Sizing Water Distribution System

2/4/22, 4:25 PM How to Determine Suitable Pipe Sizes for Water Distribution in Buildings?
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How to Determine Suitable Pipe Sizes for Water Distributio

Buildings?
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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.
Following points regarding pipe sizes in buildings are discussed:
What are the factors that influence the selection of water distribution pipe size in buildings?
Procedures used for the determination pipe sizes for water distribution in buildings
Fig.1: Different Pipe Sizes to Distribute Water in Buildings
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Factors Influencing Selection of Water Distribution Pipe S

in Buildings
Cost effectiveness
Pressure at the source of water supply
Required pressure at each outlet fixture (examples of outlet fixture are bathtubs, channel drains, bid
drinking fountains, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, showers and others)
The loss of pressure of outlets placed above water source. Loss of pressure is commonly caused by
of water. The friction is occurred due to flow of water in pipes, water flow meter, and backflow prev
Restriction on water flow velocity to avoid noises and pipe erosion.
Extra capacity of possible expansion in the future. Generally, the additional capacity if around 10 percent.
Economic considerations govern the selection process to a great extent. But other factors explained above may enforce the use specific pipe
other than the most economical ones.
Procedures for Determination of 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 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
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, P
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.
Table-1: Fixture Units, Trap and Connection Sizes for Plumbing

Fixtures for Domestic Waters
Domestic water
Types of fixture Fixture-unit value as load factors Minimum size of connections, mm
Private Public Hot water Cold wate
Bathtub (with or without overhead shower

2 4 12.7 12.7
Bidet 
Combination sink and tray 3 - 12.7 12.7
Combination unit and tray with food disposal

4
unit
Dental unit 1 9.525
Dental lavatory 1 2 12.7 12.7
Dish water, domestic 2
Drinking fountain 1 2 9.525
Floor drains 1
Kitchen sink 2 4 12.7 12.7
Kitchen sink, domestic, with food waste grinder 3
Lavatory 1 19.05 9.525
Lavatory 2 12.7 12.7
Lavatory, barber, beauty parlor 2
Lavatory, surgeon’s 2
Laundry tray (1 or 2 compartments) 2 4 12.7 12.7
Shower, per head 2 4 12.7 12.7
Sinks Surgeon’s 3 12.7 12.7
Sinks Flushing rim (with valve) 2 19.05 19.05
Sinks Service (trap standard) 3 12.7 12.7
Sinks Service (P trap) 2 4 12.7 12.7
Sinks Pot, scullery, 4
Urinal, pedestal, siphon jet, blowout 10 25.4
Urinal, wall lip 5 12.7
Urinal stall 5 50.8 19.05
Urinal with flush tank 3
Wash sink (circular or multiple) each set of

2 12.7 12.7
faucets
Water closet, tank-operated 3 5 19.05
Water closet, valve-operated 6 10 25.4
Table-2: Fixture Units, Trap and Connection Sizes for Plumbing Fixtures for Drainage
Types of fixture Drainage 

Fixture-unit value as load factors Minimum size of trap, m
Bathtub (with or without overhead shower

2
Bidet
38.1
Combination sink and tray 2
Combination unit and tray with food disposal unit 3
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
38.1
Kitchen sink, domestic, with food waste grinder 2
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

38.1
Wash sink (circular or multiple) each set of faucets 3
Water closet, tank-operated 4

76.2
Water closet, valve-operated 6
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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
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 Types of Plumbing and Drainage Systems in Buildings Types of Pipe Joints in Plumbin
System Types of Pipe Fittings in Plumbing System for Different Purposes
References 
ASPE. Plumbing engineering design handbook: Engineer's guide to system design and construction. Chicago: American Society of plumbing engin
I, 2004.
FREDERICK S. MERRITT, JONATHAN T. RICKETTS. Building design and construction hand book. 6th edition. ed. New York: McGRAW-HI
2001.
GESAP, Water Supply Facilities 2017. Accessed on: 30 Sep. 2017.
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2/4/22, 4:25 PM How to Determine Suitable Pipe Sizes for Water Distribution in Buildings?

How to Determine Suitable Pipe Sizes for Water Distributio

Reading time: 4 minutes

Fig.1: Different Pipe Sizes to Distribute Water in Buildings

Factors Influencing Selection of Water Distribution Pipe S

Procedures for Determination of Pipe Sizes for Water Distribution in Buildings

Table-1: Fixture Units, Trap and Connection Sizes for Plumbing

Types of fixture Fixture-unit value as load factors Minimum size of connections, mm

Private Public Hot water Cold wate

Bathtub (with or without overhead shower

Combination sink and tray 3 - 12.7 12.7

Combination unit and tray with food disposal

Dental unit 1 9.525

Dental lavatory 1 2 12.7 12.7

Dish water, domestic 2

Drinking fountain 1 2 9.525

Kitchen sink 2 4 12.7 12.7

Kitchen sink, domestic, with food waste grinder 3

Lavatory 1 19.05 9.525

Lavatory 2 12.7 12.7

Lavatory, barber, beauty parlor 2

Laundry tray (1 or 2 compartments) 2 4 12.7 12.7

Shower, per head 2 4 12.7 12.7

Sinks Surgeon’s 3 12.7 12.7

Sinks Flushing rim (with valve) 2 19.05 19.05

Sinks Service (trap standard) 3 12.7 12.7

Sinks Service (P trap) 2 4 12.7 12.7

Sinks Pot, scullery, 4

Urinal, pedestal, siphon jet, blowout 10 25.4

Urinal, wall lip 5 12.7

Urinal stall 5 50.8 19.05

Urinal with flush tank 3

Wash sink (circular or multiple) each set of

Water closet, tank-operated 3 5 19.05

Water closet, valve-operated 6 10 25.4

Types of fixture Drainage 

Fixture-unit value as load factors Minimum size of trap, m

Bathtub (with or without overhead shower

Combination unit and tray with food disposal unit 3

Dish water, domestic 2 38.1

Drinking fountain 1 31.75

Floor drains 2 50.8

Lavatory, barber, beauty parlor 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

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

Water closet, tank-operated 4

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