What do you call the black plastic collar or plastic pipe used to extend down to a septic tank? I’m trying to write a specification for a RFP and I’m wondering what it is actually called.
Built from locally sawn hemlock, this functional outdoor feature uses structural screws and metal connectors for fast, sturdy construction.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
King Co WA specs have called it the "Invert" for at least 40 years. Others may have different names.
I would call it a vent. I just looked @ a set of drawings from my septic engineer and it is labeled as an inspection port on my plan.
Yeah I know they are used for inspection ports but inspection ports (thise collars) are either concrete or plastic pipe and I want the plastic pipe variety not the concrete one since we will have to make penetrations into it.
View Image
That's par for the board ... three responses and three different answers. And they're all probably correct.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
That is so funny. And all the replies were almost instantaneous too. And I do think they all are correct! But they aren't quite in the context I was looking for.
View Image
HDPE corrugated plastic pipe.
Thanks John, I wrote the spec with that description and googling "HDPE corrugated plastic pipe" I was able to find a bunch more information fro my files on drainage pipe.
View Image
If it's what I think it is... we call it a riser. The tank is ~12-24" below grade, and a section of corrugated drain pipe is installed as a riser. A cover is attached at grade. To me an inspection port is out in the drain field and is used to check on the emitters.
It's called the baffle. It keeps the solids out of the leach field. Sometimes they are concrete and others plastic. I've also seen both used at the same time.
"extends DOWN TO the septic tank"? And maybe has a cover on it and the cover's at grade? If so, that's the RISER with accompanying LID.
The pipe coming into a tank from the building is the INLET pipe. The pipe leaving the tank and going to the leach field is the OUTLET pipe. There may be a tee with a short section of pipe on it, attched to the outlet (and usually the inlet) pipe, which is a BAFFLE. Old tanks used concrete baffles, most new ones use plastic pipe sections.
Some tanks may have an inspection port. This is rare. Others, such as pump stations, may have a VENT. Usually with a screened inverted u-shaped fitting, mushroom cap or carbon filter attached.
The INVERT is a term used to describe the bottom inside center of any pipe or flow line. If you are looking at the pipe in cross section, the invert is at six o'clock on the section on the inside (not the outside) of the pipe. The OUTVERT (not a common term) is the TOP inside center (12 o'clock) position of the pipe.
Sometimes I wish I didn't deal with this stuff for a living.
I wrote the spec as "a 2' section of 2' diameter HDPE corrugated plastic pipe set vertically as a riser with concrete lid flush to grade". It's not for a septic tank system. It's for housing an electrical box below grade. Our electrician will put the box on a post inside the tube so the box ends up 18" above the grade in the tube. It's for christmas tree lights believe it or not.
View Image
I use these for my Xmas lites, as well as anything else electrical outside.
http://www.rabweb.com/product_line_detail.php?prodline=POST
I think our electrician(s) use them or something very similar with the landscape lighting I've seen them install. And come to think of it I could use something like that for the light that illuminates the flag that hangs in front of my house. The pachysandra is starting to grow over the light. Good resource, thanks.
View Image