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Chicago Overview
Municipal Code of Chicago
MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO
TITLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE 2 CITY GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
TITLE 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
TITLE 4 BUSINESSES, OCCUPATIONS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
TITLE 5 HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TITLE 6 HUMAN RIGHTS*
TITLE 7 HEALTH AND SAFETY
TITLE 8 OFFENSES AFFECTING PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
TITLE 9 VEHICLES, TRAFFIC AND RAIL TRANSPORTATION
TITLE 10 STREETS, PUBLIC WAYS, PARKS, AIRPORTS AND HARBORS
TITLE 11 UTILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
TITLE 12 RESERVED
TITLE 13 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
TITLE 14 RESERVED*
TITLE 14A ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS OF THE CHICAGO CONSTRUCTION CODES*
TITLE 14B BUILDING CODE*
TITLE 14C CONVEYANCE DEVICE CODE*
TITLE 14E ELECTRICAL CODE*
TITLE 14F FIRE PREVENTION CODE*
TITLE 14G FUEL GAS CODE*
TITLE 14M MECHANICAL CODE*
TITLE 14N 2022 ENERGY TRANSFORMATION CODE*
TITLE 14P PLUMBING CODE*
TITLE 14R BUILDING REHABILITATION CODE*
TITLE 14X MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS*
TITLE 15 FIRE PREVENTION
TITLE 16 LAND USE
TITLE 17 CHICAGO ZONING ORDINANCE
TITLE 18 BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE
CHAPTER 18-11 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 18-13 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 18-14 BUILDING ENERGY USE BENCHMARKING
CHAPTER 18-27 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 18-28 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS*
CHAPTER 18-29 PLUMBING*
Article 1. Administration (18-29-101 et seq.)
Article 2. Definitions (18-29-201 et seq.)
Article 3. General Regulations (18-29-301 et seq.)
Article 4. Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings (18-29-401 et seq.)
Article 5. Water Heaters (18-29-501 et seq.)
Article 6. Water Supply and Distribution (18-29-601 et seq.)
18-29-601 General.
18-29-601.1 Scope.
18-29-601.2 Inspections and notices.
18-29-601.3 Access for inspections.
18-29-601.4 Solar energy utilization.
18-29-602 Water Required.
18-29-602.1 General.
18-29-602.1.1 Obligations of water consumers.
18-29-602.1.2 Obligations of water consumers - Private water mains on private property.
18-29-602.2 Potable water required.
18-29-602.3 Deliberately omitted.
18-29-602.4 Reserve water supply.
18-29-602.4.1 Installation of line valves or taps.
18-29-602.4.2 Dual meter settings.
18-29-603 Water Service.
18-29-603.1 Size of water service pipe and water meter.
18-29-603.1.1 Meter spreader connection.
18-29-603.1.2 Water service for fire protection systems.
18-29-603.1.3 Permit required.
18-29-603.2 Separation of water service and building sewer/drain.
18-29-603.2.1 Water supply systems installed near a sewer structure.
18-29-603.2.2 Reserved.
18-29-603.2.3 Backfill.
18-29-603.3 Metered service.
18-29-603.3.1 Authority.
18-29-603.3.2 Connection to metered service.
18-29-603.3.3 Licensed and bonded contractor.
18-29-603.3.4 Location.
18-29-603.3.5 Construction of meter vaults.
18-29-603.3.6 Installation of taps.
18-29-603.3.7 Plans accompany permit application.
18-29-603.3.8 Notification of wrecking buildings for terminating water service.
18-29-604 Design of Building Water Distribution System.
18-29-604.1 General.
18-29-604.2 System interconnection.
18-29-604.3 Water distribution system design criteria.
18-29-604.4 Maximum flow and water consumption.
18-29-604.4.1 WaterSense compliance.
18-29-604.4.2 Reserved.
18-29-604.5 Size of fixture supply.
18-29-604.5.1 Minimum size.
18-29-604.6 Variable street pressures.
18-29-604.7 Inadequate water pressure.
18-29-604.8 Water pressure reducing valve or regulator.
18-29-604.8.1 Reserved.
18-29-604.8.2 Repair and removal.
18-29-604.9 Water hammer.
18-29-604.9.1 Air chambers.
18-29-604.10 Size of water supply pipes.
18-29-604.10.1 Minimum sizes of branch distributing pipes for fixtures and appliances.
18-29-604.10.1.1 Demand load.
18-29-604.10.1.2 Size of piping.
18-29-604.10.1.3 Available pressure.
18-29-604.10.2 Procedures for calculating sizing.
18-29-604.11 Individual pressure balancing in-line valves for individual fixture fittings.
18-29-604.11.1 Reserved.
18-29-605 Materials, Joints and Connections.
18-29-605.1 Water compatibility.
18-29-605.2 Soil and ground water.
18-29-605.3 Lead content of water supply pipe and fittings.
18-29-605.3.1 Lead content of drinking water pipe and fittings.*
18-29-605.4 Water service pipe.
18-29-605.4.1 Materials for supply pipes and fittings.
18-29-605.5 Water distribution pipe.
18-29-605.6 Fittings.
18-29-605.7 Valves.
18-29-605.8 Manufactured pipe nipples.
18-29-605.9 Prohibited joints and connections.
18-29-605.10 Flexible water connectors.
18-29-605.11 Deliberately omitted.
18-29-605.12 Brass.
18-29-605.12.1 Brazed joints.
18-29-605.12.2 Mechanical joints.
18-29-605.12.3 Threaded joints.
18-29-605.12.4 Welded joints.
18-29-605.13 Gray iron and ductile iron joints.
18-29-605.14 Reserved.
18-29-605.14.1 Reserved.
18-29-605.14.2 Reserved.
18-29-605.14.3 Reserved.
18-29-605.14.4 Threaded joints.
18-29-605.14.5 Welded joints.
18-29-605.15 Copper tubing.
18-29-605.15.1 Brazed joints.
18-29-605.15.2 Flared joints.
18-29-605.15.3 Grooved and shouldered mechanical joints.
18-29-605.15.4 Mechanical joints.
18-29-605.15.5 Press-connect joints.
18-29-605.15.6 Soldered joints.
18-29-605.15.7 Push-fit fitting joints.
18-29-605.16 CPVC plastic.
18-29-605.16.1 Mechanical joints.
18-29-605.16.2 Solvent cementing.
18-29-605.16.3 Threaded joints.
18-29-605.17 Steel.
18-29-605.17.1 Threaded joints.
18-29-605.17.2 Mechanical joints.
18-29-605.18 Deliberately omitted.
18-29-605.19 Deliberately omitted.
18-29-605.20 Deliberately omitted.
18-29-605.21 Joints between different materials.
18-29-605.21.1 Copper or copper-alloy tubing to galvanized steel pipe.
18-29-605.22 Protection for pipes and fixtures.
18-29-605.23 Hydrants and non-freeze hydrants protection.
18-29-605.24 Water supply pipe protection.
18-29-605.25 Refrigerant condensers.
18-29-605.26 Dead-ends prohibited.
18-29-605.27 Air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
18-29-605.28 Permissible exceptions.
18-29-606 Installation of the Building Water Distribution System.
18-29-606.1 Location of full-open valves.
18-29-606.2 Location of shutoff valves.
18-29-606.3 Access to valves.
18-29-606.4 Valve identification.
18-29-606.5 Water pressure booster systems.
18-29-606.5.1 Hydropneumatic system, booster pump system, gravity tank.
18-29-606.5.1.1 Requirements.
18-29-606.5.1.1.1 Pressure relief valve.
18-29-606.5.1.1.2 Compression tank.
18-29-606.5.1.1.3 Sludge drain pipe.
18-29-606.5.1.2 Booster pump system.
18-29-606.5.1.2.1 Gravity tanks.
18-29-606.5.1.2.2 Total pressure.
18-29-606.5.1.2.3 Low pressure cutoff.
18-29-606.5.2 Surge tank for pumps.
