How is the waste from a line of urinals disposed of?

A common practice is the use of slate urinals, provided with perforated flush pipes which continually wash the surface of the slate, the flush entering a gutter at the back of the urinal stalls. The gutter is graded and delivers its contents into the drainage system through a trap properly vented.

Another common method is the trapping of each separate urinal, the waste from each generally entering a horizontal line of brass waste pipe running behind the back of the stalls. Continuous venting may be applied to advantage in this work.

A third method, but somewhat expensive, and particularly applicable for comfort stations, is the use of porcelain or earthenware stalls, the upper surface of the floor slab being counter-sunk so that all liquids drain to the center, where they enter the drainage system through separate traps. These traps may be supplied with a local vent leading to a heated flue.

Describe the plumbing for a horse-stall.

For this purpose there is made a special sink, the four sides of which pitch to the centre, which is provided with a guard to prevent the passage of heavy substances. This sink is set lengthwise of the stall, and toward its entrance, and above the sink is set a hinged trap door, made with sufficient spaces to allow liquids to pass freely into the sink. The connection to the sink is arranged so that it may be calked directly into the hub of cast iron pipe. The waste for the horse-stall is of cast iron pipe, and should be provided with a trap properly vented. Two inch pipe is generally used for a single stall.

In what other way than from the lead bend, may a water closet be properly vented?

It may be vented from the vent hub of a vented T - Y, or from the vent hub of a vented sanitary tee, of which there are several different forms.

What is the flush valve and its use?

The flush valve is a device in several different patented forms, used for the flushing of water closets, whereby the use of a flush tank is avoided. The valve is opened by means of a lever or push button, is of the slow closing type, and before automatically closing, will deliver sufficient water to thoroughly flush the fixture.

In what ways is the flush valve operated?

It may be operated either by direct pressure or by tank pressure.

How is the sewage from fixtures located below the sewer level disposed of?

It is sometimes carried into a receiving tank or cesspool located at a lower level than that of the lowest fixture, and forced by pumps into the main house sewer. Generally however, especially in the case of large city buildings, it is disposed of by means of special apparatus known as automatic sewage lifts, of which there are several patented forms.

Give a general description of the operation of the automatic sewage lift.

This device is operated by various means, including water pressure, steam, electricity, and compressed air. They are usually provided with cross connections arranged so that either of two sources of power may be used. This is done to provide against the disabling of the entire system due to a breakdown in power, which might occur at any time if dependent entirely on one source of power. The drainage from the fixtures at low levels is conducted into a sewage tank or receiver, the inlet pipe being provided with a check valve.

The Automatic Cellar Drainer. The Automatic Sewage Lift.

Inside the tank there is a float or bucket, which rises with the sewage in the tank. When the sewage has risen to a certain point, the rod connected to the float opens a valve which admits the compressed air or steam upon the surface of the sewage in the tank. As the pressure valve opens, the same motion closes the valve in the vent pipe connected to the tank, and the pressure itself closes the check valve on the inlet to the tank. There being no other path of escape for the contents, they are forced through the outlet pipe, and up into the main house drain. As the sewage in the tank falls, the float falls also, gradually closing the pressure valve. When the pressure valve closes the vent valve opens, and the lift is in readiness for another operation. See page 127,