CPC · California Plumbing Code

Trap basics and venting

This page summarizes the CPC rules on trap construction, trap‑seal protection and the venting methods and limits you must follow.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This hub orients you to the California Plumbing Code rules that govern traps, trap seals, trap protection and the venting systems that keep trap seals intact and sanitary drainage working. The CPC treats traps and interceptors in Chapter 10 and venting in Chapter 9, while sizing and layout for the drainage system are addressed in Chapter 7; together these chapters set requirements for trap construction, trap‑seal protection, vents, wet vents, combination systems and circuit vents.

Key, commonly‑used rules include the minimum and maximum trap‑seal depth (§1005.1), prohibitions on traps that rely on movable parts and on S‑ or crown‑vented traps (§1004.1), and the general requirement that each trap be protected by a vent (§1002.1 and §901.2).

The code also describes permitted venting methods and limits — vertical and horizontal wet venting for bathroom groups (§908), combination waste-and-vent systems (§910), and circuit venting (§911) — and includes practical provisions such as trap‑primer requirements for infrequently used floor drains (§1007). These sections are the starting point for most trap/vent questions and design decisions.

In this section

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Plumbing Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CPC § 2025 High relevance — show source text

    Chapter 7 Sanitary Drainage.

    This chapter regulates the design and installation of sanitary drainage systems to ensure they will work as intended. Drainage piping should not be oversized nor undersized, and constructed of approved materials to guard against fouling, deposit of solids, clogging, and with cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily cleaned. The purpose of the sanitary drainage system is to remove effluent discharged from plumbing fixtures and other equipment to an approved point of disposal, such as a public sanitary system or private sewage disposal system.

    The basics of a sanitary drainage system include public and private sewage disposal; selection of materials; installation of the building drain and sewer; joining methods for pipe and fittings; drainage fixture units for sizing the drainage system; sumps and ejectors; vent sizing and length of vents; and testing.

    Chapter 8 Indirect Wastes.

    Chapter 8 regulates indirect waste connections that are required for plumbing fixtures and plumbing appliances dealing with food preparation, dishwashing, potable liquids, and similar equipment. An indirect connection prevents sewage from backing up into a fixture or appliance, thus providing protection against potential health hazards. The waste pipe discharges through an air gap or air break into a waste receptor or standpipe. The protection in the form of an air gap is necessary when the contamination is a potential health hazard or cross connection with the potable water system. Where there is no possibility of contaminating the potable water (nonpotable discharge), the indirect waste pipe may connect in the form of an air break. This method is often preferred to prevent splashing. In addition, health care facilities and special wastes must be protected from contamination that may result from the connection to the drainage system. The waste must be treated to prevent any damage to the piping or sewage treatment process. Waste receptors are sized and designed to prevent splashing and allow for peak discharge conditions.

    Chapter 9 Vents.

    Chapter 9 regulates the material, design, and installation of vents. A vent system is a pipe or pipes installed in a drainage system that provide a flow of air to and from the system to ventilate it, provide a circulation of air to eliminate trap siphonage, and reduce back-pressure and vacuum surge. In addition, vents provide the rapid and silent flow of waste without exposing occupants of the building to any sewer gases. Proper installation of vents is crucial, as a telltale sign that there is a problem in the drain and vent system is related to the elevation of the horizontal portion of the venting. Venting is not limited to sanitary drainage systems. Venting methods are applicable to other drainage systems such as those for chemical waste, graywater waste, and clear water waste. Sizing the venting system is directly tied to the design of the drainage system. For example, the velocities in the drainage system and its peak flow rates affect the diameters in the venting system. Where the vertical distance between a fixture outlet and trap is excessive, velocities in the entire drainage system will be greater than those in the vent sizing table. All venting methods in this chapter are categorized as either dry vents or wet vents. Vent stacks, stack vents, branch vents, island vents, relief vents, and individual vents are dry vents. Wet vents (horizontal or vertical), circuit vents, combination drain and vents are versions of “wet venting” in which the vent is wetted by drainage flow.

