This article provides an overview of how pipe sizing works in Design Master Plumbing. The customization is set up so that you can size pipes using any sizing method. Once you have configured the pipe sizes, flow categories, and sizing tables to match your company’s standards, you will be able to easily size pipes in your projects.

Creating Sizing Tables

There are three customization commands that define the information needed to size pipes:

1. The Pipe Sizes command defines the pipe sizes that are available to be used for each pipe type.
   • Ribbon: DMP: Customization->Project Customization->  Pipe Sizes
   • Pulldown Menu: DM Plumbing->Customization->Pipe Sizes->Edit Project List
2. The Pipe Flow Categories command defines the types of flow available for each pipe type. Flows that have diversity factors can be created using this command.
   • Ribbon: DMP: Customization->Project Customization->  Pipe Flow Categories
   • Pulldown Menu: DM Plumbing->Customization->Pipe Flow Categories->Edit Project List
3. The Pipe Sizing Tables command defines the tables used to size the pipes. The sizing tables set a maximum flow value for each pipe size. Horizontal and vertical pipes can be sized to different values.
   • Ribbon: DMP: Customization->Project Customization->  Pipe Sizing Tables
   • Pulldown Menu: DM Plumbing->Customization->Pipe Sizing Tables->Edit Project List

Pipe Sizes

Each pipe type is listed in the grid. All of the available pipe sizes are listed below the pipe type. Each pipe type has a separate set of sizes associated with it.

For more information about this dialog box, visit the Pipe Sizes topic in the user manual.

Pipe Flow Categories

Each pipe type is listed in the grid. All of the available pipe flow categories are listed below the pipe type. Each pipe type has a separate set of flow categories associated with it. The order of the pipe flow categories is important.

The first flow category is the one used to size the pipe.  All the other flow categories are converted to the first category before it is sized.

When pipes of different types are connected, the flow is transferred between the different pipe types.  The flow categories are matched up in the order they are listed in this dialog box.

For more information about this dialog box, visit the Pipe Flow Categories topic in the user manual.

Pipe Sizing Tables

The pipe sizing tables convert from the total flow value in a pipe to a pipe size. It is the link between the pipe sizes and the pipe flow categories.

Multiple sizing tables for each pipe type can be created in the grid on the left.

For more information about this dialog box, visit the Pipe Sizing Tables topic in the user manual.

Sizing Pipes

To size the pipes, use the Pipe Calculations command.

Ribbon: DM Plumbing->Pipes->  Pipe Calculations

Pulldown Menu: DM Plumbing->Pipes->Pipe Calculations

Select a pipe in the system you want to size. Each flow category in the pipes will be totaled separately. The flow categories will all be converted to the first flow category. Then, the pipe size is chosen based upon this total flow value using the pipe sizing table.

There are two fields in pipes related to sizing. You can modify these values when inserting or modifying a pipe.

Size is a pulldown menu of pipe sizes defined in the Pipe Sizes command. The default value is Sized Automatically. When this is selected, the pipe size will be chosen based upon the flow values and sizing table.

A specific pipe size can be set by selecting a pipe size from the pulldown. The pipe size will not be changed during the calculations.

Custom pipe sizes cannot be entered. You must choose a size from the pipe size list. If you need a different size, add it to the pipe size list, then select it.

Sizing Table: The table used to size the pipe is selected here. All of the active sizing tables will be listed.

You can also choose Same as Previous. If this is selected, the pipe will be sized based upon the previous pipe.

Set the sizing table for the first pipe in the system, then set the rest to Same as Previous.

If the sizing table changes at any point in the system — for example, a high-pressure and low-pressure part of the system — change the Sizing Table setting in the pipe where the change happens. All of the pipes before the changed pipe will be sized based upon the Sizing Table setting in the first pipe, and all of the pipes after the changed pipe will be based upon the Sizing Table setting in the changed pipe.

Inserting Sizing Tables on the Drawing

The Insert Pipe Sizing Table command can be used to insert sizing tables on the drawing to document how the pipes are sized.

Ribbon: DM Plumbing->Pipes->  Insert Pipe Sizing Table

Pulldown Menu: DM Plumbing->Pipes->Insert Pipe Sizing Table