Plumbing code and standard industry news update
By Ron George,CPD,
President, Ron George Design & Consulting Svcs.
There area lot of developments taking place with the two model plumbing code organizations and with some of the Plumbing Standards writing organizations. The following is a summary of what is going on with the Uniform Codes, The International Codes and with American Society of Mechanical Engineers A112 - Plumbing Materials and Equipment Committee.
International Code Council (ICC) news
The International Code Council (ICC) held their code development hearings in Dallas on May 16 – 22, 2011. Proposed changes were heard on the International Green Construction Code, (IgCC), which included hearings by the Green Energy/Water Committee (GEW) and the Green General committee (GG). Hearings were also held on a new International Code, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (SP). The final results of the hearings and the proposed code change monographs are available online. The deadline for public comments is August 12, 2011.
A summary of the actions, including descriptions of modifications and the full report of the public hearings are posted in the code development section of the ICC website at www.iccsafe.org. Code change proponents and those who received a CD of the code change monograph will automatically receive a CD containing the report. Public hearing registrants and other interested parties may obtain the CD by sending the return coupon posted on the ICC website. A public comment form can be downloaded at www.iccsafe.org.
Final Action hearings are scheduled to be held Nov. 2 – 6 in Phoenix. Online posting of the Final Action agenda should be about September 16, 2011, and hearing results should be available about November 11. The proposed changes to the 2015 International Plumbing Code and other Group A codes are due January 3, 2012.
Following are upcoming dates for ICC code development meetings:
• 2011 annual conference and Final Action hearings: International Green Construction Code (IgCC) and International Swimming Pool Code (ISPC), November 2 – 6, 2011, Phoenix Convention Center;
• 2012 spring hearings for the 2015 edition of the International Codes, code development hearings (Group A Codes: IBC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IPSDC), April 29 – May 6, 2012, Sheraton Dallas Hotel; and
• 2012 annual conference and 2015 edition, Group A Final Action hearings, October 24 –28, 2012, Oregon Convention Center.
Colombia develops plumbing code based on International plumbing, private sewage disposal codes
After an extensive and thorough review process conducted by the Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y Certificación (ICONTEC), the Colombian National Standards body selected the 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the 2009 International Private Sewage Disposal Code (IPSD) as the base codes for developing the Colombian Plumbing Code. The International Code Council and ICONTEC signed an agreement to expand collaboration between the two organizations that began in 2008.
The agreement provides a framework for technical cooperation among ICONTEC and the ICC to assist in the adaptation, development and implementation of relevant ICC Codes for Colombia’s market and to provide building code programs for ICONTEC and Colombian design and construction professionals in the plumbing field.
The Code Council’s global services staff and its Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) group worked closely to advance the relationship with ICONTEC and Asociación de profesionales en conducción de fluidos (APROCOF).
Jim Olk to chair International Code Council’s PMG officials council
Jim Olk, a building official in Farmers Branch, Texas, has been named chair of the newly created ICC PMG Officials Membership Council governing committee. He is a past Building Officials of Texas president.
McKenzie James, plumbing inspector for the city of Portland, Ore., will serve as vice chair. Council members are Wes Davis, Air Conditioning Contractors of America; Carvin DiGiovanni, Association of Pool & Spa Professionals; Darrin Drollinger, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers; Michael Fink, city of Philadelphia; Eli Howard, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association; Jim Kendzel, American Society of Plumbing Engineers; Kenneth Kerr, American Backflow Prevention Association; Roger Rotundo, city of Phoenix; Bob Scott, Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers and Charles Withers, National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.
The ICC board approved five discipline-specific membership councils: Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas; Building Officials; Fire Service; Global Members and Sustainability, which includes energy. Each council will advocate for concerns and issues that are of particular importance to its discipline.
Through this governing committee, the membership councils will do the following:
• Build and improve relationships with all stakeholders who have a specific interest in the activities of the PMG Membership Council;
• Provide opportunities to enhance the understanding, acceptance and adoption of ICC codes related to the scope of the membership council;
• Make recommendations for ICC training, certification and other programs specific to the interests of the PMG membership council;
• Keep stakeholders informed and engaged in the association’s activities; and
• Act as an advocate for professional or technical interest areas and receive feedback.
