The “Manual of Recommended Practices for Hydrogen Fuel Gas” marks a critical milestone in the journey to making hydrogen an allowable fuel source option for the built environment.

Developed through a collaborative and open process involving industry leaders, labor unions, and forward thinking utilities, integration of the manual— published by IAPMO — provides actionable guidance language for hydrogen gas piping written in enforceable language to ensure safety and compliance at every level. This enforceable and adoptable manual is set to ensure hydrogen can be installed safely and inspected effectively when integrated into various piping applications.

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS FORGING PROGRESS

Hydrogen’s potential has been well known for a very long time, but only recently has the research and interest caught up. IAPMO spearheaded the Innovation Task Group and openly brought together industry voices to address the specific safety concerns of hydrogen, providing a transparent public comment period that resulted in zero nonmember comments and published accordingly upon its completion. This diverse task group met regularly for about two years and drew input from many of the plumbing and mechanical experts in the field, focusing on materials, installation options, and inspection protocols needed to make hydrogen adoption safe and effective. As staff liaison for the project, I learned so much by working with these leaders and consider myself privileged to serve in this capacity.

When it comes to challenges and learning, we encouraged robust conversation regarding hydrogen’s high flammability; with this the NFPA’s contributions and collaboration as members was crucial. They brought fire safety expertise to the subject matter by way of storage, conveyance, and emergency protocols, ensuring the new manual aligns with fire safety best practices and encourages code harmony for future iterations. This overlap in collaboration creates fluidity in the trades, ensuring no safety concerns are left unclarified for the installers and inspectors of piping systems.

Recognizing that safe implementation requires a skilled workforce, labor unions had a major role in the technical contributions to the publication, with dedicated leadership from both sides of the country.

Chris Cheek, Piping Industry Progress & Education Trust Fund director, Los Angeles, and chairman of the manual, said, “Hydrogen is an important and forward-thinking mission, considering the role it can play in reducing carbon emissions. Ensuring safety and competence in installation is critical, given the unique properties of hydrogen.” This is exactly why we got to business on creating this impactful best practice manual, written in enforceable language and available for adoption.

Utility companies like SoCalGas — based in, you guessed it, Southern California — are known for their innovation in hydrogen projects. Upon hearing of the effort, they got involved in the call to action and contributed staff resources to join our meetings and be part of the task group. Utilities like these are pioneers, actively contributing insights from largescale project research.

These partnerships and dedicated industry volunteers provided practical information and guidance in building “The first comprehensive hydrogen manual designed to support the safe and efficient installation of H2 fuel gas piping systems,” published by IAPMO in November 2024 and available for FREE DOWNLOAD at https://www.iapmo.org/campaigns/hydrogen-fuel-gas-piping-manual.

KEEPING PACE WITH TECHNOLOGY

Recognizing hydrogen’s potential to cause material embrittlement and leakage, the manual specifies resilient materials like listed and approved steel pipe and tubing, corrugated stainless steel, and Type K/L copper pipe and tubing for hydrogen piping systems in buildings. These proven materials were selected based on their durability and compatibility and are focused on minimizing the risk of leaks or system failures, while providing a place for future eligibility of advanced materials. Enforceable language introduces pressure and testing protocols to verify system integrity, with room for advancement as sources continue to ponder delivery methods and incoming pressures to the building meter. Given hydrogen’s unique lightweight, low-density properties, inspection protocols are enhanced to include rough piping inspections and final system checks, ensuring each installation meets stringent and well-documented safety standards while keeping up with the technology.

The language outlines critical guidelines for system design and material selection, recommending corrosion-resistant material joining methods and providing a useful pipe sizing table for load calculations with equations available for modification as seen fit by an engineer. It emphasizes thorough testing and detailed documentation at each stage, from initial installation to final inspection.

Safety is always the top priority, and the new adoptable manual includes H2 appliance and equipment connection guidance to ensure systems are installed safely when connected to building piping per the construction documents required. The manual is an essential resource for professionals in plumbing and mechanical trades, equipping them with the knowledge and protocols needed to install hydrogen systems, appliances and appurtenances with confidence.

THE ROLE OF HYBRID SYSTEMS

As hydrogen enters the mainstream, hybrid energy systems that combine hydrogen with geothermal or thermal energy networks (TENs) are becoming increasingly interesting. These systems create multilayered building resilience and drastically reduce electrical grid dependency, which is especially beneficial in high energy demand settings like data centers and manufacturing facilities. With continued investment in hydrogen hubs, advancements in electrolyzer efficiency, and hybrid solutions that incorporate other water-sourced energy solutions, hydrogen is ready to transform infrastructure.

In a conceptual hybrid model, green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis powered by renewables like thermal solar, stored on-site, and combined with geothermal or thermal energy networks to handle hydronic heating and cooling needs with very little resistance heating that utilizes electricity. This approach minimizes energy waste, enhances local resilience, and contributes to decarbonization efforts. Facilities that adopt these hybrid systems can become partially independent of the grid, providing excess energy back to local networks and helping stabilize supply during periods of peak demand.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs initiative is a key in the transition to a clean energy economy, driven by the goal of making hydrogen a useful element in reducing emissions across various sectors. The DOE is investing heavily and has announced a $7 billion dollar funding opportunity through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and building multiple hydrogen hubs across the country. These hubs are designed to connect hydrogen producers, infrastructure development, and end users within a regional area, while creating local jobs and clean independent energy. By advancing these hubs, the DOE aims to stimulate economic growth and accelerate the use of clean hydrogen. These hubs will serve as innovation centers, helping to improve scientific leadership, production technologies and storage breakthroughs by establishing real-life best practices for safe deployment in a scalable way.

Large-scale projects and partnerships are advancing the hydrogen field by providing real-world data. SoCalGas’ “Angeles Link” project aims to become the largest clean hydrogen infrastructure system in the U.S. and is designed to supply renewable H2 to the Los Angeles area in the near future. This project exemplifies how utilities are working to lead the way, setting up regional projects that demonstrate hydrogen’s feasibility and positive impact on the local environment and providing another case study.

