IAPMO update
By Ron George
President, Ron George Design & Consulting Services
I traveled to San Diego to attend the 80th Annual International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Education and Business Conference September 26th through October 1st. The IAPMO Education and Business Conference has become one of the best plumbing education conferences in the industry. IAPMO has a good format for creating an environment for learning with their plumbing and mechanical workshops where they have the attendees break into teams and solve problems that have been provided on worksheets. When the problems are worked out, the assembly goes over them with the education workshop team directing the efforts.
President Bob Siemsen was re-elected to another term as president. Newly-elected Board members also included Mike Durfee, Steve Nastruz and Ed Avila. Outgoing board members are Fred Volkers and Doug Fredericksen.
On the final day of conference, Russ Chaney, the IAPMO executive director, gave his report to the membership. He addressed the following major activities of IAPMO over the past year, and he offered a taste of what is to come in 2010:
Code development
IAPMO completed the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code and they are available for sale. The codes have been designated as American National Standards by ANSI. In late 2009, the Uniform Solar Energy Code and Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code will be available. They are in the process of gaining ANSI approval for these codes as well. For the first time, the Illustrated Training Manuals will include all of the code text. In the past only selected text was included in the training manuals. Now the following code support publications will be available in late 2009:
- UPC Illustrated Training Manual
- UMC Illustrated Training Manual
- Study Guides
- Cumulative Analyses
IAPMO green
IAPMO is developing a Green Plumbing & Mechanical Code Supplement. The Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement will be available in February 2010. This publication is meant to complement the UPC, UMC and any other plumbing and mechanical code already in use. The 2012 code cycle will likely see proposed changes from the Green Technical Committee for consideration. IAPMO continues to work closely with the Alliance for Water Efficiency, ASHRAE, ASME A112 Committee on Plumbing, Green Building Initiative, Green Mechanical Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Green Building Council, WaterSmart Innovations and GreenPlumbers® USA. Each of these organizations share a common goal to educate the plumbing industry on the importance of sustainable plumbing practices.
IAPMO and the World Plumbing Council will host the 2nd Emerging Technology Symposium on May 11 - 12, 2010 in Ontario, Calif. IAPMO is currently seeking panelists, speakers and presenters in a variety of interests. Go to the following web site for more information: http://www.iapmo.org/Pages/EmergingTechnologiesSymposium_NoPics.aspx.
IAPMO, through efforts of Pete Demarco, has played a major role in organizing the Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition (PERC) whose purpose is to develop research programs to improve efficiency in plumbing and mechanical systems while not compromising health and safety. The coalition includes IAPMO, the Alliance for Water Efficiency, International Code Council, Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors and the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute. Their first research program is to investigate drainline transport due to market transition toward high efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings.
IAPMO recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GreenPlumbers® USA which will provide training and certification sessions throughout the nation on sustainable plumbing. Further, the training materials for the Green Plumbers USA will exclusively use content from the 2009 UPC and UMC, as well as the 2010 Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement. IAPMO and GreenPlumbers® USA will work together to create green plumbing and mechanical inspector’s certification, and to introduce the GreenPlumbers® program to India, China and the Middle East in 2010 and 2011.
Chapters
IAPMO welcomed four new chapters over the last year — northeastern Pennsylvania, Ohio State, West Virginia and southeast Pittsburg, Kansas. IAPMO now has 57 chapters located around the world.
Career services
IAPMO was recently accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training. Over the last year, IAPMO has added more than 60 new seminars that can give continuing education credit hours for attending IAPMO Training Seminars. Career Services now offers approximately 150 seminars nationwide. Seminars can be customized for a specific need, including seminars covering the IPC and IMC.
Over the last year, IAPMO became a member of the National Certification Program for Construction Code Inspectors (NCPCCI). Representatives of IAPMO now serve on the NCPCCI Board of Directors and exam development committees.
Backflow Prevention Institute
With the United Association, the Backflow Prevention Institute is revising the Backflow Prevention Manual, which will be used by the UA for their curriculum. Additionally, the BPI continues to offer courses nationwide.
Field operations
The regional managers continued offering code advocacy support, chapter support, member recruitment, education programs and general support of all IAPMO Group activities. Some field managers also began conducting continuous compliance inspections for IAPMO R&T.
Code adoptions
IAPMO code development staff is currently assisting numerous states and agencies in drafting their amendments in support of the most current edition of the Uniform Codes. To follow are recent/upcoming adoptions:
- California — The 2010 California Plumbing Code and California Mechanical Code will be based on the 2009 UPC and UMC, respectively.
- Idaho — the Idaho Plumbing Code is based on the 2009 UPC.
- Montana — To adopt the 2009 UPC.
- Washington — To adopt the 2009 UPC.
- Illinois — the Village of Homer Glen adopted the 2006 UMC and USEC.
- Kansas — The towns of Topeka and Seneca adopted the 2006 UPC and UMC.
- Missouri — St. Louis adopted the 2009 UPC.
- Texas — Austin adopted the 2006 UMC.
- Texas — Houston is finalizing the adoption of the 2006 UPC and UMC.
Standards
Mr. Chaney also reported that the IAPMO Standards Department is working with the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals to develop two former ASME standards — Suction Fittings and Safety Vacuum Release Systems. The Standards Department also has expanded the development of IAPMO standards that cover green and graywater products.
World Plumbing Council
IAPMO is represented as Deputy Chairman of the World Plumbing Council Executive Board. The Board also welcomed a new member in Rich Prospal of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering.
Staff development
Mr. Chaney stated that the IAPMO staff is the best in the industry. The Board recognizes the value of staff and family, and in recruiting and maintaining the best there is. I am very proud of the work that the staff of The IAPMO Group has accomplished.
Mr. Chaney reported that IAPMO recently purchased a new building near their existing building. The Existing building is being expanded for additional lab spaces. The state of the economy redirected The IAPMO Group’s efforts, but overall, the association has grown. Construction of the new facility may begin in early 2010 and will house the administrative departments and executive staff. The association continues to focus on membership needs, customer service and protecting health and safety.
For more information about IAPMO check out their website at www.IAPMO.org.
Ron George is president of Ron George Design & Consulting Services. He has served as Chairman of the International Residential Plumbing & Mechanical Code Committee. He is active in plumbing code and plumbing product standard development committees with ICC, IAPMO, ASSE, ASME, ISEA and ASTM. His company specializes in plumbing, piping, fire protection and HVAC system design and consulting services. He also provides plumbing and mechanical code consulting services and he provides investigations of mechanical system failures and litigation support. His company also provides 3D cad services and Building Information Modeling (BIM) services.
To contact Ron, e-mail: rgdc@rongeorgedesign.com. Web site: www.rongeorgedesign.com.