Illustrated Guide to the International Plumbing & Fuel Gas Codes

Written in plain English, with dozens of clear illustrations and easy-to-follow plumbing diagrams, this handy manual can be a lifesaver when you have to understand exactly what the International Plumbing Code and the International Fuel Gas Code require.

This book will help you understand and comply with the often-complex provisions and subsections and cross-references of the actual code.

But everyone who designs or installs plumbing systems knows how important it is to follow the code exactly. Even a small mistake can be costly. You’ll find the code-compliance issues you’re going to face on the job, and learn what the codes require when you install or work on plumbing or gas piping systems.

The book covers the principles and terminology of the code. It includes several major code tables for pipe sizing and fixture units, as well as code requirements for virtually all the plumber’s trades, from water supply and vents to sanitary drainage systems:

• Sizing drain, waste & vent pipes
• Understanding isometric drawings
• Installing fixture traps and cleanouts
• Designing combination drain & vent systems
• Dealing with interceptors & special wastes
• Designing hot & cold water systems
• Understanding gas systems
• Complying with fixture clearance requirements

Whether you’re a plumbing engineer, designer, contractor, or plumber, this book will be your primary tool in avoiding code violations, and the cost and delay they cause.

Includes a list of code abbreviations, a glossary of frequently-used terms, and a self-test with questions and answers you can use to test your knowledge, or improve your chances on the plumber’s exam.

The Author:

Howard C. Massey has seen plumbing from every perspective - as a plumber, contractor, inspector, plans examiner and consultant. He's one of the nation's outstanding authorities on the plumbing code and preparing for the plumbing exam.

Mr. Massey began as an apprentice plumber, advancing quickly to journeyman, and then master plumber. For over fifteen years he operated his own plumbing contracting firm in Florida, undertaking a wide variety of residential, commercial and school projects. For fourteen years he was assistant plumbing chief and plans examiner for Dade County (Miami) Florida. He's helped write, grade and monitor plumbing exams and is a nationally recognized expert both on the code and how to teach code compliance to apprentice and journeyman plumbers.

Other books by Mr. Massey are Basic Plumbing with Illustrations, Plumber's Handbook, Plumber's Exam Preparation Guide, and Planning Drain, Waste & Vent Systems.

Contents:

1 Let’s Talk About the Plumbing Code, 5

A Word About the Code Itself, 5

Basic Principles of the Plumbing Code, 7

Plumbing Code Terminology, 9

Getting to Know the Administrative Process, 9

Approval of Special Plumbing Systems and Materials, 10

Means of Appeal, 10

What About Permits?, 12

Required Inspections and Testing, 12

Questions & Answers, 14

2 How Plumbing Systems Are Regulated, 17

General Regulations, 17

Liquid Wastes, 17

Protecting Plumbing Systems, 18

Trenching, Excavation and Backfill, 19

Supporting Plumbing Piping, 19

Tests and Inspections, 20

Questions & Answers, 22

3 The Sanitary Drainage System, 25

Isometric Drawings, 25

Fixture Abbreviations, 28

Parts of a Sanitary Drainage System, 32

Sizing Drainage Pipes for Residences, 35

Sizing Drainage Pipes for Multi-Story Buildings, 37

Sizing Branch and Building Drains, 38

Building Sub-Drains, 43

Sewage Ejectors, 43

Questions & Answers, 46

4 Understanding Vent Systems, 49

Types of Vents, 49

Fixture Drain Connection Levels, 53

Wet and Dry Venting, 54

Waste Stack, Yoke, and Circuit Venting, 57

Venting Stack Offsets, 59

Venting Island Fixtures, 60

Horizontal Combination Drain and Vent Systems, 60

Air Admittance Valves, 63

Questions & Answers, 65

5 Fixture Trap Requirements, 69

Materials for Traps and Where Used, 73

Fixture Trap Sizes and Distances, 74

Broken Trap Seals, 76

Questions & Answers, 78

6 Cleanouts, 81

Cleanout Locations, 81

Cleanout Exceptions, 84

Questions & Answers, 87

7 Interceptors, Separators and Neutralizing Devices, 91

Grease Interceptors, 91

Commercial Laundry Interceptors, 96

Gasoline, Oil and Sand Interceptors, 99

Footing Drainage Systems, 103

Neutralizing Tanks, 106

Questions & Answers, 108

8 Indirect Waste, Receptors and Special Waste, 111

Indirect Waste Pipes, 111

Floor Sinks and Drains, 116

Special Wastes, 117

Air Conditioning Condensate Drains, 119

Storm Water Drainage Systems, 121

Roof Drains and Special Drains, 122

Sizing Storm Water Drainage Systems, 124

Combined Sanitary and Storm Water Systems, 130

Questions & Answers, 131

9 Installing Drainage and Vent Pipes, 135

Plumbing Materials Standards, 135

Drainage and Vent Materials, 139

Joints and Connections, 140

Building Sewers, 147

Code Restrictions and Requirements, 150

Building Sewer Installation, 149

Vent Pipes, 155

Questions & Answers, 159

10 Water Supply and Distribution, 163

Sizing a Building Water System, 163

Sizing Those Pipes, 164

Sizing Examples, 166

Questions & Answers, 172

11 Hot Water Supply Systems, 175

Water Heaters, 175

Hot Water Circulating Systems, 177

Safety Devices, 180

Hot Water Heater Installation, 182

Hot Water Drain Pans, 183

Questions & Answers, 185

12 Installing Water Supply and Distribution Systems, 189

Water Service Supply Pipe Outside a Building, 189

Water Distribution Pipe Inside a Building, 194

Control Valves, Joints, 198

Shutoff Valves, 200

Avoiding Cross-Connections, 200

Pipe Supports, 203

Testing the Water System, 206

Questions & Answers, 207

13 Private Water Wells, 211

Irrigation Wells, 212

Water Softeners, 212

Well Installation, 212

Well Location and Depth, 213

Driven and Drilled Wells, 214

Dug or Bored Wells, 214

Suction Lines, 215

Pressure Tanks, 216

Questions & Answers, 219

14 Plumbing Fixtures, 223

Water Closets, 223

Lavatories and Bathtubs, 229

Showers, 231

Kitchen and Laundry Sinks, 233

Dishwashing and Clothes

Washing Machines, 235

Special Fixtures, 237

Plumbing Fixture Clearances, 237

Minimum Plumbing Facilities, 239

Healthcare Plumbing Fixtures and Equipment, 248

Questions & Answers, 249

15 Let’s Talk About the Gas Code, 253

Kinds of Gas, 253

Understanding Gas Piping Installation, 254

Sizing Gas Systems, 254

Gas Sizing Examples, 256

Questions & Answers, 259

16 Gas Piping Materials and Installation Methods, 263

Materials, 263

What You Need to Know to Install Gas Piping, 266

Gas Outlets, 269

Installing Drip Pipes and Shutoff Valves 270

Installing Gas Appliances, 272

Questions & Answers, 278

Abbreviations, 281

Glossary, 287

Index, 299

Softcover - 304 Pages
8-1/2 x 11 in.