The term plumbing as used in this article shall be construed to mean the installation of gas or water pipes, fixtures, apparatus and the necessary connections either for supplying gas or water to premises or for the removing of liquid and water-borne wastes from premises in the city, or both such purposes, and shall also denote installed fixtures, drainage and vent systems and gas or water distribution systems as the case may be.
(Code 2006)
There is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the practice of plumbing and gasfitting, including the installation, maintenance, extension and alteration of all pipes, fixtures, appliances and appurtenances in connection with sanitary sewers and public and private water and fuel gas systems, the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, as recommended by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, such code being made as a part of the ordinances and code of the city as if the same had been set out in full herein, all as authorized and in the manner prescribed by K.S.A. 12-3009 through 12-3012 including any amendments thereto. At least one copy of said code shall be marked or stamped “Official Copy as Incorporated by the Code of the City of Valley Falls,” and shall be filed with the city clerk to be open to inspection and available to the public at all reasonable hours of business.
(Code 2006; Ord. 2022-07)
The following sections of this article are in addition to the provisions of the standard code incorporated by reference in section 4-402.
(Code 2006)
The City Administrator or his or her authorized designee shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of this article and appointment of a plumbing inspector in accordance with section 4-204 of this chapter, which apply in a like manner to this article.
(Code 2006)
The mayor with the consent of the council may assume the responsibilities of or appoint some qualified officer or employee of the city to be and perform the duties of plumbing inspector as may be required, subject to the consent and approval of the governing body.
(Code 1983, 4-209)
The plumbing inspector shall have the following duties:
(a) To enforce all regulations relating to plumbing construction, alteration, repair or removal;
(b) May permit, with the approval of the governing body, on the basis of duly authenticated reports from recognized sources, the use of new materials or modes of construction, not provided for in this article, and may, for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this article adopt an accepted standard of material or workmanlike practices of federal or state bureaus, national, technical organizations or fire underwriters;
(c) To examine all buildings in the process of erection, construction, alteration or relocation in the city for the purpose of determining whether the work is in compliance with the plumbing permit given and in compliance with the regulations of the city pertaining to such work, including zoning regulations; and
(d) To keep comprehensive records of applications, of permits or certificates issued, of inspections made, of reports rendered, and of notices or orders issued. All such records shall be open to public inspection during stated office hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the building official or plumbing inspector without his or her written consent.
(Code 2006)
The plumbing inspector shall have the following powers:
(a) To enter any building or structure or premises at any reasonable hour, whether complete or in the process of erection, to perform the duties contained in this chapter;
(b) To adopt and enforce all such prudent emergency measures as he or she may deem necessary and expedient for the public safety under the laws of the city;
(c) May cause any work done in violation of this chapter to be discontinued until he or she shall have satisfactory evidence that the work will be done in accordance with the plumbing regulations of the city, subject to the right of any plumber, plumbing contractor or owner to appeal to the governing body.
(Code 2006)
The plumbing inspector, or his or her agent, upon proper identification, shall have authority to enter any building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour to perform his or her duties as set out in this chapter.
(Code 1983, 4-210)
(a) The governing body shall be the final determiner of the scope and meaning of all provisions of the plumbing code which may be unclear, ambiguous, or requiring interpretation.
(b) The plumbing inspector shall have power to modify any of the provisions of the plumbing code upon application in writing by the owner or lessee or his or her authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code. In approving modifications, the plumbing inspector shall see that the spirit of the code is observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. The particulars of a modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the inspector thereon shall be entered upon the records of the plumbing inspector and a signed copy shall be furnished to the applicant.
(Code 2006)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to make connection to a supply of gas or water for which an inspection is required, or which has been disconnected by the order of the plumbing inspector, until a certificate of approval has been issued by the plumbing inspector authorizing the connection and use of such plumbing or plumbing system. The plumbing inspector may, at his or her discretion, authorize a temporary connection.
