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We want your input on plumbing & gas application fixture lists
The King County Plumbing & Gas Program is looking for interested individuals to review a proposed list of fixtures and appurtenances to be added to plumbing and gas permit applications (when these documents are updated later this year). There is no limit to how many people per company may participate.
You can learn more about what this will involve, as well as sign up, by using our online form. This is your chance to be involved in the development of new permit applications that will likely impact your work for years to come.
Updated Condensate Disposal Policy
With some help from our Policy Advisory Committee members, we've adjusted the requirements within our jurisdiction for the disposal of mechanical condensate originating from equipment outside of a building. Section 814.1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code allows the AHJ to define what is considered an Approved disposal area, so an actual Code amendment is not necessary to implement this enforcement policy shift. The text of this updated policy is shown below in italics:
Updated Condensate Policy:
Mechanical condensate generated from cooling coils or air-source heat pumps located outside of the building envelope may discharge indirectly to a roof drain, or by means of a splash block either directly to the roof surface or to an adequately sized exterior planter, provided:
- The condensate does not originate from the flue of a fuel-burning appliance.
- There is a clear pathway between the condensate discharge point and a nearby roof, area, or planter drain free of obstructions from service walkways, curbs, sleepers, dividers, or similar items that would cause condensate to pool and collect within the planter or on the roof surface.
Flue condensate from fuel-burning appliances and equipment shall discharge to an approved indirect receptor connected to the building sanitary drainage system. Mechanical condensate shall not be permitted to discharge to walkways, patios, or similar surfaces normally used for walking or congregating.
Updated P-20 Document
We've updated the document outlining permit submittal requirements for single-stack engineered venting systems (Sovent, Provent, etc.).The layout has been updated to an alpha-numeric format and includes a new sample inspection matrix for reference. This document should be reviewed by the designer or engineer of record for any project proposing to use this type of system. The updated version is available online, dated 3/8/2024.
Solids Interceptors on Brewery Projects
Breweries introduce a unique type of effluent to a building drainage system. There is no FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) in standard brewery operations, so a grease interceptor is typically not necessary. However, there does tend to be a high amount of suspended solids. So, a solids interceptor with a fine mesh screen and additional screens at each process drain should be considered the minimum pre-treatment requirement. King County limits discharges to not more than 7 milliliters per liter of settleable solids along with specific pH and temperature requirements. The full brewery BMP document is available online.
By Dave Price, Assistant Chief Plumbing Inspector, Public Health - Seattle & King County
After a lengthy delay, the 2021 Washington State construction codes are officially in effect. Below are a couple of new items to be aware of. We will make an effort to highlight more of these Code updates in upcoming newsletters.
Horizontal Wet Vent – Toilet as Last Fixture
For the past two code cycles, WA State included an amendment removing UPC Section 908.2.4. That State amendment was removed for the 2021 code cycle. Now, for 2021 code cycle projects across the state, the water closet is required to be the most downstream fixture in a Horizontal Wet Vent system.
New Definition – Emergency Floor Drain
At long last, the UPC has provided a definition for ‘Emergency Floor Drain’:
“Emergency Floor Drain. A floor drain that does not receive discharge from any fixture drain or indirect waste pipe, and serves to protect from damage where accidental spills, leaks or fixture backups occur.”
Now we can provide more consistent guidance for the use of these types of drains when assigning drainage fixture unit (DFU) loading. Most drains falling outside of the specific types noted in Table 702.1 will need to be assigned DFU loading in accordance with Table 702.2(1) or Table 702.2(2). A floor drain installed in a bathroom, restroom, laundry room, or kitchen would typically be considered an ‘Emergency Floor Drain’. A hub drain or floor sink that receives discharge from an indirect drain line (RP discharge or similar) would not.
Parking garage drains are not considered ‘Emergency Floor Drains’. Why? Because the definition specifies the drain must be used for “accidental” spills or leaks. Drains in parking garages are not installed strictly for accidental spills (although they may also be used for that purpose). Parking garage drains are provided intentionally to collect runoff from wet cars, garage hose bibbs, and other miscellaneous water sources, and therefore need to be assigned a DFU value. This can be easily done using one of the Tables noted above.
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