PM Engineer articles from September 2005

PM Engineer archives from September 2005

Clearing up the FOG in Ohio.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... After reading the recent article, "The State of FOG--An Ohio Perspective" (PME, June 2005), I thought it was important to provide you and your readers with some clarification. The author implied that Ohio EPA gave the Department of Commerce...

More on bathrooms.(PME Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... Regarding Julius Ballanco's Oct. 2004 column, I am a bit more of an activist on this. I would add a line to the code that required a building to have functioning, accessible toilets before it could be open to the public. Lock your toilets, lock...

Focus on performance: specify full protection against pressure and temperature changes ...
September 1, 2005... No more impractical limit stop adjustments. It used to be you could specify a pressure-balancing valve and not worry about the manufacturer's fine print warning about seasonal limit stop adjustments. But not any more. Due to an aging...

Harris Consulting Engineers.(PME News)
September 1, 2005... The team at Harris Consulting Engineers (HCE) celebrated 21 years in business with its "Feelin' 21" Open House, held July 21 at the company's new corporate office in Las Vegas. More than 150 guests attended the event, which featured jazz...

Energy bill signed by President Bush.(PME News)
September 1, 2005... President Bush has signed a massive energy bill, touting its passage as a success in helping to revamp the nation's energy strategy and promoting alternative and cleaner sources of energy. The measure, which passed the Senate and House, deals...

Plumberex emerges from bankruptcy, announces reorganization.(PME News)
September 1, 2005... Plumberex, a leading manufacturer of ADA undersink pipe covers, located in the Palm Springs, CA, area, has successfully emerged from bankruptcy. Its plan of reorganization was confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside, CA, on July 5,...

Fall hydronic heating installation and design schools announced.(PME News)
September 1, 2005... Six new locations have been selected for the Fall 2005 rotation of the I=B=R Hydronic Heating Schools, presented by the Hydronics Institute Div. of GAMA and managed by BNP Media. More than 700 people have attended the I=B=R courses during the...

Tyco to license sprinkler technology.(PME News)
September 1, 2005... Tyco Fire and Building Products (TFBP), based in Lansdale, PA, announced that it has entered into a license agreement with The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., The Viking Corp., and Victaulic Co. of America, concerning Tyco's...

Rheem Manufacturing Co.(Appointments)
September 1, 2005... Rheem Manufacturing Co. has announced that Scott D. Martin has succeeded Gary L. Tapella as president and chief executive officer of the company. In making the announcement, Tapella said he would remain as chairman for an interim period. Martin...

Reliance Worldwide Corp.(Appointments)
September 1, 2005... The Reliance Worldwide Corp. has chosen industry veteran Johnny Lindahl, former senior executive with State Industries, as president of Reliance Worldwide-North America and general manager for Cash Acme.

ECR International.(Appointments)
September 1, 2005... ECR International has hired Thomas Legutko as marketing director, responsible for all marketing activities of ECR's 11 brands, including Argo, Airco, Dunkirk, EMI, Hyundai, Olsen, Oneida Royal, Pennco, Ultimate, Utica and RetroAire.

BrassCraft.(Appointments)
September 1, 2005... BrassCraft has appointed Lisa Berry as director of sales administration. She was most recently the company's controller for the Brownstown Distribution Center.

Bradford White Corp.(Appointments)
September 1, 2005... Bradford White Corp. announced the retirements of Michael Carfagno and Mary McCrossin. Carfagno had been with Bradford White since 1971 and had been a regional sales manager since 1987. He is replaced by Thomas Setterfrati. McCrossin had been...

U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology.(Appointments)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The U.S. Senate confirmed William Alan Jeffrey, a veteran manager of federal science and technology development, as the 13th director of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Jeffrey was nominated...

Ridge Tool Co.(Appointments)
September 1, 2005... Ridge Tool Co. announced that it has promoted Mark Downie to vice president of sales, Western hemisphere; Ed McKiernan to vice president of marketing; and Jay Gatz to vice president of strategic planning and development.

Radiant Panel Association.(News Briefs)
September 1, 2005... The Radiant Panel Association (RPA) has announced an upcoming Radfest seminar in the Washington, D.C. area. The East Coast Radfest will be held Oct. 11-12, 2005, at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA. Visit www.radiantpanelorganization.org...

The Viking Corp.(News Briefs)(Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2005)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Officials from The Viking Corp. met with Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI) in Grand Rapids, MI, to recognize his leadership in co-sponsoring HR 1131. Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2005. HR 1131, and a sister bill in the Senate, S 512, will...

HC Information Resources.(News Briefs)
September 1, 2005... HC Information Resources will hold a new course on "Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens: Minimizing Risk in Building Water Systems," in Chicago on Oct. 21, the day after the 6th International Conference on Legionella. The instructor will...

A new ISH-related bath and kitchen expo will be taking place in Dubai May 14-16, 2006.(News Briefs)
September 1, 2005... A new ISH-related bath and kitchen expo will be taking place in Dubai May 14-16, 2006. Exhibitor and other info can be found at www.kitchensandbathroomsexpo.com.

Jomar International.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Jomar International has announced the consolidation of its Grand Prairie, TX, Distribution Center and the redeployment of much of its inventory to existing outside stocking warehouses. Additionally, the company is launching two new products:...

How accessible is accessible? Making adaptable units accessible for the physically challenged presents its own challenge to engineers.(Codes)
September 1, 2005... I received a distressing call from a client the other day. During a framing inspection of an engineered residential building, the inspector required him to relocate all of the main electrical panels in each dwelling unit. The inspector required...

Hot news in review: this review will keep you abreast of recent noteworthy news and developments in the fire industry.(Fire Protection)
September 1, 2005... Discontinuation of FIT Fittings Easton, PA -- The Victaulic Co. filled its last order for newly manufactured FIT fittings on April 30, 2005 (Figure 1). It will continue to sell the remaining FIT elbows, tees, couplings and FIT-outlet...

Think you can find a better high efficiency commercial water heater? Think again.
September 1, 2005... Ultra-efficient, ultra-quiet and ultra-flexible, that's how you describe the eF Series[R] of commercial water heaters from Bradford White. And now, with the addition of three 60-gallon models, your options for the ultimate commercial...

Disinfection by ultraviolet light: UV has already shown great advantages in disinfection applications for a variety of applications.(Water Treatment)
September 1, 2005... When talking about disinfection, most people immediately think about chlorine. Chlorine has been around since the late-1800s, so it does have a great track record. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But there are other ways to disinfect water. One...

Decorative sprinkler installation: today's architectural design features require automatic sprinkler systems with more aesthetic appeal.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... With today's complex and often elaborate architectural features, special design considerations are often required. This is especially true with automatic fire sprinkler systems. Fire sprinklers are typically located at the ceiling level and...

What one big boiler can't do, a small Caravan can.
September 1, 2005... Leading contractors have proven that the smart way to heat a building requiring up to 1,500,000 Btuh is with a "small" 3, 4, or 5 module Caravan modular boiler system. Compared to a single input boiler, Caravan provides important benefits for...

SUPER-FLO[R] GI-2000.
September 1, 2005... The SUPER-FLO[R] GI-2000 electronically controlled automatic self cleaning grease recovery device effectively removes nearly 100% of fats, oils, and grease routinely discharged from commercial kitchens, restaurants and food processing...

A minitube system in the making: here's how minitube systems can save thousands of dollars in the design of radiant floor heating systems in large garage facilities.
September 1, 2005... Large garage facilities are among the best applications for hydronic radiant floor heating. The reasons supporting this statement include: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * These facilities have bare concrete floors that enable floor heating...

Siphonic roof drainage: where is it headed? The design of siphonic roof drainage systems is growing in popularity in the U.S. thanks to new standards for design from ASPE and ASME.
September 1, 2005... Perhaps one of the hotter topics discussed among the plumbing engineering community is siphonic roof drainage. It is growing from a once "obscure curiosity" in Europe to an emerging market in the United States. At the American Society of...

Designing snowmelting systems, part 2--piping and controls: here are the guidelines to follow when designing the piping and controls for a snowmelting system.
September 1, 2005... Having mastered the "nine steps of snowmelting design" ("Designing Snowmelting Systems," PME March 2005), the engineer or designer is ready to layout and specify the piping and controls of a snowmelting system. There are many different ways of...

New Anvil-Strut[TM] metal framing products.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... Anvil International has introduced its new brand of Anvil-Strut[TM] metal framing products that includes a complete line of channel, fittings and accessories. Anvil-Strut products provide maximum recommended load ratings for metal framing...

Heat-fab Special Gas Vent products online.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... The "Resources" section of Heat-fab's Web site lets the company's engineering experience and application knowledge serve the installer or specifying engineer on a one-to-one level. Detailed information for each AL 29-4C[R] Special Gas Vent...

Pro-Pal is a winner!(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... The industry has spoken, and the new Pro-Pal line of step-saving valves available exclusively from Webstone is indeed making waves and turning heads. What can these valves do? A better question would be, what can't these valves do? They...

