dkaczmarek@asa.net / Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / Categories: News ASA Codes and Standards Updates – January 24, 2024 ASA Codes and Standards Updates The ASA Codes and Standards team hit the ground running in 2024 by attending major standards/model codes meetings impacting our members. ASA continues to be committed to representing ASA members and being the voice of the PHPC and PVF Supply Chains in the development of sound and fair standards and codes. In addition, ASA Codes and Standards staff represent both HARDI Int. and the Water Quality Association (WQA), through partnership agreements, at these meetings. ASA is represented as a voting member on the ASME A-112 Standard Committee. The ASME A112 standards create a comprehensive series comprised of over forty plumbing standards which provide expectations for performance and tests for a wide range of plumbing products and assemblies. Many of the ASME plumbing standards are harmonized with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) plumbing standards so participation on the A-112 Committee provides additional value in having a voice on how Canadian standards impact plumbing products. Key highlights from the ASME/CSA meetings include: The Committees are getting closer to the development of a more efficient process for the review of proposed standards in the ASME/CSA standards harmonization process. The current process involves significant duplication and inefficiencies which have a direct impact on our manufacturing member’s time spent on the process. The new processes are anticipated to be submitted for approval at the June meeting. Significant time was spent on the incorporation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into the forward of CSA and harmonized ASME/CSA plumbing standards. CSA has moved forward with including a forward into CSA Standards which attempts to document which UN Sustainable Development Goals are addressed in the standard. A major concern from committee members, including ASA, is that the inclusion of such a forward would give a misunderstanding that the plumbing standards are intended to cover sustainability requirements. The plumbing standards today cover performance and public safety and there was not strong support for the potential inclusion of sustainability requirements. ASA will be represented on a task group to address this issue and provide recommended actions to both CSA and ASME. Until resolution of the issue is obtained, CSA agreed to take down the references to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to plumbing standards currently on the CSA website. Update Report from EPA WaterSense – the US EPA WaterSense staff provided a summary report on their activities: EPA is establishing a singular maximum flush volume requirement of 1.28 gpf for both single-flush toilets and the full-flush mode of dual-flush toilets. Prior to this change, dual flush toilets were allowed to have a maximum flush of 1.6 gpf with the average of the dual flush volumes being below 1.28 gpf. The program is in the process of obtaining public input on the timeframe for compliance with the new requirements. ASA staff obtained clarification during the presentation that products already in the marketplace, including distributor inventory, will not be impacted by this change. EPA will be publishing a notice of intent soon to revise the requirements for high efficiency lavatory faucets. The proposed revisions under consideration include expanding scope to include private lavatory and bar sink faucets, kitchen faucets, and public lavatory faucets; incorporating metering or self-closing lavatory or public faucet categories; and exclusion of laundry tub/tray and service sink faucets, lawn or sediment faucets, deck mounted tub faucets, pot fillers, and water dispensers. The ASA Codes and Standards Committee will review the notice, once published, for possible comment. ASA also participated in standards meetings held at the ASHRAE Winter Conference. The following provides key highlights from those meetings: ASHRAE 90.2 Standards Committee ASA has had a standing opposition to the incorporation of water efficiency requirements into ASHRAE Standards covering energy-efficiency. During the ASHRAE 90.2, Energy-Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings, committee meeting a presentation was provided on the incorporation of water efficiency requirements into ASHRAE 90.2. ASA spoke in opposition to the concept and no action was taken during the meeting. ASHRAE Technical Committee 3.6, Water Treatment A report was provided on the status of approval of a research project to produce a publication on requirements of state and local agencies related to building facilities that provide supplemental treatment to building water systems. Two additional research projects have been submitted for approval and funding. The first is a project to evaluate the effects of high dosing disinfection practices on the building water system materials. The second research project is to evaluate the recycling of greywater on the building plumbing system materials. ASHRAE 15 and 15.2 – Refrigeration Systems, Commercial and Residential ASA is represented as a voting member on both the ASHRAE 15 and ASHRAE 15.2 Committees. No significant outcomes to report from the Committee meetings. Several revisions to the Standards will be coming out for vote to clarify several requirements and provide editorial updates. A new standard is under consideration for covering refrigeration systems used in transportation. Specifically, the following applications will be covered: on road transport, refrigerated rail units and refrigerated boxcar, self-contained marine, intermodal transport, and passenger buses and trains. As always, if you have any questions concerning codes and standards activities, please do not hesitate to contact Jim Kendzel, Director of Codes and Standards at jkendzel@asa.net. Print 470 Rate this article: No rating
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Tuesday, February 25, 2025 ASA Member Comment on February Trends: "· Tariffs were questionable, but it looks like they are getting worked out. Some manufactures unaffected by the tariffs are using them as an excuse for a price increase. Will they stick, is now the question?" Read More
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 HRC Steel Update from @MarketWatch: $700.00, -7.00, -0.99% @ASA_HQ #commodities #HotRolledCoil Read More
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Nickel Price Update: January 14th, 2025, the price of nickel is $7.2053 per pound. @ASA_HQ #commodites #Tuesday Read More
Friday, January 10, 2025 COPPER UPDATE from @Nasdaq: Todays High/Low - $27.33/$26.99, 52 Week High/Low - $31.63/$22.81, Share Volume - 69,643 @ASA_HQ #copper #Friday Read More
Monday, January 6, 2025 Commodity Update from @OilandEnergy Oil: $74.53, +0.77% BRENT: $77.05, +0.71% NAT GAS: $3.598, +0.24% #Monday #PVF @ASA_HQ Read More
Thursday, January 2, 2025 "We are optimistic heading into 2025 because a lot of decent jobs opened up in fourth-quarter 2024 and will be strong through first three quarters of 2025. Both industrial and infrastructure work are keeping us busy, and as we expand our footprint, we expect to be much... Read More
Thursday, December 26, 2024 Member comments: “Copper Comex has been stable so far in December. Copper demand has gone up.” #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Monday, December 23, 2024 Morgan Stanley has its 2025 copper price forecast at $9,500/MT. Capital Economics is predicting $9,000/MT in 2025 and $8,000/MT in 2026. #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Friday, December 20, 2024 From an ASA Member: "We are optimistic heading into 2025 because a lot of decent jobs opened up in fourth-quarter 2024 and will be strong through first three quarters of 2025. Both industrial and infrastructure work are keeping us busy, and as we expand our footprint, we... Read More
Thursday, December 19, 2024 High-pressure forged steel fittings and branch connections have had no price increase announcements throughout the fourth quarter. Carbon and stainless-steel bars remain readily available. #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Gasoline prices are expected to average $3.31 a gallon in 2024 and $3.19 in 2025 (versus $3.52 average in 2023). #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Monday, December 9, 2024 The price of copper slipped again over the past 30 days and was lower at $4.04/lb. ($4.34/lb. last month). This is 6.9% lower in the past 30 days. #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Crude oil prices are expected to average $77.00 a barrel in 2024 ($78.80 in the last update and they were $77.58 in 2023) according to the EIA. For 2025, prices are expected to average $71.60. #Commodities Read More
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 After a tough September, sales declined by 7.6% compared to August, October increased 13.6% vs. September 6.8%. Year-to-date sales edged up with respondents reporting a median increase of 1% and Trailing Twelve Month sales increased 1.7%. Read More
Friday, November 8, 2024 ASA Member Comment: "After a few big projects were put on hold earlier in the year, they seem to be bubbling up again. We’re getting current numbers together and feel they’ll start moving again by the 2nd quarter of 2025." @ASA_HQ #Friday Read More
Thursday, November 7, 2024 Copper in 2025: Expected to see a global supply deficit of roughly 848,000 metric tons driven by China’s electric vehicle sector, data center buildouts, demand for electricity and infrastructure buildout focus around the world & general electrification of the global... Read More
Friday, November 1, 2024 West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was essentially unchanged at the time of writing at $69.46 ($69.83 a barrel in last month’s report and flat at just 0.8% year-to-date). It was 8.4% lower vs. October of 2023. #Friday @ASA_HQ Read More
Thursday, October 31, 2024 Producer Prices for steel pipe and tube were down marginally in the latest data from the end of September (latest available). They were down again by 1.3% month-over-month (also down 1.3% last month). Year-over-year, the PPI was 6.1% lower (also -6.5% Y/Y in the last update)... Read More
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 Copper/Plastics Update: The Comex closed Monday, Oct. 28 at $4.332 which is DOWN $0.0075 from Friday’s close. The Comex average year-to-date price is at $4.2348 per pound and the LME is $0.0752 below the Comex average year to date price. Plastics pricing is relatively... Read More
Monday, October 28, 2024 ASA Member Comment: "Currently business is flat. With the conferences that I have attended it seems as though everyone is hoping for things to pick up after the election." #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Thursday, October 24, 2024 COPPER UPDATE from @Nasdaq: Priced at $4.3365, Prior Settlement: $4.3805, 52 Week High: $5.106, 52 Week Low: $3.5845 @ASA_HQ #copper #Thursday Read More
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 From a member: “Sales in October have increased over 2024 and previous months. There is political instability but that does not seem to affect the current market. Competition is aggressive in the Northeast, margins have eroded slightly. We are very optimistic... Read More
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 HRC Steel Update from @MarketWatch: $708.00, +3.00, +0.43% @ASA_HQ #commodities #HotRolledCoil Read More
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Nickel Price Update: October 14th, 2024, the price of nickel is $8.0204 per pound. @ASA_HQ #commodites #Tuesday Read More
Thursday, October 10, 2024 Commodity Update from @OilandEnergy Oil: $73.99, +0.75% BRENT: $77.41, +0.83% NAT GAS: $2.623, -0.037% #Thursday #PVF @ASA_HQ Read More
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 From an ASA member: “Our same-store sales are up 11% vs. the first four months of 2023. I’d love to tell you it’s due to “brilliant” management😊, but it is primarily due to an uptick in project work in the power and air separation... Read More
Monday, June 3, 2024 The stainless weld fitting market continues to stay mostly flat on pricing, but there are continued signs that metals are rising, which could cause prices to start moving. @ASA_HQ #Commodities #Monday Read More
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Stainless steel pipe and fittings prices had remained under consistent, downward pressure since the end of 2022. The major reason was the precipitous fall of nickel prices following the astonishing runup of LME nickel prices during the first half of 2022. Read More
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 STEEL MARKET UPDATE: Flat-roll producers are more willing to negotiate on pricing than in the recent past. Specifically, the increased proliferation of import steel pipe in the market has contributed to suppressing prices this year. @ASA_HQ #Tuesday #Commodities Read More
Monday, May 6, 2024 Carbon Steel Update: After a brief producer-initiated spike to welcome the start of April, hot-rolled coil prices have largely settled back into a lower station. Officially, HRC is trading 12% down from the start of April. @ASA_HQ #Commodities #Monday Read More
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Copper Update: Copper continues to go up in price. Not sure where it will stop. 12% up so far this year. @ASA_HQ #commodities Read More
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 Stainless steel pipe and fittings prices had remained under consistent, downward pressure since the end of 2022. The major reason was the precipitous fall of nickel prices following the astonishing runup of LME (Class I) nickel prices during the first half of 2022. Read More
Thursday, April 25, 2024 COPPER UPDATE from @Nasdaq: Priced at $4.4865, Prior Settlement: $4.46, 52 Week High: $4.526, 52 Week Low: $3.552 @ASA_HQ #copper #Thursday Read More
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Nickel Price Update: April 19, 2024, the price of nickel is $8.8308 per pound. @ASA_HQ #commodites #Wednesday Read More
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 HRC Steel Update from @MarketWatch: $812.00, +5.00, +0.62% @ASA_HQ #commodities #HotRolledCoil Read More
Monday, April 22, 2024 Commodity Update from @OilandEnergy Oil: $82.88, -0.26% BRENT: $86.68, -0.61% NAT GAS: $1.779, +0.027% #Monday #PVF @ASA_HQ Read More
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 Carbon steel futures are down 3% this month and 30% year-to-date. International markets are seeing more stress than domestic, as historically high interest rates in Europe have put massive pressure on inventories. Read More
Thursday, March 28, 2024 The Federal Reserve is still maintaining current rates but was still signaling two to three rate cuts in 2024, all being a quarter-point. The first cuts are expected to begin in June but could come earlier. #Commodities Read More
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 The current GDPNowcast from the Atlanta Fed has started to decelerate from earlier forecasts in Q1 but is still showing the economy growing at 2.1% (2.9% in last month’s report and Blue-Chip forecasters are now expecting growth of 2.0% as well in the quarter). Read More
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Commodity Update from @OilandEnergy Oil: $82.07, +0.12% BRENT: $86.78, +0.03% NAT GAS: $1.610, -0.005% #Tuesday #PVF @ASA_HQ Read More
Monday, March 25, 2024 "Quote activity has increased as well as larger projects breaking ground. The first quarter was slow to start but we see positive gains moving forward. Sales for March are flat compared to a very good month in 2023 but margin is up slightly." @ASA_HQ Read More
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 COPPER UPDATE from @Nasdaq : Priced at $4.0745, Prior Settlement: $4.13, 52 Week High: $4.13, 52 Week Low: $3.552 @ASA_HQ #copper #Wednesday Read More
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Nickel Price Update: As of March 15th, the price of Nickel per Lb: $8.1159 @ASA_HQ #commodites #Tuesday Read More
Monday, March 18, 2024 The EIA is forecasting gasoline prices to average $3.31 in 2024 after averaging $3.52 last year. Diesel forecasts show an annual price of $3.92 after averaging $4.21 last year. #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Friday, March 15, 2024 HRC Steel Update from @MarketWatch: $789.00, -4.00, -0.50% @ASA_HQ #commodities #HotRolledCoil Read More
Thursday, March 14, 2024 Commodity Update from @OilandEnergy Oil: $81.20, +1.48% BRENT: $85.28, +1.25% NAT GAS: $1.683, +0.025% #Thursday #PVF @ASA_HQ Read More
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Economy: First-quarter GDP is once again stronger than expected on the back of strong consumer spending, government investment and stable corporate spending (nonresidential construction). @ASA_HQ #Commodities Read More
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 The Federal Reserve is still signaling two rate cuts in 2024, both being a quarter-point. As we approach the presidential election, the Fed likely will be unwilling to change rate policy. #Commodities @ASA_HQ Read More
Monday, March 11, 2024 Domestic Malleable Iron Update: An industry-wide price increase of 6% went into effect Jan. 1 with labor and energy being the primary cost-increase drivers. #Commodites #Monday @ASA_HQ Read More
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Entering 2024, the industry as a whole anticipates a continued return to pre-pandemic stability across the board. Resin suppliers based in the Gulf Coast were able to dodge a repeat catastrophe by closing vulnerable processes during a recent cold snap. These measures resulted... Read More