NHL SUSTAINABILITY TEAM SCORES
GET YOUR SNOW MELT SYSTEM UNDER CONTROL
EERR F F S S N N A TTRRA T T A A E T HH E S O H G
NG SOLV I E R : L VI V ER E O D O GO
P REV ENT COM P R ES SOR CASU ALTIE S
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TO T H E R ESCU E HPAC P ROS HE LP YOU DO IT R IG HT
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THE TG165 SHOWS WHAT’S HOT FOR INSTANT TROUBLESHOOTING. The FLIR TG165 Imaging IR Thermometer bridges the gap between single spot infrared thermometers and FLIR’s legendary thermal cameras. Check out the interactive simulator to experience this groundbreaking tool in action.
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DECEMBER 2014
VOL. 88 NO. 7
TENTS
40 C ONTROLS
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE BOILS DOWN TO LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Points to be mindful of when installing and troubleshooting snow melt control systems. BY MIKE MILLER
48
P LUMBING MINIMIZE THE RISK OF LEGIONELLA IN BUILDING PLUMBING SUPPLY SYSTEMS BY DEREK BOWER
54 S HOW REPORT
RECORD CONTRACTOR ATTENDANCE AT CALGARY SHOW Innovative products and inaugural hydronics conference prove to be good draws.
18
GHOST-BUSTING HEAT TRANSFER IN RETURN AIR PLENUMS
STEPS TO IMPROVE THE AIR/WATER DYNAMIC
BY ROBERT BEAN
S USTAINABILITY MECHANICAL INDUSTRY PLAYS STARRING ROLE IN NHL'S GOALS BY PATRICK CALLAN
58 REFRIGERATION
IN DEFENCE OF COMPRESSORS Steps to getting at the root cause of compressor failures.
20 C OMBUSTION ANALYSIS
BY DAVE DEMMA
SAFETY, SAVINGS AND SUSTAINABILITY Simple test offers several benefits.
BY RON AUVIL
DEPARTMENTS
6 Upfront 8 News Feature: ONTARIO MANDATES CO DETECTORS
24 W ORK TRUCKS
Big Van Gets Boost in Worksite Prowess BY BILL ROEBUCK
Advocates hope the rest of Canada will follow suit.
10 42 47 61 61 62
PLUMBING WHY PVC PIPES SOMETIMES FAIL AND HOW TO PREVENT IT BY BRANDON PEACH
30 H YDRONICS
56
28
LONG NAME... NICE CONCEPT... Use the conditions created by piping, together with circulator characteristics, to prevent cavitation.
BY PATRICK CALLAN
Industry News including Ontario Geothermal Association Conference Report Mechanical Supply News People The Source Training Calendar
PRODUCTS 34 Plumbing 38 Hydronic 52 HVAC/R
BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER
HPACMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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< UPFRONT MECHANICAL PROS TACKLE THE BIG ISSUES HISTORICALLY WE HAVE FOCUSED ON TROUBLESHOOTING IN HPAC’S DECEMBER ISSUE. This year our columnists look at plumbing, HVAC and
hydronic problem installations, and common issues they have run into in the field. The focus is on how to fix them and most importantly, how to avoid them. Proper system design and installation can produce exceptional equipment TO TO T H E R ESCU E performance and longevity – it stands to reason that HPAC PR OS HE LP YOU DO IT RIGHT the converse is true. As Dave Demma points out in his feature In Defence Of Compressors (p58), maintenance is an , MS NY ORS, RO AC U LAT ION C T area where property and facility managers someC I R V ITA CA times attempt to achieve savings by not doing it right or by not doing it at all. Whatever the reasons behind shoddy maintenance, neglecting HVAC/R equipment is a costly mistake. At times it can be life threatening. Consider the risk of Legionella (p48); the danger of icy surfaces that should be clear (p40); and the perils of carbon monoxide (p8,20). Whatever our mechanical heroes can tigate those risks. And then we have our automotive columnist who found himself strapped into a service vehicle as it flew down a track, the professional driver demonstrating the vehicle’s defiance of wind and the laws of gravity (p24). He assured me he was laughing in the face of danger. Our cover is a nod to the superheroes in our industry – we hope it attracts the attention this issue’s content deserves. Enjoy the holidays! NHL SUSTAINABILITY TEAM SCORES
HOW TO TREAT PVC PIPE
GET YOUR SNOW MELT SYSTEM UNDER CONTROL
ING R RESOLV FEER EVI L: NSSF AN OV ER TRA AT TR HEAT T HE GH OS
DEBUGGING PLUMBING SUPPLY SYSTEMS
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HPAC MAGAZINE 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 TEL: 416.442.5600 FAX: 416.510.5140 www.hpacmag.com EDITOR Kerry Turner (416) 510-5218 KTurner@hpacmag.com ASSISTANT Patrick Callan (416) 442-5600, ext. 3524 EDITOR PCallan@hpacmag.com SALES & MARKETING Kim Rossiter (416) 510-6794 COORDINATOR KRossiter@hpacmag.com ASSOCIATE David Skene (416) 510-6884 PUBLISHER DSkene@hpacmag.com ACCOUNT Stephen Kranabetter (416) 510-6791 MANAGER skranabetter@hpacmag.com
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PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069240, REGISTRATION NO. 10815 Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning (established 1925) is published 7 times per year by BIG Magazines LP, a division of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd. HPAC Magazine is the leading Canadian business publication for the owner/manager of mechanical contracting businesses and their supply partners. ISSN: 0017-9418 Contents Copyright © 2014 by BIG Magazines LP, a division of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd., may not be reprinted without permission. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: To subscribe, renew your subscription or to change your address or information please visit us at www.hpacmag.com. 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: From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Tel: 800.387.0273, Fax: 416.442.2191; E-mail: jhunter@ businessinformationgroup.ca; or by mail: Privacy Office, 80 Valleybrook Dr., Toronto, ON M3B 2S9. 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.
Seasons Greetings Wishing you good health and happiness this Holiday Season and throughout the coming year.
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HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
NOTICE: HPAC Magazine, BIG Magazines LP, a division of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd., 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. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
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Ontario Mandates Carbon Monoxide Detectors Advocates hope the rest of Canada will follow suit. News Feature by Patrick Callan
I
n October 2014, Ontario became the second Canadian jurisdiction to adopt legislation mandating carbon monoxide detectors near all sleeping areas in residential homes. Bill 77, the Hawkins-Gignac Act, also designates the first week in November as carbon monoxide awareness week. Known as the silent killer because it is colourless, odourless and tasteless, carbon monoxide poisoning kills about 50 Canadians each year. However, these deaths could have easily been prevented if the families had installed a carbon monoxide detector, says John Gignac. Gignac founded the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation in 2008 following the carbon monoxide poisoning deaths of his niece Laurie Hawkins and her husband and two children in Woodstock, ON, when a blocked chimney vent forced carbon monoxide from their gas fireplace back into their home. Along with Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford (Woodstock’s riding), who first introduced a private member’s bill in December 2008 to make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in Ontario and finally got it passed on the fifth try in 2013, the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation played a key advocacy role in helping this bill become law. The foundation was also central in the Yukon’s carbon monoxide legislation of May 2013, following a similar tragedy where carbon monoxide poisoning killed a Yukon family of five in January 2012.
The foundation’s goal is to convince every jurisdiction across Canada to put similar legislation in place mandating carbon monoxide detectors. It has met with fire departments and elected officials in British Columbia on multiple occasions and plans to do an east coast swing in the summer of 2015 to spread its message. And central to that message is the role that HVAC qualified technicians must play in prevention and education about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Gignac would like to see more qualified technicians take part in the foundation’s purple tag program, whereby they would check gas appliances in homes once per year and then place a purple tag on it to indicate it has been checked. Installing carbon monoxide detectors is the first step, Gignac says, but having qualified technicians regularly check appliances, which typically have 25 to 30 years shelf lives, is just as important. “They’re the ones that are actually going to be in the homes making sure that the accident doesn’t happen,” he says. “My niece passed away because they didn’t have their gas fireplace downstairs serviced.” In Brantford, ON, the foundation is working with independent contractors to have them carry its brochures and keep a stock of carbon monoxide detectors in their trucks. Gignac has also lectured at several technician conferences, hoping to strike a chord.
John Gignac's niece Laurie Hawkins and her family died from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2008.
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“The best thing they can do is promote carbon monoxide safety in the home and let people know that they need to get a carbon monoxide detector,” he explains. Bill 77 requires all residential homes in Ontario to have a CAN/CSA-6.19 or UL 2034 approved carbon monoxide alarm. Ranging from $30 to $60, these alarms can be plugged in, hard-wired or battery operated. There is a short grandfathering-in component to the bill, but afterwards failure to install one can result in a $235 fine. Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman says the Ontario Building Code has required homes built since 2001 to be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, however it did not cover residences built before then. The key component to Bill 77, he explains, is that it updates the Fire Code to make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in all buildings – regardless of when they were built – as they are for smoke detectors. “With smoke detectors, as important as they are, when you’re awake at least you can see that there is smoke in the house; you need them when you’re asleep so you know before the smoke gets too heavy. But with carbon monoxide it doesn’t matter whether it’s day or night, unless you have a detector you won’t know its there,” says Hardeman.
When it comes to rental units, building owners are obligated to install them if the sleeping area has a fuel-burning appliance within the suite and when the sleeping area is beside a storage garage or service room with a fuel burning appliance. Owners must check them annually and after every tenancy change to make sure they are working properly. Tenants also share some responsibility. They must not disarm their carbon monoxide detectors and are required to keep up regular maintenance, such as changing the battery. And they must notify their landlord if their carbon monoxide detector has become disabled or if it is not working. Hardeman notes that in Ontario an average of 11 or 12 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. “Everyone that perishes with this did not know it was happening. There is no possible way that you know with carbon monoxide. It is so important for the protection of the family, for the protection of everyone, to have a working carbon monoxide detector.” Gignac adds getting Bill 77 passed was a long and daunting task, but the foundation is in it for the long haul. “We feel very good about getting it done because now at least we know our province is protected and now we want to make sure everybody across Canada is protected.” <> www.endthesilence.ca Industry News, see p10
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INDUSTRY NEWS
SEE THE LATEST HPAC E-NEWSLETTER @ HPACMAG.COM
GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE OPENS GREEN BUILDING CENTRE
Official opening of George Brown College’s Green Building Centre in Toronto, ON, on November 10, 2014. (L to R): Robert Luke, vice president, applied research and innovation, George Brown College; Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario; Bernard Trottier, MP Etobicoke-Lakeshore; Trudy Puls, Roxul; Jamie McIntyre, program coordinator, George Brown College; Laura Jo Gunter, vice president, academic, George Brown College; and Brad Shapiro, George Brown student.
Toronto’s George Brown College officially opened its Green Building Centre on November 10. The applied research facility trains students in green energy, advanced construction systems and computer-enabled, efficient buildings. It creates space for industry partners to conduct full-scale development projects focused on construction practices that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. Located within George Brown’s Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies, the facility allows for 160 research projects with industry partners in its first five years, and has created nearly 60 jobs. The building is supported by a $6.6-million Federal Economic Development Agency (FedDev) for Southern Ontario contribution, matched by George Brown’s own investment of $6.8 million. The centre includes a number of labs for students to work alongside industry partners on projects throughout a building’s life cycle. These spaces include a building materials lab, a building automation lab, a building information modeling lab, an advanced prototyping lab, a building sciences lab, as well as business accelerator and entrepreneurship space. www.georgebrown.ca
NORTH VANCOUVER COMMITS TO SUSTAINABLE BUILDING The City of North Vancouver has introduced incentives and requirements for all new construction. In addition, amendments to the City’s Zoning Bylaw will provide more opportunities to include higher energy efficiency, waste and water diversion, local food production and healthy living environ10
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
ments into construction design. A summary of the zoning amendments, which was presented at a public meeting on October 20, 2014, included the following changes: Ventilation: A Gross Floor Area (GFA) exclusion for areas used exclusively for natural ventilation up to a maximum of one per cent of the total GFA. Mechanical room: A floor area exclusion for green building systems, up to a maximum of 100 sq. ft. per building and 15 sq. ft. per dwelling. Solar roofs, green roofs: Solar collector height exemption (4 ft. for ground-oriented residential and 6 ft. for all other zones) and green roof exemption (1.5 ft. for ground-oriented residential and up to 3.5 ft. for all other zones). Solar/green walls: Include solar shading, solar panels and green walls into allowable setback projections. Other: Remove floor area exclusion for bay windows but still permit them as a design feature. www.cnv.org
QUEBEC GOVERNMENT MAKES CASE FOR LOWER ELECTRICITY RATES The Government of Quebec issued an Order in Council in September 2014 to remind the Quebec Energy Board that it should consider economic, social and environmental factors when deciding on future electricity rate increases for the year 2015-2016. The government noted the Board should consider the limited financial capacities of low-income families who cannot continued on page 12
WARM RECEPTION FOR NOBLE HEATING SHOW Francis Renee (middle), of Universal Air, won the signed Wayne Gretzky jersey door prize at Noble's 2014 Heating Show, courtesy of Ipex. Renee is flanked by Mike Mercurio (left), of Ipex, and Tom Breen, of Noble.
The 2014 Noble Heating Show attracted more than 800 people on October 2 to the Bellvue Manor in Vaughan, ON. The evening show featured more than 45 exhibits, two furnace giveaways per hour, and more than $10,000 worth of door prizes, including eight WeatherKing W92P 92 per cent AFUE furnaces courtesy of Rheem Canada. The show also offered four 45-minute complimentary educational seminars: infrared heating simplified, tankless fundamentals, ductless and ducted multi-split combo (Unico iSERIES), and Gastite flexible gas piping certification. All four seminars were well attended, and the final seminar (Gastite) drew more than 100 people. www.noble.ca HPACMAG.COM
Introducing the Sprinter 4x4. Starting at $49,900.* Sometimes getting to the job site is work itself. That’s why we’re introducing Canada’s only 4-wheel drive commercial van — the Sprinter 4x4. Activated at the push of a button, the Sprinter 4x4 uses the 4ETS feature to electronically control individual wheels, giving these cargo vans some serious ground-gripping power when you need it. See what it’s made of at Sprinter4x4.ca.
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©2014 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. *National MSRP is shown and is intended for information purposes only. Prices do not include taxes, levies, fees, freight and delivery charges, insurance and licence fees, as well as any other products or services not listed that may be available to you through your selected Mercedes-Benz dealership. Vehicle prices subject to change. Dealer may sell for less. These prices do not apply in provinces with total/all-in pricing requirements. Please contact your local dealership directly for exact pricing details and total pricing applicable in those provinces.
