scupper

In by Jackie Dunn

An outlet in the wall of a building or a parapet wall for drainage of water from a flat roof.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
scupper (noun)
1.
an opening cut through the bulwarks of a ship so that water falling on deck may flow overboard
2.
an opening in the wall of a building through which water can drain from a floor or flat roof
scupper (verb)
transitive verb
British to defeat or put an end to - do in
scupper (Wikipedia)
Two scuppers cut into either side of this outdoor stairwell prevent water from building up and making the stairs slippery.

A scupper is an opening in the side walls of an open-air structure, for purposes of draining water. They are usually placed at or near ground level, and allow rain or liquids to flow off the side of the open-air structure, instead of pooling within the walls.

Ship's bulwark and scupper in Russian and English

There are two main kinds of scuppers:

  1. Ships have scuppers at deck level, to allow for ocean or rainwater drain off.
  2. Buildings with railed rooftops can construct scuppers to let rainwater drain off, instead of pooling within the railing of the roof. Scuppers can also be placed in a parapet, for the same purpose.
« Back to Glossary Index