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    NoxiousD's Avatar
    NoxiousD Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 12, 2009, 03:23 PM
    Main Sewer Line
    How many residents can run on a forty year old eight inch sewer line?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Jan 12, 2009, 03:43 PM
    Hi NoxiousD:

    Drain lines are determined by the number of FIXTURE UNITS.. not by residents or at least not by rsidential units as much as by how many toilets, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, etc... are on it.

    In a new installation with an 8" sewer pipe with 1/8" pitch per foot, in my area, you can fit up to 1600 fixture units. If 8" pipe has 1/4" pitch per foot you can increase that number to 1900 fixture units. Now, as pipe gets older that shouldn't change.. as long as pipe hasn't gotten clogged or damaged.

    Toilet is 4 fixture units
    Lavatory sink is 1 fixture unit
    Shower stall is 2 fixture units
    Tub/shower unit is 2 fixture units
    Kitchen sink is 2 fixture units
    Washing machine is 3 fixture units
    Dishwasher is 1 fixture unit
    Laundry sink is 2 fixture units

    From there you can count up what the average house you are asking about has for fixture units and then multiply that number times the number of units in question to determine fixture units. As you can see... it will be a pretty high number... ;)

    Also note that I have presented you with information from Massachusetts code book..so in your area it may differ slightly,but should differ by much. Just FYI!!

    Let me know if need more here...

    MARK
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #3

    Jan 12, 2009, 04:10 PM

    Mark answered your question. Now, why are you asking this question? Are you having problems with the existing sewer, or are you looking to add on to the complex?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #4

    Jan 12, 2009, 05:23 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by NoxiousD View Post
    How many residents can run on a forty year old eight inch sewer line?
    One building? How many units? How many bathrooms to a unit? Washer station? You want answers? We need details! Regards, Tom

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