Speaking of studies, we should tip our hat to the joint research project between SoCalGas and EVOLOH that has achieved a 15% increase in hydrogen production efficiency while reducing costs simultaneously. In a press release issued by SoCalGas they said, “the enhancements achieved in the project could reduce the capital costs of the electrolyzer technology by approximately 25% and could help make the cost of clean renewable hydrogen more affordable.” These advancements and research partnerships are key to making hydrogen production more accessible and scalable.

These innovative projects not only drive technological progress but also influence the practical aspects of industry development of fuels, allowing for real-time adjustments and innovations that may benefit the entire planet.

WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS

As the plumbing and mechanical industries begin to embrace hydrogen, it’s essential to have a workforce that can be trained and certified to handle these systems safely. Labor unions and training organizations are stepping up to fill this need by providing specialized training on hydrogen’s properties, safe handling procedures, and best practices for installation. Fuel gas training for plumbers and pipefitters is tirelessly being updated to ensure that professionals who work with modern fuels like hydrogen systems maintain the highest safety standards, allowing them to confidently perform the installation and be ready for inspection. With each new project and program, we are building a future-ready workforce that will play a critical role in our clean energy future.

CATALYSTS FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

By setting standards and preparing the skilled workforce, codes and standards enable us to build scalable training and education, making the job site and the built environment safer. As these standards evolve and hydrogen technologies become more accessible, we get closer to a clean energy future. The path forward is research and with each advancement, we’re building a foundation for the most abundant element on our planet to become a reliable, sustainable fuel source that could power endless generations.

Resources & References

• https://www.socalgas.com/sustainability/innovation-center/angeles-link
• https://www.iapmo.org/newsroom/press-releases/iapmo-publishes-first-hydrogen-fuel-gas-piping-manual
• https://www.energytech.com/renewables/article/55094157/socalgas-and-evoloh-complete-hydrogen-and-electrolyzer-production-improvement-research-project
• https://www.energy.gov/oced/regional-clean-hydrogen-hubs-0

The post Preparing For Hydrogen: A New Era In Fuel Gas Piping appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

WHAT ARE PFAS?

PFAS is the acronym for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, which is chemistry-speak for compounds made up of multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain. There are millions of compounds that fall under this broad description. The “forever chemical” nickname stems from the difficulty in breaking bonds between the compounds’ carbon and fluorine atoms. PFAS accumulate in water, soil, fish, wildlife and humans and at certain levels can pose serious health and environmental risks.

First discovered in the 1930s, PFAS have been used to manufacture a wide variety of consumer products including carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foams, food packaging, nonstick cookware, paints, polishes, and stain-resistant and water-repellent clothing.

To limit PFAS exposure in drinking water, on April 10, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for the six PFAS shown in the table below. The EPA established legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) as well as health based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these six PFAS in drinking water.

After the EPA issued the new PFAS regulations, NSF task groups serving under the Joint Committee for Drinking Water Treatment Units began work to update NSF/ANSI 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units — Health Effects, and NSF/ANSI 58, Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Systems, to incorporate the EPA PFAS maximum contaminant levels. NSF’s Joint Committee on Drinking Water Additives — System Components and Public Health Council also voted to include the EPA’s PFAS limits into new revisions of NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, Drinking Water System Components — Health Effects.

HOW DO THE NEW PFAS REGULATIONS AFFECT ASSE PRODUCT STANDARDS?

Upcoming revisions of NSF 53, 58 and 61 will incorporate the EPA PFAS guidelines. This means that when these standards are published and certification agencies begin mandating dates of compliance, products certified to the 17 ASSE standards that reference one or more of the three NSF standards will also be held to the new EPA guidelines. Manufacturers should begin checking now to ensure product components that come into contact with drinking water are not capable of leaching PFAS at levels detected in the test waters that exceed the NPDWR requirements.

ASSE PRODUCT STANDARDS THAT INCLUDE NSF 61

• ASSE 1003-23/CSA B356:23, Water Pressure Reducing Valves for Potable Water Distribution Systems
• ASSE 1012-2021, Backflow Preventers with an Intermediate Atmospheric Vent
• ASSE 1022-2023, Backflow Preventer for Beverage Dispensing Equipment
• ASSE 1061-2020, Push-Fit Fittings
• ASSE 1062-2017 (R2021), Temperature Actuated, Flow Reduction (TAFR) Valves
• ASSE 1063-2016 (R2021), Air Valve and Vent Inflow Preventer
• ASSE 1069-2020, Automatic Temperature Control Mixing Valves
• ASSE 1070-2020/ASME A112.1070-2020/CSA B125.70.20, Water Temperature Limiting Devices
• ASSE 1082-2021, Water Heaters with Integral Temperature Control Devices for Hot Water Distribution Systems
• ASSE 1084-2018 (R2023), Water Heaters with Temperature Limiting Capacity
• ASSE 1099-2022/WSC-PST-2000/2022, Pressurized Water Storage Tanks
• ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI/CAN 1103-2024, Performance Requirements for Pilot Operated Water Pressure Reducing Valves for Potable Water
• ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI/CAN 1379-2024, Proportional Flow Control Devices with Protection from Cross-Connection via Hydronic Water, for use in Potable Water Installations

ASSE PRODUCT STANDARDS THAT INCLUDE NSF 53 AND 58

• ASSE 1023-2020, Electrically Heated or Cooled Water Dispensers
• ASSE 1086-2022, Reverse Osmosis Water Efficiency – Drinking Water

ASSE PRODUCT STANDARDS THAT INCLUDE NSF 53, 58 AND 61

• ASSE 1090-2020, Drinking Water Atmospheric Water Generators
• ASSE 1087-2022, Commercial and Food Service Water Treatment Equipment Utilizing Drinking Water

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We need to monitor legislation and be active in code and regulation updates. There have been changes made over the past year in several states including, but not limited to, Colorado, North Carolina, and California. While some recent changes have benefited our industry, others have had adverse effects on cross-connection programs in certain jurisdictions, which are desperately needed to protect public health. Weakening or eliminating the testing and installation requirements for backflow protection to possibly reduce building costs or to reduce regulation for political reasons is shortsighted, misguided, and frankly dangerous. Policy and regulation changes aimed at limiting the ability of certified testers to test assemblies in specific jurisdictions in order to increase market share for specific groups is also counterproductive. Our goal as an industry should be to ensure that the protection needed is the protection installed, and also that this protection is installed and maintained by certified testers and repairers. Prioritizing a specific testing certification or a specific test procedure should not be No. 1 on our list. Protecting public health should always be our most important concern.

