May 16, 2019

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Medical gas: What’s required vs. what’s desired

Minimum requirements for medical gas services and outlets have, for a long time, been confusing to plumbing designers.

Dodge Momentum Index dips in April

The Dodge Momentum Index fell 0.5% in April to 144.3 (2000=100) from the revised March reading of 145.1. Read More

Smith-Cooper International to merge with Anvil International

Anvil International (“Anvil”), a global designer, manufacturer and provider of high-quality products that connect and support piping systems, and Smith-Cooper International (“SCI”), a global designer and provider of branded, high-quality pipes, valves, and fittings, announced on April 26, they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge. Read More

Keep employees comfortable and focused

When creating the right office atmosphere, comfort is key. Employers want to ensure teams are not too warm where they may get sleepy, but also not too cold that they cannot concentrate. Unfortunately, many different types of workplaces face year-round temperature challenges and struggle to strike the perfect balance to keep all employees comfortable and focused. Read More

pmeProfile: American Fire Sprinkler Association looks towards the next generation

Dallas-based American Fire Sprinkler Association named Debra N. McGuire as the association’s new president and CEO this year. Established in 1981, AFSA and its federation of 32 chapters serve as North America’s largest fire sprinkler industry organization.

BYU upgrades fire protection system in its Special Collections vaults

Below the normal stacks in BYU’s Herald B. Lee Library sit the Special Collections vaults, containing the university’s most valued and cherished historic texts, artifacts and film.

John Siegenthaler: iPads are no replacement for hands-on experience

Over the last few months, I’ve had several inquiries from people eager to get into the hydronics industry.

Julius Ballanco: IAPMO Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard examines graywater

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) recently published the monograph of proposed changes to the WE-Stand, which is short for Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard. The document was previously identified as the Green Supplement.

Jacqueline Wilmot: Navigating the 2019 edition of NFPA 13

Have you opened the latest edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, to check on a specific requirement and wondered if you opened the right book?

Christoph Lohr: What does a good one-on-one meeting look like?

In my last two columns, I discussed the business case for why one-on-one meetings are the single best management tactic to improve retention and results, proving the benefits through numerous sources of data. But what does a good one-on-one look like?

Ethan Grossman: Value engineering: Lucky’s rainbow

Most of us have probably experienced the exercise known as “value engineering,” the process where everyone on the team looks at a design and tries to find ways to save some money.

Why is the relief valve leaking?

Not maintaining this item could destroy the heating system.

Webstone near boiler piping kit

Webstone’s new Hydro-Core complete near boiler piping kit is designed in partnership with Lochinvar for its Noble NKB080, NBK110 and NBK150 boilers.

Sloan hand dryer

The new Sloan Optima Air and Sloan XLERATOReco hand dryers deliver fast dry times with 95% cost savings vs. paper towels, Sloan states.

EVAPCO evaporative cooler

EVAPCO’s newest ESW closed-circuit evaporative cooler is a 14’ by 22’ “Big Box” ESW4 – now with up to 40% higher capacity than the 12’ by 18’ ESWB.

Saniflo condensate pump with acid neutralizer

The Sanicondens Best condensate water pump from SFA Saniflo incorporates a pH neutralizing granule tray that increases the pH of the acid water before discharging it to the drain line.

Kemper Water Control Systems flow splitter valve

The KWCS flow splitter is a flow-control valve that provides the plumbing designer with an innovative option for designing piping layouts for both hot- and coldwater distribution, Kemper Water Control Systems says.

BIM for piping systems

Building information modeling objects for the AquaRise potable water piping system are available in all relevant BIM file formats.

ON DEMAND: Most people will recognize that word of mouth is your best form of marketing. Whether they’re recommending your store to their close circle or sharing their feelings on an online review site, what they say can go a long way toward convincing potential customers to do business with you. So what can you to harness the voice of your customers and make sure it is reaching the right people at the right time?

The majority of customers have done most of their research and decision making before ever contacting a plumbing business. In fact, the very best leads (based off of closing rate) will come from the company's website. Most businesses know this and have spent vast sums of time and money optimizing and promoting their website to accommodate the modern customer. Yet, many businesses are still having trouble converting website visitors and depend heavily on factory and 3rd party leads.

PM Engineer Magazine

2019 May

The May 2019 issue of PM Engineer includes the annual Fire Protection & Design special section with an exclusive look at a hybrid fire-extinguishing system at BYU’s special collections vaults. The section also previews products for the NFPA 2019 expo and includes insight from Jacqueline Wilmot on acceptance testing for wet chemical systems. Also this month, read essential stories about how to anticipate your client’s medical gas needs and an interview with the new president and CEO of the American Fire Sprinkler Association. Julius Ballanco covers a recent IAPMO WE-Stand committee proposal on blackwater, and John Siegenthaler, P.E., gives advice to the next generation.

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PME eNews

May 16, 2019