San Antonio — During a formal signing ceremony at their co-located 19th Annual Meeting and 94th annual Education and Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) officially joined the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®). ARCSA will be renamed “ARCSA International,” allowing the organization to maintain its Read more
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San Antonio — During a formal signing ceremony at their co-located 19th Annual Meeting and 94th annual Education and Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) officially joined the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®). ARCSA will be renamed “ARCSA International,” allowing the organization to maintain its identity while becoming a discrete business unit of The IAPMO Group.
In June, ARCSA’s Board of Directors and membership voted in favor of joining The IAPMO Group, with the co-located annual events providing an ideal backdrop for the finalization.
Formed by the merger of two Texas-based professional rainwater catchment associations—the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association and the Texas Rainwater Catchment Systems Association—with the mission to “provide resources and information on rainwater and stormwater collection to promote the advancement of rainwater conservation and to work with government at all levels in promoting rainwater and stormwater management,” ARCSA in 2016 was reorganized as a 501(c6) organization and the original ARCSA became the ARCSA Foundation, a 501(c3) organization.
“We believe IAPMO’s sharp focus on water conservation and water security will enable ARCSA to advance the cause of rainwater harvesting on the national and international stages more effectively,” said ARCSA President Roman Feher. “We came here a lone wolf and now we’re part of the wolfpack.”
Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. Through its various business units, The IAPMO Group participates worldwide in product testing and certification, codes and standards development, management systems certification, and education, training and personnel certification.
“IAPMO and ARCSA have long worked toward common objectives from unique positions in the water conservation industry,” said IAPMO CEO Dave Viola. “Consolidating our work makes both organizations far more capable stewards of this vital natural resource and the means to capture and utilize it safely.”
In 2012, IAPMO and ARCSA signed a memorandum of understanding to “enhance the wellbeing of people everywhere through the provision of safe, efficient, and affordable rainwater harvesting and plumbing systems and equipment.” The product of this cooperation, ASSE/ARCSA/IAPMO/ANSI Series 21000 was first published as an American National Standard in 2017 to address the increasing number of residential, commercial, and industrial rainwater and stormwater systems being installed nationwide. Updated in 2022, Series 21000 establishes best practices and uniform minimum requirements for qualified designers, installers, and inspectors of viable alternative water systems utilizing captured rainwater or stormwater.
Ontario, Calif. — Using the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ (IAPMO) Water Demand Calculator™ as an alternative to sizing methods in traditional plumbing codes can result in energy, carbon and water savings with no change to how residents use plumbing fixtures in their homes every day, an analysis by Arup, a global collective Read more
Ontario, Calif. — Using the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ (IAPMO) Water Demand Calculator™ as an alternative to sizing methods in traditional plumbing codes can result in energy, carbon and water savings with no change to how residents use plumbing fixtures in their homes every day, an analysis by Arup, a global collective of designers, consultants and experts dedicated to sustainable development, has found.
IAPMO commissioned Arup to analyze and better understand the Water Demand Calculator’s potential for sustainability savings. Arup compared the Water Demand Calculator with the Hunter’s Curve method found standard in both the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and the International Plumbing Code (IPC®) for sizing domestic hot water systems in four residential-use cases. The analysis included a single-family home, and six-unit, 45-unit and high-rise multifamily residences.
Arup’s study found that when the Water Demand Calculator is used for domestic water design for residential buildings instead of the Hunter’s Curve sizing methods, there are resulting operational energy and embodied carbon savings in all four of the use cases, as well as water savings in the non-circulating units. Water savings were demonstrated through minimized time to tap using the Water Demand Calculator sizing and range from 450 gallons to 71,000 gallons annually depending on the building size.
A single-family unit prototype showed annual water savings of 450 gallons, while high-rise residential buildings show savings in operational carbon between 73 and 84% for booster pumps and embodied carbon savings ranging from 20% to 41%. Using the Water Demand Calculator instead of the Hunter’s Curve method to size domestic water systems in high-rise residential buildings shows savings of operational carbon ranging from 2,000 to nearly 24,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per high-rise residential building, depending on grid emissions at the project site. Additionally, a reduction in pipe sizing allows for reduced heat loss through pipes.
