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Quadrivium: Autumn
Educational settlements are the closest many people come to feel at home in beautiful surroundings. The catalog that informs the safety and sustainability of these "cities-within-cities" changes 100 to 1000 times per day. Titles are unstable, time-sensitive, copyright protected and land in public law. We explore the action continuously; assign priorities, then schedule a separate teleconference to formulate responses to public consultations. Daily colloquia topics appear on our CALENDAR.
Water Smart Farms
"This farm supports the University dairy herd. New infrastructure is saving river water and protecting the New South Wales environment."
How the Netherlands Prevents Flood Disasters
George Washington University November 19, 2019:Representative of the Dutch Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands #NLintheUSA, Jan Peelen tells the story of the Netherland’s historic battle with flooding and shares how the Dutch are learning to live with water.
Flood Abatement Equipment
Seasonal severe weather usually spawns floods and inspire a revisit of relevant codes and standards for mitigating water damage. FM Global, an accredited standards developer, has posted updates of its flood management data sheets; available to the public for free.
Physical Security of Water Utilities
Large research universities are major stakeholders in the physical security of the host municipality water management system. University hospitals district energy plants are only two examples of concentrated risk. Public Comment on proposed changes to ASCE-SEI 24 Flood Resistant Design and Construction closed September 26th. Committee action should take place within 90 days.
Exploration of the Theory of Electric Shock Drowning
Drowning due to electric shock is theorized to occur when a current that is greater than the “let go” current passes through a body of water and conducts with the human body. Drowning would occur when the skeletal muscles contract and the victim can no longer swim. It is theorized that the likelihood of receiving a deadly shock in a freshwater environment (such as a lake) is higher than the likelihood in a saltwater environment (such as a marina). @IEEECampus
Uniform Plumbing Code
In the IAPMO catalog--adopted primarily by US western states that comprise the 3rd largest economy in the world -- we find best practice for potable hot water generation, interior heating, hygiene and cooking activity. Parent standards for swimming pools are referenced here. Public comment on proposed changes to the 2027 revision will be received until January 3, 2025.
Gallery: Great Lakes
In a state whose land mass was formed by glaciers, has there been climate change in its 10,000 - 15,000 year past? Did the glaciers melt because of sport utility vehicles made in Detroit? We refer you to the Academy of Projectors described in Book Three of Jonathan Swift's 1726 satire on academia in "Gulliver's Travels"
Reliability Analysis for Power to Fire Pumps
One of the most common questions in the early stages of designing a large campus building is whether the normal utility supply to a fire pump is reliable enough to “tap ahead of the main” or whether the fire pump supply is so unreliable that it must have an emergency power source, typically an on-site generator. This study informs a critical decision for many buildings on large research universities.