The deadline to apply is March 1.

I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season and welcomed the new year with family and friends. I always love the blank slate a new year brings, and 2023 is chock-full of new opportunities in the plumbing and HVAC industry.

Building codes and standards are the foundation of safe and sustainable communities. But what exactly are building codes built on?

Plumbing engineers can help minimize one of the main infection transmission highways by redesigning DWV piping systems in critical-care departments within these buildings.

This month marks the 28th anniversary of the founding of PM Engineer magazine. The magazine was started by four individuals: George Zebrowski, my publisher; Tim Fausch, the group publisher; Jim Olsztynski, my editor; and myself, the plumbing/mechanical engineer. Our concept was to create a new magazine addressing the wet side of plumbing and mechanical engineering.

One of my more recent work trips provided the opportunity to stay the weekend and catch up with one of my college girlfriends in North Carolina. I rode the Amtrak from Charlotte to Durham, where my friend met me at the station.

At the recent ASPE Convention and Expo, I visited friends at the Leonard booth. I was invited to see their new electronic thermostatic mixing valves. Simply stated, it was cool. The adjustment of the hot water temperature setting was quick and easy on the basic model. The other models can connect to the building management system, or even your cell phone.

Created by one of several task groups formed through the IAPMO Technical Services Group, this manual addresses all-gender toilet room design. 

The report recognizes the significant impact of buildings on the environment and the need for a coordinated set of solutions to support the achievement of energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals set by governments.

I am often asked, “How do you remove the stranglehold that the union has on the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code?” My answer is always the same — you outvote them at the Annual Conference at the end of the code change cycle.