Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Livro Original Do Hunter PDF
Livro Original Do Hunter PDF
Jones, Secretary
BUILDING MATERIALS
and STRUCTURES
REPORT BMS65
by
ROY B. HUNTER
I S SUE D D E C E M B E R 1 6, 19 4 0
[II]
Nlethods of Estimating Loads in Plumbing Systems
by
ROY B. HUNTER
CONTENTS
Page Page
Foreword n nnn __ h II IX, Proposed uses of the probability func-
r. Introduction n 1 tion for making load estimates-Con.
II. Purposc n 1 2. Valucs of t, T, 7", and q.. ~_h 8
III. Definitions and symbols_h n n 2 3. Prescntation of probability data 11
IV, Basis of selection of pipe sizes n 3 4. Derivation of fixture weights (fix-
V. Character of fio\\' in plumbing systems_ 3 ture units) n __ n 13
1. Cases of loading 5 5. Rclative load weights for diffcrent
VI. Statement of the problenL 5 conditions of scrvice hh 16
VII, Development of the probability functiOlL 6 6. Application of load chart and
VIII, Interpretation of the probability func- wcight tablcn n 18
tion ~ ..__ 7
X. Adcquacy of the mcthod 19
IX Proposcd uses of the probability func-
tion for making load estimates __..__ 7 XI. Estimates of sewagc loads_ n __ n _ n __ 20
1. Pcrtinent information obtainable XII. Discussion n 21
from the probability functiolL_ 7 XIII. Referencesn nn __ nn 21
[4 ]
closets, n, eneh used nt thnt average rate, 1Uld described, it is obvious that there are three
a very long building drain, the flow tends distinct cases of loading to be considered:
toward a uniform value 0.8 n gpm. If n is (1) One applying to the supply (the demand
greater than Tit, it is obvious that flow in the load) which will be measured by '1:,rq, where r
main building drain will be continuous for the is the number of separate like demands at the
greater part of the time that each of the closets time for one kind of fixture and q the average
is being used at the average rate of once in T volume rate of flow per demand, rq the total
seconds, and that the tendency towat'd uniform flow for r fixtures of one kind, and '1:,rq the sum
continuous flow will increase as the size of the or total flow for fixtures of different kinds;
plumbing system increases-that is, as n 1tnd (2) one applying to horizontal branches (the
the length of the drains increase. Hence in a charging load) which will be measured by '1:,rQ,
very large system in which all n closets are in in which r is the number of like fixtures flowing
continuous use, the outflow will be continuous at the time and Q is the average volume of
and the rate will fluetuate around 0.8 n gpm. sewage pel' fixture introduced into the drain
Since the stream in the main building drain within the time necessary to consider in relation
and building sewer of large buildings approaches to a particular location of the drain; and (3) a
unifot'm flow, and since these drains are ordi- third case applying as a limit for building drains
narily laid with a uniform slope, load and and building sewers which will be measured in
capacity can be most adequately expressed in terms of J:.nQjT, in which n is the total number
volume rate of flow and a pipe formula for of anyone kind of fixture installed in the system,
uniform flow may be used in estimating limits Q the average volume used per fixture, and T
of capacity for building drains. However, it the average time between uses. In cases 1 and
should be kept in mind that the volume rate of 2, the load rq to be expected and provided for in
flow in any particular section of the drainage the design of the plumbing system depends,
system is not an additive function of the separ- with a few exceptions, on approximately the
ate volume t'ates of flow into the system. same time factors, t and T, and hence bears
There is another consideration that has a approximately the same relation to the number
direct beat'ing on the method chosen for esti- of fixtures, n. (See page 20.)
mating the loads to be provided for in a build-
ing drn.inage system and on the choice of units VI. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLKM
such that load and capacity may be expressed in
the same units. The horizontal branches, the As stated in describing the conditions of
entrance fittings to soil and waste stacks, and flow in plumbing systems for which load esti-
primary branches arc paTts of the drainage mates arc sought, the most difficult part of the
system in which critical loading or possible over- problem is to estimate the proportional part of
loading arc most likely to occur. In horizontal the total possible load that should be provided
branches which lie near the fixtures, and to a for-that is, the number of demand or charging
lesser degree in the stack fittings and hori- londs, r, bearing some logical relation to the
zonta.l branches, the determinate factors in the total number of fixtures, n. In an earlier
selection of adequate drain pipes are the charg- paper [1] the authors suggested the relation
ing load and the receiving capacity. In esti- between rand n expressed by a probability
mating the charging load to he provided for, function as a possible means of estimating
the problem is again to obtain a reasonable loads to be expected in plumbing systems and
est,imate of the value of r to be provided for in dl'ydoppd the function applying to certain
relation to n. The details of the method re- sJweia 1 cases.
lating to l"Cceiving capacity will be comph,ted It now appears that the possibilities of the
in the papers dealing with capacities. prnetical application of this function and the
limitations of the method under certain condi-
1. CASES OJ<' LOADING
tions have not been understood clearly. It
From the charaetet' of the flow in the water- Sl'l'ms ndvisnble, therefore, to consider the
supply system and in the drainage system as probability function in its more general form,
[5 ]
to explain more fully the suggested method of
employing the function in making the estimates T
(T-t)"-l. The probability that a particular
in question, and to point out certain limitations one of n fi~tures and none of the remaining n-l
in its practical application. The problem fixturcs will be operating at the' instant is
may be stated as follows: Assuming that there
are n fixtures in a system, each operated once
in T seconds on the average, and that each
operation is of t seconds' average duration, But since there an' fixtun's, there an' n ways
11
what is the probability that r fixtures will be in which the event, am' and only one fixture
found operating simultaneously at any arbi- found flowing, can occur, and hence the proba-
trarily chosen instant of observation? bility of this event l)('ing found occurring at
It is necessary to define the expression, the instant of observation is
"operating simultaneously," in order to com-
pletely define a particular even t of "r fixturE'S (1)
operating simultaneously." In the following
development of the theory, this event will be This can be generalized for any group of r,
considered as occurring when r, and only r. and I' only, constituting the particular event
fixtures are found flowing at tIlE' instant of for which the probnhlity is sought, by again
observation; and hence the r fixtures found applying the definitions and laws.
flowing will include all those, and only those, In any group of I' fixtures the probability
which began their opera.tion during the t-second that any particular OIll' will begin to operate
interval immediately preceding the instant of within a given t seconds is tiT, and sinee there
observation. are r cases in thp group, the probability, that
all r fixtures will begin opC'ration within the
VII. DEVELOYtdENT OF THE PROB- same t seconds is (tiT)'. Also, of the n fix-
ABILITY FUNCTION tures, anyone of
which thc bowl will be effectively emptied of flush valve or flush tank: it rises to a maximum
its contents with an average rate of supply at or near the beginning and gradually de-
anywhere within the smaller range referred to. creases as the valve closes or as the tank
From the evidence of experiments reported empties. The characteristics of an effective
in the earlier paper [1], the Subcommittee on flush may be summarized as follows:
Plumbing of the United States Department of A quick priming of the siphon; a continuous
Commerce Building Code Committee agreed siphon action for sufficient time to clear the
upon an average rate of 30 gpm for 10 seconds bowl of its contents and carry them through
as a reasonable and safe basis for estimating the trapway; and a breaking of the siphon
loads to be expected in building drainage action before the flow ceases, in order to refill
systems. The experiments referred to were the trap. Whether by design or chance, the
designed to obtain the maximum loads per characteristic operation of conventional supply
closet that could be delivered to the drains devices (flush valves and flush tanks), if pro-
within the operational range of water closets, perly adjusted for volume and time, controls
and no attempt was made to determine either the rate of supply in a manner that meets
the most effective rate of supply for a particular these flushing requirements admirably. In
type of bowl or an average rate that would pro- figure 1, curve 1 is the reproduction from
duce a satisfactory flush in all types of closet Camp's report of a typical rate curve for it
bowls. It is to be expected, as has been the flush valve, representing it flow of 3.8 gallons
case, that overestimates would result when the in 8.5 seconds giving it peak rate at the end of
maximum values of all load fa(~tors involved two seconds of approximately 37 gpm and an
are employed in estimating. More recent ex- average rate of 26.9 gpm over the time the
periments [3] by Camp give rates of supply for valve is in operation. Curve 2 is the rate
safe and economical flushes ranging from 20 curve for a flush tank plotted from Golden's
gpm to 29 gpm for different types of closet data for a flow of 4 gallons in 9.1 seconds giving
bowls and times of flush ranging from 7.5 to 9 it peak rate about 31.5 gpm at the end of 1
seconds, omitting data for one bowl with spiral second and an average rate of 26.4 gpm. In
flow action. The averages for six different both cases the flow reaches a rate within the
bowls are 25.9 gpm and 8.2 seconds. Unpub- first second amply sufficient to prime the siphon
lished data from still more recent experiments of any standard type of closet bowl and there-
[4] at the National Bureau of Standards indi- after is maintained for 6 or 7 seconds within
cate that the most effective removal of the the range required to produce continuous
contents of a closet bowl occurs with rates of
supply ranging from about 20 to 24 gpm and 40
that the complete contents of the bowl are
removed, if removable by any rate of flow, in
times ranging from about 6 to about 10 seconds ~
& 30
for different types of bowls. ,
w
In both cases the data were obtained with C)
a:
approximately uniform flow through the bowl, <t
r 9]
siphon action. The total volume, the average to the overflow. Ordinarily only a fraction,
rate of flow, and the duration of the flush in possible ~, to ~~,of these volumes will be used for
these examples are all greater than necessary a bath. The time, T, between uses will include
for an effective flush in the types of bowls most the time required to draw the water, the time
commonly used-washdown, reverse trap, and taken for bathing, the time required to empty
siphon-jet bowls. It is impractical to attempt the tub, and any additional time consumed in
to estimate individual variations either in the complete bathing operation. This totnl
rates of supply or in rates of use of fixtures. time, T, between operations of the fixture seems
Hence, it is advisable to set the factors chosen likely to range from about 15 minutes for hur-
for making estimates high enough to allow ried baths to about 30 minutes for ba,ths taken
some leeway in adjusting down to the volume more leisurely. It also seems likely that
and rate of supply needed for satisfactory smaller quantities of water will be used under
service in particular cases, since it is impossible the former than under the latter conditions.
