What is the minimum fixture branch pipe size for a hose bibb located 80 feet from the meter with 55 psi available?

When determining the minimum fixture branch pipe size for a hose bibb, several factors come into play, including the distance from the water meter and the available pressure. In this scenario, we have a hose bibb located 80 feet from the meter, with 55 psi of pressure.

For a typical residential hose bibb application, a 1/2 inch pipe is often adequate for distances like this, especially considering that hose bibbs are usually used for moderate water flow needs such as watering plants or washing cars. The 1/2 inch size can handle typical household pressures like 55 psi effectively, providing a sufficient flow rate for most intended uses.

It is important to note that increasing the pipe size (such as moving to 3/4 inch or larger) could indeed handle higher flow demands, but for the specific case of the hose bibb described—particularly at the distance given and with the pressure available—the 1/2 inch size fulfills the requirements sufficiently. Larger sizes would not only be unnecessary but could also lead to increased costs and potential complications in the system without a clear benefit for this specific application. Using a smaller size than 1/2 inch could lead to inadequate flow rates, especially if future demand increases. Thus,