Understanding Appendix E in IPC

Water pipe Sizing

Oversizing a plumbing system can lead to several consequences:
1. Higher Costs: Oversizing means using larger pipes and components than
necessary, which can increase the initial cost of installation.
2. Reduced Efficiency: Oversized pipes may lead to reduced water velocity,
causing sedimentation and build-up, which can affect water quality and system
efficiency.
3. Wasted Water: Larger pipes require more water to fill, resulting in increased
water waste. This is particularly significant in systems that use hot water, as it
can lead to higher energy bills.
4. Pressure Issues: Oversized pipes can result in lower water pressure at fixtures,
affecting performance and user satisfaction.
5. Corrosion and Leaks: Reduced flow velocity can lead to stagnation in the
pipes, promoting corrosion and potential leaks over time.
6. System Imbalance: Oversizing one part of the plumbing system without
considering the entire system's design can lead to imbalance and inefficiency.
7. Space Constraints: Larger pipes may require more space for installation,
posing challenges in confined areas or retrofitting projects.

Under sizing a plumbing system can lead to several consequences:

1. Low Flow Rate: Water moves slowly, leading to weak water pressure at faucets
and fixtures.
2. Water Hammer: Pipes vibrate or bang due to sudden water flow changes,
potentially causing damage.
3. Pressure Drop: Water pressure decreases significantly, affecting fixture and
appliance performance.
4. Component Overload: Pumps and valves work harder, wearing out faster and
risking failure.
5. Drainage Issues: Slow drainage, clogs, and backups become more common.
6. Contamination Risk: Stagnant water promotes bacterial growth, potentially
compromising water quality.
7. Compliance Problems: Non-compliance with regulations or building codes can
lead to fines or penalties.
The rule to limit fluid velocity in plumbing systems to a range of 5 feet per second
(fps) to 8 fps is based on several factors:
1. Noise Reduction: Higher fluid velocities can cause turbulence and noise within
the piping system, leading to undesirable sound levels, especially in residential
or commercial buildings where occupants expect a quiet environment.
2. Pressure Fluctuations: Excessive fluid velocity can result in pressure
fluctuations, causing water hammer, which can damage pipes, valves, and
fittings over time. Limiting the velocity helps to mitigate this risk.
3. Pipe Erosion: Rapidly moving water can erode the interior surface of pipes
over time, leading to reduced pipe integrity and potential leaks. By keeping
velocities within the recommended range, the risk of erosion is minimized.
4. Water Quality: Higher velocities can stir up sediment or debris present in the
water supply, leading to issues with water quality and potentially clogging
fixtures or appliances downstream.
5. Efficiency: While higher velocities may seem beneficial for quickly delivering
water to fixtures, they can lead to inefficiencies such as increased pressure
losses and higher pumping energy requirements.
By adhering to the recommended velocity range of 5 fps to 8 fps, plumbing systems
can achieve a balance between effective water delivery, minimal noise, reduced risk
of damage, and efficient operation.

Considerations in Sizing
1. Probability of Use
For example, if there is a bathroom group with 1 Lavatory, 1 Toilet and 1
Shower, what is the probability of all the fixture running at the same time?
2. Rate of Use
For Example, in a Theatre during Intermission everyone using the bathrooms at
the same time.
3. Factors in Sizing – Pressure, Velocity Limitations, Materials, Characteristics of
Water source and Demand.
Common Mistake during Sizing –
Easy Method – Size for continues operation of all fixtures – leads to Large Pipes and
High Cost
Lazy Method – ½” to every fixture – leads to competition of flow and User complaints
IPC Appendix E E101.1.2 Says
“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 alternatives to those presented herein.”

IPC Appendix E E103.3 Says

“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. Current
sizing methods do not address the differences in the probability of use and flow
characteristics of fixtures between types of occupancies. Creating an exact model of
predicting the demand for a building is impossible and final studies assessing the
impact of water conservation on demand are not yet complete. The following steps
are necessary for the segmented loss method.”

The International Plumbing Code does not want to take the responsibility
for design failure and designer failure to create a good system by the way
they size the plumbing system due to the variety of different system needs
and occupancy types.

