Material Considerations for Plumbing Systems

This session will describe how the characteristics of materials used for drinking water, wastewater, and fire-suppression systems impact the health, safety, and sustainability of buildings.

VIRTUAL (Link to register to be sent after you reserve your space)

1 LU | HSW AIA CES Course Approved

Learning objectives:

• Participants will learn how to assess strengths and weaknesses of common materials used for drinking water and wastewater systems, including cast iron, (C)PVC, copper, HDPE, PEX, & steel, in contrast with failed piping / unsafe materials such as lead and polybutylene plastic.
• Participants will learn about and be able to describe sustainability and safety issues and relative product lifecycles of piping materials starting from production, through use, and after demolition.
• Participants will learn through case study examples of fire risks and firestopping considerations that impact the health and safety of occupants and first responders.
• Participants will learn about and gain understanding how material characteristics relate to other important health and safety factors such as leaching, permeation, and water age.

Paul Hagar serves as Executive Director of Safe Piping Matters. Prior to that, he worked at a major manufacturer of architectural products for two decades, becoming a passionate advocate for improving the sustainability and health of the built environment. Paul partners with organizations across the AEC industry to raise awareness of the role of piping in safe, high-performing buildings.