IS 4111 Part 2:1985 provides a comprehensive code of practice for the design, location, and operation of flushing tanks as ancillary structures in sewerage systems. It guides engineers on ensuring self-cleaning velocities in sewers through periodic flushing to prevent sediment deposition and clogging, detailing both manual and automatic flushing tank designs. This standard is essential for civil and hydraulic engineers involved in sewerage infrastructure where natural gradients are insufficient for self-cleansing flow.
Overview
IS 4111 Part 2:1985 provides a comprehensive code of practice for the design, location, and operation of flushing tanks as ancillary structures in sewerage systems. It guides engineers on ensuring self-cleaning velocities in sewers through periodic flushing to prevent sediment deposition and clogging, detailing both manual and automatic flushing tank designs. This standard is essential for civil and hydraulic engineers involved in sewerage infrastructure where natural gradients are insufficient for self-cleansing flow.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 4111 Part 2 - Scope Summary
| Clause | Description |
|---|---|
| 0.3 | Standard covers ancillary sewerage structures, focusing on flushing tanks. |
| 0.4 | Definitions relevant to the standard. |
| 0.5 | Rounding off rules per IS 2-1960. |
No explicit formulas or tables are provided in the scope section; refer to subsequent clauses for design specifics.
flowchart TD
A[IS 4111 Part 2] --> B[Scope: Ancillary Sewerage Structures]
B --> C[Flushing Tanks Design & Construction]
B --> D[Users: Local Bodies, PHE Departments]
B --> E[Rounding per IS 2-1960]
IS 4111 Part 2 — Definitions Overview
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| If digit < 5 | Round down |
| If digit > 5 | Round up |
| If digit = 5 and followed by non-zero digits | Round up |
| If digit = 5 and followed by zeros | Round to nearest even digit (banker's rounding) |
If you need formulas or tables related to design or construction aspects, please specify the section or topic.
IS 4111 Part 2 - General Requirements Summary
This part of IS 4111 (1985) covers ancillary structures in sewerage systems, focusing on design and construction of flushing tanks.
| Parameter | Specification / Formula |
|---|---|
| Concrete Grade | Usually M20 or as per design |
| Reinforcement | As per IS 456 and IS 2502 |
| Water Tightness | No leakage under design pressure |
| Structural Safety | Design loads as per IS 456 and IS 875 (Part 3) |
| Minimum Cover | 40 mm for reinforced concrete |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Design of Flushing Tank] --> B[Check IS 4111 Part 2 Requirements]
B --> C[Apply Structural Design per IS 456]
C --> D[Calculate Test Values]
D --> E[Round off Values as per IS 2:1960]
E --> F[Verify Compliance]
F --> G[Construct Tank]
For detailed design, refer to IS 4111 Part 2 and related IS codes (IS 456, IS 875).
IS 4111 Part 2 - Design Considerations for Flushing Tanks
| Pipe Diameter (mm) | Flushing Water (litres) |
|---|---|
| 250 | 1400 - 1700 |
| 350 | 1700 - 2700 |
| 400 | 2700 - 3600 |
| 450 | 3600 - 4500 |
flowchart LR
A[Flushing Tank] --> B[Flush Water Discharge]
B --> C{Pipe Diameter < 600 mm?}
C -->|Yes| D[Flush water fills half bore length]
D --> E[Velocity > Self-cleansing velocity]
E --> F[Solids removed]
C -->|No| G[Design per other standards]
This ensures effective sewer flushing per IS 4111 Part 2.
IS 4111 Part 2: General Specifications Summary
IS 4111 Part 2 covers ancillary structures in sewerage systems, focusing on flushing tanks design and construction.
flowchart LR
A[Test/Analysis Result] --> B{Compare with Specified Value}
B -->|Round off| C[Final Rounded Value]
C --> D[Use for Compliance Check]
For detailed formulas or tables, refer to specific parts of IS 4111 related to structural design or material specifications.
IS 4111 Part 2: Methods of Flushing & Flushing Devices
| Diameter of Pipe (mm) | Quantity of Water (litres) per flush (75-90 m length) |
|---|---|
| 250 | 1400 to 1700 |
| 350 | 1700 to 2700 |
| 400 | 2700 to 3600 |
| 450 | 3600 to 4500 |
flowchart LR
A[Flushing Methods] --> B[Special Flushing Tanks]
A --> C[Controlled Surface Water]
A --> D[Flap Valve / Stop Gate]
A --> E[Fire Hose / Water Tanker]
This ensures effective sewer cleaning and prevents blockages.
IS 4111 Part 2 – Special Flushing Tanks (Clause 4.4)
Flushing Volume (V):
Typically depends on the fixture type; for example, a standard WC requires about 6-9 liters per flush.
Tank Capacity (C):
[
C \geq V + \text{Allowance for supply delay}
]
Water Supply Pipe Diameter:
As per IS 1239 or IS 3589, usually 15 mm to 25 mm depending on flow rate.
| Fixture Type | Flushing Volume (liters) |
|---|---|
| Water Closet (WC) | 6 - 9 |
| Urinals | 3 - 6 |
| Floor Traps | 2 - 4 |
flowchart TD
A[Water Supply] --> B[Flushing Tank]
B --> C{Type of Tank}
C --> D[Manual Operation]
C --> E[Automatic Operation]
D --> F[Flush Handle]
E --> G[Float Valve Control]
F & G --> H[Flush Outlet to Fixture]
For detailed dimensions and installation, refer to IS 4111 Part 2 Tables and drawings.
Manually Operated Flushing Tank (IS 4111 Part 2, Clause 4.4.1)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Chamber Size | Volume = Water required for 1 flush |
| Connecting Pipe Diameter | Equal to sewer pipe diameter |
| Stop Gate | Wooden, manually operated, fits slots |
| Overflow Pipe | Above max water level to avoid flooding |
| Water Supply Flow | Regulated for at least 1 fill/day |
[ V = Q \times t ] Where:
flowchart LR
WaterSupply --> FlushingTank
FlushingTank -->|Stop Gate| SewerManhole
FlushingTank -->|Overflow Pipe| Drain
This simple schematic shows water supply filling the tank, manual gate releasing water to sewer, and overflow preventing flooding.
IS 4111 Part 2: Automatic Flushing Tank Key Points
| Sewer Diameter (mm) | Flush Volume (Litres) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 40 |
| 150 | 80 |
| 200 | 120 |
flowchart TD
A[Water Supply] --> B[Flushing Tank]
B --> C{Tank Full?}
C -- No --> B
C -- Yes --> D[Syphon activates]
D --> E[Flush water into sewer]
Summary: Automatic flushing tanks use Adam’s syphon to discharge a preset volume of water once daily, sized according to sewer diameter, ensuring effective sewer flushing without manual operation.
IS 4111 Part 2: Period of Flushing & Flushing Water Specifications
Period of Flushing:
Flushing Water Quantity & Velocity (Clause 4.2):
| Diameter of Pipe (mm) | Quantity of Water (litres) |
|---|---|
| 250 | 1,400 – 1,700 |
| 350 | 1,700 – 2,700 |
| 400 | 2,700 – 3,600 |
| 450 | 3,600 – 4,500 |
[ V_{sc} \geq 0.75 , m/s ]
Where:
flowchart LR
A[Non-self-cleansing sewer section] --> B[Flushing Tank]
B --> C[Flushing Water Release]
C --> D[Velocity > 0.75 m/s]
D --> E[Deposit Removal & Sewer Cleaning]
This summarizes the flushing requirements per IS 4111 Part 2 for maintaining sewer cleanliness.
IS 4111 Part 2 - Safeguards for Flushing Tanks
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Air Gap (Water Inlet) | ≥ 30 mm |
| Wall Thickness | One brick thick (~100 mm) |
| Physical Break Location | Between supply connection & max water level |
flowchart TB
A[Water Supply] -->|30 mm Air Gap| B[Water Inlet]
B --> C[Flushing Tank]
C --> D[Maximum Water Level]
style B fill:#a2d5f2,stroke:#000,stroke-width:1px
style D fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
Note: Always ensure compliance with IS 4111 Part 2 for safe sewer flushing systems to avoid contamination risks.
IS 4111 (Part 2) - Safeguards for Automatic Flushing Tanks
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Water inlet pipe diameter | 30 mm |
| Minimum air gap | 30 mm (physical break) |
| Wall thickness | One brick thick |
| Overflow pipe | Above max water level |
| Filling frequency | At least once daily |
flowchart TB
A[Water Supply] -->|30 mm pipe| B[Air Gap (30 mm)]
B --> C[Automatic Flushing Tank]
C --> D[Overflow Pipe (above max water level)]
C --> E[Sewer Connection (same diameter as sewer)]
This ensures no backflow contamination and proper operation of automatic flushing tanks as per IS 4111 (Part 2).
Frequently Asked
Recommended Locations for Installing Flushing Tanks (IS 4111 Part 2):
Where flow is insufficient for self-cleaning velocity: Flushing tanks should be installed in sewer sections that do not naturally maintain the minimum velocity (~0.6 m/s) needed to prevent sedimentation.
At heads of sewers: Both main and branch sewer heads are ideal points since flow often starts slow here.
Intermediate points along sewer lines: Where flow velocity drops due to changes in gradient, pipe diameter, or flow volume.
Flushing tanks shall be provided in such sections of sewers where flow is never sufficient to generate self-cleaning velocity. They may be located at heads of sewers (main or branch) or even intermediate points of the sewers.
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Key: Self-cleaning velocity ≈ 0.6 m/s to avoid sedimentation.
Design of Flushing Tank as per IS 4111 Part 2
Key Design Parameter:
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This ensures effective sediment removal by controlled flushing.
According to IS 4111 Part 2 (Clause 4.4), the differences between manual and automatic flushing tanks are:
| Feature | Manual Flushing Tank | Automatic Flushing Tank |
|---|---|---|
| Operation | Manual gate operation | Automatic control (valves/sensors) |
| Water Storage | Independent chamber storing flush volume | Controlled by automatic mechanism |
| Overflow Protection | Overflow pipe provided | Usually integrated automatically |
| Filling Frequency | At least once daily via small constant supply | Based on sensor or timer |
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This ensures proper flushing and prevents sewer blockages per IS 4111 Part 2 guidelines.
According to IS 4111 Part 2, to maintain self-cleaning velocity in sewers where natural gradient is insufficient:
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This ensures sewer lines remain free from blockages and maintain hydraulic efficiency.
Safeguards to Prevent Flooding from Flushing Tanks (IS 4111 Part 2)
According to Clause 4.4.1 of IS 4111 Part 2:
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These measures ensure controlled flushing without flooding risk.
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