IAPMO-India Releases 2011 Uniform Plumbing Code – India
New Delhi, India (Nov. 23, 2011) — An updated version of the Uniform Plumbing Code – India ®, developed jointly by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), is now available.
IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney announced the release of the 2011 Uniform Plumbing Code – India on Nov. 18 during the 15th Indian Plumbing Conference in New Delhi. Originally introduced in February 2008, the UPC‐I serves as the model code of plumbing installation and maintenance for the entire nation of more than 1.1 billion people.
Dan Cole, IAPMO’s Technical Services supervisor, said the majority of changes from the 2008 edition come as a result of aligning the 2011 UPC‐I with the 2009 version of the UPC. English measurements were also removed, he said, and replaced with International System of Units (SI) equivalents. Additionally, the 2011 UPC‐I includes addendums related to copper plumbing products and systems; sewage pump stations and sizing of sump and pumps; and an alternative method of designing a single‐stack vent system.
“The new version of the Uniform Plumbing Code – India is another step toward ensuring the Indian people are served by the most up‐to‐date set of codes governing plumbing practices and the installation and maintenance of plumbing and sanitation systems available,” Chaney said.
IAPMO‐India, the IPA and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) of the Government of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2009 in which the CPWD voluntarily adopted the UPC‐I and implemented the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) curriculum jointly developed by IAPMO‐India and the IPA.
The updated version of the UPC‐I is another example of the ongoing relationship IAPMO has with the IPA and of its strong cooperative presence in the nation.
In March 2011, IAPMO‐India and the IPA announced the release of the Uniform Swimming Pool Code – India (USPC‐I). The code of practice governs the materials, installation and maintenance associated with swimming pool systems for India.
IAPMO-India Releases Uniform Swimming Pool Code – India
IAPMO-India, in collaboration with the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), has announced the release of the Uniform Swimming Pool Code India (USPC-I), a code of practice to govern the materials, installation and maintenance associated with swimming pool plumbing systems for the nation of India. This was announced during the national conference and Plumbex'11 international exhibition at Mumbai, India.
Based on the American National Standard Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, the USPC-I maintains all of the basic principles of the U.S. code and customizes them to suit Indian laws, conditions and accepted correct engineering practices.
"This code will prove to be an invaluably useful tool for architects, plumbers and other professionals involved in the construction and maintenance of swimming pools, as the country does not presently have comprehensive standards for swimming pool design," said Subhash Deshpande, director, Plumbing, IAPMO-India.
The timing is opportune as public municipal pools and those within gated communities are becoming increasingly more common in India. The code will also serve as a useful reference for the hotel industry.
In addition to providing proper installation instructions ensuring the safe operation of swimming pools, the USPC-I contains information on which materials to use, water heating, vents, chlorinators and all piping standards with which compliance is essential. Common problems addressed by the code include leakage, seeping, flooring damage due to ground water pressure and the health and safety of users.
In 2009, IAPMO-India, the IPA and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) of the Government of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which the CPWD voluntarily adopted the Uniform Plumbing Code India and implemented a the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) curriculum jointly developed by IAPMO-India and the IPA.
For more information, direct your Web browser to http://www.iapmoindia.org.
IAPMO-India Tabs Lt. General Sree Kumar to Lead Operations
Bengaluru, India (Dec. 30, 2010) – Retired Lt. General Sree Kumar, formerly the sixth-highest ranking officer in the Indian Army, has joined IAPMO Plumbing Codes and Standards India Private Limited (IAPMO-India) as Director General of The IAPMO Group’s operations in India. Kumar will coordinate IAPMO-India’s work with industry partners to build and strengthen a new 21st century plumbing industry on behalf of the world’s second-largest population.
A 42-year veteran of the Indian Army, Kumar rose to national prominence through his service, concluding his military career as Signal Officer in Chief of the Indian Army, where he commanded approximately 100,000 domestic troops and oversaw strategic planning of operations, communications, information technology and cyber security aspects of the Indian Army. In addition to his distinguished military career, Kumar holds master’s degrees in philosophy, business administration and science from three unique universities, as well as a bachelor of technology in communications.
“With great honor and pleasure I am thrilled to join the IAPMO-India team and bring my unique world experiences to this important work for India,” Kumar said. “I look forward to joining an already excellent staff as I embark on an interesting, challenging and rewarding new career with an outstanding organization.”
As Director General of IAPMO-India, Kumar will manage Director of Plumbing Subhash Deshpande, Director of Mechanical Abdul Matheen and additional staff at IAPMO-India's offices in Bengaluru and Pune. Incorporated in 2007, IAPMO-India administrates the Uniform Plumbing Code – India, developed in cooperation with the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) to achieve the nationwide goal of “Better Plumbing for Better Living.” To that end, IAPMO-India has developed educational programs now offered throughout India at many of the nation’s top universities as well as the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) to prepare multiple levels of professional plumbers in India.
Furthermore, IAPMO-India is working with the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) toward the development of the Uniform Mechanical Code – India, and with IPA established GreenPlumbers India, an innovative national training and accreditation program designed to assist Indian plumbing contractors/engineers in understanding their role in environmental conservation and public health.
“IAPMO is unique in its service to half the world’s population, creating standards that meet public needs and protect health and safety,” said Allen Inlow, IAPMO senior director of Business and Product Development. “IAPMO’s partnership with IPA has raised the level of plumbing standards to new heights, resulting in the creation of IAPMO-India and furthering the leadership role of the partners. Lt. Gen. Kumar brings unique leadership skills that are a perfect complement to the programs and aspirations of IAPMO, IPA and the new directions within the Indian mechanical industry. I believe he is the right person, at the right time, to assist all the cooperating organizations to maximize all potential benefits to the people of India.”
Kumar’s leadership and reputation will only further strengthen IAPMO-India’s partnerships with such industry leaders as IPA, ISHRAE and the International Institute for Energy Conservation – India (IIEC-India).
“With his vast experience and the respect he commands in the society, I have no doubts that Sree can take IAPMO-India to great heights in the years to come,” said Sudhakaran Nair, IPA president. “He can expect total support from me and my colleagues in IPA in taking forward the numerous ambitious initiatives our two organizations have launched in India for the benefit of the Indian plumbing industry.”
IAPMO-India, IIEC-India Sign Energy Conservation MoU
Pune, India (Sept. 13, 2010) Recognizing the synergies available in the simultaneous promotion of green plumbing practices and energy efficiency and conservation, IAPMO-India and the International Institute for Energy Conservation India (IIEC-India) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Together the organizations will promote energy and water efficiency and conservation by improving plumbing and pumping systems through pilot demonstration projects, policy interventions, regulatory mechanisms, financing mechanisms, public awareness and capacity building programs.
"The working relationship between these two forward thinking organizations will now be able to enhance the opportunities for the goals of the Government of India to have Green conservation and sustainable construction to be met and exceeded in the areas of safe, sanitary plumbing and Air Conditioning," said Megan Lehtonen, director of Business Development for IAPMO. "The most exciting aspect is that this is just the beginning."
"When IIEC, IAPMO-India, IPA and ISHRAE meet together to discuss the possibilities, the benefits that can result are almost endless. These activities will serve the people of India well for decades to come."
The MoU was signed in Pune, India, by Lehtonen and Dr. Nitin Pandit, president of IIEC, along with Subhash Deshpande, director of plumbing for IAPMO-India, and Ira Athale Prem, project manager for IIEC-India.
IAPMO-India and IIEC-India will work together to conceptualize the scope and scale of the joint programs at the nexus of energy and water conservation and efficiency, identify funding opportunities and develop a joint strategy for implementation.
"IIEC and IAPMO have considerable international expertise in promoting and implementing energy efficiency and green plumbing," Pandit said. "Our unique collaboration is targeted at addressing India¹s huge untapped potential in energy and water conservation."
IAPMO-India is an Indian Corporation established to develop and promote a uniform plumbing code in India. The organization is dedicated to advancing the most up to date methods of sanitation in India and to provide comprehensive education resources.
IAPMO-India and Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) have jointly published the Uniform Plumbing Code-India (UPC-I) and Green Plumbing Code Supplement-India (GPCS-I).
IAPMO-India and IPA have developed a comprehensive plumbing education curriculum to prepare multiple levels of professionals in India to understand, interpret, engage and apply the provisions of the UPC-I under the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP). The academic programs, namely the Plumbing Systems Design (PSD), Plumbing Construction Management
(PCM) and Plumbing Technology Program (PTP), developed under PEEP are based on the UPC-I.
GreenPlumbers India (GPI), a collaborative initiative of the IPA and IAPMO-India, is a national training and accreditation program that assists plumbing professionals in understanding their role in the environment and public health. The goal of GreenPlumbers India is to train and deploy a green army of thousands of plumbing professionals to promote the benefits of water conservation and the reduction of green house gas emissions.
IIEC-India is a Section 25 company registered in India and a subsidiary of IIEC, a reputed international non-governmental and not-for-profit organization with a mission to work through its offices in developing countries to accelerate the global adoption of energy efficiency and conservation, climate friendly transport and environmental policies, and modern technologies and practices to enable economic and environmentally sustainable development.
IIEC-India advises central, state and local governments, international donors, energy utilities, private industry, research and academic institutions, non-Governmental organizations and consumer organizations to develop approaches to scale up innovative energy efficiency and conservation programs in multi-disciplined sectors.
IIEC-India leverages international experience in the development of standards and labeling for energy efficient products, such as appliances and equipment, and for the built environment, including public, commercial, industrial and residential buildings. IIEC-India provides advisory services in the design and implementation of financial mechanisms and policies to scale up energy efficiency and conservation measures and programs.
IIEC-India has launched several energy efficiency and conservation programs, which include: inter alia, Mumbai Energy Alliance, Eco-housing India, BESCOM Efficient Lighting Program, Maharashtra Energy Conservation Action Plan and several energy utility demand side management programs.
IAPMO-India and Indian Plumbing Association Sign Historic MoU
With Indian Government’s Central Public Works Department
New Delhi, India (July 3, 2009) – IAPMO-India, the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) of the Government of India have signed today a Memorandum of Understanding in which the CPWD shall voluntarily adopt the Uniform Plumbing Code – India and implement the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) curriculum jointly developed by IAPMO-India and the IPA.
The CPWD is the principal agency of the Government of India for construction and maintenance of all central government projects, except those of railways, communication, atomic energy, defense, airports (national and international) and radio. It oversees development of projects in the fields of civil, electrical, mechanical and air-conditioning engineering, architecture, horticulture and landscaping.
“The adoption of the Uniform Plumbing Code – India by the CPWD represents a monumental achievement toward the improved health and safety of the Indian people through nationwide standardization of plumbing practices and the installation and maintenance of plumbing/sanitation systems,” said Russ Chaney, executive director of The IAPMO Group, parent organization of IAPMO-India. “Furthermore, the PEEP educational curriculum will make great strides in developing a new highly-skilled and certified plumbing workforce to best implement and regulate the health, safety and sanitary provisions of the UPC-I.
“I wish to thank the CPWD for their faith in our work and commend the tireless efforts of IAPMO-India Director Abdul Matheen, Director of Plumbing Education and Certification Subhash Deshpande and all of the staff, both abroad and in the United States, who helped us complete this landmark achievement.”
In 2007, the IPA and IAPMO formed a partnership aimed at working together to establish a model code of plumbing installation and maintenance for all of India. The IPA’s Code Committee, with support from IAPMO staff, developed the resulting UPC-I, a code of practice that recognizes and utilizes proven international concepts; taking into consideration the established plumbing practices and customs in India.
The IAPMO-IPA partnership, however, did not stop with this colossal achievement. Understanding the need for plumbing education in India, IAPMO, the IPA and the Institute of Plumbing (IIP) formed a partnership agreement to provide plumbing education and training throughout India, leading to the establishment of IAPMO-India Corporation, with offices in Bengaluru and Pune.
A careful needs assessment of the plumbing industry and consultation with eminent members of the plumbing industry led to the development of PEEP, with the goal of preparing multiple levels of professional groups in India to read, understand, interpret, engage and apply the provisions of the UPC-I in order to design and perform initial installation and continued maintenance of plumbing systems. Through the diligent concerted efforts of IAPMO staff in the United States and India, PEEP programs targeting engineers, architects and construction managers have been fully developed and are near implementation, with numerous MoUs having been signed across the entire country of India.
