What is your current position? What is your area of focus?
As a Senior Plumbing Designer at Bridgers & Paxton Consulting Engineers, I specialize in medical gas, fire protection, and general plumbing systems for complex commercial projects. In addition to design work, I play a key role in BIM development, overseeing plumbing content, workflow optimization, and training integration.
What are your career journey highlights?
- CPD (Certified in Plumbing Design)
- GPD (Green Plumbing Design certification)
- Revit Certified Professional
- Autodesk University Presenter, Plumbing Revit MEP: Drop and Go - Let the Information Flow
What motivated you to get into the plumbing engineering industry?
Like many in the field, plumbing design wasn’t the original plan—it finds you! My career began in 2005 as an electrical draftsman before transitioning into HVAC and plumbing. Under the guidance of Fred Slocum, I developed a comprehensive understanding of plumbing system fundamentals, code compliance, and design methodology, drawing insights from industry leaders Alfred Steele, Ron George, and Fred's mentor Bill English.
In 2009, the emergence of Revit MEP and Navisworks shifted plumbing design workflows, requiring innovative content development, piping system analysis, and clash detection strategies within BIM models.
Then, in 2015, a colleague by the name of Eric Gagnon encouraged me to join ASPE and pursue the CPD certification—further solidifying my commitment to advancing industry standards through BIM-driven plumbing solutions.
As my CA guru John Zarella quotes: "Plumbers protect the health and welfare of the nation—this isn’t for the weak!"
What are the most exciting or rewarding aspects of your work?
It’s exciting to see the BIM process bring designs to life, allowing us to see plumbing systems transition from virtual models to reality. Collaborating with engineers, detailers, contractors, architects, and code reviewers ensures minimal RFI’s with successful project outcomes.
What value have you gained from participation in ASPE Connect?
ASPE Connect serves as an invaluable technical resource for analyzing code compliance, complex system designs, and industry-wide best practices. The platform provides a collaborative space for problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and staying ahead of evolving plumbing standards.
What is the most interesting plumbing design challenge you have encountered?
Museums present unique design challenges—requiring concealed infrastructure that preserves architectural aesthetics while maintaining functionality and code compliance. One recent project involved a 30’-0” deep basement below finished grade, where structural conditions constrained equipment placement for duplex sewage ejectors, clear water pumps, and area drain systems. Constant fixture relocations impacted basin inlet elevations, basin dimensions and pump performance, requiring frequent BIM modeling in Revit MEP and Navisworks to optimize gravity system routing. We successfully integrated code compliant solutions while preserving aesthetics and avoided penetrations through critical structural components.
What is your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?
I enjoy hiking outdoors with my dogs in warmer months and analyzing sports trends at the local Sportsbook in the winter.
Be sure to connect with @Setah Burford and say hello!