PM Engineer articles from January 2007

PM Engineer archives from January 2007

Web site spotlight: PME archives.(Check Out PME Online at www.PMEngineer.com)
January 1, 2007... Whether you're new to PM Engineer or a veteran subscriber, the Archives link offers a great way to get acquainted with PME's historical content. The Archives are a handy and extensive section--one that's accessible 24/7 with the click of a...

Dozens of diamonds: nothing ever begins ... everything is just a continuation of something that came before.(Publisher's Note)(PM Engineer history)
January 1, 2007... Whenever something new is upon us (such as a calendar year), I recall these opening words of a Clive Barker novel I read many years ago. True, it's not "Call me Ishmael" (Moby Dick) or "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"...

Haws Corporation celebrates its centennial.(PME News)
January 1, 2007... On Oct. 28, 2006, the Haws Corporation officially celebrated its 100th anniversary at a gala event held at the Siena Hotel Spa & Casino in Reno, NV. The black-tie event was attended by 350 Haws customers, sales representatives, past and present...

Schedule for NFPA 2007 Safety Conference announced.(PME News)
January 1, 2007... This year's National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) World Safety Conference & Expo will once again provide the top professionals in fire protection, life safety and security a wide variety of quality educational sessions along with the...

WPC announces 2006 scholarship winner, expands WHO relationship.(PME News)
January 1, 2007... The World Plumbing Council (WPC) recently announced that Phil Campbell of Las Vegas, was awarded its 2006 Trainers Scholarship worth $7,500. Open to plumbing trainers, in any sector of education across the world, the scholarship demands a very...

In memoriam.(PME News)(Obituary)
January 1, 2007... Everett C. Wilcox, chairman of the board of the Leonard Valve Company, passed away on Dec. 15, 2006, at the age of 89. On Dec. 12, he celebrated his 68th year of employment with the company. He began his employment at Leonard in 1938,...

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).(Christian Dubay hired)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Christian Dubay was appointed vice president, codes and standards and chief engineer of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on Dec.1. Dubay will oversee Electrical Engineering, Fire Protection Applications & Chemical Engineering,...

Viega has announced the addition of Mark Evans as director of sales- Canada.(Appointments)
January 1, 2007... Viega has announced the addition of Mark Evans as director of sales- Canada. Evans was formerly western regional manager for WILO North America (Div. WILO Ag). Evans' mandate is to facilitate Viega's entry into the Canadian market, with an...

Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath.(Appointments)(Joy Archer promoted to director of customer service)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Joy Archer has been named director of customer service for Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath. She brings 20 years experience in customer service and software systems to her new position. Based in the Dallas corporate headquarters, Archer will oversee the...

California legislators miss the boat on lead reduction: Fact: You cannot arbitrarily lower lead levels if there is no technology to reach lower levels.(Codes)
January 1, 2007... The week after Thanksgiving, I attended a meeting of the NSF Joint Committee of Drinking Water Additives. This is the committee that develops NSF 60 and 61. Most engineers are familiar with NSF 61 as the standard that regulates the quality...

Managing the potential for danger (Part 1): in the first part of this two-part column, the author addresses the cause and origin of healthcare facility fires.(Fire Protection)(Column)
January 1, 2007... Fire is an actuality of very low probability, but one of severe consequence. Once it starts to spread, fire moves quickly, producing an abundance of blinding toxic smoke. And smoke kills. If you think long and hard about each and every building...

Selecting thermostatic mixing valves for emergency fixtures: water heater size and storage requirements must be carefully addressed to deliver tepid water to eyewash and drench-shower equipment.
January 1, 2007... The American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, ANSI Z358.1-2004, is published under the auspices of the Industrial Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). A most important requirement of the standard reads: "Medical...

The perks for automatic sprinklers in the 2003 IBC: by understanding the advantages of sprinklering a building, the plumbing engineer can provide valuable life safety/fire protection to the project, as well as cost savings to the occupants and building owners.
January 1, 2007... It is a well-known fact that the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in many buildings through the years has saved many lives and much property. Based on the latest study by NFPA, "U.S. Experience with Sprinklers and Other Fire...

Back to basics: reversing course: a discussion of reverse return piping--an important aspect of hydronic heating technology.
January 1, 2007... In many hydronic systems, there's a need to divide system flow into several equal streams that pass through several identical components. The physics necessary for this are simple: If the flow resistance of each parallel path is the same, the...

