Which factor is used to determine the total number of plumbing fixtures?

Which factor is used to determine the total number of plumbing fixtures?

• A. Demand Factor
• B. Load Factor
• C. Use Factor
• D. Fixture Factor

Answer: (B)

Sizing the total number of fixtures hinges on planning for peak usage rather than simply adding up every possible usage. In practice you convert the total fixture units from code tables into an actual fixture count by applying a factor that accounts for when and how many fixtures are used at the same time. That factor, the load factor, represents the fraction of the total fixture-unit demand that is expected to be in use during peak conditions. By multiplying the sum of fixture units by the load factor, you arrive at a realistic number of fixtures to install to meet demand without oversizing. Divergent terms exist in related contexts: demand factor deals with the portion of total load expected at peak, use factor relates to time-based usage, and fixture factor isn’t the standard term used for this step. But for determining how many fixtures are needed to handle peak demand, the load factor is the appropriate factor.

Sizing the total number of fixtures hinges on planning for peak usage rather than simply adding up every possible usage. In practice you convert the total fixture units from code tables into an actual fixture count by applying a factor that accounts for when and how many fixtures are used at the same time. That factor, the load factor, represents the fraction of the total fixture-unit demand that is expected to be in use during peak conditions. By multiplying the sum of fixture units by the load factor, you arrive at a realistic number of fixtures to install to meet demand without oversizing.

Divergent terms exist in related contexts: demand factor deals with the portion of total load expected at peak, use factor relates to time-based usage, and fixture factor isn’t the standard term used for this step. But for determining how many fixtures are needed to handle peak demand, the load factor is the appropriate factor.