A letter to stakeholders from Dave Viola, CEO - The IAPMO Group
Dear Partners:
The IAPMO Group has been closely monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and taking steps to protect the safety of our employees, members, customers, and industry partners with whom we work closely. IAPMO has implemented a work-from-home policy, permitting many of our staff to conduct business remotely. In addition to the Uniform Codes being accessible for free, IAPMO is now also providing the public with free access to critical standards.
Since 1926, IAPMO has protected the health and safety of the public through our codes and standards activities. Because we know the challenges many in our industry now face include financial uncertainty, IAPMO is temporarily providing free remote access to the standards most vital in dealing with such viral threats as COVID-19. IAPMO understands we are all working together to combat COVID-19; access to codes and standards should not represent a roadblock in that battle.
The standards and codes listed below support the services essential to responding to COVID-19 and include performance and installation requirements for plumbing and mechanical systems. IAPMO has made these documents freely available to enhance the public understanding of how the proper functioning of plumbing and mechanical systems protects health.
IAPMO appreciates your ongoing support and welcomes your participation in our standards development activities. All of us at IAPMO wish you and your loved ones good health and safety.
Sincerely,
ASSE Product Standards
ASSE 1018, Trap Seal Primer Valves-Potable Water Supplied
Devices covered by this standard are designed primarily to supply water to drain traps that have infrequent use and in which water evaporation would allow sewer gas to enter the premises. This device is located in the domestic water distribution system and is designed to supply potable water to a drain trap to maintain the water seal. A means for the prevention of back siphonage shall be incorporated as part of the device. [READ ONLINE]
ASSE 1044, Trap Seal Primer-Drainage Types and Electric Design Types
Trap seal primers are primarily designed to supply water to floor drain traps that have infrequent use and in which water evaporation would allow sewer gas to enter the premises. The trap seal primers covered by this standard are designed to supply water to a drain trap to provide and maintain its water seal by using a supply from a fixture drainline, ballcock, flushometer valve tailpiece or an electric trap seal primer. The rate of water flow to the trap shall be permitted to be fixed or adjustable. [READ ONLINE]
ASSE 1072, Barrier Type Floor Drain Trap Seal Protection Devices
Because this barrier method does not automatically and periodically provide water to replenish the trap seal, it must provide a barrier on the inlet side of the trap seal that will minimize evaporation caused by the ambient air on the building side of the trap. This barrier must also provide adequate drainage capabilities required for the floor drain's intended use as determined by its design, size and installation location. While developing the requirements and tests for these devices, certain adverse conditions were taken into consideration: the introduction of fouling substances such as dirt/sand, floor wax or grease into the device. Drainage requirements are provided to accommodate infrequent and sizeable water flows caused by water line breaks, fixture overflows or backflow preventer discharges. [READ ONLINE]
ASSE Personnel Qualification Standards
ASSE 6000, Medical Gas Systems Personnel
This standard address minimum requirements for medical gas systems and cryogenic fluid central supply systems installers, inspectors, verifiers, maintenance personnel and instructors. The 2018 edition parallels the medical gas-related requirements of NFPA 99-2018, Health Care Facilities Code.
This standard does not directly address the spread of pathogens but as it applies to Medical Gas Systems personnel -- including installers and inspectors -- is instrumental to making sure that patients and medical professionals are kept safe in the temporary facilities that are being set up. [READ ONLINE]
ASSE 12000, Infection Control Risk Assessment for All Building Systems
This standard addresses the need for construction and maintenance personnel to become proficient in identifying and managing potential situations where they may be exposed to pathogens, diseases and hazards. This standard series also enhances the ability of personnel to protect occupants and operations from infections; especially within healthcare facilities. Making this standard even more encompassing and valuable than the previous edition, ASSE Series 12000 now defines general knowledge requirements for developing and implementing water systems risk management programs and sets minimum criteria for training and certifying employers, plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, and sprinkler fitters.
The 12010, 12020, 12030 and 12040 standards (all of which are included in the Series 12000) are infection control standards that directly address the spread of pathogens including viruses like COVID-19.
The 12060, 12061, 12062 and 12063 standards do not directly address the spread of pathogens but as they relate to water quality are instrumental to making sure that patients and medical professionals are kept safe in the temporary facilities that are being set up.
