Whether you’ve been a plumber for twenty years or you’re just getting started in the industry, there are many abbreviations in plumbing to be aware of. Check out our full list of 71 common plumbing abbreviations and acronyms to prepare yourself for working as a plumber.
List of Abbreviations in Plumbing
| Abbreviation | Term |
|---|---|
| AC | Above Ceiling |
| AFF | Above Finished Floor |
| BAS | Building Automation System |
| BF | Below Floor |
| BG | Below Grade |
| BH | Booster Heater |
| BFP | Backflow Prevention Device |
| BJ | Between Joists |
| BOP | Bottom Of Pipe |
| BTUH | British Thermal Units Per Hour |
| C | Ceiling |
| CF | Combination Fixture |
| COND | Condensate Pump |
| CSS | Clinical Service Sink |
| CV | Control Valve |
| DF | Drinking Fountain |
| DN | Down |
| DW | Dishwasher |
| EC | Electrical Contractor |
| EEW | Emergency Eye Wash |
| EEWSH | Combination Emergency Eye Wash/Shower |
| ES | Ejector Sump |
| ET | Expansion Tank |
| EWC | Electric Water Cooler |
| EWH | Electric Water Heater |
| F | Floor |
| FA | From Above |
| FB | From Below |
| FBO | Furnished By Others |
| FCO | Floor Cleanout |
| FD | Floor Drain |
| FFA | From Floor Above |
| FFB | From Floor Below |
| FIP | Female Iron Pipe |
| FPC | Fire Protection Subcontractor |
| FS | Floor Sink |
| GSO | Yard Cleanout |
| GPM | Gallons Per Minute |
| GC | General Contractor |
| HAP | High As Possible |
| HB | Hose Bibb |
| HS | Hose Station |
| HWCP | Hot Water Recirculation Pump |
| HWS | Handwashing Sink |
| IM | Ice Maker |
| L | Lavatory |
| LT | Laundry Tub |
| MBH | Thousands Of BTU Per Hour |
| MC | Mechanical Contractor |
| MIP | Male Iron Pipe |
| MPT | Male Pipe Thread |
| MSB | Mop Sink Basin |
| NTS | Not To Scale |
| ORD | Overflow Roof Drain |
| P | Pump |
| PC | Plumbing Contractor |
| PRV | Pressure Relief Valve |
| RD | Roof Drain |
| RPZ | Reduced Pressure BFP |
| SE | Sewage Ejector |
| SF | Square Foot |
| SH | Shower |
| SK | Sink |
| SP | Sump Pump |
| SS | Service Sink |
| TFA | To Floor Above |
| TB | To Below |
| TFB | To Floor Below |
| TMV | Thermostatic Mixing Valve |
| TOP | Top Of Pipe |
| VB | Vacuum Breaker |
| VTR | Vent Thru Roof |
| WC | Water Closet |
| WCO | Wall Cleanout |
When Are Abbreviations Used in Plumbing?
Plumbing abbreviations are used to effectively communicate certain terminology without unnecessary wording. Common places you’ll see these abbreviations are:
- Blueprints
- Work orders
- Supply procurement
Examples of Plumbing Abbreviations in Use
For example, let’s say a blueprint needs to show two kinds of pipes to connect. To do so, a male pipe and female pipe would be used.
The male iron pipe, or MIP, would be noted alongside a female iron pipe, or FIP.