2009 ASPE Region Meetings Announced

Region 1: June 5–6, Philadelphia

Region 2: June 5–6, Rochester, New York, contact Jennifer Wegender

Region 3: June 12–13, New Orleans, contact David Anelli

Region 4: May 29–30, Sacramento, California, contact Angela Bowman or click here for hotel reservations

Region 5: June 5–6, Kansas City, Missouri, contact Tim Smith

Register NOW for the Next ASPE Webinar: Natural Gas and Propane Sizing

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, which will look at the different methods of sizing natural gas systems that are available to plumbing engineers. 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.

Dallas-area Scholarship Announced

ASPE’s Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter is now accepting applications for the DFW ASPE Scholarship. In 2009, the DFW ASPE Chapter will be distributing two $2,000 scholarships to further the education of members or their families. Click here for more information.

Dallas-area Members Can Get Reimbursed for CPD Exam

ASPE’s Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter has set aside $5,000 to reimburse its members for CPD examination fees. To be eligible, you must be a member of the DFW Chapter and must pass the CPD examination. The program will run until December 31, 2010. Reimbursement is on a first-come, first-served basis and is not retroactive. For additional information, contact chapter president Bryan Hutton.

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.

April 16: New Jersey Backflow Preventer Roundtable Discussion

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 discuss the state’s backflow preventer inspection regulations. For more information, 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 is 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. Contact Rick Lobb for more information.

May 7: New Jersey Golf Outing

ASPE’s New Jersey Chapter's annual golf outing is being 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 are hosting their annual Spring Classic Golf Tournament at the Los Serranos Golf Course in Chino Hills, California. The chapters thank premium corporate sponsor Speakman Company. Click here for more information.

NEW! San Francisco Product Show Scheduled for May 13

ASPE’s San Francisco Chapter is holding its annual Technical Seminar and Tabletop Show at the Scottish Rite in Oakland, California. Check the chapter’s newsletter for more information.

New! Raleigh Golf Tournament Scheduled for May 15

ASPE's Raleigh Chapter is holding its annual golf tournament in honor of Norman Parks at the Riverwood Golf and Athletic Club in Clayton, North Carolina. Cost is $350 per foursome. Hole sponsorships are available for $150. For more information, contact Scott Sansbury at 919-772-4767.

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. Get three extra door prize tickets by preregistering at aspe-houston.com.

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.

May 29: Denver Golf Tournament

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. For more information, contact Rich Garner or Tim Butts.

June 2: St. Louis Golf Tournament

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. Hole sponsorships are available for $75. Contact Dave Bujnak for more information.

NEW! Central Ohio Golf Tournament Scheduled for June 23

ASPE’s Central Ohio Chapter is holding its annual golf outing at the Links at Echo Springs. Receive 10 percent off if you register before May 30. Check the chapter’s newsletter for more information.

NEW! Atlanta Golf Tournament Scheduled for June 24

The ASPE Atlanta Chapter’s annual golf outing is being held at 1:00 p.m. at The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farms in Woodstock, Georgia. Click here for a registration form.

INDUSTRY NEWS

ICC Clarifies NSF 61 Annex G Versus California 0.25 Percent Lead Legislation

As manufacturers prepare products for compliance with the 0.25 percent California lead legislation, some listing agencies claim they can certify these products in accordance with NSF 61 Annex G: Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure to a 0.25% Lead Requirement. At least one listing agency maintains it already has certified manufacturers’ products. The problem is there is no current existing protocol to certify products to the California lead legislation. Learn more here.

Maine Debates Mandated Residential Sprinkler Systems

Maine fire safety officials have lobbied the state to require sprinkler systems in newly built single- and two-family homes in the new state building code, but opponent consider the proposal unnecessary. Read more here.

New York City Begins Implementation of Automated Water Meter Reading

At the end of March, citywide installation of automated water meter reading technology began in New York City. The new wireless equipment will end the use of estimated water bills, giving homeowners and small businesses more accurate and timely records of usage, increasing their ability to identify how they can conserve water and reduce water bills. Modest reductions in water consumption could save New Yorkers more than $90 million annually. The savings could support the retention or creation of more than 550 jobs in New York City through increased economic activity from homeowner savings and increased available cash flow for businesses. The program will also provide savings for the City by increasing collection rates and eliminating the expense of paying for meters to be individually read. Click here to read more about the program.

Nevada Faulty Plumbing Lawsuit Settled

According to an article in the Las Vegas Sun, a judge last Friday sanctioned a $27.2 million settlement from Del Webb Communities and its Coventry Homes subsidiary in a class-action lawsuit regarding faulty Kitec plumbing systems.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

NSF Certifies First Pump Manufacturer to Pool/Spa American National Standards

NSF International has announced that AquaPRO Systems is the first pump manufacturer to receive certification to both NSF/ANSI Standard 50: Equipment for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Other Recreational Water Facilities and ANSI/UL 1081: Standard for Swimming Pool Pumps, Filters, and Chlorinators. Click here to view the official listing for AquaPRO Systems/Wayne Water Systems. By achieving certification, AquaPRO Systems can place the NSF Mark on its certified pumps. 

Large-diameter Butterfly Valves Offer Chemical Resistance and High Temperature Range

GF Piping Systems has introduced the Type 567 and 568 butterfly valves in large diameter sizes up to 8 or 12 inches. The new valves feature a disc and liner made of PVDF and PTFE seals to provide chemical resistance and performance capabilities across a wide temperature range. Suitable applications include chemical processing, chlorine electrolysis, chemical production, and sanitization in markets such as food and beverage, pulp and paper, and steel production.

Hybrid CPVC/PEX Plumbing System Offers Cost Savings and Flexibility

FBC Building Solutions’ hybrid plumbing system offers the flexibility of PEX for lines up to 1 inch and reduces the number of joints behind the wall. It also offers all the benefits of an all-CPVC system, including fast and easy installation, labor savings, and reliability. The system consists of non-metallic pipe, offering further corrosion and scale resistance, noise reduction, lightweight design, uncompromised water quality, greater energy efficiency, and less condensation.

Complete Lead-free Plumbing System Available

Uponor has introduced a complete line of lead-free brass transition fittings and valves that meet various states’ lead-free legislation and exceed the requirements of the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act. The fittings feature the ProPEX fitting system for strong, durable connections without the use of glue, solvents, torches, or gauges.