After being held online for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ASSE International Mid-Year Meeting was successfully held IN PERSON this year! Members of ASSE International and its various committees met April 5-6, 2022, at Plumbers Local 130 Training Center in Chicago, Illinois to discuss, influence and guide ASSE standards, certifications, membership, and code development.
By following IAPMO’s Policy for In Person Meetings, Plumbers Local 130’s COVID-prevention policies, and applicable state and local regulations, we were able to safely meet, re-connect, and the discuss the important business of ASSE International.
For those who couldn’t attend, below are brief re-caps of each meeting, along with some photos. To see even more photos, visit our 2022 ASSE Mid-Year Meeting Flickr album at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzMDGb.
Seal Control Board Meeting
The Seal Control Board (SCB) was held on April 5. ASSE staff gave the SCB an overview of the changes to the Product Listing Program, including the addition of the IAPMO Guangzhou Lab as an ASSE recognized laboratory, acceptance of ISO 17025-2017 lab reports in lieu of ASSE Laboratory Evaluation Report Forms (LERFs), as well as findings from recent internal and external audits. A call for candidates to serve on the SCB was announced. The meeting concluded with a training session, presented by Terry Burger, which covered ASSE’s new approach to standards revisions.
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 Water-Based Fire Protection Certification. The recent review session for test questions was discussed, and a schedule to regularly review test questions was set up. ASSE Series 27000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems Personnel, is now complete and exam development will begin shortly. The ASSE 15010 Certification and the three certifications under the ASSE Series 27000 will all be handled under the Fire Protection Technical Committee.
Professional Qualifications Technical Committee Meeting
The Professional Qualifications (PQ) Technical Committee is composed of the chairpersons of each professional qualifications technical committee, the chairperson of the PQ Standards Committee, and the ASSE International President. The committee discussed ASSE’s various certification programs and shared ideas for improving programs. Currently, ASSE certification exams may be given in four different ways – two include paper/pencil exams and two include different ways of proctoring online exams. New marketing plan ideas were also discussed.
Manufacturers’ Forum
The Manufacturers’ Forum was held on April 5 and included standards updates, certifications updates, and code update as they relate to ASSE listees. At the end of the Forum, ASSE listees had the opportunity to ask questions to ASSE and IAPMO staff during the ASSE Product Standards and Listing Program Q&A session.
Product Standards Committee Meeting
The Product Standards Committee (PSC) was held on April 5. First, the PSC was presented with updates on recently revised product standards. Since the 2021 ASSE International Annual Meeting in October 2021, six standards have been revised or reaffirmed. Additionally, the PSC discussed the status of several standards (18) that are currently in working groups. There are also 15 standards in queue for development.
Many standards that are similar in scope are being revised by a single working group:
Revisions to ASSE 1022, Backflow Preventer for Beverage Dispensing Equipment, ASSE 1024, Dual Check Backflow Preventers, and ASSE 1032, Dual Check Valve Type Backflow Preventers for Carbonated Beverage Dispensers, Post Mix Type, are being addressed through the Beverage Dispenser Backflow Device Working Group. Revisions to ASSE 1084, Water Heaters with Temperature Limiting Capacity, and ASSE 1085, Water Heaters for Emergency Equipment, are being addressed through the ASSE Heater Control Working Group.
ASSE is currently accepting working group applications for the standards below. Applications can be found at www.asse-plumbing.org/asse/standards/working-groups.
- Beverage Dispenser Backflow Device Working Group Working Group (ASSE 1022, ASSE 1024, ASSE 1032)
- ASSE Heater Control Working Group. (ASSE 1084, ASSE 1085)
- ASSE 1013, Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assemblies
- ASSE 1015, Double Check Backflow Prevention Assemblies
- ASSE 1104, Dishwasher Backflow Prevention Requirements
Finally, the committee discussed the harmonization of ASSE 1003, Water Pressure Reducing Valves for Potable Water Distribution Systems, ASSE 1013, Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assemblies, and ASSE 1015, Double Check Backflow Prevention Assemblies, with CSA B356, Water Pressure Reducing Valves for Potable Water Distribution Systems, CSA B64.4, Reduced Pressure Principle (RP) Backflow Preventers, and CSA B64.5, Double Check Valve (DCVA) Backflow Preventers, respectively. The harmonized draft version of ASSE 1003/CSA B356 is nearing completion at the working group level. The other standards will proceed following the completion of ASSE1003/CSA B356.
Cross-Connection Control Technical Committee Meeting
The Cross-Connection Control Technical (CCCTC) reviewed statistics on schools, proctors, instructors, classes held, exams taken, and pass/fail rates. It was reported that there are approximately 19,800 current ASSE Backflow Certified professionals. The revision of ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 5000, Cross-Connection Control Professional Qualifications Standard, was reported as approved by the Board of Directions on March 11, 2022 and approved by ANSI on March 24, 2022. The ASSE Field Test Procedures Booklet will also be updated to reflect those changes. A self-paced proctor course for future and current ASSE Proctors was discussed and is in the process of development
Professional Qualifications Standards Committee Meeting
The Professional Qualifications Standards Committee (PQSC)reviewed current and draft PQ standards. There are currently two standards in revision and one new standard in development. Three new standards are being 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. ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 5000-2022, Cross-Connection Control Professional Qualifications Standard, is now complete, has been ANSI approved, and will be published shortly.
ASSE 12000 Technical Committee (ICRA, Water Quality, and Legionella Programs) Meeting
The 12000 Technical Committee reviews and advises on the certification programs contained within the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000-2021, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems. The committee reviewed statistics concerning training providers, instructors, and certified individuals for the 12010/12020 certifications that include Environment of Care, Life Safety, and Infection Control. Statistics and pass/fail rates were also reviewed for the Water Quality Certification Progra, and the Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist. These programs are growing and the Air Quality certification program will be added soon. It was determined that the committee would be divided into three separate committees all housed under the umbrella of the 12000 Technical Committee.
Membership Committee Meeting
The Membership Committee Meeting was held on Wednesday, April 6. The meeting began with an overview of Membership Committee activities, including updates to the Membership Application with detailed demographic information, potential new educational seminars available online, and the need for more member involvement. Recommendations for items to be added to the member welcome/renewal packet were also discussed. There was then discussion about the collection of member demographics and chapter information. It was reported that the legal department has information on how to start a chapter, which will be sent to ASSE regional directors.
