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May, 2008
Welcome to The Lagina Meter – your connection to news and trends in the commercial plumbing industry, brought to you by “your plumber,” Lagina Plumbing.
In this issue:
Air Admittance Valves Face July Hearing
 The air admittance valve is one of the most innovative plumbing products in recent years. These pressure-activated, one-way mechanical vents allow for plumbing fixture installation without conventional pipe venting.
Air admittance valves are essential for certain amenities, such as sinks in kitchen islands, and allow for greater flexibility in the layout of other plumbing installations. Their use allows for labor and materials efficiency.
But like many innovations, the acceptance of air admittance valves has not been without controversy. While Wisconsin plumbing code currently allows their use, Minnesota succumbed to pressure and rescinded approval in that state last year (also banning waterless toilets used in water-conserving, green building settings).
Could Wisconsin follow suit? A hearing on proposed changes in the approval status has been set before an administrative law judge in July.
We at Lagina Plumbing support their continued use in Wisconsin. Thousands have been installed, with the only problems being the result of installer error in the installation or testing process. Air admittance valves have been used in Europe for more than 20 years.
We urge your support for the continued approval of air admittance valves in Wisconsin. We’ll keep you informed as this issue progresses.
Building Green? We Can Help
 As business owners and developers increasingly ask for sustainable buildings, Lagina Plumbing is ready to help contractors meet green criteria. Our staff is experienced with plumbing products that fulfill the water-efficiency requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Of the 69 total possible points for a top-rated LEED building, five involve water efficiency. Two of the points come from water-efficient landscaping. The other three points can be earned through innovative wastewater technologies and water use reduction.
There are many high-quality plumbing products that provide the water efficiency needed to qualify for the LEED points. Lagina Plumbing offers a variety of those products from Kohler, a leader in water-conserving fixtures. (See www.us.kohler.com/savewater/ for details.)
Based on our experience with these products, we can show you the most cost-effective ways to meet LEED criteria for water efficiency and earn the points you need to meet certification.
Safety in Numbers - It Really Matters
Lagina Plumbing has enjoyed a decrease in our Worker’s Compensation insurance mod rate for the last five years. Our 2007 rate was 0.82, and our projected 2008 rate is 0.73.
That puts us in a very favorable position compared to industry norms. We are not resting on our laurels. This year, we want all of our plumbers to obtain an OSHA “10 Card,” indicating a superior level of safety training as determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The “10” refers to 10 hours of safety training specific to our industry and book of business. Over the next several months, our entire staff will participate in training to meet that requirement.
A number of general contractors will now only work with subs whose employees hold “10 Cards.”
Along with our folks having an OSHA “10 card” and actively participating in monthly safety meetings, we have engaged them to the point that they know that the savings from being safe are to be shared together as a team. That, we believe, is a formula for success.
Steve Pitz Joins Lagina Plumbing
 Steve Pitz is a new small projects sales manager for Milwaukee-based commercial plumbing company Lagina Plumbing.
“I’m looking forward to working directly with contractors and business owners to solve their plumbing needs,” said Pitz, who previously worked for several major mechanical contractors in Milwaukee, most recently in the role of plumbing project manager.
Lagina Plumbing president Jim Lagina called Pitz’s hiring another important step in the continued growth of the company. Read More>
Lagina Plumbing-Professional Plumbing Contractors Night at the Races
 Join us for our July 13 summer social gathering at Slinger Super Speedway, with a 75-lap late-model feature and full race program, plus a rollover contest.
Get close to the action at this fun Lagina Plumbing-PPC gathering in a private pavilion with food and beverages.
One of our lucky guests will be selected via a drawing to drop the green flag. Children of our guests will call out: "Start Your Engines." We'll have ride-alongs, pit tours and give-aways. Meet driver Rich Loch and get his autograph.
Gates open at 3:45 with time trials at 4:15 and racing at 6 p.m. Our party starts at 4:30.
Click here for your invitation.
And as always, keep track of our No. 55, driven on the ASA Midwest Tour by Rich Loch for Loch-Lagina Motorsports. Follow his 2008 season at www.richloch.com.
Got a Plumbing Question?
If you have a plumbing question, we most likely have an answer. Our staff includes pros with more than 30 years in the business, dealing with all kinds of plumbing situations. We want to be your plumbing knowledge resource, so give us a call at 414-645-7527or shoot us an e-mail with any questions.
Building? Expanding? Renovating? We Can Help.
Thinking of new construction or a building upgrade? Call us for creative, resourceful and dedicated plumbing design, fabrication and installation. Call 414-645-7527.
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