The state of Oregon has adopted a first-of-its-kind “Reach Code,” a set of optional construction standards designed to increase the efficiency of buildings above the mandatory statewide building code, provisions of which
come from IAPMO’s Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement (GPMCS).
The “Reach Code,” established in Senate Bill 79 (2009), requires the State of Oregon Building Codes Division to adopt a code encompassing construction methods and technology designed to increase energy and water efficiency over the mandatory codes for builders that choose to incorporate them. Chapter 7 of the code, “Water Resource Conservation and Efficiency,” is based upon the 2010 IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, a tool designed to be used as an overlay to any building code to provide code officials with comprehensive, progressive and enforceable green provisions toward sustainable construction practices.
The inclusion of the water efficiency provisions of the GPMCS into the Oregon Reach Code ensures that they are consistent with the requirements of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, which is based upon the IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code®. The IAPMO GPMCS was explicitly developed to work seamlessly with the Uniform Plumbing Code while maintaining performance, health and safety.
“The state of Oregon’s adoption of a ‘Reach Code’ utilizing IAPMO’s Green Supplement is another example of this forward-looking document’s appeal and value to jurisdictions worldwide seeking to embrace sustainable building practices,” said Dwight Perkins, IAPMO senior director of Field Operations. “IAPMO is thrilled to have contributed to
Oregon’s progressive actions.”
For more information on IAPMO’s Green Supplement, direct your Web browser to http://www.iapmo.org/Pages/IAPMO_Green.aspx.
Last modified: July 8, 2011