Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this edition's sponsor -- Webstone. Founded in 1954, Webstone is recognized as an industry leader for innovative design of residential and commercial valves used in plumbing, hydronic, radiant, solar and geothermal applications. These designs focus on time and space saving concepts that simplify future maintenance and upkeep of all piping systems. Some of Webstone's trademarked and patented items include; The Isolator, Isolator EXP and Pro-Pal step saving valves. Headquartered in Worcester, MA with distribution facilities across North America., Webstone sells through a wide range of wholesale distributors and select OEMs. Go to www.webstonevalves.com for more information.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Plumbing Engineer sales rep by visiting www.plumbingengineer.com.
Haiti earthquake stirs many organizations into action
Don’t miss Ron George’s February column as he discusses the tragedy in Haiti. Here is an excerpt from the upcoming February issue:
The recent earthquake in Haiti will go down as one of the deadliest in history. No one knows how many people have been injured or died at this time. Haitian officials estimate that thousands have been killed. Estimates go as high as 200,000 deaths, just a few days after the earthquake and there is no firm or confirmed death toll. At the time of this writing, there are still many buildings and outlying areas that have not been searched. The population of Haiti is about eight and a half million people. (8,429,006 in 2007) Port Au Prince is the capital and is the largest city in Haiti and recent estimates place the Port Au Prince metropolitan area's population at between 2.5 and 3 million people. For a comparison the 2007 U.S. census data shows approximate populations for comparatively sized US Cities: Los Angeles - 3,834,340; Chicago - 2,836,658; Houston - 2,208,180; Philadelphia 1,449,634: Dallas - 1,240,499 people.
Imagine an earthquake leveling a city the size of Los Angeles. Port Au Prince is located within a few miles of the earthquake epicenter and pictures show the lateral ground movement leveled just about every building in the city. Many buildings were concrete or masonry construction with very little reinforcing. Many people died instantly from non-reinforced buildings collapsing on them. Many others were injured and will likely die because of a lack of proper medical care. Many more will likely die from disease and unsanitary conditions over the next few months and years. They will not die as a direct physical result of the earthquake, but there will most likely be deaths from the earthquakes indirect consequences that destroyed the plumbing and sanitary facilities.
Most of the buildings and plumbing systems have been destroyed. Water treatment facilities and waste treatment facilities were few and far between, but public water faucets allowed people to get clean water and the facilities and infrastructures serving many of these were destroyed. Since the utility infrastructure is not functional many people will likely get sick from cuts and abrasions in unsanitary conditions and from drinking unsanitary water. Water purification equipment will be very important for them.
NFPA launches new digital catalogs
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched new high-resolution digital catalogs to allow users to access information in a new interactive format. Items related to specific topics or codes and standards are presented together. The first two catalogs released center around NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® and NFPA 70, National Electrical Code®.
“The new format was developed to augment NFPA’s print and online catalog versions and give customers easy-to-use features that enhance the shopping experience while saving them valuable time,” said Andrea Hughes, marketing director at NFPA.
“Flipping through” the digital catalog pages is much like turning the pages of a paper catalog with the added benefits of viewing video previews on demand, and getting to the shopping cart with one simple click on a product image. Customers are also able to print the full document or individual pages, forward to a friend, conduct advanced searches, email a page or the entire document directly, and download the document as a PDF.
The digital catalogs are available on the Catalog Request page at www.nfpa.org/Catalog/RequestPrintCatalog.asp.
ASSE introduces a lead content certification program
Westlake, Ohio, — The American Society of Sanitary Engineering has introduced a new Lead Content Certification Program which is now being offered for new and current ASSE listings. ASSE’s Lead Content Certification Program is launched with the purpose of verifying products as having ≤0.25% percent maximum average lead content.
With recent legislative changes in states such as California and Vermont, the need to verify lead content has become a necessity for manufacturers of plumbing products. The ASSE Lead Content Certification Program allows manufacturers applying for ASSE listings and manufacturers with current ASSE listings to demonstrate their compliance to new regulations as well as demonstrate their concern for the public's health and safety.
