Which term describes the principal pipe artery to which branches may be connected?

The term that describes the principal pipe artery to which branches may be connected is "Building main." The building main serves as the primary conduit for water supply or wastewater removal throughout a structure, acting as the central distribution line. This term is widely used in plumbing to denote the main pipe that collects water from source lines or distributes it to various parts of the building, such as fixtures or appliances.

In plumbing systems, the building main ensures effective water supply or drainage, and additional branches can be connected to it, allowing for versatile plumbing configurations within a structure. The proper identification and understanding of the building main are crucial for system design, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Other terms, although related to plumbing systems, do not accurately capture this specific role. For example, a building header typically refers to a support structure for piping or ducting rather than the primary artery itself. A piping network is broader and can include both mains and branches without specifying the primary line. The main sewer pertains specifically to wastewater systems, which while integral to plumbing, do not describe the water supply or branch connections to a building's plumbing system.