(A) Underground service.
(1) Water service to any premises shall not be less than one inch inside diameter and shall be installed to a depth of not less than five or more than seven feet. Water services of one-inch, one and one-half-inch or two-inch diameter shall be Type “K” soft temper copper. Type “K” services of one and one-half-inch diameter and over shall be installed in 20 foot lengths. Water services of over two inches in diameter may be cement lined ductile cast iron pipe.
(2) All premises intended for human habitation shall be provided with a potable water supply. The potable water supply shall not be connected to nonpotable water and shall be protected from backflow and back siphonage. The required backflow preventer shall be installed immediately downstream of the water meter.
(B) Water meters. Water meters shall be installed in a basement or crawl space of the premises to be served.
(1) From the date of adoption of this amendment, water meters, MXU boxes and accompanying wiring must be located in a manner that allows accessibility by city staff or a designated contractor for purposes of repair, replacement and shut off. An area of two feet surrounding the meter and MXU box in all directions must remain clear. If concealment of the meter and MXU box is desired, access may be provided by a standard, full size door.
(2) For all meters, including those installed prior to the adoption of this amendment, the cost of removal or restoration of any interior materials resulting from the need to gain access to the meters, MXU boxes, wiring and shut off valves shall be borne in full by the property owner.
(3) A full way ball valve, the same size as the water service, shall be installed on both the inlet and outlet side of the meter spread and within six inches of the meter.
(C) Interior distribution.
(1) (a) Type “L” hard temper copper water pipe shall be used for all interior above-grade water distribution.
(b) Exception: galvanized water pipe Schedule 40 may be used for repair of existing galvanized systems.
(2) Type “K” copper shall be used for all interior water distribution cast in or located under concrete slabs.
(3) A water or air test of the entire water distribution and fixture piping shall be conducted by the
plumbing contractor or licensed plumber. All water piping shall remain exposed until the test has been completed and approved by the Plumbing Inspector.
(D) Transition. Where transition is made from copper to existing galvanized or other dissimilar metal pipe, a dielectric fitting shall be installed at the transition point.
(E) Used pipe. No piping material that has been used shall be re-used in the potable water supply system.
(F) Stop and waste valves. Stop and waste valves shall be prohibited in pits or areas of possible immersion.
(G) Plumbing fixtures.
(1) Every plumbing fixture including tubs and showers shall be provided with accessible stop valves on both hot and cold water supply pipes.
(2) Each residence shall be provided with not less than two outside sill cocks. Sill cocks shall be installed on opposite sides of the building and shall be provided with an anti-freezing device.
(H) Air chambers. All building or water supply systems shall be provided with devices to absorb high pressures at each fixture. The pressure absorbing device shall be air chambers or an approved mechanical device.
(1) Air chambers shall be not less than 12 inches high and shall be of the same or larger diameter as the fixture supply pipe.
(2) Straps and hangers for water piping shall be plastic lined or coated.
(I) Cross-connections. Cross-connections are prohibited.
(J) Water connections where protective devices are required and critical level (C-L) settings for backflow preventers.
Fixture or Equipment | Method of Installation |
Fixture or Equipment | Method of Installation |
Aspirators and ejectors | C-L at least 6 inches above flood level of receptacle |
Cup beverage vending machines | C-L at least 12 inches above flood level of machine |
Dental units | On models without built-in vacuum breakers, C-L at least 6 inches above flood level of rim of bowl |
Dishwashing machines | C-L at least 6 inches above flood level of machine |
Flush tanks | Equipped with an approved ball cock; in all cases, the ball cock should be located above the overflow level of the tank and the outlet terminated 1 inch above the overflow or provided with a backflow preventer located at least 1 inch above the overflow |
Flushometers (closet and urinal) | C-L at least 6 inches above top of fixture |
Garbage can cleaning machine | C-L at least 6 inches above flood level of machine |
Hose bibs (where aspirators or ejectors could be connected) | C-L at least 6 inches above flood level of receptacle served |
Hose outlets | C-L at least 6 inches above highest point on hose lines |
Laundry machines | C-L at least 6 inches above flood level of machine |
Lawn sprinklers | C-L at least 12 inches above highest sprinkler or discharge outlet |
Steam tables | C-L at least 6 inches above flood level |
Tank and vats | C-L at least 6 inches above flood level rim or line |
Trough urinals | C-L at least 30 inches above perforated flush pipe |
(K) Vacuum breakers; devices for the protection of the potable water supply. Approved backflow preventers or vacuum breakers shall be installed with any plumbing fixture or equipment, the potable water supply outlet of which may be submerged and which cannot be protected by a minimum air gap. Vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level at least six inches above the flood level rim of the fixture they serve and on the discharge side of the last control valve to the fixture. No shut-off valve or faucet shall be installed beyond the vacuum breaker.
(L) Lawn sprinkler systems.
(1) All interior connections to sprinkler systems shall be Type “K” or “L” copper pipe and shall be protected from back siphonage by means of vacuum breakers. The size and location of connection to the potable water supply shall be approved by the Director of Community Development, or his or her authorized designee.
(2) Plans and specifications for lawn sprinkler systems shall be submitted to and approved by the Director of Community Development or his or her designee prior to the issuance of a permit.
