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Plumbing Glossary

4" on Center Faucets
The hot & cold supply to a faucet is 4 inches from center to center.
8" on Center
The hot & cold supply to a faucet is 8 inches from center to center.
ADA
Is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances; discrimination based on a disability.
Aerator
Devices used for mixing air with another substance, such as water. Aerators help save water & reduce splashing. The amount of water passing through the aerator is measured by GPM.
Angle Stop
A shutoff valve between water pipes & a faucet. The inlet connects to a water-supply pipe in a wall, the outlet angles up 90 degrees to the faucet.
Back Flow Preventer
A device used to protect water supplies from contamination or pollution.
Ball Valve
A valve that uses a ball to seal against the seat
Barrier Free
Freeing a building of barriers. Recognizing the features that could form barriers for some people.
Cartridge
A replaceable, removable component which controls water flow.
Check Valve
A plumbing fitting designed to allow water flow in one direction only.
Combination Unit
An eyewash station & a drench shower combined together into one unit.
Concealed Flush Valve
Hidden self-closing valve designed to release a large volume of water when tripped.
Connector
A simple device that physically links, joins & connects parts together.
Coupling
A mechanical device used to connect the ends of adjacent parts.
Deck Mount
Describes a faucet that is mounted on a deck platform rather than on a wall.
Double-jointed Spout
A spout which is rotatable to move freely at two separate points.
Drain
A plumbing fixture that provides an exit-point for waste water or water that is to be re-circulated
Drench Shower
A shower like unit that provides a diffused spray pattern for use upon exposure to any hazardous substance.
Dual Flush
A variation of the flush toilet that uses two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water.
Elbow
A 90 degree bend fitting used to connect two pieces together.
Exposed Flush Valve
Accessible self-closing valve designed to release a large volume of water when tripped.
Eye Wash Station
A cleansing receptacle for the purpose of emergencies in which the eyes must be quickly flushed with water.
FNPT
Female National Pipe Thread-(internal threads)-is a U.S. standard for tapered threads used on threaded pipes and fittings.
Faucet Mounted Eyewash
An eyewash station that attaches to any standard or gooseneck faucet and lets you easily switch between faucet use & emergency eyewash.
Filter
A device used to remove or separate impurities and particles from water.
Foot Valve
A valve that is activated by your foot.
Freeze Resistant
To withstand the hardening or solidification caused by cold temperatures.
GPF
Gallons per Flush
GPM
Gallons per Minute
Gasket
A rubber, metal or rope ring, for packing a piston or placing around a joint to make it watertight.
Gooseneck Spout
A spout which forms a deep curve and offers more room for tasks.
Gravity-Fed Toilet
This style of toilet uses gravity to flush the system. When the handle is pushed, a flush valve opens, and the water in the tank drains into the bowl. 
ID
Inside Diameter
IPS
Iron Pipe Size--is a U.S. standard for tapered threads used on threaded pipes and fittings, which is the same as MIP (stands for Male Iron Pipe) and MNPT (Male National Pipe Thread.
Knee Valve
A valve that is activated by your knee.
Lead Free
Free of tetraethyl lead-a heavy, colorless, poisonous compound of lead.
Lower Supply
A part that protrudes from the bottom of the tank for the supply line connection. The other end of the lower supply connects to a hose that goes to the upper supply.
MNPT
Male National Pipe Thread-(external threads)-is a U.S. standard for tapered threads used on threaded pipes and fittings.
Manual Mixing Valve
Multi-inlet valve used to mix two or more fluid intakes to give a mixed product of desired composition, operated with the hands.
Mechanical Mixing Valve
Multi-inlet valve used to mix two or more fluid intakes to give a mixed product of desired composition, operated by machinery.
Mixing Valve
Multi-inlet valve used to mix two or more fluid intakes to give a mixed product of desired composition.
Module
A standard or unit of measurement, especially of flowing water.
