Pumped drainage
The Illustrated Guide to Hot and Cold Water Services (BG 33/2014), written by Reginald Brown and published by BSRIA in 2014, it states: ‘In most cases drainage is achieved purely by gravity but it is increasingly common for pumped drainage to be incorporated in refurbishment projects to allow more flexibility in the location of toilets and showers, for example in basements. Pumping to a higher level before discharge is also used where there needs to be protection from downstream sewer surcharge (sewer backflow). Sewage pumping installations for use inside buildings should be designed in accordance with BS EN 12056-4. Larger systems may use buried collection tanks with submersible macerating pumps. For small houses and apartments there are several specialist manufacturers that produce “behind the toilet” pumping units for sewage and/or greywater.’
--BSRIA
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