Ontario, Calif. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) has published the Manual of Recommended Practice for Medical Gas Resiliency, a comprehensive approach to ensuring the availability and effectiveness of medical gases in health care facilities.
On Sept. 15, 2021, IAPMO initiated the medical gas resiliency group to create a manual to provide code-enhanced and adoptable language for medical gas piping systems. The task group’s work culminated in the release of this manual, which integrates the expertise and insights from two guidance practices, each with its own distinct scope and purpose. While developed as a guidance document, it is written in mandatory language so building and health departments can easily adopt and codify the requirements. Additionally, this stand-alone document includes excerpts from IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®). The task group consisted of industry experts from across the nation.
“Thank you to our volunteers and staff who worked diligently on this manual for the last year. Your work helped provide innovative and scientific solutions to help make our medical gas systems more resilient for the next pandemic,” IAPMO Vice President of Technical Services and Research Christoph Lohr said. “The work this group has done has helped initiate further thought into making sure that our medical gas systems are able to be operated with flexibility in mind. That flexibility to respond to challenging conditions can give medical professionals a better position to provide care, and that care can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”
The IAPMO manual may be downloaded for free HERE.
IAPMO®, publisher of the Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC), is calling for formal code proposals toward the development of the 2030 editions of these American National Standard designated model codes. All proposals recommending new text, revised text, or the deletion of text must be written in legislative format and clearly state the reason behind the recommendation.
The Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC) has unanimously approved the adoption of IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) Appendix M — the Water Demand Calculator® — into Chapter 6 of the state’s adopted International Plumbing Code as an alternative methodology for sizing water supply piping in single- and multifamily buildings.
IAPMO® applauds the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for its adoption of the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®) for applications regulated under the state's Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors program. The updated code is scheduled to become effective Sept. 1.