Chapter 15.42
PLUMBING CODE
Sections:
15.42.040 Local amendments to the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition.
15.42.010 Adoption.
The code known as the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition, of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and every part thereof, together with the local amendments as set forth in NPMC 15.42.040, shall constitute the laws of the City relating to plumbing. An electronic copy of the Uniform Plumbing Code is retained at the City offices. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(E), 2017; Ord. 12-11 § 2, 2012)
15.42.020 Modifications.
The Building Official shall have the power to modify any of the provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted by this chapter upon application in writing by the owner or lessee or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code; provided, that the spirit of the code is observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of the modification, when granted or allowed, and the decision of the Building Official thereon shall be entered upon the records of the Department, and a signed copy shall be furnished the applicant. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(E), 2017; Ord. 12-11 § 2, 2012)
15.42.030 Appeals.
Whenever the Building Official disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decisions of the Building Official to the Mayor/City Manager within thirty days from the date of the decision. The appointment of the appeals board will be on a case-by-case basis with the members of said board comprised of local design professionals, contractors, inspectors or other members of the public deemed knowledgeable of the subject matter by the Mayor/City Manager. (Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(E), 2017; Ord. 12-11 § 2, 2012)
15.42.040 Local amendments to the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition.
The amendments to the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, are hereby adopted by the City of North Pole as follows:
Chapter 1, Administration.
Section 101.3, Purpose. Add subsections to read as follows:
101.3.1 Referenced Codes. The technical codes as referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each reference. References to NFPA 54 and the Uniform Mechanical Code shall be replaced with adopted codes specified in sections 101.3.1.1 and 101.3.1.2
101.3.1.1 Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code shall apply to the installation of fuel gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories.
101.3.1.2 Mechanical. The provisions of the International Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs, and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other energy-related systems.
101.3.1.3 Administrative. The provisions of the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code shall apply to the administration and enforcement of this code. Where provisions of the City of North Pole Administrative Code and this code conflict, the more restrictive test shall apply.
101.3.1.4 Building. The provisions of the International Building Code shall apply where reference is made to the Building Code in this document.
Section 102.1, Conflicts Between Codes. Delete this section in its entirety and replace with the following:
When conflicts occur between this code and other technical codes, those provisions providing the greater safety to life shall govern. In other conflicts, between this code and other codes or laws, where sanitation, life safety, or fire safety are not involved, the most restrictive provisions shall govern.
Where in a specific case different sections of these codes specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. When there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable.
Section 104.1, Permits Required. Add the following subsection:
Section 104.1 Emergency Repairs. Where equipment or piping system replacement must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted to the building official within 72 (seventy two) hours of such emergency. All required inspections shall be conducted.
Section 104.3.2, Plan Review Fee. Delete Section 104.3.2 in its entirety and reference the 1997 Uniform Administrative Code as amended by the City of North Pole.
Section 204.0, Building Thermal Envelope. Add the following definition to this section:
Building Thermal Envelope – For purposes of the plumbing code: the basement walls, exterior walls, floors, roofs, and any other building elements that enclose conditioned spaces, and frost-protected foundations. For frost-protected foundations with required horizontal insulation, the thermal envelope shall be considered to extend from the warm-in-winter side, to the projection of the vertical insulation, cold-in-winter exterior surface. For thermal envelope assemblies enclosing conditioned spaces, the thermal envelope assembly includes any vapor retarders.
Section 205.0, Conditioned Space. Add the following definition to this section:
Conditioned Space -- For purposes of the plumbing code, space within a building that is provided with heating equipment or systems capable of maintaining, through design or heat loss, 50 (fifty) degrees F during the heating season, or communicates directly with a conditioned space.
Section 210.0, Hot Water. Delete this definition and substitute the following:
Hot Water – Water at a temperature exceeding or equal to 110 (one hundred ten) degrees F.
Section 303.0, Disposal of Liquid Waste. Add the following sentence to this section:
Pit privies (outhouses), as defined by Alaska D.E.C. 18 AAC 72.030 and 7 AAC 10.9990(46)(B), are prohibited.
Section 312.6, Freezing Protection. Delete 312.6 in its entirety and substitute the following:
All water, soil, waste, vent, or roof drainage piping shall be installed on the warm-in-winter side of the Building Thermal Envelope assembly, including any vapor retarders.
Exception 1.
Vent piping above the roof.
Exception 2.
