Drainage stack
The term ‘drainage stack’ or ‘drain stack’ is commonly used in the United States, and sometimes in commercial construction in the UK.
In very broad terms, it refers to a vertical pipe or stack that spans through one or more floors and into which drains from a property are connected to take waste water to a sewer. Branch drains run relatively horizontally from water closets, sinks, showers and so on to the vertical drainage stack which then connects to a relatively horizontal sewer at its lowest point. It may be referred to as a vent stack above the point that drains connect to it, as a drain stack below the point at which waste water drains into it and as a soil stack below the point at which sewage drains into it.
In the UK, particularly in domestic construction, it may be referred to as a soil vent pipe (SVP). Soil vent pipes allow the removal of waste from toilets, showers, baths, sinks and so on, while also allowing odours to be released above the building, via a stack vent, at a level that will not cause a nuisance. The pipe’s vent also allows air into the internal drainage system preventing a siphoning effect from occurring, and allowing free flow of waste water by gravity. An SVP may also be described as a soil stack pipe, drain waste vent or ventilated discharge pipe and is often seen on an outside wall of domestic buildings, but may be located internally.
For more information see: Soil vent pipe.
When installing drainage and ventilation pipework in high-rise buildings, traditional design standards dictate that a secondary ventilation stack has to be used to overcome air pressure changes. However, products such as the Polypipe Terrain P.A.P.A® and Pleura valves are a proven alternative to traditional secondary vented drainage systems. The P.A.P.A® (positive air pressure attenuation) valve is designed to react to and attenuate positive pressure transience within the drainage stack of high-rise developments providing a suitable venting solution for any multi-storey building.
For more information see: Secondary Ventilation Stacks in Tall Buildings.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Air admittance valve.
- Drainage.
- Fabricated drainage stacks.
- Greywater.
- Pumps and dewatering equipment.
- Rain gutter.
- Rainwater.
- Rainwater goods.
- Rainwater downpipe.
- Sanitary pipework.
- Secondary Ventilation Stacks in Tall Buildings.
- Sewer construction.
- Soil vent pipe.
- Soakaway.
- Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS.
- Vacuum breaker.
- Wellpoint.
Featured articles and news
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.