Final answer:
The minimum size of a vent stack in plumbing engineering is determined by the fixture units it will serve and the vent stack's distance from the fixtures. The International Plumbing Code (IPC) provides guidelines for the minimum pipe size of vent stacks based on these factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimum size of a vent stack in plumbing engineering is determined by the fixture units it will serve and the vent stack's distance from the fixtures. The International Plumbing Code (IPC) provides guidelines for the minimum pipe size of vent stacks based on these factors.
For example, according to the IPC, a 2-inch vent stack can serve up to 24 fixture units when it is within 25 feet of the fixtures it is serving. However, if the vent stack is further than 25 feet from the fixtures, the minimum pipe size increases.
It is important that the vent stack size is sufficient to prevent any air pressure imbalance in the plumbing system, which could lead to issues like siphoning of water from traps or slow drainage.