CHAPTER 10

TRAPS FOR PLUMBING

A trap used on plumbing fixture is a device scientifically designed to prevent the back flow of gases
coming from the septic tank or sewer line passing through the outlet of the fixture. The basic function of
the trap in a drainage system is to prevent those objectionable gases from entering the plumbing
system. The principle is to form a mechanical barrier against the passage of sewer air Tests of these
traps showed that, the most practical form ever developed is the P-Trap. Originally, this P-trap was
called Gooseneck attributed to its form like the neck of a goose
The column of water that is retained between the overflow and the dip of the trap is called Trap Seal or
sometimes referred to as Water Seal.

Water Sealed P-Trap is Classified into Two

1.The common seal
2. The deep seal

The Common Seal P-Trap has 5 centimeters deep water seal between the overflow and the dip, that will
offer resistance against abnormal conditions, only to the amount of pressure a 5 centimeters water will
develop.

The Deep Seal P-Trap has from 7.5 to 10 centimeters column of liquid content between the overflow
and the dip. This trap may be used under normal condition, but it is purposely designed for abnormal
situations such as
a. Extreme heat condition in the area.
b. Increase and decrease of atmospheric condition.
c. Circumstances where total ventilation cannot be obtained

One advantage of the Deep Seal over the Common. Seal is its greater re-sealing quality. Re-seal is a term
used to the scientific principle that water at rest tends to seek a level and maintain it.
When the liquid content of a deep seal is disturbed, the water tends to level itself sufficiently to seal the
trap even partially. Meaning, because of the considerable height of the water seal up to 10 centimeters
deep, even if disturbed by flushing from the fixture discharge, by partial resealing up to 50%, the trap
seal is still maintained.
The P-Trap is the most common and practical shape available in various sizes from 32 mm to 50 mm
diameter These are common sizes for fixtures that are suspended
from walls or supported on a pedestal such as:
1. Lavatories 4 Urinals
2. Sinks
3. Shower bath with less amount of water discharge
4 Urinals

5. Drinking fountain
But among these various types, some are classified as Permissible Traps while others are identified as
Objectionable Traps

The Permissible Type of Traps

1. The P-Trap
2. The Drum Trap
Other Type of Permissible Traps
1. Stand Trap
2. Brass trap
3. High Hub Trap
4. Low Hub Trap
5. Extra Heavy Type
6. Sink or Lavatory Type
Objectionable Traps that are Found Defective
I. The full size S and the ¾ S Traps
2. The bag traps
3. Mechanically sealed traps
4 Light metal partition traps

P-Trap Installation
The National Plumbing Code on P-Trap installation provides that:
1. All traps shall be self-cleaning. That is, capable of being completely flushed each time the trap
operates and no sediments will remain inside to decompose
2. P-Trap shall be installed as near the fixture as practical not to require too long vertical leg between
the trap and the fixture proper
3. Short vertical leg eliminates high velocity of water discharge that creates siphon, the major cause of
trap seal loss.
4. P-Trap shall be installed within 60 centimeters of the fixture it serve. It shall be accessible for cleaning
through the bottom opening closed by a screw plug.
5. All traps are subject to stoppage, hence, shall be provided with cleanout so designed that could be
assembled and disassembled with little efforts.
6. Long Run Horizontal Pipe could be used only near the drain of the floor area or yard. It is also called
Running Trap not provided with hand-hole cleanout
7. The dip portion of the trap shall be as short as possible to avoid retarded flow of water. Likewise, the
horizontal leg connection to the waste pipe shall be reasonably short for effective ventilation
8. Overflow pipe from fixture shall be connected to the inlet side of the trap
9. Each fixture shall have its own trap. The following fixtures are exception to the rule
a. Two laundry trays and a kitchen sink connected to a single trap
b. Not more than 3 laundry tray using one trap.
c. Three lavatories on a single trap
Drum Trap
Drum Trap is also classified as a water seal device. The name was derived from its size being large in
diameter. It has the following special features:
1. Drum trap is intended for fixtures that are set on the
floor like bathtub, foot and sitz bath, and other similar fixtures
2 Drum Trap is used on fixtures that discharges substantial amount of water. It is effective where trap
seal loss is more prevalent due to the velocity of the flow in short intervals.
3. Drum Trap can also serve as terminal for soda fountain, bar wastes and any type of indirect waste
4. Drum Trap has two types
a. The 100 mm. x 125 mm and
b. The 100 mm x 200 mm

Advantages of the Drum Trap

1. Greater amount of water may pass through it in a shorter interval without the danger of trap seal loss.
2. It has a higher resealing quality than the P-Trap.

Disadvantages of the Drum Trap

1. It is large and cumbersome
2. It is unsightly if the installation is exposed to view
3. Cleanout cover mechanism is above the water seal.
4. To clean the drum trap needs lubricant and a fiber washer at the joint between the cover and the
body of the trap

TRAPS FOR PLUMBING FLXTURES

The National Plumbing Code on Traps Provides that:
"Every trap shall be self-cleaning. Traps for bath tubs lavatories, sinks and other similar fixtures shall be
of either lead, brass, cast iron, galvanized, porcelain or enameled inside or plastic”
“Traps Where Required. - Each fixture shall he separately trapped by a water sealed trap placed as
possible to the fixture except that a set of similar fixture consisting of not more than 3 wash basins, or a
set of 3 laundry trays or a set of 3 sinks may connect with a single trap but in no
case shall the waste from bathtub or other fixture discharge into a water closet trap. No fixture shall be
double
trapped"

Size of Fixture Trap

The National Plumbing Code has regulated the mini mum diameter of traps and drain to be installed.
Likewise, the size of the pipe drain depends upon the class of users the installation will serve. And the
minimum size of the trap and waste branch for a specified fixture shall conform to the values given in
Table 10-1
Fixtures to be Installed are Classified into Three:
1. Class 1 - For Private Use like fixtures in residential houses, apartment and private bathroom of hotels
and similar installations
2. Class 2 - For Semi-Public Use applied to fixtures in office buildings, factories, dormitories
3. Class 3-For Public Use such as schools, gymnasium, hotels, railroad and bus terminals, public comfort
rooms and other installation where several fixtures are installed for unrestricted use

Section 56. Traps, Kind, and Minimum Size of Recommended Minimum Requirements State that: "Every
trap shall be self-cleaning Traps for bathtubs, lavatories, sinks, and other similar fixtures shall be made
of lead, brass, cast iron, or of malleable iron galvanized, porcelain enameled inside or plastic
pipes...traps shall have a full bore smooth interior waterway, with threads of solid materials of the same
kind

All traps are subject to stoppage. Hence, must be provided with a cleanout, or so designed that they can
be disassembled with little effort.