Welcome to ASPE Pipeline! Since so many people were on vacation due to the Fourth of July holiday, we are sending last week’s scheduled ASPE Pipeline today, July 6.

ASPE Members: Take Advantage of Our Compassion Waiver of Dues

If you become unemployed or have suffered a reduction in income due to illness, disability, or the like and your membership comes up for renewal, ASPE offers a Compassion Waiver that allows you to defer dues in three-month increments and still remain a member of the Society. Consider taking advantage of this waiver to remain in good standing and continue receiving all the benefits ASPE membership offers. Contact Membership Director Stacey Kidd for more information.

Registration is NOW Open for the Next ASPE Webinar: Fire Suppression Using Clean Agents

On Wednesday, August 5, at 1:00 p.m. CST, Jim Schifiliti will present our next webinar, which will cover basic plan review, inspection, and system testing requirements for gas suppression systems. Cost is $69.95 for ASPE members and $129.95 for nonmembers. Participants can earn 0.1 CEU or 1 PDH. Click here to register.

ASPE Launches Building Fund

President Julius Ballanco has sent all ASPE members a letter and pledge form for the new ASPE Building Fund, which will be used to help upgrade and pay down the mortgage for our new headquarters. The new membership dues invoice also contains an area to make donations to the fund, ASPE asks all members to help the Society build equity in the asset by contributing whatever they can to this fund.

Attention Chapter Presidents: Annual Reports Due

To continue receiving chapter dues rebates after September 2009, you must submit your chapter’s annual report and be rechartered. Treasurer’s reports are due July 15. Send a hard copy of the report, signed by both the chapter president and treasurer, to the ASPE office and your region director.

Chapter Officers: Make Your Own Certificates at aspe.org

Now available in the chapter officers section of aspe.org, you can create and print your own chapter award certificates within minutes with the ASPE Chapter Certificate Creator. How easy is it? Listen to what Dave McGill, CPD, says: “I have always wanted a better way to acknowledge our meeting speakers other than personally thanking them. I made a Certificate Acknowledgement of Leadership for our outgoing President Mike Gregory, and it only took a few minutes. What a useful tool! The sample wording makes putting the certificate together a snap. I want to thank Society for providing this useful tool for the local chapters!”

Have You Checked Out ASPE e-Learning Courses?

If you're looking to increasing your skill set, learn a new procedure, or just want to increase your opportunities for advancement, ASPE e-Learning is the most convenient and affordable way to achieve those goals. We offer a complete set of e-learning courses to help you increase your knowledge or earn CEU/PDH credits.

ASPE Archived Webinars Offer CEUs

Click here to access ASPE archived webinars, which allows 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.

Register Now for the Premier Educational Event in 2009!

ASPE and the Plumbing Contractors of American are co-hosting the 2009 Plumbing Engineering and Contracting Technical Symposium, October 22–25, in Dearborn, Michigan. Don’t miss your chance to learn about residential fire sprinkler systems, solar energy systems, and rainwater harvesting systems, as well as many other exciting topics. A special hands-on BIM session will be offered as well. Register here now.

EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

July 15: Minneapolis-area Golf Outing

ASPE’s Minnesota Chapter is holding its golf tournament at Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeville, Minnesota. Cost is $95 for ASPE members and $125 for nonmembers. Click here for a registration form (page 15).

July 18: Ride to the Rock in Chicago

ASPE’s Chicago Chapter’s annual motorcycle rally benefitting the Leukemia Research Foundation starts at Glen Ellyn, Illinois at 10:30 a.m. A stop will be made around 11:15 in Elburn, Illinois, to pick up additional bikers. All bikes are welcome and the donation is tax deductible. To participate, contact Jason McDonald (847-328-3555, ext. 204) or RideToTheRock@gmail.com. 

July 20: Meeting to Inspire a Seattle Chapter

A free networking and educational meeting to bring together those interested in starting an ASPE Seattle Chapter will be held at the Courtyard Seattle Bellevue/Downtown. Topics discussed will be how to organize a Seattle chapter, a review the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code, CSST, and rainwater harvesting. RSVP with Jeff Ingertson.

NEW! Lake Geneva Dinner Cruise Being Held July 31

Join the ASPE Wisconsin Chapter for a dinner cruise on the steam yacht Louise from 6–8 p.m. Cost is $80 per couple. RSVP to Robb Hopper.

NEW! Minneapolis Medical Gas Seminar Being Held July 28

ASPE’s Minnesota Chapter is holding this class at Cedars Hall, Saint Maron’s Church in Minneapolis from 1–4 p.m. Cost is $50 for ASPE and ASHRAE members, $100 for nonmembers, and free for students. For more information, contact Alan Allmon.

August 3: Johnstown-area Golf Outing

ASPE’s Johnstown Chapter is holding its golf tournament at the Windber Country Club in Salix, Pennsylvania. Cost is $100 per golfer (includes lunch and dinner). Contact Jim Spinelli for more information.

August 6: Cleveland-area Golf Tournament

The joint ASPE/ASSE golf outing will be held at Fowlers Mill Golf Course in Chesterland, Ohio. Cost is $115 per golfer (includes dinner). Click here for a registration form (page 3).

