International Code Council / IAPMO
IPC / UPC plumbing codes
The two plumbing code families in common use cover the same field questions: does the drainage fall the right way, is every trap vented, is the pipe supported, and did it hold pressure before anyone covered it.
Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
Run it with the Photo Gate
Plumbing rough-in inspection checklist
15 items · 18 photos required
What it covers
- Drainage, waste and vent sizing and arrangement
- Slope, cleanouts and accessibility
- Pipe support spacing and protection plates
- Rough-in and final pressure testing
What the evidence looks like
- Slope photographed with a level in frame. A claim of fall is not a fall.
- Test gauge shot with the reading and start time, then again at the end of the hold.
- Protection plates at every notch and bore, photographed before insulation.
Checklists that verify work against IPC / UPC plumbing codes
28 free checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Plumbing Rough-inPlumbing rough-in inspection checklistUnderground and in-wall piping, slopes and supports before pressure testing15 items18 photosPlumbing Pre-coverPlumbing pre-cover inspection checklistThe hold-point walk before slabs are poured and walls are closed14 items15 photosPlumbing FinalPlumbing final inspection checklistFixtures, supplies, traps and water heater set and operating before turnover15 items14 photosSite utilities Rough-inSite utilities rough-in inspection checklistPipe material, bedding, invert elevations, slope, joints and thrust restraint verified before backfill15 items14 photosSite utilities FinalSite utilities final inspection checklistPressure and gravity tests observed, structures set to grade, backfill compacted and as-builts recorded14 items10 photosSite utilities PunchSite utilities punch checklistCloseout walk for trench settlement, rim adjustments and surface restoration9 items6 photos
Domestic water heater QuarterlyDomestic water heater quarterly maintenance checklistT&P valve, venting, leaks and temperature verified on the quarterly round13 items10 photosDomestic water heater AnnualDomestic water heater annual maintenance checklistFlush, anode inspection and full safety test on the annual service15 items12 photosSewage ejector pump QuarterlySewage ejector pump quarterly maintenance checklistSealed cover, vent and float tree checked without a full basin opening on the quarterly round15 items13 photosSewage ejector pump AnnualSewage ejector pump annual maintenance checklistBasin opened and cleaned, pump pulled and duplex alternation proven on the annual service15 items12 photosDomestic water booster pump QuarterlyDomestic water booster pump quarterly maintenance checklistDelivered pressure, lead-lag hand-off and leaks checked on the quarterly round15 items12 photosDomestic water booster pump AnnualDomestic water booster pump annual maintenance checklistTank pre-charge measured, run hours balanced and full sequencing proven on the annual service15 items12 photosGrease interceptor QuarterlyGrease interceptor quarterly maintenance checklistGrease and solids depth, pump-out records and lid seal checked on the grease interceptor13 items10 photosGrease interceptor AnnualGrease interceptor annual maintenance checklistFull pump-out, empty-tank interior inspection and structural check on the annual service14 items11 photosWater softener QuarterlyWater softener quarterly maintenance checklistSalt level, bridging, a hardness test at a tap and the bypass position caught on the quarterly round14 items13 photosWater softener AnnualWater softener annual maintenance checklistControl-valve seals, resin condition, a full manual regeneration and brine-tank cleanout on the annual service15 items16 photosOil-water separator QuarterlyOil-water separator quarterly maintenance checklistOil layer, sludge depth, alarm and discharge appearance checked on the quarterly round14 items9 photosOil-water separator AnnualOil-water separator annual maintenance checklistCoalescing media, full pump-out with hauler manifest and inspection-port service on the annual pass14 items8 photosPressure-reducing valve station QuarterlyPressure-reducing valve station quarterly maintenance checklistDownstream pressure against setpoint, gauges, strainer and leak signs checked on the quarterly round12 items11 photosPressure-reducing valve station AnnualPressure-reducing valve station annual maintenance checklistRelief valve, bypass, lead-lag balance on parallel PRVs and a full seat check on the annual pass15 items7 photosSewage lift station QuarterlySewage lift station quarterly maintenance checklistPump alternation, float levels, wet-well condition and alarm checked from grade on the quarterly round14 items10 photosSewage lift station AnnualSewage lift station annual maintenance checklistPumps pulled on guide rails, check and isolation valves serviced and full wet-well clean-out on the annual pass15 items12 photosHot water recirculation pump QuarterlyHot water recirculation pump quarterly maintenance checklistLeaks, operation, check valve and delivered return temperature verified on the quarterly round14 items11 photosHot water recirculation pump AnnualHot water recirculation pump annual maintenance checklistPump isolated to prove the check valve, verify the aquastat and timer, and confirm every return leg runs hot on the annual14 items10 photosTankless water heater QuarterlyTankless water heater quarterly maintenance checklistInlet screen, venting and condensate checked and delivered temperature verified at a fixture on the quarterly round14 items10 photosTankless water heater AnnualTankless water heater annual maintenance checklistHeat exchanger descaled and flushed and the burner serviced on the annual visit14 items8 photosReverse osmosis system QuarterlyReverse osmosis system quarterly maintenance checklistPrefilters, working pressures, permeate flow and a product-quality reading checked on the quarterly round14 items14 photosReverse osmosis system AnnualReverse osmosis system annual maintenance checklistMembrane cleaning or replacement, storage-tank pressure and a full flush cycle on the annual service15 items13 photos
Common questions
5 answers
- What is IPC / UPC plumbing codes?
- Plumbing installation: drainage slope, venting, supports, testing. It is published by the International Code Council / IAPMO. The two plumbing code families in common use cover the same field questions: does the drainage fall the right way, is every trap vented, is the pipe supported, and did it hold pressure before anyone covered it.
- What does IPC / UPC plumbing codes cover?
- Drainage, waste and vent sizing and arrangement; Slope, cleanouts and accessibility; Pipe support spacing and protection plates; Rough-in and final pressure testing.
- What does a field inspection against IPC / UPC plumbing codes look at?
- Slope photographed with a level in frame. A claim of fall is not a fall. Test gauge shot with the reading and start time, then again at the end of the hold. Protection plates at every notch and bore, photographed before insulation.
- Which edition of IPC / UPC plumbing codes applies to my project?
- Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Which checklists verify work against IPC / UPC plumbing codes?
- 28 free checklists in the RTI library reference this family. Each is listed on this page with the photo evidence every item needs before it can be submitted.
Related standards
A standard is only met if the evidence exists
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.
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