International Code Council reversal backs Florida plumbing panel, echoing state’s condo safety push

In Florida’s post-Surfside era, even the smallest code debates are taking on new urgency and weight.

A recent correction from a national building code agency has reinforced that trend, this time as it relates to the plumbing industry.

During an August meeting of the state’s Plumbing Technical Advisory Committee, members debated a proposal to clarify how Florida’s plumbing code applies to cured-in-place pipe repairs — a trenchless method often used in older condos and high-rises.

The discussion took a turn when opponents pointed to a document from the International Code Council’s Evaluation Service, or ICC-ES, that appeared to endorse a shortcut known as “gapping.” That method leaves small sections of pipe unlined at branch connections, something critics say could lead to leaks or contamination over time.

Because ICC-ES is one of the most respected names in building code compliance, the document carried influence and may have swayed some members during the debate.

But just weeks later, ICC-ES quietly retracted and revised the report. The new version, issued on October 16, makes clear that “gapping” is not an approved installation method under national standards or Florida’s plumbing code. Those standards require pipe liners to be continuous and fully sealed, with no gaps at service connections.

That revision came just days after the plumbing committee voted to support new language reinforcing the same point. The two moves are now aligned, confirming that Florida’s plumbing standards are consistent with national safety rules.

While the issue might seem technical, it reflects a broader shift underway across Florida. 

Since the Surfside condo collapse, the state has been tightening oversight over everything from structural inspections to repair standards. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the Legislature have made code integrity and building safety a clear priority, and regulators appear to be following that lead.

In a win for safety, the state isn’t leaving much room for shortcuts. Whether it’s concrete or cured-in-place pipe, the message from Florida’s regulators is clear: do it right, or don’t do it at all.