Remain in the Flow

Back to the Basics of Plumbing

Ignacio Contreras

Western Regional Representative

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials

Plumbing may very well be the most taken for granted of all the trades. Yet, health and life safety are at the core of the plumbing codes and practice.

Indoor plumbing was voted as the Most Important Medical Breakthrough in the Scientific and Medical Profession over the last 150 years. In January of 2007 the British Medical Journal chose the "sanitary revolution" as the most important achiement in over 150 of scientific and medical history.

Last year, the IAPMO Group launched March4Water Month to recognize plumbing systems’ vital role in building community resilience, protecting public health. More on this from our presenter.

Ignacio “Iggy” Contreras has been a practicing plumber for over 25 years. As a Union trained apprentice, Certified Journeyman Plumber, Union Plumbing Instructor for 13 years, and a Union Trainer of Trainers for many years.

Ignacio will be covering the plumbing basics of potable water service, main drain and sewer lateral, pressure regulator (PR valve), potable water piping, traps, vents, and fixtures. Do you have any idea how much water pressure can vary within a house in day or night? Why can water flow vary throughout a house. What can be the cause of slow fixture drains other than being clogged or obstructed? What purpose is that tank above the water heater and what does it really do? What is air hammer and pipe knock? What causes these to happen? Is there defective cast iron pipe?

As a commercial plumbing and mechanical company superintendent for 17 years Ignacio has led teams of plumbers in Biotech, Health Care, Food Service, Hotels, Schools, High Rise, Tenant Improvement, Manufacturing, Process and Educational Trainer.

His commitment and devotion to the betterment and uplifting of his profession brought him into his current position of Western Field Representative of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). IAPMO is the entity that continues to develop and publish the plumbing and mechanical codes adopted in this and 31 other states.

Ignacio is certified by the American Society of Sanitary Engineers International (ASSE). A 118 year old ANSI-accredited standards developer and product certification body composed of members representing all disciplines of the plumbing and mechanical industries. Additionally certified by the National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC) in the following disciplines:

Journeyman Plumber, Journeyman Pipe Fitter, 6010 Medical Gas Installer, 6050 Medical Gas Instructor, ASSE 5000 Backflow Tester, ASSE Backflow Instructor, ASSE Backflow Repair, ASSE 1206 Water Quality Certified and Graduate of ITP Instructors training program.

As always bring your concerns and questions about your plumbing findings and inspections including the head scrathers you have seen and can't explain. 

DATE/TIME: 

Tuesday March 26

Pre-meeting dinner 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Regular meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m.

WHO:

All are welcome to join in the camaraderie, fellowship, and fun of our chapter meetings.

LOCATION: 

Tustin Meadows WEST Clubhouse

14702 Devonshire

Tustin, CA 92780

FOOD: Lasagna!

* BYOD - We will have water, and maybe some red wine, on hand, bring anything else you want to drink.

COST:

$35 per person

Prepay using ZELLE to [email protected]

Cash or check also accepted at the door