NPT
National Pipe Thread-is a U.S. standard for tapered threads used on threaded pipes and fittings.
OD
Outside Diameter
P-Trap
A curved pipe put at the bottom of a drain system used to prevent gases from entering a building by keeping a water seal in the drain.
Pex Tubing
A part of a water supply piping system that has several advantages over metal pipe (copper, iron, lead) or rigid plastic pipe (PVC, CIVIC, ABS) systems. It is flexible, resistant to scale and chlorine, doesn't corrode or develop pinholes, is faster to install than metal or rigid plastic, and has fewer connections and fittings.
Pex Tubing w/O2 barrier
Has a layer of polymer laminated to the outside surface (or sandwiched internally between PEX layers) that prevents oxygen from penetrating the walls of the PEX tubing. Radiant floor heating (or hydronic heating systems) may include some ferrous (iron-containing) components which will corrode over time if exposed to oxygen.
Portable Eyewash
A portable on-the-go cleansing receptacle for the purpose of emergencies in which the eyes must be quickly flushed with water.
Potable Water
Water of such sufficiently high quality, that it can be consumed or used without risk of immediate or long term harm.
Pressure Assist
A flush system that uses pressure instead of gravity, with fewer moving parts resulting in fewer servicing needs.
Pressure Gauge
A device used for measuring the pressure of a fluid (gas or liquid).
Pressure Regulator
A pressure regulator is a valve that automatically cuts off the flow of a liquid or gas at a certain pressure. Regulators are used to allow high-pressure fluid supply lines or tanks to be reduced to safe and/or usable pressures for various applications.
Rigid Spout
A spout which is not bendable or flexible; firmly fixed.
Rod Kit
A repair part linkage to a Flushmate system which is composed of a flush rod.
Sensor
A device that receives a signal or stimulus & responds to it in a distinctive manner.
Slip Coupling
A moveable part or device that links, connects & joins other parts together.
Solenoid
A device in which an electric current is sent.
Spout
A pipe, orifice or projection by which a liquid is poured or discharged.
Spud
Brass coupling that connects the flush tube to the porcelain toilet or urinal.
Spud Wrench
The tool that is used to remove or install the spud to the porcelain.
Stem
The shaft which transmits motion from the outside to the inside of a valve.
Straight Stop
An emergency stop valve that is usually installed before the water supply line to toilets & faucets. Similar to angle stops but the line does not change direction.
Supply Line
A line which provides and supplies water to a unit; i.e. a faucet or a water cooler.
Swing Spout
A spout which is rotatable to move freely from left to right.
Tee
A pipe fitting in the form a letter "T" used to join three pipes.
Temperature Gauge
A device used to indicate the temperature of a device being monitored.
Tepid Water
Slightly warm, lukewarm water.
Thermostatic Mixing Valve
Multi-inlet valve used to mix two or more fluid intakes to give a mixed product of desired composition, operated by a thermostat.
Trap Primer
A small feeder line connecting the cold water line directly to the drainage trap, which releases a small amount of water to the trap should it run dry to maintain the water seal.
Upper Supply
A part that connects the inlet line of the toilet to the pressure vessel tank, acting as a vacuum breaker by allowing air into the tank, then closing & allowing water to flow through.
Vacuum Breaker
A device used to relieve a vacuum formed in a water supply line to prevent backflow. Also known as backflow preventer.
Vandal Resistant
Resistant to persons who willfully or ignorantly destroy something valuable.
Wall Mount
Describes a faucet that is mounted on a wall rather than on a deck platform.
Water Cooler
A device that cools and dispenses water.
Water Fountain
A device that dispenses water.
Water Hammer Arrestor
A device that relieves and stops the thump or 'hammering sound' in a pipe, caused by an airlock.
Waterless Urinal
A urinal that works completely without water or flush valves. The system is touch-free, easy to install, improves restroom sanitation & eliminates odors.
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