After months of negotiation between residential builders and the plumbers union, Philadelphia is poised to allow the use of plastic pipes in high-rise residential construction.
A memorandum of understanding hammered out by the Plumbing Advisory Board will be incorporated into the new building code next year. The City of Brotherly Love is one of only six major U.S. cities that still require the use of metal pipes in such projects.
One construction industry professional estimates that the cost reduction from making the switch from metal to plastic would be about 20%. Plastic infrastructure is now the norm for builders installing pipes for waste disposal, fresh water, and stormwater drainage in most places.
The existing code encourages construction of single-family homes, which don’t require metal piping, or expensive luxury towers that can offset higher construction costs with higher prices. Construction industry representatives expect more high-rise and mid-rise residential projects to go forward due to the code change.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 4, 2020
American Concrete Institute and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute expand partnership
Will collaborate on new code requirements.
Codes and Standards | Mar 3, 2020
Wallcoverings industry releases product scorecards concerning sustainability
Tool adds more transparency to certification.
Codes and Standards | Feb 28, 2020
Bay Area communities struggle with what to do about rising sea level
Policies include sea walls, levies, and relocation.
Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2020
Cell phones present a safety hazard at job sites
Use of ear buds, headphones banned by some contractors.
Codes and Standards | Feb 26, 2020
American Concrete Institute releases 2020 codes, specifications, and practices
ACI Collection features guidance on structural concrete construction and rehabilitation.
Codes and Standards | Feb 25, 2020
New ISO standard for optimizing building use and reusing and recycling components released
Aim is to realize full potential value of a building throughout its life cycle.
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2020
Architects push back on proposed uniform design mandate for federal architecture
AIA speaks out against measure.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2020
City-owned buildings to go carbon-free in Los Angeles
Mayor commits to goal for new and extensively renovated structures.
Codes and Standards | Feb 19, 2020
Public is willing to volunteer to maintain green infrastructure
Perceived benefits make residents willing to help public works departments.
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2020
Recent Dept. of Energy grants emphasize grid-interactive building technology
National labs, universities, businesses selected for total of $74 million in funding.
