ASPE College of Fellows Application Deadline Extended to March 31

The ASPE Kenneth G. Wentink College of Fellows is accepting nominations for the 2010 class. To simplify the process, we have divided the nomination form into three parts:

1. Nominee Background Form: It is recommended that the nominator ask the candidate to complete the form, as it asks for information such as professional experience about which the nominator may not know.

2. Nominator Form: The nominator must complete this form.

3. Reference Form: The nominator and two additional references must complete this form.

The nomination process is confidential. Thus, to maintain the integrity of the process, neither the nominator nor the nominee shall discuss the nomination with third parties. Nomination does not guarantee acceptance into the College. You can find the nomination forms and more information about the College here. 

Mark Your Calendar for ASPE’s First 2010 Webinar: How to Use BIM

On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, ASPE will present a one-hour webinar on “BIM: Content Creation for Plumbing BIM Models Using Revit MEP 2010.” Marvin Titlow from Michael Brady Inc. will teach participants how to create and use custom riser assemblies, modify out-of-the-box plumbing fixtures for scheduling purposes, and create customized families to help with plumbing calculations. Click here to register.

Join Us for the ASPE Open House

NOTE DATE CHANGE: On Friday, January 22, 2010, ASPE will be holding its official Open House at the new ASPE headquarters building at 2980 S. River Road in Des Plaines, Illinois. If you are in the Chicago area, please join us from 4–7 p.m. for drinks, appetizers, and camaraderie.

Start Planning Now for Next Year’s Biggest Plumbing Industry Event

The ASPE Convention and Engineered Plumbing Exposition will be held in Philadelphia, October 30 through November 3. In addition to dynamic professional development sessions, the biggest plumbing product exhibition in the country, and numerous social events, all attendees will have the chance to win a new car, so start planning today!

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

January 6: CPD Review Classes Start in Rochester

A group of designers in the Rochester, New York, area will be holding CPD review sessions every other Wednesday from 5:30–7 p.m. at M/E Engineering P.C. (150 North Chestnut Street, Rochester). Contact Bonnie McClellan for more information.

January 12: Interim Meeting for Proposed Seattle Chapter

The third and final interim meeting for the proposed ASPE Seattle Chapter will be held at the Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Seattle from 5:30–8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Patrick Cooper.

January 16: Omaha After-Holiday Party

ASPE's Omaha Chapter is holding its annual After-Holiday Party at Valentino's from 7:30–9 p.m., followed by bowling next door at Maplewood Lanes promptly at 9:30 p.m. Contact Mike Gregory to RSVP.

February 6: Central Florida Paintball Battle

ASPE’s Central Florida Chapter is holding this all-day event at Full-Throttle Paintball in Lake Helen, Florida. Anyone over the age of 10 is invited. Cost is $40. RSVP to Chris Farr.

NEW! Denver Table-top Product Show Being Held February 17

ASPE’s Denver Chapter is holding its Table-top Product Show tentatively on February 17. Those interested in reserving a table should contact Trevor Bromberg.

April 7: Houston Product Show

The ASPE Houston Chapter’s Product Show will be held in the Pavilion Center of the Sam Houston Race Park from 4:00–8:30 p.m. The booth preregistration deadline is Dec. 31. All booth spaces not reserved will be made available to all other exhibitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Jim Ivey (713-780-1600) for more information.

NEW! Chicago Product Show Being Held April 15

ASPE’s Chicago Chapter will be holding its annual Product Show at the White Eagle in Niles, Illinois. More information will be available soon.

NEW! Baltimore Golf Outing Being Held April 30

ASPE’s Baltimore Chapter will hold its annual Golf Outing at the Timbers at Troy in Elkridge, Maryland. All proceeds go toward the the Baltimore Chapter of ASPE Engineering Scholarship. Click here for a registration form or contact David Goodell for participation and/or sponsorship information.

NEW! Central Florida Product Show Being Held May 11

ASPE’s Central Florida Chapter, in conjunction with ASHRAE, will be holding its annual Product Show at the Orange County Fairgrounds. More information will be available soon.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Millions of Americans Are Drinking Dirty Water

A New York Times investigation has revealed that more than 20 percent of the nation’s water treatment systems have violated key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act since 2004, meaning that 49 million people have received water containing illegal concentrations of chemicals such as arsenic or radioactive substances like uranium, as well as dangerous bacteria often found in sewage.

National Drinking Water Database Launched

Environmental Working Group has created an online, searchable database of water test results from 48,000 communities in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The nonprofit organization started the project after it analyzed almost 20 million records obtained from state water officials and discovered that water utilities had found 316 pollutants in the tap water Americans drink.

Guide on Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings Being Developed

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers is forming a task group to develop a guide on the unique fire safety considerations associated with very tall buildings. The guide would provide information on topics that affect high-rises and their occupants during a fire, using performance-based fire protection engineering concepts. For a draft document scope, click here. 

EPA Releases HCFC Regulations

This week, the U.S. EPA published two rules that restrict the availability and use of HCFCs (including R-22) in 2010. One rule allocates allowances for the production and import of HCFCs. The other rule bans the sale or distribution (including import and export) of pre-charged air-conditioning and refrigeration products and components containing HCFC-22 or HCFC-142b. Learn more about the 2010 HCFC Regulations here.

Oregon Considering New Rules for Graywater Reuse

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently named a Graywater Advisory Committeeto write rules for capturing drain and laundry water and reusing it outdoors. Currently, those wanting to reuse graywater for irrigation must obtain a $6,000 permit and build an on-site treatment plant. Using graywater indoors, such as to flush toilets, is regulated by the state’s plumbing code.

USFA Launches Smoke Alarm and Fire Sprinkler Campaign

The Install, Inspect, Protect Campaign is part of the U.S. Fire Administration’s effort to reduce fire deaths and injuries across the nation by urging residents to install smoke alarms and sprinkler systems in their homes. At the campaign’s website is information on smoke alarms, residential sprinkler systems, and fire escape plans.

New York City Launches Green Buildings Plan

Last week, the NYC City Council passed the legislative components of the six-part Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, which is designed to achieve a 30 percent reduction in New York City’s annual greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.

EPA Releases Final Specification for WaterSense New Homes

WaterSense New Homes will be 20 percent more efficient than typical new homes and will feature WaterSense-labeled plumbing fixtures, Energy Star-qualified appliances, water-efficient landscaping, and faster hot water delivery systems. WaterSense-labeled homes can reduce water usage by more than 10,000 gallons per year and save enough energy annually to power a television for four years. If all of the new homes built in the United States each year were WaterSense labeled, more than 12 billion gallons of water would be saved.

San Francisco Introduces Green Building Financing

Mayor Gavin Newsome has introduced legislation to help finance the San Francisco Sustainable Financing Program (SF2) and San Francisco Sustainable Financing Special District, which will allow building owners to access affordable, city-sponsored financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements. The repayment obligation will be attached to the property, rather than the individual, and will be paid back through property taxes over the life of the financing.

Pilot Building Energy Labeling Program Launched

This week, ASHRAE launched the Building Energy Quotientprogram to encourage the building industry to find ways to cut energy use and costs. It will provide a detailed certificate with data on actual energy use, energy demand profiles, indoor air quality, and other information that will enable building owners to evaluate and reduce their building’s energy use.

Tourist Killed by Hotel Water

Guests at the Epic Hotel in Miami were relocated to another facility after a visitor died and two others were sickened after contracting Legionnaire's Disease. An investigation by county and state officials revealed that the hotel had installed a powerful water filter to remove chlorine from the city-supplied water, but the system also encouraged bacterial growth. The hotel currently is closed while its water system is being inspected and disinfected.

Bad Drywall Is Affecting Pipes and Wires

The U.S. Consumer Safety Commission has found a “strong association” between some imported Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and wires due to higher-than-normal levels of hydrogen sulfide gas emitted from the wallboard. The Interagency Drywall Task Force now is developing protocols that will identify homes with this corrosive environment and determining the effectiveness of remediation methods. Click here to learn more.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Butterfly Valve Makes Converting from Metal to Plastic a Snap

Asahi/America has introduced the Type 57L butterfly valve, an industrial quality thermoplastic valve that directly replaces metallic butterfly valves without any modification to the existing piping system. It is available in 3 to 8 inches as a lever-style or with a gear-operator. Standard models are supplied as wafer-style for installation between two flanges or factory equipped with 316 stainless steel lugs for end-of-line applications.