When you take a continuing education course with Plumbers Training Institute, it’s like having a personal tutor with you wherever you go! Instead of trying to navigate every part of the IPC codes yourself – let us help you work through every section!
Below you’ll find a preview from a section of the Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings video course, as well as a snippet from the written course text. As you’ll see, there are times when being able to “pause and rewind” an instructor can prove extremely valuable for fully understanding course material!
To view the entire course, as well as all the other courses available in the Utah 12 Hour Business Growth CE Package, click here!
Course Preview: IPC Chapter 4 – Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings
403.1 Minimum Number of Fixtures
Plumbing fixtures shall be provided in the minimum number as shown in Table 403.1, based on the actual use of the building or space. Uses not shown in Table 403.1 shall be considered individually by the code official. The number of occupants shall be determined by the International Building Code.
Table 403.1
Being familiar with this table and knowing how to reference it quickly and correctly is critically important. We are going to cover two code sections that directly relate to the use of Table 403.1. Then we are going to familiarize ourselves with the table by working through example problems.
Make sure your book is out and you are following along.
Table 403.1.1 Fixture Calculations
To determine the total occupant load of each sex (male/female), we need to take the total occupant load and divide it in half. Unless you have specific statistical data that has been approved by the code official, you cannot assume any other ratio than 50% men 50% women. If you get a fraction during the occupant load calculation, round up the nearest whole number.
Table 403.1.2
Where two or more toilet rooms are provided for each sex, the required number of lavatories shall be distributed proportionately to the required number of water closets.
Table 403.2
Where plumbing fixtures are required, separate facilities shall be provided for each sex. Exceptions:
- Dwelling units and sleeping units
- Occupant load of 15 or fewer
- Mercantile occupancies (retail establishments) with 100 or fewer
- Business occupancies with a load of 25 or fewer
424 Urinals (OUT OF ORDER)
424.2 Substitutions for water closets
In each bathroom or toilet room, urinals shall not be substituted for more than 67 percent of the required water closets in assembly and educational occupancies. Urinals shall not be more than 50 percent in other occupancies.
This is the part of the course that is covered in the video preview. In both the video and text course, there are many more sample calculations!
We are going to work through a few calculations using Table 403.1. Please follow along in your book during these exercises.
- How many women’s lavatories and water closets are required for a skating rink with an occupancy load of 1500?
The first step is to divide the 1500 by 2 to get the number of women, 750. Water Closets at 1 per 40 for 750 females = 18.75, round up to 19 lavatories at 1 per 150 for 750 Females = 5
