This article is about Sanitary Sewer Force Main / Piping Layout Technical Specifications of Plumbing System as per international codes and standards.
Sanitary Sewer Force Main / Piping Layout Technical Specifications
- Acceptable material for Force Main :
- Underground (Hydrocarbon area)
a)RTR (fiberglass) Pressure Pipe
b) HDPE*
HDPE shall be used only for slipping of existing sanitary sewer pipe - Underground (Non-Hydrcarbon area)
a) RTR (fiberglass) Pressure Pipe
b) PVC PIPE Schedule 80 (125 class)
c) SASO SSA/14, Class 5.
d) HDPE - Above ground (Hydrocarbon and Nonhydrocarbon areas)
a) RTR (fiberglass) Pressure Pipe
b) HDPE*
* HDPE shall be used only for slipping of existing sanitary sewer pipe”
- Underground (Hydrocarbon area)
- Force main shall be at least one pipe size larger than the pump discharge size.
- Minimum horizontal separation between sewage force main that are parallel to potable lines shall be 3 meter, and shall be located below the potable water lines.
- Sewage force main crossing a potable water line shall be oriented such that the sewage force main crosses under the potable water line with a minimum vertical surface clearance of 300 mm
- Force mains shall be a minimum of 10 centimeters (4 inches) in diameter
- All force main connections to a gravity sewer system shall be through a manhole.
- Air release and vacuum relief valves shall be installed at all high points.
- Drain valves with drain lines to sewers shall be installed at all low points. This does not apply at the pump connections and the force main outlet.
- Thrust blocks for underground force mains shall be provided in accordance with SAES-S-070, paragraph 17.
- Sewage force main that, due to existing conditions must crossover a potable water line regardless of vertical separation; and must have less than 300 mm clear separation even though running beneath the potable water line, shall meet one of the following requirements
a) The sewage force main crossing a potable water line shall be one continuous joint of pipe and both ends of that force main shall be at least 3 meters beyond the point of crossing.
b) The sewage force main shall be encased in a concrete sheath for a minimum distance of 3 meters in both directions beyond the crossing point. The concrete sheath shall be at least 150 mm thick. Plastic pipes such as RTR piping and fittings shall be wrapped with neoprene wrapping at the edges of concrete encasement. The wrapping must protrude slightly from the concrete encasement. The thickness and the width of wrap shall comply with the Table-4 of SAES-S-070 as shown below: ê
c) Sewage force main shall be encased in a sealed casing of either steel sleeve, PVC or RTR pipe for a minimum distance of 3 meters, in both directions beyond the point of crossing. - Identification: Color coding of Utility Piping
A11.01 – Outside Sewage Treatment Plants
A11.01.01 All underground Sanitary Sewer Piping; Industrial drains and sewer: gravity flow or forced mains shall be identified through the manhole covers. Color coding of the Manhole covers shall be as instructed / directed by the Utilities or Operations Department which ever has the jurisdiction.
A11.01.02 All above ground sanitary sewer piping; Industrial drains and sewer: gravity flow or forced mains shall have color identification band to designate the liquid being conveyed in accordance with Table 3 of SAES-A-104, SAES-B-067 and Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code, GI-0151.006 and the direction of normal flow shall be clearly shown at every 20 ft (6096 mm) intervals. Minimum length of color field and size of letter shall be in accordance with the table shown below:
A11.01.03 All underground Utility Piping e.g. Potable Water System; Raw/Fire Combined Water System; Dedicated Fire Water System; Irrigation Water System, shall be identified through the valve boxes. Color coding shall be in accordance with Table 3 of SAES-A-104, SAES-B-067 and Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code, GI-0151.006 and the direction of normal flow shall be clearly shown at the upstream & downstream of the control valves. Minimum length of color field and size of letter shall be in accordance with the table shown below:
A11.01.04 All above ground Utility Piping e.g. Potable Water System; Raw/Fire Combined Water System; Dedicated Fire Water System; Irrigation Water System, shall be identified through the valve boxes. Color coding shall be in accordance with Table 3 of SAES-A-104, SAES-B-067 and Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code, GI-0151.006 and the direction of normal flow shall be clearly shown at every 20 ft (6096 mm) intervals. Minimum length of color field and size of letter shall be in accordance with the table shown below:
Minimum Length of Color Field and Size of Letters
- A11.02 – Within Sewage Treatment Plants
A11.02.01 All above and below ground utility piping within the sewage treatment plant shall be color coded in accordance with the requirements of SAES-A-104, SAES-B-067 and Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code, GI-0151.006. All sides of the Piping system shall be painted of the specified color coding. Minimum length of color field and size of letter shall be in accordance with the table shown above.
International Codes and Standard References for Sanitary Sewer Force Main / Piping Layout
1-SAES-S-010 – Sanitary Sewers.
2-SAES-S-070 – Installation of Utility Piping Systems,.
3-GI-0151.006 – Saudi Aramco Sanitary Code (SASC)
Sanitary Sewer Pipe LayOut and Design Guidelines
Sanitary Sewer Manhole Installation & Inspection Checklist