The 2025 ASSE International Mid-Year Meeting was held April 15-16 at The Tributary Hub in Madison, Wisconsin. The Tributary Hub is a multi-use complex housing Plumbers Local 75 Training Center, and other non-profit organizations supporting the trades in South-Central Wisconsin. Members of ASSE International and its various committees met to discuss, influence, and guide the important business of ASSE International, including standards, certifications, membership, and code development.
For those who couldn’t attend, below are brief recaps of each meeting and event, along with some photos. To see even more photos, visit our 2025 ASSE International Mid-Year Meeting Flickr album at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCg3TF.
Each day of the Mid-Year Meeting included a networking and hospitality area with coffee, snacks, and a place to relax between meetings and during breaks. Thank you to the National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC), Nuflow, Philadelphia Suburban Association of PHCC Training Center, SoCal Pipe Trades District Council 16, UA Local 46 Training Department, UA Plumbers Local 75, UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286, and UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 400 for sponsoring this area!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
Seal Control Board (meeting held online prior to the in-person Mid-Year Meeting)
The Seal Control Board Meeting (SCB) was called to order by Chair Brianne Hall at 11:34am. SCB membership was discussed, and updates on ASSE Product Standards and Product Listing Program were presented by Terry Burger and Chris White, respectively. The number of listing program activities have significantly increased over the past three years, with 2025 on pace to surpass 2024 as the busiest year on record — well over 100% above pre-COVID levels. The upcoming ASSE Internal, ANSI/ANAB and SCC audits were discussed. The meeting included a training session by Sean Cleary titled “Common Installation Issues with Backflow Protection Equipment.”
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
First Timers Breakfast
The meeting kicked off with the ASSE First Timers Breakfast. President Vince Gallo and ASSE staff welcomed attendees and provided an overview of the meetings and events to come, as well as a look inside how standards are developed. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet the ASSE Board of Directors and ASSE staff.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee met and discussed several key points. The meeting kicked off with a warm welcome from President Vincent Gallo and a quick introduction of attendees.
Key points discussed included the launch of the members-only site on Member Manager, which showcases recordings of past ASSE quarterly webinars. The next webinar, focused on the benefits of ASSE to AHJs, is scheduled for June 4 and will be uploaded to Member Manager a month later. There was also a discussion about expanding member benefits, including creating new videos and attracting student members through feedback and skills competitions.
Finally, a proposal for a new chapter in Canada was presented, and attendees were encouraged to attend the upcoming 2025 ASSE International Annual Meeting, Sept. 17-19 in Palm Springs, California.
Water Treatment Equipment (22000) Technical Committee
The Water Treatment Equipment (22000) Technical Committee, comprised of subject matter experts from relevant industries, continues to serve as advisory bodies providing guidance on ASSE’s Water Treatment Equipment professional certification programs. This committee oversees program guidelines, exam content, practical exams, and equivalent certification reviews. This meeting included introductions, a meeting policy announcement, and the adoption of the agenda. Standard updates were discussed, and it was announced that a Service Plumber program will be conducted in conjunction the UA Instructor Training Program in August. A reminder was given about the annual meeting.
ASSE History Presentation
Pat Casey, a plumber and plumbing instructor at Plumbers Local 75 in Milwaukee, gave an interesting and informative presentation on ASSE’s history, specifically as to how the organization and its founders influenced plumbing regulations in the state of Wisconsin. The presentation honored ASSE mentors by briefly delineating unprecedented accomplishments as recorded in early ASSE yearbooks.
