IAPMO Standards
IAPMO Standards are the plumbing and mechanical standards of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. For more than thirty years, IAPMO’s standards-developing efforts have primarily focused on plumbing product standards. This concentration was primarily due to IAPMO members’ expertise from more than 50 years of writing and updating the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). IAPMO is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-recognized Standards Development Organization (SDO).
Recently, IAPMO’s efforts have broadened to include standards for mechanical products. Drawing on their years of experience, many IAPMO members have also contributed to the development of the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC). Mechanical product standards cover heating, ventilation, cooling and refrigeration system products.
IAPMO also publishes standards covering products used in the Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Housing Industry called IAPMO Trailer Standards.
IAPMO is an ANSI-Accredited Standards Development Organization
The IAPMO Standards Development Process for IAPMO consensus standards is ANSI accredited. IAPMO is also an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization for the ANSI Z124 Standards and for the Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code.
Proposal and projects for new IAPMO/ANSI standards are reviewed by the Main Standards Committee (MSC). The MSC is a balanced group of technical experts representing producers, users, consumers, government and academia professionals. Meetings are held annually and membership is open to all subject to approval by the IAPMO Executive Committee.
IAPMO/ANSI Z124 Standards are ANSI-accredited consensus standards for plastic plumbing products. They cover material, testing and marking requirements for the products to which they pertain. Many of the requirements given in these standards evolved out of field experience with new materials and manufacturing techniques. Therefore, these standards have been expanded, listing separate areas of pertinent tests and performance requirements for such materials and techniques.
IAPMO/ANSI Z1000 Series Standards are ANSI-accredited consensus standards for waste disposal products such as Septic Tanks and Gravity Grease Interceptors. They cover material, testing and marking requirements for the products to which they pertain. Many of the requirements given in these standards evolved from previous IAPMO PS or IGC documents.
Standards development by IAPMO using the non-consensus process
IAPMO develops standards using the non-consensus process. The IAPMO Standards Development Process is very “consensus-like,” however, in that anyone may submit changes to existing standards or propose new standards. In addition, the process is entirely transparent. All meetings of the Standards Review Committee (SRC) are open to the public and all documents are posted on the IAPMO Website for a 20 calendar day public review period before being published. Any interested party may submit comments relating to health and safety issues in the proposed document during that period.
The IAPMO Standards Development Process is not a “true” consensus process in that a balance of all membership groups (for example, manufacturers, users, government or general interest) is not required among membership of the SRC. Membership on the SRC is open to all IAPMO members subject to approval by the IAPMO Board of Directors. IAPMO membership is open to any interested party.
Anyone may submit proposals for new IAPMO standards or to change existing IAPMO standards.
For products where no existing standards are available an IAPMO Guide Criteria (IGC) is developed. The minimum time in which an IGC can be developed is two months. This would occur if the Submittal Form was submitted on the deadline date (the third Friday of the month), reviewed and adopted by the SRC at its next meeting, and published with no changes following the 20 calendar day public review period. Any additional work or rewriting that requires review at subsequent SRC meetings would, of course, lengthen the process.
To change an existing Product Standard or Trailer Standard would take the same amount of time that it takes to develop a new IGC. For Installation Standards it would take about three months, since their public review period is 60 days instead of 20.
IAPMO Standards Review Committee
The Standards Review Committee (SRC) is the IAPMO Committee that is responsible for the development of all IAPMO standards and for reviewing all standards that IAPMO R&T uses for its product certification program. The members of the SRC are all IAPMO members and are appointed by the IAPMO Board of Directors
The SRC meets monthly to review all proposed new standards and standards changes submitted to IAPMO. These meetings are open to members of industry and the public at large. All sides have the opportunity to present their views and supporting information on the proposals discussed at these meetings. Proposals voted on by the SRC are posted for 20 days on IAPMO Standards Development Program’s 20-Day Public Review page for public comment.
The SRC will review any proposals submitted which relate to the development or revision of an IAPMO standard. The SRC also reviews information submitted relating to non-IAPMO standards that are reviewed by the SRC for adoption for listing purposes.
The SRC will not accept submissions relating to issues outside the scope of its responsibilities. For example, proponents asking to change ASTM, ASME or other ANSI standards will be referred to the appropriate national standards committee. Proponents asking for review of issues relating to IAPMO R&T listings will be referred to the IAPMO Plumbing Research Committee.
The SRC requires that all proponents of a new proposal or a revision have someone at the meeting to represent them and to answer questions about their proposal. There is no specific time limit as to how long the proponent may present their information, however, because of the number of items on the committee’s agenda, proponents are asked to keep their presentations concise and as succinct as possible. The SRC members will ask questions if they need additional information.
IAPMO Standards
IAPMO Material and Property Standards IAPMO Product Standards (PS) are for plumbing and mechanical products. They cover material, testing and marking requirements for the products to which they pertain. In many cases, the IAPMO PS is the only U.S. standard for a particular product. Many IAPMO PS documents have been used as the initiating draft of an ANSI, ASME, ASTM or ASSE document. IAPMO SPS are IAPMO Product Standards for swimming pool, spa, whirlpool, whirlpool bathtub and Jacuzzi products.
IAPMO Guide Criteria (IGC) are standards developed to cover products not yet addressed by existing consensus standards. Often new products or new technologies surge ahead far faster than most standards can keep pace. Through IGC procedure, IAPMO provides manufacturers and product developers an opportunity to draft standards as a vehicle for introducing new products. IAPMO IGC are ultimately used as the basis for developing IAPMO Product Standards and ASTM, ASME, ANSI or ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) standards.
IAPMO Trailer Standards (TS) are a subcategory of IAPMO PS that focus on Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Housing Products. As is the case with many IAPMO PS, IAPMO TS are often the only U.S. standard for a particular product.
IAPMO Installation Standards (IS) are documents describing installation and inspection methods and procedures for plumbing products and systems. They were originally developed by the IAPMO membership to aid in the installation and inspection of plumbing products. They are not product standards, nor are they published by IAPMO as part of the Uniform Plumbing Code itself. Many jurisdictions, however, do choose to adopt IAPMO Installation Standards along with the Uniform Plumbing Code as part of their local plumbing ordinance.