Piping
Application
(1)This Section applies to the construction and use of joints and connections, and the arrangement, protection, support and testing of piping.
Construction and Use of Joints
(1)Caulked lead drainage joints shall not be used except for cast-iron pipe in a drainage system or venting system, or between such pipe and
- (a) other ferrous pipe,
- (b) brass and copper pipe,
- (c) a caulking ferrule, or
- (d) a trap standard.
(2)Every caulked lead drainage joint shall be firmly packed with oakum and tightly caulked with lead to a depth of not less than 25 mm.
(3)No paint, varnish or other coating shall be applied on the lead until after the joint has been tested.
(4)A length of hub and spigot pipe and pipe fittings in a drainage system shall be installed with the hub at the upstream end.
(1)Wiped joints shall not be used except for sheet lead or lead pipe, or between such pipe and copper pipe or a ferrule.
(2)Every wiped joint in straight pipe shall
- (a) be made of solder,
- (b) have an exposed surface on each side of the joint at least 19 mm wide, and
- (c) be not less than 10 mm thick at the thickest part.
(3)Every wiped flanged joint shall be reinforced with a lead flange that is not less than 19 mm wide.
(1)In making a screwed joint, the ends of the pipe shall be reamed or filed out to the size of the bore and all chips and cuttings shall be removed.
(2)No pipe-joint cement or paint shall be applied to the internal threads.
(1)Soldered joints shall be made in accordance with ASTM B828, "Standard Specification for Making Capillary Joints by Soldering of Copper and Copper Alloy Tube and Fittings."
(1)In making a flared joint, the pipe shall be expanded with a proper flaring tool.
(2)Flared joints shall not be used for hard (drawn) copper tube.
(1)Mechanical joints shall be made with compounded elastomeric couplings or rings that are held in compression by
- (a) stainless steel or cast-iron clamps, or
- (b) contained within a compression connection or groove- and shoulder-type mechanical couplings.
(1)Cold-caulked joints shall not be used except for bell and spigot pipe in a water system, a drainage system or a venting system.
(2)The caulking compound used in cold-caulked joints shall be applied according to the manufacturer's directions.
(3)Every cold-caulked joint in a drainage system shall be firmly packed with oakum and tightly caulked with cold caulking compound to a depth of not less than 25 mm.
(1)Stainless steel welded joints shall conform to ASME B31.9, "Building Services Piping."
(2)Butt weld pipe fittings shall be at least as thick as the wall of the pipe used.
Joints and Connections
(1)Drilled and tapped joints shall not be made in a sanitary drainage pipe or vent pipe and fittings unless suitable provision has been made for drilling and tapping.
(2)A copper water distributing pipe of NPS 1 or larger may be mechanically swaged to permit the joining of other copper pipe of equal size.
(3)A drainage pipe or fitting may be drilled or tapped
- (a) to provide for the connection of a trap seal primer line,
- (b) to connect a device designed to dispense germicidal or odour control chemicals or trap seal water to a floor drain downstream of a vacuum breaker or flush valve in a flush tube connected to a sanitary unit,
- (c) to provide a hole for a branch connection to a drainage pipe, where the branch connection is made with a saddle hub as permitted by Article 7.2.10.5. and where the hole is drilled to provide a smooth clean hole of the required size and orientation, or
- (d) to provide for the connection of pipe or fittings to metal or rigid plastic pipe and fittings where the pipe or fittings are thick enough to be threaded or are bossed for tapping.
(4)No pipe adaption shall be made by the use of a bushing that leaves a square edge or shoulder on the inside of the pipe or fitting.
(1)Tees may be extracted from the wall thickness of Types K and L copper tube used in a water distribution system, provided that
- (a) a tool specifically designed for the purpose is used,
- (b) the branch is at least one NPS smaller than the tube in which the tee is formed,
- (c) the end of the branch incorporates a means to prevent it from penetrating into the run and thereby obstructing flow, and
- (d) the joint at the tee is brazed with a filler metal having a melting point not below 540°C.
(1)Cast-iron soil pipe and fittings shall not be welded.
(2)Galvanized steel pipe and fittings shall not be welded.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence 7.4.6.3.(6), running thread and packing nut connections and unions with a gasket seal shall not be used downstream of a trap weir in a drainage system or in a venting system.
