Indiana plumbing code: which edition applies and what it requires

Does Indiana use the IPC or the UPC?

Indiana uses the IPC. Its plumbing code is based on the International Plumbing Code.

The adopted edition matters here: 2006 IPC (2nd printing). The edition determines whether newer provisions (such as the barrier-type trap seal device) are present (see below).

What edition of the plumbing code does Indiana use, and when did it take effect?

Indiana's current edition is 2006 IPC (2nd printing), effective 2012-12-24, adopted by the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Dept of Homeland Security).

Codes update on a multi-year cycle, and an adopted-but-not-yet-effective edition can circulate near a changeover. Confirm which edition your project falls under by its permit date and your local jurisdiction.

How do local jurisdictions affect Indiana's plumbing code?

Indiana's code is the statewide baseline, but local jurisdictions enforce it and may add amendments. The local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) resolves how it applies to a specific project.

Statewide uniform (no local plumbing amendments). Confirm any local amendments and the accepted trap-seal methods with your city or county building department before relying on a provision.

What does the plumbing code require for floor drains and trap seals?

Floor drains rely on a trap, and the code requires that trap seal to be maintained. A floor drain that receives little water can lose its seal to evaporation, which opens a path for sewer gas, odors, and pests.

To prevent that, codes recognize trap seal protection methods. The two most common are a trap seal primer (which adds water to the trap) and a barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection device (which provides a mechanical seal). The right approach depends on the drain, the space, and the AHJ.

Indiana's adopted base is the 2006 IPC, which predates the barrier-type / ASSE 1072 provision added in the 2009 cycle, so the device is handled as an AHJ alternative method rather than a code-listed one.

Are barrier-type (ASSE 1072) trap seals allowed under Indiana's code?

Not by name. Indiana's adopted base is the 2006 IPC, which predates the barrier-type / ASSE 1072 provision that entered the IPC in the 2009 cycle.

That does not prohibit a barrier-type device; it means acceptance is an alternative-materials-and-methods decision made by the local AHJ. Present the device's cUPC and ASSE 1072 listing to the AHJ, and lean on the evaporation / preventive-maintenance rationale. Do not rely on a code-compliance claim here.

Do I need a permit to add a floor-drain trap seal in Indiana?

Usually not for the device itself, but always confirm with your local authority having jurisdiction.

A drop-in barrier-type trap seal device generally does not require a plumbing permit because it does not alter any piping, similar to changing a drain grate. On new construction or an already-permitted renovation, include it in the plumbing specifications.

In Indiana, plumbing permits and inspections run through Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission and the local building department, and a licensed plumber pulls permits for plumbing work. Licensing rules and reciprocity vary, so confirm them with the authority or your local jurisdiction.

Where can I read Indiana's plumbing code?

The adopting authority and code text are linked below. Always confirm current requirements against the adopted code and your local AHJ.

• www.in.gov/dhs/boards-and-commissions/fpbsc-rule...
• iar.iga.in.gov/code/2026/675/16
• www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/title-67...