Significant changes to definition of public and private in the 2021 International Plumbing Code

A modification to Section 202 (Definition of Public and Private) of the 2021 International Plumbing Code states that the definitions of “public” and “private” are simplified to make a clearer distinction as to which plumbing fixtures are intended to be configured for public use.

The definition of “public” is aligned with that of standards ASME A112.18.1, Plumbing Supply Fittings, and ASHRAE 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings, to minimize the number of lavatory fixture fittings (faucets) that must comply with the code’s public use requirements for 1) discharging only tempered water and 2) having a flow rate of not greater than 0.5 gpm.

Public lavatory faucets are the only plumbing fixtures required by the code to discharge tempered (between 85 and 110°F) water. The revised definitions have little, if any, impact on public lavatories. However, as the terms “public” and “private” are used throughout the code for purposes beyond identifying lavatory types, the revised definitions could give new meaning to other code sections even though the approved proposal may not have intended to change the meaning in those contexts.

Read the full significant change.

The 2021 Significant Changes guides are available for the International Building, Fire, Residential, Energy Conservation, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes. This valuable series can help any code user save time by zeroing in on the most critical changes in the 2021 International Codes. The Code Council’s technical experts provide summaries, analysis and graphics for these changes making them clear and easy to understand. Each edition provides a comprehensive analysis of significant changes since the 2018 edition, offering key insights into its contents and implications. Each change analysis features the affected code sections and identifies the change with strikethroughs and underlines to show modifications to the existing language. Each change is accompanied by a quick summary, detailed illustrations, and a discussion of its significance, which brings the technical jargon of the code to life in a real-world setting.

Significant Changes to the IPC, IMC, and IFGC, 2021 Edition is available in the ICC Store or through Digital Codes Premium for the International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code.