling
bottle trap (bot-tle trap) a bottle shaped
of the stored hot water.
partioned chamber so designed to provide
boiling point (boil-ing point) the a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet
temperature at which a liquid boils. to prevent the passage of sewer gas without
Specific: the temperature at which the materially affecting the flow of sewage or
vapor pressure of a liquid is equal to the liquid wastes.
external pressure, the boiling point thus
bottle washer (bot-tle wash-er) a machine
decreasing with a decrease in pressure
that washes bottles.
(as 100 °C for water at a pressure of 760
mm of mercury and 51 °C at 100 mm) bottled gas (bot-tled gas) gas under
Abbr. B.P. pressure in portable cylinders, usually
propane.
bolt (bolt) 1. a bar or other usually
cylindrically shaped length of metal, box end wrench (box end wrench) a
wood, or other strong material that combination open end and box wrench.
moves through the guides (as iron staples)
box union (box un-ion) a fitting, device, or
attached to a door or other movable frame,
coupling for linking the ends of pipes (the
the end being received into an adjoining
nut portion of which is square) that can be
fixed socket (as one attached to the jamb
opened, or separated, without dismantling
or lintel). 2. a rod or heavy pin (as one
the pipes. See Union.
made of steel) designed to fasten two or
more objects (as metal plates) together or B.P.S. Abbr. for Bedpan Sterilizer.
to hold one or more objects in place. 3.
B.P.W. Abbr. for Bedpan Washer.
often having a head at one end and screw
thread cut upon the other end and being brace (brace) a hand held device into which
usually secured by a nut or by riveting. is fastened a “bit” or “drill” used to bore
holes. See Bit.
bolt cutter (bolt cut-ter) large pincer for
cutting bolts and reinforcing rod. brace and bit (brace and bit) See Brace.
bolt for faucet (bolt for fau-cet) a threaded branch (branch) a pipe in a plumbing
rod with a head on one end to hold on system from which no other branch
the handle or to hold the washer in place. pipes discharge. Any part of the piping
system other than a main, riser, or stack.
bolt stud (bolt stud) See Stud Bolt.
The branch pipe discharges into a main
bolt threader (bolt thread-er) stock and or submain.
die for threading common sizes of bolts
branch ell (branch ell) an elbow having a
or rods.
back inlet in line with one of the outlets of
the “run”. Also called a heel outlet elbow.
23
branch interval broad curve nose
branch interval (branch in-ter-val) a brazed joint (braze joint) a joint obtained
length of soil or waste stack corresponding, by joining of metal parts with alloys which
in general, to the height of one story, but melt at temperatures higher than 840
in no case less than eight feet, within °F (449 °C) but lower than the melting
which the horizontal branches from one temperature of the parts to be joined.
floor or story of a building are connected
brazing (braz-ing) 1. joining metals by the
to a stack.
use of a brass filler. 2. to unite by intensely
branch joint (branch joint) a “T” or “wye” heating the parts to be joined and applying
connection made in lead pipe fittings any one of a number of high temperature
involving the wiping of a solder joint. melting solders which range in melting
point from alloys rich in silver to pure
branch line (branch line) a water supply
copper. See Hard Solder.
line connecting one or more fixtures with
a water supply main, riser or other branch. brick chisel (brick chis-el) an 18" or longer
cold chisel for cutting brick masonry.
branch pipe (branch pipe) a general term
used to designate a pipe, either cast or brim stone or brimstone (brim stone or
wrought, that is equipped with one or brim-stone) See Sulfur.
more branches.
brine (brine) water saturated or strongly
branch vent (branch vent) 1. a vent impregnated with common salt.
connecting one or more individual vents
brine tank (brine tank) a tank or vessel
into a vent stack or stack vent. 2. a vent
for containing water saturated or strongly
pipe in which two or more venting fixtures
impregnated with common salt. Abbr.
are connected.
Br.T.
brass (brass) an alloy, essentially of
britannia metal (bri-tan-ni-a met-
copper, with a base metal of zinc. Often
al) a silver-white alloy largely of tin,
other metals are added to make the
antimony, and copper; similar to pewter.
alloy stronger, harder, or to improve
See Pewter; White Metal.
machinability. Other elements added for
a specific purpose are lead, nickel, tin, British Standard Taper Pipe Thread (brit-
aluminum and manganese. ish stan-dard ta-per pipe thread) thread
form used in Britain. Includes external
brass faucet (brass fau-cet) a valve (faucet)
threads which can be assembled to either
made of brass metal.
straight or tapered internal threads.
brass flare fitting (brass flare fit-ting) a Straight external threads cannot be used
fitting with threads internal or external for a leakproof or joint threads. In this
to which a mating nut compresses the thread form, the sides of the thread form
pipe or tube whose end is flared or made an angle of 55° with each other and the
funnel shaped. Compression is of the depth of the thread is equal to 0.640327
flared portion of the tube or pipe. x the pitch of the thread. The taper is the
same as American Standard Taper, 3/4"
brass pipe vise (brass pipe vise) See Brass
per foot.
Pipe Wrench.
British thermal unit (brit-ish ther-mal
brass pipe wrench (brass pipe wrench)
u-nit) the quantity of heat required to
a wrench arranged for brass tubing; the
raise the temperature of one pound of
curve preventing the crushing of the
water one degree fahrenheit at or near 39.2
tubing.
°F (1 BTU/hr = 0.293 watts) Abbr. B.T.U.
braze (braze) 1. to solder with an alloy
broad curve nose (broad curve nose) a
that is relatively infusible compared with
caulking tool.
common solder. 2. a high temperature
solder.
24
bronze building storm sewer
bronze (bronze) an alloy of copper and building drainage system gravity (build-
tin. For special purposes other metals ing drain-age sys-tem gra-vity) a drainage
such as phosphorus, lead, zinc, silicon, or system which drains by gravity into the
aluminum are added. Most bronze alloys building sewer.
resist corrosion.
building drain combined (build-ing
brushes, fitting (brush-es, fit-ting) See drain com-bined) a building drain which
fitting brushes. conveys both sewage and storm water or
other drainage.
Br.T. Abbr. for Brine Tank.
building drain, sanitary (build-ing
B.S. Abbr. for Bar Sink.
drain, san-i-tary) a building drain
bsmt. Abbr. for Basement. which conveys the discharge of plumbing
fixtures.
B.T. Abbr. for Bath Tub.
building drain, storm (build-ing drain,
B.T.U. Abbr. for British Thermal Unit.
storm) 1. a building drain which conveys
bubbler (bub-bler) the mouthpiece of storm water or other drainage. 2. a
a drinking fountain. See Drinking building drain used for conveying rain
Fountain. water, surface water, ground water,
subsurface water, condensate, cooling
bucket trap (buck-et trap) a contrivance to
water, or other similar discharge to a
let air and condensed water out of steam
storm sewer or a combined building sewer,
pipes and radiators with little escape of
extending to a point not less than three
steam.
feet outside of the building wall.
buffalo box (buf-fa-lo box) See Curb
building sewer (build-ing sew-er) that part
Box.
of the horizontal piping of a plumbing
buffer (buf-fer) a substance, or mixture drainage system that extends from the end
of substances, whose pH is relatively of the building drain to the public sewer or
constant when in solution is capable of other building drain. The building sewer
neutralizing both acids and bases and thus is the pipe which begins at least three feet
acts to maintain the original hydrogen ion outside the inner face of the building wall
concentration of the solution. and extends to a public sewer, septic tank,
or other place of sewage disposal.
building (build-ing) a structure having
walls and a roof designed and used for the building sewer, combined (build-ing sew-
housing, shelter, enclosure, or support of er, com-bined) a building sewer which
persons, animals, or property. Abbr. Bldg. conveys both sewage and storm water
or other drainage. Note: In many places,
building classification (build-ing clas-
combined sewers are prohibited.
si-fi-ca-tion) 1. designation of building
according to occupancy or use. 2. in building sewer, storm (build-ing sew-er,
a plumbing code for the purpose of storm) 1. a building sewer which conveys
administration, buildings are sometimes rain water, surface water, condensate,
classified according to occupancy. cooling water, storm water or other
drainage but no sewage. 2. the extension
building drain (build-ing drain) that
from the building storm drain to the
part of the lowest horizontal piping
public storm sewer, combined sewer, or
of a plumbing drainage system which
other point of disposal.
receives the discharge from soil, waste,
and/or other stacks inside the building building storm sewer (build-ing storm
and terminates at least three feet outside sew-er) See Building Sewer,
the inner face of the foundation wall. See Storm.
House Drain.
25
building subdrain bypass
26
bypass relief valve bypass vent stack
27
C. cap screw
Cc
C. Abbr. for Centigrade; also for Hundred. kilogram of water one degree celsius at one
atmosphere pressure; 1000 gram calories is
C. A. Abbr. for Compressed Air.
equal to 3.968 BTU. Also called kilogram
cabinet top (cab-i-net top) the upper calorie, large calorie.
surface of cabinet structures – a work
can (can) a slang expression. See Water
bench or table.
Closet.
cadmium (cad-mi-um) a white metallic
candle (can-dle) a cylindrical piece of
element that looks much like tin. Its
tallow or wax with a wick running through
alloys help reduce friction and offer great
it that can be burned to give light. Used
resistance to fatigue. It is softer than
by plumbers when working lead.
zinc and resists corrosion better, and
often replaces zinc in galvanizing iron candle wick (can-dle wick) center wick of
and steel. wax candle or latern using oil
cage valve (cage valve) a valve (faucet) candle wicking (can-dle wick-ing) a fine
inside a skeleton frame and used as a thread of cotton used on pipe threads
protection to the working members of and under packing nuts to make them
the valve. water tight.
cake sludge (cage sludge) the material C a n d y ’s f l u i d ( c a n - d y’s f l u - i d )
resulting from air drying or dewatering permonganate of potash. Once used for
sludge. deodorizing cesspools and sewage.
calcined gypsum (cal-cined gyp-sum) See canvas jacket or covering (can-vas jack-
Plaster of Paris. et or cov-er-ing) a jacket or cover made
of cloth used to cover insulation usually
caliber (cal-i-ber) internal diameter or
associated with heated devices in plumbing.
bore.
cap. Abbr. for Capacity.
calibration (cal-i-bra-tion) ascertaining
the amount of variation from absolute cap (cap) a fitting into which the end of a
accuracy in a scientific instrument. pipe is screwed, soldered, or caulked for
the purpose of closing the end of the pipe.
caliper (cal-i-per) a measuring instrument
having two legs or jaws that can be capacity (ca-pa-ci-ty) 1. the maximum
adjusted to determine thickness, diameter amount that can be obtained. 2. the
caliber and distance between surfaces. maximum ability to hold or contain
(e.g. filled to capacity) 3. rate of water
calorie (cal-o-rie) 1. the amount of heat
flow under specified pressure conditions
required to raise the temperature of one
expressed in gallons per minute (GPM)
gram of water one degree centigrade at a
or liters per second (L/s).
pressure of one atmosphere, also called
gram calorie. 2. the amount of heat cap screw (cap screw) See Tap Bolt.
required to raise the temperature of one
28
cape chisel cast iron fittings
cape chisel (cape chis-el) a cold chisel that carbonic acid refrigeration system (car-
has a long taper on the top and bottom bon-ic a-cid re-frig-er-a-tion sys-tem)
of the cutting end and a narrow edge. It cooling system using a weak dibasic acid
is forged with a thin V shaped blade for H2CO3 in solution.
cutting in slots, grooves, keyways and
carbureted water gas (car-bur-et-ed wa-
deep corners.
ter gas) See Water Gas.
capillary (cap-il-lar-y) the action by which
card-weight pipe (card-weight pipe) a
the surface of a liquid where it is in contact
term applied to standard or full-weight
with a solid is elevated or depressed
pipe, which is the Briggs Standard
depending upon the relative attraction of
thickness of pipe.
the molecules of the liquid for each other
and for those of the solid. carrier (car-ri-er) a device used to mount
an off-the-floor plumbing fixture such as
carafe (ca-rafe) variants: carafe, craft, croft.
lavatory, water closet, urinal or sink.
A bottle usually made of glass with a
narrow neck and spherical body and used carrier fitting (car-ri-er fit-ting) the
to hold water or beverages. drainage fitting used with, or integral
with, a carrier. Also known as closet
carafe filler (ca-rafe fil-ler) a water supply
fittings, urinal fittings, etc.
control device (faucet) designed to fill
distinct (carafe) devices. cast copper fitting (cast cop-per fit-ting)
a pipe size or tube size pipe fitting made
carbide tip bit (car-bide tip bit) See Bit.
from any of a number of commercial
carbon (car-bon) a very common non- grades of copper by pouring the molten
metallic chemical element occurring metal into a mold. Compare with wrought
native (as in diamonds, and graphite) and copper fittings which are formed by
forming as constituent in coal, petroleum, pressure from tubing.
asphalt and all organic compounds.
cast iron (cast i-ron) a commercial alloy of
Obtained artificially in varying degrees
iron, carbon, and silicon cast in a mold,
of purity; especially as carbon black,
being hard, brittle, non-malleable and
lampblack, activated carbon, charcoal
incapable of being hammer welded but
and cake. Used in these, and other forms,
more easily fusible than steel. Abbr. C.I.
chiefly as a pigment, absorbent, fuel,
See Pig Iron.
electrode material, structural material and
reducing agent. cast iron, charcoal hearth (cast i-ron,
char-coal hearth) cast iron from which
carbon, activated (car-bon, ac-ti-va-ted)
silicon and, generally, phosphorous have
See Activated Carbon.
been removed in a charcoal hearth, but
carbonated water (car-bon-a-ted wa-ter) still containing so much carbon.
See Soda Water.
cast iron closet bend (cast i-ron clos-et
carbonated water type backflow preventer bend) a 90° fitting used in “soil” work to
(car-bon-a-ted wa-ter type back- connect a water closet to a soil stack or
flow pre-vent-er) See BACKFLOW branch soil pipe.
PREVENTER CARBONATED WATER
cast iron fittings (cast i-ron fit-tings)
TYPE.
fittings of many shapes and sizes made of
carbon dioxide (car-bon di-ox-ide) a cast iron. Fittings used in connection with
colorless gas, heavier than water, that does cast iron pipe consist of Y’s, tees sanitary
not support combustion. Called dry ice in tees, double Y’s and bends and elbows of
the frozen state. 221/2° to 90°.
29
cast iron flanged fittings caulking coupling
cast iron flanged fittings (cast i-ron cast iron soldering (cast iron sold-er-ing)
flanged fit-tings) fittings made with discs 1. the art of soldering cast iron. 2. a
at the ports. The discs are either supports process consisting of decarbonizing the
or may have holes so that bolting can join surface of the cast iron to be soldered,
several such units. the molten hard solder being at the same
time brought into contact with the red
cast iron flux (cast i-ron flux) a wetting
hot metallic surfaces.
agent used in brazing, soldering, or
welding cast iron by either gas or electric cast steel (cast steel) steel which has been
or combination methods. in a state of fusion; either in the making
or otherwise.
cast iron pipe (cast i-ron pipe) pipes of
various sizes and lengths made of cast iron. catch basin (catch ba-sin) a water tight
See Double Hub Soil Pipe; Cast receptacle built to arrest sediment of surface
Iron Soil Pipe. subsoil or other waste drainage, and to
retain oily or greasy wastes from entering
cast iron pressure pipe and fittings (cast
the house sewer or drain. Abbr. C.B. See
iron pres-sure pipe and fit-tings) See
Receptor; Interceptor.
Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings.
cathodic protection (cath-od-ic pro-tec-
cast iron soil pipe (cast i-ron soil pipe) cast
tion) 1. the control of the electrolytic
iron soil pipe is manufactured in lengths of
corrosion of an underground or
five feet. The lengths are cast in two forms,
underwater metallic structure by the
single and double hub of standard and
application of an electric current in such a
extra heavy specification, and standard
way that the structure is made to act as the
specification hubless type.
cathode instead of anode of an electrolytic
Single-hub pipe is equipped with one
cell. 2. the use of materials and liquids to
hub and one spigot end. It is used as a rule,
cause electricity to flow to avoid corrosion.
in the installation of plumbing in its full
length. Double-hub pipe is constructed caulked joint (caulked joint) to connect
with a hub on each end so it may be cut soil pipe by use of packed oakum and
into two pieces when a short piece of pipe molten lead, sealed by caulking with tools
is needed. designed for that purpose.
Cast iron pipe and fittings are dipped
caulker (caulk-er) one who caulks.
in a bath of coal tar pitch which has
been heated to a temperature of 300 °F. caulk fitting (caulk fit-ting) a fitting which
This practice makes the pipe more acid- is connected to another, or a piece of pipe,
resistant and more favorable for drainage by means of caulking; usually with lead
installations. and oakum.
Cast iron pipe is sometimes used to
caulking (caulk-ing) 1. stopping up by
replace vitrified clay sewer pipe. It may
pounding, tapping, or pushing into and
be laid in unstable soil without danger of
making watertight the seams as by filling
sagging. See Soil Pipe.
with a water-proofing compound or
cast iron soil pipe fittings (cast iron soil material to prevent leakage from materials
pipe fit-tings) soil pipe fittings made of such as with oakum, lead, or other. 2. to
cast iron. For use with cast iron soil pipe. keep from slipping. 3. to make tight by
Manufactured in three classes; a. service pouring. 4. to force by pounding.
class, b. extra heavy class, and c. hubless
caulking coupling (caulk-ing coup-ling)
class. When furnished in either the service
a male and female assembly where the
or extra heavy class, the fittings will be of
annulus is packed to make a joint. Some
the hub and spigot varieties. In the hubless
couplings join similar material, some join,
class, the fittings will be of the plane end
dissimilar material.
varieties. See Cast Iron Fittings.
30
caulking ferrule, brass cesspool strainer
caulking ferrule, brass (caulk-ing fer-rule, center to end (cen-ter to end) A means of
brass) See Caulking Coupling clarifying in plumbing design, the basis
(except made of brass metal) for a measurement. Abbr. C. to E.
caulking iron (caulk-ing iron) 1. a tool Centigrade (cen-ti-grade) relating,
used in conjunction with a hammer or conforming to, or having a thermometric
mallet to compress material by impaction. scale on which the interval between the
2. tools impacted against a substance two standard points, the freezing and the
to compress or force or compact. There boiling point of water, is divided into
are many sizes, shapes, and weights of one hundred, zero degrees representing
caulking irons. See Short-Nosed the freezing and one hundred degrees the
Caulking Iron. boiling point. Abbr. C. See Celsius.
caulking recess (caulk-ing re-cess) a centrifugal pump (cen-tri-fu-gal pump)
counterbore or recess in the back of a a pumping machine in which pressure
flange into which lead can be caulked for is created as the liquid or gas is moved
water pipes and similar connections. outward from center by the rotary motion
of the impeller.
C.B. Abbr. for Catch Basin.
centrifuge (cen-tri-fuge) a machine using
ceiling (ceil-ing) the interior upper surface
centrifugal force for separating substances
of a room.
of different densities, removing moisture,
ceiling flange (ceil-ing flange) a flange, or or stimulating gravitational effects.
escutcheon, covering an opening in the
certified backflow assembly tester (cer-
ceiling caused by an pipe penetration.
ti-fied back-flow as-sem-bly tes-ter) an
See Split-Hanger, Pipe; Slip-On
individual who has shown competence
Flange.
to test and maintain backflow assemblies
ceiling iron (ceil-ing iron) used in caulking to the satisfaction of the administrative
joints very close to a ceiling, the blow of authority having jurisdiction.
the hammer being delivered on the offset
certified plumber (cer-ti-fied plumb-er)
near the handle. See Invert Iron.
See MASTER PLUMBER.
cellulose (cell-u-lose) the chief substance
ceruse (ce-ruse) white lead as a pigment.
composing the cell walls or woody parts
of plants. Used in making fibre piping for cess pit (cess pit) an open pit for the
sewers and conduits. See Fibre Pipe. disposal of sewage or refuse. From
cesspool plus pit. Compare with septic
Celsius (cel-si-us) a term which is used
tank in the sense that a septic tank or
when referring to temperature in the
system is equipped with outlets.
Centigrade scale. Anders Celsius, Swedish
astronomer, invented the Centigrade cesspool (cess-pool) a pit for the reception
scale. or detention of sewage. Sometimes called a
dry well, especially when of relatively small
cem. Abbr. for Cement.
diameter and large depth. Distinguished
cement (ce-ment) 1. any substance that from a septic tank by the fact that water,
hardens to form an adhesive. 2. to cover or sewage, does not enter and leave the
or coat with cement. Abbr. Cem. cesspool at the same time and rate. See
Dry Well; Septic Tank.
cement joint (ce-ment joint) the union
of two fittings by insertion of material. cesspool cover (cess-pool cov-er) a lid or
Sometimes this joint is accomplished covering over a cesspool.
mechanically; sometimes chemically.
cesspool strainer (cess-pool strain-er) a
center line (cen-ter line) a line dividing an tool or a ladle like unit with holes to allow
area into equal portions. separation of liquid from solids.
31
C.F.M. chemical waste
C.F.M. Abbr. for Cubic Feet per Minute. chase (chase) 1. a lengthwise groove for the
reception of a part to make a joint. 2. to
C.F.S. Abbr. for Cubic Feet per Second.
cut threads. See Pipe Chase.
chain saw (chain saw) a cutting tool that
chaser (cha-ser) a threading tool, either
has the teeth fit on an endless chain that
many toothed or having a single cutting
is powered by a gasoline engine, or electric
edge, especially shaped for cutting or
motor, or compressed air.
finishing external or internal screw threads
chain tongs or chain pipe tongs (chain or specified pitch and standard. Usually on
tongs or chain pipe tongs) 1. tongs for work revolving in a lathe.
turning large pipe. Consists of a lever
chasing threads (chas-ing threads) cutting
with notched head whose teeth engage
threads with a chaser, which usually is a
the pipe and an adjustable short chain
flat tool containing several teeth of the
which encircles the pipe and whose ends
desired pitch.
are secured to the head. 2. a lever handle
with jaws with teeth and a chain. 3. a chatter (chat-ter) a sustained vibration
form of wrench utilizing a chain. See Pipe magnified by the supply piping.
Wrench; Pipe Tongs.
check damper (check damp-er) a valve, or
chain vise (chain vise) a vise in which moveable plate, in the flue or other part of
round work (as a pipe) is held in a a stove, furnace, or fireplace for regulating
V-shaped support by a chain clamped the draft or in a duct for regulating the
tightly around the work. flow of air or other gas.
chain wrench (chain wrench) a pipe check valve (check vakve) a valve that
wrench which may be used in close permits flow in one direction but that
quarters provided with a chain for ratchet closes automatically to retard the flow
like action. of fluid in a reverse direction. Abbr. ck.v.
chair carrier (chair car-rier) supporting check valves, independently acting
fittings for water closets, urinals, lavatories. (check valves, in-de-pen-dent-ly act-
ing) See INDEPENDENTLY ACTING
chalk line (chalk line) a heavy string or
CHECK VALVES.
twine which is impregnated with chalk
so that a straight, accurate mark can be check valve-straight way (check valve -
made on a surface usually by stretching straight a-way) a valve automatic in its
the string between two marks and then ability to stop, or hinder, reverse flow
plucking or striking it to cause a chalk (opposite to intended) in a fluid, or gas,
line, or mark. carrying conduit and having its inlet and
outlet in a straight line in either a vertical
charcoal (char-coal) a dark colored or
or horizontal plane.
black porous form of carbon made from
a vegetable, or animal, substance (as from checking member (check-ing mem-ber)
wood by charring in a kiln or retort from part of the backflow assembly in the valve.
which air is excluded) and used for fuel in
chemical lead (chem-i-cal lead) See
various mechanical, artistic, and chemical
Hard Lead.
processes.
chemical precipitation (chem-i-cal pre-
charcoal plates (char-coal plates) when
cip-i-ta-tion) 1. precipitation induced
iron was used instead of steel the highest
by addition of chemicals. 2. the process of
quality tin plate was called charcoal
softening water by the addition of lime or
plate. Charcoal plates now have a heavier
lime and soda ash as precipitants.
coating and higher finish. Grades of
charcoal plates are identified by a letter chemical waste (chem-i-cal waste) See
A to AAAAA with the latter having the SPECIAL WASTE.
heaviest and brightest coating.
32
chimney flue circulator
33
circumference closet horn
34
closet offset cold chisel
closet offset (clos-et off-set) an offset fitting clothes washer (clothes wash-er) an
for attaching the water closet when the appliance used to wash clothes.
inlet and outlet are parallel but not in a
C.O. Abbr. for Clean Out.
straight alignment.
CO2 Abbr. for Carbon Dioxide.
closet plunger, rubber (clos-et plung-er,
rub-ber) 1. a rubber force cup. 2. a bell- coach screw (coach screw) See Lag
shaped unit on a handle used to cause Screw.
pressure to dislodge stoppage in a water
coagulation (co-ag-u-la-tion) the
closet. Also called “plumber’s friend”.
agglomeration of finely divided suspended
closet reverse action bowl (clos-et re-verse matter by the addition to the liquid of
ac-tion bowl) a type of water closet bowl an appropriate chemical coagulant, by
where the water way leads toward the front biological processes or by other means.
of the fixture.
cock (cock) a valve. In the 15th century,
closet screw (clos-et screw) a wood-type a cock was a spout with a means of
screw usually with a detachable head, used controlling the rate of flow of liquid
for fastening a water closet to the floor. passing through its. See Faucet.
closet seat (clos-et seat) a rim device to cock hole cover (cock hole cov-er) 1. a
support a person using a water closet. removable door or panel in a cover area
over a valve handle. Slang expression. 2.
closet seat bumper (clos-et seat bump-
cover for an opening which was to be used
er) See Rubber Bumper, Toilet
for a valve, faucet or spray. 3. a cover for
Seat.
the hole in a sink which would have been
closet seat hinge (clos-et seat hinge) hinge used for the spray.
for a closet seat to allow swinging motion
code (code) an authoritative book of
of the seat above the water closet bowl.
rules and regulations. Those regulations,
closet siphon jet bowl (clos-et si-phon jet subsequent amendments thereto, or
bowl) a form of water closet in which a any emergency rule or regulation which
jet way allows water to influence flushing the Administrative Authority Having
by siphon action. Jurisdiction may lawfully adopt.
closet spud (clos-et spud) an internal code official (code of-fi-cial) See
expanding device used to make ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY.
connections to the flush water part of the
cohesion (co-he-sion) the force of attraction
water closet bowl.
between molecules of any substance which
closet spud reducer (clos-et spud re-duc- tends to hold them together.
er) a fitting to reduce the initial bore of
coke plates or coke tin (coke plates or coke
the spud.
tin) plates made from coke iron.
closet tank, vitreous china (clos-et tank,
col. Abbr. for Column.
vit-re-ous china) a reservoir intended to
hold liquid for flushing a water closet and cold chisel (cold chis-el) a chisel made
made of china (earthenware). of steel of a strength, shape and temper
suitable for chipping or cutting cold
closet tank, wood (clos-et tank, wood)
metal. Name is usually applied to plain,
a reservoir intended to hold liquid for
flat cold chisel.
flushing a water closet and made of wood.
closing member (clos-ing mem-ber) that
part of the valve member which shuts off
flow in the valve.
35
cold-rolled steel combustion chamber
36
combustion products compression joint
combustion products (com-bus-tion pro- compass saw (com-pass saw) has a narrow,
ducts) constituents resulting from the tapered blade, usually less than 1" wide
combustion of a solid, liquid, or gas fuel at the tip and 12" to 14" length. Used to
with the oxygen of the air, including the make both curved and straight cuts but
inerts, but excluding excess air. must be used perpendicular to the surface
for curved work.
commercial dishwashing machine (com-
mer-ci-al dish-wash-ing mach-ine) component (com-po-nent) any fitting
a machine, or appliance, designed, or appurtenance, other than the pipe,
constructed and intended for other than recommended for use in the assembly of
household use which washes, rinses and a plumbing system.
sanitizes dishes.
composition joint (com-po-si-tion joint)
commercial standards (com-mer-cial stan- in plumbing, a general reference to joining
dards) standards developed by consensus bell and spigot pipe with packing materials
of the particular industry group. such as rope and rosin, cement and hemp.
comminution (com-mi-nu-tion) the compound (pipe joint) (com-pound [pipe
process of screening sewage and cutting joint]) a cement having an oil base applied
the sewage into particles fine enough to to a threaded pipe connection to prevent
pass through the screen openings. leakage.
commode (com-mode) area word for compound drain (com-pound drain) a
fixture. Derived from cabinet which drain that receives the discharge from
housed portable receptacle used for more than one fixture.
holding and/or receiving abdominal cavity
compound leverage pipe wrench (com-
discharges. Later “commode” became a
pound lev-er-age pipe wrench) a wrench
piece of parlor furniture. See Water
which enables user to double leverage.
Closet.
The hook jaw turns pipe, or fitting, one
common (com-mon) that part of a way and the offset chain trunnion exerts
plumbing system which is designed and pressure the opposite way.
installed to serve more than on appliance,
compressed air (com-pressed air) 1. air
fixture, building or system.
under greater than atmospheric pressure.
common vent (com-mon vent) a vent 2. air reduced in volume by pressure so
connecting at the junction of two fixture that its expansive force can be used to
drains and serving both fixture and drain. perform work. Abbr. C.A.
See Unit Vent; Dual Vent.
compression faucet (com-pres-sion fau-
companion flange (com-pan-ion flange) a cet) a faucet or valve in which the flow
pipe flange threaded internally to receive of water is terminated by means of a disk
a pipe length and drilled so it may be that is forced down onto its seat. See
bolted to another like flange. Sometimes compression valve.
a similar arrangement is used for coupling
compression fitting (com-pres-sion fit-
two parts of a shaft.
ting) a fitting designed to join pipe or
compass (com-pass) a mathematical tool. tube by means of pressure or friction. See
It consists of two pointed legs that are fitting, compression.
joined at the top so the legs can be moved
compression joint (com-pres-sion joint) a
closer together or farther apart. A pencil
joint made to connect the plain or spigot
or penpoint may be attached to one leg
end of a pipe or pipe fitting of the same
to draw circles or arcs.
diameter by the insertion of an elastomeric
gasket into the bell or hub end of the pipe
or pipe fitting and pushing or drawing
the plain or spigot end of another pipe or
pipe fitting into the gasket until it is fully
37
compression type stop conformance
38
conn. continuous hot water recirculating system
39
continuous pressure copper pipe I. P. S.
40
copper-plated nipple countersink
41
countertop crossover
42
crossover fitting curb box key
43
curb cock cylinder saw
44
D. dental cuspidor
Dd
45
dental lavatory dif.
dental lavatory (den-tal lav-a-tory) diamond drill bits (di-a-mond drill bits)
a water and waste connected fixture a bit on a diamond drill which is a type
primarily for dental hygiene practices. of rotary drill and has a cutting edge faced
with poor quality diamonds and is used
dental unit (den-tal unit) a plumbing
for boring into solid rock.
fixture which includes a cuspidor used
for the examination and treatment of a diamond point or lozenge chisel (di-a-
person’s teeth. mond point or loz-enge chi-sel) has a
point that is ground at an angle across
detergent (de-ter-gent) any of numerous
diagonal corners. Useful in square and
synthetic water soluble, or liquid organic,
angled corners, grooves and other close
preparations that are chemically different
places where material must be removed.
from soaps but resemble them in the
ability to emulsify oils and hold direct in diaphragm packing (di-a-phragm pack-
suspension. ing) a thin membrane separation between
two cavities or a cavity and space held in
detergent brush (de-ter-gent brush) a
position by other substance as in a groove.
hose and brush assembly with a detergent
supply for cleaning utensils and other diatomaceous earth (di-a-to-ma-ce-ous
services for attachment to a faucet with a earth) See Diatomite.
built-in diverter.
diatomite (di-a-tom-ite) a light friable
detritus (de-tri-tus) the sand, grit, siliceous material derived chiefly from
and other coarse material removed by diatom remains and used especially as
differential sedimentation in a relatively a filter.
short period of detention.
die (die) 1. a tool for cutting external
developed length (de-vel-op-ed length) threads. 2. an internal screw used for
1. a length of a pipeline measured along cutting an outside thread.
the centerline of the pipes or fittings. 2.
die chaser (die cha-ser) a threaded section
the linear measurement of a part, such as
of a screw-cutting die.
a pipe or bar that includes the length of
the useful threads or extensions necessary die head (die head) the device which carries
to yield the length that is needed for a the threading dies in a screw-cutting
particular function. 3. the length of a machine.
nipple, or piece of pipe, needed to connect
die stock (die stock) a device to hold dies
two fittings for a specified distance.
used for cutting threads on pipes or on
developing tank (de-vel-op-ing tank) rods; may be adjustable for varying sizes
a fixture, a tank used to develop film, or may be solid for one size thread.
x-rays, etc.
dielectric fittings (di-e-lec-tric fit-tings)
D. F. Abbr. for Drinking Fountain. 1. a unit, or units, which interrupt the
continuity of electrical connection. 2.
