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Roof Drains - Building or Plumbing Code

jar546

jar546

CBO
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
12,738
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Not where I really want to be
The contractor is in the middle of a reroof and called for an "in progress" inspection. 2 Questions:

1) Would you require that the drain dome in the below photo be replaced?

2) Would the plumbing inspector also be called to this job as this is covered in the IPC?

IMG_3144.JPG
 
I would suggest to the owner that if the dome is not replaced they will have other problems they may not like. I The dome being replaced by the roofer I would call it maintenance if the whole under structure needs to be replaced plumbing
 
I'm wondering if the contractor already recommended the replacement of this to the building owner, who declined, and called you in for a second opinion.
 
How expensive is that cover.....it probably cost more to go get it than it’s actual cost.
 
So what happened to Weijia Jang. She was a reporter on the CBS evening news for a few months and now she is gone.

47301847082_3a960c2495_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
& ~ &

Q1) Maybe ?........Is there some reason for removal of the cover ?
Is there debris getting in to the drain ?

Q2) A Plbg. Inspector may be requested.......If so, what Code
Section are they going to cite ?

Sooooooo, **ICE**, ...how did the topic go from a [ possible ]
defective roof drain to a CBS new reporter ? :confused:

& ~ &
 
jar546 said:
1) Would you require that the drain dome in the below photo be replaced?

2) Would the plumbing inspector also be called to this job as this is covered in the IPC?
Click to expand...
1 Yes. it is broke and will allow debris into the drain
2 No. The plumbing code is part of the building code and it does not take the skill and knowledge of a plumbing inspector to recognize this violation. It would be a waste of the AHJ resources and man power to call a plumbing inspector to cite this violation and request a correction.

2012 IBC
[A] 101.4 Referenced codes.
The other codes listed in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.6 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.

2012 IBC
[A] 101.4.3 Plumbing.
The provisions of the International Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems

2012 IPC
[A] 102.3 Maintenance.
All plumbing systems, materials and appurtenances, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in proper operating condition in accordance with the original design in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards required by this code shall be maintained in compliance with the code edition under which they were installed.
The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for maintenance of plumbing systems. To determine compliance with this provision, the code official shall have the authority to require any plumbing system to be reinspected.
 
And how far would the water have to flow before it became apparent that the (apparently) flat roof wasn't draining?
Isn't a scupper seen as a last resort?
 
The roof is allowed to flood somewhere short of the point of collapse before the secondaries would have to kick in....

1108.3 Sizing of secondary drains. Secondary (emergency)
roof drain systems shall be sized in accordance with Section
1106 based on the rainfall rate for which the primary system
is sized. Scuppers shall be sized to prevent the depth of ponding
water from exceeding that for which the roof was
designed as determined by Section 1101.7. Scuppers shall
have an opening dimension of not less than 4 inches (102
mm). The flow through the primary system shall not be considered
when sizing the secondary roof drain system.
 
There is no actual code section for the drain screens except maybe manufacturers installation instructions...

1101.7 Roof design. Roofs shall be designed for the maximum
possible depth of water that will pond thereon as determined
by the relative levels of roof deck and overflow weirs,
scuppers, edges or serviceable drains in combination with the
deflected structural elements. In determining the maximum
possible depth of water, all primary roof drainage means shall
be assumed to be blocked. The maximum possible depth of
water on the roof shall include the height of the water
required above the inlet of the secondary roof drainage means
to achieve the required flow rate of the secondary drainage
means to accommodate the design rainfall rate as required by
Section 1106.
 
2012 IPC
1105.1 General.
Roof drains shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The inside opening for the roof drain shall not be obstructed by the roofing membrane material.

I challenge you to find a manufacture that does not include a dome strainer with their roof drain.

"Zurn Roof Drains are comprised of three basic components: a body (sump), a combination membrane flashing clamp/gravel guard, and a dome strainer."
 
The strainer is how they accomplish maintaining in working order. if the drain pipe gets plugged with debris this will cause the water to over load the roof causing a collapse.
 
mtlogcabin said:
2012 IPC
1105.1 General.
Roof drains shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The inside opening for the roof drain shall not be obstructed by the roofing membrane material.

I challenge you to find a manufacture that does not include a dome strainer with their roof drain.

"Zurn Roof Drains are comprised of three basic components: a body (sump), a combination membrane flashing clamp/gravel guard, and a dome strainer."
Click to expand...

Agreed....just making sure that everyone knows not to look in storm drainage for a code section requiring it...And try finding installation instructions for a 50 year old roof drain...
 
strainers can't function if not checked regularly.
Not often the case if roof access requires use of a portable ladder or roof hatch interior access is blocked by stored materials.
 
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