• (909) 472-4100
IAPMO RESEARCH

White Papers & Studies

Get the latest research from IAPMO.

IAPMO research provides strategic insights to advance policy on clean drinking water and safe sanitation. Instead of simply looking at a problem, our staff and members — many times in partnership with communities or other professional organizations — study and research issues affecting health and environmental impacts of changing plumbing, mechanical, alternative energy, and water systems, and how they affect our daily lives. In many cases, there are unintended consequences that also require consideration in developing optimal solutions. The IAPMO Group believes in sharing our knowledge through industry studies and white papers, because safety belongs to everyone.

Adaptive Reuse: Converting Offices to Multi­Residential Family

Adaptive reuse of commercial office spaces to residential multifamily offers opportunities to ease some of the housing shortage in the US. These types of construction projects have many challenges, from zoning restrictions, financing, and also controlling construction costs. Construction costs specifically can have a disparate impact on whether an adaptive reuse project is possible, let alone successful. Therefore, flexibility during the construction process is vital to the success of an adaptive reuse project. Codes for plumbing and mechanical systems that support design versatility and science-based methods, such as the Uniform Codes, will be essential for controlling construction expenses.

Capacities of Stacks and Horizontal Drains in Storm Drainage Systems

The sizing for storm drainage systems are dependent upon flow capacity equations used to calculate velocities and flow rates in pipe conduits. One of the variables in the equations is the coefficient of roughness. This paper explores how the roughness of different types of material will change the computational results that are dependent upon the roughness coefficient of the pipe.

Increase in Flow Diversity From Simultaneous Fixture Use: Impact on Peak Flow Estimate

In calculating peak water demand, there can be instances where an increase in fixture count results in a decrease in the expected peak demand. This white paper explains why this counterintuitive result can occur, especially when there is some probability of stagnation (i.e., zero demand). Using IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator (WDC), we are not designing with zero flow in mind; hence, zero flows are ignored, and the 99th percentile is extracted from actual flows for any combination of busy fixtures.

Eliminating lead exposure from drinking water—A global call to action

Each year, approximately 900,000 people die from exposure to lead. But the full impacts of lead exposure are far more insidious. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that impairs brain function and irreversibly harms children’s cognitive development. Any exposure to lead can be damaging. Recent studies estimate that 800 million children globally (approximately 1 in 3) have blood lead concentrations above 5 micrograms per deciliter and that lead exposure may be responsible for 30% of all intellectual disabilities of unknown origin.

Energy and Carbon Savings Opportunities

Arup was commissioned by IAPMO to analyze the Water Demand Calculator (WDC) developed by IAPMO to better understand its potential for energy and embodied carbon savings. This energy and embodied carbon savings analysis compared the Water Demand Calculator with the Hunters Curve method included in the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) for sizing domestic hot water systems in four residential use cases. Currently, the WDC is available for use in UPC Appendix M, WE•Stand, and as a standalone document.

Lead in drinking-water: Health risks, monitoring and corrective actions

Lead is a priority chemical hazard that should be included in national drinking-water quality standards and monitored as part of drinking-water quality surveillance. This document provides practical guidance to support the assessment and management of lead contamination in drinking-water supplies. Step-wise guidance is provided to support action when elevated lead concentrations are detected in drinking-water. It also explains why lead in drinking-water is an important issue and sources of lead exposure in water supplies.

Draining: The Economic Impact of America’s Hidden Water Crisis

At least 2 million Americans still don’t have running water or a working toilet at home, costing the US economy $8.58 billion each year. But, there’s hope. Every $1 spent on closing the water access gap yields nearly $5 in societal benefits—an incredible return on investment.

Reforming National and State Policies to Reduce Inequity of Safely Managed Sanitation in the United States

The Decentralized Wastewater Innovation (DWI) Cohort is a nationwide community-driven research initiative by DigDeep Right to Water Project elevating decentralized wastewater challenges, solutions, and policy opportunities. Given the unique intersection of (1) unprecedented federal funding for decentralized and alternative wastewater solutions, (2) the complex landscape of residential infrastructure needs, and (3) the diverse, comprehensive expertise of the DWI Cohort.

Water and Sanitation Standards in Southeast Asia Considerations for ASEAN Member States

Worldwide, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and more than half of the global population does not have access to safe sanitation. Access to water and sanitation services is further threatened by growing water stresses. Approximately 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, of which 733 million live in high and critically water-stressed countries. This global water crisis threatens economic growth, national security, and public health.

Scroll to top