Sizing thermal expansion tanks: adding backflow prevention valves in plumbing systems to safeguard water quality has resulted in problems with thermal expansion and pressure buildup.
January 1, 2007... Throughout the history of the American plumbing industry, safeguards have been implemented to ensure the end user has the highest quality water supply. The consumer has come to expect it, but he has rarely thought of the ongoing efforts...

Stiebel Eltron Tempra[TM] tankless electric water heaters.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... The Stiebel Eltron company has been in existence for more than 80 years and is currently the largest manufacturer of tankless electric water heaters in the world. Over the last 50 years, Stiebel Eltron has pioneered the development of tankless...

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry--much more than a DWV company.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... For more than a century, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry has been a leader in producing DWV pipe and fittings--first in cast iron and later adding PVC and ABS pipe and fittings systems. Charlotte[R] provides the broadest line of DWV pipe and...

Why specify Charlotte Pipe's ChemDrain[TM] CPVC Chemical Waste Drain System?(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Because we've built a better mousetrap. Why continue to do things the same old way when there is a better solution right at your fingertips? Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's ChemDrain[TM] CPVC Chemical Waste Drain System offers a safe, durable...

ComfortPro Systems is the new name for an old company.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Since 1990, we have been focused on selling complete radiant floor heating and snow melting systems. Over the years, we have expanded into plumbing (1996), high pressure cooling AirLink (2002), extended service agreements (2004) and...

Bradford White ranks highest in satisfying subcontractors.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Bradford White ranks highest among water heater and boiler manufacturers in satisfying subcontractors, according to the J.D. Power and Associates/McGraw-Hill Construction 2006 HVAC and Water Heater/Boiler Subcontractor Satisfaction StudySM...

Viega continues expansion strategy.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)(Company overview)
January 1, 2007... Powered by an expanding line of innovative products, Viega continues to surge ahead with record-breaking growth. Committed to strong customer partnerships, Viega is known for outstanding offerings such as ProPress, ProPress G, the Climate Panel...

Delany hands-free products.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... 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...

New Apollo[R] multi-outlet mixing valve first to comply with ASSE 1069.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... 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...

New and improved safety mixing valves.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 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...

Safe solutions for the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Drainage for the Biotech/ Pharmaceutical Industry Blucher-Josam stainless steel drainage products offer maximum hygienic benefits with minimum maintenance requirements, thus resulting in time and cost savings. Blucher-Josam provides safe...

Symmons Elements[R] line offers luxury bathroom and kitchen fittings for the home.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Symmons, a premier manufacturer of commercial and residential plumbing products, offers a collection of exquisitely designed bathroom fittings for the home. Originally created for world-class luxury resorts, condominiums, and other premier...

Taco's LoadMatch system selected for elementary school retrofit.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Children at the Will Rogers Elementary school in Hobbs, NM, situated close by the Texas border, are enjoying a new heating and cooling system this school year, thanks to a Taco LoadMatch[R] hydronic system installed at a record pace this past...

LEED-registered meeting street school equipped with Taco's LoadMatch system.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Meeting Street School, a nationally recognized school serving children and young adults with disabilities and developmental delays, will soon open an expansive new campus on seven acres of recovered brownfield land located on the south side of...

PowerStation[TM]: the 'All in One' water tempering and recirculation solution for commercial and institutional facilities.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 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...

Jay R Smith's siphonic roof drains--overview and case study.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... In keeping with their commitment to innovative products, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. is pleased to provide owners and the plumbing engineering community patent-pending, specified roof drain products for siphonic roof drainage systems. A siphonic roof...

AMTC ... putting trust and reliability into automatic plumbing fixtures.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... At Advanced Modern Technologies Corp. (AMTC), our philosophy is simple: Innovate and manufacture reliable automatic plumbing products. Our first goal was to develop an automatic flush valve system that would offer ultimate reliability. After...

Study says Cambridge-Lee tops among copper tubing manufacturers.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Cambridge-Lee Industries, a leading manufacturer of high-quality copper tubing based in Reading, PA, received top ratings in several categories in a research study of the opinions of industry executives who specify or purchase copper tubing...

The global sourcing trend continues: a cast iron soil pipe update.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... After more than 54 years, Matco-Norca continues to be the leader in the importation and distribution of a wide variety of plumbing products throughout the U.S. Items once primarily manufactured in the U.S.--such as brass ball and gate valves,...

We're a HIT at Alabama's Riverwalk stadium.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Seven thousand baseball fans keep the team charged at the games. Dependable Rheem-Ruud Commercial Water Heaters keeps things clean, comfortable and tasty! When the engineers and architects designed the hot water system for the Montgomery...

Grinnell grooved pipe is effective, efficient and safe.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Applicable for mechanical projects from hot and chilled water to full HVAC systems, grooved pipe is one of the fastest and safest ways to install mechanical piping. Utilizing onsite grooving tools, grooved piping is also one of the most...

Leonard Valve Co.--a leader in the field of water temperature control.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Leonard Valve's 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...

Where products and service meet innovation.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 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,...

Grundfos VersaFlo[R] UP(S) wet rotor circulators: the quiet revolution.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Grundfos Pumps is the only provider of large wet rotor circulators in the U.S. commercial market with a track record of more than 25 years. Grundfos VersaFlo[R] UP(S) wet rotor circulators are designed so that the water being pumped surrounds...

Concrete compromise: are you making the right decision for your clients with concrete interceptors?(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... The Portland Cement Association published a report titled, Effects of Substances on Concrete and Guide to Protective Treatments. Its findings revealed that even coated concrete interceptors succumb to corrosion from oil and grease once the...

American Water Heater Company proudly introduces new Polaris[R] models.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... During the last several years, the market for high-efficiency commercial and residential tank-type water heaters has grown. American Water Heater Co. expanded its stainless steel tank Polaris[R] product line by developing and introducing...

AquaFlex--the leader in flexible stainless steel sprinkler drops.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... "Why is AquaFlex better than steel pipe?" This is the most frequently asked question about AquaFlex. There are three main reasons: Increased profitability, better use of manpower and most importantly, safety. Other common questions are: Is...

The Bryan Deaerator: a heritage of quality and dependability.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... 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,...

Embassy product line suits everyone's needs.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)(Company overview)
January 1, 2007... Embassy Industries, Inc., now a Mestek Company, is a leading manufacturer of hydronic heating and plumbing products sold throughout North America and Europe. With more than 50 years of experience, Embassy's staff is dedicated to providing...

Flexible Fire Sprinkler Connections satisfy new seismic code requirements while providing superior seismic protection.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... 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...

Innovation, experience and service make Harvel Plastics a worldwide leader.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... In a world of constant technological change, outstanding PVC and CPVC pipe extrusions can only be produced by a company with unique skills. Technical mastery, persistent dedication and testing without compromise--these are the elements that...

From KyungDong America, Inc., to Navien America, Inc.: new face and new vision with same superior quality products.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... In Seoul, Korea on Sept. 1, 2006, KyungDong Boiler Co. Ltd. announced its name change from KyungDong Boiler Co. Ltd. to KyungDong Navien Co. Ltd. KyungDong is famous for its condensing boilers in South Korea (since 1979), and they just released...

The EcoVantage series: environmental and financial conservation begins with Zurn.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Zurn offers a value alternative to traditional fixture installations that utilize multiple manufacturers' components. Zurn EcoVantage fixture systems combine the strength of commercial brass fittings along with an innovative offering of...

Plastic Trends perfect Fit[TM] DWV fittings offer perfect solutions.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... At Plastic Trends, manufacturing quality products and meeting the changing needs of its distributors and users of their products have always been the cornerstone of the company. With nearly four decades of experience in the pipe-fitting...

Takagi launches energy efficient tankless water heater with enhanced versatility.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Takagi, the leading manufacturer of tankless water heaters, recently announced the launch of its smallest, most versatile and powerful residential tankless water heater yet, the T-K3. This newest addition to Takagi's famous line of tankless...

Uponor ProPEX[R] fitting system: strong, reliable and installer-friendly.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... Introduced more than a decade ago, Uponor ProPEX fittings remain the most reliable method for making watertight PEX connections quickly and easily. Capitalizing on the unique thermal-shape memory of Uponor's PEX--a Engel--method tubing, ProPEX...

Truebro--making America accessible.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in July 1991 and set in place a number of accessibility standards to protect people with disabilities. The Federal Register Code Sec. 4.19.4 states that: "Hot water and drain pipes under lavatories...

Snowmelt system is tourist-friendly alternative to snow plows in Vail village.(MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT 2007)
January 1, 2007... In a perfect world, snow would fall only on the picturesque ski slopes of Vail, CO. However, like any other ski resort, Vail has always had to deal with snow that falls in less convenient locations. In 2004, the city of Vail took a bold...

