What is a Drainage?

Drainage system is used to get rid of human wastes through well-arranged network of drainage
pipes. Drainage pipes are angled downward, making use of gravity to drain the water away to a
sewage treatment facility or septic tank.

In a multi-story building such as a condominium complex, the sanitary drainage system consists
of three main components – vertical stacks, branch lines and horizontal underground lines.

Types of Vertical Stacks

Stacks are vertical lines of pipe that extend from the horizontal building drain under the slab or
in the basement up to and through the roof of the building.

 Soil Stacks

 Waste Stacks

 Vent Stacks

 Leaders
 Branch Lines
Branch Lines are offshoots of vertical stacks, like branches of a tree. These branch lines
connect toilets, showers, sinks, etc. to the corresponding vertical stack, which carries waste
to the building’s drain underground or in the basement.
Horizontal Underground Lines
Horizontal Lines run underneath the building’s slab, often under common areas such as the
lobby and individual ground floor units. These lines are typically 6-8″ in diameter depending on
the size of the building.
Common Types of Pipes in Your Building

 Cast Iron Pipes

 Vitrified Clay Pipes

 PVC Piping

What is a Vent?
The plumbing vent, also known as a vent stack, helps regulate the air pressure in your plumbing
system. Just as drain pipes remove water and waste from your home, the plumbing vent pipe –
also known as a plumbing air vent – removes gas and odors.
Types of Vents

 True vent

 Re-vent pipe

 Common vent

 Loop vent
Placing Your Fixture
Whichever ventilation system one choose to employ, it is equally important to place the fixture
at a certain distance from the vent pipe and this area is called the critical distance.