PM Engineer

Showerhead Manufacturers Blindsided By DOE

Without advance notice to stakeholders, the U.S. Department of Energy has proposed to re-define showerheads as shower valves, which would allow only a single showerhead using no more than 2.5 gallons per minute of water per showering compartment. The new definition would effectively ban multiple outlet shower systems (hand showers, body sprays, gang showers and more) that have proven popular with segments of the market.

Commercial Dishwashers Earn High Marks 

High-efficiency commercial dishwashers, with estimated potential annual potable water savings of 37 billion gallons, ranked in the Top 5 of the "Top New and Innovative Water-Efficient Products of 2010" list, which was revealed during the International Emerging Technology Symposium in May in Ontario, Calif. To read about the rest of the Top 5 list, click here.  

The New And Improved pme!
Starting with the June 2010 issue, pme will be relaunched with a redesigned look (print, digital and online) and an expanded editorial focus. For more information on these exciting changes, click here.

Comprehensive 2010 Rep Directory
The 2010 Rep Locator, created in collaboration by pme , Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times magazines and AIM/R, provides a comprehensive, user-friendly database of manufacturers reps in the plumbing market that will be available in print, online and in digital format. The new rep directory will be published in the June print editions of pme, Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times and will be available in digitial format on the three magazines' Web sites.

Raypak Low-Lead Compliance

Raypak recently announced all of its water-heating products are compliant, with independent verification, to the new low-lead requirements of California AB1953.

Watts Keeps Track Of Lead Laws

Watts Water Technologies' www.WeAreLeadFree.net Web site provides frequent updates on what is happening around the country with lead-free legislation and requirements. This Web site provides an interactive map showing the status of lead-free initiatives nationwide, downloadable catalogs and educational material.

IAPMO Training And Certification
IAPMO will present a Backflow Prevention Assembly Repairer training and certification course at its 81st Annual Education and Business Conference Sept. 26-30 in Seattle. Fore more information, click here.

Green Scene
Mandatory Green Building Code
California has adopted mandatory building regulations for all new construction in the state that will achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water use. The CALGREEN Code is the nation's first statewide green building standards code and will take effect Jan. 1, 2011.

Cutting-Edge Solar Facility
Kingspan Renewables, one of the world's most technologically advanced solar technology production sites, recently was awarded a $67 million phased expansion by Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster. Kingspan Renewables, which opened a Baltimore, Md., branch last year, provides commercial markets with custom-made solar energy systems.

Roth Industries Solar-Radiant Seminars
Roth Industries has announced a series of summer training seminars at its facility in Syracuse, N.Y., to become one of its certified solar installers, as well as a separate schedule for training in Roth radiant.

Gerber Names National Sales Manager
Gerber Plumbing Fixtures recently announced Brian Dougherty has been promoted to national sales manager-new construction. Dougherty joined Gerber in June 2007 as regional builder manager and ascended to national account manager last year.

Comfort Systems USA Manager Honored
Johnny N. Germaine , commissioning manager for Comfort Systems USA Energy Services, has earned elite certification status through the National Environmental Balancing Bureau and has met all NEBB requirements to perform and manage building systems commissioning for green buildings.

Training Alliance Announced
Boiler manufacturer Cleaver-Brooks and Armstrong, which offers intelligent system solutions for steam, air and hot water utilities, have joined together to offer customers expanded training in steam generation and system optimization and efficiency.

Video Checkout

  Watts had produced this video on its OneFlow anti-scale solution that uses a specifically designed media that transforms scale-forming moelcules into harmless crystals that won't stick to pipes and components. To watch the video, click here.

It's Time To Get Serious About Sprinkler Retrofits...Again!
by Bob Miodonski

IAPMO Begins 2010 Code Cycle
by Julius Ballanco, P.E., CPD

Gulf Coast Oil Leak:
Environmental Catastrophe vs. U.S. Independence
by Tim Fausch

Having A Memorial Day Of Remembrance
by Jim Olsztynski

The Fire Sprinkler Debate
The newest installment of the Institute of Business & Home Safety's Disaster Safety Blog features a debate on the hot topic of fire sprinklers being required to be installed in newly built townhouses in 2010 and single-family homes in 2011.

