Building Plumbing System Design & Drafting Course

Join our Building Plumbing System Design & Drafting Course

MEP Academy

Noblesville, IN 46060, USA

About the Course

The Building Plumbing System Design & Drafting Course is a professional training program designed for engineers, draftsmen, and MEP professionals who want to master the principles of plumbing system design, pipe and tank sizing, and technical drafting.

The course provides a comprehensive overview of plumbing systems in buildings, starting from fundamentals and codes, to water supply, storage, drainage, stormwater, and advanced topics like grey water reuse and green building plumbing systems.

Participants will gain hands-on skills in design calculations, fixture unit sizing, storage capacity estimation, pipe sizing methods, and drafting of plumbing drawings. Special emphasis is placed on high-rise and complex projects, where zoning, booster systems, and coordination with other MEP services are critical.

The program is structured to bridge theory with practice — learners will not only study plumbing principles but also complete assignments, case studies, and capstone projects to prepare them for real-world applications in residential, commercial, hospital, and industrial projects.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Design complete water supply, storage, drainage, and stormwater systems.
Correctly size storage tanks, pumping systems, and pipes.
Interpret and apply international plumbing codes and local regulations.
Draft professional plumbing layouts, riser diagrams, and as-built drawings.
Coordinate plumbing designs with architectural, structural, and other MEP disciplines.

This course is ideal for professionals aiming to advance their career in the MEP industry and for students seeking to build a strong foundation in plumbing design and drafting.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand Plumbing Fundamentals
  - Grasp the role and scope of plumbing systems in modern buildings.
  - Interpret and apply international plumbing codes (IPC, UPC, ASPE) and local regulations.
- Design Water Supply & Storage Systems
  - Design cold and hot water distribution networks for residential, commercial, and high-rise buildings.
  - Calculate and size storage tanks, transfer pumps, and booster systems for a reliable supply.
  - Apply zoning principles for high-rise water distribution.
- Size Pipes & Fixtures Accurately
  - Use fixture unit methods, velocity limits, and head loss equations for pipe sizing.
  - Ensure correct pipe diameters for domestic water, hot water, and drainage systems.
  - Optimize pipe layouts to minimize pressure losses and ensure code compliance.
- Develop Drainage & Vent Systems
  - Design sanitary drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) systems.
  - Apply fixture unit loading and venting requirements.
  - Integrate grease traps, interceptors, and septic/STP connections.
- Incorporate Stormwater & Sustainable Solutions
  - Size and design roof and surface drainage systems.
  - Integrate rainwater harvesting and grey water reuse systems.
  - Apply green plumbing practices aligned with LEED & sustainability standards.
- Draft Professional Plumbing Drawings
  - Create schematic diagrams, riser diagrams, and coordinated MEP layouts.
  - Use standard symbols, legends, and notations in plumbing drafting.
  - Prepare shop drawings and as-built documentation.
- Execute Real-World Plumbing Projects
  - Solve practical case studies for villas, office towers, hospitals, and mixed-use projects.
  - Complete a capstone project that demonstrates end-to-end plumbing design and drafting capabilities.

Who Should Enroll

Mechanical & MEP Engineers.
HVAC Technicians & Supervisors.
Facilities Managers & Maintenance Engineers.
Project Managers in Construction & Building Services.
Students and professionals seeking a career in HVAC & Sustainable Building Design.

Why Take This Course?

The Building Plumbing System Design & Drafting Course is designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice in plumbing engineering. Whether you are a student, engineer, draftsman, or building services professional, this course provides the specialized knowledge and hands-on skills that the industry demands.
Key Reasons to Enroll:
- High Industry Demand
  - Skilled plumbing designers and draftsmen are essential for modern construction projects, especially in high-rise, healthcare, and commercial sectors.
- Practical, Job-Ready Skills
  - Learn not just the theory, but also real-world design calculations, pipe and tank sizing, and drafting techniques used in professional MEP projects.
- Comprehensive Coverage
  - From water supply and storage to drainage, stormwater, and sustainable plumbing systems, the course gives you a complete design toolkit.
- Code-Compliant Training
  - Gain confidence in working with international plumbing codes (IPC, UPC, ASPE) and local regulations, ensuring your designs meet global standards.
- Career Advancement
  - Position yourself for roles such as Plumbing Design Engineer, MEP Draftsman, Building Services Engineer, or Project Engineer.
  - Boost your employability in consulting firms, contracting companies, and facility management organizations.
- Hands-On Projects
  - Apply your learning in assignments, case studies, and a capstone project, working on realistic building types like villas, towers, hospitals, and mixed-use complexes.
- Sustainability & Innovation
  - Stay ahead by mastering green plumbing solutions such as rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse, and LEED-compliant practices.
- Professional Certification
  - Earn a recognized certificate that enhances your profile and demonstrates specialized expertise in plumbing system design and drafting.

