Sec. 34-266. - Plumbing and plumbing fixtures.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to plumbing and plumbing fixtures unless the following requirements are met:

(1)

Contamination of water supply generally. All plumbing is so designed and installed as to prevent contamination of the water supply through backflow, backsiphonages and any other method of contamination.

(2)

Direct connection to nonpotable water supply. All plumbing is so designed and installed that no potable water supply line or plumbing fixture is directly connected to a nonpotable water supply.

(3)

Cross-connections. Every water supply line is so constructed that there is no possibility of a cross-connection between a potable and a nonpotable water supply line in accordance with the building code.

(4)

Condition of water supply lines, valves. Every water supply line is in good working condition and every valve therein is in good working condition.

(5)

Water supply inlets. Every water supply inlet is located above the flood level of any installed sink, lavatory, bathtub or automatic washing and similar water-using fixture, or above some unobstructible overflow thereof; and there are no submerged inlets, except submerged inlets installed with a vacuum breaker of a type approved by the enforcement officer.

(6)

Traps in waste lines. The waste line of every water-using fixture is trapped.

(7)

Draining and condition of waste line drains. Every waste line drains freely without obstruction or leaks.

(8)

Maintenance and cleanliness generally. All plumbing and plumbing fixtures are maintained in good working condition, and all plumbing fixtures are kept clean.

(9)

Water pressure. Water pressure is adequate when it permits a flow of two gallons per minute of water from any open water faucet at all times.

(10)

Construction, etc., of flush toilets. Every flush water closet or toilet shall be constructed with a bowl and trap made in one piece, which is of such shape and form and which holds a sufficient quantity of water so that no fecal matter will collect on the surface of the bowl and which is equipped with flushing rims which permit the bowl to be properly flushed and scoured when water is discharged through the flushing rims.

(Code 1968, § 34-46; Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 21(f), 7-2-92)

State law reference— Plumbing requirements, 31 Del. C. § 4116.

Sec. 34-267. - Gas facilities.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to gas facilities unless the following requirements are met:

(1)

Venting. All gas-burning hot water heaters and space heaters are properly vented to a chimney or duct leading to outdoor space.

(2)

Condition of pipes generally. Every gas pipe is sound and tightly put together, with no leaks.

(3)

Corrosion or obstruction of pipes. No gas pipe is corroded or obstructed so as to reduce gas pressure or volume.

(4)

Pipe material. Every gas appliance is connected to a gas line with metal piping.

(5)

Gas pressure. Gas pressure is adequate to permit a proper flow of gas from all open gas valves at all times.

(Code 1968, § 34-49; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

Sec. 34-268. - Electric wiring and facilities generally.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to electric wiring and facilities unless the following requirements are met:

(1)

Insulation of wire. Every exposed electric wire has insulation which is in good condition.

(2)

Installation of switch and outlet plates. Every switch plate and outlet plate is properly fastened in position.

(3)

Short circuits, etc. No short circuit or break exists in any electric line.

(4)

Functioning, etc., of fixtures and outlets. Every fixture and outlet functions properly and is properly fastened in place.

(5)

Shock hazards. No obvious shock hazard exists. In order to eliminate the potential for shock hazards, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens, the installation and maintenance in good order of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), as defined in the National Electrical Code 1996 Edition, shall be required in all dwelling units.

(6)

Temporary wiring. No temporary wiring is used, except extension cords which run directly from portable electric fixtures to convenience outlets, and which do not lie underneath floor-covering materials or extend through doorways, transoms or other similar apertures through structural elements.

(Code 1968, § 34-50; Ord. No. 98-037, § 1, 4-2-98; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

State law reference— Electrical facilities, 31 Del. C. § 4118.

Sec. 34-269. - Heating and heating facilities generally.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to heating and heating facilities unless the following requirements are met:

(1)

Central systems generally. When the dwelling or dwelling unit is heated by a central heating system:

a.

The central heating unit is in good operating condition.

b.

Every heat duct, steam pipe and hot water pipe is free of leaks and functions so that adequate heat is delivered where intended.

c.

Every seal between the sections of a hot air furnace is in good repair.

(2)

Portable heaters. There are no portable heaters burning solid, liquid or gaseous fuels.

