Water supply line requirement

[Roijjer]

Background Info: I am starting a new franchise restaurant and I have no prior experience doing business in the US.. I signed up for a franchise agreement, leased a space and now I am in the design and build out phase. I found a local contractor and architect to do the build out. In Richmond, VA
After accessing the site, we realized that there is a 1 inch water supply line in to the space. We are going to be a restaurant with about 100 occupancy. There are 4 single occupancy bathrooms in the design. 1 for staff, 1 private, and 2 for customers. The contractor is saying that we would need to get a separate water line or might have to remove 1 or 2 bathrooms to make 1 in water supply line work.. I did some search found there is virginia code for water pressure and flow at the fixtures. I am not sure how it is calculated. The contractor said that it would be close to $60k to get a new water line to our space from the county. I would like to avoid that if possible. Can anyone tell me if this all seems uh.. right? I'd appreciate any input..

Thanks.

 

[conarb]

I can't help you with calculating your needs, but while waiting for a response from someone who can I'd suggest contacting the local utility that provides water and get their fees and other costs. I assume fire sprinklers are going to be required, this will probably require another meter and large water service line, I'd contact the local fire marshal and get his requirements.

 

[Roijjer]

Thank you. Fire sprinklers are on a separate line and they are already connected. It appears they are branched off from a much bigger main line.

 

[conarb]

Good, that's a relief, contact the water provider now, they may even have requirements beyond plumbing code requirements, hopefully someone here can give you the code requirements in the meantime.

 

[cda]

Welcome.......

 

[cda]

Not a plumber

But you need to include all water needs

Sinks

Dishwasher

Water heater

Hose faucets for clean up

Ice machine

Etc

 

[steveray]

We have some good VA code people here, hopefully they can get you a good answer, but 1" does seem a little small for even a small restaurant...

 

[nicholass817]

A 1" line will due if the pressure coming from the utility is high enough. I've seen a 1" that was flared to 2" to bring down the water pressure in a similar facility.

But if the engineer is saying the 1" will not due then he/she probably knows it to be correct.

403 of IPC allows you to reduce to 1 male and 1 female if your total occupant load including all staff is less than 150.

 

[Msradell]

But if the engineer is saying the 1" will not due then he/she probably knows it to be correct.

He actually said the contractor told him that. The contractor may or may not be familiar with the requirements that will apply nor the actual requirements for various pictures in the restaurant will need. The OP will be much better off contacting the local water company for better information.

 

[nicholass817]

Ahh...good catch...contractor.

However, the most you should expect from the provider will be the static pressure at or near the location. I've yet to see a water company or municipality provide design assistance for private systems. Sometimes I am surprised though.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Think outside the box. You need to know the amount of water usage over a 24 hour period you need. how much flow from the 1" line then size a storage tank for the remainder that is supplied by the 1" line. You will need additional pumps. Now compare that cost with an increased water line size, excavating into a roadway and increase impact fees if applicablefed for the time you will be open for businessthe thIf

 

[mark handler]

Is your Architect licensed, he/she should be gining you guidance. That is part of the services he/she should be offering you. Or should direct you to someone that can assist.

 

[Builder Bob]

The water supply line may be inadequate of using Sloan valve flushing urinals or toilets , I don't know what the Health Department may require in your area, but the 1 inch supply may be adequate for traditional gravity tank fed water closets.

 

[north star]

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Roijjer,

Also, ...welcome to The Building Codes Forum !

Lot's of good responses so far.

Your architect and Contractor should be providing you with all
of the design assistance and any associated "due diligence"
with this project.

1st, ...always, ...always, ...always Document, Document, Document
everything associated with your project.

2nd, ...your architect should be providing you with a Designed
Occupant Load, ...the "required" number of Plumbing Fixtures Count,
..."required" number of Restrooms; regular and \ or ADA \ Accessibly
equipped, and other.

3rd, ...if there a fire water supply line near your building, I'm guessing
that there is sufficient water pressure to your building.......Again,
your Contractor & architect should provide you with the verified
pressures.

4th, ...you may or may not need booster pumps for the 1 inch sized
water supply line.

5th, ...you could get increased volume by increasing the size of the
water supply line on your side of the meter, but are the "costs vs.
benefits ratio" worth it ?

Please keep us updated, and we will try to assist you any way we can.


$ ~ $