As we progress through 2024 and look ahead to 2025, it’s vital for plumbing professionals to remain aware of the latest plumbing regulations. Even though 2024 is well underway, important updates to the plumbing rules that took effect earlier this year might still be flying under the radar for some. These changes could have significant implications for plumbing operations, and staying ahead of them is the key to maintaining compliance and maximizing the success of your business.
Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or a rising professional, you’ve come to the right place to easily navigate updates to the 2024 plumbing regulations. Keep reading to explore the significance of adhering to plumbing codes, discover the changes you need to implement, and look ahead to future 2027 code updates, all with helpful tips for maintaining compliance along the way.
Beyond contractor and customer safety, adhering to plumbing regulations promotes efficiency and conservation. Plumbing codes help preserve water resources and reduce a customer’s operational costs over time. Substandard maintenance or plumbing installation that lacks code compliance can contribute to considerable water waste and unnecessarily high utility costs.
When a contractor’s lack of compliance results in faulty plumbing that physically or financially harms a customer and/or their property, the contractor may also face significant legal liabilities that result in costly repairs and lawsuits. Not to mention, code violations often also result in complaints to local enforcement divisions and licensing boards, further impacting the responsible contractor.
Failure to meet plumbing regulations can lead to significant penalties for both customers and contractors. These penalties vary depending on the locality and how local enforcement officials handle compliance issues. Generally, plumbing violations that conflict with the legal requirements of local building codes result in consequences ranging from a simple warning to more severe actions, such as stop work orders, suspension of permits, steep fines, or even daily fines until the issues are resolved.
Before discussing the 2024 plumbing regulation changes, it's important to note that not one but two major code collections have been updated. The first is the International Plumbing Code (IPC), published by the International Code Council (ICC). Often considered less comprehensive than the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), the IPC sets minimum requirements for plumbing systems and is currently adopted in 37 states, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, at either the state or local level.
On the other hand, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). It discusses more in-depth topics, like potable rainwater catchment systems, calculating peak water demand, and private sewage disposal systems. The UPC has not been adopted by as many localities as the IPC but there is developed state and city-specific guidance for those that have.
Earlier this year, the ICC introduced the 2024 version of its International Plumbing Code. 2024 marked the biggest year in code formatting changes to enhance user reading for both the print and digital versions. According to the International Code Council, some of the biggest changes from the 2021 IPC to 2024 IPC included:
While the ICC offers a basic version of the 2024 code to read and review, contractors will need to purchase a print copy or subscribe to the digital version of the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) to access a full breakdown of the 2024 changes.
For more information on these updates, a digital copy of the 2024 UPC is available to readers free of charge, with physical print copies also available for purchase.
Both the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) are updated on a three-year basis. This means that we won’t see any updates to current plumbing regulations until 2027. Over the next few years, both associations will undergo code development cycles where the various committees will discuss and vote upon various proposals to determine which updates should be published in the upcoming 2027 editions.
In the meantime, it’s crucial to get up to date with — and remain compliant with — 2024 plumbing regulations to avoid liability concerns. As you assess elements of your operation to ensure compliance, check out the JB Dealer Services Marketplace for helpful tools to streamline your operations. From HR resources to field service management, the JB Marketplace has you covered.