Ord. 0115 1965-06-24t- 7-4
ORDINANCE NO. 115
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING WORK IN THE
CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
ORDINANCE: REQUIRING PERMITS AND PRESCRIBING FEES FOR
PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING: PRESCRIBING SPECIFICATIONS FOR
PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS, GAS PIPING AND GAS APPLIANCES:
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR'VIOLATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE:
PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE: REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT HEREWITH: AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION OF
A DESCRIPTIVE CAPTION OR TITLE OF THIS ORDINANCE, STATING
IN SUMMARY THmPURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE PENALTY FOR
VIOLATION THEREOF.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND,
TEXAS, THAT:
ARTICLE I
Application of Ordinance and Definitions
SECTION I. APPLICATION OF ORDINANCE
This Ordinance shall be known as the Plumbing Code of
the City of Pearland and shall apply to all plumbing and gas
fitting work, as herein defined, installed, constructed,
erected, altered, added to or built upon, within the City of
Pearland. This Ordinance shall not apply to work done by
employees of the City of Pearland or contractors for the City
of Pearland who are supervised by the City in laying of City
Water Mains and Service Lines, and City Sewer Mains and
Service Lines, and shall not apply to the installation of
gas distributing mains and services in the streets and alleys
by employees of any gas distributing company.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Ordinance unless the text otherwise
requires:
(a) '°PLUMBING" includes the installation, repair,
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replacement and alterations of pipes, fixtures, appliances,
and apparatus to conduct and receive water, soil pipes, drains,
sewers, and devices to remove waste and surplus water and the
necessary traps and ventilating pipes. "Plumbing" also
includes the means of sewage disposal where no public sewer
exists, but does not include digging of ditches, excavations,
handling or distributing of materials, tools or similar work.
(b) "GAS FITTING" includes the installation, repair,
replacement, and relocation of pipes, fixtures and other
apparatus for distributing a gas supply for illuminating or
fuel purposes in any premises and shall include, but without
limitation, the installation of wall heaters, floor furnaces,
unit heaters, or any type of concealed gas connections.
(c) "MASTER PLUMBER" is any person licensed as a
master plumber by the Texas Board of Plumbing Examiners or
a partnership, corporation or other entity engaged in the
plumbing or gas fitting buisness, a member or officer of
which is so licensed and is its supervisor of plumbing or
gas fitting installation.
(d) "CITY OF PEARLAND" means area within the corporate
limits of the City of Pearland and with respect to plumbing
includes any building outside the corporate limits which is
connected to either the City water or sewerage systems, or
the local gas company.
ARTICLE II
Enforcement, Inspector and Inspections
SECTION 3. GENERAL
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The administration and enforcement of the Plumbing
Code is hereby assigned to and shall be the responsibility
of the "Plumbing Inspector."
SECTION 4. QUALIFICATIONS OF PLUMBING INSPECTORS
The Plumbing Inspector shall have had experience as
plumber and shall be a licensed plumbing inspector for the
City of Pearland, Texas.
SECTION 5. PLUMBING INSPECTOR REGULATED
The Plumbing Inspectors shall not own, be connected
with, or have any pecuniary interest whatsoever
business regulated by this Ordinance; and
office or official position in any organiz
are required to be licensed or registered
provided, however, that this shall not be
in any
shall not hold
ation whose members
under this Ordinance,
construed to prevent
the Plumbing Inspector from holding membership in such an
organization.
SECTION 6. DUTIES AND POWERS OF INSPECTORS
It shall be the duty of the Plumbing Inspector, either
in person or by an authorized representative, to receive all
applications for permits to install gas fitting or plumbing
work, and to issue permits therefor, as herein provided. The
Plumbing Inspector shall inspect all plumbing or gas fitting
now in use or being constructed, or which may hereafter be
installed, altered, extended or repaired in the City of Pearland.
The Plumbing Inspector making the inspection shall issue his
approval of all such work which is found by him to comply with
this Ordinance. By written order he shall direct the owner
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or person in charge of any building or structure where
imperfect plumbing or gas fitting may be located, or the
agent of such owner or person, to stop and prevent the use
or construction of same until such plumbing or gas fitting
shall have been properly installed or repaired. The
Plumbing Inspector is hereby authorized to enter any house
or premises in the City of Pearland, at any time upon
presenting theproper identification, to inspect any plumbing
or gas fitting therein, for the purposes of this Ordinance.
SECTION 7. INSPECTION REQUIRED
No plumbing or gas fitting work for which a permit is
herein required,shall be connected with the City water or
sewer system, or to any gas distributing system, nor shall
the same be used, until such work has been inspected and
approved as provided in this Ordinance. Requests for in-
spection must be filed at the office of the Plumbing Inspector
at least twenty four (24) hours before any inspection is
desired. No inspection will be made on Sundays or legal
holidays except in special cases of emergency.
SECTION 8. TESTING INSTALLATIONS
No water, gas, soil, drain, or vent pipe shall be
covered from view or concealed until after the work has
been tested, inspected, and approved by the Plumbing Inspector.
If any part of the work is covered before being inspected
and approved, it shall be uncovered at the expense of the
permittee; when roughing -in, is complete, the entire water and
drainage system, including the house sewer, shall be prepared
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for inspection, if conditions permit. Soil and waste stacks
shall be plugged and filled with water to the highest point,
and all joints shall be made watertight. Any defective
material shall be replaced with sound material, and water
tests shall be repeated until the work is found to be
tight and to conform to the requirements of this Ordinance.
The use of cement, sealing wax, rosin, paint, tallow or other
material or agency which may prevent, or in any way tend to
prevent, the detection of any cracks, sand holes, or other
imperfections in any material used in plumbing is prohibited.
