Plumbing Permits: Please File

Every dollar means something these days. To save money, homeowners may choose to do plumbing work themselves; if they are capable and comfortable with doing the work. Do it yourself stores now sell all types of plumbing materials, many of these items are not approved for installation in Allegheny County, however. Many plumbing projects still require Plumbing Permits and Inspection before they are deemed useable and safe.

The Allegheny County Health Department – Plumbing Division is responsible for ensuring these products and techniques meet sanitary and safety requirements. Only after Administrative Authority approval may these products be used. Just because a local home improvement store sells a plumbing product doesn’t make it legal to install. Home Improvement stores are there to make money; therefore they sell many products that do not conform to the ACHD plumbing code. Our plumbing code is there to protect all the citizens of our fine County. To insure proper materials and plumbing practices are observed please file your plumbing permits.

A little research can save you money, time, and problems. The do it yourself fix can cost more than hiring a professional for your plumbing work. Make sure you file permits and install your plumbing to code if you are going to do it yourself or hire A Pittsburgh Plumber to do it for you. Contact A Pittsburgh Plumber for a bid. Unsafe conditions affect us all. That’s why plumbing codes exist.

To find out if a plumbing permit is required for your plumbing project

With all the new plumbing products and techniques available on the market, it’s hard to determine which ones are approved by the Administrative Authority. Refer to the IPC (International Plumbing Code) and then check to see if Article XV supersedes the IPC code for your project.

When plumbing permits are required

“A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this Article, or to cause any such work to be done.  Such permit may be obtained by application to the Plumbing Program.” ~ AC-106.1

Where to go for more information

If you are a resident of Allegheny County, the first place to start is the Allegheny County Health Department website – Plumbing Division.

“The Plumbing Division handles the permitting and inspection of all new or modified plumbing installations in both residential and commercial structures within Allegheny County.  This Division also handles the licensing of plumbers.” ~ ACHD website

Did You Know?

• The Plumbing code in Allegheny County is titled Article XV and can be found on the Allegheny County website
• Snaking or Eeling Drains does not require a permit
• When a toilet (water closet) is replaced, a fixture replacement card must be filed with the County
• Your plumber should be filing permits if you contract them to perform work which requires them
• Only Registered Master Plumbers and Owner Occupants can file plumbing permits in Allegheny County– Master Plumbers should provide their HP (Health Permit) number when requested and it should be on their trucks
• When a hot water tank is replaced, a fixture replacement card is required
• Advertising Plumbing Without a License is Illegal

“AC-106.1.1  Engaging in the business of plumbing.  No person, other than a currently licensed master plumber, shall engage in the business of plumbing or expose the sign of plumbing or any advertisement pertaining thereto, except wholesale or retail plumbing fixture suppliers.  Any firm or corporation desiring to engage in the business of plumbing shall have at least one member who possesses a valid master plumber’s license, who shall register with the Department his or her name, along with the name(s) of all officers of the firm or corporation upon whose behalf he is registering.” ~ Article XV

• Civil penalties can result from failure to abide by the Health departments’ code

“AC-104.7.1  Civil penalties.  A person who violates any of the provision of this Article, or any order issued by the Director under this regulation, is subject to a Civil Penalty in accordance with the provisions of the Department’s Rules & Regulations, ~ Article XVI, ”Civil Penalties”.”