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Pipes for water distribution in a building are available in various sizes. Determination of suitable
pipe sizes for various purposes in a building based on various factors such as cost, pressure etc.
are discussed.
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8/11/2018 How to Determine Suitable Pipe Sizes for Water Distribution in Buildings?
Draw all suggested horizontal mains, risers and branch lines with necessary information
includes types and number of fixtures and flow that is needed.
Calculate fixtures demand weight employing Table 1 and Table 2.
Specify water demand in gallon per millimeter using Figure 2 and Figure 3 and total number of
fixture units.
Estimate equivalent length of the pipe for each stack in the system. This step should start from
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the street main.
Determine average minimum pressure in the street main. This can be obtained from Water
Company or by test.
Specify minimum pressure required for the highest fixture
Calculate the loss of pressure in the pipes using the computed equivalent length of the pipe.
Finally, select the size of the pipe using Figure 4.
Note:
Unit sizes provided in the table 1 and table 2 is in mm, but the size of pipes in the chart is in
inch. 1 inch= 25.4mm, 1 ft. = 304.8mm, 1 gallon/m=3.785L/m.
Water velocity should not be greater than 2.438m/s at valve seat to prevent noise and erosion.
So, Pipe area should be at least equal to water flow rate divided by eight.
Sizes for fixture supply pipes provided in table 1 and table 2 are minimums.
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Urinal with flush tank 3
Wash sink (circular or
2 12.7 12.7
multiple) each set of faucets
Water closet, tank-operated 3 5 19.05
Water closet, valve-operated 6 10 25.4
Drainage
Types of fixture Fixture-unit value as load Minimum size of
factors trap, mm
Bathtub (with or without overhead
shower 2
Bidet
38.1
Combination sink and tray 2
Combination unit and tray with food
3
disposal unit
Dental unit 1
31.75
Dental lavatory 2
Dish water, domestic 2 38.1
Drinking fountain 1 31.75
Floor drains 2 50.8
Kitchen sink 2 or 3
Kitchen sink, domestic, with food waste 38.1
2
grinder
Lavatory 1 31.75
Lavatory 2
Lavatory, barber, beauty parlor 2
38.1
Lavatory, surgeon’s 2
Laundry tray (1 or 2 compartments) 2
Shower, per head 2 50.8
Sinks Surgeon’s 3 38.1
Sinks Flushing rim (with valve) 6
76.2
Sinks Service (trap standard) 3
Sinks Service (P trap) 3 50.8
Sinks Pot, scullery, 3 38.1
Urinal, pedestal, siphon jet, blowout 6 76.2
Urinal, wall lip 2 38.1
Urinal stall 2 50.8
Urinal with flush tank 2
Wash sink (circular or multiple) each set 38.1
3
of faucets
Water closet, tank-operated 4
76.2
Water closet, valve-operated 6
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8/11/2018 How to Determine Suitable Pipe Sizes for Water Distribution in Buildings?
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Fig.2: Domestic Water Demand Curve Specify Rate of Flow Using the Number of Fixture
Units Served
Fig.3: Domestic Water Curve, Enlarged Portion for Low Water Demand
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8/11/2018 How to Determine Suitable Pipe Sizes for Water Distribution in Buildings?
Fig.4: Determination of flow in copper tubing and other pipes that will be smoothed
after service of 15 to 20 years
Read More:
Types of Plumbing Pipes used in Building Construction
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Types of Plumbing and Drainage Systems in Buildings
References
ASPE. Plumbing engineering design handbook: Engineer’s guide to system design and
construction. Chicago: American Society of plumbing engineers , v. I, 2004.
FREDERICK S. MERRITT, JONATHAN T. RICKETTS. Building design and construction hand book. 6th
edition. ed. New York: McGRAW-HILL, 2001.
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