Whether new or retrofit construction, parking structures and shipping and loading bays are often crucial to the viability and efficient use of residential, commercial, industrial and multi-use developments. 

I frequently speak at college campuses and trade apprenticeships. Whether it be to future engineers or contractors, my technical talks typically end up covering non-technical content, specifically career development. 

IAPMO has collaborated with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to produce an installation standard for solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems (ESS) in residential applications. 

To aid plumbers and tradespersons in staying competitive in the marketplace, innovative technologies and materials must be a priority when crafting and revising provisions within model codes and standards in order to enhance efficiency, positively impact affordability and provide ease of service for those implementing it.

As the creation of sustainable and resilient buildings becomes a greater priority, especially over the past year, one critical component will be to ensure our buildings are water efficient. 

Proposals accepted by the technical committee will appear in the 2024 NSPC.

The new standard will provide guidance for implementing RVI for energy code compliance and for energy and water efficiency performance.

Standard 241 establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission, such as SARS-COV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, the flu virus and other pathogens in buildings like single and multi-family homes, offices, schools and healthcare facilities.

The International Code Council’s 2024 International Codes (I-Codes) are now available for order in print and digital formats.

The Camp Fire in Butte County, California, started in 2018, destroying over 18,000 structures and causing 85 deaths. Paradise, a town 90 miles north of Sacramento, lost about 95% of its buildings, but It is on the road to recovery.

The deadline to submit comments is Sept. 5.

designing a wastewater system requires careful consideration of a range of factors to ensure efficient and compliant operation.

As more and more cities and states seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it’s clear that regulatory activity is clearly driving the push to electrification and decarbonization.

Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had the chance to chat with Jason Klaus, senior sales manager of HammerHead Trenchless about the growing market demand and the benefits of offering trenchless solutions.

The increase in population and the associated trash continues to increase the need for clean water. These problems are not going to improve until we decide to work for that progress.

Here's what you need to know about venting for tankless water heaters and how you can approach it for the least cost and best results.

Various market forces and trends can influence the decisions plumbers and engineers make regarding those materials and designs. Here are five that should be considered in the coming year.

IEC, a subsidiary of Climate Control Group, celebrated its 75th anniversary in October.

Heat pumps are growing in importance due to climate change. Extensive investment in heat pump technology has led to higher heating capacities and smaller equipment sizes.

Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative opportunities for plumbing contractors, especially with aging infrastructure. New technology makes these services easier than ever.

PEX's shape memory allows it to expand and shrink without compromising its integrity, making it highly resistant to damage in freezing conditions. This has proven to be a lifesaver in areas like Texas during unexpected mid-winter freezes.

A. O. Smith, celebrating 150 years in 2024, began in 1874 as a metal components supplier for baby carriages and bicycles. Arthur O. Smith designed a lightweight pressed steel car frame and became a major supplier to car manufacturers like Packard, Cadillac, and Ford.

The Sofitel Quiberon resort in France offers thalassotherapy treatments using the power of the ocean to heal, with the help of sophisticated technology and corrosion-free valves from GF Piping Systems.

Dairy farming is vital for rural communities and household nutrition. Durable materials like REHAU PEXa plumbing systems are essential for dairy barn construction. Three WRC dairy barn projects feature these systems.

Pressure and chlorine ratings revised.

Tankless water heating technology has proven to be a great success for Wedgworth's, a custom blender of dry and liquid fertilizers for agriculture, sod, nursery, and golf-course applications in Florida.

Every now and then I talk with a plumber who gripes about manufacturer ads in the trade press. Usually, the plumber believes the money could be better spent elsewhere, such as consumer advertising to make it easier for the plumber to sell the manufacturer’s products. Here are seven reasons why manufacturers advertise in the trade press.

As Leap Partners' CFO I handle financial statements, acquisitions, and sales. Small businesses often find finance tasks overwhelming. I work with them daily, guiding them to secure their financial standing. Through this, I've learned about common financial trends and errors. Recently, I shared my insights with a friend.

