Kentucky Plumbing Code
Written by Kacie Goff
Plumbers in Kentucky have to work pretty hard to get info. Our writers tell us that in all of the states where we offer continuing education for plumbers, Kentucky’s Division of Plumbing can be one of the most difficult to get information from. Their landing page on the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction section is pretty sparse, and their FAQs has just one question.
Still, though, the Division of Plumbing expects licensed plumbers to stay up to date on Kentucky plumbing code. In fact, the link to the document about Kentucky state plumbing code changes is one of the few pieces of information that’s actually easy to find from the Division.
What’s the current version of Kentucky plumbing code?
On June 2, 2020, a new version of the Kentucky state plumbing code went into effect. Now, plumbers across the state need to stay in compliance with the 2020 edition of the code.
The good news? Many of the Kentucky plumbing code 2020 changes don’t really affect your work since quite a few of them were simple grammatical or structural updates. Still, though, there were a handful of regulation updates with the latest Kentucky plumbing code, so it pays to stay informed.
What do I need to know about the Kentucky plumbing code 2020 updates?
To get direct language from the Kentucky plumbing code 2020 edition, we recommend reviewing this letter from the Division of Plumbing summarizing the changes. In short, some of the updates include:
- The requirement to install an insulated copper tracer wire along nonconductive (including plastic) water service piping
- A ban on PVC piping if it will be located under a building, including a house
- New requirements for the size of covers for sewer piping installed underneath the pathway of vehicular traffic
- Trap and venting requirements for automatic washing machines installed in new buildings
- Drain pan requirements for some water heaters (these don’t go into effect until April 2021)
If you’re ever wondering if something is compliant with the 2020 Kentucky plumbing code, the Division of Plumbing has made it available online so you can pretty easily check.
Tip: To search for a specific word or phrase in the code, press the command key and the F key at the same time on a Mac, then type your word/phrase into the search bar that pops up. For a PC, the process is the same, but press the control key (instead of the command key) and the F key.
How do I stay up to date with the KY plumbing code?
The good news is that you can use your continuing education hours to stay informed. Since the Division of Plumbing already requires you to take six CE hours to renew each year, you might as well use those hours to get the latest details about Kentucky state plumbing code requirements. In fact, these six-hour CE courses specifically offer a section on the latest in Kentucky plumbing code.
Just make sure you get your code-focused CE hours from a continuing education provider that’s approved by the KY Division of Plumbing.