”The Water Demand Calculator is a tool for its age,” IAPMO Vice President of Technical Services and Research Christoph Lohr, P.E., said. “With concerns of energy reduction and water savings being top of mind for many regions in the United States and the world, having the latest methodology to meet goals is vital. We greatly appreciate Arup providing IAPMO with a third-party evaluation of the potential for the Water Demand Calculator to help meet sustainability goals.”
The Water Demand Calculator is the first significant update for water pipe sizing in buildings since Hunter’s Curve was developed more than 80 years ago. The Water Demand Calculator predicts peak water demand for single- and multifamily dwellings and removes the need for assigning fixture units to plumbing fixtures and corresponding to Hunter’s probability curve. Instead, it directly calculates peak demand using algorithms based on the building size.
Contained within Appendix M of the 2021 and 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and free to download, version 2.1 of the Water Demand Calculator addresses water quality issues attributed to lower flows in oversized premise plumbing while simultaneously using less water and energy, representing the most impactful innovation in pipe sizing in nearly a century. It is the result of a multiyear effort to develop a new statistically based pipe sizing method stemming from a need to address profound water safety and wasted water and energy concerns resulting from oversized water supply pipes in homes and buildings.
The entire Arup report may be viewed at https://iapmo.org/media/31469/iapmo_energy_savings_arup_report.pdf.
The designs of the plumbing system and the architectural design must work well together. Reduced installation costs are a direct result of good design. It could result in a more effective plumbing system and perhaps prevent future frequent plumbing problems. An architect who takes the plumbing system into account might even foresee future requirements, reducing Read more
The designs of the plumbing system and the architectural design must work well together. Reduced installation costs are a direct result of good design. It could result in a more effective plumbing system and perhaps prevent future frequent plumbing problems. An architect who takes the plumbing system into account might even foresee future requirements, reducing disturbances during upgrades and remodels. What advice should plumbers follow while creating plumbing systems, then? It is clear that architects are not plumbers. However, during the design process, architects need to take into consideration the plumbing.
Well, in order to help you find answers to that question, we have gathered the necessary information to provide you with those answers. Now, if you are ready and want to learn more, sit tight and let’s dive right into the topic at hand.
Learn About Plumbing Regulations
Plumbing requires careful consideration and detailed design, which should complement the building’s architectural features.
As an architect, it is your responsibility to ensure that your design complies with all applicable local, national, and international plumbing requirements.
For instance, certain codes may specify the number of units that must be connected to a particular fixture. Other construction regulations involve topics including pipe diameter, stormwater treatment, ventilation, and drainage.
Following these guidelines will help your design stand out from those of other creators.
Make sure you are informed on the most recent local building regulations for safety, water and energy conservation, as well as environmental effects.
Most local building authorities need pre-approval of draft plans before any plumbing work may start. If a thorough planning process is implemented, there will be no inconsistencies or errors in the drawings. Due to that, if you are working as a real estate agent, getting familiar with plumbing regulations is simply a necessity if you want to be one of the best architects Miami has to offer.
Consult with MEP Designers to Help
You can benefit substantially from the design expertise of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers. In this manner, you may identify any issues that may arise throughout the installation and maintenance process. You probably already know that the clash between architectural and plumbing designs is one of the most significant worries of MEP designers and plumbers.
The greater your pre-design collaboration with them, the fewer issues will develop. In order to avoid any problems, try to work with a reputable plumbing business.
This strategy has the benefit of ensuring accurate plumbing sizing. Making enough area for plumbing fittings is another crucial problem in construction that can be avoided with enough research and cooperation from plumbing experts. This is where using BIM software may be quite helpful.
Take Energy and Cost into Consideration
Skilled architects should consider energy conservation when creating their designs. Some might wonder what connection there is between architects and energy.
For instance, it’s crucial to consider the distance between the water heater and the kitchen and bathroom. In reality, more heat will be lost the longer it takes the hot water to reach the user. These circumstances require the use of extra materials in addition to energy, which can get very expensive for the owners.
