Pipe Sizing by Formula

Thomas Box formula:

q2 ! 25 ! L ! 105
d 5
H

where: d diameter (bore) of pipe (mm)

q flow rate (l/s)

H head or pressure (m)

L length (effective) of pipe (m)

(actual length 1 allowance for bends, tees, etc.)

e.g.

(1)2 ! 25 ! 20 ! 105
d 5
3

d 5 16 666 667 27.83 mm

The nearest commercial size above this is 32 mm bore steel or 35 mm

outside diameter copper.

Note: Head in metres can be converted to pressure in kPa by

multiplying by gravity, e.g. 3 m ! 9„81 29„43 kPa (approx. 30 kPa).

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 Pipe Sizes and Resistances

Steel pipe (inside dia.) Copper tube (mm) Polythene (mm)

Imperial (") Metric (mm) Outside dia. Bore Outside dia. Bore

1 15 15 13.5 20 15
2

3 20 22 20 27 22
4

1 25 28 26 34 28

1 1 32 35 32 42 35
4

1 1 40 42 40
2

2 50 54 51.5

2 1 65 67 64.5
2

3 80 76 73.5

Approximate equivalent pipe lengths of some fittings (m).

Pipe bore (mm) Elbow Tee Stop valve Reduction 4:1 2:1 4:3

15 0„6 0„7 4„5 0.30 0.25 0.10

20 0„8 1„0 7 0.50 0.45 0.15

25 1„0 1„5 10 0.70 0.60 0.20

32 1„4 2„0 13 0.90 0.75 0.25

40 1„7 2„5 16 1.20 0.90 0.30

50 2„3 3„5 22 1.50 1.10 0.35

Notes: Figure given for a tee is the change of direction; straight

through has no significant effect. These figures are only intended as a
guide, they will vary between materials and design of fittings.

Recommended flow rates for various sanitary appliances (litres/sec)

WC cistern 0„11

Hand basin 0„15

Hand basin (spray tap) 0„03

Bath (19 mm tap) 0„30

Bath (25 mm tap) 0„60

Shower 0„11

Sink (13 mm tap) 0„19

Sink (19 mm tap) 0„30

Sink (25 mm tap) 0„40

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Pipe Sizing – Loading Units (BS 6700)

Loading units are factors which can be applied to a variety of

appliances. They have been established by considering the frequency of
use of individual appliances and the desired water flow rate.

Appliance Loading units

Hand basin 1„5 to 3 (depends on application)

WC cistern 2

Washing machine 3

Dishwasher 3

Shower 3

Sink (13 mm tap) 3

Sink (19 mm tap) 5

Bath (19 mm tap) 10

Bath (25 mm tap) 22

By determining the number of appliances on a pipework system and

summating the loading units, an equivalent flow in litres per second
can be established from the following conversion graph:

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 Pipe Sizing – Head Loss and Flow Rate Nomogram

Pressure or head loss in pipework systems can be expressed as the

relationship between available pressure (kPa) or head (m) and the
effective length (m) of pipework. The formula calculation on page 68
can serve as an example:

Head 3 m. Effective pipe length 20 m. So, 3/20 0.15 m/m

By establishing the flow rate from loading units or predetermined

criteria (1 l/s in our example), a nomogram may be used to obtain the
pipe diameter. The chart below is for illustration and general use. For
greater accuracy, pipe manufacturers' design data should be consulted
for different materials and variations in water temperatures.

Ref. BS 6700: Design, installation, testing and maintenance of services

supplying water for domestic use within buildings and their curtilage.
Specification.

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Pipe Sizing – Head Loss and Flow Rate Application

On the preceding page a pipe sizing chart or nomogram is used to

verify the size of pipe calculated by formula on page 68. The nomogram
can also be used to determine the size of water mains and supply pipes
as shown in the following example:

Cistern filling rate 0.2l/s

Rising main

Mains pressure Effective pipe 7m

min. 150kPa (kN/m2) length 30m

Pressure or residual head at the cistern will be the minimum mains

pressure less the height the water has to rise to the cistern. To
convert 150 kPa to metres head, divide by gravity (9.81), ie:

150 ÷ 9.81 15.30m

Pressure or residual head at the cistern inlet is therefore:

15.30m # 7.00m 8.30m

Head ÷ Effective pipe length Head or pressure loss per metre

8.30m ÷ 30.00m 0.276m/m

Extending a straight line through the nomogram coordinates of 0.176m/m

and the selected cistern filling rate of 0.2 l/s indicates that a copper pipe
of a least 15 mm outside diameter or equivalent is adequate.

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