CSA Z317.1:21 ✓ Most Recent

Preface 

This is the sixth edition of CSA Z317.1, Special requirements for plumbing installations in health care facilities , one of a series of Standards related to health care facility engineering. It supersedes the previous editions, published in 2016, 2009, 1999, 1988, and 1978. 

This Standard is intended to assist health care facilities (HCFs) to manage the potential risks associated with plumbing installation and maintenance. 

The main changes from the previous edition are as follows: 

a) new requirements for developing a water management plan (Clause 4.1.4and Annex E); 

b) a new clause containing requirements on risk management (Clause 4.4); 

c) new guidance on water features (Clause 4.5.2.2); 

d) expanded requirements regarding unused portions of water systems (Clause 4.5.2.8); 

e) a new requirement to conduct a risk assessment on HCF shutdown and restart procedures (Clause 4.5.2.11); 

f) revised requirements for plumbing systems that are renovated or new additions (Clauses 4.7.2and 4.7.3); 

g) new requirements for water storage tanks (Clauses 6.3.4.1and 6.3.4.7); 

h) additional requirements for power supply and control systems of sump pumps (Clause 7.4.2.3); 

i) revised requirements for lavatory faucets (Clause 8.1.4); 

j) revised requirements for hands-free activation of water closets (Clause 8.2.7); 

k) additional requirements for backsplashes and side splashes (Clause 8.4.2.5.1); 

l) revised requirements for hoppers (Clause 8.4.5); 

m) revised requirements for utility sinks (Clause 8.4.6); 

n) revised requirements for cleaning and disinfection of special-purpose bathtubs (Clause 8.5.2.3); and 

o) new requirements for trap guards (Clause 8.6.6). 

CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, as administered by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). 

This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. 

Scope 

1.1 General 

This Standard addresses the special requirements of plumbing systems pertinent to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of health care facilities (HCFs). This Standard specifies requirements for the following in HCFs: 

a) water supply systems, including cold water systems and hot water systems; 

b) plumbing fixtures and fittings; 

c) drainage systems; 

d) risk management; 

e) monitoring and maintenance of water systems; 

f) infection control; 

g) catastrophic event planning; 

h) specialized water systems (e.g., reverse osmosis, deionized, distilled); and 

i) hydraulic fire protection systems. 

Note: Special requirements for plumbing systems apply in HCFs because of the need to protect occupants of the facility and the adjacent surroundings from 

a) infectious diseases; 

b) hazards created by improper temperatures, leaks, and inadequate drainage; and 

c) adverse conditions created by the failure or improper operation of plumbing systems. 

1.2 Supplemental requirements 

This Standard supplements the relevant standards and other applicable requirements for plumbing systems, fixtures, and fittings in general building applications. 

Notes: 1) Relevant plumbing standards for plumbing fixtures and fittings can be found in the National Plumbing Code of Canada, adopted provincial/territorial plumbing codes, or both; local codes and bylaws; and other communications from authorities having jurisdiction. 2) Applicable requirements for plumbing systems are also contained in the National Building Code of Canada. 

1.3 Intended use This Standard is not intended to preclude the use of design concepts and the adoption of construction, installation, operations, and maintenance procedures more stringent than those specified in this Standard and in the documents listed in Clause 2. 

1.4 Exclusions This Standard does not apply to medical gas systems. Note: See CSA Z7396.1 for pipelines for medical gases, medical vacuum, medical support gases, and anaesthetic gas scavenging systems. 

1.5 Class of HCFs This Standard applies to all classes of HCFs. Note: Some requirements may be waived for smaller Class C-2 HCFs as determined by the application of engineering principles and in consultation with the administrator and the authority having jurisdiction. 

1.6 Retrofitting of existing systems The requirements of this Standard apply to the retrofitting of existing systems when a) an existing HCF is i) extended; or ii) undergoing material alteration or repair; and b) the multidisciplinary team (MDT) determines that the plumbing in the existing facility is adversely affected. 

1.7 Terminology In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 

1.8 Units of measurement The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.