HISTORY OF PLUMBING PRACTICE

 Governor General Harrison – issued a letter of proposal for proper waste disposal.
 1902 – the plumbing trade was duly recognized by the government.
 John F, Hass – first Chief of the Division of Plumbing Construction and Inspection.
 1935 – NAMPAP has been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
 NAMPAP – National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines
 City Ordinance 2411 – Plumbing Code for the City of Manila
 1954 – the Third Congress approved the third reading of House Bill No. 962.
 Republic Act No. 1378 – Plumbing Law of the Philippines signed by Pres. Magsaysay.
 January 28, 1959 – Plumbing Code was promulgated and approved by Malacanang.
 NAWASA – National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority
 1966-1969 – Examiners and NAMPAP prepared a curriculum for Plumbing Engineering.
 Feati University – Plumbing Engineering was first introduced.
 November 28, 1967 – First Amendment to the Plumbing Code was approved (inclusion
of Asbestos Cement Pipe as approved plumbing material)
 Republic Act No. 6541 – Building Code of the Philippines
 Jaime M. Cabase – spearheaded the updating of the Revised Plumbing Code in 1996.
 December 21, 1999 – Section 4 of R.A. 1378 was approved by Pres. Estrada.
 July 1956 – First licensure examination for master plumbers
 February 23, 1994 – First fully computerized examination for master plumbers

BOARD OF MASTER PLUMBERS (Present)

 Valentino M. Mangila – Chairman
 Pedrito D. Camilet, Jr.
 Prospero A. Abellano

BOARD OF MASTER PLUMBERS (1955)

 Jesus Tanghal Dera – Chairman
 Eusebio N. Salazar
 Fernando R. Solis

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THE 22 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PLUMBING
1. All premises shall be provided with a supply of pure and wholesome water.
2. Plumbing fixtures shall be supplied with water of sufficient volume and adequate
pressure.
3. Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water.
4. Devices shall be so designed and installed to prevent from explosion.
5. Every building shall be connected to the sewer system.
6. Each family dwelling unit shall have one water closet, one kitchen sink, a lavatory, a
bathtub or shower.
7. Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth non-absorbent material and be located in
ventilated enclosures.
8. The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained and with
adequate cleanouts.
9. All pipings shall be made of NAMPAP approved materials.
10. Each fixture shall be equipped with a water sealed trap.
11. The drainage piping system shall be designed to provide adequate circulation of air.
12. Vent terminals shall extend to the outer air.
13. Plumbing systems shall be subjected to tests to effectively disclose leaks and defects.
14. No substance which will clog or destroy the pipes shall be allowed.
15. Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination.
16. No water closet shall be located in a room which is not properly ventilated and
lighted.
17. Suitable provision shall be made for disposing of building sewage if there is no
available sewer.
18. Suitable provision shall be made to prevent from backflow of sewage.
19. Plumbing systems shall be maintained by Registered Master Plumbers.
20. All plumbing fixtures must be properly spaced.
21. Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to preservation of strength and
prevention of damage of other structural members.
22. Sewage that are deleterious shall not be discharged into the ground or into any
waterway.

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CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION
Section 100 – Permit Required

 Permits shall be secured from the Office of the Building Official under the DPWH and
DILG or City Mayors.
 It is unlawful to do or work without any permits.

Section 101 – To whom Permits may be issued

 Registered and Licensed Master Plumber only

Section 102 – Application for Permit

 Master Plumbers shall file the application.

 Every application shall:
o Identify and describe the plumbing work
o Describe the land upon which the proposed plumbing work is to be done
o Indicate the use or occupancy
o Be accompanied with plans, drawings, computations and specifications
o Give other required data and information
o Be signed by Owner or permitee (with evidence of authority)
o Be signed and sealed by Master Plumber
 Plans and Specification shall be submitted in six (6) sets
 Plans and Specification shall be drawn to scale and of sufficient clarity.
 Technical specifications shall comply with the Building and Plumbing Codes.

Section 103 – Permit Issuance

 Documents filed shall be received and reviewed by the Administrative Authority, and if
it conforms with the requirements, they would issue the permit.
 Permits shall be endorsed in writing or stamp as “APPROVED”.
 The Administrative Authority may issue a partial permit for a part of a large plumbing
system. The holder may proceed at his own risk without guarantee that the final permit
will be granted.
 One (1) set of plans and specifications shall be retained by the Administrative Authority.
Two (2) sets shall be returned to the Master Plumber and Owner, and one (1) set shall
be kept at the jobsite.
 Issuance of permit shall not be used as permit to violate any provision and shall not
prevent the Authority to correct errors and to stop on-going installations.
 Plumbing permit shall expire if work is not commenced within one (1) year and 120 days
if the work is suspended or abandoned.
 Renewal of plumbing permit shall cost one-half of the original fee.
 The Administrative Authority may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit when a
violation occurs.

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Section 104 – Application for Existing Plumbing System

 Additions, alterations and repairs may be made to any existing plumbing system.
 Plumbing systems shall comply with all requirements of the Code applicable to the
change of occupancy.
 All plumbing systems shall be maintained in proper operating condition. The owner or
his designated agent shall be responsible and the Authority may have re-inspection of
any plumbing system.
 Plumbing systems which are part of buildings in one place and moved into another shall
comply with the provisions for new installation.

Section 105 – Inspections

 All plumbing systems shall be inspected by the Administrative Authority.

 All Administrative Plumbing Personnel and Plumbing Inspector shall be a Registered and
Licensed Master Plumber.
 Plumbing accessory installed to replace an existing may be operated when a request for
inspection is filed not more than 72 hours after the work is completed.
 All plumbing systems shall be tested and approved.
 The Administrative Authority requires that every request for inspection be filed three
(3) working days before such inspection is intended. The request shall be signed by the
Owner and the Master Plumber (Contractor).
 A fee will be charged on the Applicant for each inspection or re-inspection when it is
called for yet incomplete.
 Re-inspection fees are for practices of calling inspections before the job is ready.
 Re-inspection fees are to be charged when the approved plans are not available, for
failure to provide access and facility, or for deviating from plans that are not yet approve.
 The applicant shall file an application and pay the fee to obtain re-inspection.

Section 106 – Connection Approval

 No person shall install connections to any water supply line, sewer or storm drain
systems without any required permits and approval by the Administrative Authority.
 Administrative authority will endorse the issuance of temporary connections of the
plumbing equipment for the purpose of testing the equipment.

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Section 107 – Special Provisions

 All Licensed Master Plumbers shall secure for themselves a seal of the standard size and
type as required. The seal shall be inscribed with:
o Registered and Licensed Master Plumber at upper portion of the round seal
o Name of Registered Master Plumber at the upper center
o The registration number at the center below the name
o Philippines, at the lower portion of the round seal.

Section 108 – Plumbing Fixtures Required

 Each building shall be provided with sanitary facilities with best practice for mobility of
disabled persons.

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CHAPTER 3 – GENERAL REGULATIONS
Section 301 – Disposal of Wastewaters

 It shall be unlawful to dispose sewage or waste water in any place except through
approved Excreta and Storm Drainage System.

Section 302 – Grade of Horizontal Drainage Piping

 Horizontal drainage pipes shall have a uniform slope of not less than 20 mm/m or 2%.
 If it is impracticable to obtain a 2% slope, any such piping of 102 mm or larger in
diameter may have a slope of 10 mm/m or 1%.

Section 303 – Changes in Direction of Drainage Flow

 Changes in direction of drainage piping shall be made with the use of 22 1/2° bend, 45°
bend or 60° bend or other approved fittings of longer sweeps.
 Horizontal drainage lines connecting to a vertical stack shall enter through 45° or 60°
wye branches, combination wye and 1/8 bend branches, sanitary tee or other approved
fittings of longer sweeps.
 Nominal pipe sizes for horizontal drainage lines are: 51, 63, 76, 89, 102, 114, 127, 152
mm.
 Horizontal drainage lines connecting to other horizontal drainage lines shall enter
through 45° wye branches, combination wye and 1/8 bend branches or other approved
fittings of longer sweep.
 Vertical drainage lines connecting to horizontal drainage line shall enter through 45°
branches or other approved fitting of longer sweep. Sixty (60) degree branches or offsets
may be used when installed in true vertical position.

Section 304 – Connections to Plumbing System Required

 All plumbing fixtures shall be connected properly to the drainage systems.

Section 305 – Sewer Required

 Every building shall have a sewer service connection.

 When sewer is not available, excreta drainage pipes shall be connected to an approved
Private Sewage Disposal System.

Section 306 –Damage to Drainage System or Public Sewer

 It shall be unlawful to deposit any flammable, poisonous, explosive, etc. things that
could damage the drainage system or public sewer.
 Rainwater drains shall discharge outside of the building and shall not be connected to
the soil and waste water pipe systems.

Section 307 – Industrial Wastes

 Wastes detrimental to the public sewer system shall be treated and disposed.

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  Sewage or other waste which may be deleterious shall not be discharged into the ground
or any waterway unless treated.

Section 308 – Location

 No plumbing system shall be located in any lot other than the lot where the building is
served by such facilities.
 No subdivision, sale or transfer of ownership of existing property shall be made if the
requirements of this Code are impaired.

Section 309 – Improper Location

 Plumbing elements shall not be located to interfere with the normal operation of other
structural facilities.

Section 310 – Workmanship

 All designs, construction and workmanships shall be in conformity with accepted

engineering practices and shall be of such character accepted by this Code.
 It shall be unlawful to conceal crack, hole or other imperfections by welding, brazing or
soldering the defects.
 Burred ends of all pipes and tubings shall be reamed and all chips left inside shall be
removed.

Section 311 – Prohibited Fittings and Practices

 Prohibited to be used as drainage fitting:

o Double hub fitting for lead-caulked joint
o Single or double tee branch
o Single or double tapped tee branch
o Side inlet quarter bend
o Running thread
o Band or saddle
 Double hub sanitary tapped tee may be used on vertical lines as fixture connection.
 No drainage or vent piping shall be drilled and tapped and no cast iron soil pipe shall be
threaded.
 No waste connection shall be made to a closet bend or stub of a water closet.
 No vent pipe shall be used as soil or waste pipe and vice versa. Single drainage and
venting systems with unvented branch lines are prohibited.
 No fitting, fixture and piping connections which obstructs the flow of water shall be used
unless acceptable in this Code. The enlargement of a 76-mm closet bend or stub to 102-
mm diameter shall not be considered.
 Except for necessary use of gate and check valves, the points of connections shall be
confined.
 All valves, pipes and fittings shall be installed in correct relationship to the direction of
flow.

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Section 312 – Independent System

 The drainage system shall be separate and independent. Every building shall have an
independent connection with a private or public sewer.

Section 313 – Repairs and Alterations

 Deviations from the provision of this Code is permitted, provided that these are
necessary and first approved by the Administrative Authority.
 Existing building sewer and building drain may be used only when they are conforming
in all aspects.
 No buildings or part of it shall be erected on places over any existing drainage system.
 All openings into a sanitary drainage and vent system shall be permanently plugged or
capped in an approved manner.

Section 314 – Protection of Piping, Materials and Structures

 All piping passing under or through walls shall be protected with embedded metal pipe
sleeves.
 All pipes passing under or through cinders or other corrosive materials shall be
protected by encasing same with polyethylene sheath.
 Void between pipes and sleeves through concrete floors shall be sealed with bitumen.
 All pipes shall be installed that it won’t be exposed to undue strains or stresses and
provisions shall be made for pipe expansion, contraction and bending.
 No structural member shall be seriously weakened by cutting and notching due to pipe
installation.
 The bottom of all pipe trenches deeper than the footing of any adjacent structure and
parallel to it must be at least forty-five (45) degrees.
 No building sewer or drainage piping shall be installed under or within 0.6 meter of any
building, nor less than 0.3 meter below the finish ground surface.
 Pipe surfaces subject to undue corrosion, erosion or mechanical damage shall be
protected with manners such as:
o Inside lining
o Outside coating
o Proper bottom bedding and top shielding with concrete blocks

Section 315 – Hangers and Supports

 Vertical Piping shall be secured at sufficiently closed intervals to keep the pipes in
alignment and to carry its weight and contents.
 Stacks shall be supported at their base as follows:
o Cast iron soil pipe shall be supported at every story or closer.
o Screwed pipe shall be supported at not less than every other story height.
o Copper tubing shall be supported at each story or at maximum 3 meters on
center.
o Lead pipe shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 1.20 meters on center.
o Plastic pipe shall be supported at every one (1) meter interval.

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  Horizontal pipes shall be supported at sufficiently close intervals to keep them in
alignment and prevent sagging.
 Suspended cast iron soil pipe shall be supported at not more than 1.5 m interval. Pipes
exceeding 1.5 m length may be supported at not more than 3 m interval.
 Supports shall be adequate and shall be placed within 0.45 m of the hub or joint.
 Hubless or compression gasket joints must be supported at every other joint except
when the developed length between supports exceed 1.2 m, it shall be at each joint.
 Screwed pipe shall be supported at approximately 3.0 m intervals for piping 19 mm
diameter and smaller, and 3.6 m intervals for piping 25 mm diameter and larger.
 Copper tubing shall be supported at approximately 1.8 m intervals for piping 38 mm
diameter and smaller and 3.0 m intervals for 51 mm diameter and larger.
 Lead pipe shall be supported by stiff metal or wooden backing for its entire length with
hangers properly spaced.
 Piping buried in the ground shall be laid on a firm bed for its entire length.
 Plastic tube shall be supported by stiff metal or wood backing with hangers in its entire
length for 38 mm diameter smaller pipes and without backings but with spaced hangers
for larger-size pipes.
 Hangers and anchors shall be of sufficient strength to maintain their proportional share
with the weight of the pipe and its content.
 All pipes, fixtures and equipment shall be adequately anchored or supported.

Section 316 – Trenching, Excavation and Backfill

 Tunnels shall have a clear height of 0.6 m above the pipe and shall be limited in length
to one-half (1/2) the depth of the trench with max length at 2.4 m.
 The driven pipe shall be at least one pipe size larger than the pipe to be laid.
 All excavations required for the installation of a drainage system shall be open trench
work and be kept open until piping has been inspected, tested and accepted.
 All excavations shall be completely backfilled and properly compacted as soon as
possible. Trenches shall be backfilled in layers of 0.3 m above the top of the pipe with
clean earth.

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CHAPTER 4 – PLUMBING FIXTURES
Section 401 – Materials – General Requirements

 Plumbing fixtures shall be made of dense, durable, non-absorbent materials and must
have smooth, impervious surfaces, free from unnecessary concealed fouling surfaces.
 All fixtures shall conform in quality and design to approved and acceptable standards.
 All porcelain enamel surfaces on plumbing fixtures shall be acid-resistant.
 Water closet bowls for public use shall be the elongated bowl types with open front
seats.

Section 402 – Materials – Alternatives

 Special-use fixtures may be made of soapstone, chemical stoneware or lined with lead,
copper base alloy, corrosion-resisting steel etc.
 Restaurant kitchen sinks may be made of approved bonderized and galvanized sheet
steel of not less than Gauge No. 16 or 16 mm thick.

Section 403 – Overflows

 For fixtures with an overflow outlet, the waste shall be arranged that the standing water
cannot rise inside the overflow way when the stopper is closed nor remain in the
overflow way when the fixture is empty.
 The overflow pipe shall be connected to the inlet side of the fixture trap.

Section 404 – Strainers and Connections

 All plumbing fixtures shall be equipped with approved strainers having an approved
waterway area.
 Strainers serving shower drains shall have a water way equivalent to the area of the
tailpiece.
 Fixtures having concealed slip joint connections shall be provided with an access panel
or utility at least 0.3 m in its least dimension and be arranged as readily accessible.
 Continuous waste and fixture tailpiece shall be constructed with materials specified in
this Code for drainage piping, provided such connections are accessible and be made of
seamless drawn brass not less than 0.8 mm in thickness.
 Each tailpiece or waste and overflow shall:
o not be less than 38 mm O.D. for sinks, dishwashers, laundry tubs, bathtubs.
Urinals
o not less than 32 mm O.D. for lavatories, drinking fountains
 Approved directional-type branch fittings shall be installed in all continuous waste
connecting and receiving the discharge from forced-discharge fixtures.

Section 405 – Prohibited Fixtures

 Use of water closets having invisible seals or unventilated space or having walls not
thoroughly washed out shall be prohibited.
 Trough urinals are prohibited.

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  Drinking fountains shall not be installed inside public toilet rooms.
 Fixed wooden, concrete or tile wash trays or sinks for domestic use and dry or chemical
closet (toilet) shall not be installed in any building for human habitation.
 No sheet metal lined wooden bathtubs shall be installed.

Section 406 – Special Fixtures and Specialties

 Baptistries, ornamental and lily ponds, aquaria, ornamental fountain basins when
provided with potable water supply shall be protected from back-siphonage.
 Sacrarium cupsink at church altar and baptistries shall discharge directly to the ground
and not to the sanitary drainage system.
 Specialties requiring water supply and waste discharge connection shall be approved by
the Administration Authority.

Section 407 – Installation

 Plumbing fixture shall be installed in a manner to provide easy access for repair and
cleaning.
 The joint between the fixture and the wall or floor shall be made watertight.
 Floor outlet or floor mounted fixtures shall be rigidly secured on the drainage
connection and floor.
 Wall-hung fixtures shall be rigidly supported by metal supporting members or chairs to
avoid bending or pullout strain on walls.
 No water closet or bidet shall be set closer than 0.375 m center to center to any side of
the wall nor closer than 0.75 m center to center to any similar fixture.
 No urinal shall be set closer than 0.3 m center to center to any sidewall nor closer than
0.6 m center to center.
 The supply lines or fittings shall be installed to prevent backflow.

Section 408 – Urinals

 An approved type vacuum breaker shall protect every water supply to a urinal from
backflow.
 Tanks flushing more than one urinal shall be automatic in operation and of sufficient
capacity.
 No manually controlled flushometer valve shall be used to flush more than one urinal.
Each flushometer shall be approved and shall discharge predetermined quantity of
water.

Section 409 – Floor Drains and Shower Stalls

 Floor drains shall be provided with an approved-type and hinged strainer plate having
the sum of the areas of the small holes of the strainer plate is equal to the cross-sectional
area of the tailpiece.
 Each shower receptors shall be constructed of vitrified china or earthenware, ceramic
tile or porcelain-enameled material.
 No shower receptors shall be installed unless it conforms with the standards of the Code
or is approved by the Administration Authority.

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  Each shower receptors shall be constructed to have a finished dam, curb or threshold
which is at least 25.4 mm lower than the outside floor.
 The dam or threshold shall not be less than 51 mm nor more than 228 mm in depth
when measured from the top of the dam or threshold to the drain.
 The finished floor of the receptor shall slope uniformly of not more than 2% or 20 mm/m
or more than 4% or 40 mm/m. Thresholds shall be of sufficient width to accommodate
a minimum of 559-mm wide door.
 The minimum distance between the door to the drain opening shall be 1.2 m.
 All shower compartments shall have a minimum finished interior area of 0.6 m2 and shall
be capable of encompassing a 762 mm diameter circle.
 The minimum area and dimensions shall be maintained from a point above the shower
drain to a height of 1.78 m with no protrusions except the fixture valve, shower head
and safety rails.
 If shower receptors are built directly on the ground:
o It shall be watertight and shall be constructed of dense, non-absorbent, non-
corrosive materials.
o The receptor shall be reinforced and with an approved flanged floor drain.
 If shower receptors are built above ground:
o The subfloor and rough side of walls to a height of no less than 76 mm above
the finished dam or threshold shall be lined with sheet lead or copper.
 Shower linings:
o It shall be pitched at a slope of 2% or 20 mm/m to weep holes in the sub-drain
of a smooth and solidly formed subbase.
o It shall extend upward on the rough jambs of the shower opening to a point no
less than 76 mm above the finish.
o No metallic shower sub-pans or linings shall be built on jobsite of not less than
three (3) layers of standard grade 6.8 kg asphalt-impregnated roofing felt.
o All folds, laps and reinforcing webbing shall extend to at least 191 mm in all
directions and produce a tensile strength of not less than 0.9 kg/mm.
o An approved type sub-drain shall be installed with every shower lining and it
shall be equipped with a clamping ring to make a tight connection between the
lining and the drain.
 Floors of public shower rooms shall have a non-skid surface and shall be drained that
the wastewater of one bather will not pass over areas of other bathers.
 Gutters in public shower rooms be sloped of not less than 2% toward the drains.
 Drains in gutters shall be spaced not more than 4.9 m apart.
 Shower occupancies shall be provided with individual shower control valves and the
maximum temperature of hot water is 48.88 °C.

Section 410 – Plumbing Fixtures Required

 Each building shall be provided with sanitary facilities as prescribed by the Building Code.

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Section 411 – Whirlpool Bathtubs

 All whirlpool bathtubs shall comply with the following requirements:

o A removable panel of sufficient dimension for access to the pump.
o The circulation pump be located above the crown weir of the trap.
o The pump and the circulation piping be self-draining to minimize water
retention.
o Suction fittings on whirlpool bathtubs comply with the listed standards.

MINIMUM PLUMBING FIXTURES

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CHAPTER 5 – INSPECTION AND TEST
Section 501 – Inspection and Testing

 Inspections
o All new plumbing work shall be inspected by the Administrative Authority.
o It is the Registered Master Plumber’s duty to notify the Administrative Authority
not less than three (3) days before the inspection.
o It is the Owner’s duty to provide all the required testing equipment and facilities
required.
o Necessary corrections written by the Administrative Authority shall be made if
the work didn’t pass. Then it shall be resubmitted for another retesting with an
appropriate fee.
o Tests shall be done in the presence of the Administrative Authority.
o A Certificate of Approval shall be issued by the Administrative Authority once
the work passed.
o No plumbing or drainage system shall be covered until it has been inspected,
tested and approved.
 Testing
o The Administrative Authority shall require to open any plug or cleanout to
ensure the testing medium would reach all parts of the plumbing system.
o Water Test
 The plumbing system, with its openings tightly closed, shall be filled
with water of not less than 3 m head.
 The water shall be kept in the pipe system for at least fifteen (15)
minutes.
o Air Test
 The plumbing system, with all its openings closed, shall be attached with
an air compressor with air forcing in up to a uniform gauge pressure of
34.5 kPa or sufficient to balance a column of 254 mm Hg.
 The pressure shall be held for at least fifteen (15) minutes.
o Building Sewers shall be tested by either filling the system with water or its
equivalent air test. The building sewer shall be watertight.
o For hot and cold water supply systems, water piping shall be tested under a
water pressure of not less than the working pressure it is to be used plus 50%
using a potable water supply. It may be tested with 344.5 kPa air pressure as
substitute, both for at least 15 minutes.
o Air test shall be used in testing the tightness condition of system that are
believed to become defective.
o Moved structures of plumbing systems shall be completely tested as prescribed.
o Shower receptors shall be tested for water-tightness by filling the rough
threshold with water.

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Section 502 – Maintenance

 The owner or his agent shall maintain the plumbing system in a sanitary and safe
operating condition.

Section 503 – Existing Construction

 Existing plumbing systems constructed prior to the effective date of this Code shall not
be required for change unless stated by the Administrative Authority to be dangerous,
unsafe, unsanitary or nuisance.

Section 504 – Health and Safety

 The owner shall install additional plumbing facilities or make repairs and alterations to
ensure health and safety.

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CHAPTER 6 – WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
Section 601 – Running Water Required

 Each plumbing fixture shall be provided with adequate supply of potable running water
to keep same in clean and healthful condition, avoiding backflow or cross-connection.

Section 602 – Unlawful Connections

 No piping installation shall be made that it will be possible for contaminated water to
enter such piping system.
 No person shall make or allow a connection between pipes carrying domestic water and
pipes carrying used water with chemicals, etc.
 No plumbing fixture shall be connected to any domestic water supply when it may
pollute such supply or provide a cross-connection between potable water and
contaminated water.
 No water piping by any private water supply system shall be interconnected with city
water supply system without the approval of the Administrative Authority or Health
Department.

Section 603 – Cross-Connection Control

 No person shall install any water-operated equipment or use any water-treating

chemicals that may cause contamination of the domestic water supply unless equipped
with an approved backflow prevention device.
 These devices or assemblies must be first approved and tested by the Administration
Authority before installation.
 The person having control with such devices shall maintain and it shall be installed in a
potable water supply system for protection against backflow.
 Backflow Prevention Devices, Assemblies and Methods:
o Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker – consists of a body, a checking member and an
atmospheric opening.
o Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly – consists of two
independently acting loaded check valves, four test cocks with connectors and
two isolation gate valves.
o Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backflow Prevention Assembly – consists of a loaded
air inlet valve, internally loaded check valve, two test cocks and two isolation
gate valves.
o Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly – consists of two
independently acting loaded check valves, a differential pressure relief valve,
four test cocks and two isolation gate valves.

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MINIMUM AIRGAPS FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION

When not
Item When affected by
Fixtures affected by side
No. side walls (mm)
walls (mm)
Lavatories and other fixtures with
1 25 38
effective openings ≤ 13 mm diameter
Sinks, Laundry trays, gooseneck bath
2 faucets and other fixtures with effective 38 57
openings ≤ 19 mm diameter
Over rim bath fillers and other fixtures
3 with effective openings ≤ 25 mm 51 76
diameter
Two times Three times
4 Effective opening ≤ 25 mm diameter diameter of diameter of effective
effective opening opening
*Effective opening is the minimum cross sectional area at the seat of the control valve or supply
pipe which feeds the device. If two or more supply one outlet. It shall be the sum of the cross-
sectional areas of the individual supply lines or the area of the single outlet, whichever is smaller.

 General Requirements for Cross-Connection Control

o All assemblies shall conform to standards approved by the Administration
Authority.
o The owner shall have his backflow prevention assembly tested by a certified
tester at the time of installation.
o Clearance of 305 mm between lowest portion of assembly and grade floor is
required as well as a permanent platform for installations more than 1.52 m
above ground for maintenance and repair.
o Direct connections between potable water piping and sewer-connected waste
shall not exist.
o Backflow prevention for hot water over 43.3 °C shall be designed to operate at
a higher temperature without being inoperative.
o Fixtures with integral backflow preventers or integral air gaps shall be installed
accordingly.
 Specific Requirements for Cross-Connection Control
o Water Closet and Urinal Flushometer Valves shall be equipped with an
atmospheric vacuum breaker, installed at the discharge side of the flushometer
valve.
o Water Closet and Urinal Tanks shall be equipped with a ballcock, installed 25
mm above the full opening of the overflow pipe.
o Water Closet Flushometer Tanks shall be protected by a backflow prevention
assembly
o Potable water shall be separated from fluids or gases by a minimum of two
separate walls with vented leak detection path.

19
 o Inlets to Tanks, Vats, Sumps and Swimming Pools shall be equipped with an
atmospheric vacuum breaker, installed at the discharge side of the last valve.
o Water supply inlets not protected by atmospheric vacuum breaker shall be
protected by air gap.
o Lawn sprinkling systems shall be equipped with vacuum breakers installed on
the discharge side of the last shutoff valve.
o Portable Water Outlets with Hose Attachments shall be protected by hosebibb-
type backflow preventer or an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
o Cooled Compressors and Degreasers shall be protected by backflow preventer.
o Water Inlets to Water Supplied Aspirators shall be equipped with atmospheric
vacuum breaker or backflow preventer.
o Potable Water Make Up Connections to Steam or Hot Water Boilers shall be
provided with backflow protection assembly.
o No drinking or domestic outlets shall be connected to a non-potable water line.
Each outlet on the non-potable water line shall be labeled “DANGER-UNSAFE
WATER”.
o Potable Water Supply to Carbonators shall be protected by backflow protection
device.
o Backflow Preventers shall not be located on toxic, poisonous and corrosive
areas.

Section 604 – Materials

 Water Pressure Pipes shall be made of:

o Brass
o Copper
o Centrifugal Cast Iron (CCI)
o Ductile Cast Iron (DCI)
o Galvanized Wrought Iron
o Galvanized Steel
o Polyethylene or Polyvinyl Chloride for cold water
o Chlorinated PVC for hot and cold water
 Potable Water Piping connections shall be made of Galvanized Cast Iron Fittings.
 Pipings used for other purposes other than potable water supply shall not be used.
 Water pipes and fittings with greater than 8% lead content shall be prohibited.

Section 605 – Valves

 Valves shall be made of brass (≤51 mm in size) and brass or cast iron (>51 mm in size).
 An accessible fullway gate valve shall be installed on the discharge end of each water
meter of buildings and at discharge pipe of water supply tanks.
 A valve used to control two (2) or more openings shall be a fullway gate valve.
 Control gate valves are installed before each water-supplied fixture.

20
Section 606 – Gravity Supply Tanks

 Elevated or gravity storage tank for water supply shall be tightly covered with its covers
having an area of not less than the area of the down-feed riser pipe.
 The cover of gravity storage tank shall be vented with corrosion-resistant return-bend
vent pipe of openings not less than 14 mm no more than 18 mess per 25 mm.
 Float valve, float switch or electrode-type water level control prevents the gravity tanks
from overflowing.
 Gravity tanks shall be provided with a valved drain pipe and an overflow pipe.

Section 607 – Water Pressure, Pressure Regulators and Pressure Relief Valves

 Whenever the water pressure in the main supply is below 103 kPa, a hydro-pneumatic
pressure tank or booster pump will provide the said pressure.
 Whenever the water pressure exceeds 551 kPa, an approved-type pressure regulator
and strainer shall be installed to reduce the pressure.
 Any water distributing system with pressure regulating device, check valve or storage
water heating equipment shall have a pressure relief valve with drain.
 An expansion tank designed for intermittent operation for thermal expansion shall be
installed if the building supply pressure is greater than the relief valve pressure.
 Pressure relief valve shall be automatic type with pressure set of not more than 1033
kPa.
 Relief valves located inside a building shall be provided with:
o Drain
o Hard drawn copper piping and fittings
o CPVC or PB with fittings
 Any water-heating device connected to a separate pressure-type storage tank shall be
provided with pressure relief valve.
 Combination Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve shall be installed on the water
heating device in an approved location.

Section 608 – Installation, Inspection and Testing

 Changes in direction shall be made by the appropriate use of fittings.

 Provisions shall be made for expansion in hot water pipings.
 All water service yard piping shall be at least 0.3 m below the finish ground level.
 Water pipes shall not be laid or run on the same trench as building sewer or storm
drainage.
 The bottom of the water pipe shall be at least 0.3 m above the top of sewer or drain line.
 The water pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf excavated at one side of the common
trench with a minimum clear horizontal distance of at least 0.3 m.
 Water pipes crossing sewer or drainage piping shall be laid at least 0.3 m above it.
 Ferrous piping shall have an outside protective coating of approved materials except
zinc coating (galvanized).
 Copper tubing shall be protected with bitumastic coating and fiberglass wrapping and
be installed inside a split rigid casing if laid underground.

21
  Unions shall be installed in the water supply piping within 0.3 m away from the
regulating equipment.

Section 609 – Size of Potable Water Piping

 The size of the water meter and immediate piping shall be based on the total water
demand.
 The pressure loss through devices attached to a water supply line must be included in
the pressure loss calculations of the system.
 No such devices shall be installed in any potable water supply piping if:
o The diameter of the inlet or outlet of such device is less than of the supply
piping;
o The installation of such device produces excessive pressure drop in the system.
 All devices shall be tested for flow rating and pressure losses, and its results shall be
permanently attached to the device.
 The quantity of water required to be supplied to every plumbing fixture shall be
represented by Fixture Units.
 Friction loss and pressure losses on pipes shall be determined except where the type of
pipe and water characteristics cause no decrease in capacity despite of length of service.
 Proposed water piping installation sized shall determine the following:
o Total number of Fixture Units.
o Developed length of supply piper from water meter to most remote outlet.
o Difference in elevation between water meter and the highest fixture.
o Water pressure in the street main.
o Water piping system designed on the basis of minimum pressure available in
localities.
 No building water service pipe shall be less than 19 mm in diameter.
 Size of branch varies depending on the number of fixture units it could handle.
 Piping supplying a flushometer valve shall not be less in size than the valve inlet.

FLUSHOMETER FIXTURE UNITS FOR WATER SIZING

Fixture Categories
Number of Flushometer
F.U. Assigned for W.C. and F.U. Assigned for Urinals and
Valves
similar fixtures similar fixtures
1 40 20
2 70 35
3 90 45
4 105 53
115 plus 10 for each add. 58 plus 5 for each add.
5 or more
fixture in excess of 5 fixture in excess of 5

 Size of branches and mains serving flushometer tanks shall be consistent with flush tank
water closets.

22
  In sizing systems with demand of 50 F.U. or less, the greatest developed length of cold
water piping is used with the length of hot water piping is compensated through the
following method:
o Compute the total hot water fixture unit demand
o Assign the total demand as the fixture unit demand at the hot water heater inlet
o Compute the pipe sizing using determined fixture unit valves adding in the
computed fixture unit demand of the hot water heater supply inlet.
 Water piping systems may be designed by taking the total length of the supply piping
from the source of cold water supply to the most remote hot water outlet, and assessing
flow values of 75% of the demand.
 Exceptions for size of water piping:
o Piping system designed in accordance with engineering procedures approved
by the Administrative Authority.
o Alteration or addition to existing installation, provided to still have adequate
supply of water to all fixtures.
o Replacement of existing fixture or appliance
o Piping which is part of fixture equipment
o Unusual conditions wherein in adequate supply of water is still provided.
o Non-potable water lines
o Piping used for irrigation systems installed separately with the potable water
systems.

Section 610 – Water Conservation

 Maximum discharge flow rates for fixture fittings, flush volumes for low consumption
and water saver water closets and urinals shall all be in accordance with the Code.

Section 611 – Piping Installed in Fire Resistive Construction

 Piping shall be approved before installation in fire resistive construction and shall not
weaken the fire resistant integrity of that structure.

Section 612 – Hangers and Supports Abrasion

 Hanger and straps shall not compress, distort, cut or abrade the piping and shall allow
free movement of the pipe.

Section 613 – Support

 Pipings shall be supported at:

o Intervals of not more than 4ft or 1219 mm
o End of branches
o Change of direction or elevation
 Vertical piping shall be supported at each floor level with alignment maintained using
mid-story guide.
 Supports shall allow free movement and resist upward movement to avoid reverse
grade.
 Trap arms in excess of 3ft or 914 mm shall be supported as close as possible to the trap.

23
  Closet rings shall be tightly fastened with corrosive resistant fasteners with top surface
¼ inch (6.4 mm) above the finish floor.

Section 613 – Thrust Blocking

 Thrust blocks shall be installed at all:

o Changes in direction (tees and bends)
o Changes in size (reducers)
o Stops (dead ends)
o Valves, where thrust is expected
 Thrust block sizes shall be based on:
o Maximum line pressure
o Pipe size
o Kind of soil

EQUIVALENT WATER SUPPLY FIXTURE UNITS (INCLUDING COMBINED HOT AND COLD WATER
DEMAND)

Number of Water Supply Fixture

Item No. Fixture Units (WSFU)
Private Use Public Use
1 Bar Sink 1 2
2 Bathtub (With or Without Shower Over) 2 4
3 Bidet 2 4
4 Dental Unit or Cuspidor - 1
5 Drinking Fountain (each faucet) 1 2
6 Hose Bibb or Sill Cock (standard type) 3 5
Laundry Tub or Clothes Washer (each pair of
7 2 4
faucets)
8 Lavatory 1 2
9 Lavatory (dental) 1 1
10 Lawn sprinkler (standard type, each head) 1 1
11 Mobile home (each) 6 6
12 Shower (each head) 2 4
13 Sink (bar) 1 2
14 Sink (flushing rim clinic) - 10
15 Sink or dishwasher 2 4
16 Sink (wash-up circular spray) - 4
17 Sink (wash-up, each set of faucets) - 2
18 Urinal (flush tank) - 3
19 Urinal (pedestal or similar type) - 10
20 Urinal (stall) - 5
21 Urinal (wall) - 5
22 Water Closet (flush tank) 3 5
23 Water Closet (economical flush) 2.5 4
24 Water Closet (flushometer tank) 3 5
25 Water Closet (flushometer valve) - -

24
 Water supply outlets for items not listed
above shall be computed at their maximum
demand but in case less than:
a. 9.5 mm 1 2
b. 13 mm 2 4
c. 19 mm 3 6
d. 25 mm 6 10

FIXTURE UNIT TABLE FOR DETERMINING WATER PIPE AND METER SIZES

25
26
CHAPTER 7 – EXCRETA DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Section 701 – Materials

 Excreta Drainage pipings shall be made of:

o Cast iron
o Ductile iron
o Galvanized Steel
o Galvanized wrought iron
o Lead
o Copper
o Brass
o Series 1000 PVC DWV
o Extra-strength vitrified clay pipe
 Galvanized wrought iron or galvanized steel pipe shall be kept at least 152 mm above
ground.
 ABS and PVC DWV piping can be used in high-rise buildings provided with the discretion
of the master plumber and the owner.
 Vitrified clay pipes or fittings for drain and sewer shall be kept at least 0.3 m below the
ground.
 Drainage fittings shall be made of:
o Cast iron
o Malleable iron
o Lead
o Brass
o Copper
o ABS
o PVC
o Vitrified clay
 The threads of drainage fittings shall be tapped to allow 2% or 21 mm/m grade.

Section 702 – Fixture Unit Equivalent

 The Fixture Unit Rating of plumbing fixtures shall be based on the size of the trap
required and/or the rated discharge capacity of the fixture in L/s.

MAXIMUM TRAP LOADING FOR SIZES ≤ 102 mm

Item No. Pipe Size Fixture Unit (F.U.)

1 32 1
2 38 3
3 32 4
4 76 6
5 102 8

27
MINIMUM TRAP DIAMETERS AND DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT VALUES

Trap & Trap Drainage

Item
Fixture Arm Sizes Fixture
No.
mm Units (DFU)
1 Bathtubs 38 2
2 Bidets 38 2
3 Clothes washers* 51 2
4 Dental units or cuspidors 32 1
5 Drinking fountains 31 1
6 Floor drains 51 2
7 Interceptors* for grease, oil, etc. 51 3
8 Interceptors* for sand, auto wash, etc. 76 6
9 Laundry tubs 38 2
10 Mobile home park traps (one for each trailer 76 6
Receptors* (floor sinks), indirect waste receptors for
11 38 1
refrigerators, coffee urns, water station, etc.
Receptors*, indirect waste receptors for commercial
12 51 3
sinks, dishwashers, air washers, etc.
13 Shower, single stall 51 2
14 Shower*, gang (one unit per head) 51 -
Sinks, and/or dishwashers (residential) 51 mm min.
15 38 2
waste
16 Sinks, bar, (commercial) 51 mm min. waste 38 2
17 Sinks, bar, (private) 38 mm min. waste 38 1
Sinks, commercial or industrial, schools, etc. including
18 dishwashers, wash up sinks, and wash fountains 50.8 38 3
mm waste
19 Sink, flushing rim, clinic 76 6
20 Sink, service 51 3
21 Urinal, pedestal, trap only 76 6
22 Urinal, stall, separate trap 51 2
23 Urinal, wall-mounted, integral trap, trap arm only 51 3
Urinal, wall-mounted, blowout, integral trap, trap arm
24 76 6
only
Urinal, wall-mounted, wash down or siphon jet, integral
25 51 2
trap, trap arm only
Urinal, wall-mounted, washout, separate trap 50.8 mm
26 38 2
min. waste
27 Wash basins, in sets 38 2
28 Wash basin (lavatory) single 32 1
29 Water closet*, private installation 76 4
30 Water closet, public installation 76 6

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DISCHARGE CAPACITY

Item Liters per second Fixture Unit

No. (L/S) (F.U.)
1 Up to 0.47 1
2 0.50 to 0.95 2
3 1.0 to 1.89 4
4 1.95 to 3.15 6
 Capacity over 3.15 L/s shall be determined by the Administrative Authority
 For continuous flow into a drainage system, 2 F.U. shall be allowed for every 0.063 L/s
for:
o Sump pump or ejector
o Air conditioning equipment

Section 703 – Size of Drainage Piping

 Sizes shall be determined from the total of all fixture units connected thereto, and
additional, in the case of vertical pipes, in accordance with their height and length.

MAXIMUM FIXTURE UNIT LOADING AND MAXIMUM LENGTH OF EXCRETA DRAINAGE AND
VENT PIPING

Item Size of Pipe

32 38 51 65 76 102 127 152 203 245 305
No. Mm
Maximum
A. Fixture Unit of
Drainage Piping
1 Vertical 1 2 16 32 48 256 600 1380 3600 5600 8400

2 Horizontal 1 2 8 14 35 216 428 720 2640 4680 8200

Maximum
B
Length of Piping
3 Vertical 14 20 26 45 65 91 119 155 228
Vent Piping
C Horizontal and
Vertical
Maximum
4 1 8 24 48 84 256 600 1380 3600
Fixture Unit
Maximum
5 14 18 37 55 65 91 119 155 228
Length in meter

Section 704 – Fixture Connections (Excreta Drainage)

 Drainage piping shall be provided with an approved inlet fitting.

 Two fixtures located within a distance allowed between a trap and vent may be served
by a single vertical drainage pipe as long as their wastes separately into an approved
double fitting (double sanitary tee, double wye or 1/8 bend).

29
Section 705 – Changes in Direction of Excreta Drainage Flow

 Changes in direction of drainage piping shall be made with the use of 22 1/2° bend, 45°
bend or 60° bend or other approved fittings.
 Horizontal drainage lines connecting to a vertical stack shall enter through 45° or 60°
wye branches, combination wye and 1/8 bend branches, sanitary tee or other approved
fittings.
 Nominal pipe sizes for horizontal drainage lines are: 51, 63, 76, 89, 102, 114, 127, 152
mm.
 Horizontal drainage lines connecting to other horizontal drainage lines shall enter
through 45° wye branches, combination wye and 1/8 bend branches or other approved
fittings.
 Vertical drainage lines connecting to horizontal drainage line shall enter through 45°
branches or other approved fitting of longer sweep. Sixty (60) degree branches or offsets
may be used when installed in true vertical position.

Section 706 – Cleanouts

 Cleanouts shall be installed at the upper terminal or at every 15 m length of a horizontal

drainage line.
 Exceptions:
o It may be omitted if horizontal drain line is ≤ 1.5m unless it is serving sinks or
urinals.
o It may be omitted if it is installed at a slope of 72° or less from the vertical line.
o Two-way cleanout fitting may be used as substitute for connections between
building drain and building sewer.
 Additional cleanout shall be provided on lines with an aggregate offset angle ≥ 135°.
 Cleanouts shall be installed along the direction of flow or at right angles, except with
wye branch or end-of-line cleanouts, that should be vertically above the flow line.
 Cleanout of interceptors shall be located outside of such interceptor.
 Cleanouts with 90° extensions shall be extended from a wye type fitting.
 Cleanouts shall be above grade, readily accessible and so located to serve its intended
purpose.
 Cleanouts in piping 51 mm or less shall have a clearance of not less than 305 mm in front
of the cleanout, while piping larger than 51 mm shall have clearance of not less than 450
mm.
 Cleanouts in underfloor piping shall be extended to or above the finished floor or be
extended outside the building with a clearance of 0.45 m vertical and 0.75 m horizontal
from the means of access.
 No underfloor cleanout shall be located more than 6.1 m from an access door.
 Cleanouts shall be provided with pressure drainage systems.
 Countersunk cleanout plugs shall be installed without causing hazard for passing
personnel or vehicles. Hubless blind plug shall have accessible complete coupling and
plug for removal or replacement.

30
Section 707 – Grade of Horizontal Excreta Drainage Piping

 Horizontal Drainage Piping shall have a uniform slope of not less than 2% or 20 mm/m.
 If it is impracticable to obtain a 2% slope, any such piping of 102 mm or larger in
diameter may have a slope of 10 mm/m or 1%.

Section 708 – Gravity Drainage Required

 All plumbing fixtures shall be drained by gravity.

