PM Engineer articles from June 2008

PM Engineer archives from June 2008

Statistics never die.(Editor's Note)
June 1, 2008... Whenever I read something that includes statistical analysis, I recall that famous expression of sports enthusiasts: "Statistics never lie." This is definitely the case concerning statistics presented on fire sprinklers in recent reports from...

IAPMO close to history: Technical Committee recommends acceptance of air admittance valves and non-water supplied urinals for the first time.(Codes)(International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)
June 1, 2008... The third round of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Plumbing Code change cycle took place the first week of May in Denver. The IAPMO Plumbing Technical Committee (TC) reviewed the comments submitted by the...

Competing collectors (Part 1): what's the best type of solar energy collector?(SOLAR DESIGN NOTEBOOK)(Column)
June 1, 2008... Preface Welcome to the first of a series of new PM Engineer columns entitled Solar Design Notebook. The intent of this series is to bring readers technical information on the design of active solar thermal systems for water heating and...

The fire factor ... you cannot pretend that reality doesn't apply.(Fire Protection)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Q. On a recent inspection we stumbled onto this inspector's test connection for a wet-pipe system (see photo) that was not piped to any sink or drain, and simply terminated in a 1-inch plug. Is this configuration in violation of code? A....

Never a busy signal: staying connected to the engineer, contractor and wholesaler is priority number one for Spec Sales.(2008 Manufacturers Rep of the Year)(Cover story)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Let me show you our phone system" Dave Hutchins, CPMR, president of Spec Sales says shortly into our interview, leading me to a small room within his office at the company's headquarters in Ontario, CA. Spec Sales...

Backflow for post-mix dispensing systems: a closer look at what really goes on inside a dispenser.
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Prior to 2000, the primary device used for backflow prevention on post-mix dispensing systems was the ASSE Standard 1032 backflow preventer. Although ASSE Standard 1022 was issued in 1996, the first devices that were...

Efficiency in plumbing: the basics of siphonic drainage: such systems can be designed for any type of roof or building, although they are more commonly used on low-rise buildings with a large roof area such as warehouses, airports and schools.(Green Plumbing & Design)
June 1, 2008... In this day and age, efficiency plays a major role in our society. From finding a car with the best fuel mileage to using the brightest bulb that operates on the least power, people are able to save time and money by using a more efficient...

Grease abatement industry overhaul: taking stock of all the stakeholders and a role call for national consensus.(Guest Commentary)
June 1, 2008... Several articles have been written over the years on the nomenclature and technical aspects of fats, oils and grease (FOG) abatement products (1). But few have been written on the state of the industry in which these products are used. In...

Manufacturers rep directory 2008.(ALABAMA-NEW JERSEY)(Directory)
June 1, 2008... ALABAMA A.W. Ferguson Co. Inc. 210 N. Confederate Dr. Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (251) 626-0685 Fax: (251) 626-4933 awfco0l@aol.com A.W.Ferguson, Pres.; Andy Ferguson, Office Mgr. TERRITORY/STATES SERVED: AL, MS, FL...

Manufacturers rep directory 2008.(NEW MEXICO-PUERTO RICO)
June 1, 2008... NEW MEXICO Cedar Ridge Sales Inc, 2659 Pan American Fwy., Ste. E Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505) 299-6788 Fax: (505) 299-7572 pat@cedarridgesales.com www.cedarridgesales.com Pat Durkin, Pres. TERRITORY/STATES SERVED:...

Flexible connections and LEED certification.(PME Products)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FlexHead Industries, Inc.'s new brochure shows that the choice of commercial sprinkler connections can impact a building's qualification for LEED Certification. The brochure covers sustainable sites; water...

Electric fan heaters.(PME Products)
June 1, 2008... The CK electric fan heaters from Stiebel Eltron are compact (18 1/8" x 13 1/4"x 4 3/4"), ideal for heating a space quickly and designed for easy wall mounting. They have an efficient heating system that blows heat down toward the floor. CK...

Versatile swivel attachment.(PME Products)
June 1, 2008... TOLCO now offers a versatile swivel attachment, the Figure 75, with 360/90-degree swivel properties that allow it to be used as an upper attachment for fire protection branch line restraint or as a seismic attachment for hanger rods. The Figure...

Pipe restoration system.(PME Products)
June 1, 2008... Wotec Corp. says its Promotec system cleans old, rusty and contaminated water pipes, eliminating the need for pipe replacement--and saving the labor and expenses related to opening/replacing walls and removing debris. Corroded and clogged pipes...

