Division 22 Plumbing

Performance Specification Gap in Division 22 Plumbing submittals

By Deviation Check Editorial Team. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.

Short answer

A measurable performance property in the submittal (rating, capacity, tolerance, efficiency) does not meet what the spec requires. Default grade in Division 22 Plumbing: Blocker.

A measurable performance property in the submittal (rating, capacity, tolerance, efficiency) does not meet what the spec requires. This guide covers how it shows up specifically in Division 22 Plumbing submittals.

What to look for in Division 22 Plumbing

Key performance parameters in plumbing submittals:

  • Pipe pressure rating (SDR rating, schedule number, psi working pressure)
  • Pipe material specification (Type L vs Type M copper, Schedule 40 vs 80 steel/PVC, CPVC, PEX class)
  • Flow rate (GPM) at design conditions for water heaters and fixtures
  • Temperature rise (degrees F at rated flow for water heaters)
  • Thermal efficiency (%) for water heaters (condensing vs non-condensing)
  • First-hour rating and recovery rate (GPH) for storage water heaters
  • Input capacity (BTU/hr for gas, kW for electric water heaters)
  • Storage capacity (gallons)
  • Fixture water consumption (GPF for water closets and urinals per EPA WaterSense, GPM for lavatory faucets and showerheads)
  • Backflow preventer rating (ASSE 1012, 1013, 1015, 1024 per hazard classification)
  • Grease interceptor capacity (GPM flow rate, grease retention in lbs)
  • Roof drain flow capacity (GPM at design head)
  • Expansion tank volume (gallons, acceptance volume at operating pressure)
  • Insulation thickness for hot water piping (per ASHRAE 90.1 Table 6.8.3)
  • Pipe velocity limits (fps for copper, steel, plastic per manufacturer/code)

How severe is it?

Default grade: Blocker. Always a Blocker when the gap touches life-safety or structural performance.

Deviation Check assigns a default per category and escalates or de-escalates based on the spec, always showing its reasoning. See the Division 22 severity rules.

What the PM should do

Treat this as a hold. Do not approve the submittal until the sub resolves it, either by providing the specified product and documentation or by routing an approved substitution or or-equal request. Return the relevant spec passage to the sub as a redline.

Back to the Division 22 Plumbing hub, browse all divisions, or start a review.

Frequently asked questions

Which Division 22 Plumbing performance parameters most often come in below spec on a submittal review?

Water heater gaps are the most common - submitted units frequently miss the specified thermal efficiency percentage, BTU/hr input capacity, first-hour rating, or recovery rate in GPH. Fixture water consumption is another frequent gap: GPF for water closets and urinals must meet EPA WaterSense requirements, and GPM for lavatory faucets must hit the design value. Pipe pressure rating - SDR number, schedule, or psi working pressure - also fails often when Type M copper is submitted where Type L is specified.

Why does an incorrect ASSE standard rating on a backflow preventer count as a performance gap in Division 22 Plumbing submittals?

ASSE standards 1012, 1013, 1015, 1024, and others map to specific hazard classifications. A device rated for a lower hazard level than the actual service does not provide code-required protection. The submittal must show the correct ASSE number for the hazard present. Submitting an ASSE 1012 device for a high-hazard application that requires ASSE 1013 is always a Blocker because it touches life-safety performance.

View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.