Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
604.13 Water Heater Connectors.
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.
Flexible metallic (copper and stainless steel), reinforced flexible, braided stainless steel, or polymer braided with EPDM core connectors that connect a water heater to the piping system shall comply with ASME A112.18.6/CSA B125.6. Copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel flexible connectors shall not exceed 24 inches (610 mm). PEX, PEX-AL-PEX, PE-AL-PE, or PE-RT tubing shall not be installed within the first 18 inches (457 mm) of piping connected to a water heater. [BSC, HCD 1 & HCD 2] PEX-AL-PEX is not adopted for use in potable water supply and distribution systems.
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
- Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
- Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
▸Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
Overview- 601.1 Applicability.
- 601.2 Water Supply and Flushing.
- 601.3 Identification of a Potable and Nonpotable Water System.
- 601.4 Schools of Cosmetology and Cosmetological
- 601.5 Meat and Poultry Processing Plants.
- 601.6 Collection Centers and Facilities. [AGR]
- 601.7 Renderers. [AGR]
- 601.8 Horse Meat and Pet Food Establishments. [AGR]
- 602.1 Prohibited Installation.
- 602.2 Cross-Contamination.
- 602.3 Backflow Prevention.
- 602.4 Approval by Authority.
- 603.1 General.
- 603.2 Approval of Devices or Assemblies.
- 603.3 Backflow Prevention Devices, Assemblies, and Methods.
- 603.4 General Requirements.
- 603.5 Specific Requirements.
- 604.1 Pipe, Tube, and Fittings.
- 604.2 Lead Content.
- 604.3 Copper or Copper Alloy Tube.
- 604.4 Hard-Drawn Copper or Copper Alloy Tubing.
- 604.5 Flexible Connectors.
- 604.6 Cast-Iron Fittings.
- 604.7 Malleable Iron Fittings.
- 604.8 Previously Used Piping and Tubing.
- 604.9 Epoxy Coating.
- 604.10 Plastic Materials.
- 604.11 Solder.
- 604.12 Flexible Corrugated Connectors.
- 604.13 Water Heater Connectors.
- 605.1 Copper or Copper Alloy Pipe, Tubing,
- 605.2 CPVC Plastic Pipe and Joints.
- 605.3 CPVC/AL/CPVC Plastic Pipe and Joints.
- 605.4 Ductile Iron Pipe and Joints.
- 605.5 Galvanized Steel Pipe and Joints.
- 605.6 PE
- 605.7 PE-AL-PE Plastic
- 605.8 PE-RT.
- 605.9 PEX
- 605.10 PEX-AL-PEX Plastic Tubing and Joints.
- 605.11 Polypropylene (PP) Piping and Joints.
- 605.12 PVC
- 605.13 Stainless Steel Pipe
- 605.14 Slip Joints.
- 605.15 Dielectric Unions.
- 605.16 Joints Between Various Materials.
- 606.1 General.
- 606.2 Fullway Valve.
- 606.3 Multidwelling Units.
- 606.4 Multiple Openings.
- 606.5 Control Valve.
- 606.6 Accessible.
- 606.7 Multiple Fixtures.
- 606.8 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
- 606.9 Check Valve Required.
- 606.10 Leak Detection Devices.
- 607.1 General.
- 607.2 Private Well Water Tanks.
- 607.3 Potable Water Tanks.
- 607.4 Venting.
- 607.5 Overflow.
- 607.6 Valves.
- 608.1 Inadequate Water Pressure.
- 608.2 Excessive Water Pressure.
- 608.3 Expansion Tanks, and Combination Tempera-ture and Pressu…
- 608.4 Pressure Relief Valves.
- 608.5 Discharge Piping.
- 608.6 Water-Heating Devices.
- 608.7 Vacuum Relief Valves.
- 609.1 Installation.
- 609.2 Trenches.
- 609.3 Under Concrete Slab.
- 609.4 Testing.
- 609.5 Unions.
- 609.6 Location.
- 609.7 Abutting Lot.
- 609.8 Pumps.
- 609.9 Low-Pressure Cutoff Required on Booster Pumps for Water …
- 609.10 Disinfection of Potable Water System.
- 609.11 Water Hammer.
- 609.12 Pipe Insulation.
- 610.1 Size.
- 610.2 Pressure Loss.
- 610.3 Quantity of Water.
- 610.4 Sizing Water Supply and Distribution Systems.
- 610.5 Sizing per Appendices A, C,
- 610.6 Friction and Pressure Loss.
- 610.7 Conditions for Using Table 610.4.
- 610.8 Size of Meter and Building Supply Pipe Using Table 610.4.
- 610.9 Size of Branches.
- 610.10 Sizing for Flushometer Valves.
- 610.11 Sizing Systems for Flushometer Tanks.
- 610.12 Sizing for Velocity.
- 610.13 Exceptions.
- 611.1 Application.
- 611.2 Air Gap Discharge.
- 611.3 Connection Tubing.
- 611.4 Sizing of Residential Softeners.
- 612.1 Installation.
- 613.1 The domestic water-heating equipment and distribu-
- 613.2 At least two pieces of hot-water-heating equipment shall
- 613.3 Instantaneous heaters are permitted for supplying hot
- 613.4 Water storage tanks shall be fabricated of corrosion-
- 613.5 Temperature control valves shall be provided to auto-
- 613.6 Hot-water distribution system serving patient care areas
- 613.7 At fixtures where water exceeding 125°F (52°C) is acces-
- 613.8 Sectionalizing valves shall be provided as required by S…
- 613.9 Hot water distribution shall include test ports and valved
- 614.1 Dialysis water feedlines shall be CPVC (chlorinated
- 614.2 All piping for multistation or central dialysis units sh…
- 614.3 All valves shall be located in accessible locations.
- 614.4 Piping and valves shall be identified according to their…
- 614.5 A means of preventing backwashing or flushing of the
- 614.6 A continuous audible alarm shall sound at the nurses’
- 614.7 Water treatment equipment and water used for dialysis
- 614.8 A diagram of all piping as installed shall be posted at …
- 615.1 Uses Not Permitted.
- 615.2 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
- 615.3 [OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 3, 4 & 5]
- 616.1 For new acute care hospital buildings submitted after
- 616.2 The emergency supply of water shall be provided at ade-
- 616.3 Storage tank connections and circulation shall be
- Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
- Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
- Chapter 9 — VENTS
- Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
- Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
- Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
- Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
- Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
- Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
- Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
- Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
- Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
- Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
- Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
- Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
- Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
- Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
- Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARDS
- Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
- Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
- Appendix N — IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR …
- Appendix O — NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
- Appendix P — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Appendix Q — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
- Appendix R — TINY HOUSES
- Appendix S — ONSITE STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS