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2020 New York State Plumbing Code

Product Code/ISBN: 3200S20NY
$118.95

The 2020 Plumbing Code of New York State® (PCNYS®) establishes minimum requirements for plumbing systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. It is founded on broad-based principles that make possible the use of new materials and new plumbing designs. This 2020 edition was developed as a derivative work of the 2018 edition of the International Plumbing Code® (IPC®) published by the International Code Council® (ICC®).

This code is founded on principles intended to establish provisions consistent with the scope of a plumbing code that adequately protects public health, safety, and welfare; provisions that do not unnecessarily increase construction costs; provisions that do not restrict the use of new materials, products, or methods of construction; and provisions that do not give preferential treatment to particular types or classes of materials, products, or methods of construction.

The PCNYS is a code that regulates the design and installation of plumbing systems, including the plumbing fixtures in all types of buildings except for detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses that are not more than three stories above grade in height. The regulations for plumbing systems in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses are covered by Chapters 25 through 33 of the Residential Code of New York State® (RCNYS®). 

The PCNYS addresses general plumbing regulations, fixture requirements, water heater installations, and systems for water distribution, sanitary drainage, special wastes, venting, storm drainage, and medical gases. The PCNYS does not address fuel gas piping systems, as those systems are covered by the Fuel Gas Code of New York State® (FGCNYS®). The PCNYS also does not regulate swimming pool piping systems, process piping systems, or utility-owned piping and systems. 

The purpose of the PCNYS is to establish the minimum acceptable level of safety to protect life and property from the potential dangers associated with supplying potable water to plumbing fixtures and outlets, and the conveyance of bacteria-laden waste water from fixtures. 

Where a building contains plumbing fixtures, those fixtures requiring water must be provided with an adequate supply of water for proper operation. The number of required plumbing fixtures for a building is specified by this code, and is based upon the anticipated maximum number of occupants for the building and the type of building occupancy. This code provides prescriptive criteria for sizing piping systems connected to those fixtures. 

Through the use of code-approved materials, and the installation requirements specified in this code, plumbing systems will perform their intended function over the life of the building. In summary, the PCNYS sets forth the minimum requirements for providing safe water to a building, as well as a safe manner in which liquid-borne wastes are carried away from a building.