The diversity factor is used to size piping for which scenario?

• A. Size industrial boilers
• B. Size outdoor grills
• C. Size residential gas range piping in multiple occupancy
• D. Size single-family dwelling piping

Answer: (C)

Diversity factor accounts for the fact that not all gas appliances in a building will be on at the same time. When sizing piping, using this factor reduces the total demand from the sum of all connected appliances to a more realistic peak load, which keeps pipe sizes and pressures appropriate without being oversized.

In a residential setting with multiple occupancy, there are several units each potentially having ranges, water heaters, and other gas appliances. Since those units won’t all demand their full load simultaneously, applying a diversity factor allows you to size the piping based on the expected shared peak demand rather than the absolute maximum of every appliance. That’s why sizing residential gas range piping in a building with multiple occupants is the scenario that best uses the diversity concept.

Outdoor grills are individual, typically small loads and often treated separately from the building’s main piping system. Industrial boilers involve different design considerations and scale, often outside the typical residential piping practice. Single-family dwelling piping could use diversity, but the exam emphasis for applying this factor is in multi-occupancy scenarios where simultaneous usage across units is expected.