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About this chapter: Rainfall onto buildings must be removed and directed to a location that can accommodate storm water. Chapter 11 specifies the design rainfall event for the geographic area and provides sizing methods for piping and gutter systems to convey the storm water away from the building. Included in this chapter are regulations for piping materials and subsoil drainage systems.
The provisions of this chapter shall govern the materials, design, construction and installation of storm drainage.
Rainwater from roofs and storm water from paved areas, yards, courts and courtyards shall drain to an approved place of disposal. For one- and two-family dwellings, and where approved, storm water is permitted to discharge onto flat areas, such as streets or lawns, provided that the storm water flows away from the building.
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Storm water shall not be drained into sewers intended for sewage only.
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The conductors and the building storm drain shall be tested in accordance with Section 312.
The size of a drainage pipe shall not be reduced in the direction of flow.
Connections and changes in direction of the storm drainage system shall be made with approved drainage-type fittings in accordance with Table 706.3. The fittings shall not obstruct or retard flow in the system.
Roofs shall be designed for the maximum possible depth of water that will pond thereon as determined by the relative levels of roof deck and overflow weirs, scuppers, edges or serviceable drains in combination with the deflected structural elements. In determining the maximum possible depth of water, all primary roof drainage means shall be assumed to be blocked. The maximum possible depth of water on the roof shall include the height of the water required above the inlet of the secondary roof drainage means to achieve the required flow rate of the secondary drainage means to accommodate the design rainfall rate as required by Section 1106.
Cleanouts shall be installed in the storm drainage system and shall comply with the provisions of this code for sanitary drainage pipe cleanouts.
Exception: Subsurface drainage system.
Storm drainage systems shall be provided with backwater valves as required for sanitary drainage systems in accordance with Section 714.
The materials and methods utilized for the construction and installation of storm drainage systems shall comply with this section and the applicable provisions of Chapter 7.
Inside storm drainage conductors installed above ground shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table 702.1.
Underground building storm drain pipe shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table 702.2.
Building storm sewer pipe shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table 1102.4.
BUILDING STORM SEWER PIPE
MATERIALSTANDARD
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic pipe in IPS diameters, including Schedule 40, DR 22 (PS 200) and DR 24 (PS 140); with a solid, cellular core or composite wall.ASTM D2661; ASTM F628; ASTM F1488; CSA B181.1; CSA B182.1
Cast-iron pipeASTM A74; ASTM A888; CISPI 301
Concrete pipeASTM C14; ASTM C76; CSA A257.1M; CSA A257.2M
Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, L, M or DWV)ASTM B75; ASTM B88; ASTM B251; ASTM B306
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipeASTM F667;ASTM F2306/F2306M; ASTM F2648/F2648M
Polypropylene (PP) pipeASTM F2881; CSA B182.13
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe (Type DWV, SDR26, SDR35, SDR41, PS50 or PS100) in IPS diameters, including Schedule 40, DR 22 (PS 200) and DR 24 (PS 140); with a solid, cellular core or composite wall.ASTM D2665; ASTM D3034; ASTM F891; ASTM F1488; CSA B182.4; CSA B181.2; CSA B182.2
Vitrified clay pipeASTM C4; ASTM C700
Stainless steel drainage systems, Type 316LASME A112.3.1
Subsoil drains shall be open-jointed, horizontally split or perforated pipe conforming to one of the standards listed in Table 1102.5.
MATERIALSTANDARD
Cast-iron pipeASTM A74; ASTM A888; CISPI 301
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipeASTM F405; ASTM F667; CSA B182.1; CSA B182.6; CSA B182.8
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Plastic pipe (type sewer pipe, SDR35, PS25, PS50 or PS100)ASTM D2729; ASTM D3034, ASTM F891; CSA B182.2; CSA B182.4
Stainless steel drainage systems, Type 316LASME A112.3.1
Vitrified clay pipeASTM C4; ASTM C700
Roof drains shall conform to ASME A112.6.4 or ASME A112.3.1.
Pipe fittings shall be approved for installation with the piping material installed, and shall conform to the respective pipe standards or one of the standards listed in Table 1102.7. The fittings shall not have ledges, shoulders or reductions capable of retarding or obstructing flow in the piping. Threaded drainage pipe fittings shall be of the recessed drainage type.
PIPE FITTINGS
MATERIALSTANDARD
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plasticASTM D2661; ASTM D3311; CSA B181.1
Cast-ironASME B16.4; ASME B16.12; ASTM A888; CISPI 301; ASTM A74
Coextruded composite ABS and drain DR-PS in PS35, PS50, PS100, PS140, PS200ASTM D2751
Coextruded composite ABS DWV Schedule 40 IPS pipe (solid or cellular core)ASTM D2661; ASTM D3311; ASTM F628
Coextruded composite PVC DWV Schedule 40 IPS-DR, PS140, PS200 (solid or cellular core)ASTM D2665; ASTM D3311; ASTM F891
Coextruded composite PVC sewer and drain DR-PS in PS35, PS50, PS100, PS140, PS200ASTM D3034
Copper or copper alloyASME B16.15; ASME B16.18; ASME B16.22; ASME B16.23; ASME B16.26; ASME B16.29
Gray iron and ductile ironAWWA C110/A21.10
Malleable ironASME B16.3
Plastic, generalASTM F409
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipeASTM F2306/F2306M
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticASTM D2665; ASTM D3311; ASTM F1866
SteelASME B16.9; ASME B16.11; ASME B16.28
Stainless steel drainage systems, Type 316LASME A112.3.1
Leaders and storm drains connected to a combined sewer shall be trapped. Individual storm water traps shall be installed on the storm water drain branch serving each conductor, or a single trap shall be installed in the main storm drain just before its connection with the combined building sewer or the public sewer. Leaders and storm drains connected to a building storm sewer shall not be required to be trapped.
Storm water traps shall be of the same material as the piping system to which they are attached.
Traps for individual conductors shall be the same size as the horizontal drain to which they are connected.
A cleanout shall be installed on the building side of the trap and shall be provided with access.
Conductor pipes shall not be used as soil, waste or vent pipes, and soil, waste or vent pipes shall not be used as conductors.
Floor drains shall not be connected to a storm drain.
Roof drains shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The inside opening for the roof drain shall not be obstructed by the roofing membrane material.
The published roof drain flow rate, based on the head of water above the roof drain, shall be used to size the storm drainage system in accordance with Section 1106. The flow rate used for sizing the storm drainage piping shall be based on the maximum anticipated ponding at the roof drain.
The size of the vertical conductors and leaders, building storm drains, building storm sewers and any horizontal branches of such drains or sewers shall be based on the 100-year hourly rainfall rate indicated in Figure 1106.1 or on other rainfall rates determined from approved local weather data.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) EASTERN UNITED STATES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1—continued
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) CENTRAL UNITED STATES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1—continued
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) WESTERN UNITED STATES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1—continued
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) ALASKA
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1—continued
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) HAWAII
Vertical and horizontal storm drain piping shall be sized based on the flow rate through the roof drain. The flow rate in storm drain piping shall not exceed that specified in Table 1106.2.
STORM DRAIN PIPE SIZING
PIPE SIZE
(inches)
CAPACITY (gpm)
VERTICAL DRAINSLOPE OF HORIZONTAL DRAIN
1/16 inch per foot1/8 inch per foot1/4 inch per foot1/2 inch per foot
23415223144
387395579111
418081115163231
5311117165234331
6538243344487689
81,1175057141,0101,429
102,0509271,3111,8552,623
123,2721,4802,0932,9604,187
155,5432,5083,5465,0167,093
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.
Vertical leaders shall be sized based on the flow rate from horizontal gutters or the maximum flow rate through roof drains. The flow rate through vertical leaders shall not exceed that specified in Table 1106.3.
VERTICAL LEADER SIZING
SIZE OF LEADER
(inches)
CAPACITY
(gpm)
230
2 × 230
11/2 × 21/230
21/254
21/2 × 21/254
392
2 × 492
21/2 × 392
4192
3 × 41/4192
31/2 × 4192
5360
4 × 5360
41/2 × 41/2360
6563
5 × 6563
51/2 × 51/2563
81208
6 × 81208
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.
In sizing roof drains and storm drainage piping, one-half of the area of any vertical wall that diverts rainwater to the roof shall be added to the projected roof area for inclusion in calculating the required size of vertical conductors, leaders and horizontal storm drainage piping.
Where scuppers are used for primary roof drainage or for secondary (emergency overflow) roof drainage or both, the quantity, size, location and inlet elevation of the scuppers shall be chosen to prevent the depth of ponding water on the roof from exceeding the maximum water depth that the roof was designed for as determined by Section 1611.1 of the International Building Code. Scupper openings shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height and have a width that is equal to or greater than the circumference of a roof drain sized for the same roof area. The flow through the primary system shall not be considered when locating and sizing secondary scuppers.
Horizontal gutters shall be sized based on the flow rate from the roof surface. The flow rate in horizontal gutters shall not exceed that specified in Table 1106.6.
HORIZONTAL GUTTER SIZING
GUTTER DIMENSIONSa
(inches)
SLOPE
(inch per foot)
CAPACITY
(gpm)
11/2 × 21/21/426
11/2 × 21/21/240
41/839
21/4 × 31/455
21/4 × 31/287
51/874
4 × 21/21/4106
3 × 31/21/2156
61/8110
3 × 51/4157
3 × 51/2225
81/16172
81/8247
41/2 × 61/4348
41/2 × 61/2494
101/16331
101/8472
5 × 81/4651
4 × 101/21055
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 inch per foot = 83.3 mm/m.
  1. Dimensions are width by depth for rectangular shapes. Single dimensions are diameters of a semicircle.
Siphonic roof drains and drainage systems shall be designed in accordance with ASME A112.6.9 and ASPE 45.
Where roof drains are required, secondary (emergency overflow) roof drains or scuppers shall be provided where the roof perimeter construction extends above the roof in such a manner that water will be entrapped if the primary drains allow buildup for any reason. Where primary and secondary roof drains are manufactured as a single assembly, the inlet and outlet for each drain shall be independent.
Secondary roof drain systems shall have the end point of discharge separate from the primary system. Discharge shall be above grade, in a location that would normally be observed by the building occupants or maintenance personnel.
Secondary (emergency) roof drain systems shall be sized in accordance with Section 1106 based on the rainfall rate for which the primary system is sized. Scuppers shall be sized to prevent the depth of ponding water from exceeding that for which the roof was designed as determined by Section 1101.7. Scuppers shall have an opening dimension of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height and have an opening width equal to the circumference of the roof drain required for the area served. The flow through the primary system shall not be considered when sizing the secondary roof drain system.
Where the public sewer is a combined system for both sanitary and storm water, the storm sewer shall be connected independently to the public sewer.
The roof of a structure shall be designed for the storage of water where the storm drainage system is engineered for controlled flow. The controlled flow roof drain system shall be an engineered system in accordance with this section and the design, submittal, approval, inspection and testing requirements of Section 316.1. The controlled flow system shall be designed based on the required rainfall rate in accordance with Section 1106.1.
The control devices shall be installed so that the rate of discharge of water per minute shall not exceed the values for continuous flow as indicated in Section 1110.1.
Runoff control shall be by control devices. Control devices shall be protected by strainers.
Not less than two roof drains shall be installed in roof areas 10,000 square feet (929 m2) or less and not less than four roof drains shall be installed in roofs over 10,000 square feet (929 m2) in area.
Subsoil drains shall be open-jointed, horizontally split or perforated pipe conforming to one of the standards listed in Table 1102.5. Such drains shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter. Where the building is subject to backwater, the subsoil drain shall be protected by an accessibly located backwater valve. Subsoil drains shall discharge to a trapped area drain, sump, dry well or approved location above ground. The subsoil sump shall not be required to have either a gas-tight cover or a vent. The sump and pumping system shall comply with Section 1113.1.
Building subdrains located below the public sewer level shall discharge into a sump or receiving tank, the contents of which shall be automatically lifted and discharged into the drainage system as required for building sumps. The sump and pumping equipment shall comply with Section 1113.1.
The sump pump, pit and discharge piping shall conform to Sections 1113.1.1 through 1113.1.4.
The sump pump shall be of a capacity and head appropriate to anticipated use requirements.
The sump pit shall be not less than 18 inches (457 mm) in diameter and not less than 24 inches (610 mm) in depth, unless otherwise approved. The pit shall be provided with access and shall be located such that all drainage flows into the pit by gravity. The sump pit shall be constructed of tile, steel, plastic, cast iron, concrete or other approved material, with a removable cover adequate to support anticipated loads in the area of use. The pit floor shall be solid and provide permanent support for the pump.
Electrical service outlets, where required, shall meet the requirements of Georgia State Minimum Standard Electrical Code (National Electrical Code with Georgia State Amendments).
Discharge piping shall meet the requirements of Section 1102.2, 1102.3 or 1102.4 and shall include a gate valve and a full flow check valve. Pipe and fittings shall be the same size as, or larger than, the pump discharge tapping.
Exception: In one- and two-family dwellings, only a check valve shall be required, located on the discharge piping from the pump or ejector.