Lake Forest, Calif. — Pfister, a trusted leader in the plumbing industry since 1910, is introducing American Plumber Stories, a docuseries that features the lives of plumbers throughout the U.S. The bi-weekly digital series, hosted by country music entertainer and Army veteran Craig Morgan, launches today at www.AmericanPlumberStories.com. American Plumber Stories aims to promote the Read more
Industry News
Lake Forest, Calif. — Pfister, a trusted leader in the plumbing industry since 1910, is introducing American Plumber Stories, a docuseries that features the lives of plumbers throughout the U.S. The bi-weekly digital series, hosted by country music entertainer and Army veteran Craig Morgan, launches today at www.AmericanPlumberStories.com.
Craig Morgan – Country Music Entertainer and Host of American Plumber Stories
American Plumber Stories aims to promote the plumbing trade to the next generation of professionals. The show highlights the stories of plumbers around the nation including how they got started in the plumbing trade and the passion they have for their profession. These stories show how they built a career that allows them to lead financially rewarding and fulfilling lives.
Featured will be plumbers and their unique hobbies such as car racing, kitesurfing and many other exciting stories. Each episode is entertaining but also highlights the true opportunity the plumbing trade has to offer those who are not aiming to pursue a college education or who are unsure which career path to take. Becoming an “American Plumber” is a true alternative. By foregoing significant student loan debt and entering a career early, young plumbing professionals can build a fulfilling life for themselves and their families.
The plumbing trade has been experiencing a significant shortage of workers. The most experienced professionals are nearing retirement age and are exiting the workforce. At the same time the number of men and women willing to learn the trade continues to decline. Today, special high school programs and vocational or trade schools are scarce for aspiring students who want a career in the trades. Compared to higher learning and the promise and perceived security of a corporate career, there is also a negative stigma attached to the plumbing profession. Academic achievement became more favorable and the idea of trade education was left behind.
“Young men and women who enter the workforce early can learn the plumbing trade and make it a long-term career. This also allows many to establish and build their own company. The goal of American Plumber Stories is to update the perceptions of the plumber profession in a documentary-style format. We need to engage with young people, sharing an authentic look at the plumbing trade today and real plumbers’ success stories to encourage a new workforce,” says Spencer Brown, Pfister’s Director of Sales and executive producer of American Plumber Stories.
“The goals of American Plumber Stories are to inspire, educate and entertain. Our hope is that the docuseries changes the image of the industry, helping to attract and recruit new talent.”
Initially 12 episodes will be released over the course of 6 months, starting August 2nd. Pfister partnered with chart-topping country music star Craig Morgan as an official brand ambassador and he’ll also host each episode. Morgan, who wrote and performed the docuseries’ original theme song “Good Life,” embodies the values of all those who work in the trade. His integrity, family values and grit echo the ideals of the “working man” and their passion for our Country which delivers on the narrative that each one of us deserves every opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
“I was very excited when Pfister approached me about this project – I am glad to help shine a light on the trade and see what Pfister is doing with American Plumber Stories to help inspire a new generation of plumbers.” says Morgan.
The campaign encourages implementation of the most up-to-date energy codes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and enhance resiliency and safety The International Code Council – the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions – launched its “Code on a Mission” challenge today which aims to have over Read more
The campaign encourages implementation of the most up-to-date energy codes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and enhance resiliency and safety
The International Code Council – the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions – launched its “Code on a Mission” challenge today which aims to have over a third of the U.S. population covered by the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by the end of 2023. To make this a reality, the Code Council is challenging the building industry and communities alike to update their building energy codes to meet or exceed the requirements of the 2021 IECC. Already industry leaders like Architecture 2030, the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC), Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA) have shown their support for the initiative.
As communities race to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase energy efficiency, modern and innovative energy codes are essential. Recognizing the increasing need for impactful tools and resources, the 2021 IECC incorporates significant improvements for both residential and commercial buildings over the 2018 edition including:
- Increased insulation requirements and reduced fenestration U-factors and solar heat gain coefficients for both residential and commercial provisions.
- New mechanical ventilation testing and exterior lighting requirements for residential buildings.
- Lower ERI path values and additional energy reduction requirements in the residential requirements.
