Many of the topics I have discussed in my column to this point have been about temperature considerations within the supply and return system based on recommendations in the community and right-sizing domestic water piping to reduce the overall volume of water in the building’s piping system. We’ve even discussed increasing intelligence to commercial plumbing systems to improve water management programs and reduce liability concerns. And all this writing is for what? To reduce the risk of legionella bacteria developing in the domestic water system.
These topics fall under what I call the “must-considers” of plumbing engineering responsibilities. They might not be in line with a code minimum requirement, but as an engineering community, we have a responsibility to uphold the health and safety of the public. And as these topics can be applied most every building type, they must be considered for every building a plumbing engineer will design.