Industry News

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ICC Reports Growing Support for Fire Sprinklers

 

The National Fire Sprinkler Assn. (NFSA), the longest-tenured fire sprinkler advocacy organization in the U.S., has reported that the International Code Council (ICC) offered growing support despite its rejection of single-family fire sprinkler requirements for the International Residential Code (IRC) supplement, at a hearing held May 22 in Rochester, NY. Despite earning 56% of the vote to overturn the committee’s initial decision to exclude sprinkler requirements in the IRC supplement, it was not the two-thirds majority needed to pass the motion from the floor.

 

If passed, the residential sprinkler requirement would have become a part of the 2009 edition of IRC, mandating fire sprinkler installation in one- and two-family dwellings.

 

“Anyone who has been in the fire sprinkler industry long enough to see the gains we as an industry have made over the years knows that every significant fire sprinkler requirement in the building codes has been hard earned in an evolutionary process,” says NFSA President John Viniello. “NFSA has been submitting code change requests to the model code groups for more than 20 years and is well versed in the process. The fact that 56% of the ICC now agrees that fire sprinklers should be included as front-line fire protection in one- and two-family homes should be viewed as a tremendous victory--a litmus test for what is to come.”

 

NFSA will continue coalition building for residential fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes during the next 18 months, culminating in the next round of hearings.

 

Present at the hearing were NFSA contractor and supplier members including NFSA Chair of the Board Wayne Gey and members of the NFSA staff, who answered questions and provided important sprinkler information to voting ICC members along with an impressive coalition of fire service and building officials who spoke in favor of the proposed sprinkler requirements. Learn more at www.nfsa.org.

 

Caroma Earns EPA WaterSense Certification on 20 Toilets

 

Caroma, a leader in water-efficient bathroom products has announced that 20 of its 30+ dual-flush toilets for the North American market have been certified to carry EPA’s new WaterSense label. This label ensures that a toilet uses 20% less water than the currently mandated 1.6 gallon toilets, and is a quality product that has also met rigorous testing requirements for performance. Caroma is continually working with the WaterSense approval board to make sure all toilets it manufactures are approved. The remaining toilets are expected to be certified by late summer.

 

Caroma was the first to commercialize development and production of dual-flush toilets, nearly 25 years ago. A Caroma dual-flush toilet can save a household as much as 30,000 gallons of water per year. 

 

The testing for WaterSense certification is done by an independent third party. For more information, visit www.caromausa.com. To learn more about WaterSense, visit www.epa.gov/watersense. 

 

Foundation Funds $1.5 Million in Research on Public Drinking Water

 

The Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF), the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to research on drinking water, has announced that it is funding 10 new studies for $1.5 million in its Unsolicited Research Program.

 

Through the program, AwwaRF provides financial support to researchers from universities and other research organizations to conduct studies on issues that affect the safety and accessibility of public drinking water. In February 2007, 130 pre-proposals were submitted by different organizations for research projects.

 

AwwaRF staff and the Unsolicited Proposal Review Committee--a volunteer committee of 14 professionals from the water-supply community--reviewed the pre-proposals and selected 28 to go on to the full proposal stage. In June, the committee selected 10 full proposals for the AwwaRF Board of Trustees to consider for funding. The board approved the funding recommendations at its meeting on June 23.

 

The Unsolicited Research Program focuses exclusively on basic, proof-of-concept research that represents first steps toward technology breakthroughs for the drinking water community. The projects that will receive funding from AwwaRF will examine drinking water issues such as the impact of antibiotics in the water supply and the characteristics of polyethylene pipe for distributing water to the public. A list of the projects selected and the principal investigator and submitting organization for each, is available at www.awwarf.org.

 

A.O. Smith Earns Top Honors in Manufacturing

 

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, working in partnership with Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain, P.C., Nashville Business Journal, and Waddey & Patterson P.C., has recognized A.O. Smith Water Products Co. as the recipient of the 2007 Excellence in Manufacturing Award for innovation.

