APRIL 2010
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CREATIVE
COOLING
RADIANT Options COMPRESSOR
PM 40070230 Returns: HPAC P.O. Box 720 Stn. K, Toronto, ON M4P 3J6
TECHNOLOGY
IN THIS ISSUE
> PLUMBING – A GLOBAL VIEW THIS ISSUE > SOLAR IN DRAINBACK SYSTEM > DESIGN DETAILS
> COPING WITH BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS
> WHERE CANADA IS AT IN THE SEISMIC ARENA
> HYDRONICS – MEETING THE LOW LOAD CHALLENGE
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tents April 2010
COVER STORY
VOL. 84 NO. 3
The Challenges Of Creative Cooling Building geometry demanded a hybrid solution and a Regina, SK mechanical contracting firm rose to the task.
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12 Industry News CMX-CIPHEX numbers on the rise.
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FEATURES 14 Hydronics
Cover Image iStockphoto
Management Be Prepared
Hydronic Featherweights Reduced heating loads and the use of renewable energy require new comfort solutions, notes John Siegenthaler.
20 Compressors
Howard Grosfield identifies ways for small businesses to prepare for an unexpected business interruption.
29 Cooling
PRODUCTS
DEPARTMENTS 6 Upfront
34 Hydronic
8
42 Plumbing
46 People In The News
52 Gizmos
48 Manufacturer Supplier News
& Gadgets
Industry News
61 Calendar
Getting The Most Bang For Your Buck Dave Demma discusses the latest and greatest developments and how to best utilize them.
62 Training 62 The Source
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tents April 2010
VOL. 84 NO. 3
HPAC MAGAZINE One Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5 TEL: 416-764-2000 FAX: 416-764-1746 www.hpacmag.com EDITOR Kerry Turner (416) 764-1549 kerry.turner@hpacmag.rogers.com ACCOUNT David Skene (416) 764-1590 MANAGER david.skene@hpacmag.rogers.com ACCOUNT John Chiasson 416-764-1557 MANAGER john.chiasson@hpacmag.rogers.com SALES & MARKETING Kim Rossiter (416) 764-1787 COORDINATOR kim.rossiter@rci.rogers.com ART DIRECTOR Melissa Crook (416) 764-1545 mel.crook@rci.rogers.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Jennifer Reinhardt (416) 764-3842 jennifer.reinhardt@rci.rogers.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Bibi Khan (416) 764-1450 bibi.khan@rci.rogers.com PUBLISHER Peter Leonard (416) 764-1510 peter.leonard@hpacmag.rogers.com EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Tim Dimopoulos Robert Burgon, Dave Demma, Sue Garrison, CONTRIBUTORS Howard Grosfield, Jay Lewis, Mike Miller, THIS ISSUE: John Siegenthaler
48 Seismic Haiti In Canada
58
We are not so different in terms of our vulnerability to earthquake damage, contends Jay Lewis.
ROGERS MEDIA INC. PRESIDENT AND CEO Anthony P. Viner
MSN
ROGERS PUBLISHING LTD. PRESIDENT AND CEO Brian Segal
2010 winner of the Carlson-Holohan Award is announced by Robert Bean at CMX-CIPHEX opening lunch.
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHING John Milne SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENTS Michael Fox VICE-PRESIDENTS Immee Chee Wah, Patrick Renard
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40070230, REGISTRATION NO. 10815 Return undeliverable items to: Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning, Circulation Dept., 8th Floor–1 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5 Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning (established 1923) is published 7 times per year by Rogers Publishing Limited, a division of Rogers Media Inc. HPAC Magazine is the leading Canadian business publication for the owner/manager of mechanical contracting businesses and their supply partners.
26
Controls Cooling
Design Options For A Flexible Cooling System Mike Miller explains why radiant cooling lends itself to commercial and residential applications.
32
Plumbing
World Plumbing Day Deemed A Success World Plumbing Council chair Robert Burgon recounts the experience of this inaugural event.
38
Solar Panel
Anatomy Of A Solar Drainback System – Part II Solar drainback systems may be open loop or closed loop. John Siegenthaler takes a look at the strengths and limitations of each option.
ISSN: 0017-9418 Contents Copyright © 2010 by Rogers Publishing Limited, may not be reprinted without permission. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: To subscribe, renew your subscription or to change your address or information… please visit us at rogersb2bmedia.com/hpac. Subscription Price per year: $40.00 CDN; Outside Canada per year: $80.00 US; Single copy Canada: $5.00 CDN. Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning is published 7 times per year except for occasional combined, expanded or premium issues, which count as two subscription issues. MAIL PREFERENCES: Occasionally we make our subscriber list available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to you. If you do not want your name to be made available please contact us at rogers@cstonecanada.com or update your profile at rogersb2bmedia.com/hpac. HPAC Magazine receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. HPAC Magazine, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, re-publish, distribute, store and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. NOTICE: HPAC Magazine, Rogers Publishing Limited, their staff, officers, directors and shareholders (hence known as the “Publisher”) assume no liability, obligations, or responsibility for claims arising from advertised products. The Publisher also reserves the right to limit liability for editorial errors, omissions and oversights to a printed correction in a subsequent issue. HPAC Magazine’s editorial is written for management level mechanical industry personnel who have documented training in the mechanical fields in which they work. Manufacturers’ printed instructions, datasheets and notices always take precedence to published editorial statements. Our environmental policy is available at rogerspublishing.ca.
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Validating Energy Management Systems The research is in – it is the engineer who will assure the long-term value of equipment rather than the architect, reports Sue Garrison.
4
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.
HVAC
HPAC | APRIL 2010
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Murray Pound, Vice President, Operations (Gold Seal Master Builder)
Simply Noble At Uponor, we believe our customers are the reason for our success. Customers like Murray Pound, Vice President, Operations of GoldSeal Master Builder. Murray felt that his customers deserved more from a home than just four walls. Working with our team, he developed an offering that provides his customers with energy efficiency, green technology and peace-of-mind. Murray has quickly become an industry leader and we are pleased to help him exceed his expectations. That’s because at Uponor, we offer Simply More.
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Upfront
Quotable Quotes At
any gathering of
people who share a commen interest, you hear comments and conversations that will often reveal a great deal about the group as a whole. Some will be humourous, in part because they ring a familiar chord. Such was the case at CMX-CIPHEX last month where Robert Bean said “If it’s too hot, too cold, leaks or stinks, HVAC will get the call.” This is so true. Once again he was emphasizing the building as a system concept and the importance of HVAC contractors familiarizing themselves with elements beyond the mechanical equipment. And why not –
if you are going to be blamed or held responsible for deficiencies you must be in a position to present the facts. Other comments may humble you. After receiving an industry award, Ken Webster described his career and how much he enjoys it. But he was quick to say “The best thing I remember is volunteering.” I wondered how many people in the room were evaluating their own commitment to volunteerism. I know I did. Webster raised over $782,000 in cash and product for Habitat for Humanity. He is certainly a credit to an industry that always gets the call, whether it is for a fix or for a helping hand.
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Beyond the Fundamentals
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HPAC staff, together with the industry at large, was shocked by the news of Jason Bourque’s illness but remained hopeful that his brave spirit and positive outlook would prevail. It was not to be so. Sadly, Jason died on April 6, 2010 just weeks after his 36th birthday. In keeping with his generous spirit, Jason asked that donations be made in his memory to Habitat For Humanity. habitat.ca
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HPAC | April 2010
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Industry News
NEWS NUMBERS BODE WELL FOR INDUSTRY
CMX-CIPHEX finished its 2010 run on a high note with over 14,400 registrants from Canada, the U.S. and countries as far afield as Australia and India. This represents a 6.5 per cent increase over 2008. More than 500 exhibitors partici-
pated in the 19th biennial production at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on March 25-27, 2010. The next CMX-CIPHEX will be held March 22-24, 2012. For more CMX-CIPHEX coverage see hpacmag’s newsletter archive, April 2010. cmxciphexshow.com
Martin Deschenes (l), CIPH chairman and HRAI chair Gerry Cellucci prepare to open the 19th CMX-CIPHEX Show.
Show committee chairman, Ed Seaward of Union Gas announced that he would be stepping down after a six year run as chair.
DECISION BLINDSIDES CONSUMERS, CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS The ecoEnergy Retrofit – Homes Program, which was launched in 2007, was dealt a major blow on March 31 when new bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations were suspended. Industry stakeholders, who had been assured the program would remain unchanged until March 31, 2011, were swift to protest the surprise move, but at press time the decision was unchanged. In a letter to Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, president of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, Warren Heeley stated: “Based on these assurances about the program, our members have made significant investments in advertising, sales campaigns and inventories of specific high efficiency products that meet the energy performance levels
8
HPAC | APRIL 2010
of the program. Your announcement has very simply left our industry “holding the bag” on these investments in an economy that is just starting to recover from the worst economic downturn in more than 70 years.” According to the government’s information bulletin, the decision was made “To ensure the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program operates within its existing budget.” The program will continue to approve grant applications from the over 300,000 eligible homeowners up to March 31, 2011. Nearly 300,000 have been processed to date. The Government of Canada will continue to process applications for complementary programs run by most provinces and territories. Updates and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available at: oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/ grants.cfm.
HPACMAG.COM
SEE THE LATEST HPAC e-newsletter @ hpacmag.com
Rock Solid Performance. Pebble-Size Footprint.
Following his keynote presentation at the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) breakfast at CMX-CIPHEX, HPAC contributor Robert Bean chats with Bill Gray, Uponor’s general manager for Canada.
Warren Heeley (l) draws the winning name for HPAC’s Tool Take Away, while publisher Peter Leonard looks on. Francis Bourgeois of Gatineau, QC was the winner.
R410A air conditioners and heat pumps up to 50% smaller and 35% lighter than previous models • Easy to handle • Maximum installation flexibility • Same great features and warranties
GoArcoaire.com At the close of CMX-CIPHEX, Warren Heeley of HRAI and Syed Ahmed of Nissan prepare to draw the ticket for the winner of the 2010 Nissan Titan giveaway. Helene Gagnon, administrative officer at Cardinal Contracting in Bourget, ON was the lucky winner.
Warranties vary according to specific product. Some restrictions apply. See your Arcoaire distributor for complete details. Use the handy distributor locator to find the distributor nearest you. ©2010 International Comfort Products, LLC.
continued on page 10 hpacmag.com
April 2010 | HPAC
9
Industry News
continued from page 9
Biological Agents Undeterred By NonChemical Devices Used In Cooling Towers New research supported by ASHRAE indicates that non-chemical devices (NCD) marketed to control the growth of biological agents, such as Legionella in cooling towers, may not materially reduce biological growth. Research project No. 1361, “Biological Control in Cooling Towers Using Non-Chemical Water Treatment Devices,” a two-year project recently completed by Dr. Radisav Vidic at the University of Pittsburgh, evaluated five non-chemical devices using different technologies to control biological activity in a model cooling-tower system. In Dr. Vidic’s research, none of the non-chemical devices measurably reduced planktonic or sessile microbial populations in comparison to no-treatment tests and to a conventional chemical microbial control treatment protocol. The findings appear to be inconsistent with some previous research. “These results suggest that equipment operators, building owners and engineers should consider taking more frequent water sample tests for their systems that rely on NCDs for biological control. If the testing shows an issue, one possible measure is to add chemical treatment capability to their system to prevent a potential health hazard from developing until additional research and field testing can resolve this question,” said Dr. Vidic. The study results are still subject to final approval by the sponsoring technical committee, TC 3.6 – Water Treatment. ASHRAE anticipates formal approval and the release of the final report for this project at its 2010 Annual Meeting Conference in June. For notice of when the report is available, contact Mike Vaughn, manager of research and technical services, at mvaughn@ashrae.org.
Geothermal Associations Launch Cooperative Relationship The provincial geothermal and geoexchange associations of Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one another on March 1, 2010. The MOU formalizes an intent to foster a coordinated approach to information sharing, education and promotion of geothermal/geoexchange technology in Canada. The parties will share resources, program delivery mechanisms and address issues of mutual concern, while reflecting the unique needs of provincial and regional organizations. Together, the associations represent more than 500 Canadian geothermal contractors, designers and indus10
HPAC | APRIL 2010
try professionals from Ontario westward. A top priority is to emphasize geothermal technology as a viable and sustainable energy option for residential and commercial buildings. Each organization will appoint representatives to form an inter-provincial committee for the coordination and dissemination of information, events, written reports as required, and recommendations back to the provincial geothermal/ geoexchange associations. The committee will also liaise with government authorities, national and international organizations and related stakeholders in an effort to promote the market penetration of ground source heat pump technology. geoexchangebc.com
MEET Show Around The Corner The MEET Show (Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology) is being held in Moncton, NB on May 5-6 at the Moncton Coliseum. The show will attract contractors, developers, engineers and trades people in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors from the Atlantic provinces. In addition to the trade show component speakers include Raman Chauhan, who will discuss NPC 2010, and Mitchell Swan, who will examine executing a Design Build project. For more information about the show, visit MEET2010.ca.
