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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."

IAPMO India established, Uniform Plumbing Code for nation announced

Ontario, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2007) – The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has completed giant strides in cultivating a strong cooperative presence in the nation of India, establishing IAPMO-India and partnering with the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) to develop a Uniform Plumbing Code for the nation.

The Government of India has approved the establishment of a new Corporation in India: IAPMO Plumbing Codes and Standards India Private Limited, to be known as IAPMO-India. Simultaneously, IAPMO and the IPA, both members of the World Plumbing Council (WPC), agreed upon a comprehensive plan to work together to establish a model code of plumbing installation and maintenance for all of India, the Uniform Plumbing Code – India.

IPA President Sudhakaran Nair informed the assembled World Plumbing Council, “The IPA and IAPMO have completed the Uniform Plumbing Code – India, and it will be introduced to all of India at the IPA Annual Meeting, Feb. 11-13, 2008, in the City of Mumbai. It will truly be a world class event, including an ISH Exhibition, and I invite everyone to attend this important event.”

Over a period of little more than a year, an IPA Code Committee worked with IAPMO staff in creating a document that recognized and utilized proven international concepts, always taking into consideration the proven plumbing practices and customs within India. The Uniform Plumbing Code – India is the result of that diligent effort.

“I am very proud that IAPMO and I are associated with the IPA and the Uniform Plumbing Code – India,” stated GP Russ Chaney, IAPMO executive director. “It was a massive effort for everyone involved, but the commitment in both time and knowledge by the Code Committee and the leadership of IPA has resulted in an extensive code of plumbing practice that will serve the people of India for years to come.”

In addition to these announcements, IAPMO, the IPA and the Indian Institute of Plumbing (IIP) announced the formation of a partnership agreement to provide plumbing training and education throughout India. The agreement identifies four distinct target markets: Existing and emerging Engineers, Plumbing Project Managers/Supervisors, basic Plumbing Apprenticeship and task training certification of labor skills. A joint Committee of the organizations has been appointed and is already working on the curriculum for each of the four components of the project and development of the training and educational materials.

The three organizations will formally introduce the project at the IPA Annual Meeting in February.

“Given the level of involvement of IAPMO with the Indian Plumbing Association in publishing and promoting the Uniform Plumbing Code – India, and with the Indian Institute of Plumbing and IPA in providing training and education throughout India, the establishment of IAPMO - India is vital,” Chaney said. “It is absolutely the best way to achieve our goals and objectives in working with these two dedicated organizations.”

He went on to announce the opening of a new IAPMO India Corporate office, located in the City of Bengaluru. In making the announcement, Chaney noted, “An architect has already been retained and the design of the IAPMO -India offices has begun.

“This office will provide major efficiencies in conducting the code work and training and education throughout India, and I anticipate it will grow in focus in coming years to manage the increasing opportunities of IAPMO to work with surrounding countries in Asia.”

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Sponsor of the Uniform Codes, IAPMO – The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials – works in concert with government and industry for safe, sanitary plumbing and mechanical systems. Learn more about IAPMO at www.iapmo.org.