(2)Slip joints shall not be used
- (a) in a venting system, or
- (b) in a drainage system, except to connect a fixture trap to a fixture drain in an accessible location.
(1)Connections between 2 pipes of different nominal pipe sizes shall be made with an increaser or a reducer fitting installed so that it permits the system to be completely drained.
(1)Adapters, connectors or mechanical joints used to join dissimilar materials shall be designed to accommodate the required transition.
(1)Roof drains shall be securely connected to a leader and provision shall be made for expansion.
(1)Pedestal urinals, floor-mounted water closets or S-trap standards shall be connected to a fixture drain by a floor flange or other means of connection, except that a cast-iron trap standard may be caulked to a cast-iron pipe.
(2)Except as provided in Sentence (3), floor flanges shall be brass.
(3)Where cast-iron or plastic pipe is used, a floor flange of the same material is permitted to be used.
(4)Floor flanges and fixtures shall be securely set on a firm base and fastened to the floor or trap flange of the fixture.
(5)Water-closet bowls shall be securely attached to the floor flange, floor or wall carrier.
(6)Joints in a floor flange or between a fixture and the drainage system shall be sealed with a resilient, watertight and gas-tight seal.
(7)Where a lead water-closet stub is used, the length of the stub below the floor flange shall be not less than 75 mm.
(1)The design and installation of every piping system shall, where necessary, include means to accommodate expansion and contraction of the piping system caused by temperature change or building shrinkage.
(1)Types M and DWV copper tube shall not be bent.
(2)Bends in copper tubing of soft or bending temper shall be made with tools manufactured and sized for the purpose.
(1)Where a fixture or device is indirectly connected, the connections shall be made by terminating the fixture drain above the flood level rim of a directly connected fixture to form an air break.
(2)The size of the air break shall be not less than 25 mm.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), joints in copper tubes installed underground shall be made with either flared or compression fittings, or be brazed using a brazing alloy within the American Welding Society's AWS-BCuP range.
(2)Compression fittings shall not be used underground under a building.
Support of Piping
(1)Piping shall be provided with support that is capable of keeping the pipe in alignment and bearing the weight of the pipe and its contents.
(2)Wall mounted fixtures shall be supported so that no strain is transmitted to the piping.
(3)Every floor or wall mounted water closet bowl shall be securely attached to the floor or wall by means of a flange and shall be stable.
(1)Piping, fixtures, tanks or devices shall be supported independently of each other.
(1)Where a hanger or support for copper tube or brass or copper pipe is of a material other than brass or copper, it shall be suitably separated and electrically insulated from the pipe or tube to prevent galvanic action.
(2)Where a hanger or support for stainless steel pipe or tube is of a material other than stainless steel, it shall be suitably separated and electrically insulated from the pipe or tube.
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), vertical piping shall be supported at its base and at the floor level of alternate storeys by rests, each of which can bear the weight of pipe that is between it and the rest above it.
(2)The maximum spacing of supports shall be 7.5 m.
(1)Nominally horizontal piping that is inside a building shall be braced to prevent swaying and buckling and to control the effects of thrust.
(2)Nominally horizontal piping shall be supported as stated in Table 7.3.4.5.
(3)Where PVC, CPVC or ABS plastic pipe is installed,
- (a) the pipe shall be aligned without added strain on the piping,
- (b) the pipe shall not be bent or pulled into position after being welded or joined, and
- (c) hangers shall not compress, cut or abrade the pipe.
(4)Where PEX, PE-RT, PP-R, PE/AL/PE or PEX/AL/PEX plastic pipe or tube is installed, hangers shall not compress, cut or abrade the pipe.
(5)Where hangers are used to support nominally horizontal piping, the hangers shall be
- (a) supported by metal rods of not less than (i) 6 mm diam to support piping of NPS 2 or less, (ii) 8 mm diam to support piping of NPS 4 or less, and (iii) 13 mm diam to support piping over NPS 4, or
(6)Where a hanger is attached to concrete or masonry, it shall be fastened by metal or expansion-type plugs that are inserted or built into the concrete or masonry.
