The 2021 ASSE International Annual Meeting was held Oct. 5-8 online via Zoom. Out of caution and concern for the health and safety of our members and staff, ASSE International again made the decision to hold its Annual Meeting via Zoom web conference instead of in person. Although the format continued to be a little different, we still accomplished a lot. See below for screenshots and brief re-caps of each meeting.
Service Plumber/Residential Mechanical (13000) Technical Committee
The Service Plumber/Residential Mechanical (13000) Technical Committee reviewed information on the schools, instructors, and proctors that are approved to offer the ASSE 13010 Service Plumber Certification. An update of plumbers who have current certifications was also given. In terms of promoting the program, the UA will be having multiple meetings in the month of November where service curriculums and service certifications will be discussed. Suggestions for new/additional scenarios for the practical exam, and vaccination mandates/requirements were also discussed.
Seal Control Board (SCB) Committee Meeting
The Seal Control Board Meeting was called to order by Brianne Hall, SCB Acting Chairman, at 10am. After introductions, a product standards update was given by Terry Burger, ASSE Director of Product Standards, and a product listing program update was given by Christopher White, ASSE Manager of Product Certification and Standards. White then reviewed new developments and trends in the industry, improvements to the product listing program, and reviewed updates to ASSE’s accreditations and procedures. The SCC and ANSI/ANAB audits were then discussed, followed by nominations for SCB chair and vice chair. Brianne Hall and Jaimie Valdivia were nominated for these respective positions and referred to the ASSE BOD for approval. The meeting concluded after committee training.
Fire Protection (15000) Technical Committee Meeting
An update of the program was given, including the total number of certified individuals and the number of schools approved to offer the program. It was reported that the requirement for ASSE 15010 Certification in Philadelphia will take effect in March of 2022. An update on the progress of the development of ASSE Series 27000, Standard for Hybrid Extinguishing Systems Personnel, was given. Discussions with the IAPMO Government Relations Department concerning getting GSA (Government Services Administration) approval or requirements for 15010 certification was discussed. The committee then reviewed new business, including the possibility of a California-specific ASSE 15010 exam.
Cross-Connection Control Technical Committee Meeting
During the Cross-Connection Control Technical Committee meeting, application and exam statistics were reviewed. Program guideline revisions, including Trademark Usage Guidelines, were then discussed. A progress report of the ASSE Series 5000 revision was given, it was reported that an update to the proctor course will be ready by the 2022 ASSE Mid-Year Meeting.
Product Standards Committee Meeting
Christopher White, ASSE Manager of Product Certification and Standards, provided a brief review of the Product Listing Program, followed by a Product Standards Update by Terry Burger, ASSE Director of Product Standards.
Burger then reviewed open standards projects. ASSE standards 1011, 1019, 1052, 1053, 1057 have all been approved for revision. Since these four standards cover similar products with similar tests, staff decided to combine the revision work into one working group named Hydrant WG. The PSC was in agreement.
Burger then discussed the accomplishments of this year’s working groups and the PSC. In the past two years, the number of standards revised, reaffirmed, or authored was 38. This is quite unprecedented. Burger emphasized that ASSE is very appreciative of the work of the PSC and the working groups.
Motions were then made (and approved) to open 1084 and 1085 for revision, open 1024, 1022 and 1032 for revision under one working group, and open working groups to create ASSE 1115 for Automatic Hot Water Balancing Valves and ASSE 1118 for Digital Mixing Valves for Hot Water Distribution Systems.
Professional Qualifications Standards Committee Meeting
The PQ Standards Committee reviewed the status of each professional qualifications standard, both current and draft. An overview of the progress made on the ASSE Series 5000 revision was given – it’s expected that a draft will be sent to the PQSC by the end of the year. The ASSE Series 21000 for Rainwater Catchment Systems Personnel was approved to be revised. It was stated that the working group for the two air quality standards met once, and another meeting is scheduled. A second working group for construction risk assessment for engineers, designers, and commissioning agents will be meeting soon. A report was then given on the status of the ASSE Series 27000 for Hybrid Extinguishing Systems Personnel, which is expected to be published by the end of the year. It was also reported that the draft Series 22000 for Installers of Water Treatment Equipment was put on hold in April 2021, but ASSE will be moving forward with the development of the standard now.
Other newsworthy items to come out of this meeting: ANSI approved the new ASSE Policies and Procedures in September, and the ASSE Series 6000-2021 for Medical Gas Systems Personnel was made available to the NFPA-99 Committee so that they can consider adding the 6060 to NFPA 99-2024.
Manufacturers’ Forum
The Manufacturers’ Forum was held on Oct. 6 and included standards updates, certifications updates, and code update as they relate to ASSE listees. At the end of the Forum, ASSE listees had the opportunity to ask questions to ASSE and IAPMO staff during the ASSE Product Standards and Listing Program Q&A session.
ICRA (ASSE 12000) Technical Committee Meeting
The ICRA program includes the ASSE 12000 Infection Control Certification, ASSE 12060 Water Quality Program Certification, and the ASSE 12080 Legionella Management Certification. An update of the three programs was given, including the total number of certified individuals and the number of schools approved to offer the programs. It was confirmed that the UA training department will run regional classes the first week of December 2021 in Ann Arbor. As was discussed at the April Mid-Year meeting, three new standards are being added to the Series 12000 – two are for air quality, and one is for Construction Risk Assessment for Engineers, Designers & Commissioning Agents. ASSE will offer certifications to all three of these standards.
Al Cohen Memorial Chapter Presidents’ Liaison Conference
The Al Cohen Chapter Memorial Chapters President’s meeting was well attended with some great feedback. Brianne Hall, ASSE Region 8 Director, lead the meeting. Providing educational programs for chapter meetings via Zoom was discussed, as was chapter refunds. The primary focus was centered around engaging members on virtual platforms, such as Zoom, with topics of interest and/or education for those unable or not interested in attending a chapter meeting.
