🔶 FL Sewer Cleanout Placement Guide

FPC 708.3 / 708.4 / 708.5 — cleanout spacing, size, access clearance, and direction-change requirements

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📐 Cleanout Spacing Calculator

Add each run segment and direction change — required cleanout locations are calculated per FPC 708.

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Cleanout Requirements

📊 Cleanout Size Reference (FPC 708.8)

Drain Pipe Size	Min Cleanout Size	Notes
2" pipe	1½" cleanout	Min 1½" CO
3" pipe	3" cleanout	Full-size CO
4" pipe	4" cleanout	Full-size CO
5" pipe	4" cleanout	Min 4" CO
6" pipe	6" cleanout	Full-size CO
8"+ pipe	6" cleanout	Min 6" CO

FPC 708.8 — Cleanout size rule: Cleanouts shall be the same nominal size as the pipe served, up to 4". Pipes larger than 4" require minimum 4" cleanout. Exception: pipes 8" and larger may use 6" cleanout if provided with test tee.

FL slab construction note: Cleanout at or within 5 ft of building foundation required at grade (FPC 708.5). Many FL counties require a 4" CO at building exit point regardless of pipe size — verify with local AHJ.

🗺️ Cleanout Placement Diagram

FPC 708 cleanout placement: building exit CO + every 100 ft + every direction change ≥45°. All COs accessible per FPC 708.7.

🔍 Access Clearance Requirements (FPC 708.7)

FPC 708.7 — Cleanout access: All cleanouts shall be accessible. Cleanouts in concealed locations shall be provided with access panels.

Clearance Requirements by CO Size

CO Size	Min Clearance in Front	Min Side Clearance	Notes
1½" – 2"	18 inches	None req.	Small fixture drain CO
2½" – 3"	18 inches	None req.	Standard residential
4"	18 inches	None req.	Most common FL main
6"	18 inches	None req.	Commercial / large main
8"+	18 inches	None req.	Manhole preferred

FPC 708.7 — Grade requirement: Cleanout plugs and access covers shall be flush with or above finish grade.

FL slab construction: Under-slab cleanouts must be brought to grade level. A CO box (concrete or plastic) is required by most FL building departments to protect the CO and provide future access. Do NOT bury under pavers without a box.

FPC 708.7.1 — Cleanout in walls: Where cleanout is installed in a wall, an access panel of min 12"×12" is required. Access panels must be installed in a manner that allows full cleanout plug removal and rodding in both directions.

Floor cleanouts: Must have a recessed, vandal-resistant cover when installed in public areas (FPC 708.7.2). Heavy-duty cast iron covers required in driveways and traffic areas.

Cleanout Plug Types — FL Approved

Type	Material	Use	Notes
Countersunk plug	ABS / PVC	Interior, grade	Most common FL residential
Raised square plug	PVC / Brass	Interior, exposed	Easy removal
Test tee cap	PVC / DWV	Under slab	Use with CO adapter
Cast iron CO w/ plug	CI + brass	Commercial, exterior	Required in driveways
Two-way CO fitting	PVC	Near foundation	Allows rodding both ways

CO Location Scenarios (FL Common)

🏠 Residential — Single-Family (Slab)

Required: (1) Outside CO within 5 ft of building wall at slab exit (FPC 708.5); (2) CO every 100 ft of horizontal run to public sewer; (3) CO at each 90° or greater direction change. Most FL counties also require inside CO near toilet (4" CO) accessible through floor or wall access panel.

🏢 Commercial — New Construction

All FPC 708 residential requirements apply. Additional: CO at each floor for multi-story; wye-type CO required at junction of building drain and building sewer (FPC 708.5); manhole required when sewer exceeds 8" diameter or run exceeds 300 ft.

🔧 Replacement / Repair in Existing Home

Per FPC 101.3 (existing buildings): when replacing more than 50% of drain in any room or zone, bring to current code. Add CO at point of repair minimum. Many FL inspectors require full compliance with FPC 708 for any DWV permit.

🏖️ HVHZ / Miami-Dade / Broward

Standard FPC 708 applies. Miami-Dade Product Approval required for CO covers in exterior applications (FL Building Code 1714.5). CO must use listed corrosion-resistant cover in coastal locations subject to salt air. Brass plugs preferred over ABS in HVHZ for longevity.

📋 FPC Chapter 7 — Cleanout Code Reference

FPC 708.1 — Cleanout Required (Where)

FPC 708.1: Cleanouts shall be installed at the upper terminal of each horizontal drain and at intervals not to exceed 100 feet in horizontal drains 4 inches and smaller, and 150 feet in drains larger than 4 inches.

FPC 708.3 — Building drain and building sewer: At least one two-way cleanout shall be installed near the junction of the building drain and building sewer.

FPC 708.4 — Direction changes: Cleanouts shall be installed at each change of direction greater than 45° in the building drain, building sewer, or horizontal waste or soil lines. Changes of direction with a wye (less than 45°) do not require cleanouts.

FPC 708.5 — Building exit: A cleanout shall be installed at the point where the building drain exits the foundation. In buildings with a basement, a cleanout is also required at the foot of each vertical stack.

FPC 708.6 — Cleanout Fittings

FPC 708.6: Approved cleanout fittings include: wye-pattern CO plugs, tee-pattern CO plugs, test tees with plugs, and floor cleanout assemblies. No prohibited fittings: caps without removal capability, permanent plugs (glued solid), or cleanouts positioned to drain against flow.

Two-way cleanout: Required at or near building exit. Allows rodding both toward building interior and toward street — critical for diagnosing blockage location. Must be accessible at all times (FPC 708.7).

FPC 708.9 — Prohibited use: No cleanout shall be located in an inaccessible location (inside a finished wall without access panel, beneath a slab with no CO box, etc.). Cleanouts installed under grade must be within an approved CO box or utility vault.

Cleanout Compliance Checklist

Cleanout at building drain exit / foundation (two-way CO preferred) FPC 708.5 — required at point where building drain exits building; two-way CO per FPC 708.3 at junction

Cleanout spacing ≤100 ft on horizontal runs (4" and smaller) FPC 708.1 — max 100 ft between cleanouts for pipes ≤4"; max 150 ft for pipes >4"

Cleanout at every direction change >45° FPC 708.4 — required at each direction change exceeding 45°; wye fittings at ≤45° are exempt

Cleanout size matches pipe diameter (min full-size up to 4") FPC 708.8 — CO same size as pipe up to 4"; pipes >4" use min 4" CO; pipes >8" use min 6" CO

All cleanouts accessible at or above finish grade FPC 708.7 — no buried COs without CO box; no COs inside walls without access panel ≥12"×12"

Min 18" clearance in front of each cleanout FPC 708.7 — required working clearance for rodding equipment; verify before covering with landscaping or pavement

CO box or vault installed over under-slab cleanouts FL best practice / most FL AHJs — all COs at slab grade require approved box for future access and protection

Upper terminal CO installed at top end of each horizontal drain run FPC 708.1 — cleanout required at upper (upstream) end of horizontal branch; serves as first rod-access point

Cleanout orientation — opens in direction of flow (or upward) FPC 708.6 — CO must allow rodding in direction of flow; no COs opening against flow direction; vertical COs acceptable

Cleanout plug material appropriate for application (brass or PVC) Exterior/coastal FL: use brass or stainless plugs; ABS plugs acceptable interior; HVHZ: check product approval for exterior COs

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