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  • CPC § 601.4.1 High relevance — show source text

    Exception: Water closets shall be permitted to be up to 8 feet (2438 mm) horizontally from the stack where connected to the stack through a sanitary tee.

    C 601.4.1 Other Fixtures. Fixtures other than water closets shall be not more than 12 feet (3658 mm) horizontally from the stack. C 601.4.2 Length of Vertical Piping. The length of vertical piping from a fixture trap to a horizontal branch shall not be considered in computing the fixture’s horizontal distance from the stack.

    C 601.5 Maximum Vertical Drops from Fixtures. Vertical drops from fixture traps to horizontal branch piping shall be one size larger than the trap size, but not less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter. Vertical drops shall be 4 feet (1219 mm) maximum length. Fixture drains that are not increased in size, or have a vertical drop exceeding 4 feet (1219 mm) shall be individually vented. C 601.6 Additional Venting Required. Additional venting shall be provided where more than one water closet is on a horizontal branch and where the distance from a fixture trap to the stack exceeds the limits in Section C 601.4. Where additional venting is required, the fixture(s) shall be vented by one of the methods described in Section 908.0 through Section 911.5. The dry vent extensions for the additional venting shall connect to a branch vent, vent stack, stack vent, or be extended outdoors and terminate to the open air.

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    APPENDIX C

    TABLE C 601.2 SINGLE STACK SIZE* Col2 Col3 Col4
    MAXIMUM CONNECTED DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNITS MAXIMUM CONNECTED DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNITS MAXIMUM CONNECTED DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNITS MAXIMUM CONNECTED DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNITS
    STACK SIZE
    (inches)
    STACKS LESS THAN
    75 FEET IN HEIGHT
    STACK 75 FEET TO LESS THAN
    160 FEET IN HEIGHT
    STACK 160 FEET OR
    GREATER IN HEIGHT
    3 24 NP NP
    4 225 24 NP
    5 480 225 24
    6 1015 480 225
    8 2320 1015 480
    10 4500 2320 1015
    12 8100 4500 2320
    15 13 600 8100 4500

    For SI units: 1 inch = 25 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm

    • NP = Not permitted

    C 601.7 Stack Offsets. Where there are no fixture drain connections below a horizontal offset in a stack, the offset does not need to be vented. Where there are fixture drain connections below a horizontal offset in a stack, the offset shall be vented. There shall be no fixture connections to a stack within 2 feet (610 mm) above and below a horizontal offset.

  • CPC § 2025 High relevance — show source text

    The waste must be treated to prevent any damage to the piping or sewage treatment process. Waste receptors are sized and designed to prevent splashing and allow for peak discharge conditions.

    Chapter 9 Vents.

    Chapter 9 regulates the material, design, and installation of vents. A vent system is a pipe or pipes installed in a drainage system that provide a flow of air to and from the system to ventilate it, provide a circulation of air to eliminate trap siphonage, and reduce back-pressure and vacuum surge. In addition, vents provide the rapid and silent flow of waste without exposing occupants of the building to any sewer gases. Proper installation of vents is crucial, as a telltale sign that there is a problem in the drain and vent system is related to the elevation of the horizontal portion of the venting. Venting is not limited to sanitary drainage systems. Venting methods are applicable to other drainage systems such as those for chemical waste, graywater waste, and clear water waste. Sizing the venting system is directly tied to the design of the drainage system. For example, the velocities in the drainage system and its peak flow rates affect the diameters in the venting system. Where the vertical distance between a fixture outlet and trap is excessive, velocities in the entire drainage system will be greater than those in the vent sizing table. All venting methods in this chapter are categorized as either dry vents or wet vents. Vent stacks, stack vents, branch vents, island vents, relief vents, and individual vents are dry vents. Wet vents (horizontal or vertical), circuit vents, combination drain and vents are versions of “wet venting” in which the vent is wetted by drainage flow.

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    FORMAT OF THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

    Chapter 10 Traps and Interceptors.

    Chapter 10 regulates the material, design, and installation of traps, interceptors, and separators. Traps are required on drainage type plumbing fixtures and must be self-scouring without interior partitions. Interceptors, on the other hand, are designed to control what goes down a drain. Interceptors are used to keep harmful substances from entering the sanitary drainage system, such as grease, sand, oil and other materials. The retained materials need periodic removal to maintain efficiency and function of the separating device. The capacity of an interceptor is based on retention and flow rate. There are many types of interceptors that are used at beauty salons, hospitals, meat, fish or foul packaging, refineries, repair garages, gas stations, car washing facilities, various plants, factories, and processing sites. The designer of the building is responsible for locating interceptors with the expectation for the frequency of maintenance, ease of cleaning and floor space for equipment.

    Chapter 11 Storm Drainage.

    Chapter 11 regulates the removal of stormwater from roofs, yards, paved areas, and similar areas. The objective of storm drainage systems is to provide a conduit or channel through which runoff will be carried from a point of collection to a point of disposal; this protects the property and the public from the uncontrolled flow of runoff and ensures that drains and inlets are adequately sized to receive the volume of runoff that flows to the drains. For the purpose of system design, it’s necessary to specify the duration of a selected storm.

  • CPC § 908.2.4 High relevance — show source text

    908.2.4 Water Closet. The water closet fixture drain or trap arm connection to the wet vent shall be downstream of fixture drain or trap arm connections to the horizontal wet vent.

    908.2.5 Additional Fixtures. Additional fixtures shall discharge downstream of the wet vent system and be conventionally vented. Only the fixtures within the bathroom group shall connect to the wet-vented horizontal branch.

    909.0 Special Venting for Island Fixtures. 909.1 General. Traps for island sinks and similar equipment shall be roughed in above the floor and shall be permitted to be vented by extending the vent as high as possible, but not less than the drainboard height and then returning it downward and connecting it to the horizontal sink drain immediately downstream from the vertical fixture drain. The return vent shall be connected to the horizontal drain through a wyebranch fitting and shall, in addition, be provided with a foot vent taken off the vertical fixture vent by means of a wye branch immediately below the floor and extending to the nearest partition and then through the roof to the open air, or shall be permitted to be connected to other vents at a point not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the flood-level rim of the fixtures served. Drainage fittings shall be used on the vent below the floor level, and a slope of not less than [1] ⁄ 4 inch per foot (20.8 mm/m) back to the drain shall be maintained. The return bend used under the drainboard shall be a one-piece

    fitting or an assembly of a 45 degree (0.79 rad), a 90 degree (1.57 rad), and a 45 degree (0.79 rad) elbow in the order named. Pipe sizing shall be as elsewhere required in this code. The island sink drain, upstream of the returned vent, shall serve no other fixtures. An accessible cleanout shall be installed in the vertical portion of the foot vent.

    910.0 Combination Waste and Vent Systems. 910.1 Where Permitted. Combination waste and vent systems shall be permitted where structural conditions preclude the installation of conventional systems as otherwise prescribed by this code. 910.2 Approval. Construction documents for each combination waste and vent system shall first be approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction before a portion of such system is installed.

    910.3 Vents. Each combination waste and vent system, as defined in Chapter 2, shall be provided with a vent or vents adequate to ensure free circulation of air. A branch exceeding 15 feet (4572 mm) in length shall be separately vented in an approved manner. The area of a vent installed in a combination waste and vent system shall be not less than one-half the inside cross-sectional area of the drainpipe served. The vent connection shall be downstream of the uppermost fixture. 910.4 Connections and Size. Branches serving traps shall connect to the main line at an angle not exceeding 2 percent. Each waste pipe and each trap in such a system shall be not less than two pipe sizes exceeding the sizes required by Chapter 7 of this code, and not less than two pipe sizes exceeding a fixture tailpiece or connection. 910.5 Vertical Waste Pipe. No vertical waste pipe shall be used in such a system, except the tailpiece or connection between the outlet of a plumbing fixture and the trap. Such tailpieces or connections shall be as short as possible, and in no case shall exceed 2 feet (610 mm).

  • CPC § 910.7 High relevance — show source text

    910.7 Fixtures. No water closet or urinal shall be installed on such a system. Other one, two, or three unit fixtures remotely located from the sanitary system and adjacent to a combination waste and vent system shall be permitted to be connected to such system in the conventional manner by means of waste and vent pipes of regular sizes, providing that the two pipe size increase required in Section 910.4 is based on the total fixture unit load connected to the system.

    See Appendix B of this code for explanatory notes on the design of combination waste and vent systems.

    911.0 Circuit Venting. 911.1 Circuit Vent Permitted. A maximum of eight flooroutlet water closets, showers, bathtubs, or floor drains con

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    VENTS

    nected to a horizontal branch shall be permitted to be circuit vented. Each trap arm shall connect horizontally to the horizontal branch being circuit vented in accordance with Table 1002.2. The horizontal branch shall be classified as a drain and a vent from the most downstream trap arm connection to the most upstream trap arm connection to the horizontal branch.

    Exception: Back-outlet and wall-hung water closets shall be permitted to be circuit vented provided that no floor-outlet fixtures are connected to the same horizontal branch. Backoutlet and wall-hung water closets shall connect horizontally to the horizontal circuit vented drain.

    911.2 Circuit Vent Size and Connection. The circuit vent size shall be in accordance with Table 703.2 according to the number of circuit vented fixtures connected to the horizontal branch but shall be not less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter. The vent shall connect to the horizontal branch on the vertical between the two most upstream trap arms. The circuit vent pipe shall not receive the discharge of soil or

    waste.

    911.2.1 Multiple Circuit Vents. When multiple circuit vents are interconnected according to Section 911.4.1, each individual circuit vent shall be sized according to Section 911.2. The vent pipe connecting each circuit vent shall be sized according to Table 703.2.

    911.3 Relief Vent. A 2 inch (50 mm) relief vent shall be provided for circuit-vented horizontal branches receiving the discharge of four or more water closets when connecting to a drainage stack that receives the discharge of soil or waste from upper horizontal branches.

    911.3.1 Connection and Installation. The relief vent

    shall connect to the horizontal branch between the stack and the most downstream trap arm of the circuit vent. The relief vent shall be installed on the vertical to the

    horizontal branch.

    911.3.2 Fixture Drain. The relief vent is permitted to serve as a fixture drain. Fixtures discharging to a relief vent shall be one or two fixture unit fixtures but shall not

    exceed a total of 4 fixture units.

    911.4 Slope and Size of Horizontal Branch. The vented section of the horizontal branch shall be uniformly sloped and not more than 1 inch per foot (83.3 mm/m). The entire length of the vented section of the horizontal branch shall be sized for the total drainage discharge to the branch according to Table 703.2.

  • CPC § 25.4 High relevance — show source text

    For SI units: 1 inch = 25.4 mm

    Notes: 1 Maintain 1 ⁄ 4 inch per foot slope (20.8 mm/m). 2 The developed length between the trap of a water closet or similar fixture (measured from the face of the closet flange to the inner edge of the vent) and its vent shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm). 3 Horizontally wet vented bathtubs, showers and similar fixtures shall be limited to a maximum of 6 feet (1829 mm) for 1½ inch (40 mm) fixture drains and 8 feet (2438 mm) for 2 inch (50 mm) fixture drains, maintaining ¼ inch per foot slope (20.8 mm/m).

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    TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS

    1004.0 Traps.

    1004.1 Prohibited. No form of trap that depends for its seal upon the action of movable parts shall be used. No trap that has concealed interior partitions, except those of plastic, glass, or similar corrosion-resisting material, shall be used. “S” traps, bell traps, and crown-vented traps shall be prohibited. No fixture shall be double trapped. Drum and bottle traps shall be installed for special conditions. No trap shall be installed without a vent, except as otherwise provided in this code.

    1004.2 Movable Parts. Bladders, check valves or another type of devices with moveable parts shall be prohibited to serve as a trap.

    1005.0 Trap Seals. 1005.1 General. Each fixture trap shall have a liquid seal of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) and not more than 4 inches (102 mm), except where a deeper seal is found necessary by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Traps shall be set true with respect to their liquid seals and, where necessary, they shall be protected from freezing.