Got something to get off your chest? You, too, can be a blogger sharing opinions, insights and experiences with fellow professionals.
Send us your article or just tell us what you want to say by contacting Mike Miazga at miazgam@bnpmedia.com, or Bob Miodonski at miodonskib@bnpmedia.com.

AEC Store Corner Featured Product
Further your technical education and industry knowledge at the AEC Store.

Radiant Precision Manual // $91.65
John Siegenthaler, one of the undisputed leading experts in the field of radiant heating and cooling, has rewritten this book from cover to cover. RADIANT PRECISION is the manual for the RPA's advanced course in the design and control of radiant panel heating systems. It is also designed for self study.This book is not for the faint at heart. It is designed for the serious student or consummate expert of radiant heating and cooling. It is filled with the formulas, graphics and excellent schematics that John has become known for. Within its pages can be found everything from simple tube layout to intense calculations for flow restrictors in manifold assemblies. System design and wiring schematics for the latest in controls are explained in detail. Zoning, hydraulic separation, flow and pressure balancing, buffer tanks, mixing controls, mini-tube systems, proportional- integral-derivative (PID) controls and multi-load systems are just a few of the topics covered. CLICK HERE for more info.

Visit AECStore.com to view view more products for PVF Pros. 

Testing Software
Mechanical engineers seeking significant bottom-line impact can now enlist high-speed testing software design services from InterTech Development Co. InterTech's data acquisition software is tightly integrated to machine controls, such that a valve typically taking 50 milliseconds to open with traditional software controls, opens in 1 millisecond or less.

Water-Saving Showerhead
The Cleveland Faucet Group's new Water-Saving showerhead is one of the first showerheads on the market to be certified to meet the EPA's new WaterSense labeling criteria for showering products and can help property owners realize a water savings of up to 32 percent.

Pipe Hanger System
Cooper B-Line has added a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) plastic pipe hanger system to its range of pipe-hanger solutions. This new system features enhanced thermal properties, making it an ideal option for fire-protection applications like sprinkler systems.

Linear Drain
Noble's FreeStyle Linear Drain allows for a single-slope shower base which accommodates the use of large profile tiles and also provides versatility of drain location.

HVAC Code Reference
The DEWALT HVAC Code Reference provides HVAC professionals with knowledge and information needed to successfully install, remove, repair or modify HVAC equipment while remaining code compliant.

Reverse Osmosis Controller
Electronic Systems Design's ESDI Model 258 Reverse Osmosis System Controller can be used by manufacturers of industrial and commercial water-purification systems that wish to lower their production costs by outsourcing their electronic controls.

Wall-Hung Condensing Boiler
AERCO International's Esteeem 399 wall-hung condensing boiler brings high efficiency and superior reliability to a variety of commercial hot water applications by delivering 3.6:1 turndown and 95 % efficency.

Electric Tankless Water Heater
Rheem has added tankless electric water heaters to its line of water-heating products. Capable of providing nearly instantaneous hot water, the water heaters can be used for light commercial, recreational and hospitality applications.

Installation Diagram
Webstone's 11 x 17-inch laminated reference diagram depicts proper plumbing of systems and easily highlights the amount of time and leak paths saved by using the proper Webstone products in hydronic heating systems.

Digital 2010 Radiant Flooring
Guide Now Available
The 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide is an indispensable tool for engineers and other project team members. It provides all the information for making proper choices on flooring over radiant heating systems, including an updated directory of radiant floor product manufacturers.

To purchase printed copies of the 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide for $15, contact Stephanie Weingartz at weingartzs@bnpmedia.com, phone 248-244-1275, or visit www.AECstore.com.