Mr.

J Cunningham

What is Drainage?
Drainage is a way of removing surface and sub-surface water from an area
It is a means of directing water to a designated treatment facility
There are two types of drainage
Natural Drainage

Artificial Drainage

Natural Drainage

Excavation of Drain

The Moyour River

Co Mayo
The Yellow River
Kiltimagh

Artificial Drainage
There are two types of Artificial Drainage:
Surface Drainage

Subsurface Drainage

Sources of Waste
Wastewater

Soil Water

Foul Water

Surface Water

Methods of Drainage
In a Domestic Dwelling, there are
two methods of drainage:

Above Ground

Below Ground

Above Ground
Drainage
Above ground drainage is often referred to
as a single stack system
The reason for this is because each appliance
is connected into one main pipe (stack)
Outlets from those appliances have
guidelines to meet certain requirements
These requirements have a major impact on
the design/layout of a bathroom

If an appliance cannot meet those

regulations then a Macerator unit may be
installed

Single stack Systems

A single stack system works by:
Connecting each appliance separately to the stack
maintaining a straight stack to avoid blockages
100mm pipes from the toilets should be fitted
with a slope of 9mm/m, with a max length of 6m to
the stack, (If this exceeds 6m then a macerator
unit will need to be fitted)
A Vent should be positioned at the top of the main
stack to prevent toxic fumes and pressure from
building up within the treatment system
It also ensures that any fumes coming form the
sewage are carried above the height of windows and
other openings(e.g. air vents)

Single stack Systems

Macerator Unit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx2KBdsE21I

How a Macerator Unit works

Sanitary Fitments
Waste Pipe Connections
All water discharged from waste or soil appliances
are deemed to be contaminated and must be disposed
of in a safe and efficient manner.
Sanitary fixtures must be connected to a waste pipe.
The required sizes for each appliance are given below.
Appliance
Sinks
Shower Trays
Baths

Waste Size
40 mm
40 mm
40 mm

Wash Basins
Bidets
Bowl Urinals
Drinking Fountains

32 mm
32 mm
32 mm
32 mm

Toilets

100 mm

Trap Seals
Installed to act as a seal where it prevents smells,
bacteria and insects from entering a property.
Prevents grit from entering the treatment
systems by collecting it within the seal of the trap.
The depth of the trap would depend upon the
usage of the pipe. Pipes of less than 50mm internal
bore (e.g. baths, wash hand basins, sinks etc) would
have a trap with a seal of not less than 75mm.
Pipes with a larger internal bore than 50mm (e.g.
WC pans,) a trap with a seal of 50mm is required,
the reason being that it is much less likely that
trap seal loss will occur in a pipe so large.

Typical Waste Trap

Depth of Seal

 If the above ground system is

not installed correctly, the water

seal in the traps can be lost
because of increased pressure
or suction in the system. There
are three ways this can
happen:
Back pressure
Self syphonage
Induced syphonage

Siphonage

Siphonage
New water

Remove plug

Plug

Old water

Old water pushed away

When
an
appliance
is
emptied, the water flows
away through the trap.
However, the last portion of
water is left behind in the
trap creating a seal until the
appliance is next used

New water forms seal

Induced siphonage

If the main stack runs full bore

it can suck the water out of the
trap.

Vacuum

This vacuum induces the

water in the seal to flow.
Induced Siphonage
occurs
A full bore flow creates a
vacuum behind the flow of water

Self siphonage
Wastewater

Normal flow
in vertical drain

Air

Full bore flow

in vertical drain
If the waste pipe runs full bore,
then self-siphonage can occur

Self siphonage

Air pushes the seal water back into sink

Air is driven back up the main stack
(Back pressure)
Wastewater slows suddenly & washes
back up the discharge pipe

Preventing siphonage

Shown above is a vent stack which

ensures Induced Siphonage is avoided.
Air from this vent is sucked in to enable
the trap to maintained its seal.

Preventing siphonage

Air admittance
valve

Shower Trays

Standard Shower Trays

Shower
Trays

Raised Shower
Tray

Shower
Trays

Curved Shower Tray

Slim-line
Shower Trays

Closer to the Ground

Slim-line Shower Trays

Textured Surface

Slim-line
Shower
Trays

Lowered to
Ground Level

Shower Drains

Channel Water Inlet

Shower Drains

Square Water Inlet

Shower Drains

Shower Traps

Industrial Pipe work housed

in concrete beams

Example of dysfunctional planning

External Pipework
On the exterior of a building, services
are put in place to transfer Waste and
Surface water to the appropriate
location

Gutters
Surface water from a roof is
transported to a designated area
(Soak-pit) via several service
channels.
Initially, the water runs of the roof
surface and into what is known as
the Gutters. These are attached to
the fascia board in line with the
bottom slate/tile of the roof.

Gutter

Down-pipes
Shown here is a down-pipe
that is attached to the
Gutter.
The surface water from
the gutters is transported
through the down-pipes
with the force of gravity.
It then enters a gulley a
ground level.

Installation of
down-pipes

Common Installation

Installation of
down-pipes

Concealed behind stonework

Adjustable Gulley
Angled joints

Gulley top

Situated directly below the

down pipe will be a Gulley.
This is where the water
travels from above ground
to the underground system
which is then diverted to
the designated treatment
area

Pit where dirt

is collected

Rainwater Pipes

Grease Trap

Inspection Chamber
Built on site

Inspection Chamber
Round Pre-cast chamber

Inspection Chamber
Square Pre-cast chamber

Inspection Chamber
Round Lid

Inspection Chamber
Square Lid

Inspection Chamber
Inspection Chamber

Sewer Access Point

Inspection Chamber

Installed Junction

Risers included

Channel Water Inlet

Groundworks are
prepared with the
inclusion of steel
reinforcement

Channel is
installed to
appropriate
level
Why include steel
re-enforcement?

Waste and Water connections

Waste and Water connections

Waste and Water connections

Waste and Water connections

Waste and Water connections

Super Absorbent Concrete