Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Plumbing Q & A 2005
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2005
General:
1)
2)
(Q) Who is responsible for performing inspections on “jobs” designated
REHAB?
(A) Rehab inspectors. They perform the plan review and the
inspections. Call 704-432-0677for inspection request.
(Q) What are the requirements for piping under a new or replacement
mobile home?
(A) The piping under the mobile home shall be installed per the
North Carolina Plumbing Code including drainage test requirements.
We allow the installer to fill the piping with water to a point where it
shows in the tub shoe or they may elect to install test tees at each
stub down of the home and test by an external standpipe with a 3
foot high head.
2nd Quarter
3)
4)
(Q) What has to be done to an abandoned septic tank when changing to
city sewer?
(A) Cap the sewer inlet connection.
(Q) How much roughing is required on a residential bathroom installed in
a basement “for future”?
(A) Future rough piping shall include all piping below the slab, a
stub for the vent and a stub for the building drain and water
distribution if not accessible later. Should the future bath require a
sewage lift to reach the drainage system and the desire is to locate
this sewage lift within the structure, then the tank and pump shall be
included a part of the future rough piping!
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Plumbing Q & A 2005
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2005
Equipment:
1)
2)
3)
(Q) May water heater safety pans be supported by hanging iron?
(A) No! Water heater pans shall be placed on flat surface which
supports their entire surface. No penetrations (other than the drain)
shall be allowed in the bottom or side walls.
(Q) May water heaters be hung on a piece of angle iron attached to the
wall?
(A) Waters may be hung on walls structurally sound and designed to
support their weight.
They shall be attached by factory
designed/provided devices or their bottoms supported on a
framework of three sides (triangle) or four sides (square) with angle
iron, unistrut, or wood framing (not return ceiling space) of adequate
dimensions to support the weight. When in doubt, the inspector may
require proof/calculations.
(Q) Is a backflow device required to have 5 feet on metallic piping on the
inlet and outlet?
(A) The metallic piping ir required to support the backflow device
(up to 2”). The contractor may elect to support the backflow device
by other approved/engineered support means and install plastic on
the inlet and outlet.
2nd Quarter
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Plumbing Q & A 2005
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
2nd Quarter
June 2005
Fixtures:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)3
(Q
What are some of the major items required in day care
establishments?
(A) Here are some of the major items:
• Water Closets at 1 per 15 children
• Elongated water closets/open front seats
• Group restroom only available for a day care with no after
school.
• Microwave Kitchen = no grease interceptor
• After school programs will require male & female restrooms
and drinking fountains.
(Q) Do pool showers have to go to sanitary sewer?
(A) Yes!
(Q) How much clearance is required above a water closet?
(A) The building code requires 6’ 8” vertical clearance measured
from the front of the water closet.
(Q) When positioning a handicap kitchen sink in the counter top, what is
the minimum distance allowed between the fron edge of the sink and the
back wall?
(A) 17” min. See section 11.11.3 (4).
(Q) How are fixture to be connected to a horizontal circuit system?
(A) The fixtures shall be connected to the horizontal circuit vent in
the “horizontal plane” only!
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Plumbing Q & A 2005
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
2nd Quarter
June 2005
Drainage:
1)
(Q) How shallow may a PVC pipe be placed in a concrete slab?
(A) Section 1911.1 of the Building Code states that the minimum
coverage shall be 3 ½ inches unless approved by a design
professional.
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
Plumbing Q & A 2005
Attention: 3 Denotes a new question!
z Denotes a revised/revisited question.
June 2005
Water Distribution:
1)
2)
(Q) is the piping of a circulated hot water distribution system required to
be insulated?
(A) Systems constructed with metallic piping, whether in whole or
part, shall be insulated with pipe insulation having a minimum wall
thickness of ½“ and shall cover the entire hot water distribution
system from the source to the individual fixture supply stub
including thehot water return line.
Plastic piping systems meeting the criteria of 504.5 of the NC
Energy Code and certified by the manufacturer’s engineer are
exempt.
(Q) Do backflow assemblies require the installation of a service valve
before the assembly?
(A) The Code requires a service valve at all plumbing devices. The
valve that is provided as part of the assembly would be adequate to
meet this requirement.
2nd Quarter