Washington, D.C. — Effective July 16, the Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC) will be the only codes of practice permitted by the federal government to be used for the establishment, expansion and improvement of State veterans cemeteries funded through grants by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in instances where no local or state code exists or local/state codes are less stringent than the UPC/UMC.
The Department of Veterans Affairs on June 16 issued this final rule amending the regulations governing grants the VA makes to States for the above stated purposes. The ruling changes the referenced codes to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ (IAPMO) Uniform Codes from those produced by another code development organization.
The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) are the only plumbing and mechanical codes of practice to be designated as American National Standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
“VA grants to States for the funding of veterans cemeteries represent a significant amount, meaning a great deal of work is being done on behalf of these fallen heroes and their families,” said GP Russ Chaney, IAPMO executive director. “IAPMO is honored to have our codes designated as the codes most worthy of honoring their service to our nation through the preparation and enhancement of their final resting place.”
The VA is implementing through regulation new statutory authority to provide grants for the operation and maintenance of State veterans cemeteries (Operation and Maintenance Projects) as authorized by the Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Act of 2007.
For more information on the VA’s State Cemetery Grants Program, direct your Web browser to http://www.cem.va.gov/scg_grants.asp.
Last modified: June 22, 2010