Water Certification: IAPMO vs ICC

Diving into the world of water certification, it will be discovered that a shallow dive is not possible.

That’s because the world of water certification is one of the governmental and international standards, in which private organizations put forth quality standards and codes that certain governments accept as best practices.

Two of the most common entities are IAPMO and ICC.

IAPMO

IAPMO stands for The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. This body exists to help individual U.S. and international jurisdictions create and enforce their codes for plumbing, swimming pool, mechanical and solar energy projects.

The organization is known for publishing several different uniform codes, which are used around the world:

• UPC: Uniform Plumbing Code
• UMC: Uniform Mechanical Code
• USPSHTC: Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code
• USHGC: Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code

History of IAPMO

IAPMO was created in Los Angeles, California, on May 17, 1926. Originally called the Los Angeles City Plumbing Inspectors Association, the group resulted from a conversation between 39 plumbing inspectors during a coffee break.

The group realized that forming an organization would allow them to standardize their practices in dealing with Los Angeles’ plumbing needs. However, they did not anticipate that this decision would one day have a worldwide impact, with their UPC affecting the health and safety of half of the earth’s population.

The group’s mandate was as follows:

“To advance the latest and most improved methods of sanitation; to promote the welfare of and harmony between the owner, the builder, and the craftsman; to accomplish a uniformity in the application of the provisions of the ordinances; and to promulgate the mutual benefit of the members."

By codifying their practices, the group was able to begin putting an end to subpar plumbing practices.

How does IAPMO test water quality?

Lab testing for water quality must conform to certain standards. IAPMO uses several different water standards and certification practices, each created by a different organization. The most common ones that IAPMO uses are:

WQA

The WQA (Water Quality Association) provides education on water quality and specializes in testing water treatment products.

IAPMO issues a WQA Gold Seal when a product is guaranteed to be high-quality, durable and offers the highest degree of safety.

NSF

The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), not to be confused with a governmental agency that shares the acronym, was originally formed to test food equipment and soda fountains. Today they specialize in testing point-of-entry and point-of-use drinking water treatment systems.

Different NSF standards set rigorous criteria for different water filtration product types, with the goal being for the public to take safe water for granted. Products must pass regular inspections to sustain their certification.

Common NSF standards used by IAPMO include NSF/ANSI 42, 44, 53, 55, 58, and others.

EPA

The EPA, or the Environmental Protection Agency, is a federal agency in the U.S. that creates regulations to help sustain the environment. The SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) protects drinking water quality in the U.S. and monitors levels of contaminants, while Primary Drinking Water Regulations set threshold levels for dangerous contaminants.

Interestingly, the EPA requires water disinfection equipment to be registered as a pesticide.

IAPMO R&T Certification

IAPMO’s R&T (Research and Testing) division is committed to testing water systems and plumbing/mechanical products to guarantee their safety and quality. IAPMO offers several different quality seals, including:

• IAPMO R&T Water Quality Platinum Seal

Of all the organizations listed here, IAPMO has been testing water products for quality longer than any other organization.

FDA

Like the EPA, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) ensures safe drinking water — however, the FDA focuses specifically on bottled water. An FDA-approved bottled water product has been tested and is guaranteed to be free of known contaminants.

One of the most common contaminants tested for under FDA guidelines is bisphenol-A, or BPA. This chemical leeches out of plastic bottles and food packaging and can affect critical systems in the human body. The FDA commonly marks products as BPA-Free or awards them a BPA-FREE Filtration certificate.

ICC

ICC stands for International Code Council. This is one of the world’s leading sources of building safety and model codes, providing product testing, accreditation, training and more.

The codes issued by the ICC are considered standards in assuring drinking water safety, among many other areas.

History of the ICC

The ICC came about in 1994, established as a nonprofit dedicated to constructing a single source for construction codes. The organization was founded by Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., the International Conference of Building Officials, and the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc.

How does the ICC test for water quality?

The ICC is not directly involved in testing for water quality as an organization. Instead, they issue several codes that others use in testing.

An example of this is the 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), which sets the requirements for water distribution piping systems within buildings. The code is pivotal in preventing contamination of clean water by dirty water through backflow, as well as specifying which devices are used in such practices.

How do IAPMO and the ICC differ?

Both organizations have positive intent and many similarities, the largest being that both develop codes for plumbing and mechanics. Both organizations have created standards used internationally for installing systems and creating products.

The difference between the two organizations is that they use different codes and, depending on where the testing is being done, certain codes will wind up being more stringent than others. IAPMO monetized their plumbing codes early on, ensuring they were adopted globally and requiring products to be tested.

The ICC, meanwhile, produces a larger number of codes and sells them in direct competition with IAPMO.

When it comes to testing water quality, both organizations have a fantastic track record and are highly trustworthy. The decision of which set of standards to use will be up to the codes of the local jurisdiction.

At Kingston Brass, different codes will be applicable as you incorporate our products into water filtration devices. Check with your plumber or speak with us today for guidance on the process.