Mokena, Ill. — ASSE International is forming a working group to develop a professional qualifications standard for inspectors of cured-in-place-piping (CIPP) systems, a process for in place pipe rehabilitation. The first working group meeting is expected to be held in the Chicagoland area in mid-September.

To enhance the development of this standard, IAPMO has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NASSCO Inc., a non-profit trade association of organizations and individuals who operate in or are involved in the inspection, maintenance and/or repair of underground infrastructure, to develop the standard.

“With this technology growing as an option to complete pipe replacement, it’s important to know and communicate the proper requirements for this technology, and that starts with the inspection community that can enforce such requirements,” said John Watson, senior vice president of Industry Relations and Business Development with The IAPMO Group.

Shelia Joy, NASSCO’s executive director, added: “Partnering with ASSE on this standard brings together the highly respected ASSE/IAPMO standards with NASSCO’s deep knowledge of CIPP installations and its mission to set standards in the application of this proven trenchless technology.”

Industry stakeholders — including CIPP system installers and manufacturers, plumbing professionals, building owners and managers, engineers, AHJs, and the general public — are invited and encouraged to apply to participate. To become a member of this working group, a completed application (http://goo.gl/07vJP) and résumé must be submitted by Aug. 31 to Terry Burger, director of Product Standards, at terry.burger@asse-plumbing.org.

ASSE International is an ANSI-accredited standards developer and product certification body composed of members representing all disciplines of the plumbing and mechanical industries. ASSE’s product performance standards, professional qualifications standards, professional certification and product listing programs aim to improve the performance and safety of plumbing and mechanical systems. Learn more about ASSE International at http://www.asse-plumbing.org.

NASSCO, Inc. is a 501 c (6) not-for-profit organization that sets standards for the assessment, maintenance, and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure and assures the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless (“no-dig”) technologies. Its vision is to build awareness for the need to repair aging underground infrastructure through education such as NASSCO’s Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP™), Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP™) and other training programs; through technical resources including publications and specification guidelines; and through advocacy to secure funding of underground systems and protect the future of trenchless technologies. Learn more at NASSCO.org.