The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute held a workshop this past summer to “promote a better understanding of codes, standards, conformity assessment, certifications and more.” Fifty-three PMI members and nonmembers from 26 plumbing manufacturers gathered in Schaumburg, Ill., to learn more about PMI’s role in plumbing codes and regulations in the United States and Canada.

David Viola, technical director for PMI, focused on how PMI gets involved in the technical arena for codes and standards, working with the International Code Council, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the C3 Coalition. Viola’s presentation included a comparison of the code development processes, plumbing code objectives, manufactured housing concerns, accessibility provisions, state and federal regulatory agencies, and major state and local jurisdictions.

The workshop continued with a discussion of product standards and conformity assessment, including standards developers, standards accreditation, the standards development process, third-party certifier accreditation and certifying agency services, methods of indicating conformity with standards, and conformity assessment requirements in plumbing codes.

Plans are underway for a second codes and standards workshop to be held in January 2004. For more information, visit www.pmihome.org.

Kelly Johnson is managing editor of PM Engineer and can be contacted at johnsonk@bnp.com.