Glossary
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- ABS
- Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene. Rigid black plastic pipe used for drain / waste / vent lines.
- Absolute Pressure
- Atmospheric pressure added to gauge pressure.
- Absorption Field
- A leeching or seeping field engineered to receive septic tank effluent.
- AC
- Alternating Current. Electrical supply in which the polarity of the wire reverses rapidly.
- Acceptance Factor
- Bladder tank draw-down expressed as a percentage.
- Access Panel
- A covered opening that allows access to service a plumbing system.
- Acrylic
- Thermo-plastic used on surface of shower walls / bathtubs / whirlpools.
- Adaptor
- A fitting that joins two different types of pipe together, or joins threaded to non-threaded pipe ends.
- 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.
- Aeration
- The turbulent mixing of water and air to dissipate pollutants into the air
- Aerator
- A device attached to the end of a faucet that mixes air into flowing water..
- AGA
- American Gas Association
- AIA
- American Institute of Architects
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Air Elimination Vent
- A device which automatically eliminates trapped air in the "closed-loop" hydronic system
- 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.
- Air Lock
- Blockage liquid flow of liquid (i.e. on suction side of pump) caused by an air bubble in the line.
- Air Volume Control
- Maintains the air charge in a standard water storage tank. Pre-charged tanks do not require an air volume control.
- Air-Gas Ratio
- Ratio of combustion air supply flow rate to the fuel gas supply flow rate.
- 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.
- 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.)
- Angle Discharge Tube
- A discharge tube that changes direction of the flow by 90°.
- Angle Seat Wrench
- A valve seat wrench with a handle that includes a 90° bend.
- 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
- 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.
- ANSI
- American National Standards Act
- Anti-Clog Suction
- Whirlpool water recirculating system mechanism that prevents clogging but doesn't restrict water flow.
- 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.
- Anti-Siphon
- Preventive device for back-flow of liquid such as on sprinkler systems to prevent water from trickling back into the feed supply.
- API
- American Petroleum Institute
- API Specifications
- American Petroleum Institute specifications
- 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.
- Aquastat
- A thermostat that is submerged in water. It is used to control operation of a specific device.
- ASA
- American Supply Association
- ASHRAE
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers.
- ASME
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Aspiration
- The process of mixing air with discharging water to enhance the hydro-massage effect of a whirlpool.
- ASSE
- American Society of Sanitation Engineers
- ASTM
- American Society for Testing Materials
- Atmospheric pressure + gage pressure + static pressure - vapor pressure - friction loss in the suction piping.
- Auto Pilot
- A gas pilot device that automatically shuts off gas supply to the appliance burner if the pilot flame is extinguished.
- AWWA
- American Water Works Association
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