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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Administration
Chapter 3 General Regulations
Chapter 5 Water Heaters
Chapter 7 Sanitary Drainage
Chapter 9 Vents
Chapter 11 Storm Drainage
POLICY
Chapter 2 Definitions
Chapter 4 Fixtures, Fau & Fit.
Chapter 6 Water Supply & Dist.
Chapter 8 Ind./Special Waste
Chapter 10 Traps, Inter. & Sep.
APPENDIX A-H
OTHER
Chapter 1 Administration
1) (Q) The owner of a coin operated Ice House is using an approved water tap from
the utility. The weekly discharge from the Ice House is about a gallon of water
that is drained from the building into a gravel lined trench. Several locations in
Charlotte as well as 10 more around the state including the City of Raleigh
have allowed the installation without a sanitary sewer connection to drain the Ice
House waste. The unit is washed down weekly using a hose bib inside the building
and a bio-degradable cleaner is used for the wash down. The owner has ask the
Plumbing Code Administrator to waive the sanitary sewer connection requirement.
The utility tap fees are $6000.00. Should the CA require the Sanitary Sewer
connection? Can the owner use an existing water service on an adjacent property if
both properties are owned by the same person? Can the owner run a waste line into
the adjacent property septic tank?
(A) It depends on specific site conditions. Per the utility the owner has permission to use
the water service on the adjacent property. We would allow that also if the owner had
a deeded easement for the water service. Can the sanitary sewer be connected to an
existing septic tank on the adjacent property. The utility said no problem. We would put
a hold for approval on the permit pending Wastewater Management Department of
Mecklenburg County approval of an additional drain tied to the Septic Tank. Even if the
Septic Tank is not allowed as a waste receptor for the Ice House we would probably not
require a Sanitary Sewer connection for the Ice House wash down.
Chapter 2 Definitions
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Chapter 3 General Regulations
1) (Q) The floor drain in the elevator machinery room of a 10 story building has been
installed without a means to prime the trap. The contractor proposes installing
a hose bib in the machinery room to prime the trap. Is this an acceptable means
of priming the trap?
(A) Plumbing systems shall not be installed in elevator machinery rooms.
Ref: 301.6 NCPC, 3006.6 NCSBC 2012
Chapter 4 Fixtures, Fau & Fit.
1) (Q) Top and side fed water heaters- what are the prescribed clearances to combustible
construction including plastic piping? How much transition material is required?
(A) Install per the WH manufacturer’s instructions. 403.4, 403.6 2012 PC
2) (Q) Would a take- out only restaurant, without seating for dining, or a dry cleaning
facility with only a small pick- up area for the public require public bathrooms?
(A) The code would require public bathrooms; however, there is a proposal in the 2015
code that has been approved by the ICC to eliminate public bathrooms in
these types of occupancies for the public if the pick- up area is less than 1500 square
feet. Per Bill Moeller, DOI Plumbing Chief Engineer, we should look at approving these
types of occupancies without requiring public bathrooms. We have allowed these
occupancies to supply only employee bathrooms in the past and will continue to do so.
DOI- These are some links to the recently approved P35-12 proposal to eliminate public
restrooms at the front of takeout businesses for the 2012/2013 IPC code cycle, group A.
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/Documents/2012-13cycle/FAA/2-IPC.pdf
http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/Documents/2012-13cycle/Summary-FinalActionGroup-A.pdf
Bill Moeller
Chapter 5 Water Heaters
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Chapter 6 Water Supply & Dist.
1) (Q) Are multiple main shut-offs required in a strip shopping center for each tenant
space?
(A) No. Per DOI we would allow only one main readily accessible shut off valve for
the building with supplemental shut off valves in the ceiling of each tenant
space. “Tenant space shutoffs should be marked on the ceiling. 606.1 (2), (4), 606.2,
606.3 NCPC
2) (Q). Is there anything in the code that addresses water heating or sizing in the code? I
couldn’t find anything. And, as a matter of fact, I couldn’t find anything mandating a
water heater at all in a residential dwelling?
(A) Water Heater sizing is up to the designer for any dwelling unit. Commercial Water
Heater sizing is also up to the designer, however, if the Health Department is involved
in the approval they have certain sizing requirements they enforce. Chapter 5 of the
North Carolina Plumbing Code (Commercial) and the North Carolina Residential Code
(Plumbing Section) is devoted strictly to the installation of water heaters. You may also
check our Meckpermit.com web site to get further information on water heaters from
the 2012 Q &A on the interpretations page. 607.1 of the North Carolina 2012 Plumbing
Code requires that each dwelling unit shall be provided with a source of hot water for
each family unit. This applies to single family dwellings, duplexes and townhomes with
land for sale up to three stories in height in the North Carolina Residential Code and for
apartments and condominiums in the North Carolina Plumbing Code. 607.1 NCPC
3) (Q) What is the maximum water temperature at public lavatory? What is the temperature
at a handicap lavatory? What is the maximum water temperature at a hot tub? What
if the maximum temperature of a residential water heater?
