There are too many men engaged in plumbing and heating contracting in Virginia. There is little incentive for any contractor to attempt to “elevate” the industry by investing money in a salesroom or showroom. The man in the back-alley competes on equal terms with the man who has a respectable establishment; he pays no more for the material which he installs. The advertising of the manufacturer has been mainly “product advertising”; he has led the public to believe that the make or manufacture of the material determines whether or not it will function properly. The merchant who pays high wages to competent mechanics must thus compete with the handy-man. The contractor who builds up a prospect-list and who adds to his business expense by attempting to properly run a sales department sees the customers in whom he has created a desire for better plumbing or heating, go to his backstreet competitor, where the same equipment can be bought from twenty to thirty percent cheaper. There is volume enough for less than half of the contractors now in business, and what business exists is for the most part done at a loss. The recommendations following apply to the merchant-contractor, not to the repair or maintenance man. There must be, especially in the small towns, small repair shops which may quickly and economically take care of minor repairs and installations. The larger establishments may sometime establish branches to handle minor work in the smaller communities, but until this occurs there will be a proper field for the small shop. However, this will be unable to compete with the contracting shop on installations of any considerable size, on account of the cost of labor-saving power machinery. / M.S.

Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) are responsible for many infections linked to drinking water. The annual cost of disease caused by these waterborne pathogens is $850 million. Key characteristics of these opportunistic waterborne pathogens include: disinfectant- resistant, biofilm formation, thermal-tolerance, desiccation-resistant, growth in amoebae and growth in low oxygen conditions. Methylobacterium spp. have been recognized as an emerging OPPP, so the purpose of this study was to investigate these waterborne bacteria in more detail to determine whether they have all characteristics of OPPPs. Seven Methylobacterium spp. strains were studied to measure growth in laboratory broth medium and drinking water, measure hydrophobicity on surfaces found in household plumbing, measure adherence and biofilm formation to surfaces found in household plumbing and measure susceptibility to hot water heater temperatures. Methylobacterium spp. were found to aggregate in lab broth medium and drinking water, hydrophobic on different surfaces in household plumbing, adhere readily and form biofilm on different surfaces and thermal-tolerant to water heater temperatures. These results support and identify Methylobacterium spp. as opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens. / Master of Science / Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) are microbial residents of drinking water systems and premise plumbing that cause infection. Premise plumbing includes water pipes in hospitals, houses, apartment buildings or office buildings. OPPPs share a number of characteristics that contribute to their growth and survival in drinking water systems. In this study, <i>Methylobacterium</i> spp., an emerging OPPP, were studied to see if they share all of the characteristics of OPPPs. Seven <i>Methylobacterium</i> spp. strains were studied to measure growth in laboratory broth medium and drinking water, measure hydrophobicity (ability to repel water) on surfaces found in household plumbing, measure adherence to surfaces found in household plumbing and measure susceptibility to high temperatures. <i>Methylobacterium</i> spp. were found to form clusters of cells in lab broth medium and drinking water, hydrophobic on different surfaces in household plumbing, adhere readily on different surfaces and resistant to high temperatures. These results support <i>Methylobacterium</i> spp. are opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens. This is important because there is now a better understanding of how <i>Methylobacterium</i> spp. survive in drinking water systems to prevent its growth and persistence. This study was also able to determine which pipe surfaces support the least amount of <i>Methylobacterium</i> spp. growth to be used be used by plumbers and homeowners to reduce exposure to <i>Methylobacterium</i> spp.

Assimilable organic carbon (AOC) is a suspected contributor to growth of microbes, including pathogens, in plumbing systems. Two phases of research were completed to improve knowledge of AOC and other forms of organic carbon in premise plumbing. In the first phase, the AOC Standard Method 9217B was compared to a new luminescence-based AOC in terms of time, cost, convenience, and sources of error. The luminescence method was generally more accurate, as it better captured the peak growth of the test organisms. It was also less expensive and less time-consuming. A few approaches to improving the accuracy of the method and detect possible errors were also presented. In the second phase of research, the possibility of AOC generation in premise plumbing was reviewed and then tested in experiments. It has been hypothesized that removal of AOC entering distribution systems might be a viable control strategy for opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs), but if AOC was generated in premise plumbing systems this approach would be undermined. Possible sources of AOC creation in premise plumbing, which is herein termed "distribution system derived biodegradable organic carbon (DSD-BDOC)," include: leaching of organic matter from cross linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes, autotrophic oxidation of H2 generated from metal corrosion (e.g. sacrificial magnesium anode rods and iron pipes), rendering of humic substances more biodegradable by sorption to oxides such as Fe(OH)3, and accumulation of AOC on filters and sediments. The potential for various plumbing and pipe materials to generate AOC was compared in controlled simulated water heater experiments. Under the worst-case condition, generation up to 645 µg C/L was observed. IT was not possible to directly confirm the biodegradability of the generated organic carbon, and there were generally no correlations between suspected generation of organic carbon and either heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) or of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. DSD-BDOC was also explored in a simulated distribution system with two disinfectant types (chlorine and chloramine) and three pipe materials (PVC, cement, and iron). TOC increased with water age, probably due to leaching of organics from PVC and possibly the aforementioned DSD-BDOC due to autotrophic reactions of nitrifiers and iron-related bacteria. As before, relationships between the higher levels of organic carbon and either HPC or 16S were not observed. / Master of Science

The thesis deals with energy-saving plumbing systems. It is divided into three parts: task analysis, applications theme on the building and experiment. In the first part are described the possibilities of saving water and energy in the plumbing systems. The second part contains a comparison of some variants of saving solution water supply system and sanitary drainage system at the hotel. Part of the experiment investigates the water consumption for washing hands in addiction: the pressure in the water supply system and the type of mixing valves.

<p>Significant seasonal changes in chemical and microbiological water quality can occur in buildings at different fixture locations due to temperature and time dependent reaction rates. Here, a series of calibrated plumbing hydraulic-water quality models were developed for the extensively monitored Retrofitted Net-zero Energy, Water & Waste (ReNEWW) house in West Lafayette, Indiana USA. Knowledge gaps that inhibited higher resolution water quality modeling were also identified. The eight new models predict the absolute level of free chlorine, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Cu (Copper), Fe (Iron), Pb (lead), NO₃^–(nitrate-nitrogen), heterotrophic plate count (HPC), and <i>Legionella spp.</i> concentration at each fixture for plumbing use, operational characteristics, and design layouts of the plumbing system. Model development revealed that the carrying capacity to describe Legionella spp. growth (and other organisms) under water usage and plumbing design conditions is lacking in the literature. This information needed for higher resolution modeling. Reducing building water use by 25% prompted increased absolute concentrations of HPC and Legionella, each increasing by a factor of about 10⁵. When the service line length was increased, Legionella spp. concentrations increased by up to 10⁶gene copies /L in the Summer season. The proposed modeling framework can be used to support better planning, design, analysis, and operational decision-making.</p>

Sustainability has been heightened to a new level of importance, due to the current global race for commodities and conservation of our environment. Sustainable Buildings are of particular interest since buildings are significant contributors to consumption of resources. Since the inception of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993, USGBC has played a key role in providing guidance to the design and construction community in building“green" structures. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is an industry accepted standard for the design/construction and measurement of green buildings. Although USGBC provides guidance on performance measurement, a streamlined process of performance tracking and measurement has not been formalized. This research focuses on identifying vital areas of required tracking and measurement; to allow for a systematic analysis of costs and benefits, over the life of sustainable buildings. A case-study based on the recently designed and constructed East Hall LEED-Gold Certified, dormitory building at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was undertaken to create and assess a life cycle costs analysis framework. This research is aimed at understanding what the costs of building green at WPI truly are. Life Cycle Cost Analyses of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and roof components were evaluated to generate percent savings or percent added cost. This research reviewed the various green and non-green costs of construction, consumption, and operations and maintenance costs providing a comparative analysis to leading researchers in the field of costs and benefits of building green.

