Chapter 29 Plumbing Systems
Section 2901 General
[P] 2901.1 Scope.
The provisions of this chapter and the International Plumbing Code shall govern the design, construction, erection and installation of plumbing components, appliances, equipment and systems used in buildings and structures covered by this code. Toilet and bathing rooms shall be constructed in accordance with Section 1210. Private sewage disposal systems shall conform to the International Private Sewage Disposal Code. The International Fire Code, the International Property Maintenance Code and the International Plumbing Code shall govern the use and maintenance of plumbing components, appliances, equipment and systems. The International Existing Building Code and the International Plumbing Code shall govern the alteration, repair, relocation, replacement and addition of plumbing components, appliances, equipment and systems.
Section 2902 Minimum Plumbing Facilities
[P] 2902.1 Minimum number of fixtures.
Plumbing fixtures shall be provided in the minimum number as shown in Table 2902.1 based on the actual use of the building or space. Uses not shown in Table 2902.1 shall be considered individually by the code official. The number of occupants shall be determined by this code.
(See Sections 2902.1.1 and 2902.2)
NO. | CLASSIFICATION | DESCRIPTION | LAVATORIES | BATHTUBS/ SHOWERS | OTHER | |||||
MALE | FEMALE | MALE | FEMALE | |||||||
1 | Assembly | Theaters and other buildings for the performing arts and motion picturesd | 1 per 125 | 1 per 65 | 1 per 200 | — | 1 per 500 | 1 service sink | ||
Nightclubs, bars, taverns, dance halls and buildings for similar purposesd | 1 per 40 | 1 per 40 | 1 per 75 | — | 1 per 500 | 1 service sink | ||||
Restaurants, banquet halls and food courtsd | 1 per 75 | 1 per 75 | 1 per 200 | — | 1 per 500 | 1 service sink | ||||
Casino gaming areas | 1 per 100 for the first 400 and 1 per 250 for the remainder exceeding 400 | 1 per 50 for the first 400 and 1 per 150 for the remainder exceeding 400 | 1 per 250 for the first 750 and 1 per 500 for the remainder exceeding 750 | — | 1 per 1,000 | 1 service sink | ||||
Auditoriums without permanent seating, art galleries, exhibition halls, museums, lecture halls, libraries, arcades and gymnasiumsd | 1 per 125 | 1 per 65 | 1 per 200 | — | 1 per 500 | 1 service sink | ||||
Passenger terminals and transportation facilitiesd | 1 per 500 | 1 per 500 | 1 per 750 | — | 1 per 1,000 | 1 service sink | ||||
Places of worship and other religious servicesd | 1 per 150 | 1 per 75 | 1 per 200 | — | 1 per 1,000 | 1 service sink | ||||
Coliseums, arenas, skating rinks, pools and tennis courts for indoor sporting events and activitiesf | 1 per 75 for the first 1,500 and 1 per 120 for the remainder exceeding 1,500 | 1 per 40 for the first 1,520 and 1 per 60 for the remainder exceeding 1,520 | 1 per 200 | 1 per 150 | — | 1 per 1,000 | 1 service sink | |||
Stadiums, amusement parks, bleachers and grandstands for outdoor sporting events and activitiesf | 1 per 75 for the first 1,500 and 1 per 120 for the remainder exceeding 1,500 | 1 per 40 for the first 1,520 and 1 per 60 for the remainder exceeding 1,520 | 1 per 200 | 1 per 150 | — | 1 per 1,000 | 1 service sink | |||
2 | Business | Buildings for the transaction of business, nonmedical professional services, other services involving merchandise, office buildings, banks, light industrial and similar uses | 1 per 25 for the first 50 and 1 per 50 for the remainder exceeding 50 | 1 per 40 for the first 80 and 1 per 80 for the remainder exceeding 80 | — | 1 per 100 | 1 service sinke | |||
Ambulatory care facilities and outpatient clinics | 1 per 25 for the first 50 and 1 per 50 for the remainder exceeding 50 | 1 per 25 for the first 50 and 1 per 50 for the remainder exceeding 50 | 1 per 50 | — | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink per floor | ||||
3 | Educational | Educational facilities | 1 per 50 | 1 per 50 | — | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink | |||
4 | Factory and industrial | Structures in which occupants are engaged in work fabricating, assembly or processing of products or materials | 1 per 100 | 1 per 100 | — | 1 per 400 | 1 service sink | |||
