APPENDIX A

RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Because of the variable conditions encountered, it is The following is a suggested order of

impractical to lay down definite detailed rules of procedure for sizing the water supply system.
procedure for determining the sizes of water supply A 1 Preliminary Information
pipes in an appendix which must necessarily be
A 1.1 Obtain the necessary information
limited in length. For a more adequate
regarding the minimum daily service pressure in the
understanding of the problems involved, refer to
area where the building is to be located.
Water-Distributing Systems for Buildings, Report
BMS 79 of the National Bureau of Standards; and A 1.2 If the building supply is to be metered,
Plumbing Manual, Report BMS 66, also published by obtain information regarding friction loss relative to
the National Bureau of Standards. the rate of flow for meters in the range of sizes likely
to be used. Friction-loss data can be obtained from

CHART A-1
Friction Losses for Disk Type Water Meters
20

16
/2"
"

"
5/8

3/4

1"

2"

3"

4"

5"
1-1
Pressure Loss – Lbs./ Sq. In.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4

1
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 200 300 400 600 800 1000

Flow – Gallons per Minute

CHART A-1 (Metric)

Friction Losses for Disk Type Water Meters
137.8
m

110.2
mm

mm

mm

mm

mm

mm

0m

5m
18

20

25

40

50

80

10

12

68.9
62.0
Pressure Loss – kPa

55.1
48.2
41.3
34.5
27.6

20.7

13.8

6.9
0.25
0.32
0.38
0.44
0.50
0.57
0.63

1.3

1.9

2.5
3.2
3.8

5.0
6.3

12.6

18.9

25.2

37.8

50.4
63.0

Flow – Liters per Second

161
Appendix A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

Inch mm TABLE A-2

1/2 15 Water Supply Fixture Units (WSFU) and Minimum Fixture Branch Pipe Sizes3
3/4 20
1 25 Minimum
Fixture Branch Private Public Assembly5
Appliances, Appurtenances or Fixtures2 Pipe Size1,4
Bathtub or Combination Bath/Shower (fill) ................................... 1/2" 4.0 4.0
3/4” Bathtub Fill Valve ........................................................... 3/4” 10.0 10.0
Bidet ............................................................................................. 1/2" 1.0
Clotheswasher.............................................................................. 1/2" 4.0 4.0
Dental Unit, cuspidor .................................................................... 1/2" 1.0
Dishwasher, domestic .................................................................. 1/2" 1.5 1.5
Drinking Fountain or Watercooler................................................. 1/2" 0.5 0.5 0.75
Hose Bibb ..................................................................................... 1/2" 2.5 2.5
Hose Bibb, each additional7 ......................................................... 1/2" 1.0 1.0
Lavatory........................................................................................ 1/2" 1.0 1.0 1.0
Lawn Sprinkler, each head5 ......................................................... 1.0 1.0
Mobile Home, each (minimum)..................................................... 12.0
Sinks
Bar ............................................................................................ 1/2" 1.0 2.0
Clinic Faucet.............................................................................. 1/2” 3.0
Clinic Flushometer Valve...........................................................
with or without faucet............................................................. 1” 8.0
Kitchen, domestic ...................................................................... 1/2" 1.5 1.5
Laundry ..................................................................................... 1/2" 1.5 1.5
Service or Mop Basin ................................................................ 1/2" 1.5 3.0
Washup, each set of faucets ..................................................... 1/2" 2.0
Shower ......................................................................................... 1/2" 2.0 2.0
Urinal, 1.0 GPF............................................................................. 3/4" 3.0 4.0 5.0
Urinal, greater than 1.0 GPF ........................................................ 3/4" 4.0 5.0 6.0
Urinal, flush tank........................................................................... 1/2" 2.0 2.0 3.0
Washfountain, circular spray ........................................................ 3/4" 4.0
Water Closet, 1.6 GPF Gravity Tank ............................................ 1/2" 2.5 2.5 3.5
Water Closet, 1.6 GPF Flushometer Tank ................................... 1/2" 2.5 2.5 3.5
Water Closet, 1.6 GPF Flushometer Valve .................................. 1" 5.0 5.0 6.0
Water Closet, greater than 1.6 GPF Gravity Tank........................ 1/2" 3.0 5.5 7.0
Water Closet, greater than 1.6 GPF Flushometer Valve .............. 1" 7.0 8.0 10.0
Notes:
1. Size of the cold branch outlet pipe, or both the hot and cold branch outlet pipes.
2. Appliances, Appurtenances or Fixtures not included in this Table may be sized by reference to fixtures having a similar flow rate
and frequency of use.
3. The listed fixture unit values represent their total load on the cold water service. The separate cold water and hot water fixture unit
value for fixtures having both cold and hot water connections shall each be taken as three-quarters (3/4) of the listed total value of
the fixture.
4. The listed minimum supply branch pipe sizes for individual fixtures are the nominal (I.D.) pipe size.
5. For fixtures or supply connections likely to impose continuous flow demands, determine the required flow in gallons per minute
(GPM) and add it separately to the demand (in GPM) for the distribution system or portions thereof.
6. Assembly [Public Use (See Table 4-1)].
7. Reduced fixture unit loading for additional hose bibbs as used is to be used only when sizing total building demand and for pipe
sizing when more than one hose bibb is supplied by a segment of water distributing pipe. The fixture branch to each hose bibb
shall be sized on the basis of 2.5 fixture units.

