PLUMBING TERMS

Air admittance valve Also known as a cheater vent; is a device that allows air
to enter the drainage system, but stops sewer gasses from leaving. Although these
are acceptable in some circumstances; such as an island vent, they are frowned
upon, hence the name cheater vent.
Air gap Means the vertical distance between the water supply outlet and the
flood level rim of the fixture it discharges into. Example: distance between the
faucet and the top of the sink.
Auxiliary water supply A water supply that is in addition to the primary supply.
Example: your home is connected to municipal water supply and you also have well
water available.
Backflow System water is going in the opposite direction from normal flow.

Backflow preventer A device or other means, installed in the

piping system to prevent backflow. Examples: check valve, double
check valve, reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, air
gap.
Back-siphonage negative pressure in the piping system which results in
backflow. Commonly prevented with a vacuum breaker or air gap.
Backwater valve Used in drainage systems to prevent backflow.
Bathroom group Term to describe the common bathroom. One toilet, one sink,
one bathtub/shower.
Building drain The lowest drain pipe in your system also known as the Main
drain.
Building trap A trap installed in the building drain to prevent air from circulating
between the public sewer and private sewer.

Check valve A device that allow flow in only one direction.

Cleanout A fitting installed in the drainage pipe to allow cleaning and inspection.
Dead end a pipe that is capped off.
Drainage system All of the pipes, fittings and fixtures that waste water drains
into.
Dry fit - Coupling pipes together without any glue or solder to ensure a proper fit.
Emergency floor drain A floor drain that is not expected to be regularly used.
Fixture Anything that discharges sewage or clear water waste. Example: Sink,
water closet, bath tub, floor drain or washing machine.
Fixture drain The section of pipe between the trap serving a fixture and another
part of the drainage system.
Fixture outlet pipe The pipe that connects the fixture to the trap.
Fixture unit A theoretical measurement of the amount water a fixture will need
supplied and is likely to discharge to the drainage system.
Flood level rim The level of a fixture where water will begin to overflow.
Indirect service water heater A water heater that is heated with steam, hot
water, or warm air from another source. Example: a coil from a hot water boiler
heats the water.
Indirectly connected Has a physical separation. Example: a boiler drain which
terminates above a floor drain.
Individual vent A vent pipe that vents only one fixture.

Offset The term used to describe a pipe that connects two parallel pipes. Some
offsets in a drainage system may require an offset relief vent.
Potable Means water that is safe to drink.
Relief vent An additional vent to increase air flow in a branch or stack.
Riser A water supply pipe that goes through at least 1 story.
Sanitary building drain A building drain that carries sewage from the upper
most water closet(toilet).
Service water heater A water heater that heats the water independently of
other heat sources. Example: electric water heater.
Sewage Waste water that is not clear water or storm water. Water discharged
from a kitchen sink is considered sewage.
Soil-or-waste pipe A pipe that carries sewage in the sanitary drainage system.
Soil-or-waste stack A soil-or-waste pipe that goes through one or more stories.
Stack vent A vent pipe that extends from the top of a soil-or-waste stack and
connects to vent header or terminates outside.
Story The vertical distance between two floors.
Subsoil drainage pipe An under ground pipe designed to convey ground water
away from a structure. Also known as weeping tile.
Trap A fitting or piping arrangement
designed to prevent gasses from entering
the home; by keeping a section of the pipe
filled with liquid.

Trap arm The section of pipe between the vent and the trap weir.
Trap dip The top of the bottom part of the trap...See picture above.
Trap seal depth The vertical distance between the trap dip and the trap weir.
Trap weir The point on a trap where water will begin to flow down the trap arm.
Vent header A vent that connects stack vents and vent stacks to outside air.
Vent stack A vent pipe that is connected to a soil-or-waste stack below the
lowest soil-or-waste pipe connection and terminates outside or connects to a vent
header.
Venting system The pipes and fitting that provide air circulation for the drainage
system.
Water distribution system All of the pipes and devices that provide water to
the fixtures.
Water service pipe The water supply pipe to a building.
Wet vent A soil-or-waste pipe that is also a vent. Wet vents are sized to allow for
air and water to occupy the pipe.