D. H. Abbr. for Double Hub.
to separate; to cause non-continuity
diag. Abbr. for Diagram. electrically. See Connectors.
diam. Abbr. for Diameter. dielectric unions (di-e-lec-tric un-ions)
1. a union used to join dissimilar pipe
diameter (di-am-e-ter) 1. the length of
materials to prevent the flow of galvanic
a straight line through the center of an
current 2. a union used to isolate sections
object; thickness. 2. a chord passing
of pipe from stray currents which would
through the center of a figure.
cause accelerated corrosion of the pipe
system.
dif. Abbr. for Difference.
46
differential pressure dishwasher, household
47
dishwasher, commercial or domestic domestic water applications
48
dome, gas draft controls
dome, gas (dome, gas) See Gas Dome. double check valve assembly-DCVA (dou-
ble check valve as-sem-bly-d-c-v-a) an
domestic sewage (do-mes-tic sew-age) the
assembly composed of two independently
waterborne wastes derived from ordinary
acting approved check valves, including
living processes. Also called sanitary
closing shut-off valves at each end of the
sewage.
assembly and fitted with properly located
dope (dope) See Pipe Thread Dope. test cocks. Shall only be used to protect
against a non-hazard pollutant.
dormant (dor-mant) having biological
activity suspended, as being in a state of double extra heavy pipe (dou-ble ex-tra
suspended animation. heav-y pipe) the term used to denote
that a given pipe has a wall thickness
dosing tank (dos-ing tank) a water tight
which is approximately twice the weight,
tank in a septic system placed between
or thickness, of extra-heavy pipe. See
the septic tank and the distribution box
Extra Heavy.
and equipped with a pump or automatic
siphon designed to discharge sewage double extra strong pipe (dou-ble ex-tra
intermittently to a disposal field. This is strong pipe) same as double extra heavy
done so that rest periods may be provided pipe.
between discharges.
double hanger (dou-ble hang-er) a device
double action pump (dou-ble ac-tion used to support more than one pipe
pump) a pumping machine in which or appliance; sometimes called twin or
suction, or pressure, is created by multiple hanger.
movement of a piston, plug or plunger
double hub soil pipe (dou-ble hub soil
in each direction of motion. Compare to
pipe) soil pipe made with a hub on both
single action pump.
ends of the length of pipe. Generally
double-bend fitting (dou-ble-bend fit- referring to cast iron soil pipe. See Cast
ting) a pipe fitting shaped like the letter Iron Soil Pipe; Hub.
"S".
double offset (dou-ble off-set) two changes
double caulking iron (dou-ble caulk-ing in direction installed in succession or series
iron) a combination tool for caulking in continuous pipe.
a joint with two separate ends. One is
double waste and vent (dou-ble waste and
used at the outer periphery of the sealant
vent) See Unit Vent.
material and a reverse tool is used on the
inner periphery of the sealant material. down comer pipe (down com-er pipe) a
pipe in which the flow is substantially
double check detector backflow
downward. About 1700 A.D. since
prevention assembly (dou-ble check
abandoned. See Dip Tube.
de-tec-tor back-flow pre-ven-tion as-
sem-bly) a specially designed assembly downspout (down-spout) 1. the vertical
composed of a line-size approved double portion of a rain-water pipe. 2. a
check valve assembly with a specific bypass pipe leading downward to carry off
water meter and a meter-sized approved rain water from a roof. Abbr. D.S.
double check valve assembly. The meter See CONDUCTOR; CONDUIT;
shall register accurately for only very low LEADER.
rates of flow and shall show a registration
dr. Abbr. for Drain or Drainage.
for all rates of flow. This assembly shall
only be used to protect against a non- draft controls (draft con-trols) used
health hazard, such as a pollutant. primarily on coal-fired domestic hot
water, steam, and hot water heating
boilers. The temperature or pressure
regulates the draft.
49
draft diverter draintile
draft diverter (draft di-vert-er) a device drainage fixture unit (drain-age fix-ture
to diminish velocity and resultant unit) Abbr. DFU. See fixture unit,
extinguishing of gas flames. drainage.
draft hood (draft hood) a device placed in, drainage system (drain-age sys-tem)
and made a part of, the vent connector includes all the piping within public or
from an appliance or in the appliance private premises, which conveys sewage,
itself, which is designed to: (a) assure rain water, or other liquid wastes to a legal
the ready escape of the products of point of disposal. It does not include the
combustion in the event of backdraft; mains of public sewer systems or private
(b) prevent a back draft from entering or public sewage treatment or disposal
the appliance; and c. neutralize the effect plants.
of stack action of the chimney or gas vent
drainage system air break (drain-age sys-
upon the operation of the appliance.
tem air break) a piping arrangement in
drain (drain) any pipe which carries waste which a drain from a fixture, appliance, or
water, or waterborne wastes, in a building device discharges indirectly into another
drainage system. Abbr. Dr. fixture, receptacle, or interceptor at a
point below the flood rim of the receptacle
drain clean rod (drain clean rod) a
installed so as to prevent backflow or
non-flexible device , or spring, of the
siphonage.
flat, or coil, type used to dislodge pipe
obstruction. drainage system air gap (drain-age sys-
tem air gap) See Air gap, drainage
drain cleaner (drain clean-er) any of a
system .
number of chemical preparations used for
cleaning drains. drainage system below sewer (drain-age
sys-tem be-low sew-er) See building
drain cleaning machine, electric (drain
subdrain.
clean-ing ma-chine, e-lec-tric) an
electrically powered device to bore or drainage system, building gravity (drain-
burr to remove obstructions in drain or age sys-tem, build-ing grav-i-ty) See
waste lines. building drainage system
gravity.
drain cock (drain cock) See Drain
Valve; Water Heater Drain drainage system, storm (drain-age sys-
Valve. tem, storm) system which is used for
conveying rain water, surface water,
drain field (drain field) the area of a
condensate, cooling water, or similar
system of piping arranged in troughs for
liquid wastes, exclusive of sewage or
the purpose of disposing of unwanted
industrial waste, to the storm sewer or
liquid waste.
other legal place of disposal.
drain ou tlet (drain o ut-l et) Se e
drainpipe (drain-pipe) a large pipe used
terminal outlet.
to carry off water, sewage, etc.
drainage, cast iron soil pipe fittings
drainpipe solvent (drain-pipe sol-vent)
(drain-age, cast i-ron soil pipe fit-tings)
a chemical used in the alleviation of
See Fitting, Drainage.
sluggish drains.
drainage fitting (drain-age fit-ting) See
draintile (drain-tile) 1. piping arranged
fitting, drainage.
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.
50
drain valve drop ell
drain valve (drain valve) a valve, usually drill press (drill press) consists of a heavy
installed at or near the lowest part of a metal base with a cylindrical steel column
storage vessel, through which a controlled rising from the back to support the drill
flow of liquid, usually water, may be press “head”. The head contains the
drawn. Also called drain cock, boiler motor, the step pulleys that regulate speed,
drain, draw-off. See Water Heater and the spindle that carries the drill chuck
Drain Valve. to its lower end.
draw cock (drain cock) See Pet Cock. drill stand (drill stand) See Drill
Press.
drawing knife (draw-ing knife) knife
used for cutting thin sheet lead (up to ten drilled strainer (drilled strain-er) the
pounds) A straight handled knife with a cover of a drain opening which has been
hook on the end for a blade. A pocket perforated by holes drilled or punched
knife or knife similar to a linoleum cutting in a pattern.
knife may be substituted. See Hacking
drinking fountain (drink-ing foun-tain)
Knife.
a fixture with a nozzle delivering a
draw-off (draw-off) See Boiler Drain. stream or jet of water used for drinking
water especially one with an upward jet
draw oil cock (draw oil cock) See
enabling one to drink directly without
Interceptor.
use of a cup. Types: (a) fountain-cuspidor
dresser (dres-ser) a tool used in shaping combination; (b) semi-recessed; (c)
metal, usually of lead, lead alloy, soft wall-hung; (d) pedestal. See Bubbler;
copper or similar material. See Flat Fountain.
Dresser; Round Dresser.
drip pan (drip pan) on a water heater, a
drier or dryer (dri-er or dry-er) a power receptacle located below the burner(s)
driven machine for drying fabrics by for the purpose of collecting water
evaporation. condensation from the flue gases.
drift (drift) to reform or form into shape. drive cap (drive cap) a cavity device placed
over a pipe to protect the pipe end being
drift plug (drift plug) a wooden, lead-
driven, (i.e.: well pipe being driven).
working tool used to drift, or force,
through lead pipe to take out any dents, drive pipe or well point (drive pipe or well
or uneven places in the lead pipe previous point) a pipe with a sharp edge for driving
to working. Usually made of dogwood, short distances into the solid ground as to
boxwood or lignum vitae. See Bobbin. reach a water-bearing stratum or to insert
into concrete piles.
drill (drill) 1. to make a rounded hole, or
cavity, in a solid by removing bits with a drive pipe hook (drive pipe hook) a wire,
rotating drill. To make, or excavate, a hole or thin metal device, in a U shape which
in a solid material with a drill. 2. to drive a has sharp prongs, or spike-like ends, which
hole in, puncture, or perforate as if with a are driven into a building members to
drill; pierce, penetrate, or drive deep into support pipes, conduits, etc.
the interior of. 3. to pen or sink (a well)
drive point (drive point) a pointed and
in the earth by striking a spot repeatedly
perforated pipe at the lower end of a
with a sharp pointed instrument, or key,
vertical pipe driven or inserted into the
using a rotary drill. 4. an instrument with
ground, (i.e.: a well point of a driven well).
an edged, or pointed, end used for making
holes in hard substances: specifically, a tool drop ell (drop ell) an ell with lugs on the
that cuts with its end by revolving or by sides by which it can be attached for
succession of blows. support.
51
drop head rachet duostrainer
drop head rachet (drop head rach- D.U. Abbr. for Disposal Unit.
et) a ratchet tool (handle) in which
dual check valve assembly (du-al check
interchangeability of thread-cutting
valve as-sem-bly) an assembly composed
members are used.
of two independently acting check valves,
drop tee (drop tee) a tee with lugs on the internally forced loaded to a normally
sides by means of which it can be attached closed position, and designed and
for support. constructed to operate under intermittent
or continuous pressure conditions. Shall
drop tube (drop tube) See Dip Tube.
be considered suitable for use only where
dross (dross) 1. the solid scum that forms on there is no health hazard. ASSE 1024.
the surface of a metal, as lead or antimony,
dual check valve backflow preventer (du-
when molten or melting; largely as a result
al check valve back-flow pre-vent-er) a
of oxidation but sometimes because of
device composed of two independently
the rising of dirt and impurities to the
acting check valve members internally
surface. 2. waste, or foreign matter, mixed
forced loaded to a normally closed
with a substance or left as a residue, after
position, designed and constructed to
the substance has been used or processed.
operate under intermittent or continuous
drum trap (drum trap) a trap consisting pressure conditions; the removal of one
substantially of a cylinder with its axis checking valve member shall not negate
vertical. The cylinder is larger in diameter the operation of the remaining check valve
than the inlet or outlet pipe, and is usually member; shall be considered suitable for
about four inches in diameter with smaller use only where there is no health hazard.
sized inlets and outlets. Abbr. D.T.
dual check valve backflow preventer
drunken thread (drun-ken thread) See assembly (du-al check valve back-flow
Crooked Thread. pre-vent-er) an assembly composed of a
dual check valve backflow preventer device
dry sewer (dry sew-er) cast iron sewer
at each end of the assembly.
pipe from the house to the curb line and
installed at the time of construction under dual vent (du-al vent) a vent serving more
the floor in anticipation of main laterals than one inlet. See Common Vent;
to be added at future date. Unit Vent.
dry vent (dry vent) a vent that does not duct (duct) usually an underground pipe,
carry water or waterborne wastes. or tubular, runway for carrying an electric
power line, telephone cables, or other
dry well (dry well) 1. a well constructed
conductors. Today’s use involves above, as
similar to a water well but intended to
well as below, ground pipes, etc.
receive and dispose of sewage by dispersion
into and absorption by surrounding dummy (dum-my) lead working tool
underground material. 2. a hole excavated consisting of a one-quarter inch spring
in porous ground and usually covered and steel rod with one end bent into a small
filled with loose gravel or rubble or walled loop upon which is cast a lead weight; used
(with brick or stone) to receive drainage in bending lead waste pipe three inches
water and allow it to percolate away. See in diameter and larger by the bobbin
Cesspool. method; employed to boss the lead. See
Bobbin.
dryer (dry-er) a power driven machine for
drying fabrics by evaporation. duostrainer (du-o-strain-er) a double
strainer, one above the other. A strainer
D.S. Abbr. for Downspout.
within a strainer to prevent large particles
D.T. Abbr. for Drum Trap. from entering the fixture drain. Also called
a crumb cup strainer.
52
Durham fitting dynamic pressure
53
earth auger bit elbow ‑ 45 degrees
Ee
earth auger bit (earth au-ger bit) a tool E.E.W. Abbr. for Emergency Eye Wash
for drilling or boring in earth. Fountain.
earth, diatomaceous (earth, di-a-to-ma- effective opening (ef-fec-tive o-pen-ing)
ceous) See Diatomite. 1. the minimum cross-sectional area
at the point of water supply discharge,
earthenware basin (earth-en-ware ba-
measured or expressed in terms of: (a) the
sin) a lavatory made of china (clay). See
diameter of a circle, or (b) if the opening
Lavatory.
is not circular, the diameter of a circle
earthenware closet combination (earth- of equivalent cross-sectional area. 2. for
en-ware clos-et com-bi-na-tion) a water faucets and similar fittings, the effective
closet made of china (clay). See Water opening shall be measured at the smallest
Closet. orifice in the fitting body or in the supply
piping to the fitting.
earthenware urinal (earth-en-ware u-ri-
nal) 1. a fixture made of fired clay and efflorescense (ef-flo-res-cense) the giving
coated with a glass-like glazed surface. 2. a off of moisture upon exposure to the
urinal made of china (clay) See Urinal. atmosphere.
eave (eave) 1. the lower border of a roof that effluent (ef-flu-ent) 1. the liquid outflow
overhangs the wall. 2. the corresponding from any treatment tank or device. 2.
overhang of thatch. Also referred to as a liquid discharged as waste (as water used
trough. Usually eaves. in an industrial process or sewage) 3.
liquid such as water or sewage, flowing
eaves trough or eave trough (eaves trough
from or out of a treatment basin or tank. 4.
or eave trough) a gutter along the eaves.
a thing that flows out or forth specifically:
See Lap Joint, Eaves Trough.
(a) a stream flowing out of a body of
eccentric bushing (ec-cen-tric bush-ing) water, (b) the outflow of a sewer, sewage
See Reducer, Eccentric. tank, etc.
eccentric fitting (ec-cen-tric fit-ting) a E.H.C.I. Abbr. for Extra-Heavy Cast Iron.
fitting in which the center line of the run
ejectors (e-jec-tors) a device operated
is offset in the fitting. See Reducer,
either electrically, by other power or
Eccentric.
other mechanical means so constructed
eccentric fuller stem (ec-cen-tric ful-ler as to elevate liquids from a lower level to
stem) 1. the operating stem of a faucet. 2. a point of discharge.
a crank-like unit. 3. two cylindrical units
el. Abbr. for Elevation.
in a single plain, but offset to each other.
elbow (el-bow) ell, a fitting with parts that
E.C.O. Abbr. for Energy Cut-off Valve.
form a 90° bend. See Street Ell.
E.-E. Abbr. for End to End. See E. to E.
elbow ‑ 45 degrees (el-bow - 45 de-grees)
an angular pipe fitting of 45°.
54
elec. emissions
55
enamel E. to E.
56
eutectic salts extended closet horn
57
extension cord eye wash fountain
58
F. F.F.
Ff
F. Abbr. for Fahrenheit faucet nut (fau-cet nut) the nut that screws
onto the shaft of the faucet to hold the
face bowl (face bowl) slang, See
faucet in place.
Lavatory.
faucet regulator (fau-cet reg-u-la-tor) a
faced bushing (fac-ed bush-ing) a fitting
device inserted into the supply line of a
with internal and external threads of
faucet to regulate and control the liquid
the standard pipe type equipped with
volume which can be discharged from
two or more projecting lugs or bosses,
the faucet.
for torqueing, twisting or tightening in
position. faucet screw (fau-cet screw) a screw that
holds the washer to the stem; a screw that
facultative organism (fac-ul-ta-tive
holds the handle to the stem.
or-gan-ism) See Facultative
Parasite. faucet seat (fau-cet seat) the surface
around, or within, the orifice in the
facultative parasite (fac-ul-ta-tive par-a-
faucet through which water, or other
site) an organism, usually a fungus, that
liquid, flows and against which the closing
normally lives on dead organic matter but
member, such as stem washer, is pressed or
is able to grow during the whole, or part,
seated to terminate the flow. See Valve
of its development as a parasite.
Seat.
Fahrenheit (fahr-en-heit) relating or
faucet spout (fau-cet spout) the tubular
conforming to a thermometric scale
like end of a faucet when opened water
on which, under standard atmospheric
flows.
pressure, the boiling point of water is at
212 degrees and the freezing point at 32 faucet, washerless (fau-cet, wash-er-less)
degrees above the zero of the scale. The Any faucet whose controlling operation
zero point approximating the temperature is based upon the juxtaposition of mating
produced by mixing equal quantities by ceramic discs, o-rings, or resilient seals,
weight of snow and common salt. Abbr. F. and whose function is not patterned after
the compression faucet.
F.A.I. Abbr. for Fresh Air Inlet.
F.B. Abbr. Footbath.
family (fam-i-ly) defined in a plumbing
code as a unit of one or more individuals F.C.O. Abbr. for Floor Cleanout.
living together and sharing the same
F.D. Abbr. Floor Drain.
facilities.
federal specification (fed-er-al spec-i-fi-
fats sewage (fats sew-age) triglyceride
ca-tion) specification promulgated and/
esters of fatty acids, erroneously used as a
or published by the federal government
synonym for grease.
for work in federal installations.
faucet (fau-cet) a device at the end of a
ferrule (fer-rule) 1. a tube, or bushing,
water pipe in which water can be drawn
that is used to make a tight joint between
from, or held within, the pipe.
two tubes. 2. or to strengthen the end of
faucet, combination (fau-cet, com-bi- a tube. See Stiffener.
na-tion) a faucet controlling both hot
F.F. Abbr. for Finished Floor. Sometimes
and cold water and discharging through
Abbr. Fin. Fl.
a common spout.
59
F.G. fire cock
F.G. Abbr. for Finished Grade. fibre pipe to soil pipe male adapter (fi-
bre pipe to soil pipe male a-dap-ter) an
F.H. Abbr. for Fire Hydrant.
adapter fitting with a male taper joint on
fiber (fi-ber) 1. a thread or object resembling one end and the opposite end fits into the
a thread as a root of grass. 2. an elongated hub end of soil pipes.
tapering thick walled plant cell void at
fibre pipe to threaded metal pipe adapter
maturity that imparts elasticity, flexibility
(fi-bre pipe to thread-ed me-tal pipe
and tensile strength, capable of being
a-dap-ter) an adapter with a female taper
spun. Various fiberous materials are used
joint on one end and the opposite end
as reinforcing agents in making fibre pipe.
shall have a female thread enclsoing a male
fiberglass (fi-ber-glass) glass in fiber threaded metal pipe.
form. The fine threads of glass are used
fill valve (fill valve) a water supply valve,
to strengthen materials, (i.e.: sheets of
frequently called a ballcock, opened or
structural material, and pipe).
closed by means of a float, or similar
fiberglass reinforced epoxy tubing (fi- device, used to supply water to a tank.
ber-glass re-in-forced e-pox-y tub-ing) An anti-siphon fill valve also contains
pipe or tube in which the material is a an anti-siphon device in the form of an
thermosetting resin combined for added approved air gap mechanical backflow
strength with glass fibers. preventer, or vacuum breaker, which is
an integral part of the fill valve unit and
fiber pipe (fi-ber pipe) See Fibre Pipe
which is positioned on the discharge side
and Bituminous Fibre Pipe.
of the water supply control valve.
fiber pipe fittings (fi-ber pipe fit-tings) See
filter (fil-ter) a device, or a specific material,
Fibre Pipe Fittings.
capable of separating, or screening out,
fibra (fi-bra) See Fiber. impurities, or extraneous materials, from
the water supply or distribution system.
fibre pipe (fi-bre pipe) sometimes spelled
fiber pipe, a non-metallic pipe made by filtrate (fil-trate) something that has been
combining interwoven fibrous threads filtered, such as a fluid which has passed
with an impregnation of bituminous through a filter.
compound. Used for sewers and drains.
filtration (fil-tra-tion) See
See Bituminous Fiber Pipe.
Percolation.
fibre pipe fittings (fi-bre pipe fit-tings) 1.
fine solder (fine sol-der) a solder consisting
any pipe fittings made for use with fibre
of equal parts of lead and tin with a
pipe. 2. pipe fittings made of the same
melting point of 370 °F.
materials as fibre pipe.
fine thread (fine thread) 1. a thread having
fibre pipe to clay sewer pipe adapter (fi-
more threads per inch than standard U.S.
bre pipe to clay sew-er pipe a-dap-ter)
pipe thread. 2. a tubing thread. Fittings,
an adapter with a female tapered joint on
such as valves and traps, are sometimes
one end and the opposite end enclosing
made with fine threads.
the spigot end of a clay pipe.
finished grade (fin-ished grade) the actual
fibre pipe to soil pipe female adapter (fi-
elevation, or level, of the ground when the
bre pipe to soil pipe fe-male a-dap-ter)
work on it is completed.
an adapter with a female taper joint on one
end and the opposite end shall be enclosed finishing (fin-ish-ing) plumbing work
by the spigot end of the soil pipe. done after the roughing-in.
fire cock (fire cock) a fire hydrant.
60
fire cistern water fixture branch
fire cistern water (fire cis-tern wa-ter) firmer chisel (firm-er chis-el) a thin flat
a man-made cavity in the ground for blade usually at least six inches long and
the storage of water for the purpose 1/8" to 2" wide used by woodworkers.
of preventing the spread of fire or the
fitting (fit-ting) l. any device designed
extinguishing of fire. See Water.
to control, or guide, the flow of water
fire damp (fire cock) a combustible mine into a fixture. 2. parts of a pipeline
gas that consists chiefly of methane. other than straight pipe, or valves, used
to connect two pieces of pipe together,
fire hose (fire hose) a hose supplied
to change direction or to reduce or
with water for the explicit purpose of
increase the size of the pipe line. See
extinguishing fires.
cast iron fitting; cast iron
fire hydrant (fire hy-drant) a valve, a series soil pipe fitting; copper
of valves and spouts, or spouts supplying drainage fitting; fitting
water under pressure for connecting compression ; fitting ,
apparatus used in extinguishing fires. drainage; fitting, flared;
malleable iron fitting; pipe
fire line (fire line) 1.a system of pipes and
fitting; plastic fitting; soil
equipment used exclusively to supply
pipe fitting.
water for fire extinguishing. 2. to supply
water to a hose cabinet or to supply water fitting brushes (fit-ting brush-es) wire type
to a sprinkler head. brushes shaped and sized to brush clean
inside surfaces.
fire meter (fire me-ter) 1.a meter to
measure liquid. Installed as a by-pass fitting, aerator (fit-ting air-a-tor) See
around a weighted check valve in a fire aerator.
system. 2. principal supply pipe by which
fitting, compression (fit-ting, com-pres-
leaks are detected.
sion) a fitting that compresses the pipe or
fire plug (fire plug) originally, in England, tube into a socket to form a joint or seal.
fire plugs were wooden plugs driven at See Fitting.
intervals in wooden or cast iron water
fitting, discharge (fit-ting dis-charge) See
mains. When a fire occurred, a plug could
discharge fitting.
be removed and the water was allowed to
flow out to be used by a fire bucket brigade fitting, drainage (fit-ting, drain-age) a
to put out the fire. See Fire Hydrant. fitting designed for a drainage system.
See Fitting.
fire pot (fire pot) See Plumber’s
Furnace. fitting, flared (fit-ting, flar-ed) a fitting
which requires the pipe or tube to be
fire pump, centrifugal (fire pump, cen-
expanded, or flared, to form a joint or
tri-fugal) pumps of especially rugged
seal. See Fitting.
design and are usually built under the
specification of the National Board of fittings, transition (fit-tings, trans-i-tion)
Fire Underwriters or other authority. See transition fittings.
Standard sizes specified by NBFU are
fixture (fix-ture) l. any sanitary plumbing,
500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500
or related item, of equipment which can
GPM, discharge pressures are suited to
demand water from a branch line. 2. a
the particular service. The pump should
receptor that receives water, or waterborne
be equipped with a pressure relief valve,
wastes, and discharges into a drainage
a hose or discharge valve, a test valve,
system.
pressure gauges and a hose manifold.
fixture branch (fix-ture branch) a pipe
connecting several fixtures.
61
fixture count flange facings
fixture count (fix-ture count) l. the fixture unit, supply (fix-ture unit, sup-
summation of all supply fixture unit valves ply) a measure of the probable hydraulic
to determine the maximum probable demand on the water supply by various
demand on the water supply system or types of plumbing fixtures. The valve for
source. 2. the summation of all drainage a particular fixture depends on its volume
fixture unit valves to determine the rate of supply, on the time duration for a
maximum probable discharge into the single operation, and on the average time
drainage or sewer system. between successive operations. Abbr. SFU.
fixture drain (fix-ture drain) the drain fixture vent (fix-ture vent) a vent pipe
from the trap of a fixture to the junction leading from the trap of a fixture to the
of that drain with any other drain pipe. atmosphere or to another vent.
fixture opening (fix-ture o-pen-ing) a term flame arrester (flame ar-rest-er) that
used to identify a plumbing fixture’s water which arrests, stops, halts, hinders or
supply at the fixture location on a wall or slows the motion, course, or progress of
floor. Sometimes called a water supply fire or flame.
plaster stub opening.
flange (flange) a rim, or edge, on a shaft or
fixture supply (fix-ture sup-ply) a water a pipe fitting projecting at right angles to
supply connecting a fixture to a branch provide strength or means of attachment
water supply pipe or directly to a main to another part. Abbr. Flg.
water supply pipe.
flange, adjustable (flange, ad-just-a-ble) a
fixture unit, drainage (fix-ture u-nit, two section escutcheon used on a pipe to
drain-age) l. a quantity in terms of cover a hole opening that the pipe passes
which the load producing effects on the through.
plumbing system of different kinds of
flange, cast iron (flange, cast iron) 1.
plumbing fixtures are expressed in some
a raised-edge fitting made of cast iron.
arbitrarily chosen scale. 2. the rate of
2. a rib or rim for strength, guiding,
discharge through a plumbing fixture
attachment to another object, another
of 7.5 gallons per minute is termed one
pipe fitting; or to fasten to a wall; ceiling;
fixture unit. 3. a measure of the probable
or floor, etc.
discharge into the drainage system by
various types of plumbing fixtures. The flange, closet (flange, clos-et) See Closet
value for a particular fixture depends on Collar.
its volume rate of drainage discharge,
flange, companion (flange, com-pan-ion)
on the time and duration of a single
a pipe flange threaded internally to receive
drainage operation, and on the average
a pipe length and drilled so it may be
time between successive operations.
bolted to another like flange. Sometimes
Abbr. DFU.
a similar arrangement is used for coupling
fixture unit flow rate (fix-ture u-nit flow two parts of a shaft.
rate) the total discharge flow in gallons
flange covering tube (flange cov-er-ing
per minute of a single fixture divided by
tube) a chrome plated tube used to cover
7.5 which provides the flow rate of that
an unfinished pipe. Generally used on the
particular plumbing fixture as a unit of
outlet side of a “P” trap.
flow; fixtures are rated as multiples of this
unit of flow. flange facings (flange fac-ings) the
arrangements of the joining surfaces of
flanges. May be smooth face to smooth
face, tongued and grooved, etc.
62
flange, faucet flat dresser
flange, faucet (flange, fau-cet) a faucet flanged fittings (flang-ed fit-tings) any of
flared out, as in a flange shape, to cover a number of types of pipe fittings used to
over edges of mounting hole, or holes, or connect pipes by means of holed flanges
to provide a support. extending outside the pipe-way.
flange, floor (flange, floor) a fitting of flank (flank) a valley, or inclined, channel
metal disc form tapped in the center with formed by two roofs meeting.
a standard pipe thread and the residual
flared fitting (flared fit-ting) See
surface equipped with holes for mounting,
fitting, flared.
such as with bolts, screws, etc. Generally
used with pipe rails to secure pipe to wall flaring tool (flar-ing tool) a tool used to
or floor. spread the walls of tubing outward as
a bowl or skirt to form a pressure joint
flange for shower rod (flange for show-er
against the flange of the tube fitting.
rod) a fitting disc in a shape having a hole
in its center for holding a shower rod. flashing (flash-ing) a term used to mean
water tight as on, or in, a roof with two
flange, galvanized (flange, gal-van-ized)
and five strips of sheet metal, as copper
a disc fitting with, or without, a hole in
or galvanized iron, bent to fit in the
its center and is coated with molten zinc.
intersecting interior angle between two
flange, hanger (flange, hang-er) that part intersecting roof surfaces to make a
of a hanger that secures to a wall or floor watertight joint. The upstanding leg of
by means of bolts or screws. the flashing strip must be covered with
counterflashing; a lap joint.
flange, joint (flange, joint) 1. a mating
of two annular rings of flat surfaces flat back (flat back) 1.relating to a fixture
extending outward from the sides of the such as a flat back sink, urinal, etc. 2. a
pipes or fittings and joined by bolts. 2. a fixture with a straight, or upright, rear
form of soldered connection. surface.
flange making on (flange mak-ing on) the flat bastard file (flat bas-tard file) a flat file
securing of a flange onto a pipe. that is intermediate between the coarsest
and the second cut.
flange, roof (flange, roof) an annular fitting
used around a stack terminal on the top flat boring bit (flat bor-ing bit) a tool
side of a flat roof or on a pitch roof to rectangular in shape with two cutting
make pipe rain tight at the roof. edges and rotated to bore or drill holes.
flange, spun (flange, spun) 1. a disc fitting flat brick chisel (flat brick chi-sel) a chisel
produced by metal spinning process. 2. tool wide and thin usually impacted with
a one-piece collar that fits over a pipe a hammer for cutting masonry, sometimes
to cover an opening that the pipe passes called a mason’s chisel or stone cutting
through. chisel. It differs from a marble cutting
chisel in that the latter has a serrated
flange union (flange un-ion) a pair of
cutting edge.
flanges joined by bolts holding the flanges
together. flat dresser (flat dress-er) a wooden lead
working tool employed to flatten. In
flange, valve (flange, valve) a valve
many cases, to boss lead sheet; shaping
constructed with a flange on the inport
and smoothing lead pipe and sheet lead.
and outport ends, as opposed to a
Used in bending lead pipe and has other
threaded or sweat valve.
numerous useful and working purposes.
flange welding (flange weld-ing) a flange See Dresser; Round Dresser.
constructed to be welded onto a pipe or
fitting.
63
flat plate solar energy collector floor stand
flat plate solar energy collector (flat flood level mark (flood lev-el mark) a
plate so-lar en-er-gy col-lec-tor) a solar mark on the device 1/4” (6.4mm), or
collection device in which sunlight is more, below the critical level.
converted to heat on a plane surface
flood level rim (flood lev-el rim) 1. the
without the aid of reflecting surfaces to
edge of the receptacle from which water
concentrate the rays.
overflows 2. the level from which liquid
flat steel sewer rod (flat steel sew-er rod) will flow to the floor when all drain and
See Drain Clean Rod. overflow openings built into the device
are obstructed 3. the lowest point in a
flax packing (flax pack-ing) a graphite, or
receptacle from which water overflows.
asbestos, rope round or square in shape
and treated with flax. fl. Abbr. for Floor.
flexible supplies (flex-i-ble sup-plies) floor chisel (floor chis-el) 1. a caulking
tubing connectors between the water iron for decks and floors. 2. a chisel with
supply and the fixture faucet, or faucets a broad edge and long shank for ripping
and flexible to accommodate differences out floorboards.
in design of fixture. .
floor drain (floor drain) an opening
flg. Abbr. for Flange or Flanges. in the floor used to drain water into
the plumbing system. Abbr. F.D. See
float rod (float rod) a nonferrous metal,
Receptor.
threaded rod to connect a float device
to a flush valve mechanism in a water floor drain grate (floor drain grate) a
closet. form of strainer at the floor plane over
a drain.
float valve (float valve) an automatic
valve whose opening and closing are floor drain trap (floor drain trap) a “P”
controlled by a float at the end of a lever. shaped conduit under a floor drain.
See Trap.
floc (floc) small gelatinous masses formed
in a liquid by the addition of coagulants floor flange (floor flange) a fitting of a
through biochemical processes or by metal disc form tapped in the center
agglomeration. with a standard pipe thread and the
residual surface equipped with holes
flocculate (floc-cu-late) to cause to
for mounting with bolts, screws, etc.
aggregate, or coalesce, into small lumps,
Generally used with pipe rails to secure
loose clusters or into a flocculent mass
pipe to wall or floor.
or deposit.
floor plan (floor plan) 1. a horizontal
flocculator (floc-cu-la-tor) something
section at a distance above the floor
that induces flocculation; especially on
varying so as to cut the walls at a height
apparatus in which material (as water or
which will best show constructions. May
sewage) flocculates certain suspended, or
be used for other purposes. 2. a drawing
dissolved, constituents.
indicating the physical arrangements
flood control valve (flood con-trol of all building components within a
valve) a device to automatically, or specified area.
semi-automatically, control the rate of
floor sink (floor sink) a receptor used for
flow of fluids.
the drainage of indirect drains.
flooded (flood-ed) when the liquid in a
floor stand (floor stand) a fixture support.
fixture, or receptacle, rises to the flood
Usually fixed on studs or bolted to the
level rim.
floor.
flood level (flood lev-el) See flood
level rim.
64
flotation flue loss
65
flue stopper flushometer valve
flue stopper (flue stop-per) a disc with a flush rim closet bowl (flush rim clos-et
spring-like metal attached and used to bowl) that upper part of a toilet bowl,
cover a hole in a chimney. bedpan washer, or urinal, through which
water is diverted to wet down the sides
fluidics (flu-id-ics) the control of liquids,
of the fixture during the flushing action.
solids or gases by fluid operated devices.
In plumbing, flat-operated valves, or dash flush tank (flush tank) a container for a
pots, as in flush valves. measured quantity of water, fitted with
an inlet valve (ballcock) and a flush valve,
flush (flush) to wash out by drenching with
either wall hung or close coupled (with
copious supplies of water.
closet bowl), used to flush a water closet,
flush bushing (flush bush-ing) a fitting or urinal, by gravity discharge.
having a male and female thread the entire
flush valve (flush valve) a valve located
length of the fitting. When inserted into a
at the bottom of a flush tank used to
larger fitting, it makes up flush so threads
discharge water into a water closet, or
are not exposed.
urinal, for flushing the fixture.
flush ell (flush ell) a flush fitting constructed
flushing cycle (flush-ing cy-cle) the
in a 90° bend. Used in the installation of
complete operating sequence of a water
a wall hung closet and a floor mounted
closet, urinal, or similar device or fixture
bowl. See Closet Bend.
in emptying the contents, cleansing the
flush tank (flush tank) 1.a container for inside surfaces, and refilling the water seal.
a measured quantity of water, fitted with
flushing type floor drain (flush-ing
an inlet valve (ballcock) and a flush valve,
type floor drain) a floor drain which is
either wall hung or close coupled (with
equipped with an integral water supply
closet bowl), used to flush a water closet
which enables flushing of the drain
or urinal by gravity discharge. 2. a tank
receptor and trap.
holding water for flushing a water closet or
a urinal. It is normally filled by a fill valve flushing surface (flush-ing sur-face) the
and emptied by a flush valve using gravity. surface, visible after installation, which
may be wetted during the operation of
flush pipe (flush pipe) a straight tube
the fixture.
through which flushing water is conveyed
from the source of supply and the fixture flushing system, gravity type (flush-ing
(whether a tank or valve). sys-tem, grav-i-ty type) See Gravity
Type Flushing System.
flush pipe fitting (flush pipe fit-ting) the
pipe and fittings extending from the flush flushing system, pressurized type
tank, flushometer or flush valve to the (flush-ing sys-tem, pres-sur-ized type)
fixture (water closet or urinal, etc.). See Pressurized Plumbing
Fixture Flushing Device.
flush pipe hangers (flush pipe hang-ers)
See Flush Pipe Holders. flushometer valve (flush-o-me-ter valve)
a valve attached to a pressurized water
flush pipe holders (flush pipe hold-ers)
supply pipe and designed that when
fittings designed to secure the flush pipe
actuated, it opens the line for direct flow
from a tank, urinal, toilet, or other device,
into the fixture at a rate and quantity to
or fixture.
properly operate the fixture and then
flush rim (flush rim) a portion of a gradually closes in order to avoid water
plumbing fixture through which liquid hammer. The pipe to which this device is
(water) is induced to flood the inner connected is of sufficient size that, when
surfaces of the fixture. open, will allow the device to deliver water
at a sufficient rate of flow for flushing
purposes.
66
flushometer tank F.P.S. C.
67
frame full “s” trap
frame (frame) 1. the form in which french drain (french drain) a drain
something is fashioned. 2. the consisting of an underground passage
constructional system that gives shape made by filling a trench with loose stones
or strength. 3. an underlying structure, and covering with earth. Also called
or skeleton, specifically the arrangement rubble drain.
of supporting girders, beams, columns,
french solder (french sol-der) a readily
joists, or trusses forming the main
fusible silver solder composed of fine silver
support. 4. a basic structural unit which
and brass in varying proportions.
other constituents of a whole are fitted,
attach, or integrated. 5. an open case, or fresh-air inlet (fresh-air in-let) a
structure, made for admitting, enclosing, connection made to a house drain above
or supporting something. the main trap leading to the outside air.
Abbr. F.A.I. same as fresh air pipe.
frames and grates (frames and grates) 1. a
frame containing parallel, or crossed, bars friction (fric-tion) 1. resistance to the
forming an open lattice work, permitting relative motion of a liquid, or body,
the passage of light, air, liquid, or sound, sliding, rolling or flowing over another
and commonly used to prevent unwanted with which it is in contact. 2. the resultant
ingress or egress (as of persons to or from drag, or diminishment, of velocity of a
a building) or passage (as of solids into a fluid at the surface with which it is in
conduit for liquids). 2. a frame, bed, or contact.
basket of iron bars for holding fuel while
frostproof closet (frost-proof clos-et) a
it is burning. 3. a fireplace. 4. an open
toilet that has no water in the bowl and has
latticed, or barred, frame for cooking over
the trap and control for its water supply
a fire. 5. a screen, or sieve, for use with
installed below the frost line.
stamp mortars for grading ore.
F.S. Abbr. for Federal Specifications.
framing chisel (fram-ing chi-sel) a long
sturdy chisel designed for rough carpentry F.S.P.S. Abbr. for Female Standard Pipe Size.
work.
ft. Abbr. for Foot or Feet.
freeboard (free-board) 1. in plumbing
F.T.F. Abbr. for Face to Face. Sometimes
the vertical distance between the normal
F.-F.
maximum liquid level in a tank or
reservoir and the top of the tank or ftg. Abbr. for Fitting or Footing.
reservoir. 2. the height that is above the
F. to C. Abbr. for Face to Center.
recorded high-water mark of a structure
associated with a body of water such F. to E. Abbr. for Face to End.
as a dam, seawall, or culvert and is an
F.U. Abbr. for Fixture Unit.
allowance against overtopping by waves
or other transient disturbances. fuel oil (fu-el oil) any oil used for fuel. It
usually has a flashpoint higher than that
free circulation (free cir-cu-la-tion) free
of kerosene.
circulation of air means a plumbing and
drainage system so designed and installed Fuller balls and/or washer (ful-ler balls
as to keep the air within the system in and/or wash-ers) 1. a pear-shaped
free circulation and movement, and to resilient device and the back up or
prevent, with a margin of safety, unequal reinforcing conical-shaped unit. 2. Parts
air pressure of such forces as might blow, of a particular type of faucet.
siphon, or affect trap seals, or retard
full “s” trap (full s trap) a trap (unvented).
the discharge from plumbing fixtures
A waterway in the shape of the letter “s”
or permit sewer air to escape into the
when turned 90°.
building.
68
fumigator F.V.T.
69
G. gasket, wedge
Gg
70
gas meter riser G.I.
gas meter riser (gas me-ter ris-er) a fitting gauge siphon, steam (gauge si-phon,
in the form of a tube or a pipe, usually steam) a pipe formed in the shape of a
metal which connects the underground pig’s tail used between a gauge and a steam
gas line to the above-ground meter. boiler. Its function is to prevent water or
Typically supports the weight of the meter. steam from entering the gauge by means
of an air cushion.
gas pliers (gas pli-ers) stout pliers designed
for gripping small pipe, rods, or other gauge, tank (gas tank) external glass or
round objects. transparent sight glasses or gauges for
a tank.
gas scrubber (gas scrub-ber) an
arrangement for washing gas to remove gauge washer (gauge wash-er) a peripheral
dust, ammonia and other impurities. resilient sealing member used around
gauge glass tubing at its connection to
gas stop (gas stop) See Gas Cock.
metal fittings.
gas stop and wrench (gas stop and wrench)
geared valves (gear-ed valves) valves
A core type gas valve with a removable
operated with gears to provide easier
operating handle (key) called gascock.
opening and closing.
Gascock and wrench may be of plain or
lock type. gel coat (gel coat) a coating of epoxy or
resinous material applied to seal the
gas valve (gas valve) See Gas Cock.
surface of reinforced resin. See Resin.
gate (gate) 1. an opening for passage in an
general contractor (gen-er-al con-trac-tor)
enclosing wall, fence, or barrier, especially
a person, firm or corporation who secures
such an opening with a movable frame
a contract, or agreement, to build, repair,
or door for closing it. 2. a door, valve, or
renovate or maintain work supplying
other device for controlling the passage of
articles and materials to complete all
fluid or other material (as through a sluice,
phases of work agreed upon in contract.
channel or pipe).
Abbr. G.C.
gate box (gate box) See Curb Box.
general information (gen-er-al in-for-ma-
gate valve (gate valve) 1. a valve in which tion) common knowledge.
the flow of water is controlled by means of
generally accepted standard (gen-er-al-ly
a circular disk fitting against, and sliding,
ac-cep-ted stand-ard) a specification,
on machine smoothed faces, the motion
code, rule guide, or procedure in the
of the disk being at right angles to the
field of construction or related thereto,
direction of flow. The straight through
recognized and accepted as authoritative.
opening of the valve is as large as the
full bore of the pipe. 2. a type of motor- German silver (ger-man sil-ver) See
operated valve. Abbr. ga. Nickel Silver.
gauge (gauge) 1. a device for determining geyser (gey-ser) an intermittent hot water
whether the dimensions of a part are spring. In plumbing, an old style type
within specified limits. 2. a measuring of water heater in which a measured
instrument. 3. to measure exactly. amount of water passed through piping in
a cylinder containing burners. The water
gauge glass cutter (gauge glass cut-ter)
was thus heated at the point of use.
a tool for cutting tubing of glass, which
scores the tube either internally or G.F.D. Abbr. for Garage Floor Drain.
externally.
G.I. Abbr. for Galvanized Iron.
gauge pressure (gauge pres-sure) the
G.I. Abbr. for Grease Interceptor.
pressure at a point in a fluid above that of
the atmosphere. Compare with absolute
pressure. Abbr. G.P.
71
gilding metals grating
gilding metals (gild-ing met-als) a kind of gold (gold) a malleable, ductile, yellow,
brass rich in copper, from which articles metallic element sometimes used in
to be gilded are made. plating faucets. It is indifferent to most
chemicals but attached by chlorine and
gimlets (gim-lets) a device for boring small
aqua regia, and is hardened, or changed in
holes by hand pressure. The bit form of
color, and of commercial use by alloying
gimlet is used in a brace, being adapted to
with copper, silver, zinc, cadmium and
heavier and quicker boring than the gimlet
other metals.
which has a handle. See Twist Drills.
gold solder (gold sol-der) 1. an alloy
gland ring, metal (gland ring, met-al) a
containing gold used as a joiner requiring
metal ring usually in packing boxes or
heat application. 2. a hard solder
glands as a friction ring.
comprised of gold, silver, copper, or brass.
glass cutter (glass cut-ter) a tool (as a metal
gooseneck (goose-neck) 1. the “J” bend
hand tool equipped with a small wheel of
of a trap (an improper term for a return-
hardened steel or a tooth with a diamond
blend). 2. the lead or similar flexible
point) used for cutting or scoring glass.
connection between a water service pipe
glass tubing cutter (glass tub-ing cut-ter) and a water main. It is commonly used as
any number of tools for scaling the surface a faucet for a pantry sink.
of glass tubing so that it can be broken, or
gouge chisel (gouge chis-el) a chisel with
separated, cleanly.
a hollow-shaped blade. It is a specialized
glauconite (glau-co-nite) a mineral tool for cutting rounded grooves.
consisting of a dull, green, earthy iron
G.P. Abbr. for Gauge Pressure.
potassium silicate occurring abundantly
in greensand. See Zeolite. G.P.D. Abbr. for Gallons Per Day.
glazier putty (gla-zier put-ty) a mastic G.P.M. Abbr. for Gallons Per Minute.
used by glaziers for setting glass and like
G.P.S. Abbr. for Gallons Per Second.
substances. See Putty.
grade (grade) 1. the fall (slope) of a line of
globe radiator valve (globe ra-di-a-tor
pipe in reference to a horizontal plane. In
valve) 1. supply, or return, valve used on
drainage it is usually expressed as the fall
steam radiators. 2. a compression valve.
in a fraction of an inch per foot length of
globe valve (globe valve) 1. (compression pipe. 2. an indicator of category, or rank,
type) a valve in which the flow of water related to features, or characteristics, that
is controlled by means of a circular disk cover different sets of needs for products,
which is forced against, or withdrawn, or services, for the same functional use.
from an annular ring, known as the seat,
gram calorie (gram ca-lo-rie) See
which surrounds the opening through
Calorie.
which water flows in the valve. The
direction of movement of the valve is graphite packing (graph-ite pack-ing) 1.
parallel to the direction of flow of water a string-like packing of several strands. 2.
through the valve opening and normal to a packing impregnated with graphite. See
the axis of the pipe to which the valve is Packing.
connected. 2. a type of motor operated
grating (grat-ing) a screen or grid in a
valve.
waste line. Used to prevent solids or other
globe valve disc (globe valve disc) the undesirable or insoluble contaminants
moveable member of a compression valve. from entering and blocking the line.
go devil (go dev-il) a cleaning scraper
rotated and propelled through a pipeline
by the force of flowing oil or water.
72
gravity convection gunmetal
gravity convection (gra-vi-ty con-vec- grease trap draw-off valve (grease trap
tion) the natural movement of heat draw off valve) a special valve used on
through a body of fluid that occurs when some types of grease traps for removal of
a warm fluid rises and cool fluid sinks contained grease.
under the influence of gravity.
grease trap, pot-type (grease trap, pot-
gravity type flushing system (grav-i-ty type) a cylindrical unit having a height
type flush-ing sys-tem) 1.a method which equal to its diameter installed in a drainage
relies on a storage tank or vessel, open to system to retain the entrapped grease
atmospheric pressure and usually used for while allowing the continued flow of other
flushing plumbing fixtures 2. products materials. See Interceptor.
which predominantly rely on storage
green sand (green sand) a common name
vessels, open to atmospheric pressure for
for glauconite, a natural zeolite. See
flushing plumbing fixtures.
Zeolite.
gray iron (gray i-ron) cast iron, or pig iron,
grinder (grind-er) a rotating, solid stone
which has a high carbon content which
or abrasive wheel used for grinding,
causes a fractured section to appear to
sharpening, shaping, etc. (bench or
be dark gray.
portable).
grease (grease) in sewage, includes fats,
grit cloth (grit cloth) sheets of cloth which
free fatty acids, waxes, calcium and
are glued or imbedded, bits of abrasive
magnesium soaps, mineral oils, and other
material. Used generally in metalwork as
non-fatty materials.
sandpaper is used in woodwork.
grease cup (grease cup) a lubricating, cup
ground joint (ground joint) a machined
shaped fitting
metal joint that fits tightly without gasket
grease cup, oil (grease cup, oil) a heavy or packing.
viscosity oil used in lubricating cups.
ground key faucet (ground key fau-cet)
grease gun (grease gun) a small hand See Ground Key Valve.
pump for forcing grease under pressure
ground key valve (ground key valve) a
into bearings.
valve, or faucet, through which the rate
grease interceptor (grease in-ter-cep-tor) of flow of water is controlled by means
See Interceptor. of a circular plug, or key, that fits closely
in a cylindrical or conical machined seat.
grease, soldering (grease, sol-der-ing) See
The axis of the plug is normal to the
Soldering Grease.
direction of the flow of water. The plug
grease trap (grease trap) 1. a trap in a has a hole or passageway bored through
drain or waste pipe to prevent grease it as a waterway.
from passing into a sewer system. 2. a
ground water (ground wa-ter) water that
device installed in a drainage system to
is standing in, or flowing through, the
hold the grease content while allowing
ground.
other materials to continue to flow. 3.
interceptor used in drainage system group vent (group vent) a branch vent
to trap grease by the use of baffles and servicing two or more traps.
enlargement chambers slowing velocity
gunmetal (gun-met-al) 1. a bronze nine
of flow so grease coagulates on top
parts copper and one of tin. 2. an alloy
and can be removed or drawn off. See
or metal treated to imitate nearly black
Interceptor.
tarnished copper alloy gunmetal.
73
gutter G.V.
74
h. or ht. hanger
Hh
h. or ht. Abbr. for Height. hammer head chisel (ham-mer head chis-
el) used to cut through floors, timbers, etc;
hacking knife (hack-ing knife) 1. lead
preferable for hard usage.
working tool. 2. knife used for cutting
heavy sheet lead; the knife has a wide hammer head gouge (ham-mer head
back on the blade which can be struck gouge) used to cut through floors, timbers,
with a hammer. See Chipping Knife; etc.; preferable for hard usage.
Drawing Knife.
hammond joint (ham-mond joint) See
hacksaw (hack-saw) hand held saw with a Normandy Joint.
narrow blade set in a bow used primarily
hand held discharge piece (hand held dis-
for cutting metal. Types: (a) close-quarter,
charge piece) a type of hand held shower
(b).pistol-grip. See Hand Saw.
head or other accessory.
hacksaw blade (hack-saw blade) a blade
handhole (hand-hole) 1. a hole large
used in a hacksaw. A thin blade of metal
enough only for the insertion of a hand,
with cutting teeth on edge commonly
as for lifting, or of a hand and arm, as for
with a hole at each end for attaching to
cleaning out otherwise inaccessible places
the holder.
or giving access to enclosed parts. 2. a
hair felt (hair felt) 1. a non-woven shallow form of manhole giving access
material. 2. a matted under pressure to a top row of ducts in an underground
made of either animal or human hair. 3. electrical system.
an insulation material.
handhole gasket (hand-hole gas-ket) 1. a
half round cape chisel (half round cape gasket to fit the oval tank or other opening
chis-el) See Cape Chisel. covering member. 2. a cleanout opening
cover gasket. See Manhole Gasket.
half round file (half round file) a file semi-
circular in section, or one side curved to a hand pump and spray (hand pump and
circular segment and the other flat. Half spray) a pump operated manually having
round files are made in all lengths. a suction inlet and pressure outlet.
half-S trap (half-s-trap) ½-S=P type. See hand saw (hand saw) saw worked with one
Trap. hand and operated by a backward and
forward drive of the arm; wood cutting.
hammer (ham-mer) tool for striking, or
See Hacksaw.
repeated blows, consisting of a relatively
long handle, with heavy metal head hanger (hang-er) 1. something that
set at right angles to it; used to drive hangs, overhangs, or is suspended. 2.
nails, caulking lead joints, drive chisels, a depending part containing a bearing
work metal, break concrete, etc. Types for a revolving piece, especially, a metal
of hammers: a.claw or carpenter’s frame secured to the ceiling and carrying
b.machinists or ball peen c.various weights a bearing for overhead shafting. 3. a device
d.sledge hammers, various weights. or contrivance by which or to which
75
hard lead head pressure
76
head shower and stop hold backs for shower
head shower and stop (head show-er heat transfer (heat trans-fer) the
and stop) an elevated water distributor movement of heat from one body to
equipped with an integral water flow another by means of radiation, convection
control valve. or conduction.
header (head-er) a pipe of many outlets. heat transfer fluid (heat trans-fer flu-id)
The outlets can be parallel or may be at in a solar system the air, water, or other
90° to the center line of the header. See fluid which is used to carry thermal energy
Manifold. from one subsystem to another.
health agency or department (health agen- heat trap (heat trap) a device incorporating
cy or de-part-ment) the organization a down-flow, or return, designed to
established by law to have jurisdiction prevent auto-circulation of heated water
over the water supply quality. in the outlet fitting of a water heater, thus
preventing heat loss.
health hazard (health ha-zard) See
hazard, health. heel inlet (heel in-let) See Branch Ell.
heater (heat-er) a plumbing fixture which heel inlet elbow (heel in-let el-bow) See
heats water by the combustion of gas, Branch Ell.
electricity; oil, or other combustibles.
height of building (height of build-ing)
heat exchanger (heat ex-chang-er) a the height of a building measured at the
device, such as a coiled copper tube, center line of its principal front, from the
immersed in a tank of water, that is used street grade (or, if setting back from the
to transfer heat from one fluid to another street, from grade of the ground adjoining
through an intervening surface. the building) , to the highest part of the
roof, if a flat roof or to a point two-thirds
heat loss (heat loss) 1. loss of heat from
the height of the roof (if a gabled or hip
one space to another. 2. energy or power
roof ).
transmitted out of a system in the form
of heat. hematite (hem-a-tite) an important iron
ore.
heat sources (class I and I-V) (heat sources)
heat sources provided by the enclosure hex wrench (hex wrench) hex jaws afford
manufacturers shall be constructed and multi-sided grip on hex and square nuts,
installed so that water or other liquids unions, packing nuts, etc.; smooth jaw
do not enter and/or or accumulate in, or design for use on polished surfaces. See
on, the live wired sections or electrical Offset Hex Wrench.
components or wiring. (Electric heat
“h” fitting (“h” fit-ting) a drainage fitting
sources and electrical components which
designed exclusively for venting purposes.
are associated with the heat source and
The side branch may be the same as the
supplied by the manufacturer shall be
main, or reduced, in size. Sometimes
listed by an independent product safety
called Limberdick.
listing and certification agency for use in
damp locations.) high hazard (high haz-ard) See hazard,
high.
heating surface (heat-ing sur-face) all
surfaces which transmit heat from the hinged hook (hinged hook) a hook, or
flames or flue gases to the medium to joint, on which a door or lid turns.
be heated.
hold backs for shower (hold backs for
heat pump (heat pump) a mechanical show-er) sometimes called shower curtain
device that transfers heat from one tie back. A hook and chain, nickel or
medium to another thereby heating the chrome plated, used in retaining cloth or
first and cooling the other. plastic shower curtains in the full open
position.
77
hole cover, faucet hose connection backflow preventer
hole cover, faucet (hole cov-er, fau-cet) horizontal pipe (hor-i-zon-tal pipe) a pipe
a convex disc to close unused holes, or that is installed in a horizontal position, or
drillings, in plumbing fixtures. that makes an angle of less than 45 degrees
with the horizontal.
hole saw (hole saw) Also called cylinder
saw or crown saw. See Crown Saw. horsepower (horse-pow-er) a unit of power
in the U.S. customary system equal to
hole shooter (hole shoot-er) Se e
745.7 watts or 550 foot-pounds per
Electric Drill.
second. Abbr. H.P.
holiday (hol-i-day) an area of applied
hose bibb (hose bibb) a faucet to which a
lining or coating to tanks or vessels
hose may be attached. Abbr. H.B.
that has a discontinuity or an electrical
resistance less than the specified value. hose bibb backflow preventer (hose bibb
back-flow pre-ven-ter) an assembly
hook, bead chain (hook, bead chain) a
composed of a check valve internally
hook usually of the “S” shape designed
force loaded to a closed position and an
to be attached to the end of a bead type
atmospheric vent valve or means force
chain.
loaded in a closed position when device
hopper (hop-per) 1. entry part of a food is not under pressure. Shall only be used
water disposer; household or commercial. on systems where additional sources
2. the space, or cavity, within a food waste of pressure are not introduced. For
grinder for receiving and containing food protection of the potable water supply
waste prior to and during the reduction against pollution by contaminants which
process. can otherwise be caused to enter the
system by backsiphonage through the hose
hopper-bowl or closet (hop-per-bowl or
threaded outlets.
clos-et) the upper funnel-shaped portion
of a hopper water closet. See Hopper - hose bibb vacuum breaker (hose bibb
Long and Short. vac-u-um break-er) a vacuum breaker
designed to be installed on the discharge
hopper-long and short (hop-per-long
side of the hose bibb or sill cock; the
and short) the upper funnel-shaped
design embraces a check valve member
portion of a hopper waste closet. Short
force loaded or biased to a closed position
pattern approx. 40" (101.6 cm) long; long
and an atmospheric vent valve, or means,
pattern: longer than 40" (101.6 cm) See
force loaded, or biased, to an open
Hopper - Bowl or Closet.
position when the device is not under
hopper trap (hop-per trap) the four inch pressure; the device shall only be used on
waste trap at the bottom of the hopper in systems where additional sources of back
a water closet. pressure are not introduced by any means
other than head pressure developed in a
hor. Abbr. for Horizontal.
connected hose.
horizontal branch (hor-i-zon-tal branch)
hose connection backflow preventer (hose
a branch drain extending laterally from a
con-nec-tion back-flow pre-vent-er) a
soil, or waste stack, or a building drain,
backflow prevention device designed to
with or without vertical sections, or
be connected to a hose treaded outlet on
branches, which receives the discharge
a potable water system, consisting of two
from one or more fixture drains, and
independent check valves force loaded in
conducts it to the soil, or waste stack, or
the closed position with an atmospheric
the building drain.
vent located between the two check
horizontal caulked joint (hor-i-zon-tal valves which is force loaded in the closed
caulked joint) a bell and spigot caulked position, and provided with a means for
connection in a horizontal run. attaching a hose.
78
hose faucet house sewer
hose faucet (hose fau-cet) a type of lawn hot water boiler flow control fitting (hot
faucet. A faucet, or valve, equipped with wa-ter boil-er flow con-trol fit-ting)
hose threads (3/4 U.S. standard hose) to a valve automatic, semi-automatic or
which a hose may be connected. The hose manually operated to control the outlet
faucet may have a wheel, lever, tee, key flow of heated water from the hot water
or other handle permanently mounted; boiler.
removable; or locked. See Hose
hot water boiler thermometer (hot wa-ter
Threaded Faucet; Faucet;
boil-er ther-mom-e-ter) heat registering
Sill Cock.
device installed in water boiler to indicate
hose gate valve (hose gate valve) 1. a internal temperature. See Boiler
fire-extinguishing system component. 2. Gauge.
a valve with one threaded end for hose
hot water dispensers, electric storage
application.
type (hot wa-ter dis-pen-sers, e-lec-tric
hose globe valve (hose globe valve) globe stor-age type) designed for household, or
valve with hose threaded at one end. See single, fixture and continuously vented
Globe Valve. to atmosphere, electrically heated storage
tanks.
hose rack (hose rack) a frame work for
storing hose. Abbr. H.R. hot water generator (hot wa-ter gen-er-
a-tor) an enclosed vessel in which water
hose station (hose sta-tion) a combination
is heated for domestic or industrial use.
of valve, hose, nozzle, and hose rack. A
part of a fire-extinguishing system. hot water meter (hot wa-ter me-ter) a
device to measure volume of hot water
hose thread (hose thread) a screw thread
and made of material compatible with
used on fittings to provide an attachment
the temperature involved. See Water
for a garden hose. Sometimes called
Meter.
garden hose thread. Usually 12 threads
per inch of threaded surface on 3/4" pipe hot water supply and return (hot wa-ter
size, as compared to 14 threads per inch sup-ply and re-turn) a system of piping
of threaded surface on 3/4" thread size. to cause circulation of the heated water.
Abbr. H.W.S. and H.W.R.
hose threaded faucet (hose thread-ed
fau-cet) a type of lawn faucet equipped house drain (house drain) that part of the
with threads for attachment of a hose. See lowest horizontal piping of a drainage
Hose Faucet. system which received the discharge
from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes
hose washer (hose wash-er) a disc with a
within a building and conveys it to the
hole in its center. Used as a seal between
building or house sewer (beginning three
the hose connector and its mate.
feet to five feet outside the building wall)
hot air damper (hot air damp-er) a shutter See Building Drain.
type device to control air passing through
household dishwasher (house-hold dish-
a pipe or duct.
wash-er) an appliance which, with the aid
hot water (hot wa-ter) water at a of water, automatically washes, rinses and
temperature not less than 120oF (49oC). dries (where drying process is included)
Abbr. H.R. dishware, glassware and cutlery and most
cooking utensils by chemical, mechanical
hot water boiler (hot wa-ter boiler) a vessel
or electrical means and discharges to the
for storing and/or heating water.
plumbing drainage system
house sewer (house sew-er) See
Building Sewer.
79
house slant hydrodynamics
house slant (house slant) a tee or wye hydrant (hy-drant) a valve, or faucet, for
connection in the sewer for the purpose drawing water from a pipe. The term is
of connecting to the house sewer. See usually applied to an outside installation
Slant. for supplying a relatively large quantity
of water for sprinkling, watering, fire
house tank (house tank) an elevated
protection, and similar purposes. See
reservoir which received water to be
yard Hydrant.
distributed, usually by gravity, to the
building’s water system. See Attic hydraulic (hy-draul-ic) 1. operated by
Tank. or employing water or other liquids in
motion. 2. operated by water, or other
house trap (house trap) a trap in the house
liquids, under pressure.
drain for preventing the entrance of gases
from a sewer. See Building Trap. hydraulic gradient (hy-draul-ic gra-di-
ent) represents the slope of the surface of
H.P. Abbr. for Head Pressure and
the sewage, or drain water, in a pipe and
Horsepower
depends on the velocity head.
Hr. Abbr. for Hour.
hydraulic jump (hy-draul-ic jump) the
H.R. Abbr. for Hose Rack. increase in depth of water in the horizontal
drain at the base of a stack caused by the
hub (hub) the enlarged end of a pipe made
reduced velocity of water flowing in the
to provide a connection into which the
horizontal pipe when receiving flow from
end of the joining pipe fits. See Bell.
a vertical stack.
hubless class cast iron soil pipe (hub-less
hydraulic pipe cutter (hy-draul-ic pipe
class cast iron soil pipe) a descriptive
cut-ter) chain pipe-cutter utilizing
designation of various sizes cast iron, soil
hydraulic ram to cut cast iron pipe. See
pipes. See Soil Pipe.
Soil Pipe Cutter.
hub-type ferrules, or sleeves, brass (hub-
hydraulic radius (hy-draul-ic ra-dius) 1.
type fer-rul-es, or sleeves, brass) See
the ratio of the cross-sectional area of a
Soil Pipe.
channel or pipe in which a fluid is flowing
hub-type soil pipe (hub-type soil pipe) to the wetted perimeter of the conduit.
See Soil Pipe. 2. the ratio of area to wetted perimeter.
humidity (hu-mid-i-ty) 1. moisture. hydraulic ram (hy-draul-ic ram) the
2. dampness. 3. a moderate degree of utilization of gravity flow to increase
wetness, which is perceptible to the eye pressures.
or touch, esp. of the atmosphere, or of
hydrochloric acid (hy-dro-chlo-ric ac-id)
anything which has absorbed moisture
an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride
from the atmosphere. 4. a relationship of
(HCL) that is a strong, corrosive, irritating
H2O to air given usually in percentage.
liquid which is normally present in diluted
humus (hu-mus) 1. a brown, or black, form in gastric juices, and is widely used
complex and varying material formed in industry (as for pickling metals) and in
by slow decomposition of vegetable and the laboratory. Also called Muriatic Acid.
animal matter 2. the organic portion of
hydrodynamics (hy-dro-dy-nam-ics) the
soil.
science or study of the motions of fluids
H.W. Abbr. for Hot Water. and the forces acted on solids within these
fluids and in motion within them.