Very high-strength baseboard.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... Slant/Fin's HD Series high-output baseboard has exceptional strength, making it ideal for installation in schools, institutions, public housing and sites where rugged treatment is anticipated. Pre-assembled with 16-gauge front cover, welded...

New sealed combustion gas boiler.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... With AFUE to 86.1 percent, Slant/Fin's new value-priced Victory VSPH sealed combustion gas boiler promises fuel savings for homeowners. All models are Energy Star rated. Contractors will appreciate its installer-friendly features and economy...

IDEAL[R] No-Hub Couplings.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... IDEAL[R] No-Hub Couplings are precision engineered and made with the highest quality tested and certified materials. Available in standard, MD, HD and 12" & 15" designs, our couplings feature a unique bi-directional shield for greater holding...

Elkay triples commercial faucet line offering.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... Elkay's comprehensive line of commercial faucets encompasses 17 base models and more than 400 individual stockkeeping units (SKUs)--which are available through select showrooms nationwide. Seventeen "rigorous-use" lavatory and kitchen models...

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's AutoCAD CD version 3.0 now available.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... Charlotte Pipe and Foundry's newest AutoCAD CD, version 3.0, is now available. Developed to provide a complete set of 2-D and 3-D Auto-CAD drawings for all Charlotte Pipe products, the latest release includes data on Charlotte Pipe's new...

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry ChemDrain[TM] Corzan[R] CPVC chemical waste drain system brochure.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... Learn more about Charlotte Pipe's new ChemDrain[TM] CPVC Chemical Waste Drain System product offering in this informative brochure. Charlotte's ChemDrain. System offers a safe, durable and economical alternative for the disposal of a wide range...

Microflex pre-insulated pex-A pipe.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... HeatLink L.L.C. introduces Microflex insulated pex-A pipe, and our new "Quick Ship" cut-to-length service. Microflex is an ideal solution for residential, industrial, agricultural heating, plumbing and cooling applications. Microflex is...

Uponor Wirsbo's mechanical room solution.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... The Wirsbo proPANEL is a mechanical room in a box. Fully assembled, fully wired and fully piped, the Wirsbo proPANEL comfort management system is designed around the functions and capabilities of the Wirsbo pro Series controls. The controls and...

ProTech introduces FasNSeal[R] Wall Mount Vent kit.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... ProTech Systems, Inc., introduces the FasNSeal[R] AL29-4C Wall Mount Vent kit for instantaneous wall-mounted water heaters and boilers. The beauty is the telescoping 90-degree elbow, allowing both horizontal and vertical adjustability. With its...

Bryan BH Series electric boilers.(Information Showcase)
September 1, 2005... Bryan BH Series electric hot water or steam boilers are compact, completely packaged and wired units with automatic controls and featuring long-life Incoloy sheathed elements. Applications include hot water, steam and process heating, and...

Backflow preventer.(PME Products)
September 1, 2005... Caleffi's 573 series is a forged brass continuous pressure backflow preventer with dual independent acting check valves and threaded intermediate atmospheric vent that is used for boiler feed lines to prevent backflow when supply pressure falls...

Condensing boiler.(PME Products)
September 1, 2005... Lochinvar[R] Corp. has introduced the KNIGHT condensing boiler line. Available in seven models with inputs from 80 to 500 mbh, the KNIGHT condensing boiler offers a simple SMART SYSTEM[TM] operating control with a user-friendly interface. The...

Flow regulators.(PME Products)
September 1, 2005... NEOPERL[R] offers a line of compact flow regulators (OD sizes 5/16" to 15/16") that are easy to insert (press-fit) and available in flow rates from 0.1 to 25 gpm. They maintain a constant flow rate regardless of variations in pressure from 15...

Air eliminator.(PME Products)
September 1, 2005... The VJR200[TM] is a new 2" brass air eliminator that's ideal for residential and light commercial installations, as well as conversions from steam or gravity to forced hot water applications. It is available in NPT female with 1/2" tank mount....

Tankless water heater service valves.(PME Products)
September 1, 2005... Webstone has revolutionized the method in which tankless water heaters are installed. The new "Isolator EXP" service valve set contains an inlet and outlet valve that allows for one-man full-port diagnostic testing, cleaning or draining of the...

Water closet and urinal valves.(PME Products)
September 1, 2005... The Delany Flushboy valve is the premium valve series in the Delany line. Diaphragm type and precision manufactured, it is found in the most exacting specifications. Proven design ensures a consistent flush and ample refill with all makes of...