ASSE 13000, Service Plumber and Residential Mechanical Services Technician
This standard institutes a minimum level of practical experience, and the plumbing service and residential mechanical service knowledge required in order for an individual to demonstrate the required level of competency. [READ ONLINE]
ASSE 15000, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
This standard was developed to establish a level of competency for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems beyond the requirements of NFPA Standard 25. It provides minimum qualification criteria for qualified individuals who provide inspection, testing and maintenance for water-based fire protection systems in compliance with installation, inspection, testing and maintenance standards. The 15010 Standard (found in the Series 15000) addresses fire protection for these temporary facilities but does not directly address the spread of pathogens. However, it is instrumental to making sure that patients and medical professionals are kept safe in the temporary facilities that are being set up. [READ ONLINE]
ASSE 16000, Inspector and Plans Examiner
This standard provides minimum performance criteria for plumbing inspectors, mechanical system inspectors, plumbing plans examiners and mechanical plans examiners, as well as documents experience, education, training, and general knowledge requirements. The 2019 edition of the Series 16000 combines previous editions of ASSE 16000, Professional Qualifications Standard for the Plumbing Inspector, and ASSE 17000, Professional Qualifications Standard for the Mechanical Inspector, and adds professional qualifications for plumbing and mechanical plans examiners. [READ ONLINE]
IAPMO Industry Standards
IGC 127, Combined Hand‐Washing Systems
This standard reduces the number of surfaces to contact for washing and disinfecting hands. It also uses sensor actuated water and soap dispensers combined in one unit. [READ ONLINE]
IGC 156, Wash Fountains and Lavatory Systems with or without Water Closets
This standard reduces the number of surfaces to contact for washing and disinfecting hands. It also uses sensor actuated water and soap dispensers. [READ ONLINE]
IGC 278, Concealed Type Waterless Urinals
Products that comply with this standard do not require touching the fixture for flushing which reduces the risk of infection. [READ ONLINE]
IGC 289, Portable Seated Personal Showering Systems
Products that comply with this standard offer portable personal showering systems which reduces the risk of infection. [READ ONLINE].
IGC 305, ABS and PVC Horizontal Backwater Valves with Lifting Devices
This standard ensures the waste or storm drain system will not backflow into the building envelope in case of backpressure which protects the building from contamination. [READ ONLINE].
IGC 316, Self-Cleaning Water Closets
This standard offers the automated self-cleaning feature for water closets which reduces the risk of infection for users and maintenance personnel. [READ ONLINE].
IGC 361, Flexible corrugated Drain Connectors for Lavatories and Sinks
These drain connectors have the ability to clamp the trap before the point of connection to the waste pipe which allows the trap to be cleaned and disinfected using the applicable chemicals whenever needed. [READ ONLINE].
The Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC)
The Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC) has been protecting the health and safety of the public since 1945. It is developed via a proven consensus process, accredited by the American National Standards Institute. This consensus process provides for a balance of interests to participate in the development of the code – which affects millions of people around the globe – all of whom address public health and safety code provisions. The following links are to a document that can assist in preventing the spread of diseases such as COVID-19 and access the 2021 UPC.
UPC, COVID-19 Transmission Prevention Guidance
2021 UPC Free Access
The Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC)
The Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC) has been protecting the health and safety of the public since 1967. It is developed via a proven consensus process, accredited by the American National Standards Institute. This consensus process provides for a balance of interests to participate in the development of the code – which affects millions of people around the globe – all of whom address public health and safety code provisions. The following links are to a document that can assist in preventing the spread of diseases such as COVID-19 and access the 2021 UMC.
UMC, COVID-19 Transmission Prevention Guidance
2021 UMC Free Access
The Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code® (USPSHTC)
The Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code® (USPSHTC) has been protecting the health and safety of the public since 1978. It is developed via a proven consensus process, accredited by the American National Standards Institute. This consensus process provides for a balance of interests to participate in the development of the code – which affects millions of people around the globe – all of whom address public health and safety code provisions. The following links are to a document that can assist in preventing the spread of diseases such as COVID-19 and access the 2018 USPSHTC.
USPSHTC, COVID-19 Transmission Prevention Guidance
2018 USPSHTC Free Access
Additional Resources
IAPMO is committed to safety; as we protect the health of the nation through plumbing and mechanical systems, we also act to protect the public by providing additional resources on COVID-19. The following URL contains important documents directly supporting the plumbing and mechanical industry: https://www.iapmo.org/ibu/whats-new/coronavirus-resources
