Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)3
7)3
1
(Q) What does a contractor/permit holder have to supply for an
inspection?
(A) Section 107.2 of the NC Administrative Code states that it is the
duty of the permit holder “to provide access to and means for
inspection of the work for any inspections that are required by this
code.”
(Q) The Mecklenburg County inspection department preaches strongly
about how hard it works to combat inconsistency in inspections and
interpretations. When are you going to be consistent with other counties?
(A) Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement prides itself on
achieving a high level of consistency within the confines of
Mecklenburg County. We however do not have authority over other
counties or the decisions they render. We make interpretation
recommendations and/or requests to the NC Department of
Insurance from time to time and will continue to do so in and effort to
provide consistent code enforcement within “Mecklenburg County”.
(Q) Where are shower pans required?
(A) They are required on all showers with the exception of rinse
showers at swimming pools or beaches. Shower pans shall meet the
requirements list in section 417.5.2 of the NC Plumbing Code.
(Q) Are FROET roof drains permitted to be used in limiting the roof
penetrations on commercial roof drainage systems?
(A) Yes, provided that the designer uses the dual outlet type and the
separation of primary and secondary systems is maintained. The
primary system shall be sized per the more restrictive secondary
rate.
(Q) Does designated accessible hotel suites have to make the non code
required convenience shower, accessible?
(A) No, section 29.4.3.2 of the NC Accessibility Code states “tub OR
shower, not both.
(Q) Does the Code allow the use of paint or spray materials for a shower
pan liner?
(A) No! Section 417.5.2 allows the use of PVC sheet, CPE sheet,
sheet lead, sheet copper and preformed ABS.
(Q) May plumbing piping be routed within a 2 hour exit enclosure shaft?
(A) No.
2nd
1)
st
General:
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
8)3
9)3
(Q) What is the definition of “Core” plumbing facilities?
(A) These are restrooms centrally located directly off of an
accessible corridor with the quantity sized for the square footage of
the floor area it serves (one to two floors max.), taking into
consideration all of the occupancy types.
(Q) Is there an alternative for the rainfall charts listed in chapter 11 of the
NC Plumbing Code?
(A) Yes. Section 1106.1 allows for rainfall rates determined from local
weather data. Mecklenburg County has a chart developed from data
gathered from Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services. Designers
may use the chart provided they clearly identify its use on the
submitted plans. A copy of the chart may be obtained from the plan
submittal department.
2nd
General:
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
3)
4)
1
2)
(Q) Does a ejector pump tank, installed for the future, require the contents
(fluids) to be pumped prior to the final inspection?
(A) The pumping of the tank would be advisable, but it would be the
contractor’s discretion. However, the unused openings (vent, etc.)
need to be capped until they are used.
(Q) Does a residential fire sprinkler system require backflow devices?
(A) If the fire sprinkler system is separate from the plumbing
distribution system, then yes, a double check assembly would be
required.
(Q) What size/type water heater requires a safety pan?
(A) Section 504.7 does not exempt any type or size water heater or
tank from the requirement of safety pans.
(Q) What type of backflow protection is required on restaurant type
beverage dispensers?
(A) Beverage dispensers shall be protected by an air gap or a
backflow device meeting the requirements of ASSE 1022 or CSA
B64.3.1. Devices meeting these requirements are double check
design, usually stainless steel.
2nd
1)
st
Equipment:
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
1)
2)3
(Q) Do car washes have to provide approved interceptors in the process
loop of recycled wash water?
(A) Designers wishing to clean recycled water (i.e., car washes,
steaming stations, pressure washing) with systems like the
Cyclonator, do not have to be on the approved interceptor list. The
Code does not apply to process piping, only discharges to the
sanitary sewer system.
(Q) May clear water waste such as a hand sink be installed on a greasy
waste line?
(A) The intent of the Code is to separate the waste however, if the
designer would rather incorporate the additional load on the
interceptor instead of adding a separate clear waste line, that would
be acceptable.
2nd
Interceptors & Special Waste:
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)3
7)3
1
(Q) What are the stipulations, if any, on the replacement of drainage
piping on fire damaged structures?
