REPORT TITLE:

Methods of Venting Plumbing

Fixtures and Traps

2019-2020

Department: Environmental engineering

Student Name: Batool Maged Saeed
Stage: forth stage
Study: preliminary study
Class: - A - Environmental pollution control
Course Name: Plumbing Design
Email: batoolmaged0404@gmail.com College of Engineering
Mustansiriyah University
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Three Specific Venting Methods

Section 901.2.1 of the IPC establishes that traps and trapped
fixtures shall be vented in accordance with one of the
venting methods specified in this Chapter. Section 904.1
requires the vent system serving each building drain to have
at least one vent pipe that extends to the outdoors.

The most widely used method is commonly referred to as a

conventional venting system. Table 909.1 (below) provides the
maximum distance allowed for a vent in relation to the trap. A
fixture vent connected in this manner is called an individual vent.
These individual vents are sized according to Section 906.2. Here
we find that the vent must be at least one-half the diameter of
the drain served, but in no case less than 1¼ inches in diameter. the International Plumbing Code (IPC) describes a
variety of methods to vent plumbing fixtures and traps.

TABLE 909.1
Maximum Distance of Fixture Trap from Vent

Size of Trap Slope Distance from Trap

(inches) (inch per foot) (feet)
1¼ ¼ 5
1½ ¼ 6
2 ¼ 8
3 1⁄8 12
4 1⁄8 16
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

Remember, the vent size is not based on the trap or fixture drain (trap arm), but the drain size that
continues downstream from the point where the vent and fixture drain connect. The drain size is
determined by the fixture unit load in accordance with Tables 709.1, 709.2, 710.1(1), and 710.1(2)
in the IPC. Hence, if the drain size is 4 inches (102 mm), a 2-inch (51 mm) vent is required. A 3-
inch (76 mm) drain would require a 1½-inch (38 mm) vent. A 2-inch (51 mm), 1½-inch or 1¼-inch
(38 or 31.8 mm) drain would require a minimum 1¼-inch (31.8 mm) vent, this being the minimum
size allowed.

Section 905.5 allows individual vents to merge with each other, as long as the connection is made at
least 6 inches above the flood-level rim of the highest fixture served. Sizing of the vents as they
connect is again based only on the required size of the drain being served. Section 906.2 requires that
vents exceeding 40 feet (1016 mm) in developed length shall be increased by one nominal pipe size
for the entire developed length of the vent pipe.

It is important to know that Section 904.2 states a vent stack shall be required for every drainage
stack that has five branch intervals or more. If the drainage stack is less than five branch intervals in
height, a vent stack is not required because the pressure in the drainage stack is not likely to create a
pressure differential at the trap seals in excess of 1 inch (25.4 mm) of water column. When required,
vent stacks are to be dry and are required to connect at or near the base of the stack served to act as
a relief vent for the pressures that develop in the lowest portions of the stacks.

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The exception in Section 904.2 wisely eliminates an unnecessary vent to a system that already has
adequate fresh air exchange assurance. Waste stack vented systems, as covered in Section 913, are
already oversized to provide for adequate venting without the need for additional venting.

The code only requires stack vents for drainage stacks in Section 913.3 because the minimum
required venting of each fixture has been accomplished when the system complies with the venting
methods outlined in Chapter 9. A stack vent is typically used as a collection point for vent pipes so
that a single roof penetration can be made.

Keep in mind that “stack vents” and “vent stacks” are distinct. See definitions in the next section

The example illustrates a typical vent stack compared with the special Waste
Stack Venting system.

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Definitions
Branch Vent: A vent connecting one or more individual vents with a vent stack or stack vent.
Circuit Vent: A vent that connects to a horizontal drainage branch and vents two traps to no
more than eight traps or trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
Combination Waste and Vent System: A specially designed system of waste piping
embodying the horizontal wet venting of one or more sinks or floor drains by means of a
common waste and vent pipe adequately sized to provide free movement of air above the
flow line of the drain.
Common Vent: A vent connecting at the junction of two fixture drains or to a fixture branch
and serving as a vent for both fixtures.
Individual Vent: A pipe installed to vent a fixture trap and that connects with the vent system
above the fixture served or terminates in the open air.
Stack Vent: The extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain
connected to the stack.
Stack Venting: A method of venting a fixture or fixtures through the soil or waste stack.
Vent Stack: A vertical vent pipe installed primarily for the purpose of providing circulation
of air to and from any part of the drainage system.

