ELEMENTS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Building Supply
The building supply or water service is a large water supply
pipe that carries potable water from the district or city water
system or other water source to the building.

Water Meter
A water meter is required by most district water supply systems
to measure and record the amount of water used. It may be
placed in a meter box located in the ground near the street or inside
the building.

Building Main
The building main is a large pipe that serves as the principal artery
of the water supply system. It carries water through the
building to the furthest riser. The building main is typically run
(located) in a basement, in a ceiling, in a crawl space, or below
the con crete floor slab.

Riser
A riser is a water supply pipe that extends vertically in the
building at least one story and carries water to fixture branches.
It is typically connected to the building main and runs vertically
in the walls or pipe chases.

Fixture Branch
A fixture branch is a water supply pipe that runs from the riser or
main to the fixture being connected. In a water supply system, it is
any part of a piping system other than a riser or main pipe. Fixture
branch pipes supply the individual plumbing fixtures. A fixture
branch is usually run in the floor or in the wall behind the fixtures.

Fixture Connection
A fixture connection runs from the fixture branch to the fixture,
the terminal point of use in a plumbing system. A shut-off valve
is typically located in the hot and cold water supply at the fixture
connection.