The 2012 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC), American National Standards published continuously since 1928 and 1967, respectively, by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), are tentatively scheduled for release March 1, completing a three‐year consensus development cycle accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Significant changes to the UPC include:
• Revised provisions for the minimum number of plumbing fixtures required per occupancy.
• Revised application, water consumption, backflow, and material requirements for plumbing fixtures.
• New alternate water source requirements that include provisions for: gray water systems, reclaimed (recycled) water systems, potable and nonpotable rainwater catchment systems, and on‐site treated water systems.
• New sustainable practice requirements that apply to water consumption and water heating.
• Revised fuel gas purging requirements.
• Revised vacuum drainage system requirements.
• Revised and updated joint and connection requirements based on applicable standards for water supply and drainage piping based on pipe material.
Significant changes to the UMC include:
• New requirements for piping, tubing, balancing, louvers, protection of piping, and ductwork.
• New provisions for evaporative cooling systems.
• Updates were made to Chapter 4 (Ventilation).
• Refrigeration port protection requirements.
• Revised fuel gas purging requirements.
• New requirements for piping, tubing and fittings used in hydronic systems.
• New Appendix A (Residential Plan Examiner Review Form For HVAC System Design).
• New Appendix E (Sustainable Practices). Sustainable practice requirements that apply to heating, ventilation and air‐conditioning systems and equipment.
• New Appendix F (Examples of Venting System Sizing).
• New Appendix G (Example for the Calculation of Outdoor Air Rate).
The Uniform Codes are developed using the ANSI consensus development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on plumbing and mechanical practices.
The codes are designed to provide consumers with safe and sanitary plumbing and mechanical systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. The public at large is encouraged and invited to participate in IAPMO’s open consensus code development process. A code development timeline and other relevant information are available at IAPMO’s Website, www.iapmo.org.
For more information on the UPC and/or the ANSI consensus process, please contact Matt Sigler at (909) 230‐5535 or matt.sigler@iapmo.org. For the UMC, please contact Hugo Aguilar at (909) 472‐4111 or hugo.aguilar@iapmo.org.
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: February 21, 2012