Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 248 CMR - BOARD OF STATE EXAMINERS OF PLUMBERS AND GAS FITTERS › Title 248 CMR 10.00 - UNIFORM STATE PLUMBING CODE › Section 10.03 - Definitions

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
For purposes of
				248 CMR
				10.00, the terms defined in
				248 CMR
				3.00:
General Provisions Governing the Conduct
				of Plumbing and Gas Fitting Work Performed in the Commonwealth
have
				the meanings as defined in
				248
				CMR 10.03.
In addition, for the purposes of
				248 CMR
				10.00, the following terms shall have the meanings. No
				attempt is made to define ordinary words which are used in accordance with
				their established dictionary meaning except where it is necessary to define
				their meaning as used in
				248 CMR
				10.00 to avoid misunderstanding.
ABS
.
				Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene.
Accessible
. Having access thereto that
				may require the removal of an access panel, door, or similar
				obstruction.
Accessible (Readily)
. Direct access
				without the necessity of removing or moving any panel, door, lock or similar
				obstruction.
Air-break (Drainage System)
. A piping
				arrangement wherein a drain from a fixture, appliance, or device discharge
				indirectly into a fixture, receptacle, or interceptor at a point below the
				flood level rim of the receptacle.
Air Gap (Drainage System)
. The
				unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet
				of a waste pipe and the flood level rim of the receptacle into which the waste
				discharges. An air gap shall be at least twice the effective diameter of the
				drain served.
Air Gap (Water Distribution System)
.
				The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the
				lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing
				fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the related receptacle. An
				air gap shall be at least twice the effective opening of the potable water
				outlet.
Alkalinity
. The measure of its
				capacity to neutralize acids. The quality or state of being alkaline.
				Containing more alkali than normal. Having a pH factor of more than seven. The
				opposite of acidity.
Anti-siphon Vacuum Breaker - Non-pressure Type
				(Back-siphonage Preventer)
. A device or means to prevent
				back-siphonage. Not to be used under continuous pressure.
Anti-siphon Vacuum Breaker - Pressure Type
				(Back-siphonage Preventer)
. A device or means to prevent
				back-siphonage. Designed to be used under continuous pressure.
Anti-siphon Valve
. A diaphragm type
				spring loaded device that prevents unwanted siphoning or over pumping of a
				chemical into a potable supply of water. Such device is constructed to sit
				tight on increasing vacuum, and its positive pressure opening point shall not
				be less than five PSIG.
Area Drain
. A receptacle designed to
				collect surface or storm water from an open area.
Backflow
. The flow of water or other
				liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable
				supply of water from any source or sources other than its intended source.
				Back-siphonage and back pressure are examples of backflows.
Backflow Connection
. Any arrangement
				whereby backflow can occur.
Backflow Preventor
. A device or means
				to prevent backflow.
Backflow Preventor (Reduced Pressure Zone
				Type)
. An assembly of differential valves and check valves
				including an automatically opened spillage port to the atmosphere.
Back-pressure
. Pressure created by
				mechanical means or other means, causing water, liquids or other substances to
				flow, or move, in a reverse or opposite direction than intended.
Back-pressure Valve
. A spring loaded
				one way check valve to prevent over pumping or unwanted siphoning of a chemical
				into a potable supply of water.
Back-siphonage
. The flowing back of
				used, contaminated, or polluted water from a plumbing fixture, vessel or other
				sources into a water supply pipe due to a negative pressure in such
				pipe.
Barometric Loop
. A vertical loop of
				pipe, rising to a height sufficient to prevent back-siphonage from occurring in
				the potable water supply pipe. (Approximately 35 feet, depending on the weight
				of the atmosphere.)
Bathroom (Residential)
. A room
				equipped with a bathtub or shower stall, toilet and a lavatory basin or any
				combination thereof.
Bathroom (Half-bath)
. A room equipped
				with a toilet and a lavatory basin.
Battery of Fixtures
. Any group of two
				or more similar fixtures, that are adjacent, which discharge into a common
				horizontal waste or soil branch.
See 10.03: Example 1
.
10.03: Example 1 - Battery of Fixtures
Click to
				view image
Battery Waste & Vent System
.
See
Combination Waste &Vent
				System
.
Black Water
. Wastewater containing
				fecal matter and other human waste that is flushed or discharged from toilets
				or urinals.
Boiler Blow-off
. An outlet on a boiler
				to permit emptying or discharge of sediment.
Boiler Blow-off Tank
. A vessel
				designed to receive the discharge from a boiler blow-off outlet, to cool the
				discharge to a temperature of 150° F or less and permits the discharge to
				flow safely to the drainage system.
Branch
. Any part of a piping system
				other than a main, riser, or stack.
Branch Interval
. A distance along a
				soil or waste stack corresponding in general to a story height, but not less
				than eight feet in vertical height, and wherein the horizontal branches from
				one floor or story of a building would be connected to the stack.
See
10.03:
Example 2
.
10.03: Example 2 - Branch Intervals
Click to
				view image
Branch Vent
. A vent connecting one or
				more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
Building
. A structure used for the
				housing, shelter, enclosure, or support of persons, animals or property.
Building Drain
. The lowest piping in a
				drainage system receiving discharge in fixture units from soil, waste and other
				drainage piping conveying that waste to a building sewer measured ten feet in
				developed length from the inside face of the foundation wall. The ten-foot
				section defined as the Building Drain shall be minimum four inch and sized in
				accordance with
				248
				CMR 10.15(6)(b).
See
10.03:
Example 3.
10.03: Example 3 - Building Drain
Click to view
				image
Building Drain - Sanitary
. A building
				drain which conveys the discharge of plumbing fixtures.
Building Drain - Storm
. A building
				drain which conveys storm water waste or other clear water drainage.
Building Sewer
. The pipe that begins
				at the end of the building drain and extends to a public sewer, septic tank, or
				other place of sewage disposal.
See
10.03
: Example
				4
.
10.03: Example 4 - Building Sewer
Click to
				view image
Building Sewer - Combined
. A building
				sewer that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
Building Sewer - Sanitary
. A building
				sewer that conveys the discharge of plumbing fixtures.
Building Sewer - Storm
. A building
				sewer that conveys storm water waste or other clear water drainage except that
				it does not convey sewage.
Building Subdrain
. The portion of a
				drainage system that cannot drain its discharge into a building sewer via the
				force of gravity.
Building Subdrain - Sanitary
. The
				portion of a drainage system that cannot drain its sewage discharge into a
				building sewer
via
the force of gravity.
Building Subdrain - Storm
. The portion
				of a drainage system that cannot drain its storm water waste, clear water
				discharge or other subsurface clear water discharge excluding sewage, into a
				building storm sewer
via
the force of gravity.
Circuit Vent
. A branch vent that
				serves two or more floor-outlet fixtures that are battery wasted. Said vent
				extends from the top of the horizontal soil and/or waste branch in front of the
				last fixture waste and connects to a vent stack adjacent to the upstream end of
				the horizontal branch. A circuit vent begins where a drain from the fixture
				connects to the battery waste horizontally and extends to a point where it runs
				vertically to the venting system providing free movement of air above the flow
				line of the horizontal drain.
Clear Water Waste
. Wastewater
				discharge from air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, condensate from
				steam equipment, steam and water boiler blowdowns, sprinkler system discharge
				and other similar types of waste containing only clear water.
Combination Fixture
. A fixture that
				combines multiple compartments into one unit.
Combination Waste and Vent System
. A
				specially designed system of waste piping embodying the horizontal wet venting
				of one or more plumbing fixtures or floor drains by means of a common waste and
				vent pipe. In such a system, the piping is adequately sized to provide free
				movement of air above the flow line of the drain. The complete system shall be
				compliant with
				248
				CMR 10.16(1)(a).
Common Vent
. A vertical vent that
				serves two fixtures and connects in compliance with
				248
				CMR 10.16:
Table 1
.
Conductor
. A pipe that is inside a
				building and conveys storm water from the roof to a storm drain or combined
				building sewer/storm sewer.
See 10.03: Example 5
.
10.03: Example 5 - Roof Drain Conductor
Click to
				view image
Core Facilities
. A rest room
				consisting of at least one toilet and one lavatory which may be utilized by
				more than one business, classification, or category within that building or
				structure.
CPVC
. Chlorinated
				Polyvinyl-Chloride.
Continuous Vent
. A vertical vent that
				is a continuation of the vertical drain to which it connects.