to adjust for greater rates of supply than the Now, assume that 8 gpm is an ample averagp
supply pipes are capable of delivering. rate of supply for a bathtub. This is GO percent
Considering the problem of estimates from higher than some [5] and 20 percent lower than
all angles, an average rate of supply of 27 gpm other [6] estimates of a satisfa,ctory average ratp
for a duration of 9 seconds, giving a volume of of supply for a bathtub. An average rate of
approximately 4 gallons per flush, appears to supply of 8 gpm, an assumed average time of
meet requirements generally as nearly as can filling of t=60 seconds, and an assumed time
be done in l'Ound numbers and will be employed between operations of 1'=900 seconds (15
for flush valves for water closets in evaluating minutes) would provide for an average of 8
the probability function in the further develop- gallons per bath. For an average volume of 16
ment of the methods of estimating demand gallons per bath and the same rate of supply. 8
loads. gpm, 120 seconds (t) will he required to draw
The rate of supply to flush tanks for wa1<'r the bath. If the rate of operation (averagp
closets is not related direetly to the rate of time taken per bath) is once in ~o minutes, giv-
supply required by the closet for effective ing 1'= 1,800 seconds, the ratio of tj T is the
operation. The only essential for operation same in both cases; 60j900= 120j1.800= 1j1.5.
of the fixture is that the tank refill in the interim Since for a given value of n the value of p; for
between operations. A rate of 4 gpm is any value of r is determined by the ratio tjT, the
ordinarily considered sufficient, which for a probability of a selected design load mq being
volume of 4 gallons gives a value of 60 seconds exceeded will be exactly the same for the two
for t. The value of T should obviously be the cases cited or for a,ny other case in which the
same for flush-valve and flush-tank supply. time l' is proportional to the volume used and
In case of faucet-controlled supply for fix- the same basic rate q is employed. From these
tures, it is not possible to basc the time factors considerations, a design load mq, for bathtubs
or the quantity of water used on the character- in congested scrvice, based on an average rate
istic operation of the fixture as was done for of supply of 8 gpm, and a ratio tjT= 1/15 ap-
flush valves for water closets, because the pears to insure fairly satisfactory service and is
manner in which faucets are operated depends used as the basis of the development, and com-
largely on personal habits or preferences. parisons following.
For such fixtures an arbitrary selection of '1'11(' values selected for the three fixtlJreS dis-
129
107
151
30
66
299 --
can be computed for which the probability of --
---
.0104
225
.0112
113
.0118
.0105
316
30515
30!)
.0100
25
64
132
.0512
.0281
.0165
.0107
172
---
----
.0102
40
.012ti
.0138
240
221
-
---
2r.0106
3n40
0.0124
O.0960
0.0119 .0102
.0101.0115
59
285.0103
.0101 1rV;
10 V;
n4714
6479.0118
.0112
.0104
3.0100
12
1G 938G
.0101 1774
30 04m
2m 69310
12
IIIO8937
1t1331720
5478
619
23
192347554:JG
14
G7 022 Flush
Bathtubs,
tanks, for
I/T=I/15
I/T~f.o/300~ for
1/5
85 6
199
47 Hi I/T~9/3OO~3/100 Flush valves, for
occurrence is in excess of a given perccntage,
n
for example 1 percent of the time, by the small-
est possible fraction. From this probability,
71;, a particular value m of r, for which the
probability of occurrence of any number
g'renter than m is not greater than a given
pef'(~(mtagc of the time, may be rcadily deter-
t=n
mined by an approximation of 'i:.p~.
t=m+1
If P,::+l < (1/2)p;:',
no further computation IS
necessary as pointed out on page 8. If It will be observed that for flush valves tiT
71;;,+1 > (1/2)p;':, it will ordinarily be necessary is small, and r=m for all values of n in the
to carry the summation to a few terms only to range given, and that the greater tiT the smal-
determine the value of m required. ler is the range in which r=m.
Probability data for flush valves for water Figure 2 shows the curves obtained by plot-
closets, flush tanks for water closets, and bath ting m and n for the three fixtures, curve 1 being
100
2..,.
-V- /' -/V--
..--
./
./BATH
.../
.../
..,/'
--'
./
,/
.../
~ .--
3. FLUSH
TUBS, I.
--
VA LV~ E S,
FLUSH
I y/'f
4 =o. 0 I
TANKS, V1=0.01
yI'f= 0.01
..-- - ./- - -
./
75
E 50
25
o
o 50 100 150 200 250 300
n
FIGUUE 2.-Probable relation of In to n from table 1.
[ 11 ]
500
ES
-:P/
V
~
.-
1/
L.--:::
V /'"
/
V
/"'--
v?-
/'-I--
./
/'--
V.-/ ---
.-/
/'-:;:::
/'" ---
.-/
........-
..•••...••
V5 V
......--
........-
..•.......
~.-V
f-"""
~ ---
.-/
:..-- FLUSH
......--
:;:....-- ......--
c.--
..•.......
2'
4
..•.......
