|
Plumbing Terms and Definitions
|
|
Ball Valve - A valve that uses a ball to seal against the seat.
Brass Fittings - A plumbing fitting made of brass. View List
CO - Cleanout
Cock - A faucet or valve for regulating the flow of water.
Copper Fitting - A plumbing fitting made of copper. View List
Coupling - Vent pipe hood, which protects it from the elements.
DWV - Drainage, waste, and vent systems, which remove wastewater. Not for drinking water.
FIP - Female Iron Pipe connection. Standard internal threads on pipe fittings.
Galvanized Fittings - A plumbing fitting made of galvanized metal. View List
IPS (Iron Pipe Size) (OD) - Same as NPS. Standard pipe threads. Also Internal Pipe Swivel connection (female)
OD - Outside diameter
View Nominal to
OD Equivalence
MIP - Male Iron Pipe Connection. Standard external threads on pipe and fittings.
Nipple (Pipe Nipple) - A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other fittings
Nominal - Usually refers to the Inside diameter of trade sizes of copper pipe and some CPVC pipes. Not for Iron Pipe connections. For example, a ½" NOM Comp. Fitting is actually 5/8" because ½" pipe has an OD of 5/8".
View Nominal to OD Equivalence
NPS - National Pipe Straight threads standard, Same as IPS
PEX - Cross-linked polyethylene. PEX tubing is commonly used for hydronic radiant floor heat, but increasingly also used for water supply lines. Stronger than PE.
Plumbing Fitting - The component in a plumbing system that connects two or more pieces of pipe together.
PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride. A plastic plumbing material used primarily for yard service pipe, outdoor irrigation systems or interior drain, waste and vent systems. This material is typically white or black.
Reducing - A fitting that connects pipes of different sizes together.
Sillcock - Hose bib
Union - Three piece fitting that joins two sections of pipe, but allows them to be disconnected without cutting the pipe. Used primarily with steel pipe; never in a DWV system.
Valve - A device used for turning the water supply on and off. Often referred to as "stops." View List
|
|
|
