Louisiana Adopts IPC Statewide for All New Construction

The IPC will replace the Louisiana State Plumbing Code on Jan. 1,2016; legislation also adds IPC and IBC, IRC plumbing sections to the state’s construction code

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has signed legislation that will replace the state’s plumbing code effective Jan. 1, 2016, with the International Plumbing Code (IPC) published by the International Code Council. The Louisiana legislature approved changing the state’s plumbing standards to a new code based on the IPC instead of the Louisiana Plumbing Code.

“We thank the Governor, the Legislature and all who supported this public safety legislation in the state of Louisiana,” said ICC CEO Dominic Sims, CBO. “Louisiana’s adoption validates the public health benefits of the International Plumbing Code, which is already adopted in 35 states and the District of Columbia at the state or local level. The code is plumber and industry smart, providing guidelines for plumbing facilities and the acceptance of new and innovative products, materials and systems.”

Changing the decades-old Louisiana Plumbing Code to a new code, the legislature voted to require that both residential and commercial plumbing would adhere to the IPC. State Rep. Erich Ponti, a Baton Rouge Republican and general contractor, told The (Louisiana) Advocate all sides of the negotiation, including labor organizations, signed off on the measure that had attracted hundreds of stakeholders to the State Capitol during the session.

The new code won’t take effect until 2016. A Plumbing Transition Commission will develop recommendations on how the new code will go into effect.

Other highlights of the passed legislation include:

• Removes plumbing code authority from the Department of Health and Hospitals and gives the authority to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council;
• Changes the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council from 19 to 20 members; creating a position for the state health officer or his designee;
• Adds house and senate committees on health and welfare to have oversight for the initial plumbing adoption;
• Includes the International Building Code Chapter 29-Plumbing Systems, the International Residential Code, Part VII-Plumbing and the IPC to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code;
• Creates a Plumbing Transition Commission that may provide plumbing amendments to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code for the initial adoption.

ICC’s codes are not new to Louisiana. For many years, the state has used the International Building, Residential, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Fuel Gas and Mechanical codes to ensure the safety of its residents.

About us: The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.