Canadian Advisory Council on Plumbing
(CACP) UPDATE
The CACP acts in an advisory capacity to participating accredited organizations on matters
pertaining to standards and conformity assessment programs affecting plumbing. It provides a
forum for industry, regulators, and product certification organizations to share new concepts and
ideas, to discuss policy and programs, and to review innovations and new technologies that affect
plumbing standards, and the certification and testing of plumbing products.
The CACP met in Fredericton, New Brunswick for its Annual Meeting on August 19, 2014. Meeting
highlights are as follows:
Water Reclamation/Reuse Challenges
CSA B128.3 for the Performance of Non-Potable Water Treatment Systems specifies water systems requirements for
treating greywater or waste water for reuse in other applications. Regulators would like to see products certified to the
requirements of B128.3, but this requires CBs willing to certify to this new standard. It is also important that CSA
B128.3 become utilized across all jurisdictions as currently some jurisdictions have it in regulation and others do not.
Water Use Efficiency (Proposed Flow Rates for NPC)
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Need to consider the health impacts in addition to reducing consumption
Possibility of leaching occurring due to water sitting in the pipes longer
The flow rate requirements are currently harmonized in the US and Canada via the appropriate ASME/CSA binational standard.
The proposed changes in the Plumbing Code will now create a conflict between US and Canadian
requirements
Jurisdictions may have a difficult time determining whether the product meets the flow rate
Existing infrastructure may not be able to transport the drainage/waste effectively
Task force was formed consisting of CACP members with the goal of coming to a resolution
Provinces who have already implemented these flow rates are currently not experiencing any issues
It was noted that there is support from the CACP to encourage the standing committees within the national
research Council to differentiate between building and plumbing services so that plumbing systems have their
own matrix.
North American Lead Regulations
Health Canada indicated that they have been surveying drinking water regulators on the adoption/requirements for
compliance to NSF 60 and 61. The survey also includes low lead requirements (NSF 372). Health Canada is also in
the process of following up with the lead and copper revisions.
CIPH indicated that their website contains information on what these requirements mean for Canada. It was noted that
there is still confusion as to what products are affected. In addition, regulators have concerns as to what markings are
on products which comply with the new lead requirements. Right now regulators are unsure on how to differentiate
between product that meets the low lead requirements and the products that don’t. It was indicated that a central
repository for the various marks would be beneficial.
CSA B126 Series-13
The CSA B126 cistern standard was published approximately one year ago. Regulatory jurisdictions are looking for
CBs to start certifying product. CSA indicated that a certification program has been created, but they have not
received interest from industry as of yet. It was also indicated that the Standing committee on Building and Plumbing
Services (SCBPS) is looking at adopting CSA B126 to be part of the 2020 plumbing code. As a result CRCP indicated
that they may look at adopting the CSA B126 on a ‘per jurisdiction’ basis.
Impact of Reduced Water Consumption on Drainage System
Concern that existing pipes may not be properly designed to carry the waste solids as a consequence of
reduced water to transport the solids. It was proposed that data be obtained outlining the impact that
reduced flow rates has on the drain line.
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SCC Update on ORD Policy Revision
Some of the key revisions as proposed by the working group lead by SCC are as follows:
 Regulatory members are responsible for approving the need of any ORD via a 30 day ballot
 ORDs are an interim process with the intent that it be incorporated into a new or existing standard within a set
time frame
 When an ORD expires, no new products can be evaluated against that ORD
 Withdrawal of an ORD restricts any products from being evaluated
 The process of enforcement is to be supported by regulators
 CBs are responsible for evaluating existing ORDs to ensure they adhere to the process
 CBs that developed the ORD are responsible for ensuring a standard development organization incorporates it
into a standard.
Regulatory Items
The CRCP have finalized their Terms of Reference (TOR) and are asking members to provide any feedback. Some of
the key items included are as follows:
 The voting matrix ensured harmonization with CACP;
 Allow guests such as CB’s to attend;
 Allow provisions for holding meetings via Webex/Teleconference;
 Provides provisions to identify secretariat within CRCP membership
CSA/ICC S805 Rainwater Harvesting standard
o Committee work is still underway.
o Expecting to go to for Public comment during the 2015 calendar year
o Deals with natural precipitation including snow melt
o Applications cover potable and non-potable
o Bi-national standard with the intent that it be adopted in the NPC as well as the US codes
Composting toilets
o affects all disciplines (structural, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression)
o No easy way to identify all the roles
o Want to attain harmonization across jurisdictions
o Try to provide consistency as it relates to regulation
Water line sizing
o Consensus that water pipe sizing as covered in the Plumbing Code is sufficient
o It’s a matter of improving awareness by encouraging education and adhering to the Plumbing Code
o Jurisdictions need to work with stakeholders to determine the best solution (newsletters, education,
associations)
DWHR
CRCP has concerns with DWHR units which are connected directly to the cold water side of the shower. They are
concerned with the risk of Legionella bacteria formation, as well as scalding. More data is still required to prove that
Legionella bacteria will not form when these units are connected directly to the cold water side of the shower. As
such, CRCP require that when these units are utilized, they are connected to the hot water heater supply.
Alkaline Hydrolysis
New technology was introduced for human disposal that may have environmental benefits over traditional
systems being used today. Current regulations for end-of-life processes do not address this technology, and
since these units will be connected directly to the plumbing system, plumbing concerns for requirements such
as direct connections and backflow preventers will need to be considered.
For more information on how you can become involved in CACP, please contact:
Kevin Wong
Program Manager
Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating
295 The West Mall, Suite 504
Toronto, ON
PH: (416) 695-0447
Fax: (416) 695-0450
Email: k.wong@ciph.com
website: www.ciph.com
Lauro Pilla, P.Eng.
Project Manager | CACP Secretariat
CSA Group
5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100
Mississauga, ON
PH: (416) 747-4205
Fax:(416) 401-6799
Email: lauro.pilla@csagroup.org
website: www.csagroup.org
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