PM Engineer articles from August 2007

PM Engineer archives from August 2007

Who is the code for?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... Dear Mr. Ballanco, allow me to say that I enjoyed reading the article you wrote in the February 2007 edition of PM Engineer. I dare say it sounds like you were the most intelligent one in the group. Plumbing codes should be written so that...

PM Engineer wants to hear about your most unique design.(PME News)
August 1, 2007... Enter the 2007 Excellence in Design Awards Competition! Deadline is Sept. 12, 2007. Enter online at www.pmengineer.com. Click on the Excellence in Design logo (right) on the home page to get the online form. If you're a consulting,...

Bob Miodonski named PME Publisher.(News)
August 1, 2007... Bob Miodonski has been named Publisher of PM Engineer, Associate Publisher of Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times magazines, and Special Projects Director for BNP Media's plumbing division. He joined BNP Media on August 1 and works out...

Weird voting on IPC and IMC: inconsistency reigned at this year's ICC final code hearings.(Codes)
August 1, 2007... When you attend International Code Council (ICC) final code change hearings, you come to expect consistency in the voting on code changes. Often, different committees vote inconsistently on similar subject matters. The final hearing is the...

Below the surface (Part 1): tubing depth DOES affect the performance of heated slabs.(Hydronics Notebook)
August 1, 2007... Anyone who has installed hydronic floor heating has surely had their neatly placed tubing circuits get buried in concrete. Sometimes the tubing and reinforcing mesh gets lifted into the thickness of the slab as the concrete is placed. Other...

Please continue to hold--your question is very important to us: ... and may the code be with you.(Fire Protection)
August 1, 2007... Q. If the automatic sprinkler system (250 gpm at 50 psi) of a combined standpipe system requires a fire pump, does the fire pump have to be sized for the manual standpipe demand (1000 gpm at 135 psi) if the facility is not a high-rise building?...

Keys to simplifying the boiler selection process: selection criteria is crucial and includes fuel, load, application (water or steam), efficiency, venting and system design.
August 1, 2007... With the expansion of technology in the boiler industry over the last 10 years, the number of options available to the engineer has increased dramatically. Engineering a new system or even a replacement boiler can be confusing when sorting...

What's new in engineering design software: several software products are now available to aid in the design of plumbing, fire protection and hydronic systems.(Cover story)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Plumbing, fire protection and hydronic system design all involve pipe networks that have to be carefully analyzed. And yet, fire protection designers have long had software available, while plumbing and hydronic...

Secondary roof drainage: an essential of good design: by incorporating this backup method, you can relieve the buildup of water on the roof prior to the depth of ponding exceeding the structural capacity.(Secondary roof drainage)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Roof drainage is one of the fundamental considerations of building design. From the very dawn of building construction, it has been necessary to incorporate some method of gathering and discharging rainwater from the...

Firestopping in commercial plumbing construction.(BACK TO BASICS)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Effective fire protection of plumbing pipes penetrating fire-rated walls and floor/ceilings is important because it affects long-term safety of building occupants, as well as the building inspection. Plumbing...

Northland Pines High School: LEEDing the way to gold certification.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... It gets mighty cold in winter in Eagle River, a small community of less than 1,500 in the Northwood's region of upstate Wisconsin. Eagle River experiences severe, dry cold in winter (the record low winter temperature is a frosty -45[degrees]F)...

Siphonic roof drain historical building retrofit application.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... The Problem. A historical Disney building in Pasadena, CA, was being refurbished and needed a roof drainage system that allowed the exterior to remain unchanged. Clive Wilkinson Architects contacted Elmco/Duddy, the local Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co....

PowerStation[TM]: the "all in one" water tempering and recirculation solution for commercial and institutional facilities.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... PowerStation is a fully assembled and tested water-tempering and recirculation station designed to save significant time, money and callbacks during installation and set-up. The contractor-friendly PowerStation features proper recirculation...

Apollo[R] 34 HL series temperature control mixing valve scores high marks at UNH.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... If you don't believe Apollo's industry-first ASSE 1069 automatic temperature control mixing valve is the hottest new thing on campus, you haven't talked to student athletes and plumbing department staff at the University of New Hampshire. Or...

Hydronics-geothermal expert champions condensing boiler technology for radiant heating applications.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Contractor Jeff Persons' journey to provide his central Ohio customers with high-efficiency heating solutions began just before the Carter Administration more than 30 years ago. "You might say that the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo was a wake-up call...

Hydrogen sulfide no match for proceptor.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... While the smell of fettuccini and ravioli filled the inside of a busy national chain restaurant in Florida, the aroma outside its doors was nowhere near as enticing. Though the Italian restaurant had followed city regulations and installed...

New and improved safety mixing valves.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Since 1874, Watts Regulator Co. has set the standard for the latest valve technology. Whether it is our pressure-reducing valves to regulate steam or water, relief valves to ensure safe operation of water heaters or boilers, or backflow...

Multi-stage, in-line pumping systems: reliable and energy-efficient solutions.(Case History 2007)
August 1, 2007... When the St. Joseph, MO-based herbicide producer Albaugh, Inc., was challenged to find a pump system to accommodate a broad range of applications, Steve Boguske, representative for distributor Lee Mathews, had the perfect custom solution. His...

Shift to CPVC water systems saves contractors time and money.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... With copper prices at historic levels and no relief in sight, some of the nation's leading mechanical contractors are turning to modern piping technology to bring projects in on time and under budget. The materials--Corzan[R] and FlowGuard...

Leonard high-capacity water temperature control systems.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Leonard Valve Co., the worldwide leader in water temperature control valves and systems, offers the most complete line of high-capacity systems in the industry. Designed for large buildings with high mixed water capacity needs, such as...

Stiebel Eltron family of tankless electric water heaters introduces new Mini[TM] Series.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... The Stiebel Eltron company has been in existence for more than 80 years and is the largest manufacturer of tankless, on-demand electric water heaters in the world. Over the last 50 years, Stiebel Eltron has pioneered the development of...

Plumber connects Rheem tankless water heaters to meet heavy-duty demands of laundromat.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Laundromats use a lot of hot water every day. What's more, they need that hot water at simultaneously operating washing machines during peak operating hours. So when the hot water tank at Peerless Cleaners of Corpus Christi, TX, began to...

At Symmons' Plumbers' Night, great ideas and feedback flow freely.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Plumbers' Night, instituted by Symmons Industries almost two decades ago, is a unique combination of elements--equal parts information session, product showcase, facility tour, feedback platform and social gathering. While plumbers were...

Innovation drives Bradford White.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Recent months have witnessed dramatic developments at Bradford White. Most notable is the engineering and production of a great number of exciting new water heating products. From the Eco-Defender Safety System[R] Ultra Low NOx Series to the...

Protect resources, reduce vandalism damage with HVR series from Halsey Taylor[R].(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... In high-traffic areas, protecting facility amenities such as water coolers from damage is often a challenge. Offering drinking water in gymnasiums, parks and athletic fields is important, but it can be frustrating when these resources are...

Campus improves safety, reduces maintenance with TMVs.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Challenge The University of Hartford is an independent institution with a rich history dating back to 1877. The University's spacious 340-acre main campus is located in suburban West Hartford, CT, and features housing for 3,200 students, a...

Grinnell grooved--effective, efficient and safe.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Applicable for mechanical projects from hot and chilled water to full HVAC systems, the Grinnell grooved joining method is one of the fastest and safest ways to install mechanical piping. Utilizing onsite grooving tools, this method of joining...

Elkay[R] sinks and faucets--the perfect solution for tough environments.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Many commercial environments require durable products that can withstand frequent use, rough handling and even vandalism. To help save time and money on costly maintenance, repairs and replacement, it's important to choose high-quality...

Recently introduced Lochinvar[R] ARMOR[TM] heats up industry.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... This year, Lochinvar introduced the new ARMOR Water Heater that offers thermal efficiencies up to 98%. Featuring inputs up to 500,000 Btuh, a stainless steel heat exchanger, 5:1 modulating turndown and Lochinvar's SMART SYSTEM, operating...

Wirsbo Aquapex the first and only choice at luxury high-rise development in Irvine, CA.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... PEX tubing--and in particular, Wirsbo AQUAPEX-was the only piping I ever considered for this project," says Randy Elledge of the mammoth new Marquee Park Place Condominiums in Irvine, CA. A total of 50,000 feet of half-inch Wirsbo AQUAPEX...

Baxi helps hometown hydronics hero save city hall.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Two years ago, Jim Godbout made the first commercial installation in the United States of multiple Baxi Luna HT modulating, condensing boilers. He has since installed high-efficiency Baxi wall-hung boilers in his hometown's city hall, city...

Texas sprinkler contractor profitably retrofits five schools in record time with FlexHead.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... 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...

Matco-Norca continues to service DWV market with ASTM-compliant no hub products.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Plumbing engineers need to be assured that all applicable standards and codes have been adhered to in the products they specify, especially when it comes to products serving the DWV (drain, waste and venting) market. The high level of product...

Cambridge-Lee Industries introduces CAMLEX[R] PEX tubing.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Cambridge-Lee Industries, a leading manufacturer of high-quality copper tubing based in Reading, PA, has announced that it now offers a new PEX tubing called CAMLEX to its plumbing customers. The announcement was made by Ed Kerins, vice...

Potter Roemer: celebrating 70 years of business.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Potter Roemer was founded in 1937 as a manufacturer's representative agency by Glen K. Potter and Ray H. Roemer. Like many small companies, it was started with modest capital. Growth in the early years was slow, but steady. One of the...

Builders, contractors see more opportunity with the heating box.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... The recent trend of high-rise and multi-complex condominiums is leading home construction in many areas of North America. However, its small space availability creates design concerns for builders and architects since they need to make the...

Alaskan contractor selects Zurn PEX for comfort, reliability and affordability.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Slayden Plumbing & Heating, with locations in Fairbanks and Wasilla, AK, has to contend with some of the harshest climates in all of North America when designing heating and plumbing systems for its customers. If a manufacturer's products will...

Webstone: quality and commitment to technology and service since 1954.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... Webstone has been providing exceptional quality and service to the professional trades for more than 50 years. Innovation is the core of Webstone's continued success. Creating products and programs that simplify life for the wholesaler,...

IAPMO: providing technical expertise.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... When it comes to working with industry, few organizations have the comprehensive capabilities found with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Yet instead of trying to be all things to all regulators, IAPMO...

Viega connects high-quality products with design support on radiant heat installation.(2007 Case History)
August 1, 2007... J.O. Mory Inc., a heating, electrical, and plumbing installation company, has been a visionary in the industry for 115 years. The company, which operates five branch offices and has nearly 200 employees, was hired to finish the office portion...

Selling your ideas in 6 easy steps: knowing how to effectively sell yourself isn't just helpful, it's essential--for both you and your company.
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether we believe it or not, we are all in the sales business. Regardless of what we do for a living, in one way or another we are always selling ourselves, and our ideas, to other people. When it comes to problem...

Highlights from the 2007 NFPA World Safety Expo.(News)(National Fire Protection Association )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Here are some of the key events from this year's National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) World Safety Conference and Exposition, held in Boston June 4-7: * Review by the Technical Committee Report of 10 documents, including NFPA 2001,...

Team Florida wins "Top Tech" competition at NFSA Exhibition.(News)
August 1, 2007... The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) hosted the first ever "Top Tech" competition to crown the best fire sprinkler system layout technicians at its 2007 Annual Seminar & Exhibition on May 4. Team Florida won the competition. Rudd...

NSF International has announced that The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI) member companies' soil pipe and fitting products have been certified.
August 1, 2007... * NSF International has announced that The Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI) member companies' soil pipe and fitting products have been certified. Cast iron soil pipe and fittings are used in building construction for sanitary and storm...

The Standards Engineering Society will present Arthur E. Cote, P.E., retired executive vice president and chief engineer, operations at the National Fire Protection Association.
August 1, 2007... * The Standards Engineering Society will present Arthur E. Cote, P.E., retired executive vice president and chief engineer, operations at the National Fire Protection Association, will receive the society's highest award, the Leo B. Moore...

Tyco Fire & Building Products has opened the Grinnell Mechanical Grooved Products warehouse in Avon, MA, to serve the company's growing customer base in the northeastern United States.
August 1, 2007... * Tyco Fire & Building Products has opened the Grinnell Mechanical Grooved Products warehouse in Avon, MA, to serve the company's growing customer base in the northeastern United States. The warehouse stocks a complete inventory of mechanical...

Metropolitan Industries, Inc. officially celebrated its 50th year in business in July with the raising of a commemorative flag by most of their 120+ staff at their headquarters in Romeoville, IL.(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... * Metropolitan Industries, Inc. officially celebrated its 50th year in business in July with the raising of a commemorative flag by most of their 120+ staff at their headquarters in Romeoville, IL. Later this summer, two more celebratory events...

Thermostatic freeze Relief Kits.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... Series FR 500 Thermostatic Freeze Relief Kits are designed to keep water from freezing in the backflow preventer, while avoiding discharges based on the air temperature dropping below freezing. Series FR 500 thermostatically measures the water...

Extended coverage sprinklers.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... The Model DH56 family of sprinklers includes quick-response, extended-coverage sidewall units designed for use in light hazard applications in accordance with NFPA 13. The family includes the Model DH56 alone, FP (escutcheon) recessed, F2...

Vertical Multistage Pumps.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... Series 4700 Vertical MultiStage Pumps are designed for temperatures ranging from 5[degrees]F to 250[degrees]F, and well-suited for boiler feed applications, condensate recovery and air-conditioning systems. The stainless steel pumps are quiet...

Special warranty on fire suppression fluid.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... 3M has announced that its 3M[TM] Novec[TM] 1230 fire suppression fluid now comes with the 3M[TM] Blue SkyS[SM] Warranty. An industry first, this warranty guarantees that if Novec 1230 fluid is banned from or restricted in use as a fire...

Waterflow switch.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... Potter Electric Signal Co. says its new VSR model takes sprinkler monitoring to the next level. The VSR is the first and only waterflow switch with separate low and high voltage wiring chambers, to allow safer installation of different voltage...

Firestop gasket.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... Metacaulk[R] Cover Guard[R] is a single-component fire-rated gasket for use with electrical boxes installed in fire-rated walls. It is easy to install and can be used with both metal and plastic cover plates. The Firestopping gasket can be used...

Double offset hanger.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... This Fig. 29 double offset hanger from TOLCO is intended to perform as a hanger and restrainer for CPVC plastic fire sprinkler pipe. It provides double offset 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" from the mounting surface, easing installation by eliminating the...

Pressure reducing valves.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM NFPA WORLD SAFETY EXPO)
August 1, 2007... Cla-Val 90G-21 (globe) and 90A-21 (angle) pressure reducing valves automatically reduce a higher inlet pressure to a steady lower outlet pressure regardless of changing flow rate and/or varying inlet pressure. The valves' pilot control system...