Drainage System Sizing

Prepared by: Ar. Dianne Carla Mae S. Lopez, UAP, RMP

Septic Tank
Methods of Sizing
Methods
1. Based on occupant quantity
2. Based on number of bedrooms
3. Based on sewage flow per day
4. Based on DFU
5. Based on tank content per person
Method 1: Based on occupant quantity
Inside Dimension of the Digestive Chamber
No. of Persons Remarks
Depth in meters Width in meters Length in Meters
10 1.20 0.90 1.80

Additional length of 1.00 meter should be added to the

15 1.20 1.10 2.20
20 1.20 1.25 2.50

vault for the Secondary Chamber.

25 1.20 1.40 2.80
30 1.30 1.50 3.00
35 1.30 1.60 3.20
40 1.40 1.65 3.30
45 1.40 1.75 3.50
50 1.50 1.80 3.60
60 1.50 1.95 3.90
70 1.50 2.00 4.00
80 1.60 2.20 4.40
90 1.80 2.30 4.60
100 1.80 2.50 5.00
Method 2: Based on bedroom quantity
Method 3: Estimated Waste/Sewage Flow Rates
Method 3: Estimated Waste/Sewage Flow Rates
Method 3: Estimated Waste/Sewage Flow Rates
Method 4: Based on DFU
Method 4: Based on DFU

1. Count number of fixtures

2. Compute total equivalent fixture units (DFU).
3. Multiply total with 1 gal to get maximum discharge
capacity.
4. Convert gal to cu.m. to get the tank size.
Method 5: Based on tank content per person

Residential: 0.17 cubic meter per person

Non-residential: 0.086 cubic meter per person
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
✓Septic tanks shall be constructed of solid durable materials,
not subject to excessive corrosion or decay and shall be
watertight.
✓Septic tanks shall have a minimum of two (2) compartments.
▪ However, some local ordinances required three (3)
compartments especially near bodies of water.
▪ "We give more focus on establishing cluster or communal three-
chamber septic tanks in slum areas so that we could minimize the
pollution. Since they are informal settlers, most of them don't have
septic tanks. So might as well build a large septic tank that could
catch the wastes from households in a particular slum area,"
Felizarta said.
Source:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/36669/Business/So-what-septic-tank-design-is-standard-
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
✓Septic tanks shall have a minimum of two (2) compartments.
▪ 1st compartment: Inlet – Digestive Chamber
▪ Digestion: The biological decomposition of organic matter in sludge,
resulting in partial gasification, liquefaction, and mineralization.
▪ Should be 2/3 of the total capacity of the tank
▪ Not less than 2 cu.m.
▪ Shall be at least 0.9m in width and 1.5m in length.
▪ Liquid depth shall not be less than 0.6m nor more than 1.8m.
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
✓Septic tanks shall have a minimum of two (2) compartments.
▪ 2nd compartment: Leaching Chamber
▪ Leaching: Shallow, covered, excavation made in unsaturated soil into
which pretreated wastewater is discharged through distribution
piping for application onto soil infiltration surfaces through porous
media or manufactured components placed in the excavations. The
soil accepts, treats, and disperses wastewater as it percolates
through the soil, ultimately discharging to groundwater.
▪ Should be 1/3 of the total capacity of the tank
▪ Not less than 1 cu.m.
▪ Shall be at least 1.5m in length for septic tanks over 6 cu.m
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
✓Access to each septic tank shall be provided by at least two (2)
manholes 508 mm in minimum dimension or by an equivalent
removable cover slab. One access manhole shall be located
over the inlet and one (1) access manhole shall be located over
the outlet. Wherever a first compartment exceeds 3.7 min
length, an additional manhole shall be provided over the baffle
wall.
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
✓The vertical leg of a round inlet and outlet fittings shall not be
less in size than the connecting sewer pipe nor less than 104.6
mm. A baffle type fitting shall have the equivalent cross-
sectional area of the connecting sewer pipe and not less than a
106.6mm horizontal dimension when measured at the inlet and
outlet pipe inverts.
✓The inlet and outlet pipe or baffle shall extend 101.6 mm
above and at least 304.8 mm below the water surface. The
invert of the inlet pipe shall be at a level not less than 50.8 mm
above the invert of the outlet pipe.
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
✓The side walls shall extend at least 228.6 mm above the liquid
depth The cover of the septic tank shall be at least 50.8 rum
above the back vent openings.
✓Each such tank shall be structurally designed to withstand all
anticipated earth or other loads.
✓ Earth load: 14.4 kPa
✓ Maximum length: 9m
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
Excerpts from DOH Administrative
Order no. 2019-0047
✓Minimum daily inflow or hydraulic load of 50 gallons per
person per day
✓Daily inflow based on not less than 10 persons. For clusters of
households with less than 100 occupants, a septic tank is still
acceptable. For more than 100 person, an advanced sewage
treatment system shall be applied.
✓Minimum effective liquid depth shall be 1.20m and additional
freeboard of not less than 0.30m.
✓Minimum detention time of 24 hours.
✓Desludging frequency = 3-5 years
Excerpts from DOH Administrative
Order no. 2019-0047
✓Prohibited discharge
✓ Any sanitary napkin, clothing or plastic material or liner;
✓ Flammable or explosive substance whether solid, liquid or gaseous;
✓ Disinfectant or deodorant, antiseptic or germicide powder or fluid, unless
specifically stated to be suitable for use in a septic tank;
✓ Stormwater, including roof and rainwater tank overflow, and surface
drainage waters;
✓ Backflush waters from a swimming pool or water softener discharge from a
spa bath/pool.
✓ All large objects, food, oil, and grease shall not be conveyed into the septic
tank;
✓ Any other matter or substance which, in the opinion of the Local Health
Authority, would impair the effective function/purpose of a septic tank.
Drainage Pipes
Basis of Sizes
Excerpts from national plumbing code
of the Philippines (R.A. 1378)
✓ Minimum sizes shall be determined from the total fixture
units connected thereto and in accordance with their height or
length.
✓Refer to Table 7-2 of R.A. 1738 for drainage fixture units
✓Refer to Table 7-5 for minimum size.
Drainage Fixture Units
Sizing via Table 7-5
Sizing via Table 7-5
end.
References
1. National Plumbing Code of the Philippines
2. Plumbing Design and Estimate by Max B. Fajardo
3. DOH Administrative Order no. 2019-0047