2023 January

State of the commercial PVF market

New products expected to simplify installation and maintenance amidst labor challenges, supply chain and material shortages.

Nicole Krawcke

January 11, 2023

No Comments

In the past two years, the PVF sector has faced a multitude of challenges, that, when combined, created what some call the perfect storm. Concerns among plumbing professionals included supply chain shortages and trade disruption, material price increases, freight inflation, fleet shortages and more.

PM Engineer Profile: Decarbonization and heat pump water heaters

METUS' Cain White discusses commercial water heating trends.

January 26, 2023

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As the United States moves to decarbonize commercial and residential building structures, all eyes turn to heat pumps as a way to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions for not only space heating but domestic hot water as well.

CASE STUDY

The restroom of the future is here today at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Technology enables an entirely hands-free restroom experience.

John Maltby

January 24, 2023

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Prior to the 1980s, all restroom fixtures required manual operation — an aspect that we have since learned coincides with a high exposure to germs and bacteria. In fact, manual faucet and toilet handles harbor anywhere between 107 to 17,976 germs per 10 square centimeters.

Considerations for specifying, inspecting and maintaining chilled water pipes

Improper insulation of chilled water pipes can lead to unwanted consequences.

Doug Fast

January 18, 2023

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Across commercial applications and in different climate zones, the combination of ambient air temperature, humidity and pipes’ surface temperature can have a big influence on the efficiency and economics of chilled water piping systems.

Nicole Krawcke: New year; new opportunity

The best plumbing professionals never stop learning.

Nicole Krawcke

January 12, 2023

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I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season and welcomed the new year with family and friends. I always love the blank slate a new year brings, and 2023 is chock-full of new opportunities in the plumbing and HVAC industry.

Guest Editorial: Designing design-to-fabrication

Lots of MEP firms are “prefabricating,” but what does that really mean?

Bob Harvey

Brian Nickel

January 11, 2023

No Comments

The processes and systems in place for designing and installing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have largely remained the same for decades. Sure, there have been many improvements, from CAD and Revit to press fittings, and hundreds of innovations and systemic improvements.

Scott Friesen: Everyone has a voice in building code changes

Everyone has a voice, but government officials have the last word.

J. Scott Friesen, P.E.

January 10, 2023

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Building codes and standards are the foundation of safe and sustainable communities. But what exactly are building codes built on?

Dave Yates: Doing the hydronic limbo

Low-temperature hydronic systems reduce energy consumption.

Dave Yates

January 9, 2023

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If you’re my age, you’ll remember Chubby Checker singing the Limbo song. If you’re wondering who and what that is, check out the link. I found myself thinking of that song and how low can you go when reviewing some flat panel radiator pictures.

James Dipping: Chemical and non-chemical additives for Legionella control

Specialty components to further reduce the risk of Legionella.

James Dipping

January 6, 2023

No Comments

Many of the topics I have discussed in my column to this point have been about temperature considerations within the supply and return system based on recommendations in the community and right-sizing domestic water piping to reduce the overall volume of water in the building’s piping system.

Christoph Lohr: The water-energy nexus and water conservation

Misunderstanding Roy — Part 5

Christoph Lohr

January 5, 2023

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Almost 80% of all water consumption comes from two groups: No. 1, thermoelectric power, and No. 2, irrigation (farming). Public supply, which includes industrial buildings, commercial buildings and residences, accounts for only 10%.

Ethan Grossman: Fossil fuels — a necessary evil

MEP engineers should start building sustainable awareness on their projects.

Ethan Grossman P.E., CPD Abigail Keilman

January 4, 2023

No Comments

Somewhere along the way, fossil fuels have gotten a bad rap. Coal, oil, natural gas — you name it. We use fossil fuels for everything from creating electricity, warming the shelters we live in and scooting around town. Burning fossil fuels has become a necessity for our way of life.

John Siegenthaler: Modifying high-temperature distribution systems for lower-temperature operation — part two

Part two of a series

John Siegenthaler P.E.

January 3, 2023

One Comment

As with most things hydronic, there are multiple approaches, and the “best” approach for each installation has to consider cost, aesthetics, access to the existing piping, available wall space and the goal of how the overall system will operate based on existing or newly created zones.

Julius Ballanco: It's been a fun ride

PM Engineer veteran columnist retires.

Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD

January 2, 2023

3 Comments

This month marks the 28th anniversary of the founding of PM Engineer magazine. The magazine was started by four individuals: George Zebrowski, my publisher; Tim Fausch, the group publisher; Jim Olsztynski, my editor; and myself, the plumbing/mechanical engineer. Our concept was to create a new magazine addressing the wet side of plumbing and mechanical engineering.

PPI announces major updates to Plastic Pipe Design Calculator

December 12, 2022

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The latest updates in Version 3.0 of the calculator include the addition of more than 50 new pipe sizes, methanol as a fluid choice for geothermal designs, sodium chloride and calcium chloride brine solutions as fluid choices for chilled water, and the new Static Water Column Pressure function.

ASHRAE commits to developing an IAQ Pathogen Mitigation Standard

December 12, 2022

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ASHRAE will set up a balanced team of internationally recognized experts to work on an accelerated timeline to develop the standard.

Brown and Caldwell appoints Stigers as design chief engineer

December 12, 2022

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She is the first woman in the firm’s 75-year history to hold the esteemed title.

Zurn backflow preventer

January 12, 2023

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Zurn Elkay Water Solutions announced the release of the new 900XL3 series small backflow preventer.

Sloan sensor-operated faucets

January 11, 2023

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Sloan’s deck-mounted and sensor-operated SF-2900 and SF-2950 faucets are designed to save space and stand apart from traditional aesthetics with uncompromising design, the company says.

Jomar Valve balancing valves

January 10, 2023

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The RecircSetter is a field adjustable thermostatic balancing valve for hot water recirculation system applications.

Grundfos circulator pumps

January 9, 2023

No Comments

Grundfos announced the next generation of small circulators for the residential heating market with the introduction of the Grundfos Digital NEXT range — starting with the UPSe 15-58 in late 2022, followed by the release of the new, digital ALPHA 15-58 in early 2023.

Caleffi’s TwistFlow distribution manifolds

Caleffi Hydronics Solutions radiant manifold

January 6, 2023

No Comments

Caleffi’s TwistFlow distribution manifolds are factory pre-assembled and pressure tested for installation ease.

Bell & Gossett Glycol Make-up Unit GF60 (GMU)

Bell & Gossett hydronics system pressurized solution

January 5, 2023

No Comments

The Bell & Gossett Glycol Make-up Unit GF60 (GMU) is an automated 110V diaphragm pump with digital control.

Baltimore Aircoil Co. adiabatic cooler

January 4, 2023

No Comments

The TrilliumSeries Adiabatic Cooler is ideal for HVAC applications that demand a combination of energy efficiency and limited water use, including data centers, health care facilities and hotels.

American Standard flush valves

January 3, 2023

No Comments

Engineered to deliver superior performance and reliability with less maintenance, Ultima Selectronic Touchless Diaphragm Flush Valves are equipped with advanced touchless technology, self-cleaning wiper springs, full mechanical override for use without external power and premium chemical-resistant diaphragm material to help ensure a superior level of water efficiency, cleanliness, reliability and longevity, the company says.

PM Engineer Magazine

Cover Story

State of the commercial PVF market

Feature Articles

PM Engineer Profile: Decarbonization and heat pump water heaters

The restroom of the future is here today at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Considerations for specifying, inspecting and maintaining chilled water pipes

Columnists

Nicole Krawcke: New year; new opportunity

Guest Editorial: Designing design-to-fabrication

Scott Friesen: Everyone has a voice in building code changes

Dave Yates: Doing the hydronic limbo

James Dipping: Chemical and non-chemical additives for Legionella control

Christoph Lohr: The water-energy nexus and water conservation

Ethan Grossman: Fossil fuels — a necessary evil

John Siegenthaler: Modifying high-temperature distribution systems for lower-temperature operation — part two

Julius Ballanco: It's been a fun ride

Departments

PPI announces major updates to Plastic Pipe Design Calculator

ASHRAE commits to developing an IAQ Pathogen Mitigation Standard

Brown and Caldwell appoints Stigers as design chief engineer

New Products

Zurn backflow preventer

Sloan sensor-operated faucets

Jomar Valve balancing valves

Grundfos circulator pumps

Caleffi Hydronics Solutions radiant manifold

Bell & Gossett hydronics system pressurized solution

Baltimore Aircoil Co. adiabatic cooler

American Standard flush valves

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