BUILDING UTILITIES 01 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE PLUMBING CODE

REVIEWER

PLUMBING DEFINITION
1. All premises intended for human use or habitation
the art and technique of installing pipes, fixtures, shall
and other apparatuses in buildings for bringing in the be provided with a supply of pure and wholesome
supply of liquids, substances and/or ingredients and water,
removing them; and such neither connected to unsafe water supply nor
water, liquid and other carried- wastes hazardous to subject to
health, sanitation, life and property; also the backflow or back- siphonage.
pipes and fixtures after installation i.e., the 2. Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances
‘plumbing system shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume and
pressure adequate to function satisfactorily and
History of plumbing practices in the Philippines without undue noise.
In 1902, the Plumbing Trade was duly recognized by 3. Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use
the government in the City of Manila. Master the minimum quantity of water consistent with
Plumber John F. Haas became the first Chief of the proper performance and cleaning.
Division of Plumbing Construction and Inspection. A 4. Devices for heating and storing water shall be so
Plumbing Code based on the Plumbing Code of the designed and installed as to prevent dangers from
United States was incorporated into the Building explosion through overheating.
Code for the City of Manila. 5. Every building abutting on a street, alley or
easement with a public sewer shall connect its
In 1935, the National Master Plumbers Association plumbing fixtures to the sewer system.
of the Philippines (NAMPAP) was formally organized 6. Each family dwelling unit shall have at least one
water closet, one kitchen type sink, a lavatory and a
Manila City Ordinance 2411, the “Plumbing Code for bathtub or shower to meet the basic requirements
the City of Manila” was enacted and placed under of sanitation and personal hygiene.
the Department of Public Services, Manila. 7. Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-
absorbent material, free from concealed fouling
In 1954, the Third Congress approved House Bill No. surfaces and shall be located in ventilated enclosures.
962 which in June 18, 1955, became R.A. 1378 8. The drainage system shall be designed,
“Plumbing Law of the Philippines” upon ratification constructed and maintained to safeguard against
of President Ramon Magsaysay. fouling, deposit of solids, clogging and with adequate
cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily
On January 28, 1959, the National Plumbing Code of cleaned.
the Philippines prepared by NAMPAP was 9. All piping shall be of durable NAMPAP-APPROVED
promulgated and approved by Malacañang. materials, free from defective workmanship,
designed and constructed by Registered Master
Before Martial Law in 1972, Republic Act No. 6541 Plumbers to ensure satisfactory service.
otherwise known as the “Building Code of the 10. Each fixture directly connected to the drainage
Philippines” was passed with the “National Plumbing system shall be equipped with a water-sealed trap.
Code of 1959” as referral code in full text. The 11. The drainage pipes piping system shall be
designed to provide adequate circulation of air free
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) adopted from siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals
the Revised Plumbing Code of 1999 which President under ordinary use.
Joseph Estrada approved December 21, 1999 12. Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air and
pursuant to Section 4 of R.A. 1378 known as the installed to prevent clogging and the return of foul
Plumbing Law. air to the building.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide.
THE WATER CYCLE COAGULATION & PRECIPITATION- Addition of
EVAPORATION - is the process that changes liquid coagulants. Such as ferrous sulfate and lime, to the
water to gaseous water (water vapor) water which cause the larger suspended particles to
CONDENSATION - is the process by which water form a gelatinous mass which precipitates readily.
vapor in the air is changed into liquid water; The precipitate is gathered in large dumps and
PRECIPITATION- is water that falls from the disposed of.
atmosphere to the Earth's surface. FILTRATION- Water is passed through layers of sand
and gravel in concrete basins in order to
SOURCE OF WATER remove the finer suspended particles.
FOR DOMESTIC USE: SEDIMENTATION- Water is passed through basins
RAIN WATER, NATURAL SURFACE WATER, GROUND so sediments can settle through a period of time.
WATER, CHLORINATION- Water is injected with hypo-chlorite
WATER PROBLEMS or chlorine gas to kill the harmful bacteria.
