Domestic Water Piping Design

Design Info
• Plumbing design is mainly dictated by the plumbing codes. Following
the code and the design information in the RTM Vault is mainly all
that is needed. Very specific information about specialized systems
can also be found in ASPE publications and online.
• The IPC is online at for free at https://codes.iccsafe.org/category/I-
Codes. Also, there is always examples to be found by searching
Google for the exact code section.
• Always verify which code and edition is being used on projects and if
there are any amendments. Either search the city’s website or call
the building official’s office. Besides different year editions there is
the Uniform Plumbing Code, Standard Plumbing Code, and various
state codes which are usually variations of the IPC.
• Check with the city website for amendments or additional
information. Verify with the local health department any
requirements sizing water heaters for kitchens.
Definitions (found in chapter 2 of the IPC)
• Air Gap (Water Distribution System). The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or
faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
• Backflow – Pressure created by any means in the water distribution system, which by being in excess of the pressure in the water supply mains causes a
potential backflow condition.
• Water supply system. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any
source except the intended source.
• Backflow Connection - Any arrangement whereby backflow is possible.
• Backflow Preventer - A device or means to prevent backflow.
• Double Check Backflow Preventer - Designed for use in non-health hazard cross-connections and continuous pressure applications subject to
backpressure or back siphonage incidents, such as lawn sprinklers, fire sprinkler lines, commercial pools, tanks and vats, and food cookers.
• Fixture Supply - The water supply pipe connecting a fixture to a branch water supply pipe or directly to a main water supply pipe.
• Hot Water - Water at a temperature greater than or equal to 110°F (43°C).
• Potable Water - Water free from impurities present in amounts enough to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and conforming to the
bacteriological and chemical quality requirements of the Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards or the regulations of the public health authority
having jurisdiction.
• Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer - A backflow prevention device consisting of two independently acting check valves, internally force-loaded to a
normally closed position and separated by an intermediate chamber (or zone) in which there is an automatic relief means of venting to the atmosphere,
internally loaded to a normally open position between two tightly closing shutoff valves and with a means for testing for tightness of the checks and
opening of the relief means.
• Tempered Water - Water having a temperature range between 85°F (29°C) and 110°F (43°C).
• Vacuum Breaker - A type of backflow preventer installed on openings subject to normal atmospheric pressure that prevents backflow by admitting
atmospheric pressure through ports to the discharge side of the device.
• Water Pipe:
• Riser. A water supply pipe that extends one full story or more to convey water to branches or to a group of fixtures.
• Water distribution pipe. A pipe within the structure or on the premises that conveys water from the water service pipe, or from the meter when the
meter is at the structure, to the points of utilization.
• Water service pipe. The pipe from the water main or other source of potable water supply, or from the meter when the meter is at the public right of
way, to the water distribution system of the building served.
• Water Main - A water supply pipe or system of pipes, installed and maintained by a city, township, county, public utility company or other public entity, on