The developed length of individual, branch, circuit, and relief vents shall be measured from the
farthest point of vent connection to the drainage system to the point of connection to the vent stack,
stack vent, or termination outside of the building.

There are important criteria to remember when sizing a conventional venting system composed of
individual fixture vents, vent stacks, and stack vents. The minimum size of an individual vent is one-
half the required drain size, whereas the minimum size of the vent stacks and stack vents is one-half
the size of the drain served.

The sizing criteria for stack vents and vent stacks are based on three variables:

1. The developed length of the vent.

2. The size of the stack served by the vent.

3. The total drainage fixture unit (DFU) connected to the stack.

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Example:
A 3-inch (76 mm) soil stack with a stack vent serving as the required vent extension to the outdoors,
connecting to a 3-inch (76 mm) building drain, must have at least a 1½-inch (38 mm) stack vent
[maximum of 102 fixture units served and a maximum 25-foot (7620 mm) developed length] in
accordance with Section 906.1 and Table 906.1. This 1½-inch (38 mm) stack vent is the minimum
size required to comply with this section because it is at least one-half the size of the building drain.
TABLE 906.1
Size and Developed Length of Stack Vents and Vent Stacks
DIAMETER OF TOTAL FIXTURE MAXIMUM DEVELOPED LENGTH OF VENT (feet) a
SOIL OR WASTE UNITS BEING DIAMETER OF VENT (inches)
STACK VENTED
(inches) (dfu) 1¼ 1½ 2 2½ 3 4 5 6 8 10 12
1¼ 2 30
1½ 8 50 150 ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘
1½ 10 30 100
2 12 30 75 200
2 20 26 50 150 ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘
2½ 42 30 100 300
3 10 42 150 360 1,040
3 21 ﹘ 32 110 270 810 ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘
3 53 27 94 230 680
3 102 25 86 210 620
4 43 ﹘ 35 85 250 980 ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘ ﹘
4 140 27 65 200 750
4 320 23 55 170 640
4 540 21 50 150 580
5 190 28 82 320 990
5 490 21 63 250 760
5 940 18 53 210 670
5 1,400 16 49 190 590
6 500 33 130 400 1,000
6 1,100 26 100 310 780
6 2,000 22 84 260 660
6 2,900 20 77 240 600
8 1,800 31 95 240 940
8 3,400 24 73 190 729
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a The developed length shall be measured from the vent connection to the open air.

Non-Conventional Venting Methods

Proper application of these venting options can substantially
reduce the amount of pipe and fittings used, while still providing
proper venting. Inspectors and plumbers often overlook the
opportunities afforded by these different venting methods, which
have been proven to save money and may be helpful in areas
where conventional venting methods may be difficult to install.

Page 5 of 20
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1. Island Fixture Venting

This is a specific method for venting an island sink, one
limited to sinks and lavatories. Residential kitchen sinks
with a dishwasher waste connection, a food waste
grinder, or both, in combination with the kitchen sink
waste, shall be permitted.

The island fixture vent shall connect to the fixture drain

as required for an individual or common vent. The vent
shall rise vertically to above the drainage outlet of the
fixture being vented before offsetting horizontally or
vertically downward. The vent or branch vent for
multiple island fixture vents shall extend to a minimum
of 6 inches (152 mm) above the highest island fixture
being vented before connecting to the outside vent Island Fixture Vent
terminal.

The vent located below the flood level rim of the fixture
being vented shall be installed as required for drainage
piping in accordance with Chapter 7, except for sizing.
The vent shall be sized in accordance with Section
906.2. The lowest point of the island fixture vent shall
connect full size to the drainage system.

The connection shall be to a vertical drain pipe or to the

top half of a horizontal drain pipe. Cleanouts shall be
provided in the island fixture vent to permit rodding of
all vent piping located below the flood level rim of the
fixtures. Rodding in both directions shall be permitted
through a cleanout.

As you can see from the diagram for this installation,

this venting method provides for a free flow of air where
liquid is not being trapped in the lowest portion of the
vent, because of its connection to the drain. This method The graphic illustrates a relief vent connection.
will work well in a crawl space or underground
application

Relief Vents—Stacks of More than 10

Branch Intervals
This venting method requires a relief vent equal to the
size of the vent stack it connects with for buildings
exceeding 10 branch intervals. A relief vent must be
located at every 10 branch intervals, measured from the
highest horizontal drainage branch, and then calculated
downward to the base of the stack.
Air Admittance—Individual Vent

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The lower end of the relief vent is connected to the soil or waste stack below the level of the horizontal
branch that serves the floor level within the branch interval required to have the relief vent. The
location of this connection is intended to allow waste that might get into the relief vent, including
condensation, to reach a waste line. This connection is made using a wye fitting installed as a drainage
fitting in order to not impair the flow. The upper connection of the relief vent is made to the vent
stack and is to be located a minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) above the floor level of the same horizontal
branch. This connection is made using a wye fitting installed in an inverted position. The required 3-
foot (914 mm) minimum height required is a common theme in Chapter 9 and is intended to prevent
waste flow from entering the vent stack.

Air Admittance Valves

The air-admittance valve (AAV) is a device designed
to allow air to enter the drainage system to balance the
pressure and prevent siphonage of the water trap when
negative pressure develops in the system. In this way,
it is used on individual vents, branch vents and circuit
vents in lieu of terminating vents to the exterior of the
structure. Stack vents and vent stacks are permitted to
terminate to a stack–type air admittance valve. The
exception is for stack vents or vent stacks that serve
drainage stacks exceeding six branch intervals.

Because the AAV will not provide relief of positive

pressures, there are certain installation requirements
that are specified in the IPC to relieve positive
pressure. The one open pipe vent required on every
building drainage system in Section 918.7, Vent Air admittance valve closes and seals
Required, and Section 903.1, under zero or positive pressures

Roof Extension, mandates that at least one vent pipe shall extend to the
outdoors to relieve the system’s positive pressure. Section 918.3.1 contains
measures for pressure relief by requiring the installation of a relief vent where
the horizontal branch is located more than four branch intervals from the top
of the stack.

American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) has recently developed

ANSI/ASSE Standard 1049﹘Performance Requirements for Individual and
Branch Type Air Admittance Valves for Chemical Waste Systems. Air
Admittance Valves (AAV) that are in compliance with ANSI/ASSE 1049
and meet the requirements of Section 702.5 and tested to ASTM F1412 for
chemical resistance are now allowed to serve as the vent for non-neutralized
special waste systems as an option to chemical waste vent piping terminating
outdoors. It is quite common to see laboratory sinks that receive chemical
waste located in islands in the middle of rooms. To vent the system for these
sinks using vent piping that can only terminate outdoors requires extensive
labor and material. The use of the AAV’s will significantly reduce the cost of
plumbing these laboratories.

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Air admittance valves shall not be located in spaces

utilized as supply or return air plenums. In these
locations, the negative or positive pressure conditions
could adversely affect the valves operation.

Air admittance valves without an engineered design

shall not be utilized to vent sumps or tanks of any type.
The illustration below shows an example of one
manufacturer’s engineered design for use of an air
admittance valve on a sump. This design allows for
positive pressure relief.

Air admittance valves shall not be installed on outdoor

vent terminals for the sole purpose of reducing
clearances to gravity air intakes or mechanical intakes.

The installation of air admittance valves must conform

to the requirements of Section 918.3 through 918.8 and
the manufacturer’s instructions. Where differences
occur between the provisions of the code and the
manufacturer’s instructions, the most restrictive The graphic is an example of an engineered design
provisions must be applied.

