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Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS

314.4 Excavations.

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.

Excavations shall be completely backfilled as soon after inspection as practicable. Precaution shall be taken to ensure compactness of backfill around piping without damage to such piping. Trenches shall be backfilled in thin layers to 12 inches (305 mm) above the top of the piping with clean earth, which shall not contain stones, boulders, cinder fill, frozen earth, construction debris, or other materials that will damage or break the piping or cause corrosive action. Mechanical devices such as bulldozers, graders, etc., shall be permitted to be then used to complete backfill to grade. Fill shall be properly compacted. Precautions shall be taken to ensure permanent stability for pipe laid in filled or made ground.

Underground thermoplastic pipe and fittings for sewers and other gravity flow applications shall be installed in accordance with this code and Section 314.4.1.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

314.4.1 Installation of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings. Trench width for thermoplastic sewer pipe shall be not less than 1.25 times the outside diameter of the piping plus 12 inches (305 mm) or the outside diameter of the piping plus not less than 16 inches (406 mm). Thermoplastic piping shall be bedded in not less than 4 inches (102 mm) of granular fill supporting the piping. The backfill for thermoplastic piping shall be compacted along the sides of the piping in 6 inch (152 mm) layers and continue to not less than 12 inches (305 mm) above the piping. Compaction shall be not less than an 85 percent standard proctor density.

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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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