H.W.H. Abbr for Hot Water Heater.
H.W.R. Abbr. for Hot Water Return.
H.W.S. Abbr. for Hot Water Supply.
80
hydrogen hygroscopic material
81
icebox independently acting checks
Ii
82
index-sludge volume input rating
through its full travel it shall not affect individual vent (in-di-vid-u-al vent) a
the normal operation of the other check pipe installed to vent a fixture drain. It
valve. 3. an independently acting check connects with the vent system above the
valve is one that is not affected by any fixture served or terminates outside the
other component nor does it affect the building into the open air at a point above
action of another component. the roof level. See Back Vent.
index-sludge volume (in-dex- sludge vol- individual water supply, private (in-
ume) the volume in milliliters occupied di-vid-u-al wa-ter sup-ply, pri-vate)
by one gram of dry solids after the aerated a supply other than an approved public
mixed liquor settles 30 minutes. water supply which serves one or more
families.
indicator post (in-di-ca-tor post)
mechanically operated indicator showing industrial wastes (in-dus-tri-al wastes) the
the seat position when a valve (with a liquid wastes resulting from the processes
non-rising stem) is buried underground. employed in industrial and commercial
establishments.
indirect connection (in-di-rect con-nec-
tion) See indirect waste pipe. influent (in-flu-ent) flowing in, especially
contributing water to the zone of
indirect cross connection (in-di-rect cross
saturation and thereby sustaining or
con-nec-tion) a potential cross connection
raising the water table.
in which the interconnection is not
continuously enclosed and the completion infrared radiation (in-fra-red ra-di-a-
of the cross connection depends on the tion) radiation with wave lengths greater
occurrence of one or more abnormal than 70 millionths centimeter (7000
conditions. angstroms units) but less than the radio
waves, about 5.5 centimeters.
indirect vent (in-di-rect vent) a pipe
installed to vent a fixture trap and initial outlet set temperature (in-i-tial
connects with the vent system above the out-let set tem-per-a-ture) the average
fixture served or terminates in the open of the values of the mixed temperature
air. See Back Vent. (T3) for the ten (10) seconds immediately
preceding the start of the test.
indirect waste pipe (in-di-rect waste pipe)
a waste pipe that does not connect directly injection burner (in-jec-tion burn-er) a
with the drainage system, but discharges burner employing the energy of a jet of
into the drainage system through an gas to inject air for combustion into the
air break or air gap into a trap, fixture, burner and mix it with gas.
receptacle, or interceptor, properly wasted
inlet (in-let) supply opening to the
and vented.
plumbing fixture or device.
indirect waste receiver (in-di-rect waste
inline offset (in-line off-set) one or more
re-ceiv-er) a receptacle to receive wastes
fittings close coupled to control the flow
from other fixtures or plumbing units.
rate of waste in the stack(s).
individual sewage disposal system (in-
input rating (in-put rat-ing) the gas-
di-vid-ual sew-age dis-pos-al sys-tem)
burning capacity of an appliance in B.T.U.
a system for disposal of domestic sewage
per hour as specified by the manufacturer.
by means of a septic tank, cesspool, or
Appliance input ratings are based on sea
mechanical treatment. Designed for use
level operation and need not be changed
apart from a public sewer to serve a single
for operation up to two thousand feet.
establishment where a public sewer is not
Input ratings should be reduced at the
available. See Cesspool; Septic
rate of four percent per one thousand feet
Tank.
above sea level.
83
insanitary interceptor
84
interconnection isolation or internal protection
85
isolation (policy I.W.F.
86
jacket junction manhole
Jj
jacket (jack-et) the outer casing, shell, joint runner (joint run-ner) a piece of
hater or storage vessel. asbestos rope with clamps placed around
a pipe, or tile joint, to serve as a dam for
jackhammer (jack-ham-mer) a pneumatic
the retention of poured molten metal later
rock drill of the hammer type usually held
to be caulked in. An incombustible type
in the hands of the operator.
of packing, generally used for guides and
jackscrew (jack-screw) a screw operated holds lead in a bell during the pouring
jack for lifting or for exerting pressure. of a joint.
J Bend (j bend) a return bend - a 180 degree joint wiping (joint wip-ing) 1. to spread
turn. See Trap; P Trap; S Trap. by or as if by wiping. 2. to form a joint
between lead pipes, by applying solder in
jet pump (jet pump) a pump in which a
repeated increments individually spread
small jet of steam, air, water, or other fluid
and shaped with greased cloth pads.
in rapid motion lifts, or otherwise moves
by its impulse, a large quantity of the fluid journey plumber or journey (jour-ney
with which it mingles. plumb-er or jour-ney) 1. a plumber who
does plumbing work for another for hire.
jig saw (jig saw) a narrow saw mounted
2. one who has served his apprenticeship.
vertically in a frame used for cutting
3. a person, who by himself, does work in
curves.
plumbing, subject to inspection under any
john (john) slang. See Water Closet. law, ordinance, by law, rule, or regulation.
joint (joint) 1. the result of joining either jumpover (jump-o-ver) See Crossover;
solidly or loosely; tightly or loosely. 2. the Return Offset.
juncture of two pipes.
junction manhole (junc-tion man-hole)
joint cement (joint ce-ment) See Pipe a manhole at the joining point of two or
Dope. more sewers. See Manhole.
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 fitting,
in the form of a mechanical joint.
87
kerosine or kerosene “K” type copper tube
Kk
88
l. or lgth. lav.
Ll
l. or lgth. Abbr. for Length. lap weld (lap weld) a weld in which two
metallic surfaces are connected by lapping
laborator y faucet type, backflow
one over the top of the other. Sometimes
preventer (lab-o-ra-to-ry fau-cet type,
used in making small-sized iron pipe from
back-flow pre-vent-er) See BACKFLOW
sheet metal.
PREVENTER.
large calorie (large ca-lo-rie) See
labor union (la-bor un-ion) an
Calorie.
organization created for the purpose of
advancing (as by collective bargaining) its lateral (lat-er-al) in plumbing, a secondary
members’ interests (as in respect to wages pipeline. In sewage, a common sewer
and working conditions) to which no other common sewer is a
tributary. It receives sewage from building
ladder (lad-der) an instrument of wood,
sewers.
metal, or rope for climbing, consisting
of two parallel pieces connected by cross latrine (la-trine) 1. a water closet
pieces at regular intervals which serve as consisting of a continuous trough in a
foothold. floor containing water. The trench extends
under two, or more, adjacent seats, or
ladle (la-dle) spoon, or cup-shaped, tool
spaces, for occupancy. Multi-person use
with a long handle, used in pouring
at one time. 2. a fixture, or apparatus,
molten wiping solder, caulking lead, zinc,
to receive abdominal cavity discharges;
sulphur, etc.; made in either single or
device sometimes flushed with a constant
double lipped and in various sizes.
flow of liquid (water) See Water
lag bolt (lag bolt) See Lag Screw. Closet; Range Closet.
lag hook (lag hook) a course threaded rod laundry faucet (laun-dry fau-cet) a valve
with a hook on the protruded end. to control the flow of water either hot or
cold, at laundry tray.
lag screw (lag screw) a screw having a
wrench head and wood-screw threads laundry tray (laun-dry tray) a sink for the
terminating in a point. Also called lag bolt. purpose of washing laundry. Abbr. L.T.
lamp hole (lamp hole) 1. an opening l a u n d r y t u b ( l a u n - d r y t u b ) Se e
provided in the side or top of a tank so that Laundry Tray.
a light may be inserted to aid examination
lav. Abbr. for Lavatory.
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.
89
lavatory lead joint
90
lead of a screw thread line support
lead of a screw thread (lead of a screw leak cement (lead ce-ment) a compound to
thread) the distance that a nut, or female stop leaks by swelling action or by causing
threaded, fitting will move forward if it is corrosion.
turned one revolution on the thread. In a
leat (leat) an artificial water trench,
single threaded screw the lead and pitch
especially one to, or from, a mill.
are equal; in a double threaded screw
thread, the nut will move forward through leather-side (leath-er- side) pertaining to a
two threads, etc. Compare with pitch of leather washer; the finished side.
screw threads.
leather-side washers and packing (leath-
lead pig (lead pig) the term “pig” means the er- side wash-ers and pack-ing) leather
metal as cast into bars at the conclusion materials treated and finished on one side.
of the process of smelting.
length of pipe (length of pipe) the overall
lead pipe (lead pipe) pipe made from lead. distance measured along the center line.
See Lead.
level (lev-el) instrument for ascertaining a
lead pipe cutter (lead pipe cut-ter) a level, for testing whether objects are on the
tool with thin rotating discs which cut same horizontal line, or whether different
through the side wall of lead pipe when parts of a surface are horizontal.
rotated around the pipe or when the pipe
lever handle faucet (lev-er han-dle fau-cet)
is rotated inside it.
a valve operated by means of a lever, rather
lead pipe expanding pliers (lead pipe ex- than a wheel.
pand-ing pli-ers) devised to do the work
L.F. Abbr. for Lawn Faucet, See hose
of several sizes of turn pins.
Bibb; hose Faucet.
lead pot (lead pot) See Solder Pot.
L.H. Abbr. for Left Hand.
lead screw anchor (lead screw an-chor) an
lime wash (lime wasjh) to wash with a
envelope unit between the screw and the
solution of lime; to whitewash.
hole in some solid material as rock, stone,
and masonry. limit control (lim-it con-trol) an electrical
control used to limit the pressure of steam,
lead sheet (lead sheet) thin, but large
the temperature of water or air, depending
square or rectangular piece of lead. Usually
on the type of system to which the control
defined by weight per square foot, i.e. 21
is applied. See Control.
lbs. = 21 lbs./square foot, 4 lbs. = 4 lbs./
square foot, etc. Used for lining tanks, line, pressure equalizing (line, pres-
roof, or chimney flashings. sure e-qua-liz-ing) See pressure
equalizing line.
lead sundries (lead sun-dries)
miscellaneous items made of lead. See line, pressure relief (line, pres-sure re-lief)
Lead Tacks. See pressure relief line.
lead tacks (lead tacks) pieces of lead that line pipe (line pipe) a special, high test
are soldered or burned or welded to lead pipe having recessed and taper-thread
pipe so that it can be secured or supported. couplings, and usually greater length of
thread than Briggs Standard.
lead trap (lead trap) a plumbing fitting
(trap) made of lead. See Trap. line pressure (line pres-sure) single or
multiple lines that, when tested, show(s)
lead wool (lead wool) lead in the form of
a positive pressure above zero (0).
fine shreds or shavings used for caulking
pipe joints. line support (line sup-port) See Pipe
Hanger.
91
lining loadstone
lining (lin-ing) a coating applied to the liquor (li-quor) 1. any liquid 2. water
inside surface of piping, tanks or vessels. sewage 3. industrial sewage, or any
combination of the three.
linings - copper (lin-ings - cop-per) sheet
copper formed into a box-like shape liquor, mixed (in sewage treatment) [li-
minus cover. quor, mixed (in sew-age treat-ment)] a
mixture of activated sludge and sewage
linseed oil (boiled) [lin-seed oil (boil-ed)]
in the aeration tank undergoing activated
linseed oil whose drying properties have
sludge treatment.
been improved by heating usually with
dryers. The vehicle of putty, paints, etc. liquor, supernatant (li-quor, su-per-na-
See Linseed Oil (Raw) tant) 1. the liquor overlying deposited
solids. 2. the liquid in a sludge-digestion
linseed oil (raw) [lin-seed oil (raw)] the
tank which lies between the sludge at the
oil extracted from linseed but uncooked
bottom and the floating scum at the top.
therefore slow to evaporate. See Linseed
Oil (Boiled) litharge (li-tharge) a fused lead monoxide.
(In plumbing) used as a threaded joint
lipped urinal (lipped uri-nal) a fixture
compound when mixed with boiled
with a projection toward the user. See
linseed oil or glycerine.
urinal.
litmus (lit-mus) a blue colored matter from
lip union (lip un-ion) a special form of
lichens that turns red in acid solutions and
union having a lip or seat that prevents
remains blue in alkaline solutions and is
the gasket from being squeezed into the
used as an acid-base indicator.
pipe so as to obstruct the flow.
litmus paper (lit-mus pa-per) unsized
liq. Abbr. for Liquid.
paper treated with litmus.
liquefaction (liq-ue-fac-tion) 1. the
little inch (lit-tle inch) a term used to
changing of the organic matter in sewage
describe pipe and pipe lines that are less
from an insoluble state to a soluble state,
than 24" in diameter. Compare with
and effecting a reduction in its solid
big inch.
contents. 2. act, or process, of making, or
becoming, liquid by heat, or of a gas into load factor (load fac-tor) the percentage
a liquid by cold or pressure. of the total connected fixture unit flow
which is likely to occur at any point in
liquefied petroleum gases (liq-ue-fied pe-
the drainage system. It varies with the type
tro-le-um gas-es) 1. fuel gases, including
of occupancy, the total flow unit above
commercial propane (predominately
this point being considered, and with the
propane and/or propylene) or commercial
probability factor of simultaneous use.
butane (predominately butane, isobutane,
and/or butylene). 2. liquefied petroleum loading (load-ing) 1. material used to
gas supplied in cylinders and used load something; filler. 2. BOD filter, the
without liquid vaporizers must be either pounds of oxygen demand in the applied
commercial propane or butane as defined liquid per unit of filter bed area, or volume
above in order to avoid major variations of stone per day. 3. Weir: gallons overflow
in heating value of the gas as it is released per day per foot of weir length.
from the cylinder. Abbr. for LPG
loadstone (load-stone) variation of
liquid waste (liq-uid waste) the discharge lodestone.
from any fixture, appliance, area, or
appurtenance, which does not contain
human or animal waste matter. See
Waste.
92
local vent L.W.
local vent (lo-cal vent) 1. a pipe or conduit low head pressure (low head pres-sure)
to convey foul air from a plumbing fixture, pressure considered to be equal to, or less
room or other space, to the outer air. 2. a than, ten feet or three meters.
pipe on the fixture side of the trap through
low water cut-off (low wa-ter cut-off)
which vapor or foul air is removed from
a water leveling control - its function
the room or fixture. not connected to
is to break electric contact when water
plumbing piping system of waste, soil,
in a heating device is lower than safe
or pressure equalization piping. See
operating level.
Sterilizer Vent.
lozenge point chisel (loz-enge point chis-
locknut (lock-nut) a supplementary nut to
el) See Diamond Point Chisel.
hold a cock or valve in place.
L.P. Abbr. for Low Pressure.
lodestone (lode-stone) m a gn e t i t e
processing polarity. LPG Abbr. for Liquified Petroleum Gases.
long curve nose pliers (long curve nose LP gas-air mixture (l-p gas-air mix-ture)
pli-ers) See Pliers. liquefied petroleum gases distributed
at relatively low pressures and normal
long nosed caulking iron (long nosed
atmospheric temperatures which
caulk-ing i-ron) a packing tool of extra
have been diluted with air to produce
length to reach extraordinary conditions
desired heating value and utilization
of construction.
characteristics.
long radius fitting (long ra-dius fit-ting)
L.T. Abbr. for Laundry Tray.
any fitting on which the radius of the
elbow turn between openings is greater “L” type copper tube (“l” type cop-per
than the standard radius for that size tube) a designation of the wall thickness
fitting. of a copper tube.
long screw (long screw) a nipple six inches lute (lute) a substance, as cement or clay,
long with one thread six inches longer for packing a joint or coating a porous
than the standard thread. surface to make it impervious to gas or
liquid. See Putty.
loop vent (loop vent) a vent pipe connected
to a horizontal drainage pipe receiving the L.W. Abbr. for Light Weight.
discharges from one, or more, unvented
fixtures. The vent pipe rises above the
overflow level or flood rim of the highest
fixture 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 affixed. 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.
93
m. mainline valve assembly
Mm
94
major diameter math
95
mathematics merchant pipe
96
mercury modulating water temperature control
mercury (mer-cu-ry) a heavy silver- mill file (mill file)a single-cut (tapered or
white univalent and bivalent poisonous blunt) file which acquired its name from
metallic element that is liquid at ordinary its early use in filing mill or circular saws.
temperatures. It is used chiefly in scientific It is thinner than the ordinary hand file.
instruments, mercury boilers, mercury
min. Abbr. for Minimum or Minutes.
pumps, and mercury vapor lamps.
mineral wool (min-er-al wool) any of
mercury gauge (mer-cu-ry gauge) a gauge
various light-weight vitreous materials
using liquid mercury for measuring;
produced in the form of fibers that
generally pressures both positive and
resemble wool or glass and are used after
negative.
conversion into granular form, felted form
mercury switch (mer-cu-ry switch) a (as in batts, blankets, or boards) or molded
switch in which an electric circuit is closed form, chiefly in heat and sound insulation
and opened by tilting a reservoir of liquid in insulating cements, and as filter media,
mercury. (i.e.: an insulated blanket of mineral wood
covers a hot water tank).
metal (met-al) any of certain chemical
elements, as iron, gold, silver, copper, lead, minimum (min-i-mum) red lead of Iberian
and aluminum, typically characterized origin. Found as a mineral, but usually
by high specific gravity, fusibility, prepared synthetically; tri-lead tetroxide.
malleability, conductivity for heat and See Red Lead. Abbr. min.
electricity and a characteristic (more or
minor diameter (mi-nor di-am-e-ter)
less) identifying luster.
the smallest diameter of the thread on a
metal, base (met-al, base) See Base screw or nut.
Metals.
minor repairs (mi-nor re-pairs) 1. repairs
metal, bell (met-al, bell) See Bell are defined to consist of fixing leaks and
Metal. removing of obstructions in soil, waste,
and supply lines and to restore defective
metals, noble (met-als, no-ble) See
valves, faucets and similar appliances to an
Noble Metals.
efficient operating condition. 2. to restore
meter (me-ter) a flow measurement and to sound or good condition.
recording device.
mirror (mir-ror) a polished or smooth
metering faucet (me-ter-ing fau-cet) a substance that forms images by the
valve with an adjustment, either manual reflection of light. A looking glass used
or automatic, which measures the flow of by mechanics in repair work.
liquid to a desired rate.
miter box (mi-ter box) a box or apparatus
mfcc. Abbr. for Membrane Filter Coliform for use in cutting miters. The abutting
Count. surface or level on either of the pieces
joined in a miter joint.
mfg. Abbr. for Manufacture.
mixer face (mix-er face) the fair inlet end
M.H. Abbr. for Manhole.
of the mixer head.
M.I. Abbr. for Malleable Iron.
mixing valve (mix-ing valve) a valve
micro-organism (mic-ro-or-ga-nism) any or faucet to mix liquids by means of
organism of microscopic size, applied automatic or manual regulation. See
especially to bacteria and protozoa. Shower Regulator.
mill board asbestos (mill board as-bes- modulating water temperature control
tos) hard pressed asbestos material in (mod-u-lat-ing wa-ter tem-per-a-ture
sheet form. con-trol) a valve in which the intermixing
of hot and cold water is done by slow
reactance.
97
module muriatic acid - raw
module (mod-ule) the size of one part. “M” type copper tube (“m” type cop-per
In plumbing, the complete unit of tube) the designation of a given wall
an ensemble.,( i.e.: a dishwasher to a thickness in a copper tube.
kitchen).
multiple dwelling (mul-ti-ple dwell-ing)
mold (mold) 1. cavity for casting material building containing more than one
such as metal or plastic in the heating or dwelling unit.
fluid state. 2. to form a malleable material,
municipal sewage waste (mu-ni-ci-pal
hot or cold, by pressing into a cavity. See
sew-age waste) 1. the residual material
Fungus.
after sewage treatment processes. 2. the
monel (mon-el) an alloy of approximately input to a sewage treatment plant. 3. the
67% nickel, 28% copper and 5% other combined outfall from a community's
elements that is made by direct reduction untreated sewage.
for ore in which the constituent metals
muriatic acid (mu-ri-at-ic ac-id) a
occur in these proportions.
commercial name for hydrochloric acid.
monkey wrench (mon-key wrench) a See Hydrochloric Acid.
wrench with an adjustable jaw for turning
muriatic acid - cut (mu-ri-at-ic ac-id - cut)
nuts of different sizes.
the commercial name of hydrochloric acid
mop sink (mop sink) a deep receptacle in less than full strength.
supplied with running water, connected
muriatic acid - raw (mu-ri-at-ic ac-id -
to a drainage system; especially installed
raw) undiluted muriatic acid.
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.
98
N. nickeled
Nn
99
nickel plated non-freeze protection enclosures
100
non-health hazard nuisance
101
O. ohmmeter
Oo
102
O.I. orientation, vertical up/horizontal
103
orifice oxyacetylene
104
oxygen ozone
105
P. peen
Pp
106
peppermint oil piezometer orifice
peppermint oil (pep-per-mint oil) a Pex Tubing (pex tub-ing) the common
pungent, aromatic mint oil sometimes name for cross linked high density
used in testing a drainage system, or soil polyetylene tubing. It is used in hydronic
and water piping systems. By pouring heating systems and for domestic water
peppermint oil down each closed roof piping. It is predominantly used in radient
terminal followed by hot water; the heating systems.
odor of peppermint indicates a leak. See
P.G. Abbr. for Pressure Gauge.
Peppermint Test.
pH (p h) the hydrogen-ion activity in gram
peppermint test (pep-per-mint test) a test
equivalents per liter used in expressing
for leakage using peppermint and heated
both acidity and alkalinity on a scale
or hot water as the medias, and the sense
whose values run from zero to fourteen,
of smell as the determining factor. See
with the lower the number less than seven
Peppermint Oil; Scent Test.
indicating increasing acidity and numbers
percolation (per-co-la-tion) 1. the flow or greater than seven increasing alkalinity.
trickling of a liquid downward through a See Acid; Alkali.
contact, or filtering medium, the liquid
phosphorus (phos-pho-rus) a non-metallic,
may, or may not, fill the pores of the
multivalent element of the nitrogen family
medium. 2. the movement or flow of
that occurs especially as phosphates.
water through the interstices or the pores
Sometimes used in steel as it enhances
of a soil or other porous medium, also
the strength and makes it better able to
termed filtration.
resist abrasion.
permanent set (per-ma-nent set) 1. to
photosynthesis (pho-to-syn-the-sis)
become solid, or thickened, by chemical
the formation of carbohydrates in the
or physic alterations. 2. to acquire a
chlorophyll-containing-tissues of plants
permanent twist, or bend, resulting from
exposed to light.
strain, 3. the amount by which a material
stressed beyond its elastic limit fails to physical disconnection (phy-sic-al dis-
return to its original size, or shape, when con-nec-tion) removal of pipe, fittings
the load is removed. or fixtures which connect a potable water
supply to a non-potable system or one of
person (per-son) 1. a human being, man,
questionable quality.
woman, or child. 2. every individual,
partnership, corporation, firm, association, picking out chisel (pick-ing out chis-el)
or group, including a city, town, county or picking iron used in picking out the lead
other governmental unit, owning property of a caulked joint.
or carrying on an activity regulated by a
piezometer (pie-zom-e-ter) a device for
particular plumbing code or law.
the measurement of pressure in pipes,
pet cock (pet cock) a small cock, faucet or or conduits, consisting of a vertical
valve, set in a water pipe, pump, drain transparent tube which is connected at
outlet, end of a cylinder, in a radiator its lower end to a piezometer orifice in
or water jacket and used to drain water, the wall of the pipe, or conduit, and is
steam or air. open to atmosphere at its upper end. The
height to which fluid rises in the tube is a
petroleum (pe-tro-le-um) flammable liquid
measure of the head pressure in the pipe
hydrocarbon. Processed for natural gas,
or conduit.
gasoline, naphtha, kerosene and oils.
piezometer orifice (pie-zom-e-ter or-i-
pewter (pew-ter) any of various alloys
fice) a small hole through the wall of a
having tin as the chief component
pipe, or conduit, drilled at a 90° angle to
especially a dull alloy with lead. Formerly
the wall and carefully finished at the inner
used for domestic utensils. See White
edge of the hole.
Metal; Britannia Metal.
107
pig pipe grip
pig (pig) 1. a crude casting of metal thread. May be installed plain ended or
(as iron). 2. an oblong mass of metal, threaded. Compare with tube.
especially of iron or lead obtained from
pipe and fitting sizes (pipe and fit-ting
the smelting furnace and run into a mold,
sizes) the dimensions of pipe and fittings
usually of sand while hot so that it is of
refers to the bore, or diameter, of the pipe.
a size and shape convenient for storage.
pipe bending tools (pipe bend-ing tools)
pig bed (pig bed) a bed of sand in which
a variety of devices composing hand tools
iron is cast into pigs.
and machines for bending pipe or tubing.
pig, caulking lead (pig, caulk-ing lead)
pipe chase (pipe chase) a recess, or channel,
See Lead.
in a wall for the purpose of recessing pipes
pig ears (pig ears) soldered on tabs for and / or other conduits. See Chase.
fastening lead pipe as a support. Named
pipe coating (pipe coat-ing) any of a
because of their shape.
number of materials such as lacquer,
pig iron (pig i-ron) 1. crude iron, the direct paint, or plastic used as a covering over
product of the blast furnace. Pig iron is the surfaces of piping material.
either refined to produce steel, wrought
pipe covering (pipe cov-er-ing) 1. an
iron, or ingot iron, or is remelted and cast
insulating material used to wrap around
into special shapes. 2. another name for
pipe. 2. insulating material applied around
cast iron, the molten iron being run into
a pipe to prevent heat exchange between
molds called “pigs”. See Cast Iron.
contents and surroundings.
pig lead (pig lead) the term “pig” means
pipe cutter (pipe cut-ter) 1. a pipe cutter is
the metal cast into bars at the conclusion
an instrument for cutting pipes, consists
of the process of smelting.
of a bent lever, partially encircling the
pig-lugging (pig- lug-ging) See Dog- pipe, on which one, or more, cutting
earing. discs are mounted, the pressure and feed
of the cutting discs being regulated by a
pilot (pi-lot) a small flame which is utilized
screw as the lever is rotated around the
to ignite the gas at the main burner(s).
pipe. 2. a tool, or machine, for cutting
pilot light, gas (pi-lot light, gas) a small pipe: especially a hand tool comprising
flame that burns constantly to ignite the a grasping device and three sharp-edged
main gas supply. wheels forced inward by screw pressure
that cut into the pipe as the tool is rotated.
pine and oak tank shells (pine and oak
See Tube Cutters.
tank shells) reference to wooden material
from which tanks (usually water closet and pipe die (pipe die) a screw plate used for
urinal) are made. The outer side clad to cutting threads on pipe.
lead, copper or other sheet metal tanks.
pipe dope (pipe dope) See Pipe Thread
pineapple strainer, urinal (pine-ap-ple Dope.
strain-er, uri-nal) the shape (pineapple
pipe fitter (pipe fit-ter) one who fits,
or pear) of the added, vertically, strainer
threads, installs and repairs piping.
to trough urinals. A vertical “bee hive”
is another name given the strainer. See pipe fitting (pipe fit-ting) a piece (as a
Urinal. coupling or elbow) used for connecting
pipe lengths or to change the direction.
pipe (pipe) a cylindrical conduit or
conductor, the wall thickness of which pipe grip (pipe grip) See Pipe Wrench.
is sufficient to receive a standard pipe
thread conforming to national standards
for United States standard tapered pipe
108
pipe hanger pipe wrench
pipe hanger (pipe hang-er) 1. a device pipe stock (pipe stock) a die holder.
for suspending pipe. 2. a bracket, clamp,
pipe support (pipe sup-port) a bracket, or
clip or loop used to suspend pipe (as
brace, which supports pipes. Also called
from ceilings, overhead beams). See
pipe rest.
Adjustable Hanger; Anchors;
H anger ; M alleable I ron pipe tap (pipe tap) tool to cut female screw
Hanger; Strap Hanger. threads in fittings, etc. See Tap.
pipe holders (pipe hol-ders) tool, or clamp, pipe thread (pipe thread) a screw thread
to hold pipes rigidly or to keep pipes in a used on pipe and pipe fittings characterized
desired position or places. by a some what fine pitch and usually a
tapering diameter.
pipe, i.p.s. (pipe i p s) pipe bearing i.p.s.
refers to the standard wall thickness and pipe thread chaser (pipe thread cha-ser)
outside diameter of iron or steel pipes. See 1. a tool used to clean or restore threads.
Iron Pipe Size. 2. a thread cutting tool, formed to cut a
pipe thread of predetermined dimension.
pipeless furnace (pipe-less fur-nace) a
furnace with a single short pipe to connect pipe thread dope (pipe thread dope) a
it with the space to be heated. general term describing a number of
compounds of plastic type materials used
pipeline (pipe-line) a line of pipe including
to lubricate pipe threads to help achieve
fittings, valves, and control devices for
maximum engagement or make-up. Also
conveying liquids, gases or finely divided
a help in sealing threads.
solids.
pipe threader (pipe thread-er) tool used
pipe machine (pipe ma-chine) a machine
to cut threads into pipe ends; consists of
used in the cutting and threading of pipe.
a handle called a stock, and a die with
pipe reamer (pipe ream-er) a device to which to cut threads. There are basically
remove a burr left on the inside of the two types: a. ratchet and fixed; or b. solid.
pipe in order that the circulation of
pipe threading (pipe thread-ing) the act or
water flowing through the pipe may not
science of cutting threads in or on pipes.
be impeded. It consists of a fluted and
tapered tool, the blades being out of the pipe thread stock (pipe thread stock)See
solid metal by planing or milling on a Pipe Threader.
machine, the flutes are then backed off like
pipe tongs (pipe tongs) 1.a hand tool
a tap to give a good cutting edge.
for gripping or turning pipes, etc. 2. a
pipe rest (pipe rest) See Pipe Support. crude form of pipe wrench. See Chain
Tongs.
pipe ring hook (pipe ring hook) a hanger
shaped in a circle, or ring, on the tangent is pipe vise (pipe vise) a gripping appliance
a bar or boss for the purpose of anchoring for holding pipes while being threaded, or
the hanger to allow pipes to be supported. cut, having two v-shaped serrated jaws
sliding within one another, the grip being
pipe roll (pipe roll) a roller for supporting
applied, or released, by means of a screw
a pipe without restraining its longitudinal
and toggle.
movement caused by expansion and
contraction. p i p e w r e n c h (pipe wrench) wrench
designed to grip pipe having an adjustable
pipe saddle (pipe sad-dle) See Saddle
L-shaped jaw sliding in a sleeve that is
Fitting.
pivoted to and loosely encircles the handle
pipe size (pipe size) a reference, usually so that pressure on the handle increases the
expressed in inches and portions of inches, grip. See Chain Tongs; Stillson
to the nominal, or average, bore size of a Wrench.
conduit or pipe.
