Industry News

We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this edition's sponsor -- Grice Engineering, Inc. Grice Engineering, Inc. is the exclusive designer and manufacturer of the Soffi-Steel System.  Their staff has been assisting architects, engineers and contractors with their mechanical concealment needs from conception to completion since 1994.  Along with credibility and service nationwide, they offer budgetary price estimates, project take offs, installation, and informational materials including samples. 

 

View www.soffisteel.com for further information.

 

To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Plumbing Engineer sales rep by visiting www.plumbingengineer.com.

 

---

 

California signs uniform codes into law

 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation permanently establishing the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ (IAPMO) model plumbing and mechanical codes as the basis for the development of the California Buildings Standards Code. 

 

Introduced by Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), Senate Bill No. 1473 seeks to clarify who has authority to develop building standards, including green building standards, for particular types of buildings and includes intent that the measure will not affect the ability of local governments to adopt changes to the building code.

 

Sec. 5 of the bill adds Section 18938.3 to the Health and Safety Code, to read: “(...) Those model codes designated in Sections 17922 and 18938 that continue to be published and updated shall continue to serve as the basis for the California Building Standards Code.” The bill establishes the Uniform Plumbing Code and the Uniform Mechanical Code, which were the basis for the 2007 triennial edition of the California Plumbing Code and California Mechanical Code, as the model codes for all future editions of the California code.

 

The signing of the bill is a major victory for both IAPMO and the people of California. As the most populated state in the nation, and as a leader in construction volume, it is essential that California's public's health and safety be protected through the establishment of sound provisions. For more than 80 years, IAPMO has been working in concert with government and industry to implement comprehensive plumbing and mechanical systems around the world. 

 

More facility professionals taking strategic approach to green practices

 

Facility managers are increasingly following a master plan when implementing sustainable practices and are tying their efforts to measurable goals and business strategy, according to the results of a new International Facility Management Association survey. The study, “Green Practices 2008,” shows that while recycling and energy conservation initiatives are being practiced by the vast majority of facility practitioners, financial challenges still present the biggest impediment to going green.

 

Based on a survey of 573 professionals from around the world, the new research report examines the forces driving sustainability, the green practices being employed and the challenges facility managers face in implementing sustainable initiatives.

 

While most survey respondents say they are implementing green building concepts without a master plan, 17 percent say they are adhering to one -- an increase of 9 percent over similar data from 2002. The percentage of respondents who say they have not implemented any green strategies and do not plan to fell from 16 percent in 2002 to only 5 percent this year.

 

Ninety-two percent of survey respondents say they are working to make their facilities more sustainable, and the same percentage say they have measurable goals related to sustainability. Seventy-nine percent say these goals are linked to their organization’s business strategy.

 

For more information, visit www.worldworkplace.org.

 

EPA 2008 report on children -- median lead levels declined 89%

 

EPA just issued a report on efforts to protect children from environmental hazards. The report is entitled Children’s Environmental Health: 2008 Highlights. The Agency’s findings highlight several major health issues for children, including the significant progress made on lead exposure reduction in the U.S. in recent years. Specifically, the report notes the median concentration of lead in children age 5 and younger declined 89 percent over the last three decades, from 15 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) in 1976-1980 to 1.6 mcg/dL in 2003-2004.

 

The full report with more details, including the lead reference on page 21, is at http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/2008_highlights.htm/$file/OCHP_2008_Highlights_508.pdf.

New Products

 

Utility concealment system www.soffisteel.com Are you perplexed by the sight of those exposed mechanicals?  Not certain how to remedy the appearance of that unattractive piping, plumbing, and HVAC in your facility?  Consider the Soffi-Steel System to be your economical, attractive and efficient concealment solution.  The Soffi-Steel System is entirely custom-fitted to your exact application needs.  Comes in various gauges, dimensions and finishes.  FM Approved. Grice Engineering, Inc.

HydroKing Commercial CPVC plumbing pipe line www.harvel.com HydroKing Commercial is a line of IPS SDR 11 CPVC hot and cold water plumbing pipe engineered specifically for multi-story commercial water systems in both new construction and retrofits. HydroKing® Commercial offers a cost-effective alternative to metal water systems and is easily installed using Schedule 80 CPVC fittings with solvent-welded joining techniques. Harvel Plastics, Inc.

GT Series of heavy-duty pumps www.taco-hvac.com The GT Series, a heavy-duty series of horizontal split case pumps in six models for large flow commercial applications, feature a cast iron casing and bronze impeller both built to ASTM standards along with a carbon steel shaft. The six models – 30037, 30066, 35024, 40032, 40070 and 45043 – come in 1160, 1450 and 1760 rpm versions and have a flow capacity between 5,800 to 17,500 GPM with heads up to 360 ft. GT Series pumps have a standard operating pressure of 175 PSIG and can handle fluid temperatures up to 250 F - 120 C. Taco Inc.

Large diameter press connect valves www.cimberio.com CimPRESS, the most complete line of press connection valves available, is getting bigger with the release of eight new large diameter valves in 2-1/2” – 4” sizes. Available in two versions: XLB, which are specifically designed for compatibility with Elkhart®’s XPress and Viega's XL press fittings, jaws and rings; and XLC, which are specifically designed for compatibility with Viega's XL-C press fittings, jaws and rings; the new valves include the 220XLB/XLC full port ball valve, the 30XLB/XLC inline check valve, the 80XLB/XLC swing check valve, and the 74XLB/XLC “Y” strainer. These new valves represent the most complete line of large diameter press valves as well as offer the only XL-C compatible valves. Cimberio Valve.

Movers & Shakers

At the recent 8th World Plumbing Conference in Calgary, Canada, GP Russ Chaney, executive director of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), was elected Deputy Chairman of the World Plumbing Council (WPC) effective Oct. 1 for a term of three years. Chaney, who previously served on the WPC’s executive board from 2002-2005, has represented the WPC at international meetings of the World Health Organization, WorldSkills competitions and earlier this year at the meetings of the Institute of Plumbing in South Africa.  Chaney succeeds former Deputy Chairman Robert Burgon of the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, who in Calgary was elected WPC Chairman. Their terms in office will end in September 2011, when the 9th World Plumbing Conference is to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland.