New plumbing code may save building costs

The proposed adoption of a modern plumbing code with more rigorous standards that may result in construction and insurance savings will be considered by the Yuma City Council at its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The new plumbing code will only affect commercial buildings, said Greg Hyland, city of Yuma spokesman.

Four public meetings about the plumbing code were held during April and May at City Hall. Contractors, engineers and the public were able to offer ideas about the proposals because current plumbing standards had adhered to a Arizona plumbing code that had expired June 30, Hyland said.

In June, the Building Advisory Board approved the code as amended and recommended it to the council for adoption, he added.

"It wouldn't have gone forward if they didn't favor the changes," Hyland said. "I believe it replaces the 1994 code."

According to Alan Kircher, deputy building official of the Department of Community Development, the International Plumbing Code 2006 is a 600-page document. Usually state law requires all ordinances to be published in a newspaper. But to avoid publication in its entirety and save money, it will not be published but adopted by reference.

This means that Arizona Revised Statute 9-802 allows the city council to declare the code changes a public record. The city council must then place at least three copies of the document on file in the city clerk's office available for public use and inspection. The proposed code is reviewed and approved by a vote of certified building officials every three years, Kircher said.

Kircher said one of the code changes proposes to use polyethylene plastic pipes instead of copper ones. He also said since copper can corrode underground and because of its rising cost, plastic offers a cost savings and makes for easier installation.

He also noted that with a modern code, commercial buildings in Yuma will keep a good rating by the Insurance Service Organization, which could prevent rising insurance rates.

Jay Clinger is president of Streamline Enterprises Inc. in Yuma that has been doing commercial plumbing for eight years. Clinger said the old code was way beyond its useful life and that it is a good thing the council is now up to date with a new code.

"It's long overdue," Clinger said. "It (code) brings new things for other companies to learn and keeps our company up to the latest standards." He added that if plumbing contracting is done incorrectly, it could have serious public health consequences.

A presentation of the new code by building officials at which council members may ask questions is scheduled for the council's regular work session at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 16. They will introduce the ordinance the next day at their regular meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Hyland said a number of contractors told him they favor the new code amendments because they expect it to save time and perhaps money that may be passed along to consumers.