(A) Single or multi-family water heaters shall be set at 120 degrees. Ref: GS 66-27.1
“Water thermostat settings”
Individual shower valves in a residence shall be set at 120 degrees. 424.3 NCPC
Hot tubs and showers in the HC code Lavatories 120 degrees, nothing listed, Bath
Tubs 120 degrees per 607.8, Showers 120 degrees per 608.8 ANSI 117.1, 2009
Commercial occupancy Energy Code Requirements. 504.3 Temperature Controls.
“Service water-heating equipment shall be provided with controls to allow a set point
of 110 degrees F for equipment serving dwelling units and 90 degrees F for equipment
serving other occupancies.
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Note: (The outlet temperature of lavatories in public rest
rooms shall be limited to 110 Degrees F. “504.3 NC Energy Code 2012) See Chapter 6
references above.
Chapter 7 Sanitary Drainage
Chapter 8 Ind. /Special Waste
Chapter 9 Vents
1) (Q) We are running into a situation where AAV’s are being installed on third floor attic
Areas (some partial floors Exp: bonus rooms) just above the insulation level. Equipment
is being set in front (Exp: HVAC/water heating equipment) and the AAV is no longer
accessible.
(A) Advise contractor(s) that they must be accessible on final. 917.2, 917.5 2012 PC
2) (Q) The 2012 Plumbing Section of the North Carolina Residential Code has deleted
the Code section allowing AAV’s to be used in single family dwellings, duplexes
and townhomes up to 3 floors. Can AAV’s still be used in these occupancies?
(A) Yes. Per Bill Moeller they may still be used. See information from DOI below.
Section 917 was deleted from the residential plumbing code by the plumbing adhoc committee
which eliminates the use of Studor (or other brands of AAV) vents from residential
construction.
We have been using the statement on page 671 of the residential code to use the plumbing
code requirements versus the residential plumbing code requirements.
“Where differences occur between the provisions of this abridged text and the North Carolina
Plumbing Code, the provisions of the
North Carolina Plumbing Code shall apply. Requirements not specifically covered by this text
shall conform to the North
Carolina Plumbing Code.”
This is the catchall for any mistakes or omissions. It works well in most cases, not so much with
lavatory sidewall clearances.
Bill Moeller
William H. Moeller, P.E.
Chief Plumbing Code Consultant
NCDOI/OSFM Engineering Division
Bill.Moeller@ncdoi.gov
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Phone: 919-661-5880 extension 238
Fax:
919-662-4414
Bill,
Just so I am clear on this issue. We can use Air Admittance Valves in residential single family
homes? We are using 671 of the residential code language to allow the use of AAV’s in single
family construction. Am I correct in my assessment of your email?
Willis,
You are correct.
Bill Moeller
Chapter 10 Traps, Inter. & Sep.
1) (Q) One quick question I had on the 2012 Plumbing code. Chapter 10 item 1002.4
concerning trap primer valves. Does the new code not allow for the hose bib or mop
sink to prime the trap? I understand the concern is with maintaining the seal, and a
trap primer does provide an automatic means to achieve this.
(A) We have allowed a hose bibs with a deep seal traps as an alternate method to achieve
priming of the trap. The code has changed slightly to identify the location of the
connection point of the trap priming line to the trap. We will continue to allow
a deep seal trap with a hose bibs as a substitute for a direct trap priming line to the
trap. 1002.4, 105.2 NCPC 2012
Chapter 11 Storm Drainage
APPENDIX A-H
Appendix C
1) (Q) Heidi, weren’t you involved with a group that was looking at developing local
plumbing standards for rainwater catchment systems? I thought you
might share the link below with that group unless they are already involved with it.
Is rainwater catchment in the plumbing code or is it an appendix for reference only?
(A) The North Carolina 2012 Plumbing Code has information in appendix C1 for installing
Rain Water Recycling Systems. The C1 appendix is referenced and is a part of the 2012
code per section 301.3 NCSPC General Regulations. Plumbing Inspectors working in
code enforcement departments statewide are required to inspect Rain Water
Recycling Systems using appendix C1 for minimum code requirements. The web site in
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your email references ASPE 210 Standard: Rainwater Catchment Systems. Without
ordering the book I do not know how the standard compares to the code already in
place and approved as State Law in North Carolina. The ASPE web site also has
information about ordering ASPE Standard 45: Siphonic Roof Drainage. We already
have approved two buildings in Charlotte using Siphonic Roof Drainage design criteria.
No system standards are currently in the North Carolina State Plumbing Code for
Siphonic Roof Drainage.
POLICY
1) (Q) Do you know what the NC Building Code is doing to comply with the following
requirement in the amended Safe Drinking Water Act becoming effective January 5,
2014? See definition below:
“‘‘(d) DEFINITION OF LEAD FREE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of this section, the
term ‘lead free’ means—
‘‘(A) not containing more than 0.2 percent lead when
used with respect to solder and flux; and
‘‘(B) not more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent
lead when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of
pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures.”
Is there something that the inspection side of things will be able to see that shows
compliance with the lead free act?
(A) To my knowledge nothing has been proposed to the BCC to comply with the Federal
Act. As of January 4, 2014 the definition of lead-free pipe and fittings will go from 8
percent lead to 0.25 percent lead per Federal Law as signed by the President in 2011.
This will have a major impact on suppliers and manufacturers that stock these
products. See attached email from the EPA.
DOI-Bill Moeller
Jerry L. Ellis, Jr. --- Environmental Scientist Standards and Risk Management Division
Office of Ground Water & Drinking Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW (4607M) Washington, DC 20460
Mr. Moeller,
Thank you for the call this morning. Attached is the Bill that passed both houses and
was signed into law January 2012. According to the Bill, the change in definition of
"lead free" will not be effective until early 2014. The process for changing Section
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141.43 in the Code of Federal Regulations is complicated right now and I don't have a
time-line yet for when it will be completed. I recommend checking back in with us
periodically to see where we are. You may contact me or Jeff Kempic who is involved
with updating the CFR
(See attached file: Change to SDWA Definition of Lead Free PL 111-380-Jan.4,
2011. pdf)
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ380
2) (Q) The health department would like one of our inspectors to investigate a clogged floor
drain in the vending area in front of one of the buildings on the UNCC Campus. They
emailed a picture of the problem to the department. Should an RQ be requested to
look at the problem?
(A) No. We cannot send an Inspector out for this, as we have no authority on state
owned property. We would recommend a contractor look at it, from the picture that
you attached, it appears that they are using a point of use Grease trap. These devices
usually have a small orifice flow restrictor built in to the incoming side of the device.
That precludes any fast drainage to keep the flow rate of the GT at factory settings to
prevent washout of the Interceptor. Is this one Interceptor per food stand? If so, I
would think this is the problem. They should go back to their designer of record for a
fix…thanks GS 143-135.1 (a) (b) & (c)
3) (Q) Below I’ve highlighted a question that was raised concerning how far down the path of
bringing existing plumbing up to current code a person needs to go for a fire restoration
project. Could you shed some light on how I should respond? As far as total rebuild is
concerned, this project does not fall into that category and is why the specifications as
far as what Meck County requires is blurry. For instance when you said I will have to
bring drain lines up to code, I understand this to mean all the way to the 4" sewer line
that goes out of the house. Can you specify this more clearly for me?
(A) Our policy is if you do not change the roughs and put back exactly what was taken out
we have allowed it as far as mechanical/plumbing and fuel gas work is concerned.
OTHER: Handicap Accessibility,
1) (Q) Discuss the key items to inspect in the plumbing code that are different from a
standard handicap bathroom when the bathroom is designed for a hearing impaired
person? What should the inspector look for?
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(A) Chapter 7 of ANSI 117.1 2009 calls for visual alarms to be installed per NFPA 72.
2) (Q) Attached are the shop drawings for a typical pantry. We are installing plumbing fixtures
in the pantry. (See drawing attached) The inspector is questioning ADA compliance and
handicap access. Can you advise where the dimensions are incorrect?
(A) There is only one dimension on the drawing that is incorrect and does not meet the
ANSI 117.1 provisions. The 8 inch dimension from the face of the cabinet to the Plam
Door should be 11 inches minimum. Ref: 306.3 and Knee figures 306.3 on page 10 of
the 2009 ANSI 117.1 code.
3) (Q) The code section we were talking about yesterday is 602.4 out of the ICC/ANSI A117.109. Section 604.10 talks about Ambulatory Accessible Stalls, but 602.4 gives the
location of the centerline of the WC as 17” – 19”. The requirement for the Ambulatory
Accessible Stall comes from the NCBC section 1109.2.2. Why are the center lines for
Ambulatory and Standard Accessible stalls different?
(A) For standard handicap accessible stalls the Center Line of the dimension is from 16 to 18
inches. See Fig. 604.2, ANSI 117.1-09. For the Ambulatory Stall the Center line is
between 17 and 19 inches. The standard accessible stall has grab bars on the rear and
side of the stall so the dimension difference requires the water closet to sit closer to the
corner of the stall to facilitate handicap access. (See grab bar configuration in Fig. 604.2
as ref.)
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