ICC, IAPMO take next step toward development
of joint Plumbing and Mechanical Codes

In response to the signing of an MOU on September 28, the International Code Council (ICC) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) will hold a high level, face-to-face meeting on November 19. The organizations solidified their intent to proceed with discussions concerning a potential joint venture to update the Uniform Plumbing Code™, Uniform Mechanical Code™, International Plumbing Code® and International Mechanical Code® to produce a joint code in the respective subject areas.

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

IAPMO President Christopher Salazar appeared equally optimistic when he stated "IAPMO and the ICC have progressed to a point which enables both organizations to consider what had once been thought impossible, that is, to jointly develop one Plumbing Code and one Mechanical Code for the entire U.S. I'm very optimistic about our chances to successfully conclude these discussions."

The MOU signed by ICC Board Immediate Past President Frank Hodge and IAPMO Board President Salazar commits both organizations to a serious exploratory effort.

The MOU describes both parties' intentions regarding a joint venture to develop joint plumbing and mechanical codes. Both organizations intend to work cooperatively to develop successor codes to the Uniform and International Plumbing and Mechanical Codes in close consultation with their existing stakeholders.

The parties intend, in order to promote the public interest, to work to identify a system to allow them to jointly develop a single set of coordinated successor codes to the Uniform and International Plumbing and Mechanical Codes. In developing such a system, the parties agreed to the following principles, among others:

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) is an organization dedicated to the protection of the public's health and safety through the development maintenance of the Uniform Plumbing Code™ (UPC™) and the Uniform Mechanical Code™ (UMC™). IAPMO is a membership association serving industry, government, consumers and other parties within and outside the USA, and besides promulgating industrial education seminars and certification programs, IAPMO is a leading developer of standards, codes, product testing and certification with goals to enhance public safety and health. IAPMO is an ANAB accredited agency for ISO management systems registration. For more information, visit www.iapmo.org.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council. ICC is the developer of the ICC Family of Codes, including the International Mechanical Code® and International Plumbing Code®.