The 2021 ASSE International Mid-Year Meeting was held online, April 6-7, via Zoom web conference. The Mid-Year Meeting is a gathering of expert individuals who influence ASSE standards, certifications, membership, and code development. We wish we could’ve met in person at Plumbers Local 130 Training Center in Chicago like originally planned, but we took this precaution out of an abundance of caution and concern for the health and safety of our members, staff, and community. With the pandemic beginning to wind down, we hope to have this meeting in person next year so we can again meet face-to-face.
For those who couldn’t attend, below are brief re-caps of each meeting.
Fire Protection Technical Committee (ASSE 15000) Technical Committee Meeting
The Fire Protection Technical Committee met and reviewed statistics concerning pass/fail rates and the number of approved schools, instructors, and proctors to the ASSE 15010 Certification. The revised standard ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 15000, Professional Qualifications Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, was discussed. The draft of a new standard ASSE Series 27000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems Personnel, was also discussed.
Seal Control Board Meeting
The Seal Control Board (SCB) meeting was called to order at 9:33 a.m. on April 6. ASSE staff gave the SCB an overview of the current Product Listing Program. During the update, staff discussed procedures that are being reviewed and updated in accordance with recommendations from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). ASSE International announced the registration of its trademarked cASSE seal for Canada. The cASSE Seal is used for certification to recognize Canadian standards. ASSE discussed the ongoing roll out of the nation’s first and only ANSI and SCC-accredited One Year Field Test (1YT) program for backflow prevention assemblies. Towards the end of the meeting, a training session was presented by Sean Cleary (BPI) on ASSE 1020 – The Fundamentals of Pressure Vacuum breaker Assemblies. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
Product Standards Committee Meeting
The Product Standards Committee (PSC) was called to order on April 6. The PSC was presented with updates on product standards that have been recently revised. Since the 2020 ASSE International Annual Meeting in October 2020, 10 standards have been revised or reaffirmed.
Additionally, the PSC discussed the status of several standards that are currently in working groups: 12 are in working group and six are in public review. There are nine standards, including three approved at this meeting, that are in queue. One of those approved was a new standard, ASSE 1113 for arsenic filtration. Additionally, two project teams were opened to update the reference standards for ASSE 1082, Performance Requirements for Water Heaters with Integral Temperature Control Devices for Hot Water Distribution Systems, and ASSE 1087, Performance Requirements for Commercial and Food Service Water Treatment Equipment Utilizing Drinking Water.
ASSE is accepting working group applications for the below standards. Applications can be found HERE.
- ASSE 1011, Hose Connection Vacuum Breakers
- ASSE 1052, Hose Connection Backflow Preventers
- ASSE 1063, Air Valve and Vent Inflow Preventer
- ASSE 1082, Water Heaters with Integral Temperature Control Devices for Hot Water Distribution Systems
- ASSE 1087, Commercial and Food Service Water Treatment Equipment Utilizing Drinking Water
- ASSE 1104, Dishwasher Backflow Prevention Requirements
- ASSE 1103, Airgap Units for Water conditioning Installation
- ASSE 1112, Packaged Plumbing and Mechanical Systems for Continuous Microbiological Mitigation
- ASSE 1113, Arsenic Filtration
Finally, the committee reviewed four standards that are now four years old and approved opening them for reaffirmation. Those standards are: ASSE 1024-2017, Dual Check Backflow Preventers, ASSE 1060-2017, Outdoor Enclosures for Fluid Conveying Components, ASSE 1062-2017, Temperature Actuated, Flow Reduction (TAFR) Valves for Individual Supply Fittings, and ASSE 1085-2018, Water Heaters for Emergency Equipment.
Cross-Connection Control Technical Committee Meeting
The CCCTC reviewed statistics on schools, proctors, instructors, classes held, exams taken, and pass/fail rates. It was reported that there are approximately 19,000 current ASSE Backflow Certified professionals. Schools are now required to report which test procedure was used during the practical exam. Starting in June 2021, the test procedures that were used during the practical exam will be listed on all individuals’ wallet cards. As of 2021, retests fees are $75 for online exams and $95 for paper exams. Status of the revision of ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 5000, Cross-Connection Control Professional Qualifications Standard, was discussed and input regarding test procedures from the committee was given.
Professional Qualifications Standards Committee Meeting
The PQSC reviewed all of the current and draft PQ standards. There are currently two standards in revision and one new standard in development. PINs have just been filed for an additional three new standards to be added to the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems. These new standards will address air quality and construction risk assessment for engineers, designers, and commissioning agents. The committee was advised that the ballot for the revision of the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 6000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Medical Gas Systems Personnel, will be sent to them shortly. There was enthusiastic discussion about the new 6060 Standard for Medical Gas Designers that is in the 2021 revision.
ASSE 12000 Technical Committee (ICRA, Water Quality, and Legionella Programs) Meeting
The ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000-2021, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems, was published in February 2021. The ICRA Technical Committee was sent revised draft program guidelines to review in advance of the meeting. The revised guidelines were unanimously approved. The committee reviewed statistics concerning training providers, instructors, and certified individuals for the Infection Control Certification Program, the Water Quality Certification Program, and the Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist. Pass/fail rates were also reviewed. There was discussion involving raising awareness about the threat of Legionella, lead, and other risks from within building water systems. Concerns about buildings that have been closed due to COVID were discussed, as well as schools which close for an extended period on a regular basis.
Code Development Committee Meeting
The Code Development Committee Meeting was conducted by ASSE International President and Committee Chairperson Jason Shank. The purpose and scope of the committee was reviewed. The 2024 proposed ASSE-related changes to the International Plumbing Code were discussed and agreed upon. In upcoming meetings, the Uniform Plumbing Code, National Standards Plumbing Code, and the Canadian Plumbing Code will be discussed. Jason Shank and Scott Hamilton will represent ASSE International at the upcoming virtual code hearings.
