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WaterSense at Work: Best Management Practices for Commercial and Institutional Facilities
Overview
Codes and standards are important mechanisms for addressing the efficiency of
plumbing equipment, water-using appliances, and building water use. In addition,
voluntary programs and guidelines have recently emerged as key market mecha-
nisms, helping to assist facilities adopt water-efficient products and practices.
Standards
Standards specify uniform technical criteria, methods, processes, and practices by
which performance is measured. In a strict sense, standards are created through a
consensus-based development process. This process seeks agreement of most partic-
ipants (i.e., more than a simple majority) and resolution of objections of the minority,
but not necessarily unanimity.
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Standards developed by organizations accredited
through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), for example, are consid-
ered consensus-based standards. Compliance with standards is considered voluntary
unless they have been adopted into law through legislation or regulation.
Table 2-3 lists some of the organizations in the United States and internationally that
develop standards related to commercial and institutional water-using products and
equipment and water use in buildings.
Table 2-3. Select Standards Development Organizations
2.5
Codes, Standards, and Voluntary
Programs for Water Efficiency
Standards Development Organization
Products or Equipment Addressed
American Society of Agricultural and
Biological Engineers (ASABE)
Irrigation equipment
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating,
and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Buildings, water heaters, and
humidifiers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(
ASME)
Plumbing products
ASTM International (formerly the American
Society for Testing and Materials)
Food service equipment and medical
equipment
Association for the Advancement of Medical
Instrumentation (AAMI)
Medical equipment
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Plumbing products
International Association of Plumbing and
Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
Plumbing products and systems
International Code Council (ICC)
Buildings and plumbing systems
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)
Commercial kitchen equipment and
drinking water treatment units
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American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Standards & Certification FAQ.