Fire Protection (15000/27000) Technical Committee Update Meeting
The Fire Protection Technical Committee received updates on certification programs, test development, and promotional activities. Due to the absence of a quorum, the April 15 meeting was conducted as an informational session and no votes were taken. Progress continues on exam updates, with a follow-up item writing session scheduled for July in Mokena, Illinois. Editorial revisions to the 15000 standard were discussed, and a request for continuous maintenance has been submitted to ANSI. Updates to the 15000 exam will reflect new editions of several NFPA standards. Sections to be updated include NFPA 11 (2024 edition), NFPA 13 (2025 edition), NFPA 20 (2025 edition), NFPA 24 (2025 edition), and NFPA 750. The 27000 practical exam has been completed, and a request was made to reopen the standard to develop three additional PQ standards. Volunteers were invited to join the Program Guidelines and Test Development subcommittees. ASSE will exhibit at the NFPA 2025 Meeting in Las Vegas, and recent outreach included attendance at the California Fire Prevention Institute conference, where a five-year inspection initiative was highlighted. Program guidelines are under revision to ensure consistency across all programs. Proposals for new PQ programs will be reviewed by the PQ standards committee and submitted to the ASSE Board of Directors for consideration. A reminder was given for the annual meeting.
Product Standards Committee
The Product Standards Committee (PSC) received updates on product standards that have been recently revised. Eighteen standards have been revised or reaffirmed since the mid-year meeting in 2024, and 11 standards are being reaffirmed.
Additionally, the PSC discussed the status of several standards that are in working groups — six are in working groups and one is in public review. There are 11 standards, including two approved at this meeting, that are in queue. Of those approved, a working group will be formed for ASSE 1051, Individual and Branch Type Air Admittance Valves for Sanitary Drainage Systems, and ASSE 1086, Reverse Osmosis Water Efficiency — Drinking Water. Additionally, ASSE 1012 will be revised editorially to correct the headings in Figure 3.
ASSE is accepting working group applications for the below standards. Applications can be found and submitted on the ASSE website.
- ASSE 1014, Hand-Held Shower
- ASSE 1023, Electrically Heated or Cooled Water Dispensers
- ASSE 1086, Reverse Osmosis Water Efficiency — Drinking Water
- ASSE 1115, Automatic Hot Water Balancing Valve
- ASSE 1118, Mixing Valves for Hot Water Recirculating Systems
- ASSE 1376, Ultra and Nano Drinking Water Treatment Systems
- ASSE 1391, Point of Entry Reverse Osmosis Systems
- ASSE Series 12000, Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems
- ASSE Series 13000, Service Plumber and Residential Mechanical Service Technician
- ASSE Series 27000, Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems Personnel
Finally, the committee reviewed nine standards that are now 4 years old and will make recommendations for revision or approval at the next PSC Meeting. These standards include: ASSE 1030-2021, Positive Pressure Reduction Devices for Sanitary Drainage Systems; 1047-2021, Reduced Pressure Detector Backflow Prevention Assemblies; 1048-2021, Double Check Detector Backflow Prevention Assemblies; 1049-2021, Individual and Branch Type Air Admittance Valves for Chemical Waste Systems; 1050-2021, Stack Air Admittance Valves for Sanitary Drainage Systems; 1062-2017(R2021), Temperature Actuated, Flow Reduction (TAFR) Valves for Individual Supply Fittings; 1063-2016(R2021), Air Valve and Vent Inflow Preventer; 1071-2012(R2021), Temperature Actuated Mixing Valves for Plumbed Emergency Equipment; and 1082-2021, Water Heaters with Integral Temperature Control Devices for Hot Water Distribution Systems.
Infection Control (12000) Technical Committee
The Infection Control Technical Committee approved both the agenda and the minutes from the October 2024 meeting. Updates were provided on subcommittee activity, including the Legionella Management (12080) Program, with Matt Freije volunteering to join and apply for approval. A request was made to reopen the 12000 Standard — specifically Section 12010 — to address OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification requirements for health care workers. A Guidelines Subcommittee was formed, with members confirmed for participation. A reminder was issued for the annual meeting.
“Game Night” Social Event (Food and Beverages)
“Game Night” featured a “Family Feud”-style game show where contestants had to come up with answers on the spot. Attendees competed on teams of six to see who could guess the most “number one” answers, based on surveys from 100 audience members. Food and beverages were provided, and lots of laughs were shared. A big thank-you to Paxton Controls Corp and the UA Local 46 Training Department for sponsoring this event!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16
Service Plumber (13000) Technical Committee
The Service Plumber (13000) Technical Committee received updates on certification and examination statistics. They were advised that downloadable marketing PDFs are now available on the ASSE website, and they include clickable links to related areas on the site. An end-user promotional piece will be used for marketing at tradeshows and health care facilities. Additionally, social media blasts have been promoting the program. Staff is also developing a truck sticker to advertise the ASSE certification. A subcommittee has been meeting — and will continue to meet — to review and update all 13010 test questions.
