PM Engineer articles from February 2004

PM Engineer archives from February 2004

Recalculating with interest.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... Regarding the "Point/Counterpoint: Pressure-Assist vs. Gravity Activation" article in the Nov. 2003 PME, there is something seriously wrong with the water and sewer charges (W & S) compared in the second paragraph of Bruce Martin's piece. ...

Forensic engineering.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I just finished reading Julius Ballanco's article on the forensic engineering he's involved with regarding the woman who allegedly drowned in the water closet (Feb. and Mar. '03). Very interesting and informative. We dissected it pretty well in...

RPA releases 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide.(PME News)(Radiant Panel Association)(BNP Media)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The 2004 Radiant Flooring Guide, an updated publication co-produced by the Radiant Panel Association (RPA) and BNP Media (publisher of PME), is now available. The new edition is illustrated with more than 100 photos, diagrams and charts. ...

Dan Holohan's Wetstock IV announced.(PME News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Wetstock IV, the gathering of "Wetheads"--contractors, wholesalers, manufacturers representatives and engineers--to discuss hydronic heating, has been announced by Dan Holohan, PME's hydronics columnist. This time, the popular event will take...

California caught in debate over acceptability of PEX piping.(PME News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has pledged to resolve the issue of whether or not builders will be allowed to use plastic piping to deliver water in new residential construction in the state. The governor seems to be embracing the idea...

CSI announces separate Plumbing, HVAC divisions in revised MasterFormat.(PME News)(Construction Specifications Institute)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) has rescinded previous decisions to reconsolidate Division 15 specifications under proposed Div. 21 Mechanical. Instead, CSI is moving to break up the scope of the Mechanical Division into...

Study finds UPC code safer than IRC.(PME News)(Uniform Plumbing Code, International Residential Code )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The authors of an independent study have found that the 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) provides a safer system for the end user compared to the International Residential Code (IRC) without costing the consumer much more--less than $70 or...

Harris Consulting Engineers announced three additions to its hvac, plumbing and electrical systems teams.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Harris Consulting Engineers announced three additions to its hvac, plumbing and electrical systems teams. Glen L. Goins has joined the firm as a senior project manager/electrical designer. Gary S. Thompson is the firm's newest senior plumbing...

Eljer Plumbingware, Inc.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Eljer Plumbingware, Inc. announced the following recent promotions: Richard Lunn to the position of vice president--eastern sales; Al Wildschut to vice president--western sales; Phillis Reed becomes national sales director; Julie Swinyer to the...

O'Dea, Lynch, Abbattista Consulting Engineers, PC (OLA).(Appoints Frederick L. Schroeder, Jr., )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... O'Dea, Lynch, Abbattista Consulting Engineers, PC (OLA) has added Frederick L. Schroeder, Jr., P.E., C.E.P. as regional manager of its Dallas office.

ThermaSol.(Appointments)(appoints Kevin Mandrell )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ThermaSol, a manufacturer of steam bath products, has appointed Kevin Mandrell to the position of quality assurance manager.

FM Global, a leading commercial and industrial property insurer, is opening a new $78 million Research Campus in West Glocester, RI.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... FM Global, a leading commercial and industrial property insurer, is opening a new $78 million Research Campus in West Glocester, RI. At the Research Campus, FM Global will conduct extensive tests to help companies understand how to prevent the...

Underwriters Laboratories Inc.(News Briefs)(contracts to develop a mutual component acceptance program)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) and the Canadian Standards Association International (CSA) have signed an agreement to develop a mutual component acceptance program that provides acceptance of components used in end-products submitted to UL...

The 33rd Annual Chicago Regional ASPE Chapter Engineered Plumbing Product Show.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The 33rd Annual Chicago Regional ASPE Chapter Engineered Plumbing Product Show will be held Apr. 15, 2004, at the White Eagle Restaurant in Niles, IL. The show will include seminars as well as a product show. Visit www.aspe.org/Chicago for more...

Abbott, Langer & Associates, Inc.(News Briefs)(surveys)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The median annual income for mechanical engineers is $82,800, according to a recent survey by the consulting firm of Abbott, Langer & Associates, Inc., Crete, IL. They reported 10% of mechanical engineers making under $51,600 and 10% making...

The engineer's authority.(Codes)
February 1, 2004... There is an old joke in the code enforcement business that says, "Code enforcement is 90% intimidation and 10% code." This statement, of course, is not accurate, and the model code groups ICC and IAPMO have dispelled such a notion regarding...

Trying to tweak the NFPA codes.(Fire Protection)(National Fire Protection Association)
February 1, 2004... The last several pages of any current NFPA pamphlet contain forms for the submittal of amendment proposals to that document. The various NFPA technical committees welcome these proposals. Currently, the NFPA 13 Technical Committee on Sprinkler...

Point/Counterpoint: standard flush vs. waterfree urinals; Two experts take sides on the issue of water flush vs. waterfree urinal design.(Urinal technology)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... Point Today's Urinal Technology Urinal technology has been advancing over the years with the need to save water and maintain a hygienic environment in public facilities. Urinal water flush capacity requirements have been reduced as per...

Beyond 12 inches: there are some good applications for wider tube spacing in radiant slabs.(usage of wider tubes)
February 1, 2004... Without a doubt, the most common tube spacing used in slab-on-grade radiant floor heating is 12 inches. The fact that the foot is a standard unit of length in the U.S. construction industry surely has a lot to do with its common use in tube...

Prison drainage systems: when designing a drainage system in a prison, a plumbing engineer has to consider space, security and vandalism, among other unique challenges.
February 1, 2004... Maximum security prisons pose an interesting challenge to the plumbing engineer in the design of the drainage system. While a multitude of security fixtures exists, there is no standard method for connecting them to a drainage, waste and vent...

Update on variable speed fire pumps and NFPA 20.(Fire Pumps)(National Fire Protection Association)
February 1, 2004... This article is a follow up to the article, "Selecting Fire Pumps for ESFR Sprinkler Applications," published in PME in March 2002. The original article outlined the design challenges associated with widely fluctuating residual and static...

The ultimate in vandal-resistance!(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... The Haws Model HWBFA8.VRC is a vandal-resistant, barrier-free, wall-mounted, self-contained, 7.7 gph electric water cooler. It is perfect for commercial and institutional applications. It features a 14-gauge satin finish stainless steel cabinet...

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.'s Product Family Overview.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.'s Product Family Overview brochure illustrates our complete line of innovative and custom-made products. This full-color, three-panel brochure with reply card shows available product literature along with general...

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's Quiet House[R] System.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's exclusive Quiet House[R] System for residential drain, waste and vent (DWV) systems is featured in this four-color brochure. The Quiet House System comprises cast iron waste piping and plastic vent lines for a...

Pocket-sized industrial fittings dimensional catalog.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... This handy pocket-sized industrial fittings catalog is now available from Charlotte Pipe and Foundry. The guide features dimensional data and product specifications for PVC Schedule 40 and 80 fittings, and Corzan[R] CPVC Schedule 80 fittings....

Cast Iron Technical Manual.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Learn more about Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's cast iron product offering in this Cast Iron Technical Manual. As the leading manufacturer of cast iron soil pipe and fittings, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry can be your one-stop source for all your...

Bradley introduces high-tech shower line.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Bradley Corp. has expanded its shower products with the introduction of Dynamix[TM] Shower Systems. The line includes a pressure-balancing valve and shower accessories designed to provide hotels, spas and fitness facilities with more customized...

Point-of-use water heaters feature advanced control.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Stiebel Eltron, the manufacturer of the very dependable DHC series instantaneous point-of-use water heaters, is expanding its range by adding two new models with electronic temperature control. Set the knob on the front cover between...

Fin-tube radiation.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... New 32-page catalog features descriptions, ratings and specifications for a broad selection of commercial fin-tube heating products. Most models available in a variety of heights with multitiered elements for hot water or steam heating....

REHAU's new RAUPANEL[TM] system provides easy installation of radiant heating.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... REHAU introduces its RAUPANEL system for radiant heating. Ideal for retrofit and new construction applications, the RAUPANEL system provides a quick and effective method of installing radiant heating over new or existing plywood subfloors, or...

Anvil pipe hanger catalog.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... The most comprehensive catalog of pipe hangers and supports available to the industry has now been published by Anvil International. Anvil, formerly known as Grinnell, offers the most complete selection of engineered hangers and supports, as...

Airtherm HVAC.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Airtherm fan coils are the smart solution for institutional, commercial and multiresidential heating and cooling applications. Airtherm units are extremely durable, with 18-gauge casing standard and the industry's only 14-gauge option. With its...

Radiant ceiling panels.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Sterling radiant panel ceiling systems are an energy- and cost-saving method of heating and cooling. They are available in three basic types: linear for wall-to-wall installation, modular for installation in standard t-bar ceiling grids, and...

The first name in kickspace heaters.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Beacon/Morris Kickspace heaters are the space-saving alternative to hot water baseboard. Designed to fit inconspicuously under a cabinet, in the floor, or on or in the wall, kickspace heaters are ideal for hard-to-heat areas such as foyers,...

Beacon/Morris horizontal serpentine hot water unit heaters.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Beacon/Morris is pleased to offer hot water horizontal unit heaters for residential, commercial and industrial use. With pipe connections from the side, these units are ideal for installation in areas where ceiling space is limited, such as...

More cast iron means better performance.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... The Series 8, with its rugged cast-iron construction, offers commercial quality in a residential boiler. With cast-iron sections, thicker and deeper than in other leading boilers, the Series 8 offers a multitude of performance advantages,...

RBI Dominator Series boilers and water heaters.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... RBI Dominator Series boilers and water heaters offer Btu sizes from 300 to 2,100 mbh, with thermal efficiencies up to 85 percent. Proportional firing up to four stages provides built-in redundancy and high turndown for system efficiency....

Futera II.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... The Futera II, the next generation of innovative, advanced hot-water-supply boilers, provides 85 percent efficiency, noncondensing with industry-leading NOx levels of less than 10 ppm. The Futera II operates a step-by-step cycle of operation in...

Hydrotherm Sabre Boiler.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... Introducing the Hydrotherm Sabre Boiler, with its brushed stainless-steel jacket and its all on-top connections. A boiler that is sure to be well-received by contractors and homeowners alike. The brushed stainless-steel jacket gives an...

SpacePak central air conditioning.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... SpacePak is the ideal compliment for homes using today's modern radiant heating systems. It is a central air conditioning system for homes unable to accommodate conventional systems. Ideal for older "ductless" homes, SpacePak uses flexible...

New 'Radiant Smart' thermostats.(Information Showcase)
February 1, 2004... New Slant/Fin Terra Therma radiant heating thermostats provide better comfort and reduce heating costs. 'Radiant Smart' digital thermostats have microprocessor controlled on-times and cycles-per-hour, setback scheduling and a self-learning,...