Traps shall be designed to be self-scouring. P traps shall be considered self-scouring. Which statement is true?

Traps shall be designed to be self-scouring. P traps shall be considered self-scouring. Which statement is true?

• A. Traps shall be designed to be self-scouring
• B. Traps must be replaced weekly
• C. Traps can be non-self-scouring if installed high
• D. Traps must be vented separately

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how traps are designed to stay clean through the flow of wastewater. A self-scouring trap is built so that the velocity and shape of the water moving through during normal fixture discharge naturally pushes solids out of the trap, helping prevent buildup and clogs. Traps that are designed this way, including P traps, rely on their geometry and the flow to keep the interior clear. That’s why the true statement is that traps shall be designed to be self-scouring. The idea isn’t about replacing traps weekly or about relying on high installation to avoid maintenance, which wouldn’t make a trap self-scouring. Venting separately is a separate requirement that affects venting, not whether the trap itself is self-scouring.

The concept being tested is how traps are designed to stay clean through the flow of wastewater. A self-scouring trap is built so that the velocity and shape of the water moving through during normal fixture discharge naturally pushes solids out of the trap, helping prevent buildup and clogs. Traps that are designed this way, including P traps, rely on their geometry and the flow to keep the interior clear.

That’s why the true statement is that traps shall be designed to be self-scouring. The idea isn’t about replacing traps weekly or about relying on high installation to avoid maintenance, which wouldn’t make a trap self-scouring. Venting separately is a separate requirement that affects venting, not whether the trap itself is self-scouring.