(M) Abandoned service disconnection. When a water service is abandoned, the owner of the premises shall be responsible for the complete disconnection or shut-off of the water supply to the premises.
(1) If the water service is of Type “K” copper, the Water Department will shut off the water at the curb box. The copper pipe may remain connected to the curb box for future use, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Water.
(2) If the water service is of material other than Type “K” copper, it shall be disconnected at the water main by a plumbing contractor.
(3) All disconnection work shall be accomplished under the inspection procedures of the Water Department.
(N) Tapping permit. Prior to having a service tap, the contractor shall obtain a tapping permit.
(O) Potable water supply.
(1) Every habitable building shall have a separate potable cold water service connected to the city water distribution system.
(2) (a) Water piping equal to the inlet size of the water heater shall be provided from the water service to the hot water heaters.
(b) Water distribution piping, not smaller in size than the water service, shall be installed to the most remote plumbing fixture in the system.
(3) (a) Water distribution piping for single-family or duplex dwellings shall be not less than one-inch diameter pipe or tubing.
(b) The Director of Community Development or his or her designee may require that the water distribution system in buildings other than single-family and duplex dwellings be designed by a professional engineer licensed to practice in the state.
1. Water distribution piping for all bathrooms, powder rooms, kitchen, laundry room and other areas with more than one plumbing fixture, shall have gate valves with identification tags on both the hot and cold risers.
2. All hot water distribution piping shall include a recirculating return line. The recirculating return line shall be provided with a shut-off valve at the hot water heater.
(4) Fixture supply piping of not less than three-eighths inch diameter may be installed between the distribution pipe and the fixture stop valve.
(5) The typical water piping isometric (Graphic 5 in § 150.400), may be used to graphically interpret the general water service, distribution and fixture piping requirements.
(6) Water piping shall not be installed in outside walls, overhangs, unheated areas or walls
adjacent to unhealed areas or joist space adjacent to unheated areas.
(P) Water supply to boilers. Boilers shall be equipped with an approved backflow preventer in the water supply to the boiler.
(Q) Hot water supply system protection.
(1) Pressure-temperature relief valves and energy cut-off devices shall be required. Equipment used for heating water or storing hot water shall be protected by approved safety devices in accordance with one of the following methods:
(a) A separate pressure relief valve and a separate temperature relief valve;
(b) A combination pressure and temperature relief valve;
(c) A separate pressure relief valve and an energy cut-off device; or
(d) Temperature and pressure relief valves and discharge pipes shall not be reduced. Discharge pipes shall extend to within six inches of the floor.
(2) All safety devices shall meet the current requirements of the American Standards Association, American Society of Mechanical Engineers or the Underwriters Laboratories. Listing by Underwriters Laboratories or American Gas Association shall constitute evidence of conformance with these standards. Where a device is not listed by any of these, it must have certification by an approved laboratory as having met these requirements.
(a) Drain cocks or valves for hot water storage tanks. Drain cocks or valves for emptying shall be installed at the lowest point of each hot water storage tank.
(b) Relief-valve location. Temperature relief valves shall be so located in the tank as to be actuated by the water in the top one-eighth of the tank served. Pressure-relief valves may be located adjacent
to the equipment they serve. There shall not be a check valve or shut-off valve between a relief valve and the heater or tank for which it is installed.
(c) Relief outlet wastes. The outlet of a pressure, temperature or other relief valve, shall not be connected to the drainage system as a direct waste.
(R) Fasteners. All pipes shall be firmly supported by use of fasteners of appropriate material designed for the purpose.
(S) Bidets. All bidets shall be equipped with an accessible mixing valve.
(T) Vacuum breakers. All hose bibs, garage faucets, greenhouse faucets, solarium faucets, reflecting pond faucets or other similar areas with water supplies, shall have a nonfreezing, nonremovable vacuum breaker or built-in anti-siphon device.
(U) Water supply piping. All dishwashers, ice makers and other similar equipment shall have water supply piping in compliance with the City Plumbing Code, not smaller than the minimum size shown in the manufacturers installation manual.
(V) Efficient plumbing fixtures.
(1) The installation of the following water efficient plumbing fixtures is mandatory (based on a pressure at the fixture of 40 to 50 p.s.i.) in all new construction and in all repair and/or replacement of fixtures or trim:
Fixtures Maximum Flow
| |
Lavatory, sink faucets | 3.0 GPM |
Shower heads | 3.0 GPM |
Urinals, flushometer type | 3.0 gal. per flush |
Urinals, tank type | 3.0 gal. per flush |
Water closets, flushometer type | 3.0 gal. per flush |
Water closets, tank type | 3.5 gal. per flush |
(2) Water cooled air conditioning systems shall be closed systems in all new construction and in all new remodeling.
(3) All lavatories for public use in new construction or remodeling be equipped with metering or self-closing faucets.
(4) All newly constructed or remodeled car wash installations be equipped with a water recycling system.
(5) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this section, wherever available, any new or replacement plumbing fixtures shall be a labeled WaterSense product, as specified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(Prior Code, § 9-195) (Ord. 94-11B, passed 4-21-1994; Ord. 04-76, passed 11-1-2004; Ord. 2015-55, passed 9-21-2015)