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:
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.
IAPMO® has released Peak Water Demand Study: Full Study, a comprehensive analysis redefining water supply system sizing for residential and multi-family buildings. Based on real-world data from more than 1,000 households, the full study provides an evidence-based approach to right-sizing plumbing systems — demonstrating reductions in water waste, construction costs, and public health risks.
ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 6000-2024, the Professional Qualifications Standard for Medical Gas Systems Personnel, has been designated as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is now available for purchase. This new edition of the ASSE Series 6000 builds on the 2021 version and includes key updates, including the addition of Standard 6070 for Medical Gas Systems Design Instructors.
New Jersey has officially declared March as March4Water Month, recognizing the importance of strong water infrastructure, while California has introduced legislation to follow suit. These actions highlight the growing recognition of the need for policies that strengthen plumbing systems and safeguard access to clean, reliable water in the face of natural disasters and other infrastructure challenges.