Plumbing Abbreviations & Acronyms List

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Plumbing Abbreviations & Acronyms List

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

AbbreviationTerm
ACAbove Ceiling
AFFAbove Finished Floor
BASBuilding Automation System
BFBelow Floor
BGBelow Grade
BHBooster Heater
BFPBackflow Prevention Device
BJBetween Joists
BOPBottom Of Pipe
BTUHBritish Thermal Units Per Hour
CCeiling
CFCombination Fixture
CONDCondensate Pump
CSSClinical Service Sink
CVControl Valve
DFDrinking Fountain
DNDown
DWDishwasher
ECElectrical Contractor
EEWEmergency Eye Wash
EEWSHCombination Emergency Eye Wash/Shower
ESEjector Sump
ETExpansion Tank
EWCElectric Water Cooler
EWHElectric Water Heater
FFloor
FAFrom Above
FBFrom Below
FBOFurnished By Others
FCOFloor Cleanout
FDFloor Drain
FFAFrom Floor Above
FFBFrom Floor Below
FIPFemale Iron Pipe
FPCFire Protection Subcontractor
FSFloor Sink
GSOYard Cleanout
GPMGallons Per Minute
GCGeneral Contractor
HAPHigh As Possible
HBHose Bibb
HSHose Station
HWCPHot Water Recirculation Pump
HWSHandwashing Sink
IMIce Maker
LLavatory
LTLaundry Tub
MBHThousands Of BTU Per Hour
MCMechanical Contractor
MIPMale Iron Pipe
MPTMale Pipe Thread
MSBMop Sink Basin
NTSNot To Scale
ORDOverflow Roof Drain
PPump
PCPlumbing Contractor
PRVPressure Relief Valve
RDRoof Drain
RPZReduced Pressure BFP
SESewage Ejector
SFSquare Foot
SHShower
SKSink
SPSump Pump
SSService Sink
TFATo Floor Above
TBTo Below
TFBTo Floor Below
TMVThermostatic Mixing Valve
TOPTop Of Pipe
VBVacuum Breaker
VTRVent Thru Roof
WCWater Closet
WCOWall Cleanout
Source: BidNet

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.

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