PluMbing Code issue - ASSE International · PluMbing Code issue. President DonalD R. SummeRS, JR. ua3488; ... Plumbers local 75 11175 W. Parkland ... Standard for Medical Gas Systems

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PluMbing Code issuePluMbing Code issue

PresidentDonalD R. SummeRS, JR.

ua local 562 Training Center1084 Kenran Industrial Blvd.

St. louis, mo 63137

1st ViCe PresidentSTeve SIlBeR

Plumbers local 342935 Detroit ave.

Concord, Ca 94518

2nd ViCe PresidentSCoTT HamIlTon

Plumbers local 7511175 W. Parkland

milwaukee, WI 53224

3rd ViCe PresidentDouglaS a. maRIan

Plumbers local 781111 W James Wood Blvd

los angeles, Ca 90015

PAst PresidentJameS BICKfoRD, IPP

City of Pompano Beach100 W. atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, fl 33060

treAsurerJoHn f. flaDeR1924 W. Windsor Dr.

Round lake, Il 60073

region #1 direCtorWestDonalD Kool0247 SW florida St.Portland, oR 97219

region #2 direCtorNorth CentralmaTTHeW maRCInIaKIaPmo4528a W oklahoma avemilwaukee, WI 53219

region #3 direCtorSouth CentralDana ColomBonational ITCPo Box 8428metairie, la 70011

region #4 direCtorMid WestSTeve STaHnKeStan-Key Plumbing2763 Tiara Dr.arnold, mo 63010

region #5 direCtorSouth EastJoSePH KaJaKPalm Beach County 2008 S federal Hwy, Ste. #C306Boynton Beach, fl 33435

region #6 direCtorEastRICHaRD J. PRoSPal, IPPProspal Consulting Services, Inc.312 nancy CircleBrunswick, oH 44212

region #7 direCtorNorth EastSean CleaRy, IPPIaPmo102 abby WayScranton, Pa 18504

region #8 direCtorAt-LargelauRenCe T. ColemanPipefitters local 597 Training fund10850 W 187th Stmokena, Il 60448

board of directors2011- 2012

January - March 2012

© 2012 by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering, 901 Canterbury Road, Suite A, Westlake, OH 44145-1480, USA; Tel: 440-835-3040; Fax: 440-835-3488; Web: http://www.asse-plumbing.org. Plumbing Standards is published four (4) times a year: Winter (March), Spring (June), Summer (Sept.) and Fall (Dec.). This magazine is provided at no cost to members of ASSE and those who qualify by being engaged in the design, specification and installation of plumbing systems and regulatory agencies. For those who do not qualify, the subscription rate is $12 for one year. Change of address or address corrections should be sent with an old address label to Plumbing Standards Subscriptions at the address below.This magazine is the official publication of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. ASSE is not responsible for any editorial opinions expressed in this publication by any of the contributing authors, Board of Directors or members. Articles and information published in this magazine may not be reproduced without the written consent of the ASSE.Plumbing Standards is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art or photographs unless accompanied by sufficient return postage. The publisher cannot assume responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

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January - march 2012 Plumbing Standards 3

A BRIEF HISTORY OF PLUMBING CODES

CODES HARVEST RAINWATER

2012 CODE UPDATES

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Managing editor / ProductionBenjamin Ryan

Plumbing standards Magazine editorial review Committee

Benjamin Ryan, ChairJames Bickford, IPP, fl Sean Cleary, IPP, nePa

Joseph Kajak, flDonald Kool, PnW

Kenneth Schneider, moedward J. lyczko, IPP, noH

Steve Stahnke, moDonald R. Summers, Jr., mo

Robert D. Tesar, noH

Circulationelaine mathieson

direct Advertising inquiries to:Benjamin Ryan, c/o aSSe

901 Canterbury Rd., Suite aWestlake, ohio 44145-1480

[email protected]

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

2Wilkins / a Zurn

Company

11Backflow Supply

17EMGS, Inc.

19ASSE Series 5000

23IAPMO

34ASSE Yearbook

35Therm-Omega-Tech

36SureSeal

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Prevention Rather Than Cur

e

TheDONALD R. SUMMERS, JR. ASSE International President

another month has gone by with me as your International President. The amount of work accomplished each and every month is astounding and this could not be done without our office staff handling many daily issues. I would be remiss if I did not include and mention our Board of Directors, committee members and, most importantly, our membership. I know I have said this before, but it can never be said enough: THanK you for everything you do.

aSSe, along with the guidance and forethought of your Board of Directors, continues to participate in any, and all, industry events we can in order to keep aSSe on the cutting edge of the happenings in our industry. We are utilizing all of our resources to attend and participate in these important events.

aSSe is hard at work. We have working groups meeting to revise some of the existing Professional Qualifications Standards, including the aSSe Series 6000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Medical Gas Systems Personnel, and the aSSe Series 7000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Plumbing-Based Residential Fire Protection Systems Installers and Inspectors. We have other working groups in the process of writing new PQ Standards, including the aSSe Series 13000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Service Plumbing, and the aSSe Series 17000, Mechanical Inspector Professional Qualifications Standard. There are a number of other PQ Standards in varying phases of completion. With our product standards portfolio containing over fifty different standards, activity is constant in this area. We are in the revision process at the working group level on several standards, including aSSe 1010, Performance Requirements for Water Hammer Arresters, aSSe 1022, Performance Requirements for Backflow Preventer for Beverage Dispensing Equipment, and aSSe 1060, Performance Requirements for Outdoor Enclosures for Fluid Conveying Components. We are happy to have many manufacturers dedicated to these revisions. our Product Standards Committee is currently balloting aSSe 1011, Performance Requirements for Hose Connection Vacuum Breakers, and aSSe 1044, Performance Requirements for Trap Seal Primer Devices- Drainage Types and Electronic Design Types.

There are so many other things happening at aSSe; one of the most exciting is that aSSe has hired a Strategic Planner. I have spoken with mr. Dennis Blender, our Strategic Planner, and have met with him once thus far. We have put together a Strategic Planning Team that will meet at our mid-year meeting in april to start work on our plan. once this process begins, we will be involving everyone, ranging from the Board of Directors to our membership. Please watch for information and opportuni-ties to participate as we seek your input. This is your Society and we want you to be involved in moving aSSe in the right direction for the future.

We are also working on updating our website in hopes of giving it a new and fresh look. aSSe is also now on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ASSE1906) for all of you techies. We are trying to be on the leading edge of technology, not just the plumbing industry, so you can now keep up with everything going on by way of the internet.

aSSe is very busy and we remain committed to being a top anSI accredited Standards Developer and Product Certifica-tion Body. THanK you to all who volunteer to be on our many committees, our Board of Directors for their direction, our office staff for their dedication to the Society and to our membership, without whom we would not exist.

good luck to everyone in 2012,

ASSE 2012 – Moving in the Right DirectionON THE COVER

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTSAdvertiser’s Index 4The President’s Message 5Chapter Spotlight 24Featured Sustaining Member 252011 ASSE Scholarship Essay 26Backflow Industry 27ASSE Updates 28ASSE News 29Industry Buzz 30

January - March 2012

A Brief History of Plumbing Codes:: by Ron george, CPD

Codes Harvest Rainwater:: by Dave viola

2012 Code Updates:: by lee Clifton (ICC), Dave viola / Pete Demarco

(IaPmo), and Chuck White (PHCC)

06

12

15

21 Which Plumbing Code is the Weakest Link?:: by matt marciniak

Photo on page 7 courtesy of American Standard Brands

Photos on pages 12, 14 & 22 courtesy of IAPMO

Studor ChemVent Air Admittance Valve photo on page 16 courtesy of IPS Corporation

Photos on pages 16-17 courtesy of ICC

4 Plumbing Standards January - march 2012 January - march 2012 Plumbing Standards 5


ABriefHistory

of PlumbingCodesThe plumbing indusTry in The uniTed sTaTes of america has a long hisTory of plumbing code and sTandard developmenT. The oldesT code daTes back To The hammurabi code, where The basic concepT was,

“If a builder builds a house and that house falls down and kills the owner of the house, the builder shall be put to death.”

The age and beginning of plumbing codes in the united states is not as important as how plumbing codes have evolved.

The evolution of plumbing codes in the united states follows the construction booms. following world war ii, a great amount of construction took place and the industry realized the need for codes. prior to the wars, there were widespread unsanitary conditions in the united states. rivers were filthy and smelled of sewage, and water quality was very poor. many soldiers lost their lives in the civil war and world war i; not from war wounds, but from dysentery, poor sanitation and unclean water. later on, there was a call for building water and sewage treatment plants.

The early plumbing association members worked very long hours in a noble cause to educate the industry and protect the health of the nation. a plumbing manufacturer, american standard brands, used the slogan “The plumber protects the health of the nation” in their advertising many years ago and they continue to utilize the mantra today. plumbers had figured out simple ways of protecting potable water from contamination: the use of air gaps, backflow preventers, separation of water supply sources from waste streams, construction of water and sewage treatment plants, and public water and sewer infrastructure.

There is no question that our health has improved spectacularly in the past century. one thing seems certain: it did not happen because of medicine, medical science or even the presence of doctors. lewis Thomas summed it up in this quote:

“Much of the credit should go to the plumbers and engineers of the western world. The contamination of drinking water by human feces was at one time the greatest cause of human disease and death for us, but when the plumbers and sanitary engineers had done their work in the construction of our cities, these diseases began to vanish.”

The Beginnings of Asse in 1906, a group of sanitary professionals gathered in washington, d.c., under the direction of henry b. davis, and formed an organization called the american society of sanitary engineering (asse). davis envisioned a group that could exchange ideas and try to standardize the different plumbing and sanitary codes throughout the country. he recognized that plumbing and sanitary codes, to date, had all been reactionary; asse then developed the motto, “prevention rather Than cure.” This philosophy was based upon providing good engineering designs for clean and sanitary plumbing systems, rather than living with the unsanitary conditions and trying to cure the illnesses associated with ignoring the unsanitary problems. i have experienced this personally in my travels to several third-world countries where hundreds of millions of people do not have access to clean water for drinking, bathing and washing. it takes an effort by the government to address the problem with water and waste treatment facilities. sadly, many foreign governments need to adopt asse’s motto and work toward prevention. mr. davis saw that the plumbing profession was better equipped to solve a problem before the problem occurred, opposed to having the medical profession cure the illness.

nfPA building regulations were also being implemented throughout the country in response to major fires and conflagrations in east coast

plumbing and sanitary associations like asse started not long after the civil war. sanitarians and plumbers would meet to discuss solving the problems of the poor water supply and sewer conditions. These associations started writing down basic sanitary concepts to prevent contamination of drinking water and these concepts were the principles that became the basis of the early plumbing codes.

in the 1880s, a national plumbing organization was formed to continue these efforts and to share ideas and information. That association has had many name changes over the years, but is now called the plumbing-heating-cooling contractors – national association (phcc).

cities, where large numbers of wooden structures were built in close proximity to each other. The first group to address fire protection concerns was the national fire protection association (nfpa), which formed in 1896. in 1915, a group of building inspectors got together in new york city to develop the building officials conference of america (boca); this was the first group to concentrate on coordinating building code regulations on a national level. Two other major code organizations would follow: southern building code congress in the south and international conference of building officials on the west coast. The need for separate organizations was dictated by a lack of adequate transportation and immediate communication. in the 1920s, a trip from new york to los angeles took three to five days by train.

The hoover Codein 1921, president warren harding appointed prominent engineer herbert hoover to the position of secretary of commerce. hoover, as an engineer, saw the unites states as a vast land where proper planning could change the course of the nation. remember, the 1920s were a time of prosperity in the united states. hoover believed that with the emergence from world war i and with the wealth of the nation coming into prominence, the country could improve

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Principle No. 3: plumbing shall be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water consistent with proper performance and cleaning.

Principle No. 4: devices for heating and storing water shall be so designed and installed as to prevent dangers from explosion through overheating.

