The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) last week concluded Technical Committee meetings toward the ANSI-accredited consensus development of the 2018 editions of the Uniform Solar Energy and Hydronics Code (USEHC) and Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC). The USPSHTC meeting was held via teleconference and the USEHC meeting was held at IAPMO’s World Headquarters West building in Ontario, Calif.
 
The technical committees, consisting of a broad coalition of industry experts — installers, inspection officials, contractors, engineers, and manufacturers — considered public comments to amend the USEHC and USPSHTC in advance of the release of the 2018 editions. Their actions to accept, modify, or reject these comments will be electronically balloted to the technical committees for formal voting between Nov. 15 and Dec. 4. The results of these votes will be published in the Report on Comments to be published for review in March 2018.
 
The USPSHTC Technical Committee met via teleconference and considered public comments seeking to update the code in such areas as the review of reference standards used in the swimming pool, spa, and hot tub industry. The USPSHTC governs the installation and inspection of both public and private swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs to ensure the safety of their operation.
 
The USEHC Technical Committee considered public comments seeking to amend the code in such areas as:
 
• Insulation and fasteners provisions for radiant and heating/cooling systems
• Snow and ice melt system controls
• Slab penetration tube and joint protection used in hydronic systems
• Listing requirements for ground coupled and water source heat pumps
• Certification of DX heat pumps
• Testing of vertical boreholes
• Heat transfer mediums for geothermal systems
• Provisions for ground heat exchanger testing
• Provisions for geothermal system start-up
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
 
The USEHC is a model code developed by IAPMO to govern the installation and inspection of solar energy systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety, and welfare. For questions about the USEHC or the USPSHTC, contact Enrique Gonzalez by phone at 909-230-5535 or by