PM Engineer articles from August 2005

PM Engineer archives from August 2005

How sprinkler system tanks stack up to ASME codes.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... I like to read Mark Bromann's column. It gives me insight into other areas of design. I am a consulting engineer specializing in ASME code-designed vessels. There are a couple of assumptions in the first example in Bromann's June 2005 PME...

NFPA and fire fighter breathing air systems.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... I agree with Julius Ballanco that the NFPA should be developing the standard for the fire department breathing air replenishment system (June 2005 PME). However, your article is a bit alarmist when it suggests that the system operates...

Breathing air system code comments.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... I agree with Julius Ballanco's June 2005 column. I design breathing air systems as part of the services we offer DOE and DOD facilities. The proposed system is not breathing air; it is tank filling. Each municipality can have this work...

Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI).(regulations )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Federal legislation that would have drastically reduced the amount of lead in common plumbing products from 8% to 0.2% was sidetracked by some quick lobbying efforts by the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI). Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.)...

Mueller Water Products, Inc.(acquisition contracts)(Walter Industries Inc. to accquire Mueller Water Products Inc, the parent company of Mueller Water Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Anvil International, Inc.'s parent company, Mueller Water Products, Inc., has entered into a definitive agreement with Walter Industries, Inc., whereby Walter Industries will acquire Mueller for approximately $1.91 billion. Upon the closing of...

Seminars on green building.(Network '05)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Seminars on green building, politics and maintenance agreements are just a few highlights for attendees of Network '05, a joint meeting of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association and the American Supply Association, Sept....

At this year's Mecanex/Climatex Trade Show held in Montreal.(News Briefs)
August 1, 2005... At this year's Mecanex/Climatex Trade Show held in Montreal, in the Hydronic Heating category, Taco won the award for best new product with its Radiant Mixing Block, a complete piping, pumping, air elimination and control package. It combines a...

Easter Seals Goodwill Industries.(names McGuire Manufacturing Co. as the employee of the year)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Easter Seals Goodwill Industries named McGuire Manufacturing Co. as its Employee of the Year during the charity's annual meeting in July, Each day, three to five "clients" of Easter Seals' Supported Employment Services along with a job coach...

Show off your stuff in PME's design contest.(plumbing and mechanical engineering)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The PME "2005 Excellence in Design Awards" contest is now accepting entries. The winning design will be featured in the Nov. 2005 PME. To nominate your company, visit www.pmengineer.com or contact: Kelly Johnson, 1050 Rt. 83, Suite 200,...

PME wins two APEX Awards for fifth year in a row!(Awards for Publication Excellence)(plumbing and mechanical engineering)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... PM Engineer is proud to announce that it has again garnered two Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX Awards) for the fifth consecutive year. PME won an award for technical writing for the article, "Hydronic Fundamentals, Part 1," from the...

The Board of Governors of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).(Appointments and resignations)(Evan Gaddis of Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association to succeed Malcolm O'Hagan in National Electrical Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Board of Governors of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) announced the retirement of Malcolm O'Hagan, the association's president for the last 14 years. The board also announced that Evan Gaddis, president of the Gas...

Armstrong.(Karl (XiangMu) Kang and Ajay Prui's appointments at S.A Armstrong LTD)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Armstrong has appointed Karl (XiangMu) Kang as its China sourcing development manager, and Ajay Puri as sourcing manager--Toronto.

BrassCraft.(Simon Davis promotion at BrassCraft )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... BrassCraft has promoted Simon Davis to vice president, Brass-Craft/VP-general manager, Cobra Products. Cobra Products include drain-cleaning tools and other machines for the Do-It-Yourself and professional markets.

Grundfos Pumps Corp.(kerry Baskins appointment as the sales manager)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Grundfos Pumps Corp. has announced that 14-year pump industry veteran Kerry Baskins has taken the position of U.S. OEM sales manager--Industry Segment.

Cash Acme.(Appointments of Susie Gilbert and Brian Gilmore at Cash Acme)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Cash Acme has added two regional managers to its North American sales organization. Susie Gilbert will be responsible for the Central U.S., and Brian Gilmore will manage the Western U.S. sales territory.

CISA Holding.(appointment of William Houlin at CISA Holding )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... CISA Holding, headquartered in Santiago, Chile, has appointed William Houlin president and CEO of Briggs Plumbing Products.

