Sign Up Now for ASPE’s Newest Webinar on Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

On Wednesday, May 19, at 2 p.m. EST, ASPE is holding a webinar on NFPA 13D, the National Fire Protection Association standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in single-family homes, townhomes, and manufactured homes. Presented by fire suppression industry expert James R. Schifiliti of Fire Safety Consultants Inc., this webinar will help participants understand the requirements for residential fire sprinkler systems, including sprinkler types and spacing, obstruction rules, water supplies, and piping systems. Click here to sign up today!

LEARN ABOUT THE PLUMBING CODES AND BIM AT ASPE’S REGIONAL WORKSHOPS

ASPE is holding back-to-back, one-day workshops on BIM and the International and Uniform Plumbing Codes on May 24–25 in Chicago, May 26–27 in Dallas, and June 28–29 in the Washington, D.C., area. Registration is open, so click here to sign up now. Multiple workshop and employees discounts are available.

Articles on Vacuum Plumbing Systems Needed

Plumbing Systems & Design is looking for nonproprietary technical articles or case studies written by engineers on vacuum plumbing systems. To propose an article, e-mail Gretchen Pienta.

ASPE Is Accepting Applications for Executive Director

At the end of this year, Stan Wolfson will be retiring after 15 years as ASPE’s executive director, and the Executive Director Search Committee currently is accepting applications for the position. Candidates must have at least 10 years of progressively responsible executive management experience and leadership of nonprofit associations. Click here for a detailed job description and information on how to submit an application.

New ASPE Membership Manuals Are Available Online

ASPE has published two new manuals for members and chapter officers. How to Start a Chapteris an indispensible guide to forming a new ASPE chapter, including sample meeting agendas and press releases, as well as tips for recruiting members. Nominating Committee Handbookexplains how to run for a position on the ASPE board of directors, including a step-by-step timeline of the nomination process.

What Is the Parmalee Head?

In just a few weeks, you will be able to look it up in the ASPE Plumbineering Dictionary, an essential technical reference book. Watch for the sales brochure in the mail. ASPE members can get this resource at an unbelievable bargain price of $29.95.

How Did Hunter Develop His Famous Curves?

Three of Roy B. Hunter’s original research documents are now available for pre-order from ASPE. Although they have been out of print for years, you now have an unbelievable opportunity to purchase a reproduction of all three for the amazing member price of $59.95. Watch for the order form in your mail.

What Is the Best Way for ASPE to Go Green at the 2010 Convention?

According to our recent poll, 50 percent of respondents believe that providing a thumb drive containing technical session materials instead of handing out printed copies is the best way for ASPE to green its 2010 Convention. Click here to place your vote or comment on the options.

EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

May 7: Dallas Golf Outing

ASPE’s Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter is holding this event at the Prairie Lakes Golf Course in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Cost includes golf, prizes, and lunch. Click here to register.

May 11: Central Florida Product Show

ASPE’s Central Florida Chapter, in conjunction with ASHRAE, is holding this event at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Click here for more information.

May 14: Los Angeles Golf Outing

ASPE's Orange County and Los Angeles Chapters are hosting this event at the Los Serranos Golf Course in Chino Hills, California. The chapters give a special thank you to the following event sponsors: Sloan Valve (Gold Sponsorship); FBC Building Solutions and Speakman Co. (Silver Sponsorships); Westmark Enterprises/Zurn (Bronze Sponsorship). Go to aspeoc.com more information.

May 21: Denver Golf Outing

ASPE’s Denver Chapter is holding this event at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Broomfield, Colorado. Hole sponsorships are available. Contact Tim Butts (720-217-8771) for more information.

May 25: Western Michigan Golf Outing

ASPE’s Western Michigan Chapter is holding this event at the Quail Ridge Golf Club in Ada, Michigan, starting with lunch at 11:15 a.m. The registration fee includes golf cart, lunch, and dinner. For more information, e-mail ASPEWestMichigan@gmail.com.

June 4: Raleigh Golf Tournament

ASPE’s Raleigh Chapter is holding this fundraising event at Riverwood Golf Course in Clayton, North Carolina, starting with an open driving range at 8:45 a.m. Cost includes green fee, cart, beverages, and lunch. For more information, contact Scott Sansbury.

June 8: St. Louis Golf Outing

ASPE’s St. Louis Chapter is holding this outing at the Warrenton Golf Course, with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. Click here for more information (page 11).

June 15: San Diego Golf Outing

ASPE’s San Diego Chapter is holding this event at the Carlton Oaks Lodge and Country Club in Santee, California, starting with free driving range privileges at noon. Registration includes golf cart, range balls, and drink tickets. Contact Mike Adkins for more information.

June 18: Chicago Golf Outing

ASPE’s Chicago Chapter is holding this event at Hilldale Country Club in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Lunch and beverages will be served, and after the event will be a cocktail hour and buffet dinner. Contact Steve Triphahn to register.

June 18: Pittsburgh Golf Outing

ASPE’s Pittsburgh Chapter is holding this event at the River Forest Country Club in Freeport, Pennsylvania, starting with lunch at 11 a.m. Cost includes golf, cart, locker room, lunch, dinner, and prizes. Contact Joe Starr (412-782-3357) for more information.

NEW! Cleveland Minor League Baseball Outing Being Held June 19

ASPE’s Cleveland Chapter is holding this event at Eastlake Ballpark at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9 and include a box seat behind the third base dugout and fireworks. Send your request for tickets no later than May 21 to mclem@wrldesign.com.

June 21: Buffalo-Niagara Golf Outing

ASPE’s Buffalo-Niagara Chapter is holding this event at Bridgewater Country Club in Fort Erie, Ontario, starting with lunch at noon. (An enhanced driver’s license or passport is required for border crossing.) Cost includes lunch, green fee, cart, and dinner. Contact Irv Gareleck (716-316-3545) for more information.

June 22: Central Ohio Golf Outing

ASPE’s Central Ohio Chapter is holding this event at the New Albany Links Golf & Country Club in New Albany, Ohio, with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The registration fee includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner, beverages, and prizes. For more information, contact Chad Dupler.

June 23: Atlanta Golf Outing

ASPE’s Atlanta Chapter is holding this event at the Golf Club at Bradshaw Farms in Woodstock, Georgia, with a shotgun start at noon. Proceeds help the ASPE Scholarship Fund. Click here for a registration form.

NEW! Interleague Evening at Camden Yards Being Held June 25

ASPE’s Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Chapters have 50 tickets to watch the Baltimore Orioles host the Washington Nationals at Camden Yards on Friday, June 25, at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available for $6 each. Contact Ben Ploskonto RSVP.

June 30: Milwaukee Tailgate Party

ASPE’s Wisconsin Chapter is holding an outing at Miller Park to watch the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Houston Astros. Price includes transportation to and from the game, drinks and food, and a ticket. Click here for more information.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Drinking Water Week Focuses on Water Quality

The theme of this year’s Drinking Water Week is “Only Tap Water Delivers,” drawing special attention to drinking water quality, water safety and conservation, and the importance of water infrastructure. To commemorate the occasion, water utilities, environmental advocates, and others will celebrate drinking water through school events, public presentations, and community festivals.

May Is Building Safety Month

ICC and the International Code Council Foundation have expanded Building Safety Week into a month-long Building Safety Month campaign to expand opportunities and increase awareness about the critical importance of designing and building safe, sustainable, and green structures in the United States and worldwide. The campaign kicks off with Energy and Green Building Week, followed by Disaster Safety and Mitigation Week, Fire Safety Week, and Backyard Safety Week.

Learn More About the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill at This New Website

EPA Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico is an online resource for anyone seeking information on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, including the spill's impact on the environment and the health of nearby residents. It is intended to track the EPA's ongoing work in the area and to help answer questions about the incident.

LEED for Neighborhood Development Is Launched

The USGBC, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Congress for the New Urbanism have announced the launch of the LEED for Neighborhood Developmentgreen neighborhoods rating system, which integrates the principles of smart growth, new urbanism, and green building to help reduce urban sprawl, increase transportation choice and decrease automobile dependence, encourage healthy living, and protect threatened species. The rating system encourages development within or near existing communities and/or public infrastructure to reduce the environmental impacts of sprawl. It also strives to create healthy, safe neighborhoods in which people from a wide range of economic levels and age groups can live and work together.

Remains of Ancient Plumbing Engineering Found in Mexico

A water feature found in the Maya city of Palenque, Mexico, is the earliest known example of engineered water pressure in the new world, according to a collaboration between two Penn State researchers, an archaeologist and a hydrologist. How the Maya used the pressurized water is, however, still unknown. Similar to an aqueduct, the spring-fed conduit drops in elevation approximately 220 feet, and the cross-section decreases from about 10 square feet near the spring to about ½ square foot at the outlet. The combination of gravity and the sudden restriction of the outlet causes the water to flow out of the opening forcefully, under pressure. At the outlet, the pressure exerted could have moved the water upwards of 20 feet. Learn more here.

MasterFormat Updates Announced

This is the first update under MasterFormat’s new annual revision cycle, and it incorporates changes suggested by MasterFormat users. It is also the first time that CSI and CSC have defined a new division under the 50-division format adopted in MasterFormat 2004. The primary changes include a new division, Division 46 – Water and Wastewater Equipment, which significantly expands the document’s coverage of environmental engineering specifications; revisions to Division 44 – Pollution and Waste Control Equipment, so that it complements the addition of the new Division 46; and new specifications related to polished concrete (Division 03). For more information, visit masterformat.com.

New Residential Fire Sprinkler Contractor Accreditation Announced

Due to an upswing in demand for residential fire sprinkler systems, the Center for Public Safety

Excellence (CPSE), the International Code Council (ICC), and the National Fire Sprinkler

Association (NFSA) have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding that includes the creation of a new Commission for the Accreditation for Dwelling Fire Sprinkler Contractors. For more information on this program, e-mail pmgresourcecenter@iccsafe.org.

Public Water Supply Investments Help Boost Construction

Increases in public-sector construction spending, driven by stimulus funds, helped boost total construction activity by almost $2 billion between February and March, according to a new analysis of federal spending figures by the Associated General Contractors of America. The figures show that the stimulus has gone from slowing declines in construction spending to contributing to increases. Construction spending in March was at an annualized rate of $847.3 billion, an increase of 0.2 percent from February. Private sector construction spending declined 0.9 percent, with the largest declines in communications, lodging, and power construction. Public-sector construction increased 2.3 percent during the same time frame, with the largest increases in water supply, power, and transportation construction. These areas received significant funding from last year's stimulus law, so unfortunately the increases are unlikely to last once the stimulus runs its course.

How Dry Is Your City?

America's Drought-Riskiest Cities, a new report by Sperling’s BestPlaces, measures the severity of drought in the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Los Angeles tops the list of drought-plagued cities, with its recent annual rainfall only 25 percent of normal. Following Los Angeles are San Diego; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Calif.; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.; Salt Lake City; Nashville; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Birmingham, Ala.; Greenville, S.C.; and Knoxville, Tenn.

How Thirsty Is Your City?

Forbes recently released its list of America’s 10 Thirstiest Cities, and once again four California cities have the dubious honor of being included. Greater metropolitan Los Angeles comes in first, followed by San Diego. Bakersfield takes fifth place, while Sacramento ranks eighth. 

New Online Tool Makes It Easy to Find Clean Water Act Violations

The U.S. EPA has developed a webpage offering basic information about Clean Water Act violations across the country from its Annual Non-compliance Report. The interactive tools allow users to view information on 40,000 Clean Water Act dischargers throughout the United States and records of enforcement acts taken by state environmental agencies.

Can Microbes Clean Groundwater?

A researcher at the Idaho National Laboratory investigating whether microbes actively break down pollutants in groundwater has found that naturally occurring microbes can be key cleanup allies, helping degrade contaminants such as pesticides, gasoline, diesel fuel, heavy metals, and industrial solvents cheaply and effectively. This is due to a process called co-metabolism, in which the enzymes that microbes use to break down food molecules like methane also degrade contaminants. Learn more here.

ASHRAE Rescinds News Release on Non-chemical Water Device Project

ASHRAE has decide to suspend further announcements about its research project “Biological Control in Cooling Towers Using Non-chemical Water Treatment Devices” because the committee responsible for the project has not yet reviewed the final report. Significant variances exist between the preliminary results of the study and actual field results recorded by non-chemical device manufacturers, and this aspect of the study will be reviewed by the committee, which may indicate the need for further research.