When roughing -in is complete and before being covered up, an
air pressure test of fifteen (15) pounds per square inch shall
be maintained on the gas system for fifteen (15) minutes.
Caulking or the use of gas fitter's cement for repairing leaks
is strictly prohibited and all faulty work in piping and all
imperfect fittings must be replaced.
SECTION 9. FINAL INSPECTION AND TESTS
(a) Final inspection shall be made on sanitary plumbing
and gas when the work is fully complete and the building is
ready for occupancy.
(b) A final test on the gas piping shall be made after
the water heaters, wall heaters, floor furnace and gas cocks
have been installed and shall be made with five (5) pounds
air pressure. Whenever changes or extensions are made to any
gas piping from a point where no gas stop has been provided
in the original gas system, the plumber or person in charge
of same must prepare the entire system for inspection and
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test same with a five (5) pound air pressure test for fifteen
(15) minutes.
The Permittee shall notify the Plumbing Inspector
when the work is ready for final inspection and arrange for
the building to be unlocked so the Inspector may enter same.
The equipment and labor necessary for making the required
tests and inspections shall be furnished by the Permittee.
SECTION 10. REINSPECTION
When a request for inspection is made, and upon
such inspection, the plumbing or gas fitting work does not
meet all requirements of this Ordinance, the Master Plumber
or owner doing his own work shall be notified of the defects
existing, which defects shall be promptly corrected and a re-
quest for a re -inspection shall be made for which a reinspec-
tion fee shall be paid.
ARTICLE III
Permits and Fees
SECTION 11. PERMITS REQUIRED
No plumbing or gas fitting work shall be performed
in any building in the City of Pearland nor fixtures added
thereto until a permit has been issued therefor by the Plumb-
ing Inspector or his agent as herein provided. All applica-
tions for permits for plumbing, or gas fitting, shall give the
correct location of the building, and a full and complete
statement of the work and fixtures to be installed.
When required by the Plumbing Inspector, any such
application shall be accompanied by a complete plan of the
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work to be performed. All work described or shown on plans
shall conform to the terms of this Ordinance.
SECTION 12. SPECIAL PERMITS AUTHORIZED
A special permit, in writing, may be issued by the
Plumbing Inspector only where additional fixtures are to
be installed which cannot be constructed practicably in
accordance with all of the provisions of this Ordinance, if
in the judgment of the Plumbing Inspector conditions require
it, but such conditions or alterations shall be of a character
that will make the plumbing in the building as a whole conform
to the spirit of the requirements of this Ordinance. Applica-
tion for the above permit shall be made in writing accompanied
by a sketch showing the work to be done; said sketch must be
kept on file in the City Building Inspector`s Office. In
remodeling and other work pertaining to but not specifically
covered by this Ordinance, the Plumbing Inspector may prescribe
such specifications as may be necessary and shall be consulted
before any work is started.
SECTION 13. PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO OBTAIN PERMITS
Permits for all plumbing and gas fitting work shall be
issued only in the name of a person, firm or corporation,
who is authorized or permitted by the State Plumbing License
Law to do such work, or a Master Plumber, as herein defined.
No person shall wilfully make any false statement to the
Plumbing Inspector or his authorized representative in order
to obtain a permit.
SECTION 14. OWNER MAY DO WORK
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The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to a
person performing plumbing or gas fitting -work with his own
hands on premises owned or occupied by him as his home.
Such person must first obtain from the Plumbing Inspector
a permit to do such work and shall pay the inspection fee
provided by this Ordinance; provided that said work shall
be subject to inspection and approval by the Plumbing
Inspector and shall strictly conform to the requirements
of this Ordinance.
SECTION 15. BOND REQUIRED
(a) No person,firm or corporation or other entity
engaged in the Plumbing appliance installation or gas fitting
business shall be issued a permit under this ordinance until
such person, firm, corporation or other entity has made,
executed and delivered to the City Secretary a good and
sufficient bond in the sum of $1,000.00 payable to the City
of Pearland, with corporate surety authorized to do business
in the State of Texas, and conditioned for the faithful per-
formance of all work entered upon or contracted for, and in
strict accordance and compliance with the terms, requirements
and provisions of this Ordinance; and conditioned further,
that such person, firm or corporation shall without additional
cost to the person for whom the work is done, remedy any
defects therein due to faulty workmanship or material, and
that such person, firm or corporation shall reconstruct or
repair such work to the satisfaction of the Plumbing Inspector
within 72 hours after notice of such inspection and findings
by him.
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(b) Upon five (5) days' written notice to the principal
of said bond and to the City Secretary of the City of Pear -
land, the surety on said bond shall have the privilege of
cancelling any such bond. Cancellation of any such bond shall
not cancel or reduce the surety's liability on any transaction
begun before 12 o'clock noon on the effective date of a
cancellation. Said bond shall contain a provision stating the
substance of this requirement of notice of cancellation.
(c) The City of Pearland may for itself, or for the use
and benefit of any person injured or damaged by reason of
failure to repair any defective plumbing or gas fitting, or
defective installation, or construction in connection there-
with, or for failure or refusal to pay any of the fees re-
quired by this Ordinance, maintain suit on said bond, or suit
may be maintained thereon by any person so injured. All bonds
shall be for a period ending next ensuing December 31st, and
should the coverage of any such bond be reduced by recovery,
or for any other reason, the surety on said bond shall
immediately notify the City Secretary of the City of Pearland
and thereafter, the principal will not be issued any permit
provided for herein until the coverage of the bond is fully
restored.
SECTION 16. FEES
The permit and inspection fees herein provided shall be
paid to the City of Pearland before the issuance of a permit
and before any work is started. The fees shall be as follows:
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Permit and
Type of Work Inspection Fee
Tub
Commode
Lavatory
Gas Opening
Sewer Inspection
Hot Water Heater
Sink
Utility Sink
Washer Connection
Ground Inspection
Cover Up Inspection
Re -Inspection
Average
$ .50 $ 1.00
.50 1.00
.50 1.00
.25 1.50
2.00 2.00
.50 .50
.50 .50
.25
.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
.50
2.50
2.50
2.50
Minutes of Special Council Meeting December 2, 1965.
A motion was made by Councilman Calvin, seconded by Councilman
Cogbill that a reduction of 50% be extended to churches
and public schools for electrical permits.
ARTICLE IV
Specifications for Plumbing Installations
SECTION 18.
All plumbing work performed in the City of Pearland shall
conform to the specifications herein provided:
(1) The drainage system of every house or building shall
be separately and independently connected with the City sewer,
except fixtures in outhouses and auxiliary buildings on the
same lot may be connected to the main building sewer. This
provision shall also apply when two dwellings are erected on
the same lot, one behind the other.
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(2) When there is no City sewer available, an approved
septic tank shall be used with the approval of the City
Health Department. Application for the use of a septic tank
must be made to the City Secretary and the installation of
said septic tank shall be under the supervision of the City
Plumbing Inspector. Plans and specifications for septic
tank shall be obtained from the City Secretary.
(3)
No person shall tap into or connect with any
public sanitary sewer, or connect or cause to be connected any
plumbing to such public sewer, or to any house drain or house
sewer leading to such public sewer, without first obtaining
the proper permits for such purpose and having the work
approved by the Plumbing Inspector.
(4) It shall be unlawful for the owner, occupant, or
person in control, of any premises to discharge, or permit to
be discharged, into the City sanitary sewer system or into
any private sewer leading to such system, directly or indirectly,
any gasoline, benzine, naptha, or volatile liquids which are
likely to produce an explosive gas when exposed to the air; or
any strong acid, alkali, oil, tar, or other substance or
compound, the action of which will be detrimental to the
proper purifying action in any sewage treatment plant established
or operated by the City of Pearland, or that will be injurious
to the sewer system or such plant itself, or any vapors,
gases or fumes from any commercial or industrial water or
refuse.
(5) Water from any car washing rack must not enter the
sanitary sewer or storm sewer unless approved sand trap is
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used. Specifications of same may be provided by the Plumbing
Inspector, and appear in detail section of this Ordinance.
(6) House sewers shall be run in practical alignment
and grade of not less than one-fourth inch (1/4") fall per
foot, and shall have a cover of not less than six inches
(6") at the building and at least twelve (12") below the
established gutter grade of any street or alley at the
point where such sewer line crosses the property line to
connect with the sewer main.
(7) Durion pipe and fittings or other approved acid -
resisting material may be used where required to resist acids.
(8) All soil pipes receiving discharges from fixtures
and all vent lines must be of standard cast iron, brass pipe
(iron pipe sizes and weights) with standard pipe thread with
recessed drainage fittings, hard tempered copper tubing with
cast brass recessed drainage fittings or lead pipe not lighter
than seven (7) pounds fourteen (14) ounces per foot for 4",
four (4) pounds twelve (12) ounces per foot for 2". All
copper under slab must be Type "L".
(9) Cast iron soil or vent pipes shall be of the bell
and spigot type and the joints shall be firmly packed with
oakum and secured with molten lead not less than one (1) inch
deep, and caulked until perfectly tight joints are secured.
All joints on lead pipe, or between lead and brass pipe can
be wiped joints, known to the plumbing trade as round or
branch pipe joints, or drive ferrells and lead pipe may be used.
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The drilling and tapping of house drains, waster or vent
pipes and the use of saddle hubs and bends are prohibited.
(10) All changes in direction shall be made by the
use of wyes, combination wye and eighth bends, long sweep
quarter bends, sixth, eighth, or sixteenth bends; sanitary
tees and crosses may be used only in vertical lines. Quarter
bends may be used in soil and waste lines where the change
in the direction of flow is from horizontal to the vertical.
The foot of all stacks shall have a wye and bend, long sweep
quarter bends, or two eighth eighth bends combination wye and
eighth bends where the change is from vertical to horizontal.
(11) Tapped tees may be used in vertical stacks
for lavatories or sinks or tapped cross from two fixtures of
the same trap level. All arms must be of L Weight copper,
brass, lead or galvanized pipe. Where copper is used, all
fittings must be sweated. When lead is used, if solder nipple
is used, it must be wiped to lead and flange wipe joint where
trap is wiped in. No tubular traps are to be used unless flange
wiped or sweated. If galvanized pipe is used, slip joints are
to be used outside finished walls. one lavatory or one sink
may enter a four inch vent stack by means of a tapped tee, or
two of t±ese fixtures by means of tapped cross. All sink arms
shall be of 14 inch pipe, only one fixture allowed on each arm.
Lavatory arm may be 14 inch pipe0 No arm shall be longer than
30". Single lavatory may be vented with 14" copper pipe where
waste is of 12" copper.
(12) All horizontal soil and waste pipes must be
graded and given uniform fall, and if located above the ground
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must be supported by piers built of masonry or suspended
from beans or joists every five feet (51) in back of hubs
by iron hangers of not less than eighteen (18) gauge metal.
(13) Every building in which a water closet is
installed shall have at least one four inch (4") soil pipe
waste and vent stack and shall continue its full size to at
least twelve inches above the roof and not less than ten feet
above the ground except an all copper plumbing system which
may be one size smaller and according to the National Plumbing
Code.
(14) Ferrules shall be of a good quality of brass
composed of a mixture that will fuse readily with plumbers2
solders free from sand holes,, flaws or other defects, uniform
in thickness„ and at least four and one-half inches (41")
long, and of the following sizes and weights:
Inside Diameter Weight
2 inches
3 inches
4 inches
1 lb. 4 oz.
1 lb. 14 oz.
2 lb. 8 oz.
(15) The lead traps, bends and stubs shall be six
(6) pounds per square foot and there shall be not less than
four inches (4") of lead between the wiped joint and the
finished floor. All lead bends under closet bowls shall be
of not less than four inch (4") pipe.
(16) A 4" clean out plug fitting must be on house
drain two feet outside building brought up flush with top of
ground and visible. Sink clean outs must be exposed on the
outside wall. No tapped tees to be used as clean out fitting.
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(17) All revents may be of 11/2" galvanize for
minor fixtures from waste tee through roof or tied into vent
stack. All washing machines connected to sanitary sewer must
do so by means of proper P trap and vented except where a P
trap may be installed in a sink line by means of a Y or TY
when the inlet opening of said trap is not over thirty inches
off sink line. Drain line from trap to machine must not be
less than 11/2" copper or cast iron pipe and not over 16 feet
long.
(18) Each and every fixture having a waste pipe
shall be separately and independently trapped with a water
sealing trap placed as near the fixture as practical and not
more than thirty-six inches (36") from the fixture, except
that a set of not more than three (3) laundry trays or
lavatories may connect with a single trap. No fixture shall
be double trapped.
(19) Each and every trap shall be protected from
siphonage or air pressure and if over thirty-six (36) inches
from a continuous vent shall be separately vented, except
that each battery of two (2) to eight (8) fixtures connected
in series consisting of water closets or urinals in toilet
rooms on the same floor may be installed with a system of loop
venting by bringing a vent the same size as the waste line
up between the last two fixtures and returning full size to
main vent stack not less than forty-two inches (42") above the
floor, or continuing separately through roof full size, thus
forming a circuit vent system. where fixtures discharge above
such branch each branch shall be provided with a relief vent
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at least one-half the diameter of the soil or waste branch,
taken off in front of the first fixture connection.
(20) When an additional closet is set on a four
(4") inch branch waste line thirty feet (302) or less in
length from a main house drain or soil line within the same
building, it may be vented with a two inch (2") vent. One
minor fixture, except kitchen sink waste will be permitted
to enter this vent line.
(21) Two fixtures of the same type whose wastes
enter the stack by means of a sanitary cross may have a common
waste and vent and each fixture shall be individually trapped.
(22) Crown venting shall be avoided. A hell -inlet
quarter bend may be used when venting a closet if used in a
vertical position. When it becomes necessary to flat vent a
trapa as under floors, this flat vent shall be carried to the
nearest partition or wall and changed to the vertical. All
horizontal vents below the floor shall be constructed of
copper or cast iron pipe. When a vent pipe from a trap is
connected into another vent, the connection shall be made at
least one foot (12) above the highest fixture.
(23) Stacks and vents shall not terminate under-
neath cornices or in chimney flues, but shall extend through
the roof and terminate not less than twelve inches (12")
above the roof and be properly flashed, or when the roof is
used for other purposes than weather protection, then such
vent shall be not less than five feet (52) above said roof.
Vent pipes shall be run as directly as possible, and the
proper fittings must be used at all changes of direction.
(24) All pipes or stacks passing through the roof
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shall be flashed with sheet lead of not less than two and
one-half (21/2) pounds to the square foot and turned into top
of pipe or into bell and caulked or 10 oz. copper, properly
fitted and counterflashed. Where copper pipe is used and it
terminates more than one foot (1') above the roof, the flash-
ing must be strapped at top with metal strap and bolted, or
counterflashed.
(25) Approved 4" x 10" drum traps may be used on
tubs. Tub and shower traps may be used on tubs. Tub and
shower traps may be cast iron P traps properly installed and
vented. This type trap may be wet vented through a lavatory.
(26) Drinking fountains shall be constructed of
impervious material such as vitreous china, porcelain,
enameled cast iron, other non corrosive metals, or stoneware.
The jet of the fountain shall issue from a nozzle of nonoxidi-
zing, impervious material set in the jet to the orfices from
whence the jet issued. The nozzle and every other opening
in the water pipe or conductor leading to the nozzle shall be
above the edge of the bowl, so that such nozzle or opening
shall not be flooded in case a drain from the bowl of the
fountain becomes clogged. The end of the nozzle shall be pro-
tected by non-oxiding guards to prevent the mouth and nose of
persons using the fountain from coming into contact with the
nozzle. The waste opening and pipe shall be of sufficient
size to carry off the water promptly and the opening shall be
provided with a strainer.
(27) All lavatories shall be provided with traps
of not less than one and one -quarter inch (14") in diameter.
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Only one lavatory shall be permitted on a one and one -quarter
(14") inch arm. A battery of lavatories up to three, will be
allowed on one trap not less than one and one-half inches
(12") in diameter. All water services (spigots) must discharge
at least three-quarter (3/4") inches above the rim of the
fixture.
(28) All receptacles used for water closets,
urinals or otherwise, for the disposal of human excretas
shall be constructed of materials impervious to moisture
and that will not corrode, such as vitreous china, porcelain
(all clay), or cast iron enameled on the inside. All water
closets or urinals shall be provided with a flushing rim,
constructed so as to flush the entire interior surface of
the bowl thereof with water from an approved tank or flush
valve. A compression stop shall be placed in each water closet
water supply, placed between the tank and the floor.
