Section 381B- Plumbing Systems Requirements

R-9 UCBC Index of Sections

SECTION 381B - PLUMBING SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS

Code Plain English

381B.1 General.
Group R-9 Occupancies shall comply with the more stringent requirements of1998 CBC Chapter 29 or Appendix Chapter 29 as herein provided.

381B.2 Plumbing Code Application.
Plumbing Code requirements as for an R-9 Occupancy applies to Group R-9 Occupancy except that 1998 CPC Section 701.1 which allows ABS and PVC installations in residential construction not more than two stories in height may be applied to plumbing within individual Group R-9 Occupancy residential space that individually have no more than two stories. Plumbing in party and common walls and floor/ceilings are not considered within the individual JLWQ.
381B.2 Plumbing Code Application.

Application of the plumbing code to live/work tends to follow the "default" occupancy, i.e. F for work/live and R for live/work. One of the greatest cost differentials in plumbing is the use of cast iron vs. ABS plastic drain, waste and vent (DWV) pipes. ABS is far less expensive: it is permitted within individual JLWQ units as long as the building code permits it, which is to say it is not more than two stories tall. However, any time an ABS pipe penetrates a fire wall–which means any corridor wall or any wall between units–then it must revert to cast iron. For practical purposes, most builders of live/work under this code have found that it is easier to use all cast iron DWV. Additionally, cast iron is far less noisy when toilets flush, etc.

381B.3 Number of Fixtures.
Individual Group R-9 Occupancy residential space shall meet the requirements of1998 CBC or Appendix Chapter 29 Section 2902.6 for Group R Occupancies. The common use areas of the building and areas with employees or open to the public shall comply with the requirements of Section 2902.3 for F Occupancies. The fixtures located within individual Group R-9 Occupancy spaces may be used to meet Section 2902.3 requirements.
381B.3 Number of Fixtures.

It is also important to note chart 327B-A, Minimum Residential Facilities; the specified plumbing installations are important components of it. These should be combined with the residential requirements for minimum number of fixtures, i.e. one toilet, one lavatory, one kitchen sink, and one tub or shower. The UBC is quite specific about how many plumbing fixtures are required to be permitted based on the occupant load of a building. This provision states that this portion of the code must be followed, but that the number of fixtures in individual units and those in any common area can be combined to meet these requirements.

If four or more residents are being accommodated, facilities for both sexes shall be required. If the building is to permit employees or be regularly open to the public, the bathrooms are required to be fully accessible. In such cases, if accessible common bathrooms are provided (for both sexes if serving greater than four units or greater than four employees) then the requirement is met and the bathrooms within the units do not have to be accessible.

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SECTION 381B - PLUMBING SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS
Code	Plain English
381B.1 General. Group R-9 Occupancies shall comply with the more stringent requirements of1998 CBC Chapter 29 or Appendix Chapter 29 as herein provided.
381B.2 Plumbing Code Application. Plumbing Code requirements as for an R-9 Occupancy applies to Group R-9 Occupancy except that 1998 CPC Section 701.1 which allows ABS and PVC installations in residential construction not more than two stories in height may be applied to plumbing within individual Group R-9 Occupancy residential space that individually have no more than two stories. Plumbing in party and common walls and floor/ceilings are not considered within the individual JLWQ.	381B.2 Plumbing Code Application. Application of the plumbing code to live/work tends to follow the "default" occupancy, i.e. F for work/live and R for live/work. One of the greatest cost differentials in plumbing is the use of cast iron vs. ABS plastic drain, waste and vent (DWV) pipes. ABS is far less expensive: it is permitted within individual JLWQ units as long as the building code permits it, which is to say it is not more than two stories tall. However, any time an ABS pipe penetrates a fire wall–which means any corridor wall or any wall between units–then it must revert to cast iron. For practical purposes, most builders of live/work under this code have found that it is easier to use all cast iron DWV. Additionally, cast iron is far less noisy when toilets flush, etc.
381B.3 Number of Fixtures. Individual Group R-9 Occupancy residential space shall meet the requirements of1998 CBC or Appendix Chapter 29 Section 2902.6 for Group R Occupancies. The common use areas of the building and areas with employees or open to the public shall comply with the requirements of Section 2902.3 for F Occupancies. The fixtures located within individual Group R-9 Occupancy spaces may be used to meet Section 2902.3 requirements.	381B.3 Number of Fixtures. It is also important to note chart 327B-A, Minimum Residential Facilities; the specified plumbing installations are important components of it. These should be combined with the residential requirements for minimum number of fixtures, i.e. one toilet, one lavatory, one kitchen sink, and one tub or shower. The UBC is quite specific about how many plumbing fixtures are required to be permitted based on the occupant load of a building. This provision states that this portion of the code must be followed, but that the number of fixtures in individual units and those in any common area can be combined to meet these requirements. If four or more residents are being accommodated, facilities for both sexes shall be required. If the building is to permit employees or be regularly open to the public, the bathrooms are required to be fully accessible. In such cases, if accessible common bathrooms are provided (for both sexes if serving greater than four units or greater than four employees) then the requirement is met and the bathrooms within the units do not have to be accessible.