ICC, IAPMO set February as critical meeting date for continued discussions on accomplishing goal to jointly develop plumbing, mechanical codes

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the International Code Council (ICC) will meet in February to begin work in earnest in an effort to determine whether the organizations can agree on all of the essential elements, which would be needed in order to create joint plumbing and mechanical codes, according to representatives of both organizations.

IAPMO and ICC Board members and staff met in Little Rock, Ark., on Nov. 19 to continue their ongoing discussion of a joint venture to create single plumbing and mechanical codes for the country. The executive committees of both boards and key staff met for several hours in the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum following a private tour of the Library and onsite lunch.

"I am even more optimistic as a result of these latest discussions that single codes for plumbing and mechanical will become a reality for this country," said Henry Green, President of the International Code Council Board. "There are obvious differences in our processes and in the content of our codes but our mutual determination to work out those differences was very apparent during the meeting."

"I agree," indicated Chris Salazar, President and CEO of IAPMO. "We have a lot of work to do, but I was very encouraged with the conversation we had on Saturday and look forward to our next meeting."

The two organizations agreed to reconvene in San Antonio, Tex., in February.

The Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, which symbolizes President Clinton's bridge to the 21st century, served as the backdrop for this first formal meeting between IAPMO and ICC. The Center, which includes the Clinton Foundation and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, provided the ideal stage for a productive meeting of the two associations, who signed an MOU in September to discuss the possibility of a joint venture to develop new Plumbing and Mechanical Codes for the nation.

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials is an organization dedicated to the protection of the public's health and safety through the development and maintenance of the Uniform Plumbing CodeTM (UPCTM) and the Uniform Mechanical CodeTM (UMCTM). 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 International Code Family, including the International Mechanical Code® and International Plumbing Code®.