(29) No device or fixture of any type of con-
struction shall be installed which will provide a cross
connection between the water supply of a building and the
sanitary sewers or any other impure condition.
(30) Slip joints may be used on all traps outside
of finished walls.
(31) Hopper closets, with cast iron enameled in-
side traps attached, may be used in temporary construction
toilets when installed in compartments which have no direct
connection with a building used for human habitation or
occupancy and the water supply shall have a stop and waste
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cock placed outside the building in an easily accessible
place.
(32) All closet bowls, except on wood floors,
shall be set on a heavy brass closet ring or flange, weighing
not less than one (1) pound, soldered to the lead bend or stub
and screwed to the floor. All screws for water closet setting
shall be of brass. Joint shall be made gas -tight with an
approved gasket setting compound, white lead putty or perfect
screw joint.
(33) The base of shower stalls installed in
residences of wood construction shall be lined with sheet
lead of not less than two and one-half (21/2) pounds to the
square foot, or and turned up on the sides to a
height of not less than four inches (4") and made leak -proof.
The requirement for lead pans shall not apply to factory
made shower stalls provided such shower stalls are leak
proof and watertight after installation. All lead pans shall
have one coat of asphalt paint, inside and outside, and shall
be securely clamped to the drain with a drain clamp. In
shower baths where installed in manufacturing establishments,
shops, engine or boiler rooms, in basements or on any ground
floor where the floors are concrete, the above double draining
fitting and lead pan need not apply.
(34) Waste pipe from kitchen sinks in any hotel,
restaurant, clubhouses, boarding houses, public institutions,
hospitals or other similar places; shall be run into an approved
type grease trap, adequate in size and constructed in such a
manner as to remove all grease before it reaches the sanitary
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sewer and properly vented on the sewer side. This grease
trap shall be properly maintained in good working order and
all collected grease shall be removed at regular intervals.
Plans for a concrete grease trap may be obtained from the
Plumbing Inspector. If the grease trap is set more than
thirty inches (30") from the sink or sinks which it serves,
the sink and sinks shall be locally vented and run independently
through the roof.
(35) The waste from any refrigerator, either ice
or mechanical, or other receptacle in which food is stored,
shall discharge into an open fixture. Such open fixture
may be connected directly to the drainage system when prop-
erly trapped and vented.
(36) Sinks in bars, soda fountains, etc. shall
be drained to a common open fixture properly trapped and
vented, located on the same floor and as near as possible to
the bar or fountain in such a manner that it may be readily
inspected and cleaned. The top of such fixture shall be set
1" or more above the floor.
(37) Floor drains shall be of sufficient size and
design to, serve the purpose for which they are.. intended or
used, and shall be not less than two inches (2") in diameter.
All floor drains except as noted below shall enter the
sanitary sewer or septic tank through an adequate catch -basin.
The catch basins shall be not less than 18 x 18 inches and 24
inches deep inside measurements, with a seal of not less than
ten inches (10") properly vented on the sewer side and fitted
with a tight fitting cast iron frame and cover. Floor drains
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shall be provided with a deep seal "P" trap with perforated
metal strainer. Where the waste line from a floor drain
to the catch -basin is over fifty (503) feet long, the last
floor drain shall be locally vented and a cleanout placed on
the end of main line. Floor drains for private residences
or private residence laundry rooms may enter the sanitary
sewer, or septic tank directly, provided that they are
properly trapped and vented.
(38) All commercial water from commercial laundries,
all waste water from poultry dressing establishments and
from fish and sea food markets, when such water is used in
connection with the dressing, killing, cleaning, washing or
handling of such poultry, fish or sea food shall discharge
into a trough not less than four inches (4") deep and six
inches (6") wide. This trough shall discharge into a catch -
basin not less than 24 x 24 x 30 inches properly trapped and
vented on the sewer side and having tight fitting solid cover
and frame. In fish and sea food markets, this catch -basin
shall also be vented with a two inch (2") vent: such local
vent to extend through the roof independent of any other vent.
(39) No steam exhaust or blowoff pipe from a steam
boiler shall be connected to any sanitary sewer. It shall
discharge into a tank or condenser, the waste from which
after being condensed may enter the sanitary sewers. This
tank or condenser shall be properly trapped and vented on the
sewer side of the tank or condenser. This tank or condenser
shall be locally vented with a two inch (2") vent, and this
vent shall extend above the roof independently of any other
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vent.
(40) Solid and waste pipes placed in any building
for future use shall be ventilated, tested, and subjected
to the same rules in every respect as if intended for
immediate use, and all openings plugged and caulked or
soldered.
(41) wheri`ri9ak-img„^a'dditions or exteisr"tsris„ tev,,old
bu4idings...wberewthe-hous,e-sewer 4 w,rander>suel extensions
thereby -...makes ng-the-bon
a. part of t"fiaw honse ,t1rain
sueh--portiflrrr-i f._.o2--an-y-ma-ter' ether .ttra-n.",,east' °' `Ydn—,
shall be•-r•emeved- and-replatSd",tii thwwreast" rzrn^ ^soy pipe .to
a,.,..poi r-:..twO-fa t: ,(rkt—dtts`' id o f.,th 'art, oing : *thass
(42) A sub -house drain is that portion of the
drainage system of a building which cannot drain by gravity
into the City sewer. Sub -house drains shall discharge into
an airtight sump or receiving tank located to receive the
sewerage by gravity. From the sump or receiving tank, the
sewerage shall be lifted and discharged by pumps, pneumatic
ejectors or equally efficient methods automatically operated.
When lifting device forms a trap an additional trap on the
drain may be omitted, but all fixtures and equivalent devices
shall be trapped and vented. Receiving tanks (except in
pneumatic system) shall be provided with vent pipe at least
three inches (3") in diameter which may be connected to the
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gravity vent system; Pneumatic receiving tanks shall be
provided with relief pipes at least two inches (2") in size,
the relief pipe extended independently to the roof and
terminated as required for vent pipes in this Ordinance.
(43) In all cases and conditions not covered by
this Ordinance, the City Plumbing Inspector, together with
the duly appointed representative of the City Health Depart-
ment, shall determine whether a condition is insanitary, a
source of contamination or a hazard to the public health and
safety.
(44) There shall be a wheel handle stop and waste
six inches above ground at the house to control all water in
building. The plumber shall furnish coupling at meter side
of stop. The service shall be 3/4" galvanized or copper pipe
to the bath room and not more than three (3) fixtures shall
be supplied off a half inch pipe. All hot water pipe shall be
of 1/2" galvanized or copper from heater to bath. Water service
and other underground pipe shall be buried at least twelve
inches (12") to a point just under building then may rise and
be strapped to sills or floor joist securely at proper inter-
vals. Each commode shall be controlled with a stop above
floor.
(45) All fittings used in the water supply system
shall be galvanized malleable iron fittings, galvanized cast
iron fittings, brass fittings, copper or cast brass sweat
fittings. All connections and branches on lead services must
be made by means of plumbers' wiped joints. No pipes or fit-
tings that have been used for other purposes shall be used
t.23-
for distributing water.
(46) All water pipe shall be -well reamed. The
Plumbing Inspector or his assistants may require a section
of pipe or fittings to be removed so that he may see if
same is properly reamed. I£ such a section of pipe is
found improperly reamed then the Inspector may require
the whole system of piping to be removed until same has
been properly reamed. This work shall be done at the
expense of the person or persons installing such pipes.
(47) Water service lines for residence and
apartment houses shall be not less than the following table.
Sizes set forth in this table do not apply where flush
valves are used.
Number Length of Run from
Fixtures Main to Bld. Size
1-7 3/4"
8-10 Up to 50 Ft. 3/4"
11-14 Up to 100 Ft. 1"
15-24 Up to 50 Ft. 1"
15-24 From 50 Ft. to 100 Ft. 1-1/4"
For installations notcovered by above table,
sizes required will be specified by the Plumbing Inspector
with the approval of the Superintendent of the Water Department.
(48) When it is impossible to drain all cold water
lines to the cut-off near meter, then another compression stop
and drain shall be placed in some accessible place on the low
point of said line. All hot water lines in residences shall
be provided with a drain cock located at some point outside
of the foundation walls and installed so that all water will
drain out of the hot water lines.
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(49) The service to each apartment house hav-
ing more than one water meter shall hays stop and drain
as described above spaced eight inches (8") apart parallel
to each other to receive meters. Meter tags shall be
securely fastened to valves and drain cocks, lettered Apt.
"A", etc., or some other lettering so that valves for each
tenement may be easily found.
(50) All plumbing fixtures shall be provided
with a sufficient supply of water for flushing to keep
them in a sanitary condition. Every water closet or urinal
shall be flushed by means of an approved tank or flush
valve of at least four (4) gallons flushing capacity for
water closets, and at least one (1) gallon for urinals, and
shall be adjusted to prevent the waste of water. The flush
pipe for water closet flush tanks, shall not be less than
one and one -quarter inches (14") in diameter, and the water
from flush tanks shall not be used for other purposes.
(51) To prevent the possibility of back siphonage
every outlet, opening, orifice or termination of any hot or
cold water piping (including every faucet, stop cock, ball -
cock, valve or similar appliance through which water is
discharged) shall be not less than three-quarter inch (3/4)
above the level at which the fixture would overflow on the
floor unless the supply pipe thereto be provided with an
approved flush valve, together with an approved air inlet
or vacuum breaker, or an approved check valve and vacuum
breaker.
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(52) Globe valve in cold water and lever handle
gas stop shall be accessible at the water heater. Approved
temperature and pressure relief valve in hot water line shall
be within six inches of heater with outlet to be piped to
outside of building and turned down within one foot of ground
or to open fixture. Water heater to be vented with approved
single walled pipe. Water heater shall not be installed in
bedrooms bathroom or attic, or in closets opening into same.
If set in closet same shall be vented at bottom of door or
wall with either holes or grill to give thirty square inches
of ventilation. Heater or furnace vent shall not enter stove
hood or connect to any other vent supplied by any other fuel.
(53) No hot or cold water piping or portion thereof
shall be directly connected to, nor any hose, tube or pipet
connected to any hot or cold water piping, shall be inserted
int placed in or connected tot any trap tail piece, drain
piping, waste pipings soil piping, house draining system,
sewer, or any portion thereof.
(54) No cement pipe will be approved,
ARTICLE V:
Specifications for Gas Piping and Gas Appliances
SECTION 19.
(1) In every gas installation all piping and
ro
attachments shall be at least of such capacity as will supply
gas up to the full maximum requirements of all appliances
contemplated to be connected thereon according to the re-
quirements of this Ordinance,
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(2) No gas piping, appliances, fixtures or
apparatus, or the installation, construction, reconstruction
or repair thereof, for which a permit is issued shall be put
to use in connection with any supply of gas until inspected
and accepted by the City Plumbing Inspector.
(3) Any plumber, before installing a house
service line or meter loop for gas shall consult the local
Gas Company for the proper location of said meter and type
of meter loop required.
(4) All House service lines shall be run in as
direct a line as possible from the building to the curb line,
and no gas line shall run within thirty-six (36) inches of a
sewer trench.