109
piping plug
110
plug cock plumbing appurtenance
plug cock (plug cock) See ground plumber’s test plug (plumb-er’s test plug)
key valve. a device inserted into a pipe or fitting and
expanded to form a temporary stoppage.
plumb (plumb) 1. to seal with lead. 2. to
supply with a system of plumbing. 3. to plumbing (plumb-ing) 1. includes the
be vertical. Abbr. for Plumbing. work and/or practice, materials and
fixtures used in the installation, removal,
plumb bob (plumb bob) the metal bob
maintenance, extension, and alterations of
suspended by a cord used to determine
a plumbing system of all piping, fixtures,
perpendicularity.
fixed appliances and appurtenances in
plumber (plumb-er) 1. one who installs connection with any of the following:
and repairs piping fixtures, appliances, sanitary drainage, storm drainage
appurtenances in conjunction with facilities, special wastes, the venting
water supply, and drainage systems, etc.; system and the public or private water
both inside and outside of buildings. supply systems, within or adjacent to
2. a worker of lead or similar materials. any building, structure, or conveyance to
3. a person trained and experienced in their connection with any point of public
the art of plumbing, design, fabrication, disposal or other acceptable terminal
engineering and installation. within the property line. 2. the pipes,
fixtures and all other apparatus concerned
plumber’s candle (plumb-er’s can-dle)
in the introduction, distribution and
a cylindrical burnable material with a
disposal of water in a building. 3. the
wick. In plumbing it is a non-salted, non
pipes, fixtures and other apparatus of a
paraffin compound - mixture of chemicals
water, gas or sewage system. 4. the work
including tallow - is used as a soldering
of a plumber.
flux as well as a lubricant and light source.
plumbing appliance (plumb-ing ap-pli-
plumber’s friend (plumb-er’s friend)
ance) 1. a unit whose operation and/
a cup-shaped device of rubber on the
or control may be dependent upon one
end of a wood, or metal handle used
or more energized components, such as
for eliminating stoppage in pipes by the
motors, controls, heating elements, or
action of siphonage or compression. Also
pressure or temperature sensing elements.
called pneumatic plunger. See Force
Such fixtures may operate automatically
Cup; Closet Plunger, Rubber.
through one or more of the following
plumber’s furnace (plumb-er’s fur-nace) a actions: a time cycle; a temperature
fired firepot or similar device for melting range; a pressure range; a measured
or heating as needed by the artisan. Types volume or weight; or, the fixture may be
of furnaces: gasoline; liquid petroleum manually adjusted or controlled by the
gas; charcoal; natural gas; and electric. See user or operator. 2. an adjunct, usually
Solder Pot. mechanical, and similar to a plumbing
fixture except that it is designed for
plumber’s rasp (plumb-er’s rasp) a file type
a specific purpose and not generally
tool for filing lead.
indispensable in the operation of the
plumber’s round iron (plumb-er’s round plumbing system.
iron) a form of soldering iron used for
plumbing appurtenance (plumb-ing
soldering seams in tanks.
ap-pur-te-nance) a manufactured, pre-
plumber’s soil (plumb-er’s soil) a mixture fabricated, or an on-the-job assembly of
of lampblack and glue used in leadwork. component parts and is an adjunct to
the basic piping system and plumbing
plumber’s tape (plumb-er’s tape) See Pipe
fixtures. An appurtenance demands
Hanger.
no additional water supply, nor does
it add any discharge load to a fixture
111
plumbing contractor plumbism
112
plumbum polyvinyl chloride
plumbum (plum-bum) latin for lead. See pollutant (pol-lu-tant) 1. the addition to
Plumb. a natural body of water of any material
which diminishes the optimal economical
plunger (plun-ger) device used to remove
use of the water body by the population
stoppages at plumbing fixtures. See
which it serves, and has an adverse effect
Force Cup.
on the surrounding environment. 2. a
pneumatic hammer (pneu-ma-tic ham- substance that deteriorates the aesthetic
mer) See Air Hammer. quality of water, or other materials, but is
not harmful to health. 3. the impairment
pneumatic plunger (pneu-ma-tic plung-
of the quality of water to a degree which
er) See Plumber’s Friend.
does not create an actual hazard to the
point-of-use (point-of-use) the final outlet public health, but which does adversely
of the water supply system just prior to and unreasonable affect such waters for
discharge to atmosphere. domestic use.
point of cross-connection (point of cross- pollution (pol-lu-tion) the specific
con-nec-tion) the specific point or location impairment of water quality by
in a public or a consumer’s potable water agricultural, domestic or industrial
system where a cross connection exists. wastes (including thermal and atomic),
to a degree that has an adverse effect
point of relief (point of re-lief) a larger
upon any beneficial use of water. See
mass of water in the system to which
Contamination
the branch is connected; point of relief
could be a larger diameter main or riser, pollution hazard (pol-lu-tion ha-zard)
water tank or hot water boiler; a larger a water quality impairment to a degree
diameter pipe is a main which is at least which does not create a health hazard,
two nominal pipe sizes larger than the but does adversely and unreasonably affect
branch line in question the water for domestic use. Pollution will
make the water look, smell, and/or taste
pointed copper (point-ed cop-per) See
bad, but illness or death will not result.
Soldering Iron.
See Non-Health Hazard.
poison (poi-son) a substance that can
polyester (poly-es-ter) any number of
injure, impair or cause death to a living
synthetic resins, produced by reaction of
organism.
dibasic acids with dihydric alcohols. Used
poker (po-ker) a rigid, fairly heavy, straight especially in making fibers and plastics.
metal rod (iron or steel) that typically has
polymer (poly-mer) a chemical compound
one end fitted with, or shaped with, or
or mixture of compounds formed by
shaped into, a handle and the other bent
polymerization and consisting essentially
or hooked; is usually used for adjusting,
of repeating structural units.
or stirring, burning logs or coals (as in
a fireplace) or similar burning material. polymerization (poly-mer-i-za-tion) the
uniting of two, or more, monomers to
policy (po-li-cy) a definite course or method
form a polymer.
of action selected from among alternatives
and in light of given conditions to polystyrene (poly-sty-rene) a hard, rigid,
guide and determine present and future dimensionally stable, clear thermoplastic
decisions. polymer that is easily colored and molded.
polished brass (pol-ished brass) brass polyvinyl chloride (poly-vi-nyl chlor-
material in a polished state rather than ide) man-made plastic used in making
rough or unfinished. conduit, fittings and valves.
113
pond precipitate
pond (pond) a body of water smaller than a pot (pot) slang for Water Closet or Plumber’s
lake and larger than a pool either naturally Furnace. See Plumber’s Furnace;
or artificially confined. Solder Pot; Water Closet.
pool (pool) a reservoir of water. See potable water (po-ta-ble wa-ter) 1. water
Swimming Pool. which is suitable for drinking, culinary,
and personal purposes. 2. water free from
pop safety valve (pop safe-ty valve) See
impurities present in amounts sufficient
Temperature and Pressure
to cause disease or harmful physiological
Relief Valve.
effects. 3. water from any source which has
population equivalent (pop-u-la-tion been approved for human consumption
e-qui-va-lent) in plumbing and sewage by the health agency having jurisdiction.
treatment the estimated number of people
pot, grease trap (pot, grease trap) See
contributing sewage equal in strength to
Grease Trap, Pot-Type.
a unit volume of the waste or to some
other unit. pothook (pot-hook) a hook used for lifting
the lead, solder sulphur, etc., pot from the
pop valve (pop valve) See Relief Valve.
furnace or heating device, etc.
porcelain (por-ce-lain) a fine ceramic ware
pot metal (pot met-al) 1. an alloy of copper
that is hard, translucent, sonorous and
and lead used especially for making large
non-porous.
vessels. 2. zinc or other die casting metals.
porcelain enamel (por-ce-lain e-na-mel) 3. a cast iron used for making pots and
See Vitreous Enamel. other hollow ware.
port (water heater) [port (wa-ter heat-er)] pound (pound) a unit of mass in the
any opening in a burner head through English Absolute system of units. Abbr. lb.
which gas, or an air-gas mixture, is
pouring rope (pour-ing rope) rope, usually
discharged for ignition.
asbestos, which is wrapped around a pipe
portland cement (port-land ce-ment) at a joint to retain the molten lead when
named after the Isle of Portland, England; it is poured into the caulked joint.
a powder containing about 60 percent
power burner (pow-er burn-er) (water
lime, 25 percent silica, 10 percent
heater) a burner in which either gas or
alumina, iron oxide and gypsum. It is
air (or both) are supplied at pressures
mixed with water and other materials
exceeding the gas line and atmospheric
such as sand and gravel to make concrete.
pressures. This added pressure being
ports, vent (ports, vent) See Vent applied at the burner. A pre-mixing burner
Ports. is a power burner in which all, or nearly
all, of the air for combustion is mixed with
post hole auger (post hole au-ger) an
the gas as primary air.
auger specifically designed for digging
post holes. power vise (pow-er vise) a tool to hold;
operated by some source of energy other
post hydrant (post hy-drant) a vertical
than human.
hydrant for the supply of water in places
such as parks, golf courses, cemeteries. See P.P.M. Abbr. for Parts Per Million, i.e.: three
Hydrant. parts chlorine (liquid) with one million
parts water.
post indicator valve (post in-di-ca-tor
valve) a buried valve stem extended above precipitate (pre-cip-i-tate) a substance,
grade usually enclosed in a casing with a usually crystalline, separated out from a
visible indication of the valve being open solution as a solid.
or closed. Abbr. P.I.V.
114
precipitation pressure reducing valve
115
pressure reducing tank private dwelling
pressure reducing tank (pres-sure re-duc- operating loaded air inlet valve located
ing tank) a storage vessel used to bleed off, on the discharge side of the check valve.
or receive, liquids from a pressure line to The assembly is to be equipped with
atmospheric pressure. properly loaded test cocks and tightly
closing shut-off valves located at each end
pressure regulator (pres-sure reg-u-la-tor)
of the assembly. This assembly is designed
any device by means of which pressure may
to protect against a health hazard (i.e.:
be regulated, as in a reducing valve, where
contaminant) under a backsiphonage
a high pressure is reduced to a definite
condition only. Abbr. PVB.
lower pressure, maintaining the latter at a
constant height irrespective of fluctuations pressure valve (pres-sure valve) a device
in the higher pressure. See Pressure to maintain, control or release pressure.
R educing R egulator ;
pressure, working (presssure, work-ing)
Shower Regulator.
See working pressure.
pressure relief line (pres-sure re-lief line)
pressurized plumbing fixture flushing
a branch extending from the deaerator
device (pres-sur-i-zed plumb-ing
fitting to a minimum point of ten (10)
fix-ture flush-ing de-vice) a product
pipe diameters (based on stack size)
which uses the water supply to create a
downstream of the base of the stack.
pressurized discharge to flush the fixture
pressure relief valve (pres-sure re-lief exclusive of gravity type flushing systems.
valve) a safety valve. A valve held Flushometer valves and tanks are examples
closed by a spring or other means, of pressurized plumbing fixture flushing
which automatically relieves pressure in devices.
excess of its setting. See Pop Valve;
primary air (pri-mary air) (water heater)
Temperature and Pressure
the air introduced into a burner which
Relief Valve.
mixes with the gas before it reaches the
pressure, static (presssure, sta-tic) See port(s).
static pressure.
primary air inlet (pri-mary air in-let)
pressure, supply (presssure, sup-ply) See (water heater) the openings through
supply pressure. which primary air is admitted into a
burner.
pressure surge (pres-sure surge) a sudden
increase in pressure caused by turbulance primary branch (pri-mary branch) (water)
in a contained liquid. the largest single branch of the main water
supply in the building or structure.
pressure transducer (pres-sure trans-duc-
er) a pressure sensitive device that will primary branch, drainage (pri-mary
produce an electric signal proportional to branch, drain-age) the primary branch
the pressure to which it is subjected. The of the building drain is the single sloping
signal capable of amplification. drain from the base of a stack to its
junction with the main building drain or
pressure type flushing system (pres-
with another branch thereof.
sure type flush-ing sys-tem) a product
which uses the water supply to create a primary use (pri-mary use) a bleeding
pressurized discharge to flush exclusive of application control which reduces the hot
gravity type flushing systems. water temperature to an acceptable range
at source of hot water.
pressure vacuum breaker assembly
(pres-sure vac-u-um break-er as-sem- private dwelling (pri-vate dwell-ing) any
bly) the term shall apply to an assembly building used only for living purposes and
containing an independently operating occupied by not more than one family.
loaded check valve and an independently
116
private sewer puddle
private sewer (pri-vate sew-er) 1. a sewer PRV Abbr. for Pressure Reducing Valve.
that is privately owned, servicing one ASSE 1003.
or more buildings or areas. 2. a sewer
psig Abbr. 1. pound pressure per square
serving two or more buildings or areas.
inch as viewed on a gauge. 2. pounds per
3. a sewer, serving one or two or more
square inch above atmospheric pressure.
buildings, privately owned, and not
directly controlled by public authority. p-trap (p-trap) a p-shaped trap used
See Sewers. especially for sinks, lavatories and tubs.
private use (pri-vate use) in plumbing public or public use (pub-lic or pub-lic use)
codes the term used to differentiate in the classification of plumbing fixtures,
fixtures which are intended for use in public applies to fixtures in general toilet
residences, apartments and similar in- rooms of schools, gymnasiums, railroad
stallations for private or individual use. stations, public buildings, bars, public
comfort stations, hotels (including the
privy (priv-y) a structure used for the
fixtures in rooms) and other installations
deposition of human excrement in a
(whether pay or free). The number
container or in a vault beneath the structure.
of fixtures are installed so their use is
privy vault (priv-y vault) a pit beneath a similarly unrestricted.
privy in which excrement collects.
public potable water system (pub-lic po-
probe (probe) a slender, blunt-ended ta-ble wa-ter sys-tem) any publicly, or
instrument used for exploring and to privately, owned water system operated as
ascertain depth. a public utility under a valid health permit
to supply water for domestic purposes.
process, activated sludge (pro-cess, ac-
This system will include all sources,
ti-va-ted sludge) See Activated
facilities, and appurtenances between
Sludge Process.
the source and the point of delivery such
professional engineer (pro-fes-sion-al as valves, pumps, pipes conduits, tanks,
en-gi-neer) an engineer who has been receptacles, fixtures, equipment and
licensed, or registered, by a state to appurtenances used to produce, convey,
practice engineering. Abbr. P.E. treat or store potable water for public
consumption or use.
projected roof area (pro-ject-ed roof
a-re-a) in plumbing, the plan size of the public building (pub-lic build-ing)
roof space to be drained as the result of any building where the use is similarly
the placement of a building. See Roof unrestricted.
Area.
public sewer (pub-lic sew-er) 1. a sewer
protected cross connection (pro-tec-ted that is publicly owned to which all
cross con-nec-tion) a cross connection abutters have equal rights of connection.
between a potable and non-potable system 2. a common sewer directly controlled by
where adequate methods are provided to public authority. See Sewers.
prevent backflow.
public water main (pub-lic wa-ter main) a
protected waste pipe (pro-tec-ted waste water supply pipe for public use controlled
pipe) a waste pipe from a fixture that is by public authority.
not directly connected to a drain, soil,
puddle (pud-dle) the stirring of molten
vent, or waste pipe.
metal during welding, brazing, lead
protractor (pro-trac-tor) an instrument burning or joining methods.
with graduated scales, for measuring
angles.
117
puddling, iron PVC
puddling, iron (pud-dling iron) the push-fit fitting (push-fit fit-ting) a type
process of converting pig iron into of fitting that joins pipes that are not
wrought iron or, rarely, steel by subjecting caulked, threaded, soldered, cemented,
it to heat and frequent stirring in a furnace brazed or welded. These joints consist
in the presence of oxidizing substances. of elastomeric seals and corrosion
resistant tube grippers. Such jointss
puddling, steel (pud-dling steel) the
can be permanent, or nonpermanent,
process of converting pig iron into
depending on design and must be installed
wrought iron or rarely iron by subjecting it
in accordance to the manufacturer’s
to heat and frequently stirring in a furnace
instructions.
in the presence of oxidizing substances.
putrefaction (pu-tre-fac-tion) 1. the
pump (pump) 1. a device, or machine, that
decomposition of organic matter by the
raises, transfers, or compresses fluids or
agency of bacterial and fungi with the
that attenuates gases especially by suction
formation of foul smelling incompletely
or pressure or both. 2. apparatus for
oxidized products. 2. decay.
raising, exhausting, driving or compressing
fluids, air, or gases, by means of a piston, putrescibility (pu-tres-ci-bil-i-ty) capable
plunger, or rotating vanes. of putrefaction.
pump, jockey (pump, joc-key) a small, putty (put-ty) 1. a cement usually made
usually high pressure, pump used to of whiting and boiled linseed oil beaten,
maintain the design system pressure in or kneaded, to the consistency of dough
a fire protection (sprinkler or standpipe) and used in fastening glass in sashes and
system. stopping crevices in woodwork. 2. a
mixture of red and white lead and boiled
pump gauge (pump gauge) an instrument
linseed oil used as a lute in pipe fitting.
to measure pressure or volume of flow
See Glazier Putty; Lute.
associated to a pump.
PVC. Abbr. for PolyVinyl Chloride.
punch (punch) a tool usually in the form
of a short, stout piece of steel one end
of which is made flat 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.
purification (pu-ri-fi-ca-tion) the removal,
by natural or artificial methods, of
objectionable matter from water.
push-fit connector (push-fit con-nec-tor)
a connection that is integral to plumbing
devices.
118
Q. quick silver
119
rad. range boiler flue tube
Rr
120
range boiler stand recessed cast iron fitting, black
range boiler stand (range boil-er stand) 1. raw (raw) in, nearly in, the natural state.
the support for a range boiler. 2. a circular
R.D. Abbr. for Roof Drain.
ring on top of a pedestal to support a
water reservoir. readily accessible (rea-di-ly ac-cess-i-ble)
that which enables a fixture, appliance or
range boiler tube (range boil-er tube) the
equipment to be directly reached without
tube inside a range boiler to deliver the
requiring the removal or movement of
inlet cold water to the bottom of the tank.
any panel, door or similar obstruction
range burner (range burn-er) a source of and without the use of a portable ladder,
heating, (i.e.: such as a gas burner). step stool or similar device. Compare
with accessible, which has come to mean
range closet (range clos-et) a battery
having access thereto even though removal
of seats placed close together or one
of an access door, or panel, may first be
continuous opening in a seat. All placed
necessary.
above a single water bearing trough, or
receptacle, designed to receive human ream (ream) to cut the burr from the inside
excrement. Also called a latrine. See of a pipe or to increase the opening of a
Latrine; Water Closet. pipe or orifice by cutting with a circular
motion. See Reamer.
range lining (range lin-ing) a stove lining
made of fire clay used to line the fire box reamed and drifted pipe (ream-ed and
of a range. drift-ed pipe) the term used to describe
an end treatment of pipe in which the
rasp (rasp) kind of coarse file for smoothing
bore, or inside diameter at the very end,
rough surfaces usually worked by grasping
has been reamed and the outside diameter
at either end and drawing smartly across
at the very end has been chamfered or
the rough surface.
de-burred.
ratchet (ratch-et) 1. a pawl, click or detent
reamer (ream-er) a special tool with
for holding, or propelling, a ratchet
cutting edge for reaming, countersinking,
wheel. 2. a mechanism composed of a
or enlarging a hole in metal. See
ratchet wheel and a pawl; specifically, a
A djustable R eamer; B all
mechanism on a special wrench. 3. a tool
Reamer; Expansion Reamer;
with a toothed-blade used to turn the
Ream.
toothed-wheels that clamp and release
patent blocks on areas. recalescence (re-ca-les-cence) an increase
in temperature that occurs while cooling
ratchet screwdriver (ratch-et screw-driv-
metal through a range of temperatures in
er) a screwdriver that is operated by the
which change in structure occurs.
reciprocating motion of the handle and
usually has a removable screwdriver bit. receptor (re-cep-tor) a fixture, or device,
which receives the discharge from indirect
ratchet stock (rat-chet stock) See Pipe
waste pipes. See Floor Drain;
Threader.
Catch Basin; Interceptor.
ratchet thread (ratch-et thread) See
recessed cast iron fitting, black (re-
Buttress Thread.
cessed cast iron fit-ting, black) a non-
ratchet wrench (ratch-et wrench) a wrench coated iron drainage fitting in which the
in which torque is applied in one direction female thread terminates in an enlarged
only by means of a ratchet. annulus. See Recessed Cast Iron
Fitting, Galvanized.
rate of flow (rate of flow) See flow
rate.
rated flow (rat-ed flow) See flow rate.
121
recessed cast iron fitting, galvanized reduced pressure zone between the checks
recessed cast iron fitting, galvanized (re- reduced pressure principle backflow
cessed cast iron fit-ting, gal-va-nized) a preventer assembly (re-duced pres-sure
fitting which has been coated with molten prin-ci-ple as-sem-bly) an assembly
zinc. See Recessed Cast Iron containing two independently acting,
Fitting, Black. approved check valves together with a
hydraulically operating, mechanically
recessed drainage fitting (re-cessed
independent pressure differential relief
drain-age fit-ting) See Recessed
valve located between the check valves
Cast Iron Fitting, Black;
and at the same time, below the first check
Recessed Cast Iron Fitting,
valve. The unit shall include properly
Galvanized.
located test cocks and tightly closing shut-
recessed drain fitting, brass (re-cessed off valves at each end of the assembly. The
drain fit-ting, brass) a brass drainage assembly is designed to protect against a
fitting in which the female thread health hazard (i.e. contaminant). Abbr.
terminates in an enlarged annulus. RP.
recessed roof connection (re-cessed roof reduced pressure principle-detector
con-nec-tion) a rain water leaderhead backflow prevention assembly (re-duced
fitting installed in a flat roof where most pres-sure prin-ci-ple de-tec-tor back-
of the fitting is below the roof and is flow pre-ven-tion as-sem-bly) a specially
supported by the flange at roof plane level. designed assembly composed of a line
size approved reduced pressure principle
reclaimed water (re-claimed wa-ter)
backflow preventing assembly with a
treated wastewater now suitable for a
specific bypass water meter and a meter-
direct beneficial or controlled use. It is
sized approved reduced pressure principle
not safe for human consumption. May
backflow prevention assembly. The meter
also be known as “grey water”.
shall register accurately for only very low
red. Abbr. for Reducer. rates of flow and shall show a registration
for all rates of flow. This assembly is
red lead (red lead) an orange-red to brick-
designed to protect against a health hazard
red lead oxide Pb3O4 that is prepared by
(contaminant). Abbr. RPDA.
heating lead monoxide in the presence of
air that, when produced commercially, reduced pressure zone assembly (re-duced
may contain litharge and other impurities. pres-sure zone as-sem-bly) a mechanical
Used chiefly in storage battery plates, glass assembly consisting of two independently
and ceramics, and as a paint pigment (as operating spring loaded check valves with
for protecting metals from corrosion). a reduced pressure zone between checks.
In plumbing: used as a threaded joint The zone contains a relief port which will
compound. open to atmosphere if the pressure in
the zone falls within two (2) p.s.i. of the
reduced flowing pressure (re-duced flow-
supply pressure . The unit shall include
ing pres-sure) the pressure maintained at
properly located locks and tightly closing
the outlet of a valve when water is flowing
shut-off valves at each end of the assembly.
at some measured rate.
The assembly is designed to protect against
reduced pressure fall-off (re-duced pres- both backpressure and backsiphonage.
sure fall-off) the change downward in the Abbr. RPZ.
reduced pressure from lockup (no flow)
reduced pressure zone between the checks
which causes the valve to open and allow
(re-duced pres-sure zone be-tween the
water to flow through it at the rate needed
checks) the zone contains a relief port
to satisfy demand.
which will open to atmosphere if the
pressure in the zone falls within two (2)
p.s.i. of the supply pressure.
122
reducer relief valve
reducer (re-duc-er) 1. a pipe fitting with regular caulking irons (reg-u-lar caulk-
inside threads; larger at one end than at ing irons) having blades of different
the other. 2. a fitting so shaped at one end lengths beveled to caulk either the inside
to receive a larger pipe size in direction or outside edge of the joint.
of flow. See Increaser; Tee; Wye.
regular cycle (reg-u-lar cy-cle) the
Abbr. red.
sequence of dishwasher operations for
reducer, eccentric (re-duc-er, ec-cen-tric) regular, or normal soils, as indicated by
a fitting that maintains the flow line at the manufacturer.
the same elevation as it reduces the size of
regulating agency (reg-u-la-ting a-gen-cy)
the run. See Eccentric Fitting.
any local, state or federal authority given
reducing elbow (re-duc-ing el-bow) a 90° the power to issue rules, or regulations,
fitting in which the inlet and outlet are having the force of law for the purpose
dissimilar in size. of providing uniformity in details and
procedures.
reducing flange (re-duc-ing flange) a
flange tapped, or bored, smaller than the regulator (reg-u-la-tor) 1. a governor
original intended pipe size. to maintain an accurate designated
characteristic of temperature or pressure
reductant (re-duc-tant) organic matter in
of liquid, air or gases. 2. a device for
streams and sewage which is stabilized
controlling and maintaining a uniform
under anaerobic conditions.
gas supply pressure.
reduction chamber (re-duc-tion cham-
regurgitate (re-gur-gi-tate) 1. gush, rush,
ber) See hopper.
or surge back 2. to throw, cast, or pour
refill tube (re-fill tube) a discharge conduit back or out again (as from a cavity).
of a fill valve that conveys a portion of the
reinforced resin (re-in-forced res-in) a
flowing water through a separate orifice
structural material made from mixing of
to the overflow tube for the purpose of
resinous material which is strengthened,
refilling the trap.
or filed, with fibers or fragments such
refrigerator ice (re-frig-er-a-tor ice) a as glass, hemp metal, particles, etc. See
cabinet, or room, for keeping food or Resin.
other articles cool by means of ice or
relief device (re-lief de-vice) 1. a
some other cooling agent. Some plumbing
safety device designed to forestall the
codes classify an ice refrigerator as a
development of a dangerous condition
fixture.
in the medium being heated by relieving
refusal of services (re-fus-al of ser-vices) either the pressure, temperature or
(shut off policy) a formal policy adopted vacuum built up in the appliance. 2. an
by a utilities' governing board to enable automatic device which opens or closes
the utility to refuse, or discontinue, service a relief vent, depending on whether the
where a known, or potential, hazard pressure is above or below a predetermined
exists and corrective measures are not value.
undertaken to eliminate the hazard.
relief valve (re-lief valve) 1. fusible plug
registered design professional (re-gis- type - a device which opens and keeps
tered de-sign pro-fes-sion-al) an architect open a relief vent by the melting, or
or engineer, registered, or licensed, to softening, of a fusible plug or cartridge at a
practice professional architecture, or predetermined temperature. 2. Reseating
engineering, as defined by the statutory or self-closing type - an automatic device
requirements of the professional which opens and closes a relief vent,
registration laws of the state in which the depending on whether the temperature is
project is to be constructed. above or below a predetermined value. See
Hot Water Boiler; thermal
expansion relief valve.
123
relief valve diaphragm return bend
relief valve diaphragm (re-lief valve di-a- residual pressure (re-sid-u-al pres-sure)
phragm) a thin membrane, or sheet, as a See flowing pressure.
part of the valve.
resin (res-in) 1. any of various hard brittle
relief valve, hot water boiler (re-lief solid to semi-solid amorphous fusible
valve, hot wa-ter boil-er) a safety device flammable substances that are usually
which relieves overheated water or transparent, or translucent, and yellowish
excessive pressure from the boiler. See to brown in color with a characteristic
Relief Device; Safety Device; luster; are formed especially in plant
Temperature and Pressure secretions and are obtained as exudates
Relief Valve; Temperature of recent, or fossil, origin or as extracts of
Valve. plants that contain usually resin acids and
their esters and are soluble in ether and
relief vent (re-lief vent) 1. an auxiliary vent,
other organic solvents but not in water.
supplementary to regular vent pipes. Its
They are electrical, non-conductors and
function is to provide circulation of air
are used chiefly in varnishes, printing
between drainage and vent systems. 2. a
inks, plastics, medicine and as incense.
vent so planned as to permit additional
2. any of a large class of synthetic
circulation of air between drainage and
products, usually of high molecular
vent systems.
weight that have some of the physical
remote fixture (re-mote fix-ture) a single properties of natural resins but typically
fixture located on a branch line at a are very different chemically, that may be
distance greater than 20 ft. from the thermoplastic or thermosetting and are
upstream end of the branch line. made by polymerization or condensation.
Used chiefly as plastics or the essential
reoxygenation (re-ox-y-gen-a-tion) the
ingredients of plastics, in varnishes and
replenishment of oxygen in a system
other coatings, in adhesives, and in ion
from a) dilution water entering streams,
exchange. 3. any of various products made
b) biological reoxygenation through the
from a natural resin or natural polymer.
activities of certain oxygen producing
plants, and c) atmospheric reaction. respirator mask (res-pi-ra-tor mask) 1.
appliance worn over a mouth or nose to
representative sample (rep-re-sen-ta-tive
warm, or filter, the air which is breathed.
sam-ple) for the purpose of establishing
2. a device used to prevent the inhalation
a rated flow, a representative sample shall
of gas-fumes.
be of sufficient size of each model so that
there is a probability of not less than 0.95 restrained (re-strain-ed) held securely
that the mean, maximum flow rate of in an immobile position that prevents
the sample is within plus or minus five movement.
percent of the true mean maximum flow
retention tank (re-ten-tion tank) a vessel
rate of the units.
on which means are provided for holding
req’d Abbr. for Required. fluids until their release is desired.
resealing trap (re-seal-ing trap) a trap on retrofitting (ret-ro-fit-ting) 1. the
a plumbing fixture drain pipe designed so application of a solar heating system to
the rate of flow at the end of a discharge an existing building. 2. the adding of
from that fixture will seal the trap and will auxiliary, or replacement, equipment to
not cause self-siphonage. equipment already in place.
reseating tool (re-seat-ing tool) facing tool return bend (re-turn bend) an open return
used to resurface worn faucet seats. bend usually with inside threads but
applied also to a 180° bend in a pipe. See
residual chlorine (re-sid-u-al chlo-rine)
Close Return Bend.
See Chlorine.
124
return line rope
return line (re-turn line) part of a roll grooving (roll groov-ing) the process
circulating system in which the restoration of impressing a groove into a pipe or tube
to the point of a source is accomplished. to allow for a Mechanical coupling to be
installed. Roll grooving removes no metal,
return offset (re-turn off-set) a double
displacing metal to form the groove. The
offset installed so as to return the pipe to
process was invented by the Victaulic
its original alignment. See Crossover
in 1955 and is used in many plumbing,
Fitting.
pipefitting, and fire sprinkler applications
revent pipe (re-vent pipe) an individual
Roman cement (ro-man ce-ment) a
pressure equalization pipe interconnected
mixture of slacked lime and volcanic
with other pressure equalization pipes.
ash pazzuolana. The ash produces a
reverberatory furnace (re-ver-ber-a-to-ry hydraulic cement that sets under water.
fur-nace) designating a furnace kiln in See Pazzuelana.
which the flame is reflected from the roof
roof area ( roof ar-ea) in plumbing, the
on to the material treated.
space on a roof bounded by any barriers
reverse impact (re-verse im-pact) an which create a drainage surface.
impact applied to the pipe wall opposite
roof collar (roof col-lar) a metallic flange
to the lined wall.
used to prevent weather damage between
revolutions per minute (rev-o-lu-tions pipestack and roof.
per min-ute) a unit of measurement of
roof cutter (roof cut-ter) a valley shaped
an object as it revolves about its axis in
device to collect storm water from a roof.
a minute’s time, such as a motor or pump,
See Roof Drain.
etc. Abbr. R.P.M.
roof drain (roof drain) receives water
right angle drill (right an-gle drill) a drill
collected on the surface of a roof and
forming and having a right angle.
discharges it to the leader, downspout,
rim (rim) an unobstructed open edge of or conductor. Normally fitted with a
a fixture. strainer, or screen, to prevent influx of
solids. Abbr. R.D.
rim sink (rim sink) a sink made of many
different sheet metals in which the outer roof flange (roof flange) device in fitting
peripheral edges are folded to give strength form used around pipe (vent, soil, waste,
and eye appeal. local) on flat roofs to form a leak proof
seal.
ripening (sludge) [ri-pen-ing (sludge)]
the completion of the sludge digestion roof leader (roof lead-er) See Leader.
process.
roof tank (roof tank) mounted on roof or
riser (ris-er) 1. vertical principal pipes. 2. in penthouse for the storage of water. See
a water supply pipe that extends vertically Attic Tank.
one full story or more to convey water to
rope (rope) 1. thick, strong twist of
branches or to a group of fixtures.
intertwined fibers of flax, hemp,
river water (ri-ver wa-ter) See Water. jute, usually from one to ten inches
circumference. 2. something that binds,
rock wool (rock wool) mineral wool made
confines or holds in check. 3. in plumbing,
by blowing a jet of steam through molten
any of several rope-like materials used in
rock, as limestone or siliceous rock, or
caulking. See Caulking.
through slag. Used chiefly for heat and
sound insulation.
125
rosin rubber gasket
rosin (ros-in) a translucent pale yellow or round file (round file) a file circular in
amber to dark red or darker brittle friable section either tapered or parallel; the
resin that is obtained by chemical means tapered files of small size being termed
from the oleoresin, or dead wood, of pine rat tail files. Round files are used generally
trees by removal of the volatile turpentine for enlarging holes and shaping hollow
or from tall oil by removal of the fatty curves. Round parallel files are also used
acid components, that contains abietic for gulleting the teeth of large circular
acid and other resin acids as principal and pit saws.
components and is used in the modified
royal water (roy-al wa-ter) See Aqua
or unmodified form of a derivative chiefly
Regia.
in making varnishes, lacquers, printing
materials, soldering fluxes, polishes RP Abbr. for Reduced Pressure
and for rosining the strings of musical P rinciple B ackflow
instruments. Preventer Assembly.
rosin and grease box (ros-in and grease RPDA Abbr. for Reduced Pressure
box) a device containing rosin and Principle-Detector Backflow Prevention
grease to prevent them from scattering Assembly
throughout the tool box or kit.
R.P.M. Abbr. for Revolutions Per
rotary compressor, fan type (ro-ta- Minute.
ry com-pres-sor, fan type) See Air
RPZ Abbr. for Reduced Pressure
Compressor.