< INDUSTRY NEWS
continued from p10
keep pace with higher energy costs. The government also reiterated that all public institutions (including Hydro-Québec) must achieve internal efficiency objectives. www.gouv.qc.ca
ENERGY EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSES SET TO CHANGE IN BC The Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) in British Columbia has developed three illustrated guides to help residential builders and industry stakeholders understand and comply with the new requirements in Section 9.36 of the 2012 British Columbia Building Code for housing and small buildings. There is a specific guide for each climate zone in British Columbia, and the requirements come into effect on December 19, 2014. www.hpo.bc.ca
CANADA, U.S. MOVE TOWARDS REGULATORY COOPERATION The Canadian and American governments have committed to increasing the level of regulatory cooperation between the two countries with the release of the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Joint Forward Plan. The plan sets the stage for fundamental changes in the way regulatory departments and agencies in both coun-
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HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
tries work together, with a goal of making it easier for businesses to operate in both countries. Building on the RCC Joint Action Plan launched in December 2011 by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama, the joint forward plan will deepen Canada-U.S. regulatory cooperation through new bi-national processes and partnerships. It includes specific commitments to align 24 areas of regulatory business, including energy efficiency and the use of natural gas in transportation. It will also open the door for discussion on other areas of regulatory cooperation that could be initiated. www.actionplan.gc.ca
CONTEST PUTS CROSS CONNECTION CATASTROPHES ON PARADE The Western Canada Section AWWA Cross Connection Control Committee is running a contest to find the “badest and ugliest cross connections.” To enter, submit your cross connection photo and a brief explanation of your assessment and recommendations. This contest is for cross connection control awareness and educational purposes only. Do not include the location or building owner information. When taking the photo, consider the device selection; hazard application; device installation and orientation; device
HPACMAG.COM
height and access for testing; device drain or lack of drain; tag or no tag; test cock plugs or no plugs; using test cocks for other purposes; device or assembly broken up; poor plumbing practices; supports and connections; and others. Prizes include a Watts 5 Valve Test Kit Model TK99-E, Apollo 5 Valve 40-200-TKU Test Kit or Wilkins QT-SET Quick Test Fitting Set. Submit photographs to Danny Wilson, cross connection control instructor, Medicine Hat College, at dwilson@mhc.ab.ca by May 31, 2015.
LOCHINVAR HEATING PROGRAM NOW OPEN Lochinvar recently launched its VIP Contractor Program for the 20142015 heating season. Participating contractors can receive reward cards for product registrations, compete in the VIP installation showcase and take advantage of other perks. Throughout the program, which runs through April 2015, a total of 16 VIP contractors will be awarded the Nashville Experience – an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the CMA Music Festival 2015. www.knightheatingboiler.com/contractor
GREEN BUILDING FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Sustainable Buildings Canada (SBC) and more than 250 green building professionals came together for the 2014 Green Building Festival. Speakers and panel discussions addressing the theme of ResilienCity: the new urban paradigm. The full-day event on October 2 at Daniels Spectrum in Toronto, ON, offered several sessions on best practices to address climate-driven threats to cities and sustainable planning, design, engineering and building solutions. SBC recognized three individuals with lifetime achievement awards for their contributions to creating a more sustainable built environment: Margie Zeidler, founder and president of Urbanspace Property Group; Ken Greenberg, principal of Greenberg Consultants and former director of urban design and architecture for the City of Toronto; and Avi Friedman, principal of Avi Friedman Consultants and professor at McGill University. The 2015 Green Building Festival will take place on October 1, 2015, once again at Daniels Spectrum in Toronto, ON. www.sbcanada.org www.youtube.com/channel/UCQmuoXc41egNQC3FC26ccsQ continued on p14
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DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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< INDUSTRY NEWS
continued from p13
ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES UNDER REVIEW The Government of Ontario has appointed Tory Dean, former secretary of cabinet and head of the Ontario Public Service, to review key areas of Ontario’s skilled trades system that fall within the mandate of the Ontario College of Trades. Dean will conduct a review of issues related to the scopes of practice or type of work performed in a trade, as well as the process for determining whether certification should be compulsory or voluntary to practise a trade. The trade classification review process will be paused during Dean’s review and the College will continue to fulfill its mandate during this time. He will consult with stakeholders and receive support from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the College of Trades, but will function
MCA HOSTS MEMORABLE CONFERENCE IN NEWFOUNDLAND Delegates enjoyed a range of professionalsessions, an awards breakfast, a supplier innovation showcase, MCA Canada’s board of directors. and an array of social events at the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) of Canada’s 73rd national conference. Over 300 people attended the event in St. John’s, NL, held September 24 to 27, 2014. MCA’s board of directors joined the regional and provincial MCA managers for several days of high-level meetings prior to the start of the conference. During the conference, MCA held its annual general meeting to hear updates from industry guests and partners. The keynote speaker was Newfoundlander general Rick Hillier, who rose to become the highest-ranking leader in the military serving as chief of defence staff of the Canadian Armed Forces before retiring in 2008. Next year’s conference will take place November 16 to 19 in Palm Springs, CA. In other MCA news, the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation (CMCEF) has dissolved and has become a council within MCA. The new division is called the Construction Education Council (CEC). The main objective of the change is to bring ownership of the council closer to the provincial and regional offices to increase membership participation in education. In addition, John Warnica from Lowe Mechanical Services Ltd. in Winnipeg, MB, is the new chairman of the Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada (MSCC), a division of MCA. www.mcac.ca www.constructioneducation.ca www.servicecontractor.ca 14
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
independently. Dean's appointment began in October and continues for one calendar year when he will deliver his report to the College of Trades and the Ministry. www.collegeoftrades.ca
GIANT AND BEST CANADIAN WATER HEATER RECALL Giant Inc. has recalled atmospheric gas water heater models (natural gas or propane) in 30, 40, 50 or 60 gallon capacities. The Giant and Best Canadian hot water heaters are white and have a red Giant logo or a red Best logo attached to the upper front portion of the outside surface of the device. These units may have a small space between the bottom of the water tank and the combustion chamber. This could affect the watertightness of the combustion chamber and prevent the flame arrestor from functioning as designed in the event of a spill or incorrect use of a liquid or inflammable gas in proximity to the hot water heater. For more information contact Giant at 800.363.9354. www.giantinc.com
BC SAFETY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES FEE CHANGES The BC Safety Authority’s board of directors has approved several changes to its 2015 to 2017 fee schedules. The following list of changes will take effect on January 12, 2015: • an average three per cent per annum increase in fees for 2015, 2016, 2017; • removal of the fee cap on electrical contractor installation permits; A gradual removal of the fee cap for electrical operating permit holders (distributed sites clients only) by 2018; • simplifying the gas fee schedule by combining the fee tables for new residential installations; and • replacing the existing hourly billing process for boiler design registrations with standardized flat fees. www.safetyauthority.ca
NEW CONDITIONS FOR OPEN AND CLOSED LOOP GSHP SYSTEMS IN QUEBEC The Government of Quebec has adopted the Regulation Respecting Water Withdrawals and Water Protection, which aims to implement a new water withdrawal authorization system and strengthen the protection of Quebec’s drinking water sources. Municipalities will be required to perform a vulnerability analysis of their drinking water sources to identify potential risks specific to each source and establish appropriate protection measures. Chapter IV of the regulation clarifies new conditions for open loop and closed loop ground source heat pump systems (GSHP). All references to C-448 Standard have been removed from the regulation. The regulation came into force on August 14, 2014. HPACMAG.COM
However, Chapter IV states the new rules for ground source heat pump systems will come into force on March 5, 2015 in order to allow municipalities to get ready for the enforcement of the regulation. www.gouv.qc.ca
ASHRAE TEAMS UP WITH IAQ ASSOCIATION ASHRAE and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) have agreed in principle to join forces. Both associations confirmed the agreement at ASHRAE’s 2014 Annual Conference in September. IAQA will become a part of ASHRAE while maintaining its own brand, board of directors and operating independently within ASHRAE’s organizational structure. Plans call for IAQA to relocate its headquarters from Rockville, MD, to Atlanta, GA. www.ashrae.org www.iaqa.org
Photo: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall
GREEN BUILDING PIONEER RECEIVES ORDER OF CANADA Stephen Carpenter (left) receives the Order of Canada from Governor General David Johnston on September 12, 2014.
Stephen Carpenter was invested as a member of the Order of Canada by Canada’s Governor General David Johnston during the investiture ceremony in Ottawa in September. Carpenter, a native of Conestogo, ON, has been a leader in Canada’s green construction movement for decades. Carpenter founded his consulting firm, Enermodal Engineering (now known as a member of MMM Group Ltd.), in 1980, when its mandate of creating environmentally sustainable buildings was virtually unprecedented. He has since become one of the Canada Green Building Council’s most dedicated members. For more information about Carpenter, see the original announcement in HPAC's Industry News, March, 2014. www.gg.ca www.mmmgrouplimited.com
BELT TIGHTENING AND INNOVATIVE THINKING CREATE BRIGHTER FINANCIAL PICTURE FOR RMC At Refrigerant Management Canada's (RMC) 14th annual meeting on November 12, 2014 in Mississauga, ON , secretary-treasurer Marie Li-Ying of Honeywell was able to deliver very positive financial news. She reported a net growth of $1.2 million. "This is quite an achievement when revenue streams have been going down," noted Li-Ying. She added that overall expenses had decreased by 29 per cent over a two-year period. Significant savings and efficiencies were realized when RMC changed collection serHPACMAG.COM
vice providers. This move freed up trucks, and reduced storage fees and maintenance issues. Moving forward, it is expected that volumes will increase as jurisdictions face higher targets, nevertheless there is cautious optimism for the organization. "Next year will be an ongoing challenge for RMC. Hopefully Environment Canada will push through the P2 plan," said Rob Flipse, who was re-appointed chair of RMC. The proposed Pollution Prevention (P2) Planning Notice for halocarbon refrigerants will create a level playing field, with all parties having the same obligations for refrigerant end of life. RMC reported that Environment Canada has confirmed that the final notice is expected to be published in early 2015. The annual report is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioOGNndCJoE. www.refrigerantmanagement.ca
CLIPS >> The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) elected Craig Benson of Paramount Sheet Metal Ltd. in Port Coquitlam, BC, to its board of directors at SMACNA’s 71st Annual Convention. Benson, along with four others elected from the U.S., will serve four-year terms on the board. www.smacna.org (From L to R) John Harris, John Hockman, Bill Crist, Tom Cates, Tom Dyer and Nick Reggi (front) celebrate at Crist’s retirement party dinner.
>> HRAI staff and SkillTech Academy instructors gathered for a dinner during the annual Trainer Technical Forum in Toronto, ON, to send Bill Crist off into retirement. The De Winton, AB, native has been a leader in the design and construction of energy-efficient homes for 36 years. His company, Sol Tech Housing, built the first R-2000 home in Calgary, AB. www.hrai.ca >> The new edition of the Ontario Amendments to the CSA B149 Code is a compilation of the TSSA Code Adoption Documents for the utilization of the CSA B149-10 Code Series in Ontario. This edition includes changes to the Propane Adoption Document, including requirements for cylinder storage and certification requirements for valves, components and accessories. Changes for the Gaseous Fuels Code Adoption Document include re-classifying clothes dryers in line with the certification standard and a new section regulating unvented heaters installed in livestock or poultry facilities. www.csagroup.org continued on p16 DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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< INDUSTRY NEWS
continued from p16
Geothermal Industry ‘On The Radar’ A healthy dose of winter weather did not stop dozens of geothermal heating enthusiasts from attending the Ontario Geothermal Association’s annual conference in Gravenhurst, ON, from November 13 to 14 at the picturesque Taboo Muskoka Resort. The two-day event featured a keynote from Bob Delaney, MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville and parliamentary assistant to the energy minister, and several educational seminars and networking opportunities. Delaney said Ontario has stopped burning coal to generate energy and “our air is getting cleaner.” He admitted the provincial government is not sufficiently engaged with the geothermal sector, but he added the market is starting to warm up to geothermal technology and it can play a larger role going forward. During his industry update, Martin Luymes, director of programs and relations for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), said geothermal is “on the radar” now and there is tremendous opportunity for the industry. “I think the government is sincere in saying there is a future for geothermal,” he said.
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Luymes went on to describe how the OGA (founded in June 2009) has grown as an organization since signing an affiliation agreement with HRAI in May 2013. Luymes expects the OGA to play an even larger role within HRAI in the future and to build stronger relations with similar provincial associations. The end goal, he said, is hopefully to create a national association. “We are on the cusp of being able to deliver strong programs and policies for you,” he said. “The government doesn’t know a lot about geothermal, but now they know they should be taking it seriously.” All 53 conference attendees had the opportunity to sit in on and participate in a number of lively seminars on topics related to the geothermal industry, such as marketing, new technologies, industry associations, consulting, codes and standards, and more. At the OGA’s annual general meeting, members voted to reinstall Stan Reitsma (GeoSource Energy), Tom Boutette (B & B Trade Distribution Centre) and John Baine to the board of directors, Jim Bolger (Waterloo Energy Products) as vice president and John Bosman (Bostech Mechanical) as president. www.ontariogeothermal.ca
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< HYBRID SYSTEMS
Ghost-Busting Heat Transfer In Return Air Plenums
Common sense, a bit of heat transfer knowledge and strict adherence to specifications go a long way to improving the air/hydronic dynamic. BY ROBERT BEAN
O
ne of the landmines associated with radiant based HVAC systems using fan/ coils for humidification and decontamination is the disconnect often created between those responsible for the air system and those responsible for the hydronic system. Both of them are installing heat exchangers of one form or another. These heat exchangers are intimately connected by the on-site assembly of their respective “stuff.” One hazard that has crept up occasionally over the years has to do with the poor practice of flashing joist bays for return air plenums. When air is circulated through an un-ducted and uninsulated return air plenum under a heated or cooled floor, the laws of heat transfer will definately tell you that you are about to have an expensive problem to solve. Here is what can happen: the call comes in from the client complaining about discomfort, so you head on over to the job site. Lo and behold your client has a case. You start your diagnostics and discover the supply air being delivered to the space is 15F
(8.3C) higher than design setpoint of 72F (22C). You discover that a control valve you expected to be stuck open is in the closed position. Now you ask yourself where is the air picking up heat if the valve is closed. One possible source is valve leakage. I know it is a shock but valves leak, some more than others. Even with a valve in the closed position and its actuator torque of sufficient strength to close off against pump head – yes you can still have leakage. How much? Well, it all depends, but in this case the leakage was too small to be of any significance so that was not the prime problem. You think to yourself it has to be coming from the radiant floor, but how could that be when your specs called for insulated
ducts? Your brain is now doing mental gymnastics until the light comes on. "I bet the sheet metal guy didn't look at the spec for insulated ductwork and just flashed the bottom of the joists," cause that is what a seasoned ghostbuster would think. You have the general contractor take down a small piece of drywall and your suspicions are confirmed (see Figure 1). Here is what is going on. The radiant system is connected to the air plenum first by heat being conducted to the underside of the sub floor. Wood or fake wood products have rough surfaces and high emissivities. If you want to scrub away heat from a heated floor with air, plus extract energy in the form of heat with radiant, nothing serves as a better surface
Figure 2 H eat transfer to return air plenums under radiant floors: un-insulated duct (top) insulated duct (bottom).
Figure 1 U n-insulated, un-ducted, flashed return air plenum under a radiant floor = bad, bad practice.
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Figure 3 Determining the log mean temperature differential (Tlm) values for counterflow exchangers; ta = fluid flow, tb = air flow.
Figure 4 Determining log mean temperature differential for calculating heat transfer (q) in Figure 5.
