BUILDING UTILITIES

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ARCH. Felicano

PLUMBING TRAPS
Agutaya, Paulo Manuel
Infante, Nikki
Maalat, Patricia

Trap

Trap used on plumbing fixture is a device scientifically

designed to prevent the back flow of gases coming from
the sewer passing through the outlet of the fixture.

A trap is a device which is used to prevent sewer

gases from entering the buildings. The traps are
located below or within a plumbing fixture and
retains small amount of water.
The retaining water creates a water seal which
stops foul gases going back to the building from
drain pipes. Therefore all plumbing fixtures such as
sinks, washbasins, bathtubs and toilets etc. are
equipped with traps.

1856 United States innovated a trap and

developed the P-trap and was called
Gooseneck attributed to its form like
the neck of a goose.

Types of Traps

S-shaped Traps
P. Trap
Bottle Trap
Floor Trap
Grease Trap
Gully Trap
Intercepting Trap
Q. Trap

S Trap

A plumbing trap that takes the shape of

the letter S and is used where a waste
pipe feeds into the floor instead of the
wall, which uses a P Trap. Disallowed in
many parts of the country, they can
create a siphoning situation, pulling
water out of the trap.

S Trap

P Trap

also known as theS-bendinvented by

Alexander Cummingsin 1775 but
became known as theU-bendfollowing
the introduction of the U-shaped trap
byThomas Crapperin 1880.
Thomas
Crapper

Alexander
Cummings

Trap or Water Seal

Classified into Two:

* Common Seal P-Trap has 5 centimeters
deep water seal between the overflow and
the dip, that offer a resistance against
abnormal conditions.
* Deep Seal P-Trap has from 7.5 to 10 cm
deep, designed for abnormal situations like

P-Traps

Deep Seal P-Trap

Common Seal P-Trap

Bottle Trap

A bottle trap is a straight and thin waste pipe

with no curves or bends as seen in S- or U-bend
pipes. The term is used in the plumbing
industry to describe part of a sink's drainage
system. It works by allowing wastewater to flow
away while leaving clean water standing in the
bottom half of the trap.
Practical Uses:
Designers and plumbers use bottle traps when
plumbing space is limited in kitchens and
bathrooms.

Bottle Trap

Floor Trap

Trap provided in floors to collect used

water from floors of bathroom , kitchen
or washing floor etc.

Floor Trap

Grease Trap

Grease traps are plumbing devices

designed to intercept most greases and
solids before they enter a wastewater
disposal system. Common wastewater
contains small amounts of oils which
enter into septic tanks and treatment
facilities to form a floating scum layer.

Grease Trap

Grease Trap

Gully Trap

Gully trap is a deep seal trap which is

provided on the external face of the wall
for disconnecting the waste water
flowing from kitchen , bath , wash basin
& floors from the main drainage system.

Gully Trap

A. extreme heat condition in the area

B. increase and decrease of atmospheric
condition
C. circumstances where total ventilation
cannot be obtaned

Water Seal Traps that could be used to

serve plumbing fixteures classified as:

Permissible Traps
Objectionable Traps

Permissible Traps

Objectionable Traps

P Trap Installation

According to the National Plumbing Code

on trap installation provides that:
1.
2.

3.

All traps shall be self-cleaning.

Trap shall be installed as near the fixture
as practical.
Short vertical leg eliminates high velocity
of water discharge.

4. Trap shall be installed within 60cm of the

fixture it serve.
5. Shall be provided with cleanout.
6. Long Run Horizontal Pipe or Running Trap
could be used only near the floor drain area
or yard.
7. The dip portion of the trap shall be short
as possible to avoid retarded flow of water.
Likewise to the horizontal leg connection to
the waste pipe.

8. Overflow pipe from fixture shall be

connected to the inlet side of the trap.
9. Each fixture shall have its own trap.
Exception to the rule:
a. two laundry trays and a kitchen sink
connected to a single trap.
b. Not more than 3 laundry trays using
one trap.
c. three lavatories on a single trap.

Trap Installation

Drum Trap

Classified as water seal device.

Special features:
1.

intended for fixtures set on the floor

2.used on fixtures that discharges substantial
amount of water.
3. can also serve as terminal for any type of
indirect waste.

4. Drum Trap has two types:

A. the 100mm x 125mm and

B. the 100mm x 200mm

Advantages

1. greater amount of water may pass

through it in a shorter interval.
2. it has higher resealing quality than the
P-trap.

Disadvantages

1. large and cumbersome

2. unsightly if the installation is exposed
to view
3. cleanout cover mechanism is above
the water seal.
4. high maintenance

Size of Fixture Trap to be

Installed

Classified into Three:

Class 1 For Private Use : like fixtures in

residential, apartment and private
bathroom of hotels.
Class 2 For Semi Public Use: office bldgs.,
factories, dormitories, and for occupants
use only.
Class 3 For Public Use: such as schools,
gymnasium, hotels, railroads and bus
terminals.9