HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/2017C ounc il Wo rk S es s ion
December 4, 2017
Time ind icated b elo w
Haro ld E. G etty C ounc il C hamb ers
R oll C all.
Approval of Agenda, as proposed or amended.
4:50 Changes to Electrical Ordinance.
S ub mitted By: G reg Ahlhelm, Building O ffic ial
AD J O URN ME N T
Kelley F elchle
C ity C lerk
C ITY OF WATER LOO
Council Communication
C hanges to Elec tric al O rd inance.
City Council Meeting: 12/4/2017
Prepared: 11/30/2017
R EV I EWER S :
D epartment R eviewer Action D ate
B uilding D epartment E ven, L eAnn Approved 11/30/2017 - 1:58 P M
ATTA C H M EN TS :
Description Type
Ordinance 5392 P roposed U pdates to E lectrical B ackup M aterial
S UB J E C T:C hanges to Elec tric al O rd inance.
S ub mitted by:S ubmitted By: G reg Ahlhelm, Build ing O ffic ial
R ec o mmended Ac tio n:
S ummary S tatement:
Exp enditure R equired :
S ource o f F und s :
P olic y Issue:
Alternative:
Background I nformatio n:
Prepared by LeAnn M. Even, Deputy City Clerk, City of Waterloo, 715 Mulberry Street,
Waterloo, IA 50703, (319) 291-4323.
ORDINANCE NO. 5392
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO, IOWA, BY
REPEALING CHAPTER 3, ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS,
CHAPTER 4, PLUMBING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE A,
PLUMBING CODE; ARTICLE B, PLUMBING BOARD FOR
LICENSING AND APPEALS; AND ARTICLE C., PLUMBING
CONTRACTORS, AND CHAPTER 5 HEATING, AIR
CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION; ARTICLE A,
MECHANICAL CODE; ARTICLE B, MECHANICAL BOARD
FOR LICENSING AND APPEALS; AND ARTICLE C.,
MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS AND ENACTING IN LIEU
THEREOF NEW CHAPTER 3, ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS,
CHAPTER 4, PLUMBING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE A,
PLUMBING CODE; ARTICLE B, PLUMBING BOARD FOR
LICENSING AND APPEALS; AND ARTICLE C., PLUMBING
CONTRACTORS, AND CHAPTER 5 HEATING, AIR
CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION; ARTICLE A,
MECHANICAL CODE; ARTICLE B, MECHANICAL BOARD
FOR LICENSING AND APPEALS; AND ARTICLE C.,
MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, ALL OF TITLE 9,
BUILDING REGULATIONS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO,
IOWA:
That Chapter 3, Electrical Regulations, Chapter 4, Plumbing Regulations; Article A,
Plumbing Code; Article B, Plumbing Board for Licensing and Appeals; and Article C., Plumbing
Contractors, and Chapter 5 Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation; Article A, Mechanical
Code; Article B Mechanical Board for Licensing and Appeals; and Article C., Mechanical
Contractors, all of Title 9, Building Regulations, are hereby repealed in their entirety; that a new
Chapter 3, Electrical Regulations, Chapter 4, Plumbing Regulations; Article A, Plumbing Code;
Article B, Plumbing Board for Licensing and Appeals; and Article C., Plumbing Contractors, and
Chapter 5 Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation; Article A, Mechanical Code; Article B
Mechanical Board for Licensing and Appeals; and Article C., Mechanical Contractors, all of
Title 9, Building Regulations of the 2007 Code of Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, are
hereby enacted in lieu thereof as follows:
CHAPTER 3. ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 1. ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS, GENERALLY
SEC. 9-3-1. TITLE.
This ordinance shall be known as the Waterloo Electrical Code, may be so cited and may
be referred to hereinafter as the “Code”.
SEC. 9-3-2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE.
It is the purpose of this ordinance to adopt an electrical code by reference, including
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 2
provisions for the inspection and regulation of electrical installation, issuance of permits, the
collection of fees, and to provide penalties for violations of this ordinance in order to protect the
public health, safety, and welfare.
The provisions of this code shall apply to and govern all uses, installations, alterations,
repairs, removals, renewals, replacements, connections, disconnections, and maintenance of all
electrical equipment within the City of Waterloo, Iowa.
SEC. 9-3-3. DEFINITIONS.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Code, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(a) Appeal board means the board created in section 11-31.
(b) Approved by the electrical inspector means found by the inspector to comply with the
requirements of this ordinance and, in the absence of such requirements, found by
the inspector to be safe in respect to life and property as measured by the
standards established in this ordinance and the National Electrical Code and
National Fire Protection Association Standards.
(c) Electrical contracting means undertaking, or offering to undertake, the planning and
installation of electrical systems and equipment and the employment,
management, supervision and control of electricians and apprentice electricians
doing electrical work.
(d) Electrical contractor means any person responsible for the activity of planning, or
supervising electricians and apprentices doing electrical wiring, work, or
equipment installations and connections to apparatus, which is or will be
connected to an electric light and power source.
(e) Electrical equipment means all electrical materials, wiring, conductors, fitting,
conduits, devices, appliances, fixtures, signs and apparatus or parts thereof
comprising an electrical system or control of such system.
(f) Electrical maintenance work shall mean the repair of the existing electrical
equipment, or limited replacement and extensions of branch circuits as determined
by the Chief Electrical Inspector.
(g) Electrical work shall mean all installations, alterations, repairs, removals,
replacements, disturbances, connections, disconnections and maintenance of
wiring and electrical equipment, or control of any of the above, over 25 volts, and
wiring systems through, or by which is conveyed, or intended to be conveyed,
electrical current in, above, or under any building, structure, tent, or premises,
public, or privately owned, in the City of Waterloo, Iowa.
(h) Electrician means any person doing electrical work for an electrical contractor.
(i) Examining board means the board created in section 11-31.
(j) Licensed or qualified person means any person who has been examined and licensed
by the examining board and has its approval to install, remove, alter or make
additions to any electrical work in the city.
(k) Shall mean that the act to be performed is mandatory.
SEC. 9-3-4. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 3
In this ordinance certain terms shall be construed as follows:
(a) Electrical terms are definitions relating to electrical equipment, wiring methods and
special wiring locations and conditions shall be those accepted by the trade and
listed in the National Electrical Code or other recognized safe wiring manuals or
tests.
(b) Building classification and occupancy shall be determined from the City Building
Code and the City Zoning Ordinance.
SEC. 9-3-5. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ADOPTION.
(a) The 20142017 Edition of the National Electrical Code, including Article 90, Chapters
1 through 9, and Annex A, B, C, D and H, inclusive, as published by the National
Electrical Code Committee, and adopted by the National Fire Protection
Association, is hereby adopted by reference and is effective as if fully set forth in
this article. Where, in any specific case, different sections of this article specify
different materials, methods of construction or requirements, the most restrictive
shall govern.
SEC. 9-3-6. NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE AMENDMENTS.
The provisions of this section specify certain amendments, by deletion, addition, or
substitution of the 20142017 edition of the National Electrical Code. Where this section states
that an article, subsection, enumeration, or exception is deleted, only the specific article,
subsection, enumeration, or exception is deleted. Where this section states that an article or
subsection is deleted in its entirety, all references listed thereafter associated with the specific
article (with subsections, enumerations and exceptions) or subsection (with enumerations and
exceptions) are deleted.
(a) Amendments to 20142017 NEC Chapter 2 Amendments:
(1) 210.8(A)(2) Add the following exceptions to section 210.8, paragraph (A),
subparagraph (2):
a. Exception No.1 to (2): Receptacles not readily accessible.
b. Exception No.2 to (2): A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for
two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance that,
in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another and that
is cord-and-plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7),
or (A)(8).
c. Receptacles installed under the exceptions to 210.8(A)(2) shall not be
considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G). Where readily
accessible, receptacle shall be labeled as being non-GFCI”.
(2) 210.8(A)(5) Add the following exceptions to section 210.8, paragraph (A),
subparagraph (5):
a. Exception No.2 to (5): Receptacles that are not readily accessible.
b. Exception No. 3 to (5): A single receptacle or a duplex receptacle for
two appliances located within dedicated space for each appliance
that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another
and that is cord-and-plug connected in accordance with
400.7(A)(6),(A)(7), or (A)(8).
c. Receptacles installed under the exceptions to 210.8(A)(5) shall not be
considered as meeting the requirements of 210.52(G). Where readily
accessible, receptacle shall be labeled as being non-GFCI”.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 4
(3) 210-11 (C)(3), Bathroom Branch Circuits, is amended by deleting the
italicized paragraph entitled “Exception” in its entirety.
(4)(3) 210.12 (B)(D) is amended by deleting section 210.12
(B)(D). Delete section 210.12(B)(D).
(5) 220.12 is amended by deleting the exception to section 220.12 and insert in
lieu thereof the following exception: EXCEPTION: Where the building
is designed and constructed to comply with an energy code adopted by the
local authority, the lighting load shall be permitted to be calculated at the
values specified in the energy code.
(6) 230-30 Insulation, is amended by deleting the italicized paragraph entitled
“Exception” (1) through (4) in its entirety, and adding the following new
unnumbered exception:
Exception: A grounded conductor shall be permitted to be uninsulated if it
is part of a service entrance cable assembly.
(7) "230-43. Wiring Methods for 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less, is amended by
deleting items (1) and (6), and by adding the following as a new
unnumbered paragraph at the end of the enumerated paragraphs: “Only
items (3) Rigid, metal conduit and (4) Intermediate metal conduit may be
concealed.”
(8) 230-50(A) Underground Service Entrance Conductors is deleted in its entirety
and the following sentence is substituted therefore: “Service lateral
conductors shall be installed in a raceway not less than two feet
underground.”
(9) 250.52(a)(5) Rod and Pipe Electrodes, is deleted in its entirety and the
following is substituted therefore: “Rod electrodes shall be not less than
2.5m (8 ft.) in length, not less than 15.87mm (5/8 inch) in diameter, and
shall be copper clad or equivalent.”
(10) 250.70 Methods of Grounding and Bonding Conductor
Connection to Electrodes, is amended by deleting item (1), deleting
from item (2) the words, “or plain or malleable iron,” and
renumbering the remaining items as items (1) through (4).
(11)(10)250.118 Delete Items #5,#6 and #7 and insert the
following: (5) All listed flexible metal conduit shall contain a wire type
equipment grounding conductor. (6) All listed liquid tight flexible metal
conduit shall contain a wire type equipment grounding conductor. (7) All
flexible metallic tubing shall contain a wire type equipment grounding
conductor.
2014 NEC Chapter 3 Amendments
(1) 300.13(B) Device Removal is deleted in its entirety and the following is
substituted therefore:
“(B) Device Removal. In all circuits the continuity of conductors shall not
be dependent upon device connections where the removal of such devices
would interrupt continuity.”
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 5
(2) 310.15(b)(7) 120/240-Volt, 3-Wire, Single-Phase Dwelling Services and
Feeders), is deleted in its entirety.
2014 NEC Chapter 4 Amendment
(1) 406.4(D)(4) is amended by deleting section 406.4(D)(4). Delete section
406.4(D)(4).
2014 NEC Annex H AMENDMENTS
SEC. 9-3-7.
80.9(C) Additions, Alterations, or Repairs is amended by adding the following:
It is prohibited by this ordinance to perform any repair, add to, or revamp any residential
service less than 60 ampere electrical service.
80.13 Authority, subparagraph (13), is amended by inserting a period after the words
“ready for inspection”, and deleting the words, “and shall conduct the inspection within
____________ days.”
80.15 Electrical Board, is deleted in its entirety and the
following is substituted therefore:
ARTICLE 2. BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS AND APPEALS
Membership; Appointment of Members; Term of Office
(a) Establishment of the Board. There is hereby established a Board of Electrical
Examiners and Appeals, hereinafter referred to as the "Board," with authority and
responsibility as follows:
(1) To act as a Board of Appeals as provided in the Waterloo Electrical Code.
(2) To periodically review the provisions of the Waterloo Electrical Code and
make recommendations to the Building Official for improving and
updating said documents.
(b) Composition of the Board. The Board shall consist of five (5) members, all of whose
place of business, residence, or work is located in the City of Waterloo. All
members shall be qualified by experience and training to pass judgement upon
matters pertaining to electrical construction. The membership shall be as follows:
Two licensed electrical contractors, one licensed, working electrician, a
representative from a public utility company furnishing electrical power to the
City, one electrical engineer capable of designing systems governed by this code.
The electrical inspector shall serve as secretary to the Board. Said Board shall
serve without compensation.
(c) Appointment of Members and Terms of Office. The members of the Board of
Electrical Examiners and Appeals shall be appointed by the Mayor with the
approval of the City Council. After initial appointment of the Board the terms of
the members shall be for three years except that the initial terms shall be so
arranged and staggered so that the terms of no more that two members shall expire
any one year. A vacancy within any term shall be filled by appointment of the
Mayor with the approval of the City Council for the unexpired portion of that term
only.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 6
Powers and Duties of the Board
The Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals shall have the following powers and
duties:
(a) To act upon reports of violations by licensed master electricians and journeyman
electricians as filed by the electrical inspector with the Board.
(b) To keep a complete record of the official proceedings of the Board; to preserve all
documents, books and papers relating to appeals and hearing of complaints and
charges for at least three years.
(c) To hear appeals from the decision of the electrical inspector and to rule on
interpretations of the provisions of the Waterloo Electrical Code, and to determine
the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction consistent with
the provisions of the Waterloo Electrical Code.
Meetings; Records
(a) All meetings of the Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals shall be held in the
council chambers, or other location indicated in a public notice posted 24 hours
prior to any meeting.
(b) Three members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transacting of all
business, but any action taken by the Board shall require a majority vote of all
members of the Board.
(c) The Board shall annually elect one of its members as chairperson of the Board.
(d) The secretary of the Board shall keep a record of the Board meetings and register the
names and residences of all persons examined by the Board and the kind of
electrical license issued to each, if any.
Right of Appeals
Any person shall have the right to appeal any decision of the electrical inspector to the
Electrical Board of Examiners and Appeals by filing a written notice of such appeal with the
electrical inspector within ten (10) days from the date of the inspector's decision. The Board
shall forthwith fix a time and place of hearing such appeal which shall not be less than five (5)
days nor more than fifteen (15) days after the date of filing of the notice of such appeal, and the
electrical inspector shall notify the appellant in writing by registered mail of the time and place of
such hearing. After the hearing of said appeal, the Board may sustain or overrule the decision of
the electrical inspector. Decision of the Board shall be final unless appealed to the courts as by
law provides.
80.19 (a) is amended by adding the following line item #3:
Permit for Installation by Homeowner
3. A permit application may be submitted by the homeowner and, upon approval and
payment of required fees, an electrical permit shall be issued. Such permit authoriz es the owner
only to install electrical equipment in the dwelling owned and occupied by the owner, without
license or certificate of insurance, and without help from persons other than family members.
If at any time during the permit or inspection process, the Chief Electrical Inspector
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 7
determines the homeowner is unqualified to perform the electrical work, the homeowner will be
required to hire a licensed electrical contractor to perform the electrical work.
80.19 (c 1) is amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the section:
A permit is not required for these repairs if the cost of the repairs does not exceed
$300.00.
80.19 (e) is amended by adding the following:
Fees
(a) Payment of fees for electrical permits shall be made on or before the tenth day of
the month following the date of application for the permit or the date of the
statement from the electrical inspector. All fees shall be payable to the City of
Waterloo. All accounts over 60 days due will be put on a “hold” status until
brought current.
(b) Inspection fees shall be paid in such amounts as established by Resolution by the city
council.
Inspections
80.19 (f) Inspections and Approvals, subparagraph (3), is amended by deleting the words
“or until__________days have elapsed from the time of such notification”.
80.23 (b) Penalties, subparagraph (3), is deleted in its entirety.
80.25 (c) Notification is deleted in its entirety.
80.27 Inspector’s Qualifications is amended by deleting said section in its entirety and
substituting the following therefore:
80.27 Inspector’s Qualifications.
ARTICLE 3. ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
Appointment; Qualifications
(a) The electrical inspector is hereby authorized, directed and empowered to inspect any
and all buildings, structures, tents and premises, public and private and, as
provided in this ordinance, to condemn and order removed or remodeled and put
into proper and safe condition for the prevention of fire and for safety to life and
property, all electrical equipment installations and connections of electrical
current for light, heat and power purposes, and to control the disposition and
arrangement of such equipment so that persons and property shall not be in danger
therefrom.
(b) The electrical inspector shall have successfully passed any and all examinations
administered by the Civil Service Commission, have been recommended to said
position by the Building Official, appointed by the Mayor, and confirmed by the
majority of all members of the City Council.
(c) The appointee shall:
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 8
(1) Be a qualified electrician and shall have at least five years of practical
experience in the electrical trade or five years of experience as an electrical
inspector, or, in lieu of such experience, shall be a graduate in electrical or
mechanical engineering of a college or university considered by the
Personnel Director as having suitable requirements for graduation, and
shall have had two years of practical electrical experience; and
(2) Be possessed of such executive ability as requisite for the performance of
required duties and have thorough knowledge of the standard material and
methods used in the installation of electrical equipment; and
(3) Be well versed in improved methods of construction for safety to persons and
property, the statutes of the state relating to electrical work and any orders,
rules and regulations issued by authority thereof, and in the National
Electrical Code.
(d) The electrical inspector shall hold a current master or journeyman electrical license
with the State of Iowa or shall be required to pass an examination prior to his/her
appointment.
(e) He/she shall hold membership in the International Association of Electrical
Inspectors.
Section 80.28 Licensing is added as follows:
(a) License Required
1. Electrical licenses shall be governed by Iowa Code Chapter 103,
Electricians and Electrical Contractors (2008).
(b) State of Iowa Class B License. All State of Iowa Class B Journeyman’s license will be
accepted by the City of Waterloo. A State of Iowa class B Master electrician’s
license will be accepted if the electrician has held a Waterloo license after January
1, 1990.
(c) If you have a State of Iowa electrical contractor’s license and wish to pull a permit in
the City of Waterloo, a one-time registration fee of $150.00 will be charged if you
have never held a City of Waterloo license.
(d) Licenses are not transferable, nor shall they be loaned or rented.
SEC. 9-3-8. PENALTY, ABATEMENT OF VIOLATIONS.
(a) Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a
municipal infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished accordingly.
(b) If any electrical work, including construction or repair, is performed within the city
contrary to the provisions of this ordinance, it shall be deemed a municipal
infraction and, in addition to penalties described, shall be abated in accordance
with this ordinance.
(c) The doing of any act prohibited or declared to be unlawful, an offense or a municipal
infraction by this ordinance or the National Electrical Code, or the omission or
failure to perform any act or duty required by this ordinance or the National
Electrical Code, is, unless another penalty is specified, punishable as provided in
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 9
sections 1-15 through 1-17 of the Waterloo code.
SEC. 9-3-9. APPLICABILITY OF ORDINANCE TO EXISTING BUILDINGS.
(a) If any existing building is damaged due to fire, natural disaster or otherwise, the
areas that are damaged shall be brought up to current city and national codes. If
other areas of the building are altered or repaired due to damages that occurred,
these areas must also be brought up to the current codes.
(b) If the type of occupancy of an existing building is partially or entirely changed, the
electrical wiring shall be made to conform to the requirements of the current city
and national codes for the new type of occupancy.
SEC. 9-3-10. MOVED BUILDINGS.
(a) Residential moved buildings shall be brought into compliance with the electrical
requirements of new residential-type buildings.
Exception: Parts of an electrical system which were not damaged and had been
installed in compliance with the electrical code which was in effect at the time of
installation may be retained in said electrical systems.
(b) Electrical systems in any other moved buildings shall be brought into compliance
with the provisions of this Code the same as for new construction.
(c) The permanent service connection shall not be made by the power company until the
electrical system is completely installed, and is approved by the inspector.
(d) The existing service on the moved building shall not be connected to the electrical
power source unless specifically approved by an inspector.
SEC. 9-3-11. DISCLAIMER.
This ordinance shall not be construed to affect the responsibility or liability of any party
owning, operating, controlling or installing any electrical equipment for damages to persons or
property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the city be held as assuming such liability by
reason of the inspection or re-inspection authorized in this ordinance or the certificates of
approval issued as provided in this ordinance, or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any
equipment authorized in this ordinance.
SEC. 9-3-12. LIABILITY OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR.
The electrical inspector, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of
his/her duties, shall not thereby render himself/herself liable personally and he/she hereby is
relieved from all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to person or property as a
result of any act required or by reason of any act of omission in the discharge of his/her duties.
Any suit brought against the city because of such act or omission performed by him/her in the
enforcement of any provisions of this ordinance shall be defended by the city.
SEC. 9-3-13. RESERVED.
SEC. 9-3-14. UNLAWFUL CONNECTIONS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to make connection from a supply of electricity to any
electric equipment that has been installed or which has been disconnected or ordered to be
disconnected by the electrical inspector, until inspected and approved by the electrical inspector.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 10
SEC. 9-3-15. INSPECTION OF WIRING REQUIRED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF
METER.
It shall be unlawful for any person to set a meter for electric purposes to any building or
premises, wiring of which has not been inspected and approved by the electrical inspector. A
violation of this section will cause the electrical inspector to give written notice and immediately
cause the removal of such conditions and the discontinuance of such current.
SEC. 9-3-16. ALTERATION OF IDENTIFICATION OR RATING MARKINGS.
It shall be unlawful to cover, remove, alter, change, or deface the maker’s name or
identification mark or any of the rating markings on electrical equipment.
SEC. 9-3-52. CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
It shall be unlawful for the electrical inspector or assistant electrical inspectors to engage
in the business of the sales, installation or maintenance of electrical equipment either, directly or
indirectly, and they shall have no financial interest in any concern engaged in such business in
the city of Waterloo, at any time, while holding said offices.
CHAPTER 4
PLUMBING REGULATIONS
9-4-1: TITLE: This chapter shall be known as the WATERLOO PLUMBING CODE and may be
so cited and may be referred to hereinafter as "the code" or "this code".
9-4-2: APPLICATION AND SCOPE: The provisions of this chapter shall include and apply to
all plumbing work, plumbing installations and plumbing equipment hereinafter installed,
constructed, altered, serviced or repaired in, for or about any new, remodeled or relocated
building or structure in the city.
9-4-3: PLUMBING INSPECTOR:
A. Appointment: The plumbing inspector shall be appointed by the mayor and city council
after being tested by the civil service commission and upon recommendation by the building
official, and shall work under the direction of the building official.
B. Qualifications:
1. The appointee shall be a licensed practical journeyman or master plumber with not less
than ten (10) years' experience; shall possess a certificate of competency issued by the city or
must submit to an examination of competency administered by the city board of plumbing
examiners; shall possess a valid driver's license; shall possess such executive ability and requisite
for the performance of required duties; shall have thorough knowledge of the standard materials
and methods used in the installation and maintenance of plumbing equipment; shall be well
versed in improved methods of construction for safety to persons and property, the statutes of the
state relating to sanitation and plumbing and any orders, rules and regulations issued by authority
thereof and in the Uniform Plumbing Code.
2. The plumbing inspector shall hold a current journeyman plumber's license with the city
and shall be required to pass an examination for journeyman prior to appointment.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 11
C. Powers And Duties:
1. The plumbing inspector is empowered to inspect any and all buildings or structures,
public or private, and to, as herein provided, condemn, and order removed or remodeled and put
into proper and safe condition all plumbing and plumbing related items for the protection of the
public health, safety and welfare.
2. The plumbing inspector shall have power under the direction of the building official to
exercise judgment in a reasonable and proper manner and rule accordingly on all special cases in
regard to matters in this chapter or not specifically covered thereby.
3. The plumbing inspector shall keep records of sewer connections from city main(s) to the
property line and from the property line to each building connected to city services.
4. The Plumbing Inspector shall be the code and administrative authority for the
administration of the plumbing code of the city.
D. Right Of Entry: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this plumbing code, or whenever the plumbing inspector or authorized
representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any
premises, any condition which makes such building or premises unsafe, the plumbing inspector
or authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to
inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon by this chapter, provided that if such
building or premises be occupied, they shall first present proper credentials and demand entry;
and if such building or premises be unoccupied, they shall first make a reasonable effort to locate
the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry.
If such entry is refused, the plumbing inspector or their authorized representative shall have
recourse to every remedy by law to secure entry.
E. Unlawful Activities: It shall be unlawful for the plumbing inspector to engage in the
business of the sales, installation or maintenance of plumbing equipment, either directly or
indirectly, and the inspector shall have no financial interest in any concern engaged in such
business in the city, at any time while holding office as herein provided for.
9-4-4: DEFECTIVE WORK; UNSANITARY CONDITIONS: Whenever it shall come to the
knowledge of the plumbing inspector that the plumbing in a building causes a nuisance or may
cause disease, sickness, or otherwise becomes a hazard to health, it shall be the duty of said
inspector to make an inspection of such plumbing and render a report to the proper party, setting
forth the necessary repairs or alterations required to make such plumbing conform to this chapter.
The inspector shall set a limit of time in which such repairs or alterations are to be made, and
upon the refusal or neglect of the owner, agent, lessee or tenant to comply with said notice within
the time stated, the plumbing inspector shall cause such repairs or alterations to be made and
such nuisance abated and the expense of such work shall be taxed against such property and
become a prior lien thereon; or the inspector may order the premises vacated and closed to
further occupancy until such time as the required repairs or alterations have been made.
9-4-5: MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF DOUBLE OR MULTIPLE HOUSE SEWER
CONNECTIONS:
A. When it shall become necessary to make any repairs or to make any replacements or in
the event of any cost of maintenance of a double or multiple house sewer between the main
sewer and the lot line from which such multiple connections are extended, the owner of each
structure, residence or building served by such double or multiple house sewer shall pay their
proportionate share of the expenses of such repair, replacement or maintenance cost. Such double
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 12
or multiple sewer shall be construed to mean from the branch opening where the individual
sewers enter the double or multiple house sewer to the point of connection at the city sewer.
B. In the event the owner of each structure, residence or building served by such double or
multiple house sewer shall fail to maintain or repair the same or to make any replacements in the
same and to pay their proportionate share of expense incident thereto, the city shall have the
power to order said replacements, repairs or maintenance, as the case may be, and the actual cost
thereof shall be assessed against such property by certifying to the county auditor for collection
as other special taxes.
9-4-6: WORK REQUIRING PERMIT OR APPROVAL: No building or premises shall tap any
water or sewer main or have installed any private building sewer, water service, private sewage
disposal plant or private water system or have connections, extensions, replacements, removals
or additions of any nature to the sanitary plumbing or water supply system or disconnection of
any fixture or change in the plumbing system before notifying the plumbing inspector or his
assistant and securing a permit or authority to proceed with the work.
9-4-7: INSTALLATION BY OWNER: In cases where the owner/occupant desires to do
plumbing work in the owner's own residence, said owner shall make payment of required fees
and a plumbing permit shall be issued. Said permit authorizes the owner only to do plumbing
work in the dwelling or unit owned and occupied by said owner without licensing, certificate of
insurance or help from other than family members. Said person performs all labor in connection
therewith, has the necessary inspections made and complies with chapter requirements.
9-4-8: NOTIFICATION FOR INSPECTION:
A. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to notify the inspector that his work is ready for
inspection or test. All inspections require twenty four (24) hours' notice.
B. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to make sure the work will stand the test
prescribed before giving notification.
C. If the inspector finds that the work will not stand a required test, or corrections are
required, the plumber shall be required to notify the inspector when the necessary corrections are
complete for re-inspection. If corrections are still required, the plumber shall make corrections,
notify the inspector for re-inspection and pay a re-inspection fee.
D. If the inspector fails to appear within twenty four (24) hours, during normal working
hours, of the time set for each inspection or test, the inspection or test shall be deemed to have
been made; but the plumber doing the work shall be required to file an affidavit with the
plumbing inspector that the work was installed in accordance with the ordinance and permit, and
that it was free from defects and that the required test had been made and the system was found
free from leaks.
9-4-9: APPLICABILITY TO EXISTING BUILDINGS: If an existing building is damaged by fire
or otherwise or altered in a manner to require the replacement of fifty percent (50%) or more of
the structure as determined by the authority having jurisdiction, the entire building shall conform
to this chapter's requirements for new buildings.
ARTICLE A. PLUMBING CODE
9-4A-1: UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE ADOPTED: Except as hereinafter added to, deleted,
modified or amended, there is hereby adopted as the plumbing code of the city, that certain
plumbing code known as Uniform Plumbing Code, 2015 Edition, and any further regulations or
requirements of the state plumbing code, and the provisions of said plumbing code shall be
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 13
controlling in the construction and maintenance of plumbing and in all other matters covered by
said plumbing code within the city.
