12 PLUMBING REGULATIONS 
e/ 
U' OF THE 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 
ADOPTED FEBRUARY 15, 1893, 
BY THE 
COMMISSIONERS OF SAID DISTRICT. 
Under and by virtue of the authority conferred upon them by an Act 
of the Congress of the United States, approved April 23, 1892. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. : 
JUDD & DETWEILER, PRINTERS. 
I893- TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
Page. 
An Act to authorize the appointment of an Inspector of 
Plumbing in the District of Columbia, and for other 
purposes v 
Okder of the Commissioners vii 
Plumbing Regulations : 
General regulations, sections 1 -19 1-7 
Excavations in streets, sections 20-33 8-12 
Water service pipes and connections with water 
mains, sections 34-66 13-20 
House sewers and connections with public sewers, 
sections 67-86 / 21-27 
Plumbing and drainage of buildings, sections 87- 
138 28-37 
Gas mains, subways, and conduits owned by pri- 
vate companies, sections 139-141 38 
Code of Regulations governing the examination, regis- 
tration, and licensing of master and journeyman 
plumbers 39-41 
Police Regulations—Extract relating to the care of pub- 
lic sewers 42-43 
Ordek of Approval of Gas-Fitting Regulations 44 
Regulations Governing Gas-Fitting 45-48 
Index .. 49-56 An Act to authorize the appointment of an Inspector of Plumb- 
ing in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Commis- 
sioners of the District of Columbia and their successors be, and 
they hereby are, authorized and empowered to make, modify, 
and enforce regulations governing plumbing, house drainage, 
and the ventilation, preservation, and maintenance in good order 
of house sewers and public sewers in the District of Columbia, 
and also regulations governing the examination, registration, 
and licensing of plumbers and the practice of tlie business of 
plumbing in said District; and any person who shall neglect or 
refuse to comply with the requirements of the provisions of said 
regulations after ten days’ notice of the specific thing required 
to be done thereunder, within the time limited by the Commis- 
sioners for doing such work, or as the said time may be extended 
by said Commissioners, shall upon conviction thereof be punish- 
able by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars for each 
and every such offense, or in default of payment of fine, to im- 
prisonment not to exceed thirty days. 
Sec. 2. That the said Commissioners and their successors be, 
and they hereby are, authorized and empowered to require every 
person licensed to practice the business of plumbing in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia, before engaging in the said business, to file a 
bond in such amount not exceeding the sum of two thousand 
dollars and with such number of sureties as the said Commis- 
sioners shall determine, conditioned upon the faithful perform- 
ance of all work in compliance with the plumbing regulations, 
and that the District of Columbia shall be kept harmless from 
the consequence of any and all acts of the said licensee during 
the period covered by the said bond. 
Sec. 3. That the said Commissioners and their successors be, 
and they hereby are, authorized to establish and charge a fee 
for each permit granted to connect any building, premises, or 
establishment with any sewer, water, or gas main, or other under- 
ground structure located in any public street, avenue, alley, road, highway, or space; and also to establish and charge a foe for 
each permit granted to make an excavation in any public street, 
avenue, alley, highway, road, or space for the purpose of repair- 
ing, altering, or extending any house sewer, water main, or gas 
main, or other underground construction. The fees authorized 
by this section shall be paid to the collector of taxes of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia and by him deposited in the Treasury of the 
United States, one-half to the credit of the United States and 
one-half to the credit of the District of Columbia. 
Sec. 4. That the Inspector of Plumbing and his assistants shall 
be under thp direction of said Commissioners, and they are 
hereby empowered accordingly, to inspect or cause to be in- 
spected, all houses when in course of erection in said District, to 
see that the plumbing, drainage, and ventilation of sewers 
thereof conform to the regulations hereinbefore provided for; 
and also at any time, during reasonable hours, under like direc- 
tion, on the application of the owner, or occupant, or the com- 
plaint under oath of any reputable citizen to inspector cause to 
be inspected any house in said District, to examine the plumb- 
ing, drainage, and ventilation of sewers thereof, and generally to 
see that the regulations hereinbefore provided for are duly 
observed and enforced. 
Sec. 5. Thatall laws or parts of laws inconsistent herewith be, 
and they hereby are, repealed. 
Approved, April 23, 1892. Office of the Commissioners 
of the District of Columbia, 
February 15, 1893. 
In accordance with the provisions of an act of Congress ap- 
proved April 23,1892, entitled act to authorize the appoint- 
ment of an Inspector of Plumbing in the District of Columbia, 
and for other purposes,” it is 
Ordered, First: That the following regulations, sections 1 to 
141 inclusive, be, and they hereby are, made and declared to be 
plumbing regulations in and for the said District, applicable as 
set forth in section 1, except to buildings or premises owned by 
or under the exclusive control of officers of the United States. 
Second: That the following regulations, sections A to J in- 
clusive, be, and they hereby are, made and declared to be regu- 
lations governing the examination, registration, and licensing 
of plumbers and the practice of plumbing in and for the said 
District. PLUMBING REGULATIONS. 
Section 1. These regulations shall be held to 
include and govern all work done and materials 
used (1) in introducing, maintaining and extending 
a supply of water through a pipe or pipes in any 
building, lot, premises, or establishment; (2) in con- 
nectingor repairingany system of drainage whereby 
foul, waste, or surplus water, gas, vapor, or other 
fluid is discharged or proposed to be discharged 
through a pipe or pipes from any building, lot, 
premises, or establishment into any public or house 
sewer, drain, cess-pool, pit, box, filter-bed, or other 
receptacle, or into any natural or artificial water- 
course flowing through public or private property ; 
(3) in ventilating any house sewer or any fixture or 
appurtenance connected therewith ; (4) in excavat- 
ing in any public street, avenue, highway, road, 
court, alley, or space, for the purpose of connecting 
any building, lot, premises, or establishment with 
any service pipe, house sewer, public water main, 
public sewer, gas main, subway, conduit, or other 
underground structure; and generally (5) in per 
formingall classes of work usually done by plumbers 
and drain-layers. 
Sec. 2. These regulations shall take effect and be 
in force in the District of Columbia from and after 
March 15,1893, and all work thereafter done, under 
any of the classes mentioned in section 1, shall be 
in accordance with the provisions herein specified. 
Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Inspector of 
Plumbing, under the direction of the Commissioners, 
GENERAL REGULATIONS 
Scope. 
Take e ff e c t 
March 15,189a. 
Inspector ot 
Plumbing, to inspect or cause to be inspected by his assistants, 
all ltouses when in course of erection in said I )is- 
triet, to see that the plumbing, drainage and venti- 
lation of sewers thereof conform to these regulations. 
It shall be his duty at any time during reason- 
able hours, under like direction, on ap Pi ication of 
the owner or occupant, or the complaint under oath 
of any reputable citizen, to inspect or cause to be 
inspected any house in said District, and to examine 
the plumbing, drainage, and ventilation of sewers 
thereof. 
Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Inspector of 
Plumbing to sign and issue all notices and certifi- 
cates of inspection and approval required by these 
regulations, excepting such permits and notices as 
are herein directed to be issued by other District 
officials. (Sections 10, 21, 20, 30, 32, 36, 70, 72, and 
139.) 
He shall keep a daily record of the work of his 
office, including a statement of notices and certifi- 
cates issued, applications for inspection received, 
and complaints of violations of these regulations. 
He shall make a record of inspections of house 
sewers outside of the building line, and promptly 
forward a copy of the same to the Permit Clerk. 
He shall prepare weekly and annual reports to 
the Commissioners of the operations of bis office, 
with such recommendations as to its conduct and 
methods of increasing its efficiency as lie may see 
fit to suggest. 
Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Inspector of 
Plumbing to promptly examine plans and specifica- 
tions filed in his office for proposed plumbing work 
and house drainage, and he shall approve the same, 
if found in accordance with these regulations. 
It shall be his duty generally to see that these 
regulations are duly observed and enforced. (Sec- 
tion 18.) 
To issue no- 
tices, 
Keep daily rec- 
ord, 
And make re- 
ports, 
To examine 
plans. Sue. 6. The Inspector of Plumbing shall take and 
subscribe an oath or affirmation that he will faith- 
fully perform the duties of bis office, and shall, be- 
fore entering upon the said duties, execute a bond 
to the District of Columbia in the sum of five thou- 
sand dollars, with three sureties to be approved by 
the Commissioners, conditioned for the faithful 
performance of the duties of his office, and for the 
benefit of all persons who may be aggrieved by his 
acts or neglect. 
Sec. 7. Every person who shall desire, from and 
after May 1, 1893, to practice the business of 
plumbing as a master plumber in the District of 
Columbia shall, before engaging or continuing in 
the said business, comply with each of the follow- 
ing requirements in the order given: 
He shall apply to the board appointed by the 
Commissioners of the District of Columbia for the 
examination of plumbers, and shall present himself 
for examination at the time designated by such 
board. 
lie shall, if declared competent by the examining 
board, register his name in a book to be provided 
for that purpose in the olfice of the Inspector of 
Plumbing, stating full name, residence and perma- 
nent place of business in the District of Columbia. 
In case of removal of said place of business he shall 
at once notify the Inspector of Plumbing. 
He shall procure from the Commissioners a license 
to practice the business of plumbing in the District 
of Columbia, and shall file in the office of tbe Com- 
missioners a bond, with three sureties, in the sum 
of two thousand ($2,000) dollars, conditioned upon 
the faithful performance, during the stated period 
of three years, of all work in compliance with these 
regulations, and that the District of Columbia shall 
be kept harmless from the consequence of any and 
all acts of the said licensee during the period cov- 
ered by the said bond. 
Oath and bond 
Master plumb- 
ers, 
To apply forex- 
amination, 
To register, 
To procure li- 
cense and fiie 
bond. To display sign 
It shall be the duty of every such person to dis- 
play at his place of business, outside thereof, a sign 
with full registered name in letters not less than 
four inches high. 
No permit, certificate or license shall be issued to 
any person included in the provisions of t his sect ion 
who shall not have fully complied with all the re- 
quirements herein specified, and all other require- 
ments made by the Commissioners of the District 
of Columbia to govern the examination, registration, 
and licensing of master plumbers, 
f On and after April 1,1894, it shall not he lawful for 
any person not a licensed master plumber to employ 
another person to work at the plumbing trade as a 
journeyman plumber, and no person shall be so 
employed after that date who does not hold a cer- 
tificate of competency issued by the Commissioners 
of the District of Columbia, and setting forth his 
ability to do work as a journeyman plumber. 
Skc. 8. Every person who shall desire, from and 
after November 1, 1893, to work at the trade of 
plumbing in the District of Columbia as a journey- 
man plumber, and who does not practice the busi- 
ness of plumbing (see section 7), shall apply the 
board appointed by the Commissioners of the Dis- 
trict oft Columbia for the examination of plumbers, 
and shall present himself for examination at the 
time designated by such board. If declared compe- 
tent by the examining board, he shall register his 
name in the office of the 1 nspector of Plumbing and 
receive a certificate of competency to do work as a 
journeyman plumber. 
Sec. 9. Before any portion of the water supply or 
drainage system of any building, premises, or estab- 
lishment shall be laid or constructed, there shall be 
filed by the owner, architect, or builder, plans and 
specifications therefor, with the Inspector of Plumb- 
ing, showing the said system entire (including 
Employment of 
journey men 
plumbers. 
Jou r n e y m a n 
plumbers to 
apply for ex- 
am i n at i o n 
and to regis- 
ter. 
Plans and spec- 
ifications of 
drainage sys- 
te m to be 
filed. traps, supply, waste, and ventilating pipes) from its 
connection with the public sewer and water main 
to its terminus inside the building line. The name 
of the plumber who is to perform the work shall be 
given, and the plans and specifications must be 
approved in writing by the Inspector of Plumbing 
before any portion of the work shall be executed. 
No subsequent alteration shall be made in these 
plans and specifications without the written ap- 
proval of the Inspector of Plumbing. 
No permit shall be given for the erection of any 
building until said plans and specifications of the 
plumbing work shall have been presented and 
approved. These plans and specifications shall be 
kept on file in the oliice of the Inspector of Plumb- 
ing, and in form and matter must be satisfactory to 
the Commissioners. 
Sec. 10. It shall not be lawful for any person or 
persons to connect or cause to be connected any 
building, lot, premises, or establishment with any 
water main, public sewer, or gas main, or with any 
service pipe for water or any house sewer, or with 
any subway, conduit, or other underground struc- 
ture, without a permit obtained from the Permit 
Clerk before commencing any part of the work. 
The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to all 
water mains, sewers, and water service pipes, plumb- 
ing, and systems of drainage or piping, whether on 
private property or in any public street, and to each 
separate building, whether situated on the same or 
different lots, and connected or proposed to be con- 
nected, directly or indirectly, with any water main, 
water service pipe, public or house sewer, gas main, 
subway, conduit, or other underground structure. 
The conditions of this permit must be strictly 
complied with, and the work must be done by the 
plumber in whose name the permit is given. 
Sec. 11. No person shall run or cause to be run a 
water or sewer pipe through or from one lot or sub- 
Permit re- 
quired. 
Separate and 
direct service. lot, or from any structure thereon, into another sep- 
arate lot or sublot, or structure thereon. 
Every water service pipe or house sewer must be 
run from the public street directly into the build- 
ing, lot, premises, or establishment to be served. 
Sec. 12. Any licensed plumber who shall neglect 
or refuse to comply with these regulations, or with 
the conditions of his permit, shall have his license 
suspended or revoked, and shall be thereby de- 
barred from obtaining permits or doing plumbing 
work for such length of time as the Commissioners 
may deem just and proper, and shall also be liable 
to prosecution. (See section 18.) 
Sec. 13. Bad faith in the performance of work 
under a permit shall be deemed a sufficient reason 
for subjecting the plumber so offending to a sus- 
pension of his license, and every plumber shall be 
held responsible for the violation of these regula- 
tions by mechanics, laborers, and helpers employed 
by him. 
Sec. 14. No permit shall be issued to any licensed 
plumber during the time that he shall fail to remedy 
any defective work, after the sending of a written 
notice that he has been held responsible therefor 
under these regulations. 
Sec. 15. Under no circumstances whatever shall 
verbal permission given by any one, whether con- 
nected with the government of the District of Co- 
lumbia or not, be considered a justification for any 
deviation from, or violation of, these regulations. 
Sec. 16. In all cases in which any provision of 
these regulations requires or prohibits the doing of 
a certain act, the person actually violating such 
provision and the employer of such person and all 
other persons concerned therein shall severally be 
held liable to the full extent of the prescribed 
Suspension or 
revocation of 
license. 
Conditions of 
permits must 
be observed. 
Permits with- 
held. 
Verbal waiving 
of regulations 
insufficient. 
Workman and 
employer 
severally lia- 
ble. penalty: Provided, That such penalty shall be paid 
but once. 
Sec. 17. For the purpose of these regulations the 
word “ person ” signifies and includes firms, corpo- 
rations, and companies, and words of one gender 
signify and include persons of both genders, and 
words of one number signify and include persons 
and things of both numbers, and, except when in- 
consistent with the manifest intent and meaning of 
these regulations, the word “ street ” signifies each 
and every place or space mentioned in section 1 of 
these regulations. 
Sec. 18. Prosecution for infringement upon the 
provisions of these regulations shall be made by in- 
formation filed in the Police Court of the District 
of Columbia, by the proper officer of the District. 
Sec. 19. These regulations shall be subject to al- 
teration or amendment at any time, and all exist- 
ing regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with 
these regulations, are hereby repealed. 
Words “per- 
son,’1 gender, 
number, and 
“ street,” in- 
clusive. 
Prosecutions. 
Amendments. EXCAVATIONS IN STREETS 
Permits for ex 
cnvation. 
Sec. 20. It is required that each permit for an 
excavation in a public street be taken out before 
the work is commenced; that it be kept at the 
place of excavation while the work is being done 
and be exhibited whenever called for by the police 
or other persons having authority to examine the 
same; that no authorized underground construction 
be injured or interfered with ; that no asphalt, coal- 
tar, concrete, granite, or other improved surface be 
disturbed, unless a deposit shall have been made to 
cover the cost of repairing the same ; that, subject 
to the provisions of these regulations, all portions 
of the street excavated be put in as good condition 
as before the'excavation was made; that the trench 
be filled up and thoroughly rammed (and puddled, 
if required) .within forty-eight hours after making 
the connections or repairs, the ramming to be done 
in six-inch layers; and that all rubbish or other for- 
eign material be removed within the time desig- 
nated for the completion of the work, after which 
the permit shall become void and of no effect; that 
during the execution of the work the trench be 
suitably guarded during the day, and that it be 
thoroughly covered or securely barricaded from 
sunset to sunrise, and that lighted red lamps be 
so placed before dark, every night, as to pre- 
vent accidents to persons or animals passing along 
the street; and that the District of Columbia be 
protected and saved harmless from the conse- 
quences of any injury to any person or property, 
due to the execution of the permit issued by said 
District of Columbia to any person or corporation, 
to excavate in any public street. 
Sec. 21. Applications for permits to excavate in 
any public street, for the purpose of doing any work 
Application to 
Permit Clerk. contemplated in section 10, must be made to the 
Permit Clerk. (See sections 22, 24, 32, 34, 07, and 
139.' Blank forms of application will be furnished 
to registered plumbers and the representatives of 
companies having gas mains, subways, or conduits 
in the streets. One dollar shall be paid as permit 
fee for each building, lot, premises, or establishment 
connected, and for each excavation made for repair- 
ing pipes or other underground structures, and the 
receipt of this fee must be entered upon each ap- 
plication. The fee must in all easels be paid before 
the application is presented to the Permit Clerk. 
No fee will be required, however, for a permit to 
make connection with any public sewer, bouse 
sewer, water main, gas main, or service pipe, when 
all the work, including the place of connection, lies 
wholly within the limits of private property, but in 
every case a permit must be taken out as required 
by section 10. Every application for a permit for 
work to be done under section 10, shall be signed 
by the owner of the premises, whose address shall 
be written under his signature, and by the regis- 
tered plumber or other person who is to do the 
work. Signature by agent shall not be accpted if 
the owner resides in the 1 )istrict of Columbia. Any 
licensed plumber presenting a fraudulently signed 
application shall have his license revoked. Each 
applicant must state the street and number of the 
building, premises, or establishment, and also the 
lot or sublot and square. 
Sec. 22. Blank forms for emergency permits for 
repairs to sewer and water pipes, shall be kept at 
each police precinct station. The senior officer on 
duty is authorized to issue these permits to licensed 
plumbers in case of emergency, but only when the 
permit office in known to be closed ; and the officer issu- 
ing such emergency permit shall promptly transmit 
a report thereof, through the proper channels, to the 
Permit Clerk. The emergency permit shall in no 
Fee. 
Work within 
private prop- 
erty. 
Application to 
be signed by 
owner and 
plumber. 
Emergency 
permits. case take the place of the regular permit, for which 
the plumber concerned shall apply during the first 
succeeding day on which the permit office is open. 
Sec. 23. All fees and other charges connected with 
permits issued or to be issued under these regula- 
tions must be paid to the Collector of Taxes of the 
District of Columbia, who is the only officer author- 
ized to receive them. 
Sec. 24. Every application to connect a building, 
lot, premises, or establishment, with a water main- 
water service pipe, public or private sewer, gas 
main, conduit or subway, or other underground 
structure, or to repair a house sewer or service pipe 
for water or gas, must state the exact location and 
number of the buildingor premises, and the number 
of the lot and square. (See also sections' 21, 34, 37, 
07, and 130). 
Sec. 25. All cuts in sheet asphalt and coal-tar sur- 
faces shall be repaired by the contractor doing simi- 
lar work for the District government, and all cuts 
in block or similar pavements, by the Superintend- 
ent of Streets. 
Sec. 26. As soon as possible after a cut has been 
made in any paved carriage-way, or in any footway 
laid with other than ordinary brick pavement, it 
shall be filled in, as required by section 20, by the 
plumber or other person making the same, after 
which it shall be taken in charge by the District 
authorities. 
Sec. 27. No person shall, without special written 
permission from the officer in charge of surface 
work, tunnel under the carriage-way of any street 
to a greater distance than four feet from the curb 
thereof, for the purpose of doing any work governed 
by these regulations. The surface of the pavement 
shall be removed to the same width as the earth in 
the trench below the surface. 
Pees paid to 
Collector of 
Taxes. 
Application to 
state location, 
number, lot, 
and square. 
Pavement re- 
pairs. 
Out to be 
promptly 
filled. 
Tunneling pro- 
hibited. Sec. 28. All plumbers or others removing valu- 
able material from the street, such as granite blocks, 
asphalt blocks, Ac., shall be held accountable for 
the same until it is relaid by the District, and any 
of this material lost or injured shall be charged to 
them. In case the plumber or other person mak- 
ing the excavation so elects, he may haul the ma- 
terial to the District property yard and take a re- 
ceipt for the same, when his responsibility for it 
shall cease. 
Sec. 29. Each registered plumber shall, before 
being granted a permit to make a cut in any paved 
street, deposit the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) with 
the Collector of Taxes, which amount he shall keep 
good whenever called upon by the Engineer Com- 
missioner to do so, and which shall be used in re- 
pairing pavements cut. The following rates shall 
be charged for repairing cuts : 
Sheet pavement, 35 cents per square foot. 
Granite-block pa vement, 15 cents per square foot, 
and five cents for each granite block lost. 
Asphalt block pavement, 15 cents per square foot 
and 7\ cents for each asphalt block lost or broken. 
Granolithic pavement, 25 cents per square foot. 
Vitrified brick pavement, 15 cents per square foot, 
and 2 cents for each vitrified brick lost or broken. 
