February 1, 2024
From the 2024 UPC Illustrated Training Manual, Chapter 7, SANITARY DRAINAGE
720.0 Sewer and Water Pipes.
720.1 General. Building sewers or drainage piping of clay or materials that are not approved for use within a building shall not be run or laid in the same trench as the water pipes unless the following requirements are met:
(1) The bottom of the water pipe, at points, shall be not less than 12 inches (305 mm) above the top of the sewer or drain line.
(2) The water pipe shall be placed on a solid shelf excavated at one side of the common trench with a clear horizontal distance of not less than 12 inches (305 mm) from the sewer or drain line.
(3) Water pipes crossing sewer or drainage piping constructed of clay or materials that are not approved for use within a building shall be laid not less than 12 inches (305 mm) above the sewer or drainpipe.
For the purpose of this section, “within a building” shall mean within the fixed limits of the building foundation.
Separation of the building sewer and water pipe is only required if the building sewer material is clay or not approved for use as a building drain. To determine if a material is approved as a building drain refer to Table 701.2. See Figure 720.1.
(This is not to be considered the official position of IAPMO, nor is it an official interpretation of the Codes.)
IAPMO
IAPMO develops and publishes the Uniform Plumbing Code®, the most widely recognized code of practice used by the plumbing industry worldwide; Uniform Mechanical Code®; Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code®; and Uniform Solar Energy, Hydronics and Geothermal Code™ — the only plumbing, mechanical, solar energy and swimming pool codes designated by ANSI as American National Standards — and the Water Efficiency Standard (WE-Stand)™. IAPMO works with government, contractors, labor force, and manufacturers to produce product standards, technical manuals, personnel certification/educational programs and additional resources in order to meet the ever-evolving demands of the industry in protecting public health and safety.
Last modified: February 1, 2024