Copyrighted by the City of Springdale & Municipal Code Corporation, 1998.

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Sec. 118-190. Installation and testing in accordance with state and city plumbing codes.

(a) Connections to city main. The installation and testing of building sewers shall be in accordance with the state and city plumbing codes. Connections to a city main are subject to the following restrictions:

(1) Wye connection. Where a wye or other prefabricated outlet has been left in the city sewer for sewer service to a lot, it shall be utilized for service to that lot unless it can be shown that the dwelling unit or building cannot drain by gravity to the wye.

(2) Tap connection. Where a wye or other prefabricated outlet in the city sewer is not available to serve a lot a tap connection may be installed at a location approved by the director to connect the building sewer to the city sewer.

Tap connection to the city sewer main pipe may only be installed by the wastewater department maintenance forces. Tap connections are not permitted without the approval of the wastewater department.

(3) Connection to existing building sewers. Construction of a new building on a lot previously sewered shall include the installation of a new building sewer from the building to the main, unless one of the following requirements is met:

a. The existing building sewer is cast iron soil pipe.

b. If the existing building sewer is not cast iron soil pipe, the existing line must be tested for infiltration and soundness before being placed into new service.

(4) Connection details. Jointing of dissimilar pipe materials shall be accomplished with the appropriate adapter fitting manufactured for the purpose used. Where a dissimilar bell or spigot joint is utilized, a rubber donut of the proper size shall be used.

Under no circumstances shall the rubber donut be cut to facilitate the installation of the dissimilar bell and spigot joint. Where a dissimilar spigot-to-spigot joint is utilized, a Fernco rubber coupling or equal of the proper type and size shall be used.

(b) Minimum slopes. All building sewers shall have, as a minimum, the following slopes.
Size (inches)Slope percentFall (per foot)
41.001/8"
60.601/12"
80.401/16"
100.28
120.22

(c) Elevation; lifting devices. Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building drain shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer.

(d) Pipe trench depth and bedding. Pipe trench shall be graded so that the entire length of the pipe joint rests upon firm trench bottom with holes excavated for the bells. Where the depth of cover over the pipe (to existing or finish grade) exceeds six feet, the pipe manufacturer's recommendations shall be adhered to concerning lying, bedding and backfilling. The pipe shall be of sufficient depth to prevent freezing and provide protection from live earth loads. In the opinion of the building inspector or the director, cast iron soil pipe or ductile iron pipe may be required in shallow building sewers.

(e) Backfilling; barricades and lights at excavations. Backfill material shall be free of large rocks, boulders, lumber, trash or other materials which may injure the pipeline. Where a pipe trench is to be backfilled in a public right-of-way, or under any area to be paved, select materials shall be placed in compacted layers to prevent settlement. Backfill in public rights-of-way shall be placed in accordance with section 118-86 of this Code, as administered by the street department. All excavations for building sewer installations shall be adequately guarded with barricades and warning lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the city.

(f) Fitttings and appurtenances. All fittings and appurtenances shall be free of defects, watertight and compatible with the pipe.

(1) Bends. Ninety-degree bends on four-inch building sewers should be avoided. Where absolutely necessary, long sweep bends must be used.

No bend of any type or degree shall be permitted in the installation of six-inch and larger building sewers, and these six-inch and larger building sewers shall be laid within straight alignment and on constant slopes not less than those listed in subsection (b) of this section.

(2) Cleanouts. Cleanouts are required at the building foundation, as required by the plumbing code. In addition, on lines longer than 100 feet, cleanouts are required at 100-foot spacing. Cleanouts shall be provided adjacent to any 90-degree bend. Cleanouts should be piped up to finished grade for easy access when construction of the building is completed.

(3) Backwater traps (Sewage check valve). Backwater traps shall be provided as required by section 6.14 of the state plumbing code or on any building sewer where, in the opinion of the director or inspector, the building connected may be subject to flooding by the sewer. Backwater traps should be placed in a meter box or similarly housed to allow periodic servicing.

(g) Testing for watertightness; waiver. All building sewers are subject to testing to insure watertightness. Tests may be either by exfiltration of water or low pressure air. All tests must be performed in the presence of an inspector.

(1) Exfiltration of water. The section of line to be tested shall be plugged at the lower end and filled with water so that at least four feet of head is obtained. The water loss while so filled shall be not more than 250 gallons per 24 hours per inch of pipe diameter per mile of pipe. This is approximately three-eighths gallon for a 100-foot long section of four-inch pipe tested 30 minutes.

(2) Low pressure air loss. Both ends of the line to be tested shall be securely plugged and the line charged with air to a pressure of 4.5 psi. After allowing at least five minutes for the temperature in the pipe to stabilize, the time required for a 1.0 psi drop in pressure shall be determined. This time shall not be less than 28.5 d seconds, where d equals the nominal diameter in inches of the pipe being tested.

(3) Waiver of testing. If, in the opinion of the inspector, the line in question is properly installed and free from open joints and breaks, building sewers may be connected to the city sewer without testing.

(h) Sealing sewer when building demolished or moved; permit required. When a building is demolished or moved, the building sewer shall be sealed to prevent stormwater or groundwater infiltration and this work shall be done by wastewater department forces only. The demolition or moving contractor shall obtain a permit from the wastewater department for the seal work so that it can be promptly scheduled and performed.

(i) Roof, exterior drains. No person shall make connection of roof downspout, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or to a public sanitary sewer.

(Code 1973, § 33-99)

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