Regulations such as those recently passed in North Carolina, shown below, open the door to so many problems.

A public water system owned or operated by a local government unit, and its employees, including the Cross Connection Control Operator in Responsible Charge, is immune from civil liability in tort from any loss, damage, or injury arising out of or relating to the backflow of water into potable water supply systems where a backflow preventer is not required by State or federal law, or where the degree of hazard from the customer’s connection is not determined to be high by the Department.

The Department shall determine whether the degree of hazard for a service connection is high when the installation of a backflow preventer is not otherwise required by State or federal law. The Department shall provide notice of such determinations on its website.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit a public water system owned or operated by a local government unit from requiring the installation of a backflow preventer if the system pays all costs associated with the backflow preventer, including the device, installation, and appropriate landscaping.

No public water system owned or operated by a local government unit shall require periodic testing more frequently than once every three years for backflow preventers on residential irrigation systems that do not apply or dispose chemical feeds.

If you are a public water system being told that you cannot be held financially responsible for a backflow incident unless the backflow assembly was required by state or federal regulations, why would you mandate containment protection? It is not required by state or federal law. These rules also say if the water system decides to require protection, the operator must pay the costs for the protection. No water system will take on that burden. The last regulation concerning testing on irrigation systems seems to be written simply to give homeowners an excuse to avoid testing annually. We should not rush to deregulate necessary regulations to lower costs or to score political points. This is the type of deregulation we need to work together against. In many cases the deregulations are put forward by people who do not understand the importance of backflow prevention and crossconnection control. These are the people and groups we need to educate.

With the recent November election, it is difficult to predict what will happen at the federal level with regulations related to water quality, water conservation, water reuse, and a host of other issues. It is clear that changes will occur and all of us need to be ready to work to ensure these changes do not roll back all the progress we have made in the past. Regulation is necessary to protect the public health and our public water systems. We need to always remain vigilant about any proposed changes.

On a brighter note, in California, the development of the state Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook is making major changes to regulations in the Golden State. In this article we are going to look at one specific part of the Policy Handbook that deals with professional certifications for backflow testers. To understand how this occurred we need to go back to the beginning of the process. In the past there was a lack of specific regulations as to what was acceptable in California. County health departments and water authorities were allowed to pick and choose what backflow tester certification they would accept in their jurisdiction and which certification they would not. Many county health departments set up their own certification programs. As a result, it was difficult if not impossible for a certified tester to test backflow assemblies statewide without multiple different backflow tester certifications.

The state attempted to change regulations starting in 2016 with Assembly Bill (AB) 1529. That legislation passed the general assembly by a large margin and was sent to the governor’s desk for his signature. After an intense lobbying effort by a number of groups that wanted to maintain the status quo, then Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed the bill in September of 2018. During this time, another Assembly Bill (AB), 1671, was working its way through the legislative process, passed the general assembly and was signed into law. AB 1671 required the State Water Board to adopt standards for backflow protection and cross-connection control through the creation and adoption of a Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) on or before Jan. 1, 2020. That requirement was not met and the process to develop the handbook took several years longer than the deadline contained in the legislation. The statutes also require that the State Water Board hold at least two public hearings before adopting the CCCPH. The first public hearing took place on April 27, 2021, about 16 months after the handbook was required to be adopted by AB 1671. The second required public hearing took place on Dec. 5, 2022. Stakeholders and groups from all parts of the industry participated in the handbook development, including the public hearing and within the comment periods. A significant amount of time and effort from many parties produced the finished product.

On Dec. 19, 2023, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (CCCPH) with an effective date of July 1, 2024. A number of factors contributed to the delay in adoption, including the COVID pandemic, but although arriving four years and six months later than planned the CCCPH became the law of the land on July 1. The CCCPH regulations replace the language contained in Title 17 related to crossconnection control. The California Plumbing Code also addresses backflow testing. Section 603.2 states: Testing or maintenance shall be preformed by a certified backflow assembly tester or repairer in accordance with ASSE Series 5000, Cross-Connection Control Professional Qualifications Standard, or otherwise approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTERS IN CALIFORNIA?

It means changes are coming; they will be phased in over a three-year period and are already causing confusion in the state with both testers and regulators.

A major change is that on July 1, 2027, backflow assembly testers and cross-connection control specialists/surveyors will need to be certified by an organization that has had its certification program ANSI accredited. This is where confusion, and in other cases disinformation, is happening with individual testers and specialists being given incorrect information or misinterpreting the regulation itself. Testers are being told that this requirement becomes effective on July 1, 2025. That is not what the new regulation requires.

The California Water Board website, on its Frequently Asked Questions CCCPH page states: Certifying Organizations — When do they need to have ANSI accreditation? Certifying organizations, who certify backflow prevention assembly testers and cross-connection control specialists, do not need to have a certification from an ANSI-accredited organization until July 1, 2027. While they can have a certification from an organization with ANSI accreditation before then, it is not a requirement. Between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2027 (when ANSI accreditation is required), the State Water Board will recognize organizations that plan to have ANSI accreditation but do not yet have it and which meet the requirements listed in the CCCPH. CCCPH requirements for testers and specialists do not start until July 1, 2025.

ASSE International’s 5110 Backflow Tester certification program has been officially recognized by the California Water Board and is an approved tester certification until July 1, 2025. ASSE has begun the process for its certification to become ANSI and ISO approved in the near future and because of this action is expecting California Water Board approval in the next several weeks as an approved certification agency through July 1, 2027. ASSE expects to receive its complete ANSI and ISO approval in the next 12-18 months, well in advance of the handbook requirement of this approval after July 1, 2027. These developments should result in the acceptance of the ASSE 5110 tester certification on a statewide basis in California. Change is difficult and I do anticipate resistance in some areas, but the handbook was envisioned, developed, and adopted to provide statewide standards that should be acceptable everywhere in California.

