NEWS

Long-time ASPE Member Dies
James L. Breese, owner of James Breese & Company in San Francisco, passed away on March 14. A memorial service is being held tomorrow, March 27, at the Neptune Society's Columbarium, One Loraine Court, San Francisco, from 3 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jim Breese ASPCA Memorial Fund.

Get in the Know: Plumbing for Public Safety
ASPE wants the public to know that the Society is concerned about the public’s health, welfare, and safety and that we won’t stand for unsafe or unjust plumbing practices. A new blog, Plumbing for Public Safety, is being created to do just that. Is an issue in your local plumbing engineering community causing concern? Contact Gretchen Pienta and we’ll help get the word out.

Getting the Word Out
Along with the blog, ASPE is introducing a major communications extravaganza. For issues in which ASPE takes a stand, we will send media alerts to thousands of newspapers across the country, as well as to state and U.S. legislators. Our first distribution will be on residential sprinklers, with a series of three information packages, each taking a slightly different view, but all in support of the new mandate.

Other possible areas of interest are super low-flow water closets and perhaps the latest commotion on brass in fixtures. Have an issue you would like ASPE to tackle? Send an email to ASPE's executive director.

Register NOW for the Next ASPE Webinar: Natural Gas and Propane Sizing
Need to know how to size natural gas and propane? It’s all calculations and no theory. On Wednesday, April 15, at 1:00 p.m. CST, David Anelli will present our next webinar on Natural Gas and Propane Sizing. This webinar will look at the different methods of sizing natural gas systems that are available to plumbing engineers and designers. Cost is $69.95 for ASPE members and $129.95 for nonmembers. Participants can earn 0.1 CEU or 1 PDH. Don’t miss this opportunity! Click here to register.

Don’t Miss Out! CPD Exam Registration Deadline Is April 3
The 2009 CPD exam will be held April 17 or 18 depending on the test taker’s chosen location. Four CPD practice examinations are now available. The fee is $75 per practice exam. Click here to register and take a practice exam.

ASPE’s Career Center Connects Job Seekers and Employers
At this online resource, job seekers can post resumes and view jobs listed by top engineering firms around the country. Employers seeking highly skilled plumbing industry professionals can post jobs and view resumes. Visit it today!

EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Need a quick CEU or PDH for registration or licensing? Check out ASPE's growing education program offerings on our website.

NEW! Las Vegas Product Show Being Held Today
ASPE’s Southern Nevada Chapter is holding this event at the UA Plumbers Pipefitter JATC, 750 North Lamb Blvd, Las Vegas. Technical seminars are at 10:00 a.m. (PEX) and 1 p.m. (water hammer), and the product show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free to all who attend. Contact Paul Mikologic for more information.

New Orleans Golf Tournament Being Held Tomorrow
The 15th annual ASPE/ASHRAE tournament will be held at Colonial Country Club at noon. Cost is $175 per golfer or $500 per foursome. Contact Doug Ruckman for more information.

NEW! CPD Review Seminar Being Held in Maryland March 28
ASPE’s Baltimore and Washington, D.C., chapters are holding a review seminar for the CPD exam this Saturday from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at AMES Inc., 8918 Herrmann Drive, Columbia, Maryland. Contact David Bailey (202-742-1437) for more information.

April 8: Buffalo-Niagara Trade Show
The ASPE Buffalo-Niagara Chapter/PHCC trade show is being held from 2:00–7:00 p.m. at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew, New York. Contact Dorothy Reddy for more information.

NEW! New Jersey Backflow Preventer Roundtable Discussion Being Held April 16
At this joint meeting of ASPE’s New Jersey Chapter and the New Jersey Engineers Club, engineers, manufacturers, inspectors, certified backflow preventer testers, and contractors will hold a roundtable discussion about enforcing the state’s backflow preventer inspection regulations. Space is limited to 60 people. For more information or register, contact Bob Copeland.

April 16: Chicago Product Show
ASPE’s Chicago Chapter’s Product Show is being held at the White Eagle Restaurant in Niles, Illinois. Technical seminars start at 11:30 a.m., and the product show starts at 3:30 p.m. Product show and all seminars are free. CEUs are available. Click here for more information.

April 18: Dallas-area Casino Night
The fifth-annual ASPE Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter Casino Night will be held at the Grapevine Municipal Golf Course Concourse in Grapevine, Texas. Doors open at 5 p.m., gaming starts at 6 p.m., and an auction begins at 9 p.m. Cost for this adults-only event is $30. Click here for more information.

April 24: Central Florida Golf Tournament
ASPE’s Central Florida Chapter is holding its annual golf tournament at the North Shore Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. Cost is $75 per golfer or $300 per foursome. Hole sponsorships are available for $100. For more information, contact Dale Peterson at 407-487-1122.

May 1–2: Advanced Plumbing Design Course in Lubbock 
ASPE’s Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter is holding this course on laboratory system design and fire protection design. Cost is $150 for ASPE members, $250 for nonmembers, or $275 to take the course and join ASPE. A $50 student rate includes the class and student membership in ASPE. Click here for more information.

May 7: New Jersey Golf Outing
ASPE’s New Jersey Chapter's annual golf outing will be held at The Architects Golf Club in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. All teams that register as Platinum Sponsors will be entered in the Corporate Challenge. Contact Fred Holzapfel for more information.

May 8: Southern California Golf Tournament
ASPE’s Orange County and LA Chapters will be hosting their annual Spring Classic Golf Tournament at the Los Serranos Golf Course in Chino Hills, California. The chapters thank Speakman Company for being the premium corporate sponsor. Click here for more information.

May 20: Houston Product Show
ASPE’s Houston Chapter is holding its annual product show at the Sam Houston Race Park in Houston. For more information, contact Cyril Unger at 713-871-8484.Those who preregister at aspe-houston.com get three extra door prize tickets.

May 27: Quebec City Golf Tournament
The ASPE Quebec City Chapter will hold this event at the Grand Portneuf golf course. Click here for details.

NEW! Denver Golf Tournament Being Held May 29
ASPE’s Denver Chapter’s golf tournament will be held at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Broomfield at 8:00 a.m. Registration deadline is May 1. Cost is $110.00 per person. Those interested in playing, hole sponsorship, or making door prize contributions should contact Rich Garner or Tim Butts.

NEW! St. Louis Golf Tournament Scheduled for June 2
ASPE’s St. Louis Chapter’s golf event will be held at the Warrenton Golf Course at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $85 per player, which includes breakfast, soda, beer, and lunch. Hole sponsorships are available for $75. Contact Dave Bujnak for more information.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Abu Dhabi Unveils First Uniform Plumbing Code
The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) has published the first Uniform Plumbing Code “Abu Dhabi and the Guide for Water Supply and Sanitation,” based on the 2006 International Uniform Plumbing Code. This is in line with Abu Dhabi’s efforts to achieve maximum efficiency in water consumption. The code is considered to be one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced plumbing codes ever developed. It addresses the needs of Abu Dhabi, while providing a sustainable process for future development. The code will help to dramatically reduce water consumption in the emirate by detailing the specifications and design required for water supply and sanitation technologies, including for public restrooms and restrooms adjacent to mosques. It will help enhance use of solar technology for domestic water heating as well as vacuum drainage systems that provide an alternate method of waste removal, gray and black water waste systems and reduction of wastewater requiring treatment as a result of water conservation.

Anti-sprinkler Bill Defeated in Illinois
A statewide legislative bill (SB1980) that would have eliminated the ability of local communities to adopt or enforce requirements for home fire sprinklers has been defeated in the Illinois Senate. A group of supporters let their voices be heard with phone calls, letters to officials, and testimony at a committee meeting. The Illinois bill was defeated by a 6-to-3 vote in committee. Looking for a list of all anti-sprinkler legislation in the country? Click here.

