February 3rd, 2020
by International Code Council

The International Code Council applauds the Maryland Plumbing Board for its recent adoption of the 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), effective Dec. 30, 2019. The IPC and the IFGC are two of a family of correlated and coordinated codes published by the International Code Council – International Codes (I-Codes) – that are the most widely used and adopted set of building codes in the world.

Safety in plumbing and fuel gas are top priorities of the Code Council, the Maryland Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors Association, and the Maryland Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association (MPHCC). These organizations will continue to work with the Maryland State Plumbing Board to educate and train plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas contractors and regulators on the provisions of the newly adopted codes and assist the State Board and adopting jurisdictions during the transition to the IPC and IFGC. For the second year, the Code Council is excited to team with MPHCC to provide training at their annual Industry Trade Show and Expo on April 2, 2020.

The adoption of these model plumbing and fuel gas codes helps solidify consistency in codes and code usage throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Maryland joins Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania as regional jurisdictions that have adopted the 2018 IPC and IFGC. Maryland also adopts the 2018 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Energy Conservation Code and the 2012 edition of the International Green Construction Code.

“We applaud the Maryland State Plumbing Board for this important step forward with the IPC and IFGC,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “With the major economic and health benefits that result from the adoption and enforcement of the codes, this is paramount to Maryland’s efforts to have strong plumbing and fuel gas codes that are consistent with those throughout the region.”

“We are happy to be working with the International Code Council on training opportunities for our members to ensure a seamless transition to the IPC and IFGC,” said Maryland PHCC Executive Director Diane Kastner. “Our communities will benefit from the uniformity as we make strides to enhance the safety standards for health, property protection and public welfare.

Local plumbers can purchase copies of the codes on the Code Council website and at the Maryland PHCC’s headquarters located in Ellicott City, Md.

Click on the links below for more information:

For more information about the I-Codes, click here.

About the Author
International Code Council
The International Code Council is a nonprofit association that provides a wide range of building safety solutions, including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.