Understanding Plumbing Systems in Commercial Buildings

Day 1

 Welcome and Student Introductions                

 Tab 1 – Plumbing Design Criteria                    

• Historical perspective
• Fixture count and capacity
• Piping material specification
• Valve and fitting selections
• Primary equipment design
• Sinks, toilets and bath layout

Tab 2 – Municipal Water Supply                     

• Backflow Prevention and Metering
• Non-Potable Uses
• Requirements of Supply
• Pressure
• Quantity
• Quality
• Treatment

Tab 3 – Codes and Standards                           

• Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
• International Plumbing Code (IPC)
• International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• Accessibility provisions (ADA, ICC, ANSI)
• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
• Water efficiency standards (IAPMO, LEED, WELL)

Tab 4 – Domestic Water Piping (part one)       

• Water treatment and softeners
• Hot water heating generation equipment

Day 2

 Tab 4 – Domestic Water Piping (part two)

• Domestic water distribution
• calculations, sizing, and routing
• Re-circulation pumps and piping
• calculations, sizing, and routing
• Pressure zones
• Legionella issues

Tab 5 – Drainage and Venting                         

• Pipe sizing, layout and traps
• Soil and waste vent stacks
• Floor drains and trap primers
• Sump pumps and sewage ejectors
• Odor mitigation measures

Tab 6 – Storm and Rain Water            

• Site gradients and runoff
• Catch basins and dry wells
• Foundation drain tile
• Landscaping and plantings
• Irrigation and flow control
• Stormwater harvesting

Day 3

 Tab 7 – Natural Gas Requirements                 

• Required pressure and capacity
• Gas meters and compressors
• Water heaters, boilers and furnaces
• Gas-fired appliances

 Tab 8 – Plumbing Estimating               

• Project scope documents
• Schedule
• Plans
• Specifications
• Plumbing takeoffs
• Estimate components
• Budgeting

Tab 9 – Science Lab Considerations                

• Lab sink and fume hood layout
• Eyewash and emergency showers
• RO / DI and purified water supply
• Vacuum pump piping and controls
• Special lab waste systems

Tab 10 – Healthcare Facility Issues                 

• Medical gas piping
• Certification requirements
• Vacuum and controls
• Temperature regulation
• Decontamination issues

Tab 12 – Appendix (excerpts for reference)

• 2015 IPC Chapter 4 – Fixtures, faucets and fixture fittings
• 2015 IPC Chapter 6 – Water supply and distribution
• 2015 IPC Chapter 7 – Sanitary drainage
• 2015 IPC Chapter 9 – Vents
• 2015 IPC Chapter 11 – Storm drainage
• 2015 IPC Appendix B – Rates of rainfall for various cities
• 2015 IPC Appendix E – Sizing of water piping system
• 2016 Wisconsin SPS 382.40 Appendix
• LEED reference guide for building design and construction
• 2018 NFPA 54 and ANSI Z223.1 – Pipe sizing
• 2018 NFPA 99 – Annex A

Registration Date/Time:
6/9/2026 8:0am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 6/9/2026  8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 6/10/2026  8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 6/11/2026  8:30am - 4:30pm Central Time

• Program Director

  Mark Malkin

• Doug Nelson

  Assistant Professor, Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department Milwaukee School of Engineering

  Douglas Nelson, PE, has passion for developing engineers to be successful in the marketplace. He wants all students to be job-ready when the arrive at their chosen career. He does this as an Assistant Professor in the Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Department at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He has been involved in various aspects of the plumbing industry for approximately 40 years. In addition to teaching plumbing and fire protection he manages learning in both the Civil Engineering and Construction Management areas.

• Zac Rockendorf

  Senior Project Manager

  Zac Rockendorf, MP, is a Senior Project Manager at JF Ahern company in Milwaukee Wisconsin, with a background in commercial plumbing construction.  With a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering and over 15 years of industry experience in plumbing design, estimating, and construction, he focuses on innovation and efficiencies to bring value to his projects.  Zac is a credentialed Master Plumber in the State of WI and is an active member of the WI ASPE.

• Jill Imig

  Vice President

  Jill Imig, PE, EDAC is an Associate Vice president with HGA in Milwaukee and has over 15 years of experience in the design of plumbing, medical gas and fire protection systems for healthcare, corporate, higher education and science & technology.  Jill also serves as the Milwaukee office’s mechanical engineering department leader. She has a passion for working as part of an interdisciplinary design and construction team to create designs that best suite client’s needs, considering cost, efficiency, and sustainability. Additionally, she is highly involved with the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), and the Medical Gas Professional Healthcare Organization (MGPHO).

• Cory Powers

  Engineering Principal HGA Architects and Engineers

  Cory Powers, CPD, is an engineering principal at HGA in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a background in mechanical design, having specialized in plumbing, medical gas and fire protection systems. A ready source of knowledge and information, Cory provides leadership, planning and coordination to make sure clients receive long-term benefits for their investment. He focuses on sustainable outcomes, researching and analyzing available and new technologies that provide energy-efficient, long-lasting and cost-effective solutions. Cory is a Certified Plumbing Designer, a registered Designer of Engineering Systems in the State of Wisconsin, and a member of ASPE. He is currently a lecturer at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, having earned a BS in Architectural Engineering Mechanical Systems there.

• Christoph Lohr

  Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

  Christoph Lohr, PE, CPD, has over a decade of experience in designing plumbing systems for healthcare, laboratory, hospitality, sports, and university projects. Christoph's current responsibilities as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for IAPMO is to identify long term, high impact projects, develop a business case for them, bring resources to bear, and execute them for maximum results. Christoph's professional activities in the industry extend into multiple volunteer associations, of which he has also assumed leadership roles setting strategy and direction for teams including ASPE Phoenix Chapter, ASPE Society, ASPE Legionella Working Group, ASHRAE Committees, PIPE Trust of Arizona, and IAPMO's Safe Building Reopening Best Practices. Christoph consistently looks to find long-term, holistic solutions that positively impact public health and safety, particularly in the world of water and plumbing.

• Tj Smith

  Project Manager

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

This course has been approved by the State of WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) for 20 hours for: Commercial Plumbing Inspector, Journeyman Plumber, and Master Plumber license holders.