Plumbing & Mechanical articles from February 2009

Plumbing & Mechanical archives from February 2009

NSF develops low-lead standard for plumbing products.(Around THE INDUSTRY)
February 1, 2009... NSF International has developed a new compositional standard for products that come in contact with drinking water, including faucets. Annex G--Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure to a 0.25 Percent Lead Requirement is...

PHCC holds own convention this year.(PHCC NEWS)
February 1, 2009... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association will hold its own convention this year for the first time since 2001. PHCC Connect 2009 will take place Oct. 21-23 in New Orleans and will feature seminars, award luncheons and a...

Plumbing trade groups join water efficiency research coalition.(PHCC NEWS)
February 1, 2009... Four plumbing trade groups recently agreed to work together to coordinate research on water-efficient plumbing products, systems and practices. Members of the Water Efficiency Research Coalition are: the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling...

Ten organizations have formed a consortium to provide guidance and technical expertise on sustainability issues.('Green' News Roundup)
February 1, 2009... Ten organizations have formed a consortium to provide guidance and technical expertise on sustainability issues to the U.S. Department of Energy's Building Technologies Program. The High Performance Commercial Green Building Partnership...

The city of Newark, N.J., will launch a partnership to offer free on-the-job training in green construction jobs for Newark residents.('Green' News Roundup)
February 1, 2009... The city of Newark, N.J., will launch a partnership to offer free on-the-job training in green construction jobs for Newark residents. Partners include the Laborers International Union Eastern Region and the Garden State Alliance for a New...

Santa Rosa, Calif.-based LeDuc & Dexter is the area's first regional GreenPlumbers USA licensee.('Green' News Roundup)
February 1, 2009... Santa Rosa, Calif.-based LeDuc & Dexter is the area's first regional GreenPlumbers USA licensee. The company has 75 employees and about 50 trucks. Services include residential, commercial, design/build, hydronics and a residential service...

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recently launched a new Web site.('Green' News Roundup)(Website overview)
February 1, 2009... The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recently launched a new Web site--www.greenremodeling.org. The new site will be a resource for homeowners and industry professionals. Eco-minded homeowners can find Green Certified...

Manufacturers rep agency Wales-Darby Inc. opened an energy-efficiency showroom.('Green' News Roundup)
February 1, 2009... Manufacturers rep agency Wales-Darby Inc. opened an energy-efficiency showroom at its Islandia, N.Y., location. Designed as a multipurpose facility, the Wales-Darby Energy Room provides a setting dedicated to the display of functional...

ECR International unveils new look.(Vendor & Supplier: NEWS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ECR International, a manufacturer of heating and cooling appliances, recently announced a logo change. The new logo pays tribute to ECR's history, reflects the heating and cooling sides of the business and speaks to...

NIBCO moves PEX manufacturing operations.(Vendor & Supplier: NEWS)
February 1, 2009... NIBCO recently combined its PEX extrusion operation and post-processing/ distribution operations into a new facility in Lebanon, Ohio. The 130,000-square-foot facility has ample room for expansion of manufacturing and distribution operations,...

Taco buys building controls firm.(Vendor & Supplier: NEWS)
February 1, 2009... Taco Inc. recently acquired the assets of Innovex Technologies, a manufacturer of Intelligent Building Systems products, which include standalone control devices and accessories for both residential and commercial buildings. Taco President and...

ACE DuraFlo, Mr. Rooter announce partnership.(Vendor & Supplier: NEWS)
February 1, 2009... ACE DuraFlo Systems and Mr. Rooter have an exclusive agreement that allows Mr. Rooter franchisees to expand their menu of services with the addition of miniE, an epoxy pipe restoration technology.

The consequences of inaction; playing the denial game will make a bad situation worse.(Business TIPS)
February 1, 2009... Newton's third law of motion says: To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A correlation in the world of business would be: Actions have consequences. When considering the dynamic nature of the business world, inaction is the...

Tankage: putting shapes and numbers together.(Hydronics WORKSHOP)(Formula)
February 1, 2009... Tanks are an integral part of most hydronic, solar thermal, geothermal and solid fuel heating systems. In many systems, they are used to produce and store domestic hot water. They are also used as a buffer between the rate of heat output from a...

