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The Associated General Contractors of America has approved the addition of the Building Information Modeling Addendum to the ConsensusDOCS catalog - the first and only industry standard document to globally address the legal uncertainties associated with using BIM.
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The National Standard Plumbing Code Committee will consider proposed NSPC changes at a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 21, 2008, with a possible second day of Aug. 22. The code changes accepted by the committee will be included in the 2009 NSPC, scheduled for publication in early 2009.
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE: SOFFI-STEEL®
The Soffi-Steel® System is a custom-fitted, utility concealment shield for use in residential, commercial and institutional facilities nationwide. The Soffi-Steel® System covers exposed fire sprinklers, HVAC and plumbing, in addition to other utilities. Ideal for retrofits, renovations or new construction, the metal enclosure comes available in various gauges, finishes and dimensions. Soffi-Steel® is FM Approved. For further information, contact:
Grice Engineering Inc.; 800-800-3213; www.soffisteel.com; email: marketing@soffisteel.net. |
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GSA Announces New Office of High-Performance Green Buildings 
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has established an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings that will ensure all federal buildings are meeting sustainable design and energy-reduction targets mandated by the recently-enacted Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This newly created office will work in conjunction with the Department of Energy's office, which will have the same responsibility for commercial buildings.
American Standard Completes Merger
The leaders of American Standard America, Crane Plumbing Holding Corp. and Eljer Holding Corp. announced the completion of the merger of their respective companies. The new combined company will conduct business under the name of American Standard Brands. Donald C. Devine, previously president and CEO of American Standard America, has been named CEO of American Standard Brands. American Standard America, Crane Plumbing Holding Corp. and Eljer Holding Corp. are affiliated portfolio companies of Sun Capital Partners Inc.
Victaulic Opens Expanded Distribution Center 
Victaulic has opened a new distribution center in Redlands, CA. The 75,390-sq-ft facility will replace an existing 41,000-sq-ft distribution facility in Long Beach, CA, and serve as a primary distribution point for Victaulic products and tools. The new facility carries the complete FireLock product offering, including couplings and fittings, CPVC pipe and fittings, sprinklers, and the new FireLock NXT device line.
Sloan's Watson Receives Engineering Award
Sloan Valve Co. announced that John Watson
, director of technical services, has received the Wylie W. Mitchell Award from the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE). Voted on by conference attendees, the award honors the speaker at the E.J. Zimmer Technical Seminar (held during ASSE's annual convention) who presents the most valuable information. Watson won for his session on water-efficient plumbing products.
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Grand Hall has appointed two new regional managers, Dan Millard and Marc Platten, to be in charge of the Eternal hybrid water heating division. The pair will report directly to Fred Hoffmann
, Eternal's national sales manager, and assist in covering the continental United States. Millard has more than 15 years of experience in the gas appliance industry. A licensed plumbing journeyman, Platten held his most recent title as commercial sales manager for Moore Supply.
William Gray [photo] has joined Uponor Ltd. as general manager for Canada. Gray
 will eventually be based in Toronto, but is located in the Brampton, Ontario, facility until a new location for the Toronto site is determined. Uponor Ltd. is currently based in Regina, Saskatchewan, although the sales and marketing business units will relocate to Toronto during the first half of 2008.
Grundfos has promoted Chris Zelenka to regional segment manager for Commercial Building Services (CBS) in North America. Zelenka brings an extensive background from the pump market to his new role, having worked with PACO Pumps, a Grundfos company, since May 1995 as marketing manager, product manager, and regional sales manager. He has a degree in engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Fluidmaster has named Mark Rhoades as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). In this newly formed role, Rhoades will lead sales, marketing, product management, engineering, research and development and quality teams to expand the company's global market presence. Prior to joining Fluidmaster, Rhoades held senior marketing, sales and executive management roles.
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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 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!
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Mark Your Calendar
PM Engineer MEC WEBINAR SERIES
CONTINUES MAY 1
This series of intensive 90-minute Webinars presents the latest concepts for modern hydronic heating system design in both residential and commercial applications. Attendees learn state-of-the-art concepts that enable them to design efficient, affordable and reliable hydronic systems. Economically priced, they are a fraction of the cost of travel and attendance fees for other high-priced conferences or seminars.
CE/PDH Credit* is available.
The upcoming Webinar topics include:
Active Solar Heating -- New Opportunities For Hydronic Professionals
Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 1:00 pm ET.
$79 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session.
Sponsored by: Caleffi
Home Run Distribution Systems - An Outstanding Alternative to Metal Piping
Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm ET.
$49 for the Webinar, downloadable reference and Q&A session.
[Early Bird Rate ($49) Expires May 29, 2008. Price after 5/29/08: $79 (US).]
Sponsored by: Uponor
All Webinars presented by John Siegenthaler, P.E. John is a licensed engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in hydronic heating. He also is a writer, software developer and columnist for PM and PM Engineer magazines.
Register today at http://webinar.pmengineer.com. If you're busy that day,
sign up anyway. You have 12 months to play back the scheduled broadcast any time you like.
Missed one of our 2007 MEC Webinars? Or the first two Webinars held in 2008 (Feb 14 and March 20)? No Problem! They are now available On-Demand!
*CE/PDH [A Continuing Education--Professional Development Hours (1.5 credit hour) Certificate of Completion will be made available for those who attend. It is up to each individual to verify if a given course is approved by their state licensing board.]
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 Series of Commercially Sized Tees
TracPipe
has unveiled a new series of commercially sized tees, designed to eliminate the need for labor-intensive black iron fittings when making gas-piping connections. Available in 24 variations up to 2 inches in diameter, the new tees enable contractors to use TracPipe products exclusively on a commercial installation, saving hassle and installation time while reducing callbacks and enhancing the safety of the gas piping system.
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Electric Water Heaters
Stiebel Eltron
DHC tankless, electric water heaters provide hot water instantaneously, heated as it flows through the unit. Standby heat-losses from conventional systems are completely eliminated. Designed and manufactured in Germany to North American standards, the rugged DHC contains all copper piping and heating elements and ensures many years of reliable service. The DHC series comes in a range of sizes, from 3.0 kW to 9.6 kW, and is available for 120V, 208V, 240V and 277V connections. |
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 Sump System
Blue Angel Pumps
introduces the Simple Sump System, which comes complete with a primary pump, secondary DC backup pump, check valves, charger and battery box. Switches are preset so no adjustment is needed. Just pull it out of the box, drop it in your sump and connect the discharge pipe. Available in 3/10- or 1/3-hp top suction pumps, with flows up to 58 gpm @ 5' in primary mode and 24 gpm @ 5' in backup system mode. |
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Software for RFH Systems
Uponor's Advanced Design Suite
(ADS) software not only calculates heat loss, it also guides the system designer through every step of radiant floor heating (RFH) system design, including system-performance requirements, panel design and mechanical specifications. Plus, this design tool can perform budget quotes; generate an Uponor material list, including current list pricing; create a customer database; and generate job quotes. The latest version, ADS 6.6, includes automatic selection of Flow Meters and TruFLOW Jr. Manifolds. |
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| Check Out the Latest Issue of Bath & Kitchen Pro
BNP Media has just 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 see what's inside 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.
Contact Jennifer Salvadori of the BKP ad sales team with any advertising questions at 770-552-8717 or jsalvado@bellsouth.net.
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. |
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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!
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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.
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