Expert: Nazim Nice - 5/21/2011

Question
Hello! I am currently redesigning a high street store for a college project and would like to place the customer toilet on the first floor at the front (against the high street facing wall). What plumbing requirements do I need to consider? Is it difficult for waste to be efficiently removed when placing it against an exterior wall? Also, should I insert a false wall between the toilet/sink and original wall for pipe work?

On the floor above the toilets are 10 meters across (as the bird flies) from the ones I wish to insert, against a side wall.

Many Thanks!

Answer
Hi Sophie,

A few things you should consider are 1)how will you install the waste pipe and will it be able to drain into the sewer. Is there a basement below this that you can connect to the main waste stack and get enough drop between the toilet and the waste stack? You typically need about 1/4 inch per foot drop in the plumbing pipe so the waste keeps moving. 2) Of course you'll need a water supply line to the toilet, but this is typically pretty easy since the pipes are relatively small 1/2 copper or pex. 3) You will need to vent your plumbing fixtures so sewer gases do not enter the building. This will typically extend through the roof to the exterior of the building.

Putting the bathroom in the front of the store seems like it might be in a prominent location. Is this the best use of the space on the high street. Unless it is a very long facade, would the space be better used for other functions?

Good luck.

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
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