THE BASIC

PRINCIPLES
OF THE NATIONAL PLUMBING CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES
What is
Plumbing?
PLUMBING
THE ART AND TECHNIQUE OF INSTALLING PIPES, FIXTURES AND OTHER
APPARATUSES IN BUILDINGS FOR BRINGING IN THE SUPPLY, LIQUIDS,
SUBSTANCES AND /OR INGREDIENTS AND REMOVING THEM;

AND SUCH WATER, LIQUID AND OTHER CARRIED WASTES HAZARDOUS TO

HEALTH, SANITATION, LIFE, PROPERTY;

ALSO THE PIPES AND FIXTURES AFTER INSTALLATION I.E., THE PLUMBING
SYSTEM.
Who is the
Plumber?
PLUMBER
- THE ONE WHO WORKS OR ENGAGES IN THE BUSINESS OF INSTALLING IN
BUILDINGS THE PIPES, FIXTURES AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR BRINGING IN
THE WATER SUPPLY AND REMOVING LIQUID AND WATERBORNE WASTES.
3 CATEGORIES
OF PLUMBERS
1.) APPRENTICE
PLUMBER
A BEGINNER AT THE TRADE WHO USUALLY SERVES FOR
3 TO 5 YEARS AS A HELPER TO A JOURNEYMAN.
2.) JOURNEYMAN
PLUMBER
HAS SERVED HIS APPRENTICESHIP AND IS COMPETENT TO PERFORM
THE TASKS OF INSTALLING AND REPAIRING THE PLUMBING SYSTEM.
3.) MASTER PLUMBER
A PERSON TECHNICALLY AND LEGALLY QUALIFIED AND LICENSED TO PRACTICE THE
PROFESSION OF MASTER PLUMBING WITHOUT LIMITATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH R.A.
1378, HAVING PASSED THE EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE PROFESSIONAL
REGULATION COMMISSION, HAS RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION FROM THE
BOARD OF MASTER PLUMBING AND POSSESSES THE CURRENT LICENSE TO PRACTICE.
(SEC. 214.5 NPC 1999)
QUALIFICATIONS FOR
EXAMINATION AS MASTER
PLUMBERS
(ACCORDING TO THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR MASTER PLUMBERS)
What is the
Plumbing Code?
PLUMBING CODE
MANIFESTATION OF THE RIGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF
THE PLUMBING PROFESSION BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF THE PROTECTION OF
PUBLIC HEALTH.
22 BASIC
PRINCIPLES OF
THE NPCP
PRINCIPLE NO. 1
ALL PREMISES INTENDED FOR HUMAN HABITATION, OCCUPANCY OR
USE SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLY OF PURE AND WHOLESOME
WATER, NEITHER CONNECTED WITH UNSAFE SUPPLIES NOR SUBJECT
TO HAZARDS OF BACKFLOW OR BACK SIPHONAGE.
CROSS-
CONNECTION
- any connection or arrangement,
physical or otherwise, between a potable
water supply system and any plumbing
fixture or tank, receptacle, equipment or
device, through which enables non-
potable, used, unclean, polluted,
contaminated water or other substances
to enter into any part of such potable
water system under any condition.
BACKFLOW
– the flow of water or other liquids,
mixtures or substances into the
distributing pipes of a potable supply of
water from any source other than from
its intended source.

BACK
SIPHONAGE
- the flowing back of used, contaminated
or polluted water from a plumbing
fixture or vessel into a water supply
due to a negative pressure in such
pipe.
 BACKFLOW PREVENTION

AIRGAP (WATER ATMOSPHERIC VACUUM

DISTRIBUTION) BREAKER (AVB)
- has an air inlet valve that closes when the water flows in the
– an unobstructed vertical distance through the free normal direction. But, as water ceases to flow the air inlet valve
atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or opens, thus interrupting the possible backsiphonage
faucet conveying potable water to the flood level rim of
effect.
any tank, vat or fixture
PRINCIPLE NO. 2
PLUMBING FIXTURES, DEVICES AND APPURTENANCES SHALL BE
SUPPLIED WITH WATER IN SUFFICIENT VOLUME & AT A PRESSURE
ADEQUATE TO ENABLE THEM TO FUNCTION SATISFACTORILY &
WITHOUT UNDUE NOISE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS OF USE.
INADEQUATE
WATER PRESSURE
- WHENEVER THE WATER PRESSURE IN THE MAIN OR OTHER SOURCE OF SUPPLY WILL
NOT PROVIDE A WATER PRESSURE OF AT LEAST 103 KPA (15 PSI) AFTER ALLOWING
FRICTION AND OTHER PRESSURE LOSSES, A HYDRO PNEUMATIC PRESSURE TANK OR AN
ELEVATED TANK AND BOOSTER PUMP WILL PROVIDE 103 KPA PRESSURE.
EXCESSIVE WATER
PRESSURE
– WHEN THE LOCAL WATER PRESSURE IS IN EXCESS OF 551 KPA (80 PSI), AN
APPROVED-TYPE PRESSURE REGULATOR PRECEDED BY AN ADEQUATE SIZED STRAINER
SHALL BE INSTALLED TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE BUILDING SIDE OF THE
REGULATOR TO THE REQUIRED SUPPLY PRESSURE.
WATER HAMMER ARRESTOR
PRINCIPLE NO. 3
PLUMBING SHALL BE DESIGNED AND ADJUSTED TO USE THE MINIMUM
QUANTITY OF WATER CONSISTENT WITH PROPER PERFORMANCE AND
CLEANING.
PRINCIPLE NO. 4
DEVICES FOR HEATING AND STORING WATER SHALL BE SO DESIGNED
AND INSTALLED AS TO PREVENT DANGERS FROM EXPLOSION THROUGH
OVERHEATING.
PRINCIPLE NO. 5
EVERY BUILDING HAVING PLUMBING FIXTURES INSTALLED & INTENDED
FOR HUMAN HABITATION, OCCUPANCY OR USE ON PREMISES
ABUTTING ON A STREET, ALLEY OR EASEMENT WHERE THERE IS A
PUBLIC SEWER, SHALL BE CONNECTED TO THE PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM.
PRINCIPLE NO. 6
EACH FAMILY DWELLING UNIT ON PREMISES ABUTTING ON A SEWER
OR WITH A PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM SHALL HAVE AT LEAST
1 WATER CLOSET & 1 KITCHEN-TYPE SINK. FURTHER, A LAVATORY AND
BATHTUB OR SHOWER SHALL BE INSTALLED TO MEET THE BASIC
REQUIREMENT OF SANITATION & PERSONAL HYGIENE
WATER CLOSET KITCHEN-TYPE SINK
PRINCIPLE NO. 7
PLUMBING FIXTURES SHALL BE MADE OF SMOOTH NONABSORBENT
MATERIAL, FREE FROM CONCEALED FOULING SURFACES & SHALL BE
LOCATED IN VENTILATED ENCLOSURES.
PLUMBING FIXTURES
APPROVED-TYPE INSTALLED RECEPTACLES, DEVICES OR APPLIANCES SUPPLIED WITH
WATER OR RECEIVE LIQUID OR LIQUID-BORNE WASTES AND DISCHARGE SUCH WASTES
INTO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO WHICH THEY MAY BE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
CONNECTED.
MATERIALS USED
FOR PLUMBING
FIXTURES
ENAMELED CAST IRON
PLASTIC
PORCELAIN ENAMELED FORMED STEEL
VITREOUS CHINA
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
DRAINAGE SYSTEM
INCLUDES ALL THE PIPINGS WITHIN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PREMISES WHICH CONVEY
SEWAGE OR OTHER LIQUID WASTES TO A LEGAL POINT OF DISPOSAL BUT DOES NOT
INCLUDE THE MAINS OF A PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM OR A PUBLIC SEWAGE TREATMENT
OR DISPOSAL PLANT.

SEWAGE
ANY WASTEWATER CONTAINING ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE MATTER IN SUSPENSION OR SOLUTION
AND MAY INCLUDE LIQUIDS CONTAINING CHEMICALS IN SOLUTION
FOULING
THE UNWANTED ACCUMULATION OF ORGANIC OR INORGANIC DEPOSITS
CLEANOUTS
CLEANOUTS
PRINCIPLE NO. 9
ALL PIPINGS OF PLUMBING SYSTEMS SHALL BE OF DURABLE NAMPAP
APPROVED MATERIALS, FREE FORM DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP,
DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED BY REGISTERED MASTER PLUMBERS TO
ENSURE SATISFACTORY SERVICE.
SEE NPCP CHAPTER
14, TABLE 14-3
SEE NPCP CHAPTER
14, TABLE 14-3
PRINCIPLE NO. 10
EACH FIXTURE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM
SHALL BE EQUIPPED WITH A WATER-SEALED TRAP.
TRAP
A FITTING OR DEVICE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE, WHEN PROPERLY
VENTED, A LIQUID SEAL WHICH PREVENTS THE BACKFLOW OF FOUL AIR OR METHANE
GAS WITHOUT MATERIALLY AFFECTING THE FLOW OF SEWAGE OR WASTEWATER
THROUGH IT.
PRINCIPLE NO. 11
THE DRAINAGE PIPING SYSTEM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE
ADEQUATE CIRCULATION OF AIR FREE FROM SIPHONAGE, ASPIRATION
OR FORCING OF TRAP SEALS UNDER ORDINARY USE.
VENT SYSTEM
PIPES INSTALLED TO PROVIDE FLOW OF AIR TO OR FROM A DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR TO
PROVIDE A CIRCULATION OF AIR WITHIN SUCH SYSTEM TO PROTECT TRAPS SEALS
FROM SIPHONAGE AND BACK PRESSURE.
PRINCIPLE NO. 12
VENT TERMINALS SHALL EXTEND TO THE OUTER AIR AND INSTALLED TO
PREEMPT CLOGGING AND THE RETURN OF FOUL AIR TO THE BUILDING.
PRINCIPLE NO. 13
PLUMBING SYSTEMS SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO SUCH TESTS TO
EFFECTIVELY DISCLOSE ALL LEAKS AND DEFECTS IN THE
WORKMANSHIP.
PRESSURE TESTING
VERIFIES SYSTEM INTEGRITY, STRENGTH, AND LEAK-TIGHTNESS BY FILLING PIPES WITH
WATER (HYDROSTATIC) OR AIR, PRESSURIZING THEM ABOVE NORMAL OPERATING
LEVELS, AND MONITORING FOR DROPS USING GAUGES
PRINCIPLE NO. 14
NO SUBSTANCE WHICH WILL CLOG THE PIPES, PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE
MIXTURES, DESTROY THE PIPES OR THEIR JOINTS OR INTERFERE
UNDULY WITH THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL PROCESS SHALL BE ALLOWED
TO ENTER THE BUILDING DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
PRINCIPLE NO. 15
PROPER PROTECTION SHALL BE PROVIDED TO PREVENT
CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, WATER, STERILE GOODS & SIMILAR
MATERIALS BY BACKFLOW OF SEWAGE. WHEN NECESSARY, THE
FIXTURE, DEVICE OR APPLIANCE SHALL BE CONNECTED INDIRECTLY
WITH THE BUILDING DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
PRINCIPLE NO. 16
NO WATER CLOSET SHALL BE LOCATED IN A ROOM OR COMPARTMENT
WHICH IS NOT PROPERLY LIGHTED OR VENTILATED.
PRINCIPLE NO. 17
IF WATER CLOSETS OR OTHER PLUMBING FIXTURES ARE INSTALLED IN
BUILDINGS WHERE THERE IS NO SEWER WITHIN A REASONABLE
DISTANCE, SUITABLE PROVISION SHALL BE MADE FOR DISPOSING OF
THE BUILDING SEWAGE BY SOME ACCEPTED METHOD OF SEWAGE
TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL, SUCH AS SEPTIC TANK.
PRINCIPLE NO. 18
WHERE A PLUMBING DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAY BE SUBJECT TO
BACKFLOW OF SEWAGE, SUITABLE PROVISION SHALL BE MADE TO
PREVENT ITS OVERFLOW IN THE BUILDING.
PRINCIPLE NO. 19
PLUMBING SYSTEMS SHALL BE MAINTAINED IN SERVICEABLE
CONDITION BY REGISTERED MASTER PLUMBERS.
PRINCIPLE NO. 20
ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES SHALL BE 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.
PIPE SLEEVES
PRINCIPLE NO. 22
SEWAGE OR OTHER WASTE FROM A PLUMBING SYSTEM WHICH MAY BE
DELETERIOUS TO SURFACE OR SUB-SURFACE WATERS SHALL NOT BE
DISCHARGED INTO THE GROUND OR INTO ANY WATERWAY, UNLESS
FIRST RENDERED INNOCUOUS THROUGH SUBJECTION TO SOME
ACCEPTABLE FORM OF TREATMENT.