(A) The damaged piping may be replaced with piping materials and
methods used at the time the structure was built. The only difference
would be penetrations through rated assemblies. These penetrations
are considered “life safety” and would have to meet the Code.
(Q) Is a drain required at a swimming pool rinse shower?
(A) A drain is not required unless the designer changes the scope of
the rinse shower to a shower for washing by the addition of hot
water.
(Q) What is the meaning of exception 5 of 708.10 of the NC Plumbing
Code?
(A) The exceptions are other acceptable ways to meet the
requirements for a C/O at the upstream end of a drain line. Exception
5 would allow a horizontally run line catching a fixture such as a
shower, to locate the C/O for that line on the fixtures vent as long as
it is above the fixtures flood rim.
(Q) Do we require a roof over a can wash located outside?
(A) No.
(Q) Does the plumbing code allow slopes less than 1/8” per foot?
(A) Yes the Code supports 1/16” per foot on 8” and larger lines.
NCDENR allows 1/16” on the large lines including 6” lines. We will
allow, as an alternative method, the uses of 1/16” per foot on 6” and
larger lines provided the engineer provides a sealed letter stating the
design load and slope will maintain a minimum 2 fps flow rate.
(Q) When can Fernco fittings be used?
(A) Section 705.18 allows the use fo connectors and adapters
consisting of elastomeric sleeve and stainless steel clamps when
joining dissimilar materials. The use of directional fittings (tee or
wye) is prohibited. The adapter coupling may be used above or
below grade.
(Q) May a contractor install a floor drain in a residential single family
garage with a sloped floor for the purposes of collecting run off from a
parked vehicle and direct that to a dry well or discharge above grade?
(A) Water Quality does not want drains which could convey oil
contaminants to the earth or water ways (streams). Drains in a
garage should therefore be connected to a sanitary sewer
connection.
2nd
1)
st
Drainage:
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
Venting:
1)
2)
2nd
3)
(Q) Does the Code allow the use of a combination instead of a sanitary
tee in a waste stack catching a lavatory or sink?
(A) Table 706.3 would suggest that a combination may be used in
any position in the direction of flow. However, section 906.2
stipulates that a fixture branch may not exceed it’s hydraulic
gradient and therefore would prohibit the use a combination in this
situation.
(Q) Does the Code still require that water closets back to back be installed
with a double combination?
(A) The 2006 Code required the use of a double combination on back
to back water closets. The restriction was removed in the 2009 NC
Plumbing Code.
(Q) In the drawing 802.2.2 (2) of the 2006 NC Plumbing Code
Commentary a floor drain (no trap) is discharging above the trap seal of a
second floor drain. Is this installation legal?
4)
(A) This installation may be used with receptors receiving
condensate and clear water drips and is approved on a case by case
basis. When allowed, the maximum distance shall not exceed 25’.
(Q) There seems to be some discrepancy with the enforcement and
understanding of section 909.4 of the NC Plumbing Code (2009). When
will the code as written be enforced?
(A) We will additional in house training to get Plan Review and Field
up to speed. Permits issued after Sept 1, 2009 should be in
compliance.
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
5)3
6)3
7)3
(Q) Will the 2009 NC Plumbing Code allow the use of AAV’s in acid waste
systems?
(A) Section 917.8 prohibits installation of AAV’s in nonneutralized
special waste systems (acid) or supply or return air plenums.
(Q) Does the 2009 NC Plumbing Code require floors without plumbing (i.e.
parking decks, etc.) when calculation relief vents?
(A) No.
(Q) May AAV’s be placed outside the building?
(A) They must be installed per manufacturer’s instructions. Two of
the ones I checked have maximum cold weather limitation of - 40
degrees. PVC should not be installed in direct sun light.
2nd
Venting continued:
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2009
Quarter
Plumbing Q & A 2009
1)
(Q) May a contractor use CPVC water distribution piping in HVAC return
air plenums?
(A) Plastic water piping may be used in return air plenums provide it
meets the requirements of section 602.2.1 of the NC Mechanical
Code which requires that material located in a return plenum have a
developed flame/smoke index of 25/50 or less (in accordance with
ASTM E84). Not all CPVC products will have the required index
rating.
2nd
Water Distribution: