Plumbing Systems

This chapter establishes the general requirements for the erection, installation, alteration, and maintenance of plumbing equipment and systems, including minimum fixture counts and toilet room privacy.

2901 — General

[P] 2901.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter and the International Plumbing Code shall govern the erection, installation, alteration, repairs, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing equipment and systems. Plumbing systems and equipment shall be constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with the International Plumbing Code. Private sewage disposal systems shall conform to the International Private Sewage Disposal Code.

2902 — Minimum Plumbing Facilities

[P] 2902.1 Minimum number of fixtures. Plumbing fixtures shall be provided for the type of occupancy and in the minimum number shown in Table 2902.1. Types of occupancies not shown in Table 2902.1 shall be considered individually by the bUilding official. The number of occupants shall be determined by this code. Occupancy classification shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 3.

A table appears here in the adopted code. Refer to the official source for the full table.

[P] 2902.1.1 Fixture calculations. To determine the occupant load of each sex, the total occupant load shall be divided in half. To determine the required number of fixtures, the fixture ratio or ratios for each fixture type shall be applied to the occupant load of each sex in accordance with Table 2902.1. Fractional numbers resulting from applying the fixture ratios of Table 2902.1 shall be rounded up to the next whole number. For calculations involving multiple occupancies, such fractional numbers for each occupancy shall first be summed and then rounded up to the next whole number. Exception: The total occupantload shall not be required to be divided in half where approvedstatistical data indicate a distribution of the sexes of other than 50 percent of each sex. 2902.1.2 Family or assisted use toilet and bath fixtures. Fixtures located within family or assisted use toilet and bathing rooms required by Section 1109.2.1 are permitted to be included in the number of required fixtures for either the male or female occupants in assembly and mercantile occupancies.

[P] 2902.1.1 Fixture calculations. To determine the occupant load of each sex, the total occupant load shall be divided in half. To determine the required number of fixtures, the fixture ratio or ratios for each fixture type shall be applied to the occupant load of each sex in accordance with Table 2902.1. Fractional numbers resulting from applying the fixture ratios of Table 2902.1 shall be rounded up to the next whole number. For calculations involving multiple occupancies, such fractional numbers for each occupancy shall first be summed and then rounded up to the next whole number.

Exception: The total occupantload shall not be required to be divided in half where approvedstatistical data indicate a distribution of the sexes of other than 50 percent of each sex.

2902.1.2 Family or assisted use toilet and bath fixtures. Fixtures located within family or assisted use toilet and bathing rooms required by Section 1109.2.1 are permitted to be included in the number of required fixtures for either the male or female occupants in assembly and mercantile occupancies.

[P] 2902.2 Separate facilities. Where plumbing fixtures are required, separate facilities shall be provided for each sex.

Exceptions: Separate facilities shall not be required for dwelling units and sleeping units. Separate facilities shall not be required in structures or tenant spaces with a total occupant load, including both employees and customers, of 15 or less. Separate facilities shall not be required in mercantile occupancies in which the maximum occupant load is 50 or less.

Exceptions:

Separate facilities shall not be required for dwelling units and sleeping units.
Separate facilities shall not be required in structures or tenant spaces with a total occupant load, including both employees and customers, of 15 or less.
Separate facilities shall not be required in mercantile occupancies in which the maximum occupant load is 50 or less.

[P] 2902.3 Required public toilet facilities. Customers, patrons and visitors shall be provided with public toilet facilities in structures and tenant spaces intended for public utilization. The number of plumbing fixtures located within the required toilet facilities shall be provided in accordance with Section 2902.1 for all users. Employees shall be provided with toilet facilities in all occupancies. Employee toilet facilities shall either be separate or combined employee and public toilet facilities.

[P] 2902.3.1 Access. The route to the public toilet facilities required by Section 2902.3 shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms or closets. Access to the required facilities shall be from within the building or from the exterior of the building. All routes shall comply with the accessibility requirements of this code. The public shall have access to the required toilet facilities at all times that the building is occupied. [P] 2902.3.2 Location of toilet facilities in occupancies other than covered mall buildings. In occupancies other than covered mall buildings, the required public and employee toilet facilities shall be located not more than one storyabove or below the space required to be provided with toilet facilities and the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 500 feet (152 400 mm). Exception: The location and maximum travel distances to required employee facilities in factory and industrial occupancies are permitted to exceed that required by this section, provided that the location and maximum travel distance are approved. [P] 2902.3.3 Location of toilet facilities in covered mall buildings. In covered mall buildings, the required public and employee toilet facilities shall be located not more than one story above or below the space required to be provided with toilet facilities, and the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 300 feet (91 440 mm). In covered mall bUildings, the required facilities shall be based on total square footage, and facilities shall be installed in each individual store or in a central toilet area located in accordance with this section. The maximum travel distance to the central toilet facilities in covered mall buildings shall be measured from the main entrance of any store or tenant space. In covered mall buildings, where employees' toilet facilities are not provided in the individual store, the maximum travel distance shall be measured from the employees' work area of the store or tenant space. [P] 2902.3.4 Pay facilities. Where pay facilities are installed, such facilities shall be in excess of the required minimum facilities. Required facilities shall be free of charge.

[P] 2902.3.1 Access. The route to the public toilet facilities required by Section 2902.3 shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms or closets. Access to the required facilities shall be from within the building or from the exterior of the building. All routes shall comply with the accessibility requirements of this code. The public shall have access to the required toilet facilities at all times that the building is occupied.

[P] 2902.3.2 Location of toilet facilities in occupancies other than covered mall buildings. In occupancies other than covered mall buildings, the required public and employee toilet facilities shall be located not more than one storyabove or below the space required to be provided with toilet facilities and the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 500 feet (152 400 mm).

Exception: The location and maximum travel distances to required employee facilities in factory and industrial occupancies are permitted to exceed that required by this section, provided that the location and maximum travel distance are approved.

[P] 2902.3.3 Location of toilet facilities in covered mall buildings. In covered mall buildings, the required public and employee toilet facilities shall be located not more than one story above or below the space required to be provided with toilet facilities, and the path of travel to such facilities

shall not exceed a distance of 300 feet (91 440 mm). In covered mall bUildings, the required facilities shall be based on total square footage, and facilities shall be installed in each individual store or in a central toilet area located in accordance with this section. The maximum travel distance to the central toilet facilities in covered mall buildings shall be measured from the main entrance of any store or tenant space. In covered mall buildings, where employees' toilet facilities are not provided in the individual store, the maximum travel distance shall be measured from the employees' work area of the store or tenant space.

[P] 2902.3.4 Pay facilities. Where pay facilities are installed, such facilities shall be in excess of the required minimum facilities. Required facilities shall be free of charge.

[P] 2902.4 Signage. A legible sign designating the sex shall be provided in a readily visible location near the entrance to each toilet facility. Signs for accessible toilet facilities shall comply with ICC AI17.1.

2902.4.1 Directional signage. Directional signage indicating the route to the public facilities shall be posted in accordance with Section 3107. Such signage shall be located in a corridor or aisle, at the entrance to the facilities for customers and visitors.

2902.4.1 Directional signage. Directional signage indicating the route to the public facilities shall be posted in accordance with Section 3107. Such signage shall be located in a corridor or aisle, at the entrance to the facilities for customers and visitors.

Worked example

Scenario: An architect is designing a new office building with an occupant load of 150 people.

Explanation: To determine the minimum number of required plumbing fixtures, the architect would refer to Table 2902.1 for 'Business' occupancy (or similar, if not explicitly listed), apply the occupant load of 150, and calculate the required water closets, lavatories, and other fixtures. Any occupancy not listed would require individual consideration by the building official.

2903 — Toilet Room Requirements

[P] 2903.1 Water closet compartment. Each water closet utilized by the public or employees shall occupy a separate compartment with walls or partitions and a door enclosing the fixtures to ensure privacy.

Exceptions: Water closet compartments shall not be required in a single-occupant toilet room with a lockable door. Toilet rooms located in day care and child care facilities and containing two or more water closets shall be permitted to have one water closet without an enclosing compartment. This provision is not applicable to toilet areas located within Group 1-3 housing areas.

Exceptions:

Water closet compartments shall not be required in a single-occupant toilet room with a lockable door.
Toilet rooms located in day care and child care facilities and containing two or more water closets shall be permitted to have one water closet without an enclosing compartment.
This provision is not applicable to toilet areas located within Group 1-3 housing areas.

[P] 2903.2 Urinal partitions. Each urinal utilized by the public or employees shall occupy a separate area with walls or partitions to provide privacy. The walls or partitions shall begin at a height not more than 12 inches (305 mm) from and extend not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above the finished floor surface. The walls or partitions shall extend from the wall surface at each side of the urinal a minimum of 18 inches (457 mm) or to a point not less than 6 inches (152 mm) beyond the outermost front lip of the urinal measured from the finished back wall surface, whichever is greater.

Exceptions: Urinal partitions shall not be required in a single occupant or family or assisted use toilet room with a lockable door. Toilet rooms located in day care and child care facilities and containing two or more urinals shall be permitted to have one urinal without partitions.

Exceptions:

Urinal partitions shall not be required in a single occupant or family or assisted use toilet room with a lockable door.
Toilet rooms located in day care and child care facilities and containing two or more urinals shall be permitted to have one urinal without partitions.

[P] 2903.3 Interior Finish. Interior finish surfaces of toilet rooms shall comply with Section 1210.

Worked example

Scenario: A designer is planning the men's restroom for a new public library, which will be used by both library patrons and staff.

Explanation: Each water closet in the restroom must be located within its own compartment, featuring walls or partitions extending to provide privacy, and a door for individual enclosure, as required for public and employee use.

Frequently asked questions

How do I determine the minimum number of plumbing fixtures required for a building?

The minimum number of plumbing fixtures is determined by the occupancy type and the calculated number of occupants, using Table 2902.1 in conjunction with this code.

What are the privacy requirements for public water closets?

Each water closet for public or employee use must be enclosed within a separate compartment featuring walls or partitions and a door to ensure privacy.

Which code governs plumbing system installations?

Plumbing systems and equipment must comply with the provisions of this chapter and the International Plumbing Code.