ENGINEERING SYSTEM I & II

TYPES OF PLUMBING SYSTEM

BS Islamic Arts and Architecture

Arch. Komal Amjad Mirza

Islamic Arts and Architecture Department

International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI)
 TYPES OF PLUMBING SYSTEM
• When considered systems of plumbing, there are four categories.
They are:

1. Single stack system

2. One –pipe system
3. One-pipe partially ventilated system
4. Two-pipe system
 SINGLE STACK SYSTEM
• In this system, only one vertical soil pipe is used.
The wastes from all the sanitary and soil
appliances are discharged in the same pipe as
the traps of WCs, sinks basins etc are directly
connected to the single stack pipe.
• In this system there is no separate pipe for
ventilation purpose. The effectiveness of this
system depends entirely on the depth of water
seal. No water seal should be less than 75 mm
depth.
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF SINGLE
STACK SYSTEM
Advantages:
• This system proves economical as only one pipe is to be provided.
• It is simple system hence easy to construct.
• Efficient use for multi-storey buildings.
Disadvantages:
• Ventilation is less efficient.
• Risk of water seal breaking in the trap is high because of induced siphonage.
• Waste or air of waste pipe may be forced up due to back pressure.
• Sanitary fittings should be installed near the single stack pipe to reduce the
length of the branching pipes and minimum the sound of flow in the pipe.
 ONE-PIPE SYSTEM
• Same features as single stack system
but all the traps of WC.s basins, etc are
completely ventilated to preserve the
water seal by a separate vent pipe.
• The following precautions should be
taken in this plumbing system.
a) All the joints off waste pipes should
be air-tight.
b) Vent pipe diameter should not be
less than 50 mm.
c) The waste pipe should join the stack,
above the soil branch at each floor.
d) All traps should be provided with a
deep water seal of not less than 75mm.
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF ONE
PIPE SYSTEM
Advantages:
• Constant flow of water ensures reduction in blockage problem.
• Require lesser shaft/duct space as compared to two pipe system.
• Economical in terms of cost.
• Quick to construct.
Disadvantages:
• Danger of back flow of sewage in waste fittings.
• All sanitary fittings should be near the main pipe to avoid extra length
of pipes.
 ONE-PIPE PARTIALLY VENTILATED SYSTEM
• This system is a via media between the one-
pipe system and the single stack system. There
is only one soil pipe into which all W.Cs, baths,
sinks and wash basins discharge. In addition,
there is a relief vent pipe which ventilates only
the traps of W.Cs and urinals.
• Same precautionary measures should be taken
in this plumbing system as of one pipe system.
 TWO-PIPE SYSTEM
• In this plumbing system, two pipes are
installed. W.Cs and urinals are
connected to vertical soil pipe. Baths,
kitchens, basins etc are connected to
another separate vertical waste pipe.
Soil pipes and waste pipes are
provided with separate vent pipes.
• This system thus requires number of
pipes and hence proves very costly.
The soil pipe is connected to the drain
directly but waste pipe should be
connected through a trapped gully.
• This system is suitable when the waste
fitting is located far away from the
waste pipe.
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF TWO
PIPE SYSTEM
Advantages:
• Ensure segregation of foul sewage from waste water.
• No danger of backflow of sewage in waste fittings in case of blockage of soil pipe.
• Enables use of waste water directly for irrigation/ gardening.
• Separate waste stack permits arrest of solids from kitchen in the gully trap thus
preventing from entering the sewer. Gully traps need to be cleaned periodically.
Disadvantages:
• Difficult to install in high rise buildings where stacks terminate in service floor or
in the ceiling of the basement.
• Long horizontal runs to reach external walls/external sewers.
• Require more shaft/duct space.
• Congested shaft results in difficult to maintain system.
LINE DIAGRAM OF ALL PLUMBING SYSTEMS