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TERM
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EXPLANATION
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BC |
Brushed Chrome finish used on
faucets. |
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BHP |
Brake Horse Power. The
actual amount of horsepower consumed by a pump as measured on a dynamometer.
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BN |
Brushed Nickel finish used on
faucets. |
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BTU |
British Thermal Unit
- A unit of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 lb. of
water 1 degree Fahrenheit. |
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Backfire |
Flashback of flame through the burner venturi
causing the gas to burn at the orifice. |
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Back Flow |
The act of water traveling from one system
back into any part of the main distribution system (usually by siphoning.
) |
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Back Flow Preventer |
A device to prevent backflow i.e. into a potable
water supply. Usually required for sprinkler systems, handheld showers,
pullout faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc. |
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Back Pressure |
Pressure that resists the flow of fluid in
a piping system. |
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Back Siphonage |
The negative pressure that causes backflow.
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Backjet |
Whirlpool jets located on the fixture wall
behind a reclining bather. |
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Backjet Pulse Canister |
A water-controlling device responsible for
backjet pulsing action. |
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Back Vent |
Plumbing fixture's separate vent in a building
drainage system. |
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Back Wash |
The process of cleaning a filter by reversing
the flow of water through it. Accumulated sediments are sent to waste.
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Backup |
Overflow of a plumbing fixture due to drain
stoppage |
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Backwater Valve |
Sewer line valve that prevents sewage from
flowing back into the house |
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Baffle |
An object placed in an appliance to change
the direction of, or retard the flow of air, air-gas mixtures, or flue
gases |
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Balancing Valve |
A water heater valve that controls water flow
and balances heat distribution to different locations. |
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Ball Check Valve |
A valve that uses a ball to seal against a
seat to stop flow in one direction. |
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Ball Joint |
Spherical assembly allowing pivot rotations
for showerheads. |
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Ball Passage |
Refers to the size of the ball that can pass
through the trap-way of a toilet. Also relates to trap-way size. Usually
the trap size will be 1/8" larger than the maximum size ball that can
pass through it |
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Ball Valve |
A valve that uses a ball to seal against the
seat. |
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Ballcock |
Controls the flow of water from the water
supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It is controlled by a
float mechanism in the tank water. |
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Balloon Bag |
Device that attaches to a garden hose. Used
to loosen drain blockage. |
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Barlow's Formula |
An equation that shows the relationship of
internal pressure to allowable stress, nominal thickness and diameter.
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Barrier-Free |
Relating to handicap access, e.g. a
shower enclosure system having minimal or no bottom track and openings
that are wheelchair-accessible. |
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Basket Strainer |
Basket-shaped strainer with holes and a slot
that fits the sink drain to allow water to run out but to catch food or
other solids before they can enter the sewage system. |
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Beehive Strainer |
A strainer inserted into a urinal to prevent
foreign matter from falling into the drain. |
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Bernoulli's Law |
The principle that a stream of liquid or gas
exerts less sideways pressure while in motion than while at rest. As a
result, fluids seem to be drawn into the stream, but are really pushed
in by higher outside pressure. |
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Bidet |
A personal hygiene plumbing fixture similar
in appearance to a toilet bowl used for washing genitals and posterior
areas of the body. It is mounted on the floor next to a toilet and consists
of a washing basin, a hot and cold faucet, and sprayer. |
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Biochemical Oxygen Demand |
The amount of oxygen consumed in the oxidation
of organic matter by biological action under standard test conditions;
often used as a measure of the strength of sewage and waste water.
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Bisque |
The rough, unpolished finish found in unglazed
areas of vitreous china fixtures, such as inside the tank or the bottom
of the bowl. |
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Blackwater |
Wastewater from toilets or latrines and sinks
used for food preparation or disposal, or for the disposal of chemicals.
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Bleed |
To drain a pipe of excess air by opening a
valve at the end of the pipe
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Blind Plug |
Plug used on
No Hub pipe.
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Block Sensor Mode |
For touch-less faucets, a system mode that
occurs when the faucet continually senses an object, causing the faucet
to stop functioning normally. The faucet will appear to be "OFF", and
will self-actuate every two hours to alert you to its condition.
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Blowbag |
Also called a "blowfish" it is a drain-cleaning
device consisting of a rubber bladder with a hose fitting one one end
and a nozzle on the other. The device attaches to a water hose and is
inserted into a clogged drainpipe. As water is introduced, it expands
to grip the pipe, and releases pulsating bursts of water through the nozzle,
forcing water through the pipe to clear the obstruction. |
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Blowdown |
Partial venting or draining, under pressure,
of the water side of a boiler to reduce or remove unwanted contaminants.
Also the pressure drop after releasing a pressure-relief valve.
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Bodyspray |
Shower component used in conjunction with
a showerhead to deliver flow of water. Commonly used in multiples to create
a custom shower space. |
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Boiler |
A sealed tank where water is turned to steam
for heating or power. |
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Boiler Feed |
A check valve controlling inlet water flow
to a boiler. |
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Bonnet |
The top portion of a compression valve assembly
that holds the valve in place as it is tightened against the valve seat
at the other end. |
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Box |
The internal (female) threaded end of pipe.
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Box Flange |
Flange containing internal (female) threaded
pipe fitting |
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Brackish Water |
Water containing bacteria between 1.000 and
15,000 ppm of dissolved solids |
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Braided Tubing |
A flexible pressure tubing of synthetic material
encased in braided threads of steel, usually chrome plated or stainless.
The braiding protects the tube from damage due to abrasion or crimping.
Often used in water supply lines. |
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Branch |
Any part of a drain system other than the
main, riser, or stack. |
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Branch Vent |
A vent connecting one or more individual vents
with a vent stack |
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Brine |
A strong solution of sodium chloride (salt)
used in the regeneration of ion exchange water softeners. |
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Building Drain |
The lowest point in a drainage system where
the interior drainage pipes meet and are conveyed it to the sewer. |
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Burst Pressure |
The internal pressure that will cause piece
of tubing to fail |
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Bushing |
A pipe fitting used to join two pipes of different
sizes. A bushing is threaded inside and out. Also a cylindrical part used
as a lining or guide |
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Butterfly Valve |
A valve made of a square, rectangular, or
round disk attached to a shaft inside a body of the same shape. Rotating
the shaft 90 degrees opens or closes the valve. |
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Buttress (Tile Rise) |
The raised portion of a shower curb that is
on more than one level. |
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Bypass |
A type of shower door system that consists
of two or more panels running in parallel tracks. |
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