ICC, UL to Collaborate on New ANSI Standard for Landscape Irrigation Controllers

Public invited to join industry professionals in ICC/UL standard development

The International Code Council (ICC) and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) jointly will develop a new ANSI standard—Devices to Control and Operate Automatic Landscape Irrigation Systems—to ensure the basic safety and function of landscape irrigation controllers. UL and ICC will invite industry stakeholders and the public to participate in the standard’s development and apply to be part of UL’s Technical Panel. The panel will be responsible for the development of the new standard.

The new standard will complement and support landscape irrigation provisions found in the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) other codes, standards, rating systems and local legislation, according to ICC Senior Vice President of Technical Services Tom Frost, and ICC Executive Vice President and Director of Business Development Mark Johnson.

“UL looks forward to working with ICC and the residential sprinkler controller industry, each bringing the strengths and knowledge necessary to develop a joint standard for residential sprinkler controllers that will complement codes,” said Don Snyder, Director of Standards for UL.

The standard, in part, will address the importance of safety in electrical devices in landscape irrigation controllers. The new standard will establish a basis to ensure the safety, function and durability of common electrical devices. Interested stakeholders can get involved in the process through the development and review of draft documents, providing feedback and participating in working groups. Those who serve on the Technical Panel will also be able to vote on ballots for the final approval of the new ANSI standard.

“Most participation will take place online or via conference calls, along with in person meetings,” said Deborah Prince, Standards Technical Panel (STP) Chair at UL. “In the next couple of months we will hold our joint standards technical panel kick-off meeting.”

To be included on the contact list or to apply to participate in the Technical Panel, contact Prince at deborah.r.prince@us.ul.com or (919) 549-1460.

UL is a premier global safety science company with more than 100 years of proven history. Employing nearly 10,000 professionals in 46 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units—Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and Knowledge Services—to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information on UL’s family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing, and certification facilities, go to UL.com.

The International Code Council is a Member-focused association dedicated to helping the building safety community and construction industry provide safe and sustainable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets .