What type of vent is typically referred to as "individual" in plumbing?

Individual vents serve a specific purpose in plumbing systems by providing ventilation for individual fixtures, such as sinks or toilets. This type of vent allows gases and odors to escape from the drain without allowing sewer gases to enter the living space. By venting each fixture individually, it helps maintain proper atmospheric pressure within the drainage system, ensuring that waste flows smoothly and efficiently.

In contrast, a common vent connects multiple fixtures together, serving as a shared ventilation system, while a waste vent typically refers to the venting associated with waste lines that may not be confined to individual fixtures. A branch vent is a pipe connecting a horizontal drain line to a vent stack and helps vent multiple fixtures but does not provide the direct, individual ventilation that is characteristic of an individual vent. Thus, recognizing the unique role of an individual vent in maintaining the functionality and safety of plumbing systems is essential.