INDUSTRY NEWS Plumbing organizations come together
CHICAGO— For the first time, leading North American plumbing organizations came together on June 7, 2011, to discuss current issues impacting the plumbing community. Stakeholders represented included plumbers, contractors, engineers, inspectors, code officials, standards development organizations and manufacturers. The meeting was facilitated by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and was held at the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) facility in Chicago. The key issue discussed by the
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group was a presentation on electronic (hands-free) faucets provided by Johns Hopkins University staff at a recent national conference and the subsequent media coverage. During the June 7 meeting, the participants reviewed the Johns Hopkins presentation, based on the limited public information available. They also heard presentations from Dr. Paul Sturman, PE, from the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University, who spoke on biofilms; Doug Erickson from the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), who discussed the status of a project that is surveying hospitals on their use of electronic faucet systems and Jim Mann, executive director of the Handwashing Leadership Forum. The following conclusions and
recommended actions resulted from the meeting: • The use of electronic faucets
Liberty Pumps holds national sales meeting
LIBERTY PUMPS recently held its national sales meeting at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. The meeting was attended by more than 100 sales people and included representative agencies from both the U.S. and Canada. The meeting highlighted new products, provided hands-on training demonstrations and an awards ceremony recognizing top agencies for their outstanding performance in 2010. The final day concluded with a social event at the Grand Ole Opry featuring the Charlie Daniels Band as the closing act.
provides significant benefit by reducing the potential of cross- contamination from faucet handles to healthcare providers’ hands. • Broad industry participation
(manufacturers, engineers, subject- matter experts and installers) early in any research process would enhance the research regarding accuracy and results. • As no one in the group had seen
the actual study, additional information is needed concerning the results presented by Johns Hopkins, and the group agreed that outreach should continue. Questions prepared by the group will be provided to Johns Hopkins, along with an invitation for them to participate with the group in further research and data collection. • Full support was given to the
position statement recently published by ASHE and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). • The ASPE Research Foundation
will coordinate research projects designed to address questions raised by the Johns Hopkins presentation. • A separate position statement on
the use of electronic faucets will be developed by the group for future release. There is tremendous value in
bringing together stakeholders to discuss important industry issues. While this meeting was the first of its kind, it will not be the last, as significant benefits resulted from the
cross-industry communication on the issue. “No matter what area of the
plumbing community meeting attendees represented, there was one common focus from all: a commitment to providing plumbing systems that help protect public health and safety,” stated Jim Kendzel, MPH, CAE, executive director/CEO of ASPE. “It is our hope that this highly successful meeting will become a foundation for future positive, interactive dialogue among those groups directly impacting plumbing in North America.” Organizations represented at the
meeting included: • Alliance for Water Efficiency • American Backflow Prevention
Association • American Society of Plumbing
Engineers • ASPE Research Foundation • Canadian Institute of Plumbing
and Heating • Canadian Standards Association • International Association of
Plumbing and Mechanical Officials • International Code Council • Mechanical Contractors
Association of America / Plumbing Contractors of America • NSF International • Plumbing Contractors
Association of Chicago and Cook County • Plumbing Manufacturers
International • Plumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors Association • Underwriters Laboratories.
CONNECT 2011: moving your business forward
MINNEAPOLIS— Experience new strategies, new tools and new energy, Sept. 21 – 24, 2011, in Minneapolis at CONNECT 2001, where three powerhouses — the Plumbing- Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association, the Construction Contractors’ Alliance (CCA) and Quality Service Contractors (QSC) — are teaming up for the biggest and best annual convention tailored exclusively to the P-H-C industry. This year’s schedule is packed
with new business-building ideas and tactics to increase your
profits, run your business more efficiently and learn about new technologies and trends. More than 20 education sessions will be offered, ranging from managing the younger, changing workforce, to opportunities in the mature market. Experts will provide
valuable advice on topics including hydronic
heating and solar thermal systems, social media, retirement financial planning, selling energy and water audits, how to calculate profit, improving profitability with mobile devices and much more. For info,
www.phccweb.org.
phc july 2011
www.phcnews.com
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