(Code 2006)
(a) If in the judgment of the plumbing inspector, after inspection, the plumbing or plumbing system in any building are unsafe or dangerous to persons or property, the inspector shall have the power to cause the plumbing or plumbing system to be disconnected from the supply of gas or water and may, at his or her discretion, seal the control valves for the same in a closed or disconnected position, whereupon he or she shall give notice to the owner, or his or her agent, or by posting such notice at the site and shall also notify the utilities serving the premises. Thereafter, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit gas or water to be supplied to the plumbing or plumbing system so sealed until they shall have been made safe and the inspector shall have issued a certificate of approval to that effect.
(b) When the plumbing inspector condemns all or part of any plumbing system, the owner may, within 10 days after receiving written notice thereof, file a petition in writing for review of the action of the plumbing inspector by the governing body, upon the receipt of which the governing body shall at once proceed to determine the facts, and within 10 days from receiving the petition make a decision in accordance with their findings.
(Code 2006)
(a) A plumber or plumbing contractor shall mean:
(1) Any person engaged in the business of installing, altering, maintaining, or repairing plumbing, which shall include all materials and plumbing fixtures, water pipes, portable water treatment equipment, traps, drainage and vent piping, and building drains, including their respective points, connections, devices, receptacles and appurtenances located within the property lines of any premises or in any building.
(2) Any gasfitter or person engaged in the business of installing, altering, or repairing fuel gas piping, gas systems or fixtures.
(b) A plumber or plumbing contractor as defined in subsection (a) of this section shall not mean or include the owner of a residence who personally installs plumbing piping or equipment within and upon his or her own residence and intended for his or her own personal use and permanent occupancy; provided, the owner shall satisfy the plumbing inspector as to his or her ability to install such piping or equipment, secure a permit, pay required fees, do work in accordance with this article, and apply for an inspection and receive approval. Personal installation by an owner under this section shall be himself, herself, for himself or herself on his or her own residence, without compensation and no person shall be employed to assist him or her in any way on such work except a plumber or plumbing contractor licensed by the city.
(Code 2006)
When it appears that the laying or repairing of any water or sewer pipes or the making of any connection therewith shall require excavation in any street, alley or public way of the city or the cutting or removal of any pavement, curb or gutter or any sidewalk, during the course of such work, the application for a permit shall so state and describe the location and extent of the excavation, cutting or removal. Before the city clerk shall issue any permit for such work, the applicant shall pay any fee required by this code. All excavations shall be barricaded and guarded as provided by the appropriate sections of this code. Before any such excavation shall be backfilled, new plumbing work therein shall be inspected and the bottom of the excavation holding any sewer, drain or water pipe shall be so filled, leveled and tamped as to properly support the pipe and permit proper drainage when carrying sewage, and the excavation shall be backfilled and all paving, curbing, guttering or sidewalks shall be restored as near as possible to their last condition, subject always to the approval of the plumbing inspector or the superintendent of streets.
(Code 2006)
Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any property owner from personally installing plumbing piping or equipment within and upon his or her own residence and intended for his or her personal use and permanent occupancy; provided, the owner shall satisfy the plumbing inspector as to his or her ability to install such piping or equipment, secure a permit, pay required fees, do work in accordance with this article, and apply for an inspection and receive approval. Personal installation by an owner under this section shall be by himself, herself, for himself or herself on his or her own residence, without compensation and no person shall be employed to assist him or her in any way on such work except a plumber or plumbing contractor licensed by the city.
(Code 2006)
No plumbing materials, appliances or equipment shall be installed in the city unless they are in conformity with the provisions of this article and with the approved standards of construction for safety to life and property. Conformity of materials for plumbing materials, appliances and equipment to the standards of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. shall be prima facie evidence that the materials, devices, appliances and equipment comply with the requirements of this article.
(Code 2006)
This article shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling or performing any plumbing construction for damages to persons or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability, by reason of the inspection or reinspection authorized herein, or the certificate of approval of any work or equipment authorized herein or by reason of any permit or license granted herein.
(Code 1983, 4-217)
If any section of the Uniform Plumbing Code or of this article shall be held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, then such section shall be considered separate and apart from the remaining provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code or of this article, the section is to be completely severable from the remaining provisions which shall continue in full force and effect.
(Code 2006)