in-20261125-IR-675260128FRA: INDIANA PLUMBING CODE

TITLE 675 FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING SAFETY COMMISSION Final Rule LSA Document #26-128 DIGEST INDIANA PLUMBING CODE Amends 675 IAC 16-1.4 to update definitions and other provisions to reflect current standards and best practices regarding lead-free pipes and fittings. Effective 30 days after filing with the publisher. HISTORY Notice of First Public Comment Period: 20260520-IR-675260128FNA Regulatory Analysis submitted with Notice of First Public Comment Period: 20260520-IR-675260128RAA Date of Public Hearing: June 25, 2026 CITATIONS AFFECTED: 675 IAC16-1.4.-3; 675 IAC 16-1.4-7 SUMMARY/RESPONSE TO COMMENTS The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (commission) requested public comment from May 20, 2026, through June 19, 2026, and during the public hearing on June 25, 2026. The commission received no comments in response to the Notice of First Public Comment Period. This adopted version of the rule is the same as or does not substantially differ from the last published version of the proposed rule. FINAL RULE Sec. 3. Chapter 2 is amended to read as follows: (a) Amend Section 201.3 by deleting the text and inserting the following: Where terms are not defined in this code and are defined in the Indiana Building Code (675 IAC 13), the Indiana Electrical Code (675 IAC 17), the Indiana Mechanical Code (675 IAC 18), the Indiana Fire Code (675 IAC 22), or the Indiana Fuel Gas Code (675 IAC 25), such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in those codes. (b) Amend Section 202 Definitions, as follows: Sec. 7. Chapter 6 is amended as follows: (a) Delete Section 602.3 in its entirety without substitution. (b) Amend Section 604.9 to read as follows: (c) Add Section 605.2.1 to read as follows: 605.2.1 Lead Content of Drinking Water Pipe and Fittings. Pipe, pipe fittings, joints, valves, faucets, and fixture fittings utilized to supply water for drinking or cooking purposes shall comply with NSF 372 and shall have a weighted average lead content of 0.25 percent of [sic, or] less. (c) (d) Amend Table 605.3, WATER SERVICE PIPE, under "copper or alloy tubing" by deleting "M or WM". (d) (e) Delete Section 605.3.1 without substitution. (e) (f) Amend Table 605.5, by inserting "Cross-linked" in front of "Polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX)". (f) (g) Amend Section 605.22.2 to read as follows: after "A", delete "purple" and after "solvent cement", delete "not purple in color". (g) (h) Delete Section 606.4 without substitution. (h) (i) Amend Section 607.1 to add an exception to read as follows: (i) (j) Amend Section 607.3.2 to add a second sentence to read as follows: When thermal expansion tanks are used for this purpose, there shall be no valves installed between the water heating appliance and the expansion tank. (j) (k) Amend Table 608.1, APPLICATION OF BACKFLOW PREVENTERS, "Backflow preventer for carbonated beverage machines", to delete "low hazard" and insert "high hazard". (k) (l) Add Section 608.1.1 to read as follows: The owner of the structure shall have the backflow prevention assembly tested at the time of installation and after relocation. (l) (m) Add Section 608.1.2 to read as follows: Backflow preventers for hot water over one hundred ten (110) degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) shall be a listed type, designed to operate at temperatures of one hundred ten (110) degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) or more without rendering any portion of the assembly inoperable. (m) (n) Amend Section 608.14.1 to delete the text and insert as follows: Location of backflow preventers. Access and clearance shall be provided for the required testing. Access and clearance shall require a minimum of twelve (12) inches (305 mm) between the lowest portion of the assembly and grade, floor, or platform. Installations Installation elevated more than five (5) feet (1,524 mm) above the floor or grade shall be provided with a permanent platform complying with the structural requirements and fire resistive requirements of the Indiana Building Code. Reduced pressure principle backflow preventers and reduced pressure detector assembly backflow preventers shall be installed horizontally, unless otherwise listed, at a location where any leakage from the relief port will be noticed and not subject the backflow preventer to flooding. (n) (o) Delete the text of Section 608.15.4 and insert as follows: Openings and outlets shall be protected by atmospheric type or pressure type vacuum breakers. The critical level of the atmospheric type vacuum breaker shall be set a minimum of six (6) inches (152 mm) above the flood level rim of the fixture or of [sic] device. Pressure type vacuum breakers shall be set a minimum of twelve (12) inches (304 mm) above all downstream piping and outlets. Fill valves shall be set in accordance with Section 425.3.1. Vacuum breakers shall not be installed under exhaust hoods or similar locations that will contain toxic fumes or vapors. Pipe-applied atmospheric-type vacuum breakers shall be installed not less than six (6) inches (152 mm), and twelve (12) inches (304 mm) for pressure-type vacuum breakers, above the flood level rim of the fixture, receptor, or device served. (o) (p) Amend Section 608.16.1 to delete the text and insert as follows: The water supply connection to beverage dispensers shall be protected against the backflow by a listed reduced pressure principle backflow preventer. Copper shall not be used downstream from the backflow preventer. (p) (q) Amend Section 608.16.3 as follows: after "transfer fluid", add "(non-potable water)", and after "nontoxic transfer fluid", add "(potable water)". (q) (r) Amend Section 608.16.4 to delete the exceptions without substitution. (r) (s) Amend Section 608.16.5 as follows: after "A valve", insert "including system zone valves". (s) (t) Delete Section 608.17 in its entirety without substitution. LSA Document #26-128 Notice of First Public Comment Period: May 20, 2026 Last Hearing Held: June 25, 2026 Approved by Attorney General: October 18, 2026 Approved by Governor: October 27, 2026 Filed with Publisher: October 28, 2026, 4:18 p.m. Documents Incorporated by Reference: None Received by Publisher Small Business Regulatory Coordinator: Alyssa Schroeder, Legislative Director, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, 302 West Washington Street, Room E208, Indianapolis, IN 46204, (317) 775-2607, aschroeder1@dhs.in.gov