Industry News

Original dates of January 25-27, 2021 have been officially postponed; March 15-17, 2021 continues to be considered with a final decision expected by October 15, 2020

AHR Expo Show Management today announced the postponement of the original planned Show dates of January 25-27 for the 2021 AHR Expo in Chicago. Both McCormick Place and Choose Chicago , an organization dedicated to bringing visitors to Chicago, recognize how vital the Show is to the city and have offered Show Management the dates of March 15-17, 2021 to host the HVACR industry. In a survey conducted by AHR Expo, the proposed move to March is preferred by nearly 80% of exhibitors and attendees. The decision to postpone the original planned January dates was difficult, however, the AHR Expo, ASHRAE and AHRI are encouraged about hosting a live event in March and continue to explore feasibility. A final decision will be announced no later than October 15, 2020.

“We continue to exhaust all possibilities that will allow us to host a safe and successful event for all industry stakeholders,” said Mark Stevens, Show Manager. “But we have to take into account that there are barriers for allowances within the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago that we cannot control. We remain cautiously optimistic that we can meet together in Chicago in March.”

In consideration of the significant planning and preparation required to participate in the Show, AHR Expo Show Management, along with co-sponsors ASHRAE and AHRI, will make the final determination and announcement on or before October 15th. While six months remain between now and March, a decision to make a final call well in advance will allow both exhibitors and attendees to more easily plan.

Throughout the spring and summer, countless meetings have been held to explore all possible avenues in order to produce a safe and successful Show in Chicago. In partnership with Show co-sponsors and the advisory committee, Show Management has been in close contact with McCormick Place, the city of Chicago, Show vendors, and other officials to provide the best guidance to host the event. These meetings will continue throughout the month as all options are considered.

“All of us in the industry understand the vital role HVACR plays in the world. We at AHR Expo know the importance of the Show in providing a unique environment where members of the HVACR community can congregate to learn, share, and grow as professionals while experiencing all that’s new in the industry,” continued Stevens. “I think we all understand the challenges this year has presented thus far, and while HVACR has emerged as a primary player in how we can hope to combat COVID-19 and other pandemic threats of the future, there are safety, governmental, and practical considerations that have to be taken into account.”

Show Management will continue to follow updates within the state of Illinois, the Governor’s office, as well as the CDC and other advisory councils.

The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will advance the benefits that both organizations provide to the plumbing industry. David Fink, President of PPI, and Billy Smith, FASPE, Executive Director/CEO of ASPE, made the joint announcement virtually from their respective headquarters. ASPE is the international organization for professionals skilled in the design, specification, and inspection of plumbing systems. PPI is the leading North American trade association representing all segments of the plastic pipe industry.

“For the past 70 years, PPI and our members have embarked on research projects that have led to the creation of many manuals and standards, and influenced codes,” Fink stated. “We have always sought ways to work with other like-minded groups to amplify the benefits to the industry. Our work with ASPE has been highly rewarding, and we are looking forward to doing even more. For example, we will explore how to best educate legislators on issues important to the members of each organization, plus promote mutually beneficial positions during the development and passage of state and federal legislation.”

One of the key components of the MOU is advocacy. Where mutually beneficial, and to the extent allowed by laws and corporate policies, ASPE and PPI will work together on common public affairs goals and ideologies.

Billy Smith stated, “Being the international organization for professionals skilled in the design, specification, and inspection of plumbing systems, ASPE is dedicated to the advancement of the science of plumbing engineering, to the professional growth and advancement of our members, and to the health, welfare, and safety of the public. Having the opportunity to continue our core goals by collaborating with industry partners through advocacy for the benefit of all is a valuable asset.”

“PPI has enjoyed a close relationship with ASPE for a number of years,” stated Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., Director of Engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division (BCD). “ASPE’s scope of work related to plumbing and fire protection systems is very much in line with PPI BCD’s scope of work. Since becoming a professional member of ASPE in 2015, I have benefitted from the resources made available to their members and participated in the ASPE Main Design Standards and Legislative Committees. Also, PPI has been registered with ASPE as a continuing education CEU Provider since 2016. This has helped PPI to connect with plumbing engineers through ASPE conferences and Chapter meetings. I encourage more PPI members to join ASPE.”

Part of PPI’s mission is to educate the plumbing industry about correct applications for plastic pressure piping systems using CPVC, HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, PP-R, and PP-RCT. “It is important that plumbing engineers have access to accurate information about these pipe materials. There are ideal applications for each of these materials when utilized correctly,” MacNevin said. “The MOU with ASPE will help to accelerate our goal to deliver accurate and thorough information about these systems, so that the best pipe material can be selected for an application.”

Other areas addressed in the MOU include education, technical activities, and research.

“This Memorandum is certainly very exciting,” MacNevin continued. “It clearly defines our goals, outlines the initiatives, and sums up the strong support structure of why and how we have forged this agreement. The collaborative work of ASPE and PPI members, based on their years of experience and knowledge, is intended to benefit the plumbing community and the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”

“The wealth of knowledge contained in both of our organizations is second to none, so we are looking forward to expanding our relationship with PPI to help increase the technical knowledge of the industry,” Smith said.

Additional information can be found at plasticpipe.org/building-construction or at aspe.org.

Biennially, ASPE presents the prestigious Industry Award to companies that have provided outstanding service to the advancement of plumbing engineering technology. This year, ASPE is pleased to present Industry Awards to McWane Inc. and QuantumFlo.

“The support that both companies have given in time, education, and resources to this Society in recent years has been exceptional,” says Thomas P. Sharp, ASPE’s Vice President, Affiliate. “Although it is always tough for ASPE to narrow down the award selection process to only two companies, both are very deserving of this honor in every criteria.”

The McWane Plumbing Group is part of the McWane, Inc. group of companies. The Plumbing Group manufactures cast iron soil pipe and fittings, no-hub couplings, and drains. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, McWane is a global manufacturer of ductile iron products and is one of the world’s most important suppliers of waterworks and monitoring products.

“We are honored to receive the Industry Award from ASPE, and we look forward to future opportunities where we can serve the engineering community,” says Francesca Dunbar, Vice President of Marketing for the McWane Plumbing Group. “We are always looking for opportunities where we can support ASPE’s efforts, from sponsorships to the development of continuing education content.”

Founded in 2007, QuantumFlo is a world leader in pumping and pump control system technologies and an innovator of sizing and selection applications and rules for variable-speed pumping. The company’s packaged plumbing booster systems are custom-built to customer specifications and include integrated control technology to ensure efficiency.

“QuantumFlo is delighted and honored to be selected as a 2020 recipient of the ASPE Industry Award,” says David Carrier, Founder & CEO of QuantumFlo. “On behalf of our QuantumFlo representatives, specifiers, and employees, we would like to thank ASPE for this special recognition and ongoing support of our efforts to propel the plumbing industry through technology innovation. We are pleased to serve ASPE member engineers and work hand-in-hand with them to collectively address and solve challenges with highly intelligent solutions.”

Both McWane and QuantumFlo are ASPE Affiliate Sponsors and ASPE CEU Providers in addition to being long-time supporters of ASPE conferences and local ASPE Chapter events.

“I am very pleased and proud that two excellent Affiliate Sponsors of ASPE received the ASPE 2020 Industry Award,” Sharp continued. “McWane and QuantumFlo have both invested so much in the advancement of the plumbing engineering profession in addition to being excellent stewards of ASPE as valuable and engaged Affiliates. On behalf of all of ASPE’s valuable Affiliate partners, I extend warm congratulations and deepest thanks to both McWane and QuantumFlo.”