U2

• Aspects of plumbing

  • Fixtures
  • Domestic hot water heating systems
  • Water softening systems
  • Storm piping systems for roof drainage
  • Potable water transport
  • Water used for flushing
• Plumbing


  Involves more than sinks and toilets, which are fixtures. Plumbers also design domestic hot water heating systems, water softening systems, and storm piping systems for roof drainage. Plumbing is also involved with pipelines which transport potable water we can drink, and water used for flushing
• Plumbing Materials

  • H2O
• Water

  • Called the "universal solvent" capable of dissolving more substances than any other liquid
  • About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered
  • Oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water
  • Water exists in various forms such as water vapor, rivers, lakes, icecaps, glaciers, soil moisture, and aquifers
  • Important natural resource that should be managed in a holistic and sustainable way
  • Threat of inadequate safe water supply is real
  • Water is a key development ingredient and should be made available to every human being
• RA 9275, the Philippine Clean Water Act, was enacted


  May 6, 2004
• An average of 12 persons a day (or 4,200 deaths per year) die of water-borne diseases according to the Department of Health
• Groundwater


  • Common source of water in the Philippines
  • Primarily used by 60% of households
  • In communities without piped water service, people use water from nearby "poso" or deep well
• Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: 'Signed the Philippine Clean Water Act to protect the country's water bodies from pollution'
• Potable water is stored water suitable for human consumption and has more uses than just drinking
• Potable water


  Used for preparing food or beverages, washing dishes and utensils, bathing, or any purpose that might result in the ingestion of water or its contact with the skin
• Non-potable water


  • Not suitable for human consumption but has various essential uses from plumbing to gardening applications
  • Essential for washing machine water, toilet and urinal flushing, and many other daily activities
• Potable water sources


  Largely come from deep wells tapping into the aquifer or treated surface water sources
• Non-potable water sources


  Can vary from shallower wells to recycled (reclaimed) water sources
• The most common plumbing fixtures are faucets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets. Each fixture should have a shut off valve, or stop valve, installed for each water supply line that leads to the fixture
• Non-potable water sources

  • Shallower wells that don’t meet water quality requirements
  • Recycled (or reclaimed) water sources
• Non-potable water is often a part of rainwater harvesting systems
• A pipe fitting is used in plumbing system to join multiple pipes of same size or different sizes, to regulate the flow or to measure the flow
• Plumbing Materials

  • H2O
  • uPVC
  • PPR
  • HDPE
  • PEX
  • Copper
  • GI
  • CPVC
• Harvested rainwater is suitable for any application where the water won’t be drunk
• Harvested rainwater, also known as greywater, is often utilized for tasks such as washing cars and clothes, flushing toilets, and watering gardens and crops
• Plumbing fixture is a part (such as a sink, toilet, faucet, etc.) that is attached to a system of pipes that carry water or water-carried waste through a building
• Plumbing fixtures means receptacles intended to receive and discharge water or water-carried wastes into the sewer system with which they are connected
• Water pipes have same diameter size preferences: ½ inch(15mm), ¾ inch(20mm), 1 inch(25mm), 1 ¼ inch(32mm), 1 ½ inch(40mm), 2 inch(50mm), 2 1/2 inch(63mm), 3 inch(75mm), 4 inch(100mm), 6 inch(150mm)
• For water connection, the focus is on the cold waterline. The diameter size for the main line is usually 25mm, but 32mm can be considered for water closets. For male urinals, a 25mm branch pipe may be used, and the rest can be a minimum of 15mm diameter. The least available diameter size in the market is 20mm
• Types of Pipes

  • uPVC
  • PPR
  • HDPE
  • PEX
  • Copper
  • GI
  • CPVC
• The Fixture Connection Schedule shows the preferred diameter sizes for Waste, trap, vent, and cold water line with respect to different common fixtures such as water closet, urinal lavatory, sinks, and hose Bibb
• UPVC or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride is a type of PVC produced without any added plasticizers. UPVC pipes are known for their long lifespan, durability, and ease of maintenance
• uPVC stands for Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride. It has no added plasticizers, a long lifespan, low maintenance, easy to install, affordable, lightweight, and a standard length of 3m. It must comply with PNS 65 and ISO 1452 for quality, pressure rating, and dimensions. It is Schedule 40
• Factors affecting UPVC pipes lifespan

  • Exposure to sunlight
• Waterline pipes and fittings must comply with both local (PNS 65) and international standards for quality, pressure rating, thickness, and dimensions
• UPVC pipes


  • Known for their long lifespan
  • Known for low maintenance requirements and affordability
  • Have smooth inner surfaces to prevent contaminant build-up
  • Extremely lightweight compared to metal, concrete, and other plastic pipes
  • Come in a variety of thicknesses, with Schedule 40 being common for water distribution pipes
• Standard length for PVC water pipes is 3 meters excluding the hub, with the total length of the pipe (including the hub) needing to be more than 3 meters
• UPVC pipes allow up to 20% better water flow and less operating expense due to following ISO 1452 prescribed dimensions
• UPVC pipes are pressure-tested against ISO 1452 standards to ensure no water pipe failure, leaks, and breakage
• Plasticizers added to soften PVC material


  Plasticizers are added to soften the PVC material which is otherwise hard
• PPR pipes are better for water supply piping, high-strength, and have excellent processing performance
• PPR pipes


  • Suitable for cold and hot water pressurized plumbing and mechanical systems
  • Good corrosion resistance, sanitation, and non-toxicity
  • Small expansion force and firm connection
  • Mainly available in white, gray, green, and yellow colors
  • Green PPR pipes have a longer lifespan and prioritize health and safety
  • Pricey
• Waterline fittings

  • Ball Valve
  • Coupling and coupling reducer
  • 45 and 90 degree Elbow
  • End Cap
  • Cross tee, Equal Tee, Reducer Tee
  • Female and Male Adapter
  • Female Elbow and Tee
  • Bushing Reducer
  • Union Patente
  • Compression Coupling
• PPR pipes have good creep resistance at higher temperatures and the unique advantage of high transparency of random copolymer polypropylene
• The quality of PPR water pipes is not related to the color