PM Engineer articles from November 2006

PM Engineer archives from November 2006

Web site spotlight: PME case histories.(Check Out PME Online at www.PMEngineer.com)
November 1, 2006... The PM Engineer Web site now has all of its best Case Histories in one place. Simply find the Resources section on the left side of the home page and scroll down to "PME Case Histories." Click on this link and gain access to more than 20...

Disagrees with Guy Tomberlin.(PME Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2006... I read with interest the article submitted by Mr. Guy Tomberlin and published in PM Engineer (Sept. 2006, pp. 8-24) regarding recent negotiations between the ICC (International Code Council) and IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and...

Equity firm buys Jacuzzi Brands; Zurn goes to subsidiary.(PME News)
November 1, 2006... RBS Global Inc., parent company of Rexnord Corp., announced Oct. 11 that Rexnord will acquire Zurn Industries Inc., the Erie, PA-based plumbing products business of Jacuzzi Brands, Inc., for $950 million in cash. According to RBS, the purchase...

NFPA 13 adopts code language on flexible sprinkler hose fittings.(PME News)
November 1, 2006... For the first time, the National Fire Protection Association's "NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems" includes code language that clarifies the use of flexible sprinkler hose fittings and provides applicable guidelines....

Book offers step-by-step introduction to AutoCAD.(PME News)(Introduction to AutoCAD 2007)(Brief article)(Book review)
November 1, 2006... "Introduction to AutoCAD 2007" by Alf Yarwood is now available from Elsevier Books (http://books.elsevier.com). Running 360 pages, the book takes the reader step-by-step through the features of AutoCAD and provides a practical, structured...

ICC elects 2006-07 officers, directors.(PME News)
November 1, 2006... In October, the International Code Council (ICC) elected its 2006-07 Board of Directors and officers at the organization's recent annual conference. Members elected as president Wally Bailey, who is the director of development and construction...

Arthur E. Cote, executive vice president and chief engineer of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) was honored with the American Fire Sprinkler Association's 2006 Henry S. Parmelee Award on Sept. 7.
November 1, 2006... Arthur E. Cote, executive vice president and chief engineer of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) was honored with the American Fire Sprinkler Association's 2006 Henry S. Parmelee Award on Sept. 7. Cote was recognized for his...

Pioneer Industries, Inc., Commerce, CA, a manufacturer of faucets and plumbing products for the multifamily/residential market, has announced the acquisition of the assets of the Central Brass Co. of Cleveland, OH.
November 1, 2006... Pioneer Industries, Inc., Commerce, CA, a manufacturer of faucets and plumbing products for the multifamily/ residential market, has announced the acquisition of the assets of the Central Brass Co. of Cleveland, OH. Founded in 1895, Central...

Heating equipment manufacturers form alliance.(PME News)
November 1, 2006... In August, heating equipment manufacturers announced the formation of the Hydronics Industry Alliance (HIA), which is designed to provide accurate and up-to-date information to builders, contractors and consumers. According to Richard Simons,...

Moen's U.S. Faucet Businesses.(Appointments)
November 1, 2006... David Lingafelter has been named president of Moen's U.S. Faucet Businesses. He has been serving as vice president and general manager of Moen's U.S. Wholesale Business Unit. He will retain those responsibilities while adding those of Moen's...

Chicago Faucets.(Appointments)
November 1, 2006... Matthew Hurley has joined Chicago Faucets as vice president of commercial sales. He had been vice president of sales and marketing for Anvil International, and formerly served as vice president of sales for Watts Water Technologies.

A.O. Smith Corp.(Appointments)(Ronald Massa hired)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Ronald Massa has been named executive vice president-Corporate Technology and Global Supply Chain for A.O. Smith Corp., effective Jan. 1. Massa adds responsibility for the company's Corporate Technology Group to his current duties overseeing...

Briggs Industries.(Appointments)
November 1, 2006... Briggs Industries has appointed Kevin Mayer as regional manager-wholesale for the Central region. He has held sales and managerial positions with Kohler and Rothenberger.

VitrA USA.(Appointments)
November 1, 2006... VitrA USA has hired Bailey Sales & Associates, based in Seattle, as its manufacturers representative for the Pacific Northwest--covering Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Northern Idaho. VitrA begin supplying inventory to several Bailey offices in...

Another view on the IAPMO/ICC negotiations: IAPMO's former treasurer/board member provides his perspective on the failed agreement.(Guest Commentary)(International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, International Code Council)
November 1, 2006... I recently read Guy Tomberlin's thoughtful commentary (Sept. 06 PME, pp. 8-24) regarding the attempt at a joint venture between the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and International Code Council (ICC), the...

No time for fun at ICC hearings: despite being held at Disney World[R], the intense code debates left no time to visit Mickey.(Codes)
November 1, 2006... Last month, the International Code Council (ICC) held its annual conference and code change hearings at Disney World in Orlando, FL. However, the hearings could have been anywhere, since they started each day around 7:30 a.m. and proceeded...

The question is ... Readers of PM Engineer seek advice on a number of topics--including how to properly get rid of pesky pigeons near fire sprinkler piping.(Fire Protection)
November 1, 2006... Q. In our jurisdiction, we are required to install a bell above the fire department connection. We're using the 1999 edition of NFPA 13 and cannot find the section that tells you in what room to put the inside bell. Also, where in NFPA are the...

PME Excellence in Design Award winners.(EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN)(Cover story)
November 1, 2006... PM Engineer is proud to announce that one winner and an honorable mention have been chosen to receive PME Excellence in Design Awards for 2006. Congratulations to KJWW Engineering Consultants of St. Louis, MO, for its Blair Hall at Eastern...

Commercial venting in the 21st century: traditional simple design has been replaced with a resurgence of circuit venting and the introduction of air admittance valves.
November 1, 2006... When I started out in the plumbing engineering profession, the venting of fixtures in commercial buildings was considered very easy. If there was a fixture, you threw in a vent. Plus, the vent was always two inches in diameter. Over the...

A perfect fit: large garages offer big radiant opportunities: often, the best techniques for designing radiant floor heating in these facilities are synergistic--they complement each other in ways that enhance performance and reduce cost.
November 1, 2006... There are several reasons that large garage facilities (see Figure 1) are ideal candidates for radiant floor heating: * Most have expansive, bare slab-on-grade concrete floors that offer minimal upward resistance to heat flow and relatively...

Julius Ballanco: ASPE's new president.(THE INTERVIEW)(Interview)
November 1, 2006... In late October, Julius Ballanco, P.E., was elected president of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) during ASPE's biennial Conference and Engineered Plumbing Exposition in Tampa, FL. Ballanco is more than qualified to be...

Variable-speed compact pump.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Grundfos' CHIE is a compact horizontal multistage pump with built-in variable speed motor. MLE-integrated variable-speed motors enable pumps to work efficiently during variable demands and can switch the pump off at no-flow conditions. The CHIE...

CPVC plumbing pipe.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Harvel[R] Plastics, Inc., introduces its HydroKing[TM] CPVC plumbing pipe, a high-quality line of copper-tube-size (1/2"-2") piping that excels in hot and cold water applications. Harvel says HydroKing offers better corrosion resistance then...

Stainless steel outlet boxes.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Guy Gray, a division of IPS, now offers 304 stainless steel washing machine and ice maker outlet boxes and faceplates that will not rust or corrode. The stainless steel boxes are available with one-quarter-turn ball valves, one-quarter-turn...

Five-layer radiant PEX tubing.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Roth Industries introduces its innovative 5-layer radiant PEX tubing called DuoPex-c S5. New to the U.S. market, this tubing consists of one EVOH layer connected to an inside and outside Pex-c layer by two adhesive layers. DuoPex-c's main...

Fitting system.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... The SharkBite[R] Push-Fitting[TM] system from Cash Acme lets plumbers quickly join copper, CPVC or PEX fittings in any combination. Available in 1/2", 3/4" and now 1" fittings, the system also handles ball, check and regulator valves--letting...

Heat exchangers.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Turbotec Products Inc.'s double-wall heat exchangers feature TRU-TWIST[TM] properties that allow for compact designs in potable water applications. These vented double-wall heat exchangers can be used in heat pumps, chillers and heat-recovery...

Residential water heater.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... For the last three years, A.O. Smith has been working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the technology development firm TIAX LLC to increase efficiency in residential water heaters. This strategic partnership has resulted in the...

Thermoplastic grease interceptor.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Schier Products Co. offers the Great Basin[TM], an engineered thermoplastic grease interceptor with dry inlet and capacities from 150 to 500 gpm. The basin is made of heavy-duty polyethylene (1/2-inchthick walls) and is designed for above- or...

Hydronic controls.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... The Aquatrol AQ2000 Series controls from Honeywell are designed to significantly reduce installation time and simplify the control of hydronic heating systems. AQ2000 Series controls come pre-programmed with the most commonly used system...

Wax-Free Toilet Seal for closet wall carriers.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Fernco's Wax-Free Toilet Seal is the easy way to install commercial closet wall carriers, eliminating messy wax rings, foam and felt products. Made of PVC material, Fernco's Wax-Free Toilet Seal eliminates mold problems, providing a positive...

Mechanical pipe-joint system.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Victaulic introduces its Advanced Groove System[TM], a mechanical pipe-joint system for 14" to 24" pipe with a unique new groove--it is wedge-shaped for more strength, wider and deeper than the groove in any comparable system and formed using...

Regulating valves.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Danfoss Flomatic Corp. introduces its new direct-acting regulating valve, the Model PRV Series C150E. These valves feature an adjustable, spring-loaded balancing valve, which is factory-set to automatically regulate the downstream pressure to...

Water conservation brochure.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... NEOPERL[R] introduces a water conservation brochure filled with valuable facts and information to help reduce water usage with faucets and showers and earn points towards building certification. The six-page brochure features five one-page...

System for water supply connections.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... BrassCraft has introduced SureConnect[TM], an innovative new system for water supply connections designed to cut installation time of the stop alone by more than 50%. The key component of the system is a pre-formed stubout with proprietary end...

Commercial water heaters.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... State Industries, Inc., has expanded its State Ultra Force[TM] line of high-efficiency water heaters to include the new SUF130 300NEA and SUF130 400NEA. The new Ultra Force models offer 96% thermal efficiency for large commercial applications...

Condensing water heater.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... The new Phoenix gas-fired water heater from Heat Transfer Products Inc. is a sealed-combustion, direct-vent unit that operates with either natural gas or liquid propane and has a combustion efficiency of 96%. Side tappings in the jacket permit...

Laundry and drop-in sinks.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Advance Tabco's line of laundry/utility sinks make clean-ups and bathing pets a breeze. Choose from either wall-mounted or free-standing floor units. Numerous one- and two-compartment sizes are available. Options include commercial spray and...

Tankless water heaters.(PME Products)
November 1, 2006... Bosch Water Heating introduces the ProTankless[TM] models GWH 635 ES and GWH 635 ESO water heaters, along with the Tankless Link[TM] cascading kit accessory, which is designed to double the units' output. These units will provide an endless...