April 2014

HB 1048 by Rep. Ponti adopts the International Plumbing Code (IPC) for the commercial construction industry and Part VII-Plumbing of the International Residential Code (IRC) for the home construction industry. This legislation also transfers rule and regulation authority from Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) to Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC.)

 

• HB 1048 simplifies construction codes, improves efficiency and streamlines the construction process.  HB 1048 provides a cost savings for the consumer and improves consistency statewide.  

• HB 1048 repeals only the plumbing provisions in the State Sanitary Code.  DHH will continue to have authority over all other Sanitary Code sections including medical gas.

• IPC is in use or adopted in 35 states including major cities such as: New York City, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Washington D.C.  All Gulf Coast states and those surrounding Louisiana have IPC adoption.  Construction and design plans could now be used from other states.  Louisiana loses business and jobs from the necessity of unique plans.

• Presently, Louisiana uses Part XIV (Plumbing) of the Sanitary Code for both residential and commercial plumbing construction codes.  DHH amends the state plumbing code.  On the other hand, LSUCCC amends all other state construction codes.  Plumbing code change proposals will be handled in the same manner as all other construction code change proposals. All Louisiana construction codes, including the plumbing code are enforced by local government.

• The International Building Code (IBC) is the code for commercial buildings in Louisiana and the International Residential Code (IRC) is the code for homes in this state.  The International Codes are designed to work together, reference each other and are a complete set of codes.  The Louisiana state plumbing code and current law excludes key plumbing chapters from the state construction code.  This lack of correlation creates confusion in building construction and design.

• The last DHH revision of the Louisiana plumbing code took 13 years.  Other Louisiana construction code updates typically take only three years.  Adoption of the IPC and Part VII-Plumbing of the IRC opens the Louisiana marketplace with updated technologies.         

• The International Plumbing Code is a nationally developed code that stays current with safe practices that are used nationwide.  I-codes have long been progressive and always ensure uncompromising commitment to health and safety.