2023 March

The March 2023 issue of PM Engineer features advancements in technology, government mandates spur interest in energy-efficient solutions, proper drainage system helps steer brewery to success, and more.

Lync’s Aegis A commercial CO2 heat pump water heater

Decarbonization goals drive heat pump technology adoption

Advancements in technology, government mandates spur interest in energy-efficient solutions.

Nicole Krawcke

March 9, 2023

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Heat pump technology is becoming increasingly recognized as the way forward to achieve decarbonization goals. According to a 2022 report by the International Energy Agency, while 190 million heat pump units were in operation in buildings worldwide in 2021, heat pumps still only meet about 10% of the global heating need in buildings — below the deployment level required to get on track with Net Zero emissions by 2050. Which leaves lots of opportunity for growth in this market.

Bradley's washbar provides 3-in-1 fuction with soap, handwashing and drying

PM Engineer Profile: Talking commercial bathroom trends with Bradley's Jon Dommisse

Current trends to consider when designing commercial restroom spaces.

Nicole Krawcke

March 23, 2023

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PM Engineer Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had the chance to chat with Jon Dommisse, Bradley Corp.’s vice president of marketing, to discuss how these commercial restroom trends are evolving in 2023, what the hottest products are and how codes are influencing the design of these spaces.

CASE STUDY

Proper drainage system helps steer brewery to success

Georgia’s Ironshield Brewing takes dedication to craft to new levels.

Dan Vastyan

March 21, 2023

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“Brewing is as much an art form as it is a science,” said Ironshield co-owner and Brewmaster Glen Sprouse, a nationally-recognized brewer and brewery designer. “And of course there’s passion, but there’s a need for all of it — fine art, hard science and obsessive enthusiasm — if the beer is to acquire a following, and favor, in today’s very crowded marketplace.”

CASE STUDY

New restaurant overcomes HVAC design challenges

Dishing up comfort and efficiency

LG Electronics USA's Air Conditioning Technologies

March 16, 2023

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“Bếp” in Vietnamese means “kitchen,” which made it the perfect word for Adam Gilpatrick and his wife to use when naming their first restaurant, Bếp Vietnamese Kitchen, in downtown Holly Springs, North Carolina, a suburb of the state’s bustling capital of Raleigh.

Complying with ASSE 1016, 1017, 1069 and 1070

Minimize the risk of scalding

Scalding: What is it and why it should concern you

Kimberly Manchester

March 14, 2023

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Have you ever started your day thinking, “Ahh, coffee!” only to have it turn into “ouch!” as the steaming hot beverage hits the roof of your mouth? If so, you have experienced scalding.

Nicole Krawcke: Clean drinking water — an issue we can all agree on

Administration endeavors to replace all lead service lines within 10 years.

Nicole Krawcke

March 8, 2023

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Democrat or Republican, we can all agree that lead in drinking water is bad. That was the takeaway from President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address last month, where he discussed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and how it has funded 20,000 projects since the legislation passed in 2021.

Dave Yates: The submittal process

They only matter if someone of authority is inspecting the work.

Dave Yates

March 7, 2023

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The first time I ever bid and landed a commercial plumbing contractor, it was for a huge retail store on the upper floor of a local shopping mall. Every bidder was required to provide submittals for virtually everything being installed.

James Dipping: Non-chemical water treatment options for Legionella control

Specialty components to further reduce the risk of Legionella — part two.

James Dipping

March 6, 2023

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In my January column, I began a series focused on chemical and non-chemical additives or technologies that I treat as “must consider” for plumbing engineers in their design practices to reduce the risk of legionella bacteria developing in the domestic water system.

Christoph Lohr: The plural sector and plumbing

An important driver of change in the construction industry.

Christoph Lohr

March 3, 2023

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In terms of civic engagement, younger generations have been voting and volunteering at higher rates than previous generations. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, I think we can all agree that politics has become a much bigger portion of daily life. Whether on social media or at our local coffee shop, we all are spending more energy talking about the bigger picture.

Misty Guard: Code development changes in 2023

ICC has changes on the horizon.

