Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 51 - PUBLIC HEALTH-SANITARY CODE
Part XIV - Plumbing
Chapter 18 - Appendices
Section XIV-1805 - Appendix B - Sizing of Water Piping System [formerly Appendix F - Sizing of Water Piping System]

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code XIV-1805

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. Scope. This Appendix outlines a procedure for sizing a water piping system. This design procedure is based on the minimum static pressure available from the supply source, the head charges in the system due to friction and elevation, and the rates of flow necessary for operation of various fixtures.

1. Because of the variable conditions encountered in hydraulic design, it is impractical to specify definite and detailed rules for sizing of the water piping system. Accordingly, other sizing or design methods conforming to good engineering practice standards are acceptable alternates to that presented herein.

B. Information Required. Prior to beginning calculations, the following preliminary information shall be measured or otherwise obtained from the water supplier.

1. Static Water Service Pressure/Meter Friction Loss. The minimum daily static water service pressure in the area where the building is to be located shall be measured or otherwise obtained from the water supplier. If the building's water supply is to be metered, obtain information regarding friction loss relative to the rate of flow for meters in the range of sizes likely to be used. Friction loss data can be obtained from most manufacturers of water meters.

C. Estimate of Demand Load Required. Prior to beginning calculations, the following estimates shall be made.

1. Fixture Water Supply Demand. Estimate the water supply demand of the building main and the principal branches and risers of the water distribution system by totaling the corresponding demand for fixtures from the applicable part of Table 1805.C of this code. The Load (in water supply fixture units) listed in Column 1 of Table 1805.C of this code shall be calculated using the load values, in water supply fixture units, obtained from Table 1805.B of this code.

2. Continuous Water Supply Demand. Estimate continuous water supply demands in gallons per minute for lawn sprinklers, air conditioners, etc., and add the sum to the total water supply demand for fixtures. The result is the estimated total water supply demand for the building.

D. Selection of Pipe Size. The selection of the size for the water service pipe, water riser pipes, branch supply lines, etc., shall be calculated using the following procedures.

1. General. Decide the desirable minimum residual pressure that should be maintained at the highest fixture in the water distribution system. If the highest group of fixtures contains flush valves, the pressure for the group should be not less than 15 psi (103.4 kPa) flowing. For flush tank supplies, the available pressure may not be less than 8 psi (55.2 kPa) flowing, except blowout action fixtures may not be less than 25 psi (172.4 kPa) flowing.

2. Pipe Sizing. Pipe sizes may be selected according to the following procedure, except that the sizes selected shall be not less than the minimum required by the Louisiana State Plumbing Code.
a. This water pipe sizing procedure is based on a system of pressure requirements and losses, the sum of which must not exceed the minimum pressure available at the supply source. These pressures are as follows.
i. Pressure required at fixture to produce required flow (see §611. C D, and 611.E of this code).

ii. Static pressure loss or gain (due to head) is computed at 0.433 psi per foot (9.8 kPa/m) of elevation change.
(a). Example. Assume that the highest fixture supply outlet is 20 ft (6.1 m) above or below the supply source. This produces a static pressure differential of 20 ft x 0.433 psi/ft (6.1 m x 9.8 kPa/m) which equates to an 8.66 psi (59.8 kPa) loss or an 8.66 psi (59.8 kPa) gain.

iii. Loss through water meter. The friction or pressure loss can be obtained from meter manufacturers.

iv. Loss through taps in water main (see Table 1805.D of this code).

v. Losses through special devices such as filters, softeners, backflow preventers, and pressure regulators. These values must be obtained from the manufacturers.

vi. Loss through valves and fittings (see Tables 1805.E and 1805.F of this code). Losses for these items are calculated by converting to equivalent length of piping and adding to the total pipe length.

vii. Loss due to pipe friction can be calculated when the pipe size, the pipe length and the flow through the pipe are known. With these three items, the friction loss can be determined using Figures 1805.A.1-1805.D of this Part. When using charts, use pipe inside diameter. For piping flow charts not included, use manufacturers' tables and velocity recommendations.

3. Example. The following example is provided to assist one in calculating the proper sizing of the water piping system for a plumbing installation of a building or other structure.

