Codes Corner

Continuing education: Designing right-sized plumbing systems for housing affordability, water efficiency and public health

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0400

This article provides plumbing engineers and system designers with strategies for right-sizing residential plumbing systems based on modern water use data and highlights how traditional sizing methods, like the Hunter’s Curve, often lead to oversized systems that increase costs and wastewater.

Modernizing pipe sizing

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Outdated pipe sizing standards are no longer suitable for modern multi-bathroom homes, especially post-COVID-19. The International Code Council is collaborating globally to update these standards for improved efficiency and health.

International Plumbing Code provides critical guidance on handling chemical waste

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Corrosive liquids can harm DWV piping systems not designed for chemicals. The IPC requires dilution, neutralization, or treatment of chemical waste before discharge. Vents must also use rated piping to avoid harm from vapors.

How the 2024 International Plumbing Code improves safety, increases efficiency, provides clarity, mitigates damage and more

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Contractors view the International Plumbing Code (IPC) as the top standard for creating safe buildings. But they may not know about the significant changes in the 2024 edition, including a new exception to toilet facility door locking.

Codes Corner: Fixture and fixture fittings in the Uniform Plumbing Code refrigerants

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is developed to establish minimum requirements for the health and safety of occupants utilizing a building’s plumbing system.

Codes Corner: Upcoming changes to I-Codes on new lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) A2L refrigerants

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

A2L refrigerants are the latest refrigerants recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) as substitutes in residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems.

Ryan Colker: Building a safe and sustainable tomorrow starts with implementing solutions today

Mon, 09 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400

As governments continue to race toward achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, it is now evident that the COVID-19 pandemic had an unexpected side effect of helping to lower global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). However, with more individuals beginning to re-engage in pre-pandemic activities, emissions are once again on the rise.

Caleffi thermostatic mixing valve

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Caleffi’s SinkMixer is a thermostatic mixing valve fur under-sink and under-counter applications where the user must be protected from the danger of scalding caused by hot water.

Marketing Magic: Secure market dominance during a home improvement boom

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

There’s no question that the demand for home improvement projects is red hot.

Codes Corner: What is WaterSense certification?

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

WaterSense-labeled products are certified to use at least 20% less water, save energy and perform as well or better than similar products.

Codes Corner: New digital strategies for building safety will be key to future sustainability

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400

For more than a year, the pandemic has escalated the need for the building safety industry to quickly evolve and incorporate a digital-first strategy.

Codes Corner: Industry works overtime at 2024 Uniform Codes

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

IAPMO recently completed the Technical Committee meetings for the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) development process. The hearings for the UPC were held virtually May 3-7, and May 17-21 for the UMC.

Codes Corner: Water efficiency is critical to creating sustainable and resilient communities

Tue, 04 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

As the creation of sustainable and resilient buildings becomes a greater priority, especially over the past year, one critical component will be to ensure our buildings are water efficient.

Innovative plumbing code technologies are critical to creating sustainable and resilient buildings

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 15:00:00 -0400

To aid plumbers and tradespersons in staying competitive in the marketplace, innovative technologies and materials must be a priority when crafting and revising provisions within model codes and standards in order to enhance efficiency, positively impact affordability and provide ease of service for those implementing it.

Codes Corner: An introduction to IAPMO IS 34

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

IAPMO has collaborated with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to produce an installation standard for solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems (ESS) in residential applications.

Codes Corner: How code or specialty plumbing certification sets you apart as a contractor or engineer

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

I frequently speak at college campuses and trade apprenticeships. Whether it be to future engineers or contractors, my technical talks typically end up covering non-technical content, specifically career development.

Codes Corner: Encouraging economic recovery

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Amid one of the most impactful pandemics this nation has ever faced, one lesson that continues to be compounded is public buildings need to be updated to provide citizens with a sense of security in order to encourage an economic recovery.

Codes Corner: The benefits of the UPC and Installation Standards

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) has a long history of providing useful information that is not offered by other model codes.

Codes Corner: COVID-19 measures; IAPMO codes and standards

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Since 1926, IAPMO has protected the public’s health and safety through its codes and standards activities.

Codes Corner: A larger perspective on tiny house plumbing

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

When you hear the phrase “tiny house,” you may imagine a tepee tent house, an igloo or maybe a treehouse.

Building Safety Month calls attention to the need for water conservation and efficiency

Fri, 15 May 2020 07:00:00 -0400

Four ways to promote water conservation and efficiency.

New criteria for assisted toileting and bathing options gives elders extra protection in 2021 Building Codes

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Growing older can come with many challenges and changes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, one in four Americans over the age of 65 fall.

Legionella prevention and codes

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0500

It’s a sign that a topic is going mainstream when it becomes cited in the model codes.

Zalmie Hussein: Venting of gas appliances in the UMC

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Gas-fired appliances are commonly used for space heating, water heating, cooking and more.

WaterSense looks to cut residential water use by 20%

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400

How much water does a home use on a daily basis? Five or more minutes in the shower, a couple minutes brushing your teeth, flushing the toilet numerous times throughout the day, running the dishwasher or doing a load of laundry?