Principle No. 5: every building having plumbing fixtures installed and intended for human habitation, occupancy, or use on premises abutting on a street, alley or easement in which there is a public sewer shall have a connection with the sewer.

Principle No. 6: each family dwelling unit on premises abutting on a sewer or with a private sewage-disposal system shall have, at least, one water closet and one kitchen-type sink. it is further recommended that a lavatory and bathtub or shower shall be installed to meet the basic requirements of sanction and personal hygiene.

all other structures for human occupancy or use on premises abutting on a sewer or with a private sewage-disposal system shall have adequate sanitary facilities but in no case less than one water closet and one other fixture for cleaning purposes.

Principle No. 7: plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth nonabsorbent material, shall be free from concealed fouling surfaces, and shall be located in ventilated enclosures.

Principle No. 8: The drainage system shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to guard against fouling, deposit of solids and clogging, and with adequate cleanouts so arranged that the pipes may be readily cleaned.

Principle No. 9: The piping of the plumbing system shall be of durable material, free from defective workmanship, and so designed and constructed as to give satisfactory service for its reasonable expected life.

Principle No. 10: each fixture directly connected to the drainage system shall be equipped with a water-seal trap.

Principle No. 11: The drainage system shall be designed to provide an adequate circulation of air in all pipes with no danger of siphonage, aspiration or forcing of trap seals under conditions of ordinary use.

Principle No. 12: each vent terminal shall extend to the outer air and be so installed as to minimize the possibilities of clogging and the return of foul air to the building.

Principle No. 13: The plumbing system shall be subjected to such tests as will effectively disclose all leaks and defects in the work.

Principle No. 14: no substance which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes or their joints, or interfere unduly with the sewage-disposal process shall be allowed to enter the building drainage system.

Principle No. 15: proper protection shall be provided to prevent contamination of food, water, sterile goods and similar materials by backflow of sewage. when necessary, the fixture, device or appliance shall be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.

Principle No. 16: no water closet shall be located in a room or compartment which is not properly lighted and ventilated.

Principle No. 17: if water closets or other plumbing fixtures are installed in buildings where there is no sewer within a reasonable distance, suitable provision shall be made for disposing of the building sewage by some accepted method of sewage treatment and disposal.

Principle No. 18: where a plumbing drainage system may be subjected to backflow of sewage, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow in the building.

Principle No. 19: plumbing systems shall be maintained in a sanitary and serviceable condition.

Principle No. 20: all plumbing fixtures shall be so installed with regard to spacing as to be reasonably accessible for their intended use.

Principle No. 21: plumbing shall be installed with due regard to preservation of the strength of structural members and prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.

Principle No. 22: sewage or other waste from a plumbing system which may be deleterious to surface or subsurface waters shall not be discharged into the ground or into any waterway unless it has first been rendered innocuous through subjection to some acceptable form of treatment.

These basic principles provided engineering guidelines regarding the intent of the plumbing code. The codes that remained a force were the boca code, the naphcc code, the sbcci standard plumbing code and the iapmo uniform plumbing code. each of these regional model code organizations knew that the special interests wanted to manage the code for their own benefit. each organization established policies to prevent the special interests from controlling the free exchange of ideas and the recognition of new technology. The model code groups developed slogans to guide them in promulgating their codes; the basic expression, still used today, is “the code provides the minimum level of protection against public health, safety, and welfare.”

while the model code organizations have attempted to remain pure, they too have fallen into using the plumbing code for their own economic gains. The copyright of each code is protected so that only the model code group can generate revenues from the sale of the plumbing code. The plumbing codes also specify requirements for the listing of plumbing products and some codes require every plumbing product to be listed by a third party agency. conveniently, the model code organizations have listing services to list many types of products, including plumbing products, to meet these requirements in the code. These listings cost manufacturers millions of dollars each year and result in financial gains for the listing agencies.

its quality of life by applying better engineering concepts. hoover wanted electricity in every home, as well as indoor plumbing. at the time hoover was secretary of commerce, less than one-percent of the homes in the united states had indoor plumbing. in 1921, hoover started the building material and structures division of the national bureau of standards, today known as the national institute of standards and Technology (nisT) in gaithersburg, maryland. gaithersburg is just a ten-minute drive up from iapmo’s emerg-ing Technology symposium, scheduled for may 1-2, 2012 (https://forms.iapmo.org/ets/).

work at the national bureau of standards by dr. roy b. hunter was a cornerstone in herbert hoover’s vision of bringing engineering to the commerce department. hoover felt the commerce department should control the standardization effort since this would improve the ability for entrepreneurs to have easy access to the marketplace. standards for products were emerging at the same time as plumbing codes. The great conflagrations, or fires, on the east coast brought together many fire brigades and fire departments, from near and far, to fight fires in congested areas with many wooden structures. They found their hoses could not be connected because each fire department had a different hose diameter and a different hose thread type. soon after the great fire in baltimore, a call was made to standardize hose threads and other products, like bolt threads, weight scales and other critical products, so they could be consistent and compatible in different parts of the country.

dr. roy B. hunTer, fATher of The PlumBing Codeswhen dr. hunter finished his first research projects, he addressed many basic principles that needed to be accomplished in order to have safe plumbing systems. The first plumbing code was developed in 1928; it was a document titled “The report on hydraulics and pneumatics of plumbing systems,” authored by dr. hunter. Through the efforts of the national bureau of standards, it was nicknamed the hoover code; not because of any effort put forth by hoover, but to pay tribute to a man who saw the need to develop such a document. hoover was elected president of the united states by one of the largest margins. hoover will always be remembered as the person behind development of the first national plumbing code, but dr. hunter’s research was the key to the development of the first nationwide plumbing code.

in 1941, the a40 committee was reorganized and created various reports to the extent that in 1949 they received approval for their work as an american standard. shortly after the acceptance of the 1949 report, still another a40 committee was formed. This committee’s work, known as the a-40.8-1955, was completed and published in 1955, and was for many years known as the “national plumbing code.” This code was used mostly in government projects. The bms 66, 1940, was officially withdrawn as an american standard on June 20, 1972.

Three documents (bms 65, Methods of Estimating Loads in Plumbing Systems; bms 66, Plumbing Manual; and bms 79, Water Distributing Systems for Buildings) served as the basis for every up-to-date plumbing code of the time. The federal government did not see it as their job to mandate the national plumbing code; they offered it as a suggested document for jurisdictions to adopt.

during this period, the federal government was still of the opinion that construction projects should be regulated on the local level and the plumbing code was only mandated for federal projects.

while the basic emphasis of the hoover code and bms 66 was sanitation, the codes also made a concerted effort to emphasize low cost housing because it listed the basic principles of good plumbing. in dr. roy b. hunter’s paper, bms 66, 1940, he wrote, “The purpose of this series of papers is to collect, in an organized form, the mass of information obtained by the author over a number of years, beginning with the investigation of 1921 of plumbing of small dwellings, and including the current research (1937-1940) on plumbing for low-cost housing, together with the results of intervening experiments related to plumbing requirements, and to interpret the results of these investigations in a form suitable for direct and practical application. it is hoped that this series of papers will supply the logical answer to many of the controversial questions pertaining to pipe sizes and design of plumbing construction.”

bms 66 followed a similar theme, writing, “in order to have good and economical plumbing, it is necessary that there should be some agreement on the rules governing its design and installation … particular emphasis is placed upon its usefulness in connection with low-cost housing where there is special need to take advantage of legitimate economies. The field of the manual, however, is not restricted to housing, since the same fundamental principles apply in any structure.”

BAsiC PrinCiPles for heAlTh And sAfeTy Were ouTlined in eArly Codes.The bms 66 manual stated that many innovations were added to the document to allow engineers to design and builders to build, based on the actual demands of the building. users of the plumbing code were encouraged to offer comments on the content of the manual. There was an acknowledgment that the document would need to undergo changes to keep it abreast of new technology, however, the document did state that there are certain principles in plumbing that would never change, only the ways to achieve the goals of these principles would change.

The a40.8, containing requirements based on the latest available technology, was concerned about low cost housing and provided the minimum necessary protection of public health. included in the a40.8 was a list of basic principles which were intended to be guidelines for the deployment of the national plumbing code. The basic principles from the 1955 edition of the asa a40.8 national plumbing code were as following:

BAsiC PrinCiPlesPrinciple No. 1: all premises intended for human habitation, occupancy or use shall be provided with a supply of pure and wholesome water, neither connected with unsafe water supplies nor subject to the hazards of backflow or back siphonage.

Principle No. 2: plumbing fixtures, devices, and appurtenances shall be supplied with water in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal conditions of use.


after modifying the draft to include the acceptable changes based on testimony at the public hearings, the document was forwarded to the membership of boca, icbo and sbcci and the three organizations voted unanimously to accept the new code as a replacement document for their organizations’ plumbing codes. in 1995, the first edition of the international plumbing code® was published by the international code council. now a new edition of the ipc is promulgated every three years.

A CAll for one Codea few years ago, we came very close to combining the plumbing and mechanical codes into one model plumbing code. a one-code summit was hosted by the american society of plumbing engineers (aspe) and held in chicago, il. shortly afterward a series of meetings were held between iapmo and icc and details were worked out to develop one plumbing code. The deal fell apart when it was sent to each organization’s membership; politics seemed to get in the way of having one code.

A TWo Code ToWnrecently, the city of marion, iowa announced that they officially adopted both model plumbing codes in the united states, the 2012 international plumbing code and the 2012 uniform plumbing code. i’m not sure if that is a first, but it is unique.

city ordinance number 12-03 is an ordinance adopting the international plumbing code, 2012 edition, and the ordinance provides penalties for code violations. section 161.01 adopts the 2012 international plumbing code by reference and states it shall be known as the marion plumbing code. section 161.04 of the ordinance states: “The marion plumbing code is hereby amended by adding a new section, 105.2.2, to the international plumbing code as follows: 105.2.2, The uniform plumbing code, 2012 edition, is hereby approved as an equivalent method for complete plumbing systems.

exception: administrative regulations shall be as provided in the international plumbing code, 2012 edition, as amended in this ordinance.”

This article on the history of codes was a series of historical events reported in various papers and publications and gathered here by Ron George, CPD, President of Plumb-Tech Design and Consulting Services, LLC. (http://www.Plumb-TechLLC.com) (734) 322-0225 1. A paper, authored by Julius Ballanco, presented at the 4th World

Plumbing Conference and published in the conference booklet. 2. A document contributed by Lee Clifton and Jay Peters of ICC 3. Portions were extracted from a book on the history of IAPMO,

1926 to 2006, Eight Decades of Excellence, by Anne V. Sonner.4. Internet research.

about the authorRon george is President of Plumb-Tech Design & Consulting, lCC, a company specializing in plumbing, piping, fire protection and HvaC system design and consulting services. Ron is a Certified Plumbing Designer through aSPe and he has over 30 years experience designing plumbing and fire protection systems. He is a member of the aSSe Product Standards Committee, the aSSe Seal Control Board and several working groups. He has served on the International Plumbing Code Committee and he has served as a member and Chairman of the International Residential Plumbing & mechanical Code Committee. He is active in plumbing code and plumbing product standard development committees with ICC, IaPmo, aSSe, aSme, ISea, nfPa and aSTm. Website: www.plumb-techllc.com e-mail: [email protected]

The latest evolution has been a consolidation of code organizations in the united states. building officials and code administrators international (boca), the international conference of building officials ( icbo), and southern building code congress international (sbcci) have joined forces to promulgate the international plumbing code. iapmo aligned themselves with the national fire protection association (nfpa) to produce the nfpa building code, nfpa fuel gas code, nfpa electrical code, along with the uniform plumbing code and the uniform mechanical code.

iAPmo, The eArly yeArsstephen smoot was a plumber, contractor and eventually the chief inspector for the city of los angeles. he was also one of the founding members of the los angeles city plumbing inspectors association. later, the association was renamed a few times and eventually became the international association of plumbing and mechanical officials (iapmo). stephen smoot once wrote that there were an estimated 1,600 local plumbing codes and ordinances adopted across the united states. in his travels in the 1930s, one observation was that there was not much standardization between codes of various jurisdictions. dr. roy hunter’s recommended practices in “recommended minimum requirements for plumbing” were gradually adopted by major cities, usually after various major outbreaks of disease or other health issues. The adopted rules became known as the code of practice for the plumbing industry. unfortunately, there was no consistency in the code of practice from one city to the next; the political leaders always thought that their problems were unique when compared to other cities, so they would tinker with the code. competition as to who had the better code for protecting sanitation began early among the different jurisdictions.