| Piping Material | Maximum Horizontal Spacing of Supports, m | Additional Support Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| ABS or PVC plastic pipe | 1.2 | At the end of branches or fixture drains and at changes in direction and elevation |
| ABS or PVC plastic trap arm or fixture drain pipe > 1 m long | n/a | As close as possible to the trap |
| Cast-iron pipe | 3.0 | At or adjacent to each hub or joint |
| Cast-iron pipe with mechanical joints that is ≤ 300 mm long between adjacent fittings | 1.0 | None |
| Copper tube or copper and brass pipe, hard temper • diameter > NPS 1 • diameter ≤ NPS 1 | 3.0 2.5 | None |
| Copper tube, soft temper | 2.5 | None |
| CPVC pipe | 1.0 | None |
| Galvanized iron or steel pipe • diameter ≥ NPS 6 • diameter < NPS 6 | 3.75 2.5 | None |
| Lead pipe | Throughout length of pipe | None |
| PE/AL/PE composite pipe | 1.0 | None |
| PEX/AL/PEX composite pipe | 1.0 | None |
| PEX plastic pipe | 0.8 | None |
| PE-RT tube | 0.8 | None |
| PP-R plastic pipe | 1.0 | At the end of branches and at changes in direction and elevation |
| Stainless steel pipe • diameter ≥ NPS 1 • diameter < NPS 1 | 3.0 2.5 | None |
| Stainless steel tube • diameter ≥ NPS 1 • diameter < NPS 1 | 3.0 2.5 | None |
(1)Except as provided in Sentence (2), nominally horizontal piping that is underground shall be supported on a base that is firm and continuous under the whole of the pipe.
(2)Nominally horizontal piping installed underground that is not supported as described in Sentence (1) may be installed using hangers fixed to a foundation or structural slab provided that the hangers are capable of
- (a) keeping the pipe in alignment, and
- (b) supporting the weight of (i) the pipe, (ii) its contents, and (iii) the fill over the pipe.
(1)Where a vent pipe that may be subject to misalignment terminates above the surface of a roof, it shall be supported or braced. (See Article 7.5.6.5. for location of vent pipe terminals.)
(1)No compression fitting connecting to plain end pipe or tube shall be used in a plumbing system unless the pipe or tube and fittings are sufficiently stayed, clamped, anchored or buttressed so as to prevent separation during normal service of the system allowing for surge pressures.
(1)Pipe clamps and tie-rods, thrust blocks, locked mechanical or push-on joints, mechanical joints utilizing set screw retainer glands, or other suitable means of thrust restraint shall be provided at each change of direction of a water service pipe NPS 4 or more and at all tees, plugs, caps and bends.
(2)Backing for underground water service pipes shall be placed
- (a) between undisturbed earth and the fitting to be restrained and shall be of sufficient bearing area to provide adequate resistance to the thrust to be encountered, and
- (b) so that the joints will be accessible for inspection and repair.
(3)Concrete thrust blocks shall have a minimum compressive strength of not less than 10 MPa after 28 days.
(4)Thrust blocks shall not be used to restrain vertical pipe.
Protection of Piping
(1)Where piping is installed underground, the backfill shall be carefully placed and tamped to a height of 300 mm over the top of the pipe and shall be free of stones, boulders, cinders and frozen earth.
(1)Where vitrified clay is located less than 600 mm below a basement floor and the floor is constructed of other than 75 mm or more of concrete, the pipe shall be protected by a 75 mm layer of concrete installed above the pipe.
(1)Where piping passes through or under a wall, it shall be installed so that the wall does not bear on the pipe.
(1)Where piping may be exposed to freezing conditions, it shall be protected from the effects of freezing. (See Note A-7.3.5.3.(1))
(1)Plumbing, piping and equipment exposed to mechanical damage shall be protected.
(1)Piping used as an internal leader, which may be subject to condensation, shall be installed in a manner that limits the risk of damage to the building due to condensation.
(1)Except as permitted in Sentences (2) and (3), a buried water service pipe shall be separated from the building drain, building sewer and a private sewage disposal system, by not less than 2 440 mm measured horizontally, of undisturbed or compacted earth.
(2)The water service pipe may be closer than 2 440 mm or be placed in the same trench with the building drain or building sewer if,
- (a) the following conditions are met: (i) the bottom of the water service pipe at all points is at least 500 mm above the top of the building drain or building sewer, and (ii) when in a common trench with the building drain or building sewer, the water service pipe is placed on a shelf at one side of the common trench,
- (b) the water service pipe is constructed of a single run of pipe with no joints or fittings between the street line or source of supply on the property and the inside face of the building, or
- (c) the building drain or building sewer is constructed of piping which is pressure tested in accordance with Subsection 7.3.7. at 345 kPa.
