Health care needs in rural areas may differ from urban areas, but facilities are usually sparse, and services are more limited and less specialized. Designing simple, maintainable and resilient plumbing systems helps avoid additional challenges to health-care facilities with limited resources.

By incorporating redundancies, zoning considerations, and efficient scheduling, healthcare facilities can improve their medical gas systems' safety, reliability, and efficiency. ASSE 6060, Medical Gas Systems Designer, has improved reliability, safety, and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities.

Subsoil drainage is integral for maintaining a structure’s integrity and preventing water infiltration. As multiple disciplines generate the relevant design criteria for these systems, it is critical to consider this system early in the project.

Domestic hot water accounts for more than 25% of all scald burns in children. Ron George discusses the codes and standards covering hot water temperatures and how temperature-actuated mixing valves help prevent scalding issues.

As hydronic designers and technicians, our priorities are increasing customer comfort and system efficiency — and air elimination should be at the top of our lists. If we implement best practices, our customers will have trouble-free and efficient hydronic systems.

As plumbing flow rates have declined since the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1991, the potential for Legionella growth in building plumbing systems has risen. Engineers must consider this — as well as scald risk and chemical eradication of the bacteria — when designing plumbing systems.

Design, installation and maintenance are all important for properly operating a building’s hot water system. Who an owner hires to maintain the building is critical. Most maintenance personnel may not know how to troubleshoot hot water issues properly. Ron George has provided a checklist for domestic hot water systems’ design, installation and commissioning.

Hot water temperature maintenance systems often contribute to scalding injuries and Legionnaires’ Disease cases through inoperable circulating pumps and problematic balancing valves. Read on for Ron George’s insight into these systems.

The proper prevention of bacteria growth is achieved by proper system design, system maintenance and added system solutions. However, the effectiveness of these treatments, solutions and processes can vary with the different types of buildings and applications. They can have negative effects if applied incorrectly. Read on for tips on applying these solutions.

Plumbing engineers must consider many things when designing a high-rise building’s hot water heating and supply system. Understanding the different piping systems and using industry best practices will assist in a successful project.