PM Engineer articles from March 2007

PM Engineer archives from March 2007

Hot topics.(Editor's Note: First of All)
March 1, 2007... Every year around this time, the temperatures begin to increase. Simultaneously, the important events of the plumbing engineering industry tend to do the same. This month, PM Engineer once again presents its annual Fire Protection & Design...

Geberit, Duravit form North American Partnership.(PME News)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... On Jan. 18, the Geberit Group announced a North American Partnership with Duravit, a leading manufacturer of sanitary ceramics, bath furniture and wellness products. These two segment leaders combine efforts focused on developing the North...

American Standard to sell namesake B&K business.(News)
March 1, 2007... American Standard announced last month that the $11 billion toilets-to-brakes conglomerate dating back to the 19th century would sell its well-known bath-and-kitchen division, spin off its vehicle controls group and rename itself Trane after...

In memoriam.(News)(Obituary)
March 1, 2007... Keith Westwood, who had been with Wolverine Tube Inc. since May 1985, died in his sleep Jan. 22. Chip Manning, vice president--Fabricated Products & general counsel, said that Westwood was a great contributor to the company and was well...

Correction.(PME News)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2007... There was an incorrect url in the Jan. 2007 issue of PM Engineer on page 23, the first page of the feature "The Perks for Automatic Sprinklers in the 2003 IBC." The url was linked to the National Fire Protection Association study "U.S....

AHR Expo proves a record-breaking show.(PME News)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... More than 47,000 HVAC&R professionals filled the aisles and booths at the 59th AHR Expo in Dallas, Jan. 2931, as the world's largest HVAC&R event set a new record. According to show management, the 2007 AHR Expo had 1,789 exhibitors (more...

A handful of lawyers will receive $29 million from a handful of CSST manufacturers to settle a class action lawsuit over lightning strikes.
March 1, 2007... A handful of lawyers will receive $29 million from a handful of CSST manufacturers to settle a class action lawsuit over lightning strikes. The lawsuit claimed that CSST was not thick enough to prevent damage to itself in the event of a...

With the fate of HD Supply undecided, the Executive Committee of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association has recommended that PHCC discontinue further talks with HD Supply concerning a possible business relationship.
March 1, 2007... With the fate of HD Supply undecided, the Executive Committee of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association has recommended that PHCC discontinue further talks with HD Supply concerning a possible business relationship. The...

Taco Inc. dedicated a new 60,000-square-foot addition to its Cranston, RI, manufacturing facility in a ceremony Feb. 16 that featured local and state politicians and a performance by the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
March 1, 2007... Taco Inc. dedicated a new 60,000-square-foot addition to its Cranston, RI, manufacturing facility in a ceremony Feb. 16 that featured local and state politicians and a performance by the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Also present was Mary "Happy"...

Chicago Faucets.(Appointments)
March 1, 2007... Chicago Faucets has announced that Art Petracco has joined the company as director of market development and Jim Nahin has been promoted to national sales manager for OEM and Residential Products. Petracco will be responsible for identifying...

Elkay Manufacturing Company.(Appointments)
March 1, 2007... Elkay Manufacturing Company's Plumbing Products Division (PPD) has announced the hiring of three new channel managers: Marilyn Morgan as retail marketing manager, Mark Hird as marketing manager for the wholesale residential segment and Rod...

Proposed expansion of engineered design in UPC: an overview of the code changes submitted by both IAPMO and ASPE.(Codes)
March 1, 2007... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Plumbing Technical Committee appointed a DWV Task Group to evaluate the sizing tables for drainage, waste and vent piping. The objective includes reviewing the current...

Tanks for Da memories: thoughts on the Great American gravity tank--a longstanding safety feature that is much revered.(Fire Protection)
March 1, 2007... For years, the gravity tank has graced urban skylines, housing water and harnessing an energy known as simple gravity. Nowhere else are these tanks so prominent or seen in such high concentration as they are in New York City, where they have...

