09-16 Water meter drain port

Question: 09-16Code Section: 7Date: 23 September 2009OBC 2006 Reference: 7.6.1.3.

Question: Sentence 7.6.1.3.(2) of (the) OBC states that if (a) water meter is installed, the drain port shall be installed downstream of the water meter. However, in some municipalities, by using sentence 7.6.1.3.(5), the installation of (the) drain port is seen upstream of the water meter. Your opinion?

Interpretation: 7.6.1.3.(3) permits the drain port as an integral part of the building control valve on the downstream side for sizes 1-inch and smaller.

7.6.1.3.(2) states if there is a meter (except for the sentence above) the drain port must be downstream of the meter.

If the municipality permits or requires the drain port upstream of the meter and the drain port is NOT an integral part of the building control valve, the water purveyor is in violation of the building code and the concern is you are introducing a potential cross connection when premise isolation is installed.

Interpretation: Approved at AMES 2009