Refrigerators with water and ice service are classified as a “plumbing appliance,” which is defined as “an energized appliance with plumbing connections, such as a dishwasher, food waste grinder, clothes washer or water heater.” The International Plumbing Code [IPC 606.2(3)] requires that a shutoff valve be installed on the supply line for each appliance and does not require that the valve be adjacent to the appliance, but “valves installed in locations that are not adjacent to the fixture or appliance shall be identified, indicating the fixture or appliance served” (IPC 606.4)  See our blog post What is the difference between a plumbing fixture, a plumbing appliance, and a plumbing appurtenance? for more on these different plumbing device categories. 

    It is also important to note that saddle valves, the type that clamp around a water supply pipe with a point that pierces the pipe to divert water to a new supply line, are readily available at hardware and home improvement stores but specifically banned by all building codes. Go to our blog post What is a saddle valve? for details.

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about SHUT-OFF VALVES:

• How do I find the main water shut off valve for my house?

• How do I shut off the main water service in a mobile/manufactured home?

• Where do I find the main water shut-off valve for my condominium?

• Does a home inspector locate the main water shut-off valve?

• Does a home inspector check and test shut-off valves? 

• Does a water heater need a shut-off valve?

• Does code require a water shut-off valve at toilets?

• Does code require a water shut-off valve at sinks?

• Does code require a water shut-off valve at showers?

• Does code require a water shut-off valve at bathtubs?

• Does code require a water shut-off valve for dishwashers?

• Which plumbing fixtures require water shut off valves in a home? 

• Is it alright to have a shut-off valve on both the hot and cold water pipes at a water heater?

• Is a shut off valve in-line on a supply line to a plumbing fixture acceptable? 

• Is a sink or toilet shut-off valve behind an access panel approved by code?

     Visit our APPLIANCES and PLUMBING pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.