Course Overview

The Building Plumbing System Design & Drafting Course is a complete training pathway that equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to design, size, and draft plumbing systems for all types of buildings — from villas and residential complexes to high-rise towers, hospitals, and commercial facilities.

The course begins with the fundamentals of plumbing systems and the role of international and local codes in ensuring safety, hygiene, and efficiency. It progresses into water supply systems, water storage, distribution, drainage, stormwater, and special systems such as grey water reuse and irrigation.

A strong focus is given to engineering calculations and sizing for storage tanks, pipes, pumps, and fixtures. Learners will gain practical knowledge of fixture unit methods, velocity and pressure considerations, tank capacity calculations, and zoning strategies for high-rise buildings.

The drafting component of the course trains participants to interpret and produce professional plumbing drawings including schematic diagrams, riser diagrams, and coordinated layouts that integrate with architectural and MEP services.

Through assignments, real-world case studies, and a capstone project, participants will learn to apply their skills in practical scenarios such as designing a villa’s plumbing network, a multi-story office building, or a hospital plumbing system with special sanitary requirements.

The course concludes with exposure to green plumbing practices and LEED-compliant designs, preparing learners for modern sustainable building projects.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Plumbing Systems

Definition and scope of plumbing in buildings
Plumbing codes and standards (IPC, UPC, ASPE, NFPA, local codes)
Roles and responsibilities of a plumbing engineer/draftsman

Module 2: Water Supply System

Sources of water supply (municipal, wells, storage tanks)
Cold & hot water supply system configurations
Direct vs. indirect water supply systems
Water treatment & filtration basics
Hot water generation (electric, solar, boilers, heat pumps)

Module 3: Water Supply Piping Design

Pipe materials: GI, CPVC, PEX, copper, HDPE, etc.
Pipe sizing methods (fixture unit method, velocity & pressure considerations)
Pressure losses, friction factors, and pump head calculations
Booster pumps, transfer pumps, and pressure reducing valves (PRVs)
Storage tanks, elevated tanks, and pressurized systems

Module 4: Water Storage and Supply Systems

Types of Water Storage Systems
- Underground storage tanks (UGST)
- Overhead tanks (OHT)
- Pressurized tanks (hydropneumatic systems)
- Break tanks and dual storage arrangements
Design Considerations
- Storage capacity calculation (domestic, firefighting, irrigation, grey water reuse)
- Demand patterns (peak vs. average demand)
- Zoning requirements in high-rise buildings (static head limitations, pressure zones)
- Separation of potable water and non-potable water storage
Water Distribution Systems
- Gravity-fed systems
- Pressurized/pump-driven systems
- Combination systems (gravity + booster)
- Zoning distribution for high-rise towers
Pumping Systems
- Transfer pumps (UGST to OHT)
- Booster pumps and pressure tanks
- Pump selection basics (flow, head, NPSH, redundancy)
- VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) control for energy efficiency
Appurtenances and Controls
- Float valves, level sensors, and automatic controls
- Pressure reducing valves (PRV) for zoning
- Non-return valves (NRV) and backflow preventers
- Overflows, drains, and venting for tanks
Drafting & Documentation
- Typical water storage tank details (plan & section views)
- Water distribution riser diagrams
- Pump room layout and schematic drawings
- Coordination of tank and pump locations with architecture and structure

Module 5: Sizing for Storage Tanks and Pipes

Storage Tank Sizing
- Domestic water demand calculation (per capita consumption, fixture units, building type)
- Storage capacity for residential, commercial, hospital, and high-rise projects
- Emergency storage (firefighting reserves, irrigation, grey water reuse)
- Formula:
  Vtank=(DailyDemand×StorageFactor)+FireReserve+MiscellaneousReserveV_{tank} = (Daily Demand \times Storage Factor) + Fire Reserve + Miscellaneous ReserveVtank=(DailyDemand×StorageFactor)+FireReserve+MiscellaneousReserve
- Thumb rules:
  - Residential: 135–150 liters/person/day
  - Commercial: 45–90 liters/person/day
  - Hospitals: 340–400 liters/bed/day
  - Storage duration: typically 24–48 hours
Pipe Sizing Methods
- Fixture Unit Method (FU): IPC/UPC-based approach
- Velocity Method:
  Q=A×VQ = A \times VQ=A×V
  (Flow rate = Cross-sectional area × velocity)
  - Recommended velocities:
    - Cold water: 1.2–1.5 m/s
    - Hot water: 0.9–1.2 m/s
    - Pump discharge: 2.0–2.5 m/s
- Head Loss Method (Hazen–Williams, Darcy–Weisbach) for pressure loss
  hf=10.67×LC1.85×d4.87×Q1.85h_f = 10.67 \times \frac{L}{C^{1.85} \times d^{4.87}} \times Q^{1.85}hf=10.67×C1.85×d4.87L×Q1.85
  (Hazen–Williams)
Pump Head & Pressure Zone Sizing
- Static head = elevation difference between source and highest fixture
- Frictional losses in piping
- Minimum pressure at fixture outlets (per codes)
- PRV zoning for high-rise towers
Practical Thumb Rules
- 1 Fixture Unit ≈ 28 L/min (for domestic cold water)
- Minimum service pressure at tap: 1 bar (10 m head)
- High-rise zoning: 8–10 floors per zone with PRVs
- Firefighting: 150,000–250,000 liters capacity minimum (as per NFPA/local codes)
Drafting & Documentation
- Sizing tables for quick reference
- Annotating drawings with FU loads, pipe sizes, and tank volumes
- Riser diagrams with pressure zones and tank details

Module 4: Drainage, Waste & Vent (DWV) Systems

Sanitary drainage system design
Fixture units and drainage sizing calculations
Vent systems (individual, common, stack, relief vents)
Grease traps and interceptors for kitchens
Septic tanks and sewage treatment plants (STP) overview

Module 5: Stormwater & Rainwater Systems

Roof and surface drainage design
Sizing stormwater piping
Rainwater harvesting & reuse systems
Sump pumps & stormwater management

Module 6: Special Plumbing Systems

Grey water recycling and reuse
Irrigation piping networks
Medical gas piping (introductory overview)
Fire protection and plumbing interface

Module 7: Plumbing Drafting & Drawings

Plumbing symbols, legends, and notations
Preparation of schematic diagrams and riser diagrams
Drafting of plumbing layouts (water supply, drainage, stormwater)
Coordination with structural, architectural, and other MEP drawings
As-built drawings and shop drawings

Module 8: Case Studies & Project Work

Residential villa plumbing design
High-rise office building plumbing system
Hospital plumbing considerations (overview of medical gases and hygiene standards)
Green building & LEED considerations for plumbing
Submit detailed drawings, calculations, and commissioning plan.

How long is the course?

The course duration is a Total of 40 to 60 hours and it varies, typically spanning several weeks with flexible scheduling options.

Is certification provided?

Yes, participants receive certification upon successful completion of the course.

Certification & Benefits

Certification

Upon successful completion of the Building Plumbing System Design & Drafting Course, participants will be awarded a Professional Certificate in Plumbing System Design & Drafting. This certification validates the learner’s ability to design, size, and draft complete plumbing systems in compliance with international standards and codes. It also demonstrates readiness to work on residential, commercial, and high-rise building projects, making it a valuable credential for career advancement in the MEP and building services industry.

Benefits of the Course

Industry-Relevant Skills
- Gain practical expertise in water supply, drainage, storage, and stormwater system design.
- Learn advanced sizing techniques for storage tanks, pipes, and pumps using fixture unit methods, velocity limits, and head loss calculations.
Professional Drafting Competence
- Acquire hands-on knowledge of plumbing symbols, schematic diagrams, riser diagrams, and coordinated MEP drawings.
- Develop the ability to prepare construction-ready design and shop drawings.
Code Compliance & Best Practices
- Understand and apply international plumbing codes (IPC, UPC, ASPE) and local regulatory frameworks.
- Ensure safety, hygiene, and efficiency in building water systems through code-compliant design.
Career Growth & Opportunities
- Open pathways to roles such as Plumbing Design Engineer, MEP Draftsman, Building Services Engineer, or Project Engineer.
- Enhance your profile for opportunities in consulting firms, contracting companies, and facility management organizations.
Hands-On Training with Real Projects
- Work on assignments and case studies from villas, high-rise buildings, hospitals, and commercial complexes.
- Complete a capstone project to demonstrate your ability to deliver a full plumbing system design package.
Sustainability & Green Building Focus
- Learn modern practices such as grey water reuse, rainwater harvesting, and water-efficient plumbing aligned with LEED & green building standards.
Recognition in the MEP Industry
- Gain a certified credential that boosts credibility and helps in professional networking.
- Stand out in the job market with specialized plumbing system design expertise.