The Chicago Plumbing Code

§ 18-29-605

Materials, Joints and Connections.

§ 18-29-605.1 Water compatibility.

Water service pipe and water distribution pipe shall be resistant to corrosive action and degrading action from the potable water supplied by the water purveyor or individual water supply system.

§ 18-29-605.2 Soil and ground water.

The installation of a water service pipe shall be prohibited in soil and ground water contaminated with solvents, fuels, organic compounds or other detrimental materials causing permeation, corrosion, degradation or structural failure of the piping material. Where detrimental conditions are suspected, a chemical analysis of the soil and ground water conditions shall be required to ascertain the acceptability of the water service material for the specific installation. Where detrimental conditions exist, approved alternative materials or routing shall be required.

§ 18-29-605.3 Lead content of water supply pipe and fittings.

Pipe and pipe fittings (including valves and faucets) utilized in the water supply system shall have a maximum of 8 percent lead content.

§ 18-29-605.4 Water service pipe.

Water service pipe shall conform to NSF 61 and to one of the standards listed in Table § 18-29-605.4. All water service pipe or tubing, installed underground and outside of the structure, shall have a minimum working pressure rating of 160 psi (1100 kPa) at 73.45F (23.03C). Where the water pressure exceeds 160 psi (1100 kPa), piping material shall have a minimum rated working pressure equal to the highest available pressure. All ductile iron water pipe shall be cement mortar lined in accordance with AWWA C104.

§ 18-29-605.4.1 Materials for supply pipes and fittings.

All new and replaced water supply pipes and fittings shall be of materials specified in Tables § 18-29-605.4, § 18-29-605.5 and § 18-29-605.6, subject to the restrictions indicated in Column B of the table. Water supply pipe and fittings shall conform to the standards cited in Tables § 18-29-605.4, § 18-29-605.5 and § 18-29-605.6. All pipe and fittings exceeding 8 percent lead content are prohibited in the installation, repair or replacement of water supply pipes.

§ 18-29-605.5 Water distribution pipe.

Water distribution pipe shall conform to NSF 61 and shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table § 18-29-605.5. All hot water distribution pipe and tubing shall have a minimum pressure rating of 100 psi (690 kPa) at 1805F (825C).

§ 18-29-605.6 Fittings.

Pipe fittings shall be approved for installation with the piping material installed and shall conform to the respective pipe standards or one of the standards listed in Table § 18-29-605.6.. All pipe fittings utilized in water supply systems shall also conform to NSF 61. The fittings shall not have ledges, shoulders or reductions capable of retarding or obstructing flow in the piping. Ductile and gray iron pipe fittings shall be cement mortar lined in accordance with AWWA C104.

§ 18-29-605.7 Valves.

All valves shall be compatible with the type of piping material installed in the system.

§ 18-29-605.8 Manufactured pipe nipples.

Manufactured pipe nipples shall conform to the following standards:

  1. Steel nipples: ASTM A 733.
  2. Brass-plated, copper-plated, or nickel-plated: ASTM B 687

§ 18-29-605.9 Prohibited joints and connections.

The following types of joints and connections shall be prohibited:

  1. Cement or concrete joints;
  2. Joints made with fittings not approved for the specific installation;
  3. Solvent-cement joints between different types of plastic pipe;
  4. Saddle-type fittings;
  5. Dresser couplings.

§ 18-29-605.10 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-605.11 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-605.12 Brass.

Joints between brass pipe or fittings shall comply with Sections § 18-29-605.12 through § 18-29-605.12.4.

§ 18-29-605.12.1 Brazed joints.

All joint surfaces shall be cleaned. An approved flux shall be applied where required. The joint shall be brazed with a filler metal conforming to AWS A5.8.

§ 18-29-605.12.2 Mechanical joints.

Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

§ 18-29-605.12.3 Threaded joints.

Threads shall conform to ASME B 1.20.1. Pipe- joint compound or tape shall be applied on the male threads only.

§ 18-29-605.12.4 Welded joints.

All joint surfaces shall be cleaned. The joint shall be welded with an approved filler metal.

§ 18-29-605.13 Gray iron and ductile iron joints.

Joints for gray and ductile iron pipe and fittings shall comply with AWWA C111 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

§ 18-29-605.14 Copper pipe.

Joints between copper or copper-alloy pipe or fittings shall comply with Sections § 18-29-605.14.1 through § 18-29-605.14.3.

§ 18-29-605.14.1 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-605.14.2 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-605.14.3 Soldered joints.

Solder joints shall be made in accordance with the methods of ASTM B 828. All cut tube ends shall be reamed to the full inside diameter of the tube end. All joint surfaces shall be cleaned. A flux conforming to ASTM B 813 shall be applied. The joint shall be soldered with a solder conforming to ASTM B 32. The joining of water supply piping shall be made with lead- free solder and fluxes. 'Lead free' shall mean a chemical composition equal to or less than 0.2 percent lead.