Expanded collection of shower products.(PME Products)
June 1, 2008... Hansgrohe has added nine new products to its collection of Raindance AIR shower products. With AIR technology, these products draw air inside the shower face, infusing the water with air bubbles to create larger water droplets and the sensation...

Commercial water heaters.(PME Products)
June 1, 2008... State Water Heaters has redesigned its State Ultra Force line of high-efficiency water heaters so they provide installation flexibility and up to 96% thermal efficiency. The upgrades include an improved burner system with power from the top...

Battery backup for sump pumps.(PME Products)
June 1, 2008... Electro-Matic Products Co. offers the Drytrol II, a one-piece unit that supplies reliable, uninterrupted AC power to primary or secondary 120VAC sump pumps during a power outage. It can be used with any standard AC sump pump rated up to 1/3 hp,...

Radiant oxymoron.(Guest Editorial)(designs of cars)(Editorial)
June 1, 2008... How can something be complex and simple at the same time? It seems to be an oxymoron, yet that is a description of much of our world. The term "user-friendly" is a result of this dilemma of making things that are inherently complex simple to...

Sun shines at REX.
June 1, 2008... Solar and other alternative energies will be discussed at the Radiant Panel Association's Radiant EXPO, Aug. 13-15, Schaumburg, Ill. "Radiant heating has always been green," says Larry Drake, the group's executive director. Here are some...

Harnessing the energy of the sun and the earth.
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RADIANT SYSTEMS that use collected energy from the sun through solar panels and from the ground through geothermal heat pumps are becoming more popular, especially with the state of today's fuel prices. The fact that...

Ferguson's Fab Shop: where craftsmen go to work.(Ferguson Hydronics)
June 1, 2008... The Rockies are a stronghold of hydronic and especially radiant heat, owing to a climate in which people tend to turn on their a/c only about a dozen days a year, if they even have it. The state is also one of the greenest around and...

On the waterfront: radiant heating can be found in many places, but it also can be improved.(Column)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I've seen some unusual projects in my years as a radiant contractor in Seattle, but a recent project ranks as the most interesting and challenging. It also led to some new friendships. When the phone rang in...

Wetstock gets resurrected for charity: the hydronics community comes together for sharing and giving back.
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After a three-year hiatus. Dan Holohan resurrected his "Wetstock" gathering of hydronic heating buffs in Denver April 12, drawing 205 participants and. for the first time, 18 exhibitors. The Wetstock term was...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... RADIANT TRAINING: The year is half over, but there's still plenty of time to get educated in the latest radiant, hydronic and green technologies. From online webinars and factory training to tradeshows and conferences, here are some remaining...

REHAU's RAUPANEL delivers more heat than competitive radiant systems.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In independent heat output testing of major radiant heating systems, RAUPANEL delivered the most heat. With this superior heat output, water temperatures can be lowered, saving energy. RAUPANEL works efficiently...

On-Screen Digitizer.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the new On-Screen Digitizer from FastEST Inc., users can import plans of many different digital formats directly into FastPIPE[TM] and FastDUCT[TM] Estimating Software. By having the digital plan interface with...

PricePoint software.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PricePoint has been helping "Mom and Pop" plumbing and HVAC contractors get organized and stay profitable since 1993. Version 4.26 makes scheduling and dispatching even easier with day/week/ month views, and a change...

Crack Isolation Waterproof Membrane for radiant-heated floors.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Protect your marble, stone or luxury tile from shrinkage cracks and moisture migration with 40-mil COMPOSEAL GOLD Crack Isolation Waterproof Membrane, used in radiant-heated flooring since 1992. COMPOSEAL GOLD is...

Award-winning condensing boiler.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AERCO's award-winning Modulex condensing boiler family has revolutionized the hydronic heating market. Available in six sizes from 300,000 to 1 million Btu/hr., the Modulex line features bestin-class turndown--up to...

Unlimited hot water.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ergomax heat exchangers continuously produce hot water as long as needed--for spa tubs, apartment buildings, hotels, dormitories, dishwashers needing 180-degree F water in restaurants, etc. Ergomax units operate at...

System secures pipe/tube/conduit/cable.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Litchfield International 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...

Mini-split from Fujitsu.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fujitsu's Multi-Zone mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps allow you to connect up to four indoor units to one outdoor unit, allowing you to heat or cool up to four zones at once. Select either a 24,000 or...

The answer to the high price of copper.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Keeping copper tube affordable today is a challenge. Because T-Drill reduces the cost of installing tee fittings by 90 percent, it is the answer to the high price of copper. Combine that with having the codes and...

Myson radiators heating through innovation.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Myson combines imagination and European tradition in its new 2008 catalog. You'll find nearly 300 different sizes of innovative heating products for your home, baths and spas, retirement homes, or wherever your needs...

Stainless-steel outdoor showers.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Pool Shower Inc. manufactures stainless-steel shower units that are resistant to damage from harsh weather and pool chemicals. All showers come complete with installation hardware, and are available in...

History of plumbing series now on CD-ROM.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More than 60 pages of plumbing and heating history articles are now available on CD-ROM. Plumbing & Mechanical's History Of Plumbing covers ancient plumbing, waterborne diseases, early-American innovation, the...

Radiant precision 2007 by John Siegenthaler.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This book is filled with the formulas, graphics and excellent schematics that John has become known for. Find everything from simple tube layout to intense calculations for flow restrictors in manifold assemblies....

Radiant & Hydronics E-News, Web site.(INFORMATION SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Radiant & Hydronics E-News is a twice-monthly e-newsletter full of the latest happenings in the world of radiant and hydronic heating professionals. Each edition features industry news, the latest products,...

A deadline for homeowners: it's no lawyer joke. Your customers may be entitled to money from a $324 million settlement.
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the early 1990s, nearly 25 million feet of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Entran II radiant hose was sold throughout the United States and Canada. However, a major defect was discovered and caused various types of...

PEX-AI-PEX.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PEX-AI-PEX: The new Alumicor[R] PEX-AI-PEX tubing offers the benefits of cross-linked polyethylene tubing plus it holds its shape when bent. A layer of aluminum is sandwiched between two layers of PEX that not only...

Oil-fired boiler.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... Oil-Fired Boiler: The TriFire threepass oil-fired boiler features easy installation through simple wiring, a small footprint and a piping manifold tree. It is compact and strong, with a maximum allowable working pressure of 65 psi. Wide flue...

Hydronic control.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hydronic Control: The Climate Control[TM] Multifunction Controller is a hydronic controller that offers a streamlined, less time-intensive approach to installing controls for radiant heating and cooling systems....

Zone control.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Zone Control: Available now is the next generation of Bell & Gossett ZoneTrol[TM] II zone pump controllers with optional outdoor reset control. Ideal for green building applications. Standard features include DHW...

New low water cutoff.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... New Low Water Cutoff [no photo]: LTR Series Low Water Cutoff offers a more advanced low water cutoff control for use with residential hot water boilers. It is designed around the expressed needs of residential boiler installers and service...

Digital thermostat.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Digital Thermostat: The D-26F digital thermostat is specifically designed for radiant floor heating systems. It is simple to install and operate without any programming steps. A 10-foot auxiliary remote sensor is...

Floor Panel.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... Floor Panel [no photo]: The FloorPanel system for dry, above-floor radiant heating applications features a unique design that easily secures 3/8-inch PEX tubing with 8-inch on-center spacing in any direction--straight runs, turns or both....

Gypsum underlayment.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gypsum Underlayment: Therma-Floor[R] is a gypsum underlayment designed to pour over hot water tubes or electric heating cables. It acts as the thermal mass for any radiant floor system. Therma-Floor encases the tubes...

Foamboard Stapler.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... Foamboard Stapler [no photo]: The FBSN Foamboard Stapler is for infloor radiant heating installations. Solid one-piece aluminum magazine stands up to any rugged jobsite environment. A leaf spring-controlled stop automatically adjusts to set up...

Commercial ModCon.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Commercial ModCon: This new mod/con commercial condensing boiler features a high-grade Inconel load-matching gas burner with a 5:1 turndown to meet the variable needs for space heating and DHW in a single...

Air separator for solar.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Air Separator For Solar: The DISCALAIR Solar 251 Series air separator can increase the life of a solar heating system by continuously and automatically eliminating air, including microbubbles, from primary circuits....

Enhaced indirect.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... Enhanced Indirect: The Squire Indirect Water Heater has been enhanced. When used with a high-efficiency condensing boiler, Squire uses the energy generated to heat the home and also heat domestic water, consuming fuel more efficiently than a...

Space, DHW all-in-one.(NEW PRODUCTS: RADIANT AND HYDRONICS)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Space, DHW All-In-One: The Prestige Excellence is a condensing wall-mounted boiler with a built-in "tank-in-tank" indirect-fired water heater. This 95 percent AFUE boiler incorporates a 15-gallon indirect-fired water...