ATLANTA – ASHRAE and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifically detailing ways in which the two organizations can work together to advance and promote mutual interests in built environment codes and standards.

The MOU was signed during ASHRAE’s 2012 Winter Conference held this week in Chicago.

“With ASHRAE’s expertise in HVAC&R engineering, and IAPMO’s expertise in plumbing and mechanical codes, our joint efforts will ensure that the design, construction, reconstruction and operation of buildings meet the built environment needs in codes and standards,” ASHRAE President Ron Jarnagin said.

"IAPMO and ASHRAE enjoy a long history of working together in the interests of promoting health, safety and sustainability through the codes and standards that govern mechanical systems," said IAPMO President Dan Daniels. "I am pleased that this MOU will ensure our two organizations continue to strengthen each other and subsequently strengthen our industry."

"IAPMO is delighted to be working more closely with ASHRAE in our efforts to promote our standards and services throughout the world," said IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney. "This MOU provides both organizations with the basis to expand our already close and mutually beneficial relationship as we continue to collaborate together."

The MOU outlines several areas in which ASHRAE and IAPMO will work together, including:

• Collaborating on common public affairs goals, such as joint promotion of codes and standards at the local, state and federal levels; and promotion of mutually beneficial positions during the development and passage of state and federal legislation.
• Exploring opportunities to co-develop new courses or other training programs that take advantage of overlapping and complementary expertise.
• Fostering technical cooperation in areas of common interest by providing opportunities to participate in and comment on proposed standards, guidelines, policies and position statements developed on technical subjects as they relate to buildings and community developments; exploring ways to use ASHRAE standards in IAPMO codes, including derivative documents developed for use outside the U.S.; and investigating the feasibility of creating a coalition of U.S. codes and standard organizations to promote the international use of standards and codes developed by coalition participants.
• Promoting research in areas where research results will add to the body of knowledge in codes and standards.
• Disseminating research results quickly, focusing on high-impact findings.
• Identifying opportunities for research funding from other sources

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, IAPMO has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. With offices in 12 U.S. states and 13 countries, IAPMO has assisted with code development in such diverse places as Saudi Arabia, China, India, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Venezuela, Colombia, and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit IAPMO.org.

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