SEPTIC TANK DESIGN

a. Determination of Occupant Loads. The occupant load permitted in any building or portion
thereof shall be determined by dividing the floor area assigned to that use by the unit area
allowed per occupant as shown on Table XII.1. and as determined by the Secretary.
i. When the unit area per occupant for any particular occupancy is not provided for in Table
XII.1., the Building Official shall determine the same based on the unit area for occupancy,
which it most nearly resembles.
ii. The occupant load of any area having fixed seats shall be determined by the number of fixed
seats installed. Aisles serving the fixed seats in said area shall be included in determining the
occupant load.
iii. The occupant load permitted in a building or portion thereof may be increased above that
specified in Table XIII.1. if the necessary exits are provided.
iv. In determining the occupant load, all portions of a building shall be presumed to be occupied
at the same time.

Table XII.1. General Requirements for Occupant Loads and Exits*

(*In all occupancies, floors above the first (1st) storey having an occupant load of more than ten (10) shall have at
least two (2) exits)
COMPUTATION FOR THE SIZE OF THE SEPTIC TANK

Type of Establishment: BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING (BPO) BUILDING

NO. OF PERSONS:
Gallons per person per day: 75
Gallons per day: 9 x 75 = 675

Using the formula:

V = 1.125 + 0.75Q

where V = Liquid volume of the tank in gallons

Q = The daily sewage flow in gallons per day.
1.125 and 0.75 are constant values.

V = 1.125 + 0.75 (675)

V = 507.375 gallons
1 m3
V = 507.375 gallons ( )
264 gallons
V = 1.92 m3

For the dimensions of the septic tank, the minimum depth is 1.20 meters and the width
is assumed to be 1.0 meter:

Length of the digestion chamber:

Volume 1.92 m3
L= = = 1.60 meters
Width x Depth 1.0 m x 1.20 m

Total Length:
L 1.6
+L= + 1.6 = 2.40 meters
2 2
References:

Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines, Chapter 2

Plumbing Design & Estimate by Max Fajardo, Jr., pp. 92-96
http://www.standardplumbing.com