> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/workflows/plumbing-planning/groups-and-services.md).

# Groups and services

Group plumbing spaces into groups and water services.

The plumbing hierarchy above Space has two levels. A **group** collects spaces that share a supply run. A **water service** sits at the top and collects groups, spaces, or both.

Both levels are optional. A space can stay unassigned, be served from a group, or be served from a water service directly — you don't have to create groups to use services.

> 📸 **Screenshot — Plumbing hierarchy in the left panel** The left panel in the Plumbing discipline with a water service expanded into two groups, one group expanded into its spaces, each level in its own color, and the create/group buttons visible on a row.

***

## Creating groups and services

The hierarchy actions live in the **Grid Tools** dropdown on the [action bar](/workflows/workspace/canvas-view.md#the-action-bar), and mirror what you have selected:

| Selection                       | Grid Tools offers                            |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Nothing selected                | **Add Group**, **Add Service**               |
| Spaces only                     | **Group into Group**, **Group into Service** |
| Groups (with or without spaces) | **Add Group**, **Group into Service**        |
| A water service                 | **Add Group**, **Add Service**               |

| Action                           | Shortcut |
| -------------------------------- | -------- |
| Add Group / Group into Group     | `G`      |
| Add Service / Group into Service | `V`      |

**Add Group** and **Add Service** create an empty level you can fill later. **Group into Group** and **Group into Service** bundle the current selection into a new parent in one step.

> Groups cannot be nested inside other groups, and a water service can't be grouped into another service. When your selection mixes a service with separate groups or spaces, the grouping actions are unavailable.

***

## Assigning from the details pane

Select a group and the right panel shows **Group Details**:

| Field       | Description                                                                                                                           |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Group Name  | Free-text name                                                                                                                        |
| Served From | The water service this group belongs to. Choose an existing service, or **Create New Service**. Reads **No Service** when unassigned. |

Select a water service and the right panel shows **Service Details**:

| Field         | Options                 | Description                                                   |
| ------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Service Name  | Free-text               | Service label                                                 |
| Service Basis | Flush Tank, Flush Valve | The predominant flushometer type served by this water service |

***

## Reassigning and ungrouping

In the left panel, drag a space into a different group, or drag a group into a different water service. You can also change a group's parent from the **Served From** field in Group Details.

Removing an item from its parent returns it to unassigned. It stays in the project and keeps its fixtures — it just stops contributing to that parent's totals.

***

## Rolling up fixture units

Each level sums what sits beneath it. Edit a fixture on a space and its group and service totals update automatically:

```
Space   Hot / Cold / Combined SFU  = ∑ its fixtures
Group   Hot / Cold / Combined SFU  = ∑ its spaces
Service Hot / Cold / Combined SFU  = ∑ its groups and directly-served spaces
```

See [Spaces and Fixtures](/workflows/plumbing-planning/spaces-and-fixtures.md) for how the per-space totals are built.

> Strata accumulates fixture units at every level. It does not convert fixture units to demand flow (GPM) or size pipe at this stage.

***

## Working with a selection

The right panel changes to match what you select:

* **A single space, group, or service** — its details and, for spaces, its fixtures
* **Several of the same kind** — a multi-edit section (**Edit 3 Groups**, **Edit 12 Spaces**) that applies shared field changes across the selection at once
* **A mixed selection** — each selected service, group, and space listed as its own collapsible section

***

## Renaming and deleting

Rename a group or service inline in the **Name** column of the [Data view](/workflows/plumbing-planning/data-view.md), or from its details pane.

Duplicate and delete groups and services from the toolbar. Deleting a group or service does not delete the spaces beneath it — they return to unassigned.

***

## Color coding

Groups and water services each get a color, applied consistently in the left panel and the Data view so you can see membership at a glance. Change a level's color from its details pane in the right panel.

***

## Related

* [Plumbing Planning Overview](/workflows/plumbing-planning/plumbing-planning-overview.md)
* [Spaces and Fixtures](/workflows/plumbing-planning/spaces-and-fixtures.md)
* [Plumbing Data View](/workflows/plumbing-planning/data-view.md)
* [System Hierarchy](/reference/reference/system-hierarchy.md)