9-4A-2: AMENDMENTS:
Section 102.3 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended by adding Section 102.3.3 as follows:
102.3.3 Municipal Infraction.
102.3.3.1 Any person, firm, or corporation failing to comply with or violating any of the terms or
provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a municipal infraction and upon conviction
thereof, be punished accordingly.
102.3.3.2 If any plumbing work, including construction or repair, is performed within the city
contrary to the provisions of this ordinance, it shall be deemed a municipal infraction and in
addition to penalties described, shall be corrected in accordance with this ordinance.
102.3.3.3 The omission or failure to perform any act or duty required by this ordinance or the
performing of any act which is prohibited or declared to be unlawful by this ordinance, an
offense or a municipal infraction pursuant to this ordinance or the Uniform Plumbing Code, is
punishable by a fine of up to two hundred dollars ($200.00), for the first offense and up to four
hundred dollars ($400.00) for each subsequent offense.
Section 103.4, Fees, is hereby repealed in its entirety; a new Section 103.4, Fees, is hereby
enacted in lieu thereof as follows:
103.4: FEES: All plumbing permit and inspection fees shall be established by resolution of the
city council and paid prior to issuance of a permit or re-inspection.
Section 305, Sewers required, is amended by adding the following subsection thereto:
305.4. Public systems available. A public water supply system and/or public sewer system shall
be deemed available to premises if such premises are within two hundred (200) feet, measured
along a street, alley, or easement, of the public water supply or sewer system and a connection
conforming to the standards set forth in this code shall be made thereto.
602.4.1 Yard Hydrants to furnish water for human consumption are prohibited, unless it is an
approved fixture. (Iowa)
603.3 Specific Requirements, is hereby amended by adding the following subsections:
603.5.21 Cross Connection Control-Containment Provisions. The purpose is to safeguard
potable water supplies by preventing backflow into public water systems.
603.5.21.1 Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to Section 603.3 of the Waterloo
plumbing code. For the purpose of this Section, these definitions supersede definitions given
elsewhere in this code.
1.Administrative Authority. For the purpose of this section, the administrative authority shall
be the Waterloo Water Works and plumbing division of the City of Waterloo Building
Inspection Department.
2.Approved backflow prevention assembly for containment. A backflow prevention
assembly which is listed by the University of Southern California-Foundation for Cross
Connection Control and Hydraulic Research as having met the requirements of ANSI-
AWWA Standard C510-89, “Double Check Valve Backflow-Prevention Assemblies”, or
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ANSI-AWWA Standard C511-89, “Reduced-Pressure Principle Backflow-Prevention
Assemblies” for containment. The listing shall include the limitations of use based on the
degree of hazard. The backflow prevention assembly must also be listed by the
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
3.Approved backflow prevention assembly for containment in a fire protection system. A
backflow prevention assembly to be used in a fire protection system which meets the
requirements of Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM) and Underwriters Laboratory
(UL), and the requirement of the fire code and the building code of the city, in addition to
the requirements of paragraph a(3). Devices sized smaller than 2½“ which have not been
listed by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and tested by Factory Mutual Research
Corporation (FM) may be allowed if they meet the requirements of the fire code and the
building code of the city.
4.Auxiliary water supply. Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the
water purveyor’s approved public water supply such as, but not limited to, a private well,
pond or river.
5.Containment. A method of backflow prevention which requires the installation of a
backflow prevention assembly at the water service entrance.
6.Cross connection. Any actual or potential connection or arrangement, physical or
otherwise, between a potable water supply system and any plumbing fixture or tank,
receptacle, equipment or device, through which it may be possible for non-potable, used,
unclean, polluted and contaminated water, or other substance, to enter into any part of
such potable water system under any condition.
7.Customer. The owner, operator, or occupant of a building or property which has a water
service from a public water system, or the owner or operator of a private water system
which has a water service from a public water system.
8.Degree of hazard. The rating of a cross connection or water service which indicates if it
has the potential to cause contamination or pollution.
9.Double check valve backflow prevention assembly. A backflow prevention device
consisting of two independently acting internally loaded check valves, four properly
located test cocks, and two isolation valves.
10. High hazard cross connection. A high hazard cross connection is a cross connection
which may cause an impairment of the quality of the potable water by creating an actual
hazard to the public health, through poisoning or through the spread of disease by sewage,
industrial fluids or waste.
11. Isolation. A method of backflow prevention in which a backflow prevention assembly is
located at the cross connection rather than at the water service entrance.
12. Low hazard cross connection. A low hazard cross connection is a cross connection which
may cause an impairment of the quality of potable water to a degree which does adversely
and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such potable waters for domestic use.
13. Multiple-family residential units. A multiple family residential unit shall mean a building
designed to be used as residential occupancy for multiple-family units, each having
separate plumbing facilities and not more than two levels of occupancy.
14. Private owned customer water system piping. Water service line pipes and plumbing
fixtures connected to the public water system of the City of Waterloo which are extended
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to the customer’s property and into the customer’s building for service to the customer,
regulatory control of which is defined in the city plumbing code and Waterloo Water
Works regulations.
15. Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly. A backflow prevention
device consisting of two independently acting internally loaded check valves, a
differential pressure relief valve, four properly located test cocks and two isolation valves.
16. Registered Backflow prevention assembly tester. A person who is registered by law to
test or repair backflow prevention assemblies and report on the condition of those
assemblies.
17. Thermal expansion. Volumetric increase of water due to heating resulting in increased
pressure in a closed system.
18. Water service. Depending on the context, water service is the physical connection
between a public water system and a customer’s building, property or private water
system, or the act of providing potable water to a customer.
603.5.21.2 Administrative Authority.
1.For the purpose of Section 603.5.21.2 of the Waterloo plumbing code only, the
administrative authority shall be the Waterloo Water Works and plumbing division of the
City of Waterloo Building Inspection Department.
2.The administrative authority shall have the right to enter, with the consent of the customer,
or upon the basis of a suitable warrant issued by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, any
property to inspect for possible cross connections.
3.The administrative authority may approve training programs for backflow prevention
assembly testers and register backflow prevention assembly testers who successfully
complete an approved training program.
4.The administrative authority may collect fees for the administration of this program. Fees
shall be established by resolution of the Waterloo City Council.
603.5.21.3 New Water Service.
1.Plans shall be submitted to the administrative authority to review on all new water services
to determine size and degree of hazard.
2.The administrative authority shall determine if any type of backflow prevention assembly is
required for containment based on the degree of hazard.
3.The administrative authority shall require, where necessary, the installation of the
appropriate backflow prevention assembly for containment before the initiation of water
service.
603.5.21.4 Existing Water Services.
1.Upgrades of existing water services shall be treated as new water services for the purpose
of this section.
2.The administrative authority shall publish and make available to each customer a copy of
the standards used to determine the degree of hazard.
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3.After publication of the standards, the administrative authority shall notify customers
whose premises are classified as single family residential or multiple family residential,
having five units or less and not more than two levels of occupancy, of the provisions of
this ordinance and compliance therewith.
4.Within six (6) months after publication of the standards, customers whose premises are not
classified as single family residential shall complete and return to the administrative
authority a cross connection hazard survey to be used to determine the type of
containment device.
5.The administrative authority shall, on the basis of information received from customers or
gathered through on-premises investigations or surveys, notify the customer that a method
of backflow prevention is required. The customer shall prepare a written plan for review
and approval by the administrative authority to install a device or devices for containment
and/or isolation based on the degree of hazard.
6.Within the time frame specified in writing by the administrative authority, the customer
shall install a backflow prevention assembly as approved by the administrative authority.
7.For existing water services, the administrative authority may inspect the premises to
determine the degree of hazard. When the high hazard cross connections are found, the
administrative authority shall, at its sole discretion:
7.1 develop a schedule of compliance which the customer shall
Follow.
7.2 terminate the water service until a backflow prevention assembly for containment required by
the administrative authority has been installed.
8.Failure of the administrative authority to notify a customer that they are believed to have a
high hazard cross connection and that they shall install backflow prevention assemblies
for containment in no way relieves a customer of the responsibility to comply with all
requirements of this section.
603.5.21.3 Customer.
1.The customer shall be responsible for ensuring that no cross connections exist without
approved backflow protection within his or her premises starting at the point of service
from the public potable water system.
2.The customer shall, at his or her own expense, cause installation, operation, testing and
maintenance of the backflow prevention assemblies required by the administrative
authority.
3.The customer shall ensure the administrative authority is provided with copies of records of
the installation and of all tests and repairs made to the backflow prevention assembly on
the approved form within fifteen (15) days after testing and/or repairs are completed.
4.In the event of a backflow incident, the customer shall immediately notify the local water
supplier, the Waterloo Water Works.
Section 603.5.21.6 Required Backflow Prevention Assemblies for Containment – Water
Services.
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Page 17
1. An air gap or an approved reduce pressure principle backflow prevention assembly is
required for water services having one or more cross connections which the
administrative authority classifies as high hazard.
2. An approved double check valve assembly is required for water services having no
high hazard cross connections but having one or more cross connections which the
administrative authority has classified as low hazard.
3. Every water service which is required to install a backflow prevention assembly at
point of entry will be required to follow Section 603.4 of the Uniform Plumbing Code
at time of installation.
4. Exception. Residential – Single family dwelling to be done by isolation unless
specified by administrative authority.
Section 603.5.21.7 Required Backflow Prevention Assemblies for Containment – Fire Protection
Systems.
1.A reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly shall be installed on all new
and existing fire protection systems which the administrative authority determines to have
any of the following.
1.1 Direct connections from public water mains with an auxiliary water supply on or available to
the premises for pumper connection.
1.2 Interconnections with auxiliary supplies such as reservoirs, rivers, ponds, wells, mills or other
industrial water systems.
1.3 Use of antifreezes or other additives in the fire protection
system.
1.4 Combined industrial or domestic with high hazard and fire protection systems supplied from
the public water mains only, with or without gravity storage or pump suction tanks.
1.5 Any other facility, connection, or condition which may cause
contamination.
2.A double check valve assembly shall be required for all other fire protection systems. The
double check valve shall be required on all new systems at the time of installation and on
existing systems at the time that they are upgraded.
3.Submittal of proposed backflow prevention devices to the administrative authority does not
relieve the designer or sprinkler contractor of the responsibility of submitting plans,
including backflow prevention devices, to the Fire Marshal for approval.
603.5.21.8 Registration of Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester. A backflow prevention
assembly tester registered by the State of Iowa shall include his or her registration number on all
correspondence and forms required by or associated with this ordinance.
Section 603.5.21.9 Registered Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Noncompliance.
1. The registration of a tester may be revoked or suspended, for a period of up to two
years, for noncompliance with this ordinance.
2. Any of the following conditions constitute noncompliance:
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Page 18
2.1 Improper testing or repair or backflow prevention assemblies.
2.2 Improper reporting of the results of testing or of repairs made to backflow prevention
assemblies.
2.3 Failure to meet registration requirements.
2.4 Related unethical practices.
603.5.21.10 Installation of Backflow Prevention Assemblies.
1.Installation of backflow prevention assemblies shall be made by a licensed and bonded
plumbing contractor of the City of Waterloo with proper permits.
2.The required backflow prevention assemblies for containment shall be installed in
horizontal plumbing immediately following the meter or as close to that location as
deemed practical by the administrative authority. In any case, it shall be located upstream
from any branch piping. Installation at this point does not eliminate the responsibilities
of the customer to protect the water supply system from containment or pollution between
the backflow prevention assembly and the water main.
3.Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed so as to be
protected from flooding.
4.Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assemblies shall not be installed in
underground vaults or pits.
5.All backflow prevention assemblies shall be protected from freezing. Those devices used
for seasonal services may be removed in lieu of being protected from freezing; however,
the devices must be reinstalled and tested by a registered backflow prevention assembly
tester prior to service being reactivated.
6.If hot water is used within the water system, thermal expansion shall be provided for when
installing a backflow prevention assembly for containment.
7.Provisions shall be made to convey the discharge of water from reduced, pressure principle
backflow prevention assemblies, to a suitable drain.
8.No backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed in a place where it would create a
safety hazard, such as but not limited to over an electrical panel or above ceiling level.
9.If interruption of water service during testing and repair of backflow prevention assemblies
for containment is unacceptable to the customer, another backflow prevention assembly,
sized to handle the temporary water flow need during the time of test or repair, should be
installed in parallel piping.
10. All backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed so that they are accessible for
testing as stated in Section 603.17 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
11. All shut-off valves conform with the current edition of the Manual of Cross Connection
Control (University of Southern California) requirements for either ball or resilient seat
gate valves at the time of installation. Ball valves shall be used on assemblies installed in
piping two inches and smaller and resilient seat gate valves on assemblies installed in
piping larger than two inches.
603.5.21.11 Testing of Backflow Prevention Assemblies.
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Page 19
1.Testing of backflow prevention assemblies shall be performed by a registered Backflow
Prevention Assembly Tester. The costs of tests required in the following paragraphs 2
through 5 shall be borne by the customer.
2.Backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested upon installation, and tested and inspected
at least annually.
3.Backflow prevention assemblies which are in place, but have been out of operation for
more than three months, shall be tested before being put back into operation. Backflow
prevention assemblies used in seasonal applications shall be tested before being put into
operation each season.
4.Any backflow prevention assembly which fails a periodic test shall be repaired or replaced.
When water service has been terminated for noncompliance, the backflow prevention
assembly shall be repaired or replaced prior to the resumption of water service. Backflow
prevention assemblies shall be retested by a registered Backflow Prevention Assembly
Tester immediately after repair or replacement.
5.The administrative authority may require backflow prevention assemblies to be tested at
any time in addition to the annual testing requirement.
6.The registered Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester shall report the successful test of a
backflow prevention assembly to the customer and to the administrative authority on the
form provided by the administrative authority within fifteen (15) days of the test.
7.The administrative authority may require, at its own cost, additional tests of individual
backflow prevention assemblies as it shall deem necessary to verify test procedures and
results.
603.5.21.12 Repair of Backflow Preventions Assemblies.
1.All repairs to backflow prevention assemblies shall be performed by registered Backflow
prevention assembly testers.
2.The registered Backflow prevention assembly tester shall not change the design, material,
or operational characteristics of a backflow prevention assembly during repair or
maintenance and shall use only original manufacturer replacements parts.
3.The registered Backflow prevention assembly tester shall report the repair of a backflow
prevention assembly to the customer and to the administrative authority on the form
provided by the administrative authority within fifteen (15) days of the repair. The report
shall include the list of materials or replacement parts used.
4.Any time fire services are discontinued for a period of time longer than necessary to test the
device the tester is required to notify the Fire Marshal’s office that the fire services are
shut off for repairs.
603.5.21.13 Customer Noncompliance. The water service may be discontinued in the case of
noncompliance with Section 603.3.17 of the Waterloo plumbing code. Noncompliance includes
but is not limited to the following:
1.Refusal to allow the administrative authority access to the property to inspect for cross
connections.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 20
2.Removal of a backflow prevention assembly which has been required by the administrative
authority.
3.Bypassing of a backflow prevention assembly which has been required by the
administrative authority.
4.Providing inadequate backflow prevention when cross connections exist.
5.Failure to install a backflow assembly which has been required by the administrative
authority.
6.Failure to test and/or properly repair a backflow prevention assembly as required by the
administrative authority.
Sections 604.1 and 604.2 of section 604, Materials, are hereby repealed in their entirety; new
sections 604.2 through 604.8 are hereby enacted in lieu thereof as follows:
604.1 Materials for water service piping shall be of lead-free brass, copper, ductile iron, or other
materials approved by the administrative authority. All materials used in water supply systems
except valves and similar devices shall be of like material, except when otherwise approved by
administrative authority. Copper, tube, when used underground, shall have a weight of not less
than copper water tube type K.
604.1.1 Joints and fittings for underground water service piping must be lead-free compression or
threaded brass. Fittings must meet A.W.W.A. (American Water Works Association) and
Waterloo Water Works standards. All fittings shall maintain an effective grounding path from
the meter to the main. Rubber compression fittings will not be allowed.
604.1.2 Materials for water distribution, pipes, and tubing shall be of lead-free brass, copper,
ductile iron, stainless steel, or PEX water pipe. PEX water pipe, tubing, and fittings,
manufactured to recognized standards may be used for hot and cold, water distribution systems
within a building. All materials used in the water supply system, except valves and similar
devices shall be of a like material, except where otherwise approved by the Administrative
Authority. Copper tube used underground shall have a weight of not less than copper water tube
type K and aboveground shall be a weight of not less than copper water tube type L.
604.1.3 Approved PEX water pipe may be used in water distribution piping except where
existing metallic water distribution piping is used for electrical grounding purposes, replacement
piping therefore shall be of metallic and PEX will not be allowed.
Exception: Where a grounding system, acceptable to the Administrative Authority is installed,
inspected and approved, metallic pipe may be replaced with approved PEX pipe.
604.1.4 PEX. Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing shall be marked with the appropriate
standard designation(s) listed in Table 14-1 for which the tubing has been listed or approved.
PEX tubing shall be installed in compliance with the provisions of this section.
604.1.5 PEX Fittings. Metal Insert Fittings and Metal Compression Fittings used with PEX
tubing shall be manufactured to and marked in accordance with the standards for the fittings in
Table 14-1.
604.1.6 Water Heater Connections. PEX tubing shall not be installed within the first eighteen
(18) inches (457 mm) of piping connected to a water heater.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 21
604.1.7 Licensed installers, employed by licensed plumbing contractors, shall be appropriately
certified by the manufacturer or other approved training agency prior to commencing any PEX
tubing installation.
604.1.8 Notification shall be given to plumbing inspector of intent to use PEX tubing prior to
installation. Notification shall include property owner, address, and certified installer.
Section 701.0, Materials, is hereby amended as follows:
701.0 Materials.
701.2.4 Copper tube for underground drainage and vent piping shall have a weight of not less
than that of copper drainage tube type L.
701.2.4.1 Copper tube for aboveground drainage and vent shall be of a weight not less than type
M.
Section 715 is hereby amended as follows:
715.1 The building sewer, beginning two (2) feet from any building or structure, shall be
schedule 40 PVC, PVC SDR 23.5, cast iron soil pipe, vitrified clay tile, truss pipe, concrete pipe
or copper tube not less than type "L" hard temper.
Section 717, Size of Building Sewers, is hereby amended by adding the last sentence thereto as
follows:
717.0 Size of Building Sewers. The minimum size of any building sewer shall be determined on
the basis of the total number of fixture units drained by such sewer, in accordance with Table 7-
8. No building sewer shall be smaller than the building drain. Minimum size of a building sewer
is four (4) inches.
Section 904, Size of Vents, is amended by adding subsection 904.3 as follows:
904.3 Main vent shall be minimum of three inches (3").
Section 906, Vent Termination, is hereby amended by repealing subsection 906.7, Frost or Snow
Closure, in its entirety; and by enacting in lieu thereof a new subsection 906.7, Frost or Snow
Closure, as follows:
906.7 Frost or Snow Closure. Where frost or snow closure is likely to occur, vent terminals shall
be minimum three inches (3") in diameter but in no case smaller than the required pipe. The
change in diameter shall be made inside the building at least one (1) foot below the roof and
terminate not less than 12 inches above roof.
