info@rtmassociates.com847-756-4180
Stay Connected
YouTubeLinkedinGoogle+TwitterFacebook
RTM Engineering ConsultantsRTM Engineering Consultants
RTM Engineering Consultants
MEP Engineering – Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
  • Company
    • About Us
    • The Signature Method
    • Community Outreach
    • Testimonials
  • Market Sectors
    • Commercial
    • Healthcare
    • Retail
    • Mixed-Use
    • Industrial
    • Restaurant
    • Hospitality
    • Education
    • Government
    • Residential
    • Senior Living
    • Mission Critical
    • Transportation
  • Our Services
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Plumbing Engineering
    • Fire Protection
    • Sustainability
    • Civil Engineering
    • Technology
    • Construction Administration
    • Commissioning
    • Arc Flash Services
  • Media Center
    • News & Insights
    • Educational Webinars
    • AIA CES Courses
    • White Papers & Case Studies
    • Photo & Video Gallery
  • Careers
  • Contact
Menu back  
 

Siphonic Roof Drainage Systems

May 31, 2016By RTM Engineering Staff

A building’s roof drainage system is an important design consideration regardless of the building type or location. Siphonic roof drainage systems—when compared with standard drainage methods—increase efficiency and result in significant initial cost savings.

How Siphonic Roof Drainage Works

A conventional gravity-type drainage system collects rainwater from a roof surface where gravity forces the water flow out through pitched horizontal and vertical pipes. Large roof surfaces generally require many vertical pipes, which are limited by the capacity of natural gravity-induced water flow within the pipes.

A siphonic drainage system prevents air from entering pipes, so during a rainfall, horizontal pipes prime full of water. The water then accelerates down through the vertical pipes inducing a negative pressure flow, hence the siphonic name. This siphonic effect results in high-flow velocities, which efficiently remove water from the roof while offering many other benefits.

Benefits of Siphonic Drainage

The resulting flow of water at such high velocity can equate to smaller pipes, less vertical piping, and potentially less underground piping. Compared to conventional gravity systems, a savings of nearly 45% is commonplace.

The siphonic effect allows for horizontal piping to be installed without a gradient, which further simplifies the installation and allows for more efficient use of the space at the ceiling. In some instances, the roof can be lowered solely due to the use of a siphonic roof drainage system. Additionally, since the horizontal piping does not need to be installed with a downward pitch in the direction of flow, it is easier to route the piping to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing installation. This is a huge benefit for areas with exposed construction.

Siphonic roof drainage systems can expel water from large facilities at a much faster rate than conventional gravity systems. They typically are self-cleansing, due to the high velocity at which water flows through the pipes, demanding a low level of maintenance in normal conditions. Rainwater harvesting also is more cost-effective and flexible with siphonic drainage than conventional systems. It’s possible to store water in above-ground tanks, minimizing the need for deep underground tanks.

Learn more about RTM’s plumbing services.

Related posts
Finding the Right Sustainability Solution Through Civil Engineering
February 7, 2019
The Benefits of Keeping MEP and Civil Engineering Under One Roof
January 24, 2019
RTM Engineering Consultants Announces New Principals to Drive Next Phase of Growth
January 9, 2019
A Sustainable & Cost-Effective Stormwater Solution
December 21, 2018
Going Net Zero with Your Building
December 14, 2018
Ask an Engineering Expert: What trends do you see in the design of hotels and resorts?
December 6, 2018
Leave Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

clear formSubmit

Showcase Markets
  • Commercial
  • Healthcare
  • Retail
  • Mixed-Use
  • Industrial
  • Restaurant
  • Hospitality
  • Education
  • Government
  • Residential
  • Senior Living
  • Mission Critical
  • Transportation
News & Insights
  • Finding the Right Sustainability Solution Through Civil Engineering
  • The Benefits of Keeping MEP and Civil Engineering Under One Roof
  • RTM Engineering Consultants Announces New Principals to Drive Next Phase of Growth
Our Offices
  • Schaumburg, Illinois (Corporate HQ)
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Quad Cities, Iowa
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Tampa, Florida
  • Dallas, Texas
  • Springfield, Missouri
  • Overland Park, Kansas
  • Palm Desert, California
Quick Links
  • Our Company | Our Culture
  • Work Here | Join Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Request A Consultation
  • Download Whitepaper
  • View Our Project Portfolios
  • View Our Case Studies
  • View Our Video Gallery
The Initiative | An RTM Publication
Media Center | News & Insights
  • Finding the Right Sustainability Solution Through Civil Engineering
  • The Benefits of Keeping MEP and Civil Engineering Under One Roof
  • RTM Engineering Consultants Announces New Principals to Drive Next Phase of Growth
  • A Sustainable & Cost-Effective Stormwater Solution
  • Going Net Zero with Your Building
  • Ask an Engineering Expert: What trends do you see in the design of hotels and resorts?
RTM Engineering Consultants

© 2018 RTM - Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Powered By Root3 Growth Marketing