815 KAR 20:150. Inspection and tests

      Section 1. Inspections and Tests. (1) The office shall inspect the following to ensure compliance with the State Plumbing Code:

      (a) The water distribution system;

      (b) The soil, waste, and vent system;

      (c) The fixtures and fixture traps;

      (d) Appurtenances;

      (e) All connections in a plumbing system. In buildings condemned by other authorities because of unsanitary conditions of the plumbing system, the alterations shall be considered as a new plumbing system.

 

      Section 2. Material and Labor for Tests. All equipment, material and labor necessary for inspections and tests shall be furnished by the persons procuring the plumbing construction permits.

 

      Section 3. Systems of Tests. (1) Test for the potable water supply system. The potable water supply system shall be tested and found without leaks under the normal working pressure under which the system will function.

      (2) Tests for the soil, waste, and vent system.

      (a) The soil, waste, and vent system of the plumbing system shall be tested with water or air in accordance with this administrative regulation before it is concealed or covered within the floors or walls of a building.

      (b) After the plumbing fixtures have been set and their traps filled with water and before the building is occupied, the entire system, other than the house sewer, shall be subjected to a final air pressure test.

      (c) It shall be the responsibility of the person who secured the plumbing construction permit to notify the office representative and request a final inspection and air test upon completion of the installation.

      (d) If only a portion of the plumbing fixtures are set, an air test shall be requested and given prior to the time a building is occupied. After the plumbing system is finally completed, another inspection and test shall be requested and given.

      (e) The office may require the removal of any clean-outs to ascertain whether or not the pressure has reached all parts of the system.

      (3) Tests of the house sewer. The house sewer shall be tested with a water, air, or smoke test.

 

      Section 4. Methods of Testing. (1) The potable water supply system, as well as the water service, shall be:

      (a) Tested under a pressure of not less than the maximum working pressure under which it is to be used; and

      (b) Free from leaks.

      (2)(a) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a water test shall be performed:

      1. On the entire soil, waste, and vent system; or

      2. In sections.

      (b) If it is applied to the entire system, all openings shall be closed, except the highest opening and the system shall be filled with water to the point of overflow.

      (c) If the system is tested in sections, each opening shall be tightly plugged, except the highest opening and it shall be tested with not less than a ten (10) foot head of water. In testing successive sections, at least the upper ten (10) feet of the preceding section shall be retested.

      (3) In lieu of a water test, an air pressure test may be used by attaching an air compressor or test apparatus to any suitable opening. All other inlets and outlets to the system shall be closed, forcing air into the system until there is a uniform pressure of five (5) pounds per square inch (PSI). The pressure shall be maintained for fifteen (15) minutes.

      (4) The final air test shall test the entire soil, waste, and vent system including the fixture and appurtenances by connecting an air machine to any suitable opening or outlet and applying air pressure equivalent to a one (1) inch water column. It shall be maintained for at least a fifteen (15) minute period. If there are no leaks or forcing of trap seals as may be indicated by the functioning of a drum, float, or water column, the system shall be deemed airtight.

      (5) A garage drainage system shall be tested in the same manner as the soil, waste, and vent system.

      (6) A house sewer shall be tested by a water, air, or smoke test. After the sewer trench has been filled with at least two (2) feet of earth cover, it shall be retested. A four (4) inch test tee or Y connection shall be provided at the property line for testing. The distance between cleanouts in sewers shall not exceed 150 feet.

      (7) A building sewer not drained by gravity shall have a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches of cover and shall be tested with five (5) pounds per square inch for a period of fifteen (15) minutes.

 

      Section 5. Required Tests. Tests shall be made separately or as follows:

      (1) The house sewer and its branches from the property line to the house drain;

      (2) The house drain including its branches;

      (3) The soil, waste, and vent system;

      (4) Inside rain water conductors; and

      (5) The final inspection and air test which shall include the complete plumbing system as required by Section 4(2) of this administrative regulation, exclusive of the house sewer.

 

      Section 6. Tests of Alterations, Extensions, or Repairs. Any alterations, repairs, or extensions that require more than ten (10) feet of soil, waste, or vent piping shall be inspected and tested as required by Section 3(2) of this administrative regulation.

 

      Section 7. Covering of Work. The plumbing system shall not be covered until it has been inspected, tested, and approved.

 

      Section 8. Uncovering of Work. If any part of a plumbing system is covered or concealed before being inspected, tested, and approved, it shall be uncovered, or unconcealed and tested as required.

 

      Section 9. Defective Work. If an inspection or a test indicates defective work or material, it shall be replaced and the inspection and the test repeated.

 

      Section 10. Testing Defective Plumbing. An air test shall be used in testing the condition of a plumbing system if there is reason to believe it has become defective.

 

      Section 11. Inspections and Tests Not Required for Exhibition Purposes. Tests and inspections shall not be required where a plumbing system shall be used for exhibition purposes and is not directly connected to a sewerage system.

 

      Section 12. Inspections and Tests for the Replacement of Old Plumbing Fixtures. Inspections and tests shall not be required if:

      (1) Old plumbing fixtures are replaced with new fixtures;

      (2) Faucets or valves are replaced; or

      (3) Leaks are repaired.

 

      Section 13. Certificate of Approval. Upon the satisfactory completion and final test of the plumbing system, a certificate of approval shall be issued by the office. (Recodified from 401 KAR 1:110, 7-5-78; Am. 11 Ky.R. 77; eff. 8-7-84; 20 Ky.R. 1394; eff. 1-10-94; 27 Ky.R. 234; 776; eff. 9-11-2000; 33 Ky.R. 3277; 4183; eff. 7-6-07.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 318.090, 318.130, 318.134, 318.140, 318.160, 318.170

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 198B.040(1), 318.130

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 318.130 requires the office, after review by the State Plumbing Code Committee, to promulgate an administrative regulation establishing the Kentucky State Plumbing Code. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for the tests and inspections that are necessary in order to ensure compliance with 815 KAR Chapter 20, the Kentucky State Plumbing Code.