HARDI opposes code change, says it will harm contractors

HARDI is opposing a code change, proposed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), arguing it would “make thousands of contractors ineligible to work on equipment.”

What’s happening: A select few products, including pressure vessels under six inches in diameter, aren’t subject to ASME standards, specifically due to exemptions in its code, HARDI explains.

• Like most HVAC products, they’re built to UL standards.
• However, ASME has proposed removing the exemptions, thereby subjecting the products to both standards.
• Watch an explainer video

“If these exemptions were not there, it would become a state’s job to adopt which code to follow, creating a ‘grey area’ of regulatory confusion for the industry,” a HARDI spokesperson tells Homepros in an email.

Why it matters: If the proposal passes, though states have some flexibility, it’s near-certain that ASME will become the nationwide standard, per HARDI, forcing technicians to become ASME-certified.

• Zoom in: The ASME standard would also drive up costs, requiring manufacturers to use pricier materials when producing the impacted products.

The intrigue: Industry groups aren’t exactly sold on ASME’s reasoning for the proposal. “What safety incident is this in response to? They haven’t provided it,” says AHRI’s Thomas Deary. 

• “Beyond re-certification… the code would force installers to sell a more expensive product to customers without increasing actual safety,” HARDI adds.
• ASME didn’t respond to a request for comment.  

What’s next: ASME is accepting public comments, until December 31, to collect feedback from the industry before making a decision. Submit a comment

• “This proposal stands as likely to pass unless we all make our voices heard, explaining to them the likely severity to our businesses,” HARDI says.