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• The 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code
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• What’s New in the 2012 IPC
• Designing and Specifying High-
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The Official
PublicaTiOn Of The
• The 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code
• Fire Pump Sizing and Selection
• What’s New in the 2012 IPC
american SOcieTy Of
Plumbing engineerS
• Designing and Specifying High-
efficiency Heating Equipment

Photo courtesy of Uponor

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Volume 40, Number 3, March 2012

FEATURES ASPE REPORT

20 FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN
21 NEW MEMBERS
50 THE 2012 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE 22 FROM THE EXECUTIVE’S DESK
Codes help users with improved layout design fea-
tures and the incorporation of manual of style and
innovative efficiency standards and sustainable COLUMNS
practices.
6 Editor’s Letter
Looking toward the future
26 Designer’s Guide
58 VALUE ENGINEERING WITH PEX-A A day in the life of a purchasing manager
PLUMBING SYSTEMS 30 Code Classroom
One of the most effective solutions for managing Anti-scald shower valves can scald you!
project costs is the use of PEX-a pipe for your com- 36 FPE Corner
mercial, domestic-water plumbing systems. Elevators and sprinklers, Part 2
40 Solar Solutions
Overheat-cooling thermosyphon loop
64 FIRE PUMP SIZING AND SELECTION 44 Sustainable Design
When starting a fire pump design, the most impor- Retrofitting fixtures in existing buildings
tant item to consider is the water supply. for water efficiency
56 Geothermal Forecast
A new year for GEO success

DEPARTMENTS
72 WHAT’S NEW IN THE 2012 IPC 8-18 Industry News
The IPC continues to emphasize both prescriptive
and performance-related provisions. 19 Industry Movers
76 Product Application
78-79 New Products
80 Classifieds
81 Ad Index/Reader Service Form
74 DESIGNING AND SPECIFYING HIGH- 82 Letters to the Editor
EFFICIENCY HEATING EQUIPMENT
Plumbing and heating contractor Jerry Davis and
mechanical engineer Tim Souza live and work on
opposite sides of the country, but they are both
strong advocates of proven, compact, high efficiency
wall-hung boiler systems.

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From the desk

of Tom Brown
Tom Brown, owner, TMB Publishing Inc.
The Official
PublicaTiOn Of The
american SOcieTy Of
Plumbing engineerS
Looking toward the future
Editorial, Advertising,
Production, Accounting and

W
elcome to the March issue of Plumbing Engineer! As you read
Administrative Offices
through the pages of this issue, you may notice a change. Plumbing
Engineer is now the official publication of the American Society of 2165 Shermer Rd., Suite A
Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). This issue signifies the reunification of two ven- Northbrook, IL 60062
erable entities. Plumbing Engineer magazine has been the authoritative voice (847) 564-1127 • Fax: (847) 564-1264
for the plumbing, hydronics, fire protection and PVF industries for more than E-mail: [email protected]
40 years and ASPE was founded in 1964 as an organization dedicated to the
advancement of the plumbing engineering profession. ASPE is dedicated to the Owner
advancement of the science of plumbing engineering, to the professional Tom M. Brown
growth and advancement of its members and the health, welfare and safety of Editorial & Production Staff
the public. John Mesenbrink, Editorial Director
What does this mean moving forward? Plumbing Engineer’s mission for the Marilyn Cunningham, Associate Editor
last four decades has been to provide its readership the best editorial, and to pro- Cate C. Brown, Production Manager
vide our supporters and advertisers with the best marketing value. This new part- Mark Bruno, Art Director/Prepress
nership only emboldens our posi-
tion as the leader in said editorial ASPE Managing Editor
and value. ASPE’s technical lead- Gretchen Pienta
ership throughout the plumbing [email protected]
engineering industry will be evi- Contributors
dent in the pages of the Plumbing Timothy Allinson, P.E., Designer’s Guide
Engineer. We are thrilled to again Sam Dannaway, Fire Protection
be partnering with ASPE to help publish quality technical articles for the plumb- Ron George, CPD, Code Classroom
ing engineering community, and Plumbing Engineer and its readers can only ben- Dan Foley, Hydronics
efit from the wealth of knowledge and expertise ASPE and its members will bring Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, Green Systems
to the publication. Bristol Stickney, Solar Solutions
According to ASPE’s executive director/CEO Jim Kendzel, “TMB’s leader-
ship in the plumbing engineering market ensures that ASPE’s technical content Sales Staff
will reach a wider audience of plumbing engineers, designers, and specifiers, Brad Burnside, Publisher, East sales
leading to greater exposure of the ASPE brand and, ultimately, increased value 2165 Shermer Rd, Suite A, Northbrook,
IL 60062 Phone: 847/564-1127
to subscribers.”
Cell: 224/659-3984
We remain dedicated to the promotion of the ASPE brand and we encourage Fax: 847/564-1264
our readers who are not already ASPE members to consider membership. E-mail: [email protected]
As you turn the pages of this month’s issue, you’ll notice some welcome edi-
torial additions to the magazine. Page 44 features future columnist contributor, David Schulte
Winston Huff, as he discusses sustainable design topics. Page 64 provides an in- Midwest, South and E. Canada sales
depth look at “Fire Pump Sizing and Selection” by Greg Trombold, vice presi- 2165 Shermer Rd, Suite A, Northbrook,
dent, Membership ASPE Cleveland Chapter. So you can already see the ASPE IL 60062 Phone: 847/564-1127
influence within the pages of Plumbing Engineer. It’s just another example of Cell: 847/420-4686
how TMB Publishing Inc. remains committed to its readers and to the advance- Fax: 847/564-1264
E-mail: [email protected]
ment of the plumbing engineer industry. n
Diane Spangler
PLUMBING ENGINEER West, Texas and W. Canada sales
(USPS 567-950) PO Box 9802, Fountain Valley, CA
ISSN 0192-1711 92728 Phone: 714/839-6700
PLUMBING ENGINEER (USPS 567-950) ISSN 0192-1711 is published monthly by TMB Publishing Inc., 2165 Shermer Fax: 714/839-6777
Rd., Suite A, Northbrook, IL 60062. Phone (847) 564-1127, Fax (847) 564-1264. Magazine is free to those who design and E-mail: [email protected]
specify plumbing/piping systems in commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental buildings; as well as government
officials and plumbing inspectors. Subscription rates for U.S. and Canada: $50 for one year, $90 for two years. Other coun-
tries: $300 per year. Periodical postage paid at Northbrook, IL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Change of ASPE Offices
address should be sent to Plumbing Engineer, 440 Quadrangle Dr., Suite E., Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Material and opin-
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Copyright © 2011 TMB Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Volume 40, Number 3. Plumbing Engineer is microfilmed by
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Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6 [email protected]
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Industry News
2012 AHR Expo sets all-time attendance record
WESTPorT, CoNN. — Ahr Expo show management upgrade the hVAC systems for their midway head Start
announced that the 2012 exposition and conference has facility, resulting in thousands of dollars in energy sav-
established a new all-time attendance record with nearly ings a year.
40,000 registered visitors for the recently concluded For more than 154 years, metropolitan Family
event at Chicago’s mcCormick Place. Together with Services has been helping thousands of families cope
exhibitor personnel and other attendees, more than with various challenges through a variety of human ser-
57,000 hVACr professionals participated in the world’s vices. metropolitan’s midway Center and midway head
largest hVACr event from January 23rd through Start Center serve communities on Chicago’s Southwest
January 25th. side, near midway Airport. They provide area residents
Based on preliminary registration numbers, the 2012 with head Start programming, child care, youth center,
Show will easily surpass the previous record of 38,534 domestic violence and parenting programs, as well as a
visitors established at the 2008 Show in New York City. number of other programs and services designed to
As reported earlier, this year’s Show was also the largest improve the lives of the area’s residents.
Ahr Expo in the illustrious 82-year history of the event metropolitan spends approximately $50,000 a year on
at nearly 430,000 square feet, making it almost 5% big- energy costs for its midway head Start facility. Almost
ger than the 2006 Chicago Show. half of that money is used to operate both of their rooftop
hVAC units and the boiler. With the new hVAC system
AHR Expo donates to Chicago charity controls upgrade, purchased with the donation from
In other Ahr news, nearly $12,000 in entry fees from Ahr Expo, both systems will now be able to work in
the 2012 Ahr Expo Innovation Awards competition has tandem more efficiently and provide consistently com-
been donated to an organization that provides services fortable room temperatures for the facility year-round.
and counseling for families in need in the Chicago area. The new system nearly triples the square footage of the
metropolitan Family Services will use the donation to area covered.

Allied Technical Services announces the Code Council’s consistent contributions to the global
sanitation movement, especially in pioneering and initiat-
partnership with BLÜCHER ing the official launch of the United Nations International
Year of Sanitation in 2008. During that year’s World
ToroNTo — Allied Technical Services (ATS) has Toilet Summit & Expo (WTSE), he conducted an educa-
announced that BlÜChEr Stainless Steel Drainage tion track on global sanitation policies and standards.
Systems can now be specified on the ATS Spec U.S. web- The Code Council sponsored the track, in addition to
site, www.atsspec.net. the first-ever ICC USA Pavilion at WTSE, which offered
BlÜChEr, a Watts Water Technologies Company, is U.S. companies a cost-effective way to reach Southeast
dedicated to designing and manufacturing stainless steel Asian prospects.
drainage systems including floor drains, trench drains,
shower drains and piping. BlÜChEr’s exclusive push-fit
piping and fitting system can be used above as well as
below ground. BlÜChEr floor drains are designed to Danfoss to sponsor 5th Annual EE Global Forum
cover any commercial or industrial application and
BlÜChEr’s wide range of trench drain and kitchen chan- BAlTImorE — Danfoss, a manufacturer of high efficien-
nel products can be customized to just about any specifica- cy electronic and mechanical components and controls
tion. BlÜChEr also offers a collection of designer show- for air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration and motion
er and bath drains for housing or commercial construction. systems, announced it will again sponsor the Alliance to
Save Energy’s EE Global Forum for the fifth consecutive
year. The 2012 Energy Efficiency Global Forum (EE
Global) will be held march 27-29 at the Peabody resort
Code council’s PMG executive director honored in orlando, Fla. Danfoss North America President John
at World Toilet Summit in China Galyen will participate in one of the Forum’s executive
dialogue sessions.
WAShINGToN, D.C. — Jay Peters, Plumbing, mechanical
and Fuel Gas (PmG) group executive director for the
International Code Council is one of three 2011 honorees NCPMA elects first board of directors
inducted into the World Toilet organization (WTo) hall
of Fame. The recipients are chosen based on their exten- rAlEIGh. N.C. — The North Carolina Plumbing and
sive efforts and contributions to solve the global sanitation mechanical Association recently elected its first board of
crisis that claims the lives of thousands of people every directors, signaling another milestone in this new organi-
day, most of whom are children. zation’s history. Elections and a general business session
Peters was selected particularly in recognition of his and
More Industry News on page 10
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Industry News
Continued from page 8

took place at NCPMA’s Launch Party celebration on professionals.

Saturday, January 14. New this quarter, the Little Red Schoolhouse is now a
The new trade association was created from a merger certified provider of continuing education for LEED pro-
between Mechanical Contractors of North Carolina (MC fessionals as approved by the Green Building Certification
of NC) and Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Institute (GBCITM). The Schoolhouse’s Large Chilled
North Carolina (PHCC-NC). The outgoing presidents of Water Design Seminar and Modern Hydronic System
the former associations, Charlie Oxford and Rodney Design Basic Seminar are the pump industry’s first cours-
Pressley, conducted the meetings and commended the es to be approved by GBCI to provide credit toward the
members of both associations for their dedication during credential maintenance requirements of the LEED Green
the merger process. Associate and LEED AP certifications.
Joel Long of GSM Services in Gastonia was elected The content provided in the two seminars (*) meets
president of the new association, David Hinson of Hinson GBCI’s goals of facilitating access to high-quality profes-
Mechanical was elected vice president and Jamie sional development for those in the green building indus-
Robinson of Brothers Heating and Air was elected treasur-
er. All will serve a one-year term. Charlie Oxford of
Hickory Plumbing and Heating was appointed secretary
and John Hicks of Griffin Heating and Air Conditioning
was appointed assistant secretary/treasurer.
After the elections, board members and officers were
installed by Dale Dawson, executive director of the North
Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating
and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

try. The courses focus on the application of pumps and

New MetraSeal app wall penetration seal related products to enable water and energy conservation
calculator available for smartphones and improve building system efficiency.
“The Little Red Schoolhouse is an industry leader in
CHICAGO — The new Metraflex MetraSeal app for iPhone training and we are excited to add increased opportunities
and Android helps contractors and engineers quickly cal- for engineers, contractors and facility maintenance profes-
culate the links required to fill a pipe gap in a wall pene- sionals to earn LEED continuing education credits," said
tration. Once installed on their smartphone or tablet, the Mark Handzel, director of building services marketing for
app works without a cell signal, so calculations can be Xylem.
made anywhere, at any time, even where reception is The seminars are tailored to various job functions and
non-existent. areas of expertise and cover a wide range of important top-
Simple to use, the user needs only to input the wall pen- ics. The lead seminar instructors are LEED-Accredited
etration inside diameter (I.D.) and the Professionals. Upon completion of the three-day seminars,
round pipe outside diameter (O.D.) 1.7 CEU credits are awarded to graduates.
The proper MetraSeal mechanical link The Second Quarter 2012 Little Red Schoolhouse semi-
Model Number and number of links to nars and dates include:
properly fill the gap are displayed * Seminar approved by GBCI to provide credit toward
immediately. In just minutes the con- the credential maintenance requirements of the LEED
tractor can move from penetration to Green Associate and LEED AP certifications.
penetration and quickly calculate
every MetraSeal needed to fill every Little Red Schoolhouse a certified
gap. They then contact their local rep LEED education provider
or Metraflex with their information In other news, Xylem Inc. announced that its Bell &
and quickly complete their project. Gossett brand has, through its Little Red Schoolhouse®,
been approved by the Green Building Certification
Institute (GBCI) as a provider of continuing education for
LEED professionals.
Bell & Gossett® announces second quarter Xylem made the announcement in conjunction with Bell
training at Little Red Schoolhouse® & Gossett’s sponsorship of the ASHRAE (American
Association of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
MORTON GROvE, ILL. — Bell & Gossett, a leader in educa- Conditioning Engineers) winter technical conference and
tion for the hydronic heating and plumbing industries, has AHR Expo in Chicago.
announced its training course schedule for the second quar- The Schoolhouse’s Large Chilled Water Design seminar
ter of 2012. The free training seminars are offered at the and Modern Hydronic System Design Basic seminar are
Bell & Gossett Little Red Schoolhouse Education Center the pump industry’s first courses to be approved by GBCI
in Morton Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and are to provide credit toward the credential maintenance
open to engineers, contractors and facility maintenance
More industry news on page 12

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Industry News
Continued from page 10

requirements of the LEED Green Associate and LEED AP

certifications. The content provided in the seminars meets
GBCI’s goals of facilitating access to high-quality profes-
sional development for those in the green building indus-
try. The courses focus on the application of pumps and
related products to enable water and energy conservation
and improve building system efficiency.

Davis & Warshow honored by USGBC

NEw York —The Urban Green Council, New York’s chap-
ter of the USGBC, honored Davis & warshow, one of the
region’s largest suppliers of kitchen and bath fixtures and
plumbing materials, at the organization’s recent annual
Urban Green Gala. In presenting the award to D&w’s
president and Coo David Finkel, russell Unger, president
of the Council, credited him for leading his company’s sus-
tainability initiative, an aggressive yet pragmatic series of
steps scaled to the modest size (300 employees, eight sales
showrooms and four distribution centers) of the 87-year-
old wholesaler.
Unger noted that Davis & warshow has set a great
example and become a role model for other smaller busi-
nesses that want to do their share in “going green.” This
Circle 7 on Reader Reply Form on page 81 included installing a solar array at its Maspeth, Queens,
headquarters that qualifies as one of the largest private-sec-
tor installations in New York City.

Little Giant adds mobile training facility

BLUFFToN, IND. — Franklin Electric is pleased to
announce the addition of a Little Giant Mobile Training
Facility (MTF) to its technical toolbox of service and
training options, dedicated specifically to the plumbing
and HVAC industry.
This new MTF is the latest tool added to Franklin’s
already extensive training portfolio, which includes
FranklinTECH factory training, on-the-road seminars,
Field Service support and a technical service hotline. The
Little Giant MTF focuses training and hands-on experience
for sump, sewage, and effluent products, allowing Franklin
to take products and training directly to the distributor,
contractor or installer.

Leonard Valve launches new website

CrANSToN, r.I. — Leonard Valve has launched its new
website located at leonardvalve.com. The dramatically
redesigned website embodies Leonard’s forward-think-
ing vision and commitment to the growing needs of its
customers.
The website’s homepage welcomes visitors with the lat-
est news and events. Access to product information and
Leonard experts are one click away through the use of
scrolling menus. The new website also provides access to

Circle 8 on Reader Reply Form on page 81 More Industry News on page 14

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Industry News
Continued from page 12

informational resources such as leonard’s exclusive CAs- sentatives. As technology is ever changing, we wanted to
PAK® sizing software where personalized project details keep ahead of the curve by enhancing functionality and
can be saved and updated after creating an account. this content.”
personal portal on the leonard Valve website can be used
to store a list of favorite products, as well as request a quote
from any saved product or project. A. O. Smith launches mobile application
AshlAnd City, tenn. — A. O. smith has launched the A.
Hurst Boiler launches new website O. smith Warranty Check app, a unique mobile phone
application for the Apple iPhone® and Google Android™
COOlidGe, GA. — hurst Boiler & Welding Co., inc., a phone developed exclusively for A. O. smith brand water
leading manufacturer of energy-efficient boilers and boil- heaters.
er room solutions, announces the launch of its newly designed specifically for contractors and plumbers, the
enhanced corporate website at www.hurstboiler.com. app will allow plumbing professionals to easily check water
hurstBoiler.com has always served as a destination for heaters in the field for warranty information and product
comprehensive information related to boilers, boiler sys- details on both residential and commercial products.
tems, integrated controls, manufacturing, renewable ener-
gy and energy efficiency. the new site includes richer
product pages that can be easily accessed by application or CertainTeed responds to growing
need.
“Our new website reflects the company’s leadership
trenchless industry
position in the boiler room marketplace,” said Jeff hurst, VAlley FOrGe, PA. — responding to the needs of con-
vice president of sales and marketing, hurst Boiler. “We tractors, engineers and municipalities with growing recog-
have raised our own bar by providing interactive tools nition for the economic and environmental advantages of
and information for our customers, prospects and repre-
More industry news on page 16

EYE/FACEWASH

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Industry News
Continued from page 14

trenchless pipe installation and replacement, CertainTeed small enough for customers to work directly with the top
Corporation is expanding its Certa-Lok™ C900 restrained- management. Bootz strives to provide superb service with
joint PVC pipe product line to include an integral bell the most competitive level of on time deliveries, a 100 per-
design option. The company is also adding a 14-inch diam- cent fill rate that makes back orders non-existent.
eter option to its line of Certa-Lok C905 rJ restrained-joint
pipe to meet the growing industry demand for larger size
water and sewer pipe system applications. Bosch expands hot water storage tank line
Available in 4-, 6- and 8-inch diameters, Certa-Lok
C900 rJiB (restrained Joint integral Bell) features Londonderry, n.H. — Bosch Thermotechnology north
CertainTeed’s time- and field-proven mechanical pipe join- America now offers the WST line of enameled steel indi-
ing system, which utilizes a combination of precision- rect storage tanks and the SST stainless steel line of indi-
machined grooves and a nylon spline to provide excep- rect storage tanks. The product line offers plumbing and
tional tensile strength in pulling or pushing operations. HVAC professionals simplified installation and superior
rounding out the design, a flexible elastomeric gasket durability that ensure fewer callbacks, while providing end
within the integral bell provides a solid pressure-certified users years of reliable operation.
hydraulic seal. “Bosch’s two new lines of indirect storage tanks have
greater installation versatility with durability that ranks
among the best in the industry,” said John Confrey, vice
TYCO releases Revit-compatible files president of hot water for Bosch Thermotechnology.
“When developing the new SST and WST tank lines, we
LAnSdALe, PA. —Tyco Fire Protection Products (TyCo) really listened to our wholesalers, dealers and installers to
has released the most comprehensive line of revit®-com- make sure we offered a product that meets the demands of
patible 3-d file downloads in the fire sprinkler industry, as our marketplace and displays the hallmark of our advanced
well as an easy-to-follow guide for designing with TyCo engineering.”
revit-compatible files.
The files are available at www.Tyco-Fire.com to fire
protection engineers, sprinkler system designers and con- Sloan faucet receive award
tractors for integration with projects utilizing building
information modeling (BiM). FrAnkLin PArk, iLL. — Sloan’s
BASyS™ faucet platform has
been named as an honoree for
Bootz Industries celebrates 75th anniversary Interior Design magazine’s 2011
Best of year (Boy) Product
eVAnSViLLe, ind. — Bootz industries is rich in history and design Awards in the kitchen
tradition “From Bombs To Bathtubs.” in 1937, William r. and Bath: Bath/Fittings category.
Bootz and associates purchased the assets of Crescent interior designers and architects
Stove Works, and one year later began fabricating steel submitted more than 65,000
products for the United States Army and navy, earning online votes for the sixth annual
Army/navy excellence Awards during World War ii. From awards, and a jury of leading
1945 through 1951 production grew to include Whirlpool, architects and designers deter-
Coleman Company, Hunter Fan and the U.S. Government. mined the winners.
Beginning in 1960, Bootz began a long-term relationship The Boy Awards is the pre-
with General electric, earning numerous production cita- eminent design competition recognizing superior interior
tions and quality awards lasting through 2003. during the design products. More than 900 people from the design
1970s, Bootz produced stamped steel lavatories and sink community gathered on december 1 at the iAC Building
shapes that expanded into bathtubs. in 1979, Bootz pur- in new york City, designed by renowned architect Frank
chased the Peerless Pottery facility in evansville and con- Gehry, to celebrate the best projects and products of 2011.
verted it to produce “porcelain-on-steel” bathtubs, lavato-
ries and kitchen sinks under the Bootz industries label.
in 1998, Bootz “patented” and introduced Syniron an D.C. Mayor announces plan to introduce
engineered composite with the structural integrity of cast
iron. Bootzcast was introduced at the 2005 kitchen and
new construction codes
Bath Show, and in 2006 selected as 1st place Platinum win- WASHinGTon, d.C. — Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced
ner of the AdeX Award for design excellence. in 2010 the that the district of Columbia will be introducing new
Maui and Mauicast 15" deep Soaker became available. Construction Codes by March 1, 2013. The updated
From 2001-2012, with the purchase and installation of Construction Codes will keep the district at the national
new equipment and a new distribution center (BdC), forefront of sustainable building practices for all new and
Bootz has grown production capabilities to meet the need renovated residential and commercial buildings.
of the entire “porcelain-on-steel” market. Bootz remains
More Industry News on page 18

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pe03_pgs_08_19rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:22 AM Page 17

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Circle 12 on Reader Reply Form on page 81 One of Americas fastest growing,

privately owned companies.
pe03_pgs_08_19rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:23 AM Page 18

Industry News
Continued from page 16

The District’s Construction Codes incorporate most of Viking’s mobile platform also includes websites for
the model codes issued every three years by the CPVC piping products as well as for the complete Viking
International Code Council (ICC). The District currently line of fire protection valves and systems.
uses the 2006 ICC Codes, but will now leapfrog over the
2009 ICC Codes to review and adopt the 2012 ICC Codes.
“By adopting the most recent ICC Codes, the District Webstone announces ‘Rep of the Year’
will be a national leader in requiring the most modern and
sustainable building practices,” said mayor Gray. “The WorCesTer, MAss. — Webstone is pleased to announce
adoption of new construction codes, in conjunction with that Mechanical sales has been named as its 2012
implementation of the Green Building Act, will ensure Manufacturer’s rep of the Year. steve Markee (Proprietor)
that the District remains on the cutting edge of ‘green’ has been representing Webstone in Michigan since 2004
building practices.” and has consistently produced new opportunities, ideas and
growth for the territory despite facing some of the most
challenging economic conditions in the country.
VGS launches mobile website
HAsTInGs, MICH. — Viking Group has extended its lead- Raypak updates website
ing mobile web platform to include a new site dedicated to
its VGs® brand of grooved piping products. The new oxnArD, CAlIf. — raypak’s all new, modernized and
VGs mobile website provides access to detailed product updated website is now online. This is more than just a face
information via mobile devices, such as smart phones and makeover. The key goal was to maximize the website’s
tablet computers. This access is particularly important to ease of use. for example, the new site includes all docu-
contractors who need critical technical information at the ments pertinent to each product line on that same page.
jobsite, where accessing information from a standard Check the new site at www.raypak.com.
desktop computer can be challenging.
pe03_pgs_08_19rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:23 AM Page 19

Industry Movers
Uponor North America names president Richelsen joins EYP
aPPlE VallEY, minn. — Uponor has named Bill Gray Washington — Desmond A. Richelsen, CPD, joined
president of Uponor north america, EYP architecture & Engineering as a senior plumbing
effective Feb. 15, 2012. he is also a engineer, to oversee the plumbing studio in the firm’s
member of the Uponor group execu- Washington office. an expert in plumbing and fire protec-
tive committee. gray has served as the tion design, Richelsen’s extensive leadership experience
vice president for Una sales since involves managing entire plumbing departments, as well as
June 2011, where he was responsible serving as lead engineer on numerous high-level projects.
for the leadership of all Uponor north along with his significant management responsibilities,
american sales efforts in the U.s. and his new role involves completing all aspects of plumbing
Canada. Previously, he was general and process piping for EYP’s major higher education and
manager for Uponor ltd. in Canada government clients.
for three years where he oversaw all
Canadian operations, including sales, marketing, demand
management and technical and customer service. Moen announces promotion
noRth olmstEaD, ohio — moen incorporated promoted
Bradley Corp. promotes Dommisse Tim Bitterman to director of marketing and new product
development, Creative specialties international, effective
mEnomonEE Falls, Wis. — Bradley Corp. announced the immediately. Bitterman will lead and direct the marketing,
appointment of Jon Dommisse to director of global mar- new product development and U.s. quality teams for the
keting & strategic development for the menomonee Falls- moen accessory business.
based manufacturer of plumbing fixtures, restroom acces- For more information, www.moen.com.
sories and emergency equipment.

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pe03_pgs_20_25rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:23 AM Page 20

ASPE REPORT
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLUMBING ENGINEERS

From the President’s Pen

William F. Hughes Jr., CPD, LEED AP, FASPE,

2010-2012 2010-2012 ASPE PRESIDENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William F. Hughes Jr., CPD,
[email protected]
LEED AP, FASPE
President
Timothy A. Smith, CPD, FASPE
I’d like to introduce myself to the readers of Plumbing Engineer magazine. I am the current presi-
Vice President, Technical
dent of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, William F. Hughes Jr. On behalf of the ASPE
Mitch Clemente, CPD
Vice President, Education board of directors and the membership of ASPE, I would like to say welcome to all of the readers of
Plumbing Engineer.
David E. DeBord, CPD, LEED AP
Vice President, Legislative On Friday, January 20, the ASPE board of directors entered into an agreement with TMB Publish-
Jeffrey L. Ingertson, CPD, ing in which Plumbing Engineer would become the official magazine of ASPE starting with this
FASPE March 2012 issue. Both organizations are looking forward to many years of making this partner-
Vice President, Membership ship grow and leading the industry in providing up-to-date and quality technical information to
Gary Mahoney, CPD, FASPE all interested parties within the plumbing industry and beyond.
Secretary, Treasurer In the next several issues of the magazine I am looking forward to presenting to the readers of
Brian Henry Plumbing Engineer what ASPE has to offer, not only to the readers of the magazine but also to the
Affiliate Liaison entire plumbing industry.
Rui Paul Silvestre The partnership with TMB Publishing is only part of what has been happening with ASPE over
Region 1 Director
the past year and what we are calling the beginning of a new chapter in ASPE history.
Chris L. Graham, CPD The decision to cease publication of ASPE’s Plumbing Systems & Design magazine and join with
Region 2 Director
TMB Publishing was the result of a deliberate and carefully thought-out process that took more
David H. Anelli
than one year to complete by the ASPE board of directors.
Region 3 Director
This new partnership will provide ASPE with the opportunity to promote who and what we are all
Chris W. Scott
Region 4 Director about to plumbing engineers, designers, specifiers, and others within the industry who are not cur-
rently members of the Society. This new partnership also will provide greater exposure of our organi-
Kelvin H. Kennedy
Region 5 Director zation and our quality technical content to other individuals and organizations within the industry.
Since its inception, Plumbing Systems & Design (PS&D) magazine received high praise from ASPE
members and subscribers for the quality of technical content presented. For readers of Plumbing
Systems & Design and the current readers of Plumbing Engineer, this same quality of technical infor-
mation will be continued. This agreement will not affect the quality of articles to which readers of
PS&D magazine were accustomed. ASPE will provide the same high-quality and technical content
to Plumbing Engineer.
Another feature of PS&D magazine that many ASPE members have asked about since the
announcement to partner with TMB Publishing is the continuing education exams that were pub-
lished in each issue. The answer to that question is yes, the program will continue online at ASPE.
org. Look for more information in this “ASPE Report.” For those readers who are not familiar with
the continuing education program, you can earn CEUs each month by simply reading an article
taken from an ASPE publication and answering the 12-question exam. ASPE CEUs are approved by
all states that require continuing education for relicensing—even those states that require prior
approval such as Florida and New York. This program will now be available to all readers of Plumb-
ing Engineer as another opportunity to get CEUs.
As I mentioned, in the next several issues of Plumbing Engineer I will be providing to readers
insight as to what ASPE is all about, along with what ASPE has been doing and our involvement
within the industry. In case you have not heard, in the past few months ASPE has signed memoran-
www.aspe.org dums of understanding with several key organizations in the plumbing industry: International Code
March 2012 ASPE Report

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8:55:37 AM
pe03_pgs_20_25rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 2:02 PM Page 21

Monthly News for ASPE Members

The authority in plumbing system design and engineering

Council, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Offi- ASPE is partnering with these organizations to become more
cials, and the American Backflow Prevention Association. involved in the industry and create many new opportunities for
Along with the memorandums of understanding, ASPE has ASPE and our members. It is through these opportunities that
been collaborating with several other organizations such as the ASPE will grow and help develop programs and affiliations that
Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition, Plastic Pipe and Fittings will benefit the industry.
Association, American Rainwater Catchment Systems Associa- Another key player within the industry is the ASPE Research
tion, Plumbing Manufacturers International, American Society of Foundation, which also has been very busy. The current Research
Sanitary Engineering, and World Plumbing Council. Collaborating Foundation roof drain testing project was initially presented at the
with these and other groups allows ASPE to be involved in various 2011 ASPE Technical Symposium, and the Research Foundation will
projects within the industry. soon be issuing a report documenting their findings.
For instance, ASPE is currently working with ASSE to produce As you can see, plenty of new things are happening within ASPE,
a joint plumbing dictionary that combines each organization’s and they will continue throughout the year. This new partnership
current publication. The final title is yet to be established, but it with TMB Publishing is just another step in the process. The ASPE
should be available in late 2012 or early 2013. ASPE also is work- board of directors is looking forward to seeing this partnership
ing with IAPMO to develop a Green Plumbing Design certification grow and develop for the betterment of both organizations.
program. We are collaborating with ARCSA to issue a design stan- I hope that you will enjoy what ASPE and TMB Publishing will be
dard for rainwater catchment systems in addition to other ASPE presenting to you, the readers, in future issues of Plumbing Engi-
standards currently under development. neer.

New ASPE Members

Atlanta Chapter Houston Chapter Orange County Chapter Seattle Chapter
Jeff Kyle Long Samuel McKinlay Jeff Hill Carmen Cejudo, GE
Joshua Robert McCarty Zachary Wolf Jon Houchin, LEED AP Blake Carl Johnson, GE
Baltimore Chapter Kansas City Chapter Ottawa Region Chapter Southern Nevada Chapter
Neal Dennis Cluck, LEED AP Ethan James Shull Alexandre Lalonde, GE Michael Rahe, GE
Michael Notarange, GE, PE Long Island Chapter Overseas Chapter Southwestern Ohio Chapter
Adam Thomas Rickey, PE Scott Richard Pennello Nehro Ali Jeremy Michael Williams, GE
Boston Chapter
Los Angeles Chapter
Omran Ahmad Alsatari, GE St. Louis Chapter
Peter E. Gobis III Armand Henry Estrada, GE, EIT Boon Leong Woo, GE Jim Eyre
Central Florida Chapter Philadelphia Chapter
Member at Large Virginia Blue Ridge Chapter
Christopher Cabotaje, GE Lou Garavito William J. Finnegan Christopher Snyder, PE
Central Texas Chapter
Ramez Naguib, GE, PE
Minnesota Chapter Washington, D.C. Chapter
Michael Metcalf, GE Paula Gillen Phoenix Chapter
Samer Farouq Abu-Shaqra, GE
Charlotte Chapter Christopher Monroe Alan Michael Olsen Daniel Edward Bryant
Douglas William Murr, PE Ryan Joseph Petersen Pittsburgh Chapter Renad Mededovic
Andrea G. Thompson, GE Stirling Walkes, P.Eng Joseph Patrick Zuccarelli David B. Roach
Chicago Chapter Montreal Chapter Quebec Chapter West Coast Florida Chapter
Robert Baxter Chantal Boisson Paul Sra Eric Daniel Eldridge, PE, LEED
Luis F. Garza New Orleans Chapter Raleigh Chapter
AP
Donald R. Hartdegen Jr., PE Michael Sam Bucalo, GE Chad Edmondon Western Michigan Chapter
Mariusz Piotr Klimek Adam Douglas Jaeger Joey Simon Chapman
Michelle Norgard New York City Chapter
Ramez Afify, PE Rochester Chapter Wisconsin Chapter
Connecticut Chapter
Jessica Baldwin Branden Farnsworth-Weinblatt, Paul Lippitt, PE
Perry DelMedico Richard John Chiaradio PE, GE Joseph Anthony Tenuta
Joseph John Ibets, PE Michael John Cuozzi San Diego Chapter
Denver Chapter Joseph DeGrazio, PE Charles Collison
Daniel Harper, PE Mark Girgenti Agosto Ecleonel
Ryan Kindsfather Song Le, PE Rod Houdyshel, PE
Darren Dale Mansur Peter E. Levine Steve Vincent Valladolid, PE
Archie Warthen, GE Catherin Massih, GE
Jose Pablo Posada, PE San Francisco Chapter
Eastern Michigan Chapter
Thomas Salamone Ernesto Balajadia, PE
Aleksandar Inov Eric Coatney, PE
Jason Alan Mackay North Florida Chapter
Oscar Lagunaso Estante
Jeff Alan Turner, GE William Scott Parrish Jr., GE
March 2012 ASPE Report

Plumbing Engineer March 2012/Page 21

1:50:45 PM
pe03_pgs_20_25rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:23 AM Page 22

ASPE REPORT Monthly News for ASPE Members

The authority in plumbing system design and engineering www.aspe.org

From the Executive’s Desk

Jim Kendzel, CAE, MPH

ASPE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
[email protected]

I am so excited to be writing my first column for Plumbing Engineer, goes to the following three ASPE chapters and their members
the new official publication of ASPE. Thanks go to all who provided who contributed the top amounts of money for the project: San
support and encouragement for the partnership; the responses Diego (top provider), Long Island, and Boston. A special recogni-
received were overwhelmingly positive. From my initial introduc- tion goes to the Long Island Chapter, which, in addition to pro-
tory meeting with Tom Brown through the negotiations and imple- viding the second highest contribution, also was the top chapter
mentation planning stages, I quickly gained respect for Tom and when their financial contribution was compared to the total
the entire TMB team. The bringing together of the ASPE team and number of members in the chapter—not bad for a relatively new
the TMB team provides a true win-win for our two organizations chapter! Thanks go to all who contributed to such an important
and, more importantly, the plumbing industry. project. Stay tuned for the results.

Research—Key Strategic Objective

Providing research that offers guidance to the plumbing industry
for the design of plumbing systems that are efficient and protect
the public’s health and safety is a key strategic objective for ASPE.
I am pleased to bring you up to date on our key research initiatives. Read, Learn, Earn
The ASPE Research Foundation (ASPE RF) is in the process of
finalizing the report on its research project on roof drain system
design. This project was completed through sponsorship and
testing support from IAPMO, support from manufacturers in
Do you find it difficult to obtain continuing education
providing systems for testing, and most importantly through
units (CEUs)? Through this special series, ASPE can
financial support from ASPE members and chapters. Prelimi- help you accumulate the CEUs required for maintaining
nary review of the data shows that the final report will provide your Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD) designation or
high-quality and important recommendations that will result in numerous regulatory agency CE programs.
potential changes to model code requirements and, ultimately,
improved roof drainage system designs. Look for the final report The process is simple: Each month, just go to
to be issued later this spring. ASPE.org/ReadLearnEarn, where you will find a PDF
containing an article followed by a 12-question multiple-
The ASPE RF also has developed a research protocol in coop-
choice quiz and an application form. Read the article,
eration with NSF International designed to evaluate the impact
answer the questions based on the article, and submit the
of residential fire sprinkler systems on drinking water supplies.
form to the ASPE office. If you earn a grade of 90 percent
We are actively seeking funding sources at this time, so please or higher on the test, you will be notified that you have
let me know if you are interested in participating. In addition, logged 0.1 CEU, which can be applied toward CPD renewal
the ASPE RF has begun the initial stages of developing a research or numerous regulatory agency CE programs.
protocol to evaluate biofilm growth in faucet systems and its
impact on water quality. Tests are valid for one year, so you can earn up to 1.2 CEUs
I recently reached out to the ASPE membership to help support by successfully passing each test. (You can only receive
one credit per test.) The cost is free for ASPE members
the research project to evaluate low-flow fixtures on down-
and $35 per test for nonmembers.
stream drainage systems initiated by the Plumbing Efficiency
Research Coalition (PERC), of which ASPE is a member. I could Forms may be e-mailed to [email protected] or
not be prouder of our membership and the response received, faxed to 847-296-2963.
especially in these economically difficult times. A special thanks
March 2012 ASPE Report

Page 22/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

8:55:43 AM
pe03_pgs_20_25rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:24 AM Page 23

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Circle 14 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

pe03_pgs_20_25rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:24 AM Page 24

ASPE REPORT Monthly News for ASPE Members

The authority in plumbing system design and engineering www.aspe.org

Nominating Committee Seeks Members

to Run for the ASPE Board of Directors
In October, at the 2012 Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, Officers also have committees to oversee (e.g., the vice
chapter delegates will elect the 2012–2014 ASPE board of directors. SUHVLGHQWWHFKQLFDORYHUVHHVWKH7HFKQLFDO 5HVHDUFK&RPPLW
The Nominating Committee currently is seeking multiple candi- tee) and other specific duties. For example, the vice president,
dates for each of the elected positions: president; vice president, technical is involved in every publication that ASPE produces,
technical; vice president, education; vice president, legislative; and the vice president, membership is responsible for reviewing
vice president, membership; vice president, affiliate; secretary; every membership application.
treasurer; region 1 director; region 2 director; region 3 director; If you have questions about the positions or the time involved,
region 4 director; and region 5 director. please feel free to contact any current board member. Their con-
tact information can be found at aspe.org/BoardOfDirectors.
How to Run for Office
Following are the eligibility requirements for the various positions: Are You Ready to Serve?
‡ For president, VPT, VPE, VPM, VPL, secretary, and treasurer, a Sixty days prior to the business meeting at the ASPE Convention,
candidate must be a full member in good standing and have a the Nominating Committee is required to inform the members of
PE and/or CPD designation. the slate of candidates. To meet this bylaw requirement, candidates
‡ Region Director candidates need to be full members in good must submit their application to the Nominating Committee no
standing of a chapter within their region and have held a chap- later than June 30, 2012.
ter officer position for not less than four years. Very dedicated people have held ASPE board of directors’ posi-
‡ The vice president, affiliate position requires candidates to be a tions over the years. Through their enthusiasm and commitment
full member or an affiliate member in good standing for not less the Society has continued to prosper. Now it is time to renew cur-
than four years. rent board members or find new individuals who have the best
If you are interested in running for office, visit the members- interests of the Society at heart and want to keep the tradition of
only section of ASPE.org (aspe.org/MembersOnly) to find a guide strong leadership at the forefront of our guidance.
to the nomination process and the application. For more information about the process, contact a member of
Members seeking to become a Society officer must build up a the Nominating Committee:
level of visibility and credibility with all delegates and region ‡ Chair: Julius Ballanco, PE, CPD, FASPE: [email protected]
and chapter officers. The application helps the delegates and ‡ Region 1: Paul Freeman, PE: [email protected]
chapter officers become familiar with those seeking office. Also, ‡ Region 2: Mark Simpson, CPD: [email protected]
during the business meeting in October all candidates will have ‡ Region 3: Steve Mastley, CPD, FASPE: [email protected]
the opportunity to present themselves to the delegates. ‡ Region 4: Rod Koepke, CPD: [email protected]
‡ Region 5: Cyril Unger, CPD, FASPE: [email protected]
What to Expect ‡ Mike Adkins: [email protected]
ASPE members thinking about running for office often wonder if
they need to raise money for a campaign fund and how much time
they will need to devote to the position.
The answer to the first question is that it doesn’t require any
ASPE MEMBERS:
money to run for a Society office. You just need to have a strong Have you downloaded the
desire to help ASPE and the plumbing engineering industry grow
latest member benefit yet?
and prosper.
The answer to the second question is more complicated. One The ASPE Tables Book App
prerequisite for becoming a candidate for board office is to have Instant pipe sizing data
both your family’s and your employer’s approval. The amount of on your laptop or tablet.
work time any officer spends often is subject to the position. A
Coming soon to your
minimum of four two-day board meetings per year typically are
held in January, April, July, and October. Monthly board confer-
phone!
ence calls also are held. aspe.org/tablesapp

March 2012 ASPE Report

Page 24/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

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Circle 15 on Reader Reply Form on page 81
pe03_pgs_26_29rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:25 AM Page 26

Designer’s Guide
Timothy Allinson, P.E., Murray Co., Long Beach, Calif.

Duality of personality: A day in the life

of a purchasing manager

I
would like to start this month’s column with hearty ever since. I worked at the supply house, Hamilton
congratulations to Tom Brown, all the folks at TMB Supply, for four years. I then went to work for Hamilton’s
Publications, Jim Kendzel, the ASPE board and the largest customer, Apartment Plumbers, and stayed with
entire ASPE staff for reuniting ASPE and Plumbing them for 11 years. After the owner passed away, I applied
Engineer magazine. I have seen several announcements for and was hired by Murray Company in 1990.
from ASPE and TMB that very graciously broadcast this Tim: What does an average day look like for you at
new partnership, and I think it’s fantastic. Although this Murray Company?
isn’t really a new partnership, it’s a renewed partnership, Mark: My day starts at 5 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m.
and, based on the combined strengths of the two, I oversee two other people in our department. We write,
Plumbing Engineer and ASPE can build toward the process and key into our computer system over 120 pur-
future. chase orders (POs) per day. I also review all the PO
Back in 2004, when I started working at Murray acknowledgments to confirm pricing. In between, I review
Company, I was struck by the bold personality of one of all problem invoices that don’t match the PO I wrote.
our staff, purchasing manager Mark Piliavin. Mark is a pit These problems can be a mixture of incorrect pricing,
bull of a man in both appearance and persona, at least double shipments, wrong materials shipped, etc. In
when you overhear him talking on the phone in his office. between that, I’m answering questions, solving problems,
What I learned over time was that this boisterous fellow, expediting orders and studying the market for commodity
who spends his days beating the crap out of salesmen on prices of copper, cast iron and so on. It makes for a long
the phone all day long, while purchasing upwards of $100 day. It’s critical to catch any purchasing errors before the
materials make it to the jobsite; that can really screw up a
fast-track project.
He literally has two personalities, Tim: What advice would you give engineers to help
them improve their specifications or equipment selections
his office bravado and his real, from a purchasing perspective?
Mark: My primary concerns are satisfying cost and
warmhearted self. time constraints, and time constraints often outweigh cost.
It seems to me that engineers could do a little more due
million annually of plumbing equipment and supplies, is diligence in making sure that what they spec is available
actually one of the kindest and most generous people one without a great deal of lead time and that parts and service
might ever have the fortune of knowing. He literally has are readily available. I can’t tell you how often I have to
two personalities, his office bravado and his real, warm- spend a small fortune on red label delivery because of lead
hearted self. Mark made me feel at home because he was times associated with certain equipment.
one of the few people I had met since moving to Tim: What is the most egregious problem you can
California — a granola farm of fruits, flakes and nuts — remember having to deal with?
who reminded me of my former peers in NYC. Mark: In 23 years of being the purchasing manager, the
As a consulting engineer, I had never worked with a worst situation was having 65 yards of slurry ordered for
purchasing agent before. Most of you probably don’t a project to be on site at 7 a.m. We had a crew of eight
either, so I thought I would dedicate this article to sharing waiting to backfill our ditches. The slurry didn’t show up
with you this interview with Mark and the important role until 11 a.m. In the meantime, it started to rain like crazy,
he plays for our design-build subcontracting firm. and the pipes started to float out of the trenches.
Tim: Most of us in this industry don’t spend our youth Fortunately, we anticipated rain and had several 2" dis-
telling others, “I want to be a plumbing engineer when I charge sump pumps ready to roll to pump out the trench-
grow up.” The vast majority of us fall into this field in one es. We barely made it.
way or another. How did you come to do what you do? A big part of my job is to remove any and all obstacles
Mark: Have you ever seen the movie, “A Series of that a field person might have so that we can have a suc-
Unfortunate Events?” Well, it was kind of like that, except cessful project. Knowing that someone can be reached at
the events weren’t all unfortunate. I had just finished my 5 a.m. to have a delivery by 7 a.m. to resolve a screw-up
junior year at Cal Berkeley in 1975. I decided to go to Los really soothes the soul.
Angeles and work at a large plumbing supply house for Tim: That’s not the kind of thing that engineers ever
the summer, since it was the best work I could find. I had need to worry about. In a sense, we are quite sheltered
switched my major several times and wasn’t on course to from many of the realities of construction. What’s the
graduate, so I decided to stay in L.A. I got married sever- good side, the greatest deed anyone has ever done for you
al years after I arrived, had three kids and have been here professionally?
Continued on page 28
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Designer’s Guide
Continued from page 26

Mark: In 36 years of being in this Odom. He hired me in 1990, despite me out. John had him lay off another
industry, I’ve maintained great rela- the fact that the head of the purchas- person instead. The head of the
tionships with quite a few people. In ing department didn’t think I was department was so upset he walked
doing so, if I’m ever in a real jam, I qualified, even though I’d been in the out, vowing to quit. He didn’t; he just
can count on them to work with me to industry 15 years. Six months after I left for a much needed vacation.
resolve any issue. If I had to pick one was hired, the entire industry went Eventually, he did leave. Over the
person, it would be the current presi- into the tank. Layoffs were coming, years, various things happened to me,
dent of Murray Company, John and the head of purchasing wanted both personally and professionally,
and John was always there in his
“special way” to encourage me and
back me up. He’s not only been my
boss for 23 years but has also become
a good friend.
Tim: A lot has changed in this
industry since you started. How have

Now we have BIM, CAD,

email, Excel and a host
of other software to do things
in a fraction of the time
that it used to take.
those changes affected your work?
Mark: When I first got here, every-
thing was done by hand. Orders were
placed over the phone, computations
and spread sheets were done by hand
with a calculator, and communication
was getting out of your chair, walking
to the other end of the building and
speaking with whomever you needed
to. Detailing (shop drawing) was done
by hand and calculations with a frac-
tometer. Now we have BIM, CAD,
email, Excel and a host of other soft-
ware to do things in a fraction of the
time that it used to take.
Tim: How do you think the pend-
ing election might affect our industry?
Mark: I value my friendships with
my coworkers, so when it comes to
political matters I keep my mouth
shut, which is unusual for me.
Speaking of which, I gotta run;
there’s work to be done.
Tim: Thanks, Mark. n

Timothy Allinson is a senior profes-

sional engineer with Murray Co.
mechanical contractors in Long Beach,
Calif. He is licensed in both mechanical
and fire protection engineering in various
states and is LEED accredited. He can be
reached at [email protected].

The views and opinions expressed in this column

are those of the author and do not reflect those
of Plumbing Engineer, its publisher, TMB
Circle 17 on Reader Reply Form on page 81 Publishing, nor ASPE.

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pe03_pgs_26_29rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:25 AM Page 29

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Circle 18 on Reader Reply Form on page 81
pe03_pgs_30_35rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:29 AM Page 30

Code Classroom
Ron George, CPD
President, Plumb-Tech Design & Consulting Services, LLC

Warning! Anti-scald shower valves can scald you!

(Part I)

E
very year, thousands of people suffer serious ther- IPC 102.3 Maintenance. All plumbing systems, materi-
mal shock and/or scalding injuries in showers or als and appurtenances, both existing and new, and all
combination tub/shower fixtures. Tens of millions parts thereof, shall be maintained in proper operating
of currently installed code compliant shower valves, condition in accordance with the original design in a safe
referred to as anti-scald or safety shower valves, can and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards
potentially scald people. required by this code shall be maintained in compliance
The terms anti-scald and safety are misleading, with the code edition under which they were installed.
because, if the valves are not adjusted properly, they are The owner or the owner's designated agent shall be
neither “anti-scald” nor “safe.” The correct terminology responsible for maintenance of plumbing systems.
is compensating type shower valve, so named because the IPC 102.4 Additions, alterations or repairs.
valves compensate for changes in the incoming pressure Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to any
or temperature. Changes in the supply system pressure or plumbing system shall conform to that required for a new
temperature can affect the mixed water temperature. plumbing system without requiring the existing plumbing
These valves must meet the industry standards required system to comply with all the requirements of this code.
by the codes. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an exist-
A lot of scald injuries occur in both non-code compli- ing system to become unsafe, insanitary or overloaded.
ant and code compliant fixtures. An incident can happen Minor additions, alterations, renovations and repairs
when the water heater temperature is adjusted or if the to existing plumbing systems shall meet the provisions for
temperature limit stop on a shower valve is not readjust- new construction, unless such work is done in the same
ed when a water heater is replaced. Many people in the manner and arrangement as was in the existing system,
plumbing industry do not realize that they need to check is not hazardous and is approved.
the limit stops when they make these system alterations. Hot water in excess of 120 F is a scald hazard and a
The thermostat dial on the water heater cannot be thermal shock hazard. Altering a plumbing system by
relied on to control the hot water system temperature. replacing components such as a faucet, mixing valve,
The thermostat is located at the bottom of the heater to water heater or piping changes the hydraulic and temper-
sense the incoming cold water. It controls the “on-off” ature performance of the system. Pressure imbalances
function of the heating element or burner in the water from altered flow rates can cause thermal shock and
heater; it does not sense the hot water temperature at the scald hazards.
top of the water heater.
In many scald cases, a water heater had been replaced The Uniform Plumbing code has similar language:
but the shower valve was not code compliant. Replacing
a water heater changes the temperature in the hot water The 2009 Uniform Plumbing code
system. The limit stop should be readjusted on a com- UPC 101.4.1.1 Repairs and Alterations.
pensating type shower valve and a non- compensating UPC 101.4.1.2 Maintenance. The plumbing and
valve should be replaced with an ASSE 1016 code com- drainage system of any premises under the Authority
pliant shower valve. If the non-compensating valve is not Having Jurisdiction shall be maintained in a sanitary
replaced, some other form of temperature controls should and safe operating condition by the owner or the owner’s
be added to the system. Temperature control and/or pres- agent.
sure-balancing devices or a combination of devices con- UPC 101.4.1.3 Existing Construction. No provision of
forming to ASSE 1017, ASSE 1070, ASSE 1066, or this code shall be deemed to require a change in any por-
ASSE 1062 can be used. tion of a plumbing or drainage system or any other work
The Model codes have the following language regulated by this code in or on an existing building or lot
addressing safety and hazards related to existing installa- when such work was installed and is maintained in
tions, maintenance and alterations: accordance with law in effect prior to the effective date
of this code, except when any such plumbing or drainage
The 2009 International Plumbing Code. system or other work regulated by this code is deter-
IPC 102.2 Existing installations. Plumbing systems mined by the Authority having jurisdiction to be in fact
lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this dangerous, unsafe, insanitary, or a nuisance and a men-
code shall be permitted to have their use and mainte- ace to life, health, or property.
nance continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in During an addition or remodel, a code compliant valve
accordance with the original design and no hazard to life, should be installed or some other approved temperature
health or property is created by such plumbing system. and pressure control device should be utilized to mini-
Continued on page 32

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Code Classroom
Continued from page 30

mize the hazard. A lot of scalds occur when unlicensed adopted in the model codes within the next few years.
and untrained sewer and drain cleaning companies Thermal shock is a bather’s reaction to a sudden
expand into the water heater replacement business. Most change in temperature. Thermal shock injuries are often
of the time they do not know what a temperature limit caused by slips and falls in reaction to a sudden increase
stop is, and they are not aware of any kind of available or decrease in water temperature. Many injuries occur
temperature control. They say, “We were just hired to when a bather steps into a tub of very hot water, slips and
replace the water heater.” falls. Pressure-balancing valves address thermal shock
Often, either the installation does not meet the current by sensing the supply pressure of the cold or hot water; if
code or the manufacturer’s installation instructions were either one drops, the water flow to the opposite tempera-
not followed. A significant number of scald incidents ture is reduced proportionally to maintain a constant out-
involve two-handle, non-compensating type shower let temperature. The balancing of pressure between the
valves. It has been estimated that well in excess of 50 hot and cold water is accomplished with either a piston or
percent of all tub/shower valves in existence today were diaphragm that reacts to changes in water pressure.
installed prior to the early 80s and are this type.
The Plumbing Codes are quite clear on the maximum
temperature limits for showers and combination bath-
tub/showers; that does not mean that the water heater
must be set to low storage temperatures.

Thermal shock
Pressure-balancing, thermostatic or combination pres-
sure-balancing/thermostatic valves conforming to ASSE
1016 or CSA B125.1 are designed for controlling thermal
shock and scalding in showers and tub/shower combina-
tion units. ASSE, ASME and CSA recently published a
harmonized standard for shower valves, which should be
pe03_pgs_30_35rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:30 AM Page 33

Scalding at showers and bathtubs and below 110 F at bidets. This

Scalding is a burn injury caused by exposure to hot can be accomplished by storing hot water at temperatures
water and can occur anywhere that a hot water system is above 135 F, although I prefer to store hot water between
not designed, installed or maintained in a safe condition. 140 and 160 F (a thermostat setting of 150 F), using a
The degree of the scald burn injury is dependent on the master mixing valve to distribute the water at about 125
temperature of the water, the amount of time the skin is F and using compensating type shower valves with the
exposed to the water and the thickness of the skin. Scald maximum temperature limit stop adjusted to reduce the
burn studies were conducted at Harvard Medical College maximum temperature to about 110 to 115 F or the max-
in the 1940s by doctors Moritz & Henriquez. imum temperature required by the local code
Because the Moritz & Henriquez studies showed that
it would take approximately five to eight minutes to get The Legionella bacteria issue
a serious second or third degree burn resulting in irre- Legionella bacteria grow and multiply between 68 and
versible skin damage, the model codes and industry stan- 122 F; they reproduce rapidly and thrive between 95 and
dards have standardized 120 F as the maximum safe tem- 115 F. Below 68 degrees the bacteria survives, but it does
perature for showering and bathing activities. not multiply. From 115 degrees to about 122 degrees, the
Thermostatic temperature limiting valves conforming to bacteria grow slowly. From 123 to 131 F, the bacteria
ASSE 1070 are designed for reducing the hot water sup- survive but do not multiply. At 131 F, it takes about five
ply temperature delivered to bathtubs or whirlpool tubs to six hours for the bacteria to die. At 140 F, the bacteria
to a maximum of 120 F. There is an effort currently dies in 32 minutes. At 151 F, it dies in two minutes. At
underway to harmonize the ASSE 1070 standard with a 158 F and higher, the bacteria dies instantly. One of the
Canadian Standard Association (CSA) standard. most widely accepted and preferred methods of control-
ling Legionella bacteria is to maintain the hot water sys-
Domestic hot water (DHW) system design tem storage tank temperature at or above 135 – 140F.
There is a delicate balance between providing water Unfortunately, the elevated temperature necessary to
that is hot enough to prevent the growth of Legionella minimize the growth of and kill Legionella bacteria has
bacteria and other organic pathogens, yet is below 120 F Continued on page 34

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pe03_pgs_30_35rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:30 AM Page 34

Code Classroom
Continued from page 32

the potential to cause serious scalding injuries. (For more improvement toward scald prevention. Several manufac-
information on Legionella growth temperatures go to turers, wanting to be proactive, started shipping their
www.legionellaprevention.org.) shower valves with the limit stop adjusted to restrict or
limit the valve rotation toward the hot water outlet of the
CSPC warning shower valve. The problem was that the plumbing indus-
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) try and the public were not educated on the existence of
and manufacturers of shower valves joined together sev- limit stops and on how the devices were to be adjusted.
eral years ago to warn the public of the potential scalding Manufacturers’ installation instructions included direc-
hazard associated with code compliant shower valves tions on how to set the limit stop, but guess what? Many
that were not properly installed and adjusted. Many man- installers and homeowners didn’t read the instructions.
ufacturers decided to ship the products without the limit Manufacturers’ technical support phone lines were
stop adjusted to fully limit the hot water. It is possible to jammed with people calling and complaining about these
buy a code compliant temperature and/or pressure com- “valves that don’t work.”
pensating type shower valve and still be in danger of Shipping the valves with the limit stop adjusted so that
scalding if it is installed without adjusting the tempera- they did not allow hot water created a lot of headaches.
ture limit stop. Water flowed when the valves were briefly turned on, but
Pressure-balancing or thermostatic shower valves or a they were not properly commissioned or adjusted to set
combination of the two are code compliant. the maximum temperature limit stop to a safe tempera-
Compensating type shower valves are used in all build- ture, so no hot water came out. Often, the installing
ing types. These types of valves have been on the market plumber would not flow water long enough to check the
since before the late 1940s, but they were not mandated temperature. If he did take the time to test the valve and
in the codes until after the ASSE 1016 standard for show- no hot water came from the shower valve, he would just
er valves was developed in 1976. Soon after that, the turn up the water heater temperature and leave. This
model codes adopted the language mandating that valves increased the opportunity for scalds at other fixtures and
meet that standard. did not solve the problem at the shower valve. Many
Many manufacturers welcomed this as a great safety plumbers felt that they did not have time or the money in

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pe03_pgs_30_35rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 7:35 AM Page 35

their bids to check every shower to make sure the limit inspectors’ conference. I asked by a show of hands how
stops were adjusted properly. many inspectors carried a temperature gauge or ther-
Manufacturers’ tech support lines were inundated with mometer with them on a final inspection to check for the
calls. The solution was to ship the valves with the limit maximum temperature at a shower or tub/shower. Only a
stop fully open and to include instructions and illustra- couple raised their hands. When I asked why, one person
tions on how to properly adjust the limit stop. The limit said that his municipality would not pay for expensive
stop is slightly different on each manufacturer’s shower testing equipment. I explained that you can a food ther-
valve. Some have a set screw that limits the distance the mometer (available at the grocery store for about ten
valve can open, other models have a rotational limit stop bucks) can be used. Another said he never thought to use
with a set screw and a key and still others have a tooth a thermometer and that he tested the water temperature
and spline gear arrangement with a limit stop protruding. by feeling it; as long as it did not get too hot, he consid-
Setting the limit stop should be part of the commis- ered it all right. Most attendees said they had not given
sioning of a building. To set the limit stop on a shower or the problem much thought. Several said they were going
tub/shower valve, follow these steps: to purchase thermometers. n
1. Let the water run long enough until both hot and
cold water temperatures stabilize. Ron George is president of Plumb-Tech Design and
2. Rotate the handle fully to the hottest position. Consulting Services LLC. He has served as chairman of
3. Place a thermometer in a plastic container and hold the International Residential Plumbing & Mechanical
the container in the water stream. Code Committee. Visit www.Plumb-TechLLC.com, email
If the water temperature is above the maximum tem- [email protected] or phone 734/755-1908.
perature allowed by the local plumbing code, remove the
handle and adjust the limit stop to reduce the maximum Part 2 of this code column can be found in the April
water temperature to a safe temperature. 2012 issue of Plumbing Engineer.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and
Plumbing inspector’s responsibility do not reflect those of Plumbing Engineer, its publisher, TMB Publishing, nor
I recently spoke to a group of about 80 at a code ASPE.

Plumbing Engineer March 2012/Page 35

pe03_pgs_36_39rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:31 AM Page 36

FPE Corner
Samuel S. Dannaway, PE, FSFPE
President, S.S. Dannaway Associates Inc., Honolulu

Elevators and sprinklers Part 2

C
ongratulations to Plumbing Engineer magazine have a minimum operating temperature of 250 F. All
on becoming the official magazine of the control valves must be located outside the protected area
American Society of Plumbing Engineers! and each machine room, top of hoistway and bottom of
Last month I went through the provisions in NFPA 13 hoistway (pit) must have its own control valve.
and ASME A17.1 regarding sprinklers in elevator hoist- The elevator machine room preaction valve is activat-
ways and machine rooms. This month I will present two ed by a fixed temperature or rate compensated heat
approaches to providing sprinklers in these areas. The detector with a temperature rating of 200 F. These same
approaches are based on requirements of two jurisdic- detectors also initiate the shutdown of main power to all
tions with which I am familiar, the City and County of elevators served by the machine room. Each separate
Honolulu and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). elevator hoistway has a preaction valve activated by a
The key difference with requirements for elevator 200 F heat detector that also initiates the shutdown of
sprinkler protection between jurisdictions is what events main power to all elevators in the hoistway. Sprinklers
must occur both prior to and in order to initiate automat- located in the elevator pit have a separate control valve
ic disconnection of elevator power. Remember, ASME and water flow alarm switch. This flow switch, in addi-
A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, para- tion to providing an alarm signal, causes shutdown of
graph 2.8.3.3.2, states: elevator power to all elevators in the hoistway.
“2.8.3.3.2 In jurisdictions not enforcing the NBCC I used the term preaction valve loosely, as some juris-
(National Building Code of Canada), where elevator dictions permit the use of a simple solenoid valve. We
equipment is located or its enclosure is configured such like to use solenoid operated flow-control valves. There
that application of water from sprinklers could cause is also the option to use one of the modular preaction
valve packages provided by some major sprinkler manu-
Our AHJ friend from Frostbite Falls may facturers. These packages include the preaction valve,
trim and a control panel. This is costly but convenient.
say, “What, no preaction system? The DOD outlines their requirements for elevator
sprinkler protection in Section 6-30 of UFC 3-600-01
Doesn’t ASME A17.1 prohibit water Fire Protection Engineering for Facilities, 26 September
2006, Change 1, 14 July 2009. Section 6-30 provides rel-
in the piping under normal circumstances? atively straightforward requirements for electric traction,
direct plunger hydraulic and hole-less hydraulic eleva-
How do you shut down power before water tors. For starters, it is all done with wet pipe sprinklers.
Our AHJ friend from Frostbite Falls may say, “What,
is discharged?” No, ASME A17.1 does no preaction system? Doesn’t ASME A17.1 prohibit
water in the piping under normal circumstances? How do
not prohibit wet sprinkler systems. you shut down power before water is discharged?” No,
ASME A17.1 does not prohibit wet sprinkler systems.
unsafe elevator operation, means shall be provided to The following passage from ASME A17.1 paragraph
automatically disconnect the main line power supply to 2.8.3.3.2 “…means shall be provided to automatically
the affected elevator and any other power supplies used disconnect the main line power supply to the affected
to move the elevator upon or prior to the application of elevator and any other power supplies used to move the
water. (a) This means shall be independent of the eleva- elevator upon or prior to the application of water.” clear-
tor control and shall not be self-resetting. (b) Heat detec- ly indicates that shutdown of power may occur upon
tors and sprinkler flow switches used to initiate main water discharge, not just prior to discharge. Of course,
line elevator power shutdown shall comply with the when the discharge occurs, the type of sprinkler system
requirements of NFPA 72. (c) The activation of sprin- required (preaction or wet pipe) is a decision best left to
klers outside of such locations shall not disconnect the the AHJ.
main line elevator power supply. See also 2.27.3.3.6.” UFC 3-600-01 requires electric traction elevators to
We follow a policy that is acceptable to both the City have sprinklers in the machine room and hoistway pit but
and County of Honolulu, who issue the building permits, not at the top of the hoistway. Smoke detection is
and the State of Hawaii Boiler and Elevator Inspection required in the machine room but not at the top of the
Branch. A “preaction” sprinkler system (of sorts) is hoistway. Main power to the elevator is shut down upon
required to supply sprinklers located in the elevator activation of the water flow alarm switch serving the
machine room and at the top of hoistways. The sprinklers sprinklers in the machine room. The flow switch must
located in the pit may be wet pipe. All sprinklers must Continued on page 38
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pe03_pgs_36_39rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 7:48 AM Page 38

FPE Corner
Continued from page 36

have no time delay. No heat detectors are involved. Express Terms for Proposed Building Standards of the
For direct plunger hydraulic elevators, sprinklers are Office of the State Fire Marshal, Regarding The 2010
required in the machine room and elevator hoistway pit California Building Code California Code of
only. Smoke detection is required in the machine room Regulations, Title 24, Part 2 2010 Interim Rulemaking
but not at the top of the hoistway. For holeless hydraulic Cycle. Section 3006.4.1 of this proposed rule change
or roped-hydraulic elevators, sprinklers are required in exempts sprinkler protection from elevator machine
the machine room, the pit and at the top of the hoistway, rooms and hoistways if several relatively easy require-
and smoke detection is required both in the elevator ments are met. You can find this at document at
machine room and at the top of the hoistway. Power http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/codedevelopment/pdf/2010inter-
shutdown occurs on activation of the flow switch moni- imcodeadoption/Part-2.5_ISOR_20110324(adden
toring either the machine room sprinklers or the top of dum).pdf.
hoistway sprinklers. To quote my LA colleague, “It looks like California
Note that UFC 3-600-01 does not specify the sprinkler actually got something right.” I agree! Now if we can
temperature rating and does not require power shutdown only get Frostbite Falls to agree. n
upon operation of pit sprinklers.
In both the Honolulu and DOD methods all sprinkler Aloha, Sam
control valves are supervised with valve tamper switch-
es. All sprinkler pipe must be installed to permit drain- SFPE Notes
ing. Also, as required by ASME A17.1, whenever sprin-
klers are located in hoistways, automatic smoke detec- 2012 SFPE Annual Meeting: Professional
tion must be provided at the top of the hoistway and must Development Conference and Exposition, October
be arranged to initiate Phase I Emergency Recall 14—19, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah,
Operation. Note that ASME A17.1 prohibits smoke Savannah, Ga. SFPE is now accepting abstracts for the
detectors from activating sprinkler preaction valves or educational presentations for its two-day Engineering
shutting down elevator power. Technology Conference on October 15—16, 2012.
There is always a concern with trapping someone in 2012 keynote presenters are: Peter Johnson, FSFPE,
the elevator in the event of sprinkler operation that caus- Arup, Australia; George Hadjisophocleous, Carleton
es elevator power shutdown. It is noted, that in the case University, Canada; Michael Larranaga, Oklahoma State
of the two approaches to sprinklering elevators I University, USA; Michael Stromgren, SP Technical
described, the presence of smoke detection in the Research Institute of Sweden, Sweden (Invited); John M.
machine rooms and at the top of hoistways is not direct- Cholin, P.E., FSFPE, J.M. Cholin Consultants Inc., USA.
ly related to operation of sprinklers or shutdown of ele- Deadline for submission is March 30, 2012.
vator power. We are counting on the smoke detectors to
activate soon enough before activation of a sprinkler Suggested references for the 2012 Fire Protection
flow switch or heat detector to allow elevators to be PE Exam now available.
recalled to a safe floor and the doors to be opened so no The suggested list of references for the 2012
one becomes trapped in the elevator when power shuts Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam in Fire
down (We hope). Protection is now available. The following are the sug-
In the early days, when design approaches to sprink- gested references:
lering these areas were first being developed, some The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering
engineers tried to implement controls to guarantee the (4th Edition)
elevator was returned to the recall floor before the pre- NFPA Fire Protection Handbook (20th Edition)
action valve was opened. In one case, activation of a NFPA 11 – 2010, NFPA 13 – 2010, NFPA 15 – 2012,
heat detector in the machine room or hoistway would NFPA 20 – 2010, NFPA 25 – 2011, NFPA 30 – 2012,
initiate elevator recall. Upon reaching the recall floor, NFPA 92 – 2012, NFPA 101 – 2012. This listing can also
with the door open, the elevator controller would then be found on the Licensure Page on the SFPE website at
signal the “all safe” to the preaction system control http://www.sfpe.org/SharpenYourExpertise/LicensurePE
panel that the door was open. The preaction panel would Exam.aspx.
then signal the preaction valve to open, allowing water
to flow to the sprinkler. Samuel S. Dannaway, PE, is a registered fire protec-
Some approaches tried to use a time delay to give the tion engineer and mechanical engineer with bachelor’s
elevator time to recall. Others attempted to minimize the and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland
Department of Fire Protection Engineering. He is past
time needed by causing the elevator to travel to the clos- president and a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection
est safe floor and open the door. This all got way too Engineers. He is president of S. S. Dannaway Associates
complicated, especially when considering alternate Inc., a 15-person fire protection engineering firm with
recall floors or what is a safe floor, so it appears we final- offices in Honolulu and Guam. He can be reached via
ly settled on the hoping-the-smoke-detector-activates- email at [email protected].
very-early method. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and
A fellow fire protection engineer working for a promi- do not reflect those of Plumbing Engineer, its publisher, TMB Publishing, nor
nent FPE firm in LA recently sent me a copy of the Final ASPE.

Page 38/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

pe03_pgs_36_39rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:31 AM Page 39

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Circle 23 on Reader Reply Form

on page 81
© 2011 Masco Corporation of Indiana

  
pe03_pgs_40_43rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:35 AM Page 40

Solar Solutions
Bristol Stickney, chief technical director, SolarLogic LLC, Santa Fe, N.M.

Bristol’s Six Principles for Good Solar Hydronic Design

Retrofit example: Overheat-cooling thermosyphon loop

I
have recently received a number of inquiries about the occasional loss of the swimming pool “heat dump” zone.
control of overheating in solar collectors. This is espe-
cially important when using large groups of solar heat Thermosyphon cooling with fin-tubes
collectors connected with closed-loop glycol piping. The Thermosyphoning can be defined as the movement of
objective for a glycol cooling system is to keep the propy- fluid around a plumbing loop driven only by a temperature
lene glycol from boiling during collector stagnation under difference across the loop (fluid “pumped” only by heat).
full sun and to keep the fluid below the high-limit temper- Hot fluid is less dense than cool fluid so, when it is con-
ature recommended by the manufacturer. The critical tained in a loop, the cool fluid tends to “fall downhill,”
high-limit temperature can vary widely with the brand and and the hot fluid tends to “float uphill.” This principle can
type of glycol used. A good target is to keep the fluid well be used to dissipate solar heat by including cooling fins in
below 230 F; a temperature range of 180 F to 210 F is suf- the plumbing loop.
ficient for any solar glycol mixture. (For a review of solar See Figure 44-1 for photos of the cooling fin loop
overheating concerns, control options and examples, installed on this job (before and after photos are seen side
please refer to past episodes of Solar Solutions: June by side). On a sunny day, if the pumped circulation in the
2009, November 2009, April 2011 and August 2011.) collector stops, the hot fluid in the collector tends to rise
In an ideal installation, we would like to design the to the top header. A top connection at the outlet pipe (Fig.
glycol system to be fail-safe during electric power fail- 44-2, upper left) connects to cooling fins mounted on the
ures, circulator pump failures and maintenance shut- back of the collector (Fig. 44-1, right) that contain cool
downs (accidental or intentional). So, by definition, this antifreeze, which is heavier than the hot antifreeze and
would prohibit the use of electric power or circulator tends to “fall” downhill. A bottom connection at the col-
pumps to achieve “emergency” cooling, since electrical lector inlet allows the cold fluid to slide downhill into the
failure and pump failure are, in fact, the most likely caus- bottom of the collector as hot fluid rises up and out the
es of such an emergency. In an ideal fail-safe installation, connection at the top. This thermosyphoning continues as
the solar thermal energy itself is the most reliable energy long as the sun provides heat or until the circulation pump
source available, and it is this energy that should be used
to drive the cooling system. A properly installed ther-
mosyphon cooling loop will perform this function with
remarkable reliability. To illustrate this approach, I will
show you the details from a retrofit thermosyphon cool-
ing installation that was completed last summer. This
retrofit was installed by Jeff Stampfer with Eldorado
Solar in Santa Fe.

The example installation

The solar heating system in this example is a large solar
combisystem installed on a custom home, originally built
in 2007. There were three banks of solar heat collectors,
ground-mounted about 200 feet from the house. Each
bank contained eight solar collectors, Heliodyne 4' 10' turns back on. When the pump is on, the cooling loop
panels. The combisystem was designed to deliver the solar snaps shut, using a passive swing-check valve (located
heat to 18 warm floor zones in the house, to the domestic near the bottom pipe connection) that closes in response to
hot water (DHW) tank and to an outdoor heated swim- the relatively high flow and pressure provided by the gly-
ming pool. The radiant masonry floors in the basement col circulator pump.
and garage were available to absorb some extra solar heat The 1" wye swing-check valve shown in the photo (Fig.
if needed, but the swimming pool was originally intended 44-2, lower right) is mounted tilted downward toward the
to take most or all of the “extra” solar heat whenever it bottom connection. This brass check valve has an inter-
was available throughout the year. nally hinged flap that is held shut only by gravity. When
In recent years, the swimming pool has been drained for tilted in this position (shown in the photo), very little fluid
maintenance for extended periods of time. Without the pressure is required to overcome gravity and open the flap
pool to absorb the solar heat in summer and fall, the col- to allow cooling flow. When hot fluid is present at the top
lectors are often in danger of overheating. A ther- of the collector, the density difference between it and the
mosyphon cooling fin retrofit seemed like the most reli- cool fluid in the fin-tubes provides enough pressure to
able, permanent and trouble-free way of dealing with the open the flap. We have found (in other installations) that
Continued on page 42
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pe03_pgs_40_43rev_Layout
A 1 2/23/12 10:36 AM Page 41

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Circle 24 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

pe03_pgs_40_43rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 7:51 AM Page 42

Solar Solutions
Continued from page 40

flow across the entire surface of all the panels (in at the
bottom corner, out at the opposite top corner). See the dia-
gram in Figure 44-3 for more specific piping details used
in this installation.
Results: The temperature during cooling episodes was
observed to hover around 170 F throughout the afternoon,
with no circulator pumps running under clear sunny con-
ditions. Without cooling fins, we have seen collector tem-
peratures in excess of 240 F occur in a matter of minutes
under the same conditions.

Final notes
These articles are targeted toward residential and small
commercial buildings smaller than 10,000 square feet. The
focus is on pressurized glycol/hydronic systems, since
these systems can be applied in a wide variety of building
geometries and orientations with few limitations. Brand
names, organizations, suppli-
ers and manufacturers are
mentioned only to provide
examples for illustration and
discussion and do not consti-
tute recommendation or
endorsement. n
Bristol Stickney has been
designing, manufacturing,
repairing and installing solar
hydronic heating systems for
more than 30 years. He holds a
Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering and is
a licensed mechanical contrac-
tor in New Mexico. He is the
chief technical officer for
SolarLogic LLC in Santa Fe,
N.M., where he is involved in
development of solar heating
control systems and design tools
for solar heating professionals.
Visit www.solarlogicllc.com for
more information.

the flap valve works perfectly well even when mounted in

a horizontal orientation so, as it turns out, the precise tilt
of the swing check valve is not critical as long as the flap In this series of articles, I have been making the case that
valve is positively shut by gravity when initially installed. the key ingredients for solar/hydronic design and installa-
tion can be divided into six categories, roughly in order of
Details and results their importance.
The cooling loop installed here uses 1.25 inch fin tubes 1. Reliability
with 1" tubing and 1" valves and fittings. The connective 2. Effectiveness
piping and fin tubes are sloped downhill, like a drain pipe 3. Compatibility
from the highest point on the collector, across the back of 4. Elegance
the collector bank, all the way down to the bottom con- 5. Serviceability
nection point. Internally, the flow path in the collectors 6. Efficiency
slopes uphill from the bottom header to the top header, The success of any solar hydronic home heating installa-
through straight and parallel vertical risers. (Serpentine tion depends on the often-conflicting balance between any of
these six principles. Finding the balance between them
risers or horizontal risers may not provide proper flow for
defines the art of solar heating design.
thermosyphoning and are not recommended for use with
this type of cooling system.) The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and
Flow through the collector is “diagonally opposite” for do not reflect those of Plumbing Engineer, its publisher, TMB Publishing, nor
both cooling and heat circulation, which assures even heat ASPE.

Page 42/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

pe03_pgs_40_43rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:36 AM Page 43

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pe03_pgs_44_49rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 1:14 PM Page 44

Sustainable Design
By Winston Huff, CPD, LEED AP BD+C

Retrofitting plumbing fixtures in existing buildings

for water efficiency

A
s reported by the U.S. Green Building Council that use the municipal water pressure to aid in the flush
(USGBC) last December, for the first time can be as low as 1.1 gpf. Dual-flush fixtures allow the
“LEED-certified existing buildings are outpacing user to choose to use a full 1.6 gpf to flush solids or less
their newly built counterparts … square footage of water to flush liquid waste.
LEED-certified existing buildings surpassed LEED-cer- The study analyzed water use data when toilets, uri-
tified new construction by 15 million square feet on a nals, showerheads and aerators were replaced. The
cumulative basis.” results are shown in Table 1. Notice that the study was
Water efficiency is an important part of upgrading not based on the number of people; rather, it was based
existing buildings. The question for many plumbing on the number of toilets that were changed. (In this test,
designers is this: How much water is saved when old the term toilets is used for the fixture also known as a
plumbing fixtures are replaced with new water-efficient water closet.)
fixtures?
Recent data shows that, in many cases, changing the
fixtures can reduce water usage, yet it is important to
remember that water usage varies in different locations,
populations, types of installations and cultures. This data
is helpful in choosing fixture types, but it is not a guar-
antee that your building will have the same results.

Case study: Sonoma County Water Agency This table is important because it shows that consider-
“High-Efficiency Plumbing Fixture Direct Install able water savings can be achieved by changing out fix-
Water Savings Analysis” by Koeller and Company for tures. For both residential and commercial properties,
the Sonoma County Water Agency offers some interest- approximately 56 gallons of water were saved per day
ing data on the effect of replacing fixtures with water- per toilet fixture.
efficient versions.
In 2009 – 2010, the Sonoma County Water Agency in Residential water savings
Northern California created and managed a water con- Data is also available regarding water savings com-
servation program encompassing the replacement of bining toilets and other fixtures in single-family and
older water-using fixtures and fixture fittings with new multifamily facilities. Table 2 shows the impact of
high-efficiency products in both domestic (residential) changing the plumbing fixtures along with the toilets.
and nonresidential applications. Qualified, licensed This table shows that roughly 10 gallons a day can be
plumbers were used to install all items, which included saved from fixtures other than toilets. Thus, replacing
toilet fixtures, urinals, showerheads and faucet aerators. both toilets and other water-using fixtures can have a
• Aerators: One of the easiest upgrades is to change large impact on residential installations.
out the faucet aerators. In fact, they should be changed
every few years. Faucets in public toilet rooms should be
0.5 gallon per minute (gpm) or less. Kitchen and janitor
sinks that are used to fill containers should be more.
• Showerheads: Reducing water flow in a shower-
head can reduce water and energy use. 2.5-gpm shower-
heads are standard, but some older showerheads flow at
3, or even 5, gpm. Changing showerheads to those that
flow 2 gpm or less is simple and relatively inexpensive.
• Urinals: Fixtures that use 1 gallon per flush (gpf) Commercial water savings
are standard, but fixtures installed prior to 1991 often use For commercial facilities, the data is broken down by
2 gpf or more. While upgrading to low-flow fixtures the type of building, because employees in different
requires removing the fixture and flushometer, which types of buildings use the plumbing fixtures differently,
can be expensive, newer fixtures that use 0.5 gpf or even which results in different water savings when toilets are
⅛ of a gallon are common. Waterless urinals also are replaced. Table 3 shows the data from the different types
available and are a good alternative for the owner who of commercial buildings. The data helps show general
understands the implications of their use. trends in the use of water when one type of building is
• Water closets: Fixtures that use 1.6 gpf are the stan- compared to another. It should not be used to determine
dard; newer models use 1.28 gpf. Pressure-assist fixtures
Continued on page 46

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Sustainable Design
Continued from page 44

exact water usage in these types of buildings in different plumbing fixtures and toilets.
regions. It is meant to be used as a guide to help under- In this study the office building was accompanied by
stand the magnitude of water savings by changing out aerator installations along with the toilets. The retail and
service installations were not accompanied by other fix-
ture replacements. Half of the hospitality (lodging and
restaurants) installations and half of the religious instal-

lations were accompanied

Will Female Urinals by aerator installs. The
Ever Gain Acceptance? health club/spa installation
Female urinals have been dis-
cussed for years, and several fix-
of 12 toilets was accompa-
tures have been on the market at nied by the installation of
varying times. Last year, the maga- three high-efficiency uri-
zine Plumbing Connection surveyed nals. The sample size for
women in Australia to find out their the health club/spa and
thoughts on introducing female uri- mobile home park cate-
nals in public restrooms and pub- gories is such that the sav-
lished the results in the article “We ings data may not be repre-
Know Squat About Female Urinals.” sentative of these facilities
According to the article, women and cannot be applied with
have some concerns about public
restrooms in general. One is the
confidence to other similar
long lines that can form, resulting in end uses.
long waits. Even more than the long It is interesting to see the
lines, women are concerned about amount of water savings
the cleanliness of public restrooms, when fixtures are changed
and the thought of touching any fix- in retail and service facili-
ture causes women to cringe. ties. Nearly 200 gallons of
While urinals may be the answer water per day can be saved.
to these concerns, will women actu-
ally use them? Two types of female Water savings from toilets
urinals are available: a stand-up
type and a squatting type. Both of
In this study, some of the
these fixtures receive mixed reviews toilets that were removed
from women who are not accus- were 3.5 gpf fixtures, while
tomed to standing while urinating. others were 1.6 gpf. This is
An average male takes approxi- a hot topic with some in the
mately 30 seconds to use a urinal, industry. Can you achieve
while women on average take enough water savings to
approximately 60 seconds, so the justify replacing 1.6 gpf
issue for long lines at the women’s fixtures with 1.28 gpf fix-
toilet may be solved with urinals. tures?
(Water closets in women’s toilets
are used for urination approximate-
Table 4 shows that replac-
ly 90 percent of the time.) However, ing 3.5 gpf fixtures does
women have to remove some of make a difference as
their clothing when using either a expected. It also shows
urinal or a toilet, so the time reduc- that replacing 1.6 gpf fix-
tion may not be significant. Source: “We Know Squat About Female Urinals,” tures with 1.28 gpf ver-
In conclusion, the idea of a women’s Plumbing Connection, Autumn 2011. You can read the sions can save almost 26
urinal maybe well intended, but it article at www.worldplumbinginfo.com/article/we-know- gallons per toilet in resi-
may not find wide acceptance. squat-about-female-urinals. dential facilities.
Continued on page 48

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Sustainable Design
Check Valves Continued from page 46

From drinking water…

~
ETabPcX[T
PRTcP[
R^_^[h\Ta When an owner is considering reducing the water
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continue to be an important market in the next few years,
To hot water systems and owners will look at ways to save energy and water.
When these renovations are done, changing the facility’s
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testing.com/view/reports.html. n
RWT\XRP[
aTbXbcP]RT
Covering a range of sizes from Winston Huff, CPD, LEED AP BD+C is a project
3/8” to 2”, NEOPERL® springloaded manager, plumbing fire protection designer and sustain-
check valves are easy to insert into
your application device and provide able coordinator with Smith Seckman Reid Consulting
tight sealing (100% tested). Engineers in Nashville, Tennessee. He serves as an
ASPE representative on the ICC Green Construction,
Energy and Water Code Development Committee and is
on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Water Efficiency
Technical Advisory Group. He was the founding editor of
Life Support and Biosphere Science and has served as its
editor-in-chief. He also is editor of Me Green You Green
(megreenyougreen.com), a LEED credit databank.
=4>?4A;
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those
www.neoperl.com of the author and do not reflect those of Plumbing Engineer,
Circle 28 on Reader Reply Form on page 81 its publisher, TMB Publishing, nor ASPE.

#ONT
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Circle 29 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

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pe03_pgs_50_55rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:49 AM Page 50

T
he newly released 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code
aids the user with improved layout design features
and the incorporation of our manual of style and
innovative efficiency standards and sustainable practices.
This edition includes significant changes, with new provi-
sions for alternative water sources for nonpotable applica-
tions, rainwater catchment systems, plumbing facilities
and joining methods for water supply and drainage piping.
Chapter 4 has been significantly improved through reor-
ganization in the area dealing with plumbing fixtures by
expanding their use and application, water consumption
and installation requirements. For example, a recommenda-
tion for approval as modified for showers that incorporated
their application to referenced standards includes water
consumption requirements for a maximum flow rate in
accordance with ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. An added
provision reduces the risk of scalding by requiring individ-
ual and tub-shower control valves to provide that such pro-
tection based on the flow rate of the showerhead be
installed at the point of use. The addition of required waste
outlet sizing, referencing material and sizing provisions and
the removal of the requirement for a finished dam curb or
threshold to aid the aging population are among changes
aimed at providing ease of use for the end user.
Required plumbing fixtures are revised based on
research conducted by ASPE, the Stevens Institute of
Technology, the American Restroom Association and the
School of Architecture with the Gender and Women’s

The 2012 Uniform

Plumbing Code By Lynne Simnick
studies program at the University of Illinois (Potty Parity
in Perspective: Gender and Family Issues in Planning and
Designing Public Restrooms).
When designing satisfactory restroom facilities, factors
that are considered in deciding the minimum number of
plumbing fixtures for a preferred service include occupan-
cy, waiting times during peak demand, fixture use and the
likelihood of finding a vacant fixture. Potty parity does
not always mean there will be the same number of toilets
for women and men; parity is measured by the wait time
to obtain a fixture. Where we see the most inconsistency
occurring is in the number of required plumbing fixtures
for women and men in mercantile and assembly occupan-
cies that use the same ratio for both sexes. The 2012 UPC
recognizes that women need more time, and the minimum
required fixtures should accurately represent the popula-
tion served based on design method.
Chapters 6 and 7 now offer various joining methods and
connections to aid the end user in identifying correct
methods based on the piping material. The material cov-
ered for water supply and water distribution joining meth-
ods includes asbestos cement, brass, copper, CPVC, duc-
tile-iron, PE, PE-AL-PE, PE-RT, PEX-AL-PEX, PP, PVC
and stainless steel. The material covered for drain, waste
and vent piping joining methods includes ABS, asbestos-
cement, cast-iron, co-extruded ABS, co-extruded PVC,
copper, PE, PVC, stainless steel 304, stainless steel 316L
Continued on page 52

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pe03_pgs_50_55rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:49 AM Page 51

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pe03_pgs_50_55rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:50 AM Page 52

IAPMO
Continued from page 50

and vitrified clay. Step-by-step guidance provides the user ancing, louvers, ductwork, safety requirements for refrig-
with clarification on acceptable methods of connection to eration machinery rooms and an alternative method of cal-
piping materials. culating ventilation efficiency.
Significant changes apply to Chapter 16 (“Alternate Significant improvements in Chapter 3 include provi-
Water Sources for NonPotable Applications”) by expanding sions for a heating or cooling air system that provides spe-
the scope of water sources and developing code provisions cific requirements with return air, outside air or both,
that are specific to each source. The three sources addressed which are designed to replace required ventilation
in Chapter 16 are graywater, reclaimed (recycled) water arranged to discharge into a conditioned space not less
sources and on-site treated nonpotable water systems. than the outside air specified in Chapter 4. Standards are
The new water sources include three types of water dis- referenced for louvers and their locations where installed
posal: subsurface irrigation, subsoil irrigation and mulch in hurricane prone regions by providing minimum perfor-
basin systems. Subsoil water irrigation provides a means mance ratings for water rejection abilities and high-veloc-
to disperse shallow drip irrigation lines and mulch basins ity wind conditions.
that collect and spread water in single- and multi-family Provisions added in Chapter 4 offer an alternative for
dwelling applications. The reclaimed water provisions for calculating ventilation efficiency through ASHRAE
on-site nonpotable water systems include graywater and Standard 62.1 and updating minimum ventilation rates in
other nonpotable water sources that are used for on-site breathing zones based on occupancy.
Safety requirements are updated and revised for refrig-
eration machinery rooms on vapor alarms, emergency con-
Two new appendices cover potable rainwater trol over the ventilation systems, control of ventilation sys-
tems and emergency controls. In addition, machinery room
catchment systems that include operation and ventilation is addressed through the central control over the
maintenance requirements, minimum water ventilation system and by adding safety provisions for the
emergency control through an identified switch.
quality, material compatibility, controls, Detector location is critical to early leakage warning in
refrigeration machinery rooms. Because machinery rooms
backflow prevention, design and installation are unattended most of the time, once the refrigerant gas
is detected at the levels noted in Chapter 11, a local alarm
requirements and sustainable construction must be initiated. The alarm is intended to alert occupants
inside the area of detection and in the immediate vicinity
practices for plumbing systems as a resource to prevent any refrigerant gases that might escape from
causing harm to those outside the area of release. The
for the Authority Having Jurisdiction. required detectors have the added important role of acti-
vating the emergency ventilation/exhaust systems in the
applications. They are unique by installation through machinery rooms. The intent of this section is to provide
prepackaged or engineered systems that are listed and a safe environment for emergency response personnel
labeled for the intended application. when responding to an incident in a refrigeration room.
Chapter 17 is a new chapter dedicated to nonpotable The emergency control switch is a tamper-resistant type
rainwater catchment systems and includes input from the that requires more than one action to actuate it. To prevent
American Rainwater Catchment System Association. This an accidental start-up, the switch must be capable only of
chapter covers irrigation, toilet and urinal flushing with stopping the controlled machinery, not of restarting it. The
proper treatment, provisions where permits are required, switch must not affect the operation of such life-safety
maintenance of alternate water sources and minimum systems as detectors and exhaust equipment. In addition to
water quality. the manual switch, the required refrigerant room detector
Two new appendices cover potable rainwater catchment must also shut down the same equipment when the vapor
systems that include operation and maintenance require- concentration exceeds the lesser of the detector’s upper
ments, minimum water quality, material compatibility, detection limit or 25 percent of the refrigerant’s lower
controls, backflow prevention, design and installation explosive limit.
requirements and sustainable construction practices for Refrigeration port protection in the form of a locking-
plumbing systems as a resource for the Authority Having type, tamper-resistant cap is added to address illegal vent-
Jurisdiction. ing of refrigerant service ports by unauthorized individu-
als. This inhalant sometimes poses a serious threat to
2012 Uniform Mechanical Code human life and safety. The typical condensing unit is
The newly released 2012 Uniform Mechanical Code located outdoors and is equipped with access ports on the
assists the end user with enhanced layout design features vapor and liquid refrigerant lines. These access ports
through the incorporation of our manual of style and allow for the connection of diagnostic gauges so the
includes innovative efficiency standards and sustainable refrigerant may be added to or taken from the unit during
practices by allowing for a wide array of design alterna- servicing. The purpose of this section is to prevent expo-
tives to achieve the minimum performance requirements sure to the refrigerant by illegal venting of refrigerant or
in mechanical systems. The 2012 UMC underwent signif- the intentional inhalation of refrigerant and refrigerant
icant changes, with new provisions for piping, tubing, bal-
Continued on page 54
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IAPMO
Continued from page 52

leaks that contribute to the green- Practices include: water efficiency in establishing minimum equipment
house gases in our atmosphere. systems through the use of a subme- efficiencies, system balancing, duct
A new appendix provides a com- ter to monitor large water usage, leakage, system sizing and systems
prehensive set of technically sound including make-up water to cooling controls add to the overall design and
provisions for sustainable practices towers, evaporative condensers and construction practices.
and works toward enhancing the boilers; establishing efficiency mea- A key feature is system commis-
design and construction of mechani- sures for cooling towers evaporative sioning that ensures such systems are
cal systems that result in a positive coolers; increased air quality provi- designed, installed and maintained to
long-term environmental impact. sions to reduce air contaminants; and function as intended over their life
cycle to provide the most cost-effec-
tive strategy for reducing energy
usage.

Members of the plumbing

and mechanical industry are
looking at these systems as
part of the whole building as
it relates to designers,
owners, installers, operators,
users and the community
outside the building.
Members of the plumbing and
mechanical industry are looking at
these systems as part of the whole
building as it relates to designers,
owners, installers, operators, users
and the community outside the build-
ing. Design options utilizing water
reuse systems collect the water and
reuse it for irrigation, process water
systems and flushing fixtures by
using less water and energy.
The future of plumbing and
mechanical systems lies in the ability
to design systems with the “whole
Sloan Vitreous Fixtures Complete the Restroom building” in mind by using, preserving
Busy commercial restrooms sinks are based on decades of efficient, which is important to and respecting the natural biospheric
place serious demands on experience producing all facilities. Wise water use earth systems of recycling air, waste
plumbing fixtures. You need commercial restroom systems. saves our world’s most and water. The 2012 UPC and UMC
high-use, high-performance Sloan Vitreous Fixtures are precious natural resource— offer sustainable construction prac-
and efficient fixtures. You need rigorously tested and designed and money.
Sloan Fixtures to complete tices for both plumbing and mechani-
for high-use, heavy traffic Ask for a free copy of Sloan’s
your restroom. restrooms, such as in airports, Vitreous Fixtures brochure—
cal systems, including up-to-date tech-
Our single- and dual-flush arenas, schools and or visit us online at nical advances in the industry. n
toilets, urinals using as little as stadiums—ensuring www.sloanvalve.com —to see
1/8 gallon per flush, and drop- performance, year in and year the complete restroom line-up.
in, wall-hung and undermount out. They’re also highly
Lynne Simnick is
director of Code
Development, IAPMO.
For more info on
Phone: 866-663-2289
www.sloanvalve.com IAPMO, visit www.
iapmo.org.

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STAINLESS STEEL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

A Watts Water Technologies Company

Drainage by Design
When you’re designing a drainage system, whether it’s a
commercial kitchen, resort hotel, or sanitary manufacturing
facility, your specification can make all the difference. Every
aspect, from surface drainage to piping, can contribute to the
optimum design.

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pe03_pgs_56_57rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 7:57 AM Page 56

Geothermal forecast
Douglas A. Dougherty, GEO president and CEO ships with those organizations and others, including the
National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club.
A new year for GEO success For the future, I can’t stress enough the importance of elec-
tric utility support for our technology. GEO believes that the

I
n 2011, the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) utility industry can be a tremendous asset to us, as we can for
established itself as the voice of the geothermal heat pump them. The strategy is “carrot and stick.” The carrot is GHPs as
industry. We now have a full-time spokesperson, and we’ve an accepted renewable energy source. The stick is regulation at
renewed and intensified work with our Washington, D.C. advo- the state level for utilities to promote our technology to their
cacy team. Most importantly, we have begun the work of estab- ratepayers from an efficiency standpoint, while quietly reaping
lishing GEO with numerous contacts at the state level. its baseload-building attributes.
We had an outstanding year at the federal level. GEO- More than 30 states have adopted either a renewable energy
inspired language in an appropriations bill that passed the portfolio standard (REPS), an energy efficiency portfolio stan-
Senate and House directs the U.S. Department of Energy dard (EEPS), or both. These standards direct electric utilities to
(DOE) to develop a plan for research and development — and seek renewable sources of electric generation and/or to imple-
promotion — of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs). Given that ment energy efficiency programs at the retail level.
40% of all energy used in this country is for buildings, this new Unfortunately, no state has included GHPs in a REPS, and only
mandate is a huge success. It sends a very strong message from six states specifically identify GHPs in an EEPS.
Congress that DOE must promote our technology to reduce GEO has a lot of work to do at the state level. We must con-
thermal loads of buildings. vince state officials that GHPS have a positive, dual purpose.
In the same bill, Congress restored funding to a cash- Electric utilities can promote GHPs as highly energy efficient
strapped Energy Information Administration (EIA). Restoring appliances, and they can take credit for the renewable energy
funding for EIA activities is a necessary win for our industry. that GHPs recover naturally from the earth. GEO has achieved
We must have credible technical data on GHPs going forward, success already. We’ve engaged the Maryland Energy
data the EIA collected until its funding was cut last year. Administration; they are very close to changing their state
Restoration of those funds should prompt EIA to continue their REPS to include GHPs.
data collection and analysis of GHPs. We’ve established contact with the National Association of
Perhaps most important for the industry during 2011 was that Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and we are working with a
Congress essentially ignored tax rebates in its quest to slash the number of state GHP associations, not only to look at renewable
federal budget. I think we’re good for this year but, with a new energy standards but also to convince utilities that on-bill
Congress, 2013 may be a different story. Retaining the rebate is financing is a good thing for GHPs. Our work at the federal
an issue that we must watch closely. level will help pave the way. A number of states have on-bill
Also important for GEO was finding a champion for GHPs financing, but it’s for appliances. So there’s a lot of opportuni-
on Capitol Hill in Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). He amended a bill that ty for GEO at the state level to influence utilities to provide on-
was passed and signed into law, directing the Economic bill financing for GHPs and ground loops.
Development Agency (EDA) to develop a pilot program for Before the recession, GHPs had a market penetration of only
electric utility on-bill financing directed at GHP installations by five percent for new home construction. I firmly believe that,
small business. On-bill financing can go a long way towards when economic growth comes back in the latter part of 2012
reducing the sting of high upfront cost with reasonable terms and during 2013, our industry can easily capture up to 25 per-
and convenient installment payments. cent of the market. That’s because we haven’t stood still. We’ve
We continue to work with congressional staff to include focused on retrofits, built greater commercial acceptance, fos-
GHPs in a clean energy standard (CES) that Sen. Jeff Bingaman tered awareness and knowledge about GHPs and built a more
intends to introduce in 2012 as one of his final public policy ini- robust dealer network, with better trained installers and more
tiatives before he retires from the Senate and chairmanship of drillers to install ground loops.
the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. GEO In addition, federal policy is starting to ensure that the ener-
chairman Dan Ellis and our Washington team met with the sen- gy efficiency of homes will make a monetary difference for
ator’s senior staff in early January to convince them that GHPs mortgage and investments. This will also help thrust GHPs into
should be included in the CES as a renewable energy source, the marketplace for new homes. When builders of new homes
alongside solar, wind and other renewable power technologies. are installing geothermal, other builders take notice. It’s a snow-
Though election-year politics will likely preclude the CES ball effect that is very exciting for the future of our industry.
gaining any momentum in 2012, the key is for GHPs to be GEO had a tremendous year in 2011, and I have high hopes
included in CES definitions. That’s what we are working on for for a better 2012. But if we are to have an even more prominent
this year, a “placeholder” for future congresses, putting GHPs voice, we must grow. The bigger we are the stronger voice we
in any such legislation from the get-go. will have at the national and state levels. Considering our com-
A key GEO function for its members is forming partnerships petition — the fossil fuels industry and big renewables such as
for the good of the industry. I believe our natural partnerships wind and solar — it’s pretty clear that, for GEO to make a dif-
are with fellow national trade associations that have helped ference, we need “buy-in” from everyone with businesses relat-
“carry the water” for our industry. The National Ground Water ed to GHP technologies. That includes manufacturers, distribu-
Association; the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration tors, dealers, architects, engineers, drillers, electric utilities and
and Air-Conditioning Engineers; Air Conditioning, Heating and cooperatives. Together, we will succeed. n
Refrigeration Institute; American Council on Renewable
Energy and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of
Economy all have served as advocates for GHPs. Now that the contributor and do not necessarily reflect a position of
GEO is established, we are working to strengthen our relation- ASPE.
Page 56/Plumbing Engineer March 2012
pe03_pgs_56_57rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 10:51 AM Page 57

So many functions.
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pe03_pgs_58_63rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 1:32 PM Page 58

By Jayson Drake

Value

with
Engineering
PEX-a Plumbing Systems
W
e live in challenging economic times for the ing and stress cracking. Since PEX-a naturally expands
commercial construction industry, where good up to three times its original size without cracking or
projects are tough to win and being profitable splitting, frozen water and impacts won’t create the
can be even tougher. In this competitive environment, expensive leaks that can occur in rigid copper and CPVC
landing attractive jobs requires a fresh look at your value plumbing systems.
engineering options. If you’re using copper for your plumbing jobs, you
One of the most effective solutions for managing pro- know how much your pipe costs continue to increase and
ject costs is the use of PEX-a pipe for your commercial, how quickly those increases can fluctuate. Unlike cop-
domestic-water plumbing systems. PEX-a, or per, PEX-a pricing is relatively consistent and affordable.
crosslinked polyethylene, has been used in the construc- This means that you can quote and win a plumbing job
tion industry for decades and has now displaced most of with the confidence that your pipe price is going to
the copper and CPVC plumbing being installed in the remain stable. And you’ll no longer have to worry about
residential market. The benefits provided by PEX-a in jobsite theft of expensive copper.
new residential construction produce even greater value
in commercial domestic water applications. Fittings
In addition to using fewer fittings than rigid pipe sys-
Plumbing pipe options tems, PEX-a plumbing systems allow the use of efficient
Copper and CPVC are traditional products that have and affordable fittings made from durable engineered
been used in the plumbing industry for years. But just as polymers. These “EP” fittings are molded into a wide
the inherent characteristics of those products allowed variety of multiport configurations with varying numbers
them to replace old-fashioned galvanized steel and cast of inlets and outlets in assorted diameters. These “multi-
iron, flexible PEX-a has significant advantages over cop- port tees” eliminate additional connections and the labor
per and CPVC that are fast making it the preferred choice needed to make them, resulting in even more efficient
over these rigid pipe systems. installations and lower costs.
Produced in sizes 3/8-inch to 3 inches in straight
“sticks” and coils up to 1,000 feet long, PEX-a plumbing Connection methods
pipe is conveniently available in white, red and blue col- The natural ability of PEX-a to expand and contract
ors. Using the “Engel” manufacturing method, which permits the use of an “ASTM F1960 cold-expansion con-
results in a very high degree of molecular crosslinking, nection,” one of the simplest, strongest and most reliable
provides PEX-a with exceptional durability and flexibil- connections in the industry. Making a PEX-a F1960 con-
ity. That flexibility, combined with the availability of nection requires just four easy steps:
PEX-a in long coils, eliminates many of the fittings and 1. Cutting the pipe with a plastic tubing cutter.
connections required in rigid copper and CPVC plumb- 2. Placing a PEX-a expansion ring on the end of the
ing systems. Eliminating fittings means less material, pipe.
less installation labor and fewer potential leak points, all 3. Expanding the pipe and the ring with a Milwaukee®
of which results in more efficient installs and lower ProPEX® expansion tool.
costs. 4. Inserting the larger-diameter fitting.
PEX-a’s flexibility and durability also provide added The pipe and ring will then immediately and naturally
protection against the damage and leaks caused by freez- Continued on page 60
Page 58/Plumbing Engineer March 2012
pe03_pgs_58_63rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 10:13 AM Page 59

OUR NAME IS ON I T BECAUSE WE’RE PROUD OF I T.

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pe03_pgs_58_63rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 1:32 PM Page 60

Commercial PEX
Continued from page 58

while maintaining the 90-year-old Midwest grocery

chain’s high standards for quality and customer service.
When plumbing bids went out, pricing for the copper
systems that were typical for other Coborn’s stores came
back way too high. So Rice sent out rebids, opening the
doors to alternative plumbing materials, including PEX-
a and CPVC.
“The owners wanted value engineering,” says Chris
Rice, president of Rice Building Systems. “We knew any
bid that came back had to incorporate suitable cost sav-
ings in addition to intelligent design and efficient instal-
lation methods to effectively meet our budget and tight
construction schedule.”
Scott and Ben Kiffmeyer, owners of Kiffmeyer
Plumbing Inc. in Sauk Rapids, 19-year veterans in the
Overhead hot- (red tubing) and cold-water supply lines:
Using the “Engel” manufacturing method, which results in plumbing industry, had used PEX-a pipe in several pre-
a very high degree of molecular crosslinking, provides vious installs. They offered a unique idea that would pro-
PEX-a tubing like this with exceptional durability and flexi- vide the value engineering that Coborn’s was seeking,
bility, minimizing the number of connections needed and while also conforming to the stringent construction
speeding installation. schedule.
“Rice came back asking for ideas, and we went to
begin contracting back to their original shape, compress- them with the concept of running PEX-a underground,”
ing tightly against the primary and secondary fitting said Scott Kiffmeyer. “That’s how we got the job.”
barbs with up to 7,800 pounds of radial force. It’s just The underground PEX-a concept came from a presen-
that easy: no deburring, no torches, no flux, no solder, no tation Kiffmeyer Plumbing received from Dean Corrigan
cements and no curing or cooling time. of FourMation Sales and Casey Swanson, commercial
The resulting permanent connection holds tight in tests sales representative from Uponor, a PEX-a manufacturer
up to 1,000 pounds of pull force. In addition, since the located in Apple Valley, Minn. Uponor also offers design
pipe is expanded before the fitting is inserted, it’s impos- and technical support for plumbing, fire sprinkler and
sible to dry-fit the connection, eliminating the possibili- radiant floor heating and cooling systems.
ty of incomplete fittings and the resulting blow-off leaks. “They needed to get the plumbing system in quickly,
so this was a great approach to speed up their construc-
Case study: Coborn’s Grocery tion schedule,” says Swanson. “It was also much more
Let’s see how these various advantages of PEX-a over cost-effective than doing copper overhead.”
rigid piping systems played out on an actual commercial The plumbing system, which used ½ inch through
project, the construction of a grocery store in Minnesota. two-inch Uponor AquaPEX® pipe for the 36,330-
When Rice Building Systems of Sauk Rapids, Minn., square-foot store, ran the PEX-a pipe underground
set out to construct a new concept store for St. Cloud, instead of overhead, like a typical copper plumbing sys-
Minn.-based Coborn’s Inc., the company had strict orders tem application. The underground PEX-a system also
to capitalize on innovative materials and efficient design, Continued on page 62

Page 60/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

pe03_pgs_58_63_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:48 AM Page 61

CONSIDER SIOUX CHIEF AS YOUR

ROUGH PLUMBING ARMORY.
TOGETHER, WE WILL TAKE THE FIELD.

Supply Drainage Support www.siouxchief.com

TAKE THE FIELD.

Circle 37 on Reader Reply Form on page 81
pe03_pgs_58_63rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 7:59 AM Page 62

Commercial PEX Both Rice and Kiffmeyer estimate installing PEX-a

underground saved at least a week, compared with
Continued from page 60
installing an overhead copper pipe system. “PEX-a pro-
vided great time and labor savings,” says Scott. “That, in
turn, offered great cost savings for the owner.”
A subsequent in-depth analysis of the installed cost of
the plumbing system revealed dramatic savings. When
compared to the copper systems installed in previous
Coborn’s projects, the Uponor PEX-a system reduced
labor costs by 37 percent and material costs — including
pipe, fittings, insulation and various accessories — by 54
percent, for a combined savings of 46 percent. See chart
on page 60.
As the Coburn’s case study clearly demonstrates, by
delivering significant material savings, faster installs and
reduced liability, PEX-a is changing how commercial
jobs are being plumbed. With its established and quan-
tifiable benefits over copper and CPVC, PEX-a is rapid-
ly becoming the preferred value engineering solution in
commercial construction. n
Taken at a college dormitory re-piping project where all the
copper was replaced with PEX-a tubing, this photo shows Jayson Drake is the senior product manager of
an isolation and balancing valve with PEX-a tubing in an
plumbing and fire safety at Uponor, a manufacturer of
overhead support application. Unlike copper, the pricing for
PEX-a is relatively consistent and affordable, which also PEX-a tubing and a supplier of radiant heating and cool-
makes the material less vulnerable to job-site theft. ing, plumbing and fire sprinkler systems. He can be
reached at [email protected].
incorporated Uponor’s EP fittings, which are approved
for direct burial in soil. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of
The underground installation started in mid-August; the contributor and do not necessarily reflect a position of
the store opened just 14 weeks later, in mid-November. ASPE.