1. ACIDITY- entrance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. WELL & PUMPS
2. HARDNESS- presence of magnesium and calcium TYPES OF WELLS
salts. SHALLOW WELLS AND DEEP WELLS
3. TURBIDITY- silt or mud in surface or in ground. INDIVIDUAL WELL SPRINGS:
4. COLOR - presence of iron and manganese. DUG WELL- Most common type
5. POLLUTION- contamination by organic matter or Usually dug manually
sewage. Around 15 m deep
REASON FOR TREATMENT Individual Well Springs:
1. CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM- Produces hardness. ak.a. ‘shallow well’
2. SULFUR- bad taste, highly corrosive BORED WELL- Similar to dug well, but constructed
3. IRON- stains clothing & plumbing using an auger driven in by hand or with power tools
fixtures,interferes with water softeners, iron JETTED WELL
bacteria clogs pipes. Use of extreme water pressure so as not to
4. PATHOGENIC GERMS- Unhealthy; may cause affect existing foundations in the vicinity
poliomyelitis. Used only where ground is relatively soft,
5. ACID- Highly corrosive, picks up lead, stains hence sometimes referred to as
clothing. “Sand-Point Wells”
6. ALGAE- bad taste and odor. Seldom hand driven below 15 meters,
METHOD OF TREATMENT but can reach 40+ meters with power tools
1. CARBON DIOXIDE, HYDROGEN SULFIDE - aeration DRIVEN WELL
2. SUSPENDED MATERIAL - Coagulation & settling Dug with a sharp pointed hollow slotted iron rod and
process. well screen.
3. BACTERIA- chemicals & sand filtration. Depths are from 10-15 meters.
4. CALCIUM &MAGNESIUM- addition of water DRILLED WELLS
softeners. Used for drilling oil
5. IRON- Iron filters Can reach up to 1000 m
6. SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION
7. SULFUR- chlorination. SEPTIC TANK & LIVESTOCK FEEDLOTS- Location
8. PATHOGENIC GERMS- Disinfection. should be 100 ft. Away from such pollution sources
9. ACID- Marble or Limestone Filtration METHODS OF WELL SCREENING
PURIFICATION OF WATER Well screens are made of non-corrosive material like
AERATION- spraying the water into the atmosphere brass.
through jets or passing it over rough surfaces to Natural material like stones and rock sediment
remove entrained noxious gases such as provide additional screening
BASIC TYPES OF PUMP WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
PISTON PUMPS - Water is sucked into a sealed DIRECT PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION - Water is obtained
vacuum by use of a piston. through a large intake Installed on the lake basin &
Single Action (water is drawn extended into deep water.
in with only 1 motion) or INDIRECT PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION- Water is taken
Double Action (water is drawn form a drilled well or underground water.
in with either stroke) Involves individual special mechanical
Equipment.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS - Water is drawn into the COLD WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
pump & discharged with a centrifugal force. TYPES OF COLD WATER DISTRIBUTION STSYTEM
(UPFEED SYSTEM)
RECIPROCATING PUMPS- piston pumps that operate DIRECT UPFEED - Water is provided by the city water
with controlled speed. The discharge from a companies using normal pressure from public water
reciprocating pump is pulsating and changes only main.
when the speed of the pump is changed. Sometimes AIR PRESSURE SYSTEM (PNEUMATIC)- When
an air chamber is introduced to regulate the pressure supplied by city water supply is not strong
pulsation. enough Compressed air is used to raise and
JET PUMPS - Jet pumps are centrifugal pumps push water into the system.
typically used for drawing water up DOWNFEED (OVERHEADFEED) OR GRAVITY SYSTEM
from a well. There are four types of Jet Pumps: Water is pumped into a large tank on top of the
Deep well Jet Pumps are used in high volume building and is distributed to the fixtures by means
applications. of gravity.
Shallow well Jet Pumps are used for residential wells HOT WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (WITHIN
Convertible Jet Pumps can be used for deep wells BUILDING)
and shallow wells UPFEED AND GRAVITY RETURN SYSTEM -
Miniature Jet Pumps are used for small applications. With a continuing network of pipes to provide
SUMP PUMPS - Sump pumps are used in applications constant circulation of water.
where excess water must be Hot water rises on its own & does not need any
pumped away from a particular area. Sump pumps, pump for circulation.
in general, is a category that encompasses a number Hot water is immediately drawn form the fixture any
of styles of pumps that are used to pump out time.
collected fluid. Provided economical circulating return of unused
TYPES OF TANKS FOR DOMESTIC USE hot water.