NOTE: For the purposes of this example the following metric conversions are applicable:

1 cfm = 0.4719 L/s 1 ft2 = 0.0929 m2 1 degree = 0.0175rad 1 psi = 6.895 kPa 1 in = 25.4 mm 1 gpm = 0.0631 L/s
a. Problem. What size copper water pipe, service and distribution will be required to serve a two story factory building having on each floor, back-to-back, two toilet rooms each equipped with hot and cold water? The highest fixture is 21 feet above the street main which is tapped with a 2-inch corporation cock at which point the minimum pressure is 55 psi. In the building basement a 2-inch meter and 3-inch reduced pressure zone backflow preventer with a maximum pressure drop of 9 psi are to be installed. The system is shown by the example diagram (Figure 1805.D.3 of this code). To be determined are the pipe sizes for the service main and the cold and hot water distribution pipes.

b. Solution. A tabular arrangement such as shown in Table 1805.A of this code should first be constructed. The steps to be followed in solving the problem are indicated by the tabular arrangement itself as they are in sequence, Columns 1-10 and Lines a-l.
i. Step i. Perform the following:
(a). Column 1. Divide the system into sections breaking at major changes in elevation or where branches lead to fixture groups. After point B (see Figure 1805.D.3 of this code) separate consideration will be given to the hot and cold water piping. Enter the sections to be considered in the service and cold water piping in Column 1 of the tabular arrangement.

(b). Column 3. According to the method given in §1805. C of this code, determine the gpm of flow to be expected in each section of the system. These flows range from 28.6 to 108 gpm.

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ii. Step ii. Perform the following.
(a). Line "a." Enter the minimum pressure available at the main source of supply in Column 2. This is 55 psi.

(b). Line "b." Determine from §611. E of this code the highest pressure required for the fixtures on system, which is 15 psi, to operate a flushometer valve.

(c). Line "c." Determine the pressure loss for the meter size given or assumed. The total water flow from the main through the service as determined in Step i (above) will serve to aid in the meter selected.

(d). Line "d." Select from Table 1805.D of this code and enter the pressure loss for the tap size given or assumed.

(e). Line "e." Determine the difference in elevation between the main or source of supply and the highest fixture on the system and multiply this figure, expressed in feet, by 0.433 psi. Enter the resulting psi product on Line "e."

(f). Lines "f," "g," "h." The pressure losses through filters, backflow preventers or other special fixtures must be obtained from the manufacturer or estimated and entered on these lines.

iii. Step iii, Line "i." The sum of (Lines "b" through "h") the pressure requirements and losses which affect the overall system is entered on this line.

iv. Step iv, Line "j." Subtract Line "i" from Line "a." This gives the pressure which remains available from overcoming friction losses in the system. This figure is a guide to the pipe size which is chosen for each section, as the total friction losses through the longest run of pipe.
(a). Exception. When the main is above the highest fixture, the resulting psi must be considered a pressure gain (static head gain) and omitted from the sums of Lines "b"-"h" and added to Line "j."

v. Step v, Column 4. Enter the length of each section from the main to the end of the longest run (at Point E).

vi. Step vi, Column 5. Select a trial pipe size. A rule of thumb is that size will become progressively smaller as the system extends farther from the main source of supply. (Trial pipe size may be arrived at by the following formula: PSI=j x 100/total pipe length)

EXAMPLE: PSI = 9.36 x 100/225 = 4.16

From main to most remote outlet - Check applicable

graph for size for this PSI and GPM.

vii. Step vii, Column 6. Select from Tables 1805.E or 1805.F of this code the equivalent lengths for the trial pipe size of fittings and valves on the section. Enter the sum for each section in Column 6. (The number of fittings to be used in the installation of this piping must be an estimate.)

viii. Step viii. Column 7: Add the figures from Column 4 and Column 6, and enter in Column 7. Express the sum in 100s of feet.

ix. Step ix. Column 8: Select from the applicable figure (Figures 1805.A.1 through 1805.D of this Part) the friction loss per 100 feet of pipe for the gpm flow in a section (Column 3) and trial pipe size (Column 5).

x. Step x. Column 9: Multiply the figures in Columns 7 and 8 for each section and enter in Column 9.

xi. Step xi. Line k: Enter the sum of the values in Column 9. In summing, use only those values associated with the longest run (i.e., don't use the value associated with section CF unless the friction loss for CF by itself is greater than the combined fixture loss of AB + BC + CD + DE).

xii. Step xii. Line 1: Subtract Line "k" from Line "j" and enter in Column 10.
(a). The result should always be a positive or plus figure. If it is not, it is necessary to repeat the operation utilizing Columns, 5, 6, 8 and 9 until a balance or near balance is obtained. If the difference between Lines "j" and "k" is positive and large, it is an indication that the pipe sizes are too large and may, therefore, be reduced thus saving materials. In such a case, the operations utilizing Columns 5, 6, 8 and 9 should again be repeated.

c. Answer: The final figures entered in Column 5 become the design pipe size for the respective sections. Repeating this operation a second time using the same sketch but considering the demand for hot water, it is possible to size the hot water distribution piping. This has been worked up as a part of the overall problem in the tabular arrangement used for sizing the service and cold water distribution piping. It should be noted that consideration must be given the pressure losses from the street main to the water heater (section AB) in determining the hot water pipe sizes.

Table 1805.A

Recommended Tabular Arrangement for Use in Solving Pipe Sizing Problems

Column

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Line

Description

Lbs. per square inch (psi)

Gal. per min. through section

Length of section (ft)

Trial pipe size (in)

Equivalent length of fittings and valves (ft)

Total equivalent length col.4 and col.6 (100 ft)

Friction loss per 100' of trial size pipe (psi)

Friction loss in equivalent length col.8 x col.7 (psi)

Excess pressure over friction losses (psi)

a

Service and cold water distribution piping (NOTE 1)

Minimum pressure available at main

55.00

b

Highest pressure required at a fixture (§611. E of this code)

15.00

c

Meter loss 2" meter

11.00

d

Tap in main loss 2" tap (Table F103A of this code)

1.61

e

Static head loss 21 x 0.43 psi

9.03

f

Special fixture loss- backflow preventer

9.00

g

Special fixture loss-Filter

0.00

h

Special fixture loss-Other

0.00

i

Total overall losses and requirements (sum of lines b-h)

45.64

j

Pressure available to overcome pipe friction (line a minus lines b to h)

9.36

Designation pipe section (from diagram)

Cold water distribution piping

FU

AB

288

108.0

54

2 1/2

12

0.66

3.6

2.38

BC

264

104.5

8

2 1/2

2.5

0.105

3.2

0.34

CD

132

77.0

13

2 1/2

8

0.21

1.9

0.40

CF (NOTE 2)

132

77.0

150

2 1/2

12

1.62

1.9

3.08

DE

132

77.0

150

2 1/2

14.5

1.645

1.9

3.12

k

Total pipe friction losses (cold)

6.24

l

Difference (line "j" minus line "k")

9.36

-6.24

=

3.12

FU

Pipe section (from diagram)

Hot Water

Distribution Piping

AB'

288

108.0

54

2 1/2

9.6

0.64

3.3

2.1

B'C'

24

38.0

8

2

9.0

0.17

1.4

0.24

C'D'

12

28.6

13

1 1/2

5

0.18

3.2

0.58

C'F' (NOTE 3)

12

28.6

150

1 1/2

14

1.64

3.2

5.25

D'E'

12

28.6

150

1 1/2

7

1.57

3.2

5.02

k

Total pipe friction losses (hot)

7.94

l

Difference (line "j" minus line "k")

9.36

-7.94

=

1.42

Figure 1805.D.3 - Sizing Example

NOTES:

1. To be considered as pressure gain for fixtures below main (consider separately omit from "i" and add to "j").

2. Consider separately, in Line "k" use CF 's Column 9 friction loss only if it is a greater friction loss than the sum of Column 9 friction losses of AB+BC+CD+DE.

Table 1805.B

Load Values Assigned to Fixtures1

Fixture

Occupancy

Type of Supply Control

Load Values, in Water Supply Fixture Units

Cold

Hot

Total

Bathroom group

Private

Flush tank

2.7

1.5

3.6

Bathroom group

Private

Flush valve

6.0

3.0

8.0

Bathtub

Private

Faucet

1.0

1.0

1.4

Bathtub

Public

Faucet

3.0

3.0

4.0

Bidet

Private

Faucet

1.5

1.5

2.0

Combination fixture

Private

Faucet

2.25

2.25

3.0

Dishwashing machine

Private

Automatic

-

1.4

1.4

Drinking fountain

Offices, etc.

3/8" valve

0.25

-

0.25

Kitchen sink

Private

Faucet

1.0

1.0

1.4

Kitchen sink

Hotel, Restaurant

Faucet

3.0

3.0

4.0

Laundry trays (1 to 3)

Private

Faucet

1.0

1.0

1.4

Lavatory

Private

Faucet

0.5

0.5

0.7

Lavatory

Public

Faucet

1.5

1.5

2.0

Service sink

Offices, etc.

