As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Board of Directors has determined this year the Spring Technical Committee Meetings will be held as two weeklong virtual events. Attendees will still be required to register in order to participate. Meeting registration information will be provided soon.

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) Technical Committee virtual meeting is scheduled for May 3-7, starting at 8 a.m. PDT and ending at noon each day, Monday-Friday.

The Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) Technical Committee virtual meeting is scheduled for May 17-21, starting at 8 a.m. PDT and ending at noon each day, Monday-Friday.

The UPC and UMC Technical Committees will be discussing proposals submitted for the development of the 2024 UPC and 2024 UMC. All proposals received will be available by April 1, and can be downloaded from the IAPMO Code Development webpage at www.iapmo.org/code-development.

Introduced in Los Angeles in 1928 and formally published as the Uniform Plumbing Code in 1945, the UPC is developed to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare. Later published by IAPMO in 1967, the UMC provides the same governance for mechanical (HVAC, combustion, exhaust, refrigeration) systems. Developed and subsequently republished at the conclusion of each three-year code cycle, the UPC and UMC are designed to provide consumers with plumbing, heating, and mechanical systems that meet all applicable standards while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies.

IAPMO employs a consensus development process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), gathering the largest assembly of plumbing and mechanical experts in the world at its annual education and business conference and technical committee meetings, enabling anyone — members and nonmembers alike — to lend their voice to proposed changes to the code. The 2024 editions of the UPC and UMC will mark the eight time these codes have been developed in this manner.

IAPMO urges its members and other interested parties to get involved in the process to ensure effectiveness in preserving the public's health, safety, and welfare through fair and balanced development of its codes and standards. Installers, plumbing and mechanical officials, the construction industry, engineers, and manufacturers all benefit from a cooperative effort in developing codes.

In accordance with the IAPMO Regulations Governing Committee Projects, anyone interested may register for the UPC and UMC virtual meetings.

For further information, please contact Alma Ramos at 909-230-5528 or alma.ramos@iapmo.org.