I begin this issue’s column with an update on an exciting new chapter for the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH). In July, working in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Plumbing Council (WPC), Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers (PSSE), and National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines (NAMPAP), IWSH completed a project in Manila to upgrade plumbing systems in four health care facilities around the city.
Through this project, IWSH built momentum between the plumbing industry and WHO, specifically with its WASH program. For as long as IAPMO has been involved with the WPC, the plumbing industry has continually worked to strengthen its relationship with WHO, with whom we believe we’ve only scratched the surface of the significant outcomes we can deliver. So, this is a really exciting reenergization of this relationship, delivering on heretofore unrealized potential. The most unique aspect of this project is that it brought together WHO’s expertise in the areas of hygiene, sanitation and health and our industry’s specialized knowledge of plumbing and how it works, really building a strong foundation for our continued work together. I truly believe the sky’s the limit as far as the people we can help and the communities we can serve. This project is a crucial next step in the relationship and a blueprint for how we can accelerate delivering the benefits of clean water and safe sanitation to the world. By employing what we’ve learned from these community projects, including how important it is to unite stakeholder groups and engage with the next generation of young professionals, we create a deliverable model we can deploy over and over again with great success.
You can read more about this project in the IWSH report.
Another bit of news I’m thrilled to share is the recent announcement that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has incorporated the Uniform Plumbing Code® into its P100 document of facilities standards for public buildings. I can’t overstate how important it is for IAPMO and our code to be recognized at the federal level. Not only does it remove barriers that previously existed for public buildings within UPC-adopting jurisdictions, but I believe recognition from the federal government brings new opportunities for everything IAPMO does, from code development and adoption to education and training. Kudos to our Government Relations team for achieving this goal resulting from years of advocacy.
Since my last column, IAPMO and our partners the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) produced another incredibly informative Emerging Water Technology Symposium (EWTS) in Scottsdale, Arizona. We’ve hosted this event every other year since 2008 and it just gets more insightful and thought-provoking each time as industry leaders explore new challenges and devise solutions in real time.
During the EWTS, the Plumbing Industry Leadership Coalition (PILC) held another meeting, bringing representatives from our industry’s leading organizations together to discuss how we can collaborate to make our industry a better steward for the communities we serve. You can read more about these events in Tony Marcello’s column.
Another cooperative effort I want to highlight is the recent white paper co-published by IAPMO and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) concerning pipe sizing for storm drainage systems. Not only is this a vitally important factor as our industry seeks to improve the resiliency of our buildings and communities, it is also another great example of IAPMO’s ethos of collaborating with the industry to identify issues, find solutions and introduce resolutions into whatever applicable codes and standards need to upgraded and improved.
On the personnel front, I’m extremely pleased to report our own Chief Administrative Officer Gaby Davis was appointed to the ANSI Board of Directors. Gaby is no stranger to ANSI as she spent most of the past two decades serving on the institute’s Board of Standards Review and Executive Standards Council. Gaby is never one to call attention to her own accomplishments so I’m going to do it instead. Congratulations not only on a tremendous personal achievement but also thank you on behalf of IAPMO for ensuring the association continues to work closely with standards development community.
One more important personnel note, I’m excited to welcome Richard Houle to The IAPMO Group. Richard is our new senior vice president of Plastics with IAPMO R&T and will lead the effort to grow IAPMO’s product testing and certification program for products that fall under the NSF/ANSI 14 standard. Richard comes to us from Reliance Worldwide (RWC) and Uponor and will represent IAPMO at Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI) and Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA) meetings, the NSF/ANSI 14 standard committee, and ASTM standards meetings. Please join me in making him feel at home as he leads this exciting endeavor on behalf of The IAPMO Group.
I’ll wrap things up by expressing my humble gratitude to Tools and Tiaras, who recognized me as a “Mally” — male ally — of the diversity advocacy organization that seeks to empower girls to embrace jobs that have previously been male dominated. While I appreciate the personal accolade, this is also recognition of all of IAPMO’s sustained efforts to facilitate and accelerate inclusivity in our industry, which is something my predecessor Russ Chaney made central to IAPMO’s mission. I have been honored to carry forward this important work. In partnership with Tools and Tiaras and its inspirational leader, Judaline Cassidy, we continue to raise the visibility of female plumbers and their vital contributions to the trades. I accept this recognition on behalf of all the “mallies” and allies at IAPMO and look forward to pressing ahead in the pursuit of greater inclusivity across the industry.
See you all in Las Vegas. I will share the details from my CEO report at the annual conference in my next column.
Dave Viola
Dave Viola is the CEO of The IAPMO Group, a global non-profit membership-based organization focused on the development of codes that govern plumbing quality standards. He has more than 25 years of senior management experience within the plumbing and mechanical industry. He joined IAPMO in 2007 and, served as IAPMO’s chief operating officer with strategic and operational responsibility for the comprehensive array of IAPMO Group programs and services. Dave also serves as Deputy Chairman of the World Plumbing Council. Dave previously worked as Technical Director for the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) from 1998 until 2007. He serves or has served on many industry committees and boards in the United States and Canada, including AWE, ASME, ANSI and ASHRAE.
Last modified: September 3, 2024