(a) This article establishes the minimum criteria for the installation, maintenance and location of plumbing systems and facilities, including the water supply system, water-heating appliances, sewage disposal system and related plumbing fixtures. Existing plumbing installations may present unique inspection problems for the code official. Almost all installations are concealed by finished walls, ceilings and floors. The code official must inspect the visible portions of the system and assess the acceptability of the whole installation. To help the code official make suitable judgments, a foundation of basic principles may aid in the enforcement process.
(b) The following is a listing of 23 basic principles of environmental sanitation and safety for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, which establish the fundamental concepts behind health and safety regulations for plumbing systems. Knowing these principles aids in understanding the code requirements, which leads to more effective code enforcement.
(1) Principle No. 1, All Occupied Premises Shall Have Potable Water. All buildings, structures and premises intended for human habitation, occupancy, use or employment, or the preparation or processing of food, drinks or other materials for human consumption shall be provided with an adequate, safe and potable water supply through a safe system of piping to all fixtures, appliances and appurtenances. Such a water supply must not be connected to an unsafe water source, nor shall it be subjected to the hazards of backflow.
(2) Principle No. 2, Adequate Water Required. Plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function properly and without undue noise under normal conditions of use.
(3) Principle No. 3, Hot Water Required. Hot water shall be supplied to all plumbing fixtures that normally need or require hot water for their proper use and function.
(4) Principle No. 4, Water Conservation. Plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water consistent with proper performance and cleaning.
(5) Principle No. 5, Dangers of Explosion or Overheating. Devices for heating and storing water shall be designed and installed so as to guard against dangers from explosion or overheating.
(6) Principle No. 6, Use Public Water and Sewers Where Available. Every building with installed plumbing fixtures intended for human habitation, occupancy or use and located where there is a public water supply and sewer service shall have a connection with the water supply and sewer.
(7) Principle No. 7, Required Plumbing Fixtures. Each family dwelling unit shall have at least one water closet, one lavatory, one kitchen-type sink and one bathtub or shower to meet the basic requirements of sanitation and personal hygiene. All other structures for human occupancy or use shall be equipped with sufficient sanitary facilities as prescribed in the code, but with no less than one water closet and lavatory.
(8) Principle No. 8, Smooth Surfaces Required. Plumbing fixtures shall be made of durable, smooth, non-absorbent and corrosion-resistant material and shall be free from concealed fouling surfaces.
(9) Principle No. 9, Drainage System of Adequate Size. The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained to guard against fouling, deposit of solids and clogging, and with adequate cleanouts arranged so that the pipes may be readily cleaned.
(10) Principle No. 10, Durable Materials and Good Workmanship. The piping of the plumbing system shall be of durable material, free from defective workmanship and designed and constructed so as to give satisfactory service for its reasonably expected life.
(11) Principle No. 11, Liquid Seal Traps Required. Each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with a liquid seal trap.
(12) Principle No. 12, Trap Seals Must Be Protected. The drainage system shall be designed to provide adequate circulation of air in all pipes without danger of siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals under conditions of ordinary use.
(13) Principle No. 13, Exhaust Foul Air to Outside. Each vent terminal shall be extended to the outdoors, and be installed so as to minimize the possibilities of clogging and the return of foul air to the building.
(14) Principle No. 14, Test the Plumbing System. The plumbing system shall be subjected to tests that will effectively disclose all leaks and defects in the work or material.
(15) Principle No. 15, Exclude Certain Substances from the Plumbing System. Storm, surface or ground water or any substance that will clog or accentuate clogging of pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage disposal process shall not be allowed to enter the building drainage system.
(16) Principle No. 16, Prevent Contamination. Proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of food, water, sterile goods and similar materials from backflow of sewage. When necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.
(17) Principle No. 17, Light, Heat and Ventilation. A water closet, urinal, lavatory, bathtub or shower shall not be located in a room or compartment that is not properly lighted, heated and ventilated in accordance with accepted practice.
(18) Principle No. 18, Individual Sewage Disposal Systems. If water closets or other plumbing fixtures are installed in buildings where there is not a public sewer, provisions shall be made for disposing of the building sewage by an approved method of treatment and disposal.
(19) Principle No. 19, Prevent Sewer Flooding. Where a plumbing drainage system is subject to backflow of sewage from the public sewer, provisions shall be made to prevent its overflow into the building.
(20) Principle No. 20, Proper Maintenance. Plumbing systems shall be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition from the standpoints of both mechanics and health.
(21) Principle No. 21, Fixtures Shall Be Accessible. All plumbing fixtures shall be installed with regard to spacing so as to be accessible for their intended use and for cleansing.
(22) Principle No. 22, Structural Safety. Plumbing shall be installed with due regard to preservation of the strength of structural members and prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.
(23) Principle No. 23, Protect Ground and Surface Water. Sewage or other waste shall not be discharged into surface or subsurface water unless it has first been subjected to an approved form of treatment.
(c) Sanitary and clean conditions in occupied buildings are dependent upon certain basic plumbing principles, including providing potable water to a building, providing fixtures to utilize that water and removing waste from the building. This article establishes the minimum criteria to verify that these principles are maintained throughout the life of a building.
(Ord. passed 3-13-2018)