A siphonic roof drain looks much like a traditional roof drain. The distinguishing feature of a siphonic roof drain is the air baffle. This air baffle is engineered and tested to prevent air from entering the piping system at peak flows.

Other than the baffle, a siphonic roof drain has the same features as a traditional roof drain including a drain body, flashing ring, dome strainer, and fastening hardware.

In contrast to traditional roof drains, siphonic roof drains are not designed with a large diameter or deep sump bowl because their operation is by means of sub-atmospheric pressure generated at the under side of the baffle and outlet. The depth of water maintained on the roof is dependent only on the resistance value of the drain assembly while operating under siphonic conditions. Any viscous weir effect of the drain body becomes minor and the flow is determined by simple inertial hydraulic effect of flow from a high pressure (atmospheric pressure at the roof surface) to low pressure (within the piping system).

Unlike a traditional roof drain system, a siphonic system is designed to operate with the piping completely filled with water during a rainstorm. Several drains tie into a horizontal collector that is routed to a convenient point where it transitions into a vertical stack. This stack, once it reaches the ground, is piped to a vented manhole or inspection-chamber where the water is discharged at atmospheric pressure and low velocity into the storm system.