OVERHEAD TANKS - -Does not have any pressure Larger pipe is installed at the top of the riser & the
concerns but relies on gravity to supply water to diminishing sizes passes through the lower floors of
fixtures below. the building.
CISTERN - Usually built of reinforced concrete DOWNFEED AND GRAVITY RETURN SYSTEM - Hot
underground and connected with a pump. water rises on to the highest point of the plumbing
PRESSURE TANKS, HOT WATER TANKS system and travels to the fixtures via gravity (closed
TYPES OF TANKS pipe system)
GRAVITY SUPPLY TANK - Used in overhead feed Water distribution is dependent on the expansion of
system. hot water & gravity.
PNEUMATIC WATER TANKS - Used in the air pressure Larger pipe is installed at the bottom of the riser &
system, often used with a pump. the diminishing sizes passes through the upper
TYPES OF HOT WATER TANKS floors of the building.
RANGE BOILER - Small hot water tank (30-60 cm PUMP CIRCUIT SYSTEM - For a more efficient
diameter; 180cm max length) circulation of hot water to the upper floor
STORAGE BOILER - Large hot water tank (60-130 cm levels of multi-storey buildings.
in diameter; 5m max length)
2 TYPES OF WATER HEATING SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO FLUSHING ACTION
HOT WATER SPACE HEATING SYSTEM- Water is WASH DOWN- Flushes through a simple
confined within a system at low temperature. wash down action
HOT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM - Not a closed system Discharges waste into a trapway located at the front
which operate on much higher Temperature. of the bowl - Has a bulge on the front.
Has a small amount of standing water
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM Cost less but is least efficient and noise.
REVERSE TRAP- Flushes through a siphon
action created in the trapway.
SOURCE OF WATER - Elevated water tank and
SIPHON JET- Has a larger trapway
underground water reservoir.
making it less likely to clog
TYPES OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Quieter flushing action
DRY STANDPIPE SYSTEM- No longer being utilized in
Retains a large amount of standing water.
new buildings, provided other systems are employed
DIRECT FLUSH VALVE- flushing action is obtained
(otherwise must be installed in buildings 4 levels
directly from a flush valve connected into the bowl.
or more)
OTHER TYPES OF WC
The standpipe is a pipe installed in buildings not as
SQUAT TYPE AND WASHOUT
part of the water supply or waste disposal system
but primarily for use as water conveyor in case of fir.
WAKO KASABOT NGANONG DAGHAN KAAYO NI
WET STANDPIPE SYSTEM- a piping network (line is
ANSWERAN, DI NAKO.
directly connected to the main water line) connects
NGANONG NG ARKI MAN KO? SYEMPRE KAI LINGAW
to all levels of a building (at least 1 standpipe on
MAN HAYTSSSSSS WAY TULOG MOMENTS.
each level). Wet standpipes shall be constructed of
wrought iron or galvanized steel.
WET STANDPIPE SYSTEM WITH SIAMESE
CONNECTION- a piping network directly connected
to the main water line, connects to all levels of a
building; additionally, a Siamese Connection is
located outside the building for additional water
supply.
AUTOMATIC/ SPRINKLE SYSTEM- There are two
general types of Automatic Sprinkler Systems: the
Automatic Wet and Automatic Dry.

PLUMBING FIXTURES
Receptacles which are used to provide, receive
and discharge water, liquid and water-carried
wastes into a drainage system with which they
are connected to.
SOIL FIXTURES- Water closet center to side wall:
minimum of 0.375 m
Water closet center to WC center: minimum of 0.75.
TYPES ACCORDING TO FLUSHING-
FLUSH TANK WATER CLOSETS
DIRECT FLUSH VALVE- -Flushing action can be
obtained directly from a flush valve connected into
the bowl.