PRESS RELEASE

    Beaumont, Texas, Adopts 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code to Replace International Plumbing Code

    Beaumont, Texas, Adopts 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code to Replace International Plumbing Code

    Beaumont, Texas — The Beaumont, Texas, city council has rejected the International Plumbing Code after decades of use and instead voted in favor of adopting the 2021 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) as the plumbing code of practice protecting the health and safety of the city’s more than 100,000 residents. The UPC represents the most resilient plumbing code on the market today.

    “We support the adoption and implementation of the Uniform Plumbing Code as it ensures that the highest standards of safety, health, and sanitation are maintained in Beaumont,” said Damian Diaz of Beaumont Plumbing, licensed master plumbers specializing in residential and commercial plumbing services.

    The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®), publisher of the UPC since 1928, appreciates the support of the Beaumont mayor and city council in shepherding the adoption process to its completion.

    “It has been a pleasure to work alongside the local plumbing industry, city staff, and city council as they deliberated this important topic,” said John Mata, IAPMO senior director of Field Services.

    There are many significant resilient provisions that communities can enjoy in the UPC, such as specifications to address the impact of water temperature on the potential for scalding and Legionella growth. The UPC also includes holistic provisions for storm piping materials and sizing methodologies, along with domestic water right-sizing through the addition of the Water Demand CalculatorTM (WDC). The UPC is the only national model plumbing code with significant updates for water pipe sizing in buildings since the development of Hunter’s Curve more than 80 years ago. It is the result of a multiyear, IAPMO-led effort to develop a new statistically based pipe sizing method stemming from a need to address profound water safety and wasted water and energy concerns due to oversized water supply pipes in homes and buildings.

    Other noteworthy updates in the 2021 edition include:

    • Alternate Water Sources for Nonpotable Applications
    • Nonpotable Rainwater Catchment Systems
    • Alternate Plumbing Systems
    • Potable Rainwater Catchment Systems
    • Sustainable Practices

    The UPC was introduced in 1928 and formally published as the Uniform Plumbing Code in 1945.

    It is developed using IAPMO’s consensus development procedures accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on construction practices. Developed and subsequently republished at the conclusion of each three-year code cycle, the Uniform Codes are designed to provide consumers with safely functioning systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies.


    Report on Comments Toward Development of 2027 UPC, UMC Now Available for Online Download

    01 August 2025

    IAPMO®, developer of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®), has posted online the 2025 Report on Comments (ROC) for the 2027 editions of these American National Standard-designated model codes. The ROC includes the committee actions as discussed during the May 6-8 technical committee meetings, the electronic ballot results as balloted between May 19-June 16, and the Technical Correlating Committee actions on all comments received for the 2027 editions.

    IAPMO® Supports APEC Workshop in South Korea on Safe Drinking Water

    31 July 2025

    IAPMO®, a global team of experts engaging industry and government for a safer built environment, was proud to support the the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Workshop: Strengthening Standards and Technical Regulations for Safer Drinking Water – Developing an International Roadmap. The two-day workshop helped kick off the Third Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM3), which began July 26 and are slated to run through Aug. 15.

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