What are plumbing codes, and why do we need them?
All buildings and construction projects have unique codes
specifically designed to regulate the design, installation, and inspection of
plumbing systems. Plumbing codes are responsible for regulating everything from
the depth of piping lines to the type of traps that should be used.
They also give additional important information, such as the
pipe sizing and soil stack requirements. The aim is to ensure that plumbing
adheres to the safety and structural integrity set out in everyday construction
standards.
Plumbing codes prevent against:
Common issues arise, such as noxious fumes or improper
sanitation.
Dubious building practices that might put residents in
harm’s way.
Violations against other regulations, such as the Disability
Act.
Safety features becoming outdated or ineffective.
During an inspection, several common plumbing code violations are often ignored during construction, such as the following:
Improper slope for drain pipes
Not enough cleanouts or maintenance
Improperly placed cleanouts
Incorrect fittings or direction changes
Not enough space around the toilet
Who created plumbing codes, and how are they enforced?
In his time working as the American Secretary of Commerce,
Herbert Hoover had a vision to implement both water and electricity in every
home. During this time, he started the Building Material and Structures
Division of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS).
Dr. Roy B. Hunter worked at the NBS; his job was to research
and discover inexpensive ways to provide indoor plumbing for a safe, clean, and
healthy nation. This research acted as the cornerstone for Hoover’s vision,
setting the groundwork for standardization efforts behind plumbing items, among
other products.
Between the 1920s and 1950s, Hunter collected the majority
of the original scientific research data on plumbing systems, fluid flow in
pipes, and the probability of simultaneous fixtures.
The Department of Commerce’s Building Materials and
Structures was able to use this data to develop and publish a series of three
documents that, together, helped form the understanding of the basic fluids and
hydraulic principles of modern-day plumbing.
The intention behind these documents was to guide the construction of safe and inexpensive plumbing systems in federal
projects, which later became the basis for the sizing and pipe capacity charts,
as well as plumbing codes.
In modern construction, plumbing systems must go through an
official process to demonstrate the need for good planning and careful work.
This process includes the following:
Contractors obtain a permit to construct a certain kind of
building on a special plot of ground.
Plans and specifications are reviewed for compliance with
the minimum standards specified by the code.
If any of the changes required are minimal, then the plans
are approved and a permit is issued.
During the construction project, periodic inspections are
made.
The inspector attaches an approval or rejection notice to
the building permit, as warranted by the work that has been done.
When the building passes final inspection, an occupancy
permit is issued.
How Plumbing Codes Influence the Layout of Plumbing Systems
Plumbing codes restrict exceeding the limited number of
fittings that are permitted in certain regions. Building jurisdictions give the
details on the codes that must be followed, as well as specifics where those
codes differ from standard plumbing codes.
The factors to consider when confirming if your plumbing
system design complies with the plumbing rules (or not) are as follows:
Supply drawings: The cold and hot water supply lines’
estimated lengths and locations are shown on these technical drawings. The set
includes several designs, vent lines, drains, installation guidelines, legends,
and general remarks.
Adequate pipes in the right sizes: To prevent recurring
blockages or costly repairs, it is imperative to have plumbing pipes that are
the proper size. If the pipes are too small, neither the system’s performance
nor the plumbing requirements will be met.
Gas plumbing: Most household systems use propane or natural
gas features. Iron, polyethylene, and steel pipes are used in the plumbing
system to transport fuel to the stove, oven, furnace, etc.
Water access: To ensure there is no cross-connection between
freshwater and waste-carrying pipelines, engineers and architects must create
realistic designs that indicate a continuous, contamination-free water supply
at any time.
DWV elevation: A drain-waste-vent elevation, often known as
a DWV, is a system that removes air and wastewater from a home. The upward
direction of the stacks, vents, drain pipe lengths, and fixture traps are all
included in this section.
Design of the house: The water supply is a system that goes
between different rooms of the house that require plumbing. This also applies
to the drain-waste-vent system, which often runs next to or alongside the water
system.
Outdoors: The plumbing plan also shows the connections for
the outside faucet. There could be a lot of outside plumbing faucets linked around
your house.
Before moving forward with an inspection, contractors will
also want to review three key components of the plumbing system:
General building layout considerations that minimize
plumbing infrastructure costs.
Plumbing fixture location and roof drain location
checklists.
Structural constraints of the property itself.
A plumber in Etobicoke can also offer expertise with plumbing systems (and their
related codes) to help ensure your project is completed according to the
necessary regulations.
How do plumbing codes drive the design of water-saving fixtures?
Since the 1970s, a series of industry-leading water—and
energy-efficiency—provisions have been introduced into the Uniform Plumbing
Code cycle. This development of WaterSense standards includes water-saving
toilets, urinals, showerheads, lavatories, flushometer valves, irrigation
controllers, and spray sprinkler controllers.
Some calculators help determine the expected
peak flow rates in modern residential buildings of all sizes, resulting in
savings on water, energy, and material costs.
Why do certain buildings need fire sprinkler systems?
Fire sprinkler systems are an essential aspect of fire
safety in residential buildings. Regulated by the National Fire Protection
Association, the use of fire sprinklers in residential buildings is required
under certain building codes. These codes determine when fire sprinklers are
required in residential buildings.
Several factors are considered when determining the
requirements for fire sprinklers in a residential building, including:
Building height and size
Type of construction
Occupancy type
Why adhere to plumbing codes?
Plumbing codes specify guidelines for pipe materials, sizes,
and compatibility to ensure durability and prevent leaks or failures. These
codes also mandate proper venting systems to eliminate harmful gasses (such as
methane), as well as protect against the dangers of backflow contamination.
It’s important to adhere to the necessary plumbing codes for
your project to ensure the plumbing system is safe and functions effectively
upon completion.