Critical Level
. In the potable water
				supply piping, the minimum elevation that a backflow prevention device or
				anti-siphon vacuum breaker is installed, above the flood level rim of the
				fixture or receptacle it is to serve.
Cross Connection
. Any actual or
				potential physical connection or arrangement between a pipe containing potable
				water from a public water system and any non-potable water supply, piping
				arrangement, or equipment, including, but not limited to waste pipe, soil pipe,
				sewer drain or other unapproved sources. (
See
Back-flow
and
Back-siphonage
.)
Dead End
. A branch on a potable water
				system which does not contain an accessible isolation valve located within five
				feet of the main capped for possible future use.
Decontamination
. The reduction or
				removal of microbial or hazardous chemical contamination from surfaces, liquids
				or spaces.
Dedicated Systems
. Specialized
				plumbing systems which are located within a property line, but not necessarily
				within a Building, that are utilized for storing, treating, removing, or
				recycling water and waste products. Examples of dedicated systems include, but
				are not limited to:
(a) Dedicated Acid
			 Waste - Special Wastewater Discharge Systems;
(b) Dedicated Gasoline, Oil and Sand
			 Systems;
(c) Dedicated Grease
			 Systems;
(d) Dedicated Water
			 Recycling Systems;
(e) Dedicated
			 Class V Well Systems.
Developed Length
. The length of a
				pipeline as measured along the center line of the pipe or fittings.
Double Offset
. Two changes of
				direction that are or have been installed in succession or series in a
				continuous pipe.
Domestic Sewage
. The waterborne wastes
				derived from ordinary living processes.
Drain
. A horizontal pipe that carries
				wastewater or waterborne waste in a drainage system.
Drainage System
. Includes all the
				piping contained within a public or private premise that conveys sewage,
				rainwater, or other liquid wastes to an appropriate point of disposal. It does
				not include the mains of a public sewer system or private or public sewage
				treatment or disposal plant.
Drainage System - Building Gravity
. A
				drainage system that drains
via
the force of gravity into a
				building sewer.
Drinking Fountain
. For the purposes of
				248 CMR
				10.00, Drinking Fountain shall be either Drinking
				Water Station - With Drain or Drinking Water Station - Without Drain.
Drinking Water Station - With Drain
. A
				device equipped with a nozzle that when activated provides a stream of drinking
				water for either direct consumption or to allow filling of bottles. Said device
				is connected to the water distribution system, may chill, and/or filter the
				water, and is connected to the sanitary drainage system.
Drinking Water Station - Without
				Drain
. A device equipped with a nozzle that when activated
				provides a stream of drinking water for either direct consumption or to allow
				filling of bottles. Said device is connected to the water distribution system,
				may chill, and/or filter the water, and is not connected to the sanitary
				drainage system, though rough plumbing has been added to facilitate a future
				connection.
Durham System
. Soil or waste systems
				where all piping is threaded pipe that uses recessed drainage fittings to
				correspond to the types of piping.
Dwelling - Single
. A room or group of
				rooms, forming a single unit that is an independent building enclosed within
				its own exterior walls, roof, and foundation, with facilities which are used,
				or intended to be used, for sleeping, living, cooking, and eating; and where
				both the sewer connection and water supply are within the building's own
				premise and is separate from and completely independent of any other
				dwelling.
Dwelling - Multiple
. Three or more
				single dwellings that are not independent buildings, sharing exterior walls,
				roof, and foundation and where a common sewer connection and water supply are
				within the premise.
Dwelling - Two Family
. Two single
				dwellings that are not independent buildings, that share a common exterior
				wall, a roof, and a foundation and a where a common water supply and sewer
				connection are contained within its own premises.
DWV
. Drain, Waste and Vent.
Effective Opening
. The minimum
				cross-sectional area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or
				expressed in terms of:
(a) if the
			 opening is circular as the diameter of a circle; or
(b) if the opening is not circular, as the
			 diameter of a circle having the equivalent cross-sectional area of the
			 opening.
Fixture (Plumbing Fixture)
. Installed
				receptacles, devices or appliances that are either supplied with water and/or
				receive and/or discharge liquids, or liquid-borne wastes, or both, with or
				without discharge into the drainage system with which they may be directly or
				indirectly connect.
