Chapter 17.20 PLUMBING CODE Sections: 17.20.010 Short title. 17.20.020 Applicability. 17.20.030 Uniform Plumbing CodeBAdopted. 17.20.040 Uniform Plumbing CodeBProvisions not adopted. 17.20.050 Uniform Plumbing CodeBAmendmentsBGenerally. 17.20.060 Section 103.1.1 amendedbpermits required. 17.20.070 Section 103.3.4 amendedbexpiration. 17.20.080 Section 103.4, 103.4.2, 103.4.3, 1203.4.4, 103.4.5 amendedbpermit feesbplan review feesbexpiration of plan reviewbinvestigation feesbfee refunds. 17.20.090 Section 202.0 amendedbadministrative authority. 17.20.100 Table 4-1 Amended - Minimum Plumbing Fixtures 17.20.110 Section 421.0 addedbrecreational vehicle sanitation stations. 17.20.120 Subsection 510.9 addedbwater heater floor support. 17.20.130 Subsection 605.9 addedbvalve Insulation. 17.20.140 Section 609.0 Amended. 17.20.150 Table K-1 amendedbminimum horizontal distance required from building sewer. 17.20.160 Appendix M addedbswimming pool, spa and hot tub code. 17.20.165 Appendix I -Amended- Installation Standard 20-98 (IS 20-98) 17.20.170 Appendix K, Section K1 amendedbprivate sewage disposalbgeneral. 17.20.180 Appendix K. Section K6(i) amendedbdisposal fields. 17.20.190 Appendix K, Section K7 amendedbseepage pits. 17.20.200 Table K-1 amendedblocation of sewage disposal system. 17.20.010 Short title. This chapter may be cited as the "Kern County Plumbing Code." 17.20.020 Applicability. The Kern County Plumbing Code shall apply to new construction, relocated buildings, and to any alterations, repairs, or reconstruction of buildings in the unincorporated territory of the County of Kern. 17.20.030 Uniform Plumbing CodeBAdopted. That portion of the California Building Standards Code that imposes substantially the same requirements as are contained in the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2000 Edition (with appendices and standards adopted and copyrighted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials), as modified and amended by this chapter, is adopted by this reference into the Kern County Plumbing Code. To facilitate ease of use by industry and building officials, 27
amendments, additions and modifications to the California Building Standards Code (made by this Chapter) are made by reference to the appropriate section of the Uniform Plumbing Code. 17.20.040 Uniform Plumbing CodeBProvisions not adopted. The following provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2000 Edition, are not adopted as part of the Kern County Plumbing Code and shall not apply thereto: Section 102.2.6 Liability; Section 102.3.1 Violations; Section 102.3.2 Penalties; Section 103.7.1 Unconstitutionality; Section 110 Board of Appeals (see Section 17.04.160). 17.20.050 Uniform Plumbing CodeBAmendmentsBGenerally. The following sections of the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2000 Edition, are modified to read as set out in Sections 17.20.060 through 17.20.200 of this chapter. 17.20.060 Section 103.1.1 amendedbpermits Required. Section 103.1.1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended to read as follows: 103.1.1 It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, owner of the land, or possessor to install, remove, alter, repair, or replace or cause or allow to be installed, removed, altered, repaired, or replaced any plumbing, gas, or drainage piping work or any fixture or water heating or treatment equipment in a building or premises without first obtaining a permit to do such work from the administrative authority. No person, firm, corporation, owner of the land, or possessor shall maintain any plumbing, gas, or drainage piping work, or any fixture, or water heating or treating equipment in a building or premises that was installed, removed, altered, repaired, or replaced without obtaining all permits required for such work from the administrative authority. 17.20.070 Section 103.3.4 amendedbexpiration. Section 103.3.4 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is 103.3.4 Expiration and Extension. Subsections 17.04.180(A) and 17.04.180(D) of this title shall apply to expiration and extension of a permit. 17.20.080 Section 103.4 and subsections 103.4.2, 103.4.3, 103.4.4, and 103.4.5 amendedbpermit feesbplan review feesbexpiration of plan reviewbinvestigation feesbfee refunds. A. Section 103.4 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended to read as follows: 103.4 Permit Fees. Subsection 17.08.080(A) of this title shall apply to permit fees. B. Subsection 103.4.2 of Section 103.4 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is 28
103.4.2 Plan Checking Fees. Subsection 17.08.080(B) of this title shall apply to plan checking fees. C. Subsection 103.4.3 of Section 103.4 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is 103.4.3 Plan Checking - Expiration and Extension. Section 17.04.180 of this Title shall apply to plan checking and extensions. D. Subsection 103.4.4 of Section 103.4 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is 103.4.4 Investigation Fees: Work without a permit. Sections 17.04.140 and 17.04.200 of this title shall apply to investigation fees and work without a permit. E. Subsection 103.4.5 of Section 103.4 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is 103.4.5 Fee Refunds: Section 17.04.140(B) of this title shall apply to fee refunds. 17.20.090 Section 203.0 amendedbadministrative authority. Section 203.0 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is Administrative Authority. The administrative authority is the director of the Resource Management Agency or his designee. 17.20.100 Table 4-1 Amended - Minimum Plumbing Fixtures. Footnote 11of Table 4-1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended by adding subparagraph Ac@ to read as follows: c. In restaurants which do not provide fixed seating for more than 20 occupants and the dining area is three hundred (300) square feet or less, the required urinal may be omitted. 17.20.110 421.0 addedbrecreational vehicle sanitation stations. Section 421.0 is added to the Uniform Plumbing Code to read as follows: Section 421.0. Recreational Vehicle Sanitation Stations. 1. Where required. Where a trailer sanitation station is installed to receive the discharge from sewage holding tanks of self-contained vehicles, it shall comply with the requirement of this section. 2. Use. Recreational sanitation stations shall be used only for receiving discharge from sewage holding tanks of self-contained vehicles. 3. Specifications. (a) Each recreational sanitation station shall be provided with a drain inlet not less than four (4) inches in diameter, discharging into a trap not more than twenty-four (24) inches below the drain inlet. The drain inlet shall be equipped with hinged cover which shall effectively close the drain inlet when not in use. (b) Each drain inlet shall discharge into a drainage lateral not less than four (4) inches in diameter connected to a public sewer or an approved private sewage disposal system. (c) The drain inlet of each station shall be set in a concrete drain receptor not less than three and one-half (3 1/2) inches in thickness and not less than two (2) feet horizontally from the drain inlet to the inside of the surrounding curb. The surrounding curb shall be at least four (4) inches 29
wide and two (2) inches above the floor of the receptor. The inside surface of the drain receptor shall be smooth finished concrete and shall slope a minimum of one-fourth (1/4) inch per foot from the bottom of the curb to the lip of the drain inlet. 4. Flushing. Water under pressure shall be provided to each recreational sanitation station. A three-fourths (3/4) inch water hose connection shall be installed at each recreational sanitation station to allow connection of a hose for wash-down operation. An approved backflow preventer shall be installed in the water service pipe. Provisions shall be made to store the wash-down hose off the ground. 5. Warning sign. (a) A warning sign shall be located immediately adjacent to the hose connection and shall read: "DANGER UNSAFE WATER. Use this hose to flush holding tank and drain receptor ONLY." (b) The warning sign shall be not less than eighteen (18) inches by twenty-four (24) inches and lettered in minimum size of not less than one (1) inch lettering in a color contrasting with the background. 6. Operating Instructions. A sign providing operating instructions shall be posted at each recreational sanitation station. 17.20.120 Subsection 510.9 addedbwater heater floor support. Subsection 510.9 of Section 510.0 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is added to read as follows: 510.9 All gas fired water heaters installed on combustible construction shall have floor under water heater made of non-combustible material approved by the administrative authority. 17.20.130 Subsection 605.9 addedbvalve Insulation. Subsection 605.9 is added to Section 605.0 of the Uniform Plumbing Code to read as follows: 605.9 In areas above one thousand (1,000) feet elevation and/or areas subject to freezing for prolonged periods, the full way valve controlling the water supply to each building shall be insulated in a method and/or manner acceptable to the administrative authority. 17.20.140 Section 609.0 amended A. Subsection 609.3 of Section 609.0 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is 609.3 No water piping shall be installed within a concrete floor slab on grade or in the ground under a concrete floor slab of a building. Exception: In areas above one thousand (1,000) feet and/or areas subject to freezing for prolonged periods, or when necessary due to structural conditions, water piping may be installed in approved chases, sleeves, or ducts in accordance with the following requirements. 1. All water piping to be chased, sleeved or ducted the entire length and chases, sleeves or ducts shall extend a minimum of six (6) inches above grade. 2. Copper tubing shall be installed without joints where possible. 30
Where joints and/or fittings are permitted, the joints shall be brazed and fittings shall be wrought copper. Other alternate methods may be allowed but must be submitted and approved by the administrative authority prior to installation. B. Subsection 609.7.3 is added to Section 609.0 of the Uniform Plumbing Code to read as follows: 609.7.3 In areas above one thousand (1,000) feet elevation and/or areas subject to freezing for prolonged periods, all water piping installed at or above grade shall be insulated in a method and/or manner acceptable to the administrative authority. C. Subsection 609.10-Water Hammer. This section of the code is adopted for use in Kern County for use in all occupancies. 17.20.150 Table K-1 amendedbminimum horizontal distance required from building sewer. Table K-1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended by adding new general note 8 to read as follows: 8. Minimum clear distances shown from water supply wells and streams set forth in other County Ordinances may be greater than shown in this table and shall govern. 