Glossary of Plumbing Terms

Code Description
AB1953 California Assembly Bill 1953, effective January 1, 2010, regulates the lead content in plumbing products that deliver water for human consumption.
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act, effective 1992. This act states that for faucets, handles must require no pinching or grasping, and must require less than 5 lbs. of force to operate. In addition, metering faucets must run for at least 10 seconds. Chicago Faucets offers over 150 products designed and manufactured to meet ADA requirements.
Aerator A featured located at the end of a faucet designed to mix air and water and thereby enable a splash-free flow.
ANSI American National Standards Institute. Gas valves are tested and certified to ANSI Z1.5A/CGA 9.1M.
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers. All Chicago Faucets plumbing supply fittings are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed the ASME A112.18.1 standard for plumbing fittings.
ASSE American Society of Safety Engineers. Chicago Faucets pressure balancing and combination thermostatic and pressure balancing shower valves comply with ASSE 1016. Chicago Faucets vacuum breakers comply with ASSE 1001 and ASSE 1035.
Bill S.152 Vermont Lead in Consumer Products Law, effective January 1, 2010, regulates the lead content in plumbing products that deliver water for human consumption.
Body The basic housing that allows you to build your faucet for specific applications.
Buy American Act In 1933, the Buy American Act was signed into law, requiring the U.S. government to prefer American made products in its purchases. To qualify under the Act, the product must be assembled (Made) in the USA and more than 50% of the value must be derived from parts that are American made. Over 95% of our products meet these requirements. The list of Buy American Act compliant products is available for download.
C-C Center to Center. Refers to the distance between the center of valve bodies, or the reach of the spout from the center of the upright to the center of the outlet.
Ceramic Cartridge A self-contained cartridge housing two ceramic discs. Full on or off with a 1/4 turn of the handle.
CHI FAU CO An abbreviation for The Chicago Faucet Company - used on some parts.
Component A self-contained cartridge housing two ceramic discs. Full on or off with a 1/4 turn of the handle.
Control-A-Flow® A water conservation cartridge that can be adjusted to provide a flow rate of 1.2 to 2.0 GPM @ 50PSI.
CSA CSA International. Most Chicago Faucets fittings are designed and manufactured to meet or exceed the applicable CSA standard.
Dashpot A component that provides a slow or soft closure characteristic, for NAIAD cartridges.
ECAST™ Plumbing products certified as manufactured with less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) total lead content by weighted average. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Flow Control A water conservation device installed in the spout base, restricting flow to either 0.9 or 1.6GPM.
Food Service Products typically installed in institutional or restaurant kitchen areas.
GPM Gallons Per Minute. The flow rate of the water.
Integral A feature, built into the faucet or fitting.
IPS Iron Pipe Size. A specification for tapered pipe thread used in plumbing, synonymous with NPT.
Klo-Self™ A water conservation cartridge that closes upon release of the handle.
L/min Liters Per Minute. The flow rate of water.
Laboratory Products typically installed in K-12 schools, universities or professional science laboratories.
Laminar Flow A non-aerated flow of water.
Leed® The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program systematically measures the performance of an entire building by awarding points in the areas of human and environmental health. Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum certification is awarded, based on meeting certain prerequisites and benchmarks.
Marathon® Single control kitchen and lavatory faucets. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
MeterMix® A deck mounted lavatory metering faucet with temperature control. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Monel® A non-corrosive nickel-copper alloy. An International Nickel Co. trademark.
MVP® An adjustable metering (self-closing) cartridge. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
NAIAD™ An adjustable metering (self-closing) cartridge. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
NPSM National Straight Pipe Thread for Mechanical Joints. A typical pipe thread used on inlet shanks.
NPT National Pipe Taper. A specification for tapered thread used in plumbing.
NSF NSF International. A plumbing standard that applies to the restriction of the release of toxins into a potable water system. Applies to all drinking water and lavatory faucets and states that leaching of lead into drinking water may not exceed 1 parts per billion at 1 liter dilution. Chicago Faucets has one of the largest listing of faucets certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, Section 9. Your Chicago Faucets sales representative can provide you with a current and complete listing of products certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, Section 9.
Oscillating Handle A lever handle that operates by either pushing or pulling - typically used on urinal valves.
Outlet An end point device typically installed on a spout that regulates water volume and changes flow patterns.
Potable Water Water that is fit for consumption by humans and animals.
Pressure Balancing Operational characteristic typically found in shower valves that maintains set water temperature when water pressure fluctuates, preventing scalding and thermal shock.
Pressure Balancing/Thermostatic Operational characteristic typically found in shower valves that maintains set water temperature when water temperature or pressure fluctuates, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original temperature setting, preventing scalding and thermal shock.
Quaturn™ A self-contained, repairable, compression cartridge that provides drip-free performance. Full on or off with a 1/4 turn of the handle. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Safety Equipment Safety showers, eye wash units and drench hoses typically installed in any building where hazardous conditions exist.
Slo-Compression A self-contained, repairable cartridge that provides drip-free performance. Full on or off activation in 270° rotation of handle.
Softflo® Name of a Chicago Faucets aerator. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
STEDI-FLO™ A water conservation fitting that restricts the water flow at the inlet. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Tailpiece A) The connecting tube between a urinal/water closet and the china. B) The connecting tube between a waste fitting and the trap. C) A fitting used to make a compression to pipe connection.
TempShield® Name of a Chicago Faucets shower and tub/shower pressure balancing valve. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Tip-Tap™ Name of a Chicago Faucets metering cartridge handle that tilts when pushed. A Chicago Faucets trademark.
Vacuum Breaker Plumbing device that prevents back siphon of water into the water system.
Vandal Proof Unique features designed to make the product resistant to tampering without the use of proper tools.
Water Hammer Destructive pressure wave, evident by noise, usually the result of air in the water line or high water pressure.
Wristblade A 4" or 6" blade handle that allows opening and closing of a valve, using wrists or elbows - typically used in healthcare.

