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Testing of Pipeline:
• Hydrostatic Testing: Before covering the pipes with backfill, perform a hydrostatic test
by filling the pipes with water under pressure. This helps identify leaks and ensures the
pipes' integrity.
• Pressure Test: After installation, test the distribution system for proper pressure using
pressure gauges. Verify that the pressure at different points of use meets the design
specifications.
• Leak Detection: Perform a thorough inspection of the entire system, including joints,
connections, and valves, to identify and rectify any leaks.
• Water Quality Testing: Conduct water quality tests to ensure that the pipeline and the
water supply are free from contaminants.
• Operational Test: After testing, run the system to ensure that water flows smoothly and
that all fixtures receive adequate pressure and volume.
Basic Terminology
Building Drain: The building drain is the part of the drainage system that carries wastewater from
plumbing fixtures and appliances within a building to the building's sewer or other approved point
of disposal.
Building Sewer: The building sewer is the pipe that carries wastewater from the building drain to
a public sewer, private sewer system, or other approved point of disposal. It is typically located
outside the building.
Soil Waste: Soil waste refers to the combination of solid and liquid waste materials that are
generated in a building, including human waste from toilets, as well as waste from sinks, showers,
and other fixtures.
Soil Pipe: A soil pipe is a pipe that conveys human waste and wastewater containing solids from
plumbing fixtures. It is specifically designed to handle the discharge of solid waste and is usually
larger in diameter than other pipes in the drainage system.
BSP (British Standard Pipe): BSP refers to the standard for pipe threads used in plumbing systems
in the United Kingdom and various other countries. BSP threads come in two variations: BSPP
(parallel threads) and BSPT (tapered threads).
BWP (Bath Waste Pipe): The bath waste pipe is a pipe that connects the bathtub's waste outlet to
the building drain. It carries water and waste from the bathtub to the drainage system.
BVP (Back Vent Pipe): A back vent pipe is a vertical pipe that provides ventilation to the drainage
system to prevent siphonage and maintain proper trap seals. It allows air to enter the system,
preventing vacuum formation and ensuring smooth drainage.
Traps: Traps are plumbing components designed to prevent sewer gases from entering a
building while allowing wastewater to flow out. Traps use a water seal to block gases from the
drainage system. Common types of traps include:
P-Trap: A P-shaped trap is used under sinks and other fixtures. It retains water to create a barrier
against sewer gases.
S-Trap: An S-shaped trap is similar to a P-trap but with a different shape, commonly used for
floor drains.
U-Trap (U-Bend): A U-shaped trap is a variation of the P-trap and is often used in toilets and
some sinks.
Grease Trap: A grease trap is designed to capture and collect grease and solids from kitchen
wastewater before it enters the drainage system.
Aims and Principles of Building Drainage
1. Waste Removal: The primary aim is to effectively remove wastewater and sewage from
the building to prevent backups, foul odors, and potential health hazards.
2. Preventing Contamination: Ensuring that sewage and wastewater do not contaminate the
clean water supply is crucial to preventing waterborne diseases.
3. Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to prevent the build-up of sewer gases, which
can be harmful and foul-smelling. Ventilation also prevents siphonage, pressure
imbalances, and water trap seal loss.
4. Maintaining Trap Seals: The use of traps is fundamental to prevent sewer gases from
entering buildings. Trap seals, maintained by proper ventilation, ensure a barrier between
the drainage system and indoor spaces.
5. Gravity Flow: Designing systems for gravity-driven flow helps reduce the need for pumps
and energy consumption. Gravity flow also prevents blockages by allowing debris and
solids to move with the flow.
6. System Efficiency: Well-designed drainage systems minimize pipe lengths, use proper
pipe sizes, and consider flow rates to ensure efficient waste removal.
7. Accessibility and Maintenance: Building drainage systems should be designed for easy
access and maintenance, facilitating repairs and inspections.
• Identify Fixture Units (FUs): Fixture units are used to quantify the drainage load of
different plumbing fixtures. Each fixture type is assigned a fixture unit value based on its
size, flow rate, and expected usage. For example, a toilet might have more fixture units
than a sink due to its higher flow rate.
• Determine Fixture Unit Values: Fixture unit values can be found in plumbing codes and
standards. These values help you calculate the total fixture unit load for the building based
on the number and types of fixtures.
• Calculate Drainage Load: Sum up the fixture unit values for all the fixtures in the
building. This gives you the total drainage load in fixture units.
• Convert to Flow Rate: Once you have the total fixture unit load, you can convert it into a
flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM) using a conversion factor. The conversion factor
varies based on the plumbing code being used.
• Consider Peak Flow: In some cases, the maximum flow doesn't occur simultaneously for
all fixtures. For example, toilets might not be used at the same time as showers. Factor in
peak usage times and adjust your flow rate estimation accordingly.
• Account for Local Factors: Local codes and regulations might have specific requirements
for wastewater flow rates based on regional usage patterns, water conservation efforts, and
infrastructure capacity.
• Use Plumbing Codes: Plumbing codes, such as the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and
International Plumbing Code (IPC), provide guidelines and tables for calculating fixture
unit values and flow rates.
• Professional Expertise: Plumbing engineers and professionals often use software tools
and specialized knowledge to accurately estimate maximum wastewater flow based on the
building's specifics.
Fixture Units and Fixture Unit Values:
Fixture units represent the load imposed by various plumbing fixtures. Fixture unit values
are assigned to fixtures based on their size, flow rate, and usage. Common fixture unit values
include:
• Water Closet (Toilet): Typically 4 fixture units
• Lavatory (Sink): 1 to 2 fixture units
• Bathtub: 2 to 4 fixture units
• Shower: 2 to 3 fixture units
• Urinal: Varies based on type (1 to 4 fixture units)
•
Maximum Fixture Units to Branches and Stacks
Plumbing codes provide guidelines on the maximum number of fixture units that can be
connected to a branch or stack. These limits ensure proper drainage performance and prevent
overloading. The maximum fixture units per branch or stack can vary based on the code used.
Maximum Fixture Units to Building Drains and Sewers
Similar to branches and stacks, plumbing codes specify the maximum number of fixture
units that can be connected to building drains and sewers. This prevents excessive load on these
main drainage components.