§ 18-29-605.15 Copper tubing.

Joints between copper or copper-alloy tubing or fittings shall comply with Sections § 18-29-605.15.1 through § 18-29-605.15.4.

§ 18-29-605.15.1 Brazed joints.

All joint surfaces shall be cleaned. An approved flux shall be applied where required. The joint shall be brazed with a filler metal conforming to AWS A5.8.

§ 18-29-605.15.2 Flared joints.

Flared joints for water pipe shall be made by a tool designed for that operation.

§ 18-29-605.15.3 Mechanical joints.

Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

§ 18-29-605.15.4 Soldered joints.

Solder joints shall be made in accordance with the methods of ASTM B 828. All cut tube ends shall be reamed to the full inside diameter of the tube end. All joint surfaces shall be cleaned. A flux conforming to ASTM B 813 shall be applied. The joint shall be soldered with a solder conforming to ASTM B 32. The joining of water supply piping shall be made with lead- free solders and fluxes. 'Lead free' shall mean a chemical composition equal to or less than 0.2 percent lead.

§ 18-29-605.16 CPVC plastic.

Joints between CPVC plastic pipe or fittings shall comply with Sections 18-29-605.16.1 through § 18-29-605.16.3 (For use on secondary water piping in process applications only).

§ 18-29-605.16.1 Mechanical joints.

Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

§ 18-29-605.16.2 Solvent cementing.

Joint surfaces shall be clean and free from moisture and an approved primer shall be applied. Solvent cement, orange in color and conforming to ASTM F 493, shall be applied to all joint surfaces. The joint shall be made while the cement is wet, and in accordance with ASTM D 2846 or ASTM F 493. Solvent-cement joints shall be permitted above or below ground.

§ 18-29-605.16.3 Threaded joints.

Threads shall conform to ASME B 1.20.1. Schedule 80 or heavier pipe shall be permitted to be threaded with dies specifically designed for plastic pipe, but the pressure rating of the pipe shall be reduced by 50 percent. Thread by socket molded fittings shall be permitted. Approved thread lubricant or tape shall be applied on the male threads only.

§ 18-29-605.17 Steel.

Joints between galvanized steel pipe or fittings shall comply with Sections § 18-29-605.17.1 and § 18-29-605.17.2.

§ 18-29-605.17.1 Threaded joints.

Threads shall conform to ASME B 1.20.1. Pipe- joint compound or tape shall be applied on the male threads only.

§ 18-29-605.17.2 Mechanical joints.

Joints shall be made with an approved elastomeric seal. Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

§ 18-29-605.18 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-605.19 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-605.20 Deliberately omitted.

§ 18-29-605.21 Joints between different materials.

Joints between different piping materials shall be made with a mechanical joint of the compression or mechanical-sealing type, or as permitted in Section § 18-29-605.21.1.

§ 18-29-605.21.1 Copper or copper-alloy tubing to galvanized steel pipe.

Joints between copper or copper-alloy tubing and galvanized steel pipe shall be made with a brass converter fitting or dielectric fitting. The copper tubing shall be soldered to the fitting in an approved manner, and the fitting shall be screwed to the threaded pipe.

§ 18-29-605.22 Protection for pipes and fixtures.

All new concealed water pipes, storage tanks, flushing services or systems and all pipes or tanks exposed to low temperatures shall be protected from freezing.

§ 18-29-605.23 Hydrants and non-freeze hydrants protection.

Every hydrant providing drinking water shall be protected from surface water and ground contamination.

§ 18-29-605.24 Water supply pipe protection.

All water supply pipes or distributing pipes that are installed in the ground in any public way or other public place or in buildings, structures, or privately owned premises shall be covered to a minimum depth of not less than 5 feet (1525 mm) below the surface of the ground. No ashes, cinders, or refuse shall be used in back-filling any trenches or excavations in which water pipes are installed. All such pipes shall be coated with coal tar paint and insulated where they pass through concrete floors, or new concrete or masonry walls.

§ 18-29-605.25 Refrigerant condensers.

No refrigerant condenser of the water jacket type with a common wall between the refrigerant gas and the cooling water shall be directly connected to the city water supply. Cooling water, if from the city water supply, shall be obtained by gravity through an indirect connection. If water under pressure is required, it may be supplied only by means of a reduced pressure backflow preventer.

§ 18-29-605.26 Dead-ends prohibited.

Unused sections of water supply piping systems (or so called dead-ends) where city water will become stagnant are prohibited other than fire protection systems protected and installed in accordance with Table § 18-29-608.1.

§ 18-29-605.27 Air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

All new or newly remodeled refrigeration systems employing water from the city mains for condensing purposes in the process of providing space air conditioning for commercial, industrial or residential use shall be closed air conditioning systems employing recirculation of cooling water to conserve water.

§ 18-29-605.28 Permissible exceptions.

Any and all exceptions to this provision will be permitted only by action of the commissioner of water.