ASME A112.6.3 Standard Guide - Floor Drain Requirements

ASME A112.6.3 is the American National Standard for floor, area, adjustable floor and trench drains used inside buildings. Published by ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers), it sets the design and performance requirements drainage products must meet for the North American market, and it is referenced by plumbing codes and specifiers across the United States.

Scope

The standard covers drain bodies and related components installed in building floors, including:

• Floor drains - point drains for general floor areas.
• Area drains - larger surface drainage.
• Adjustable floor drains - units with adjustable height or extension for varying slab and finish depths.
• Trench drains - linear / channel drainage.

What it specifies

• Materials - requirements for the materials used, including stainless steel, cast iron and plastic (PVC) constructions, with expectations for corrosion resistance and structural integrity.
• Flow-rate performance - how much water the drain passes under test conditions, which determines whether it handles the expected discharge.
• Load ratings - the load the grate and body must support, matched to traffic in the installation area.
• Dimensions - sizing and connection dimensions so products interface correctly with plumbing systems.
• Installation - guidance for correct installation.

Related standards and third-party listing

• ASME A112.3.1 - covers stainless-steel drainage systems, including linear / channel drains, with installation and performance requirements.
• Third-party listing - for drains used with plumbing systems, many US and Canadian jurisdictions require third-party listing or certification, commonly cUPC through IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) or CSA for Canada. A listing appears in the IAPMO directory and is what an inspector or specifier checks.
• NSF/ANSI - commercial kitchen and food-service drainage may additionally require NSF/ANSI certification for sanitary use.
• Plumbing codes - the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) reference these standards; local amendments vary, so confirm the code in force for the project location.

What to request when specifying for North America

Per model, ask for: the material and grade specification; flow-rate test data; load-rating evidence; dimensional drawings; and - where the application requires it - the cUPC/IAPMO or CSA listing number so you can verify it in the issuing directory. If a listing does not exist for a model, you need to know that before specifying it into a code-regulated system.

Which standard applies to which product

• ASME A112.6.3 - floor, area, adjustable floor and trench drains (the drain body and its performance).
• ASME A112.3.1 - stainless-steel drainage systems, including linear / channel drains.
• Material and type specifics - depending on the item, additional material or performance standards may also apply; confirm which documents govern your exact product.

"Complies with" vs "listed by" - know the difference

• "Complies with ASME ..." is normally a manufacturer's self-declaration.
• "Listed by IAPMO (cUPC)" or "certified by CSA" means an independent third party has tested and listed the product, and the listing appears in a public directory an inspector can check.
• Many code-regulated installations require the third-party listing, not just a self-declaration. Ask which one applies to the model you are buying.

Common pitfalls for importers

• A cUPC listing for one model does not cover every size or variant - listings are model- and scope-specific.
• The listed item may be the grate or the body, but not the full assembly you need.
• Food-service projects may require NSF/ANSI in addition to the plumbing listing, and this is easy to overlook.

Melody Drain confirms written, per-model documentation and listing status for US and Canadian projects before you commit - see our certification status policy.