18-29-606.5.3 Check valves required.
18-29-606.5.3.1 Approval required.
18-29-606.5.4 Equipment required for tanks receiving city water.
18-29-606.5.4.1 Sludge drain pipe.
18-29-606.5.4.2 Size.
18-29-606.5.4.3 Covers and support.
18-29-606.5.5 Recycling system for vehicle wash installations.
18-29-606.5.6 Potable water inlet control and location.
18-29-606.5.7 Tank drain pipes.
18-29-606.5.8 Prohibited location of potable supply tanks.
18-29-606.5.9 Pressure relief valve requirements.
18-29-606.5.10 Pressure relief valves for hydropneumatic tanks.
18-29-606.6 Test of distribution pipes.
18-29-607 Hot Water Supply System.
18-29-607.1 Where required.
18-29-607.1.1 Temperature limiting means.
18-29-607.1.2 Tempered water temperature control.
18-29-607.1.2.1 Reserved.
18-29-607.2 Hot or tempered water supply to fixtures.
18-29-607.2.1 Circulation systems and heat trace systems for maintaining heated water temperature in distribution systems.
18-29-607.2.1.1 Pump controls for hot water storage system.
18-29-607.2.1.2 Demand recirculation controls for distribution systems.
18-29-607.2.1A Reserved.
18-29-607.2.2 Piping for recirculation systems having temperature-actuated mixing valves.
18-29-607.3 Thermal expansion control.
18-29-607.3.1 Reserved.
18-29-607.3.2 Reserved.
18-29-607.4 Flow of hot water to fixtures.
18-29-607.5 Insulation of piping.
18-29-607.6 Expansion joints.
18-29-608 Protection of Potable Water Supply.
18-29-608.1 General.
18-29-608.2 Plumbing fixtures.
18-29-608.3 Water supply pipes.
18-29-608.3.1 Special equipment, water supply protection.
18-29-608.4 Deliberately omitted.
18-29-608.5 Secondary water.
18-29-608.6 Prohibited use of secondary water.
18-29-608.6.1 Private water supplies.
18-29-608.7 Stop-and-waste valves prohibited.
18-29-608.8 Identification of potable and nonpotable water.
18-29-608.9 Re-utilization prohibited.
18-29-608.10 Reuse of piping.
18-29-608.11 Painting of water tanks.
18-29-608.12 Pumps and other appliances.
18-29-608.13 Backflow protection.
18-29-608.13.1 Air gap.
18-29-608.13.2 Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers.
18-29-608.13.3 Backflow preventer with intermediate atmospheric vent.
18-29-608.13.4 Barometric loop.
18-29-608.13.5 Atmospheric-type vacuum breakers.
18-29-608.13.6 Double check-valve assemblies.
18-29-608.14 Location of backflow preventers.
18-29-608.15 Protection of potable water outlets.
18-29-608.16 Connections to the potable water system.
18-29-608.16.1 Beverage carbonator.
18-29-608.16.1.1 Backflow preventer.
18-29-608.16.2 High-pressure steam boilers.
18-29-608.16.3 Connections to automatic fire sprinkler systems and standpipe systems.
18-29-608.16.4 Fire protection equipment, risers, standpipes, tanks to be drained and flushed.
18-29-608.16.5 Fire-extinguishing equipment cross-connection.
18-29-608.16.5.1 Prohibitions.
18-29-608.16.6 Chemical or petroleum pressure vessels.
18-29-608.16.6.1 Chemical or petroleum pressure vessels.
18-29-608.16.6.2 Water flushing or cooling.
18-29-608.16.6.3 Chemical, contaminated water, or sewage lines or vessels.
18-29-608.16.7 Deliberately omitted.
18-29-608.16.8 Portable cleaning equipment.
18-29-608.16.9 Dental pump equipment.
18-29-608.17 Private water supplies.
18-29-608.17.1 Well locations.
18-29-608.17.1.1 Distances.
18-29-608.17.1.2 Direct connections.
18-29-609 Health Care Plumbing.
