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Cleanout clearances

BN4537

BN4537

SAWHORSE
Joined
Sep 10, 2020
Messages
927
Location
Kansas

Given:​

708.1.5​

Cleanouts shall be the same size as the piping served by the cleanout, except that cleanouts for piping larger than 4 inches (102 mm) need not be larger than 4 inches (102 mm).

Exceptions:
  1. A removable P-trap with slip or ground joint connections can serve as a cleanout for drain piping that is one size larger than the P-trap size.
  2. Cleanouts located on stacks can be one size smaller than the stack size.
  3. The size of cleanouts for cast-iron piping can be in accordance with the referenced standards for cast-iron fittings as indicated in Table 702.4.

708.1.10​

Cleanouts for 6-inch (153 mm) and smaller piping shall be provided with a clearance of not less than 18 inches (457 mm) from, and perpendicular to, the face of the opening to any obstruction. Cleanouts for 8-inch (203 mm) and larger piping shall be provided with a clearance of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) from, and perpendicular to, the face of the opening to any obstruction.

Does a removable P-trap for a kitchen sink in a cabinet, used as a required cleanout, meet the 18" clearance requirement, or do the walls of the cabinet, the floor of the cabinet, and the sink basin/possible garbage disposal encroach on the clearance?

Thanks!
 
Ours reads:

707.9 Clearance. Each cleanout in piping 2 inches (50 mm) or less in size shall be so installed that there is a clearance of not less than 18 inches (457 mm) by 18 inches (457 mm) in front of the cleanout. Cleanouts in piping exceeding 2 inches (50 mm) shall have a clearance of not less than 24 inches (610 mm) by 24 inches (610 mm) in front of the cleanout.
Cleanouts in under-floor piping shall be extended to or above the finished floor or shall be extended outside the building where there is less than 18 inches (457 mm) vertical overall, allowing for obstructions such as ducts, beams, and piping, and 30 inches of (762 mm) horizontal clearance from the means of access to such cleanout. No under-floor cleanout shall be located exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm) from an access door, trap door, or crawl hole.

Basically, it amounts to the same thing.

To answer your question, I'm not overly concerned about the cabinet or disposal. As long as there are doors to the sink cabinet, it will be fine. IMHO
 
A cleanout inside a building is not a good ides. A cleanout in a cabinet is a terrible idea.
 
I think what the OP is asking is, if after you remove the P trap, and the drain that emerges from the wall faces directly out toward the cabinet doors into the bathroom, how small can the vanity cabinet door opening still be in order to still comply with 708.1.10?

To me, 708.1.10 is somewhat silent on that issue of clearance along the same plane as the opening of the pipe. In theory, if you have a 2" dia. drain pipe sticking out from the wall, then the volume of the code-required clearance could be min. 2" diameter for a distance of min. 18".
In practice, the thing that probably requires the most space is the workspace needed to remove and reattach the P-trap. After that, it's just a matter of being able to guide the snake cable.
 
ICE said:
A cleanout inside a building is not a good ides. A cleanout in a cabinet is a terrible idea.
Click to expand...
I have snaked plenty of kitchen sinks using a Rigid K 50 snake by reaching the clog and running the cable to the next section at the trap, unhook the cable and then flushing the drain with hot water. removed the trap then the cable with a very minimal mess.
 
The UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) has different requirements. The following states and local jurisdictions have adopted the UPC.
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Houston
  • Idaho
  • Maine
  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • Seattle
  • South Dakota
  • Washington
 
This is all helpful, thank you!

We have a couple nearby cities who adopt the UPC, but we use the IPC in ours. Knowing what the UPC calls for and knowing that the IPC is ripped off from the UPC does help to clarify the intent.
 
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