C404.3 Efficient heated water supply piping. Heated water supply piping shall be in accordance with Section C404.3.1 or C404.3.2. The flow rate through 1/4-inch (6.4 mm) piping shall be not greater than 0.5 gpm (1.9 L/m). The flow rate through 5/16-inch (7.9 mm) piping shall be not greater than 1 gpm (3.8 L/m). The flow rate through 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) piping shall be not greater than 1.5 gpm (5.7 L/m). Water heaters, circulating water systems and heat trace temperature maintenance systems shall be considered sources of heated water.
C404.3.1 Maximum allowable pipe length method. The maximum allowable piping length from the nearest source of heater water to the termination of the fixture supply pipe shall be in accordance with the following. Where the piping contains more than one size of pipe, the largest size of pipe within the piping shall be used for determining the maximum allowable length of the piping in Table C404.3.1.
1. For a public lavatory faucet, use the "Public lavatory faucets" column in Table C404.3.1.
2. For all other plumbing fixtures and plumbing appliances, use the "Other fixtures and appliances" column in Table C404.3.1.
Table C404.3.1
Piping Volume and Maximum Piping Lengths
Nominal Pipe Size (inches) | Volume (liquid ounces per foot length) | Maximum Piping Length (feet) |
Public lavatory faucets | Other fixtures and appliances |
1/4 | 0.33 | 6 | 50 |
5/16 | 0.5 | 4 | 50 |
3/8 | 0.75 | 3 | 50 |
1/2 | 1.5 | 2 | 43 |
5/8 | 2 | 1 | 32 |
3/4 | 3 | 0.5 | 21 |
7/8 | 4 | 0.5 | 16 |
1 | 5 | 0.5 | 13 |
1 1/4 | 8 | 0.5 | 8 |
1 1/2 | 11 | 0.5 | 6 |
2 or larger | 18 | 0.5 | 4 |
C404.3.2 Maximum allowable pipe volume method. The water volume in the piping shall be calculated in accordance with Section C404.3.2.1.
The volume from the nearest source of heated water to the termination of the fixture supply pipe shall be as follows:
1. For a public lavatory faucet: Not more than 2 ounces (0.06 L).
2. For other plumbing fixtures or plumbing appliances; not more than 0.5 gallon (1.89 L).
C404.3.2.1 Water volume determination. The volume shall be the sum of the internal volumes of pipe, fittings, valves, meters and manifolds between the nearest source of heated water and the termination of the fixture supply pipe. The volume in the piping shall be determined from the "Volume" column in Table C404.3.1. The volume contained within fixture shutoff valves, within flexible water supply connectors to a fixture fitting and within a fixture fitting shall not be included in the water volume determination. Where heated water is supplied by a recirculating system or heat-traced piping, the volume shall include the portion of the fitting on the branch pipe that supplies water to the fixture.