How do I plan cleanout spacing?

Start with the drainage route length and the maximum planning spacing allowed by your applicable requirement, then distribute positions so the intervals do not exceed that spacing.

Does this provide code-required cleanout spacing?

No. Cleanout requirements vary with drainage system, pipe size, direction changes, access and applicable plumbing requirements.

Can I include an end offset?

Yes. Start and end offsets can be entered explicitly.

Drain access planning

Cleanout Spacing Planner for Drainage Routes

Generate an approximate cleanout count and position schedule along a straight drainage route. Enter your project spacing assumption and the planner redistributes positions so the planned interval stays within that limit.

Cleanout layout inputs

Drain route length

Maximum planning spacing

Start offset

End offset

Dimension unit

The spacing is a planning assumption, not an automatic code requirement. Actual cleanout provisions can depend on pipe size, route geometry, direction changes, access and local plumbing requirements.

Enter route length and planning spacing.

Cleanout position schedule

Planned cleanouts

—

Including both route ends under the simplified model

—Actual interval

—Usable route

—End offsets

—Cleanout count

Cleanout	Station from route start	Interval

—

How the planner distributes cleanouts

Usable route = total route − start offset − end offset
Intervals = ceiling(usable route ÷ maximum spacing)
Actual interval = usable route ÷ intervals

Why the actual interval can be smaller

The route may not divide evenly at the requested maximum spacing. Instead of leaving one oversized final interval, the planner creates an additional interval and distributes the usable length evenly.

Why route geometry matters

Real drainage systems can require cleanouts at changes in direction, access points and other locations independently of a simple spacing calculation. This planner addresses only the straight-route spacing component.

Worked example

A 30 m route with 0.5 m offsets and 15 m maximum spacing:

Usable = 30 − 0.5 − 0.5 = 29 m
Intervals = ceiling(29 ÷ 15) = 2
Actual interval = 29 ÷ 2 = 14.5 m
Cleanouts = 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this produce a legally required cleanout layout?

No.

Does it include the ends?

Yes, within the entered end offsets.

Can the route be shorter than the spacing?

Yes. The planner still provides end cleanouts under the simplified straight-run model.

Does it account for bends?

No. Route-specific access requirements should be added separately.