CHAPTER 25
PLUMBING ADMINISTRATION
SECTION P2501
GENERAL
P2501.1 Scope.
The provisions of this chapter shall establish the general administrative requirements applicable to plumbing systems and inspection requirements of this code.
SECTION P2502
EXISTING PLUMBING SYSTEMS
P2502.1 Existing building sewers and building drains.
Where the entire sanitary drainage system of an existing building is replaced, existing building drains under concrete slabs and existing building sewers that will serve the new system shall be internally examined to verify that the piping is sloping in the correct direction, is not broken, is not obstructed and is sized for the drainage load of the new plumbing drainage system to be installed.
P2502.2 Additions, alterations or repairs.
Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to any plumbing system shall conform to that required for a new plumbing system without requiring the existing plumbing system to comply with the requirements of this code. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe, insanitary or overloaded.
Minor additions, alterations, renovations and repairs to existing plumbing systems shall be permitted in the same manner and arrangement as in the existing system, provided that such repairs or replacement are not hazardous and are approved.
SECTION P2503
INSPECTION AND TESTS
P2503.1 Inspection required.
New plumbing work and parts of existing systems affected by new work or alterations shall be inspected by the building official to ensure compliance with the requirements of this code.
P2503.2 Concealment.
A plumbing or drainage system, or part thereof, shall not be covered, concealed or put into use until it has been tested, inspected and approved by the building official.
P2503.3 Responsibility of permittee.
Test equipment, materials and labor shall be furnished by the permittee.
P2503.4 Building sewer testing.
The building sewer shall be tested by insertion of a test plug at the point of connection with the public sewer, filling the building sewer with water and pressurizing the sewer to not less than a 10-foot (3048 mm) head of water. The test pressure shall not decrease during a period of not less than 15 minutes. The building sewer shall be watertight at all points.
A forced sewer test shall consist of pressurizing the piping to a pressure of not less than 5 psi (34.5 kPa) greater than the pump rating and maintaining such pressure for not less than 15 minutes. The forced sewer shall be watertight at all points.
P2503.5 Drain, waste and vent systems testing.
Rough-in and finished plumbing installations of drain, waste and vent systems shall be tested in accordance with Sections P2503.5.1 and P2503.5.2.
P2503.5.1 Rough plumbing.
DWV systems shall be tested on completion of the rough piping installation by water, by air for piping systems other than plastic, or by a vacuum of air for plastic piping systems, without evidence of leakage. The test shall be applied to the drainage system in its entirety or in sections after rough-in piping has been installed, as follows:
1.Water test. Each section shall be filled with water to a point not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) above the highest fitting connection in that section, or to the highest point in the completed system. Water shall be held in the section under test for a period of 15 minutes. The system shall prove leak free by visual inspection.
2.Air test. The portion under test shall be maintained at a gauge pressure of 5 pounds per square inch (psi) (34 kPa) or 10 inches of mercury column (34 kPa). This pressure shall be held without introduction of additional air for a period of 15 minutes.
3.Vacuum test. The portion under test shall be evacuated of air by a vacuum-type pump to achieve a uniform gauge pressure of -5 pounds per square inch or a negative 10 inches of mercury column (-34 kPa). This pressure shall be held without the removal of additional air for a period of 15 minutes.
P2503.5.2 Finished plumbing.
After the plumbing fixtures have been set and their traps filled with water, their connections shall be tested and proved gastight or watertight as follows:
1.Watertightness. Each fixture shall be filled and then drained. Traps and fixture connections shall be proven watertight by visual inspection.
2.Gastightness. Where required by the local administrative authority, a final test for gastightness of the DWV system shall be made by the smoke or peppermint test as follows:
2.1.Smoke test. Introduce a pungent, thick smoke into the system. When the smoke appears at vent terminals, such terminals shall be sealed and a pressure equivalent to a 1-inch water column (249 Pa) shall be applied and maintained for a test period of not less than 15 minutes.
2.2.Peppermint test. Introduce 2 ounces (59 mL) of oil of peppermint into the system. Add 10 quarts (9464 mL) of hot water and seal the vent terminals. The odor of peppermint shall not be detected at any trap or other point in the system.
P2503.6 Shower liner test.
Where shower floors and receptors are made watertight by the application of materials required by Section P2709.2, the completed liner installation shall be tested. The shower liner shall be tested to the lesser of the depth of threshold or 2 inches (51 mm) and shall be operated at normal pressure for a test period of not less than 15 minutes and there shall not be evidence of leakage. The shower liner test shall be performed at the final plumbing inspection.
P2503.7 Water-supply system testing.
Upon completion of the water-supply system or a section of it, the system or portion completed shall be tested and proved tight under a water pressure of not less than the working pressure of the system or, for piping systems other than plastic, by an air test of not less than 50 psi (345 kPa). This pressure shall be held for not less than 15 minutes. The water used for tests shall be obtained from a potable water source.
Exception: For PEX piping systems, testing with a compressed gas shall be an alternative to hydrostatic testing where compressed air or other gas pressure testing is specifically authorized by the manufacturer’s instructions for the PEX pipe and fittings products installed at the time the system is being tested, and compressed air or other gas testing is not otherwise prohibited by applicable codes, laws or regulations outside of this code.
P2503.8 Inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices.
Inspection and testing of backflow prevention devices shall comply with Sections P2503.8.1 and P2503.8.2.
P2503.8.1 Inspections.
Inspections shall be made of backflow prevention assemblies to determine whether they are operable.
P2503.8.2 Testing.
Reduced pressure principle, double check, double check detector and pressure vacuum breaker backflow preventer assemblies shall be tested at the time of installation, immediately after repairs or relocation and every year thereafter.
P2503.9 Test gauges.
Gauges used for testing shall be as follows:
1.Tests requiring a pressure of 10 psi or less shall utilize a testing gauge having increments of 0.10 psi (0.69 kPa) or less.
2.Tests requiring a pressure higher than 10 psi (0.69 kPa) but less than or equal to 100 psi (690 kPa) shall use a testing gauge having increments of 1 psi (6.9 kPa) or less.
3.Tests requiring a pressure higher than 100 psi (690 kPa) shall use a testing gauge having increments of 2 psi (14 kPa) or less.