A Case for Single Stack System of Plumbing plumbing forms an i service in buildings. Its res from 5 to 12:5 percent of al cost in residential buildings. 5 is about 5 percent that can be effected can only pes and specials, e increasing tendency towards sal development of buildings i turt REPRINTED FROM JSY BULLETIN, Vol 18, No. 12, pp. 558-556 (1966) (( ISHWAR SINGH & V. V. SASIDARAN Central Building Research Institute Roorkee The adoption of the single stack system of plumbing which is more economical than the conventional systems is advocated particularly in view of the need for conserving building materials ond the optimum utilization of vast cutleys earmarked for construction Drojects in the coming years. Guidance for installation of plumbing systems in buildings for drainoge purposes hos been provided by ISI in the ‘Code of practice for drainoge In buildings (IS : 1742-1960)" os well as in the droft ‘Code of practice for plumbing in ‘multi-storey buildings’. The points made in the paper may help in the further improve- ment of these codes—Ed, plumbing. In tall buildings, conven PLUMBING SYSTEMS IN tional methods of plumbing become BUILDINGS. ‘more complicated due {0 the large Though plumbing is as old as ci number of pipe lines. ‘The conven- zation, interior drainage piping systems tional two-pipe system is the only came into use since 1845 and venting of ‘method that seems to be enjoying a traps was propored in a conference at general acceptance with the local New York in 18742, The earliest of ‘authorities in India*. Only recently, the piping systems was the two-pipe the one-pipe system of plumbing has system, This system was mostly used bbeen adopted in some residential and in England until 1932 when the one- public buildings at New Delhi#. ‘The pipe system was introduced from adoption of single stack system appears America, to be still a long way off, the main T\wo-Pipe System obstacles being the local ‘authorities This ayslem consists of separate ‘and lack of knowledge about the pipes for soil and waste. This is the system. This paper reviews the various more orthodox system, normally used systems of piping that have been in in all large buildings, It consists of use in plumbing, and makes out a case separate soil and waste pipes both for the adoption of single stack system, ventilated independently (see Fig. 1(@)) s. [rie WASTE STACK FOR WASH HAND BASIN WASTE STACK FOR SINK S SOIL PIPE: WASTE STACK FOR BATH we rater closet.» WB = wash hand basin Fig. 1(6) Tworpipe system with separate waste stacksA CASE FOR SINGLE STACK SYSTEM OF PLUMBING —SINGH & SASIDARAN. and is known as ‘Two-pipe system fully ventilated’, The soil stack is connected direct to sewer while the waste stack is connected through a trapped gulley. The vent pipe of the soil stack, and the air-break at the gulley trap in the waste stack, provides necessary protection against the entry of sewer gases. As such, this system does not rely entirely upon the water Seals incorporated in the appliances. Shallow water seals 38 mm (1:5 in) for traps of tess than 60 mm (2-5 in) diameter and 50 mm (2 in) deep for {raps of 60 mm (2:5 in) diameter and above are provided to check the entry of foul gases from the piping. Th situations where the waste apo ances are widely separated as in hotels and hospitals each ofthese are provided with a separate wasto stack [fee Fig, 1(b)).__Only one appliance is connected toa stack at every floor level, the vent pipes for the waste stacks are omitted. This aystem known as ‘Two-pipe system with separate waste stacks’ becomes costlier as the saving from omission of vent pipes is more than offset by the ‘extra stacks of pipes. The “Two-pipe fully ventilated system" is fool-proof and does not call for any special skill and knowledge on the part of the designer. But with the four stacks of pipes and the numerous connections on the exterior of the building, it is unsightly and economical especially when adoptes large blocks of buildings. The need for economy paved the way for the cone-pipe system which with suitable precautions was considered safe ‘enough, One-Pipe System Im this system {see Fig, 2(8), the soil fand waste pipes are combined into fone with a common vent pipe. The main reliance against entry of sewer ‘gas is placed on the water seals at the appliances which are fully ventilated. ‘As such, deeper water seals, namely, 75 mm (Bin), as against the 38 mm (23 in) to 50mm @ in) adopted the two-pipe system are used. This system is economical as compared to the two-pipe system as the number of stacks are reduced from four to two and Bulleys are omitted, Further developments and_simpli= fications of the one-pipe system led to, ‘Modified one-pipe system’ [see Fig. 2(b)) and ‘Modified one-pipe vented stack systein’ [see Fig, 2(€)] In the former, the water closets only are ventilated direct (0 the main vent pipe. ‘The lengths and angles of fall of the pipes serving the waste appliances are subject to certain restrictions to ensure ‘adequate ventilation through the main soil stack. All filings except water closets are connected to the main stack through 75 mm (3 in) deep seal traps. Inthe second system which isadopted n tall buildings a common vent pipe runs close (0 the soil stack for the full height of the building. The waste appliances are connected to soil stack through 75 mm (3 in) deep seal traps s s. wes wc} Ver WATER SEAL 45mm WATER SEAL Asem WATER SEA TRAP 8. VENT PIPE- FLOOR tevet TR VENT PIPE: ae 3 We Ss Se 45mm WATER SEAL fmm WATER SEAL TRAP Sol AND wate Pre we gs Tmm WATER SEAL. te WATER SEAL TRAP Fig. 200), One-pipe system fully ventilated (all “appliances ventilated directly) = sink ance WC = wator closet Fig, 266), Modified one-pipe system (only WC ventilated directly) ‘and none of the appliances are di ventilated. Necessary ventilation provided by connecting the soil anj vent stack by short lengths of 50 iim in) dia pipe at alternate floors, EVOLUTION OF THE SINGLE STACK SYSTEM Th all the above systems, ge emphasis was piced on trap eng and the vater seals in the apptangy as it was thot that sever ps harmful to human health, Ney investigations in. bactrciony hag proved that sover gs doesnot ney convey any pathogenic actrn cont dered baroflfrom dseso, tae Imssion potntof view. But exp to concentrated sever gus fora stn derabl period may eas some har Physiological effects as nausea, giddie fess, ett An oesaronal eden a the seals, theretor, not going oi harmfUl for esith though poge seals shouldbe malatind for cela the enley of any foul odour recent years, researches by th Building’ Research Sation, UK and certain plumbing. contactor England have fed (oth consson dh water seals in traps, under at Condition, donot regu. venting pipes. These have edt the evolu Of the singly sas plumbing ten Which cispenses withthe we of vn fating pipes. The soll andthe ya ae carried through only one sack Tntis system, since tere so separ ‘ent pir, the man abet as been TRAP. Weg S ai 45 mm WATER SEAL TRAP |-vent connection Weg 5 j Asm WATER SEAL TRAP. ‘MANHOLE WB = wash hand basin a Fig. 2(€) Modified one-pipe vents te system (appliances not ventilated dit ett tnd ent ta connected aerate lorspressure. The shape of the ap | and length, slope and bore of the © branch pipes play an important part “in. preventing self siphonage. Tho induced siphonage and back pressure "At the foot of the stack are governed by the height of the stack, its diameter and the amount of water flowing in, ‘As such, certain restrictions have been posed for the depth of seal, the Iength and slopes of the branch pipes, “The design recommendations’ for branches and fittings and vents reauited for various loading conditions are aiven in the British Code of Practice BS. CP 304 : 1953. “This system has also been described briefly in TS :1742- 1960. ‘The recommendations given in both the codes are. for plumbing systems wherein the appliances are directly connected to the stack (ee Fi. 3) Tn the plumbing system. that is generally followed in India, the applic ances, namely, wash hand’ basin and sink ave often not connected directly to the stack, but the waste pipes of these appliances are Jed to a floor trap and the later is connected to the stack, Under these circumstances, the rstrie- tions that have been given in the above cndes a regards depth of seal, location of appliance and slope of branch pipes ae not directly applicable, Hence itis hot necessary to provide deep seals for the wash basin and sinks but the same becomes necessary only’ for the Moor ‘A CASE FOR SINGLE STACK SYSTEM OF PLUMBING — SINGH & SASIDARAN prevent loss of seal duc to self sipho- TABLE 1 ‘Conroe DESIGN OF SINGLE BRANCHES AND FITTINGS ‘Acriow 70 ne Deston RecomMENDATIONS Guanpep Aoarnsr Bend at foot of stick Back pressure atowest Bend to be of large. radius. or ‘wo, numbers 135° bends to be used. Vertical distance between lowest branch connection and invert of ‘drain to be at least 15 em 2:5) for» multi- storeys. For 2 storey houses with 100 mm (4 in) stack, only 45 em (1:5 ft) is sufficient. Soll branch connection Induced siphonage in WC connections should be to stack thelowerstack when swept in the direction of flow WCis discharged Cast iron fittings to be to BS: Floor trap 75__mm selfsiphonage Grin) dinand 75 mm G in) dis Branch pipes trap. Further there is no necessity of restricting the length of waste pipe from the appliances because of the provision (of the floor trap and as such there is @ ‘greater flexibility of locating the appli- ances anywhere inside a building AAs regards WG, the same normal seals 38 (0 50 mm (1-5 to 2 in) deep and branch pipes 100 mm (4 in) diameter and 1-5 m (5 feet) long are recom- ‘mended. Thus it is seen that single q 167m MAX SLOPE TiN'8 TO TINT WATER CLOSET WASH HAND BASW- 32 mm WASTE. 416-1957, Fittings "of other inaterils should have the same ‘sweep as cast iron fittings, branch ‘shall be up to 1-5 m 8) tone 50 mm (in) seat_tap t0 be Tat upto doubly sony Sone tuction and. for ‘multistore construction, 75mm Git seal trap t0 be used. Slope of branch pipe may vary from I in 48 to 1 in 12. stack system can be adopted for Indian conditions without going in for special fittings, such as deeper seals and special connections between the branch, pipe and the stack as has been stipulated in the code. An illustrative example of the installation of single stack system suitable to our requirements is given in Fig. 4, and salient features of the design recommendations are summa din Table I. 23 m MAX SLOPE TIN'G@ TO LIN 12 be 38mm WASTE 5m MANHOLE: $= sink Fig. 3 Single stack system MAK LENGTH BRANCH LARGE RADIUS 96” BENO 3mm, | water 'SEAU" TRAP: 2:3 m MAK SLOPE, TIN 48 TO TIN 12 DETAIL OF WASTE CONNECTIONS IN SINGLE Bem Min STACK SYSTEM ADOPTED IN ENGLAND WC = water closet‘A CASE FOR SINGLE STACK SYSTEM OF PLUMBING — SINGH & SASIDARAN Sa shower Wt = wash hand basin SOIL AND WASTE PIPE — i= [er ee we water closet FT = floor trap Fig. 4 Single stack system suitable 10 our requirements Although, no experimental work has been carried out in this country but work done at Building Research Station, UK indicates that up to four storeys a 100 mm (4 in) dia stack is sufficient. For more than four storeys, a stack of 150 mm (6 in) dia is satis factory up to 15 storeys, PRECAUTIONS IN SINGLE STACK SYSTEM The floor traps should be so located that the branches conneeting to the stack are short, as short branches do not flow full bore and thereby avoid self siphonage. Offsets within the bore below. the connection should be avoided in the main stack, In tall buildings itis essential to minimize the pressure at the foot of the stack by providing large radius bends, The sground floor fittings in buildings taller than five storeys should be connected direct fo the manhole or drainage system. In low buildings @ to 4 storeys), this will not be necessary but the lowest connection should not be less than 75 em (2°5 ft) above the invert of the drain CBRI EXPERIENCE ‘An opportunity to instal the single stack system of plumbing was availed fon some of the staff quarters at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRD), Roorkee. A set of 10 double Storey quarters was selected for the nstallation. A100 mmm (4 in) dia stack was used with other conventional nees. The floor fittings and appl traps with normal water seals 38 mm (LS in) were used as against the speci fied 75 mm @ in) seals, The branch pipes connecting the traps to the stacks were of 78 mm (in) di ‘Tests were cartied out to check the loss in depth of water seals of the appliances ‘and it was found that there was no loss, ‘The satisfactory performance of the 38 mm (1-5 in) seal in the floor traps may be due to the provision of 75 mm G in) dia branch pipe which avoids the risk of self or induced siphonage as it does not run full bore, Therefore, for double storey buildings it will not be even necessary to use floor traps with deeper seals. Whether this would be applicable for multi-storey bui hnas to be investigated, CONCLUSION ‘The single stack system offers compact layout, It avoids gulley traps, and is thus free from insect nuisance, odours, obstructions, ete, It saves 60 percent in materials and 45 percent in overall cost of piping as compared to the conventional two-pipe system in @ four storey building. Floor traps with 75 mm (3 in) seal and large radius bends at foot of stack should be manufactured, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ‘The investigations form part of the normal programme of reseateh at the Central Building Research Institute and the paper is published with the per- mission of the Director. REFERENCES: L,YEDAGIRI, 78. Munbiog ta mo vol Ott ate Sumbe a" mot ter Cinta Buc HSS Hoch Inte Nagout Bae Re exci, Modem punting with ial veleicce to one-ipa wate. 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