Expert Details
Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, Standards, and Installation practices.
ID: 728885
California, USA
Contracted with McNamara Benjamin LLP in a legal case as an installation and regulatory expert in a case defending a contractor.
Contracted with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in a legal case as a copper pipe and tubing installations expert.
Under contract with Copper Development Association to serves on IAPMO's Plumbing and Mechanical Technical Committees, ICC International Residential Code (Plumbing and Mechanical) and NFPA 54 Accredited Standards Committee Z223, National Fuel Gas Code.
Previously severed on California’s Building Standards Commission Advisory Board as Vice Chair. Worked for the City of Oakland in California for 22 years and 13 years as Chief Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector. Expert has been an instructor for IAPMO for over 15 years teaching the UPC, UMC, IPC, IMC, and Special Seminars covering DWV systems and Water and Gas sizing and taught Plumbing and Mechanical Code classes for 14 years at Chabot Junior College in Hayward. At one time, she was a certified welder and pipe fitter.
Currently she provides engineering assistance, technical development (codes and standards) and installation training to the designers, Specifiers, installers and consumers of copper and copper alloy tube and fittings. She has over 25 years of professional experience in the plumbing and mechanical field. She has been an active member of IAPMO for many years, serving on the UPC and UMC Technical Committee, and the UPC and UMC Code Changes Committee, Chaired the Standards, Education, and the Answers and Analysis of the UMC Committees.Her dedication, knowledge, and long experience in the plumbing and mechanical industry serve her well as an educator.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1987 | Degree: | Subject: Construction Technology | Institution: Chabot College at Hayward |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2008 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner | Department: Consulting |
Responsibilities:Serves on IAPMO's Plumbing and Mechanical Technical Committees, ICC Residential Code Committee, and NFPA 54 Accredited Standards Committee Z223, National Fuel Gas Code. She provides technical services for Attorneys, Engineers, Manufacturers, Contractors, Code Officials, and Consumers for plumbing and mechanical systems associated with codes, standards, design, installation, and product use. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2006 to 2008 | Employer: Self Employed | Title: Western Regional Manager | Department: Pipe and Tubing |
Responsibilities:She provided engineering assistance to Designers, Specifiers, Installers and Consumers of copper and copper alloy tube and fittings. She taught soldering and brazing classes to the United Associations Locals, PHCC associations, and other Plumbing and Mechanical contractors in the proper methods and techniques of soldering and brazing copper and brass tube and fittings. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2005 to 2006 | Employer: Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute | Title: Regional Representative | Department: Field Division |
Responsibilities:She developed technical information for Engineers, Architects, Design Professionals, and Building Departments, including the proper design and installation methods of cast iron piping systems. She prepared and Presented Power Point Presentation on the proper method and design of cast iron soil pipe systems to ASPE chapters, Engineering firms, and Building Departments. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1987 to 2005 | Employer: City of Oakland | Title: Chief Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector | Department: Community and Economic Development Agency |
Responsibilities:She developed and proposed code modifications prior to adoption of Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Swimming Pool Code, and local codes and ordinances and collaborated with other municipalities in the development of the Bay Area wide Fat Oil and Grease (FOG) ordinance.She represented the City of Oakland in Small Claims Court cases concerning code compliance, permit issuances and fees, and enforcement penalties. She chaired meetings with Engineers, Architects, and Design Professionals to discuss and review proper design, installation methods, product selection, and resolutions. She managed, mentored, trained, and provided technical direction to Senior Inspectors, Field Inspectors, Plan Checkers, Permit Technicians, and Office Staff regarding proper techniques and principles of inspections, reading and interpreting plans, specifications, and blueprints accurately; with specific knowledge of sanitary sewer, potable water supply, gas piping, and HVAC systems. She reviewed construction drawings and plans for plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) to ensure compliance with codes, standards, and local regulations. |
|||
Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1983 to 2005 | Agency: City of Oakland | Role: Chief Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector | Description: She developed and proposed code modifications prior to adoption of Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Swimming Pool Code, and local codes and ordinances and collaborated with other municipalities in the development of the Bay Area wide Fat Oil and Grease (FOG) ordinance. She represented the City of Oakland in Small Claims Court cases concerning code compliance, permit issuances and fees, and enforcement penalties. She chaired meetings with Engineers, Architects, and Design Professionals to discuss and review proper design, installation methods, product selection, and resolutions. She managed, mentored, trained, and provided technical direction to Senior Inspectors, Field Inspectors, Plan Checkers, Permit Technicians, and Office Staff regarding proper techniques and principles of inspections, reading and interpreting plans, specifications, and blueprints accurately; with specific knowledge of sanitary sewer, potable water supply, gas piping, and HVAC systems. She reviewed construction drawings and plans for plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) to ensure compliance with codes, standards, and local regulations. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| IAPMO, NFPA, and ICC |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| IAPMO Certified Plumbing Inspector IAPMO Certified Mechanical Inspector |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Served on State of California Building Standards Committee Advisory Board - Vice Chair |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| She has represented the City of Oakland in Small Claims Court cases concerning code compliance, permit issuances and fees, and enforcement penalties. She has investigated, examined, and evaluated copper tubing installations to determine the cause of failures. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Currently she is an instructor for IAPMO developing and instructing tailored and customized class curriculums. She prepares Power Point Presentations covering the Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, International Residential and Mechanical Codes, and Special Seminars covering specific systems such as DWV, gas, water, exhaust, etc. She has taught soldering and brazing classes for the United Associations Locals, PHCC associations, and other Plumbing and Mechanical contractors in the proper methods and techniques of soldering and brazing copper and brass tube and fittings. She has taught UPC and UMC courses for Chabot College. |
| Marketing Experience |
|---|
| She is a voting member on the NFPA’s ASC Z223 National Fuel Gas Code and IAPMO’s Plumbing and Mechanical Technical Committees. She has also served on California's Building Standards Committee Advisory Board as Vice Chair and IAPMO's Plumbing and Mechanical Technical Committee, Plumbing and Mechanical Code Change Committee, Plumbing Standards Committee, Mechanical Code Answers & Analysis, Education Committee and Training and Education Committee. |
Fields of Expertise
California regulation, International Conference of Building Officials model code, piping code, piping standard, piping system, piping system design review, plumbing, plumbing code, plumbing standard, regulatory organization, building construction regulation, industrial process piping, water valve, pipe coupling, brass coupling, National Building Code, pipe installation, water reuse, water supply, water distribution, backflow prevention, American National Standards Institute material standard, pressure piping system, underground piping, water distribution system, sewer system, pipe, National Fire Protection Association code