Macadam and Telford pavement, 15 cents per 
square foot. 
Cobble pavement, 5 cents per square foot. 
Sec. 30. After the filling of any trench in a brick 
sidewalk, the latter shall be immediately relaid by 
the person to whom the permit was issued, in ac- 
cordance with the specifications of the Engineer 
Department for similar work in force at the time, 
and snail be kept properly surfaced for two years 
thereafter. In case the original repairs are not 
made at once, and any subsequent repairs needed 
are not made within three working days after the 
Plumbers held 
accountable 
for paving 
materials re- 
moved. 
Advance de 
posit. 
Cost of repairs 
to pavements. 
Brick pave- 
ment repairs. receipt of written notice from the Permit Clerk of 
the necessity for the same, the plumber’s license 
shall be suspended, and the Commissioners will 
order the work done in such way as may appear 
most convenient and expeditious, and charge the 
sum of the cost of the same to the plumber. The 
latter’s name shall not be restored to the register 
until such expense as shall have been incurred is 
paid. 
Sec. 31. The work of repairing plumbers’ cuts in 
any portion of a street for the pavement of which 
street railroads are responsible, shall be performed 
by the contractor doing similar work for the District 
government, or by the Superintendent of Streets, 
and the cost thereof shall be paid out of the deposit 
of the plumber concerned. 
Sec. 32. Every plumber whose balance of deposit 
has fallen below ten dollars ($10.00) shall be notified 
by the Engineer Commissioner to make good such 
balance, and no permit to m ike an excavation in 
an improved street shall be granted any plumber 
who shall fail to make good his deposit. No per- 
mit to do any work contemplated by these regula- 
tions shall be granted to any plumber who shall fail 
to settle his indebtedness to the District, after re- 
ceiving due notice thereof. 
Sec. 33. Between November 1st and March 1st no 
permit shall be issued to make an excavation in any 
street, except for necessary repairs to sewer, water, 
and gas pipes. 
In cases of such necessary repairs, the Permit 
Clerk is authorized, upon presentation of the regu- 
lar application, to issue the necessary permit. 
Pavement re- 
pairs adjacent 
to street rail- 
roads. 
Deposit re- 
newed. 
Excavation in 
winter limit- 
ed to repairs. WATER SERVICE PIPES AND CONNECTIONS 
WITH WATER MAINS. 
Sec. 34. Every application for a permit to make 
connection with the system of Potomac water 
mains, or service pipes attached thereto, or to re- 
pair a service pipe outside the building line, must 
state upon the blank form furnished for the purpose 
the number and exact location of the building, 
premises, or establishment; the number of the 
square and lot or sublot; the number of stories and 
front feet; the purpose for which the water is to be 
used ; and the time at which the tap will he required 
to be made by the Water Department. 
Sec. 35. A permit may be issued to lay, in a street 
in which there is no water main, a temporary gal- 
vanized iron water service main for building pur- 
poses, or to supply a building, lot, premises, or 
establishment with Potomac water. That portion 
of the service pipe from the building line to the 
temporary main, must be drawn-lead pipe of 
standard weight, and have a stop-cock connected 
thereto with wiped joints made of the best qual- 
ity of plumbers’ solder. In all cases there must 
he a separate stop-cock and box, located as pro- 
vided in section 55, for each building, lot, prem- 
ises, or establishment, and immediately after a 
water main has been laid the temporary service 
pipe must he disconnected at the main from which 
the supply of water is taken, and that portion of the 
service pipe laid with drawn-lead pipe must be ex- 
tended with the same. 
Sec. 36. No permit shall be issued to a registered 
plumber to lay a temporary water service pipe to 
supply a building, lot. premises, or establishment 
on any street in which there is no water main, until 
Application for 
permit to lay 
water service 
pipe. 
Temporary 
service main. 
Owner to sign 
agreement to 
connect with 
main. the owner or lawful agent shall sign an agreement 
that, immediately after a main lias been laid, the 
temporary service pipe shall he promptly discon- 
nected and connected directly on the main as herein 
provided. In case of any failure or delay on the 
part of the owner or lawful agent, after due notice 
has been given by the Water Department, to fully 
and promptly comply with the agreement on which 
a permit was issued for laying a temporary water 
service pipe, the Water Department shall cutoff the 
supply of water from the building, lot, premises, or 
establishment, and it shall not be turned on until 
the regulation herein prescribed has been complied 
with. 
Sec. 37. Special permits may be issued, without 
charge, for alterations and repairs of water service 
pipes inside the building line, and for the lowering 
and raising of stop-cock boxes. Any plumber who 
shall take advantage of a permit of this class to do 
unauthorized work shall have his license revoked 
and shall be prosecuted for violation of these regu- 
lations. 
Sec. 38. One dollar will be charged as a fee for a 
permit to connect each house, lot, premises, or es- 
tablishment with the system of Potomac water 
mains, or to repair a water service pipe outside the 
building line; and the size of the tap and the charge 
therefor shall be regulated as follows:— 
Permit for re- 
pairs. 
Fee for permit 
Water rent. 
Size of 
tap. 
o5 
& 
o 
Where annual water rent is— 
\ inch 
jj inch 
ij inch 
$.‘5 00 
3 oo 
$15 to $20 
3 00 
$25 or more 
1 inch 
8 oo 
Size of tap. Sec. 39. No tap or connection of larger size than 
herein provided shall be allowed, except for prop- 
erty exempted from the payment of water rent or 
in cases where a meter is to be used to register the 
water consumed. 
Sec. 40. No water main shall be tapped under 
any circumstances except by the regular tapper of 
the Water Department. 
Sec. 41. Hereafter, under no circumstances, shall 
any water main larger than twelve (12) inches in 
diameter be permitted to be tapped except by special 
written permission of the Engineer Commissioner. 
No tap shall be nearer than six inches to a bell of 
the water main, and no two taps shall be nearer to- 
gether than two feet. 
Sec. 42. No person shall connect or cause to be 
connected any building, lot, premises, or establish- 
ment with the water service pipe belonging to or 
supplying any other building, lot, premises, or estab- 
lishment : Provided, That this regulation shall not 
prevent a dwelling and a stable upon the same lot 
from being supplied by the same service pipe ; but 
if the stable be converted wholly or partially into a 
dwelling or place of business a separate service pipe, 
with independent stop-cock and box, must be laid 
to supply it. 
Sec. 43. No person shall lay or cause to be laid 
any permanent underground water service pipe for 
the introduction of Potomac water to any building, 
lot, premises, or establishment, of any other mate- 
al than drawn-lead pipe of the standard weight 
hereinafter specified. 
Sec. 44. Every water service pipe shall be laid at 
least four feet below the surface of the ground, and 
must have a slack of six inches at the main to pre- 
vent undue strain or injury to the tap by the set- 
tling of the trench. 
Above one inch 
prohibited. 
Tapping mains. 
Independent 
service. 
Material to be 
drawn-1 e a d 
pipe. 
Depth and 
slack. Replac e m e n t 
with drawn- 
lead pipe. 
Sec. 45. When the replacement of a galvanized 
iron water service pipe is required, drawn-lead pipe 
of standard weight must he substituted for iron pipe 
from the tap in the main to the building served. 
Sec. 4(5. In case of a defective lead connection at 
the main requiring repairs there must he substi- 
tuted a new lead connection of drawn pipe of stand- 
ard weight, with wiped joints, made of the best 
quality of plumbers’ solder, and a brass thimble. 
Sec. 47. If minor repairs are required to a galvan- 
ized iron water service pipe in a foot-walk, parking, 
or alley, it maybe repaired with the same material; 
hut in all cases where repairs are required to a gal- 
vanized iron service pipe in a roadway, drawn-lead 
pipe of a standard weight must he substituted 
therefor from the tap in the main to the inside of 
the curb. 
Sec. 48. In connecting the lead waterservice pipe 
with a corporation tap, the end and the curved por- 
tion of the tap shall he first carefully filed and 
tinned, and shall he made to enter the lead pipe at 
least one-half (4) inch, and he connected therewith 
by a wiped joint, made with the best quality of 
plumbers’ solder. 
Sec. 4i). The lead pipe used for water services 
shall he of the class known as A A or “ extra strong,” 
and shall weigh per lineal foot for various diame- 
ters not less than the following : 
Lead connec- 
tions. 
Repairs, 
Connection 
with tup. 
Diameter pipe (inside). 
Weight per foot. 
J inch 
3 pounds 8 oz. 
4 pounds 12 oz. 
1J inches 
5 pounds 12 oz. 
8 pounds. 
8 pounds 8 oz. 
9 pounds. 
1£inches 
i|inches 
2 inches. 
W e i k It t s re- 
quired. Sec. 50. A water service pipe of greater diameter 
than two (2) inches must be of cast-iron, and shall 
be furnished and laid from the main to the build- 
ing line by the Water Department, at the expense 
of the applicant or owner. 
Sec. 51. No person shall drive or cause to be 
driven any water service pipe of any material. If 
it is desired to pass a service pipe from one point 
to another without excavating a trench, it shall be 
allowed to be done only when a channel is made 
by a separate instrument, through which the service 
pipe can be passed without strain, or when a larger 
pipe is driven and left in place and through this 
the service pipe is passed. 
Sec. 52. No person shall lay or cause to be laid a 
water service pipe in a trench excavated for a house 
sewer, or within eighteen inches thereof, measured 
horizontally. 
Sec. 53. Two service pipes shall be permitted in 
one trench only when a sheet pavement must be 
cut; otherwise a separate trench shall be dug for 
each oipe. In no case shall more than two service 
pipes be placed in one trench. 
Sec. 54. No person shall lay or cause to be laid 
any water service pipe unless the same shall be 
provided with a stop-cock or gate valve of material 
and construction approved by the Engineer Com- 
missioner, and an extension stop-cock box of ap- 
proved pattern, with a non-detachable cover. 
Every stop-cock box provided for as above shall 
have cast upon its cover the words “ Potomac 
Water.” 
Sec. 55. In order to remove, as far as possible, all 
obstacles from the traveled portion of the footway, it 
is prescribed that, on unparked streets, where the 
water main lies in the roadway, the stop-cock boxes 
shall be located just inside the curb; when the 
Service above 
two inches 
diameter. 
Driving of serv- 
ice pipes pro- 
hibited. 
Separate 
trench. 
Cock or valve. 
Location of 
stop-cock 
boxes. water main lies in the footway the stop-cock boxes 
shall be placed outside of, and as close as possible 
to, the building line. On parked streets the stop- 
cock boxes shall lie located in easily accessible sit- 
uations between the footway and the building line. 
In every case where a stop cock box is to be platted 
between the curb and the building line, it shall be 
located opposite to the building to be served. In 
alleys the stop-cock boxes shall be placed outside 
of and as close as possible to the building line, and 
opposite the premises served. 
Sec. 5(>. When an old service pipe is repaired the 
stop-cock and box, if located in the traveled portion 
of the footway, shall be moved so as to conform to 
these regulations. Stop-cock boxes for gas shall be 
located as prescribed for water stop-cock boxes. 
Sec. 57. If no suitable position for the stop cock 
box can be found in the footway or parking, an ex- 
tension box of exceptionally strong construction 
shall be placed in the carriage-way,as near as prac- 
ticable to the curb. The location of the street stop- 
cock in a vault or other inaccessible situation shall 
not be permitted. 
Sec. 58. No person shall repair or replace any 
broken or defective stop cock box, except with a 
new extension box or part thereof, of the kind 
above prescribed. The use of non-extension boxes 
in making new connections or repairs or in replac- 
ing broken, defective, or worn-out boxes shall not 
be permitted. 
Sec. 59. No person shall place or caused to be 
placed any pavement-washer or hose attachment in 
any footway or portion thereof. All such fixtures 
must be connected to the service pipe inside of the 
front wall of the building and may project there- 
from above the surface of tin; ground, suitable pre- 
cautions being taken against freezing. In repair- 
Location of 
stop-cock 
boxes. 
It in carriage- 
way. 
Repairs to stop- 
cock boxes. 
1* si v e in e n t 
washer. ing or replacing a service pipe having a pavement- 
washer or hose attachment connected thereto, the 
fixture must be located as herein prescribed. All 
new pavement-washers and hose attachments must 
he of material and construction approved by the 
Engineer Commissioner. 
Sec. 60. Every service pipe shall be examined 
before the trench is filled by the water-tapper or a 
regular inspector of the Water Department, who 
shall require all materials and workmanship to be 
as established by the law and these regulations. 
Any service pipe laid and covered without inspec- 
tion must be promptly uncovered by the plumber 
holding the permit for doing the work. If not so 
uncovered, the trench shall be opened by the Water 
Department and the actual cost charged against the 
plumber responsible for the work, who shall be 
suspended unless said cost is paid, and shall be 
liable to prosecution. Appointments for these ex- 
aminations shall be made in advance, as in the case 
of tapping sewers. 
Sec. 61. It shall not be lawful, except in private 
dwellings,' to connect or have connected a pump 
directly with a service pipe or street main for sup- 
plying Potomac water to a steam boiler, tank, or 
receptacle in a building, premises, or establishment; 
the water must be drawn from a tank or receptacle 
into which it has been previously discharged. 
Sec. 62. All boiler feed-pumps or pumps used for 
any purpose, except in private dwellings for domes- 
tic use, which are connected directly with a service 
pipe or street main, shall be promptly disconnected 
and made to conform to the foregoing regulations. 
Sec. 63. Steam-boilers supplied with Potomac 
water b\r a pump or injector shall be provided with 
a tank or receptacle of sufficient capacity to hold at 
least six (6) hours’ supply in case of shutting off of 
Inspection of 
service pipe. 
Pump connec- 
tions. 
Size of tank 20 
any main or mains for repairs, alteration, or exten- 
sion. 
Sec. 64. In order to prevent damage by collapse 
or explosion when the water is shut olf from the 
street mains, suitable safety and vacuum valves, or 
other sufficient device, must be applied to steam- 
boilers and copper house boilers for domestic use, 
taking a supply of Potomac water directly from 
service pipes and depending wholly on the hydro- 
static pressure in the street mains for supplying 
such boilers. For accidents resulting from imper- 
fect action of any such valves, from insecure and 
imperfect boilers, or from variations in the water 
pressure, which may cause water-backs of cooking 
ranges or stoves to be alternately filled with water 
and steam partly superheated, the Water Depart- 
ment will in no case be responsible. 
Sec. 65. It shall be the duty of every licensed 
plumber to shut off the How of water at the stop- 
cock immediately after testing the plumbing work 
of each house connected and to leave it so shut off 
in every case. 
Sec. 66. All plumbers are required to notify the 
Engineer Commissioner, upon blanks to be supplied 
for the purpose, of any and all extensions of service 
pipes and of all alterations of water fixtures and 
pipes made inside of buildings or lots occupied or 
intended to be occupied, wholly or in part, for man- 
ufacturing, business, or office purposes. 
Siifety and vac- 
uum valves. 
Plumber to 
shut oil water. 
Notice of exten- 
sions or alter- 
ations. HOUSE SEWERS AND CONNECTIONS WITH 
PUBLIC SEWERS. 
Sec. 67. Every application to connect a building, 
lot, premises, or establishment with a public or 
liouse sewer, or to repair a house sewer, must state 
the exact location and the number of the building 
or premises, giving the number of the lot and 
square, the approximate frontage and depth of the 
lot, whether the building is to he drained toward 
the front or rear, whether the proposed house sewer 
is to be of iron or vitrified pipe, and the time when 
the inspector or sewer-tapper will he required to he 
present to inspect the house sewer and the connec- 
tion made with the public sewer. (See sections 10 
and 69.) 
Sec. 68. If a building or premises is to he drained 
toward the front thereof, the house sewer shall in 
all cases he constructed from its junction with the 
public sewer to its terminus in the lol either of 
extra heavy cast-iron pipe (section 109) or of 
wrought metal pipe of quality and thickness ap- 
proved by the Inspector of Plumbing. 
If a building or premises is to he drained toward 
the rear thereof, a vitrified pipe sewer may he laid 
from the public sewer to a point ten ,10) feet from 
the wall of the building nearest to the public sewer, 
from which point to and within the building, the 
house sewer shall he of iron pipe, as specified in 
section 109. 
Inside the building line the house sewer must be 
laid entirely within the limits of the lot proposed 
to he drained. 
No vitrified pipe house sewer shall he laid closer 
than five (5) feet to any exterior wall of a building. 
Sec. 69. The inspection of vitrified pipe liouse 
sewers and connections thereof with the public 
Application to 
state location. 
number, size, 
etc. 
Wrought metal 
house sewer. 
Vitrified liouse 
sewer. 
Inspection sewer shall be made by a sewer-tapper or other 
authorized officer of the Sewer Division, under the 
direction of the Superintendent of Sewers. 
The inspection of iron house sewers and connec- 
tions thereof with the public sewer shall be made 
by the Inspector of Plumbing or by his assistants. 
Iron pipe, branches and other material used for 
iron house sewers shall be inspected by the In- 
spector of Plumbing. 
Connecting thimbles, vitrified pipe, Y branches 
and all other materials used in connecting a vitri- 
fied pipe house sewer with a public sewer shall In* 
inspected by a sewer-tapper. 
In both cases all materials shall be provided by 
the plumber. 
Sec. 70. Each house sewer shall consist of a sep- 
arate drain pipe of iron or vitrified stoneware of 
the size specified in the following table for the 
various areas, the total area of the lot to be drained 
being taken to determine the size of the house 
sewer: 
Materials. 
Area 
to be drained. 
Inside diameter of 
house sewer. 
Least fall. 
Square feet. 
Iron. 
Vitrified pipe. 
100 to 2,500 
4" 
b" 
1" in 40" 
2,500 to 4,000 
5" 
6" 
1" in 48" 
4,000 to 10,000 
6" 
8" 
1" in 60" 
Size of liou.se 
sewer. 
No house sewer greater than six inches inside 
diameter shall be allowed without the written ap- 
proval of the Superintendent of Sewers. 
No house sewer shall he laid with a less fall than 
required by this table, or with a greater fall at or 
within four (4) feet of the junction with the main 
sewer than two (2) inches vertical in three (2) 
inches horizontal. 
Fall The limits of grade specified are intended to ap- 
ply only to extreme and unusual cases; in all ordi- 
nary cases, a practically uniform grade shall be 
preserved from a point five (5) feet exterior to the 
building served or the building line thereof to the 
junction with the main sewer. All changes in di- 
rection of a house sewer shall be made by means 
of curved pipes, and connections therewith by 
means of Y branches and one-eiglitli bends. 
Sec. 71. No person shall connect, or cause to be 
connected, the drainage system of any building, lot, 
premises, or establishment, otherwise than with 
that portion of the public sewer system intended 
for it, as shown by the records in the office of the 
Sewer Division of the District of Columbia. 
This restriction shall not prohibit the connection 
of a house sewer near the bench of a terminal man- 
hole, at least half of which is opposite to the prem- 
ises to be served, if such connection be approved 
by the Superintendent of Sewers. 
Sec. 72. No person shall cut or tap, or cause to be 
cut or tapped, any public sewer in which there ex- 
ists a branch or junction opposite to the building, 
lot, premises, or establishment to be connected. 
Information concerning the location and depth of 
public sewers, and the position of branches or junc- 
tions, will be furnished, when requested, by the 
Permit Clerk. All reasonable care will be taken to 
insure the correctness of such information, but such 
correctness will not be in any case guaranteed by 
the Commissioners. 
Sec. 73. Whenever it shall have been positively 
ascertained that no branch, junction, or suitable 
inlet exists to serve the property concerned, a per- 
mit may be given to make a connection with the 
public sewer in conformity to sections 74 to 77. 
Sec. 74. If the public sewer be a pipe sewer ten 
(10) inches or less than ten (.10) inches in diameter, 
Connection 
with public 
sewer. 
Y-br,'inches. 
When no 
branch exists. 
Ten-inch pipe 
sewer. the connection shall he made by taking out a length 
of pipe and substituting therefor a Y-branch of the 
proper size, which branch shall be laid, in the pres- 
ence of the sewer-tapper, in strict accordance with 
the District of Columbia specifications for pipe 
sewers. 
The length of pipe to be replaced may be removed 
before the arrival of the sewer-tapper, who shall 
inspect the public sewer and make a record of the 
condition of the same, and shall see that it has not 
been damaged ; that no rubbish has been allowed 
to enter it, and that tlie inserted branch is prop- 
erly laid. 
Sec. 75. If the public sewer be a pipe sewer, hav- 
ing a diameter of twelve (12) inches or more, and 
the house sewer to be connected be of iron, the 
connection may be made by the plumber, who 
shall carefully cut a hole of the least practicable 
size in the public sewer and insert a connecting 
thimble of vitrified stoneware of the same size as 
the house sewer. No other vitrified pipe or fitting 
shall be used upon an iron lateral. 
Any connection thus made, and the house sewer 
to the building line shall, before being covered, be 
inspected by the Inspector of Plumbing or his as- 
sistant, who shall inspect and make a record of the 
condition of the public sewer, and shall make a 
prompt return of such inspection to the Permit 
Clerk, as in the case of inspection by the sewer- 
tapper. No house sewer, either of iron or vitrified 
pipe, greater than six (6) inches in diameter shall 
be connected to a twelve (12) inch pipe sewer, ex- 
cept at a manhole. 
Sec. 76. If the public sewer be a pipe sewer hav- 
ing a diameter of twelve (12) inches or more, and 
the house sewer to be connected be of vitrified pipe, 
the entrance hole in the public sewer shall be cut 
by the sewer-tapper and the connection by means 
Inspection of 
iron house 
sewer. 
Vitrified house 
sewer. of a thimble of the proper size shall be made in his 
presence. 
