Borough of Steelton, PA Chapter 80 Plumbing

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Steelton 10-18-1982 by Ord. No. 82-8, approved 10-18-1982. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 80-1 Title.

This chapter, together with the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) Basic Plumbing Code, 1981 Edition, adopted herein, shall be known and may be cited as the "Plumbing Code of the Borough of Steelton."

§ 80-2 Adoption of standards; applicability.

A. BOCA Basic Plumbing Code. There is hereby adopted in its entirety, by the Borough of Steelton, copies of which are on file in the office of the Borough, that certain plumbing code known as the "BOCA Basic Plumbing Code, 1981 Edition," as amended through the effective date of adoption of this chapter and as published by the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., save and except portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended.

B. Application. The provision set forth in this chapter and in the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code adopted herein shall take effect 31 days from the date of enactment of this chapter or any amendment thereto and shall apply throughout the entire Borough.

§ 80-3 Administration and enforcement.

All the provisions of the Code Enforcement Ordinance of the Borough are hereby adopted with this chapter.[1] The administration and enforcement of this chapter and of the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code herein adopted shall be carried out by the Office of Code Enforcement of the Borough in accordance with the procedures established by Chapter 2, Code Enforcement, of the Code of the Borough of Steelton and by the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code adopted herein. Said Chapter 2, Code Enforcement, provides for certain powers and duties of a Code Enforcement Officer, for the creation of a Code Hearing Board and for procedures relative to applications, fees, permits, inspections, appeals, penalties and other matters.

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 2, Code Enforcement.

§ 80-4 Modifications and amendments.

A. Deletions. The following sections and subsections of the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code, herein adopted, are hereby deleted in their entirety:

(1) Section P-102.0, Validity.

(2) Section P-106.0, Demolition of Structures.

(3) Section P-109.0, Plumbing Official.

(4) Section P-110.0, Duties and Powers of the Plumbing Official.

(5) Section P-111.0, Application for Permit.

(6) Section P-112.0, Permits.

(7) Section P-113.0, Conditions of Permit.

(8) Section P-114.0, Fees.

(9) Section P-115.0, Inspection.

(10) Section P-117.0, Violations.

(11) Section P-118.0, Stop Work Order.

(12) Section P-121.0, Emergency Measures.

(13) Section P-112.0, Means of Appeal.

(14) Section P-1503.9, Maximum flow rates and pressure conditions.

(15) Appendix "D", Recommended Sewage Disposal Treatment Systems.

B. Amendments. The following sections and subsections of the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code are hereby amended to read as follows:

(1) Section P-100.1, Title, is amended to read as follows:

P-100.1 Title: These regulations shall be known as the "Plumbing Code of the Borough of Steelton," hereinafter referred to as the Plumbing Code or "this code."

(2) Section P-104.1, Continuation, is amended to read as follows:

P-104.1 Continuation: The legal use and occupancy of any structure existing before the adoption of this code or for which it had been heretofore approved may be continued without change, except as may be specifically covered in this code or deemed necessary by the Plumbing Official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public.

(3) The following definitions, contained in Section P-201.0, Definitions of Plumbing Terms, are amended to read as follows:

Plumbing Official: The Code Enforcement Officer.

(4) Section P-303.2, Public systems available, is amended to read as follows:

P-303.2 Public sewer available: A public water supply system or public sewer system shall be deemed available to premises used for human occupancy, if such premises are within 300 feet, measured along a street, alley or easement, of the public water supply or sewer system, and a connection conforming with the standards set forth in this code may be made thereto.

(5) Section P-308.3, Freezing, is amended to read as follows:

P-308.3 Freezing: Water service piping and sewers shall be installed below recorded frost penetration, but not less than three feet below grade for water piping and three feet below grade for sewers. In climates with freezing temperatures, plumbing piping in exterior building walls or areas subjected to freezing temperatures shall be adequately protected against freezing by insulation or heat or both.

(6) Section P-404.1.2, Water service pipe, is amended to read as follows:

P-404.1.2 Water service pipe: Water service pipe shall be copper pipe or copper tubing Type K, conforming to the standard listed in Table P-404.1.2. All pipe or tubing, when used underground for water service and when installed outside of the building, shall have a minimum working pressure of 160 pounds per square inch at 73.4° F. All joints and connections underground shall be a flared joint made with approved fittings.

(7) Section P-404.2.3, Building sewer pipe, is amended to read as follows:

P-404.2.3 Building sewer pipe: Building sewer pipe shall be cast iron, conforming to the standard listed in Table P-404.2.3.

(8) Section P-602.3.1, Prohibited fittings, is amended to read as follows:

P-602.3.1 Prohibited fittings: A tee branch shall not be used as a drainage fitting. A fitting or connection which has an enlargement chamber or recess with a ledge or shoulder, or reduction in pipe area shall not be used. Running threads, bands shall not be used. Drainage or vent piping shall not be drilled or tapped unless otherwise permitted by the plumbing official.

(9) Section P-1001.3, Prohibited traps, is amended to read as follows:

P-1001.3 Prohibited traps: The following traps are prohibited:
	1.	Traps which depend upon moving parts to maintain their seal.
	2.	Bell traps.
	3.	Crown vented traps.
	4.	Separate fixture traps which depend on interior partitions for their seal.
	5.	"S" traps, except where specifically approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.

(10) Section P-1702.1, New, altered, extended or repaired systems, is amended to read as follows:

P-1702.1 New, altered, or repaired systems: New plumbing systems, and parts of existing systems, which have been altered, extended or repaired shall be tested as prescribed hereinafter to disclose leaks and defects, except that testing may be waived in the following cases:
	1.	In any case which does not include addition to, replacement, alteration or relocation of any water supply, drainage or vent piping.
	2.	In any case where plumbing equipment may be set up temporarily for exhibition purposes.
	3.	One- and two-family dwellings. If tested, Section P-1702.0 shall be used.

C. Additions. The following new sections shall be added to the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code:

Registration of Plumbers: In order to prevent damage to the Borough streets and the Borough water and sewer systems from not being repaired, all plumbers engaged in the practice of plumbing within the Borough shall apply for and obtain a license from the Borough. A copy of liability insurance policy shall be submitted to the Borough. The fee shall be in accordance with the fee schedule stated in Chapter 2, Code Enforcement. The Borough may suspend or revoke any license and the privilege of having a license upon violation of or nonconforming with any provision of this chapter and the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code, 1981 Edition, adopted herein, and for any other conduct evidencing similar unfitness for the position.

§ 80-5 Flood control regulations.

A. General. The following sections shall apply to all construction of a plumbing system occurring in any of the floodplain districts designated in the Steelton Borough Zoning Ordinance, as amended.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 120, Zoning, Art. VI, Floodplain Management Districts.

B. Water heaters, furnaces and other mechanical equipment or apparatus shall be permitted only at elevations above the regulatory flood.

C. Water supply systems and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to preclude infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.

D. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to preclude the infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.

E. No part of any on-site sewage disposal system shall be constructed within any designated floodplain districts.

§ 80-6 Violations and penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provisions of this chapter and/or the Borough's Plumbing Code shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding before any District Justice,[1] be sentenced for each such violation to pay a fine of not less than $10 plus costs and not more than $300 plus costs and, in default thereof, to undergo imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation continues after the notice has been served in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate offense.

[1] Editor's Note: Now Magisterial District Judge.

§ 80-7 Effect; severability; repealer.

A. Savings clause. Nothing in this chapter or in the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding now pending in any court or any rights acquired or liability incurred or any cause or causes of action accrued or existing under any act or ordinance repealed hereby. No right or remedy of any character shall be lost, impaired or affected by this chapter.

B. Validity. The invalidity of any section or provision of this chapter or the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code herein adopted shall not invalidate other sections or provisions thereof.

C. Repealer. Section 44-4E of the Building Code of the Borough of Steelton and any ordinance or code provisions conflicting with the provisions hereof are hereby repealed insofar as they are inconsistent with this chapter.