Text/006.txt

‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
DEFINITIONS
HAND SINK.
A plumbing fixture especially designed
and placed for the washing of hands.
HANGERS.
See “Supports.”
HORIZONTAL BRANCH DRAIN.
A drainage branch pipe extending laterally from a soil or waste stack or build-
ing drain, with or without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge from
two or more fixture drains 
or branches and 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 degrees (0.79 rad) with 
a
horizontal 
plane
.
HOT WATER. 
Water at
a temperature greater than or equal to 110°F (43°C).
HOUSE TRAP.
See “Building trap.”
INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.
A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system, but that discharges 
into the drainage system through an air break or air gap i
nto a trap, fixture, receptor or interceptor.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic 
tank, or mechanical treatment, designed for utilization apart from a public sewer to serve a single 
establishment or 
building.
INDIVIDUAL VENT. 
A pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and that connects with the vent system above the fixture 
served or terminates in the open air.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY.
A water supply that serves one or more 
families, and that is not an approved 
public water supply.
INTERCEPTOR.
A device designed and installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual means, 
deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes, while permitting norm
al sewage or wastes to dis-
charge into the drainage system by gravity.
JOINT.
Expansion. 
A loop, return bend
,
return offset 
or manufactured device 
that provides for the expansion and contrac-
tion in a piping system and is utilized in tall buildings or where 
there is a rapid change of temperature, as in power 
plants, steam rooms and similar occupancies.
Flexible.
Any joint between two pipes that permits one pipe to be deflected or moved without movement or 
deflection of the other pipe.
Mechanical.
See “Mechani
cal joint.”
Slip.
A type of joint made by means of a washer or a special type of packing compound in which one pipe is 
slipped into the end of an adjacent pipe.
LEAD
-
FREE SOLDER AND FLUX.
Containing not more than 0.2
-
percent lead.
LEADER. 
An exterior
drain
age pipe for conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains to an approved means of 
disposal.
LOCAL VENT STACK.
A vertical pipe to which connections are made from the fixture side of traps and through 
which vapor or foul air is removed from the fixture o
r device utilized on bed
-
pan washers.
LOW
-
PRESSURE STEAM
-
HEATING BOILER.
A boiler in which steam is generated and that operates at a steam 
pressure not exceeding 15 psig (103 kPa gauge).
MACERATING TOILET SYSTEM. 
An assembly consisting of a water closet and sump with a macerating pump 
that is designed to collect, grind and pum
p wastes from the water closet and up to two other fixtures connected to the 
sump.
MAIN.
The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected.
MANIFOLD.
See “Plumbing appurtenance.”
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
DEFINITIONS
HAND SINK.
A plumbing fixture especially designed
and placed for the washing of hands.
HANGERS.
See “Supports.”
HORIZONTAL BRANCH DRAIN.
A drainage branch pipe extending laterally from a soil or waste stack or build-
ing drain, with or without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge from
two or more fixture drains 
or branches and 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 degrees (0.79 rad) with 
a
horizontal 
plane
.
HOT WATER. 
Water at
a temperature greater than or equal to 110°F (43°C).
HOUSE TRAP.
See “Building trap.”
INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.
A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system, but that discharges 
into the drainage system through an air break or air gap i
nto a trap, fixture, receptor or interceptor.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic 
tank, or mechanical treatment, designed for utilization apart from a public sewer to serve a single 
establishment or 
building.
INDIVIDUAL VENT. 
A pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and that connects with the vent system above the fixture 
served or terminates in the open air.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY.
A water supply that serves one or more 
families, and that is not an approved 
public water supply.
INTERCEPTOR.
A device designed and installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual means, 
deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes, while permitting norm
al sewage or wastes to dis-
charge into the drainage system by gravity.
JOINT.
Expansion. 
A loop, return bend
,
return offset 
or manufactured device 
that provides for the expansion and contrac-
tion in a piping system and is utilized in tall buildings or where 
there is a rapid change of temperature, as in power 
plants, steam rooms and similar occupancies.
Flexible.
Any joint between two pipes that permits one pipe to be deflected or moved without movement or 
deflection of the other pipe.
Mechanical.
See “Mechani
cal joint.”
Slip.
A type of joint made by means of a washer or a special type of packing compound in which one pipe is 
slipped into the end of an adjacent pipe.
LEAD
-
FREE SOLDER AND FLUX.
Containing not more than 0.2
-
percent lead.
LEADER. 
An exterior
drain
age pipe for conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains to an approved means of 
disposal.
LOCAL VENT STACK.
A vertical pipe to which connections are made from the fixture side of traps and through 
which vapor or foul air is removed from the fixture o
r device utilized on bed
-
pan washers.
LOW
-
PRESSURE STEAM
-
HEATING BOILER.
A boiler in which steam is generated and that operates at a steam 
pressure not exceeding 15 psig (103 kPa gauge).
MACERATING TOILET SYSTEM. 
An assembly consisting of a water closet and sump with a macerating pump 
that is designed to collect, grind and pum
p wastes from the water closet and up to two other fixtures connected to the 
sump.
MAIN.
The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected.
MANIFOLD.
See “Plumbing appurtenance.”
DEFINITIONS
MECHANICAL JOINT. 
A connection between pipes, fittings, or pipes and 
fittings that is not screwed, caulked, 
threaded, soldered, solvent cemented, brazed
,
welded or heat fused. A joint in which compression is applied along the 
centerline of the pieces being joined. In some applications, the joint is part of a coupling, fitti
ng or adapter.
MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM.
The complete system to convey medical gases for direct patient application from central 
supply systems (bulk tanks, manifolds and medical air compressors), with pressure and operating controls, alarm 
warning systems, rela
ted components and piping networks extending to station outlet valves at patient use points.
MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEMS.
A system consisting of central
-
vacuum
-
producing equipment with pressure and 
operating controls, shutoff valves, alarm
-
warning systems, gaug
es and a network of piping extending to and termi-
nating with suit
-
able station inlets at locations where patient suction may be required.
NONMEDICAL GAS SYSTEM. 
The complete system to convey nonmedical gases for use in laboratory, research, 
and educational
facilities which are not for patient application from a central supply system.    Nonmedical gas systems 
shall not include those for industrial applications.
NONPOTABLE WATER.
Water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary utilization.
OFFSET.
A combinat
ion of approved bends that makes two changes in direction bringing one section of the pipe 
out of line but into a line parallel with the other section.
ONCE
-
THROUGH COOLING.
The use of potable water to cool a condenser, other building equipment or 
pro-
cess equipment, excluding equipment used to cool steam condensate, and then discharging the water into the sewage 
system.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER. 
Nonpotable water from other than public utilities, on
-
site surface sources and 
subsurface natural freshwa
ter sources. Examples of such water are gray water, on
-
site reclaimed water, collected rain-
water, captured condensate and rejected water from reverse osmosis systems.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER REUSE SYSTEM. 
A water system for the collection, treatment, stor
age, dis-
tribution and reuse of nonpotable water generated on site.
OPEN AIR.
Outside the structure.
PERMEABILITY.
A measure of the rate of movement of liquid through soil.
PLUMBING.
The practice, materials and fixtures utilized in the installation, mainten
ance, extension and alteration 
of all piping, fixtures, plumbing appliances, plumbing appurtenances, gas piping and limited fire protection as de-
fined in Section 28
-
401.3 of the 
Administrative Code
, within or adjacent to any structure, in connection with s
anitary 
drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems; and public or private water supply systems.
PLUMBING APPLIANCE. 
Water or drain
-
connected devices intended to perform a special function.
These devices 
have their
operation or control dependent
on one or more energized components, such as motors, controls, or heating 
elements. Such 
devices
are manually adjusted or controlled by the owner or operator, or are operated automatically 
through one or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a temp
erature range, a pressure range, a measured volume 
or weight.
PLUMBING APPURTENANCE.
A manufactured device, prefabricated assembly or an on
-
the
-
job assembly of 
component parts that is an adjunct to the basic piping system and plumbing fixtures. An appurten
ance demands no 
additional water supply and does not add any discharge load to a fixture or to the drainage system.
PLUMBING FIXTURE. 
A receptacle or device that is connected to a water supply system or discharges to a drain-
age system or both. Such recepta
cles or devices require a supply of water; or discharge liquid waste or liquid
-
borne 
solid waste; or require a supply of water and discharge waste to a drainage system.
PLUMBING SYSTEM. 
A system that includes the water 
distribution
pipes; plumbing fixtures and traps; water
-
treating or water
-
using equipment; soil, waste and vent pipes; and building drains; in addition to their respective con-
nections, devices and appurtenances within a structure or premises; and the water service, bui
lding sewer and building 
storm sewer serving such structure or premises.
