Chapter 15.20 — PLUMBING CODE

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2022-06, §§ 1—3, adopted Jan. 1, 2022, repealed Ch. 15.20 in its entirety and enacted new provisions to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 15.20, §§ 15.20.010—15.20.030, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 2020-02, §§ 1—3.

The California Plumbing Code, 2022 Edition, with appendices thereto, and all subsequent editions thereto, published by the International Conference of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, is adopted, incorporated, and made a part of this code by reference without further publication as though fully set forth in this chapter and is declared to be the plumbing code of the city; and the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the city limits.

(Ord. No. 2022-06, §§ 1—3)

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic piping is an approved alternate material for use in plumbing systems to which the California Plumbing Code applies, including all potable water systems, when the building official has personal knowledge or is furnished adequate information by or on behalf of the owner of a building site that corrosive conditions exist in the water supply for the site or in the soil through which water supply piping for the site will pass and that such conditions may destroy conventional metal piping that would otherwise be used for the water supply. The following requirements apply to all potable water systems in which CPVC plastic piping is used:

A.

The piping shall be listed as an approved material in, and installed in accordance with, the 2022 Edition of the California Plumbing Code.

B.

All installations of CPVC shall strictly comply with 2022 CPC Section 604.1.1, the interim flushing procedures and worker safety measures set forth in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.

Special requirements for CPVC Installation within residential structures. In addition to the other requirements in the California Plumbing Code, all installations of CPVC pipe within residential structures shall meet the following:

Flushing Procedures. All installations of CPVC pipe within residential structures shall be flushed twice over a period of at least one week. The pipe system shall be first flushed for at least ten (10) minutes and then filled and allowed to stand for no less than one week, after which all the branches of the pipe system must be flushed long enough to fully empty the contained volume. At the time of the fill, each fixture shall have a removable tag applied stating:

"This new plumbing system was first filled on (date) by (name). The California Department of Housing and Community Development requires that the system be flushed after standing at least one week after the fill date specified above. If the system is used earlier than one week after the fill date, the water must be allowed to run for at least two minutes prior to use for human consumption. This tag may not be removed prior to flushing, except by the homeowner."

Worker Safety. Any contractor applying for a building permit that includes the use of CPVC plumbing materials authorized pursuant to this section shall include in the permit application a signed written certification stating that:

The following safe work practices shall be adhered to when installing both CPVC and copper plumbing pipe:

They are aware of the health and safety hazards associated with CPVC plumbing installations;

They have included in their Injury and Illness Prevention Plan the hazards associated with CPVC plumbing pipe installations; and

The worker safety training elements of their Injury And Illness Prevention Plan meet the Department of Industrial Relation's Guidelines.

Worker Safety Measures. Mechanical ventilation sufficient to maintain exposures below the relevant exposure limits established by state regulation shall be provided in enclosed spaces. This ventilation shall be directed at the breathing zone of the worker installing the pipe. Where mechanical ventilation is not practical, respirators, suitable for organic vapors, shall be used. For the purpose of this subdivision, an enclosed space is defined as:

A space less than one hundred (100) square feet of floor area under a ceiling with a height of ten (10) feet or less, and which does not have openings (consisting of doors, windows, or unfinished walls) on at least two sides.

Crawl spaces having a height of less than three feet.

Enclosed attics that have a roof and ceiling; or

Trenches having a depth greater than twenty-four (24) inches.

Installers of CPVC pipe within residential structures shall use non-latex thin gauge (four millimeters) nitrile gloves, or other gloves providing an equivalent or better degree of protection during the installation of the CPVC plumbing system. Gloves shall be provided to all workers by the contractor, or plumbing subcontractor, and shall be replaced upon contamination by cements.

(Ord. No. 2022-06, §§ 1—3)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or of the California Plumbing Code as enacted in this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction for any such misdemeanor shall be punishable as set forth in Section 12.02.100 of this code by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. No. 2022-06, §§ 1—3)