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High-Low Drinking Fountains: How Many Do You Really Need?

jar546

jar546

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One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of plumbing code compliance is the use of high-low drinking fountains. A recent discussion raised the question: If three drinking fountains are required by code, can you meet the requirement by installing two high-low fountains at opposite ends of a corridor?

Let’s break this down using principles found in the 2018, 2021, and 2024 editions of the International Plumbing Code (IPC).

Understanding the Code Intent​

Per Section 410.3 of the IPC, a single high-low fountain counts as two separate fixtures — one positioned at standard height for standing users and the other at a lower height accessible to individuals using wheelchairs. This dual-height setup ensures compliance with accessibility requirements under both the IPC and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

So when you install two high-low drinking fountains, you’re effectively providing four drinking fountains — two for standing users and two accessible.

The Practical Application​

In a scenario where three drinking fountains are required (per IPC Table 403.1), providing two high-low units exceeds the minimum requirement. This configuration not only satisfies the count but ensures accessibility at both ends of the corridor, improving usability and compliance.

Important Takeaways​

  • High-low fountains count as two: one standard, one accessible.
  • Two high-low units = four drinking fountains.
  • If the requirement is for three, then two high-low fountains are more than sufficient.
  • This interpretation applies across multiple IPC code cycles, including 2018, 2021, and 2024.
This kind of clarity is crucial for plans examiners, designers, and inspectors, especially in educational, institutional, and commercial applications where fixture counts can quickly become a compliance issue.

While this article is based on guidance provided by the International Code Council's (ICC) premium interpretation service, the content here is paraphrased and presented for educational purposes only.
 
The California Plumbing Code, which is based on the UPC and not the IPC, still confuses me. Its definition section 206 considers the overall fixture, not the # of spouts:


Drinking Fountain​

A plumbing fixture connected to the potable water distribution system and sanitary drainage system that provides drinking water in a flowing stream so that the user can consume water directly from the fixture without the use of accessories. Drinking fountains should also incorporate a bottle filling station and can incorporate a water filter and a cooling system for chilling the drinking water.
 
Yikes said:
The California Plumbing Code, which is based on the UPC and not the IPC, still confuses me. Its definition section 206 considers the overall fixture, not the # of spouts:
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Never noticed that until now... Thanks for the info! Here's IAPMO's official response to that question if anyone else is curious. Seems like fixtures that could be independent could be separate fixtures even when connected to each other.
1745433139488.png
 
Why does the code require drinking fountains? Restrooms I understand, but drinking fountains are a luxury that nobody uses.
 
ICE said:
Why does the code require drinking fountains? Restrooms I understand, but drinking fountains are a luxury that nobody uses.
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Everyone goes to the bathroom and everyone drinks water. Access to both is important. It's a way for someone to get immediate access to clean, drinkable water, regardless of where you are and why you're there.
 
arwat23 said:
Everyone goes to the bathroom and everyone drinks water. Access to both is important. It's a way for someone to get immediate access to clean, drinkable water, regardless of where you are and why you're there.
Click to expand...
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Every building has high and low water fountains. When was the last time that you observed someone using them? Go a step further, have you ever seen the low fountain used? Would you drink from one? They are a waste of resources.
 
ICE said:
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Every building has high and low water fountains. When was the last time that you observed someone using them? Go a step further, have you ever seen the low fountain used? Would you drink from one? They are a waste of resources.
Click to expand...
I use them often... Depends on what I'm doing and where I am, but I use the one at my office damn near daily. I use the ones outside near a park often as well, especially in the summer.

I've seen people use them at some of the medical offices I've worked on. Not often, and the fountains are usually bone dry, but I see them used every once in a while.

Back when I was in college, I think I saw one in the dorms being used almost every time I walked by it for three years. The tap water wasn't that great, so I understand people wanting the filtered water instead of the unfiltered faucet water in their rooms.

Maybe I'm an outlier, but I do see them being used often enough to where I can see the need for at least one high-low fountain in a building. More than that? Probably not, unless it's a huge building or has a massive OL. But that's just my personal experience and opinion.

Edit: Also high schools and elementary schools. Not sure how much has changed since I was in school (I bet the pandemic changed a lot, especially in high school), but I vividly remember people waiting in lines to get to the drinking fountains.
 
arwat23 said:
Never noticed that until now... Thanks for the info! Here's IAPMO's official response to that question if anyone else is curious. Seems like fixtures that could be independent could be separate fixtures even when connected to each other.
View attachment 15510
Click to expand...
So according to IAPMO’s definition, the item below has a single water connection and drain and is therefore a single drinking fountain:
IMG_5885.jpeg
 
Yikes said:
So according to IAPMO’s definition, the item below has a single water connection and drain and is therefore a single drinking fountain:
Click to expand...
Maybe...? If all the water is coming from one connection, yeah, that's apparently one fixture. Seems excessive and unnecessarily restrictive to me...
 
ICE said:
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Every building has high and low water fountains. When was the last time that you observed someone using them? Go a step further, have you ever seen the low fountain used? Would you drink from one? They are a waste of resources.
Click to expand...
People need them to take medication and hydrate. It is more about providing the minimum essentials in life without having to buy water. We have a lot of dual purpose hi-lo fountains with the bottle fillers and they are very popular. The bottle filler has a counter on it and you'd be surprised at how much water they dispense. I use them all the time.
 
I’m generally a happy guy. Turn that frown upside down and the shades man, where’s the shades? Getting the head to body proportion right was a surprise.
 
I had a large warehouse building that had the many high and low drinking fountains separated by hundreds of feet from each other instead of next to each other. I had them put directional signs to "other" drinking fountains like IBC 1111.2 (6) requires so all the signs just said "Other drinking fountains in the office" where there was both a high and a low drinking fountain but was 1/2 mile from the most further drinking fountain in the warehouse. Maybe they should have put a directional sign at a high drinking fountain indicating the where closest low drinking fountain and directional sign at a low drinking fountain indicating where the closest low drinking fountain, but the code does not say that. It was a lot easier for them to have the signs say all the same thing.
 
Yikes said:
Frankly, if you showed up for code enforcement at my place, I'd be a little nervous about your true identity:
View attachment 15523
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Checkout clerks have asked me if I was the actor that played the Terminator. My wife calls me the Turdinator. She smiles and says that's because of her accent...but I'm on to that game. And she has never seen the Terminator... has no idea what the Turdinator looks like.
 
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I keep my finger off the trigger until I have a target. That would make one Hell of a business card.
 
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