Pipes & Repiping

FL Fixture Unit Load Calculator

WSFU Reference — FPC Table 604.3

Fixture Private (WSFU) Public (WSFU)
Toilet (flush tank) 2.5 5.0
Toilet (flushometer) 6.0 10.0
Lavatory / bathroom sink 1.0 2.0
Bathtub (with shower) 2.0 4.0
Shower stall 2.0 4.0
Kitchen sink 1.5 3.0
Dishwasher (domestic) 1.5
Laundry tray 1.5 3.0
Washing machine 3.0
Hose bib (sillcock) 2.5 5.0
Urinal (flush tank) 3.0
Service sink 3.0 3.0
Bar sink 1.0 2.0
Ice maker 0.5 1.0
Water softener 1.0

Supply Pipe Sizing — FPC Table 604.4

Total WSFU Min Pipe Size Typical Use
Up to 3 1/2 inch Single fixture branch
4–6 3/4 inch Small bath group
7–15 3/4 inch Small residence
16–30 1 inch Medium home
31–60 1-1/4 inch Large home / small commercial
61–100 1-1/2 inch Multi-bath commercial
101–180 2 inch Medium commercial
181–300 2-1/2 inch Large commercial
301+ 3 inch + Large commercial / multi-family

FL note: FL pressure averages 65–75 PSI at the meter. Homes with street pressure under 50 PSI (common in older South FL): pipe one size up from table minimum to compensate for pressure loss at peak demand.

DFU Reference — FPC Table 702.1

Fixture DFU Value Trap Size
Toilet 4 3"
Lavatory / sink 1 1-1/4"
Bathtub 2 1-1/2"
Shower stall 2 2"
Kitchen sink 2 1-1/2"
Dishwasher 2 (connects to KS)
Washing machine 3 2"
Laundry tray 2 1-1/2"
Floor drain 2 2"
Urinal (wall hung) 4 2"
Service sink 3 3"
Bar / prep sink 1 1-1/2"

Drain Pipe Sizing — FPC Table 702.3 (1/4" per foot slope)

Pipe Size Max DFU (Horiz) Max DFU (Stack) Max DFU (Building)
1-1/4" 1 2
1-1/2" 3 4
2" 6 10
2-1/2" 12 20
3" 20 48 36
4" 160 240 216
5" 360 540 480
6" 620 960 840

Vent Pipe Sizing — FPC Table 906.1

Drain Pipe Size Min Vent Size Max Vent Length
1-1/4" 1-1/4" 45 ft
1-1/2" 1-1/4" 60 ft
2" 1-1/2" 120 ft
3" 2" 180 ft
4" 3" 212 ft
6" 4" 300 ft

FL slab homes note: Most FL homes are slab-on-grade — DWV under-slab runs are cast before the pour and cannot be easily changed. Verify existing under-slab drain sizes before adding fixtures. Adding a bathroom to a FL slab home requires saw-cutting and breaking the slab.

FPC 2023 Key Sizing Code Sections

Section Topic Key Rule
§604.1 Supply sizing general Size per WSFU Table 604.3; velocity max 8 ft/sec
§604.3 Fixture unit table WSFU by fixture, private vs public
§604.4 Supply pipe sizing Pipe diameter by total WSFU
§604.6 Velocity limits Max 8 ft/sec supply; max 4 ft/sec final branch
§604.8 Pipe support Copper horizontal 6 ft max; vertical 10 ft max
§701.1 DWV general Gravity drainage unless approved ejector
§702.1 DFU fixture table Fixture unit values
§702.3 Drain pipe sizing Diameter by DFU
§706.3 Drain slope Min 1/4" per foot for 3" and smaller; 1/8" for 4"+
§708.1 Cleanout access At base of each stack and each 100 ft horizontal
§906.1 Vent pipe sizing Min vent by drain served; max length per §906
§912.1 Wet venting Permitted residential with limits

Most Common FL Pipe Sizing Violations

  • 3/4" supply main to full house: Many 1970s–1990s FL homes have undersized 3/4" copper mains; adding fixtures now triggers sizing upgrades.
  • S-traps: Prohibited (self-siphon risk); flagged during any WH or repipe permit.
  • 2" drain for 3 toilets: Each toilet 4 DFUs; a 2" horizontal drain maxes at 6 DFUs. Three toilets (12 DFUs) require a 4" drain.
  • No cleanout at stack base: FPC §708 requires a cleanout at the base of each stack within 2 feet.
  • ABS pipe: Prohibited in Florida — PVC Schedule 40 or DWV required.
  • Vent too small or missing: In FL slab homes venting is often inadequate; wet venting per §912 offers a workaround.

Commercial — County-Specific Notes

County Commercial Notes
Miami-Dade Structural engineer-stamped plans for commercial over $25K; separate MEP review; water dept approval for mains >2"
Broward Fire suppression + plumbing submitted together; grease interceptor sizing requires Health Dept sign-off for food service
Hillsborough Tampa Water Dept approval for backflow on commercial mains; permits via HCBCC portal; plan review 10–14 days
Orange Separate plumbing plan submittal; OC Utilities must approve tap for water service above 1"
Palm Beach Commercial WH and supply pipe require licensed Mechanical and Plumbing Engineer of Record stamp

Typical FL Residential Fixture Unit Loads

Home Type Typical WSFUs Typical DFUs Min Supply Main
2BR/1BA condo 12–16 14–18 3/4"
3BR/2BA single family 20–28 22–32 1"
4BR/3BA single family 28–40 30–45 1–1-1/4"
5BR/4BA large home 40–60 45–65 1-1/4–1-1/2"
Duplex (each unit) 20–30 22–35 1" per unit
Small commercial (1 restroom) 20–35 25–40 1–1-1/4"
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