5 | Institutional | Alcohol and drug centersb | 1 per 10 care recipients | 1 per 10 care recipients | 1 per 8 care recipients | — | — | |||
Assisted living and residential board and care facilities with care recipients who receive custodial care | Sleeping units for care recipientc | 1 per 2 sleeping units | 1 per 2 sleeping units | 1 per 8 sleeping units | ||||||
Dwelling units for care recipients | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per dwelling unit | — | 1 kitchen sink per dwelling unit | |||||
Employee facilities | 1 per 60 care recipient units | 1 per 60 care recipient units | — | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink per floor | |||||
Visitor facilities | 1 per 75 care recipient units. | 1 per 75 care recipient units | — | — | — | |||||
Nursing homesb | Sleeping units for care recipientsc | 1 per 2 care recipient sleeping units | 1 per 2 care recipient sleeping units | 1 per 8 care recipient sleeping units | — | — | ||||
Employee facilities | 1 per 60 care recipient units | 1 per 60 care recipient sleeping units | — | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink per floor | |||||
Visitor facilities | 1 per 75 care recipient units | 1 per 75 care recipient sleeping rooms | — | — | — | |||||
Hospitalsb | Sleeping units for care recipients | 1 per care recipient sleeping unit | 1 per care recipient sleeping unit | 1 per 100 care recipient sleeping units | — | |||||
Care recipient treatment areas | 1 per 25 care recipient treatment rooms | 1 per 50 care recipient treatment room s | — | 1 per 100 | — | |||||
Employee facilities | 1 per 25 care recipient sleeping units or treatment rooms | 1 per 35 care recipient sleeping units or treatment rooms | 1 per 50 care recipient sleeping units or treatment rooms | — | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink per floor | ||||
Visitor facilities | 1 per 75 care recipient sleeping units or treatment rooms | 1 per 100 care recipient sleeping units or treatment rooms | 1 per 50 care recipient sleeping units or treatment rooms | — | 1 per 500 | — | ||||
Employees in hospitals and nursing homesb | 1 per 25 | 1 per 35 | — | 1 per 100 | — | |||||
Visitors in hospitals and nursing homes | 1 per 75 | 1 per 100 | — | 1 per 500 | — | |||||
Prisonsb | 1 per cell | 1 per cell | 1 per 15 | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink | |||||
Reformatories, detention centers and correctional centersb | Cells | 1 per 15 | 1 per 15 | 1 per 15 | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink | ||||
Congregate Living Facilities | 1 per 15 | 1 per 15 | 1 per 15 | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink | |||||
Employees | 1 per 25 | 1 per 35 | — | 1 per 100 | — | |||||
Adult day care and child day care | 1 per 15 | 1 per 15 | 1 | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink | |||||
6 | Mercantile | Retail stores, service stations, shops, salesrooms, markets and shopping centers | 1 per 500 | 1 per 750 | — | 1 per 1,000 | 1 service sinke | |||
7 | Residential | Hotels, motels, boarding houses (transient) | 1 per dwelling or sleeping unit | 1 per dwelling or sleeping unit | 1 per dwelling or sleeping unit | — | 1 service sink | |||
Dormitories, fraternities, sororities and boarding houses (not transient) | 1 per 10 | 1 per 10 | 1 per 8 | 1 per 100 | 1 service sink | |||||
Apartment house | 1 per dwelling unit or sleeping unit | 1 per dwelling unit or sleeping unit | 1 per dwelling unit or sleeping unit | — | 1 kitchen sink per dwelling unit; 1 automatic clothes washer connection per 20 dwelling units | |||||
Congregate living facilities with 16 or fewer care recipients receiving custodial care | 1 per 10 | 1 per 10 | 1 per 8 | 1 kitchen sink | ||||||
One- and two-family dwellings and lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per dwelling unit | — | 1 kitchen sink per dwelling unit; 1 automatic clothes washer connection per dwelling unit | |||||
8 | Storage | Structures for the storage of goods, warehouses, storehouse and freight depots. Low and Moderate Hazard. | 1 per 100 | 1 per 100 | — | 1 per 1,000 | 1 service sink | |||
- a.
The fixtures shown are based on one fixture being the minimum required for the number of persons indicated or any fraction of the number of persons indicated. The number of occupants shall be determined by this code.
- b.
Toilet facilities for employees shall be separate from facilities for inmates or care recipients.
- c.
A single-occupant toilet room with one water closet and one lavatory serving not more than two adjacent patient sleeping units shall be permitted, provided that each patient sleeping unit has direct access to the toilet room and provisions for privacy for the toilet room user are provided.
- d.
The occupant load for seasonal outdoor seating and entertainment areas shall be included when determining the minimum number of facilities required.
- e.
For business and mercantile classifications with an occupant load of 15 or fewer, a service sink shall not be required.
- f.
[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.
Exceptions:
- 1.
The total occupant load shall not be required to be divided in half where approved statistical data indicates a distribution of the sexes of other than 50 percent of each sex.
➡
[P] 2902.1.2 Fixtures in single-user toilet facilities and bathing rooms.
The plumbing fixtures located in single-user toilet facilities and single-user rooms, including family or assisted-use toilet facilities and bathing rooms, shall contribute toward the total number of required plumbing fixtures for a building or tenant space. The number of fixtures in single-user toilet facilities, single-user bathing rooms and family or assisted-use toilet facilities shall be deducted proportionately from the required gender ratios of Table 2902.1. Single-user toilet facilities and bathing rooms, and family or assisted-use toilet facilities and bathing rooms shall be identified as being available for use by all persons regardless of their sex.
The total number of fixtures shall be based on the required number of separate facilities or based on the aggregate of any combination of single-user or separate facilities.
[P] 2902.1.3 Lavatory distribution.
Where two or more toilet facilities are provided for each sex, the required number of lavatories shall be distributed proportionately to the required number of male- and female-designated water closets.
[P] 2902.2 Separate facilities.
Where plumbing fixtures are required, separate facilities shall be provided for each sex.
Exceptions:
- 1.
Separate toilet facilities shall not be required for dwelling units and sleeping units.
- 2.
Separate toilet facilities shall not be required in structures or tenant spaces with a total occupant load, including both employees and customers, of 15 or fewer.
- 3.
Separate toilet facilities shall not be required in mercantile occupancies in which the maximum occupant load is 100 or fewer.
- 4.
Separate toilet facilities shall not be required in business occupancies in which the maximum occupant load is 25 or fewer.
- 5.
➡
[P] 2902.3 Employee and public toilet facilities.
For structures and tenant spaces intended for public utilization, customers, patrons and visitors shall be provided with public toilet facilities. Employees associated with structures and tenant spaces shall be provided with toilet facilities. The number of plumbing fixtures located within the required toilet facilities shall be provided in accordance with Section 2902 for all users. Employee toilet facilities shall be either separate or combined employee and public toilet facilities.
Exception: Public toilet facilities shall not be required for:
- 1.
Parking garages where operated without parking attendants.
- 2.
Structures and tenant spaces intended for quick transactions, including takeout, pickup and drop-off, having a public access area less than or equal to 300 square feet (28 m2).
[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 toilet facilities shall be from within the building or from the exterior of the building. The public shall have access to the required toilet facilities at all times that the building is occupied.
[P] 2902.3.2 Prohibited location for toilet facilities.
Toilet facilities shall not open directly into a room used for the preparation of food for service to the public.
[P] 2902.3.3 Location of toilet facilities in occupancies other than malls.
In occupancies other than covered and open 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 500 feet (152 m).
Exceptions:
- 1.
The location and maximum distances of travel to required employee facilities in factory and industrial occupancies shall be permitted to exceed that required by this section, provided that the location and maximum distances of travel are approved.
- 2.
The location and maximum distances of travel to required public and employee facilities in Group S occupancies shall be permitted to exceed that required by this section, provided that the location and maximum distances of travel are approved.
[P] 2902.3.4 Location of toilet facilities in malls.
In covered and open 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 m). In mall buildings, the required facilities shall be based on total square footage (m2) within a covered mall building or within the perimeter line of an open mall building, and facilities shall be installed in each individual store or in a central toilet area located in accordance with this section. The maximum distance of travel to central toilet facilities in mall buildings shall be measured from the main entrance of any store or tenant space. In mall buildings, where employees’ toilet facilities are not provided in the individual store, the maximum distance of travel shall be measured from the employees’ work area of the store or tenant space.
[P] 2902.3.5 Pay facilities.
Where pay toilet facilities are installed, such toilet facilities shall be in excess of the required minimum toilet facilities. Required toilet facilities shall be free of charge.
[P] 2902.3.6 Door locking.
Where a toilet facility is provided for the use of multiple occupants, the egress door for the room shall not be lockable from the inside of the room. This section does not apply to family or assisted-use toilet facilities.
Exception: The egress door of a multiple occupant toilet room shall be permitted to be lockable from inside the room where all the following criteria are met:
- 1.
The egress door shall be lockable from the inside of the room only by authorized personnel by the use of a key or other approved means.
- 2.
- 3.
The egress door shall be capable of being unlocked from outside the room with a key or other approved means.
[P] 2902.4 Signage.
Required public toilet facilities shall be provided with signs that indicate whether the facility is to be used by males, by females, or by all persons regardless of sex. Signs shall be readily visible and located near the entrance to each toilet facility. Signs for accessible toilet facilities shall comply with Section 1112.
[P] 2902.4.1 Directional signage.
Directional signage indicating the route to the required public toilet facilities shall be posted in a lobby, corridor, aisle or similar space, such that the sign can be readily seen from the main entrance to the building or tenant space.
[P] 2902.5 Drinking fountain location.
Drinking fountains shall not be required to be located in individual tenant spaces provided that public drinking fountains are located within a distance of travel of 500 feet (152 m) of the most remote location in the tenant space and not more than one story above or below the tenant space. Where the tenant space is in a covered or open mall, such distance shall not exceed 300 feet (91 m).
[P] 2902.6 Small occupancies.
Drinking fountains shall not be required for an occupant load of 15 or fewer.
[P] 2902.7 Service sink location.
Service sinks shall not be required to be located in individual tenant spaces in a covered mall provided that service sinks are located within a distance of travel of 300 feet (91 m) of the most remote location in the tenant space and not more than one story above or below the tenant space. Service sinks shall be located on an accessible route.
[P] Section 2903 Installation of Fixtures
[P] 2903.1 Setting.
Fixtures shall be set level and in proper alignment with reference to adjacent walls.
[P] 2903.1.1 Water closets, urinals, lavatories and bidets.
A water closet, urinal, lavatory or bidet shall not be set closer than 15 inches (381 mm) from its center to any side wall, partition, vanity or other obstruction. Where partitions or other obstructions do not separate adjacent water closets, urinals or bidets, the fixtures shall not be set closer than 30 inches (762 mm) center to center between adjacent fixtures or adjacent water closets, urinals or bidets. There shall be not less than a 21-inch (533 mm) clearance in front of a water closet, urinal, lavatory or bidet to any wall, fixture or door. Water closet compartments shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in width and not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) in depth for floor-mounted water closets and not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in width and 56 inches (1422 mm) in depth for wall-hung water closets.
Exception: An accessible children’s water closet shall be set not closer than 12 inches (305 mm) from its center to the required partition or to the wall on one side.
[P] 2903.1.2 Public lavatories.
In employee and public toilet rooms, the required lavatory shall be located in the same room as the required water closet.
[P] 2903.1.3 Location of fixtures and piping.
Piping, fixtures or equipment shall not be located in such a manner as to interfere with the normal operation of windows, doors or other means of egress openings.