248 CMR: BOARD OF STATE EXAMINERS OF PLUMBERS AND GAS FITTERS

2.10: Plumbing Fixtures

(2)     Materials for Special Use Fixtures:  Materials for special use fixtures not otherwise provided for in 248 CMR, may be stainless steel, soapstone or chemical stoneware, plastic, or may be lined with lead, copper-base alloy, nickel-copper alloy, corrosion-resisting steel, or other materials especially suited for the use for which the fixture is intended.  Before any special use fixture is installed, it must first be approved by the Board under 248 CMR 2.06(2)(t).

(3)     Overflows.
    (a) Design. When any fixture is provided with an overflow, the waste shall be so arranged that the standing water in the fixture cannot rise in the overflow when the stopper is closed or remain in the overflow when the fixture is empty.
    (b) Connection.  The overflow from any fixture shall discharge into the drainage system on the inlet or fixture side of the trap, except that the overflow from a flush tank serving a water closet or urinal shall discharge only into the fixture served.

(4) Installation
    (a) Cleaning:  All fixtures must be installed so as to afford easy access for cleaning both the fixture and the area about it.
    (b) Joints.  Where fixture comes in contact with wall and floors, the joint shall be watertight
    (c) Securing Fixtures.  Floor outlet and wall hung fixtures shall be rigidly secured to the floor or wall by screws or bolts, or other approved methods.
    (d) Wall-hung Bowls.  Wall hung water closet bowls shall be rigidly supported by a concealed metal supporting member so that no strain is transmitted to the closet connection, or the wall.
    (e) Setting.  Fixtures shall be set level and in proper alignment with reference to adjacent walls.

(5)     Prohibited Fixtures.  A pan, valve, plunger, offset, washout, frostproof latrine, or other closet which has an invisible seal or an unventilated space, or water closet that has walls which are not thoroughly washed at each discharge is prohibited.  Any water closet which might permit siphonage of the contents of the bowl back into the tank is prohibited.  Trough urinals and floor stall urinals are prohibited.  Wall hung urinals connected to an exposed trap, are prohibited.

(6)     Water Closets.

(a) Public Use:  A water closet for public use shall be of the elongated type.
(b) Flushing Device:  Water closet tank shall have sufficient capacity to flush properly the water closet bowl with which it is connected.
(c) Float Valve and Ballcocks.  A float valve or ballcock in a water closet flush tank shall be of anti-siphon design and shall provide sufficient water to refill the trap seal in the water closet bowl.
(d) Flushometer Valves.  A flushometer valve shall be so installed that it will be readily accessible for repairing.  When the valve is operated, it shall complete the cycle of operation automatically opening and closing positively under the service pressure.  At each operation the valve shall deliver water in sufficient volume. and at a rate that will thoroughly flush the fixture and refill the fixture trap.  Means shall be provided for regulating the flushometer valve flow.  Not more than one fixture shall be served by a single flushometer valve.  Protection against backflow shall be provided as specified in 248 CMR 2.14(6).
(e) Seats: A water closet shall be equipped with a seat of smooth non-absorbent material. The seat of a water closet which is provided for public or semi-public use shall be of the open front type

(a) Urinal Fixtures.  Only pedestal urinals and wall hung urinals with integral traps shall be approved and used.  Said urinals shall be flushed only by means of an automatic flushing tank or flushometers equipped with an approved back flow preventer.
(b)  Automatic Flushing Tank.  A tank which flushes more than one urinal shall be automatic in operation; and shall be of sufficient capacity to provide the necessary water to flush and cleanse properly all urinals simultaneously.
(c) Materials Surrounding Urinals for Public or Semi-Public Use.  The floor areas to one foot in front of the urinal lip and one foot on each side of the urinal, and the wall areas to four feet above the floor, shall be finished so as to be non-absorbent. Wood and fiber boards are prohibited in the above noted areas.
(d)  Each urinal shall be side shielded for privacy.

