The one cry we hear from building owners is, “There are never enough shutoff valves where you need them.”

There are four remaining state-written plumbing codes used in the United States. You could say that the remaining four states are just stubborn. Maybe they think they do it better than the model plumbing codes, but they don’t.

Ten years ago, I wrote a column that I entitled “No lead is good lead.” The column raised a number of eyebrows and is still quoted today. Actually, that column was written well after my first involvement with lead. I first got involved with lead in drinking water concerns in the early 1980s. I was interviewed for the Chicago local news in 1986 regarding lead in the Chicago drinking water.

The ICC held its final code hearing Oct. 21-29 in Richmond, Virginia, for the technical content of the 2021 International Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code and Fuel Gas Code.

Quickly-embraced thermostatic mixing-valve standard has become watered down.

Privacy issues, proper number of fixtures also on the docket at October meeting.

Final hearing for 2021 ICC codes upcoming in October.

Bacteria growth and scald prevention are major battle lines.

New faces, familiar discussions on code changes.

Showerheads, drains, galvanized steel get the time during committee discussions.