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Green Drain cUPC certification - IAPMO File 9301 ASSE 1072-2020 IAPMO cUPC Listing

ASSE 1072-2020: the standard that defines barrier-type trap seal performance.

Green Drain is cUPC listed under File No. 9301, certified by IAPMO R&T against ASSE 1072-2020. All 8 models (GD-1.25 through GD-6) are covered. This is the certification that architects, engineers, and code officials reference when specifying barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection devices in North America.

What this certification means.

ASSE 1072 is the definitive North American performance standard for barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection devices. Published by ASSE International (American Society of Sanitary Engineering), it establishes the physical requirements, performance criteria, and test procedures that any barrier-type trap seal device must pass before it can be installed under code.

The cUPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) listing confirms that Green Drain products comply with both American and Canadian national plumbing standards. IAPMO R&T is the certifying body responsible for product testing, factory surveillance, and quality system assessment. This is not a one-time test. The listing is maintained through ongoing compliance, periodic unannounced factory inspections, and quality assurance system reviews.

The standard is referenced in all three major U.S. model plumbing codes: the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), the International Plumbing Code (IPC), and the National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC). It also carries weight in Canadian jurisdictions through SCC accreditation. When an architect writes "barrier-type trap seal protection device, IAPMO cUPC listed, conforming to ASSE 1072" in their specifications, Green Drain is one of the products that can answer that call with verified third-party test data.

How Green Drain was tested: every ASSE 1072-2020 section explained.

The IAPMO R&T Lab tested the Green Drain GD-4 against every applicable section of ASSE 1072-2020. Here is exactly what was tested, how it was measured, and what Green Drain scored.

Section 3.1: Flow Test

What it tests: Whether the device can handle the required drainage flow without causing flooding. The GD-4 was installed in a 48" x 48" test assembly with a floor drain per ASME A112.6.3. Water was run at 73.0 GPM (276.3 L/min, the minimum required for 4" drains per Table 1) for 10 continuous minutes.

Pass criteria: Water must not overflow the pan edge.

Result: PASS. The GD-4 maintained 73 GPM for the full 10 minutes without water exceeding the 1" mark on the test assembly.

Section 3.2: Evaporation Test

What it tests: Whether the device actually prevents trap seal evaporation under accelerated conditions. Three cylinders were prepared: Cylinder A (open control, no device), Cylinder B (device installed with a wire obstruction wedged through the valve), and Cylinder C (device installed with a clean seal). Each was filled with 2" of water and placed in a controlled environment at 100F (+/- 5F) and 20% (+/- 10%) relative humidity for 96 hours.

Pass criteria: Cylinder B must lose no more than 10% of Cylinder A's weight loss. Cylinder C must lose no more than 1% of Cylinder A's weight loss.

Results: PASS. Cylinder A (open): 249.05 g lost. Cylinder B (obstructed): 9.34 g lost (3.75% of A, well under the 10% threshold). Cylinder C (sealed): 2.11 g lost (0.85% of A, under the 1% threshold). Even with a wire physically holding the valve open, Green Drain blocked over 96% of evaporation. With a clean seal, it blocked over 99%.

Section 3.3: Trap Seal Interference Test

What it tests: Whether the device intrudes into the water seal below it. The device was installed in a floor drain with an integral trap, and with the device fully open, the lab checked whether any portion extended into the water seal.

Result: PASS. No portion of the Green Drain extended into the water seal. The device sits above the trap water line and does not compromise the existing P-trap.

Section 3.4: Opening Test

What it tests: How much water is needed to trigger the valve to open. Water was added to the membrane surface at a controlled rate of no more than 29.57 mL/min. The lab recorded the weight of water at the moment the device opened.

Pass criteria: Must open with 113.4 g (4 oz) or less of water.

Result: PASS. The Green Drain opened at just 32 g of water, roughly 1 fluid ounce. That is 72% below the maximum allowed, meaning even a light splash or condensation drip will drain through without pooling.

Section 3.5: Dirt and Debris Test

What it tests: Whether the device continues to seal properly after sand passes through it. 1 oz of fine sand (125 to 300 micrometers) was poured through the device, followed by a flush of 5 gallons at 1 GPM. Then the evaporation test (Section 3.2) was repeated.

Results: PASS. Cylinder A: 266.66 g lost. Cylinder B: 9.76 g (3.66% of A). Cylinder C: 2.03 g (0.76% of A). After sand contamination, the seal performed identically to a clean device.

Section 3.6: Floor Wax Test

What it tests: Whether dried floor wax will glue the valve shut. 8 fl oz of acrylic co-polymer floor finish (at least 20% solids) was poured through the device and allowed to dry completely. Then cold water was run at 1 GPM.

Result: PASS. The device opened before water overflowed. No indication of potential overflow. Green Drain's silicone membrane does not bond with floor wax, so even dried finish does not compromise function.

Section 3.7: Grease Test

What it tests: Whether grease-laden waste will cause the valve to stick. 5 gallons of water mixed with 1 lb of lard at 155F was poured through the device. After a 4-hour wait at room temperature (allowing the grease to solidify), cold water was run at 1 GPM.

Result: PASS. The device opened before water overflowed. No indication of potential overflow. The silicone membrane resists grease adhesion, so even solidified lard does not prevent the valve from opening under water pressure.

Section 3.8: Life Cycle Test

What it tests: Long-term durability under repeated use. The device was subjected to 2,500 open/close cycles: 1,250 with hot water (140F) and 1,250 with room-temperature water. Each cycle consisted of 10 seconds on and 50 seconds off. After the full cycling, the device rested for 72 hours, and then the evaporation test was repeated.

Results: PASS. Cylinder A: 253.63 g lost. Cylinder B: 9.26 g (3.65% of A). Cylinder C: 2.00 g (0.79% of A). After 2,500 use cycles, the Green Drain performed identically to a new unit. No cracking, no deformation, no seal degradation.

Section 4.0: Detailed Requirements

Materials: The trap seal contains no metal. Lead content requirement is not applicable. Markings: "Green Drain" and "ASSE 1072-AF-GW" are permanently marked on the device. Packaging: Marked with manufacturer name, model number (GD4), and drain size. Installation Instructions: Provided with packaging, plus a QR code linking to video installation instructions.

Industries that require ASSE 1072 compliance.

This certification is relevant to healthcare facilities, restaurants and food service, K-12 schools and universities, and commercial real estate where floor drains need code-compliant trap seal protection. Hospitals and surgery centers require ASSE 1072 compliance to prevent sewer gas and pathogen transmission through dry drains, while commercial kitchens face the exact conditions the standard tests for, including grease, floor wax, and debris. Schools and universities benefit because restrooms, locker rooms, and cafeteria drains often go unused during breaks and summer closures, and ASSE 1072-compliant devices prevent the sewer gas problems that occur when buildings reopen. Office buildings, retail spaces, and multi-tenant properties rely on these devices to eliminate sewer gas complaints from infrequently used drains without requiring manual maintenance.

Key test results at a glance.

From IAPMO R&T Lab Report 1554-25004, November 2025. Model tested: GD-4 (4").

73 GPM Flow Capacity Sustained for 10 minutes without overflow
32 g Opening Force 72% below the 113.4 g maximum threshold
>99% Evaporation Blocked 0.85% loss vs. open control (sealed test)
2,500 Life Cycles No degradation after hot/cold cycling

Why the cUPC listing and ASSE 1072 matter for your project.

The cUPC listing is required for most commercial construction projects and many residential projects in the United States and Canada. When a jurisdiction has adopted the Uniform Plumbing Code, products installed in plumbing systems must be listed by an accredited third-party certification body like IAPMO R&T. Without this listing, a product cannot legally be specified or installed in those jurisdictions.

ASSE 1072 is referenced directly in all three major U.S. model plumbing codes. UpCodes, the widely used building code reference platform, includes barrier-type trap seal protection devices under sections like P3201.2.1.4, citing ASSE 1072 compliance as the benchmark. When code officials review product submittals for floor drain trap seal protection, they look for exactly this certification.

For specifiers writing construction documents, the typical specification language reads: "Barrier-type trap seal protection device, IAPMO cUPC listed, conforming to ASSE 1072." Green Drain's listing under File No. 9301 satisfies that specification directly. The IAPMO cUPC mark also provides reciprocity with Canadian plumbing codes, meaning a single certification covers projects across both countries.

