Do Floor Sinks Need Trap Primers

Floor sink as a waste receptor.

Do floor sinks need trap primers.

A trap primer or trap seal primer is a plumbing device or valve that adds water to traps the water seals in traps are needed to prevent sewer gases from entering buildings but because this water is exposed to the air it is subject to evaporation over time in infrequently used floor drains leading to the release of sewer gas into the environment. A trap primer is a device that causes a small amount of water to drain to the trap via piping from the trap primer. For a water supply fed type trap primer this happens automatically based upon a water pressure drop when there is flow within the potable water piping system such as using a sink faucet flushing a toilet etc. Floor drains or similar traps directly connected to the drainage system and subject to infrequent use shall be protected with a trap primer except where not deemed necessary for safety or sanitation by the authority having jurisdiction.

Like many plumbing fixtures their supply orifices are easily blocked by scale or corrosion. It is similar to a floor drain as it is installed flush with the floor but has a much larger chamber to receive the indirect wastes and does have a strainer as called for in the plumbing code in addition to the grate. The trap primer mitigates this problem by. Other types divert gray water to the trap from nearby sink drains.

Mini prime electronic trap primer 1 2 inlet use with distribution units sold separately part. Do your inspectors require trap primers on floor sinks. Cleaning or replacing them can be an expensive proposition especially when they require floor and wall demolition repair for access. 1 2 fip lead free brass trap primer.

Each trap except for traps within an interceptor or similar device shall be self cleaning. The item in the picture to the right is referred to as a floor sink. Trap primers main disadvantage is maintenance.