BoCA BAsiC PlumBing Code / BoCA nATionAl PlumBing CodeThe building officials and code administrators international (boca) was established in 1915 by building officials from nine states and canada. Their purpose was to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas about building safety and construction regulation. in 1950, boca published the boca basic building code, the organization’s first model code. boca published a series of books called the boca national codes, which contain detailed standards for all aspects of building construction of which the boca national plumbing code was a part of.

at a meeting of the executive committee of the building officials conference of america in may of 1963, action was taken to establish a plumbing code committee whose function was to prepare and present a boca basic plumbing code for adoption. a plumbing code committee was subsequently appointed and they held meetings during each annual meeting in the years of 1964, 1965 and 1966. at its annual meeting on June 9, 1968, the executive committee approved the publication of the basic plumbing code and directed staff to accept proposed changes to the basic plumbing code for consideration during the next regular code change cycle.

sBCCi sTAndArd PlumBing CodeThe southern building code congress international (sbcci) published the southern standard building code on november 16, 1945 and before long they would also see the need to produce a correlated set of codes. in developing the plumbing code, members and others of the sbcci recognized the need for safe and adequate code requirements to protect the public. This code was created to work in conjunction with the standard building, gas and mechanical codes to provide safe and adequate code requirements to protect the public.

The standard plumbing code© was adopted in november of 1955 by a resolution of the board of directors of the southern building code congress international. The standard plumbing code© was created from years of experience of many individuals in many organizations who were thoroughly familiar with safe installations of plumbing systems.

iCBo / uniform PlumBing Codein 1922, the founding purpose of the international conference of building officials (icbo) was the development of a code that all communities could accept and enforce. The goal was reached in 1927 with the publication of the uniform building code. This code not only addressed the traditional structural and occupancy requirements, but also provided needed guidance concerning chimneys and heating apparatuses, along with fire protection installation requirements.

The icbo plumbing code was created based on the membership’s vision of a need for a plumbing code that would be designed to be compatible with the uniform codes and its many related publications. The uniform plumbing code was first published in 1946. There were also printings in 1948 and 1951, and they have continued with a 3-year code update cycle since then. The uniform plumbing code served as the plumbing code for icbo for many years, until 1993 when icbo decided to join with the international code council (icc) and end their relationship with iapmo.

The inTernATionAl PlumBing CodeThe international plumbing code had its first edition published in 1995. This was a joint effort by the three code groups of the international code council (icc) at that time, including: boca, icbo, and sbcci. The first draft, prepared for review by the industry, contained only excerpts from the three plumbing codes, with no new concepts or ideas added. all of the allowable practices were already permitted and used by one of the model plumbing codes; the premise was that the code should have its origin based on the code content of the existing codes.

it was recognized that no one part of the united states had used all of the plumbing practices that would be permitted in the new plumbing code. Terminology would also be initially difficult, since different parts of the country use the same name to describe different plumbing systems. when the draft was issued, it was subject to a review process through a series of public hearings and a committee of plumbing officials was appointed to consider all of the testimony on the first draft. The hearings were well attended by plumbing experts from all areas of the industry. new provisions were proposed for inclusion at the hearings, including a complete rewrite of the backflow section. The new requirements received overwhelming support at the public hearings.


Rainwater harvesting provisions were introduced in the GPMCS and the UPC by the IAPMO Green Technical Committee (GTC) as part of a broader effort to reduce the energy and water consumption of plumbing and mechanical systems while ensuring that these systems are safe and reliable. The GTC is comprised of the broadest group of expert stakeholders ever assembled to develop sustainable plumbing and mechanical requirements. ASPE and ARCSA are well represented on the GTC and played a critical role in the development of the first-ever model code provisions for rainwater harvesting. Jeffrey L. Ingertson, CPD, FASPE, ASPE’s Vice President of Membership, serves as ASPE’s official representative, while Bob Boulware, Immediate Past President of ARCSA (and an ASPE member), represents ARCSA. Larry N. Oliver, CPD, FASPE, former ASPE President, and April K. Trafton, President of Donald Dickerson and Associates, round out the slate of plumbing engineering members of the GTC. Additionally, more than 20 sustainable plumbing engineering experts serve among the more than 125 members of the 12 task groups that operate under the GTC.

CODE HISTORY

Although rainwater harvesting is an ancient practice, it has never been directly addressed by national plumbing codes. It appears that rainwater usage began to disappear in many parts of the world with the rise of urbanization, centralized supply systems and the need to meet the escalating demand for a safe and reliable potable water supply. When national codes began to emerge in the 1900s, rainwater harvesting was not a common practice in metropolitan areas, and as a result, rain-water harvesting was never specifically addressed. The lack of direct coverage in the codes has been one of the primary hindrances to the use of harvested rainwater, until now. The timing of the completion of the 2010 GPMCS, 2012 UPC and the ARCSA/ASPE design standard couldn’t have been better, as the escalating stress on our available water supplies has spurred a flurry of legislative and regulatory efforts across the United States aimed at permitting the use of rainwater as a means of offsetting some of the pressures on more conventional potable water sources.

One of the more notable and high-profile examples of these activities is California Assembly Bill 275: The Rainwater Catchment Act of 2011, which seeks to permit the capture and use of rainwater for non-drinking purposes in California (at the time of the writing of this article, the California Legislature has passed AB 275 and the bill is awaiting the Governor’s signature). AB 275 requires that the installation of systems for the indoor, nonpotable use of rainwater must comply with the requirements set forth in the IAPMO Green Supplement. Additionally, definitions and other bill requirements came directly from the ARCSA/ASPE Rainwater Catchment Plumbing Engineering Design Standard. The availability of these documents ensures that strong and consistent codes and design practices are in place, and gives legislators the confidence they need to pass bills like AB 275.

WHAT DO THE CODES AND THE STANDARD COVER?

ApplicationTo start, the GPMCS and UPC contain identical provisions establishing that rainwater collected from roofs or other above-ground, manmade surfaces is permitted to be used for nonpotable applications, which include toilet and urinal flushing, trap priming, irrigation, industrial processes, water features, cooling towers and other applications approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The section addressing rainwater applications is intentionally broad to also permit its use in car washes and automatic fire sprinkler systems. In a separate appendix, the GPMCS and UPC provide comprehensive requirements for the use of rainwater for potable water applications in homes and businesses.

In instances where rainwater contacts parking lots, driveways, pedestrian surfaces and other ground surfaces, the GPMCS and UPC require more rigorous filtration and treatment methods before it can be used for plumbing and irrigation applications. Rainwater contacting these surfaces is handled differently because the runoff may contain additional contaminants and health risks (e.g. oils, road salts, debris, hydrocarbons and pathogens) that require unique or enhanced treatment strategies. This approach was taken to mirror the scope and intent of the ARCSA/ASPE design standard, which does not apply to the collection of rainwater from vehicular and other similar surfaces. Maintenance, Testing and InspectionThe GPMCS and UPC require rainwater harvesting systems to be inspected, tested and maintained regularly, and establish a minimum frequency for these activities to occur. These documents assign the responsibility of compliance to the property owner or a designated appointee. Finally, a mainte-nance log that includes a record of the inspections, testing and maintenance is required to be kept up-to-date and on-site at all times for inspection. Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection ControlBecause of the heightened cross-connection, public health and safety concerns associated with the indoor use of rainwater, the GPMCS and UPC specify very detailed requirements addressing the protection of the potable water supply against cross-connection. Rainwater systems are not permitted to have a direct connection to any potable water supply or alternate water source system. Potable or reclaimed (recycled) water is permitted to be used as makeup water for a rainwater catchment system, provided the potable or reclaimed (recycled) water supply connection is protected by an air gap or a reduced-pressure principle backflow preventer. Where any portion of a rainwater system is installed within a building, a cross-connection test is required to ensure that an inadvertent connection between the potable and nonpotable rainwater systems has not occurred. As a final level of protection, rainwater piping systems are required to be identified with the wording, “Caution: Nonpotable Rainwater, Do Not Drink,” and have a purple colored background.

CODES HARVEST RAINWATER

by Dave Viola, IAPMO Director of Special Services

As cities around the globe struggle with drought, water quality, supply constraints and failing infrastructures, the topic of water shortages is nothing new in our industry. However, the idea of new plumbing codes and design standards, working together to assist plumbing engineers in adding harvested rainwater systems to their design arsenal, has been uncharted territory, until now.

With the publication of the 2010 IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement (GPMCS), 2012 IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the Rainwater Catchment Plumbing Engineering Design Standard by the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the plumbing industry now has authoritative tools at its disposal to standardize the safe and reliable use of rainwater for potable and nonpotable applications.

12 Plumbing Standards January - march 2012


System DesignThe GPMCS and UPC require the pressurized portion of the rainwater system delivering water to the plumbing distribution system to be installed in accordance with the water pipe sizing provisions of the plumbing code. They also require gutters, roof drains and rainwater conveyance pipe to be sized as storm drains in accordance with the plumbing code. The GPMCS and UPC reference the ARCSA/ASPE design standard for guidance on estimating the potential for harvesting rainwater at a particular site (determining the maximum amount of rain that can be collected), estimating demand and properly sizing storage tanks.

Comprehensive and harmonized provisions addressing above- and below-grade storage tank locations, supports, materials, construction, drainage and overflow, access openings and markings are provided in the GPMCS, UPC and ARCSA/ASPE design standard.

The GPMCS and UPC also contain provisions addressing algae control, vermin protection, rainwater discharge into sewer systems, debris filtering and removal, first flush devices and roof washers.

Water QualityThe most important goal of the GPMCS, UPC and ARCSA/ASPE design standard is to ensure that the output water meets a safe level of quality for the intended application. Numerous treatment devices and strategies that can be used to accomplish this are available to system designers. Although the GPMCS and UPC require adherence to minimum water quality standards for nonpotable application, they provide flexibility in the use of treatment technologies, such as flocculation/sedimentation, filtration, chlorination, ozonation, ion exchange and UV disinfection methods. Again, the GPMCS and UPC reference the ARCSA/ASPE design standard for additional guidance on the various treatment technologies and

associated design strategies. For potable applications, the GPMCS, UPC and ARCSA/ASPE design standard have very specific requirements and installation details for filtration and system disinfection.

In closing, with code obstacles eliminated, it appears that rainwater collection and use are poised to become mainstream as jurisdictions around the world turn to rainwater reuse to address the intensifying water crises. The IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, Uniform Plumbing Code and ARCSA/ASPE Rainwater Catchment Plumbing Engineering Design Standard combine to provide the necessary tools for inspectors, installers and system designers to safely and confidently embrace and utilize rainwater.

NON-POTABLE WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS

A. Catchment AreaB. GutterC. TransportD. First Flush FilterE. Bleed ValveF. Secondary FilterG. Storage Cistern

H. Overflow PipeI. Float ValveJ. Pump/ControllerK. Municipal SupplyL. Clothes WashingM. Toilet FlushingN. Landscape Irrigation

about the authorAs IAPMO’s Director of Special Services, Dave Viola oversees the association’s green building and sustainable construction codes initiative and is active in the education, code development, and promotion of IAPMO programs and services, including the Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement and Uniform Solar Energy Code.

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UPDATES: 2012 NATIONAl STANDARD PluMbINg CODE, INTERNATIONAl PluMbINg CODE & gREEN PluMbINg AND MECHANICAl CODE SuPPlEMENT

15 Plumbing Standards January - march 201214 Plumbing Standards January - march 2012


WHAT’S NEW IN THE 2012 INTERNATIONAl PluMbINg CODE®? by LEE CLifTon, Director of Plumbing Programsinternational Code Council (iCC)

The IPC continues to emphasize both prescriptive and performance related provisions. The code changes have made many improvements to the 2012 code that provide clarity of content, resolve common interpretation issues and gives plumbing contractors and engineers the tools necessary to take advantage of new technology. air admittance valves complying with reference standard aSSe 1049, Performance Requirements for Individual and Branch-Type Air Admittance Valves for Chemical Waste Systems, are now permitted to be used for venting chemical waste systems. The single-stack vent system method, similar to the Philadelphia stack drainage system, has also been added, which now complements the most extensive collection of venting options in the world.

These are just a few of the significant changes:

Section 901.3, 918.8 Air Admittance Valves for Chemical Waste Vent System

901.3 Chemical waste vent systems. The vent system for a chemical waste system shall be independent of the sanitary vent system and shall terminate separately through the roof to the open air outdoors or to an air admittance valve that complies with aSSe 1049. air admittance valves for chemical waste systems shall be constructed of materials approved in accordance with Section 702.5 and shall be tested for chemical resistance in accordance with aSTm f1412.

917.8 918.8 Prohibited installations. air admittance valves shall not be installed in non-neutralized special waste systems as described in Chapter 8 except where such valves are in compliance with aSSe 1049, are constructed of materials approved in accordance with Section 702.5 and are tested for chemical resistance in accordance with aSTm f1412.

air admittance valves shall not be located in spaces utilized as supply or return air plenums.

Section 901.3, 918.8 continues …

Chapter 14ASSE 1049-2009Performance Requirements for Individual and Branch Type air admittances valves for Chemical Waste Systems ASTM f1412-01 Standard Specification for Polyolefin Pipe and fittings for Corrosive Waste Drainage Systems

COMMENTARY: The american Society of Sanitary engineering (aSSe) recently developed aSSe/anSI Standard 1049-2009, Performance Requirements for Individual and Branch Type Air Admittance Valves for Chemical Waste Systems. air admittance valves (aavs) that are in compliance with aSSe/anSI 1049, meet the materials requirements of Section 702.5 and are tested to aSTm f1412 for chemical resistance, are now allowed to serve as the vent for non-neutralized special waste systems as an option to

chemical waste vent piping terminating outdoors. It is quite common to see laboratory sinks that receive chemical waste located in islands in the middle of rooms. To vent the traps for these sinks using vent piping that can only terminate outdoors requires extensive labor and material. allowing the use of the aavs will

significantly reduce the cost of plumbing these laboratories and similar facilities.

Section 917 Single Stack Vent System

917.1 Where permitted. a drainage stack shall serve as a single stack vent system where sized and installed in accordance with Sections 917.2 through 917.9. The drainage stack and branch piping shall be the vents for the drainage system. The drainage stack shall have a stack vent. (Additional information and sizing table provided in section 917 that is not shown here)

COMMENTARY: In a Single Stack vent System, the drainage stack serves as both a single-stack drainage and vent system. The drainage stack and branch piping are considered as vents for the drainage system as a whole. Pipe sizing in a single-

stack drainage system is larger than in a conventional one, however, a significant cost saving is achieved by the reduction of the vent piping needed. This venting system serves as a viable alternative to the more traditional systems being used.

for a more in depth preview of the significant changes that have occurred to the 2012 International Plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas Codes (Pmg), ICC has made a 20 minute video presentation available on youTube.

This overview of changes for the 2012 International Pmg Codes will give you a preview of what the significant changes to the International Plumbing

Code, International mechanical Code and International fuel gas Code, 2012 edition, publication has to offer. The webinar will inform code users on how helpful the new book is in identifying the specific code changes that have occurred and, more important, in understanding the reasons behind the changes. our publication has been a very valuable resource for jurisdictions in the code

adoption process in the past. you can access the video presentation at the following address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SahaKHouDns.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association dedicated to help-ing the building safety community and construction industry provide safe and sustainable

construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

The copyrighted Code sections reproduced in this article are done so with the permission of the International Code Council. All rights reserved.

Figure 917 Single Stack SystemFor a Six Story Building

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Studor Chemvent air admittance valve

(courtesy of IPS Corporation)


gTC PuTS FINISHINg TOuCHES ON gREEN CODE SuPPlEMENT by DAvE vioLA, iAPMo Director of Special Services& PETE DEMArCo, iAPMo Director of Special Programs

on December 8-9, 2011, the IaPmo green Technical Committee (gTC) completed its work on the second edition of the green Plumbing and mechanical Code Supplement. This was no small feat when considering the number and the depth of the comments that were received during the supplement’s public comment period. yet, once again, the gTC came through with flying colors, ensuring that the supplement remains the most comprehensive green construction code in the country for plumbing and mechanical applications.

among the new or revised provisions that will be contained in the second edition of the supplement are the following:

Plumbing Design, Fixtures and Fixture Fittings

• Reducesthemaximumflushvolumefor non-residential from 1.6 gpf to 1.28 gpf. The only remaining caveat is that 1.6 gpm toilets are still permitted where installed in remote locations without the benefit of supplemental drain flows to assist drainline carry.

• Reducesthemaximumflowrateforkitchen faucets from 2.2 gpm to 1.8 gpm and for pre-rinse spray valves from 1.6 gpm to 1.3 gpm.

• Newprovisionsfordipperwellfaucets to address unnecessary water waste resulting from the continuous flow of water at high rates.

• Addsprovisionsforrehabilitatingpipingsystems with epoxy lining systems.

• Maximumconsumptionlimitssetfortrapprimers and requires the use of alternate water source to prime traps where available.

• Simplifiesmaximumhotwatervolumecalculations.

• Limitstheuseofhotwaterrecirculationpumps to a building’s hours of operation to prevent energy waste.

Alternate Water Source Systems

• Minimumwaterqualitystandardsaddedfor nonpotable and potable rainwater catchment systems.

• Incorporatesnewstandardsforwaterreuse treatment technologies to ensure that systems properly treat water to safe quality levels.

• Expandsandclarifiesprovisionsallowinggray water, black water, rainwater, storm water, dry weather runoff, swimming pool backwash, condensate, cooling tower blow down, foundation drainage and commercial kitchen appliance water discharge to be captured, treated and reused for toilet and urinal flushing, irrigation and other approved uses.

Mechanical and HVAC Design

• Nowrequiresductleakagetestingforlowpressure systems.

• Newwaterefficiencymeasuresforevaporative coolers limiting water consumption to 3.5 gallon maximum per ton of cooling and requiring water consumption markings on the equipment.

• UpdatesHVACenergyefficiency provisions to the 2010 edition of aSHRae 90.1.

• NewprovisionsintendedtopreventHvaC system over-sizing.

All New Requirements for Landscape Irrigation Systems

• Requirementfordedicatedwatermeterson systems servicing 2,500 square feet or more.

• Requirementsforirrigationcontrolstorespond to climate or soil conditions and to shut off during rain events.

• Systemperformancerequirements to prevent run off and spraying onto adjacent properties, impervious surfaces and buildings.

• Systemdesignrequirementspertain-ing to supply line drainage and sprinkler head performance.

The provisions listed above only scratch the surface. once again, it was a privilege to be able to work with such an incredibly knowledgeable and diverse group of passionate stakeholders that comprise the gTC. as staff, guests that attend gTC meetings constantly tell interested parties and us how productive and informative these meetings are. everyone walks away from gTC meetings knowing a good deal more than they did when they walked into the meeting room. I can think of no higher compliment.

In order to further leverage this gathering of industry experts, IaPmo has an additional treat in store for users of the supplement. Several gTC members have agreed to co-author papers that will be published in the appendix of the second edition.

our esteemed co-authors include:Phil Campbell (united association) and gary Klein (affiliated International management, llC) who will write about “Hot Water Design for green Buildings”; Rob Zimmerman (Kohler Co.) and John Koeller (Koeller and associates) will discuss “The future of Indoor Water efficiency”; Brent mecham (Irrigation association) and Thomas Pape (Best management Partners) will tackle “modifying user Behavior on Irrigation System use”; and Bill Hoffman (Hoffman and associates, llC) and Tom meyer (Praxis green) will address “Water meets energy — Synergies and Conflict” (note: titles subject to revision).

These esteemed gTC members will then present their papers at the International emerging Technology Symposium, which will be co-convened by IaPmo and the World Plumbing Council on may 1-2 in Bethesda, mD. I can think of no better way to continue to grow the influence of

the green Plumbing and mechanical Supplement than to show off the expertise of our gTC members.

finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Bill erickson, chair of the gTC. Bill is the glue that makes the gTC work. His fantastic sense of humor, combined with a no-nonsense “let’s get this done” sensibility, is directly related to the success of the supplement. I know I can speak on behalf of the entire gTC and IaPmo Staff when I say that we are indebted to Bill for the leadership he has provided.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, IAPMO has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. With offices in 12 U.S. states and 13 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.

For more information, visit: http://www,IAPMO.org.

IAPMO4755 E. Philadelphia St.Ontario, CA 91761 – USA

TELEPHONE: 1.909.472.4100 FAX: 1.909.472.4150

THE ONlY ANSI APPROVED CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS STANDARD

ASSE5000SERIES

REFERENCED IN ALL THREE MAJOR MODEL CODES!Uniform Plumbing Code International Plumbing Code National Standard Plumbing Code

The aSSe/IaPmo/anSI 5000-2009 is the Cross-Connection Control Professional Qualifications Standard. It covers the minimum requirements for an individual to become a Backflow Prevention assembly Tester, Cross- Connection Control

Surveyor, Backflow Prevention assembly Repairer, fire-Sprinkler System Cross-Connection Control Tester and/or Backflow Protection Program administrator. The Series 5000 was developed under the american national Standards Institute (anSI)

policy of openness and consensus. ANSI approved June, 2009.


All plumbing systems are required to be properly designed in accordance with plumbing codes to prevent contamination of drinking water and to provide for the safe disposal of waste. Even in the present day, people become ill as a result of improper plumbing installations. Plumbers who have been trained through apprenticeship programs and maintain their skills through continuing education are the ones responsible for the installation of these systems. The ones we rely on to ensure that these installations are installed per code are certified plumbing inspectors.

Like a chain, a plumbing system has many “links,” and a chain is only as strong as the weakest link. The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the International Plumbing Code (IPC) are the model codes that regulate how plumbing systems are designed, installed and inspected to ensure that the health and

welfare of the public is protected. There are distinct differences between these codes and some of them will be pointed out in this article. However, the one that is superior or the one that is the weakest “link” will be left for you to decide.

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) was founded in 1926 by a group of plumbing inspectors who saw the need for uniformity of installation practices, material specifica-tion, design, and inspection in the plumbing industry. IAPMO has promulgated the UPC continuously since 1945 and has served the plumbing industry longer than any other plumbing code in the United States. The UPC is the only plumbing code that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and designated as an American National Standard.

The IPC is published by the International Code Council (ICC), which was established in 1994 by the combination of three separate building code associations: Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI). The I-Codes are developed using the governmental consensus process, in which designated appointees who are employed by the govern-ment are the only eligible voters in the final stages of their process. The development process is a very important consideration when developing a plumbing code. As mandated by ANSI, the UPC is a true consensus document. Experts from all segments of the plumbing industry are assured due process, openness, balance, and a “voice and a vote” in all aspects, from beginning to end of the development process.

by ASSE Region #2 Director

IAPMO Upper Mid-West Regional Manager

NOTE: This information is the opinion of the author and not the official position of IAPMO or ASSE

2012 NATIONAl STANDARD PluMbINg CODEby ChUCk WhiTE, vice President, Technical & Code ServicesPhCC - national Association

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) — national association is proud to carry on the tradition of the national Standard Plumbing Code (nSPC). In 1933, the originally named national associa-tion of master Plumbers, founded in 1883, published the “Standard Plumbing Code.” as the association has changed over the years, its commitment to the development of a plumbing practice, design and installation code has not changed. The nSPC has been regularly reviewed and updated for many years. as an enhancement, an illustrated version of the code was developed years ago to provide comments and diagrams that help with the understanding of code provisions. This has proved to be a popular format; many students and practitioners utilize the illustrations and comments to assist in implementation of the code. The illustrations have also been maintained and modified as changes in practice have developed.

The 2012 nSPC has been developed by parties associated with true industry experience: contractors, engineers, building officials and manufacturers, as well as the public. Proposed changes are accepted from all interested parties for consideration. a technical committee of industry volun-teers evaluates proposed code changes to determine relevance and applicability to the evolving changes in practice, technology, regulations or efficiency. Proposed changes are considered in a public forum, which allows interested parties to present information to the committee prior to a vote on the proposal. The nSPC is updated on a three-year cycle and a mid-cycle supplement is also developed and published.

There are many changes incorporated in the 2012 nSPC. for example, language has been changed to reflect the new requirements for “lead-free” materials in potable water applications. Referenced standards have been included to promote the health effects of drinking water components and these changes ensure that installations will be compliant with the Safe Drinking Water act. It has long been said that “The Plumber Protects the Health of the nation;” the 2012 nSPC strives to further that industry ideal. applicable standards are referenced so components of potable water systems can be easily verified by installers, owners and building officials as to their compliance with potable requirements.

appendix g has also been changed in the 2012 code. Information pertaining to graywater is now incorporated in the body of the code. This allows alternate sources of water to be considered in certain applications, promoting water conservation. The new appendix g in the 2012 nSPC includes selected sections from the International Plumbing and mechanical officials (IaPmo) green Plumbing and mechanical Code Supplement. IaPmo submitted a proposed change to the code offering these sections for inclusion in 2012 and this section offers guidance to designers, contractors and building officials in several aspects of sustainable construc-tion. The supplement was developed by the IaPmo green Technical Committee, which has contributors from PHCC as well as other industry members. PHCC and the nSPC Committee appreciate the opportunity to include this information and are committed to supporting industry cooperation to help preserve our natural resources.

The 2012 nSPC has undergone a thorough review process and is in produc-tion at this time. Proposed changes for the next supplement cycle are currently being accepted and change forms are available online at: http://www.phccweb.org. PHCC is committed to the promulgation of this code and thanks all contributors in this process for sharing their dedication to the plumbing industry. Questions or comments may be directed via e-mail to: Chuck White, vice President, Technical & Code Service, [email protected]. Distribution of the 2012 national Standard Plumbing Code will be available late in the first quarter of 2012.


These experts include plumbers, inspectors, engineers, architects, manufacturers, con-tractors and anyone else who has a stake in the industry. After all, who would know the plumbing industry better than those who are actually dedicated and involved in the industry itself?

The ICC process does not allow for such balance and input from the industry. Instead, at the final hearings it is left to public officials, the overwhelming majority of which are not plumbing officials, to vote on the changes to the IPC. Why? Perhaps government employees know the plumbing industry best, even though most have not gone through a plumbing apprenticeship, held a plumbing license or, at the very least, installed or designed plumbing systems. If you need heart surgery, you go to a heart surgeon. But when it comes to the plumbing code, the ICC’s philosophy is that the government knows best. There are many differences in the codes themselves, in addition to the very contradictory processes that the two associations utilize and believe in wholeheartedly.

The UPC is a turn-key document, which simply means that the user requires only one book for the installation, design and inspection of both residential and commercial plumbing systems. The philosophy of

providing every necessary aspect pertaining to plumbing systems in one book not only promotes uniform installation, but also promotes uniform enforcement.

With the IPC, multiple code books are required to do what the UPC does. A perfect example is that the IPC is for commercial plumbing installations and the International Residential Code (IRC) is for residential plumbing systems. Now, as a Licensed Plumber and former Plumbing Inspector for

the City of Milwaukee, the thought of carrying a separate code book for commercial and residential is preposterous. In fact, the plumber, inspector and/or contractor is required to carry up to six I-Code books to equal one UPC. This is confusing, to say the least.

The UPC maintains the necessary balance between prescriptive requirements and allowable performance standards. In other words, it tells you how to get there so little, if any, interpretation is necessary. At the same time, it allows engineered designed systems to be created by the professional design community, which provides flexibility when required. With each three-year code cycle, the UPC remains current with technology, yet maintains high and sustainable standards. It is cost effective, consistent, easy to use, and promotes the safety of the public’s health and uniformity throughout the industry.

The IPC is a “performance” or “designer” code with some prescriptive aspects. It offers broad guidelines and performance criteria, which leaves it to engineers, designers and inspectors to interpret exactly how to meet those requirements, often without uniformity. A code that is too “performance” based may provide an easier avenue for inconsistency between installation and enforcement because the specifics are unclear and some code sections may refer the user to separate documents. For example: the UPC provides detailed access require-ments for backflow preventers; the IPC simply states access shall be provided as specified by the manufacturer. So, if “Building A” has a different manufactured backflow preventer installed than in “Building B,” the installations could be vastly different and inconsistent with each other. In many cases, the manufacturer’s literature states that the installation should be in accordance with local codes, which leaves the installer and inspector with little or no guidance. One final observation is the unsubstantiated rhetoric that the UPC does not “mesh” or function properly with other codes. If this were true, then most of the United States that use the International Building Code (IBC), National

Electrical Code (NEC), UPC or other codes that are not I-Codes would be dysfunctional. The fact is that the UPC, and the many other codes that are vastly adopted in America and abroad, have worked seamlessly together with all building codes for decades.

If that wasn’t true, the same argument should then be applied to the IPC or any other code that has been amended locally. When a code like the IPC, IBC or IRC is adopted, the majority of the time it is heavily amended to meet local requirements. Does this mean that because those codes amended by the Authority Having Jurisdiction did not utilize the ICC governmental consensus process, it makes them incompatible with the “family of codes?”

The fact is that “model” codes are suppose to provide code language derived from experts, in this case plumbing, so that a jurisdiction or state does not have to re-invent the wheel when writing or re-writing a code to remain current with technology. Just because a plumbing code says, “See Building Code,” or “See Mechanical Code,” or “Install per manufacturers recommendations,” doesn’t mean that they are “harmonized.”

So when it comes to choosing a plumbing code to help protect the health of the nation, which “link” would you prefer? A “handy-man” type of “link” who can do a little bit of everything? Or a “master plumber” type of “link” who is a well trained, educated and focused expert with decades of successful experience?

about the authorMatthew Marciniak is the Upper Mid-West Regional Manager for IAPMO and Region #2 Director for ASSE. Marciniak is a Licensed Master Plumber

and former Plumbing Inspector for the City of Milwaukee. Marciniak serves on many ASSE committees, performs continuous compliance inspections for IAPMO R&T, and serves as an instructor for the Plumbers Local 75’s apprenticeship program.

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the World Plumbing Council invite you to attend

InternatIonalemergIng technology SympoSIum

May 1 – 2, 2012 • washington dc – marriott bethesda north hotel

There is no other occasion where you will be able to meet – all at once and in one place- so many well-known experts in the fields of water and energy efficiency. These experts will expose you to emerging products and practices and you will witness them exchange views on new trends in the industry. You will be able to hear ideas and approaches about emerging technologies coming to market; learn about innovative green plumbing and mechanical concepts; view presentations and engage in timely discussions on how the water utility, manufacturing, engineering and trade industries have found solutions through emerging technologies in the water efficiency, plumbing and mechanical industries. Sponsors, presenters, and panelists participating in this symposium represent a diverse body of knowledge in the fields of water quality, sanitation and health, water reuse, water and embedded energy, solar, geothermal and other renewable technologies, fat, oil and grease (FOG) discharge mitigation, and even topics raised by you and other audience participants during the symposium.

If you view the 2010 proceedings, you won’t want to miss this one!This 2012 symposium is a highly anticipated reprise of the 2008 and 2010 symposiums. To view video excerpts from these symposiums, search IAPMO on www.youtube.com.

There are three ways to SECURE YOUR SEAT RIGHT NOW! 1. Complete this form and FAX it to: IAPMO and WPC 2012 Emerging Technology Symposium. Fax number: 909-472-42202. Complete this form and MAIL it to: IAPMO and WPC 2012 Emerging Technology Symposium. Address: 4755 E. Philadelphia St. Ontario, CA 917613. Complete this form ONLINE: https://forms.iapmo.org/ets Name: Representing:

Address:

Telephone: E-mail: Early bird registration available until 2/15/2012IAPMO members – US$345 Non-members – US$445

After 2/15/2012o IAPMO members – US$395 o Non-members – US$495

Method of payment: o Check o Credit Card (o Visa o Master o AMEX)Please mail check to: IAPMO and WPC • 2012 Emerging Technology Symposium4755 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761

Card holder name: Signature:

Credit Card #: CVC #: Exp.date:

Credit Card Billing Address:

Refund policy: Cancellation prior to March 15, 2012 – full refund • Cancellation on or after March 16 – no refund

We are continually seeking new sponsors, supporters, and emerging experts. How to contact us: Call Maria Sol Alba 708-995-3005 or email: [email protected]

ETS ad.indd 1 11/29/11 8:55:01 AM


chapter spotlight

miChigAn ChAPTer

The michigan Chapter of the american Society of Sanitary engineering (aSSe) was organized September 16, 1949 at the engineering Society of Detroit headquarters. We had 50 members in michigan at this time, as promised by l. glen Shields two years previously in Phoenix, aZ. over the years, michigan has had five members serve as International Presidents of the Society. In terms of membership, the michigan Chapter peaked in the late 1950s, with over 345 members. Three national annual meetings have come to Detroit through the auspices of three International Presidents: a.R. mcgonegal, 1929; glen Shields, 1951; and William R. Koenig, 1966. In those early years, aSSe michigan Chapter members chaired many important national committees.

The michigan Chapter continues to stay active in the plumbing community by having monthly joint-membership meetings with its sister chapter, the eastern michigan Chapter of the american Society of Plumbing engineers (aSPe). This local partnership has been going on for over 15 years. The monthly meetings provide free dinner to attendees (graciously subsidized by local manufacturers’ representatives), timely instructional topic presentations by local (and sometimes national) experts in the field, and general networking. We have approximately eight monthly membership meetings per year; we find this to be beneficial for both local chapter societies, as many of aSPe’s Board of Directors are also members of aSSe’s Board of Directors.

our chapter hosts a yearly dinner awards and installation banquet that recognizes individual member achieve-ments, as well as the installation of our officers. our yearly banquet is always well attended and has been going on for twenty-plus years now. We typically have several aSSe northern ohio Chapter members

attend this annual meeting as well. our awards cover a wide spectrum of the plumbing industry, including engineers, inspectors, manufacturer representatives, cross-connection control and outstanding people. We also have a college scholarship committee that awards a $1,500 scholarship to a deserving junior/senior engineering student.

This year (01/28/12), our newly elected International President, Donald R. Summers, Jr., swore in our new Board at the banquet.

Today, the michigan Chapter continues to take on tasks that enhance and promote aSSe and its motto, “Prevention Rather Than Cure.” We are very proud of our members who continue in this effort, as well as our chapter for promoting such involvement. Some of the individuals who are involved in aSSe’s national commit-tees are John nussbaum, IPP, faSSe, Barry Pines, Paul Baker, Ron george, Cindy Zatto and Paul Bladdick, faSSe, to name a few. as our chapter looks

into the future, we will continue to promote education and awareness for our plumbing professionals. In michigan, we are surrounded by great lakes and it is my opinion that our chapter is surrounded by great people.

by: esteban Cabello, Pe, faSPe, Chapter President JReD engineering, Inc., President

chapter spotlight featured sustaining member

national inspection testing and Certification Corporation (nitC)

national Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (nITC) is a third-party provider of certification services in the plumbing, piping and HvaC fields. We have certified over 89,000 people in the united States, Canada and Puerto Rico since 1992.

nITC administrates test development and maintenance of certifications. our quality management system is ISo 9001:2008 registered. nITC offers many journey- and mastery-level certifications, as well as medical gas, IaPmo voluntary Plumbing and mechanical Inspector, and other city, county and state government certifications.

five nITC certifications are anSI accredited Certificate #0645: fire Sprinklerfitter mastery, HvaC mastery, medical gas Installer 6010, medical gas Instructor 6050 and medical gas verifier 6030.

