Lastname, Firstname 2004-06-22 2004-06-22 2005-06-30 Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Safety and Buildings Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Safety and Buildings, Commerce, Safety and Buildings, Comm, Credentials, Certifications, Buildings Codes, Registrations, Construction, Public Safety, Licenses, Permits, License application forms, Trades, Administrative codes, Regulations, Statutes, Administrative rules, Cities, City, Towns, County, Counties, Municipal, Ordinances, Hygiene, Hazardous, Diseases, Design, Engineering, Continuing education, Audits, Grants, POWTS, Private wastewater treatment systems, Septic field, Septic tanks, Sewage treatment, Sewage disposal, Accessibility, Accessible, Disability, Disabilities, Clean air, Clean water, Air quality, Public sector employees, Applications, Plan review, State, Bureau of Program Development, Bureau of Field Operations, Bureau of Integrated Services, Environmental assessments, Environmental impact statement, Soil erosion, Drinking water, Appliances, Plumbing Products, Fire prevention and protection, Firefighter safety, Fire Sprinklers, Rental unit energy efficiency, Rental weatherization, Commercial buildings, Forms, Publications, Plumbing, Inspection, Inspectors, Consultants, Waste disposal, Historic buildings, Occupational and industrial safety, Occupational health, One and two family dwellings, Houses, Housing, Homes, Multifamily dwellings, Mine Safety, Mining, Mines, Open pits, Quarries, Blasters, Plumbers, Electricians, Boilers, Wastewater, Elevators, Lighting, Energy, Mobile homes, Manufactured homes, Welding, Structural systems, Gas systems, HVAC, Refrigeration, Public swimming pools, Wisconsin Fund, Explosives, Amusement rides and attractions, Tramways lifts and tows, Government facts figures and statistics Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Safety and Buildings, Commerce, Safety and Buildings, Building, Wisconsin, Safety, Construction, License. Safety and Buildings Division - August 2001 Wisconsin Plumbing Codes Report articles Select the number of the title of an article that interests you, or scroll down: 1. To protect health and water supplies, hydrants cannot include a below-ground bleed; 2. Measuring horizontal POWTS setbacks from mounds to wells; 3. More about keeping various types of plans at construction sites; 4. Continuing Education - Cross Connection Control; 5. Black River Falls is trial S&B exam site; 6. Numbering changes major part of revisions to manufactured/mobile homes codes; 7. Advertising space for continuing education classes; 8. Plumbing code revisions to be offered   1.To protect health and water supplies, hydrants cannot include a below-ground bleed
To be code compliant in Wisconsin, a yard hydrant can not include a below-ground bleed feature, otherwise known as a "stop and waste-type control valve." Such products are prohibited by Comm 82.40(8)(e)2. Many yard hydrants have other frost proof features to serve the purpose of the below-ground bleed. Plumbing manufacturers offer many makes and models of yard hydrants. Contractors, installers, and home owners need to pay attention to models approved for sale in Wisconsin, in order to have the benefits of protection of water supplies and health. All products must be installed according to the manufacturer's printed instructions, and as specified in Comm 84.10(5). If the manufacturer's instructions are written so as to allow the installation of a yard hydrant without a below-ground bleed, the hydrant may have a reservoir tank to store drainage water and aspirate it at the next use. Backflow protection on the hose connection is an important requirement for yard hydrant installation. The hose connection vacuum breaker is approved for high hazard, non-continuous use. For continuous use, a cross connection control device or assembly suitable for high hazard, continuous pressure, backsiphonage situations would need to be installed upstream of the hydrant. For more information, contact any of the plumbing plan reviewers or consultants.   2. Measuring horizontal POWTS setbacks from mounds to wells
by Roman Kaminski, S&B POWTS Program Manager, 715-345-5334, rkaminski@commerce.state.wi.us Comm Table 83.43-1 of the POWTS Code refers to NR 811 and NR 812 in the Department of Natural Resources codes for guidance on horizontal setbacks from wells to treatment, holding, or dispersal components of private onsite wastewater treatment systems. Table A in NR 812.08, which lists "minimum separation distance requirements between potable or nonpotable wells, reservoirs, springs, and possible sources of contamination," includes a 50-foot setback to a "Mound System (measured to the toe of the mound)." Previous versions of Comm 83 contained references to a 50-foot setback from a "soil absorption system" to a water well. In 1990, the Safety and Buildings Division issued an official code interpretation stating that for mound systems on a sloping site the setback distance could be measured from the upslope or sideslope edge of the aggregate. While this interpretation addressed the provisions found in Comm 83.10(1), it did not address the provisions found in NR 812. In order to maintain consistent application of the provisions of both current codes, (Comm 83 and NR 812) as they relate to horizontal setbacks to wells, S&B has decided the setback distance from a well to a mound system will be measured from the perimeter of the mound as is listed in Table A of NR 812.08. If the required setback cannot be maintained, the property owner or their agent will have to contact the DNR to obtain a variance to the applicable provisions of NR 812. If a plan submittal to S&B includes a copy of a letter from the DNR stating that the variance request to the well setback has been approved, the plan will be processed with a reference noted to the variance document. If a plan submittal includes a mound design with a minimum setback distance measured from the sideslope or upslope edge of the aggregate, rather than the perimeter of the mound, the plan may be conditionally approved. The condition would be that the owner or their agent obtain a variance from the DNR to the well code provisions prior to submitting the plan and related paperwork to the county for issuance of a Sanitary Permit. If you have any questions regarding this issue, contact any POWTS Plan Reviewer or Wastewater Specialist.   3. More about keeping various types of plans at construction sites
