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TERM
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EXPLANATION
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'A' Valve
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A manual gas shut-off valve. |
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ABS |
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene.
Rigid black plastic pipe used for drain / waste / vent lines. |
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AC |
Alternating Current. Electrical
supply in which the polarity of the wire reverses rapidly. |
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AGA |
American Gas Association
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AIA |
American Institute of Architects
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ANSI |
American National Standards
Act |
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API |
American Petroleum Institute
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ASA |
American Supply Association
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ASME |
American Society of Mechanical
Engineers |
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ASHRAE |
American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers.
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ASSE |
American Society of Sanitation
Engineers |
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ASTM |
American Society for Testing
Materials |
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AWWA |
American Water Works
Association |
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Absolute Pressure |
Atmospheric pressure added to gauge pressure.
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Absorption Field |
A leeching or seeping field engineered to
receive septic tank effluent. |
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Acceptance Factor |
Bladder tank draw-down expressed as a percentage.
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Access Panel |
A covered opening that allows access to service
a plumbing system. |
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Acrylic |
Thermo-plastic used on surface of shower walls
/ bathtubs / whirlpools. |
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Adaptor |
A fitting that joins two different types of
pipe together, or joins threaded to non-threaded pipe ends. |
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Adjusting Link |
An adjustable strap / bar that forms a connection
between the lift rod of a faucet and the ball lever assembly of the drain.
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Aeration |
The turbulent mixing of water and air to dissipate
pollutants into the air |
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Aerator |
A device attached to the end of a faucet that
mixes air into flowing water.. |
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Air Admittance Valve |
A device that replaces a traditional vent
to allow air to enter the pipe and equalize pressure, preserving the seal
of water in the fixture trap. |
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Air Chamber |
A vertical, air-filled pipe or spring coil,
set above the water line to absorb pressure when water is turned off at
the faucet. |
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Air Check |
A device that allows water, but not air, to
pass through it. An air check is a typical component in treatment systems
using a regenerant eductor. |
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Air Elimination Vent |
A device which automatically eliminates trapped
air in the "closed-loop" hydronic system
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Air Gap |
A device mounted at the back of a kitchen
sink, connecting to the drain line between a dishwasher and disposer to
allow the dishwasher to discharge freely into the disposer while preventing
contaminated water from siphoning back into the dishwasher. |
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Air-Gas Ratio |
Ratio of combustion air supply flow rate to
the fuel gas supply flow rate. |
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Air Lock |
Blockage liquid flow of liquid (i.e. on suction
side of pump) caused by an air bubble in the line. |
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Air Volume Control |
Maintains the air charge in a standard water
storage tank. Pre-charged tanks do not require an air volume control.
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Alarm Check Valve |
A check valve located in the riser of a wet
pipe fire sprinkler system that sounds an alarm when water begins to pass
through it. |
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Anaerobic |
The ability to live and grow without air or
free oxygen (i.e. some forms of bacteria that break down waste in a septic
system.) |
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Angle Discharge Tube |
A discharge tube that changes direction of
the flow by 90°. |
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Angle Seat Wrench |
A valve seat wrench with a handle that includes
a 90° bend. |
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Angle Stop |
A shutoff valve between water pipes and a
faucet. The inlet connects to the water-supply pipe in a wall, the outlet
angles up 90° to the faucet |
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Anode Rod |
A sacrificial rod installed in a water heater.
It is composed of one or more metals that protect the tank from corrosion
and extend tank life. |
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Anti-Clog Suction |
Whirlpool water recirculating system mechanism
that prevents clogging but doesn't restrict water flow. |
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Anti-Scald
Valve |
A shower mixing valve that automatically maintains
balance between incoming hot and cold water supplies by immediately regulating
fluctuations in pressure. As a result, temperature remains constant, though
the outlet pressure may drop. Also called
pressure-balanced valve. |
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Anti-Siphon |
Preventive device for back-flow of liquid
such as on sprinkler systems to prevent water from trickling back into
the feed supply. |
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API Specifications |
American Petroleum Institute
specifications |
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Apron |
The apron (or skirting) is a decorative portion
of a bathtub covering the rough-in area from the floor to the top rim
of the tub. |
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Aquastat |
A thermostat that is submerged in water. It
is used to control operation of a specific device. |
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Aspiration |
The process of mixing air with discharging
water to enhance the hydro-massage effect of a whirlpool. |
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Auto Pilot |
A gas pilot device that automatically shuts
off gas supply to the appliance burner if the pilot flame is extinguished. |
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