Confirm the UFC 3-420-01 version and the IPC edition UFC 1-200-01 adopts for the project, then read the plumbing set against the UFC’s section-by-section IPC modifications rather than the unmodified IPC. Pay particular attention to emergency showers and eyewash stations, Legionella risk management in the hot water system, building drain cleanouts, and storm drainage, where DoD departs from the model code. AI can flag conflicts; the plumbing engineer of record and the DoD reviewer decide compliance.
What does UFC 3-420-01 cover?
The digital UFC 3-420-01 states that it guides the design of plumbing systems and the selection of plumbing materials, fixtures, and equipment for DoD military construction, with the same applicability as UFC 1-200-01. It defines the plumbing system as water supply and distribution, fixtures and traps, soil, waste, and vent piping, storm drainage, acid and industrial waste, special gases, and water heating, from inside the structure to a short distance outside. Its technical requirements chapter covers the companion UFS 3-420-01, safety, sustainability, reliability, siting, and piping arrangement.
WBDG’s UFC 3-420-01 page lists the criteria as active digital UFC content, first published July 2, 2026, and tells teams to refer to UFC 1-200-01 for project applicability. The digital criteria viewer labels the latest version June 4, 2026. Checked October 16, 2026. The text uses the IPC, including errata, as the DoD plumbing code except as modified, makes the IPC’s advisory provisions mandatory, and numbers its modifications to the 2024 IPC only for reference, deferring to UFC 1-200-01 for the adopted edition. WBDG’s change summary describes a major rewrite and consolidation. Contracts awarded before the reissue may invoke a superseded PDF version; record the version and date the task order names.
The IPC modifications chapter follows the IPC’s own chapter order and marks each entry as an addition, deletion, replacement, or supplement. It also redirects IPC references: the IBC to UFC 1-200-01, the IMC to UFC 3-410-01, the IFC to UFC 3-600-01, and the IECC to UFC 1-200-02. See the IPC guide, the UFC 1-200-01 guide, and the plumbing fixture count guide, since the UFC also changes how occupants are counted for fixtures.
Gather the plumbing set and the hazards it serves
Collect the task order naming the UFC versions, the plumbing design analysis and drawings prepared to UFS 3-420-01, the plumbing plans, risers, and details, the water heater, mixing valve, and recirculation pump schedules, the roof drainage plan, the civil utility plan where the building sewer leaves the building, the plumbing specifications, and the electrical and fire alarm drawings that serve plumbing equipment.
For shops, battery rooms, and hazardous material areas, add the hazard inventory or industrial hygiene input. The UFC ties emergency shower and eyewash locations, alarms, and drain destinations to the hazards and waste systems present.
Trace the IPC modifications through the plumbing set
| Review question | Sources to compare | Decision to record |
|---|---|---|
| UFC version and IPC edition | Task order, plumbing general notes, specifications | Confirm one UFC 3-420-01 version and that the IPC edition cited is the one UFC 1-200-01 adopts. |
| Emergency showers and eyewash | Hazard inventory, plumbing plans, electrical plans, alarm details | Locate each station against its hazard and confirm the flow alarm, GFCI protection, and drain destination are drawn. |
| Legionella and hot water | Water heater and mixing valve schedules, recirculation details, specifications | Check the water management basis cites ASHRAE 188 and Guideline 12 and that setpoints and recirculation agree across documents. |
| Cleanouts and building sewer | Plumbing site plan, civil utility plan, plumbing details | Find where the cleanout at the building drain and sewer junction is shown and any owner approval to place it inside. |
| Storm drainage | Roof drainage plan, plumbing risers, specifications | Confirm the roof drainage is not a siphonic system and that conductors and drains are insulated where the UFC requires. |
| Restricted systems and routes | Plumbing plans, vent risers, reflected ceiling and telecom plans | Flag air admittance valves, single-stack or engineered vents, and piping in air plenums or over electronic equipment rooms. |
Fixture selection continues in the plumbing fixture specifications guide, hot water insulation in the ASHRAE 90.1 guide, and the full discipline log in the plumbing drawing checklist.
Example: an eyewash station in a battery room
Hypothetical example. A vehicle maintenance facility includes a battery charging room. The plumbing plan shows an emergency shower and eyewash station with a floor drain piped to the sanitary sewer, while the same plan shows a neutralization tank serving the battery room sinks. The electrical drawings show no circuit for a flow alarm, strobe, or local horn at the station.
The plumbing plan routes the floor drain at ES/EWS-1 in Battery Room 108 to the sanitary sewer, although a neutralization tank serves the same room, and the electrical drawings show no flow alarm, strobe, or audible device for the station. Confirm the drain destination and coordinate the alarm with the plumbing and electrical drawings.
The plumbing engineer confirms the drain connection with the installation’s environmental office and the electrical engineer adds the alarm circuit. The finding compares documents; it is not a hazard assessment.
Review DoD plumbing documents with Groundbook
Upload the current drawings and specifications to Groundbook, and state the edition, amendments, and review scope in your instructions. Add UFC 3-420-01 and the other UFCs the task order names from WBDG, which publishes them free, plus the model codes and standards the project uses from copies you are licensed to upload.
Compare the plumbing plans, risers, details, and schedules, the roof drainage plan, the civil utility plan, the specifications, and the electrical drawings for plumbing equipment. Flag a conflicting UFC or IPC edition, emergency showers and eyewash stations without an alarm or drain destination, hot water setpoints and recirculation that disagree, a cleanout inside the building without owner approval, siphonic roof drainage, and air admittance valves. Use the supplied UFC 3-420-01 and cite both sources.
Groundbook links each potential finding to the sheets and documents involved. It does not size piping, water heaters, or pumps, or perform hydraulic calculations.
Document review does not certify compliance with DoD criteria or replace the plumbing engineer of record, the real property owner, or the DoD authority having jurisdiction.