“PEEP has made great strides in recent months,” said Allen Inlow, IAPMO senior director of Business and Product Development. “This MoU signing with CPWD is among the greatest of these strides. The voluntary adoption of the UPC-I and implementation of the PEEP Plumbing Systems Design and Plumbing Construction Management curriculum by CPWD is a true milestone.”
IAPMO-India/IPA/IIP Educational Programs to be Taught
at India’s 155-Year-Old College of Engineering Pune
Pune, Maharashtra, India (May 20, 2009) – The College of Engineering Pune (COEP), one of India’s oldest and most reputable institutions of technical higher learning, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IAPMO-India, the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) and the Indian Institute of Plumbing (IIP) to begin offering two courses of study jointly developed by the trio: the Plumbing Systems Design (PSD) and Plumbing Construction Management (PCM) programs.
Established by the British in 1854, COEP is the third oldest engineering college in Asia and in 2004 was granted complete autonomy by the Maharashtra state government. It is affiliated with the University of Pune and is recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). COEP provides educational courses at the Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate and Doctorate levels for numerous branches of engineering.
The Plumbing Systems Design program will be offered at COEP as a two-semester elective course to students in their final year of civil engineering study. This course of study will give students an understanding of the principles and code requirements of plumbing systems and help them develop the ability to design and review these systems. The Plumbing Construction Management program will be offered as a two-semester part-time course to construction managers, contractors, supervisors, architects and interior designers holding a diploma or degree in their respective fields. These individuals will learn the skills necessary to review plumbing systems and supervise their installation in compliance with the principles and code requirements that govern them.
“This historic agreement with an institution as highly regarded as COEP further validates the tireless work of IPA, IIP and IAPMO-India to drastically improve the quality of India’s plumbing workforce, which will in turn significantly improve sanitation and drinking water quality on behalf of the nation’s people,” said GP Russ Chaney, executive director of The IAPMO Group, IAPMO-India’s parent organization.
The PSD and PCM programs are part of the larger Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) initiative launched by IAPMO-India, IPA and IIP earlier this year following the publication of the Uniform Plumbing Code – India (UPC-I) in 2008. PEEP has been carefully designed to help fill a critical shortage of trained plumbers, plumbing supervisors and plumbing engineers in India. This comprehensive curriculum will prepare multiple levels of professionals to understand, interpret, engage and apply the provisions of the UPC-I on behalf of the 1.1 billion residents of India.
In addition to the PSD and PCM programs to be offered at COEP and other educational institutions, PEEP also includes a Plumbing Technology program designed to provide individuals with the skills to apply a broad range of plumbing principles in real world applications. Through this two-year, part-time course of study, prospective plumbers will learn how to install, repair and maintain a variety of piping systems, plumbing fixtures and other equipment generally associated with water distribution and waste water disposal; and learn the basic principles and code requirements of typical plumbing systems. This program is scheduled to be available in October 2009.
In cooperation with Indian universities, colleges, polytechnics and vocational institutions, the PEEP program will be available all over the country for the 2009-2010 academic year. In addition to these educational institutions, many large contracting and consulting firms, construction related associations and government departments have shown interest in participating in PEEP. A special package known as Plumbing In-House Training (PIT) is now available to those who are interested.
IAPMO, Indian Plumbing Association to Implement
Comprehensive Plumbing Training Initiative
Bengaluru, India (March 2, 2009) — The lack of plumbing infrastructure and a trained, certified workforce has long plagued the citizens of India, for whom 7.5 percent of deaths each year can be directly attributed to water and sanitation issues. In response, IAPMO is working with the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) and its training arm, the Indian Institute of Plumbing (IIP), to help the nation make big strides forward in both areas of need.
Having already jointly developed the Uniform Plumbing Code-India (UPC-I), an extensive code of plumbing practice (published in February 2008) that will serve the people of India for years to come, the organizations subsequently turned their focus to education and training.
