scope:

This Standard addresses the special requirements of plumbing systems pertinent to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of health care facilities (HCFs). This Standard specifies requirements for the following in HCFs:

a) water supply systems, including domestic cold water systems and hot water systems;

b) plumbing fixtures and fittings;

c) drainage systems;

d) monitoring and maintenance of water systems;

e) infection control;

f) catastrophic event planning;

g) specialized water systems (e.g., reverse-osmosis, deionized, distilled); and

h) hydraulic fire protection systems.

Note: Special requirements for plumbing systems apply in HCFs because of the need to protect occupants of the facility and the adjacent surroundings from

a) infectious diseases;

b) hazards created by improper temperatures, leaks, and inadequate drainage; and c) adverse conditions created by the failure or improper operation of plumbing systems.

This Standard supplements the relevant standards and other applicable requirements for plumbing systems, fixtures, and fittings in general building applications.

Notes:

1) Relevant plumbing standards for plumbing systems, fixtures, and fittings in general building applications include

a) ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1;

b) ASME A112.19.1/CSA B45.2;

c) ASME A112.19.3/CSA B45.4;

d) CSA B45.5/IAPMO Z124;

e) CAN/CSA-B64 Series;

f) ASME A112.18.1/CSA-B125.1;

g) ASME A112.18.2/CSA-B125.2; and

h) CSA B125.3.

2) Applicable requirements for plumbing systems are also contained in the National Building Code of Canada and the National Plumbing Code of Canada. 

This Standard does not apply to medical gas systems.

Note: See CAN/CSA-Z7396.1 for design, installation, certification, and maintenance requirements for nonflammable medical gas piping systems

This Standard is not intended to preclude the use of design concepts and the adoption of construction, installation, operations, and maintenance procedures more stringent than those specified in this Standard and in the documents listed in Clause 1.2.

This Standard applies to all classes of HCF. Note: Some requirements may be waived for smaller Class C-2 HCFs as determined by the application of engineering principles and in consultation with the administrator and the authority having jurisdiction. 

The requirements of this Standard apply to the retrofitting of existing systems when

a) an existing HCF is

i) extended; or

ii) undergoing material alteration or repair; and b) the plumbing in existing facilities is adversely affected.

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.