public property, in the street or in an approved dedicated easement of public or community use.
• Water Supply System - The water service pipe, water distribution pipes, and the necessary connecting pipes, fittings, control valves and all
appurtenances in or adjacent to the structure or premises.
 Plumbing Materials
• Piping:
• Domestic water piping can be PVC, CPVC, PEX, or copper.
PVC, CPVC and PEX piping is plastic and much less
expensive. However, PVC piping cannot be used for hot
water, since it will melt, and plastic piping cannot be exposed
in return air plenums in some codes. PVC piping can only be
used on water services not distribution piping inside the
building. Our standard is to use type L copper inside and type
K copper below grade. Copper generally uses soldered
fittings although press-fit fittings are becoming more popular.
CPVC piping joints are normally solvent welded (glued) but
larger piping can have flanges or threaded fittings. PEX
tubing uses a sleeve and crimped band around the perimeter
of the tubing.
• Valves:
• Backflow preventers are provided to avoid contamination.
City of Springfield requires a reduced-pressure, backflow
preventer on all services.
• Ball valves are full port valves that are very durable. Our
specification is for a stainless-steel ball instead of just a
chrome plated ball to better resist pitting.
• Check valves are used to keep water from mixing between
hot and cold and to keep prime on a pump. For water piping
we used a spring check valve instead of a swing check valve.
• Balance valves use calibrated orifices to calculate flow based
upon pressure drop across the valve. These are often called
circuit setters which is a brand name by Bell & Gossett.
• Butterfly valves are used on 4” and larger piping to shut-off.
They use a pivoting disc that closes against a seat in the
valve body.
• Gate valves use a blade that goes up and down for shut-off.
We do not allow gate valves on domestic water piping.
• Insulation:
• Insulation is normally either elastomeric or fiberglass.
Armaflex is the trade name for one type of elastomeric
insulation. This is the closed cell, black rubber insulation that
has a split seam for wrapping around the pipe. Elastomeric
insulation is recommended for cold water piping because it is
a better moisture barrier, even if slightly damaged, and will
resist allowing the pipe to sweat. It will also not absorb water
like fiberglass. Fiberglass is less expensive but is not as
durable even with a treated paper jacket (ASJ)
Design Process
• Chapter 6 of the IPC deals with Domestic Water. Appendix
E provides sizing information.
• Review plans for fixture types and locations. Is there a
mechanical room or closet on the exterior wall for the water
service to enter the building? We discourage running the
water main under the building. If required, install in a PVC
sleeve for protection.
• Verify water main pressures with utility or civil engineer. This
is very important if building is on top of a hill or multi-story.
Static pressure is the available pressure with no water flow.
Residual pressure is the pressure when a specific water
flow is being discharged from the system.
• Verify if we are showing the water tap, meter pit, meter, and
piping to the meter or is it part of the civil work.
• Size the water main using the Water Sewer Mains
spreadsheet in the Vault Design Tools but also look at our
standard minimum sizes for flush-valve water closets in our
specification for minimum size. Size is determined by fixture
units (fu) for each type of plumbing fixture and the quantity
of the fixtures. Fixture units are provided in table E1003.2(2)
for each fixture unit. Convert fixture units to gpm using the
table E103.3(3) for systems with predominately flush tank or
flush valve, water closets.

