Updates to Water Heaters in Codes

For those who have been following the progression of ASSE’s water heater standards in the model plumbing codes, you know that all three will be referenced in the Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC) and International Plumbing Code® (IPC). Now that the UPC cycle is coming to a close, we can write with more certainty on how the language will be cited. A copy of the UPC pre-print is available at the end of the report on comments. The IPC does not have a pre-print for previewing language, but here is how the two model codes compare:

As a quick reminder, water heaters certified to the ASSE 1082, ASSE 1084, and/or ASSE 1085 standards are able to control and limit hot water temperatures as well as the ASSE 1017, ASSE/ASME/CSA 1070, and ASSE 1071 standards, respectively. A full description is available in Gary Klein’s article from the June 2018 issue of Working Pressure.

ASSE’s Code Committee will get to work in 2020 to track and update the public on code activities, both nationally and locally. It’s difficult to track what more than 22,000 jurisdictions in the U.S. require and how ASSE is referenced – we need your help so that we can help your local inspectors, engineers, water purveyors, and contractors correctly use products listed to ASSE standards. For example, see the following page for changes to Illinois’ plumbing code so far, with more needing to be done.

If you would like more information on future code changes, how to get involved, or have information on how ASSE is referenced in your local code, please contact staffengineer@asse-plumbing.org. We will be providing more information on the new ASSE Code Development Committee at the 2020 ASSE International Mid-Year Meeting happening at Plumbers Local 130 in Chicago on April 14-15.