American National Standard for Drinking Water Products Incorporates New Requirements for Regenerated Water Treatment Media
NSF International announced new requirements in NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components—Health Effects. The new requirements establish criteria for the inspection of regeneration facilities and periodic testing of regenerated media by certification organizations. NSF/ANSI Standard 61 also requires that the regeneration and reactivation facilities have a robust quality system, which includes ongoing evaluation of contaminants in the raw source water being treated and an evaluation of the regeneration process to verify removal of these contaminants.

Long Beach City Council Passes Fire Sprinkler Mandate
The City Council unanimously approved new fire safety rules on Tuesday for high-rise and multi-unit apartment buildings. Long Beach Fire Department officials described how this new rule, which also applies to hotels and motels with 50 or more units under one roof, requires owners of such buildings to install fire sprinklers or take alternative measures. Click here to read the article.

Four Homebuilders Settle in Plumbing Lawsuit
Attorneys for William Lyon Homes and RL Homes confirmed that they have agreed to settle their claims regarding faulty Kitec plumbing systems. An estimated 30,000 homes in the valley were built with Kitec brand plumbing systems, which use a yellow brass fitting that corrodes the zinc in the brass alloy. The 5-year-old lawsuit seeks a complete replumb of homes with the Kitec fittings that were installed since 1995. Kitec maker IPEX settled for $90 million in February. Builders Del Webb and Richmond American Homes also have reached settlements, but the suit seeks damages from dozens of remaining builders and plumbers. Click here to read the article.

NFPA Conference and Expo Being Held June 8–11
The 2009 NFPA Conference and Expo is being held at McCormick Place in Chicago. More than 5,000 fire and life safety professionals are expected to attend. The conference features more than 130 education sessions as well as more than 300 organizations and companies exhibiting products and services related to fire protection. Click here for more information or to register.

ASHRAE Launches Commissioning Certification Program
ASHRAE’s Commissioning Process Management Professional program recognizes those with optimal knowledge of the entire building commissioning process. The program is ideal for individuals given a commissioning role who may not have a building HVAC&R background. The program helps building owners, developers, operators and others recognize individuals capable of assuring that building systems and equipment are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to their operational needs. Individuals must meet certain eligibility qualifications to take the exam. Click here for more information, an exam content outline and available resources for exam preparation.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Solar-powered Faucet and Flushometers Highlighted on New Spec Sheet
Sloan Valve Company’s SOLIS flushometers and the SOLIS faucet, which utilize state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology, are now available on one spec sheet for handy reference. The solar-powered faucet and Flushometers use light to charge a highly efficient capacitor, providing power even in rooms with occupancy-controlled lighting. Visit sloanvalve.com for a free copy of the spec sheet.

Brass Plumbing Products Comply with New Legislation
Beginning July 1, 2009, BrassCraft will offer new brass stops, solid brass fittings, and Speedi Plumb PLUS connectors that comply with California and Vermont legislation, effective January 1, 2010, which limits the lead content of pipes, fittings, and plumbing fixtures intended to convey or dispense water for human consumption through drinking or cooking.

Hydro-Generator Powers Faucet Without Batteries or Transformer
T&S Brass has introduced a hydro-generator for its ChekPoint electronic faucet line. A self-contained power source, the Hydro-Generator creates and stores its own power with the flow of water and alleviates the need for a transformer or batteries.

UV-resistant Clear PVC Pipe Introduced
Harvel Plastics has introduced EnviroKingUV, a clear PVC piping that is suitable for exposure to sunlight. UV blocking technology reduces harmful ultraviolet light wavelengths from penetrating the plastic while allowing beneficial wavelengths through. It offers a cost-effective solution for photobioreactor use and other outdoor applications exposed to sunlight where transparency is required.