Zone Assembly.
rotary hammer (ro-ta-ry ham-mer) a
rubber (rub-ber) an elastic substance
tool which electricity, or compressed
obtained from the milky juice of various
air, furnishes the energy to impact and
tropical plants, or made synthetically by
revolves the driven member.
various chemical processes. Pure rubber is
roughing (rough-ing) See rough-in. a whitish hydrocarbon that becomes black
and more easily worked when vulcanized
rough-in (rough-in) 1. the installation of
for commercial use.
all parts of a plumbing system which can
be completed prior to the installation of rubber bumper (rub-ber bump-er)
fixtures which includes drainage, water rubber-shaped devices to absorb shock or
supply, vent piping and all necessary dampen noises, i.e.: rubber bumpers on
fixture supports. 2. the dimension from toilet seat, cover, etc.
the finished wall or floor to center of waste
rubber bumper, toilet seat (rub-ber
or supply opening, or mounting holes. 3.
bump-er, toi-let seat) rubber devices
dimension from the finished wall, floor
attached to a toilet seat to act as a cushion
to center of waste, supply opening or
between toilet bowl and seat.
mounting holes.
rubber closet plunger (rub-ber clos-et
round basin (round ba-sin) a circular
plung-er) 1. a ball or pear-shaped unit
shaped basin, a fixture. See Lavatory.
on a handle to cause pressure to remove
round dresser (round dress-er) wooden obstructions. 2. a form of pump.
lead working tool used as a companion
rubber closet seal (rub-ber clos-et seal) a
tool to the flat dresser. Employed to boss
gasket used between outlet of closet bowl
sheet lead, and in the bending of lead
and drain pipe flange.
pipe, best suited for drawing lead from
one point to another; one of the most rubber gasket (rub-ber gas-ket) a flat
useful of lead working tools. See Flat rubber material used as a sealer for water,
Dresser; Dresser. gas, or steam used between two objects.
See Rainbow Gasket.
126
rubber mallet R.W.C.
127
S.A. safety shutoff device
Ss
S.A. Abbr. for Shock Arrestor. safety chain (safe-ty chain) a chain formed
of sheet metal links with an elongated hole
sabre saw (sa-bre saw) used to make
through each broad end and constructed
straight cuts and it can make its own
by a repeated series of doubling a link
starting hole when a cut must begin in
upon itself, slipping the next link through
the middle of a board or panel. Also
the two now superimposed holes of the
spelled saber.
first and doubling it.
sacrarium (sa-crar-i-um) 1. a fixture
safety device (safe-ty de-vice) a device to
used in a place of worship. 2. a fixture
provide safety against heat, cold, explosion,
used for the washing of religious articles.
flood, etc. See Relief Valve, Hot
Connected to a water supply, drained into
Water Boiler; Temperature
a French drain or pit.
and Pressure Valve.
saddle connection (sad-dle con-nec-tion)
safety eye goggles (safe-ty eye gog-gles)
in plumbing, a means of making a branch
large, transparent face wear to protect
connection by virtue of a saddle and girth
principally the eyes.
member or members. Saddle connections
are prohibited in many areas. safety eye shield (safe-ty eye shield) large,
transparent, blister-like unit to protect the
saddle fitting (sad-dle fit-ting) a fitting
face with emphasis on protecting the eyes.
attached to the outside of a pipe and
sealed to the pipe with a gasket. Used to safety rubber apron (safe-ty rub-ber
create a change in direction or to create a a-pron) 1. a rubber, or rubber-like,
branch. See Bell. apparel. 2. a personal body shield.
safe (safe) a pan, or collector, placed safety shower (safe-ty sho-wer) a deluge
beneath a pipe, or fixture, to prevent shower used in laboratories, industrial
and catch the dispense leakage or other and power plants where occupants are
unusual discharge of fluid from the pipe exposed to toxic, corrosive or flammable
or fixture. materials, for washdown of the entire
body, when spillage, splash or explosion
Safe Drinking Water Act (safe drink-
occurs. Abbr. Saf. Sh.
ing wa-ter act) act of 1974 the Federal
Government established, through the safety shutoff device (safe-ty shut-off de-
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), vice) a device that will shut off the gas
national standards of safe drinking water. supply to the controlled burner(s) in the
Abbr. SDWA. event the source of ignition fails to ignite
the gas at the burner(s). This 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.
128
safety valve S.B.
safety valve (safe-ty valve) 1. an automatic sand trap (sand trap) a catch basin for the
escape, or relief valve, (as for a steam collection of sand or other gritty material.
boiler or hydraulic system) held shut See Interceptor.
by an arrangement exerting a definite,
sanitarian (san-i-tar-ian) a professional
usually adjustable pressure so that the
practitioner of hygiene who works
valve lifts and the steam, water, or other
within the administrative framework of
contents escape when the pressure exceeds
a community hygiene program.
a predetermined amount. 2. a similar valve
opening inward to admit air to a vessel sanitary (san-i-tary) 1. pertaining to, or
in which the pressure is less than that of tending to promote, preserve, or restore
the atmosphere to prevent collapse. See health; hygienic. 2. a water closet, urinal,
Temperature and Pressure or similar equipment fitted with sanitary
Relief Valve; Temperature plumbing. Abbr. san.
Regulator.
sanitary engineer (san-i-tar-y en-gi-neer)
safe waste (safe waste) the waste pipe one who supervises the planning and
from a safe. construction of water supply, sewage
systems, etc.
Saf. Sh. Abbr. for Safety Shower.
sanitary sewage (san-i-tar-y sew-age)
sal ammoniac (sal am-mo-ni-ac) See
sewage containing human excrement
Ammonium Chloride.
and liquid household wastes. Also called
san. Abbr. for Sanitary. domestic sewage.
sand bending (sand bend-ing) a process sanitary sewer (san-i-tar-y sew-er) 1. a
sometimes used in the bending of pipe. sewer intended to receive sanitary sewage
The pipe is filled tightly with dried sand with, or without, industrial wastes and
to prevent flattening. without the admixture of surface water,
storm water, or clear water drainage. 2.
sand box (sand box) an interceptor, or
a pipe which carries sewage and excludes
settling basin, designed to allow sand and
storm, surface and ground water.
grit to settle out.
sanitary tee (san-i-tar-y tee) a fitting used
sand catcher (sand catch-er) a device
for drainage purposes only, with the inlet
installed in a plumbing drainage system
the same size or reducing. The inlet has a
to allow the particles heavier than water
curved downward pitch forming a sanitary
to precipitate for later removal.
pattern.
sand cloth (sand cloth) same as sand paper
sanitation (san-i-ta-tion) the neutralization
except sheeting material is made of cloth
or removal of conditions injurious
rather than paper.
to health. (e.g.sanitary engineering;
sand interceptor (sand in-ter-cep-tor) See purification of water supply; disposal of
Interceptor. Abbr. S.I. sewage; etc.)
sand paper (sand pa-per) consist of tough scaffold (scaf-fold) temporary structure
paper covered with finely ground abrasing of poles and planks put up for workmen
material. to stand on while erecting, repairing,
painting, or working on a building.
sand plug (sand plug) sizes 1", 1¼", 1½",
and 2". wooden lead working tool used S.B. Abbr. for Sitz Bath.
in bending lead pipe when inserted in the
ends of the pipe after filling pipe with hot
sand, it keeps the sand compressed. See
Bending Spring; Bobbin.
129
scale scrubber
scale (scale) 1. an accumulation of solid scratch cloth (scratch cloth) a tool in the
material, precipitated out of waters form of a pad resembling a fine wire brush
containing certain mineral salts in used in cleaning and preparing lead pipe
solution and formed on the interior and fittings for soldering.
surfaces of pipe lines, tanks, boilers, etc.,
screw (screw) 1. a simple machine of
under certain physical conditions. 2. to
the inclined plane type consisting of
separate and come off in scales; flakes.
a spirally grooved solid cylinder and a
3. sometimes graduated especially when
correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder
used as a measure or rate. 4. very similar
of equal dimensions in which the applied
to rules and have graduations in the same
force acts in a spiral path along the grooves
fractions of an inch, but they are used
while the resisting force acts along the axis
for scaling work. 5. used by draftsmen in
of the cylinder. 2. a cylinder with a helical
laying out drawings of work. 6. balance.
cut groove on the outer surface or a cone
7. an instrument or machine for weighing.
with a conical spiral groove used variously
8. the process, or situation, in which
(as to fasten, apply pressure, transmit
something is opposed to, or contrasted
motion, or make adjustments) especially
with, other like things or an established or
where a large mechanical advantage
assumed standard for such things.
and irreversible motion are desired;
scavenger (scav-en-ger) a person who specifically, a small cylindrical or conical
engages in cleaning and emptying septic metal screw with a slotted or recessed
tanks, privies, or any other sewage facility. head used alone or when cylindrical with
Slang: Honey Dipper. a nut to unite two objects or to fasten one
or more objects usually by being rotated.
scavenger pumping system (sca-ven-ger
3. a hollow cylinder or cone with a spiral
pump-ing sys-tem) a pumping system
groove upon its inner surface into which
used to return liquid from a lower tank
a male screw may advance and fit when
for re-use.
rotated in the proper direction.
scent test (scent test) a test for leakage
screwdriver (screw-driver) a tool shaped
in a piping system. Usually made by
like a chisel with a blunt edge/s and used
putting into the piping a quantity of some
for turning screws.
pungent chemical. See Peppermint
Test. screwed fittings (screw-ed fit-tings) any
of the threaded type of pipe fittings.
schedule of pipe sizes (sched-ule of
Sometimes called screw fittings as opposed
pipe sizes) a formal listing of pipe wall
to welded, soldered or leaded joint fittings.
thickness to allow the use of standard
See Screw Thread Joint.
fittings for a given pipe size and produce
uniform inside dimensions of the pipe. screw thread joint (screw thread joint) a
threaded connection.
schematic plan or view (sche-mat-ic plan
or view) a diagrammatic representation scriber (scrib-er) 1. a hardened and pointed
of a plan, procedure or method of metal tool, usually steel, designed to mark
accomplishing a desired result by a specific other metals with a fine line. 2. a hand
application. tool. 3. a scratch awl.
scissors (scis-sors) See Sheet Metal Scr. S. Abbr. for Scrub Sink.
Shears.
scrubber (scrub-ber) 1. an apparatus
scoria (sco-ri-a) 1. excrement. 2. the refuse for removing impurities. 2. a filter
from melting of metals or reduction of used in a water treatment plant for the
ores. partial removal of turpidity, prior to final
filtration.
scratch awl (scratch awl) See Scriber.
130
scrub sink self-actuated
scrub sink (scrub sink) a sink used in seating width (seat-ing width) the seating
medical installations for surgeons scrub- surface area in contact with the resilient
up prior to surgical procedures. Abbr. portion of the check valve disc at a
Scr.S. pressure equal to its rated pressure.
scum (scum) 1. extraneous matter or secondary air (sec-ond-ar-y air) the air
impurities which rise to, or are formed externally supplied to the flame at the
on the surface of liquids. 2. any foul filmy point of combustion.
covering floating on a liquid such as on a
secondary branch (sec-ond-ar-y branch)
stagnant pool.
any branch in a building drain other then
scupper drain (scup-per drain) a drain the primary branch.
installed in the side of a wall, vessel or
secondary water (sec-ond-ar-y wa-ter)
gutter to carry off water, or rainwater from
See Water.
the deck, roof or vessel. Abbr. S.D.
second foot (sec-ond foot) a unit of flow
S.D. Abbr. for Scupper Drain.
used especially in connection with the
S.D.W.A. Abbr. for Safe Drinking Water flow of streams that is equal to one cubic
Act. foot per second.
seal of a trap (seal of a trap) See Trap second hand (sec-ond hand) when used in
Seal. a plumbing ordinance, or code, to describe
plumbing fixtures and/or materials, the
sealing ring (seal-ing ring) a soft or
term means the fixture, or material,
resilient ring-shaped gasket used to seal
has been installed and used or removed
this fixture to the piping through the
from its first installation and changed
floor or wall.
ownership.
seamless pipe or tubing (seam-less pipe
sectional pipe covering (sec-tion-al pipe
or tub-ing) pipe or tubing which has
cov-er-ing) an annulus material used
been extruded through a die when it is
in covering fibers of a plumbing system
made so that there is no seam in the
which can be wrapped around the pipes,
resulting pipe.
etc. and usually manufactured in three
seasonal efficiency (sea-son-al ef-fi-cien- foot lengths.
cy) in the solar energy field, the ratio of
seeding, sludge (seed-ing, sludge) the
solar energy collected and used to that
inoculation of undigested sewage
striking the collector over an entire season
solids with sludge that has undergone
or segment of the year.
decomposition, for the purpose
seat (seat) 1. a part, or surface, upon of introducing favorable organisms
which the base of something rests. 2. in accelerating the initial stages of digestion.
plumbing, the fixed portion in a valve
seepage pit (seep-age pit) See Seepage
usually a smooth surface to receive the
Well.
moving stem and thereby accomplish a
seal. See Faucet Seat. seepage well or pit (seep-age well or
pit) a covered pit with an open-jointed
seat key (seat key) tool used to remove and
lining through which the septic tank
replace faucet seats.
effluent receives, seeps or leechs into the
seat union (seat un-ion) a fitting to join surrounding porous soil.
pipes in which no gasketing material is
self-actuated (self-ac-tu-at-ed) a condition
used; metal to metal contact.
or state that requires no external
mechanical, pneumatic, or electrical
energy source to institute a control
function.
131
self-closing faucet service tee
132
service water shall
service water (ser-vice wa-ter) domestic a privately owned sewer. (d) a public
hot water, up to 180°F or 82°C, generated sewer is a publicly owned sewer. (e) a
for the purpose of direct delivery to the sanitary sewer. (f ) a storm drain is a
kitchen, laundry process or other high conduit for carrying off surface, storm,
temperature requirements. and clear water. (g) a subsoil drain is that
part of a drainage system which conveys
service weight (ser-vice weight) a class of
the ground, or seeping, water from foot
cast iron soil pipe. Abbr. S.W.
of walls or below the cellar floor under
service weight piping system (ser-vice buildings to the house or storm drain. (h)
weight pip-ing sys-tem) See Service a yard drain is that part of a horizontal
Class Cast Iron Soil Pipe. piping and its branches which convey
the surface drainage from areas, courts
set tub (set tub) See Laundry Tray.
or yards, outside the walls of a building,
sewage (sew-age) 1. the liquid wastes to the house drain, house sewer or storm
conducted away from residences, business water drain. See Private Sewer;
buildings, or institutions, together with Public Sewer.
those from industrial establishments, and
sewerage (sew-er-age) 1. as a noun,
with ground, surface, and storm water
the works comprising a sewer system,
present. 2. Any liquid waste containing
pumping stations, treatment works, and
animal or vegetable matter in suspension,
all other works necessary to the collection,
or solution and may include liquids
treatment, and disposal of sewage. 2. as an
containing chemicals in solution. 3. may
adjective, having to do with the collection,
be considered to be the used water supply
treatment, and disposal of sewage. 3. the
of a community.
systematic removal and disposal of sewage
sewage ejector (sew-age e-jec-tor) 1. and general surface water by sewers.
a device for lifting and discharging
sewer air or sewer gas (sew-er air or sew-
sewage. 2. a device for moving sewage by
er gas) the mixture of vapors, odors, and
entraining it on a high velocity stream,
gases found in a sewer.
air or water jet.
sewer cleaning machine (sew-er clean-ing
sewer (sew-er) 1. a ditch or surface drain. 2.
ma-chine) auger for probing or dislodging
an artificial, usually subterranean, conduit
obstructions. Any of several types of power
to carry off water and waste matter (as
may be used, i.e.: electric, gasoline, etc.
surface water from rainfall, household
waste from sinks or baths, or waste water sewer pipe (sew-er pipe) a conduit into
from industrial works). 3. a combined which waste and sewage are conveyed. See
sewer in a sewer, or drain, intended to Sewer Pipe Curve.
receive domestic sewage, industrial water-
sewer pipe curve (sew-er pipe curve) a long
carried wastes, surface, storm, and clear
radius pipe. See Sewer Pipe.
water, including: (a) a house drain that
is part of the underground horizontal sewer rod (sew-er rod) a flexible metal
piping of a drainage system which receives (generally steel) probe (rod-like) for
the discharge of all soil, waste, and other disturbing, or dislodging, sewer pipe
drainage pipes inside of the walls of any obstructions. See Electric Sewer
building and conveys the same to the Machine.
house sewer, three to five feet outside the
shall (shall) 1. the term when used in
foundation wall of such building. (b) a
a plumbing code, has a mandatory
house sewer is that part of the horizontal
meaning. Compare “may” which is
piping beginnning three feet from the
permissive rather than mandatory. 2. a
foundation walls to its connection with
mandatory requirement.
the main sewer, bacterial tank, or other
disposal terminal. (c) a private sewer is
133
shampoo bowl shoulder nipple
shampoo bowl (sham-poo bowl) a lavatory shellac, orange and white (shel-lac, or-
type fixture appropriately shaped to ange and white) purified lac resin that
comfortably rest a person’s head during is prepared in the form of thin orange
shampooing operations. Used in beauty or yellow flakes usually by heating
and barber shops. and filtering seed lac, and is often
bleached white and is used chiefly in
shampoo faucet (sham-poo fau-cet) a
varnishes, polishing and sealing waxes,
special valve on a fixture (lavatory) in
binding agents, stiffening agents, electric
barber and/or beauty shops.
insulators, phonograph records and other
shave hook (shave hook) plumbers’, or molded products.
metal workers’, implement for scraping
shell, tank (shell, tank) See Tank
metal before soldering; used to bevel
Shell.
edges of lead pipe; for shaving off the
oxidized surface of sheet lead pipe prior shielding device (shield-ing de-vice) a
to soldering. Shave hook blades are made component of the piping system used
in three styles: ovals, half ovals, and to protect the installed tubing from
triangular. Consists of a sharp-edged steel accidental puncture by nails, screws or
plate, set transversely at the end of a shank similar hardware at concealed tubing
fixed in the handle. support points
shears (shears) See Sheet Metal shock (shock) the force generated in a
Shears. piping system by water hammer.
shear steel (shear steel) 1. steel produced shock arrestor (shock ar-res-tor) in a pipe
by heating blister steel (sheared in short line, an engineered device to absorb the
lengths) to a high heat, welding by shock of energy which accumulates when
hammering, rolling or both, and finally liquid flow is suddenly obstructed. See
finishing under the hammer at the same, Air Chamber.
or a slightly greater, heat. 2. forge welding.
s-hook (s-hook) an s-shaped hook.
sheet (sheet) 1. a broad, thinly expanded
s-hook, brass (s-hook, brass) an s-shaped
portion of metal or other substance. 2.
hook of brass.
a plate forming part of a tank, or boiler,
regardless of thickness. 3. a portion short-nosed caulking iron (short-nosed
of metal less than about a quarter or caulk-ing iron) short end tool to face
sometimes an eighth of an inch in for packing or joining material. See
thickness. Caulking Iron.
sheet metal shears (sheet me-tal shears) short-nosed packing iron (short-nosed
“snips”; “shears”; “scissors”; a cutting pack-ing iron) See Short-Nosed
implement of two blades with overlapping Caulking Iron.
edges crossing like a scissors pivoted
should (should) 1. a term which indicated
together in the middle and opening
a feature, or requirement, which is
into the form of X; types: (a) light metal
desirable but not mandatory. 2. indicates
straight-cut snips; (b) duckbill snips;
a recommended procedure, technique, or
and (c) compound-leverage snips (right
requirement.
cutting only; compound cutting only,
straight cutting). shoulder nipple (shoul-der nip-ple) a
nipple somewhat longer than a close
sheet packing (sheet pack-ing) See
nipple. It has an unthreaded space about
Rainbow Gasket.
¼" between external threads.
134
shovel single lever faucet
shovel (shov-el) a tool somewhat resembling shr. d. Abbr. for Shower Drain.
a spade in general shape but not usually
shrink fit (shrink fit) a joint made by
used for digging, having a broad, slightly
shrinking a heated piece of pipe over the
hollowed blade with a blunt edge. Used
ends of two cool pipes.
normally for shifting loose earth.
S.I. Abbr. for Sand Interceptor.
shower (show-er) a plumbing fixture and/
or fitting. See Shower Bath. siamese connection (si-a-mese con-
nec-tion) a flush, or exposed divider
shower arm (show-er arm) a bent pipe to
on a building having two or three hose
accommodate a shower head.
threaded inlets feeding a single outlet,
shower bath (show-er bath) a bath in and serves as part of that building’s fire
which water is showered upon the protection system.
body from above or from the sides of
side outlet cross (side out-let cross) a five
the shower enclosure. See Shower
opening “T” fitting.
Compartment.
side outlet ell (side out-let ell) an ell with
shower cabinet (show-er cab-i-net) a
outlet at right angles to the plane of the
complete three wall enclosure for the
run.
purpose of bathing under fine streams
of water. side outlet tee (side out-let tee) a fitting in
the shape of a “T” with another opening
shower compartment (show-er com-part-
at the juncture of the two lines at 90° to
ment) an enclosure, especially equipped
the through line or run.
with shower head or heads, water supply,
control valves, and floor drain. See side vent (side vent) a vent connecting the
Shower Bath. drain pipe through a fitting at an angle not
greater than 45° to the vertical.
shower curtain hook (show-er cur-tain
hook) 1. a hook cast on a plate secured to significant surface (sig-nif-i-cant sur-face)
a wall by screws. Its use is to hold shower any exposed surface which, if marred,
curtain in place by means of a chain. 2. would spoil the appearance of the fixture,
a series of hooks which, when attached fitting or equipment.
to the shower curtain allows it to move
sill cock (sill cock) a faucet used on the
laterally along the shower curtain rod.
outside of a building to which the garden
shower, gang (show-er, gang) two or more hose can be attached.
shower heads in a common area that can
silver (sil-ver) a white metallic element
be used individually or simultaneously.
that is sonorous, ductile, very malleable,
shower head ( show-er head) a nozzle from capable of a high degree of polish.
which the water flows in a shower. Obtained as the main product and as a
by-product in copper and lead smelting.
shower hook (show-er hook) See
Usually alloyed with copper to increase
Shower Curtain Hook.
its hardness. In plumbing, used as an
shower regulator (show-er reg-u-la-tor) a ingredient of hard solders.
device introduced into the supply line of
single control mixing valve ( sin-gle
a shower valve to regulate, or control, the
con-trol mix-ing valve) a device with a
liquid volume which can be discharged
single control which serves to turn water
from the shower head. See Mixing
on and off, and to change volume and
Valve; Volume Regulator.
temperature of the discharge flow.
shower stall (show-er stall) See Shower
single lever faucet (sin-gle lev-er fau-cet) a
Compartment.
mixing valve, or valves, operated (turned
on/off) by a single handle.
135
single sink faucet slant
single sink faucet (sin-gle sink fau-cet) siphon (si-phon) 1. a tube, or conduit,
reference to a single water supply valve as in the form of an inverted U tube, one
used on a sink. leg is longer than the other through and
fluid flows over the weir of the tube to a
single sweep tee (sin-gle sweep tee) a
lower level. 2. a tube, or conduit, in the
fitting in the shape of a “T” with the side
form of an inverted U which water can
opening directing the flow to one end of
be caused (by atmospheric pressure) to
the straight through line.
flow from a vessel up over a barrier at an
sink (sink) 1. a shallow fixture that elevation above the level of the water in
is commonly used in a kitchen (in the vessel and down into another vessel
connection with the preparation of food), at a lower level.
for laboratory purposes, and for certain
siphon breaker (si-phon break-er) a valve,
industrial processes. There are many
device or appurtenance constructed and
types of special sinks, the purpose of
installed to prevent to backflow in the
which is indicated by the name prefixed
plumbing system or any portion thereof.
before the word sink, such as slop sink,
See Backflow; Backsiphonage.
vegetable sink, etc. 2. a stationary basin
or a cabinet connected with a drain and siphon jet (si-phon jet) defines the action
usually a water supply for washing and usually in plumbing fixtures.
drainage. Abbr. SK.
siphon jet closet (si-phon jet clos-et) a
sink bolt (sink, bolt) a bolt used in the toilet which empties and flushes with a
assembly of section fixtures (sinks) of a volume of water assisted by a jet stream
yesteryear era. of water to enhance the built-in siphon
of the toilet bowl drainage passageway.
sink, cook (sink, cook) a fixture used as an
aid in food preparation. sitz bath (sitx bath) See Bathtub,
Sitz. Abbr. S.B.
sink, floor (mop basin) [sink, floor (mop
bas-in)] a shallow (10"-12" deep) floor size of pipe and tubing (size of pipe and
mounted fixture used for filling and tub-ing) pipe is sized according to the
emptying mop pails and for cleaning and approximate dimension of the bore or
rinsing of floor mops. inside diameter, while the size of tubing
is usually determined by measuring the
sink, flushing rim (sink, flush-ing rim)
outside diameter, expressed in inches and
See Flush Rim.
fractions. See Diameter.
sink funnel (sink fun-nel) the outlet or
SK Abbr. for Sink
opening in the bottom of a sink.
skimmer, grease (skim-mer, grease) 1. a
sink, pot (sink, pot) a sink designed and/
piece of iron used to hold back grease
or used to clean pots and other cooking
(dirt) on the surface of molten metal to
utensils.
prevent it from entering the mold. 2. a
sink, scullery (sink, scul-ler-y) a sink device for removing floating grease, or
designed and/or used for the cleaning and scum, from the surface of sewage in a tank.
preparing of produce for cooking. Also
slag (slag) the dross or scoria of a metal.
called a vegetable sink.
slant (slant) a branch connection from
sink, service (slop) [sink, ser-vice (slop)]
a house sewer to a common sewer. See
a deep bowl fixture intended for the
House Slant.
filing and emptying of buckets or pails.
Generally used for janitorial services.
Abbr. S.S.
136
sleek/slick snake
sleek/slick (sleek/slick) the thin oily film slop sink (slop sink) a fixture deeper than
which gives characteristic appearance to an ordinary sink and intended for the
the surface of water into which sewage, receipt of slops. It is often equipped with
or oily waste, has discharged and having an integral trap.
a smooth or polished surface.
slop stones (slop stones) a fired, clay
sleeve (sleeve) 1. a cylindrical tube receptacle set over a trap and used as a
surrounding the pipe, shaft or to create slop receiver. Usually equipped with a
a void. 2. a tubular part designed to fit grate or strainer.
over another part.
sloughing (slough-ing) 1. a filter casting
sleeve axle (sleeve ax-le) a hollow axle off a thin film of scum or bacterial growth
having relative movement to a shaft inside or fungus. 2. the phenomenon associated
it. A long bushing or thimble. with trickling filters and contact aerators,
where slime and solids accumulated in the
sleeve coupling (sleeve coup-ling) a piece
media are discharged with the effluent.
of pipe, or a thimble, for covering a joint
or for coupling two lengths of piping. sludge (sludge) 1. a muddy or slushy mass,
deposit or sediment (as on tide land or
slick (slick) See Sleek.
river bed). 2. the precipitated solid matter
slide rule (slide rule) an instrument produced by water and sewage treatment
consisting in its simple form of a ruler processes. 3. muddy sediment in a steam
and a medial slide that are graduated with boiler. 4. precipitate or settling from oils.
similar logarithmic scales labeled with the
sludge bed (sludge bed) See Sludge
corresponding antilogarithms. Used for
Drying Bed.
making mathematical calculations.
sludge drying bed (sludge dry-ing bed) an
slim taper file (slim ta-per file) triangular
area comprising natural, or artificial, layers
file, more slender than the regular taper,
of porous material upon which digested
used mainly for handsaw sharpening.
sewage sludge is dried by drainage and
slip coupling (slip coup-ling) 1. a form evaporation. A sludge bed may be open to
of coupling adapted for the use on slip the atmosphere or covered with a green-
carriages. 2. a coupling designed to slip house type of superstructure.
at heavy loads, and thus relieve the duty
slug (slug) the discharge of liquid or liquid
on the driving unit.
carried wastes in which the volume of flow
slip fitting (slip fit-ting) another name of discharge exceeds five times the daily
for telescopic fit of pieces of tubing or average volume of flow for a period longer
pipes in which a seal is made by a gland than fifteen minutes.
and packing.
smelting process (smelt-ing pro-cess)
slip joint (slip joint) a connection in which 1. to melt or fuse, as one, with an
one pipe slides into another. The joint is accompanying chemical change, usually
made tight with a gasket, packing, “O” to separate the metal. 2. to reduce, refine,
ring, or caulking. flux or scorify. Usually done in a blast
furnace in which combustion is forced by
slip-on flange (slip-on flange) a circular
a current of air under pressure.
disc-like unit which readily envelops a
pipe. See Floor Flange; Ceiling smoke test (smoke test) a testing procedure
Flange. using smoke to locate potential leaks, or
defects, to determine the soundness of a
slope (slope) See Grade.
system(s).
snake (snake) See Drain Cleaner.
137
snap cutter soil branch
snap cutter (snap cut-ter) a tool used for sodium (so-di-um) a soft, silver white,
cutting pipes and fittings of the cast iron metallic chemical element occurring
variety. See Soil Pipe Cutter. only in compounds. Sodium is of the
alkali metals which oxidizes rapidly in the
sniff hole (sniff hole) 1. very old (approx.
presence of air and reacts violently with
1560 A.D.) identification of the hole in
water ( stored under kerosine).
the side wall of a dip tube in a heated, or
unheated, water reservoir. 2. later version, sodium carbonate (so-di-um car-bon-
a hole in the side wall of dip tube claimed ate) 1. a salt that occurs in a powdery
to stop siphonage of water from tank. white form and in a hydrated crystalline
form called washing soda. It is used for
snifter valve (snif-ter valve) a device with
softening water. 2. a neutralizing agent,
a threaded male end and on the other end
etc.
with air-core attachment used to inject air
into system to raise pressure for testing sodium chloride (so-di-um chlo-ride)
purposes. See Hydropneumatic common salt.
Test.
sodium hydroxide (so-di-um hy-drox-ide)
snift hole (snift hole) See Sniff Hole. caustic soda.
snips (snips) See Sheet Metal sodium hypochloride (so-di-um hy-po-
Shears. chlo-ride) a crystalline salt, used as an
insecticide and disinfectant.
snow guard (snow guard) any of several
devices to prevent a slide of snow from a sodium phosphate (so-di-um phos-phate)
sloping roof. any of various colorless crystalline or white
granular salts of sodium and phosphorus.
soakers (soak-ers) flashings that are
Used in water softeners, laxatives, etc.
installed in pieces with about half of each
piece going against the brick and the other sodium tetraborate (so-di-um tet-ra-bo-
half going under the roofing material. rate) See Borax.
soap, soldering ( soap sol-der-ing) a finely soft solder (soft sol-der) solder which melts
powdered rosin with strong ammonia readily. An alloy of lead and tin that melts
solution suitable for soldering copper below 700oF and is used when melted to
wires. join metallic surfaces. See Solder.
socket (sock-et) See Coupling. soil (soil) 1. earth and/or firm land. 2. the
upper layer of earth that may be dug or
socket-eye hanger (sock-et-eye han-ger) an
plowed, specifically. 3. the loose surface
opening, or cavity, into which anything is
material of the earth in which plants
fitted endwise.
grow, usually consisting of disintegrated
socket plug (sock-et plug) a plug with a rock with an admixture of organic matter
recess in the face which a wrench will fit and soluble salts. 4. in plumbing: to
to turn the plug. cause non-adherence, (to non whet) as in
soldering techniques to guide and control.
soda ash (so-da ash) partly purified sodium
See Body Wastes.
carbonate. Commercial anhydrous
sodium carbonate Na2CO3 obtained as a soil branch (soil branch) a horizontal
grayish white powder or as lumps. projection of a vertical sanitary sewerage
pipe or system of pipes.
soda water (so-da wa-ter) 1. drinkable
water charged with carbon dioxide gas
to make it bubble and fizz for either taste
and/or sparking effect. 2. carbonated
water.
138
soil pipe solar collector cover
soil pipe (soil pipe) 1. a pipe through which solar absorber plate (so-lar ab-sorb-er
liquid wastes carrying human excrement plate) the part of the solar collector which
can flow. 2. term generally applied to receives the incident solar radiation energy
cast iron pipe in five feet lengths used for and transforms it into thermal energy. In
house drainage. 3. any pipe which conveys some cases, the heat transfer fluid itself
the discharge of water closets, urinals or could be the absorber.
fixtures having similar functions with, or
solar absorptance (so-lar ab-sorp-tance)
without, the discharge from other fixtures,
1. the ratio of the absorber flux to the
to the building drain or building sewer.
total incident flux, measured in terms of
See Extra Heavy.
percent (%). 2. the fraction of the solar
soil pipe connection (soil pipe con-nec- irradiance which is absorbed.
tion) See Connections.
solar angle of incidence (so-lar an-gle
soil pipe cutter (soil pipe cut-ter) there of in-ci-dence) the angle between the
are three basic types: (a) a tool similar line of direct solar irradiation and the
to a pipe cutter as normally used to cut perpendicular to the aperture plane,
steel, etc. The pipe is held in a vice. (b) degrees.
a tool with cutting wheels fixed to the
solar angle of refraction (so-lar an-gle
shaft end, as well as to a chain which is
of re-frac-tion) the angle between the
wrapped around the outside wall of the
refracted ray’s propagation direction and
pipe. As the tool is turned the chain is
perpendicular to the interface at the point
tightened causing the pipe to separate.
of refraction, degrees.
The pipe is held in a vice. (c) a cutter
employing a chain with cutting wheels, solar aperture area (so-lar ap-er-ture ar-
however, not turned around the pipe in ea) the maximum projected area of a solar
the usual manner. The chain is wrapped collector module area or a solar collector
around the outside of the pipe and the module including any integral mounting
pipe cut with a tightening of the chain. devices, ft2 (m2).
Mechanical advantage principles are
solar auxiliary energy subsystem (so-
included. No vise is needed. See Inside
lar aux-il-ia-ry en-er-gy sub-sys-tem)
Soil Pipe Cutter; Hydraulic
a configuration of equipment and
Pipe Cutter; Snap Cutter.
components, utilizing conventional
soil pipe joining tool (soil pipe join-ing energy sources, to supplement the output
tool) special tool designed to assemble and of the solar system.
disassemble gasketed soil pipe.
solar collector (so-lar col-lec-tor) a device
soil stack (soil stack) a vertical soil pipe. used to absorb the sun’s energy.
soil vent (soil vent) that portion of a soil solar collector, concentrating (so-lar
stack above the highest fixture waste col-lec-tor, con-cen-tra-ting) a collector
connection to it. which uses reflectors, lenses or other
optical devices to concentrate the radiant
solar (so-lar) 1. of or relating to the sun
solar energy passing through the aperture
and its effect, especially on the earth’s
onto an absorber of which the surface area
surface. 2. produced or operated by action
is smaller than the aperture area.
of the sun.
solar collector cover (so-lar col-lec-tor
solar absorber area (so-lar ab-sorb-er ar-
cov-er) the transparent material placed
ea) the total heat transfer area in which the
over the aperture or absorber area of a solar
absorbed solar radiation heats the transfer
collector to provide protection from the
fluid or of the absorber media if both
environment and reduce thermal losses
transfer fluid and solid surfaces jointly
from radiation or convection.
perform the absorbing function, ft2 (m2).
139
solar collector efficiency solar radiant intensity
solar collector efficiency (so-lar col-lec- solar energy (so-lar en-er-gy) the photon
tor ef-fi-cien-cy) the ratio of the energy (electromagnetic) energy originating from
collected (or absorbed) to the total solar the sun.
energy incident on the collector, expressed
solar energy transport subsystem (so-lar
in percent (%).
en-er-g y trans-port sub-sytem) that
solar collector gross area (so-lar col-lec-tor portion of a solar system which contains
gross ar-ea) the maximum projected area the heat transfer media and transports
of a solar collector which unconcentrated the energy throughout the solar system,
solar radiant energy is admitted, ft2 (m2). including related piping and regulating
devices.
solar collector subsystem (so-lar col-lec-
tor sub-sys-tem) that portion, or assembly, solar heat transfer medium (so-lar heat
of the solar system used for absorbing trans-fer me-di-um) fluid used in the
incident solar radiation, converting it transport of thermal energy.
to thermal energy and transferring this
solar hot water system (so-lar hot wa-
thermal energy to heat transfer fluid. The
ter sys-tem) the complete assembly of
collector subsystem includes the solar
subsystems or components necessary to
collector(s), related piping or ducts, and
convert solar energy into thermal energy
regulating devices.
and use this energy, in combination
solar collector tilt (so-lar col-lec-tor tilt) with auxiliary energy, where required, to
the angle above the horizontal plane at provide hot water for domestic uses.
which a solar collector is mounted.
solar irradiation (insolation) [so-lar ir-ra-
solar collector, trickle (so-lar col-lec-tor, di-a-tion (in-so-la-tion)] instantaneous.
trick-le) a flat-plate collector over which The quantity of solar radiation incident
nonpressurized liquids flow. on a unit surface area in a unit time,
BTU/h-ft (W/m2).
solar concentrating ratio (so-lar con-cen-
tra-ting ra-tio) the ratio of the aperture solar of reflection (so-lar of re-flec-
area to the absorber of a solar collector. tion) the angle between the reflected
ray’s propagation direction and the
solar concentrator (so-lar con-cen-tra-tor)
perpendicular to the surface at the point
a reflector, lens or other optical device
of reflection.
in concentration solar collectors used to
focus the incident solar energy on the solar performance factor efficiency (so-lar
reduced absorber area. per-for-mance fac-tor ef-fi-cien-cy) the
ratio of the useful output capacity of a
solar constant ( so-lar con-stant) the solar
system to the input required to obtain it.
radiation intensity which is incident on a
surface normal to the sun’s rays, outside solar radiant emittance (existence) [so-
the earth’s atmosphere at the distance lar ra-di-ant e-mit-tance (ex-ist-ence)]
from the sun equal to the mean distance the quotient of the radiant flux leaving
between the earth and the sun. The an element of the surface containing the
accepted value of the solar constant is point by the area of the element.
equal to 428.8 BTU/hr-ft2 (1353W/m2).
solar radiant intensity (so-lar ra-di-ant
solar degradation (so-lar deg-ra-da-tion) in-ten-si-ty) the quotient of the radiant
the process by which exposure to sunlight flux emitted by a source (or by an element
deteriorates the properties of materials. of a source in an infinitesimal cone
containing the given direction) by the
solar emittance (so-lar e-mit-tance) the
solid angle of the cone.
fraction of heat radiated by the solar
collector, measured in percent (%) of the
absorbed energy by the panel.
140
solar radiation flux soldering iron, copper
141
soldering paste spatter stick
142
spec. spring cushion pipe hanger
143
springline standard
springline (spring-line) on an oval sewer square file (square file) 1. a square steel
the horizontal line where the invert ends bar with fine chisel like surfaces. 2. a form
and upper arch begins. On a circular of fine rasp.
sewer, the horizontal centerline.
SRVB Abbr. for Spill Resistant Vacuum
spring loaded relief valves (spring load-ed Breaker.
re-lief valves) any of several types of relief
S.S. Abbr. for Service Sink. See Sink,
valves which are kept closed by spring
Service.
devices by which the operating pressure
is controlled as required. S.St. Abbr. for Stainless Steel.
sprinkle filter treatment plant (sprink-le stack (stack) a general term for any vertical
fil-ter treat-ment plant) a portion of the line of soil, waste, vent or inside conductor
process of sewage treatment; a fixture or piping.
apparatus in a sewage treatment plant.
stack group (stack group) a term applied to
sprinkler alarm, water supply (sprink-ler the location of fixtures in relation to the
alarm, wa-ter sup-ply) an electrically stack so, by means of proper fittings, vents
operated sound system which operates to may be reduced to a minimum.
alert occupants when a sprinkler system
stack vent (stack vent) the extension of
is actuated. Usually set to sound when the
a soil ,or waste, stack above the highest
flow of water through the sprinkler system
horizontal drain connected to the stack
exceeds ten gallons per minute.
terminating at a point above the roof level.
sprinkler hanger (sprink-ler hang-er) a
stack venting (stack vent-ing) 1. stack
ring-type hanger with threaded rod and
venting consists of a continuous venting
flange support.
of a single fixture connected directly into a
sprinkler system, water (sprink-ler sys- soil or waste stack. 2. a method of venting
tem, wa-ter) may be used for irrigation or a fixture, or fixtures, through the soil or
for fire prevention. See Water. waste stack.
sprue (sprue) 1. the hole through which stainless steel (stain-less steel) any of a
metal is poured into the gate and then large and complex group of corrosion-
into the mold. 2. the waste piece cast in resistant iron-chromium alloys, sometimes
this hole; hence, dross. containing other elements such as nickel,
tungsten and molybdenum. Abbr. S.St.
spud (spud) 1. a short connecting fitting
between the supply line and a device (i.e. stall (stall) a partition or compartment.
the fitting used for a meter connection.
stanch (stanch) 1. archaic English, a
2. a fitting used to connect a steam valve
floodgate to accumulate water for slashing
or trap to a radiator. 3. a fitting used to
a boat over a shallow in a stream. 2. in
connect a pressurized flushing device to a
plumbing, the term stanking or stanching
water closet or urinal.
is used to describe a means of excavating or
spud wrench (spud wrench) similar to moving earth by alternately damming and
monkey wrench, used primarily on large flooding a stream. See Stank.
square nuts at plumbing fixtures.
standard (stan-dard) 1. an established
sq. ft. Abbr. for Square Feet. measure of weights, lengths, quality. 2.
one serving as a model by which accuracy
square (square) this tool is a 90° or right
of others may be determined. 3. any
angle standard and is used for marking or
example or model generally accepted as
testing work.
correct. Abbr. Std.
square feet (square feet) a unit of area given
in feet. Abbr. Sq. Ft.
144
standard methods sterilizer vent
standard methods (stan-dard meth-ods) steam, three way cock (steam, three way
methods of analysis of water, sewage, cock) a ground key shut-off valve directing
and sludge. the flow of steam in one of two directions.
standard pressure (stan-dard pres-sure) steam trap (steam trap) a device used at
term applied to valves and fittings suitable the return end of a radiator or steam dip
for a working steam pressure of 125 line, trapping the steam and allowing the
pounds per square inch. condensate water to return to boiler.
standard tools (stan-dard tools) portable steel pipe (steel pipe) pipes made from
tools, such as, but not limited to, a steel.
screwdriver, key wrench, flat jawed
stench trap (stench trap) a flap in a frame
wrench, or pliers which are normally
which opens to admit cellar drainage to
carried by mechanics/plumbers for
a sewer and then closes to prevent sewer
the installation and maintenance of
air from entering.
plumbing.
ster. Abbr. for Sterilizer.
standard weight pipe (stan-dard weight
pipe) pipe weights are denoted by sterilization (ster-i-li-za-tion) the act, or
schedules which specify wall thicknesses process, of killing all living cells, especially
(i.e.: Schedule 20, 30, 40, 80, 120.) micro-organisms or the germ cells of
Schedule 40 is considered standard higher plants and animals. Abbr. ster.
weight. Schedule 80 is extra heavy weight,
sterilizer, bed pan (ster-i-liz-er, bed pan)
etc.
See Bedpan.
standpipe, fire system (stand-pipe, fire
sterilizer, boiling type (ster-i-liz-er, boil-
sys-tem) a vertical pipe generally used for
ing type) a fixture, non-pressure type, used
the storage and distribution of water for
for boiling instruments, utensils, and/or
fire extinguishing.
other equipment used for disinfection.
stank (stank) 1. British dialect for a ditch May be portable or connected to the
containing water. 2. Connotates holding plumbing system. See Sterilizer,
of water. See stanch. Pressure Autoclave.
star drill (star drill) a drill for stone, or sterilizer, instrument washer-pressure
masonry, that has a star-shaped point (ster-i-liz-er, in-stru-ment wash-er-pres-
and that operates by being struck with a sure) a pressure fixture designed to both
hammer and rotated. wash and sterilize instruments during the
operating cycle of the fixture. Temperature
static line pressure (sta-tic line pres-sure)
unlimited.
the pressure existence without any flow.
sterilizer, pressure autoclave (ster-i-
static pressure (stat-ic pres-sure) the force
liz-er, pres-sure au-to-clave) a fixture;
per unit of an area that is exerted by a fluid
pressure vessel, designed to use steam
upon a surface at rest relative to the fluid.
under pressure for sterilization. See
static water level (sta-tic wa-ter lev-el) Sterilizer, Boiling Type.
the height of a liquid measured within a
sterilizer vent (ster-i-liz-er vent) a separate
vessel when the contained liquid is at rest.
pipe or stack, indirectly connected to the
Std. Abbr. for Standard. building drainage system at the lower
terminal, which receives the vapors from
steam boiler (steam boil-er) a boiler for
nonpressure or the pressure sterilizers,
producing steam.
and conducts the vapors directly to the
steam cock (steam cock) ground cock outer air. Sometimes called vapor, steam,
shut-off valve. atmosphere or exhaust vent. See Local
Vent.
145
sterilizer, water straight pipe thread
146
strainer fitting sulfur, also sulphur
strainer fitting (strain-er fit-ting) the stub caulking iron (stub caulk-ing iron)
receptor fitting to receive drainage. can be given almost a direct blow with less
Equipped with a bar perforated, or drilled, springing of the tool.
cover to prevent introduction of solids
stud bolt (stud bolt) a bolt threaded on
larger than the drainage system can carry.
both ends. One end is screwed into
“S” trap (s trap) an S-shaped trap used in something permanent to receive a part
plumbing. (such as a pipe hanger) and a nut on the
other end.
strap hanger (strap hang-er) a hanger
consisting of a metal strap, or band, styrene (sty-rene) a fragrant mobile liquid
nailed or screwed to the ceiling, or a unsaturated hydrocarbon C6H5CH=CH2
rafter, and slung around the pipe. See that is obtained by the distillation of
Pipe Hanger. storox or the decomposition of cinnamic
acid or more often from ethylbenzene
strap wrench, brass pipe wrench (strap
caused by catalytic dehydrogenation or
wrench, brass pipe wrench) a tool using
by oxidation to acetophenone followed
a strap and a lever to create torque. Used
by partial reduction and dehydration,
when working with any polished pipe
that polymerizes in the presence and that
or fitting.
is used chiefly in making synthetic rubber,
stra t i fi c a t i on (s t ra t- i - f i - c a - ti o n ) resins, and plastics and in improving
the formation of layers of different drying oils. Also called phenylethylene,
temperatures in bodies of water. vinylbenzene. See Acrylonitrile-
Sometimes occurs in water heaters and Butadiene-Styrene.
hot water storage tanks.
sublimation (sub-li-ma-tion) the
street ell (street ell) a pipe elbow with a phenomenon occurring when matter
female thread on one end and a male passes from a gaseous state to a solid state
thread on the other. See Elbow; without liquefying or passing directly
Service Ell. from a solid to a vapor state.
street tee (street tee) a three opening submerged inlet (sub-merged in-let) 1. in
fitting, two of which are female threaded water supply, the opening of an inlet pipe,
and one male threaded. Street “T”. See faucet or valve below the flood level rim
Service Tee. of a receptacle. 2. in waste systems, the
terminal end of the discharge pipe from
stress, hoop (compression) [stress, hoop
a fixture to a device in a drainage system.
(com-pres-sion)] the compression stress
on the wall of a pipe due to external subsoil drain (sub-soil drain) a drain
pressure or due to internal vacuum. which collects subsurface or seepage water
and conveys it to a place of disposal.
stress, hoop (tensile) [stress, hoop (ten-
sile)] tensile stress on the wall of a pipe suffocation (suf-fo-ca-tion) See
due to the internal positive pressure. Asphyxia.
striker plate (stri-ker plate) a special type sulfur, also sulphur (sul-fur, also sul-
of shielding device used when concealed phur) a non-metallic element occurring
tubing is run through wall studs, florr or naturally in large quantities. Its presence
ceiling joists or other structural members in iron and steel always has an undesirable
where tubing movement is restricted. effect. In very small quantities, it makes
cast iron hard and white. In wrought
string fitting (string fit-ting) See Tucker
iron, or steel, a mere trace will produce
Fitting.
red shortness.
147
sullage swing
148
swing joint system hazard
149
T. tap screw
Tt
T. the universal abbr. for temperature. Also tankless heater (tank-less heat-er) a water
in plumbing design, T. is sometimes used heater involving no storage vessel other
for abbr. for thermometer. than the pipes, or tubes, in which water
is confined. It can be heated by any source
tackle (tack-le) See Block and
of heat energy.
Tackle.
tank, septic (tank, sep-tic) See Septic
tailpiece (tail-piece) 1. a short length of
Tank.
pipe extended from a sink, lavatory, vessel
or tank. 2. connection used from outlet of tank shell (tank shell) the outer lining of
fixture to waste or trap connection. a tank. The outer lining of a glass-lined
storage tank is made of steel. A steel tank
tailpipe (tail-pipe) See Tailpiece.
shell can be lined with copper, plastic, etc.
tallow (tal-low) sometimes used with rosin
tank valve guide (tank valve guide) a
and small amount of sal ammoniac as a
device which guides or restrains the
flux for tinned ware.
rods of the mechanism in a closet tank
tampion, turn pin (tam-pi-on, turn pin) (i.e.: the tank valve/flush valve) wire rod
1. a leadworker’s tool of boxwood, shaped operating unit.
like a toy top and used for swedging out
tap (tap) 1. a tool for cutting the thread of
the end of lead pipes. 2. something that
an internal screw. 2. a hole made in tapping
stops an opening; plug.
as one in a fitting to furnish connection for
tank (tank) usually a large manufactured a branch pipe. 3. a faucet, valve, a hole.
receptacle used for holding, transporting 4. a hole drilled into a water main into
or storing liquids. which is inserted a corporation valve to
receive water service pipe from building.
tank ball (tank ball) a moulded piece of
See Corporation Ferrule;
rubber generally used in a toilet tank valve
Faucet; Valve; Pipe Tap.
to control the flush of water.
tap bolt (tap bolt) a headed bolt used
tank, closet (tank, clo-set) See Water
without a nut for screwing into a hole.
Closet.
Also called cap screw and tap screw.
tank, detritus (tank, de-tri-tus) a chamber
tap borer (tap bor-er) special kind of
for removing the large, heavy, suspended,
boring instrument used by plumbers for
matter from sewage.
making, or enlarging, holes in lead pipes.
tank, flocculating (tank, floc-cu-la-ting)
tap screw (tap screw) See Tap Bolt.
a chamber which aggregates a number
of small suspended particles into small
lumps.
tank, Imhoff (tank, Im-hoff) See Imhoff
Tank.
150
tap wrench temperature, initial outlet set
tap wrench (tap wrench) 1. a tool to hold a tee handle air cock (tee han-dle air cock)
tap and/or an “S” shaped wrench to fit the a valve in which the operating handle
various sizes of corporation ferrule core extends equal distance from the center of
cock stems and collars. 2. a tool to hold movable core.
another tool, or device, which grooves, or
tee head (tee head) See Curb Cock.
cuts, threads of an interior surface. 3. a
wrench of a special design to fit the parts tee, street (tee, street) a tee fitting where
of a corporation ferrule. the straight portion, or run, has one female
and one male end, and the third opening
tape (tape) made of steel or cloth-like
is female.
material, flexible, used in measuring.
Electricians use tape for insulation; tell-tale (tell-tale) an indicating device used
plumbers use tape made of fibrous to indicate the elevation of water surface
materials for pipe thread sealant. in a tank.
tapeline (tape-line) See Tape Measure. temp. Abbr. for Temperature.
tape measure (tape mea-sure) a rule in the temper (tem-per) 1. to bring to a specific
form of a narrow strip of a strong, but consistency (e.g. to bring steel, glass or the
limp or flexible material (as cloth or steel) like, to a proper degree of hardness and
marked off in units of measure of length toughness.) 2. steel that has been hardened
(as inches or centimeters) and usually by high heat and sudden cooling, as by
contained on or in a reel for easy carrying. plunging into water, usually required to
be gently reheated to a degree depending
tapered pipe thread (ta-per-ed pipe
on its proposed use, and it is this latter
thread) a continuous helical ridge
process that is tempering in the strict
(thread) that is cut or rolled deeper at the
sense The word is loosely applied to the
end of a pipe than at any other portion,
combined hardening and reheating or the
and gradually enlarges to a point of non-
hardening alone.
existence; in plumbing, the American
standard taps for pipe threads yields a temperature actuated (tem-per-a-ture
diameter increase of 3/4" per foot of thread ac-tu-a-ted) a device which derives its
length. energy for operation from water or other
fluid temperature changes.
taper file (ta-per file) used to denote the
shape of a file as distinct from blunt. temperature, ambient (tem-per-a-
Custom has also established it as a short tu re, a m -bi-e nt)Se e ambient
name for the triangular handsaw file. temperature.
taper joint (ta-per joint) See temperature and pressure relief valve
Harrington (Tapered Sleeve) (tem-per-a-ture and pres-sure re-lief
Joint. valve) a device designed to control both
temperature and pressure by releasing the
tapped tee, soil pipe (tap-ped tee, soil
water to atmosphere at a predetermined
pipe) a cast iron bell end tee with the
settings. See Safety Valve; Relief
branch tapped to receive a threaded pipe
Valve, Hot Water Boiler.
or fitting.
temperature, initial outlet set (tem-per-a-
T.B.E. Abbr. for Thread Both Ends.
ture, i-ni-tial out-let set) See initial
T.C. Abbr. for Terra Cotta. outlet set temperature.
tee (tee) something shaped like a capital
“T”, a fitting that has one side opening set
at 90° angle to the run. See Increaser;
Reducer; Wye.
151
temperature limiting device thermal element
152
thermal expansion thimble coupling
153
thread dope torch
thread dope (thread dope) See Pipe throne (throne) (slang) See Water
Thread Dope. Closet.
threaded and coupled pipe (thread-ed thunder mug (thun-der mug) (slang)
and cou-pled pipe) a term used to denote fixture. See Water Closet.
merchant pipe which is furnished from
tide valve (tide valve) a device installed in
the pipe mill with threaded ends and a
sewer systems to prevent backflow. Acts as
coupling attached. Abbr. T & C
dam obstruction in pipe to water flooding
threaded bushing (thread-ed bush-ing) 1. backwards. See Backwater Valve.
a fitting. 2. an annulus walled short pipe
tin foil (tin foil) a thin sheet of tin, alloy
threaded internally and externally on the
of tin or lead.
cylinder so same can be screwed into and
also receive pipe. tinned (tinned)covered or coated with tin.
threader (thread-er) a device for cutting a tin plate (tin plate) 1. thin sheets of iron
screw thread. or steel coated with tin. 2. to plate or
coat with tin.
threading machine (thread-ing ma-chine)
See Threader. T.O.E. Abbr. for Thread One End.
thread lubricant (thread lub-ri-cant) toggle bolt (tog-gle bolt) a bolt that has a
any of a number of lubricating materials nut with pivoted flanged wings that close
which are applied on threads to prevent against a spring when passed through
corrosion and to provide an aid to make- a constricted passage and open after
up or tightening. See Pipe Thread emerging and that is used to fasten objects
Dope. to thin or hollow walls.
thread make up (thread make up) a term toilet (toi-let) See Water Closet.
used to denote the amount of engagement
toilet seat (toi-let seat) See Closet
or penetration of one thread within
Seat.
another. Usually refers to the number of
threads which are in contact in a threaded tolerance (tol-er-ance) 1. leeway for
assembly. variation from a standard. 2. the
permissible deviation from a specified
threads (threads) continuous, regularly
value of a structural dimension.
spaced grooves and ribs around a material
which form a definite helix. There are tongs (tongs) foreceps; one of various kinds
many types of threads in either taper of objects, mostly consisting of two legs
or straight varieties. May vary in forms, of metal joined by a pivot or by a spring.
materials, and length. When these threads Used for gripping, lifting, or twisting.
are disposed on the external surface of a
tool box (tool box) box especially designed
pipe or fitting, they are called outside or
and used for keeping tools.
male threads. Threads located on internal
surfaces of pipe, tube, or fitting are called tools, standard (tools, stan-dard) See
inside or female threads. See Inside standard tools.
Thread; Outside Thread.
torch (torch) piece of inflammable wood
three way cock (three way cock) a ground or wood soaked in inflammable substance
key valve with three openings in the valve such as resin, pitch, etc, which flares
body and core. The core, when turned, when kindled and is used to give light. In
directs flow to a matched opening. plumbing, any of various portable devices
for emitting an unusually hot flame which
throat iron (throat iron) useful for
can be useful in melting, or heating, of
caulking such fittings as bends where there
metal, soldering, etc.
is little room for a direct blow.
154
torpedo level trickle solar collector panel
torpedo level (tor-pe-do lev-el) a spirit trap arm (trap arm) the horizontal portion
level with a plan view shape of a torpedo. of the fixture waste between the trap and
See Level. the vent connection.
torque (torque) 1. a measurement, usually trap, flame (trap, flame) 1. a device, as
stated in foot pounds, of the tightness a wire gauze across a nozzle inlet, for
of a connector. In plumbing, usually the preventing the flame of burning gas
tightness of a fitting. 2. term meaning from backing up into the supply pipe
twist. When used in this sense means and causing an explosion. 2. a device
measurable tightness. containing a fine metal gauze placed in
a gas pipe, which prevents a flame from
torque wrench (torque wrench)a wrench
traveling back in the pipe.
that measures and indicates the amount
of turning and twisting force applied in trap seal (trap seal) 1. the vertical distance
tightening a nut or bolt. between the crown weir and the top of
the dip of the trap. 2. the water in the
toxic (tox-ic) 1. a substance which is
trap between the dip and the crown weir.
poisonous and capable of causing injury or
death. A toxin may be ingested, inhaled or trap seal primer valve (trap seal prim-er
absorbed through the skin. 2. a substance valve) a device connected to a water line
which has not been approved for human that is automatically activated by a faucet
consumption by the health agency having opening to deliver a metered amount of
jurisdiction. water to a seldom used trap.
trade union (trade un-ion) an organization travel (of an offset) [trav-el (of an off-set)]
of workers, all of whom are engaged in 1. measurement along the angular section
the same trade or occupation, formed for of a piping offset. 2. the hypotenuse of the
the purpose of advancing its members’ triangle created by a piping offset.
interests in respect to wages and working
tray, laundry (tray, laun-dry) a fixture
conditions. See labor union.
used in a laundry for washing, usually
trail water (trail wa-ter) the residue of set permanently, and sewer and water
water in a tub, or other flat bottom fixture, connected.
that drains from the fixture after the main
tray, plug (tray, plug) tapered cylinder-like
body of water has drained.
device that can be inserted into the drain
transition fitting (tran-si-tion fit-ting) outlet of a laundry tub, tray or similar
a fitting that has different types of fixture to hold liquids from draining.
connections on each outlet, one of which
trench brace (trench brace) 1. a jackscrew
is a push-fit.
device. 2. a jack placed horizontally to
trap (trap) 1. a “U” shaped fitting exert energy horizontally.
constructed to prevent the passage of
triangle (tri-an-gle) a flat triangular piece
air,, or gas, through a pipe without
of wood, vulcanite, plastic or the like, with
materially affecting the flow of sewage or
straight edges, used in connection with a
liquid waste. 2. a device for drains; sewers;
T-square for drawing perpendicular lines.
etc. consisting of a bend or partitioned
chamber in which the liquid forms a seal tributary sewer (trib-u-tary sew-er) a
to prevent the passage of sewer gas, etc., small sewer, a waste carrying conduit
as a stench trap. 3. a fitting, or device, which empties into an intercepting sewer.
which provides a liquid seal to prevent the
trickle solar collector panel (tri-ckle so-lar
emission of sewer gases without materially
col-lec-tor pa-nel) a flat plate over which
affecting the flow of sewage or waste water
unpressured heat transfer liquid flows or
through it.
“trickles”.
155
trim turbulent flow
156
turn pin typical
157
“U” bolt unit system
Uu
“U” bolt (u bolt) a “U” shaped bolt with union washer (un-ion wash-er) 1. a
threads and a nut at each end. resilient disc with a hole in the center.
2. a gasket used in the mechanical joint
unapproved water supply (un-ap-proved
known as a union.
wa-ter sup-ply) a water supply which
has not been approved for human unions, dielectric (un-ion, di-e-lec-tric)
consumption by the health agency having See dielectric unions.
jurisdiction.
unit, food waste disposer (batch feed
unglazed collector (un-glazed col-lec- type) [u-nit, food waste dis-po-ser
tor) in the field of solar energy collection (batch feed type)] See food waste
systems, a collector with no transparent grinder unit, batch feed
cover plate. type.
union (un-ion) 1. a coupling device to join unit, food waste disposer (continuous
or disconnect pipes. 2. an association of feed type) [u-nit, food waste dis-
people. See Connectors; Trade po-ser (con-ti-nu-ous feed type)] See
Union. food grinder waste unit,
continuous feed type.
union coupling, right and left threaded
(un-ion cou-pling, right and left thread- unit heater (u-nit heat-er) a heater
ed) a right and left threaded sleeve consisting of a fan, or blower, and an
coupling used to join pipe together with indirect radiator enclosed in a common
matched right and left hand threaded casing and designed to circulate and warm
ends. the air that passes through the radiator or
heat exchanger.
union ferrule (un-ion fer-rule) joining by
thread one side of pipe. The other joining unit heater control (u-nit heat-er con-trol)
side telescopes into fitting and is sealed by a device used to operate the flow of gas,
tapered ferrule compressed with collar. steam, or liquid to a unit heater.
union, fine thread (un-ion, fine thread) unit heater, gas fired (u-nit heat-er, gas
same as union, receiving ends for tubing; fired) a space heater, fan operated, to
threaded fine thread size. move heated air in a given space or room.
The unit is heated by gas.
union, I. P. S. (un-ion, ips) same as union,
receiving ends for pipe; threaded iron unit heater valve (u-nit heat-er valve) a
pipe size. shut off valve to control the supply of fuel
or other source of heat. The operation of
unions (un-ions) See Connectors.
the valve could be manual or automatic.
union vent (un-ion vent) a dual vent or
unit system (u-nit sys-tem) a complete
a unit vent.
part of a total plumbing system, such as
a bathroom piping system as a part of the
piping system of a building.
158
unit vent utility vent
unit vent (u-nit vent) one vent pipe which urinal, women’s (uri-nal, wom-en’s) a
serves two traps. See Common Vent; fixture so designed for use by women that
Dual Vent. it can be straddled.
universal drive shaft (u-ni-ver-sal drive used water (used wa-ter) any water supply
shaft) a joined shaft allowing free by a water purveyor from a public potable
movement in all directions within certain water system to a consumer’s water system
limits between pipe machine and pipe after it has passed through the service
cutting equipment. connection and/or a fixture outlet and is
no longer under the control of the water
unprotected cross connection (un-
purveyor.
pro-tect-ed cross con-nec-tion) a cross
connection between a potable and non- utility vent (u-til-i-ty vent) a vent in which
potable system where inadequate methods the vent pipe rises well above the highest
are provided to prevent backflow. water level in the fixture vented and then
turns down before connecting to the stack
unstable ground (un-stable ground) earth
or main vent. See Circuit Vent;
that does not provide a uniform bearing
Loop Vent.
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 flushed plumbing
fixture 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 fixture
supported by a pedestal from the floor and
not connected to a wall or support. Blow-
out designates the flushing action of the
trap of fixture by inducing large amounts
of water in trap seal of fixture.
urinal, pedestal, siphon-jet (uri-nal,
ped-es-tal, si-phon- jet) receiving bowl of
fixture supported by a pedestal from the
floor; siphon jet designates the flushing
action of trap of fixture by inducing jet
stream of water in trap seal of fixture.
urinal, stall, wash out (uri-nal, stall,
wash-out) stall in the style of fixture where
the base and sides are molded in one piece
and rests on floor. Washout is cleansing
action of trap of fixture.
urinal, wall hung (uri-nal, wall hung) the
design of the fixture fastened to the wall,
no part touches the floor.
159
V. valve
Vv
160
valve, backwater vent system
valve, backwater (valve, back-wa-ter) See vapor heating (va-por heat-ing) steam
Backwater Valve. heating at approximately atmospheric
temperature (usually one to five ounces).
valve box (valve box) an enclosure extended
to grade to protect the valve stem of a vapor lock (va-por lock) partial or
buried valve and to give access to the complete interruption of fuel flow in an
operating unit. Abbr. V.B. internal combustion engine caused by
the formation vapor bubbles, or gas, in
valve, control (valve, con-trol) See
the fuel feeding system. See Air Lock.
control valve.
