HAR §3-183-8. General Regulations

Reason: - No other discipline in the state is simultaneously regulated by two different codes; rules; sets of practice - In the code development process and the adoptions of codes at the “local level” stakeholders demand an open, transparent process by the adopting agencies. Adopting a second plumbing code by fiat legislation defies this concept. - Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) are comprised of a broad spectrum of SME’s (Subject Matter Expert) who can vet provisions – these committees and their members are completely excluded since the International Plumbing Code (IPC) will be adopted without any review or amendments as has been done to the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code. - The public is disenfranchised by not being permitted to speak on their perspectives regarding the IPC. - The UPC as used in Hawaii since the early 1970’s and requires ONE book. - Journeyman Plumbers and Contractor licensing certify competency by taking exams based on the Uniform Plumbing Code. - Plumbing Inspectors are certified to the Uniform Plumbing Code. Page 2 of 4 # PUBLIC PROPOSAL FORM TO AMEND THE HAWAII STATE BUILDING CODES - Apprenticeship and Journeyman classes are instructed on the plumbing installations based on the UPC. - The County building department staff will have to become knowledgeable with the inspections required by the IPC and the differences between the IPC and the UPC. - Any gain sought by the supposed “flexibility” of the IPC is already available by using UPC section 301.3 “Alternate Materials & Methods of Construction Equivalency”. Here a Building Official or Plumbing Inspector have broad discretionary latitude. - This proposal requires acquisition of six (6) additional volumes in order to have the full set of books required to perform all plumbing applications, ○ IPC ○ IRC ○ IBC ○ IECC ○ IFGC ○ IMC ○ Plus NFPA 99 for Medical Gas systems - “nobody” wants this change – the plumbing industry at large does not want a new or additional code regulating their work. This will cause an undo and unnecessary “unfunded mandate” to the industry - one, namely the UPC which has served the industry and consumers very well is sufficient ○ Journeyman plumbers ○ Contractors ○ Engineers & designers of plumbing systems ○ MCA ○ PHCC ○ Trainers of apprentices & journeyman - Cost – it is prohibitively expensive to have two (2) codes in play for all parties noted above. Bottom line, consumers will pay more... - Hawaii State Statute mandates the use of the Uniform Plumbing Code. The Statute doesn’t allow for adopting another code (IPC). Adopting two codes doesn’t meet the intent of the Hawaii State Statute. As a reference, the International Code Council (ICC) recently proposed similar language in Washington State and it was soundly defeated by both the Washington State Building Code Council and the Washington State Legislature because the State Statute mandates the adoption of the Uniform Plumbing Code. To adopt the IPC as an alternate code, it would not comply with the Washington State Statute. List of Supporting Information References (attached): Page 3 of 4 # PUBLIC PROPOSAL FORM TO AMEND THE HAWAII STATE BUILDING CODES Proposals must be submitted using this form and are to be submitted electronically to Council at state.bcc@hawaii.gov or mailed to the Department of Accounting & General Services, Administrative Services Office, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 414, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Page 4 of 4