International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
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| International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials | |
| Founded | 1926 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Key people | Russ Chaney, Executive Director; Ron Rice, President |
| Website | www.iapmo.org |
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, or IAPMO, coordinates the development and adaptation of plumbing and mechanical codes to meet the specific needs of individual jurisdictions both in the U.S. and abroad. IAPMO develops and publishes the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC); Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC); Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code; and the Uniform Solar Energy Code (USEC).
In support of these publications, IAPMO works with governmental jurisdictions, professional plumbing contractors and manufacturers to produce product standards, technical manuals, personnel certification and educational programs to meet the ever-evolving demands of the industry, as well as the health and safety needs of the public.
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[edit] History
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) was founded on May 17, 1926, with the mandate “to advance the latest and most improved methods of sanitation; to promote the welfare of and harmony between the owner, the builder, and the craftsman; to accomplish a uniformity in the application of the provisions of the ordinances; and to promulgate the mutual benefit of the members.”
The founding members of IAPMO first gathered to begin writing a model code to protect the health of the people they served from inept plumbing practices. There were 39 Southern California plumbing inspectors in the first group, including Charles Collard, the association’s first president, and Stephen Smoot, who served as association secretary from 1926 to 1954.
Originally known as the Los Angeles City Plumbing Inspectors Association (LACPIA), the group published its first incarnation of the UPC in 1928. LACPIA became the Western Plumbing Officials in 1945 and later IAPMO in 1966.
Since then, IAPMO has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. With offices in 11 states and seven countries, IAPMO has assisted with code development in such diverse places as Saudi Arabia, China, India, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Venezuela, Colombia, and the United Arab Emirates, and in support of the World Plumbing Council has also worked with the World Health Organization to help bring sound, efficient plumbing systems to developing nations.
[edit] About
The IAPMO Group focuses its comprehensive capabilities in the technical aspects of the plumbing and mechanical industries through its extensive knowledge base, which includes regulators, professional contractors and manufacturers.
As the most widely recognized codes of practice in the world used by the plumbing and mechanical industries, and the world’s only plumbing and mechanical codes designated as American National Standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), today’s UPC and UMC are routinely cited as versatile and easy-to-apply documents that can be tailored to fit almost any nation’s needs for ensuring drinking water safety and sanitary waste disposal, as well as sound heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.
[edit] Code Development
A code is a compilation of requirements based on a stated scope and is intended for adoption as primary law by a governmental unit to address an area of regulatory focus: in the IAPMO's case, the plumbing and mechanical industries.[1]
In the development of a code, reliance and dependence can be placed on a standard to address a specialized aspect of the construction industry or practice. The benefit of being ANSI-accredited is that the process involves all users of the code in all industry sectors — the process is open to everyone. Codes have their own uniquely effective and mutually interactive roles in attaining public health and safety.
[edit] The IAPMO Group
IAPMO R&T[2] is North America's premier plumbing and mechanical product certification agency. It is accredited by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Standards Council of Canada (SCC). As the preferred listing agency of manufacturers and inspectors, the IAPMO R&T brand and its reputation for quality are unparalleled in the industry. IAPMO R&T Marks of Conformity are widely recognized and represent the highest degree of integrity in showing compliance with established codes and standards.
IAPMO R&T Lab[3] provides independent testing, research and technical services to the plumbing and mechanical industries. The ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Lab is capable of testing to more than 400 standards, as well as providing special services including consultation, training, quality assurance, failure analysis and witness/field testing. Products get to market faster with IAPMO’s one-stop testing and fast track listing for the U.S., Canadian and Australian markets.
IAPMO ES[4] offers evaluation reports that assure immediate approval of the products, materials and designs utilized by contractors in the building industry. IAPMO ES is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Its evaluation reports certify a product, material or design as compliant with section 1703 of the International Building Code (IBC) and can be completed faster than any other third-party certification body can promise.
IAPMO R&T Oceana[5] is based in Melbourne, Australia, and is accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). It certifies plumbing and drainage products to use the WaterMark™ and strongly supports the federal government in enforcing the WELS Scheme, an important initiative affecting manufacturers of plumbing products, sanitary ware and white goods.
The IAPMO Backflow Prevention Institute [6] provides education and training services to increase both private and professional awareness of potential hazards to the public drinking supply relating to backflow, cross connections, and backsiphonage.
BPI partners with other industry groups to provide free backflow prevention devices for qualifying non-profit organizations and publishes the leading monthly backflow prevention magazine, Drinking Water and Backflow Prevention devoted to every aspect of Backflow Prevention. Articles provide information and products, and assist in the awareness of the potential hazards associated with the quality of the drinking water supply. The motto of the IAPMO Drinking Water and Backflow Prevention Program is "Dedicated to Water System Safety Worldwide."
IAPMO-India: IAPMO has a strong cooperative presence in the nation of India and partnered with the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) to develop a Uniform Plumbing Code for the nation.
The Government of India approved the establishment of IAPMO Plumbing Codes and Standards India Private Limited, to be known as IAPMO-India. IAPMO and the IPA, both members of the World Plumbing Council (WPC), agreed upon a comprehensive plan to work together and established a model code of plumbing installation and maintenance for all of India, the Uniform Plumbing Code – India. The IPA Code Committee worked with IAPMO staff in creating a document that recognized and utilized proven international concepts, always taking into consideration the proven plumbing practices and customs within India.
IAPMO, the IPA and the Indian Institute of Plumbing (IIP) have partnered to provide plumbing training and education throughout India. Their agreement identifies four distinct target markets: existing and emerging Engineers, Plumbing Project Managers/Supervisors, basic Plumbing Apprenticeship and task training certification of labor skills. A joint committee of the organizations has been appointed and is developing the curriculum for each of the four components of the project and the necessary training and educational materials.
Uniform Plumbing Code – India: Codes of practice attempt to minimize risk by specifying technical standards of design, materials, workmanship and maintenance for plumbing systems. The main aims of the code are:
• To ensure that planners, administrators and plumbers develop the required competency to ensure that the codes are applied and upheld
• That standards are set to ensure that plumbing assemblies, materials and technologies are safe and effective
• To ensure that plumbing installations meet these standards
• To ensure safety and effectiveness continuously through the proper maintenance of these installations
