PLUMBING PRODUCTS

IPEX has added 2-1/2-in. to 4-in. True Union Ball Valves to its AquaRise potable water piping system, extending the ball valve line-up from 1/2-in. up to 4-in. The true union connections allow for valve removal and replacement without having to cut the pipe. The ball valves feature a compact double block design and full port bi-directional operation. The units are certified to 232 psi at 23C and they are rated to 72 psi at 71C. ipexna.com Bradley’s Halo swing-activated faucet and eyewash combines a gooseneck faucet for regular use with a built-in emergency eyewash. Two swing-activated models are available, the S19500 series with the eyewash to the right of the fixture and S19-505 with the eyewash on the left side. The faucet can be activated by three different options: two handle hot and cold ceramic control valves, single tempered water control valve or single lever manual mixing and control valve. bradleycorp.com The Watts IntelliFlow automatic washing machine shutoff valve, now connected capabilities, is designed for residential applications for single family, multifamily, or rental properties. The electronic control senses washing machine current flow and automatically turns off water to the machine when it is not in use, protecting a home from potential flooding. Wi-Fi connectivity enables text and email alerts in case of a leak. watts.com

Ridgid has introduced the RP 351, its first in-line standard press tool. The RP 351 offers enhanced balance and control and only weighs eight pounds with battery. Features include a brushless motor, known for maximizing tool longevity, efficiency and durability, an a 360-degree swivel paired with bright LED lights to let users access tight spaces and see more clearly in low and no-light applications. ridged.com/presson

The ArmorTek advanced coating system is now being used on Watts ductile iron backflow preventer valves. The coating technology provides three layers of protection and contains an electrochemical corrosion inhibitor to slow the spread of corrosion if the metal substrate becomes exposed from wear or impact. The formulation also inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause microbial-induced corrosion or MIC. watts.com/armortek Armstrong Fluid Technology has unveiled its new Design Envelope fire pump unit with self-regulating variablespeed technology along with fire pump manager, a new connected service for tracking pump performance. The new fire pump with the connected service offers improved reliability and safety supported by real-time and historic test and performance data. And the new technology helps with fire systems that have large differentials between static and residual pressures. armstrongfluidtechnology.com

MAXIMIZING FLEET PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY

Contractors are using GPS tracking to increase resource efficiency and promote greater driver

accountability. BY DEL WILLIAMS

After homeowners and businesses hunkered down during the initial days of the pandemic, residential, commercial and industrial contractors have experienced a new problem: How will they handle the accumulated pent up demand? Home and business owners who put off maintenance and renovations as the pandemic and national economy worsened left unresolved issues ranging from HVAC, electrical, and plumbing to the full gamut of contractor trades.

As we have witnessed, once the earliest lock-down days of the pandemic passed contractors have welcomed a flood of non-emergency service calls for work customers can no longer delay.

However, contractors who may have reduced service staff during the lean times of the pandemic are now having trouble keeping pace with the increase in business.

Now contractors and specifically vehicle fleet managers who are seeking to maximize the productivity of their existing staff to meet rising demand and boost profits now have tools that can effectively facilitate this aim.

By using technology such as a realtime GPS vehicle tracking via a smartphone, tablet or PC, along with text, email, and voice directly to the driver, contracting businesses can dynamically manage their fleets and work crews to optimize dispatch and routing, while minimizing downtime.

This approach can not only reduce the cost of employee overtime, but it can also assist in optimizing vehicle operation including fuel use, wear and tear, maintenance, and premature replacement.

DOING MORE WITH LESS

“Contractors have to be more efficient than ever today, and real time GPS vehicle tracking can help. With it you can see which technicians you have across the area, including who is nearest and who is experienced and properly qualified for the job. And by accessing real-time traffic data in the software, you can identify who is easiest to send to that location as well,” says Ben VanAvery, director of sales and marketing at Advanced Tracking Technologies (ATTI), a U.S.based designer and manufacturer of GPS tracking products.

According to VanAvery, once a job is complete, it is recorded in the system, so the dispatcher, owner or fleet manager can stay apprised of who is available for the next job. In this way, it can serve as a remote time sheet, which reduces the record keeping burden and promotes productivity.

For example, one GPS vehicle tracking device system transmits 10-second updates, showing precisely where vehicles are the moment the fleet manager or dispatcher needs to know.

The system provides real-time location updates as well as speed and idle time alerts if something is amiss. This data is transmitted via satellite and cellular networks to a smartphone or PC on a 24/7 basis. The system also has access to nationwide speed limits in its database.

FLEET OPTIMIZATION

Post pandemic, with such a system a contractor, fleet manager, or dispatcher via a smartphone app or PC can display the real-time location of the entire fleet on a map and zoom in on any specific vehicle. At a glance, he or she can see if a vehicle is moving (displays green) or stopped (displays red). By touching a vehicle icon, an app can display where the vehicle has been, where it stopped, and how long it has idled.

By zooming in or out on the map, the contractor can see where all the fleet’s vehicles are and quickly reallocate any to where they are most needed. This can be particularly important whenever job service emergencies arise and must be quickly accommodated.

Since this approach enables contractors to quickly route the nearest available vehicle and qualified work crew to any required service call, it helps to boost customer satisfaction while it also aids in maximizing employee work hours while at the same time optimizing vehicle usage.

WORKER PRODUCTIVITY

As demand for maintenance, repair and construction services continues to rise for contractors, real-time vehicle tracking systems can also help vehicle drivers and work crews take more responsibility for their own productivity.

To instill greater self-monitoring and efficiency, contractors and fleet managers can configure the system to automatically send real-time text or email alerts to individual drivers, groups, or the entire fleet if factors such as traffic congestion, travel route, vehicle speed, starts, stops, or idling pose a concern or deviate from policy.

To take advantage of the most efficient routing determined over time for more established accounts, emailed vehicle tracking reports can be configured to automatically summarize fleet performance on a periodic basis.

For instance, because the GPS system is automated, travel reports can be generated that analyze vital historical data, such as on-time jobsite arrivals, departures, and time on the job can also be emailed without anyone having to open software.

“GPS tracking can also be used to recognize and reward consistently rapid employee response.”

The reports can be customized to include as much detail as needed, such as how many stops, how long per location, top speed, mileage, idle times of the day, etc.

Identifying and implementing more efficient routing and performance, in turn, enables individual drivers and the fleet as a whole to accomplish more in less time.

Such a system can also help individual drivers to drive more safely and take greater responsibility for their own conduct without the need to micromanage. A maximum vehicle speed, of say no more than 8 km/h over the posted limit can be set and drivers informed of this. The system will then track their vehicle speed and compare this with the speed limit in its national data base, with exceptions automatically emailed to the driver and contractor in a report, if desired.

Implementing real-time GPS tracking can also increase driver accountability by making them less inclined to take unauthorized excursions, such as for personal errands, when not on a job because the system documents actual routes and stops. This can help to further minimize unnecessary vehicle mileage, fuel use, and wear and tear.

Of course, GPS tracking can also be used to recognize and reward consistently rapid employee response, which encourages greater productivity.

As HVAC and plumbing contractors hustle to meet pent up demand in building maintenance, renovation and construction, the bottom line is that today’s advanced GPS tracking systems can help to profitably meet that demand by optimizing vehicle use and work crew productivity. <>

Del Williams is a technical writer, and this article was prepared for Advanced Tracking Technologies. www.advantrack.com.

THE BUILDINGS SHOW

The live face-to-face event returns to Toronto after going virtual in 2020. BY LOGAN CASWELL

The Buildings Show, a leading North American expo, networking, and educational event for the design, construction and property management industries returns in person to Toronto from December 1 – 3. This year the three-day event will be hosted entirely in the South Building at Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre. The show is the amalgamation of four combined events: Construct Canada, PM Expo, HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo, and the World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion.

SHOW FLOOR

As always there will be opportunities to view the latest products, technologies and services that are directly impacting the future of the built environment.

Although more than 100 different exhibitors are expected at this year’s show, the future of face-to-face events is changing. A poll conducted by The Buildings Show suggests 78% of people would like virtual content for the long term, which should make for an interesting mix of hybrid events in future.

Yet, for 2021, and with COVID-19 still a factor in our day-to-day lives, The Buildings Show has made it a top priority to ensure the event will be organized in accordance with official government and local authority guidelines, as well as any venue or location specific regulations.

The Buildings Show aims to deliver the highest levels of hygiene and safety at the event and has reassured potential attendees they will be in a safe and controlled environment.

As per the announcement made in early September by the Ontario government, as of press time, all patrons attending The Buildings Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will

DATES AND TIMES

Wednesday, Dec. 1 Exhibit Hours: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Conference Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday, Dec. 2 Exhibit Hours: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Conference Hours 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday, Dec. 3 Exhibit Hours: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination and photo identification to access the event.

ONLINE AND IN PERSON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

The educational program organized by the show includes a series of scheduled online sessions being hosted prior to the live event as well as a full slate of talks being held during the expo.

Leading up to the event, a mini-series of webcasts sponsored by Procore are being offered online (registration required). The four session topics include: Make the Most of Construction Technology; Owners Tell All—What’s It Like to Build on a Construction Platform; Planning for Performance; and How We Build Now – Future of Canadian Women in Construction.

There will also be a number of virtual online educational sessions in the weeks leading up to the show beginning Tuesday, November 16. These early online sessions will include industry-relavent topics such as: • Changes to the National Building,

Fire, Plumbing and Energy Codes (expected to be published Dec. 2021); • IoT Made Simple (energy management and optimization through building technology); • Net Zero Residential Renovations (an opportunity to make an impact); • U.S. and Canadian Economic and

Construction Outlook; and more.

The in person sessions will run the first two days of the show and will include topcs such as: • Construction Law Update: The

COVID-19 Effect on the Industry; • Smart Building Management and the

Rise of Predictive Maintenance; • Passive House and the Building

Envelope; • Strategies for Decarbonizing Your

Building to Meet City of Toronto

Requirements; • Smart Car Pulling a Dump Truck?—

Zero Carbon is More than HVAC

Efficiency; • Strategies for Overcoming the

Labour Shortage Today; • Leadership Skills for Managers; • How to be a Team in Times of Change; • A Guiding Path to Safe Air Quality

Solutions—Post COVID Market; • Smart Buildings Evaluation Programs and Overview Essentials to Improve

Building Performance; • How AI and Machine Learning

Contributes to Efficient, Sustainable and Healthy Buildings; and many more.

For all of the latest pre-registration details, exhibitor list, complete educational program guide and more visit The Buildings Show website. <> thebuildingsshow.com

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE EXPANSION VALVE

Revisiting the critical role of the expansion device in the refrigeration cycle. BY DAVE DEMMA

Refrigeration is a heat transfer process. By removing heat from the space to be conditioned, whether it's a display case in a supermarket or an office space in a commercial building, the result is a reduction in temperature.

While there are multiple methods of accomplishing heat transfer, the most common uses the vapour compression cycle in which the goal is to provide refrigerant at a state/condition that makes it usable as a heat transfer fluid.

I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating: there are four major components used in the vapour compression cycle: the compressor, the condenser, an expansion device and the evaporator. In this article I will focus on the role of the expansion device, specifically considering the thermal expansion valve (TEV or TXV) or electronic expansion valve (EEV).

VAPOUR COMPRESSION CYCLE REVIEW

In brief, here are the roles of the four major components:

The compressor receives the relatively cool low pressure vapour and converts it into a high pressure vapour. A byproduct of the compressor process is the addition of heat to the vapour, resulting in a superheated vapour.

The condenser receives the superheated vapour from the compressor where the vapour goes through the following process: (1) desuperheating, bringing the vapour to a saturated condition; (2) change of state, with the vapour transforming into a liquid; and (3) further heat transfer, resulting in some amount of subcooling—end result is a warm high pressure liquid.

The warm high pressure liquid flows through the expansion device’s small port, resulting in a reduction in pressure. When a saturated liquid refrigerant experiences a reduction in pressure, it must also undergo a reduction in temperature and assume the new saturation temperature for that pressure. This is accomplished as a percentage of the liquid refrigerant flowing through the port flashes into a vapour, removing heat from the remaining liquid refrigerant in the process, achieving the temperature reduction. The refriger-

Figure 1 – TEV in System

Figure 3: shopper opens door, changing the refrigeration load inside the display case.

ant leaves the expansion device as a mixture of saturated liquid and vapour, and at a cooler temperature. The TEV/ EEV regulates the refrigerant mass flow entering the evaporator by responding to the superheat at the outlet of the evaporator. As the superheat increases/decreases in relation to the superheat set-point, the valve will throttle close/open in an effort to maintain the set-point.

Finally, the cold saturated liquid-vapour mixture enters the evaporator inlet, and flows through tubing. Fans circulate air in the conditioned space through the evaporator’s fin-tube bundle, allowing the heat in the air to be transferred to the cold saturated refrigerant flowing through the evaporator tubing. This heat transfer process results in the saturated liquid changing state into a vapour. At some point, near the end of the evaporator tubing, the last molecule of saturated liquid boils into a vapour (point of complete vaporization). The remaining portion of the evaporator tubing allows heat to continue to be transferred to the refrigerant vapor, resulting in a superheated vapour.(see Figure 1)

EXPANSION DEVICES

There are several types of expansion devices, with some of them being a fixed orifice (such as a cap tube, or flow rater). While they are less expensive and do not require any adjustment, they do not have the ability to modulate as the heat load and/or system conditions change.

The advantage of the TEV and EEV in comparison to fixed orifice expansion devices include: they do have the ability to respond to changes in the heat load and system conditions. This ability to modulate maintains the proper refrigerant mass flow entering the evaporator under all conditions. As the refrigeration load increases/decreases, the TEV/EEV will open/close in an effort to maintain its superheat set-point. This maintains the correct refrigerant mass flow to the evaporator inlet and maintains the proper superheat at the evaporator outlet, which protects the compressor by preventing liquid floodback.

Most applications are subject to wide refrigeration load variations, commercial building doors opening, heat transmission through walls and windows, walk-in box door openings and many more…there is no such thing as a constant refrigeration load.

While variations in the refrigeration load may be small or large, a refrigeration load that is constantly varying results in a TEV/EEV that is constantly in a state of repositioning itself to meet the new load demand.

When rapid and significant changes to the refrigeration load occur, the previously adequate TEV opening (stroke) becomes completely inadequate.

TEV CAPACITY

The TEV capacity can be best described as the refrigeration effect (heat transfer capacity of the refrigerant at the condition the system is operating at, in Btu/lb) multiplied by the liquid refrigerant mass flow (in lb/min) delivered by the TEV to the evaporator inlet. The heat load being transferred to the saturated liquid refrigerant in the evaporator constitutes the greatest portion of the refrigeration effect. This causes the refrigerant to undergo a change of state; a latent heat transfer process.

It is essential for the TEV/EEV to have 100% liquid (no vapour) at the valve’s inlet to operate at its rated capacity. Otherwise, it can not deliver the necessary refrigerant mass flow to meet the demand of the heat load.

OPENING AND CLOSING

While the TEV/EEV regulates the refrigerant mass flow entering the evaporator, it responds to changes in superheat at the evaporator outlet to determine when the valve opens/closes.

For example: Picture your local supermarket’s lineup of ice cream display cases (with glass doors). The doors are normally closed until product needs to be loaded, or a customer selects some merchandise to be purchased. For ex-

Figure 4: system reaching equilibrium with door remaining open.

ample, Figure 2 (page 56) shows a shopper arriving at the display case, but the glass door has not been opened. The load is relatively constant. There would be a slight amount of heat transmitting through the glass and framework, but not a lot. The TEV is feeding the -20F saturated liquid-vapour refrigerant mixture into the evaporator, absorbing heat from the air in the space, with the liquid changing state into a vapour. A small portion of the evaporator is being fed by 100% vapour, allowing the vapour to experience a sensible heat gain, resulting in a vapour temperature of -14F and allowing the TEV to maintain its superheat set-point of 6F.

Figure 3 shows the shopper opening the door. The warmer ambient air entering the space would cause a rapid increase to the refrigeration load inside the display case. Ideally, the increased heat load would trigger a simultaneous increase in TEV opening (stroke), resulting in the necessary increase in refrigerant mass flow to meet the demand of the new heat load.

In reality, there is a time lag between an increase in the heat load and the resulting change in TEV stroke due to the fact that the TEV cannot directly sense changes in the refrigeration load, but only the result of a change in refrigeration load, and that result is the superheat setting at the evaporator outlet.

The process is as follows: with the door opening, additional heat enters the refrigerated space and is transferred to the saturated refrigerant in the evaporator. The refrigerant then boils at a quicker rate, resulting in a higher superheat condition at the evaporator outlet. The increased superheat then causes the TEV to open, supplying more refrigerant to the evaporator in an effort to reduce the superheat back to the TEV set-point.

After some amount of time, as the door remains open, the system will reach an equilibrium. The increase in refrigerant mass flow will counteract the increase in refrigeration load, and the superheat will once again reach its set-point (as shown above in Figure 4).

At some point the shopper selects the merchandise and closes the door. Once again there is a change in refrigeration load. And, once again the TEV is playing “catch up”.

In Figure 5, with the door closing, and the refrigeration load reduction, the TEV is now open too much. The liquid refrigerant will now boil at a slower rate, with the point of complete vaporization moving closer to the evaporator outlet. This results in a lower superheat setting…in this case, 2F superheat. The sensing bulb senses this, and causes the TEV to throttle closed, reducing the refrigerant mass flow in an attempt to reach the superheat set-point.

As the shopper moves to another location in the store, and the refrigeration load becomes somewhat stable again. After some amount of time, with the door closed, the system will once again reach an equilibrium. With the superheat back at its set-point and life is good again—at least until the next shopper arrives.

This is a representation of what the typical TEV/EEV goes through all day long. The refrigeration load is never constant. The system conditions which influence TEV/EEV capacity are never constant. As such, the life of a TEV/EEV is one that is in constant turmoil, attempting to maintain the superheat setpoint in an ever-changing world.

Finally, while this should be given a more in-depth discussion at a later date, suffice it to say that a motorized valve (EEV) with an electronic controller has a much better ability to precisely and repeatedly control superheat as compared to a mechanical TEV. <>

Figure 5: after shopper closes door.

Dave Demma holds a degree in refrigeration engineering and worked as a journeyman refrigeration technician before moving into the manufacturing sector where he regularly trains contractor and engineering groups. He can be reached at ddemma@uri.com.

FAMILY BUSINESS TRANSITIONS

Guiding a small business through generational and technological change.

Running a family business takes hard work, passion, and perseverance. And working alongside your own family also brings a whole slew of unique challenges, especially when it’s time for a younger family member to take over.

The story often goes like this: the older generation poured their blood, sweat, and tears into building their own contracting company, sometimes from nothing at all, and now they’re ready to retire or step away from the daily hustle, so they look to the people they trust the most, their family, and a younger member of the family agrees to step into those shoes and lead operations.

As a digital native (someone who has never known a world without the Internet), the new-generation owner looks to technology to help grow the business, streamline operations and eliminate manual processes that waste time and resources.

The outgoing owner is often skeptical of this new technology. He’s worried about losing touch with the very business principles (and loyal customers) that made his businesses successful in the first place.

Sound familiar?

A family business transition doesn’t have to be a constant battle of who knows best. With good communication, cooperation and patience, a family business can grow by implementing new technology while still honouring the business's foundation. NAVIGATING NEW TECH

Following are some suggestions on how to navigate the processes of implementing new tech and creating a smooth family business transition.

1. Find out how involved your family member wants to be in new changes Set clear role expectations during the transition. Understand and document exactly how involved the outgoing leader wants to be in running the business and implementing new technology. This will eliminate tension, which otherwise makes it difficult to implement changes, and it also builds trust, demonstrating that the incoming boss values their input and expertise from many years of experience.

2. Show the new technology's effect on the business - not its features This business was built without the help of the many technological resources we take for granted today. As a result, a non-technical business founder won’t show much interest in the flashy features of new technology. Instead, they want to know how it will actually help the business both day-today and long term. Find a way to show them the “why” behind the new technology’s features versus the “what.”

If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to a representatives for the new technology you’d like to implement. They can offer advice for how to position new technology in a results-oriented way.

3. Get buy-in from the rest of the team Getting buy-in from the outgoing leader is just the first step in a business transition plan. It's also essential to make sure the rest of the team is on board. Employees might be skeptical and see new technology as a threat to their job. Compound this with adjusting to the boss’s kin taking over, and there are plenty of reasons why established em-