The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) is seeking volunteers with a technical background in plumbing products to participate on the IAPMO Z1388 technical subcommittee (TSC). The Z1388 standard’s scope covers supply stops with integral water hammer arresters and specifies requirements for materials, physical characteristics, performance testing and markings.

For more than 30 years, IAPMO has developed American National Standards (ANS), initially as the Secretariat for the ANSI Z124 Technical Committee, and since 2005 as an ANSI-accredited standards development organization. On May 10, 2018, IAPMO received accreditation through the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for development of National Standards of Canada, thus accepting the responsibility for development of CAN/IAPMO-designated standards.  

The Z1388 TSC members will assist the Plumbing Standards Committee (PSC) with the development of this prospective American and Canadian national standard. The Z1388 TSC will also be responsible for the content and processing of public review comments. The Z1388 TSC will operate in accordance with IAPMO’s accredited procedures for standards development: IAPMO/ASSE PP-1 (Policies and Procedures for Consensus Development of American National Standards) and IAPMO PP-2 (Policies and Procedures for Development of National Standards of Canada). 

“The intent of this standard is twofold — developing performance requirements for a device that both provides the convenience of shut-off functionality while continuously protecting the adjoining plumbing system from the potential damages of water hammer, a phenomenon that occurs in piping systems when fluid flow is stopped suddenly, sending a high-pressure and potentially damaging shockwave throughout the system. The water hammer arrestor dampens this shockwave and thereby prevents system damage,” said John Higdon, IAPMO director of Standards Development.   

The first technical subcommittee meetings will be held virtually in February.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 26. Applications can be downloaded here: https://www.iapmo.org/media/28752/application-for-membership-iapmo-tsc-2021-11-03.pdf.  

Industry stakeholders — including installers, manufacturers, plumbing professionals, building owners and managers, engineers, AHJs, and the general public — are invited and encouraged to apply to participate. 

Interested parties wishing to serve on the Z1388 TSC may submit the completed application as well as a copy of your résumé to IAPMO Standards at standards@iapmostandards.org by the Jan. 26 deadline, or you may contact John Higdon at (909) 218-8123 or by email at john.higdon@iapmo.orgo with any questions.