Plumbing Appliance Installation
145.01(10)(a)1. 01/03/2018 Is a plumbing license/registration required to install an appliance?
Yes, if the appliance requires a connection to any of the following: a water supply system, a water distribution system, a wastewater drainage system, a reclaimed water system or a storm water use system. Acceptable licensure/registration for such work would include; Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Apprentice, Master Plumber-Restricted Appliance, Journeyman Plumber Restricted Appliance, and Registered Learner-Restricted Appliance.
The individual performing the work is required to be under the allowable direction of a State of Wisconsin licensed Master Plumber or Master Plumber-Restricted Appliance. Ice makers, for example, are recognized by the Department as plumbing appliances. The installation or replacement of ice makers would require the individual performing the water and indirect drain connections to possess a State of Wisconsin plumbing license/registration.
SPS 381.01(177) provides a definition of plumbing appliance. “Plumbing appliance" means any one of a special class of plumbing devices which is intended to perform a special function. The operation or control of the appliance may be dependent upon one or more energized components, such as motors, controls, heating elements, or pressure or temperature sensing elements. The devices may be manually adjusted or controlled by the user or operator, or may operate automatically through one or more of the following actions: a time cycle, a temperature range, a pressure range, or a measured volume or weight.
145.14(2)(b), Stats., Appliances, equipment or devices. Under this paragraph persons installing a water treatment device, a water heater, or any other item in connection with a water distribution system, including a stormwater use or reclaimed water system, which does not require a direct connection to a drain system are limited to making connections to existing installations. There shall be no drilling, tapping, or direct connection made to any waste or drain pipe to serve items installed under this section. The maximum length of water piping permitted to be installed under this section shall be the minimum required to connect the item to the system.