Section 1007, Trap Seal Protection, is amended by adding the following sentence thereto:
1007.0 Trap Seal Protection ... All automatic floor drain primers or trap seal valves are
prohibited.
Section 1008, Industrial Interceptors (Clarifiers) and Separators, of UPC, is hereby repealed in its
entirety; that a new section 1008, Industrial Interceptors (Clarifiers) and Separators, is hereby
enacted in lieu thereof as follows:
1008.0 Industrial Interceptors (Clarifiers) and Separators.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 22
1008.1 Drainage from commercial garages, gasoline filling stations, dry cleaning establishments,
oil extraction plants, and other industries where oils or solvents are used, is likely to contain
inflammable compound, which shall therefore be intercepted before discharging into the city
sewer. The interceptor shall have a capacity sufficient to separate the oil, grease, or other
inflammable compound and shall be so located and constructed to prevent fire or explosion.
Drainage from commercial garages and oil stations where automobile wash racks are installed is
also likely to contain mud and sand, which shall be separated from the wastes before discharging
into the city sanitary sewer. Hence, the interceptor for these wastes shall afford sufficient
capacity for both separating the oils and grease by flotation and the sand and mud by settling.
1008.2 Where the wastes do not contain sand, mud or other solid material and inflammable
compounds only are to be separated, the interceptor shall have a minimum capacity of 15 cubic
feet with a minimum effective depth of 3 feet; and shall be provided with a vent and manhole
with tightly fitting cover.
1008.3 For drainage from commercial garages or other places where wastes are likely to contain
sand, mud, or other solid material in addition to oil, grease, or other inflammable compounds, a
minimum capacity of 50 cubic feet, with a minimum effective depth of 3 feet, shall be provided
and a vent and manhole with tightly fitting cover shall be installed.
1008.4 All interceptors shall be cleaned periodically.
1008.5 Interceptors shall be built of poured concrete with floors and walls not less than 5 inches
thick. Covers shall be of poured, reinforced concrete not less than 5 inches thick.
1008.6 Subsections 1008.1 through 1008.5 of this section shall apply except for manufactured or
prefabricated concrete interceptors that comply with approved applicable standards. See "Exhibit
A. Commercial Mud Trap"39.
1008.7 For details, see diagram marked "Exhibit B. Mud Trap or Inflammable Waste
Interceptors"1.
Section 1017.3, Residential Garage Interceptor, is hereby added as follows:
1017.3 Residential Garage Interceptor. If a drain is installed in a residential garage, an interceptor
shall be required. See "Exhibit D. Residential Garage Interceptor".
ARTICLE B. PLUMBING BOARD FOR LICENSING AND APPEALS
9-4B-1: BOARD ESTABLISHED; COMPOSITION:
A. Establishment Of Board: There is hereby established a plumbing board for appeals
hereinafter referred to as the board, with authority and responsibility as follows:
1. To act as a board of appeals as provided in the Waterloo plumbing code.
2. To periodically review the provisions of the Waterloo plumbing code and make
recommendations to the city council for improving and updating said document.
B. Composition Of Board: The board shall consist of five (5) members, all of whose place of
business, residence, or work is located in the city. All members shall be qualified by experience
and training to pass judgment upon matters pertaining to the installation of plumbing. The
membership shall be as follows: two (2) licensed master plumbers, one licensed journeyman
plumber, one registered professional mechanical engineer, and one member at large, with no one
company or interest being represented by more than one member of the board. The city plumbing
inspector or their designee shall act as secretary to the board.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 23
9-4B-2: APPOINTMENT; TERMS:
A. Appointment: The mayor with the approval of the city council shall appoint the members
of the plumbing board for licensing and appeals.
B. Terms: After the initial appointment to the board, the terms of the members shall be for
three (3) years except that the initial terms shall be so arranged and staggered that the terms of no
more than two (2) members shall expire on December 31 of any one year. A vacancy within any
term shall be filled by appointment of the mayor with the approval of the city council for the
unexpired portion of that term only. Each member can serve a total of two (2) three-year terms.
C. Compensation: The members of the board shall serve without compensation.
D. Organization: The board shall designate a member as chair and shall adopt reasonable
rules for conducting its investigations and proceedings, and shall render all decisions and
findings in writing to the building official with a duplicate copy to the appellant and may
recommend to the city council new legislation as is consistent therewith.
9-4B-3: QUORUM: Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business, provided that a decision on a matter relating to a specific license shall not be valid
unless decided in the presence of a board member who holds a similar valid license. Any vote
taken for the purpose of suspending or revoking a contractor's license shall require a majority
vote of all members of the board.
9-4B-4: DUTIES: The plumbing board for appeal shall receive applications for appeals based on
a claim that the true intent of this code have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of the
code do not fully apply, or an equally good or better form of compliance with the code is
proposed. The board shall have no authority to waive requirements of this code.
The plumbing board for licensing and appeal shall also act as the Black Hawk County plumbing
board for appeals, as permitted by Black Hawk County Ordinance 46, the Black Hawk County
Plumbing Code.
ARTICLE C. PLUMBING CONTRACTORS
9-4C-1: CLASSIFICATION OF PLUMBERS:
Pipe Layer:
1. Definition: "Pipe layer" shall mean a person who installs, lays, repairs, removes or caps
off sanitary sewer pipe between the public sanitary sewer main in the street or easement and a
point two feet (2') outside the foundation wall of a building or structure.
2. Qualifications: A pipe layer shall be qualified in the principles of the hydraulics of liquids
in sewer pipes and related matters and shall be familiar with the pertinent provisions of the
Waterloo plumbing code and the rules and regulations of the local and state boards of health as
such provisions, rules and regulations pertain to sewers and sewer service pipes.
3. Licensing: Any person desiring to be licensed as a pipe layer shall make application to the
building department on forms furnished by said department accompanied by a fee. Upon receipt
of the application and fee, the building department shall schedule the administration of a test
prescribed by the plumbing board. If the applicant obtains a passing score he shall be issued a
pipe layer's license upon the payment of an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) the first year.
The renewal fee will be twenty-five dollars $25.00 per year.
4. Authorized Work: A pipe layer's license shall not be construed as license or permit to do
plumbing work as a state licensed plumber in the city as defined in this chapter. Except for the
Ordinance No. 5392
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installation, laying, removing, repairing or capping off of sewer between public main and a point
two feet (2') outside building, every pipe layer shall be hereby prohibited from doing any
plumbing work within the city unless he is licensed as a plumber by the state in conformance
with the provisions of the Waterloo plumbing code, as amended.
5. Pipe Laying: No person shall engage in the construction, reconstruction, laying,
alteration, repair, removal or capping off of a sanitary sewer between public main and a point two
feet (2') outside building in the city without first having obtained a state plumber’s license or a
Waterloo pipe layer's license, along with an approved certificate of insurance on file with the city
and having obtained a plumbing permit for sewer installation from the building department as
required by this chapter.
9-4C-2: PIPE LAYER BUSINESS (CONTRACTOR'S) LICENSE: Applicants who have met
the requirements of the Board and upon payment of a fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) for
the first year and having in place a certificate of insurance as herein provided for, issue to such
applicant a Pipe Layer Business (Contractor’s) License in the name of the City of Waterloo, by
the Plumbing Inspector. Renewal license fee will be one hundred dollars ($100.00) per year.
It shall be unlawful for any person to install, erect, alter, repair, service, reset, replace thereto, as
defined in the plumbing code, unless said person or some member of such firm or corporation
shall first have obtained a State Plumbing Contractor license or Pipe Layer Business
(Contractor’s) License or unless such person, firm or corporation has regularly and steadily in his
employ a holder of such a license, who shall be the authorized representative of the person, firm
or corporation in all matters pertaining to this ordinance. The authorized representative who is
the holder of a State Plumbing Contractor license or a Pipe Layer Business (Contractor’s)
License may not apply for permits for more than one person, firm, or corporation and the permit
shall apply only to the type of work pertaining to the specific license possessed by the license
holder.
9-4C-3: PIPE LAYER’S CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE: A pipe layer’s application shall be
filed with the building official (or a specified intergovernmental agency if so designated by the
building official) accompanied by a certificate of insurance written by a company authorized to
transact business in the state, in limits of not less than three hundred thousand dollars
($300,000.00) combined single limit to any person and one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000.00) property damage; said certificate to be written on a standard form and carrying an
endorsement naming the city and its employees (or the intergovernmental agency designated by
the building official) as additional insureds as its interest may appear and conditioned upon the
faithful performance of all duties required of such contractor by any ordinances, rules and
regulations of the city. It shall be a further condition of said certificate of insurance that the
obligator will hold the city (through the specified intergovernmental agency if so designated)
harmless from any and all damages sustained by reason of neglect or incompetency on the part of
such contractor, his agents or employees in the performance of the work done under a license or
permit issued upon the filing of said certificate.
Said certificate of insurance shall be issued by December 31 of each year, and shall be filed on or
before said date for each subsequent year and shall be in continuous full force and effect. That it
is the intent and purpose of said certificate of insurance to also bind the individual, company,
firm, association or partnership, whether it be a trade name, corporation, or other business
association or arrangement with which the principal is associated.
Homeowners working on their principal residence shall be exempt from filing said certificate.
9-4C-4: CONDITIONS OF LICENSE:
Any license not renewed prior to December 31 shall expire thirty (30) calendar days thereafter,
and shall be renewed upon payment of a double fee.
Ordinance No. 5392
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9-4C-5: PERSONS AUTHORIZED AND REPORTING:
A. Must Be Licensed: No person other than those holding a State Plumbing Contractor
license or Pipe Layer's license issued by the City of Waterloo, shall not tap any water or sewer
mains, nor install any private building sewer, water service, private sewage disposal plant or
private water system; nor shall they make any connections, extension, replacement, removals or
additions of any nature to the sanitary plumbing or water supply system or disconnect any fixture
or change the sanitary or water pipe arrangement.
B. Definition:
PRIVATE BUILDING SEWER:
1. That part of the horizontal piping of a drainage system between the end of the building drain
(2 feet outside the building wall) and the public sewer.
2. Any private main or service starting two feet (2') outside the building wall and extending to
the public sewer main.
C. Exceptions: Those persons who perform the function of water softener installers only, and
who do not perform any other plumbing work, may install water softeners only; provided, that
said person obtains the proper permits, prior to any work performed, has in place insurance as by
this chapter provided, requests and has inspected by the plumbing inspector any installations, and
pays any and all inspection fees.
9-4C-6: REVOCATION OF LICENSES: A pipe layer's license or a State Plumbing Contractor
may be revoked for cause by the board, after a hearing by said board, upon a written notice
served upon the person in whose name said license is issued, not less than ten (10) days prior to
the date of hearing, stating the time and place thereof and the grounds for such hearing.
CHAPTER 5
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
9-5-1: TITLE: This chapter shall be known as the WATERLOO MECHANICAL CODE and
may be so cited and may be referred to hereinafter as “the code” or “this code”.
9-5-2: APPLICATION AND SCOPE: The provisions of this chapter shall include and apply to
all mechanical and fuel gas systems, appliances and equipment regulated by the adopted
mechanical and fuel gas codes hereinafter installed, constructed, altered, serviced or repaired in,
for, or about any new, remodeled or relocated building or structure in the city.
9-5-3: MECHANICAL INSPECTOR:
A. Appointment: The applicant for mechanical inspector shall fulfill all applicable civil
service requirements for the position of mechanical inspector. The building official will appoint
the new mechanical inspector. The appointment shall go to the mayor and city council for
approval. The mechanical inspector shall work under the direction of the building official.
B. Qualifications: The appointee shall have had at least four (4) years of practical
experience in the design, planning, supervision and contracting for installation of heating, air
conditioning and ventilation systems. Two (2) years of experience may be substituted for four (4)
years of schooling if the study is in engineering or a related field. Schooling shall be from a
recognized school of continuing education; possession of a valid driver's license; shall possess
Ordinance No. 5392
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the ability and aptitude for the performance of required duties and shall have thorough
knowledge of the standard materials and methods used in the installation and maintenance of
heating, air conditioning and ventilation equipment; shall be versed in methods of construction
for safety to persons and property, the statutes of the state relating to air quality and air pollution
control and any orders, rules and regulations issued by authority thereof, and in the Uniform
Mechanical Code.
C. Restrictions: It shall be unlawful for the mechanical inspector to engage in the business of
the sales, installation, or maintenance of heating, air conditioning and ventilation equipment,
either directly or indirectly, and the inspector shall have no financial interest in any concern
engaged in such business in the city at any time while holding the position as mechanical
inspector for the city.
D. Powers And Duties:
1. The mechanical inspector is empowered to inspect any and all buildings or structures,
public or private, and to, as herein provided, order removed or remodeled and put into proper and
safe condition all heating, air conditioning, and ventilation equipment and related systems for the
protection of the public health, safety and welfare.
2. The mechanical inspector shall have authority to enforce this chapter and may bring
before the Mechanical board proposals for modifications or alternate materials, methods, and
equipment to determine compliance with the intent of this chapter; provided, that the individual
or entity affected provides satisfactory documentation to the board.
3. The building official shall be the executive official and administrative authority for the
administration of the mechanical code of the city.
E. Right Of Entry: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the
provisions of this chapter, or whenever the mechanical inspector has reasonable cause to believe
that there exists, in any building or upon any premises, any HVAC condition which makes such
building or premises unsafe, the mechanical inspector may enter such building or premises at all
reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon by this chapter;
provided, that if such building or premises be occupied, they shall first present proper credentials
and request entry; and if such building or premises is unoccupied, they shall first make a
reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or
premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the mechanical inspector or authorized
representative shall have recourse to every remedy by law to secure entry.
9-5-4: DEFECTIVE WORK; UNSANITARY CONDITIONS: Whenever it shall come to the
knowledge of the mechanical inspector that the mechanical or fuel gas system, appliance or
equipment governed by this code in a building or structure is defective or otherwise becomes a
hazard to health or life, it shall be the duty of said inspector to make an inspection o f such
system, appliance or equipment and render a report to the proper party, setting forth the necessary
repairs or alterations required to make such heating, air conditioning or ventilation system
conform to this chapter. The inspector shall set a limit of time within which such repairs or
alterations are to be made, and upon the refusal or neglect of the owner, agent, lessee, or tenant to
comply with said notice within the time stated, the mechanical inspector shall cause such repairs
or alterations to be made or such nuisance abated and the expense of such work shall be taxed
against such property and become a prior lien thereon and as a personal judgment against the
property owner; or the inspector may order the premises vacated and closed to further occupancy
until such time as the required repairs or alterations have been made, all at the mechanical
inspector's sole discretion based upon health or life safety concerns.
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9-5-5: MAINTENANCE; CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY: When a single-family structure is
changed to multi-family occupancy, the following shall specifically apply in addition to any
requirements identified in the mechanical code:
A. Each unit shall be provided a heating unit that will maintain room temperature in
accordance with the housing code of the city.
B. Transfer of conditioned air between units is prohibited.
9-5-6: APPLICATION FOR PERMIT: Permit To Do Work Required: It shall be unlawful for
any person to construct or install any fuel burning, space heating, air conditioning or incinerator
equipment or appurtenances subject to and covered by the provisions of this chapter in or for any
building or to alter, repair or convert any such existing fuel burning, space heating, air
conditioning or incinerator equipment or appurtenances as are subject to the provisions of this
chapter without first making written application for a permit therefor setting forth the nature and
extent of the work to be performed.
9-5-7: INSTALLATION BY OWNER: In cases where the owner/occupant desires to do heating,
air conditioning and ventilation work in the owner's own residence, the owner shall appear before
the mechanical inspector and show competency in the installations of heating, air conditioning
and ventilation systems. Upon such showing of competency and approval and payment of
required fees, a mechanical permit shall be issued. Said permit authorizes owner to do heating,
air conditioning and ventilation work only in the dwelling owned and occupied by said owner
without licensing, certificate of insurance or help from other than family members. Said person
performs all labor in connection therewith, has the necessary inspections made and complies with
code requirements.
9-5-8: NOTIFICATION FOR INSPECTION:
A. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to notify the inspector that the work is ready for
inspection or test. All inspections require twenty-four (24) hours' notice.
B. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to make sure the work will stand the test
prescribed before giving notification.
C. If the inspector finds that the work will not stand a required test, or corrections are
required, the journeyman HVAC shall be required to notify the inspector when the necessary
corrections are complete for re-inspection. If the journeyman HVAC calls for a re-inspection
where corrections were required and the corrections were not made, a re-inspection fee will be
assessed to the contractor. The re-inspection fee shall be paid before additional inspections are
made.
D. If the inspector fails to appear within twenty four (24) hours, during normal working
hours, of the time set for each inspection or test, the inspection or test shall be deemed to have
been made, but the journeyman HVAC doing the work shall be required to file an affidavit with
the mechanical inspector that the work was installed with the ordinance and permit, and that it
was free from defects and that the required test had been made and the system was found free
from leaks.
9-5-9: APPLICABILITY: If an existing building is damaged by fire or otherwise or altered in a
manner to require the replacement of fifty percent (50%) or more of the structure as determined
by the authority having jurisdiction, the entire building shall conform to this chapter's
requirements for new buildings.
ARTICLE A. MECHANICAL CODE
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Page 28
9-5A-1: MECHANICAL CODE ADOPTED: The International Mechanical Code and
International Fuel Gas Code are adopted by this reference except as added to, deleted, modified
or amended otherwise herein, and there is adopted as the mechanical code of the city, that certain
mechanical code known as the International Mechanical Code, 2015 Edition, and International
Fuel Gas Code, 2015 Edition, as prepared by the International Code council (ICC).
9-5A-2: AMENDMENTS: Where Chapter 5 of Title 9, Building Regulations, uses the
phrase heating, air conditioning, and ventilation; fuel gas and mechanical systems appliances,
and equipment shall be understood to be included.
The following sections of the 2015 International Mechanical Code (ICC) and 2015 International
Fuel Gas Code (ICC) are amended as follows:
Section 101.1 Insert: City of Waterloo.
Section 101.2 Delete: Exception
Sections 103.1, 103.2, and 103.3 Delete in their entirety.
Section 106.2 of the 2015 International Mechanical Code Add: item #9, electric baseboard
heating system
Section 106.5.2 of the 2015 International Mechanical Code and Section 106.6.2 of the 2015
International Fuel Gas Code are hereby amended to read:
Permit Fees. All mechanical permit fees shall be established by resolution of the city council and
paid prior to issuance of a permit or re-inspection.
Section 106.5.3 of the 2015 International Mechanical Code and Section 106.6.3 of the 2015
International Fuel Gas Code are hereby amended as follows:
Fee Refunds: #2. Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done
under a permit issued in accordance with this code.
#3 Deleted
Section 108.4 of the 2015 International Mechanical Code and 2015 International Fuel Gas Code
are deleted and replaced with the following:
108.4 Municipal Infraction.
108.4.1 Any person, firm or corporation failing to comply with or violating any of the terms or
provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a municipal infraction and upon conviction
thereof, be punished accordingly.
108.4.2 If any mechanical work, including construction or repair, is performed within the city
contrary to the provisions of this ordinance, it shall be deemed a municipal infraction and in
addition to penalties described, shall be corrected in accordance with this ordinance.
108.4.3 The omission or failure to perform any act or duty required by this ordinance or the
performing of any act which is prohibited or declared to be unlawful by this ordinance, an
offense or a municipal infraction pursuant to this ordinance or the International Mechanical Code
and/or International Fuel Gas Code is punishable by a fine of up to two hundred dollars
($200.00) for the first offense and up to four hundred dollars ($400.00) for each subsequent
offense.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 29
Delete Section 108.4 of the 2015 International Mechanical Code and 2015 International Fuel Gas
Code.
Delete Sections 109.2, 109.3, 109.4, 109.5, 109.6 and 109.7 of the 2015 International Mechanical
Code and 2015 International Fuel Gas Code.
Amend Section 507.2.2 of the 2015 International Mechanical Code by deleting the following
wording “into the HVAC system design or”.
Add Section 507.2.3.1 and 507.2.3.2 to the 2015 International Mechanical Code
Section 507.2.3.1 Cooking appliances used in commercial-type occupancies such as places of
worship, fellowship halls, lodge halls, employee kitchens, and classrooms may need to be
provided with a hood based on the type of appliances and processes in accordance with Sections
507.2, and 507.2.1. Light-duty appliances that produce heat or moisture and do not produce
grease or smoke may need to be provided with a hood in accordance Sections 505.1, 501.1
exception 1, and 505.2. At the discretion of the Building Official or designee, in all applications,
portable fire extinguishing equipment shall be provided as directed by the Fire Marshal.
Exception: If a Type 1 Hood with a fire suppression system is not needed or installed, a
permanent etched sign with background contrasting letters at least 2 inches in height shall be
installed in plain sight on or near the hood stating “NO FRYING, GRILLING, SAUTÉING OR
GREASE ALLOWED”.
1. Complete and submit a Use Agreement form available at the Building Department.
2. The equipment is limited to a maximum of two domestic light-duty appliances in any one
location.
3. Complete hood coverage of the cook area is provided and hood is ducted in compliance
with the mechanical code requirements for Type II hoods.
4. Cooking practices are limited to tenants of the building.
5. Frying, sautéing, grilling or other grease producing activities that produces more than
minimal amounts of grease or grease vapor are prohibited.
6. Portable fire extinguishing equipment shall be provided as directed by the City.
7. A permanent etched sign shall be installed in plain sight on the hood stating “ONLY
MINIMAL FRYING, GRILLING, OR SAUTÉING ALLOWED”.
8. Where the cooking equipment is to be used as training equipment, it shall not be used
by students without direct supervision of an instructor.
9. The approved use is tenant based. If the tenant changes, the occupancy changes, or the
type of cooking changes, approval of the alternative hood is voided.
10. City Inspectors shall have the authority to immediately void the approval if any of the
above conditions are found to be in violation.
Amend Chapter 6 of the International Mechanical Code, 601.5
Exception #5 will not apply to existing unaltered structures. All new single family or existing
single family converted to multi-family living will not be exempt.
The following is added to Section 402.6 of the 2015 International Fuel Gas Code:
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 30
#7 Maximum gas delivery pressure into a dwelling shall not exceed 14" water column ("W.C.").
Sections 403.4.3, 403.4.4, 403.5, 403.5.2, 403.5.3 of the 2015 International Fuel Gas Code are
hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
403.4.3 Pipe used for the installation, extension, alteration or repair of gas piping shall be
standard weight wrought iron or steel (galvanized or black). Corrugated stainless steel tubing
(C.S.S.T.) may be permitted for residential use only.
The following section is added to the 2015 International Fuel Gas Code:
403.5.5 Inspection procedure for C.S.S.T.
(a) An air pressure test of a minimum ten (10) pounds for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes
must be performed after the piping is installed in rough construction. (Before cover of interior
walls and ceiling are finished.)
(b) Another air test of the same requirement must also be performed after the cover of walls
and ceiling are complete. Both of which tests must be witnessed by the mechanical inspector. At
no time before this, will gas service be released to the building.
(c) After final pressure test, piping can be connected to the gas service, a gas shut off will be
required before each connection is made into existing pipe, and C.S.S.T. must terminate at
ceiling or floor joist and hard piped with a shut off to each appliance.
Section 403.10.4 of the 2015 International Fuel Gas Code is hereby deleted and replaced with the
following:
Gas piping larger than 2” (50.8mm)in size regardless of gas pressure and any size gas pipe
carrying 1 pound P.S.I. or more gas pressure shall be welded black pipe with welding performed
by a certified welder and pressure tested to a minimum 50 pounds p.s.i. for no less than one (1)
hour.
In lieu of the NEC, HVAC air handling equipment with a blower motor or electric elements in a
duct needs to be provided with disconnect means within reach of the unit.
ARTICLE B. MECHANICAL BOARD FOR LICENSING AND APPEALS
9-5B-1: BOARD ESTABLISHED; COMPOSITION:
A. Board Established: There is hereby established a mechanical board for licensing and
appeals, hereinafter referred to as the board, with authority and responsibility as follows:
1. To act as a board of appeals as provided in the heating, air conditioning and ventilation
code.
2. To periodically review the provisions of the heating, air conditioning and ventilation code
and recommend to the building official for improving and updating said ordinance.
B. Composition Of Board is amended as follows: The board shall consist of five (5)
members, all of whose place of business or residence is located in the city. All members shall be
qualified by experience and training to pass judgment upon matters pertaining to the installation
of heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. The membership shall be as follows: three
(3) certificate of competency holders, and two members at large, with no one company or interest
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 31
being represented by more than one member of the board. The city mechanical inspector or
building official's designee shall act as secretary to the board.
9-5B-2: APPOINTMENT, TERMS:
A. Appointment Of Members: The members of the mechanical board for licensing and
appeals shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council.
B. Terms: After the initial appointment of the board, the terms of the members shall be for
three (3) years except that the initial terms shall be so arranged and staggered that the terms of no
more than two (2) members shall expire on December 31 of any one year. A vacancy within any
term shall be filled by appointment of the mayor with the approval of the city council for the
unexpired portion of that term only.
C. Compensation: The members of the board shall serve without compensation.
D. Organization: The board shall designate a member as chair and vice chair and shall adopt
reasonable rules for conducting its investigations and proceedings, and shall render all decisions
and findings in writing to the building official with a duplicate copy to the appellant and may
recommend to the city council new legislation as is consistent therewith.
9-5B-3: QUORUM: Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, provided that a decision on a matter relating to a specific license shall not
be valid unless decided in the presence of a board member who holds a similar valid license. Any
vote taken for the purpose of suspending or revoking a contractor's license shall require a
majority vote of all members of the board.
9-5B-4: POWERS AND DUTIES: The mechanical board for licensing and appeals shall
have the following powers and duties:
To hold regular meetings when determined necessary for the purpose of conducting
examinations of applicants for mechanical certificates of competency or heating, air conditioning
and ventilation appeals.
Item D is amended as follows: To act upon reports of violations by licensed contractors as
filed by the mechanical inspector with the board.
To prescribe rules consistent with the provisions of this chapter for hearings before the
board to suspend, revoke, or reinstate licenses.
To keep a complete record of the official proceedings of the board; to preserve all
documents, books, and papers relating to appeals, examinations for licenses, and hearings of
complaints and charges for at least three (3) years.
To hear appeals from the decision of the mechanical inspector and to rule on
interpretations of the provisions of the heating, air conditioning and ventilation code.
ARTICLE C. MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS
9-5C-1: LICENSE REQUIRED:
A. No person other than those holding a current State Mechanical Contractor license, in
addition to their State Master HVAC license shall be allowed to work at the trade of heating, air
conditioning, and ventilation in the City of Waterloo.
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 32
Unlawful To Lend License: It shall be unlawful for any person to lend that person's
license, or to borrow the license of another person, nor shall any person offer to assume the
responsibility of another person's work, when such person's work would require that person to be
licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
Homeowners working on their principal residence shall be exempt from State licensing.
9-5C-2: CONDITIONS OF LICENSE:
A. Advertising Without License: No person shall advertise in any way that they possess the
qualifications to engage in or carry on the heating, air conditioning and ventilation trade or
business in the city unless they are a bona fide holder of a valid contractor's license as provided
in section 9-5C-2 of this article.
9-5C-3: REVOCATION OF LICENSE:
A. Item A is amended as follows: A contractor's license may be revoked for cause by the
board, after a hearing by said board, upon a written notice served upon the person in whose name
said license is issued, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of hearing, stating the time and
place thereof and the grounds for such hearing.
B. Item B is amended as follows: If by super-majority vote the revocation of the contractor's
license is approved, the affected party(s) have ten (10) working days to appeal the revocation
action to the city council.
C. A written letter shall be directed to the building official stating the reason for the appeal.
The building official shall arrange a work session with the city council within fourteen (14) days
to hear the appeal. The decision by the city council shall be final.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED 1st CONSIDERATION: March 20, 2017
PASSED 2nd CONSIDERATION: March 20, 2017
PASSED 3rd CONSIDERATION: March 20, 2017
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, on the 20th
day of March 2017.
_________________________________
Quentin Hart, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk
Ordinance No. 5392
Page 33
CERTIFICATE
I, Kelley Felchle, City Clerk of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, do hereby certify that the
preceding is a true and complete copy of Ordinance No. 5392 as passed and adopted by the
Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, on the 20th day of March 2017.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 20th day of March 2017.
__________________________________
SEAL Kelley Felchle
City Clerk