Basic Principles of Plumbing The basic principles of the 1999 National Plumbing Code of the Philippines is an update of the

tenets established in the "Plumbing Law of the Philippines" approved on 18 June 1955 as amended on 28 November 1959 Principle No. 1 - All premises intended for Principle No. 12 - Vent terminals shall human habitation, occupancy or use shall be extend to the outer air and installed to provided with a supply of pure and preempt clogging and the return of foul air wholsesome water, neither connected with to the building. unsafe water supplies nor subject to hazards of backflow or back-siphonage. Principle No. 2 - Plumbing fixtures, devices Principle No. 13 - Plumbing systems shall and appurtenances shall be supplied with be subjected to such tests to effectively water in sufficient volume and at pressure disclose all leaks and defects in the adequate to enable them to function workmanship. satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal conditions of use. Principle No. 3 - Plumbing shall be Principle No. 14 - No substance which will designed and adjusted to use the minimum clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, quantity of water consistent with proper destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere performance and cleaning. unduly with the sewege-disposal process shall be allowed to enter the building drainage system. Principle No. 4 - Devices for heating and Principle No. 15 - Proper protection shall be storing water shall be so designed and provided to prevent contamination of food, installed as to prevent dangers from water, sterile goods and similar materials by explosion through overheating. backflow of sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall be connected indirectly with the building drainage system. Principle No. 5 - Every building having Principle No. 16 - No water closet shall be plumbing fixtures installed and intended for located in a room or compartment which is human habitation, occupancy or use on not properly lighted and ventilated premises abutting on a street, alley or easement where there is a public sewer, shall be connected to the sewer system. Principle No. 6 - Each family dwelling unit Principle No. 17 - If water closets or other on premises abutting on a sewer or with a plumbing fixtures are installed in buildings private sewage disposal system shall have at where there is no sewer within a reasonable least one water closet and one kitchen-type distance, suitable provision shall be made for sink. Further a lavatory and bathtub or disposing of the building sewage by some shower shall be installed to meet the basic accepted method of sewage treatment and requirements of sanitation and personal disposal, such as a septic tank. hygiene. Principle No. 7 - Plumbing fixtures shall be Principle No. 18 - Where a plumbing made of smooth non-absorbent material, free drainage system may be subject to backflow

from concealed fouling surfaces and shall be located in ventilated enclosures. Principle No. 8 - The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained to safeguard against fouling, deposit of solids, clogging and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily cleaned. Principle No. 9 - All pipings of plumbing systems shall be of durable NAMPAPAPPROVED materials, free form defective workmanship, designed and constructed by Registered Master Plumbers to ensure satisfactory service. Principle No. 10 - Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with a water-sealed trap.

of sewage, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building. Principle No. 19 - Plumbing systems shall be maintained in servicable condition by Registered Master Plumbers.

Principle No. 20 - All plumbing fixtures shall be installed properly spaced, to be accessible for their intended use.

Principle No. 21 - Plumbing shall be installed by Registered Master Plumbers with due regard to the preservation of the strength of structural members and the prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage. Principle No. 11 - The drainage piping Principle No. 22 - Sewage or other waste system shall be designed to provide adequate from a plumbing system which may be circulation of air free from siphonage, deletrious to surface or sub-surface waters aspiration or forcing of trap seals under shall not be discharged into the ground or ordinary use. into any waterway, unless first rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.