AS/NZS 3500.

2:2018
AS/NZS 3500.2:2018

Australian/New Zealand Standard™

Plumbing and drainage

Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage

AS/NZS 3500.2:2018
This Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard was prepared by Joint Technical
Committee WS-014, Plumbing and Drainage. It was approved on behalf of the
Council of Standards Australia on 8 June 2018 and by the New Zealand Standards
Approval Board on 2 May 2018.
This Standard was published on 29 June 2018.

The following are represented on Committee WS-014:

Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia

Australian Building Codes Board
Australian Industry Group
Australian Stainless Steel Development Association
International Copper Association Australia
Master Plumbers Australia
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers New Zealand
Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia
Plastics New Zealand
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, New Zealand
Plumbing Distributors Association of New Zealand
Plumbing Products Industry Group
Water New Zealand

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This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR AS/NZS 3500.2:2017.
 AS/NZS 3500.2:2018

Australian/New Zealand Standard™

Plumbing and drainage

Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage

First published as AS 3500.2—1990.

AS 3500.2—1990 jointly revised and redesignated AS/NZS 3500.2.2:1996.
AS/NZS 3500.2.2 jointly revised and redesignated AS/NZS 3500.2:2003.
Third edition 2018.

COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia Limited
© The Crown in right of New Zealand, administered by the New Zealand Standards Executive
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by
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(Australia) or the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand).
Jointly published by SAI Global Limited under licence from Standards Australia Limited,
GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001 and by Standards New Zealand, PO Box 1473,
Wellington 6140.

ISBN 978 1 76072 118 3

AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 2

PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
Committee WS-014, Plumbing and Drainage, to supersede AS/NZS 3500.2:2015.
The objective of this Standard is to provide installers with deemed to satisfy solutions to
comply with—
(a) the National Construction Code (NCC), Volume Three: Plumbing Code of Australia
(PCA); and
(b) the New Zealand Building Code (Clause G13 Foul water).
This Standard is part of a series for plumbing and drainage, as follows:
AS/NZS
3500 Plumbing and drainage
3500.0 Part 0: Glossary of terms
3500.1 Part 1: Water services
3500.2 Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage (this Standard)
3500.3 Part 3: Stormwater drainage
3500.4 Part 4: Heated water services
Some materials and products used in a sanitary plumbing and drainage system are provided
with instructions for installation and use. While not a requirement of this Standard, or
acceptable as an alternative to the requirements of this Standard, conformance with these
instructions generally ensures that—
(i) the material or product is fit for the application;
(ii) the performance of the system is not degraded;
(iii) the durability of the material or product is not impaired; and
(iv) the manufacturer’s warranty remains valid.
PROVISION FOR REVISION
This Standard necessarily deals with existing conditions, but is not intended to discourage
innovation or to exclude materials, equipment and methods, which may be developed in
future. Revisions will be made from time to time in view of such developments and
amendments to this edition will be made only when absolutely necessary.
The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the
application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part
of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.
Statements expressed in mandatory terms in notes to figures and tables are deemed to be
requirements of this Standard.
Notes used in this Standard are of an advisory nature only and are used to give explanation
or guidance to the user on either recommended considerations or technical procedures, or to
provide an informative cross-reference to other documents or publications. Notes to clauses
in this Standard do not form a mandatory part for conformance with this Standard.
This Standard includes a commentary on some of the clauses. The commentary directly
follows the relevant clause, is designated by ‘C’ preceding the clause number and is
printed in italics in a box. The commentary is for information and guidance and does
not form part of the Standard.
 3 AS/NZS 3500.2:2018

CONTENTS
Page

SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 APPLICATION ........................................................................................................... 8
1.3 NORMATIVE REFERENCES .................................................................................... 8
1.4 DEFINITIONS........................................................................................................... 11
1.5 PLASTICS ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................. 12
1.6 MEASUREMENT OF PIPE LENGTH ...................................................................... 12
1.7 PIPE GRADES .......................................................................................................... 12
1.8 EQUIVALENT PIPE SIZES ...................................................................................... 13

SECTION 2 MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS

2.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................... 14
2.2 AUTHORIZATION ................................................................................................... 14
2.3 SELECTION AND USE OF MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS ................................ 14
2.4 LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF PIPES AND FITTINGS...................................... 14
2.5 SHEET MATERIALS ............................................................................................... 16
2.6 JOINTS ...................................................................................................................... 16
2.7 CONCRETE AND MORTAR ................................................................................... 17
2.8 MISCELLANEOUS .................................................................................................. 17

SECTION 3 DRAINAGE DESIGN

3.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................... 19
3.2 LOCATION OF DRAINS.......................................................................................... 19
3.3 SIZE AND LENGTH OF DRAINS ........................................................................... 19
3.4 GRADES OF DRAINS .............................................................................................. 20
3.5 LAYING OF DRAINS .............................................................................................. 22
3.6 PROXIMITY TO OTHER SERVICES ...................................................................... 23
3.7 DEPTH OF COVER FOR BURIED PIPES ............................................................... 25
3.8 BUILDING OVER DRAINS ..................................................................................... 25
3.9 VENTING OF DRAINS ............................................................................................ 27
3.10 UNVENTED BRANCH DRAINS ............................................................................. 30
3.11 UNVENTED DRAINS DISCHARGING TO GULLIES ........................................... 33
3.12 INLET PIPE TO DISCONNECTOR GULLY ........................................................... 33
3.13 RESTRICTION ON CONNECTIONS IN PROXIMITY TO A STACK ................... 33
3.14 CONNECTION OF BASEMENT FIXTURES .......................................................... 33
3.15 CONNECTIONS IN FLOOD-PRONE AREAS ......................................................... 33
3.16 RE-USE OF EXISTING SANITARY DRAINS ........................................................ 33
3.17 DUMP POINTS ......................................................................................................... 34
3.18 DRAINS CONNECTED TO NETWORK UTILITY OPERATOR VACUUM
SEWERAGE SYSTEMS ........................................................................................... 37
3.19 COMMON EFFLUENT DRAINAGE SYSTEM ....................................................... 38
3.20 ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT UNITS ................................................... 43

SECTION 4 DRAINAGE SYSTEM

4.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................... 44
4.2 POINT OF CONNECTION ....................................................................................... 44
4.3 DRAINS .................................................................................................................... 44
4.4 INSPECTION SHAFTS AND BOUNDARY TRAPS ............................................... 45
4.5 REFLUX VALVES ................................................................................................... 48
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4.6 GULLIES................................................................................................................... 48
4.7 INSPECTION OPENINGS (IOs) ............................................................................... 60
4.8 INSPECTION CHAMBERS ...................................................................................... 62
4.9 JUNCTIONS IN DRAINS ......................................................................................... 65
4.10 JUMP-UPS ................................................................................................................ 67
4.11 DISCONNECTION AND SEALING ........................................................................ 68

SECTION 5 EXCAVATION BEDDING SUPPORT AND BACKFILLING

5.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................... 69
5.2 EXCAVATION OF TRENCHES .............................................................................. 69
5.3 CONCRETE SUPPORT FOR DRAINS .................................................................... 69
5.4 BEDDING OF DRAINS ............................................................................................ 70
5.5 INSTALLATION OF BACKFILL MATERIALS ..................................................... 71
5.6 DRAINS IN OTHER THAN STABLE GROUND .................................................... 71

SECTION 6 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR SANITARY PLUMBING

SYSTEMS
6.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................... 73
6.2 RENOVATION ......................................................................................................... 73
6.3 FIXTURE UNIT RATINGS ...................................................................................... 73
6.4 VENTING FOR FIXTURES DISCHARGE PIPES ................................................... 75
6.5 TRAPPING OF FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES .................................................... 75
6.6 GRADED DISCHARGE PIPES ................................................................................ 76
6.7 JUNCTIONS IN STACKS ......................................................................................... 78
6.8 CONNECTIONS NEAR BASE OF STACKS ........................................................... 81
6.9 VENTS ...................................................................................................................... 84
6.10 AIR ADMITTANCE VALVES ................................................................................. 86
6.11 PRESSURE ATTENUATORS .................................................................................. 91

SECTION 7 GREYWATER PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

7.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................... 94
7.2 GENERAL ................................................................................................................. 94
7.3 MATERIAL AND PRODUCTS ................................................................................ 94
7.4 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS........................................................................ 94

SECTION 8 FULLY VENTED SYSTEMS AND FULLY VENTED MODIFIED

SYSTEMS—DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
8.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................... 96
8.2 SYSTEM TYPES....................................................................................................... 96
8.3 SIZE OF DISCHARGE PIPES .................................................................................. 97
8.4 SIZE OF STACKS ..................................................................................................... 98
8.5 VENTING ................................................................................................................. 99
8.6 OFFSETS IN STACKS............................................................................................ 113

SECTION 9 SINGLE STACK SYSTEMS AND SINGLE STACK MODIFIED SYSTEMS—

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
9.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................. 116
9.2 SYSTEM DESIGN .................................................................................................. 116
9.3 RATING OF FIXTURES......................................................................................... 122
9.4 FIXTURES TO BE CONNECTED .......................................................................... 122
9.5 CONNECTION OF FIXTURES WITHOUT TRAP VENTS ................................... 123
9.6 VENTING OF STACKS .......................................................................................... 128
9.7 SIZING OF STACKS .............................................................................................. 129
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9.8 VARIATIONS TO SINGLE STACK SYSTEMS .................................................... 130

9.9 OFFSETS IN SINGLE STACK SYSTEMS ONLY ................................................. 140

SECTION 10 GENERAL INSTALLATION OF PIPEWORK

10.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................. 145
10.2 SUPPORT AND FIXING OF PIPEWORK ............................................................. 145
10.3 LOCATION ............................................................................................................. 146
10.4 CONCEALMENT OF PIPES AND FITTINGS ....................................................... 146
10.5 TESTING AND INSPECTION OPENINGS ........................................................... 147
10.6 INSTALLATION OF COPPER AND COPPER ALLOY PIPES ............................. 147
10.7 INSTALLATION OF PVC-U PIPES ....................................................................... 150
10.8 INSTALLATION OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (PE-HD) PIPES ......... 150
10.9 DISCONNECTION OF SANITARY PLUMBING.................................................. 150
10.10 IDENTIFICATION OF PIPES................................................................................. 150
10.11 INSTALLATION OF ABOVE-GROUND (ELEVATED) PIPEWORK
AND CONNECTION OF FIXTURES USING DRAINAGE PRINCIPLES ............ 150
10.12 INSTALLATION OF BOUNDARY TRAPS, REFLUX VALVES
AND GULLIES ABOVE GROUND WITHIN BUILDINGS .................................. 152
10.13 METHODS OF JOINTING OF PIPES .................................................................... 153

SECTION 11 REDUCED VELOCITY AERATOR STACK SYSTEM

11.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................. 156
11.2 GENERAL ............................................................................................................... 156
11.3 SIZE OF STACKS ................................................................................................... 156
11.4 STACK VENTS....................................................................................................... 156
11.5 OFFSETS IN STACKS............................................................................................ 157
11.6 AERATOR JUNCTION FITTINGS ........................................................................ 160
11.7 MAXIMUM LENGTH OF DISCHARGE PIPES .................................................... 160
11.8 SIZE OF DISCHARGE PIPES ................................................................................ 160
11.9 DE-AERATORS ...................................................................................................... 160

SECTION 12 PUMPED DISCHARGE

12.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................. 162
12.2 GENERAL ............................................................................................................... 162
12.3 COMPRESSED AIR EJECTION............................................................................. 162
12.4 EJECTOR VENT ..................................................................................................... 162
12.5 WET WELLS .......................................................................................................... 162
12.6 INSTALLATION OF PUMPS ................................................................................. 163
12.7 PUMPED DISCHARGES OR RISING MAINS ...................................................... 163
12.8 PUMP DISCHARGE FROM WASTE FIXTURES ................................................. 163
12.9 SMALL BORE MACERATOR PUMPS ................................................................. 165

SECTION 13 FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES

13.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................. 166
13.2 INSTALLATION OF SANITARY FIXTURES FOR PEOPLE
WITH A DISABLITY ............................................................................................. 166
13.3 GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS................................................... 166
13.4 PLANT ROOMS ..................................................................................................... 167
13.5 PRESSURIZED CHAMBERS ................................................................................. 167
13.6 AUTOPSY TABLES ............................................................................................... 167
13.7 BAIN-MARIES AND BOILING WATER UNITS .................................................. 167
13.8 BASINS ................................................................................................................... 167
13.9 BATHS .................................................................................................................... 167
AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 6

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13.10 BEDPAN WASHERS AND SANITIZERS ............................................................. 167

13.11 BIDETS ................................................................................................................... 168
13.12 DENTAL UNITS ..................................................................................................... 168
13.13 DRINKING FOUNTAINS....................................................................................... 168
13.14 FOOD WASTE DISPOSAL UNITS (DOMESTIC TYPE) ...................................... 168
13.15 REFRIGERATED AIR CONDITIONERS, HEAT PUMPS,
REFRIGERATORS, DEEP-FREEZE CABINETS, COMMERCIAL
COFFEE-MAKING MACHINES AND ICE-MAKING MACHINES ..................... 168
13.16 MACERATING SANITARY NAPKIN DISPOSAL UNITS ................................... 168
13.17 SHOWERS .............................................................................................................. 168
13.18 SINKS ..................................................................................................................... 169
13.19 SLOP HOPPERS ..................................................................................................... 170
13.20 INSTRUMENT STERILIZERS AND AUTOCLAVES ........................................... 170
13.21 CONNECTION OF TUNDISHES ........................................................................... 170
13.22 DOMESTIC SWIMMING POOLS .......................................................................... 170
13.23 TROUGHS .............................................................................................................. 170
13.24 URINALS ................................................................................................................ 171
13.25 WASHING MACHINES ......................................................................................... 171
13.26 UNTRAPPED FLOOR DRAINS ............................................................................. 173
13.27 WATER CLOSET PANS ........................................................................................ 173

SECTION 14 MULTI-UNIT DEVELOPMENTS

14.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................. 174
14.2 METHODS OF DESIGN ......................................................................................... 174

SECTION 15 TESTING OF SANITARY PLUMBING AND SANITARY DRAINAGE

INSTALLATIONS
15.1 GENERAL ............................................................................................................... 175
15.2 HYDROSTATIC TEST (WATER TEST) ............................................................... 175
15.3 AIR PRESSURE TEST............................................................................................ 176
15.4 VACUUM TEST ..................................................................................................... 176

SECTION 16 VACUUM DRAINAGE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION

16.1 SCOPE OF SECTION ............................................................................................. 178
16.2 DEFINITIONS......................................................................................................... 178
16.3 MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS FOR VACUUM DRAINAGE SYSTEMS .......... 180
16.4 SYSTEM DESIGN .................................................................................................. 180
16.5 INSPECTION OPENINGS (IO) .............................................................................. 185
16.6 CONNECTIONS TO VACUUM SYSTEM ............................................................. 187
16.7 CONNECTIONS WITHIN A VACUUM SYSTEM ................................................ 187
16.8 VACUUM AUTOMATIC INTERFACE UNIT (VAIU) ......................................... 187
16.9 BUFFERS ................................................................................................................ 188
16.10 VACUUM SOIL FIXTURES .................................................................................. 190
16.11 VACUUM LIFT PIPE ............................................................................................. 190
16.12 VACUUM REFORMING POCKET ........................................................................ 195
16.13 VACUUM BRANCH CONNECTIONS .................................................................. 196
16.14 VACUUM PIPES INSTALLED ABOVE GROUND .............................................. 197
16.15 VACUUM PIPES INSTALLED BELOW GROUND .............................................. 198
16.16 VACUUM TEST FOR VACUUM DRAINAGE SYSTEMS ................................... 198
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APPENDICES
A ACCEPTABLE PIPES AND FITTINGS ................................................................. 200
B MAXIMUM LENGTH m OF FIXTURE DISCHARGE PIPE
WITHOUT VENTING ............................................................................................ 201
C PIPE GRADES CONVERSION TABLE ................................................................. 210
D CONDUCT OF INSPECTIONS BY THE USE OF CLOSED CIRCUIT
TELEVISION (CCTV) ............................................................................................ 211
E SIZING VACUUM DRAINAGE PIPES AND BUFFERS ...................................... 212
F RENOVATION OF SANITARY PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE
SYSTEMS USING STRUCTURAL PLASTICS LINERS....................................... 214
BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................... 217
AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 8

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA/STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND

Australian/New Zealand Standard

Plumbing and drainage

Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage

SECTI ON 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE
This Standard specifies requirements for the design and installation of sanitary plumbing
and drainage from fixtures to a sewer, common effluent system or an on-site wastewater
management system, as appropriate. It applies to new installations as well as alterations,
additions or repairs to existing installations.
Illustrations used in this Standard are diagrammatic only and have been chosen without
prejudice.
NOTES:
1 The pre-treatment of trade wastes is not specified in this Standard.
2 All sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage installations for relocatable dwellings on long-
term sites should conform with this Standard.

1.2 APPLICATION
1.2.1 Australia
This Standard shall be read in conjunction with the National Construction Code (NCC),
Volume Three, the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) in Australia.
Where alternative Australian or New Zealand standards are referenced (e.g. AS 1345) the
Australian Standard shall be used for Australia only.
For Australia, this Standard does not preclude the use of any design or method of
installation, provided the completed system and installation meet the performance
requirements of the NCC, as appropriate.
1.2.2 New Zealand
This Standard shall be read in conjunction with the New Zealand Building Code in New
Zealand. This Standard may be used for conformance with the New Zealand Building Code,
Clause G13, Foul water.
Where alternative New Zealand standards are referenced (e.g. NZS 5807), the New Zealand
Standard shall be used for New Zealand only.

1.3 NORMATIVE REFERENCES

The following are the normative documents referenced in this Standard.
NOTE: Documents referenced for informative purposes are listed in the Bibliography.
AS
1074 Steel tubes and tubulars for ordinary service
1345 Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts
1379 Specification and supply of concrete

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