Common Septic System Installation Mistakes Inspection Tips for Health Agents Chris Sparages, P.E. Principal at Williams & Sparages LLC
Learning Objectives Review Title 5 Regulations Governing the Design, Construction, Repair, and Replacement of On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems Understand What to Look For When a Septic System is Under Construction
Chris Sparages, P.E. Registered Professional Civil Engineer in Massachusetts Over 25 years of Experience working for Civil Engineering Firms, specializing in Civil/ Site Design B.S. in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute M.S. in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University Approved Soil Evaluator since 1998
Williams & Sparages LLC Co-Founded Williams & Sparages LLC in 2010 Today we are 20 Strong Professional Engineers Professional Land Surveyors Registered Sanitarians & Approved Soil Evaluators Professional Wetland Scientists Great Support Staff and Interns
Williams & Sparages LLC Residential & Commercial Development Projects Primarily in the Private Sector We Design Many Types of Septic Systems
Septic System Design Conventional Pipe and Stone Systems Pump Systems Pressure Dosed Systems Innovative/ Alternative Technology Systems After a Septic System is Approved it now must be Installed, so we head to the field
Septic System Construction A quick word on Bottom of Bed Inspections Building Sewers Septic Tanks & Pump Chambers Distribution Boxes (D-Boxes) Soil Absorption System (SAS)
Building Sewer Title 5 Defines a Building Sewer as a pipe which begins outside the inner face of a building wall and extends to an on-site septic system or a municipal or private sewer.
Building Sewer Title 5 has requirements for Building Sewers. It must be sufficient to serve the connected fixtures and cannot be less than 4-inches in diameter. You must maintain a 10-foot separation between a building sewer and a water service. It must be laid on a compacted, firm base.
Building Sewer Title 5 has requirements for Building Sewers. It must provide for a minimum velocity of 2 feet/ second for the wastewater flow. This is achieved when laying a 4-inch pipe at a slope of at least 1 percent (1/8 of an inch per foot). A 2 percent slope is preferred (1/4 of an inch per foot).
Building Sewer Title 5 has requirements for Building Sewers. Sections must be laid in a straight line. When changing direction or where two sewers meet, a manhole, sweeping bend, or cleanout is required. They must be vented through a vent stack in the building. They must also comply with the State Plumbing Code.
Building Sewer Building Sewer at Foundation Septic Tank Riser Section Atop Septic Tank
Building Sewer Manhole Riser Section with Manhole Frame and Cover Inlet Tee Inside Septic Tank Building Sewer Enters the Septic Tank
Building Sewer Building Sewer at Foundation Septic Tank Gap under the Pipe
Building Sewer Building Sewer at Foundation Gap under the Pipe Septic Tank
Septic Tanks 310 CMR 15.233 Title 5 has requirements for Septic Tanks. 6-inches of crushed stone under the Tank The liquid depth from the outlet tee to the bottom of tank must be a minimum of 4-feet Risers required when Septic Tank is buried more than 9- inches Must be water tight
Septic Tanks Building Sewer Access Cover Outlet Pipe
Septic Tanks Septic Tank Access Opening Inlet Tee
Septic Tanks 2-Compartment Septic Tank Tee at Baffle Wall Outlet Pipe Outlet Tee with Effluent Filter 2-Compartment Tank Baffle Wall
Septic Tanks Riser Section Riser Section Septic Tank
Septic Tanks Septic Tank Tee at Baffle Wall Effluent Filter Outlet Tee ready to receive Effluent Filter Access Cover
Septic Tanks Manhole Riser Sections with Frame and Water Tight Cover at Surface Valve Pit Pump Chamber 2-Compartment Septic Tank
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) 310 CMR 15.232 Title 5 has requirements for D-Boxes. 6-inches of crushed stone under the D-Box Distribution Lines leading from the D-Box Must be at the same elevation Risers required when D-Box is buried more than 9-inches Velocity of influent must be controlled (>8% slope or when being dosed)
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Septic Tank D-Box
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Plug Unused Openings Inlet Pipe Outlet Pipe Speed Leveler Grout Pipes where they pass through D-Box
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Cultec Chamber Outlet Pipe 6-inches crushed stone under D-Box
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Inlet Pipe Speed Leveler Inlet Tee
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Baffle Wall Outlet Pipe Inlet Pipe
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Outlet Pipe Speed Leveler HDPE D-Box Magnetic Tape
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) HDPE Riser Sections HDPE D-Box
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) D-Box Riser Section & Frame for Cover D-Box
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Septic Tank Light Duty Cover over D-Box
Distribution Boxes (D-Box) Heavy Duty Cover (H-20) Pipes Grouted Outlet Pipes Plug Holes not being used
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) 310 CMR 15.240 Title 5 has requirements for SAS. 4-feet of naturally occurring pervious soil Venting to the atmosphere under impervious surfaces Final Grading must slope away from the SAS Minimum of 1 Inspection Port Required Title 5 Sand required for filling to grade
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) Inspection Port Septic System Trench Larger Washed Stone Covered with Peastone
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) Septic System Trench Larger Washed Stone Covered with Peastone Septic System Vent Inspection Port Vent Header Pipe
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) SAS in Field Configuration Septic System Vent Inspection Port D-Box Distribution Pipe
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) Grade Drops off Necessitating the Barrier and Wall SAS just out of View Impermeable Barrier Cut off trench
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) SAS just out of View Grade Drops off Necessitating the Barrier and Wall Impermeable Barrier Cut off trench
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) SAS in Field Configuration Using Cultec Chambers Header Pipe for Vent Inspection Port
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) SAS in Field Configuration with Pipe and Stone D-Box Pipe from Septic Tank Filter Fabric Ready to Cover Field as an Alternate to Peastone
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) Squirt Test Underway Lateral Piping for Pressure Distribution SAS in Field Configuration with Pipe and Stone Inspection Port/ Valve
Soil Absorption Systems (SAS) Magnetic Marking Tape Inspection Port SAS in Field Configuration Using Cultec Chambers D-Box
As-built Checklist Form
Summary/ Recommendations Title 5 discusses the design, construction, repair, and replacement of on-site sewage disposal systems in great detail (KNOW THE CODE). Don t be afraid to ask questions, installers and engineers have a lot of experience. Document your observations with field notes and photographs. Be sure to follow up with installers to confirm that missing items have been addressed.
Common Septic System Installation Mistakes Inspection Tips for Health Agents Chris Sparages, P.E. Principal at Williams & Sparages LLC