Studor, in their TECHNICAL MANUAL (cited and linked below) point out that this type of air admittence valve, or "old style" valve is not legal and does not meet any of the plumbing codes. It may also be unsafe as a weakened or jammed or broken spring in the valve can lead to a failure that admits dangerous sewer gases into the building.
Are Studor vents allowed in the local code?
I was told by a plumber today that the local code allows for Studor Vents instead of the old tried & true plumbing vent stack. The Net Zero homes they are doing are cutting back on the holes in the roof and the plumbers are using Studor Vents.
How does a Studor vent work in plumbing?
A discharge of wastewater can cause a valve to open. When it opens air is permitted to enter the plumbing system. To understand its operation in a better way, you should watch videos on YouTube to see how it operates in reality. The studor vent can significantly decrease the number of venting materials required in a plumbing system.
Can you use Studor to replace sink air vents with toilet?
Hence no studor vents are permitted to toilets because more air is required to keep water flow going with more waste added to the toilet. Utilize Studor to replace sink air vents. Few sinks are connected to the same air vent pipe as the toilet. If we did not have a venting method, then you will have toilet drains and a noisy sink.
What is an air admittance valve (Studor vent)?
In these rare cases plumbers use an Air Admittance Valve. Air Admittance Valves (aka Studor vents) are “negative-pressure-activated” one-way mechanical valves. Used most commonly at an island sink or vanity the vents are also located in the attic to prevent the roof penetrations (as seen above) on the front roof line elevation.
Is a studor vent code?
The Studor vent lets that air to be sucked in the pipe during water flow but doesn't let sewer gas escape out. Code is the thing that determines pipe size and also water flow. Hence no studor vents are permitted to toilets because more air is required to keep water flow going with more waste added to the toilet.
How many fixtures can you have on a studor vent?
A single vent serves as the vent for three to eight fixtures. The Studor Mini-Vent or Tec-Vent serves as the circuit vent. When the horizontal drainage branch connects to a stack having more than four branch intervals located above the branch, a relief vent is required.
Does a studor vent need to be accessible?
STUDOR AAVs shall be accessible should replacement be required. For in-wall installation, use STUDOR recess box/grill combination. STUDOR AAVs location must allow for adequate air to enter the valve. When located in a wall space or attic space lacking ventilation openings, opening shall be provided.
Are AAV valves code?
Our old home-grown plumbing code used to specifically prohibit the use of air admittance valves (AAVs), but the new plumbing code that was adopted in 2016 is silent on the matter, which means the same thing. AAVs aren't allowed.
Can a toilet shower and sink share a vent?
Wet venting is most common in conjunction with toilets and sinks; the drain for the sink is also the vent for the toilet. It can also be used for a variety of other applications but due to the following rules this is the most convenient and common situation to run into.
Can you studor vent a toilet?
Studor vents allow air to enter the pipes while keeping sewer gasses or odor from escaping. After a toilet flushes the increased water flowing down the drain creates a negative pressure. The negative pressure opens a valve in the Studor allowing air to enter the drain pipe.
Are cheater vents legal?
Sometimes called "cheaters," these tubular, spring-loaded $5 vents are rated for only 1/2 DFU (drainage fixture unit), and are not allowed under most building codes.
Can a studor vent be in a wall?
A: A studor vent, aka air admittance valve, is used indoors and eliminates the need to run a vent stack outside, through walls and floors, etc. This recess box simply allows you to install the vent within the studs while still being able access the vent.
Where do you install a studor vent?
4:045:36Studor Air Admittance Valves Revolutionizing the Plumbing IndustryYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe most popular location for a stewed or AAV is under a sink or in a vanity. The valves can also beMoreThe most popular location for a stewed or AAV is under a sink or in a vanity. The valves can also be located in the wall cavity by use of a stood or recessed. Box.
Can I use an air admittance valve instead of vent pipe?
Air Admittance Valves can be installed in addition to, but should never be installed in place of a vent pipe for off-mains systems.
Can two sinks share a vent?
In most cases, you can easily adapt the supply and drain pipes to accommodate two sinks, using tee fittings, special valves, extension pipes and hoses. You may have to vent each sink separately, though, depending on your local plumbing codes.
Where should I place my air admittance valve?
Air admittance valves are typically placed between the P-trap of a fixture and the drain line. They're usually mounted on one leg of a sanitary tee, with the other leg going to the drain. The unit must be placed per local codes and the manufacturer's instructions.
How many fixtures can share a 2 vent?
The Plumbing Code states that a vent can handle 24 fixture units. A bathroom sink of 1.0 F.U., a bathtub of 2.0 F.U., and a shower of 2.0 F.U.
How many fixtures can be on a 3 vent?
A 3-inch (76 mm) soil stack with a stack vent serving as the required vent extension to the outdoors, connecting to a 3-inch (76 mm) building drain, must have at least a 1½-inch (38 mm) stack vent [maximum of 102 fixture units served and a maximum 25-foot (7620 mm) developed length] in accordance with Section 906.1 and ...
How many fixtures can be on a 2 inch drain?
710.1 Maximum Fixture Unit LoadDIAMETER OF PIPE (inches)MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNITS (dfu)Total for horizontal branchTotal for stack greater than three branch intervals11/238262421/212429 more rows
Can 2 toilets share a vent?
The waste lines can usually be tied into the same stack if the house has more than one toilet. They may need their own stack if they are on opposite sides. Two vent openings on the roof are needed since the stacks must be vented.
What is EN 12056-2?
EN 12056-2:2002 (Gravity drainage systems inside buildings – Part 2: Sanitary pipework, layout and calculation) was published in June 2000. It sets out the principles to be followed for layout and calculation for waste water drainage systems which operate under gravity.#N#The standard provides different options for handling primary and secondary ventilation and, for the first time within a standard, it specifies AAVs as a legal alternative to the traditional pipe ventilation. Guidelines for the use of AAVs are detailed, including the requirement for them to comply with EN 12380.#N#EN 12056-2 provides a table based on the fixture units within the drainage system in order to calculate the required airflow. Studor developed the Airflow Calculator as a valuable tool to simplify the calculation process.#N#If you require any assistance designing your drainage system please contact our technical support team.
What are the regulations for Studor?
Regulations. In the world there are three main standards which apply to building installation products: European, Australian and the USA standards. The Studor products have been approved to these standards (as well as other national standards), making them not only a technically advanced solution, but also a regulatory approved product to use.
What is CE mark?
The CE mark applied to a product is a self-certification by the manufacturer that the product fulfils the essential requirements of the relevant European standard. In most cases there is no requirement for independent validation of certification, which puts an element of trust on the manufacturer to make a truthful declaration.
When was the first European standard for air intake valves published?
The first European standard (EN 12380:2002) to cover the requirements, test methods and evaluation of conformity for Air Admittance Valves (AAVs) for drainage systems installed within buildings (in accordance with European Standard EN 12056-2:2002) was published in December 2002.
What vents connect to stack vents?
All individual, branch and circuit vents shall connect to a vent stack, stack vent, air admittance valve or extend to the open air.
How many vent stacks are there in a plumbing system?
Within each plumbing system, a minimum of one stack vent or vent stack shall extend outdoors to the open air.
How high should an air admittance valve be?
Individual and branch-type air admittance valves shall be located a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) above the horizontal branch drain or fixture drain being vented. Stack-type air admittance valves shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the flood level rim of the highest fixture being vented. The air admittance valve shall be located within the maximum developed length permitted for the vent. The air admittance valve shall be installed not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above insulation materials.
Where are air admittance valves not located?
Air admittance valves shall not be located in spaces utilized as supply or return air plenums. Air admittance valves without an engineered design shall not be utilized to vent sumps or tanks of any type.
When do you install air admittance valves?
Air admittance valves shall be installed after the DWV testing required by Section 312.2 or 312.3 has been performed.
Can a branch vent be connected to a branch vent?
Branch, circuit, common, continuous and individual vents shall be permitted to terminate with a connection to an individual or branch type air admittance valve complying with ASSE 1051. Individual and branch type air admittance valves shall only vent fixtures that are on the same floor level and connect to a horizontal branch drain.
Can a vent terminate with an air admittance valve?
Individual vents, branch vents, circuit vents and stack vents shall be permitted to terminate with a connection to an air admittance valve.
What is studor valve?
Studor is a brand of air-admittance valve. The worry, I suppose, is that the spring will eventually fail and the valve will stop working. Traditional plumbing vents have no moving parts, so I favor the traditional approach.
What is the purpose of a vent?
One of the purpose of the vent is to vent toxic gas, AAV does not do that. When they fail, the toxic gas goes in the house and some are odorless.
Can you use AAVs under a kitchen sink?
If you do use AAVs, ask your plumber to attach them to the stack with flexible rubber couplings so that you can easily change them if they fail. Cutting out an AAV up under a kitchen sink is awkward at best.
Can you use Studor vents on Net Zero?
I was told by a plumber today that the local code allows for Studor Vents instead of the old tried & true plumbing vent stack. The Net Zero homes they are doing are cutting back on the holes in the roof and the plumbers are using Studor Vents.
Do AAVs make your house smell?
Bad AAVs don't really do much more than make your house smell until you figure out what the problem is, but to me they are a solution in search of a problem. I don't use AAVs anywhere. On islands I use a loop vent. When the plumbing is complete I never need to think about it again.
Can a plumbing vent leak?
A plumbing vent has no connection to the interior air of a home, so there shouldn't be any air leakage associated with a traditional plumbing vent, as long as the penetration is properly sealed. There will be some conduction losses through the PVC or ABS pipe, but these conduction losses aren't very significant.
Do AAVs stink?
I have no complaints on the AAVs. It's the one large main sidewall vent and one small sidewall vent that complement them that I regret. These sidewall vents, placed in locations that are "code distance" away from operable windows, stink, literally.
Where do you place a relief vent?
A relief vent shall be provided. The relief vent must be located between the connection of the branch to the stack and the first fixture connecting to the branch. The relief vent may also serve as a vent for the fixture. The relief vent must connect to the vent stack, stack vent or extend outdoors to the open air unless it is used in conjunction with a stack that is connected to a P.A.P.A. device and AAVs on the branches.
How many vents are required for a building drainage system?
A minimum of one vent pipe shall extended to the open atmosphere for each building drainage system for relief of positive pressure, the size of this vent is not specified because this single vent does not determine the total amount of aggregate cross-sectional area of the vent system. The total amount of the cross-sectional area of vents combined on the system has to equal the aggregate cross-sectional area of the building drain. When properly installed an air admittance valve in the system is equivalent to an open vent pipe having the same cross sectional area as any other vent. Such open air vent is recommended, not required, to be located as close as possible to the connection between the building drain and building sewer.
What would happen if you didn't vent your toilet?
If we didn’t have either venting method you would have very noisy sink and toilet drains. A discharge of wastewater down your sink drain causes a valve on the AAV to open. When it opens air is allowed to enter the plumbing system. Watch this video to help understand how a plumbing vent works.
Why use AAV in plumbing?
An AAV can significantly reduce the amount of venting materials needed in a plumbing system. That’s money in the pocket for the plumber. They also allow greater flexibility in the layout of plumbing fixtures, and reduce long-term roof maintenance. If we don’t have a hole in the roof, it’s easier to maintain the roof.
Why is my vent clogged?
A blocked vent can be caused by leaves, dead animals and ice dams (in very cold climates). Another “not-so-common” way the vent can become clogged is when a horizontal section of the venting system itself (inside the attic) is sloped the wrong way. When that happens it can fill with rain water or condensation.
Why is my roof vent blocked?
During maintenance you’ll want to be assured the top of the vent is kept open. A blocked vent can be caused by leaves, dead animals and ice dams (in very cold climates).
How high should a Maxi-Vent be installed?
The Maxi-Vent® must be installed six (6”) inches above the highest flood level rim of the fixtures being vented in stack applications.
The Pros
The Cons
- Some state and local building departments prohibit Studer vents. check with the local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) for more information. Studer vents are certified to reliably. However, anything mechanical can and will fail. Few manufacturers claim they are better for 500,000 uses (about 30 years of use). The United States manufacturers provide warranties that …
When Is It Important to Use A Studor Vent?
- Studor is a brand name. Basically, a one-way valve for air. Sewer lines have a vent line that eventually goes via the roof at some point to let air in or out the sewer line. As you drain a large slug of water via the sewer line if the air isn’t allowed to enter and exit freely it’ll do that glug-glug thing you see when you turn a bottle of water down and let it get drained. If you slowly tilt and le…
Inspecting The Studor AAV
- STUDOR AAVs must be situated a minimum of 4-inches above the horizontal branch drain and fixture drain being vented.
- STUDOR AAVs shall be accessible. For in-wall installation, utilize STUDOR recess box and grill combination.
- STUDOR AAVs location must let for enough air to enter the valve. When located in wall spac…
- STUDOR AAVs must be situated a minimum of 4-inches above the horizontal branch drain and fixture drain being vented.
- STUDOR AAVs shall be accessible. For in-wall installation, utilize STUDOR recess box and grill combination.
- STUDOR AAVs location must let for enough air to enter the valve. When located in wall space and attic space lacking ventilation openings, the opening shall be provided. Locating the valve in a sink...
- STUDOR vents should be installed in the vertical, and upright position. A maximum deviation of 15 degrees is allowed.
