It's only plumbing!

[ICE]

The job is a PEX re-pipe. Cutting open the walls and ceiling exposes stuff.

The tub plumber hacked the frame .... the re-pipe plumber chose a bad location for more holes.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that threaded waste fittings must remain accessible. But ya know, that may be me being.....well me.....just as wrong as can be.

In the past I have run into threaded fittings that were glued. One guy that did that said he too understood that threaded fittings shall remain accessible and he couldn't do that. There was no way to install glued fittings.

 

[wwhitney]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that threaded waste fittings must remain accessible.

Not wrong. UPC 402.10. "Fixtures having concealed slip joint connections shall be provided with an access panel or utility space not less than 12 inches (305 mm) in its least dimension and so arranged without obstructions as to make such connections accessible for inspection and repair."

Chapter 4 Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings: Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings, California Plumbing Code 2022 | UpCodes

UpCodes offers a consolidated resource of construction and building code grouped by jurisdiction

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Cheers, Wayne

 

[steveray]

Not wrong. UPC 402.10. "Fixtures having concealed slip joint connections shall be provided with an access panel or utility space not less than 12 inches (305 mm) in its least dimension and so arranged without obstructions as to make such connections accessible for inspection and repair."

Chapter 4 Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings: Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings, California Plumbing Code 2022 | UpCodes

UpCodes offers a consolidated resource of construction and building code grouped by jurisdiction

up.codes

Cheers, Wayne

Slip joints and threaded fittings are different....But the pics are slip joint...

 

[Gregg Harris]

Slip joints and threaded fittings are different....But the pics are slip joint...

threaded fittings being unions, compression couplings, flare fittings.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Are you allowed to require a electrical repair if the permit was just for plumbing and the plumber did not touch the electric?

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Are you allowed to require a electrical repair if the permit was just for plumbing and the plumber did not touch the electric?

I'd reason that somebody did some electrical work at some point without valid permits. Or inspections.

 

[Yikes]

I think ICE’s point is that a re-pipe job can end up exposing hidden issues that would be considered structural / life safety that can’t be ignored, like hacking a floor joist to bits. The new PEX took a bad situation and made it much worse.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Are you allowed to require a electrical repair if the permit was just for plumbing and the plumber did not touch the electric?

One of our former State Building Inspectors (since deceased) used to say in virtually every live class he taught, "A violation is always a violation." I don't think you could see that and NOT cite it.

 

[tmurray]

The overarching duty of employees of building departments is public safety. There is an intrinsic expectation that they act in the best interest of the safety of the public. While they may be restrained in what actions they take by law, there may still be an expectation that they advise an owner or contractor of a concerning life safety issue even if they do not have a legislated responsibility to act.

 

[steveray]

You're absolutely correct about threaded waste fittings. These fittings must remain accessible. It's a crucial plumbing lead generation code requirement for several reasons. These fittings can become clogged or leak over time, necessitating easy access for repairs or replacements. Plumbing inspectors also need to be able to check their condition. Additionally,

Threaded fittings do not need to be accessible....

 

[Mr. Inspector]

The overarching duty of employees of building departments is public safety. There is an intrinsic expectation that they act in the best interest of the safety of the public. While they may be restrained in what actions they take by law, there may still be an expectation that they advise an owner or contractor of a concerning life safety issue even if they do not have a legislated responsibility to act.

I am not an employee of a building department. I am an employee of a 3rd party inspection company. In most of our area homes do not need an inspection unless they are doing something structurally per state law. If they are cutting joists as shown, they would need a permit, but a plumber that is only doing plumbing would never tell us if they were doing something structurally. So normally we would never see this.

 

[Inspector Gift]

Threaded fittings do not need to be accessible....

(UPC 402.10) Slip Joint Connections. "Fixtures having concealed slip joints connections shall be provided with an access panel or utility space not less than 12 inches in its least dimension and so arranged without obstructions as to make such connections accessible for inspection and repair."

 

[steveray]

(UPC 402.10) Slip Joint Connections. "Fixtures having concealed slip joints connections shall be provided with an access panel or utility space not less than 12 inches in its least dimension and so arranged without obstructions as to make such connections accessible for inspection and repair."

Yep...slip joints yes...threaded...no....You can have threaded galvanized pipe to plastic or PVC to ABS with a coupling and that is perfectly fine to bury with no access...Just like gas pipe....