BUREAU OF PLUMBING AND DOMESTIC SANITARY ENGINEERING July 1, 1920, to June 30, 1922. Frank R. King, State Plumbing and Domestic Sanitary Engineer, Madison. John Owens, Assistant State Plumbing Inspector, Racine, Southern District. Robert E. Hasselkus, Assistant State Plumbing Inspector, Dousman, Eastern District. Eugene Morse, Assitant State Plumbing Inspector, Eau Claire, Northwestern District. Mary L. Beams, Chief Clerk and Stenographer. Frank R. King, Madison The work of this bureau is of a diversified character and embraces the broad field of building sanitation, including plumbing, waterflushed and waterless toilet facilities, private water supply and sewage disposal systems, public comfort stations and camp site sanitation, and kindred subjects, all of which have been reviewed comprehensively in previous reports. (For organization and functions of the bureau see 1918 to 1920 biennial report.) As in previous years the bureau has worked consistently during the period to improve home comforts and sanitation as it relates to modern home conveniences. Every effort has been made to effect an organization making possible prompt and efficient service with a minimum of lost motion or duplication of effort. To accomplish this, red tape of a nonessential character is avoided. The motto of the bureau is to cooperate with all working along similar lines of endeavor so as to render the greatest amount of good for all. Advice and service are rendered free to any local official or citizen of our state. (See Summary of Activities). Codes and Publications Since the organization of this bureau in 1913 the following codes and publications dealing with plumbing and domestic sanitary engineering matters have been prepared and conservatively distributed among the citizens, schools, libraries, etc., of our state having actual need for them. These codes are especially prepared to meet Wisconsin conditions and needs, and are educational in character. The first three named have received widespread national recognition. 1. Wisconsin State Plumbing Code, prescribing minimum, uniform standards which have the force of law and are applicable to any building in this state. 2. Private Water Supply and Sewage Disposal Systems Suggested Methods. Reprint from State Plumbing Code, treats the subject of farm sewage disposal, or where public sewers are not available, in a comprehensive manner, with illustrations, and readily followed by the plumber or others seeking to make and operate such installation. 3. Public Comfort Station Code and Rest Room Suggestions. This publication contains all known essentials as they relate to convenience, location, privacy, design, construction and care in operation or maintenance of such stations. 4. Wisconsin Rural School Privy Code, especially prepared for school purposes and serving to raise the standards of out-door school toilets and promote better sanitation. Also see Rules and Regulations Relating to Sanitary Care of Schools, containing information relating to schoolhouse water supply and general sanitation. 5. Wisconsin Dry and Chemical Closet Code. This publication prescribes minimum standards and provides that such systems be approved by the State Board of Health prior to installation. 6. Bulletin, "Water Supply and Drinking Devices-How They May Spread Bacterial Diseases," contains information giving the important essentials in the selection, installation and operation of such appliances. 7. Plumbers' License Directory, giving the names and addresses of all state licensed plumbers. 8. Blueprints, Specifications and Instructions are furnished sufficiently detailed to permit construction and operation in accordance therewith. This service is primarily intended to make it more readily possible to carry out the bureau's recommendations or orders, but is limited to projects of insufficient size to warrant the service of an engineer or architect. It is needless to say that it is extremely popular with owners, plumbers, engineers and architects, and is rendered to all alike. 9. Form Ordinances dealing with matters coming under the purview of the Bureau's work have been prepared for the guidance of municipalities. Of these a large number have been adopted throughout the state, making for uniformity in sanitary regulations. 10. Miscellaneous. General information by correspondence or by special articles relating to installation or operation problems. Publications Under Formulation Tourist Camp Site Sanitation dealing with water supply, toilets, garbage disposal, general sanitation. Summer Resort Sanitation dealing with water supply, toilet facilities, garbage disposal, bathing, lake and stream pollution and general sanitation. Private Water Supply Systems for Rural Homes and Schools, embracing source, safety and adequacy of the water supply and type of system best suited for each case. It is contemplated to have these publications for distribution in 1923. Amendments to Plumbing Code The State Plumbing Code was amended by vote of the state board on July 15, 1921. The new code was distributed in the summer of 1922. The following amendments are made: 1. Some provisions are rearranged and sketches placed in contiguity to the text to which they relate. 2. Additional definitions and terms are supplied. 3. Section 4 is amended to allow provision for "size and grades of drains" from street main to building, applying to places where no local ordinance is in force. 4. Chart A is amended to permit a larger number of closets on soil pipe stacks. 5. Section 5 is amended to prohibit laying of galvanized iron or steel drainage, waste or vent piping underground, and for its protection where it passes through or is laid in concrete. 6. Section 22 on cleanouts is amended to require the installation of cleanouts where the main house drain enters the building and the placing of cleanouts at the bottom of stacks at points where stoppages may occur. 7. Section 28 is amended to require that rainwater leaders rising within the building when connecting with a storm sewer shall be treated the same as those entering the combination system, except that the pipe used in construction may be cast iron, galvanized, asphaltum-coated or black iron pipe. All other amendments are minor, tending to clarify the code. Changes in Public Toilet Requirements By action of the State Board of Health and the Industrial Commission, the joint orders relating to existing and new public toilet rooms were amended in 1921. The principal changes are summarized as follows: Section (Order) 5259 of the Plumbing Code relative to partitions between fixtures is amended to make the height of compartment partitions 52 to 6 feet above the floor, with the bottom left from 6 to 12 inches above the floor. The compartment shall not be less than 30 inches in width and shall be sufficiently deep to permit the door to swing past the fixtures when open. Section (Order) 5260 now requires that on all new installations in schools, theaters, hotels, office buildings, mercantile buildings, libraries, museums or similar buildings, only individual urinals shall be used, to be of porcelain or vitreous china set into the floor and the floor graded toward the urinal, equipped with automatic tank or valve |