Plumbing System Analysis

Potable Water Supply Source/Type & Location of Water Pipes:

The potable supply source comes from a connection to an existing water main on the
southeast side of the building. In this area, the 2 PVC line that runs to the building taps
into the 6 Ductile Iron Pipe water main. After the tap into the water main line, there is a
domestic meter assembly. The 2 PVC line runs west then north around the building
and connects to the building on the west side of the building. After connecting 5 from
the building, the domestic water service line branches into hot water supply and cold
water supply lines in the mechanical room.

Water main (red) taps into to system. The water (blue) is

then distributed to a fire hydrant & the building

Interior water piping is to be Type L copper and the fitting are to be wrot copper with
lead free solder joints. This piping is above ground, fiberglass insulated and is
distributed pipe by piper hangers & supports. Interior water pipe size can vary from
to 2. The main distribution lines are mostly 2 while connections to fixtures vary based
on the water supply they need.
Outside the building and underground piping 1-1/2" and smaller is Type L copper. 2"
and larger piping is Class 200 PVC, 200 psi rated. Both are to have O ring joints,
except as noted otherwise. This piping is to be insulated with foamglass.

Plumbing System Analysis

Hot Water Source & Distribution:

In the mechanical room, the hot water line connects to a natural gas water heater for hot
water supply. A closed loop system is established for hot water. Water is heated by the
water heater and is distributed throughout the building. Hot water not used returns to the
hot water heater for reheating and distributed out again.
Natural Gas System:
Natural gas is used to heat the building as well as heat the hot water supply. The
natural gas line taps into an existing gas main located on the southeast side of the
building. The natural gas meter is located on the south end of the building. From this
point, natural gas is distributed to unit heaters, roof top units, and to the water heater.
Interior and above grade piping is to be Schedule 40 black steel pipe with black
malleable screwed fittings. The above grade piping is to be raised by a pipe hangers
and supports.
Waste Discharge Points for Sanitary & Storm/Type & Locations:
Sanitary Sewer
The soil and waste piping for this building are in-slab below grade except the vent piping
which goes up to a VTR. Connections to floor drains and fixtures are present throughout
the building. In the apparatus room, there are trench drains. From these trench drains a
sanitary sewer line connects to an oil interceptor. All soil and waste piping feeds back to
the main sanitary sewer line on the north end of the building. From this point, the
sanitary sewer line runs west and taps into an existing sanitary sewer line.

This plan view shows the main sanitary sewer lines (blue) of the building. The sanitary sewer exits
(red) on the north end of the building

Plumbing System Analysis

Soil, waste and vent piping inside the building and to points outside the building are
PVC Schedule 40 DWV. Soil and waste pipe have long sweep connections. Insulation
below grade is to be 1 thick foamglass and above grade is to be fiberglass insulated.
Storm
Storm drainage of this building occurs on
the PVC flat roof. Water from the roof is
collects in downspouts and is fed to
underground storm drainage lines which all
feed one roof drain collector line. This line
then ties into a storage pipe. The piping for
the building storm drainage is PVC SDR
26. The main line that ties into a storage
pipe is DL CL52 piping.

Controls in the Plumbing System:

Roof drainage (red) travels to the pipe and any water

collection on the pavement (green) is collected via curb
inlets. The drainage from the storage pipe (blue) travels
to a trench below.

The plumbing system in this building is fairly simple. For the potable water supply, a
gate valve is at the junction of the existing water main. At the domestic service line, a
meter assembly provides the ability to cut off water supply to the building. Within the
building, balls valves are at the starting point of both the hot and cold water supply lines.
Cutting these off stops water distribution throughout the building. The gas system psi is
controlled by pressure regulators with vent limiters.
Plumbing System Schedule Impacts:
Several factors within this plumbing system have direct impacts on the project schedule.
First and foremost, all piping that is in-slab below grade must be completed before the
slab is poured. Another impact could be the gas piping system. The natural gas piping
system must be complete before testing, adjusting, and balancing is done by the HVAC
subcontractor. Since the building is heated by natural gas, the system must be complete
and proper connections must be made with unit heaters and roof top units in order for
various other activities to proceed. While a lot of piping is overhead, some piping is inwall where it connects to fixtures, appliances, etc. It is important that this in-wall and inceiling rough-in is done and inspected before dry wall is installed and the suspended
celling system is installed.