2 Pressure pipe
3 Inlet
RSE = backwater level
Why and how should you perform aeration and ventilation?
Lifting stations and pumping stations must be ventilated to compensate for pressure fluctuations in sewage tanks and to limit the concentration of corrosive or malodorous gases. Ventilation pipes are used for this purpose, enabling air exchange between the tank interior and the outside environment or indoor spaces.
The regulations governing the ventilation of lifting stations are set out in DIN EN 12056-4, Section 5.3, and DIN 1986-100, Section 6.5.3.
DIN EN 12050-1
Schematic diagram: Connection of a sewage lifting unit to the main sewer
1 Vent
2 Downpipe
3 Pressure pipe of the sewage lifting unit
4 Ventilation pipe for sewage lifting unit
5 Collector pipe
6 Main drainage pipe
7 Backwater level
8 Sewage lifting unit with backwater preventer
9 Access cover
10 backwater loop
Characteristics of the ventilation pipes
Sufficient minimum cross-sections must be selected for the ventilation pipes. These are specified in section 4.3.3 of DIN EN 12050-1
- For flow rates up to 12 l/s, at least DN 50.
- For higher flow rates, at least DN 70.
If standard-compliant ventilation cannot be achieved, e.g. when working in listed buildings, a combination of a ventilation valve and activated carbon may be used as an alternative under two conditions:
- Sufficient sizing to ensure the safe dissipation of positive and negative pressure
- Regular self-inspection, maintenance and replacement of the activated carbon
However, a permanently installed ventilation pipe above the roof should always be preferred, where possible, as this reliably ensures the necessary pressure equalisation.
