PM Engineer

ASHRAE Publishes Green Standard
A new standard for the design of high-performance green buildings has been published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in conjunction with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, covers everything from site location to energy use to recycling, and covers key topic areas similar to green building rating systems: site sustainability, water use efficiency, energy ef¬ficiency, indoor environmental quality and the building's impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources. For complete information on the standard, including a readable copy, visit www.ashrae.org/greenstandard.

ASSE Deactivates 1016-1996 Listings
On Jan. 4, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering removed all listings to the 1996 edition of the ASSE Standard 1016, Performance Requirements for Individual Thermostatic, Pressure Balancing, and Combination Pressure Balancing and Thermostatic Control Valves for Individual Fixture Fittings. Click on the headline for more information.

Grundfos Introduces "Thinking Buildings" Site
Grundfos' Thinking Buildings Universe is a new web site from Grundfos Building Services, offering contractors and engineers a complete range of information and tools on commercial pumps to help make their building projects come together more smoothly. From quick-reference terminology, theories and e-learning, to sizing tools and sustainable pumping solutions, thinkingbuildings.com delivers everything specifiers and installers need to identify and size the correct technologies for their applications. Click the headline for more information.

TOTO Partners With AIA
The American Institute of Architects announced an agreement with TOTO USA, Inc., as part of the Strategic Partnership Program. This initiative will be limited to eight companies that closely align with the Institute's strategic initiatives and mission. The AIA and TOTO USA have agreed to partner in the areas of thought leadership that are demonstrated strengths of TOTO globally: innovation, technology, sustainable practices, and socially sustainable design (the confluence of Green and Universal designs).

BLUCHER Is Now Part Of Watts
BLÜCHER North America is now part of Watts Water Technologies . The company will continue to offer its line of stainless steel drain, shower, channel and pipe products, which compliments Watts' current line of drainage products. Click on the headline for more information.

Finalists Selected For MCAA Student Design Competition
On Jan. 13, a panel of judges selected the four Mechanical Contractors Association of America student chapter teams that will make oral presentations of their bid proposals at MCAA's 2009-2010 Student Chapter Competition, March 29, during the MCAA convention in San Francisco. The teams are from the University of Washington, Colorado State University, University of Wisconsin - Stout and Oregon State University. Read more about it by clicking the headline.

PEX Kept In California Plumbing Code
The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA) on December 31, 2009 filed an appeal of a ruling by a lower court on the question of the approval of Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) piping in the California Plumbing Code. The ruling addressed the adequacy of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on PEX prepared for the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) as a condition of code approval. The appeal keeps in place the regulations, which took effect August 1, 2009, approving the use of PEX in the California Plumbing Code.

Industry Confab Slated For PMI Spring Meeting
The upcoming Spring Meeting of the Plumbing Manufacturer's Institute will feature a host of domestic and international speakers in a roundtable covering topics affecting plumbing manufacturers. Confirmed participants iin the March 16 program include: Mary Ann Dickinson, Alliance for Water Efficiency; Mike Adelizzi, American Supply Association; Ralph Suppa, Canadian Institute of Heating and Plumbing; Peter Censky, Water Quality Association. Others invited but not yet confirmed include: Julius Ballanco, American Society of Plumbing Engineers; Jack Sims, World Toilet Organization; Tim Fisher, Plumbing Products Industry Group; Yvonne Orgill, Bathroom Manufacturers Association; Christian Taylor-Hamlin, Bathroom Manufacturers Association; Robert Burgon, World Plumbing Council; Ike Casey, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors; Linda Luna, HD Supply. The PMI Spring Meeting will take place March 14-17 at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. Visit www.pmihome.org to register.

Pump Standard Reviewers Wanted
The Hydraulic Institute (HI), under the approval of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is seeking qualified individuals in North America to participate in the review process for the draft of updated Standard ANSI/HI 1.4 Rotodynamic (Centrifugal) Pumps for Manuals Describing Installation, Operation, and Maintenance.  This guideline applies to rotodynamic (centrifugal and vertical) pump types. Individuals and organizations located in North America directly and materially affected by this standard are asked to contact Karen Anderson, Administrator, Technical Affairs, at kanderson@Pumps.org or call (973) 267-9700 x123.

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Meantime, check out what others have been asking lately.

What About Green?
by Joseph Sanchez

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by Tim Fausch

Trade Associations Need To Make People Feel Welcome
by Jim Olsztynski

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Send us your article or just tell us what you want to say by contacting Jim Olsztynski at olsztynskij@bnpmedia.com, or Bob Miodonski at miodonskib@bnpmedia.com.

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