After four grueling years at the Virginia Military Institute, upon graduation as an engineer, I decided to follow my own prudent path: I would find the best paying job in an area with the lowest cost of living that afforded me training opportunities. I knew myself well enough that I didn’t want to be stuck behind a desk; I desired interpersonal contact. I always aspired to be an engineering leader — and felt consulting would be the best route to that end.

Much of our learning in life comes from a consistent curiosity. Sometimes it can take years before we have an epiphany about something that may have puzzled us in the past. Experiencing that feeling of calm satisfaction wash over us after the initial spark of understanding is sometimes known as “Zen.”

It’s awards season for PM Engineer.

All hydronic systems designed around renewable energy heat sources — as well as those designed around conventional boilers — have at least one controller that measures and responds to temperature. Common examples are temperature setpoint controllers, outdoor reset controllers, mixing controllers and differential temperature controllers. Complex systems that operate in multiple modes, or use multiple heat sources, often have several temperature-based controllers.

The 7th Emerging Water Technology Symposium (EWTS) was held in San Antonio the second week of May. The Symposium is sponsored by the leading plumbing groups: IAPMO, ASPE, PMI, World Plumbing Council, and the Alliance for Water Efficiency. This two day Symposium always has some interesting presentations.

It’s been more than two years since I took over PM Engineer from my predecessor. What a wild and crazy time that was — the COVID-19 pandemic was just getting started and lockdowns were being mandated. Needless to say, I didn’t get out much that year, or even last year, for that matter.

 recently came across the December 1924 issue of Popular Science magazine. Reading stuff like that always makes me feel like I have a time machine.

Let us get down in the dirt, or at least “backfill.” A recent discussion on ASPE Connect’s “Open Forum” was entitled “Minimum Pipe Cover when Calculating Invert Under Building Slab for PVC Sanitary.”

“It couldn’t happen where I live.” Many in the United States probably thought that when watching the horror occurring in Flint, Michigan, from 2014 to 2016.

Some of us may remember a day when ketchup was placed in thick glass bottles with skinny necks. I’d like to meet the person who came up with that idea and kindly ask, “What were you thinking?”