The Code Council's Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG) group welcomed industry representatives to Palm Springs with a reception on February 22 where the new ICC Evaluation Services PMG listing program was introduced, and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed with the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), and the World Toilet Organization (WTO). The MOUs will identify mutual areas of interest, and help the organizations to work cooperatively to leverage impact, increase reach and maximize the efficient use of each respective organization's resources. By supporting each organization's respective research and technology programs, these organiations will continue to promote the advancement of science and technology, safety water delivery and sanitation.
ABPA External Affairs Committee Chair Ron Chapman (center), signs an MOU with the Code Council's COO Dominic Sims (left) and PMG Executive Director Jay Peters.
APSP President and CEO William Weber (second from right) and Senior Technical Director Carvin DiGiovanni (second from left) sign an MOU with the Code Council's COO Dominic Sims (left) and PMG Executive Director Jay Peters.
PMG Executive Director Jay Peters (left) presents an ICC lapel pin to APSP President and CEO William Weber (center) while Senior Technical Director Carvin DiGiovanni looks on.
WTO Founder Jack Sim (center) signs an MOU with the Code Council's COO Dominic Sims (left) and PMG Executive Director Jay Peters.
WTO Founder Jack Sim gives an insightful presentation on sanitation conditions in third-world countries.
The World Toilet Organization was established in 2001 to bring the neglected issue of toilets and sanitation to the forefront. The WTO is a growing network of 91 member organizations from 46 countries. Founder Jack Sim spoke on the issues of sanitation and water-borne diseases in third-world countries, the effects of sanitation on tourism, the role of public toilets in urban settings, and the effect of proper sanitation on productivity and economic growth.
"The stark reality of what is happening today around the world is that 40 percent of people have no toilets," said Sim. "It is a ridculous number, but it is true. In China, India, the former Soviet Union countries, Africa, Latin America and in many Asian countries, people are defacating openly. Such unsanitary systems kill an average of two million children every year, because no one pays attention to sanitation. At any one time, 50 percent of the world's hospitals are occupied by people who have diseases based on contamination or water-born diseases. So what are we doing? We are bringing this great unspeakable subject of toilets and sanitation into the center stage of the world media."
Sim also spoke on the World Toilet Summit 2008, which will be held November 4-6 in Macau. The Summit will also feature the World Toilet Expo, which will showcase leading-edge sanitation solutions for the urban and rural sanitation industry.
From left, ICC Evaluation Service Senior Evaluation Specialist Michael Jones, Director of Listing Programs Bernie Soesilo and Principle Mechanical Engineer Richard Beck.
PMG Director of Plumbing Programs Lee Clifton (left) and WTO Founder Jack Sim.
The original International Mechanical Code Committee unites during the PMG reception. From left, Code Council Senior Technical Staff Gregg Gress, ICC Evaluation Service Principle Mechanical Engineer Richard Beck, John Wiggins, Shariar Amiri and Code Council Senior Technical Staff Bob Guenther. Not pictured is Gordon Clyde.
Group from Maryland.
Members of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers.
International Code Council members from the state of Virginia.
International Code Council members from the state of Colorado.