........- ........-
•...••
/' /'---./V
/~.--- --- V TANKS
I. FLUSH
"..- ..--
......-- 3BATH
/'"
VALVES
::::::::: /'" TUBS./ -
........-........-
..-- --- V V /'" /",V /'
400
300
200
100
o
o 50 100 150 200 250 300
n
FIGURE 3.-Probable flow in relation to n.
for flush valves, curve 2 for bathtubs, and tion of demand loads to number of fixtures.
curve 3 for flush tanks. A value of m for flush based on estimated time factors representing
valves that would not be exceeded for more congested conditions of service-that is, the
than one-millionth of the time was also com- maximum practical rate at which fixtures can
puted, and the results are represented in figure be used continuously in actual service. Assum-
2 by curve 4. ing the COITectness of the factors employed in
Estimates of pipe capacities will ordinarily evaluating the probability functions, the curves
be obtained in flow units, for example in gallons may be used for estimating the demand loads
pel' minute. Hence it will be more convenient for any particular number of fixtures of one
in practice to have the demand load expressed given kind. However, the design load for all
in the same units. This may be obtained by kinds of fixtures installed in one system should
plotting mq and n as shown by figure 3, in which not be the sum of the design loads computed
q is taken as 27 gpm for flush valves, 4 gpm for separately for each kind of fixture, even though
fiush tanks, and 8 gpm for bathtubs. The the individual curves may be correct. Simul-
average flow, nQ/T, during the time the fixtures taneous operation of different killds of fixtures
are being used at the rate of once in the time T is a chance occurrence which would have to be
is also represented in figure 3, for flush valves evaluated by another probability function.
and flush tanks by line 4 and for bathtubs by Although such an evaluation is possible all the
line 5. basis of the assumed average time factors, the
Curves 1. 2, and 3, in figure 3, show the I'ela- process is too complicated for convenient appli-
[ 12 ]
cation in thc field or office and, because the TABLE 3.-Relative demand weights of fixtures
time factors
Average
forweighL_
-----
150. 200
250.
300
__.
faucet-supplied
... of__..n
fixture~ --- fixtures on --
--~
~---'---
-----
----
--- 5.21 -----
-----
----
---------
----.-
of
----------
of
10 85
33
10 fixtures
NUInber
Number
----------
238
14.20
5.03
6.03
292
5.59
238 93nNnmher
167Flush
fixtures
398
312
Weight
Relal
Relative
weight
wei~
133
56
176 n Bathtnhs
Flush
valves tanks
10
gpm
which the probability
Demand. of simultaneous operation
depends cannot be determined in general, IVP
I" / / /I~
/'
~~ 2.
'I;FLUSH TANKS
./
400
300
200
100
o
o 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
FIXTURE UNITS
fixture units, referred separately to the flush- about 94 and 23 percent, respectively, for 100
valve curve for an estimate, the demand esti- fixture units. However, the error in an esti-
mate would be about 15 percent lower than the mate made from curve 1 fol' the total demand
corresponding estimate made directly from the load for flush valves for water closets and for
fiush-tank curve. The corresponding error in bathtubs will be less than the error indicated
the estimate for 300 bathtubs made in the same by an estimate made separately for the bath-
Iwumer would be about 3}~percent. Theseerrors tubs from the same eurve in all cases in whieh
are immaterial, for the only result, in case the the flush valves predominate, 011 the basis of
design load was exceeded in service by that total fixture units of the two kinds of fixtures.
amount, would be an increase in the time re- In cases where flush tanks for water closets arc
quired to refill the fixtures by 15 percent and used exelusively or predominantly in the sys-
3}~ percent, respectively, or, in case the same tem, a closer estimate could be made on the
time is occupied in refilling, a reduction by these basis of total weights, by using curve 2 and the
percentages in the volume of water used. Be- total fixture units for all kinds of fixtures in-
low the point of intersection, referring flush volved. Obviously the error made by using
tanks and bathtubs separately to the flush- curve 2 for both flush tanks and bathtubs for
valve curve would result in overestimating the any number of either up to 300 would be small.
demand by amounts varying from very small Also, the demand load relative to the number
percentages for 880 to 1,040 fixture units to of fixture units may be approximately repre-
[ 14]
500
. V,
.//;//
/"./
-::?
./ /"
,v
./IV
V
/"
V2//'/./Vfj./
/./'./.400
V I
~ 300
a.
<.9
oZI
<t
~
W
o 200
100
o
o 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
FIXTURE UNITS
sented in this range by a smooth curve drawn frequently in greater numbers, but obviously
abov<, the two probability curves and mcrged have a much smaller load-producing weight, and
with curve 1 as shown by the broken line in are frequently ignored in estimating demand
figure 4, thus giving estimates slightly in excess and sewage loads. Because, as pointed out in
of the peak demands indicated by the separate discussing supply demands for bathtubs, it is
c1l!'Yesfor flush tanks and bathtubs. The bro- impossible to estimate the values of t and T
ken line in figure 4 is reproduced in figure 5, to- reliably for faucet-supplied fixtures, and because
gdher with curve 1. Thc curves in this figure of the relatively small effect on the total
are proposed for estimating design loads for demand, it is suggested that satisfactory
wa ter-supply lines in general, curve 1 to be fixture-unit ratings may be assigned to irregu-
used when flush valves predominate in the sys- larly used faucet-supplied fixtures independ-
tem and curve 2 to be used when flush tanks ently of the probability function from a
predominate, the common c1l!'Ye above the consideration of the sizes of the supply outlets
branch to be used for all weighted fixtures. and the relative quantities of water used. On
Of the fixtures commonly installed in the the basis of this reasoning, the relative weights
greatest numbers, these three produce the major suggested for the kinds of fixtures most com-
pnrt of the peak demand. Lavutories are in- monly subjected to congested service are:
stalled in most systems in us grca t numbers, and 10:5:4:2 for flush valves for water closets,
[ 15 ]
flush tanks for water closets, bath tubs. and two classes of supply should be added to obtain
lavntorics, rcspectively. Llle esLimnLe for LoLn1 demand on any supply
pipe common to both services. If the two types
5. RELATIVE LOAD VVEIGHTS FOR DIFFERENT
of demand do not come at the same time of day,
CONDITIONS OF SER VICE
the greater demand of the two may be tflken as
Up to this point the discussion has been con- the peak demand, or design estimate.
