When property owners need restroom or kitchen facilities in areas without existing plumbing, they often face the challenge of expensive and disruptive work to create below-floor drainage that usually requires breaking through concrete, which is messy, noisy, and costly. This high cost may lead clients to reconsider their projects altogether. For trade professionals, navigating concrete obstacles is just another day at the office. Yet, for others, it might be less welcome.

What do the 3-model codes, UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code), IPC (International Plumbing Code) and NSPC (National Standard Plumbing Code), have to say on the subject?

Recently, the question was asked on ASPE’s Open Forum “Foundation drain pipe — plumbing responsible? Or only between civil and structural?” As originally posted, the designer did not have a Geotech report. But the structural consultant did show the piping around the top of the elevator footing and the perimeter footing for the foundation in their details.