PM Engineer articles from November 2008

PM Engineer archives from November 2008

Year of sanitation to end soon; tragedies won't.(Publisher's Note)
November 1, 2008... A child dies every 15 seconds due to illness related to waterborne disease. More than 1.5 million of these children are younger than 5. You can find that startling statistic on the International Code Council's recently launched Web site,...

California signs uniform codes into law.(PME News)
November 1, 2008... Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation permanently establishing the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials' (IAPMO) model plumbing and mechanical codes as the basis for the development of the California...

Top strategies, and concerns, for water-efficient products.(PME News)
November 1, 2008... In a workshop Sept. 11 at The Remodeling Show in Baltimore, Rob Zimmerman of Kohler Co. listed his top six strategies to conserve water: 1. Install the most water-efficient fixtures, faucets and appliances. 2. Install low-water...

Siegenthaler named hydronics editor.(PME News)
November 1, 2008... John Siegenthaler has accepted the position of hydronics editor for PM, PM Engineer and Supply House Times. In this capacity, he also will oversee hydronic coverage in the Radiant Heating Report, Radiant Flooring Guide, Solar Heating Report,...

IPC is highjacked: how one person made a destructive difference at the ICC annual meeting.(Codes)
November 1, 2008... As the luck of the draw would have it, the Plumbing, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas Code lost at the recent ICC Annual Meeting. The hearings for these three codes were the last to be held during a week-and-a-half meeting. The plumbing hearings began...

Fire prevention: why we do it, why it's important: some say fire protection is a vocation they feel drawn to. My attraction can best be summed up by one tragedy-turned-triumphant event.(Fire Protection)
November 1, 2008... A respected colleague of mine in the fire protection industry once told me rather bluntly, "I'm not really in this business to save lives, I'm in this business to make money." The man is an outspoken, ball-of-fire (forgive the pun) fire...

Hotel & motel fire sprinkler systems: design parameters begin with NFPA 13 and 13R, but equally important are water supply requirements and amounts, water flow and tamper switches.(Cover story)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hotel and motel fire sprinkler system installations open up options to designers not always available for other type of occupancies. They are also capable of providing additional challenges not seen in typical office...

ASHRAE builds sustainable headquarters.(PME News)
November 1, 2008... Completed this past summer, the $7.65 million renovation of ASHRAE's headquarters includes a new learning and meeting center. Sustainable measures include projected reduction in annual energy usage of: * More than 31.5% through use of a...

Uponor.
November 1, 2008... Uponor has broken ground for their new 285,000-square-foot distribution center in Lakeville, MN, which will house their primary North American distribution operations. The company also has relocated its Canadian headquarters from Regina, Sask.,...

Viking SupplyNet.
November 1, 2008... Viking SupplyNet has added distribution services to their existing fabrication facility in Riverside, CA. This facility will continue to offer complete fabricating services, including threading, grooving, welding, and end of pipe preparation...

Elkay Mfg. Co.'s.
November 1, 2008... Elkay Mfg. Co.'s Plumbing Products Division has implemented its recently formed Commercial and Residential Wholesale business units within the organization. The Commercial Business Unit will focus on cultivating new endeavors within segments...

Panel radiator vs. radiant panel: the difference is more than a play on words.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For years I've described radiant panel heating in North America as "the tail wagging the hydronics dog." During the last 25 years, radiant panel heating was largely responsible for leading the North American...

Plumbing systems commissioning: this process offers benefits to the entire project team, ranging from focused planning and improved communication, to on-time successful completion and fewer callbacks.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the past century, and particularly over the past 25 years, many facilities' design innovations have been implemented in order to enhance performance, protect occupant health and safety, reduce operating costs,...

Back to basics: sizing gas piping systems: regardless of method used and size of project, the goal is the same--to provide pipe sizes so that all appliances can operate simultaneously.
November 1, 2008... Sizing gas piping systems is something many plumbing engineers do as part of their work. It is similar to sizing of other building piping systems, but because it is a gas supplied by a utility system at a fixed pressure, and not a liquid, there...

The ChemDrain[R] chemical waste drainage system, only from Charlotte Pipe.
November 1, 2008... Charlotte Pipe's ChemDrain[R] CPVC chemical waste system provides a safe, durable and economical disposal solution for chemical waste applications. For more than 40 years, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) has been used in a variety of...

Push-fitting ball valves.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... CimPush, a line of push-fitting ball valves, is the latest innovation from Cimberio Valve. Like other push fittings, CimPUSH connects to copper, PEX or CPVC pipe without the need for tools, glue or solder. But unlike most push-fitting ball...

Lavatory sink/faucet ensemble.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... Eljer Inc. introduces the All-In-One Pedestal Lavatory Sink/Faucet Ensemble, a one-box kit with all the components needed for an easy installation. Features include a two-handle, polished chrome faucet and sleek china lavatory basin mounted on...

Water-saving components and LEED certification.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... Chicago Faucets recently introduced a new 6-page brochure that features components and fixtures designed to assist in maximizing water conservation and reducing costs. Selecting water- and energy-saving products as new or replacement fittings...

Direct-acting pump control.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... Danfoss Flomatic Corp. introduces their Hydro Stat Model C3100, a new direct-acting pump control with integral built-in by-pass. This constant pressure pump control valve reduces rapid pump cycling and maintains a pre-set operating pressure,...

Mini-tank electric water heaters.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... The SHC Mini-tank from Stiebel Eltron frees up precious space while providing plenty of hot water for hand washing or kitchen-type applications. The unit installs right under or near the sink. Lightweight and compact, the SHC mounts to the wall...

Specification-writing program.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... Gamewell-FCI now offers Intelli-Spec, a new fire alarm system specification-writing tool, on CD. Through Intelli-Spec, specifiers of all types can create, edit and publish comprehensive specifications in CSI (Construction Specifications...

Resin pipe for radiant heating.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... Dow Chemical Co. manufactures DOWLEX 2344, a polyethylene resin of raised temperature resistance (PE-RT). Pipe made from DOWLEX 2344 is suitable for use in all non-potable radiant floor heating pipe applications. The resin is extremely...

Liquid suction and pumping hose.(PME Products)
November 1, 2008... The Flexaust Tiger Tail liquid suction and pumping hose is a crush-resistant, polyethylene copolymer hose with double profile construction and leak-proof polyweld cuffs for camlock fittings. This rugged hose works over a -40[degrees]F to...