Energy Management Services Directory Available The Energy Management Services Directory is a searchable list of consultants, engineers and other professionals that offer products and services to help organizations manage and measure their energy use. Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency hosts this site as a service, but does not pre-qualify, endorse or guarantee any of the firms, their work or the information provided. http://oee.nrcan. gc.ca/providers/contractor_edit.cfm?attr=28
Gold For Making Cold Mountain Equipment Co-op’s store in Burlington, ON, has received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the Canada Green Building Council. This achievement is due, in part, to its energy hpacmag.com
and water savings: which are 68 per cent and 82 per cent less respectively than a conventional building. The core of the 2,500 m2 building is its one-of-a-kind mechanical system. The cooling system uses six ice thermal storage units, the first of their kind in Canada. The system makes ice at night to shift the peak cooling electrical load to night time when there is less demand for energy, then cools the building during the day by circulating liquid refrigerant between the ice tank outside and the fan coils at the store ceiling. When outdoor conditions permit, the occupants can naturally cool the building with operable windows and a ventilating clerestory. A rooftop Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and a true under floor displacement ventilation system supply 100 per cent outside air to floor grilles in the runway around the main floor and mezzanine retail area. In winter, ventilation air is pre-conditioned by the ERV, then further warmed by hot water pipes wrapped around the underfloor ducts set in the radiant heated floor. All spaces are heated by hot water radiant floors and two modulating condensing gas boilers. While the building itself is modeled to consume 68 per
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cent less energy than a conventional building, due to its solar energy generation, it achieved predicted energy cost savings of 70 per cent. Many green buildings have one rain cistern; MEC Burlington has two. One collects stormwater runoff from the parking lot for irrigation, another collects rainwater from the roof for toilet flushing. As a result, MEC Burlington achieved a remarkable predicted indoor water savings of 82 per cent, and no potable water is used for irrigation. Enermodal Engineering was the LEED consultant, mechanical/electrical engineer, and commissioning agent on the project. enermodal.com
HRAI Gears up for 42nd Annual Meeting HRAI's 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held August 19-21, 2010 at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis in Alberta. For more information on the AGM, contact Heather Grimoldby-Campbell at 800-267-2231, ext.238.
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hpacmag.com
April 2010 | HPAC
11
Cooling
The Challenges of Creative
O
ne of the foremost challenges in the design and construction of the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, SK is the geometry of the building. The fan-shaped steel, stone, glass and concrete building also has to accommodate 10,000 sq. ft. of exhibits. Add in the installation of a hybrid displacement ventilation/underfloor cooling system, and the challenges are stacking up. “From the energy modeling to the actual design and installation, everything was unique,” explained Jared Larson, design engineer and partner of Regina-based MacPherson Engineering Inc., the mechanical consultants on the project. “In working with the architectural vision for the building, there was a desire to provide a smooth, clean appearance. The challenges were that all ductwork and piping had to be maintained within the structure. In many locations, deep steel beams had to be sleeved and reinforced for ductwork/piping penetrations. This involved much more creativity on the part of the whole design team.” On top of the unique mechanical infrastructure, MacPherson Engineering had never designed and installed a system like this before. In order to gain confidence, they looked at similar existing systems and publications about them. ASHRAE proved to be a valuable source of information, through both published literature and the regularly attended conferences. They even visited a testing lab for products used in displacement ventilation. So what exactly is a hybrid displacement ventilation/underfloor cooling system? “The system uses the natural buoyancy of air,” explained Larson. “A heat source locally heats up the air. The warmer air has a lower density and will tend to rise. As it rises, cooler air from below is drawn to displace the air that has risen. We do not want the air to be uniformly mixed as a function of the room height, so it is still using the displacement ventilation theory. We are adding more air, but still want some stratification.” One of the challenges that arise from cooling from the floor is the temperature that is introduced into the space. 12
HPAC | APRIL 2010
Supply air is distributed from the display base.
Pumping systems.
Vent holes in columns.
The early exhibit hall with ductwork feeding through the structure.
hpacmag.com
“If it is too warm, it will rise and not provide adequate cooling,” said Larson. “If it is too cold, then it will stratify and create a cold and uncomfortable floor. You do, however, require some stratification in order for this system to work properly. The air along the floor is typically supplied around 17C. The system is somewhat self-balancing. The stratified air floods the layer along the floor, and then moves along the floor until it encounters a heat source. The larger the source of heat, the faster it will draw the air. “The key here is that only the occupied region of the room is conditioned, and the upper portion is allowed to float. We are then trading off an increase in space temperature rise with a decrease in airflow rate. As long as nothing located in the upper region requires tight control (artifacts or occupants) then there shouldn’t be any major concerns.” The physical system is composed of an indoor air handler with hot water heating and chilled water-cooling. The exterior curtain wall uses fan coils to force heated air through floor grilles, and through the holes drilled in the structural
columns along the exterior. Humidity is added through a dedicated gas-fired humidifier. “The first stage of reheat was a wrap-around heat pipe that would recover exhaust air heat prior to entering the heating coil,” said Larson. “Essentially, it is using the space load to act as a first stage of reheat. If there is not enough load to reheat, then the final stage of reheat is used.” However, the loads vary significantly throughout the day, the week or the year. “To accommodate this, the supply and return fans are on variable speed drives,” explained Larson. “As the demand in the space reduces, the fan speed will also reduce. This further reduction in volume will more closely resemble a displacement ventilation system rather than displacement cooling system.” Though the RCMP Heritage Centre marked the first time MacPherson Engineering has used this type of system, they have used it since in lecture theatres. “Basically any room with a high ceiling really lends itself to this system,” said Larson.
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hpacmag.com
APRIL 2010 | HPAC
13
Hydronics
Hydronic Featherweights Radiant floor heating is not always the best solution. BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER
A
transformation is in progress. In 2008, for the first time in over a decade, the average size of new homes built in the U.S. decreased, and by almost 11 per cent. A similar trend is occurring in Canada. There are several likely causes for this. First, the recessionary economy has tightened the purse strings of both buyers and lenders. Smaller loans mean smaller homes. Second, many North Americans are slowly and perhaps begrudgingly accepting that the days of cheap energy are over. Thirdly, North Americans are getting more pragmatic about their choices in homes. They are becoming increasingly conscious of what the new home’s impact will be beyond its curb appeal and resale value. The number of palatial homes, which were once the bread and butter of the North American hydronics industry, is decreasing. The recurring theme of new home construction is now described with terms such as eco–friendly, green, sustainable and energy efficient. These houses are characterized by their smaller size, reduced heating loads and increased use of renewable energy. As such, they have created new demands on comfort systems. Will the North American hydronics industry be able to retain a healthy share of the market for heating systems in super energy efficient houses? To do so, it must develop solutions as opposed to selling smaller amounts of the FIGURE 1
same hardware. At this point there are not many good comfort solutions being put forth as complete systems for these houses. Many installers simply default to solutions that worked on less energy conserving homes. For example, suppose that next week you are asked to design a hydronic heating system for a passive solar home with about 150 square feet of south facing glass. The house has a floor area of 1,500 square feet, and is constructed with foam-core structural insulated panels. Its design heating load is a mere 20,000 Btuh. What solution would you specify? If you have been into hydronics for several years, your initial thought might be to install tubing in the stained concrete floor slab that sits behind that south facing glass. You reason that on cloudy days, the floor will not be heated by solar heat gain, so why not just keep it warm using embedded tubing supplied from a small gas–fired boiler? Your thoughts then extend to installing a few solar collectors on the roof to provide renewable energy input to the floor circuits when the sun is out. There is little doubt that properly installed floor heating does provide great comfort. And its ability to operate at low water temperatures would improve the efficiency of solar collectors as well as mod/con boilers. For the building cited above, the floor would only have to deliver 13.3 Btuh at design load conditions. A bare concrete slab with tubing spaced every 12" could deliver this using an average water temperature only 16F above room temperature. Seems like a no–brainer does it not? Tubing in the floor slab, the smallest gas fired mod/con boiler you can find, and a few collectors on the roof so the project can be called “green.”
NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOUSE Unfortunately, there are several problems lying in wait for such a high thermal mass heat emitter in 14
HPAC | April 2010
hpacmag.com
Figure 2 floor. At this point the floor slab is unable to accept heat as fast as the sun is delivering it. By noon the air temperature in the south facing rooms has reached 80F and continues to climb. The occupants resort to opening windows to maintain comfort. Much of the solar gains end up purged from the house by ventilation. What initially appeared to be a great use of floor heating has turned into a disappointment for both the owner and installer. Both comfort and the effective use of renewable energy have been significantly compromised.
THE SOLUTION this low energy use passive solar home. One is that the floor will not be very warm – only about 77F at design load conditions. That is as warm as it needs to be to maintain the indoor air at 70F. On milder days the floor surface temperature will be even cooler. The problem here is not that the room temperature can’t be maintained, it is that the owner is probably expecting “barefoot friendly” floors. Regardless of the fact that room temperature is being maintained, the customer’s unfulfilled expectation is certainly not to be taken lightly. Another problem is that a floor slab that is “charged”
The ideal heat emitter for low energy use homes, especially those with significant passive solar gains, would have a very low thermal mass. This allows the heat emitter to respond to rapidly changing internal heat gains. When needed, the heat emitter could quickly warm to its rated heat output. Equally important, when not needed, the heat emitter could quickly stop releasing heat. Figure 1 shows the ability of a low mass heat emitter to quickly respond to changing solar heat gains in a room. Notice that high mass radiators, such as those constructed of cast–iron, or slab type floor heating panels, have a much wider range of temperature overshoot and undershoot.
"The recurring theme of new home construction is now described with terms such as eco–friendly, green, sustainable and energy efficient." with heat during the night is unable to absorb solar energy through those south facing windows the following day. Here is what is likely to happen when a cold night is followed by a sunny day: During the early morning hours, when outdoor temperatures are coldest, the floor heating system is working its magic and keeping the house comfortable. By dawn the surface temperature of the slab floor is around 76F. The sun rises on a clear morning, and a couple hours later that sunlight is pouring through the windows and onto the floor slab. The room temperature is already up to 72F and the thermostat has stopped water flow through the slab. However, the floor continues to dissipate stored heat since its surface is still warmer than the room air. This continues until the room air and surface temperatures are hot enough to stifle further heat output from the hpacmag.com
Their heat output is also significantly “out of phase” with the solar heat gains. One category of heat emitters that approaches this ideal configuration is a fluted steel panel radiator such as shown in Figure 2. These panel radiators contain very little water, in some cases less than a pint. They also make judicious use of metal content, putting it where necessary for a good combination of radiant and convective heat delivery, and eliminating it where it would only function to increase thermal mass. Another type of hydronic heat emitter that recently migrated from Europe to North America is what I call a “micro fan–assisted convector.” An example of such a product is shown in Figure 3. continued on page 16
April 2010 | HPAC
15
Hydronics
continued from page 15
These heat emitters use one or two rows of fin–tube elements mounted near the base of the convector enclosure. An array of small variable speed fans – similar to those found in desktop computers – increase air flow over the fin-tube element to boost heat output two to three times higher than attainable by natural convection only. These fans require only about two watts each, and operate on low voltage supplied from a transformer. The enhanced convecFIGURE 3
FIGURE 4
Courtesy of JAGA–USA
Built–Ins
tion they create maintains significantly higher heat outputs at low water temperatures. These convectors have very low thermal mass and are suited for use with renewable energy systems that favor low water temperatures.
It is also possible to create low thermal mass radiant panels on site. Typically, these will be built into wall or ceilings. Figure 4 shows an example of a radiant wall, which also happens to serve as a stair railing. Absent its gentle warmth, no one would suspect this is a hydronic heat emitter. The construction details used to create this radiant wall are shown in Figure 5. The design uses a combination of foil–faced insulation strips and thin aluminum heat transfer plates. Both of these materials have very little thermal mass. The ½" drywall covering is by far the highest thermal mass element in the entire assembly, and its mass is only about eight per cent that of a four–inch concrete floor slab. Figure 6 shows a thermographic image of an operating radiant wall built in this manner. This images represents the exposed surface temperature of the painted drywall. continued on page 18
Radiant Heating and Potable Systems HeatWeave® Electric Floor Warming
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HPAC | April 2010
6/25/08 9:46:13 AM
hpacmag.com
Delta-T=
efficiency + comfort
System efficiency down to a ΔT. The Taco 00 Variable Speed Delta-T circulator takes the mystery out of a system’s design and pumps just the right amount of flow - no more, no less - all the time. It maintains the perfect Delta-T to rule system efficiency and comfort delivery. Just dial in the Delta-T and go home – it’s that simple.
System efficiency defines energy savings, so your customer will see a 4 - 5% reduction in annual fuel consumption. That’s real money saved! Plus, they’ll love the extra comfort and quiet this simple solution delivers. You’ll love the easy installation and no call-backs down the road. Learn more at www.floproteam.com. Read up and then buy a 00-VDT. It’ll do the system good. TACO CANADA LTD. 8450 Lawson Road, Milton, ON L9T 0J8 Tel. 905-564-9422 Fax. 905-564-9436 www.floproteam.com
eLearning
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Circulators
Electronic Controls
Radiant Mixing Blocks
iSeries Mixing Valves
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Hydronics
continued from page 16
FIGURE 5
Notice the red horizontal stripes. These indicate excellent heat dispersion by the 6" wide aluminum plates spaced every eight inches. The green/yellow areas indicate slightly lower surface temperatures. A temperature scale is shown at the right of the image. FIGURE 6
ple, if the average circuit water temperature was 110F, and the room air temperature was 70F, each square foot of the wall would release 0.80x(110–70) = 32 Btuh. This output is comparable to that of a bare concrete slab operating at the same average water temperature. The difference is that this radiant wall only has about nine per cent of the thermal mass of a four–inch concrete floor slab.
