1.1 This terminology is a compilation of definitions of technical terms used in the plastic piping industry. Terms that are generally understood or adequately defined in other readily available sources are not included.

1.2 When a term is used in an ASTM document for which Committee F17 is responsible it is included only when judged, after review, by Subcommittee F17.91 to be a generally usable term.

1.3 Definitions that are identical to those published by other ASTM committees or other standards organizations are identified with the committee number (for example, D20) or with the abbreviation of the name of the organization (for example, IUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry).

1.4 A definition is a single sentence with additional information included in notes.

1.5 Definitions are followed by the committee responsible for the standard(s) (for example, [F17.26]) and standard numbers(s) in which they are used (for example, F714).

1.6 Abbreviated Terminology: 

1.6.1 Abbreviated terminology is intended to provide uniform contractions of terms relating to plastic piping that have evolved through widespread common usage. The compilation in this standard has been prepared to avoid the occurrence of more than one abbreviated term for a given plastics piping term and to avoid multiple meanings for abbreviated terms.

1.6.2 The abbreviated terminology and descriptions in this standard are intended to be consistent with usage in plastics piping and the standards under F17 jurisdiction. Other ASTM Committees may assign a different word-phrase description to the same abbreviated terminology. In such cases, the abbreviated terms in this standard shall apply to usage in F17 standards, or if widespread misunderstanding could result from conflicting abbreviated terminology descriptions, the abbreviated terminology for the word-phrase shall not be used in F17 standards.

1.6.3 Acronyms and Initialisms—A word formed from the letters or parts of words of a longer word-phrase, usually from the initial letters or parts of the words. An Acronym is pronounced as a word, for example radar, for radio detection and ranging. An Initialism is pronounced as a series of letters, for example DOT for Department of Transportation.

1.6.4 The Acronym or Initialism description is the origin word-phrase for the Acronym or Initialism, not a definition.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.