Have you ever questioned why a certain product you sell is designed a certain way and were told, “Sorry, we have to do it that way because the code or standard requires?” or you thought a different design would be better but you were told, “Sorry, the code does not allow us to change the design?”  

The American Supply Association now is offering you the opportunity to actually change that code or standard so it makes sense.  Two new working groups are being formed under the direction of the ASA Codes and Standards Committee:

Plumbing working group:  Responsible for driving improvements to codes and standards activities directly impacting the plumbing products and systems design and installation.  Products covered by this group will include:  water distribution pipes, plumbing fixtures and traps, water-treating or water-using equipment, soil waste and vent pipes, and building drains.  Model codes and standards covered by this group will include: International Plumbing Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, applicable standards published by ASHRAE, ASTM, NSF International, ASME and others.

Mechanical/PVF working group:  Responsible for driving improvements to codes and standards activities directly impacting the mechanical systems and industrial pipe, valves and fittings, and fittings design and installation.  Products and systems covered by the group will include: HVAC systems, boilers/water heaters and pressure vessels, hydronic piping systems, fuel-gas piping systems, medical gas systems and solar-thermal systems.  Model codes and standards covered by this group will include: ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, International Mechanical Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, NFPA Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code and others.

The qualifications to be considered to serve on either of the working groups is simple, you need to be an employee of an ASA member company.  In addition, we are looking for individuals who have direct experience in at least one of the following areas: product design or installation, involvement in code/standards committees, field experience, or direct customer contact.  It is anticipated all working group activity will be conducted via teleconference.

The working groups will be formed by mid-January 2018, so if you are interested please provide your name, title, brief description of experience and verification of support from your employer to Jim Kendzel, ASA director of codes & standards.  You can send the information to Jim’s email at jkendzel@asa.net.  If you are interested but not sure you will be able to contribute, feel free to reach out to Jim and he will be glad to speak with you about the opportunity.

Codes and standards impact every ASA member organization and the customers they serve.  This is an opportunity for you to have a direct and positive impact on those codes and standards and bring both your companies concerns and the voice of your customers to the discussions.  In addition, getting involved in these working groups creates a great opportunity to learn from and network with others in the industry.