Appliance store says I need a shutoff valve behind the refrigerator. They want a valve box in the wall to attach their flexible water line. The plumber put in flexible copper tubing with the shutoff valve under the sink. Appliance store says that's against code. I live in California if that makes a difference. The copper tubing is the smooth type. The refrigerator is a LG French door.
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Most appliance installers' policy dictates that their installers CANNOT attach to refrigerator water lines to any supply that can't be shut off at the refrigerator area,i.e. not in cabinets or opposite walls etc. It has to do with liability of potentially causing water damage by crawling in a sink cabinet or similar, or other areas. The dishwasher install is an exception for obvious reasons. That is the case for appliance installers contracted by Lowes and Home Depot. They are not trying to match CODE but it works out that way and it is an easier reason to share with customers.
Joe
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The person that said it's not necessarily a code thing, but rather a liability thing is correct. Most of these installers are independent contractors and are small businesses. They simply aren't going to take the risk no matter who is wrong or right about code. If they see it as a leak liability, they will not do it. Likewise, big corporations like Lowe's, Home Debot, Best Buy have rules for their installers that may be stricter than code. This has to do with what they are willing to provide as a service and what they are not willing to provide. Just because they say no, doesn't mean it's due to code. It is due to liability.
But, The guy at the appliance store is mostly correct. California plumbing code 606.5 states:
A control valve shall be installed immediately ahead of each water-supplied appliance and immediately ahead of each slip joint or appliance supply.
The code does not say the valve has to be right at the refrigerator, as a matter of fact, it doesn't state anything about distance at all. But, it does say that it has to be installed "immediately" ahead of each slip joint or appliance supply. It also says that the shutoff is supposed to be "dedicated." So that means if you hooked it up to a dual valve that also connects to the faucet, that is incorrect because it's not dedicated.
ThreePhaseEel
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Nick Saunders
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Actual code says "Within 6 feet, and easily accessible." Under kitchen sink IS ACCEPTABLE.
