The plumbing code of any country is the collection of rules and regulations that relates to all types of sanitary systems. It will contain rules and standards for design, construction, installation, and repair of any form of plumbing in buildings and residential homes.
This is basically the essence of the plumbing code of Trinidad and Tobago. It is officially known as the National Plumbing Code of Trinidad and Tobago. The regulations contained in this code were enacted by the Water and Sewerage Act of 1965 (under section 66 article 7 of that Act).
Objectives of the Nation’s Plumbing Code
How to Find a Good Plumbing Hardware in Trinidad
According to the code’s preface, the objective of the plumbing code includes the following:
- To secure the health of the nation’s citizens
- To create a uniform system of standards and requirements for all the municipalities in the country
- To ensure the highest level of environmental standards of sanitation
Note that the specific rules and laws within this code only represent the minimum requirements when it comes to ensuring the health of the country’s citizens. In practice the actual standards that should be in place should be stricter and of a higher level.
It is important for contractors and Licensed Sanitary Constructors or LSCs to abide by the standards provided in this code. This is especially true when outhouses and other installations need to be constructed in any given project.
Coverage
The National Plumbing Code of Trinidad and Tobago covers pretty much everything when it comes to this industry. The rules and regulations contained in the code include aspects of plumbing such as the following:
- Units of measure to be used
- Workmanship standards
- Connections in sewage systems
- Prohibitions on connections and fittings
- Water supply and distribution
- Approved materials for water piping such as joints, connections, water supply fixtures, supply tanks, and safety devices among others.
- Approved and standardized sewage system which covers soil and waste pipes, clean outs, interceptors, and traps
Apart from these specific plumbing areas, the plumbing code also defines what long sweep bends are allowed, specifications for water storage tanks, and the number of allowable fixture units for sewage and drains among others.
Definitions
Just like any other code of regulations, the plumbing code begins by identifying important related terms. Some of these terms include what an air gap is, back flows, branch intervals, building drains, drainage piping, effective opening, fixtures, flood levels, flush valves, main vents, potable water, sumps, sanitary units, traps, water mains, and others.
The Role of WASA
The role of WASA is more than just a governing authority. In fact, there are other aspects of the plumbing industry that this agency has control over. For instance, it is the governing authority when it comes to the licensing of new professional plumbers or LSCs.
Contractors also work with this agency so that they may provide services to homes. It is a regulating body that ensures that the plumbing code of Trinidad and Tobago is enforced and that the latest plumbing standards remain up to date with today’s latest technologies.
Have a plumbing issue or need a Plumber?