ARCHITECTURAL

CONSIDERATIONS
IN PLUMBING
Wha t t o co ns id er d ur ing t he p la nning
s t a g e?
WHAT TO CONSIDER?
• Plumbing facilities zoning

• Plumbing facilities horizontal configuration

• Plumbing facilities vertical configuration

• Pipe Chases

• Rooms/Spaces for plumbing equipment

• STP (Sewage Treatment Plant)

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING

2
 PLUMBING FACILITIES ZONING
As much as possible, zone your plumbing facilities, such as
restrooms/T&Bs, kitchens, laundry rooms, or any other space that
needs water to a dedicated portion of the building, or at least near
each other. For larger buildings, multiple zone clusters are more
desired than plumbing facilities scattered all throughout.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 3

 HORIZONTAL CONFIGURATION
As much as possible, plumbing facilities such as restrooms should be in
side by side or back-to-back configuration. This makes zoning easier
and will result to shorter runs of pipes.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 4

 VERTICAL CONFIGURATION
As much as possible, plumbing facilities in high-rise buildings should be
vertically aligned (or at least near) per floor. This makes zoning easier
and will result to shorter runs of pipes.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 5

PIPE CHASES
Pipe chases are like vertical tunnels in multi-storey buildings that houses the vertical pipes such as risers, stacks, downspouts and even
electrical pipes as well. This facilitates pipe runs from vertical to horizontal direction. This is commonly employed in apar tments,
condominiums, hospitals, and hotels wherein numerous plumbing facilities are located within the building.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 6

PIPE CHASES

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 7

PIPE CHASES

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 8

 PIPE CHASES
Pipe chases are like vertical tunnels in multi-storey buildings that
houses the vertical pipes such as risers, stacks, downspouts and even
electrical pipes as well. This facilitates pipe runs from vertical to
horizontal direction. This is commonly employed in apartments,
condominiums, hospitals, and hotels wherein numerous plumbing
facilities are located within the building.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 9

 ROOMS/SPACES FOR PLUMBING
EQUIPMENT
The taller and bigger the building is, more and larger equipment is needed
as well. Architects should always allocate an adjustable space for these
equipment during the planning stage AND should coordinate with the
respective engineers. These spaces can either be mechanical rooms or
pump rooms inside the buildings or in the basement. Roof decks can also
be utilized for this purpose.

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 10

 STP (SEWAGE TREATMENT PL ANT)
STPs are smaller versions of a wastewater treatment plant and are more superior
and larger compared to a septic tank. In high-rises or large commercial complexes
wherein, they produce a larger volume of sewage than normal, STPs are required
in lieu of septic tanks.

UNDERGROUND STP
ABOVE GROUND STP

ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUMBING 11