CODE OF PRACTICE FOR BUILDINGS

1. CODE OF PRACTICE FOR BUILDINGS GUYANA STANDARD

2. Section 5 -Plumbing • Scope • This Code specifies the requirements for good plumbing practice for water supply and distribution, and sewerage.

3. Water Supply and Distribution Standards for Materials Materials for plumbing systems shall conform to the relevant specifications as required by either: (a) the British Standards Institution (BS) (b) the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) (c) the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) (d) The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) (e) the American Water Works Association (A.W.W.A)

4. Water Supply and Distribution Materials Classes of Pipes within this standard is subject to approval by the Authority and can be classified as: (i) Non Metallic - plastic (ii) Ferrous pipe (iii) Non Ferrous Pipe - Brass and copper pipe or tubing Lead pipe should not be used in any potable water system without the permission of the Authority

5. Water Supply and Distribution • Identification of Materials • Every length of pipe and fitting used in a plumbing system shall have cast, stamped or marked on it, the maker’s name or mark, and the weight and class or quality of the product.

6. . Water Supply and Distribution Pipes and Trenches The underground water service pipe and the building drain or building sewer shall not be less than 3 m apart horizontally and shall be separated by undisturbed or compacted earth. When permitted by the Authority, the water service pipe and the building drain or sewer pipe may be placed less than 3 m horizontally provided the following conditions are met: (i) the bottom of the water service pipe, at all points, shall be at least 300 mm above the top of the sewer line at its highest point

7. Water Supply and Distribution Pipes and Trenches (cont’d) (b) the water service pipe shall be placed on solid ground at least 300 mm to one side of the sewer pipe (c ) the number of joints in the service pipe shall be kept to a minimum. Joints shall have the strength and durability to prevent the escape of solids, liquids and gases when under adverse conditions such as corrosion, settlement, strains due to temperature change, vibrations and superimposed loads

8. Water Supply and Distribution Water Piping - Service Pipes (a) The water service pipe from the street main to the water distribution system at the property boundary shall be not less than 20 mm nominal diameter. (b) The depth of embedment below ground level shall be at least 300 mm (c ) It shall be provided with a shut off valve outside the boundary of the property

9. Sewerage Standards for Materials Materials for plumbing systems shall conform to the relevant specifications as required by either: (a) the British Standards Institution (BS) (b) the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) (c) the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) (d) The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) (e) the A.W.W.A (f ) the standards approved by the Water and Sewerage Authority

10. Sewerage Materials Classes of Pipes for sewerage is subject to approval by the Authority and can be classified as: (i) Non Metallic - Asbestos cement, bituminous fibre glass pipe, concrete sewer pipe, plastic pipe (ii) Ferrous pipe - shall be galvanised inside and outside when used for waste or vent pipe (iii) Non Ferrous Pipe - Brass, lead and copper pipe

11. Sewerage • Plumbing Fixtures Every plumbing fixture shall be made of materials with smooth, hard, impervious, corrosion resistant surfaces, free from flaws or blemishes which would tend to interfere with cleaning

12. Sewerage • The Code also give the Standards required for the following plumbing fixtures: • Water closet bowls • Water closet tanks • Flush valves • Urinals • Urinal tanks • Wash basin • Sinks • Laundry trays • Shower baths • Floor drains

13. Sewerage • Soil and Waste Pipes • Soil and waste pipe within a building shall be of cast iron, galvanised wrought iron, galvanised steel, brass, lead or plastic. • All drains within buildings when underground, shall be of cast iron soil pipe or of other material to be approved by the Authority. • All underground pipe from a point 1 m beyond the external wall of a building shall be of cast iron, asbestos cement, bituminisedfibre glass, concrete or plastic.

14. Sewerage • Underground pipe - No black or galvanised wrought iron or steel pile shall be used underground for vent, soil or waste pipe • The minimum size for a building sewer pipe shall be 100 mm in diameter • No sanitary sewer shall pass under any building other than the building it serves. • The plumbing system of every building or premises shall be separate from and independent of that of another building or premises.

15. Sewerage • The Code also give the Standards required for the different types of joints, joints on pipes of different materials, and joints connecting pipes made of two different materials, e.g plastic pipe to metal pipe

16. Minimum Facilities for Different Types of Buildings • Table 11 in this Standard gives the minimum facilities for the different types of buildings such as apartment buildings, schools, hotel, hospitals, factories and other industrial buildings, based on occupancy. • The facilities include water closets, lavatories, showers, kitchen sinks and others.