The comment stage to develop the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code is now complete. The Technical Committees for these codes met in Anaheim, Calif., May 1-4, to address public comments submitted.

The American Supply Association attended the hearings to speak on 12 public comments that were submitted to the UPC and 12 that were submitted to the UMC on behalf of the ASA Codes and Standards Committee. ASA also spoke on other items that affected the interest of its members. Prior to the May hearings, the ASA Codes and Standards Committee met to discuss all comments that can possibly affect the interest of ASA members. Out of the 27 items of interest for the UPC, 21 went in ASA’s favor. For the UMC, out of 17 items of interest, 13 went in ASA’s favor.

One of the most contentious items discussed for the UPC dealt with the use of 1 ½-in., minimum trap and trap-arm size for showers. The UPC TC agreed for a minimum of 1 ½-in., trap and trap-arm for retrofit installations only. This item will now go for electronic balloting for final approval.

Other comments submitted dealt with lowering the flow rates for water closets, urinals and showerheads. This, of course, ASA spoke against as the UPC is a minimum code. When it was all said and done, the UPC TC voted to reject the lower flow rates in the UPC.

The UMC had some contentious items as well. One of the items discussed in great length was Item # 072 which intended to limit the use of flex ducts to 5 ft. for both residential and commercial applications. The UMC TC ultimately agreed to limit flex ducts to 5 ft. for commercial applications only, as it currently reads in the 2015 edition. This item also will go for electronic balloting for final approval.

According to the IAPMO regulations, all comments will require a reaffirmation through official electronic balloting. If the returned electronic ballots achieve a necessary 2/3 affirmative, then the TC action obtained from the hearings will carry forward. If it does not achieve the necessary 2/3 affirmative, the item will be reported as “rejected.”

The next IAPMO meeting will be the annual Education and Business Conference in Anchorage ,Alaska,  Sept. 24-28. At this meeting, an item can be brought back up; therefore, ASA will maintain an active role and follow the IAPMO process to assure the interests of ASA members and the health and safety of the public are protected.