fined to four kinds of fixtures under congested A bathroom group of fixtures can probably be
conditions of service. There are several con- more closely weighted to the selected scale of 1
siderations that should be taken into account in to 10 by taking the three common bathroom
determining load ratings for other fixtures and fixtures-water closet, lavatory, and bathtub or
for other conditions of service, among which shower-as a unit than by weighting eflch
the following are especially important: fixture separately. In hotels and apartment
(1) Fixtures that are relatively few in number houses the bathrooms arc not all in use at one
and unlikely to be used when the predominant time, and the loading weight of any fixture of
kinds are being used most frequently will add the group-for example, a water closet-will
very little to the demand or to the peak sewage be much lower than for the same fixture in
load and hence may be ignored, except in regard congested service, for which it has been assumed
to the branch supply lines and branch drain that all fixtures will be in continuous use ouring
pipes of these fixtures. Slop or service sinks in the period of congestion. One peak perioo
office buildings, which are in use to any con- occurs in hotels and apartments in the morning
siderable extent only before or after office hours, during the rising hour and another in the after-
add a negligible load to the peak loads of the noon during the preparations for dinner.
day. Kitchen sinks and laundry trays in Probably the best indication of the distribution
dwellings and residential apartments may also of the use of the bathrooms in hotels and apart-
be placed in this category. men t buildings obtainable will be given by
(2) Fixtures so installed that they cannot in records of the activity during the hours when
general be subject to congested conditiolls of the peak use of the plumbing fixtures occurs.
service in the same sense as fixtures installed in Table 4 is a summary of reconled morning
public comfort stations, general toilet rooms in (rising) calls from the switchboard for two large
office buildings, and other buildings in which hotels in N ew York Ci ty for 7 consecu tive days
each fixture is open and accessible for use ft t, all i]] one case and 9 days in the other. Hotel] is
times, should be given a rating in accordance a large hotel in which the guests were principally
with the possible extent or frequency of their transient. Hotel 2 is a large apartment hotel
use. Bathrooms in private dwellings, resi- in which the greater part of tl](' guests were
dential apartments, and private bathrooms in resident but which also received and accom-
hotels may be considered in this class, and can modated transients.
be rated advantageously as a group. TABLE 4.-])i~trib/ltio1l of lIIo/"n1'ng calls in hotels
(3) 'Vater services that demand a con tinuous --228
---
---
flow, such as lawn sprinklers, air-conditioning 5:~O
]74 fore
198 212113~
-- 98 '
6::30
1\:4,\
Till1f' of ('all
result obtained to be exact. What actually Water closet uunn_ Puhlic __ Flush valve nun_ 10
occurs in the installations to which the proposed Do 0000_000000 n_do _ 00 Flush tank_.nnn _ 5
Pedestal urinaLnu __n do Flush valvcn_nnn _ 10
Stall or wall urinaL_on n_do. _00 n do _00000000_0000_00 5
rating would apply is that one-fourth or more DO_._nnn_n .._n do_on Flush tank __nnnnnn 3
of the fixtures of each kind are not in service LavatorYnnnnn_nn
Do. _"n_nnn'_h_
do __00
00_<10
Total...
Hot or cold
00_000000 __ 00_
un_nn
2
1.5
during the time the other three-fourths or less Bathtuhsnnnnnnn __ dO_on TotaL_unnhhn n 4
DO.__unnnnnn do llotorcold __. nh_ 3
are in actual use, and that the ratio of tiT for Shower head .. h. __ do_ TotaL_n nnnnnn 4
00 0000 __ '00_00_00 do _. Hot or cold unn __. __ 3
each kind of fixture is greatly decreased below Bathromn group un Private Flush valve (total) n_ 8
the ratio applying to congested conditions of 00_" 0000_'_0000 do. __ .._ Flush valve (cold only)_ 6
Do _nun_n. __h_ 00.<10 _ Flush tank (total)_ . .. 6
Do do. __u Flush tank (cold only) n 4
service. For example, if each of the water- 00_ . 0000_._0000 do __ u 3
closet flush valves is operated twice during the Bathroom r,roup with _.._do. _ 00 ~3~wf~erc~~;:spon(ling 1.5
separate shower. group above for total.
