BCAB #1359 - Venting of Floor Drains, Sentence 5.1.1.(2), B.C. Plumbing Code

June 14, 1994

BCAB #1359

Re: Venting of Floor Drains, Sentence 5.1.1.(2), B.C. Plumbing Code

Project Description

The project in question is a restaurant where a 3 floor drain has been provided to serve an ice cream cooler. No vent pipe has been provided to protect the trap for this floor drain.

Reason for Appeal

Article 5.1.1. requires traps to be protected by a vent pipe except Sentence (2) permits the vent to be omitted if the trap is at least 3, the fixture drain is at least 450 mm and the fall of the fixture drain does not exceed the its size.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the floor drain in question meets all the requirements of Sentence 5.1.1.(2) and does not require a vent pipe.

Building Official's Position

The plumbing official maintains that a floor drain is intended to drain the floor and not a piece of equipment which should be connected to a hub drain. Hub drains are required to be vented. If floor drains can be used for equipment drainage and not require venting then the superior hub drain will unlikely be used.

Appeal Board Decision #1359

The Board understands that the drain in the floor has been installed specifically to drain the ice cream cooler and not to drain the floor. The Board considers that Sentence 5.1.1.(2) applies and exempts this drain from the requirement for a vent.

George R. Humphrey, Chair