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

La particularité de l’Oldoinyo Lengai à émettre des laves natrocarbonatitiques fait de ce volcan un laboratoire naturel pour l’étude de la genèse de ces magmas. De nouvelles mesures isotopiques en hélium nous ont permis de constater que la signature des fumerolles est constante depuis 1988 malgré le changement morphologique considérable du cratère sommital lors de la dernière éruption subplinienne de 2007-2008. L’alternance des éruptions explosives et effusives n’engendre donc aucune modification majeure dans l’organisation du système hydrothermal qui est par conséquent profondément enraciné. Les xénolites cogénétiques qui ont été émis lors de l’éruption de 2007-2008 permettent d’étudier directement les processus magmatiques qui se déroulent dans la chambre magmatique active. La comparaison des signatures isotopiques des gaz rares (hélium) de la chambre magmatique et des volcans silicatés de la région d’Arusha montre que les deux types de magmatisme ont une source analogue identifiée comme un manteau lithosphérique subcontinental préalablement métasomatisé par des fluides asthénosphériques. De plus, ces signatures isotopiques confirment l’absence de contaminations crustale lors de la remontée du magma entre le manteau source et la surface. Une description pétrographique de détail couplée à une approche thermobarométrique, ainsi qu’à la détermination des modèles de solubilité des volatils dans les liquides phonolitiques, nous a permis d’identifier l’évolution du liquide dans la chambre magmatique et ses paramètres de stockage. Les résultats nous révèlent que le magma injecté en 2007 a une composition phonolitique et des teneurs élevées en volatils (3.2 wt.% de H2O et 1.4 wt.% de CO2) ainsi qu’une température d'environ 1060° C. Ce magma évolue ensuite dans la chambre magmatique crustale se trouvant à 11.5±3.5 km de profondeur jusqu’à atteindre une composition de néphélinite et une température de 880°C. Pendant sa différenciation, le magma silicaté s’enrichit en calcium, sodium, magnésium et fer alors que sa concentration en silice, potassium et aluminium décroit. Ces résultats concordent avec les précédents relatifs à cette éruption, ou aux produits volcaniques plus anciens émis tout au long de la vie du volcan. Cette similarité suggère qu’aucun changement majeur n’ait eu lieu dans l’organisation de la plomberie du volcan Oldoinyo Lengai au cours de son évolution. Les mesures en éléments traces (REE, HFSE et LILE) dans les minéraux cristallisés lors de cette séquence de différenciation, et les inclusions magmatiques associées montrent un enrichissement pouvant atteindre de 100 à 1000 fois la composition du manteau primitif. Une étude expérimentale préliminaire s’appuyant sur la composition du liquide de recharge (phonolite) et les conditions (P, T) identifiées pour la chambre magmatique nous a permis de reproduire l'immiscibilité entre un liquide silicaté et carbonatitique, processus à l’origine de la formation des carbonatites de l’Oldoinyo Lengai. La poursuite de ces travaux expérimentaux permettra de mieux contraindre la genèse des magmas carbonatitiques et ainsi comprendre les processus en jeux dans l’enrichissement en éléments traces des magmas carbonatitiques / The uniqueness of Oldoinyo Lengai to emit natrocarbonatite lavas makes this volcano a natural laboratory to study the genesis of these magmas. New helium isotopic data permit to assert that the signature of the fumaroles has been constant since 1988 despite the radical morphological change of the summit crater after the last sub-Plinian eruption in 2007-2008. The alternation of the effusive and explosive eruptions does not cause major modifications in the hydrothermal system architecture, which is inferred to be deeply rooted. Cognate xenoliths that were emitted during the eruption in 2007-2008 represent a unique opportunity to document the igneous processes occurring within the active magma chamber. The comparison between the noble gas (helium) isotopic compositions of the active magma chamber and those of the other silicate volcanoes of the Arusha region indicates that both types of magmatism have similar sources, identified as being a typical sub-continental lithospheric mantle, which was previously metasomatized by asthenospheric fluids. Moreover, these isotopic signatures confirm that no crustal contamination has occurred during the magma ascent from the mantle to the surface. Detailed petrographic descriptions coupled to a thermo-barometric approach, and to the determination of volatile solubility models for a phonolite composition, allow us to identify the melt evolution at magma chamber conditions and the storage parameters. These results indicate that the magma injected in 2007 has a phonolitic composition and contains a high amount of volatiles (3.2 wt.% H2O and 1.4 wt.% CO2) as well as a temperature around 1060° C. This magma subsequently evolved in the crustal magma chamber located at 11.5 ± 3.5 km depth until reaching a nephelinite composition and a temperature of 880°C. During the differentiation in the magma chamber, the silicate magma is enriched in calcium, sodium, magnesium and iron, whereas the content of silicate, potassium and aluminum decreases. Our results support previous studies related to this eruption, and are similar to the historical products emitted during the whole volcano history, permitting the suggestion that no major modification in the plumbing system has occurred during the Oldoinyo Lengai evolution. The trace elements (REE, LILE and HFSE) measured in the minerals and melt inclusions reveal a concentration reaching 100 to 1000 times the primitive mantle composition. A preliminary experimental study based on the recharge melt composition (phonolite) and identified magma chamber conditions (P, T) permits to reproduce the immiscibility between silicate and carbonatite liquids, key processes at the origin of the Oldoinyo Lengai carbonatites. The continuation of this experimental study will lead to a better comprehension of the carbonatite genesis, thus improving our understanding of the processes that are responsible for the enrichment in trace elements

Orientador: Marina Sangoi de Oliveira Ilha / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T21:41:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gnipper_SergioFrederico_M.pdf: 8224325 bytes, checksum: 04186a60ef4b9f83deeb75fca0ae6c62 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Os sistemas prediais hidráulicos e sanitários (SPHS) vêm comparecendo com relevante frequência em resultados de levantamentos de manifestações patológicas. Em geral, as patologias de maior incidência não envolvem sérios riscos à vida ou à saúde, mas podem causar aborrecimentos e desconforto decorrentes dos sintomas comuns de suas manifestações. Contudo, algumas patologias podem propiciar a propagação de microorganismos potencialmente patogênicos dentro dos próprios componentes, como os causadores de legioneloses e da síndrome respiratória severa aguda. Este quadro mostra a importância de um método adequado para a investigação, supressão e prevenção desse gênero de patologias. Existem métodos formulados para a investigação de patologias construtivas genéricas nas edificações, mas que não incorporam etapas e recursos importantes para a adequada solução de problemas frequentes nos sistemas prediais hidráulicos e sanitários, como a ênfase na sintomatologia e o exame detalhado do projeto para o estabelecimento do diagnóstico, além da priorização das propostas de intervenções corretivas e preventivas. Neste trabalho faz-se uma análise comparativa de alguns desses métodos, estabelecendo um paralelo com o MASP-PDCA, e propõe-se diretrizes para a formulação de um método hierarquizado para investigação de patologias em SPHS a partir de estudo de casos múltiplos de levantamentos patológicos em edifícios localizados no município de Curitiba, além de sugerir meios para a prevenção de patologias freqüentes verificadas nos SPHS, visando a melhoria da qualidade. Com isto, espera-se contribuir para o desenvolvimento de uma ferramenta útil tanto para a manutenção do desempenho ao longo da vida útil do edifício como para retroalimentar o processo de projeto / Abstract: Building Plumbing and Drainage Systems are expressively frequent in pathologic manifestation survey results. Most assiduous problems are not generally related to serious life and health risks but use to cause annoyance and discomfort due to their characteristic symptoms. However some of these pathologies may cause propagation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms at those system components, such as legionellosis and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. This situation reveals the importance of an adequate method for investigation, suppression e prevention of these kinds of pathologies. There are methods formulated for general building pathology investigations, but they do not aggregate stages and resources relevant for the solution of frequent problems of building plumbing and drainage systems, such as the emphasis on symptomatology and detailed design analysis in order to set diagnosis as well as to establish priority for corrective and preventive interventions. This work makes a comparative analysis of some of those methods and draws a parallel with PDCA method regarding further proposition of guidelines for the formulation of a hierarchized method for the investigation of building plumbing and drainage system pathologies based upon multiple case studies of buildings at Curitiba City. Moreover it suggests feedback means for the prevention of frequent pathologies of building plumbing and drainage systems in order to improve quality. The aim of this work is to contribute to the development of an useful tool to maintain serviceable lifetime building performance and help design process feedback / Mestrado / Arquitetura e Construção / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

Orientador: Marina Sangoi de Oliveira Ilha / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T03:47:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lima_LiwanaChiude_M.pdf: 1654795 bytes, checksum: 44e9ed5746c2489e5e6ee274dafa1b70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: O comportamento do ser humano tem causado inúmeros danos ao meio ambiente, sendo necessário que se revejam atitudes e hábitos de consumo dos insumos em geral, dentre eles o uso da água. Apesar deste assunto se encontrar na pauta de discussões de vários países, percebe-se que as pessoas ainda não se atentaram para o fato de que a necessidade de preservação deste insumo é essencial para a sobrevivência humana e de que são agentes determinantes para a sua conservação dentro de uma edificação. Isto ocorre, muitas vezes, porque não é suficiente informar as pessoas sobre a crise da água, é necessário que elas revejam seus conceitos e valores, seus padrões de consumo, sintam-se sensibilizadas pelo problema e mudem de atitude em prol de um desenvolvimento sustentável. Inserido neste contexto, a partir de um programa de conservação de água desenvolvido no Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP, o presente trabalho consiste em um levantamento das atividades realizadas no uso doméstico da água nessa tipologia de edificação, por meio de entrevistas e da observação de sua forma de realização, de modo a identificar as principais fontes de desperdício e as ações a serem implantadas para o uso racional da água. Palavras-chave: sistemas prediais, uso racional da água, uso doméstico da água, hospitais, comportamento humano / Abstract: The human behavior has caused countless damages to the environment; consequently it is necessary to review attitudes and habits of resources consumption, among them the use of water. Although this subject is up for a discussion in several countries, it is noticed that most people still do not realize that the necessity for the water preservation is essential for human survival and that they play a decisive role in its conservation inside a building. In general, this often happens because it is not enough to inform the people about the crisis of the water, it is necessary to make them review their concepts and values, their consumption patterns and make them sensible of this problem, in order to change their attitude on behalf of a sustainable development. Inserted in this context, starting from a program of conservation of water developed at UNICAMP Hospital, this work consists of a study about the activities regarding the domestic use of water in this building. The results were obtained based on interviews and observing the users dealing with the water, in order to identify the main sources of waste and the actions that could be implanted for the rational use of water. Keywords: plumbing system, rational use of water, domestic use of water, hospitals, human¿ behavior / Mestrado / Arquitetura e Construção / Mestre em Engenharia Civil