MICHAEL FRANKEL, CIPE, CPD, is President of Utility Systems Consultants, a mechanical and electrical consulting engineering firm. A graduate of the City University of New York with more than 44 years of experience, he is an oft-quoted and recognized authority in the field of plumbing and piping engineering.A frequent lecturer and author, his articles have appeared primarily in PLUMBING ENGINEER, the journal of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), and he serves as a member of the editorial advisory board. He has contributed to several handbooks, including McGraw-Hill's PIPING HANDBOOK, now in its Sixth Edition.Mr. Frankel is a faculty member of CUNY, teaching extension division… courses in plumbing design and specification writing. He is a member of ASPE and former president of the New Jersey chapter. He is Certified in Plumbing Engineering (CIPE) and Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) by ASPE. In addition, he is ASPE code liaison to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and is a member of the Technical Committee on Piping Systems for NFPA-99 (Health Care Facilities).