Within the pipe trades there are tasks that are performed daily that could be considered to cross trade lines, meaning they should be performed by other trades. An example of this is the longstanding view by electrical authorities that only electricians should be allowed to perform power supply and control wiring of gas-fired heating systems and the hard-wired connection to a power supply of an electric hot water heater or automatic dishwasher. As well, plumbers have long been involved in the installation, operation, and service of septic systems. Let’s look at each scenario’s implications.

Electrical Work

Gas, electrical and septic system installations are all governed by the acts and regulations enacted by the Province of British Columbia and are overseen by Technical Safety BC (TSBC). Within the regulations are the descriptions for the qualifications and scope of work for people doing work within that jurisdiction.  The following is an excerpt from the BC Gas Safety Regulation (current to August 29th, 2023):

Class A or B gas fitter may do limited electrical work

8 (1) The holder of a class A or class B gas fitter’s certificate of qualification may, while employed by a licensed gas contractor or working under an operating permit, perform electrical work that is restricted to the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical wiring for solid, liquid, and gaseous-fuel-fired heating equipment for any of the following:

(a)connecting branch circuit wiring to the heating equipment integral connection box from a junction box or disconnect mounted in close proximity to the heating equipment;

(b)class 2 circuit wiring up to a rated output of 100 Volt-amps;

(c)low voltage controls or 24-volt thermostats.

(d)Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 134/2009, s. 8.]

(2) The holder of a class A gas fitter’s certificate of qualification may, in the circumstances described in subsection (1), perform electrical work that is restricted to the installation, repair and maintenance of electrical wiring for solid, liquid, and gaseous-fuel-fired heating equipment for 3-phase motors or controllers integral to the heating equipment.

What this translates to is that, if there is a junction box or disconnect installed by a licensed electrical contractor, a Class A or B gasfitter, working under a licensed gas contractor, is allowed to run wiring from it to all parts of a gas-fired heating system. Because hot water (hydronic) heating systems are predominantly gas-fired, a Class B gasfitter, working under a licensed gas contractor, can work on all electrical parts of it, so long as any motors are of the single-phase type and the input of any boiler on the system isn’t over 400000 btuh (120 kW). If 3-phase motors are present, or if the input is over 400000 btuh (120 kW) only a Class A gasfitter can perform work on those motors or single boilers. If a hydronic heating system is fired using an electric boiler, then any work on the electrical controls is supposed to be in the hands of electricians working under a licensed electrical contractor. In this case, while plumbers and pipefitters are expected to install the piping and boiler, the electrical aspect of the job must be considered off-limits to them. This can pose problems, as hydronic systems have components whose operation may not be fully understood by an electrician, so consequently the control strategy may become more complex for them. It is for this reason that plumbers, pipefitters, and gasfitters have a need for adequate knowledge concerning the correct wiring practices expected of them when involved in gas-fired heating systems of all types. Descriptions of electrical code requirements will follow in this Learning Guide.

One of a plumber’s most common tasks in service work is the replacement of hot water heaters. If the heater is gas-fired, the work must be done by a Class A or B gasfitter working under a gas contractor’s license, with an installation permit. A Red Seal plumber with a gas certificate of qualification is always the best choice for this job. If the water heater in question happens to be of the electric variety, while plumbers are expected to swap out the tank, they are not legally allowed to disconnect or reconnect the power supply to it. This is problematic in that, to satisfy jurisdictional requirements as well as potential insurance issues, an electrical contractor is expected to be summoned to disconnect/reconnect the wiring, incurring an extra cost to the building owner. Plumbers should be aware that, even though the wiring task is straightforward, it may not be defendable should a plumber tackle it and any problems arise.

The same situation is present with the replacement of an automatic built-in dishwasher. These appliances are hard wired to the electrical system and use the breaker in the electrical panel as the disconnect switch for it. Normally, a 14/2 AWG non-metallic sheathed cable is run up through a hole in the flooring near the back wall behind the dishwasher and connected to the dishwasher wiring via a junction box under a panel near the front bottom of the appliance. The disconnection and reconnection of the wiring constitutes work that should be done by a licensed electrical contractor and would incur much the same time and cost as the aforementioned replacement of an electric water heater. Know that although these tasks are routinely performed by plumbers, there may be legal implications in doing so.

Septic Work

Prior to 1 June 2005, there were few if any rules as to who could install, repair or maintain septic systems within British Columbia. Septic installations required permits which were obtained through the local Health unit, and a health inspector would visit the site to “sign off” on it once it was completed. Once in operation, enlisting the help of a plumbing contractor was the obvious choice whenever drainage issues were encountered, regardless of where in the system they occurred. Since 1 June 2005 all septic work must be performed under the supervision of a professional engineer or an “approved person” as per the requirements mandated in BC’s “Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual (SPM), Version 3” pursuant to the Public Health Act and Sewerage System Regulation. A plumber may still legally work on the building sewer upstream of its connection to a septic or holding tank but can only legally do so downstream of that connection if they are also certified as, or working under the supervision of, an approved person.

Now complete Self-Test 3 and check your answers.

Self-Test 3