Engineered Vent Systems

This type of venting system is considered to be an alternative engineered design. Notice that
according to Table 919.2, which provides criteria for determining cubic feet or air flow per minute
for various diameters of pipe, a vent can be as small as ½ inch in diameter.

After the individual vent airflow rate is determined by the equation in Section 919.2, the size and
developed length are determined by Table 919.2. The values in the table indicate the maximum
developed length for a given pipe size and the individual vent airflow rate. Note that the engineered
vent system must be designed, signed and sealed by a registered design professional and will need to
be submitted for review by the code official in accordance with Section 105.3 of the IPC.

TABLE 919.2
Minimum Diameter and Maximum Length of Individual Branch
Fixture Vents and Individual Fixture Header Vents for Smooth Pipes
DIAMETER INDIVIDUAL VENT AIRFLOW RATE (cubic feet per minute)
OF VENT Maximum developed length of vent (feet)
PIPE(inches) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
½ 95 25 13 8 5 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
¾ 100 88 47 30 20 15 10 9 7 6 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1
1 100 65 48 37 29 24 20 17 14 12 11 9 8 7 7 6 6
1¼ 100 73 62 53 40 32 29 26 23 21
1½ 100 96 75 65 60 54 49 45
2 100
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 cubic foot per minute = 0.4719 L/s, 1 foot = 304 .8 mm.

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Common Vent
This very simple concept allows two traps to be
vented by the same vent. The two traps and their
fixture drains can be either at the same level or at
different levels, provided that they are on the same
floor. The following diagrams show some of the
various approaches to common venting. The sizing
of common venting is specified in Table 911.3.

TABLE 911.3
Common Vent Size
Pipe Size Maximum Discharge
(inches) From Upper Fixture
Drain (dfu)
1½ 1
2 4
2½ to 3 6 The arteries of civilization reach for the skies
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

Common Vent with Fixture Drains Connecting at Same Level

Page 9 of 20
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(Left) Example 1: Individual Vent as Common Vent (Double Wye Used in the Vertical)
(Right) Example 2: Individual Vent as Common Vent

Example 3: Individual Vent based on size of Common Drainage Vent

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Common Vents with Fixture Drains Connecting at Same Level

Waste Stack Vent

This is a very simple method of allowing a drainage
stack to serve as a vent. It greatly extends the
concept of a vertical common vent, except for some
specific guidelines for installation. For this system
to function effectively there cannot be any offsets in
the waste stack portion. Once the highest branch
interval is connected to the stack, the vent portion
may contain offsets, provided such offsets are at
least 6 inches above the branch interval connection.
The size of the waste stack vent is to be in
accordance with Table 913.4. Note for reference:
the size of the stack, which is based on the total
branch intervals, shall be maintained the same size
from the lowest point of the stack to the vent
termination or connection to another approved vent.
In other words, if the fixture unit total would require
a 3-inch-diameter (76 mm) drain per Table 913.4,
then both the stack and its vent must be 3 inches (76
mm) in diameter with no offsets at all until at least
6 inches (152 mm) above the highest branch interval
(see diagram).

These two methods of using the drain as a vent,

common venting and waste stack venting, are, for
the most part, vertical in their application. Now
let’sexamine Wet Venting. This method is one of
the three remaining methods of such venting that are
more often found in a horizontal application.
Waste Stack Vent

Page 11 of 20
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2. Wet Venting
A fixture is said to be wet vented when it serves also to carry the discharge from fixtures connecting
into the drainage system at a higher level. The use of wet venting reduces the number of individual
vent pipes required by a plumbing drainage system as contrasted with the number required by a
conventional system and hence reducing the cost of the venting system. There are many types of
venting schemes and methods allowed in the International Plumbing Code (IPC). The Horizontal
Wet Venting method located in Section 912.1 of the IPC is one that we will discuss today.

