| B Tank | Acetylene
tank holding 40 cu.ft. of gas, used for plumbing, once used to fuel Boats, thus the name. |
| Back Flow | The circumstance of water traveling from one system back into any part of the main distribution system, usually by
siphoning. |
| Back Flow Preventer | A device to
prevent backflow, esp. into a potable water supply. This is generally required for sprinkler systems, handheld showers, pullout
faucet spouts, kitchen sprayers, etc. |
| Back Pressure | Pressure
that resists the flow of fluid in a piping system. |
| Back
Siphonage | The negative pressure that causes backflow. |
| Back
vent | Plumbing fixture's separate vent in a building drainage system |
| Back Wash | The process of cleaning a filter by reversing the flow of water through it. Dirt is sent to waste. |
| Backfire | Flashback of flame through the burner venturi causing the gas to burn at the orifice. |
| Backjet | Whirlpool jets located on the fixture wall behind a reclining bather. |
| Backjet pulse cannister | A serviceable water-controlling device responsible for backjet pulsing action. |
| Backup | Overflow of a plumbing fixture due to drain stoppage |
| Backwater Valve | Sewer line valve that prevents sewage from flowing back into the house |
| Baffle | An object placed in an appliance to change the direction of, or retard the flow of air, air-gas mixtures, or flue
gases |
| Balancing Valve | A water heater
valve that controls water flow and balances heat distribution to different locations. |
| Ball Check Valve | A valve that uses a ball to seal against a seat to stop flow in one direction. |
| Ball joint | Spherical assembly allowing pivot rotations for showerheads. |
| Ball Passage | This refers to the size of the ball that can pass through the trapway of a toilet. This also relates to trapway size.
In general, the trap size will be 1/8" larger than the maximum size ball that can pass through it |
| Ball Valve | A valve that uses a ball to seal against the seat. |
| Ballcock | The fill valve that controls the flow of water from the water supply line into a gravity-operated toilet tank. It
is controlled by a float mechanism that floats in the tank water. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the
ballcock, releasing water into the tank and/or bowl. As the water in the tank is restored, the float rises and shuts off the
ballcock when the tank is full. |
| Balloon Bag | Device
that attaches to a garden hose & used to loosen a blockage in a clogged drain |
| Band Clamp | A flexible band made of a variety of materials that has a cinching device used to secure pipes. |
| Band Hanger | Type of pipe hanger that supports the pipe on a continuous strap of metal whose ends are joined at the top by a supporting
rod. This rod bots through the strap and is adjustable as to height. |
| Barlow's Formula | An equation which shows the relationship of internal pressure to allowable stress, nominal thickness and diameter. |
| Barrier-Free | Relating to handicap access, e.g. a shower enclosure system having minimal or no bottom track and openings that are
wheelchair-accessible. |
| Base | A substance
that releases hydroxyl ions when dissolved in water. Bases react with acids to form salt and water. |
| Basin | A circular vessel with sloping or curved sides that holds water for washing. A bathroom lavatory or sink. |
| Basin Wrench | A wrench with a long handle with jaws mounted on a swivel that allows the jaws to reach and handle nuts to fasten
faucets to a previously installed sink. |
| Basket Strainer | Basket-shaped
strainer with holes and a slot that fits the sink drain to allow water to run out but to catch food or other solids before
they can enter the sewage system. |
| BC | Brushed
Chrome finish used on faucets. |
| Beam Clamp | A
device to attach a pipe hanger to an overhead I-beam. These may be malleable, carbon steel, or galvanized, and may be primed
or painted. |
| Bed Depth | The height of the ion exchange
or filter media in the vessel after preparation for service. |
| Beehive Strainer | A strainer inserted into a urinal to prevent foreign matter from falling into the drain. |
| Bernoulli's law | The principle that a stream of liquid or gas exerts less sideways pressure while in motion than while at rest. As
a result, fluids seem to be drawn into the stream, but are really pushed in by higher outside pressure. |
| BHP | Brake horse power. The actual amount of horsepower being consumed by a pump as measured on a dynamometer. |
| Bicarbonate Alkalinity | Alkalinity of a water due to the presence of bicarbonate ions. |
| Bidet | A personal hygiene plumbing fixture similar in appearance to a toilet bowl used for washing genitals and posterior
areas of the body. It is mounted on the floor next to a toilet and consists of a washing basin, a hot and cold faucet, and
sprayer. |
| Biochemical Oxygen Demand | Amount of oxygen
