CPCCBC5009A - Identify services layout and

connection methods to medium rise

construction projects
Student ID: HIC19088

Student Name: Paras Sharma

 2

Property connections to sewer

Connection details without a boundary-trap (BT) requirement are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1: Typical property connection with BT omitted.

 3

Figure 2: Property connection with BT omitted.

 4

Connection details with boundary-trap requirement as shown in Figures 3 and 4:

Figure 3: Typical property connection with BT.

 Figure 4: Property connection with BT.

Testing the drain

Drain leakages are undesirable for a number of reasons, including:

Liberation of unpleasant and unhealthy odors

Creation off soil dampness, which may result in unstable foundations

Entry of sewerage into low-level rooms (basements etc)
Attraction of tree and shrub roots that may enter pipes and cause further damage

Settlement of sections of the drain which may result in breakage or sags and thus blockages.
To avoid the concerns mentioned above, new property drains (or existing drains that are extended, repaired, or
replaced) must be tested in compliance with the appropriate standard and/or drainage authority.
Tests used include:

hydrostatic (water) test for soundness of joints and leaks

smoke test, also for sound soundness

mirror (glassing) to check alignment and for obstructions
slide to test alignment of lips and for obstruction.

Hydrostatic water testing

The water test must be applied to every property drain, irrespective of the type of material used. This is the most
important of all pipe tests because the soundness of the pipework has to be assessed.
For water testing, the pipework must be sealed and made below the top filling point. Testing-plugs or rubber
balls are used to effect a seal.
When all openings are sealed, the system is filled with water to the highest point of the property drain (or height
prescribed by the sewerage authority).
The length of the water test will be determined by the pipe material. The period is five minutes for impermeable
materials (such as UPVC, cast iron, copper and copper alloys). There should be no visible leaks and no drop in
the water level in the pipe during this time. Because VC pipes are less impermeable, the level is topped up after
15 minutes to allow for absorption by the pipe. If there is no obvious leak and the amount of top-up water does
not exceed 1 litre/30 m of 100 mm VC drain, or similar, the pipework is acceptable. To safeguard rubber-ring
joints, the vertical hydrostatic head on the lowest pipe for VC pipes should not exceed 3 m.
Water-testing details may vary between authorities so will need to be confirmed prior to testing.

Smoke testing

Smoke, used as an alternative to water, is a very convenient and clean way to test a drain line for
soundness.

Regardless of the pipe material utilised, there are no restrictions on the vertical head of the drain
being tested. Smoke can be applied through any available drain orifice once all open ends have been
sealed with testing-plugs or balls. Five minutes of smoke is normally pumped into the installation,
after which there should be no visible leaks.
The smoke test is not used or approved by all authorities.
 Mirror testing
The authority's inspector may employ the mirror test after water or smoke testing to evaluate straightness or the
presence of obstructions that water or smoke testing will not reveal. A mirror or two is inserted and used to
check for any sagging or occlusion.

Slide testing

For short branches of property drains that cannot be inspected, the authority inspector may use a slide to ensure
that there are no lips at joints, or other obstructions.
A slide consists of a flexible steel tape attached to a steel plug. The slide is inserted through an inspection
opening and will follow any changes of direction in the drain line.
When the plug comes into contact with misalignment, lips, or other obstructions, it makes entering the slide
much more difficult. By marking the tape when resistance is encountered, withdrawing the slide, and placing it
down the surface of the drain line, the source of the problem can be identified and remedied before further
testing.

Blockages/stoppages in drains

Drain blockages and stoppages are becoming increasingly rare as materials and work quality improve
significantly, and authorities refine their inspection standards.
Nevertheless, obstructions still occur through:

vandalism

misuse (e.g. flushing of improper materials own WCs, pouring congealed matter down drains)
entry of tree roots into older drains (particularly older VC pipes)

ground settlement
damage (e.g. vehicle loading, accidental cutting).

A blockage exists when sewage discharges from RGs, level inlet grates or through a ground vent on a boundary
shaft. Indications that drains are partially blocked include higher than normal water level in WC bowls after
being flushed and bubbling or gurgling sounds as air periodically breaks the water seal.
Clearing of blockages firstly involves locating them, which is best achieved by an elimination process. The
procedure is usually to first check at the boundary or inspection shaft. If the shaft is clear it is obvious that the
blockage is on the property side of the drain. A full shaft is a fair indicator that the public sewer maybe itself
blocked, in which case it could be the authority’s responsibility. If it is determined to be inside the property then
it is s case of checking up the drainage line until the blockage is located.
Once a blockage is located, a plumber has the choice of a number of tools available to assist with clearing,
including grappling irons, plungers, flexible rods and electric eels. The location, type and severity of blockage
will determine the most appropriate tool. In case of severe blockages, such as the intrusion of tree roots, the line
may have to be excavated, opened, cleared and replaced. In some instances, sections of pipe and fittings may
have to be replaced. Where this is the case, special techniques will be needed for joining pipes of differing
materials. These are not included in the scope of this unit (refer to DEIR, p 76, for specific details).

Inspection openings

Inspection openings (IO) are to be provided for maintenance purposes, particularly in the event of sewer
blockage. They allow unobstructed access with relative ease and without major damage to the drain or fittings.

IOs for maintenance

Except where inspection chambers are provided, IOs for maintenance purposes may be required by the sewer
authority at the following positions:
On each WC or slop-hopper branch – variation may be permitted for alternative access for maintenance of
groups of WCs discharging to drains beneath buildings
At intervals no greater than 30 m, and where practicable, on or immediately downstream of a bend or elbow
Within 10 m of a waste fixture if the branch is greater than 10 m long

At the connection to the Authority’s sewer, when an IO is not provided by the authority
No more than 10 m from the upstream end of any drain
Where required by the authority for the location of drains or when passing beneath a building
Any other position requested by the authority.

IOs for visual inspections

Where specified by the Authority, IOs may be provided for visual inspection at the following positions:
At the connection to the authority’s sewer, if an IO is not provided by the authority

At each end of any straight section of drain

At even spacings not more than 30 m along the drain

On inclined jump-ups, where the length exceeds 3m, provided that, where length does not exceed 6m, only one
centrally located IO is required on the jump-up
On every 100 mm-diameter (or larger) branch drain that’s longer than 3m, (but not more than 6m) only one
centrally located IO is required on the branch drain
On every WC branch drain, except when a 100 mm opening is provided in an accessible position of the WC
discharge pipe
At the off-take of any branch is such branch drain is not installed and tested concurrently with the main drain.

Use of vents

A vent may be used in lieu of an IO if it is fitted with an approved access cover near ground level and if the vent
is the same size as the drain.

Size

IOs are to be sized the same as the drain, except when the drain is not more than 150 mm diameter, an IO of 150
mm may still be used.

Access

Where required by the Authority, IOs can be extended to ground level. These may be described as raised
inspection openings (RIO) or inspection openings to surface (IOS). IOs require special stoppers or caps to
provide an airtight seal. Where such covers are subjected to external loading (e.g. vehicular), the authority may
direct that a special type of cover be fitted.

Inspection chambers

Inspection chambers (ICs), also known as manholes or person holes, may be used instead of IOs, and where
directed by the authority.

Size and form

ICs may be rectangular in shape and constructed of in situ brick, concrete blocks or poured concrete. Each
chamber is to be constructed on a concrete base at least 150 mm thick and the same dimensions as the chamber.
Brick walls must not exceed 1.5 m deep. Deeper walls must be properly designed and constructed of concrete.
Pre-cast concrete manhole units are becoming more popular because of ease of handling and economics. These
are prefabricated of spun high strength reinforced concrete with a wall thickness of at least 60mm. Most concrete
pipe manufacturers market their own pre-cast manhole units. Pre- cast components usually include cylindrical
chambers, bell-shaped tapered top sections and manhole
covers and removable lids (usually made of concrete, cast iron or steel, depending on traffic loading and should
be airtight).
Photo 2 shows a typical installation set up as a display. Normally these components are all buried below the
ground surface and only the concrete cover and lid is exposed.

Construction

Pipe or conduit

The conduit in any IC inside a building shall be fully enclosed and incorporate an IO. The conduit in an external
IC may be either enclosed as previously, or be an open channel of similar cross- sectional area to that of the
drain.
The floor of any IC is to fall to the channel, or towards the IO on an approximate 1/12 grade.

Finish

Walls, floors and channels of all brick/block inspection chambers shall be rendered with at least 10 mm coat of
cement mortar to provide a smooth and impermeable finish.

Jump-ups

Jump-ups in chambers shall be of approved material (usually cast iron or UPVC).

Ladders

Ladders must be provided in chambers more than 1.2 m deep. They shall be made of galvanised steel with at
least 12 mm diameter rungs and spaced 300 mm apart.

Step-irons

Step-irons may be used instead of ladders provided that:

The chamber is dry

The chamber is no greater than 3 m deep

They are built in during construction of chamber, or installed in preformed holes with appropriate seals
They are appropriately protected, eg. galvanized steel or epoxy-coated.
 Joints

The following shall apply for joints to remain watertight:

No more than 24 hours shall elapse between successive pours of concrete

Keying-in surface of every construction joint shall be scabbled and cleaned prior to jointing

A cement slurry shall be applied to every construction joint immediately prior to pouring concrete.

Inserts

Holes that are broken into or formed in walls of ICs for inserting pipes shall be made watertight by keying and
preparing as construction joints. They are to be caulked with a stiff mortar into the space between the concrete
wall and pipe or fitting, or sealed with an epoxy resin or other approved sealant.