SECTION P-202 GENERAL DEFINITIONS
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APPRENTICE. A person registered as an apprentice plumber by the City of Philadelphia.
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BACKFLOW. Pressure created by any means in the water distribution system, which by being in excess of the pressure in the water supply mains causes a potential backflow condition.
Backpressure, low head. A pressure less than or equal to 4.33 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10- foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage. The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Water supply system. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes and water-supply pipes of a potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
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BONA FIDE ADDRESS. A genuine and legitimate street address where the Master Plumber conducts his or her business and where he or she can be readily contacted by the Department via telephone, mail or messenger on all regular working days of the Department.
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BUILDING (HOUSE) DRAIN. That part of the lowest piping of a drainage system that receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside and that extends 30 inches (762 mm) 5 feet (1524 mm) in developed length of pipe beyond the exterior walls of the building and conveys the drainage to the building sewer.
BUILDING (HOUSE) TRAP. A device, fitting or assembly of fittings installed in the building drain to prevent circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer. A running trap, with a single hub vent, installed in the building sewer to prevent circulation of gases between the drainage system of the building and the public sewer.
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BUILDING SEWER. That part of the drainage system that extends from the end of the building drain and conveys the discharge to a public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage disposal system or a lateral. other point of disposal.
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DEAD END. A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating at a developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fittings.
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DRY VENT. Any vent that does not carry water or water-borne wastes.
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FRESH AIR INLET. A means for introducing fresh air into a building drainage system through a building (house) trap.
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GRIDDED WATER DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY SYSTEM. A water distribution supply system where every water distribution supply pipe is interconnected so as to provide two or more paths to each fixture supply pipe.
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JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER. A person who has obtained a Journeyman Plumber license from the City of Philadelphia.
LATERAL. The piping from the public sewer to the building (house) trap which materials and installation are regulated by the Philadelphia Water Department.
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MASTER PLUMBER. A person who has obtained a Master Plumber license from the City of Philadelphia.
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MINOR REPAIRS. The repair of an existing plumbing fixture, including the replacement of faucets or valves or parts thereof with like material or material serving the same purpose; the clearance of stoppages; the stopping of leaks without replacement of water, drainage or vent piping; the relieving of frozen pipes; other minor replacements or repairs, not including changes in the piping to the fixtures or in drainage, vent or water-supply system, other than the aforementioned items, and not including the replacement of any plumbing fixture. Replacement or repair of hot water heaters and hydronic boilers is not considered minor repairs under this Section.
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PLUMBING SYSTEM. A system that includes the water distribution pipes; water-supply pipes; plumbing fixtures and traps; water-treating or water-using equipment; soil, waste and vent pipes; and building drains; in addition to their respective connections, devices and appurtenances within a structure or premises; and the water service water distribution pipe, building sewer and building storm sewer serving such structure or premises.
PLUMBER. A person registered and licensed to install plumbing.
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PRIVATE BUILDING SEWER. Any sanitary drainage or storm drainage sewer serving more than one building, privately owned and maintained and not directly controlled by the City of Philadelphia.  312.1
PRIVATE WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE. The distribution pipe serving more than one building, privately owned and maintained and not directly controlled by the City of Philadelphia.  312.2
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PUBLIC SEWER. A sewer main and associated sewer appurtenance owned by the City of Philadelphia and maintained by the Water Department.
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SLANT. An outlet connection, at the public sewer for receiving storm or sanitary waste from the lateral, which is regulated by the Philadelphia Water Department.
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VERTICAL UPRIGHT. That portion of pipe that is outside of a building connecting a leader to a combination building drain or building storm sewer.
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WASTE RECEPTOR. A floor sink, standpipe, hub drain, or floor drain, or a mop/slop sink that receives the discharge of one or more indirect waste pipes.  312.3
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WATER PIPE
Riser. A Water supply pipe that extends one full story or more to convey water to branches or to a group of fixtures.
Water Distribution Pipe. A The pipe within the structure or on the premises that conveys water from the water service pipe, or from the meter when the meter is at the structure, to the points of utilization. from the curb stop or curb line to the structure or through the meter pit to the first point of use if there is no structure.
Water Service Pipe. The pipe from the water main or other source of potable water supply, or from the meter when the meter is at the public right of way, to the water distribution system of the building served. to the curb stop or curb line as regulated by Philadelphia Water Department Regulations.
Water Supply Pipes. The pipes within a structure or premises which convey water from the water distribution pipe to the plumbing fixtures or other outlets.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM. The water service pipe, the water distribution pipe, the water-supply pipes, and the necessary connecting pipes, fittings, control valves and all appurtenances in or adjacent to the structure or premises., tanks, water heaters, water filtering or treatment equipment, and all appurtenances forming part of the system for supplying water to plumbing fixtures or other water outlets on the premises.
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Notes

312.1
   Added, Bill No. 230653 (approved December 20, 2023), effective April 1, 2024.
312.2
   Added, Bill No. 230653 (approved December 20, 2023), effective April 1, 2024.
312.3
   Amended, Bill No. 230653 (approved December 20, 2023), effective April 1, 2024.