Designated as an American National Standard, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is a model code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to govern the installation and inspection of plumbing systems as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare. The UPC is developed using the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) consensus development procedures. This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on plumbing practices. The UPC is designed to provide consumers with safe and sanitary plumbing systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. The public at large is encouraged and invited to participate in IAPMO’s open consensus code development process. This code is updated every three years. A code development timeline and other relevant information are available at IAPMO’s website. History On July 28, 1880 the City and County of San Francisco adopted Order No. 1,587 which covered "Prohibiting Offensive Trades, Occupations and Nuisances, and Defining Misdemeanors". This Order was divided into 69 Sections and Sections 4, 5, and 6 cover Privy Vaults. All three sections contain construction standards for privy vaults. Section 4 requires that privy be connected to the sewer by pipes made of "cement, iron-stone or iron" (ironstone, also known as Ironstone china is ceramic material similar to terra cotta and contains no iron). Section 5 requires that privy pits cannot be constructed without the prior approval of the Health Officer and that the walls and bottom be constructed of "stone or brick, laid in cement, and at least eight inches thick". Section 6 that privy vaults not release "nauseous, foul or offensive" odors. On June 4, 1881 New York City adopted a Plumbing Law which required all master plumbers to register with the Board of Health and that construction on projects with plumbing could not proceed until the Board of Health had approved the plumbing plans. The Board of Health was given power to restrain by injunction any construction that was not approved. The law makes it a misdemeanor to violate this law. A movement to create such a law had been active for five or six years but opposition from plumbers had prevented the adoption until 1881. Initially no funding was provided for inspections. 2,500 dollars was eventually provided in 1882 Inspections had begun in 1882 and by the end of the year 9,871 inspections