IAPMO-India, the Indian Plumbing Association and the Central Public Works Department of the Government of India have signed today a Memorandum of Understanding in which the CPWD shall voluntarily adopt the Uniform Plumbing Code – India and implement the Plumbing Education to Employment Program curriculum jointly developed by IAPMO-India and the IPA.

IAPMO-India, the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) of the Government of India have signed today a Memorandum of Understanding in which the CPWD shall voluntarily adopt the Uniform Plumbing Code – India and implement the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) curriculum jointly developed by IAPMO-India and the IPA.

The CPWD is the principal agency of the Government of India for construction and maintenance of all central government projects, except those of railways, communication, atomic energy, defense, airports (national and international) and radio. It oversees development of projects in the fields of civil, electrical, mechanical and air-conditioning engineering, architecture, horticulture and landscaping.

In 2007, the IPA and IAPMO formed a partnership aimed at working together to establish a model code of plumbing installation and maintenance for all of India. The IPA’s Code Committee, with support from IAPMO staff, developed the resulting UPC-I, a code of practice that recognizes and utilizes proven international concepts, taking into consideration the established plumbing practices and customs in India.

The IAPMO-IPA partnership, however, did not stop with this colossal achievement. Understanding the need for plumbing education in India, IAPMO, the IPA and the Institute of Plumbing (IIP) formed a partnership agreement to provide plumbing education and training throughout India, leading to the establishment of IAPMO-India Corporation, with offices in Bengaluru and Pune.

A careful needs assessment of the plumbing industry and consultation with eminent members of the plumbing industry led to the development of PEEP, with the goal of preparing multiple levels of professional groups in India to read, understand, interpret, engage and apply the provisions of the UPC-I in order to design and perform initial installation and continued maintenance of plumbing systems.

Through the diligent concerted efforts of IAPMO staff in the United States and India, PEEP programs targeting engineers, architects and construction managers have been fully developed and are near implementation, with numerous MoUs having been signed across the entire country of India.