Figure 5 notation for heat transfer; n = 1.5 for forced convection.
than a subfloor. Additionally, there could be any combination of air flow characteristics depending on the velocity and that will have an impact on the convective heat transfer. You also have a lower emissivity/ higher reflectivity sheet metal on the bottom so the radiant energy emitted to the flashing and sides of the joist from the heated sub-floor is going to be bounced back up to the sub-floor where it will be absorbed and reradiated. This further contributes to the increasing temperature in the joist cavity. If you think about it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what you have discovered is a radiant ceiling system with forced draft, as such the return air has no choice but to increase in temperature even if the control valve on the fan/coil is closed. An overview of the heat transfer mechanisms at play for un-insulated and insulated return air plenums is shown in Figure 2. It can be expressed in standard heat transfer notation where U is the combined radiant and HPACMAG.COM
forced convection heat transfer coefficient with the log mean temperature differential determined by Figures 3, 4 and 5. Since the amount of heat transferred is connected to the surface area (A), the X dimension in Figure 2 becomes really important; that is, the longer the X value the greater the heat transfer (q) value in Figure 5. The end conversation for this ghostbusting always goes like this: Mr. Sheet Metal says to owner, "Well itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obvious, turn off the radiant floor." The angry client says, "I paid big bucks for my radiant floors so you know what you can do with your suggestion." You step in between the forces of good and evil and explain to the general contractor and the sheet metal contractor that you need the air for humidification and decontamination and the radiant for thermal comfort. You are going to have to pull down the ceiling and have Mr. Sheet Metal rip down the flashing and install as per specs with the insulated ducting. Ghost heat transfer is not a trivial thing in any system, but it is particularly worrisome with hybrids. Not only does it contribute to instability in thermal comfort, higher return air temperatures destroy coil heat exchanger efficiencies. It has the same effect as installing an oversized valve, which leads to a destruction in valve authority, resulting in valve hunting and coil over performance during low loads. Although there is no hard and fast rule of thumb to use, my current stan-
dard specification calls for one layer of R5 under the floor, plus fully wrapped to R5 external duct insulation on shorter return air plenums under heated floors constructed with masonry surfaces. For longer runs under floors with less conductive flooring, I will bump up the first layer to R10. I will also take into consideration design fluid temperatures, tube density and patterns over the return air plenum. No one said this hybrid stuff was easy but with some common sense, a bit of heat transfer knowledge and strict adherence to your specifications, even the air guy and hydronic guy can get along. <> Robert Bean, who is president of Indoor Climate Consultants Inc., has served two terms as an ASHRAE distinguished lecturer, serves on ASHRAE committees TC 6.1 (Hydronics), TC 6.5 (Radiant), TC 7.4 (Exergy) and SSPC 55 (Thermal Comfort) and is a recipient of ASHRAE's Lou Flagg Award. He is a Registered Engineering Technologist in building construction through the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta and a Professional Licensee in mechanical engineering through the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta.
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< TESTING
Safety, Savings and Sustainability Simple test offers several benefits. BY RON AUVIL
M
any commercial buildings have boilers, heat exchangers and appliances that burn fossil fuel. Combustion analysis helps ensure that these devices operate in both a safe and efficient manner. The top three goals of combustion analysis are: 1. Fuel Efficiency: Keeping fossil fuel burning equipment operating at peak efficiency reduces energy consumption and saves money. Tens of thousands of dollars in savings are possible using combustion analysis to correct problems and increase combustion efficiency. 2. Safety: Combustion problems are one of the main causes of boiler explosions. Combustion analysis can help identify combustion problems and correct them before they damage life or property. 3. Emissions: Combustion analysis helps reduce emissions that may be harmful to the environment.
COMBUSTION BASICS Combustion occurs when a fossil fuel such as natural gas, oil, coal, or propane comes into contact with oxygen in the air in the presence of heat to ignite. The heat energy released from combustion is used to heat water, generate steam, or heat air in the facility. Chemically, combustion can be understood by carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other compounds such as sulfur entering the combustion process. Heat, carbon monoxide (CO) carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour (H2O), and various possible
emissions such as nitrogen oxide (NO) are leaving the combustion process. Combustion itself depends on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;3 Ts' of time, temperature and turbulence to permit good combustion.
CATEGORIES OF COMBUSTION There are three categories of combustion. These categories are known as incomplete, perfect, and complete combustion. These categories depend on the amount of air combined with the fuel. 1. Incomplete: Not enough air is present to combine with the fuel, causing carbon monoxide to be present in the exhaust. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic to people and also leads to energy waste. 2. Perfect: The exact amount of air needed to burn the fuel is provided. This is known as the theoretical amount of air. 3. Complete: Extra air is provided above the theoretical amount to burn the fuel. This extra air is known as excess air. In this instance, carbon dioxide (CO2) is present in the exhaust instead of CO. The downside of excess air is that it leads to a decrease in efficiency.
FUEL TYPES Fossil fuel types include natural gas, fuel oil, propane and coal. Today, natural gas is the most common fossil fuel. Coal is in decline due to stricter emissions regulations. Fuel oil is used in some locations due to ease of transport and pricing. In addition, fuel oil is often used as a backup in some boiler plants as well. In some locations propane may be the favoured fuel of choice, especially in smaller applications. Each fuel has different composition and combustion parameters.
AIR TYPES
Front of a typical boiler with the burner and controls installed. 20
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Air used in the combustion process can be categorized as primary, secondary, excess and dilution. Primary air is that which is introduced with the fuel at the burner. Secondary air is air which enters the combustion process by entering the boiler through cleanout doors and other areas of the boiler. Excess air is that which is used to obtain complete combustion. Dilution air is introduced at the draft hood and is not part of the combustion process. Its purpose is to control the draft at the stack and reduce condensation. HPACMAG.COM
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Draft fan of a typical boiler.
DRAFT Draft is the measurement of gas flow through the combustion process. Draft can be separated into different categories as well. Natural draft refers to the fact that hot gases rise through a chimney or flue. Natural draft does not use a fan. Forced draft and induced draft both use fans. A forced draft is the use of a fan at the burner itself while induced draft is the use of a fan in the stack to pull the hot gases through the combustion chamber. Draft is measured as a pressure at the stack immediately at the boiler or other fossil fuel burning device.
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continued on p22
TUNE UP TIPS: 1. Always follow all safety precautions 2. Warm instruments up before using them. 3. Make sure instruments are cali- Close shot of the combustion burner and controls of a typical boiler. brated as required. 4. Allow unit to start and warm up before taking measurements. Allow a minimum of 15 minutes before taking measurements. 5. Take measurements across different firing rates over a period of time. 6. Change burner adjustments and linkages to obtain correct excess air amount, usually around 15 per cent for gaseous fuels but different for other fuels. 7. Watch for poor flame or producing smoke, may indicate not enough excess air. 8. Always use manufacturer literature to make proper adjustments. 9. Record combustion efficiency values and adjustments to evaluate the boiler for the next combustion analysis test.
Calgary 5350 86th Ave. S.E. Calgary, AB T2C 4L7 403-279-8075
Ottawa 1177 Parisien St. Ottawa, ON K1B 4W4 613-745-1528
Edmonton 8103 McIntyre Rd. Edmonton, AB T6E 5J7 780-425-0733
Scarborough 2010 Ellesmere Rd., Units 13&14 Scarborough, ON M1H 3B1 416-754-4311
Vancouver 2962 Lake City Way Burnaby, BC V5A 3A2 604-421-1767 Winnipeg 1653 Saint James St. Winnipeg, MB R3H 0X1 204-633-0345 Dartmouth 133 Ilsley Ave., Unit D Dartmouth, NS B3B 1S9 902-468-5995 Brampton 10 Woodslea Rd. Brampton, ON L6T 5P2 905-799-9911 Hamilton 351 Nash Rd. North, Unit 10 Hamilton, ON L8H 7P4 905-560-4200 London 1 Adelaide St. N., Unit 5 London, ON N6B 3P4 519-439-3377
Waterloo 115 Randall Dr., Unit 10 Waterloo, ON N2V 1C5 519-886-3666 Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Moved!
Montreal 7790 Route Transcanadienne Saint-Laurent, QC H4T 1A5 514-336-6090 New Location!
Longueuil 2655 Jacques-Cartier Blvd. Longueuil, QC, J4N 1L7 450-805-0475 Regina 2110 7th Ave. Regina, SK S4R 1C4 306-757-7678 Saskatoon 3026A Faithful Ave. Saskatoon, SK S7K 5W2 306-934-4858
DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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< TESTING
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COMBUSTION ANALYSIS INSTRUMENTS
TYPICAL MEASUREMENTS
Combustion analysis measuring devices can be portable or permanent. Smaller and mid-size boilers will use a portable “kit” of measuring instruments designed for combustion analysis. Larger applications will have permanently mounted instruments that give continuous readouts of the different measurements. In addition, the ability to record and print out data for documentation and evaluation is available for both. It should be noted that the instruments may require calibration at intervals to maintain their accuracy. Often this is done with portable calibration instruments, or in some cases by returning the instrument to the factory for calibration.
CO: Measuring ambient and exhaust carbon monoxide indicates the type of combustion and the presence of CO above and beyond the ambient level. Ambient CO measurements can be taken with either a CO-specific measurement tool or a multi-function air meter. CO2: The CO2 level in the exhaust is measured to indicate complete combustion, efficiency and the amount of excess air. O2: Measuring oxygen in the flue gas indicates the amount of excess air. The findings are used to adjust excess air amounts and increase boiler efficiency. A measurement of six per cent O2 indicates 40 per cent excess air. Flue Temp: The temperature of the flue gas is usually taken with a thermocouple. It is taken right at the flue before any draft diverters and after it has passed through all the heat exchangers. Use a high quality thermocouple thermometer to check both the ambient inlet and flue temperature. Inlet Air Temp: The inlet air temperature at the burner is taken as well. The difference between inlet and flue temperature is used in efficiency and combustion calculations. Draft Pressure: One of the most important measurements is the draft pressure in inches of WC. This is taken at the flue close to the device. This measurement, when compared to manufacturer’s specifications, helps establish proper combustion rates. Use a handheld micromanometer to measure draft pressure. NO and NO2: These compounds are considered pollutants and can cause environmental problems such as acid rain. They are very tightly regulated by federal, provincial, and local agencies. SO2: Sulfur dioxide can be in the exhaust gases as well. It can form sulfuric acid when combined with water vapour. It is considered a pollutant and is tightly regulated as well.
A multi-function monitoring tool measures dew point and wet bulb temperature, relative humidity, air flow/velocity, CO2, CO, and % outside air.
MEASUREMENT DO’S AND DON’TS: Do’s: 1. Select an instrument with accuracy less than 1per cent of the range of the sensor for that condition 2. Select a flue gas temperature instrument with a range maximum of more than 600 deg F 3. Maintain documentation of efficiency of each boiler 4. Maintain calibration documentation Don'ts 1. Try to save money by purchasing a low quality instrument. ‘You get what you pay for’ is true here. Inaccurate instruments can return either a false negative – not detecting inefficiencies – or a false positive, instigating un-necessary repairs. 2. Abuse the equipment. Store instruments in a clean, dry place when not in use. This will prolong the life of the measuring equipment. 22
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MULTIPLE PAYBACK Unfortunately, combustion analysis is ignored in many facilities. Combustion analysis can save tens of thousands of dollars in fuel. It can also lead to a safer combustion process and help the environment by reducing air pollutants. In addition, it can reduce the likelihood of violating environmental laws with steep fines. The money saved will pay for the instruments in a short period of time. <> Ron Auvil has more than 30 years of experience in the classroom where he has taught everything from basic electricity and refrigeration to steam plant licensing and HVAC Controls. Auvil is a technical contributor to Fluke Corporation. www.fluke.com/fluke/caen/home HPACMAG.COM
< WORK TRUCKS
Big Van Gets Boost in Worksite Prowess
Major new features revealed at a press event showcasing the capability of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
BY BILL ROEBUCK
M
ercedes-Benz is upping its game in the full-size cargo van market with its 2015 Sprinter, which offers two significant improvements: Crosswind Assist and a four-wheel-drive option. In addition, there is a new standard four-cylinder diesel engine that is smaller and more fuel efficient than before, and an increase in the van's maintenance interval from 20 000 km to 30 000 km. Crosswind Assist is now standard on all 2500 model variants to help keep the big vehicle on course in strong crosswinds. To prove its point at a recent demonstration to the media, Mercedes-Benz went to its US Sprinter reassembly plant in Charleston, SC, where it had three V8-powered swamp boats, each with giant fans, set up side by side on their trailers in a parking lot beside the plant. The plan was to drive past the running fans, which together generated a 145 km/h crosswind, first in a Sprinter without Crosswind Assist, and then with the model featuring it. The 24
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system activates at speeds of 80 km/h and over, so for the tests, we were travelling at about 100 km/h. In the first run, no matter how hard the driver tried to hold a straight line, the Sprinter was pushed sideways by the wind several inches – maybe more than a foot. Then we tried again using the Crosswind Assist. This is an impressive and significant technology for a vehicle with such a large side surface. It is activated by the vehicle's Adaptive ESP electronic stability program, which uses Brake Assist on the windward wheels to help stay the course when a certain speed of crosswind is detected. The system is not available on cab chassis, super-high roof or 3500 models. Other available safety features on the van include Blind Spot Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, Trailer Stability Assist and tire pressure monitors. The Sprinter Cargo's base model engine is now a 2.1-litre inline four-cylinder diesel producing 161 hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. For HPACMAG.COM
“WHILE YOU COULD STILL FEEL THE PUSH, THE VAN WAS MOVED ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES BY THE POWERFUL BLAST OF AIR.” we could test the off-road capabilities. When driving, you are tossed around significantly because of the deep ruts, cutouts and dropoffs. Observing from the outside, you get to view the underside of the Sprinter as it sometimes tilts up with one wheel high in the air, like a dog in desperate need of a fire hydrant. The system, based on the 4Matic transmissions used in the company's luxury cars, automatically sends power to the wheels that have the best traction. The 4x4 Sprinter, which has an extra four inches of ground clearance over the 4x2 model, can be ordered with the 144in. or 170-in. wheelbase in both low- and high-roof configurations. Mercedes also showed off the capability of its Adaptive ESP system using a Sprinter loaded with about 680 kg of water in three big containers mounted in racks in the cargo compartment. We got to go along for a fun ride at about 5060 km/h, strapped tightly into bucket seats with harnesses, as a professional driver made emergency manoeuvres, first with the ESP off, then with it on. Steel outriggers mounted on both sides of the vehicle prevented a rollover with the system off. It was a crazy experience. With ESP activated, there was no need for the outriggers as the system significantly stabilized the van. The Sprinter Cargo is offered in 2500 and 3500 models, with three roof heights (Standard at 65.0 in., High at 76.4 in. and Super High at 84.3 in.), two wheelbase lengths (144 in. and 170 in.), three cargo bed lengths (Standard at 128.5 in.,
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more cargo-carrying and towing capability, a 188-hp, 325-lb.ft., 3.0-litre V6 diesel using a five-speed automatic is available as an option. For contractors who want to be sure they are never stuck in mucky jobsites, there is a new four-wheel-drive option, scheduled to arrive in Canadian dealerships in March 2015. The 4x4 is only offered with the V6 diesel powertrain. Normally, the 4x4 Sprinter runs in rear-wheel drive mode. Just push a button on the dash at less than 10 km/h to manually turn on the four-wheel drive when needed. Power is sent to all four wheels, split 35:65 between front and real axles. A low-range transfer case is available as an option, as is Downhill Speed Regulation. Mercedes-Benz constructed a small but very rugged offroad course on its property beside the Charleston plant so
< WORK TRUCKS
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The vehicle's Adaptive ESP electronic stability program uses Brake Assist on the windward wheels.
Long at 169.3 in. and Extra Long 185.0 in.) and three GVWRs (8550 lb., 9900 lb. and 11â&#x20AC;&#x2030;030 lb.). It also can be ordered as a crew van with a three-seater bench in the front row. A maximum payload for the 2500
cargo van of 3513 lb. is achieved in the Standard roof model with the four-cylinder engine. For the 3500 vans, it is 5508 lb. for the same version. Maximum towing rating for the 2500 is 5000 lb. and for the 3500 it is 7500 lb.
The width at the floor in all models is 70 in. Cargo volume ranges from 319 cu. ft. all the way up to 586 cu. ft. The Super High model is 24 in. taller from road to roof than the Standard version, which is 96 in. tall, something to keep in mind on some jobsites. Canadian pricing for the Sprinter 2500 144-in. cargo van starts at $41,300 and goes up to $49,900 for the 2500 4Ă&#x2014;4. The V6 adds $2,500. In Canada, 60 per cent of Sprinters are sold to the construction trades, with 60 per cent of those going to owner/operators and 40 per cent going to fleets. "In all, 80 to 90 per cent of these cargo vans are being upfitted with racks, shelving and other storage options," according to Miki Velemirovich, national manager, Mercedes-Benz Vans Canada, Toronto. He says there are 16 Canadian-based Sprinter upfitters, plus an additional dozen that are U.S.-based but which have installation locations in Canada. The Sprinter has received many accolades since being introduced to Canada in 2001, most recently the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada award for 2014, as well as the Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value award for 2014. With its newest attributes, it seems likely this cargo van will continue that trend. <> Bill Roebuck is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), which produces the annual Canadian Car of the Year and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards.
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< PLUMBING IMPROPER MAINTENANCE Do’s: If your PVC piping system will be buried, take the time to calculate the allowable burial depth and ensure that your PVC pipes won't fail under pressure. Furthermore, develop a plan for dealing with pressure surges that are sure to occur over time. It's critical that you take into account the environment to which the pipe will be exposed, including rocks, roots and aboveground traffic. Don’ts: Do not subscribe to the philosophy of “bought, buried, and forgotten.” Ignoring air relief and surge control maintenance systems will result in a PVC piping system that won't meet its anticipated service life. As with anything, proper care is proactive, not reactive. Rigid PVC is strong enough to endure some “abuse;” nevertheless, the absence of certain plasticizers limits its flexibility considerably.
Why PVC Pipes Sometimes Fail And How To Prevent It BY BRANDON PEACH
O
ver the years, flexible PVC pipes have become more stable and reliable, achieving a rather low failure rate. However, there are still several ways they can be misused, with the user or installer typically to blame. Here are some do’s and don’ts in terms of installing, maintaining and storing PVC piping.
IMPROPER INSTALLATION Do’s: Cut the pipe squarely and use the appropriate amount of cement to completely cover the end of the pipe so that there is a gapless bond between the pipe and its fitting. Take special care to use the correct solvent and applicator when you're joining the pipe with its fitting. A proper solvent weld requires softening of the pipe and fitting–otherwise, fusion may not occur. Don’ts: Do not use excessive amounts of cement on your PVC, which can result in failure due to improper fusion. On the other hand, when you do not use enough cement to cover an end of a pipe, voids between the pipe and fitting may occur. Rushing what might seem like a simple and straightforward process will only result in failure down the road. 28
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STORAGE ABUSE Do’s: Store in a dry, cool place away from the sun in a place that allows for proper ventilation. Duct tape the ends of the PVC piping so as to prevent vapor or water infiltration, taking care to use only enough duct tape to cover the openings. Store upright or on a level surface in order to prevent bending, which will negatively affect future installation. Don’ts: Be careful when handling the PVC, as you don’t want to transport it unsafely or handle in such a way that it cracks or breaks. Do not use excessive duct tape – the solvents used to remove tape residue are often not PVC-friendly and may damage the piping. Finally, make sure that you don't store it in a manner that allows for bending over time. A hard, clean and stable surface is vital to maintain the material's integrity.
REPUTABLE SUPPLIER Often, PVC failure comes down to how the PVC pipes have been handled, stored or transported. Although the material is extremely durable and can withstand myriad environmental factors, if not dealt with properly, PVC piping can be damaged. PVC pipes that have been stored outside in the sun, for instance, may lose molecular stability over time. Make sure to use a reputable flexible PVC supplier to avoid these failures. Common sense goes a long way when working with PVC – use it, along with these tips, and your storage, installation and maintenance will enjoy a long service life. <> Brandon Peach is writing on behalf of Sylvin Technologies, a leading manufacturer of flexible PVC vinyl compounds. He also writes for EZSolution, a design, IT and marketing agency in Lancaster, PA. www.sylvin.com HPACMAG.COM
< HYDRONICS
Long Name... Nice Concept...
Use the conditions created by piping, together with circulator characteristics to prevent cavitation. BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER
O
ver the years, mechanical engineers have established a standardized method for predicting the conditions under which circulator cavitation will occur. Being engineers they were unable to communicate their ideas without the assistance of numbers and formulas. And, after they developed their numbers and formulas, they had to come up with a name that sounded sophisticated. Engineers do this for job security reasons. Hence was born the techno-acronym Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH). There are two parts to the concept of NPSH. One deals with the conditions created by the piping system and the fluid moving through it. The other deals with the characteristics of the circulator proposed for use in that piping system. We will discuss both of them and see how they work together when determining if a circulator will cavitate.
PIPING SYSTEM FIRST Although it sounds sophisticated, NPSH is really a pretty simple (and even elegant) concept. In essence it is just a way to predict how far removed the fluid entering a circulator is from its boiling point. If you prevent the fluid entering the circulator from boiling, cavitation won’t occur. NPSH is a concise way of describing the overall condition of a fluid as it flows into a circulator. It combines the effect of temperature, pressure and fluid velocity into a single number. The piping system that the fluid travels through affects the temperature, pressure and velocity it has entering the circulator. Because of this, we say that the piping system makes a cerFigure 1 Vapour pressure of water
30
vapour pressure (psia)
25 20
14.7 psia
no boiling
5
boiling occurs
0 50
30
100 150 200 water temperature (ºF)
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
v=
)
0.408 D2
250 212 ºF
)f
where: v = flow velocity in the pipe (ft/sec) ƒ = flow rate through the pipe (gpm) d = exact inside diameter of pipe (inches) The fluid’s vapour pressure (the pressure at which vapour pockets begin to form) must also get factored into NPSHA. To avoid cavitation the fluid must be kept safely above its vapour pressure. The vapour pressure of a fluid varies with its temperature. Figure 1 shows the relationship for water. The NPSHA concept puts together all of the ways that a fluid can possess head energy. NPSHA can be thought of as the total head of the fluid above the head value at which cavitation will occur. Hence the word “net.” Like any other value for head, NPSHA is expressed in feet of head. If you put all this together mathematically, you get the following formula:
NPSHA =
15 10
tain value of NPSH “available” to the circulator. And because five letters are even more impressive than four, the term NPSHA was adopted. The A stands for available. In the context of hydronics, the term “head” means mechanical energy. There are several ways that a fluid in a hydronic system can “possess” this mechanical energy. Part of the head energy a fluid possesses depends on its pressure. If a pressure gauge were mounted near the circulator’s inlet, its (psi) reading could be converted to a head value by multiplying by 144 and then dividing by the fluid’s density (in lb/cubic foot). The same fluid also possesses head energy because it is moving. The higher the fluid’s velocity the more “velocity head” it has. To get a number for this you need to find the fluid’s velocity (in feet per second), square that number and then divide by 64.4. If you know the flow rate and the inside diameter of the pipe, you can calculate the fluid’s velocity using formula 1.
v2 + 64.4
] )P +14.7 )-P ] ) 144D ) i
v
Where: NPSHA = net positive suction head available at the circulator inlet (ft of head) v = velocity of the liquid in the pipe entering the circulator (ft/sec) pi = gauge pressure of the moving fluid measured at the circulator inlet (psig) pv = vapour pressure of the liquid as it enters the circulator (psi absolute) HPACMAG.COM
Here is an example: Determine the NPSHA for the piping system shown in Figure 2. Assume the water temperature is 140F.
Figure 3
Figure 2
13 psi 1" type M copper water @ 140 ºF! f = 12 gpm Solution: First, calculate the velocity of water flowing at 12 gpm through the 1” tube. To do this you need to look up the internal diameter of the tube. For 1” type M copper tubing that internal diameter is 1.055 inches. Now put the numbers into formula 1:
) ) )
)
0.408 ft 0.408 f= v= 2 12=4.4 2 [1.055] sec d
The density of water at 140F is D = 61.3 lb/ft3. Finally, put these numbers into the formula 2 and run it through your calculator:
Next, look up the vapour pressure of water at its corresponding temperature from Figure 1. At 140F the vapour pressure of water is 2.9 psia. Next, look up the density of water at 140F from Figure 3:
NPSHA =
) ]) ) 144 -2.9 13+14.7 ] ) ) ]) 61.3)=58.6 ft
v2 + 64.4
4.42 = 64.4 +
])
Pi +14.7 -Pv
144 D
continued on p32
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< HYDRONICS
continued from p31
“ALTHOUGH IT SOUNDS SOPHISTICATED, NPSH IS REALLY A PRETTY SIMPLE (AND EVEN ELEGANT) CONCEPT.” So what does this number of 58.6 feet tell us? By itself it does not tell us much. To make it useful we need something to compare it to. That is where the pump manufacturer comes in.
ANOTHER ACRONYM Manufacturers test their circulators to find where cavitation begins. They mount a given circulator in a test stand and then reduce the NPSH available at the inlet of a circulator until it cavitates. They add a safety factor and call the resulting number the NPSHR. The R following NPSH stands for “required.” NPSHR is the manufacturer’s specified minimum value of NPSH that must be provided by the piping system to prevent the circulator from cavitating. The test that circulator manufacturers perform finds the circulator’s NPSHR at several different flow rates. As flow through a circulator increases so does its NPSHR. That is because the faster the fluid goes into the circulator the greater the head loss due to fluid friction inside the circulator’s volute. This head loss pulls the fluid closer to cavitation upstream of the impeller and must be accounted for. Many manufacturers show the NPSHR values for a given circulator on the same graph as its pump curve. The brown curve near the bottom of Figure 4 is an example. Figure 4 Pump curve with NPSHR values
pump curve head loss curve
50
head added (feet)
40 30
operating point
20 NPSHR! curve
10 0
32
0
2
4
6
8
10 12 14 16 18
flow rate (gpm)
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
Figure 4 also shows how you would find the NPSHR of a circulator in a given piping system. First you need to know the flow rate at which the circulator is operating. You do this by plotting the head loss curve of the piping system on the same graph as the pump curve for the circulator. The point where these curves cross is called the operating point. Next, draw a line from the operating point down to the NPSHR curve for the circulator. Draw a horizontal line from this intersection to the vertical axis of the graph and read the required NPSHR value. For the situation shown in Figure 4 the NPSHR is about 2.7 feet. NPSHR values may not be published for smaller wet rotor circulators. In such cases, use a (conservative) value of five feet of head. Assume this value applies over the entire flow range of the small circulator.
MAKING THE COMPARISON Now that both NPSHA and NPSHR have been described it is time to use them as a team. This part is really simple: to avoid cavitation make sure the NPSHA provided by the piping system is equal to, or (preferably) greater than, the NPSHR of the circulator. The greater the NPSHA value is compared to the NPSHR, the greater the safety margin against cavitation. When making the comparison, remember to use the NPSHR value at the flow rate the system is assumed to be operating at. For the situation shown in Figure 2, the NPSHA was determined to be 58.6 feet. For the circulator shown in Figure 4, the NPSHR at a flow rate of 12 gpm was about 2.7 feet. Since the NPSHA provided by the piping system and fluid is much greater than the NPSHR needed by the circulator, cavitation will NOT occur. In this situation there is a very large safety factor between 58.6 and 2.7 feet. That is good. It helps ensure the circulator operates quietly and efficiently. My advice is to design all of your hydronic systems so that the NPSHA is always higher than the NPSHR. <> John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer. He has over 34 years experience in designing modern hydronic heating systems. He is also an associate professor emeritus of engineering technology at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. HPACMAG.COM
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System Performance Boils Down To Location, Location, Location
Points to be mindful of when installing and troubleshooting snow melt control systems. BY MIKE MILLER
W
inter is here and as the snow starts to pile up, customers are looking to their snow melt systems to get the job done with no shovels and/or salt involved. Unfortunately, the systems do not always perform as expected and controls sometimes end up being the fall guys for poor operation. Those same controls, which are applied to help run systems more efficiently and automatically, need to be installed correctly and with some thought. In my experience this is not always the case. The following pointers highlight some of the more common installation errors and offer solutions to performance problems. One of the most fragile components, which is prone to failure if it is not installed properly, is the snow and ice sensor. The control system requires it to function flawlessly. The sensor should be installed right in the heated driveway or pad at a minimum of one foot from the exterior of that slab. It also needs to be flush with the finished surface to prevent standing water on top of it. Failure to do so may cause the system to remain in melting mode, even though the surface of the driveway may be free of ice or snow. Another, and very often overlooked part, is the installation of the sensor. While the circuitry inside it is typically protected by having its housing filled with an epoxy to give it water resistance, proper placement and care for the sensorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s socket are important. Most tradesmen will agree that water will find its way into anything, if you give it time. Being installed outside where rain will hit the sensor's surface throughout the year. We also know water will be in and around the sensor's location several times throughout a year since 40
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
the control systems job is to melt snow. It is recommended that adequate water runoff from inside the socket is provided, or that water is prevented altogether from accumulating inside the socket. Drainage can be achieved by simply drilling a hole through the slab in the bottom of the socket to allow any water to drain into the ground. Some manufacturers ship their snow/ice sensor with some putty (or duct seal). Its intended job is to fill out the socket entirely to displace any air gap and therefore any possible place for water to accumulate within the sensor. Making sure the entire socket is filled with the putty will greatly extend the life expectancy of this sensor. Failure to do so will allow water to eventually get into the underside of the snow/ice sensor, even through the epoxy sealed underside. Once the outdoor temperature drops below freezing, the damage will be done. While it is very hard to see with the naked eye, when water has done damage to a snow/ice sensor you will find the epoxy underneath the sensor to be slightly raised over the brass housing. More often than not, you will also notice standing water or even ice in the bottom of the socket as soon as you remove the sensor from its socket to inspect it. Typically, when a snow/ice sensor fails, it is not due to poor quality of the sensor, but more commonly a failure to install it correctly.
SENSOR PLACEMENT Equally important is the placement of the sensor relative to the tubing installed in the slab. It needs to be centred right in the middle of two pipes. If the slab temperature sensor is not HPACMAG.COM
integral to the snow/ice sensor, it needs to be installed about one inch below the finished surface. Failure to do so may have the slab temperature sensor too close to any of the piping. It could pick up warmth from the water passing through the tubing and not the actual slab temperature. The end result could be inaccurate slab surface temperature read-out and premature disabling of the snow melting system. Equally as important is the placement of the outdoor air sensor. This is not only to true in snow melting applications, but any application or control system that uses the outdoor sensor for guidance. The outdoor sensor must be installed on the north side of a building, where sunlight cannot interfere with its reading. It should be protected from precipitation, so that water cannot get inside of it, as most outdoor sensors are thermistor-based and the temperature correlated based on a resistive circuit. It must be shielded from all sorts of temperature influxes, so that it can read nothing but the true outdoor air temperature. In snow melting systems, one of the outdoor sensor's primary functions, but not the only one, is to determine whether the moisture on top of a snow/ice sensor is water or snow/ice. It can also allow the system to be enabled and disabled based on warm weather and cold weather cut out limits.
connection it is for. 24Vac wiring terminals typically are designed for 18 AWG wiring and 120Vac for 14 AWG. If the wiring used is thicker, you may want to consider joining this larger wire underneath the terminal and only feed the appropriate wire size into the terminal itself. Also observed frequently is the amount of bare wire that is inside of the terminal strip. Too often I find that wire may not be stripped back far enough, preventing proper conductivity with the controls terminal. I have found that keeping at least five millimetres of bare wire often suffices. I realize that the examples here are just a few things to look for when a snow melt system is operating short of its expectations or components are failing prematurely. They do summarize the majority of challenges I have come across apart from actual component failures, which represent the minority of systems with performance issues. <> Mike Miller is director of commercial sales, Canada with Taco Canada Ltd. and chair of the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC). He can be reached at hydronicsmike@taco-hvac.com.
SENSORS IN CONFLICT Not too long ago, I was called to a job where the primary complaint was that the snow melting system would function for only a very short period of time, before shutting down again. While there can be many reasons why this happens (from poorly placed water temperature sensors to conflict in system settings and even short circuits disabling the controllers altogether), in this case, I found the outdoor sensor installed too close to the boiler plant's exhaust venting. Every time the system went into melting mode and the boiler fired, the controller was placed into a warm weather shut down state. You may ask who would do such a thing? Not to pass blame to anybody in particular, in this case an electrician was asked to run the outdoor sensor out to the north facing wall and place it just below the roofâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overhang. The electrician was not too familiar with the controls sequence of operations or this sensorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real purpose, he figured the hole already cut to the outside for the venting would also serve as a great spot to route the outdoor sensor wiring through. He then placed the outdoor sensors within three feet of where the venting exhausted. The easy fix there was to move the outdoor sensor further away. Another very common observation I have made over the years is the wiring itself. Most control terminal strips are suitable for 18 or 14 AWG cable, depending on the type of HPACMAG.COM
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MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS MANUFACTURERS • DISTRIBUTORS • WHOLESALERS
Combating Counterfeit Products Act passes The Combating Counterfeit Products Act (Bill C-8) passed on December 9, 2014, just over a year after it received first reading in the House of Commons. The Act provides trademark and copyright owners with a framework for combating counterfeiting. It is expected to help Canadian businesses protect their brands and works, as well as allow for fair compensation in the case of a violation. “Counterfeit goods that enter the Canadian market not only harm our economy and businesses, but also can be a dangerous threat to our consumers and families,” said Industry Minister James Moore. “These counterfeit, pirated or knockoff goods threaten the integrity of Canadian brands, undermine the hard work of successful Canadian businesses, support the activities of organized crime and are typically produced without any regard or consideration for Canadian health and safety standards.” More information is available from Industry Canada at www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/064.nsf/eng/07282.html.
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relating to new circulator pump designs and on other joint product and marketing initiatives. “Taco’s path for future growth lies in strategic relationships with world-class companies like Askoll,” said White. Askoll employs 3000 people in 11 companies focusing on advanced electric-motored pumps that are used in aquariums, ponds and terrariums, industrial automation, heating, and home appliances. “We are proud and excited to have embraced this new professional opportunity with Taco, a strong and serious company that shares our view and ethics. Askoll believes in technological evolution and always strives for innovation,” said Elio Marioni, Askoll founder and president. Taco has begun assembling a new high efficiency circulator for residential and light commercial applications (the VR1816, which uses Askoll’s variable speed technology) at its Cranston, RI plant. Future plans call for the VR1816 to be manufactured entirely by Taco. An extension of Taco’s Viridian line of circulators, the wet rotor circulator has an ECM permanent magnet motor that is designed to use up to 85 per cent less electricity. It features an infinitely variable speed setting capability for fine-tuning the flow of any hydronic-based system and six pressure presets to fit the job. An ISO 9001 company, Taco has been in business for 92 years and employs approximately 500 individuals at its facilities in Cranston, RI, Fall River, MA and Milton, ON.
Deschênes celebrates 75th Anniversary in style
Taco strikes up strategic partnership with Italian manufacturer Taco Inc. president and CEO John Hazen White Jr. recently announced a strategic partnering agreement with Askoll, a pump manufacturer headquartered in Dueville, Italy. The two companies will collaborate on research and development 42
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
Family-owned wholesaler Deschênes & Fils hosted more than 600 guests on October 29 at its headquarters on Jarry St. in Montreal, QC, to celebrate its 75th anniversary. No detail was overlooked for the cabaret-themed evening, which HPACMAG.COM
promoted the Deschênes’ leitmotif “United by passion.” Deschênes & Fils is now under the guidance of its third generation. Marc Melanson from Plomberie MSM was the lucky winner of box seats at the Bell Centre for a Montreal Canadiens hockey game. www.deschenes.ca
Shift in energy optimization thinking for healthcare facilities Shift Energy and EllisDon have partnered to launch an automated Energy Optimization System (EOS) for Canadian and international healthcare facilities. EOS systems have already been deployed in major events facilities, such as Vancouver’s Rogers Arena where it has reduced annual energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Shift and EllisDon are working with Toronto’s University Health Network to pilot the world’s first healthcare deployment of Intelligent Live Recommissioning technology. EllisDon will deliver infrastructure-engineering services while Shift will provide the EOS software and supporting implementation services. www.shiftenergy.com www.ellisdon.com
Emerson Climate Technologies unveils 2015 environmental initiatives Emerson Climate Technologies highlighted its 2015 environmental stewardship initiatives at a White House meeting of industry and government leaders in Washington, DC. The company will expand its line of products using carbon dioxide to include compressors, flow controls, discrete electronic devices and system electronic controls. Emerson will launch a full line of compressors and controls approved with refrigerants that are 50 per cent lower in global warming potentials (GWP) compared to today’s options for refrigeration applications. The company also plans to roll out Copeland Scroll compressors for supermarkets and convenience stores, which HPACMAG.COM
will be 15 per cent more efficient than existing ones and compatible with lowGWP refrigerants. Emerson will invest nearly two-thirds of its global research and development resources on developing low-GWP and energy-efficient products, solutions and services. It will also continue increasing its investment in 2015 with the opening of a global innovation centre in Dayton, OH, which will focus on ways to solve energy and environmental challenges affecting everything from homes to data centres. www.emersonclimate.com
ExakTime retains spot on “fastest growing” list For the fifth time since 2006, ExakTime has been named on the Inc. 500/5000 list of the fastest-growing companies. The mobile tracking provider earned its
ranking by posting a three-year growth rate of 61 per cent from 2010 to 2013 and by growing its workforce in that time by more than 40 per cent. Tony Pappas, ExakTime’s CEO, cited strong performance in the construction market and ongoing enhancement of the ExakTime mobile app as spurring recent growth for the business. The app now supports Android and iOS/Apple tablets in addition to mobile phones. The TeamView module gives foremen and supervisors a way to view their workers on an interactive map, anywhere in the world, with live updates as workers clock in and out. “Replacing paper is often a hard decision for a business, but it’s gratifying to hear our clients’ success stories,” said Pappas. ExakTime was on Inc. magazine’s 500/5000 list in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2013. www.exaktime.com continued on p44
Powrmatic of Canada Ltd, a leading distributor of HVAC, Fireplace and Electrical equipment with 6 locations in Eastern Canada, is aggressively expanding its HVAC division in the GTA. As part of this expansion, we are currently seeking two dynamic and results oriented Sales Representatives for our Toronto location. Responsibilities: • Ability to influence sales and ensure continued growth. • Sales plan development including prospecting, estimating and quotation, presentation, closing the sale and follow up. • Communicate market prices, customer needs and competitor information. Job Requirements: • Candidate is a team player and works well with others in our organization to achieve sales goals. • 3 to 5 years HVAC industry experience in sales. • Self-motivated and have ability to pursue opportunities. • Strong time management skills. We offer a base salary AND commission earnings along with group insurance and retirement plans. Please send your resume to Mr. Andrew Vickers at avickers@powrmatic.ca DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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EXPANSIONS Napoleon opens logistics centre in Barrie
Napoleon Group of Companies recently opened a 270 000-sq.-ft Logistics Centre in Barrie, ON. Several local politicians and Napoleon executives were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (L to R) Mayor Harry Hughes, Oro Medonte; Jane Dunlop on behalf of Garfield Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North; Ron McArthur, president of Napoleon Group of Companies; Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie; Wolfgang Schroeter, CEO, Napoleon Group of Companies; Napoleon; Ingrid Schroeter, CFO, Napoleon Group of Companies; Mayor Jeff Lehman, Barrie; Alex Nuttall on behalf of both Patrick Brown, MP for Barrie and Bruce Stanton, MP for Simcoe North; Chris Schroeter, senior vice president of operations, Napoleon Group of Companies; Stephen Schroeter, senior vice president of sales, marketing and administration, Napoleon Group of Companies.
www.napoleonfireplaces.com
Lochinvar expands world headquarters in Tennessee
Lochinvar has begun expanding its world headquarters in Lebanon, TN, to add 74 000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and storage capacity to keep up with the company’s growth. The manufacturer of high-efficiency water heaters, boilers, pool heaters and storage tanks will also extend the office area and enhance an engineering facility to more than twice its current size. Lochinvar has added an average of 25 new jobs per year over the last three years. Lochinvar opened its 380 000-sq.-ft. headquarters in 2001. The facility, which includes manufacturing, offices, product engineering development and testing labs, as well as the Lochinvar University training facility, employs about 500 people. The expansion project is expected to be complete in January 2016. www.lochinvar.com
Exact Pipe Tools establishes Canadian presence Exact Pipe Tools Inc. has established a warranty repair centre in Saskatoon, SK, and a distribution centre in Simcoe, ON, to 44
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
serve its growing number of Canadian distributors. “We are pleased to announce the appointment of Quality Tool Repair Ltd. of Saskatoon, SK as our master warranty repair centre for Exact’s PipeCut saws in Canada,” said Mike Stone, CEO of Exact Pipe Tools Inc. “We are also pleased to announce our new distribution centre in Canada,” added Stone. “The new distribution centre is located in Simcoe, ON, and is ideally situated to serve the Canadian market. Exact PipeCut saw orders are now delivered to our Southern Ontario distributors the next day and the shipment time to other locations in Canada have been reduced by half.” www.exacttools.com
Grundfos boosts production at Pennsylvania facility Grundfos has begun assembling its CM and CME horizontal multistage close-coupled pumps at its facility in Allentown, PA., which serves as the main distribution centre for North America. Plans are in the works to increase production in 2015 to include the CMBE and CME Plus systems. As part of this change, Grundfos will be releasing several new sales initiatives focused on meeting customer demands for the CM and other products. www.grundfos.us
Viega Kansas plant adds to manufacturing load In 2016, Viega will manufacture MegaPress carbon steel press fittings at the company’s manufacturing and distribution facility in McPherson, KS, following completion of an 80 000-sq.-ft. addition to the 439 000-sq.-ft. facility. The McPherson facility currently manufactures plastic products for the PureFlow plumbing and Viega ProRadiant product lines, including the Viega ManaBloc homerun water distribution system and the Viega-assembled panels for radiant heating installation. www.viega.us
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS Watts enters boiler and water heater market Watts Water Technologies Inc is set to acquire Aerco International Inc. before the end of 2014. Aerco is a manufacturer of high-efficiency commercial boilers and water heaters based in Blauvelt, NY. Its products are distributed primarily in North America. Watts Water Technologies Inc. has indicated that Aerco is a platform acquisition and it will continue to operate out of Blauvelt, NY. www.wattswater.com www.aerco.com
Culligan resolves channel conflict through sale of WaterGroup Novo Water Group has acquired the U.S. operating company WaterGroup Inc., WaterGroup Companies Inc. and Petwa Ltd. in Canada from Culligan International Company Inc. Divesting of WaterGroup removes the channel conflict with HPACMAG.COM
Culligan’s core franchise dealer business. The acquisition of WaterGroup will allow Novo to combine the expertise of both organizations while becoming a single source for water treatment products. www.novowater.com www.watergroup.com www.petwa.ca
in regional associations across Canada. Wolseley received the award in partnership with the building’s landlord, Bentall Kennedy, for their efforts to address environmental issues. www.wolseleyinc.ca www.bomacanada.ca
Rheem acquires Chilean water heating manufacturer Wolseley takes over Saskatchewan PVF business; wins national earth award
Wolseley and Goodman employees in Saskatchewan.
Rheem has acquired CEM S.A., a public Chilean company that manufactures and distributes tankless, solar and tank water heating products. CEM S.A. sells its products under the Splendid brand name throughout South America. Splendid’s primary market is Chile but its products are also sold in Columbia, Peru and Brazil, as well as export markets Mexico and Spain. Rheem plans to expand the distribution of Splendid’s products to other regions of the world that have similar water heating needs. CEM S.A. will report into Rheem’s water heating division, which is based in Montgomery, AL. Its portfolio includes tank, tankless, solar and hybrid electric water heating systems for both residential and commercial applications. Rheem will leverage CEM’s operation in Santiago, Chile, to expand its presence in South America. www.rheem.com www.splendid.cl continued on p46
Wolseley's distribution centre team in Milton, ON.
Bryn Murray, vice president of Wolseley Industrial Canada Inc., announced on October 20 that the company has acquired all of Goodman Industrial’s pipe, valve and fitting supply business assets. Based in Esterhazy, SK, Goodman is a wholesale distributor of industrial materials primarily serving the potash industry in Saskatchewan. It has been in operation since 1970 and currently has 12 employees. Goodman will transition its operations to the Wolseley Industrial name and the team will report to Jason Santha, Wolseley Industrial’s Saskatchewan branch area manager. Goodman’s president and CEO, Darrell Tochor, will retire and Michelle Shire will continue as the sales manager for the new Wolseley Industrial location. In other Wolseley news, the company’s 300 000-sq.-ft. national distribution centre in Milton, ON, won the 2014 Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Canada National Earth Award in the light industrial building category. BOMA has more than 3200 commercial real estate members HPACMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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Swedish-based NIBE acquires WaterFurnace WaterFurnace Renewable Energy Inc. and NIBE Industrier AB have entered into an agreement for NIBE to acquire 100 per cent of the outstanding shares of WaterFurnace. Founded in 1983, WaterFurnace’s product offering includes geothermal heat pumps, smart control systems, hot water storage tanks and indoor air quality solutions. Products are marketed under the WaterFurnace and GeoStar brands in North America, and the WFI brand via a joint venture in China. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, WaterFurnace has 267 employees and has been listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange since 1993. NIBE is organized around three business areas - NIBE Element, NIBE Energy Systems and NIBE Stoves. NIBE Energy Systems is a market leader for heat pumps in Europe and a manufacturer of water heaters and other products for indoor climate comfort. NIBE Element manufactures components and solutions for measuring, controlling and electric heating applications. It supplies manufacturers and users with components and systems within these areas. NIBE Stoves is a manufacturer of wood-burning stoves. Upon completion of the transaction, WaterFurnace will continue to operate as a separate entity under the leadership of Tom Huntington, CEO of WaterFurnace and his management team, forming part of NIBE Energy Systems. www.nibe.eu www.waterfurnace.com
Next continues to expand across GTA Wholesale plumbing and hydronics supplier Next Supply will open its seventh location in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in February 2015. This Scarborough location will be at 30 Mid Dominion Acre. Industry veteran, Danial Shah, will manage it. www.nextsupply.ca
RectorSeal to rep condensate pump manufacturer
• Product Recalls • Code Changes • Industry News • Events • New wholesaler locations • And much more…
RectorSeal Corp. has been named the Canadian agent for Aspen Pumps, a manufacturer of condensate pumps designed specifically for ductless minisplit and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioners. Houston, Texas-based RectorSeal is currently the exclusive U.S. distributor of Aspen Pumps. The agreement allows RectorSeal to offer Canadian HVAC/R contractors its entire line of condensate management accessories for the ductless minisplit and VRF equipment market. As it does in the U.S., RectorSeal will support the Aspen Pump line with internal customer and technical support and product training through its existing HVAC/R wholesale distribution network. RectorSeal’s manufacturer’s representatives for all 10 Canadian provinces are: HRC Services in Toronto, ON; Fred J. Taylor Sales & Marketing in Scarborough, ON; and Dave Vallieres and Associates in Montreal, QC. In other RectorSeal news, the company has acquired the Polyslab, Evo-Crete and other related HVAC brands from Evolve Composites Pty Ltd. (Evolve) based in Queensland, Australia. The acquisition of these assets from Evolve, which manufactures a range of equipment base products for heating and air conditioning systems, is the 26th acquisition by RectorSeal since 1991. www.rectorseal.com www.aspenpumps.com
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DISTRIBUTION
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
Korean boiler company Navien will begin selling the NHB (Navien Heating Boiler) series in Canada and the U.S. in 2015. Designed for residential and light commercial use, the NHB is available in four sizes: NHB-55, NHB-80, NHB 110 and NHB-150, with turn-down-ratios respectively of 7:1, 10:1, 11:1, and 15:1. www.navien.com
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CLIPS >> EffectiV HVAC has revamped its website to highlight its commitment to specializing in air distribution products for commercial applications. The site is designed to be user friendly and easy to navigate. It is divided into several categories including: ceiling diffusers, architecture, HVAC comfort, energy efficiency and Madel. A literature page allows visitors to download the latest catalog and product specification, and requests for quotes can be done through the website. www.effectiv-hvac.com >> Grundfos Technical Institute has launched an online training website designed to help a range of professionals: consulting engineers, installers, professional end users, service personnel and Grundfos channel partners. The training tool features Ecademy (an online learning platform for system and product specification, operation and troubleshooting) and local content in a variety of formats. www.grundfos.us/training
>> Holdrite, a manufacturer of pipe and equipment support systems, acoustical plumbing solutions and water/firestop sleeving systems, has launched a user-friendly and interactive new website. Features include: mobile responsive design, intuitive navigation, installation animations, product catalogs and more. www.holdrite.com >> ThermaSol has bought 27 acres of land in Round Rock, TX, in order to develop it into an upscale business park for its new headquarters. On September 29, the company held the official ceremonial groundbreaking on one of the six planned buildings in the park, each being 30â&#x20AC;&#x2030;000 to 50â&#x20AC;&#x2030;000 sq. ft. www.thermasol.com >> Watermark Designs, a Brooklyn-based manufacturer and designer of faucets and fixtures, has opened its first European showroom in London. The Watermark Collection showroom is entirely dedicated to showcasing Watermark Designs products. www.watermark-designs.com
< PEOPLE Luc Roy has joined B.A. Robinson Co. Ltd. as director, procurement. Roy comes to the position with many years of experience in the retail sector. Roy
Victaulic has named Braid Cuthill as its Vancouver Island sales representative. Cuthill, who has been with the company since July 2014, formerly assumes the position in January 1, 2015. Franklin Electric Co. Inc. has chosen Jennifer Sherman to be a director of the company, effective January 1, 2015. Sherman has held several high-ranking positions in her career, including chief operating officer and chief administrative officer of Federal Signal, which she joined as corporate counsel in 1994.
Siwy
Martin Siwy has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing for ThermaSol. Siwy has worked with ThermaSol since 2009. He most recently managed the launch of the company's MicroTouch control.
Bradford White Corp. has promoted R. Bruce Carnevale to vice president of sales. Carnevale has been employed with Bradford White since 1996 and has served as both a regional and national sales manager. HPACMAG.COM
James Gill has joined Williams Comfort Products as vice president of sales. Gill has more than 15 years of sales and sales management experience. He has also served on the Air Movement and Control Association Gill Sales and Marketing Committee. Jeffrey Swindells has joined NTI as the Western Canada regional sales manager. He is based out of Vancouver, BC, and his territory includes, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia and Thunder Bay, ON. Sloan Valve Co. has hired Parthiv Amin as vice president of marketing. Amin has more than 20 years of marketing and business development experience. Prior to joining Sloan Valve he worked at Enerpac. Barry Raycroft was elected chair of the HRAI wholesalers division at an HRAI board meeting on November 13, 2014, after former wholesaler division chair, Denis Fraser, resigned to pursue a career in the building products indusRaycroft try. Raycroft is vice president and general manager of Bardon Supplies Ltd. in Belleville, ON. He has served on the HRAI wholesalers board of directors since 2012, and was chairman of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating board in 2007-2008. DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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Minimize The Risk Of Legionella In Building Plumbing Supply Systems BY DEREK BOWER
I
n the plumbing industry in the North America, there is an increasing focus on water quality and waterborne pathogens. For public water systems, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates 88 different contaminants, including microbial contaminants, disinfection by-products, organic and inorganic compounds and radionuclides. Of these, Legionella has received the most recent attention. In fact, there is ongoing discussion regarding the first standard intended to prevent Legionella growth in building water systems, ASHRAE 188. This recent attention strongly indicates a market need to better understand waterborne pathogens and how to minimize the risk of microbial growth in building plumbing systems that can lead to occupant infection. This article will specifically refer to Legionella within building plumbing supply systems.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS To better understand why building plumbing systems may be at risk and how to minimize the risk of microbial growth in a plumbing system, one must first understand some basic considerations of plumbing system design and how pathogens colonize a plumbing system. As plumbing engineers know, system design includes not only proper sizing, but also appropriate selection of materials, how various piping materials react with other materials and the quality of the water in the system. Galvanic, chemical (pitting) and erosion corrosion mechanisms must be considered during design to promote a long service life. Typical materials include copper, stainless steel, polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), CPVC, polypropylene, bronze and brass (now in lead-free alloys), EPDM and others. Various constituents in the water, such as pH, disinfectant residuals and concentrations, temperature, flow conditions, system pressure and environmental conditions all have an effect on materials and corrosion potential. With any piping 48
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
project (plumbing systems are no exception), it is imperative that the materials selected for an installation match the conditions of the application. Even hangers must be selected so as not to react galvanically with the piping material. More important than material, are temperature and flow conditions. Regardless of the piping, fitting and sealing elements used, most modern plumbing systems are designed using a branch-and-tee concept. From an installation perspective, this method can be an efficient way to plumb water from the incoming service to fixtures throughout the building. In fact, model plumbing codes adopted in the United States base sizing tables on branch-and-tee systems. However, dead legs can be inherent to this concept. Dead legs might be drops to seldom-used fixtures, stub-outs for future use or extended branches for future build-out. Dead legs can result in stagnation because the water trapped in a dead leg is not subject to flow for extended periods and therefore not exchanged with fresh water. Furthermore, pressure testing a new system with water may result in stagnant, trapped water even if most of the systems are drained until building occupancy. This means that bacteria now have a disturbance-free area to live. Once stagnant, water temperature will reach that of the surrounding environment and in most areas lies exactly in the temperature range conducive to Legionella colonization. Stagnant water poses a significant risk of harbouring and fostering microbial growth.
UNDERSTANDING MICROBIAL COLONIZATION Legionella is a bacteria that can be found naturally in the environment. Unlike bacteria that affect the digestive system when consumed, Legionella affects the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s respiratory system. Once aspirated, the bacteria establishes itself in the lungs, causing pneumonia-like symptoms. Sources for Legionella in a building system may include piping systems, HPACMAG.COM
“WITH ANY PIPING PROJECT (PLUMBING SYSTEMS ARE NO EXCEPTION), IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE MATERIALS SELECTED FOR AN INSTALLATION MATCH THE CONDITIONS OF THE APPLICATION.”
cooling towers, decorative fountains, standalone ice machines, spas, etc. Found naturally, when originating from water systems, bacteria can exist in aerosolized droplets, which may be easily inhaled. Though not a concern in nature, microbial colonization in plumbing systems can pose a significant threat. Specific to piping systems, shower vapour or the mist from a lavatory aerator in which the bacteria exists may be the source of introduction into the body’s respiratory system. If not treated properly, Legionellosis can be fatal and may result in legal action against building owners and engineers among others, not to mention damage from negative public relations surrounding the case. Though not the only source of Legionellosis, Legionella bacteria that reside in stagnant water conditions will flourish within a broad temperature range, typically 95F to 115F. This is primarily because they are largely undisturbed and allowed to colonize without disruption. Because bacteria multiply exponentially every few minutes, undisturbed sections of the piping can be the source of Legionella contamination for the entire system, depending on the condition of the rest of the system. As the bacteria multiply, some will detach from the colony and begin colonizing elsewhere in the piping system. The bacteria will secrete a polysaccharide slime forming a biofilm on the inside of the pipe wall. The biofilm helps insulate the bacteria from disinfecting chemicals and temperature extremes. As the bacteria colony grows, so does the biofilm. Once established, bacteria in a piping system can be very difficult to eliminate. Known treatment methods include thermal and chemical disinfection. If the colony is not rendered inert throughout the system, it will re-colonize after treatment, regardless of the treatment method used. Once the biofilm is allowed to form, it serves as a protective blanket for bacteria living within it. In the case of chemical disinfection, typically with an oxidizing agent like chlorine or chlorine dioxide, the disinfectant will only render inert what it comes in contact with. How the bacteria is rendered inert depends on the type of disinfectant. While some disinfectants disrupt the bacteria’s DNA, other disinfectants interfere with the bacteria’s metabolic processes. In either case, while bacteria in the top surface of the biofilm may come in contact with the disinfectant, bacteria reHPACMAG.COM
siding deeper within an established biofilm may remain undisturbed. The three same phenomenon also apply to thermal disinfection. While the top surface of the biofilm may be at a high enough temperature to kill Legionella, temperatures deep in the biofilm against the pipe wall or further along a dead leg may only be enough to temporarily prevent colonization.
MINIMIZING MICROBIAL COLONIZATION Arguably, one of the best approaches for minimizing the risk of Legionella in a building plumbing system is to try to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Design strategies can be coupled with good operational and maintenance practices and a secondary disinfection program to effectively prevent a problem before it begins. Some facilities utilize supplemental disinfection practices such as ultraviolet systems. As long as the water is free from organic material, this can be an effective method for preventing the introduction of bacteria into the rest of the system. Systems such as copper-silver ionization can help reduce bacteria and biofilm in a system as long as ion concentrations are high enough to be effective throughout the entire system but do not exceed EPA limits. Filtration can be effective in removing bacteria from the water, but filters must be maintained regularly or they may become a site for bacterial growth. Chlorine dioxide can be an effective sanitizer as long as residuals do not exceed EPA limits or contribute to accelerated corrosion and there is sufficient residual throughout the entire system. Chlorine disinfection concentrations and practices should comply with standards such as AWWA C651 and model plumbing code guidelines. The challenge with any type of disinfection, including thermal disinfection, is its reach. The residual or, in thermal disinfection, the elevated temperature, must extend to all parts of the system, including dead legs and seldom-used fixtures or the disinfection process will be incomplete. With incomplete distribution of the disinfectant, there is a risk of leaving bacteria and biofilm undisturbed throughout the system, allowing regrowth. To help prevent this, all parts of the system should be regularly subjected to flow and design temperatures. This will minimize the opportunity for biofilm growth and Legionella to colonize. With Continued on p50 DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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continued from p49
continuous (or even intermittent) flow, there is an exchange of fresh water, which reduces stagnation in the system and helps maintain temperature closer to the design temperature. Even with recirculation, stagnation can occur in dead legs because of the
lack of water exchange. This represents a challenge to the plumbing system designer. Dead legs should be eliminated wherever possible. One solution is to daisy-chain fixtures so their individual drops (dead legs) are avoided. Anytime one fixture is used,
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the remaining fixtures will see flow up to the point of connection even if they are not used. In the case of seldomused remote fixtures, water can be forced through the fixture (up to the point of connection) with the use of a venturi. This concept manipulates the pressure across the fixture to induce flow thereby eliminating the dead leg that serves that fixture. With flow, temperatures can be better maintained and disinfectant residual can reach much more of the system. These concepts require the designer to reconsider the branch-and-tee concept. This means conventional sizing and layout may not be suitable for all parts of the plumbing system. Piping layout, fixture location, system balancing and pressure calculations may vary from current industry practices. It is up to the system designer to determine when the risk of Legionella within the plumbing system requires specific attention as well as which disinfection methods and design concepts are best for minimizing that risk.
There are many factors that must be considered in minimizing the risk associated with Legionella in building plumbing systems. These range from risk assessment, disinfection methods and effectiveness to system layout and sizing. Water quality and sound plumbing design involve far more than installing piping to connect fixtures. As plumbing requirements and risks evolve, so too must the plumbing industry. <> Derek Bower, who is product director, metal press systems at Viega LLC, has more than 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Viega in 2010, he was project manager and sales engineer with a design-build commercial mechanical contractor. Bower holds a bachelor’s degree in science, mechanical engineering and is a Professional Engineer (PE) and LEED AP. www.viega.com HPACMAG.COM
HVAC/R PRODUCTS
Coleman ductless air conditioners and heat pumps offer space-saving solutions that deliver
The York Predator ultra high efficiency pack-
heating and cooling to structures without duct-
aged unit features a two-stage compressor,
work, including homes and room additions. The
variable-frequency drive, high-efficiency in-
systems combine smaller outdoor units and slim
door/outdoor coil, and a premium-efficiency
wall-mounted indoor units linked by a conduit
indoor/outdoor motor, which combine to deliv-
that requires a 3- to 4- in. opening. Single-zone
er energy efficiencies of up to 18.1 SEER and
mini-splits provide individualized comfort in a
14.35 EER. Other features include: available
Tjernlund Products Inc. has designed an Aire-
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to 300 sq. ft. It features a larger capacity blow-
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quiet six-pole, a low rpm double inlet blower, plus conventional shaped intake and diffuser grilles. www.tjernlund.com
Frigidaire heating and cooling has improved the 14/15-SEER FT4BE heat pump by adding
The Preferred Series Plus 80W from Bryant
Danfoss has launched the TU with F-charge
durable all-aluminum micro-channel condens-
Heating & Cooling Systems is a two-stage,
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patible thermostat. www.bryant.com
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HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
HPACMAG.COM
The Digital Refrigerant Leak Detector (RLD400) from General Tools & Instruments has a proprietary semiconductor sensor. It is built to detect all commercially available HFC, HFO, HC, HCFC and CFC refrigerant gases, including many new ozone layer-friendly blends. RLD400 also complies with the ASHRAE Halocarbon Refrigerant Leak Detector Standard 173-2012. www.generaltools.com
Rosenberg has introduced two high-efficiency backward curved impellers equipped with inte-
Construction Automotive Industry
gral inlet cones for optimal airflow. The DKHR Series fans are available in 630 mm and 710 mm sizes, suitable for a range of HVAC and air movement applications. The DKHR 710-6SH delivers up to 11 500 cfm airflow or static pressure up to 3.4 in. WG. The DKHR 630-6SH can generate up to 7600 cfm or 2.6 in. of static
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(460-volt/60hz/3-phase).
www.rosenbergusa.com
EXPAND YOUR PORTFOLIO WITH A PEXa GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
The P Series VFD from Franklin Control Systems is optimized for fans and pumps, with advanced Pre-PID and Dual-PID control to maintain constant control of pressure, flow or water level. Sleep and wake up modes con-
Drawing on our expertise as the PEXa pioneer for radiant heating/cooling and plumbing, REHAU offers an innovative ground loop solution featuring: – Durable PEXa pipe – Secure EVERLOC® ASTM F2080 fittings – Balancing manifolds – Efficient double U-bends Our experts can help you grow your business with a superior geothermal system, supporting every step from design to installation. Visit www.raugeo.com to see successful projects or request design support.
serve power. FastApp firmware with selectable applications allows parameters to set automatically based on industry standards. The P Series features space vector control for effi-
Proud winner of the Alternative Energy category in the CIPHEX West Most Innovative Product Competition.
ciency and longer motor life. www.franklin-controls.com DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
HPACMAG.COM HPAC 2014 Ad.indd 1
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11/21/14 11:42 AM
< SHOW REPORT
Record Contractor Attendance At Calgary Show CIPHEX WEST EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS kicked off with the popular industry dinner on November 4 with guest speaker Dennis Hull entertaining 200 attendees. The former NHL player shared a wealth of anecdotes and stories from his many experiences on and off the ice. The following morning, many early riser delegates headed to the CIPHEX West Hydronics Conference, which opened with a well-attended session by John Siegenthaler. Lead by Robert Bean, Siegenthaler and Dan Holohan, the hydronics conference proved to be very successful (see sidebar). Hydronic products also figured prominently among the 200 manufacturers exhibiting at the two-day trade show. The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) reports that the show attracted more than 3100 visitors, which it attributes to special new promotions, including wholesaler competitions, and a new fully functional mobile app. Overall attendance increased modestly over the 2012 show and contractor attendance increased just over 20 per cent. The show was co-located with the Buildex Calgary trade show, resulting in a large number of additional engineers, builders and designers checking out CIPHEX West exhibitors and their products. The 2016 CIPHEX West show will take place in Vancouver, BC. CIPHEX West is produced CIPH, with support from the Canadian Water Quality Association, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada, the Canadian Hydronics Council, the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, the Thermal Environmental Comfort Association and the Canadian Association of Pump Manufacturers. www.ciphexwest.ca 54
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
Celebrating Innovation
Winners were announced November 6 in the New Product Gallery/Most Innovative Product Competition at CIPHEX West. To be eligible for this competition, products must be new (within the last 12 months) to the Canadian marketplace. An independent jury selects the winning products, each of which are required to meet specific criteria. Over 60 products were featured in the New Product Gallery, with winners in seven categories noted below.
AIR CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION Armstrong Fluid Technology has introduced of the Parallel Sensorless Pump Controller, an add-on control device that coordinates the output of multiple pumping units in a parallel configuration for energy savings. The Pump Controller controls up to four Armstrong design envelope-pumping units to reduce first-installed system cost. www.armstrongfluidtechnology.com
CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTATION The ME8395 valve actuator from Spartan Peripheral Devices mounts on Spartan valve bodies and is controlled from a wireless, no batteries room temperature sensor with the EnOcean (902MHz) module WT913G. With an internal automatic changeover by detecting water temperature it can be used as cooling/heating control valve for two pipe fan coil units. www.spartan-pd.com
HEATING, VENTILATION System 636 by Ipex Inc. is fully certified to ULC S636, and is rated for flue gas temperatures up to and including 65C. System 636 CPVC is rated for flue gas temperatures up to and including 90C. Installer training focusing on proper solvent welding and other installation aspects is available. www.ipexinc.com HPACMAG.COM
PLUMBING AND PIPING The Island Tub Drain from OS & B is a freestanding tub rough-in that features 18 Gauge epoxy coated metal deck flange. It is designed for an 8-in. to 10-in. joist space and can be installed with waterproofing membrane. The drain includes two 17G brass tailpieces (fine thread and flanged), an ABS adapter kit (attaches ITD35 to ABS bath wastes), an assembly with 1-1/2 in. DWV ABS tailpiece, 2 in. x 1-1/2 in. ABS reducing bushing and a cutting template. www.osb.ca
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY (SOLAR, GEOTHERMAL, ETC.) REHAU’s Raugeo ground loop heat exchange system is a highefficiency energy source for heating and cooling. The PEXa piping system offers flexibility and abrasion resistance, while double U-bends require up to 30 per cent less borehole footage than a single HDPE U-bend. Secure Everloc ASTM F2080 compression-sleeve fittings and balancing manifolds complete the system. Single and double U-bends are available in 1- and 1 ¼-in. CTS and offered in lengths up to 510 ft. www.rehau.com
HYDRONIC HEATING
Ipex and Milwaukee photos: Elizabeth McCullough, CIPH
Lochinvar has launched its FTXL Fire Tube Boiler for light commercial applications. With five models from 399 999 to 850 000 Btuh, the boiler delivers up to 10:1 turndown and up to 98 per cent thermal efficiency. The operating system offers the option of direct integration into a building automation system through communication protocols such as Modbus or BACnet. www.lochinvar.com
Inaugural Hydronics Conference is a Winner
More than 350 visitors attended workshops at the inaugural CIPHEX West Hydronics Conference. Presented by the Canadian Hydronics Council, the event program featured sessions led by Robert Bean, Dan Holohan and John Siegenthaler. ASPE CEU credits were offered for three of the five technical sessions. A speaker panel allowed attendees to ask questions of the experts, and ask they did. As Siegenthaler said following the conference, "I love coming up here [to Calgary]. There is so much enthusiasm for hydronics in the West."
Robert Bean chats with contractor George Malburg of Malburg Pump and Boiler, following his Building Science 101 presentation.
Hydronically Speaking: Ask the Experts panelists (from left) John Siegenthaler, Robert Bean and Dan Holohan.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT The SDS 1-1/8” rotary hammer drill from Milwaukee Electric Tool is a three-function hammer. The dust extraction system works on the same battery platform, the FUEL M18 volt system. It is designed to drill faster than corded and has a built in anti-vibe system. www.milwaukeetool.ca HPACMAG.COM
David Hughes of NAIT moderates the panel on November 5.
John Siegenthaler, who led two workshops at the CIPHEX West Hydronics Conference, models his new headgear. Bean presented Siegenthaler with the hat at the HPAC Hydronics Dinner.
DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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< SUSTAINABILITY
Mechanical Industry Plays Starring Role In NHL’s Goals BY PATRICK CALLAN
T
he National Hockey League (NHL) released its 2014 NHL Sustainability Report this past summer and with it became the first professional sport in North America to compile a detailed analysis of its carbon footprint. The report looked at the operations of all 30 NHL teams and their venue partners across Canada and the U.S, and found that on average the league emits about 530 000 metric tons of greenhouse gases per year. This number includes all league and club business activities, including 1230 regular season games, more than 60 playoff matches and nearly 2 000 000 air travel miles. Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist for the Natural Resource Defense Council and lead advisor to the NHL’s sustainability report, calls it “the single most important document about the environment ever produced by a professional sports organization.” The report, he says, indicates an acknowledgement by a non-political, non-partisan and widely admired sports league that environmental, global warming, water conservation and energy efficiency issues matter. Hershkowitz underscored the central role heating, venting, air conditioning and plumbing plays in not only the NHL’s dayto-day operations but also its long-term sustainability goals. “HVAC and plumbing are fundamental to the performance of a hockey arena. You can’t play professional hockey without HVAC and plumbing. The companies who anticipate the environmental initiatives and imperatives of this market most successfully are going to be the market winners,” he predicts. “The NHL is saying we want HVAC and plumbing, just as we want all of our operations, to be environmentally intelligent. It certainly doesn’t say we’re going to tolerate inefficiency. At the same time, the NHL is saying we want this stuff at competitive prices.”
NHL GOES GREEN At the Winter Classic on January 1, 2010, the league established its NHL Green initiative (see sidebar p57) to promote sustainable business practices. As part of the initiative, the NHL’s internal sustainability team, headed up by director Omar Mitchell, is working with all clubs to incorporate the goals of NHL Green. While compiling the NHL’s 2014 sustainability report, Mitchell traveled to 13 arenas across Canada and the U.S. to review their operations. “What we learned in this report is that 70 per cent of our 56
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
emissions are attributed to electricity use,” he said, adding more and more rinks are taking advantage of different options to increase efficiency within their ice plant, HVAC and lighting systems. In his travels, Mitchell observed a variety of plumbing technologies that reduce water use, such as waterless urinals and inserts in sink faucets to lower water pressure. “It’s those types of little technologies that don’t have huge capsule outlays but have big return on investment – especially in communities or municipalities that have high wastewater costs,” he explained. Mitchell also witnessed promising examples of on-site renewable energy, particularly variable frequency drive (VFD) motors in HVAC and ice plant systems. VFDs allow for modulation in different stages (i.e. 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 per cent of motor capacity) instead of simply on or off. This lets venue managers program their systems to run at incremental power levels for optimal efficiency. “Variable frequency drives are certainly something that’s an easy retrofit for existing HVAC or ice plant technology,” added Mitchell.
CANADIAN CASE STUDIES “We see that a lot of the Canadian clubs are really taking these initiatives to heart,” he says, adding Montreal’s Bell Centre has been at the forefront of many of the NHL’s environmental initiatives. The Bell Centre has received three environmental certifications: LEED Silver for Existing Buildings (EBOM), ISO 14001 certification for implementing an environmental management system, and Quebec’s Ici On Recycle Level Three (the highest level). Other green initiatives at the Bell Centre include reducing overall water consumption by 20 per cent, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 28 per cent, and all electrical products in the venue meet ENERGYSTAR efficiency requirements. “Their building has numerous technologies that reduce energy use in their building and that equates to less greenhouse gases,” said Mitchell. At Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, an automated Energy Optimization System (EOS) fine tunes and optimizes the entire facility, from HVAC to chillers to lighting, in real-time. The facility’s energy manager feeds the EOS with the building’s event needs and the system takes care of the energy and space planning. By continuously adjusting the equipment set points for optimal efficiency and performance, the EOS system has HPACMAG.COM
“HVAC AND PLUMBING ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF A HOCKEY ARENA. YOU CAN’T PLAY PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY WITHOUT HVAC AND PLUMBING.” reduced total energy use at the facility by 14 per cent. “By giving venue managers the ability to track ice plants, HVAC systems and lighting systems in real time, they know exactly how to operate the building in the most efficient manner,” said Mitchell. “They know through this system exactly how to modify and carefully calibrate their building to achieve energy efficiency optimization.” At the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, several energy saving technologies are also in place. VFDs were recently installed on the venue’s four, 220-ton roof top units, says Ed Meichsner, senior director of facility operations, MTS Centre. “In our industry we need to have more control. Not only is this necessary for the comfort of our fans but it also plays a very big part in the condition of the ice for our NHL Winnipeg Jets,” he says. “Air flow on ice generally negatively affects the ice conditions. With the VFD’s we can run max heating or cooling and control the velocity of the air in the building.” The venue also recaptures heat created by occupants and machinery, and rather than dumping it, passes it through the same ventilation and filters as the air from the heat recovery ventilation system (HRV). “The two streams of airflow extract the most heat possible and expel the cold air. We are considering this to melt snow and keep our exterior loading ramp clean of ice and safe for vehicles,” he said. The HRV keeps the facility fresh and aired out by constantly forcing new air in and squeezing old air out. This allows unnecessary moisture to be expelled, prevents mould and mildew, and provides low humidity levels needed for the
WHAT IS THE GREEN INITIATIVE? Approaching its fourth year, the NHL Green Initiative continues to set the standard for environmental responsibility by a major North American sports league. Each of the 30 teams has a representative who acts as a liaison between the club, its facility and the league’s sustainability team. These individuals coordinate data collection, project implementation, fan engagement and environmental stewardship within their organization. The NHL Green’s goal is to work with its clubs, players, fans, employees and corporate partners to reduce the impact the business of hockey has on the planet.
HPACMAG.COM
best ice conditions. “The HRV also reuses the hot air trapped in the ceiling space to lower heating costs during winter months and vice versa in the summer (reuses cold air during summer),” he added. For ice making, reverse osmosis is used to filter water instead of treating it chemically. The system creates demineralized water that is free of impurities and typically forms into a harder ice surface, which does not require as much maintenance, floodwater and refrigeration energy. Combined, all these energy saving initiatives have helped to lower the venue’s utility costs. “We also track our greenhouse gas emission savings by the ton and the numbers are quite impressive,” he said.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE Hershkowitz, who also works as an environmental advisor with Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the United States Tennis Association, said the NHL sustainability report represents a watershed moment because now other major sports leagues want to follow suit and produce their own sustainability reports. “It ushers in a new era of information sharing and commitment by the sports industry,” he said. “All industries meet at a NHL event – water, energy, plastics, food, textile, chemical, transportation – so when the NHL comes out with a sustainability report and says the environmental impact of the products we buy and the way we operate our arenas matters to us, that’s an extraordinarily important statement. That sends a message to sports venues all over the world. “All of the companies that supply sports venues are basically being put on notice that environment criteria are going to be applied to the operations of these venues. And that’s going to continue to spur innovation,” he said. As NHL teams continue to incorporate the latest energy efficient equipment and technology into their arenas and facilities, the goal is that these green business practices will make their way into amateur rinks across Canada and the U.S, added Mitchell. “There are 4000 to 6000 community rinks across North America. If the types of best practices that are coming out of the NHL can filter down to the community rink level, that’s the type of impact that we’re hoping to have,” he said. To read the NHL’s complete sustainability report visit www.nhl.com/green/report. <> DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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< REFRIGERATION
In Defence Of Compressors Steps to getting at the root cause of compressor failures. BY DAVE DEMMA
I
am a great believer in HVAC/R technicians thinking of their craft as being similar to that of being a doctor. As I have said before on these pages, the course of study to become a doctor is fairly rigorous. If one makes it through that lengthy apprenticeship, they have earned the right to practise medicine. Why does it take so long? Simply put, there is so much at stake. While there is still much we have to learn about the human body, some basic parallels exist between it and a mechanical refrigeration system. The heart is nothing more than a pump, while the veins are “pipes” supplying blood to the intended locations. The nervous system is a complex electrical circuit, with the brain as the central processor, which controls everything. If you can agree with the comparison, would it then be such a stretch to think of the refrigeration technician as a refrigeration doctor? Perhaps the technician can benefit from emulating the doctor’s methods in analyzing technical problems? For example, would a doctor suggest a heart transplant because he is “pretty sure” that the patient’s heart is not operating properly? Of course not. Any hint of mystery surrounding the operation and diagnosis of a heart would have disappeared long before having to make the crucial decision to recommend the transplant. Now, let’s look through the eyes of a doctor and see if it might be of benefit in helping to analyze a few system failures. First, a few facts from compressor manufacturers: • Approximately 30 per cent of all compressors pulled from the field, returned to manufacturers and torn down for failure analyses do not have observable defects. (Copeland – Emerson Electric) • 60 to 70 per cent of returned failed compressors are the result of system/service related issues or the result of misdiagnosis. (Carrier Corporation) • 80 per cent of compressors returned for electrical motor failure were system caused mechanical failures that progressed into an electrical failure. (Carrier Corporation) • 95 per cent of alleged warranty failures turned out to be caused by external influences from the refrigeration system itself – the compressor was not at fault. (Bitzer Corporation) • .25 per cent (¼ of one per cent, or one out of every 400) of total UK compressor sales resulted in actual valid warranty claims. (Bitzer Corporation) I could cite more facts, but you get the general idea: many compressors are misdiagnosed as failed when in fact there is 58
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
nothing wrong with them; for many compressors that have suffered a failure in the field, the cause of failure was misdiagnosed; and the rate of compressors that fail during the warranty period due to some kind of manufacturing defect is quite small. Let me illustrate an example of the latter: years ago I was dispatched to a supermarket with the complaint of “store too hot.” I found the 20 HP hermetic compressor on the condensing unit scrambled. A replacement was not readily available, so I picked up a 20 HP semi-hermetic as a replacement. Another technician and I went back the following day to complete the repairs. I re-piped the system to accommodate the new compressor footprint, and my co-worker worked on the controls and electrical portion. The original compressor was set up as a part winding start, two contactors, each wired to one half of the motor. I reminded my co-worker that the two halves of the motor would need to be phased correctly so they would rotate in the same direction. He acknowledged that he understood and would wire the compressor accordingly. Well, he might have understood but he did not wire the compressor correctly. The moment the breaker was switched, and power was applied to the compressor, it destroyed itself. The action of half the motor rotating clockwise and the other half the motor rotating counter-clockwise resulted in an immediate motor burn. While this was clearly “the result of system/service related issues,” and not the result of a defect in workmanship/materials, the compressor was returned to the supplier as a warranty failure. Now, let’s look at two specific compressor failures to see what can be learned from approaching the repair as a doctor, or better yet, a medical examiner performing an autopsy.
SERVICE CALL #1 Upon arrival to the job the compressor circuit breaker was found tripped. After verifying that the compressor crankcase was not full of liquid refrigerant (due to refrigerant migration during the off time), the circuit breaker was reset, followed by an attempt to restart the compressor. The circuit breaker immediately tripped again. The three-phase power supply to the compressor motor terminals was removed and the compressor windings were checked with an ohm meter to see if they were shorted to ground. Not surprisingly, the compressor motor was shorted to ground…a compressor motor burn. A new compressor was obtained from a supplier and inHPACMAG.COM
Figure 1 Compressor motor failure with suction reed lodged in stator.
Figure 2 Compressor main bearing failure
stalled. The filter-drier was changed, a suction filter-drier was added, the contactor was replaced (per the compressor manufacturer’s requirement) and the new compressor was started. Oil pressure, voltage supply and amperage were checked and seen to be within the manufacturer’s recommendations. So, the easy part was completed – changing the compressor. The difficult part was to ascertain why the compressor failed. Realizing that most compressor motor failures were the result of a mechanical failure, the compressor was partially disassembled to see what clues were available to assist in this diagnosis. Figure 1 shows the cause of the motor failure: a suction reed that had become imbedded in the motor windings. Obviously this was not the result of a motor failure, insufficient or unbalanced voltage, defective contactor, or any other electrical related issue. This is a mechanical problem that escalated into a failed motor. A thorough monitoring of system operation was required, and resulted in finding a TEV was set such that the superheat was nonexistent during periods of low load conditions. The resulting refrigerant flooding was the culprit in the mechanical damage to the compressor, which then resulted in the damage to the compressor motor.
ment). Once again, the amperage, supply voltage and oil pressure was verified to be within the manufacturer’s recommendation. This was a particularly bad motor burn. The oil was filthy dark brown. At the very least, a return was required the next day with an acid test kit to verify whether the system was still acidic or not. This had nothing to do with ascertaining the cause of failure, but rather ensuring that the new compressor is going to live a long life. If there is still acid present in the system after the replacement compressor has been installed, then the new motor windings are at risk of degradation, resulting in a potential repeat motor failure. As with the previous service call, once the system was operational it was time to turn our attention to what caused this motor to fail, which again required a partial compressor teardown (the autopsy). As mentioned above, the oil in the crankcase was a dark brown, with a fair amount of sludge in the crankcase. In fact, there was so much sludge in the crankcase that the oil inlet screen in the crankcase was nearly completely plugged. This made it impossible for the oil pump to supply oil to the compressor bearings. Why didn’t the oil failure switch prevent the compressor from operating? The L and M terminals in the oil failure switch had been jumped, eliminating the control’s ability to shut off the compressor during periods of low oil pressure. This was not a smart move by whoever did it. Instead of paying for a service call to address the decomposed oil issue, the customer will now pay to address the decomposed oil issue plus buy a new compressor. Further teardown revealed that the compressor is main bearings failed. Of course, with the oil failure switch jumped out, the compressor continued to run until the failed bearings caused the motor’s rotor to drop down and make contact with the stator. After what was likely a brief amount of
SERVICE CALL #2 What a surprise, yet another call where the compressor had tripped the circuit breaker. Again, after ensuring that the crankcase had no liquid refrigerant in it, the circuit breaker was reset. As was the case in service call one, the breaker immediately tripped. Once again, the three phase power supply to the compressor motor terminals was disconnected and the motor windings checked to see if they were shorted to ground. Once again, it was verified that they were. So, another compressor motor failure, which resulted in another compressor replacement (and contactor replaceHPACMAG.COM
continued on p60 DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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< REGRIGERATION
continued from p59
“INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR A SERVICE CALL TO ADDRESS THE DECOMPOSED OIL ISSUE, THE CUSTOMER WILL NOW PAY TO ADDRESS THE DECOMPOSED OIL ISSUE PLUS BUY A NEW COMPRESSOR.” time, the contact between the rotor and the stator resulted in enough stator damage to cause the motor short. To properly address this issue the technician needs to discover why the crankcase was full of decomposed oil and sludge. This was a low temperature R22 refrigeration application. The thermodynamic properties of R22 are such that it will operate with elevated discharge temperatures during low temperature applications. A quick inspection of the condenser revealed that it had not been cleaned in years, adding to the already high discharge temperature. Once mineral oil exceeds a temperature of approximately 350F it will start to decompose. The process is called polymerization. In laymen’s terms this means the oil molecules combine to form larger molecules (thick oil), even larger molecules (sludge) and finally very large molecules (solid material). In the process, the oil loses its ability to lubricate and the addition of sludge in the crankcase can easily plug up things such as oil pump inlet screens. So, we have done the autopsy and found that the root cause was a dirty condenser (lack of maintenance). This resulted in elevated discharge temperatures which led to oil decomposition, and ultimately, a lack of lubrication. This normally would have resulted in an oil failure control trip, but someone jumped out the control, likely due to repeated oil failure trips that for some reason were not able to be diagnosed. The jumped out control allowed the compressor to continue to operate without sufficient oil pressure to properly lubricate the bearings, resulting in bearing failure. As the compressor continued to operate with failed bearings, the stator dropped down, making contact with the rotor and eventually destroyed the motor, with the final failure mani-
festing itself as a compressor motor failure, yet again. We see a mechanical failure leading to a motor failure yet again. The three-step fix for this system is: 1. Clean the condenser. 2. C ontinue to monitor the acid level in the system until it is within a safe level. Once the acid level is at a safe level, replace the liquid line filter-drier, remove the suction line filter-drier, and replace it with a suction line filter. 3. Enlighten the customer to the benefits of a preventive maintenance program. Now imagine if the technician who responded to either of these service calls was simply a parts changer. Yes, he might have done a perfect job replacing the failed compressor and might have even gone the extra mile in properly cleaning up the system after the motor failure. But doctors treat symptoms and seek root causes of sickness. They do not guess. If the technician was not willing to perform a proper autopsy and ascertain the root cause of the failure and eliminate the conditions that allowed that root cause to progress into a failure, then the customer would be faced with replacing another compressor in a relatively short amount of time. You can take this to the bank: if a compressor has failed and the cause of failure has not been determined and eliminated, the replacement compressor will fail too. <> Dave Demma holds a degree in refrigeration engineering. He worked as a journeyman refrigeration technician before moving into the manufacturing sector where he regularly trains contractor and engineering groups. Demma can be reached at ddemma@uri.com.
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TRAINING
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA LEED Canada
TECA Quality First Training
Canada Green Building Council workshops include LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation, Net Positive Energy Buildings, and Introduction to the LEED-v4 Rating System, tel. 866.941.1184. www.cagbc.org
To register for the Quality First hydronic, forced air and ventilation training courses offered by the Thermal Environmental Comfort Association, tel. 604.594.5956. www.teca.ca
Canadian Hydronics Council
Dollars to $ense Energy Management Workshops
The Art of Hydronic Fundamentals course is a starting point for those interested in installing hydronic-heating systems. The Essentials of Hydronic System Design intermediate level program helps practitioners understand key design principles and the different options and solutions required to meet client needs. Course descriptions and training schedules are available online. www.ultimatecomfort.ca
The Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada has workshops focused on energy management, recomissioning, energy monitoring and financing. A workshop schedule is available online.
NAIT The North Alberta Institute of Technology is offering a Hydronic Designer Core I (HDRO370) continuous intake distance learning course. Students have nine months to complete six modules: heat, boilers, heat loss, blueprint reading, building construction and system design factors.
www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca
HRAI SkillTech Academy This education division of HRAI offers residential and commercial courses, including Radiant Hydronic Design, Air System Design and Mechanical Ventilation. For more information contact Dorothy Allen by e-mail: dallen@hrai.ca.
www.hrai.ca/skilltechtraining.html
www.nait.ca/course_hdro370.htm
Canadian GeoExchange Coalition
CSA Learning Institute
The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition provides training for commercial and residential system designers through its academic network in seven provinces.
The CSA Learning Institute course calendar of classroom, on-site and online training is available at www.csa.ca/cm/ca/en/training
www.geoexchange.ca
THE SOURCE
ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Adrian Steel................................................... www.adriansteel.com............................................................ page 26 AHR Expo....................................................... www.ahrexpo.com................................................................. page 63 Bardon Supplies............................................. www.bardonsupplies.com...................................................... page 23 Brant Radiant Heaters.................................... www.brantradiant.com........................................................... page 16 Chemfax........................................................ www.chemfax.com................................................................ page 29 Cozy..............................................................www.cozyheaters.com........................................................... page 12 Flir................................................................. www.flir.ca/TG165................................................................... page 4 Franke Kindred............................................... www.franke-commercial.com/EZ............................................. page 34 Fujitsu........................................................... www.airstagevrf.com............................................................. page 17 Daikin............................................................ www.daikincomfort.com........................................................page 2, 3 Hilmor............................................................ www.hilmor.com/swage......................................................... page 27 Hood Chemical............................................... www.hoodchemical.com........................................................ page 45 Insulation Solutions........................................ www.insulationsolutions.com................................................. page 16 ISH Frankfurt.................................................. www.ish.messefrankfurt.com................................................. page 25 Lennox Parts Plus.......................................... www.LennoxPartsPlus.com.................................................... page 21 Liberty Pumps................................................ www.libertypumps.com.......................................................... page 37 MCEE............................................................www.mecanexclimatex.ca...................................................... page 51 Navien............................................................www.navien.com..................................................................... page 7 Powrmatic...................................................... www.powrmatic.ca................................................................ page 43 Rehau............................................................ www.raugeo.com................................................................... page 53 Reliance Worldwide........................................www.sharkbite.com............................................................... page 36 Reversomatic.................................................www.reversomatic.com.......................................................... page 13 Sprinter.......................................................... www.TheNewSprinter.ca......................................................... page 11 Taco..............................................................www.taco-hvac.com/flopro..................................................... page 33 Thermo 2000................................................. www.thermo2000.com.......................................................... page 41 Viega............................................................. www.viega.ca........................................................................ page 35 Viessmann..................................................... www.viessmann.ca...........................................................page 31, 39 Watts.............................................................www.OneWattsWater.com/HVAC............................................. page 64 Zurn............................................................... www.zurn.com......................................................................... page 9 HPACMAG.COM
DECEMBER 2014 | HPAC
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CALENDAR
FOR THE LATEST EVENT NEWS SEE HPAC'S NEWSLETTER @ HPACMAG.COM ASHRAE Winter Conference January 24-28
AHR Expo January 26-28
The NAHB International Builders’ Show and the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show will take place in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The ASHRAE Winter Conference will be held in Chicago, IL at the Palmer House Hilton.
The 67th International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition will take place in Chicago, IL at McCormick Place.
www.ashrae.org
www.ahrexpo.com
RPA Annual Meeting and Conference January 27
ACEEE Hot Water Forum February 22-24
Buildex Vancouver February 25-26
The Radiant Professionals Alliance will hold its annual general meeting and conference in conjunction with the AHR Expo in Chicago, IL at McCormick Place.
The American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy will hold its forum at the Hilton Nashville Downtown in Nashville, TN.
Buildex Vancouver, a conference on design, construction and real estate management, is taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre West in Vancouver, BC.
www.radiantprofessionalsalliance.org
www.aceee.org
www.buildexvancouver.com
MCAA Annual Convention March 8-12
HVACR & Mechanical Conference March 9-11
ISH March 10-14
The Mechanical Contractors Association of America’s annual convention will be held at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Maui, HI.
The HVACR & Mechanical Conference for education professionals will take place at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, MD.
ISH is the world’s leading trade fair for water and energy. The event will take place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
www.instructorworkshop.org
www.ish.messefrankfurt.com
2015
NAHB/KBIS January 20-22
www.buildersshow.com
www.kbis.com
www.mcaa.org
ACCA Conference & IE3 Expo March 16-19
NEBB Annual Conference April 16-18
MCEE April 22-23
The ACCA 2015 and IE3: The Indoor Environment & Energy Expo will take place at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, TX.
The National Environmental Balancing Bureau will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa in Honolulu, HI.
www.acca.org
Canada’s largest exhibition for plumbing, HVAC, hydronics, electricity and lighting will take place at Place Bonaventure in Montreal, QC.
www.nebb.org
www.mcee.ca
NFSA Annual Seminar and North American Fire Sprinkler Expo April 30-May 2
RSES Canada Conference May 14-16
CIPH Annual Business Conference June 14-16
The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (Canada) will hold its conference in Calgary, AB. Venue TBA.
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating will hold its 83rd annual business conference at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, QC.
The National Fire Sprinkler Association will hold its annual seminar and expo at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL.
www.rsescanada.com
www.nfsa.org
www.ciph.com
ASHRAE Annual Conference June 27-July 1
HRAI Annual Meeting and Conference August 26-29
The annual ASHRAE conference will be held in Atlanta, GA. It will have a strong focus on the design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada will host its 47th annual meeting and conference at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, ON.
www.ashrae.org
Green Building Festival October 1 The Green Building Festival, presented by Sustainable Buildings Canada, will take place at Daniels Spectrum in Toronto, ON.
www.sbcanada.org
www.hrai.ca
Greenbuild International Conference & Expo November 18-22 Greenbuild, the world’s largest annual conference and expo dedicated to green building, will take place in Washington, DC. Venue TBA.
www.greenbuildexpo.org 62
HPAC | DECEMBER 2014
SMACNA Annual Convention September 27-30 The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association will host it 72nd annual convention at The Broodmoor in Colorado Springs, CO.
www.smacna.org
Planning an event? Send the details to
Kerry Turner, Editor
kturner@hpacmag.com HPACMAG.COM
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