Over the past 12 months, IAPMO Group staff has worked toward a renewed strategy. In August 2010, the various Business Unit leaders met to revisit the Board of Directors’ Vision 2013 and to realign their efforts to ensure we are on target to exceed our goals. I am most pleased to report to you that The IAPMO Group is right on track.

In the area of code development, there are two major accomplishments to report. The state of Minnesota has voted to utilize the Uniform Plumbing Code as the basis for the Minnesota Plumbing Code. Although not yet complete, this is a major victory for IAPMO and its industry partners that assisted in promoting the health and safety provisions inherent in the UPC. Credit is due to Field Manager Matt Marciniak, who trumpeted this effort with unstinting support from many of our industry stakeholders. 

Additionally, the commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers have adopted the 2009 Uniform Mechanical Code as the basis for the Massachusetts Sheet Metal Code. Another major accomplishment, led by Field Manager Gordon MacEwan, this adoption was a result of promoting the provisions within the UMC that serve to protect its constituents. This adoption is yet another example of the strong support IAPMO receives from our industry supporters.

On the topic of industry partners, I am very pleased to report that IAPMO has been working closely with the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and its new Executive Director/CEO Jim Kendzel. Some of IAPMO’s most dedicated and long-standing members are the co-founders of ASPE and have long recognized the synergies that could result from a close working relationship between ASPE and IAPMO. Members such as Don Dickerson and Ed Saltzberg illustrate the high level of professionalism, industry experience and integrity upon which both IAPMO and ASPE have come to rely. Jim and I will continue to explore ways to work together so that our members and the industry that ASPE and IAPMO serve will derive benefit from our collaboration.

The IAPMO membership is growing steadily with an increase exceeding 20 percent this the past year. This is a remarkable achievement given the ongoing slow economic growth, as many organizations are struggling to maintain their membership database. Along with increased membership, the Board of Directors has approved 11 new chapters. Mostly in the Southeast, these chapters can be found in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Texas. This growth in membership and new chapters speaks volumes about IAPMO’s domestic field services division, led by Dwight Perkins and overseen by Allen Inlow. Allen and Dwight, working together with what I deem to be some of the best and brightest minds our industry has to offer, have created an excellent cadre of technically skilled and politically savvy field representatives. They are simply the best in the business!

If you have not attended a chapter meeting recently, I encourage you to do so. IAPMO members derive the benefit of networking and education, learning of tools that they can use immediately on the job. In areas where code adoptions are taking place, as in Massachusetts and Minnesota, chapter members came together with industry partners to promote the benefits of the UPC and UMC. I know I have reported this in the past, but I would like to say it again: IAPMO is YOUR organization. Plumbing and mechanical inspectors founded IAPMO. The Codes written by this organization are a direct result of the knowledge shared by each of you. Please be involved; contact your local field representative and attend a chapter meeting. 

Education programs are continuously growing within The IAPMO Group. The newest business unit is Environmental Education — Green Plumbers USA. Steve Lehtonen joined us earlier this year and has been actively promoting this new education program. With so many states including legislation that addresses environmental provisions, there is a growing need for green plumbers. Joining Steve is Doug Kirk. Many of you may already know Doug, as he has been involved in UPC and UMC development for years when he formerly ran his plumbing business and represented the California Chapter of PHCC at IAPMO code development hearings. Doug has made a major impact at IAPMO already and he will continue to add value in the ongoing development of our environmental education curriculum and programs. He is one of the best instructors in our industry!

Another program with which IAPMO became involved this year was Building Safety Month. President Dan Daniels and I were very honored to be a part of the press conference that took place at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., as well as various meetings held at the White House, Department of Energy and on Capitol Hill to stress the importance of building safety and how the Uniform Codes and The IAPMO Group programs play an integral part in keeping the occupants of a building safe. In addition to sharing the methods in which IAPMO Group programs ensure the safety of building occupants, President Daniels also provided attendees with an overview of the new Green Plumbers program as well as the Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement and its role in providing jurisdictions with the tools they need to implement sustainable practices. He also announced the creation of the Certified Water Auditor and Certified Water Manager curriculum for federal buildings personnel, facilities managers, utility water and energy conservation staff, and building commissioning personnel. These programs will identify practical and affordable water conservation methods for their buildings that will meet and exceed the 2020 conservation mandates.

As a result of customer demand, the IAPMO R&T Laboratory is in the process of expanding its testing facility to include gas appliance testing capabilities. Similar to the electrical lab that was recently constructed, there are plumbing and mechanical applications that include a gas connection, so Senior Lab Director Ken Wijaya has included this newest capability in his repertoire. When complete, this lab will test various gas appliances, such as commercial and domestic water heaters, outdoor gas appliances and other products utilizing gas.

IAPMO Research & Testing (R&T) has had its strongest year ever with significant increases in the Green Product Certification Program, certification to the IAPMO Green Plumbing & Mechanical Code Supplement and the CalGREEN environmental requirements. With the recently deployed EPA ENERGY STAR Certification Program, significant focus is now residing upon the energy efficiency of all plumbing and mechanical products. Manufacturers have introduced new technologies that are enabling our industry to play its part in meeting and exceeding the water conservation and energy efficiency limits embedded in federal and state regulations.

