Issue DS 2017-058 : The petitioner Diane Magnus of Cronin Construction Corporation is seeking a declaratory statement on whether the 2014 Florida Building Code, Plumbing applies to Sanitary Collection Systems from the connection to the existing public utility system to the Sanitary Stub outs 5’ from the building? She is also seeking clarification on whether the 2014 Florida Building Code, Plumbing applies to the Potable Water Distribution Systems from the connection to the existing public utility system to the Domestic Water Service stub outs 5’ from the building? Additionally, she is also seeking clarification on whether the Florida Building Code Plumbing applies to the Storm Sewer Collection Systems from the connection to the onsite point of disposal (retention ponds), to the Storm Drain Service stub outs 5’ from the building and other collection points throughout the site?
Background:
Cronin Construction
Corporation will be performing Underground Utility and Sitework on the Pine
Hills Elementary School project, installing the Stormwater Collection System,
Sanitary Sewer Collection System, and Potable Water Distribution System as
permitted by SJRWMD and FDEP respectively. We are seeking clarification on
whether the Florida Building Code, Plumbing applies to the construction and testing
of these systems. These systems are shown on Civil Plans, designed by a
Professional Civil Engineer licensed in Florida, and installed by Cronin
Construction Corporation as a licensed Underground Utility Contractor, as opposed
to a licensed Plumbing Contractor which is mandated by the Florida Building
Code - Plumbing.
The applicant’s scope
on this project includes utility work shown on the Civil Plans; the Sanitary
Sewer Collection System, the Potable Water Distribution System, and the
Stormwater Collection System. Each system includes services that terminate 5'
outside of the building.
2017
Florida Statutes Chapter 489.105(3)
(m) “Plumbing
contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in
the plumbing trade and includes contracting business consisting of the
execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge,
and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by
law, design plumbing. A plumbing contractor may install, maintain, repair,
alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by law, design the following without
obtaining an additional local regulatory license, certificate, or registration:
sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, water and sewer plants and
substations, venting systems, public or private water supply systems, septic
tanks, drainage and supply wells, swimming pool piping, irrigation systems, and
solar heating water systems and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used
in connection therewith, including boilers and pressure process piping and
including the installation of water, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and
related venting, and storm and sanitary sewer lines. The scope of work of the
plumbing contractor also includes the design, if not prohibited by law, and
installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of air-piping,
vacuum line piping, oxygen line piping, nitrous oxide piping, and all related
medical gas systems; fire line standpipes and fire sprinklers if authorized by
law; ink and chemical lines; fuel oil and gasoline piping and tank and pump
installation, except bulk storage plants; and pneumatic control piping systems,
all in a manner that complies with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and
regulations applicable. The scope of work of the plumbing contractor applies to
private property and public property, including any excavation work incidental
thereto, and includes the work of the specialty plumbing contractor. Such
contractor shall subcontract, with a qualified contractor in the field
concerned, all other work incidental to the work but which is specified as
being the work of a trade other than that of a plumbing contractor. This
definition does not limit the scope of work of any specialty contractor
certified pursuant to s. 489.113(6) and does not require certification or
registration under this part as a category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer, LP
gas installer, or specialty installer who is licensed under chapter 527 or an
authorized employee of a public natural gas utility or of a private natural gas
utility regulated by the Public Service Commission when disconnecting and
reconnecting water lines in the servicing or replacement of an existing water
heater. A plumbing contractor may perform drain cleaning and clearing and
install or repair rainwater catchment systems; however, a mandatory licensing
requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.
(n) “Underground
utility and excavation contractor” means a contractor whose
services are limited to the construction, installation, and repair, on public
or private property, whether accomplished through open excavations or through other
means, including, but not limited to, directional drilling, auger boring,
jacking and boring, trenchless technologies, wet and dry taps, grouting, and
slip lining, of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution
systems, storm sewer collection systems, and the continuation of utility lines
from the main systems to a point of termination up to and including the meter
location for the individual occupancy, sewer collection systems at property
line on residential or single-occupancy commercial properties, or on multi-occupancy
properties at manhole or wye lateral extended to an invert elevation as
engineered to accommodate future building sewers, water distribution systems,
or storm sewer collection systems at storm sewer structures. However, an
underground utility and excavation contractor may install empty underground
conduits in rights-of-way, easements, platted rights-of-way in new site
development, and sleeves for parking lot crossings no smaller than 2 inches in
diameter if each conduit system installed is designed by a licensed
professional engineer or an authorized employee of a municipality, county, or
public utility and the installation of such conduit does not include
installation of any conductor wiring or connection to an energized electrical
system. An underground utility and excavation contractor may not install piping
that is an integral part of a fire protection system as defined in s. 633.102
beginning at the point where the piping is used exclusively for such system.
2017
Florida Administrative Code 62-604.200 Definitions
(2)
“Collection/transmission systems” means sewers, pipelines,
conduits, pumping stations, force mains, and all other facilities used for
collection and transmission of wastewater from individual service connections
to facilities intended for the purpose of providing treatment prior to release
to the environment.
(8)
“Individual service connection” means the sewer which
connects the point(s) at which wastewater leaves a building which is its source
and the point at which it enters a collection system.
2007
Florida Building Code Plumbing Non-Binding Interpretation Section 701.1
Question:
Is it the intent of the Florida Building Code for Chapter 7 of the
Plumbing Code to be applied to a gravity sewer collection system that is
required to be permitted under Chapter 62-604 FAC, the FDEP rule for Collection
Systems and Transmission Facilities?
Answer:
No. The FBC-Plumbing applies to the building sewer which receives the
waste from the building drain and conveys this waste to the public sewer,
private sewer, individual sewage disposal system or other point of disposal.
Commentary:
The public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage disposal system or other
point of disposal would be governed by their respective laws.
2014
Florida Building Code, Plumbing
SECTION 201
GENERAL
201.4 Terms not
defined. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this
section, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context
implies.
Section
202 General Definitions
BUILDING
DRAIN. That part of the lowest piping of a drainage system that receives the
discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes
inside and that extends 30 inches (762 mm) in developed length of pipe
beyond the exterior walls of the building and
conveys the drainage to the building sewer.
Combined. A building
drain that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
Sanitary. A building
drain that conveys sewage only
Storm. A building
drain that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
BUILDING
SEWER. That part of the drainage system that extends
from the end of the building drain and conveys
the discharge to a public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage
disposal system or other point of disposal.
Combined. A building
sewer that conveys both sewage and storm water or other drainage.
Sanitary. A building
sewer that conveys sewage only
Storm. A building
sewer that conveys storm water or other drainage, but not sewage.
SEWER.
Building sewer. See “Building sewer.”
Public sewer. A common sewer
directly controlled by public authority.
Sanitary sewer. A sewer that
carries sewage and excludes storm, surface and ground water.
Storm sewer. A sewer that
conveys rainwater, surface water, subsurface water and similar liquid wastes.
DRAINAGE
SYSTEM. Piping within a public or private premise that conveys
sewage, rainwater or other liquid wastes to a point of disposal. A drainage
system does not include the mains of a public sewer system or a private or
public sewage treatment or disposal plant.
Building gravity. A drainage
system that drains by gravity into the building sewer.
Sanitary. A drainage
system that carries sewage and excludes storm, surface and ground water.
Storm. A drainage
system that carries rainwater, surface water, subsurface water and similar
liquid wastes.
PLUMBING. The practice,
materials and fixtures utilized in the installation, maintenance, extension and
alteration of all piping, fixtures, plumbing appliances and plumbing
appurtenances, within or adjacent to any structure, in connection with sanitary
drainage or storm drainage facilities; venting systems; and public or private
water supply systems.
PLUMBING
SYSTEM. Includes the water supply and distribution pipes; plumbing
fixtures and traps; water-treating or water using equipment; soil, waste
and vent pipes; and sanitary and storm sewers and building drains; in addition
to their respective connections, devices and appurtenances within a structure or premises.
Prem·is·es
a house or building, together with its land and outbuildings,
occupied by a business or considered in an official context.
"business premises"
|
synonyms: |
building(s), property, site, office "he was asked to leave the
premises" |
WATER PIPE.
Riser. A water supply
pipe that extends one full story or more to convey water to branches or to a
group of fixtures.
Water distribution
pipe. A pipe within the structure or on the premises that conveys water from
the water service pipe, or from the meter when the meter is at the structure,
to the points of utilization.
Water service pipe. The pipe from
the water main or other source of potable water supply, or from the meter when
the meter
is at the public
right of way, to the water distribution system of the building served.
WATER SUPPLY
SYSTEM. The water service pipe, water distribution pipes, and the necessary
connecting pipes, fittings, control
valves and all appurtenances in or
adjacent to the structure or premises.
2014
Florida Building Code Plumbing Chapter 3
312.1 Required tests. The permit holder shall make the applicable tests prescribed in Sections 312.2 through 312.10 to determine compliance with the provisions of this code. The permit holder shall give reasonable advance notice to the code official when the plumbing work is ready for tests. The equipment, material, power and labor necessary for the inspection and test shall be furnished by the permit holder and the permit holder shall be responsible for determining that the work will withstand the test pressure prescribed in the following tests. All plumbing system piping shall be tested with either water or, for piping systems other than plastic, by air. After the plumbing fixtures have been set and their traps filled with water, the entire drainage system shall be submitted to final tests. The code official shall require the removal of any cleanouts if necessary to ascertain whether the pressure has reached all parts of the system.
312.2 Drainage and vent water test. A water test shall be applied to the drainage system either in its entirety or in sections. If applied to the entire system, all openings in the piping shall be tightly closed, except the highest opening, and the system shall be filled with water to the point of overflow. If the system is tested in sections, each opening shall be tightly plugged except the highest openings of the section under test, and each section shall be filled with water, but no section shall be tested with less than a 10-foot (3048 mm) head of water. In testing successive sections, at least the upper 10 feet (3048 mm) of the next preceding section shall be tested so that no joint or pipe in the building, except the uppermost 10 feet (3048 mm) of the system, shall have been submitted to a test of less than a 10-foot (3048 mm) head of water. This pressure shall be held for not less than 15 minutes. The system shall then be tight at all points.
312.3 Drainage and vent air test. Plastic piping shall not be tested using air. An air test shall be made by forcing air into the system until there is a uniform gauge pressure of 5 psi (34.5 kPa) or sufficient to balance a 10-inch (254 mm) column of mercury. This pressure shall be held for a test period of not less than15 minutes. Any adjustments to the test pressure required because of changes in ambient temperatures or the seating of gaskets shall be made prior to the beginning of the test period.
312.4 Drainage and vent final test. The final test of the completed drainage and vent systems shall be visual and in sufficient detail to determine compliance with the provisions of this code. Where a smoke test is utilized, it shall be made by filling all traps with water and then introducing into the entire system a pungent, thick smoke produced by one or more smoke machines. When the smoke appears at stack openings on the roof, the stack openings shall be closed and a pressure equivalent to a 1-inch water column (248.8 Pa) shall be held for a test period of not less than 15 minutes.
312.5 Water supply system test. Upon completion of a section of or the entire water supply system, the system, or portion completed, shall be tested and proved tight under a water pressure not less than the working pressure of the system; or, for piping systems other than plastic, by an air test of not less than 50 psi (344 kPa). This pressure shall be held for not less than 15 minutes. The water utilized for tests shall be obtained from a potable source of supply. The required tests shall be performed in accordance with this section and Section 107.
312.6 Gravity sewer test. Gravity sewer tests shall consist of plugging the end of the building sewer at the point of connection with the public sewer, filling the building sewer with water, testing with not less than a 10-foot (3048 mm) head of water and maintaining such pressure for 15 minutes.
2014 Florida Building
Code Plumbing Chapter 7
701.6 Tests. The sanitary drainage system shall be tested in accordance with Section 312.
702.2 Underground building sanitary drainage and vent pipe. Underground building sanitary drainage and vent pipe shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table 702.2.
702.3 Building sewer pipe. Building sewer pipe shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table 702.3.
2014 Florida Building
Code Plumbing Chapter 11
1102.3 Underground building storm drain pipe. Underground building storm
drain pipe shall conform to
one of the standards listed in Table 702.2.
1102.4 Building storm sewer pipe. Building storm sewer pipe shall conform to one of the
standards listed in Table 1102.4.
1106.3 Building storm drains and sewers. The size of the building storm drain, building storm sewer and their horizontal branches having a slope of one-half unit or less vertical in 12 units horizontal (4-percent slope) shall be based on the maximum projected roof area in accordance with Table 1106.3. The slope of horizontal branches shall be not less than one-eighth unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (1-percent slope) unless otherwise approved.
Staff Analysis:
Question 1: Does
the Florida Building Code, Plumbing apply to Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
from the connection to the existing public utility system to the Sanitary
Service stub outs 5’ from the building?
Answer: No, as per the definitions of the terms “Plumbing system”, “Drainage systems”, “Building sewer”, and “Building drain” of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Plumbing; the project in question which consists of the Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems from the connection to the existing public utility system to the Sanitary Service sub outs 5’ from the building falls outside the scope of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Plumbing.
Question 2: Does the Florida Building Code, Plumbing apply to Potable Water Distribution Systems from the connection of the existing Public Utility System to the Domestic Water Service stub outs 5’ from the building?
Answer: No, as per the definitions of the terms “Plumbing system”, “Water distribution pipe”, “Water service pipe”, and “Water supply system” of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Plumbing; the project in question which consists of the Potable Water Distribution Systems from the connection of the existing Public Utility System to the Domestic Water Service sub outs 5’ from the building falls outside the scope of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Plumbing.
Question 3: Does the Florida Building Code, Plumbing apply to the Storm Sewer Collection Systems from the connection of the onsite point of disposal (retention ponds), to the Storm Drain Service stub outs 5’ from the building and other collection points throughout the site?
Answer: No, as per the definitions of the terms “Plumbing system”, “Drainage systems”, “Building sewer”, and “Building drain” of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Plumbing; the project in question which consists of the Strom Sewer Collection Systems from the connection of the onsite point of disposal (retention ponds), to the Storm drain Service sub outs 5’ from the building and other collection point throughout the site falls outside the scope of the 5th Edition (2014) FBC, Plumbing.