PM Engineer articles from January 2005

PM Engineer archives from January 2005

No bathrooms? Fault the IBC.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I read "West Coast Public Bathrooms" by Julius Ballanco in the Oct. 2004 issue of PM Engineer with a sense of unreality. Ballanco describes a trip to Seattle and the difficulties he encountered while trying to find a public bathroom--an...

New York's Gov. Pataki vetoes ban on PVC.(George E. Pataki )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... According to the New York Times, New York's Gov. George E. Pataki has vetoed a bill that would have extended a ban on a common plastic pipe used in construction, which environmentalists argue is a toxic chemical threat. A coalition of...

Green Building Council invites comments on PVC.(PME News)
January 1, 2005... The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has issued its Draft Report for public comment on the use of PVC in buildings and how this should be treated in the LEED (Leader-ship in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System....

Maddaloni, Patchell resign from UA.(PME News)( United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters)
January 1, 2005... Martin Maddaloni, president of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, and Thomas Patchell, the UA's secretary-treasurer, resigned last November amid an internal investigation regarding the union's financial management. The...

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co.(Thompson Plastics Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co. has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire Thompson Plastics Inc., a privately-owned manufacturer of CPVC-CTS pipe and fittings in Huntsville, AL. Thompson provides generic and Flow-Guard Gold[R]...

IPS Plumbing Group.(News Briefs)(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Tom and Steve Trueb have sold Truebro to IPS Plumbing Group, based in Collier, TN, and Compton, CA. Manufacturing will still be done by the former Truebro operation, but all sales and marketing will be handled by IPS. Truebro makes...

3M Industrial Business Laboratory.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Richard Flynn, corporate scientist with 3M Industrial Business Laboratory, received the 2004 Tekne Leadership Award for his contribution to Minnesota's technology expansion. Flynn is the inventor or co-inventor of many of 3M's key engineered...

Amcast Industrial Corp.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Amcast Industrial Corp. has filed for Chapter 11. Based in Dayton, OH, Amcast is the parent company of Lee Brass Co. The company has received a commitment from its lenders for up to $15 million in new debtor-in-possession financing. The company...

The Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... In-Sink-Erator Regional Manager John Davis earned a "Stars to the Stars Award" from the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York at a dinner hosted by Donald Trump. Davis was honored for his tireless work to get food waste disposers...

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA).(News Briefs)(Bathroom Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), based in the UK and also serving Europe, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share pertinent information about emerging technical, scientific,...

Elkay has announced its acquisition of Phylrich International.(News Briefs)(Phylrich International)(Elkay Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Elkay has announced its acquisition of Phylrich International, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products. Details of the acquisition were not made public.

Delta Faucet Co.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Delta Faucet Co. announced it has entered a partnership with PUR Water Filtration Products, a division of Procter & Gamble, a global consumer branded products company.

Tyco International.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Tyco International has appointed vice presidents to oversee marketing and communications at two of its core business segments. James Pomeroy takes the position at Tyco Engineered Products & Services, and Gwen Fisher will perform these duties at...

Mansfield Plumbing Products.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Mansfield Plumbing Products has formed a new, integrated North American sales and marketing organization for encompassing the Mansfield, Mancesa and Colceramica brands.

Elkay.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Elkay has named Stephen Rogers as vice president, engineering. He had spent 27 years with Inland Steel Co. in a variety of managerial positions. Elkay also announced the appointment of Donna Horowitz to vice president, human resources. Her...

Lochinvar.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Lochinvar has announced the hiring of Michael Stewart as transportation manager. He previously worked in third-party logistics for the U.S. military, and has experience with UPS and FedEx.

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI).(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) has appointed five new committee chairs who will serve three-year terms beginning in January. They include: Casey Hayes, engineering manager, Haws Corp., serving on the Water Conservation Issue...

Kohler Co.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Kohler Co. has named Mike Chandler vice president-fixtures marketing for its Kohler Brand.

Bradford White.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Bradford White recently announced the appointment of Angelo J. Sinisi to the newly created position of hydronics and oil-powered product specialist. Sinisi is the former president and COO of Lux Corp. and most recently held the position of...

Elfab.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Elfab, a leading European supplier of pressure-safety systems, has appointed Mike Purcell national sales manager for North America. He comes from tekmar, a Teledyne Instruments division, where he fulfilled a number of roles, most recently that...

Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. has named Lew Brode, P.E., vice president and branch manager of GPI's Rockville, MD, office. He will replace Justin Tracy, P.E., who is relocating to Atlanta, GA, to start his own firm.

Happy 10th anniversary: this issue marks the 10th anniversary of PM Engineer magazine. Time flies when you're having fun.(Codes)
January 1, 2005... A little more than 10 years ago, I sat down with George Zebrowski and Tim Fausch to talk about starting a new magazine for the plumbing and mechanical engineer that would be unlike any magazine being published. George emphasized that the...

Procedures, operations and standards: here are some questions and answers that turn over a few stones in the code.(Fire Protection)
January 1, 2005... Q. This pertains to an existing wet sprinkler system inspection. The alarm check valve has two gauges. The upper gauge is pinned and does not show an accurate reading. The sprinkler company in its report stated that only one gauge is needed and...

Rethinking the way we 'treat' water: scientific and regulatory scrutiny has left traditional centralized water treatment open for a new change.(Water Treatment)
January 1, 2005... Water is constantly in the news. Unfortunately, lately the news about water seems to be all negative--contaminants, shortages, legal battles over water rights, etc. It sounds as if we are facing a huge problem, and more of the same for the near...

Tankless vs. tank-type storage water heater efficiency comparison testing: find out where tankless water heaters offer the best efficiency from testing done by a provider of both tankless and tank-type units.
January 1, 2005... The recent increase in popularity of tankless water heaters, alternately known as instantaneous, has given rise to claims of super efficiency and huge savings on utility bills. While no single water heater type is a panacea for every...

Pushing the circuit length envelope: how does length affect the thermal and hydraulic performance of radiant floor heating circuits?
January 1, 2005... For as long as hydronic radiant heating has been installed, the length of the tubing circuits has been a factor in performance. Rules of thumb have been developed by various sources. Some are based on thermal performance; others are based on...

"Conventional wisdom" when brazing copper tube is wrong: here are some tips on how to properly braze copper tubing to improve quality and make a more reliable joint.
January 1, 2005... Pssst! You there, brazing that 1-inch copper tube! Wanna cut your brazing time in half and improve the quality and reliability of that joint? You can, but first you need to set aside some "conventional wisdom" about brazing. [FIGURE 2...

Back to basics: backflow prevention; Designing cross-connection control for potable water systems requires a basic knowledge of backpressure and backsiphonage.
January 1, 2005... The basic principles of cross-connection control are very simple, yet there are thousands of variables that enter the formula in designing and engineering backflow prevention into any potable water system. It is a complete understanding of the...

BNP media presents: a new seminar that delivers cutting-edge hydronic technologies.(New & Expanded Topics)
January 1, 2005... MODERN ENGINEERING CONCEPTS FOR HYDRONIC HEATING DESIGN This intensive 1-day seminar presents the latest concepts in modern hydronic heating system design for both residential and commercial hydronic heating systems. Learn to design...

Equipment overview: Water closets & flush valves.(Features and Variations)
January 1, 2005... PME offers this Equipment Overview for use as a reference guide to help our readers identify manufacturers of specific products and compare their models and features. This month's Equipment Overview features information on water closets and...

Grundfos CR vertical multistage centrifugal pumps.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Grundfos was the first manufacturer to design a multistage centrifugal pump. Continuously updated and improved since then, the CR pump range is now the most sophisticated and comprehensive on the market. CR pump solutions feature: *...

Stiebel Eltron announces advanced line of tankless electric water heaters for residential installation.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Stiebel Eltron, the plumbing industry's leading pioneer in tankless water heating technology has unveiled its exclusive Tempra[TM] line of residential electric tankless water heaters. These whole-house units incorporate the company's latest...

ProPress[R] System: better copper connections, easier installations, flameless maintenance.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... The ProPress[R] System features connections that install quickly, keeping projects on schedule. Flameless joining eliminates fire risk and leaky soldered joints. Also, building owners can complete maintenance and repairs on a wet system,...

PowerStation[TM]: the "all in one" water tempering and recirculation solution saves time, insures safety.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... PowerStation, a fully assembled and tested water tempering and recirculation station, is designed to save significant time for the engineer, money for the owner and set-up time for the contractor. PowerStation features proper recirculation...

Flexible fire sprinkler connections.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... The sprinkler system specified for the last six feet--from the main or branch line to the sprinkler head--can significantly impact time to occupancy of new or retrofit commercial construction. It can also affect the cost of ownership of the...

Symmons Industries Visu-Temp[R] with Clear-Vue[TM].(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Love at First Sight The perfect shower is now right before your eyes... Introducing Visu-Temp with Clear-Vue[TM]. With its ergonomic design and easy to read display, Visu-Temp with Clear-Vue allows you to quickly set the perfect...

New valves turn high-pressure applications into low risk decisions.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Now you can turn high-pressure applications into low risk decisions by turning to high-performance butterfly valves from Milwaukee Valve. These recently introduced valves are designed for elevated temperature and pressure requirements found in...

Voyager[TM] water coolers by Halsey Taylor ... upgrade to the new standard.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... When Halsey Taylor introduced the Voyager line of water coolers, we thoroughly believed that the futuristic high-tech appearance and unprecedented styling would turn a lot of heads. And once we got everyone's attention, we thought Voyager's...

Truebro--an IPS brand.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... The IPS Plumbing Group is proud to announce that on Dec. 3, 2004, it acquired America's No. 1 manufacturer of ADA-compliant under-sink pipe covering, Truebro Inc., from Steve and Tom Trueb, the company's founders. Truebro began in 1991,...

Watts Drainage introduces Industry Standard Series water closet carriers.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 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...

The Model DDX Valve by Reliable.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. announces the new Model DDX Deluge Valve, featuring the latest in design technology for use in deluge, preaction and low-pressure dry systems. The ductile iron valve body is compact, lightweight and strong....

Danfoss Zone Control Panels chosen for Bozeman heating/cooling project.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Located in the heart of the picturesque Rocky Mountains, Bozeman, MT, is truly a remarkable community. Due to it's severe winters and limited need for air conditioning in the summer, and with a wide range of projects from smaller custom-built...

Caleffi North America.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Leadership The multinational Caleffi group is a leading manufacturer of heating system components. Ever since its earliest beginnings in 1961, the company, founded by Franco Caleffi and now managed with his son Marco, has been known for...

University Student Housing project employs Taco's LoadMatch system.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Taco's single-pipe LoadMatch[TM] hydronic system will soon provide heating and cooling for 15 new buildings now under construction at the University of Cincinnati. The private development project, called Stratford Heights Student Housing, will...

Leonard Valve Company's new Megatron[R] Model TA.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Leonard Valve Company's Megatron Model TA is a complete water temperature control station for single restroom applications (i.e. casinos, hotels, small gyms, clubs and schools). The system features a small thermostatic water mixing valve (flow...

Trusted by the industry for 150 years once branded as Grinnell--now known as Anvil.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... In the mid-1800s, a company named Grinnell began providing its customers with the finest quality pipe hangers and supports, fittings, couplings, valves, nipples, flanges and other products. In 1999, the Grinnell name ceased to be associated...

The forging of a professional-grade product.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... For almost a century, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. has manufactured products for the specification plumbing and drainage industry. From Sales Engineering to Shipping, we take pride in delivering professional-grade products. Every day at Jay R. Smith...

McGuire's Convertible[TM] makes specifying a commercial quality quarter-turn ball valve simple.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... McGuire's Convertible[TM] provides specifiers with a commercial-quality quarter-turn ball valve that's easy to specify. Specifiers simply use the prefix BV in front of McGuire's traditional stop valve, lavatory supply or closet supply part...

Integrating HVAC equipment for optimum system performance.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Quality HVAC equipment doesn't make a quality HVAC system unless the equipment is integrated to work together. The tekmarNet[TM] 4 product line sets a new standard in integrating HVAC equipment for optimum system performance. HVAC systems...

A modular approach for maximum flexibility.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... In 2005, tekmar control Systems Ltd. will introduce its tekmarNet[TM] 4 product line. The modular design of the controls and the enclosure allow for a flexible combination of HVAC solutions. Whether you are installing a simple baseboard system...

Matco-Norca: old values with new products for our changing times.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Master Distributor MATCO-NORCA, INC., has been servicing the industry since 1952. Since then the company has grown to be one of the largest distributors of Malleable Fittings, Pipe Nipples, Valves and Plumbing Specialties to the plumbing...

Burnham Hydronics expands heat distribution product line.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Burnham Hydronics turns up the heat with six new steel heat distribution products. A perfect complement to the full cast iron heat distribution product line, these products include: a convector heater (Convectoray[TM]), a vertical and...

Roth Radiant Panel System[R] for wood-frame houses.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... The Roth Radiant Panel System[R] was developed for the wood-frame houses of the North American and Scandinavian markets. It was designed for easy installation over any new or existing sub-floor coverings, such as carpet, tile, vinyl or...

Forgot to clean your grease interceptor? Don't worry, Josam will remind you!(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... There is nothing like a backed-up grease interceptor to ruin a restaurant manager's day. The impact of a neglected grease interceptor can have devastating effects not only to the kitchen facility, but to our nation's environment as well. The...

Quality runs deep with Haws products.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... For nearly 100 years, the Haws Corp. has perfected the art of commercial drinking fountain design, originated by Luther Haws. At the dawn of the 20th century, Mr. Haws was a self-employed plumber and sheet metal contractor. He was also the...

Tyco takes the leg work out of standpipe testing.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... To most, climbing 70 to 80 flights of stairs might sound like a new fitness craze. However, to maintenance crews for skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, it sounds more like it's time for the quarterly inspection of the standpipes installed in...

Experience that serves you.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Emerging trends and new technologies continuously raise engineering expectations. Today's engineers have many choices when it comes to valve selection. Not only do valves need to meet technical requirements, they need to withstand the...

After 75 years, copper is still the standard.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... For 75 years, copper has been the choice of most plumbers, builders and building owners for one reason--it works. While that's not the flashiest product claim, it's true. No other modern plumbing material has performed so well for so long in so...

Apollo[R] Valves brand name expanding to include all Conbraco valves, flow control products.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Nearly five decades after it premiered on the first American-made commercial ball valve, the Apollo[R] Valves brand name is being expanded to cover all valve and accessory lines available from Conbraco Industries. All Conbraco lines officially...

Wilkins lightens the load with new, lighter weight backflow preventers.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... As the protection and conservation of our water supply becomes more and more important, Wilkins continues to strive to be not only the "low-cost producer" with new manufacturing practices and equipment, but also the product design leader with...

A.O. Smith innovation goes through the roof in 2005.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Breakthrough products like Master-Fit[R] and the 99% efficient Cyclone XHE[R] commercial gas water heaters have firmly established A.O. Smith as the industry leader in the development of new, innovative water heating solutions. In 2005, A.O....

Radius[TM] Touch-Free Technology encompasses restroom innovations from Technical Concepts.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... When Technical Concepts decided to enter the market for automated restroom fixtures in the mid 1990s, its goal was to design and introduce innovative faucets, flushers, soap dispensers and other products that would promote enhanced hygiene and...

American Valve--100 years and growing.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Founded in 1901, American Valve is a four-generation, family-owned manufacturer serving the plumbing, HVAC and industrial markets. Initially a major producer of bronze and iron valves, American Valve's valve line has grown to include a wide...

Niles Steel Tank enters large volume storage tank market with focus on superior product, customer service and quicker delivery.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Niles Steel Tank has developed a competitive advantage as a virtual newcomer to the large volume storage tank market. That advantage is the unprecedented ability to ship a broad line of unjacketed, large volume storage tanks within 24 hours of...

The Bryan Deaerator: a heritage of quality and dependability.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... In 1872, Nathaniel Jones of Buffalo, NY, patented his invention of the boiler feedwater heater. His invention included a series of alternating pans, troughs and radiators arranged within a case. The water cascaded downward through the unit,...

Noritz--everything you need for endless hot water.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Tankless water heater technology has been around for decades. Since 1951, Noritz has been the leader in developing and manufacturing tankless technology and continues to do so, bringing tankless to the United States. Throughout the world,...

Elkay expands offering of Quick-Clip sinks to meet contractor demand.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Contractor response to Elkay's Quick-Clip[R] above-the-counter sink installation system has been so strong that the company has doubled its offering of this time-saving technology. Since the Quick-Clip installation system was launched last...

Hydratec fire protection software.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Hydratec has been writing software for the fire protection industry since it was founded in 1972. Our beginnings as a division of a sprinkler installation company and subsequent experience as a local sprinkler design service company have given...

Lochinvar[R] expands Power-Fin[R] line.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Time-tested and cutting edge--it's hard to be both at the same time. Lochinvar makes it happen with a bold new expansion of the Power-Fin line. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The first Power-Fin boiler rolled off the assembly line nearly 20...

Commercial drainage products.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Floor Drains, floor sinks, cleanouts and roof drains are the mainstay of Sioux Chief's highly successful line of commercial drainage products. Innovative products and the ability to connect to standard pipe sizes are keys to our success. For...

If boilers only had a brain.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... It doesn't take a wizard to give modular boilers a brain. You can do it yourself with Slant/Fin's new SC-Series controls, designed to bring out the best energy-saving capabilities of Caravan modular boilers. SC controls provide...

Preassembled simplex sewage packages by Zoeller.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... Saving time and money is always a good thing. There's nothing worse than having to spend too much time on a job that should be simple, easy and cost effective. Why allocate valuable manpower resources unnecessarily assembling and adjusting pump...

Chicago Faucets introduces its first metering faucet with temperature control.(ManufacturerSpotlight)
January 1, 2005... While Chicago Faucets has a well-known reputation for manufacturing high-quality faucets that last, the company also recognizes the importance of satisfying the ever-changing market-place and new product development. A recent example of this is...

Dilbert[R].(Take a Break)
January 1, 2005... Did I Read That Sign Right? Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING--BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...