The advantage of using nITC as your third-party certifier is that nITC provides a fair, valid and reliable examination that is legally defensible. another important factor when considering a third-party certifier is that nITC provides a legal and ethical firewall separating training and

certification. Since testing is our only business, we have no temptation to alter results to favor any particular curriculum or method. We ensure security by using only approved proctors and we carefully safeguard results and other records. In compliance with federal and state regulations, nITC is non-discriminatory in its acceptance, processing and issuance of certifications. We do not discriminate against or favor any individual because of membership, non-membership or affiliation with any group, union or other organization. our only requirement is that the applicant meets specified requirements.

using industry subject matter experts from varied geographical locations ensures that nITC examinations are developed to the highest industry standards. ensuring that the exams and certifications you use will position you as a leader in the industry, propelling you to the next level.

a large portion of nITC’s business is generated by the medical gas System Personnel certification. When it comes to the qualifications and regulations of the workforce that is designing, installing, altering or maintaining a medical gas and vacuum system for health care facilities, no two documents spell it out better than the aSSe/IaPmo/anSI Series 6000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Medical Gas Systems Personnel, and the nfPa 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities. The foundations for nITC’s medical gas and vacuum system examinations are generated through pertinent information collect from the two most respected standards in the industry. By offering certification for individuals involved in the installation, inspection, instruction or verification of medical gas systems, end users and

patients alike, are assured that those credentialed service providers and their workforce have demonstrated that they truly have an understanding of the knowledge, skill level and ability to execute the procedures required to ensure that the entire system will sustain life throughout the life of the system.

nITC will be proud to be an exhibitor for the third year at the 2012 aSSe annual meeting, november 13-17, at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pa. our certification requirements can be viewed on our website at: www.nationalitc.com.

We look forward to working with any individual, private firm, organization or governmental entity. Please feel free to contact us toll free at (877) 457-6482.

NITC Contact Information: Telephone: (877) 457-6482 fax: (262) 251-5817 Web: http://www.nationalitc.com


Scholarship competition

BESTESSAYS of the 2011

In each issue of Plumbing Standards magazine, we are publishing the top essays submitted by the 2011 scholarship applicants to recognize their efforts and to show the quality of their essays.

This essay is the work of Laura Wiebking, daughter-in-law

of Russell Wiebking, a member-at-large from Westminster,

Maryland.

by laura Wiebking, Carroll Community College

I will expose my initial ignorance. When telling a friend that I was applying for a scholarship with the american Society of Sanitary engineering, she asked what the organization was and how it was related to nursing. Honestly, I did not know. now, as I sit down to write, I am more familiar with aSSe and I am amazed at how the same basic principles of organization and forethought can be applied to both fields with a successful outcome.

aSSe was founded in 1906 to nationalize standards for plumbing codes. They did this in an attempt to educate the public and plumbing industry on the importance of safe and correct plumbing installation, and came up with the slogan “Prevention Rather than Cure.” aSSe has worked in the past to diminish the spread of Polio, a waterborne disease. The Society helped to improve plumbing practices by reducing cross-connections, which led to backsiphonage, which led to the spread of this debilitating disease. aSSe has also been a part of the investigation of legionnaires’ disease. This is an organization that continues to write product and professional standards for all types of plumbing engineering to help improve the health and well-being of the general public. aSSe investigates the causes of a problem, instead of just treating the problem with a quick fix.

Part of this organization is Russell Wiebking, my father-In-law. He has been a certified aSSe Instructor in the state of maryland for 9 years and a proud aSSe member for the past 5 years. He enjoys teaching and passing along the wisdom and knowledge he has gained in his 50 years as a plumber.

In 1996, I graduated from the Johnston School of Practical nursing. I have been a licensed Practical nurse (lPn) for almost 15 years and work for Comprehensive nursing Services. I work with pediatric patients who are chronically ill. There are many aspects of home health care; not only caring for the patient and their physical care, but also interacting with the patient’s

family and meeting their emotional needs. Stress is the biggest factor in a home where there is a special needs child. It is important for me to be sensitive to the dynamic of the house-hold. mom and Dad need to be healthy, get enough sleep, be working to support the family and working in harmony together. If any of this is out of sync, the child I am caring for will see the effects. If a parent is out of work, there may be no money to pay for medicine. Their child with a seizure disorder will have increased neurological issues and possibly suffer permanent brain damage. It is my job to always be assessing my patient and their family for possible illness, address any issues that may affect my patient, and help my patient and their families prevent illness, stress and household pressures. I help the parents maintain their optimum level of health, keep their child out of the hospital and promote stability to families. I feel that “Prevention Rather than Cure” is the best way to describe my job and is also the key to being a good nurse.

now, I have the desire to be a better nurse. as I observed my oldest daughter’s enthusiasm for classes when she was in her first year of college, I began to have the desire to go back to school. my goal is to become a Registered nurse (Rn). I work full time, so I am very busy with my family of four and my school work. There are three of us who are currently enrolled in college and we are striving to pay for our education as we go. We do not want any college debt for our family. I know in this world of loans and credit cards it would be easy to sign off on four years of education, but we have chosen to set the example of debt-free living for our girls.

I thank you for the time and consideration you have put into reading through this lengthy application. also, thank you for the opportunity to learn about aSSe and, most importantly, to learn more about my father-in-law. This experience has helped me understand his profession and to see more clearly his passion for his job.

Plumbing and Nursing: A Very Strange Combination

BACKFLOW INDUSTRY

Paul R. Bladdick, M.P., FASSELPB Co., Inc.

The debate goes on: who has the right to install, test and/or repair a backflow prevention assembly? everyone you talk to has an opinion about this controversy, but nobody can give an answer that will satisfy everyone.

If you are a licensed plumber, you most likely believe that since the backflow assembly is always located in the potable water system, they should, and must, be installed, tested or repaired by a licensed plumber. now, if you are a licensed fire protection fitter, you probably believe that a sprinkler fitter should be the only person who should be allowed to touch anything on the fire suppression system, and that is justifiable. Question: where does the potable water system stop and the fire protection system begin? Then, of course, if you are a licensed irrigation contractor, you believe that you should be able to install and work on the valves. Same question! Possibly the only thing that all agree on is that one should have a license of some sort to work on the backflow prevention system. oh, I’m sorry, I forgot the building owner, who just wants it cheap or not installed at all.

all of the model codes reference aSSe/anSI Series 5000, Cross-Connection Control Professional Qualifications Standard, which does not support or mandate who may install, test or repair; only that they prove experience and pass a required course. We must all understand that the aSSI/anSI Series 5000 is a consensus standard. I was part of the committee that wrote the Series 5000, but that does not mean that I agreed with every word in the standard. To be consensus means that members must be balanced from all concerned parties involved. The members from each discipline argue for their belief, but in the

end, all must agree that it is a give and take situation where everyone wins a little and may lose a little. The final result is a document that provides for the most safety and protection of the public that can be achieved.

Have we created a conundrum (a puzzle with no answer)? It is hard to argue that we have not. The local authority Having Jurisdiction (aHJ) has the right to interpret their code and local laws as they see fit. The guiding principle should, and must, always be to protect our precious water supply. as a licensed plumber, I can give you a litany of reasons why I believe only a properly trained and licensed plumber should be allowed to install, test or repair. undoubtedly, a licensed fire protection person will give a very convincing argument for their people doing the work, as I am sure will the irrigation contractor. Perhaps, in my mind, only the building owner can give no legitimate reason, as cost should never override safety.

This month’s theme lends very much to why this article is written. Plumbing and mechanical systems are so entwined that in nearly all phases, we have overlapping, or nearly overlapping, jurisdiction. We have water, gas and air in these systems, and depending on what they are designed and used for, who will be the one to install them. There is, however, one very important item that all must comply with: a permit is required to do the work. a permit, in and of itself, is just a piece of paper that a contractor pays for. It is only when the properly trained and dedicated inspector becomes involved that good things begin to happen. The plan review and required inspections are to assure the end user that a properly trained and licensed

individual will do, or has done, the work in accordance with all local codes and requirements.

now we have come full circle. We start with training and end with training. So now we know there is a common denominator for the entire industry: training. all who participate in the process must be properly trained.

In conclusion, let me say that even if we cannot completely agree on who does the work, I believe we can all agree that whoever it may be, if they are properly trained and the work is properly permitted and inspected, public safety will be ensured.

now you can all go and chew on this conundrum. let me know if you can solve it. Thank you.

Whose job is it?


FACTORY AUDITS UPDATE

The following passed their 2011 audits: Bradley Corporation Ho Sing enterprises Hunter Industries, Inc. Hydro Systems In-Sink-erator moen, Inc. oatey Company Tsangkuo Industrial Co., ltd. Wilkins / a Division of Zurn

ASSE PRODUCT LISTINGS UPDATE

Bradley Corporation ASSE Standard #1017-2009, Performance Requirements for Temperature Actuated Mixing Valves for Hot Water Distribution SystemsS59-4016 Series – Includes: S59-4016D (1/2” nPT/Sweat), S59-4016n (3/4” nPT), S59-4016S (3/4” Sweat), S59-4016X (1/2” PeX), S59-4016y (3/4” PeX)

ASSE Standard #1069-2005, Performance Requirements for Automatic Temperature Control Mixing ValvesS59-4016 Series – Includes: S59-4016D (1/2” nPT/Sweat), S59-4016n (3/4” nPT), S59-4016S (3/4” Sweat), S59-4016X (1/2” PeX), S59-4016y (3/4” PeX)

ASSE Standard #1070-2004, Performance Requirements for Water Temperature Limiting DevicesS59-4016 Series – Includes: S59-4016D (1/2” nPT/Sweat), S59-4016n (3/4” nPT), S59-4016S (3/4” Sweat), S59-4016X (1/2” PeX), S59-4016y (3/4” PeX)

WaterSaver faucet ASSE Standard #1001-2008, Performance Requirements for Atmospheric Type Vacuum BreakersModels: l100, l101,l102, l112, l115, l115Ham & vR100L102 – Includes: l102WS, l102WSa, l102aDJ, l102aDJ-WS, l102aDJ-WSa, vR102WSa L112 – Includes: l112WS, l112WSa, l112aDJ, l112aDJ-WS, l112aDJ-WSa, vR112, vR112WS

ASSE Standard #1024-2004, Performance Requirements for Dual Check Backflow PreventersModels: lm108 & lm108Pm-WSaL102 – Includes: l108Pm, l108Pm-WS, l108Pm-aDJ, l108Pm-aDJ-WS, l108-aDJ-WSa, vR108Pm, vR108Pm-WS, vR108Pm-WSa

Watts Regulator Co.ASSE Standard #1018-2001, Performance Requirements for Trap Seal Primer Valves- Potable Water SuppliedTP300S & LFTP300S – Size: ½”TP300T & LFTP300T – Size: ½”

ASSE UPDATES

Wilkins / a Division of ZurnASSE Standard #1013-2009, Performance Requirements for Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventers and Reduced Pressure Principle Fire Protection Backflow Preventers375AST – Sizes: 10”, 8” – Horizontal – w/ Wilkins 48 gate valves, Wilkins 49 butterfly valves, victaulic 702, Clow 2638/39/40

ASSE Standard #1015-2009, Performance Requirements for Double Check Backflow Prevention Assemblies and Double Check Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assemblies350AST – Sizes: 10”, 8” – Horizontal - vertical up – w/ Wilkins 48 gate valves, Wilkins 49 butterfly valves, victaulic 702, Clow model 2638/39/40

ASSE Standard #1047-2009, Performance Requirements for Reduced Pressure Detector Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assemblies375ASTDA – Sizes: 10”, 8” – Horizontal – w/ Wilkins model 48 gate valve, Wilkins model 49 butterfly valve, victaulic model 702 and Clow model 2638/39/40

ASSE Standard #1048-2009, Performance Requirements for Double Check Detector Fire Protection Backflow Prevention Assemblies350ASTDA – Sizes: 10”, 8” – Horizontal - vertical up – w/ Wilkins 48 gate valves, Wilkins 49 butterfly valves, victaulic 702, Clow model 2638/39/40 & Bypass of Wiklins model 850

PRODUCT STANDARDS UPDATE

aSSe Draft Standard #1010-2004 – Performance Requirements for Water Hammer Arresters. Task group is currently drafting changes.

aSSe Draft Standard #1011-2004 – Performance Requirements for Hose Connection Vacuum Breakers. Product Standards Committee Chairman is reviewing ballot comments.

aSSe Draft Standard #1022-2003 – Performance Requirements for Backflow Preventer for Beverage Dispensing Equipment. Balloting the working group.

aSSe Draft Standard #1044-2001 – Performance Requirements for Trap Seal Primer Devices - Drainage Types and Electronic Design Types. Balloting the Product Standards Committee.

aSSe Draft Standard #1056-2001 – Performance Requirements for Spill Resistant Vacuum Breaker. Creating Draft B from working group comments.

aSSe Draft Standard #1057-2001 – Performance Requirements for Freeze Resistant Sanitary Yard Hydrant with Backflow Protection. Balloting the Product Standards Committee.

aSSe Draft Standard Series 15000 – Professional Qualifications Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water Based Fire Protection Systems. Comments from the working group ballot are being addressed.

aSSe Draft Standard Series 16000 – Plumbing Inspector Professional Qualifications Standard. additional changes were made to the Standard and approved by the working group in february, 2012. The PQ Standards Committee ballot is due on 3/15/2012.

aSSe Draft Standard Series 17000 – Mechanical Inspector Professional Qualifications Standard. The draft was approved by the working group in february, 2012 and will be sent to the PQ Standards Committee in march.

2012 ASSE Scholarship Program

The aSSe Scholarship Program is all set to kick-off the 2012 year. The Scholarship Board met and has made a few changes for this year. The aSSe Scholarship Program is open to all members, and relatives of members, who have been members for at least one year. The applicant must be a full-time student in an undergraduate degree program at a college or university. To be considered a full-time student, you must maintain a minimum of 10 credit-hours per semester.

application packets will be available after march 15, 2012 at the aSSe International office.

all ReQueSTS muST Be maDe In WRITIng e-mail (preferred) or letter mail Send all requests to: aSSe International office c/o Scholarship Program Chair 901 Canterbury Road, Suite a Westlake, oH 44145-1480 [email protected]

your request must list the following information: your full name, the name and relationship to a member of aSSe, your e-mail address, your phone number and your mailing address for any correspon-dence that must be mailed.

When completing your application, please follow the instructions and include all of the necessary information. If you have any questions, please contact the Chairperson by e-mail or phone.

ASSE NEWS

aSSe Draft Standard #1060-2006 – Performance Requirements for Outdoor Enclosures for Fluid Conveying Components. Scheduling next working group meeting.

aSSe Draft Standard #1066-1997 – Performance Requirements for Individual Pressure Balancing In-Line Valves for Individual Fixture Fittings. Compiling 2007 comments and revising Draft f.

aSSe Draft Standard #1071-2008 – Performance Requirements for Temperature Actuated Mixing Valves for Plumbed Emergency Equipment. Compiling working group ballot comments.

aSSe Draft Standard #1079-2005 – Performance Requirements for Dielectric Pipe Unions. Product Standards Committee Chairman is reviewing ballot comments.

Multiple working groups are currently forming: Please visit http://asse-plumbing.org/standards/stdscom_wg.html for a complete list of forming working groups.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS UPDATE

aSSe Standard Series 6000 - Draft – Professional Qualifications Standard for Medical Gas Systems Personnel. The first working group meeting was held march 7 & 8 in Westlake, oH.

aSSe Standard Series 7000 - Draft – Professional Qualifications Standard for Residential Fire Protection Systems Installers and Inspectors. The draft was balloted to the PQ Standards Committee. The ballot failed and the comments were compiled. The draft will be sent back to the working group to address the issues.

aSSe Draft Standard Series 9000 – Firestop Systems and Smoke-Limiting Materials Professional Qualifications Standard. The working group will meet again in march. a poll is currently being taken to determine the date.

aSSe Draft Standard Series 11000 – High Purity Water Professional Qualifications Standard. Comments from the working group ballot are being addressed.

aSSe Draft Standard Series 12000 – Professional Qualifications Standard for the Health and Safety of Plumbers and Pipetrade Professionals. The working group members are working on specific tasks as assigned.

aSSe Draft Standard Series 13000 – Professional Qualifications Standard for Service Plumbing. The first working group meeting is scheduled for april 19, 2012 in Cleveland, oH.


The cut-off date for submitting completed applications is august 31, 2012.

Raffle ticket sales and donations are the primary sources of income for this wonderful program. Tickets are available at the aSSe International office, or they can be purchased with your membership renewal.

IAPMO BPI and LRWA Announce Schedule of Joint Backflow Certification Classes

The International association of Plumbing and mechanical officials Backflow Prevention Institute (IaPmo BPI) and the louisiana Rural Water association (lRWa) have formed a partnership to conduct backflow training certification classes throughout the state of louisiana.

“IaPmo BPI is excited about expanding its certification training into louisiana and in working with an established industry respected organization like the lRWa,” said Sean Cleary, IaPmo BPI Director of Training and education.

“lRWa is equally excited to partner with IaPmo BPI and expand the training programs that lRWa offers across the state of louisiana,” said Rusty Reeves, lRWa Deputy Director.

IAPMOBPI,aleaderincross‐connectiontrainingbothintheunited States and internationally, has been a provider of the american Society of Sanitary engineering (aSSe) certification program for many years. lRWa has been a leader in providing operator training and technical assistance to water and wastewater systems across the state of louisiana since 1978.

IaPmo BPI and lRWa will be conducting the following Backflow Tester Certification Classes around louisiana:

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester 40-Hour Course and Exam march 26-30, 2012 – new orleans area

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester 40-Hour Course and Exam may 14-18, 2012 – Shreveport area

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester 40-Hour Course and Exam Sept. 17-21, 2012 – Kinder, la

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester 40-Hour Course and ExamDec. 3-7, 2012 – monroe area

Please contact IaPmo BPI for exact locations. IaPmo BPI can also schedule private classes on location for any group or company throughout the state of louisiana. for additional information, direct your Web browser to:

http://www.iapmodwbp.org/Pages/TrainingandCertification.aspx or call (877) 427-6601.

Zurn Industries Celebrates World Plumbing Day announces early compliance with impending federal low-lead standards

on march 11, as members of plumbing organizations across the world joined together to recognize World Plumbing Day and to promote the vital role the plumbing industry plays in protecting public health and safety, Zurn Industries, lCC announced that its entire line of products will be available “lead-free” by the close of 2012.

Inspired by their relationship with nSf International (nSf) and their dedication to offer the highest-quality and safest products available, Zurn products will comply with nSf low-lead Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects, annex g requirements more than a year in advance of the deadline mandated by the “Reduction of lead in Drinking Water act.”

“Zurn focused resources early to create product solutions and we are pleased to announce we will be in compliance ahead of schedule,” says David Scelsi, Director of Product management & engineering, Zurn Commercial Brass operation.

The Reduction of lead in Drinking Water act (S. 3874) requires that any valve, fitting or fixture coming in contact with potable water must meet nSf/anSI Standard 61-g requirements, having weighted average of less than 0.25 percent lead content. The law will take nationwide effect on January 4, 2014, but states like California and vermont have already begun enforcing it. other states may soon follow. With their early compliance, Zurn becomes the leader in lead-free applications and global awareness of lead-related health issues.

“We’ve been working toward this goal since the act was passed into law, and World Plumbing Day presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate this commitment,” says Rick fields, Senior Director of marketing and Product Development, Zurn Wilkins. “By making the change early, we hope to set an example and encourage fellow manufacturers, engineers, contractors, building owners and water purveyors to do the same in the interest of a healthier tomorrow.”

Children and senior citizens are particularly at risk when exposed to lead in drinking water. lead contamination can lead to damage in the brain and nervous system, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, reproductive problems, high blood pressure and more. Through studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control and the PeW Center on the States, Congress discovered that by reducing lead in the nation’s drinking water systems, the u.S. could save an estimated $10.8 - $53.1 million in health care costs annually.

ASSE NEWS (cont.)

INDUSTRY BUZZ

“Zurn Industries’ commitment to comply with nSf annex g’s lead content requirements in advance of the 2012 deadline reinforces to their customers that protecting public health is a #1 priority,” said nasrin Kashefi, general manager of nSf International’s Plumbing Programs. Products that meet nSf/anSI Standard 61-g requirements appear on nSf International’s website (http://www.nsf.org/Certified/PwsComponents) and bear the nSf annex g mark.

Zurn Industries has a standing reputation of producing products that are in full compliance with federal and state low-lead standards. In September 2009, Zurn became the first manufacturer in the industry to provide lead-free, fully approved backflow prevention assemblies and parts to the market.

established by the World Plumbing Council (WPC), World Plumbing Day is dedicated to helping the general public better understand and appreciate the extent to which the plumbing industry’s compliance with evolving state and federal regulations can help to improve the quality of potable water and lives of those who drink it. Zurn is proud to carry out this message through this announcement. for additional information on World Plumbing Day, visit http://www.worldplumbingday.org.

for additional information on Zurn’s lead-free and low-lead products and certifications, or to learn more about the steps taken to comply with the impending law, contact Rachael at [email protected], Director of Brand marketing. To learn more about nSf, visit http://www.nsf.org, or contact ellen van Buren at [email protected].

Anti-Sprinkler Legislation Filed in 2012

State legislatures are in session and opponents of home fire sprinklers have wasted no time in convincing some lawmakers to introduce bills in several states that would prohibit jurisdictions from including one- and two-family dwelling fire sprinkler requirements in the adopted codes.

Here’s how you can help! one of the goals of nfPa’s fire Sprinkler Initiative is to provide you with the advocacy tools (http://www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/Take-Action/Advocate.aspx) you need to get local governments to mandate fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes. Please contact one of nfPa’s Regional Sprinkler Specialists to let us know how we can help you in your state.

COLORADOSB12-081: Prohibits local jurisdictions from requiring installation of automatic fire sprinklers in single family dwellings. Sponsor: Kevin grantham, District 2Status: Defeated in committee.

HAWAIISB2397: Prohibits local jurisdictions from requiring installation or retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers in new or existing one- or two family dwelling units used only for residential purposes.

Sponsor: Will espero, 20th Senate DistrictStatus: Referred to Public Safety, government operations, military affairs (Pgm) and to Water land and Housing (WlH) Committees. Pgm Committee passed with amendments. Referred amended version to WlH for consideration.

HB1795: Prohibits local jurisdictions from requiring installation or retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers in new or existing one- or two family dwelling units used only for residential purposes. Sponsor: Rida Cabanilla, House District 42Status: Referred to Housing (HSg), Public Safety and military affairs (PBm) and Judiciary (JuD) Committees.

ILLINOISHB5847: Prohibits local jurisdictions from requiring installation of automatic fire sprinklers in single family dwellings. Requires mandatory option. Sponsor: michael unis, 91st DistrictStatus: Referred to Rules Committee.

TENNESSEEHB2639: Prohibits sprinkler requirements in local building codes in one-family and two-family dwellings. Sponsor: eric WatsonStatus: Referred to Commerce Subcommittee. Hearing date set for 2/22/2012..

SB2492: Prohibits sprinkler requirements in local building codes in one-family and two-family dwellings. Sponsor: Jim TracyStatus: Referred to Commerce, labor and agriculture Committee.

learn about the efforts of The Tennessee fire Sprinkler Coalition (http://www.firesprinklerinitiative.org/Legislation/State-initiatives/Tennessee.aspx), formed to bring the fire service and other stakeholders together for the purpose of keeping the home fire sprinkler requirement in the Tennessee code.