Section 709 – Drainage of Fixtures Located below the Upstream Manhole or below the Main
Sewer Level

 Drainage piping for fixtures with flood level rims located below the elevation of the
nearby upstream manhole invert shall be protected from backflow by an approved-type
backwater valve.
 Drainage piping for fixtures located below the crown level of the main sewer shall
discharge into an approved watertight sump or receiving tank then be lifted and
discharge into the building sewer by an approved ejector or pump.
 The minimum size of any pump or discharge pipe from a sump having a water closet
shall not be less than 50.8 mm diameter.
 Vertical discharge line to a horizontal drain line shall be provided with an accessible
backwater or swing check valve and gate valve through a wye branch fitting.
 Building drain or building sewer shall be adequately sized to prevent overloading. Two
(2) fixture units shall be allowed for each 0.053 L/s of flow.
 Mechanical devices shall be located where they will be accessible for inspection and
repair and be enclosed in a water-tight masonry pit fitted with removable cover.
 Drainage and venting system shall be installed under the same requirements provided
for gravity system.
 Sumps and receiving tanks shall be watertight and be constructed of concrete or metal.
It shall be of such thickness and be properly coated to resist corrosion.
 Air tanks shall be proportioned to be of equal cubical capacity to the ejector connected
and be maintained an air pressure of not less than 3 kg per meter height of sewage
raised.
 Subsoil drainage system shall be initially discharged into an approved receiving tank
before being discharge in a manner approved by the Administrative Authority.

Section 710 – Suds Relief

 Fixture outlets shall not be connected to the horizontal excreta drainage system within
2.4 meter of any vertical or horizontal change of direction of a stack containing suds-
producing fixtures.
 Exceptions are: single family residences and stacks receiving discharge from less than 2
stories of plumbing fixtures.

31
CHAPTER 8 – INDIRECT WASTE PIPING, WET-VENTED SYSTEMS AND
SPECIAL WASTES
Section 801 – Indirect Waste Conditions

 No air conditioning equipment and food equipment shall have any drain pipe connected
to any soil, waste or vent pipe but of an indirect waste pipe connected to a receptor to
the drainage system.
 Cooling equipment shall be separated by an airbreak while food equipment shall be
separated from the drainage system by a full airgap.
 Airgap for drainage shall be not less than 25 mm between the fixture and the rim of the
floor sink or receptor.

Section 802 – Approvals

 No plumbing fixtures for indirect waste pipes shall be installed without approval.

Section 803 – Indirect Waste Piping

 Vents from indirect waste piping shall not be combined with any excreta drainage vent
but be extended to the outside air.
 Indirect waste pipes exceeding 1.5 m but less than 4.6 m shall be directly trapped.
 Indirect waste pipes less than 4.6 m may not be larger in diameter than the drain outlet
or tailpiece of the fixture but shall not be less than 13 mm.
 Angles and changes of direction in indirect waste pipes shall be provided with cleanouts
for flushing and cleaning.

Section 804 – Indirect Waste Receptors

 No standpipe receptor for clotheswasher shall extend more than 0.8 m nor less than
0.45 m above its trap.
 No trap for clotheswasher may be installed below the floor, but shall be roughed no less
than 15 cm and not more than 45 cm above the floor.
 Approved method of waste disposal shall be provided for installed clotheswasher.
 Indirect waste receptors receiving particles that may clog the system shall have a readily
removable beehive strainer.

Section 805 – Pressure Drainage Connection

 Indirect waste connections shall be provided for drains, overflows or relief vents.
 No pressure carrying fixture be connected to any part of the drainage system, but is not
applicable for approved sump pump.

Section 806 – Sterile Equipment

 Devices for sterile materials shall be drained through an airgap.

32
Section 807 – Appliances

 Devices not classified as plumbing fixtures equipped with pumps, drips or drainage
outlets may be drained by indirect waste pipes discharging to an approved open
receptor.
 Connection for air conditioning discharging to a lavatory tailpiece or inlet shall be
located in the same area controlled by the same person.
 Undiluted condensate waste from fuel burning condensing appliance shall be
discharged to the drainage system made of cast iron, galvanized iron or plastic, except
when the condensate is discharged to an exposed fixture tailpiece and trap that is made
of brass.
 No domestic dishwashing machine shall be connected with food waste disposer without
the use of an approved dishwasher airgap fitting.

Section 808 – Cooling Water

 Water used for cooling down appliances may discharge into the drainage system
through the inlet side of a fixture trap if no other fixture is available.
 Trap connection shall be by means of a pipe connected to the inlet side, the upper end
terminating in a funnel shaped receptacle and not less than 152 mm above the overflow
rim.

Section 809 – Drinking Fountains

 Drinking fountains may be installed with indirect wastes.

Section 810 – Steam and Hot Water Drainage Condensers and Sumps

 No steam pipe shall be directly connected to any plumbing or drainage system nor any
water with temperature above 60 °C be discharged into the drainage.
 Pipes from boilers shall discharge by means of indirect waste piping.
 All condensers and sumps shall be properly trapped at the outlet with a deep seal trap
extending to within 152 mm of the bottom of the tank.
 The top of the deep seal trap shall have a 19 mm diameter opening located at the highest
point of the trap to serve as a siphon breaker.
 Sumps, condensers or intercepting tanks made of concrete shall have wall and bottom
thickness of not less than 102 mm.
 Condensers made of metal shall be not less than 2.77 mm thick (No.12 U.S. Standard
gauge) and be protected by an approved bituminous coating from corrosion.
 Sumps and condensers shall contain a volume of not less than twice the volume of water
removed from the boilers connected thereto when the normal water level of it is
reduced to not less than 102 mm.

33
PIPE CONNECTIONS IN BLOWOFF CONDENSERS AND SUMPS

No. Boiler Blowoff, mm Water Outlet, mm Size of Vent, mm

1 19 19 51
2 25.4 25.4 64
3 32 32 76
4 38 38 102
5 51 51 127
6 64 64 152

Section 811 – Chemical Wastes

 Chemical or industrial liquid wastes shall be pretreated before being discharged into a
drainage system by a piping of adequate material and installed by standard procedure.
 Waste pipes for chemical wastes shall be made of:
o Chemical resistant glass-lined pipe
o High silicon iron pipe
o Lead pipe not less than 3.2 mm wall thickness
o Approved type of ceramic glazed or unglazed vitrified clay
 Jointing materials shall be of approved type and quality.
 Piping shall be accessible at all times and must be properly labeled and recorded.
 No chemical vent shall be connected or intersect vents for other services.
 No chemical wastes shall be discharged into the ground or local sewer without approval.

Section 812 – Vertical Wet Venting

 Wet venting is limited to vertical drainage piping receiving the discharge from the trap
arm of 1 and 2 F.U.; and fixtures that serves as vent for four other fixtures.
 Each wet-vented section shall be a minimum of one pipe size larger than the required
minimum waste pipe size or shall be one pipe size larger than the required minimum
pipe size for the sum of the fixture units served, whichever is larger but not less than 51
mm.
 Common vent sizing shall be the sum of the fixture units served but in no case smaller
than the minimum size required.

Section 813 – Special Venting for Island Fixtures

 Traps for island sinks and similar equipment shall be roughed-in above the floor and may
be vented by extending the vent, but not less than the drainboard height and then
connecting it to the horizontal sink drain.
 Drainage fittings shall be used on all parts of the vent below the floor level and such
vent line shall have a slope of 2% or 21 mm/m.
 The return bend used under the drainboard shall be a one piece fitting or an assembly
of 45° elbows.

34
Section 814 – Combination Waste and Vent Systems

 CW&VS shall be permitted only where structural conditions preclude the installation of
conventional systems.
 Plans and specifications for each CW&VS shall be first approved before installation.
 Each CW&VS shall be provided with a vent/s adequate to assure free circulation of air.
 Any branch more than 4.6 m length shall be separately vented.
 The minimum area of any vent installed in CW&VS shall be at least ½ the inside cross
sectional area of the drain pipe served.
 Each waste pipe and each trap in any CW&VS shall be at least two pipe sizes larger than
the required.
 No vertical waste pipe shall be used in CW&VS except tailpiece or connection between
the outlet of the plumbing fixture and the trap, unless permitted. Such tailpiece or
connection shall not exceed 0.6 m.
 Cleanouts may not be required on any wet-vented branch serving a single trap when the
fixture tailpiece or connection is not less than 51 mm in diameter.

Section 815 – Direct Waste to Ground

 “Sacrarium” waste of holy water and washwater at church altar services shall be
discharged onto the ground and not to the drainage system.

Section 816 – Clean Water Wastes

 Devices discharging clear wastewater shall discharge through an indirect waste by

means of an airgap.

Section 817 – Swimming Pools

 Pipes carrying wastewater from swimming or wading pools and pumps used to
discharge such shall be installed as an indirect waste.

Section 818 – Refrigeration Wastes

 Indirect waste lines shall not be smaller than the following schedule:
o 32 mm – 1 inlet serving not more than 2.8 m3 of refrigeration space
o 51 mm – 4 to 12 m3, 32 mm inlets or equivalent
o 76 mm – 13 to 36 m3, 32 mm inlets or equivalent

Section 819 – Air-conditioning Equipment

 Any air-conditioning equipment wastes shall be discharged by means of an indirect

waste pipe, which shall be independent of any drainage waste system.

35
MINIMUM AIRCONDITIONING CONDENSATE PIPE SIZES
Item Equipment Capacity in Tons of Minimum Condensate
No. Refrigeration (kW) Pipe Diameter (mm)
1 Through 3 (Through 10.65) 19.1
2 Through 20 (Through 70.33) 25.4
3 Through 90 (Through 316.48) 32
4 Through 125 (Through 439.6) 38
5 Through 250 (Through 879.2) 51

 The capacity of waste pipes assumes a 10.5 mm/m or one percent slope, with pipe
running ¾ full of the following conditions:
o Outside Air – 20% (DB 90°F WB 73°F)
o Room Air – 80% (DB 75°F WB 62.5°F)
 A/C Condensate Waste Pipes shall connect indirectly to the drainage system through an
airgap or airbreak to:
o A properly trapped receptor
o Other points of discharge acceptable like dry wells, leach pits, etc.

36
CHAPTER 9 – VENTS AND VENTING
Section 901 – Vents Required

 Each plumbing fixtures shall be protected against siphonage and back-pressure by

means of vent pipes.

Section 902/908 – Vents Not Required

 Vent piping may be omitted on an interceptor when such interceptor acts as primary
settling tank and discharges through a horizontal indirect waste pipe into a secondary
interceptor.
 Traps serving sinks need not be vented when the location and construction of such is to
make it impossible to do so. Thus, it shall be discharged by means of an approved
indirect waste pipe into a floor sink.

Section 903/909 – Materials

 Vent pipes shall be made of:

o Cast iron, ductile cast iron
o Galvanized steel, galvanized wrought iron
o Lead, copper, brass
o Schedule 40, ABS, DWV, Series 1000, PVC DWV
 Galvanized wrought iron or galvanized steel pipe shall always be kept at least 15 cm
above ground.
 Horizontal and vertical vent lines and stacks shall be copper, cast iron, galvanized
wrought iron or PVC pipes.
 Vent fitting shall be made of cast iron, galvanized malleable iron, galvanized steel, lead,
copper, brass, ABS and PVC.
 Galvanized malleable iron or galvanized steel fittings shall be kept at least 152 mm above
finish ground level.
 Changes in direction of vent piping shall be made by use of approved fittings and no
such pipe shall be bent or strained.

