248 CMR, § 10.06 - Materials

(1) General Rules.

(a) All products, systems, and equipment used in the construction, installation, alteration, repair, replacement, or removal of any plumbing or drainage system or part thereof, shall conform to the material requirements in 248 CMR 10.06. For purposes of 248 CMR 10.06, all products, systems, and equipment must meet the requirements for acceptance under 248 CMR 3.04: Product, Design, and Testing Standards, including, but not limited to, meeting the requirements of generally accepted standards acceptable to the Board.

(b) Notwithstanding 248 CMR 10.06(1), the Inspector may allow the extension, addition to, or relocation of existing water, soil, waste and/or vent pipes with materials of like grade or quality in renovations or in renovations or alterations where the original installation met all code requirements then in effect.

(c) The Board may accept products pursuant to 248 CMR 3.04(1) which do not adhere to the requirements of 248 CMR 10.06(1) when the Board has explicitly found that the material used in the product(s) are substantially equivalent to materials normally acceptable by 248 CMR 10.06 and otherwise, would not be detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare.

(d) Alternate Materials, Methods, and Systems. The provisions of 248 CMR 10.06 are not intended to prevent the use of materials, methods or systems that are not specifically authorized or prescribed by 248 CMR 10.06, provided such alternate materials, methods and systems meet the standards, use and intent of 248 CMR 10.06 and the Board has granted Product-Acceptance, a Variance, or a Test-site status pursuant to 248 CMR 3.00: General Provisions Governing the Conduct of Plumbing and Gas Fitting Work Performed in the Commonwealth.

(e) All pipe, valves and fittings used in a potable water system anticipated to be used for human consumption shall comply with the Federal Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA) 42 USC Section 300 f.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of 248 CMR 10.00, all applicable products must meet the energy efficiency standards outlined in M.G.L. c. 25B, §§ 5 through 10 and 225 CMR 9.00: Appliance Energy-efficiency Standards, Testing and Certification Program. To the extent these requirements are mandated by law, no variance or other relief can be granted by the Board to allow use of a non-compliant product.

(2) Allowable Materials.

(a) Sheet Copper. Sheet copper shall not be less than 12 ounces per square foot when used in the following applications:

1. safe pan;

2. shower pan;

3. flush tank linings:

4. vent terminal flashing; or

5. general use.

(b) Floor Flanges: A floor flange used for a toilet or other similar fixture shall be product accepted and made of copper, brass, cast iron, hubless cast iron or plastic.

(c) Storm & Sanitary Above & Below Ground. Materials listed in 248 CMR 10.06: Table 1.

(d) Vent Pipe & Fittings Above & Below Ground. Materials listed in 248 CMR 10.06: Table 1.

10.06: Table 1

Storm and Sanitary Waste and Vent Piping

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Note: Always follow manufacturers installation instructions wherever more stringent than 248 CMR.

A = Allowed: X = Not Allowed

* May be used only for storm water drainage For a list if allowable materials for Special Waste, see 248 CMR 10.13(2)(a) and (b).

(e) Water Distribution Piping Above and Below Ground. Materials listed in 248 CMR 10.06: Table 2.

10.06 Table 2

Water Distribution Piping

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Note: Follow manufacturers installation instructions wherever more stringent than 248 CMR. A = Allowed: X = Not Allowed

(f) CPVC Pipe and PEX Tubing and Fittings. CPVC and PEX may be used for hot and cold-water piping which is:

1. located in residential dwellings, hotels, motels, inns, condominiums, and similar buildings not exceeding six stories; or

2. located in a predominantly residential building where there is a single, non-residential use on single floor and meeting the following requirements:

a. the non-residential use would be categorized exclusively as employee (non-residential) per 248 CMR 10.10 (15): Table 1 with no additional uses and,

b. the non-residential use shall be limited to a maximum of four plumbing fixtures; and

c. the types of plumbing fixtures shall be limited to toilets, sinks (lavatory, residential, and service sinks) and drinking water stations.

3. used exclusively for dedicated cold-water piping beginning at the outlet of the water meter or main control valve inside any building directly to drinking water stations.

4. PEX tubing, and fittings may be used in commercial buildings for the purpose of conveying reverse osmosis or other similar processes that produce Purified Water from the point of treatment to one or more points of use for drinking water.

Exception:

a. CPVC pipe and/or PEX domestic water tubing and fittings shall not be installed within 24 inches of the final connection to any domestic water heater.

b. CPVC pipe and/or PEX tubing, and fittings shall not be used for steam flushing of water purification systems. Only type 316 stainless steel tube and fittings shall be used for this purpose.

(g) PVC and ABS DWV Pipe and Fittings.

1. PVC and ABS schedule 40 pipe and fittings may be used for drains, waste, or vents in residential dwellings, hotels, motels, inns, condominiums and in residential areas of assisted living facilities not exceeding ten stories; or

2. located in a predominantly residential building where there is a single, non-residential use on a single floor and meeting the following requirements:

a. the non-residential use would be categorized exclusively as employee (non-residential) per 248 CMR 10.10(15): Table 1 with no additional uses and

b. the non-residential use shall be limited to a maximum of four plumbing fixtures and.

c. the types of plumbing fixtures limited to toilets, sinks (lavatory, residential, and service sinks) and drinking water stations.

3. PVC and ABS schedule 40 pipe and fittings shall not be used for drains, waste, or vents in commercial kitchens, laundry rooms, public toilet facilities or other commercial areas located in assisted living facilities, hotels, motels, inns, or similar establishments. See 10.06: Example 1.

4. For the purposes of 248 CMR 10.06, ten stories shall be determined by the building permit. If no building permit is required, ten stories shall be determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Exception:

a. PVC and ABS schedule 40 pipe and fittings may be used for the drains, waste, and vent piping serving fixtures in commercial establishments which are specifically used only for that type of business in:

i. sinks used for washing of hair and/or coloring in barber shops and beauty salons;

ii. fixtures used in salons for manicures and pedicures;

iii. equipment used for processing in photo-labs; or

iv. plumbing fixtures which incorporate alcohol, soda, or other similar carbonated type beverages in commercial buildings. These fixtures may discharge indirectly into the sanitary drainage system. Transition to commercially accepted materials shall be made immediately after the point of dilution. Refer to 248 CMR 10.12(1)(a)2.

Note: All piping for the above-mentioned fixtures shall be connected to the main or branch drain serving other fixtures to provide a point of waste dilution. Vent piping from the fixture discharging the waste shall extend to a point six inches above the flood rim of the fixture and then shall re-transition to cast iron or copper piping material as used throughout the rest of the commercial building.

v. Type 1 PVC pipe and fittings may be used as indirect waste piping for dialysis equipment in medical buildings.

vi. PVC Schedule 40 perforated pipe may be used for subsoil drainage in commercial buildings.

vii. For thermal expansion of PVC DWV please see 248 CMR 10.05(7)(e).

10.06: Example 1

PVC Limited Allowances in Mixed-Use Building Ten Stories and Under

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(h) Other Plastics.

1. Pipe and fittings from purified water systems installed from the point of purification to the final point of use as defined in 248 CMR 10.03 shall be of a size and material specified by the equipment manufacturer.

2. Product-accepted multilayer polypropylene pipe with intermediate fiberglass layer and related fittings. Single wall Polypropylene pipe and fittings for cold water installations only.

(i) Urinal Wastes. Urinal waste branches and urinal fixture wastes shall be installed using the following:

1. Extra heavy or service weight cast iron soil pipe and fittings with caulked joints

2. Extra heavy, service weight or no-hub cast iron soil pipe and fittings with resilient gaskets or no hub clamps with elastomeric sealing sleeves.

3. Threaded cast iron pipe with cast iron drainage fittings.

4. Iron size copper or brass pipe with cast brass drainage fittings.

5. PVC and ABS schedule 40 plastic pipe and fittings may be used only in residential type buildings.

6. Schedule 80 PVC and CPVC threaded nipples may be used as a final point of connection for toilets and urinals to carriers and fittings.

(j) Sumps and Tanks for Sewage. All sumps and tanks for receiving sewage removed by mechanical or ejector methods shall be watertight and designed and constructed as follows:

1. Concrete. Three-inch minimum wall.

2. Cast Iron. Minimum A-inch thickness.

3. Metal.

a. Minimum C inch thickness for above ground and treated to resist corrosion.

b. For below ground installation sumps and tanks shall be designed and accepted for that type of installation and treated inside and outside to resist corrosion,

4. Fiberglass. Reinforced polyester resin glass fibers that comply with ANSI listed standards.

(k) Single Stack Sanitary Drainage System - (So-vent).

1. A Massachusetts professional engineer shall be responsible for the design of the so-vent plumbing system.

2. As part of the design process, the Massachusetts professional engineer shall be responsible for assuring that the piping installation, including pipe sizing, dimension, and other aspects meet the requirements for proper functioning as designed.

3. The Local or State plumbing Inspector shall be responsible for all other aspects of the installation, as required by 248 CMR but is under no obligation to approve or otherwise involve themselves in the design process or ensuring the system meets the design specifications. An affidavit shall be provided by the designing engineer to the local plumbing inspector prior to final inspection.

(l) Vacuum Drainage System. An engineered vacuum system that employs specifically designed fixtures, piping arrangements and vacuum pumps that are designed and installed in compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations may be used in a building or structure provided that in addition to being in conformance with 248 CMR 3.00 through 10.00 the following requirements are satisfied:

1. Each system shall be designed or engineered by a Massachusetts professional engineer.

2. Piping material shall be type K, L, M or DWV hard drawn copper or cast iron.

3. All fittings shall be made of cast brass or hard drawn wrought or cast iron and must be of DWV design.

4. The plumbing Inspector shall be responsible for all other aspects of the installation, as required by 248 CMR but is under no obligation to approve or otherwise involve themselves in the design process or ensuring the System meets the design specifications. An affidavit shall be provided by the designing engineer to the local plumbing inspector prior to final inspection.

5. Any change or redesign in the vacuum drainage system shall be subject to the requirements of 248 CMR 10.06(2)(m) and 248 CMR 10.23.

(m) Relief Valve Discharge. The use of any non-ferrous pipe and fittings rated at a maximum service temperature of 200 °F on the outlet of a relief valve with a discharge not exceeding 105,000 BTU per hour shall be allowed.

Notes

248 CMR, § 10.06

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1331, eff. 1/27/2017. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1442, eff. 4/30/2021. Amended by Mass Register Issue 1510, eff. 12/8/2023.