The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Building.
A structure built, erected and framed of component structural parts designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure or support of persons, animals or property of any kind.
Gas company.
The organization operating the gas distribution system.
Listed.
When not otherwise clarified, means acceptable as outlined in this article.
Plumber, apprentice.
Any person other than a master plumber or journeyman plumber who, as his principal occupation, is engaged in learning and assisting a licensed plumber in the installation of plumbing.
Plumber, journeyman.
Any person other than a master plumber who engages in or works at the actual installation, alteration, repair and renovating of plumbing, and who is licensed by the state board of plumbing examiners as provided by the Plumbing License Law (V.T.C.A., Occupations Code, chapter 1301).
Plumber, master.
A plumber having a regular place of business who, by himself or through persons in his employ, performs plumbing work, and who is licensed by the state board of plumbing examiners as provided by the Plumbing License Law (V.T.C.A., Occupations Code, chapter 1301). The person pulling the permit must be a responsible master plumber and/or a person in his employment authorized to pull permits.
Plumbing.
(1) 
All piping, fixtures, appurtenances and appliances for supply or recirculation of water, gas, liquids, and drainage or elimination of sewage, including disposal systems or any combination thereof, for all personal or domestic purposes in and about buildings where a person or persons live, work or assemble; all piping, fixtures, appurtenances and appliances outside a building connecting the building with the source of water, gas or other liquid supply or combinations thereof, on the premises, or the main in the street, alley or at the curb; and all piping, fixtures, appurtenances, appliances, drains or waste pipes carrying wastewater or sewage from or within a building to the sewer service lateral at the curb or in the street or alley or other disposal or septic terminal holding private or domestic sewage;
(2) 
The installation, repair, service and maintenance of all piping, fixtures, appurtenances and appliances in and about buildings where a person or persons live, work or assemble, for a supply of gas, water, liquids or any combination thereof, or disposal of wastewater or sewage.
Plumbing fixtures.
Installed receptacles, devices or appliances which are supplied with water or which receive or discharge liquids or liquid-borne wastes, with or without discharge into the drainage system with which they may be directly or indirectly connected.
Plumbing inspector.
Any person employed by the city for the purpose of inspecting plumbing work and installations in connection with health and safety laws and ordinances, who has no financial or advisory interests in any plumbing company, and who has successfully fulfilled the examinations and requirements of the state board of plumbing examiners.
Potable water.
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes, and meets the requirements of the health authority having jurisdiction.
Public sewer.
A common sewer directly controlled by public authority.
Sanitary sewer.
A pipe which carries sewage and excludes storm, ground and surface water.
Sewage.
Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, and may include liquids containing chemicals in solution.
Unsanitary.
Contrary to sanitary principles; injurious to health.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.01, adopted 12/20/2021; Ordinance adopting Code)
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of plumbing, or do or perform any plumbing, without first having procured the necessary licenses and permits as provided for in this article, and all plumbing, plumbing work and workmanship and materials shall meet the requirements of this article and shall pass all inspections required in this article in regard to the work done.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.02, adopted 12/20/2021)
(a) 
For the protection and preservation of life and of the public health, safety, property and the general welfare of the people, the provisions of this article are enacted relating to the installation, alteration or repair of pipes, fittings and fixtures for water, sewage and natural gas in all buildings and structures and on all property now erected or to be erected, changed, constructed, reconstructed, repaired or altered in the city, and outside the city, if the same are connected to either the city water, sewerage or gas system. The intent and purpose of this article is to regulate the construction, erection, enlargement, alteration or repair of all piping, fittings, fixtures, etc., used for the conduction of water, sewage and natural gas in or on and about any and all premises in the city, and outside the boundaries of the city, if the same are connected to the city's water, sewerage or gas system.
(b) 
This article shall apply to all plumbing within the boundaries of the city. Any plumbing outside the boundaries of the city connecting to either the city water, sewerage or gas system shall meet all the requirements of this article as to methods of installation and materials and shall be inspected by the plumbing inspector. This subsection shall not apply to that work done by authorized employees of the city in the laying of city sewer mains and services, nor to the installation of gas distributing mains and services in the streets and alleys by authorized employees of any gas distributing company, nor to the installation of water mains and services in the streets and alleys by authorized water suppliers.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.03, adopted 12/20/2021; Ordinance adopting Code)
In existing buildings or premises in which plumbing installations are to be altered, repaired or renovated, necessary deviations from this article may be permitted, provided such deviations conform to the intent of this article and are approved by the plumbing inspector.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.04, adopted 12/20/2021)
(a) 
All persons who engage in or work at the actual installation, alteration, repair and renovating of plumbing shall possess either a master or journeyman plumber's license in accordance with the provisions of the Plumbing License Law (V.T.C.A., Occupations Code, chapter 1301). However, the following acts, work and conduct shall be expressly permitted without a license:
(1) 
Plumbing work done by a property owner in a building owned or occupied by him as his home;
(2) 
Plumbing work done by anyone who is regularly employed as or acting as a maintenance man or maintenance engineer, incidental to and in connection with the business in which he is employed or engaged, and who does not engage in the occupation of a plumber for the general public;
(3) 
Construction, installation and maintenance work done upon the premises or equipment of a railroad by an employee thereof who does not engage in the occupation of a plumber for the general public;
(4) 
Plumbing work done by persons engaged by any public service company in the laying, maintenance and operation of its service mains or lines and the installation, alteration, adjustment, repair, removal and renovation of all types of appurtenances, equipment and appliances;
(5) 
Appliance installation and service work done by anyone who is an appliance dealer or is employed by an appliance dealer, and acting as an appliance installation man or appliance service man in connecting appliances to existing piping installations.
(b) 
All work and service named or referred to in this section shall be subject to inspection and approval in accordance with the terms of all local valid city or municipal ordinances.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.05, adopted 12/20/2021)
No person shall cause or permit any plumbing installation to be connected with the city water or sewer system or to any gas distributing system, nor shall any person use or permit the use of any such plumbing installation, or cause or permit any water, sewage or gas to flow through the installation, before it has been inspected and approved as provided in this article.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.06, adopted 12/20/2021)
It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit by any means into the building drainage system or sewer any ashes; cinders; rags; inflammable, poisonous, or explosive liquids; gases; oils; grease; or any other material which would or could obstruct, damage or overload such system or sewer.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.07, adopted 12/20/2021)
This article does not relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any person owning, operating, controlling or installing any plumbing, gas piping or gas-fired appliances for damages to person or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the city be regarded as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspections authorized in this article or the certificate of approval issued as provided in this article.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.09, adopted 12/20/2021)
In any prosecution for a violation of this article, it shall not be necessary for the complaint to negative any exceptions contained in this article concerning any prohibited act, but any such exception may be urged as a defense by any person charged by such complaint.
(Ordinance 145, sec. 5.10, adopted 12/20/2021)