PNEUMATIC SEWAGE EJECTOR VENT.
A vent from pneumatic sewage ejectors that terminates separately to 
the open air.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
DEFINITIONS
HAND SINK.
A plumbing fixture especially designed
and placed for the washing of hands.
HANGERS.
See “Supports.”
HORIZONTAL BRANCH DRAIN.
A drainage branch pipe extending laterally from a soil or waste stack or build-
ing drain, with or without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge from
two or more fixture drains 
or branches and 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 degrees (0.79 rad) with 
a
horizontal 
plane
.
HOT WATER. 
Water at
a temperature greater than or equal to 110°F (43°C).
HOUSE TRAP.
See “Building trap.”
INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.
A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system, but that discharges 
into the drainage system through an air break or air gap i
nto a trap, fixture, receptor or interceptor.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic 
tank, or mechanical treatment, designed for utilization apart from a public sewer to serve a single 
establishment or 
building.
INDIVIDUAL VENT. 
A pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and that connects with the vent system above the fixture 
served or terminates in the open air.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY.
A water supply that serves one or more 
families, and that is not an approved 
public water supply.
INTERCEPTOR.
A device designed and installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual means, 
deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes, while permitting norm
al sewage or wastes to dis-
charge into the drainage system by gravity.
JOINT.
Expansion. 
A loop, return bend
,
return offset 
or manufactured device 
that provides for the expansion and contrac-
tion in a piping system and is utilized in tall buildings or where 
there is a rapid change of temperature, as in power 
plants, steam rooms and similar occupancies.
Flexible.
Any joint between two pipes that permits one pipe to be deflected or moved without movement or 
deflection of the other pipe.
Mechanical.
See “Mechani
cal joint.”
Slip.
A type of joint made by means of a washer or a special type of packing compound in which one pipe is 
slipped into the end of an adjacent pipe.
LEAD
-
FREE SOLDER AND FLUX.
Containing not more than 0.2
-
percent lead.
LEADER. 
An exterior
drain
age pipe for conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains to an approved means of 
disposal.
LOCAL VENT STACK.
A vertical pipe to which connections are made from the fixture side of traps and through 
which vapor or foul air is removed from the fixture o
r device utilized on bed
-
pan washers.
LOW
-
PRESSURE STEAM
-
HEATING BOILER.
A boiler in which steam is generated and that operates at a steam 
pressure not exceeding 15 psig (103 kPa gauge).
MACERATING TOILET SYSTEM. 
An assembly consisting of a water closet and sump with a macerating pump 
that is designed to collect, grind and pum
p wastes from the water closet and up to two other fixtures connected to the 
sump.
MAIN.
The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected.
MANIFOLD.
See “Plumbing appurtenance.”
DEFINITIONS
MECHANICAL JOINT. 
A connection between pipes, fittings, or pipes and 
fittings that is not screwed, caulked, 
threaded, soldered, solvent cemented, brazed
,
welded or heat fused. A joint in which compression is applied along the 
centerline of the pieces being joined. In some applications, the joint is part of a coupling, fitti
ng or adapter.
MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM.
The complete system to convey medical gases for direct patient application from central 
supply systems (bulk tanks, manifolds and medical air compressors), with pressure and operating controls, alarm 
warning systems, rela
ted components and piping networks extending to station outlet valves at patient use points.
MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEMS.
A system consisting of central
-
vacuum
-
producing equipment with pressure and 
operating controls, shutoff valves, alarm
-
warning systems, gaug
es and a network of piping extending to and termi-
nating with suit
-
able station inlets at locations where patient suction may be required.
NONMEDICAL GAS SYSTEM. 
The complete system to convey nonmedical gases for use in laboratory, research, 
and educational
facilities which are not for patient application from a central supply system.    Nonmedical gas systems 
shall not include those for industrial applications.
NONPOTABLE WATER.
Water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary utilization.
OFFSET.
A combinat
ion of approved bends that makes two changes in direction bringing one section of the pipe 
out of line but into a line parallel with the other section.
ONCE
-
THROUGH COOLING.
The use of potable water to cool a condenser, other building equipment or 
pro-
cess equipment, excluding equipment used to cool steam condensate, and then discharging the water into the sewage 
system.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER. 
Nonpotable water from other than public utilities, on
-
site surface sources and 
subsurface natural freshwa
ter sources. Examples of such water are gray water, on
-
site reclaimed water, collected rain-
water, captured condensate and rejected water from reverse osmosis systems.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER REUSE SYSTEM. 
A water system for the collection, treatment, stor
age, dis-
tribution and reuse of nonpotable water generated on site.
OPEN AIR.
Outside the structure.
PERMEABILITY.
A measure of the rate of movement of liquid through soil.
PLUMBING.
The practice, materials and fixtures utilized in the installation, mainten
ance, extension and alteration 
of all piping, fixtures, plumbing appliances, plumbing appurtenances, gas piping and limited fire protection as de-
fined in Section 28
-
401.3 of the 
Administrative Code
, within or adjacent to any structure, in connection with s
anitary 
drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems; and public or private water supply systems.
PLUMBING APPLIANCE. 
Water or drain
-
connected devices intended to perform a special function.
These devices 
have their
operation or control dependent
on one or more energized components, such as motors, controls, or heating 
elements. Such 
devices
are manually adjusted or controlled by the owner or operator, or are operated automatically 
through one or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a temp
erature range, a pressure range, a measured volume 
or weight.
PLUMBING APPURTENANCE.
A manufactured device, prefabricated assembly or an on
-
the
-
job assembly of 
component parts that is an adjunct to the basic piping system and plumbing fixtures. An appurten
ance demands no 
additional water supply and does not add any discharge load to a fixture or to the drainage system.
PLUMBING FIXTURE. 
A receptacle or device that is connected to a water supply system or discharges to a drain-
age system or both. Such recepta
cles or devices require a supply of water; or discharge liquid waste or liquid
-
borne 
solid waste; or require a supply of water and discharge waste to a drainage system.
PLUMBING SYSTEM. 
A system that includes the water 
distribution
pipes; plumbing fixtures and traps; water
-
treating or water
-
using equipment; soil, waste and vent pipes; and building drains; in addition to their respective con-
nections, devices and appurtenances within a structure or premises; and the water service, bui
lding sewer and building 
storm sewer serving such structure or premises.
PNEUMATIC SEWAGE EJECTOR VENT.
A vent from pneumatic sewage ejectors that terminates separately to 
the open air.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
DEFINITIONS
HAND SINK.
A plumbing fixture especially designed
and placed for the washing of hands.
HANGERS.
See “Supports.”
HORIZONTAL BRANCH DRAIN.
A drainage branch pipe extending laterally from a soil or waste stack or build-
ing drain, with or without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge from
two or more fixture drains 
or branches and 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 degrees (0.79 rad) with 
a
horizontal 
plane
.
HOT WATER. 
Water at
a temperature greater than or equal to 110°F (43°C).
HOUSE TRAP.
See “Building trap.”
INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.
A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system, but that discharges 
into the drainage system through an air break or air gap i
nto a trap, fixture, receptor or interceptor.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic 
tank, or mechanical treatment, designed for utilization apart from a public sewer to serve a single 
establishment or 
building.
INDIVIDUAL VENT. 
A pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and that connects with the vent system above the fixture 
served or terminates in the open air.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY.
A water supply that serves one or more 
families, and that is not an approved 
public water supply.
INTERCEPTOR.
A device designed and installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual means, 
deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes, while permitting norm
al sewage or wastes to dis-
charge into the drainage system by gravity.
JOINT.
Expansion. 
A loop, return bend
,
return offset 
or manufactured device 
that provides for the expansion and contrac-
tion in a piping system and is utilized in tall buildings or where 
there is a rapid change of temperature, as in power 
plants, steam rooms and similar occupancies.
Flexible.
Any joint between two pipes that permits one pipe to be deflected or moved without movement or 
deflection of the other pipe.
Mechanical.
See “Mechani
cal joint.”
Slip.
A type of joint made by means of a washer or a special type of packing compound in which one pipe is 
slipped into the end of an adjacent pipe.
LEAD
-
FREE SOLDER AND FLUX.
Containing not more than 0.2
-
percent lead.
LEADER. 
An exterior
drain
age pipe for conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains to an approved means of 
disposal.
LOCAL VENT STACK.
A vertical pipe to which connections are made from the fixture side of traps and through 
which vapor or foul air is removed from the fixture o
r device utilized on bed
-
pan washers.
LOW
-
PRESSURE STEAM
-
HEATING BOILER.
A boiler in which steam is generated and that operates at a steam 
pressure not exceeding 15 psig (103 kPa gauge).
MACERATING TOILET SYSTEM. 
An assembly consisting of a water closet and sump with a macerating pump 
that is designed to collect, grind and pum
p wastes from the water closet and up to two other fixtures connected to the 
sump.
MAIN.
The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected.
MANIFOLD.
See “Plumbing appurtenance.”
DEFINITIONS
MECHANICAL JOINT. 
A connection between pipes, fittings, or pipes and 
fittings that is not screwed, caulked, 
threaded, soldered, solvent cemented, brazed
,
welded or heat fused. A joint in which compression is applied along the 
centerline of the pieces being joined. In some applications, the joint is part of a coupling, fitti
ng or adapter.
MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM.
The complete system to convey medical gases for direct patient application from central 
supply systems (bulk tanks, manifolds and medical air compressors), with pressure and operating controls, alarm 
warning systems, rela
ted components and piping networks extending to station outlet valves at patient use points.
MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEMS.
A system consisting of central
-
vacuum
-
producing equipment with pressure and 
operating controls, shutoff valves, alarm
-
warning systems, gaug
es and a network of piping extending to and termi-
nating with suit
-
able station inlets at locations where patient suction may be required.
NONMEDICAL GAS SYSTEM. 
The complete system to convey nonmedical gases for use in laboratory, research, 
and educational
facilities which are not for patient application from a central supply system.    Nonmedical gas systems 
shall not include those for industrial applications.
NONPOTABLE WATER.
Water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary utilization.
OFFSET.
A combinat
ion of approved bends that makes two changes in direction bringing one section of the pipe 
out of line but into a line parallel with the other section.
ONCE
-
THROUGH COOLING.
The use of potable water to cool a condenser, other building equipment or 
pro-
cess equipment, excluding equipment used to cool steam condensate, and then discharging the water into the sewage 
system.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER. 
Nonpotable water from other than public utilities, on
-
site surface sources and 
subsurface natural freshwa
ter sources. Examples of such water are gray water, on
-
site reclaimed water, collected rain-
water, captured condensate and rejected water from reverse osmosis systems.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER REUSE SYSTEM. 
A water system for the collection, treatment, stor
age, dis-
tribution and reuse of nonpotable water generated on site.
OPEN AIR.
Outside the structure.
PERMEABILITY.
A measure of the rate of movement of liquid through soil.
PLUMBING.
The practice, materials and fixtures utilized in the installation, mainten
ance, extension and alteration 
of all piping, fixtures, plumbing appliances, plumbing appurtenances, gas piping and limited fire protection as de-
fined in Section 28
-
401.3 of the 
Administrative Code
, within or adjacent to any structure, in connection with s
anitary 
drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems; and public or private water supply systems.
PLUMBING APPLIANCE. 
Water or drain
-
connected devices intended to perform a special function.
These devices 
have their
operation or control dependent
on one or more energized components, such as motors, controls, or heating 
elements. Such 
devices
are manually adjusted or controlled by the owner or operator, or are operated automatically 
through one or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a temp
erature range, a pressure range, a measured volume 
or weight.
PLUMBING APPURTENANCE.
A manufactured device, prefabricated assembly or an on
-
the
-
job assembly of 
component parts that is an adjunct to the basic piping system and plumbing fixtures. An appurten
ance demands no 
additional water supply and does not add any discharge load to a fixture or to the drainage system.
PLUMBING FIXTURE. 
A receptacle or device that is connected to a water supply system or discharges to a drain-
age system or both. Such recepta
cles or devices require a supply of water; or discharge liquid waste or liquid
-
borne 
solid waste; or require a supply of water and discharge waste to a drainage system.
PLUMBING SYSTEM. 
A system that includes the water 
distribution
pipes; plumbing fixtures and traps; water
-
treating or water
-
using equipment; soil, waste and vent pipes; and building drains; in addition to their respective con-
nections, devices and appurtenances within a structure or premises; and the water service, bui
lding sewer and building 
storm sewer serving such structure or premises.
PNEUMATIC SEWAGE EJECTOR VENT.
A vent from pneumatic sewage ejectors that terminates separately to 
the open air.
DEFINITIONS
POTABLE WATER.
Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physio-
logical effects and conforming to the bacteriological and chemical quality requirements of the 
New York State Sani-
tary Code
.
PRIVATE.
In the classification of plumbi
ng fixtures, “private” applies to fixtures in residences and apartments, and 
to fixtures in nonpublic toilet rooms of hotels and motels and similar installations in buildings where the plumbing 
fixtures are intended for utilization by a family or an indivi
dual.
PRIVATE SEWER.
See “Sewer, private sewer.”
PUBLIC OR PUBLIC UTILIZATION.
In the classification of plumbing fixtures, “public” applies to fixtures in 
general toilet rooms of schools, gymnasiums, hotels, airports, bus and railroad stations, public buil
dings, bars, public 
comfort stations, office buildings, stadiums, stores, restaurants and other installations where a number of fixtures are 
installed so that their utilization is similarly unrestricted.
PUBLIC SEWER.
See “Sewer, public sewer.”
PUBLIC WATE
R MAIN.
A water supply pipe for public utilization controlled by public authority.
QUICK
-
CLOSING VALVE.
A valve or faucet that closes automatically when released manually or that is con-
trolled by a mechanical means for fast
-
action closing.
RAINWATER. 
Water
from natural precipitation.
READY ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be directly reached without 
requiring the removal or movement of any panel, door or similar obstruction and without the use of a portable ladder
, 
step stool or similar device.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER (RPZ).
A backflow prevention device con-
sisting of two independently acting check valves, internally force
-
loaded to a normally closed position and separated 
by an intermediate ch
amber (or zone) in which there is an automatic relief means of venting to the atmosphere, 
internally loaded to a normally open position between two tightly closing shutoff valves and with a means for testing 
for tightness of the checks and opening of the r
elief means.
RELIEF VALVE.
Pressure relief valve.
A pressure
-
actuated valve held closed by a spring or other means and designed to relieve 
pressure automatically at the pressure at which such valve is set.
Temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve.
A 
combi
-
nation relief valve designed to function as both a tem-
perature relief and a pressure relief valve.
Temperature relief valve.
A temperature
-
actuated valve designed to discharge automatically at the temperature 
at which such valve is set.
RELIEF VENT.
A vent whose primary function is to provide circulation of air between drainage and vent systems.
RETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that captures rainwater or storm water runoff on site with no release.
RIM.
An unobstructed open edge of a fixture.
RISER.
A water 
supply pipe that extends one full story or more to convey water to branches or to a group of fixtures.
ROOF DRAIN.
A drain installed to receive water collecting on the surface of a roof and to discharge such water 
into a leader or a conductor.
ROUGH
-
IN.
Pa
rts of the plumbing system that are installed prior to the installation of fixtures. This includes drain-
age, water supply, vent piping and the necessary fixture supports and any fixtures that are built into the structure.
SANITARY SEWER.
See “Sewer, sanita
ry sewer.”
SELF
-
CLOSING FAUCET.
A faucet containing a valve that automatically closes upon deactivation of the opening 
means.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
DEFINITIONS
HAND SINK.
A plumbing fixture especially designed
and placed for the washing of hands.
HANGERS.
See “Supports.”
HORIZONTAL BRANCH DRAIN.
A drainage branch pipe extending laterally from a soil or waste stack or build-
ing drain, with or without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge from
two or more fixture drains 
or branches and 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 degrees (0.79 rad) with 
a
horizontal 
plane
.
HOT WATER. 
Water at
a temperature greater than or equal to 110°F (43°C).
HOUSE TRAP.
See “Building trap.”
INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.
A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system, but that discharges 
into the drainage system through an air break or air gap i
nto a trap, fixture, receptor or interceptor.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic 
tank, or mechanical treatment, designed for utilization apart from a public sewer to serve a single 
establishment or 
building.
INDIVIDUAL VENT. 
A pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and that connects with the vent system above the fixture 
served or terminates in the open air.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY.
A water supply that serves one or more 
families, and that is not an approved 
public water supply.
INTERCEPTOR.
A device designed and installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual means, 
deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes, while permitting norm
al sewage or wastes to dis-
charge into the drainage system by gravity.
JOINT.
Expansion. 
A loop, return bend
,
return offset 
or manufactured device 
that provides for the expansion and contrac-
tion in a piping system and is utilized in tall buildings or where 
there is a rapid change of temperature, as in power 
plants, steam rooms and similar occupancies.
Flexible.
Any joint between two pipes that permits one pipe to be deflected or moved without movement or 
deflection of the other pipe.
Mechanical.
See “Mechani
cal joint.”
Slip.
A type of joint made by means of a washer or a special type of packing compound in which one pipe is 
slipped into the end of an adjacent pipe.
LEAD
-
FREE SOLDER AND FLUX.
Containing not more than 0.2
-
percent lead.
LEADER. 
An exterior
drain
age pipe for conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains to an approved means of 
disposal.
LOCAL VENT STACK.
A vertical pipe to which connections are made from the fixture side of traps and through 
which vapor or foul air is removed from the fixture o
r device utilized on bed
-
pan washers.
LOW
-
PRESSURE STEAM
-
HEATING BOILER.
A boiler in which steam is generated and that operates at a steam 
pressure not exceeding 15 psig (103 kPa gauge).
MACERATING TOILET SYSTEM. 
An assembly consisting of a water closet and sump with a macerating pump 
that is designed to collect, grind and pum
p wastes from the water closet and up to two other fixtures connected to the 
sump.
MAIN.
The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected.
MANIFOLD.
See “Plumbing appurtenance.”
DEFINITIONS
MECHANICAL JOINT. 
A connection between pipes, fittings, or pipes and 
fittings that is not screwed, caulked, 
threaded, soldered, solvent cemented, brazed
,
welded or heat fused. A joint in which compression is applied along the 
centerline of the pieces being joined. In some applications, the joint is part of a coupling, fitti
ng or adapter.
MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM.
The complete system to convey medical gases for direct patient application from central 
supply systems (bulk tanks, manifolds and medical air compressors), with pressure and operating controls, alarm 
warning systems, rela
ted components and piping networks extending to station outlet valves at patient use points.
MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEMS.
A system consisting of central
-
vacuum
-
producing equipment with pressure and 
operating controls, shutoff valves, alarm
-
warning systems, gaug
es and a network of piping extending to and termi-
nating with suit
-
able station inlets at locations where patient suction may be required.
NONMEDICAL GAS SYSTEM. 
The complete system to convey nonmedical gases for use in laboratory, research, 
and educational
facilities which are not for patient application from a central supply system.    Nonmedical gas systems 
shall not include those for industrial applications.
NONPOTABLE WATER.
Water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary utilization.
OFFSET.
A combinat
ion of approved bends that makes two changes in direction bringing one section of the pipe 
out of line but into a line parallel with the other section.
ONCE
-
THROUGH COOLING.
The use of potable water to cool a condenser, other building equipment or 
pro-
cess equipment, excluding equipment used to cool steam condensate, and then discharging the water into the sewage 
system.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER. 
Nonpotable water from other than public utilities, on
-
site surface sources and 
subsurface natural freshwa
ter sources. Examples of such water are gray water, on
-
site reclaimed water, collected rain-
water, captured condensate and rejected water from reverse osmosis systems.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER REUSE SYSTEM. 
A water system for the collection, treatment, stor
age, dis-
tribution and reuse of nonpotable water generated on site.
OPEN AIR.
Outside the structure.
PERMEABILITY.
A measure of the rate of movement of liquid through soil.
PLUMBING.
The practice, materials and fixtures utilized in the installation, mainten
ance, extension and alteration 
of all piping, fixtures, plumbing appliances, plumbing appurtenances, gas piping and limited fire protection as de-
fined in Section 28
-
401.3 of the 
Administrative Code
, within or adjacent to any structure, in connection with s
anitary 
drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems; and public or private water supply systems.
PLUMBING APPLIANCE. 
Water or drain
-
connected devices intended to perform a special function.
These devices 
have their
operation or control dependent
on one or more energized components, such as motors, controls, or heating 
elements. Such 
devices
are manually adjusted or controlled by the owner or operator, or are operated automatically 
through one or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a temp
erature range, a pressure range, a measured volume 
or weight.
PLUMBING APPURTENANCE.
A manufactured device, prefabricated assembly or an on
-
the
-
job assembly of 
component parts that is an adjunct to the basic piping system and plumbing fixtures. An appurten
ance demands no 
additional water supply and does not add any discharge load to a fixture or to the drainage system.
PLUMBING FIXTURE. 
A receptacle or device that is connected to a water supply system or discharges to a drain-
age system or both. Such recepta
cles or devices require a supply of water; or discharge liquid waste or liquid
-
borne 
solid waste; or require a supply of water and discharge waste to a drainage system.
PLUMBING SYSTEM. 
A system that includes the water 
distribution
pipes; plumbing fixtures and traps; water
-
treating or water
-
using equipment; soil, waste and vent pipes; and building drains; in addition to their respective con-
nections, devices and appurtenances within a structure or premises; and the water service, bui
lding sewer and building 
storm sewer serving such structure or premises.
PNEUMATIC SEWAGE EJECTOR VENT.
A vent from pneumatic sewage ejectors that terminates separately to 
the open air.
DEFINITIONS
POTABLE WATER.
Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physio-
logical effects and conforming to the bacteriological and chemical quality requirements of the 
New York State Sani-
tary Code
.
PRIVATE.
In the classification of plumbi
ng fixtures, “private” applies to fixtures in residences and apartments, and 
to fixtures in nonpublic toilet rooms of hotels and motels and similar installations in buildings where the plumbing 
fixtures are intended for utilization by a family or an indivi
dual.
PRIVATE SEWER.
See “Sewer, private sewer.”
PUBLIC OR PUBLIC UTILIZATION.
In the classification of plumbing fixtures, “public” applies to fixtures in 
general toilet rooms of schools, gymnasiums, hotels, airports, bus and railroad stations, public buil
dings, bars, public 
comfort stations, office buildings, stadiums, stores, restaurants and other installations where a number of fixtures are 
installed so that their utilization is similarly unrestricted.
PUBLIC SEWER.
See “Sewer, public sewer.”
PUBLIC WATE
R MAIN.
A water supply pipe for public utilization controlled by public authority.
QUICK
-
CLOSING VALVE.
A valve or faucet that closes automatically when released manually or that is con-
trolled by a mechanical means for fast
-
action closing.
RAINWATER. 
Water
from natural precipitation.
READY ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be directly reached without 
requiring the removal or movement of any panel, door or similar obstruction and without the use of a portable ladder
, 
step stool or similar device.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER (RPZ).
A backflow prevention device con-
sisting of two independently acting check valves, internally force
-
loaded to a normally closed position and separated 
by an intermediate ch
amber (or zone) in which there is an automatic relief means of venting to the atmosphere, 
internally loaded to a normally open position between two tightly closing shutoff valves and with a means for testing 
for tightness of the checks and opening of the r
elief means.
RELIEF VALVE.
Pressure relief valve.
A pressure
-
actuated valve held closed by a spring or other means and designed to relieve 
pressure automatically at the pressure at which such valve is set.
Temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve.
A 
combi
-
nation relief valve designed to function as both a tem-
perature relief and a pressure relief valve.
Temperature relief valve.
A temperature
-
actuated valve designed to discharge automatically at the temperature 
at which such valve is set.
RELIEF VENT.
A vent whose primary function is to provide circulation of air between drainage and vent systems.
RETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that captures rainwater or storm water runoff on site with no release.
RIM.
An unobstructed open edge of a fixture.
RISER.
A water 
supply pipe that extends one full story or more to convey water to branches or to a group of fixtures.
ROOF DRAIN.
A drain installed to receive water collecting on the surface of a roof and to discharge such water 
into a leader or a conductor.
ROUGH
-
IN.
Pa
rts of the plumbing system that are installed prior to the installation of fixtures. This includes drain-
age, water supply, vent piping and the necessary fixture supports and any fixtures that are built into the structure.
SANITARY SEWER.
See “Sewer, sanita
ry sewer.”
SELF
-
CLOSING FAUCET.
A faucet containing a valve that automatically closes upon deactivation of the opening 
means.
‡‡‡ Chapter 2 was amended by 
Local Law 
77 
of 2023
. This law has an effective
 date of June 10, 2023.
CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION PC 201
GENERAL
201.1 Scope. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this code, 
have the meanings shown in this chapter.
201.2 Interchangeability. 
Word
s stated in the present tense include the future; words stated in the masculine gender 
include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
Where terms are not defined in 
this code and are defined in the 
New York City 
Building Code
, 
New York City 
Fire Code
, 
New York City Electrical Code
, 
New York City 
Fuel Gas Code
, 
New York 
City 
Mechanical Code
, 
or the 
New York City Energy Conservation Code
, 
such terms shall have the 
meanings ascribed 
to them as in those codes.
‡‡‡
201.3.1 Terms defined in the general administrative provisions.
The following terms are defined in Section 
28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
: 
1968 BUILDING CODE.
1968 OR PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES (
PRIOR CODE BUILDINGS).
ACCEPTANCE OR ACCEPTED
.
ADDITION.
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
ALTERATION
. 
APPROVAL OR APPROVED.
APPROVED AGENCY.
APPROVED FABRICATOR.
APPROVED INSPECTION AGENCY.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY.
ARCHITECT.
BUILDING.
CERTIFICATE OF 
COMPLIANCE.
CHARTER.
CITY.
COMMISSIONER.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.
DAY.
DEFERRED SUBMITTAL.
DEMOLITION.
DEMOLITION, FULL.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL.
DEPARTMENT.
ENGINEER.
ENLARGEMENT.
DEFINITIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OR ECB.
EXISTING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.
FABRICATED ITEM.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN.
HEREAFTER.
HERETOFORE.
I
NSPECTION CERTIFICATE.
INTERIM CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
LABEL.
LABELED.
LAND SURVEYOR.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
LETTER OF COMPLETION.
LIMITED ALTERATION APPLICATION.
LIMITED OIL
-
BURNING BOILER 
ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED PLUMBING ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED SPRINKLER ALTERATIONS.
LIMITED STANDPIPE ALTERATIONS.
LISTED.
MAIN USE OR DOMINANT OCCUPANCY 
(OF A BUILDING).
MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATION.
MARK.
MATERIALS.
OCCUPANCY.
OWNER.
PARTY WALL.
PERMIT.
PERSON.
PREMISES
.
PRIOR CODE BUILDING.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.
PROGRESS INSPECTION.
PROJECT.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL.
REGISTERED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL 
OF RECORD.
REQUIRED.
RETAINING WALL.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
SIGN
-
OFF.
DEFINITIONS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 
MULTIPLE DWELLING
.
SPECIAL INSPECTION.
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY.
SPECIAL INSPECTOR.
STRUCTURE.
SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION (CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT).
USE (USED).
UTILITY COMPANY OR PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY.
UTILITY CORPORATION OR PUBLIC 
UTILITY CORPORATION.
WORK NOT CONSTITUTING MINOR 
ALTERATIONS OR ORDINARY REPAIRS.
WRITING (WRITTEN).
WRITTEN NOTICE.
ZONING RESOLUTION.
201.4 Terms not defined. 
Where terms are not defined through the methods 
authorized by this section, such terms 
shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.
SECTION PC 202
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICE.
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of na-
tion
-
ally reco
gnized technical or scientific authorities.
ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be reached by ready access or by a 
means that first requires the removal or movement of a panel, door or similar obstruction (see “Read
y access (to)”).
ACCESS COVER.
A removable plate, usually secured by bolts or screws, to permit access to a pipe or pipe fitting 
for the purposes of inspection, repair or cleaning.
ADAPTER FITTING. 
An approved connecting device that suitably and properly joins or adjusts pipes and fittings 
that 
do not otherwise fit together
.
AIR BREAK (Drainage System).
A piping arrangement in which a drain from a fixture, appliance or device dis-
charges indirectly in
to another fixture, receptacle or interceptor at a point below the flood level rim and above the 
trap seal.
AIR GAP (Drainage System).
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the outlet of 
the waste pipe and the flood level r
im of the receptacle into which the waste pipe is discharging.
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 fixtur
e or other device and the flood 
level rim of the receptacle.
ALTERNATIVE ENGINEERED DESIGN.
A plumbing system that performs in accordance with the intent of this 
code and provides an equivalent level of performance for the protection of public health, safe
ty and welfare. The 
system design is not specifically regulated by this code.
ANCHORS.
See “Supports.”
ANTISIPHON.
A term applied to valves or mechanical devices that eliminate siphonage.
DEFINITIONS
AREA DRAIN.
A receptacle designed to collect surface or storm water 
from an open area.
ASPIRATOR.
A fitting or device supplied with water or other fluid under positive pressure that passes through an 
integral orifice or constriction, causing a vacuum. Aspirators are also referred to as suction apparatus, and are similar 
in
operation to an ejector.
BACKFLOW.
The undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases or other 
substances into the distribution pipes of the potable supply of water from any source or sources or the 
undesirable 
reversal of flow from the intended direction of flow in the drainage system due to a system stoppage, system overload 
or a higher pressure on the drainage pipe side of the house trap.
Backpressure, low head.
A pressure less than or equal to 4.3
3 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10
-
foot (3048 mm) column of water.
Backsiphonage.
The backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water system as a result of the 
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmospheric 
pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or 
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping.
Drainage.
A reversal of flow in the drainage system.
Water supply system.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distri
bution pipes of a 
potable water supply from any source except the intended source.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION.
Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. 
A backflow prevention assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or 
method 
to prevent backflow into the potable water supply.
BACKWATER VALVE.
A device or valve installed in the building drain, sewer or any branch line where such drain 
or branch is subject to backflow, and which prevents drainage or waste from backing up into a l
ower level or fixtures 
and causing a flooding condition.
BALL COCK.
See “Fill Valve.”
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
BATHROOM GROUP.
A group of fixtures consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or 
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are located together in the same room.
BEDPAN STEAMER OR BOILER.
A fixture utilized for scalding 
bedpans or urinals by direct application of steam 
or boiling water.
BEDPAN WASHER AND STERILIZER.
A fixture designed to wash bedpans and to flush the contents into the 
sanitary drainage system. Included are fixtures of this type that provide for disinfecti
ng utensils by scalding with 
steam or hot water.
BEDPAN WASHER HOSE.
A device supplied with hot and cold water and located adjacent to a water closet or 
clinical sink to be utilized for cleansing bedpans.
BRANCH.
Any part of the piping system that extends 
to fixtures on two or less consecutive floors except a riser, 
main or stack.
BRANCH INTERVAL.
A vertical measurement of distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, between 
the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage stack. Measurements
are taken down the stack from the highest 
horizontal branch connection.
BRANCH VENT.
A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
BUILDING DRAIN.
That part of the lowest piping of a 
drainage
system that receives the disc
harge from soil, waste 
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends to the exterior face of the exterior building wall, or the outlet of the 
most downstream trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank, or similar fixture or equipment, and convey
s 
the drainage directly to the building sewer or, in the absence of building sewer, to an approved place of disposal.
Combined.
A building drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
DEFINITIONS
Sanitary.
A building drain that conveys sewage only
.
Storm.
A
building drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING SEWER.
See “Sewer, building sewer.”
BUILDING SUBDRAIN.
That portion of a drainage system that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BUILDING 
TRAP.
A device or fitting, without joints within the water seal, installed in the building drain to prevent 
circulation of air between the drainage system of the building and the building sewer.
CIRCUIT VENT.
A vent that connects to a horizontal drain
-
age 
branch and vents two traps to a maximum of eight 
traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
CISTERN.
A covered tank for storing rainwater to be utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply.
CLEANOUT.
An access opening in the draina
ge system utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts 
include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or fix
-
ture trap.
CLEAR WATER WASTE.
Drips from equipment, coil condensate, steam condensate, single pass refrigeration dis-
charg
e, RPZ discharge, and similar matter.
COMBINATION FIXTURE.
A fixture combining one sink and laundry tray or a two
-
or three
-
compartment sink 
or laundry tray in one unit.
COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT SYSTEM. 
A specially designed system of waste piping embodyi
ng the 
horizontal wet venting of one or more lavatories, drinking fountains 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.
COMBINED BUILDING DRAIN.
See “Building d
rain, combined.”
COMBINED SEWER.
See “Sewer, combined sewer.”
COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner of Buildings of the City of New York or his or her duly authorized repre-
sentative. See Section 28
-
101.5 of the 
Administrative Code
.
COMMON VENT.
A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch and serving as 
a 
vent for both fixtures.
CONCEALED FOULING SURFACE. 
Any surface of a plumbing fixture 
that
is not readily visible and is not 
scoured or cleansed with each fixture operation.
CONDUCTOR.
A pipe inside the building that conveys storm water from the roof to a
storm or combined building 
drain.
CONTAMINATION. 
An impairment of the quality of the potable water that creates an actual hazard to the public 
health through poisoning or the spread of disease by sewage, industrial fluids or waste.
CONVEYANCE PIPE.
See “Water Pipe, conveyance.”
CRITICAL LEVEL (C
-
L).
An elevation (height) reference point that determines the minimum height at which a 
backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim of the fixture or receptor served by the 
de
vice. The critical level is the elevation level below which there is a potential for backflow to occur. If the critical 
level marking is not indicated on the device, the bottom of the device shall constitute the critical level.
CROSS CONNECTION.
Any 
physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate piping systems, 
one of which contains potable water and the other either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or 
chemical, whereby there exists the possibility for flow from
one system to the other, with the direction of flow 
depending on the pressure differential between the two systems (see “Backflow”).
CURED
-
IN
-
PLACE PIPE (CIPP). 
A piping repair method utilizing a resin
-
impregnated, flexible tube inverted into 
existing con
duit by use of a hydrostatic head or air pressure, or by a process that sprays epoxy directly onto the walls 
of the rehabilitated pipe.
DEFINITIONS
DEAD END.
A branch leading from a soil, waste or vent pipe; a building drain; or a building sewer, and terminating 
at a 
developed length of 2 feet (610 mm) or more by means of a plug, cap or other closed fitting.
DEMAND RECIRCULATION WATER SYSTEM.
A water distribution system where one or more pumps prime 
the service hot water piping with heated water upon a demand for hot w
ater.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION.
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Building Code
.
DETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that slows and temporarily holds rainwater or storm water runoff so that it can 
be released into the public sewer system at a
controlled rate.
DEVELOPED LENGTH.
The length of a pipeline measured along the centerline of the pipe and fittings.
DISCHARGE PIPE. 
A pipe that conveys the 
discharge
from plumbing fixtures or appliances.
DRAIN. 
Any pipe that carries 
waste water
or water
-
b
orne wastes in a building drainage system.
DRAINAGE FITTING. 
The type
of fitting or fittings utilized in the drainage system.
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT (dfu).
A measure of the probable discharge into the drainage system by various 
types of plumbing fixtures. T
he drainage fixture
-
unit value for a particular fixture depends on its volume rate of 
drainage discharge, on the time duration of a single drainage operation and on the aver
-
age time between successive 
operations.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. 
Piping within a public or
private
premise that conveys sewage, rainwater or other liquid 
waste
to a point of disposal.
A drainage system does not include the mains of a public sewer
system or a private or 
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Gravity.
A drainage system 
that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary.
A drainage system that carries sewage or similar matter.
Storm.
A drainage system that carries only stormwater, potable clear water waste, and groundwater.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN. 
A plumbing fixture that
is connected to the potable water distribution system and drains 
to an approved point of disposal. The fixture allows the user to obtain a drink directly from a stream of flowing water 
without the use of any accessories. 
DRYWELL.
A covered pit constructe
d so as to permit liquid contents to seep into the ground.
DUAL FLUSH WATER CLOSET.
A water closet that enables the user to select a high flush for solid waste or a 
reduced volume, low flush for liquid waste.
EFFECTIVE OPENING.
The minimum cross
-
sectional
area at the point of water supply discharge, measured or 
expressed in terms of the diameter of a circle or, if the opening is not circu
-
lar, the diameter of a circle of equivalent 
cross
-
sectional area. For faucets and similar fittings, the effective openi
ng shall be measured at the smallest orifice 
in the fitting body or in the sup
-
ply piping to the fitting.
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN.
A floor drain that does not receive the discharge of any drain or indirect waste 
pipe, and that protects against damage from ac
cidental spills, fixture overflows and leakage.
ESSENTIALLY NONTOXIC TRANSFER FLUID.
Fluids having a Gosselin rating of 1, including propylene      
glycol; mineral oil; polydimethylsiloxane; hydrochlorofluorocarbon, chlorofluorocarbon and carbon refrigeran
ts; and 
FDA
-
approved boiler water additives for steam boilers.
ESSENTIALLY TOXIC TRANSFER FLUID. 
Soil, waste or gray water and fluids having a Gosselin rating of 2 or 
more, including ethylene glycol, hydrocarbon oils, ammonia refrigerants and hydrazine.
EX
ISTING INSTALLATION. 
Any plumbing system regulated by this code that was legally installed prior to July 
1, 2008, or for which a permit to install has been issued prior to such date or prior to the effective date of a subsequent 
amendment of this code.
FAUCET.
A valve end of a water pipe through which water is drawn from or held within the pipe.
DEFINITIONS
FILL VALVE.
A water supply valve, opened or closed by means of a float or similar device, utilized to supply 
water to a tank. An antisiphon fill valve contains a
n antisiphon device in the form of an approved air gap or vacuum 
breaker that is an integral part of the fill valve unit and that is positioned on the discharge side of the water supply 
control valve.
FIXTURE.
See “Plumbing fixture.”
FIXTURE BRANCH.
A drai
n serving two or more fixtures that discharges to another drain or to a stack.
FIXTURE DRAIN.
The drain from the trap of a fixture to a junction with any other drain pipe.
FIXTURE FITTING.
Supply fitting. 
A fitting that controls the volume
, direction of 
flow or both, of water and is either attached to or 
accessible from a fixture, or is used with an open or atmospheric discharge
.
Waste fitting.
A combination of components that conveys the sanitary waste from the outlet of a fixture to the 
c
onnection to the sanitary drainage system.
FIXTURE SUPPLY.
The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main 
water supply pipe.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
. 
Refer to Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the 
New York City Build
ing Code
.
FLOOD LEVEL RIM.
The edge of the receptacle from which water overflows.
FLOOR DRAIN.
A fixture set into a floor, used to drain water into a plumbing drainage system.
FLOW CONTROL (Vented). 
A device installed upstream from the 
interceptor, having an orifice that controls the 
rate of flow through the interceptor and an air intake (vent) downstream from the orifice that allows air to be drawn 
into the flow stream
.
FLOW PRESSURE.
The pressure in the water supply pipe near the fauce
t or water outlet while the faucet or water 
outlet is wide open and flowing.
FLUSH TANK.
A tank designed with a fill valve and flush valve to flush the contents of the bowl or usable portion 
of the fixture.
FLUSHOMETER TANK.
A device integrated within an a
ir accumulator vessel that is designed to discharge a 
predetermined quantity of water to fixtures for flushing purposes.
FLUSHOMETER VALVE.
A valve attached to a pressurized water supply pipe and so designed that when activated 
it opens the line for direct
flow into the fixture at a rate and quantity to operate the fixture properly, and then gradually 
closes to reseal fixture traps and minimize water hammer.
FOOD WASTE DISPOSER. 
An electric motor
-
driven device installed between a sink’s drain and trap for g
rinding 
food waste and disposing of such ground food waste through the plumbing drainage system.
GRAY WATER. 
Discharge from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry trays.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. 
A plumbing appurtenance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept 
grease
-
laden wastes from a wastewater discharge. Such device has the ability to intercept free
-
floating fats and oils.
GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE, AUTOMATIC (GRD). 
A plumbing a
ppurtenance that is installed in the sanitary 
drainage system to intercept free
-
floating fats, oils and grease from waste water discharge.
Such a device operates on 
a time
-
or event
-
controlled basis and has the ability to remove free
-
floating fats, oils an
d grease automatically without 
intervention from the user except for maintenance.
GREASE
-
LADEN WASTE.
Effluent discharge that is produced from food processing, food preparation or other 
sources where grease, fats and oils enter automatic dishwater prerinse
stations, sinks or other appurtenances.
GROUNDWATER OR GROUND WATER.
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces, in the 
fractures of rock formations and any water removed from the ground.
DEFINITIONS
HAND SINK.
A plumbing fixture especially designed
and placed for the washing of hands.
HANGERS.
See “Supports.”
HORIZONTAL BRANCH DRAIN.
A drainage branch pipe extending laterally from a soil or waste stack or build-
ing drain, with or without vertical sections or branches, that receives the discharge from
two or more fixture drains 
or branches and 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 degrees (0.79 rad) with 
a
horizontal 
plane
.
HOT WATER. 
Water at
a temperature greater than or equal to 110°F (43°C).
HOUSE TRAP.
See “Building trap.”
INDIRECT WASTE PIPE.
A waste pipe that does not connect directly with the drainage system, but that discharges 
into the drainage system through an air break or air gap i
nto a trap, fixture, receptor or interceptor.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
A system for disposal of domestic sewage by means of a septic 
tank, or mechanical treatment, designed for utilization apart from a public sewer to serve a single 
establishment or 
building.
INDIVIDUAL VENT. 
A pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and that connects with the vent system above the fixture 
served or terminates in the open air.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY.
A water supply that serves one or more 
families, and that is not an approved 
public water supply.
INTERCEPTOR.
A device designed and installed to separate and retain for removal, by automatic or manual means, 
deleterious, hazardous or undesirable matter from normal wastes, while permitting norm
al sewage or wastes to dis-
charge into the drainage system by gravity.
JOINT.
Expansion. 
A loop, return bend
,
return offset 
or manufactured device 
that provides for the expansion and contrac-
tion in a piping system and is utilized in tall buildings or where 
there is a rapid change of temperature, as in power 
plants, steam rooms and similar occupancies.
Flexible.
Any joint between two pipes that permits one pipe to be deflected or moved without movement or 
deflection of the other pipe.
Mechanical.
See “Mechani
cal joint.”
Slip.
