More builders and architects are building sustainability into their practice and conducting water efficiency planning including water-saving solutions and installation of water-saving measures, analyses of costs and uses of water, specification of water-saving solutions; installation of water-saving measures. As a result, Niagara recently launched a new CEU course for builders, architects, engineers, plumbing engineers and Read more
plumbers
More builders and architects are building sustainability into their practice and conducting water efficiency planning including water-saving solutions and installation of water-saving measures, analyses of costs and uses of water, specification of water-saving solutions; installation of water-saving measures.
As a result, Niagara recently launched a new CEU course for builders, architects, engineers, plumbing engineers and plumbers that addresses water conservation standards, ways to reduce water consumption and green building benefits.
The Benefits of Implementing Water Conservation Standards by Building Beyond Code. Niagara just launched a new CEU course on Water Conservation for building owners and builders, architects and engineers. A team of experts at Niagara pooled their resources together with AIA and created a course that qualifies for 1.00 LU/HSW hours called The Benefits of Implementing Water Conservation Standards by Building Beyond Code. The course is delivered via webinar through AEC Daily.
The planet is currently in a water scarcity crisis, and toilet water usage can have a significant impact on improving this crisis. This course examines the current plumbing codes, standards, and regulations that address toilet water usage. It also details the need for, and the benefits of, going beyond current standards as well as the goals of a variety of beyond the code voluntary standards and rating systems. It explains the various types of low and ultra low flow toilets, their pros and cons, and their selection criteria. It concludes with a sampling of successful cost and water saving installations. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Significantly reduce water consumption and costs by using low and ultra low flow toilets
- Capitalize on green building benefits by lowering water consumption with ultra high efficiency toilets (UHETs)
- Inform developers on financial incentives related to water conservation for affordable housing programs, and
- Optimize the benefits available from exceeding current code and standard water consumption requirements.
BIM object: In addition to the above course, Niagara recently teamed up with BIM Object, a company who offers rivet files to architects and engineers for specifying projects, to make specifying their fixtures even simpler. Engineers, contractors and architects can access files for all of Niagara’s Pro models to utilize their industry-leading warranties, earn LEED points, and merit lower tap or impact fees when specing out their next property
For more information on Niagara please visit niagaracorp.com.
MADISON, Wis. In a new study conducted by Wisconsin Safety Council (WSC) and Rural Mutual Insurance Company, 85% of respondents said they “sometimes” or “often” see a coworker come to work sick even though he/she should have stayed home. In the current environment, exposure to sick coworkers is the leading safety concern for workers in Read more
MADISON, Wis. In a new study conducted by Wisconsin Safety Council (WSC) and Rural Mutual Insurance Company, 85% of respondents said they “sometimes” or “often” see a coworker come to work sick even though he/she should have stayed home. In the current environment, exposure to sick coworkers is the leading safety concern for workers in Wisconsin.
In an effort to identify top workplace safety concerns and provide solutions during National Safety Month in June, WSC and Rural Mutual polled more than 180 WSC members, the majority of whom are safety professionals working in Wisconsin trades, including contractors, manufacturers and construction workers. The study was completed in April.
“Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we know businesses and organizations across the state are looking to create safer work environments now more than ever,” said Aaron Huebner, WSC executive director. “This study revealed safety professionals should focus on establishing initiatives that prevent the spread of infection and reduce exposure to employees who are sick.”
The respondents indicated several other top safety risks in the workplace:
- Interacting with hazardous materials (80%)
- Driving for work-related activities (80%)
- Standing for more than two hours in a row (79%)
- Working in high noise levels where a raised voice is needed to talk to people less than four feet away (76%)
A new, free e-book from Rural Mutual and WSC is now available to help safety professionals and trade workers in Wisconsin address these leading safety concerns. The ‘Work Safe in Wisconsin’ e-book offers easy to implement solutions for a safer and healthier workplace.
“Helping Wisconsin businesses lower their safety risks is a big part of Rural’s mission,” said Chris Schlechta, safety and loss control manager at Rural Mutual. “We’re excited to work with WSC to introduce the ‘Work Safe in Wisconsin’ e-book in hopes to inspire workers to jumpstart safety initiatives during National Safety Month and throughout the year.”
The e-book includes tips for those looking to create a safer workplace, including:
- Foster a safety culture. Ensure all employees feel comfortable reporting a safety concern when they see it. See something, say something, do something.
- Give employees a voice at the table. Before implementing a new safety initiative or when elevating existing safety programs, engage the frontlines and ask employees for their feedback.
- Adopt a proactive, not reactive approach. If we wait until an accident happens to address a safety concern, we will never get ahead of the issue.
To download a free copy of the e-book, visit www.ruralmutual.com/insurance/business/work-safe/.
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has updated its “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” advisory list to more accurately define the plumbing and mechanical industry, a list that now includes language for which IAPMO advocated. ”Workers who support the supply chain of building materials from production through Read more
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has updated its “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” advisory list to more accurately define the plumbing and mechanical industry, a list that now includes language for which IAPMO advocated.
”Workers who support the supply chain of building materials from production through application/installation, including cabinetry, fixtures, doors, cement, hardware, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, refrigeration, appliances, paint/coatings, and employees who provide services that enable repair materials and equipment for essential functions” have been added to the list, which may be read at: https://www.iapmo.org/media/23610/dhs_critical_workforce_20.pdf.
Workers such as builders, contractors, HVAC technicians and landscapers were added to the Public Works sector heading, which was changed to “Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services,” and the list has been expanded to include “… workers at distribution facilities, workers who transport basic raw chemical materials to the producers of industrial and consumer goods, including hand sanitizers, food and food additives, pharmaceuticals, paintings and coatings, textiles, building materials, plumbing, electrical, and paper products.”
IAPMO recently published a guidance for plumbing professionals working under the threat of COVID-19 authored by Peter DeMarco, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Research for The IAPMO Group. That white paper may be viewed at https://www.iapmo.org/media/23453/coronavirus_guidance_for_plumbers.pdf.
“This is big news not only for IAPMO, but the entire plumbing and mechanical industry,” IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney said. “By explicitly citing the entire supply chain for plumbing products as essential, the federal government has clarified how important each facet of the industry is, from manufacturer to distributor to plumber.”
Washington, D.C. — The President and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a Coronavirus Guidance for America identifying plumbers and other tradespeople as “essential critical infrastructure workers” as our nation responds to the threat of COVID-19. In a DHS memorandum issued by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) Director Christopher C. Krebs, CISA announced Read more
Washington, D.C. — The President and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a Coronavirus Guidance for America identifying plumbers and other tradespeople as “essential critical infrastructure workers” as our nation responds to the threat of COVID-19.
In a DHS memorandum issued by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) Director Christopher C. Krebs, CISA announced development of an initial list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers “to help state and local officials as they work to protect their communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.”
The list identifies those professions deemed essential to continued critical infrastructure viability and advises such workers to continue normal operations, appropriately modified to account for Centers for Disease Control (CDC) workforce and customer protection guidance.
“Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences,” are specifically recognized on the list, which may be viewed here:
https://www.iapmo.org/media/23516/dhs_essential_workers.pdf
IAPMO recently published a guidance for plumbing professionals working under the threat of COVID-19 authored by Peter DeMarco, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Research for The IAPMO Group. That white paper may be viewed here:
https://www.iapmo.org/media/23453/coronavirus_guidance_for_plumbers.pdf
“Our industry has known for many decades that its contribution to society is essential to global health,” said IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney. “This new guidance, to state and local officials from the White House, validates that our industry is vital to the United States. Our highly skilled plumbers have been deemed essential to the nation’s ability to function and recognized as people on whom we can all depend in normal times or a global crisis.”
For more information on IAPMO and its proactive initiatives in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, direct your web browser to www.iapmo.org.