SECTION P-102 INSPECTIONS AND TESTING

P-102.1 Inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in Chapter 4 of the Administrative Code, the code official shall be authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced.

P-102.1.1 Evaluation and follow-up inspection services. Prior to the approval of a closed, prefabricated plumbing system and the issuance of a plumbing permit, the code official shall require the submittal of an evaluation report on each prefabricated plumbing system indicating the complete details of the plumbing system, including a description of the system and its components, the basis on which the plumbing system is being evaluated, test results and similar information, and other data as necessary for the code official to determine conformance to this code.

Exception: Manufactured housing pursuant to the Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Authorization Act (35 P.S. §§ 1656.1 - 1656.9) and industrialized buildings pursuant to the Industrialized Housing Act (35 P.S. §§ 1651.1 - 1651.12) respectively.

P-102.1.1.1 Evaluation service. The code official shall consider the evaluation report of an approved Special Inspection Agency, registered in accordance with Section 9-1306 of The Philadelphia Code, for determining adequacy and conformance to this code.

P-102.1.1.2 Follow-up inspection. Except where ready access is provided to all plumbing systems, service equipment and accessories for complete inspection at the site without disassembly or dismantling, the code official shall be authorized to accept the inspection reports of an independent, approved inspection agency to conduct such inspections. The inspection agency shall furnish the code official with the follow- up inspection manual and a report of inspections on request, and the plumbing system shall have an identifying label permanently affixed to the system indicating that factory inspections have been performed.

P-102.1.1.3 Test and inspection records. Required test and inspection records shall be available to the code official at all times during the fabrication of the plumbing system and the erection of the building, or such records as the code official designates shall be filed.

P-102.2 Special inspections. Special inspections of alternative engineered design plumbing systems shall be conducted in accordance with Sections P-102.2.1 and P-102.2.2.

P-102.2.1 Periodic inspection. The registered design professional or designated inspector shall periodically inspect and observe the alternative engineered design to determine that the installation is in accordance with the approved construction documents. Discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the Registered Master Plumber for correction. Records shall be kept of all inspections.

P-102.2.2 Written report. The registered design professional shall submit a final report in writing to the code official upon completion of the installation, certifying that the alternative engineered design conforms to the approved construction documents. A certificate of approval for the plumbing permit shall not be issued until this written certification has been submitted.

P-102.3 Testing. Plumbing work and systems shall be tested as required in Section 312 and in accordance with Sections P-102.3.1 through P-102.3.3. Tests shall be made by the Registered Master Plumber or his designee and observed by the code official.

P-102.3.1 New, altered, extended or repaired systems. New plumbing systems and parts of existing systems that have been altered, extended or repaired shall be tested as prescribed herein to disclose leaks and defects, except that testing is not required in the following cases:

1.   In any case that does not include addition to, replacement, alteration or relocation of any water supply, drainage or vent piping.

2.   In any case where plumbing equipment is set up temporarily for exhibition purposes.

P-102.3.2 Equipment, material and labor for tests. Equipment, material and labor required for testing a plumbing system or part thereof shall be furnished by the Registered Master Plumber.

P-102.3.3 Reinspection and testing. Where any work or installation does not pass any initial test or inspection, the necessary corrections shall be made to comply with this code. The work or installation shall then be resubmitted to the code official for inspection and testing.

P-102.4 Approval. After the prescribed tests and inspections indicate that the work complies in all respects with this code, a certificate of approval shall be issued by the code official.

P-102.5 Temporary connection. The code official shall have the authority to authorize the temporary connection of the building or system to the utility source for the purpose of testing plumbing systems or for use under a temporary certificate of occupancy.