KY Plumber key terms

A credential issued by the state to individuals who pass the required journeyman or master examination and meet experience requirements, authorizing them to perform or supervise plumbing work within Kentucky.

A licensed plumber who has documented additional experience, passed the master examination, and may obtain permits, contract for plumbing work, and supervise journeymen and apprentices.

A licensed plumber qualified to install and repair plumbing systems under general supervision, typically after completing an apprenticeship and passing a licensing examination.

Written authorization from the authority having jurisdiction to install, alter, or repair a plumbing system, allowing inspections to be scheduled and code compliance verified before the work is concealed.

The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving equipment, materials, installations, and enforcement of the plumbing code, often the local building or health department.

An inspection performed after piping is installed but before it is covered or concealed, verifying drainage, venting, and water supply work complies with the adopted code.

The last inspection of a completed plumbing installation, confirming fixtures, appurtenances, and systems are installed, tested, and functioning in accordance with the approved plans and code.

A receptacle or device that receives water or waste and discharges it to the drainage system, such as a water closet, lavatory, sink, bathtub, or floor drain.

A dimensionless measure of the probable load a fixture places on the drainage or water supply system, used to size pipes based on the number and type of fixtures served.

A value assigned to a fixture reflecting its rate of discharge and the likelihood it is used simultaneously with others, used to size building drains and sewers.

A value expressing the probable demand a fixture places on the water distribution system, accounting for flow rate and frequency of use, used to size supply piping.

The lowest piping of a drainage system that receives waste from soil and waste stacks inside the building and conveys it to the building sewer, typically ending five feet outside the wall.

The piping that carries sewage from the building drain to the public sewer or private disposal system, beginning outside the building foundation.

A vertical pipe that conveys toilet and other soil-bearing waste from fixtures to the building drain, extending upward and usually terminating through the roof as a vent.

A vertical vent pipe that extends from the highest fixture drain connection to the outdoors, providing air to the drainage system and relieving pressure in the stacks.

The extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connection, serving to vent that stack through the roof.

A water-retaining fitting located at the fixture drain outlet that creates a liquid seal to prevent sewer gases from entering the building while allowing waste to pass.

The vertical depth of water held in a trap between its weir and dip, forming a barrier against sewer gas; codes typically require a minimum depth of two to four inches.

The portion of a fixture drain between the trap weir and the vent connection or drain fitting, subject to maximum length limits based on pipe diameter to avoid self-siphonage.

An unobstructed vertical distance between a water supply outlet and the flood level rim of a receiving vessel, providing the highest level of backflow protection.

A device or assembly installed in a water supply line to prevent reverse flow of contaminated water into the potable system, selected according to the degree of hazard.

A device that admits air into a water supply line when pressure drops below atmospheric, preventing backsiphonage of contaminated water into the potable system.

The total measured length of pipe plus equivalent lengths for fittings and valves along a run, used with friction loss tables to size water supply piping.

Pressure lost as water flows through pipe and fittings due to resistance, expressed in psi per length of pipe, and increasing with flow velocity and pipe roughness.

The pressure exerted by water at rest in a system, determined by the height of the water column above a point, commonly about 0.433 psi per foot of elevation.

A safety device combining a temperature probe and pressure relief mechanism that discharges water when either excessive temperature or pressure occurs, preventing tank rupture.

The increase in water volume as it is heated in a closed system, which raises pressure and requires a thermal expansion tank or other control to protect piping and fixtures.

A receptacle installed in a drainage line to intercept and retain fats, oils, and grease from kitchen waste before the effluent enters the sanitary drainage system.

A device that separates and retains unwanted substances such as grease, oil, sand, or sediment from wastewater before it discharges to the drainage system.

Piping that collects and conveys rainwater, surface water, and other clear water from roofs, yards, and areas to a storm sewer or approved disposal point.

A fitting installed at a roof low point to receive rainwater and direct it into the storm drainage system, typically with a strainer and sometimes a secondary overflow.

The piping that conveys rainwater from a roof drain to the storm drainage system, sized based on roof area and rainfall intensity.

A fixture or receptacle that receives liquid waste discharged through an air gap, isolating the waste from the drainage system and preventing backflow contamination.

Plumbing systems in medical facilities requiring special fixtures and protections, such as clinical sinks, bedpan washers, vacuum systems, and strict backflow prevention.

Piping that conveys natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas to appliances, installed with approved materials, proper sizing, leak testing, and venting per referenced standards.

A published technical document adopted by the plumbing code that establishes accepted methods, materials, or testing criteria for specific systems or components.

A three-dimensional representation of piping showing length, direction, and fittings along three axes, used to interpret and lay out plumbing systems from plans.

A pressure test in which a system is filled with water and pressurized to verify joints and materials are leak-free before the installation is concealed or placed in service.