(U.S. Patent No. 10,267,012)

Plumbing Specifications CLICK HERE

PlumbingVoid^® System  CLICK HERE

PlumbingVoid^® Technical Notes CLICK HERE

PlumbingVoid^® System Information CLICK HERE

The innovative PlumbingVoid^® System is comprised of multiple components that, when assembled in sequential order, provide and ensure a void space completely around plumbing pipes under structural slabs. The system supports subterranean pipes during construction until the embed plates are permanently cast in place, preventing damaging soil pressures on pipes. The system is offered in three widths and three heights in order to accommodate a variety of slopes and pipe diameters. Each configuration temporarily suspends and fully isolates pipes from backfill and underlying, swelling soils, which can then expand into the empty space provided, thereby eliminating costly damage from broken, leaking pipes.

PlumbingVoid^® consists of polypropylene plastic and #3 rebar. The polypropylene material is manufactured as a fluted plastic panel, having perpendicular supports connecting the exterior faces to form a supportive sheet. The simple insertion of U-shaped rebar into the open flutes of plastic retainers creates ridged side panels that resist lateral soil pressures. Interior supports are positioned to provide additional lateral support. Once the pipes have been sloped, clevis brackets are positioned at the top using U-shaped rebar pieces that space the side retainers and help anchor the clevis hangers in the slab. After the piping is inspected in the open trench, the inverted U-shaped polypropylene TopCap™ is placed over the top to complete the enclosure.

The waterproof PlumbingVoid^® System has minimal contact with the soil on the bottom edge of its side retainers and the U-shaped rebar that spaces and supports them. The perimeter framework of the system resists later soil pressure and also supports the weight of backfill. The clevis hangers around the lateral pipes within the open space are connected to a threaded rod with nuts and washers (washers included). This assembly is vertically positioned and supported by two laterally spaced U-shaped rebar pieces that are secured into the open fluting of the side retainers. The height of each pipe can be adjusted and maintained at the proper elevation by the appropriate washer and nut positioned on top of these supports. Once the elevation and slope of the pipe is finalized and the piping network passes inspection, the TopCap™ cover is installed over the open area and the backfilling process can be completed. Compacting the backfilled trenches is not recommended.

The washer/nut assemblies at the vertical supports are able to temporarily support the weight of the lateral pipes during the entire construction process. If vertical pressure is applied to the bottom edges of the retainers and the rebar in contact with the soil, the washers will bend and pass between the spaced supports at the top. This design ensures that the lateral pipes are completely isolated from the PlumbingVoid^® System. It eliminates any damage that could be caused by soil movement since the pipes are permanently suspended by only the embedded plates, treaded rods, and clevis hangers.