Section 904/910 – Size of Vents

 The sizes of vent piping shall be determined from its length and the total number of
fixture units connected thereto.
 The length of horizontal portion of a vent may exceed 1/3 of the total length of vertical
and horizontal portions, provided the vent is increased to one pipe size larger for its
length.
 The diameter of an individual vent shall not be less than 1 ¼ in (32 mm) nor less than ½
the diameter of the drain to which it is connected.
 The drainage piping of each building and each connection to public or private sewage
system shall be vented by one or more vent pipes, the aggregate cross-sectional area of
which shall not be less than that of the largest required building sewer.
 No more than 1/3 of the total permitted length of any minimum sized vent shall be
installed in a horizontal position.

37
Section 905 – Vent Pipe Grades and Connections

 All horizontal vent and branch vent pipes shall be free from drops or sags and each shall
be graded and connected to drip back by gravity to the drainage pipe it serves.
 Vent pipe connection for horizontal drainage shall have its invert taken off above the
drainage centerline of such pipe.
 Each vent shall rise vertically to a point not less than 152 mm above the highest flood
level rim of the fixtures served before offsetting horizontally to join the vent stack or
stack vent.
 The bottom connection shall be installed with approved drainage fittings and be
installed with proper grade to the horizontal drain.
 All vent pipes shall extend undiminished in size above the roof or shall be reconnected
with the soil or waste stack vent at a point below the roof.
 Vent Stack through Roof shall be increased by one pipe size above the reconnection
point of stack vent and horizontal vent.
 The vent pipe opening from a soil or waste pipe shall not be below the weir of the trap.
 Two fixtures may be served by a common vertical pipe if they waste separately into an
approved double branch fitting having inlet openings at the same level.

Section 906 – Vent Termination

 Each vent pipe or SVTR shall extend its flashing all around and the stack vent shall
terminate not less than 15 cm above the roof nor less than 0.3 m from any vertical
surface nearby.
 Each vent opening shall terminate not less than 3 m from, or at least 0.9 m above any
opening; nor less than 0.9 m away from any lot line, alley or street boundary.
 Vent pipes shall extend separately or combined of full required size, not less than 15 cm
above the roof or fire wall.
 Vertical vent pipes for outdoor installations shall extend to at least 3 m distant from any
part of the roof and shall extend not less than 2.1 m above such roof.
 Joints at the roof around stack vent pipes shall be made watertight.

Section 907 – Vent Stacks and Relief Vents

 Each soil or waste stack which extends 10 or more stories above the building drain shall
be served by a parallel vent stack connected to the soil or waste stack at ground level
and at every fifth floor levels with a yoke vent at a point below the horizontal soil or
waste branch connection to the stack and at a nearby vent stack above the same floor
to provide a relief vent.
 The yoke vent connection with the vent stack shall be not less than 1 m above the floor
level.
 The yoke vent connection with the drainage stack shall be by means of wye branch
fitting below the fixture branch.

38
CHAPTER 10 – TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
Section 1001 – Traps Required

 Each plumbing fixture shall be separately trapped by an approved-type waterseal trap.

 One trap may serve a set of not more than 3 single compartment sinks or laundry tubs
of same depth (unless an approved pump is used), or 3 lavatories immediately adjacent
to each other and in the same room if the waste outlets are not more than 0.75 m apart
and the trap is centrally located when three compartments are installed.
 No food waste disposal unit shall be installed on any set of sinks served by a single trap
but of a separate trap.
 Each domestic clotheswasher and each laundry tub shall be connected to a separate and
independent tap and none shall be connected to any trap of a kitchen sink.
 The vertical distance between a fixture outlet and the trap weir shall be as short as
practicable and not exceed 0.6 m.

Section 1002 – Traps Protected by Vent Pipes

 Each plumbing fixture trap shall be protected against siphonage and backpressure by
means of a vent pipe system.
 Each fixture trap shall have a protecting vent so located that the developed length of
the trap arm from the trap weir to the inner edge of the vent shall be within the required
distance but not less than twice the diameter of the trap arm.

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE OF TRAP ARMS (EXCEPT FOR WATER CLOSETS, ETC)

Trap Arm Distance to
Diameter, mm Vent, m
32 0.76
38 1.07
51 1.52
76 1.83
102 and larger 3.05
 A trap arm may change direction without the use of a cleanout when such change does
not exceed 90°.
 The vent pipe opening from a soil or waste pipe shall not be below the weir of the trap.

Section 1003/1014 – Traps Described

 Each trap shall be self-cleaning. Traps should be of standard design and weights and be
made of ABS, cast brass, cast iron, lead, PVC.
 Each trap shall have a smooth and uniform interior waterway and shall have its
manufacturer’s name and gauge of the tubing stamped legibly on it.
 Drawn brass tubing trap, not less than 1.1 mm may be used on fixtures discharging
domestic sewage except urine.
 No more than one approved slip joint fitting may be used on the outlet side of a trap.
 No tubing trap shall be installed without a listed tubing trap adapter.
 The nominal size of the trap shall be sufficient to drain the fixture rapidly and shall be of
the same size as the connecting trap arm.

39
Section 1004 – Traps Prohibited

 No form of trap which depends for its seal upon the action of movable parts shall be
used.
 “S”, Bell and Crown-vented traps are prohibited.
 No fixture shall be double-trapped.
 Drum traps may be installed only if approved and shall have a vent.

Section 1005 – Trap Seals

 Each trap shall have a water seal of not less than 51 mm and not more than 102 mm
deep except for special conditions found.

Section 1006 – Floor Drain Traps

 Floor drains shall connect into a trap that can be readily cleaned and of sufficient size.
 The drain inlet shall be so located that it is at all times in full view.
 When subjected to reverse flow of sewage, drains shall be equipped with backwater
valve.

Section 1007 – Trap Seal Protection

 Floor drains connected to the drainage system shall be provided with an approved
automatic means of maintaining their water seals.
 When automatic trap priming devices are used, it shall be accessible for maintenance
and provided by an accessible shut0off valve.

Section 1008 – Industrial Interceptors (Clarifiers) and Separators

 Interceptors or clarifiers shall be provided when they are necessary for the proper
handling of liquid wastes harmful to the building drainage and sewage disposal systems.
 The size, type and location of each interceptor shall be approved and no wastes other
than those requiring separation and treatment shall be discharged into any interceptor.
 Interceptors and clarifiers shall be readily accessible for cleaning and shall have a water
seal of not less than 152 mm deep.
 Interceptors and clarifiers shall be so designed that they will not become air bound if
closed covers are used and be properly vented.
 Each interceptor or clarifier shall be shown on the building plan submitted for approval
by the Administrative Authority.

Section 1009 – Slaughter Houses, Packing Establishments, Etc.

 Establishments discharging wastewater with considerable amounts of grease, hairs,

feathers, etc., shall be connected to and shall drain through a screening device and
thence into a clarifier of an approved design for proper disposal.

40
Section 1010 – Minimum Requirements for Auto Wash Back

 Every wash rack used for cleaning machinery and machine parts shall be adequately
protected against storm or surface water and shall drain into an interceptor of approved
design to separate the oil and grease.

Section 1011 – Grease Traps

 When waste pretreatment is required, an approved-type grease trap shall be installed

in the wasteline leading from sinks, drains, etc., where grease may be introduced into
the drainage that can hinder sewage treatment or disposal.
 No individual grease trap shall be installed for a facility that has an approved rate of flow
of more than 3.4 L/s nor less than 1.3 L/s, except approved.
 Each plumbing fixture connected to a grease trap shall be provided with an approved
type of flow control or restricting device installed in the tailpiece of the drain outlet.
 Flow control devices shall at no time be greater than the rated capacity of the grease
trap.
 Each grease trap shall have an approved rate of flow which is not less than the required.

GREASE TRAPS CAPACITY

Total Number of Required Rate of Grease Retention
Fixtures Connected Flow, L/s Capacity, kg
1 76 19
2 95 23
3 132 32
4 189 45
 The total capacity of fixtures discharging into any such grease trap shall not exceed 2 ½
times the required flow rate.
 Any grease trap installed with inlet more than 1.2 m lower in elevation than the outlet
shall have an approved rate of flow which is not less than 50% greater than required.
 An approved-type grease trap may be used as a fixture outlet and grease trap when the
horizontal distance between the outlet and the grease trap does not exceed 1.2 m and
the vertical tailpipe or drain does not exceed 0.75 m.
 Grease traps shall be maintained in efficient operating condition by periodic removal of
accumulated grease and settled solids.
 No water jacketed grease trap/interceptor shall be installed.
 Each grease trap shall have a water seal of not less than 51 mm in depth, or the diameter
of its outlet, whichever is greater.

41
Section 1012 – Grease Interceptors for Commercial Kitchens

 Criteria for designing grease interceptors for commercial kitchens:

𝑀𝑥𝑄𝑥𝑡𝑥𝑠=𝐶
Where:
o M = Number of Meals per Peak Hour
o Q = Waste flow rate
 With dishwashing machine – 6 gal (22.7 L)
 Without dishwashing machine – 5 gal (18.9 L)
 Single service kitchen – 2 gal (7.6 L)
 Food waste disposer – 1 gal (3.8 L)
o t = Retention time
 Commercial kitchen waste dishwasher – 2.5 hrs
 Single service kitchen single serving – 1.5 hrs
o s = Storage Factor
 Fully equipped kitchen of 8 hr operation – 1
 16 hr operation – 2
 24 hr operation -3
 Single service kitchen – 1.5
o C = Interceptor size (Liquid Capacity)

Section 1013 – Food Waste Disposal Prohibited

 No food waste disposal unit shall be connected to or discharged into any grease
interceptor or grease trap.
 The vent pipe opening from a soil or waste pipe shall not be below the weir of the trap.

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE OF TRAP ARMS

Item Distance Trap to Vent,
Trap Arm, mm
No. mm
1 32 762
2 38 1067
3 51 1524
4 76 1829
5 102 & larger 3048
Slope ¼ in per ft (20.9 mm/m), s = 2%

Section 1015 – Laundries

 Laundry equipment that does not have integral strainers shall discharge into an
interceptor having a wire basket that will prevent passage into the drainage system of
solids 12.7 mm or larger that are detrimental to the public sewerage system.

42
Section 1016 – Sand Interceptors Where Required

 The discharge of a fixture shall be through a sand interceptor whenever it may contain
solid or solids heavier than water that could be harmful to the drainage system.
 It would be required if the Administrative Authority deemed it advisable to have for
protection of drainage system.

Section 1017 – Construction and Size

 Sand interceptors shall be built of brick or concrete, prefabricated coated steel or other
watertight material, and shall have an interior baffle for full separation into 2 sections.
 Sand interceptors shall have a minimum dimension of 0.2 m2 for the net opening of the
inlet and a minimum depth of 610 mm under the invert of the outlet pipe.
 The area of the sand interceptor inlet section is to be increased by 0.09 m2 for each 18.9
L/min flow or fraction thereof over 75.7 L/min.
 The outlet section shall have a minimum area of 50% of the inlet section.
 The outlet section shall have a solid removable cover set flush while the inlet section
shall have an open grating set flush.

43
CHAPTER 11 – STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Section 1101 – General

 Storm drainage are required for roof areas to collect stormwater and discharge the
stormwater to an approved point of disposal.

Section 1102 – Rainwater Systems

 Rainwater downspout or conductor pipings placed within the interior of a building shall
be made of:
o cast iron, galvanized steel
o iron, brass, copper, lead
o Schedule 40 ABS, DWV, Series 1000, PVC DWV
 Rainwater downspout or conductor located on the exterior side of low height building
shall ne not less than 26 ga. galvanized sheet metal.
 The bottom of the conductor piping to the storm drainage shall be protected from
damage by connecting steel pipe or cast iron at its lowest section.
 Rainwater piping located within a medium height building basement area shall be of:
o Galvanized iron pipe, Schedule 30
o Cast iron soil pipe, S.W. Type DWV copper tube
o Schedule 40 ABS, DWV, Series 1000, PVC DWV
 Downspouts for high-rise buildings shall be of stronger pipe materials to resist high
hydrostatic pressure.
 Rainwater piping commencing 0.6 m from the exterior of the building may be of suitable
approved materials.
 Rainwater piping shall not be used as soil, waste and vent pipes, and shall always be
protected from damage.
 Roof drains and rainwater pipings previously used in building construction shall be
tested and accepted.

Section 1103 – Roof Drain

 Roof Drains shall be made of cast iron, copper and other corrosion-resistant material.
 Roof Drains shall be equipped with strainers extending not less than 102 mm above the
surface of the roof, adjacent to the drain.
 Dome-Type Strainers shall have a minimum total net area of 1 ½ times the area of the
outlet pipe.
 Roof deck strainers shall be an approved flat-surface type which is level with the deck
and have a total net area not less than twice the area of the outlet pipe.
 Roof drains passing through the roof shall be made watertight by the use of C.I. drain
with integrally-cast waterstop ring placed at mid-depth of the concrete roof slab.
 In all cases the outlet connection are inside-caulk or female screwed.

44
Section 1104 – Sizing of Rainwater Piping

SIZING OF ROOF DRAINS AND DOWNSPOUT PIPING FOR VARYING RAINFALL INTENSITIES
QUANTITIES ARE HORIZONTAL PROJECTED ROOF AREA IN SQ. M.
Diameter of Drain or Leader, mm
Rainfall
Item Intensity
51 76 102 127 152 178
No. per Hour,
mm
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
1 25.4 267.6 817.5 1709.4 3214.3 5016.6 10776.4
2 51 133.8 408.8 854.7 1607.2 2508.3 5388.2
3 76 89.2 272.2 569.5 1071.1 1671.1 3591.5
4 102 66.9 204.4 427.3 803.6 1254.2 2694.1
5 127 53.4 163.5 341.8 642.9 1003.3 2155.3
6 152.4 44.6 136.6 285.2 535.6 836.1 1794.4
7 178 38.1 117.1 244.3 459.4 716.7 1539.4
8 203 33.4 102.2 213.7 401.8 627.1 1347.1
9 228 29.7 91 190 357.2 557.4 1197.5
10 254 26.9 81.8 170.9 321.4 501.7 1077.6
11 279 24.2 74.3 155.6 292.2 456.1 979.6
12 305 22.3 67.8 142.1 267.6 418.1 897.4

 A 102 mm/hour rainfall intensity is used around Manila area.

 Where vertical walls project above a roof so as to permit storm water to drain to
adjacent roof area below, the total roof area may be computed as follows:
o For one wall – add 50% of area of the wall to the roof area
o For two adjacent walls – add 35% of the wall to the roof area
o For two walls opposite each other and equal heights – no additional area
o For two walls opposite each other and differing heights – add 50% of wall area
above top of lower wall to the roof area
o Walls on three sides – add 50% of area of the inner wall below the top of the
lowest wall plus allowance for area of wall above top of the lowest wall
o Walls on four sides – no allowance for wall areas below top of lowest wall – add
areas above top lowest wall
o The area of the side of a tall building exposed to rain is taken as half of the gross
area
 The size of a horizontal building rainwater piping and the size of semicircular bottom
roof gutters shall be sized based upon the maximum roof areas to be drained.
o Find area in column under given max. rainfall/hr and slope and choose the
closest to the given roof area. The required size of leader and downspout shall
be on the leftmost column.
 If the rainfall is more or less than those shown, adjust the figures in the 50.8 mm rainfall
by multiplying by two and dividing by the maximum rate of rainfall in mm/hr.

45
SIZING ROOF DRAINS, LEADERS AND VERTICAL RAINWATER PIPING
Size of
Maximum Allowable Horizontal Projected Roof Areas, sq.m
Drain,
Flow, At Various Rainfall Rates
Item Leader
L/s
No. or Pipe, 25 50 75 100 125 150
mm mm/hr mm/hr mm/hr mm/hr mm/hr mm/hr
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
1 50 1.5 202 101 67 51 40 34
2 75 4.2 600 300 200 150 120 160
3 100 9.1 1286 643 429 321 257 214
4 125 16.5 2334 1117 778 583 467 389
5 150 26.8 3790 1895 1263 948 758 632
6 200 57.6 8175 4088 2725 2044 1635 1363

 Sizing data for vertical conductors, leaders and drains is based on the pipes flowing at
7/24 full.
 For rainfall rates not listed, determine the allowable roof area by dividing the area given
in the 25 mm/hr column by the desired rainfall rate.
 Square pipe shall be sized to enclosed its equivalent round pipe.
 Rectangular pipe shall have at least the same cross sectional area as its equivalent round
pipe, except it’s dimensional ratio shall not exceed 3 to 1.

46
CHAPTER 12 – HOUSE DRAINS AND HOUSE SEWERS
Section 1201 – Sewer Required

 Every building in which plumbing are installed shall have a connection to an excreta
sewerage system.
 When no public sewer is available, drainage piping from any building or works shall be
connected to an approved private sewage disposal system.
 The rearrangement or subdivision into smaller parcels of lot shall not be deemed to
allow the construction of a private sewage disposal system and thus all plumbing system
still be connected to the existing public sewer.
 Public sewer may be considered not available if such is located more than 61 m from
the proposed building or exterior drainage facility.
 No permit shall be issued for installation, alteration or repair of any private sewage
system if it can be connected to an existing public sewer.

Section 1202 – Damage to Public Sewer or Private Sewage Disposal System

 It shall be unlawful to deposit any waste that could damage the public or private sewage
disposal system.
 No rain, surface or subsurface water shall be connected to the excreta drainage system
unless approved.
 No cesspool and septic tank effluents, seepage pit or underdrain system shall be
connected to the excreta drainage system leading to the main sewer.
 No commercial food waste grinder shall be connected to a private or public sewage
unless permitted.
 An approved-type watertight sewage or wastewater holding tank, if required, shall be
installed to prevent anticipated surface or subsurface contamination or pollution.

Section 1203 – Building Sewer Materials

 The building sewer beginning 0.6 m from outside face of wall of building or structure
shall be of approved materials.

Section 1204 – Markings

 All materials, parts and appurtenance incidental to the installation of building sewers or
private sewage disposal systems shall conform to the approval requirements and shall
be marked and identified in a satisfactory manner.

Section 1205 – Size of Building Sewers

 The minimum size of any building sewer shall be determined on the basis of the total
number of fixture units drained by such sewer and shall no smaller than 150 mm nor
less in size than the building drain.

47
Section 1206 – Grade, Support, and Protection of Building Sewer

 Building sewers shall be run at a slope of not less than 2% or 21 mm/m, unless the use
of piping of 102 mm – 152.4 mm diameter in which 1% (10.5 mm/m) slope is used and
203 mm diameter or larger in which 0.5% (5.3 mm/m) slope is used.
 Building sewer piping shall be laid on a firm bed and any such piping laid on filled-in
ground shall be laid over concrete cradle or of approved materials.
 No building sewer shall be installed not less than 0.6 m from the outer face of any
building foundation or wall, nor less than 0.3 m below the finish surface of the ground.

Section 1207 – Cleanouts

 Cleanouts shall be placed inside the building near the connection between the building
drain and the building sewer, or outside the building at the lower end of the building
drain and extended to grade.
 Additional building sewer cleanouts shall be installed not to exceed 15 m on center in
straight runs and for aggregate change in direction exceeding 135°.
 No cleanout will be required at its connection with the building drain when a building
sewer or its branch does not exceed 3 m in length and is a short straight line extension
from a building drain with cleanout.
 All building sewer cleanouts shall be extended to grade.
 Each cleanout shall be installed to allow cleaning of horizontal lines in the direction of
flow or the soil or wasteline or at right angle. In case of wye branch and end of line
cleanout, it shall be installed vertically.
 Cleanouts installed under concrete or asphalt paving shall be made accessible by strong
yard boxes with hinged cover or extending the top cover with countersunk operating
nut flush and be adequately protected.
 The maximum distance between manholes shall not exceed 91 m.
 The inlet and outlet pipe connections of manholes shall be made by the use of flexible
compression joints no closer than 0.3 m from the outside of the manhole.

Section 1208 – Sewer and Water Pipes

 Building sewer or drainage piping of unapproved materials shall not be laid in the same
trench as the water pipes unless both met the following:
o The bottom of the water pipe shall be at least 0.3 m above the top of the sewer
or drain line.
o The water pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf excavated at one side of the
common trench with a minimum clear horizontal distance of at least 0.3 m clear
above the sewer or drain pipe.
o Water pipe joints shall be installed not less than 3 m away from sewer line in
both directions.

Section 1209 – Location

 No building sewer shall be located in any lot other than the lot which the building served
by that sewer is located.

48
MINIMUM HORIZONTAL DISTANCE REQUIRED FROM BUILDING SEWER
Item
Description Distance Note
No.
Including porches and steps, whether covered
or uncovered, breezeways, roofed patios,
1 Building or structures 0.6 m
carports, covered walks, covered driveways,
etc.
Property line adjoining
2 Clear Section 1208
private property
All drainage piping shall clear domestic water
supply wells by at least 15.2 m. The distance
3 Water supply wells 15.2 m may be reduced to not less than 7.6 m when
drainage piping is constructed of approved
materials within a building.
4 Streams 15.2 m Section 1208
On-site domestic water
5 0.3 m For parallel construction
service line
For crossings, requiring approval of Health
6 Public water main 0.3 m
Dept and Authority.
 Nothing shall be construed to prohibit the use of abutting lot to:
o Providing access to connect building sewer to an available public sewer.
o Providing additional space for a building sewer when proper cause has been
established and agreed upon by the Administration Authority.

Section 1210 – Abandoned Sewers and Sewage Disposal Facilities

 Every abandoned building sewer, or part of it, shall be plugged or capped in an approved
manner within 1.5 m of the property line.
 Every cesspool, seepage pit and septic tank shall be removed and be filled with earth,
sand, gravel, concrete or other approved materials.
 The top cover of cesspool, seepage pit and septic tank shall be removed first during
inspection and when approved shall be filled to the level of the top of the finish ground.
 No person owning such cesspool, seepage pit and septic tank shall fail, refuse or neglect
to comply the requirements stated by the Department having jurisdiction.
 Disposal facilities that were abandoned shall be filled within thirty days from the time
of connecting the sewer line to the public sewer.