17.20.160 Appendix M addedbswimming pool, spa and hot tub code. Appendix M is added to the Uniform Plumbing Code to read as follows: M1. Swimming pool wastewater shall be disposed of as hereinafter set forth in this section and the type of disposal proposed shall be approved by the administrative authority prior to the commencement of any work. A means of disposal of the total contents of the pool (periodic emptying) without surface runoff shall be established to the satisfaction of the administrative authority. M2. Except as provided in M3, when a public sewer or storm drain of adequate capacity is available for use, swimming pool wastewater shall be discharged there into and permission shall be obtained in writing from the proper authority to do so. A copy of such permission stating the maximum size of the waste line between the receptor and the sewer, and other specific requirements, shall accompany any applications for a permit made to the Administrative Authority. M3. Where space and conditions are such that no hazard, nuisance, or insanitary condition is evidenced, swimming pool wastewater may be used for irrigation by surface or subsurface spreading. M4. When no other means of wastewater disposal is available, a drywell may be installed. Each such drywell shall be constructed in the manner described for cesspools in Appendix K of this Code, and drywells receiving only filter backwash shall have a capacity of at least twice the amount of effluent discharged during one normal backwash operation, but shall in no case have less than a five (5) foot (1.5 m) vertical sidewall. When pool emptying or other drains are proposed the size and leaching capacity of such drywell shall be proportionately increased to the satisfaction of the 31
Administrative Authority. No wastewater other than that from swimming pool shall discharge into any such drywell, and no wastewater from any swimming pool shall discharge into a private sewage disposal system. M5. No direct connection shall be made between any storm drain, sewer, drainage system, drywell, or subsoil irrigation line and any line connected to a swimming pool. M6. Wastewater from any filter, scum gutter overflow, pool emptying line, or similar apparatus or appurtenance shall discharge into an approved type receptor. The flood level rim of each such receptor shall be at least six (6) inches (152.4 mm) above the flood level of the adjacent ground. Each such receptor, when permitted to be connected to any part of a drainage system, shall be provided with a three (3) inch (76.2 mm) trap. M7. Except as provided in M8, the discharge outlet terminal from any pool or filter shall be protected from backflow by an air gap at least six (6) inches (152.4 mm) above the flood rim of the receptor. M8. No scum gutter drain, overflow drain, backwash discharge drain, or pool emptying line shall enter any receptor below the rim unless the pool piping at its deepest point, the bottom of the filters, and the bottom of the scum gutter drain trough or overflow inlets are at least six (6) inches (152.4 mm) above the overflow rim of the receptor M9. A positive point of potable water supply to each swimming pool shall be established and shall be installed as required by Chapter 6 of this Code. M10. Plans for other than private swimming pools shall be approved by the health officer before any water supply or waste discharge permit is issued. M11. All swimming pools shall be equipped with a filtration system which shall be installed in conformance with standards established by the administrative authority, which filtration system will permit the reuse of the water in swimming pools for a period of not less than one (1) year. A swimming pool is defined as a portable or permanent artificial basin, chamber, or tank which when filled with water to overflow contains more than one thousand (1,000) gallons or is over two (2) feet in depth at any point. M12. A private wading pool is exempt from the forgoing requirements, but must be maintained in a sanitary condition. A private wading pool is defined as a portable or permanent artificial basin, chamber, or tank maintained by an individual for wading by small children which when filled with water to overflow contains less than one thousand (1,000) gallons and does not exceed two (2) feet at any point. M13. Recirculating water for swimming pools shall be constructed and installed under the same standards and requirements as potable water piping. 17.20.165 Appendix I - Amended - Installation Standard 20-98 (IS 20-98) Subsection 609.4 is deleted. 17.20.170 Appendix K, Section K1 amendedbprivate sewage 32
disposalbgeneral. Section K1 of Appendix K of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended by adding paragraph (j) to read as follows: (j) In certain areas of the County which have poor soils or other problems relative to sewage disposal, the sewage disposal system shall be installed and inspected before the building foundation inspection is made. In the case of a lot which will not accommodate the one hundred (100%) percent expansion area for leaching purposes, lying within a legal subdivision of land existing prior to the effective date of Ordinance G-5137, the director of the Resource Management Agency or his authorized designee may approve a lesser area for leaching purposes in exercise of his discretion. 17.20.180 Appendix K, Section K6(i) amendedbdisposal fields. The last sentence of Subsection K6(i) of Appendix K of the Uniform Plumbing Code is Disposal fields, trenches and leaching beds shall not be paved over or covered by concrete or any material that can reduce or inhibit any possible evaporation of the sewer effluent unless the area of the disposal fields, trenches and leaching beds is increased by a minimum of twenty five (25) percent. 17.20.190 Appendix K, Section K7 amendedbseepage pits. Section K7 of Appendix K of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended by adding paragraphs (j) and (k) to read as follows: (j) Alternate methods of construction of seepage pits may be approved by the Administrative Authority when providing additional safety for installers. (k) Seepage pits shall not be drilled or installed in Type-V soil. 17.20.200 Table K-1 amendedblocation of sewage disposal system. Table K-1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended by adding new general note 8 to read as follows: 8. Minimum clear distances shown from water supply wells and streams set forth in other County Ordinances may be greater than shown in this table and shall govern. 33