Plumbing Code Changes: Are You Compliant and Up to Date?

As we progress through 2024 and look ahead to 2025, it’s vital for plumbing professionals to remain aware of the latest plumbing regulations. Even though 2024 is well underway, important updates to the plumbing rules that took effect earlier this year might still be flying under the radar for some. These changes could have significant implications for plumbing operations, and staying ahead of them is the key to maintaining compliance and maximizing the success of your business.

Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or a rising professional, you’ve come to the right place to easily navigate updates to the 2024 plumbing regulations. Keep reading to explore the significance of adhering to plumbing codes, discover the changes you need to implement, and look ahead to future 2027 code updates, all with helpful tips for maintaining compliance along the way.

The Importance of Plumbing Code Compliance

Failure to comply with plumbing regulations and relevant building codes poses significant risks for contractors and customers alike. That’s because regulations and codes are in place to protect the well-being of those in commercial and residential properties from plumbing dangers, such as exposure to dangerous materials, explosive liquids, water contamination, major pipe failures, and more. 

Beyond contractor and customer safety, adhering to plumbing regulations promotes efficiency and conservation. Plumbing codes help preserve water resources and reduce a customer’s operational costs over time. Substandard maintenance or plumbing installation that lacks code compliance can contribute to considerable water waste and unnecessarily high utility costs. 

When a contractor’s lack of compliance results in faulty plumbing that physically or financially harms a customer and/or their property, the contractor may also face significant legal liabilities that result in costly repairs and lawsuits. Not to mention, code violations often also result in complaints to local enforcement divisions and licensing boards, further impacting the responsible contractor.

Potential Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to meet plumbing regulations can lead to significant penalties for both customers and contractors. These penalties vary depending on the locality and how local enforcement officials handle compliance issues. Generally, plumbing violations that conflict with the legal requirements of local building codes result in consequences ranging from a simple warning to more severe actions, such as stop work orders, suspension of permits, steep fines, or even daily fines until the issues are resolved.

IPC vs. UPC: What’s the Difference?

Before discussing the 2024 plumbing regulation changes, it's important to note that not one but two major code collections have been updated. The first is the International Plumbing Code (IPC), published by the International Code Council (ICC). Often considered less comprehensive than the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), the IPC sets minimum requirements for plumbing systems and is currently adopted in 37 states, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, at either the state or local level.

On the other hand, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). It discusses more in-depth topics, like potable rainwater catchment systems, calculating peak water demand, and private sewage disposal systems. The UPC has not been adopted by as many localities as the IPC but there is developed state and city-specific guidance for those that have.  

2024 Updates to the International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Earlier this year, the ICC introduced the 2024 version of its International Plumbing Code. 2024 marked the biggest year in code formatting changes to enhance user reading for both the print and digital versions. According to the International Code Council, some of the biggest changes from the 2021 IPC to 2024 IPC included:

• New tracer wire requirements for buried plastic sewer piping.  
• Option added for vacuum testing of drain-waste-vent (DWV) piping. 
• New installation standards for solvent-cemented plastic piping joints. 
• Minimum standards added for chemical waste piping materials.
• New provisions in support of buried piping beneath buildings where expansive soil conditions exist. 
• Substantial updates to plumbing fixture requirements for various Group I occupancies.
• Plastic pans for gas-fired water heaters must be tested per ASTM E84 or UL 723. 
• Showerhead flow is now limited to 2.0 gallons per minute regarding high-efficiency requirements. 

While the ICC offers a basic version of the 2024 code to read and review, contractors will need to purchase a print copy or subscribe to the digital version of the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) to access a full breakdown of the 2024 changes.

2024 Updates to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) 

Similar to the ICC, the IAPMO also released its 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code earlier this year, giving contractors a wide range of significant updates to consider. These updates followed a three-year development cycle accredited by the American National Standards Institute. The 2024 UPC additions and updates include, but are not limited to:

• Amended provisions for appliance condensate drains when serving more than one appliance and connecting to a common indirect waste pipe.
• Additional conditions for water supply and distribution manifolds.
• Revised requirements for hot-water recirculating systems.
• Allowance of temperature-actuated, flow-reduction devices for individual fittings.
• New stipulations for private well water tanks.
• Updated minimum water quality provisions for onsite treated nonpotable water devices, nonpotable water systems, and harvested rainwater systems.

For more information on these updates, a digital copy of the 2024 UPC is available to readers free of charge, with physical print copies also available for purchase. 

What About Upcoming Plumbing Codes?

Both the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) are updated on a three-year basis. This means that we won’t see any updates to current plumbing regulations until 2027. Over the next few years, both associations will undergo code development cycles where the various committees will discuss and vote upon various proposals to determine which updates should be published in the upcoming 2027 editions. 

In the meantime, it’s crucial to get up to date with — and remain compliant with — 2024 plumbing regulations to avoid liability concerns. As you assess elements of your operation to ensure compliance, check out the JB Dealer Services Marketplace for helpful tools to streamline your operations. From HR resources to field service management, the JB Marketplace has you covered.