Overview of the NC Plumbing Code

If you are studying for the exam to qualify for your NC State Plumbing License, being comfortable with the Code Books is crucial. The exam is open book, but it is also timed, so knowing where to find information you are not sure of makes a huge difference. All of the relevant books and materials are provided. You can not bring your own code books with index tabs, highlights, and notes, but those are good practices for study and to have out on the job for quick reference.

The NC Plumbing Code is divided into 13 chapters. Each chapter covers specific information on one aspect of the plumbing system. Chapter one, which has mostly been superseded by a separate book, covers Scope and Administration. A copy of North Carolina Administration and Procedures should be included in your sturdy.

Chapter 2 covers Definitions used throughout the code. Some of the definitions given are trade specific terms and others are common terms used with specific meaning within the code. It is very important to understand all of the terms before continuing.

Chapter 3 covers General Regulations concerning the installation of the plumbing system, requirements for materials, and protection of the piping system. More specific requirements are given in the detailed sections, but the general requirements are assumed throughout.

Chapter 4 covers Fixtures, Faucets, and Fittings. This is where you will find the minimum material requirements for appurtenances used in the plumbing system, and proper use and placement.

Chapter 5 – Water Heaters. This chapter is much like the previous chapter as it pertains to water heaters. Water heaters are an important part of any plumbing system and presents dangers other fixtures do not, which is why water heaters rate a separate chapter.

Chapter 6 takes us into actual design and piping with Water Distribution Systems. There are numerous charts in this section that you will want to reference during the test.

Chapter 7 – Sanitary Drainage. This is perhaps what most people think of as plumbing – the waste pipe. Along with Chapter 9 – Vents, this is the real meat of the code. Waste and vent piping is what the plumbing inspector is going to spend the majority of his time inspecting. The most basic principle of plumbing is to provide the sanitary removal of waste. Problems with waste and vent systems not only cause potential inconvenience, they can cause sickness and spread of disease.

Chapter 8 covers Indirect and Special Wastes and supplements the general requirements of Chapters 7 and 9.

Chapter 9 – Vents. A plumbing system will not function properly without its vents. Improperly vented waste systems will not drain efficiently and can cause toxic gases to be released inside a building.

Chapter 10 covers special components of the drainage system such as traps and interceptors.

Chapter 11 covers Storm Drainage when it is not connected to the sanitary system.

Chapter 12 – Special Piping and Storage Systems covers anything not covered in other sections.

Chapter 13 presents all of the Referenced Standards used in the code. All materials must conform to one or more of these standards.

There are several helpful appendixes given. These are not part of the official code, unless they are specifically referenced within the code, and are given to clarify points in the code. They should be studied for the information they provide and some have charts that will be helpful while taking the exam, so be familiar with where you can find the info you need quickly.

The Plumbing Code exists as a single standard and one section can inform and alter another, so you will need to have a good overall knowledge of the code as a whole. It is also good to know where you can find information quickly during the exam, especially the many charts throughout the code.

I plan to go through each section of the code here on this blog over the next few months. I will tag posts by their Chapter to make searching for specific information easier. As I said earlier - using tabs, highlights, and notes will be helpful as you study and in the field as you work, but you are not allowed to take anything into the exam area. You need to be familiar with where to quickly look something up in a pinch.

Sometimes knowing where to find the answer is as good as knowing the answer.