📏 Module 3: Plumbing Takeoff Process
Create clean, repeatable quantity takeoffs for DWV, domestic water, gas, and storm systems—complete with fittings, hangers, penetrations, insulation, valves, and equipment connections.
📘 Overview
This module turns drawings into quantities. You’ll set scale/calibration, choose a system order (DWV → Water → Gas → Storm), and capture everything that moves the number: fittings, supports, insulation, sleeves/cores, firestopping, valves, specialties, and equipment tie-ins. Use the templates below to standardize your workflow.
🎯 Learning Objectives
- Calibrate plan scale and set a color/key system for each plumbing system.
- Measure pipe by size/material and count fittings by type.
- Include hangers/supports, insulation, valves, specialties, and penetrations.
- Reconcile floor plans with risers/isometrics to avoid misses.
- Organize takeoff sheets that map directly to pricing and proposals.
1) Calibrate & Color-Code
Confirm the printed/on-screen scale. Log calibration (see download). Assign colors: DWV (green), Domestic Water (blue), Gas (yellow), Storm (purple). Keep a legend on your sheet.
2) System Order & Zones
Work system-by-system and zone-by-zone. Typical sequence: DWV → Water (CW/HW/Recirc) → Gas → Storm. Split by level, wing, or grid to reduce double-counting.
3) Pipe by Size/Material
Track LF separately for each size/material (e.g., 3" PVC, 1" Type L copper, 1-1/2" steel gas). Size drives cost, labor, hangers, and insulation.
4) Fittings, Valves, & Specials
Count 90s, 45s, tees, wyes, reducers, traps, cleanouts, unions, check valves, PRVs, RP devices, strainers, and hose bibbs. Use the Fittings Helper CSV to speed counts.
5) Supports, Insulation, Penetrations
Add hangers/rods/channel, clamps, seismic bracing (if specified), insulation by system/size, sleeves, core drills, and firestopping (UL system TBD).
6) Reconcile with Risers/Isos
Each fixture on plan must appear on a riser; each riser branch must land on plan. Use the Riser Reconciliation checklist to close gaps.
🧭 Step-by-Step Takeoff Process
- Scale/Calibrate: Verify 1–2 printed dimensions; record in the Scale Log.
- DWV First: Trace mains/branches/stacks. Tally LF per size/material. Count fittings, traps, cleanouts, floor drains.
- Domestic Water: Cold/Hot/Recirc—LF by size/material, valves, PRVs, mixing valves, balancing valves, fixtures tie-ins.
- Gas: Mains/branches, regulators, vents, sediment traps, valves, equipment connections.
- Storm: Roof drains, leaders, gutters (if specified), heat trace notes, overflow systems.
- Supports & Insulation: Hanger counts/rates, insulation by system (type/thickness). Add vapor barrier where noted.
- Penetrations: Sleeves/core drills by size/location/floor. Firestopping by UL system later in pricing.
- Equipment Tie-ins: Water heaters, pumps, boilers, softeners, backflow assemblies—confirm tag-to-schedule match.
- Riser Reconciliation: Check every plan tag to riser branch and back; note RFIs for conflicts.
- Summarize: Consolidate by system/size/material for pricing and labor units.
📊 Sample Takeoff Table (Excerpt)
| Area / Level | System | Size/Material | Item | Unit | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 – Core | DWV | 4" PVC | Main (LF) | LF | 160 | Slope 1/8" per ft |
| Level 1 – Core | DWV | 4" PVC | Wye + 1/8 Bend | EA | 14 | Branch takeoffs |
| Restrooms A/B | Water (CW/HW) | 1" Copper L | Branch (LF) | LF | 120 | Press fittings |
| Roof | Storm | Leader 4" CI | Roof Drains | EA | 3 | Overflow req’d |
📂 Module 3 Downloads & Takeoff Tools
Copy from the blocks below and save as CSV/TXT/HTML. Paste into your spreadsheet or import into your software.