hour in which it was assumed that two-thirds 2; for cold or hot
of the bathrooms were in use, t/T=9/1800=
1/200; if used four times, t/T=9/900=1/100, as
compared to t/T=9/300=3/100 for congested 6. ApPLICA'rION OF LOAD CHART AND WEIGHT
service. A similar relation will exist between TABLE
the ratios of tiT for flush tanks and bathtubs
under the conditions described and under In estimating the demand load for a supply
congested conditions. It may be noted in this pipe in any building, the total number of each
connection that assigning a bathroom group kind of weighted fixtures or weighted groups of
one-half the rating that is given the same fixtures fixtures will be multiplied by the weight of that
in congested service would give an estimate of fixture or group (table 7) and the products added
to obtain the total number of fixture units.
the demand greater than one-half of that for
congested service. For example, 10 flush The demand load is given by the corresponding
valves for water closets, 10 bathtubs, and 10 ordinate of the appropriate curve in figure 5.
lavatories in congested service total 160 fixture For example, assume that an apartment house
units, which by curve 1 in figure 5 gives an or a hotel has 100 bathrooms with flush-tank
estimated demand of 81 gpm. The proposed supply for all water closets and that any other
rating for 10 bathroom groups with flush valves, fixtures in the building are negligible 4 in rela-
80 fixture units, gives an estimated demand of tion to peak demand. The total number of
64 gpm. fixture units will be 100X6, or 600. The ordi-
Table 7 gives the fixture weights suggested in nate on curve 2 of figure 5 corresponding to this
accordance with the use to which the fixtures abscissa is 147 gpm. This estimate, of course,
are subjected and the manner in which they applies only to the main supply or service pipe
are installed. The term" public" refers to fix- for the building and does not include any con-
tures which are individually open for use at all tinuous demand, such as that for lawn sprinklers
times when the building is open, as in public or air conditioning, etc. Again, assume that
toilets or general toilets in office buildings. an office building has 100 water closets with
"Private" refers to fixtures installed in groups flush-valve supply, 25 stall urinals with flush-
in such a manner that the entire group may be valve supply, and 100 lavatories, and that the
and generally is confined to the use of one per- demand of other plumbing fixtures is negligible
son at a time, as in residences or private baths in relation to these, but that the building has
of hotels. "Total" refers to hot and cold an air-cooling system which demands a maxi-
supply combined. "Hot or cold" refers to hot mum rate of 225 gpm. By referring to table
or cold water supply only. ~ See discussion of negligible fixtures on page 16.
[ 18 ]
5 it is found that the total number of fixture The inherent fault of applying the proba-
units is 100XIJ+25X5+100X2, or 1,325. bility function by means of a table is illus-
The corresponding estimated demand load is 247 trated in the comparisons which follow. Table
gpm, to which 225 gpm must be added, giving 9 gives estimated demand loads for flush valves
472 gpm for the total estimated demand on the for water closets, flush valves for urinals, flush
service pipe of the building. The method of tanks, and lavatory faucets, taken from the
estimating for branch risers and other dis- curves of figure 4 over the range in number of
tributing pipes is similar, the estimate being fixtures included in table 8. The values for
based on the' number of fixtures or groups flush valves for urinals were taken from the
supplied through the branch, and the weights curve for flush valves for water closets on the
being selected a.c(~ording to whether the branch basis of five fixture units per fixture, and the
supply pipe carried the total supply, the cold values for lavatories from the curve for bath-
water only, or the hot water only. tubs on the basis of two fixture units per fixture
(table 7).
X. ADEQUACY OF THE IvIETHOD
TABLE g.-Demand estimates in gallons per minute frO/ii
The proof of the adequacy of the proposed figure 4
27364754
81218243039
8 121620 61
23 71
29 56
89
39 98125140175205269
66
43 96117167216310
58 fi5 84 102137
method of estimating the demand loads
Water·closet
va]vesto.... be
flushtanks.
va]ves ......
- - -- -- - - - -
Lavatoriesu
Water·closet
Kind of fixture
Urinal flushflush u_hhnnhn
n
00 __
,, ____
__ )<umber of fixtures
---
expected in building-water-supply systems will, 3647161 7082981251401182205269327435
-;~ 12 162~~;;f100 150~-;;~~
in the end, depend on its success in actual trial
over a period of years. Fortunately, in this
case we have a means of comparison with a
similar method that has been given a trial.
Table 8 is an abridgement of a table from the
There are obvious irregularities in the esti-
construction manual [5] used by the mechanical
mates given by table 8, especially in the esti-
engineering section of one of the Federal de-
mates for flush tanks and lavatory faucets.
partments, based on the method of estimate by
This may be seen by plotting these values or
means of the probability function as originally
by comparing them by steps as is done in
proposed [1] in 1923. This table has been used table 10.
for a number of years by that office with reason-
TABLE 1O.-Demand estimates in gallons per minute per
ably successful results. The only complaint fixture by table 8
against the results of using this table 50
and method ----
----
---
Second
Fourth
0.74
.48 IC50 50 0.72
0.20
0.90
.30
1.50
O. 1.16
that has come
Lavatories to _.the
F]ush ___..
tanks .. _ author's
00 •• ----
attention
Kind of fixture
is that Third
Last
First 50
Xumber of fixtures
------- ~-
2 4
----
8 It"
24140
--- -.- - --- -- ----
50 80 100150200300
.~-~
Kind of fixture 1--------- ..------------------·-
first 50 I second 50I third 50 I fourth 50 I last ]00
Water·closet lIush tanks. nn 8 12 IG 20 30 38 50 58 80 95 11021.' 290
F]ush tanks ... __.. 1.32 1.02 1.00 0.94
""I~.~,~,
0.98
Lavatories __nu 0_86 0.54 0.38 .36 .35
I---J-'
_
Water·closot
La'·atones.
