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Pipe Sizing For Sanitary Pipework
Pipe Sizing For Sanitary Pipework
Pipe sizes and their gradients for connecting wastes from appliances to single stack soil
vent pipes are set out in BS 5572 to suit the type of appliance (eg WC, wash basin, bath,
etc) and their distance from the stack (the vertical collecting pipe that connects to the
underground drain). The size of pipe does not generally need calculating except in multi-
storey or complex situations with numerous fittings. In these cases the appropriate size of
pipe is worked out using discharge units. Each type of appliance is given a value of
discharge units depending on its situation whether domestic, commercial or congested (such
as schools). The number of discharge units connecting to a particular stack or horizontal
drain are totalled and compared to the Tables 2 or 3 below to determine the appropriate
pipe size.
Sanitary appliance Domestic use Commercial use Congested use
Wash basin 1 3 5
Bath 7 17 17
Washing machine 3 18 18
Discharge Units
Table 1 Table 2
Maximum number of discharge units Maximum number of discharge units
for vertical stacks for horizontal pipes and drains