- Updated mechanical equipment efficiency requirements, new provisions for data centers and plant growth lighting, and increased lighting efficacy and decreased lighting power density requirements for commercial buildings.
- Zero energy appendices for jurisdictions wishing to implement zero energy building requirements today.
On July 21, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its final determination finding that the residential provisions of the 2021 IECC provide a 9.4% improvement in energy use and an 8.7% improvement in carbon emissions over the 2018 IECC, saving homeowners an average of $2,320 over the life of a typical mortgage. Since 2006, the IECC has provided an approximately 40% improvement in energy efficiency, meaning that residents in states and cities on older IECC editions would see far greater savings. The Department has also released data on energy, cost and GHG reductions each state and many cities could achieve by adopting the 2021 IECC, which are available here.
With the zero-energy building goals set forth by the U.S. Administration for new construction by 2030 and 2050 for all buildings, it is imperative that national, state and local governments incorporate energy codes to meet their GHG reduction objectives and align with these goals. Additionally, states and localities have set either GHG reduction goals or established zero-energy building targets that will require an alignment with modern energy codes.
Currently, per the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 14 states have adopted codes that are at least 20% less efficient than the current IECC while another ten states have no statewide energy code adopted.
“Reducing society’s GHG emissions is no longer a ‘nice-to-do’ but rather a critical necessity, and governments, communities and the building industry as a whole are increasingly recognizing the contributions of buildings,” said Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation at the International Code Council. “Luckily, modern and innovative model building codes like the IECC have already been developed to significantly curb emissions and help achieve zero-energy buildings. We urge national, state and local governments to accept our challenge and members of the building industry to support code updates.”
Please visit iccsafe.org/iecc-on-a-mission:
- For more information on the “Code on a Mission” campaign.
- To learn more about the benefits of the adoption and implementation of the 2021.
- To report an adoption of a code that meets or exceeds the 2021 IECC.
- To become a mission supporter or to access adoption resources.
About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.
The website is designed to best support customer needs, optimizing user-experience and convenience Cherne Industries (Cherne), the industry-leading manufacturer of pipe plugs and testing equipment and part of the Oatey Co. family of companies, has launched its new website, CherneInd.com — a robust, easy-to-use hub for Cherne product information, customer support and helpful application resources Read more
The website is designed to best support customer needs, optimizing user-experience and convenience
Cherne Industries (Cherne), the industry-leading manufacturer of pipe plugs and testing equipment and part of the Oatey Co. family of companies, has launched its new website, CherneInd.com — a robust, easy-to-use hub for Cherne product information, customer support and helpful application resources.
The new website houses the brand’s full product catalog, allowing customers to search more than 700 Cherne products, including each product’s specifications, key features, FAQs and safety/instruction manuals. In addition to this technical information, as well as case studies and blogs, the website hosts online training opportunities and detailed, how-to videos.
The Cherne website is mobile-friendly and includes sophisticated navigation with enhanced functionality, making it simple for users to find the specific product they need across both the Waterworks and Plumbing categories. Visitors seeking additional help or information can also communicate in-real-time with a Cherne expert using the “Ask a Tech” functionality, conveniently located at the yellow question mark icon in the bottom right corner of each webpage.
“We’re thrilled to debut the new Cherne website,” says Katherine Lehtinen, Senior Vice President of Brand and Digital Marketing at Oatey. “Not only does it allow us to better serve and connect with the waterworks and plumbing contractors who rely on our products, but it also gives us an opportunity to share our story and reinforce a mission that’s so important to us — developing the best pipe plugs and testing tools to ensure safety and efficiency at jobsites across the globe.”
To explore Cherne’s new website and product catalog, go to CherneInd.com.
ABOUT CHERNE INDUSTRIES
Part of the Oatey Co. family of companies, Cherne Industries (Cherne®) is the industry-leading manufacturer of test plugs and testing equipment for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal piping systems. Based out of its state-of-the-art headquarters in Shakopee, Minn., Cherne’s products are manufactured with an unwavering commitment to safety and quality.
Available via Oatey Co.’s distribution network throughout North America and through partner distribution on every continent, Cherne products are relied upon by residential and commercial contractors, as well as industrial and municipal engineers, worldwide.
