Going green with building certifications like LEED, WELL, and Energy Star can be a significant step towards reaching net zero carbon emission goals, but ESD, now Stantec Energy Engineer Matthew Zweibruck says don’t stop there. (Learn more about the FacilitiesNet summit.)
In his latest contribution to Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer magazine, ESD Technical Director for Plumbing Engineering James Dipping warns that failure to properly track and maintain a building’s water system can have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line.
Dipping’s latest column, “Water intelligence: Are you warmer or colder in finding a solution?” expands his call for improved water intelligence to improve building occupant health and avoid potentially costly lawsuits. Typically, domestic water distribution systems monitor temperature at these locations:
- Water heating equipment inlet/outlet
- Master mixing valve inlet/outlet
- Hot water return pump
Dipping says the problem is each of these is most often located in the building’s mechanical room. According to Dipping, the lack of monitoring temperatures across the actual system network makes it difficult for plumbing engineers to avoid potentially serious injuries such as scalding and thermal shock.
Improperly designed and monitored water systems can also harbor dangerous pathogens, such as Legionella. Dipping cites legal authorities who say, “most legal actions are lawsuits against building owners or their maintenance contractors for negligence or failure to protect guests on their property.” Automated monitoring systems used in a successful water management plan can help document procedures and protect property owners in the event of litigation.
James Dipping brings more than two decades of experience to his role as technical director, plumbing engineering. He freely shares his knowledge with other industry professionals to further ESD’s mission to improve society through the built environment.
For more information on how our engineers can help with your project or how plumbing engineering may impact your facility, reach out to ESD’s Plumbing Engineering team.