Faucet

2.25

2.25

3.0

Shower head

Public

Mixing valve

3.0

3.0

4.0

Shower head

Private

Mixing valve

1.0

1.0

1.4

Urinal

Public

1" flush valve

10.0

-

10.0

Urinal

Public

3/4" flush valve

5.0

-

5.0

Urinal

Public

Flush tank

3.0

-

3.0

Washing machine (8 Ibs.)

Private

Automatic

1.0

1.0

1.4

Washing machine (8 Ibs.)

Public

Automatic

2.25

2.25

3.0

Washing machine (15 Ibs.)

Public

Automatic

3.0

3.0

4.0

Water closet

Private

Flush valve

6.0

-

6.0

Water closet

Private

Flush tank

2.2

-

2.2

Water closet

Public

Flush valve

10.0

-

10.0

Water closet

Public

Flush tank

5.0

-

5.0

Water closet

Public or Private

FlushometerTank

2.0

-

2.0

NOTE:

1. For fixtures not listed, loads should be assumed by comparing the fixture to ones listed using water in similar quantities and at similar rates. The assigned loads for fixtures with both hot and cold water supplies are given for separate hot and cold water loads and for total load, the separate hot and cold water loads being three-fourths of the total load for the fixture in each case.

Table 1805.C

Table for Estimating Demand

Supply Systems Predominantly for Flush Tanks

Supply Systems Predominantly for Flush Valves

Load

Demand

Load

Demand

(Water Supply Fixture Units)

(Gallons per Minute)

(Cubic Feet per Minute)

(Water Supply Fixture Units)

(Gallons per Minute)

(Cubic Feet per Minute)

1

3.0

0.041104

-

-

-

2

5.0

0.0684

-

-

-

3

6.5

0.86892

-

-

-

4

8.0

1.06944

-

-

-

5

9.4

1.256592

5

15.0

2.0052

6

10.7

1.430376

6

17.4

2.326032

7

11.8

1.577424

7

19.8

2.646364

8

12.8

1.711104

8

22.2

2.967696

9

13.7

1.831416

9

24.6

3.288528

10

14.6

1.951728

10

27.0

3.60936

11

15.4

2.058672

11

27.8

3.716304

12

16.0

2.13888

12

28.6

3.823248

13

16.5

2.20572

13

29.4

3.930192

14

17.0

2.27256

14

30.2

4.037136

15

17.5

2.3394

15

31.0

4.14408

16

18.0

2.90624

16

31.8

4.241024

17

18.4

2.459712

17

32.6

4.357968

18

18.8

2.513184

18

33.4

4.464912

19

19.2

2.566656

19

34.2

4.571856

20

19.6

2.620128

20

35.0

4.6788

25

21.5

2.87412

25

38.0

5.07984

30

23.3

3.114744

30

42.0

5.61356

35

24.9

3.328632

35

44.0

5.88192

40

26.3

3.515784

40

46.0

6.14928

45

27.7

3.702936

45

48.0

6.41664

50

29.1

3.890088

50

50.0

6.684

60

32.0

4.27776

60

54.0

7.21872

70

35.0

4.6788

70

58.0

7.75344

80

38.0

5.07984

80

61.2

8.181216

90

41.0

5.48088

90

64.3

8.595624

100

43.5

5.81508

100

67.5

9.0234

120

48.0

6.41664

120

73.0

9.75864

140

52.5

7.0182

140

77.0

10.29336

160

57.0

7.61976

160

81.0

10.82808

180

61.0

8.15448

180

85.5

11.42964

200

65.0

8.6892

200

90.0

12.0312

225

70.0

9.3576

225

95.5

12.76644

250

75.0

10.0260

250

101.0

13.50168

275

80.0

10.6944

275

104.5

13.96956

300

85.0

11.3628

300

108.0

14.43744

400

105.0

14.0364

400

127.0

16.97736

500

124.0

16.57632

500

143.0

19.11624

750

170.0

22.7256

750

177.0

23.66136

1000

208.0

27.80544

1000

208.0

27.80544

1250

239.0

31.94952

1250

239.0

31.94952

1500

269.0

35.95992

1500

269.0

35.95992

1750

297.0

39.70296

1750

297.0

39.70296

2000

325.0

43.446

2000

325.0

43.446

2500

380.0

50.7984

2500

380.0

50.7984

3000

433.0

57.88344

3000

433.0

57.88344

4000

535.0

70.182

4000

525.0

70.182

5000

593.0

79.27224

5000

593.0

79.27224

Table 1805.D

Loss of Pressure through Taps and Tees in Pounds Per Square Inch (psi)

