NASSCO BSDI Standard for Inspecting Building Sewers and Drains

After years of dedicated commitment by NASSCO’s Lateral and Building Pipe Committee, NASSCO launched its newest certification program: Building Sewer and Drain Inspection (BSDI) in February.

Based heavily on PACP standards, BSDI is similar to PACP, LACP and MACP because it teaches contractors to use unique codes to identify conditions within a pipe. PACP is used to assess mainlines; LACP is used to assess laterals. Meanwhile, MACP is used to assess manholes. BSDI focuses on building sewers and drains (including laterals).

While LACP and BSDI are both used to inspect laterals, the difference is that BSDI inspections typically start from inside or close to the building. They go down through the lateral toward the sewer main. On the other hand, LACP inspections typically start from inside the sewer main and go up through the lateral toward the building, without going into it.

The idea for BSDI came about five years ago when a realtor in Northern Virginia asked NASSCO to review a CCTV of a lateral inspection. This inspection was conducted prior to the sale of a home. Her client was advised that the entire lateral needed to be dug up and replaced. After viewing the video, our then-Technical Director, Lynn Osborn, P.E., disagreed with the findings. The video was nearly impossible to read. After a proper inspection by a new contractor, it was determined that the pipe did need some spot repairs. These were accomplished using cured-in-place pipe technology vs. dig and replace.

Around that same time, NASSCO was also contacted by a representative from PHCC (Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association) of Pennsylvania.

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