Plumbing Industry Supports Legislation That Will Improve Water Quality and Efficiency |
The IAPMO Group and Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) applaud the House Science, Space and Technology Committee for advancing legislation this past week reauthorizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology and calling for the creation of a program for premise plumbing research.
During the July 27 committee mark-up of the bill, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) was successful in offering an important amendment to H.R. 4609, the National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021, that would authorize funding at NIST to conduct practical, water-related research on systems within homes and buildings, addressing critical issues such as water quality, efficiency, reuse, sustainability, and resilience.
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Minnesota Adopts Provisions of 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code |
The state of Minnesota has formally adopted the 2018 edition of IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®), with state-specific amendments, to form the 2020 Minnesota Plumbing Code. It is available for purchase from the IAPMO Online Store. As Chapter 4714 of the Minnesota State Building Code, it will be enforced as law effective Dec. 17.
Some of the key updates to the Minnesota Plumbing Code include:
New sound transmission provisions for plumbing piping systems. New provisions for trenching excavation and backfill, rehabilitation of piping systems, and Schedule 40 PVC and ABS DWV and storm pipe expansion table (Chapter 3)
New product standards for plumbing fixtures such as wall hung fixtures, waste fittings, lavatories, showers, bathtubs and whirlpool bathtubs, flushometer valves, sinks and eyewash stations; and signage for single-use toilet facilities (Chapter 4)
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Deadline to Submit Proposed Changes to 2024 National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC) is March 1 |
In order to facilitate the development of an updated National Standard Plumbing Code — Illustrated (NSPC), the IAPMO NSPC Committee requests proposed changes to the 2021 NSPC. All proposals are due by March 1, 2022. Proposals accepted by the technical committee will appear in the 2024 NSPC.
The NSPC uses an annual review process and publishes the complete code every three years. For a copy of the code change form with instructions or more information on the NSPC, please visit www.iapmo.org/nspc.
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Chicago Department of Public Health Tracking Increase in Legionnaires’ Disease Cases in July |
The Chicago Department of Public Health reported today an increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the city this month. In the first three weeks of July (1-21), 49 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in Chicago, which is about a 3-fold increase in cases compared to the same period in 2020 (16 cases) and 2019 (13). Among the 49 people with Legionnaires’ disease to date in 2021, 15 (31%) were admitted to the ICU and two individuals died.
CDPH issued an alert to local healthcare providers on July 9 reporting this increase in cases. A similar increase in illness has also been reported in Michigan. CDPH is investigating to find any common geographic or facility exposures. Legionnaires’ disease follows a seasonal pattern in Chicago, with an increased number of cases reported from June to October each year.
Prolonged building shutdowns or periods of limited use, as seen with COVID-19, can allow Legionella bacteria to grow and multiply in water systems. Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater lakes and streams but can also be found in man-made water systems. Warm water, stagnation, and low disinfectant levels can support growth in these water systems. Potable water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas and decorative fountains should be cleaned and maintained properly to prevent bacterial growth and spread.
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Dodge Momentum Index Pulls Back in July |
The Dodge Momentum Index fell to 155.8 (2000=100) in July, a 6% decline from the revised June reading of 164.9. The Momentum Index, issued by Dodge Data & Analytics, is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year.
Both components of the Momentum Index fell in July. Commercial planning fell 3%, while institutional planning dropped 9%.
The Momentum Index posted strong gains through much of the winter and spring as the economy and building markets began to stabilize following the recession. While the economy has continued its forward progress through the summer, the Index has regressed somewhat as higher material prices and shortages of skilled labor continue to exert a strong influence over the construction sector. Despite the declines in June and July, the Momentum Index remains near levels last seen in 2018. Compared to a year earlier, the Momentum Index was 25% higher than in July 2020 — institutional planning was up 27% and commercial planning was 25% higher than last year.
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EPA Wraps Up Public Engagement on the Lead and Copper Rule |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded public engagements around its review of the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) revisions. The agency obtained valuable input from the public, stakeholder groups, state co-regulators, Tribal representatives, local officials, and communities. This input will help inform the agency’s review of the LCR revisions as the agency determines next steps to ensure that the rule protects communities from lead—especially vulnerable populations.
