PM Engineer articles from May 2007

PM Engineer archives from May 2007

Nanosteps.(First of All)
May 1, 2007... Until recently, I tended to view technological progress primarily in terms of speed (i.e., how long until the latest gadget is considered passe). But now, thanks to nanotechnology, I also see the importance of viewing progress in terms of size....

ISH Frankfurt: an abundance of 'green' technologies.(News)
May 1, 2007... My first experience attending the ISH Frankfurt trade show in Germany was one of awe. "The World's Leading Trade Fair for the Bathroom, Building Services, Energy, Air Conditioning and Renewable Energies" is no boast--the 2007 show (which was...

Sign up to receive kitchen & bath news in your inbox.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... PM Engineer magazine, in association with sister magazine Supply House Times, offers a chance to receive the latest kitchen and bath industry news sent twice-monthly to your e-mail inbox. Bath & Kitchen eNews provides biweekly updates on new...

Caleffi to build new headquarters in Milwaukee.(News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Caleffi North America, Inc. has announced plans to construct a new multi-million-dollar North American headquarter facility in Milwaukee, WI. The new facility, which will be located adjacent to Miller Baseball Park (home of the Milwaukee...

Web poll: question of the month!(News)
May 1, 2007... When specifying passive grease interceptors (non-automatic), which material type and size (flow rate) do you tend to select? To answer this question, simply go to the PM Engineer Web site (www.PMEngineer.com) and select one of the available...

A tale of two codes: will IAPM's proposed changes move the UPC forward--or set it back?(Codes)(International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)(Uniform Plumbing Code )
May 1, 2007... The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has just released the proposed code changes to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). These changes will result in the culmination of the 2009 UPC. However, by the time you...

Throttled down: how to set the flow restrictor valve for a variable-speed injection mixing assembly.(Hydronics Notebook)
May 1, 2007... Variable-speed injection has been used in North American hydronic systems for well over a decade. A basic schematic for this method of water temperature control is shown in Figure 1. Two important details are crucial to proper operation:...

Just in case you were wondering: for your consumption and perusal, more probing questions from PME readers.(Fire Protection)(Interview)
May 1, 2007... Q: All building codes have adopted some form of energy code. The UBC, for instance, adopted the Model Energy Code, which goes with ASHRAE/IS 90.1 for commercial buildings. A key point is that the UBC requires that a major renovation of a...

Dry pipe system performance: a technical analysis of air and water supply pressure, system capacity and piping configuration, test sprinkler size and dry pipe valves.(Variables That Affect)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Previously, there have not been any readily available methods for predicting the time required to deliver water to the test connection of a dry sprinkler system. The Fire Protection Handbook publishes a method to...

Internal check valves: essential to proper backflow prevention: the ANSI/ASME A112.18.3 standard recognizes these "new concept" devices, which let manufacturers add backflow prevention to consumer products like hand showers at a low cost.
May 1, 2007... It's easy to take water for granted. Many consumers think there's an endless supply of drinking water, and it's available at their fingertips. Just turn on the faucet and, like magic, there it is! Perhaps Samuel Taylor Coleridge had it...

Back to basics: sprinkler specifications: effectively deciphering loads of data on countless product options is essential to specifying the proper sprinkler.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Editor's Note: "Back to Basics" is a column that will run periodically in PM Engineer reviewing the basic principles of plumbing engineering. Two or three times a month, while I'm conducting training seminars...

Two series by Sloan.(Product Focus: Waterless Urinals)
May 1, 2007... Sloan Valve Co.'s Water Conservation Division offers the WES-4000 and WES-5000 waterfree urinals, which feature narrow-profile styling and require a smaller footprint than the company's other waterfree urinals. Models WES-4000 and WES-5000 are...

Steward[TM] series by Kohler.(Product Focus: Waterless Urinals)
May 1, 2007... Steward waterless urinals can save commercial owners a potential water savings of up to 40,000 gallons of water per fixture per year vs. a standard 1.0 gallon urinal based on the same usage. They also significantly reduce sewage and maintenance...

The Z5798 by Zurn.(Product Focus: Water-Efficient Urinals)
May 1, 2007... Zurn's Z5798 ultra-low consumption urinal HEU system includes an automatic sensor Flushometer valve that delivers a consistent 1/8th gallon per flush for consistent water savings. The fixture is designed to use this little amount of water to...

The Innsbruck[TM] by American Standard.(Product Focus: Water-Efficient Urinals)
May 1, 2007... The Innsbruck low-consumption urinal (0.5 gpf) features a 1/2-inch supply line and integral flushing mechanism and in-line strainer for solenoid. The unit offers an elongated 14" rim from the finish wall, as well as a flushing rim, washout...

Three models by Kohler.(Product Focus: Water-Efficient Urinals)
May 1, 2007... Kohler's Bardon[TM], Dexter[TM], and Darfield[TM] 0.5-gpf urinals use 50% less water than industry-standard 1.0gpf urinals when combined with the company's 0.5gpf flushometers featuring Tripoint technology that minimizes false activations....

Several models by Sloan.(Product Focus: Water-Efficient Urinals)
May 1, 2007... Sloan Valve Co. 0.5-gpf urinal Flushometers use just enough water to effectively and hygienically wash down vitreous china fixtures for substantial water savings. Sloan's exposed, manual urinal models with 0.5-gpf flush cycles include: Royal[R]...

Imported soil pipe and fittings.(Products)
May 1, 2007... A market leader in imported soil pipe and fittings, Matco-Norca'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 contained in both the...

Water supply piping system.(Products)
May 1, 2007... The Pipe in Pipe total system offers plumbing that is cost-efficient and easy to repair, eliminating the potential for any property (interior) damage. This system is designed to automatically shut off the valve and notify the property owner of...

Compact electric water heaters.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Designed for low to medium flow point-of-use applications, the compact Mini[TM] series of tankless water heaters by Stiebel Eltron (6.5" tall x 7.5" wide x 3.25" deep) only weighs 3.5 lbs. and can fit in almost anywhere. There are three models...

High-efficiency boilers.(Products)
May 1, 2007... Bryan Steam has introduced the HE-AB Series of forced-draft gas-fired "Flexible Water Tube" water boilers with a guaranteed efficiency of 85%. The high-combustion efficiency results from a uniquely designed integrated extended surface heat...