Interpretation #9530
Published May 20, 2026
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2023
- Code
- PLUMBING
- Code Description
- Chapter
- Section
- 403.1.1 exception 2
- Topic
- Multi-user facilities
Question
Under Exception #2 to Section 403.1.1, should the required plumbing fixtures for multi-user facilities be determined using the most restrictive column (male or female) in Table 403.1, or should the calculation instead follow a 50/50 occupant distribution, with fixtures calculated separately for each and then combined to establish the total required fixture count?
Answer Published 05/18/2026 at 8:54 AM
Do not calculate using the most restrictive (typically female column). Use 50/50 but do not add an extra fixture for the fractional part of each column, instead combine the fractional parts from each, if the result equals one or less than add one fixture if the result equals over one than add two fixtures. Example: water closets for a theater with a total occupant load of 400, 200/125= 1.6, 200/65 =3.07, 1.6+3.07 = 4.67 total required fixtures = 5
Commentary
Apart from substituting the Florida Accessibility Code for ICC A117.1, Section 403.1.1 is not a Florida-specific code change. It originated in the 2021 IPC. To quote ICC’s 2021 Edition of Significant Changes:
"Calculations are straightforward where the male and female fixture ratios in the table are identical. Where different ratios are indicated, calculations will require adjustments to accommodate the difference.”