Global public health organization NSF International creates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training to reduce risk of microbial, chemical and physical hazards in building water systems Global public health organization NSF International has launched a new Building Water Systems Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training program for water systems professionals. The Read more
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Global public health organization NSF International creates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training to reduce risk of microbial, chemical and physical hazards in building water systems
Global public health organization NSF International has launched a new Building Water Systems Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training program for water systems professionals. The training will help safeguard against microbial, chemical and physical hazards associated with premise plumbing, cooling towers and other water systems in buildings.
Training courses will be held in multiple cities across the U.S. Facility managers, water treatment, distribution and plumbing engineers, and occupational safety professionals can register here: www.nsf.org/training-education/all-courses/category/water-wastewater.
Every year, tens of thousands of preventable injuries and deaths are caused by exposure to microbial, chemical and physical hazards from building water systems. Although municipal water is treated and distributed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and is safe for its intended use, microorganisms can enter plumbing systems, attach to the inside surfaces of pipes and equipment to form a biofilm and grow to much greater numbers. Potentially pathogenic microorganisms can then be released into the environment as infectious particles that can pose a threat to human health.
Applying HACCP principles to building water systems enables water systems professionals to prevent contamination from pathogenic microorganisms and other chemical and physical hazards by providing a framework for identifying potential hazards and specifying measures for control that ensure the safety of a building’s water supply.
“The application of HACCP to building water safety is invaluable for protecting the overall health, safety and well-being of the public. Such programs have proven effective for controlling the growth and dispersal of harmful pathogens and this training program will equip water systems professionals with the knowledge they need to apply these principles to their own building water systems,” said Clif McLellan, Vice President of NSF International’s Water Division.
Although HACCP principles are best known for their successful use in food safety applications, they have also emerged as a solution to water safety issues. HACCP-based water safety programs developed by the World Health Organization have proved effective for preventing waterborne disease associated with building water systems.1 In 2010, a HACCP water management program was developed and implemented at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, yielding significant improvements in building water system safety (Krageschmidt, et. al., 2013).2
The NSF HACCP for Building Water Systems training courses will be taught by William F. McCoy, Ph.D. and Aaron A. Rosenblatt, water systems experts with more than 69 years of combined industry experience:
- William F. McCoy, Ph.D., is Co-Founder and Chief Technology officer of Phigenics LLC, a solutions provider for problems associated with building water systems. Bill has published more than 100 scientific articles and 8 book chapters on topics involving water systems and technologies, including a book entitled “Preventing Legionellosis,” which was published by the International Water Association. He has also developed 29 U.S. patents for new analytical diagnostics and technologies widely used for cooling tower treatment, received the International Water Association Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Management and Science (Berlin 2001), Inventor of the Year Award from the Intellectual Property Law Association (USA 2001), Grand Prize Technical Innovation Trophy from the SUEZ Group (Brussels 2000), Governor’s Pollution Prevention Award from the State of Illinois (USA 1999), and the R&D 100 Award from Research and Development Magazine (USA 1998).
- Aaron A. Rosenblatt is a Principal of Gordon & Rosenblatt, LLC, an independent consulting firm specializing in oxy-halogen chemistry and chemical disinfection with an emphasis on public drinking water supplies and microbial risk management in building water systems. Mr. Rosenblatt is the inventor of more than 20 U.S. patents and author of a number of scientific and technical papers, primarily on drinking water disinfectants, disinfection chemistry and related EPA regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Mr. Rosenblatt has served on the Board of the International Ozone Association-Pan American Group (IOA-PAG), as a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Disinfection and Disinfectants Committees and the Microbial and Disinfection By-Product (M/DBP) Technical Advisory Workgroup during regulatory negotiations for U.S. EPA M/DBP Rule II.
Companies seeking more information about the HACCP training program can contact americas@nsf.org or visit NSF’s water programs webpage. You can also email europe@nsf.org, asia@nsf.org, brasil@nsf.org, and info@nsf.org.cn (China) for additional information.
Editor’s note: To schedule an interview with an NSF International Water Expert, contact Kelly Ingerly media@nsf.org or +1 734-827-6850.
About NSF International: NSF International is a global independent organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the water, food, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. Operating in more than 150 countries, NSF is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment.
NSF led the development of the American National Standards for all materials and products that treat or come in contact with drinking water. In 1990, the U.S. EPA replaced its own drinking water product advisory program with these NSF standards. Today, all major plumbing codes require certification to NSF standards for pipes and plumbing components in commercial and residential buildings. NSF International is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Additional NSF services include management systems registration through NSF-ISR; sustainability standards development, claims and product verification through NSF Sustainability; food safety and quality programs through the NSF Global Food Safety Division; and testing and certification programs for bottled water and beverages, dietary supplements and consumer product industries.
Navien introduces the NCB Series combi-boilers: the first condensing combination boilers capable of simultaneously delivering plentiful hydronic heat and unlimited domestic hot water (DHW) for large homes, including those in cold climates. The new NCB Series combi-boilers are uniquely designed for ease of installation and also incorporate a host of features to deliver reliable performance Read more
Navien introduces the NCB Series combi-boilers: the first condensing combination boilers capable of simultaneously delivering plentiful hydronic heat and unlimited domestic hot water (DHW) for large homes, including those in cold climates. The new NCB Series combi-boilers are uniquely designed for ease of installation and also incorporate a host of features to deliver reliable performance and notable energy cost savings. NCB Series combi-boilers also take up as much as 80 percent less space than a traditional floor-standing boiler and water heater.
NCB Series combi-boilers are offered in three models, the NCB-180, NCB-210 and NCB-240. Maximum heating input for hydronic heating is 80,000 BTU/H, 100,000 BTU/H and 120,000 BTU/H, respectively. Domestic hot water flow rates for each model at 77 Delta T are 3.4 gallons per minute (GPM), 4.0 GPM and 4.5 GPM, respectively – comparable to a stand-alone tankless water heater. The NCB-240 model delivers the highest combined heating capacity and hot water flow rate in the industry.
“The NCB Series combi-boilers represent a whole new category of condensing combination boilers,” says Eric Moffroid, VP Sales and Marketing. “Now contractors and homeowners have a space saving high efficiency condensing combi-boiler large enough to heat a large home, and at the same time, supply it with more than enough domestic hot water for two showers and a dishwasher simultaneously. NCB combi-boilers offer distinct advantages to contractors and homeowners alike in terms of installation, cost savings and exceptional performance.”
The new NCB Series combi-boilers feature an advanced negative gas pressure valve that results in optimal performance, even under low gas pressure conditions. The dual venturi system allows for easy field convertibility from natural gas to liquid propane operation.
To quickly heat water and also minimize corrosion for extended service life, the NCB Series combi-boilers incorporate the use of dual stainless steel heat exchangers for hydronic heat and a stainless steel flat plate heat exchanger for DHW. The new line of combi-boilers comes with a 10-year warranty on the heat exchangers, a five-year warranty for parts and a one-year warranty for labor.
With capability to use ½-inch gas connections and 2-inch PVC venting, contractors can retrofit the unit in less time than it normally takes with competitive systems. Homeowners will appreciate the compact design that uses far less space than traditional floor-mounted boiler and water heater systems.
Homeowners also benefit from energy savings. The AFUE energy efficiency ratings of up to 93.6 earns an ENERGY STAR® label.
For more on the NCB Series combi-boilers, visit www.WholeHouseCombi.com.
The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County gives children hands-on experience in robotics through its Robotics Exploratory Program with $19,400 from the Bosch Community Fund (BCF) Grant of $15,000 to the Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) to provide up to 150 high school students with classes Read more
- The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County gives children hands-on experience in robotics through its Robotics Exploratory Program with $19,400 from the Bosch Community Fund (BCF)
- Grant of $15,000 to the Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) to provide up to 150 high school students with classes in engineering and computer science
- Miami Dade College North Campus will expand its robotics summer camp with a $15,600 BCF grant
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – FHP Manufacturing – a Bosch Group presented grants from the Bosch Community Fund (BCF) today totaling $50,000 to three local organizations that are supporting children as they learn more about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-related subjects. Local organizations submitted applications for the grants and the recipients were selected by an eight- member team of Bosch Thermotechnology associates.
“Bosch is very excited to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, Florida Atlantic University and Miami-Dade College North Campus, because they are taking active steps in helping young people understand that science, technology, engineering and math can not only be fun topics to learn, they can lead to rewarding careers with good-paying salaries,” said Jerry Smith, vice president of manufacturing at Bosch’s FHP Manufacturing plant.
Smith said that these organizations and the important work they do will help close the growing gap in the U.S., where STEM-related careers are projected to grow, but there are not enough students expressing an interest in pursuing them:
“Between 2008 and 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce predicts there will be 17 percent growth in STEM-related employment as compared to less than 10 percent in other areas,” Smith said. “In a recent survey by Junior Achievement, only 30 percent of teenage boys polled – and even fewer teenage girls – 16 percent – expressed interest in STEM fields. In addition, minority groups continue to be underrepresented.”
Smith also noted that “of the 32 percent of the students taking the ACT who said they were interested in pursuing these fields, only about half demonstrated proficiency in these subjects. Clearly, there is a need to address these gaps, and we must do so with children at a very young age and continue to nurture their interest and talents throughout the educational process.”
“The quality and creativity of the submissions for grants was excellent, and it was challenging to narrow the field to the three that were selected,” Smith said.
Awardees are:
- The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County: Grant of $19,400 to support
the Boys and Girls Club’s Robotics Exploratory Program. This grant will provide at-risk youth, ages 10 to 14 years old, with an engaging, hands-on STEM program that explores robotics at the beginner level. Club members, who attend Title I schools (schools that receive federal funding from the Department of Education because the majority of students are from low- income backgrounds) in Broward County, will be encouraged to participate in the program, which runs from Jan. 11, 2014, to Dec. 20, 2014.
- Florida Atlantic University: The $15,000 grant supports the FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science’s ESP, a dual-enrollment program in engineering and computer science for high school students in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The summer program takes place on the FAU Boca Raton campus and engages students in challenging educational STEM activities that are currently not available in high school. The program enables students to explore engineering and computer science as future career choices.
- Miami Dade College North Campus: The $15,600 grant will support the establishment of a robotics initiative at Miami Dade College North Campus. This initiative will include developing a classroom curriculum for robotics courses, expanding an existing robotics summer camp for high school students, pairing the Robotics Summer Camp with other STEM courses offered to high school students through dual enrollment, and blending the robotics initiative with other STEM courses across campuses.
About the Bosch Community Fund:
The Bosch Community Fund, a U.S.-based foundation established in September 2011, awards up to $3 million annually in grants to various 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions. The BCF focuses primarily on the enrichment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and the advancement of environmental sustainability initiatives.
About Bosch:
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, its roughly 281,000 associates generated sales of 46.4 billion euros ($61.6 billion) in 2013*. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2013, Bosch applied for some 5,000 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s products and services are designed to fascinate, and to improve the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is “Invented for life.” Additional information on the global organization is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and http://twitter.com/BoschPresse.
MOEN COMMERCIAL’S M•DURA™ HEAVY-DUTY FLUSH VALVES WIN PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD FROM ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS MAGAZINE North Olmsted, Ohio… For the second year in a row, a Moen Commercial product has been awarded a Production Innovation Award (PIA) by Architectural Products’ magazine — this year, the M•Dura™ Heavy-Duty Manual Flush Valve won in the restroom and plumbing category Read more
MOEN COMMERCIAL’S M•DURA™ HEAVY-DUTY FLUSH VALVES WIN PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD FROM ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS MAGAZINE
North Olmsted, Ohio… For the second year in a row, a Moen Commercial product has been awarded a Production Innovation Award (PIA) by Architectural Products’ magazine — this year, the M•Dura™ Heavy-Duty Manual Flush Valve won in the restroom and plumbing category.
The awards are judged by a group of 50 independent industry professionals to honor innovation in the development and refinement of buildings-related products. The M•Dura flush valves were selected for its heavy-duty construction and proprietary design, which delivers unmatched cost savings for commercial restrooms.
These products feature Moen’s Accuset™ piston technology that requires virtually no maintenance or replacement parts for the life of the flush valve. Accuset is a self-cleaning filter which protects the piston seals against clogs and damage from line debris, allowing it to fully function even if the filter is up to 90 percent clogged. That means building owners and operators will see lower lifetime costs in water waste, service repairs and save valuable time. Plus, it’s ideal for all commercial applications, regardless of water pressure variances, as Accuset can operate with pressure as low as 15 PSI (pounds per square inch).
“We’re honored to be recognized by Architectural Products for the second year in a row,” said Karen Folmer, director of marketing and new product development, Moen Commercial. “With the launch of the M•Dura Heavy-Duty Manual Flush Valves, we wanted to deliver a more reliable experience for installers, building owners and operators. Receiving this award further demonstrates our strong commitment to developing products that deliver better performance, durability and cost savings for any facility.”
The PIA awards program objectively reviews building-related products and shares the most innovative with its readership of architects, specifiers, interior designers, building owners and operators. Moen Commercial’s M•Dura flush valve, along with the other winning products, will be featured in a special award section in the November issue of Architectural Products.
First Supply welcomed two new leaders Bill Holz, director of Sales and Marketing, and Bob Rasins, COO for Kitchen and Bath stores. Holz comes to First Supply from Culligan International where he was the Regional Senior Sales Manager, overseeing 43 locations. He will help drive the initiatives and establish best practices to help First Supply Read more
First Supply welcomed two new leaders Bill Holz, director of Sales and Marketing, and Bob Rasins, COO for Kitchen and Bath stores.
Holz comes to First Supply from Culligan International where he was the Regional Senior Sales Manager, overseeing 43 locations. He will help drive the initiatives and establish best practices to help First Supply reach its sales goals. Holz will oversee the Product Manager of Plumbing, HVAC-R, Fluid Handling, PVF and Waterworks. He will also lead First Supply’s Corporate Marketing.
Rasins comes to First Supply from Eddie Bauer where he was the Divisional Vice President of the Central Region, consisting of 150 stores. His 31 years of retail experience will help First Supply pursue a more consumer-centric focus with Gerhards and Kohler Signature Store – Edina, Minn., the Kitchen and Bath stores owned by First Supply.
Visit www.1supply.com