Vent piping, other than wet vents, may be installed within exterior walls or above the roof/ceiling assembly where enclosed within at least R-8.8 insulation. This insulation must be continuous from the piping penetration of the warm-in-winter surface of the thermal envelope to the underside of the piping’s roof sheathing penetration. The insulation of the Building Thermal Envelope assembly may be used to meet this requirement.
Exception 3.
Underground Building Drain or Water Distribution piping outside the Building Thermal Envelope installed according to the circulation and insulation provisions of the latest revised standards of North Pole Utility for water and sewer services.
Exception 4.
A system of frost protection that, is designed and sealed by a currently registered engineer or architect, including but not limited to heat trace installed according to Sections 301.2 and 309.4; and provided it is accessible for repair or replacement without excavation or removal of elements of construction.
Section 312.9, Steel Nail Plates. Delete 312.9 and its exception in their entirety and substitute the following:
In concealed locations where piping, other than cast-iron or steel, is installed through holes or notches in studs, joists, rafters or similar members less than 1½ (one and one half) inches from the nearest edge of the member, the pipe shall be protected by shield plates having a minimum thickness of 0.0575 inch (No. 16 gage) shall cover the area of the pipe where the member is notched or bored, and shall extend a minimum of 2 inches above sole plates and below top plates.
Section 312.12, Rodent Proofing. Delete 312.12 in its entirety.
Section 402.5, Setting. Delete the exception and substitute the following:
Exception: The installation of paper dispensers, sanitary napkin receptacles, or accessibility grab bars shall not be considered obstructions if located such that a minimum of 7 (seven) inches clearance is maintained in any direction from the outside surface of the usable portion of the fixture.
Section 403.2, Fixtures and Fixture Fittings for Persons with Disabilities. Delete this section in its entirety and refer to Chapter 11 of the 2018 IBC and ICC A117.1- 2017.
Section 411.3, Water Closet Seats. Delete the second sentence and substitute the following:
Water closet seats for public use shall be of the elongated and open-front type.
Section 422.0, Minimum Number of Required Fixtures. Delete this section in its entirety and refer to Chapter 29 and Table 2902.1 as amended of the 2018 IBC.
Table 422.1, Minimum Plumbing Facilities. Delete this table in its entirety and refer to Table 2902.1 as amended of the 2018 IBC.
Section 501.0, General. Delete this section and substitute the following:
The regulations of this chapter shall govern the construction, location, and installation of fuel-burning and other water heaters heating potable water. All fuel and combustion air systems, chimneys, vents, and their connectors shall be regulated by the respective sections of the locally amended 2018 International Mechanical Code and the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code. The minimum capacity for water heaters shall be in accordance with the first hour rating listed in Table 501.1(1). All design, construction, and workmanship shall be in conformity with accepted engineering practices, manufacturer’s installation instructions, and applicable standards and shall be of such character as to secure the results sought to be obtained by the respective Codes.
Section 502.1, Permits, General. Add the following exception:
Exception: Replacement of an existing, approved, non-fuel-fired electric water heater with one of like size, type, and rating in a manner that maintains its approval shall not require a permit.
Section 503.2, Final Water Heater Inspection. Delete this section and substitute the following:
A final water heater inspection shall be made after all work requiring a permit has been installed in addition to inspections required for other work regulated by the mechanical code and fuel gas code.
Section 505.4.1, Single Wall Heat Exchangers. Delete part 2(b) of this subsection and substitute the following:
(b) The pressure of the heat-transfer medium must be limited to a maximum of (labeled by installer and equal to the system safety or relief valve rating) psig by an approved safety or relief valve and the potable water system must be maintained at a normal minimum operating pressure of at least (labeled by installer and 5 psig greater than the heat-transfer medium safety or relief valve rating).
Section 603.5.10, Steam or Hot Water Boilers. Add the following exception:
Exception: Potable water makeup connections to boilers containing only heat-transfer mediums of water or other nontoxic fluid having a toxic rating or Class of 1 as listed in Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, 5th edition shall be permitted to be provided with a listed Backflow Preventer with Intermediate Atmospheric Vent.
Section 603.5.16, Special Equipment. Add the following to this subsection:
Chemical Dispensers otherwise approved for connection to the potable water piping system shall not be connected to an Atmospheric Vacuum breaker hose thread in such a way that the Atmospheric Vacuum breaker is able to be pressurized, e.g. with a valve in the discharge piping.
Section 609.4, Testing. Delete the third sentence and substitute the following:
A 100 (one hundred) pound per square inch air pressure test may be substituted for the water test.
Section 612, Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems. Delete this section in its entirety.
Section 712.1, Media. Delete the first sentence and replace with the following:
The piping of the plumbing, drainage, and venting systems shall be tested with water or air.
Section 719.1, Cleanout Location. Delete the first paragraph in its entirety and replace with the following:
Cleanouts shall be placed at the connection of the building sewer and building drain outside the building and extend to grade.
Section 719.2. Delete this section in its entirety.
Section 807.3 Domestic Dishwashing Machines. Add the following subsection:
Section 807.3.1 When a compartment or space for a domestic dishwasher is provided, an approved dishwasher airgap fitting shall be installed.
Section 812.2, Elevator Pits. Add this new subsection:
812.2 Elevator Pits. Where drains are not provided to prevent the accumulation of water in elevator pits, sumps are required. Drains connected directly to the sanitary system shall not be installed in elevator pits. Sumps in elevator pits, where provided, shall be covered and the cover shall be level with the pit floor. The pump shall be of sufficient capacity to prevent the accumulation of water in the pit. If the building is fire-sprinklered, the pump shall be sized of at least the capacity of one energized sprinkler head.
Section 906.7, Frost or Snow Closure. Replace the first sentence with the following:
Vent terminals shall be a minimum of 3 (three) inches in diameter, but in no event smaller than the required vent pipe.
Section 1002.2, Fixture Traps. Add the following exception to this section:
Exception: The developed length of a trap arm from a 2 (two) inch outlet private floor drain in a garage bay serving a single dwelling unit shall be permitted to exceed the distances given in Table 1002.2 if the floor drain trap and trap arm are increased to 3 (three) inch nominal size. When installed according to this exception the trap arm is required without any offsets or changes in direction and the vent shall be connected below and extend vertically into or adjacent to the first garage wall under which the trap arm passes.
Section 1101.4.6, Subsoil Drains. Delete Section 1101.4.6.
Section 1101.6, Subsoil Drains. Delete Section 1101.6.
Section 1101.12.1, Primary Roof Drainage. Delete the last sentence of this section and replace with the following:
Unless otherwise required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, roof drains, gutters, vertical conductors or leaders, and horizontal storm drains for primary drainage shall be sized based on a maximum rainfall of 1 (one) inch per hour per square foot of roof area.
Section 1101.12.2.2.2, Combined System. Delete the second sentence in this subsection and replace with the following:
When the combined secondary and primary roof drain system connects to a building storm drain that connects to an underground storm sewer, a relief drain shall be installed to ensure positive common roof drain flow. The connection of this relief drain to the common drain shall not divert or obstruct the primary drain.
Section 1107.2, Methods of Testing Storm Drainage Systems. Delete the first sentence of this section and substitute the following:
The piping of storm drain systems shall be tested upon completion of the rough piping installation by water or air and proved tight.
Chapter 12, Fuel Piping. Delete this chapter in its entirety and refer to the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code as amended.
Chapter 14, Firestop Protection. Delete this chapter in its entirety and refer to the International Building Code as amended.
Appendix C.
Section C 101.3, Authority Having Jurisdiction. Add the following to this section:
For the plumbing systems in Appendix C, other than those of C301.0, C302.0, and C501.0, the design by a registered professional engineer is required where the work is not exempted by AS 08.48.331. A riser diagram or isometric indicating the provisions of Appendix C intended to be installed shall be submitted for review and approval by the Building Department prior to the work being commenced. The riser diagram or isometric is in addition to the other details or data that may be required by the Building Official.
Section C 302.2, Single-Wall Heat Exchangers. Delete part (3) of this subsection and substitute the following:
(3) The equipment is permanently labeled according to Section 505.4.1(3) as amended.
Section C 601.0, Single-Stack Vent System. Delete the first sentence of this subsection.
Appendix H, Private Sewage Disposal Systems. Delete this section in its entirety and replace with the following:
Private Sewage Disposal Systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the current standards as published by the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (D.E.C.). Written verification from D.E.C. or a State of Alaska-certified Septic System Installer of the D.E.C.’s approved installation shall be submitted to the Building Department. A Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued until this written verification is submitted to the Building Department.
(Ord. 22-02 § 2, 2022; Ord. 17-12 § 2(E), 2017; Ord. 12-11 § 2, 2012)