BCAB #1244 - Traps - Plumbing Code; Sentences 4.5.1.(1), (2) and (3)

March 27, 1991

BCAB #1244

Re: Traps - Plumbing Code; Sentences 4.5.1.(1), (2) and (3)

Project Description

The plumbing system of a new educational facility containing teaching laboratories.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 4.5.1.(1) requires every fixture to be protected by a separate trap except as permitted in Sentences 4.5.1.(2) to (5). Sentences (2) and (3) permit a single trap to serve multiple compartments in a single fixture and multiple fixtures in certain cases. In particular, Sentence (3) permits a single trap to serve a group of laboratory sinks provided they are in the same room and cannot receive food or other organic matter.

Appellant's Position

The appellant maintains that his design which has several laboratory sinks served by a single trap is in conformance with the Code.

Building Official's Position

The building official contends that the design does not meet the Code and describes a previous installation similar to the design in question in which serious problems arose when the system was put to use.

Appeal Board Decision #1244

It is the determination of the Board that the design in question is governed by Sentence 4.5.1.(3) which permits a single trap to serve a group of laboratory sinks in the same room. The Board considers the term "group" to be important and should be interpreted as several fixtures in close proximity to each other such as in a single bench or counter. There may be several groups of fixtures in the same room and each group of fixtures could be served by a single trap. The Board would not consider several sinks dispersed about a room to be a group. The design in question does not meet the above criteria.

George R. Humphrey, Chair