3.

ELEMENTS OF WATER DISTRIBUITION SYSTEM

Building Supply

The building supply or water service is a large water

supply
pipe that carries potable water from the district or
city water
system or other water source to the building.

Water Meter

A water meter is required by most district water

supply systems
to measure and record the amount of water used.
It may be
placed in a meter box located in the ground near
the street or inside
the building.

Building Main

The building main is a large pipe that serves as the

principal artery of the water supply system. It
carries water through the building to the furthest
riser. The building main is typically run (located) in
a basement, in a ceiling, in a crawl space, or below
the concrete floor slab.

Riser
A riser is a water supply pipe that extends vertically
in the building at least one story and carries water
to fixture branches. It is typically connected to the
building main and runs vertically in the walls or
pipe chases
Fixture Branch

A fixture branch is a water supply pipe that runs

from the riser or main to the fixture being
connected. In a water supply system, it is any part
of a piping system other than a riser or main pipe.

Fixture branch pipes supply the individual plumbing

fixtures. A fixture branch is usually run in the floor
or in the wall behind the fixtures

Fixture Connection

A fixture connection runs from the fixture branch to

the fixture, the terminal point of use in a plumbing
system. A shut-off valve is typically located in the
hot and cold water supply at the fixture
connection.