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Earlier editions: 20222019

Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

604.10 Plastic Materials.

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.

Approved plastic materials shall be permitted to be used in building supply piping, provided that where metal building supply piping is used for electrical grounding purposes, replacement piping, therefore, shall be of like materials.

WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

TABLE 604.1

MATERIALS FOR BUILDING SUPPLY AND WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPING AND FITTINGS

MATERIAL BUILDING SUPPLY
PIPE AND FITTINGS		 WATER
DISTRIBUTION PIPE
AND FITTINGS		 REFERENCED
STANDARD(S) PIPE		 REFERENCED
STANDARD(S) FITTINGS
Copper and Copper
Alloys		 X X ASTM B42, ASTM B43,
ASTM B75, ASTM B88,
ASTM B135, ASTM B251,
ASTM B302, ASTM B447		 ASME B16.15, ASME B16.18,
ASME B16.22, ASME B16.26,
ASME B16.502, ASME B16.51,
ASSE 1061, ASTM F3226,
AWWA C606, CSA B242,
IAPMO PS 53, IAPMO PS 117
CPVC X X ASTM D2846, ASTM F441,
ASTM F442, CSA B137.6		 ASSE 1061, ASTM D2846,
ASTM F437, ASTM F438,
ASTM F439, ASTM F1970,
CSA B137.6, IAPMO PS 53
CPVC-AL-CPVC X X ASTM F2855 ASTM D2846
Ductile-Iron X X AWWA C151 ASME B16.4, AWWA C110,
AWWA C153, AWWA C606,
CSA B242, IAPMO PS 53
Galvanized Steel X X ASTM A53 AWWA C606, CSA B242,
IAPMO PS 53
Malleable Iron X X –– ASME B16.3, AWWA C606,
IAPMO PS 53
PE X1 –– ASTM D2239, ASTM D2737,
ASTM D3035, AWWA C901,
CSA B137.1		 ASTM D2609, ASTM D2683,
ASTM D3261, ASTM F1055,
CSA B137.1
PE-AL-PE X X ASTM F1282, CSA B137.9 ASTM F1282, ASTM F1974,
CSA B137.9
PE-RT X X ASTM F2769, CSA B137.18 ASSE 1061, ASTM D3261,
ASTM F1055, ASTM F1807,
ASTM F2098, ASTM F2159,
ASTM F2735, ASTM F2769,
CSA B137.18
PEX_3,4_ X X ASTM F876,
CSA B137.5, AWWA C9041		 ASSE 1061, ASTM F877,
ASTM F1807, ASTM F1960,
ASTM F2080, ASTM F2159,
ASTM F2735, ASTM F3347,
ASTM F3348, CSA B137.5
PEX-AL-PEX_5_ X X ASTM F1281, CSA B137.10 ASTM F1281, ASTM F1974,
ASTM F2434, CSA B137.10
PP X X ASTM F2389, CSA B137.11 ASTM F2389, CSA B137.11
PVC X1 –– ASTM D1785, ASTM D2241,
AWWA C900		 ASTM D2464, ASTM D2466,
ASTM D2467, ASTM F1970,
AWWA C907, IAPMO PS 53
Stainless Steel X X ASTM A269, ASTM A312,
ASTM A554, ASTM A778		 ASTM F3226, CSA B242,
IAPMO PS 53, IAPMO PS 117

Notes: 1 For building supply or exterior cold-water applications, not for water distribution piping. 2 For brazed fittings only. 3 [AGR & DPH] When PEX tubing is placed in soil and is used in potable water systems intended to supply drinking water to fixtures or appliances, the tubing

or piping shall be sleeved with a material approved for potable water use in soil or other material that is impermeable to solvents or petroleum products. 4 [AGR & DPH] PEX tubing shall meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM F876-2015a or an equivalent or more stringent standard when used in contin-

uously recirculating hot water systems and the PEX tubing is exposed to the hot water 100% of the time. 5 [For BSC, DSA-SS, HCD 1 & HCD 2] The use of PEX-AL-PEX in potable water supply systems is not adopted.

148 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE

WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

Exception: Where a grounding system acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction is installed, inspected, and approved, the metallic pipe shall be permitted to be replaced with nonmetallic pipe. 604.10.1 Tracer Wire. Plastic materials for building supply piping outside underground shall have an electrically continuous corrosion-resistant blue insulated copper tracer wire, or other approved conductor installed adjacent to the piping. Access shall be provided to the tracer wire, or the tracer wire shall terminate aboveground at each end of the nonmetallic piping. The tracer wire size shall be not less than 14 AWG, and the insulation type shall be suitable for direct burial.