Details on how members may affiliate with the PMG Membership Council will be announced soon. There is no charge for participation, and everyone interested in plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and swimming pools is urged to monitor the ICC website for announcements, to get involved and to enroll in the council.
News from IAPMO
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) representatives were in Washington D.C., on May 24, 2011, to meet with White House officials, senators and congressional representatives to discuss high performing buildings.
IAPMO president Dan Daniels and IAPMO chief executive officer Russ Chaney have pledged IAPMO’s help in promoting High Performance Building Week. They held a press conference at the Rayburn House Office Building and had meetings at the White House, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Capitol Building.
Daniels and Chaney highlighted IAPMO’s Green Plumbers training and accreditation program, their new Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, as well as their Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Solar Energy Code and Uniform Swimming Pool Spa and Hot Tub Code. They also reported that IAPMO is creating a “Certified Water Auditor” and “Certified Water Manager” curriculum for federal buildings personnel, facilities managers, utility water staff, energy conservation staff and building commissioning personnel.
These certified water auditors and managers will be able to identify practical and affordable water conservation measures for their buildings that will meet and exceed the 2020 conservation mandates, while simultaneously providing a core competency for continued future water efficiency and savings.
IAPMO contributes to Consultative Council report
The National Institute on Building Sciences (NIBS) had critical input from IAPMO for the 2010 Consultative Council report, a collection of findings and recommendations on high-level issues impacting the building community that was presented to President Obama and subsequently delivered by the president to Congress. The Consultative Council has established topical committees consisting of representatives from many industry organizations to prepare a report on each of the following issues:
• Defining high performance and common metrics
• Energy and water efficiency
• Codes and standards adoption and enforcement
• Sustainability
• Education and training
• Existing buildings
IAPMO director of special programs, Pete DeMarco, served as facilitator on the committee examining energy and water efficiency. The committee presented nine findings and recommendations. The United Association’s Larry Bulman facilitated the committee on education and training.
The Consultative Council has already convened discussions toward 2011 and has begun working to prioritize actionable items from this year’s report. For more information, check out www.nibs.org/cc/activities.
IAPMO monographs and reports move away from hardcopy format
Furthering their organization’s wide green initiative, IAPMO will now offer its code monographs and committee reports in digital format only, unless formally requested otherwise. The Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC), Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC), Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code® (USPSHTC) and Uniform Solar Energy Code® (USEC) are model codes that are developed as part of IAPMO’s ANSI-accredited consensus development process. The following documents will be available in Adobe pdf format via digital download at www.iapmo.org/Pages/DownloadCenter.aspx:
• Proposed code change monograph
• Report on proposals (ROP)
• Proposed code change comment monograph
• Report on comments (ROC)
Those wishing to receive a paper copy of these documents can do so by completing the request form available at www.iapmo.org/Documents/RequestFormROP-ROC.pdf and delivering it to Alma Ramos via fax (909/472-4246), email (alma.ramos@iapmo.org) or standard mail (IAPMO c/o Code Development, 4755 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761).
Although printed copies of the ROP and ROC will not be available at the respective code development hearings, attendees with laptops will have designated seating areas. All requested printed copies will be mailed 30 days prior to the respective hearing dates.
ASME A112 Plumbing Materials and Equipment Committee news
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has published several new standards and updated several others over the past few years. Some of the standards are referenced in the model codes and some are in the process of being proposed for inclusion as referenced standards in the next code cycles. Each standard has a scoping statement, which is important as it assures that a product is not misapplied or used in an application that is inconsistent with its intended use.
Most standards have a section on general requirements that covers specific requirements for that product or classifications of product types and a section on definitions. The standard also includes a section on testing that should include testing for the extreme pressures, temperatures and conditions to which the product will be exposed.
The task group or task force for each standard provides input on language for tests that should be included for each standard, based on the product’s intended purpose or scope. Generally, the tests are listed in order and should be performed, unless noted otherwise. Also included are requirements for each test and criteria for passing or failing.
The final section in each standard typically includes product marking requirements. All products certified to meet the requirements of the standard must be marked. Generally, the manufacturer, model number and standard number are required to be displayed on the product so that anyone, including the inspector, can verify that the product meets the minimum requirements in the code. The new or recently revised ASME standards are as follows:
ASME A112.4.1 — 2009: Water Heater Relief Valve Drain Tubes. The scope of the standard covers performance requirements and test methods applicable to water heater relief valve drain (or blow-off) tubes for use with relief valves having a steam rating of 105,000 Btu/hr or less.
ASME A112.4.2 — 2009: Water Closet Personal Hygiene Devices. This standard establishes general and performance requirements, test methods and marking requirements for bidet sprays and other optional features as applied to water closets, water closet seats and other retrofit devices. Products covered by this standard are intended to be supplied with cold and/or hot water. The provisions of this standard are not intended to prevent the use of any alternate material or method of construction, provided any such alternate meets the intent of the standard.
ASME A112.6.7 — 2010: Sanitary Floor Sinks. This standard applies to sanitary floor sinks and includes requirements for material, construction, inspection, testing and marking.
ASME A112.14.6 — 2010: FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases) Disposal Systems. This standard establishes requirements for fats, oils and grease (FOG) disposal systems. FOG disposal systems shall be designed to: (a) remove FOG from effluent; (b) retain separated FOG; (c) internally dispose retained FOG by means and methods of mass and volume reduction as required by paragraph 4.3.2 of the standard.
ASME A112.18.8 — 2009: In-Line Sanitary Waste Valves for Plumbing Drainage Systems. This standard establishes minimum requirements for materials in the construction of sanitary waste valves (herein after referred to as “the valve”) for use as an alternate to tubular p-traps and prescribes minimum test requirements for the performance of the valve, together with methods of marking and identification. The standard does not define the requirements for products to be used in urinals or water closets.
ASME A112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 – 2011: Plumbing Supply Fittings. This standard applies to plumbing supply fittings and accessories located between the supply line stop and the terminal fitting, inclusive of the following components: (a) automatic compensating valves for individual wall-mounted showering systems; (b) bath and shower supply fittings; (c) bidet supply fittings; (d) clothes washer supply fittings; (e) drinking fountain supply fittings; (f) humidifier supply stops; (g) kitchen, sink and lavatory supply fittings; (h) laundry tub supply fittings; (i) lawn and sediment faucets; (j) metering and self-closing supply fittings; (k) showerheads, handheld showers and body sprays and (l) supply stops.
ASME A112.18.2 / CSA B125.2 — 2011: Plumbing Waste Fittings. This standard covers plumbing waste fittings of sizes NPS-2 and smaller.
ASME A112.18.6 / CSA B125.6 — 2009: Flexible Water Connectors. This standard covers flexible water connectors for use in water supply systems under (a) continuous pressure in accessible locations and (b) intermittent pressure in recreational vehicles only.
ASME A112.19.1 / CSA B45.2 — 2008: Enamelled Cast Iron and Enamelled Steel Plumbing Fixtures. This standard covers enamelled cast iron and enamelled steel plumbing fixtures and specifies requirements for materials, construction, performance, testing and markings.
ASME A112.19.2 / CSA B45.1 — 2008: Ceramic Plumbing Fixtures. This standard covers vitreous and non-vitreous china plumbing fixtures and specifies requirements for materials, construction, performance, testing and markings. The standard’s performance requirements and test procedures apply to all types of water closets and urinals that discharge into gravity drainage systems in permanent buildings and structures, independent of occupancy.
ASME A112.19.3 /CSA B45.4 — 2008: Stainless Steel Plumbing Fixtures. This standard covers plumbing fixtures made of stainless steel alloys and specifies requirements for materials, construction, performance, testing and markings.
Ron George is president of Plumb-Tech Design and Consulting Services LLC. He has served as chairman of the International Residential Plumbing & Mechanical Code Committee. Visit www.Plumb-TechLLC.com, email Ron@Plumb-TechLLC.com or phone 734/755-1908.