What is a horizontal wet vent? A

horizontal wet vent is a horizontal
branch drain pipe that has been
increased in size larger than what is
normally required by Section 710.
This increase in pipe size allows for a
large air space above the maximum
probable waste flow level in the pipe
so as to provide for adequate venting
airflow in the same pipe as the waste
flow. Wet Venting as shown in Figure
1 can be used in both vertical and
horizontal applications.

The vertical method may be more

common to plumbing installers in
certain regions. However, don’t be
alarmed by what you see. The
horizontal wet venting method is an
effective way to provide a safe,
sanitary system that can save the
contractor and owner time and
materials. The fixture drain length
from the wet vent is limited to the
Figure 1: Horizontal Wet Venting Illustration
distances shown in Table 909.1. There
may be a situation where the fixture location is at a distance that exceeds the maximum trap-to-vent
distance. The code allows for any number of individual vented fixtures of the types allowed for a
bathroom group to connect to the horizontal wet vent as long the total number of fixtures allowed for
the bathroom groups is not exceeded.

TABLE 909.1
Maximum Distance of Fixture Trap from Vent
Size of Trap Slope Distance from Trap
(inches) (inch per foot) (feet)
1¼ ¼ 5
1½ ¼ 6
2 ¼ 8
3 1⁄8 12
4 1⁄8 16
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

Page 12 of 20
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Section 202 of Chapter 2 is the key to the maximum number and type of fixtures that can be
accommodated by a horizontal wet vent. The definition of Bathroom Group is a group of fixtures
consisting of a water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or excluding a bidet, an
emergency floor drain or both. Such fixtures are to be located together on the same floor level. This
is done to avoid high flow velocities which could cause excessive turbulence that might block the air
space above the waste flow level. Section 912.1 allows any combination of fixtures within two
bathroom groups to be vented by a horizontal wet vent. A horizontal wet vent could have as few as
two fixtures or as many as ten fixtures but not more than two fixtures of any type can be connected
to the system. Each wet vented fixture drain shall connect independently to the horizontal wet vent.
This is done to protect the function of each fixture, assuring that one fixture will not influence
another’s operation.

The dry vent, the vent that continues upward from the wet vent to the point of termination of
connection to another vent, shall be either an individual vent or a common vent for any bathroom
group fixture, except an emergency floor drain. Where the dry vent connects to a water closet fixture
drain, the drain shall connect horizontally to the horizontal wet vent system. Not more than one wet
vented fixture drain shall discharge upstream of the dry vented fixture drain connection. Vertical wet
vented systems are required to have the water closets as the most downstream fixture. This is not the
case in horizontal wet venting.

The dry vent must be sized in

accordance with Section 906.2.
Remember, though, that in this case,
the drain served is going to be the
entire wet vented section. It will need
to be at least one-half the diameter of
the largest section of pipe in the
system. The wet-vented section itself
is sized per Table 912.3. Keep in
mind that any additional fixtures
outside of the wet vent that are to be
drained into the same branch must be
connected to the branch downstream
of the wet vent. Because the wet vent
serves as a drain, the type of fittings
used must be in accordance with the
drainage pattern shown in Table
706. IPC Venting Methods Save Resources and Lowers Cost While
Protecting the Health of the Nation

TABLE 912.3
Wet Vent Size
Wet Vent Pipe Size Drainage Fixture Load
(inches) (dfu)
1½ 1
2 4
2½ 6
3 12
For SI: 1 inch=25.4 mm.

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3. Circuit Venting
The International Plumbing Code (IPC) has a variety of methods that can be used to vent plumbing
fixtures and traps. Circuit venting is one of these methods and it has been laboratory and field tested,
establishing a long history of satisfactory service. Extensive research into the performance of circuit
vented systems was conducted at the State University of Iowa. The research concluded that the single
vent for the eight fixtures provided the necessary protection of the trap seal. Circuit venting was
included in Roy B. Hunter’s research at the National Bureau of Standards and reported in BMS 66.
The venting method has long been recognized by the plumbing community and is included in the
American Society of Plumbing Engineers Data Book. The principle of circuit venting is that the flow
of drainage never exceeds a half-full flow condition. The air for venting the fixtures circulates in the
top half of the horizontal branch drain pipe. The flow velocity in the horizontal branch is slow and
non-turbulent, thereby preventing pressure differentials from affecting the connecting fixtures. The
circuit-vented fixtures must connect to the circuit-vented branch in the horizontal plane to limit the
amount of turbulence created by fixture discharge.

