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 - March 2000 Wisconsin Plumbing Codes Report articles Choose from this list of articles especially edited for the WebSite or scroll down: 1. Having an interior plumbing plan approval doesn't always include review of exterior work; 2. Event Calendar; 3. Subscriptions; 4.Disability rules for lavatory drains that connect to an offset tailpiece; 5. Additional info soon in products register on attributes of POWTS components; 6. Misuse of mixing faucet for chemical dispenser; 7. You're invited to DNR drinking water public input sessions; 8. Comm 83 revisions also involve other codes 9. Handy plumbers' formulas and references; 10. There are multiple S&B plan review scheduling options; 11. Employment Opportunity - Clark County Assistant Zoning Administrator; 12. Response to survey of attendees at 1999-2000 S&B continuing education classes
1. Having an interior plumbing plan approval doesn't always include review of exterior work
by Dan Kraft, S&B Plumbing Plan Reviewer, 608-266-8075, dkraft@commerce.state.wi.us
Submitters and inspectors need to know that just because interior plumbing is reviewed and conditionally approved does not mean exterior work (building sewer and water service) is also reviewed. Plumbing plans can be submitted to the Safety and Buildings Division for approval of only the interior plumbing.
If a public building is being constructed, and will contain more than 11 plumbing fixtures, the sewer and water service must be reviewed and approved, in addition to the interior plumbing. Inspectors will check on site to see whether or not plans have been submitted and reviewed for the exterior work.
It is the responsibility of site contractors to find out if the sewer or water service they install is serving a public building that has 11 or more plumbing fixtures, and if so, that exterior plans are approved.
It is also good to remember that a Water Quality Management Letter (WQM) is needed before review can take place for projects in certain parts of the state.
A WQM letter is a required part of the submittal for public buildings that are discharging more than 54 drainage fixture units, and are making a new connection to the municipal sewer in specified areas.
This letter is required for review of plans for public buildings discharging more than 54 drainage fixture units to a new connection even if the submittal is for "interior only" review. With plans showing only interior plumbing and not existing site work, by default the reviewer must consider the sewer connection to be new.
An updated list of WQM areas was in the October 1999 WPCR. That info is also on the S&B WebSite, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-PlumbingWQMExplanation.html.
2. Event Calendar
Contact the listed Code Consultant for information on the meetings agenda, locations, etc. If you have questions concerning technicalities of the codes which are the subjects of the meetings, contact consultants and reviewers listed on page 2 of the WPCR or via the contacts link to the left above.
April 6, 2000 - Thursday - Commercial Building Code Council - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. -Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce - 501 East Wahington Ave, Madison - Sam Rockweiler, 608-266-0797, srockweiler@commerce.state.wi.us
April 6, 2000 - Friday - Pool Advisory Code Council - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Thompson Bldg., Rm. 3C, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison - Jean MacCubbin, 608-266-0955, jmaccubbin@commerce.state.wi.us
April 12, 2000 - Wednesday - Multifamily Dwelling Code Council - 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Wisconsin Builders Association, 4868 High Crossing Blvd., Madison - Sam Rockweiler, 608-266-0797, srockweiler@commerce.state.wi.us
Apr. 25, 2000 - Tuesday - International Building Code Energy Code Council - 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Thompson Commerce Center Rm. 3B, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison, Diane Meredith, 608-266-8982, dmeredith@commerce.state.wi.us
May 2, 2000 - Tuesday - Automatic Fire Sprinkler Council - 9:30 a.m. - Thompson Commerce Center, Rm. 4A, 201 W Washington Ave., Madison - Ron Acker, 608-267-7907, racker@commerce.state.wi.us
May 3, 2000 - Wednesday - Uniform Dwelling Code Council - 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. - Wisconsin Builders Association, 4868 High Crossing Blvd, Madison - Duane Hubeler, 608-266-1390, dhubeler@commerce.state.wi.us
3. Subscriptions
For those of you who receive the WBCR free because you have a particular license administered by the Safety and Buildings Division, for address changes contact the S&B Credentialing Unit, madisoncred@ commerce.state.wi.us, 608-261-8500.
People with paid subscriptions, may request service and address changes from Material Orders, PO Box 2509, Madison, WI 53701. Fax 608-261-6699. Telephone 608-267-4405. Email phobbs@ commerce.state.wi.us
Subscriptions are $20, payable in advance to the Safety and Buildings Division for 12 monthly issues.
4. Disability rules for lavatory drains that connect to an offset tailpiece
Comm 69.11/ADAAG 4.19.4 Exposed Pipes and Surfaces: Hot water and drain pipes under lavatories shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatories.
Question: Do the lavatory drain pipes need to be wrapped or placed behind a protective panel shield if the lavatory fixture drain is connected by an offset tailpiece?
Intent of Section: The intent of ADAAG 4.19.4 is to prevent people with disabilities from coming in contact with hot or abrasive drain pipes under lavatories. The dashed line in ADAAG Figure 31 shows the minimum knee clearance that is required for a person using a wheelchair to get under the lavatory and be able to reach the lavatory controls. Under-counter protection panels or shields may not be placed beyond these dashed lines since there will not be adequate knee clearance space provided for a person with a disability.
Answer: No. An offset tailpiece, which keeps the fixture drain piping as close as possible to the wall behind the lavatory is not required to be wrapped or placed behind a protective panel shield.
Reason for acceptance: An offset tailpiece provides more knee clearance than a standard lavatory tail piece. The additional clearance typically provided underneath the lavatory should prevent a person from coming in contact with the piping.
Accordingly, where a lavatory drain system uses an offset tailpiece, the drain piping is not required to be wrapped or placed behind a protective shield.
Comm 69 and appendices are available on the Internet as PDF: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/comm/comm069.html
State administrative codes and the code update service may be purchased by contacting state Document Sales, 608-266-3358, or 800-362-7253, for credit card purchases.
5. Additional info soon in products register on attributes of POWTS components
by Dan Jensen, S&B Plumbing Products Reviewer, 608-267-5265, djensen@commerce.state.wi.us
The plumbing product listings for Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) components will change in the summer edition of the Wisconsin Plumbing Products Register.
Treatment capabilities and options will be listed in future WPPR editions because more information is needed as the newly revised Comm 83 moves away from prescriptive restricting regulation towards more flexible design by performance.
The listings will have information included in Safety and Buildings Division product reviews, but which had not been printed in the register.
For example, sewage treatment tanks and apparatus will have their capacities, treatment capabilities, and applicable options listed. These changes will be made to help designers, installers, and regulators better define the capabilities of these products and the options of their use.
Another example: treatment tank listings will include the maximum depth-of-bury specified by tank manufacturers, to ensure tanks are buried no deeper than recommended. Designers will consider the depth a tank can be buried when preparing POWTS plans.
If a designer requests a tank be buried deeper than a manufacturer will normally allow, the tank manufacturer can build a tank for the site and specify on the delivery ticket the depth to which the tank is allowed to be buried. In this way, the inspector can be assured the tank will withstand the pressures to which the it will be subjected.
If you have questions, please contact Dan Jensen, 608-267-5265, djensen@commerce.state.wi.us, or Mike Beckwith (also a Plumbing Products Reviewer), 608-266-6742, mbeckwith@commerce.state.wi.us.
6. Don't get burned on a water closet
Misuse of mixing faucet for chemical dispenser
by Mike Beckwith, S&B Plumbing Products Reviewer, 608-266-6742, mbeckwith@commerce.state.wi.us
How would you like to flush a toilet that you're sitting on and get burned by hot water?
You may be asking yourself, who would pipe hot water to a water closet? Good question, but that was not the cause of this accident. The cause was the misuse of a mixing faucet and improper installation of a chemical dispenser.
The following is from an article published in the fall 1999 North American Backflow Association's Cross Examiner: A plumbing contractor's repairman was servicing a flushometer valve on a urinal in a large supermarket. A man in a nearby stall started to yell after he flushed the water closet he was sitting on and he was severely burned by hot water.
The store manager blamed the man's injury on the contractor.
Denying any responsibility, the contractor immediately started to look for the cause of the man's burn. The repairman discovered a chemical dispenser mounted near a janitor's sink in the janitor's room near the restroom. The sink's faucet was equipped with an integral atmospheric vacuum breaker, and a 2-way valve mounted on the faucet's outlet. The dispenser was connected to one side of the 2-way valve.
The hot and cold water valves of the faucet were left full open, under the direction of the chemical dispenser salesman who advised the store manager. The repairman was told the salesman installed the 2-way valve and wanted the faucets left full open so the dispenser would be pressurized at all times.
The contractor checked the cold water temperature in the restroom where the man was burned, and found the "cold water" to be 138oF. The contractor told the manager that the man was burned because the hot water was drawn into the cold water system and flowed to the water closet when it was flushed. The contractor told the manager that his installation was prohibited by the plumbing code and removed the 2-way valve from the faucet. He informed the manager that the dispenser required its own dedicated pressure vacuum breaker or reduced pressure principle assembly.
The man who suffered the burns received $5,000 from the supermarket for his trouble and his promise not to sue the store over this incident. A few weeks later, the repairman returned to the store and found the 2-way valve reinstalled and the faucets left full open to pressurize the chemical dispenser.
Now that you know how it happened, let me explain what can be done to avoid this happening again and what other harm this type of installation could cause.
Wisconsin requires all chemical dispensers that are connected to a faucet receive individual product approval. The approval is required in order to protect the water supply from contamination and cross-flow.
This is accomplished by ensuring the installation of a dispenser includes:
1. Proper backflow protection built into the unit or included as an integral part of the dispenser kit; and
2. The installation includes protection of the backflow protection device serving the faucet.
One component, referred to as a "water-wasting tee," serves two purposes (see sketch). The water-wasting tee not only protects the backflow preventer on the faucet, but also helps to prevent cross-flow.
When the faucet is turned on, the operator is provided with a visual indicator because water is not only diverted to the chemical dispenser, but also flows into the sink. This indicator reminds the operator to turn the water off when the use of the chemical dispenser is done. By shutting off the faucet, we prevent cross-flow and also ensure the backflow preventer on the faucet is not under continuous pressure.
The water wasting tee is connected to the faucet by the means of a quick-connect fitting. This allows easy connecting and disconnecting of the water wasting tee, so the faucet can then be used as originally intended.
Note: Installing faucets with check valves in the water supply piping provides additional protection against cross-flow.
7. You're invited to DNR drinking water public input sessions
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has scheduled public input sessions to gather comments on the state's drinking water programs and regulations. Specifically, the DNR is looking for feedback from people who work with or are served by systems that supply water to the public (cities, towns, apartment complexes, schools, restaurants, hotels, etc.), not private, residential systems.
* What problems, if any, does your water system have in complying with DNR drinking water regulations?
* What problems, if any, do you have in protecting your water system?
* What do you like and dislike about the way DNR does sanitary surveys and inspections?
* What problems, if any, does your system have in locating safe drinking water?
Wednesday, March 29, Wausau, City Hall Council Chambers, 407 Grant Street, 1-5 p.m.
Thursday, March 30, Green Bay, Wildlife Sanctuary Audit., 1660 East Shore Drive, 1-5 p.m.
Thursday, April 6, Wausau, City Hall Council Chambers, 407 Grant Street, 1-5 p.m.
You can send written comments to Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater, DG/2, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. For more information, contact Corinne Billings at 608-264-9246 or email, billic@dnr.state.wi.us.
8. Comm 83 revisions also involve other codes
Monthly series will feature new POWTS code provisions
by Roman Kaminski, S&B POWTS Program Manager, 715-345-5334, rkaminski@commerce.state.wi.us
After years of discussion and anticipation, it appears revisions to the Wisconsin Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Code, Comm 83, will be implemented this summer. The POWTS package was submitted to the Revisor of Statutes in February for official publishing and printing. Barring any legal action to block implementation, the code could be effective in June or July of this year. With that in mind, beginning with this issue of the WPCR, I will discuss details of the Comm 83.