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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
  4. Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
  5. Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
  6. ▸Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
    Overview
    1. 601.1 Applicability.
    2. 601.2 Water Supply and Flushing.
    3. 601.3 Identification of a Potable and Nonpotable Water System.
    4. 601.4 Schools of Cosmetology and Cosmetological
    5. 601.5 Meat and Poultry Processing Plants.
    6. 601.6 Collection Centers and Facilities. [AGR]
    7. 601.7 Renderers. [AGR]
    8. 601.8 Horse Meat and Pet Food Establishments. [AGR]
    9. 602.1 Prohibited Installation.
    10. 602.2 Cross-Contamination.
    11. 602.3 Backflow Prevention.
    12. 602.4 Approval by Authority.
    13. 603.1 General.
    14. 603.2 Approval of Devices or Assemblies.
    15. 603.3 Backflow Prevention Devices, Assemblies, and Methods.
    16. 603.4 General Requirements.
    17. 603.5 Specific Requirements.
    18. 604.1 Pipe, Tube, and Fittings.
    19. 604.2 Lead Content.
    20. 604.3 Copper or Copper Alloy Tube.
    21. 604.4 Hard-Drawn Copper or Copper Alloy Tubing.
    22. 604.5 Flexible Connectors.
    23. 604.6 Cast-Iron Fittings.
    24. 604.7 Malleable Iron Fittings.
    25. 604.8 Previously Used Piping and Tubing.
    26. 604.9 Epoxy Coating.
    27. 604.10 Plastic Materials.
    28. 604.11 Solder.
    29. 604.12 Flexible Corrugated Connectors.
    30. 604.13 Water Heater Connectors.
    31. 605.1 Copper or Copper Alloy Pipe, Tubing,
    32. 605.2 CPVC Plastic Pipe and Joints.
    33. 605.3 CPVC/AL/CPVC Plastic Pipe and Joints.
    34. 605.4 Ductile Iron Pipe and Joints.
    35. 605.5 Galvanized Steel Pipe and Joints.
    36. 605.6 PE
    37. 605.7 PE-AL-PE Plastic
    38. 605.8 PE-RT.
    39. 605.9 PEX
    40. 605.10 PEX-AL-PEX Plastic Tubing and Joints.
    41. 605.11 Polypropylene (PP) Piping and Joints.
    42. 605.12 PVC
    43. 605.13 Stainless Steel Pipe
    44. 605.14 Slip Joints.
    45. 605.15 Dielectric Unions.
    46. 605.16 Joints Between Various Materials.
    47. 606.1 General.
    48. 606.2 Fullway Valve.
    49. 606.3 Multidwelling Units.
    50. 606.4 Multiple Openings.
    51. 606.5 Control Valve.
    52. 606.6 Accessible.
    53. 606.7 Multiple Fixtures.
    54. 606.8 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
    55. 606.9 Check Valve Required.
    56. 606.10 Leak Detection Devices.
    57. 607.1 General.
    58. 607.2 Private Well Water Tanks.
    59. 607.3 Potable Water Tanks.
    60. 607.4 Venting.
    61. 607.5 Overflow.
    62. 607.6 Valves.
    63. 608.1 Inadequate Water Pressure.
    64. 608.2 Excessive Water Pressure.
    65. 608.3 Expansion Tanks, and Combination Tempera-ture and Pressu…
    66. 608.4 Pressure Relief Valves.
    67. 608.5 Discharge Piping.
    68. 608.6 Water-Heating Devices.
    69. 608.7 Vacuum Relief Valves.
    70. 609.1 Installation.
    71. 609.2 Trenches.
    72. 609.3 Under Concrete Slab.
    73. 609.4 Testing.
    74. 609.5 Unions.
    75. 609.6 Location.
    76. 609.7 Abutting Lot.
    77. 609.8 Pumps.
    78. 609.9 Low-Pressure Cutoff Required on Booster Pumps for Water …
    79. 609.10 Disinfection of Potable Water System.
    80. 609.11 Water Hammer.
    81. 609.12 Pipe Insulation.
    82. 610.1 Size.
    83. 610.2 Pressure Loss.
    84. 610.3 Quantity of Water.
    85. 610.4 Sizing Water Supply and Distribution Systems.
    86. 610.5 Sizing per Appendices A, C,
    87. 610.6 Friction and Pressure Loss.
    88. 610.7 Conditions for Using Table 610.4.
    89. 610.8 Size of Meter and Building Supply Pipe Using Table 610.4.
    90. 610.9 Size of Branches.
    91. 610.10 Sizing for Flushometer Valves.
    92. 610.11 Sizing Systems for Flushometer Tanks.
    93. 610.12 Sizing for Velocity.
    94. 610.13 Exceptions.
    95. 611.1 Application.
    96. 611.2 Air Gap Discharge.
    97. 611.3 Connection Tubing.
    98. 611.4 Sizing of Residential Softeners.
    99. 612.1 Installation.
    100. 613.1 The domestic water-heating equipment and distribu-
    101. 613.2 At least two pieces of hot-water-heating equipment shall
    102. 613.3 Instantaneous heaters are permitted for supplying hot
    103. 613.4 Water storage tanks shall be fabricated of corrosion-
    104. 613.5 Temperature control valves shall be provided to auto-
    105. 613.6 Hot-water distribution system serving patient care areas
    106. 613.7 At fixtures where water exceeding 125°F (52°C) is acces-
    107. 613.8 Sectionalizing valves shall be provided as required by S…
    108. 613.9 Hot water distribution shall include test ports and valved
    109. 614.1 Dialysis water feedlines shall be CPVC (chlorinated
    110. 614.2 All piping for multistation or central dialysis units sh…
    111. 614.3 All valves shall be located in accessible locations.
    112. 614.4 Piping and valves shall be identified according to their…
    113. 614.5 A means of preventing backwashing or flushing of the
    114. 614.6 A continuous audible alarm shall sound at the nurses’
    115. 614.7 Water treatment equipment and water used for dialysis
    116. 614.8 A diagram of all piping as installed shall be posted at …
    117. 615.1 Uses Not Permitted.
    118. 615.2 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
    119. 615.3 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
    120. 616.1 For new acute care hospital buildings submitted after
    121. 616.2 The emergency supply of water shall be provided at ade-
    122. 616.3 Storage tank connections and circulation shall be
  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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