KEEP IT LOW AND LIGHT Contemporary hydronic heat emitters such as low mass radiant walls and panel radiators, although not designed exclusively for low energy use buildings, or those with solar combisystems, are none the less excellent performers in such applications. Look for this type of heat emitter to be increasingly in demand as the next trend in North American home construction unfolds.
Thermal analysis of this wall assembly puts its heat output at 0.8 Btuh/ sq. ft., for each ºF the average circuit water temperature exceeds the room air temperature. For exam18
HPAC | APRIL 2010
John Siegenthaler, P.E. is the author of Modern Hydronic Heating. Visit hydronicpros.com for reference information and software to assist in hydronic system design. He can be reached at siggy@dreamscape.com. HPACMAG.COM
Compressors
Getting The Most Bang For Your Buck Hardly a day goes by without a reminder about our impact on the environment, the need to conserve energy, and the rising cost of energy. For any business that requires the use of multicompressor refrigeration systems, such as supermarkets, the topic of energy conservation should be a high priority. BY DAVE DEMMA
A
pproximately 50 per cent of the typical supermarket’s monthly energy consumption is dedicated to the refrigeration equipment, with the compressors being the biggest portion of that consumption. As such, it makes good sense to commission the equipment with compressor efficiency and performance in mind. Additionally, selecting the most efficient compressor will add to the overall reduction in energy consumption. There is no disputing the fact that refrigeration compressors run more efficiently at lower compression ratios. Therefore, it should be the goal of every supermarket chain to instill this “mantra” into the minds of their maintenance providers: “Keep that compression ratio (CR) as low as realistically possible.” CR can be calculated by dividing the discharge pressure (in PSIA) by the suction pressure (in PSIA). Let’s illustrate using an R404a system operating at a saturated condensing temFigure 1: Compressor Piston & Cylinder, Showing Clearance Volume.
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HPAC | April 2010
perature (SCT) of 110F, and a saturated suction temperature (SST) of -20F: the respective discharge & suction pressures read from the gauge manifold would be 272 psig and 16 psig. These values must be converted to absolute pressure before the CR can be determined. This is done by adding atmospheric pressure to the gauge reading; 14.7 at sea level. Converted to absolute, the discharge and suction pressures become 285 psia and 31 psia. The CR is 287/31, or 9.25:1. The compression ratio can be reduced by lowering the discharge pressure, raising the suction pressure, or a combination of both. It is important to realize that raising or lowering the suction pressure by some value will have a much greater affect on CR than raising or lowering the discharge pressure by the same value. For example, lowering the suction pressure by five psi in the above example will reduce the CR to 7.97:1. By lowering the discharge pressure an equal amount, the CR is only reduced to 9.09:1. Reciprocating compressors, by design, have a built in inefficiency. At the top of piston stroke, a clearance will exist between the piston dome and the bottom of the valve plate, preventing any contact between the two. This is called the clearance volume and is the source of the inefficiency. Following the compression cycle, suction vapour enters the cylinder as the piston travels down. As the piston starts to travel back up, reducing the volume of the cylinder, the vapour pressure increases. When the piston reaches the top of its stroke, the entire volume of compressed vapour will exit the cylinder through the discharge valves except for the vapour trapped in the clearance volume. This trapped vapour is also at the discharge pressure. Before any suction vapour can re-enter the cylinder, the clearance volume vapour must experience a reduction in pressure to a level slightly below that of the suction pressure. Otherwise, there would be no flow into the cylinder. hpacmag.com
It is piston travel, which increases cylinder volume, that reduces this clearance volume pressure (see figure 1). This portion of the piston travel, which is entirely dedicated to lowering the clearance volume pressure, performs no useful work at all. The higher the clearance pressure volume is above suction pressure, the more of this wasted piston travel will be required. Simply put, this is the definition of compression ratio, substituting discharge pressure for clearance volume pressure, as they are the same. The chart in Figure 2 illustrates how changes in compression ratio (from changes in suction pressure and discharge pressure) will affect compressor capacity and motor amperage. Let’s look at an application with a multi-compressor rack where the design conditions are -20F saturated suction temperature (SST) and 105F saturated condensing temperature (SCT). The SST is determined by the fixture manufacturer, while the SCT is determined by the highest expected summer ambient in the particular city the application is located. Suction filters were installed at startup to remove particulate matter from the installation, and became restricted, resulting in a three psi pressure drop. Because of this it became necessary to reset the compressor rack controller to operate at a -25 SST to maintain fixture temperature. It is obvious from the data in Figure 2 that the compressor capacity decreases as the compression ratio increases. Notice the difference in Btu capacity when the SST is raised between these two conditions: at -25/105 the capacity is 44,000 Btuh, and at -20/105 the capacity is 50,500 Btuh. That is close to a 15 per cent decrease in compressor efficiency. By replacing the restricted suction filters the rack controller can be reset to operate at the design condition of -20, reducing the CR and increasing the compressor capacity. Now, utilizing the lower ambient temperatures available in the fall and winter months to allow the system to operate at a reduced discharge pressure can offer additional savings; at -20/70 the compressor capacity increases to 66,500 Btuh. To put this into terms where a tangible benefit can be understood: if the required compressor capacity for the combined system loads is 132,000 Btuh, it will require operating three compressors at -25/105, while only two will be required at -20/70. That’s a significant amount of energy savings, achieved simply by properly tuning the system. In the 1980s, a line of semi-hermetic compressors sported a modified valve plate design, using a disc shaped discharge valve in place of the traditional reed valves. This design offers up to 12 per cent higher energy efficiency by reducing the hpacmag.com
Figure 2: Compressor Capacities at Varying Conditions
clearance volume (see Figure 3). The reduction in clearance volume results in less piston travel dedicated to re-expanding the remaining discharge vapour to a pressure that is lower than the suction manifold pressure. The simple result is that more useful work being done by the compressor. Figure 3: Discus Compressor Valve Plate
In late 2009, the addition of digital controls allowed for compressor capacity modulation. Unlike traditional reciprocating compressor unloading applications, where a cylinder (or bank of cylinders) is sluggishly loaded and unloaded by means of a mechanical pressure control, the digital controls enable faster load and unload. The modulation in capacity is achieved by energizing and de-energizing a solenoid valve in the flow path of the suction vapour. The solenoid assembly can be seen mounted on top of the compressor cylinder head shown in Figure 4. With the solenoid valve energized the compressor capacity is at 0 per cent; when de-energized it is at 100 per cent capacity. Now, here is what makes this compressor more flexible to the constant changing load demands. The loading and unloading application occurs in 20-second cycles, and the amount of time loaded versus time unloaded will result in a “time average” capacity. For example: A 20-second cycle where the solenoid is de-energized for 16-seconds (loaded), and then energized for four-seconds (unloaded), the resultApril 2010 | HPAC
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overflow
ing capacity will be approximately 80 per cent. This flexibility can offer capacity modulation between the range of 10 per cent and 100 per cent nominal capacity. Figure 4: Discus Digital Compressor
reciprocating compressors, the principle of loading and unloading the compressor in 20 second cycles can result in the same flexible benefit of capacity modulation. The modulating chamber above the fixed scroll plate is pressurized with discharge vapour, and keeps the two plates engaged (see Figure 5). The scroll digital version has a bypass line between the modulating chamber and the compressor suction inlet, with an inline solenoid valve to allow the chamber pressure to be relieved when unloaded operation is required. Energizing the normally closed solenoid valve relieves the pressure in the chamber allowing the top scroll plate to move up axially 1.0 mm -- a short distance, but quite enough to allow for full separation of the two scroll plates, resulting in a fully unloaded compressor operation (see Figure 6). Figure 6: Unloaded Scroll Operation
Figure 5: Loaded Scroll Compressor
Scroll compressors operate quite differently than reciprocating compressors. The compression process is accomplished by the use to a pair of scroll plates; one orbiting and one fixed. The fixed scroll is attached to the compressor body while the orbiting scroll is coupled to the crankshaft. As its name implies it orbits, rather than rotates. The orbiting motion creates a series of gas pockets traveling between the two scrolls. On the outer portion of the scrolls, the pockets draw in gas, and then move into the center of the scroll, where the gas is discharged. As the gas moves into the increasingly smaller inner pockets, the temperature and pressure increase to the desired discharge pressure. A scroll version utilizing the same digital “time average� capacity modulation is available. While the scroll compression process is quite different than that employed by 22
HPAC | April 2010
Where there are certainly quantifiable benefits from the proper commissioning of any refrigeration system, there are also undeniable benefits from using state-of-the-art high efficiency technology. Included in these, but to be covered at a later date, are variable frequency drives for compressors, and screw compressors. Dave Demma regularly trains contractor and engineering groups in his position as national accounts manager, with United Refrigeration, a division of National Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Products Canada Corp. He holds a degree in refrigeration engineering and worked as a journeyman refrigeration technician before moving into the manufacturing sector. He can be reached at ddemma@k-rp.com. A video presentation of the operation of the Discus Digital can be seen at the following link: youtube.com/ watch?v=2B7kX8RavcY&feature=youtube_gdata
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Management
Motto rings true for small business owners who plan to manage everyday risks.
F
rom forest fires in British Columbia to tornadoes in Ontario, the news never fails to deliver an onslaught of stories profiling devastating loss to homes and businesses. Yet while catastrophic disasters may grab national headlines, smaller, less publicized disruptions to business – such as local power outages, theft, Internet viruses and even illnesses such as H1N1 flu – are much more common, and can be particularly worrisome for small businesses. Despite this, many Canadian small business owners remain vulnerable to these everyday risks. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Angus Reid Strategies found that 41 per cent of small business owners in Canada have already experienced an event that significantly impacted their business, with most (88 per cent) saying they were disrupted for more than a week 24
HPAC | APRIL 2010
and close to half (46 per cent) for more than a month. Yet despite the risk, 80 per cent of respondents overall said preparing for potential disruptions is low on their to-do list, or not even on their radar. John Conn knows first-hand how important it is to plan for the unexpected. A few years ago, a hurricane put a tree through his house. That reality check pushed him to prepare his business, Thompson Conn Limited, Eastcan Geomatics Consultants, of Halifax, as best he can for unexpected disasters. But he still only considers himself halfway there. “I back up all of our data off-site, and we keep up our virus protection. I’ve got insurance even though we’re in a new building, but if we had a flood, we’d be in pretty big trouble.” Understandably, prioritizing how both time and money are spent can be a constant juggling act, particularly during a recession. It is HPACMAG.COM
Photo iStockphoto
BY HOWARD GROSFIELD
“Without someone dedicated to big picture planning, developing a business continuity strategy can fall further down the “to do” list.”
natural and often necessary to focus on increasing profits rather than on expenditures like preparing for unforeseen circumstances. Indeed, 35 per cent of survey respondents cited money as a hindrance to developing a plan, while a third said finding time was a struggle – not surprising considering that small business owners tend to play multiple roles, from salesman and accountant, to head of human resources in the first few years of business. Without someone dedicated to big picture planning, developing a business continuity strategy can fall further down the “to do” list.
TAKING A LOOK AT BUSINESS SECURITY The definition of disruption can vary significantly from business to business and from industry to industry. The important thing is for small business owners to step back and carefully assess what constitutes a significant disruption and have a plan in place to manage. Fortunately, there are many easy and inexpensive things that can be done. It is often all about finding the right place to start. For example, determining alternative staffing resources in case of an emergency health situation such as H1N1 flu and talking to employees about how to better protect themselves are simple measures that can make a big difference. Other areas to look at can include: insurance needs, intangible losses and back-ups. Insurance Needs: While insurance can be expensive, managing through a flood or severe illness can be even more costly in the long run. As businesses grow and evolve, so do insurance needs, and important assets should be covered appropriately – including employees. For example, the survey found that 51 per cent of small business owners had fire or flood insurance, yet only 20 per cent had catastrophic illness insurance in case of an emergency health situation. Intangible losses: Beyond the obvious damage that can occur when disruption strikes, there are intangible losses hpacmag.com
such as loss of client confidence and damage to a businesses’ reputation. Pinpointing the cost of such losses to the business can be next to impossible to determine. On the other hand, many small business owners have developed best practices that reduce the likelihood of the disruption happening in the first place and in essence, controlling the controllable. Back-ups: While 57 per cent of survey respondents had a data back-up plan, only 31 per cent had a back-up power supply on hand. Not every business is reliant on electronic data but for those that are, back-up locations are a common defence tactic. Knowing the areas that are crucial to uninterrupted business operations is key.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE There is no doubt that as businesses mature and growth allows owners to outsource some activities or hire additional employees, planning for everyday risks becomes more realistic, both from a time and money perspective. The good news is that, while the current business climate is still difficult, things are improving. The survey found that nearly one in three (30 per cent) Canadian small business owners now feel their business is on the upswing, while the proportion of those who feel their business is still suffering from a slight or significant downturn has dropped from 56 per cent to 48 per cent since June 2009. With a better economic outlook and even moderate strong and steady growth over the next two years forecast by the Conference Board of Canada, investing in peace of mind may become an easier reality for Canada’s small business owners. Howard Grosfield is the vice president and general manager of Small Business Services for American Express Canada and International. APRIL 2010 | HPAC
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Controls
Design Options For A Flexible Cooling System Radiant heating is something that has grown in popularity over the years. Now, it appears, more folks are beginning to talk about radiant cooling for commercial and residential applications. BY MIKE MILLER
T
Figure 1* Basic Application With Outdoor Temperature Switch Over From here are many reasons for the heightHeating To Cooling ened interest in radiant cooling systems, one being the increasing popularity in heat pump applications and energy efficient buildings. While we are most definitely not limited to heat pump(s) as a primary source, they do lend themselves well to both heating and cooling. Radiant cooling works best in high performance buildings where sensible cooling loads are less than 10 Btuh/sf and where latent loads are controllable. Most often, radiant cooling is used as a first stage of cooling, and if necessary with a second stage air system for to seven Btuh/sq. ft. for short wave radiation from solar peak load requirements. In very mild climates, gains and some high intensity lights. radiant cooling could satisfy the building loads without a secRadiant heating is at its best when located in floors, ond stage. Building and ventilation loads must be properly especially in terms of human comfort. Radiant cooling evaluated before designing the system. in floors is ideal in areas with high solar gain, such as in Radiant cooling surface temperatures should be about south facing atriums, however for space and occupant conthree to four degrees Fahrenheit above the dew point and ditioning, ceilings have less interference from items such absolute humidity controlled to prevent condensation as furniture, and have greater absorption capacity due to on the radiant panel. Some modern controls for radiant deeper surface temperature allowances and additional percooling and heating systems have the ability to not only calculate dew point temperature and use it for integral surface temperature operation, but also to measure humidity levels in each zone. With this added ability, a control system can engage HRVs or de-humidifiers to control humidity ratios in the building and therefore mitigate condensation concerns. When designing a radiant cooling and heating system formance from convective transfer. Radiant cooling sur(also known as a reversible floor or reversible system), the face temperatures are a function of the sensible load and loop layout and flow rates must follow the requirements of generally operate between 63F and 67F under properly the cooling portion, rather than heating. Typical T (temcontrolled humidity conditions. While this article focuses perature difference between supply and return) for comfort on radiant floor cooling, the same principles can be applied cooling is around five to nine degrees Fahrenheit and T to radiant cooled ceilings. for heating is between 10 and 15F. A hybrid system of radiant plus air is an ideal system that The long wave cooling capacity for floor surfaces is can optimize efficiency while maintaining the most comfortapproximately 14 Btuh/sq.ft., with additional capacities up
“Thermal energy transfer via pumps and hydronics can be obtained using 70 to 80 per cent less electrical energy than with fans and forced air.”
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HPAC | April 2010
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Figure 2* Simultaneous Radiant Cooling And Heating able indoor climate. These systems also allow for smaller and lower electrical load equipment to be used. The inclusion of radiant cooling in commercial designs has been shown to improve energy costs by an average of 17 per cent in humid climates and up to 40 per cent in dry climates. Thermal energy transfer via pumps and hydronics can be obtained using 70 to 80 per cent less electrical energy than with fans and forced air. The following mechanical drawings of condensation protection (as a minimum temperature setradiant heating and cooling systems begin at the storage point). This system will utilize radiant as the primary source tanks. The tanks could be charged with heat pumps, boilfor comfort temperature control while within slab temperaers and chillers or any other source. Control systems used ture limits and use its air backup when necessary. Each shall be capable of limiting surface temperatures for both zone thermostat, in this example, has humidity sensing heating and cooling mode and controlling humidity levels capability and is able to engage HRVs or dehumidifiers to in each zone. control humidity levels in the building. In the application shown in Figure 1, a single buffer tank is maintained at either a fixed setpoint Figure 3* B uilding Radiant Heating And Cooling Simultaneous With or outdoor reset temperature suitable for Independent Mixing Per Manifold Group the (fan coil) air system that should only engage as a second stage if the radiant cannot satisfy any heating or cooling loads by itself. During heating mode, the mixing valve will modulate the water temperature provided to the radiant system based on outdoor temperature and fine-tune it based on indoor condition. This allows it to meet the requirement of the hardest to heat zone at any time. In each zone, a thermostat will control the air and radiant temperature with the aid of a slab sensor that can be used for floor warmThis is the most cost-effective approach for a building to ing (as a minimum temperature setpoint) and surface coverbe heated and cooled with radiant, but it is limited due to ing protection (as a maximum temperature setpoint), such as its single source, as it requires the system to be switched hardwood floors. This system will utilize radiant as primary from heating to cooling based on something simple like source for comfort control while within slab temperature outdoor temperature. This eliminates the ability for simullimits and will only use its air backup when necessary. taneous heating and cooling of the building. During cooling mode, the mixing valve will modulate the Supply and return temperature sensors at each radiant water temperature based on an outdoor temperature and manifold are used for monitoring purposes. fine-tune it based on indoor conditions so it can meet the requirement of the hardest to cool zone at any time. In In the case of simultaneous radiant cooling and heating, each zone, a thermostat will control the air and radiant the general principles of the first example still apply. However, temperature with aid of a slab sensor that can be used as shown in Figure 2, there are now two storage tanks: to set a coldest surface temperature limit for comfort one for heating and one for cooling. Diverting valves, often control (as a maximum temperature setpoint) and surface continued on page 28 hpacmag.com
April 2010 | HPAC
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Controls
continued from page 27
installed in the mechanical room, can switch parts of the system from heating to cooling mode, while utilizing the common piping. This heat/cool application is possible using a control system that can deal with heating loads (conductive and convective heat losses or loss of radiant gains) and cooling
Rising to the Challenge
The HCFC phase-out is now underway and Arkema is leading the transition with next-generation refrigerants Forane® 407A, 407C and 427A. With solutions for OEM and existing equipment the Forane® team is rising to meet any challenge – especially yours.
loads (radiant heat gains). This setup also allows for radiant heating and air cooling in the same zone (warm floors while the air is being cooled), that can be tied into a separate outdoor temperature switch-over for the radiant versus air. Two mixing valves (one for heating and one for cooling) are modulated to control the supply water temperature for the radiant cooling and heating system. Thermostats in each zone still control surface temperatures, load staging and humidity levels. This is a more complex system and many of the higher-end radiant cooling and heating applications for residential and commercial buildings are now going this way. Adding an independent mixing valve to each manifold group in simultaneous heating and cooling applications (see Figure 3) involves the same principle the previous example, but the addition of the mixing valve allows for radiant heating in one part of the building and radiant cooling in another. This adds more flexibility to a job where a greater challenge may exist due to larger additional gains or losses of a building. The more points are controlled, the more flexibility you gain from the heating and cooling system. These are just three design options and there are certainly other approaches, but the endless opportunities are just another reason why hydronic systems are so gratifying to work with.
Arkema Canada Inc. 1100 Burloak Drive, Suite 107, Burlington, ON L7L 6B2
www.arkema.ca For more information call 905-331-5500 ext. 230 1-800-567-5726 or www.forane-na.com
Explore the possibilities ©Arkema Inc. 2010. All rights reserved. Forane ® is a registered trademark belonging to Arkema.
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HPAC | April 2010
The world is our inspiration
Mike Miller is a business development manager, controls, with experience in the manufacturing, distribution and contracting sectors of the industry. He can be reached at mike.miller@uponor.com. *Note: All drawings are concept drawings only. Isolation and balancing valves, as well as other safety equipment, were not included for clarity reasons. hpacmag.com
products Cooling Featuring a Copeland scroll compressor mounted on double-isolation plates for quiet operation, the Synergy3D geothermal system from WaterFurnace delivers cooling, heating and hydronic heat. The unit is equipped with a variable-speed ECM blower motor with 12 airflow selections, a large coated air coil for improved dehumidification during cooling and microprocessor controls with onboard diagnostics. waterfurnace.ca
Designed for mini-splits or ducted split air-conditioning systems, the Fortress lineset covering system from Airtec Products Corp. is constructed of extruded PVC lengths and injection-molded fittings that are UV- and weatherresistant. The system is made in eight-foot lengths with two deep profiles: 3.5 inches for standard linesets and 4.5 inches for heavy-insulated or multiple linesets. airtecproducts.com
Mitsubishi Electric Canada has introduced 14 new Energy Star certified units to the Mr. Slim M-series air conditioners and heat pumps. M-Series split ductless systems are available in sizes from 6,000 to 36,000 Btuh. Variable Compressor Speed Inverter (VCSi) technology eliminates cycling between on and off. mitsubishielectric.ca
Trane’s Performance Climate Changer air handler are designed to cool, clean, filter, dehumidify and heat air. The units feature factoryinstalled controls, a low-leak casing design, two-inch R-13 foam-injected panels with thermal breaks and numerous fan options. This unit can be used in commercial, industrial and institutional applications. trane.com
The Chillgard RT monitor from MSA is designed to detect all R-400 and 500 series refrigerants. The unit also features remote display information to satisfy entry way signaling requirements. msanet.com hpacmag.com
Cliplight Manufacturing’s Vision and Firefly refrigeration manifold gauge sets with sight glasses are designed for air conditioning, refrigeration and appliance equipment diagnostics. The sets feature conical piston manifold valves, steel case construction with bronze tubes and brass sockets as well as ergonomic heavy duty handles with calibration rings that display valve position. cliplight.com APRIL 2010 | HPAC
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products Cooling MovinCool’s spot air-conditioner product catalog includes updated specifications for the company’s entire line of industrial spot air conditioners and accessories. It covers the MovinCool PC7, Classic and Classic Plus as well as the Office Pro series of portable spot air conditioners and the CM-series ceiling-mounted models. The units can be used in a variety of applications including server and telecom rooms, data centres, offices, warehouses, assembly lines, manufacturing processes and outdoor events. Download it at movincool.com/catalog
Daikin’s new six and eight-ton ducted fan coil unit can be combined with Daikin’s VRVIII and VRV-WII condensing units to commercial applications, such as large class rooms, hotel ballrooms, offices and retail shops. These larger fan coil units ease installation and reduce equipment costs. The system’s modular design allows for individual control and comfort, as well as conditioning each zone as it is occupied. daikinac.com
The 13 SEER Quiet Breeze side-discharge condensing unit from Ontario Heating Ltd. is designed for installation in small spaces. The unit matches with most A and H coils, uses R410A refrigerant and offers sound levels as low as 54dba. Three models are available in weights ranging from 97 lbs to 145 lbs with cooling capacities ranging from 12,000 Btuh to 24,000 Btuh. ontarioheatingltd.com
The Comforteer packaged unit from Coleman is a 13 SEER horizontal-ducted, singlepackaged electric cooling unit and heat pump. The unit features a lightweight, all aluminum MicroChannel condenser coil, a large single panel covering the electrical controls for easy serviceability, a four-way forkable full perimeter base rails to simplify installation and a top-discharge condenser fan that carries noise away from the living area. Models are available in two- to five-ton capacities and use R-410A refrigerant. colemanhvacdealer.com 30 RMC-2.indd 1
hpacmag.com
HPAC | APRIL 2010 4/9/10 11:47:07 AM
The most resourceful employee, with none of the vacation days. © 2010 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. *Price does not include Freight, PDI, dealer Administrative fees, GST or PST. **No system, regardless of how advanced, can overcome the laws of physics or correct careless driving. Please always wear your seatbelt.
Starting at $42,900*, the All-New 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter boasts flexible features including: ■ Best in class fuel efficiency and the lowest emissions courtesy of our BlueTEC clean diesel V6 ■ Best in class cargo, payload and interior height capacity ■ Unmatched flexibility with three vehicle lengths, two roof heights and three weight ratings ■ Innovative safety features like ADAPTIVE ESP**, Load Adaptive Control and Roll Over Mitigation ■ Car-like comfort and convenience with heated and comfort seats, PARKTRONIC, and Bluetooth connectivity ■ Extensive list of optional equipment satisfying most comprehensive needs
Plumbing
World Plumbing Day Deemed A Success Event highlights the value of the plumbing industry to the broader community. BY ROBERT D. BURGON
W
hen the World Plumbing Council agreed to initiate an annual date to focus on the plumbing industry, the intention was to raise awareness of the importance of the industry in relation to public health and the environment. On the inaugural World Plumbing Day, March 11, 2010, organizers achieved that goal and made a good start on which to build future events. Formally launched with a press conference and Technical Forum in Beijing, China, it soon became clear that this initiative had been embraced by plumbing organisations around the globe. Too many people in developed countries take plumbing for granted and do not appreciate just how important good plumbing is. At the same time, millions of people die each year in developing countries because of water-related diseases, which are preventable through access to clean water and sanitation, both of which are basic plumbing issues.
“…we have a long way to go before the whole world takes plumbing seriously.” The WPC created a special website to promote World Plumbing Day and this was launched in December of 2009. The website (worldplumbingday.org) contained suggested activities that could be undertaken to celebrate the day, as well as fact sheets on both the health and the environmental aspects of plumbing. Although it will take some time to evaluate all of the activities and media coverage of the first World Plumbing Day, it is already clear that the industry has taken this event seriously. Events took place throughout the world. The theme of the first World Plumbing Day was “PlumbingVital to Global Health”. The logo for the day refers to water, health, energy and the environment. It was used widely 32
HPAC | APRIL 2010
on posters, water glasses and coffee mugs, which were all produced as souvenirs of the day. Advertisements appeared in newspapers in a number of countries. An initial review of the day took place during the World Plumbing Council in Sydney, Australia on March 15-16, 2010. Delegates from 12 countries (including Hans Tiedemann of MCA of Alberta, who is the WPC honorary secretary/treasurer) agreed that the day had been successful and had achieved the goal of raising the profile of the role of plumbing. After such a great start, we will ensure that World Plumbing Day 2011 (and in the following years) continues to gain momentum. There is no doubt that the aim of raising awareness was achieved this year, but we have a long way to go before the whole world takes plumbing seriously. Robert D. Burgon is chairman of the World Plumbing Council. He can be reached at robert. burgon@snipef.org.
HPACMAG.COM
More than machines...
...it’s partnership. For some, a successful installation marks the close of the deal. For us, it symbolizes the beginning. At VICON, words like availability, nationwide service, comprehensive training and support are more than marketing mumbo-jumbo, it’s who we are. We stand behind our plasma cutting and coil line systems, rollformers, TDX machines and InteliCADTM drafting software because, in our eyes, our customers are part of the VICON family. And we really would not want it any other way. To learn more, call 800-563-8510 or contact our Canadian Distributor Westway Machinery, Ltd. directly at 905-803-9999 or visit us at www.plasma-automation.com
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Where Superior Duct Work Begins.
products Hydronics Featuring an advanced burner and combustion system, the CREST commercial stainless steel heating boiler from Lochinvar is available in five models with capacities of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 Btuh inputs. The units have eight-inch touch-screen controls and can be vented both vertically and horizontally. lochinvar.com Designed for commercial hydronic applications, Honeywell’s pressure-regulated flow control valves feature field-serviceable stems and flow control within five per cent accuracy. The valves are available in a full range of sizes from 1/2 inch to six inches. beyondinnovation.honeywell.com.
The Mod Con from Heat Transfer Products, Inc. offers 94 per cent thermal efficiency. It features a modulating burner with five to one turn down, low NOx operation, an integrated control system and a built-in sequencer for up to eight boilers. htproducts.com
The Senergy line of ready-to-ship horizontal firetube boilers from Superior Boiler Works includes units in three standard sizes: 40, 60 and 100 hp with 150 psig operating pressure. superiorboiler.com
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HPAC | APRIL 2010
Rinnai’s condensing wallmounted boilers offer maximum Btu inputs ranging from 75,000 to 205,000 and operate on either natural or LP gas. Designed for homes with smaller domestic hot water requirements, the E Series uses an integrated single-speed pump and expansion tank in conjunction with a stainless steel boiler heat exchanger for heating while a copper nickel integrated plate heat exchanger supplies hot water. The Q Series works in all homes, even those where more substantial demands call for zone heating. It features a fully modulating pump combined with a stainless steel heat exchanger. rinnaitanklesswaterheaters.ca Heatlink Group Inc.’s Mechanical Room in a Box line of enclosed zone control panels include mixing panels, pump mixing panels, isolation panels, traditional and tankless water heater panels, and a range with manifold options. heatlink.ca
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The Mixing Expansion Module 440 Variable Speed/Floating Action control from tekmar is for indoor use only. It provides a system pump output and a single mixing output for either a variable speed injection pump or floating action mixing valve. The 440 requires the use of a tN4 Outdoor Reset Module that is capable of operating a mixing expansion module. tekmarcontrols.com
Laars Heating Systems is adding three additional commercial NeoTherm boiler sizes (600, 750, 850) to thecurrent residential sizes (80, 105, 150, 210) and commercial sizes (285, 399, 500), extending the NeoTherm range from 80 MBH to 850 MBH. NeoTherm direct vent, sealed combustion boilers modulate with a five-to-one turndown. Zero clearance to combustibles and convenient top connections (horizontal or vertical direct vent) make it suitable for tight installations. laars.com
Radiant Installation Made Easy Use the hydronic radiant heating manifold stations by Hydronic Panel Systems Inc. and reduce your installation time. Hydronic Panel Systems stations are preassembled, CSA certified and ready to install. There are a variety of options to cover virtually every installation need from single zone to large multi-zone, multi-temperature jobs. You can count on us to help design customized stations for those occasions when standard stations won’t do. Let the experts at Hydronic Panel Systems simplify your next hydronic radiant job.
Hydronic Panel Systems Inc. Ph: 416.622.7681 • fax: 416.622.5127 • Mobile: 416-845.2587 www.hydronicpanels.com • Email: info@hydronicpanels.com
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APRIL 2010 | HPAC
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products Hydronics Lochinvar's Squire Indirect Water Heater line has been expanded upon and enhanced. A total of 12 stainless steel units have capacities between 30 and 119 gallons. Included in the lineup are six solar Squire units, which feature hybrid systems that incorporate solar thermal panels along with a secondary boiler heating coil or electric back-up. lochinvar.com
The Vitocrossal 300 gas-fired condensing boiler from Viessmann offers the new generation of Vitotronic control units. Suited to semi-commercial or commercial heating applications, the boiler features a Inox-Crossal vertical heat exchanger surface made of stainless steel. The unit offers easy handling with its low build height and weight. Larger sizes from 638 MBH are available in two sections. viessmann.ca
It’s what your boiler would choose... Visit www.topog-e.com to learn more about the world’s most popular molded rubber handhole and manway gaskets. Contact us to receive FREE: ● STEAM TEMPERATURE SLIDE RULE ● TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION AND USAGE GUIDE ● SAMPLE GASKET ● CONTACT DETAILS FOR YOUR LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR For further information and a quotation: 1224 North Utica . Tulsa . Oklahoma 74110
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tel 918 587 6649 fax 918 587 6961 sales@topog-e.com . www.topog-e.com
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HPAC | APRIL 2010
For retrofit and replacement applications, Caleffi offers the optional SAE Flare end connection for its Z-one zone valves. The SAE Flare connection is available for two-way and three-way diverting applications. Quick order assemblies combine the SAE Flare end connection with a 24V normally closed actuator, complete with an auxiliary switch design that features hermetically sealed electrical contacts. These allow valves to operate reliably in harsh environments requiring no minimum current load. caleffi.com
Fulton has expanded its ModSync product line to include the ModSync LX and inSite Remote Monitoring system. The ModSync Sequencing System is used as a common interface for multiple condensing boiler systems. ModSync LX features a 12.1” colour touchscreen and user-friendly interface that provides detailed information of the system status and operating parameters. Wireless boiler interfacing and text messaging options are also available. The inSite Remote Monitoring system provides the ability to monitor a ModSync installation using a standard web browser. fulton.com.
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Business Advantage Account is offered through Manulife Bank of Canada. * As at March 17, 2010, a variable annual interest rate of 1.00% is applied to all funds in the account. Interest is calculated on the total daily closing balance and paid monthly. Rate is subject to change without notice. Manulife and the block design are registered trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and its affiliates including Manulife Bank of Canada.
Solar Panel
Anatomy Of A Solar Drainback System – Part II In the March 2010 Solar Panel column we discussed the benefits of drainback systems. In this article we will look into the system design details. BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER
A
s is true with hydronic heating, solar drainback systems can be created as either open loop or closed loop configurations. Each approach has its strengths and limitations. Open loop design can be used for either solar DHW systems or solar combisystems. The latter supply heat for both hot water and space heating, and often require storage tank volumes of several hundred gallons. In such systems, the cost per gallon of a non-pressurized tank operated as an open loop system is often significantly less than that of a pressurized tank operated as a closed loop system. Non-pressurized solar storage tanks are usually assembled on site by combining a structural shell with a flexible waterproof liner. The structural shell is either made of sheet metal panels or a continuous cylinder. Liners made of EPDM rubber or PVC are then placed inside the shell, and fastened at the top. This approach is similar in concept – although vastly superior in quality – to hanging a trash bag inside a trash barrel. Piping connections are usually made through the upper side panel or top of the tank, above the water line. This minimizes the chance of leakage as the tank ages. The images below show large non-pressurized thermal storage tanks suitable for use in solar
Courtesy of American Solartechnics
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HPAC | APRIL 2010
FIGURE 1
combisystems. The tanks shown hold several hundred gallons of water. Smaller versions of such tanks are available for systems that only heat domestic water. The solar collection subsystem used with a nonpressurized tank is shown in Figure 1. This system is intended solely for domestic water heating. Water within the open storage tank is supplied to the collector circulator through an inverted “U-tube” assembly on the left side of the tank. Once primed, water will remain in the upper portion of this U-tube when the circulator is off. The portion of the U-tube that’s above the water line is at sub-atmospheric pressure. As such, there can Courtesy of STSS co. Inc. be no air vents or other devices that might allow HPACMAG.COM
FIGURE 2 air into the piping. The top of the U-tube should remain as close as possible to the water level in the tank to minimize sub-atmospheric pressure. When the differential temperature controller turns on the collector circulator(s), water is pushed up through the collector array, and eventually establishes a siphon in the return piping. Return flow enters the tank, and is deflected to a horizontal direction by an elbow or tee located just below the water surface. This detail helps preserve temperature stratification within the tank. Another tee, located a few inches above the water level, allows air back into the return piping as soon as the collector circulator turns off. Most drainback systems using this design can empty the collector array and exposed piping in one or two minutes. Because the tank is open to atmospheric conditions, there will always be dissolved oxygen in the water. To avoid corrosion, all piping should be copper or stainless steel, and circulators should have either bronze or stainless steel volutes. Domestic water is heated as it passes through a copper or stainless steel coil heat exchanger suspended within the tank. If the water in the tank is hot, the domestic water may exit this coil at temperatures significantly higher than can be safely routed to fixtures. An anti-scald rated tempering valve blends in cool water as necessary to establish a safe delivery temperature. The auxiliary water heater could be a tank or a modulating tankless unit. When the latter is used, a diverter valve operated by a temperature-sensing controller determines if water exiting the tank coil goes through or around the tankless heater based on temperature. If the water leaving the tank coil is at or above the required delivery temperature, there is no need for it to pass through the tankless heater. Doing so just creates needless heat loss.
FIGURE 3
SEALED OFF One example of a closed loop solar drainback system for domestic water heating is shown in Figure 2. The water and air in the collector array and solar storage/drainback tank is completely closed from the atmosphere and operates under a slight positive pressure. The solar storage/drainback tank has an internal copper or stainless steel coil for domestic water preheating. Cold domestic water passes through this coil first, and then on to the conventional tank-type water heater for any necessary temperature boost. The drainback reservoir is at the top of this tank. The water level in the tank is set using the sight glass in the collector supply piping. HPACMAG.COM
The pressure in the system can be controlled by adding or removing air through a standard Schrader valve. This system configuration does not add any conventional energy continued on page 40 APRIL 2010 | HPAC
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Solar Panel
continued from page 39
"To avoid corrosion, all piping should be copper or stainless steel, and circulators should have either bronze or stainless steel volutes." to the solar storage tank, which allows the collector to operate at a slightly lower temperature and higher efficiency than is possible with a single tank system. Another closed loop drainback system concept is shown in Figure 3. This system uses a separate drainback tank, which can be elevated above the main storage tank if necessary, to reduce the lift head of the collector circulator. Hot water returning from the collectors passes through this insulated drainback tank, and then flows through the lower coil of the main storage tank. Auxiliary energy is added at the top of
the storage tank when necessary, in this case through an electric element. Pressurized, closed loop drainback systems have several advantages including: »» Standard cast-iron circulators can be used. »» The NPSHA (Net Positive Suction Head Available) to the circulation is increased, which reduces potential for cavitation and allows for quieter operation. »» Pressurization helps suppress vapour formation and increases the height to which the siphon can be maintained when the collector loop temperatures rise. »» No portions of the system operates at sub-atmospheric pressure, and thus there are no encouragements for air to enter the system. »» Water loss from the system, over time, is extremely small. Drainback solar subsystems should never have an automatic make-up water assembly or air separator vented to the atmosphere. Having these components would eventually cause the air in the subsystem to be replaced with water and thus eliminate the required drainback volume. Any minor water losses can be monitored using the sight glass, and manually “made up” by adding water through the lower hose bib valve. In the next column we will get into the specifics of sizing the collector circulator(s) for drainback systems.
John Siegenthaler, P.E. is the author of Modern Hydronic Heating. Visit his website at hydronicpros.com for reference information and software to assist in hydronic system design. He can be reached at siggy@dreamscape.com.
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HPAC | April 2010
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Instant hot water using only as much power as a night-light. Think about ITT.
The ecocirc® e3 series potable water pump requires less than 10 watts and uses 68% less energy than standard circulating pumps. Designed to deliver instant hot water at every tap, no matter the distance from the water heater. The pumps feature innovative ECM technology, are highly efficient, easy to install and maintenance-free.
For more information, contact your Bell & Gossett Representative or visit www.bellgossett.com
The “ITT Engineered Blocks” symbol; and “Engineered for life” are registered trademarks of ITT Corporation. © 2010
products Plumbing The hands-free, sensoroperated HydrationStation from Haws is a bottle filler featuring an antimicrobially-protected, drip-free dispenser. The unit hooks up to municipal water lines and can be used as an addition to existing drinking fountains. stayhydrated.net
Electric Eel’s EelCam EC-8SD camera inspection system, which weighs only 10.4 pounds, features a compact design, a 1.3-inch diameter colour camera and 200 feet of gel rod push cable. The system records video of each inspection directly on to a SD flash card and includes controls for microphone, lights, camera test port and secondary video and audio outs. electriceel.com
The original plumbing solution since 1958
VENT
1-800-363-5874 | www.saniflo.ca
Wet bars
Kitchens
The next generation of gray water pump, pre-assembled and easy to install All-in-one check valves, 3 inlets, pre-assembled Compact smaller than similar products
Laundry rooms
High value one product, one SKU, unlimited applications Sinks
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HPAC | APRIL 2010
hpacmag.com
products Plumbing
Featuring ECM technology and a spherical motor design, Bell and Gossett’s ecocirc potable water recirculator pump eliminates the need for conventional shaft, seal and bearing assembly. The rotor/ impeller is the only moving part in the pump and it is magnetically-balanced on a stationary ceramic bearing inside the pump housing for quiet operation. The pump is also self-lubricating and has resinencompassed stators as well as a built-in temperature sensor and 24-hour timer. itt.com
Rheem 95 Series tankless water heaters offer new burner technology, a 3/5" concentric vent system and integrated condensate collector. Available as indoor direct vent or outdoor models, they come with a .26 GPM minimum flow rate. The venting system connects directly to the core guard, which eliminates the need to purchase a separate adaptor. rheem.com
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STEEL QUEEN The Professional's Choice
KITCHEN SINKS AND MORE
www.kindred-sinkware.com
N E W F O R 2 0 10
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Larger capacity bowls with a contemporary look and re-designed Spillway!
APRIL 2010 | HPAC
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products Plumbing
Sanitop models in Saniflo Canada’s line of Quiet Range macerators incorporate stateof-the-art noise reduction technology. They feature two inlets – one for the toilet and the other for a sink; vibration absorbers; specialized rubber interior components; and a more powerful motor. When operating, the unit produces less than 35dB of sound. The external macerating unit is designed specially for half bathrooms. saniflo.ca Featuring a four-sided carbide insert, which provides an extra cutting edge after 180-degree cutting insert rotation, Reed Manufacturing Company's plastic pipe fitting reamers are designed to clean out old pipe and leftover solvent cement so a fitting can be reused. The reamers fit into standard ½" drills and are available in four sizes for Schedule 40 PVC. reedmfgco.com
The redesigned electronic Royal ES-S Flushometer from Sloan Valve Company features non-hold open true mechanical manual override functionality. This water closet and urinal flushometer is equipped with infrared technology for hands-free operation as well as a wall flange for installation versatility. sloanvalve.com
®
Sustainable Operations Products
ZURN INDUSTRIES LIMITED 3544 NASHUA DRIVE, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L4V 1L2 PHONE: 905/405-8272 · FAX: 905/405-1292
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HPAC | APRIL 2010
Liberty’s GR22 two-inch pump guide rail is designed to allow for easy installation or removal of submersible pumps in deeper pits. The GR22 features heavy cast iron construction, single rail design and a discharge size of two inches. libertypumps.com
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Introducing a no-brainer from some of our brightest brains
The GeoSpring™ hybrid water heater from GE® reduces energy costs by up to 62% and saves homeowners approximately $320 every year* in water heating expenses. The footprint is similar to a standard tank model, and it uses existing water and electrical connections. Set yourself apart by installing the GeoSpring hybrid water heater and giving homeowners the energy savings they’re looking for. For more information call 888-209-0999 or visit www.williamshvac.com
3770B Laird Road Unit #10 Mississauga, Ontario. L5L 0A7 P.905-820-1400 T.888-209-0999 F.905-820-1435 www.williamshvac.com email: bill@williamshvac.com
*Based on DOE test procedure and comparison of a 50-gallon standard-tank electric water heater using 4879 kWh per year vs. the GeoSpring hybrid water heater using 1856 kWh per year.
People In The News
PITN
Wilo Canada has named Marc Halter district sales manager for the Greater Toronto Area. He has more than 17 years experience in the sales and marketing of pumps and pump systems in residential and commercial HVAC, groundwater and industrial pump markets.
Dietz Award chairman Robert Bean (l) presents the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence to Ken Webster.
Fundraising Efforts For Recognized Ken Webster, director of sales and marketing for ViessmannCanada, is the latest recipient of the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence. The every-other-year award is presented to persons who represent the best of the hydronic heating industry based on criteria that include contributions to system design integrity, marketing of steam and hot water systems and humanitarian works. Webster was honoured for his fundraising initiatves on behalf of Habitat For Humanity. The honour was named after the late Gil Carlson, a legendary hydronics industry instructor who served many years as director of technical services for Bell & Gossett. He taught an estimated 175,000 students, along with hydronics writer-teacher Dan Holohan, who has kept Carlson’s memory alive in numerous articles and books. The Award itself is the original “System Syzer” wheel developed by Carlson. More information about this award can be found at healthyheating.com, the web site of award chairman Robert Bean.
Woodman
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Jason Woodman has joined Uponor Ltd. in the role of western regional sales manager. Reporting to Bill Gray, general manager, Uponor Ltd., Woodman will play a key role in expanding Uponor's heating and plumbing business in Western Canada.
HPAC | APRIL 2010
Fedyna
Gibeau
Halter
Saidi
S.A. Armstrong Limited (SAA) has had some staffing changes at its head office in Toronto, ON. Bernhard Dietz has been named director of brand development. Ulyana Fedyna joins Armstrong as communications specialist and Francois Gibeau is director of ACE Online Services. Hamid Saidi joins SAA in an inside sales role.
Duncan
Scott Duncan has been named regional sales manager environmental and combustion controls – Canada with Honeywell. He was most recently on the operations side with the company.
Rob Andersen has been named vice president of sales for Honeywell's Environmental and Combustion Controls (ECC) Americas. In this role, he is responsible for leading the ECC Americas trade and retail sales organizations as well as the customer care organization.
Head
Andersen
HPG Sales, a division of Hydronic Parts Group, has appointed John Head as its sales manager. He brings 30 years sales and engineering experience in hydronic systems to the company.
Raja Matharu has joined MITS Air Conditioning Inc. where he is an HVAC consultant.
Matharu
HPACMAG.COM
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Liberty pumps offers 6 different series of sump pumps to meet your specific pumping needs. All feature energy efficient motor designs that minimize energy consumption. For the absolute best in basement groundwater protection look no further than Liberty Pumps!
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280-Series 450-Series
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250-Series Copyright Š Liberty Pumps, Inc. 2010 All rights reserved.
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One of Americas fastest growing,
Mechanical Supply News
MSN GLC president Don Wellington (centre) sets up for the pipe cutting prior to the name change announcement at CMX/CIPHEX.
New ID For Copper Tube Manufacturer Wolverine Tube (Canada) Inc. recently announced that it will now be known as Great Lakes Copper Inc. The name was chosen from over 150 names submitted through an internal contest held with the employees of the London plant. "Given our greater penetration in the U.S. market, we felt that a name change would help differentiate our business from that of our former owner,� said president Don Wellington. A manufacturer of copper tube products for the industrial, wholesale and refrigeration markets, the London, ON company has been in operation for over 50 years. The Canadianowned company offers a broader range of products through the Kamco division, which it acquired in November of 2008. With copper tubing, coated copper tube and now line-sets for the air conditioning industry, Great Lakes Copper Inc. can better service its current and growing customer base with a full line of Canadian made products. In July of 2008, the London-based plant of Wolverine Tube Inc. was sold to a group of Canadian private investors, which includes members of the London management team. The company has since invested in new equipment, new products and acquisitions to offer customers a broader range of products and better service. wlvtc.com
Austrian Manufacturer Partners With Lochinvar Lochinvar recently announced its solar thermal heating initiative, which is the result of a new partnership with TiSUN GmbH of Tyrol, Austria. TiSUN brings extensive experience in solar heating technology, 48
HPAC | APRIL 2010
along with a complete product line, to the partnership. The Lochinvar/TiSUN product offering will include solar thermal panels specifically engineered and designed for commercial use, solar thermal storage tanks, and the associated pumping stations used to move the solar energy between these devices. tisun.com
Distech Controls Celebrates 15 Years of Growth Distech Controls, a provider of building automation and energy management solutions, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Founded in 1995, by current president and CEO Etienne Veilleux, the privately-held company based out of Montreal, QC has grown significantly and today boasts a global presence. "We have come a long way over the past 15 years thanks to the support and loyalty of our clients, and to the very talented and dedicated team working at Distech Controls," said Veilleux. Distech Controls received an AHR Expo Innovation Award in 2006, 2009, and 2010. It has also figured prominently, year after year, in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list of companies, and is among the ranks of the Deloitte Green 15 companies. Distech recently acquired Acelia and Comtec Technologie from the France-based company, Groupe Arcom. Acelia is the sales unit of Arcom while Comtec Technologie represents the research, development and manufacturing division. Groupe Arcom designs and manufactures a range of building automation products including HVAC, lighting and sunblind control systems - all based on open building control protocols, notably BACnet, LONWORKS, EnOcean and DALI. The company offers expertise in Integrated Room Control technology that substantially reduces a building's energy consumption and CO2 emissions. distech-controls.com
Kerr Expands Operations Kerr Controls Ltd. (Kerr) has purchased the assets of RSR Wholesale Ltd. and RSR Home Comfort Products Inc. (known collectively as "RSR") and has taken direct control of its wholesale distribution business. The newly combined company will operate in Ontario as Kerr Smart Energy Limited (KSEL). This acquisition fulfills Kerr's HPACMAG.COM
M
MSN goal of expanding its operations into southwestern Ontario and further complements its existing distribution network of 10 stocking locations in Atlantic Canada. kerrsmartenergy.com
ATCO Opens Environmentally Friendly Operations Centre
ATCO Gas recently opened its operation centre in Edmonton, AB. The 55,000 square-foot facility is the largest commercial building in Canada to make use of geothermal heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) technology fuelled by natural gas. According to ATCO, it uses approximately 40 per cent less energy than a similar size building heated through conventional means. The company opened a smaller geothermal facility in Viking, AB, in 2009, while another operations centre equipped with geothermal technology is currently under construction in Airdrie, AB. atcogas.com
Air Heat Supplies Opens State-of-the-Art Training Centre Air Heat Supplies, the Ontario distributor of American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning equipment, has opened a Home Comfort Training Centre in Mississauga. The centre is professionally outfitted with the latest heating and cooling equipment and high-tech classroom facilities that will house all of Air Heat Supplies' training requirements. An open house marking the grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and centre tours. City of Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion was on hand for the festivities. Air Heat Supplies has four locations across Ontario and has been an authorized American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning distributor since 1996. airheat.ca
HRAI Revises Industry Forecast The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) recently issued a revised industry forecast for commercial air conditioning, residential air conditioning and furnace shipments for 2010. The original forecast was released in December 2009. The revised forecast projects that shipments of commercial air conditioning will increase by four per cent to 36,000. Residential air conditioning shipments will increase by three per cent over 2009 to 196,000. Residential furnace shipments will decrease by three per cent over the 2009 figure of 347,694. For more information contact Caroline Czajko, manager, manufacturers, HRAI, e-mail manuf@hrai.ca or tel. 800267-2231. hpacmag.com
The Master Group has kicked off its high efficiency systems road show, which will travel throughout Eastern Canada, from Ontario all the way to the Maritimes. “Our objective for these vehicles is to use them as authentic seasonal travelling displays. The first phase of the tour ends in May 2010. It promotes the Water Furnace Synergy geothermal heat pump, Grammer & Heliodyne solar products, Uponor's radiant floor controls, the newEcobee smart thermostats and Nortec humidifiers. The next phase will take place in May and will be entirely dedicated to other technologies and products,” stated André Paré, vice-president, engineering and products. For the road show schedule visit master.ca/en/professionals/index.sn.
continued on page 50
State-of-the-Art Geothermal Training & Testing Facility
We offer a wide range of hands-on geothermal courses designed for homeowners, well drillers and HVAC contractors.
