PM Engineer articles from July 2008

PM Engineer archives from July 2008

From fire-safe cigarettes to home-safe sprinklers.(Publisher's Note)
July 1, 2008... With 440,000 premature deaths caused every year in the United States by cigarette smoking, the up to 900 lives that can be saved annually through fire-safe cigarettes appears at first glance to add up to an insignificant number. That is, of...

Why NAHB is wrong.(Codes)(National Association of Home Builders of the United States)
July 1, 2008... Everyone is gearing up for the ICC Final Code Hearings scheduled for the third week of September in Minneapolis, MN. The spin for various code changes has already started. Not surprisingly, the hottest issue is residential sprinklers....

Foreign or domestic: we've got our standards.(Director's Update)(International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)
July 1, 2008... We've seen a lot of news stories lately about products from China being recalled due to safety concerns. Without question, such reports raise eyebrows here at IAPMO R&T, where protecting the public's health and safety has been central to our...

Doing a double-take (part 1): pictures clearly tell the story of incredible things one finds during sprinkler system inspections.(Fire Protection)(Viewpoint essay)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The year was 1999 and my task was to complete an inspection of various existing sprinkler systems in a large multistory warehouse. I'm aware that all that is required of those on inspection is normally a walk-through...

Designing "green" hot water distribution systems: in light of modern fixtures and appliances, we need to measure the performance and hot water demand in various applications to better understand the level of performance needed.(Green Plumbing & Design)(Cover story)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What defines a "green" hot water distribution system? Ideally, such a system would minimize the waste of water, energy and time during all three phases of all hot water events in a given application. In addition,...

No water necessary: without a doubt, waterless urinals are "green" plumbing fixtures because of their water-conservation potential. But their optimum performance lies in how the trap seal is maintained.(Green Plumbing & Design)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For the past seven years, PM Engineer has paid close attention to waterless urinals--from their initial mention in the magazine (July 2001 issue), to their ever-expanding use in commercial plumbing structures, to...

The I-Codes and green building: sustainability requires a careful consideration of all factors associated with the construction, use and eventual demolition of a building.(Guest Commentary)
July 1, 2008... In early 2007, The International Code Council (ICC) released a policy position statement supporting green building, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility and expanding the boundaries of public safety. In that statement, the Code...

High-efficiency boilers.(Information Showcase)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bryan Steam's HE-AB Series forced-draft, gas-fired "Flexible Water Tube" water boilers feature a guaranteed efficiency of 85%. The high-combustion efficiency results from a uniquely designed integrated extended...

Pro-Connect valves.(Information Showcase)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Webstone has introduced a full line of heavy-duty brass valves for use with all types of crimp and quick-connect fittings. The Pro-Connect[R] line of valves features copper tube-sized male ends that are machine...

System secures pipe/tube/conduit/cable.(Information Showcase)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Litchfield Intl. offers its CLIC[R]-X supports and hangers for all types of pipe, tube, conduit and cable. The Strutcatcher[R] allows redundant piping systems to be prefabricated. Product has 23 years of field...

FlexHead Industries.(Information Showcase)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FlexHead is the premier manufacturer of flexible sprinkler hose fittings, which connect sprinkler heads to the branch line, eliminating traditional arm-overs of rigid pipe. Flexible sprinkler hose fittings have...

The Oxford Suite.(Information Showcase)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At Symmons, we've been known for quality products for over 60 years. Our professional-grade quality is getting a whole new look with beautifully designed suites that complement any project. The new Oxford Suite is...