The Authority Podcast: Plumbing and Mechanical

Oct 29 2024 53 ep. 24 mins 12
The Authority Podcast: Plumbing and Mechanical artwork

When talking about the built environment, we would do well to remember, "We shape our buildings, and afterwards, our buildings shape us." Therefore, on each episode, we'll discuss the latest trends from IAPMO in plumbing and mechanical safety, sustainability, and resiliency. Join me, your host Christoph Lohr, and together, we'll explore the ways we can make our buildings shape us for the better.

  Education
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Legionella in Water: Why the General Services Administration Took Action on Water Quality

Oct 29 2024 29 mins  
In this episode, we discuss the General Services Administration (GSA) order to address the risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in the water systems of GSA-controlled buildings. The GSA, which owns 1,600 federal buildings and leases space in over 6,500 buildings nationwide, was spurred to action after detecting elevated levels of Legionella bacteria at six GSA-controll

Rebuilding Paradise: Lessons in Plumbing Resilience After Catastrophic Wildfire

Oct 22 2024 16 mins  
In this powerful episode, we delve into the reconstruction journey of Paradise, California following the devastating 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed more than 18,000 structures and killed 85 people. Our guest, Tony Lindsey, Paradise Building Official and Fire Marshal, shares his unique perspective as both a building official and a resident who lost his home in the disaster. Lindsey o

Pipe Sizing for Storm Drain Performance - Insights from the IAPMO/ASPE White Paper

Oct 09 2024 25 mins  
Join IAPMO experts Dan Cole and Christoph Lohr for a technical exploration of storm drainage system design and the critical equations engineers need to calculate effect flow rates through piping.Among the key insights is the impact of pipe material on flow velocity. For instance, PVC and cast iron pipes of the same size can have vastly different flow capacities. Dan and Christoph d

Water Use in Single-Family and Multi-Family Homes

Oct 02 2024 13 mins  
In this episode, we discuss challenges and opportunities in residential water use and efficiency. Our expert guest, Andrew D. Morris, Senior Manager of Policy & Programs with the Alliance For Water Efficiency, shares how water consumption in single-family and multi-family homes has evolved over the years, including a 15% decrease in indoor water use between 1999 and 2016 driven

Innovations and Policies Shaping Water Conservation in the Built Environment

Sep 26 2024 23 mins  
In this episode, Green Builder Media CEO Sara Gutterman delves into strategies and technologies that revolutionize water conservation in the built environment, from advanced irrigation systems to smart water management technologies. We explore the government policies and regulations in driving these initiatives and discuss the critical role of community engagement and education. Fi

The Water Energy Nexus: Demonstrating Energy Savings in WaterSense-Labeled Homes

Sep 17 2024 23 mins  
In this episode, Jonah Schein, Technical Coordinator for Homes and Buildings with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense® program, demonstrates how water-efficiency measures also save energy and reduce carbon emissions, using data from 219 WaterSense-labeled homes in Menifee, California. Jonah describes how every gallon of water has an "energy signature" based o

Top Plumbing Industry Trends in Plumbing from Mechanical Hub

Sep 10 2024 17 mins  
In this insightful episode, Mechanical Hub hosts Tim Ward and John Messenbrink discuss three major plumbing industry trends: the push towards electrification, artificial Intelligence (AI), and the skilled trade gap, especially as it relates to attracting a more diverse workforce. Regarding electrification, Tim and John note that while electrification is important for environmental

What is Backflow and How Do Communities Mitigate the Public Health Risk

Aug 13 2024 21 mins  
In this episode, we delve deep into the critical issue of backflow prevention, exploring the latest technologies and methodologies that are transforming the field. Join master plumber Sean Cleary, vice president of operations for the Backflow Prevention Institute (BPI), as we discuss the causes of backflow, the risks to water systems, regulatory compliance requirements and real-wor

Water Reuse Standards with Sal Aridi: What are the Basics of IAPMO Water Reuse Standards and What you Need to Know

Jun 17 2024 18 mins  
In this episode, guest Sal Aridi, a professional engineer and director of Special Projects at IAPMO, discusses water reuse. He elaborates on his 25-year career in water technologies and explains the different types of water reuse, such as greywater and blackwater. The conversation covers definitions, standards, and the practicalities of water recycling, emphasizing the importance o

Structural Water Savings: Can Right Sizing of Water Systems Really Save Water? (The Answer is Yes)

Jun 11 2024 17 mins  
In this episode host Christoph Lohr discusses structural and behavioral water waste with Jim Lutz, a retired researcher from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Jim details his career, focusing on water heater efficiency and plumbing systems, and explains how his research has shown the significance of structural waste in residential plumbing, particularly in hot water distribution syst