For more information or to become a Geothermal Specialist:
866.310.6690 GEOSMART ENERGY.COM APRIL 2010 | HPAC
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MSN
continued from page 49
Aire will initially distribute the product through its network of trained representatives and distributors in the United States and Canada, with plans to roll out the program to Latin America. steril-aire.com
Trane Ontario recently unveiled its Performance Climate Changer air handlers at events in Markham and Misssissauga, ON. They are modeled after the custom AHU market. Stephen Scott, Trane account manager, fields questions regarding the air handlers.
New Home For American Standard Brands Canada American Standard Brands Canada has relocated its head office and consolidated major product lines into a state-ofthe-art 400,000 sq. ft. distribution centre at 5900 Avebury Ave. in Mississauga, ON. The general number is 905-9494800 and the telephone numbers for departments remain the same. Extensions remain the same but now include the prefix 152. americanstandard.ca
Solar Company Sets Up Canadian Shop Schletter GmbH, Solar Mounting Systems, a manufacturer, and distributor of solar mounting systems, has started office operations at its Canadian subsidiary company, Schletter Canada, Inc. The manufacturing and distribution facility is expected to be fully operational shortly. "We have seen significant growth in our customer base and level of interest in our products and solutions within the Canadian market and, as a result, this has encouraged the founding of our newest subsidiary," said Ryan Kelly, general manager of the Canadian facility. "Establishing a physical presence in Canada with our new manufacturing and fulfillment center will enable us to best serve the needs of our clients, while saving on production costs, which in turn, allows us to pass those savings along to our clients." schletter-inc.us schletter.de
DISTRIBUTION »» Steril-Aire, Inc. has signed an agreement with Sanyo North America Corporation to distribute the Sanyo professional Air Washer Plus, an air purification system. Steril50
HPAC | APRIL 2010
»» Weil-McLain Canada's Quebec distribution will be handled by Groupe Maburco and Le Groupe Master. Groupe Maburco will continue its distribution of Weil-McLain's residential cast iron and Ultra cast aluminum products from eight branches across Quebec. Le Groupe Master will distribute the company's commercial cast iron products across the province. weil-mclain.ca »» WaterFurnace Renewable Energy, Inc. has named CleanEnergy Developments Ltd. of Calgary, AB, as its newest GeoStar distributor. CleanEnergy has exclusive distribution rights for GeoStar products in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the vast majority of Ontario. CleanEnergy has 55 dealers within these regions. cleanenergydevelopments.com »» Goodman Canada has opened locations in Laval, QC and Saskatoon, SK. In Laval the company is located at 4313 Autoroute Des Laurentides, tel. 450-681- 2220. The Saskatoon location is at 807 - 60th St. East, tel. 306-6517350. goodmanmfg.com »» Waterline Products in Mississauga, ON has been named exclusive master distributor for Viega's Manabloc products in Canada. In Quebec, Agences JP Sylvain (AJPS) Inc. is representing the Viega ProRadiant and PureFlow product lines. viega.net »» Oatey Canada SCS Co. has appointed Equipco Ltd. as its new agent in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Equipco's Ryan Bristow is responsible for Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario and can be reached at 204-772-4341, while Blair Clute is responsible for Saskatchewan and can be reached at 306-209-1367. oatey.com equipcoltd.com »» The addition of Copeland brand products to its offerings makes Thermal Resources Inc. in London and Sarnia, ON the newest Emerson Full Line wholesaler. thermal.on.ca hpacmag.com
Uponor executive vice president Anders Tollsten (l) and Milwaukee Electric Tool president Steve Richman show off the new M12 and M18 ProPEX Expansion Tools, which will be brought to market later this year.
»» HPG Sales is the new representative for RBI Water Heaters Inc. in Ottawa, ON and surrounding areas. Doug Mader, president of HPG Sales, a division of Hydronic Parts Group, recently announced that the company will be opening a new Ottawa location to better serve the area. For more information, tel. 877-633-0334 or visit hydronicpartsgroup.com. »» Crown Boiler Company has named a number of Canadian reps. These include Wesmech Technical Sales, Inc. in Toronto, ON, tel. 416-251-8990; Groupe Horizon Technologique in Montreal, QC, tel. 514-316-4799; with MCI Energy & Water Process Systems, Inc. of Calgary, AB (tel. 403-251-5959) handling western Canada. crownboiler.com »» Delany Products (formerly Coyne & Delany), maker of the Presto flush valves, recently named Vision Parts & Accessories as its exclusive Canadian distributor. Vision Parts & Accessories is located in Markham, ON tel. 866847-4665. visionparts.com »» Quadra Sales Inc. (tel. 204- 832-2354) is now representing all Zurn Industries Limited products except Zurn Pex, in the Manitoba and Thunder Bay, ON territories. Spruce Marketing (tel. 204 853-7918) will continue representing Zurn Pex products in the Manitoba/Thunder Bay regions. As of May 1, 2010, Can-Aqua International (tel. 866-6253088) will cover the Zurn customer base east of Belleville. Customers from Belleville and westward, will be serviced by Cardinal Sales (tel. 905-829-3744). zurn.com
MERGERS & PARTNERSHIPS »» FLIR has merged its Commercial Vision Systems and Thermography divisions into one unit (Commercial Systems), led by Andy Teich, previously president of the Commercial Vision Systems division. The new division continues to focus on growth in commercial and industrial markets and will create value from commonality in distribution, customers and strategic product development focused on uncooled infrared technology. flir.com »» Uponor has formed a partnership with Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation which involve Milwaukee adding M12 and M18 ProPEX Expansion Tools to its line of products designed for the plumbing and heating trade. With Uponor’s continued support, the M12 and M18 ProPEX Expansion Tools will launch later this year, offering features such as an auto-rotating head for accurate, one-handed expansion. “At Uponor, we hpacmag.com
realize an essential ingredient for success in the plumbing and heating industry is a quality fitting system and a quality tool,” said Anders Tollsten, executive vice president, Uponor North America. “We know our customers are loyal to the ProPEX connection method, and we want to offer them a tool with the same durability to match. Partnering with Milwaukee will allow us to offer our professional partners this vital combination.” uponor.ca milwaukeetool.com
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gizmos & gadgets Designed for use in InnovairFlex duct smoke detector applications requiring a remote test, the 2251BR photoelectric detector from System Sensor has a temperature range of -20C to 70C. The unit also features easily visible status indicators and a readily available test feature. systemsensor.com/flex
Action Van & Truck World’s A.R.E. deluxe commercial unit truck cap features a fully welded frame construction. Customize the cap with a variety of available door and window configurations, colours, toolboxes and ladder racks. vanandtruckworld.com FLIR bSeries - HPAC Sep08:3.375x4.875
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HPAC | APRIL 2010
The Trackem system from Solutions Into Motion eliminates the need for manual logs and paperwork. The system allows for tracking of all vehicles in a fleet from any PC. It can also streamline the dispatch process and protect company vehicles against theft. simplegps.com
The Chillgard RT monitor from MSA is designed to detect all R-400 and 500 series refrigerants as well as R-1234yf. The unit also features remote display information to satisfy entry way signaling requirements. msanet.com
HPACMAG.COM
The Rock Unroller Tube Uncoiler and the Rock On Top Ladder Tray from Tools That Rock are intended to simplify jobs. The heavy duty steal uncoiler can handle up to 1,000' rolls. The ladder tray features hooks on the top step and can be filled with tools. toolsthatrock.com
the power of 3 The 875 series thermal imagers from Testo feature a thermal sensitivity of 0.08C, a temperature range of -20C to 280C, a full sized 160x120 focal plane array and a large 3.5" display. Each unit has 2GB of image storage and includes a USB cable, rechargeable battery, tripod adapter and carrying case. testo.com
E3Point = efficient operations + energy management + economical value. E3Point detects almost every toxic or flammable gas that threaten the security of your building — CO, NO2, O2, H2, H2S, CH4 and C3H8. It can monitor one or two gases simultaneously, through a base station and optional remote sensor. It functions as a standalone unit or fully addressable network device that can connect up to 96 gas monitors, controllers and hybrid wired-wireless system components. E3Point links to almost any BAS including Modbus and BACnet to optimize HVAC, fire, smoke and other critical systems. It works where and how you need it to, from indoor environments to outbuildings, -40 to +122ºF extreme temperatures, analog or digital, wall or duct-mount. E3Point is easy to wire, easy to maintain and easy to operate — everyone from the installing contractor to the maintenance technician will appreciate the plug and play sensor and modular unit design, easy-to-view LCD monitor, and ergonomic design features. To stretch your building’s performance, call us now. Honeywell Analytics. Experts in gas detection.
For E3Point product details and specifications, call 1-800-538-0363 or visit E3Point.com © 2010 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.
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April 2010 | HPAC
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4/6/2010 10:05:02 A
HVAC
Validating Energy Management Systems Research indicates that architects rely heavily on engineers to provide specification expertise, especially to substantiate how these systems can meet commercial facilities' long-term value objectives. BY SUE GARRISON
E
ngineers are proving their worth in the energy management system field – and it is due in part to the fact that engineers, in turn, are able to prove how worthy these systems are. According to a blind-preference research study of 126 commercial building product types, architects are increasingly relying upon engineers to select energy management systems. When the first version of this survey was run several years ago, engineers emerged as a driving force in this product category alongside other industry professionals. Now, more than ever, engineers are calling the shots. A total of 110 North American commercial architects participated in the HVAC category of the Brand Preference Study, which included energy management systems as a sub-category. The survey form asked respondents to check whether they are "involved" or "not involved" in specifying and recommending these products. The survey left room for "involved" architects to write up to three of their brand selections, which could include product names or even the titles of other professionals, or they could check a "no preference" box, indicating that they do not favour any particular brand. In the energy management systems sub-category, 41 per cent of architects said they select or specify these systems, which includes deferrals to engineers and others, and 21 per cent have no brand preference. Some energy management system manufacturers make a concerted effort to reach architects, but do architects want to be involved in these decisions? Even though more than 40 per cent of architects said they specify energy management systems, they expressed only marginal interest in the topic in general. This disinterest may be surprising given how energy efficiency and proper management of HVAC and building systems play right into sustainability issues that impact architects' involvement in overall green building design plans. Yet architects have little direct involvement in HVAC 54
HPAC | APRIL 2010
ARCHITECTS’ TOP BRANDS OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 2 OTHER BRANDS BRAND 2
5%
4%
BRAND 1
9%
BY CONSULTANT
19%
BY ENGINEER
63%
©2010 Accountability Information Management Inc., www.a-i-m.com
systems across the board. Architects who deferred specification of energy management systems were also highly likely to hand off decisions about boilers, chillers and building automation systems to engineers and consultants. Architects were more likely to be involved in specifying air conditioners and to cite specific brand choices than any other HVAC product type. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents said they were involved in selecting or specifying air conditioners, and only 14 per cent had no brand preference. Manufacturers can argue that architects should care about energy management. The statistical evidence shows, however, that although a fair amount of architects are continued on page 56
HPACMAG.COM
HVAC
continued from page 54
involved in energy management system brand decisions, their level of involvement is rather limited. Architects simply do not view energy management as falling squarely within their area of expertise or responsibility. By writing in professional titles as their brand choices, namely mechanical engineers, they pointed to these specifying professionals as the ones being ultimately in charge of decisions. So what should engineers glean from this information? First, even though architects express only mild interest in energy management systems, engineers could help architects envision how this decision affects other building product decisions. It would be helpful for architects to give greater consideration to automated building management systems in general, and energy management specifically – particularly, how these systems affect sustainability, long-
from 2005 to 2008 in all HVAC product categories, other research indicators pointed to how typical building owner issues prevailed. In terms of ranking the importance of product attributes, clients' needs rated the highest – 8.93 on a 1-10 scale with 10 being the most important – and "clients" are oftentimes the building owners. Clients' needs significantly outpulled sustainability (7.27), support (7.39), maintenance (7.84) and efficiency (7.94). Yet, according to architects, clients' needs just edged out long-term performance (8.11) and reputation (8.19), both of which may well speak to the interests of value-seeking owners. The fact that initial price averaged 7.44 indicates that manufacturers have a little room to prove the worth of a higher-priced system to those looking at all associated expenses. On a separate, open-ended question asking why
“Architects who deferred specification of energy management systems were also highly likely to hand off decisions about boilers, chillers and building automation systems to engineers and consultants.” term operating expenses and occupancy matters, which can range from enhancing worker productivity to increasing the percentage of building space leased. Having architects on board with these decisions will bolster engineers' arguments that such systems matter. Architects are already heavily involved in specifying a selection of other building products related to energy management. Nearly 75 per cent of architects actively select metal or aluminum windows, and more than half recommend or specify thermal protection and insulation siding. One could say that windows correlate with the design interests of architects, but it is harder to argue that decisions about thermal protection and insulation products are aesthetically motivated. Second, although the percentage of architects citing building owners as the primary decision-makers decreased
In response to a question asking architects to write their preferred brands, respondents named only four manufacturers, which altogether accounted for only 19 per cent of the total. The majority of the brands listed were not products or manufacturers, but engineers and consultants.
