Results are reported from an investigation of the hydraulics of flow in experimental apparatus simulating nominally horizontal simple and branching drains of plumbing systems. The data are correlated with limited findings in an earlier, unpublished NBS study the results of which have been utilized in current plumbing codes. The need for further research is pointed out, particularly in relation to hydraulic performance of drain systems as affected by steep slopes, drain storage volume, energy losses at stack bases, attenuation of water depths and discharge rates in long drains, and large drain diameters.

A laboratory study of one-story and split-level experimental drainage systems where the vents in some cases were varied from one to six pipe-sizes smaller than those presently specified by codes showed satisfactory hydraulic and pneumatic performance under various loading conditions. This paper presents criteria recommended for the design and evaluation of systems using reduced-sized vents and a sizing table for one- and two-story systems. The laboratory work also contributed to the development of analytical and test procedures needed for evaluating the application of reduced-size venting to a broad range of innovative drain-waste-vent designs for buildings of any height. (Modified author abstract).