2022 California Plumbing Code, California Mechanical Code Now Available

ONTARIO, CA — 2022 editions of the California Plumbing Code (CPC^®) and California Mechanical Code (CMC^®) have been formally released. Both the hardcopy and eBook versions, viewable on computers, tablets and smart phones, can be purchased and downloaded via the IAPMO web store.

The 2022 editions of the CPC and CMC represent the most current approaches in the plumbing and mechanical fields. These codes are embedded with the 2021 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC^®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC^®) with the California amendments. They mark the seventh editions developed under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited process. Contributions to the content of these codes were made by every segment of the built industry, including such diverse interests as consumers, enforcing authorities, installers/maintainers, labor, manufacturers, research/standards/ testing laboratories, special experts, and users.

Key Changes to the CPC

The CPC is designed to provide consumers with safe and sanitary plumbing systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. Key changes to the 2022 CPC include:

• New provisions for backflow prevention devices, assemblies, and methods 
• New drinking water treatment unit requirements for commercial equipment, alkaline water treatment and scale reduction devices
• New requirements for prefabricated shower enclosures
• New requirements for lavatory assemblies with automatic soap dispensers, faucets, or hand dryers
• New provision for temperature limiting devices 
• New guards and rails requirements for installation of equipment and appliances on roofs 
• New requirements for the discharge of temperature and pressure relief valve piping 
• New provision on leak detection devices 
• New provisions for potable water pumps 
• New standards for drain, waste and vent pipe and fittings 
• New provisions for drain waste and vent cleanouts 
• Circuit vent provisions have been updated and expanded 
• Updated fuel gas provisions 
• Updated medical gas provisions, including reordering of categories for ease of use 
• New reference to water heater standards and water heating system requirements

The CPC can be purchased at: https://iapmomembership.org/store/2022-california-plumbing-code-l-l/1167/

Key Changes to the CMC

The CMC provides complete requirements for the installation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, and refrigeration systems, while at the same time allowing latitude for innovations and new technologies. Key changes to the 2022 CMC include:

• New guards and rails requirements for installation of equipment and appliances on roofs
• A2L refrigerants requirements for human comfort and machinery room applications
• New ventilation requirements for transient and nontransient occupancies
• New ventilation requirements for indoor air quality for residential occupancies
• Revisions to the requirements for air ducts, including factory-made air ducts and dampers
• New provisions for factory-built grease ducts
• New provisions for refrigeration systems, including pressure-limiting devices and hydrostatic expansion
• Revisions to the sizing requirements for natural gas and propane piping systems
• Modifications to the pressure rating requirements for hydronic piping applications
• New requirements for fuel gas piping appliance shutoff valves, test pressure and overpressure
• protection devices
• New tube fastener provisions for radiant heating and cooling
• New requirements for residential compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling systems
• New fire-extinguishing equipment and carbon monoxide detection requirements for exhaust systems

The CMC can be purchased at: https://iapmomembership.org/store/2022-california-mechanical-code/1168/