ASSE’s new program includes a lead content certification test report form, which will calculate the lead content of a product being tested. These calculations are based on the test protocols set forth by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). To apply for ASSE’s lead content certification, the lead content calculation report must be completed by an ASSE Listed Testing Laboratory and signed by a toxicologist authorized by the laboratory.
NSF International to highlight emerging and climate change issues at India conference
New Delhi — NSF International will be speaking on climate change and water conservation at the upcoming Aquatech India show in February.
The first ever Aquatech India show will bring together more than 200 exhibitors and feature speakers that cover important topics in water treatment such as water conservation, preventing contamination, and climate change.
The economy of India is growing rapidly, with a combined annual growth rate of more than 10 percent. All economic activity is based on the supply and quality of water, which will be disrupted by climate change. NSF International’s Malcolm Fox will speak about the effects of climate change on water resources and Tom Bruursema will give an update on current water reuse technologies and standards, both important to addressing water scarcity issues.
Malcolm Fox, climate change expert and Director of NSF International’s Sustainability Programs, will give an overview of how climate change will affect regulatory costs, technological innovation, and the availability of clean water.
Fox has more than 20 years of experience in environmental management and governance programs for major manufacturers and global supply chains. He is also a regular speaker at industry conferences on environmental and water resource matters. Fox was recently appointed to director of NSF International’s sustainability services after previously serving as vice president of Trucost North America, a leading environmental data provider. Fox played a key role in the NSF International/Trucost alliance, where he managed the integration of Trucost’s environmental footprinting capabilities into NSF International's existing portfolio of sustainability services.
Tom Bruursema, drinking water treatment expert and general manager of NSF International’s Drinking Water Treatment Units Certification program, will provide an overview of public health standards that NSF International has been developing for the evaluation of onsite reuse treatment technologies for graywater, blackwater, rainwater, and storm water.
Bruursema is a drinking water and wastewater treatment expert with over 24 years of experience in product certification and professional accreditation within domestic and international markets. Mr. Bruursema is an Honorary Member of the Water Quality Association (WQA) and currently serves as Chair of the WQA International Standards and Regulations Task Force.
For more info, www.nsf.org.
New Products
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Tankless water heater service kits Webstone is now offering select EXP Tankless Water Heater Service Valves kits that are compliant with California and Vermont’s new LEAD FREE requirements. As of January 1, 2010 the patented EXP E2 will be available in our signature “CleanBrass”™ construction, IAPMO certified for compliance with AB 1953. Webstone.
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Flow-limiting valves for small coils Two new low flow automatic balance valves featuring a unique field adjusted cartridge that allows the user to select exact flows for specific. The Low Flow Circuit Sentry™ (pictured) and the Low Flow Wye-Strainer are designed for automatic flow limiting style balancing of both HVAC cooling and heating circuits. Ideally suited for small coils that keep constant fluid flow, the Circuit Setter valve automatically compensates for fluctuating pressure conditions. Small and compact for tight spaces, the Circuit Setter valve features an integrated P/T port with space saving “T” handle shut-off, an optional P/T port for flow verification, and a union-ended tailpiece for quick installation and maintenance. Bell & Gossett. |
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Solar X-Pump Block Combines a variable speed solar differential temperature control, bronze heat source and heat sink circulators, and a stainless steel flat plate heat exchanger into one compact package. The variable speed controls are designed to match solar collector output, a feature that increases system performance by 20%. With just four pipe connections, the installation is complete. The Solar SXPB can be set up to maintain a temperature differential between the solar collector(s) and up to two primary and optional auxiliary storage tanks. The unit can support a booster pump as part of a drain-back system, comes with a heat dump option and freeze protection. The Solar X-Pump Block’s large LCD screen conveniently displays the amount of thermal energy harvested by the collector. Taco.
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ICON System™ Accessory Packages The new accessory packages work in conjunction with the company’s recently introduced ICON System gas control to provide homeowners with additional benefits such as comprehensive leak protection and better, more energy efficient performance including up to 36% savings on energy usage and an increase in usable hot water by as much as 50% or more. The packages include a fully programmable 7-day, 4 period/day LCD digital control that can be attached to the water heater or mounted remotely throughout the house, leak detection that includes an audible alarm and optional automatic cold water shut off valve, and an enhanced integrated mixing device with multiple optional water connections that is quick and easy to install. Bradford White. |