Another aspect that needs to be considered is the type of HVAC system and determine whether the inside layout of your home is effective for circulating air and allowing for natural ventilation. In actuality, you may minimize the requirement for mechanical ventilation with proper indoor architecture. Therefore, a key factor in lowering the building’s energy use is the architect.
Let Your Creativity Help You Along the Way
While each part of your plumbing system has a distinct function, they may also be employed as ornamental elements. Even though modern systems are frequently concealed in walls, some of their parts are still seen negatively. Sometimes these observable pipelines or other things can perform wonders. You may turn them into attractive items with a little imagination and even less money.
For instance, some interior designers think of hanging plant-filled vases to improve the aesthetics and air quality of the space. Others attempt to hide the pipes with wooden decorations to give the space a more traditional appearance. Although some individuals who have creative views are also interested in these designs, this is more appropriate for rural houses and cottages.
Final Thoughts
Although it is not the responsibility of architects to design plumbing systems, it is crucial that they understand the fundamentals of these systems. When designing bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas with plumbing fixtures, specific rules must be taken into account. If you refuse to take into consideration these regulations, it is needless to say that you will be met with quite a few problems in your line of work. Making an effort to learn and understand these regulations is a fundamental aspect that will help you succeed in your future jobs.
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.
Mokena, Ill. — IAPMO Training and Education introduces the new Plumbing Systems Interactive Workshop, a fun, hands-on course that teaches the effective uses of four basic plumbing systems, why/where/when to use each, how to apply code compliant configurations to design and installation, and actual assembly of each system using scaled 3D-printed drainage pattern fittings. The Read more
Mokena, Ill. — IAPMO Training and Education introduces the new Plumbing Systems Interactive Workshop, a fun, hands-on course that teaches the effective uses of four basic plumbing systems, why/where/when to use each, how to apply code compliant configurations to design and installation, and actual assembly of each system using scaled 3D-printed drainage pattern fittings.
The eight-hour course, developed and instructed by Steve Hart, senior plumbing plans examiner with Public Health – Seattle and King County (PHSKC), is delivered in three parts repeated for each plumbing system addressed:
- Part One: Attendees learn/review the code requirements for one of the plumbing systems—horizontal wet vent, circuit vent, vertical wet vent or combination waste and vent
- Part Two: Separate into groups of five and apply this knowledge to assemble the particular plumbing system using 3D-printed fittings, focusing on best engineered practices for mitigating health and safety risk and achieving code compliance
- Part Three: Discussion and debrief, repeat for next system
“IAPMO is constantly looking for ways to improve the learning experience for our students,” said Tony Marcello, vice president of IAPMO Training and Credential Services. “This hands-on offering is unique and innovative, and allows for a large amount of learning to occur in a fun and engaging way. Steve Hart, the developer of the concept and primary instructor, has poured his heart and soul into this learning method and we could not be more excited to introduce this training opportunity to the plumbing industry.”
The Plumbing Systems Interactive Workshop seeks to facilitate cooperation between building officials/building inspectors, apprentice/journeyperson plumbers, and design professionals to enhance public health and safety.
“I found the Plumbing Systems Interactive Workshop to be one of the best workshop experiences I have attended,” said Robert J. Heavey, plumbing plans examiner, city of Bellevue, Wash. “Instructor Steve Hart knows his subject inside out, and is able to present it in a way that reaches all levels of attendees, from the experienced plumbers and designers to those who are still struggling with the multiple venting options offered by the code. The interactive experience of actually building scale models of a waste and vent system, showing in turn each of the venting options, allows the attendees to try out the knowledge they gained in the first half of the session. Mistakes are made, and the collaboration within each group works well to help reach a correct resolution.”
Three upcoming workshops will be presented at the Simpson Strong-Tie Training Center in Kent, Wash., on Sept. 11, Oct. 5, and Dec. 4. The cost is $250 ($225 for IAPMO members). For more information or to enroll in an upcoming workshop, direct your browser to www.bit.ly/iapmo-psi-signup.