Last month's WBCR article addressing requirements for approved plans to be kept at construction sites did not mention several important items that were pointed out by one of the Safety and Buildings Division's municipal agents. Commercial construction sites with land disturbance of five acres or more must have erosion control plans at the site available for review by the building inspector upon request. Where automatic fire sprinkler systems are to be installed or altered, sprinkler plans and specifications must be present at the job site and made available upon request, to Safety and Buildings Division staff, our agents, or local governmental agencies exercising jurisdiction. When a project involves the alteration or addition of 20 or fewer sprinkler heads to an existing automatic fire sprinkler system, sprinkler plans will not be required unless required by local ordinance. When sprinkler plans and specifications are not provided, the contractor responsible for the work must provide a written description available to inspectors upon request. Finally, lighting plans must also be made available upon request. While lighting plans are no longer included in pre-construction state building plan review submittals, calculations to determine code compliance still need to be done by designers and must be made available upon request by state or local inspectors.   4. Continuing Education
Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention; 32-hour or 8-hour sessions; Fall and Winter 2001, Five sites in Wisconsin and Minnesota; There is a fee; Either 32 hours or 8 hours for JP, JPRA, MP, MPRA, UDC-Plumbing Inspect.; Trio Center, 507-386-0012, trio@javensmech.com.   5. Black River Falls is trial S&B exam site
The Arrowhead Lodge, Highways 94 and 54, Black River Falls is a new exam site for Safety and Buildings Division credentials. On a trial basis, exams will be held there on October 10, February 6 (2002), April 10, and June 5, for people who register in advance. Other S&B exam sites are in Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau, all of which have exams held each month. For more information, or to register for an exam, contact the S&B Credentialing Unit, 608-261-8500, madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us.   6. Numbering changes major part of revisions to manufactured/mobile homes codes
Effective August 1, 2001, codes administered by the Safety and Buildings Division pertaining to manufactured/mobile homes will have new numbers and some slight changes. In July 2000, by legislative mandate, S&B began enforcing the manufactured home codes relative to mobile home park licensing, manufactured home dealer licensing, and manufactured home salesperson licensing. These rules were previously administered by the Department of Administration and were identified as "Adm" rules. With the transfer of enforcement and administration of these rules to S&B in the Department of Safety and Professional Services, it has come the time to change the Adm rules to "Comm" rules, the prefix used by Commerce. Since there are already Comm rules with the numbers previously used under the Adm system - Comm 66, Multi-Family, and Comm 67, Rental Weatherization - a new series was created for the manufactured home rules, the 90 series. To try to minimize the confusion, the secondary numbers were retained - Adm 65, 66, 67, and 68 become Comm 95, 96, 97, and 98, respectively. When changing the Adm codes to the Comm codes there were not only the number changes, but also some slight changes to the code language itself. Some changes included items such as referencing Commerce instead DOA, and corrections to some of the referenced statutory sections. Codes are available electronically on the state Revisor of Statutes' website, which can be accessed from S&B's WebSite, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivCodesListing2001.html. Paper copies of the codes can be purchased from state Document Sales, sold as a set, 608-266-3358, or 800-362-7253, for credit card purchases. When ordering, ask for Comm 95 - 98, "Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks, Sellers and Dealers."   7. Advertising space for continuing education classes
Advertising space is available in the Safety and Buildings Division codes reports for continuing education classes approved by the division. (The division reviews the content and provide a written approval of classes for people who have con ed responsibilities for their S&B license, registration, or certification.) The Wisconsin Building Codes Report is delivered monthly to about 4,300 frequent plan submitters, inspectors, fire chiefs, and fire sprinkler credential holders. The Wisconsin Plumbing Codes Report is a monthly publication delivered to about 9,900 people as part of their plumbing certification, license, or registration with the Safety and Buildings Division. Advertising can be either a free classified-type ad or paid display ad space. Example of a classified ad: "How to Build a Pyramid in 24 Hours; December 31, 2001, Luxor, Egypt; There is a fee; Approved for 24 hours con ed credit for UDC-Inspectors; Contact Tut, 333-444-5555." For more information on continuing education class approval , contact S&B's Credentialing Unit, 608-267-3606, madisoncred@commerce.state.wi.us For more information on advertising , contact Todd Taylor, S&B editor, 608-267-3606, Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov   8. Plumbing code revisions to be offered
by Lynita Docken, S&B Plumbing Program Manager, 608-785-9349, ldocken@commerce.state.wi.us The advisory Plumbing Code Council, meeting with Safety and Buildings Division staff, has recommended revisions to Comm 81, 82 and 84 of the Uniform Plumbing Code. Public hearings on the proposals are anticipated in the Fall of 2001, with possible implementation of any code changes in Spring, 2002. As an introduction to the revisions, here's a description of some of the current ideas concerning Comm 82. Comm 82.10(3) is proposed to include composting toilets receiving water carried wastes as an alternative to a conventional water closet. There are currently requirements in Comm 82.10(7) that provisions shall be made for the holding, treatment, and dispersal of wastewater when fixtures don't connect to a public sewer system. The new proposals recognize recycling as an option for wastewater discharged from plumbing fixtures. Standards that recycled wastewater must meet are described in the proposal. Comm 82.10(14) and (15) are proposed to add to the plumbing principles the statutory directive to protect the waters of the state and that drain systems discharge or disperse by an approved method. There are several proposed revisions to plan review requirements of Comm 82.20, including changes to what is to be reviewed, what information is required for submission, and what professional is required to sign submittals. A proposed addition to Comm 82.21 is to have the municipal plumbing inspector observe the final test. Another proposed revision for 82.21 is the prohibition of the reuse of materials for potable water if the material previously contained nonpotable liquids. Comm Table 82.30-1 could have a new note proposed allowing the assignment of drainage fixture unit values based on the diameter of the tailpiece of any sink not listed in the table. A 1-1/4-inch tailpiece would be one dfu, a 1-1/2-inch tailpiece would be two dfu, and a 2-inch tailpiece would be three dfu. Revisions proposed for Comm 82.30 include allowing prefabricated sump and pump systems, new options for insulating sewers, and code language to allow one sewer to be installed under or through a building without an approved petition for variance. A proposal for Comm 82.31 would allow island fixture vents to be installed for fixtures other than those located in an island situation. Another proposal allows one or two fixtures with a fixture unit value of one or less to discharge into a vent, forming a wet vent. This requirement is nearly identical with the current language of Comm 82.31(13)(c)1, and would allow the installation of a vertical wet vent or horizontal common vent in conjunction with a wet vent serving a floor outlet fixture. The combination drain and vent system for stacks containing three identical fixtures on separate floors is proposed to be amended to accept different types of fixtures. It is proposed to allow in Comm 82.32 alternatives to a trap seal primer valve, such as a low evaporation rate liquid or other form of trap seal protection. Comm 82.33 has revisions proposed to the type of receptors permitted. One revision would allow a cross connection control device or assembly, water treatment device, air conditioner, humidifier or furnace to discharge to a 1 1/2-inch or larger tailpiece. Another proposal would allow the T&P relief valve, water treatment device, cross connection control device or assembly, sterilizer or furnace or air conditioner serving a one- and two-family dwelling to discharge into the riser of a floor drain. For 82.33 is suggested permitting a 2-inch standpipe for an automatic clothes washer to terminate at least 26 inches, but not more than 48 inches, above the floor. Dishwashing machine connections are also proposed to be revised. The new language would allow the option of discharging the wastewater from a dishwasher through an air-gap/air-break into the dishwasher connection of a food waste grinder. Proposals for Comm 82.34 make extensive changes in the requirements for garage floors. The revisions would require a garage catch basin only where vehicles are serviced. Where vehicles are stored or parked, a floor drain with a solid bottom sediment bucket would be permitted. There are many more revisions to Comm 82.34 concerning trapping, venting, and cleanouts. Comm 82.35 proposals include requiring cleanouts on the same floor level as the horizontal piping being served, not requiring a cleanout serving a wet-vented single fixture, and allowing tee-pattern fittings for cleanouts where the opening is within 18 inches of the centerline of the horizontal piping. One of the current issues with Comm 82.40 is that currently potable water is required for all plumbing fixtures and devices. This is proposed to be revised so that private well owners may continue to use water from the wells for uses not requiring water that meets drinking water standards. An example of this could be a water supply with a nitrate level of 15 mg/L. The current standard for drinking water is 10 mg/L. The toilets and hose bibbs in the home may not be required to dispense drinking water, however the homeowner may choose to treat drinking water taps. Another proposal is to allow water distribution piping downstream of water treatment devices to be sized and be of a material specified by the manufacturer of the device, if the downstream outlets discharge less than one gallon per minute. It is proposed to completely revise Comm 82.50, Health Care and Related Facilities. Comm 82.51, Mobile home sites and parks, is proposed to be revised to reflect current technology and installations. Creation of Comm 82.70 is proposed to contain water quality standards for specific uses in wastewater treatment and water supply systems. This section would give guidance and codified standards to designers of stormwater use and graywater reuse systems. If you're interested in learning more about these code revision proposals, or would like to learn more about advisory code council meetings or the public hearings, contact me, Lynita Docken, ldocken@commerce.state.wi.us. Email this page's manager, Todd Taylor, Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov The Department of Safety and Professional Services Safety and Buildings Division is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. If you need assistance to access services or need material in an alternate format, please contact us, 608-266-3151, TTY 608-264-8777, or Todd.Taylor@Wisconsin.gov.