§ 231-22. Plumbing facilities and fixture requirements.

A. 

General.

(1) 

Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum plumbing systems, facilities and plumbing fixtures to be provided.

(2) 

Responsibility. The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such plumbing facilities and plumbing fixtures in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy any structure or premises which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter.

B. 

Required facilities.

(1) 

Dwelling units. Every dwelling unit shall contain its own bathtub or shower, lavatory, water closet and kitchen sink, which shall be maintained in a sanitary, safe working condition. The lavatory shall be placed in the same room as the water closet or located in close proximity to the door leading directly into the room in which such water closet is located. A kitchen sink shall not be used as a substitute for the required lavatory.

(2) 

Rooming houses. At least one water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower shall be supplied for each four rooming units.

(3) 

Hotels. Where private water closets, lavatories and baths are not provided, one water closet, one lavatory and one bathtub or shower having access from a public hallway shall be provided for each 10 occupants.

(4) 

Employees' facilities. A minimum of one water closet, one lavatory and one drinking facility shall be available to employees.

(5) 

Drinking facilities. Drinking facilities shall be a drinking foundation, water cooler, bottled water cooler or disposable cups next to a sink or water dispenser. Drinking facilities shall not be located in toilet rooms or bathrooms.

C. 

Toilet rooms.

(1) 

Privacy. Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall provide privacy and shall not constitute the only passageway to a hall or other space or to the exterior. A door and interior locking device shall be provided for all common or shared bathrooms and toilet rooms in a multiple dwelling.

(2) 

Location. Toilet rooms and bathrooms serving hotel units, rooming units or dormitory units or housekeeping units shall have access by traversing not more than one flight of stairs and shall have access from a common hall or passageway.

(3) 

Location of employee toilet facilities.

(a) 

Toilet facilities shall have access from within the employees' working area. The required toilet facilities shall be located not more than one story above or below the employees' working area, and the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 500 feet (152 m). Employee facilities shall either be separate facilities or combined employee and public facilities.

(b) 

Exception. Facilities that are required for employees in storage structures or kiosks, which are located in adjacent structures under the same ownership, lease or control, shall not exceed a travel distance of 500 feet (152 m) from the employees' regular working area to the facilities.

(4) 

Floor surface. In other than dwelling units, every toilet room floor shall be maintained to be a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

D. 

Plumbing systems and fixtures.

(1) 

General. All plumbing fixtures shall be properly installed and maintained in working order and shall be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects and be capable of performing the function for which such plumbing fixtures are designed. All plumbing fixtures shall be maintained in a safe, sanitary and functional condition.

(2) 

Fixture clearances. Plumbing fixtures shall have adequate clearances for usage and cleaning.

(3) 

Plumbing system hazards. Where it is found that a plumbing system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure by reason of inadequate service, inadequate venting, cross connection, backsiphonage, improper installation, deterioration or damage or for similar reasons, the Housing Officer shall require the defects to be corrected to eliminate the hazard.

E. 

Water system.

(1) 

General. Every sink, lavatory, bathtub or shower, drinking fountain, water closet or other plumbing fixture shall be properly connected to either a public water system or to an approved private water system. All kitchen sinks, lavatories, laundry facilities, bathtubs and showers shall be supplied with hot or tempered and cold running water in accordance with the International Plumbing Code.

(2) 

Contamination. The water supply shall be maintained free from contamination, and all water inlets for plumbing fixtures shall be located above the flood-level rim of the fixture. Shampoo basin faucets, janitor sink faucets and other hose bibs or faucets to which hoses are attached and left in place shall be protected by an approved atmospheric-type vacuum breaker or an approved permanently attached hose connection vacuum breaker.

(3) 

Supply. The water supply system shall be installed and maintained to provide a supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable the fixtures to function properly, safely and free from defects and leaks.

(4) 

Water-heating facilities. Water-heating facilities shall be properly installed, maintained and capable of providing an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required sink, lavatory, bathtub, shower and laundry facility at a temperature of not less than 110° F. (43° C.). A gas-burning water heater shall not be located in any bathroom, toilet room, bedroom or other occupied room normally kept closed, unless adequate combustion air is provided. An approved combination-temperature-and-pressure-relief valve and relief valve discharge pipe shall be properly installed and maintained on water heaters.

F. 

Sanitary drainage system.

(1) 

General. All plumbing fixtures shall be properly connected to either a public sewer system or to an approved private sewage disposal system.

(2) 

Maintenance. Every plumbing stack, vent, waste and sewer line shall function properly and be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects.

G. 

Storm drainage. Drainage of roofs and paved areas, yards and courts and other open areas on the premises shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.