Rolf Jensen & Associates (RJA).(Daniel Gemeny gets promotion at Rolf Jensen and Associates Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Rolf Jensen & Associates (RJA) has announced the promotion of Daniel Gemeny, P.E. to the position of chief engineer--Innovation.

Broken specs don't do anyone any good! Think you have control over the specific products used in your design? Think again.(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... Recently, I was surprised to read a report that indicated that while architects and specifying engineers believe that we ultimately control the specific products used in our projects, contractors and wholesale distributors change those specs...

One code difficulty: the One Code Summit addressed the concept of why a single national plumbing code is essential to the industry, and also why it may be disastrous.(One Code Summit)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The One Code Summit sponsored by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) this past May proved to be very interesting. The one thing ASPE did was hold the summit in the middle of a hornets' nest. By sponsoring the summit in Chicago,...

In a climate of Comfort: hotel fires over the last few decades have brought legislation mandating sprinkler installation into the limelight.(Fire Protection)
August 1, 2005... On Feb. 13, 1986, less than a month after my son was born, an eight-hour inferno at the luxurious Manila Hotel in the Philippines took the lives of 27 people. Two months later, a fire swept through the upper floors of a newly built hotel in...

A filter for all occasions: here's an overview of the various types of water treatment cartridge filters.
August 1, 2005... Anyone familiar with cartridge filters will know that they come in a bewildering variety of types and sizes. Their relatively low capital equipment costs, ability to handle varied service flows, and minimal space requirements make them an...

Straight talk about scalding: using temperature and pressure control devices on plumbing and heating fixtures can help provide protection against scalding.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... Much has been written lately about the potential of scalding associated with sink, shower and bathtub fixtures. And, viewpoints certainly vary. A balanced perspective will come from the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), which is...

Back to Basics: circulator cavitation: this article covers the basics of pump cavitation, including what causes it and how to prevent it.
August 1, 2005... Call me strange, but I always enjoy standing in a mechanical room where a circulator is running so quietly that I can barely hear it. To me this epitomizes one of the benefits of a quality hydronic system--the silent conveyance of heat from...

Large-scale fire testing--a valuable validation tool for storage facility protection.
August 1, 2005... The design and construction of storage facilities have changed in recent years as a result of the availability of innovative concepts and configurations used to store and distribute products. The wide variety of storage systems available today...

Warming up to PEX pipe radiant heating systems.(polyethylene)
August 1, 2005... Since the time of the Roman Empire, radiant systems have been used to deliver heat to buildings. One of the more recent modern examples involves Frank Lloyd Wright, who incorporated hydronic radiant heat into his designs in the 1930s. With the...

Liberty Pumps introduces the LSG-series Omnivore[TM] grinder pump.
August 1, 2005... The Omnivore[TM] by Liberty is the industry's newest 2 hp grinder pump with new V-Slice[TM] Cutter Technology. This innovation provides more cuts per revolution for superior shredding performance in demanding sewage applications. The hardened...

Bradford White sets sights on boiler market with Laars[R] purchase.(Case History)(Bradford-White Corp.)(Laars Heating Systems)
August 1, 2005... If it heats water, chances are Bradford White makes it. And the deal to purchase Laars[R] Heating Systems certainly reinforces the company's motto, "Count On Bradford White For Everything Hot Water." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bradford...

Teton Mountain Lodge selects Symmons.
August 1, 2005... The Project: Teton Mountain Lodge, a luxury year-round resort in Jackson Hole, WY, is a world-class ski-in/ski-out and summer destination, promising "the ultimate Jackson Hole experience." Among its pleasures are a relaxing spa treatment and a...

Anvil's service triangle partnership proves successful.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... Securing and managing HVAC projects in today's competitive construction market takes more than just a good bottom number and responsive service. Each member of the construction team needs to provide extra value in order to maximize success....

Vent Category confusion & occupant safety.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... The importance of lab testing has never been greater, but the importance of real world performance has not changed. In the real world, ineffective venting of high-efficiency gas appliances can lead to grave health risks. It's true that venting...

Leonard Valve keeps water temps normal at Normal Community H.S.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... The new Normal Community High School in Normal, IL, serving more than 1,700 students, consists of 300,000 sq. ft. of main building with 8,800 sq. ft. of renovated outbuilding space. The spaces contain dozens of classrooms, restrooms, science...

