The following are plumbing code requirements for a concrete basement plumbing job. The plumber is required to submit plans which detail the location of all the new plumbing fixtures that were added. Types of installation that fall into the category of plumbing fixtures include: bathroom sinks, bathroom toilets, bathtubs, showers, hot water heaters, floor drains. Location of plumbing chases, (grooves in the wall to hold plumbing pipes), must be noted. New plumbing fixtures including any washer hose connection bibs and standpipes in the laundry room must be noted. In order to pass the plumbing code requirements, the installation must assure easy access to cleanouts, to shutoffs and mechanical joints. Easy access, is almost universally defined as an open space of 18" in front of all pipes of 3" diameter or more, and an open space of 12" in front of all smaller pipes. If the cleanouts are hidden, they must be accessible enough to allow a plumber to remove the plug and clean out, "rod", the system. Also, the cleanout plug cannot be covered over by a basement finishing material that hides it from view. Any fixture that has a trap, i.e. a "p" trap "u" trap or a "j" trap must permit access to the traps, via a removal panel or open utility space which is not blocked in any way. Bathtub Specifications: Bath tub specifications. The size of bathtub drains and bathtub overflow outlets is regulated, each must be greater than "1" inch in diameter. The drain must be fitted with a stopper and water control valves must shut off when water reaches a temperature greater than 120 degree. They must be considered anti scald valves. Laundry tubs: Each separate tub must have a drain at least 1 inch in diameter. In addition, the outlet hole cannot be left entirely open, it must contain a strainer or a crossbar, which will serve to restrict the outlet size. The outlet hole must contain a strainer and or a crossbar to restrict the outlet size. Sinks: Regular bathroom sinks must also have a drain, which is minimally 1 inch in diameter, and they must come complete with a strainer or an outlet bar. Likewise other sinks shall similarly have a drain of at least 1 inch in diameter and a strainer or crossbars. In addition sink faucets must have a maximum flow rate of 2.2. gpm (gallons per minute), at a psi (pounds per square inch), of 60. Toilets: Basement toilets, like toilets in the rest of the home must be low flush or 1.6 gallons per flush max. Each toilet must come with a workable flush tank, which stores the water between flushes. Showers: Hinged shower doors must open outward, and showers which use glass doors must be made of safety glass. A basement shower must use low flow shower heads, with a maximum gpm of 2.5. Water control valves must have a heat limit of 120 degrees and must be anti scald protective. The plumber who does the installation is responsible for meeting the plumbing code requirements, and if a homeowner does a DYI installation he is likewise obligated to fulfill the code, which is designed to ensure that the basement plumbing will work properly, and safely.
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Installing a new basement is challenging. It is important for the professional plumber and DYI home repairer alike to play close attention to all the plumbing code regulations and be sure that the new basement plumbing meets all the local govermental plumbing codes.
A-1 Plumbing of Baltimore is a Baltimore plumbing company, which specializes in basement plumbing
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