FREE Admission! FREE Food! FREE Drink! FREE Fun!

Where can you find all this in one event? At ASPEís Tailgate Party and Engineered Plumbing Product Exhibition, Thursday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. All plumbing engineers, designers, contractors, and others in the field are invited to meet with manufacturers and munch on burgers, brats, pulled pork sandwiches, and other treats. You may register for this complimentary event on site, so plan on attending with all of your coworkers.

Itís Not Too Late to Register for the 2009 Technical Symposium and SAVE

The Hyatt Regency Dearborn has extended the deadline for the special $109 room rate for those attending the 2009 Technical Symposium. Also, you have one more week to take advantage of the early-bird registration discount to save $80 off the cost of attending. So register today!

Attention Symposium Attendees!

Please be aware that several roads around the Hyatt Regency Dearborn are under construction. Driving directions to the Hyatt to bypass the construction can be found at www.aspe.org.

Have You Contributed to the ASPE Building Fund?

Numerous ASPE chapters, manufacturers, and individuals have contributed money, services, or products for the Societyís new headquarters building. For example, Carrier helped ASPE upgrade the heating system so the staff wonít freeze during the long Chicago winter. Please consider joining all those who have contributed to the Building Fund. Remember: Chapters can donate past dues rebates until October 31.

Speaking of Winter in ChicagoÖ

If you are planning to be in Chicago in January, stop by the new ASPE headquarters for our Open House on January 22. Mingle with the staff, check out the new digs, and munch on snacks. We would love to have you!

Got Any Old ASPE Stuff Lying Around?

ASPE is collecting memorabilia to add to our online history. If you have old Convention programs, brochures, pamphlets, journals, or other materials that you would like to donate, please contact Gretchen Pienta.

Reminder: Use of CIPE Is Not Permitted

ASPE reminds all members that use of the term CIPE (Certified in Plumbing Engineering) is not permitted in any format.

ASPE College of Fellows Is Accepting Nominations

The ASPE Kenneth G. Wentink College of Fellows honors ASPE members of established reputation who have made significant, sustained contributions to the plumbing engineering profession, the Society, or the plumbing industry in the areas of contracting or manufacturing. Any Society member may nominate any other member, but members may not nominate themselves. Click here for more information and nomination forms.

ASPEís New Jersey Chapter Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary

Congratulations to the New Jersey Chapter! On October 19, 1974, the charter for the New Jersey Chapter was signed by 38 Society members, two of whom are still chapter members: Hank Zdanowski (a member for 42 years) and Mike Scotillo (a member for 35 years). The NJ board would like to thank them for supporting the chapter over the years. The original charter members are Andy Ciffer, president, Manny Dios, 1st VP, Harold Spaeth, 2nd VP, Hank Zdanowski, 3rd VP, Michael Scotillo, secretary, and Phil McCarthy, treasurer. An anniversary celebration will be held in May.

ASPE Archived Webinars Offer CEUs

Click here to access ASPE archived webinars, which allows you to view and listen to previously recorded events at a time that is most convenient for you. Pay a small fee to earn quick CEUs.

EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

October 15: Philadelphia Product Show

ASPEís Philadelphia Chapterís product show will be held at the Ramada Philadelphia Airport hotel in Essington, Pennsylvania from 1:45ñ7 p.m. Free one-hour CEU seminars on Revit and rainwater harvesting will be held. Click here for more information.

October 22: Jets/Giants Stadium Tour

ASPEís New Jersey Chapter has organized a tour of the new Jets/Giants Stadium for the first 15 NJ ASPE members who sign up. The two-hour tour starts at 3:00 p.m. and will include lockers rooms, field, mechanical rooms, suites, seating, and a look at the 3D BIM model that was used for construction. The cost is FREE! You must preregister with Bob Copeland (732-988-9600) by October 15. Details will be given to those who register.

October 23: Kansas City Poker Night

ASPEís Kansas City Chapterís first annual Poker NightóChip in for Charity is being held at Nara in Kansas City, Missouri. The format will be a no-limit Texas Hold 'em tournament. The buy-in is $30 with proceeds benefitting Community LINC, a local Kansas City charity. Click here for more information.

November 9: Atlanta Product Show

ASPEís Atlanta Chapter is holding this event at the Retreat of Dunwoody from 2 to 8 p.m. Door prizes, hors díoeuvres, and a cash bar will be available at the free product show. Four seminars offering CEUs will be held. Contact Steve Mastley for more information.

November 12: Los Angeles-area Medical Gas System Design Seminar

ASPEís Los Angeles Chapter is offering this seminar from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at UA Local 250 Union Hall and Training Facility in Gardena, California. Cost is $50 for ASPE members and $75 for nonmembers. Registration deadline is October 24. Contact Rich Dickerson for more information.

NEW! Phoenix Product Show Being Held December 10

ASPEís Phoenix Chapter, with the ASHRAE Central Arizona Chapter, are holding this event at the El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium from 5ñ8 p.m. A free buffet, cash bar, and technical sessions with PHD credit will be offered. Contact Ben Madsen for more information.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Stay Fire Smart! Donít Get Burned

This week is the annual NFPA Fire Prevention Week, focusing on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires. Click here to learn more about this yearís campaign.

California Lead-free Rule Applies to Treatment Devices

The California Department of Public Health is in the process of writing a guidance memo that states that drinking water treatment units must comply with the lead-free definition in AB 1953 effective January 1, 2010, but that certification for the drinking water treatment units is optional. The memo is expected out sometime in late October.

School Water Found to Be Contaminated in All 50 States

An Associated Press investigation that analyzed a database showing federal drinking water violations from 1998 to 2008 in schools with their own water supplies found that unsafe and dangerous levels of pesticides, leads, and other chemicals and toxins have been found in such schoolsí drinking water across the country. About one in five schools has been found in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act over the past 10 years. The findings include:

• Water in about 100 school districts and 2,250 schools breached federal safety standards.
• Those schools and districts racked up more than 5,550 separate violations. In 2008, the EPA recorded 577 violations, up from 59 in 1998.
• California, which has the most schools of any state, also recorded the most violations with 612, followed by Ohio (451), Maine (417), Connecticut (318), and Indiana (289).
• Nearly half the violators in California were repeat offenders.
• The most frequently cited contaminant was coliform bacteria, followed by lead and copper, arsenic, and nitrates.

Do Green Buildings Make Employees More Productive?

In a study by the University of San Diego and CB Richard Ellis, which surveyed 534 tenants of LEED- or Energy Star-labeled buildings, 54.5 percent of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that employees were more productive in green buildings; however, 45 percent noted no change in productivity. Regarding worker health, 45 percent of respondents reported that they had experienced an average of 2.88 fewer sick days at their new office location vs. their previous non-green office location, yet 10 percent reported more sick days.

Desalination Technology Increases Naval Capabilities

The Office of Naval Research is sponsoring the development of an innovative solution for generating potable water at twice the efficiency of current production for forces afloat, Marine Corps expeditionary forces, and humanitarian missions ashore. The new desalination units will use 65 percent less energy and be 40 percent smaller by weight and by volume relative to current Navy reverse osmosis systems. Learn more about the project here.

China to Be the Largest Purchaser of Industrial Control Valves by 2012

Industrial Valves: World Markets published by the McIlvaine Co., concludes that by 2012, China will be buying $2.4 billion worth of valves, 10 percent more than the U.S. and nearly four times more than Japan. The Asian market has benefited from the stimulus package instituted by China, especially the municipal water segment. Following the top three purchasers are Russia, Germany, and Brazil. The total world valve market including butterfly, ball, gate, plug, and other valve types will rise to $54 billion in 2012, according to the report.

Philadelphia Proposes Green Plan to Use Storm Water

According to a report in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the city has announced a $1.6 billion plan to tackle its combined sewer overflow problems. Rain gardens, green roofs, thousands of additional trees, rain-harvesting barrels, and porous pavement will be used to reduce runoff.

EPA Releases Draft Showerhead Specification

The U.S. EPA has released for public comment its draft WaterSense specification for showerheads, which sets the maximum flow rate at 2.0 gpm at a flowing pressure of 80 psi.

Tampa Is Considering Toilet-to-Tap Proposal

According to an article in The St. Petersburg Times, Tampa voters may get to vote on a proposal to reuse treated sewer wateróthat otherwise would be dumped into Tampa Bayóas tap water.

Proposed High-Performance Building Standard Enters Fourth Public Review

Proposed ASHRAE Standard 189.1: Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings currently is open for an ìindependent substantive changeî review, so only changes from the third public review are open for comment. The public comment period will be open until November 2. Click here to view the draft.

Green Building and LEED AP Preparation Seminars Being Held Across the Country

Green Point US offers three seminars for those interested in learning about sustainability or studying to take the LEEP AP exam. These one-day seminars will be held in Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix this fall. Click here for more information.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Fire Alarm Control Panels Offer Flexibility

Gamewell-FCI by Honeywell Flex Series GF506R agent release panel features clean agent, dry chemical, and high-pressure CO2 suppression control capabilities. The Flex Series GF506D preaction/deluge panel is suited to hospitals, warehouses, schools, and other buildings typically protected by water-spray or foam-water sprinkler systems. 

First Welded Boot Tee Introduced

Simpson Dura-Ventís welded boot tee is designed for use in venting Category II, III, and IV gas-fired boilers and water heaters. It is available in 5- through 24-inch diameters, in single- and double-wall versions.