Circle 38 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

Page 62/Plumbing Engineer March 2012
pe03_pgs_58_63rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 10:14 AM Page 63

Think of it as
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ooling ttowers,
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ashers a and
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Circle 39 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

pe03_pgs_64_71rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:18 AM Page 64

Fire Pump Sizing

and Selection By Greg Trombold
Vice President, Membership
ASPE Cleveland Chapter

W
hen starting a fire pump design, the most impor- Calculating standpipe system pressure
tant item to consider is the water supply. If you are Two types of structure calculations for pressure are avail-
utilizing the city water supply as the primary able. One is for high-rise structures (buildings greater than
source for the pump, you need to make sure that an accurate 75 feet in height, measured from the lowest level of fire
city water test is used. Some good rules to follow are: department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupi-
• Make sure the water test is less than a year old. able story) and one is for non-high-rise structures. This is a
• Make sure the water test is performed as close to the tap factor because any high rise requires a pressure of 100
point as possible. pounds per square inch (psi) at the top of the structure while
• Make sure the test is taken during the time of highest flowing the rated gallons per minute (gpm) of the fire pump.
water use for the area. This discussion concentrates on high rises because the pres-
In a cold climate, testing during the summer may be a bet- sure calculations for most non-high-rise buildings are deter-
ter choice, since residents are watering their lawns and com- mined through the use of software specifically designed for
mercial properties are using more water for cooling. fire sprinkler hydraulic calculations. These programs are
Additionally, in highly residential areas, peak morning use used by sprinkler contractors to keep their pipes as small as
typically occurs early in the day, between 6:30 and 9 a.m., so possible, which controls the cost of the job.
that may be the best time for the test. When calculating the water pressure for a high rise, it is a
Another consideration regarding the water test is this: Did good idea to use a calculation sheet such as the one shown
the city flow enough water to meet 150 percent of the fire in Figure 2. If you use a calculation sheet, a few variables
pump design point? This will ensure that the municipal sup- need to be filled in:
ply will provide enough volume to meet the system demand. • Pressure drop in the backflow prevention device and
If not, request a new test using more hydrants or plot a water water meter
supply curve (see Figure 1). • Friction loss in the most remote standpipe when flowing
If you are using a private water supply, lake, or ground- 500 gpm
level storage tank, you must remember that you are not per- • Elevation change
mitted to use a suction lift with a fire pump. Thus, if the Continued on page 66
water supply is located below the suction inlet to the fire
pump, you may have to utilize a vertical turbine fire pump Figure 2: Water Pressure Calculation Sheet
in lieu of the other types of pumps available.
The last job parameter you need in order to size the fire
pump is the required flow for the systems the pump will be
serving (sprinklers, standpipes, or other). For standpipe sys-
tems, this flow is related to the type and size of the structure
the pump is protecting. In any case, the demand of the sys-
tem will dictate the pressure and flow required.

Figure 1: Water Supply Curve

Page 64/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

pe03_pgs_64_71rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:18 AM Page 65

The One Mark You Want to See

The CSA mark on plumbing products is all the assurance you need that those products meet U.S.
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Circle 40 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

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pe03_pgs_64_71rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:18 AM Page 66

methods are available, the standpipe

Pure Water by Watts
Fire Pumps method and the sprinkler area calcula-
tion. In a fully sprinklered structure
offers a complete line of Continued from page 64
with standpipes, NFPA 14 (2010):
innovative solutions for the Standard for the Installation of
delivery of better-than-bottled Standpipes and Hose Systems says that
water quality. For the example in Figure 2, the the first standpipe requires 500 gpm
parameters are: and each additional standpipe requires
• Building height: 212 feet 250 gpm, up to a maximum of 1,000
• City water pressure: 45 psi static; gpm.
35 psi residual For example, a building with two
• Required flow rate: 1,250 gpm standpipes would require a 750-gpm
Assume that the pump is 1,250 gpm pump (500 gpm for the first standpipe
for this example. As you can see, the and 250 for the second), and a building
Residential Drinking Water calculated required pump psi is 180 with five standpipes would require a
Systems psi. 1,000-gpm pump because that is the
A similar calculation can be used for maximum allowed by NFPA 14. (Note
a non-high rise, by changing the 100 that the local code or the insurance car-
psi to the end head pressure (15 – 50 rier may require more than the maxi-
psi, depending on the head). However, mum allowed by NFPA 14.)
the friction loss and pipe sizing Area calculations are more difficult.
become an issue when doing this cal- You need to know the sprinkler hazard
culation, which is why most contrac- classifications of the building and its
tors and sprinkler designers use soft- contents to determine the design densi-
ware. ty, and the square footage (area of
Whole House
Water Conditioning Systems operation) of each hazard must be cal-
A note about pressure culated. The five types of hazard clas-
One thing that some engineers for- sifications from NFPA 13 (2010):
get is that the pump will discharge at a Standard for the Installation of
much higher pressure at churn (no Sprinkler Systems are:
flow) than at the design point. Per • Light hazard: Low quantity of
NFPA 20 (2010): Standard for the combustibles with low heat release
Installation of Stationary Pumps for (e.g., churches, hospitals, museums)
Fire Protection, fire pumps are allowed • Ordinary hazard 1: Moderate
to have a 40 percent rise in pressure quantity of combustibles with moder-
from rated flow to churn. This is ate heat release and eight-foot stock-
Light Commercial Water almost never the case, but different piles (e.g., mechanical rooms, restau-
Conditioning & RO Systems pumps and speeds affect the churn rant kitchens, laundry facilities)
pressure, so you should always look at • Ordinary hazard 2: Moderate
a curve to determine the shutoff pres- quantity of combustibles with moder-
sure. The reason for reviewing this is ate heat release and 12-foot stockpiles
typically to understand what the maxi- (e.g., stages, large library stack rooms,
mum pressure (no-flow churn) will be repair garages)
in the system to determine whether • Extra hazard 1: High quantity of
high-pressure fittings are needed. combustibles with high heat release
Commercial/Industrial Water and no flammable or combustible liq-
Calculating pump gpm
Conditioning & RO Systems
To calculate pump gpm, two sizing Continued on page 68

Figure 3: Density/area curves (NFPA 13 Figure 11.2.3.1.5)

Commercial Water Softeners

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Circle 41 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

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pe03_pgs_64_71rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:18 AM Page 67

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pe03_pgs_64_71rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:18 AM Page 68

inside and outside hose stream demand lation dictates the pump size. Make
Fire Pumps to the area calculation. This informa-
tion can be found in NFPA 13 Table
sure you touch base with the insurance
carrier for a particular project, as they
Continued from page 66
11.2.3.1.1 (see Table 1). Hose stream may require higher square footage or
demand is the amount of water that density requirements, depending on
must be added to the sprinkler system the job.
uids (e.g., aircraft hangers, saw mills) hydraulic calculation to fill the hoses
• Extra hazard 2: High quantity of as well as ensure enough supply to Selecting the pump
combustibles with high heat release operate the sprinklers. Inside hoses are Once you have calculated the gpm
and flammable and combustible liq- generally 1- to 1½-inch standpipe and psi requirements for the pump, you
uids (e.g., plastics processing, flamma- hoses that may be connected to the need to determine the type of pump
ble liquids spraying) sprinkler system for initial fire attack. that works best for the job. The three
Refer to NFPA 13 for a more thor- For example, if you have a 40,000- most widely used pumps are horizontal
ough definition of the classifications. square-foot building that is all ordinary split case, inline and vertical turbine.
Once the hazards have been deter- group 1, the calculation would be Horizontal split case pumps are also
mined, you next take the most remote 1,500 x 0.15 (density) = 225 + 250 called double-suction fire pumps,
1,500-square-foot area of sprinkler (hose demand) = 475 gpm total for the because the water pathways direct
operation and multiply it by the densi- fire pump. water to both sides of the impeller.
ty found in NFPA 13 Figure 11.2.3.1.5 If the structure has multiple hazards, They are the most common type of fire
(see Figure 3). Then you must add the the hazard with the highest gpm calcu- pump on the market, partly because of
the ratings available in this style of
Table 1 Hose stream demand and water supply duration requirements for pump, typically 250 through 5,000
hydraulically calculated systems (NFPA 13 Table 11.2.3.1.1)
Occupancy Inside Total Duration,
gpm. This was the first type of pump
hose, gpm Combined minutes used for fire protection systems.
Inside and Inline fire pumps offer several bene-
Outside fits:
Hose, gpm
Light hazard No hose: 0 100 30
• Their size and design offer space
Ordinary One hose: 250 60–90 savings.
hazard 50 • They offer the ability to increase
Extra hazard Two or 500 90–120 the ratings allowed by NFPA 20 from a
more hoses:
100 maximum of 499 gpm, to 750 gpm, to
For SI units, 1 gpm = 3.785 L/min. today’s unlimited rating. (The largest
! currently available is 1,500 gpm.)
• They offer a low cost of installa-
tion because they don’t require a base
plate that needs grouting.
Vertical turbine pumps are used in
situations where the water supply is
below the suction flange of the fire
pump, because NFPA 20 requires a
positive suction pressure to a fire
pump.
The other item that needs to be
determined is the type of drive: diesel
or electric. Once that is determined,
you can find the appropriate pump
model and horsepower in a manufac-
turer’s catalog. I don’t recommend
using pump curves to select fire
pumps, as every selection must be UL
approved, which might lead to picking
the wrong horsepower for a particular
selection.
One other note on fire pump selec-
tion is that selecting pumps that have a
higher rpm is not necessarily a misstep,
because fire pumps only run once a
week for a limited amount of time, so
the length of life will be about the same
for a 1,750 rpm pump as for a 3,500
rpm pump.

Power supply
If a generator is going to be used as
Circle 52 on Reader Reply Form on page 81 Continued on page 70
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Circle 43 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

pe03_pgs_64_71rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 1:18 PM Page 70

Fire Pumps
Continued from page 68 Avoiding trouble
To avoid problems during the design and installation
a secondary power supply, the fire pump will require a trans- process, you should always do your homework and consult
fer switch, which must be dedicated to the fire pump. A typ- with the authority having jurisdiction and insurance repre-
ical design would be to use a combination controller and sentative before you begin.
transfer switch in a cabinet to avoid the need for additional Some jurisdictions have special requirements for fire
requirements laid out in NFPA 20. A reduced-voltage start pumps. For instance, New York City requires a manual
also should be considered when connecting to a generator to round rotor fire pump with every automatic fire pump, and
potentially reduce the size of the generator. This is true even the Ohio EPA requires suction control valves on every fire
for normal power considerations, as large-horsepower fire pump to prevent going below 20 psi in the main. Insurance
pumps with across-the-line starting put significant strain on companies also may have unique requirements that go above
power systems. The two most commonly used by designers and beyond the code. FM Global, for example, requires
are solid state soft start and wye-delta closed transition. diesel fuel tanks to be double wall and have a spill basin, and
These two have the best starting characteristics of the every pump room must have a low pump room temperature
approved options on the market. alarm.
Knowing these location-specific and unique issues before
Code issues starting your design will help the process go more smoothly
Following are some code requirements for fire pumps that and be more successful. n
you should factor into pump selection and system design.
• Horizontal elbows or tees upstream of a fire pump must Greg Trombold has been involved with the plumbing and
be 10 pipe diameters from the suction flange on a split-case fire protection industry for more than 20 years, including
fire pump. working with engineers on sizing and selecting equipment,
• Pumps must maintain a positive suction pressure at the designing the pump and piping layouts for packaged sys-
suction flange. tems, supplying new fire pumps to contractors, assisting
• Electrical feeds to fire pump controllers must have a contractors with installation of this equipment, starting up
two-hour fire rating. the equipment once it is installed, and repairing and servic-
• Fire pumps can’t be used as pressure-maintenance ing all types of pumps in the field. He graduated from Ohio
pumps. State with a degree in business administration and started
• Variable-speed pumps are allowed by the code. with the Trombold Equipment Co. in 1989. He is currently
• Fire pumps need to be installed in a 2-hour rated room. Vice President, Membership of ASPE’s Cleveland Chapter.

Circle 44 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

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pe03_pgs_72_73rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:19 AM Page 72

WHAT’S NEW By Lee Clifton, ICC-PMG,

Director of Plumbing Programs

in the 2012 International Plumbing Code® (IPC)

T
he IPC continues to emphasize both prescriptive
and performance-related provisions. The code
changes have made many improvements to the
2012 code that provide clarity of content, resolve common
interpretation issues and give plumbing contractors and
engineers the tools necessary to take advantage of new
technology. A proven venting system method has been
added that now compliments the most extensive collection
of venting options in the world.
Here are just a few of the significant changes.

Section 802.2 Installation of indirect Waste Piping

2012 Code: 802.2 Installation. All indirect waste pip-
ing shall discharge through an air gap or air break into a
waste receptor or standpipe. Waste receptors and stand-
pipes shall be trapped and vented and shall connect to the
building drainage system. All indirect waste piping that
exceeds 2 feet 30 inches (762mm) in developed length
measured horizontally, or 4 feet 54 inches (1372mm) in
total developed length, shall be trapped.
Exception: Where a waste receptor receives only clear
water waste and does not directly connect to a sanitary
drainage system, the receptor shall not require a trap.
Commentary: In the past, indirect waste piping was
required to be trapped where it exceeded 24 inches in hor-
izontal developed length or 48 inches in total developed
length. The justification for increased developed lengths
without a trap, 30 inches for a horizontal measurement
and 54 inches in total developed length is based on

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pe03_pgs_72_73rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:19 AM Page 73

Section 1002.1 addressing fixture both a drainage and vent system. The
traps, including the allowance of 30 drainage stack and branch piping are
inches center-to-center for a combi- considered as vents for the drainage
nation fixture as permitted in system as a whole. Pipe sizing in a sin-
Exception 2. The 54-inch total devel- gle stack drainage system is larger
oped length allowance is simply the than in a conventional one; however, a
30-inch horizontal length allowance significant cost saving is achieved by
plus the 24-inch vertical distance the reduction of the vent piping need-
allowed from a fixture to its trap. The ed. This venting system serves as a
changes are considered logical and viable alternative to the more tradi-
will provide consistency with other tional systems that are being used.
allowances in the code. The new For a more in-depth preview on the
exception is fundamental in that traps significant changes that have
are unnecessary for clear-water waste occurred to the 2012 International
in an indirect piping system. Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas
Codes (PMG), ICC has made avail-
Section 917 Single Stack Vent able a 20-minute video presentation
System at youtube.com/user/ICCMEDIA.
917.1 Where permitted. A This overview of changes to the 2012
drainage stack shall serve as a single International PMG Codes will give
stack vent system where sized and you a preview of what the Significant
Changes to the International
The webinar at Plumbing Code, International
Mechanical Code, and International
youtube.com/user/ICCMEDIA Fuel Gas Code 2012 Edition publica-
will inform code users on how tion has to offer. The webinar will
inform code users on how helpful the
helpful the new book is in new book is in identifying the specif-
ic code changes that have occurred
identifying the specific code and, more important, help them
changes that have occurred understand the reasons behind the
changes. n
and, more important, in
The copyrighted Code sections
understanding the reasons reproduced in this article are done so
behind the changes. with the permission of the
International Code Council. All
installed in accordance with Sections rights reserved.
917.2 through 917.9. The drainage The International Code Council is
stack and branch piping shall be the a member-focused association dedi-
vents for the drainage system. The cated to helping the building safety
drainage stack shall have a stack community and construction industry
vent. (Additional information and provide safe and sustainable con-
sizing table provided in section 917 is struction through the development of
not shown here.) codes and standards used in the
Commentary: In a single stack vent design, build and compliance
system the drainage stack serves as process. Circle 46 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

Plumbing Engineer March 2012/Page 73

pe03_pgs_74_75rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 10:16 AM Page 74

Designing and
Specifying
Precision
High-efficiency
Heating Equipment

P
lumbing and heating contractor Jerry Davis and space savings make fully modulating, condensing wall-
mechanical engineer Tim Souza live and work on hung boilers, such as the Baxi Luna line, a compelling
opposite sides of the country, but they are both strong choice for both new home and retrofit applications.
advocates of proven, compact, high efficiency wall-hung Baxi wall-hung boilers are compact heating appliances
boiler systems. They also share an appreciation for instal- that save up to 60% in fuel use and utility bills, cut green-
lation training and certification as a key success factor for house gas emissions up to 90% and free up valuable living
any mechanical specification. space. Baxi boilers are closet-installation approved and are
“We only design and install 90%-plus, propane-fired whisper quiet (45 dBa), making them preferred appliances
equipment,” says Jerry Davis, vice-president of Dubben in flood-prone areas. The boilers can be used for infloor
Brothers, a hydronic heating contractor and propane sup- radiant, snow melt, heated towel racks and radiators, as
plier operating out of a 106-year-old plumbing hardware well as for forced air (with a hydronic air handler).
store serving the Catskills region of New York state. The “Our supply house in Oneonta (Irr Supply, the exclusive
firm is in its fifth generation of family ownership, and it Upstate New York distributor of Baxi products) introduced
still operates out of its original storefront location at 90 us to the Baxi high efficiency product line. We were
Main Street in Delhi, N.Y. impressed that it was market-tested, and we attended two
“We have 17 employees, seven of whom are top-notch technical training sessions put on by the manufacturer
plumbing and hydronic heating contractors dedicated to before making our first Baxi Luna HT combi boiler instal-
the installation and 24/7 repair of heating systems that we lation in September 2006.
design and build ourselves. The bulk of our installation “Our first Baxi was in a new home built by a European
business is the replacement market as well as new second United Nations diplomat,” says Davis. “It was an easy sell,
homes for customers from the New York metropolitan as the customer was familiar with the product. We have
area,” says Davis, whose firm also often provides advisory never had a service issue with this unit.”
services for specifying engineers in the region. Over the past six years, Dubben Bros has installed every
Tim Souza is a principal at TEP Engineering, a Santa model of Baxi high efficiency boiler, as well as Baxi solar
Rosa, Calif.-based mechanical engineering firm serving a water heating systems and high output designer radiators.
diverse clientele base throughout the San Francisco Bay Tim Souza discovered Baxi heating solutions around the
Area. His firm includes six mechanical engineers, as well same time as Dubben Bros. did. He has specified Baxi
as staff with over 60 combined years of HVAC and plumb- combi boiler for affordable housing authority communities
ing contracting experience. in Santa Rosa, among other projects he is designing and
“We incorporate high efficiency heating and domestic specifying. “The California Energy Code requires that
water systems in our project designs and specifications mechanical systems for affordable housing projects beat
because of the substantial energy savings they produce,” standard energy code requirements by at least 15%,” says
says Tim Souza. “They help us meet demanding Title 24 Souza. “The Baxi Luna HT 380 combination heating and
energy compliance and new California green building code domestic hot water boiler, for instance, enabled us to beat
requirements. Additionally, the Baxi combi boiler units standard requirements in most cases by 60% for space
save precious floor space by combining the hydronic heat- heating and 45% for domestic hot water.”
ing and domestic water production into one compact unit.” A leading European heating manufacturer since 1867,
The similarities and shared values of the two firms also Baxi has been at the forefront in developing wall-hung
include their preferred high efficiency boiler (Baxi), and boiler technology over the past four decades and manufac-
what they expect in an installing contractor’s qualifications tures 4,000 boilers a day for export to 70 countries, includ-
(factory training and certification). ing the United States.
The introduction of higher efficiency and more compact Up to 98% energy efficient, the low-NOx Baxi Luna HT
hydronic heating equipment is bringing North America light commercial range includes three fully modulating,
closer to European high acceptance for wall-hung boiler condensing heating-only models, ranging in high output of
technology. Substantial fuel consumption, utility bill and
Page 74/Plumbing Engineer March 2012
pe03_pgs_74_75rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 8:02 AM Page 75