V. B. Abbr. for Valve Box.
valve, disc (valve, disc) a disc, or circular
member, of a valve or faucet which affects velocity meter (vel-o-city me-ter) in
the control of flow when motivated. plumbing, a device for observing the
velocity of flow of water through a
valve, flushometer (valve, flush-o-me-ter)
transverse cross section of known area. The
See flushometer valve.
rate of flow is the product of the velocity
valve flush, automatic (valve flush, au- and the area of the cross section.
to-mat-ic) a device to start suddenly the
vent or venting (vent or vent-ing) an
free flow of water, or other liquid, under
opening. See Back Vent.
pressure, by release of pilot valve causing
main valve seat to rise and water to flood vent cap (vent cap) a fitting used on the
through, until pilot valve is reseated and terminal of the vent, waste or soil stacks to
valve is pressurized through bypass jet guard against falling objects and vandalism.
above flow, causing main valve to seat.
vented sewer or drain (vent-ed sew-er or
valve pump (valve pump) a device held drain) a sewer, or drain, that is designed
closed by spiral spring tension. Can be to be flowing at, or less than, half full
used to admit or discharge. Usually used during the peak period of use.
for air or gas.
vent pipe, plumbing (vent pipe, plumb-
valve, safety (valve, safe-ty) an automatic ing) a part of the plumbing system used
escape, or relief, valve to vent excessive to equalize pressures and ventilate system.
build-up of pressure. Part of the vent system.
valve seat (valve seat)the port/s against, or vent ports (vent ports) the openings from
into a disc or tapered stem is pressed, or the inside of a device or assembly to
inserted, to stop the flow of fluid or gas. the outside for allowing air to enter the
device or assembly under backsiphonage
valve, tide (valve, tide)See Tide Valve.
conditions, or water to drain from the
valve wheel (valve wheel)outer disc-like device or assembly under backpressure
member used to twist or torque the valve backflow conditions.
stem to operate (i.e.: turn on or off by a
vent stack (vent stack) a vertical vent pipe
twisting motion.)
installed to provide circulation of air to
vanity (van-i-ty) a bathroom fixture and from the drainage system.
consisting of a lavatory set into top of
vent system (vent sys-tem) a pipe, or pipes,
dressing table or cupboard.
installed to provide a flow of air to, or
vapor (va-por) 1. diffused matter from, a drainage system or to provide
suspended in the air and impairing its a circulation of air within such system
transparency. 2. a substance in a gaseous to equalize pressures and ventilate the
state as distinguished from a liquid or solid system, and to protect trap seals from
state. 3. a gaseous substance that is at a siphonage and back pressure.
temperature below its critical temperature
and therefore liquifiable by pressure alone.
161
vent tee vol.
vent tee (vent tee) a drainage fitting of vertical caulked joint (ver-ti-cal caulked
any of several materials used for venting joint) a bell and spigot connection in a
purposes only. The side opening may be vertical position.
the same size, or reduced, and does not
vertical pipe (ver-ti-cal pipe) a pipe or
have the sanitary throat as the regular
fitting that is installed in a vertical position
sanitary drainage tee.
and makes an angle of not more than 45°
vertical configuration, double check (ver- with the vertical.
ti-cal con-fig-ur-a-tion, dou-ble check)
vestibule (ves-ti-bule) a cavity, passage,
a backflow preventer is considered to be
hall or tube between floors or buildings
in the vertical configuration when all
in which the piping is made available for
the components of the device are in the
inspection or servicing.
vertical position; the check valves shall
be installed in the vertical or a maximum vice (vice) chiefly British for vise. See Vise.
of 45° from the vertical; the two shut-off
vinyl benzene (vi-nyl ben-zene) See
valves can be installed either horizontally
Styrene.
or vertically.
vinyl cyanide (vi-nyl cy-a-nide) See
vertical configuration, reduced pressure
Acrylonitrile.
(ver-ti-cal con-fig-ur-a-tion, re-duc-
ed pres-sure) a backflow preventer virus (vi-rus) the causative agent of an
is considered to be in the vertical infectious disease.
configuration when all the components of
vise (vise) any of various devices usually
the device are in the vertical position; the
having two jaws, which may be brought
relief valve or vent shall be situated above
together, or separated, by means of a
the first check valve and have a means of
screw, lever, etc. Used to hold an object
completely evacuating the water from the
firmly while work is being done.
second check valve chamber; the check
valves shall be installed in the vertical or vise grips (vise grips) common name for
maximum of 45° from the vertical; the special pliers which can be locked after
two shut-off valves can be installed either gripping an object. See Pliers.
horizontally or vertically.
vitreous (vit-re-ous) 1. of, relating to,
venturi or venturi tube (ven-tu-ri or ven- derived from, or consisting of glass. 2.
tu-ri tube) a short tube that is inserted in resembling glass. 3. fired clay.
a pipeline, that has flaring ends connected
vitreous enamel (vit-re-ous e-na-mel)
by a constricted middle section forming
1. a fired-on opaque glassy coating on
a throat that depends for operation
steel or other metals. Sometimes called
upon the fact that as the velocity of flow
porcelain enamel. 2. silicate opaque glass
of a liquid increases in the throat the
fired onto metal. 3. a glass-like surface
pressure decreases. Used for measuring the
on a plumbing fixture formed by melting
quantity. Devices for measuring airspeed,
of glass due to high temperature to cause
and for producing suction.
bonding. Provides a durable decorative
venturi effect (ven-tu-ri ef-fect) as the surface on plumbing fixtures. Sometimes
velocity (speed) of water increases, the called enamelled iron when found on
pressure decreases. The venturi effect metal fixtures.
can create a vacuum (sub-atmospheric
vitrified sewer pipe (vit-ri-fied sew-er
pressure condition) in a distribution
pipe) conduit made of fired and glazed
system. Also known as the Bernoulli’s
earthenware intended to be installed to
Principle.
receive waste or sewage.
vol. Abbr. for Volume.
162
voltage meter V.T.R.
163
W. waste, lead materials
Ww
164
waste line interceptor water closet flushing valve
waste line interceptor (waste line in-ter- water back or/front water (wa-ter back
cep-tor) a basin, or structure, installed to or/front wa-ter) 1.a reservoir at the back
prevent the passage of liquids, or semi- of a wood, or coal, range for heating and
liquids, such as oil, gasoline and grease, storing water. 2. a system of tubes often
and such solids as sand, large or small enclosed in a solid casting, placed in the
objects, precious metals, etc. from passing firebox of a wood, or oval, range on the
through the drainage or sewer system. side opposite the oven for heating water,
Shall provide a means for the removal or and connected with a storage tank separate
clean-out of the collected liquids, semi- from the range. See Waterfront.
liquids and solids.
water closet (wa-ter clos-et) a water flushed
waste pipe (waste pipe) a drain line that plumbing fixture designed to receive
carries the discharge from any fixture human excrement directly from the user
that does not contain human or animal of the fixture. The term is sometimes used
waste matter. to indicate the room or compartment
in which the fixture is located. See
waste stack (waste stack) a vertical pipe
L atrine ; R ange C loset;
receiving the discharge of waste only.
Closet Bowl; Earthenware
waste vent (waste vent) that portion of the Closet Combination; Hopper.
waste stack above the highest fixture or Abbr. WC.
waste connection into it.
water closet, back outlet closet
wastewater (waste-wa-ter) the spent combination (wa-ter clos-et, back out-
water of a community. A combination let clos-et com-bin-a-tion) a trap from the
of the liquid and the liquid carried bowl flushes into connection in wall. Bowl
waste matter from residences, factories, molded so base rests on floor.
together with any surface water and
water closet, blow-out closet bowl (wa-ter
storm water which may be present. See
clos-et blow-out clos-et bowl) blow-out
Sewage; Condensate Water;
denotes flushing action of bowl trap by
I rrigation Water ; R iver
inducing large amounts of water through
Water; Sprinkler System,
jet in trap seal.
Water.
water closet, close-coupled tank (wa-ter
water (wa-ter) the liquid that descends
clos-et, close coup-led tank) tank bolted
from the clouds as rain; forms streams,
to bowl; no interconnections such as a
lakes and seas; issues from the ground in
flush pipe or ell.
springs, and is a major constituent of all
living matter and, when pure, consists water closet, corner installation reverse
of an oxide of hydrogen H2O, in the trap closet (wa-ter clos-et, cor-ner
proportion of two atoms of hydrogen in-stall-a-tion re-verse trap clos-et)
to one atom of oxygen. It is an odorless, corner-triangular shape of flushing tank.
tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid Reverse-way trap of bowl washes.
which appears bluish in thick layers.
water closet, floor-mounted (wa-ter clos-
Freezes at 32°F (0°C), and boils at 212°F
et, floor moun-ted) outlet of bowl trap
(100°C). Has a maximum density at
empties downward through base.
39.2°F (4°C), and a high specific heat,
contains very small equal concentrations water closet flushing valve (wa-ter clos-et
of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, flush-ing valve) commonly called “ball
reacts neutrally and constitutes a poor cock”. Used to control water level in flush
conductor of electricity, a good ionizing tank by the action of rise or fall of float
agent. ball, attached to fulcrum arm to open and
close valve.
165
water closet, flush valve water gauge column
water closet, flush valve (wa-ter clos-et, water closet, wall-hung (wa-ter clos-et,
flush valve) a flushing device used in wall hung) 1. trap of bowl flushes into
toilet tanks to actuate the motion of connection in wall with special support
flushing water. to fasten toilet, as no part rests on floor.
2. a wall-mounted water closet installed
water closet, frostproof (wa-ter clos-et,
in such a way that no part of the water
frost-proof) pressurized tank and hopper
closet touches the floor.
type bowl. Trap installed below frost line.
Water to fill tank for flushing actuated by water closet, washdown (wa-ter clos-et,
movement of hopper seat. wash-down) washdown-trap in bowl
washed by flooding trap from flushing
water closet nipple (wa-ter clos-et nip-ple)
rim.
the nipple which carries the effluent from
a water closet into the waste line. Usually water-coil heater (wa-ter-coil heat-er) a
threaded on one end, plain on the other. series of pipes conveying water to which
Water closet nipple for a wall hung closet heat is applied.
is usually threaded on both ends.
water, cold (wa-ter, cold) See cold
water closet, one-piece closet combination water.
(wa-ter clos-et, one-piece clos-et comb-
water cooler (wa-ter cool-er) 1. a tank or
in-a-tion) tank and bowl molded as
container in which water is cooled, stored
one unit; the flushing device of special
and dispensed through the necessary heat
construction.
transfer equipment. 2. a tank containing
water closet, range (wa-ter clos-et, range) artificially cooled drinking water.
a battery of seats placed close together or
water distributing pipe (wa-ter dis-tri-
one continuous opening in a seat with
bu-ting pipe) a pipe within the building
all placed above a single water bearing
or on the premises which conveys water
trough, or receptacle, designed to receive
from the water service pipe to the point of
human excrement.
usage.
water closet, reverse trap combination
waterfront (wa-ter-front) a portion of a
(wa-ter clos-et, re-ver-se trap comb-
stove used to heat water; either a gravity
in-a-tion) tank and bowl referred to as
vessel, or a cored-out casting with the
combination. Reverse way trap of bowl
water under pressure. See Water-back.
washes.
water gas, carbureted or enriched (wa-ter
water closet, seat bumpers (wa-ter clos-et,
gas, car-bu-ret-ted or en-riched) blue
seat bump-ers) spacers made of rubber, or
water gas which has been enriched by
plastic, used on toilet (water closet) seats
passing it through a carburetor into which
to act as shock absorbers between the seat
gas oil is sprayed. Usually mixed with coal
and toilet.
gas to form town gas.
water closet, siphon jet closet combination
water gauge cock (wa-ter gauge cock)
(wa-ter clos-et, si-phon jet clos-et comb-
angle-type valve with a opening in the
in-a-tion) tank and bowl referred to
vertical to receive glass tube in which the
as combination. Siphon action of trap
level of liquid may be observed.
created by water jet in trap of bowl.
water gauge column (wa-ter gauge col-
water closet, siphon jet elongated closet
umn) the vertical, transparent member
bowl (wa-ter clos-et, si-phon jet e-lon-
of a water gauge in which the fluid level
ga-ted clos-et bowl) elongated pattern of
may be observed.
mold of top part of bowl. Siphon action of
trap created by jet in trap of bowl.
166
water hammer water softener
167
water supervisor welding cap
water supervisor (wa-ter su-per-vi-sor) water well casing (wa-ter well cas-ing)
the consumer or person on the premises the tube which is used to line or encase
appointed by the consumer, charged a drilled well.
with the responsibility of maintaining
W.C. Abbr. for Water Closet.
the consumer’s water system(s) free from
cross-connections and other sanitary W.C.O. Abbr. for Wall Clean Out.
defects, as required by regulations and
wedge (wedge) 1. a piece of material (as
laws.
wood or metal) tapering to a thin edge
water supplier (wa-ter sup-plier) 1. used for splitting wood, rocks, for raising
the public/private owner or operator heavy bodies and by being driven into a
of a potable water distribution system space between objects for tightening. 2. a
that supplies water to consumers in lump, or mass, of something solid. 3. the
compliance with the requirements of the type of cutting and piercing machinery
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). 2. an formerly classed as a mechanical power.
organization that is engaged in producing
wedge gate valve (wedge gate valve) a gate
and/or distributing potable water.
valve in which the sliding disc which shuts
water supply (wa-ter sup-ply) 1. the off the flow of water is in the shape of a
sources of water for public, or private, use. triangular wedge or spade. See Gate
2. the furnishing of a good, potable water Valve.
under pressure for domestic, commercial,
weeper (weep-er) See Sparge pipe.
industrial and public service and an
adequate quantity of water under pressure weir (weir) 1. a dam in a stream to raise
for fire fighting. the water level or direct its flow. 2. a
notch in a levee, or other barrier, across
water supply plaster stub opening (wa-
or bordering a stream to regulate the flow
ter sup-ply plas-ter stub open-ing) See
of water (as in time of flood). 3. a device
Fixture Opening.
for determining the quantity of the depth
water supply system (wa-ter sup-ply sys- of water over the crest, or sill, of known
tem) the water service pipe, the water dimensions of the device.
distributing pipes, and the necessary
weld (weld) the joint formed by welding.
connecting pipes, fittings, control valves,
and all appurtenances in, or adjacent to, welded joint (burned) [weld-ed joint
the building or premises. (burned)] shall be uniformly fused
together into one continuous piece. The
water test (wa-ter test) a testing procedure
thickness of the joint shall be at least as
using water to locate potential leaks, or
thick as the lead being used. The filler
defects, and to determine the soundness
metal shall be of the same material as
of a system.
the pipe.
waterborne disease (wa-ter-borne
welding (weld-ing) the art of joining metals
dis-ease) any disease that is primarily
by heating to a plastic, or fluid, state and/
transmitted through water, for example
or pounding while in contact until they
typhoid, cholera, giardiasis.
flow together and adhere with. Wthout
watertight joint (wa-ter-tight joint) See the addition of other molten metals by
sealing ring. hammering or compressing with, or
without, previous softening by heat.
water way (wa-ter way) 1. the aperature, or
passageway, through which water flows. 2. welding cap (weld-ing cap) a closure over
water way of a closet. 3. the passage way the outside end of a pipe, or tube, to seal
for waste through the water closet. same; held in place by welding.
168
weld iron wire brush
weld iron (weld i-ron) iron made without designed to accept, circulate and discharge
complete fusion. the water from the bathtub after each use.
well casing (well cas-ing) the tubular lining whiskey stick (whis-key stick) a spirit level
of a bored, or drilled, well. Usually a light usually with an alcohol filled levelling
wall steel tube. tube.
well, drilled (well, drilled) a well white metal (white met-al) 1. any of several
constructed by making a hole in the lead or tin-base bearing metals. 2. any
ground with a drilling machine of any of several white alloys. See Britania
type and installing metal casing. Metal; Pewter.
well, driven (well, driv-en) a well Whitworth thread form (whit-worth
constructed by driving a pipe into the thread form) a “V” thread form developed
ground. The drive pipe is usually fitted in Britain by Sir Joseph Whitworth in the
with a well point and screen on bottom 19th century. Used for pipe and fittings
section. in England. See British Standard
Taper Pipe Threads.
well, dug (well, dug) a well constructed
by excavating a large diameter shaft to wicking (wick-ing) 1. material made
the water table in the ground and lining especially for wicks. 2. a loosely braided,
walls with a casing of metal or masonry. or woven, cord, tape or tube of cotton.
Used for making joints tight.
well water (well wa-ter) water produced
from a well. Abbr. WW. wicking asbestos (wick-ing as-bes-tos) See
Asbestos Packing.
wet column (wet col-umn) a structural
building column beside or within which wiped joint (wiped joint) a water and/or
water, waste, and vent piping is located. gas tight joint between the ends of two
pipes, formed manually by forming and
wet standpipe (wet stand-pipe) a vertical
fusing a ball of molten solder about the
pipe that is part of a fire extinguishing,
ends of the two pipes.
or fire fighting, system containing either
chemicals or water and kept filled at all wiping cloth (wip-ing cloth) a fabric pad
times. used in forming molten solder joints.
wet vent (wet vent) a pipe vented and wiping ferrule (wip-ing fer-rule) a tube
serving as a waste for a fixture at a higher with one end equipped with a raised edge.
elevation and connected into the drain of The other end is plain. Sometimes called
a lower fixture. Any waste pipe which also a wiping sleeve.
serves as a vent, on the same floor level.
wiping sleeve (wip-ing sleeve) See
W.F. Abbr. for Wash Fountain. Wiping Ferrule.
W.H. Abbr. for Wall Hydrant. wiping solder (wip-ing sol-der) a lead
and block tin alloy of 60% lead and 40%
whirlpool bath (whirl-pool bath) a
block tin.
hospital plumbing fixture for immersion
of the extremities, or entire body, in a bath wiping thimble (wip-ing thim-ble) See
of water in rapid motion by use of water Wiping Ferrule.
jets. Abbr. WPB.
wire brush (wire brush) a hand operated,
whirlpool bathtub (whirl-pool bath- or power-driven, tool composed of wire
tub) a plumbing appliance consisting bristles set into a back, handle, or attached
of a bathtub fixture which is equipped to a roller and designed, or adapted, for
and fitted with a circular piping system, uses as scrubbing, smoothing, etc.
pump, and other appurtenances and is so
169
wire hook wye
wire hook (wire hook) a holding device wrought iron (wrought i-ron) a commercial
made of wire in a return bend shape with form of iron that is rough, malleable, and
each end bent at 90° and as sharpened relatively soft and contains less than 0.3%
as a nail. of slag mechanically mixed with it. See
Malleable Iron.
wood chisel (wood chis-el) a tool; a stiff
bar of metal sharpened at one end. It wrought iron nipple (wrought iron nip-
has a handle so that it may be pushed or ple) a malleable, steel material cut in
hammered on the other end to cut, shape short lengths (under 1 foot in length)
or sever wood. and threaded.
wool, lead (wool, lead) See Lead Wool. wrought iron pipe (wrought i-ron pipe)
form of iron, tough, malleable, soft.
wool, rock (wool, rock) See Rock
Contains a very small percentage of
Wool.
carbon and has slag mixed with it.
working pressure (work-ing pres-sure)
wrought steel nipple (wrought steel nip-
the maximum pressure in a water piping
ple) ordinary carbon steel pipe cut in
system or its appurtenances allowable
short lengths (under 1 foot in lengh) and
under normal working conditions (i.e.:
threaded.
the maximum pressure a storage tank can
be subjected to under normal working W.W. Abbr. for Well Water.
conditions).
wye (wye) a fitting that has one side
workmanship (work-man-ship) work of opening set at less than 90° angle. See
such character that will fully secure the Increaser; Reducer; Tee.
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 fittings (wrought cop-per
fit-tings) copper pipe fittings formed by
applying pressure in a die on a tube or a
flat strip of copper metal. Compare with
“cast copper fittings”. Sometimes spelled
“Wrot”.
170
X.H. X-ray developing tank
Xx
171
yard catch basin yoke vent
Yy
yard catch basin (yard catch ba-sin) an yoke (yolk) 1. the collar by which a lead
interceptor of stone, block, brick or clay pipe is secured to its support. 2. a pipe
tile construction to gather and prevent with two branches uniting them to form
large objects from entering the sewerage on stem. 3. a vertical connection between
system. a branch waste line or wet vent and a
continuous vent stack.
yard hydrant (yard hy-drant) a type of
lawn faucet. See Hydrant. yoke vent (yolk vent) 1. a vertical, or 45°,
relief vent of the continuous waste-and-
yarn (yarn) the thread in the form of a
vent type formed by the extension of an
loosely twisted aggregate of fibers (e.g. as
upright wye-branch inlet of the horizontal
of hemp, of which rope is made.)
branch to the stack. It becomes a dual
yarning iron (yarn-ing iron) 1. a blunt yoke vent when two horizontal branches
caulking iron usually with a thin offset are vented by the same relief vent. Its
blade. 2. an offset handle tool for inserting purpose is to prevent pressure changes in
and packing yarn, jute, etc., in the annulus the stacks. 2. a pipe connecting upward
of fittings, etc. from a soil, or waste stack, to a vent stack
for the purpose of preventing pressure
yellow flame burner (yel-low flame burn-
changes in the stack. Same as yoke as
er) (water heater) a burner in which
applied to vent piping.
secondary air only is depended on for the
combustion of the gas.
172
zeolite “z” wrench
Zz
zeolite (ze-o-lite) a chemical compound zone valve (zone valve) a device by which
so imperfectly bound together that its the flow of liquids, air and gas may be
composition will change in accordance started, stopped or regulated by a movable
with the concentration of chemicals part which opens ,or obstructs, passage to
in the solution in its presence. See a specific section or circuit.
Glauconite; Green Sand.
zooglea/zoogloea (zo-o-gle-a/ zo-o-gloe-a)
zone (zone) 1. any division of a planetary a jelly like matrix developed by bacteria.
surface bounded by two encircling Usually associated with activated sludge
parallels. 2. a region, or area, set off, or growths in biological beds.
characterized, as distinct from surrounding
“z” wrench (z wrench) a tool in the form of
or adjoining parts. 3. one of the sections,
a letter z. Common use is for a household
or divisions, of an area created for a
food waste disposer, unjammer.
particular purpose. 4. to surround with,
or include within, a zone or band. 5. to
arrange in, or mark off, into zones.
zone tank (zone tank) a tank connected
or intended to serve or service a specific
section or circuit.
173
About ASSE International
ASSE International is an ANSI accredited standards developer and product
certification 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
qualifications standards, professional certification 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 standards are developed and revised under the ANSI accredited
standards development process.
The ASSE Product Listing Program is an ANSI accredited third party certification
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 officials, customers
and users confidence of the product’s performance within the plumbing system
174
In addition to certifying plumbing and mechanical products, ASSE International
is also a third party certifier for professionals in the plumbing and mechanical
industries. Cross-connection control professionals, medical gas personnel and
installers/inspectors of residential potable water fire protection systems may
be certified to one or more of the standards within the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI
professional qualification standards. Each individual must pass both a written
and a practical examination on the criteria established in the course outline.
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.
175
Appendix A
Temperature Conversion Table – Fahrenheit to Celsius
°F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C
-60.0 -51.1 40.0 4.4 86.0 30.0 132 55.6 178 81.1 300 148.9
-50.0 -46.6 41.0 5.0 87.0 30.6 133 56.1 179 81.7 310 154.4
-40.0 -40.0 42.0 5.6 88.0 31.1 134 56.7 180 82.2 320 160.0
-30.0 -34.4 43.0 6.1 89.0 31.7 135 57.2 181 82.8 330 165.6
-20.0 -28.9 44.0 3.7 90.0 32.2 136 57.8 182 83.3 340 171.1
-10.0 -23.3 45.0 7.2 91.0 32.8 137 58.3 183 83.9 350 176.7
0 -17.8 46.0 7.8 92.0 33.3 138 58.9 184 84.4 360 182.2
1.0 -17.2 47.0 8.3 93.0 33.9 139 59.4 185 85.0 370 187.8
2.0 -16.7 48.0 8.9 94.0 34.4 140 60.0 186 85.6 380 193.3
3.0 -16.1 49.0 9.4 95.0 35.0 141 60.6 187 86.1 390 198.9
4.0 -15.6 50.0 10.0 96.0 35.6 142 61.1 188 86.7 400 204.4
5.0 -15.0 51.0 10.6 97.0 36.1 143 61.7 189 87.2 410 210.0
6.0 -14.4 52.0 11.1 98.0 36.7 144 62.2 190 87.8 420 215.6
7.0 -13.9 53.0 11.7 99.0 37.2 145 62.8 191 88.3 430 221.1
8.0 -13.3 54.0 12.2 100 37.8 146 63.3 192 88.9 440 226.7
9.0 -12.8 55.0 12.8 101 38.3 147 63.9 193 89.4 450 232.2
10.0 -12.2 56.0 13.3 102 38.9 148 64.4 194 90.0 460 237.8
11.0 -11.7 57.0 13.9 103 39.4 149 65.0 195 90.6 470 243.3
12.0 -11.1 58.0 14.4 104 40.0 150 65.6 196 91.1 480 248.9
13.0 -10.6 59.0 15.0 105 40.6 151 66.1 197 91.7 490 254.4
14.0 -10.0 60.0 15.6 106 41.1 152 66.7 198 92.2 500 260.0
15.0 -9.4 61.0 16.1 107 41.7 153 67.2 199 92.8 525 273.9
16.0 -8.9 62.0 16.7 108 42.2 154 67.8 200 93.3 550 287.8
17.0 -8.3 63.0 17.2 109 42.8 155 68.3 201 93.9 575 301.7
18.0 -7.8 64.0 17.8 110 43.3 156 68.9 202 94.4 600 315.6
19.0 -7.2 65.0 18.3 111 43.9 157 69.4 203 95.0 625 329.4
20.0 -6.7 66.0 18.9 112 44.4 158 70.0 204 95.6 650 334.3
21.0 -6.1 67.0 19.4 113 45.0 159 70.6 205 96.1 675 357.2
22.0 -5.6 68.0 20.0 114 45.6 160 71.1 206 96.7 700 371.1
23.0 -5.0 69.0 20.6 115 46.1 161 71.7 207 97.2 725 385.0
24.0 -4.4 70.0 21.1 116 46.7 162 72.2 208 97.8 750 39.8.9
25.0 -3.9 71.0 21.7 117 47.2 163 72.8 209 98.3 775 412.8
26.0 -3.3 72.0 22.2 118 47.8 164 73.3 210 98.9 800 426.7
27.0 -2.8 73.0 22.8 119 48.3 165 73.9 211 99.4 825 441.0
28.0 -2.2 74.0 23.3 120 48.9 166 74.4 212 100 850 454.4
29.0 -1.7 75.0 23.9 121 49.4 167 75.0 213 100.6 875 468.3
30.0 -1.1 76.0 24.4 122 50.0 168 75.6 214 101.1 900 482.2
31.0 -0.6 77.0 25.0 123 50.6 169 76.1 215 101.7 925 496.1
32.0 0 78.0 25.6 124 51.1 170 76.7 220 104.4 950 510.0
33.0 0.6 79.0 26.1 125 51.7 171 77.2 230 110.0 975 523.9
34.0 1.1 80.0 26.7 126 52.2 172 77.8 240 115.6 1000 537.8
35.0 1.7 81.0 27.2 127 52.8 173 78.3 250 121.1
36.0 2.2 82.0 27.8 128 53.3 174 78.9 260 126.7
37.0 2.8 83.0 28.3 129 53.9 175 79.4 270 132.2
38.0 3.3 84.0 28.9 130 54.4 176 80.0 280 137.8
39.0 3.9 85.0 29.4 131 55.0 177 80.6 290 143.3
176
Appendix B
General Conversion Factors
MULTIPLY BY TO OBTAIN
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
177
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.
178
MULTIPLY BY TO OBTAIN
179
Appendix C
Inches and Fractions Expressed in Decimals of a Foot
180
Appendix D
Decimal Equivalents
181
Appendix E
Equivalents of Liquid Measures and Weights
*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.
182
Appendix F
Equivalents of Pressure and Head
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.
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.
183
Appendix G
Useful Information
A gallon (U.S. Standard) of water contains A cubic foot of water contains 7.482
231 cubic inches and weighs 8.345 gallons or approximately 71/2 gallons,
pounds (avoirdupois) at maximum 1728 cubic inches, and weighs 62.428
density and at normal temperatures. pounds (avoirdupois) at maximum
density and at 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
A gallon (British Imperial) of water
contains 277.418 cubic inches and The height of a column of water necessary
weights 10.022 pounds (avoirdupois) at to produce a pressure of one pound per
maximum density. square inch is 2.309 feet.
To find British Imperial gallons, multiply To find the pressure in pounds per square
the U.S. gallons by 0.833. inch of a column of fresh water, multiply
the height in feet by 0.433.
To find U.S. gallons, multiply the British
Imperial gallons by 1.201. 1,000,000 U. S. gallons per day - 695 U.
{
S. gallons per minute.
{
Pounds per hour Pressure in Pounds Per Sq. In. x 2.31
500 x Specific gravity Head Specific Gravity
in
Pounds per minute Feet 1.13 x Inches of Mercury
8.33 x Specific gravity Specific Gravity
{
7.5
GPM x Head in Feet x Sp. Gr.
449 x Cubic feet per second 3960 x Pump Efficiency
Brake
0.0292 x Bbl. per day Horse- GPM x Pounds Per Sq. In.
power 1715 x Pump Efficiency
0.7 x Bbl. per hour (BHP)
Theoretical Horsepower
Pump Efficiency
One horsepower = 33,000 ft. pounds per minute
Area of Required Pipe, Volume and Velocity of Water Being Given = Cu. Ft. x 144
Vel. in Ft. Per Minute
2G
G = Acceleration Due to Gravity or 32.16 Feet per Second per Second.
184
Appendix H
Tables and Rules
General Data – Weight and Measures
Cubic Measure The U. S. gallon contains 231 cu. in. = .134 cu. ft. nearly: or
1 cu. ft. contains 7.480 gal. The following cylinders contain
1.728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot cu ft
the given measures very closely.
27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard cu yd
128 cubic feet = 1 cord cd
Diameter (in) Height(in)
24½ cubic feet = 1 perch P
Gill 1 /4 3 3
185
Metric and English Measures
187
Appendix I
Bibliography
188
Manual of British Water Semantics
Engineering Practice Stephen Ullman
Editor: Skeat, W. O. - 1961 Basil Blackwell
Oxford - 1967
A Practical Handbook of
Water Supply Year Books of American Society of
Dikey, F. - 2nd Edition Sanitary Engineering
London, Murby - 1950 Publisher: ASSE
Cleveland, Ohio
Public Health Engineering Abstracts
Robert A. Taft, Sanitary Plumbing
Engineering Center H. E. Babbitt - Third Edition
U.S. Dept. of Health, Education McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.
& Welfare New York, Toronto, London - 1960
c/o Superintendent of Documents
The Reader’s Digest Great
U.S. Government Printing Office
Encyclopedic Dictionary
Washington, D.C. 20025
Reader’s Digest Association
Glossary: Water and Waste Water Pleasantville, New York
Control Engineering
Building Officials Conference
Jointly prepared by an Editorial
of America
Board, representing: American Public
Homewood, Illinois
Health Assn., American Society of
Civil The Secretary’s Desk Book
Engineers, American Waterworks John C. Winston Co.
Assn. The Water Pollution Control
The American Heritage Dictionary
Federation - 1969
William Morris, Author
Water Supply Engineering Published by American Heritage
Babbitt, Harold E. and others Publishing Co., Inc. and Houghlin
6th Edition Mifflin Co.
New York - 1962 New York, New York
Water Pollution Abstracts The Solar Home Book
Department of Scientific and by Bruce Anderson with
Industrial Research Michael Riddar
Water Pollution Research Laboratories
The ASHRAE Guide
London, H. M.
Published by American Society of
A Glossary of Water and Heating, Refrigerating and Air
Sewage Terms Conditioning Engineers
World Health Organization - 1956 New York, New York
The Technical and Engineering New ASTM Standard Definition
Data Book of Terms Relating to Solar Energy
Domestic Engineering Company Conversion
Chicago, Illinois - 1962 American Society for Testing
and Materials
Uniform Plumbing Code
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 1979
International Association of Plumbing
and Mechanical Officials
1967 Edition
189
Appendix J
Contributing Authorities
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 Soffietto
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
190
Appendix K
Industry Associations and Government Agencies
191
FDA Food & Drug Administration
www.fda.gov
International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical
IAPMO
Officials
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 Certification
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
192
United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the
UA
Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States &
Canada
www.ua.org
UAC Union Affiliated 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
193
18927 Hickory Creek Drive, Suite 220
Mokena, Illinois 60448
(708) 995-3019
www.asse-plumbing.org
stores.assewebstore.com