DRAINAGE SYSTEM:

A system of pipes, traps, and other apparatus for conveying sewage, waste water, or rainwater to a public
sewer or a private treatment facility.

SANITARY DRAINAGE SYSTEM

BUILDING SEWER: A drain connecting a building drain to a public sewer or private treatment facility.
BUILDING DRAIN: The lowest part of a drainage system that receives the discharge from soil and waste
stacks inside the walls of a building and conveys it by gravity to the building sewer.
STACK: A vertical waste pipe or vent pipe serving a number of floors.

SOIL STACK: A vertical soil pipe. This type of pipe will carry water and solids into the sewer. While
any pipe could physically perform the task, the soil pipe, also known as a soil vent pipe, as installed
in most homes has a specific quality. First, it is of a dimension to allow solid waste to pass. Second,
it is vented in a very specific way to maintain a safe environment and reduce odors. Soil pipes are
vented high at the top or near to the top of a building, thanks to soil pipe stacks, to allow gases
produced by waste to vent safely into the atmosphere. Such gases can be harmful to health so
venting them high keeps them out of the way. This is a vital feature of soil pipes and it forms part of
building regulations too.

WASTE STACK: A vertical waste pipe. Waste pipe is often a smaller diameter pipe that carries
waste water from your sinks, washing machine, shower, bath and any other appliance you may
have that uses water. It can be narrower than a soil pipe as the waste pipe is only designed to
carry water. It also doesn’t need the same venting system as a soil pipe. Wastewater does not
typically generate harmful gas so does not need to be vented high above ground level.

BRANCH: A drain connecting one or more fixtures to a soil or waste stack.

VENT: A pipe connecting a drain near one or more traps to a vent stack or stack vent.
TRAP: A U-shaped or S-shaped section of drain pipe in which liquid remains and forms a seal for
preventing the passage of sewer gas without affecting the normal flow of wastewater or sewage through
it.
CLEANOUT: A pipe fitting with a removable plug giving access to a soil or waste pipe for inspection or
cleaning.

FIXTURE UNIT

FIXTURE UNIT: A unit for measuring the probable demand for water by a plumbing fixture, or the
probable discharge of liquid waste from the fixture, equivalent to 7 1/2 gallons or one cubic foot per
minute.

KIND OF FIXTURE FIXTURE UNIT

Bathtub 2
Floor Drain 1
Kitchen Sink 2
Residential Sink 1.5
Lavatory or Wash Basin 1
Laundry Tub 2
Shower Bath 2
Slop Sink 3
Sink (Hotel/Public) 2
Urinal 5
Watercloset 6

PLUMBING CODE PROVISIONS (CHAPTERS 3 & 7)

