Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems as a means of promoting the public’s health, safety and welfare.

The UPC is developed using the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) consensus development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of
viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on plumbing practices.
The UPC is designed to provide consumers with safe and sanitary plumbing systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. The public at large is encouraged and invited to participate in IAPMO’s open consensus code development process. This code is updated every three years. A code development timeline and other relevant information are available at IAPMO’s
Waterfree Urinal
1 RCNY §8000-01
CHAPTER 8000
Plumbing Code
§8000-01 Building water conservation reports, plans and waterless urinals.
Scope. This rule sets forth the criteria for the approval of building water conservation plans in accordance with Section PC C102.1 of Appendix C of the New York City Plumbing Code (“Plumbing Code”), which permits the use of waterless urinals only as part of an approved building water conservation plan. Compliance. Waterless urinals shall comply with national reference standard ANSI/ASME A112. 19.19-2006.
Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: Baseline water use. Water use calculated from the minimum number of plumbing fixtures required by the Plumbing Code and all additional fixtures as added by the design and/or as existing in the building, using the maximum flow rates permitted by Section PC 604 of the Plumbing Code and excluding the water-conserving strategies proposed in the building water conservation plan.
The calculation for new buildings shall be in accordance with LEED NC Version 2.2, WE Credit 3,
using Tables 2 and 5; Table 1 shall be replaced by PC Table 604.4; Tables 3 and 4 are not applicable. The calculation for existing buildings shall be in accordance with LEED EB Version 2.0, WE Prerequisite 1, using Tables 3 and 4; Table 1 shall be replaced by PC Table 604.4; where existing fixtures are water-conserving, Table 2 shall be replaced by the flow rate listed on the fixture or published by the manufacturer.
Design water use. Baseline water use, except that flow rates shall be the lesser of the manufacturer’s published flow rates or the maximum flow rates permitted by Section PC 604 of the Plumbing Code, including all water-conserving strategies proposed in the building water conservation plan.
The calculation for new buildings shall be in accordance with LEED NC Version 2.2, WE Credit 3,
using Tables 2 and 4; Table 1 shall be replaced by PC Table 604.4; Table 3 shall be replaced by the lesser of the manufacturers’ published flow rates or the maximum flow rates permitted by PC Table 604.4; Table 5 shall not apply. The calculation for existing buildings shall be in accordance with LEED EB Version 2.0, WE Prerequisite 1, Table 3, and WE Credit 3, Table 4. Tables 1 in each of the prerequisite and the credit shall be replaced by PC Table 604.4. Flow rates for water-conserving flush and flow fixtures shall be
taken from the manufacturers’ published flow rates. Other tables in WE Prerequisite 1 and WE Credit 3 shall not apply. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”). A set of building standards for sustainability, published by the United States Green Building Council.
LEED NC Version 2.2. LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation (“NC”), Version 2.2, dated October 2007. LEED EB Version 2.0. LEED for Existing Buildings (“EB”), Version 2.0, dated October 2006. Waterless urinals. Urinals that discharge into a sanitary drainage system, but are not fed by the potable water supply system. Building water conservation plan. Any application for new building or alteration work that includes the installation of one or more waterless urinals shall include a building water conservation plan sealed and signed by a registered design professional, and signed by the building owner. Such building water conservation plan may be submitted by either the building owner or a tenant and shall include: A building water conservation analysis, demonstrating the means by which the building or tenant space will achieve the water reduction targets set forth below. New buildings. Potable water consumption, as projected by the design water use, shall be reduced by twenty (20) percent from the baseline water use calculated for the entire building, excluding irrigation supplied from the building. Existing buildings. For alterations in buildings erected pursuant to plans approved under the 1968 building code or prior codes, potable water consumption, as projected by the design water use, shall be reduced by twenty (20) percent from the baseline water use calculated for the area of work of the alteration. For alterations in buildings erected pursuant to plans approved under the 2008 New York City Construction Codes, potable water consumption, as projected by the design water use, shall be reduced by twenty (20) percent from the baseline water use calculated for the entire building, excluding irrigation supplied from the building. Water conservation measures. Water conservation measures utilized to achieve the efficiencies set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph may include but are not limited to low-flow fixtures,
waterless urinals, fixture sensors, metering controls and water recycling systems in compliance with Section PC C101 of Appendix C of the Plumbing Code. Manufacturer’s specifications, installation recommendations and recommended maintenance procedures for the waterless urinals; and
The building owner’s or tenant’s maintenance plan for the waterless urinals. Changes during design or construction. Any changes made to fixture specifications, occupant usage or other elements of the building water conservation plan or report during either design or construction
shall require that a revised plan or report be submitted to the department for approval.