The Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD), in collaboration with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), has published the Uniform Plumbing Code – Abu Dhabi: An Environmental Guide for Water Supply and Sanitation for the United Arab Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
This 2009 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code – Abu Dhabi (UPC-AD) was created using as its basis the 2009 edition of IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code©, an American National Standard that represents the most current approaches in the plumbing field. Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural, economic, social and climatic conditions were all taken into consideration during the development of the UPC-AD.
The UPC-AD is considered to be one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced plumbing codes ever developed. It addresses the specific needs of Abu Dhabi while providing a sustainable process for future development.
The Code will help to dramatically reduce water consumption in the Emirate by detailing the specifications and designs required for water supply and sanitation technologies, including for public restrooms and restrooms adjacent to mosques. It also provides information about the tools and devices needed in this field and the scope and mechanism of applying the specifications.
This will help to enhance use of solar technology for domestic water heating, as well as vacuum drainage systems that provide an alternate method of waste removal, grey and black water waste systems and reduction of wastewater requiring treatment as a result of water conservation.
The UPC-AD also provides information about auto wash recycling systems, how to separate grey and black waste water systems, and how to enhance water savings through low-flow plumbing fixtures, especially at laborer compounds. The Code also provides details about standards for product certification and testing.
This announcement represents for IAPMO another in a recent series of cooperative efforts with international government entities. The association previously assisted in the development of a Uniform Potable Water Plumbing Code for the State of Kuwait, is co-developer of the Uniform Plumbing Code – India and has collaborated with the Kingdom of Jordan in developing its own Uniform Plumbing Code.
“IAPMO was pleased to assist EAD in the creation of this landmark model code,” said GP Russ Chaney, executive director of The IAPMO Group. “Abu Dhabi has serious water supply challenges that are now being addressed by the requirements of this new plumbing code. The Emirate now joins many other nations that have used the Uniform Plumbing Code as the basis for their plumbing system installations. The provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code protect more than 50 percent of the world’s population.”
Consisting of 16 chapters and eight appendixes, the UPC-AD will be available in both English and Arabic at the offices of EAD for all stakeholders and developers by April 2009.
Sponsor of the Uniform Codes, IAPMO – The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials – works in concert with government and industry for safe, sanitary plumbing and mechanical systems. Learn more about IAPMO at www.iapmo.org.
Last modified: March 30, 2009