All new piping will be replace the current copper and clay pipes with flex PEX pipes, and PVC pipes. This will likely be best with a new renovation work, but the plumber will be able to work around it. This will include attaching PEX Pipes to current copper trunks, or run a dedicated pipeline from the manifold to the destination. However, no new copper pipes will be sold. This just makes more sense since PEX is cheaper to buy, cheaper to install, and easier to maintain. They are also less likely to burst when they freeze. However, building code will dictate that unless not possible – PEX lines must run in the interior walls.
All new buildings will be required to have a fire sprinkler system. The reasons for this is safety. A sprinkler system to buy the people inside the building time to safely escape. Also, if fire/water damage to be contained into one room – then this will mean repairs will be cheaper. This will obviously mean lower insurance rates since the damages are less. It cost much less to pay for repairs on one room than to rebuild the building.
All pipes will be color coded. This will benefit the plumber since they will know which pipe is being worked on. It will benefit the owner since this will mean less work on the plumber therefore saving money there. Since PEX pipes are basically plastic on the outer layer, the pipes can have colors to them. The color codes are as follows
- Black: Septic/Sewage
- Blue: Cold Water
- Clear: Snow Melt System
- Grey: Gray Water
- Orange: Fire Sprinkler
- Red: Hot Water
- White: City/Well
All pipes must use a manifold system, and each line will be required to have a shut off valve. This will allow the resident to turn off any water line that needs to be turned off immediately. All hot water must use an electric tankless hot water system – therefore eliminating the need for a hot water tank. If the White line is less than 2.5cm, then there must be a tank of water for the fire sprinkler system. This is because the sprinkler system needs a minimum of 2.5cm pipelines. These lines will run from the tank to the destination just as if the line ran from the source. Since this is a sprinkler system tank, there is no need for a heating system on the tank, nor should there be.
All sewage lines must be a PVC pipeline. In addition, a back flow prevention system will be required. This back flow prevention system will close a door anytime a water feed is going in reverse. This will prevent sewage water from coming into the basement.
All gutters must have a gutter helmet in place. This is intended to not clog up the gutters, and therefore keep everything clean. Any water flowing through the downspout will be sent to the street or grey water tank.
Recommendations
In new construction, NSC will recommend to install a grey water tank on the property. This could be under the building, or in the exterior building property. While not required, it will actually save the consumer money by not having to pay to use clean water to flush toilets or water the green space. The way it works, is water from sinks, baths, and showers will go to a grey water tank. This water will feed the greenery, and provide water for toilets. Toilet water, and water from laundry will be considered as black water which will go to the sewage system/septic tank.