Vents

[Anonymous]

How do you feel in the use of an air admittance valve in lieu of a vent extending through the attic and roof line. The valves will be used for the vanity, tub and toilet. It is for a new bathroom to replace a bedroom in an existing home.

[Wgoodrich]

Air admittance valves are allowed by the IRC as long as they are accessible, above the drain receptacles, and in an area large enough to allow air admittance.

Many professional plumbers look at air admittance valves as a short cut or lack of skill less professional, frowned on by plumbers. However many are used and it is acceptable per the IRC Code rules.

Good Luck

Wg

[Anonymous]

I am a licensed plumber in Ohio and Kentucky, serving Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati Area. I mostly run service in the plumbing field.


In my line of work, I prefer to follow UPC code if at all possible. But more and more, especially in the service industry, these cheater vents are a godsend when cost is the primary factor why legally taking vent to another vent or through the roof. In the Cincinnati area, which is totally different from Kentucky code enforcements, they allow fixtures without venting :x The reason? They would rather isolate the clog to one fixture, than to have the vents tieing all fixtures together to continue a continuation of backup to numerous fixtures.


The drain cleaning business is very lucrative in Cincinnati.


I keep these on my truck at all times and are a sure fire fix for situations such as kitchen sinks that consistently take vegetation and grease.


Cheater vents will go bad; the rubber disc will become warped and let sewer gases escape. So put vent in an area where it can be serviced.

[Wgoodrich]

Dunbar, be careful with you codes. While Kentucky has not yet adopted the International Plumbing Code yet, Kentucky has adopted both the International Building Code as well as the International Residential code. The International Residential code has plumbing rules for dwellings. Check in Kentucky for local revisions that may include or exclude a part of the Codes mentioned.

While the Uniform Plumbing Code is still in affect last I heard in Kentucky it is not in affect in Ohio. Ohio has adopted the International Building Code, International Plumbing Code as well as the International Residential Code. These codes have replaced the IBC, IPC and CABO.

Just thought I would get you looking into changes in those states.

Good Luck

Wg

[Anonymous]

So are you saying that Kentucky has or has not adopted an allowance for this valve?


I know that they are common in mobile homes, but my Kentucky Code book does not even brush the topic regarding air-admittance, studor vents or any type of valve to short cut when not able to provide legal venting.

Is there any links that you could provide regarding this info? It would be greatly appreciated.

[Wgoodrich]

Yes I agree with what you said about the air admittance valves being allowed per Code. I was trying to point out you quoted the Uniform Plumbing Code and you are behind what Code is adopted in those states.

Check the following link to find the introduction and history of joining of most Code writing panels to create that International Code Council. It even has pictures of the different code making orginizations during the signing of agreements to become part of each other. As far I am aware the National Fire protection *** has yet to join the International Code Council.

http://www.iccsafe.org/index.html


The Uniform Plumbing Code joined other code makers and created the International Code Council. The International Code library has been created with teh combined efforts of many combined Code writing orginizations. Check the following link to find what States have adopted the International Code family of books as minimum safety standards in that certain state. To find the listing of each state and if that state has adopted the International Code library look on the above link to find "Code Standards" then point at it and you will find a list of links. The first link will take you to a listing of each state as to what Code is adopted in that State.

Hope this helps

Wg