Adjusting a multiple-boiler system.(RADIANT & HYDRONICS E-NEWS: THE GLITCH & THE FIX)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Overview: A few years ago, I toured a facility with a hydronic heating system laid out as shown below. The systems supplied some air handlers using valves for zone control. It also supplied two other higher-temperature loads using separate...

University goes green.
February 1, 2009... If you think college students type term papers these days, you're probably still listening to a Duran Duran cassette on your Walkman. Grab an iPod and step into Loyola University's newest addition to its Chicago Lakeshore campus and you'll see...

Drain cleaning: income alternative in a sagging economy; in these tough economic times, don't let potential income flush down the drain.
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OK, so the economy stinks! The housing market has slowed to a standstill, bank loans are difficult to come by, and customers are putting off remodeling projects because they're afraid to spend the money. You've still...

Time and effort pays off.(TRUCK OF THE MONTH)(Harbaugh's HVAC/Refrigeration, Inc.)
February 1, 2009... Before family-run Harbaugh's HVAC/Refrigeration Inc. installs a radiant floor system or geothermal heat pump for a customer, a great deal of time is spent on the design phase of each job. Therefore, it was especially important to owner Ray...

FindaPlumber.com: Internet advertising--for beginners to pros.(Center Of Attention)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The game has changed. Five years ago, being in the phone books was not an option--it was a necessity. Not so anymore for some plumbers. Plumbing companies aware of this trend have been taking advantage of the...

Plumbing design of residential sprinklers: plumbing contractors already have the know-how to install sprinkler systems.(Plumbing PRIMER)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There was a lot of excitement last September when the ICC membership voted to mandate residential sprinkler systems for all one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. All sorts of proclamations were made regarding...

Need a bailout? Grin and win! the powerful effects of body language.(Practical MANAGEMENT)(Uncle Sam Chemical Company Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Will there be enough of Uncle Sam's overly generous bailout money to trickle down to you and your employees to resolve all of your business and personal financial worries? Will it happen soon enough to save the ship?...

One Better.(FIRST PLACE)
February 1, 2009... Some months ago you published a Tool Tip where 3-inch PVC was used to anchor propane/mapp cylinders to the truck wall. That made me think about my pet peeve: my torch tipping over almost every time I set it aside. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

At your fingertips.(tool tips)(Editorial)
February 1, 2009... My tip concerns plumbing on ladders and scaffolding, and it can save you from climbing up and down ladders. You have everything you need at your fingertips. I use an apron with multiple pockets that goes around your neck and ties at the waist....

Two steps for 2-inch pipe.(tool tips)
February 1, 2009... To cut 2-inch cast-iron pipe in a tight spot (under a house, for example), use steel pipe cutters. First, attach cutters to pipe. Second, move cutter back and forth 2-3 inches while slowly tightening cutter. The pipe will snap cleanly. ...

Full-line instruction catalog.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Gorton heating catalog includes its line of fast-venting valves for every steam heating system. A complete schematic, with accompanying instructions, explains the exact placement of its valves within a building...

Walton pipe extractors.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Walton "REPS" extractors remove broken pipes and studs that defy movement. They make a strong, four-point grip without hammering or pounding and are made of hardened steel. The extractors pull rather than ream, and...

FlexHead Industries.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FlexHead is the premier manufacturer of flexible sprinkler hose fittings, which connect sprinkler heads to the branch line, eliminating traditional arm-overs of rigid pipe. Flexible sprinkler hose fittings have...

Drain-Rooter PH makes job clean and easy.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The compact, portable Drain-Rooter PH [tm] from General Pipe Cleaners features a variable-speed power cable feed and variable-speed motor to make drain cleaning jobs cleaner and easier. The operator has complete...

The finest tankless electric water heaters available.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stiebel Eltron offers the finest tankless electric water heaters available. Its Tempra DHC-E outperforms bulky hot water tanks and reduces hot water pipe runs. It offers the best warranty in the industry. For more...

New Gen-Ear LE water leak detection system.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Gen-Ear LE [tm] from General Pipe Cleaners is a simplified, more economical water leak locator with stronger sound amplification than other systems. The compact amplifier fits easily in the palm of your hand....

ModuHeat complete modular heating systems.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOW Hydronics offers ModuHeat, complete modular heating systems for all multi-zone hydronic radiant floor and baseboard applications. This modular distribution unit can serve up to eight heating zones with the...

