The topic of water shortages is nothing new, as cities around the globe struggle with drought, water quality, supply constraints, and failing infrastructures. However, the idea of new plumbing codes and design standards working together to assist plumbing engineers in adding harvested rainwater systems to their design arsenal has been uncharted territory--until now.
With the publication of the 2010 IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement (GPMCS), 2012 IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), and the Rainwater Catchment Plumbing Engineering Design Standard by the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the plumbing industry now has authoritative tools at its disposal to standardize the safe and reliable use of rainwater for potable and nonpotable applications.
Rainwater harvesting provisions were introduced in the GPMCS and the UPC by the IAPMO Green Technical Committee (GTC) as part of a broader effort to reduce the energy and water consumption of plumbing and mechanical systems while ensuring that these systems are safe and reliable. The GTC is comprised of the broadest group of expert stakeholders ever assembled to develop sustainable plumbing and mechanical requirements. ASPE and ARCSA are well represented on the GTC and played a critical role in the development of the first model code provisions for rainwater harvesting.
Jeffrey L. Ingertson, CPD, FASPE, ASPE's vice president of membership, serves as ASPE's official representative, while Bob Boulware, immediate past president of ARCSA (and an ASPE member), represents ARCSA. Larry N. Oliver, CPD, FASPE, former ASPE president, and April K. Trafton, president of Donald Dickerson and Associates, round out the slate of plumbing engineering members of the GTC. Additionally, more than 20 sustainable plumbing engineering experts serve among the more than 125 members of the 12 task groups that operate under the GTC.
Click here to view the white paper. +
Related Stories
| Jan 16, 2012
Suffolk completes construction on progressive operating suite
5,700 square-foot operating suite to be test bed for next generation of imaged-guided operating techniques.
| Jan 15, 2012
Hollister Construction Services oversees interior office fit-out for Harding Loevner
The work includes constructing open space areas, new conference, trading and training rooms, along with multiple kitchenettes.
| Jan 15, 2012
Smith Consulting Architects designs Flower Hill Promenade expansion in Del Mar, Calif.
The $22 million expansion includes a 75,000-square-foot, two-story retail/office building and a 397-car parking structure, along with parking and circulation improvements and new landscaping throughout.
| Jan 15, 2012
535 Madison Avenue achieves LEED Gold certification
Class-A commercial building meets sustainability requirements of LEED Program.
| Jan 12, 2012
CSHQA receives AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Merit Award for Idaho State Capitol restoration
After a century of service, use, and countless modifications which eroded the historical character of the building and grounds, the restoration brought the 200,000-sf building back to its former grandeur by restoring historical elements, preserving existing materials, and rehabilitating spaces for contemporary uses.
| Jan 12, 2012
Stellar earns construction industry's most prestigious safety award
Now widely accepted as the construction industry's standard measure of safety performance, the STEP awards were established in 1989 to evaluate and improve safety practices and recognize outstanding safety efforts.
| Jan 12, 2012
Building independence: New take on female power
Memoir explores historic engineering project, women's empowerment era.
| Jan 12, 2012
3M takes part in Better Buildings Challenge
As a partner in the challenge, 3M has committed to reduce energy use by 25% in 78 of its plants, encompassing nearly 38 million-sf of building space.
| Jan 11, 2012
DOE announces guide for 50% more energy efficient retail buildings
The 50% AEDG series provides a practical approach for designers and builders of retail stores, and other major commercial building types, to achieve 50% energy savings compared to the building energy code used in many parts of the nation.
| Jan 11, 2012
Mortenson starts construction of Rim Rock Wind Project
Renewable energy contractor to build 189-megawatt wind project in Sunburst, Mont.
