A. 
Every building or other structure or premises in or on which plumbing fixtures are installed shall be equipped with an approved water supply system.
B. 
The water supply system for each building or other structure shall be entirely separate and independent of every water supply system serving any other building or structure, except that:
(1) 
Buildings, other than residences, and other structures on the same premises and under the same ownership may be connected to the same water supply.
(2) 
Where one building stands in the rear of another building on an interior lot and a separate water supply cannot be provided for the rear building through an alley, yard or other open public space, the water supply of the front building may be connected to serve the rear building, provided that the water supply of the front building is of adequate size and in suitable condition to serve both front and rear buildings, and provided that such dual use is approved by the Plumbing Inspector.
A. 
All water for human consumption, for the preparation of food or for washing humans, foods, food service equipment or utensils shall be potable and shall conform to the Health Codes of the Borough and the commonwealth and all regulations issued thereunder.
B. 
Nonpotable water may be used for flushing water closets, urinals or other purposes not inconsistent with Subsection A, provided that there is adequate protection to prevent human consumption and that all piping therefor is adequately and durably identified by distinctive paint and prominent signs, so that it can readily be distinguished from piping carrying potable water.
A. 
No cross-connection shall be permitted between a potable water supply system and any other piping system. No cross-connection shall be permitted between the water supply system currently servicing the Borough and any other potable water supply system.
(1) 
A cross-connection is considered "broken" if a minimum air gap of two pipe diameters of the water supply pipe is provided between the potable water and any other piping system or between the water supply system currently servicing the Borough and any other potable water system.
(2) 
On existing water supply systems where it is impracticable to provide the required minimum air gap, a swing joint swivel device or a four-way, four-port valve of a design such that the distribution piping may be fed by either water supply individually, but not simultaneously, may be considered by the Plumbing Inspector and Health Inspector for approval.
B. 
The water supply line currently servicing Borough or other potable water supply line shall be protected from backflow by means of a double-check-valve assembly or other backflow-preventer installation of a type and location approved by the Plumbing Inspector and Health Inspector.
When underground water service piping or the water distribution piping and sewer or drain piping are laid in the same trench, the water service pipe or the water distributing pipe shall be laid on a bench or on solidly tamped backfill at a level at least 12 inches above the top of the drainage pipe and at least 12 inches horizontally from the center line of the drainage pipe, and they shall conform to § 131-74.
A. 
Every potable water distributing and supply pipes shall be protected against backflow from any plumbing fixture or other piece of equipment or appliance capable of affecting the quality of the potable water by having the outlet end from which water flows spaced a minimum distance of twice the diameter of the water supply pipe above the flood level rim of the receptacle into which the potable water flows.
(1) 
Where it is not practicable to provide this minimum air gap, the connection to the fixture equipment or appliances shall be equipped with a backflow-preventer assembly of a type and location approved by the Plumbing Inspector and Health Inspector and installed between the control valve and the water outlet.
(2) 
The Plumbing Inspector and Health Inspector may require that a vacuum breaker or other approved backflow preventer of a type approved by both Inspectors be installed at any fixed potable water outlet to which a hose may be connected and used in contact with liquids or other substances which if added to the water supply would render it nonpotable.
B. 
Lawn sprinkler systems shall be equipped with protective devices as required in this section of the Borough Plumbing Code. From a point outside the foundation wall throughout the lawn sprinkler system, the method of installation and the material used shall be at the discretion of the designer.
All water pumps, tanks, filters, softeners and similar appliances and devices shall be protected against contamination. Where outdoor hydrants are installed at surface grade, such installations shall be on concrete or other impervious platforms with a top surface not less than six inches above the adjoining grade and extending not less than three feet in all directions from the hydrants. The drains from frostproof hydrants shall spill on grade or shall discharge to an independent seepage pit or to indirect waste in accordance with § 131-104B.
A. 