The CCCPH also contains language which will result in changes in how Public Water Systems (PWS) conduct hazard assessments (cross-connection surveys) for both residential and commercial customers and establishes a timeline for completion of these assessments. It also addresses cross-connection protection requirements for fire protection systems. There is concern with many of the PWS about meeting what they view as difficult if not impossible timelines to achieve and how flexible the California Water Board will be in granting extensions to the handbook requirements. Only time will tell as to what the future will bring, but these changes are necessary and, in many cases, long overdue.

Another change in the CCCPH is related to the approval of backflow prevention assemblies for installation in California. As of July 1, assemblies that are approved by USC or assemblies which have been ASSE approved with the one-year field test seal are now allowed for installation statewide. The CCCPH, while not perfect, is a long overdue upgrade and modernization of the state regulations, and while it will undoubtedly create concern and some problems in its implementation it is a large step in the correct direction for the Golden State.

In some areas we are going forward. In others we seem to be moving in reverse. It is vital that all of us in the industry be as active as possible in acting as stakeholders in the creation and in the amending of codes, standards and regulations. It’s time to become part of the solution; inaction is not an option. We need to protect the health of the nation.

The post Is The Job Finished? appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

The two standards, ASSE 1103, Pilot Operated Water Pressure Reducing Valves for Potable Water, and ASSE 1379, Proportional Flow Control Devices, with Protection from Cross-Connection via Hydronic Water, for use in Potable Water Installations, were published in mid-2024. Each is an American National Standard and a Canadian National Standard. The standard ASSE 1103 was the subject of an article found in the July-September 2024 edition of Working Pressure and will not be discussed here.

ASSE 1379, as the title implies, is for proportional flow control devices. I will briefly describe these devices. These are dynamic flow control devices used in hydronic water systems and are installed in conjunction with a heat exchanger to provide domestic hot water. The purpose of the device is to maintain the ratio of flow between the two fluid streams of the heat exchanger to provide consistent hot potable water. The 1379 device has added cross-connection protection to protect the potable water.

These two standards cover plumbing industry segments for which there were no performance standards. The creation of performance standards for these devices is a step in the right direction. However, the acceptance and adoption of these standards into the code(s) is equally important.

There has been an initiative to get these standards adopted into the U.S. and Canadian plumbing codes. The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and the International Plumbing Code (IPC) are in the process of making revisions for their respective 2027 editions. The Canadian National Plumbing Code is finalizing its code cycle for 2030.

At the beginning of this year, proposals to reference these standards were submitted to IAPMO and ICC for inclusion into the UPC and IPC respectively. These proposals were given to each of the code bodies for consideration. Unfortunately, while the standards had been nearly completed, they were not published in time for consideration. Therefore, the proposals failed.

The good news is all is not lost. There is another opportunity to still get these standards into the codes. In October, ICC held a Committee Action Hearing in which comments and proposed changes relative to the Technical Committee hearing results were considered.

The ASSE 1103 and ASSE 1379 standards have since been published. This allows individuals to submit comments on the committee’s actions. These comments can recommend reversals of the previous action. This is precisely what has happened. Proposals have been submitted to reverse the committee’s rejection of the standards’ inclusion. The ASSE 1103 proposals were approved for inclusion in the IPC. Unfortunately, ASSE 1379 was not.

A similar process occurs with IAPMO’s code development. The committee action hearing for the UPC will be in May 2025. It is anticipated that comments will also be submitted concerning the technical committee’s rejection of these standards.

Additionally, code change proposals for inclusion of these standards into the 2035 Canadian National Plumbing Code will be submitted when the call for proposals opens.

It is a reasonable proposal to have these standards included in the codes. So far in the process, there has not been opposition to the standards themselves. The rejections were for administrative reasons. While nothing is guaranteed, it is with some confidence that I anticipate the ASSE 1103 and ASSE 1379 will be part of the next publication of the UPC.

The post ASSE 1103, ASSE 1379 & Codes appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

ASSE is also in the process of updating its job task analysis of the ASSE 5110 Backflow Tester certification program. This is just one of the key steps that is conducted to ensure that the examination process we have in place not only for the 5000 Series, but all of our exams are managed under standard best practices for examinations across the board.

The Professional Qualifications (PQ) department is also realigning its team, which includes adding another staff member. The PQ department will initiate increased outreach to schools, including training new staff members from the training department at ASSE-approved institutions. During a recent meeting, it was brought to ASSE staff’s attention that turnover is high among the school training departments, and individuals in their new positions may require some guidance and training.

All program guidelines are being updated to provide schools with the information they need to be successful. In the future, schools will receive a school guidelines document, a proctor/ instructor guidelines document, and a student handbook.

In Portland, Maine, during its most recent meeting, the Cross-Connection Technical Committee voted to increase the number of questions on the ASSE 5110 Backflow Tester Recertification exam from 25 questions to 50 questions. This change will take effect Jan. 1, 2025 (California already has a 50-question exam). The committee also voted to reverse its decision to no longer accept reciprocity applications from certification applicants.

In 2025, we will make significant progress in advancing through the ANSI approval process. ASSE has been gathering the information necessary to be approved as an ANSI-accredited certification provider.

The Professional Qualifications Department staff would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a happy healthy New Year! Just a reminder, ASSE will be closed during the holiday season beginning at 1 p.m. Central Time, Tuesday, Dec. 24, returning Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

The post Backflow Tester Program Year in Review appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

ASSE 1379 was developed to maximize the heating efficiencies of domestic hot water while controlling the flow of potable water, using proportional flow control devices. These devices control the flow of water based on the pressures of the hydronic water in a hydronic system. This is achieved by using an integral cross-connection protection between the potable and hydronic water, used in conjunction with a heat exchanger, as part of a hydronic loop system to provide domestic hot water locally. A 1379 device facilitates a constant ratio of flow between the potable and hydronic water streams entering the heat exchanger, which enables a stable hot potable water supply. As the ASSE 1379 scope states: This device consists of a single potable cold water supply inlet and outlet, and a single hydronic supply inlet and outlet, a means of dynamic flow control (piston), an atmospheric vent, and two sets of three dynamic seals between the potable and hydronic flow paths (see figure).

