What type of devices should the standard inlet and outlet in a septic tank be?

The standard inlet and outlet in a septic tank are required to be tees because they are specifically designed to facilitate the proper flow of wastewater and prevent the escape of solids from the tank. The tee design allows for the horizontal and vertical alignment necessary to keep wastewater flowing smoothly into and out of the tank while minimizing the risk of blockages.

The vertical part of the tee helps in maintaining a water seal which prevents odors from escaping into the environment. Additionally, the design helps to ensure that only liquid effluent is discharged from the tank, leaving solids and scum behind. This is crucial for the efficient functioning of the septic system and for protecting the surrounding environment.

In contrast, flanges, couplings, and adapters serve different purposes in plumbing systems. Flanges are used to connect pipes and create a tight seal, couplings join two straight pipes, and adapters change the size or type of pipe connection, but none provide the specific benefits that tees do for septic tanks. Thus, using tees at the inlet and outlet is essential for system integrity and performance.