ONTARIO, CALIF. and FALLS CHURCH, VA. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the International Code Council (ICC) have announced that agreement in principle has been reached on the essential elements of a venture to jointly develop one plumbing code and one mechanical code for use by the entire nation.

"I am most impressed by the ability of both organizations to recognize and understand the fundamental goals of each other, and to craft the new venture so as to incorporate all of those goals," said Henry Green, president of the ICC.

"After much hard work, code development processes have been agreed upon which will enable us to jointly provide one plumbing code and one mechanical code for our country's use beginning in 2009," Green said.

Christopher Salazar, president of IAPMO remarked, "The synergy demonstrated during our recent meeting enabled us to develop a framework for the essential business aspects of the relationship. Although there is much more hard work in store for the work

groups from each organization assigned to handle the details of the relationship, I am confident that at the end of the day, we will have produced a lasting agreement between IAPMO and the ICC."

After more details of the joint venture have been worked out, both organizations intend to hold meetings educating their members about the benefits of the relationship.

IAPMO is dedicated to the protection of the public's health and safety through the Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes. More information is available at www.iapmo.org

ICC is dedicated to building safety and fire prevention via the ICC Family of Codes. More information is available at www.iccsafe.org