Building Utilities Flashcards
The amount of heat which is absorbed or evolved in changing the state of a substance without changing its temperature.
Latent Heat
Minimum length of a septic tank.
1.50 mts.
Minimum capacity, in cubic meters, of the secondary compartment of a septic tank.
1 cum.
Wooden septic tanks are allowed, true or false.
FALSE
Minimum distance of a water supply well from a disposal field.
30.50 mts.
Maximum height of a water seal for each fixture trap.
102 mm.
Minimum extension of the VSTR above an openable window, door opening, air intake, or vent shaft.
0.90 mtr.
Required number of water closets for females for an auditorium serving 16-35.
3
Required number of water closets for females for a theater serving 51-100.
4
Two types of passenger elevator.
Electric and Hydraulic
TW in electrical wire specification means.
Moisture resistant, in wet and dry location
Collection line of a plumbing system is sometimes referred to as.
House Drain
XHHN in wire specification means.
Moisture and Heat Resistant-Cross-Linked Thermosetting
The other type of flame detector other than the ultraviolet type.
Infra Red
Another name for distribution panel.
Power Panel
Standard size of wire for a switch line.
No. 14
A controller sensitive to the degree of moisture in the air.
Humidistat
A stop valve placed in the service pipe close to the connection at the water main.
Corporation Stop
Length along the centerline of the pipe and fitting.
Developed Length
Component of fire extinguisher.
Carbon Monoxide
An Instrument which responds to changes in temperature, and directly or indirectly controls temperature.
Thermostat
A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, a generator of alternating current.
Alternator
A type of pipe fitting for a Yoke Vent.
1/8 Bend
Minimum fixture supply pipe diameter for tank type water closet.
3/8”
Term applied to the interconnection of the same fixtures in one soil or waste branch with one branch vent.
Battery of Fixtures
Minimum size of a wet standpipe for a riser of more than 15 meters from the source.
4” (102mm)
Minimum height of a branch vent above the fixture it is venting.
6” (150mm)
The overhead service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to and including splices, if any, connecting to the service entrance conductors at the building.
Service Drop
Distance sound travels during each cycle of vibration.
Wavelength
Acoustical phenomenon which causes sound wave to be bent or scattered around.
Sound Diffraction
Sound sensation in a single frequency.
Pure Tone
The luminous intensity of light is expressed in ___.
Candela
A specially designed system of waste piping embodying the horizontal wet venting of one or more sinks or floor drains by means of a common waste and vent pipe adequately sized to provide free movement of air above the flow line of the drain.
Combination Waste and Vent System
During elevator emergency, to rescue passengers, this part of the elevator is used to open the doors from the outside.
Outside Door Latch
Receptacles intended to receive and discharge water, water-carried waste into a drainage system with which they are connected.
Fixture
A vent pipe connected to a vent stack.
Circuit Vent
Bets type of fire detection that can detect fire during the incipient stage.
Ionization
A faucet fitted with a nozzle curving downward used as a draw-off tap
Bibbcock
A pipe fitting shaped like “S”
Double Bend
Ratio of water closets for male population for elementary and secondary school.
(1:30)
Ratio of water closets for female population for Principal worship Places
(1:75)
Minimum head of water, in meters, required for each section of plumbing for water test.
3
Consist of a body, a checking member, and an atmospheric opening.
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker
Minimum distance of water pipings from any regulating equipment, water heater, conditioning tanks, and similar equipment requiring union fittings.
300mm
True or False, 60” branches or offsets may be used only when installed in a true vertical position.
TRUE
Minimum clearance in front of any cleanout in meters for pipes larger that 51 mm. diameter
0.45 mtr. / 450mm
Maximum length of any branch requiring separate venting.
4.60 mts.
Minimum vertical distance of VSTR from any roofdeck where it is protruded.
2.10 mts.
Minimum number of stories served by a waste stack requiring parallel venstack.
10
A unit of illumination equivalent to 1 lumen per square foot.
Foot-candle
The material used for filament in an incandescent bulb.
Tungsten
An air-operated device used to open or close a damper or valve.
Air Motor
Vertical tracks that serves as a guide for the car and the counterweight.
Guiderails
Under NBC, the minimum width between balusters in an escalator.
558 mm
A private telephone system that interconnects with public telephone systems.
PABX
The rate of flow of sound energy.
Sound Intensity
A type of High-Intensity-Discharge Lamp (HID)
High-Pressure-Sodium (HPS)
Light originating from sources not facing each other, as from windows in adjacent walls.
Cross Light
A louvered construction divided into cell-like areas and used for redirecting the light emitted by an overhead source.
Egg crate
The transmission of heat energy from one place to another by circulatory movement of a mass fluid.
Convection
What type of sound absorbent is best for lower band frequencies.
Porous Absorbents
Water distribution system which constantly rely its pressure from the main water pipe applied only if the highest fixture is supplied continously with the flow rate and minimum required working pressure.
Upfeed System/ Direct Method
What mechanical equipment, coupled with a central air-conditioning system, is used to dehumidify and cool the air stream injected to a conditioned space.
Fan Coil Unit
A type of perimeter detector which detects object in heat range of body temperatures.
Passive Infrared
Women’s Urinal fixture.
Washdown
This type of water closet is similar to that of the siphon-jet except that it has a similar trap passageway and smaller water surface area, moderately noisy.
Reverse Trap
A water closet that is sanitary, efficient and very quiet. Water enters through the rim and through the down leg.
Siphon Jet
The concussion and banging noise that results when a volume of water moving in a pipe suddenly stops or loses momentum.
Water Hammer
A valve closed by a disk seating on an opening in an internal wall.
Globe valve
The interior top surface of a pipe.
Crown
This type of perimeter detector uses bith the Passive infrared and Ultrasonic or Microwave system
Passive Infrared with Ultrasonic (or Microwave)
A high density discharge lamp in which the light is produced by the radiation from a mixture of a metallic vapor, similar to that of a mercury lamp in construction.
Metal Halide Lamp
A type of lamp generally used for roadways and sidewalks, uses sodium gas.
High Pressure Sodium (HPS)
In elevator, it detects the obstacles during the door closing, and reopens the door if there is something. Photocell can be used together with this.
Safety Shoe
In elevator, it protects the equipment from over current.
Circuit Breaker
In escalators, this is located at the bottom truss of the escalator and provided with on and off positions to stop or prevents the escalator from starting during maintenance service.
Disconnect Switch
This switch cuts off all current supply to the escalator for inspection, maintenance or repairs.
Knife Switch
The cooling effect ovtained when 1 ton of ice at 32 °F (0°c) melts to water at the same temperature in 24 hrs. (equivalent to 12,000 btu/hr.)
Ton of Refrigeration
A pit for the reception or detention for sewage
Cesspool
An outhouse or structure used for the deposition of excrement
Privy
A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage and liquid waste
Sewer
In plumbing the vent pipe which is connected to the crown.
Crown Weir
On a theatre stage, a master switch that distinguishes all stage lights simultaneously.
Blackout Switch
The luminous intensity of alight source, expressed in candelas.
Candlepower
In an electric circuit, a current that flows in one direction only
Direct Current
A system of devices, usually installed below ground level, to scatter or spray water droplets over a lawn, golf course, or the like.
Lawn Sprinkler System
Minimum liquid depth for a septic tank.
60 cms.
Minimum dimension of a manhole access to a septic tank.
508 mm.
Minimum distance of a water supply well from a septic tank.
15.20 mts.
Minimum Gauge of galvanized sheet used for downspouts.
26
Maximum length of the tailpiece from any fixture.
60 cms.
Minimum trap diameter for a bathtub
38 mm. (11/2”)
Required number of water closets for males for an auditorium serving 16-35.
2
Classifications of copper pipes.
Rigid and Flexible
Minimum elevator width of single slide door elevator for small commercial or residential building.
0.60 mtr.
Another name for passenger elevator.
Lift
Maximum height of a dumbwaiter.
1.20 mts.
Standard length of an electrical metal conduit.
10’
PABX or PBX means.
Pvt. Automatic Branch Exchange
Type of plastic pipe other than polyvinyl chloride and polybutylene.
Polyethylene
A device for converting alternating current to direct current.
Rectifier
Another name for Humidistat.
Hygrostat
A vent with a function to provide circulation if air between drainage and vent system.
Relief Vent
A valve used in a flush tank controlling the flushing of fixture.
Flush Valve
Interrelationship between value of voltage and current with the same frequency.
Phase
Thin sheets that are used for controlling heat in drywall construction.
Rigid Board Insulation
Freon in air-con must be compressed and liquefied in order to absorb ___.
Heat
A device installed on an electric water heater used to detect the working temperature to activate a switch.
Thermostat
True or false, 1 3/4” diameter is ‘not’ a commercial size of G.I. Pipe for water supply.
TRUE
A single vent that ventilates multiple traps in the case of a back to back vent.
Common Vent
Single lever valves used in kitchen sink and lavatory faucets or at shower valves works by the principle of a ___.
Ball Valve
Minimum wire size in square millimeter for a branch circuit with a 30 ampere rating using Type THW stranded copper conductor in a raceway.
5.5 sqmm
Unit of loudness level.
Phon
The reduction in the intensity or in the sound pressure level of sound which is transmitted from one point to another.
Sound Attenuation
Minimum sound pressure level that is capable of being detected by the human ear.
Threshold of Audibility
Wave produced by a pure tone.
Sine Wave
It refers to an individual who worked in the sanitary field of ancient Rome.
Plumbarius
Vertical flow of air used to separate different functions of spaces.
Air curtain
A device which extends across at least 1/2 the width of each door leaf which will open if subjected to pressure
Panic bar
The simplest type of building automation system
Telecommunication System
A vent pipe connected to a stack vent.
Loop Vent
Condensing unit is a part of a ______.
Refrigeration
Heat rating for a fixed temperature heat detector.
135°-197°F
Minimum size of trap and waste branch for a shower stall.
2”
Ratio of water closets for female population for elementary and secondary school.
(1:25)
Minimum required number of water closets for female office and public buildings serving 55 occupants for employees.
4
How many days, at least, shall be given before any plumbing work inspection is done after within notice for inspection.
3
Minimum lead content in percent for pipes and fittings safe for humans.
8%
Maximum spacing of pipe supports at intervals.
4’
Cleanouts may be omitted on a horizontal drain less than 1.5 meters in length unless such line is serving sinks or urinals, true or false.
TRUE
Maximum distance of any underfloor cleanout from any access door, crawl space, or crawl hole.
6.10 mts.
Minimum extension of a vent stack through roof above the roof.
150 mm
Minimum vertical distance of VSTR from above of any openable window or opening.
0.90 mts.
The rate of flow of light through a surface.
Luminous flux
A unit of illumination equivalent to 1 lumen per square meter.
Lux
The equivalent of filament in a flourescent lamp.
Cathode
In theater stage house, a weight usually of iron or sand to balance suspended scenery, or the like.
Counterweight
Under NBC, the clearance between the underside of the car and the bottom of the pit shall not be less than _____.
600mm
Under NBC, the maximum rated speed of an escalator along the angle of travel.
38 meters/ min.
Resistance in alternating current system.
Impedance
Lighting used primarily to draw attention to particular points of interest.
Accent Lighting
Sound system input device that reacts to and converts variable sound pressure into variable electrical current.
Microphone
The process of removing calcium and magnesium deposits in water.
Softening
A graph used in air-conditioning and showing the properties of air-system mixtures.
Psychometric Chart
A lamp designed to project and diffuse a uniform level of illumination over a large area.
Floodlight
The bending of sound wave when travelling forward changes direction as it passes through different densities.
Refraction
What combination of pipe fittings is installed at the base of a soil stack?
Wye and 1/8 bend
A rigid metal housing for a group of heavy conductors insulated from each other and the enclosure, also called busduct.
Busway
A type of perimeter detector which detects interruption of light beam.
Light Beam
A box with a blank cover which serves the purpose of joining one different runs of raceways or cables and provided with sufficient space for connection and branching of the enclosed conductors.
Pull Box
A type of water closet that is noisy but highly efficient. Strong jey into up leg forces contents out. Use only with flush valve, requires higher pressure.
Blowout
A toilet bowl similar to siphon-jet, but having the flushing water directed to ther im to create circular motion or vortex which scours the bowl.
Siphon Vortex
The length of a pipeline measure along the centerline of the pipe and pipe fittings.
Developed Length
Liquid sewage that has been treated in a septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
Effluent
The interior bottom surface of a pipe.
Invert
This type of perimeter detector detects a change in capacitance of the area covered, caused by intrusion.
Proximity/ Capacitance
A type of lamp which produces light by means of the reaction of halogen additive in the bulb reacts with chemically with tungsten.
Tungsten halogen lamp
Building with fire alarm and suppresion system.
Intelligent Building
It prevents passengers from falling into the hoistway when they try to get out of the car which is stopped between floors.
