Article 2. Plumbing System
12VAC5-421-2170. Approved materials.
Article 2
Plumbing System
A. A plumbing system and hoses conveying water shall be constructed and repaired with approved materials according to law.P
B. A water filter shall be made of safe materials.P
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2180. Approved system and cleanable fixtures.
A. A plumbing system shall be designed, constructed, and installed according to law.P
B. A plumbing fixture such as a handwashing lavatory, toilet, or urinal shall be easily cleanable.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2190. Handwashing sinks, water temperature, and flow.
A. A handwashing sink shall be equipped to provide water at a temperature of at least 100°F (38°C) through a mixing valve or combination faucet.Pf
B. A steam mixing valve shall not be used at a handwashing sink.
C. A self-closing, slow-closing, or metering faucet shall provide a flow of water for at least 15 seconds without the need to reactivate the faucet.
D. An automatic handwashing facility shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2200. Backflow prevention, air gap.
An air gap between the water supply inlet and the flood level rim of the plumbing fixture, equipment, or nonfood equipment shall be at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and shall not be less than one inch (25 mm).P
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2210. Backflow prevention device, design standard.
A backflow or backsiphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device.P
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2220. Conditioning device, design.
A water filter, screen, and other water conditioning device installed on water lines shall be designed to facilitate disassembly for periodic servicing and cleaning. A water filter element shall be of the replaceable type.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002.
12VAC5-421-2230. Handwashing sinks, numbers, and capacities.
A. Except as specified in subsection B and C of this section, at least one handwashing sink, or the number of handwashing sinks necessary for their convenient use by employees in areas specified under 12VAC5-421-2280, and not fewer than the number of handwashing sinks required by law shall be provided.Pf
B. If approved and capable of removing the types of soils encountered in the food operations involved, automatic handwashing facilities may be substituted for handwashing sinks in a food establishment that has at least one handwashing sink.
C. If approved, when food exposure is limited and handwashing sinks are not conveniently available, such as in some mobile or temporary food establishments or at some vending machine locations, employees may use chemically treated towelettes for handwashing.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2240. Toilets and urinals.
At least one toilet and not fewer than the toilets required by law shall be provided. If authorized by law and urinals are substituted for toilets, the substitution shall be done as specified in law.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002.
12VAC5-421-2250. Service sink.
A. At least one service sink or one curbed cleaning facility equipped with a floor drain shall be provided and conveniently located for the cleaning of mops or similar wet floor cleaning tools and for the disposal of mop water and similar liquid waste.
B. Toilets and urinals shall not be used as a service sink for the disposal of mop water and similar liquid waste.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2260. Backflow prevention device, when required.
A plumbing system shall be installed to preclude backflow of a solid, liquid, or gas contaminant into the water supply system at each point of use at the food establishment, including on a hose bibb (threaded faucet) if a hose is attached or on a hose bibb if a hose is not attached and backflow prevention is required by law by:
1. Providing an air gap as specified under 12VAC5-421-2200;P or
2. Installing an approved backflow prevention device as specified under 12VAC5-421-2210.P
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2270. Backflow prevention device, carbonator.
A. If not provided with an air gap as specified under 12VAC5-421-2200, a dual check valve with an intermediate vent preceded by a screen of not less than 100 mesh to 1 inch (100 mesh to 25.4mm) shall be installed upstream from a carbonating device and downstream from any copper in the water supply line.P
B. A dual check valve attached to the carbonator need not be of the vented type if an air gap or vented backflow prevention device has been otherwise provided as specified under subsection A of this section.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 18, eff. June 10, 2021.
12VAC5-421-2280. Handwashing sinks, location.
A handwashing sink shall be located:
1. To allow convenient use by employees in food preparation, food dispensing, and warewashing areas;Pf and
2. In, or immediately adjacent to, toilet rooms.Pf
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2290. Backflow prevention device, location.
A backflow prevention device shall be located so that it may be serviced and maintained.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002.
12VAC5-421-2300. Conditioning device, location.
A water filter, screen, and other water conditioning device installed on water lines shall be located to facilitate disassembly for periodic servicing and cleaning.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002.
12VAC5-421-2310. Using a handwashing sink.
A. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use.Pf
B. A handwashing sink shall not be used for purposes other than handwashing.Pf
C. An automatic handwashing facility shall be used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.Pf
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2320. Prohibiting a cross connection.
A. A person shall not create a cross connection by connecting a pipe or conduit between the drinking water system and a nondrinking water system or a water system of unknown quality.P
B. The piping of a nondrinking water system shall be durably identified so that it is readily distinguishable from piping that carries drinking water.Pf
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2330. Scheduling inspection and service for a water system device.
A device such as a water treatment device or backflow preventer shall be scheduled for inspection and service, in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and as necessary to prevent device failure based on local water conditions, and records demonstrating inspection and service shall be maintained by the person in charge for a minimum of five years and made available to the department upon request.Pf
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 18, eff. June 10, 2021.
12VAC5-421-2340. Water reservoir of fogging devices, cleaning.
A. A reservoir that is used to supply water to a device such as a produce fogger shall be:
1. Maintained in accordance with manufacturer's specifications;P and
2. Cleaned in accordance with manufacturer's specifications or according to the procedures specified under subsection B of this section, whichever is more stringent.P
B. Cleaning procedures shall include at least the following steps and shall be conducted at least once a week:
1. Draining and complete disassembly of the water and aerosol contact parts;P
2. Brush-cleaning the reservoir, aerosol tubing, and discharge nozzles with a suitable detergent solution;P
3. Flushing the complete system with water to remove the detergent solution and particulate accumulation;P and
4. Rinsing by immersing, spraying, or swabbing the reservoir, aerosol tubing, and discharge nozzles with at least 50 mg/L (ppm) hypochlorite solution.P
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
12VAC5-421-2350. System maintained in good repair.
A plumbing system shall be :
1. Repaired according to law;P and
2. Maintained in good repair.
Statutory Authority
§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 18, eff. June 10, 2021.