Throughout the code promulgation process, Safety and Buildings Division staff referred to the Comm 83 "package." That is because even though the focus was on revisions to Comm 83, the changes also include other chapters.
Comm 2, Fee Schedule: Contains fees related to the S&B POWTS program. These fees are being considered in a Comm 2 revision package that was the subject of recent public hearings.
Comm 5, Credentials: Contains revisions that establish a new registration for individuals who will provide monitoring and maintenance services for POWTS components, such as aerobic treatment units, sand filters, and other components that require periodic status checks and/or service on a more frequent basis.
Comm 20-25, One and 2 Family Dwelling Code; Comm 50-64, Commercial Building Code; and Comm 66, Multifamily Dwelling Code: All have revisions to their appendices to clarify the building permit issuance process when projects include POWTS systems. Also, there is cross reference to a new Comm 91 that addresses privies, composting toilets, and incinerating toilets.
Comm 81, Definitions and Standards: The current suite of plumbing codes includes definitions and standards in each separate code chapter. This results in duplication of effort and sometimes confusion when a definition is worded differently in one code versus another. The new Comm 81 eliminates that problem. The first time someone looks through this chapter they may wonder how some of the definitions apply to their POWTS design. It is important to remember these definitions are meant for general plumbing, POWTS,plumbing products review, and soil and site evaluation.
People who work with POWTS will be benefit from review of the new definitions. Terms such as "aerobic treatment component," "domestic wastewater," and "POWTS dispersal component" are new to the POWTS program. An understanding of the terms is vital if you intend to design, install, inspect ,or maintain POWTS systems under the revised regulations.
Comm 82, Design, Construction, Installation, Supervision and Inspection of Plumbing: Includes changes to reflect revisions made in Comm 83. Among the more significant ones are:
> Recognition that sanitation needs can be met by "nonplumbing" means such as composting toilets;
> Eliminating the mandate from the plumbing code to connect to public sewer and/or water service. (Note the hook-up mandate was eliminated from the current Comm 83 as part of a rule change packages effective March 1, 2000);
> Establishment of requirements for sanitary dump stations that receive wastes from travel trailers; and
> A mandate that water softeners used primarily for water hardness reduction be of a demand-initiated regeneration type when the brine solution is discharged to a POWTS system.
In future issues of the WPCR, I will discuss in detail the provisions found in each of seven subchapters of Comm 83.
I will also show some design examples based on component manuals that are part of the revised code. These examples will focus on the more common types of POWTS systems and changes that have been made to design specifications to reflect research and actual site performance information.
Remember, the revised code and component manuals can be viewed and/or downloaded from a S&B WebSite page, http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-POWTSProgram.html. Choose Comm 83 background information.
Taking the time to begin getting familiar with the revised code(s) now will help assure a smoother transition as implementation takes place later in 2000.
9. Handy plumbers' formulas and references
Gradient and Other References
| Fractional inch |
Foot/foot |
Percent |
| 1/32 per foot |
.002604 |
.26 % |
| 1/16 per foot |
.00516 |
.52 % |
| 1/8 per foot |
.0104 |
1.04 % |
| 3/16 per foot |
.015625 |
1.56 % |
| 1/4 per foot |
.0208 |
2.08 % |
| 3/8 per foot |
.03125 |
3.125 % |
| 1/2 per foot |
.0416 |
4.16 % |
Handy Formulas
To convert fractional inch to decimal inch divide the numerator by the denominator
Example: 1/8 inch, divide 1 by 8 = .125
To convert decimal inch to fractional inch first decide the size of the denominator desired. Then multiply the desired denominator by the decimal inch. Place the answer over the denominator. Note: you may have to round off at times. Example: .125, .125 x 8 = 1 = 1/8 inch
To convert decimal feet to inches simply multiply decimal feet by 12. Example: .5 ft., .5 x 12 = 6 inches
To convert inches into decimal feet simply divide the inches by 12.
Example: 7 inchs, 7 divided by 12 = .583 ft.
The following is the order of progression that can be utilized to convert fractional inches (the preferred pitch reference for plumbers) to decimal foot (often referred to as foot/foot), or percentage foot. This is especially helpful in storm water plan review, since designers almost never specify pitch in fractional inches.
Problem: Convert fractional inch to percent per foot. Example: 1/4 inch, 1 divided by 4 = .25 decimal inch. Divide decimal inch by 12 = decimal feet times 100 = percent foot, or .25 divided by 12 = .0208 ft./ft. times 100 = 2.08%
10. There are multiple S&B plan review scheduling options
(POWTS plans are not scheduled in advance. They are assigned as received.)
Toll-free fax appointment scheduling for buildings and plumbing. The Safety and Buildings Division has a 24-hour fax line to receive plan review appointment requests: 877-840-9172. Faxing a filled-out front side of the building or plumbing plan review application forms provides information for S&B staff to use to schedule. Indicate on the appointment request whether you want the next available review statewide, or that you prefer to choose an office regardless of review date. You will receive a return fax with an appointment date, transaction identification number, and the name of the assigned reviewer. Plans must be received in the office of the appointment no later than two working days before the confirmed appointment.
You may email an appointment request to madisonsch@commerce.state.wi.us. Information needed in the email: name and address of project and submitter, description of project, and size of project or number of fixtures. Note requested office or desire for first available opening statewide.
Call any of the offices to schedule by telephone. If you wish to schedule a review appointment by phone, you may call any of the full-service offices listed on the application form, listed on page 2 of the WPCR, or available via the contacts link above left. Please have sufficient project information ready to make the appointment.
Forms and information on the next available appointment date are on the S&B WebSite. The S&B WebSite has up-to-date information on the next available review appointment date in each S&B full-service office, and has electronic copies of forms that can be printed or downloaded. The WebSite Home Page address is http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-HomePage.html. Look at "Plan Review Appointments" and "Forms" links on the left side of the page.
Codes are also online at the state legislature's Revisor of Statutes website: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/codtoc.html.
Get forms quickly from an automatic faxback system. You can telephone requests into an automatic fax system for copies of forms and other information, and have a fax sent back to you in minutes. To receive a menu of available forms, use a touchtone phone to dial the faxback number: 608-266-1018. When your call is answered, press *, then 1, then 0, then 5, then 1, and then enter your fax number. The current menu includes review application forms for buildings, plumbing, POWTS, pools, and elevators, the petition for variance form, and compliance statement forms.
If you don't schedule, your review will be assigned. Unscheduled submittals, and submittals received without a confirmed appointment date and transaction number on the form, will be scheduled when received. The plans may be assigned to offices other than the receiving office, depending on reviewer availability.
11. Employment Opportunity - Clark County Assistant Zoning Administrator
The Clark County Planning and Zoning Department is seeking applicants for a newly created position of full-time "Assistant Zoning Administrator." This position will assist with administration of the private sewage program and of non-metallic mining reclamation. Primary duties will be reviewing soil tests, holding tank plans and permit applications, conducting field inspections, and investigating complaints.
Required is a bachelor's degree in soil science, natural resources or a related field, and a minimum of 1-2 years professional experience. Possession of a Department of Safety and Professional Services Certified Soil Tester (CST) license is required, and a valid Wisconsin driver's license. Salary range: $36,442- $42,702, plus excellent benefits.
For applications contact the Clark County Planning & Zoning Department, 517 Court Street, Room 204A, Neillsville, WI 54456, 715-743-5130. Application deadline is Friday, March 31, 2000 at 5 p.m. Clark County is an EEO/CRC Employer.
12. Response to survey of attendees at 1999-2000 S&B continuing education classes
Has continuing education helped you?
| Class location |
Yes |
No |
No answer |
| Pewaukee |
101 |
6 |
18 |
| Platteville |
95 |
1 |
12 |
| Rhinelander |
146 |
13 |
15 |
| Hayward |
79 |
5 |
3 |
| Mauston |
162 |
1 |
3 |
| Fond du Lac |
174 |
2 |
3 |
| Green Bay |
146 |
9 |
14 |
| Stevens Point |
126 |
9 |
21 |
| Madison |
199 |
22 |
18 |
| total |
1228 |
68 |
107 |
Email page 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.