Portable pump puller.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pul-A-Pump's patented design provides state-of-the-art performance in a portable pump-pulling device. Built-in features allow efficient, one-man operation. Unique belt-drive mechanism affords continual automatic...

Unlimited hot water.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ergomax heat exchangers produce large volumes of hot water for residential and commercial applications, including ones needing water at 180 degrees F. Ergomax units can be used with boilers, solar and geothermal...

Baxi modulating, condensing boilers.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Condensing boilers are heating up the hydronics world, and the spotlight is on proven products like Baxi. Preferred by green builders, Baxi Luna wall-hung boilers have a solid track record for quality, safety and...

Pro-Pal valves for professionals.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Webstone has created a line of valves that separate the professional installation from the DIY look by offering these innovative valves to the professional contractor only. They simplify installations, create an...

On-Screen digitizer.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the new On-Screen Digitizer from FastEST Inc., users can import plans of many different digital formats directly into FastPIPE [tm] and FastDUCT [tm] Estimating Software. By having the digital plan interface...

Myson Radiators--heating through innovation and design.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Myson combines imagination and European tradition in its new 2009 catalog. You'll find innovative heating products for your home, baths and spas, retirement homes, or wherever your needs are more than just heat....

Sentinel cleans, protects hydronic heating systems.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sentinel chemical water treatment products improve boiler system efficiency, and reduce gas consumption and carbon dioxide production. A leading European line now available in North America, Sentinel cleaning and...

The dependable heating solution--Myson Fan Convectors.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Myson introduces a full line of new Fan Convectors designed to provide heat in a minimum of space using forced convection. This new 2009 catalog details Myson's efficient tangential fan design, which forces air...

Power-Vee works great in tight spots.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When working under sinks or in other awkward places, General's Power-Vee [tm] is like having a third hand. Just squeeze the feed lever and three offset rollers in the automatic feed grip the cable and drive it into...

Myson offers European-Style towel warmers.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Myson's new 2009 catalog offers more towel warmer choices than ever before. Through years of innovation, Myson Towel Warmers make beautiful fashion statements with their elegant and functional designs, high-quality...

AutoCut copper tube cutter available in 1-inch size.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new 1-inch AutoCut [tm] from General Pipe Cleaners slices copper tubing in tight spots--even with less than 1 inch of clearance from a wall during stub-out work. Like the 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch models, the new...

Flushmate Pressure-Assist Technology.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Flushmate[R] Pressure-Assist Technology is the leading flushing system for performance and conservation. The ULF model flushing less than 1.6 gpf and the HET model, flushing 1.0 gpf. For the best in one-flush...

A powerful new force in the hydronic heating movement.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
February 1, 2009... Because consumers are increasingly demanding the comfort, security, efficiency and added value of hydronic heating (baseboard, radiator, radiant heating with hot water and indirect water heating), HVAC professionals, builders and architects...

PureFire Boiler.(Products & LITERATURE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PureFire Boiler: The PureFire[TM] gas-fired condensing boiler from Peerless Boilers is a high-efficiency boiler for residential and commercial applications and is available for either natural or LP gas. A unique...

PEX Manifold.(Products & LITERATURE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PEX Manifold: Nibco Inc.'s patent-pending Dura-PEX Home-Run Manifold is now available from six ports through 40 ports. Molded from high-density polyethylene then cross-linked into PEX for high strength and heat...

Warehouse Software.(Products & LITERATURE)
February 1, 2009... Warehouse Software [no photo]: PathGuide Technologies' Latitude WMS Cycle Count Planning module helps users save money and time as they prepare for year-end inventories. Its inventory checks of more than 15,000 items can be spread out over time...

Improved Rooter.(Products & LITERATURE)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Improved Rooter: General Pipe Cleaners' improved Mini-Rooter XP features a new "up-right" frame with roll bars to protect the motor. A variable-speed Power Cable Feed enables the operator to feed or retrieve the...

Nuts & Bolts And Thingamajigs; here's an organization tradespeople can get behind.(Nuts and Bolts And Thingamajigs Foundation)(Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International)(Editorial)
February 1, 2009... I came across the Nuts & Bolts And Thingamajigs Foundation (NBTF) quite by accident, and in a way that speaks volumes about the need for such an organization. It's a shame more people in our industry haven't heard of it, and this is a...