ASPE’s Open House Is Next Friday

ASPE will be unveiling the Chapter Building Foundation Plaque at its official Open House at the new ASPE headquarters (2980 S. River Road in Des Plaines, Illinois). If you are in the Chicago area on January 22, please join the ASPE staff and board of directors for refreshments and camaraderie from 4–7 p.m. Call 847-296-0002 for directions or more information.

Help Teach Teens about Plumbing Engineering

ASPE is offering an educational package for plumbing engineers to use at local high schools and community colleges during National Engineering Week (Feb. 14–20). The kit includes a PowerPoint presentation and a hands-on waterless urinal demonstration. Contact Donna Novickas for more information.

ASPE Starts the Search for Its Next Executive Director

The ASPE Executive Director Search Committee is beginning the search for a replacement for current Executive Director, Stanley Wolfson, who will retire December 31. Stan became the executive director on Jan. 1, 1996, after trekking cross-country from Westlake, California, to Chicago. His first order of business was to see if the key he had been given actually fit in the Society’s new office. (It worked just fine.) The committee soon will be releasing information regarding the search and how you can apply for the position. The next executive director is expected to officially begin his/her duties in conjunction with the swearing in of the next Society board of directors at the 2010 Convention Banquet, November 2, in Philadelphia.

BIM Part 2: ASPE’s Next Webinar Is Feb. 24

Enjoyed the first webinar on BIM? Register now for BIM Part 2: Hands-on Instruction on How to Use Revit MEP 2010. Instructor Marvin Titlow will teach participants how to design a fire pump layout using Revit MEP 2010 via a step-by-step demonstration, as well as how to cut sections and apply them to sheets. Attendees should have prior knowledge and use of Revit MEP 2010.

ASPE Convention Is Going Green

The economy and the environment are at the top of everyone’s mind this year, which is why ASPE is going to take drastic measures to reduce both costs and the amount of waste generated at the 2010 Convention. You can help by starting to budget now to attend the Convention and EPE in Philadelphia, Oct. 30–Nov. 3. Your participation will help ASPE put on a quality professional development event.

Want to Present a Session at the ASPE Convention?

ASPE is soliciting presentation proposals for the 2010 Convention. Click here for more information or to submit a proposal online.

Have Any Government Contacts? Let Us Know!

With the hiring of our grants manager, ASPE has a number of proposals ready for distribution to various federal agencies. If you know someone who would provide a sounding board for a Society proposal, please let us know. The federal contracting business is all about contacts, and we need your help to start getting involved.

PS&D Seeks Articles on Siphonic Roof Drainage

If you are interested in contributing a nonproprietary, design-oriented feature article or case study on siphonic roof drainage systems, contact Gretchen Pienta.

Registration for the CPD Exam Is Open

The 2010 exam will be held April 16 or 17 at 200 testing sites throughout the U.S. and Canada. Full members are automatically approved to sit for the exam. The deadline to register is March 19. Click here for more information and to register online.

Alfred Steele Scholarship Deadline Is January 31

This scholarship is limited to ASPE members and their immediate families enrolled in an engineering program. Click here for more information.

ASPE College of Fellows Application Deadline Extended to March 31

The nomination forms and more information about the College can be found here.

ASPE Archived Webinars Offer CEUs

ASPE archived webinars allow 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 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.

NEW! San Francisco Engineered Plumbing Systems Class Starts January 21

On Thursday, January 21, 2010, the ASPE-sponsored “Engineered Plumbing Systems” class will begin. The class will be held on Thursday evenings from 7–10 p.m. at City College of San Francisco. Register online here.

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! Charlotte Solar Seminar Being Held February 9

ASPE’s Charlotte Chapter is holding an all-day Solar Hot Water Systems Design Seminar at Charlotte Pipe in Charlotte, North Carolina. Cost is $25 for ASPE members and $35 for nonmembers (includes lunch). Contact Laura Pelchat for a reservation form.

February 17: Denver Tabletop Product Show

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

NEW! Kansas City Product Show Being Held February 24

The 2010 ASPE Kansas City Chapter Plumbing Product Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Overland Park West Holiday Inn in Overland Park, Kansas. A seminar on alternative joining systems will be presented. Click here for more information.

March 7: Philadelphia Hockey Night

Join ASPE’s Philadelphia Chapter as the Philadelphia Flyers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sunday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25, and you must RSVP by February 5. Contact Dawn Bishop for more information.

NEW! Western Michigan Tradeshow Being Held March 11

The Western Michigan Chapters of ASPE, ASHRAE, and PHCC are holding a free plumbing tradeshow from 3:30–7:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Contact Paul Sisovsky for more information.

April 7: Houston Product Show

ASPE’s 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. Contact Jim Ivey (713-780-1600) for more information.

