Article V - Plumbing Facilities and Fixture Requirements

48-51. General
  1. Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum plumbing systems, facilities and plumbing fixtures to be provided.
  2. Responsibility. The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such plumbing facilities and plumbing fixtures in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy any structure or premises which does not comply with the require- ments of this section.
48-52. Required Facilities
  1. Dwelling units. Every dwelling unit shall contain its own bathtub or shower, lavatory, water closet and kitchen sink which shall be maintained in a sanitary, safe working condition. The lavatory shall be placed in the same room as the water closet or located in close proximity to the door leading directly into the room in which such water closet is located. A kitchen sink shall not be used as a substitute for the required lavatory.
  2. Rooming houses. At least 1 water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower shall be supplied for each 4 rooming units.
48-53. (Reserved)
48-54. Plumbing Systems and Fixtures
  1. General. All plumbing fixtures shall be properly installed and maintained in working order, and shall be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects and be capable of performing the function for which such plumbing fixtures are designed. All plumbing fixtures shall be maintained in a safe, sanitary and functional condition.
  2. Fixture clearances. Plumbing fixtures shall have adequate clearances for usage and cleaning.
  3. Plumbing system hazards. Where it is found that a plumbing system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure by reason of inadequate service, inadequate venting, cross connection, back-flow, improper installation, deterioration or damage or for similar reasons, the Code official shall require the defects to be corrected to eliminate the hazard.
48-55. Water System
  1. General. Every sink, lavatory, bathtub or shower, drinking fountain, water closet or other plumbing fixture shall be properly connected to either a public water system or to an approved private water system. All kitchen sinks, lavatories, laundry facilities, bathtubs and showers shall be supplied with hot or tempered and cold running water in accordance with the North Carolina Plumbing Code.
  2. Contamination. The water supply shall be maintained free from contamination, and all water inlets for plumbing fixtures shall be located above the flood-level rim of the fixture. Janitor sink faucets and other hose bibs or faucets to which hoses are attached and left in place, shall be protected by an approved atmospheric-type vacuum breaker or an approved permanently attached hose connection vacuum breaker.
  3. Water Heating Facilities. Water heating facilities shall be properly installed, maintained and capable of providing an adequate amount of hot water to be drawn at every required sink, lavatory, bathtub, shower and laundry facility at a temperature of not less than 110°F (43°C). A gas-burning water heater shall not be located in any bathroom, toilet room, bedroom or other occupied room normally kept closed, unless adequate combustion air is provided. An approved combination temperature and pressure-relief valve and relief valve discharge pipe shall be properly installed and maintained on water heaters.
48-56. Sanitary Drainage System
  1. General. All plumbing fixtures shall be properly connected to either a public sewer system or to an approved private sewage disposal system. Septic systems should be properly maintained so as not to cause failure.
  2. Maintenance. Every plumbing stack, vent, waste and sewer line shall function properly and be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects.
48-57. Through 48-60. (Reserved)