BCAB #1280 - Combustible DWV Piping in Crawl Space, Article 9.10.9.26. & 9.10.9.27.

May 20, 1992

BCAB #1280

Re: Combustible DWV Piping in Crawl Space, Article 9.10.9.26. & 9.10.9.27.

Project Description

The project is a two storey residential complex with separate suites on each storey and a crawl space beneath the first storey. The plumbing system incorporates combustible ABS drain pipe in the crawl space with noncombustible pipe DWV piping throughout the rest of the building.

Reason for Appeal

Article 9.10.9.26. requires the entire piping system to be of noncombustible materials when any part of the system penetrates a fire separation unless it can comply with Articles 9.10.9.27 , 9.10.9.28. or 9.10.9.29. Article 9.10.9.27. permits combustible DWV piping to penetrate a fire separation provided the penetration will pass CAN4-S101, "Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials."

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that his design which incorporates ABS drain pipe only below the crawl space floor and has all penetrations of the horizontal fire separation between suites in noncombustible material meets the requirements of the Code and is in conformance with the decision in Appeal #1260. Appeal #1260 dealt with a similar situation under Part 3 and the decision allowed combustible and noncombustible pipe to be used in the same system provided combustible or noncombustible pipe penetrations of fire separations conformed to CAN4-S101.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that the system does not conform to Article 9.10.9.26. and that Articles 9.10.9.27. to 9.10.9.29. do not apply. Therefore, the ABS drain piping in the crawl space must be changed to noncombustible pipe.

Appeal Board Decision #1280

It is the determination of the Board that the assembly as indicated does not comply with the requirements of Article 9.10.9.26. which states, with exceptions, that combustible piping shall not be used in any part of a drain, waste, or venting system where any part of the piping system wholly or partly penetrates a rated fire separation.

The exceptions listed in Articles 9.10.9.27. thru 9.10.9.29. pertain to combustible piping only and therefore cannot be applied to this appeal. Appeal #1260 was governed by corresponding requirement in Part 3 of the Code and specifically dealt with combustible piping in a rated fire separation.

George R. Humphrey, Chair