3.1Authority
A.The Rhode Island Plumbing Code is promulgated by the Building Code Standards Committee pursuant to the authority granted in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-27.3-100.1.5 and 23.27.3-109.1.
3.2Incorporated Materials
A.The Building Code Standards Committee hereby adopts and incorporates as the Rhode Island Plumbing Code the provisions of the International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2021 edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC) not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 and any provisions reserved, deleted, or amended in this Regulation.
1.IPC 2021 is protected by the copyright that has been issued to the ICC. IPC 2021 can be viewed and purchased here: https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/i-codes/2021-icodes.
2.To properly utilize the Rhode Island Plumbing Code, IPC 2021 must be read jointly with the Building Code requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 and the amendments to IPC 2021 set forth in the sections of this Regulation, below.
3.Format: These code changes follow numbering sequence and topics of the IPC 2021 (first printing). All provisions of IPC 2021 are retained unless indicated as deleted or amended. Published errata are available from the ICC website.
3.3IPC 2021 is adopted with the Following Amendments
Chapter 1: Scope and Administration
Chapter 1 is adopted with the following changes.
101.1Delete IPC section 101.1, Title, and substitute the following:
101.1 Title.
This part shall be known as the Rhode Island Plumbing Code, hereafter referred to as "this code."
102.8Add the following to the end of 102.8 “Referenced Codes and Standards”.
Rhode Island Code references added to Section 102.8:
Building Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Building Code (Part 1 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Building Code.
Residential Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island One and Two-Family Dwelling Code (Part 2 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Residential Code.
Mechanical Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island Mechanical Code (Part 4 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Mechanical Code.
Electrical Code/NFPA 70. The provisions of Rhode Island State Electrical Code (Part of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the ICC Electrical Code.
Property Maintenance. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Property Maintenance Code (Part 6 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this Code as the International Property Maintenance Code.
Fire Safety Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code (450-RICR-00-00-1 through 10) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Fire Code.
Energy Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Energy Code (Part 8 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Energy Conservation Code.
Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The Provisions of the Rhode Island Swimming Pool and Spa Code (Part 14 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Existing Building Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island Existing Building Code (Part 7 of this Subchapter) or the State Rehabilitation Code (Part 20 of this Subchapter), as applicable, shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Existing Building Code.
Fuel Gas Code: The provisions of the Rhode Island Fuel Gas Code (Part 19 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Fuel Gas Code.
Chapter 2: Definitions
Chapter 2 is adopted with no changes.
Chapter 3: General Regulations
Chapter 3 is adopted with the following changes.
301.4Add the following subsection:
301.4.1 Prohibited Connections
The use of potable water as an open loop, single pass heat exchange fluid for the refrigeration cycle of HVAC equipment is prohibited.
305.4.1 Delete IPC section 305.4.1 and substitute the following:
305.4.1 Sewer Depth
Building sewers that connect to private sewage disposal systems shall meet the requirements of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Regulations for Onsite Sewage Wastewater Treatment Systems. Building sewers connecting to a public sewer shall be a minimum of 36" inches below grade.
312.1 Delete IPC section 312.1 and substitute the following:
312.1. Required Tests
The permit holder shall make the applicable tests prescribed in sections 312.2 through 312.9 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 air in accordance with sections 312.3 or 312.5. Under no circumstances is plastic to be tested with air pressure above five (5) psi. After the plumbing fixtures have been set, their traps filled with water, the entire drainage system shall have been subjected to testing. The code official shall require the removal of any cleanouts if necessary to ascertain whether the pressure has reached all parts of the system.
Chapter 4: Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
Chapter 4 is adopted with no changes.
Chapter 5: Water Heaters
Chapter 5 is adopted with no changes.
Chapter 6: Water Supply and Distribution
Chapter 6 is adopted with the following changes:
601Add the following subsections to section 601 General:
601.6 Water Meters:
Every building connected to a public metered water supply shall have a water meter installed before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
601.7 Individual Water Supply:
An individual water supply serving an occupied building shall be tested and certified potable prior to issuance of a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy.
601.8 Public Water Supply:
Any water supply serving at least twenty-five (25) individuals at least sixty (60) days out of the year, or having fifteen (15) or more service connections may be subject to approval and licensure by the Rhode Island Department of Health as per the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Drinking Water (216-RICR-50-05-1).
602.3.4 Delete IPC Section 602.3.4 and substitute the following:
602.3.4 Disinfection of system
After construction or repair, the individual water supply system shall be purged of deleterious matter and disinfected in accordance with IPC Section 610.
603.2Delete IPC 603.2 and substitute the following:
603.2 Separation of water service and building drain/sewer.
Water service pipe and building drain/sewer shall be separated by ten feet (10’) (3048 mm) of undisturbed or compacted earth.
Exceptions:
(1)The required separation distance shall not apply where the bottom of the water service pipe within ten feet (10’) (3048 mm) of the sewer is a minimum of twelve inches (12”) (304.8 mm) above the top of the highest point of the sewer and the pipe materials conform to section 703.1.
(2)Water service pipe is permitted to be located in the same trench with a building drain, provided such drain is constructed of materials listed in Table 702.2
(3)The required separation distance shall not apply where a water service pipe crosses a sewer pipe provided the water service pipe is sleeved at least ten feet (10’) (3048 mm) with a watertight seal horizontally from the sewer pipe centerline, on both sides of such crossing with pipe materials listed in Table 605.3, Table 702.2 or Table 702.3.
Chapter 7: Sanitary Drainage
Chapter 7 is adopted with the following changes.
701.5Delete IPC section 701.5 and substitute the following:
701.5 Damage to drainage system or public sewer.
Wastes detrimental to the public sewer system or detrimental to the functioning of the individual private sewerage disposal system shall be treated and disposed of in accordance with section 1003 as directed by the code official and in accordance with the authority having jurisdiction.
705.10.2 Delete the Exception to IPC section 705.10.2 without substitution.
Chapter 8: Indirect/Special Waste
Chapter 8 is adopted with the following changes.
802.1.1 Add the following exception to IPC section 802.1.1 “Food handling”:
Exception:
Three-bay sinks served by a grease trap or receptor shall be permitted to be directly connected. This may require an additional vegetable washing sink with indirect waste and must have approval of the Rhode Island Department of Health for licensing of food handling facilities.
802.1.4 Delete IPC section 802.1.4 and substitute the following:
802.1.4 Swimming pools.
Where wastewater from swimming pools, backwash from filters and water from pool deck drains discharge to the building drainage system, the discharge shall be through an indirect waste pipe by means of an air gap and have approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
803.3Add the following new section:
803.3 Reverse osmosis waste:
Discharge piping from reverse osmosis water shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Chapter 9: Vents
Chapter 9 is adopted with the following changes.
903.1.1 Delete IPC section 903.1.1 and substitute the following:
903.1.1 Roof Extension Unprotected
Open vent pipes that extend through a roof shall be terminated not less than twelve inches (12”) (304.8 mm) above the roof.
903.2Delete IPC section 903.2 and substitute the following:
Frost Closure:
Each vent extension through a roof shall have a minimum size of three inches (3”) (76.2 mm) in Providence County and two inches (2”) (50.8 mm) in all others. Where this results in an increase in size of the vent extension, the change in diameter shall be made inside the building a minimum of six inches (6") (152.4 mm) below the roof with an approved fitting.
Chapter 10: Traps, Interceptors and Separators
Chapter 10 is adopted with the following changes.
1003.1 Delete IPC section 1003.1 and substitute the following:
1003.1 Interceptors required.
Interceptors for oil grease, and sand and other substances harmful or hazardous to the building drainage system, the public sewer or sewage treatment plant or processes shall be provided as required by this Chapter. Where food waste grinders connect to grease interceptors, the grease interceptor shall be sized and rated for the discharge of the food waste grinder. All interceptors shall be installed in accordance with the rules of the authority having jurisdiction.
1003.2 Delete IPC section 1003.2 and substitute the following:
1003.2 Approval.
The size, type and location of each interceptor and of each separator shall be designed and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the requirements of this section based on the anticipated conditions of use. Wastes that do not require treatment or separation shall not be discharged into any interceptor or separator. All separators shall be sized and installed in accordance with the authority having jurisdiction.
1003.3.6 Delete IPC section 1003.3.6 without substitution.
1003.3.7 Delete IPC section 1003.3.7 without substitution.
Chapter 11: Storm Drainage
Chapter 11 is adopted with the following changes.
1108.4 Add the following new section:
1108.4 Approvals.
All combined drains and sewer systems must have the approval of the local or regional sewer authority having jurisdiction.
Chapter 12: Special Piping and Storage Systems
Chapter 12 is adopted with no changes.
Chapter 13: Nonpotable Water Systems
Chapter 13 is adopted with no changes.
Chapter 14: Subsurface Graywater Soil Absorption Systems
Chapter 14 is adopted with no changes.
Chapter 15: Referenced Standards
Chapter 15 is adopted with no changes.
3.4 Appendices to IPC 2021
The following appendix is adopted: Appendix E.
All other Appendices are deleted.
