All material used for plumbing installation work shall be free from detrimental defects and shall
conform to this code and manufacturer's specifications.
All materials used in the plumbing industry which are not approved by this code
shall not be stocked or sold by any retail or wholesale plumbing supply house, retail outlet, hardware store or
supermarket located within the City of Philadelphia. Any such materials in stock are subject to confiscation by the
Department, effective January 1, 1996.
No material, device, fixture, method of assemblage, installation, appurtenance or appliance, other
than those specified or permitted by this code, shall be installed unless it has been approved by the Department and is
in conformity with the conditions of such approval.
When deemed impractical to conduct adequate tests prior to installation, the Department is authorized
to grant tentative approval and permission to make installation as proposed. Final approval shall not be given until
tests conducted after installation show that the material, device, fixture, method of assemblage, installation,
appurtenance or appliance meets the intent of this code, functions as required, and conforms to the conditions of
approval set forth by the Department.
Whenever the standard under which a material, fixture, or device is approved requires that the
item be identified in a specified manner as to weight or quality, such identification shall be provided in accordance
with the standard.
Solder and solder fluxes shall have labels stating: "Contains 0.02% or less lead." Pursuant to
Pennsylvania Act #33, July 6, 1993, solder which does not conform to this standard shall not be offered for sale in the
City, either at retail or wholesale outlets. All non-conforming solder shall be subject to confiscation by the
Department.
Brass caulking ferrules shall be of brass pipe conforming to the standards listed in Section P-305
or of heavy brass of the weight and dimensions given in Table P-304. Seamless copper ferrules used in lieu of cast
brass shall correspond in size and weight to brass ferrules.
| Pipe Size (Inches) | Actual Inside Diameter (Inches) | Minimum Length (Inches) | Minimum Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 1/4 | 4 1/2 | 1 lb. |
| 3 | 3 1/4 | 4 1/2 | 1 lb., 12 oz |
| 4 | 4 1/4 | 4 1/2 | 2 lb., 8 oz. |
Materials used for plumbing installations shall be in accordance with this section and Table P305, unless specified otherwise in this Code.
| Material | Standard |
|---|---|
| Vitrified Clay Sewer Pipe (Standard/Extra Strength) |
ASTM C700-91 "Specification for Vitrified Clay Pipe, Extra Strength, Standard Strength, and Perforated" |
| Vitrified Clay Pipe Joints | ASTM C-425-91 "Specification for Compression Joints for Vitrified Clay Pipe and Fittings" |
| Concrete Sewer Pipe (NonReinforced) | ASTM C14-90 "Specification for Concrete Sewer, Storm Drain, and Culvert Pipe" |
| Concrete Sewer Pipe (Reinforced) | ASTM C76-90 "Specification for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe" |
| Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings | ASTM A74-92 "Specification for Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings" |
| Cast Iron Water Pipe | ASTM A377-89 "Index of Specifications for Ductile-Iron Pressure Pipe" |
| Ductile Iron | ASTM A377-89 "Index of Specifications for Ductile-Iron Pressure Pipe" AWWA C151-86 "Standard for Ductile Iron Pipe Centrifugally Cast in Metal Molds or Sand Lined Molds for Water or Other Liquids" |
| Cast Iron Threaded Drainage Fittings |
Cast Iron Threaded Drainage Fittings |
| Cast Bronze Solder Drainage Fittings |
ASME B16.23-84 "Cast Copper Alloy Solder Joint Drainage Fittings (DWV)" |
| Threaded Joints | ASME B1.20.1-83 "General Purpose Pipe Threads (inch)" |
| Joints (Brazing Metals) | AWS A5.8-92 "Specifications for Filler Metals for Brazing" |
| Joints - Gasket, Compression and Rubber Ring |
ASTM C425-91 "Specification for Compression Joints for Vitrified Clay Pipe and Fittings" ASTM C443-85a (1990) "Specification for Joints for Circular Concrete Sewer and Culvert Pipe, Using Rubber Gaskets" ASTM C564-88 "Specification for Rubber Gaskets for Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings" ASTM D1869-78 (1989) "Specification for Rubber Rings for AsbestosCement Pipe |
| Galvanized Pipe | ASTM A53-90b "Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black, and Hot-Dipped, ZincCoated, Welded and Seamless" |
| Malleable Iron Threaded Fittings | ASME B16.3-85 "Malleable Iron Threaded Fittings" |
| Brass Pipe | ASTM B43-91 "Specification for Seamless, Red Brass Pipe, Standard Sizes" |
| Seamless Brass Tube | ASTM B135-91B "Specification for Seamless Brass Tube" |
| Cast Bronze Threaded Fittings | ASME B16.15-85 "Cast Bronze Threaded Fittings" |
| Copper Drainage Tube, Type DWV |
ASTM B306-88 "Specification for Copper Drainage Tube (DWV)" |
| Copper Water Tube, Type K, L, M |
ASTM B88-92 "Specification for Seamless Copper Water Tube" |
| Material | Standard |
|---|---|
| Seamless Copper Tubing | ASTM B75-92a "Specification for Seamless Copper Tube" |
| Soldered Fittings (for Copper Water Tube) |
ASME B16.22-89 "Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy Solder Joint Pressure Fittings |
| Flared Fittings (for Copper Water Tube) |
ASME B16.26-88 "Cast Copper Alloy Fittings for Flared Copper Tubes" |
| Stainless Steel Pipe | ASTM A312-92a "Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes" |
| Borosilicate Glass Pipe and Fittings |
ASTM C1053-90 "Specification for Borosilicate Glass Pipe and Fittings for Drain, Waste, and Vent (DWV) Applications" |
| Sheet Brass | ASTM B36-91a "Specification for Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar" |
| Sheet Copper | ASTM B152-92 "Specification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plate, and Rolled Bar" |
| Soft Solder | ASTM B32-91 "Specification for Solder Metal" |
| Fixture Setting Compound | FS TT-P-1536a-75 "Federal Specification for Plumbing Fixture Setting Compound" |
| Valves, Bronze, Gate | ASTM B61-90 "Specification for Steam or Valve Bronze Castings" |
| Valves, Cast Iron, Gate | ASTM A126-84 (1991) "Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Valves, Flanges, and Pipe Fittings" |
| Acid Resisting Cast Iron Pipe and Fittings |
ASTM A518-92 "Specification for Corrosion-Resistant High Silicon Iron Castings" |
| Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves |
ANSI Z21.22-86 "Relief Valves and Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices for Hot Water Supply Systems" |
| Malleable Iron Split Coupling with Synthetic Rubber Gasket |
ASTM A47-90 "Specification for Ferritic Malleable Iron Castings" |
| Backflow Preventers | Water Department Regulations |
| Hubless Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings |
CISPI 301-90 "Specification for Hubless Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings for Sanitary and Storm Drain, Waste and Vent Piping Applications" |
| Plastic Water Service, Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Pipe |
ASTM D2846-92 "Specification for Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Hot-and Cold-Water Distribution Systems ASTM F441-89 "Specification for Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe, Schedules 40 and 80" ASTM F442-89 "Specification for Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe, (SDR-PR)" |
| Plastic Water Service, Polyethylene (PE) Pipe |
ASTM D2104-89a "Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe, Schedule 40" ASTM D2239-89 "Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (SIDRPR) Based on Controlled Inside Diameter" ASTM D2737-89 "Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Tubing" |
| Plastic Water Service Polybutylene (PB) Pipe |
ASTM D2662-89 "Specification for Polybutylene (PB) Plastic Pipe (SIDRPR) Based on Controlled Inside Diameter" ASTM D2666-89 "Specification for Polybutylene (PB) Plastic Tubing" ASTM D3309-92 "Specification for Polybutylene (PB) Plastic Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems" |
| Schedule 40 Plastic Drain, Waste and Vent Pipe, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) |
ATM D2665-91b "Specification for Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Fittings" |
| Schedule 40 Plastic Drain, Waste and Vent Pipe, Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) |
ASTM D2661-91 "Specification for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Schedule 40 and Plastic Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Fittings" |
| Plastic Pipe Fittings |
ASTM D2464-91 "Specification for Threaded Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 80" ASTM D2466-90a "Specification for Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 40" ASTM D2467-92 "Specification for Socket-Type Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 80" ASTM D2468-90 "Specification for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 40" ASTM D-2609-90a "Specification for Plastic Insert Fittings for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe" ASTM F409-91a "Specification for Thermoplastic Accessible and Replaceable Plastic Tube and Tubular Fittings" ASTM F437-89b "Specification for Threaded Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 80" ASTM F438-90 "Specification for Socket-Type Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 40" ASTM F439-90 "Specification for Socket-Type Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Plastic Pipe Fittings, Schedule 80" |
All materials used shall be installed in strict accordance with the standards
under which the materials are accepted and approved. In the absence of such installation procedures, the
manufacturer's installation instructions shall be followed. Where the requirements of referenced standards or
manufacturer's installation instructions do not conform to minimum provisions of this code, the provisions of this
code shall apply
Aluminum drain pipe is permitted for waste and vents using no-hub cast iron fittings and no-hub
clamps.
Only glass (Pyrex) and stainless steel shall be used for dialysis, reverse osmosis or deionized water
piping.
Exception: PVC, CPVC and Polypropylene piping be permitted in reverse osmosis and deionized water systems.
Pipe and joint material shall be in accordance with Table P-305.5.
| Pipes/Joints | Type |
|---|---|
| Black Steel | Threaded or Welding on large size gas piping |
| Cast Iron Soil Pipe and Fittings | Bell-and-Spigot (lead and oakum), No-Hub Coupling, Neoprene Gasket |
| Ductile Iron | Bell-and-Spigot, Neoprene Gasket, Mechanical Joint |
| Copper Tubing (KLM) | Sweat, Flare Compression Joints, Braze |
| Copper Tubing (DWV) | Sweat, Neoprene Gasket, Full Stainless Steel Jackets |
| Glass — Pyrex | Sweat, Neoprene Gasket, Full Stainless Steel Jackets, Compression Joint |
| Acid Resisting Cast Iron | Bell-and-Spigot, No-Hub Coupling |
| Plastic-PVC-ABS Drainage | Solvent Cement |
| Polyethylene | Acid Resistant, Electrical Wiring Fittings, No-Hub Coupling (O-Ring), Compression Fittings (lab line) |
| Polyethylene, Water | Flare, Compression, Threaded |
| Terra Cotta | Bell-and-Spigot (slip seal), Gasket and O-Ring |
| Brass and Copper Pipe | Threaded, Brazed |
| Tubes - O.D. | Compression, Flare |
| Aluminum Pipe | No-Hub Coupling or Galvanized Coupling |
All plastic pipe and fittings intended for use in the transport of potable water shall bear the label of
an approved agency as conforming to NSF 14-90 "Plastic Piping Components and Related Materials" and shall
conform to applicable standards referenced in Section P-305.
All water service and water distribution pipe and fittings intended for use in the transport of
potable water shall conform to NSF 61-1997b "Drinking Water System Components — Health Effects" in addition to
the applicable standards referenced in Section P-305.