April 15: Chicago Product Show

ASPE’s Chicago Chapter will be holding its annual Product Show at the White Eagle in Niles, Illinois. To provide input or to get involved in the planning, contact Frank Sanchez.

April 30: Baltimore Golf Outing

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

May 11: Central Florida Product Show

 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

Can a Giant Straw Solve the World’s Water Crisis?

Water Is Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing accessible clean water solutions, has introduced a global initiative to provide millions of people instant access to safe water through an oversized drinking straw. The straws, which can be worn around the necks of users, filter disease-infested water via a multiple-stage process. The first stage removes particles as small as 15 microns. The water then passes through a chamber filled with iodine crystals, killing bacteria and viruses. In the final phase, a fine charcoal filter removes bad taste. Each straw costs approximately $10 and provides clean water for an entire year.

New Law Forces D.C. Landlords to Publish Energy Use

A Washington, D.C., law that went into effect on January 1 requires building owners to start measuring the energy use of new and existing commercial buildings using the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool and publicly disclose their energy ratings to prospective tenants and buyers starting Jan. 1, 2012. The gap is intended to give owners time to reduce their buildings’ energy usage before reporting requirements begin.

What Will Be the Top Green Building Trends in 2010?

Several green building organizations have weighed in with their opinions, and they agree that water- and energy-efficiency will continue to be a hot topic.

• Earth Advantage Institute
• Yudelson Associates
• Earth2Tech

New Sensor Can Detect a Common Toxin in Drinking Water

Engineers at the University of Michigan have developed a new biosensor infused with carbon nanotubes that can quickly and inexpensively detect microcystin-LR, a chemical compound produced by blue-green algae that can cause liver damage. Many water treatment plants can't remove the toxin completely, nor can they test for it often. The technology easily could be adapted to detect a variety harmful chemicals or toxins in water or food. Read more here.

India Considers Green Rating System for Government Buildings

The Indian government is considering adopting the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) for all new planned government and public-sector buildings. The system was developed to rate buildings in different climatic zones, and the government has introduced incentives for using GRIHA that include waiving registration fees to promote design and construction of green buildings.

U.S. Government Is Fast-tracking Green Patents

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Patent and Trademark Office is piloting a program to accelerate certain green technology patent applications to encourage the development and deployment of green technologies, create jobs, and promote U.S. competitiveness. Pending patent applications in green technologies will be given special status and expedited examination, reducing the time it takes to patent these technologies by an average of one year. Click here for more information.

EPA Wants Your Input on Storm Water Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold five listening sessions to provide information to the public about a potential rule to strengthen storm water regulations and to establish a comprehensive program to reduce storm water from new development and redevelopment. These potential regulations would help reduce storm water discharges that can harm water quality into nearby waterways. Click here for a schedule of the sessions.

PUBLICATIONS

New Report Debunks California Water Myths

Myths about California’s water problems and their solutions are hindering the development of effective policies to manage one of the state’s most important natural resources, according to a report released by the Public Policy Institute of California. California Water Mythshighlights eight fallacies its authors say are hindering progress on the state’s water discussions and provides background and evidence for the realities behind the myths.

Updated LEED Reference Guide Addenda Released

Addenda to the various LEED 2009 Reference Guides have been updated and can be found here. The USGBC recommends that project teams adhere to the Reference Guide addenda based on their project’s registration date.

Green Building Standard Moves Closer to Release

In December, proposed Standard 189.1: Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings was approved for publication by ASHRAE, IES, and USGBC. The standard is undergoing the final stages of the ANSI consensus development process and may be available later this month. Click here for more information.

Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement Is Available for Pre-order

IAPMO’s Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement will be available on February 1. The publication spells out sustainable plumbing and mechanical building practices in simple, straightforward code language. It complements adopted plumbing and mechanical codes by introducing additional language pertaining to water and energy efficiency, HVAC system commissioning, the use of alternate water sources, and increased indoor environmental quality.

PROGRAMS

ANSI-accredited WaterSense Certification Is Now Available

IAPMO R&T has been accredited by ANSI to provide third-party certification services for a wide range of products seeking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense label, including faucets and faucet accessories, high-efficiency toilets, and high-efficiency flushing urinals. Manufacturers wishing to have their products identified as meeting the WaterSense criteria must have them certified as such by a qualified third-party certification body.

ASSE Introduces a Lead Content Certification Program 

The American Society of Sanitary Engineering’s Lead Content Certification Program for new and current ASSE listings will verify products having less than 0.25 percent maximum average lead content. The program allows manufacturers to demonstrate their compliance to new state regulations, and the test is based on protocols set forth by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Click here to download a copy of the lead content certification test report form.