Thermoplastic grease interceptor.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... The Trapper II thermoplastic grease interceptor from Schier Products features inlet and outlet diffusers that create a unique flow pattern, allowing grease to collect at the surface, sediment to drop and gray water to pass through. The Trapper...

Water heating/space heating unit.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Bradford White officially introduces its Combi2 Series water heaters this month. Combi2 is a combination system designed to save space by providing both home space heating and potable hot water from a single energy-saving source. Units come in...

Air admittance valve.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... The unique design of the Studor Tec-Vent provides plumbing ventilation to prevent the loss of water seal in traps without the need for costly roof penetration and vent piping. Used as the primary source of venting for branch fixtures in large...

Pre-assembled heating manifold.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... AccuFlo[TM] is a pre-assembled heating manifold from Zurn PEX design to ease the installation of multi-loop radiant heating systems. A wrench and a screw gun are all a contractor needs to take this manifold from the box to the wall. In a matter...

Flush valve retrofit kit.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Advanced Modern Technologies Corp. (AMTC) offers the AEF-801 DUALFLUSH[R] Automatic Flush Valve Retrofit Kit for urinals and toilets. The unit features a patented BRV[R] mechanism that replaces the standard solenoid mechanism, allowing for the...

CPVC products with low flame spread ratings.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... New testing conducted recently by Harvel Plastics, Inc. at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. proves that the company's ULC-listed CPVC piping products have exceptionally low flame spread and smoke development ratings when tested to ASTM E-84...

Compact drain pump.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Liberty Pumps has introduced a new compact drain pump-the Model 404. Standing only 11" high, the short profile of the model 404 allows for easy installation in tight areas. Liberty's unique QuickTree[TM] technology allows for easy removal of...

Line of electronic faucets.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Chicago Faucets recently introduced the HyTronic line of sensor-operated faucets, which are specifically designed to address the reliability concerns often associated with electronic faucets. According to the company, before bringing the...

Boiler features internal cascading sequencer.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Lochinvar Corp. introduces its well-known Power-Fin boiler and water heater line--but with several enhancements to the time-proven design. Advances include higher turndown ratio, a standard internal cascading sequencer and control upgrades for...

Large-capacity tankless water heater.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Eemax introduces the powerful "Series Four" large-capacity electric tankless water heater for the "whole house" with microprocessing temperature control. Flow activates each of the EX380T2T2's efficient heating elements in stages based on hot...

Check valves.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Danfoss Flomatic Corporation introduces its new Silver Bullet stainless steel check valves as another unleaded alternative. The company's alternative program now includes their most popular models. Every model that is manufactured in unleaded...

Imported soil pipe and fittings.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Matco-Norca is a market leader in imported soil pipe and fittings. The company's soil pipe products conform to the requirements contained in ASTM A888, and all of its imported No-hub products have been third-party tested, a requirement...

PEX aluminum PEX pipe.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Watts Radiant now offers RadiantPEX-AL, a multilayer pipe consisting of an inner and outer layer of high temperature-resistant polyethylene with an aluminum core. The aluminum core prevents oxygen and gases from permeating into the pipe, making...

Bath accessories complement fittings.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... Symmons offers new bathroom accessories to complement its Elements[R] line of luxury bathroom fittings. The collection of accessories includes a towel bar, towel ring, robe hook and toilet paper holder available to match five exclusively...

Compact discharge pump.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... The SANISHOWER from Saniflo is a fully automatic gray water pump system designed to discharge wastewater from a shower, bathtub, bar or bathroom sink. The compact unit measures 13 inches wide and 6-1/2 inches deep, making it ideal for tight...

Circuit breaker for pedestal alam system.(PME Products)
January 1, 2007... SJE-Rhombus says its 120V PS Patrol(tm) pedestal alarm system is now available with a factory-installed circuit breaker and terminal block option for faster, cleaner installations. The PS Patrol system features a built-in high-water alarm and...

Innovative liberty pumps stands the test of time.(growth, business strategy, Liberty Pumps)(Company overview)
January 1, 2007... Liberty Pumps, located in Bergen, NY (a rural Upstate community located near Rochester), was founded in 1965. As a privately held, family owned company with focused direction, Liberty has grown to become a Rochester Top 100 Company and leading...

Century celebration continues: Wilkins announces additions to TMV line.(Company overview)
January 1, 2007... Wilkins, a Zurn Company, has been supplying quality water control products to the marketplace since 1906. Originally based out of Mr. James Wilkins' 200-sq.-ft. garage in Los Angeles, CA, Wilkins has grown from this humble beginning to a...