Tennessee LLP Limited Licensed Plumber

Key Concepts

Definitions and how to find them - Where a term is not defined in the IPC but is defined in the International Building Code, International Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code or International Mechanical Code, those definitions apply (IPC 2021, 201.3). Only where a term is not defined through those methods does it take its ordinarily accepted meaning as the context implies (201.4). - Lead-free solder and flux: containing not more than 0.2-percent lead (202). - Vertical pipe: any pipe or fitting making an angle of 45 degrees (0.79 rad) or more with the horizontal. Horizontal pipe: less than 45 degrees with a horizontal plane (202). - Critical level (C-L): the elevation reference point determining the minimum height at which a backflow preventer or vacuum breaker is installed above the flood level rim. **If the critical level…

Key Concepts

Pipe length and fitting allowance - End-to-end is always shorter than center-to-center because the pipe does not thread into a fitting as far as the center point: e-e = c-c − total fitting allowance (Unit 8, Allowance for Threaded Fittings). - For threaded fittings, the allowance for each opening is the center-to-face measure (A) minus the thread-in measure (B); in the Unit 8 sample with two 90° ells, total fitting allowance = two center-to-face measures minus two thread-in measures, using the Data sheets in the Appendix (Unit 8, Sample Problem). - For copper solder-cup fittings, the fitting allowance (G) = center-to-face measurement minus the depth of the solder cup, equivalent to center-to-shoulder (Chapter 1 — Allowances for Copper Fittings). - Equal spacing: equal spacing means equal center-to-center lengths, but because fitting allowances differ by fitting type (90°…

Key Concepts

Administrative / applicability - Where a general requirement conflicts with a specific requirement, the specific governs; where different sections specify different materials or methods, the most restrictive governs (IPC 102.1). - Where the code conflicts with manufacturer's installation instructions, the more restrictive provisions apply (301.7). Where a referenced standard conflicts with this code, the code applies (102.8.1, 102.8.2). - The permit holder makes the required tests of Sections 312.2 through 312.10, gives reasonable advance notice to the code official, and furnishes equipment, material, power and labor (312.1). The code official receives applications, reviews documents, issues permits and inspects (104.2) and may accept written, certified reports from approved agencies (104.3).

Key Concepts

Water service & separation - The water service pipe shall be sized to supply the structure at required quantities and pressures, and shall be not less than 3/4 inch (19.1 mm) in diameter — IPC 2021 Section 603.1 (IRC P2903.7). - Where water service is in the same trench as the building sewer, the sewer shall be of materials listed in Table 702.2. Where it is not, the two shall be horizontally separated by not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) of undisturbed or compacted earth — Section 603.2. The separation does not apply at a crossing where the water service is sleeved to not less than 5 feet horizontally from the sewer centerline on both sides (sleeve of materials in Table 605.3, 702.2 or 702.3), or where the bottom of the water service within 5 feet…

Primary authority: IPC 2021, Chapter 5 (Sections 501–505)

Key Concepts

Scope and general requirements - Chapter 5 governs the materials, design and installation of water heaters and related safety devices and appurtenances (IPC 501.1). - Water heaters shall be third-party certified (IPC 501.5), and shall be located and connected to provide access for observation, maintenance, servicing and replacement (IPC 501.4). - Drain valves for emptying shall be installed at the bottom of each tank-type water heater and hot water storage tank. The drain valve inlet shall be not less than 3/4-inch nominal iron pipe size, and the outlet shall have male garden hose threads (IPC 501.3). - Water from tankless water heaters shall be not greater than 140°F where intended for domestic uses; this does not supersede protective shower valves under Section 412.3 (IPC 501.6). - Where a combination…

Key Concepts

Indirect and special waste (Chapter 8) - Equipment and fixtures used for storage, preparation and handling of food shall discharge through an indirect waste pipe by means of an air gap, and each well of a multiple-compartment sink shall discharge independently to a waste receptor (802.1.1). - Swimming pool wastewater, filter backwash and pool deck drain water discharge through an indirect waste pipe by means of an air gap (802.1.4). Potable clear-water waste (sterilizers, relief valves) also requires an air gap (802.1.3); nonpotable clear-water waste (process tanks, filters, drips, boilers) permits an air break or an air gap (802.1.5). - Indirect waste piping exceeding 30 inches in developed length measured horizontally, or 54 inches in total developed length, shall be trapped (802.3). Either trigger alone requires a trap. - The air gap shall be **not less than…

Key Concepts

Prohibited fixtures (IPC 401.2). Trough urinals shall be prohibited — an outright ban, not conditioned on meeting any ASME standard. Also prohibited: water closets having a concealed trap seal, an unventilated space, or walls not thoroughly washed at each discharge in accordance with ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1, and any water closet that permits siphonage of the bowl contents back into the tank.

Fixture quality (IPC 402.1). Plumbing fixtures shall be constructed of approved materials, with smooth, impervious surfaces, free from defects and concealed fouling surfaces, and shall conform to standards cited in the code. Porcelain enameled surfaces shall be acid resistant. Specialty fixture materials (402.2): stainless steel, soapstone, chemical stoneware or plastic, or lined with lead, copper-base alloy, nickel-copper alloy or corrosion-resistant steel. Sheet copper shall conform to ASTM B152 and weigh not less than 12 oz/ft² (402.3);…

Source: Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters, Section Two (Pipe Length Calculations) and the Appendix Data sheets.

Key Concepts

• Three-step method for any pipe length. (1) Take the space dimensions from a drawing or by measuring; (2) obtain the center-to-center (c-c) measurement by geometry and simple mathematics; (3) obtain the end-to-end (e-e) measurement by subtracting the fitting allowance from the c-c measurement. (Unit 8, Allowance for Threaded Fittings)
• Fitting allowance defined. The allowance for a given fitting is the distance between the end of the pipe — which may be, and probably is, inside the fitting itself — and the center of the fitting. Fittings have one fitting allowance for each pipe opening, and the e-e length is always shorter than the c-c length because the pipe does not thread into a fitting as far as the center…

International Fuel Gas Code 2021

Key Concepts

Gas piping materials — plastic pipe - Plastic pipe shall be installed outdoors underground only; it shall not be used within or under any building or slab, and shall not be operated at pressures greater than 100 psig for natural gas or 30 psig for LP-gas (Section 404.17.1). - Exception 1: plastic pipe may terminate above ground outside of buildings where installed in premanufactured anodeless risers or service head adapter risers installed per manufacturer's instructions (404.17.1, Exception 1). - A yellow insulated copper tracer wire or other approved conductor, not less than 18 AWG, shall be installed adjacent to underground nonmetallic piping (404.17.3). - "Anodeless riser" is defined as a transition assembly in which plastic piping is installed and terminated above ground outside of a building (Chapter 2).

Key Concepts

Employer accident prevention (Subpart C) - The employer must initiate and maintain programs necessary to comply with Part 1926, and those programs must provide for frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment by competent persons designated by the employer — §1926.20(b)(1)–(2). - Equipment not in compliance is prohibited; it must be tagged or have controls locked to render it inoperable, or be physically removed from its place of operation — §1926.20(b)(3). Only employees qualified by training or experience may operate equipment and machinery — §1926.20(b)(4). - Competent person = one capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures — §1926.32(f).