 |
|
-
The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a new ENERGY STAR® program for residential water heaters, effective Jan. 1, 2009. This program will cover gas-fired storage, gas-fired tankless, heat pump and solar water heaters.
- Two specialized plumbing-industry Websites on water safety have been launched.
www.SmarterHotWater.com is by Rheem Water Heating, the only U.S. maker of both tank and tankless water heaters. www.SafePlumbing.org from
Plumbing Manufacturers Institute tackles topics such as lead in drinking water and how low-flow toilets perform.
|
|
|
| |
|
Green West Expo Draws Large Crowds 
Engineers, ar
chitects, builders, and contractors from across North America attended the Green West Expo in Los Angeles, May 20-22. Hundreds of products and services were on display in more than 100 exhibits. There were 17 educational sessions, as well as a Sustainable Living Spaces Pavilion featuring the latest in sustainable architecture and design concepts.
Symposium Looks Into The Future of Fire Protection and Safety
The NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation will hold a two-day symposium on Nov.17-18 in Washington, DC, called "Fire Protection and Safety Symposium: Preparing For The Next 25 Years." Planned topics include Future Fire Protection: the Social and Demographic Context, Tomorrow's Materials and Technologies and Environmental Trends and Sustainability Challenges.
Also scheduled are three panel discussions on tomorrow's fire safety in terms of society, technologies and sustainability challenges.
PPFA Creates Online Resource For Green Builders 
The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association has created a new online resource for National Association of Home Builders green builders and others looking for current information regarding green and sustainable plumbing and piping systems. PPFA's Sustainable Piping Systems Committee developed the website. This commit-tee coordinates activities among numerous manufacturers in PPFA's Product Line Committees to achieve sustainability goals and promote sustainable building systems that depend on pipe and fittings to function.
IAPMO, WPC to Address International Emerging Technologies
The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) will co-convene with the World Plumbing Council (WPC) an International Emerging Technology Symposium Aug. 19-20 in Chicago. Participants will learn how the engineering, manufacturing and trade industries devise solutions to international regulatory developments in water, sanitation and health; water and energy efficiency; water reuse; solar and other renewable energies; water quality; FOG discharges; and other topics suggested by participants. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Green Mechanical Council announced the appointment of Ralph Avallone,
International President of the Green Energy Council, to the Green Mechanical Council Board of Directors. Avallone is a founding member of the Green Energy Council and author of the GEC Smart Sustainable Growth Initiative, Builder Initiative and the GEC Shades of Green Initiative.
NSF International announced the promotion of David Kirkpatrick [photo] to
 director of corporate sales. Most recently, Kirkpatrick worked as NSF's Corporate Retail Accounts Executive. In his new position, Kirkpatrick works closely with NSF's senior management and the marketing team to positively impact NSF's sales growth. This includes offering leadership and implementing new sales strategies as well
as providing effective training and development of the sales team.
Liberty Pumps has awarded its "Top Rep of the Year" to M.L. Kornstein, Inc. of Roslyn Heights, NY. The award was presented at Liberty's Northeast regional meeting held in Rochester, NY on April 3. More than 40 salespeople attended the regional meeting.
Bradford White recently announced the promotion of Jason E. Fifer to product manager. In this position. Fifer will act as a liaison between the engineering and sales and marketing teams to coordinate the development of new products, specification material and field training. Also, the company announced its 50,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario, has been converted into a distribution center serving all of Canada.
|
|
Solar Design Notebook...
Coming Soon to PM Engineer
New column by John Siegenthaler starts in June
Dear PM Engineer Readers:
Interest in solar energy technology has increased almost as fast as fuel prices in recent months. Many HVAC engineers have undoubtedly been asked if solar energy hardware can somehow be incorporated into more traditional system designs in the interest of reducing operating cost.
Fortunately, modern space heating and domestic hot water systems (especially those using hydronics technology) are often quite adaptable to the use of solar energy. Unfortunately, there aren't many references currently available in North America that show engineers how to do this.
PM Engineer recognizes this need and is responding by launching a new bimonthly column titled "Solar Design Notebook." Its intent is to familiarize engineers with modern equipment and design concepts for integrating solar thermal technology into traditional HVAC applications.
The first column will appear in the June issue of PME. Subsequent columns will appear in the August, October and December issues. Initial columns will cover the fundamentals of solar thermal system design.
Later columns will delve into more detail as they discuss systems ranging from residential domestic water heating to larger commercial applications of solar thermal technology. The column will also contrast the concepts and hardware now used in North America with those used in Europe, where solar thermal technology is now a mainstream market.
Our goal is to provide readers with information that encourages and supports the use of solar thermal technology in applications where it makes economic and environmental sense. We sincerely welcome your feedback on the new column as we strive to bring you information that fulfills this goal.
Sincerely,
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
Contributing Editor - PM Engineer
Subscribe to PM Engineer today!
|
|
|
Enter The 2008 Excellence in Design Awards Competition!
PM Engineer Wants to Hear About Your Most Unique Design.
Entries Now Being Accepted. Deadline is Sept. 8, 2008.
If you're a consulting, specifying or design engineering firm, you can submit your most interesting projects for PME's Excellence in Design Awards contest. PME is ready to honor the most unique designs of 2008 in these market segments: plumbing, piping, hydronics or sprinklers.
Designs will be judged based on the following criteria:
1. Innovation in design. Explain why you feel your project is an innovative design.
2. Customer satisfaction. What steps did you take to satisfy the customer on this project?
3. Ability to meet schedules. How did you ensure that the schedules were all met on the project?
4. Cost-efficient strategies. What strategies did you employ to meet your budget or improve cost efficiency on the project?
5. Community improvement. How does this project improve the community in which it is based?
To nominate your company's best design, e-mail the editor a very detailed statement describing how your design meets any or all of the five criteria outlined above. We'll follow up by contacting those who submit the most intriguing descriptions.
Please e-mail all submissions to Jim Camillo at camilloj@bnpmedia.com. (Include the name, phone number and e-mail address of the correct contact person at your company.) Nominations also can be mailed to: Jim Camillo, PM Engineer, 1050 IL Rt. 83, Suite 200, Bensenville, IL 60106-1096; or faxed to 248-283-6547. Call Jim with any questions at 630-694-4011.
AN ONLINE ENTRY FORM IS NOW AVAILABLE (simply click
here). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enhanced Line of Condensing Boilers
AERCO Intl., Inc.
now equips each unit in the 300,000 to 1 million BTU/hour condensing boiler line with a Boiler Communications Module (BCM) to enhance communications and support integration with building automation systems. In addition, the line has recently been approved by CSA for propane installations and for breech venting of multiple units through a ceiling or sidewall. AERCO customers will be able to retrofit existing equipment with the new module. |
|
 Au
to Rotation Adapter
With the new ProPEX Auto Rotation Adapter from Uponor, Inc., installers no longer need to rotate the expander tool or the tubing itself by hand when making ProPEX connections on Wirsbo AQUAPEX tubing and Wirsbo hePEX
plus tubing. The adapter automatically turns the expander head on each expansion of the tubing, eliminating the need for any manual rotation. The adapter is especially effective in tight spaces where manually turning the tubing or the tool is difficult.
|
|
|
Water Conservation System
The AQUS water conservation system from
Watersaver Technologies Inc. takes the water that goes down the bathroom sink, filters and disinfects it, and uses it to flush the toilet. It does not cross connect to the fresh water system nor does it inhibit the backflow prevention. Rather, it simply tries to use reused water as the primary source for flushing the toilet then supplements it with fresh water, as needed. |
|
|
 System Adds Cast-In-Place Firestop Devices and Pipe Collars
Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. has added Metacaulk cast-in-place firestop devices and pipe collars to the FlowGuard Gold/BlazeMaster/Corzan System Compatible program. The firestop devices provide a firestopped opening that allows for a variety of materials and cable and wire bundles to pass through.
Metacaulk pipe collars (shown) are prefabricated for through-penetration firestop systems using PVC, CPVC, ABS, PVC and ABS foam core, FRPP, PEX pipe and electrical cable. |
|
|
|
|
|
ASK THE EXPERT... AT PM ENGINEER MAGAZINE
Got a general question about plumbing, fire protection or hydronics?
Submit your question to camilloj@bnpmedia.com and we'll get it answered for you in a matter of days, or maybe even hours.
Please be sure to include your position within the plumbing industry [engineer, contractor or wholesaler] so we can forward it to the proper person. |
|
|
|
Be Sure to Check Out the Latest Issue
of Bath & Kitchen Pro
BNP Media has published the Spring 2008 issue of Bath & Kitchen Pro (BKP), a unique publication created for a powerful audience of bath-and-kitchen installers, distributors with showrooms and designers. Unlike other magazines that focus purely on design, Bath & Kitchen Pro provides information on installation and purchasing, as well as design trends.
To read the latest issue of Bath & Kitchen Pro visit
www.bathandkitchenpro.com. This Web site complements Bath & Kitchen Pro and helps you stay up to date between issues by posting industry news, product news and photos, and a blog written by Bath & Kitchen Pro staff members.
Bath & Kitchen Pro will be published three times in 2008 (Winter, Spring and Fall) and distributed at major B&K shows in addition to its 55,000 circulation drawn from the readers of Plumbing & Mechanical, Supply House Times, Tile, Stone World, and Environmental Design + Construction.
For additional information, contact Publisher Bob Miodonski at 630-694-4007 and miodonskir@bnpmedia.com or Managing Editor Kelly Johnson at 630-694-4379 and johnsonk@bnpmedia.com. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAKE SURE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO PM ENGINEER DOESN'T RUN OUT.
Consider using the online subscription option on PME's website. Renew or start a new subscription at
www.PMEngineer.com today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more information about sponsoring the PME Enewsletter, please contact publisher Bob Miodonski at (630) 694-4007 or e-mail: 
Virtual encyclopedia on modern hydronic systems.
CONNECT WITH PM ENGINEER: