Commercial vs Industrial Plumbing — What’s The Difference?
“Commercial plumbing” and “industrial plumbing” often get used interchangeably. It’s easy to see why — industrial property is a subset of commercial property, and commercial outfits are nothing if not industrious.
But conflating the two is a big mistake — and a potentially dangerous one. Industrial plumbing is actually very different from commercial plumbing. Let’s explore why.
What Is Industrial Plumbing?
Despite its complexity, commercial plumbing systems — as found in office buildings, retail centers, and large apartment buildings — are essentially souped-up, commercial-grade versions of residential plumbing systems. Yes, you need to account for greater volume and possibly the effect of gravity in a highrise. But essentially the system exists to do two things — bring fresh water in, and drain wastewater out.
Industrial plumbing is an entirely different animal. Not only do the pipes have to handle high volumes of usage, but they also have to account for a variety of extreme conditions. The pipes may transport chemicals or gasses, some of them harsh and combustible, some of them sensitive to temperature and pressure. And it has to do all of that safely. It is much more complicated.
Process Piping Systems
Industrial plumbing systems are sometimes referred to as process piping systems — so-called because they must be designed to support specific industrial processes. A process piping system may be designed to move, pressurize, mix, and separate various liquids and gasses.
5 Differences Between Commercial and Industrial Plumbing
Pipe Material
Like residential plumbing, commercial piping is typically made of PVC or copper. However, the various chemicals and gasses transported by process piping systems often require piping of different materials. The chemicals may be too harsh and may eat through copper or PVC pipes. The materials might not be able to handle the pressures and temperatures required to safely deal with these fluids.
The most common material for industrial piping is stainless steel. However, little-known specialty materials like Hastelloy, Inconel, and Monel may be necessary for certain applications.
Installation Practices
Industrial plumbers need to balance the space available with the needs of the system. Straight pipes will always be the most efficient and easier to maintain, but based on space constraints and materials available, this may not always be possible. The commercial plumber must therefore be able to exercise significant prudence about which pipes to put where.
Maintenance
Process piping systems can get so complicated that they may seem impossible to maintain. Smart industrial plumbers separate large systems into smaller, discrete sections for easier maintenance. Industrial plumbers must also be able to work with materials that may be corrosive, under pressure, or temperature-sensitive.
Function
Ultimately, these pipes have a job to do — a job much more complicated than supplying fresh water to the bathroom sinks. The industrial facility’s operation probably depends on the process piping system working perfectly. If one small component breaks down, the entire system may break down and even become a safety hazard. Industrial plumbers must therefore develop a process piping system with contingency plans to prevent localized breakdowns from becoming major problems.
Regulations
Commercial plumbers must be aware of the stricter regulatory burdens that commercial buildings operate under, but industrial property faces even more stringent regulation, including ecological hazard and safety regulations. An industrial property must be able to work within the constraints of all regulations that apply to industrial property.
Designing a process piping system is not a job for an inexperienced residential plumber — you need a state-certified industrial plumber able to work with fluids and gasses, familiar with the materials and best practices of industrial plumbing.
Need a custom process piping system for your industrial space? All-Star Plumbing is a certified and experienced industrial plumbing contractor. Reach out to us today for a comprehensive estimate.