(3)

Smoke pipes and chimneys. Every smoke pipe and every chimney is adequately supported and maintained in such condition that there will be no leakage or backing up of noxious gases.

(Code 1968, § 34-51; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

State law reference— Heating facilities, 31 Del. C. § 4117.

Sec. 34-270. - Lighting.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to lighting unless every public hall, stairway and foyer has sufficient lighting through windows or from electric lights to provide illumination of at least one foot-candle on every part of such areas at all times of the day and night, except as otherwise provided by section 34-234(8).

(Code 1968, § 34-52; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

State law reference— Lighting requirements, 31 Del. C. § 4115.

Sec. 34-271. - Insect and rodent control.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to exclusion of insects and rodents unless it complies with sections 34-234(9) and 34-234(10) and with the requirement that every basement or cellar window shall be supplied with a heavy wire screen of not larger than one-fourth-inch mesh.

(Code 1968, § 34-53; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

State law reference— Extermination, 31 Del. C. § 4121.

Sec. 34-272. - Roofs.

The roof of every dwelling shall be tight and have no defects that admit rain.

(Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 21(g)(34-54), 7-2-92; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

State law reference— Roofs, 31 Del. C. § 4113(f).

Sec. 34-273. - Stairs and porches.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to stairs and porches unless the following requirements are met:

(1)

Holes, grooves and cracks. Every flight of stairs and porch is free of holes, grooves and cracks which are large enough to constitute possible accident hazards.

(2)

Rails generally. Every stairwell, and every flight of stairs which is more than three risers high, has rails not less than two feet, six inches, measured vertically from the nose of the treads to the top of the rail, and every porch which is more than three risers high has rails not less than three feet, six inches above the platform.

(3)

Fastening and maintenance of rails, etc. Every rail and balustrade is firmly fastened and is maintained in good condition.

(4)

Settling, etc. No flight of stairs has settled more than one inch out of its intended position or has pulled away from supporting or adjacent structures.

(5)

Supports. No flight of stairs has rotting or deteriorating supports.

(6)

Treads, height. The treads of every flight of stairs are uniform in height and comply with the building code as adopted and amended in chapter 4 of this Code.

(7)

Condition, etc., generally. Every stair tread is sound and is securely fastened in position.

(8)

Strength. Every stair tread is strong enough to bear a concentrated load of at least 400 pounds without danger of breaking through.

(9)

Porches, floors. Every porch has a sound floor.

(10)

Porch supports. No porch has rotting or deteriorating supports.

(Code 1968, § 34-56; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

Sec. 34-274. - Bathroom and water closet compartment floors.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to water closet compartment and bathroom floors unless every water closet compartment floor and bathroom floor is made of terrazzo, tile, smooth concrete, dense hardwood with tightly fitting joints, rubber, asphalt tile, linoleum or other similar material providing a surface which is reasonably impervious to water and is easily cleanable; or such floor is made of one of the denser soft woods, with tightly fitting joints, and is covered with varnish, lacquer or other similar coating providing a surface which is reasonably impervious to water and is easily cleanable.

(Code 1968, § 34-57; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

State law reference— Plumbing facilities, 31 Del. C. § 4116.

Sec. 34-275. - General sanitation.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to general sanitation unless the following requirements are met:

(1)

Floors and floor coverings. Every floor and floor covering is kept reasonably clean and is not littered or covered with dirt, dust, garbage, human or animal fecal matter, or any other unsanitary thing.

(2)

Walls and ceilings. Every wall and ceiling is reasonably clean and is not littered or covered with dust, dirt, cobwebs or greasy film.

(3)

Stagnant water. No stagnant water is allowed to accumulate or stand anywhere about the premises.

(Code 1968, § 34-58; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

Sec. 34-276. - All windows to be operable.

No dwelling or dwelling unit shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this chapter relating to windows unless every window is operable and readily opened and closed. The requirements of this section shall mean that both parts of a double-hung window shall be moveable up and down and that any window that opens outward or that opens inward shall be maintained so as to do so. This provision shall not apply to windows that are on the fourth or higher story of a building.

(Ord. No. 98-077, § 1, 7-30-98; Ord. No. 98-135, § 1, 11-20-98; Ord. No. 06-054(sub 1), § 5, 10-19-06)

Secs. 34-277—34-300. - Reserved.