PM Engineer articles from October 2007

PM Engineer archives from October 2007

Need for two air openings.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... I write in response to Julius Ballanco's statement in a column last Fall (Sept. 2006) that there's no justification for two air openings. Eliminating the requirements for the air openings into a space containing combustion appliances is...

Enterprising pigeons.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... I have a comment about Mark Bromann's answer to a question regarding pigeon strips (Nov 2006). I have seen enterprising pigeons place dried vegetation in metal spikes to fill the gaps so they could continue to nest. The vegetation would then...

Commercial venting.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... Julius Ballanco's Nov. 2006 article on commercial venting was great. I've personally been in the plumbing design field since 1966 and have seen a lot of strange designs over those years. I would like readers to understand that a given article...

NSP Code Committee approves changes.(News)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC) Committee, at a September public hearing, approved significant changes to the NSPC. The committee reviewed and approved 81 of the 139 proposed code changes to the 2006 edition of the NSPC. The...

Enthusiasm highlights 2007 REX Trade Show.(News)(Conference news)
October 1, 2007... Held August 22-24, in Hartford, CT, the 2007 REX Conference and Tradeshow drew both hardcore radiant people and enthusiastic newcomers. Featured speakers included industry favorite John Siegenthaler, P.E.; business/marketing guru Matt...

ISH North America.
October 1, 2007... ISH North America has added two key staff members for the next show, scheduled for Oct. 1-3, 2008, in Atlanta. As show manager, Jimmy Mouton will oversee all conference, exhibit and event functions. Prior to joining Messe Frankfurt Inc. (MFI),...

ASPE.(American Society for Precision Engineering)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The ASPE Boston Chapter Biennial Product Expo will be held in Randolph, MA, Nov. 13, from 3 to 8 pm. There will be 90 exhibitors/manufacturers showing the latest products. There is no charge for admission for architects, engineers, contractors,...

Residential sprinklers--round 2: can various incentives help all parties involved to truly work together?(Codes)
October 1, 2007... The ICC code change deadline has come and gone. Again, one of the hottest topics will be residential sprinkler systems. Unlike last year, this year the sprinkler industry, fire inspectors, building industry professionals and home builders tried...

Fireworks and safety [Part I]: fact: thousands of firework-related injuries are reported every year. Fact: backyard consumer fireworks are the sole menace.(Fire Protection)
October 1, 2007... When the 4th of July rolls around each year, people flock to Mt. Rushmore to witness what is heralded as the most spectacular fireworks display in the country. And no one leaves disappointed. The time-honored patriotic tradition brings...

A "greener" hydronic system: imagine a residential hydronic system operating on 40 watts of circulator power on the coldest day of the year!
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A 3/4" copper tube is one of the smallest rigid pipes found in most North American hydronic heating systems. It is often used for series circuits of fin-tube baseboard or to supply wall convectors. After touring some...

Joint selection for interior water pipes: an overview of the various joints commonly used to connect copper, steel and plastic pipe.(Back to Basics)
October 1, 2007... Fittings and joints are used to connect pipes to one another and to change direction of straight runs of pipe. An alternative to fittings is bending the pipe to allow changes in direction. Most plumbing codes will refer to recognized...

Using grease interceptors: plumbing engineers speak out: our latest survey gave readers the chance to explain why it's important for them--or not--to specify grease interceptors.
October 1, 2007... A few months ago, PM Engineer ran an extensive feature article on FOG (fats, oils and grease) and the importance of using grease interceptors to keep kitchen grease out of the municipal sanitary system. Because the article was very well...

Steve Parlick: Engineer EMT.(THE INTERVIEW)(Interview)
October 1, 2007... In the winter of 1980, nearly four years after passing the exam, Steve Parlick, EMT (emergency medical technician), became a firefighter for the Chicago Fire Department. The department was shorthanded at the time because of a potential...

Water heater platform adds drain fitting option.(Products)
October 1, 2007... Hubbard Enterprises/HOLDRITE now offers the QUICK STAND[TM] 40-SWHP-M and 50-SWHP-M with built-in 1" welded-steel drain fitting to compliment their existing products that include 1" PVC drain fittings. Each suspended platform has strong...

Roof drain with vent.(Products)
October 1, 2007... Froet Industries LLC introduces the new (patent pending) Froet Drain roof drain with vent. This innovative new product serves as a primary drain and a vent for the sanitary system all-in-one fixture. In keeping with Froet's tradition of...

Sprinkler application chart.(Products)
October 1, 2007... Reliable announces the availability of their new Sprinkler Application Chart, which can be obtained through the local Reliable sales office or on the company's Web site www.reliablesprinkler.com. Called SMARTGuide, the chart lists all of...

Packaged pumping systems.(Products)
October 1, 2007... Grundfos BoosterpaQ[R] systems arrive ready to operate: assembled, programmed and tested. System pumps are connected in parallel, mounted on a sturdy frame and equipped with fittings. According to the company, the new MPC controller provides...

In-wall shower valve.(Products)
October 1, 2007... Bradley Corp. is offering a new decorative in-wall shower valve, the Equa-Flo C5, which features an attractive chrome ADA-compliant lever handle with durable brass valve body and cap. This valve features a reliable ceramic cartridge with no...

TMV has integrated push-fittings.(Products)
October 1, 2007... Cash Acme's innovative SharkBite Push-Fitting technology has been expanded to include the Heatguard thermostatic mixing valve, with integrated push-fittings that require no connection tools and may be used with copper, CPVC or PEX in any...

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