After two years of work, the Minnesota Plumbing Board has moved to the final stage of adopting the 2018 UPC with Minnesota amendments. On Monday, Oct. 26, the Board issued a notice to adopt the plumbing code without a hearing.
Under the proposed code published for adoption, the dishwasher air gap will become optional.
Read the proposed plumbing code.
Housing First Minnesota has actively participated in the Board’s rulemkaing process and along with several plumbing contracts, requested the removal of the dishwasher air gap mandate. In the proposed plumbing code, the new language for the air gap is as follows:
807.3 Domestic Dishwashing Machine. No domestic dishwashing machine shall be directly connected to a drainage system or food waste disposer without the use of an approved dishwasher air gap fitting on the discharge side of the dishwashing machine or run the discharge line as high as possible under the countertop, securely fastened. Listed air gaps shall be installed with the flood level (FL) marking at or above the flood level of the sink or drainboard, whichever is higher.
Minnesota Plumbing Code, Section 807.3, As Proposed. Emphasis Added.
Unlike the Board of Electricity, the Plumbing Board follows the same process as the Construction Codes Advisory Council, conducting a thorough review of the model code up for consideration, acceptance of amendments and removes provisions that contractors feel are unnecessary or problematic.
Comments on the proposed Plumbing Code are open until Nov. 25, 2020. If 25 or more individuals request a hearing, then a hearing will be held in December. The new plumbing code will go into effect in 2021.
If you have any thoughts on the proposed Minnesota Plumbing Code, contact Nick Erickson, director of research and regulatory affairs at nick@HosuingFirstMN.org.