A water supply system shall be supplemented from a gravity house tank, pressure tank or booster pump system when the water pressure from the public water main or other potable water line is insufficient to supply the fixtures of such water supply system which are likely to be in simultaneous operation at the residual pressures specified in § 131-76. All potable water supply tanks shall be properly covered or sealed to prevent entrance of foreign or contaminating material into the water supply. Soil or waste lines shall not pass directly over nonpressure water supply tanks or over manholes in pressure tanks.
B. 
Cleaning, lining, painting or repairing potable water supply tanks. A potable water supply tank from which water for human consumption or culinary purposes is drawn shall not be lined, painted or repaired with any material which may affect either the taste or potability of water supplied from such tank when the tank is returned to service. Whenever necessary to prevent a foreign fluid or substance from entering the water distribution system during any such operation or from any other source, tanks shall be disconnected from such system.
C. 
Disinfection of potable water supply tanks. After a potable water supply tank has been installed, cleaned, painted or repaired it shall be disinfected by filling it with a solution containing 100 parts per million of available chlorine and allowing it to stand for two hours before flushing the tank and returning it to use.
D. 
Protection against freezing. All water pipes, water tanks and water-supplied appliances and devices subject to freezing temperatures shall be effectively protected against freezing.
E. 
Overflow for water supply tanks.
(1) 
Overflow outlets for gravity tanks shall not be less than four inches below the tank supply and shall discharge at least six inches above a roof or within six inches of a floor drain, or they shall discharge over and above the flood level rim of an open water-supplied sink or other approved receptacle having a trap with a diameter equal to that of the overflow pipe.
(2) 
Overflow pipes shall be properly screened against the entrance of insects or vermin.
(3) 
Overflow outlets shall terminate in a horizontal position above a roof or in a turned-down position above a sink or receptacle.
(4) 
Overflows shall be as specified in Subsection G.
F. 
Drains. All water supply tanks shall be provided with valved drain lines located at or near their lowest point and discharged as an indirect waste or as required for overflow pipes by Subsection E. Each tank shall be provided with drainpipes of diameters not less than specified in Subsection G. Each drain shall be equipped with a gate valve of the same diameter as the pipe.
G. 
Water supply tank drains and overflows shall conform to the following specifications:
Water Supply Tank Drains and Overflows
Tank Capacity
(gallons)
Drainpipe
(inches)
Overflows
Up to 750
1 1/4
751 to 1,500
1 1/2
1 size larger than supply pipe
1,501 to 3,000
2
3,001 to 5,000
2 1/2
5,001 to 7,500
3
1 size larger than supply pipe; minimum size, 4 inches
Over 7,500
4
A. 
Subject to the requirements hereinafter set forth, material for water piping above the ground shall be of brass Type M copper or heavier.
B. 
Water distributing piping and water piping underground shall be of brass, Type K copper or heavier or cast iron. Temp-tite pressure pipe (epoxy-lined transite-core pipe) may be used underground only. All materials for above and below ground use shall be suitable for 150 pounds of working pressure. When used underground in corrosive soil, all ferrous pipe and fittings shall be tarenamel coated or protected in an equivalent approved manner against external corrosion. All underground water pipe shall conform with §§ 131-70 and 131-82C and D.
C. 
From a point outside the foundation wall throughout the lawn sprinkler system, the method of installation and the material used shall be at the discretion of the designer.
D. 
All water service piping from the Chester Water Authority water main to the curbline shall conform to the regulations as set forth by the Chester Water Authority.
E. 
No piping material shall be used to convey potable water where reaction between such material and the water may cause the potable water supply, used for human consumption or culinary purposes, to be toxic or otherwise unsuitable for human consumption.
F. 
Piping or fittings that have been used for other than potable water supply shall not be used in a potable water supply system.
A. 
Water service. The water service pipe from the street main and the water distributing pipe shall be of sufficient size to furnish an adequate flow of water to meet the requirements of the building at peak demands, and in no case less than 3/4 inch nominal diameter.
B. 
Water supply control. A main shutoff valve or curb stop on the water service pipe shall be provided near the curb, and an accessible shutoff valve with drip valve shall be provided inside near the point where the water distribution pipe enters the building or other structure. Supply lines taken from pressure or gravity tanks shall be valved at or near their source.
C. 
