pluviali

Pluviali is a term used in Italian architecture and civil engineering to refer to rainwater drainage components. The singular pluviale denotes a conduit or downpipe that carries rainwater from roofs or other elevated surfaces into the broader drainage system. The plural pluviali is used when describing multiple such conduits.

In buildings, pluviali are typically connected to vertical downpipes (tubi pluviali) that collect roof runoff and convey it toward storm sewers, soakaways, or other discharge points. They can be made from various materials, including zinc, cast iron, PVC, or polyethylene, and are designed to resist weathering, with attention paid to joints, seals, and appropriate slope to ensure proper flow.

Design considerations for pluviali include capacity to handle rainfall intensity, the number and placement of outlets, and the potential for blockages from leaves, dirt, or debris. Integration with catch basins, manholes, and overall drainage networks is important to prevent localized flooding and erosion. In urban contexts, pluviali may be part of systems that separate rainwater from wastewater, or that manage stormwater for reuse or controlled release.

Maintenance of pluviali involves regular inspection, cleaning to remove debris, and repair of damaged sections or seals. In Italian building codes and technical documentation, pluviali appear as elements within broader stormwater and roof drainage plans. In English-language contexts, these components are commonly described as rainwater downpipes, downspouts, or stormwater drains, depending on regional terminology.