November 21st, 2018
by Tara Lukasik

Allegheny County in southwest Pennsylvania updated its 2017 Allegheny Plumbing Code (APC) based on the 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC) published by the International Code Council. The updated code — the 2017 Article XV Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Code — is now available online for purchase through the Code Council, and is now easily accessible electronically to constituents and other interested parties free of charge through the Code Council’s online codes portal, publicACCESS. Click here to view the 2017 Allegheny Plumbing Code.

The updated code includes chapters and appendices on fixtures, faucets and fixture settings; water heaters; water supply and distribution; sanitary drainage; indirect and special waste; vents; traps, interceptors and separators; storm drainage; special piping and storage systems; and gray water recycling systems.

In particular, the information on utilizing in-home gray water systems has been especially relevant to Allegheny County residents looking to recycle 20 to 30 percent of home water consumption, which could lower water and sewage bills, reduce overall water consumption, and help the region deal with its combined sewer overflow issues.

“The ever-increasing number of U.S. communities adopting the International Plumbing Code recognizes the code’s water-efficiency provisions as well as its public health advantages,” said International Code Council Senior Director of Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Resources Lee Clifton. “Allegheny County’s update based on the International Plumbing Code validates the code’s benefits to code officials, plumbing inspectors, design professionals, engineers and others in the plumbing industry and business community as well as the advantages of up-to-date provisions covering new and innovative products, materials and systems.”

The International Plumbing Code (IPC) establishes minimum requirements for plumbing systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. Used by communities nationwide to protect health, safety and welfare within buildings, it is founded on broad-based principles that make possible the use of new materials and new plumbing designs. The IPC benefits the plumbing industry by providing performance and prescriptive objectives for plumbing facilities; acceptance of new and innovative products, materials and systems; and coordination with the ICC family of codes and standards. The first code published by the International Code Council 1997, the IPC marked its 20th anniversary last year.

About the Author
Tara Lukasik
Tara Lukasik is an editor for the International Code Council, working out of its Western Regional Office in Southern California. Starting with the International Conference of Building Officials as the managing editor of its Building Standards Magazine, she has more than 25 years of experience in writing and editing feature content and advancing digital newsletters and magazines from conception to completion. She is currently putting her experience to good use managing the Code Council's Building Safety Journal and its BSJ Weekly newsletter, which connects construction professionals with the Code Council community and the latest industry news and resources. A California native, she enjoys volunteering in her local community and exploring the Golden State with her husband and three spoiled dachshunds. Follow her on Twitter @ICCTLukasik and Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/taralukasik.