Strand 5 Environmental Systems & Plumbing — Drainage Systems (Outcome 5.7)

Drainage system entry point

Any location where the drainage piping begins, changes zones, or becomes accessible.

Pipe chase

Concealed vertical cavity where drain piping typically drops vertically.

Wet wall

Wall that contains plumbing and drain piping.

Stack

Main vertical pipe that collects drainage from branches.

Building drain

Main horizontal drain inside the building.

Building sewer

Pipe that exits the building to connect with the public sewer or septic system.

Cleanout

Service opening providing access to the inside of a drain for maintenance.

Trap

U-shaped section of pipe that holds water seal to block sewer gases.

Vent system

A system that admits air to the drainage to prevent negative pressure.

Trap arm

The portion of drain between the trap and the vented portion of the system.

Soil stack

Vertical pipe that carries toilet discharge.

Waste stack

Vertical pipe that carries other fixture waste.

Backwater valve

Device that helps prevent reverse flow from sewer surcharges.

Grease interceptor

Device that reduces fats, oils, and grease entering sewer systems.

Developed length

Total centerline length along the pipe route, including any offsets.

Slope

Gradient of the pipe, calculated as vertical drop over horizontal run.

Cross-sectional area (A)

Area of a circular pipe, calculated as A = c0r.

Volume (V) of a pipe

Calculated as V = A 0L, where A is the cross-sectional area and L is the length.

Solvent welding

Joining method for plastics where a solvent softens surfaces to fuse them together.

Mechanical joint

A joint created through compression, threads, or gaskets.

Septic tank

Watertight container where solids separate from liquids during wastewater treatment.

Drainfield

System that distributes effluent into soil for further treatment.

Trap seal

Water held in a trap that prevents sewer gases from entering living spaces.

Air gap

A vertical space between the end of a supply line and the overflow level of a fixture.

Dye testing

Method of tracing flow or detecting cross-connections using dyed water.

Water test

Method to check for leaks by filling sections with water to a specified level.

Smoke test

Testing method using smoke to identify leaks in vent systems.

Eyewash station

Safety fixture that provides emergency rinsing equipment.