Understanding International Plumbing Code: Water Pipe Sizing

[@mohamedebraheem7352]

I appreciate you taking the time to explain it in an easy way that no one else may do. Thank you, Tom.

[@plumber-tom9470]

Thanks! Glad you find this helpful!

[@mountainplumbing]

Awesome. 30 years and have a lot of rule of thumb experience. Working on some design builds with minimal prints. Mostly have done commercial work. So, never had to size anything. A lot of help. Subscribed and added to favorites. Thanks sir.

[@plumber-tom9470]

Awesome! Glad I could help.

[@ChrisBowlin-n1b]

I work in commercial / industrial pipe design. This is a clear explanation of how to size pipe.

[@plumber-tom9470]

Thanks!

[@ryantags4677]

Tom, I don’t know if you’re going to see this and I don’t know how to get in touch with you personally. I passed my New Hampshire plumbing code test because of you. You are a very good teacher, in knowledge and how you delivered the information. I already had my Massachusettes Plumbing license, but I was just testing in New Hampshire because that’s where I live. I was out of the game for two years, so I forgot pretty much some of the stuff I learned in Massachusetts. I know it’s similar but it’s still different. Thank you from the bottom of my heart . You the man.

[@plumber-tom9470]

Awesome! Glad to hear it! Congratulations on passing your test.

[@rogerhodges7656]

You made a good and clear explanation. Thank you.

[@plumber-tom9470]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful.

[@frost_Eagle]

What a comprehensive explanation! Thanks and well done!!

[@plumber-tom9470]

Glad it was helpful!

[@codyg3423]

Man this is awesome. I take my masters test December 1st. It’s been 12 years since I took my journeyman test. I appreciate you taking time to help teach!

[@plumber-tom9470]

Thanks! I hope these videos are helpful. I'm glad you have your test schedule. You can do this!

[@codyg3423]

I passed! Thanks again. Great stuff!

[@plumber-tom9470]

Awesome! Your hard work paid off! Nice job!@@codyg3423

[@MKashifmasoodMalik]

Boss plz confirm me international standard plumbing mearments. Thanks

[@Tay675]

Wish I found you sooner. About to take my exam this Friday and not ready. Your videos make it much easier to understand

[@plumber-tom9470]

Glad I could help!

[@hsahil_10]

Thank you for the nice explanation.

[@plumber-tom9470]

You are welcome!

[@DontLookBehindYou1]

Hey Tom or comments section... With water savers being almost everywhere in the house, say on a 2 1/2 bathroom house, if you bring 1" into the house then 3/4" to water heater, and branch off with 1/2... would using extra 90s instead swoop/looping the PEX make a big difference when it's near the fixtures? There's some places that make it very difficult to swoop... I'm wondering -- since everything is ~ 2.2 gallons per minute approximately, if it's not near a hose bibb, washing machine, or water heater, will using extra 90s before the fixture actually affect the flow with a properly set PRV. I wasn't really sure how to even calculate this particular situation or if it even needed to be addressed with such low flow in showerheads and aerators. I couldn't really find it addressed anywhere in the book

[@plumber-tom9470]

I use 90s instead of tight loops. I think, as you mentioned, with low flow faucets and shower heads, a few 90s really does not affect delivery that much. I have never had customers complain, and I set up my houses about like you described.

[@DontLookBehindYou1]

@@plumber-tom9470 thank you for that info. I haven't had anyone complain either, but recently it seems like customers are reading or YouTubing and have acquired this info about 90s and are seeming to be really anal about them and their turns. Again... Appreciate you and your channel.

[@plumber-tom9470]

@@DontLookBehindYou1 Interesting. You can remind them that you are the expert. 😎

[@DontLookBehindYou1]

@@plumber-tom9470 Epic response

[@XPERTMINDing]

Hey!! nice video really helpfull.. could you answer a few question i have... do we consider the pressure loss due to fitting, elevation, meter and backflow preventer? in code its mention to multiply dev. length by 1.2 for fitting. is it right? and do you get an accurate answer for service pipe being lesser than building pipe. Thanks

[@plumber-tom9470]

You can go deep into the details, but I don't know if it is worth the time. When in doubt, oversize a little. I don't think the service needs to be bigger than the main distribution line in the building if the service pressure is higher than what is delivered in the building after the PRV.

[@AndrewGonzales-g3d]

what about buildings with multiple floors. don't we loose head pressure going vertical ?

[@plumber-tom9470]

Yes. For every 1 foot of vertical rise the pressure will decrease by 0.433 psi. So the higher it has to go, the lower the pressure will be.

[@timring2809]

How do I get the study guide

[@plumber-tom9470]

Here you go: a.co/d/07kVHRY

[@rogerhodges7656]

I can't find anything that tells how many hot water fixture units should be allocated for a residential dishwasher.

[@palanikumar8267]

Hi Tom. Very useful. I interest to see Chapter 11 Storm Drainage. Thanks

[@plumber-tom9470]

Sure. I hope to have that done later this year.

[@hanaaa7353]

Awesome 😊😊😊!

[@plumber-tom9470]

Thanks 🤗

[@samn2160]

What about if you exceed the developed length based on Table E201.1? Can I still apply the simple method?

[@plumber-tom9470]

If your length exceeds the charts, go big. There will be friction loss over the long distance

[@je-niseghana7377]

Thanks for taking your time to teach into details. With regards to step 2, what if you're using roof water tanks...about 6no 2500litres tanks with height 1.33m and diameter 1.55m? how do you calculate the psi ?

[@plumber-tom9470]

Hello. The PSI would be determined by the height of the tank above the ground. The size of the tank is not important, but the pull of gravity is. So you would take the height of the tank above the ground and multiply by 0.433 to get the psi at ground level. Then remember that for every foot above ground, you lose 0.433 psi. So at 10 feet you would subtract 4.33 psi from your reading at ground level, and so on.

[@je-niseghana7377]

@@plumber-tom9470 also with regards to the pressure ranges in determining the service and distribution pipe size .....the lowest pressure range in the IPC book is 30 to 39 psi. What do you do if your pressure is lower? let's say 11psi.574?

[@je-niseghana7377]

​@@plumber-tom9470 Also what type of pipe is the main service or meter pipe in Table 104.1 refering to? is it PPR pipes or uPVC pipes?.....asking because 1/2" ppr pipe differs in size to 1/2" uPVC pipe?

[@plumber-tom9470]

11 psi is not sufficient to provide adequate flow at fixtures. Chapter 6 details minimum flow rates and pressures. Even 30 psi to 39 psi leaves fixtures with poor delivery. @@je-niseghana7377

[@plumber-tom9470]

approved water pipe options can be found on the tables in IPC 6 tables 605.3 and 605.4 @@je-niseghana7377

[@christianruiz9472]

thank you. you are an awesome tacher

[@plumber-tom9470]

You're very welcome!

[@jacobgeorge7801]

Great start, Practice problems!!!!!!!

[@plumber-tom9470]

Thanks! Hope it is helpful!

[@mattm2177]

You forgot a couple of very important steps - 2.1 deduct 0.5 psi for each foot of difference in elevation, and Step 3 - multiply total developed length by 1.5 for pressure loss through fittings. Very important for the test.

[@plumber-tom9470]

Right. Glad you got it!