Before a commercial building is completed, it needs a well-designed plumbing system in place to supply water and dispose of sewage. That’s why, aside from architects and contractors, it’s important to have a plumbing engineering specialist on board who can design the intricate piping network and layout. Below are a few things that an engineer must consider when designing a safe and efficient system.

Factors to Consider in Plumbing Engineering for a Building

1. Projected Daily Demand

For a plumbing system to handle its water and waste demands, plumbing engineering must consider the number of occupants to calculate storage tank capacities and pipe sizes accurately. There is the possibility of simultaneous water consumption in the building, so the pipes should be designed to manage the flow for each open fixture.

2. Specific Water Requirements

Specific structures, such as medical facilities, high-rise buildings, and restaurants, require different water requirements. A plumbing engineer must design the system according to how the structure will be utilized. For instance, a hospital needs dedicated piping for medical gas and stricter requirements on waste disposal. A high-rise building, on the other hand, requires booster pumps and gravity storage tanks to supply water on the topmost floors.

3. Facility Maintenance

There are instances when facility maintenance comes into play in plumbing design. If the building owner wants to focus on low maintenance and reduced water consumption, they can opt for water-free urinals and low-flow showers. Before installing these, building owners must be aware of the special requirements in keeping them functional.

4. State Regulations

Aside from mapping out the lines correctly, plumbing engineers also have to adhere to local building codes, safety standards, and state regulations on waste disposal. The system has to be designed sustainably, focusing on minimizing waste and reducing water consumption. The plumbing engineering design should have a coordinated fire protection plan for the building, which includes water-based suppression of fires.    

Behind the walls of commercial buildings are efficient plumbing engineering systems to keep water and waste moving. For a well-designed system, have a specialist from Jackola Engineering & Architecture, PC, in Vancouver, WA, on your team. They can also provide architecture and structural design services for your project. Call (360) 852-8746, or visit their website to learn more about their MEP engineering services.