PM Engineer articles from November 2007

PM Engineer archives from November 2007

Fire Sprinklers meet green buildings.(Publisher's Note)
November 1, 2007... I used to believe that fire sprinklers belong in green buildings for one reason: To protect the environmentally conscious occupants and the ecofriendly structure itself. Sprinklers, in other words, would serve pretty much the same necessary...

AFSA Convention and Exhibit proves a record-setting event.(News)
November 1, 2007... Nearly 1,400 industry professionals attended the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) 26th annual Convention and Exhibition, which was held Sept. 26-30 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge hotel in Phoenix, AZ. This attendance mark was up six...

WaterSense releases spec for bathroom sink faucets.(News)
November 1, 2007... On Oct. 1, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its High Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification. Manufacturers may now have their products tested to earn the WaterSense label for their high-efficiency faucets and...

Viega NA facility cited as model for sustainable design.(News)
November 1, 2007... The New England Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has awarded the architectural firm of Spagnolo Gisness & Associates, Inc. (SG&A) the 2007 Interior Design Award in the sustainable category for their design of...

When the code doesn't work: the behind-the-scene story about why (and whether) Chinese cast iron pipe is banned in Michigan.(Codes)
November 1, 2007... For more than 30 years, I have been a big advocate of the codes and standards process. As you know from reading my columns, I have supported codes and the reference of consensus standards in those codes. My reasoning is simple: Codes level the...

Fireworks and safety (Part II): here's hoping we'll clearly see the danger of fireworks' improper use.(Fire Protection)
November 1, 2007... Forty-five of the 50 U.S. states allow the sale of consumer fireworks, a major cause of the sharp rise in hospital emergency room activity each year in the period around Independence Day. It is the time when plastic surgeons are busiest. About...

PM Excellence in Design Award winners.(Cover story)(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PM Engineer is proud to announce that one winner and an honorable mention have been chosen to receive PME Excellence in Design Awards for 2007. Congratulations to Durkin & Villalta Partners Engineering of...

Multipurpose residential fire sprinkler systems: what every design engineer should know.
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are several things to consider not readily covered in NFPA 13D and 13R: water supply, backflow prevention, alarms/accessories and fire department connections. By Alan Larson, CET, CFPS Real estate developers...

IAPMO expands services to benefit industry.(Director's Update)(International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)
November 1, 2007... When it comes to working with industry, few organizations have the comprehensive capabilities found with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Offi cials (IAPMO). Yet instead of trying to be all things to all regulators,...

Hydronic Manifold systems: more than you might be expecting: all of them leverage the advantages of parallel-connected heat sources and loads, speed installation and reduce mechanical room space requirements.
November 1, 2007... Do you remember when you were introduced to PEX tubing? For me, it was 1982. I was sitting in the office of a local manufacturer's rep. He handed me a short piece of what appeared to be thick garden hose. I looked it over, bent it back and...

Back to basics: water pipe sizing: it all revolves around a very basic equation to determine velocity and rate of flow.
November 1, 2007... Sizing a water piping system is relatively easy. The basic pipe flow equation is Q = VA. This equation can be converted to normal units of measure, as well as using the inside pipe diameter. The new equation would read: Q = 2.448 V d2 ...