(5) only elbows shall be used in all meter con-
nections except for testing purposes.
(6) Meters shall not be set inside the building
or any place that is not easily accessible for reading and
adjustment. The meter is the property of the Gas Company and
must not be disconnected or tampered with for any cause by
any one other than those specifically authorized to do so.
(7) Application shall be made to the gas company
for gas to be turned on, and when said application has been
made and all requirements set out in this Ordinance and all
reasonable rules and regulations of the Gas Company have been
complied with, it shall be unlawful for said Company to refuse
to turn on the gas.
(8) In the event any meter location is found to
be unsafe or inaccessible by reason of repairs, changes, en-
_27-
largements, or otherwise, the company supplying gas may
request the Plumbing Inspector of the City of Pearland to
have said meter location changed to an accessible point.
The Plumbing Inspector shall make an inspection and, if in
his opinion, meter location is unsafe and inaccessible due
to the above reason, he shall notify the person, firm, or
corporation, agent or owner responsible for the property to
rearrange and relocate the piping so as to provide a safe and
accessible location for said meter as designated by him.
(9)
It shall be unlawful for the Gas Company
to set a meter and connect same with. the house piping
until the installation has been inspected and approved by
the City Plumbing Inspector. Temporary connections for
emergency gas service may be made with the responsibility
of the owner and/or Gas Company, and the City Plumbing
Inspector shall be notified within 48 hours of the temporary
connection.
(10) No yard or service line hereinafter installed
shall be less than three-quarter inches (3/4"), and the
take -off on the house side of the meter may be not less than
one (1) inch to heating unit. Branch lines for ranges or
cook stoves shall be not less than three-quarter (3/4") inch
and shall be furnished with a master lever handle stop.
Risers or branch lines of one-half (1/2) inch pipe shall not
be more than ten (10) feet in length. Lead piping must not
be used under any circumstances. No bushings shall be in-
stalled in gas fittings. Unions except for connecting cook
stoves or other appliances shall be avoided and no gasket
-28-
unions will be allowed on gas connections of any kind. All
gas pipe must be properly reamed and the inside free from
obstruction before being put in use. All house lines must
be strapped securely to joists every eight (8) feet and at the
end of each branch. Gas pipe shall not be installed in or
under a concrete floor slab.
(11) Any gas installation not specifically covered
by Paragraph (10) above shall be approved by the City Plumbing
Inspector.
(12) The Gas Company shall install, maintain and
be responsible for all gas services from their main up to
the meter regardless of location of meter. In case the meter
sets at the curb, the pluber shall run the service to the
property line. This line shall not be covered until in-
spected by the City Plumbing Inspector and be final tested
at the same time as the building. Where the gas meter sets
at the house, the contract for the unmetered service may be
between the plumber and gas company or the owner and gas
company. And this contract should be understood by all
parties concerned.
(13) All gas pipes must be graded to the meter,
when practical, free from traps or sags and properly sup-
ported. When it is impossible to grade lines to meter or to
prevent a trapped gas pipe, a suitable drip shall be provided
and located in an accessible place.
(14) In remodeling or extending old gas piping,
connections may be made, where sizes can be maintained; if
this cannot be done, a new line shall be run to the meter.
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(15) All gas piping shall be tested in accord-
ance with Article II of this Code,
(16) All floor furnaces shall have a master
lever handle stop in rigid pipe to run to within three (3)
feet of controls. All horizontal vent pipes shall be
strapped properly and rise at nearest point to vertical.
All these vents shall be approved double wall pipe.
(17) Vents and flue pipes shall be not less than
the flue opening on the appliance.
(18) No heating unit to be installed in bedroom
or attic or closet opening into same. No forced air unit
shall draw its cold air return or cold air make up from the
same closet as the heating unit. Ample combustion air must
be brought into the room by means of holes or grill in door
or wall close to burner as possible from room other than
bedrooms bathroom or attic. Heater must be equipped with
lever handle stop at unit. All breather tubes from regulator
must run into fire box. All units must be vented with
approved double wall pipe. All vents to extend to one foot
above roof. All hot air ducts to be insulated with approved
fire proof insulation.
(19) All vented wall furnaces shall have master
lever handle stop above floor in burner compartment. Rigid
pipe shall extend through floor. Three -eighths (3/8) inch
copper tubing may be used from stop to unit and unit shall be
vented through roof with approved double vent pipe. All out-
side wall of said pipe shall be slitted at bottom to allow
room air to enter lining of pipe. Adapter vent shall be on
-30-
L
each wall furnace.
(20) Height. The gravity flue or vent shall
rise above the roof of an extend at least two feet (22)
above the highest elevation of any part of the building
within fifteen feet (152) terminating in a hood or cap
having a venting capacity of not less than that of the
flue or vent. The minimum height of a flue or vent above
the point of attachment on the appliance shall be four feet
(4°). A vent which is equipped with a cowl approved for use
at a lower elevation shall terminate not less than:
(a) One foot (la) from any portion of a building:
and
(b) Four feet (42) horizontally from any vertical
portion of a building: and
(c) Four feet (42) horizontally from any roof
or portion of a building which extends at an angle of more
than forty-five degrees from the horizontal.
(21) Every vent -pipe which does not run in a
vertical direction shall have a grade of at least one-half
(1/2") inch to each linear foot of length rising toward the
flue.
(22) Horizontal runs shall not be greater than
75% of the vertical stack to which they are attached: and
in no case shall a horizontal run exceed 20 feet.
(23) Where two or more inlets are provided in any
vent or flue: such inlets shall be offset in such a manner
that no section of any outlet shall be opposite other inlets
in such flue.
(24) Bends or offsets in gas vents or flues shall
-31-
be avoided where possible: and where necessary shall be
made at widest angles possible in order to prevent consequent
retarding influence of the flow of the burnt gases.
(25) No stove: range, cooking -stove, or other
appliances: nor any portion of same, which comes in direct
contact with the hot gasses, shall be placed less than six
(6) inches from any woodwork unless amply insulated to give
protection against fire to such woodwork.
(26) A riser must be used in yard line at the
point where the service enters the building from the outside
and a heavy brass or iron body with a brass core stop cock
must be installed in this riser not less than four (4) inches
above the ground, when an underground meter is installed.
The service to buildings having floors close to the ground
must have riser and stop cock installed as specified above
and the piping backed down and provided with a drop on the
house side before entering the building.
(27) The Plumbing Inspector shall have the power
and duty to condemn all gas piping, appliances: fixtures,
apparatus and material, which at any time may become defective
and likely to cause leaks, fire or accident, or to endanger
persons or property; and he is hereby authorized and em-
powered to disconnect any such gas piping, appliances, fix-
tures or apparatus, or to cause the service of the consumer
who owns or uses such piping, appliances, fixtures, apparatus
or material to be discontinued until same shall have been put
in safe condition and tested and approved by him.
-32-
(28) When any gas pipings appliances fixture,
apparatus or material of any nature whatsoever have been
in any manner disconnected as set forth in the foregoing
provisionss it shall be unlawful for any person or persons
to, in any manners reconnect the same or cause the same to
be reconnected to any supply of gas, or to use the same as
a part of any gas piping system until they have been put in
a safe condition and a certificate of acceptance has been
issued by the City Plumbing Inspector.
ARTICLE VI.
Penalty and Closing Provisions
SECTION 20: PROHIBITING WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT.
No persons firm or corporation or other entity
shall install or perform any plumbing or gas fitting work
without first having secured a permit for each plumbing or
gas installation as provided in this Ordinance.
SECTION 21: PROHIBITING USE OF UNTESTED INSTALLATIONS.
No persons firm, corporation or other entity shall
cause or permit any plumbing or gas fitting work to be
connected with the City water or sewer system or to any gas
distributing system. No such persons firm, corporation or
other entity shall use or permit the use of such plumbing
or gas fitting work, or cause or permit any waters sewer or
gas to flow through the same before it has been inspected and
approved as herein provided.
SECTION 22: PENALTIES.
Any persons either by himself or agent, and any
firm, corporation or other entity who violates any of the
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provisions of the Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction, of any such violation
shall be fined in any sum over Five ($5.00) Dollars, not
to exceed Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars; and each day during
which such violation continues shall constitute a separate
and distinct offense. In any case of a violation of any of
the terms or provisions of this Ordinance by any corporation,
the officers and agents actively in charge of the business
of such corporation shall be subject to the penalty herein
provided. Any offense defined herein which has been defined
by laws of the State of Texas as an offense and for which
penalty has been prescribed shall be punished as provided in
said State Law, and nothing herein shall be held as fixing
any penalty contrary to a penalty provided by the laws of the
State of Texas.
SECTION 23: FORM OF COMPLAINTS.
In any prosecution hereunder it shall not be
necessary for the complaint to negate any exceptions con-
tained in this Ordinance concerning any prohibited act, but
any such exception may be urged as a defense by any person
charged by such complaint°
SECTION 24: RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTS UNCHANGED.
This ordinance does not relieve from or lessen the
responsibility or liability of any person owning, operating,
controlling, or installing any plumbing, gas piping or gas
fired appliances, for damages to person or property caused by
any defect therein, nor shall the City of Pearland be regarded
as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspection
-34-
authorized herein or certificate or approval issued as
herein provided.
SECTION 25: SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
If any provision of this Ordinance, or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held
invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance, and the application
of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall
not be affected thereby.
SECTION 26: REPEALING CLAUSE.
All Ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 27: PUBLICATION
In view of the length of this Ordinance, the City
Council of the City of Pearland in its discretion hereby
provides that the publication of this ordinance shall be by
and in the form of a publication of a descriptive caption or
title, stating in summary the purpose of the Ordinance and
the penalty for violation thereof, such publication to be in
lieu of the publication of the entire Ordinance, and such
publication shall be made in one issue of(The Alvin Sun, a
weekly newspaper published in Alvin, Texas. The fact that
there is not now in effect within the City of Pearland, proper
supervision and control over the installation, repair and
maintenance of plumbing and plumbing equipment and the necessity
and public welfare of the people of said City creates an
imperative public necessity, the parlimentary rule requiring
that Ordinances be read at three separate meetings be, and the
-35-
same is hereby suspended and this Ordinance shall take
effect from and after its approval, passage and publication.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 24th day of JUNE ,
A.D. 1965.
CITY OF' PEARLAND, ,TEXAS
ATTEST:
By:
,lt (1
d1/417
City Secretary
M'a(yor
THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF BRAZORIA
CITY OF PEARLAND
BE IT REMEMBERED on this the 24th day of
June , A.D. 1965 , the City Council of the
City of Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas, convened in
its regular session at the City Hall in the City of
Pearland, Texas, with the following members present:
KEGLEY NOLEN
SHUKANES COGBILL
CALVIN SANDERS
with the following members absent:
NONE
constituting a quorum, at which meeting the following
proceedings were had and held;
Councilman SHUKANES introduced
an Ordinance and moved the Chairman that it be passed. The
Motion was seconded by Councilman CALVIN
The said Ordinance was read in full and the motion was
carried by the following vote:
AYES 3
passed.
NOES 2
The Mayor announced that the Ordinance was
The ORDINANCE passed is as follows: