Intelligence Report		RepWars
DOS Technical Services
RepWars HQ More Intelligence Reports Plumbing for Architects Floor Drain Manufacturers MIFAB Wade Smith Zurn Josam	DECOMMISSIONING FLOOR DRAINS Plumbing Engineers involved with renovation projects are often confronted with floor drains that are no longer required within a building area. A vague note on a drawing stating “ Remove Floor Drain” does not provide the contractor with enough information to properly perform the work required. Generally, removing a floor drain from an existing slab is impracticable, costly, and can even introduce structural and/or fire rating issues. In order to remove a floor drain from an existing slab, the concrete must be cut and then repaired to match the structural integrity and fire rating of the remaining slab. By properly disconnecting and abandoning an existing floor drain in-place, these concerns can be efficiently minimized. Below are a few examples of how to decommission existing floor drains within both slabs-on-grade and elevated slabs.
	Floor Drain Within Slab-on-Grade (Non-Tiled Areas) The following example illustrates abandoning a floor drain where there is no depression in the slab for tile and mortar: Download this Detail – exfd_g.zip (ACAD 2000 dwg) EXISTING SLOPED SLAB AREA FILL REMAINDER OF DRAIN BODY WITH HYDRAULIC CEMENT AND FINISH TO RECEIVE NEW FLOOR TOPPING REMOVE EXISTING STRAINER GRATE NEW FLOOR TOPPING FILL P-TRAP AND FLOOR DRAIN BODY WITH COMPACTED SAND UP TO BOTTOM OF STRAINER BODY EXISTING CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB ON GRADE DISCONNECT ABANDONED DRAIN LINE FROM REMAINING ACTIVE DRAIN LINE. CAP REMAINING ACTIVE DRAIN LINE AT EXISTING CONNECTION
	Floor Drain Within Slab-on-Grade (Tiled Areas) This example illustrates abandoning a floor drain where there is an existing depression in the slab for tile and mortar: Download this Detail – exfd_gt.zip (ACAD 2000 dwg) FILL REMAINDER OF DRAIN BODY WITH HYDRAULIC CEMENT (MINIMUM 1-1/2" THICK) AND FINISH FLUSH WITH EXISTING CONCRETE SLAB EXISTING RECESSED SLAB AREA DISCONNECT ABANDONED DRAIN LINE FROM REMAINING ACTIVE DRAIN LINE. CAP REMAINING ACTIVE DRAIN LINE AT EXISTING CONNECTION EXISTING CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB ON GRADE FILL P-TRAP AND FLOOR DRAIN BODY WITH COMPACTED SAND UP TO WITHIN 1-1/2" OF TOP REMOVE EXISTING STRAINER, GRATE, WATER PROOF MEMBRANE AND FLASHING FLANGE NEW FLOOR TOPPING
Generally, removing a floor drain from an existing slab is impractable, costly, and can even introduce structural and/or fire rating issues.	Floor Drain Within Elevated Slab (Non-Tiled Areas) The following example illustrates abandoning a floor drain where there is no depression in the slab for tile and mortar: Download this Detail – exfd_e.zip (ACAD 2000 dwg) NO-HUB CLAMP NEW FLOOR TOPPING REMOVE EXISTING STRAINER GRATE DISCONNECT AND REMOVE TRAP, DRAIN PIPING AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORTS. CAP REMAINING ACTIVE DRAIN LINE AT EXISTING CONNECTION EXISTING SLOPED SLAB AREA FILL STRAINER BODY WITH HYDRAULIC CEMENT AND FINISH TO RECEIVE NEW FLOOR TOPPING NO-HUB CAP EXISTING ELEVATED CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB FILL P-TRAP AND FLOOR DRAIN BODY WITH COMPACTED SAND UP TO BOTTOM OF STRAINER BODY
	Floor Drain Within Elevated Slab (Tiled Areas) This example illustrates abandoning a floor drain where there is an existing depression in the slab for tile and mortar: Download this Detail – exfd_et.zip (ACAD 2000 dwg) DISCONNECT AND REMOVE TRAP, DRAIN PIPING AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORTS. CAP REMAINING ACTIVE DRAIN LINE AT EXISTING CONNECTION FILL FLOOR DRAIN BODY WITH COMPACTED SAND UP TO WITHIN 1-1/2" OF TOP EXISTING ELEVATED CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB FILL REMAINDER OF DRAIN BODY WITH HYDRAULIC CEMENT (MINIMUM 1-1/2" THICK) AND FINISH FLUSH WITH EXISTING CONCRETE SLAB REMOVE EXISTING STRAINER, GRATE, WATER PROOF MEMBRANE AND FLASHING FLANGE EXISTING RECESSED SLAB AREA NO-HUB CLAMP NO-HUB CAP NEW FLOOR TOPPING
RepWars Copyright © 1997 - 2007 DOS Technical Services All Rights Reserved	Summary It should be noted that, in all cases, existing drain piping connected to decommissioned floor drains must be isolated from the active drainage system and should be removed when located above ground. The final installation (or renovation) must prevent the escape of sewer gases, provide a watertight slab, be compliant with required fire rating, maintain the structural integrity of the slab and allow the new floor to be finished to match the adjacent area. Obviously, there are many more variations of floor drain types and installations than those addressed within this article. However, the information should reveal the importance of providing sufficient information within contract documents to properly deal with existing floor drains.