FIXTURE MAXIMUM
TYPE QUANTITY OF
FIXTURES PIPE CW SIZE HW
Water Closet (Flush Valve) 1 1.25” --
Water Closet (Flush Valve) 2 1.5” --
Water Closet (Flush Valve) 5 2” --
Water Closet (Flush Valve) 10 2.5” --
Lavatory 1 0.5” 0.5”
Lavatory 3 0.75” 0.75”
Lavatory 6 1” 1”
Design Process
• Verify routing of water main to building and determine the
pressure drop at the building by deducting the service drop
from the known main pressure. These pressure drops are:
• Tap loss – usually no more than 2 psi
• Meter loss – some municipalities have meter
information on their website but if unknown you can
use 3 psi
• Pipe friction loss – calculate the pressure drop from the
tables in appendix E based upon the peak flow, pipe
size, and friction loss per 100’.
• Elevation pressure loss – since water piping in an open
system you must consider the elevation difference
between the main and the service entrance and
convert to psi by dividing by 2.31.
• Backflow preventer loss – look at tables for peak flow
based upon size of backflow preventer. We always use
a line size preventer so this can be 7-10 psi
• If service pressure is above or near 80-psi provide a
pressure reducing valve (PRV) set to 75-psi. The City of
Springfield requires a PRV on all services so show and note
to set at 75-psi.,
• Provide a general routing of water piping from the main
through the building. Again, the shortest path is usually the
best but sometime structure and ceiling height require a
different route.
• Do a quick check of available pressure. Check the maximum
length of piping and calculate pipe pressure loss by
multiplying the length by a worse case of 4’/100’ and dividing
by 2.31. Check the vertical head difference and then make
sure you have 30-psi at the most remote plumbing fixture.
An example is provided in table E103.3(1).
 Sizing Domestic Water Piping
• After piping is routed on plan, add fixture units (fu) to each to plumbing fixture. Refer to table E103.3(2).
• Start adding up the fixture units on branch piping back to mains.
• Convert to GPM per table E103.3(3) based upon type of water closets being provided. Note that as fixture units get larger, there is less of a difference between
the two systems. Size piping both on maximum velocity (8 FPS for cold and 5 FPS for hot) and allowable pipe friction drop (usually around 4’ per 100’ of pipe)
• Consider creating a layer called “fu” and making it a no-plot layer for keeping track of fixture units and the corresponding “GPM”.
Sizing Domestic
Water Piping
• After converting fixture units to gallons per minute, size
piping based upon maximum velocity or pressure drop
using Figures E103.3(2) in appendix E based upon pipe
material type.
• This example is for Type L copper only.
Design Process
Valve Locations
Valves are required at the following locations:
• On the building water service pipe from the
public water supply. This is usually provided
with the meter and meter pit near the
property line but verify who is to provide
especially if the water meter is installed
indoors. Note to include any service and meter
fees in base bid.
• On the water distribution supply pipe at the
entrance to the building. This is normally right
where the service enters the building and
upstream of the backflow preventer and
pressure regulating valve if required.
• On the base of every upflow riser and the top
of every downflow riser. Make sure these are
accessible to owner.
• On the entrance to every dwelling unit except
where supplying an individual fixture with
supply stops. Providing on apartments is a
good idea.
• On the supply side of every water tank.
• On the water supply to every water heater.
Also show on the outlet for easier isolation of
tank in the future.
Check with owner/hotel standards and local
amendments to see if each bathroom group in a
hotel is required to have a room shut-off instead
of only having supply stops on every fixture.
Tips
• Try to make sure there are enough valves to service the system. If in doubt, it is probably a good idea to provide another
valve.
• Always check your available water pressure early on. Low pressures require a booster pump system which takes room and
adds cost. Sometimes piping can be slightly oversized to reduce friction loss to avoid having to add a pump.
• Try to bring you water service into the building as close to the exterior as possible. If it has to extend into the building,
sleeve the pipe to protect mainly during construction. Be aware of footings that might extend the distance into the room
before the pipe can turn vertical.
• Make sure there is horizontal space for all the valves on the service. Valve symbols, especially backflow preventers, often
take up more room than what is provided. Watch for conflicts with doors, water heaters, and electrical equipment.
• Review any local amendments or health department regulations for backflow prevention. Backflow prevention will be a
separate training session but remember any chemical additives for freeze-protection, chemicals, etc. require a reduced-
pressure, backflow preventer.
• Consider adding fixture units “fu” and corresponding flows “GPM” to plans to aid during design especially when fixtures
change during design. Assign to a no-plot layer so they do not print in CAD and in a working view in Revit.
• Be sure and show piping clearly. Sometimes this will require an enlarged plan (especially if multi-story) or an isometric riser.
The clearer we convey our design to the contractor, the easier it is for them to bid and construct. That helps with their profits
and leads to less conflicts in the field.
• Don’t forget freeze-proof, wall hydrants around all sides of the building. Also include roof hydrants if there is mechanical
equipment that will require coil cleaning.
• Use PEX piping without joints wherever possible underground inside the building. A PVC sleeve is always a good idea to
protect the piping during construction before the floor is poured.
• Provide an accessible shut-off valve upstream of all hydrants and underground piping. Make sure they are accessible,
provide on drops to wall hydrants if piping is routing up high.
• Coordinate water piping drops on exterior walls. Have the architect provide a framed interior wall or make sure the piping
drops down the inside of enough uncompressed wall insulation so the pipe doesn’t freeze.
• Specify valve materials that are NSF rated for potable water. These are lead free bronze or stainless steel.
 Valves

Ball Valve (1/4” to 4”) Butterfly Valve (3” to 24”) Swing Check

Spring Check

Gate Valve (do not use!) Pressure Reducing

Valve
 Backflow Preventers

Double-Check BFP Reduced Pressure BFP or RPZ Dual Check (on connections to
(usually on fire (used if connected to systems coffee machines and non-
services) with chemicals or back pressure) carbonated drink dispensers)
Watts LF009 or LF709 Watts LF009 or LF909 Watts SD-2

Dual Check with atmospheric vent Vacuum Breaker (on water

(on connections to carbonated supplies to faucets with
beverage dispensers) hose connections)
Watts SD-3 Watts LF288A
 SEWER & WATER SERVICE SIZING
PROJECT: Sample Project 04-Jan-21
01:34 PM
DRAINAGE TOTAL SUPPLY TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
FIXTURE TYPE QUANT. FIXTURE D.F.U. FIXTURE S.F.U. S.F.U. S.F.U.
UNITS (EA) UNITS (EA) (COLD) (HOT)
CLOTHES WASHER (8 LB. PRIVATE) 0 2.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
CLOTHES WASHER (8 LB. COMMERCIAL) 0 3.0 0.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
CLOTHES WASHER (15 LB. COMMERCIAL) 0 5.0 0.0 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
BATHROOM GROUP (1.6 GPF WC) 0 5.0 0.0 3.6 0.0 0.0 0.0
BATHROOM GROUP (> THAN 1.6 GPF WC) 0 6.0 0.0 8.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
BATHTUB (WITH OR WITHOUT SHOWER) 0 2.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
BIDET 0 1.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
COMBINATION SINK AND TRAY 0 2.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
DENTAL LAVATORY 0 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
DENTAL UNIT OR CUSPIDOR 0 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
DISHWASHER (RESIDENTIAL) 0 2.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
DRINKING FOUNTAIN 0 0.5 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAIN 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Water and Sewer FLOOR DRAIN

JANITORS BASIN
KITCHEN SINK (DOMESTIC)
KITCHEN SINK (COMMERCIAL)
LAVATORY, PRIVATE
0
0
0
0
0
2.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.0
1.4
4.0
0.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

Main Spreadsheet LAVATORY, PUBLIC

SHOWER, PUBLIC
SHOWER, PRIVATE
SINK, BAR
URINAL (> THAN 1.0 GPF)
0
0
0
0
0
1.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
3.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.0
4.0
1.4
1.4
10.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
URINAL (1.0 GPF OR LESS) 0 2.0 0.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
WASH SINK (EACH SET OF FAUCETS) 0 2.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
WATER CLOSET (FLUSH TANK) 0 4.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
WATER CLOSET, FV, PRIVATE (1.6 GPF) 0 3.0 0.0 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
WATER CLOSET, FV, PRIVATE (> THAN 1.6 GPF) 0 4.0 0.0 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
WATER CLOSET, FV, PUBLIC (1.6 GPF) 0 4.0 0.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
WATER CLOSET, FV, PUBLIC (> THAN 1.6 GPF) 0 6.0 0.0 10.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1.5" FIXTURE DRAIN OR TRAP 0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2" FIXTURE DRAIN OR TRAP 0 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2.5" FIXTURE DRAIN OR TRAP 0 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3" FIXTURE DRAIN OR TRAP 0 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4" FIXTURE DRAIN OR TRAP 0 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

FLUSH TANK FLUSH VALVE

TOTAL BUILDING SEWER FIXTURE UNITS @ 1/8"/FT: 0 SIZE: 2.00 INCH 2.00 INCH
TOTAL BUILDING SEWER FIXTURE UNITS @ 1/4"/FT: 0 SIZE: 2.00 INCH 2.00 INCH
TOTAL WATER SERVICE FIXTURE FLUSH TANK UNITS: 0 SIZE: 0.75 INCH
TOTAL COLD WATER FIXTURE FLUSH TANK UNITS: 0 SIZE: 0.75 INCH
TOTAL HOT WATER FIXTURE UNITS: 0 SIZE: 0.75 INCH 0.75 INCH
TOTAL WATER SERVICE FIXTURE FLUSH VALVE UNITS: 0 SIZE: 1.00 INCH
TOTAL COLD WATER FIXTURE FLUSH VALVE UNITS: 0 SIZE: 1.00 INCH