The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has invited the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to contribute to the development of the Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, the first ANSI-designated companion codes regulating the plumbing and mechanical industry.
Communications between these important organizations originated with a request for information from AAMI addressing a concern that the Uniform Plumbing Code may be too restrictive when it comes to the use of materials used in the water purification circulating loop and also the possibility of an excess of backflow devices protecting the water supply from the dialysis units.
Through the discussions with AAMI and IAPMO, a request was made to the FDA to clarify the extent of its authority when regulating water systems used to distribute purified water for hemodialysis systems.
In a letter dated Sept. 23, 2004, to Timothy Ulatowski, director of compliance for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, IAPMO said, "Like your organization, IAPMO's members share a similar vision and mission to protect the health and safety of the world's inhabitants by developing the minimum standards for plumbing and mechanical installations. We recognize the importance of the department of Health and Human Services, welcome your input, and appreciate your involvement."
