[smalltowner]

Hello,
For our project we submitted a plumbing plan to the State with input on pipe sizes from our licensed plumber. The drain pipes for this remod of a commercial kitchen in an existing building are 2". The new remod will have a 3 compartment sink, floor drain and hand sink. State approved the plan for the 2" inplace pipe size. Now the plumber has started the work but he called in an inspector and this person says we need to tear up the floor and put in a new 3" line to connect to the 4" line going out to the city sewer. What the heck, help!!?? Anyone, thanks.

[Caduceus]

The reason for the increase to 3" is because of the requirement of sizing for the floor drain as well as the 3 compartment sink and hand sink. A 2" drain line to handle this volume would be insufficient and cause problems. The plumber should know that a connecting floor drain above ground should be 3" (4" below ground at ground level) and the same size of pipe shall continue to the stack or sewer.
If your plumber is surprised by this situation, maybe you need to consult another plumber that is more familiar with plumbing code.
I don't mean to sound harsh, I just feel that this is just a simple part of plumbing that is known to licensed plumbers.
The state may approve the general plan, but it is the plumber's responsibility to apply the local codes to the installation to satistfy the inspectors. If he does not know what codes apply, then he should find out if he is qualified for that area.
UPC,IPC and others all require a 3" floor drain above ground for commercial install and the drain continues, undiminished in size, to the stack or building drain.

[Chris]

^ What he said...

Are your plans stamped, signed and approved for work? If so there is not a lot the inspector can do. If your are approved and what you are doing is to code he can not legally make you change it.

We run into this occasionally, sometimes even the inspector is right but if his district stamped and approved them then that is what goes.

Is your inspector with the same agency that approved your plans?

I would try to explain to him first that everything was installed per approved plan and let him know he needs to talk to the approver before you will do anything.

Edit: I typed this before ^ That post, If it will simply not work then now is a much better time to fix it right then when the job is done.

Edit again: Things must be different out here, the district that approves the plans is the same district that sends out the inspector which probably helps with things like this.

[Caduceus]

I am assuming that the connecting floor drain is 3". If not, that is where the problems really started for the inspection.

[smalltowner]

Originally Posted by Chris

^ What he said...

Are your plans stamped, signed and approved for work? If so there is not a lot the inspector can do. If your are approved and what you are doing is to code he can not legally make you change it.

We run into this occasionally, sometimes even the inspector is right but if his district stamped and approved them then that is what goes.

Is your inspector with the same agency that approved your plans?

I would try to explain to him first that everything was installed per approved plan and let him know he needs to talk to the approver before you will do anything.

Edit: I typed this before ^ That post, If it will simply not work then now is a much better time to fix it right then when the job is done.

Edit again: Things must be different out here, the district that approves the plans is the same district that sends out the inspector which probably helps with things like this.

This small town in the upper midwest has no local codes so we are governed by the state. Yes, the inspector is also employed by the state but he doesnt approve the plans. The plans are approved at a central office at the state capitol. Yes the plans are approved and we have a letter stating we shall now proceed with the work according to the plans then when done roughing in the plumber brings in the inspector to review and run pressure tests as needed.

The floor drain pipe is 2" and it is a take off from the main 4" line. More discussion would be appreciated, thanks.

[plbgbiz]

The inspector usually holds all the cards. He is the one with the badge so it will be him that says yea or nay.

In my area an engineered plan certified by a "licensed" engineer that accepts full liability for the outcome would be required to trump the inspector. Plan reviewers miss things and do not have that authority.

It will be much cheaper to change it rather than fight it.

[stevemachine]

Well according to my code 2" pipe is good for 6 fixture units which you should be fine with what you have there. Unless everything is being wet vented. Then that's an issue. You can have a 2" floor drain, just it has to be vented is all. And everything else has to be individually vented but like plbgbiz said the inspector holds the card so what he says goes pretty well.

[smalltowner]

Our State code under "load on drainage piping" subpart 2a: Values for intermittent flows: Fixture unit values for interrmittent flows from applicances and equipment which are specially designed for low water use, and used for retrofit in existing plumbing systems only, may be determined as follows: Discharge Capacity (gpm) 8-16 has 2 fixture units, 16-30 gpm has 4 units and 31 to 50 has 6 units. No mention of min. drain size is stated here, however, under new construction there is a complete list of fixture types, unit values and min. drain size on a chart. Our project is not new construction so we would fall under subpart 2a, correct?

[stevemachine]

Sounds about right to me. If the building is existing then yes I would say it sounds like 2a would be about right

[stevemachine]

I would maybe just bring it to either the plumber or inspectors attention. Just be careful with the inspector cause those guys can make you life a living hell lol