“Listening to and learning from communities impacted by lead in drinking water is essential to ensuring that EPA’s actions protect all communities, especially communities of color and low-income communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These sessions gave EPA a more complete understanding of the adverse effects that lead exposure have on children and those with health concerns. Now we will apply these lived experiences to our work to strengthen drinking water protections.”
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DOE Intends to Issue a Funding Opportunity that Accelerates the Renovation of Buildings with Energy-Efficient Innovations |
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced its intent to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on behalf of the Building Technologies Office (BTO) entitled, “Advanced Building Construction (ABC) – 2021.” This FOA would fund research that could accelerate the renovation and construction of affordable, appealing, and energy-efficient buildings to ensure America has a carbon-neutral building economy by 2050.
There are almost 129 million non-industrial buildings in the United States that collectively use 75% of the nation’s electricity and 40% of its energy. Energy use in our buildings is responsible for 35% of our country’s carbon dioxide emissions. To achieve the Biden Administration’s 2050 goal of a carbon-neutral building economy, the energy efficiency of our building stock must improve significantly.
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IAPMO India Hires Nimish Shah as Managing Director |
IAPMO India Private Limited, provider of one-stop-shop services including model code and standard development, education, water filtration and plumbing product testing and certification for the maximization of product compliance, acceptance and public confidence, has hired Dr. Nimish Shah, Ph.D., as managing director.
A 25-year veteran of British multinational consumer goods company Unilever, Shah brings exceptional experience managing teams, building partnerships, driving innovation and implementing ambitious business plans. Most recently he served as managing director of India’s Toilet Board Coalition, shaping the nation’s program with a low-cost operating model and bringing new corporate members to the table. As a knowledge partner for the Indian government, Shah helped set up a Global Sanitation Centre of Excellence.
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Department of Education Releases Resource to Help Schools Improve Ventilation Systems to Prevent COVID-19 |
The Department of Education released a resource to help schools, colleges, and universities improve their ventilation systems to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and provide healthy learning environments. The resource outlines how American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds can be used to improve indoor air quality and is part of the Department’s broader efforts to support schools as they prepare to welcome students back to in-person learning this fall and build back better. The release of the resource coincides with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s visit to Kelley Lake Elementary School in Decatur, Georgia, that will use ARP funds to invest in indoor air quality improvements and will be offering in-person learning to all K-12 students for the 2021-2022 school year. |
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First Annual National Backflow Prevention Day, August 16 |
This year, for the first time – and for many years to come– the date August 16 will hold new significance to those whose lives are improved through backflow prevention. You might be surprised to know that, essentially, billions of people worldwide have backflow technology to thank for their good health.
August 16 has officially been registered as the new, nationwide day for backflow recognition (see National Backflow Prevention Day event page) in remembrance of the 2000 people who got sick, and the 98 who died, following a backflow incident that stemmed from the August 16, 1933 World’s Fair backflow incident in Chicago, IL.
Spearheaded by North Andover, MA based Watts, the purpose of National Backflow Prevention Day is to acknowledge the importance of backflow prevention, to help educate the public about how this life‐saving technology is used, and to recognize the water quality professionals responsible for installing and maintaining backflow preventers.
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2021 ASPE Tech Symposium
September 22-26, 2021
San Diego, CA
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IAPMO 92nd Annual Education and Business Conference - Virtual
September 26-30, 202
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WaterSmart Innovations 2021
October 6-5, 2021
Las Vegas, NV
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Water Demand Calculator Summit
November 4, 2021
Virtual
Save the Date - More Info Coming Soon
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Upcoming Training | Earn your Continuing Education with IAPMO training. |
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IAPMO is an approved provider for Continuing Education by USGBC, IACET, AIA and many local organizations and jurisdictions. Contact the IAPMO Training staff to register at 1-877-427-6601, or go to our website https://iapmolearn.org/ to register online. New training dates are added periodically!
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