IAPMO Advances Development of 2015 Uniform Codes During Technical Committee Meetings

ONTARIO, Calif. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials recently completed technical committee meetings toward the development of the 2015 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code, both American National Standards.

During the April 28-May 1 meetings at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the committees reviewed and moved to accept, amend and accept, or reject public comments regarding proposed amendments to the 2012 editions of the Uniform Codes.

Public comments to the UPC address such issues as roof drainage pipe sizing provisions; steps for using the new medical gas and vacuum sizing tables; material, water consumption and referenced standard requirements for plumbing fixtures; applying “wet location” to showers without thresholds; parallel distribution systems for PEX tubing and revised Appendix K potable rainwater catchment provisions. Public comments to the UMC address condensate control, ventilation, parking garage provisions, dishwasher hoods, type I and II hoods exhaust rates, hydronic heating  and cooling systems, flexible air ducts, specific appliances and refrigeration.

In accordance with IAPMO’s American National Standards Institute-accredited code development process, balloting through the UPC and UMC Technical Committees will begin on May 12 and conclude on May 30. The Report on Comments will be created from these balloted actions and distributed to committee members on Aug. 7.

All suggested code amendments/additions/deletions published in the ROC shall be reviewed before the public during the UPC, UMC Technical Meeting Convention at IAPMO’s annual Education and Business Conference, Sept, 14-18, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and voted upon by eligible IAPMO members in attendance at that time.

The UPC Technical Committee requested that task groups be formed to address drainage pipe sizing and Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition study findings for the 2018 code development cycle. The UMC Technical Committee requested task groups be formed to address ammonia and ducts for the 2018 code development cycle.

An ANSI audited designator, IAPMO gathers the largest assembly of plumbing and mechanical experts in the world at its annual Education and Business Conference and Technical Committee Meetings, enabling anyone — members and non-members alike — to have a voice and a vote on proposed changes to the code. The 2015 editions of the UPC and UMC will mark the fifth time these codes have been developed in this manner.  IAPMO urges its members and other interested parties to get involved in the code development process to ensure effectiveness in preserving the  public health, safety and welfare through strict governance of the Uniform Codes. Installers, plumbing and mechanical officials, the construction  industry, engineers and manufacturers all benefit from a cooperative effort in developing codes.

The entire 2015 code cycle timeline, as well as background on IAPMO’s ANSI-accredited consensus development process, can be found at  http://www.iapmo.org/Pages/CodeDevelopment.aspx. For any further questions, please contact Lynne Simnick, IAPMO vice president of code  development, at 909-472-4110 or lynne.simnick@iapmo.org.