ICC, IAPMO discuss joint plumbing, mechanical codes

IN RESPONSE TO the signing Sept. 28 of a memorandum of understanding, the International Code Council and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials scheduled a meeting for mid-November. The organizations have solidified their intent to proceed with discussions about updating the Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code and International Mechanical Code to produce joint codes.

"This is another positive step forward to explore this important opportunity with IAPMO," ICC President Henry Green said. "I am continually amazed at what can be accomplished if you are just willing to listen to people and focus on the future. One unified code is a win-win situation for all involved, especially public safety."

IAPMO President Christopher Salazar added: "IAPMO and the ICC have progressed to a point that enables both organizations to consider what had once been thought impossible, that is, to jointly develop one plumbing code and one mechanical code for the entire U.S. I'm very optimistic about our chances to successfully conclude these discussions."

The MOU, signed by ICC immediate past President Frank Hodge and Salazar, commits both organizations to a serious exploratory effort. The MOU describes both parties' intentions regarding a venture to develop joint plumbing and mechanical codes. Both organizations intend to work cooperatively to develop successor codes to the Uniform and International Plumbing and Mechanical Codes in close consultation with their existing stakeholders.

In the process of creating such a code development system, the parties agreed to the following principles:

• To work cooperatively and in good faith to reach out to affected stakeholders in a manner to be agreed upon by the parties, as discussions between the parties proceed.
• The new system would use the governmental consensus process to create and maintain the codes that result from the proposed joint venture. Specific details of the process are to be agreed upon by both organizations.
• The plumbing and mechanical members of the code development committees, which would create and maintain the codes that result from the joint venture, would all be qualified indi-viduals from the plumbing and mechanical industry with expertise in their respective fields.
• IAPMO and ICC would hold joint code development hearings to develop and maintain any codes that result from the joint venture.

The codes produced by the joint venture would contain references to applicable codes and standards in order to maintain a comprehensive and coordinated set of codes.

IAPMO is an organization that has developed and maintains the Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code. More information is available at www.iapmo.org.

The International Code Council is the developer of the ICC Family of Codes, including the International Mechanical Code and International Plumbing Code. Information is available at www.iccsafe.org.