18-29-609.1 General.
18-29-609.1.1 Where required.
18-29-609.2 Water service.
18-29-609.3 Hot water.
18-29-609.4 Vacuum breaker installation.
18-29-609.5 Prohibited water closet and clinical sink supply.
18-29-609.6 Clinical, hydrotherapeutic and radiological equipment.
18-29-609.7 Condensate drain trap seal.
18-29-609.8 Valve leakage diverter.
18-29-610 Disinfection of Potable Water System.
18-29-610.1 Scope.
18-29-611 Water Treatment Units.
18-29-611.1 Design.
18-29-611.2 Reverse osmosis systems.
Article 7. Sanitary Drainage (18-29-701 et seq.)
Article 8. Indirect/Special Waste (18-29-801 et seq.)
Article 9. Vents (18-29-901 et seq.)
Article 10. Traps, Separators and Interceptors (18-29-1001 et seq.)
Article 11. Storm Drainage (18-29-1101 et seq.)
Article 12. Swimming Pools and Other Swimming Facilities* (18-29-1201 et seq.)
Article 13. Referenced Standards
Appendix A Procedures for Calculating the Minimum Sizing of the Water Supply System
CHAPTER 18-30 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 18-31 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 18-32 RESERVED*
CHAPTER 18-36 REFERENCE STANDARDS*
APPENDIX TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO (RESERVED)*
TABLES
Chicago Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Ordinance
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18-29-607.5 Insulation of piping.
   For other than Group R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 occupancies that are four stories or less in height above grade plane, piping to the inlet of a water heater and piping conveying water heated by a water heater shall be insulated in accordance with Section C404.4 of the Chicago Energy Conservation Code. For Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 that are four stories or less in height above grade plane, piping to the inlet of a water heater and piping conveying water heated by a water heater shall be insulated in accordance with Section R403.5.3 of the Chicago Energy Conservation Code.
(Amend Coun. J. 10-14-21, p. 37722, Art. VI, § 27)
18-29-607.6 Expansion joints.
   Mechanical expansion joints may be used where necessary to provide for expansion and contraction of piping. Access to mechanical expansion joints shall be provided. For hot water piping, the expansion function shall be provided by the flexing of the piping material with expansion loops or swing joints. The piping shall be properly anchored and installed as follows:
   1.    Each hot water riser shall be provided with anchors at a maximum distance of 100 feet (30.5 m) with an expansion loop of adequate length provided between such anchors.
   2.    Each hot water main shall be provided with anchors at a maximum distance of 100 feet (30.5 m) with an expansion loop of adequate length provided between such anchors. Offsets of 90 degrees in a horizontal main shall be of adequate length to absorb expansion by flexure.
   3.    Branches from mains connected to risers shall be provided with a swing joint of adequate length unless the branch is of adequate length to absorb expansion by flexure.
   4.    Branches from risers to fixtures shall be provided with a swing joint of adequate length unless the branch is of adequate length to absorb expansion by flexure.
(Amend Coun. J. 10-14-21, p. 37722, Art. VI, § 27)
18-29-608 Protection of Potable Water Supply.
18-29-608.1 General.
   A potable water supply system shall be designed, installed and maintained in such a manner so as to prevent contamination from nonpotable liquids, solids or gases being introduced into the potable water supply through cross-connections or any other piping connections to the system. Backflow preventer applications shall conform to Table 18-29-608.1.
Table 18-29-608.1
Application for Backflow Preventers
For a printer-friendly PDF version of Table 18-29-608.1, please click here.