The performance requirements and compliance testing of this standard includes the following: a tightness test, hydrostatic testing of the device, suitability for use, life cycle testing, as well as a backsiphonage test and two different backflow tests. Some parameters of the standard are as follows:

• The maximum rated flow rate on the potable flow path shall be 0.57 L/sec (9.0 GPM).
• The maximum rated flow rate on the hydronic flow path shall be 0.57 L/sec (9.0 GPM).
• The maximum operating temperature for the device is 90°C (195°F).
• The maximum static pressure, on the potable and hydronic flow paths, is 1241 kPa (180 psi.)

The Tightness Test requires the potable and hydronic water side of the device to be pressure tight at 1600 kPa (232 psi) for 60 seconds. This is tested to ensure no contamination of the potable water supply. Likewise, the entire device must undergo a Hydrostatic Pressure Test at 2500 kPa (363 psi), or two times the manufacturer’s rated pressure, whichever is greater, which is applied for a period of 10 minutes.

The Suitability for Use testing requires devices to demonstrate their ability to maintain the appropriate flow rate with respect to the acceptable pressure loss as laid out in the standard. This section also ensures the seals of the device will not fail at elevated flow rates while operating with acceptable pressure losses as well as the applicability of the devices for its intended use.

In order to pass the Life Cycle Test, the device must demonstrate its ability to work without failure for a minimum of 10 years without damage. This is validated by cycling the device 182,500 times. The large number of cycles simulates 10 years of service (~50 cycles per day for 10 years).

The final three tests require the device to demonstrate its ability to avoid contamination of the potable water line. The backsiphonage test simulates the case where a vacuum is created on the potable water line of the device and the hydronic pressure is operating at atmospheric pressure and all seals have failed. The next test is used to verify that no backflow from the hydronic piping into the potable water supply occurs when one set of seals fails. The final backflow test verifies that no backflow into the potable water supply will occur when the vent port outlet is sealed closed then the maximum rated working pressure is applied to the hydronic piping side of the device.

Employing an ASSE 1379 device can result in significant energy costs savings due to eliminating the standby losses of a centralized domestic water system. Additionally, an ASSE 1379 device allows for a reduction in the amount of domestic hot water (DHW) and the number of DHW recirculation lines needed in buildings. Beyond the energy savings, designers will realize savings as a result of fewer pipe supports needed, fire penetrations, insulation and accessories required for the overall design of building projects.

If you have an ASSE 1379 device that you would like certified, please contact staffengineer@asse-plumbing.org.

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Before we get into some of the proposals and code changes ASSE reviewed, commented on, and proposed for these codes, I wanted to make sure we all understand a bit of the history of the ASSE CDC and its purpose/mission today. ASSE has always had, in some form or fashion, a code committee that discussed and gave opinions or guidelines on how ASSE standards should be used in the codes and in practical applications. This has been in the blood of ASSE since the beginning of the organization, remains so today, and I believe it always should be. Previously, the work of the Code Committee focused primarily on ASSE’s product standards arm and a little on professional qualifications standards. These opinions were mostly asked by other industry partners and offered by ASSE when there was a question regarding health or safety concerning a standard and its application or use.

As ASSE progressed in developing standards, so too did its work with the codes. In or around the 2015 code development cycle for the UPC and IPC, ASSE decided the Code Committee would start to be more proactive in representing ASSE Standards and advocating for their inclusion in the codes. This is when the Code Committee started to review and discuss all proposals from others in the ICC and IAPMO code processes involving ASSE standards (both professional and product). The committee then would offer a consensus opinion — approved by the ASSE Board of Directors — on these proposed changes in a public forum during the IAPMO and ICC code hearings. This was a big step for ASSE, as it had mostly stayed silent during these hearings in the past.

Building on the progress made in the 2015 code cycle, ASSE took another step forward in the 2021 code development cycles by submitting its own proposals on ASSE standards, while still coming to a consensus opinion on others proposals related to ASSE standards. With this development, the Code Committee updated its procedures, expanded the committee membership to involve the industry, and adopted a new name – the ASSE Code Development Committee. Although the ASSE CDC’s mission and purpose have remained fundamentally the same through these changes, ASSE is no longer a silent voice in the room when it comes to ASSE standards. That brings us up to today and my “old man history lesson” on ASSE — for this article at least. With this in mind, we will shift gears to what the CDC has and is working on for the 2027 code development cycle for the UPC, IPC and IRC.

UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE 2027 DEVELOPMENT

Before the UPC proposals were released in early April 2024, the CDC reviewed the 2024 UPC for potential issues with ASSE standards in the UPC and to identify which new and existing ASSE standards should be included in the 2027 version. After review and debate within the CDC, the ASSE Board of Directors agreed that ASSE would submit 10 code proposals for consideration in the 2027 UPC.

One of the changes submitted by ASSE involved ASSE 1052, Hose Connection Backflow Connector. Interestingly, while ASSE 1052 has been listed in the UPC’s Backflow Prevention, Devices and Assembles Table 603.2, a description of ASSE 1052 was never included in section 603.2 like other backflow devices and assemblies in that table. Through the work of the CDC members in finding this missed information and then creating the language for the proposal to be submitted, this language might be included in the 2027 UPC. Though this may seem like a small accomplishment, when viewed in a larger picture it is one fitting in an entire drain waste and vent system, without that one fitting, a part of that DWV system could be unusable.

Along with the other nine submitted proposals for the UPC, the ASSE CDC reviewed more than 350 proposals submitted by other individuals or organizations, identifying 42 that involved an ASSE standard (product or professional) in some way. The ASSE CDC went to work reviewing and debating these proposals, and reached a consensus on all 42 of them. This process takes a lot of “me” time and “virtual” or “on the line” time from the ASSE CDC members, but in doing so the shared knowledge of the committee grows every time, which in turn increases a committee member’s knowledge. Out of the 42 proposals the ASSE CDC seeks to come to one of three outcomes: support, non-support or neutral. A vote for support or non-support means the ASSE will speak for or against that proposal at the code hearing, while a neutral position means the proposed language or intent does not affect the ASSE standard(s) and ASSE will not speak on this proposal. For this round of proposals, the ASSE CDC found 15 proposals to support, one non-support and 26 neutral.

Now it was off to the UPC Technical Committee hearings in early May 2024 to advocate for ASSE’s positions on not only ASSE’s proposals, but also the support/non-support positions on others’ proposals.

We were successful on most of our positions, but the UPC Committee had some other thoughts on a few. This is not unusual during the code development process, and the ASSE CDC will have another opportunity in May 2025 at the second UPC hearings for the 2027 UPC. That means we will start this process again as the ASSE CDC and speak to ASSE’s positions again. After this hearing, the ASSE CDC’s part in the process is complete and we will begin to look at the code development cycle for the 2030 UPC.

THE INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING AND INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE 2027 DEVELOPMENT

The IPC and IRC process is very much the same as the described in the UPC section of this article for the ASSE CDC. The ASSE CDC started out looking at possibilities for proposals to be submitted to the 2027 IPC and IRC, and identified eight proposals that included older ASSE standards where we thought the current code language in the code doesn’t represent the standard’s intent, as well as some new standards for inclusion in the code.

As before, the next step called for reviewing and coming to a position on others’ proposals that involved ASSE standards. Out of more than 150 proposals submitted by others, 26 involved ASSE standards; the ASSE CDC identified eight of these it wished to support, two that it opposed and 16 on which it was neutral. ASSE headed to the IPC and IRC hearings in early April 2024 and was very successful in securing votes in line with its positions on other proposals, including the two non-supports being rejected by ICC’s Code Development Committees. On the other hand, ASSE’s proposals were turned away mostly because the standards being proposed had not completed the ANSI process before the hearings, nor had the committees been able to review them. This is not an uncommon occurrence; if these proposals had not been submitted, we would have had to wait until the 2030 code development cycle to propose them.

Following these hearings, the CDC reviewed the results and comments from the hearings and public comments. We then made recommendations for others who have made comments on the results involving ASSE standards in order to attend the second code action hearings for the IPC and IRC in late October 2024. Again, as you can guess by now, at these hearings it was a mixed result for ASSE. A bright spot for one of our newest product standards was assisting one of our industry partners, Watts Water Technologies, in getting its proposal for adding ASSE 1103, Pilot Operated Water Pressure Reducing Valves for Potable Water, into 2027 IPC section 604.8. This was rejected at the April hearings due to the ASSE 1103 not being a completed ANSI standard, but it was completed before the October hearing and was accepted. It now looks to be another option for pressure reducing valves in the 2027 IPC.

As I conclude this article (and if you are still reading it), I would like to thank everyone from the past and present at ASSE for their hard work and support in getting the ASSE CDC to this point in ASSE’s storied history. There is always a new standard to be brought into the codes, another development cycle around the corner, changing technologies, and many opinions on what is right and wrong with, well, everything. The CDC should continue to serve as a forum to discuss, resolve and amplify ASSE’s voice, providing “Prevention Rather Than Cure” for all.

The post ASSE and the Codes appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

Legionella bacteria requires certain conditions for growth, such as temperature, stagnation, and a food source, such as those found in biofilm and scale on pipe walls. Temperature is a significant factor in Legionella bacteria growth. Warm water, in the ideal growth range, leaves a water system especially vulnerable to Legionella bacteria colonization and growth. Table A shows the effects of temperature on Legionella bacteria.

Control of the growth of Legionella bacteria in hot water systems requires maintenance of elevated temperatures to limit colonization and growth. Several studies demonstrate the overarching benefit of elevated temperature for Legionella bacteria control in hot water systems. However, control of bacteria in hot water systems by temperature is a factor of both the raised hot water temperature and the exposure time of the bacteria to those temperatures. For storage-type hot water systems, storage temperatures of greater than 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) are a key factor for reducing positive detection of Legionella bacteria. At 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), it takes approximately 32 minutes to kill 100% of Legionella bacteria in a laboratory setting. Exposure time of the bacteria to hot water at elevated temperatures is generally achievable in storage-type hot water systems because they are designed to store hot water for long periods until the peak demand period. For instantaneous hot water systems, outlet temperatures of greater than 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) — the temperature at which Legionella bacteria is killed instantaneously — should be achieved. This is because, in instantaneous hot water systems, the exposure time of the bacteria to elevated temperatures is dependent upon the rate of flow through a heat exchanger, which is generally less than one minute. The temperature of hot water in instantaneous hot water systems must be brought up to a temperature that will kill or pasteurize the bacteria in the time it takes for the water to pass through the heat exchanger.

A hot water system design that uses temperature to control the growth of Legionella bacteria should incorporate a thermostatic mixing valve conforming to industry standards listed in the model plumbing codes to ensure a stable hot water distribution temperature that is greater than the growth temperature. To prevent scalding, the hot water should be distributed to all points in the circulated system, including distal points and the hot water return to the water heater, with the installation of point-of-use mixing valves, conforming to industry standards listed in the model plumbing codes.

It is not practical to control the growth of Legionella bacteria in cold water systems year-round by maintaining cool temperatures because these temperatures can get well into the growth ranges for Legionella bacteria. Therefore, measures to control the colonization and growth of Legionella bacteria in cold water systems is generally achieved by chemical methods. If the water supplied by the utility does not have an adequate water treatment chemical residual to control the growth of Legionella bacteria throughout a building water distribution system, the building owner should consider installing a secondary or supplementary water treatment disinfection system to help control microbial or bacterial growth within the building water distribution system. Secondary chemical disinfection methods include: chlorine; monochloramine; chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, copper silver ionization, ultraviolet light, and ozone. However, because water treatment chemicals oxidize at a higher rate in hot water, a secondary or supplementary water treatment disinfection system does not ensure control of the growth of Legionella bacteria in hot water systems.

EMERGENCY DISINFECTION OF BUILDING WATER SYSTEMS

As with methods to control bacteria growth under normal operation, the methods to kill or eradicate Legionella bacteria as an emergency disinfection or emergency remediation procedure also takes the form of temperature controls and chemical controls. However, an emergency remediation procedure to kill or eradicate Legionella bacteria requires temperatures and chemical dosages at significantly greater levels than those employed to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria as part of an ongoing daily operation.

Methods to kill Legionella bacteria, as part of an emergency remediation, generally involve elevating the temperature temporarily as a “high-temperature thermal disinfection” approach and/or dosing the system with high levels of chemicals, in a process known as “hyperchlorination.” “High-temperature thermal disinfection” may be performed one time or many times, for various durations, and over a range of temperatures (It should be noted that eradication of Legionella species can only be achieved at very high temperatures).

Typically, this requires flushing water from each fixture, first, to remove stagnant and contaminated water from the piping system. Next, water in excess of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is flowed from each fixture for a duration of 20-30 minutes. Thermal disinfection requires evaluation of the existing heating equipment to see if it has the capacity to raise the temperature to the disinfection temperature range while maintaining a flow of water through the fixtures for a period long enough to kill the bacteria in the piping. The number of fixtures that is possible to be flowed, simultaneously, depends upon the energy input to the water heaters. Some buildings have water heating systems that cannot achieve disinfecting hot water temperatures, and only heat water to a usage temperature (for example, an instantaneous water heater that only heats water to a usage temperature, which is in the ideal growth temperature range for Legionella bacteria). For this reason, some buildings cannot utilize high temperature thermal disinfection, so they must use hyperchlorination to disinfect the hot water systems. This requires turning off the water heater and flushing disinfection chemicals through the hot water system.

Hyperchlorination is a process in which the free chlorine level is raised and held for a stated duration; the higher the free chorine level, the shorter the holding time necessary to kill Legionella bacteria in the water. Hyperchlorination involves flushing chemicals through the system, starting at a connection at the building water service entrance or through the secondary or supplementary water treatment disinfection system, if installed, and flowing water through each fixture until the free chlorine level is met. After the free chorine level is met at each fixture, the water must be held in the pipes for the stated duration.

EXAMPLES OF EMERGENCY REMEDIATION PITFALLS

• An insufficient volume of water is flushed through the building’s water distribution mains (hot and cold) in order to draw in “fresh” water (water with adequate water treatment chemicals) from the water utility main before remediation efforts begin. Bear in mind that water in the building’s water service pipe may be stagnant (and contain Legionella bacteria), especially after periods of non-use of a building water system or part thereof, so to ensure that “fresh” water from the water utility main enters and displaces the contaminated water in the building’s water distribution mains (hot and cold), the existing water in both the water service pipe and the building’s water distribution mains (hot and cold) needs to be purged. The aim should be to flush at least two to three times the calculated volume of the service pipe at a minimum of 3 feet per second (fps). Of course, you should confirm a disinfectant residual at the building’s water service entrance before continuing to perform remediation efforts. For further guidance on how to flush for sufficient volume and velocity, please refer to https://www.phcppros.com/articles/11467-flushing-bacteriafrom-stagnant-building-water-piping.
• Not flowing water from every fixture or not flowing water long enough from every fixture to properly flush the piping system.
• Not having a hot water system capable of providing a thermal disinfection, where the water heater is not capable of heating the water up to a thermal disinfecting temperature or maintaining an adequate supply of hot water at a thermal disinfecting temperature during the course of the remediation.
• Where chemical disinfection is performed, chemical levels are so high that it destroys the piping system. Chlorine, monochloramine, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite and other water treatment chemicals are oxidizers and can be very corrosive to plumbing systems when used for disinfection. Plumbing materials are an important factor to consider in Legionella control, as high heat and high levels of chemicals can accelerate the corrosion or failure of some piping systems, depending on the piping materials, chemicals, and temperatures.

There is no plumbing code section or standard addressing emergency flushing and/or disinfection of existing or in-use building water/premise plumbing systems. Rather (and since at least 1997), both model codes have contained sections addressing flushing and chlorine disinfection of potable water distribution systems prior to utilization. Section 610.1 of the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) addresses new systems; Section 609.10 of the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) addresses new or repaired systems. Both of these code sections suggest minimum chemical levels — no maximum levels are mentioned — for new plumbing systems. See the excerpt below from Section 609.10.2 of the UPC®:

The system or parts thereof shall be filled with a water chlorine solution containing not less than 50 parts per million of chlorine, and the system or part thereof shall be valved off and allowed to stand for 24 hours; or, the system or part thereof shall be filled with a water chlorine solution containing not less than 200 parts per million of chlorine and allowed to stand for 3 hours.

Additionally, both codes allow for disinfection methods that may be prescribed by a local authority such as the health authority, water purveyor, or authority having jurisdiction, and Section 610.1 of the 2021 IPC explicitly allows for the “procedure described in either AWWA C651 or AWWA C652.” However, AWWA C651, Disinfection of Water Mains, is intended to be applied to water mains within public water systems and AWWA C652, Disinfection of Storage Facilities, is intended to be applied to public water system tanks; neither is intended for premise plumbing systems within buildings, a point that was explicitly clarified in the 2019 editions of these standards.

Although it’s not specifically mentioned in the “disinfection” sections of the codes, be sure to follow the piping, fitting, valve, and equipment manufacturer’s chemical resistance requirements, and note that both codes require that the manufacturer’s instructions be followed (see Section 303.2 of the 2021 IPC; Section 309.4 of the 2021 UPC). Many manufacturers have maximum chemical exposure or resistance levels far below the levels indicated in the the codes.

The post Significant Increase In Legionellosis From Building Water Systems appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

In this issue, we’ll get to know Gregory Beck, inspector for Steamfitters Local 420 Training Center in Philadelphia.

If you’d like us to ask 10 questions to your ASSE-approved training coordinator or instructor, send us a note telling us why at editor@workingpressuremag.com.

How long have you been affiliated with your training center/school?
I started teaching Steamfitters Local 420’s evening journeyperson classes, which included OSHA, Journeyperson upgrade, and medical gas, in 2001. Since then, I have transitioned to a full-time day instructor for our apprentice program while continuing my evening teaching responsibilities. The opportunity to educate the journeypersons and apprentices is an honor and responsibility I don’t take for granted.

What is your background as it relates to your occupation?
I came from a very different occupation prior to becoming a steamfitter. I worked in the funeral business as a licensed funeral director. How does this relate to my occupation? One similarity is when we talk about the ASSE 12000 Infection Control program, the funeral occupation entails very similar infection concerns.

How did you become interested in the ASSE certification programs?
While I was attending the United Association Instructor Training Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Marianne Waickman, then ASSE’s director of Business Operations and Professional Qualifications director, came into the classroom and did a presentation on ASSE International. She said we were “subject matter experts” and ASSE could use our expertise in developing standards and giving back to the industry in which we work. I was hooked at that point.

What ASSE certifications are you currently offering?
Our training curriculum is offering training and certification to ASSE 6010 for Medical Gas Systems Installers and ASSE 12010 for Environment of Care, Infection Control and Construction Risk Assessment. In Philadelphia, we are a straight-line steamfitter school, so our sister locals do the plumbing and sprinklerfitter certifications.

Why are the Asse 15010 certification important to your school?
We have combined the ASSE 6010 certification course with the ASSE 12010 course. Since they both relate to working in a healthcare setting, they are complimentary and prepare the student for working in those types of environments.

How do you get students interested in the classes you are offering?
The ASSE 6010 and ASSE 12010 are elective courses. The journeypersons understand that in order to work on a medical gas system they need to have the training. We normally have a waiting list with journeypersons wanting to take the class.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is having the opportunity to give back to our industry by volunteering on different working groups and committees relating to the piping industry. I get to learn about our industry and the latest technologies, and then bring that information back to our training center.

What’s something you love learning about?
From the time I was an apprentice, medical gas has been an interesting part of our trade. I always have a copy of the latest edition of ASSE 6000 and NFPA 99 on my desk. Healthcare industry standards and codes are always changing, so it is a labor of love.

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
Driving to the New Jersey shore on summer weekends, sitting on the beach alongside family and friends with a cold refreshment while watching the waves is the best way to spend a relaxing day off.

What’s your most prized possession and why?
My most prized possession is an older model Corvette convertible. As a child, I always thought Corvettes were cool (along with the guys who drove them lol). Also, both of my brothers have Corvettes, so I had to join the family Corvette club.

The post Ten Questions With … Gregory Beck appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

Individual candidates have drawn more than $2 billion, while party committees raised just more than $929.9 million. As of October 2024, the campaigns spent approximately $3.9 billion of total funds raised. Money aside, with the control of the White House, Congress, and several state legislatures in play, ASSE/IAPMO’s Government Relations team has been busy working to make sure that our industry’s interests are represented. At the time of the writing of this report, Congress is in the final stages of negotiating a deal to keep the government funded through December, creating another funding impasse following all the election turmoil!

FEDERAL DEVELOPMENTS

We are working with key stakeholders on several legislative pieces for the next congressional session that will benefit the industry. These bills would create grants for low-income households to fix leaks and replace inefficient fixtures, create a tax credit for constructing water-efficient homes, and provide water filtration technologies to households receiving water with a known contaminant.

We’ve also submitted requests for edits to the Unified Facilitates Criteria within the U.S. Department of Defense to adopt the ASSE 5110 for Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers, ASSE 5120 for Cross-Connection Control Surveyors/Specialists, ASSE 5130 for Backflow Prevention Assembly Repairers, and ASSE 1057 for Freeze Resistant Sanitary Yard Hydrants with Backflow Protection.

STATE-LEVEL HIGHLIGHTS

Across many states, we’re working on several bills to combat Legionella and working to have ASSE Series 12000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems, referenced.

In California, we sponsored Senate Bill (SB) 1144, a water quality bill that includes reference to ASSE Series 12000, specifically highlighting ASSE 12080 certification for Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialists to address spread of legionella within state funded buildings and public schools. Unfortunately, the bill was vetoed by the governor, for potential financial impacts to school officials, after the bill successfully passed the legislature.

In Colorado, the Colorado Water Quality Commission issued proposed changes to the state’s primary drinking water regulations, which would go into effect in October 2024 and apply to all public water utilities in the state. The proposed regulation references third party certification for ANSI standards, but does not cite specific standards for water filters. A coalition of interested stakeholders met with regulators and proposed policy recommendations. Legislation was also passed to continue the functions of the state plumbing board through 2032.

The bill maintained the ASSE 6020 reference for Medical Gas Systems Inspectors (or recognized equivalent) for medical gas installations. Additionally, the bill requires those who install, remove, inspect, test, and repair a backflow prevention device to be a licensed plumber, except when installing or testing a stand-alone fire suppression sprinkler system.

In Nevada, Assembly Bill (AB) 263 would require certain health care facilities to adopt a water management plan to minimize the risk of Legionnaires disease. The legislation would recognize the ASSE Series 12000 and require that water management teams hold the certification.

The bill passed the Assembly and nearly cleared the Senate, but it ran out of time and failed to pass. Additionally, the Environmental Commission has proposed amendments to a state regulation that would recognize the ASSE 5110 certification for backflow prevention assembly testers. This proposed regulation is pending and awaiting final review by the Legislative Commission.

In New Jersey, state Sen. Teresa Ruiz’s Legionella bill (SB 2165/AB 521), minus the language that would recognize the ASSE 12000 Series, has passed the legislature and was signed by the governor on Sept. 12. We will now work to include the ASSE Series 12000 in the state’s administrative rules for implementation of the statute.

In North Carolina, House Bill (HB) 166, which, among other things, severely restricts local governments’ authority to require more rigorous backflow prevention devices in any instance, passed the legislature despite significant opposition. Gov. Cooper vetoed the legislation, but the legislature overrode the veto and the legislation has gone into effect.

These developments reflect the ongoing efforts and challenges in advancing plumbing and water safety standards nationwide. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the ASSE/IAPMO Government Relations team remains committed to advocating for strong water management and safety practices.

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