How to Size Plastic Pipe Capacities for Low Pressure in a Subdivision

Determining the low pressure flow capacity of plastic, or PVC, pipes is one aspect that planners and developers have to consider in the planning stages for residential development. Larger commercial developments, such as malls, hospitals or schools, typically use their own water and sewer collection systems, which in turn use higher-pressure water systems. There are two types of flow rates for low pressure pipes used in residential building. The linear flow rate is the speed at which fluid travels, and the volumetric flow rate is the quantity of water that flows through a section of pipe at any given time. Pipe size and capacity are determined by these two functions.

Pen and paper
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Write down both the volumetric and the linear flow rates and then divide the volumetric rate by the linear rate. These flow rates are known variables that are based on the size of the individual water system's pumping capacity. The flow rates will vary with different size water pump systems. This equation (volumetric flow rate divided by linear flow rate) will give the planner the area of the cross section of pipe.
- 2
  Divide the area, which is the number derived in the above step, by pi, which is numerically designated by 3.14159. Determine the square root of this value to calculate the internal radius of the pipe.
- 3
  Multiply the internal radius of the pipe by 2 to obtain the internal radius of the pipe needed. This is the size pipe required for this application in this residential neighborhood.

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