Gallons per Minute

Size of Tap or Tee (In)

5/8

3/4

1

1 1/4

1 1/2

2

3

10

1.35

0.64

0.18

0.08

-

-

-

20

5.38

2.54

0.77

0.31

0.14

-

-

30

12.1

5.72

1.62

0.69

0.33

0.10

-

40

-

10.2

3.07

1.23

0.58

0.18

-

50

-

15.9

4.49

1.92

0.91

0.28

-

60

-

-

6.46

2.76

1.31

0.40

-

70

-

-

8.79

3.76

1.78

0.55

0.10

80

-

-

11.5

4.90

2.32

0.72

0.13

90

-

-

14.5

6.21

2.94

0.91

0.16

100

-

-

17.94

7.67

3.63

1.12

0.21

120

-

-

25.8

11.0

5.23

1.16

0.30

140

-

-

35.2

15.0

7.12

2.20

0.41

150

-

-

-

17.2

8.16

2.52

0.47

160

-

-

-

19.6

9.30

2.92

0.54

180

-

-

-

24.8

11.8

3.62

0.68

200

-

-

-

30.7

14.5

4.48

0.84

225

-

-

-

38.8

18.4

5.6

1.06

250

-

-

-

47.9

22.7

7.00

1.31

275

-

-

-

-

27.4

7.70

1.59

300

-

-

-

-

32.6

10.1

1.88

Table 1805.E

Allowance in Equivalent Length of Pipe for

Friction Loss in Values and Threaded Fittings

Fitting or Valve

Pipe Sizes (in)

1/2

3/4

1

1 1/4

1 1/2

2

2 1/2

3

45° elbow

1.2

1.5

1.8

2.4

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

90° elbow

2.0

2.5

3.0

4.0

5.0

7.0

8.0

10.0

Tee, run

0.6

0.8

0.9

1.2

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Tee, branch

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

10.0

12.0

15.0

Gate valve

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.6

2.0

Balancing valve

0.8

1.1

1.5

1.9

2.2

3.0

3.7

4.5

Plug-type cock

0.8

1.1

1.5

1.9

2.2

3.0

3.7

4.5

Check valve, swing

5.6

8.4

11.2

14.0

16.8

22.4

28.0

33.6

Globe valve

15.0

20.0

25.0

35.0

45.0

55.0

65.0

80.0

Angle valve

8.0

12.0

15.0

18.0

22.0

28.0

34.0

40.0

Table 1805.F

Allowance in Equivalent Length of Tube for

Friction Loss in Valves and Fittings1 (ft)

(Copper Water Tube)

Fitting or valve

Tube Sizes (in)

1/2

3/4

1

1 1/4

1 1/2

2

2 1/2

3

45° elbow (wrought)

0.5

0.5

1.0

1.0

2.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

90° elbow (wrought)

0.5

1.0

1.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

3.0

Tee, run (wrought)

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

1.0

1.0

2.0

-

Tee, branch (wrought)

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

7.0

9.0

-

45° elbow (cast)

0.5

1.0

2.0

2.0

3.0

5.0

8.0

1.0

90° elbow (cast)

1.0

2.0

4.0

5.0

8.0

11.0

14.0

18.0

Tee, run (cast)

0.5

0.5

0.5

1.0

1.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

Tee, branch (cast)

2.0

3.0

5.0

7.0

9.0

12.0

16.0

20.0

Compression Stop

13.0

21.0

30.0

-

-

-

-

-

Globe valve

7.5

10.0

12.5

53.0

66.0

90.0

33

40

Gate valve

0.5

0.25

1.0

1.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

NOTE:

1. From "Copper Tube Handbook" by Copper Development Association, Inc.

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1. This chart applies to smooth new copper tubing with recessed (Streamline) soldered joints and to the actual sizes of types indicated on the diagram.

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1. This chart applies to smooth new copper tubing with recessed (Streamline) soldered joints and to the actual sizes of types indicated on the diagram.

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1. This chart applies to new steel (fairly smooth) pipe and to actual diameters of standard-weight pipe.

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1. This chart applies to fairly rough pipe and to actual diameters which in general will be less than the actual diameters of the new pipe of the same kind.

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1. This chart applies to very rough pipe and existing pipe and to their actual diameters.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:4(A)(7) and R.S. 40:5(2)(3)(7)(9)(16)(17)(20).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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