CHAPTER 3: GENERAL REGULATIONS

DISPOSAL OF WASTEWATER
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, suffer or permit the disposal of sewage, human
excrement or other waste waters in any place or manner, except through and by means of an
approved Excreta and Storm Drainage Systems installed and maintained in accordance with the
provisions of this Code.
GRADE OF HORIZONTAL DRAINAGE PIPING
Horizontal drainage pipes shall be run in practical alignments and at a uniform slope between
manholes of not less than 20 mm/m or 2% toward the point of disposal, provided that, where it is
impracticable to obtain a 2% slope due to the following constraints in: (1) excessive depth of the
proposed drainage line, (2) structural and/or geological features of the terrain, and (3) existing
adverse in arrangements of building or structure, any such pipe or piping 102 mm or larger in
diameter may have a slope of l 0 mm/m or 1% provided it is first approved by the Administrative
Authority.
CHANGES IN DIRECTION OF DRAINAGE FLOW
1. Changes in direction of drainage piping shall be made by the use of approved pipe fittings and
shall be of the angles presented by a 22 l/2° bend, 45° bend, 60° bend or other approved fittings of
longer sweeps.
2. Horizontal drainage lines connecting to a vertical stack shall enter through 45° or 60° wye
branches, combination wye and 1/8 bend branches, sanitary tee or other approved fittings of longer
sweeps. No fitting having more than one inlet at the same level shall be used unless such fitting is
constructed so that the discharge from one inlet cannot readily enter into the other inlet. Vertical
installation of double sanitary tees may be used when the barrel of the fitting is at least two (2) pipe
sizes larger than the largest side inlet. Nominal pipe sizes recognized for these purposes are: 51,
63, 76, 89, 102, 114, 127 & 152 mm. diameters.
3. Horizontal drainage lines connecting to other horizontal drainage lines shall enter through 45°
wye branches, combination wye and 1/8 bend branches or other approved fittings of longer
sweeps.
4. Vertical drainage lines connecting to horizontal drainage line shall enter through 45-degree
branches, or other approved fittings of longer sweep. Sixty (60) degree branches or offsets may be
used only when installed in a true vertical position.
CONNECTION TO PLUMBING SYSTEM
All plumbing fixtures, drains, appurtenances and appliances used to receive or discharge liquid
wastes or sewage, shall be connected properly to the drainage systems of the building and
premises, in accordance with the requirements of this Code.
SEWER
1. Every building where plumbing fixtures are installed shall have a sewer service connection to a
public or private sewer system except as provided in Subsection 305.2 of this section.
2. When a Public or Private Sewer is not available for use, excreta drainage piping from buildings
and premises shall be connected to an approved Private Sewage Disposal System.
DAMAGE TO DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR PUBLIC SEWER
1. It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit, by whatever means into any plumbing fixture, floor
drain, interceptor, sump, receptacle or device, connected to the excreta and storm drainage
systems, public sewer, private sewer, septic tank or cesspool, any ashes, cinders, solids, rags,
flammable, poisonous or explosive liquids or gases; oils, greases or other things which would or
could cause. damage to the drainage system or public sewer.
2. Roofs, inner courts, vent shafts, light wells or similar areas having rainwater drains shall
discharge outside of the building or to the gutter, and shall not be connected to the soil and waste
pipe systems.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
1. Wastes detrimental to the public sewer system or to the functioning of the sewage treatment
plant shall be treated and disposed of as found necessary and as directed by the Administrative
Authority or other authorities having jurisdiction.
2. Sewage or other waste from a plumbing system which may be deleterious to surface or
subsurface waters, shall not be discharged into the ground or into any waterway unless first
rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.
LOCATION
1. Except as otherwise provided in this Code, no excreta plumbing system, storm drainage system,
building drain, building sewer, private sewage disposal system or parts thereof, shall be located in
any lot other than the lot where the site of the building, structure or premises are served by such
facilities.
2. No subdivision, sale, or transfer of ownership of existing property shall be made in such a
manner that the area, clearance, and access requirements of this Code are decreased or impaired.
WORKMANSHIP
1. All designs, constructions and workmanships shall be in conformity with accepted engineering
practices and shall be of such character as to secure the results sought to be obtained by this
Code.
2. It shall be unlawful to conceal cracks, holes, or other imperfection in materials by welding,
brazing or soldering the defects or by using therein or thereon any paint, wax, tar, or other sealing
or repair agents.
3. Burred ends of all pipes and tubings shall be reamed to the full bore of the pipe or tubing and all
chips left inside the pipe or tubing shall be removed.
INDEPENDENT SYSTEM
The drainage system of each new building and of new work installed in any existing building shall
be separate and independent from that of any other building and when available, every building
shall have an independent connection with a private or public sewer.
REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS
1. In existing building or premises where plumbing installations are to be altered, repaired or
renovated, deviations from the provision of this Code are permitted, provided such deviations are
necessary and first approved by the Administrative Authority.
2. Existing building sewer and building drain may be used in connection with a new building or new
plumbing and drainage works only when they are found on examination and tested to conform in all
respects to the requirements governing new work. and the proper Administrative Authority shall
notify the Owner to make changes necessary to conform to this Code. No building or part thereof
shall be erected or placed over any part of the existing drainage system, which is constructed of
materials other than those approved elsewhere in this Code tor use under or within a building.
3. All openings into a Sanitary drainage and vent system, except those openings to which plumbing
fixtures are properly connected or which constitute vent terminals, shall be permanently plugged or
capped in an approved manner, using the appropriate materials required by this Code.
PROTECTION OF PIPING, MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
1. All pipings passing under or through walls shall be protected from breakage with embedded
metal pipe sleeves. All pipes passing through or under cinders or other corrosive materials shall be
protected from external corrosion by encasing same with polyethylene sheath or in other approved
manner. Approved provisions shall be made for expansions of hot water pipings. Void between
pipes and sleeves through concrete floors in the ground shall be appropriately sealed with bitumen.
2. All pipes in connection with the plumbing system shall be installed so that the piping or
connections will not be exposed to undue strains or stresses, and provisions shall be made for pipe
expansions and contraction, and bending due to structural settlement. No pipe shall be directly
embedded in concrete and masonry walls without metal sleeve. No structural member shall be
seriously weakened or impaired by cutting, notching or otherwise.
3. The bottom of all pipe trenches deeper than the footing of any adjacent building or structure and
parallel to it must be at least forty-five ( 45) degrees therefrom, unless permission is granted by the
Administrative Authority.
4. No building sewer or other drainage pipings or part thereof, constructed of materials other than
that approved for use under or within the building, shall be installed under or within 0.6 meter of
any building or structure, nor less than 0 3 meter below the finish ground surface.
5. Pipe surfaces subject to undue corrosion, erosion or mechanical damage shall be protected with
approved material and manners such as inside lining, outside coating and proper bottom bedding
and top shielding with concrete blocks.

CHAPTER 7: EXCRETA DRAINAGE SYSTEM

MATERIALS
Excreta Drainage pipings shall be cast iron, ductile iron, galvanized steel, galvanized wrought iron,
lead, copper, brass, Series 1000 PVC DWV, extra-strength vitrified clay pipe or other approved
materials having smooth and uniform bore.
FIXTURE UNIT EQUIVALENT
The Fixture Unit (F.U.) rating of plumbing fixtures shall be based on the size of the trap required,
and the fixture unit equivalent of fixtures and devices shall be based on the rated discharge
capacity in liters per second.
SIZE OF DRAINAGE PIPING
The minimum sizes of vertical and/or horizontal drainage pipings shall be determined from the total
of all fixture units connected thereto, and additional, in the case of vertical drainage pipes, in
accordance with their height or length.
FIXTURE CONNECTIONS (EXCRETA DRAINAGE)
1. Drainage piping shall be provided with approved inlet fittings for fixture connections, correctly
located according to the size and type of fixture proposed to be connected.
2. Two fixtures set back-to-back, or side-by-side, within the distance allowed between a trap and its
vent, may be served by a single vertical drainage pipe, provided that each fixture wastes
separately into an approved double fitting, such as double sanitary tee or double wye and 1/8 bend
having inlet openings at the same level.
 CHANGES IN DIRECTION OF EXCRETA DRAINAGE FLOW
1. Changes in direction of drainage piping shall be made by the appropriate use of approved
fittings and shall be of the angles presented by a 22.5° or 1/16 bend, 45° or 1/8 bend, and 60° or
1/6 bend or other approved fittings of equivalent sweeps.
2. Horizontal drainage branch lines, connecting with a vertical stack, shall enter through 45 or 60
degree wye branches, combination wye and 1/8 bend branches, sanitary tee or sanitary tapped tee
branches or other approved fittings of equivalent sweeps. No fitting having more than one inlet at
the same level shall be used unless such fitting is constructed so the discharge from one inlet
cannot readily enter into the other inlet. Double sanitary tees may be used when the barrel of the
fitting is at least two (2) pipe sizes larger than the largest inlet, (pipe sizes recognized for this
purpose are 51, 64, 76, 89, 102, 114, 127 & 152 mm diameters, etc.)
3. Horizontal drainage lines connecting with other horizontal drainage line shall enter through
forty-five degree wye branches, combination wye and one-eight bend branches or other approved
fittings of equivalent sweep.
4. Vertical drainage lines connecting with horizontal drainage lines shall enter through forty-five
(45) degree branches or other approved fittings of equivalent sweep. Sixty (60) degree branches or
offsets may be used only when installed in a true vertical position.
 CLEANOUTS
1. Each horizontal drainage pipe shall be provided with a cleanout at its upper terminal and each
run of piping which is more than 15 meters in total developed length shall be provided with a
cleanout and at every 15 meter length or a fraction thereof.
2. Cleanouts may be omitted on a horizontal drain line less than I. 5 meter in length unless such
line is serving sinks or urinals.
3. Cleanouts may be omitted on short horizontal drainage pipe installed at a slope of seventy two
(72) degrees or less from the vertical line (or an angle 1/5 bend).
4. An approved type of two-way cleanout fitting, installed inside the building wall near the
connection between the building drain and building sewer or installed outside of a building at the
lower end of the building drain and extended to grade, may be substituted for an upper terminal
cleanout.
5. An additional cleanout shall be provided on a horizontal line with an aggregate offset angle of
direction exceeding one hundred and thirty-five (135) degrees.
6. Each cleanout shall be installed so it opens in the direction of flow to allow cleaning of the soil or
waste line or at right angles thereto and, except in the case of wye branch and end-of-line
cleanouts, shall be installed vertically above the flow line of the pipe.
7. Each cleanout extension shall be considered as drainage piping and each ninety (90) degrees
cleanout extension shall be extended from a wye type fitting or other approved fitting of equivalent
sweep.
8. Each cleanout for an interceptor shall be outside of such interceptor.
9. Each cleanout, unless installed under an approved cover plate, shall be above grade, readily
accessible, and so located to serve the purpose it is intended. Cleanouts located under cover
plates shall be installed to provide the clearances and accessibility required by this Section.
10. Each cleanout in piping 51 mm or less in size shall be installed so that there is a clearance of
not less than 305 mm in front of the cleanout. Cleanouts in piping larger than 51 mrn shall have a
clearance of not less than 0.45 m in front of the cleanout. Cleanouts in underfloor piping shall be
extended to or above the finished floor or shall be extended outside the building when there is less
than 0.45 meter vertical and 0.75 meter horizontal clearance from the means of access to such
cleanout. No underfloor cleanout in any residential occupancy shall be located more than 6.1
meters from an access door, trap door or crawl hole.
11. Cleanouts shall be provided for pressure drainage systems.
12. Countersunk cleanout plugs shall be installed where raised heads may cause hazard to
passing personnel or vehicles.
13. When a hubless blind plug is used for a required cleanout, the complete coupling and plug shall
be accessible for removal or replacement.
GRADE OF HORIZONTAL EXCRETA DRAINAGE PIPING
1. Horizontal drainage piping shall be run in practical. alignment and at a uniform slope of not less
than 2% or 20 mm/m towards the point of disposal, provided that, where it is impractical due to the
depth of the street sewer or to adverse structural features or to some irregular arrangements of
affected building or structure to obtain a slope of 2 percent or any such pipe or piping 102 mm or
larger in diameter may have a slope of not less than one 1 percent or 10 mm/m when first
approved by the Administrative Authority.

GRAVITY DRAINAGE
Where practicable, all plumbing fixtures shall be drained into the public sewer or private sewage
disposal system by gravity.
DRAINAGE OF FIXTURES LOCATED BELOW THE UPSTREAM MANHOLE OR BELOW THE MAIN
SEWER LEVEL
1. Drainage piping serving fixtures which have flood level rims located below the elevation of the nearby
upstream manhole invert of the public sewer serving such drainage piping shall be protected from
backflow of sewage by installing an approved-type backwater valve. Fixture installed above such
elevation shall not discharge through the backwater valve.
2. Drainage piping serving fixtures located below the crown level of the main sewer shall discharge into
an approved watertight sump or receiving tank, the sewage or other liquid wastes shall then be lifted and
discharged into the building drain or building sewer by approved ejector, pump or other equally efficient
mechanical device.
3. The minimum size of any pump discharge or any discharge pipe from a sump having a water closet
connected thereto shall not be less than 50.8 mm diameter.
4. The vertical discharge line from such ejector, pump or other mechanical device to a horizontal drainline
shall be provided with an accessible backwater or swing check valve and gate valve close to the
connection with the horizontal line. The method of connection shall be at the top of the horizontal line
through a wye branch fitting. The gate valve shall be located at the discharge side of the backwater or
check valve.
5. Building drain or building sewer receiving discharge from any pump or ejector shall be adequately sized
to prevent overloading. Two (2) fixture units shall be allowed tor each 0 .061 L/s of flow or each GPM flow.
6. Backwater valves. gate valves, motors, compressors, air tanks and other mechanical devices required
by this Section shall be located where they will be accessible for inspection and repair at all times and,
when not exposed, shall be enclosed in a water-tight masonry pit fitted with an adequately-sized
removable cover.
7. The drainage and venting systems in connection with fixtures, sumps, receiving tanks and mechanical
waste lifting devices, shall be installed under the same requirements as provided in this Code for gravity
systems.
8. Sumps and receiving tanks shall be watertight and shall be constructed of concrete, metal or other
approved materials. If constructed of poured concrete, the walls and bottom shall be adequately
reinforced and designed according to recognized acceptable standards. Metal sumps or tanks shall be of
such thickness to serve their intended purpose and shall be properly coated internally and externally to
resist corrosion.
9. All such sumps and receiving tanks shall be automatically discharged and, when rated as "public use"
occupancy, shall be provided with dual pumps or ejectors arranged to function independently in case of
overload or mechanical failure. The invert of the lowest inlet to the tank shall have a minimum distance of
51 mm above the high water or "starting" level of the pumping operation.
10. Sumps and receiving tanks shall be provided with substantial covers having a bolt and gasket type
manhole or equivalent opening to permit access for inspection, repairs and cleaning. The top shall be
provided with a vent pipe which shall extend separately through the roof, or when permitted, may be
combined with other vent pipes. Such vent shall be large enough to maintain atmospheric pressure within
the sump under all normal operating conditions and, in no case, shall be less in size than that required by
the number and type of fixtures discharging into the sump, nor less than 51 mm in diameter. When the
foregoing requirements are met and the vent, after leaving the sump, is combined with vents from fixtures
discharging into the sump, the size of the combined vent need not exceed the required size for the total
number of fixtures discharging into the sump. No vent from an air-operating sewage ejector shall combine
with other vents.
11. Air tanks shall be proportioned to be of equal cubical capacity to the ejector connected therewith
where there shall be maintained an air pressure of not less than 3 kg for each meter of height the sewage
is raised. No water operated ejectors shall be permitted.
12. When subsoil drainage system is installed, it shall be initially discharged into an approved receiving
tank and discharged in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Authority.

SUDS RELIEF
Fixture outlets shall not be connected to the horizontal excreta drainage piping system within 2.4 meter of
any vertical to horizontal change of direction of a stack containing suds-producing fixtures. Bathtubs,
laundries, washing machine standpipes, kitchen sinks and dishwashers shall be considered
suds-producing fixtures.