153 MBtu/h and 348 MBtu/h. Twelve Baxi commercial

boilers may be strung together, using a staging controller,
to produce a total output of up to 4.2 MMBtu/h. System
Field Report
redundancy and impressive turndown ratios make this firm’s employees have a Baxi installed in their own homes,
wall-hung system attractive for commercial applications. and others are planning to follow suit.
Baxi boilers are shipped from the factory set up for natur- “Efficiency, low sound levels, size, versatility, service-
al gas; they are easily converted to propane, using the ability and reliability are all key factors in picking the right
QAA73 controller made for Baxi by Siemens. high efficiency boiler,” says Tim Souza. “The manufactur-
All Baxi boilers are Energy Star rated and CSA er‘s ongoing support of the product is also essential,
approved, and the heat exchanger bears the ASME H- notably in a multi-family application. Other important fac-
Stamp. The North American line also includes fully pack- tors include the availability of contractors who are familiar
aged residential models (112 MBtu/h down to 32 MBtu/h with the product, factory trained and certified for installa-
output), available in combination heating and domestic hot tion and maintenance.”
water (Baxi Luna HT 380) or heating-only mode (Baxi The California Green Building Code (Section 702,
Luna HT 1.33). The combi model can heat a home up to Installer and Special Inspector Qualifications ) stipulates
5,000 square feet and produce 3.9 USGPM (at an 80- that “HVAC system installers shall be trained and certified
degree temperature rise). in the proper installation of HVAC systems including ducts
Baxi engineers have included multiple built-in safety and equipment by a nationally or regionally recognized
features, including the following: electronic, gradual igni- training or certification program.” These include manufac-
tion (no standing pilot light/no open flame); high tempera- turer-approved training and certification programs.
ture limit (set with supplied QAA73 controller made by Jerry Davis says his firm believes that any mechanical
Siemens); flue high limit switch; central heating high limit system specification for a high efficiency boiler system
switch; fan pressure switch; differential pressure switch; should include a requirement that installing technicians be
flame sensing electrode and a redundant gas valve plunger factory certified in order to bid on a project, “even if that
(that activates if the primary plunger fails); ; back flow pre- qualification is not a state requirement.” To learn more
vention devices; Grundfos pump with air vent; expansion about Baxi products in North America, visit them online at
tank; frost protection; automatic self-diagnostics and a www.wallhungboilers.com. n
Legionella prevention function.
“We have not installed any other brand of gas boiler since The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of
we switched to Baxi,” says Jerry Davis. “We like the prod- the contributor and do not necessarily reflect a position of
uct’s reliability, versatility for new or retrofit applications, ASPE.
venting options, ease of service, the factory training, prod-
uct certification and in-market trouble shooting provided by
our Baxi reps (J and K Sales). We get good support from Irr
Supply, as well as from Marathon International, the North
American distributor of Baxi products”
Dubben Bros. staff members are all thoroughly familiar
with Baxi products. They have all attended Baxi training
and are installer certified, using an interactive Baxi train-
ing and certification CD-ROM. In addition, six of the

Tim Souza, a principal at TEP Engineering in Santa Rosa,

says, “Efficiency, low sound levels, size, versatility, service-
ability and reliability are all key factors in picking the right high
efficiency boiler.” Jerry Davis of Dubben Brothers in Delhi,
N.Y., says his contracting firm only installs Baxi Luna HT high
efficiency boilers, and he adds to Tim Souza’s list: factory
training, product certification and troubleshooting support
from the manufacturer and in-market representatives. Circle 47 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

Plumbing Engineer March 2012/Page 75

pe03_pgs_76_77rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 10:16 AM Page 76

Product Application
KAUST under construction
K
ing Abdullah University of Science and help meet the campus’s unique HVAC needs that result
Technology (KAUST) near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from the extreme climate in the region, as well as from
combines several planning and design elements to some very demanding system challenges, Xylem recom-
achieve greater sustainability. The university’s new cam-
pus was constructed on a 22-mile (36 km) stretch of desert
50 miles (80 km) north of Jeddah along the Red Sea. The
campus is part of a larger master plan, which includes a
new town of 10,000 to 12,000 people that surrounds and
supports the university.
KAUST was designed to propel the Kingdom into the
21st century, with modern teaching facilities and equip-
ment costing $1.5 billion. The university’s mission is to
advance science and technology to new levels by educat-
ing tomorrow’s leaders, while catalyzing the diversifica-
tion of the Saudi economy and addressing challenges of
regional and global significance
All campus buildings meet the strict ASHRAE
Standard 55-Thermal Environmental Conditions for KAUST has propelled the Kingdom into the 21st century,
Human Occupancy, guaranteeing that interior tempera- with modern teaching facilities and equipment costing $1.5
tures and humidity will remain at comfortable levels. To billion.

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Circle 48 on Reader Reply Form on page 81

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pe03_pgs_76_77rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 8:04 AM Page 77

mended Bell & Gossett Series VSX sionals from ten offices across multi- KAUST students study in a comfort-
double-suction, split-case pumps. ple time zones contributed to the able environment, and the university
The VSX pumps met and/or sur- planning effort during just one 24- is able to achieve its mission to
passed a long list of demanding appli- hour period. advance science and technology to
cation requirements, including a min- The Bell & Gossett VSX pumps new levels in the region. n
imum specification for 80% efficien- helped King Abdullah University of
cy. The requirements also set strict Science and Technology meet its The views and opinions expressed in
guidelines for Net Positive Suction requirement for 80% efficiency this article are those of the contributor
Head (NPSH) and identified limited pumps, as well as solve many instal- and do not necessarily reflect a position
space areas that required small pump lation challenges. As a result, of ASPE.
footprints. VSX pumps were chosen
because of their proven vertical split-
case (VSC) platform that features
vertical-suction and discharge
flanges that reduce equipment foot-
print by up to 40% compared to many
horizontal double-suction and large
inline pumps.
A total of 27 large series VSX VSC
model and VSH model pumps were
installed throughout the campus.
With motors ranging from 300 to
1000 hp, the installed equipment
included:
• Nine VSX-VSC 14 5 16 x 22A,
7,500 gpm/130 ft. with 300 hp,
4160V/60/3, TEFC, 1200 rpm motors;
• Nine VSX-VSC 12 5 14 5 22A,
7,500 gpm /380 ft. with 900 hp,
4160V/60/3, TEAAC, 1800 rpm
motors; and
• Nine VSX-VSH 16 5 18 5 19A,
15,000 gpm /196 ft. with 1000 hp,
4160V/60/3, TEAAC, 1800 rpm
motors.
As a result of its revolutionary
design, the VSX platform offers
many installation options. Using
CFD technology, the VSX delivers
identical performance in any of its
three flange configurations, which
allows users to maximize piping pos-
sibilities and meet a broad hydraulic
range for chillers, towers, distributive
and general pumping requirements.
Coordinating the design and
installation of the KAUST HVAC
system was a team effort between
engineers, contractors and the Bell &
Gossett representatives in Saudi
Arabia, who worked to supply spe-
cialized drawings, weekly progress
and production schedules, vibration
monitoring and compliance with
industrial specifications.
The massive project started in the
fall of 2006 and was finished in just
three years. To achieve this ambitious
timetable, planning groups accelerat-
ed the process with a “Racing the
Sun” design, in which HVAC profes- Circle 49 on Reader Reply Form on page 81
Plumbing Engineer March 2012/Page 77
pe03_pgs_78_79rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:21 AM Page 78

Product News
Plumbing Engineer’s Product of the Month

Solar thermal storage tank

The Strato-Therm+ solar thermal
storage tank is designed to provide a
simple, cost-effective means of inte-
Condensate neutralizer grating solar energy into any applica-
tion. Strato-Therm+ offers the func-
Select states require condensate from condensing appliances to be treated
before passing into a public sewer system. This condensate neutralizer accesso- tionality of a solar thermal storage
ry provides installers with an effective way to eliminate acidity from the con- tank, indirect water heater and
densation that is drained from a condensing boiler or condensing tankless unit. hydronic buffer tank in a single,
The easy-to-install feature works by running the condensation through a con- space-saving unit. Equipped with a
tainer filled with limestone media, which raises its pH level to make the liquid solar heat exchanger connected to the
less acidic, resulting in neutral water that can be drained directly from the unit. storage vessel and a corrugated stain-
Designed for both vertical and horizontal mounting, the condensate neutraliz- less steel coil within the tank, the
er’s user-friendly clear capsule design allows homeowners to see when the advanced new Strato-Therm+ maxi-
limestone media needs to be replaced. Rinnai. mizes heat transfer in a solar thermal
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Form on page 81
Eye/face wash 915 Shark Series grinder system
The HALO eye/face wash provides Preassembled Solar circulators
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Bradley Corp. tion, retrofits provide high
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our new and regardless of
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ated with other grinder and sewage light commercial forced circulation
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Form on page 81 Form on page 81

Page 78/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

pe03_pgs_78_79rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:21 AM Page 79

Circuit Sentry Flo-Setter™

New energy saving balancing valve
maintains the set flow
rate within +/-5%,
regardless of pres-
sure fluctuation in
the system. The
Circuit Sentry Flo-
Setter features a
new easy-to-set GPM
dial that requires no adjust-
ments once it is set, even if the
system is changed. The Circuit Sentry
Flo-Setter valve is easy to install and
maintains set flow rate even when
installed next to a pipe bend or fitting.
The easy-to-read gallons per minute
scale on the lockable handle ensures
that the flow setting is simple and
user-friendly, while the integral P/T
plugs allow verification of required
differential pressure. Bell & Gossett.
Circle 108 on Reader Reply

High-efficiency toilet (HET) Form on page 81

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Plumbing Engineer March 2012/Page 79

pe03_pgs_80_84rev_Layout 1 2/24/12 10:17 AM Page 80

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Letters Continued from page 82

Code (IFGC) in this case. Specifically, stated in the IFGC or NFGC, that the
when it comes to the requirements appliance must be installed in accor-
regarding the installation of gas-fired dance with its listing and the manufac-
appliances and equipment, the IMC turer’s installation instructions.
defers to the IFGC, as noted in Section With regard to the specific subject
301.3 (shown below): of PVC pipe, the article notes that there
Fuel gas appliances and equipment. is “No standard referenced in any of
The approval and installation of fuel the codes in the United States for a
gas distribution piping and equipment, plastic flue vent for combustion flue
fuel gas-fired appliances and fuel gas- gas piping….” This carefully worded
fired appliance venting systems shall statement may be true, but it does not
be in accordance with the International accurately reflect the current situation
Fuel Gas Code. regarding standards for vent systems.
Depending on the local jurisdiction, Both the NFGC and the IFGC state
the operative code is the IFGC or the that, “Plastic pipe and fittings used to
National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC). Both vent appliances shall be installed in
codes do allow and address the use of accordance with the appliance manu-
non-metallic vent systems. The discus- facturer’s installation instructions.” As
sion about possible conflicts with the noted, the certification and listing of
IMC is irrelevant and incorrect. gas-fired appliances to nationally rec-
Using PVC pipe to vent a gas-fired ognized safety standards includes the
appliance that has not been safety cer- specification and review of the instal-
tified for use with that non-metallic lation instructions provided with the
vent system is an improper, potentially appliance. So, although the NFGC and
unsafe installation. From the perspec- IFGC may not specifically identify a
tive of providing a safe installation, it standard for plastic vent type, they do
is no different than the situation in reference standards that evaluate and
which an appliance that specifies a 6" certify the use of plastic vent systems
minimum clearance from com- on gas-fired appliances and equipment.
bustibles is actually installed with only Sincerely,
1" of clearance from plywood panel. Frank A. Stanonik Contact Sadie Smith at 847.564.1127
This does not mean that the appliance Chief Technical Advisor to place a classified ad today in
should not be installed in a room that Air-Conditioning, Heating and
has plywood walls. It does mean, as Refrigeration Institute
Plumbing Engineer!

Page 80/Plumbing Engineer March 2012

pe03_pgs_80_84rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 12:43 PM Page 81

Advertiser Index
A.O. Smith......................................3 Chicago Faucets.........................45 Liberty Pumps .............................17 Sloan.............................................54
AcornVac ......................................77 CISPI.............................................29 Marathon ......................................47 Speakman....................................11
AERCO ..........................................41 Concast Metals.....................18-19 MIFAB............................................53 Stiebel Eltron...............................59
Apollo Valves .................................9 CSA ...............................................65 Navien ...........................................27 SureSeal ..........Inside Front Cover
ASPE Chicago Chapter.............35 Delany Products.........................49 Neoperl .........................................48 Taco ...............................................57
ASPE ............................................69 Delta..............................................39 Powers Process..........................71 Viega........................................insert
ATS.................................................15 Eemax...........................................62 Precision Plumbing....................76 Watts .....................................66, 67
Blücher .........................................55 G.O.N. ............................................43 QAI Laboratories.........................12 Wade Drains................................34
Bradley Corp................................14 Hoeptner.......................................12 Rinnai............................................13 Webstone........................................5
Bradford White............................51 IAPMO...........................................37 Rockford Separators ...........32-33 Woodford Mfg. Co......................63
Calculated Industries.................75 ICC-ES ..........................................31 SEEwater, Inc......................48, 73 Xylem................Inside Back Cover
Caleffi............................................25 Laars..............................................70 Sioux Chief..................................61 Zurn...............................Back Cover
Charlotte Pipe .............................23 Leonard Valve................................7 SolarLogic ....................................68 Zoeller ...........................................28

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Plumbing Engineer March 2012/Page 81

pe03_pgs_80_84rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:14 AM Page 82

Letters to the Editor

Is PVC an acceptable vent material for flue gases? length vent systems. The dilution air supplied at the draft
hood or power vent blower, as applicable, is restricted. The
Dear Editor: water heater is operated under these conditions until either
The reference article, “Is PVC an acceptable vent materi- the temperature of the vent material reaches equilibrium or
al for flue gases?” (May 2011 Plumbing Engineer) identified the water heater shuts down. If it continues to operate until
several important issues regarding the safe and proper vent- the temperature of the vent material reaches equilibrium, the
ing of gas appliances. The one area that the article did not material temperature is measured and it cannot exceed the
address adequately is the requirements contained in nation- applicable value noted above. If the water heater has a con-
ally recognized gas appliance safety standards covering the trol system that shuts it down, that action shall occur before
listing of appliances for use with non-metallic vent systems. material temperature exceeds the values shown above.
With a proper understanding of the requirements of these A fundamental principle to promote the safe operation of
appliance safety standards, it becomes clear that the answer gas-fired equipment is that the equipment, which has been
to the question posed by the article is, “Yes, PVC is an certified for compliance with the applicable safety standard,
acceptable vent material if the appliance has been safety cer- be installed in accordance with the installation instructions
tified and listed for venting with PVC.” provided. The adequacy and accuracy of the installation
Although no U.S. PVC pipe manufacturer recommends instructions are evaluated as part of the equipment’s safety
the use of their PVC pipe for venting gas appliances, it certification.
should be recognized that, from the perspective of the PVC With regard to the venting system to be used with the
pipe, both hot air and hot water are fluids that share the same equipment, the safety standard includes tests to determine
basic characteristics of fluid dynamics. A Btu in heated air is the vent system(s) that are appropriate for the model. The
the same as a Btu in heated water. The temperature limits installation instructions must then specifically identify the
specified for PVC concern just temperature; it makes no dif- vent system that the equipment is listed to use. In those cases
ference whether the fluid being conveyed in the pipe is hot where the model is approved for vent systems other than
water or hot air. If the temperature limit is not exceeded, the Type B vent, the manufacturer must either supply the vent
pipe will maintain its structural integrity. If a gas appliance system required to be used with the equipment or clearly
has been safety certified for use with a non-metallic vent identify and specify the use of the vent system parts.
system using any Z21 series safety standard, its design will The gas industry — both manufacturers and utilities —
have been tested to verify that the vent material temperatures take the safety of gas appliances very seriously, more so than
have not exceeded the following: any other group in the United States. If an appliance has been
safety certified to the applicable nationally recognized safety
standard, the specifications for safely and properly venting
that appliance (e.g. size of vent, vent material and length of
vent system) are a part of that certification. If the appliance is
installed in accordance with the installation instructions, the
vent installed on that appliance is acceptable and safe.
The reference article does not specifically discuss
whether the appliances cited as examples were installed in
accordance with their safety certification. If those appliances
* Based on Heat Deflection Temperature (ASTM-D4396, - were installed with vent systems not specified in the instal-
D1784, -D3965 referenced in above ASTM's: HDT @ 264 lation instructions (i.e., that were not part of the model’s
psi). safety certification), the assurances provided by the safety
** The reference standards address specific pipe types certification and listing have been compromised.
using the material. The article expresses concern regarding an increase in flue
The heat deflection temperature is the temperature at which gas temperatures due to scale buildup in the tank. While the
the material will start to deform. It is the more appropriate scale has different heat transfer characteristics than steel, it is
parameter to describe the plastic material’s resistance to heat. not an insulator. Also, in the case of gas storage water heaters
The maximum operating temperature specified for plastics that have one or more flue tubes that transfer heat to the
focuses on the reduction of the pressure rating of the pipe as water, the scale that forms generally collects at the bottom of
temperature increases. The heat deflection temperature limits the tank. Therefore, the heat transfer that occurs through the
listed in the table are based on a pressure of 264 psi. flue tube(s) is not significantly affected by that scale buildup.
Residential water systems have a pressure of about 40 psi. In As an aside, there are manufacturers of PVC pipe in
contrast, the pressure of the vent gases from gas appliances is Canada that have the products certified to ULC S636. To the
on the order of inches of water column, i.e., a fraction of 1 psi. best of our knowledge, that listed PVC gas vent system
So, as far as this aspect is concerned, vent gases from gas product is no different in composition and structure than the
appliances do not pose any issue for PVC. “regular” PVC pipe sold by those companies.
For gas-fired water heaters, this test is conducted under The article mischaracterizes the relationship of the
the extreme operating condition of the thermostat set at its International Mechanical Code (IMC) to the manufacturer’s
highest setting and a flow rate that allows continuous opera- installation instructions for gas-fired appliances and does not
tion. The water heater is installed in a closet or alcove with acknowledge the preeminence of the International Fuel Gas
the minimum installation clearances and the maximum- Continued back on page 80

Page 82/Plumbing Engineer March 2011

pe03_pgs_80_84rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:14 AM Page 83

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brands at xyleminc.com.
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pe03_pgs_80_84rev_Layout 1 2/23/12 11:14 AM Page 84

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