Sec. 77. If the public sewer be a brick or concrete 
sewer, or a connection is to be made in a manhole, 
the entrance hole into the same shall be cut by the 
sewer-tapper, or other authorized employee of the 
Sewer Division, whether the lateral be vitrified 
pipe or iron, and he shall make the connection with 
such public sewer by means of a short piece of pipe 
of the prescribed diameter, so cut that the pipe 
shoulder shall rest against the outer surface of the 
sewer and no portion extend within it. 
The inner surface of the public sewer around any 
connection so made shall be pointed and smoothed 
by the sewer-tapper, who shall enter the sewer for 
that purpose, if practicable. 
Sec. 78. Every house sewer shall be laid true to 
line and grade, each section of pipe being properly 
bedded. If laid with iron pipe, the joints must be 
screwed or leaded; if laid with terra-cotta pipe, the 
joints must be made with mortar composed of one 
part hydraulic cement and two parts clean river 
sand, and the pipes shall be laid upon and embedded 
in a foundation of hydraulic cement concrete not 
less than three inches in thickness, and hydraulic 
concrete shall also thoroughly envelop the joints to 
a thickness of at least three inches. The concrete 
shall be composed of one part hydraulic cement, 
two parts clean river sand, and four parts either of 
small broken stone, broken hard brick, or clean 
river gravel, free from loam, and shall be mixed 
upon a tight mortar-board or yvitliin a suitable 
tight box. 
Sec. 79. No person shall cover, or cause to be cov- 
ered, any house sewer, or connection with a public 
sewer, without due inspection and approval of the 
same by the Inspector of Plumbing or sewer-tapper. 
Connection 
with brick 
sewers. 
Joints. 
Concrete. 
Inspection. Tf this rule is violated, the Sewer Division shall 
make the excavation necessary for an examination 
at the expense of the plumber, whose license shall 
be suspended until said expense is paid and for such 
longer period as the Commissioners may direct, and 
who shall be subject to prosecution. 
Sec. 80. If any public sewer be damaged or ob- 
structed or otherwise left in bad order by a plumber, 
the necessary repairs and cleaning shall be effected 
by the Sewer Division, and the cost thereof charged 
against the plumber responsible for the bad or un- 
satisfactory work. 
Sec. 81. No person shall make, or cause to be made 
or maintained, any connection with any public or 
house sewer, or appurtenance thereof, for the pur- 
pose of conveying into the same any suffocating, 
corrosive, inflammable or explosive liquid, gas, 
vapor, substance, or material of any kind; and no 
person shall do any actor thing which may impede 
or obstruct the flow, or interfere with the free dis- 
charge or ventilation of, any house sewer, or appur- 
tenance thereof. 
Sec. 82. No person shall make, or cause to be made, 
any opening in a house sewer to drain surface water 
from any building, lot, cellar, or excavation, unless 
the same shall he provided with a strainer having 
holes not exceeding one-quarter inch in their 
greatest dimension, and all openings of the kind 
shall be temporary. 
Sec. 83. No person shall make, or cause to be made, 
any connection for a portable water-closet or privy 
with any manhole, basin, trap, or trap lateral. 
Sec. 84. Where two dwellings are built upon the 
same lot, one in the rear of the other, or in any 
other relative positions, each shall have a separate 
and independent house sewer, and neither dwelling 
Damage 
Strainer 
Portable closet 
prohibited. 
Separate house 
sewer. sliull drain under or through the premises or build- 
ing of the other. 
Skc. 85. No person shall make, or cause to he made 
or maintained, any connection through which steam, 
hot water, or other hot liquid, or hot gases or vapors, 
may be discharged into any public or house sewer 
or appurtenance thereof, except through a condens- 
ing tank of dimensions and construction approved 
in each case by the Inspector of Plumbing in 
advance of the performance of the work. The dis- 
charge pipe of the condenser must connect with the 
house sewer on the street side of the running trap. 
The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to 
the ordinary hot-water boiler connected with the 
range of a dwelling, except that no sediment cock 
from such a boiler shall he directly connected to 
any house sewer. 
Sec. 86. All permits for connecting with public 
sewers are given on condition that owners take all 
risk of damages tjiat may result from water setting 
hack into premises from the main sewers; and in 
order to prevent, as much as possible, the setting 
back of water, the owner is hereby required, at his 
own cost and risk, to put in a self-acting or other 
valve in all cases where the hack-flow from a sewer 
is to be apprehended; and it shall be the duty of 
the owner to keep the valve in order, and he shall 
he responsible for its action in all cases. When the 
sewer connection is of iron and carried up within 
the premises as a closed pipe, without openings or 
connections of any kind, above the level of any 
possible hack-flow, the flood-valve may he dispensed 
with. 
Condensing 
tank. 
Back-water 
valves. PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE OF BUILD- 
INGS. 
Soil pipes. 
Sec. 87. All soil, drain, waste and vent pipes 
shall be located inside of buildings. Every soil 
and vent pipe shall be of iron or lead, with screwed, 
leaded, or wiped joints, and shall be so located as 
to be accessible for inspection. Pipes of this kind 
shall be kept above ground, if practicable. 
Sec. 88. Vertical soil pipes shall not be less than 
four (4) inches in diameter, and shall extend at least 
two (2) feet above the highest part of the building 
or contiguous property. 
In all buildings having three (.'}) stories the di- 
ameter of vertical soil pipes shall be one (1) inch 
greater from a point one (1) foot below the roof 
than that of the pipe proper, and the increased size 
of pipe shall continue through and above the roof. 
In buildings having more than three (3) stories, 
vertical soil pipes shall be increased one (1) inch 
in diameter at each twenty-five (25) feet of eleva- 
tion above the third story. 
Sec. 89. Each vertical soil pipe shall he provided 
near its lower end with a Y branch, having a brass 
trap screw for cleaning purposes, not less than four 
(4) inches in diameter, and suitably located for ready 
access. 
Sec. 90. Every soil and waste pipe shall have a 
slope or incline of at least 1 in 40, and vent pipes, 
where not vertical, shall have a continuous slope. 
Sec. 91. When any soil or drain pipe is intended 
to be reduced, a proper reducing fitting shall be pro- 
vided. Tail-end pieces shall not be used for that 
purpose. 
Increase. 
Clean-out 
Slope. Sec. 92. Soil, drain, and waste pipes and traps ] 
must, if practicable, be exposed to view for ready 
inspection at all times and for convenience in re- 
pairing. 
Sec. 93. When necessarily placed within parti- 
tions or in recesses of walls, soil, waste and vent 
pipes shall be exposed, or cased with wood-work so 
fastened with screws as to be readily removed. In 
no case shall they be inaccessible. 
Sec. 94. When a soil pipe or a house sewer passes 
under any masonry wall, there-shall be provided a 
relieving arch to prevent injury from settling of the 
wall, or there shall be built into the wall during its 
construction an iron pipe not less than two (2) 
inches in diameter greater than the pipe proposed 
to be run. 
Sec. 95. All soil, drain, waste, vent and supply 
pipes shall be concentrated and run as directly as 
possible, shall be protected from exposure to frost, 
and, wherever practicable, so located as to be acces- 
sible for inspection. No such pipe shall be built 
into any masonry wall. 
Sec. 96. Approved fittings shall be used in all 
cases where waste pipes from plumbing fixtures are 
connected with a soil pipe, and no soil or waste pipe 
shall be tapped. 
Sec. 97. Subsoil drains shall be provided when- 
ever dampness of site of any proposed dwelling is 
known to exist. These may be of drain tile, not to 
be connected directly with the main or house sewer, 
but in a manner approved by the Inspector of 
Plumbing. 
Sec. 98. Every water-closet, urinal, sink, basin, 
wash-tray, bath-tub, set of tubs, or fixture of any 
kind connected with the drainage system of a build- 
Exposure 
Relieving arch 
Location and 
protection of 
pipes. 
Fittings, 
Subsoil drains- 
Trapping and 
venting. ing shall be separately and efl'eetually trapped and 
vented. 
Sac. 1)9. Vents shall be taken from the crown of 
traps, except where located under floors; such trap 
may be vented on the side, or from lead waste not 
more than six p>) inches from the trap. 
Kkc. 100. All traps shall be placed as near the lix- 
tures as possible. 
Sec. 101. Vent pipes shall be run separately above 
the fixtures, and in no case shall a vent pipe be 
used for a waste. 
Sec. 102. All vent and ventilating pipes shall be 
connected with the vertical soil pipe above the 
highest fixture in a building, or shall be extended 
through and above the roof. 
Sec. 103. In every building three (3) stories or 
more than (3) stories in height, into which more 
than (3) water-closet traps or more than three (3) fix- 
tures with’traps of less diameter than those used for 
a closet are to be placed in the first or second stories, 
a vertical ventilating pipe shall be provided with 
which the vent pipes shall be connected. In such 
cases, the vertical ventilating pipe shall be increased 
in diameter at each story having additional fixtures, 
until the area of said pipe at point of connecting 
the vent pipe of the highest fixture in the building 
shall be as nearly equal as practicable to the com- 
bined area of all the vent pipes to be connected 
with it, or shall at least be ecpial to the area of the 
vertical soil pipe with which it is to be connected. 
Sec. 104. No waste or drain pipe shall be of. less 
size than the trap on the same line, except that 
lead traps one and one-half inches in diameter 
may have a waste one and one-quarter (11) inches 
in diameter. 
Vents. 
Traps. 
Vent pipes. 
Vent connec 
tion. 
I nerease in size 
of vent pipe. 
Waste pipes. Sec. 105. In no case shall a waste pipe from a 
bath-tub or other fixture be connected with a 
water-closet trap. 
Sec. 100. When a bath-tub, closet, or other fixture 
is intended to bo cased with wood, a lead lining of 
proper thickness shall be placed under it, and shall 
have an incline to the drip or waste pipe, which 
pipe shall be run through the exterior wall of the 
building, or shall be conducted to the basement 
and be provided with an incline flap valve, con- 
structed to effectually prevent objectionable air and 
odors from ascending through the pipe and into 
the room in which the fixture is located. 
Sec. 107. Connections of waste or drip pipes with 
lead linings under fixtures shall be made with brass 
or lead pipe soldered to the lining and made per- 
fectly water tight. 
Sec. 108. When pipes are to be run through lead 
linings under fixtures lead collars shall be placed 
around the pipe and soldered to make water-tight 
joints. 
Sec. 109. The weight of all cast-iron pipe used for 
drainage purposes and ventilation shall not be less 
than: 
Lead linings. 
Waste pipes 
and linings. 
Collars. 
Weights of oast 
iron pipes. 
Inside diameter. 
11 'eight per lineal foot. 
9 iiuVhfiH 
5’ pounds. 
9 « 
94 “ 
4 “ 
13 
5 
17 
*6 “ .... 
20 * “ 
7 “ 
97 “ 
k “ 334 “ 
10 “ 
.45 “ 
19 “ 
54 “ 
Marks on oast- 
iron pipes. 
Sec. 110. All cast-iron pipe used shall have casl 
upon it, directly back of the hub of each section the weight per lineal foot and tiie name of the man- 
ufacturer, in characters not less than one-half (J) 
inch in length. 
Sec. 111. When a wrought-iron soil or drain pipe 
is to he used in a building it shall he of extra heavy 
galvanized-iron pipe. 
Sec. 112. All fittings used in connection with iron 
pipes shall correspond with them in weight and 
quality. 
Sec. 113. House sewer pipes, when intended to he 
laid in a trench and covered with earth, may he 
coated with coal tar applied hot, or he otherwise 
treated to prevent corrosion. No cast-iron, soil, 
drain, or vent pipes to be used above ground shall 
receive any coating whatever until tested in place 
and approved by the Inspector of Plumbing. 
Sec. 114. A running or P trap, of form approved 
by the Inspector of Plumbing, shall In; placed on 
every house sewer at an accessible point, if practi- 
cable within the wall of the building, and a vorti- 
cal pipe of the same diameter and provided with a 
brass trap screw shall be constructed over the trap 
to admit of cleaning the same. 
Sec. 115. A brick manhole provided with cast-iron 
frame and air-tight cover may be used in lieu of 
the vertical pipe to afford easy access to the trap. 
Sec. llfi. Every house sewer shall have an iidet 
for fresh air, of form approved by the Inspector of 
Plumbing, not less than six ((>) inches in diameter, 
entering on the house side of the running trap. 
This inlet shall be located either within the park- 
ing, two feet hack of the edge of the footway or, on 
unparked streets only, in the footway, not more 
than two feet from the face of the curb. 
Sec. 117. For carrying water inside of buildings, 
or where the service pipe is not buried, it may he 
Wrought- iron 
pipe. 
Fittings 
Coatings, 
Running trap. 
Manhole, 
Fresh-air inlet 
Weights of 
“strong” lead 
pipe. drawn-lead pipe, of the class known as “strong” 
and of not less than the following weights per lineal 
foot: 
Inside diameter of pipe. 
Weight per foot. 
i inch 
2 pounds. 
§ inch 
2 pounds 8 oz. 
| inch 
3 pounds. 
1 inch 
4 pounds. 
1J inches 
4 pounds 12 oz. 
1J inches 
6 pounds 4 oz. 
inches 
2 inches 
Sec. 118. There shall be placed on every service 
pipe, at its lowest point, within the building sup- 
plied, a gate valve, easily accessible to the occu- 
pants. The free water-way of said gate valve shall 
be at least equal to that of the service pipe. 
Sec. 119. All changes of direction in soil and house 
sewer pipes shall be made by means of curved pipes, 
and all connections by means of Y-branches and 
one-eighth or one-sixteenth bends. All connec- 
tions of lead pipe with iron branches shall be made 
by means of brass thimbles, the full size of the iron 
pipe, caulked into the iron with lead, and plumbers’ 
wiped joints. 
Sec. 120. No person shall locate, or cause to be 
located, any water-closet in any sleeping-room or in 
any room, apartment, or vault which is not in direct 
communication with the external air by means of 
a window or air space having an area of at least 
four (4) square feet for the admission of light and 
fresh air. 
Sec. 121. Means shall be provided for thoroughly 
flushing all soil pipes, drain pipes and water- 
Service valve. 
Bends and con- 
nections. 
Location of wa- 
ter-closets. 
Water-closets. closets. A copper-lined Hushing tank shall be pro- 
vided for every water-closet. The flushing pipe of 
each tank shall not be lass than one and one-quar- 
ter (lj) inches in diameter. Every water-closet 
shall have a flushing rim. No long, straight hopper 
closets shall be used within a building. All water- 
closets erected in yards or outside of dwellings shall 
be placed immediately adjacent to the dwelling, 
and shall be flushed by a tank located within the 
dwelling. 
Sec. 122. Flushing tanks for water-closets shall 
not be used for any other purpose. 
Sec. 123. All water-closets shall have a lead or 
brass connection, and shall have a cast brass flange 
not less than one-quarter (}) of an inch in thick- 
ness, fitted with a pure rubber gasket of sufficient 
thickness to insure a tight joint, bolted to the flange 
on the closet. 
Sec. 124. A vent pipe of not less than two (2) 
inches in diameter shall be provided for each water- 
closet trap, and of not less than one and one-half (1 ) 
inches in diameter for traps under other fixtures, 
except that the short connection at the trap may 
be of lead one and one-quarter (1J) inches in di- 
ameter. 
Sec. 125. If a vent pipe exceeds twenty (20) feet 
in length, the diameter shall in no case be less than 
two (2) inches. 
Sec. 126. Where the water sup]fly is not ample 
for thoroughly flushing water-closets, urinals, and 
other fixtures, a tank or cistern into which water 
may flow at night, or into which it may be pumped, 
shall be provided. 
Sec. 127. All rain-water leaders shall be connected 
with the drainage system of the building, and shall 
Use of flushing 
tanks. 
Closet connec- 
tions. 
Sizes of vents. 
Long vent 
pipes. 
Storage tanks. 
Hain leaders. be effectually trapped and provided with a suitable 
clean-out near the lower end. Whenever thin 
metal rain-water leaders are connected into cast- 
iron pipes, the connecting joint shall be made by 
the plumber. Every rain-water leader, when placed 
inside of a building, shall be of extra heavy cast- 
iron pipe not less than three (8) inches in diameter, 
with leaded and caulked joints. 
Sec. 128. Traps for rain-water leaders and for 
draining areas, cellars and yards shall not be less 
than three (3) inches in diameter. 
Sec. 129. All drip or overflow pipes from safes 
under wash-basins, baths, urinals, water-closets, or 
other fixtures shall be, by a special pipe, run to an 
open sink outside the house, or to some conspicu- 
ous point; and in no case shall any such pipe be 
connected with a soil, drain, or waste pipe. 
Sec. 130. No waste pipe from a refrigerator or 
other receptacle in which provisions are stored 
shall be connected with any drain, soil, or other 
waste pipe. Such waste pipes shall be so arranged 
as to admit of frequent flushing, and shall be as 
short as possible. 
Sec. 131. The overflow pipes from tanks and the 
waste pipes from refrigerators shall discharge into 
an open fixture properly trapped. 
Sec. 132. The use of wooden wasli-trays is pro- 
hibited. They shall be of non-absorbent material. 
Sec. 133. No flue of brick, sheet metal, or earth- 
enware shall be used as a sewer ventilator or trap 
vent. 
Sec. 134. Except upon special written permission 
of tlie Engineer Commissioner, no privy vault, box, 
Leader traps. 
Overflows. 
Waste pipes. 
Overflow diS' 
charge. 
Wash-trays. 
Flues. 
Privies and 
cesspools. sink, cesspool, or dry well shall be in any way con- 
nected with the drainage system of any house. All 
privy vaults, boxes, sinks, or cesspools shall he 
water-tight. 
Sec. 135. Where cold-air ducts to heating furnaces 
or to steam coils are to be drained, the drain pipes 
shall not be connected directly with the drainage 
system of the building. 
Sec. 130. The plumber responsible for the work 
shall give prompt written notification to the In- 
spector of Plumbing, upon blank forms to be pro- 
vided for that purpose, when the plumbing work in 
any building, lot, premises, or establishment is ready 
for inspection, and all inspections shall be made 
as soon as possible after notification. All soil, waste 
and vent pipes inside of new buildings, and the new 
work in old buildings, shall have the openings 
stopped and a test of not less than ten (10) pounds 
air pressure to the square inch applied by the 
plumber, in the presence of the Inspector of Plumb- 
ing or his assistant, and maintained for such a 
length of time as to satisfy tin* latter that the work 
is sound and tight. 
Sec. 137. No part of the plumbing work of any 
house, including repairs to any portion of the drain- 
age system, shall be covered or in any manner hid- 
den from view until such notification, inspection 
and test shall have been made and a certificate of 
approval issued by the Inspector of Plumbing. A 
duplicate of this certificate shall be furnished to the 
owner or authorized agent, if requested. As far as 
practicable all plumbing, with its surrounding work 
in wood, masonry, metal, or plaster, shall be so ar- 
ranged as to admit of a ready inspection at all 
times. 
Colil-air duets. 
Inspection and 
test. 
Certificate o f 
approval. Sec. 138. The Inspector of Plumbing shall prompt- 
ly condemn and order the removal of any defective 
material, bad workmanship, or of any work done 
otherwise than in accordance with the provisions 
of these regulations, lie shall in no case approve 
or permit the use of any water pipe or fixture 
which, in his judgment, is not suitably protected 
against freezing. 
Defects. GAS MAINS, SUBWAYS, ANI) CONDUITS 
OWNED BY PRIVATE COMPANIES. 
Permit, 
Sec. 139. Permits shall be issued by the Permit 
Clerk, upon application, on forms provided for that 
purpose, to the proper officer of each company own- 
ing gas mains, subways, conduits, or other under- 
ground structures, to run service pipes or branch 
conduits .from its mains to private premises, and to 
make necessary repairs. 
Sec. 140. The usual fee of one dollar ($1) shall be 
charged as a permit fee for each house connected 
by service pipe or branch conduit or for each leak 
repaired in the main, subway, or conduit. 
Sec. 141. The conditions governing such permits 
shall be the general conditions contained in sec- 
tions 1 to 33, inclusive, of these regulations, and 
the laws of the District of Columbia in force at the 
time. 
Fee 
Conditions gov 
erning per 
mits. O O D HU 
EOR 
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF 
MASTER AND JOURNEYMAN PLUMBERS. 
Section A. The examination of plumbers provided for in sec- 
tions 7 and 8 of these regulations shall be under the direction 
of a board appointed by the Commissioners for that purpose, to 
consist of six members, including the Inspector of Plumbing, 
representatives of the Water Department and Sewer Division, 
two master plumbers, and one journeyman plumber, and to be 
designated as the Plumbing Board of the District of Columbia. 
Sec. B. The Plumbing Board shall hold meetings at regular 
intervals, at least once in each month, and shall consider appli- 
cations for examinations, notify candidates when to present 
themselves, conduct the examinations, and transmit to the Com- 
missioners a recommendation in each case, accompanied by the 
application and testimonials of the candidate. 
Sec. C. The preliminary qualifications of a candidate for ex- 
amination and registration in accordance with the requirements 
of section 7 shall be the following: He shall not be less than 21 
years of age, a citizen of the United States, and certified as a 
man of intelligence, good habits and character, in separate let- 
ters from at least three responsible citizens of the District, none 
of whom shall be a relative of the applicant or connected with 
him in business. 
Sec. D. Each candidate for examination under the provisions 
of section 7 shall make application in his own handwriting, if 
possible, stating his full name, residence, place of business, age 40 
and experience in the plumbing business and trade. He shall 
declare his intention to faithfully conform to the regulations 
governing plumbing in the District of Columbia. The required 
testimonials shall accompany each application or be filed before 
any action of the Board. 
Sec. E. The examination of applicants under section 7 shall 
test the ability of the candidates to understand the plumbing 
regulations ; to comprehend and interpret plans and drawings 
showing the arrangement and connection of pipes and fixtures; 
to construct house plumbing and drainage in a skillful and work- 
manlike manner in accordance with plans and specifications; 
also his knowledge of such common laws of physics and hygiene 
as have relation to the proper and safe methods of supplying 
water to buildings and removing water and sewage therefrom ; 
and of such other matters as the board shall deem essential to 
properly qualify him to conduct the business of plumbing. 
Sec. F. If the application for a license is approved by the Com- 
missioners the candidate shall at once proceed, upon a receipt of 
notice of such approval, to register his name and file a bond, as 
provided in section 7, after which he shall be entitled to receive 
a license, signed by the Inspector of Plumbing and counter- 
signed by the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners, to prac- 
tice the business of plumbing in the District of Columbia for a 
period of three years. 
Sec. G. In the case of a firm or copartnership for the practice 
of the business of plumbing, any member of such firm possess- 
ing the qualifications specified in section C may make applica- 
tion as a representative of the firm, pass examination, register 
and receive a license for the firm. The bond required shall be 
jointly executed by all the members of such firm. 
Sec. II. The preliminary qualifications of a candidate for ex- 
amination and registration as a journeyman plumber in accord- 
ance with the requirements of section 8 shall be the following : 
He shall not be less than 21 years of age, a citizen of the United 
States, and certified as a man of intelligence, good habits and 
character by a responsible citizen of the District. lie shall make application in his own handwriting, if possi- 
ble, stating his full name, residence, age and experience in the 
plumbing trade. 
He shall present with his application, if practicable, a certifi- 
cate of skill from the master plumber under whom he served 
his apprenticeship, or, if this be not obtainable, a statement from 
his present employer that he has proven a competent workman. 
Sec. I. The examination of applicants under section 8 shall 
test the skill of the candidate in the practical details of house 
plumbing and drainage work. 
Sec. J. Unsuccessful candidates of either grade may repeat 
their applications after intervals of three months, and, if again 
unsuccessful, at an interval of not less than six months after the 
second examination. 
J. W. Douglass, 
J. W. Ross, 
Wm. T. Rossell, 
Commissioners of the District of Columbia. 
Attest: 
William Tindall, Secretary. POLICE REGULATIONS 
PERTAINING TO 
THE CARE OF PUBLIC SEWERS. 
ARTICLE VIII. 
Section 8. No person shall, as principal or agent, throw, cast, 
lay, deposit, drop, or leave in or upon any public sewer in the 
District of Columbia, or any trap, basin, inlet, grating, manhole, 
or other appurtenance of any public sewer, any sticks, stones, 
brick, earth, gravel, dirt, mud, hay, straw, manure, rubbish, lit- 
ter, sweepings, offal, vegetables, garbage, trees, shrubs, branches, 
twigs, leaves, papers, cinders, or refuse matter of any kind: 
Provided, That the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply 
to matter discharged through a house sewer into a public 
sewer. 
Sec. t). No person other than those employed in the sewer 
department, while on duty, shall enter any public sewer or ap- 
purtenance thereof, without a written permit from the Commis- 
sioners. 
Sec. 10. No person shall, as principal or agent, cut, break, 
pierce, or tap any public sewer or appurtenance thereof, or in- 
troduce any tube, pipe, trough, or conduit into any public sewer 
or appurtenance thereof, without a written permit from the 
Engineer Commissioner. 
Sec. 11. No person shall, as principal or agent, turn, lift, re- 
move, raise, or tamper with any cover of any manhole, basin, 
inlet, or other appurtenance of any public sewer, without a 
written permit from the Engineer Commissioner. Sec. 12. No person shall, as principal or agent, break or dam- 
age any appurtenance of any public sewer or part thereof. 
Sec. 13. No person shall, as principal or agent, make or main- 
tain any connection with any public sewer or appurtenance 
thereof whereby there may be conveyed into the same any hot, 
suffocating, corrosive, inflammable, or explosive liquid, gas, va- 
por, substance, or material of any kind; and no person shall, as 
principal or agent, cause to enter or flow into any public sewer 
or appurtenance thereof any hot, corrosive, suffocating, inflam- 
mable, or explosive liquid, gas, vapor, substance, or material of 
any kind: Provided, That the provisions of this paragraph shall 
not apply to the ordinary hot-water boiler of a residence. 
Sec. 14. No person shall, as principal or agent, do any act or 
thing which may impede or obstruct the flow of any public 
sewer or interfere with the free discharge or ventilation thereof, 
or clog up any appurtenance thereof. 
Sec. 15. Any person violating any of the provisions of this 
article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine 
of not more than two hundred dollars for each and every offense, 
or, in default of payment of fine, to imprisonment not to exceed 
thirty days. , Office of the Commissioners 
of the District of Columbia, 
Washington, March 7, 1893. 
Whereas it is provided in “An act making appropriations for 
the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for 
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, and for other purposes,” 
approved March 3, 1893, “that the provisions and penalties of 
the act entitled ‘An act to authorize the appointment of an In- 
spector of Plumbing in the District of Columbia, and for other 
purposes,’ approved April 23, 1892, are hereby extended to in- 
clude the practice of gas-fitting in the District of Columbia,” it 
is therefore 
Ordered, That the following regulations, sections I to XVII, 
inclusive, be, and they hereby are, made and declared to be 
regulations to govern the practice of gas-fitting in the District 
of Columbia, applicable to every system of pipes used for the 
purpose of conveying and distributing illuminating gas in any 
building or premises in said District, except in public buildings 
owned by the United States or under the exclusive control of 
officers of the United States. REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF GAS 
FITTING IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
Section I. Every person who shall desire, from and after May 
1, 1893, to practice the business of gas-fitting in the District of 
Columbia as a master gas-fitter shall, unless he has previously 
received a license as a master plumber in accordance with the 
regulations adopted February 15, 1893, comply with the follow- 
ing requirements: 
He shall apply for examination to the plumbing board of the 
District of Columbia; he shall present himself for examination 
at the time designated by said board ; he shall, if declared com- 
petent, register his name, residence, and permanent place of 
business in the District of Columbia, in the office of the Inspector 
of Plumbing ; he shall procure from the Commissioners a license 
to practice the business of gas-fitting in said District, and shall 
file in the office of the Commissioners a bond, with two sureties, 
in the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000), conditioned upon 
the faithful performance, during the stated period of three years, 
of all gas-fitting work in compliance with these regulations, and 
that the District of Columbia shall be kept harmless from the 
consequence of any and all acts of the said licensee during the 
period covered by the said bond. 
Sec. II. The duties of the plumbing board of the District of 
Columbia (section A, page 39) are hereby extended to include 
the examination of master gas-fitters, and the said board is 
hereby directed, in the examination of candidates for licensing 
as master plumbers or as master gas-fitters, to ask such questions 
relating to the projier and safe methods of supplying illuminat- 
ing gas to buildings, or relating to the planning and workman- 
like construction of systems of gas-piping in buildings, as said 
board may deem proper. 
Sec. III. The preliminary qualifications of a candidate for ex- 
amination and registration in accordance with the requirements 
of section 1 shall he the following: He shall be not less than 21 years of age, a citizen of the 
United States, and certified as a man of intelligence, good habits 
and character, in separate letters, from at least two responsible 
citizens of the District of Columbia, neither of whom shall he a 
relative of the applicant or connected with him in business. 
Sec. IV. On and after May 1, 1803, it shall not he lawful for 
any person to construct a system of pipes for the conveyance, 
distribution, or use of illuminating gas in any building, premises, 
or establishment in the District of Columbia, or to make exten- 
sions and alterations of such a system of pipes unless such per- 
son shall have complied with the requirements of section I and 
received from the Commissioners of said District a license to 
practice the business of gas-fitting. 
Sec. V. In all cases in which any provision of these regula- 
tions requires or prohibits the doing of a certain act the person 
actually violating such provision and the employer of such per- 
son, and all other persons concerned therein, shall severally he 
held liable to the full extent of the prescribed penalty : Provided, 
That such penalty shall he paid but once. 
Sec. VI. Prosecution for infringement upon the provisions of 
these regulations shall he made by information filed in the 
Police Court of the District of Columbia. 
Sec. VII. Any person who shall neglect or refuse to comply 
with the requirements of the provisions of these regulations, 
after ten days’ notice of the specific thing required to he done 
thereunder, within the time limited by the Commissioners for 
doing such work, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable 
by a fine of not more than $200 for each and every such offense, 
or, in default of payment of fine, to imprisonment for not to 
exceed thirty days. 
Sec. VIII. The inspection of gas-piping within any building, 
lot, premises, or establishment, from the connection at the gas- 
meter to the terminus of the system, is hereby directed to he 
made by the Inspector of Plumbing or his duly authorized 
assistant. Sec. IX. Upon the completion of any system of gas-piping in 
a building, and before the floors are laid or the pipes and fittings 
concealed, there shall be filed in the office of the Inspector of 
Plumbing, by the plumber doing the work, a detailed plan of 
the same, showing the location and size of each pipe, with a 
statement that the system is ready for inspection. 
Sec. X. Upon the filing of the plan described in section IX, 
the Inspector of Plumbing shall promptly cause the system to 
be inspected, and tested with a pressure of not less than six 
inches upon a mercury gauge. 
If the test and inspection be satisfactory, a certificate of ap- 
proval shall be issued by the Inspector of Plumbing. 
No meter shall be attached to any pipe or system of pipes 
previous to the issuance* of such certificate. 
Sec. XI. The sizes of pipe used shall not be less, nor the 
lengths greater, to the number of burners stated than those 
specified in the following table : 
Size of pipe. 
Greatest length allowed. 
Greatest number 
burners. 
| inch. 
6 feet. 
1 
4 inch. 
20 feet. 
6 
| inch. 
40 feet. 
20 
1 inch. 
00 feet. 
35 
1£ inch. 
SO feet. 
60 
1J inch. 
150 feet. 
100 
2 inches. 
200 feet. 
200 
2\ inches. 
300 feet. 
300 
3 inches. 
450 feet. 
450 
4 inches. 
600 feet. 
750 
Smaller pipe than •] inch shall not be used for ceiling outlets, 
except for lighting halls, pantries, wash-rooms, bath-rooms, and 
kitchens. 
Sec. XII. The pipe used shall be the best quality of wrought- 
iron pipe, with gal van i zed-iron fittings, and joints shall be made 
with white lead. 48 
All pipes shall be suitably supported and stayed with pipe 
hooks, straps, and screws. 
All pipes shall be properly graded. 
All split pipes must be removed. 
Sec. XIII. All main risers shall be run in an inside partition. 
Sec. XIV. Each gas-meter shall be located in accordance with 
directions given by the Inspector of Plumbing. 
All meters located in cellars must be set at least four feet 
above the cellar floor. 
Sec. XV. The service pipe shall be run, and both connections 
with the meter shall be made, by the Gas Company. 
Sec. XVI. No extension or alteration of any existing system 
of gas-piping in a building shall be made without the inspec- 
tion and approval of the Inspector of Plumbing. 
Sec. XVII. Upon the completion of the building in which a 
system of gas-piping is run, and the hanging of the gas-fixtures, 
an application for a final test and approval of the entire system 
shall be made, to be followed by the final inspection and ap- 
proval. 
John W. Ross, 
Myuon M. Parker, 
Wm. T. Rossele, 
Commissioners of the District of Columbia. 
Attest: 
William Tindall, Secretary. INDEX. 
Page. 
Acta of Congress v> “ 
Applications for license 3, 39, 40, 41, 45 
for permit • • • 8, 9, 10, 13, 21, 28 
Areas, drains for 85 
drained, sizes of house sewers for various -2 
Bond, Inspector of Plumbing 8 
Master Plumber 3, 40 
Master Gas-fitter 45 
Branches, Y, position of 23 
to be relaid by District specifications 24 
Candidates for examination and licensing 89, 40 
may repeat application 41 
Certificates of competency 4 
of approval * -> 80, 47, 48 
of skill 41 
Cesspools not to be connected with drainage system 35 
to be water tight 80 
Collars in lead linings 81 
Concrete, use of, in laying bouse sewers 25 
mixed on board or in box . * - • 25 
Condensing tanks 27 
Connection of pavement washers 18 
of water-service pipe with main 10 
of bouse sewers with public sewers 23, 24, 25 
of vent pipe with soil pipe >1 
of soil and bouse sewer pipes 83 
of rain leader with cast-iron pipe 85 
of refrigerator waste pipe 85 
—- of water-closets 84 
of privies, cesspools, etc., with drainage system 35 
of cold airduct drains 8t> 
of gas meters • • • 48 50 
Page. 
Connecting thimbles, use of 24 
position of 2;? 
Cuts in pavements, adjacent to street railroads .... 12 
in sheet pavements, by whom repaired 10 
in block “ “ “ 10 
cost of repairs of 11 
sidewalk, repairs of 11 
sidewalk, Commissioners may order repairs of 12 
Drains, subsoil, not to be directly connected 20 
Emergency permits issued at police stations 0 
report of issue of, to be transmitted 0 
Examinations, scope of 40, 41, 45 
Fittings on iron pipes to correspond therewith 32 
vitrified, on iron lateral 24 
galvanized, for gas-piping 47 
Firm or copartnership, any member of, may pass examina- 
tion 40 
Fall of house sewer 22 
of soil and waste pipe 2K 
of gas-pipes 48 
Fixtures to be trapped and vented 20 
Flues, use of, for ventilation prohibited 35 
Fresh-air inlet required 32 
Gas-fitting, regulations governing practice of 45-48 
Gas-meters not to be attached before approval of piping... 47 
location of 48 
connections with 48 
House boilers to be provided with safety-valves, etc 20 
House sewer, application for permit for 21 
of extra heavy cast-iron 21 
“ “ “ inspection of 22 
vitrified pipe may be used for 21 
“ “ inspection of 22 
within lot to be drained 21 
5 feet from exterior walls 21 
materials for, provided by plumber 22 
sizes of, for various areas drained 22 
fall of, maximum and minimum 22 
greater than G inches 22 51 
Page. 
House sewer, uniform grade required 23 
to be provided with fresh-air inlet 32 
connection of, with public sewers 23, 24, 25 
bends and connections 33 
connection in man-hole 23 
cast-iron, coating of 32 
joints in, how made 25 
embedded in concrete 25 
to be provided with running trap 32 
I nspector of Plumbing, duties of 2, 36 
to inspect gas-piping 46 
to inspect and test gas-fitting work 47 
reports of 2 
to enforce regulations 2 
oath and bond 3 
to inspect and test house plumbing 36 
to issue certificates of approval 36, 47 
to condemn defective material, etc 37 
a member of Plumbing Board 39 
to sign licenses 40 
to direct location of gas meters 48 
Inspection of plumbing in new buildings 2, 36 
of plumbing in any house 2 3(j 
certificates of 2 
of water-service pipe 19 
of house sewers and connections 21, 22, 24, 25 
of gas-piping 46, 47,48 
Joints in house sewers 25 
in soil pipes ■ ... 28 
in gas pipes 47 
Journeymen Plumbers, employment of. 4 
examination and registry of 4, 39, 40 
to present certificate of skill 41 
Lead connection with water-service pipe 16 
for water-closets 34 
Lead linings, when required 31 
collars through 31 
License to practice the business of plumbing 3 
to practice the business of gas-fitting 45 52 
Page. 
License issued only on compliance with regulations 4 
to be approved by Commissioners 40 
to a single member of a firm 40 
Man-hole, connection of house sewer in 23 
in lieu of clean-out pipe 32 
cover, etc., not to be removed 42 
Master Gas-fitters to apply for license, etc 45 
bond of 45 
Master Plumbers to apply for examination 3 
to register 3 
in case of removal to notify office 3 
to procure license 3 
to give bond 3 
to display sign 4 
only, to employ journeymen 4 
Order of Commissioners approving plumbing regulations 
and code vii 
approving gas-fitting regulations 44 
Owner to sign application for permit.... 9 
to sign agreement to connect with main 14 
Pavement washers not to be placed in footway 18 
to be of approved materials and construction 1!) 
Penalties iv, 43, 46 
Permit required for connecting with any underground 
structure 5 
to be issued only after compliance with regulations... 4 
withheld on account of defective work 6 
“ “ “ indebtedness 12 
for excavation in a street 8 
to be kept on the work and exhibited 8 
application for t), 10, 13, 21, 38 
for work within private property 9 
emergency, for repairs . 9 
fees payable to Collector of Taxes 10 
fees, amount of 9, 14, 38 
issued in winter for repairs only ... 12 
to lay temporary water-service main 13 
special, to lay water-service pipe 14 
void after expiration of time limit 8 Page. 
Permit to run branch conduits, etc. .... v. 38 
Permit Clerk, to furnish position of Y branches 23 
to issue permits for branch conduits, etc 38 
Pipes to be concentrated, protected from frost, etc 29 
how run through lead linings 31 
for gas-fitting work 4< 
soil, located inside of building 28 
size of, and increase in size of 28 
clean-out for, to be provided 28 
slope of 38 
size reduced with proper fitting 28 
exposed to view or cased 29 
run through masonry wall 29 
.. to be protected and accessible 29 
not to be tapped 39 
bends and connection in 33 
test of 36 
-cast-iron, required weights of 31 
, marks on 31, 32 
coating of 32 
drain, located inside of buildings 28 
size reduced with proper fitting 28 
exposed to view or cased 29 
to be protected and accessible 29 
not of less diameter than trap 30 
from cold air ducts or furnaces ~ 36 
drip, method of connection of 35 
overflow, “ “ “ “ 35 
vent, located inside of buildings 28 
exposed to view or cased 29 
from crown of trap 30 
run separately. • • 30 
connection above highest fixture >0 
increase in size of 30 
area of 30 
, for running trap 32 
r- sizes of, required 34 
over 20 feet long 34 
test of 36 Page. 
Pipes, waste, not to be connected with water-closet trap ... 31 
1 from cased fixture to have valve 31 
refrigerator, to discharge into open fixtures 35 
wrought-iron, extra heavy galvanized when required. 32 
1 sizes of, for gas-fitting 47 
Plans of drainage system and house plumbing 4 
must be approved 5 
alterations in 5 
to be kept on file 5 
of systems of gas-piping 47 
Plumber to promptly fill cuts 10 
accountable for street material ... 11 
to give notice of extensions and alterations of water- 
service pipes 20 
responsible for employees’ acts C> 
may be debarred from obtaining permits 6 
must remedy defective work 6 
to make deposit for pavement repairs 11 
to renew deposit 12 
to do only work authorized by permit 14 
to shut off water after test 20 
to connect rain-water leaders 34 
to give notification prior to test 36 
to make tests 36 
Plumbing Board, how constituted 39 
meetings of 39 
duties of 39, 45 
Privies not to be connected with drainage system 35 
Prosecutions by information filed in the Police Court 7, 46 
Public Sewers, location and depth of, to be furnished 2:5 
not to be tapped if branch exists 23 
reports of condition of 24 
connection with, if of 12-inch pipe or larger 24 
connection with, if of brick or concrete 25 
flow in, not to be obstructed 43 
refuse matter, etc., not to be deposited in 42 
not to be entered 42 
not to be tapped 42 
Pumps not to be directly connected to water main 19 • Page. 
Pumps to be disconnected 19 
Rain leaders to be connected with drainage system 34 
to be trapped 34 
to be provided with clean-out 35 
to be of cast-iron when within building 35 
traps for 35 
Regulations to take effect 1, 45 
scope of 1 
alteration or amendment of 7 
inconsistent, herewith repealed 7 
governing gas-fitting 45-48 
Relieving arch, when required 29 
Risers, main, in partitions 48 
Rubbish to be removed from excavations 8 
not to be deposited in public sewers 48 
Sidewalks, repairs to brick, in accordance with District 
specifications 11 
“Street,” word, inclusive of road, court, etc 7 
Stop-cock for each water-service pipe 17 
not allowed to be placed in vaults 18 
Stop-cock box, how located 17,18 
for gas service 18 
in carriage-way 18 
repairs to 18 
Tanks to be used for pump supply 19 
to hold six hours’ supply 19 
condensing , 27 
flushing, for water-closets 34 
water-storage, for flushing fixtures 34 
Test of house plumbing 36 
of gas-piping 47, 48 
Traps required for all fixtures 29 
under floors, may be vented on side 30 
as near fixtures as possible 30 
running, required 32 
to be vented 34 
Trenches to be filled and rammed 8 
to be guarded, barricaded, and lighted 8 
Tunneling for service pipe prohibited 10 • Page. 
Wash-trays, use of wooden, prohibited 35 
Valves, safety, required for steam-boilers 20 
vacuum, for copper house boiler 20 
flap, required on waste from cased fixtures 31 
Water-closets, location of, in vaults prohibited 33 
flushed by means of tanks 34 
1 storage tanks for flushing 34 
Water mains to be tapped by regular tapper only 15 
12-inch, may be tapped, when 15 
location of tap in 15 
Water service pipe to he separate and direct 6, 15 
application for permit to lay 13 
temporary 13, 14 
to be of extra strong drawn lead pipe 13, 15, 10 
• to be provided with separate stop-cock 13, 17 
single, may supply dwelling and stable 15 
depth of 15 
slack required in 15 
replacement of galvanized iron 10 
minor repairs to 10 
lead connection for 10 
cast-iron, if above two inches in diameter 17 
not to be driven 17 
not to be laid in sewer trench 17 
laid separately, when 17 
to he provided with stop-cock and stop-cock box 17 
not to be covered previous to inspection It) 
valve required on 33 
Water tap, connection of, with service pipe 10 
location of, in main 15 
size of 14 
larger than one inch 15