PM Engineer articles from February 2002

PM Engineer archives from February 2002

PME Letters.
February 1, 2002... Taking Umbrage with 'Circuit Setters' I have read Julius Ballanco's recommendation for balancing the hot water return system in his article, "High Tech Control of Hot Water," in the April 2001 issue of PME, and I disagree with his concept...

Why we're bullish on ISH North America: It's not just a trade show. It represents an industry ready to burst out of its provincial shell. (On the Record).
February 1, 2002... "Looks to me like ISH North America will be nothing more than NEX under new management," a potential exhibitor told me. Others have echoed the same thought. These comments stem from the fact that ISH-NA has so far failed to fulfill its...

RPA refutes Canadian radiant study. (PME News).
February 1, 2002... A recent Canadian radiant heat study claimed that homeowners with radiant floors do not set their thermostats any lower than homeowners with other types of heat, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. But not so fast, said...

A.O. Smith closes State Industries acquisition. (PME News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A.O. Smith Corp. received notice in December that the U.S. Dept. of Justice does not intend to challenge or modify A.O. Smith's proposed acquisition of State Industries. This notice followed a three-month review by the department's Antitrust...

ITT industries signs agreement to purchase Precision Stainless. (PME News).(ITT Industries Inc., Precision Stainless Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ITT Industries announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase Precision Stainless, Inc., of Springfield, MO. Precision's main product offerings include custom-designed shop-fabricated vessels, field-fabricated tanks and related...

ABPA conference highlights announced. (PME News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The American Backflow Prevention Association Region 11 Conference will be held March 13 and 14 at the Holiday Inn-South in Lansing, MI. The conference will be especially useful to inspectors, operators, testers, certifiers, service technicians,...

PMI receives NCSBCS award; announces conference highlights. (PME News).(Plumbing Manufacturers Institute, National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute announced that it has received the 2000 Streamlining Achievement Award from the National Conference on States on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS) in recognition of PMI's model plumbing product approval...

Anvil International. (News Briefs).(will purchase Beck Manufacturing Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Anvil International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mueller Holdings, Inc., and manufacturer of hangers and fittings, has entered into an agreement to purchase the business and operating assets of Beck Mfg. Co., Inc., a manufacturer of steel, PVC...

The Meckler Group. (News Briefs).(Meckler Engineers Group affiliates with P2S Engineering)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Meckler Group, an engineering firm in Encino, CA, announced its affiliation with P2S Engineering, an 82-person consulting engineering firm based in Long Beach, CA. P2S offers mechanical, electrical and telecommunication engineering services...

Geberit Manufacturing Inc. (News Briefs).(celebrate 25 years in business)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Geberit Manufacturing, Inc. celebrated its 25th year of manufacturing and distribution of products in the North American Market with an open house at its facility in September. In 1976, Geberit AG, from Jona, Switzerland, moved its...

Fire Protection Management Inc. (News Briefs).(opens new office in Framingham, Massachusetts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Fire Protection Management, Inc. has announced the opening of a regional office at 1661 Worcester Rd., Ste. 501, Framingham, MA. The firm can be contacted at (508) 6200933 or by fax at (508) 620-1535. Scott Doneghy will manage the new office.

The FloLogic System. (News Briefs).(FloLogic Inc. receives award from Handy magazine)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The FloLogic System, an automatic water shutoff valve from FloLogic, Inc., has received one of eight 2001 Handy Innovation Awards presented by Handy magazine. The awards were initiated to recognize unique product contributions to the hardware...

NFPA. (News Briefs).(National Fire Protection Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NFPA announced that both Illinois and Wisconsin have chosen to adopt its most recent safety code editions. The state of Illinois is adopting the 2000 edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code [R], and the state of Wisconsin is adopting the 2000...

Selkirk, Inc. (News Briefs).(employees volunteer inPeople Helping People Project)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A group of employees from Selkirk, Inc., volunteered their time to the People Helping People Project. The group spent the day repairing and repainting an elderly homeowner's house in East Dallas, TX. The People Helping People Program helps...

Johns Manville. (News Briefs).(forms joint venture with Firestop Systems, Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Johns Manville has announced a joint venture with Firestop Systems, Inc. to create a new organization to market the Firetemp brand caulks and sprays. The companies' joint venture, Passive Fire Protection Partners (PFPP), Vancouver, BC, will...

Elkay Mfg. (News Briefs).(certified under ISO 9001:2000 )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Elkay Mfg. announced that its St. Charles, IL, faucet manufacturing plant has been certified under ISO 9001:2000 standards for total quality management.

Spiers and Waltz. (News Briefs).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Spiers and Waltz announced that it has been recognized by Mayor Mamie E. Locke, Ph.D. and the City of Hampton, VA, for the celebration of its 30th anniversary. The proclamation was presented to Joseph P. Harvey, P.E., president, at a recent...

The Radiant Panel Association. (News Briefs).(Radiant Expo to be held in Cincinnati)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Radiant Panel Association announced that the 2002 Radiant Expo will be held in Cincinnati, OH, on May 8-11. The theme will be "It's good to be green...Radiant Green."

AT Plastics Inc. (News Briefs).(sells some intellectual property and assets)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... AT Plastics Inc. announced that it has completed the sale of selected intellectual property and a limited number of other assets of its cross-lined polyethylene (PEX) compounds product line to a large North American buyer to be named at a later...

Appointments.(Thomas L. Multer; Donald Morelli; Daren Welborn; Dean Jester,)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc. has announced the promotion of Thomas L. Multer to vice president of Product Technology. Cosentini Associates, an MEPF firm located in Orlando, FL, has added two, professionals to its staff: Donald...

Viessmann Mfg. (Internet News).(Viessmann Manufacturing Co. launches Web site)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Viessmann Mfg. has introduced its U.S. Web site at www.viessmann-us.com. The Web site provides an overview of Viessmann facilities, as well as information on available products, training seminars and Viessmann sales representatives.

Rolf Jensen & Associates. (Internet News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Rolf Jensen & Associates (RJA) has announced, in agreement with The American Institute of Architects, the availability of the E-codes Guide to registered AIA architects through www.aia.org. The E-codes Guide is a searchable database created by...

Geberit Mfg. (Internet News).(has launched new Web site, www.us.geberit.com)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Geberit Mfg. has launched a new Web site at www.us.geberit.com designed to offer architects, builders and consumers the ability to access product information quickly and easily. BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI have created the International Code...

HC Information Resources Inc. and the U.K. office of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (Internet News).(licensing arrangement to launch waterborne disease Web site, www.hcinfo.com)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Through a special licensing arrangement between HC Information Resources Inc. and the U.K. office of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., information on 32 topics related to waterborne disease can be downloaded at www.hcinfo.com. The reports are the...

Elkay Mfg. Co. (PME News).(Drinking from the Same Glass at Crossing the Line, Queen's Museum of Art exhibition, New York)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... This one-of-a-kind drinking fountain was produced by Elkay Mfg. o6., to be featured in Crossing The Line, an exhibition currently running at the Queens Museum of Art in New York City. Titled Drinking From The Same Glass, the fountain is 88...

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute. (PME News).(appoints Todd Talbot, Alsons Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) has elected Todd Talbot as its president for the year 2002. Talbot, president of Alsons Corporation (a Masco company) in Hillsdale, MI, was elected at the PMI Fall Meeting, held November 28-30, 2001,...

Happenings, 2002. (Codes).(plumbing standards and the Rose Bowl Football Game, United States)(Brief Article)(Column)
February 1, 2002... I tried to start the New Year off right, waking up at 6 a.m. in Pasadena, CA. It was time for the Rose Parade. We sat in the stands, proud of my daughter's school, the University of Miami. When we looked around, we were surrounded by a sea of...

Fire protection code questions. (Fire Protection).(United States)(Brief Article)(Column)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Q: We are building a two-story, 4,000-sq.-ft. day care center that will be totally of noncombustible construction. A 4" underground line will supply both sprinklers and domestic potable water. The contractors in our area use black steel piping...

Legionella and the Plumbing Engineer -- Responsibility liability and opportunities.(Standards, United States)
February 1, 2002... To avoid the growth of Legionella and subsequent lawsuits, plumbing engineers need to expand their knowledge of the waterborne pathogen. So much of Legionella has to do with plumbing systems that it's fair to say plumbing engineers play a...

A new age for commercial plumbing products.(motion detectors)
February 1, 2002... It doesn't seem that long ago that the common themes in the design of commercial plumbing components were: * Build'em big (heavy-duty) * Build'em basic (in operating technology) * Build'em clunky (don't worry about style) ...

Boiler biases: Here is a summary of PME's recent reader survey on boilers.(Hydronic Heating, PM Engineer)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... What's the first component you envision when someone mentions hydronic heating? Chances are it's a boiler, the benchmark heat source for the vast majority of hydronic space-heating applications. PM Engineer conducted a survey of 1,000...

Pertinent Patents: A new sealing gasket addresses the difficulties of sealing sanitary and storm sewer piping.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Sealing sanitary and storm sewer piping is typically more difficult than sealing interior plumbing, mostly because of their construction, and typically because of their size. This is especially true in main lines. In a typical sewer main, the...

Commercial Kitchen Faucets. (Equipment Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... PME offers this Equipment Overview for use as a referece guide to help our readers identify manufacturers of specific products and compare their models and features. This month's Equipment Overview features information on commercial kitchen...

Tankless water heaters. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Controlled Energy Corp. offers several models of its tankless water heaters. The PowerStar series' tankless design delivers a continuous supply of hot water. And PowerStar features an efficiency rating of 99%, as it heats water only when...

Medical Gas Outlet Station. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Allied Healthcare Products' Chemetron and Oxequip Connect2 Medical Gas Outlet Station accepts both Chemetron and Ohmeda adapters. The Chemetron adapter can support secondary equipment, including a suction regulator with a 1/2-gallon collection...

Toilets. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Crane Plumbing offers its Fluidmaster toilets with VIP (Vacuum Induced Power) Flush. The vacuum-assisted flushing in these 1.6 gpf toilets provides for larger traps, water seals and a broad water surface. Various models are available. ...

Commercial water heaters, tanks and boilers. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... A.O. Smith Water Products Co. has over 500 commercial water heater models available, including the Cyclone XHE, offering 94% efficiency, and the Powered Burner water heater, as well as the Burkay Legend 2000 tine of boilers. A.O. Smith...

Assisted living bath products. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Swan has a variety of ADA-compliant bathroom systems available, including fiberglass and Swanstone solid surface barrier-free shower floors and ramps, transfer showers, tubwalls, vanity tops, retrofit shower systems, and shower walls. ...

Composite pipe. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Kitec composite pipe from IPEX Inc. is made of an aluminum tube bonded between interior and exterior layers of plastic. Kitec can he used in conventional tee plumbing systems or with manifold systems, ensuring a constant flow of hot or cold...

Freezeless wall hydrants. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... The Woodford 60 series is available as wall-mounted hydrants or enclosed in a flush-mounted wall box. Models are offered with a choice of anti-siphon and backflow protection and four inlet options. The hydrants feature automatic draining, a...

Bath wastes. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Watco Mfg. Co. has a line of bath wastes and accessories available that includes the TurnStyle bath waste that turns like a cable-operated waste and works like a trip lever. And, Watco's bath waste finishes include Pearl Nickel and Brushed...

Tempered water emergency systems. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Haws Corp. provides emergency equipment, including drench showers and eyewashes, that supply tempered water for use in hazardous applications. The TWBS series blending system mixes large volumes of hot and cold water for emergency showers and...

Flushometers. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Sloan Valve Co. has introduced the Regal PRO Flushometer, featuring a fixed metering by-pass and a Permex synthetic rubber diaphragm, which prevents foreign particles from clogging the by-pass. Regal PRO also features an ADA-compliant handle,...

Commercial water heaters. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... A full line of commercial water heaters is available from Rheem-Ruud for large heavy duty and light duty applications. The line includes gas water heaters, hot water supply heaters, electric water heaters, and commercial storage tanks. ...

Drainage products. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... MIFAB offers a range of drainage products, including heavy duty stainless steel floor drains, nickel bronze floor drains, integral trap drains, large capacity round area drains, water supply control boxes, scupper drains, balcony drains, grease...

No hub coupling. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... The Heavy Weight (HW) heavy duty no-hub coupling is available from Mission Rubber Co. For above ground use, the coupling features a wider gasket and shield to accommodate more clamps for greater load bearing contact, axially slotted bands that...

The straight dope [R]. (Take a Break).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Why does the shower curtain blow in despite the water pushing it out (revisited)? 10-Aug-2001 Dear Cecil: I am a professor at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. I thought I should bring this to your attention. I think I have...

Backflow Preventers. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Flomatic Backflow Preventers from Danfoss feature a streamlined design that reduces the number of working parts to reduce the need for maintenance and repair. The backflow preventers offer a top-entry cover that allows access to both the check...

Toilets. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Kohler' Ingenium flushing system is designed with 1. gpf gravity-fed siphon jet flushing technology. The Ingenium features a metal trip lever, an automatic flow control fill valve, 25 or more individually punched rim holes for rinsing the bowl,...

Water Hammer Arrestores. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Precision Plumbing Products, Inc. offers a line of products to aid in preventing fluid (water) hammer. PPP's fluid hammer arrestors are designed primarily for water hammer problems, but are also available for any type of fluid, air or gas...

Sensor Faucet. (ASPE Technical Symposium Product Overview).(advertisement)
February 1, 2002... Symmon's new Ultra-Sense model S-6080 features a sealed and encased electronics and battery package in the faucet body above the deck. The lack of exposed wires, boxes or valves prevents vandalism. Features include Position Sensitive Detection...