Sec.19-13-B45. Minimum requirements for drainage and toilet systems

(a) Plumbing and drainage systems shall be so constructed as to avoid contamination of safe drinking water supplies in houses or buildings. There shall be no cross connections between such safe water supplies and unsafe water supplies nor shall such safe supplies be piped to refrigeration, air conditioning or other mechanical equipment provided with direct connections to drains or constructed in such a manner as to permit contaminated water to be siphoned or drawn into the water supply pipes. Storage of drinking water in buildings shall be only in covered tanks so constructed as to avoid any possible contamination of the water in the tanks. Sewer or waste lines located above storage tanks and direct overflows and drains to sewer systems are expressly prohibited.

(b) Buildings in which water closets and other plumbing fixtures exist shall be provided with a supply of water adequate in volume and pressure for flushing purposes.

(c) The pipe system shall be of sufficient size to supply water for adequate flushing of toilet fixtures without unduly reducing the pressure at other fixtures.

(d) Devices for heating water and storing it in "boilers" or hot water tanks shall be so designed and installed as to prevent all dangers from explosion.

(e) Each tenement, lodging or boarding house located on premises abutting any street or alley where running water is available and through which there is a sewer with which connection may be had shall be provided with water closets connected with such sewer. All other buildings used or intended to be used for human habitation or occupancy on premises abutting a street in which there is a public sewer shall be connected with such sewer whenever required by the local authorities having jurisdiction.

(f) Tenement houses erected prior to September 1, 1930, and provided with house drainage systems shall be furnished with at least one water closet for each two apartments of three rooms or less each, and one such closet for each apartment of four or more rooms. Tenement houses erected after August 31, 1930, and prior to July 1, 1941, shall have a water closet in each apartment of three or more rooms and at least one water closet for each two apartments of less than three rooms each. In each tenement house erected or subdivided after June 30, 1941, there shall be a water closet in each apartment of two or more rooms.

(g) Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth nonabsorbent material, shall be free from concealed fouling surfaces and shall be set free of enclosures.

(h) The entire house drainage system shall be so designed, constructed and maintained as to conduct the waste water or sewage quickly from the fixture to the place of disposal with velocities which will guard against fouling and the deposit of solids and will prevent clogging.

(i) The drainage pipes shall be so designed and constructed as to be proof for a reasonable life of the building against leakage of water or drain air due to defective materials, imperfect connections, corrosion, settlements or vibrations of the ground or building, temperature changes, freezing or other causes.

(j) The drainage system shall be provided with an adequate number of cleanouts so arranged that in case of stoppage the pipes may be readily accessible.

(k) Each fixture or combination fixture shall be provided with a separate, accessible, self-scouring, reliable water-seal trap placed as near to the fixture as possible.

(l) The house-drainage system shall be so designed that there will be an adequate circulation of air in all pipes and no danger of siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals under conditions of ordinary use.

(m) The soil stack shall extend full size upward through the roof and have a free opening, the roof terminal being so located that there will be no danger of air passing from it to any window and no danger of clogging of the pipe by frost or by articles being thrown into it or of roof water draining into it.

(n) The plumbing system shall be subjected to a water or air-pressure test and to a final air-pressure, smoke or peppermint test in such a manner as to disclose all leaks and imperfections in the work.

(o) No substances which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures or destroy the pipes or their joints shall be allowed to enter the house drainage system.

(p) Refrigerators, ice boxes or receptacles for storing food shall not be connected directly with the drainage system.

(q) No water closet shall be located in a room or compartment which is not properly lighted and ventilated to the outer air.

(r) If water closets or other plumbing fixtures exist in buildings where there is no public sewer accessible, suitable provision shall be made for disposing of the sewage without nuisance. The location and construction of private sewage disposal systems shall conform to the requirements of sections 19-13-B20a to 19-13-B20r, inclusive.

(s) Where a house-drainage system may be subjected to back flow of sewage, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.

(t) No plumbing fixture nor waste outlet shall be installed which will provide a cross connection between a distributing system of water for drinking and domestic purposes and a drainage system, soil or waste pipe and permit or make possible the back flow or siphonage of sewage or waste into the water supply.

Note: Attention is directed to the danger from underrim water inlet fixtures and flushometer valves without adequate vacuum breakers.

(u) All drinking fountain installations or replacements after January 12, 1954, shall be constructed with a slanting jet issuing from a nozzle of non-oxidizing impervious material with a non-oxidizing guard to prevent the mouths and noses of persons using the fountain from coming in contact with the nozzle. The jet shall be located so as not to touch the guard and shall be discharged at such an angle that the water can neither fall back nor be forced back on to the point of discharge. The fountain jet and all openings in the water supply piping shall issue above the level of the fountain bowl. The drainage from the bowl shall be adequate and so constructed as to prevent fouling of the bowl. The drain from the fountain shall not have a direct physical connection to a waste pipe unless the drain is trapped. The waste opening and pipe from the fountain shall be of sufficient size to carry off the water promptly. The opening shall be provided with a strainer. All drinking fountains installed after January 12, 1954, shall be provided with their own receiving bowls and shall not be installed over sinks used for hand washing or other purposes.

(v) Plumbing systems shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

(Effective December 21, 1978)