The International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition, as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted as the Plumbing Code regulating and governing the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefore; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Plumbing Code on file at the city office, are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this article, with the following amendments:

(a)   If there are conflicts between this code and other codes adopted by the City of Towanda, the Building Official shall have the authority to determine if both codes are acceptable.

(b)   Permit and plan review fees shall be assessed in accordance with the City Code.

(c)   Plastic pipe can be tested with air.

(d)   Code clarification: 316.1.6 PVC pipe and fittings shall be cleaned and joined with primer and solvent cement.

(Code 2004; Ord. 653; Code 2019)

For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall mean:

(a)   Gas-Fitter or Gas-Fitting Contractor - Any person engaged in the business of installing, repairing, altering or maintaining gas piping, which shall include all pipes, valves or fittings used for conveying fuel gas located within the property lines of any premises or in any building, except (1) any portion of the service piping installed by or under the control and maintenance of a gas utility, and (2) any approved piping connection six feet or less in length extending between an existing gas outlet and a gas appliance located in the same room as the outlet.

(b)   Plumber or Plumbing Contractor - Any person engaged in the business of installing, altering, maintaining, or repairing plumbing, which shall include all materials and plumbing fixtures, water pipes, portable water treatment equipment, traps, drainage and vent piping, and building drains, including their respective joints, connections, devices, receptacles and appurtenances located within the property lines of any premises or in any building.

(R.O. 1955, 3-501:502; Code 1985)

(a)   The building inspector appointed under section 4-103 shall serve as plumbing inspector for the city and it shall be his or her duty to:

(1)   Prepare or cause to be prepared suitable forms for applications, permits, inspection reports and other such materials;

(2)   To inspect and test all plumbing work for compliance with this article and the plumbing code and to require changing of such installations that do not meet the requirements.

(R.O. 1955, 3-503; Code 1985)

The plumbing inspector, in the discharge of his or her official duties and upon proper identification, shall have authority to enter any building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour to perform his or her duties as required in this chapter.

(Code 1985)

(a)   Any person engaged in the business defined in section 4-202 above, before doing the installing or altering shall apply to the plumbing inspector and obtain a permit to do such work. All such work shall meet the code requirements.

(b)   All applications for permits shall be made on suitable forms provided.

(c)   The application shall be accompanied by a fee as per 1994 Uniform Administrative Code.

(Code 1985; Code 2019)

(a)   A plumber or plumbing contractor, as defined in section 4-202 above, shall, before doing any such work, file with the city clerk a surety bond in the sum of $5,000. Such bond shall be approved by the mayor as to form and by the city council as to surety and shall be conditioned that the principal therein will have the city free and harmless from all damages to all persons or property resulting from his or her negligence or the negligence of his or her agents or employees and further conditioned that he or she will restore all streets, alleys and sidewalks to the condition existing before the commencement of any work and that he or she will maintain the streets, alleys and sidewalks in such condition for six months subsequent to the completion of such work. No bond for the purpose of this article shall run for a longer period of time than two years and the bond shall remain in full force and effect as to any piece of work or excavation for six months after the same has been completed: provided, that no such bond may be extended by a renewal certificate but a new bond shall be given to the city in every case where an existing bond expires.

(b)   In lieu of a bond, such person, firm or corporation may file with the city clerk, a certificate of liability insurance covering the work to be performed. The certificate shall show that such person, firm or corporation is covered by a liability insurance policy issued by a corporation authorized to do business in Kansas and that the policy has a $300,000 minimum for bodily damages and $100,000 for property damage.

(Code 1985; Code 2019)

Final plumbing inspection must be made when all fixtures are complete and before any portion of the system is used. All plumbing work must be tested by the plumber. When it is inconvenient or impracticable to test the entire work at one time, it can be tested in sections, but each new partial test must include all portions of the work tested previously. All roughing in tests must be made in water or air. All inspections will be performed in a manner provided by the plumbing code.

(R.O. 1955, 3-504; Code 2004)

In buildings or structures that have been moved from one site to another or changed from their original position or remodeled, or when the premises have been visited by fire, all new work must conform to this article, and all old work shall be given smoke, peppermint or water test. If deemed necessary by the plumbing inspector and should the council so order, the plumbing shall be renewed before the sewer is again connected or put to any use whatever.

(R.O. 1955, 3-505)