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Stormwater Drains Capacity

Reference data and engineering information about stormwater drains capacity for piping systems applications.

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Overview

Engineering reference data for Stormwater Drains Capacity in piping systems.

Key Formulas

Continuity

A1v1=A2v2A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2

Mass conservation in pipe flow.

Pressure Drop

ΔP=fLDρv22\Delta P = f \frac{L}{D} \frac{\rho v^2}{2}

Darcy-Weisbach equation.

Pipe Area

A=πD24A = \frac{\pi D^2}{4}

Cross-sectional area of a pipe.

Variables

SymbolDescriptionUnit
DDPipe diameterm
vvFlow velocitym/s
ΔP\Delta PPressure dropPa
ffFriction factor

Stormwater Conductor Capacities

The following tables provide capacities for horizontal sloped and vertical stormwater and rainwater leaders based on pipe size and slope.

Imperial Units

6 rows
Storm-Water Conductor Capacities (Imperial Units) - Slope measured in in/ft
Pipe Size (NPS)(in)
Vertical Roof Drains(gpm)
Slope 1/8(gpm)
Slope 1/4(gpm)
Slope 1/2(gpm)
390355070
419080110157
5360140200280
6560225315450
81200480680950
1086012201728

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Metric Units

6 rows
Storm-Water Conductor Capacities (Metric Units) - Slope measured in cm/m
Pipe Size (DN)(mm)
Vertical Roof Drains(l/s)
Slope 1(l/s)
Slope 2.1(l/s)
Slope 4.2(l/s)
805.82.134.3
100124.96.99.9
125228.81218
15036142028
20076304360
2505477109

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Pipe Materials and Standards

Building Storm Sewer Pipes

9 rows
Building Storm Sewer Pipe Materials and US Standards
Piping Material
US Standards
ABS plastic pipe (Schedule 40, DR 22, DR 24)ASTM D2661; ASTM F628; ASTM F1488; CSA B181.1; CSA B182.1
Cast-iron pipeASTM A74; ASTM A888; CISPI 301
Concrete pipeASTM C14; ASTM C76; CSA A257.1M; CSA A257.2M
Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, L, M or DWV)ASTM B75; ASTM B88; ASTM B251; ASTM B306
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipeASTM F667; ASTM F2306/F2306M; ASTM F2648/F2648M
Polypropylene (PP) pipeASTM F2881; CSA B182.13
PVC plastic pipe (DWV, SDR26, SDR35, SDR41, PS50, PS100)ASTM D2665; ASTM D3034; ASTM F891; ASTM F1488; CSA B182.4; CSA B181.2; CSA B182.2
Vitrified clay pipeASTM C4; ASTM C700
Stainless steel drainage systems, Type 316LASME A112.3.1

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Subsoil Storm Sewer Pipes

5 rows
Subsoil Storm Sewer Pipe Materials and US Standards
Piping Material
US Standards
Cast-iron pipeASTM A74; ASTM A888; CISPI 301
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipeASTM F405; ASTM F667; CSA B182.1; CSA B182.6; CSA B182.8
PVC Plastic pipe (sewer pipe, SDR35, PS25, PS50, PS100)ASTM D2729; ASTM D3034; ASTM F891; CSA B182.2; CSA B182.4
Stainless steel drainage systems, Type 316LASME A112.3.1
Vitrified clay pipeASTM C4; ASTM C700

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Key Design Considerations

  • Vertical roof drains provide significantly higher capacity than horizontal sloped pipes for the same pipe size
  • Pipe slope directly affects horizontal pipe capacity — steeper slopes yield greater flow rates
  • Pipe material selection should comply with applicable ASTM, CSA, or ASME standards for the intended application
  • For building storm sewers, a wider range of materials is available compared to subsoil applications

Interactive Charts

Stormwater Drain Pipe Capacity

Sewer Pipes - Capacities vs. Slope

References