Assessing International Plumbing Code updates for chemical waste drainage
Selecting the right materials for chemical waste drainage systems is critical for safety and code compliance.
Image courtesy of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry
Published every three years by the International Code Council (ICC), the International Plumbing Code (IPC) provides guidance and code regulations that help ensure the engineering of safe, resilient plumbing systems. An important update included in the 2024 IPC more clearly defines what materials are approved for chemical waste drainage.
Previously, plumbing professionals and code officials were left with little direction when determining if chemical waste drainage systems were allowed by code. The 2024 edition outlines a list of allowable materials specifically intended for these applications — providing clarity and consistency for the plumbing industry.
“By recommending a specific direction, this model code proposal aimed to eliminate any confusion regarding the choice of appropriate materials for chemical waste applications,” says Brian Helms, Charlotte Pipe training manager.
Helms and Brian Conner, Charlotte Pipe’s director of codes & standards and international technical support, attend every model code meeting around the country to ensure Charlotte Pipe and its customers stay ahead of the curve when it comes to model code changes.
“Generally, state and local plumbing codes are established based on model plumbing codes, while the states will make amendments as they see fit,” Helms notes.
Understanding the plumbing code amendment process
The plumbing code development process is complex, but it’s important for plumbing professionals to understand the diligence required in evaluating and implementing proposals.
Every three years, the ICC issues a call for proposals, inviting plumbing code officials, contractors, engineers, manufacturers and all interested parties to submit model plumbing code change requests during an allotted time frame. Once the proposals are submitted, they are published as a collective monograph available for viewing on the ICC website and thrust into a multistage review process.
“The ICC code development process begins with Committee Action Hearings, where the validity of the proposal is evaluated through debate in front of a technical committee,” Helms says. “The committee will then issue a recommendation for approval or disapproval during this time.”
If proposals are disapproved, the plumbing professional who submitted the proposal has an opportunity to adjust the original proposal for committee review. Eventually, the process reaches the ICC online governmental consensus voting process for final approval.
What’s new in 2024 for chemical waste drainage?
Before the ICC published the 2024 IPC, a chemical waste system was ambiguously defined as any “approved material that is resistant to corrosion and degradation for the concentration of chemicals involved.” The use of “approved material” within the definition, however, left open to interpretation what materials were allowable for chemical waste drainage.
To promote clarity for plumbing professionals, a proposal was made during the 2021 code development period to introduce a table consisting of all materials manufactured to standards specifically for chemical waste drainage applications found in projects such as hospitals, universities and laboratories.
A new way to define chemically compatible systems
The 2024 IPC establishes that chemical waste drainage systems must be fully separate from sanitary drainage systems, including vents. Pipes and fittings should meet recognized standards and be resistant to corrosion and chemical degradation based on the chemicals being handled. Before discharging into the sanitary system, chemical waste must be appropriately treated according to IPC requirements.
IPC Table 702.6, Chemical waste drainage system pipe and fittings, lists the allowable pipe and fittings for chemical waste drainage systems in accordance with various ASTM and Canadian Standards Association standards. They include CPVC, borosilicate glass, high silicon iron, polyolefin and polyvinylidene fluoride/PVDF.
While the definition of “approved materials” for chemical waste drainage has evolved in the 2024 IPC, Charlotte Pipe’s commitment to providing the proper materials for chemical waste disposal remains the same.
“Since no single piping system is chemically resistant to every chemical and substance, the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding chemical resistance, temperature compatibility and installation should be referenced by the installer or designer when choosing a material for chemical waste drainage,” Helms says.
Charlotte Pipe’s ChemDrain pipe and fittings
Charlotte Pipe ChemDrain® chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe and fittings are manufactured with a Corzan® CPVC compound and are specifically engineered to deliver years of reliable, problem-free chemical waste drainage service.
ChemDrain pipe and fittings are manufactured according to ASTM F2618, Standard Specification for Chlorinated Poly (Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Pipe and Fittings for Chemical Waste Drainage Systems — the standard for CPVC pipe and fittings for chemical waste drainage as identified in the 2024 IPC, which covers the performance requirements of CPVC pipe, fittings and solvent cements used in chemical waste drainage systems. Because of this, ChemDrain pipe and fittings are trusted and widely used by some of the nation’s top research labs thanks to their exceptional resistance to strong acids and alkalis. In addition to its durability, ChemDrain is easy to install using one-step solvent joining and is a more economical alternative for institutional, academic and commercial labs.
Understanding the effects of chemical attacks on plastic piping systems is crucial for long-term durability. Learn how to navigate material selection and ensure chemical resistance, and explore how ChemDrain CPVC prevents damage through superior chemical resistance.
If you have questions about recent code amendments, contact the Charlotte Pipe Technical Support team.