A type of joint made by means of a washer or a special type of packing compound in which one pipe is 
slipped into the end of an adjacent pipe.
LEAD
-
FREE SOLDER AND FLUX.
Containing not more than 0.2
-
percent lead.
LEADER. 
An exterior
drain
age pipe for conveying storm water from roof or gutter drains to an approved means of 
disposal.
LOCAL VENT STACK.
A vertical pipe to which connections are made from the fixture side of traps and through 
which vapor or foul air is removed from the fixture o
r device utilized on bed
-
pan washers.
LOW
-
PRESSURE STEAM
-
HEATING BOILER.
A boiler in which steam is generated and that operates at a steam 
pressure not exceeding 15 psig (103 kPa gauge).
MACERATING TOILET SYSTEM. 
An assembly consisting of a water closet and sump with a macerating pump 
that is designed to collect, grind and pum
p wastes from the water closet and up to two other fixtures connected to the 
sump.
MAIN.
The principal pipe artery to which branches are connected.
MANIFOLD.
See “Plumbing appurtenance.”
DEFINITIONS
MECHANICAL JOINT. 
A connection between pipes, fittings, or pipes and 
fittings that is not screwed, caulked, 
threaded, soldered, solvent cemented, brazed
,
welded or heat fused. A joint in which compression is applied along the 
centerline of the pieces being joined. In some applications, the joint is part of a coupling, fitti
ng or adapter.
MEDICAL GAS SYSTEM.
The complete system to convey medical gases for direct patient application from central 
supply systems (bulk tanks, manifolds and medical air compressors), with pressure and operating controls, alarm 
warning systems, rela
ted components and piping networks extending to station outlet valves at patient use points.
MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEMS.
A system consisting of central
-
vacuum
-
producing equipment with pressure and 
operating controls, shutoff valves, alarm
-
warning systems, gaug
es and a network of piping extending to and termi-
nating with suit
-
able station inlets at locations where patient suction may be required.
NONMEDICAL GAS SYSTEM. 
The complete system to convey nonmedical gases for use in laboratory, research, 
and educational
facilities which are not for patient application from a central supply system.    Nonmedical gas systems 
shall not include those for industrial applications.
NONPOTABLE WATER.
Water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary utilization.
OFFSET.
A combinat
ion of approved bends that makes two changes in direction bringing one section of the pipe 
out of line but into a line parallel with the other section.
ONCE
-
THROUGH COOLING.
The use of potable water to cool a condenser, other building equipment or 
pro-
cess equipment, excluding equipment used to cool steam condensate, and then discharging the water into the sewage 
system.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER. 
Nonpotable water from other than public utilities, on
-
site surface sources and 
subsurface natural freshwa
ter sources. Examples of such water are gray water, on
-
site reclaimed water, collected rain-
water, captured condensate and rejected water from reverse osmosis systems.
ON
-
SITE NONPOTABLE WATER REUSE SYSTEM. 
A water system for the collection, treatment, stor
age, dis-
tribution and reuse of nonpotable water generated on site.
OPEN AIR.
Outside the structure.
PERMEABILITY.
A measure of the rate of movement of liquid through soil.
PLUMBING.
The practice, materials and fixtures utilized in the installation, mainten
ance, extension and alteration 
of all piping, fixtures, plumbing appliances, plumbing appurtenances, gas piping and limited fire protection as de-
fined in Section 28
-
401.3 of the 
Administrative Code
, within or adjacent to any structure, in connection with s
anitary 
drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems; and public or private water supply systems.
PLUMBING APPLIANCE. 
Water or drain
-
connected devices intended to perform a special function.
These devices 
have their
operation or control dependent
on one or more energized components, such as motors, controls, or heating 
elements. Such 
devices
are manually adjusted or controlled by the owner or operator, or are operated automatically 
through one or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a temp
erature range, a pressure range, a measured volume 
or weight.
PLUMBING APPURTENANCE.
A manufactured device, prefabricated assembly or an on
-
the
-
job assembly of 
component parts that is an adjunct to the basic piping system and plumbing fixtures. An appurten
ance demands no 
additional water supply and does not add any discharge load to a fixture or to the drainage system.
PLUMBING FIXTURE. 
A receptacle or device that is connected to a water supply system or discharges to a drain-
age system or both. Such recepta
cles or devices require a supply of water; or discharge liquid waste or liquid
-
borne 
solid waste; or require a supply of water and discharge waste to a drainage system.
PLUMBING SYSTEM. 
A system that includes the water 
distribution
pipes; plumbing fixtures and traps; water
-
treating or water
-
using equipment; soil, waste and vent pipes; and building drains; in addition to their respective con-
nections, devices and appurtenances within a structure or premises; and the water service, bui
lding sewer and building 
storm sewer serving such structure or premises.
PNEUMATIC SEWAGE EJECTOR VENT.
A vent from pneumatic sewage ejectors that terminates separately to 
the open air.
DEFINITIONS
POTABLE WATER.
Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physio-
logical effects and conforming to the bacteriological and chemical quality requirements of the 
New York State Sani-
tary Code
.
PRIVATE.
In the classification of plumbi
ng fixtures, “private” applies to fixtures in residences and apartments, and 
to fixtures in nonpublic toilet rooms of hotels and motels and similar installations in buildings where the plumbing 
fixtures are intended for utilization by a family or an indivi
dual.
PRIVATE SEWER.
See “Sewer, private sewer.”
PUBLIC OR PUBLIC UTILIZATION.
In the classification of plumbing fixtures, “public” applies to fixtures in 
general toilet rooms of schools, gymnasiums, hotels, airports, bus and railroad stations, public buil
dings, bars, public 
comfort stations, office buildings, stadiums, stores, restaurants and other installations where a number of fixtures are 
installed so that their utilization is similarly unrestricted.
PUBLIC SEWER.
See “Sewer, public sewer.”
PUBLIC WATE
R MAIN.
A water supply pipe for public utilization controlled by public authority.
QUICK
-
CLOSING VALVE.
A valve or faucet that closes automatically when released manually or that is con-
trolled by a mechanical means for fast
-
action closing.
RAINWATER. 
Water
from natural precipitation.
READY ACCESS (TO). 
That which enables a device, fixture, appliance or equipment to be directly reached without 
requiring the removal or movement of any panel, door or similar obstruction and without the use of a portable ladder
, 
step stool or similar device.
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTER (RPZ).
A backflow prevention device con-
sisting of two independently acting check valves, internally force
-
loaded to a normally closed position and separated 
by an intermediate ch
amber (or zone) in which there is an automatic relief means of venting to the atmosphere, 
internally loaded to a normally open position between two tightly closing shutoff valves and with a means for testing 
for tightness of the checks and opening of the r
elief means.
RELIEF VALVE.
Pressure relief valve.
A pressure
-
actuated valve held closed by a spring or other means and designed to relieve 
pressure automatically at the pressure at which such valve is set.
Temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve.
A 
combi
-
nation relief valve designed to function as both a tem-
perature relief and a pressure relief valve.
Temperature relief valve.
A temperature
-
actuated valve designed to discharge automatically at the temperature 
at which such valve is set.
RELIEF VENT.
A vent whose primary function is to provide circulation of air between drainage and vent systems.
RETENTION SYSTEM.
A system that captures rainwater or storm water runoff on site with no release.
RIM.
An unobstructed open edge of a fixture.
RISER.
A water 
supply pipe that extends one full story or more to convey water to branches or to a group of fixtures.
ROOF DRAIN.
A drain installed to receive water collecting on the surface of a roof and to discharge such water 
into a leader or a conductor.
ROUGH
-
IN.
Pa
rts of the plumbing system that are installed prior to the installation of fixtures. This includes drain-
age, water supply, vent piping and the necessary fixture supports and any fixtures that are built into the structure.
SANITARY SEWER.
See “Sewer, sanita
ry sewer.”
SELF
-
CLOSING FAUCET.
A faucet containing a valve that automatically closes upon deactivation of the opening 
means.
DEFINITIONS
SEPARATOR.
See “Interceptor.”
SEWAGE. 
Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, 
including liquids con-
taining chemicals in solution.
SEWAGE EJECTORS.
Mechanical devices used to pump or eject sewage.
SEWER.
Building sewer. 
That part of the drainage system 
that extends from the end of the building drain, or the outlet of 
the most downstr
eam trap, private manhole, catch basin, detention tank or similar fixture or equipment, and con-
veys the discharge to a public sewer
.
Combined sewer.
A sewer receiving a combination of sewage, storm water, groundwater and nonpotable clear 
water waste.
Private sewer.
A private sanitary, storm, or combined sewer that is designed and constructed in accordance with 
the requirements of the City drainage pla
n.
Public sewer.
A sewer that is owned by the city of New York.