Secondary shutoff valves. Separate valves, always accessible, shall be placed at the foot of each riser line, on all branches to exterior hose bibbs, on hot water storage tanks and on supplies to fixtures or groups of fixtures not connected to riser lines. All valves shall be of the same size as the pipe in which they are installed, except that in a one-family dwelling, control valves of the straight or angle pattern, when installed in an accessible manner to individually control the hot and cold water supply to each fixture, may be used in lieu of separate valves placed at the foot of each riser line. All other fixtures in a one-family dwelling not connected to the riser line may also be installed with control valves of the straight or angle pattern, always accessible and individually controlling the hot and cold water supply to each fixture. Separate shutoff valves on all branches to exterior hose bibbs, hot-water storage tanks and size of valves shall be as prescribed in this subsection.
D. 
Draining of water pipe. The formation of traps or sag shall be avoided wherever possible and when unavoidable, such sags or traps or inverts shall have provisions for draining.
E. 
Stagnant water. Water piping to drinking fountains or other water piping conveying water intended for human consumption shall not be connected to standpipes or sprinkler risers or other piping in which stagnant water may collect.
A. 
Minimum pressure. Except when special equipment requires higher pressure, the minimum residual water pressure maintained reasonably constant at a water outlet shall be 20 pounds at direct flush valves (flushometer) on blowout action fixtures, 10 pounds at direct flush valves (flushometers) on syphonic action fixtures and eight pounds at other water-supplied plumbing fixtures.
(1) 
The residual pressure shall be measured at the pressure side of the water outlet with the outlet fully open.
(2) 
Where the water main is subject to fluctuation in pressure, the water supply system shall be designed for the minimum pressure available.
B. 
Minimum size of fixture supply pipes. Minimum sizes of fixture supply pipes shall be as follows:
Fixture Supply Pipe Sizes
Fixture Pipe
Fixture Supply
(inches)
Bathtubs
1/2
Combination sink and tray
1/2
Dishwashing machine, domestic
1/2
Drinking fountain
3/8
Flushing rim sink
3/4
Hose bibb
1/2
Hot-water tanks, domestic
1/2
Kitchen sink, hotel or public
3/4
Laundry trays
1/2
Lavatories
3/8
Service sink
1/2
Shower, multistall
3/4
Shower stalls
1/2
Urinal, pedestal, direct flush valve (flushometer)
1
Urinal, stall, blowout or washout; direct flush valve (flushometer)
3/4
Urinal tank
3/8
Wash fountains, duo
1/2
Wash fountains, all others
3/4
Washing machine, domestic
1/2
Water closet direct flush valve (flushometer)
1
Water closet tank
3/8
C. 
The size of the water fixture supply pipe shall be the full nominal diameter as prescribed in Subsection B and shall be installed undiminished in pipe size to the floor or wall directly adjacent to the fixture it is intended to serve. Flexible water pipe connectors used in connecting the water supply pipe to fixture faucets and which provide a rigid joint when made up shall not be considered a reduction in pipe size.
D. 
Minimum water supply sizes to flushometers.
(1) 
The maximum number of water closet flush valves allowed to be supplied from a single source shall conform to the following schedule of pipe sizes and water pressures:
Maximum Number of Flush Valves
(First floor above the ground)1
Pneumatic Tank or Underground Main Pressure
(pounds per square inch)
Ferrule Size
(inches)
1
1 1/2
2
3
4
6
8
Using iron pipe
30
—
1 (200 feet)
2
12
50
180
450
40
1 (25 feet)
1 (400 feet)
4
24
80
220
450
50
1 (50 feet)
1
7
40
110
220
450
60
1 (75 feet)
2
7
40
110
220
450
70
1 (100 feet)
3
7
40
110
220
450
Using copper tubing
30
—
1 (250 feet)
3
15
55
200
450
40
1 (30 feet)
1 (500 feet)
6
30
110
220
450
50
1 (65 feet)
2
9
40
110
220
450
60
1 (100 feet)
3
9
40
110
220
450
70
1 (135 feet)
4
9
40
110
220
450
NOTES:
1
Numbers shown in parentheses designate maximum allowed distance of fixtures from a pneumatic tank or underground main.
(2) 
If the distance from the fixture to pneumatic tank or underground main is in excess of 500 feet, deduct 10 pounds per square inch from the tank or main pressure.
(3) 
For each floor above the first floor, deduct 10 pounds per square inch from the tank or main pressure.
(4) 
Two urinals shall be counted as one water closet.
E. 
On existing installations, the water supply may be connected to flushometers without increasing the size of the ferrule, provided that a tank is installed on the waterline sized in accordance with the following table. The tank shall be equipped with a valve on the water inlet, an air inlet valve at its top and a drain valve.
Minimum Size of Tank
(gallons)
Street Pressure1
(pounds per square inch)
Number of Water Closets2
1
2
3
4
7
30
150
170
190
210
300
40
60
70
80
90
120
50
40
50
60
70
90
60
35
40
50
60
70
NOTES:
1
Deduct 1/2 pound per square inch from street pressure for each foot that fixtures are located above the bottom of the tank.
2
Two urinals equal one water closet.
A. 
Pressure relief. A suitable approved pressure relief valve shall be installed for all equipment used for heating or storing hot water and forming part of a water supply system. The rate of discharge of such valve shall limit the pressure rise in the water supply system to 10% above the pressure at which the valve is set to open. Pressure relief valves shall be of the spring-loaded type, with pull rod and lever handle or equivalent approved type which will permit manual operation and testing of the valve. Pressure relief valves shall be installed in the cold-water supply to the heater or storage tank and adjacent to such heater or storage tank.
B. 
Temperature relief. A suitable, approved temperature relief valve shall be installed for all equipment used for heating or storing hot water and forming part of a water supply system. When the temperature of the water within the vessel to which such relief valve is connected reaches 200° F., the valve shall automatically discharge sufficient hot water to prevent any further rise in the temperature. Each temperature relief valve shall be rated in terms of the maximum permissible hourly BTU input which the valve can safely relieve, and such rating shall be plainly stamped, etched or cast on the valve or on a permanent name plate securely attached to the valve. Temperature relief valves shall be installed in the hot-water connection to the heater or storage tank in such a manner that the stem of the temperature sensing element will project at least one inch into the tank.
C. 
Vacuum relief valves. Copper tanks shall be provided with vacuum relief valves. Vacuum relief valves shall be placed at or as close as possible to the tanks which they are intended to protect.
D. 
Combined temperature and pressure relief. A combination pressure and temperature relief valve of an approved type may be used in lieu of separate valves, provided that it meets the requirements for separate valves. The combined relief valves shall be located as a temperature relief valve and shall be installed in the hot-water connection to the heater or storage tank in such a manner that the stem of the temperature sensing element will project at least one inch into the tank.
E. 
Approval. No pressure relief valve or temperature relief valve shall be installed after the compliance date of these rules and regulations unless it is of a type which has been approved by the Plumbing Inspector and is installed in conformity with the conditions of approval. Relief valves which meet the requirements of these regulations and have been tested and approved by or meet the specification requirements of the American Gas Association or the National Board of Casualty and Surety Underwriters, or have been tested and approved by an approved testing laboratory which possesses adequate equipment, experience and competency and certified to comply fully with the provisions of United States of America Standard Z.21.10.1-67 shall be approved by the Plumbing Inspector without additional tests.
No stopcock, valve or check valve shall be installed between a hot-water storage tank and a required pressure relief valve or temperature relief valve. No shutoff valve or stopcock shall be installed in circulator lines between water heaters and hot-water storage tanks, except in a summer-and-winter hookup.
Check valves shall not be installed anywhere in the cold-water supply pipe leading to an existing water heating system unless suitable pressure relief valves and temperature relief valves are also installed, and where copper tanks are used, a suitable vacuum relief valve is installed at or adjacent to the copper tank.
When the relief outlets of pressure, temperature or other relief valves are connected by piping to discharge into the drainage system, such piping shall be connected as an indirect waste. Piping from relief outlets shall be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the discharge outlet on the relief valve.