Fascia Plate
In elevator, these prevent the excessive car travel at the highest and lowest floor.
Limit Switches
This device, in escalators, is provided at the drive unit location to protect against accidental movement of the escalator during inspection of the drives or during general maintenance.
Mechanical Maintenance Locking device
In a lighting protection system, the combination of a metal rod and its brace or footing, on the upper part of a structure.
Air Terminal
The number of cycles per unit time of a wave or oscillations expressed in hertz of cycles per second.
Frequency
A sewer or other pipe or conduit used for conveying groundwater,surface water, storm water, waste water or sewage.
Drain
The solid organic materials being more dense than water, tend to settle to the bottom of the tank.
Sludge
All horizontal piping shall be run in practical alignment and at a uniform grade of not less than ____ percent.
2%
An instrument for measuring the rate of flow of electricity, usually expressed in amperes.
Ammeter
The portion of a n electric wiring that extends beyond the final over current device protecting the circuit.
Feeder Line
Flow of electricity in a circuit; the unit of measurement is the ampere.
Current
In electric wiring a metal plate, water pipe, or other type of conductor buried in the earth in manner ensuring a good conductive path to the ground.
Grounding Wire
Minimum width of a septic tank.
90 cms.
Maximum liquid depth for septic tank.
1.80 mts.
Minimum length of the secondary compartment of a septic tank with a capacity of more than 6 cubic meters.
1.50 mts.
Minimum distance of a water supply well from a seepage pit or cesspool.
45.70 mts.
Minimum height of a water seal for each fixture trap.
51 mm.
Minimum extension of the VSTR above the roof.
15 cms.
Minimum trap diameter for a shower stall.
51 mm. (2”)
Required number of urinals for an auditorium serving 10-50.
1
A rough or sharp edge left on metal by a cutting tool.
Burr
A device that is basically a double throw switch of generally 3-pole connection that will automatically transfer the power from the standby generator to the building circuitry during electrical power failure.
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
The minimum face to face distance between elevators in three and four car grouping.
2 mts.
A type of lighting that provides illumination to special objects like sculptures, flower arrangements, etc.
Specific Lighting
An assembly consisting of a pulley wheel, side plates, shaft, and bearings over which a cable or roped is passed.
Sheave
Farad is the unit capacity of a ___.
Capacitor
Standard size of wire for a circuit line.
No. 12
Another name for a Rectifier.
D.C. Generator
Consist of a flyball or flyweight device designed to stop an elevator.
Governor
Flange used on a pipe to cover a hole or opening in a floor or wall which the pipe pass.
Escutcheon
Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution.
Sewage
Descriptive of any material such as synthetic resin which hardens when heated or cured, and does not soften when reheated.
Thermosetting
Conveys storm water and terminates into a natural drainage such as lakes or rivers.
Strom Sewer
Standard size of a wet standpipe outlet for each floor.
1 1/2” (38mm)
Minimum size of trap or branch for a bidet.
1 1/2”
True or false, 3” diameter is ‘not’ a commercial size of G.I. Pipe for water supply.
FALSE
Minimum size of a standpipe for a building in which the highest outlet is 23 meters or less from the fire service connection.
4” (102mm)
Treats hard water.
Zeolite
Standard frequency of power supplied by the local power utility company like Meralco.
60 Cycles
The process of dissipating sound energy by converting it to heat.
Sound Absorption
Unit of sound absorption equivalent to 1 square foot of perfectly absorptive material.
Sabin
Fluctuation in pressure, a particle displacement in an elastic medium.
Sound
Synonymous with a lighting fixture.
Luminaire
In Latin, it means ‘lead’.
Plumbum
Type of lighting dealing with relatively large area lighting.
General Lighting
Sanitary sewage from buildings shall be discharged directly to the nearest _________.
Sanitary Sewer Main
Standard size of an outlet for a dry standpipe located at each floor.
2 1/2” (64mm)
Instrument used for measuring atmospheric pressure.
Barometer
A fire detector installed in a fire alarm system which uses low melting point solders or metal that expands when exposed to heat to detect fire.
Fixed temperature Heat detector
Reference in measuring the depth of a trap seal of a trap.
Top dip to Crown Weir
Minimum size of trap and waste branch for a shower stall.
3”
Ratio of urinals for elementary school.
(1:75)
Where there is exposure to skin contamination due to poisonous materials, what is the ratio of lavatory to number of occupants.
(1:5)
Minimum time, in minutes, required for water to stay in the system or pipes for a water test without any leaks to satisfy said testing.
15 minutes
Minimum vertical distance from the bottom of water pipes to the top of sewer or drain pipe if laid in the same trench on top of the other.
300mm
Equivalent of 1/6 bend in degrees.
60”
Minimum clearance in front of any cleanout in meters for pipes 51mm or less in diameter.
0.305 mts./ 305mm
Maximum length of a tailpiece.
600mm
Minimum extension of a vent stack through roof above any other vertical surface.
300mm
Minimum horizontal distance of any VSTR from a roofdeck used for other purposes aside from protection from weather.
3.00 mts.
The luminous intensity of any surface in a given direction per unit of projected area.
Luminance
Type of lighting system where 90-100% of light output is directed to the ceiling and upper walls of the room.
Indirect Lighting
An automatic device used for converting high, fluctuating inlet water pressure to lower constant pressure.
Pressure Regulating Valve
On elevators, a gear-driven machine having a drum to which the wire ropes that hoist the car are fastened, and on which they wind.
Winding-Drum Machine
Under NBC, the minimum diameter of hoisting and counterweight rope.
30mm
The effective room temparature in air-conditioning.
68-74°F
The reciprocal of conductance.
Resistance
A means of producing light from gaseous discharge.
Flourescence
A rate of rise type detector.
Thermal Detector
A lighting unit consisting of one or more electrical lamps.
Luminaire
Heat that raises air temperature.
Sensible Heat
In boilers, they function only when exceeds prescribed unsafe operating conditions.
Limit Controls and Interlocks
True or False, number of fixture unit is one parameter in sizing a drainage pipe.
TRUE
What is the rating index of an air-conditioning/ refrigeration system which rates the unit for the number of BTU’s of heat removed per watt of electrical input energy.
Energy Efficiency Rating (EER)
A heavy conductor, usually in the form of a solid copper bar, used for collecting, carrying, and distributing large electric currents, also called busbar.
Bus
A type of perimeter detector which detects change in sound wave pattern.
Ultrasonic
A type of water closet that is least efficient, subject to clogging, noisy and use a simple washout action through a small irregular passageway.
Washdown
Water closet that is quiet, extremely sanitary, water is directed through the rim. It scours bowl, folds over into jet; siphon.
Siphon Vortex
A toilet bowl in which the flushing water enters through the rim and siphonic action initiated by a water jet draws the contents of the bowl through the trapway.
Siphon Jet
A shutoff valve closed by lowering a wedge-shaped gate across the passage.
Gate Valve
The centerline of pipe.
Spring line
A type of perimeter which is subject to false alarm from aircraft radar and from movement outside building through window, wood doors, and the like. It uses radio waves.
Microwave
Color code of pipes containing acid.
Black
A type of lamp popular for lighting commercial interiors, uses argon gas to ease starting, it produces light by means of an electric discharge in mercury vapor.
Mercury Lamp
This shows the vertical relationships of all panels, feeders, switches, switchboards and major components are shown up to, but not including, branch circuiting, it is an electrical version of a vertical section taken through the building.
Riser Diagram
In elevator, it makes the buzzer alarm when the car is overloaded and the door remains open until overloading is eliminated.
Weighing Device
In escalators, these stop the escalator if a foreign object becomes wedged at the guard.
Handrail Guard Switches
This device, in escalators, stops the escalator automatically if an abnormal current is supplid to the motor.
Current Overload Safety Switch
One of the earlier plastic to be developedin 1938, a du pont trade name for the white, soft, waxy, and non-adhesive polymer of tetrafluoroethylene.
Teflon
Of a partition, the number of decibels by which sound is reduced in transmission through it, a measure of the sound insulation value of the partition, the higher the number, the greater the insulation value.
Transmission Loss
The lowest portion of the inside of any pipe or conduit that is not vertical
Invert
A pipe or opening used for ensuring the circulation of air in a plumbing system and for reducing the pressure exerted on trap seal.
Vent
All changes in direction shall be made by the appropriate use of 45 deg.
Bends
The current carrying capacity of a wire or cable, expressed in amperes.
Amperage
An underground structure used in pulling or splicing electric cables which are laid underground.
Cable Vault
In an electric circuit, a current that flows in one direction only.
Direct Current
A unit of illumination equal to 1 lumen per square foot.
Foot candle
