Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights

The plumbing industry survey we need

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Plumbing engineering is increasingly complex, facing challenges like water conservation and safety concerns, yet it remains underappreciated. A focused industry survey is essential to collect vital data on hiring practices and opportunities for plumbing professionals compared to HVAC. This will help elevate the field's recognition and address the risks of neglecting plumbing expertise.

Witnessing an Energy Water Nexus

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

On May 8th, I presented at the LADWP La Kretz Innovation Center for the ASPE LA Chapter on California’s adoption of the Water Demand Calculator. I spoke about the intersection of water and energy, emphasizing their crucial link in modern civilization.

The importance of third-party product standards and professional qualifications

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Plumbing design professionals rely on third-party product standards and qualifications to minimize design risk efficiently. Written specifications often reference product certifications.

The year ahead: Right-sizing of plumbing systems

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The Water Demand Calculator has been adopted in several states and cities, including California and Seattle, and is expanding peak flow rate calculations into commercial buildings. The future looks bright as version 3.0 is in the works for commercial buildings.

Plumbing science research trends

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In my last column, I focused on talking about how engineered plumbing systems were at a crossroads. This month, I would like to discuss some of the emerging trends in plumbing science.

Engineering of plumbing systems at a crossroads

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

While many non-plumbing design professionals think plumbing engineering isn’t particularly difficult, real-world data and the latest developments say otherwise.

Christoph Lohr: Plumbing engineering industry outlook

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Fri, 05 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

If you follow me on LinkedIn, you know I am passionate about advocating for plumbing engineers and designers. I have regularly written about the need for plumbing engineers, especially in solving our various water crises and improving our medical gas systems. The lesson is clear: plumbing systems are continually increasing in complexity.

Christoph Lohr: The plural sector and plumbing

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In terms of civic engagement, younger generations have been voting and volunteering at higher rates than previous generations. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, I think we can all agree that politics has become a much bigger portion of daily life. Whether on social media or at our local coffee shop, we all are spending more energy talking about the bigger picture.

Christoph Lohr: The water-energy nexus and water conservation

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Almost 80% of all water consumption comes from two groups: No. 1, thermoelectric power, and No. 2, irrigation (farming). Public supply, which includes industrial buildings, commercial buildings and residences, accounts for only 10%.

Christoph Lohr: Plumbing research and the larger picture

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0400

In 2012, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), the University of Cincinnati (U of C), and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) began to work on a new sizing technique 80 years in the making. The main drivers were Dan Cole (IAPMO) and Steve Buchberger (U of C), and later Toju Omaghomi (U of C). As part of this effort, hundreds of thousands of data points were taken and evaluated to determine actual human behavior and plumbing fixture use in residential homes.

Christoph Lohr: Low-flow rates impact sanitary piping and domestic water systems

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

It hasn’t taken long for some of the most obvious unintended consequences to appear: More people are complaining that their shower experience is deteriorating due to lower flow rates, and shower times are increasing as people have to shower longer to wash the shampoo out of their hair.

Christoph Lohr: Water conservation may have unintended consequences

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

In creating Hunter’s Curve, the beauty of what Dr. Roy Hunter did was to take an incredibly complex problem in probability theory and make it simple — so simple, in fact, that all it required was basic arithmetic.

Christoph Lohr: Understanding the reasoning behind Hunter's Curve

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

After four grueling years at the Virginia Military Institute, upon graduation as an engineer, I decided to follow my own prudent path: I would find the best paying job in an area with the lowest cost of living that afforded me training opportunities. I knew myself well enough that I didn’t want to be stuck behind a desk; I desired interpersonal contact. I always aspired to be an engineering leader — and felt consulting would be the best route to that end.

Christoph Lohr: The increasing frequency of plumbing failures

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

“It couldn’t happen where I live.” Many in the United States probably thought that when watching the horror occurring in Flint, Michigan, from 2014 to 2016.

Christoph Lohr: Water in health care facilities

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 09 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400

You would expect water in a hospital to be safe. But, far too often, water in hospitals and other health care facilities can put patients at risk of severe illness or death.

Christoph Lohr: Learning from failure

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

As the year comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the past year, one filled with challenge and growth for me. In order to grow, we have to learn how to overcome challenges.

Dan Holohan: Marbles and ghosts

dan@heatinghelp.com (Dan Holohan) — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

I worked for a manufacturers’ rep when I was first learning about hydronics. A guy I worked with was 15 years older than me. He knew that I had absolutely no training as an engineer so he took a different tack with my education.

Christoph Lohr: Strategy in design: The Col. John Boyd story

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Over the last year, during several webinars and in-person events, I've spoken about the idea of systems-based thinking, which incorporates the ideas of strategic thought in the form of focus (“saying no”) and identifying and executing on coherent actions. In many ways, systems thinking (a.k.a. strategy) incorporates pattern identification.

Christoph Lohr: Designing the Design Firm: The Engineering Firm CSO

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

What does the CSO role look like at smaller companies, such as an engineering firm?

Designing strategy: Why your company needs a CSO

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Of all the topics I’ve covered in my column, strategy is the one to which I keep coming back. Astute readers might be asking at this point, “Why?” Especially when we hear so often that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” and other axioms that denigrate strategy. Why does Christoph keep on writing about this “outdated” topic more than others?

Christoph Lohr: Trend watch: Professional development predictions

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Last year, during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote a couple of articles that touched on the subject of organizations coming up with solutions during chaotic situations.

Christoph Lohr: Self investment — the critical step

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400

In my last column, we discussed #growthmindset and how it is necessary to take intentional steps during your career (and life) to improve.

Christoph Lohr: #GrowthMindset

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Mon, 10 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

“You may be whatever you resolve to be.”

Christoph Lohr: Systems-based thinking

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

In the United States, we are very goal oriented. We have annual goals.

Christoph Lohr: What is your interview process?

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

So far, we have discussed why organizations need sourcing plans, and covered the planning and process of sourcing. This month we’ll continue the conversation and dive in deep into the interview process itself.

Christoph Lohr: What is your sourcing plan?

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

In December, we spoke about why organizations need sourcing plans.

Christoph Lohr: How code or specialty plumbing certification sets you apart as a contractor or engineer

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Christoph Lohr: What is the cost of your lack of sourcing plan?

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Do you feel that the company you work for or manage is often trailing staffing needs?

Christoph Lohr: Strategy for engineering firms

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500

“Because knowledge rapidly deteriorates unless it is used constantly, maintaining within an organization an activity that is used only intermittently guarantees incompetence,” said Peter Drucker.

Christoph Lohr: The best personality metric yet

christoph.lohr@iapmo.org (Christoph Lohr) — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Several months ago I wrote about personality metrics months back.