Misty Guard

March 2, 2023

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Building and safety codes are near and dear to my heart as they, undoubtedly, have a significant impact on public health, safety and welfare. Buildings in every jurisdiction in the United States use some version of building and safety codes. In addition, building and safety codes cover most products manufactured for the building and construction industries.

John Siegenthaler: Opportunities to reduce head loss

One size larger

John Siegenthaler P.E.

March 1, 2023

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When designing hydronic circuits, most engineers focus on what’s necessary for that circuit to absorb thermal energy at a heat source, carry it along like a conveyor belt and drop it off at one or more heat emitters.

PPI releases new technical document on pipe sizing for seismic-prone areas

February 17, 2023

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The document provides the rationale, data and formulas for determining the proper wall thickness for a fused, highly ductile, flexible HDPE water main in a seismically sensitive area, subjected to an induced lateral spread.

Terracon Foundation awards more than $90,000 in grants

February 17, 2023

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Established as the community investment arm of Terracon, the foundation has granted nearly $4 million to community organizations, universities and dependents of employees, as well as disaster relief efforts.

ASHRAE concludes successful Winter Conference and AHR Expo in Atlanta

February 17, 2023

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The 2024 Winter Conference will take place Jan. 20 – 24, and the AHR Expo, Jan. 22 – 24, in Chicago.

Noritz hybrid water heater

March 16, 2023

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Merging the benefits of storage in a standard tank water heater with the efficiency of tankless into one powerful unit, the new Hybrid Hot Series provides a continuous hot water supply and quick hot-water recovery with a 10-year warranty.

Mueller Steam Specialty Series 90 butterfly valves

March 15, 2023

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Mueller Steam Specialty, a Watts brand, introduced the Series 90 butterfly valve, designed for commercial and industrial applications working with pipes from 2" to 40" and meeting high-performance specifications, especially for data centers, hospitals and educational institutions.

EVAPCO double-stacked dry cooler

March 14, 2023

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EVAPCO’s eco-Air Series of dry and adiabatic coolers include flat, V-style and double stack dry coolers available with optional spray or adiabatic pad pre-cooling systems.

Bradley Corp. top-fill WashBar

March 13, 2023

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The new Top-Fill Multi-feed Soap System is available with all Bradley WashBar handwashing models.

Product Focus: Boilers

Weil McLain commercial boiler

March 10, 2023

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The Weil-McLain SVF boiler line has expanded to include BTU sizes of 500, 600, 725, 850 and 1000 MBH models.

Product Focus: Boilers

U.S. Boiler Co. condensing boiler

March 9, 2023

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The high efficiency Alta and Alta Combi boilers feature next-generation gas adaptive technology that provides the shortest installation time and lowest operating costs, the company says.

Product Focus: Boilers

Thermal Solutions water-tube boiler

March 8, 2023

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The AMP-L condensing boiler and water heater is available in five sizes: 400, 500, 650, 800 and 1000 MBH. AHRI-certified and rated at 97% and 98% thermal efficiency respectively, the AMP-L is available in either a natural gas or propane configuration.

Product Focus: Boilers

Rinnai wall-hung commercial boiler

March 7, 2023

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The new high-efficiency RCB-Series wall-hung commercial condensing boiler delivers reliable, energy-saving performance, the company says.

Product Focus: Boilers

Navien commercial fire-tube boiler

March 6, 2023

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Navien NFB-C commercial condensing fire tube boilers have all key components designed and manufactured in-house

Product Focus: Boilers

Lochinvar Floor mount combi-boiler

March 3, 2023

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The NOBLE floor mount fire tube combi-boiler brings to market a brand new floor mount boiler option for homeowners and multi-family facilities with models ranging from 110,000 to 199,000 Btu/h.

Product Focus: Boilers

Bradford White Corp. floor-standing boiler

March 2, 2023

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Bradford White Water Heaters Brute FT floor standing boilers feature a stainless steel fire-tube heat exchanger and multiple venting options, low-pressure drop design with a sealed combustion chamber and pre-mix ceramic fiber burner.