162
SIZING WATER SYSTEMS Appendix A

most manufacturers of water meters. Friction losses
for disk type meters may be obtained from Chart A-1.
A 1.3 Obtain all available local information
regarding the use of different kinds of pipe with
respect both to durability and to decrease in capacity
with length of service in the particular water supply.
A 2 Demand Load
A 2.1 Estimate the supply demand for the
building main and the principal branches and risers
of the system by totaling the fixture units on each,
Table A-2, and then by reading the corresponding
ordinate from Chart A-2 or A-3, whichever is
applicable.
A 2.2 Estimate continuous supply demands in
gallons per minute (liters per second) for lawn
sprinklers, air conditioners, etc., and add the sum to
the total demand for fixtures. The result is the
estimated supply demand of the building supply.
A 3 Permissible Friction Loss
A 3.1 Decide what is the desirable minimum
residual pressure that shall be maintained at the
highest fixture in the supply system. If the highest
group of fixtures contains flushometer valves, the
residual pressure for the group shall not be less than
fifteen (15) psi (103 kPa). For flush tank supplies, the
available residual pressure shall not be less than
eight (8) psi (55 kPa).
A 3.2 Determine the elevation of the highest
fixture or group of fixtures above the water (street)
main. Multiply this difference in elevation by forty-
three hundredths (0.43). The result is the loss in static
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) (kPa).
A 3.3 Subtract the sum of loss in static
pressure and the residual pressure to be maintained
at the highest fixture from the average minimum
daily service pressure. The result will be the pressure
available for friction loss in the supply pipes, if no
water meter is used. If a meter is to be installed, the
friction loss in the meter for the estimated maximum
demand should also be subtracted from the service
pressure to determine the pressure loss available for
friction loss in the supply pipes.
A 3.4 Determine the developed length of pipe
from the water (street) main to the highest fixture. If
close estimates are desired, compute with the aid of
Table A-3 the equivalent length of pipe for all fittings
in the line from the water (street) main to the highest
fixture and add the sum to the developed length. The
pressure available for friction loss in pounds per
square inch (kPa), divided by the developed lengths
of pipe from the water (street) main to the highest
fixture, times one hundred (100), will be the average
permissible friction loss per one hundred (100) foot
(30480 mm) length of pipe.
A 4 Size of Building Supply
A 4.1 Knowing the permissible friction loss

TABLE A-3

Allowance in equivalent length of pipe for friction loss

in valves and threaded fittings.*
Equivalent Length of Pipe for Various Fittings
90° 45° Coupling or
Diameter Standard Standard Standard Straight Gate Globe Angle
of fitting Elbow Elbow Tee 90° Run of Tee Valve Valve Valve
Inches Feet Feet Feet Feet Feet Feet Feet
3/8 1.0 0.6 1.5 0.3 0.2 8 4
1/2 2.0 1.2 3.0 0.6 0.4 15 8
3/4 2.5 1.5 4.0 0.8 0.5 20 12
1 3.0 1.8 5.0 0.9 0.6 25 15
1-1/4 4.0 2.4 6.0 1.2 0.8 35 18
1-1/2 5.0 3.0 7.0 1.5 1.0 45 22
2 7.0 4.0 10.0 2.0 1.3 55 28
2-1/2 8.0 5.0 12.0 2.5 1.6 65 34
3 10.0 6.0 15.0 3.0 2.0 80 40
4 14.0 8.0 21.0 4.0 2.7 125 55
5 17.0 10.0 25.0 5.0 3.3 140 70
6 20.0 12.0 30.0 6.0 4.0 165 80

163
Appendix A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

TABLE A-3 (Metric)

Equivalent Length of Pipe for Various Fittings

90° 45° Coupling or
Diameter Standard Standard Standard Straight Gate Globe Angle
of fitting Elbow Elbow Tee 90° Run of Tee Valve Valve Valve
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
10 305 183 457 91 61 2438 1219
15 610 366 914 183 122 4572 2438
20 762 457 1219 244 152 6096 3658
25 914 549 1524 274 183 7620 4572
32 1219 732 1829 366 244 10668 5486
40 1524 914 2134 457 305 13716 6706
50 2134 1219 3048 610 396 16764 8534
65 2438 1524 3658 762 488 19812 10363
80 3048 1829 4572 914 610 24384 12192
100 4267 2438 6401 1219 823 38100 16764
125 5182 3048 7620 1524 1006 42672 21336
150 6096 3658 9144 1829 1219 50292 24384

*Allowances are based on non-recessed threaded fittings. Use one-half (1/2) the allowances for recessed threaded
fittings or streamline solder fittings.

per one hundred (100) feet (30480 mm) of pipe and
the total demand, the diameter of the building
supply pipe may be obtained from Charts A-4, A-5,
A-6, or A-7, whichever is applicable. The diameter of
pipe on or next above the coordinate point
corresponding to the estimated total demand and the
permissible friction loss will be the size needed up to
the first branch from the building supply pipe.
A 4.2 If copper tubing or brass pipe is to be
used for the supply piping, and if the character of the
water is such that only slight changes in the
hydraulic characteristics may be expected, Chart A-4
may be used.
A 4.3 Chart A-5 should be used for ferrous
pipe with only the most favorable water supply as
regards corrosion and caking. If the water is hard or
corrosive, Charts A-6 or A-7 will be applicable. For
extremely hard water, it will be advisable to make
additional allowances for the reduction of capacity of
hot water lines in service.
A 5 Size of Principal Branches and Risers
A 5.1 The required size of branches and risers
may be obtained in the same manner as the building
supply by obtaining the demand load on each
branch or riser and using the permissible friction loss
computed in SectionA 3.
A 5.2 Fixture branches to the building supply,
if they are sized for the same permissible friction loss
per one hundred (100) feet (30480 mm) of pipe as the
branches and risers to the highest level in the
building, may lead to inadequate water supply to the
upper floor of a building. This may be controlled by:
(1) selecting the sizes of pipe for the different
branches so that the total friction loss in each lower
branch is approximately equal to the total loss in the
riser, including both friction loss and loss in static
pressure; (2) throttling each such branch by means of
a valve until the preceding balance is obtained; (3)
increasing the size of the building supply and risers
above the minimum required to meet the maximum
permissible friction loss.
A 5.3 The size of branches and mains serving
flushometer tanks shall be consistent with sizing
procedures for flush tank water closets.
A 6 General
A 6.1 Velocities shall not exceed 10
feet/second (3.0 m/sec.) or the maximum values
given in the appropriate Installation Standard,
except as otherwise approved by the Administrative
Authority.
A 6.2 If a pressure reducing valve is used in
the building supply, the developed length of supply

164
SIZING WATER SYSTEMS Appendix A

Example
Fixture Units and Estimated Demands
Building Supply Demand Branch to Hot Water System
Building Supply Demand
Demand Fixture Unit in gallons
Kind of No. of Fixture Unit Total in gpm No. of Demand per minute
Fixtures Fixtures Demand Units (L per sec) Fixtures Calculation (L per sec)

Water Closets 130 8.0 1040 – – – –

Urinals 30 4.0 120 – – – –
Shower Heads 12 2.0 24 – 12 12 x 2 x 3/4 = 18 –
Lavatories 100 1.0 100 – 100 100 x 1 x 3/4 = 75 –
Service Sinks 27 3.0 81 – 27 27 x 3 x 3/4 = 61 –
Total 1365 252 gpm (15.8 L/s) 154 55 gpm (3.4 L/s)

Allowing for 15 psi (103.4 kPa) at the highest fixture under the maximum demand of 252 gallons per minute (15.8
L/sec.), the pressure available for friction loss is found by the following:
55 – [15 + (45 x 0.43)] = 20.65 psi
Metric: 379 – [103.4 + (13.7 x 9.8)] = 142.3 kPa
The allowable friction loss per 100 feet (30.4 m) of pipe is therefore:
100 x 20.65 ÷ 200 = 10.32 psi
Metric: 30.4 x 142.3 ÷ 60.8 = 71.1 kPa

piping and the permissible friction loss should be
computed from the building side of the valve.
A 6.3 The allowances in Table A-3 for fittings
are based on non-recessed threaded fittings. For
recessed threaded fittings and streamlined soldered
fittings, one-half (1/2) the allowances given in the
table will be ample.
building supply or the branch to the hot water
system by estimating the demand for the riser or
branch from Charts A-2 or A-3, and applying the
total demand estimate from the branch, riser or
section thereof, to the appropriate flow

A 7 Example
A 7.1 Assume an office building of four (4)
stories and basement; pressure on the building side
of the pressure reducing valve of fifty-five (55) psi
(379 kPa) (after an allowance for reduced pressure
“fall off” at peak demand); an elevation of highest
fixture above the pressure reducing valve of forty-
five (45) feet (13716 mm); a developed length of pipe
from the pressure reducing valve to the most distant
fixture of two hundred (200) feet (60960 mm); and
fixtures to be installed with flush valves for water
closets and stall urinals as follows:
If the pipe material and water supply are such that
Chart A-5 applies, the required diameter of the
building supply is three (3) inches (80 mm), and the
required diameter of the branch to the hot water
heater is one and one half (1-1/2) inch (40 mm).
The sizes of the various branches and risers may be
determined in the same manner as the size of the

165
Appendix A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

CHART A-2
Estimate Curves for Demand Load
500

400
Demand – G.P.M.

300

200

1
No. 1 for system predominantly for flushometer valves
100 2
No. 2 for system predominantly for flush tanks

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Fixture Units

CHART A-2 (Metric)

Estimate Curves for Demand Load
31.5

25.4
Demand – Liters/Second

18.9

12.6

1
No. 1 for system predominantly for flushometer valves
6.3 2 No. 2 for system predominantly for flush tanks

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Fixture Units

166
SIZING WATER SYSTEMS Appendix A

CHART A-3
Enlarged Scale Demand Load

100

80
Demand – G.P.M.

60
1
40

20
2

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240

Fixture Units

CHART A-3 (Metric)

Enlarged Scale Demand Load

6.3
Demand – Liters/Second

5.0

3.8
1
2.5

1.3
2

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240

Fixture Units

167
Appendix A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

CHART A-4

10,000
Copper Tubing 8000
Smooth Pipe
Type M 6000
Type L 5000
Type K 4000
3000

2000
s
he
6 inc
ter
iame 1000
D

40
5 800
600

30
4 500
400

20
Ve

Flow in Gallons per Minute

3 300

15
loc
ity

200
10
fee
8

2
t/s
ec
6

100
.
5

/2
1-1 80
4

60
3

50
1 40
2

30

3/4 20
1

1/2 10
8
3/8 6
5
4
3

1
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 80 100

Friction Loss – Lbs. per Square Inch Head per 100 Foot Length

168
SIZING WATER SYSTEMS Appendix A

CHART A-4 (Metric)

630.0
Copper Tubing 504.0
Smooth Pipe
Type M 378.0
Type L 315.0
Type K 252.0
189.0

126.0
m
50m
te r1
63.0
me

12
Dia 12
5 50.4

.2
9.2
37.8
0
10 31.5
25.2

6.1
Ve

80

4.8
18.9
loc

Flow in Liters per Second

ity

12.6
3.1
2.4

m/

50
se
1.8

c.

6.3
1.5

40
1.2

5.0
0.9

3.8
3.2
25
0.6

2.5
1.9
20
0.3

1.3

15 0.6
0.5
10 0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3

0.2

0.1
3.0

6.6

9.9
13.2
16.4
19.7
26.3
32.9

65.8

98.7
131.6
164.5
197.4
263.2
329.0

657.9

986.8
1315.8
1644.7
1973.7
2631.6
3289.5

Friction Loss – 32.9 Pa/m

169
Appendix A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

CHART A-5

10,000
8000
s
Fairly Smooth he 6000
nc
12i 5000
ter 4000
me
Dia 10 3000

8 2000

6
1000
5 800

40
600

30
4 500
400

20

Flow in Gallons per Minute

Ve

3 300

15
loc
ity

200
10
fee
8

2
t/s
ec
6

100
.
5

/2
1-1 80
4

60
3

50
40
2

1
30

3/4 20
1

1/2
10
3/8 8
6
5
4
3

1
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 80 100

Friction Loss – Lbs. per Square Inch Head per 100 Foot Length

170
SIZING WATER SYSTEMS Appendix A

CHART A-5 (Metric)

630.0
504.0
Fairly Smooth mm 378.0
0
r 30 315.0
m ete 252.0
Dia 25
0
189.0

200 126.0

0
15
63.0
5
12 50.4

12
.2
37.8

9.2
0
10 31.5
25.2

6.1
Ve
80

4.8
18.9
loc

Flow in Liters per Second

ity

12.6
3.1
2.4

m/

50
se
1.8

c.

6.3
1.5

40 5.0
1.2
0.9

3.8
3.2
0.6

2.5
25
1.9
20
0.3

1.3

15
0.6
10 0.5
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3

0.2

0.1
3.0

6.6

9.9
13.2
16.4
19.7
26.3
32.9

65.8

98.7
131.6
164.5
197.4
263.2
329.0

657.9

986.8
1315.8
1644.7
1973.7
2631.6
3289.5

Friction Loss – 32.9 Pa/m

171
Appendix A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

CHART A-6

10,000
8000
Fairly Rough 6000
5000
4000
s
che 3000
2 in
er1

40
t
me 2000
Dia 10

8
1000

30
800
6 600
500
5
400

20
4 300

15

Flow in Gallons per Minute

Ve
200
3 loc
8

ity
10
6

100
fee
5

t/s
80
4

2
ec

60
.
3

50
/2 40
1-1
2

30

20
1

3/4 10
8
6
5
1/2
4
3
3/8
2

1
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 80 100

Friction Loss – Lbs. per Square Inch Head per 100 Foot Length

172
SIZING WATER SYSTEMS Appendix A

CHART A-6 (Metric)

630.0
504.0
Fairly Rough 378.0
315.0
252.0

mm 189.0
00
ter3

12
me 126.0
Dia 0

.2
25

0
20
63.0

9.2
50.4
150
37.8
5 31.5
12 25.2

6.1
0 18.9
10

4.8

Flow in Liters per Second

Ve 12.6
lo
80
2.4

cit
y3
1.8

.1
1.5

6.3
m/

5.0
se
1.2

50
c.

3.8
0.9

3.2
40 2.5
0.6

1.9

1.3
0.3

25

20 0.6
0.5
0.4
15 0.4
0.3
0.3
10
0.2

0.1
3.0

6.6

9.9
13.2
16.4
19.7
26.3
32.9

65.8

98.7

131.6
164.5
197.4
263.2
329.0

657.9

986.8
1315.8
1644.7
1973.7
2631.6
3289.5

Friction Loss – 32.9 Pa/m

173
Appendix A UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

CHART A-7

10,000
8000
Rough 6000
5000
s 4000
che
2 in 3000
ter1
me

30
Dia 2000
10

8
1000
800
6 600
500
5

20
400

15
4 300

Flow in Gallons per Minute

Ve
200

loc
3
8

ity
10
6
5

100

fee
4

t/se
80
2

c.
3

60
50
/2
2

1-1 40
30
1

1 20

3/4 10
8
6
5
1/2
4
3
3/8
2

1
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 2 3 4 56 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 80 100

Friction Loss – Lbs. per Square Inch Head per 100 Foot Length

174
SIZING WATER SYSTEMS Appendix A

CHART A-7 (Metric)

630.0
504.0
Rough 378.0
315.0
252.0
189.0
mm
300

12
r
ete

.2
m 126.0
Dia 0
25
0
20
63.0
50.4
0
15 37.8
31.5
5
12 25.2

9.2
0 18.9

6.1
10

Flow in Liters per Second

4.8
12.6
80
Ve
loc
2.4

ity
1.8

6.3
3.1
1.5

5.0
50
m/
sec
1.2

3.8
3.2
.

40
0.9

2.5
1.9
0.6

1.3
0.3

25

20 0.6
0.5
0.4
0.4
15 0.3
0.3
10
0.2

0.1
3.0

6.6

9.9
13.2
16.4
19.7
26.3
32.9

65.8

98.7
131.6
164.5
197.4
263.2
329.0

657.9

986.8
1315.8
1644.7
1973.7
2631.6
3289.5

Friction Loss – 32.9 Pa/m

175
 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE

176