49
CHAPTER 13 – JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
Section 1301 – Tightness

 Pressure tests on joints and connections for pipes and fittings shall be required to ensure
tightness.

Section 1302 – Types of Joints

1. Caulked Joints – A type of joint used for bell-and-spigot cast iron soil pipe which shall be
made of non-toxic materials. The jointing shall be firmly packed with oakum or hemp
and be filled with at least 25.4 mm deep molten pig lead. The finished joint shall not
extend more than 3.2 mm below the rim of the hub after caulking.
2. Threaded Joints – A type of joint used for iron pipe size and plastic pipes and fittings.
Tubing threads shall conform on fine tubing thread standards. Threaded plastic pipe
shall be Schedule 80 minimum wall thickness.
3. Wiped Joints – A type of joint for lead pipe or fittings or between lead and brass or
copper fixture. Wiped lead joints shall have an exposed surface on each side of a joint
not less than 19 mm and at least as thick as the material being joined. Joints between
lead pipe and cast iron, steel or wrought iron pipe shall be of a caulking ferrule or
soldering nipple.
4. Solder and Sweat Joints – A type of joint for copper tubing and fittings. Surfaces to be
joined by soldering shall be cleaned by manual or mechanical means and shall be fluxed
by noncorrosive type flux and made up with approved solder. Solder and fluxes with
lead content of exceeding 0.002 are prohibited to convey potable water.
5. Flared Joints – A type of joint for soft copper water tubing which shall be expanded with
a flaring tool.
6. Cement Mortar Joints – A type of joint used for repairs and connection of existing lines
except for new building sewers.
7. Burned Lead Joints – A type of joint for lead piping which shall be lapped and the
assembly be fused together to form a uniform weld as thick as the lead sheets being
joined.
8. Asbestos Cement Sewer Pipe Joints – A type of joint for asbestos cement sewer pipe.
The joints shall be a sleeve coupling and sealed with neoprene rubber rings of joined by
an approved compression coupling. Joints between asbestos cement pipe and other
pipe shall be of adapter coupling.
9. Flexible Compression Factory-Fabricated Joints – A type of joint for pipes joined by
flexible compression and that shall conform to approved standards and not be
considered as slip joints.
10. Solvent Cement Plastic Pipe Joints – A type of joint for plastic pipe and fittings designed
to be joined by solvent cementing and shall comply with IAPMO Installation Standards.
11. Mechanical Joints – A type of joint for centrifugally cast iron water pipe.
12. Molded Rubber Coupling Joints – A type of joint for pipes used in soils for oil intrusion
that are joined by neoprene rubber coupling and be not considered as slip joint. When
required, neoprene rubber bushings shall be used to allow any pipe diameter difference.

50
 13. Elastomeric Gasketed Rubber-ring Joints – A type of joint for oil handling piping works
using neoprene gaskets.
14. Shielded Coupling Joints – A type of joint for pipes joined by shielded couplings and be
not considered as slip joint.
15. Hubless Cast Iron Pipe Joints – A type of joint for hubless cast iron soil pipe and fittings
conforming to IAPMO Installation Standards and be not considered as slip joint.
16. Pressure Lock Type Connection – A mechanical connection depending on an internal
retention device to prevent pipe or tubing separation and is done by inserting the pipe
inside the fitting to a prescribed depth.
17. Brazing and Welding – shall conform to the Standards.
18. Packing Additives – the addition of leak sealing additives to joint packing is prohibited.

Section 1303 – Use of Joints

 For clay sewer pipes, neoprene gasket for hub and spigot joints is used.
 For cast iron pipes, mechanical joints and flexible compression joints are used.
 For screwed pipe to cast iron pipe, it shall be either caulked or threaded joints made as
provided or shall be made with approved adapter fittings.
 For lead to cast iron, wrought iron or steel piping, it is joined by wiped joints to a caulking
ferrule, soldering nipple or bushing.
 For copper water tubing, usage of brass fittings properly soldered or brazed together is
made to join or by mean of approved brass compression type fittings.
 For plastic fittings, factory made screw and PVS adaptor fitting of Schedule 80 thickness
are used. The use of job-fabricated female screws of PVC for water piping is prohibited.

Section 1304 – Special Joints

1. Copper Tubing to Screw Pipe Joints – A type of joint using brass adaptor fittings for thin-
walled copper tubing to thick-walled threaded pipe, in which shall be properly sweated
or soldered or made with flared.
2. Slip Joints – A type of joint used in fixture drains and traps.
3. Expansion Joints – A type of joint used in soil and waste stacks to provide for necessary
expansion and contraction of the pipes for high-rise buildings.
4. Unions – A type of connection used in drainage work when accessibly located in the trap
seal or between a fixture and its trap. It is also used in the vent system except for
underground and in wet vents. It is used also in gas and water supply piping.
5. Ground Joint, Flared or Ferrule Connections – A type of connection for brass or copper
ground joint that shall not be considered as slip joint.
6. Plastic Pipe Connection to Other Materials – The usage of approved types of fittings and
adapters are used.

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Section 1305 – Flanged Fixture Connection

 Fixture connections between drainage pipes and plumbing fixtures shall be made of
approved materials.
 The connection shall be bolted with rust-proofed material and with an approved gasket,
washer or setting compound between the earthenware and the connection.
 Closet bends or stubs must be cut off square to present a smooth surface even with the
top of the closet ring is called before inspection.
 Wall-mounted water closets shall be securely bolted and the connecting piping between
the carrier fitting and fixture shall e approved and designed to accommodate an
adequately-sized gasket made of graphite-impregnated asbestos or felt.

Section 1306 – Prohibited Joints and Connections

 Any fitting or connection which has an enlargement, chamber or recess with a ledge or
reduction of pipe area that offers an obstruction shall be prohibited.
 No fitting or connection that offers abnormal obstruction to flow shall be used.
 The enlargement of 76 mm closet bend or stub to 102 mm shall not be considered as
obstruction.

Section 1307 – Waterproofing of Openings

 Joints at openings shall be made watertight by the use of lead, copper, galvanized iron
or other flashing material.
 Counterflashing shall not restrict the required internal cross-sectional area of the vent.

Section 1308 – Increasers and Reducers

 Proper size of increaser or reducers shall be used between two differently sized pipings.
 Brass or cast iron body cleanouts shall not be used as a reducer or adapter.

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CHAPTER 14 – QUALITY AND WEIGHT OF MATERIALS, PLUMBING
MATERIALS AND REFERENCED STANDARDS
Section 1401 – Minimum Standards

 All materials to be used in plumbing shall be approved and free of defects.

 Each length of piping or fixtures shall be integrally embossed or stamped with the weight,
quality and the maker’s logo or name on it for proper identification.
 Design and materials for special conditions may be used only if approved for adequacy
by the Administrative Authority.
 The provisions of this Code do not intend to prevent the use of alternate material or
method of construction provided any such alternate has been first approved and
authorized.

Section 1402 – Iron Pipe Size Pipe

 Iron, steel, brass and copper pipes shall be iron pipe size with the appropriate weight.

Section 1403 – Use of Copper Tubing

 Copper tubes for underground and above ground drainage and vent shall have a weight
of not less than that of copper drainage tube, DWV type specifications.
 Copper tube shall not be used for piping carrying chemical or industrial wastes.
 Copper tube for water supply piping shall have a weight of not less than type “L”. Type
“M” copper tubing may be used when it is above ground or underground with protective
coating.
 Copper tubing shall be marked by means of a continuous and indelibly colored stripe of
6.4 mm width.
o Type K – green
o Type L – blue
o Type M – red
o Type DWV – yellow
 Flexible copper water connectors shall be installed in exposed locations.

Section 1404 – Lead

 Weight and thickness of sheet lead shall not be less than:

o 19.56 kg/m2 and 1.6 mm thick for safe pans
o 14.63 kg/m2 and 1.2 mm thick for flashings and vent terminals
o 3.2 mm wall thickness for lead bends and lead traps

Section 1405 – Ferrules and Bushings

 Caulking ferrules shall be of the best quality red cast brass, bronze or copper.

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DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF CAULKING FERRULES
Minimum Weight
Pipe Size, mm Inside Diameter, mm Length, mm
each, kg
51 57.2 114.3 0.454
76 82.6 114.3 0.790
102 108.0 114.3 1.132
 Soldering nipples shall be of bronze, copper or heavy cast red brass.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF SOLDERING BUSHINGS

Minimum Weight Minimum Weight
Pipe Size, mm Pipe Size, mm
each, kg each, kg
32 0.168 63 0.622
38 0.224 76 0.908
51 0.392 102 1.586

Section 1406 – Closet Rings (Closet Flanges)

 Closet rings/flanges for water closets shall be of bronze, copper, hard lead, cast iron,
galvanized malleable iron, ABS, PVC, etc.
 Each closet ring or closet flange shall be 178 mm in diameter, and when installed with
the soil pipe, present a 38 mm wide flange and groove face for the fixture gasket or ball
wax.
 Caulked-on closet rings/flanges shall not be less than 6.4 mm thick nor 51 mm deep.
 Closet rings/flanges shall be:
o Burned or soldered to lead bends or lead ferrule
o Caulked to cast iron soil pipe
o Solvent cemented to ABS or PVC tubes
o Screwed or fastened to other pipe materials
 All closet rings/flanges shall be secured to the water closer using four bolts, made of
brass, copper or other corrosion resistant materials.

Section 1407 – Cleanout Fittings

 Each cleanout fitting for CISP shall consist of cast iron or brass body and brass plug.
 Each cleanout for galvanized wrought iron, galvanized steel, copper or brass pipe shall
consist of brass plug and brass cap or an approved ABS or PVC plastic coupling and plug,
in which should be of an approved type.
 Cleanouts shall be designed to be gas and watertight without the use of any gasket,
packing or washer.

Section 1408 – Threaded Type Fittings

 Screwed Fittings shall be of ABS, cast iron, copper alloy, malleable iron, PVC, steel, etc.
Threads shall be tapped out of solid metal or factory molded.
 Drainage Fittings shall be screw jointed having a smooth interior waterway and a 2%
slope.

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Section 1409 – Backwater Valve

 Backwater valves shall remain open during low flows to avoid screening of solids and
fibrous materials and shall not restrict capacities or cause excessive turbulence during
peak loads.
 Valve access covers shall be bolted type with gasket.

Section 1410 – Valves and Fittings

 Full-way type gate valves shall be used in drainage work.

 Sizes 102 mm or larger diameter valves shall have cast iron bodies while sizes less than
102 mm shall have brass or bronze bodies.

Section 1411 – Zinc Alloy Components

 Zinc alloy components shall meet the applicable standards

DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS ISSUING SPECIFICATIONS ON PLUMBING

No. Abbreviation Meaning
1 AHAM Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
2 ANSI American National Standard Institute
3 ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
4 ASSE American Society of Sanitary Engineers
5 ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
6 AWWA American Water Works Association
7 CISPI Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute
8 CS & PS Commercial Standards and Product Standards
9 FS Federal Specifications
10 IAPMO International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
11 PDI Plumbing and Drainage Institute
12 PNS Philippine National Standard Certification Mark
13 UL Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
14 WQA Water Quality Association
International Standard Organization, Organization for
15 ISO
Standardization
16 EN European Committee for Standardization

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