    1006.0 Floor Drain Traps. 1006.1 General. Floor drains shall connect into a trap so constructed that it can be readily cleaned and of a size to serve efficiently the purpose for which it is intended. The drain inlet shall be so located that it is in full view. Where subject to the reverse flow of sewage or liquid waste, such drains shall be equipped with an approved backwater valve.

    1007.0 Trap Seal Protection. 1007.1 General. Floor drain or similar traps directly connected to the drainage system and subject to infrequent use shall be protected with a trap seal primer, except where not deemed necessary for safety or sanitation by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Trap seal primers shall be accessible for maintenance.

    1007.2 Trap Seal Primers. Potable water supply trap seal primer valves shall comply with ASSE 1018. Drainage or electronic design type trap seal primer devices shall comply with ASSE 1044 or IAPMO PS 76.

  • CPC § 601.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    Not more than two water closets shall be permitted to discharge to a 3 inch (80 mm) stack. Stacks shall be uniformly sized based on the total connected drainage fixture unit load, with no reductions in size. C 601.2.1 Stack Vent. The drainage stack vent shall have a stack vent of the same size terminating to the outdoors. C 601.3 Branch Size. Horizontal branches connecting to a single-stack vent system shall be sized in accordance with Table 703.2.

    Exceptions:

    (1) Not more than one water closet within 18 inches (457 mm) of the stack horizontally shall be permitted on a 3 inch (80 mm) horizontal branch.

    (2) A water closet within 18 inches (457 mm) of a stack horizontally and one other fixture with up to 1 [1] ⁄ 2 inch (40 mm) fixture drain size shall be permitted on a 3 inch (80 mm) horizontal branch where connected to the stack through a sanitary tee. C 601.4 Length of Horizontal Branches. Water closets shall be not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) horizontally from the stack.

    Exception: Water closets shall be permitted to be up to 8 feet (2438 mm) horizontally from the stack where connected to the stack through a sanitary tee.

    C 601.4.1 Other Fixtures. Fixtures other than water closets shall be not more than 12 feet (3658 mm) horizontally from the stack. C 601.4.2 Length of Vertical Piping. The length of vertical piping from a fixture trap to a horizontal branch shall not be considered in computing the fixture’s horizontal distance from the stack.

    C 601.5 Maximum Vertical Drops from Fixtures. Vertical drops from fixture traps to horizontal branch piping shall be one size larger than the trap size, but not less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter. Vertical drops shall be 4 feet (1219 mm) maximum length. Fixture drains that are not increased in size, or have a vertical drop exceeding 4 feet (1219 mm) shall be individually vented. C 601.6 Additional Venting Required. Additional venting shall be provided where more than one water closet is on a horizontal branch and where the distance from a fixture trap to the stack exceeds the limits in Section C 601.4. Where additional venting is required, the fixture(s) shall be vented by one of the methods described in Section 908.0 through Section 911.5. The dry vent extensions for the additional venting shall connect to a branch vent, vent stack, stack vent, or be extended outdoors and terminate to the open air.

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    APPENDIX C

  • CPC § 910.0 Medium relevance — show source text

    910.0 Combination Waste and Vent Systems. 910.1 Where Permitted. Combination waste and vent systems shall be permitted where structural conditions preclude the installation of conventional systems as otherwise prescribed by this code. 910.2 Approval. Construction documents for each combination waste and vent system shall first be approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction before a portion of such system is installed.

    910.3 Vents. Each combination waste and vent system, as defined in Chapter 2, shall be provided with a vent or vents adequate to ensure free circulation of air. A branch exceeding 15 feet (4572 mm) in length shall be separately vented in an approved manner. The area of a vent installed in a combination waste and vent system shall be not less than one-half the inside cross-sectional area of the drainpipe served. The vent connection shall be downstream of the uppermost fixture. 910.4 Connections and Size. Branches serving traps shall connect to the main line at an angle not exceeding 2 percent. Each waste pipe and each trap in such a system shall be not less than two pipe sizes exceeding the sizes required by Chapter 7 of this code, and not less than two pipe sizes exceeding a fixture tailpiece or connection. 910.5 Vertical Waste Pipe. No vertical waste pipe shall be used in such a system, except the tailpiece or connection between the outlet of a plumbing fixture and the trap. Such tailpieces or connections shall be as short as possible, and in no case shall exceed 2 feet (610 mm).

    Exception: Branch lines shall be permitted to have 45 degree (0.79 rad) vertical offsets.

    910.6 Cleanouts. An accessible cleanout shall be installed in each vent for the combination waste and vent system. Cleanouts shall not be required on a wet-vented branch serving a single trap where the fixture tailpiece or connection is not less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter and provides ready access for cleaning through the trap.

    910.7 Fixtures. No water closet or urinal shall be installed on such a system. Other one, two, or three unit fixtures remotely located from the sanitary system and adjacent to a combination waste and vent system shall be permitted to be connected to such system in the conventional manner by means of waste and vent pipes of regular sizes, providing that the two pipe size increase required in Section 910.4 is based on the total fixture unit load connected to the system.

    See Appendix B of this code for explanatory notes on the design of combination waste and vent systems.

    911.0 Circuit Venting. 911.1 Circuit Vent Permitted. A maximum of eight flooroutlet water closets, showers, bathtubs, or floor drains con

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    VENTS

    nected to a horizontal branch shall be permitted to be circuit vented. Each trap arm shall connect horizontally to the horizontal branch being circuit vented in accordance with Table 1002.2. The horizontal branch shall be classified as a drain and a vent from the most downstream trap arm connection to the most upstream trap arm connection to the horizontal branch.

    Exception: Back-outlet and wall-hung water closets shall be permitted to be circuit vented provided that no floor-outlet fixtures are connected to the same horizontal branch. Backoutlet and wall-hung water closets shall connect horizontally to the horizontal circuit vented drain.

  • CPC § 907.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    907.2 Yoke Vent. The yoke vent connection to the vent stack shall be placed not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the floor level, and the yoke vent connection to the drainage stack shall be using a wye-branch fitting placed below the lowest drainage branch connection serving that floor.

    908.0 Wet Venting. 908.1 Vertical Wet Venting. Wet venting is limited to vertical drainage piping receiving the discharge from the trap arm of one and two fixture unit fixtures that also serves as a vent not exceeding four fixtures. Wet-vented fixtures shall be within the same story; provided, further, that fixtures with a continuous vent discharging into a wet vent shall be within the same story as the wet-vented fixtures. No wet vent shall exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in developed length. 908.1.1 Size. The vertical piping between two consecutive inlet levels shall be considered a wet-vented sec tion. Each wet-vented section shall be not less than one pipe size exceeding the required minimum waste pipe size of the upper fixture or shall be one pipe size exceeding the required minimum pipe size for the sum of the fixture units served by such wet-vented section, whichever is larger, but in no case less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter. 908.1.2 Vent Connection. Common vent sizing shall be the sum of the fixture units served but, in no case,

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    VENTS

    smaller than the minimum vent pipe size required for a fixture served, or by Section 904.0. 908.2 Horizontal Wet Venting for a Bathroom Group. A bathroom group located on the same floor level shall be permitted to be vented by a horizontal wet vent where all of the conditions of Section 908.2.1 through Section 908.2.5 are met.

    908.2.1 Vent Connection. The dry vent connection to the wet vent shall be an individual vent for the bidet, shower, or bathtub. One or two vented lavatory(s) shall be permitted to serve as a wet vent for a bathroom group. Only one wet-vented fixture drain or trap arm shall discharge upstream of the dry-vented fixture drain connection. Dry vent connections to the horizontal wet vent shall be in accordance with Section 905.2 and Section

    905.3.

    908.2.2 Size. The wet vent shall be sized based on the fixture unit discharge into the wet vent. The wet vent shall be not less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter for 4 drainage fixture units (dfu) or less, and not less than 3 inches (80 mm) in diameter for 5 dfu or more. The dry vent shall be sized in accordance with Table 702.1 and Table 703.2 based on the total fixture units discharging into the wet vent.

    908.2.3 Trap Arm. The length of the trap arm shall not exceed the limits in Table 1002.2. The trap size shall be in accordance with Section 1003.3. The vent pipe opening from the horizontal wet vent, except for water closets and similar fixtures, shall not be below the weir of the trap.

  • CPC § 1.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    1(2)_||||X||||||||||||||||||||| |903.1.1||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |903.1.2||||X||||||||||||||||||||| |903.1.3||||||||||X||X|X|X|X|||||||||| |906.2.1||||||||||X|X|X|X|X|X||||||||||

    This state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.0.

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    CHAPTER 9

    VENTS

    901.0 General.

    901.1 Applicability. This chapter shall govern the materials, design, and installation of plumbing vent systems. 901.2 Vents Required. Each plumbing fixture trap, except as otherwise provided in this code, shall be protected against siphonage and backpressure, and air circulation shall be ensured throughout all parts of the drainage system by means of vent pipes installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and as otherwise required by this code. 901.3 Trap Seal Protection. The vent system shall be designed to prevent a trap seal from being exposed to a pressure differential that exceeds 1 inch water column (0.24 kPa) on the outlet side of the trap.

    902.0 Vents Not Required.

    902.1 Interceptor. Vent piping shall be permitted to be omitted on an interceptor where such interceptor acts as a primary settling tank and discharges through a horizontal indirect waste pipe into a secondary interceptor. The second interceptor shall be properly trapped and vented. 902.2 Bars, Soda Fountains, and Counter. Traps serving sinks that are part of the equipment of bars, soda fountains, and counters need not be vented where the location and construction of such bars, soda fountains, and counters are such as to make it impossible to do so. Where such conditions exist, said sinks shall discharge using approved indirect waste pipes into a floor sink or other approved type of recep tor.

    903.0 Materials.

    903.1 Applicable Standards. Vent pipe and fittings shall comply with the applicable standards referenced in Table 701.2, except that:

    (1) No galvanized steel or 304 stainless steel pipe shall be installed underground and shall be not less than 6 inches (152 mm) aboveground.

  • CPC § 904.0. Medium relevance — show source text

    VENTS

    smaller than the minimum vent pipe size required for a fixture served, or by Section 904.0. 908.2 Horizontal Wet Venting for a Bathroom Group. A bathroom group located on the same floor level shall be permitted to be vented by a horizontal wet vent where all of the conditions of Section 908.2.1 through Section 908.2.5 are met.

    908.2.1 Vent Connection. The dry vent connection to the wet vent shall be an individual vent for the bidet, shower, or bathtub. One or two vented lavatory(s) shall be permitted to serve as a wet vent for a bathroom group. Only one wet-vented fixture drain or trap arm shall discharge upstream of the dry-vented fixture drain connection. Dry vent connections to the horizontal wet vent shall be in accordance with Section 905.2 and Section

    905.3.

    908.2.2 Size. The wet vent shall be sized based on the fixture unit discharge into the wet vent. The wet vent shall be not less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter for 4 drainage fixture units (dfu) or less, and not less than 3 inches (80 mm) in diameter for 5 dfu or more. The dry vent shall be sized in accordance with Table 702.1 and Table 703.2 based on the total fixture units discharging into the wet vent.

    908.2.3 Trap Arm. The length of the trap arm shall not exceed the limits in Table 1002.2. The trap size shall be in accordance with Section 1003.3. The vent pipe opening from the horizontal wet vent, except for water closets and similar fixtures, shall not be below the weir of the trap.

    908.2.4 Water Closet. The water closet fixture drain or trap arm connection to the wet vent shall be downstream of fixture drain or trap arm connections to the horizontal wet vent.

    908.2.5 Additional Fixtures. Additional fixtures shall discharge downstream of the wet vent system and be conventionally vented. Only the fixtures within the bathroom group shall connect to the wet-vented horizontal branch.

