Codes and Standards

There is a unique difference between codes and standards used in the plumbing and pipe trades industry. Unlike standards, which typically define best practices for products, services, and processes, codes are often adopted by government regulatory bodies to address safety concerns for consumers and businesses.

Codes are developed as regulations that can be adopted by regulatory authorities. In general, they are much broader in scope than a standard and cover a wider range of issues. They are also designed to be given the force of law by the various provinces, territories, and jurisdictions in which they are adopted.

Standards are normally narrower in scope, cover a limited range of issues, and are given the force of law when referenced in an adopted code or jurisdictional regulation. Codes often reference other standards, giving them additional visibility and importance within the industries in which they are used.

In the pipe trades, there are many codes and standards that we must reference. Working with some of these documents will be an everyday occurrence, while others will be project-specific. It is important to know that these documents exist and what types of mechanical systems they address.

Canadian Standards Association—Construction Program

The Canadian Standards Association is Canada’s leading developer of codes, standards, and related publications in the field of construction. Many of these standards are referenced in various regulations and codes. Documents can be accessed from the CSA website under the following categories and subcategories:

• Concrete
• National construction codes
• Offshore structures
• Structures (design)
• Welding
• Building products and systems
• Plumbing products and materials
• Forest products
• Masonry

British Columbia Building Code

The BC Building Code (BCBC) contains specific requirements in the following categories:

• Fire safety based on construction type, separation distances and occupancy(ies)
• Life safety for occupants based on construction type and occupancy(s)
• Structural integrity based on expected loads
• Approved materials
• Accessibility features
• Energy efficiency features

There are several mechanical issues to be addressed for new buildings, additions, and major renovations to be BCBC-compliant. These include:

• Energy calculations
• Exhaust systems
• Ventilation requirements
• Makeup air
• Roof-mounted equipment anchorage design
• Minimum plumbing facilities
• Fixture requirements

British Columbia Plumbing Code

The BC Plumbing Code (BCPC) applies the core concepts of the National Plumbing Code, combined with elements specific to BC’s unique needs, and sets out technical provisions for the design and installation of new plumbing systems. It also applies to the extension, alteration, renewal, and repair of existing plumbing systems.

The BCPC provides the minimum requirements for systems, including:

• Water supply piping location, size, and material
• Sanitary drainage location and sizing
• Specifications for water heater(s) and associated features
• Vent sizing and location
• Roof drainage calculations, and roof primary and secondary drain locations
• Backflow prevention specification, and location of backflow devices
• Irrigation
• Location of water supply line relative to sanitary drain lines
• Grease traps

BC Fire Code

The BC Fire Code contains technical requirements designed to provide an acceptable level of fire safety within a community. It applies the core concepts of the National Fire Code of Canada, combined with elements specific to BC’s unique needs. It sets out the technical provisions regulating:

• Activities related to the construction, use, or demolition of buildings and facilities
• The condition of specific elements of buildings and facilities
• The design or construction of specific elements of facilities related to certain hazards
• Protection measures for the current or intended use of buildings.

CSA B51—Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Pressure Piping Code

Boilers, pressure vessels, pressure piping, and fittings pose potential health and safety risks if they are not designed, installed, operated, and/or maintained. CSA B51 covers the safe design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, testing, and repair practices for these systems.

CAN/CSA B214-21—Installation Code for Hydronic Heating Systems

The purpose of this code is to establish uniformity in the installation of hydronic heating systems. CAN/ CSA B214:21 (R2025) also provides a reference point showing that proper installation of hydronic heating systems will lead to good performance, serviceability, and longevity.

CSA B149.1—Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code

CSA B149.1 targets Canadian gas and propane industry workers. It is intended to protect public health and safety for all building systems that use fuel gas. It addresses system design, installation, and inspection of such systems by providing minimum safeguards and corresponding safety requirements. It has been reviewed by regulatory authorities across Canada and has been adopted into law in every Canadian province and territory. CSA B149.1 applies to the installation of:

• Appliances, equipment, components, and accessories where gas is to be used for fuel purposes
• Piping and tubing systems
• Vehicle-refuelling appliances and associated equipment
• Stationary gas engines and turbines

Canadian Electrical Code

The BC Gas Safety Regulation (Section 8) states that:

8 (1) The holder of a class A or class B gas fitter’s certificate of qualification may, while employed by a licensed gas contractor or working under an operating permit, perform electrical work that is restricted to the installation, repair and maintenance of electrical wiring for solid, liquid and gaseous-fuel-fired heating equipment . . .

Because of this endorsement, gas fitters must be familiar with the electrical code (CSA C22.1:24) as it applies to branch circuit wiring serving gas-fired appliances.

CSA B64.10—Selection and Installation of Backflow Preventers/ Maintenance and Field Testing of Backflow Preventers

Improperly installed wastewater drainage systems can create bacterial or chemical contamination of the public water supply due to accidental backflow and exposure to discharge. The CSA B64.10 standard helps protect consumers from water contamination by specifying requirements and information on:

• The selection, installation, and field testing of backflow preventers
• How backflow occurs, including when caused by back siphonage and back pressure
• Selecting and applying specific devices

Western Canada Section—AWWA—Cross Connection Control Manual

This Cross Connection Control (CCC) Manual was developed by the Western Canada Section CCC Committee and contains information identifying:

• Legal, health, and plumbing aspects of cross connection control (CCC) in Canada
• Aspects of setting up a CCC program
• Causes of backflow
• Hazard classification, including methods of protection
• Typical hazards found on premises
• Maintenance and testing procedures for backflow assemblies
• Test equipment requirements

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)®

The industry benchmark for design and installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems, NFPA addresses sprinkler system design approaches, system installation, and component options to prevent fire deaths and property loss. There are a number of codes that are based on the type of occupancy served by automatic sprinkler systems:

NFPA 13—Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

The NFPA 13 standard covers sprinkler system design, installation, and acceptance testing; hanging and bracing systems; underground piping; and seismic protection.

NFPA 13D—Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes

The NFPA 13D standard is the recognized residential sprinkler design standard focussed on one- and two- family dwellings and manufactured homes. The intent is to provide an affordable sprinkler system in homes while maintaining a high level of life safety.

NFPA 13R—Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies

NFPA 13R is a residential sprinkler design standard focussed on low-rise residential occupancies. The standard’s intent is to provide a sprinkler system that aids in the control of residential fires and provides improved protection against injury and loss of life in multi-family dwellings. This document addresses automatic sprinkler system design, installation, and maintenance, including component listing, hydrostatic tests, sprinkler temperature ratings, design documentation, above-ground pipe and equipment, underground pipe, pre-engineered systems, water supply sources, multipurpose piping systems, and hydraulic calculations.

NFPA 14

NFPA 14 provides requirements for the installation of standpipes and hose systems to ensure that systems will work as intended to deliver adequate and reliable water supplies in a fire emergency. The document covers all system components and hardware, including piping, fittings, valves, and pressure-regulation devices, as well as system requirements, installation requirements, design, plans and calculations, water supply, and system acceptance.

NFPA 96

NFPA 96 provides preventive and operative fire safety requirements intended to reduce the potential fire hazard of both public and private commercial cooking operations. The document covers the design, installation, operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of the full spectrum of cooking equipment, hoods, grease removal devices, exhaust duct systems, fans, fire suppression systems, and clearance to combustibles.

Self-Test C-4.2: Describe Where the Various Codes and Standards are Encountered Within the Pipe Trades

Complete Self-Test C-4.2 and check your answers.

References

American Water Works Association. (n.d.). Cross connection control manual. https://www.awwa.org

BC Industry Training Authority. (2019). Piping trades apprenticeship program: Use Tools and Equipment—Level 1 harmonized [Binder]. Crown Publications, Queen’s Printer for British Columbia. https://www.crownpub.bc.ca/Product/Details/7960000261_S

• Plumber: Competency C-3 Use Codes, Regulations and Standards
• Steamfitter: Competency C-3 Use Codes, Regulations and Standards
• Sprinkler Fitter: Competency C-3 Use Codes, Regulations and Standards

Camosun College. (2019). Line D: Organizational Skills —Competency D-4: Use codes, regulations and standards (Rev. ed.) [Learning guide]. BCcampus.  https://collection.bccampus.ca/textbook/9MgG7bwy/

Camosun College. (2015). Trades Access Common Core Competency D-4: Use codes, regulations and standards. Victoria, B.C.: Crown Publications. Download for free from the B.C. Open Textbook Collection (https://open.bccampus.ca/browse-ourcollection/find-open-textbooks/).

CSA Group. (n.d.). CSA B51: Boiler, pressure vessel, and pressure piping code. https://www.csagroup.org/store/search-results/?search=CSA%20B51

CSA Group. (n.d.). CSA B64.10: Backflow preventers. https://www.csagroup.org/store/search-results/?search=CSA%20B64.10

CSA Group. (n.d.). CSA B149.1: Natural gas and propane installation code. https://www.csagroup.org/store/product/CSA_B149.1%3A25_OT/

CSA Group. (n.d.). CAN/CSA B214: Installation code for hydronic heating systems. https://www.csagroup.org/store/product/CSA%20B214%3A21/

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). British Columbia building code. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/construction-industry/building-codes-standards/bc-codes/2024-bc-codes

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). British Columbia fire code. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/construction-industry/building-codes-standards/bc-codes/fire

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). British Columbia plumbing code. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/construction-industry/building-codes-standards/bc-codes/2024-bc-codes/plumbing

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Gas safety regulation, B.C. Reg. 103/2004, s. 8. https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/15_103_2004#section8

National Fire Protection Association. (n.d.). NFPA 13, 13D, 13R, 14, 96 standards. https://www.nfpa.org/

Media Attributions

All figures are sourced from Industry Training Authority (2019) and/or Camosun College (2019) and are used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence unless otherwise noted. Images copyrighted by the BC Industry Training Authority are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence.