18-29-101 General.

18-29-101.1 Deliberately omitted.

18-29-101.2 Scope.

The provisions of this article shall apply to the erection, installation, alteration, repairs, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems within this jurisdiction.

18-29-101.2.1 Department of Sewers requirements.

Additional requirements that apply to the installation of plumbing systems, as enforced by the department of sewers, are included in Sections, 4-332, 4-336, 5-4, 10-20, 10-28, 11-4 and 11-16 of the Municipal Code of Chicago.

18-29-101.2.2 Department of Water requirements.

Additional requirements that apply to the installation of plumbing systems, as enforced by the department of water, are included in Sections 2-108, 2-152, 4-332 and 11-12.

18-29-101.3 Intent

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance or use of plumbing equipment and systems.

18-29-101.4 Deliberately omitted.

18-29-102 Applicability.

18-29-102.1 General.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all matters affecting or relating to structures, as set forth in Section 18-29-101.

Where, in any specific case, different sections of this chapter specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.

18-29-102.2 Existing installations.

Plumbing systems lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall be permitted to have their use and maintenance continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in accordance with the original design and no hazard to life, health or property is created by such plumbing system.

18-29-102.3 Maintenance.

All plumbing systems, materials and appurtenances, both existing and new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards required by this chapter shall be maintained in compliance with the chapter edition under which they were installed. The owner or the owners designated agent shall be responsible for maintenance of plumbing systems. To determine compliance with this provision, the Building Commissioner shall have the authority to require any plumbing system to be reinspected.

18-29-102.4 Additions, alterations or repairs.

Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to any plumbing system shall conform to that required for a new plumbing system without requiring the entire existing plumbing system to comply with all the requirements of this chapter. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe, insanitary or overloaded.

18-29-102.5 Change in occupancy.

It shall be unlawful to make any change in the occupancy of any structure that will subject the structure to any special provision of this chapter without first obtaining a building permit.

18-29-102.6 Deliberately omitted.

18-29-102.7 Moved buildings.

Except as determined by Section 18-29-102.2, plumbing systems that are a part of buildings or structures moved into or within the jurisdiction shall comply with the provisions of this chapter for new installations.

18-29-102.8 Referenced codes and standards.

The codes and standards referenced in this chapter shall be those that are listed in the index and considered part of the requirements of this chapter to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where the requirements of reference standards or manufacturers installation instructions do not conform to minimum provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall apply.

18-29-102.9 Requirements not covered by chapter.

Any requirements necessary for the strength, stability or proper operation of an existing or proposed plumbing system, or for the public safety, health and general welfare, not specifically covered by this chapter shall be determined by the building commissioner.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-103 Deliberately omitted.

18-29-104 Deliberately omitted.

18-29-105 Approval.

18-29-105.1 Modifications.

Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the building commissioner shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, provided the building commissioner shall first find that unique reasons make application of the strict letter of this chapter impractical and the modification is in conformity with the intent and purpose of this chapter and that such modification does not lessen health, life and fire safety and sanitation requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the files of the plumbing inspection department.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-105.2 Alternative materials, methods and equipment.

The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not specifically prescribed by this chapter, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material or method of construction shall be approved where the building commissioner finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this chapter, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this chapter in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-105.3 Required testing.

Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this chapter, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this chapter, or in order to substantiate claims for alternate materials or methods, the building commissioner shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-105.3.1 Test methods.

Test methods shall be as specified in this chapter, including section 18-29-303.4.1 or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods, the building commissioner shall approve the testing procedures.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-105.3.2 Testing agency.

All tests shall be performed by an approved agency.

18-29-105.3.3 Test reports.

Reports of tests shall be retained by the building commissioner for the period required for retention of public records.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-105.4 Alternative engineered design.

The design, documentation, inspection, testing and approval of an alternative engineered design plumbing system shall comply with Sections 18-29-105.4.1 through 18-29-105.4.6.

18-29-105.4.1 Design criteria.

An alternative engineered design shall conform to the intent of the provisions of this chapter and shall provide an equivalent level of quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety. Material, equipment or components shall be designed and installed in accordance with the manufacturers installation instructions.

18-29-105.4.2 Submittal.

The registered design professional shall indicate on the permit application that the plumbing system is an alternative engineered design. The permit and permanent permit records shall indicate that an alternative engineered design was part of the approved installation.

18-29-105.4.3 Technical data.

The registered design professional shall submit sufficient technical data to substantiate the proposed alternative engineered design and to prove that the performance meets the intent of this chapter.

18-29-105.4.4 Construction documents.

The registered design professional shall submit to the building commissioner two complete sets of signed and sealed construction documents for the alternative engineered design. The construction documents shall include floor plans and a riser diagram of the work. Where appropriate, the construction documents shall indicate the direction of flow, all pipe sizes, grade of horizontal piping, loading, and location of fixtures and appliances.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-105.4.5 Design approval.

Where the building commissioner determines that the alternative engineered design conforms to the intent of this chapter, the plumbing system shall be approved. If the alternative engineered design is not approved, the building commissioner shall notify the registered design professional in writing, stating the reasons therefor.

(Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, 1)

18-29-105.4.6 Inspection and testing.

The alternative engineered design shall be tested and inspected in accordance with the requirements of Sections and 18-29-312.*

* Note As set forth in Coun. J. 3-28-01, p. 55444, 1; appears that additional section(s) have been omitted.

18-29-105.5 Material and equipment reuse.

Materials, equipment and devices shall not be reused unless such elements have been reconditioned, tested, placed in good and proper working condition, and approved.

18-29-106 Permits.

18-29-106.1 Permits.

No permit shall be issued for the installation of plumbing except to a licensed registered plumbing contractor duly bonded with the City of Chicago. Nothing in this section prohibits a licensed structural engineer or a licensed architect from planning and designing plumbing systems. Nothing in this section prohibits the owner or lessee occupant of a single-family residence from himself planning, installing, altering or repairing the plumbing system of such residence; provided, however, that such plumbing shall comply with all plumbing laws, rules and regulations applicable thereto and shall be subject to inspection as may be therein provided; and provided further that any such owner or lessee may not employ any person other than a licensed registered plumbing contractor to assist him in such work. Nothing in this section prohibits a licensed drainlayer from installing or repairing subsoil drain pipe or a building sewer without being a licensed registered plumbing contractor, except for work involving iron pipe or iron fittings.

The approval and permit of the department of buildings shall be withheld until all permits have been issued by the departments of water or sewers or other authorized departments.

(Added Coun. J. 3-27-02, p. 82090, 2)

18-29-106.2 License required.

No plumbing installed in violation of this code shall be approved by any department. Except for minor repairs, the Commissioners of Buildings and Water Management shall not approve any plumbing work unless the plumbing contractor installing such work has a plumbing license and is bonded with the City of Chicago, or unless such journeyman plumber has in effect a license, or unless each plumbers apprentice employed in such installation is registered as a plumbers apprentice, as required by Chapter 1( 4-332) of this code. Nothing in this section prohibits a licensed drainlayer from installing or repairing subsoil drain pipe or a building without being a licensed registered plumbing contractor, except for work involving iron pipe or iron fittings.

(Added Coun. J. 3-27-02, p. 82090, 2; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, 48)