Boston - IAPMO successfully joined nearly 200 union plumbers, contractors, and other industry leaders at the Massachusetts State House last month to advocate before state legislators for the protection of the state’s plumbing code, partnering on green energy and other key safety and regulatory issues.
IAPMO was well represented by Peter Kelly, director of Field Services; Hugh Kelleher, former executive director of the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association; Mike Morris, partner at Tremont Strategies Group; Peter DeFreitas, director of New England Training and Education; and Jim Scarborough, director of Government Relations. Representatives from UA Locals 12, 51, 4 and 104, including Local 12’s entire class of apprentices, also participated.
After opening remarks by Kelly, UA New England International Representative Harry Brett and MAPHCC’s Peter Leydon addressed the group. Participants then dispersed throughout the Capitol to conduct literature drops in every legislative office and visit the offices of their own state senators and representatives. Among the group’s objectives were:
Despite universal support from the Massachusetts plumbing industry for the commonwealth’s homegrown plumbing code, which has protected the health and safety of Bay Staters for decades, an out-of-state organization has sought to weaken and replace the code with its own less effective code.
“It’s great to see representatives from across the plumbing industry come together to support these issues,” Kelly said. The group met with representatives from the Division of Occupational Licensure and Rep. Tackey Chan (D-2nd Norfolk), the latter stressing how important it is for people to share with legislators their thoughts about issues if they want them to make better informed votes on those issues.
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.