Fixture Branch
. A pipe connecting
				several fixtures.
Fixture Drain
. A drain connected to
				the trap of one fixture.
Fixture Connector
. The flexible
				connector made of copper, copper alloy or stainless steel used to connect the
				fixture shut-off valve to the individual fixture or appliance.
Fixture Unit
. One cubic foot of water
				drained in a 1¼ inch pipe over a period of one minute. One cubic foot of
				water is equal to 7.5 gallons.
Flood Level Rim
. The edge of a
				receptacle from which water overflows.
Flooded
. When the liquid in a fixture
				or receptacle rises to the flood level rim.
Flow Pressure (Residual Pressure)
. The
				pressure in a water supply pipe as measured at the faucet or water outlet when
				the faucet or water outlet is wide open and flowing.
Flushometer Valve
. A device used for
				flushing purposes that discharges a predetermined quantity of water into
				fixtures and where the device is closed by direct water pressure.
Grade
. The fall (slope) of a line of
				pipe with reference to a horizontal plane. In drainage it is usually expressed
				as the fall in a fraction of an inch per foot length of pipe.
Graywater
. Used water out-flowing from
				a clothes-washer, shower, bathtub, or bathroom sink and reused on the same
				site.
GPM
. Gallons Per Minute.
Grease Interceptor (Gravity)
. A large
				interceptor, (usually installed outside underground) because it requires an
				extended time for grease separation (30 minutes or more). The separation is
				simply due to the specific gravity difference between FOG (fats, oils, and
				grease) and water.
See 10.03: Example 6
.
10.03: Example 6 - Gravity Type Grease
				Interceptor
Click to
				view image
Grease Interceptor (Hydro-mechanical)
.
				A smaller interceptor, (normally installed inside a building) which is compact
				in size because grease separation occurs continuously due to several
				simultaneous actions; a hydraulic flow action, air entrainment and the
				difference in specific gravity between water and FOG (fats, oils and
				grease).
Hangers
. (
See
Supports).
Horizontal Branch Drain
. A drain
				branch pipe that extends laterally from a soil or waste stack or a building
				drain, that may or may not have vertical sections or branches, that receives
				the discharge from one or more fixture drains and that conducts the discharge
				to the soil or waste stack or to the building drain.
Horizontal Pipe
. Any pipe or fitting
				that makes an angle of less than 45° in reference to a horizontal plane.
See 10.03: Example 7.
10.03: Example 7 - Horizontal Pipe
Click to
				view image
Hot Water
. Water at a temperature of
				at least 120°F.
Individual Sewage Disposal System
. A
				system for disposal or treatment of domestic sewage by means of a septic tank
				or sewage treatment plant wherein the system is designed for use apart from a
				public sewer and serves a single establishment or building where a public sewer
				is not available.
Indirect Waste Pipe
. A waste pipe that
				does not connect directly with a drainage system, but discharges into a
				drainage system through an air break or air gap into a properly wasted and
				vented trap, fixture, receptacle or interceptor.
Individual Vent
. A pipe installed to
				vent a fixture drain. It connects with the vent system above the fixture served
				or terminates at a point above the roof level.
Individual Water Supply
. A water
				supply, other than a public water supply, that serves one or more buildings,
				dwellings or structures.
Industrial Waste Water
. Water that has
				been contaminated with by-products of industrial manufacturing
				processes.
Industrial Wastes
. Liquid wastes that
				result from the processes employed in industrial and commercial
				establishments.
Insanitary
. Contrary to sanitary
				principles; injurious to health.
Interceptor
. A device designed and
				installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual (passive)
				means deleterious, hazardous, or undesirable matter from normal wastes and
				permits normal sewage or liquid wastes to discharge into the drainage system by
				gravity.
Installed
. An altered, changed, or new
				installation.
Invert
. The lowest point inside a pipe
				upon which water can flow.
See 10.03: Example 8.
10.03: Example 8 - Invert of a Pipe
Click to
				view image
Irrigation System
. A system of water
				distribution piping used to wet or moisten the landscape.
Leaching Well or Pit
. A pit or
				receptacle having porous walls that permits the contents to seep into the
				ground.
Leader
. An exterior drainage pipe for
				conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains and discharges to a storm
				water waste system.
See
248
				CMR 10.03
: Example 9
.
See
248
				CMR 10.03:
Plumbing for
				Jurisdiction.
10.03: Example 9 - Storm Water Leader
Click to
				view image
Liquid Waste
. Discharge from any
				fixture, appliance, area or appurtenance that does not contain human or animal
				waste matter suspended in a solution.
Licensee
. The holder of a current
				journeyman or master plumbing license issued by the Board.
Load Factor
. The percentage of the
				total connected fixture unit flow which is likely to occur at any point in the
				drainage system. It varies with the type of occupancy, the total flow unit
				above this point being considered, and with the probability factor of
				simultaneous use.
Loop Vent
. A branch vent that serves
				two or more floor-outlet fixtures that are battery wasted. The loop vent
				extends from the top of the horizontal soil and/or waste branch in front of the
				last fixture waste and connects to a vent stack or stack vent that is adjacent
				to the down-stream end of the horizontal branch as required in
				248
				CMR 10.16. A loop vent begins where a drain
				from the fixture connects to the battery waste horizontally and extends to a
				point where it runs vertically to the venting system providing free movement of
				air above the flow line of the horizontal drain.
Main
. The principal pipe artery to
				which branches may be connected.
Massachusetts Professional Engineer
. A
				person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in the engineering
				profession as defined by the statutory and regulatory requirements of the
				Commonwealth.
Materials
. All piping, tubing and
				fittings, drains and receptacles, interceptors and protectors, hangers and
				supports, covers and coverings, appliances and other devices and appurtenances
				used, or referred to, in the definitions of Plumbing, Plumbing Fixtures and
				Plumbing Systems.
Mezzanine
. An intermediate floor (or
				floors) in a building which is open to the flow below projecting in the form of
				a balcony and is less than 33% of the area of the floor over which it is
				located. For the purposes of
				248 CMR
				10.00, a mezzanine shall not be considered a floor
				level where fixtures are required.
Non-potable Water
. Water that does not
				meet the standards of potable water. Its bacteriological and chemical quality
				does not conform to the pertinent requirements of
				310 CMR
				22.00:
Drinking Water
.
Nuisance
. Public nuisance as known in
				common law or in equity jurisprudence; what is dangerous to human life or
				detrimental to health; what building, structure or premise is not sufficiently
				ventilated, sewered, drained, cleaned, or lighted, with reference to its
				intended or actual use; or what renders the air or human food or drink or water
				supply unwholesome.
Offset
. A combination of elbows or
				bends which brings a pipe out of line with one section of piping but into a
				line parallel with another section of piping.
pH
. The negative logarithm of the
				hydrogen-ion concentration used in expressing both acidity and alkalinity on a
				scale whose values run from zero to 14, with a lower value of less than seven
				indicating increasing acidity and values greater than seven indicating
				increasing alkalinity. A value of seven would indicate a neutral pH
				condition.
Person
. A natural person, his heirs,
				executors, administrators or assigns; a firm, partnership, corporation,
				institution, association or group, or their successors or assigns, or a city,
				town, county, or other governmental unit, owning or renting, leasing, or
				controlling property, or carrying on an activity regulated by M.G.L. c. 142 or
				248 CMR.
PEX
. Cross-linked Polyethylene.
Plumbing
. Plumbing includes the work
				and/or practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation, removal,
				maintenance, extension and alteration of a plumbing system; of all piping,
				fixtures, fixed appliances and appurtenances in connection with any of the
				following: sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, hazardous wastes,
				the venting system and the public or private water-supply systems, within or
				adjacent to any building, structure, or conveyance; to their connection with
				any point of public disposal or other acceptable terminal within the property
				line.
Plumbing
shall not include the following:
(a) The installation of potable water pipes
			 entering the property from outside the property line or a potable water source
			 inside the property to either a metering device or control valve closest to the
			 inside face of the outermost foundation wall of a building or structure. This
			 exemption shall not apply to any potable water pipes on the outlet side of a
			 metering device or control valve serving a plumbing fixture located outside of
			 a building or structure.
(b) The
			 installation of exterior waste piping beginning after the first ten feet of
			 developed length of Piping falling outside of a building's foundation
			 wall/exterior to the building structure which is used to carry building
			 drainage to a public sewer, septic tank, or other place of wastewater disposal.