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HPAC | April 2010
architects select certain HVAC brands, typical answers were performance, service and warranties, which are also in line with more everyday building management requirements. Some energy management manufacturers have noted that facility managers' budgetary constraints are negatively affecting investment in products with long-term cost and performance gains. Architects rely heavily on engineers, however, to guide product decisions that impact maintenance, utility bills and other building expenses. Thus, engineers are proving to be influential third-party experts while dealing with technical matters, as well as settling purchasers' upfront cost versus long-term expense calculations. Engineers have always proven their value as technical designers. Architects are demonstrating how they see engineers as being the value drivers in the decision-making equation as well.
Sue Garrison is with Interline Creative Group, a sister company to Accountability Information Management, Inc., a marketing research company. For more information about the Accountability Architects' Brand Preference Study, visit a-i-m.com.
hpacmag.com
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Seismic
Haiti In
Canada Why our seismic risk is also high.
BY JAY LEWIS
M
y BlackBerry buzzed as I was climbing down a ladder in a Nanaimo school, where I had been inspecting seismic mitigation work being done. The US Geological Survey had just sent me a notice that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake had occurred in Haiti. I immediately checked the depth – 10 kilometres and location – 16 kilometres southwest of Port-Au-Prince. I turned to the project foreman and said, "A few hundred thousand people just died." I felt sick for the wonderful people of that poor island. On the ferry back to Vancouver late that night, I contemplated the world's reaction. First, there would be the heroics of the rescue effort. Knowing the construction methods on the island, I could already see the dramatic television coverage of dust covered people being pulled from the few viable cavities in the
ability to withstand shaking. Without getting deeply into the engineering, damage and death occur when the horizontal and vertical movement of the quake causes the structure to fall over or come apart, while the internal contents fly around crushing things and lighting fires. The latest Building Codes at the national and provincial levels, when adhered to, prevent that from happening in all but the most extreme events. But seismic measures have only been seriously integrated into buildings across the country over the past thirty years. And some are not well adhered to in buildings now being built.
pancaked structures. At the end of the process, virtually no one survives the collapse of multi-storey unreinforced masonry buildings (concrete or cinder block in Haiti). The commentary on the disaster would dwell on the poverty, corruption, Building Code neglect, and shoddy construction practice. These disasters often occur in the third world. In the past decade half a million people have died in earthquakes. The names – Samoa, Sichuan, Sumatra, Java, Antofagasta, Kashmir, Bam, Gujarat, Istanbul are vaguely familiar to most. As we know, earthquakes are not just third world natural phenomena. Since 1989 – other modern industrial cities have felt the earth shake. Those cities – San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kobe, Taipei, Seattle, Nigata and L'Aquila have all suffered serious damage and loss of life. So there is a little bit of Haiti in every city sitting on a seismic zone. Here in Canada, we tend to be smug about our buildings' 58
HPAC | April 2010
While I drove across Vancouver late on the night of January 12th, the radio carried the cries for help from the dust-laden ruins of Port-Au-Prince. As I passed through the commercial districts, I contemplated the thousands of older buildings with unreinforced brick and block walls, poor and deteriorating floor and roof connections and very little in the way of electrical and mechanical system seismic restraint. Canadian wood frame residential buildings are inherently very stable, but many of the older ones are not attached to their foundations. With their hot water tanks unsecured, each home is a stack of dry kindling with a gasfed igniter at the base. After Kobe and Los Angeles in the late 1990s, governments and regulators across North America got busy and started assessing the seismic risk to basic infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, first response organizations, transportation systems and lifelines. Canadian mitigation hpacmag.com
Photo iStockphoto
“We are vastly richer than Haiti and have no excuse for our present state of seismic delinquency.”
Seismic Sensors Improve Earthquake Preparedness programs were launched at both the federal and provincial levels and the construction industry started on the work. But by 2003, however, all the programs were closed with only an estimated 12 per cent of the mitigation work complete. Every month since then, the amount of seismic work being done has decreased. There was some thought that the recent economic stimulus programs would kick-start the work again, as few things create more employment than seismic retrofit work. Nothing came along. What happened – other priorities, I guess. I got home late that night and glanced down the quiet street. In my mind, I was seeing a bit of Haiti here. There were the fire hazards, the older un-anchored homes, the newer, vulnerable open floor plans with heavy tile roofs and dangerous work places with weak walls and unsecured equipment. Not only do I lie awake at night contemplating this situation, but increasingly, insurers, re-insurers and mortgage lenders are getting nervous. A 7.0 in Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver or Victoria would not only be devastating for those cities, but it would also be a crushing blow for the Canadian financial sector. We are vastly richer than Haiti and have no excuse for our present state of seismic delinquency. We absolutely should lose our sense of superiority. The day may come when Haitian rescue teams land at our airports to help fish us out of our buildings. Jay Lewis is president of Terra Firm Earthquake Preparedness Inc. He can be reached at j.lewis@terrafirm.ca or tel. 604-254-3311. For more information on seismic issues, see HPAC's September/ October 2009 issue at hpacmag.com. hpacmag.com
Amid the excitement of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, visitors may not have noticed earthquake detection devices — known as strong motion sensors — that were installed at a number of the Games’ venues. Designed by scientists and researchers at Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), these strong motion sensors provide immediate, accurate measurements of any seismic activity.This information is essential to determining whether a building is safe after an earthquake. "The strong motion sensors tell us right away exactly how much motion has been experienced by a particular building," says Dr. David McCormack, program manager for GSC’s Canadian Hazards Information Systems. "If the motion is less than what the building was designed to handle, a decision can be made to put the building back into service without the delays needed for a formal inspection, which could take days or even weeks." The GSC worked with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Games (VANOC) to install the sensors at sites where unnecessary downtime would have had a serious impact on the Games. Dr. John Cassidy, a GSC research scientist, is part of the international team that devised a way to predict how buildings and soil will respond to earth tremors — knowledge that can be used to update building codes so that future structures can better withstand earthquakes. By using background sound such as traffic noise, the international team was able to increase their understanding of how both soil and buildings respond to ground shaking. “The soil has a fundamental frequency, like the sound that you get when you blow into a pop bottle,” explained Cassidy.“It might be 1 Hertz [Hz], where the ground moves up and down once per second. Somewhere else, the frequency of the soil might be 10 Hz, and the ground would be moving up and down 10 times per second. Buildings also have a fundamental frequency. For a tall 10-storey building, the frequency is about 1 Hz. For a small one-storey home, it’s about 10 Hz.” There is a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the frequency of the ground’s motion and that of the building.Tall buildings are most affected by slow shaking (1 Hz or less), while low-rise buildings are most affected by rapid shaking (10 Hz). If the frequency of the soil matches that of the buildings in the area, then greater damage can be expected during and after an earthquake. NRCan’s research is playing a part in increasing national and international earthquake preparedness. By looking at soil, ground shaking and the type and size of a structure, building codes can be improved so that new structures are more resistant to earthquakes.The same information can be used to guide the quakeproofing of existing buildings. To learn more, visit earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca. Source Natural Elements, Issue 45, March 2010
April 2010 | HPAC
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Calendar 2010 FOR THE LATEST EVENT NEWS SEE HPAC'S NEWSLETTER @ hpacmag.com
Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology May 5-6 Co-sponsored by CIPH, ASHRAE, the Illuminating Engineering Society and ElectroFederation Canada, MEET will be held in Moncton, NB. masterpromotions.ca/meet.asp
Oilheat 2010 June 16-18
2010 C.A.S.A. Annual Conference June 13-15
CIPH Ontario is holding its regional conference at the Hilton Fallsview Hotel in Niagara Falls, ON. barden@sympatico.ca
The Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association conference will take place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, in Whistler, BC. casa-firesprinkler.org
AWWA Annual Conference & Exposition June 20-24, 2010
ASHRAE Annual Meeting June 26-30
The American Water Works Association will hold its 2010 conference and exposition at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. awwa.org
Albuquerque, NM is the venue for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ annual meeting. ashrae.org
CIPH ABC June 27-30
ICBEST 2010 June 27-30
Intersolar North America July 13-15
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating annual business conference will be held at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland in St. John's, NL. ciph.com
NRC-IRC will meet in Vancouver, BC for the International Conference on Building Envelope Systems and Technology (ICBEST) 2010. icbest.ca
Intersolar North America will be held in San Francisco’s Moscone Center West. intersolar.us
HRAI Annual Meeting August 19-21
World Energy Congress September 12-16
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute is holding its annual meeting at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis in Alberta. hrai.ca
The 21st World Energy Congress will be held in Montreal, QC. worldenergy.org
CHES National Trade Show & Education Forum September 19-21
Green Building Festival September 23-24
MCA Canada Annual National Conference September 22-25
The 2010 Green Building Festival will be held at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto, ON. greenbuildingfest.com
Construct Canada Dec 1-3 This annual exposition of products, services, technologies, and systems used for the design construction, retrofit, and renovation of all forms of buildings will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. ON. constructcanada.com
HPACMAG.COM
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada is holding its annual meeting in Halifax, NS at the Halifax Marriott Hotel. mcac.ca
2011
The Canadian Oil Heat Association is holding its annual meeting in Charlottetown, PE at the Delta Prince Edward. symposium.coha.ca
CIPH Ontario Region Conference May 14-16
The Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society will meet at the Telus Conference Centre in Whistler, BC. chesconference.com
CIPHEX West November 3-4 CIPH’s western trade show and conference is being held in Calgary, AB. ciph.com
AHR EXPO January 31 – February 2
MCEE April 20-21
The trade show and resource for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. ahrexpo.com
Eastern Canada’s mechanical and electrical trade show will be held in Montreal. mecanexclimatex.ca
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Training TECA’s Quality First Training
GeoExchange Training
To register for the Thermal Environmental Comfort Association’s (TECA) Quality First training courses, e-mail training@teca.ca or call 604-594-5956.
Developed by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC), the three-day training program is intended for those involved with the installation of residential geothermal systems. skilltech@hrai.ca
Hydronics Training
HRAI SkillTech Academy
Information on the Canadian Hydronics Council two-day Introduction to Hydronic Heating Installations course is available at ultimatecomfort.ca or tel. 416-695-0447.
Subsidies and incentives are available for SkillTech’s residential courses, including the new Indoor Air Quality Awareness three-day program. hrai.ca
LEED Canada Training
Solar Installer Certification Programs
Sign up for one of the Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) LEED workshops at cagbc.org or tel. 613-241-1184.
For information on Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) workshops and training courses, visit cansia.ca or tel. 866-522-6742.
CMCEF National Seminar Program
TheSource
The Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation program includes: commissioning, dispatcher training, change out and project management. cmcef.org
Arcoaire..........................................(905) 795-8113........................arcoaire.com....................................................... page 9 Arkema...........................................(800) 567-5726........................arkema.com..................................................... page 28 Bradford White................................(866) 690-0961........................bradfordwhite.com............................................... page 6 Delta Faucet Canada.......................(800) 567-3300........................deltafaucet.com.................................................. page 7 Flir Systems....................................(800) 430-6754........................goinfrared.com.................................................. page 52 Franke Kindred................................800-465-6085..........................kindredcanada.com........................................... page 43 GeoSmart Energy............................(866) 310-6690........................geosmartenergy.com................................... page 49, 51 Gordon R Williams...........................(888) 209-0999........................williamshvac.com.............................................. page 45 Honeywell Analytics.........................(800) 538-0363........................E3Point.com..................................................... page 53 Hood Chemical................................(800) 567-9791........................hoodchemical.com............................................ page 40 Hydronic Panels...............................(416) 622-7681........................hydronicpanels.com........................................... page 35 ITT..................................................(847) 966-3700........................bellgossett.com................................................ page 41 Liberty Pumps.................................(800) 543-2550........................libertypumps.com............................................. page 33 Manulife Bank................................................................................manulifebank.ca/business................................ page 37 Master Group..................................(877) 477-7021........................master.ca......................................................... page 19 Mercedes-Benz...............................................................................mercedes-benz.ca............................................. page 31 Mitsubishi Electric..........................(905) 475-7728........................mitsubishielectric.ca......................................... page 23 Plasma Automation.........................(800) 563-8510........................plasma-automation.com.................................... page 47 RMC...............................................(866) 622-0209........................refrigerantmanagement.ca................................. page 30 Saniflo............................................(800) 363-5874........................saniflo.ca......................................................... page 42 ScotiaBank....................................................................................getgrowingforbusiness.com................................ page 63 Selkirk Corp....................................(888) 735-5175........................selkirkcorp.com.................................................. page 3 Taco Canada...................................(905) 564-9422........................taco-hvac.com................................................... page 17 Testo..............................................(800) 227-0729........................testo.com........................................................... page 2 Thermo Mfg.....................................(888) 678-3709........................thermopan.com................................................. page 55 Topog-E Gaskets..............................(800) 587 7123.......................topog-e.com...................................................... page 36 Uponor............................................(888) 994-7726........................uponor.ca........................................................... page 5 Watco Mfg......................................(816) 796-3900........................watcomfg.com.................................................. page 11 Watts Canada.................................(888) 208-8927........................wattscanada.ca........................................... page 16, 64 Woodford Mfg..................................(800) 621-6032........................woodfordmfg.com.............................................. page 57 Yorkland Controls............................(877) 733-3833........................yorkland.net...................................................... page 13 Zurn................................................(905) 405-827..........................zurn.com.......................................................... page 44
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HPAC | April 2010
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