NEW! Rochester-area Golf Outing Being Held August 17

ASPE’s Rochester Chapter’s annual golf outing is being held at Victor Hills Golf Club in Victor, New York. Cost is $70 per golfer. Sponsorships are available. Contact Robert Wind (585-292-1590) for more information.

NEW! Boston-area Golf Outing Being Held August 21

ASPE’s Boston Chapter is holding their annual golf outing at the Wayland Country Club in Wayland, Massachusetts. Cost is $100 per person for golf and dinner. Hole sponsorships are available for $100. Contact John Carter for more information.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Will Biofuels Harm America’s Water Sources?

In the report The Water Footprint of Biofuels: A Drink or Drive Issue?, Rice University scientists warn that the United States must be careful to take potential water resource damage into consideration when developing biofuels as an alternative to imported oil. The report points out that fuel crops require large quantities of water and that water pollution is exacerbated by agricultural drainage containing fertilizers, pesticides, and sediment. It analyzes the amount of water needed to grow particular crops used to produce biofuels and notes that certain crops yield more biofuel energy while using less land, fertilizer, and water.

U.S. and EU File Complaint over China’s Trade Restrictions

Last week, the Obama administration and the European Union announced that they plan to jointly file a complaint at the World Trade Organization over China’s trade restrictions on exports of key raw materials used to manufacture products such as baseball bats, contact lenses, and plumbing fixtures. The export restraints are significant because China is the largest global producer of many of the raw materials in question—bauxite, coke, zinc, silicon metal, silicon carbide, fluorspar, yellow phosphorous, magnesium, and manganese.

Hard Water Can Quickly Clog Showerheads

According to the preliminary results of a study conducted by Battelle Memorial Institute, untreated hard water can rapidly lead to clogged showerheads, in some cases possibly as soon as a year and a half of regular use. After just one week of constant testing with hard water, more than three-fourths of showerhead nozzles became clogged, according to laboratory results. Showerheads using softened water, meanwhile, performed nearly as well as on the day they were installed. In addition to the showerhead tests, engineers are examining the longevity of clothes washers, water heaters, and dishwashers using hard water versus softened water, as well as how much energy savings softeners can provide homeowners. The final research report is scheduled for September 2009.

ICC Introduces Green Construction Code

On Monday, the International Code Council launched its International Green Construction Code (IGCC), which will reduce energy usage and the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. The initiative is committed to develop a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings, focusing on building design and performance. The American Institute of Architects and ASTM International are cooperating sponsors for important project.

Sears Tower to Undergo Historic Green Retrofit

Last Friday, plans were announced for the most significant sustainable modernization project of an existing building ever undertaken. The project will result in energy savings and reduced carbon dioxide emissions from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, reducing base building electricity use by up to 80 percent. Water savings will be realized through upgrades to restroom fixtures, condensation recovery systems, and water-efficient landscaping, which will reduce water usage by 40 percent and save 24 million gallons of water each year.

ASHRAE Introduces Prototype of Building Energy Label

The Building Energy Quotient program, which will be known as Building EQ, will include both asset and operational ratings for all building types, except residential. ASHRAE is working with major real estate developers to implement the label prototype this fall with a widespread launch of the full program in 2010.

Suburban Chicago Woman Fined for Potty Planters

According to the Daily Herald, a Lakemoor, Illinois, woman who refuses to remove front-yard flower planters made from two toilets and a bathroom sink has been fined $25 by police for violating a local law stating that items that are no longer safely usable for the purpose for which they were manufactured are prohibited. The woman has retained a lawyer and is planning on fighting the fine in court, saying the Lakemoor law is unconstitutional.

Vermont Updates Fire and Life Safety Codes

The state of Vermont has updated its statewide adoption of NFPA 1: Uniform Fire Code and NFPA 101: Life Safety Code to the 2006 editions. The adoption became effective on June 15, 2009.

Registration Now Open for 2009 Valve and Pump Market Outlook Workshop

The Hydraulic Institute (HI) announced that registration is now open for the 2009 Market Outlook Workshop in Chicago, August 13–14. Organized by the Valve Manufacturers Association, the Workshop is focused on key valve and pump industry markets. Registration details can be found at www.Pumps.org.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

High Efficiency Toilet Includes Integrated Sink

Caroma’s Profile Smart HET incorporates a sink into the lid of the toilet tank for increased water savings. The Profile Smart is dual flush, using 1.28 gallons of water per flush (gpf) for a full flush and 0.8 gpf for the half flush. When the Profile Smart is flushed, fresh cold water is directed through the faucet for hand washing. This water then drains into the tank to be used for the next flush.

Reclaimed Water Tubing Now Available for Graywater Systems

Uponor’s AquaPEX Reclaimed Water tubing offers flexibility, durability, and corrosion-resistance with a layer of purple coloring to designate the tubing for graywater systems. It is available in ½-, ¾- and 1-inch 300-foot coils and is backed by a 25-year limited warranty when installed by an Uponor-trained plumbing professional.

Irrigation Pump Systems Offer Energy Savings

ITT Flowtronex’s enhanced FloBoy pump system is available in two energy-efficient configurations: small (250 gpm and 125 psi) and mid (450 gpm and 140 psi). The VFD technology improves system efficiency with simple touch screen controls and highly accurate flowmeter technology that allows for precision irrigation and control, even at low flows.