nothing to do with heat but plumbing

Jerry_7

I was supposed to do a job in a brand new building in Mass which was adding a bathroom. When they opened the wall I found out it was a sovent system. From what I understand I can not touch it unless there is a set of plans stamped by and engineer. Does anyone know if that is true because the homeowner wants me to try and figure it out and I told him I'm not allowed to. I don't know anything about a sovent system.

jackchips_2

Bill,

I just bid a project with Sovent as an alternate. Here is someone you can call to get some information:

John Connolly, 1-617-472-1441 or jconno1000@aol.com. He is located in Quincy and he helped me put the bid together. If he can't be of assistance he should be able to lead you in the right direction. Tell him Jack at Grasseschi Plumbing gave you his number.

You could also try 1-954-785-0508 which is the Sovent Technical support number. Their webb site is

www.sovent.com.

Where you are only adapting an existing system you should not need an engineered stamp but you may want to check with the local inspector.

Good luck,

Jack

Scott Denny

Sovent in Mass.

I recently completed a TI in a 9 story residential building which was originally plumbed using the Sovent system. For this project I was able to get first class assistance from the Conine Manufacturing Co of Tyler, Texas. Contact Greg Conine at (800) 894-6702 and request their Cast Iron Sovent Design Manual No. 802. This handy little document is chock full of piping diagrams which are prescribed/proscribed when using Sovent. If one/some of their approved diagrams fit your situation, you can submit it/them to the powers that be and they'll probably grant your project. They might even ask you for Conine's contact information, as my local inspector did. It seems there's a dirth of knowledge of Sovent in the inspection community, as there is in the plumbing community.
Scott Denny
Menlo Park, CA

Unknown

What is a Sovent system?

I'm not a plumber, but I know one....

I'm just curious, I'm not touching plumbing, myself.

Noel

jackchips_2

Noel,

> I'm not a plumber, but I know one....

>

> I'm just

> curious, I'm not touching plumbing,

> myself.

>

> Noel

jackchips_2

Noel,

Sovent is a single stack DWV system with two main fittings, a Deaerator at the base of each stack and an Aerator where soil and waste branches enter the stack.

The aerator has an offset chamber that slows the soil and waste at each level and keeps it from reaching terminal velocity and thus eliminating back pressure in the stack.

The deaerator basically slows the drop before it makes the change in direction at the base and it has a relief port that eliminates any pressure build up.

That is a very basic concept. It is an engineered system that eliminates much of the venting required in a standard waste and vent system. You should be able to see a more detailed description at www.sovent.com.

Jack