Mastering Wisconsin Plumbing
This podcast is dedicated to making the Wisconsin Plumbing Code (SPS 381–387) more accessible for plumbers, apprentices, inspectors, and designers.
Mastering Wisconsin Plumbing
The New Plastic Venting Rule in Wisconsin -UL 1738
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This episode breaks down Wisconsin’s new requirement for UL 1738-listed plastic venting systems on gas-fired appliances in commercial buildings. We cover how we got here, what UL 1738 actually is, how DSPS is interpreting “repairs” vs “new systems,” and what this change means in the field.
This episode is based on:
- My continuing-education class on fuel-gas venting
- Direct correspondence with DSPS and inspectors
- Review of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and DSPS guidance
- Industry technical documentation
📘 Wisconsin Code & DSPS References
SPS 365.0501(4) – UL 1738 Requirement
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/SPS%20365.0501
DSPS UL 1738 Slide Deck (Commercial Buildings)
https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/Programs/CommercialBuildings/2021UL1738.pdf
DSPS HVAC / Code Adoption Info
https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/HVAC/Default.aspx
🔥 Fuel Gas / Venting Standards
UL 1738 Standard Overview
https://www.ul.com/news/ul-1738-and-ulc-s636-venting-systems-and-fuel-gas-codes
Venting Reinvented – ICC Article on UL 1738
https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/Venting.-Reinvented-UL-1738-Fuel-Gas-Venting-Systems.pdf
System 1738 Technical Whitepaper (IPEX)
https://ipexna.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/whitepaper-usen-ipex-system-1738.pdf
⚠️ Safety / Failure Case Studies
PVC Flue Pipe Failure – Case Study (PHCPPros)
https://www.phcppros.com/articles/1912-pvc-flue-pipe-failure
Polypropylene Venting Failures Whitepaper
https://duravent.com/literature/L277_WhitePaper_PolyPro.pdf
CPSC CO Incident Investigation Summary
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Updated_IDI_review_CO_and_modern_furnaces_and_boilers.pdf
(Anecdotal) Aspen CO Fatality Claim
https://www.chimneysavers.com/dangers-of-pvc-vent.html
UL 1738 applicability decision-tree diagram
📫 Contact
Questions? Jobsite examples? Submittal pushback?
Comment on YouTube, message through the podcast platform, or email:
📧 plumbout@gmail.com
Thanks for listening to Mastering Wisconsin Plumbing. Stay safe, read the book, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