    909.0 Special Venting for Island Fixtures. 909.1 General. Traps for island sinks and similar equipment shall be roughed in above the floor and shall be permitted to be vented by extending the vent as high as possible, but not less than the drainboard height and then returning it downward and connecting it to the horizontal sink drain immediately downstream from the vertical fixture drain. The return vent shall be connected to the horizontal drain through a wyebranch fitting and shall, in addition, be provided with a foot vent taken off the vertical fixture vent by means of a wye branch immediately below the floor and extending to the nearest partition and then through the roof to the open air, or shall be permitted to be connected to other vents at a point not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the flood-level rim of the fixtures served. Drainage fittings shall be used on the vent below the floor level, and a slope of not less than [1] ⁄ 4 inch per foot (20.8 mm/m) back to the drain shall be maintained. The return bend used under the drainboard shall be a one-piece

  • CPC § 101.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    Combination waste and vent systems are intended primarily for extensive floor or shower drain installations where separate venting is not practical, for floor sinks in markets, demonstration or work tables in school buildings, or for similar applications where the fixtures are not adjacent to walls or partitions. Due to its oversize characteristics, such a waste system is not self-scouring and, consequently, care shall be exercised as to the type of fixtures connected to it and the location of cleanouts. Given its grease-producing potential, restaurant kitchen equipment shall not be connected to a combination waste and vent system.

    B 101.3 Caution. Caution shall be exercised to exclude appurtenances delivering large quantities or surges of water (such as pumps, sand interceptors, etc.) from combination waste and vent systems so that adequate venting will be maintained. Small fixtures with a waste-producing potential of less than 7 [1] ⁄ 2 gallons per minute (gpm) (0.47 L/s) shall be permitted to be safely assigned a loading value of one unit. Long runs shall be laid at the minimum permissible slope to keep tailpieces as short as possible. Tailpieces shall not exceed 2 feet (610 mm) in length, which shall necessitate slopes up to 45 degrees (0.79 rad) (see definition of horizontal pipe) on some branches.

    B 101.4 Pneumatics. It is essential that the pneumatics of such a system be properly engineered, as the air pressure within the line shall at all times balance that of outside atmosphere to prevent either trap seal loss or air locking between traps. Long mains shall be provided with additional relief vents located at intervals not exceeding 100 feet (30 480 mm). Each such relief vent shall equal not less than one-half of the inside cross-sectional area of the drainpipe served.

    B 101.5 Trap Sizes. Trap sizes are required to be equivalent to the branches they serve (two pipe sizes larger than normal), and tailpieces between fixtures or floor drains and such traps shall be reduced to normal size.

    B 101.6 Layout Drawings. Duplicate layout drawings of each such proposed piping system shall be presented to the Authority Having Jurisdiction and approval obtained before an installation is made. Complicated layouts shall be checked by qualified personnel. B 101.6.1 Example of Sizing. A floor drain normally requires a 2 inch (50 mm) trap and waste. On a combination waste and vent system, both trap and waste shall be increased two pipe sizes (through 2 [1] ⁄ 2 inches and 3 inches) (65 mm and 80 mm), which would make the trap 3 inches (80 mm). Pipe sizes recognized for this purpose are 2 inches, 2 [1] ⁄ 2 inches, 3 inches, 3 [1] ⁄ 2 inches, 4 inches, 4 [1] ⁄ 2 inches, 5 inches, 6 inches, etc. (50 mm, 65 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 115 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, etc.). The tailpiece between the floor drain and its trap shall be 2 inches (50 mm) (or normal size) to ensure that the amount of wastewater entering the trap partially fills the waste branch.

Frequently asked questions

What is the required trap‑seal depth?

The CPC requires a trap liquid seal not less than 2 inches and not more than 4 inches, unless a deeper seal is found necessary by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (§1005.1).

Are all traps required to be vented?

Yes — each plumbing fixture trap shall be protected against siphonage and backpressure by a vent pipe except where the code specifically allows otherwise; specific situations and exceptions are in Chapter 9 and Chapter 10 (§1002.1, §901.2).

Can fixtures be wet‑vented or circuit‑vented?

Yes. The CPC permits vertical and horizontal wet venting for bathroom groups under the conditions in §908, and permits circuit venting and combination waste/vent systems subject to sizing and layout limits in §§908–911. Check those sections for fixture limits, sizing and connection rules.

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