This article contains content that is written like an advertisement .(July 2024) |
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Research and Testing | |
Founded | 1936 |
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Location | |
Key people | Jin Luo, senior director of Asia Pacific Operations/Laboratory Recognition; Ohannes Dembekjian, senior director of Continuous Compliance; Anish Desai, director of Product Certification |
Website | www.iapmort.org |
IAPMO R&T was started in 1936 as a third-party listing agency specializing in plumbing and mechanical products. IAPMO R&T is accredited to certify products that meet the criteria of the Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Solar Energy Code, Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code and other nationally recognized codes and standards in North America.
IAPMO R&T is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Standards Council of Canada (SCC) to act as independent and authoritative conformity assessment body to operate a material and product listing and labeling (certification) system and is accepted globally by the Authorities Having Jurisdiction.
The product listing (certification) process includes initial and ongoing product testing, a periodic inspection on current production of listed products, and making available a published report of the listed manufacturer and specific products that contain specific information regarding the material or product conformity to applicable standards and has been found safe for use in a specific manner.
IAPMO Marks of Conformity are widely recognized and represent the highest degree of integrity in showing compliance with established codes and standards including:
Recognizing the growing importance of water conservation, IAPMO R&T provides certification for the United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA WaterSense program, as well as certification to the Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement.
And in response to client demands, IAPMO R&T recently added two new services that include certification to other codes (e.g. International Plumbing Code) and the “two-in-one” certification for plastic pipes and fittings (NSF/ANSI 14 and equivalent ASTM standards).
Acceptance by the Product Certification Committee (PCC) will be contingent upon the applicant furnishing to the Association's staff, appropriate production samples bearing the final appropriate markings prior to listing.
IAPMO R&T works directly with the manufacturer during the certification process.
For more than 30 years, IAPMO's standards-developing efforts have primarily focused on plumbing product standards. This concentration was primarily due to IAPMO members’ expertise from more than 50 years of writing and updating the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
Recently, IAPMO's efforts have broadened to include standards for mechanical products. Drawing on their years of experience, many IAPMO members have also contributed to the development of the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC). Mechanical product standards cover heating, ventilation, cooling and refrigeration system products.
IAPMO also publishes standards covering products used in the Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Housing Industry called IAPMO Trailer Standards.
The IAPMO Standards Department represents IAPMO in many standards-writing organizations throughout North America. These organizations include the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).
The IAPMO Standards Department is also involved in its own standards work. IAPMO publishes more than 200 current standards. These standards have been developed through IAPMO's standards development process. Many IAPMO standards have been developed into nationally recognized consensus standards in conjunction with organizations such as ANSI, ASME, ASSE and ASTM. The IAPMO Standards Department is also an ANSI-accredited Standard Development Organization (SDO), which develops and publishes IAPMO/ANSI consensus standards such as the Z124 documents for plastic plumbing products and the Z1000 series documents for waste disposal products.
IAPMO Guide Criteria
The IAPMO Standards Department works with industry to provide an opportunity for the development of new standards when no applicable standard exists for a product. Often, new products or technologies surge ahead far faster than many standards can keep pace. Through the IAPMO Guide Criteria (IGC) procedure, IAPMO provides manufacturers and product developers an opportunity to draft IAPMO standards as a vehicle for introducing new products. Once an IGC is accepted, IAPMO R&T can list products manufactured in compliance with the new requirements.
IAPMO Standards Review Committee
The IAPMO Standards Review Committee meets monthly to review all proposed new standards and standards changes submitted to IAPMO. These meetings are open to members of industry and the public at large. All sides have the opportunity to present their views and supporting information on the proposals discussed at these meetings. Proposals voted on by the Standards Review Committee are posted for 20 days on the IAPMO Standards Development Program 20 Day Public Review Website for public comment.
