Uniform Plumbing Code

• In 1926, a group of Los Angeles plumbing inspectors recognized that there were no uniform requirements for the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, and at that point in time disease was rampant, a lot of it spread through improper sanitation. Disorder in the industry was the result of widely divergent plumbing practices and the use of many different, often conflicting, plumbing codes by local jurisdictions. It was these plumbing inspectors that understood the necessity of developing a model code that could be uniformly applied across jurisdictions.
• In 1928, the city adopted the first incarnation of a uniform plumbing code developed by the Los Angeles City Plumbing Inspectors Association (LACPIA) and based on the input from a committee of plumbing inspectors, master and journeyman plumbers, and sanitary and mechanical engineers, assisted by public utility companies and the plumbing industry.
• The product of this effort, the first edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) was officially adopted by the Western Plumbing Officials Association in 1945, which later changed its name to IAPMO in 1966 when the scope of the association’s work increased. The code has been widely used over the past five decades by jurisdictions throughout the United States and internationally.
• With the publication of the 2003 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, another significant milestone was reached. For the first time in the history of the United States, a plumbing code was developed through a true consensus process.
• The 2012 edition represents the most current approaches in the plumbing field and is the fourth edition developed under the ANSI consensus process. Contributions to the content of the code were made by every segment of the built industry, including such diverse interests as consumers, enforcing authorities, installers/maintainers, insurance, labor, manufacturers, research/standards/testing laboratories, special experts and users.
• The 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code is supported by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC-NA), the United Association (UA) and the World Plumbing Council (WPC). These associations support IAPMO’s open consensus process being used to develop IAPMO’s codes and standards.

The sixth edition to be designated as an American National Standard, the latest UPC includes the following key changes:

• New alternate water sources for nonpotable applications and nonpotable rainwater catchment systems

(Chapters 16, 17) based upon IAPMO’s Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement

• New Appendix L (sustainable practices)
• New minimum plumbing facilities table (Chapter 4)
• Water supply and drainage joint connection requirements (Chapters 6, 7)[1]

• Chapter 1 - Administration
• Chapter 2 - Definitions
• Chapter 3 - General Regulations
• Chapter 4 - Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings
• Chapter 5 - Water Heaters
• Chapter 6 - Water Supply and Distribution
• Chapter 7 - Sanitary Drainage
• Chapter 8 - Indirect Wastes
• Chapter 9 - Vents
• Chapter 10 - Traps and Interceptors
• Chapter 11 - Storm Drainage
• Chapter 12 - Fuel Piping
• Chapter 13 - Health Care Facilities and Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems
• Chapter 14 - Firestop Protection
• Chapter 15 - Alternate Water Sources for Nonpotable Applications
• Chapter 16 - Nonpotable Rainwater Catchment (Rainwater Harvesting) Systems
• Chapter 17 - Referenced Standards
• Appendix A - Recommended Rules for Sizing the Water supply System
• Appendix B - Explanatory Notes on Combination Waste and Vent Systems
• Appendix C - Alternate Plumbing Systems
• Appendix D - Sizing Storm Water Drainage Systems
• Appendix E - Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks and Recreational Vehicle Parks
• Appendix F - Firefighter Breathing Air Replenishment Systems
• Appendix G - Sizing of Venting Systems
• Appendix H - Private Sewage Disposal Systems
• Appendix I - Installation Standard
• Appendix J - Combination of Ondoor and Outdoor Combustion and Ventilation Opening Design
• Appendix K - Potable Rainwater Catchment Systems
• Appendix L - Sustainable Practices
• Appendix M - Peak Water Demand Calculator

• IAPMO
• IAPMO Standards
• IAPMO R&T
• Uniform Codes
• Uniform Mechanical Code
• Uniform Solar Energy and Hydronics Code
• Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code
• Building officials
• Building inspection

• IAPMO Website
• IAPMO Codes Website
• Uniform Mechanical Code Website
• Uniform Plumbing CodeWebsite
• Uniform Solar, Hydronics & Geothermal Code Website
• Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Code Website