They provide several methods for us to use

E103.3 – Segmented Loss Method

The Segmented Loss Method is a technique used to determine the size of pipes in a
plumbing system based on pressure loss due to friction along the length of the pipe. It
breaks the piping system into segments, each with its own characteristics, such as
length, flow rate, and fittings.
Example Scenario:
Let's consider a scenario where we need to size a section of piping in a residential
building to supply water from a main supply line to a bathroom on the second floor.
Steps to Use the Segmented Loss Method:
1. Identify Segments: Divide the piping system into segments based on changes in
direction, elevation, or diameter. For our example, we'll have segments for the
main supply line, vertical riser, and horizontal run to the bathroom.
 2. Determine Flow Rate: Calculate the flow rate required for the segment. In our
case, we'll determine the flow rate needed to supply water to fixtures in the
bathroom, such as a sink, toilet, and shower.
3. Calculate Pressure Loss: Use the Darcy-Weisbach equation or other methods to
calculate the pressure loss for each segment based on factors like pipe length,
diameter, flow rate, and fittings. This determines the friction loss along the
length of the pipe.
4. Select Pipe Size: Choose a pipe size that minimizes pressure loss while meeting
flow rate requirements. The Segmented Loss Method allows for flexibility in
selecting pipe sizes based on the specific conditions of each segment.
Practical Application:
For our example, let's say we have a segment of horizontal piping from the main
supply line to the bathroom with a length of 30 feet and a flow rate requirement of 5
gallons per minute (GPM) for all fixtures combined.
1. Identify Segments: We have one segment for the horizontal run from the supply
line to the bathroom.
2. Determine Flow Rate: The total flow rate required is 5 GPM for all fixtures in the
bathroom.
3. Calculate Pressure Loss: Using the Segmented Loss Method equations or tables
provided in the IPC, we calculate the pressure loss for the 30-foot horizontal run
based on the flow rate and pipe diameter.
4. Select Pipe Size: Choose a pipe size that balances pressure loss and flow rate.
We might find that a 3/4-inch diameter pipe provides adequate flow while
minimizing pressure loss for this segment.

Note* This Method involves a lot of Mathematical Calculations and this

method is practically time consuming for a complex project. Also most of
the time finding all the required information to do the calculation is very
difficult for example, finding the friction loss for every pipe, every type of
fitting, every type of valve and everything along the system
E210 Selection of Pipe Size

This section offers methods and criteria for determining the correct pipe size to ensure
efficient and effective water distribution within a plumbing system. It considers factors
such as flow rates, pressure requirements, and friction loss.
Example Scenario:
Imagine you're designing a plumbing system for a new residential building, and you
need to determine the pipe size for supplying water from the main water line to
various fixtures throughout the house.
Steps to Select Pipe Size:
1. Determine Flow Requirements: Start by identifying the maximum expected
flow rates for each fixture or group of fixtures in the building. This includes
sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, etc.
2. Calculate Total Flow Demand: Sum up the individual flow rates to determine
the total flow demand for the entire plumbing system.
3. Consider Pressure Requirements: Determine the minimum pressure
required at each fixture to ensure adequate performance. Factors like building
height, fixture elevation, and pressure loss due to friction in the pipes should be
considered.
4. Account for Friction Loss: Calculate the friction loss along the length of the
pipe based on flow rate, pipe diameter, and material. This determines the
pressure drop as water flows through the pipes.
5. Select Pipe Size: Choose a pipe size that meets both the flow rate and
pressure requirements while minimizing friction loss. IPC provides tables and
equations to assist in this selection process.
Practical Application:
Let's say our residential building has the following fixtures:
 Kitchen Sink: Maximum flow rate = 2 gallons per minute (GPM)
 Bathroom Shower: Maximum flow rate = 2.5 GPM
 Toilet: Maximum flow rate = 1.6 GPM
Total flow demand = 2 GPM (kitchen sink) + 2.5 GPM (shower) + 1.6 GPM (toilet) = 6.1
GPM
Considering pressure requirements and friction loss calculations for the plumbing
layout, we find that a 3/4-inch diameter pipe meets the flow and pressure criteria
while minimizing friction loss for the given scenario.