📑 Master Takeoff Sheet (CSV)
Area/Level,System,Size/Material,Item,Unit,Qty,Notes L1 Core,DWV,4" PVC,Main (LF),LF,, L1 Core,DWV,4" PVC,Wye + 1/8 Bend,EA,, L1 Core,DWV,4" PVC,CO w/ Plug,EA,, Restroom A,Water,1" Type L Cu,Branch (LF),LF,, Restroom A,Water,1" Type L Cu,Ball Valve,EA,, Roof,Storm,4" CI,Roof Drain (Primary),EA,, Roof,Storm,4" CI,Overflow Drain,EA,, Mech Rm,Gas,1-1/2" Sch 40,Main (LF),LF,, Mech Rm,Gas,1-1/2" Sch 40,Regulator,EA,, Various,Supports,N/A,Rod/Hanger (rate per LF),LF,, Various,Insulation,N/A,Pipe Insul (type/thickness),LF,, Slab Penetrations,Penetrations,N/A,Sleeve/Core Drill,EA,, All,Firestopping,N/A,UL System (By Others/By Us),EA,,
🔧 Fitting Count Helper (CSV)
Use as a checklist while tracing branches and equipment tie-ins.
System,Fitting,Unit,Default Count,Notes DWV,90 Elbow,EA,,Long vs Short radius DWV,45 Elbow,EA,, DWV,Wye + 1/8 Bend,EA,, DWV,San Tee,EA,, DWV,Reducer,EA,, DWV,Trap,EA,, DWV,Cleanout,EA,, Water,90 Elbow (Press/Solder),EA,, Water,Tees (Run/Branch),EA,, Water,Union,EA,, Water,Ball Valve,EA,, Water,Check Valve,EA,, Gas,90 Elbow (Threaded),EA,, Gas,Union,EA,, Gas,Sediment Trap,EA,, Storm,Roof Drain,EA,, Storm,Leader Tee,EA,,
🧷 Supports & Insulation Planner (CSV)
Estimate hangers/rods/channel and insulation by system/size.
System,Size,Approx Hanger Rate (/LF),Insulation Type,Thickness,LF,Notes DWV,4" PVC,0.20,"—",—,,Use spec spacing Water,1" Cu,0.25,Elastomeric,1/2",, Water,2" Cu,0.18,Elastomeric,1",, Gas,1-1/2" Steel,0.18,Fiberglass,1",, Storm,4" CI,0.20,Fiberglass,1",,Exterior? Vapor barrier?
🕳️ Penetration & Firestopping Log (CSV)
Location,Floor,Penetration Type,Size,Qty,Fire Rating,UL System,Notes Core @ Grid C/5,L2,Core Drill,4",3,1-hr,TBD,"By spec" Stair 2 Wall,L3,Sleeve,2",5,2-hr,TBD,"Patch by others?" Roof Parapet,Roof,Sleeve,4",2,N/A,N/A,"Storm leader"
📏 Scale & Calibration Log (CSV)
Sheet,Title,Stated Scale,Measured Dim,On-Screen/Print,Variance,Notes P1.01,Level 1 Plan,1/8"=1'-0",20'-0",19'-11",1",Recalibrated P2.01,Riser,Not to Scale,10'-0" verify,N/A,N/A,"Use callouts only"
🔩 Assemblies — Takeoff Mapping (CSV)
Assembly,Includes,Unit 3" PVC Branch,"Pipe/LF, (2) 45s/20LF, Couplings, Hangers","LF" 1" Cu CW/HW,"Pipe/LF, Press fittings/20LF, Hangers, Insul","LF" WC Rough-In,"Carrier, Closet bend/flange, Stops/Supplies","EA" FD Assembly,"Drain body, Trap primer, Branch tie-in, Core/Sleeve","EA" RP Station,"RP device, Valves, Bypass, Drain, Supports","EA"
💡 Pro Tips
- Name your layers/markups with “Level-System-Size” so exports sort cleanly.
- Round fittings up when branches are dense; time spent hunting for “one more elbow” costs more.
- Track unknowns (e.g., UL systems, sleeve types) in the Notes column for follow-up/RFIs.
- Separate supports/insulation from pipe material—labor and material rates differ.
🧪 Practice Exercise (60–75 min)
- Calibrate scale on one plan; complete the Scale Log.
- Take off DWV mains/branches for Level 1 (LF by size) + fittings.
- Count floor drains and cleanouts; add primer lines where noted.
- Measure CW/HW branches to two restrooms; add valves by code/spec.
- Fill the Penetration Log for three core drills and two sleeves.
- Summarize system totals using the Master Takeoff Sheet.
👩🏫 Teacher Notes (Facilitation Guide)
- Demo (10 min): Calibrate scale and show color scheme setup.
- Guided (20–25 min): Trace DWV main/branches and populate the Master Takeoff Sheet live.
- Teams (20–25 min): Students measure CW/HW branches and complete Fittings/Supports planners.
- Debrief (5 min): Share top misses (valves, cleanouts, core drills) and mitigation tactics.