OBC DIVISION B · PART 9 — HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGSUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code

Section 9.31 — Plumbing Facilities

Full text of Section 9.31 (Plumbing Facilities) — Division B, Part 9 (Housing and Small Buildings) of the 2024 Ontario Building Code, with every article reproduced below.

On this page:
9.31.1.1.9.31.2.1.9.31.2.2.9.31.2.3.9.31.3.1.9.31.3.2.9.31.4.1.9.31.4.1A.9.31.4.3.9.31.6.1.9.31.6.1A.9.31.6.2.9.31.6.3.9.31.6.4.9.31.6.5.

9.31.1.Scope

9.31.1.1.Application permalink →

(1) This Section applies to the plumbing facilities and plumbing systems within dwelling units.

  (2) In occupancies other than dwelling units, plumbing facilities, grab bars, floor drains, and floor and wall finishes
  around urinals shall conform to Subsection 3.7.2. (See also Section 3.8. regarding barrier-free plumbing facilities.)

  (3) Medical gas piping systems shall conform to Subsection 3.7.5.

9.31.2.General

9.31.2.1.General permalink →

(1) The construction, extension, alteration, renewal or repair of plumbing systems and sewage disposal systems shall
  conform to Part 7.

9.31.2.2.Corrosion Protection permalink →

(1) Metal pipes in contact with cinders or other corrosive material shall be protected by a heavy coating of bitumen or
  other corrosion protection.

9.31.2.3.Grab Bars permalink →

(1) When provided, grab bars shall be capable of resisting a load of not less than 1.3 kN applied vertically or
  horizontally.

9.31.3.Water Supply and Distribution

9.31.3.1.Required Water Supply permalink →

(1) Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with a water distribution system where a drinking water system is available.

9.31.3.2.Required Connections permalink →

(1) Where a water distribution system is available, piping for hot and cold water shall be connected to every kitchen
  sink, lavatory, bathtub, shower, slop sink and laundry area.

  (2) Piping for cold water shall be run to every water closet.

9.31.4.Required Facilities

9.31.4.1.Required Fixtures permalink →

(1) A kitchen sink, lavatory, bathtub or shower, and water closet shall be provided for every dwelling unit where a water
  distribution system is available.

9.31.4.1A.Laundry Fixtures permalink →

(1) Laundry facilities or a space for laundry facilities shall be provided in every dwelling unit or grouped elsewhere in
  the building in a location conveniently accessible to occupants of every dwelling unit.

9.31.4.2 Hot Water Supply

  (1) Where a water distribution system is available a hot water supply shall be provided in every dwelling unit.

  (2) A water distribution system supplying hot water to plumbing fixtures shall conform to the requirements in
  Subsection 7.2.10.

9.31.4.3.Floor Drains permalink →

(1) Where gravity drainage to a sewer, drainage ditch or dry well is possible, a floor drain shall be installed in a basement
  forming part of a dwelling unit.

9.31.5.Reserved

9.31.6.Service Water Heating Facilities

9.31.6.1.Hot Water Supply permalink →

(1) Where hot water is required to be supplied in accordance with Article 9.31.4.2., equipment shall
  (a) provide an adequate supply of hot water, and
  (b) be installed in conformance with Part 7.

9.31.6.1A.Hot Water Temperature permalink →

(1) Where a hot water supply is required by Article 9.31.4.3., equipment shall be installed to provide to every dwelling
  unit an adequate supply of service hot water with a temperature range from 45°C to 60°C.

  (2) An electric storage-type service water heater shall have a minimum set storage temperature of 60°C.

9.31.6.2.Equipment and Installation permalink →

(1) Every service water heater and its installation shall conform to Part 7.

  (2) Reserved

  (3) Where the building is in a location where the spectral response acceleration, Sa(0.2), is greater than 0.55, service
  water heaters shall be secured to the structure to resist overturning. (See Note A-9.31.6.2.(3))

9.31.6.3.Corrosion-Resistant Coating permalink →

(1) Where storage tanks for service water heaters are of steel, they shall be coated with zinc, vitreous enamel (glass
  lined), hydraulic cement or other corrosion-resistant material.

9.31.6.4.Fuel-Burning Heaters permalink →

(1) Fuel-burning service water heaters shall be connected to a chimney flue conforming to Section 9.21.

9.31.6.5.Heating Coils permalink →

(1) Heating coils of service water heaters shall not be installed in a flue or in the combustion chamber of a boiler or
  furnace heating a building.

Understand any provision in seconds

BUILDAiD Assist explains any article of the building code in plain English — with exact citations, exceptions and related requirements.

Try BUILDAiD Beta

Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.