The ambitious Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) will offer structured courses of study to develop plumbing design engineers, plumbing construction managers/supervisors and plumbing installers/repairers.
No architecture or engineering course of study in India currently offers a diploma or degree in plumbing. An overwhelming percentage of the nation’s plumbers are “casual laborers, who have learned the trade through personal experience or working with experienced plumbers,” according to Sudhakaran Nair, IPA president and Executive Board member of the World Plumbing Council.
PEEP will be implemented in partnership with existing colleges, polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes in India. The program is scheduled to launch in May. In the lead up, expert trainers from IAPMO are conducting “Train the Trainer” programs to educate faculty members at the institutions participating in PEEP.
Graduates of the multi-level education programs created by PEEP will turn out with the following credentials:
• Certified Plumbing Engineer (CPE)
• Certified Plumbing Supervisor (CPS)
• Certified Apprentice Plumber (CAP)
• Certified Master Plumber (CMP)
“The collaboration between IAPMO, the IPA and IIP is an earnest and vitally important attempt to raise plumbing standards on behalf of the people of India,” said GP Russ Chaney, executive director of IAPMO. “We applaud the work of our partners in this effort, as they are on the ground in India making things happen for the good of the entire population.”
A syllabus and training materials for PEEP submitted by IAPMO is ratified by the IPA’s expert committee. Education and training courses will be based on the UPC-I and the IPA, IIP and IAPMO-India will jointly issue all certifications earned through PEEP. IAPMO will support this initiative from its home base in Bengaluru, India.
IAPMO Opens Office in India
Bengaluru, India (Oct. 8, 2008) — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has opened the doors to its IAPMO-India Corporate office in the City of Bengalore, providing a strong platform for the adoption, implementation and education of the Uniform Plumbing Code – India throughout the nation.
Joining The IAPMO Group as Director of IAPMO-India, Abdul Matheen will oversee daily operations of the new office and expand the business unit’s reach and influence in the region. Matheen brings a diverse background with more than 20 years of expertise in thermal engineering, fluid dynamics and project management. Matheen has led M.E.P design teams involved in the building of hospitals, institutions, hotels, IT parks, commercial and residential buildings, high-rise structures and townships, in locations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Kingdom. As a seasoned professional with global experience, his leadership will be the driving force to the constructive progress of IAPMO-India.
Subhash Deshpande, director of Plumbing Education and Certification for IAPMO-India, will oversee all educational operations of the new corporation. Deshpande is a well-known figure in the plumbing and education fields. With a background that speaks to a passion for education and training, he was the first to conduct, on behalf of the Indian Institute of Plumbing (IIP), the Apprentice Plumbers Training (APT), followed by the Professional Development Course (PDC). His most notable contribution is his conception, design and development of India's first plumbing lab, located at the College of Engineering Pune (COEP).
Gillian D'Crus, office manager administrator, will plan, develop, implement and supervise the general administrative and office services. Her eleven years of experience will be a valuable asset to the organization and promote the smooth operation of IAPMO-India.
These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will certainly prove indispensable in achieving a highly regarded and valued program throughout India.
Earlier this year, IAPMO and the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) introduced the UPC – India, an extensive code of plumbing practice that will serve the people of India for years to come. Like the UPC, the UPC-India was prepared through a consensus process and will be revised and updated every three years to incorporate the latest advances in technology. Free copies are being distributed to government bodies and educational institutions dealing with the subject.
IAPMO is also working with IPA and its education branch, the IIP, to provide plumbing training and education throughout India. A joint committee of the organizations has already begun working on the curriculum for the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP), which will offer structured programs for a Plumbing Design Engineer, Plumbing Construction Manager/Supervisor and Plumbing Installer/Repairer. IPA and IAPMO hope to launch PEEP by May 2009.
“With its dedicated staff, IAPMO-India will provide major efficiencies in conducting code work, training and education throughout India,” said Russ Chaney, IAPMO executive director, “and I anticipate in coming years it will grow in focus to manage the increasing opportunities of IAPMO to work with surrounding countries in Asia. This would not have been possible without IAPMO’s partnership with the Indian Plumbing Association. We owe our gratitude to the IPA and look forward to what the future will bring to the citizens of India."