PVC water distribution piping.

Local Bob

Does anyone know why PVC piping for potable water distribution piping can only be installed outside of a building? The 2000 UPC code that we use states that CPVC,PE,PVC,or PEX water pipe manufactured to recognized standards may be used for cold water distribution systems outside a building. CPVC,PEX water pipe,tubing and fittings,manufactured to recognized standards may be used for hot and cold water distribution systems within a building.
Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to install PVC withing a building. I have never heard a reasonable explanation why it must be terminated outside a building. What's the problem with terminating it right inside a structure at the main valve source?
Why make a transition from PVC to copper or brass outside of the building?
What is the standard for distance outside of a building and why?
Does anyone have the REAL answers?

[Deleted User]

the electrical code

requires a ground to a water pipe. around here if you run plastic toward a house, you have to switch to copper 10 feet from the house so the electrician can use it. hope this helps. oh, they also have to have the standard ground rod in addition to the water pipe.

Steve Ebels

This groung thing

Always puzzled me. The new wells installed around here are all run into the basement in PE pipe. Lot's of times I"ve seen CPVC connected to the outlet of the well tank and then on through the house. The thing that really puzzles me is that the electrical inspector around here makes the electricians connect a ground wire and clamp to the CPVC.

Maaaaaaannnnnnn!!??? Whazzup wid dat???

[Deleted User]

now thats wierd

that would boggle my mind too.

Local Bob

Electrical ?

I can understand the electrical bonding issue but what about when you run CPVC or PEX all the way in why not PVC? Does anyone know why it's not allowed per UPC? Is there a difference between PVC and PEX or CPVC for water service?

Joe_10

Ground

Here the electrical inspectors require a 20' piece of #4 rebar in the slab with an end sticking up near the panel for the ground. The trouble happens when the framers cut of the rebar flush with the slab.

Joe

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Around here only solid metal (type K copper or I suppose galvanized) is allowed for entrance to homes. I was told this was to allow the lines to be traced using common equipment. However, the plastic with built-in "tracer wires" or even a wire wrapping the pipe are not allowed.

I had to get special permission to run my irrigation line (it shares the trench with the copper domestic line) in plastic yet STILL has to transition to copper a few feet outside the foundation. (I learned the "hard way" to use a copper male adapter/plastic female--not vice-versa.)

Doug Wagoner

PVC to copper transitions

Mike, did you get that backward? I always use a copper female and a PVC male adapter. The male PVC has limited stretch inside the copper. It was the only way I could keep the leaks to a minimum.