PLUMBING

THE
WASTE PIPE
CHAPTER 5

Prudencio, George Jr. C

Regencia, Daeniel Adrian N. BSCE-2D
Reyes, Eunice R.
 Introduction
Importance of understanding plumbing systems
Effectiveness of plumbing depends on natural
laws: Gravity & Atmospheric Pressure
Failures often due to non-observance of these
laws
WHAT IS WASTE PIPE?

Smaller in size than soil

pipes

Receives waste from

various plumbing fixtures

Common waste materials:

grease, lint, matches, hair,
garbage, etc.
MISUSE OF
PLUMBING FIXTURES
Smaller in size than soil pipes
Receives waste from various
plumbing fixtures
Common waste materials: grease,
lint, matches, hair, garbage, etc.
COMPONENTS OF A DRAINAGE
SYSTEM
Drainage Pipe - Receives water
closet discharges
Waste Pipe - Receives waste from
fixtures (except water closet)
Vent Pipe - Allows air passage and
ventilation
SOIL VS. WASTE PIPE

Soil Pipe - Handles human waste

(water closet)
Waste Pipe - Handles other waste
(lavatory, bathtub, etc.)
Special Waste - Waste pipe not
connected to soil stack or house
drain
TYPES OF PIPES
IN A PLUMBING SYSTEM

Soil Branch - Horizontal pipe

receiving human waste
Soil Stack -Vertical pipe for
human waste
Waste Stack - Vertical pipe not
carrying human waste
GENERAL CONDITIONS
FOR A GOOD WASTE PIPE
INSTALLATION 4
1. Right choice of materials
2. Conservative use of fittings
3. Proper cleanout locations
4. Correct slope or grade
5. Proper pipe sizing
6. Correct pipe joining
7. Stable and rigid support
RIGHT CHOICE
OF MATERIALS
Selection based on waste type
and service conditions
Acid-resistant pipes for chemical
waste
Standard pipes for
domestic/commercial kitchen
waste
CONSERVATIVE USE OF
FITTINGS
Importance of smooth waste flow
Avoid excessive fittings & wrong
types
Proper use of joints & fittings
Risks of shortcuts and incorrect
installations
COMMON CAUSES OF PIPE
FAILURES

Overuse of fittings

Incorrect fittings for changes

in direction
LOCATION OF CLEANOUT
Cleanouts are required for waste pipe installations to
address pipeline issues.
Must be placed strategically for accessibility (floor,
walls, or ceiling).
Equipped with a plug or flush plate to maintain room
aesthetics.
Location must be indicated in the plan.
Cleanout size should match the waste pipe diameter for
effective cleaning.
Must be easily accessible for plumbers in case of
blockages.
RIGHT SLOPE OR GRADE
OF WASTE PIPE
Ideal slope: 2% (2 cm per meter of
pipe length).
Ensures adequate velocity for self-
scouring.
Scientific studies show excessive
slope (4%) can lead to Trap Seal Loss.
Trap Seal Loss: Escape of standing
water in the P-Trap due to siphonage.
Improper waste disposal (garbage,
grease, paper, etc.) can cause
blockages.
MANNER OF JOINING
PIPES
Correct fitting connections are essential
for plumbing effectiveness.
Each pipe type has specific joining
methods:
- Cast Iron Pipes: Oakum and lead for
hub and spigot joints.
-Plastic Pipes: Solvent plastic cement or
special fittings.
Deviation from manufacturer
specifications can compromise pipe
efficiency.
DETERMINING THE SIZE OF
WASTE PIPE

National Larger pipe Self-cleaning Small pipes risk

Plumbing Code diameter does ability: Requires overloading,
Requirement: not guarantee proper water leading to back-
Waste pipes must better drainage. depth (50% of pressure,
be adequately pipe diameter). siphonage, and
sized for fixture flooding.
installations.
 How is Fixture
Understanding Fixture Unit
Defined?
Fixture Units A Fixture Unit (FU) is a
measurement used in plumbing 1 Fixture Unit = The amount of
and Plumbing to estimate the water drainage water flow equivalent to 1
load from different fixtures. cubic foot (30 liters) per
Pipe Sizing Instead of directly measuring minute.
water flow in liters per second, Each plumbing fixture (e.g.,
the Fixture Unit system simplifies toilets, sinks, showers) has a
calculations by assigning a unit specific fixture unit value
value to each type of plumbing based on how much water it
fixture. discharges per minute.
 Table 5-1:

Fixture Unit Values

 Table 5-2:
Size of Horizontal Fixture
Branch and Stack
 How to Determine the
Correct Pipe Size?
Step 1: Step 3:
List all the fixtures that
Find the total Fixture Units
will be connected to a
for the drainage system.
particular drainage pipe.

Step 4:
Step 2:
Refer to Table 5-2 to
Multiply each fixture by its determine the correct
assigned Fixture Unit pipe diameter based on
Value (from Table 5-1). total fixture units.
 Solution: Conclusion:

A. Calculate the Fixture Unit:

5 Urinals × 5 FU = 25 FU A 100 mm (4-inch) pipe can
3 Lavatories × 1 FU = 3 FU handle up to 160 Fixture Units in
8 Showers × 2 FU = 16 FU a single horizontal branch.
2 Slop Sinks × 3 FU = 6 FU
Even though a smaller pipe might
Total Fixture Units = 50 FU
be sufficient, the Plumbing Code
requires a 100 mm pipe for safety
B. Find the Correct Pipe Size:
and efficiency.

Sample Problem:
Find the correct pipe size for a
horizontal waste pipe serving the
following:
5 Urinals (5 FU each)
3 Lavatories (1 FU each)
8 Showers (2 FU each)
2 Slop Sinks (3 FU each)
 1. Direct Waste 2. Indirect Waste
An indirect waste pipe is NOT directly
A direct waste pipe is connected connected to the plumbing system.
directly to the plumbing drainage Instead, the wastewater first drains
system, meaning wastewater into a separate receiving basin, floor
flows straight into the pipes drain, or air gap before entering the
without any additional barriers. plumbing system. This prevents
cross-contamination (e.g., food waste
Examples of Fixtures with getting mixed with sewage).
Direct Waste:
WASTE PIPES Urinals Examples of Fixtures with
A. Two Types of Waste Bathtubs Indirect Waste:
Lavatories (Wash Basins)
Pipes Soda Fountain Drain (to
Kitchen Sinks
prevent bacteria from
Showers
contaminating the beverage
Hospital Fixtures
system)
Bar Waste Drain
Refrigeration Drain (from
commercial refrigerators)
Some Drinking Fountains
Recommended Size of Waste
Pipe
 IMPORTANCE OF
PROPER PIPE SIZING

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

If pipes are too small, wastewater will not drain

properly, leading to:

Clogs caused by debris (gum, cigarette butts,

food scraps).
Slow drainage, which can cause foul smells
and bacteria buildup.
Overflows, especially in high-use areas like
public restrooms or hospitals.
GENERALIZATION:
ALWAYS FOLLOW THE
PLUMBING CODE’S PIPE SIZE
RECOMMENDATIONS!
Thank You