Sanitary sewer.
A sewer that conveys only sewage.
Storm sewer.
A sewer that conveys only storm water, groundwater and potable clear water waste.
SINGLE
-
OCCUPANT TOILET ROOM.
An enclosed space 
defined by walls and having a securable door that does 
not contain fixtures in excess of one water closet, one urinal, and one lavatory which is intended to be used by a single 
individual independently or an individual requiring assistance.
The water clos
et shall not be within a secondary en-
closure.
SLOPE.
The fall (pitch) of a line of pipe in reference to a horizontal plane. In drainage, the slope is expressed as the 
fall in units vertical per units horizontal (percent) for a length of pipe.
SOIL 
PIPE.
A pipe that conveys sewage containing fecal matter to the building drain or building sewer.
STACK.
A general term for any vertical line of soil, waste, vent or inside conductor piping that extends through at 
least one story with or without offsets.
S
TACK VENT.
The extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack.
STACK VENTING.
A method of venting a fixture or fixtures through the soil or waste stack.
STERILIZER.
Boiling type. 
A boiling
-
type sterilizer is a 
fixture of a nonpressure type utilized for boiling instruments, utensils or 
other equipment for disinfection. These devices are portable or are connected to the plumbing system
.
Instrument. 
A device for the sterilization of various instruments.
Pressure (a
utoclave). 
A pressure vessel fixture designed to utilize steam under pressure for sterilizing
.
Pressure instrument washer sterilizer. 
A 
pressure vessel fixture designed to both wash and sterilize instruments 
during the operating cycle of the fixture.
Utens
il. 
A device for the sterilization of utensils as utilized in health care services.
Water. 
A 
device for sterilizing water and storing water.
STERILIZER VENT.
A separate pipe or stack, indirectly connected to the building drainage system at the lower 
termin
al, that receives the vapors from nonpressure sterilizers, or the exhaust vapors from pressure sterilizers, and 
conducts the vapors directly to the open air. Also called vapor, steam, atmospheric or exhaust vent.
STORM DRAIN. 
See “Drainage system, storm.”
STORM SEWER.
See “Sewer, storm sewer.”
DEFINITIONS
STORM WATER OR STORMWATER.
Natural precipitation, including snow melt, that has contacted a surface at 
or below grade.
SUBSOIL DRAIN.
A drain that collects subsurface water or seepage water and conveys such water to a
place of 
disposal.
SUMP.
A tank or pit that receives clear liquid waste, located below the normal grade of the gravity system and that 
must be emptied by mechanical means.
SUMP PUMP.
An automatic water pump for the removal of drainage, except sewage, from
a sump, pit or low point.
SUMP VENT.
A vent from sewage ejectors, or similar equipment, that terminates to the sanitary vent system or 
separately to the open air.
SUPPORTS.
Devices for supporting and securing pipe, fixtures and equipment.
SWIMMING POOL. 
A
ny structure, basin, chamber or tank containing an artificial body of water for swimming, 
diving or recreational bathing having a depth of 3 feet (915 mm) or more at any point.
TEMPERED WATER.
Water having a temperature range between 85°F (29°C) and 110°F 
(43°C).
THIRD
-
PARTY CERTIFICATION AGENCY.
An approved agency operating a product or material certification 
system that incorporates initial product testing, assessment and surveillance of a manufacturer’s quality control sys-
tem.
THIRD
-
PARTY 
CERTIFIED.
Certification obtained by the manufacturer indicating that the function and perfor-
mance characteristics of a product or material have been determined by testing and ongoing surveillance by an ap-
proved third
-
party certification agency. Assertion 
of certification is in the form of identification in accordance with 
the requirements of the third
-
party certification agency.
THIRD
-
PARTY TESTED.
Procedure by which an approved testing laboratory provides documentation that a prod-
uct, material or system c
onforms to specified requirements.
TOILET FACILITY. 
A room or space that contains not less than one water closet and one lavatory.
TRAP. 
A fitting or device that provides a liquid seal to prevent the emission of sewer gases without materially affect-
ing the flow of sewage or 
waste water
through the trap.
TRAP SEAL.
The vertical distance between the weir and the top of the dip of the trap.
UN
STABLE GROUND.
Earth that does not provide a uniform bearing for the barrel of the sewer pipe between the 
joints at the bottom of the pipe trench.
VACUUM.
Any pressure less than that exerted by the atmosphere.
VACUUM BREAKER.
A type of backflow preventer i
nstalled on openings subject to normal atmospheric pressure 
that prevents backflow by admitting atmospheric pressure through ports to the discharge side of the device.
VENT PIPE.
See “Vent system” and “Vent system (Methane and Radon).”
VENT STACK.
A vertic
al vent pipe installed primarily for the purpose of providing circulation of air to and from 
any part of the drainage system.
VENT SYSTEM.
A pipe or pipes installed to provide a flow of air to or from a drainage system, or to provide a 
circulation of air w
ithin such system to protect trap seals from siphonage and backpressure.
VENT SYSTEM
(
Methane and Radon). 
A pipe or pipes installed to provide for the passage of methane or radon 
gas from underground areas into the general atmosphere in an effort to avoid 
the hazardous effects of the gases on 
human beings or to provide the recovery of these gases for commercial purposes.
VERTICAL PIPE.
Any pipe or fitting that makes an angle of 45 degrees (0.79 rad) or more with the horizontal.
WALL
-
HUNG WATER 
CLOSET.
A wall
-
mounted water closet installed in such a way that the fixture does not 
touch the floor.
DEFINITIONS
WASTE.
The discharge from any fixture, appliance, area or appurtenance that does not contain fecal matter.
WASTE PIPE.
A pipe that conveys only waste.
WA
STE RECEPTOR. 
A floor sink, standpipe, hub drain or floor drain that receives the discharge of one or more 
indirect waste pipes.
WaterSense PROGRAM.
A program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency providing for the third
-
party certification 
of plumbing fixtures as meeting performance and efficiency requirements established by such 
agency and authorizing the labeling of plumbing fixtures as meeting such requirements.
WATER CLOSET COMPARTMENT. 
An enclosed space defined by either walls or parti
tions and having a secur-
able door that does not contain plumbing fixtures in excess of one water closet.
WATER
-
HAMMER ARRESTOR.
A device utilized to absorb the pressure surge (water hammer) that occurs when 
water flow is suddenly stopped in a water supply 
system.
WATER HEATER.
Any heating appliance or equipment that heats potable water and supplies such water to the 
potable hot water distribution system.
WATER MAIN.
A water supply pipe or system of pipes, installed and maintained by a city, 
township, county, 
public utility company or other public entity, on public property, in the street or in an approved dedicated easement 
of public or com
-
munity use.
WATER METER.
A device that measures the flow of water supplied from a public water main to 
a building and 
that is used by the Department of Environmental Protection to bill for water supplied to the building. 
WATER OUTLET.
A discharge opening through which water is supplied to a fixture, into the atmosphere (except 
into an open tank that is par
t of the water supply system), to a boiler or heating system, or to any devices or equipment 
requiring water to operate but which are not part of the plumbing system.
WATER PIPE.
Water distribution pipe.
A pipe within the structure or on the premises that 
conveys water from the water service 
pipe, or from the meter when the meter is at the structure, to the points of utilization.
Water service pipe.
The pipe from the water main or other source of potable water supply, or from the meter 
when the meter is at 
the public right of way, to the water distribution system of the building served.
WATER PIPE, conveyance.
A pipe within the structure or on the premises that conveys water from a source to the 
points of utilization, and including piping to and from storage
containers. Such piping shall be used only in nonpotable 
water systems, including water recycling and irrigation.
WATER SUB
-
METER.
A device, other than a water meter, installed on a water distribution pipe or makeup water 
pipe that measures the flow of 
water within a specified space and/or to specified equipment within a building.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.
The water service pipe, water distribution pipes, and the necessary connecting pipes, 
fittings, control valves and all appurtenances in or adjacent to the 
structure or premises.
WELL.
Bored.
A well constructed by boring a hole in the ground with an auger and installing a casing.
Drilled.
A well constructed
by making a hole in the ground with a drilling machine of any type and installing 
casing and screen.
Driven.
A well constructed by driving a pipe in the ground. The drive pipe is usually fitted with a well point and 
screen.
Dug.
A well constructed by exca
vating a large
-
diameter shaft and installing a casing.
WHIRLPOOL BATHTUB.
A plumbing appliance consisting of a bathtub fixture that is equipped and fitted with a 
circulating piping system designed to accept, circulate and discharge bathtub water upon each 
use.
DEFINITIONS
YOKE VENT.
A pipe connecting upward from a soil or waste stack to a vent stack for the purpose of preventing 
pressure changes in the stacks.