What electronic plumbing means to MEP: electronic fixtures have come a long way, and now new technologies are challenging plumbing engineers to rethink the role of electronics when integrating plumbing into a building system.
March 1, 2007... Plumbing engineers have long been aware of the benefits of electronic plumbing--improved water savings, better hygiene, easier maintenance, reduced housekeeping and vandal resistance, to name a few. These benefits, coupled with emerging...

Specifying and liability: when the proverbial excrement hits the fan, design or specifying professionals are prime targets of the lawsuits that will surely follow.(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you specify on any engineering project, you need to protect yourself. I am not an engineer. I'm only an attorney. Engineers usually don't even like to talk to lawyers, so I was very surprised to be asked to...

Alternatives to parallel primary loops: newer methods provide the benefits with reduced pumping power.(Back to Basics)
March 1, 2007... Primary/secondary (P/S) piping has been used in hydronic heating and cooling systems since the late 1950s. It's based on the concept of hydraulic separation (e.g., flow in one circuit will not induce flow in another circuit coupled to it). In...

ProSet Systems.(Product of the Month)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The ProVent System[TM] A PVC Plastic Sovent[R]-Type Waste & Vent System The new PVC ProVent System[TM] brings Sovent[R] benefits to the contractor who wants to use PVC. Like the Sovent System, the ProVent stack and the ProVent base fittings...

Water closet carriers.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Watts Drainage introduces its Industry Standard compression seal water closet carriers. The carriers feature an innovative compression seal design, which eliminates leak problems commonly associated with traditional threaded o-ring seal...

Check valves.(Products)
March 1, 2007... NEOPERL plastic check valves are pre-assembled and 100% tested to provide durable drip-tight operation. Designed for drinking water and hot water systems, the valves are available in 12 OD sizes between 3/8" and 2" for drinking water...

Pipe support system.(Products)
March 1, 2007... The HOLDRITE[R] Silencer[TM] System is the only pipe support system that has been tested by a certified ISO-3822 lab. Proven in the marketplace and readily available through wholesale distribution nationally, the HOLDRITE Silencer System is the...

Hydraulic bridge separator.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Taco, Inc.'s 5900 FlexBalance Series Separator acts as a hydraulic bridge between primary and secondary circuits in hydronic heating and cooling applications. Available in nine models, the patented 5900 is manufactured to ASME standards. It is...

NSF and cabinet sinks.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Advance Tabco's line of "FC" series fabricated NSF sinks (shown) now includes new bowl sizes 18" x 24", 24" x 24", 15" x 15", 20" x 30", 24" x 30", 30" x 30" and 14" x 32". These sinks come in one, two, three and four compartments. The company...

Storage sprinkler.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Reliable announces a new storage sprinkler, the N252 EC, an extended-coverage pendent and recessed pendent sprinkler for density/area design with a K Factor of 25.2. It is approved for coverage up to 196 square feet (14' x 14') for extra hazard...

High-efficiency residential gas boilers.(Products)
March 1, 2007... HydroTherm has introduced the FX Series of high-efficiency gas-fired, cast-iron residential boilers. The new line is up to 86% efficient. All FX Series direct-vent boilers use 100% outside air for combustion to reduce heating costs and provide...

Dual flush toilet.(Products)
March 1, 2007... VitrA USA's Dual Flush Technology system offers a two-flush-volume toilet for maximum water savings. It features two separate flush volumes with choices of 0.8 gpf (gallons per flush) or 1.6 gpf depending on the necessary amount for cleaning....

Wastewater pumps.(Products)
March 1, 2007... ITT introduces a new line of wastewater pumps under its Bell & Gossett brand. The line includes sump, sewage and effluent wastewater pumps; and engineered wastewater pumps, including grinder pumps. Designed for use in all types of wastewater...

