§ 6-243. Standards of plumbing.

All plumbing installed or performed within the scope of the city's plumbing jurisdiction shall conform to the following local standards:

(1)

Any person engaging in plumbing as a business shall display on all such business vehicles and fixed place of business a sign announcing his name and the name of the plumbing firm.

(2)

Septic tanks shall be installed only where public sewer is not available in compliance with requirements of the city or the state department of health.

(3)

At any time a new sewer system is connected, such plumbing shall not be finally approved by the inspector until any abandoned septic tank shall have its contents emptied and the cover broken and container filled with suitable material.

(4)

Demolition or relocation of any building shall require that the building sewer be disconnected at the property line, a water tight seal be installed, and the seal be inspected by city plumbing inspectors before covering.

(5)

No lawn or field sprinkler system shall be connected to the city water system except through an approved reduced pressure backflow preventer.

(6)

Meter loops shall have a swing joint at the base except for plastic or welded gas services which may use a performed transition adapter from plastic to iron with attached anode.

(7)

Any surface or underground crossing of any public street, alley or highway in the city by means of any bore or excavation shall require a permit prior to commencement of such operations. Barricades, signs and lights shall be used to provide adequate warnings of such operations as coordinated with city inspectors. Repair of disturbed or damaged public properties resulting from such operations shall be made in accordance with the then existing ordinances.

(8)

Temporary water service becomes permanent only upon successful completion of the final inspection.

(9)

All public rest rooms with more plumbing fixtures than one (1) lavatory and one (1) water closet shall have a floor drain.

(10)

No individual, firm or corporation shall discharge or cause to be discharged any deleterious or nauseous substance upon a public street, sidewalk or alley. After notification of the problem and potential disconnection from water services and the right to a hearing with the plumbing advisory board, if no correction is made within seven (7) days after notification, the water service of the involved individual, firm or corporation shall be disconnected.

(11)

Active gas service lines shall not be permitted under buildings. Residences with curb meters shall be provided with a cut-off at the house. Commercial and industrial establishments shall provide the fire department with ready access to cutoff of gas supply. Such users shall install gas meters at a point mutually agreed upon by the plumbing inspector and the gas company.

(12)

Gas appliances shall be installed with a stop on the gas service of the connection.

(13)

No person except authorized inspectors, shall alter or remove any certificate placed upon any meter by a plumbing inspector nor shall such certificate be so placed except by proper authority.

(14)

Gas grates or fireplaces shall have floor or wall valves with provision for maintenance service. All piping shall be securely fastened, available for inspection, and all openings plugged or capped with threaded fittings.

(15)

General plumbing appliances, devices, fixtures and materials accepted and approved for use by the state plumbing examining board, after approval by all other essential state agencies, are automatically approved for use in the city after the expiration of ninety (90) calendar days following receipt by the city's code enforcement department, or other designated agent by the city administrator for the enforcement of the city's plumbing regulations, of official notification by bulletin, or other means, of the state acceptance of such items for use. Provided, the board of directors expressly reserves its power to prohibit, limit or modify the use of such general plumbing appliances, devices, fixtures and materials during such ninety-day period or thereafter.

(16)

Gas piping entering a motor operated appliance shall be schedule 40 black pipe.

(17)

Any exposed gas piping above grade on the outside of a building shall be schedule 40 black pipe.

(18)

Plumbing fixtures shall be installed in compliance with the following criteria:

a.

Water closets shall allow no more than three and one-half (3½) gallons (tank or flush valves) per flush.

b.

Urinals shall allow no more than one and one-quarter (1¼) gallons per flush (not applicable to hospitals, nursing homes or urinals manufactured as being handicapped accessible).

c.

Shower heads shall allow no more than three and one-half (3½) gallons per minute.

d.

Private use faucets shall allow no more than three and one-half (3½) gallons per minute.

e.

Public faucets in public restrooms with more plumbing fixtures than one (1) lavatory and one (1) water closet shall be metered or self-closing to allow no more than one (1) gallon per use.

(19)

All new, replacement and repaired building sewers and drains from structures utilized for residential, commercial and industrial purposes shall be appropriately protected against a sanitary sewer back-up into the structure from the city's sanitary sewer lines by, at a minimum, the installation of a self-operating cleanout and relief valve. Said cleanout and relief valve shall be installed at a location and elevation such that it shall effectively relieve the back up condition before it affects the interior of the structure. The cleanout and relief valve shall be set at an elevation not more than one-half (½) inch above grade and placed in the center of a concrete collar measuring two (2) feet square by four (4) inches thick. The owners and occupants of the structure shall be made aware of the location of, and maintenance requirements for, the cleanout and relief valve to that assure proper maintenance may be made.

(Code 1976, § 23-9; Ord. No. 34-99, § 6, 5-18-99; Ord. No. 55-02, § 6, 9-17-02)