OUTLET ABBREVIATIONS:

We use the following abbreviations alone and in combinations within the description field of fittings to indicate what outlets are found on the fittings being considered. By understanding and visualizing what these abbreviations and terminologies mean, the fitting can literally be seen in the minds eye as it is described.

SIMPLE OUTLET ABBREVIATIONS:

S = SLIP (also known as FEMALE SLIP, FEMALE GLUE, HUB, and SOCKET)

SP = SPIGOT (also known as MALE SLIP, and MALE GLUE)

F = FEMALE IRON PIPE THREAD, FEMALE PIPE THREAD

M = MALE IRON PIPE THREAD, MALE PIPE THREAD 

C = COMPRESSION (also known as a SQUEEZE or RUBBER GASKET CONNECTION)

SA = SADDLE (the actual part of the fitting that sits on the pipe and "saddles" it)

COMPLEX (combination) OUTLET ABBREVIATIONS: 
These combination outlet variations will always appear this way - the size of the fittings will flip around as needed.
(this list establishes an outlet "hiearchy" which determines which outlet is always listed first in the description of a fitting)

SS = SLIP x SLIP

SSS = SLIP x SLIP x SLIP

SSSS = SLIP x SLIP x SLIP x SLIP

SPS = SPIGOT x SLIP

SPF = SPIGOT x FEMALE PIPE THEAD

SPM = SPIGOT x MALE PIPE THREAD

SSF = SLIP x SLIP x FEMALE PIPE THREAD

SF = SLIP x FEMALE PIPE THREAD

SM = SLIP x MALE PIPE THREAD

SAS = SADDLE x SLIP

SAF = SADDLE x FEMALE PIPE THREAD

MF = MALE PIPE THREAD x FEMALE PIPE THREAD

MM = MALE PIPE THREAD x MALE PIPE THREAD

CC = COMPRESSION x COMPRESSION

CCS = COMPRESSION x COMPRESSION x SLIP 

CCF = COMPRESSION x COMPRESSION x FEMALE PIPE THREAD

Notes:

Reducing fittings:

When a reducing fitting is described, we usually list the larger side first. But on reducing fittings with unlike outlets, take notice of what size is listed first in the fitting description - the size listed first coincides with the outlet that is listed first. Outlet hierarchy takes precedent over size hierarchy in deciding the order that sizes will appear...the sizes will flip around, but the order the outlets are described always stay the same.

How to read a tee:

When a tee is being described, we read the "run" of the tee first (the run is the part of the fitting you can pass a rod through). If the run doesn't reduce, the size need only be listed once in the description. But if the run reduces, we list the large side first. Read the "outlet" of the tee last (the outlet of a tee is the branch of the fitting you cannot pass a rod through).