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Hello, I’m working through MEP Systems Exercise A (Real World Practice) and had a question about #7:
When looking up the drinking fountain requirements, it’s true there would only be 1 required based on the table. But the table also says to look at IPC 410, which says there should not be fewer than two total drinking fountains, so that one of them can be ADA compliant. So I think the answer should be “two drinking fountains” but not that they are “split between men and women.” Let me know if I’m missing something here, thanks!
@sophia.cain Thanks for writing in! You are absolutely correct and I have updated the answer choices and explanations on this exercise. The note in IPC 410.3.1 is a new addition in the 2021 version of the code. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator Black Spectacles
Hi! I know we arent allowed to screenshot but i dont know how to explain this without so i apologize in advance and know you will have to delete my snips -
[ screenshots removed ]
i dont know if im misinterpreting but i dont think these questions / answers align. The first question i got told me i was wrong for thinking you would only need 1 drinking fountain. But then the following question i was correct in saying that the design would not need another drinking fountain ( there was only one in the existing building at the lobby. (also confused on the explanation saying “Correct. Only one shared lavatory is required, which already exists.“)
@aljacobs1 Thanks for writing in! While these two questions are related, they are asking about two different things: Question 7 is asking about the total number of required plumbing fixtures (existing + new), while Question 8 is asking about the number of additional plumbing fixtures required (new only).
We had actually updated Question 7 (see member comment above from 3/11/26) to accurately reflect IPC 2021, which requires 2 shared drinking fountains. We mistakenly did not update Question 8 as well – I’ve now updated it to reflect that 1 additional drinking fountain is needed (to add to the 1 that already exists).
I am seeing now that the wording in Question 8 is also a little confusing, so I’ve updated that to clarify that we are talking only about new plumbing fixtures needed. Also, the answer explanation for drinking fountains has a typo - that should say drinking fountain, not lavatory. I’ve updated that as well.
Sorry for all the confusion, and thank you for bringing these to our attention!
Also, here is more information about you can ask questions about specific practice questions in the community. If you provide our team with the item ID, we will be able to look up the full question/answers on our backend * Black Spectacles Community | Black Spectacles Help Center*
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator Black Spectacles
In this diagram, the AHU is intended to be a ceiling-mounted, compact unit serving that zone, not a large central AHU in a mechanical room. It still functions as the central hub for air circulation and conditioning - it takes in return air and ventilation air, filters and conditions it, and supplies conditioned air back to the space while coordinating exhaust. In this arrangement, it is a smaller, distributed AHU, which is why it can be placed in the ceiling plenum. They still require maintenance (filters, coils, fans), which is why you’ll typically see access panels or service clearances designed into the ceiling.
Hope this helps!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator Black Spectacles
Evaluating & Calculating MEP Systems [Exercise A]
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