Professional Qualifications Standards Committee
The Professional Qualifications Standards Committee (PQSC) reviewed all current and draft PQ standards. There are six standards under revision and two new standards in development. Those in revision are:
ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 7000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Residential Potable Water Fire Protection Systems Installers & Inspectors for One- & Two-Family Dwellings; Series 10000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Installers of Green Plumbing Systems; Series 15000, Professional Qualifications Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems; Series 19000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Hydronic Designers and Installers; and Series 21000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Rainwater Catchment Systems Personnel. The new standards are ASSE/IAPMO 22000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Treatment Equipment Personnel, and Series 18000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Fuel Gas Systems and Equipment Installers and Repairers.
The PQSC voted to open the following standards for revision: ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems (this covers ICRA, water quality, and Legionella); Series 13000, Service Plumber and Residential Mechanical Service Technician Professional Qualifications Standard; and Series 27000, Professional Qualifications Standard Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems Personnel. The committee also voted to reaffirm ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 9000, Firestop Systems and Smoke-Limiting Materials Professional Qualifications Standards. Three new standards were approved for Development: ASSE 27040, Professional Qualifications Standard for Installation of Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems; ASSE 27050, Professional Qualifications Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems; and ASSE 27060, Professional Qualifications Standard for Design of Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems.
Cross-Connection Control (5000) Technical Committee
The Cross-Connection Control Technical Committee received updates on certification and examination statistics. They were advised that program guidelines are still being reviewed and updated. The guidelines for all ASSE certification programs will be updated to ensure consistency across all programs. Once completed they will be sent to schools for review and signature. Handbooks for instructors, proctors and students will be developed once the revised guidelines are finalized. New backflow school applications are being created, allowing schools to apply to become a backflow repairer school concurrently with their application to become a backflow tester school. A job task analysis was conducted for the backflow program, and ASSE’s preliminary application to ANSI has been accepted.
NFPA Code Development Sub-Committee
The NFPA Code Development Subcommittee adopted the meeting agenda and reviewed the committee’s purpose. The meeting policy was read aloud. A report was presented on the March 18 subcommittee meeting, chaired by Ken Schneider, during which discussion focused on the potential inclusion of ASSE professional qualifications standards within various NFPA codes. ASSE 6000 was noted for NFPA 55, 70, 99, and 101; ASSE 7000 for NFPA 13D, with the possibility of including ASSE 7010; ASSE 12000 for NFPA 25, with potential additions of ASSE 12010, 12020, and 12063; ASSE 12062 for NFPA 214; ASSE 15000 for NFPA 11, 25, and 915; and ASSE 27000 for NFPA 770, 11, 750, and 2001. A motion was made and approved to conduct all future NFPA Code Development Subcommittee meetings in person during the ASSE Annual Meetings. The meeting adjourned at 3:08 p.m.
Code Development Committee
The Code Development Committee meeting began with a reading of the committee’s purpose and the meeting policy. The agenda and the minutes from the Oct. 10, 2024, meeting were approved. Jason Shank introduced the new CDC structure, which now includes five subcommittees: IPC, chaired by Baxter, has completed the 2027 code cycle, with final votes expected in April 2026; Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC), chaired by Rademacher, recently met to review and discuss submitted comments; NFPA, chaired by Van Rhyn, met March 18 to discuss the potential inclusion of ASSE PQ standards; NSPC, with a chairperson to be determined; and the Canadian Code, chaired by McPherson, is operating within the 2030 code cycle. Michigan code proposals will remain unchanged and will be resubmitted. Items for board consideration included committee representation for the ICC and comment recommendations for UPC, with no new items for NFPA, NSPC, or the Canadian Code. Terry Burger gave a presentation on the Canadian code development process. The meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m.