(3)A buried water service pipe may pass under a building drain or building sewer if,
- (a) a vertical separation of not less than 500 mm is provided between the invert of the building drain or building sewer and the crown of the water service pipe,
- (b) adequate structural support is provided for the building drain or building sewer to prevent excessive deflection of joints and settling, and
- (c) the length of the water service pipe is located so that there are no joints within 2 440 mm measured horizontally from the intersection with the building drain or building sewer.
(4)A buried water service pipe shall be constructed of a single run of pipe with no joints or fittings between the street line or source of supply on the property and the inside face of the building if the water service pipe is less than 15 m from,
- (a) a private sewage disposal system, or
- (b) a source of pollution other than a private sewage disposal system.
Testing of Drainage and Venting Systems
(1)Except in the case of an external leader, after a section of drainage system or a venting system has been roughed in, and before any fixture is installed or piping is covered, a water or an air test shall be conducted.
(2)After every fixture is installed and before any part of the drainage system or venting system is placed in operation, a final test shall be carried out when requested by the chief building official.
(3)Where a prefabricated system is assembled off the building site in such a manner that it cannot be inspected and tested on site, off-site inspections and tests shall be conducted.
(4)Where a prefabricated system is installed as part of a drainage system or venting system, all other plumbing work shall be tested and inspected and a final test shall be carried out on the complete system when requested.
(5)A ball test shall be carried out on a sanitary building drain, sanitary building sewer, storm building drain and a storm building sewer buried underground.
(6)A sewer lateral extension need not be tested and inspected if the sewer lateral extension was constructed, tested and inspected at the time of the installation of the public sewer.
(1)Pipes in a drainage system, except an external leader or fixture outlet pipe, shall be capable of withstanding without leakage a water pressure test, air pressure test and final test
(1)Venting systems shall be capable of withstanding without leakage a water pressure test, air test and final test.
(1)A water pressure test shall consist in applying a water column of at least 3 m to all joints.
(2)In making a water pressure test,
- (a) every opening except the highest shall be tightly closed with a testing plug or a screw cap, and
- (b) the system or the section shall be kept filled with water for 15 min.
(1)Air pressure tests shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the piping materials, and,
- (a) air shall be forced into the system until a gauge pressure of 35 kPa is created, and
- (b) this pressure shall be maintained for at least 15 min without a drop in pressure.
(1)Where a final test is made,
- (a) every trap shall be filled with water,
- (b) the bottom of the system being tested shall terminate at the building trap, test plug or cap,
- (c) except as provided in Sentence (2), smoke from smoke-generating machines shall be forced into the system,
- (d) when the smoke appears from all roof terminals they shall be closed, and
- (e) a pressure equivalent to a 25 mm water column shall be maintained for 15 min without the addition of more smoke.
(2)The smoke referred to in Clauses (1)(c) and (d) is permitted to be omitted provided the roof terminals are closed and the system is subjected to an air pressure equivalent to a 25 mm water column maintained for 15 min without the addition of more air.
(1)Where a ball test is made, a hard ball dense enough not to float shall be rolled through the pipe.
(2)The diameter of the ball shall be not less than
- (a) 50 mm where the size of the pipe is NPS 3 or more, or
- (b) 25 mm where the size of the pipe is less than NPS 3.
Testing of Potable Water Systems
(1)After a section of a potable water system has been completed, and before it is placed in operation, a water pressure test or an air pressure test shall be conducted.
(2)A pressure test may be applied to each section of the system or to the system as a whole.
(3)Where a prefabricated system is assembled off the building site in such a manner that it cannot be inspected and tested on site, off-site inspections and pressure tests shall be conducted.
(4)Where a prefabricated system is installed as part of a water system,
- (a) all other plumbing work shall be tested and inspected, and
- (b) the complete system shall be pressure tested when requested.
(1)Every potable water system shall be capable of
- (a) withstanding without leakage a water pressure that is at least 1 000 kPa for at least 1 h, or
- (b) withstanding for at least 2 h without a drop in pressure an air pressure that is at least 700 kPa.
(1)Where a water pressure test is made, all air shall be expelled from the system before fixture control valves or faucets are closed.
(2)Potable water shall be used to test a potable water system.