BuyFin Payment Processing, which is offered in conjunction with third-party partners, helps business owners get paid faster from customers with competitive processing rates and a best-in-class technology platform, the company states.

Some customers prefer using credit cards, but accepting them means paying merchant service fees. Contractors may offer cash discounts or add an upcharge, so consider how to handle merchant services.

When we hear about a 'dream team,' our minds envision the perfect basketball team or a group of highly skilled attorneys assembled for a high-profile legal matter. But creating a team that consistently delivers great results shouldn't be limited to sports or legal teams.

After hard work, your contracting company is turning a profit. You need to decide when to invest some of that money back into the business, balancing saving and making improvements to stay competitive.

The IAPMO Water Demand Calculator has faced challenges due to exclusions from its documentation and calculations, causing difficulties for engineers in luxury apartment buildings.

If you treat a customer well, they will recommend your services to three others. However, if you treat a customer poorly and make them feel cheated, they will spend a lot of time spreading negative feedback, especially on social media.

Online reviews are essential for contractors, as low ratings can hinder local leads. To boost visibility, it's important not just to gather reviews but also to incorporate mini case studies into your marketing strategy.

With remote work becoming the standard for many employees across the U.S. and homeowners spending even more time indoors as a result of the pandemic, a new focus is emerging on the need for sustainability and indoor environmental quality in homes. 

In order to achieve a more environmentally friendly footprint for its new education and research campus in Narre Warren, Australia, IAPMO and the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) chose one technology rooted quite literally in the earth.

When a crew in Maine needed to renovate the heating system in an elementary school, they were up against two challenges — time and cleanliness.

These lead-free products are made of dezincification resistant brass, the company notes.

We are proud to present the fourth of the four-part eBook series that chronicles Dave's "Adventures in Hydronic Heating."

An installer is asked to connect a single speed geothermal water-to-water heat pump to a highly-zoned low temperature hydronic distribution system.

Business lessons are everywhere. I’ve long been a student of the game of life, and one of my biggest curriculums of education is business. Due to the rapid changing landscape and structures of the plumbing and mechanical industries, we all have a lot to learn. The lessons exist regardless of the size, location or current structure of your business. 

At the end of the day, if you want your business to be truly successful, you need to look after your people — that means giving them the tools to succeed, the resources they need to perform and a clear vision of where they’re going.

Many people run a business because they love to create and share with others. Others are driven to earn money. Some are driven by respect from others and ego. But sometimes, all it takes to run a fun and profitable business that people enjoy is to change the way you think about it.

Whether you’re bringing on new team members or looking to build a more cohesive group within your current team, the first box you need to check is whether or not you’ve clearly defined each role. This foundational step not only keeps everyone on the same page and working toward the same goals, it also makes your team easier to manage.

Businesses are facing major changes in the way they operate and the way they interact with clients, partners and suppliers. These changes, which are rooted in uncertainty, often challenge our business confidence as leaders at the highest level.

Are you struggling to move on from past mistakes? Many leaders in the trades find themselves in this position at some point in their careers. It can be difficult to let go of what's happened and focus on the future, but it's essential for your continued success. This month, I’m sharing some tips on how to move forward despite past mistakes.

In order to be an effective leader, you need to first understand what leadership actually is. Many people mistakenly believe that leadership is simply overseeing a group or organization. However, there's much more to it than that. Effective leaders possess a number of qualities that allow them to successfully navigate through challenges and inspire others to do the same.

The most effective leaders understand that leadership is more than just giving orders and dictating how things should be done. It’s about understanding the unique needs of everyone in your company (or department) and finding a way to lead in a fair and compassionate manner.

As service business leaders, we often focus blindly on the results — key performance indicators, sales targets and other specific goals. But when it comes to success in any industry, relationships are often much more important than simply reaching a result-based goal. This is especially true for plumbing contractors who need trust and cooperation from our manufacturers, distributors, clients and other partners to succeed call after call, day after day.