Chicago Faucets Finish Codes

Code Description
BAF Brushed Aluminum Finish
BNF Bright Nickel Finish
CEF Clear Epoxy Finish
CP Chrome Plate
CTF Tin Plate Inside, Chrome Outside
NF No Finish
NPF Nickel Plate Finish
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride
RBF Rough Brass Finish
RCF Rough Chrome Finish
SAM Satin Antimicrobial
SPF Silver Plate Finish
TPF Tin Plate Finish

Chicago Faucets Part Number Abbreviations

Code Description
AB ECAST®
ANG Angled Head
BA Faucet Body Outlet Adapter
C Compression Connections or Integral Check
CC Pedal Box Chair Carrier or Center to Center
CH Cross Handle
CO Center Outlet
CW Cold Water
CX Integral Check
D Display Kit
DB Double Bend Spout
DJ Double Jointed Swing Spout
DK Double Pipe Support
DS Dual Service with Shank Pasted (Loctite 565 paste) and Assembled to Fitting
DSVR Dual Service, Vandal Resistant (Valve and Nozzle Epoxied to Fitting)
E Straight Service Supply Stop
E# Outlet (E3, E12, etc.)
EA Angled Service Supply Stop
EAC Angled Service Supply Stop and Integral Check
EC Straight Service Supply Stop and Integral Check
EP Wall Mount Pedal Box Extended Pedal
EX Standard Wall Mount Supply Shank Extension
EX2 2" Wall Mount Supply Shank Extension
EX5 5" Wall Mount Supply Shank Extension
F Female Inlet
FC Flow Control
FH Flexible Head
G 3/8" Offset Inlet Supply Arm
GC 3/8" Offset Inlet Supply with Check Valve
GN Gooseneck Spout
H 2-1/2" Offset Inlet Arm Supply or High Flow
H# Spout Height in Inches (e.g., GN2BH8)
HA High Arc Spout
HC 2-1/2" Offset Inlet Arm Supply with Check Valve
HR High Rise Spout
HZ Hose Connection for Adjustable Valve Centers
HZCW Hose Connection for Adjustable Valve Centers - Cold Water Only
IS Integral Spout
JK Repair Part
K Assembly of Parts
KJK Repair Part Assembly
L Low Flow
L# Swing Spout Projection in Inches (L6, L8, etc.)
LD Less Dish
LF Less Flange
LH Left Hand
LK Loose Key
LKC Loose Key Check Valve
LP Cabinet Mounted Pedal Box, Long Pedal
LS Long Inlet Shank
M Male Type Adapter or Male Inlet Shank
MM Metal to Metal Unit
NS Non-Swing
OH Oscillating Handle
PO Popup Waste Assembly
PVB Pressure Vacuum Breaker
R 2-1/2" Offset Inlet Supply Arm with Integral Stop
RC 2-1/2" Offset Inlet Supply Arm with Integral Stop and Check Valve
RGD Rigid Only Spout
RH Right Hand
RS Restricted Swing Spout
S Riser, Hose and Spray Assembly only (919-S) or Spout Assembly (847S)
S# Swing Spout Projection in Inches (S6)
SA Faucet Outlet Adapter
SFA Supply from Above
SFB Supply from Below
SLO Slow Closing
SS Short Inlet Shank or Stainless Steel
ST Steam Unit
SWC Sweat Connection
SWG Swing Spout Only
TB Tall Body
TF Triple Force™
TK Trim Kit
TKV Trim Kit for Valve Only
TS Replacement for T & S
TW Third Water Inlet for Use with a Pedal Box
V Vandal Resistant Fitting
VB Vacuum Breaker
VBG G-Elevated Vacuum Breaker (778VBG)
VBR Adjustable Stop Arms and VB Spout (305VBG)
VH Vinyl Hose
VO Valve Only
VOA Fume Hood Valve Only, Angled Flange
VOC Valve Only, Complete
VOG Fume Hood Valve Only, Gas
VOGA Fume Hood Valve Only, Gas - Angled Flange
VOS Fume Hood Valve Only, Steam
VOSA Fume Hood Valve Only, Steam - Angled Flange
VP Vandal Proof
VPA Vandal Proof Aerator
VPC Vandal Proof Complete (VPA and VPH)
VPH Vandal Proof Handle
VPP Vandal Proof Pin in Valve Body or Cover Plate
VPPO Vandal Resistant Pop-Up
VPSHD Vandal Resistant Shower Head
VR All Components Assembled Complete with Epoxy (2 part) and VPP, VPH, VPA and Spout Where Applicable
WC With Cover (Hose Reels)
WH Wheel Handle
WS With Shank Pasted (Loctite 565 paste) and Assembled to Fitting - Valves Shipped Loose
WSL With Shank Loose
WSV With Shank and Valve Pasted (Loctite 565 paste) and Assembled Complete to Fitting
WV White Vinyl Hose
WX Straight Inlet Shank
WXA Angled Inlet Shank
WXF Straight Inlet Shank with Flange
X Cartridge
XK Ceramic Cartridge
XT Quaturn™ or Slow Compression Cartridge

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