Device
Degree of Hazard a
Application b
Applicable Standards
Device
Degree of Hazard a
Application b
Applicable Standards
Air gap c
High or low hazard
Backsiphonage or backpressure
ASME A112.1.2
Antisiphon-type Water Closet Flush Tank Ball Cock
Low Hazard
Backsiphonage only
ASSE 1002
CSA CAN/CSA B125
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer
High or low hazard
Backpressure or backsiphonage
Sizes 1/4" to 10"
ASSE 1013
AWWA C511
CSA CAN/CSA B64.4
Reduced Pressure Detector Assembly Backflow Preventer
High or low hazard
Backsiphonage or backpressure
ASSE 1047
Double Check Backflow Prevention Assembly
Low hazard
Backpressure or backsiphonage
Sizes 3/8" to 16"
ASSE 1015
AWWA C510
Double Check Detector Backflow Preventer Assembly
Low hazard
Backpressure or backsiphonage (Fire sprinkler systems)
Sizes 1 1/2" - 16"
ASSE 1048
Dual Check Valve-Type Backflow Preventer
Low hazard
Backpressure or backsiphonage
Sizes 1/4" - 1"
ASSE 1024
Backflow Preventer with Intermediate Atmospheric Vents
Low hazard
Backpressure or backsiphonage
Sizes 1/4" - 3/4"
ASSE 1012
CSA CAN/CSA B64.3
Dual Check Valve-Type Backflow Preventer for Carbonated Beverage Dispensers/Post Mix Type
Low hazard
Backpressure or backsiphonage
Sizes 1/4" - 3/8"
ASSE 1032
Pipe-Applied Atmospheric-Type Vacuum Breaker
High or low hazard
Backsiphonage only
Sizes 1/4" - 4"
ASSE 1001
CSA CAN/CSA B64.1.1
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly
High or low hazard
Backsiphonage only
Sizes 1/2" - 2"
ASSE 1020
Hose-connection Vacuum Breaker
High or low hazard
Backsiphonage
Sizes 1/2", 3/4", 1"
ASSE 1011
CSA CAN/CSA B64.2
Vacuum Breaker Wall Hydrants, Frost-Resistant, Automatic Draining Type
High or low hazard
Backsiphonage
Sizes 3/4", 1"
ASSE 1019
CSA CAN/CSA B64.2.2
Laboratory Faucet Backflow Preventer
(Non-testable)
Low hazard
Backsiphonage
ASSE 1035
CSA B64.7
Hose Connection Backflow Preventer
(Non-testable)
Low hazard
Low head backpressure, rated working pressure
backpressure or backsiphonage
Sizes 1/2" - 1"
ASSE 1052
Spill-proof vacuum breaker
High or low hazard
Backsiphonage only
Sizes 1/4" - 2"
ASSE 1056
 
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a.   Low Hazard - See Pollution (Section 202) and Department of Water Management requirements
   High Hazard - See Contamination (Section 202) and Department of Water Management requirements
b.   See Backpressure (Section 202)
   See Backpressure, Low Head (Section 202)
   See Backsiphonage (Section 202)
c.   Break tank
d.   For systems using non-food grade chemical additives
(Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 353)
18-29-608.2 Plumbing fixtures.
   The supply lines or fittings for every plumbing fixture shall be installed so as to prevent backflow.
18-29-608.3 Water supply pipes.
   Water supply pipe to plumbing fixtures, water using appliances and equipment, wall hydrants (except fire hydrants used for fire fighting) and hose bibbs shall meet the following requirements:
   1.   No plumbing fixture shall be installed unless the water supply enters said fixture with an air gap of twice the internal diameter of the water supply pipe but not less than 1 inch (25 mm) above the flood level rim of the fixture, except for fixtures listed in Section 18-29-423 of this article.
   2.   Dishwashing machine and clothes washing machine water supply pipes shall have an air gap as required for plumbing fixtures, except that dishwashing machine water supply pipes may enter through an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker located on the discharge side of the last control valve. The bottom of the vacuum breaker shall not be less than 6 inches (150 mm) above the flood level rim of the machine or related equipment.
(Amend Coun. J. 11-9-16, p. 36266, § 37)
18-29-608.3.1 Special equipment, water supply protection.
   The water supply for hospital fixtures shall be protected against backflow with a reduced pressure principle backflow preventer, an atmospheric vacuum breaker, or an air gap. Vacuum breakers for bedpan washer hoses shall not be located less than 5 feet (1525 mm) above the floor.
18-29-608.4 Deliberately omitted.
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