Kentucky Plumbing Code
Plumbing Code for the State of Kentucky is overseen by the Division of Plumbing which is part of the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. The responsabilities of the division include:
- Conducting of examinations
- Licensing of master and journeyman plumbers
- Review and approve of plans for construction on all buildings serving the public, whether they are publicly or privately owned.
- Issue plumbing construction permits.
- Inspect installations in order to assure compliance with the Kentucky State Plumbing Code.
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Inspections
Inspections must be done when there has been any alteration to a the plumbing system of a property. As of February 16th, 2009, inspections may occur 4 days per week, each day consisting of 9 hours for inspection. Here is an itinerary of the inspectors throughout the state.
Hot Water Heaters
When a hot water heater is sold in the state, it is required to have a serial number. Retailers are required to keep a log with the name and address of every purchaser of a hot water heater in the state, and must forward the list along with the serial numbers of the devices purchased to the office or to the appropriate agency of county or city government having jurisdiction[1].
Controversy
The state issued a press release in March of 2007 that highlighted the law, and why it was passed. In the release, an inspector spoke of the horrors of an improperly installed hot water heater.
While it is important to have properly installed hot water heaters, it is arguable the state is violating the 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution by requiring such information and inspection. Why would the purchase of a hot water heater give cause for the government to think that the purchaser had done anything illegal?
This issue is highlighted in the Hot Water Heater/Magical Mushroom Fallacy.
Violations
Violators of State Plumbing Code can be fined $10 to $100 dollars and/or be imprisoned for no more than ninety 90 days for every violation of code. Every day the violation continues constitutes a separate offense[2].
