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Plumbing Chase Spaces and Partition Sizes
Architects commonly lose control over a design by
overlooking plumbing space requirements.
REALITIES OF CONSTRUCTION
A contractor's task is to build based upon an Architect's documents. When
walls and chases are not designed to accommodate piping and supports,
the contractor will be forced to increase their size. As soon as this occurs,
the Architect's dimensions become jeopardized.
A few inches may not matter in some cases. However, floor plans that must meet
code required square footages and
clearances, such as handicap access and hospital licensing, can become
non-compliant, necessitating costly re-design.
Most Clients expect an Architect to know how to accommodate the various
components to be installed within a facility.
Your Client should not be informed by a contractor that the Architect did not
provide enough space. When this occurs,
two things are lessened: the dimensions of a room and the Client's confidence
in the Architect's knowledge.
Frequent Misconceptions
MYTH -
Plumbing services for most fixtures such as lavatories, sinks and drinking
fountains will fit
within a standard (3.625 in, 9.2cm) stud wall...
REALITY - This is true only when
all
of the following conditions are met: The contractor is perfect when measuring
pipe locations prior to installation of partitions;
There are no other plumbing fixtures on the same wall; There is no structural
member beneath the wall, such as a joist or beam;
The fixture is free-standing and does not require a support within the wall;
The piping for the fixture is not serving fixtures on floors above.
As you can see, it can be a mistake to assume that a standard stud wall will be
sufficient in every situation.
MYTH -
Plumbing piping can be easily installed within cinder blocks.
REALITY - Piping is installed prior to constructing walls. Building a block
wall around waste, vent and water piping is
difficult, time consuming, frustrating and costly. However, it can be done by
breaking the blocks in half and mortoring one
side to cover the pipe.
Unfortunately, concrete is corrosive to piping and metal supports, eventually
destroying them unless they are provided
with a protective coating. This arrangement also destroys the natural seam
pattern of a block wall.
A furring strip or other covering must be provided on the mortor face to hide
wall finish inconsistencies.
A more professional design can be achieved by providing a clear space
behind or in front of a cinder block wall, allowing proper installation of
piping and supports.
MYTH -
The plumber can always find a way to install piping to fixtures by using a
little imagination.
REALITY - Plumbing codes, physical space demands and economics limit the
arrangements possible.
An Architect must
never assume
that a fixture can be installed at any location. An Architect must
always know
the requirements dictated by the needs of various fixtures.
MYTH -
A chase or partition size provided on a previous project will be sufficient for
any project.
REALITY - All sinks, lavatories, water closets, drinking fountains, etc. are
not created equal. Space and piping requirements can vary
significantly based upon the type of fixture specified. For example; Electric
drinking fountains can demand between 4 inches (10.2cm) and 12 inches (30.5cm)
of clear space within a wall;
Water closets can demand between 6 inches (15.24cm) and 36 inches (1m) wall
face to wall face depending on variations such as
fixture type, mounting and wall construction.
Fixture space requirements can not be properly determined until wall
construction materials are identified, structural members are located and
fixture types are selected. These tasks must be accomplished during the
earliest phase of floor plan development possible.
MYTH -
Roof Drain piping and Ductwork can share the chase space provided for plumbing
fixtures.
REALITY - In the majority of cases, a chase provided for plumbing fixtures can
not accommodate storm piping and/or ductwork.
Fixture supports, water, vent and drainage piping will utilize the entire
chase. When additional space and close coordination is provided,
a common chase can possibly be designed.
GENERAL SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMON PLUMBING FIXTURES
The following MINIMUM chase and partition size recommendations will allow proper installation of plumbing fixtures in
most cases. However, there are exceptions. Coordinate with a Plumbing Engineer to verify that the spaces you have provided are sufficient.
Wall Mounted Water Closets
Single - 12 inch (30.5 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back - 14 inch (36 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back Urinal & Toilet - 16 inch (30.5 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Floor Mounted Water Closets
Single - 6 inch (15.24 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Single (Block Wall) - 10 inch (25.4 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back - 10 inch (25.4 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back Urinal & Toilet - 10 inch (25.4 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back Lavatory & Toilet - 10 inch (25.4 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Wall Mounted Lavatories
Single - 6 inch (15.24 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Single - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-to-Back - 6 inch (15.24 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Multiple (Battery)- 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Countertop Lavatories
Single - 3-5/8 inch (9.2 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Single - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-to-Back - 6 inch (15.24 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Multiple (Battery)- 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Countertop Sinks
Single - 3-5/8 inch (9.2 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Single - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Back-to-Back - 6 inch (15.24 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Back-To-Back - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Janitor Mop Sinks
Single - 6 inch (15.24 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Single - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Drinking Fountains
Single - 6 inch (15.24 cm) Wall Stud (View Illustration)
Single - Block Wall - 6 inch (15.24 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
Fully Recessed Cooler - 12 inch (30.48 cm) clear space (View Illustration)
SUMMARY
The above space requirements will facilitate most installations, but may not be sufficient in every installation. The location of plumbing fixtures
and other building components such as structural members, can effect space needs.
Coordinate with the Plumbing Engineer during the preliminary phase of your
design and verify all spaces needed. Spending the time to accomplish this fundamental Architectural task
will benefit your project, client and consultants.
If you would like a word document version of the illustrations contained
within this page for personal reference; Download the following file... pchases.zip (116kb).
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