Common Plumbing Mistakes Made in Buildings

Water pressure is the most common plumbing problem. One of the primary goals in designing a building water system is to ensure adequate water pressure all the way down the line, including at the farthest fixture.

FREMONT, CA: The success of any building, campus, or facility design is dependent on the plumbing. People who live, work, or play in a structure will require water to maintain and clean the structure, drink, and prepare food.

Because plumbing systems are generally hidden behind walls and are simply required to work as they do at home, it is easy to treat plumbing as an afterthought. Isn't it true that what's out of sight is out of mind? In fact, the inclination to pay insufficient attention to the design of plumbing systems most often leads to errors that can wreak havoc on building operations and, in the end, necessitating costly retrofits.

A few key areas of focus will help ensure that a building operates as it should from the start.

Under pressure

Water pressure is the most common plumbing problem. One of the primary goals in designing a building water system is to ensure adequate water pressure all the way down the line, including at the farthest fixture. The greater the building's size, the more difficult it is to give sufficient and consistent pressure throughout the structure. Water needs to travel at least 300 feet vertically while retaining water pressure all the way to the end of a 25-story office building. That is no easy task.