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Our codes are designated as “American National Standards” by the American National Standards Institute and are compatible with all other building codes.
UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE
The Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) is a stand-alone code which provides all necessary requirements for the installation, inspection and maintenance of swimming pool, spa, and hot tub systems and their component products
A global leader in water conservation and plumbing quality for nearly a century
The Uniform Mechanical Code is the product of that expertise.
IAPMO, founded in 1926, protects the public health and safety by working in concert with government and industry to implement comprehensive plumbing and mechanical systems around the world.
Innovation
Our codes integrate the latest science and technology to strengthen public protection and water conservation and efficiency.
The Uniform Mechanical Code is a stand-alone code which provides all necessary requirements for the installation, inspection and maintenance of swimming pool, spa, and hot tub systems and their component products.
The Uniform Mechanical Code contains a fixture count table specifically for public aquatic facilities.
The Uniform Mechanical Code contains ventilation and air quality requirements for indoor aquatic facilities.
The Uniform Mechanical Code code addresses disinfection, water quality requirements, and suction outlet entrapment protection methods.
Key provisions of the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code and changes from the 2021 edition include:
- New minimum air filtration requirements for occupied spaces of mechanically ventilated buildings
- Revised outdoor air intake requirements for transient occupancies
- New air balancing requirements for ventilation systems
- New exceptions for materials exposed with ducts or plenums
- New provisions for high-probability systems using Group A2L refrigerants for human comfort applications
- New refrigerant safety group classifications based on flammability and toxicity
- New requirements for refrigeration machinery rooms where A2L and B2L refrigerants are used
- New materials standards for refrigerant piping, tubing, and fittings
- New design requirements for geothermal district ambient temperature loop (ATL) systems
- New Appendix H providing minimum qualifications for installers, inspectors, or employers for systems covered by the UMC
- New Appendix I covering mechanical system requirements for indoor horticultural facilities
- New Appendix J addressing CO2 monitoring and clean air delivery for adequate ventilation in occupied spaces
INTEGRITY
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The Uniform Mechanical Code is a consensus document written by representatives from industry, inspectors, plumbers and engineers.
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Our codes are developed through a rigorous process that meet the industry’s “gold standard” for openness, balance, consensus and due process.
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IAPMO provides resources for water safety and efficiency.
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IAPMO provides technical expertise for disinfection methods to remove pathogenic microorganisms that are identified health hazards in any water system.
Involvement
IAPMO is actively involved in every aspect of the plumbing industry – a relationship that continually improves our products and services.
Changes to the Uniform Mechanical Code are made with a consensus of two-thirds majority by a diverse group of stakeholders.
The Uniform Mechanical Code is used seamlessly by jurisdictions in conjunction with various building codes.
IAPMO’s products and services are used in every state, in one form or another.
The Uniform Mechanical Code is written, revised, and updated on a regular basis by code specialists and experts in fields representing a variety of specialties – plumbing, engineering, electrical safety, construction, risk management, water quality, operations and maintenance
IAPMO’s products and services are preferred by the plumbing industry.
Comprehensive
The UMC is published utilizing IAPMO’s proven “turn-key” philosophy, placing as much of the necessary information concerning installations as possible in one codebook. This philosophy eliminates the problems and confusion caused by the use of multiple codes to install or inspect the mechanical provisions of a single installation or system. Other code developers use six books to perform the same functions at four times the cost.
Why The Uniform Mechanical Code® Over the International Mechanical Code (IMC)?
The IMC was not developed via the ANSI consensus procedure.
The ISPSC does not address water quality and requires adoption of Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) standards for water quality.
The IMC does not contain provisions for mechanical ventilation or air quality.
The IMC is not a standalone code.
- The IMC directs the end user to the International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC) and International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC).
Uniform Mechanical Code® is a Registered Trademark of IAPMO