What is a sewer force main?
Summary
Sewer force mains are pressure pipelines used to move sewage, especially when gravity flow is not feasible due to elevation or distance. When installing a sewer force main, it's important to consider factors such as the pump specifications, the number of clean-outs and check valves needed, and the potential need for a flushing connection. Municipalities often have specific requirements for these systems. Our forum users have shared their insights and experiences on the topic, offering advice on design, materials, and installation practices.
Our forum users have shared the following insights:
- When connecting to a gravity sewer, a check valve may not be necessary, but it is recommended for a forced main. A clean out might not be needed on a pressure line. -- rino1494, Contractortalk.com
- One user suggests that it's wise to install a check valve between the tank and the house, depending on the grade relationship between the sump castings and the lowest interior fixture. -- Dozerman56, Contractortalk.com
- Another user recommends a flushing connection about halfway from the house to the lot line. This would consist of a tee with ball valves on each side and a riser pipe to grade, which allows for flushing towards the lot line or the house. -- PipeGuy, Contractortalk.com
- One user noted that many municipalities require the use of HDPE poly pipe for grinder pump systems. -- Kgmz, Contractortalk.com
- One user suggests to avoid using too many fittings by bending gradual corners with the P.V.C. pipe. -- S.R.E., Contractortalk.com
Post Mentions
- Are you dumping into a gravity sewer or a forced main ?? If it is gravity, you will not need a check valve, but if it is a forced main, then you should have one at the curb stop. Shouldn't need a clean out either a pressure line. You could put a junction box in halfway though.
- Looking at job where client has house 1000' from road. City left stub for his house when they installed sewers a few years ago. Client is thinking of selling & knows septic won't pass title 5 so he wants me to install forced main sewer. The city isn't requiring an engineer. I had pump speced...
- Rino We will be using LE70 Liberty grinder pump. I've installed something like the e-one system you use. They are nice to work with but don't have much reserve capacity. I called an engineer I know picking his brain about this job & he thought I should use 3". That really seems like overkill...
- Is there any way you can dig your ditch in such a way that you don't need fittings. If your force main is 2" sch 40 P.V.C. it will bend around gradual corners. The problem with clean outs on force mains is that unless you put them in a vault some one will probally break it at some point and the...
- If I were doing it for my house I'd want a flushing connection about half-way from the house to the lot line consisting of a line size tee with in-line full-port ball valves on each side of the tee and a line size riser pipe from the tee to grade (with a threaded plug at-grade); something you...
- Most municipalities around here require you use HDPE poly pipe for grinder pump systems, usually SDR 9 or 200 psi. We can get 2" SDR9 in 150, 250, 350, 500, 600, 1000, 1500, and 2000 foot rolls. And also use the brass compression fittings.
- I wouldn't put cleanouts in a force main. A check valve between your tank and the house is probably a good idea but may not be necessary depending on the grade relationship between the castings on top of your sump vs the lowest interior fixture.
- Going to meet HO tommorrow. I printed out a flushing connection detail on Friday to show him the how it works. It might be a good idea even if the city doesn't require one.
- First here is a link to the E-One design manual on my website. This will help you figure out how to design the system, pipe sizing, etc. http://www.zenitram-inc.com/Files/lpsdesign.pdf Now about the pump you are thinking of using. You will have nothing but problems with that pump, as it is...
- Stay in school, you're getting there :thumbsup:.
Related Threads
- Looking at job where client has house 1000' from road. City left stub for his house when they installed sewers a few years ago. Client is thinking of selling & knows septic won't pass title 5 so he wants me to install forced main sewer. The city isn't requiring an engineer. I had pump speced...
- a question what is meant by force sewer main pipeline , is it sewer pipeline underprssure ?