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According to university officials, the underground heating loop which supplies heat and domestic hot water to large portions of campus, developed a significant leak that was initially losing roughly 6,000 gallons of water per day. As temperatures dropped, pressure in the system rose, and the loss rate increased, raising the risk of widespread system failure. University leadership determined that delaying repairs until the end of the semester was no longer safe.

On this job, I was reminded of how this “cutting edge” system that was installed fifty years ago is now considered "old school."

Staying up to date on consensus standards is essential for system designers, manufacturers, and facilities managers to ensure compliance and minimize liability. Recently, I’ve compiled activities relevant to the plumbing and mechanical industries.

At sea, there’s no backup system for clean water. Every drop must be filtered, pumped and protected — and that’s where plumbers come in. On Mercy Ships’ floating hospitals, skilled volunteers work to maintain these life-sustaining systems, ensuring that the ability to deliver safe, reliable care doesn’t leave when the ship sails away.

For boilers operating on natural gas or propane, flue gas condensation begins at inlet water temperatures below about 130 ºF. Boilers operating on low sulfur #2 fuel oil have lower dewpoint temperatures in the range of 110 ºF.

Designing and installing a system for the unique venue posed challenges that demanded meticulous attention to detail and coordination. It needed to accommodate visitor needs while blending with the building's rustic character. “Introducing modern mechanical systems without disrupting its historic charm was difficult,” said Selestow.

Artificial intelligence is being used in a plethora of ways across the trades industry. According to Lynn Wise, CEO of Contractor in Charge, “Plumbing and mechanical contractors are moving past the experimental phase of AI and are adopting practical solutions that integrate directly into their daily operations. These tools are streamlining workflows, enhancing customer service, and boosting profitability.”

The homerun system is a simple technique for connecting multiple heat emitters using two runs of small flexible tubing (such as PEX) for supply and return. In North America, the standard size is 1/2-inch, but 3/8-inch tubing can be used with proper design and compatible fittings.

Bringing veterans into the trades isn’t charity; it’s capacity building. They tend to stay longer, care deeply about their work, and invest locally. Every veteran hired strengthens not just a company but the community it serves.

Driven by advancements in refrigerants, controls and system design, modern heat pumps are taking on applications once thought beyond their reach — from food service and healthcare to district energy and industrial processes. This evolution is creating new opportunities for engineers, facility owners and contractors to rethink how buildings are heated, cooled and powered.