IAPMO Releases 2012 Uniform Codes

The 2012 editions of the uniform Plumbing Code® (uPC) and uniform mechanical Code® (umC), american national Standards published continuously since 1928 and 1967, respectively, by the International association of Plumbing and mechanical officials (IaPmo), were released, completing a three-year consensus development cycle accredited by the american national Standards Institute (anSI).

Significant changes to the uPC include:

•Revisedprovisionsfortheminimumnumberofplumbingfixturesrequired per occupancy.

•Revisedapplication,waterconsumption,backflowandmaterialrequirements for plumbing fixtures.

ASSE NEWS (cont.)


•Newalternatewatersourcerequirementsthatincludeprovisionsfor: gray water systems, reclaimed (recycled) water systems, potable and nonpotable rainwater catchment systems, and on-site treated water systems.

•Newsustainablepracticerequirementsthatapplytowater consumption and water heating.

•Revisedfuelgaspurgingrequirements.

•Revisedvacuumdrainagesystemrequirements.

•Revisedandupdatedjointandconnectionrequirementsbasedon applicable standards for water supply and drainage piping based on pipe material.

Significant changes to the umC include:

•Newrequirementsforpiping,tubing,balancing,louvers,protectionof piping, and ductwork.

•Newprovisionsforevaporativecoolingsystems.

•UpdatesweremadetoChapter4(Ventilation).

•Refrigerationportprotectionrequirements.

•Revisedfuelgaspurgingrequirements.

•Newrequirementsforpiping,tubingandfittingsusedinhydronicsystems.

•NewAppendixA(ResidentialPlanExaminerReviewFormForHvaC System Design).

•NewAppendixE(SustainablePractices).Sustainablepracticerequirements that apply to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and equipment.

•NewAppendixF(ExamplesofVentingSystemSizing).

•NewAppendixG(ExamplefortheCalculationofOutdoorAirRate).

The uniform Codes are developed using the anSI consensus development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on plumbing and mechanical practices.

The codes are designed to provide consumers with safe and sanitary plumbing and mechanical systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. The public at large is encouraged and invited to participate in IaPmo’s open consensus code development process. a code development timeline and other relevant information are available at IaPmo’s Website, www.iapmo.org.

for more information on the uPC and/or the anSI consensus process, please contact matt Sigler at (909) 230-5535 or matt. [email protected]. for the umC, please contact Hugo aguilar at (909) 472-4111 or [email protected].

Sustainability in buildings advances resiliency: USGBC, U of M

The u.S. green Building Council and the university of michigan’s Taubman College of architecture and urban Planning released a landmark report feb. 29 that describes how green buildings advance resiliency in disasters. “green Building and Climate Resilience: understanding Impacts and Preparing for Changing Conditions” describes potential adaptive strategies available to green building practitioners. These strategies add an important new dimension to the green building industry’s long-standing focus on reducing greenhouse gases through energy efficiency and renewable/ low-carbon energy supplies.

“every building is designed for a specific range of conditions, such as peak temperature, storm surge and average precipitation,” said Dr. Chris Pyke, uSBgC’s vice president of research. “Climate change has the potential to undermine some of these assumptions and potentially increase risks to people and property. fortunately, there are practical steps we can take to understand and prepare for the consequences of changing environmental conditions and reduce potential impacts. This can help green buildings meet and exceed expectations for comfort and performance long into the future.”

The report was released during the national leadership Speaker Series on Resiliency and national Security in the 21st Century, hosted by uSgBC and ICleI-local governments for Sustainability uSa.

Craig fugate, administrator of the federal emergency management agency, spoke at the national Press Club as part of the event and emphasized the importance of green buildings in disaster preparedness. He urged leaders from major corporations, government, academia, the scientific community and civil society to help advance green building as a complementary strategy to address pre- and post-emergency management situations, ultimately forging more resilient communities.

“In the wake of last year’s disaster activity, with tornadoes across the southwest, flooding from Hurricane Irene and even an earth-quake on the east Coast, it is important that we develop and enforce safe and sustainable building codes to make our communities more resilient, and to protect lives and property in times of disaster,” fugate said. “green building practices, resiliency of our communities and emergency management priorities are not mutually exclusive.”

The report, which identifies the deep synergies between green building and resiliency, advances several firsts in the field, such as:

•Examiningtheimplicationsofclimatechangeforgreenbuildingand identifies opportunities for resilience through the design, construction, and operation of buildings and communities.

•AnalyzinghowindividualLEEDcreditssupportregionaladaptationneeds, such as enhanced water conversation in arid climates and water-sensitive regions.

INDUSTRY BUZZ (cont.) INDUSTRY BUZZ (cont.)

•Demonstratinghowconsiderationofclimateresilienceinbuildingscan increase the likelihood of achieving performance goals throughout the lifetime of a project.

The national leadership Speaker Series on Resiliency and national Security in the 21st Century serves as a forum for promoting a strategic vision for “resiliency” and features keynote speakers who are playing a leadership role in creating a safer, stronger and more sustainable future. This installment was generously supported by Ingersoll Rand.

NSF Expands Scope of Military Microbiological Water Purification Device Protocol

nSf International, a global public health organization that develops american national Standards for the water, food and consumer products industries, has expanded the scope of the protocol that addresses military water purification devices (nSf Protocol P248 military operations microbiological Water Purifiers). nSf developed the protocol with the u.S. army Public Health Command (uS aPHC).

The nSf protocol helps protect the health of service members that use water purification devices and initially covered small individual water purifiers (IWPs). The expanded scope now includes indi-vidual water purifiers and additional systems known as small unit (e.g. squad or platoon size) water purifiers collectively known as SWP (small water purifiers), which can be used on planned mis-sions up to seven days in duration or longer under certain situations. In addition to military use, the water purification devices covered under the protocol can be used by disaster/emergency response teams, backpackers and others who do not have ready access to a treated water supply.

nSf International will conduct a seminar on the military water pu-rification devices protocol at the WQa aquatech trade show at 4:00pm PST on Tuesday, march 6th in Room n206. nSf Interna-tional experts will discuss background, requirements and the ex-panded scope of the protocol with representatives from the u.S. army Public Health Command and the u.S. army natick Soldier Research Development and engineering Center in attendance.

Based on the ePa guide Standard and Protocols for Testing mi-crobiological Purifiers, nSf Protocol P248 outlines the requirements for removing the type of microbiological contaminants from drinking water likely to be encountered during military operations. manufac-turers whose products are tested and comply with the performance (appendix B) criteria of nSf Protocol P248 receive a government Review agency P248 letter of Compliance, which can be provided to those who purchase these devices for the military and other agencies.

Products that also successfully complete material safety, struc-tural integrity, performance and literature and labeling evaluation earn certification to nSf P248, which allows for the use of the nSf mark on the product and promotional materials in addition to the

government Review agency P248 letter of Compliance.

“The goal of the nSf protocol for microbiological water purifiers is to ensure that military personnel, and others, have access to safe drinking water from any freshwater source that may be available to them when deployed or in the field,” said nikki Beetsch, group lead for nSf International’s Drinking Water Division. “for the past 40 years, nSf International has led the development of the amer-ican national Standards for products that come into contact with drinking water.”

“nSf International is the logical organization to collaborate on the development of this protocol with the u.S. army,” said Beetsch. “We have the expertise in water treatment systems required to develop the test protocols and the facility, equipment and people to implement the protocol by conducting the testing.”

for more information about nSf Protocol P248 military operations microbiological Water Purifiers visit the nSf website or contact [email protected] or 734-913-5718. for more information on nSf International’s Drinking Water Testing and Certification Programs or protocol development, contact ellen van Buren at 734-827-3822 or [email protected].

WPC Past Chairman Awarded for Services to Plumbing

Robert Burgon, Immediate Past Chairman of the World Plumbing Council, has been awarded Honorary fellowship of the uK’s Society of Public Health engineers (SoPHe). This award, which is the highest given by the Society, is in recognition of Robert’s contribution to the plumbing industry for more than 30 years. The presentation, by SoPHe Chairman Chris northey, took place at the SoPHe Dinner in london, england on november 3, 2011.

Share Your Knowledge at the 2012 ASPE Convention

If you are looking to share your knowledge and design experience with others in the plumbing industry who are eager to learn, then you need to contact aSPe to be considered for the 2012 Convention and ePe taking place in Charlotte, nC from october 25th – october 31st. aSPe is currently taking submissions from individuals who are interested in presenting technical sessions.

Please send in your contact information at http://aspe.org/ CallforPapers (including your mailing address, email address and phone number), a brief professional biography about yourself or the person who would present and a description of the presentation topic which would be covered and what would be contained in the presentation. Keep in mind the following:

- each session will be a minimum of 1.5 hours in length so make sure the presentations are such that they cover a topic in detail.


Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2012 Update: Published by unicef and the World Health organization

The world has met the millennium Development goal (mDg) target of halving the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water, well in advance of the mDg 2015 deadline, according to a report issued today by unICef and WHo. Between 1990 and 2010, over two billion people gained access to improved drinking water sources, such as piped supplies and protected wells.

The report, Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation 2012, by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, says at the end of 2010 89% of the world’s population, or 6.1 billion people, used improved drinking water sources. This is one per cent more than the 88% MDG target. The report estimates that by 2015 92% of the global population will have access to improved drinking water.

“For children this is especially good news,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “Every day more than 3 000 children die from diarrhoeal diseases. Achieving this goal will go a long way to saving children’s lives.”

- These presentations need to remain non-proprietary in nature as the Convention education Sessions are about learning— not selling.

- The Convention and education Committee will review all sub-missions and select the topics they feel are appropriate for the Convention.

Should you have any questions, please contact aSPe education at (847) 296-0002 x229 or [email protected]. If you wish to include additional attachments for consideration please do so by email.

Please complete the form below before the april 1, 2012 deadline.

PMI Welcomes First Certifier Allied Member

Plumbing manufacturers International (PmI) is pleased to announce that the International association of Plumbing and mechanical officials (IaPmo) has joined PmI as a charter Certifier allied member.

PmI has recently opened its membership to accredited certifier organizations who are qualified to certify products to plumbing codes and consensus standards and also to supplier companies who provide raw materials and sublet processing, e.g., brass suppliers, steel suppliers or plating services to the plumbing industry. PmI recognizes the important role certifiers and suppliers play in the plumbing manufacturing industry and believe the allied member category is the ideal way to include these organizations in PmI’s mission to be the voice of the industry.

allied members receive a number of the benefits of PmI member-ship, including access to PmI publications, attendance at PmI’s semi-annual meetings, invitations to receptions, dinners and other social events held in conjunction with the PmI semi-annual conferences and more, all at a special allied member rate.

“IaPmo plays a major role in our industry,” said PmI executive Director Barbara C. Higgens. “Through our memorandum of un-derstanding and now with this new relationship, we are continuing to explore ways to work more closely together. We are pleased and proud to welcome IaPmo as an affiliate member of PmI.”

“IaPmo has long recognized the important role PmI plays for not only its members but as a representative organization for major plumbing product manufacturers throughout the world. We are delighted to be the first charter Certifier allied member and we are committed to working closely with PmI and its many members to further the objectives of our mou,” noted IaPmo group Ceo gP Russ Chaney.

for more information about allied membership in PmI, please contact amy Berg-ferguson, PmI membership Development at 847-481-5500.

INDUSTRY BUZZ (cont.)

YEARBOOK2011

AmERicAn SOciEtY Of SAnitARY EnginEERing

Business Sessions

ATTN: ASSE MEMBERS To receive your 2011 ASSE Yearbook,

you must submit a requestYou may submit your request by:

filling out the Online 2011 ASSE Yearbook Request Form at www.asse-plumbing.org

by telephone (440.835.3040) or email ([email protected])

*please have your Member Number (ID) ready when submitting your request

877.379.8258

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