Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare.

The UPC is developed using the American National Standards Institute

American National Standards Institute

The American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international...

's consensus development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on plumbing practices.

The UPC is designed to provide consumers with safe and sanitary plumbing systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. The public at large is encouraged and invited to participate in IAPMO’s open consensus code development process. This code is updated every three years. A code development timeline and other relevant information are available at IAPMO’s Website.

History

• In 1926, a group of Los Angeles
  Los Ángeles
  Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
  
   plumbing inspectors recognized that there were no uniform requirements for the installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, and at that point in time disease was rampant, a lot of it spread through improper sanitation
  Sanitation
  Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...
  
  . Disorder in the industry was the result of widely divergent plumbing practices and the use of many different, often conflicting, plumbing codes by local jurisdictions. It was these plumbing inspectors that understood the necessity of developing a model code that could be uniformly applied across jurisdictions.

• In 1928, the city adopted the first incarnation of a uniform plumbing code developed by the Los Angeles City Plumbing Inspectors Association (LACPIA) and based on the input from a committee of plumbing inspectors, master and journeyman plumber
  Plumber
  A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems. The term dates from ancient times, and is related to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." A person engaged in fixing metaphorical "leaks" may also be...
  
  s, and sanitary
  Sanitary engineering
  Sanitary engineering is the application of engineering methods to improve sanitation of human communities, primarily by providing the removal and disposal of human waste, and in addition to the supply of safe potable water. Initially in the mid 19th century, the discipline concentrated on the...
  
   and mechanical engineers, assisted by public utility companies
  Public utility
  A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service . Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and regulation ranging from local community-based groups to state-wide government monopolies...
  
   and the plumbing industry.

• The product of this effort, the first edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) was officially adopted by the Western Plumbing Officials Association in 1945, which later changed its name to IAPMO in 1966 when the scope of the association’s work increased. The widespread use of this code over the past five decades by jurisdictions throughout the United States and internationally is testament to its merit.

• With the publication of the 2003 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, another significant milestone was reached. For the first time in the history of the United States, a plumbing code was developed through a true consensus process.

• The 2009 edition represents the most current approaches in the plumbing field and is the third edition developed under the ANSI
  Ansi
  Ansi is a village in Kaarma Parish, Saare County, on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia....
  
   consensus process. Contributions to the content of the code were made by every segment of the built industry, including such diverse interests as consumers, enforcing authorities, installers/maintainers, insurance, labor, manufacturers, research/standards/testing laboratories, special experts and users.

The 2009 Uniform Plumbing Codehttp://www.iapmostore.org/iapmo/shop/index.php?cPath=1 is supported by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC-NA), the United Association

United Association

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the United Association is a trade union of journeymen and apprentices of the plumbing, pipefitting, and sprinkler fitting industry of...

 (UA) and the World Plumbing Council

World Plumbing Council

The World Plumbing Council is an international organization which aims to develop and promote the image and standards of the plumbing Industry worldwide....

 (WPC). These associations support IAPMO’s open consensus process being used to develop IAPMO’s codes and standards.

Content

Chapter 1 — Administration

Chapter 2 — Definitions

Chapter 3 — General Regulations

Chapter 4 — Plumbing Fixtures and Fixture Fittings

Chapter 5 — Water Heaters

Chapter 6 — Water Supply and Distribution

Chapter 7 — Sanitary Drainage

Chapter 8 — Indirect Wastes

Chapter 9 — Vents

Chapter 10 — Traps and Interceptors

Chapter 11 — Storm Drainage

Chapter 12 — Fuel Piping

Chapter 13 — Health Care Facilities and Medical Gas

Chapter 14 — Mandatory Referenced Standards

Chapter 15 — Firestop Protection

Chapter 16 — Gray Water Systems

See also

• Uniform Mechanical Code
• Uniform Solar Energy Code
• Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code
  Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code
  The Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems associated with swimming pools, spas and hot tubs as a means of promoting the public's...
  
  
• Plumbing & Drainage Institute
  Plumbing & Drainage Institute
  The Plumbing & Drainage Institute is an association of American manufacturers of engineered plumbing drainage specialty products. Such products include floor drains, roof drains, sanitary floor drains, cleanouts, water hammer arresters, swimming pool drains, backwater valves, grease interceptors,...