,IPC
®
INTERNATIONAL
PLUMBING
CODE®
A Member of the International Code Family®
INCLUDES
Plumbing provisions from
ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible
and Usable Buildings and Facilities
, 2021 International Plumbing Code®
Date of First Publication: March 6, 2020
First Printing: March 2020
ISBN: 978-1-60983-962-8 (soft-cover edition)
ISBN: 978-1-60983-963-5 (loose-leaf edition)
COPYRIGHT © 2020
by
INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This 2021 International Plumbing Code® is a copyrighted work owned by the International Code
Council, Inc. (“ICC”). Without advance written permission from the ICC, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed or
transmitted in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic, optical or mechanical means (by way of
example, and not limitation, photocopying or recording by or in an information storage retrieval system). For information on use
rights and permissions, please contact: ICC Publications, 4051 Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478. Phone 1-888-
ICCSAFE (422-7233).
Trademarks: “International Code Council,” the “International Code Council” logo, “ICC,” the “ICC” logo, “International
Plumbing Code,” “IPC” and other names and trademarks appearing in this book are registered trademarks of the International
Code Council, Inc., and/or its licensors (as applicable), and may not be used without permission.
The display of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) logo in this publication indicates
PHCC’s support through committee participation of ICC’s open governmental consensus process used to develop the Interna-
tional Codes. This support does not imply any ownership to the copyright to the International Plumbing Code, which is held
solely by the International Code Council, Inc.
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC): 180 S. Washington Street – Suite 100, Falls Church,
VA 22046; Phone: (703) 237-8100, (800) 533-7694, www.phccweb.org.
T024869 PRINTED IN THE USA
, PREFACE
Introduction
The International Plumbing Code® (IPC®) establishes minimum requirements for plumbing systems
using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. It is founded on broad-based principles that
make possible the use of new materials and new plumbing designs. This 2021 edition is fully compati-
ble with all of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) published by the International Code Council® (ICC®),
including the International Building Code®, International Energy Conservation Code®, International
Existing Building Code®, International Fire Code®, International Fuel Gas Code®, International Green
Construction Code®, International Mechanical Code®, International Private Sewage Disposal Code®,
International Property Maintenance Code®, International Residential Code®, International Swimming
Pool and Spa Code®, International Wildland-Urban Interface Code®, International Zoning Code® and
International Code Council Performance Code®.
The I-Codes, including this International Plumbing Code, are used in a variety of ways in both the
public and private sectors. Most industry professionals are familiar with the I-Codes as the basis of
laws and regulations in communities across the US and in other countries. However, the impact of the
codes extends well beyond the regulatory arena, as they are used in a variety of nonregulatory set-
tings, including:
• Voluntary compliance programs such as those promoting sustainability, energy efficiency and
disaster resistance.
• The insurance industry, to estimate and manage risk, and as a tool in underwriting and rate
decisions.
• Certification and credentialing of individuals involved in the fields of building design, construc-
tion and safety.
• Certification of building and construction-related products.
• US federal agencies, to guide construction in an array of government-owned properties.
• Facilities management.
• “Best practices” benchmarks for designers and builders, including those who are engaged in
projects in jurisdictions that do not have a formal regulatory system or a governmental
enforcement mechanism.
• College, university and professional school textbooks and curricula.
• Reference works related to building design and construction.
In addition to the codes themselves, the code development process brings together building pro-
fessionals on a regular basis. It provides an international forum for discussion and deliberation about
building design, construction methods, safety, performance requirements, technological advances
and innovative products.
Development
This 2021 edition presents the code as originally issued, with changes reflected in the 2003 through
2018 editions and with further changes approved by the ICC Code Development Process through 2019.
A new edition such as this is promulgated every 3 years.
This code is founded on principles intended to establish provisions consistent with the scope of a
plumbing code that adequately protects public health, safety and welfare; provisions that do not
unnecessarily increase construction costs; provisions that do not restrict the use of new materials,
products or methods of construction; and provisions that do not give preferential treatment to partic-
ular types or classes of materials, products or methods of construction.
2021 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE® iii