TABLE 909.1
Maximum Distance of Fixture Trap from Vent
Size of Trap Slope Distance from Trap
(inches) (inch per foot) (feet)
1¼ ¼ 5
1½ ¼ 6
2 ¼ 8
3 1⁄8 12
4 1⁄8 16
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

Sizing a Circuit Vent System

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The Circuit Venting method is similar to wet venting except that it allows you to combine a total of
eight fixtures on a single floor that are not limited to the two bathroom groups. It might be easier to
explain by examining how circuit venting differs from wet venting. The fixture drains shall connect
horizontally to the horizontal branch being circuit vented. Again, the fixture drains are limited in
length to those shown in Table 909.1. Because circuit venting is only to be used on horizontal
applications as opposed to wet venting, which can be both horizontal and vertical installations, the
maximum slope for a circuit vent is 1 unit in 12 units horizontally, or 8-percent slope. The entire
length of the circuit vent portion of the horizontal branch shall be sized for the total drainage
discharge to the branch. There is not a unique sizing table for circuit venting as there is for wet
venting or common venting.

The circuit vent connection must be located between the two uppermost fixture drains and shall
connect to the horizontal branch. It cannot serve as a drain for other fixtures﹘it is truly a dry vent.
Where a circuit vent consists of four or more water closets and discharges into a drainage stack that
also receives the discharge of upper horizontal branches, a relief vent shall be connected to the
horizontal branch ahead of the connection to the drainage stack and after the most downstream fixture
drain of the circuit vent (see Figure 2). Additional fixture drains may be connected with the circuit-
vented branch, but they need to be vented by means other than the circuit vent, and the fixture unit
values would be added to the total fixture- unit discharge into the horizontal branch. Such fixtures
must also be located on the same floor as the circuit vent to which they connect. Where the relief
vent receives the discharge of other fixtures, the maximum discharge allowed is 4 drainage fixture
units.

Figure 2: Circuit Vent with Relief Vent Connection

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Combination Waste and Vent System

This system is based on the same premise as the circuit-vented system. Most plumbing codes place
arbitrary restrictions on combination drain (waste) and vent systems because the system appears too
good to be true. The performance of the combination waste and vent system was verified in tests
conducted at the Stevens Institute of Technology. If sized according to Table 915.2.2 in the IPC, the
study concluded that the distance from a trap does not have to be limited in length. This is a horizontal
wet vent system limited to floor drains, standpipes, sinks and lavatories for the purpose of venting,
except that a vertical riser, not to exceed 8 feet in length, may be used to connect a fixture drain to
the horizontal combination drain and vent system. Again, the idea here is that the top half of the
horizontal drain acts as a vent. As long as both the horizontal drain and vent system and the maximum
8-foot riser to a fixture drain are sized in accordance with Table 915.2.2, the flow of free air will be
sufficient for the propped design.
TABLE 915.2.2
Size of Combination Waste and Vent Pipe
Maximum Number of Drainage Fixture Units
Diameter (dfu)
Pipe Connection to a horizontal Connection to a building drain
(inches) branch or stack or building sub-drain
2 3 4
2½ 6 26
3 12 31
4 20 50
5 160 250
6 360 575
For SI: 1 inch=25.4 mm.

Of course, to get that free flow of air,

a vent to the atmosphere must be
provided. The vent, which must be
sized for the total drainage fixture
load of the combination drain and
vent system per Section 906.2, can
be located anywhere on the system
and must rise vertically at least 6
inches before offsetting. This type of
system is unique in that a branch that
is already vented can accept a fixture
drain under this combination drain
and vent method (see Figure 3).

Remember, too, that this type of

venting procedure is dependent on
adequate sizing and maintaining a
horizontal installation. For this
reason, the horizontal portion must
not exceed a slope of one-half unit Figure 3
vertical in 12 units horizontal, or 4-
percent slope. The horizontal length of a combination waste and vent system shall be unlimited.

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‫) فرع السيطرة على التلوث‬A( : ‫ الشعبة‬/ ‫ الرابعة‬: ‫المرحلة‬ ‫ بتول ماجد سعيد‬: ‫االسم‬

The IPC continues to emphasize both prescriptive- and performance-related provisions. A proven
venting system method was added in the 2012 IPC that now compliments the most extensive
collection of venting options in the world.

Single Stack Vent System

The Single Stack Vent System was introduced into the IPC in the 2012 Edition and is based on a
drainage stack system in the City of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Plumbing Code which has been
used successfully in many multi-story and high-rise buildings for over 100 years. The Philadelphia
System is described in Volume 2, Chapter 3 of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
Data Book. The Philadelphia or ‘one pipe’ system refers to the use of one drainage stack instead of
having separate drainage and vent stacks The Philadelphia system successfully utilizes “S” traps for
fixture traps located above the floor and within a specified distance from the stack. However, because
the IPC prohibits the use of S traps, the Single Stack Vent System in the IPC utilizes an oversized
vertical pipe from its connection at the end of the fixture trap’s fixture drain (also known by some
tradesmen as a ‘trap arm’) to the horizontal drainage piping of the system. This is the same concept
utilized in combination waste and vent systems for fixtures that are located above the floor. The
oversized vertical pipe eliminates any possibility of siphoning of a fixture trap as the waste volume
entering the vertical pipe could not possibly block the venting air space in the vertical pipe.

In a Single Stack Vent System the drainage stack

serves as both a single-stack drainage and vent system.
The drainage stack and branch piping are considered
as vents for the drainage system as a whole. Pipe sizing
in a single stack drainage system is larger than in a
conventional one, however a significant cost saving is
achieved by the reduction of the vent piping needed.
This venting system serves as a viable alternative to
the more traditional systems that are being used. The
length of trap arms is limited and the vertical drop from
the fixtures is oversized also. Fixture connections that
do not meet the requirement for a single stack system
must be conventionally vented. The length of the trap
arm is limited to reduce any suction buildup, and the
stack is oversized to limit the internal air pressure and
vacuum build up. Stacks greater than two branch
intervals in height are prohibited from receiving the
discharge of horizontal branches on the lower two
floors. The separate stack serving the lower two floors,
is required to connect to the building drain at a distance
of not less than10 pipe diameters downstream from the
base of the connection of the single stack vented
system. This proven method has been laboratory tested
to determine sizing and installation requirements that
provide proper venting to the drainage system.

The size of a single stack drainage stack is based upon

the height and the total number of dfu connected to the
stack. Table 917.2 provides the stack dfu limitations
according to stack height. The height of the stack is
Single Stack System for a Six Story Building

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‫) فرع السيطرة على التلوث‬A( : ‫ الشعبة‬/ ‫ الرابعة‬: ‫المرحلة‬ ‫ بتول ماجد سعيد‬: ‫االسم‬

from the connection to the building drain to the uppermost drainage connection to the stack.
Drainage stacks must be the same size from the base to the termination of the stack to the outdoors.
The requirement for the stack vent to be the same size as the drainage stack allows the stack vent to
be of any length on its path to its termination point outdoors.

For a 3-inch (76 mm) stack, there is a limitation of two water closets on the stack. This limits the
amount of solids in this small diameter stack so that airflow is not impeded.

TABLE 917.2
Single Stack Size
Maximum Connected Drainage Fixture Units
Stacks 75 feet to
Stack Size Stacks less than 75 less than 160 feet in Stacks 160 feet and
(inches) feet in height height greater in height
3 24 NP NP
4 225 24 NP
5 480 225 24
6 1,015 480 225
8 2,320 1,015 480
10 4,500 2,320 1,015
12 8,100 4,500 2,320
15 13,600 8,100 4,500
For SI: 1 inch=25.4 mm, 1 foot=304.8 mm.

Table 917.2 is used simply by identifying the column that includes the height of the stack and then
reading down that column to identify the row that has a dfu value that meets or exceeds the total dfu
load on the stack. Once the row is identified, the user will find the stack size required from the first
left-hand column. For example, the total load on the stack is 1000 dfu and the height of the stack is
150 feet (45,720 mm), the third column from the left is chosen and the row for an 8-inch (203 mm)
stack size is identified. The “NP” in the table means not possible.

The sizing of the horizontal branches that connect to the stack is according to Table 710.1(2). Only
the first and second columns of this table are to be used for sizing. The remaining columns of the
table covering stacks have no relationship to this section. For example, if a horizontal branch is
required to carry 170 dfu, then a 5-inch (127 mm) horizontal branch is required.

A 3-inch (76 mm) horizontal branch with a water closet located within 18 inches (457 mm) horizontal
developed length of the stack has special limitations. If a water closet is located within 18 inches
(457 mm) of the horizontal developed length of the stack and the connection is not made with a
sanitary tee, then the only fixture that can be served by that horizontal branch is that water closet. If
the connection to the stack of a 3-inch (76 mm) horizontal branch serving a single water closet is
made using a sanitary tee, then one fixture having a 1½-inch drain can also be connected to the 3-
inch (76 mm) horizontal branch.

Where a horizontal branch connects to the stack through a wye connection and the branch carries the
discharge of one or more water closets, the water closet must be not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) in
horizontal developed length from the stack. If the connection at the stack is made with a sanitary tee,
the distance limitation is extended to 8 feet (2438 mm) in horizontal developed length.

Page 18 of 20
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Section 917.5 specifies the minimum sizes for the vertical portions of the fixture drains (other than
water closets), that are connected to horizontal branches. Vertical sections of the fixture drains are
required for fixtures such as lavatories, wall hung urinals, and standard pipes with traps above the
horizontal branch. The minimum size for any vertical section of fixture drain is 2 inches (51 mm),
except where standpipes and water-supplied urinals have vertical sections of fixture drains, then the
vertical section must be 3 inches (76 mm). If the vertical sections of the fixture drains cannot be of
these minimum sizes, then the fixture drains must be vented by a method other than the single stack
method.

Offset venting requirement for single stack vent system.

The height of the vertical section must not be greater than 4 feet (1219 mm). If the height is greater
than 4 feet (1219 mm), then the fixture requires venting by a method other than the single stack
method. In most situations, fixtures will not be greater than 4 feet (1219 mm) above the horizontal
branch so additional venting methods are typically not required.

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In arrangements where a horizontal branch carries the discharge of two or more water closets and the
horizontal developed length of other fixtures discharging to the horizontal branch exceeds the
limitations of Section 917.4, then those fixtures (other than water closets) located beyond the
developed length limitation require venting by a method other than the single stack method. Section
917.6 indicates all of the types of venting that can be used for this purpose.

Section 917.7 addresses horizontal offsets in a single stack vent system. Where horizontal branches
or fixture drains connect below a horizontal offset of a stack, the offset requires venting in accordance
with Section 907.

Fixture drain connections to the stack must be made in the area of the stack that is 2 feet (610 mm)
above or below the horizontal offset. Where there are no fixtures below the horizontal offset, the
offset does not require venting. The total number of dfu coming from the stack is used to size the
building drain and building sewer in accordance with Table 710.1(1).

Many experienced plumbers and Inspectors will agree that the venting requirements of a plumbing
system are usually the most difficult to comprehend. The IPC contains more types of venting methods
than are shown in other plumbing codes. As you continue to examine various methodologies, you
will begin to see how they provide viable alternatives to “typical’ venting options.

Reference: Lee Clifton, Senior Director of PMG Resources, Government Relations (Methods of
Venting Plumbing Fixtures and Traps in the 2018 IPC Installation, Flexibility and Opportunity for
Savings)

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