TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Friday, Sept. 29 | 1:30 - 4:45 P.M. // Saturday, Sept. 30 | 9:00 A.M. - 5:15 P.M. // Sunday, Oct. 1 | 8:45 A.M. - Noon
The 2023 ASPE Tech Symposium features technical education sessions designed for plumbing industry professionals at all career levels. Each 90-minute session offers 0.15 CEUs, giving attendees an opportunity to earn up to 1.2 CEUs that can be used for your license and certification continuing education requirements.
| CODES & STANDARDS / HEAT PUMP DESIGN | SYSTEM DESIGN | SUSTAINABILITY / CONSTRUCTION | HEALTHCARE / SPECIALTY DESIGN | FIRE PROTECTION, LIFE SAFETY & MORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 | ||||||
| 1:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. | Engineering Out Legionella, Part 1: A Review of ASPE's New Guidance Document with a Focus on Pressure Design | Mixing and Balancing Valve Selection Considerations: What Are the Key Criteria? | Failures of Non-Isolated Plumbing in Expansive Soil | |||
| 3:15 P.M. - 4:45 P.M. | Industry Organizations: Codes, Standards, and Listings | Engineering Out Legionella, Part 2: A Review of ASPE's New Guidance Document with a Focus on Pressure Design | Plumbing Systems for Laboratories | |||
| SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 | ||||||
| 9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. | 2024 International Plumbing Code Updates | Compressed Air System Design | Planning Plumbing Systems for Water Management Compliance | Bringing Medical Gas System Design into the 21st Century | Fire Pump Selection and Sizing | |
| 10:45 A.M. - 12:15 P.M. | Introduction to NSF Plumbing Standards | Hot Water Return Engineering: Theory, Practice, and Future Trends | Harnessing the Power of Wastewater: A Comprehensive Guide to Wastewater Energy Recovery Technology and Applications | Medical Gas Design for the OR and Patient Room | Updates to NFPA 14, 2024 Edition | |
| 2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. | Comparison of Stack Sizing per the UPC, IPC, and NSPC | Domestic Booster Pump Design | Integrating PEX into Plumbing Designs Using ASPE Best Practices | Understanding Heat Pump Water Heaters’ Impact and Opportunities for Residential and Commercial Applications | Taking the Mystery Out of Pump Curves | |
| 3:45 P.M. - 5:15 P.M. | Commercial Water Softening Systems and Applications | Design and Sizing Considerations for Oil Separators, Solids Interceptors, and Chemical Waste Tanks | DHW Recirculation Design Considerations for Low-Rise Multifamily and Light Commercial and Residential Applications | Choosing the Technology in Source Equipment and Sizing Accordingly with the Amount of Pipeline Equipment on Any Given Project | Water Flow Test Procedures and Marking of Hydrants | |
| SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 | ||||||
| 8:45 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. | Centralized Heat Pump Water Heater (CHPWH) System Design Considerations and New Sizing Techniques | Extending the Service Life of PEX Piping in Hot Water Recirculating Systems: A Focus on Monitoring and Maintenance | Harvesting the Storm | Water Management and Waterborne Bacterial Control Strategies | Designing with Cast Iron | |
| 10:30 A.M. - Noon | Understanding Design and Performance of Central Heat Pump Water Heating Systems | Next-Generation Water Conservation Technologies: The Business Case for Onsite Water Reuse | Right-Sizing Premise Plumbing | Smart, Automated Roof Drainage Using Revit | ||
Session Descriptions
Presented by Brian Conner
In all the work we produce, we reflexively add our standard language to projects. We do it with or without thought of the complex inner workings of the industry organizations that mandate our compliance. Have you ever wondered, “How did the plumbing or mechanical code originate? Or the industry standard for the widget that I specify?” “Who oversees its development?” “How can I get involved, or should I?” Or any other questions concerning codes, standards, or listings? Let’s look behind the scenes of code and standard development. After this session you will understand the intricacies of how our industry generates the regulations to which sellers, manufacturers, installers, specifiers, and officials are obligated.
Presented by Jim Cika
This session will present the significant changes from the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) to the 2024 IPC. The information presented will allow for the application of these new code requirements to design, plan review, and/or inspection. This session is designed for building department staff, architects, engineers, designers, contractors, homeowners, and all other interested individuals.
Presented by Jessica Laming
NSF standards are required by plumbing codes and referenced in engineering specifications. This session will address the scope, limitations, technical requirements, and the role of third-party certification of the following NSF Standards:
- NSF/ANSI/CAN 61: Drinking Water System Components—Health Effects establishes the material safety requirements for chemical contaminants introduced into the drinking water system from products, components, and materials. This session will cover the various types of products covered, how products are tested, and exclusions or limitations.
- NSF/ANSI/CAN 372: Drinking Water System Components—Lead Content establishes a standardized methodology for the determination and verification of product compliance to minimize lead contaminants. NSF/ANSI 372 is consistent with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its lead-free plumbing requirements, as well as the requirements of individual U.S. states such as California. NSF/ANSI 372 serves as a basis to establish conformance with these regulations.
- NSF/ANSI 14: Plastics Piping System Components and Related Materials establishes minimum physical, performance, and health effect requirements for plastic pipes, fittings, valves, materials, and ingredients. This session will cover the scope, limitations, application, end uses, and technical requirements of the standard.
NSF/ANSI/CAN 600: Health Effects Evaluation and Criteria for Chemicals in Drinking Water contains the toxicological risk assessment procedures for establishing pass/fail criteria and the pass/fail criteria themselves.
Presented by Warren Rosenbrook
The model codes have very different methods for sizing soil stacks, vent stacks, and relief vents and dealing with stack offsets. Theis session will use sizing examples to explain the differences.
Presented by Brian Soderholm
This session will begin with a discussion of basic water chemistry: What is hard water? How does it form? What are the effects? The conversation will then switch to the topic of the ion-exchange process and how exactly a traditional softener operates (including the regeneration process). Next will be a discussion of the different key components of a softening package (and how they work). This will be followed by an in-depth examination of the sizing process: examining peak flow rates, capacity calculations, minimum flow/channeling issues, single- vs. multi-tank systems, and more. Numerous sizing examples will be worked through with the attendees. Finally, the session will look at other, similar media filters for filtering contaminants like iron, alkalinity, organics, arsenic, and even salt-free softening options for areas where chloride contamination is of particular concern.
Presented by Eric Decker, PE, CPD
This session will start with a review of different system design concept for CHPWH's: pros and cons (single pass vs. multi-pass) and how the designs affect the overall COP and drawdown potential of the system. It will then review the classic ASPE sizing methods and how the plumbing engineer needs to have caution using these methods with CHPWHs, as well as review two new sizing methods from ecotope ecosyzer as well as the CBECC-Res 2019 that present more realistic draw profiles. A discussion of the California Energy Code Memo dictating what the CHPWH system design criteria is will follow. Finally, the session will provide recommendations on how to make heat pump water heating systems work.
Presented by Susanne Brown, CPD, GPD, and Shawn Oram, PE
This panel of experts will discuss how to deploy central heat pump water heating systems (CHPWH), which represent a critical strategy for building decarbonization and are now required by the energy code in Washington, California, and elsewhere. This rapidly advancing technology is likely to become the dominant domestic hot water heating design strategy in multifamily buildings and common in other building types as well. In the past decade, Ecotope has designed 90+ of these systems and has worked with manufacturers, suppliers, installers, and utilities to develop sizing and modeling tools, performance metrics, standardized specifications, load shift control strategies, and a host of other resources to support increased market deployment of this technology. In this session, a panel of speakers from Ecotope will discuss the tools, resources, and design strategies available to the plumbing design community, as well as lessons learned from a decade of design experience, to support effective deployment of CHPWH technologies in new and existing buildings.
Presented by Gary Klein, Christoph Lohr, PE, CPD, LEED AP BD+C, ASSE 12080, and Rick Mayo
In 2023, ASPE released the guidance document "Engineering Methodologies to Reduce the Risk of Legionella in Plumbing Premise Systems." In the first part of this session, the panelists will review the top takeaways from the guidance document, including hot water system considerations, legal considerations, and water flushing provisions.
Presented by Gary Klein, Christoph Lohr, PE, CPD, LEED AP BD+C, ASSE 12080, and Rick Mayo
In the second half of this session, the panelists will do a deep dive into one of the appendices in the guidance document: Pressure Design. In this portion, participants will learn the impact pressure-reducing valves have and how to design pressure zones, among other key lessons.
Presented by Greg Ashe
Compressed air is often called the fourth utility because it is vital to industrial manufacturing processes. Although plants cannot function without it, compressed air is an inherently inefficient form of energy and causes poor air quality, greatly impacting the bottom line. This session will cover compressor types, proper equipment selection, systems layouts, compressed air treatment, and energy efficiency.
Presented by Christoph Lohr, PE, CPD, LEED AP BD+C, ASSE 12080
Hot water return design historically has been completed by using rules of thumb and estimations. Unfortunately, this has led to an increase in materials and a decrease in efficiency. This session will review the engineering principles for proper hot water return sizing and selection. It will cover information from college-level “Energy Conversion Design” and “Piping System Configuration” classes that are in ASPE's “Engineering Methodologies to Reduce the Risk of Legionella in Premise Plumbing Systems.” It also will review how to apply these principles. Finally, this session will review opportunities to standardize hot water system design and installation in the future.
Presented by Trip Walters
The domestic booster pump system is a critical component in providing adequate water pressure to the most remote locations of any building. This session will provide an overview of booster pump sizing, technology, pitfalls, and lessons learned. It will cover the fundamentals of booster pump operation, including the types of pumps available, their performance characteristic curves, and how to select the appropriate pump for a given application and plot the system curve on the pump performance curve. It also will consider VFD controls and their impact on reduced energy consumption. Overall, the session will provide valuable insights into the components and applications of domestic booster pumps and offer practical guidance for sound plumbing design.
Presented by Vince Ismert
This session will provide an overview of oil/sand separators, solids interceptors, and chemical waste tanks. It will answer questions such as: How do you properly size a tank in each respective category? What are the specific design criteria as prescribed in the Uniform and International Plumbing Code? What applications are they required for?
Presented by Avishai Moscovich, P.Eng, and Kevin Wong
Hot water recirculation systems in multi-unit residential buildings often operate without monitoring, maintaining, or controlling system performance, which can lead to excessive pressure, temperature, and velocity conditions that cause erosion corrosion, especially in short-bend fittings. This session focuses on measures to prolong the service life of PEX piping by monitoring and maintaining the recirculation system using a cloud platform that monitors parameters and compares them with engineering and manufacturer standards, allowing for tracking system damages and finding the root cause of problems.
Presented by Eric Hough
This session will discuss how severe drought and aridification are increasingly drawing attention to an often-overlooked topic of building sustainability: water resilience. Attendees will learn how water conservation strategies are altering in response to changing climate conditions, allowing buildings to reduce water and sewer utility demand by as much as 95 percent and help achieve LEED certifications. From greywater and blackwater reuse to full resource recovery, this session will describe the technology landscape, building integration options, long-term operations and maintenance requirements, and regulatory implications associated with the various onsite water reuse strategies. Attendees will engage in a detailed discussion of cost tradeoffs, with a focus on practical solutions for cost-conscious developers and owners. The session will also provide an overview of strategies to reduce first costs, incentive programs options, and what to expect during any permitting process.
Presented by Max Rohr
With a myriad of valves to select from, how do you know which mixing and balancing valves are best for each DHW application? This session will answer some key questions to narrow the focus: Is automated thermal disinfection part of the scope? What happened to the last valve? When is thermostatic/electronic the way to go for point-of-distribution mixing? Which category of balancing valve best suits the project? What are the key criteria for design (sustainability, reduction of water waste, thermal disinfection, energy savings)?
Presented by Greg Swafford, CPD, GPD
Regulatory requirements for water management programs are moving beyond hospitals and nursing care centers. Cities, school districts, and building standards are actively implementing requirements for public buildings to develop and adhere to an ASHRAE 188-compliant water management program. Operating plumbing systems that comply with water management program requirements is about controlling, monitoring, and responding to dynamic system conditions. Unfortunately, many plumbing systems are planned, designed, and constructed without considering the operating needs necessary for effective water management, which places an undue burden on facility teams. However, planning new plumbing projects to simplify compliance is entirely possible. This session will review the key components of potable water safety, plumbing design methods that facilitate water management, and the importance of planning new projects with water management in mind. A real-world example of how design methods and technology simplified water safety and WMP compliance will be featured.
Presented by Brock Trimble
Wastewater energy recovery is the process of harnessing the thermal energy present in wastewater and using it to generate heating or cooling for a building or district energy network. Wastewater recovery is becoming increasingly important in the future of energy efficiency and decarbonization, as it allows for the recovery of energy that was previously lost and wasted. This session will discuss in-depth wastewater energy recovery technology and its applications, including how buildings can reduce their energy needs and contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector using the power of wastewater. By capturing and recycling thermal energy that was previously lost, this technology can play an important role in building a sustainable energy future.
Presented by Brian Bollenbeck and Herb Sandhu
Value engineering building design and construction has increased the demand for hybrid piping systems, and many of these systems are incorporating PEX due to the extreme durability, profitability, and sustainability of the material. Learn the proper ASPE design guidelines for incorporating PEX in domestic water piping systems and how your projects can benefit from this growing trend.
Presented by Rick Mayo
The plumbing systems in North America over the last 40+ years have seen countless failures of their DHW dedicated and common return lines. This session will cover why this is happening, what to look out for, and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The primary focus will be on the maximum velocity for either dedicated or common return lines in the DHW recirculation system. The session will also review alternative design layouts that provide quicker usable hot water delivery.
Presented by Michael Gauthier
Development continues to pose environmental problems for receiving waters. However, green technology for stormwater management has given rise to more efficient methods of pretreatment, storage, and discharge of stormwater runoff. LEED and LID (low-impact development) promote the use of innovative technologies to combat pollution from runoff by utilizing state-of-the-art treatment methods to meet the strict discharge requirements set forth by the U.S. EPA. Rainwater harvesting is at the forefront of this BMP, as it can combine primary stormwater pretreatment, storage capacity for channel/flood protection, tertiary filtration/disinfection, and reuse for nonpotable applications like toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling tower makeup water. This session will outline how the development of a decentralized water treatment system can aid in both the reduction of pollutants into our lakes, rivers, and streams as well as how harvested water can supplement our dwindling potable water supply. It will cover the following: critical system components to include, pretreatment, storage, pumps and controls, filtration/disinfection, water quality monitoring, system design based on application, codes and standards, and project profiles.
Presented by Gary Klein
The method for determining the peak water flow rates in premise plumbing systems was published in 1940 by Dr. Roy Hunter. The pressure loss through pipe and pipe fittings was published in 1941, by the son of the person who did the research in 1892, for steel pipe with threaded and flanged fittings. Today, virtually nothing flushes or flows at the volumes and rates that were true in 1940. Similarly, we don’t use steel pipe or threaded and flagged fittings in modern plumbing systems. Copper with sweat or press fittings, CPVC with solvent welded fittings, PEX with several different insert fittings, and several other materials with additional fitting technologies are in widespread use.Yet, we still use the sizing method and pressure losses from the early 1940s. Why? This session will present the results of a study that compares estimates for peak water flow rates based on the plumbing code and estimates based on the IAPMO Water Demand Calculator to measured peak water flow rates. It will discuss the limitations of the study as well as the benefits of applying the WDC in different occupancies. The presenter will also share the results of recent measurements on modern pipe and fittings and on tub/shower valves that comply with ASSE 1016.
Presented by Byron Hendrix, PE, LEED AP, Jason Muhsmann, PE, LEED AP, and Michael Roland, PE
Expansive soil is commonly found in certain parts of the United States, including but not limited to Texas and Colorado, where the soil can swell and shrink significantly as moisture contents change. This type of soil has caused millions of dollars of damage to non-isolated plumbing under facilities with isolated slabs, including slabs over a crawlspace and slabs over voidwork (such as carton voidforms). This session will identify non-isolated plumbing approaches that have been used unsuccessfully in such conditions, leading to some prominent multimillion-dollar lawsuits. Many plumbing engineers have changed their design practices after learning about cases where this damage has occurred and reflecting on some existing and new code provisions. The three panelists are all Professional Engineers with different areas of expertise: a plumbing engineer, a geotechnical engineer, and a structural engineer. Their areas of expertise are all relevant because this topic involves each discipline.
Presented by Sarah Balz, PE, LEED AP, CPD, GPD
During this session, you will learn about the various types of laboratories that exist in research. It will touch on chemistry, cleanroom, vivarium, containment, and other unique lab types. Each lab type has its own unique criteria that impact pipe systems, materials, and design. This session will go over various water, waste, and gas systems you may only encounter in laboratory design. It will also touch on the different standards like BMBL, AALAS, and other governing bodies that oversee and certify certain aspects of laboratory use and their design.
Presented by Mark Allen, Mathis Carlson, Jonathan Willard
This audience-driven session will cover developments in medical gases with insights to take into your next medical client interactions. Topics will include:
- Nitrous oxide: Should you pipe it in or not?
- Challenges in vacuum from new medical usages (external catheters)
- Alternate design methods: Elevated pressure systems
- NFPA 55 and cryogenic fluid central supply systems
- Medical gas inspections vs. medical gas verifications
- Medical and laser plume
- Anesthetic waste gas and new capture technologies
- Onsite oxygen generation
- The “RFA”
Presented by Josh Pedraja
This session will focus on applications beyond the piping of medical gas, including how each outlet works with color coding, different adapters for regulators, and flow meters. It also will cover sizing standards for equipment that affects the OR and patient rooms, WAGD piping in the OR for outlets and ZVBs, and instrument air vs. nitrogen in the OR vs. non-medical air for SPD/decontamination rooms in the surgical suite.
Presented by Aaron Siegel
This session will focus on the emerging heat pump water heater technology and why this technology is being heavily promoted to efficiently heat water. The session will provide an understanding of how the technology works, including sizing and recommended installation locations.
Presented by Josh Pedraja
This session will help with choosing the right fit for each project. A vacuum system may be different for a traditional hospital vs. a rehab hospital vs. a surgery center. This session will help break down the types of each vacuum and air system and provide examples of how to properly select equipment depending on the application, environment, and facility.
Presented by Libby Ashworth and Frank Sanchez, CPD, GPD, ASSE 6060
This session will help attendees evaluate a comprehensive water management program, identify individuals to participate in the water management program, and assist in conducting assessments, including hazard analyses, environmental risk assessments, and infection control risk assessments. Attendees will also be able to inform water monitoring practices guided by the management program,
identify hazards in the domestic water system where opportunistic pathogens may grow, and discuss the owner's infection control risk assessment related to direct and indirect exposure. The session will also review control and monitoring points and limits as defined by the CDC, as well as outbreak and response plans.
Presented by Alexander Sol, PE
In this session, attendees will create a "smart" storm drainage system, which will be able to calculate gpm based on rainfall and roof and parapet square footage—from roof drain and piping transfer gpm readings from the roof drain, all the way down to the point of discharge to the civil engineer’s pickup point. In addition, a set of two schedules will be created, one of them reporting roof drain information and the other storm piping information. These schedules can be used to check actual parameters vs. required parameters to allow adjustment to comply with code requirements directly from the schedule.
Presented by Vincent Favale, PE
This session will go over the different types of fire pumps on the market, looking at the positive and negative aspects of each pump type. It will go over the different pump drivers, as well as other associated components and fire pump room layout requirements. It also will cover NFPA 20 design requirements and how fire pumps are sized with real examples.
Presented by Kevin Hall
NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipes and Hose Systems, 2024 edition is in the final stages of the revision process, and a substantial effort was made to focus on the needs of the AHJ when it comes to specific design requirements in the standard. This session will discuss the new structure of NFPA 14, additional installation requirements for scissor stairs and other special arrangements, and the evaluation of the fire department’s pumping capabilities and the effect on the design and pressure limitation on a standpipe system.
Presented by Tony Furst, CPD, LEED AP
Pump curves are a critical piece in the selection and application of pumps, regardless of whether they are for domestic water service, fire service, or HVAC. Are you confused by the terms “design flow” or “rated flow?” What about variable-speed curves? NPSHr and NPSHa? What does pump efficiency mean? How about “rated BHP vs. peak power BHP?” What effect do specific gravity and density have on a pump curve? What about fluid temperature? Being able to read and understand pump curves and use the information to get the best pump selection, as well as being able to use the curve to verify performance, are critical skills for providing the most energy-efficient and low-maintenance systems. At the conclusion of this session, attendees will have a thorough understanding of pump curves for all applications.
Presented by Kevin Hall
Determining the water supply is of paramount importance when designing a sprinkler system or other water-based fire protection system. This session will review the means and methods of determining flow rates when flow testing systems using water, discuss the different tools available to determine flows in a system, and the proper methods of using each tool. Additionally, this session will cover the recommended procedures for marking hydrants found in NFPA 291: Recommended Practice for Water Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants.
Presented by Troy Johnson
This session will provide valuable information that can be used to protect the project owner when making important decisions regarding the building and its materials. Knowing the right questions to ask can make all the difference.
Speaker Bios
Mark Allen has been involved with the medical gas industry since 1978. He started out of university with one of the earliest certification firms when “certification” of medical gas systems was a concept yet to be widely accepted. He transitioned to a major manufacturer in 1985 and has performed various technical and marketing roles. Mark has been involved in virtually all aspects of medical gas work, including regulatory, testing and verification, marketing, and product development during the last 35 years. He is an active member of the National Fire Protection Association Technical (NFPA) Committee on Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems and has been involved with that committee since the 1987 edition. He is also an active member of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Technical Committee on Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems and sits on the ISO TC121/SC6 dealing with anesthetic and respiratory devices, including medical gases. Mark has been honored by the MGPHO Verifier’s organization as a special expert, has chaired various committees with industry regulatory bodies, and is the author of numerous journal articles, design guides, and other technical aids for the engineering of medical gases.
