The Fixture Unit

The National Plumbing Code strongly indorsed the use of Fixture Unit Value as waste
load in determining the size of the waste pipe.
Kind of Fixture
Bathtub
Floor drain
Kitchen sink
Residential sink
Lavatory or wash bin
Laundry tub
Shower bath
Slop sink
Sink, hotel or public
Urinal
Water closet
Combination fixture
One bathroom group consisting of water
closet, lavatory, bathtub and overhead
shower compartment
For every 15 square foot of drain

Fixture Unit
2
1
2
1.5
1
2
2
3
2
5
6
3
8
1

1 Fixture Unit = 1 cubic ft or 30L of waste discharged by the fixture in one minute
interval
Size of Horizontal Fixture Branch and Stack
Diameter of
Pipe
mm

in

32

38

50
2
63

75

Maximum number of fixture units that may be connected to

One
Not over 3
Stack with 3 or more
Horizontal
Branches
Branches Intervals
Branch
In one
Total in Stack
Branch
Interval
1
2
1
2
3
4
2
8
6
10
6
24
12
20
9
42
20
30
20
60

100
125
150
200
250
300

4
5
6
8
10
12

160
360
620
1400
2500
3800

240
540
960
2200
3800
6000

90
200
350
600
1000
1500

500
1100
1900
3600
5600
8400

Example1:
1. Find the Fixture Unit load of the following fixtures:
5 urinals
x 5 units = 25 units
3 lavatories x 1 unit =
3 units
8 showers x2 units = 16 units
2 slop sink x3 units =
6 units
Total
50 units
2. Under the column One horizontal branch, 50 units could be well served by a
100 mm or 4 in pipe.
Example2:
1 lavatory
1 residential sink
1 slope sink
Total

1
1
3
5

unit
units
units
units

5 units is nearest to the value 6. Therefore, use 50 mm diameter.

Waste Pipe and Other Fixtures

2 Types of Waste Pipes depending on the kind of fixtures it will serve:
1. Direct Waste
2. Indirect Waste
Direct Waste is one with the terminal directly connected to the plumbing system.

Different Types of Fixture Served by Direct Waste

1. Urinals
a. Pedestal
b. Stall
c. Through
2. Bathtub
a. Siltz
b. Foot
c. Bidet
3. Lavatories
a. Wall hung
b. Pedestal
c. Two pieces

4. Sink
a. Kitchen
b. Pantry
c. Slop
5. Showers
a. Single stall
b. Gang
6. Drinking fountain
7. Laundry
8. Laboratory
9. Hospital fixture

Indirect Waste refers to a connection with terminals not directly connected to the
plumbing system.

Different Types of Fixture Served by Indirect Waste

1. Soda fountain
2. Bar waste
3. Refrigeration
4. Drinking fountain
Recommended Size of Waste Pipe
Sink waste
Slop sink
Scullary sink
Pantry sink
Factory wash up sink
Bathtub
Lavatories
Shower Bath
Urinal
Laundry tub
Drinking fountain
Lavatory waste
Hospital fixtures

50mm or 2
Traps on floor- 75mm or 100mm
Traps on walls with cleanout plug- 50mm
50mm
38mm
50mm
38mm-50mm
50mm
50mm
50mm
38mm-50mm
32mm
50mm
50mm