For more information, visit www.CherneInd.com, call 1-800-843-7584 or follow Cherne on LinkedIn.
ABOUT OATEY CO.
Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, with a commitment to delivering quality, building trust and improving lives. Today, Oatey operates a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution network to supply thousands of products for professional builders, contractors, engineers and do-it-yourself consumers around the world.
Oatey is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. For more information, visit www.oatey.com, call (800) 321-9532 or follow Oatey on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram
A. O. Smith Foundation, recently donated 30 of its high-efficiency water heaters to the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, located in Menasha, Wisconsin. The Foundation, which is funded by industry leading water heating brand, A. O. Smith, is committed to making communities a better place to live and achieves this goal by partnering Read more
A. O. Smith Foundation, recently donated 30 of its high-efficiency water heaters to the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, located in Menasha, Wisconsin. The Foundation, which is funded by industry leading water heating brand, A. O. Smith, is committed to making communities a better place to live and achieves this goal by partnering with and supporting charitable organizations in the communities where A. O. Smith operates. The company owns and operates Water-Right, a manufacturer of water treatment products and state-certified water testing lab located in Appleton, Wisconsin and employs over 75 individuals living and working in the Fox Cities area.
“We’re grateful for this very generous donation from the A. O. Smith Foundation and their longstanding support. Donations such as these are the lifeblood of our organization, and these water heaters will more than cover our annual needs in both our home repair and construction programs. We thank A. O. Smith Foundation for their contribution to our mission of ensuring everyone in the Fox Cities has a decent and affordable place to live,” said John Weyenberg, president and chief operating officer, Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity.
“We commend the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity for their efforts to empower families and inspire community-wide action to break the cycle of poverty, and we are proud to support this incredible organization doing such important work. Though this past year has been especially difficult, Habitat for Humanity continues to bring hope to families while building communities, one home at a time,” said Rita Schwalbach, foundation manager, A. O. Smith Foundation.
The foundation encourages A. O. Smith employees to live out the company’s values through getting involved with their respective communities. In 2020, the A. O. Smith Foundation provided support for over 200 nonprofit organizations totaling over $1.7 million.
About A. O. Smith
O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the Company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment and air purification products. For more information, visit www.aosmith.com.
About Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is an innovative leader in diverse housing solutions by empowering families and inspiring community-wide action to break the cycle of power.
St. Paul, Minn. — 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 at https://iapmomembership.org/store/2020-minnesota-plumbing-code/1126/. As Chapter 4714 of the Minnesota State Building Code, it will be enforced as Read more
St. Paul, Minn. — 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 at https://iapmomembership.org/store/2020-minnesota-plumbing-code/1126/. 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)
- New backflow protection provisions for chemical dispensers, new material provisions for pipes, tubes, fittings and joint methods for water supply and distribution, piping insulation, and new pressure testing for the hot- and cold-water supply system (Chapter 6)
- New material requirements for drain, waste, vent pipe and fittings (Chapter 7)
- New provisions for condensate waste and control (Chapter 8)
- Circuit venting (Chapter 9)
- Methods of testing storm drainage systems (Chapter 11)
- Updated ASSE Series 5000 testing procedures
- Appendix I — Installation standard for PEX tubing systems for hot- and cold-water distribution
- New Useful Tables
Also new to the UPC in 2018 is Appendix M, Water Demand Calculator (https://www.iapmo.org/water-demand-calculator/), representing the first major update to plumbing sizing requirements since the 1940s and giving plumbing professionals the opportunity to see firsthand how IAPMO is committed to developing new provisions toward improving water quality and safety, reducing construction costs, and saving consumers energy, water and money. The Water Demand Calculator predicts peak water demand for single- and multi-family dwellings when water efficient fixtures are installed. An independent study found notable cost savings when applied to residential structures.
The UPC was introduced in Los Angeles in 1928 and formally published as the Uniform Plumbing Code in 1945. It is developed using IAPMO’s consensus development procedures accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This process brings together volunteers representing a variety of viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on construction practices. Developed and subsequently republished at the conclusion of each three-year code cycle, the Uniform Codes are designed to provide consumers with safely functioning systems while, at the same time, allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies.