The following definitions shall apply in the
interpretation and enforcement of these rules and regulations:
When applied to a fixture, connection appliance or equipment
shall mean having access thereto, but which first may require the
removal of an access panel, door or similar obstruction; readily accessible
shall mean direct access without the necessity of removing or moving
any panel, door or similar obstruction.
Buildings which are dependent upon and cannot function independently
of the central unit.
An acid-resisting drain pipe used for installations for chemical
manufacturing, laboratories, processing or other acid liquids used
for commercial or experimental purposes.
When used in the Article shall mean the Director of the Allegheny
County Health Department or his authorized representative, including
an individual official, board, division, or municipality authorized
by the County to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance,
or device discharges indirectly into a fixture, receptacle, or interceptor
at a point below the flood level rim of the receptacle.
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the outlet of waste pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle
or trap into which it is discharging.
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water
to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood rim of the
receptacle.
See "supports."
A structure containing dwelling units which also contains
common areas accessible from within the structure such as hallways,
basements, laundry facilities, etc.
Accepted under an applicable specification stated or cited
in this code, or accepted as suitable for the proposed use under procedures
and powers of the Administrative Authority.
A device which is an adjunct to the pipes, fixtures or appliances
of the plumbing system, which adds no additional requirement or load
to the systems, and which contributes to the operation, maintenance,
servicing, or safety of the system.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or rain water from
an open area.
When used alone shall mean these rules and regulations, subsequent
amendments thereto or any emergency rule or regulation which the Board
of Health may recommend for adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under
positive pressure which passes through an integral orifice or "constriction"
causing a vacuum. Aspirators are often referred to as "suction" apparatus
and are similar in operation to an ejector.
A fixture or table used for the postmortem examination of
a body.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixture, or substances
into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any
source or sources other than its intended source.
Any arrangement whereby backflow can occur.
A device or means to prevent backflow into the potable water
system.
The flowing back of used, contaminated, or polluted water
from a plumbing fixture or vessel into a water supply pipe because
of a negative pressure in such pipe.
See "revent pipe."
A fixture meeting the design requirements of § 860-191A, sometimes called a "clinic sink."
A fixture used for scalding bedpans or urinals by direct
application of steam.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents
into the soil drainage system. It may also provide for steaming the
utensils with steam or hot water.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent
to a water closet or clinic sink to be used for cleansing bedpans.
The elected Commissioners of Allegheny County, or such other
board or body as may hereafter be charged by law with the duty of
governing Allegheny County.
The Board of Health of Allegheny County.
An outlet on a boiler to permit emptying or discharge of
sediment.
Any part of the piping system other than a main, soil, waste
stack or vent stack.
A length of soil or waste stack corresponding in general
to a story height, but in no case less than eight feet within which
the horizontal branches from one floor or story of a building are
connected to the stack.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a main
vent, vent stack or stack vent.
A structure having walls and a roof designed and used for
the housing, shelter, enclosure, or support of persons, animals or
property.
The arrangement adopted by the Administrative Authority for
the designation of buildings in classes according to use or occupancy.
That part of the lowest piping of a drainage system which
receives the discharge of soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside
the walls of the building and conveys such discharges to the building
sewer; the building drain shall be considered to extend five feet
outside the building wall.
A building drain which conveys both sewage and storm water.
A building drain which conveys sewage, but does not convey
storm water.
A building drain which conveys storm water, but does not
convey sewage.
The building (house) sewer is the part of the horizontal
piping of a drainage system which extends from the end of the building
drain, and which receives the discharge of the building drain and
conveys it to a public sewer, private sewer, sewage disposal system,
or treatment device.
A building sewer which conveys both sewage and storm water.
A building sewer which conveys sewage but does not convey
storm water.
A building sewer which conveys storm water but does not convey
sewage.
A building (house) subdrain is that portion of a drainage
system which cannot drain by gravity into the building sewer.
A device, fitting or assembly of fittings installed in the
building drain to prevent the entrance of sewer gas into the drainage
system of the building from the building sewer or main sewer; to provide
a circulation of fresh air for the drainage system through the fresh
air inlet of the house or building trap and the soil and vent stacks.
Any qualified person employed by the Administrative Authority
to provide the general supervision of the Assistant Chief Plumbing
Inspector, Supervisors and Inspectors and such other employees as
may be necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this
chapter.
A branch vent that serves two or more traps, and extends
from in front of the last fixture connection of a horizontal branch
to the vent stack.
See "bedpan hopper" and § 860-191A.
A fixture combining one sink and tray or a two- or three-compartment
sink or tray in one unit.
A private sewer that collects the sewage discharge of more
than one building drain/sewer and conveys it to a public sewer.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains and
serving as a vent for both fixtures.
The water conductor pipe from the roof to the building storm
drain, combined drain or sewer, or other legal means of disposal.
A vertical vent that is a continuation of the drain to which
it connects.
The level to which the backflow preventer (vacuum breaker)
may be submerged before backflow will occur. Where the Critical Level
is not shown on the preventer, the bottom of the device shall be taken
as the C-L.
Any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise
separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the
other water of unknown or questionable safety, steam, gases or chemicals
whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other, the direction
of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.
The Allegheny County Health Department.
Its length along the center line of the pipe and fittings.
Unless specifically stated, the nominal diameter as designated
commercially.
The Director of the Allegheny County Health Department or
his authorized representative.
See "conductor."
Any pipe which carries waste water or waterborne wastes in
a building drainage system.
Includes all the piping within public or private premises,
which conveys sewage, rain water, or other liquid wastes to a legal
point of disposal, but does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or public sewage-treatment or disposal plant.
A term used to describe soil or waste systems where all piping
is of threaded pipe, tubing, or other rigid construction, using recessed
drainage fittings to correspond to the types of piping.
The minimum cross-sectional area at the point of water-supply
discharge, measured or expressed in terms of (1) diameter of a circle;
(2) if the opening is not circular, the diameter of a circle of equivalent
cross-sectional area.
A pipe connecting several fixtures.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to the junction of that
drain with any other drain pipe.
A water-supply pipe connecting the fixture to a branch water
supply pipe, or to a main water supply pipe.
A quantity in terms of which the load-producing effects on
the plumbing system of different kinds of plumbing fixtures are expressed
on some arbitrarily chosen scale.
The total discharge flow in gallons per minute, of a single
fixture divided by 7.5 which provides the flow rate of that particular
plumbing fixture as a unit of flow. Fixtures are rated as multiples
of this unit of flow.
The top edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
A fixture is flooded when the liquid therein rises to the
flood-level rim.
A device located at the bottom of the tank for the purpose
of flushing water closets and similar fixtures.
A floor drain which is equipped with an integral water supply,
enabling flushing of the drain receptor and trap.
A device which discharges a predetermined quantity of water
to fixtures for flushing purposes and is actuated by direct pressure.
The slope or fall of a line of pipe in reference to a horizontal
plane. In drainage it is usually expressed as the fall in a fraction
of an inch per foot length of pipe.
See "interceptor."
See "supports."
See "building trap."
Any pipe or fitting which makes an angle of less than 45°
with the horizontal.
See "building drain."
See "building sewer."
See "building trap."
A pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system,
but conveys liquid wastes by discharging into a plumbing fixture or
trap (through an open air gap or air break) which is then directly
connected to the drainage system.
Liquid wastes resulting from the process employed in industrial
establishments and are free of fecal matter.
The water entering a sanitary drainage system from the ground
through such means as, but not limited to, defective pipes, pipe joints,
connections, or manhole walls. Infiltration does not include, and
is distinguished from, inflow.
The water entering a sanitary, drainage system from such
sources as, but not limited to, rain, conductors, foundation drains,
yard and area drains, catch basins, surface run-off, manhole covers,
or connections with storm or combination sewer/drain piping. Inflow
does not include, and is distinguished from, infiltration.
Contrary to sanitary principles, injurious to health.
A device designed and installed so as to separate and retain
deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes and
permit normal sewage or liquid wastes to discharge into the disposal
terminal by gravity.
See "conductor."
The discharge from any fixture, appliance, or appurtenance,
in connection with a plumbing system which does not receive fecal
matter.
A pipe on the fixture side of the trap through which vapor
or foul air is removed from a room or fixture.
A vertical pipe to which connections are made from the fixture
side of traps, and through which vapor and/or foul air may be removed
from the fixture or device used on bedpan washers.
The same as a circuit vent except that it loops back and
connects with a stack vent instead of a vent stack.
The main of any system of continuous piping is the principal
artery of the system, to which branches may be connected. In a drainage
system, the main may be considered as the run of pipe from the building
(house) trap to (and including) the soil or soil stacks.
See "public sewer."
The main of any system of continuous piping is the principle
artery of the system. In a venting system, the main or mains may be
considered as the soil stack, vent stacks or any other vertical line
of pipe extending from the house or building drain and continuing
through the roof undiminished in size to which branch vents may be
connected.
The word "may" as used in the rules and regulations is a
permissive term. The word "shall" as used in these rules and regulations
is a mandatory term.
Any major manufactured subsystem or subassembly containing
plumbing designed for use as an integral component part of a structure
designed for residential occupancy, which contains concealed parts
or processes of manufacture that cannot be inspected at the building
site without disassembly, damage or destruction and which is identified
in the Industrialized Housing Act, Act of May 11, 1972, P.L. 286,[1] or the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Community
Affairs as being subject to the Industrialized Housing Act.
A receptor designed and installed to receive the discharge
of acid drains and to safely neutralize said acid by passing acid
through limestone chips or other acceptable neutralizing material
in neutralizing tanks before discharging to regular drainage system.
As used in these rules and regulations shall mean a natural
person, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns; and includes
a firm, partnership or corporation, its or their successors or assigns.
Singular includes plural, male includes female.
See "grade."
Any person who is engaged in learning the plumbing trade
by working with and assisting a journeyman or master plumber in the
installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing and drainage and
is governed by the rules and regulations promulgated under "The Apprenticeship
and Training Act," 1961, July 14, P.L. 604.[2]
A person other than a master or apprentice plumber who is
not on inactive status, having satisfied the Examining Board of Allegheny
County as to his knowledge of the installation of plumbing and has
been licensed by the Department to install plumbing under the direction
of a master plumber.
A person other than a journeyman or apprentice plumber, who
is not on inactive status, having satisfied the Allegheny County Health
Department as to his knowledge of the installation of plumbing and
has been licensed by the Department to install plumbing as a Master
Plumber.
The practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation,
maintenance, extension, and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances
and appurtenances in connection with any of the following: sanitary
drainage, including acid waste and laboratory tables; storm drainage
facilities, the venting system and the public or private water-supply
systems, within or adjacent to any building, structure, or conveyance;
also the practice and materials used in the installation maintenance,
extension, or alteration of storm water, liquid-waste, or sewerage,
and water supply systems of any premises to their connection with
any point of public disposal or other acceptable terminal; except
that roof and exterior building drainage facilities commonly referred
to as gutters and down spouts, are not plumbing for purposes of this
Code.
Receptacles intended to receive and discharge any liquid
water or water carried wastes into a drainage system or treatment
works with which they are connected.
Includes the water-supply and distribution pipes, plumbing
fixtures and traps, soil, waste, and vent pipes, building drains and
building sewers (storm and sanitary) including their respective connections,
devices, and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises,
and water-treating or water-using equipment.
A water receptacle used for swimming designed for recreational
purposes to accommodate more than one bather at a time.
Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient
to cause disease or harmful physiological effects. Its bacteriological
and chemical quality shall conform to the requirements of the Public
Health Service Drinking Water Standards or the regulations of the
public health authority having jurisdiction.
In the classification of plumbing fixtures, private applies
to fixtures in residences and apartments and to fixtures in private
bathrooms of hotels and similar installations where the fixtures are
intended for the use of a family or an individual.
A private sewer is a sewer privately owned and not directly
controlled by public authority.
In the classification of plumbing fixtures, public applies
to every fixture not defined under private use and public shall include
all installations where a number of fixtures are installed and their
use may be restricted or unrestricted.
A common sewer directly controlled by municipality or municipal
sewer authority.
A water supply pipe for public use controlled by municipal
or public water authority.
A fixture or device which receives the discharge from indirect
waste pipes.
A vent, the primary function of which is to provide a circulation
of air between drainage and vent systems.
A double offset installed so as to return the pipe to its
original alignment.
That part of a vent pipe line which connects directly with
an individual waste or group of wastes, underneath or back of the
fixture, and extends either to the main or branch vent pipe.
The unobstructed open edge of a fixture.
A water-supply pipe which extends vertically one full story
or more to convey water to branches or fixtures.
A drain installed to receive water collecting on the surface
of a roof and to discharge it into the conductor, leader, or downspout.
The installation of all parts of the plumbing system which
can be completed prior to the installation of fixtures. This includes
drainage, water-supply, and vent piping and the necessary fixture
supports.
See "indirect waste."
A pipe which carries sewage and excludes storm, surface and
ground water, other than normal infiltration.
A water-tight receptacle which received sewage and is designed
and constructed to provide for sludge storage, sludge decomposition
and to separate solids from the liquid through a period of detention
before allowing the liquid to be discharged to a subsurface absorption
area.
Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in
suspension or solution, and may include liquids containing chemicals
in solution.
A device for moving sewage by entraining it in a high velocity
steam, air or water jet.
Any pipe which conveys the discharge of water closets, urinals,
bedpan washers, or fixtures having similar functions, with or without
the discharge from other fixtures, to the building drain or building
sewer.
Any vertical line of pipe beginning at the lowest basement
level or connection to building drain and continuing through the roof
undiminished in size which receives the discharge of one or more water
closets, urinals, bedpan washers or fixtures having a similar function,
with or without other fixtures.
Wastes which require special treatment before entry into
the normal plumbing system.
The vertical main of a system of soil, waste, or vent piping.
The extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest
horizontal drain connected to the stack.
A method of venting a fixture or fixtures through the soil
or waste stacks.
A device for sterilizing water and storing sterile water.
A fixture (nonpressure type), used for boiling instruments,
utensils, and/or other equipment (used for disinfection). Some devices
are portable, others are connected to the plumbing system.
See "sterilizer, boiler type."
A fixture (pressure vessel) designed to both wash and sterilize
instruments during the operating cycle of the fixture.
A fixture (pressure vessel) designed to use steam under pressure
for sterilizing; also called an Autoclave.
See "sterilizer, boiling type."
A separate pipe or stack, indirectly connected to the building
drainage system at the lower terminal, which receives the vapors from
nonpressure sterilizers, or the exhaust vapors from pressure sterilizers,
and conducts the vapors directly to the outer air; sometimes called
vapor, steam, atmospheric or exhaust vent.
A device used in distilling liquids.
A sewer used for conveying rain water, surface water, condensate,
cooling water, or similar liquid wastes.
A drain which receives only surface or seepage water and
conveys it to a legal place of disposal.
A tank or pit which receives sewage or liquid waste, located
below the normal grade of the gravity system and which must be emptied
by mechanical means.
A mechanical device other than an ejector or bucket for removing
sewage or liquid waste from a sump.
Devices for supporting and securing pipe and fixtures to
walls, ceilings, floors, or structural members.
The developed length in the fixture drain measured from the
trap weir to the vent fitting.
A fitting or device so designed and constructed as to provide,
when properly vented, a liquid seal which will prevent the back passage
of air, sewer or other gas without materially affecting the flow of
sewage or waste water through it.
The maximum vertical depth of liquid that a trap will retain,
measured between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the trap.
Any pressure less than that exerted by the atmosphere.
Part of the vent system.
A vertical line of pipe beginning at the lowest basement
level, or connecting at the base of a soil or waste stack and continuing
through the roof undiminished in size, installed for the purpose of
providing a circulation of air to or from any part of the drainage
system.
A pipe or pipes installed to provide a flow of air to or
from a drainage system or to provide a circulation of air within such
system to protect trap seals from siphonage and back pressure.
Any pipe or fitting which makes an angle of 45° or less
with the vertical.
A wall-mounted water closet installed in such a way that
no part of the water closet touches the floor.
A pipe which conveys only liquid waste, free of fecal matter.
Any vertical line of pipe beginning at the lowest basement
level or connection to building drain and continuing through the roof
undiminished in size, which conveys only liquid wastes, free of fecal
matter.
In a building or premises is a pipe which conveys water from
the water service pipe to the plumbing fixtures and other water outlets.
A water supply pipe for public or community use.
As used in connection with the water distributing system,
is the discharge opening for the water (1) to a fixture; (2) to atmospheric
pressure (except into an open tank which is part of the water supply
system); (3) to a boiler or heating system; (4) to any water-operated
device or equipment requiring water to operate but which is not part
of the plumbing system.
See "riser."
The pipe from the water main or other source of water supply
to the building served.
The water supply system of a building, or premises, consists
of the water service pipe, the water distributing pipes, and the necessary
connecting pipes, fittings, control valves, and all appurtenances
in or adjacent to the building or premises.
A well constructed by boring a hole in the ground with an
auger and installing tile or other casing.
A well constructed by making a hole in the ground with a
drilling machine of any type and installing casing and screen.
A well constructed by driving a pipe in the ground. The drive
pipe is usually fitted with a well point and screen.
A well constructed by excavating a large diameter shaft,
and installing casing where needed.
A pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack to a
vent stack for the purpose of preventing pressure changes in the stacks.