Decorative lavatory faucet.(Products)
March 1, 2007... The Sable Widespread Lavatory Faucet (#D312060) from Danze features a decorative, fluted design and sophisticated texture to create a rich, warm powder room or guest bathroom. Designed with a traditional richness to it, Danze has introduced...

High-efficiency water heaters.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Bradford White's eF Series[R] water heater line is available in 60-gallon capacities with 125,000, 150,000 and 199,999 BTUs and in 100-gallon capacities with 150,000, 199,999, 250,000, 300,000 and 399,999 BTUs. All models feature thermal...

Gas connectors for fireplaces, decorative hearths.(Products)
March 1, 2007... BrassCraft Mfg. Co. introduces a "virtually invisible" stainless steel gas appliance connector. This black gas connector, ProCoat, is for use in gas log fireplaces and decorative hearths, where the fire--not the piping--should be the central...

Stainless steel countertops.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Elkay Mfg. Co. offers professional-grade stainless steel countertops with a new Custom Matte finish that develops into a warm patina. Elkay can customize stainless steel countertops into shapes or sizes ranging from the curvy Mystic[R]...

Service sink faucet.(Products)
March 1, 2007... The B-0665-BSTR service sink faucet from T&S Brass features a rough chrome-plated finish, built-in screwdriver stops and a vacuum breaker nozzle with 3/4" garden hose outlet. The faucet features lever handles and a top support wall brace. Other...

Shower system.(Products)
March 1, 2007... The Speakman Versatile[TM] shower system combines the features of both a hand-held and fixed showerhead. This easy-to-install system supplements the arm-mounted showerhead with an adjustable Anystream[R] hand-held shower for added versatility...

Oil-fired steam boiler.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Burnham Hydronics introduces The MegaSteam oil boiler, which is 86% AFUE and ENERGY STAR certified. The MegaSteam is available in four sizes--MST288, MST396, MST513, MST629--and multiple configurations, including an optional tankless coil....

Large diameter ball valve.(Products)
March 1, 2007... GF Piping Systems has introduced the Type 546 ball valve in sizes 2-1/2", 3" and 4". Complete modularity and versatility are achieved through its multifunctional module, pneumatic or electric actuation and a wide range of accessories. The new...

Jaw for PEX Clamps.(Products)
March 1, 2007... The RIDGID[R] Compact Series Jaw for Murray Heavy Duty Stainless Steel PEX Clamps from Ridge Tool Company offers increased versatility for the Compact 100-B pressing tool. Designed for use with the RIDGID Compact 100-B pressing tool, the clamp...

Heat recovery unit.(Products)
March 1, 2007... Turbotec Products, Inc. introduces Enviro-Pak, an advanced domestic hot water maker and heat recovery unit engineered to reduce water heating equipment load and provide free hot water. The unit is designed to work with existing or newly...

High-efficiency commercial boilers.(Products)
March 1, 2007... RBI has introduced the Futera Fusion[TM], a boiler that is IBR-listed and up to 97.5% efficient. The gas-fired condensing boiler with full modulation and a 3:1 turndown is available in sizes from 500 to 2000 MBH. This boiler features advanced...

A paradigm shift: the future of residential sprinklers: residential sprinklers have proven their potential to reduce fire fatalities and decrease total property loss, yet they are still underutilized--to the detriment of the general public.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At the 1947 President's Conference on Fire Prevention, President Truman stated: "the serious losses in life and property resulting annually from fires cause me deep concern. I am sure that such unnecessary waste can...

Piping a residential sprinkler system: factors to consider include regulating standards, piping materials, system types and cost.
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A residential sprinkler system is a system that provides protection of residential units. In addition to dwelling units, these systems extend to hotels, motels, residential care facilities and similar facilities that...

One sentence to change the course of fire safety in America: adding the requirement for fire sprinkler systems in new construction to the International Residential Code will have a direct impact on reducing the nation's long-term fire losses.(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in accordance with NFPA 13D." This is one sentence that will change the course of fire safety in...