(a.) Water Supply Riser.  Every water supply riser from the shower valve to the shower head outlet, whether exposed or not, shall be securely attached to the structure.
(b.) Shower Waste Outlet.  Waste outlets, other than those in bathtubs, serving showers shall be at least two inches in diameter and have removable strainers not less than three inches in diameter having strainer openings not less than 1/4 inch in minimum dimension.  Where each shower space is not provided with an individual waste outlet, the waste outlet must be so located and the floor so pitched that waste water from one shower does not flow over the floor area serving another shower.  Waste outlets shall be securely fastened to the waste pipe making a watertight connection thereto.
(c.) Shower Compartments. Shower compartments shall have at least 900 square inches of floor area and be not less than 30 inches in minimum dimension measured from its finished interior dimension as the side of a rectangle, altitude of a triangle or diameter of a circle or other angular shape.  The minimum required area and dimension shall be measured from its finished interior dimension at a height equal to the top of the threshold and at a point tangent to the centerline of the threshold.  The wall area above built-in tubs having installed shower heads and in shower compartments shall be constructed of smooth, noncorrosive, and non-absorbent, waterproof materials to a height not less than six feet abovethe floor level.  Such waus shall form a watertight joint with each other and with either the tub, receptor, or shower floor.  Waste outlets for individual shower compartments shall be sized two inches.
(d) Shower Floors or Receptors.  Floors or receptors under shower compartments shall be laid on or be supported by a smooth and structurally sound base.  Floors under shower compartments, other than those laid directly on the ground surface or where prefabricated receptors have been provided, shall be lined and made watertight by the provision of suitable shower pans of durable material.  Such pans shall turn up on all sides at least above the finished threshold level.  Pans shall be securely fastened to the waste outlet at the seepage entrance making a watertight joint between the pan and the outlet. Floor surfaces shall be constructed of smooth, noncorrosive, nonabsorbent, and waterproof materials.
(e) Shower Controls.
1. When a flow control valve or shower head designed for tight shut-off is installed on the outlet pipe from a shower control unit, checks shall be provided in the hot and cold water supplies to the unit to prevent by-passing of hot or cold water.  The above shall not be required when shower control unit is designed to prevent bypassing.
2. All showers, shower stalls, shower compartments, gang showers, and shower baths, either multiple or single, shall be equipped with an approved adjustable self-cleaning and draining shower head.  The water supply to said shower head shall be supplied through an approved individual single handle thermostatic and/or pressure balancing device.  The device shall contain means for a maximum temperature setting to prevent water from being delivered from the shower head in excess of 112'F.  Said device shall be designed to prevent bypassing and to prevent any sudden temperature changes when valve is set at the desired setting and connected to hot and cold water supply lines that have balanced hydrostatic pressures. A central type automatic temperature control valve may be used in lieu of individual automatic mixing valves, provided the temperature control valve permits a maximum temperature of 112'F to the hot water supply of the shower control during all periods when showers are in use.  A thermometer is required in the outlet piping of the central control for inspection and adjustment of temperature.  Check valves are required on the hot and cold inlets to the central control valve.  The automatic temperature control valve described above is a secondary control for hot water supply to shower stations and is in addition to primary control used to maintain the water temperature in the domestic hot water system.  When the temperature in the hot water supply piping to shower stations is controlled as described above, individual shower controls may be two-valve type, single valve or any acceptable mixing valve.
3. All automatic temperature control devices shall be adjusted by the installing plumber, prior to the Final Inspection (248 CMR 2.04(l 1)(c)), to deliver water at a safe and useable temperature, but in no case to exceed 110’F to 112'F.

(a) Residential or Domestic Food-Waste Grinder-Waste Outlets. Domestic food-waste grinder units shall be connected to a drain of not less than 1 ½ inches in diameter.
(b) Commercial Food-Waste Grinder Outlets.  Commercial food-waste grinder units shall be connected to a drain of sufficient size to serve the unit, but in no case connected to a drain of less than two inches in diameter.  Commercial food-waste-grinder units shall be connected and trapped separately from other fixtures or compartments.  They shall be separately connected to the stack or main drain.
(c) Water Supply Required.  All food-waste grinder units shall be provided with an adequate supply of water in sufficient flow rate to insure proper functioning of the unit.
(d) Grinder Units Not to Be Connected With Grease Interceptors. No food-waste grinder unit shall be connected so as to discharge through a grease interceptor.

(10)     Drinking Fountain.

(a) Drinking Fountain Construction. A drinking fountain shall conform to the listed ANSI standard in Table I in 248 CMR 2.06.
(b) Protection of Water Stream projectors shall be assembled to provide an orifice elevation as specified by ANSI Air Gaps in Plumbing Systems and ANSI Backflow Preventers In Plumbing Systems.  See Table I in 248 CMR 2.06.

(11)     Floor Drains and Area Drains

(a) Floor Drains
1. Floor drains shall have integral or separate traps having a minimum water seal of three inches and shall be provided with removable strainers.  The floor drain shall be so constructed that it can be readily cleaned, and the drain inlet shall be easily accessible at all times.  Floor drains subject to backflow shall be provided with back water valves.
2. Size Of Floor Drains.  Floor drains shall be of a size to serve efficiently the purpose for which they are intended, but the outlet pipe shall not be less than two inches in nominal diameter.
3. Proper Installation and Protection Against Loss of Trap Seal. All floor drains when installed shall be of an approved design and shall be installed at a grade to permit floor drainage to it from all directions.  Floor drains, which in the opinion of the local plumbing inspector may be subject to evaporation, shall be installed with an approved, readily accessible automatic trap priming device.
4. Hazardous Wastes.  Floor drains which may receive hazardous waste shall comply with 248 CMR 2.13.

(b) Area Drains

1. Connected to Storm Water Conductor System. All area drains shall be connected to the storm water drainage system.  They shall be provided with a trap and back water valve in an accessible location not subject to freezing.
2. Size of Area Drains.  Area drains shall be of size to serve efficiently the area for which thev are intended, but the outlet pipe shall not be less than three inches in nominal diameter.

(12)     Dishwashing Machines.
(a) Waste Discharge

1. Domestic.  The waste discharge shall comply with 248 CMR 2.08(l)(a)4..
2. Commercial.  Commercial dishwashing machines shall be indirectly connected, except that when the machine is located above or within five feet of a trapped floor drain, the waste may be connected directly to the inlet side of a properly vented floor drain trap; or the machine may discharge waste directly through a connection to the sewer side and immediately adjacent to the floor drain trap, provided the floor drain is not equipped with a backwater valve and the drain line from the machine is properly trapped and vented.

(13)     Automatic Clothes Washing Machine.
(a) Water Supply.  A water supply line to an automatic clothes washer shall be protected against backflow by the use of an air gap or a back flow preventer.
(b) Waste Discharge.

1. Domestic Machines.  The waste from an automatic clothes washer shall discharge through an air break into a laundry tray or standpipe.  The standpipe shall extend to a minimum height of 3 0 inches above the base of the machine and shall be not less than 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
2. Laundromats (Commercial).  The minimum size of trap and standpipe for commercial type automatic clothes washing machines shall be not less than two inches in diameter, and shall connect to a drain of sufficient size to receive the simultaneous discharge of at least 75% of all machines connected thereto.
3. Commercial and Institutional.  The drainage facilities to be provided for commercial and/or institutional laundries shall be approved by the Board.

(14)     Multiple Type Lavatory Wash Sink.  Each 20 inch unit of usable length or circumference of a straight-line or circular multiple use lavatory shall be considered equivalent to one lavatory as it affects the drainage and water supply piping sizes and fixture usage requirements; provided hot and cold or tempered water for handwashing is available for each 20 inch interval.

(15)     Garbage Can Washers.  Garbage can washers shall be separately trapped.  The receptacle receiving the wash from garbage cans shall be provided with a removable basket or strainer to prevent discharge of large particles into the building drainage system.  Any water supply connect ion shall be protected against backflow by an air gap or an approved backflow prevention device.

(16)     Special Fixtures and Specialties.  Water Connections, Baptistries, ornamental and lily pools, aquaria, ornamental fountain basins and similar constructions, when provided with water supplies, shall be protected from back siphonage.

(17)     Sacrariums.  The waste material from a Sacrarium shall be conducted separately and directly to a drywell in the ground, which shall not be used for any other purpose.  In no case shall the waste from a Sacrarium be connected to the building storm, or sanitary waste and vent system.  The waste from a Sacrarium shall not be trapped or vented.

(18)     Minimum Facilities for Dwellings. Whenever plumbing fixtures are installed, the minimum number of each type of fixture shall comply with the requirements of 105 CMR 4 1 0. 00 (State Sanitary Code, Article U, Minimum Standard of Fitness for Human Habitation), and shall conform with 248 CMR 2.01(7).

(19)     Minimum Facilitities for Building Occupancy Other Than Residential

    (a) Application of Standards and Establishing Occupancy.
1. Applicability of Changes: the requirements set forth in 248 CMR 2.10(19) and Table: Minimum Facilities for Building Occupancy shall apply only to plumbing system installation, alteration, or extension projects in which the process of designing the plumbing work to be performed begins on or after the date on which these new requirements are published as final in the Massachusetts Register (June 3, 1994).
2. When determining the number of plumbing fixtures after the population has been established by the authority having jurisdiction, should a fraction occur, round up to next fixture.
    (b) Classification of Places of Assembly,
1. Assembly (General).  All places in which alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages are sold, or offered for sale, to be consumed on the premises; any room or space used for public or private banquets, feasts, dances, socials, card parties, weddings or for lodge or meeting halls or rooms; skating rinks, gymnastics, swimming pools, billiard, pool, bowling, and table tennis rooms; halls or rooms used for public or private catering purposes, funeral parlors, recreation rooms; broadcasting studios; private clubs and all other places of similar occupancy shall be classified as general places of assembly.  Restrooms for each sex shall be provided in the amount specified in 248 CMR 2.10(19)Table 1 for assembly.
2. Assembly (dedicated).
a. All places of worship, arenas, stadiums, theaters, cinemas, restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs shall be classified as dedicated places of assembly.  Restrooms for each sex shall be provided in the amount specified in 248 CMR 2.10(19)Table 1 for dedicated assembly.
b. Where the capacity is more than 2,000 persons, the number of toilets for the first 2,000 persons shall be calculated using the ratios in 248 CMR 2.10(19)Table 1. For the number of persons in excess of 2,000, the number of toilets shall be calculated -at ratio of 1: 100 for women and 1: 200 for men.
c. In restaurants, pubs and nightclubs where the total number of employees and patrons which can be accommodate at any one time is less than 20, and the total floor space is less than 1,200 square feet, the provision of one unisex handicapped accessible toilet for use by both employees and patrons shall meet the minimum requirement.
3. Nothing in 248 CMR 2.10(19)(b)2.a. through c. shall apply to single or multiple family dwellings, or to a place of incarceration or detention, a convent, or a monastery.
4. Plumbing fixtures for employees shall be included in 248 CMR 2.10(19) Table I for this type of occupancy.
5. When the occupancy ratio of 50% for each sex is not used to define fixture counts, the local plumbing inspector shall be notified in writing, indicating the occupancy of each sex for the purpose of establishing fixture amounts. 6. Any building having embalming facilities or autopsy facilities shall have a flushing rim sink and a floor drain.
    (c) Assembly (Places of Worship – Church, Synagogue etc.).
1. In no case shall there be less than one water closet and one lavatory provided for each sex to accommodate worship service area.
2. Refer to 248 CMR 2.10(16) and 2.10(17) for baptistry and sacrarium requirements.
3. Places of worship which also have a function hall/multi purpose area, fixtures for such halls/areas shall be calculated separately.
4. If sufficient fixtures are installed to accommodate total occupancy and are located on the same floor and within reasonable distance, the requirements of 248 CMR 2.10(19)(c)l. and (c)3. shall not apply.

    (d) Bathing, Beach Facilities (Public).  When occupancy exceeds 4,000, water closets for the capacity in excess of 4,000 shall be installed at the rate of one per 1,000 for women, and one per 2,000 for men.

    (e) Day Care Facilities.
1. Refer to 102 CMR 7.00: Group Day Care Centers (Office for Children), for requirements regarding plumbing fixtures for this type occupancy.
2. Unisex toilet rooms (one water closet, one lavatory may be installed for children six years of age or younger. 248 CMR 2.10(19): Table I shall apply where more fixtures are required.
    (f) Detention Facilities.
1. A water closet with protective shroud and lavatory shall be provided in each cell in which a person is locked for any part of a 24 hour day, or an individual detained in a holding cell or cell that does not contain a flush toilet or handwash sink shall upon request be escorted to and allowed to use a flush toilet and handwash sink which is located in proximity to his/her cell.
2. The lavatory shall be connected to the hot and cold water systems.
3. Where individual facilities are not required by 248CMR 2.10(19)(f)l., fixtures shall be installed at the rate listed in 248 CMR 2.10(19): Table I for this type occupancy.
    (g) Dormitory Facilities
1. Water closets of the elongated type and solid plastic non-porous seats shall be of the open front type.
2. In a room with more than one water closet, each water closet shall be separated by walls or partitions which will afford privacy.
3. Water closets, showers and handwash facilities shall be accessible from within the building and shall be placed so that passing through any part of another dwelling or rooming unit is not required.
4. One laundry tray shall be installed for each 50 persons.
5. Toilet and bathing facilities for males and females shall be separate and so designated.
    (h) Educational (Schools- Colleges, etc.) Facilities.
1. Each toilet room shall have at least one lavatory except as provided by 248 CMR 2.10(19)(h)
2. In kindergarten or primary grades, unisex toilet rooms may be installed for children six years of age or younger.  Lavatories may be installed in classroom areas or the toilet rooms. 248 CMR 2.10(19): Table 1 shall apply where more fixtures are required.
3. In auditoriums and multipurpose rooms that will be used at any time for community service, toilet facilities shall be provided as follows:
Women: one water closet for each 200 seats or majority fraction thereof.
Men: one water closet for each 600 seats and one urinal for each 200 seats or majority fraction thereof.
Women and men's facilities shall be located within reasonable access.
4. Separate facilities for teachers and kitchen employees (staff) shall be in addition to the requirements set forth in 248 CMR 2.10(19) Table 1 for this type occupancy.
5. In addition to 248 CMR 2.10(19)(h)4., there shall be separate facilities for kitchen employees.  Said Facilities shall comply with the requirements of 243 CMR 2.10(19)(i) 1. through 3.
6. All secondary and post secondary schools that conduct sporting or physical activities on school premises and/or have a gymnasium in which said activities may be conducted, shall have separate showers for each sex to accommodate students.  All schools which have trade type programs in which student may become soiled, shall comply with 248 CMR 2.10(19)(h)6.
7. Deluge showers shall be installed in every school chemistry laboratory classroom, or any room used for similar purposes wherein flammable liquids and open flame devices are used in conformance with the most recent 527 CMR adopted by the Board of Fire Prevention.
    (i) Employee Facilities (Non-Industrial).
1.     In each establishment where people are employed, there shall be separate rest rooms for each sex, located in each establishment and shall be plainly so designated.
2.     Facilities in establishments referred to in 248CMR 2.10(19)(j)1.within two branch levels shall be acceptable.  Facilities shall not be required for mezzanines.  See 248 CMR 2.03: Mezzanine.
3.     Unisex toilet rooms are allowed if they meet the requirements of 248 CMR 2.10(19)(m).
4.     In business or commercial establishments (except industrial) which contain less than 1,200 gross square feet of floor area or does not have reasonable access (within 300 feet and on the same floor) to core or common facilities, one toilet room located within the establishment with the number of fixtures according to the standard set forth in 248 CMR 2.10(19)Table I for employee facilities, shall meet the minimum requirement.
5.     In every establishment where only one person is employed or works, there shall be one water closet and one lavatory for use of its tenant, provided within reasonable distance, not to exceed 300 feet.  Core or common Facilities within reasonable distance (defined in 248 CMR 2.10(19)(i)4.), located on the same floor as the establishment being serviced and having separate designated facilities for each sex, may be used to meet the requirements of 248 CMR 2.10(19)(i)5. The number of fixtures in the core or common fadities shall be according to 248 CMR 2.10(19): Table I for employee facilities (nonindustrial).
6.     Where core facilities are allowed and in compliance with the code, additional designated toilet rooms shall be allowed within the establishment.  These fixtures shall not be credited to the requirements of 248 CMR 2.10(19): Table 1.

    (j) Emplovee Facilities (Industrial)
1.     In every industrial establishment, all toilet room facilities including the number and type of plumbing fixtures, the floors, walls, windows, ceilings, fighting, ventilation, doors, partitions, design and location of toilet rooms shall comply with 454 CMR 2.00:Toilets in IndustrialEstahlishments.
2.     Separate toilet rooms shall be provided for each sex and shall be plainly so designated.  See 248 CMR 2.03: Mezzanine.
3.     The number of water closets and lavatories shall be provided within reasonable access (defined in 248 CMR 2.10(19)0)4.) and in accordance with 249 CMR 2.10(19)Table I for industrial facilities.
4.     Reasonable distance for industrial establishments shat', comply with the following: in no case may a water closet be located more than 300 feet distance from the regular place of work of the persons for whose use it was designed, except where service elevators, accessible to the employees, are provided.
5.     Each 20 inches of usable or circumference 18 inches sink will be considered as an equivalent of one lavatory.
6.     In special industries of departments where there is undue exposure to poisonous substances or liquids or where the work is especially dirty, one lavatory or sink may be required for every five persons and in all cases, a potable water supply of hot and cold water shall be provided.

    (k) Medical and Health Care Building Facilities.
1. In all medical and health care buildings there shall be separate designated toilet facilities on each floor for male and female patients and visitors.
2. The facilities may be located in a common or core area on each floor that is within 300 feet of all offices.
3. Accessibility shall be direct; it shall not require going from one medical office through another.
4. Handicap facilities are required on each floor.
5. A minimum of one drinking fountain shall be installed for each set of toilet rooms.
    (1) Covered Malls.
1.     In all covered malls there shall be separate designated public toilet facilities for male and female, centrally located in the common area on each floor.
2.     These facilities are in addition to the requirements of 248 CMR 2.10(19)(i) regarding toilet facilities for male and female employees.
3.     When occupancy exceeds 9,000, water closets shall be installed at the rate of one per 1,500 for women and one per 3,000 for men.  Lavatories shall be installed as listed in 248 CMR 2.10(19)Table 1.

    (m) Handicap Facility Requirement.  Facility for the physically handicapped person:
1.     Fixtures shall be installed in conformance with 521 CMR 3.30.0 Public Toilets (for fixtures dimension requirements only).
2.     When public rest rooms are installed, handicap fixtures shall be installed to comply with the requirements of 248 CMR 2.10(19)(m).
3.     Unisex handicap facilities are allowed when approved by the Board through a variance process as indicated in 248 CMR 2.01 (l).

a. A variance is not required if the fixtures in an existing or proposed men's and women's room and the fixtures in a unisex handicapped toilet room meet the minimum fixture requirements in 248 CMR 2.10(19): Table 1. A unisex toilet may be counted only once toward the total minimum fixture requirements.
b. These facilities shall be kept clear of obstructions at all times in accordance with 105 CMR (the sanitary code).

    (n) Rest Rooms General.

(p) Urinals.
1. Urinals may be substituted for water closets where indicated in 248 CMR 2.10(19)Table 1 are listed by percentage.
2. Urinals listed for elementary, secondary, post secondary and industrial factory/warehouse are in addition to the water closets required.
3. When urinals are used at least one shall be set for handicapped use.

Bathroom Group Defined. a bathroom group shall consist of one bath tub or shower stall, one water closet and one lavatory.