Key performance differentiators from the test data: Green Drain opens at just 32 g of water (72% below the 113.4 g maximum), meaning even minor water events drain immediately. The device blocks over 99% of evaporation with a clean seal and over 96% even with a physical obstruction. It handles 73 GPM sustained flow at the 4" size. And after 2,500 life cycles mixing hot and cold water, performance remained identical to a brand-new unit.

IAPMO R&T Lab Report 1554-25004

Download the Full ASSE 1072-2020 Test Report

The complete IAPMO test report documenting Green Drain's compliance with ASSE 1072-2020. Includes all test procedures, measurements, and results for the GD-4 model. Use this document for code official submittals, project specifications, and compliance documentation.

  • Flow test data (73 GPM sustained)
  • Evaporation test measurements with control data
  • Opening force, dirt/debris, wax, and grease test results
  • 2,500-cycle life test with post-cycle evaporation data
  • IAPMO cUPC listing confirmation (File No. 9301)

Frequently asked questions about ASSE 1072 and cUPC listing.

What is ASSE 1072 and why does it matter for floor drains?

ASSE 1072 is the North American performance standard for barrier-type floor drain trap seal protection devices. Published by ASSE International, it defines exactly how a device must perform to be considered a reliable replacement or supplement for traditional water-filled P-trap seals. The standard tests flow capacity, evaporation prevention, opening sensitivity, and durability under real-world conditions including sand, grease, and floor wax exposure. It matters because all three major U.S. model plumbing codes (UPC, IPC, and NSPC) reference ASSE 1072 as the benchmark for these devices. Without ASSE 1072 compliance, a barrier-type trap seal device cannot be legally installed in most commercial construction projects.

What is the difference between ASSE 1072-2007 and ASSE 1072-2020?

ASSE 1072-2007 was the original version of the standard. ASSE 1072-2020 is the updated revision with refined test procedures and requirements. Green Drain's cUPC listing certificate references ASSE 1072-2007 (the version under which the listing was originally obtained), but the most recent test report (1554-25004, November 2025) confirms compliance with ASSE 1072-2020. An additional update, ASSE/ANSI 1072-2025e1, was published in July 2025. Green Drain's IAPMO cUPC listing remains valid through July 2029.

How do I specify a cUPC-listed trap seal device in construction documents?

The standard specification language is: "Barrier-type trap seal protection device, IAPMO cUPC listed, conforming to ASSE 1072." To specify Green Drain directly, you can reference IAPMO cUPC File No. 9301 (P144269). Green Drain models are available from GD-1.25 (1.25" drains) through GD-6 (6" drains), and all 8 models are covered under the same cUPC listing. For project submittals, download the IAPMO test report from this page or request the Green Drain Spec Pack, which includes all certifications in a single 46-page document.

Does the cUPC listing apply in both the United States and Canada?

Yes. The cUPC listing is recognized by both U.S. and Canadian plumbing codes. IAPMO R&T certification is ANSI-accredited (U.S.) and SCC-accredited (Canada), providing dual recognition. The listing is accepted in jurisdictions that have adopted either the Uniform Plumbing Code or the International Plumbing Code. For Ontario specifically, Green Drain also provides a BMEC equivalency statement demonstrating that ASSE 1072 certification meets or exceeds BMEC requirements for trap seal devices.

What does "barrier-type" mean in ASSE 1072?

ASSE 1072 covers "barrier-type" trap seal protection devices, which use a physical barrier (rather than water) to prevent sewer gas from passing through a floor drain. Traditional P-traps rely on a water seal that can evaporate when a drain goes unused. Barrier-type devices like Green Drain use a silicone membrane valve that opens under water pressure and closes to form a seal when dry. The ASSE 1072 standard tests whether this physical barrier actually works: it must block at least 99% of evaporation when sealed, open with minimal water pressure (113.4 g maximum), survive sand, grease, and floor wax, and maintain performance through 2,500 open/close cycles.

Need this certification for your project?

Download the full IAPMO test report, request specification language for your construction documents, or contact our engineering team for project-specific technical support.