Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Grice Engineering, Inc. Grice Engineering, Inc. is the exclusive designer and manufacturer of the Soffi-Steel System. Their staff has been assisting architects, engineers and contractors with their mechanical concealment needs from conception to completion since 1994. Along with credibility and service nationwide, they offer budgetary price estimates, project take offs, installation, and informational materials including samples.
View www.soffisteel.com for further information.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Plumbing Engineer sales rep by visiting www.plumbingengineer.com.
WEBCAST: Solar radiant & DHW system for Habitat LEEDs home
Don’t miss the next webcast from Phc News, Plumbing Engineer’s sister publication! On Thursday, July 10, starting to 7:00 p.m. CST, watch Bob “hot rod” Rohr demonstrate the installation of a radiant floor heating system in a small Habitat for Humanity home. This project was designed and built by the Drury University, Hammond School of Architecture.
Possibly the first LEEDs Platinum project for Habitat Missouri, or the country, this home has radiant in the slab and transfer plate application for the upper level. Evacuated tube solar collectors will supply a portion of the home’s heat and DHW. You don’t want to miss this one!
Register at www.hvactv.com today!
A. O. Smith partners with Habitat for Humanity
A. O. Smith has donated 78 water heaters as part of its partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The water heaters were donated as part of an initiative of providing decent and affordable housing for low-income families of the Gulf Coast region.
This year’s May 11-16 Gulf Coast project marks the 25th anniversary of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
“The support we’ve received for this year’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project will serve as a catalyst for increasing the work being done in the Gulf Coast by bringing hope, stability and housing solutions to our local communities,” noted Chris Monforton, president and chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. “Our sponsors’ gifts, whether monetary or material, help us build houses and empower families.”
Habitat for Humanity of the MS Gulf Coast (HFHMGC) serves Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, HFHMGC has completed and started construction on 170 homes. HFHMGC believes every family deserves a place they can call home, and as such they are committed to providing the Mississippi Gulf Coast with clean, safe and affordable houses. While eradication of poverty housing is a challenge in all locations, it is particularly challenging in the light of the devastating storm damage in the area. For more information on HFHMGC and how to volunteer or donate, go to www.hfhmgc.org.
Two endorsing associations give support to ’09 AHR Expo
Reflecting the continuing growth of sustainable ‘green’ products and solutions in the HVACR industry, the Green Mechanical Council (GreenMech) and Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) have recently become the 29th and 30th endorsing associations of the 2009 AHR EXPO, January 26-28 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
As new supporters of the HVACR industry’s premier exposition and conference, both organizations will encourage their members to take advantage of the numerous educational and industry opportunities available at the 61st edition of the world’s largest HVACR exposition.
“Both Green Mechanical Council and Home Ventilating Institute focus on sustainable issues that will be of special interest to many attendees,” said Clay Stevens, President of International Exposition Company, which produces and manages the AHR EXPO. “All of our endorsing associations provide valuable perspectives from a variety of key industry segments.”
The Green Mechanical Council’s goal is to educate contractors, field technicians and industry leaders about creating and maintaining environmentally sound residential and commercial mechanical systems. In addition to providing information and training to help members become better in their fields, the Green Mechanical Council works with technical and theoretical educational institutions to encourage the future generation of industry professionals through solid curriculum.
New Products
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Utility concealment system Are you perplexed by the sight of those exposed mechanicals? Not certain how to remedy the appearance of that unattractive piping, plumbing, and HVAC in your facility? Consider the Soffi-Steel System to be your economical, attractive and efficient concealment solution. The Soffi-Steel System is entirely custom-fitted to your exact application needs. Comes in various gauges, dimensions and finishes. FM Approved. Grice Engineering, Inc. |
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Zone pump controllers ZoneTrol II zone pump controllers with optional outdoor reset control feature domestic hot water (DHW) priority timer, post purge function and pump exercise in an economical, user-friendly package. Ready-to-install zone controllers are UL and CUL listed and feature multi-function LEDs visible without removing the cover. Bell & Gossett, a brand of ITT Corp. |
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Never*Trip valve keeps system online Fool-proof, condensate drain valve keeps fire sprinkler systems online and benefits building owners by preventing the system from being accidentally tripped. Meets NFPA 13. Replaces the old drum drip system, eliminating human error, with a single valve that will never trip the fire sprinkler system and won’t freeze and break like ball valves. The Metraflex Co. |
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Air separators for solar heating Air separation dramatically increases the life of a solar heating system by continuously eliminating air, including microbubbles, from the primary circuits. Removing dissolved gases from a solar primary circuit is an essential process in a solar heating system, as these gases can rapidly cause corrosion in collectors and heat exchangers. Air separators remove corrosive gases mechanically in an efficient process. Caleffi. |
Movers & Shakers
Halvorson and Partners has hired Craig Vespa as senior project manager. Vespa, who will oversee project management for the office and handle complex international projects, brings a distinct combination of management and structural engineering experience to his new position. As deputy commissioner for Chicago's Department of Construction and Permits (a department he was integral in creating), he managed a 90-person multi-disciplinary team of code review professionals that has streamlined the city's building permit process. Prior to that, Craig was an associate at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and involved in such notable projects as Chicago's Millennium Park and Jin Mao Tower in China. He is licensed as a structural engineer and architect. |
KAI Design & Build recently hired Anthony Summers as a new senior project manager. In this position, Summers is responsible for managing the firm's projects to a successful conclusion, exceeding clients' job expectations and meeting company financial goals. He has more than 30 years of industry experience, having previously worked two years as a project manager for Pyramid Companies, 11 years as director of project management for HPD Cambridge Inc. and 25 years as a project manager for National Supermarkets Inc. |