Greg Ashe is currently working full time to provide compressed air education to various groups, bringing passion, honed communication skills, and many years of experience providing onsite compressed air assessments. Currently, he works for Kaeser Compressors as a Lead Trainer for the Kaeser Factory Certified Training Program, teaching industry best practices on energy efficiency and compressed air system design. When not teaching internal courses, Greg travels throughout the country providing design assistance and technical seminars to engineers from all industries who are involved with compressed air.
Libby Ashworth is a member of Garratt-Callahan’s Water Safety Group with a background in chemical engineering and environmental studies. Founded in 1904, Garratt-Callahan has become the largest privately owned water treatment company in the United States, providing value through expertise. Libby's work focuses on developing water safety and management plans and solving problems that arise within premise plumbing systems. Functions of her role include Legionella sampling and analysis, understanding stagnation and flow, and reducing the risk of waterborne pathogens. Other areas of expertise include supplemental disinfection, filtration, corrosion and scale control, cooling tower maintenance, and the understanding and application of regulations, standards, and guidelines.
PME Magazine’s 2014 Plumbing Engineer of the Year, Sarah Balz, PE, LEED AP, CPD, GPD, is a Piping/Plumbing Engineer at Affiliated Engineers Inc. She is responsible for the design of large-scale, technically complex building projects for federal government, higher education, and pharma/biotech clients. A member of AEI’s Water Stewardship Team, Sarah is in constant forward motion, researching and proposing new and unique solutions to energy and water conservation for her clients’ projects and has contributed to a number of LEED projects. Sarah is an active member of ASPE, holding office leadership positions, including her past Wisconsin Chapter presidency role, and contributing to ASPE’s Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook.
Brian Bollenbeck is the Marketing Manager for the Commercial Segment at Uponor. With more than 11 years in the industry, he has held several positions supporting engineers, contractors, and installers in plumbing and HVAC. He began his career as a radiant heating and cooling designer before transitioning to technical services support, portfolio management, and plumbing product management. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership Management from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota and is a member of ASPE.
Susanne Brown, CPD, GPD, is a Certified Plumbing Designer and Green Plumbing Designer whose skills include project coordination, early systems coordination, layouts, sizing and usage calculations, code compliance, and equipment selection. In addition to traditional plumbing design work, she has worked on a variety of water and energy conservation projects including rainwater harvesting, graywater recycling for irrigation, and wastewater heat recovery design. Susanne is an active member of ASPE and IAPMO and a regular conference participant. She has been practicing plumbing design since 2007 and has a wide range of plumbing design expertise, including multifamily, schools, offices, restaurants, animal care facilities, and other commercial buildings.
Mathis Carlson is a Technical Sales Engineer for MediTrac, the leading manufacture of corrugated medical gas tubing. MediTrac is a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind product, approved by NFPA 99 for medical gas piping systems. As a Technical Sales Engineer, Mathis assists in medical gas system design and sizing, technical support, training, and general medical gas information. Prior to joining MediTrac, Mathis spent 12 years working as a medical gas verifier and instructor after working as a plumber specializing in medical gases for 10 years. Mathis holds multiple ASSE medical gas certifications including 6005 Specialist, 6010 Installer, 6020 Inspector, 6030 Verifier, 6035 Bulk Verifier, 6040 Maintenance, 6060 Designer, and 6050 Instructor. He also maintains his ASME IX brazing certification and Master Plumber license. In addition, he holds the Medical Gas Professional Healthcare Organization (MGPHO) Certified Medical Gas Verifier (CMGV) credential. Mathis is serving as an alternate member of the NFPA 99 technical committee on medical gas piping systems and a member of the FGI Health Guidance Revision Plumbing Task Group. He is also currently serving as President of MGPHO.
Jim Cika is Director, PMG Technical Resources for the International Code Council (ICC), where he serves as a subject-matter expert to the plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas codes and swimming pool and spa codes. He has more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing and construction industry where he has served as a chief technical expert for regulatory, product standards, building code, and product engineering matters for manufacturers of water heating and space heating appliances. Jim has a degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Brian Conner has 18 years of experience in the plumbing industry as a producer, trainer, and installer. Brian is currently Director of Codes, Standards, and International Technical Support for Charlotte Pipe and is responsible for Charlotte Pipe’s Technical Services Council, which oversees the company’s activities within all industry codes and standards organizations. Brian also is a member of several committees within ASTM, ASME, ASSE, and UL. He has worked with ICC as a technical panelist and on the development of the I-Codes as well as with IAPMO on the development of the Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes and WE Stand. Brian also has technical oversight within Charlotte Pipe’s International Department and has been a presenter at engineering events in Colombia, Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Eric Decker, PE, CPD, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating, he worked for Bell & Gossett in Morton Grove, Illinois in the Commercial Pumps Marketing Department. In 2011, he joined Dawson Co.'s Business Development Group, calling on mechanical and plumbing consulting engineers in the Orange County area. In 2017, Eric became Manager of the department. He has presented at Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego ASPE Chapter meetings. He has also presented at Orange Empire, San Diego, SoCal, and Tri-County ASHRAE Chapter meetings. Eric is a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer as well as Certified in Plumbing Design. He is a Past President of the Orange Empire ASHRAE Chapter.
Vincent Favale, PE, is the Senior Fire Protection Engineer for Burns and McDonnell, based in NYC. He is an adjunct instructor at NYU SPS in NYC and has been an instructor with the School of PE for Fire Protection Review since 2022, teaching Egress & Occupant Movement—Means of Egress, Egress & Occupant Movement—Human Behavior, and Active & Passive Systems: Smoke Control Systems. He brings 10 years of professional experience that covers a broad range of commercial facilities. His professional experience includes plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm, and life-safety designs for large-scale projects and specializes in special hazards and special projects, most notably in alternate energy applications, such as offshore wind farms, energy storage systems (Li-ion batteries), and solar systems. Vincent has a M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has passed several certifications in the industry including a PE in Mechanical Thermal Fluids Design and a PE in Fire Protection, along with a CPD, a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), and a level II Water-Based Fire Protection Systems layout from NICET.
In his role at Armstrong Fluid Technology, Tony Furst, CPD, LEED AP, works with the regional sales managers across all U.S. business units to drive complex technical solutions utilizing all of Armstrong’s products in controls and equipment. Additionally, he provides high-level technical applications support and training to channel partners.
Tony holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Education and has earned his Certified in Plumbing Design credential from ASPE as well as being a USGBC LEED AP. Tony is extremely active in ASPE at the local and national level and ASHRAE at the local level. Tony has extensive knowledge in large commercial chilled water systems from his years with Trane Co. as a failure analysis and applications engineer in applied systems. He was also a Senior Forensic Engineer specializing in system analysis and performance evaluation for a large Midwest consulting engineering firm, along with experience as a Design/Build Engineer with a large mechanical contractor.
Michael Gauthier is Division Manager, Water/Fire/ASME/Systems Design, for Highland Tank. He has more than 27 years of experience in the water/wastewater industry. Employed with Highland Tank for 20+ years, Michael has been instrumental in the development and engineering of new products for the wastewater division. Highlights include the development of Highland Tank’s HighDRO line of water reuse systems. Michael is also a contributor to ASPE’s Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook, Volume 4, Chapter 8: Grease Interceptors.
Kevin Hall, M.Eng., PE, ET, CWBSP, PMSFPE, is the Senior Manager of Engineering and Technical Services for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). He is a member of several National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) technical committees responsible for developing model codes and standards, including NFPA 1: Fire Code, NFPA 13/13R/13D: Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 20: Installation of Stationary Fire Pumps for Fire Protection, NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, and NFPA 915: Remote Inspections. He also represents AFSA on numerous UL standard technical panels responsible for revising and maintaining the product standards used in the sprinkler industry. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Delaware and Maryland, NICET III certified in water-based system layout, a certified water-based system professional through NFPA, and a professional member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). He earned his B.S. and M.Eng in Fire Protection Engineering . from the University of Maryland, College Park. In 2021, he was recognized as one of SFPE’s “5 Under 35” award recipients. Prior to his association and committee work, he worked for Reliance Fire Protection in Baltimore as a Project Manager overseeing projects of various sizes and complexity for the Contracts Division.
Byron Hendrix, PE, LEED AP, has 28 years of comprehensive MEP engineering experience with Hendrix Consulting Engineers in central Texas, where expansive soil is present in many areas, and has successfully completed more than 1,200 design projects since 2004 as a Professional Engineer. His responsibilities include overall project design and management of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy engineering, and commissioning services. For plumbing, Byron is experienced in the design of domestic water, hot water, natural gas distribution, wastewater, and storm sewer collection systems, as well as the application/specification of all plumbing products for buildings. Additional responsibilities include cost analysis of systems and products. Byron received both a B.S. in Architectural Engineering and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Eric Hough is the Chief Commercial Officer at Epic Cleantec, a pioneering onsite water reuse firm recognized on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2022 list and winner of the World Economic Forum’s Global Freshwater Innovation Challenge (announced January 2023). Eric understands that successful client relationships are built on trust. With 15 years of water recycling project delivery experience that spans engineering, project management, and sales, Eric is responsible for laying the foundation for success in each of Epic’s projects. He is well versed in technology, regulations, and building integration strategies that enable buildings to become net-zero water users. By maintaining a focus on the business case for water reuse, Eric thrives on connecting development projects with the best water conservation solutions.
Vince Ismert is a Regional Product Educator with Striem, a manufacturer of oil separators, solids interceptors, and acid neutralization tanks in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from Saint Louis University with a degree in Finance and Economics. After a few boring years in the finance industry, he switched to the plumbing industry and hasn’t looked back. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three young boys.
Troy Johnson has been a Regional Manager for McWane Plumbing Group Technical Services for approximately 10 years. His primary focus is on educating engineers, architects, and building owners/developers on plumbing industry issues and solutions. Troy graduated from Texas State University.
Gary Klein, President of Gary Klein & Associates Inc., has been intimately involved in energy efficiency and renewable energy since 1974. One-sixth of his career was spent in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the rest in the United States. Since the early 1990s he has led the effort to incorporate “hot water as a system” into the core principles of building science. After serving 19 years with the California Energy Commission, he has provided consulting on sustainability since 2008, with an emphasis on the water-energy-carbon-health connection. The benefits of right-sizing premise plumbing and water heating systems are currently at the top of his list. Gary received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1975 with an Independent Major in Technology and Society with an emphasis on energy conservation and renewable energy. IAPMO recognized his efforts in 2014 by presenting him their Green Professional of the Year award. In 2015, the Department of Energy awarded him the Jeffrey A. Johnson Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Building Energy Codes.
Jessica Laming is an enthusiastic Senior Manager of the Plastics and Mechanical Plumbing Technical Group at NSF International. Spending a decade with NSF has provided experience in the chemistry labs and being fully immersed into the certification process. Standards and codes are part of her everyday work, as she has experience in NSF, ASSE, ASME, IAPMO, and CSA standards, as well as plumbing codes (as they relate to residential water applications). Jessica earned her biochemistry degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. She is a member of the Eastern Michigan Chapter of ASPE.
Christoph Lohr, PE, CPD, LEED AP BD+C, ASSE 12080, is IAPMO’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. As part of his duties he provides industry leadership through participation in strategic industry initiatives. He has more than a decade of experience in designing plumbing systems for healthcare, laboratory, hospitality, sports, and university projects. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in six states and has numerous industry certifications. Christoph has provided thought leadership to the industry in the form of writing and speaking hundreds of times. He is a BSME distinguished graduate from the Virginia Military Institute.
Rick Mayo has a distinguished career in the plumbing and heating industry, which began in the spring of 1977. He spent four years as a Plumbing and Heating Installer, 21 years in the P&H wholesale industry, seven years as a Field Technical Instructor for Wirsbo (Uponor), six years as the Corporate Trainer for Triangle Tube, a major condensing boiler manufacturer, and the last seven years with Taco Comfort Solutions as the Western Product and Application Instructor. Rick is an enthusiastic teacher; his distinctive energetic style combines practical understanding and technical expertise to ensure a productive, informative learning experience for all who attend his webinar classes, face-to-face lunch and learns, and workshops.
Avishai Moscovich, P.Eng, is a B2B tech marketing expert with 15 years of experience in consulting engineering and corporate innovation roles. Avishai joins Wint to build channel partnerships. Previously, Avishai was a co-founder at reed water and VP of Marketing and Business Development at Eddy Solutions.
Jason Muhsmann, PE, LEED AP, is a Principal with The Structural Alliance and has more than 25 years of experience in structural engineering design and project management in various areas of Texas where expansive soil is common. Jason has overseen the design and documentation of commercial and civil structures. Project types have varied from public education facilities, higher education facilities, religious facilities, multistory residential, single-family residential, light industrial, multistory office, retail, and renovation work. Jason has experience using a variety of building materials and foundation types, including isolated slabs and slabs-on-ground. Jason received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Shawn Oram, PE, leads Ecotope’s design and engineering team. Since 2002, his work at Ecotope has been focused on energy efficiency and its relationship to building systems design. He has a deep knowledge of buildings, systems, and energy use gained through field studies, research, energy audits, code-compliance analysis, extensive energy modeling, commissioning, and the design of HVAC and plumbing systems. Shawn has assisted in the creation of guidelines for the Design for OffTM approach to creating low-energy buildings. He stays current in the latest emerging technologies, product, and building trends and is active in local and national ASHRAE and ASPE chapters. He specializes in resource-efficient HVAC and plumbing systems for a diverse array of commercial buildings constructed under the California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska building codes. He has developed construction documents delivering more than $1 million in utility incentives for his projects and has played key roles in the design of innovative mechanical and plumbing systems. Shawn ensures that Ecotope’s team of highly specialized engineers delivers the most cost-effective and energy-efficient buildings while meeting clients’ budget, project, and timeline goals.
Josh Pedraja has 17 years of experience in the medical gas industry with various roles such as Service Coordinator, Inside Sales, Customer Support, and Outside Sales. He also has a little background in industrial vacuum applications. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois with an emphasis in music and education. His education background is utilized when working with engineering firms as a Medical Gas Consultant and with ASPE education. He currently represents (very proudly) Patton’s Medical, where he covers the central U.S. by working with engineering firms, contractors, medical facilities/lab facilities, distributors, and service partners. He is the National Account Manager for a major health network and works very closely with every facility nationwide. Some of his recent accomplishments include helping create medical vacuum and air system sizing standards for the same national health network he helps oversee and worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on designing and building mobile hospital trailers to treat Covid-19 hotpots and natural disaster relief efforts. Josh is very active with ASPE as the current Region 2 Affiliate Liaison, VP Membership with his home chapter of Eastern Michigan, Committee Chair for the EMC golf outings, and a member of ASPE’s Membership Committee and the Planning Committee for the 2024 Convention & Expo in Columbus, Ohio. He is active with additional ASPE affiliations with the Chicago, Cleveland, and Central Ohio Chapters. He resides in northwest Ohio.
After graduating from the University of Utah, Max Rohr began his manufacturing career at the Caleffi headquarters in Italy. He had 20+ years of work experience in installation, distribution, manufacturers’ representative, and manufacturing roles before returning to Caleffi. Max describes himself as an “energy nerd.” He now leads Caleffi’s industry engagement with trade associations, committees, industry initiatives, and collaborative manufacturer partners.
Michael Roland, PE, is Vice President of Alliance Geotechnical Group and has more than 34 years of experience in geotechnical engineering consulting and construction materials engineering in the North Texas area where highly expansive soil is very common. The majority of the projects that Michael has worked on have consisted of public schools, universities, city, county, and roadway projects. He has performed numerous distress investigations and provided remedial recommendations for facilities where distress was caused by ground movements associated with moisture changes in expansive soil. Michael received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Warren Rosenbrook has 36 years of experience in plumbing engineering and has been Henderson Engineers’ Director of Plumbing Engineering since 2003. His responsibilities include maintaining the company’s Division 22 specifications, in-house training program, equipment schedules, and engineering methods. Other responsibilities include project quality review, assisting with construction issues, and coaching and mentoring the plumbing engineering staff.
Frank Sanchez, CPD, GPD, ASSE 6060, is an experienced Plumbing Engineer with close to 25 years of experience in the field. He is a Certified Plumbing Designer by ASPE. Frank has a background in architecture and oversees code compliance, design, and construction administration of diverse plumbing, medical gas, and fire suppression systems. He is a Senior Associate at Syska Hennessy Group in Chicago. As a member of multiple water management committees, Frank provides engineered solutions to prevent and remediate the spread of waterborne bacteria. Syska Hennessy Group is a leading global engineering firm that specializes in full-service MEP, information and communication technology, architectural lighting, vertical transportation, and commissioning. With more than 500 professionals across 20 offices, Syska provides a full range of engineering services for projects of every size and budget.
Herb Sandhu is a Commercial Account Manager for Uponor. He holds more than 12 years of experience in the industry with a focus on plumbing and HVAC design, technical support, and sales engineering, as well as an emphasis on energy efficiency and energy management solutions. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Eastern Washington University and is a member of ASPE as well as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Aaron Siegel is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a career in sales leadership and development spanning more than 20 years and currently is the Director of Commercial Sales for Bradford White Corp., an industry-leading water heater manufacturer headquartered in Ambler, Pennsylvania. Bradford White is the recent recipient of the prestigious ASPE Industry Award given for outstanding service and advancement of plumbing engineering technology. Aaron is a board member on the ASPE Affiliate Advisory Committee and has been a long-time member and supporter of the ASPE organization.
Brian Soderholm is President of WCC, also known as Water Control Corp., based in Ramsey, Minnesota. He has a B.A. in Economics from Kalamazoo College and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. He has more than 25 years of experience in the construction and installation of commercial water treatment systems all around North America. In 2021, Water Control celebrated 50 years in the water treatment and conditioning industry, specializing in engineered systems for commercial, institutional, and industrial applications. This includes pure water, water recycling, pathogen control, softening, and specialty filtration packages. Brian is the proud father of three children, is blessed to live with the love of his life, and enjoys snowmobiling, hunting, running with his dog, and drinking good beer.
Alexander Sol, PE, with BR+A Consulting Engineers Inc., is a Professional Engineer with a detailed understanding of the design, installation, and maintenance of MEP systems for diverse buildings. His experience includes the design of plumbing systems and fire protection systems for airports, hospitals, laboratories, educational, office, commercial, and residential facilities. He is highly familiarized with adopted codes, specifications, and design guidelines, highly proficient in 3D-BIM/CAD, and has a solid understanding of other engineering trades, such as HVAC, civil, and electrical, and experience with overall interdisciplinary MEPFP coordination. Alexander’s
experience also includes the preparation of specifications and submittal reviews, coaching, training, and managing others in efficient and encouraging ways.
Greg Swafford, CPD, GPD, was a former Plumbing Designer, Project Manager, and Plumbing Department Leader at MEP consulting firms for nearly 20 years. As Technical Sales Manager for GF Piping Systems, Greg leads the U.S. technical sales team of piping systems specialists. He is responsible for the growth and oversight of the U.S. commercial water market segment through business development, product development, and the creation of technical resources as it relates to GF Piping Systems’ commercial water products. In addition to his work with GF Piping Systems, he serves as Affiliate Liaison for Region 5 of ASPE and is a committee member of ASHRAE SPC 514: Risk Management for Building Water Systems: Physical, Chemical, and Microbial Hazards.
Brock has been involved in the mechanical industry for more than a decade, holding his Canadian Red-Seal Ticket in Plumbing and Class “B” Gasfitter license. He was involved as a contractor with SHARC Energy Systems since the earliest development and installation of the first SHARC systems. With extensive first-hand knowledge of the products, he officially joined the SHARC Energy team in 2016 to become the Production and Maintenance Supervisor for the Vancouver headquarters for several years before moving into his current role as the Technical Sales Manager.
Trip Walters is a Plumbing Engineer who graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, Trip has become a trusted professional in the plumbing industry. Throughout his 15-year career, he has been involved in the design and implementation of various plumbing systems for industrial, military, hospital, laboratory, residential, high-rise, correctional institutions, and commercial buildings. Trip's passion for plumbing engineering stems from his desire to create efficient and sustainable solutions that meet the unique needs of his clients. His attention to detail, innovative approach, and commitment to quality have earned him a reputation for excellence in the field. Aside from his work as a plumbing engineer, Trip likes to tinker in his shop, enjoys hiking, camping, and fishing, and most of all enjoys time with his wife and three children.
Jonathan Willard has worked in the healthcare and institutional construction and service industries for more than 20 years. He is the President and CEO of AMG Services, which is a comprehensive healthcare, environmental, and laboratory gas systems service company. Jonathan is also a principal member of the NFPA 99 Technical Committee for Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems and a principal member of the NFPA 55 Technical Committee for Industrial and Medical Gases. His credentials include being a certified Project Management Professional (PMP©️), a Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC), and a LEED Accredited Professional (AP), with an M.S. in Business Education (MBE), and he currently serves as the VP of Credentials on the Medical Gas Professional Healthcare Organization (MGPHO) Board of Directors.
Kevin Wong, MBA, BSc, CAE is the Canadian Codes Manager with UPONOR. Prior to joining Uponor, Kevin Wong spent a 12-year tenure as the Technical Manager for CIPH and the Executive Director of CWQA. He has worked with MIFAB, Cimatec, and Jacques Whitford Environmental Engineers & Consultants as a Project Manager. He is actively involved with various U.S., Canadian, and international standards/codes committees including NSF, CSA, WQA, and National Master Spec of Canada. Kevin served as a member of the Standing Committee on Plumbing & HVAC at Codes Canada. Kevin is an environmental sciences graduate from York University and holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, with various certificates from University of Toronto and the Canadian Society of Association Executives