State Facilities Plumbing Fixtures

• Project Type: General OWC
• Project Name: Water Efficiency Plans for State Agencies
• Title: Uniform Plumbing Code Amendments
• Date: 1/1/1991
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Reports

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PLUMBING FIXTURE STANDARDS AND APPROVAL

There are primarily four national professional groups or associations involved in the process of
approving materials and performance standards for plumbing fixtures and devices. These four
groups are instrumental in the development of standards, setting performance criteria and
required testing procedures for plumbing fixtures as well as replacement devices. The following
information describes these primary agencies and their role in determining standards for
plumbing fixtures and devices.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SANITARY ENGINEERS, A.S.S.E. - ASSEconsists
of product development engineers and representatives of manufacturers of public sector plumbing
products. This group also includes engineers responsible for the design of water and waste
conveying systems used in the transport of water and disposal and transporting of sewage.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, A.S.M.E. - ASME
consists of product development engineers, manufacturers and representatives responsible for the
development of plumbing products such as faucets, shower heads, pottery and flush valves, and
point-of-use products. ASME has a number of committees or panels whose responsibility is to
evaluate point-of-use items and develop performance, design and testing criteria. For example,
panel 19 is responsible for development of standards and guidelines for the performance of
toilets and urinals. Subcommittees also evaluate and develop performance standards for items
such as ball cocks, tank-type flush valves and flush-o-meter flush valves.

Once criteria and standards are developed, recommendations are submitted to the general
assembly for comment, approval and a ballot vote. If not approved, criteria is returned for
further committee input and review. Standards or criteria approved by ASME are then forward
to ANSI for adoption consideration. ASME periodically reviews and revises standards to reflect
changes in the industry.

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE, A.N.S.!. - ANSI is a
federal clearinghouse for product development'and performance standards. The primary function
of ANSI is to evaluate and adopt standards as submitted by contributing agencies and
committees.

ANSI generally has final approval regarding products and fixtures. Product standards may not
be approved if they fail to meet standards for consumer protection and safety. ANSI also
addresses standards from other industries such as the Society of Automotive Engineers.