IAPMO recently completed Technical Committee Meetings toward the proposed 2027 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®), in-development American National Standards governing the installation and maintenance of plumbing and mechanical systems nationwide.

During the May 6-9 meetings at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, the two committees reviewed and acted on a total of 330 public comments submitted in response to previous proposals to amend the 2024 editions of the Uniform Codes.

The UPC Technical Committee acted on 155 public comments. Topics discussed during the meeting pertained to reference standards for plumbing fixtures grease interceptors, temperature limitations of appliances and fixtures, construction practices for potable water systems, drinking water treatment systems, water supply fixture branch pipe sizing, hangers and supports, fuel gas provisions, medical gas provisions; storm drains, material requirements for water supply and distribution systems, tankless water heater connections, water softeners and water treatment systems, ecological sanitation systems, rehabilitation provisions for building sewer and sewer lateral piping, roof drainage provisions, recirculating pumps in healthcare facilities and heat pump water heaters.

The UMC Technical Committee acted on 175 public comments. Topics discussed during the meeting pertained to accessibility of appliances for service, repair and replacement; protective barriers for appliances and energy storage systems installed in residential garages; suspended piping and tubing materials; exhaust ventilation for parking garages; balanced mechanical ventilation systems for dwelling units; location of outdoor air intakes; termination of exhaust ducts; installation of laboratory exhaust systems and chemical fume hoods; explosion venting for product-conveying ducts; duct leakage test methods and inspections; materials used for duct systems; product listing and installation requirements for specific appliances based on fuel source; installation of air-source heat pump water heaters; requirements for refrigeration machinery rooms; sizing of dual purpose and instantaneous water heaters; geothermal energy systems and district energy systems; installation requirements for hydrogen fuel gas piping and installation requirements for mechanical systems in tiny houses.

Due to compelling discussions on the topics above, the UPC and UMC Technical Committees requested the formation of the following task groups for development of the 2030 editions of the codes:

• UPC Heat Pump Water Heater
• UPC Grease Interceptors
• UPC Construction Practices for Potable Water Systems
• UPC Ecological Sanitation Systems
• UMC Enclosed parking garages and gas detectors

In accordance with IAPMO’s American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Regulations Governing Committee Projects, balloting of the UPC and UMC technical committees opened on May 19 and will conclude on June 16. The Report on Comments (ROC) for each document will be created from these balloted actions and made available in early August. All consensus body actions will be published in the ROC.

IAPMO gathers the largest assembly of plumbing and mechanical experts in the world at its annual education and business conference and technical committee meetings, enabling anyone, members and non-members alike, to have a voice on proposed changes to the codes. IAPMO’s 2025 Annual Education and Business Conference will take place Sept. 14-18 at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel and adjacent Convention Center in Palm Springs, California. Allowable motions during technical committee meetings are governed in accordance with Sections 4-5 of the Regulations Governing Committee Projects. IAPMO urges its members and other interested parties to get involved in the code development process to ensure effectiveness in preserving the public health, safety, and welfare through fair and balanced development of the Uniform Codes.