Biography of sanitary engineers (asse)
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Draft standards are developed by working groups, voted on by the consensus ASSE Product Standards or Professional Qualifications Standards Committee, then opened to the public for a 45-day review period – all comments are addressed throughout this process. Members of ASSE belong to an organization represented by all disciplines of the plumbing, piping, and mechanical industries.
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ASSE Seeks Working Group Members for Development of Four Professional Qualification Standards
09 October 2025
ASSE International is seeking working group members to update four professional qualification standards: ASSE 13000 Standard for Service Plumber and Residential Mechanical Service Technician; ASSE 15000 Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems; ASSE 27000 Standard for Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems Personnel; and ASSE 29000 Standard for Personnel Related to Safe Pressure Testing of Piping Systems.
ASSE Seeks Working Group Members for Development of Five National Product Standards
14 July 2025
ASSE International is seeking members to update or create the following product standards: ASSE 1012, ASSE 1023, ASSE 1051, ASSE 1376, and ASSE 1391.
The standards, which have a heavy emphasis on backflow prevention devices, are used by national and local codes throughout the country.
Other research in which the Society has been involved includes the recent investigation into Legionnaires' Disease. ASSE also provides interactive platforms at both the national and local levels to provide guidance and solutions regarding legislative, engineering, installation workmanship, and manufacturing challenges as they are related to enhancing the health and safety aspect of plumbing.
WE BRING THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER
We develop standards.
ASSE and the industry contended the viral disease was spread through polluted potable water, much caused by such faulty plumbing practices as cross-connections which led to backsiphonage. The fundamental principle they decided to follow: "Prevention Rather Than Cure," which still guides the Society's activities in a wide range of programs designed to educate the industry and the public on the importance and necessity of safe and correct plumbing installations.
In the 1940's the Society and the industry undertook an extensive effort to prove that polio, than a major scourge -- was a waterborne disease.
American Society of Sanitary Engineering for Plumbing and Sanitary Research (ASSE-PLUMBING) » Affiliate Society Directory
The American Society of Sanitary Engineering for Plumbing and Sanitary Research Is a nonprofit organization that is comprised of individual and sustaining members who represent all disciplines of the Plumbing Industry.
The ASSE campaign was of major importance in developing greater consciousness of the importance of proper plumbing practice and the Society has continued its emphasis on "Prevention Rather Than Cure."
Since that time, the ASSE has developed a far reaching Standards Program for products that are components of the plumbing system.
ASSE standards stand up to public scrutiny – because they already have.
Deep knowledge and constant improvement of over 50 product performance standards for plumbing components – most notably backflow preventers and temperature actuated mixing valves – puts ASSE in a class of its own. We certify products.
ASSE International is an ANSI-accredited standards developer and ANAB-accredited product certification body composed of members representing all disciplines of the plumbing and mechanical industries.
The society develops and maintains product performance and professional qualification standards whose sole purpose is to protect the health of the public. It’s mission is to, in the spirit of its motto “Prevention Rather Than Cure,” continually improve the performance, reliability and safety of plumbing systems. We certify professionals.
(ASSE 1376 and 1391 are new standards.)
ASSE International is a wholly owned subsidiary of IAPMO R&T
Together, the engineers who design products, plumbers who install, test, repair, and inspect systems, officials who enforce regulations, and educators who teach our nation’s plumbers join together to offer their expertise and collectively reach consensus on product and personnel requirements.
ASSE’s product performance standards, professional qualifications standards, professional certification, and product certification programs aim to improve the performance and safety of plumbing and mechanical systems.
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION
The ASSE Product Listing Program is an ANAB- and SCC-accredited third-party productcertification body with a strong focus on backflow prevention and thermostatic mixing.
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PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION
Professional certification programs for the specialized segments of backflow prevention, service plumbing, infection control, fire protection, rainwater harvesting, hydronic heating and cooling, and more.
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STANDARDS
ASSE product and professional qualifications standards are developed and revised through true industry consensus under the ANSI-accredited standards development process.
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ASSE MEMBERSHIP
Give back to your profession and learn from each other.
The Society publishes books such as the Plumbing Dictionary, the Energy and Water Conservation Guidelines, the Plumbing Inspection Manual, and the Refresher Course Series of technical papers covering subjects such as "Safety and Innovations in Plumbing", "Codes and Conservation" and "Institutional and Industrial Plumbing." Also in final stages of preparation is a plumbing Design Correspondence Course.
The American Society of Sanitary Engineering continues to be vital to the industry and the public.
ASSE standards are developed and revised under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards development process.
About American Society of Sanitary Engineering
The American Society of Sanitary Engineering grew out of a meeting held in Washington, D.C., January 29-31, 1906.
Henry B.
Davis, Chief Plumbing Inspector for the District of Columbia, believed it was vital that plumbing practice in the United States be standardized.
Davis invited 25 inspectors from other American cities to organize an association of plumbing inspectors and sanitary engineers. Surprisingly, this theory was not universally accepted, as obvious as it may seem today.
Its programs benefit all segments of the plumbing industry.