Justin's Dream.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... Fourteen years ago, on a narrow, winding mountain road, a car skidded on wet pavement and crashed into a ravine. Justin Brown, a passenger in the car, in one short moment lost the use of his legs, and he has been in a wheelchair ever since....

Municipal building goes "green" with Taco's LoadMatch[R] system.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... A recently completed municipal office building in Oregon was designed and built to the environmentally friendly LEED silver standard, and has an energy-efficient Taco LoadMatch[R] single-pipe heating system operating within it. The Clackamas...

RIDGID[R] Compact 100-B: leading the industry in pressing.
August 1, 2005... Pressing is rapidly becoming the preferred way to design and install plumbing and heating systems. Connections install quickly, keeping projects on schedule. Flameless joining eliminates fire risk and leaky soldered joints. Also, building...

Josam Co. helps Delaware County, PA, implement an effective FOG program.(fats, oil and grease)
August 1, 2005... Prior to 2001, restaurants and food service facilities in Concord Township, Delaware County, PA, were required to control and discharge fats, oil and grease (FOG) by routing the effluent through a single-chambered passive grease trap. Thomas...

Texas sprinkler contractor profitably retrofits five schools in record time with FlexHead.(Case History)(Golden Triangle)
August 1, 2005... Golden Triangle Fire Protection of Denton, TX, had a big opportunity and a big problem. The good news? They landed a contract to retrofit 4,375 center-of-tile heads in five different schools in Plano. The bad news? They had only a month from...

Why specify Charlotte Pipe's ChemDrain[TM] CPVC Chemical Waste Drain System? Because we've built a better mousetrap.(chlorinated polyvinyl chloride)
August 1, 2005... Why continue to do things the same old way when there is a better solution right at your fingertips? Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's new ChemDrain[TM] CPVC Chemical Waste Drain System offers a safe, durable and economical alternative for the...

Geberit Electronic Flush Valves: the added benefit of long-term labor savings.
August 1, 2005... The Project: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO--76, 125-seat stadium for the National Football League's Denver Broncos. The Challenge: Invesco Field has 91 public restrooms and, when completely full, offers approximately one toilet for...

Advance Tabco offers the SMART FABRICATION[TM] system for its stainless steel commercial products.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Advance Tabco stainless steel commercial products are among the most widely specified products in the food-service, plumbing and hospitality industries. Specifiers can choose from a full range of stock catalog products, with the capability...

Frauenkirche Dresden project in Germany.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... The Frauenkirche in Dresden, East Germany, was constructed by George Baehr between 1726 and 1738, although the building was not finished until 1743. British bombs destroyed the historical city of Dresden in 1945. The Frauenkirche was lost in...

Industry leader expands its line of residential tankless electric water heaters.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... Stiebel Eltron has expanded its line of residential "whole house" tankless electric water heaters from two to five models. The Tempra[TM] line of tankless electric water heaters offers a wide variety of choices that allows homeowners to meet...

Style, performance land Gerber[R] faucets high-profile role in Penn Club.
August 1, 2005... As fans of the hit TV show "The Apprentice" know, you have to perform to make the cut. Looking good doesn't hurt, either. Gerber[R] Plumbing Fixtures LLC recently beat out the competition on both fronts when its model 44-804 electronic...

Rheem--best known, most respected, most reliable.
August 1, 2005... Rheem is one of the best-known and most respected names among plumbing professionals today. For almost 100 years, installers have looked to us to deliver reliable water heaters with cutting-edge features that provide superior performance and...

Elkay SwirlFlo[R] cooler boasts award-winning design.
August 1, 2005... The award-winning Elkay SwirlFlo[R] architectural series cooler boasts a dramatic design, splash-resistant basin and universal mounting system. A new tubular arm supports and accentuates the splash-minimizing basin and contains a...

Leading contractor uses Caleffi innovation to gain market share.
August 1, 2005... Community Energy, a well-established fuel oil company and leading provider of HVAC systems in the Western Mountains of Maine, sees innovation as an absolute must in staying ahead in a rapidly changing hydronics market. Roger Arsenault,...

Heavy-duty drinking fountain from Halsey Taylor ideal for high-traffic areas.
August 1, 2005... Halsey Taylor recently introduced a new vandal-resistant drinking fountain designed specifically for heavy-duty applications. Part of the stylish Halsey Taylor Contour[TM] series, the rugged new drinking fountain is crafted from 14-gauge...

Guardian Dual Check Hydrant application for high school.
August 1, 2005... The Job A high school in the Northeast decided to renovate and expand its facilities by building a new science wing, a new athletic building and a new cafeteria. The plumbing contract for the renovation and addition included work on more...

Burnham Hydronics meets your needs.
August 1, 2005... Gas-Fired Installation: Residence in South Hero, VT. Burnham Contractor: E&M Mechanical Inc. Burnham Hydronics Gas Unit: Revolution[R] Cast Iron Boiler Cold Vermont winters and a sizable square footage prove to be no match for this...

Protecting drinking fountains from the elements!(EnviroGard)
August 1, 2005... Not long ago, the city of Naples, FL, had a rather unique problem. It seems that local pelicans were soiling the city's outdoor drinking fountains, while perched on the branches of surrounding area pine trees. The shiny fountains were...

McGuire's Convertible[TM]--making it easier for plumbing designers to specify commercial-quality quarter-turn ball valves.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Since its introduction in 2003, McGuire's Convertible[TM] has provided plumbing designers a commercial-quality quarter-turn ball valve that's easy to specify. Specifiers simply use the prefix BV in front of any commonly specified McGuire stop...

Second-generation plumbing contractor embraces tomorrow's technology today.(VHL Plumbing)
August 1, 2005... Recognizing the benefits of both copper and PEX and capitalizing on the unique properties of each material, forward-thinking plumbing contractors are increasingly installing combined copper and PEX systems, also called hybrid systems....

Watts Drainage introduces Industry Standard Series water closet carriers.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... Watts Drainage is pleased to introduce its Industry Standard Series compression seal water closet carriers. For over 50 years, contractors have used a compression seal mechanism to set floor-mounted toilets. So, Watts Drainage asked, why not...

University of Illinois-Chicago turns to Grice for sprinkler piping enclosures.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... When the University of Illinois-Chicago was planning a fire suppression system retrofit for a 17-story single student residence hall during the summers of 2004 and 2005, they knew there would be challenges. One of the biggest would be enclosing...

Cruise control for your pump!(Case History)
August 1, 2005... Driving down the interstate or open road, you set your car to maintain a comfortable speed that's fast enough to keep up with the flow of traffic, but not too fast for road conditions or speed limits. You come to a hill, and the car...

Apollo[R] valves' new Defender[TM] backflow preventers offer low head loss and lead-free construction.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... Apollo[R]'s new Series 4D Defender[TM] backflow preventers feature lead-free construction and an advanced design that sets them apart as one of the best possible choices for commercial and industrial cross-connection control. [ILLUSTRATION...

Connect with an old friend--Grinnell.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... In August of 2004, the Grinnell line of grooved pipe couplings, fittings and products returned to the mechanical piping market in which it was once a leader. This event signified a return to the strong foundation that has formed the cornerstone...

Philadelphia Eagles choose Zurn PEX Radiant Turf Heating System for new stadium.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... The winters in Philadelphia can be as harsh as the fans when their beloved Eagles football team is losing. And like upset fans, cold weather can take a toll on the game, but in a far different way. This is why the owners of the Philadelphia...

NSF International celebrates 60th anniversary.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... In 2004, NSF International celebrated its 60th anniversary as the premier Public Health and Safety Company[TM]. What started out as the vision of three professors in the University of Michigan's School of Public Health aiming to improve food...

Potter Roemer Company profile.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... About Our Company Potter Roemer was founded in 1937 as a manufacturers representative agency by Glea K. Potter and Ray H. Roemer. Like many small companies, it was started with modest capitalization. Growth in the early years was slow, but...

Wilkins--leading the fight in water system safety.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... In today's world, water system safety is a priority, and organizations such as the NRWA (National Rural Water Association) are joining the fight with programs like SEMS (Security and Emergency Management System). SEMS provides a step-by-step...

TMP Associates gives PowerStation[TM] high marks at Haslett High School.(Case History)
August 1, 2005... When Dave Cheshire, CIPE, CPD, mechanical engineer for TMP Associates, Inc. in Bloomfield Hills, MI, needed to provide safe, tempered water to locker room showers and lavatories, he turned to Powers and its all-in-one tempering and...