Blog 9

 Plumbing Systems

There are 3 main types of water seen in plumbing systems. Potable water is water that is suitable for drinking. Black water is wastewater that contains sewage. Gray water is wastewater from sinks, bathtubs, and washing machines. Plumbing systems work with the water and human byproducts that enter and exit buildings. There are also many different types of plumbing systems that can be used, such as wetlands, sewer treatment plans, and septic tanks. 

Toilets are fixtures that use the most interior water. There are different types of toilets that use different amounts of water. High-efficiency toilets use less than 1.28 gallons of water per flush. Low-flow toilets are a popular design that all manufacturers provide. Dual-flushing toilets are another kind of toilet that uses a mechanism that allows for 2 flushing possibilities. One flush uses less water, and two flushes are used when more water is required. Unlike toilets, urinals don’t require water to operate. There are waterless urinals. These can release odors into the bathroom, though. There are also low-water urinals that reduce water usage by 85%. 

Sinks and faucets are other fixtures that greatly affect plumbing systems. There are automatic faucets that have sensors to activate the water. This controls the water usage and helps lessen water waste. The use of gray water also helps with this. This is when water from sinks and showers can be reused to flush toilets. There are also light-powered faucets. These contain sensors that are activated by light, so that no electricity is required. Low-flow shower heads can also be used to reduce the amount of water used during a shower. 

Other sustainable plumbing features include tankless hot water heaters and composting toilets. Tankless hot water heaters heat water on demand instead of storing and heating water. Composting toilets don’t require water to operate. They are used in rural locations where municipal water and sewage facilities aren’t available. 

Plumbing systems affect interior design in more ways than just fixtures. The location of plumbing lines within a building impacts space planning and the design within a space. An interior designer must understand the limitations of what is practical and economical in order to be successful. Plumbing fixtures are often stacked to conserve space and make sure sewer gases get safely vented outside. Chase walls are used to hide plumbing pipes, electrical wires, and ductwork. 

Bathroom design is very important for interior designers. They are in both residential and commercial buildings. It is important to consider sustainability in bathroom design. Using sustainable fixtures is very helpful.  Accessories like energy-efficient hand dryers also reduce the need for paper towels. It is also important to consider ventilation. Windows can be used for natural ventilation, or ventilation fans can be installed in the ceiling or walls. It is also important to consider accessibility needs when designing bathrooms.

Accessible Bathroom Designs

This is an example of an accessible bathroom design. It is successful because it has multiple handrails to help a person in a wheelchair move in and out of their wheelchair. It is also successful because it has an easy entrance to a walk-in shower. It has easy-to-reach toilet paper, shampoo, and conditioner. The shower head is also removable, which is very helpful for a person in a wheelchair.

Here are 2 other good examples of an accessible bathroom design. These display a lower counter height and clearance underneath for a wheelchair to roll under. They also display many handrails around the toilet and sink area. It is important to provide a lot of open space, allowing a wheelchair to easily move around and turn. It is very important to ensure someone in a wheelchair has access to everything in the bathroom and feels comfortable in the space.