consumed in the oxidation of organic matter by biological action under standard test conditions; often used as a measure of
the strength of sewage and waste water. |
| Biodegradable | Subject
to degradation to simpler substances by biological action, such as the bacterial breakdown of detergents, sewage wastes and
other organic matter. |
| Bisque | The rough, unpolished
finish found in unglazed areas of vitreous china fixtures, such as inside the tank or the bottom of the bowl. |
| Black Oiled | Term associated with pipe surface whereby material ordered in this manner is protected with a varnish-type oil on
the O.D. for temporary corrosion protection during transit and in short-term storage. |
| Black Pipe | Lacquer-finish cast iron pipe. |
| Blackwater | Wastewater
from toilets or latrines and sinks used for food preparation or disposal, or for the disposal of chemicals. |
| Bleed | To drain a pipe of excess air by opening a valve at the end of the pipe |
| Blind Plug | Plug used on No Hub pipe. |
| Block sensor mode | For
Touchless faucets, a system mode that occurs when the faucet continually senses an object, causing the faucet to stop functioning
normally. The faucet will appear to be "OFF", and will self-actuate every two hours to alert you to its condition. |
| Blow Torch | A torch used to solder pipes, activated by pressurized fuel and air to generate its flame. |
| Blowbag | A drain-cleaning device consisting of a rubber bladder with a hose fitting one one end and a nozzle on the other.
The device attaches to a water hose and is inserted into a clogged drainpipe. As water is introduced, it expands to grip the
pipe, and releases pulsating bursts of water through the nozzle, forcing water through the pipe to clear the obstruction. |
| Blowdown | Partial venting or draining, under pressure, of the water side of a boiler to reduce or remove unwanted contaminants.
Also the pressure drop after releasing a pressure-relief valve. |
| Blowfish | another name for blowbag |
| Blown-Out Water
Closet | A water closet bowl having a non-siphoning trapway at the rear of the bowl, and an integral flushing rim and jet. |
| BN | Brushed Nickel finish used on faucets. |
| Bodyspray | Shower
component used in conjunction with a showerhead to deliver flow of water. It is commonly used in multiples to create a custom
showering space. |
| Boiler | A sealed tank where water
is turned to steam for heating or power. |
| Boiler Feed | A
check valve controlling inlet water flow to a boiler. |
| Boiling
Point | The temperature at which liquid changes to vapor by the addition of heat. |
| Bonnet | The top portion of a compression valve assembly, it holds the valve in place as it is tightened against the valve
seat at the other end of the assembly. |
| Bowl | Water-containing
receptacle that receives liquid and solid body waste; usually classified as round or elongated |
| Box | Internal (female) threaded end of pipe. |
| Box
Flange | Flange containing internal (female) threaded pipe fitting |
| Brackish Water | Water containing bacteria between 1.000 and 15,000 ppm of dissolved solids |
| Braided Tubing | A flexible pressure tubing of synthetic material encased in braided threads of steel, usually chrome plated or stainless.
The braiding protects the tube from damage due to abrasion or crimping. Often used in water supply lines. |
| Branch | Any part of a drain system other than the main, riser, or stack. |
| Branch Vent | A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack |
| Brass | Slang for faucets and fittings regardless of materials used. |
| Brine | A strong solution of sodium chloride (salt) used in the regeneration of ion exchange water softeners |
| BTU | British Thermal Unit - A unit of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 lb. of water 1 degree Fahrenheit |
| Bubbler | Drinking faucet with flow-regulated push-button self-closing valve. Also called a water fountain. |
| Building Drain | The lowest point in a drainage system where the interior drainage pipes meet and are conveyed it to the sewer. |
| Built-ins | Shelves or storage units recessed flush with surrounding walls |
| Burner | A heat producing device where the flame or heat is produced. |
| Burst Pressure | The internal pressure that will cause piece of tubing to fail |
| Bushing | A pipe fitting used to join two pipes of different sizes. A bushing is threaded inside and out. Also a cylindrical
part used as a lining or guide |
| Butterfly Valve | A
valve made of a square, rectangular, or round disk attached to a shaft inside a body of the same shape. Rotating the shaft
90 degrees opens or closes the valve. |
| Buttress | The
raised portion of a shower curb that is on more than one level. |
| BX Cable | Metallic sheathed cable containing A/C electrical wiring. Typically used when wiring would otherwise be exposed. |
| Bypass | type of shower door that consists of two or more panels running in parallel tracks. |
