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Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS

301.3 Alternate Materials and Methods of Construction Equivalency.

California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

Equivalency. Nothing in this code is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this code. Technical documentation shall be submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency prior to installation. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the authority to approve or disapprove the system, method, or device for the intended purpose.

[HCD 1] (See Section 1.8.7)

However, the exercise of this discretionary approval by the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have no effect beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of said Authority Having Jurisdiction. An alternate material or method of construction so approved shall not be considered as in accordance with the requirements, intent, or both of this code for a purpose other than that granted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction where the submitted data does not prove equivalency. 301.3.1 Testing. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the authority to require tests, as proof of equivalency.

301.3.1.1 Tests. Tests shall be made in accordance with approved or applicable standards, by an approved testing agency at the expense of the applicant. In the absence of such standards, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the authority to specify the test procedure. 301.3.1.2 Request by Authority Having Juris- diction. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the authority to require tests to be made or repeated where there is reason to believe that a material or device no longer is in accordance with the requirements on which its approval was based.

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▸Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. ▸Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. 301.1 Applicability.
    2. 301.2 Minimum Standards.
    3. 301.3 Alternate Materials and Methods of Construction Equivale…
    4. 301.4 Flood Hazard Areas.
    5. 301.5 Alternative Engineered Design.
    6. 301.6 Tall Wood (Mass Timber) Buildings.
    7. 301.7 One- and Two-Family Dwellings. [HCD 1]
    8. 301.8 OSHPD 1R. [OSHPD 1R]
    9. 302.1 General.
    10. 303.1 General.
    11. 304.1 General.
    12. 305.1 Unlawful Practices.
    13. 306.1 Detrimental Wastes.
    14. 306.2 Safe Discharge.
    15. 307.1 System.
    16. 307.2 Ownership.
    17. 308.1 General.
    18. 309.1 Engineering Practices.
    19. 309.2 Concealing Imperfections.
    20. 309.3 Burred Ends.
    21. 309.4 Installation Practices.
    22. 309.5 Sound Transmission.
    23. 309.6 Dead Legs.
    24. 310.1 Fittings.
    25. 310.2 Drainage and Vent Piping.
    26. 310.3 Waste Connection.
    27. 310.4 Use of Vent and Waste Pipes.
    28. 310.5 Obstruction of Flow.
    29. 310.6 Dissimilar Metals.
    30. 310.7 Direction of Flow.
    31. 310.8 Screwed Fittings.
    32. 310.9 Female Plastic Connections.
    33. 310.10 ABS and PVC Transition Joints.
    34. 310.11 [OSHPD 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
    35. 310.12 [OSHPD 1, 3, 4 & 5]
    36. 310.13 [SFM]
    37. 310.14 Services/Systems and Utilities. [OSHPD 1, 2, 4
    38. 310.15 Telephone and Data Equipment Rooms.
    39. 311.1 General.
    40. 312.1 General.
    41. 312.2 Installation.
    42. 312.3 Building Sewer and Drainage Piping.
    43. 312.4 Corrosion, Erosion, and Mechanical Damage.
    44. 312.5 Protectively Coated Pipe.
    45. 312.6 Freezing Protection.
    46. 312.7 Fire-Resistant Construction.
    47. 312.8 Waterproofing of Openings.
    48. 312.9 Steel Nail Plates.
    49. 312.10 Sleeves.
    50. 312.11 Structural Members.
    51. 312.12 Rodentproofing.
    52. 313.1 General.
    53. 313.2 Material.
    54. 313.3 Suspended Piping.
    55. 313.4 Alignment.
    56. 313.5 Underground Installation.
    57. 313.6 Hanger Rod Sizes.
    58. 313.7 Gas Piping.
    59. 313.8 [OSHPD 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
    60. 314.1 Trenches.
    61. 314.2 Tunneling and Driving.
    62. 314.3 Open Trenches.
    63. 314.4 Excavations.
    64. 315.1 Unions.
    65. 315.2 Prohibited Joints and Connections.
    66. 316.1 General.
    67. 317.1 General.
    68. 318.1 General.
    69. 318.2 Pressure Tests (10 psi or less).
    70. 318.3 Pressure Tests (greater than 10 psi to 100 psi).
    71. 318.4 Pressure Tests (exceeding 100 psi).
    72. 318.5 Pressure Range.
    73. 319.1 General.
    74. 320.1 General.
    75. 323.0 Plumbing Equipment Schedules. [OSHPD 1, 2,
  4. Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
  5. Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
  6. Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
  7. Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
  8. Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
  9. Chapter 9 — VENTS
  10. Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
  11. Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
  12. Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
  13. Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
  14. Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
  15. Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
  16. Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  17. Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  18. Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
  19. Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
  20. Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  21. Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
  22. Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
  23. Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
  24. Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
  25. Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
  26. Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARDS
  27. Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
  28. Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  29. Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  30. Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
  31. Appendix N — IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR …
  32. Appendix O — NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
  33. Appendix P — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  34. Appendix Q — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
  35. Appendix R — TINY HOUSES
  36. Appendix S — ONSITE STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

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