PM Engineer articles from January 2006

PM Engineer archives from January 2006

A closer look at fire pumps.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I enjoy reading Mark Bromann's column. Regarding the Nov. 2005 issue of the magazine, I agree fully with Mark's answer to the following question: "Q. I service a system that should follow the NFPA 20 code, which says that the control panel...

LEED[TM] credit clarification.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I was reading the July 2005 PM Engineer magazine. The article from Paul Ham on sustainable plumbing design was informative and a basic summary of how plumbing design relates to LEED[TM] credits. Part of the article discusses the merits of using...

Looking at both sides in breathing air system debate.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I just finished reading Julius Ballanco's June 2005 PME column regarding the breathing air code. I've decided that I both agree and disagree with you on this one. I disagree in the fact that I feel the plumbing trade should design and install...

Codes and public toilets.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... In Julius Ballanco's Oct. 2004 editorial, he has once again used this magazine as a venue to elevate the IPC above the UPC and other codes. This time it was with respect to code requirements for public toilet rooms. All codes are subject...

PME sponsors hiring conference.(PME News)
January 1, 2006... Hiring the right people and training and keeping workers are major challenges for the plumbing industry and common concerns for engineers, contractors and wholesalers. The construction industry will need to add 100,000 jobs each year...

Innovation awards to be presented at 2006 AHR Expo.(PME News)
January 1, 2006... This year's International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo), to be held Jan. 23-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago, will feature the presentation of the Innovation Awards for new products on display at the show. ...

Hydronic piping design software available.(PME News)
January 1, 2006... Appropriate Designs has released new software for drawing hydronic piping schematics. Co-developed by PME contributing author and hydronics expert John Siegenthaler, HydroniCAD is for those who need to produce professional quality drawings for...

ISH China--a forum for information and technical exchange.(PME News)
January 1, 2006... ISH China, one of the leading international trade fairs for the sanitation, heating and air-conditioning sectors, will take place at the China International Exhibition Centre, Beijing, from March 14-17. A number of market-leading companies have...

RPA's Radiant House is back.(PME News)
January 1, 2006... The Radiant Panel Association will again showcase its Radiant House at the AHR show Jan. 23-25, and ISH North America, Sept. 28-30, both in Chicago in 2006. Visitors will experience radiant heating systems and equipment being installed right on...

Uponor North America.(appoints and restructures)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Uponor North America announced a reorganization of sales and marketing functions, resulting in five new sales management positions. Roger Davis, formerly a regional sales manager in the Southeast, becomes North American sales manager, reporting...

Rheem.(Appointments)
January 1, 2006... Rheem has promoted Simon Parfitt to president of its Water Heating Div. Parfitt, who has served the division as vice president and controller since 1996, succeeds Scott Martin, who was named president and CEO of Rheem Manufacturing last August....

Elkay Manufacturing Co.(Appointments)
January 1, 2006... Elkay Manufacturing Co. is forming a new Plumbing Products Division, which will incorporate the firm's lines of residential and commercial sinks, faucets, water coolers and related accessories. Jim Scott, current president of the Elkay...

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the International Code Council (ICC) will meet in February.(News Briefs)
January 1, 2006... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the International Code Council (ICC) will meet in February to begin work in earnest to determine whether the organizations can agree on all of the essential elements...

Watts Water Technologies.(acquires Dormont Manufacturing Co.)(Watts Industries Inc. acquires Flexflow Tubing LLP)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Watts Water Technologies made a series of significant acquisitions, both domestically and overseas, in November and December. The company signed a definitive agreement to acquire flexible stainless steel gas connector manufacturer Dormont...

Wirsbo.(News Briefs)
January 1, 2006... The Wirsbo name will disappear starting in 2006, as parent company Uponor has launched a worldwide branding initiative to consolidate all of its businesses under the Uponor brand. The company will retain Wirsbo as a trade name, but transition...

Webstone Co. and Raven Products.(News Briefs)
January 1, 2006... Webstone Co. and Raven Products said that a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in June 2005 regarding patent infringement relating to Webstone's Isolator[R] Uni-Flange Ball Valve has been settled and dismissed. While denying any wrong-doing,...

The 2006 International Floor Heating System.(conferance at Shanghai)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The 2006 International Floor Heating System and Construction Technology (Shanghai) Expo & Technical Seminar will be held May 29-31, 2006, at ShanghaiMart, 2299 Yan'an West Road (99 Xingyi Road), in Shanghai, China. The show is sponsored by the...

SFA Saniflo Inc.(embarks Bob Lechner)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Bob Lechner, U.S. national sales manager of SFA Saniflo Inc., recently embarked on a 12-month tour of military duty, including service in the Middle East, as a member of the naval reserves. A 10-year veteran in the reserves with the current...

Delta Faucet Co.(News Briefs)
January 1, 2006... Delta Faucet Co. has named Jay Harris of 1-Earth/Positioning By Design the grand-prize winner of the Michael Graves Make Us Say Wow! Contest. The contest recognized Harris for his overall creativity in designing the kitchen at his firm, as well...

Delta Faucet.(News Briefs)
January 1, 2006... In related news, Delta Faucet awarded $5,000 to Jennifer Doby of Piedmont, SC, the winner of the company's "Bathroom of Your Dreams" Sweepstakes.

Critical meeting in February: time will tell whether or not IAPMO and ICC can find common ground when it comes to a single set of plumbing codes.(Codes)
January 1, 2006... IAPMO and ICC issued a joint news release that identified their next meeting in February as critical. The news release was issued after an initial meeting in Little Rock, AR. While they attempted to maintain an upbeat attitude, there were...

Noteworthy fire protection news; Here's some news you can use: items of note from 2005 that did not go unnoticed.(Fire Protection)
January 1, 2006... Washington, D.C. -- The CIGNA Corp. donated an unparalleled private collection of historic firefighting artifacts to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History last October. Items in the prodigious 4,000-piece collection date from 1750...

Softening up hard water: hard water can be done without. The solution is as easy as installing a water softener.
January 1, 2006... According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 85% of the United States has to cope with hard water--water with excessive levels of calcium and magnesium. While hard water is not considered to be unhealthy for people to drink, it can be very...

Radiant landscapes: here's a look at the surface temperature profile of a heated slab in a commercial radiant floor heating application.(analysis on radiant heating)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2006... I often get involved with discussions of the surface temperature of a heated floor. Perhaps it's in the context of not allowing the slab to exceed the recommended 85[degrees]F surface temperature in situations of prolonged foot contact with the...

Hot water recirculating systems: when designing hot water recirculating systems, the water temperature in the recirculating piping becomes a major factor for consideration.(cast studies on radiant heating)
January 1, 2006... A hot water recirculating system is designed to minimize the time required to have hot water flow through a plumbing fixture. While a recirculating system increases the amount of energy required to operate a hot water distribution system, it...

College of Product Knowledge--now in CD form: due to popular demand, PME has resurrected the PHCP industry's most acclaimed product training manual.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... You asked for it. We finally listened. Now it's here. The best-read, most highly acclaimed series in PME's history has been updated and made available to fill the gaping hole in the plumbing industry's product knowledge training....

Back to basics: the sensible new wave of suppression; With half a million residential fires occurring annually in the U.S., the need for knowledge about the design of sprinkler systems in multi-family residences and the codes governing them is becoming crucial.(editorial)(safety measures in residential housing)
January 1, 2006... Editor's Note: "Back to Basics" is a column that will run periodically in PME reviewing the basic principles of plumbing engineering. Much has been written and will continue to be written about residential fire sprinkler systems. Slow...

After 75 years, copper is still the standard.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Liberty Pumps introduces the LSG-series Omnivore[TM] grinder pump.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Protect your investment with Spirovent.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... We hear it all the time: "We had been battling system problems forever, and the Spirovent solved them."--Director of Physical Plant, Cottey College. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That's because the Spirovent[R] uses the original patented...

Spirovent[R].(AIR AND DIRT SEPARATORS)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Condition the water to condition the air. Protect your investment by removing the air and dirt from your hot or chilled water system. Air and dirt in large volume fluid systems cause many problems. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Leonard Valve Co.'s High Capacity Water Temperature Control Systems.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Leonard High Capacity Water Temperature Control Systems provide consistent mixed water temperatures over an extremely wide range of flows for large commercial and institutional applications. Typical applications include convention hotels; large...

I went into the engineering business, not the mixing valve business. So when we ran into trouble maintaining water temperature at the nursing home, I called THE mixing valve specialists at Leonard Valve Company.(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... I was a young consulting engineer working on a nursing home job and, we ran into a problem: The inspectors determined that the water temperature wasn't being maintained, even though we had sized the valves according to code to handle the high-...

Plastic Trends Perfect Fit[TM] DWV fittings.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... At Plastic Trends, manufacturing quality products and meeting the changing needs of its distributors and users of their products has always been the cornerstone of the company. With nearly four decades of experience in the pipe fitting...

Vanex[R] Ultra PEX: the leader in chlorine resistance.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... For over 25 years, Vanguard Piping Systems has been going to bat for builders, contractors, wholesalers and homeowners with the mission of providing proven systems through superior products, reliable service and timely information. Why? Because...

ISO certification reflects Slant/Fin's hydronic heating product quality.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Slant/Fin Corp. has been awarded ISO certification for its Greenvale, NY, manufacturing operations. ISO certification ensures homeowners, contractors and wholesalers that Slant/Fin hydronic heating products have been manufactured under...

Building strong connections that last: Anvil--trusted by the industry for over 150 years.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... In the mid 1800s, a company named Grinnell[R] 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...

Revolutionary new VSX pumps feature several "industry firsts".(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... A new series of split-case pumps with several features never before offered in the HVAC industry has been introduced by Bell & Gossett. Aptly named the VSX Series (vertical split-case excellence), the new pumps are designed to provide...

IPS Corp.--a pioneer in plumbing connection products.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... A pioneer in plumbing since 1954, IPS Corp. has time and again brought innovation, efficiency and bedrock integrity to the service of the industry and its customers. IPS products have proven the depth of their originality and the ongoing...

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. celebrates 80 years of commitment.
January 1, 2006... It all began in New York City... Jay L. Smith, a New York salesman for the National Lead Co., saw a growing need for brass and bronze specialties. Arranging to have his products manufactured by other foundries, Smith began his fledgling...

Montana retirement community benefits from LoadMatch[TM] Tri-Water system.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... A new senior living community in the heart of Manhattan--Montana, that is--provides year-round indoor comfort for its residents via a LoadMatch[TM] single pipe system combined with an integrated Tri-Water piping system. The LoadMatch system...

Municipal Building goes "green" with Taco's LoadMatch[R] system.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

American Water Heater Co. introduces the new 100-gallon/199 MBtu Polaris[R].(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... During the last several years, the market for high-efficiency commercial and residential tank-type water heaters has grown. In 2002, American Water Heater Co. expanded its stainless steel tank Polaris[R] product line by developing and...

Flexible fire sprinkler connections satisfy new seismic code requirements while providing superior seismic protection.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Background of New Code Requirements: More than 90% of the states in the U.S. are adopting the International Building Code (IBC) that addresses, among other things, the installation of fire sprinkler systems in seismic zones. Engineers need to...

Why specify FlexHead[R] flexible sprinkler connections? Here are three solid reasons ... and one shaky one!
January 1, 2006... What's between the branch line and the sprinkler head can affect both time to occupancy and lifetime operational costs of your project. Here are four good reasons for specifying FlexHead: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Faster Time to...

Bradford White sets sights on boiler market with Laars[R] purchase.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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." Bradford White made a move to widely...

Think again. Think you can find a better high efficiency commercial water heater?(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Ultra-efficient, ultra-quiet and ultra-flexible, that's how you describe the eF Series[R] of commercial water heaters from Bradford White. And now, with the addition of three 60-gallon models, your options for the ultimate commercial...

PowerStation[TM]: the "all in one" water tempering and recirculation solution for commercial and institutional facilities.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Why specify Charlotte Pipe's ChemDrain[TM] CPVC chemical waste drain system? Because we've built a better mousetrap.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

New Apollo[R] multi-outlet mixing valve first to comply with ASSE 1069.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Apollo[R] Valves has outpaced the competition again with the introduction of its new 34HL Series Automatic Temperature Control Mixing Valve--the first hot/cold water mixing device to meet the strict performance levels specified by the new ASSE...

Viega Mixing and Injection Stations--highly engineered and user friendly.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... There are many different ways to control and pipe a radiant system: mixing valves (three- and four-way), diverting valves, injection systems (pumping, mixing), etc. In the installers' eyes, one of the biggest hurdles is what arrangement to...

ProPress[R] enhanced with Smart Connect[TM] Feature.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Ka-ching, Ka-ching, Ka-ching... That's about how fast it takes to make a ProPress copper connection. For more than six years, the Viega ProPress System has helped North American installers turn copper into gold with flameless press...

Wirsbo is now Uponor--no matter what it's called, it still works.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Uponor may be hard to remember and harder yet to say. (Pronounce it oop-en-ore, by the way.) So, why the change? Uponor had been doing business as Wirsbo, Uponor Wirsbo, Ecoflex and Unipipe. By consolidating all of their brands into one,...

Cambridge-Lee enhances record of innovation with new copper linesets packaging and new distribution center.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Cambridge-Lee Industries plans to unveil brand new packaging for its copper linesets in 2006, which will provide a number of advantages to customers, according to Ed Kerins, Jr., vice president of sales and distribution. "Our new...

Stiebel Eltron announces advanced line of tankless electric water heaters for residential installation.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Innovative solutions to real life challenges faced by HVAC professionals.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... HVAC professionals encounter a wide range of challenges on a daily basis. Solutions to common problems we all face are like a breath of fresh air to many. Have a quick look at the following "Challenges" and see if the innovative "Solutions"...

Weil-McLain--a proud history ... A new beginning.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... In 2002, Weil-McLain, America's leading boiler manufacturer began looking for a manufacturing facility that would allow them to essentially produce everything in one building. In September 2005, that vision became a reality with the grand...

Delany hands-free products.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Specifications for public and commercial facilities often call for reliable "hands-free" mechanisms to maintain hygienic environments and meet ADA requirements. Delany Flush Valves and Faucets are engineered with reliable electronics and...

Count on Sloan: your source for reliable plumbing systems for 100 years.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Plumbers and other industry professionals have counted on Sloan Valve Co. for 100 years as their source for long-lasting, highly reliable plumbing systems. Sloan's products range from manual and sensor-operated Flushometers and faucets, to...

New valves turn high-pressure applications into low risk decisions.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Zurn introduces EcoVantage pressure assist series.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Zurn Commercial Brass, a division of the Zurn Plumbing Products Group, introduces the EcoVantage pressure-assist series of water closets. EcoVantage pressure-assist water closets compliment the existing Zurn One Systems package of vitreous...

Zurn Specification Drainage introduces the Z1020 Electronic Multi-Port Trap Primer.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Zurn Specification Drainage presents the new Z1020 Electronic Multi-Port Trap Primer. The Z1020 is a complete, enclosed automatic trap primer unit programmed to maintain the water seal of floor traps. This unit is available with five or 10...

Zurn PEX Simply Heat[TM] offers you superior comfort!(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... You won't believe the comfort! Zurn Industries now offers the Simply Heat Electric Floor warming system. This system is designed to warm ceramic, marble, slate and concrete floors that tend to stay cold in the winter. All of these flooring...

Forgot to clean your grease interceptor? Don't worry, Josam will remind you!(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

A century of engineering solutions.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Leading the flow control industry for more than 100 years, NIBCO INC. combines its tradition of manufacturing excellence with leading edge technology and innovation. NIBCO's reputation as a provider of quality products is backed by...

The Bryan Deaerator: a heritage of quality and dependability.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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,...

If classroom sinks could talk!(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... For many years, school districts around the country have placed utility sinks in classrooms for both cleanup and drinking purposes. Maintaining control and oversight of students in the classroom, as opposed to having them leave to handle these...

Where products and service meet innovation.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Webstone has been providing exceptional quality and service to the wholesale distributor for more than 50 years. Innovation is the core of Webstone's continued success. Creating products and programs that simplify life for the wholesaler,...

New Halsey Taylor vandal-resistant water coolers combine several desirable product features.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... Halsey Taylor recently introduced a new line of vandal-resistant water coolers designed for a wide variety of applications. The unique new stainless steel barrier-free water coolers combine many of the most preferred features from several...

New and improved safety mixing valves.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Rheem--best known, most respected, most reliable.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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...

Tale from the underground: Gastite lightens the mood at Bubba Gump's.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... The shift from black iron pipe to corrugated stainless steel tubing for gas distribution continues to grow in all sectors of building construction nationwide. Time after time, the superior flexibility of CSST helps overcome all types of...

Providing specifiers the products and services that meet the needs of today's plumbing fixtures.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... For nearly 50 years, McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc. has provided professional plumbing designers with the highest quality competitively priced fixture trim products for commercial specifications. A great deal has changed in this time, and...

Grundfos CR vertical multistage centrifugal pumps.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2006)
January 1, 2006... 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: *...

AHR Expo 2006.(PME Products)
January 1, 2006... The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) will be held Jan. 23-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Here are some products that will be on display at the show. Boilers Bryan (booth 4762) offers new...

Dilbert[R].(Take a Break)
January 1, 2006... An Engineer's Fairytale [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Once upon a time, in a kingdom not far from here, a king summoned two of his advisors for a test. He showed them both a shiny metal...

Why you need this Guide: this Guide provides valuable information on radiant floor heating systems.
January 1, 2006... A RECENT SURVEY AMONG HOMEBUILDERS sponsored by the Propane Education and Research Council found that more than 20 percent of builders surveyed plan to "increase" or "greatly increase" their use of radiant floor systems in the next 12 months....

Welcome to the world of radiant floor heating.(radiation heating)
January 1, 2006... THE 2006 EDITION OF THE Radiant Flooring Guide provides a general overview of radiant floor heating and flooring from multiple viewpoints. It is intended to assist consumers, architects, flooring dealers, flooring contractors and general...

Engineering heat transfer: if you choose floor coverings recommended for use over radiant, and install them as recommended, you'll have the finest heating in the world.
January 1, 2006... TO WORK EFFECTIVELY AND OFFER comfort, radiant floor systems must provide enough heat, but not so much that they're objectionably hot. The industry consensus places that limit at about 85[degrees]F for any floor that is heavily used. A...

Green radiant and floor coverings: healthy, efficient and beautiful; Green floors over radiant heating systems yield peace of mind for environmentally conscious consumers.
January 1, 2006... MANY RADIANT HEATING CONSUMERS ARE extraordinarily involved and knowledgeable about the materials and systems in their home. They insist not only on radiant heat, but also good insulation, good windows and quality materials. A significant...

Baring the bones: specifying radiant means you don't have to deal with the visual consequences of bulky mechanicals.(THE ARCHITECT/SPECIFIER)
January 1, 2006... PERCHED OVERLOOKING THE STRAIGHT of Juan de Fuca, a wall of windows juts in defiant challenge to the brisk November night: "Just try to chill me." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Homework: if clients have a good understanding of radiant heating, it allows them to have reasonable expectations and be happy with the heat.(THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR)
January 1, 2006... IT'S A MATTER OF ATTITUDE. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The attitude of your general contractor plays a major role in the ease and success of your radiant heating project. We interviewed several successful general contractors who frequently...

Taking a scientific approach: knowing how a flooring material will interact with a radiant heat source is critical.(THE FLOORING CONTRACTOR)
January 1, 2006... WHEN IT COMES TO WOOD FLOORING, Don Bollinger wrote the book. Literally. The author of the 1990 Hardwood Floors has spent decades honing his expertise in the installation of flooring over radiant heat. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Radiant's customers tell the story ... in their warm, bare feet: they love the quality of radiant heat, as well as its economy. If they had to do it all over again, they would ... in fact, many of them have.(THE HOMEOWNER)
January 1, 2006... Our home was designed with a lot of stone, and since we live in the Pacific Northwest, we decided to use radiant heat in our floors because it just feels so nice. We have some valuable rugs, so "shoes off" is a policy. Walking around in socks...