Kind valves.
Urinaillush flash
of fixture__ ._n
v'llves
nnn ____• 610]51820
182.330.3642
•• ----1361661
n 'ool,~,~
, I I72)" 50/64
2.5 30 36151
72 '00 601 75 85110
90 10012511818~
[ 19]
The regularly d<,creasing allowances per taken does not specifically state that the SUIll
fixture in this table arc propel' and permissible. of the separate estimates for each kind of
However, although the demand pel' fixture de- fixture is to be taken as the total estimate, it
creases with increasing number of fixtures, does not provide any other means of obtaining
tending toward the average demands for entire the total, and presuma bly this is the method
systems, the estimate per fixture for satis- that has been used in applying the table. If
factory service of the entire group of fixtures this is true, it accounts to a large extent for the
cannot fall to that averagl', approximately 0.8 overestimates complained of and previously
gpm per water closet and 0.16 gpm per lavatory, referred to. Furthermore, no provision is
if the supply pipes aTe to be capable of supplying made in the manual for the difference in demand
the peak demands. for the same fixtures in public (congested)
There arl' two particular requirements that service and in private (noncongested) service,
any practical method of estimating demand an omission that would still further increase
loads should meet. First, the method should the overestimates for the latter.
give estimates greater than thl' averag<' demand In addition to the fact that the method of
for all fixtures in the system during the periods weighting fixtures as to their demands (table 7)
of heaviest use; otherwise complete interrup- and applying the weighted total to probable
tion of service ",ill occur. Second, the method nse curves (fig. 5) will at least paTtially correct
should give satisfactory and economical esti- the errors inherent in the use of tables as
mates for groups of fixtures all of the same kind illustrated, once the weighted method is under-
and for groups composed of any number of stood thoroughly, it will be simpler to use.
different kinds of fixtures. Thl' inherent de- Tables in an abbreviated form, as illustrated
fects of a tabll' in the form of tables 8 or 9 in by tables 8 and 9, require interpolation for
ml'eting the second requirement will become values not appearing in the tahle, whereas
apparent from the comparisons given in table 12. interpolation is automatically taken care of in
using the curve.
TABLE 12.-Comparison of demand estimates for plumb-
ing systems
XI. ESTIMATES OF SEWAGE LOADS
Estimates by
r 20]
of the method of estimating sewage load will conditions encountered in plumbing systems
be treated in the paper dealing with capacities permit, and that the results of applying the
of building drains. Also, before the method data presented in that form will in general lead
can be successfully applied in practice, the to the selection of adequate sizes of supply
abbreviated table of fixtme weights for demand pipes and as economical sizes as are consistent
loads will have to be expandpd and modifipd. with safety and satisfactory operation, pro-
Thesp modifications will also be developpd in vided the proper judgment is exercised in
the lakr paper. estima ting the capacity of the pipes under the
particular conditions of installation.
XII. DISCUSSION
XIII. REFERENCES
The principal purpose of this paper is to
present the fundamental principles and data on [1] Recommendcd Minimum Requirements for Plumb-
which the proposed method of estimating ing, Departmcnt of Commercc Building and
Housing Series, BH13, 1924. Revised by addi-
loads to be provided for in plumbing systems tion of a supplement, 1932.
is bascd. It, has been pointed out that the [2] Probability and Its Engineering Uses, by Thornton
details of application of any method in practice C. Fry, (D. Van Nostrand and Co., Inc., 1928).
must be guided to a large extent by engineering [3] The Hydraulics of Water Closet Bowl.~ and Flushing
judgment in order that it may lead to satis- Devices, by Thomas R. Camp. associate professor
of Sanitary Engineering, Massachusetts Institute
factory results. The choice of values employed of Technology. Published in mimeographed
in evahmting the probability function and in form in 1936 by the Massachusetts State Asso-
converting estimates in number of fixtures ciatiou of Nlaster Plumbers.
flowing to estimates in gallons per minute rep- [4J G. E. Golden, Research Associate at the National
resents the author's judgment. Bureau of Standards for the Plumbing Manu-
facturers Research Associateship. (Data un-
It, has also been pointed out that it is impos- published.)
sible to determine or to estimate closely either [5] Manual of Procedure for the Mechanical Section,
the maximum demand load or the maximulll Public Works Branch, Procuremcnt Division,
sewage loael that will occur in service. It is Treasury Department (Sept. 1935).
only possible to estimate the loads having a [6] Interior Water Supply Piping for Residcntial
Buildings, Bulletin of the University of Wiscon-
certain probability of being exceeded in a given sin, Engineering Expcriment Station Series, No.
system. In this respect, it is believed that 77.
table 7 and figure 5 will enable the engineer to
obtai n t,hat, estimate as closel~Tas the vnr~Ting WASHINGTON, August 30, 1940.
o
[21 ]
BUILDING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES REPORTS
On request, the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D. C., will place your name on a special mailing list to receive notices of new reports in this
series as soon as they are issued. There will be no charge for receiving such notices.