IAPMO R&T’s Continuous Compliance (CC) department continues its critical role verifying that manufacturers possessing one or more of the IAPMO R&T product certification marks (the UPC Shield) continue to comply with the requirements mandated by the performance standard against which their applicable product is manufactured. Our CC inspectors are strategically located throughout the world, so we can limit the expense, and thus save our clients money by not having to send inspectors from our World Headquarters in Ontario, Calif. This helps the environment while enabling IAPMO R&T to offer competitive prices to our clients.  Customer service continues to be an essential offering for all of IAPMO’s business units.

Please also take a look at the report on IAPMO ES’ (Evaluation Service) status, as we continue to offer manufacturers of building products a viable and competitive option to the traditional source of these product evaluation reports.  Prior to IAPMO ES’ entry into this market, manufacturers of building products often waited months, and in numerous instances more than a year, to have their products reviewed and certified. As a consequence, some of the major manufacturers of building products sought out a viable option, hence the reason IAPMO decided to expand into this sector. Ironically, the process of testing and certifying building products is not much different than testing and certifying plumbing or mechanical products, as the ISO standard used by certification agencies is the same. So, we believe we have made a major contribution to this market as manufacturers are no longer waiting 15 to 18 months to have their products reviewed — competition is a wonderful thing!

On the international front, IAPMO Group staff welcomed an international delegation from Brazil’s Associação Brasileira pela Conformidade e Eficiência de Instalações (ABRINSTAL). At the conclusion of their visit, the two organizations executed a letter of intent wherein ABRINSTAL and IAPMO promised to work together to explore the creation of the Brazilian Plumbing and Mechanical Codes; create training and certification programs to assist in the adoption and application of the Codes; and explore utilization of other IAPMO Group programs and services, including the potential use of the Uniform Solar Energy Code and Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, as they may benefit the citizens of Brazil.

You’ll find information from the IAPMO India and IAPMO R&T Oceana (Australia) staff. I am very pleased to report that each of these international offices are progressing very well. Please take the time to read about what The IAPMO Group is undertaking in these markets, as we are making an invaluable contribution to the peoples of India and Australia. This diversification and willingness to provide related services to our clientele, no matter where they decide to offer their products, illustrates IAPMO’s ethos — to offer one-stop services, competitively and professionally, while making a positive contribution to the plumbing and mechanical industry. Both of these countries are good examples of how The IAPMO Group approaches its obligation to improve access to clean water and safe sanitation by developing and implementing world class codes, standards, testing and certification services. Join me in this journey by understanding how we do business today!

As I write this article, preparation is underway for the World Plumbing Council Triennial Conference to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in early September.  The Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation will serve as host for this important event given these conferences bring together all of the major players in the international plumbing industry. I have had the pleasure of attending past WPC triennial conferences, most recently (2008) in Calgary, Canada, in Auckland, New Zealand (2005), in Berlin, Germany (2002), in Sun City, South Africa (1999), and in Chicago (1996). I have never left a World Plumbing Council conference or meeting without learning something that ultimately benefits The IAPMO Group or our members. A unique opportunity to become updated on major trends in our industry and the technologies that will be introduced in the future! I’d be remiss in not pointing out that the United States has had numerous leadership positions in the World Plumbing Council, the most recent being UA Director of Training (retired) George Bliss, who served as chairman of the World Plumbing Council from 2002-2005.

IAPMO will stand for election to serve as the chairman of the WPC at the aforementioned WPC Triennial Conference in Scotland, a true honor for us, as IAPMO and several of its industry partners and chapters serve as proud members of the World Plumbing Council. I’ll report the outcome of this meeting when I deliver my CEO Report to the IAPMO membership report during conference in San Antonio, Sept. 25-29.

One of the ways in which IAPMO provides support to the WPC is through the promotion and celebration of World Plumbing Day — March 11, every year … everywhere. Recognized this year by the United States federal government and several states, World Plumbing Day serves to remind everyone of the important role plumbing (and all sectors of our industry) plays in maintaining the health and safety of society. Only in its second year, the day was recognized on numerous blogs, tweets, facebook pages, various local news channels in several states, clothing companies and by schools. IAPMO again offered a poster contest for children with the goal of helping the younger generation understand how important plumbing systems are in society. Plumbing is everyone’s business. At the San Antonio conference in September, the Companion Program education track will offer a session on World Plumbing Day. If you are interested in learning how you can become an ambassador of the day, please join us.

The IAPMO Group continues to work toward its underlying goals of protecting health and safety, supporting environmental sustainability and emerging technology, and delivering code education. My appreciation goes out to the many IAPMO members and staff who work daily to support and further these goals. With offices throughout the United States; in Beijing and Guangzhou, China; in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; in Bangalore and Pune, India; and now in Manama, Bahrain, The IAPMO Group is growing to meet the ever-increasing needs of a world population that continues to depend upon access to safe water and proper sanitation.

This is YOUR organization.