The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-07-22
NO MORE SEWER GAS.
Regulations 20 secure Healthy
Plumbing.


A reformed plumber is u remarkable
specimen of humanity, but the health Off
Ger, under direction from the Commission.
ers, has reported upon the proper plan OF
regulating plumbing, house drainage ana
ventilation of house sewers. The law au-
thorizinp the Commissioners to take steps
for n perfect reform of the hitherto and pres
emit bad condition of sewerage in our city
was passed by the last Congress ana goes
into effect on the first of August. Under
IL the inspector of plumbing, acting
under direction of the health officer,
will sign and issue all notices to house own
crs where complaint is made, all certificates
as well, and keep daily record of the entire
business connected with the same and make
daily, weekly, and quarterly reports to the
health officer, and also an annual report.
In the line Of his duty he must inspect all
houses in process of erection, alteration
and repair, and see that all plumbing, draiil-
age and sewering be done in accordance with
the provisions of the regulations. This he
does under oath to faithfully perform his
duty and is compelled to give bonds IN
5000. ~.
1t will be the duty of all plumbers or
persons engaged in conducting plumbing or
house drainage in the city to register their
names, residences and place of business Mt
the health office, and to give notice ofany
change of location, and moreover to give
good aud sufficient bond for the sum of $500,
to be approved by the Commissioners, con-
ditioncd on proper performance of their
work.
Previous to the construction of any new
building the owner or architect must file
the plans of plumbing and sewerage with
the health officer; the name of the
plumber is also required. All soil, drain
and waste pipes above ground must be of
metal. All soil pipes above ground must
be of iron, with loaded or screwed joints,
not less than three inches in diameter, and
extended full size through the roof of the
house. No soil or drain pipe will be laid
under house unless absolutely unavoid-
able. When it is necessary the
pipe must be iron, with loaded joints
or vitrified pipe, Embedded in q hydrau-
lie concrete base not less than five inches
thick, and be located so as to be easy of &C.
cess for inspection. All safes and refrigera-
tors must be drained by special pipes out OF
doors, not connected with the sewer. No
rain water leader can be used as soil pipe
or ventilator from q sewer. No brick, sheet
metal or earthenware flue can be used as q
sewer ventilator.
Where the water supply is not sufficient
for the proper flushing of closets, ETC., the
inspector of plumbing may, at his discre
ton, order the erection of tank or cistcrr
into which the water can flow of nights OF
be pumped into.
The heath officer must be promptly
notified when the plumbing of a house il
completed and ready for inspection.
The sanction of this law reads as follows
"Any person who shall neglect or refuse t
comply with the requirements of the sait
regulations when promulgated shall be pun
ishablc by fine of from twenty-five to tw,
hundred dollars for each and every such of
Tense, or, in default of payment of fine, t.
imprisonment for thirty days.