			 The connection of such pipes to any fixtures (such as an exterior grease
			 interceptor) or other drainage systems are not included in this exemption.
			 Storm drainage leader piping originating from an outside scupper which at no
			 time enters a building or structure.
(c) The installation of perimeter or sub-soil
			 drains which do not discharge, communicate, or convey discharge to a storm or
			 sanitary drainage system.
(d) These
			 exemptions shall be narrowly construed and shall not be considered to apply to
			 Dedicated Systems or any other piping systems not explicitly referenced in
			 248
			 CMR 10.03:
Plumbing
(a) through (c). Additionally, these exemptions apply to pipes only, and should
			 not be construed as creating exemptions for other fixtures, appliances, and
			 appurtenances connected to said pipes.
Plumbing System
. The water supply and
				distribution pipes; plumbing fixtures and traps; soil, waste, and vent pipes;
				building sanitary and storm drains including the respective connections,
				devices, and appurtenances of the drains that are connected a point of public
				disposal or other appropriate terminal within the property line.
Potable Water
. Water that does not
				contain impurities in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful
				physiological effects. Its bacteriological and chemical quality shall conform
				to the pertinent requirements of
				310 CMR
				22.00:
Drinking Water
.
Private or Private Use
. In the
				classification of plumbing fixtures, private shall apply to fixtures in
				residences, apartments, condominiums, dormitories, private office bathrooms and
				to private guest rooms in hotels and motels.
Private Sewer
. A sewer, serving two or
				more buildings, privately owned, and not directly controlled by a public
				authority.
PSIG
. Pounds Per Square Inch
				Gauge.
Public or Public Use
. In the
				classification of plumbing fixtures, public shall apply to every fixture not
				defined under Private or Private Use.
Public Sewer
. A common sewer directly
				controlled by public authority.
Public Water Main
. A water supply pipe
				for public use controlled by public authority.
Public Water System
. A system for the
				provision to the public of water for human consumption, through pipes or other
				constructed conveyances if such system has at least 15 service connections or
				regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days
				of the year. Public Water System includes any collection, treatment, storage,
				and distribution facilities under control of the operator of such a system and
				used primarily in connection with such system, and any collection or
				pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used primarily
				in connection with such system.
Purification Waste
. A by-product of
				waste material generated by or from the fermentation process to produce a pure
				substance.
Purified Water
. Water produced by
				distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other methods so that it meets
				the requirements of purified water in the most recent edition of the United
				States Pharmacopoeia.
PVC
. Polyvinyl-Chloride.
Receptor
. A properly trapped and
				vented fixture or device that receives the discharge from indirect waste
				pipes.
Recombinant Deoxyribonucleic Acid DNA
				Molecules
. Viable organisms containing molecules made outside
				living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that
				can replicate in a living cell, or DNA molecules that can result from the
				replication of those described above. Such use shall be in accordance with the
				NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules, Federal
				Register Vol. 49, No. 227, November 23, 1984, P.462266.
Relief Vent
. A vent that is designed
				to permit additional circulation of air between drainage and vent
				systems.
Return Offset
. A double offset
				installed so that it returns the pipe to its original alignment.
Reverse Osmosis
. A water treatment
				process that removes undesirable materials from water by using pressure to
				force the water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. This process is
				referred to as "reverse" osmosis. Pressure forces the water to flow in the
				reverse direction (from the concentrated solution to the dilute solution) to
				the flow direction (from the dilute to the concentrated) in the process of
				natural osmosis. Reverse osmosis removes ionized salts, colloids, and organic
				molecules down to a molecular weight of 100. This process is sometimes referred
				to as
hyperfiltration
.
Reverse Osmosis - (Water Treatment
				Unit)
. A device installed within a potable drinking water system
				that uses reverse osmosis as the primary technology for processing potable tap
				water into high quality drinking water. The reverse osmosis drinking water
				device is designed to separate water from undesirable dissolved and undissolved
				substances such as particulate matter, salts, metals, organic matter, and
				microorganisms.
Rim
. An unobstructed open edge of a
				fixture.
Riser
. A water supply pipe which
				extends vertically one full story or more to convey water to branches or to a
				group of fixtures.
Roof Drain
. A drain receptor installed
				to receive water that collects on the surface of a roof and conveys the
				discharge water into a leader or a conductor.
Roughing-in
. The installation of all
				parts of the plumbing system that can be completed prior to the installation of
				fixtures. This includes drainage piping, water supply piping, vent piping, the
				necessary fixture supports, and any fixtures that are built into the
				building.
Sand Trap
.
See
Interceptor
.
Sanitary Sewer
. A pipe that carries
				sewage but does not carry storm, surface, clear water or ground water.
Seepage Well or Pit
. A covered pit
				with open jointed lining. The septic tank effluent the pit receives may seep or
				leach into the surrounding porous soil through the open jointed lining.
Separator
.
See
Interceptor
.
Septic Tank
. A watertight receptacle
				to receive sewage from a building sewer or building drain which is designed and
				constructed to permit sufficient retention of wastewater to allow for the
				separation of scum and sludge and the partial digestion of organic matter
				before discharge of the liquid portion to a soil absorption system.
Sewage
. Any liquid waste containing
				animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, and the waste may include
				liquids containing chemicals in solution.
Sewage Ejectors
. A device for moving
				sewage by entraining it on a high velocity steam, air or water jet.
Sewage Pump
. A permanently installed
				mechanical device, except an ejector, for removing sewage or liquid waste from
				a sump.
Siphon Breaker
. A siphon breaker is a
				valve device, or appurtenance, constructed and installed to prevent back flow
				in the plumbing system or any portion thereof. (
See
Back-flow
and
Back-siphonage)
.
Slope
. (
See
Grade)
.
Soil Pipe
. Any pipe that conveys the
				discharge of toilets, urinals or fixtures having similar functions to the
				building drain or building sewer. The discharge may be conveyed with or without
				the discharge from other fixtures.
Special Waste
. A waste, or combination
				of wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical,
				or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to an
				increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating
				reversible illness or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human
				health, safety, or welfare or to the environment when improperly treated,
				stored, transported, used, or disposed of, or otherwise managed.
See
310 CMR
				30.00:
Hazardous Waste
for possible
				exemptions and for "Mixed waste."
Special Wastes, Piping or Treatment
.
				Wastes which require special treatment before entry into a normal plumbing
				system.
Special Waste Pipe
. Pipes which convey
				hazardous wastes.
Stack
. A general term for any vertical
				line of soil, waste, vent or inside conductor piping which extends beyond at
				least one branch interval in height.
Stack Group
. A term that is applied to
				the location of fixtures in relation to the stack so that by means of proper
				fittings vents may be reduced to a minimum.
Stack Vent
. The portion of a soil or
				waste stack that is six inches above the highest flood level rim of the highest
				fixture connected to the stack. The stack vent terminates in compliance with
				248
				CMR 10.16.
Stack Venting
. A method of venting a
				fixture or fixtures through a soil or waste stack.
Sterilization
. The act or process that
				is physical or chemical that results in the complete destruction of
				microorganisms.
Storm Drainage System
. A system that
				is used for conveying rainwater, surface water, condensate, cooling water,
				sprinkler discharge or similar clear liquid wastes to the storm sewer or other
				place of disposal. The clear liquid waste conveyed excludes sewage or
				industrial waste.
Storm Sewer
. A sewer used for
				conveying rainwater, surface water, condensate, cooling water, or similar clear
				liquid wastes.
Subsoil Drain
. A drain that collects
				subsurface, ground or seepage water and conveys it to a place of
				disposal.
Sump
. A tank or pit that receives
				sewage or liquid waste, that is located below the normal grade of the gravity
				drainage system, and that must be emptied by mechanical means.
Sump Pump
. A mechanical device, except
				for an ejector, that removes clear liquid waste from a sump.
Supports - Hangers - Anchors
. Devices
				for supporting and securing pipe, fixtures, and equipment, to walls, ceilings,
				floors or structural members.
Swimming Pool
. Any structure, basin,
				chamber, or tank containing an artificial body of water for swimming, diving,
				or recreational bathing and having a depth of two feet or more at any
				point.
Trap
. A fitting or device that
				provides a liquid seal that prevents the emission of sewer gases without
				materially effecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through it.
Trap Arm
. That portion of a fixture
				drain or waste drain between the trap and its vent.
Trap Primer
. A trap primer is a device
				or system of piping to maintain a water seal in a trap.
Trap Seal
. The vertical distance
				between the crown weir and the top of the dip of the trap.
Treated Water
. Potable water that has
				passed through a system for the purpose of purification, aeration, filtration,
				disinfection, softening, conditioning, fluoridation, stabilization, or
				corrosion correction and/or has had chemicals added which may alter its
				physical, chemical or radiological quality.
Troughs
. An open conduit, drain,
				channel, trench or gutter.
Unisex/Gender-neutral Toilet Room
. A
				room containing one toilet and one lavatory and a lockable door available for
				use by anyone.
Vacuum
. Any pressure less than that
				exerted by the atmosphere.
Vacuum Breaker, Non-pressure Type
				(Atmospheric)
.
See
Anti-Siphon Vacuum
				Breaker -Non-pressure Type
.
Vacuum Breaker, Pressure Type
.
See
Anti-Siphon Vacuum Breaker - Pressure
				Type
.
Vacuum Relief Valve
. A device to
				prevent an excessive vacuum in a water storage tank or heater.
Vent - Automatic
. A mechanical device
				that opens because of negative pressure in the drainage system to prevent trap
				siphonage, and closes gas and watertight when the pressure in the drainage
				system is equal to or greater than ambient pressure to prevent the entry of
				sewer gas into the building.
Vent Pipe
. Part of a vent
				system.
Vent Stack
. A vertical vent pipe
				installed to provide circulation of air to and from the drainage system.
Vent System
. A pipe or pipes installed
				to provide a flow of air to or from the drainage system or to provide a
				circulation of air within such system to protect trap seals from siphonage and
				back pressure.
Vertical Pipe
. Any pipe or fitting
				which makes an angle of 45° or less with the vertical plane.
Wall Hung Toilet
. A wall mounted
				toilet installed in such a way that no part of the toilet touches the
				floor.
Waste
.
See
Liquid Waste
.
Waste Pipe
. A pipe which conveys only
				waste.
Water Distribution Pipe
. A pipe within
				the building or on the premises that conveys water from the water service pipe
				to the point of usage.
Water Filter
. A device installed on a
				potable water system through which water flows for the reduction of turbidity,
				microorganisms, particulate matter, taste, color, odor or other
				contaminants.
Water Main
. A pipe used to convey the
				public water supply.
Water of Questionable Safety
. Water in
				a plumbing system that passes through an isolated portion of the water piping
				distribution system. The system is defined as beginning at the outlet of a
				backflow preventing device and ends at a point of final or actual connection
				with heating/cooling equipment or other fixtures, apparatus and appliances that
				require water for operation and process.
Water Outlet
. As used in connection
				with a water-distribution system, a discharge opening for water:
(a) to a fixture;
(b) to atmospheric pressure (except into an
			 open tank which is part of the water supply system);
(c) to a boiler or heating system;
			 or
(d) to any water operated device
			 or equipment requiring water in a plumbing system.
Water Service Pipe
. The pipe from the
				municipal water main or private other source of water supply to the water
				distribution system of the building served.
Water Softener
. A device installed on
				a potable water system through which water flows for the reduction of hardness
				and other metals using the cation exchange process.
Water Supply System
. The water service
				pipe, the water distribution pipes, and the necessary connection pipes,
				fittings, control valves, and all appurtenances in or adjacent to a building or
				premises.
Water Treatment Device
. A device which
				means any instrument or product sold, rented or leased, or offered for sale,
				rental or lease designed or claimed either to benefit potable water systems or
				to treat water intended for human consumption or use; including but not limited
				to, instruments or products using filtration, distillation, absorption,
				adsorption/ion exchange, reverse osmosis or other treatment processes or
				technologies such as magnetic or electro-magnetic field and catalytic
				conversion which is claimed to alter the radiological, chemical or physical
				properties of water.
Wet Vent
. A waste pipe that also
				serves as a vent, on the same floor level.
Workmanship
. Work of such character
				that will fully secure the desired or needed results.
Yoke Vent
. A pipe connecting at a 45
				° angle upward from a soil or waste stack to a vent stack and designed for
				the purpose of preventing pressure changes in the stack.