An alternative method is to deposit with the Superintendent of Doouments the sum of $5.00,
with the request that the reports be sent to you as soon as issued, and that the cost thereof be
charged against your deposit. This will provide for the mailing of the publications, without
delay. You will be notified when the amount of yotir deposit has become exhausted.
If 100 copies or more of any paper are ordered at one time, a discount of 25 percent is allowed.
Send all orders and remittances to the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D. C.
,_ The following publications in this series are available by purchase from the
Superintendent of Documents at the prices indicated:
BMSI Research on Building Materials and Structures for Use in Low-Cost Housing --- 10¢
BMS2 Methods of Determining the Structural Properties of Low-Cost House Constructions_ _ 10¢
BMS3
Suital5ility of Fiber Insulating Lath as a Plaster Base~ 1O¢
BMS4 Accelerated Aging of Fiber Building Boards ~!_-------------------- 10¢
BMS7
Water Permeability of Masonry Walls ~ M lO¢ M
BMS8 Methods of Investigation of Surface Treatment for Corrosion Protection of SteeL '_ 10¢
BMS9 Structural Properties of the Insulated Steel Construction Co.'s "Frameless-Steel" Con
structions for Walls, Partitions, Floors, and~ Roofs - _______________ _______ 10¢
BMSIO Structural Properties of One of the "Keyston\l Beam Steel FI()or" Constructions Spon
, sored by the H. H. Robertson Co, c c 10¢
BMSll St:uc~ural Properties of the .qurren Fabrihc}jne Corporation's "Fabrihome" 'Construc
tIOns for Walls and Partltlons '-, ----------------------- 10¢
BMS12 Structural Properties of "Steelox" Constructions for Walls, Partitions, Floors, and Roofs
Sponsored by Steel Buildings, Inc M __ - - - - - -_ _ _ _ 15¢
_ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _
T
" -,"" <····1 '. ".;
, Floorif Sponsbred by Palisade Roines._ - - -- - -'- -- -- - ~ --.:.. _- -='== _:.':'~' "___ lOt
aMS38 ,StructUral Pr()perties of Two "Dunstone" WallC6ns~ructloil$_SpoD.sOiedby tpe W. E.
. Du:t1ll Manufacturing Co~ - - ~~ __ - - ~ ~.:_ - ..,_ "_~_~ __ ~':' ~_~___ ___ __ 1O¢
,1_,.- BMS39 Structural Properties 'Of 'a Wall ConstrUction of "Pfeifer Units" Sponeored by the Wis
· '. . consin Units co . ~ ~ - .: ~ _.---'.:.=---'..,-L ~ IO¢
BMS40; Structural Prbperties~()fa '!all Construction o!-"Kilap Concrete 'YaUUnlts""Sponsored
. by Knap America Inc - __ -.- - - -. __ - -. -,- ._,--- ~ _,- IO¢
·BMS41 EffeetofHeating and Cooling on the Permeability ofMasonryW&lls__ ~ ~ _-=-.:.. _______ 1O¢
. aMS42 Structural Properties f'fWood_Frltme WaIl.ll.nd Partition Constructiorls with"'Celotex"
, ." •In,sulating Boards Sponsored by the Celotex Corporatiollc':".:.,: - ~ - -' ~ _-= ~~ _, ________ lOt
BMS43' Perfortnance Test of'Floor Covenilgsfor Use in Low-Cost HOUsing:Paft2 =_~, IO¢
'BMS44 Suiface Treatmen~ of Steel Prior,to painting_T~~' ':~_'':S-'~-'~~~_::_.c__ ,~ .• -~'-- lOt
·BMS45 Air Infiltratio,n Through-WindOlvs. "-,, c-'- _~ __ ,~ __ ".,,_-_ -"'"_,;"';~-':r~~~~ __ __ IO¢
" BMS46 Stiluc~uraJ. Properties of. "Scot-Bj1t;'Prefid)rica.ted$heet-'S~keQ~tW¢tipIls''fO'r. W~lls,
'~ _FI()ors"a~d Roofs ~~on$oredby the. G1obe-Wernicke,qq~~.-::~'.,,~:;·~:;,,,_,{... ~ ~.: __ .- __ = IO¢
BMS47 .Structural Properties of Pre~1>iicatedW06d'-Frame,Gopati'UC:tio:ru(f9r" Wltlli!'Pa;rti
. . tiona' an~FloQrs St>onsor~d by AmericanI-Iouses,)I'ric:";f,-,~~:::"2~>~'-;~\_~~'~:'~ '- 1O¢ ,
BMS48Strnct\lral Properties of "PreciSion-Built" Frame <Walland >VlirtitiohConstfuctioi::ui .
.•~.~. :,.=~~!;££il;g;t=:~i~ci~~~;~~:E;:::::::.:~
c!~m···fI~g~t~I~;~i1jl~~~~~~ •.~~
j.
.f ,',):
'\
. ..~~', '/
" ":.:,.:." ..• (1"
\ :.{l
"
--._. ..,< .1",
: ~
f .!"
",' ,:'~ I:
: .. "
• J ",": ~. t., .
~.
\ '..,. J
.\
... .:...:. ,1."
: . .:...