Revising or Developing IAPMO Standards
Proposals may be submitted to IAPMO's Standards Department for revisions to existing IAPMO Standards or to develop new standards if no applicable standard exists for a product. Applications and fee schedules are available at iapmostandards.org. Proposals and Applications must be submitted before the 26th of the month and will be reviewed by the Standards Review Committee (SRC) at the following monthly meeting.
The American National Standards Institute is a private nonprofit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide.
The UL enterprise is a global safety science company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, composed of three organizations, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL Solutions.
Within industry, piping is a system of pipes used to convey fluids from one location to another. The engineering discipline of piping design studies the efficient transport of fluid.
A hot tub is a large tub full of water used for hydrotherapy, relaxation or pleasure. Some have powerful jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are sometimes also known as "spas" or by the trade name Jacuzzi. Hot tubs may be located outdoors or indoors.
The International Code Council (ICC) is an American nonprofit standards organization, sponsored by the building trades, which was founded in 1994 through the merger of three regional model code organizations in the American construction industry. The organization creates the International Building Code (IBC), a model building code, which has been adopted for use as a base code standard by most jurisdictions in the United States. Despite its name, the International Code Council is not an international organization nor does it consistently follow international best practices.
Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.
Passive fire protection (PFP) is components or systems of a building or structure that slows or impedes the spread of the effects of fire or smoke without system activation, and usually without movement. Examples of passive systems include floor-ceilings and roofs, fire doors, windows, and wall assemblies, fire-resistant coatings, and other fire and smoke control assemblies. Passive fire protection systems can include active components such as fire dampers.
The Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA) is an American trade body that sets standards for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment. It rates fan balance and vibration, aerodynamic performance, air density, speed and efficiency.
Building officials of developed countries are generally the jurisdictional administrator of building and construction codes, engineering calculation supervision, permits, facilities management, and accepted construction procedures.
A fire test is a means of determining whether fire protection products meet minimum performance criteria as set out in a building code or other applicable legislation. Successful tests in laboratories holding national accreditation for testing and certification result in the issuance of a certification listing.
The Plumbing & Drainage Institute (PDI) is an association of American manufacturers of engineered plumbing drainage specialty products. Such products include floor drains, roof drains, sanitary floor drains, cleanouts, water hammer arresters, swimming pool drains, backwater valves, grease interceptors, fixture supports, and other drainage specialties. It is located in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems associated with swimming pools, spas and hot tubs as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory is the term used by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration to identify third-party organizations that have the necessary qualifications to perform safety testing and certification of products covered within OSHA and each organization's scopes. The testing and certification are conducted in accordance with U.S. consensus-based product safety test standards developed or issued by U.S. standards organizations
Uniform Codes are codes of practice developed and maintained by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) using the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) accredited consensus development process working on a three-year cycle. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus.
IAPMO Standards are the plumbing and mechanical standards of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). For more than thirty years, IAPMO’s standards-developing efforts have primarily focused on plumbing product standards. This concentration was primarily due to IAPMO members’ expertise from more than 50 years of writing and updating the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). IAPMO is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-recognized Standards Development Organization (SDO).
A plumbing code is a code that provides regulations for the design, installation and inspection of building plumbing and sanitary systems. In the United States, jurisdictions enact their own codes, some of which are based upon model plumbing codes. The most widely adopted plumbing code in the United States is the International Plumbing Code published by the International Code Council (ICC). This code is also used as the basis for the plumbing codes of some other countries. Another model plumbing code published and utilized widely across the United States is the Uniform Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), a multinational operation with offices in 13 nations. IAPMO codes are developed using ANSI consensus development procedures. This code serves as the basis for the national plumbing codes in India and Indonesia.
NSF is a product testing, inspection, certification organization with headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. NSF also offers consulting and training services worldwide.
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) coordinates the development and adaptation of plumbing, mechanical, swimming pool and solar energy codes to meet the specific needs of individual jurisdictions both in the United States and abroad.
The Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation, inspection and maintenance of HVAC and refrigeration systems. It is designated as an American National Standard.
Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of solar energy, hydronic heating/cooling systems, and geothermal energy systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.