TRAPS (plumbing)

{Figure .1-Water seal in drain pipe under a sink}

Traps? We can see these kind of pipes in our washroom. This water in the trap creates a seal that
prevents sewer gas from passing from the drain pipes back into the occupied space of the building.
Essentially all plumbing fixtures including sinks, bathtubs, and toilets must be equipped with either
an internal or external trap. Almost it looks like a “U” shape pipe.it helps to eliminate waste water
in commed. And also in plumbing, a trap is a U-, S-, or J-shaped pipe located below or within a
plumbing fixture. An S-shaped trap is also known as the S-bend invented by Alexander Cummings
in 1775 but became known as the U-bend following the introduction of the U-shaped trap by
Thomas Crapper in 1880.

The new U-bend could not jam, so, unlike the S-bend, it did not need an overflow. The bend is
used to prevent sewer gases from entering buildings. In refinery applications, it also prevents
hydrocarbons and other dangerous gases from escaping outside through drains. The most common
of these traps in houses is referred to as a P-trap. It is the addition of a 90 degree fitting on the
outlet side of a U-bend, thereby creating a P-like shape. It is also referred to as a sink trap because it
is installed under most house sinks.
Because of its shape, the trap retains a small amount of water after the fixture's use. This water in
the trap creates a seal that prevents sewer gas from passing from the drain pipes back into the
occupied space of the building. Essentially all plumbing fixtures including sinks, bathtubs, and
toilets must be equipped with either an internal or external trap.

Because it is a localized low-point in the plumbing, sink traps also tend to capture heavy objects
(such as jewelry) that are inadvertently dropped into the sink. Traps also tend to collect hair, sand,
and other debris and limit the ultimate size of objects that will pass on into the rest of the plumbing,
thereby catching oversized objects. For all of these reasons, most traps can either be disassembled
for cleaning or they provide some sort of cleanout feature.

{Figure .2-Typical P -Trap}

And it also called “VENTING” for Traps.

The Drain Waste and Vent (DWV) system is perhaps the most important part of the total plumbing
system in a building. The DWV system is for the removal of waste water and material from the
building. Inspectors recognize this portion of the plumbing system as a major concern for not only
the function of the plumbing but for the protection of the health of the building occupants. When
people first brought the well pump into the house, they would pump water into vessels for use.
When they were finished with the water they would carry these vessels outside to dispose of the
waste water. Human waste was handled at the old outhouse. Then came the modern marvel of
indoor plumbing. People began to use piping to remove waste water. The toilet was brought into the
house, as well as all the aromas of the outhouse. The first houses with indoor plumbing utilized a
trap on the building drain pipe to provide a water seal for keeping the sewer gasses from coming
back into the buildings. These traps were called “building traps” or “master traps”. However there
were still sewer gasses entering occupied spaces from the drain piping within the building. This was
not only unpleasant to smell but was a great health concern.
Small description about the bend and its work,

{Figure. 3-explanation}

After that we can consider about vent terminals,

All open vent pipes that extend through a roof shall be terminated at least [NUMBER] inches (mm)
above the roof, except that where a roof is to be used for any purpose other than weather protection,
the vent extensions shall be run at least 7 feet (2134 mm) above the roof.

{Figure. 4- vent terminals}

Location of vent terminal. An open vent terminal from a drainage system shall not be located
directly beneath any door, open able window, or other air intake opening of the building or of an
adjacent building, and any such vent terminal shall not be within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally of
such an opening unless it is at least 2 feet (610 mm) above the top of such opening.

{Figure .5- locations of venting}

Extension through the wall. Vent terminals extending through the wall shall terminate a minimum
of 10 feet (3048 mm) from the lot line and 10 feet (3048 mm) above average ground level. Vent
terminals shall not terminate under the overhang of a structure with soffit vents. Side wall vent
terminals shall be protected to prevent birds or rodents from entering or blocking the vent opening.

{Figure .6}
 {Figure .7- stack vent}

{Figure .8-Trap terminology}

Trap has a following features,

  It may be manufactured as an integral trap with the appliance as in some models of
European WC, or it may be a separate fitting called an attached trap, which is connected to
waste or foul water outlet of appliances.
 The traps should be of a self-cleansing pattern.
 Traps for use in domestic waste should be convenient for cleaning.
 A good trap should maintain an efficient water seal under all conditions of flow.

There are some kinds of traps which we are using,

1. Gully Trap:

These traps are constructed outside the building to carry waste water discharge from washbasin,
sinks, bathroom etc. and are connected to the nearest building drain/sewer so that foul gases from
sewer do not come to the house. These are deep seal traps, the depth of water seal should be 50 mm
minimum. It also prevents the entry of cockroach and other insects from sewer line to waste pipes
carrying waste water.

{Figure 9.gully trap}

2. P. Trap:
This trap is used with Indian water closet (ORISSA Pattern). The traps are made from cast iron or
UPV sheet. This trap also has water seal and prevents entry of foul gases to the house.

{Figure 10. P trap}

3. S. Trap:
This trap is similar to P. trap and is used for fixing water closets in toilets. The only difference
between P trap and S trap is that P. trap is used for outlet through the wall whereas S. trap is used
for outlet through the floor.

{Figure 11. S trap}

4. Floor Trap or Nahini Trap:

This trap is provided in the floor to collect waste water from washbasin, shower, sink and bathroom
etc. These are available in cast iron or UPVC material and have removable grating (JALI) on the
top of the trap. The minimum depth of water seal should be 50 mm.

5. Intercepting Trap:

This trap is provided at the last main hole of building sewerage to prevent entry of foul gases from
public sewer to building sewer. It has a deep-water seal of 100 mm.

6. Grease Trap:

This trap is a device to collect the grease contents of waste and can be cleaned from the surface.
This is generally used in food processing unit.

{Figure 12. Grease trap}

7. Bottle Trap:
This trap is used below washbasin and sinks to prevent entry of foul gases.

{Figure 13.bottle trap}

8. Q Trap:

This trap is used in toilet under water closet. It is almost similar to S trap and is used in upper storey
other than ground floor.

Water Seal
Water seal in a trap is the depth of water which should be removed from a fully charge trap before
gases at atmospheric pressure may pass from the waste pipe through trap into a building. The tape
is useless unless they retain their seals at all times. The seal may be broken due to air compressor,
momentum and evaporation. The trap in fittings in range is liable to symphonic action and each trap
should be ventilated.

{Figure 14. Water seal}

The depth of water seal in various sanitary appliances is given below.

• Water closet 50 mm
• Floor trap 50 mm

Other fixtures are directly connected to the stack through branch waste pipe of diameter = 75 mm
and 40 mm

• Hand-pour flushed type 20 mm

In Sri Lanka commonly apply P traps. If there is any problem we use a wire to solve it by using that
wire.

{Figure 15.}