Sanitary Drainage Systems Quiz

Sanitary Drainage System Overview

• The purpose of a sanitary drainage system is to carry away soiled water and waste rapidly.

System Components

• A sanitary drainage system generally consists of various components, including pipes, drains, vents, and stacks.

Design Considerations

• To economically design a sanitary drainage system, the designer should consider factors such as minimizing pipe sizes and optimizing pipe layout.

Pipe Sizing

• Using the smallest pipes possible for a sanitary drainage system is important to:
  • Reduce material costs
  • Decrease excavation and installation costs
  • Minimize potential blockages

Consequences of Poor Design

• If a sanitary drainage system is not designed to carry away soiled water rapidly, it can lead to:
  • Backups and overflows
  • Property damage
  • Health hazards

Stack and Drain Components

• The main vertical pipe that carries the discharge from plumbing fixtures to the building drain is called a stack.
• A vent stack receives flow from non-sanitary plumbing fixtures and other clear water waste from equipment.
• A stack vent permits flow from the drain to enter the stack with a component directed vertically downward.

Vertical Flow and Velocity

• The ultimate vertical velocity attained by the falling sheet of water is called terminal velocity.
• The distance the sheet must fall to attain the terminal velocity is called the terminal fall.

Test your knowledge of sanitary drainage systems with this quiz based on the American Society of Plumbing Engineers' continuing education article. Make sure to use only the material from the corresponding article to answer the CE questions.