 

Now in its third year, the Excellence in Manufacturing Awards program was established to celebrate and recognize quality among Middle Tennessee manufacturers. The nominees were evaluated and selected by a panel of seven volunteer judges with extensive public and private manufacturing experience. The applicants were scored based on criteria such as leadership in manufacturing, manufacturing processes, and growth and consistency and employee development.

 

A.O. Smith received the innovation award for its commitment to providing the water heater industry with innovative products and solutions for its customers. Innovation is the core strategy at A.O. Smith, and that shows within their products, as the company is always first to market new and innovative water heating technologies. For more information, visit www.hotwater.com.

New Products

 

PEX Tubing www.cashacme.com The SharkBite Connection System from Cash Acme now includes PEX tubing. Combined with labor-saving SharkBite Push-Fittings™ and valves, it creates the industry's only whole-house connection system.  With no connection tools required, it is the fastest, easiest way from meter to fixtures--ideal for plumbing, hydronic and radiant systems in both residential and commercial applications.

Butterfly Valve www.danfoss.com Danfoss Flomatic Corp. has introduced the Kwik-Close™ Series 6000 Wafer Style Butterfly Valves ANSI 150. These new fusion epoxy coated butterfly valves are the latest addition to their growing product line of high-quality butterfly valves and are available in sizes ranging from 2 in. to 16 in. Valves feature a ductile iron nickel-plated disc, EPDM seat liner, one-piece stainless-steel stem, corrosion-resistant internal components and a 10 position lockable handle. Valve has a pressure rating of 200 psi and can be used in irrigation, agriculture, and general water systems and reclaimed water systems; it can also be installed vertical and horizontal. The series 6000 butterfly valves can also be provided with an optional stem extension and gear operator.

Roof Drain www.froet.com Froet Industries LLC introduces the new Froet Drain® roof drain with vent. Product serves as a primary drain and a vent for the sanitary system all in one fixture. Drain with vent reduces roof penetrations. As with the roof drain with integral overflow, the roof drain with vent qualifies for LEED credits by reducing fixtures.

Online Catalog Solution www.zoeller.com Zoeller Pump Co. has unveiled its latest online catalog solution. Existing customers, as well as prospects and suppliers, can search the company's complete line of products by using keyword searching, and through the ability of drilling down to find the exact products or parts needed. This catalog solution allows user to more accurately select the correct products by comparing the attributes of up to five items on one screen and enables Zoeller to gather highly qualified leads that can be delivered immediately to its sales force.

Movers & Shakers

Watts Water Technologies Inc. has announced that Mike Gaughan has rejoined Watts as the Western Regional Manager-Automatic Control Valve Group.  Gaughan has more than 29 years’ experience working with pipe, valves, fittings and instrumentation in the water, plumbing and industrial markets. In his new position, Gaughan will be responsible for further strengthening Watts’ relationships with regional wholesale customers, engineers and municipalities while assisting in the development and implementation of long term sales initiatives. Gaughan will be based in Southern California and will cover the Western U.S.

Bradley Corp. has announced the appointment of Mike Sipek as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company.  As COO, Sipek will focus on day-to-day operational management and overall strategic direction for Bradley, including manufacturing, engineering, customer service, marketing, sales and product development. Sipek will draw from more than 30 years’ experience within the manufacturing industry to continue driving Bradley’s growth. His diverse background and experience managing businesses similar to Bradley make him uniquely qualified for the position. Sipek will assume the leadership of the company when current CEO, Bill Andersen, retires later this year.

Bradley Corp. has also announced the promotion of Bryan Mullett to vice president of operations. Previously, Mullett was director of operations for Bradley’s restroom fixtures products. His responsibilities have expanded to include managing operations for both the company’s accessories and fixtures divisions. Mullett will oversee production, safety standards and continue to champion the company’s commitment to total quality management.

Kerry Baskins has been promoted to the new position of vice president/business unit director for Grundfos Pumps in the U.S. headquartered in Olathe, KS. In his new position Baskins will oversee Grundfos U.S. industrial pump sales and marketing efforts. He will implement a new corporate business unit structure as well as strategies to maintain the industrial unit’s record sales levels.