ICC-ES PMG Listing Program FAQs

1. Q:What does PMG stand for?
   A:PMG stands for plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas. It is the term used to describe the scope of the ICC-ES PMG listing program.
   
2. Q: What kinds of products does the ICC-ES PMG Program list?
   A:The ICC-ES PMG listing program lists products and components related to the plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas industries.
   
3. Q:What is a listee?
   A:A "listee" is a person or organization having a product or products listed by ICC-ES, and who is identified in the Application for Listing.
   
4. Q:What is an ICC-ES PMG listing?
   A:An ICC-ES PMG listing is a document issued on a product that has demonstrated compliance with the specified standard and has also demonstrated compliance with one or more of the following codes: International Plumbing Code®, International Mechanical Code®, International Fuel Gas Code®, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code or International Residential Code®. ICC-ES requires an ongoing inspection of the manufacturing facility to ensure that the product continuously meets the listing requirements.
   
5. Q:What is a standard?
   A:A standard contains minimum technical requirements that a product has to meet. For example, the standard for hubless cast iron soil pipe and fittings is ASTM A888-07a; the standard for vitreous china plumbing fixtures is ASME A112.19.2M-2003; the standard for prefabricated plastic spa shells is ANSI Z124.7-97; and the standard for atmospheric type vacuum breakers is ASSE 1001-02.
   
6. Q:What is an ICC-ES PMG listing criteria?
   A:Criteria clarify conditions of acceptance. An ICC-ES PMG listing criteria is developed by the applicant with the help of ICC-ES technical staff when one of the following situations applies:
   
   • There are no code-referenced standards available.
   • There is a nationally recognized standard for the product, but the codes do not cover in enough detail permitted uses of the product.
7. Q:What frequency of inspections of manufacturing plants is required by the ES PMG listing program?
   A:Each manufacturing location will undergo an initial qualifying inspection in addition to a surveillance inspection which will be conducted at least once a year. However, manufacturing locations of pressure plastic pipes and tubing are inspected three times annually (Exception: Flexible water connectors, covered under ASME A112.18.6, are not included in this category); manufacturing locations of drain, waste, and vent (DWV) pipes are inspected twice a year.
   
8. Q:What does a qualifying (initial) inspection involve?
   A:A qualifying inspection is scheduled by appointment with the listee. The qualifying inspection verifies that the manufacturer meets the minimum quality system requirements of ICC-ES and that the quality system is effectively implemented.
   
9. Q:What is a surveillance inspection?
   A:A surveillance inspection, conducted after a listing has been issued, verifies that the listed products are the same as originally recognized. Surveillance inspections are unannounced and involve, as applicable:
   
   • Verifying the effectiveness of corrective actions taken to resolve non-conformances found during previous inspections
   • Review of the use of the ICC-ES PMG listing mark
   • Review of product labeling as required with the applicable standard
   • Review of complaint records
   • Review of calibration records
   • Review of any changes to the quality manual and procedures that may affect listed products
   • Random selection of listed products for testing
10. Q:Who conducts the inspections?
    A:A listee may request that the inspections be conducted by ICC-ES, or the listee may retain a third party inspection body meeting the provisions of ISO/IEC Standard 17020, General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection provided such body is accredited by IAS or by an accreditation body that is a partner with IAS in a mutual recognition agreement. Note: Use of a third-party inspection body requires completion of the ICC-ES inspection form.
11. Q:How much do the qualifying and surveillance inspections cost?
    A:There is a fee for qualifying inspections and for each surveillance inspection, regardless of who conducts the inspection. Additional fees may apply. For additional information please contact us at: espmg@icc-es.org.
12. Q:Why do I want to list my products with the ICC-ES PMG Listing Program?
    A:An ICC-ES PMG listing increases consumer confidence since the product is evaluated against the requirements of the code and its referenced standards. An ICC-ES PMG listing also shows code officials that your products have been verified as meeting performance standards and code requirements.
    
13. Q:Is a listing mandatory?
    A:Obtaining a listing from ICC-ES is voluntary. However, an ICC-ES PMG listing provides the manufacturer with a level playing field, credibility, and trust. Manufacturers who receive this level of certification prove their high level of commitment to public safety.
    
14. Q:What is the advantage of an ICC-ES PMG listing mark on my products?
    A:An ICC-ES PMG listing mark provides exceptional credibility when placed on a listed product. It means that the product bearing the mark has undergone rigorous testing and review. It also means that the product is compliant with the International Plumbing Code®, International Mechanical Code®, International Fuel Gas Code®, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code and/or the International Residential Code®. Following up on the proven integrity and expertise of ICC-ES, the PMG listing program evaluates product compliance with the model codes and monitors the manufacturing process.
    
15. Q:What is the guideline by which the ICC-ES PMG program operates?
    A:ICC-ES operates in accordance with ISO Guide 65, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems.
    
16. Q:Who does the testing of ICC-ES PMG listed products?
    A:The ICC-ES PMG listing program uses laboratories that are in compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 17025, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
    
17. Q:What is the advantage of the ICC-ES PMG listing program?
    A:Ultimately, code officials, the marketplace and customers determine the benefit of a listing with ICC-ES. ICC-ES is the United States' leader in evaluating building products, components, methods, and materials for compliance with code. Research shows that ICC-ES is the resource preferred by code enforcement professionals when they are approving new and innovative building products. This same research also shows that there is a need for a listing program for plumbing, mechanical, and gas products that code officials, the marketplace and consumers can rely on. The ICC-ES PMG listing program fills a void and assists code enforcement professionals architects and specifiers in determining whether a plumbing, mechanical, or fuel gas product complies not only with applicable standards but also with applicable codes.
    
18. Q:Who recognizes an ICC-ES PMG listing?
    A:The ICC-ES PMG listing program is designed to assist those who enforce codes in determining whether a plumbing, mechanical or fuel gas product complies not only with applicable standards but also with applicable codes. The I-Codes, the most widely adopted codes in history, have now been adopted in all fifty states at the statewide or local level.
    
19. Q:How do I apply for an ICC-ES PMG listing?
    A:The first step is to submit an application. Click here to download the application form.
20. Q:How much will it cost to get my company's product listed with ICC-ES?
    A:The current fee schedule can be found here.
    
21. Q:How do I know when a product is listed with ICC-ES?
    A:When a product is listed with ICC-ES, it should bear one of the listing marks found here. We also have the listed products on our website.
    
22. Q:What is the difference between an ICC-ES evaluation report (ESR) and an ICC-ES PMG listing?
    A:An ICC-ES evaluation report and an ICC-ES PMG listing accomplish basically the same objective. While the two programs vary a great deal in detail, they are both intended to document a product's code compliance to the code official. Inspections under the evaluation report program are quarterly for all products requiring third- party verification. The ICC-ES PMG listing program, in general, requires one annual inspection of the manufacturing plant to provide assurance that the listed products are still meeting ICC-ES PMG requirements. The listing process is faster than the evaluation-report process because there are no public hearings to develop listing criteria. Furthermore, listing does not require permanently marking the listing number on the product.
    
23. Q:What is the conversion process from an ESR to an ICC-ES PMG Listing?
    A:The first requirement is to confirm that the product is not covered by the International Building Code® but falls under one or more of the following codes: International Plumbing Code®, International Mechanical Code®, International Fuel Gas Code®, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, and/or the International Residential Code®.
    The second step is to submit an application and all necessary documentation required to begin the process for an ICC-ES PMG listing.
    The third step is to convert the acceptance criteria of your product to a listing criteria using the format shown on page two of the application for listing criteria.
    
24. Q:Whom do I contact for more information?
    A:For more information, please contact our ICC-ES PMG staff:
    

    Business/Regional Office: ICC-ES
    5360 Workman Mill Road
    Whittier, CA 90601
    Phone: (800) 423-6587, ext. 7643
    (562) 699-0543, ext. 7643
    Fax: (562) 695-4694
    E-mail: espmg@icc-es.org

 
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