Less than three weeks before the conference started, IAPMO received word that its Uniform Plumbing Code(TM) and Uniform Mechanical Code(TM) were designated as American National Standards.

"The designation of the UPC and UMC as American National Standards carries a credibility unmatched by any other organization in the world that produces codes of this kind," said IAPMO President Bob Courtnier in his address to the membership.

IAPMO members and staff also celebrated the association's relocation to Ontario at the conference. Beginning in January, IAPMO moved its headquarters to Ontario due to its rapid expansion over the past five years. The new facility offers 48,000 square feet of working space, divided into administrative, laboratory and warehouse areas. In addition, a new day care center named after longtime IAPMO supporter Patrick J. Higgins was dedicated on site.

Another accomplishment noted at the conference was Pasadena, TX, becoming the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to adopt the primary codes of the Comprehensive Consensus Codes(TM) set. Pasadena chose to adopt the 2003 UPC, 2002 UMC, 2003 NEC and the NFPA 5000 Building and Safety Construction Code. And a few months later, the U.S. Virgin Islands voted to adopt the 2003 UPC.

Also, in addition to the UPC and UMC, the California Building Standard Commission this summer adopted the NFPA 5000(TM), Building Construction and Safety Code(TM) and NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code(TM) (NFPA 1, UFC). As a result of the California Building Standards Commission's action, the NFPA codes will provide the basis for the 2004 California Building Code and the 2004 California Fire Code.