PM Engineer

The New And Improved pme!

Starting with the June 2010 issue, pme will be relaunched with a redesigned look (print, digital and online) and an expanded editorial focus. For more information on these exciting changes, click here.

Nonresidential Construction Starts Values Up

The value of nonresidential construction starts in March was 4.5% higher than in March 2009, according to Reed Construction Data. For the first quarter as a whole, starts rose 8.6% from the same period of 2009. Commercial starts fell 16% and industrial (manufacturing) starts dropped 9.4%, but institutional starts climbed 11.5% and heavy engineering starts jumped 28%.
  

Future Nonresidential Construction Indicators Negative

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported recently that its March Architecture Billings Index was 46.1, up from a reading of 44.8 the previous month. The producer price index for new and remodeling nonresidential building work by plumbers was -0.3% (new) and +0.5% (remodeling).

Tour & Andersson Hydronic College

Tour & Andersson is bringing its popular TA Hydronic College seminar series to consulting and facilities engineers across North America. For tour dates and registration information, click here. 

Speakers Wanted For ASSE Technical Seminar

The American Society of Sanitary Engineering is looking for speakers for the E.J. Zimmer Technical Seminar on Friday Nov. 12 at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as part of ASSE's Annual Meeting. For application guidelines (deadline is July 16), click here.

Grundfos Pumps Tour

The Grundfos "Pumps on Tour" is a fully equipped, mobile educational center for trade professionals in the residential, commercial and industrial pumping industry as well as the groundwater and irrigation industry. The tour will visit 48 cities during an eight-month span. To see where the tour will be stopping in the upcoming days, click here.

Chronomite Web Site

Chronomite Laboratories has announced it has launched a redesigned Web site for its line of point-of-use instantaneous water heaters. The new Web site can be found here.

GREEN SCENE

Green Schools

Illinois Senate Republic Leader (41st District) Christine Radogno has appointed Dan Bulley, executive director of the Green Construction Institute, to serve on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Task Force, a new initiative Illinois politicians hope will help public schools in the state become green buildings.

IGCC Public Comments Deadline

The International Code Council is seeking feedback on Public Version 1.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). The public comment period ends May 14. Following the consideration and approval of public comments, Public Version 2.0 will be posted for code change submittals beginning Nov. 3. The deadline for code-change proposals is Jan. 3. To downlaod a copy of the IGCC, click here.

Fire Safety-Green Web Site Launched

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) has launched a Web site, Bridging the Gap at www.GreenBuildingFireSafety.org that will bring together the complex issues relating to building in an environmentally sensitive manner while still meeting the overriding needs of fire safety for occupants and emergency responders.

Green Associate Training Module

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) celebrated Earth Day with the release of the Green Associate Training Module, the country's only DVD-based LEED Green Associate test prep program. The module prepares MCAA contractors and their staff for the newly developed LEED Green Associate professional credential.

Green Building Plan

The Associated General Contractors of America recently released "Building a Green Future," a new green construction plan outlining how the nation's buildings and infrastructure will become more efficient by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting energy consumption.

Roto-Rooter Green Living Program

Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service recently announced its RotoGreen plumbing program that is aimed at helping businesses conserve water and energy by going green.

World Plumbing Council Selects Analyst
Richard Prospal, current board member and international past president of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering, has been elected by the World Plumbing Council to undertake an analysis of a major medical facility in the Republic of Tajikistan, a struggling, landlocked country in Central Asia.

ASTM International Committee Elects Chairman
ASTM International Committee A04 on Iron Castings has elected William LeVan , EVP of the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute in Atlanta, as its new chairman. The 140-member committee is responsible for approximately 50 standards published in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. LeVan spent nearly 20 years as regional sales manager at U.S. Pipe and Foundry Co.

Video Checkout

On pme's Web site now, Uponor discusses its PEX piping systems, radiant cooling systems, wireless zoning thermostat system, building-wide IAQ system and more. To watch the video, click here.

It's Time To Get Serious About Sprinkler Retrofits...Again!
by Bob Miodonski

IAPMO Begins 2010 Code Cycle
by Julius Ballanco, P.E., CPD

Steam Room Design Brings Back Adolescent Fears
by Tim Fausch

This Is Bureaucracy On Drugs
by Jim Olsztynski

The Fire Sprinkler Debate
The newest installment of the Institute of Business & Home Safety's Disaster Safety Blog features a debate on the hot topic of fire sprinklers being required to be installed in newly built townhouses in 2010 and single-family homes in 2011.

Reverse Mentoring
by Joel Roel--Construction Links 

Got something to get off your chest? You, too, can be a blogger sharing opinions, insights and experiences with fellow professionals.
Send us your article or just tell us what you want to say by contacting Mike Miazga at miazgam@bnpmedia.com, or Bob Miodonski at miodonskib@bnpmedia.com.

AEC Store Corner Featured Product
Further your technical education and industry knowledge at the AEC Store.

Planning Drain, Waste & Vent Systems
How to design plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Covers systems that meet the latest code requirements for homes, commercial buildings, private sewage disposal systems, and even mobile home parks. Includes relevant code sections and many illustrations to guide you through the code requirements for designing drainage, waste, and vent systems. This practical guide to planning and drainage, waste and vent systems will help you prepare plumbing plans for just about any project you're likely to handle; residential, commercial, private sewage disposal systems, mobile home parks - even public toilet room layouts for the physically handicapped. It covers the entire subject, for basic plumbing principles to the final drawings. Emphasis is on designing systems that meet requirements for any of the popular plumbing codes. $29.95 CLICK HERE to order.

Visit AECStore.com to view view more products for PVF Pros.

Installation Diagram
Webstone's 11 x 17-inch laminated reference diagram depicts proper plumbing of systems and easily highlights the amount of time and leak paths saved by using the proper Webstone products in hydronic heating systems.

Digital 2010 Radiant Flooring
Guide Now Available
The 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide is an indispensable tool for engineers and other project team members. It provides all the information for making proper choices on flooring over radiant heating systems, including an updated directory of radiant floor product manufacturers.

To purchase printed copies of the 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide for $15, contact Stephanie Weingartz at weingartzs@bnpmedia.com, phone 248-244-1275, or visit www.AECstore.com.