The 2014 International Emerging Technology Symposium (IETS) for plumbing will take place in Arlington, Virginia on April 23rd and 24th. Planning for the IETS is well underway and the 2014 program is shaping up to be one of the most interesting and provocative events for the plumbing industry.

This will be the fourth IETS to be convened. The first three IETS events were co-convened by IAPMO and the World Plumbing Council (WPC). Due primarily to the success of the 2012 IETS, which was also held in the Washington, DC area, the organizers were approached by several other associations in the plumbing and mechanical industry who expressed a desire to join IAPMO and the WPC as co-convening organizations. As a result, the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC), Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) and the United Association (UA) have been welcomed as co-conveners of the 2014 IETS. The addition of these premier organizations truly makes the IETS an event not to be missed.

As plumbing and mechanical industries work hard to embrace the need for increased water and energy efficiencies, we are challenged by fully understanding the systemic implications of applying new technologies into our plumbing and mechanical systems and the built environment. Our industries are working collaboratively, as evidenced by the noteworthy list of IETS co-conveners, to identify potential unintended consequences of well meaning efficiency provisions and identifying mitigating provisions to ensure continued health and safety.

The program will provide a comprehensive update and discussion regarding the continuing global increase in legionellosis outbreaks and what design and maintenance practices are proving to be most effective. The US EPA’s WaterSense team will provide insight on how they have referenced PERC research and are reaching out to stakeholders to develop their specification for flushometer-valve activated toilets and flushometer-valves. You will hear about the development of heat metering standards to facilitate the use of solar thermal and other hydronic technologies to be employed in the United States. Attendees will also learn about which hot water circulation systems are providing the best energy and water efficiencies and emerging concerns regarding mold development and how to lessen the potential for problems in buildings and the litigation that can result when problems occur.

On the international front, the IETS will feature a presentation from the University of Bangalore in India on water quality concerns in buildings employing water conserving features. There will also be presentations from the United Kingdom, Canada and one or two other regions.

Finally, as we hit on a great formula with the 2012 IETS by including presentations and panel discussions on how policy initiatives can help support bringing new technologies to market and help mitigate the unintended consequences of water efficiency by supporting research, this will again be included.
The IETS is the place where emerging technologies meet policy and we will again have presentations and discussions with representatives from Government Agencies and Legislative Staff that will help form our path forward to being efficient and safe.

Come see for yourself why this event has been so successful!

If you would like further information or to register for the 2014 IETS, simply follow this link below:

http://www.iapmo.org/Pages/EmergingTechnologySymposium_NoPics.aspx