Integrated Building Services.

Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.

What is drainage system?

A drainage system is an arrangement to move
liquids away from where they are not required
for disposal in appropriate locations.
A ‘drainage system’ can include anything from
gutters and drains in houses to remove rain
water, storm water systems to drain rainwater
from roads into roadside drains and drainage
systems also remove sewage from houses into
municipal ‘sewers’ for disposal.
Drainage Systems.

Normally, there are two different systems of

drainage that you need to think about:
'foul water drainage' and 'surface water
drainage'.
In general, these two systems should be kept
separate.
Each of these has above-ground and
underground elements.
 Drainage systems.
Foul drainage
carries the used water from toilets, sinks,
basins, baths, showers, bidets, dishwashers
and washing machines.

The above-ground pipework is referred to as

sanitary pipework (or soils(vent) and
wastes); the underground pipework is
referred to as foul drains and foul sewers.
 Drainage Systems.
Surface water drainage
carries rainwater (and melted snow and ice)
from hard surfaces.
The above-ground system of gutters and
rainwater pipes is referred to as roof
drainage;
the underground pipework is referred to as
surface (storm) water drains and surface
water sewers.
 Drainage Systems.
There are essentially three types of systems.

1. The Combined System

In the combined system of drainage, Figure 1, the

foul water from the sanitary appliances and the
rainwater from roofs and other surfaces are
carried by a single drain to a combined sewer. The
system is cheap but the load on the sewage works
is high.
Drainage Systems.

Fig 1. The Combined System

 Drainage Systems.
2. The Separate System

In Figure 2, the foul water from the sanitary

appliances is carried by a foul water drain to a foul
water sewer and the rain-water from the roofs
and other surfaces is carried by a surface water
drain into a surface water sewer.
The system is more expensive but the load on the
sewage works is greatly reduced.
Drainage Systems.

Fig 2. The Separate System

 Drainage Systems.
3. The Partially Separate System

In the partially separate system most of the

rainwater is carried by the surface water drain
into the surface water sewer.
In order to save cost however, an isolated
rainwater inlet is connected to the foul water
drain. In Figure 3 the rainwater inlet at A is
connected to the foul water drain thus saving a
length of drain and also a rodding point at B
replaces an inspection chamber.
Drainage Systems.

Fig 3. The Partially Separate System

Drainage Systems.
Comparisons between the separate and
combined drainage system
Separate system
1. Two sets of drains;
increases the cost of
building drainage
2. There is a risk of wrong
connection, e.g., a foul
water branch drain may be
wrongly connected to a
surface water drain
3. The foul water drain is not
thoroughly flushed by
rainwater
4. There is no risk of foul air
passing through an
unsealed rainwater gully
trap
5. The size of the sewage
disposal plant is much
smaller
6. The cost of sewage
purification is less
7. If the sewage is pumped to
the sewage disposal works
there is a reduction in the
cost of pumping. The
surface water may flow by
gravity to a nearby river
Combined system
1. Only one drain for both foul
and surface water; reduces
the cost of building drainage
2. There is no risk of making a
wrong connection
3. Foul water is flushed
through the drain by the
surface water
4. The loss of a trap seal in a
rainwater gully allows the
foul gas from the drain to
pass into the open air around
the building
5. The size of the sewage
disposal plant is greater
6. The cost of the sewage
disposal is greater
7. Possibly greater pumping
costs, due to both surface
water and foul water having
to reach the sewage disposal
works
Drainage Systems.
Connection of Drainage to Sewer
The connection of drain (local), to the public or
private sewer can be made either by a junction
inserted into the sewer or by means of a saddle.
Saddle. A hole is made in the top half of the sewer
and the saddle is then inserted, bedded in cement
mortar and surrounded in concrete (usually with
older systems).
Junction. Alternatively, the connection of the drain to
the sewer may be made by inserting a junction.

Note:- These fittings are available from most suppliers.

Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Connection of Drainage to Sewer (continued)
The connection of a drain to another drain or sewer,
or a private sewer to a public sewer must be made at
the top, obliquely (at an angle) and in the direction of
flow.

Drains from buildings may be connected separately

to the public sewer, Figure 4, so that each owner of
the separate buildings will be responsible for the
maintenance of the drainage system for that
building.
Drainage Systems.

Fig 4. Use of Separate Drains

Drainage Systems.
Connection of Drainage to Sewer (continued)

In order to save on the cost of the separate

connections to the public sewer a private sewer may
be used, which will result in only one connection for
several buildings, Figure 5.

The maintenance of the private sewer will be shared

between the separate owners.
Drainage Systems.

Fig 5. Use of Private Sewer

Drainage Systems.
SOME DIFFERENT MEANS OF ACCESS DRAINAGE
SYSTEMS.
Access to drains is very important for
inspection/maintenance, cleaning, testing and
clearance of blockages and can be done with:
•Rodding eye / rodding point.
•Access fitting
•Inspection chamber
•Access Manhole
Drainage Systems.
Rodding eye
These are a sealed surface extension to a drain, frequently
located at the head of the drain as an alternative to an
inspection chamber. They can also be deployed elsewhere if
the drain run and remains close to the surface, but have the
disadvantage of permitting rodding in the direction of flow
only.
Access fitting/junctions (AJs)
These fittings are integral with the drain and provide similar
access to a rodding eye, but with vertical access the drain can
be rodded in both directions. They are suited for shallow
depths up to 600mm to invert level and are appropriate at or
near the head of a drain.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Inspection chamber
Inspection chambers are an enlarged version of an access
fitting/junctions with provision for a few junctions, sufficient
for normal domestic use.
Depth to invert is no more than 1m, with surface access only.
Construction may be preformed plastic, precast concrete or
built in situ masonry.

NOTE: In a manhole or access chamber, the invert level

(often abbreviated to IL), is taken to be the lowest point in the
pipe channel that is still within the chamber, that is, the level
of the pipe channel just as it exits the chamber.
Drainage Systems.

Manholes

These are masonry or precast concrete access

chambers, with sufficient working space at drain level.
Where construction and depths exceed 1m to invert,
step irons or a fixed ladder should be provided.

A backdrop manhole is a variation which connects drains

at significantly different levels. Where there is a
significant difference in level between a drain and a
private or public sewer, a back-drop may be used to
reduce excavation costs.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.
Plastic Pipework.
PVC (plastic) pipes are much lighter
and hence easier to handle on site.
PVC is a hardy material – it is not
fragile and unlike clay it is actually
quite difficult to damage, with an
excellent strength to weight ratio.
Plastic pipes are simple to cut,
needing nothing more than a fine-
toothed saw whereas clay drainage
requires the use of cutting discs or
more specialist tools.
PVC Drainage pipe has smooth walls,
with minimal friction delivering
excellent flow rates when compared
to the natural finished surface of a
clayware pipe. Whilst all PVC
manufacturers’ fittings and pipes
differ in size by fractions of
millimetres, all British Standard
approved plastic drainage systems
are manufactured within specific size
tolerances, meaning that all such
approved systems can be inter-
connected without the need for
adaptors, saving any confusion when
connecting into existing systems.
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.

Rigidrain Pipework.
A twinwall surface water drainage system, up to 900mm.
(Twin Wall high density polyethylene pipe manufactured from
100% recycled plastic. The pipe is manufactured in a twin
extrusion process, which forms two pipes, and heat welds
them together as they are formed. The outside wall is
corrugated whilst the inside wall is smooth).
Ridgidrain is used for non-pressurised surface and sub-surface
drainage applications.
It has a high strength to weight ratio, plus the flexibility to
resist high traffic loads with a design life in excess of 60 years.
Drainage Systems.
Rigidrain Pipework.
Minimising Leaks
It comes with integral sockets for easy pipe alignment and has a low
friction inner wall for improved hydraulics. Ridgidrain is supplied in 6m
lengths, reducing the number of joints and risk of leakage.
Chemical Resistant
Made from 100% recycled, high strength HDPE using a structured wall
design, the pipe is robust yet flexible, with high resistance to the most
common chemicals and excellent all-round performance.
A Long term solution.
As a result, specifying Ridgidrain brings sustainability, strength and
lower weight to a project, with no compromise on long term
effectiveness.
Drainage Systems.
Rigidrain Pipework.
Features and benefits:
• Lightweight (6 metre Lengths)
• Strong (Twin walled and corrugated)
• Smooth inner wall for increased flow capacity
• Resistant to naturally occurring chemicals
• Can be installed at depths from 0.5 to 10 metres
• Full range of fittings available
• Reduced Plant, transport and labour costs
• Faster Installation as 6 Meter lengths mean fewer joints
• Elimination of waste compared to traditional pipe
• Pipe can easily be cut on site
Drainage Systems.
Drainage Systems.

Concrete Pipework.

Precast concrete flexible spigot

and socket jointed pipes are
commonly used.

Diameters from from 225mm to

1800mm to BS EN 1916:2002
Class 120, ovoid pipes and
perforated pipes for use in both
foul and surface water
applications.
Drainage Systems.

END

Any Questions.