Section 403
Minimum Plumbing Facilities
Robert W. Clarke, Plumbing Inspector
Olean Municipal Building, Room 212
P.O. Box 668,101 E. State St.
Olean, New York 14760 (716) 376-5683, (716) 376-5707 (fax)
The occupant load used for calculating the number of fixtures required is the same occupant load used for the determination of means of egress. The methods for calculating the occupant load are found in the building code and are not duplicated in the code. By using this means of egress occupant load, there is a consistency of occupant load calculations for the application of building code and the requirements of the code.
The occupant load of a building determined by the purposes of exiting does not always reflect day-to-day occupant loads; however, the table takes this into account by modifying the values for determining the number of fixtures. It should be noted that the number of fixtures required based on Table 403.1 is to be considered the minimum number acceptable.
Table 403.1 is presented in a simple straight-line ratio for the determination of the minimum number of plumbing fixtures. To aid in the use of the table, the type of building category has been listed by occupancy designation. The occupancy identification parallels the classification listed in the building code. See Table 403.1.
The user simply identifies the occupancy of the building and uses the ratio to determine the amount of water closets, lavatories, bathtubs, showers (where applicable), drinking fountains, and sinks needed for the structure.
Section 419.2
Substitution for water closets - In each bathroom or toilet room, urinals shall not be substituted for more than 67% of the required water closets in assembly and educational occupancies. This would apply to both men's and women's facilities. For example, if four water closets are required in a men's room, the design professional may choose to install two water closets and two urinals, or three water closets and one urinal. If three urinals are installed, however, two water closets are also required. Urinals shall not be substituted for more than 50% of the required water closets in all other occupancies.