CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1

GENERAL:

1. The objective of this guideline is to provide minimum standards for design and installation of
exterior and interior plumbing systems to provide a durable, functional maintainable system
which reduces failures over the life of the facility.

2. Design simplicity is emphasized with consideration to maintenance and expansion.

3. Maximum consideration shall be given to water and energy conservation within the limits of
life cycle cost effectiveness

4. The health and safety of building occupants shall be the highest priority

5. Ensure construction drawings include details for all the proposed firestopping systems that
could be encountered on the project based on the construction type and rating of the
assemblies being penetrated. A specific Division 22 firestopping spec can be inserted, or
reference related section 078400 for details.

DESIGN GUIDELINES:

1. This design guideline establishes the basic requirements for the design of plumbing systems
including functions, capacities, plumbing codes, industry standards and system and material
limitations.

2. Plumbing system design includes all of the following components and systems:

2.1. Backflow prevention 2.7. Sanitary drainage

2.2. Pressure boosting equipment 2.8. Lab waste drainage
2.3. Water softeners 2.9. Storm water drainage
2.4. Water heating equipment 2.10. Under slab drainage
2.5. Domestic hot/cold water distribution 2.11. Sewage ejection equipment
2.6. Non-potable hot/cold water
distribution

3. All design calculations shall be based on the following references

3.1. Potable and non-potable water distribution IPC

3.2. Sanitary waste and vent IPC
3.3. Lab waste and vent IPC
3.4. Service Water Heating ASHRAE Applications
3.5. Compressed Air
3.6. Vacuum
3.7. Natural Gas IFGC

4. Riser diagrams for all systems shall include a fixture unit schedule or summary of design basis for

Page 1 of 8 220100
CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1
review.

5. Coordination

5.1. Coordination of design is critical to a successful building project. During the design phase of
a project, promptly notify architect, structural, civil and electrical engineers of changes which
affect their work. Coordination should include but, is not limited to the following:

5.2. Architect shall

5.2.1. Provide the layout of roof drainage points, restrooms, kitchens locker-room, electric
water coolers, janitors closets etc. to the engineer.
5.2.2. Indicate the ceiling heights where piping must be concealed.
5.2.3. Comply with ADAAG requirements.
5.3. Civil/Structural shall:
5.3.1. Provide the site plan with locations of sanitary, storm and water distribution systems
and connection points including piping inverts on sanitary and storm.
5.4. Plumbing engineer shall
5.4.1. Provide information to the electrical engineer of electrical requirements of pumps,
water heaters, and electric water coolers.
5.4.2. Shall select all plumbing fixtures and coordinate aesthetics with architect.
5.4.3. Shall relate to the architect and structural engineer chase locations and access door
requirements.

6. Backflow Prevention

6.1. All building service shall be provided with back flow preventers at the point of building
entry. No metering devices, taps, or other fittings will be located upstream of the backflow
preventer. However, if a common supply serves both the domestic water system and the fire
protection system, it is preferred the two systems split immediately upon entering the
building. Install the backflow preventer for each system at this point.
6.2. As directed by the Project Manager, install two (2) backflow preventers each at 60%
capacity.
6.3. Additional backflow preventers are required by IPC code on the following systems:
6.3.1. Non Potable water distribution for use in laboratories
6.3.2. Animal watering systems
6.3.3. Hydronic hot water or chilled water systems
6.3.4. Etc. where needed
6.4. The presence of a backflow preventer will prevent hot water from expanding into the water
supply. Provide a properly designed expansion tank to address thermal expansion in hot
water plumbing systems.
6.5. All backflow preventers shall be located and configured to allow ready accessibility for
maintenance and testing. Minimum clearance is 24” in all directions.
6.6. No backflow preventers will be located more than 4’ above the floor level.
6.7. Vertical backflow preventers will not be allowed unless approved by the project manager.
6.8. Pit installations of backflow preventers will not be allowed.
6.9. Drainage from backflow preventers shall be gravity drained to a floor sink of sufficient size
to handle flow.
Page 2 of 8 220100
CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1

7. Pressure Boosting Equipment

7.1. Designer shall calculate the residual pressure available after the building backflow preventer
and the required pressure at the top floor of the facility and evaluate the need for a pressure
boosting system.
7.2. The minimum residual pressure at the top floor of a building shall be 30 PSI.
7.3. Pressure boosting systems shall consist of a minimum duplex pump system complete with
adjustable speed drives and a programmable control system.
7.4. Designer shall evaluate the need for a storage tank in the system.
7.5. If a Booster pump is required for any part of the building system, then it shall be used for the
entire building system.

8. Water softeners

8.1. A water softener is required for all domestic or non-potable water heaters
8.2. Other systems such as water service for Autoclaves may also benefit from using soft water
8.3. Size water softener capacity based on local water chemistry analysis provided by the utility
or the Project Manager.
8.4. Water softeners shall be located in a room easily accessible by a pallet jack with a pallet of
salt. Space shall be provided for at least one pallet of salt next to the brine tank. Large
systems may require additional space. Under NO circumstances shall salt delivery and
handling require the use of stairs.

9. Water Heating Equipment

9.1. Water heater shall be a steam fired, semi-instantaneous, vertical storage heater or steam fired
instantaneous as directed by the Project Manager.
9.2. Where campus steam is not available, consultant may use natural gas fired heaters. Gas
water heaters shall be a high efficiency, powered vent design with both PVC combustion and
vent piping. Electric water heaters will only be allowed if approved by Project Manager.
9.3. Water heater shall be capable of entering a mechanical room through a standard 3’-0” x 6’-8”
door. Maximum capacity of this size tank will be about 200 gallons.
9.4. After the engineer calculates the initial storage capacity and recovery, the engineer shall
provide an equivalent overall system based on a smaller storage tank and larger recovery coil.
9.5. Multiple tanks are acceptable and may be required to meet demand.
9.6. Design temperature rise shall be 40F -140F.

10. All Piping Systems

10.1. No plumbing piping shall run through electrical rooms or elevator equipment rooms. This
includes hot, cold, waste, vent, storm, piping systems.
10.2. There will be no floor drains in electrical rooms.
10.3. Relate to the structural engineer specific requirements for pipe routing and equipment
supports.
10.4. Structural members shall not be modified to accommodate piping.

Page 3 of 8 220100
CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1
11. Domestic hot/cold water distribution

11.1. Follow generally accepted practices found in IPC, ASHRAE, ASPE resources. Please note
that 2015 IPC has a more stringent limitation for lead content in pipe, pipe fittings, joints,
valves, faucets and fixture fittings that convey water used for drinking and cooking.
Specifically, IPC 605.2.1 Lead Content of Drinking Water Pipe and Fittings. Pipe, pipe
fittings, joints, valves, faucets and fixture fittings utilized to supply water for drinking or
cooking purposes shall comply with NSF 372 and shall have a weighted average lead content
of 0.25 percent or less.
11.2. Provide adequate shutoff zoning valves for maintenance. Typically, at each floor, each
branch or each restroom. DO NOT locate them in front of the restroom door.
11.3. Provide an accessible shutoff valve for each exterior wall hydrant
11.4. Provide a minimum of one exterior wall hydrant on each exterior wall and at least one wall
hydrant every 100 lineal feet of exterior wall.

12. Non-potable hot/cold water distribution

12.1. Follow generally accepted practices found in IPC, ASHRAE, ASPE resources.
12.2. Provide adequate shutoff zoning valves for maintenance, typically at each floor and/or each
branch.
12.3. Provide shutoff valves for each laboratory, but not in front of the lab door.
12.4. Label non-potable water at each outlet and at each sink.

13. Hot Water Recirculation

13.1. Hot water piping systems layout shall minimize the amount of recirculation piping required.
A majority of heat loss in a hot water system comes from the re-circulation piping.
13.2. Use ASHRAE Applications, Chapter 49, Figure 2, as guidelines for system layout.
13.3. Each return branch shall have a calibrated balance valve.
13.4. Flow from each branch shall be as follows:
13.4.1. .5 gpm for a ¾: or 1” riser
13.4.2. 1 gpm for 1 ¼:” and 1 ½: risers
13.4.3. 2 gpm for risers 2” and larger.
13.5. Pipe flow velocity in return lines shall not exceed 2 fps.
13.6. Hot water recirculation pumps shall be close coupled, with a non-metal impeller. A main
circuit setter shall be located on the discharge side of the pump.
13.7. Pump start-stop shall be connected to building automation system (i.e. Metasys for MU,
Honeywell for UMKC, etc.) for scheduling.
13.8. Storage temperature shall be 130F. Delivery temperature shall be 120F
13.9. Department equipment requiring higher temperatures, a separate booster heater shall be
provided with the equipment.

14. Sanitary drainage

14.1. Follow generally accepted practices found in IPC, ASPE resources.

14.2. In accordance with the IPC, all drainage systems located above the exterior sanitary sewer
flowline elevations shall be GRAVITY flow.
Page 4 of 8 220100
CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1
14.3. Where a portion of the building drainage system is below the exterior sanitary sewer
flowline elevations, the flow from that portion shall flow to a tightly covered and vented
sump. A sump pump shall lift and discharge the effluent into the building gravity drainage
system.
14.4. The connection point for pumped flow SHALL BE into the nearest manhole. Pumped flow
shall not be connected into the building gravity flow unless approved by the Project
Manager.
14.5. All sump pump stations shall be duplex.
14.5.1. Exception: A simplex pump is acceptable for non- critical, clean water locations
such as a condensate pump pit.
14.6. If the Project Manager approves tying the pumped flow into the gravity drain, the building
drain shall be sized to accept full pump flow to avoid backing up into the gravity system.
One (1) gpm of sump pump flow will count as 2 Fixture Units for drainage calculation
purposes.
14.6.1. While the basement fixture determines the sump pump sizing, the actual pump flow
and head will determine the Fixture Units used for the final building drain sizing
calculation.

15. Lab waste drainage

15.1. Follow generally accepted practices found in IPC, ASPE resources.

15.2. Provide serviceable (easily removable) P-traps at all lab sinks. Refer to Acid resistant piping
per 221000 Plumbing Piping and Specialties.
15.3. Acid Dilution Tanks are prohibited. Note: It is policy that users may be permitted to
neutralize small amounts of mild corrosives prior to drain disposal. Even if that happens, the
point is to neutralize the materials before drain disposal, negating the need for an acid
dilution tank. Acid resistant piping is still required up to the main riser should the user fail to
properly neutralize the material.

16. Storm water drainage

16.1. Follow generally accepted practices found in IPC, ASPE resources.

16.2. Roof Drainage
16.2.1. Architectural considerations typically dictate roof design and thus the roof drainage
system. In as much as it is possible, the intent of these guidelines should be used in
the design of the roof drainage system.
16.2.2. Interior storm drainage piping is required unless another method is approved by the
Project Manager. Exterior downspouts are not acceptable.
16.2.3. Where secondary (emergency) drains are required, preference shall be given to
scuppers first and a secondary piping system second.
16.2.4. Secondary (emergency) roof drains shall not be located in the same sump as the
primary roof drain.
16.2.5. Secondary (emergency) drains, both scuppers and interior piped systems shall
discharge their drainage in a visible location THAT DOES NOT CAUSE
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS such as on water on a sidewalk that freezes in the
winter.
16.2.6. Roof drainage system shall NOT connect to the foundation or under slab drainage
Page 5 of 8 220100
CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1
system.
16.2.7. The base of the roof drain and all horizontal roof drain lines to the main vertical
stack shall be insulated.

17. Foundation drainage

17.1. All below grade buildings shall have an exterior footing drainage system.
17.2. Drainage system shall be gravity where possible.
17.3. Where the footing drains are below the storm water flowline, bring the footing drainage into
the basement of the building to a clean water sump pump system. This system shall
discharge to the storm water sewer through a dedicated piping system.

18. Under slab drainage

18.1. Where soil testing indicates the presence of underground water and the need for an under
slab drainage system, the systems shall drain by gravity to the storm sewer where possible.
18.2. Where the under slab drains are below the storm water flowline, bring the drainage to a
clean water sump pump system. This system shall discharge to the storm water sewer
through a dedicated piping system.
18.3. The under-floor system and the foundation drain may be brought to a common sump pump
but, collection piping shall not be combined. Each system should have a separate inlet to
the sump.

19. Elevator pit and groundwater drainage systems

19.1. [See Division 14 Conveying Systems] regarding plumbing requirements including sump
basins and pumps. Coordinate with all disciplines.

20. Elevator pit exterior drainage.

20.1. See Division 14 Conveying Systems regarding the plumbing requirements and coordinate
with all disciplines.
20.2. In essence, these guidelines convey that we DO NOT combine the higher under slab or
footing drainage system with the lower elevator pit drainage system. Discharge from the
elevator pit must be separated and not tied into the building storm sewer lines for any
campus without approval of the University Engineer.

21. Sump Pumps

21.1. All pumps shall be submersible type

21.2. Elevator sump pumps shall be oil minder type pumps
21.3. Sump Pumps for clean water waste (e.g. under slab drainage) shall be submersible effluent
sump pumps
21.4. Sump pumps for sanitary waste shall be grinder type pumps.

22. Sump Pump Controls

22.1. At the MU campus, MU Facility Operations will provide a control panel for contractor
Page 6 of 8 220100
CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1
installation. This does not apply to u/g utilities such as steam chases or electrical vaults.
See 220100 Sump Pump Electrical Detail_MU.pdf.
22.2. Each pump system requires the following electrical service to the control panel:
22.2.1. Separate power for each sump pump. Electrical service to be determined.
22.2.2. 120 volt control power circuit
22.2.3. Alarm System
22.3. All float switches shall be mounted above the sump.
22.4. Floats shall be stainless steel.

REFERENCES

Drawings attached:
 Plumbing Water Supply Diagram

Drawings on UM FPD webpage for Consultant Procedures and Design Guidelines

 220100 Sump Pump Electrical Detail_MU.pdf
 220100 Mechanical Room Floor Drain Detail.pdf (NEW)
 220100 Mechanical Room Floor Drain Typical Locations.pdf (NEW)
 220100 Rain Leader Detail.pdf (NEW)

Page 7 of 8 220100
CONSULTANT PROCEDURES & DESIGN GUIDELINES UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
22 0100 Plumbing System Design 2024 Q1

Page 8 of 8 220100