SANITARY DRAINAGE

TABLE 709.1
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNITS FOR FIXTURES AND GROUPS
DRAINAGE FIXTURE UNIT MINIMUM SIZE OF TRAP
FIXTURE TYPE
VALUE AS LOAD FACTORS (inches)
Automatic clothes washers, commerciala,g 3 2
g
Automatic clothes washers, residential 2 2
Bathroom group as defined in Section 202 (1.6 gpf water closet)f 5 —
Bathroom group as defined in Section 202 (water closet flushing greater than 1.6 gpf)f 6 —
Bathtubb (with or without overhead shower or whirlpool attachments) 2 11/2
Bidet 1 11/4
Combination sink and tray 2 11/2
Dental lavatory 1 11/4
Dental unit or cuspidor 1 11/4
Dishwashing machinec, domestic 2 11/2
1
Drinking fountain /2 11/4
Emergency floor drain 0 2
Floor drainsh 2h 2
Floor sinks Note h 2
Kitchen sink, domestic 2 11/2
Kitchen sink, domestic with food waste disposer, dishwasher or both 2 11/2
Laundry tray (1 or 2 compartments) 2 11/2
Lavatory 1 11/4
Shower (based on the total flow rate through showerheads and body sprays)
flow rate:
5.7 gpm or less 2 11/2
Greater than 5.7 gpm to 12.3 gpm 3 2
Greater than 12.3 gpm to 25.8 gpm 5 3
Greater than 25.8 gpm to 55.6 gpm 6 4
Service sink 2 11/2
Sink 2 11/2
Urinal 4 Note d
e
Urinal, 1 gallon per flush or less 2 Note d
1
Urinal, nonwater supplied /2 Note d
Wash sink (circular or multiple) each set of faucets 2 11/2
e
Water closet, flushometer tank, public or private 4 Note d
e
Water closet, private (1.6 gpf) 3 Note d
Water closet, private (flushing greater than 1.6 gpf) 4e Note d
e
Water closet, public (1.6 gpf) 4 Note d
Water closet, public (flushing greater than 1.6 gpf) 6e Note d
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, gpf = gallon per flushing cycle, 1 gallon per minute (gpm) = 3.785 L/m.
a. For traps larger than 3 inches, use Table 709.2.
b. A showerhead over a bathtub or whirlpool bathtub attachment does not increase the drainage fixture unit value.
c. See Sections 709.2 through 709.4.1 for methods of computing unit value of fixtures not listed in this table or for rating of devices with intermittent flows.
d. Trap size shall be consistent with the fixture outlet size.
e. For the purpose of computing loads on building drains and sewers, water closets and urinals shall not be rated at a lower drainage fixture unit unless the
lower values are confirmed by testing.
f. For fixtures added to a bathroom group, add the dfu value of those additional fixtures to the bathroom group fixture count.
g. See Section 406.2 for sizing requirements for fixture drain, branch drain and drainage stack for an automatic clothes washer standpipe.
h. See Sections 709.4 and 709.4.1.

2021 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE® 7-9

BACKFLOW. Pressure created by any means in the water (762 mm) in developed length of pipe beyond the exterior
distribution system, which by being in excess of the pressure walls of the building and conveys the drainage to the building
in the water supply mains causes a potential backflow sewer.
condition. Combined. A building drain that conveys both sewage
Backpressure, low head. A pressure less than or equal to and storm water or other drainage.
4.33 psi (29.88 kPa) or the pressure exerted by a 10-foot Sanitary. A building drain that conveys sewage only.
(3048 mm) column of water.
Storm. A building drain that conveys storm water or other
Backsiphonage. The backflow of potentially contami- drainage, but not sewage.
nated water into the potable water system as a result of the
pressure in the potable water system falling below atmo- BUILDING SEWER. That part of the drainage system that
spheric pressure of the plumbing fixtures, pools, tanks or extends from the end of the building drain and conveys the
vats connected to the potable water distribution piping. discharge to a public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage
disposal system or other point of disposal.
Water supply system. The flow of water or other liquids,
mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a Combined. A building sewer that conveys both sewage
potable water supply from any source except the intended and storm water or other drainage.
source. Sanitary. A building sewer that conveys sewage only.
BACKFLOW, DRAINAGE. A reversal of flow in the Storm. A building sewer that conveys storm water or
drainage system. other drainage, but not sewage.
BACKFLOW CONNECTION. Any arrangement whereby BUILDING SUBDRAIN. That portion of a drainage system
backflow is possible. that does not drain by gravity into the building sewer.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER. A backflow prevention BUILDING TRAP. A device, fitting or assembly of fittings
assembly, a backflow prevention device or other means or installed in the building drain to prevent circulation of air
method to prevent backflow into the potable water supply. between the drainage system of the building and the building
BACKWATER VALVE. A device or valve installed in the sewer.
building drain or sewer pipe where a sewer is subject to back- CIRCUIT VENT. A vent that connects to a horizontal drain-
flow, and that prevents drainage or waste from backing up age branch and vents two traps to not more than eight traps or
into a lower level or fixtures and causing a flooding trapped fixtures connected into a battery.
condition.
CIRCULATING HOT WATER SYSTEM. A specifically
[BS] BASE FLOOD ELEVATION. A reference point, designed water distribution system where one or more pumps
determined in accordance with the building code, based on are operated in the service hot water piping to circulate heated
the depth or peak elevation of flooding, including wave water from the water-heating equipment to fixture supply and
height, which has a 1-percent (100-year flood) or greater back to the water-heating equipment.
chance of occurring in any given year. CISTERN. A small covered tank for storing water for a
BATHROOM GROUP. A group of fixtures consisting of a home or farm. Generally, this tank stores rainwater to be
water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower, including or utilized for purposes other than in the potable water supply,
excluding a bidet, an emergency floor drain or both. Such and such tank is placed underground in most cases.
fixtures are located together on the same floor level. CLEANOUT. An access opening in the drainage system
BRANCH. Any part of the piping system except a riser, main utilized for the removal of obstructions. Types of cleanouts
or stack. include a removable plug or cap, and a removable fixture or
BRANCH INTERVAL. A vertical measurement of fixture trap.
distance, 8 feet (2438 mm) or more in developed length, [A] CODE. These regulations, subsequent amendments
between the connections of horizontal branches to a drainage thereto or any emergency rule or regulation that the adminis-
stack. Measurements are taken down the stack from the high- trative authority having jurisdiction has lawfully adopted.
est horizontal branch connection.
[A] CODE OFFICIAL. The officer or other designated
BRANCH VENT. A vent connecting one or more individual authority charged with the administration and enforcement of
vents with a vent stack or stack vent. this code, or a duly authorized representative.
[A] BUILDING. Any structure utilized or intended for COLLECTION PIPE. Unpressurized pipe used within the
supporting or sheltering any occupancy. collection system that drains on-site nonpotable water or rain-
BUILDING DRAIN. That part of the lowest piping of a water to a storage tank by gravity.
drainage system that receives the discharge from soil, waste COMBINATION FIXTURE. A fixture combining one sink
and other drainage pipes inside and that extends 30 inches and laundry tray or a two- or three-compartment sink or laun-
dry tray in one unit.

2-2 2021 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE®