Mechanical Business - March/April 2015

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Me chanical

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TANK less 30PLUMBING When a homeowner wants to talk tankless water heaters, it pays to be armed and ready for that conversation, especially given the fact that there still seems to be a lot of misconceptions out there.

Denise Deveau

NEXT GENERATION EQUIPMENT

The FAB world of

106HYDRONICS Boilers currently on the market offer several features, advantages and benefits (FAB). The functionality in our appliances is redefining the next generation of FABs, and is increasing the impact the systems we build have on our clients.

Paul Rohrs

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72COVER CASE STUDY Thanks to the use of geoexchange technology, the people residing in the borough of Saint-Laurent, in the city of Montreal, can enjoy a good read in comfort year-round.

Andrew Snook

WEATHERING THE SEASON 42COOLING FORECAST A look at what’s going to impact the residential market and yes, weather will have a major influence on the coming air conditioning season.

Andrew Snook

48MCEE 2015 Thousands of visitors looking for the latest technologies in the plumbing, air conditioning, heating, hydronics and refrigeration trades are expected to converge on the Place Bonaventure in Montreal for the 2015 edition of the Mecanex/Climatex/Electricite/Eclairage (MCEE) show.

On the cover: Well known for his impressive deck designs on such shows as Decked Out and Disaster Decks, HGTV Canada celebrity carpenter Paul Lafrance is showcasing some of his interior building projects in his new show Custom Built. Photo: courtesy of HGTV Canada.

Visit us at MCEE – Booth #245

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CONTENTS O F

38HYDRONICS

90CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER

Alberta farm goes high-tech Mary Del Ciancio

With more than 15 years of custom deck design under his tool belt, celebrity tradesman Paul Lafrance is ready to take his passion for creative carpentry and design indoors with his new show, Custom Built.

Andrew Snook

60REFRIGERATION Working with winter Kevin Gill

62TECH TOOLBOX Taking aim against distracted driving Scott Ball

66ROAD WARRIOR: Stéphane Paradis 68COMMERCIAL PLUMBING Finding efficiencies with detailed preconstruction planning David Pelletier

80FIND THE FIX 82HVAC Venting for high-efficiency equipment Denise Deveau

100REFRIGERATION

34HOW IT’S MADE

CO2: Handle with care Andre Patenaude

How often have you wondered, “What’s in the box?” or, “How do they make a condenser unit?” We hit the production floor at a Canadian air conditioning and furnace manufacturer to learn a bit more about the manufacturing process.

Adam Freill

122TOOL TIP: Dust collection D E P A R T M E N T S 8From the editor’s desk 10News 20Profile: Mario Bouchard 122Crossword 124The Info Page 125Calendar 126By the numbers P R O D U C T S 24,120Hydronics 46,88,104HVAC/R 92,118 Plumbing 98Piping 121Stuff you need

MULTI FAMILY, SEASIDE EFFICIENCY

26DUCTLESS HVAC A look at Comeau Refrigeration’s work on one of the largest single minisplit jobs they’ve completed to-date, Dockside Waterfront Drive in Nova Scotia.

Bill Hick

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All Vitodens, all the time: Smart, compact space heating and DHW

The Vitodens 222-F and the new generation Vitodens 200-W – featuring advanced Viessmann technology and performance in a small footprint. Both gas-fired condensing boilers feature a new easy-to-use Vitotronic control.

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requirement 2 models with input ranges from 12 to 125 MBH DHW heating system comprised of plate heat exchanger

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VITODENS 200-W Extended application range with increased capacity

up to 530 MBH 9 models with input ranges from 12 to 530 MBH Combine up to eight boilers in a single prefabricated cas-

cade system.

www.viessmann.ca 1-800-387-7373 *Based on a temperature rise of 70 °F (50 °F to 120 °F). Information subject to change.

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S P E C I A L I S T S 22

HYDRONICS Transferring energy, hydronic-ly Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr Hot Rod shares why, in his opinion, the most elegant way to move heat energy around a building is with fluids.

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ASK ROGER Consultative selling and your technicians Roger Grochmal Create a great customer experience and your customers will be more receptive to the suggestions of your technicians.

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REFRIGERATION Parallel refrigeration systems – Part 2 Phil Boudreau The regulators in parallel refrigeration systems should be checked and adjusted to ensure peak system performance.

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC Opportunities in air conditioning Gord Cooke As you get into the 2015 air conditioning season, remember many clients are willing to pay for much finer degrees of cooling comfort.

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PLUMBING The right tool for the job Fred Bretzke Technology has a wonderful way of dating itself. Do the same rules that apply to cell phones and computers work for plumbing tools?

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MARKETING Integrated Marketing Doug MacMillan In Part 4 of the series, Doug looks at the “I” of his Marketing DELI counter: Integration, the concerted effort to unify different activities to reinforce a core strategy.

HYDRONIC FLUIDS To treat, or not to treat Dan Holohan How many contractors are using chemical treatments for boilers? Are treatments only for existing systems, or is it worth considering at commissioning?

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FROM Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 Canada Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com March/April 2015 Issue Published 6 times per year.

Editor: Adam Freill, ext. 224 adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com Associate Editor/Web Editor: Andrew Snook andrew.snook@mechanicalbusiness.com National Accounts Manager: Jeff Superle, ext. 221 jeff.superle@mechanicalbusiness.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Business Intern: Brooke Klintworth brooke.klintworth@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: JJM Graphic Ltd. davem@jjmgraphic.com Circulation Manager: Shila Naik (905) 272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, ext. 222 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com PM:41536047 ISSN 1916-0674 MB (Print) ISSN 1906-0682 MB (Online)

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Submissions: Copyright in material submitted to the magazine and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Mechanical Business and its licensees may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. Mechanical Business also reserves the right to edit said submitted materials to suit the editorial needs and mandate of the publication.

Notice: Mechanical Business is published for owners, managers and decision makers with mechanical contracting firms and the sector’s supply chain partners in Canada. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Mechanical Business, Content Media Group Inc., its staff, directors, officers and shareholders (‘The Publisher’) assume no liability, obligation or responsibility for advertised claims, for errors and/or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over published editorial. The publisher reserves the right to publish a printed correction in a subsequent issue for editorial errors, omissions and oversights.

Subscriptions are available for $90 plus taxes in Canada and the U.S. Single copies are $15.00. Outside Canada and the U.S., the rates are $150.00 (annual) and $25.00 (single copy).

THE

EDITOR’S

DESK

The goal is to help, not hinder...

Over the past few years, and with increased focus over the past 12 months, a number of provincial regulatory bodies have set their sights on the enforcement of the trades.

Although any effort to keep non-certified people from installing and working on the heating, cooling and plumbing systems that should be the domain of legitimate contractors is to be applauded, the efforts are not without concern within the trades.

While some concerns have ties to a resistance to change and a mistrust of regulatory bodies in general, many of the concerns are legitimate and need to be addressed by the various regulators, be it the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), Assisting the trades the government bodies that are going to share the enforcement of Looking for help navigating the compulsory trades in Manitoba, the enforcement efforts of trade licenses? enforcement agencies in Atlantic One of the best places to seek help and additional information is an industry Canada that are faced with nonassociation. The Canadian Hydronics licensed installers of ductless Council, HRAI and MCAC can offer systems, or any other agency across assistance to contractors trying to navigate the country. the regulations, which can vary from province to province.

Here in Ontario, the OCOT has pledged to focus on such issues as “trade creep” and the underground economy.

Trade creep is one of the terms being used to describe work that falls under the definition of another trade license that is performed by a contractor. Of course, some of this “creep” stems from a lack of rigorous enforcement of the scope of compulsory trades over the past few decades – in essence becoming industry practice. Other “creep” can stem from a lack of clarity and some duplication in definitions of trades.

For contractors who find themselves frustrated or confused by the enforcement efforts in their part of the country – especially when the frustration comes as a result of current trade practices not matching trades definitions that have not been revised in decades – the best advice is to get involved, to make their concerns regulatory bodies in their province, and to contact known to the re their local trade association to enlist help in lobbying for a fair keep legitimate contractors able to practice their path that will k trade without fear f that an inspector may fine them or shut them down.

I invite yyou to share your concerns with us as well, so that can share these concerns and solutions with your we ca industry peers as the regulatory environment evolves ind in the months and years to come.

From time to time, Content Media Group Inc. makes subscribers’ names available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to readers. If you would like your name excluded from these mailings, please notify the publisher.

Until next time,

© Copyright 2015. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher.

Proud members of:

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Adjusting to change in the trades “Social media is coming to construction,” proclaimed Manny Neves during the most recent CIPH Ontario business meeting, held in Mississauga in March.

Neves is a general contractor, and the Nancy Barden, the national regional producer and director of Hardcore manager with CIPH, was recognized Renos, a web-based multi-media outlet for reaching 15 years of service to the that profiles his construction projects and industry at the most recent CIPH Ontario business meeting. Presenting the the work of the professional tradespeople Region award are CIPH president and general he works with. “The trades need to manager Ralph Suppa, CIPH Ontario president Dennis Costello and CIPH evolve with the times,” he said, adding chair Paul McDonald. that not only are there new ways to do construction work, but also to engage customers, and to treat others on the jobsite. He is a strong proponent of leaving a clean work environment at the end of each day, so that the site is ready for the next trade that will hit the job. “It’s so simple,” he says. “Leave it ready for the next trade. Respect the next trade.” The next CIPH Ontario event will be the Ontario Region Weekend Conference, May 22 to 24 in Niagara Falls.

AHR Expo sets new benchmark With almost 62,000 registered attendees, this past January’s AHR Expo laid claim to the title for highest attendance for an AHR event in Chicago.

“Chicago is the site of some of our largest shows and we are thrilled that we set so many new records this year,” said Clay Stevens, president of International Exposition Company, the firm that operates the event. “We’ve had tremendous support from the 41 sponsors and endorsing associations that participate.” More than 2,100 companies exhibited products, introduced new products and hosted special events during the exposition, which features products and services for the HVAC and refrigeration sectors. The AHR Expo is endorsed by 39 industry associations, and is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI. The 2016 event is scheduled for January 25 to 27 in Orlando, Fla. ahrexpo.com

ciph.com

Recognizing experience and safety

Blair McDonnell of Plan Group Inc. (second from right) receives an Award of Merit for safety from Al Prowse, Larry Harnum and Brian McCabe during the MCA Toronto industry luncheon.

More than 360 industry professionals turned up to the Mechanical Contractors Association of Toronto (MCAT) Industry Luncheon in January, where comedian Graham Chittenden shared his troubles with do-it-yourself projects and big box hardware stores, all the while yearning to be in the front row of the audience, “Where all the decision-makers get to sit.” The event was also an opportunity for the organization to kick off the New Year, as well as to hand out its 16th Annual Safety Awards to six companies in the Greater Toronto Area. mcat.on.ca

Follow Us on Twitter! It’s MB’s Twitter Roundup Caught the twitter bug? We’ve got you covered with tweets about everything that matters to the mechanical trades in Canada. Follow us @mechbusiness.

Goodway Technologies

Caleffi US @Caleffius

Paul Bremner Good thing I have my @ MilwaukeeTool #heatedhoody.

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Hot Rod talks hydronics

Cross connection contest looking for pics

“You can’t oversize an expansion tank. You can undersize one, but you cannot oversize one,” advised Caleffi’s Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr as he addressed the more than 120 hydronic contractors in attendance at Noble’s Noble U event in Vaughan, Ont., on February 24. Rohr, feature hydronic columnist for Mechanical Business, was on hand to discuss problems that can be encountered in systems, solutions to those problems, as well as piping options and products that can be used within a heating system.

Medicine Hat College is holding a photo contest looking for the worst cross connections encountered by professionals in the mechanical sector. To participate in the contest, submit a photo of a cross connection and a brief explanation of your assessment and recommendations. The contest is open to plumbers, surveyors and water regulators across Canada. Submissions must be received by May 31, 2015. All photo entries can be forwarded to Danny Wilson, cross connection control instructor, Medicine Hat College, via email at: dwilson@mhc.ab.ca.

noble.ca caleffi.us

wcsawwa.net

Getting proactive with clients “Proactive service is based on the premise that we add significant value when our customer-facing personnel proactively make recommendations that help them be better off,” Jim Baston told the crowd during the January HRAI Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Chapter meeting, which took place in Vaughan, Ont. Baston, of BBA Consulting Group, cited improvements in technology as one of the major reasons for changes in the level of competition in the HVAC/R marketplace, particularly when it comes to customers’ access to information. To help technicians and counter sales people differentiate their companies from the competition, he said there are three key areas of focus: professional credibility, personal credibility and proactive recommendations. The next HRAI GTA Chapter meeting will take place on April 28, also in Vaughan.

An avalanche of products DeWalt’s Denise Goodchild (right) shows off one of her company’s latest offerings to Joe Hornyak during Stanley Black & Decker’s Avalanche 2015 product preview, which took place in Collingwood, Ont. The company had new products on display from the Black & Decker, Bostiitch, Stanley, DeWalt, Porter-Cable, Abmast and Powers brands.

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Bell & Gossett unveiled its Online Little Red Schoolhouse during the AHR Expo this past January. The company is adapting its Little Red Schoolhouse training with courses designed to offer foundational learning in hydronic system design.

The digital courses are intended to complement the company’s more in-depth hands-on experience offered at the Little Red Schoolhouse facilities in Morton Grove, Ill, and Nanjing, China.

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APP ALERT Video game app The C+ Game app from Caleffi is designed to have all the characteristics of a video game while helping the user discover the advantages and functions of the company’s components for domestic water and hydronic heating systems. Each level of the game highlights common problems found in domestic water and hydronic heating systems. The user must solve each problem by putting components in their correct positions inside interactive design schematics. game.caleffi.com

Celebrating 35 years Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc., a Burlington, Ont.-based manufacturer’s representative and distribution company that offers boilers and domestic water heating products throughout Canada and plumbing products in Ontario, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Established in 1980 by president and founder Bill Palamar, the company now has more than 70,000 square feet of warehouse and office space in Burlington, as well as a 5,000 square foot facility in British Columbia and inventory in Alberta to service Western Canada.

Happy 35th Aqua-Tech!

Wholesaler locator HRAI has released an app for member contractors designed to help them contact member wholesalers through their smart phones and tablets. The app locates member wholesalers within a given kilometre or mile radius from the location of the contractor’s device. Results can be viewed in a list format or by map place markers. The app is free to members and is available on IOS and Android platforms. hrai.ca

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Malco Products, Inc. | Annandale, MN. U.S.A. | www.malcotools.com | ©2015

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ASPE talks standards

MCA Hamilton student chapter reaches finals

“The number of unique Canadian standards has been going down the last 20 years,” Michel Girard, vicepresident of the Standards Council of Canada’s (SCC) strategy branch, told the crowd during an ASPE Greater Toronto Area Chapter meeting held in January. Girard oversees SCC’s strategic initiatives, analysis of standardization issues and development of key policies. The SCC, he said, is engaging governments and industry in an effort to discuss Canada’s standardization goals and priorities, which include optimizing resources invested in standardization nationally, regionally and internationally; streamlining governance mechanisms; and coming to an agreement on meaningful metrics and performance outputs among the various organizations involved in standards writing.

MCA Hamilton’s student chapter has been named a finalist in the 2014-15 MCAA Student Chapter Competition.

The Hamilton team, based out of McMaster University, is the first Canadian team to reach the final four of the competition.

The final round of judging will take place at the 2015 MCAA Conference in Hawaii in March (past press time).

“It is an exciting time for us all as we celebrate the success of the McMaster student chapter team,” said McMaster University committee chair Lorraine Waller.

The other finalists include the Rocky Mountain Chapter of MCAA at Colorado State University; University of Washington Mechanical Contractors Student Chapter; and Wentworth Chapter of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. A total of 24 teams competed for a top-four spot. The first and second place winners will receive cash prizes of $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. The other two finalists will each receive $1,000.

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HRAI seeking volunteers

B.C. contractor a Caleffi best Canadian Robert Cenedese of Rocky Point Engineering has been named the winner of the Caleffi Excellence contest for the month of November. His design for the installation of six new condensing IBC boilers into Martha Currie Elementary School in Surry, B.C., Rocky Point Engineering’s Robert Cenedese, Tom received the most audience Popovich, Phil Rempel and Mark Swain accept the votes during a recently Caleffi Excellence Award from Kai Mark of Equipco. held Coffee with Caleffi webinar. For his winning design, Cenedese was presented with an iPad mini and is now a contender for the grand prize of a trip to Italy to the Caleffi’s global headquarters.

HRAI’s Skills Competition Committee is looking for a few good men and women to help out during the 2015 Skills Ontario Technological Skills Competition, which will take place at RIM Park in Waterloo from May 4 to 6. This skills competition is the largest skilled trades competition in Canada with 65 contests, 1,900 competitors and more than 20,000 spectators. The HRAI committee is organizing the heating systems technician competitions and looking for competition judges, elementary workshop leaders and staff for the career promotion showcase booth. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Alexandra Wennberg at awennberg@hrai.ca, or by phone at (800) 267-2231 or (905) 602-4700 ext. 250. hrai.ca

caleffi.us

Viega seeking customer input

Loans available for small business

Viega is looking for customers to share their experiences related to working with its systems, and how the systems impact their clients’ businesses. Stories can be submitted via email at yourstory@viega.us. Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2015. The company plans to share a selection of videos in its future media initiatives. viega.com

Bitzer revamps website Bitzer recently re-designed its website. Among its new features is a revised product area where users can now search for products based on a particular technology or application. The website also offers access to tools and software that allow users to simulate operating conditions specific to an application and identify the correct refrigerant and optimal maximum allowable pressure. bitzer.ca

On Jan. 22, the federal government announced its intention to make changes to the Canada Small Business Financing Program that would allow more small businesses to apply for the program, making larger loans available for them to purchase or improve their land or buildings. The measures are designed to enhance the ability of small businesses across Canada to grow their businesses and create jobs. Since 2006, the Small Business Financing Program, which works with private sector lenders, has provided over 50,000 loans to small businesses. ic.gc.ca

Reed launches videos Reed Manufacturing has released training videos addressing the use and operation of its Feed Tap Machine and the company’s redesigned PE Scraper.

Also available are video training clips for its drillpowered chamfer tools and bevelers. reedmfgco.com

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OUR TEAM WAS BUILT TO PULL THEIR WEIGHT. With the impressive 860 lb.-ft.± torque and fuel efficiency of its available 6.7L Power Stroke® diesel, the Super Duty is the truck of choice for those who do the toughest jobs. Plus, with best-in-class maximum towing of 31,200 lbs.* and impressive maximum payload of 7,260 lbs., you can make light work of any job. No surprise that F-Series is Canada’s best-selling work truck.** Make Ford Fleet the team behind your team.

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Vehicles may be shown with optional features. ©2015 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

04.15

Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Blanco names B.C. sales agent Blanco Canada recently appointed Barclay Sales as its sales agent for the wholesale, and kitchen and bath channels in British Columbia. Blanco is a designer and manufacturer of high-end stainless steel sinks and designer faucets. blancocanada.com barclaysales.com

Wolseley opens B Burlington branch Wolseley Canada has opened an express Wolseley plumbing branch in Burlington, Ont., located at 4325 Harvester Rd., Unit 9. The branch, which held a grand opening celebration in March, will be managed by Matthew Nykamp.

Tel: (289) 427-5494. Fax: (289) 427-5495. wolseleyinc.ca

Fairview Fittings opens new facility in Oakville Fairview Fittings & Mfg. Ltd. recently opened its Canadian distribution centre in Oakville, Ont. The move allows the company to increase its capacity and is designed to enhance its supply chain solutions for stock replenishment to its eight Canadian warehouse locations. The company ceased operations out of its Toronto distribution centre on Attwell Drive in February. The Oakville facility is located at 1170 Invicta Drive. Tel: (905) 338-0800. Fax: (905) 338-0060. fairviewfittings.com

From left: Lee Keay, Carolina Bergles and Matt Nykamp welcomed guests and suppliers to a grand opening event for the Wolseley Burlington Plumbing Express Branch in March.

Roland Lajoie lands Acudor Acorn Roland Lajoie has been appointed Acudor Acorn’s new representative for the company’s full range of sanitary stainless steel appliances in Quebec. Acudor manufactures a variety of plumbing and rainwater management products and systems for institutional and commercial markets. Roland Lajoie can be reached at (888) 874-9729. acudoracornltd.com lajoie.co

Dobbin Sales adds line Guardian Equipment has entered into an agreement to make Dobbin Sales its master distributor for its plumbing products across Canada. Guardian specializes in emergency safety equipment, including eye and face wash stations, emergency showers and barrier-free products.

Mark Palitza, regional sales manager, and Ralph Kittler, vice-president of sales for Seresco Technologies, present Ed Carney and Glen Kilmer of Kilmer Environmental with Seresco’s Rep of the Year Award for 2014.

Seresco names rep of the year Ottawa-based Seresco Technologies, a manufacturer of mechanical indoor pool dehumidification equipment, named Kilmer Environmental its rep of the year for 2014.

The Mississauga, Ont.-based manufacturer’s representative was presented the award this past January at the AHR Expo in Chicago. Kilmer Environmental specializes in humidity control. serescodehumidifiers.com

dobbinsales.com gesafety.com

Quick-Sling appoints Canadian rep

Heatlink expands relationship Heatlink Group has expanded Allan Forrest Sales’ representation of its products to include northern Alberta. Allan Forrest now represents Heatlink’s radiant heating and cooling, plumbing, and snowmelt business in the entire Alberta market, as well as in southeastern and northeastern B.C. and the Territories. heatlink.com

Quick-Sling, a manufacturer of HVAC mounting systems, recently announced that Summit Process Controls Group is selling its products in Canada.

Summit has been involved in the HVAC/R industry for 20 years. To contact Summit, call Steve Paquette, director of sales, at (613) 926-0108, or email: stevep@summitpcgi.ca. www.quick-sling.com

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04.15

People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com HOWARD HUSS has joined Heatlink as its business development manager. He comes to the company with more than 20 years of experience in senior management roles in the plumbing and radiant heating industries.

Dettson has hired JONATHAN WILLIAMS as its director of client development. He will be responsible for the Canadian and U.S. markets.

The company has also hired MICHELLE COTE as director of business development for both Canada and the U.S. with a focus on relationships with gas utilities and builders.

Giant Factories has promoted LARRY DEAN (top) to the position of director of sales for Ontario and Western Canada. Larry joined the company five years ago as the director of business development in Ontario. His responsibilities will include managing and directing sales in his territories. All U.S.-based sales representatives will also report to him. He has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. The company has also hired SÉBASTIEN COURCHESNE as its director of sales for Eastern Canada. Sébastien will manage and direct wholesale and utility sales in Québec and Atlantic Canada.

He will also be responsible for all retail sales across Canada.

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VICTOR HYMAN (left) has been promoted to regional business development manager for EMCO HVAC Ontario. Victor previously held the position of outside account manager for the Greater Toronto Area at McKeough Supply’s Brantford branch. Also at EMCO, RYAN CHARD (right) has been promoted to profit centre supervisor for McKeough Supply’s Hamilton branch. He joined McKeough Supply in 2012 and was promoted into the management development program last year.

Wholesale firm Noble recently announced a pair of new branch managers in Ontario.

JOHN HARTMAN has joined the company as branch manager for its London location, and STAN LIBERTY (pictured) has been promoted to branch manager for the Barrie location. John brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role, while Stan brings five years of experience on Noble’s operations team to his new position.

The Canadian Water Quality Association has hired ANNE BALIVA as program manager. She will assist in managing, coordinating and planning programs, as well as offer support to the CWQA board of directors and various committees on projects. Baliva comes to the association with more than five years of association management experience, recently working at the Water Environment Association of Ontario. She can be reached by email at a.baliva@cwqa.com. Kevin Wong will remain as CWQA’s executive director.

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CHAD KLEIN (top) has been promoted to vice-president of business development for Aquatherm.

Chad joined the company as a national contractor support manager in 2013. MARK JACOBS (bottom) has been hired as vice-president of fabrication and training services. He has more than 30 years of experience in the mechanical contracting sector, including working as a plumbing and pipefitter apprentice, journeyman and foreman.

Carlo Gavazzi has appointed TONY LEE as its account manager for Midwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe and Niagara regions. He has 12 years of front-line sales experience. Tony will focus on supporting channel partners in Midwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe regions.

Thermo 2000 has appointed PHILIPPE LANGLOIS as its national sales manager for Canada.

Philippe has more than 10 years of experience as a sales manager in the HVAC sector.

Hired someone lately?

Let the mechanical world know through the pages of Mechanical Business.

To have your company’s personnel announcements included, free of charge, in an upcoming edition of Mechanical Business, simply send a note and a few details, to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com.

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T H E

L E A D E R

I N

C O N D E N S I N G

T E C H N O L O G Y

04.15

Profile Mario Bouchard: Heating oil is in his veins

Mario Bouchard’s experience in oil heat dates back to helping his father with fuel deliveries when he was young.

Although his father sold the business while Mario was in school studying computer programming, the young Bouchard decided that his future would be in oil, and not keyboards.

When he told his father that he was going back into the oil heat business as an independent contractor, his father was worried about his career in the long-term. “When I got back into the business in early ’90s, my dad told

Q A Q A

me I shouldn’t be doing that because it’s going to be phased out before too long,” Bouchard explained recently from his office in Granby, Que. “Every New Year’s Eve I made a point to tell him another year has gone by and oil heat is not dead yet. Oil heat is still a highly appreciated heating source.”

One thing that has never changed over Bouchard’s time in the oil heat sector has been his passion for embracing new technologies, something he believes everyone in the industry should be doing.

“Never stop evolving,” he said. “Embrace new technologies. Learn them.”

How did you get started in the industry?

My father was an Esso agent. He was an oil deliveryman and also serviced and installed oil heat equipment. I was actually born into it.

Q A

Tell us about your first job.

I worked with my father working on the delivery trucks, as well as doing service calls, maintenance and repairs on oil heat equipment.

DID YOU KNOW? Photo: François LeClair

• Mario is an amateur radio operator hobbyist and constructed his radio receiver himself.

• He loves fishing, especially lake trout and land-locked salmon.

• He enjoys riding his Kawasaki Ninja sport bike.

“Yes a sport bike at 49!” he says.

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I would say that there are two over the past 20 years: the change in product efficiencies – which has majorly contributed to research and development; and innovations in oil storage technology. Today, several technologies have been introduced to enhance quality and safety.

Q A

How did you get involved with COHA?

I started to get involved with COHA in 1998 while I was working at ICP/ Carrier at the time. That was my first introduction into their symposiums and conferences. I became more active in COHA while working at Riello. I’ve since became an active board member after joining Granby in 2010. I felt it was my time to give back to an industry that has brought me so much pleasure and challenges.

BIO Name: Mario Bouchard Title: Director of business development, sales and marketing for Granby Industries Age: 49 Born and lives in: Magog, Que. Children: Two sons: Maxime and Miguel Association involvement: Chairman of COHA’s national board; also an AQUIP member.

What would you say is the most significant change that you’ve witnessed over your time in the industry?

Q

What are the biggest challenges currently facing the oil heat industry?

A

I think that the biggest challenge is to overcome the misperception of the oil heat industry, oil heat is perceived by some to be unclean, but that’s such an inaccurate perception with today’s high efficiency heating equipment and safe storage solutions and there is so much to gain from this heating source.

Another challenge is to educate and sensitize our industry to adopt best practices when installing and servicing oil heat equipment. This will help in improving the industry’s reputation everywhere.

Do your best work.

HYDRONICS

B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r

Transferring energy,

HYDRONIC-LY n my opinion, one of the most elegant ways to move heat energy around a building is with fluids and pipes. And it’s not just about heating things up, as either heated or chilled fluids can be easily and accurately herded around via a hydronic system.

I

Start with a load calcc Every new, upgraded or problematic system needss to to ion have a heat load calculation performed. This should be a room-by-room analysis, nott just a number based on the square footage of the home or building.

When it comes to transferring heat, there are a few basic and generally agreed concepts, however.

The first is that hot goes to cold. This is a simple way of defining the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.

Secondly, the rate of heat transfer is dependent on the 6T, delta T, or temperature difference.

There are plenty of easy-to-use programs that will even perform the load calcs for you these days – and even some phone apps.

If you are new to the load calc game, search out a program and take a class or online training. And don’t be afraid to ask questions in the various industry chat rooms and social media sites. Just be ready to take the answers with a “grain of salt” knowing we travel in a very opinionated crowd, and answers are not always screened for individual bias.

Often times local manufacturers reps or suppliers will help, or check your load calcs. With that room-by-room load number in hand it becomes possible to go over options with the building owner, so that they can tighten up the building or add upgrades to get the load number as low as possible.

That is the first, and best, money a building owner can spend, to lower the heating or cooling load, and his overall costs.

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This is just a start, but here’s a primer on some of the design considerations that go into bringing comfort, convenience and efficiency to your customers. And remember, the possibilities are hydronic!

FINDING THE HEAT Heat source options are much more varied nowadays. Gas, electricity, oil and wood are all standard options, and heat pumps, solar and biofuels are all possibilities as well.

For the most part, this decision comes down to equipment cost and fuel cost numbers. Find out your customer’s needs and budget, and help guide them to the product that best matches their needs.

CONTROLLING HEAT

Sample Output Chart

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For example, a hot radiator in a cool space transfers energy at a faster rate than a hot radiator in a warm space.

A hydronic system designer or installer needs to understand this and practice some basic, definable calculations, to ensure that the system will perform as desired.

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• St a r t w i t h a l o a d c a l c • C o n t r o llin g h eat d eliver y Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 30 years. A long-time columnist and trainer, he is the manager of training and education with Caleffi North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@caleffi.com.

PULLING HEAT FROM THE FLOW We need to have turbulent flow to maximize heat transfer. Slow the flow too much and the ability to move the heat energy drops quickly.

On the other end, we don’t want to pump excessively high flow rates that we create noise or excessive component wear.

Just because you chose a design delta T number for your design and sizing doesn’t ensure the system will always operate at that number, nor does it need to for efficient energy transfer. BTUs can jump off of the train at most any flow rate, even fast moving BTU trains. Higher flows equate to higher AWT or mean temperatures that will result in the highest heat transfer.

The same holds true for solar thermal collectors. It’s not about the “linger” time in the absorber collecting the energy. It’s more about scrubbing the heat energy out as the collector transfers it from the solar radiation.

Again, higher flow rates move the energy down to the load or storage faster.

When a heating system first starts from a low temperature condition you may see a large delta T, beyond the number you designed to. The cold heat emitters will see the supply temperature from the boiler and a large delta T indicates a lot of energy is being transferred. As the heat emitters warm and the room nears set point, the delta T may be less than that design number you used. The system will strive for and arrive at a thermal equilibrium.

This condition is dictated by the heat emitters controlling the operating condition of the boiler.

Spreading the warmth

From fluid to output

With the load numbers in hand, the next step is the selection of heat emitters. And there are an over-whelming number of types and styles – there’s something for every budget and style preference.

Commonly, radiant is at the top of a customer’s wish list, and options include floors, walls or ceilings. Radiators are another nice option as they are quiet performers and offer some radiant as well as convection energy transfer.

Fin tube or cast iron baseboards are still a common method of transferring heat energy into spaces, as is the use of an air handler with a hydronic coil. Hydro-air is a common method when heating and cooling is desired.

Of course a hybrid blend is possible, but be sure to carefully mix and match different styles of heat emitters, since mixing emitters can complicate a system design.

DELIVERY There can be some confusion about how to best pipe, pump, and control a hydronic system. To design a system, you need to choose some design criteria. One of the choices is the delta T to which the system will be sized. Most often a 20°F ΔT is used.

I’m not sure where this number came from, but it does simplify the math.

One important point to remember is that the higher the average water temperature within the heat emitter the higher the output.

For fin tube and cast baseboard we refer to this as AWT average water temperature across the board. Panel radiator manufacturers refer to this as “mean” temperature, with the result of keeping the entire metal surface a constant temperature.

A tighter, closer delta T in any emitter will result in higher output.

Radiant floors would benefit from a tighter delta T, more like a 10 to 15°F ΔT to keep an even and consistent floor temperature.

Panel radiators are often designed to operate at a 30°F or higher ΔT. With this design number decided, piping can be sized and circulators chosen.

Most heat emitter manufacturers will provide heat output information based on

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two or three different flow rates or delta T conditions. Fin tube baseboard generally has an output chart showing a choice of 1 or 4 gpm. Fan coils and air handlers often show outputs at three different flow rates, while panel radiators often have a single output chart, with a multiplier to predict output at different flow rates or operating temperatures.

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HYDRONIC

Products

Circulators

Zone controls

Star S 33 FC and S 21 RFC wet rotor circulators from Wilo Canada feature a check valve, a cast-iron design and three speeds. The circulators, which are built with a rotating flange design, offer up to 33 feet of head and a maximum flow rate of 33 gpm.

Caleffi’s ZSR101 series of zone controls for hydronic heating offer single relay control with two outputs for operating a 120 VAC pump with boiler enable, or two 120 VAC devices without boiler enable. They feature rear knock outs for 4x4 junction box mounting, a pre-installed jumper for pump operation and 10 amp total load rating.

The controls are compatible with 2, 3 and 4-wire thermostats or other low voltage controllers with switching action.

www. wilo-canada.com

caleffi.com

Air separator The Spriovent Junior air eliminator from Spriotherm is constructed from brass and is available for pipe sizes ranging from 3/4” to 2”.

The unit has a recommended flow range of 6 to 40 gpm.

All models are designed for a maximum working pressure of 150 psig and temperatures up to 270˚F. Larger sizes are available upon request.

Combination boiler The Planet Dewy 30/50 BF fully modulating and condensing boiler from Sime has a maximum heating input of 110,000 BTUH and offers peak thermal efficiencies of 97%. It comes with a built-in 50-litre storage tank for DHW needs. Features include a built-in circulator, expansion tank, air eliminator and stainless steel heat exchanger. The unit operates on natural gas or LP.

www. spirotherm.com

www. simenorthamerica.com

Pre-assembled manifold Legend Hydronics’ pre-assembled M-8300P manifold is built from stainless steel and features built-in visual flow gauges and thermometers, as well as an automatic air vent and fill and purge valve assembly on the supply and return headers. It is available with 2 to 12 stations.

Heated seat Jaga’s Hot Sofa is designed to turn a radiator into a seating area. It fits over heating elements up to 36 cm in height and can be customized to fit spaces up to five metres. The heated sofa has a wear-resistant covering, polished stainless steel legs, a seat height of 45 cm and is available in a variety of colours.

www. legendhydronics.com

www. jaga-canada.com

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THERE’S STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.

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RELIABLE. BOLD. INNOVATIVE.

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DUCTLESS HVAC

By B i l l Hi c k

MULTI FAMILY, SEASIDE EFFICIENCY C

anada’s Maritime Provinces saw a considerable surge in condominium construction between 2010 and 2012. New luxury units were going up in every town that boasted a view of the water.

While residential growth in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island has since slowed to a degree, the condo boom brought some changes to the provinces, and HVAC professionals noticed a trend.

High-end, multi-family structures – whether vacation rentals or primary residences – are a relatively new element to the housing market in most of the maritime region.

In an area dotted by 150 year old Victorian homes, modern condos stand out architecturally, and from a design perspective, as well.

TAKING DOCKSIDE DUCTLESS In 2011, Provident Developments was exploring HVAC options for a planned project in Bedford, N.S. Three meetings and one proposal later, plans were set to install multi-zone, high efficiency ductless heat pumps at the property.

The recently completed Dockside Waterfront Drive includes two towers, one five-storey and one sixstorey, and includes a total of 78 luxury condos overlooking a finger of Halifax Harbour. They offer quiet waterside living just 20 minutes from downtown Dartmouth and Halifax. Individual heat pump design trumped Provident’s initial approach, which was based on a large VRF system.

“Individual metering was probably the biggest consideration for this

With condos came a few new climate-based challenges to property owners, developers and HVAC professionals.

Individual energy metering became a consideration with new, multi-family dwellings, especially considering that many of the spaces are often unoccupied for months at a time. While this may be true with any multi-unit buildings, the coast’s dramatic freeze/thaw cycles, coupled with year-round high humidity, become an obstacle for air-to-air heat pump technology – often high on the list of condo HVAC solutions.

“Keeping condensing units defrosted is the biggest issue here,” says Dale Comeau, general manager of Comeau Refrigeration. The five-person company is based in Annapolis Royal, on Nova Scotia’s northwestern coast. The firm’s main focus is ductless heating and cooling systems, but they also install ducted equipment and geothermal, as well as commercial refrigeration sales and service.

In the maritime climate, high outdoor humidity exists even below freezing temperatures. Condensing units can quickly become covered with frost, meaning air restrictions and a drop in net heat output.

“I’ve actually had homeowners ask me how often they should expect to defrost their new unit,” he continued. “Their concern is based on past experiences. So they’re a bit skeptical when I tell them that they shouldn’t ever have to defrost it manually.”

Comeau Refrigeration has a local reputation for making ductless systems work despite the weather. Their accountability ultimately helped land one of the largest single mini-split jobs they’ve completed to-date, Dockside Waterfront Drive.

project,” explained Provident vice-president David Hilchey. “Both the VRF approach and individual unit approach provided that capability. Ultimately, the mini splits provided a more cost-effective solution.”

Photos: David Grandy

By the end of the project, a total of 79 units were used for the condo units and one common area. Depending on the floor plans, which range from 1,100 to 2,150 square feet, dual-, triand quad-zone systems were installed for maximum flexibility, comfort and efficiency.

26

Inside, wall-mounted evaporators and slim duct evaporators were both used. HRV systems were tied into the slim duct units to eliminate redundancy and reduce costs. Contractor Comeau Refrigeration collaborated with a sheet metal subcontractor Dale Comeau of Comeau Refrigeration and Darcy Campbell of The to complete the ventilation system.

Master Group at the Dockside Waterfront Drive build in Nova Scotia.

continues on page 28

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DUCTLESS HVAC

continued from page 26

OLD TOWNS AND OLD SYSTEMS Single-family residences in Nova Scotia present the same climate-related challenges as condos, but with the added task of maintaining historic integrity.

“Most of Nova Scotia is an architectural museum in its own right,” says Comeau.

“We’re constantly playing ‘hide the condenser’ to keep homeowners and historic societies happy. But we do this well because we’re picky by nature.”

KEEPING FROST-FREE To keep units free of frost in Maritime Canada, every detail must be considered during installation. Careful installation is equally important as using the right units.

“If we can shelter the unit from prevailing wind it helps, but that’s not always an option,” says Comeau. “Refrigerant charge is the most prevalent issue we come across when servicing incorrectly-installed equipment. If the unit is defrosting too often, chances are there’s a leak.”

In respect to sizing systems, Comeau Refrigeration has found that there’s really two ways to design residential heating applications in Nova Scotia; as the primary source of heat with an existing wood or oil system as backup, or as the stand-alone, sole source of heat for the home, which is most often the case.

The condensers at Dockside, which are a mix of two- and three-ton units, are each located on decks outside the living space they condition, so disposing of defrost condensate was a challenge. To prevent units from freezing, base pan heaters are installed under each condenser, and condensate lines are piped through the building envelope and terminated in the storm water plumbing.

“In single family homes, we’re typically installing ductless systems that’ll hold their own at true design conditions, which

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is 0°F, or -18°C,” he explains. “If there’s a backup system, we can shave down the capacity a little. Environmental Canada says that the maritime average design is 32°F, but even with backup heat, we never design for less than 14°F. “Technology has evolved and we know how to handle the climate challenges here, but we’re still dealing with clients adapting to the new systems,” says Comeau. As was the case at Dockside, many homeowners need help getting over the learning curve that can result from exposure to a completely new technology.

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ADJUSTING

EXPECTATIONS Many of the homeowners in Nova Scotia who use wood as their primary source of heat are accustomed to indoor temps of 80 to 85°F through the winter months. They may make the switch to a ductless system so they don’t have to cut, split and stack wood all summer, but are surprised at how much they spend on electric throughout the winter to keep the home at the same temperature.

“Other than wood, it doesn’t matter what fuel source you’re heating with, it’s going to cost you a lot to keep an old house that hot all winter,” says Comeau. “After just one winter, they usually come to love the consistent temperature and hands-free heat, though. And they sure do like air conditioning in the summer!”

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Bill Hick is the Northeast Regional Sales Manager at Fujitsu General America. He can be reached at bhick@fujitsugeneral.com.

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PLUMBING

B y Den ise Deveau

TANK less W

hen a homeowner wants to talk tankless water heaters, it pays to be armed and ready for that conversation. Especially given the fact that there still seems to be a lot of misconceptions

out there.

“There were some bad practices during the early days that have tainted people’s perceptions,” says Paul McDonald general manager for Bradford White Canada, and chairman of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating.

One has been the disappointment over the claim that tankless systems provide an endless supply of full streams of hot water.

ADDING VALUE

“People bought in to that without understanding what that really means. A lot of earlier tankless systems couldn’t provide the heat required in a timely fashion because of reduced flows. But things have improved since then,” he says.

The reputation of tankless water heaters also took a hit in the early years, in part from some poor installation and maintenance practices, including some units that were worked on by unqualified installers.

“There were a lot of bad scenarios of tankless systems that weren’t installed or serviced properly,” McDonald says. “I’ve seen ones that weren’t vented correctly, or had incoming water lines that were too small. I have even seen systems installed on walls that were not squared; or were only attached with a single screw. Thankfully those stories are gone now.”

Smart contractors take the opportunity to sell service contracts with tankless systems, McDonald notes.

“These systems do have to be serviced. The heating chambers’ very small narrow passages can clog if water is not at the optimum quality level. Without it, it will fail at some point.”

While scheduling depends on the water quality and usage, McDonald suggest an annual maintenance program that includes flushing out the system.

Maintenance needs are also determined by the amount of water usage and water quality, Navien’s Brian Fenske adds. “Depending on the brand, you may need to regularly clean screens or burners. Also the quality of the plumbing is a factor.

Some municipal water can introduce debris into the screens.”

Keeping it real during the sales process When making the sale, McDonald says it’s important to match the appliance and the sales pitch to the application it will fill.

“That’s the key drive for the sale because they are still twice the cost of traditional storage systems. Usually the customer is looking for efficiencies more than anything else,” he says.

He points out that 80 per cent of water heaters purchased are replacements for older systems while the remaining 20 per cent are for new builds. “Very few consumers are actually shopping for them. It happens when their system goes down and they’re on the phone with a contractor.”

The sales scenario typically happens under one of three circumstances, says Brian Fenske, specialty channel sales manager for Navien, Inc. “Usually when it comes time to talk to the customer, they’ve done their homework or have been advised by a neighbour to look into a tankless system. A second scenario is a ‘pro-tankless’ plumber suggesting one. The third tends to be application driven. In other words, the plumber is in the home to investigate and will determine whether tankless makes the most sense.”

The first step in the sale is overcoming the continues on page 32

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PLUMBING misconceptions that stem from events that happened more than a decade ago, during a time of early and inexpensive models, Fenske advises.

“One big one is that they won’t have enough hot water,” he says. “You need to explain that water delivery from tankless will always be at a consistent temperature. It’s not that you won’t have hot water; it’s that the flow might be slower. If you have large whirlpool soaking tub for example it might take longer to fill.”

The biggest consideration is the hot water usage patterns in a given household, he explains.

“It’s not about how many people are in the home.

It’s about the family dynamics. We’ve all grown up in a world where we couldn’t run the dishwasher while having a shower. Today with immediate demands, families may try to do too many things at once on a tankless system. While the water may still be warm, flow may be an issue so proper sizing is important.”

A potential bonus for anyone considering tankless is the option to have a point-of-use application in such areas as laundry rooms, bathrooms or on separate floors, McDonald says. “The one nice thing is they can be put on any outside wall; and because they are smaller, they are easier to move around.”

Sizing for fit

Sealing the deal When it comes to the tankless hot water sales, there are some key selling points that contractors should point out – and customers like to hear, says Brian Fenske at Navien, Inc. #1 – Endless hot water – Customers love the idea of an endless supply of hot water, although it’s important to make it clear that simultaneous use for multiple fixtures could affect flow, and a unit needs to be sized appropriately to match the use pattern of the owner. #2 – Energy savings – While the savings won’t lead to a fast return on investment, more and more homeowners are happy to consider energy saving equipment options. #3 – Size – Tankless systems can be located in areas closer to fixtures which means customers might be able to gain some space from their mechanical rooms. Others may also prefer to keep floor space free and clear for housecleaning purposes

For a great customer experience, it’s critical to ensure the sizing of the system matches the needs and lifestyle of those end users, McDonald says. “It’s possible they will need two tandem tankless water heaters. Or they can opt for one as long as they are aware of the flow limitations.”

Most residential tankless systems go up to just under 200,000 BTUH. The most popular size is 199,000 BTUH, Fenske explains. “The reason is, if you go beyond the 200,000 BTUH threshold, you get into another classification of boiler that requires additional safety and controls that make the unit quite pricey.”

If more than 199,000 BTUH will be required, he says it makes more sense to have two different units, in different places in the house or business.

The right questions More often than not, contractors are faced with the question, “Is tankless hot water right for our home or business?” Before they make the commitment, here are some things your customer will need to know: • How much space is needed?

• What size of system should they buy?

• Do they need more than one system?

• What are the venting requirements?

• What kind of maintenance is needed?

• What is the water delivery temperature?

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Given the quality of products out there today, there aren’t many places where tankless water heaters wouldn’t function, Fenske adds.

“It’s surprising to see they can work almost anywhere, from restaurants to hotels to schools; as long as they are properly sized and installed. Too many times however, people purchase an undersized heater based on price, then become disenchanted because they think it’s underperforming. It’s really just the application. More often than not, they could have bought the right one for just a few hundred dollars more.”

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PEX PLUMBING RADIANT HEATING & COOLING HYDRONIC PIPING PRE-INSULATED PIPING

HOW IT’S MADE

B y A d am Fr eill

T

he use of air conditioning as a way to keep cool during the high heat of summer has gone from a luxury to a necessity in many parts of the country. In addition to keeping everyone comfortable, it also keeps mechanical firms hopping year-round, which is a good thing for anyone in the HVAC game.

And while we know you know these appliances like the back of your hand, most technicians know them best from working on the installation and troubleshooting of the systems.

How often have you wondered, “What’s in the box?” or, “How do they make a condenser unit?”

For those answers, we hit the production floor at a Canadian air conditioning and furnace manufacturer to learn a bit more about the steps involved.

While this factory produces seven models of varying sizes and capacities, the basics of the build remain the same for all units, with slight variations in sizes and capacities of some of the components.

The process starts with a worker selecting an appropriate base for the unit and compiling most of the parts for the specific model being manufactured in a bin that will travel with the unit down the production line as it the condenser is being built.

The first steps

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on the line include the installation of the service valves and the compressor on the base. This factory uses three different sizes of compressor, based on the tonnage of the air conditioner being built.

This manufacturer uses a micro channel coil heat exchange technology, similar to the radiator units found in the automotive sector. This style of coil increases the efficiency of the air conditioner while using less refrigerant than traditional finned coils.

A custom-bending machine off to one side of the production line takes a flat coil and bends it to the dimensions necessary for the condenser that’s currently being constructed.

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Once shaped, the coil is attached to the base, which now contains the compressor and the service valves.

• A s s e m b l i n g an air co n d it io n er Additional parts, such as refrigerant tubing and filter driers, are stocked at appropriate points along the production line, allowing for the parts to be added and restocked in an efficient manner.

The tubing and any additional parts that need to be brazed into place are attached by a worker who carefully inspects his work prior to sending the work in progress to the leak-check station.

The condenser is now leak tested prior to charging with refrigerant. These systems will operate with R-410A refrigerant gas. To check for leaks, a worker attaches hoses to the service valves. The system is then filled with nitrogen and a pressure test is conducted.

If no leaks are detected, the system is filled with helium gas and a second leak test, a check for halides, is conducted. If the system passes that test, the system will be evacuated prior to filling with refrigerant.

At this point the coil guard, fan blades, electrical panel and top can be installed. An anti-vibration gasket between the coil and the fan top will help minimize noise during system operation.

With all of the working components now in place, and the unit fully charged with refrigerant, the air conditioner is put through an operational test. This test simulates standard operating parameters of the appliance and includes checks for fan operation, electrical connections and leaks.

As the units emerge from the testing chamber, a worker performs a final leak check before attaching the cover for the electrical components and applying any necessary stickers outlining the unit’s performance ratings.

A final scan of the barcode on the unit will ensure that all components have been installed, and all steps of the manufacturing process have been followed.

We would like to thank At this point, the unit is ready to be Napoleon and its HVAC boxed on its pallet and shipped to a Division for allowing us to wholesaler near you. check out their manufacturing facility in Barrie, Ont.

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with Roger Grochmal

Consultative selling and your technicians Roger, how do I get technicians to go from expecting our customers to buy additional products and services from us to getting our technicians to be proactively selling to our customers? Jim W., Calgary, Alta.

Roger Grochmal is the CEO of AtlasCare in Oakville, Ont. To submit a question about your company, business practices, or the industry in general, send an e-mail to Mechanical Business Magazine’s editor, Adam Freill, adam.freill@ mechanicalbusiness.com.

E

very contractor I know would like to know the answer to this question. Like most difficult questions that contractors face, there is no simple answer.

Right off the top I would tell you that not all technicians are created the same. There is a group that goes into the trade because they enjoy the technical challenges and take pride in being able to solve problems that others can’t. There will always be a place for these people in our companies, as long as they buy into your company culture.

CARE COMES FIRST

Setting the table One blog I read each month comes from a former service technician turned motivational speaker by the name of Mark Matteson. Mark recently talked about Norwegian Cruise Lines, whom he considers to be the gold standard in the cruise business. He talked about their 31 daily tips to staff. Tip number 14 is to sell up. The other 30 set the table.

They include: “Make a positive first impression; personalize your service; smile; meet, greet and repeat; lend a helping hand; consistency; be aware of surroundings; proactive engaging service,” and so forth.

Create a great customer experience and your customers will be more receptive to the suggestions of your technicians.

Long-term success requires that you hire really good people and then train them to properly engage your customers.

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For other technicians, traditional sales incentive approaches have been to bribe the techs with spiffs or to threaten them if they don’t meet specified sales targets, or a combination of both. Jimmy Pattison, one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs, was said to have fired the salesperson each month who had the lowest sales total at his car dealership. It worked for him, but it may not work for you.

At AtlasCare we have a saying posted on the wall of our training centre: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Ours is a culture of caring and everyone must buy in.

Incentivizing the sales process for techs can be ineffective. We have a fairly high wage structure in Canada and it is difficult to pay out meaningful incentives without distorting the compensation structure in your company. Be mindful that if you go this route, more than token amounts must be recorded as income for your employees or the Canada Revenue Agency will soon be breathing down your neck. This includes non-cash incentives as well.

Also be mindful that some sales strategies can put you at odds with your customers. They will start to push back if every maintenance or service visit puts a hungry sales person disguised as a technician in their face. Customers will happily buy anything from you, but you have to earn the right.

Most of the complaints I get from customers rarely result from being oversold by a technician. Oddly enough, it is usually the opposite. When a customer has a problem that she feels could have been avoided, her complaint is usually summed up as, “Why didn’t the technician tell me I needed that?” We use this feedback as a way to appeal to our technicians’ sense of caring for their customers.

People today do not want to be inconvenienced. They want us to be proactive, not reactive, in service and maintenance. If your technicians think their only job is just to fix stuff, you have your work cut out for you.

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The Lineup The products used in this project include: • 4 wall-mount high-efficiency boilers • 2 variable-speed pumps • 70,000 ft of 3/4” PEX • 15 heating manifolds • 14 zone valves • 14 setter valves • 14 balancing valves • 14 isolation and service valves • 1 expansion tank • 1 glycol feeder tank • 1 4” hydraulic separator • 1 plate heat exchanger for domestic hot water • 55,000 sq. ft. of underslab insulation

F

airville Farms had the future in mind when it built its state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility in southeast Alberta.

The farmers, a Hutterite colony, constructed the building themselves, and made decisions on how to heat the building with high efficiency, low operating costs and low maintenance in mind. The goal was to have maximum efficiency over a long period of time.

Fairville turned to Peter Sraum, heating technician and department manager for B.A. Robinson, to work on concepts, product brands, preliminary design and schematics for the project. Indoor Climate Consultants was brought in to do the final engineering, drawings/specifications and site inspections for the space heating, as well as a feasibility study for the engineering, and schematics for the exhaust and makeup air systems.

DESIGN NOTES 38

Today, the 55,000 sq. ft. facility houses a mechanic shop, vehicle storage, truck wash, welding shop, carpentry shop, plumbing shop, field office and water treatment facility. The building features a boiler room that provides space heating, radiant floor heating and hot water for the building, delivering total inputs of 1.6 million BTUH. The boiler room contains three primary space heating boilers — wall-mount units with individual inputs of 400,000 BTUH — along with an additional wall-mount boiler for space heating and hot water for the truck wash. In addition, a plate heat exchanger was installed to provide instantaneous hot water for the truck wash.

With efficiency being one of the main drivers of the new building, the farm opted to heat it with radiant floors, which allows the boiler system to operate at low temperatures.

“Because of the thermal mass that the concrete slab provides, it makes it perfect for working areas with large overhead doors opening and closing all the time,” says Sraum.

The system is so efficient, in fact, that Sraum uses it as a showcase for future business, and encourages other Hutterite colonies to visit Fairville Farms to see the system for themselves.

“This is probably the most efficient system that you’re ever going to see.”

The pipes for the distribution system on this project were sleeved, with a smaller pipe being fed through a larger pipe from the mechanical room to each of the manifolds. This will make it easier to replace the pipe in the future, if necessary.

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Challenges faced, lessons learned One of the Fairville Farms project’s biggest challenges had stemmed from the choice of underslab insulation.

Initially, insulation was specified without considering the loads on the slab.

There are two areas where heavy trucks roll across the slab, the truck wash and the mechanic bay. If standardgrade insulation had been specified in these areas, it would have failed over time.

The solution was to replace the insulation in these two areas with high-density insulation, which will perform well and maintain its thermal characteristics over time.

Lesson 1: When specifying insulation, be aware that there

are other forces at work. Make sure that it can handle both the thermal and structural requirements of the slab.

Another challenge was getting the velocity up in the floor heating loops. When the flow rates in the pipes are slow, it reduces the heat transfer.

Since the pipes were already installed in the floor, the only way to correct the velocity was to reduce the Delta T in the flow calculation. This solution will drive the flow rate up and increase the velocity in the pipes.

Lesson 2: Designers should start with velocity and work backwards, instead of starting with pipe diameter and working forwards.

IAQ matters Ventilation decisions were based on each zone’s particular needs. For example, the building uses a downdraft ventilation system in the truck wash. The other areas were ventilated using 100 per cent direct-fired outdoor air systems. For smaller zones, such as offices and meeting rooms, heat recovery ventilators were specified.

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Watching the returns The boiler’s efficiency comes from having the lowest possible return temperature. The system was actually designed around that desired return temperature. Every decision, from the use of radiant heating, to the underground distribution lines, to the insulation selection, was based on getting to that temperature.

The result: When the outdoor temperature is at -40°C, the operating fluid temperature has ranged between 38 and 49°C, with return temperatures floating between 27 and 32°C during 30 to 70 per cent load profiles.

Zoned Out To address the varying heating needs of the different disciplines in the building, the facility is separated into zones, which allows the colony to modify the temperature of each zone depending on the area’s needs.

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Each zone includes a control valve, service valves and circuit setters. Underground distribution lines feed the remote floor heating manifolds, which are equipped with flow and balancing indicators.

And because the pipes are made from PEX, the team could run long loops without having to make connections between the manifolds and mechanical room, minimizing the complexity and the potential for error.

An electrical control panel allows for operation of the boilers, pumps and zone controls. The boiler’s on-board control system handles fluid temperature, priority and duty rotation. The system allows the boilers to communicate with each other, and as the heating demand increases, additional boilers are fired up.

The control shifts the lead boiler role to the next boiler in sequence every 24 hours to distribute lead-lag runtimes equally.

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41

COOLING FORECAST

B y A n d r ew Snook

WEATHERING THE SEASON N

o matter what other factors are in play, weather always plays the most significant factor when it comes to the strength of a cooling season.

“We try not to let weather influence our business, but it does,” says Tom Boutette, president and CEO of B & B Trade Distribution Centre. “The problem is our cooling season in Canada has a very short window of opportunity. If we get an early spring and some hot and humid weather before the end of June, the stage is set for a good cooling season. If we get into the second or third week of July before we get hot and humid days and nights, the season is over before it gets started.”

“There’s a natural turnover of stock every 15 or 20 years so there are some units out there that need to be replaced, but you need a little bit of heat to make it known to the consumer,” adds HRAI’s Warren Heeley.

Commercial units also go through a regular lifecycle, but again, a good cooling season will help show defects in older units.

“There’s also an opportunity there to replace them to bring their efficiency levels up,” adds Heeley.

Target profit, not price One of the major challenges for contractors will be figuring out how to implement any price increases and how much of that cost will have to be passed down to their customers.

Whether currency fluctuations will have a significant impact on the mechanical sector in the Canadian marketplace is a no-brainer, says HRAI president Warren Heeley.

“I can’t see how it won’t have impact,” he says. “I think when you look at the issue of having to buy almost all products in the U.S., we’re talking about a drop in purchasing power. Logically, I can’t see that the new inventory that wholesalers are going to bring in isn’t going to have an added cost. I don’t think our market is big enough to make some exceptions as far as pricing is concerned.”

Since residential air conditioning sales is a highly competitive field, one of the hot topics on the street will be, “Are the contractors going to get the value they should for the added cost they’ve had to incur, or is that going to become a price point issue in quotes to their customers?” says Heeley.

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This issue may end up fuelling the fires related to selling based on lowest price, which is not a good thing for the industry, he adds.

“When this gets added to the normal competitive aspect, hopefully the contractors will look at their costs and say, ‘I’ve got to get a return on jobs such as this because it’s all part of the profitability of my company,’ and be sensible about it. But this isn’t always the case out there.”

One the best ways to counter the impact of the fluctuating Canadian currency is to hope for a heat wave, says Boutette.

“Pricing always becomes a bigger issue if we have slow cooling season, as high inventories will create pressure to unload product,” he says. “People generally have become accustomed a comfortable environment at work and at home. And, after a hard day’s work, nobody likes to come home and sweat.” continues on page 44

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COOLING FORCAST

continues from page 42

Benefits of a bad year One way contractors and wholesalers may be able to soften any priceincrease blows with their clients is by pulling stock from last year, which was a weaker cooling season, says HRAI’s Warren Heeley.

“They could have that advantage to start with, but they’ve carried that inventory for quite some time, so there’s a cost attached to that as well,” he says.

“How much inventory is still in the barn? I think that’s always the question mark,” adds John Bonus, business development manager for Wolseley Canada’s HVAC/R Business Group.

For contractors who had a tough year despite stockpiling units, a hot summer could be just the leg up they are hoping for.

THE R-22 FACTOR Wolseley’s John Bonus says that the availability of R-22 refrigerant and the price of R-22 are significant factors that need to be considered this cooling season.

BATTLING DIY REFRIGERANTS HRAI will be back out in the public realm warning consumers about use of flammable refrigerants this cooling season. The association will be performing services to the industry such as alerting customers to the need to hire qualified contractors and have proper servicing performed.

“We’re seeing some higher prices of R-22 in the market, so I think the replacements will come into play a lot more this year,” says Bonus.

The price point of R-22, and of drop-in and replacement alternatives, is expected to be something not to be ignored.

“Some of the drop-ins are going to be about 50 per cent cheaper,” he adds. “It’s such a smorgasbord.”

A challenge from a wholesaler’s point of view is what option to push as the preferred solution to keep existing customers operating.

“Our contractors might go down the road to one of my competitors, who may be aligned with something else,” says Bonus.

Wholesalers also face the challenge of trying to keep their counter staff trained on the various replacement refrigerant options available in the marketplace.

“The training aspect for a counter person – just being able to direct the contractor on the way to go and why – is putting a lot of pressure on the wholesalers,” says Bonus.

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SOARING OUT EAST Altantic Canada saw a big boom in ductless last cooling season, with increases in units sold upwards of up to 60 per cent, reports Wolseley’s John Bonus. He says the reasons for the spike in sales include their price points and incentives.

“They’re very affordable,” says Bonus. “People are looking for a reasonably-priced cooling source.”

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www. superiorradiant.com Follow Us on Twitter @MechBusiness It is generally a good idea to replace the indoor coil when replacing an air conditioner or heat pump, since there is a correlation between the efficiency of the heating or cooling system and the performance of the indoor coil.

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Mini-splits The Luxaire Acclimate series of ductless mini-splits offer SEER ratings ranging from 16 to 27, and HSPFs as high as 10.

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Thursday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mechanical show comes to Montreal Montreal will play host to more than 7,000 visitors looking to check out a wide array of products in the plumbing, HVAC/R, electrical and lighting sectors at the 2015 edition of the Mecanex/Climatex/Electricite/Eclairage (MCEE) Show.

The biennial trade show, scheduled for April 22 and 23 at Place Bonaventure, will boast more than 350 exhibitors covering 120,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space. It will feature thousands of products, including hundreds of new products. In 2013, the show attracted 7,405 industry members, up 14 per cent from the previous show.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to check out a variety of plumbing and heating seminars designed for contractors, wholesalers, engineers, maintenance personnel, home builders, and more.

Free admission to the trade show and all seminars is available by registering before April 21.

MCEE is produced by the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), the Corporation of Master Pipe Mechanics of Quebec (CMMTQ), the Corporation des entreprises en traitement de l'air et du froid (CETAF), and the Corporation of Master Electricians of Quebec (CMEQ), with support from EFC Quebec and IES Montreal.

www.mcee.ca

Floorplan: Place Bonaventure

Look for

in this issue for products by exhibiting companies 141

Show Hours

April 22, 2015 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 23, 2015 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Booth #141

48

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Airtechni....................................................975 Allpriser .....................................................142 List of Exhibitors Alltemp .....................................................921 Alubase ...................................................3046 (as of press time) Highlighted companies have ads in this issue. American Standard ..................................513 Amtrol Canada .........................................401 Anvil Int'l ..................................................420 A.M.T.S..............................................................................................................................613 Apollo Valves ............................................313 A.O. Smith ........................................................................................................................206 Aquanar ....................................................955 Acces location..................................................................................................................866 Arani Systems ...........................................267 ACO Systems .................................................................................................................1020 Armstrong Fluid Technology...................200 Acudor Acorn...................................................................................................................521 ASHRAE - Montreal .................................718 Agence Pasquarelli..........................................................................................................277 ASPE Montreal .........................................716 AGM TEC .........................................................................................................................700 Aspirasia Group........................................373 Aimco................................................................................................................................720 Auer...........................................................617 Airia Brands ......................................................................................................................540 Axiom ........................................................334 Bacharach .................................................805 Beghelli Canada.......................................276 Belanger....................................................713 Bemis Mfg.................................................619 Bibby Ste-Croix ........................................907 Biddle Air Systems ...................................916 Bitzer Canada ...........................................942 ® Blanco Canada .........................................619 Boitiers Sta................................................558 Boshart Industries ....................................319 Bradford White Canada ..........................509 BSDQ ........................................................205 Bucan ........................................................400 Burke Mfg .................................................121 Calefactio .................................................119 Can-Aqua..................................................204 Canplas .....................................................941 Capteurs GR .............................................601 Carlo Gavazzi............................................734 CB Supplies ..............................................504 CCBDA......................................................344

Watco QuickTrim

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 Refrigerants in the Near Future

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Time & Place: 10:30 a.m. Room 7 Description: This presentation will discuss HCFS and R-22, from 2015 to 2020, focusing on the potential shortage of R-22. Topics to be covered will include synthetic refrigerants available and currently in development, refrigerants subject to phase-out, definition of SNAP, various environment policies in Canada and the U.S., GWP, compressor refrigerants and oils, and various thermodynamic comparison data.

Speaker: Jean Larivière of Brenntag/Honeywell Canada

CCI Thermal Tech........................................1078 Centre de Rep. Hydrauliques Uptown ........966 CETAF ............................................................841 CHC ................................................................134 Cheminee Lining ...........................................421 Cheminee Securite........................................221 CIPH ...............................................................138 CisoLift Distribution ......................................751 CMEQ.............................................................667 CMMTQ .........................................................605 Comac Hand Dryers......................................460 Conceptions M.G. .........................................951 Connectall Ltee .............................................620 Contrac...........................................................301 Controles Laurentide ....................................906 Controles R.D.M. ...........................................332 Convectair NMT ............................................360 CPS Products .................................................651 CTM................................................................337 CTRL ...............................................................971 Dahl Brothers Canada ..................................321 DDR De Dietrich............................................845 Deflecto Air Distribution...............................312 Delta Products Corp. ....................................816 Deluxair ................................................533, 1023 Descair............................................................343 Deschenes & Fils ...........................................343 Desdowd........................................................567 Dettson...........................................................827 Dicon Global..................................................274 Dimplex N.A. .................................................251 Direct Coil ......................................................506 Distribution Maxi Vent ..................................813

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 Technology to Increase Building Energy Efficiency Time & Place: 1 p.m. Room 5 Description: Presented in English, this session will discuss the various applications of chilled beams, as well as the benefits of the technologies and solutions available to optimize profitability of chilled beams.

Speaker: Daniel J. Harris of Dadanco

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High Induction Diffusers Time & Place: 12:00 p.m. Room 7 Description: This presentation will look at high induction diffusers and the product’s potential for obtaining LEED points.

Speaker: Daniel Lauzon of NAD Klima

The Building Act and Quality Control Program Time & Place: 1:30 p.m.

Room 5 Description: The new Building Act calls for the increased accountability of stakeholders, including installers of pressure equipment. Among the enabling conditions preferred by the regulatory agency is the implementation of a quality control program. This presentation will offer a summary of other provinces’ experiences implementing a quality control program.

Speakers: Suzane Michaud, consultant for pipe and pressure equipment codes and standards; and Charles Billard, welding metallurgy consultant

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Diversitech Corp. .....................................819 Dobbin Sales ............................................445 Douglas Lighting Controls ......................258 Drexma......................................................451 Drumco Energie .......................................784 Duro Dyne Canada ..................................544 Dynapompe..............................................417 Easyheat....................................................659 Eaton's B-Line ..........................................554 Eclairage Contraste .................................273 Ecogenia ...................................................754 Ecole ge tech. gaziere .............................717 Eiko Canada .............................................275 Electrical Business....................................658 Elec. Fed. Canada - Quebec ..................555 EMCO .......................................................627 Energy In-Hybrid Solutions .....................843 Enertrak.....................................................545 Enviroair ............................................846, 850 Envirocompetences .................................970 Erico ..........................................................241 Ericson.......................................................657 Esim ...........................................................735 Expert Estimateur ....................................919 F.E. Myers..................................................317 Fantech .....................................................633 Fernco Connectors ..................................435 FIPOE ........................................................770 Fire Barrier Pro .........................................148 Flexmaster Canada ..................................517

Gaevan Amenagement .........................1060 GE Lighting...............................................171 General Cable ..........................................354 General Wire ............................................245 Generatrice Drummond/Wajax ..............361 Giant Factories .........................................721 Globe Union .............................................741 Goodman Mfg..........................................645 Great Lakes Copper.................................419 Groupe CTEI...........................................3032 Grundfos ...................................................227 Hardy Filtration.........................................139 Hargassner..............................................3004 HeatLink ....................................................405 Hebdraulique .........................................3000 Hewitt Equipment ....................................467 Hilti ............................................................550 Holdrite .....................................................316 Honeywell .................................................877 HPAC .........................................................233 Hubbell Canada .......................................474 Hydronic Systems.....................................340 IBC Technologies .....................................336 Ideal Ind. ...................................................157 IMG Imports .............................................619 Imperial Mfg. ............................................867 InSinkErator ..............................................437 Intermatic..................................................153 Inventex.....................................................455 Ipex Electrique .........................................458 Ipex............................................................807 J. Carrier Fournitures ...............................380 Jaga Canada...........................................3010 John L. Schultz .........................................238 John Wood Water Heaters .....................206 Kalia...........................................................240 Keeprite Refrigeration .............................967 Kidde Canada...........................................155

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 An Economic Alternative for Air Distribution Time & Place: 4:30 p.m.

Room 7 Description: This session will discuss the use of flexible pipes for various commercial HVAC applications.

Speaker: Andrew Nader of Master Group

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 Domestic Water and Space Heating: Instant or Not? Time & Place: 9:30 a.m.

Room 5 Description: This seminar will look at the use of instantaneous and tankstyle water heaters for domestic hot water and space heating applications.

Speaker: Francis Delaune of Roland Lajoie Enterprises

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Klein Tools......................................................................567 L.S. Bilodeau ..................................................................767 La Cie J. Chevrier ..........................................................757 La Compagnie Jess.......................................................821 Laplante - Ricard ...........................................................651 Le Groupe Roger Faguy ...............................................661 Lekla ...............................................................................177 Lenox/Hilmor .................................................................237 Leonard Valve ................................................................203 Les Ent. Roland Lajoie ..................................................512 Les Fourgons Rive-Sud .................................................759 Leviton............................................................................266 Liberty Pumps ................................................................407 Location Park Avenue ...................................................960 Loue - Froid ...................................................................851 Louisville Ladder/Contact Delage ...............................151 Lumen.............................................................................350 Lumigroup .....................................................370, 372, 374 Lutron .............................................................................167 LynCar.............................................................................113 M&G DuraVent .............................................................217 M.A. Stewart & Sons ...................................................1036 Malco/E.S. Gallagher ............................................879, 978 Mansfield Plumbing ......................................................441 Manuflow........................................................................945 Maria Catherina .............................................................150 Mark David.....................................................................532 Masco Canada ..............................................................436 Master Group ................................................................727 Mechanical Business Magazine ............................141 Mectra Sales ..................................................................500 Mercedes Benz ..............................................................771 Metal Action ..................................................................218 Midbec ...........................................................................812 Milwaukee Tool..............................................................541 Minotair ..........................................................................536 Mirolin Industries...........................................................304 Moen ............................................................................130

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 Aerothermal and Geothermal Energy: Two Energy-Efficiency Solutions Time & Place: 9:30 a.m. Room 7 Description: This session will discuss geothermal and aerothermal technologies, analyzing in their advantages and disadvantages. It will also cover the basic principles and equipment required for each technology. The presentation will be based on a case study and will include both energy and profitably comparison analyses.

Speaker: Marc-AndrĂŠ Fournier of Enviroair Industries

“Total Station� and Building Mechanics Time & Place: 11:00 a.m. Room 5 Description: In today’s digital world, contractors are facing more complex designs and requirements, with more precise mapping of the various elements related to their trade. They also need a very precise and productive method to transfer such information to the field, knowing that construction timelines are increasingly tighter. This presentation will demonstrate some of the tools designed for these applications.

Speaker: Serge Abi-Nader of Hilti Canada, and Robert Saint-AndrĂŠ of Plomberie J.L.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 VRT and VRV Technologies: An Unbeatable Team in Effectiveness

Multicam Quebec ......................................641 Napoleon....................................................832 Navien America..........................................900 NCI Canada................................................306 Nedco .........................................................461 Neptronic....................................................821 Notifier........................................................250 Novanni ......................................................314 Nuage .........................................................750 Oasis ...........................................................619 Oatey Canada SCS ....................................619 Oetiker ........................................................552 Omegaflex................................................3008 Ontor .........................................................817 OS&B ..........................................................214 Osram Sylvania...........................................472 Ouellet Canada..........................................560 P&HVAC .....................................................134 Panasonic....................................................871 Philips Lighting ..........................................367 Pipeconx .....................................................619 Plastiques Cellulaires Polyform ..............3040 Preston Phipps ...........................................300 Priority Wire & Cable.................................655 Pro Kontrol .................................................145 Produits Neptune ......................................416 Prolon..........................................................538 Quote Express ...........................................415 RangeRack ................................................260 RC Lighting ...............................................376

Time & Place: 11:00 a.m. Room 7 Description: Invented in 1982, variable refrigerant volume (VRV) technology has continued to grow worldwide thanks to improvements by manufacturers. Today, variable refrigerant temperature (VRT) technology further increases the efficiency of VRVs. The presenter will provide information on the current physical limitations for installations, as well as opportunities for the technology in design and project implementation.

Speaker: Jimmy Karam of Daikin

Water Towers: Free Cooling and Winter Operations Time & Place: 12:30 p.m. Room 7 Description: This session will provide updated information and answer questions on frequently used designs for water towers.

The topics that will be discussed include steps to follow for a good design, types of cooling towers and how to select equipment, impact on variable flow operations and energy efficiency, winter tips for towers, and the pros and cons of various installation designs.

Speaker: Michael Lallemand of Enviroair Industries

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Rectorseal ...............................................1029 Reed Manufacturing ................................318 RefPlus.......................................................745 Regulvar ....................................................254 Rehau ........................................................901 Reliance Worldwide/Cash Acme ............915 Reversomatic ............................................844 RG Technilab ............................................542 Rheem Canada.........................................527 Ridgid........................................................701 Rinnai.........................................................875 Riobel ........................................................618 Rodwick.....................................................327 Roth Industries .........................................801 Royal Produits...........................................154 S&P Canada..............................................744 Sanbec ......................................................101 Selkirk Canada..........................................940 Services Energetiques .............................845 SFA Saniflo ...............................................244 Shat-r-shield..............................................169 Sioux Chief................................................201 Sismiques..................................................234 Slant/Fin ....................................................117 SNOC (2010).............................................466 Solutions Well Green...............................175 Southwire Canada....................................159 Spartan Peripheral Devices ...................3036 Speed Clean.............................................740 SPX Cooling..............................................840 Square Canada.........................................961 Standard Product .....................................181 Stanpro Lighting ......................................383 Stelpro.......................................................351 Stiebel Eltron ............................................236 Summer Mfg.............................................904 Systemair...................................................637 Taco (Canada)...........................................307 Tecnio Chauffage .....................................133

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List of Exhibitors

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

(as of press time)

Highlighted companies have ads in this issue.

Thermo 2000............................................................................................820 Thermoplus Air - Dectron ......................................................................861 Thomas & Betts.......................................................................................561 Trane.........................................................................................................927 Transformateurs Delta ............................................................................459 Tranter ......................................................................................................105 Trilex ...............................................................................................800, 3042 UEi Canada ..............................................................................................651 Unico ........................................................................................................873 Uponor ....................................................................................................320 Valmont/Feralux ......................................................................................271 Victaulic....................................................................................................534 Victor Technologies ................................................................................733 Viega ........................................................................................................333 Viessmann................................................................................................127 VistaQua...................................................................................................619 Wade Drains Canada..............................................................................905 Wasteking ................................................................................................619 Watco .....................................................................................................3014 Watts ........................................................................................................427 Weil-McLain Canada...............................................................................412 Weishaupt................................................................................................979 Wheeler-Rex ............................................................................................243 White-Rodgers, Emerson .......................................................................755 Wilo ..........................................................................................................213 Winkler Technik .....................................................................................1061 Winters Instruments................................................................................818 Wolseley Canada ....................................................................................833 Woodford Mfg.........................................................................................736 Zanotti Canada........................................................................................836 Zoeller Canada ........................................................................................518 Zurn Industries.........................................................................................207

New Tomorrows for Today's Buildings: Existing Building Commissioning – ASHRAE Webcast Time & Place: 1:00 p.m. Room 1 Description: This webcast, conducted in English, will feature industry experts who will discuss building commissioning and the benefits to the environment, occupants, operations staff, and overall ownership costs.

Viewers will be able to recognize the varied scopes of commissioning, when to apply comprehensive versus focused commissioning, and best practices in existing building commissioning specifications and contracting.

Speakers: Bob Baker (left) of BBJ Consulting, Jim Vallort (centre) of Environmental Systems Design, Ron Wilkinson (right) of Glumac

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REFRIGERATION

B y P h il J. B o u d r eau

Servicing Parallel Paral llel Refrigeration Systems Part 2

Parallel refrigeration systems generally include a number of regulators. These regulators can be divided into three main categories: inlet regulation, outlet regulation and differential regulation. All should be checked and adjusted to ensure peak system performance.

EPR SETTINGS Inlet regulators, such as evaporator pressure regulators (EPRs), generally work to maintain a minimum pressure at their inlet.

Since a parallel refrigeration system often requires multiple evaporation temperatures, a common suction pressure that is lower than all evaporating pressures is needed.

This common suction header pressure must be lower than the lowest evaporating pressure in order to ensure that there will be sufficient refrigerant flow through that particular evaporator. On the other hand, maintaining a common suction pressure that is too low will increase the compressor runtime and will consume more energy.

Each individual EPR should be adjusted such that the required upstream pressure is maintained.

For example, if a +20°F evaporating temperature is required for R507A, the EPR would be set for approximately 58 psig less a small pressure difference to allow for some pressure drop.

If the EPR is set too low, the evaporating pressure will also be too low leading to reduced product quality, potential coil freeze-up, expansion valve hunting, etc.

Particular attention show be given to the EPR on the circuit with the lowest evaporating temperature. This regulator should be set at a value that is as high as possible since a higher evaporator pressure on this circuit will permit a higher common suction pressure and reduced energy input for all compressors connected to the same suction header.

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Maintaining proper liquid pressure During the colder months, a minimum head pressure must be maintained for a few reasons. First, compressors have a minimum allowable saturated discharge temperature (SDT) that they may operate at. You can refer to the operating envelopes for all compressors used on the system to obtain this information.

Discharge pressures that are too low can contribute to compressor damage, low discharge superheats, inadequate lubrication, insufficient pressure drop across the expansion valves along with unequal feeding of evaporators, possible evaporator heat transfer issues due to very low turbulence in the tubes, etc.

In order to achieve the required minimum pressure, two regulators are typically used. The positioning of the regulators in the circuit depends on the head pressure control method used.

With the discharge control method, a regulator is placed between the compressor discharge and the condenser inlet. This valve regulates the upstream pressure in order to maintain a minimum compressor head pressure. A second regulator is

F or Pa rt 1 , p l e a s e s e e Mechanical Business Jan /Feb , 2015. installed between the regulated portion of the discharge line and the receiver inlet.

This second regulator serves to maintain a minimum receiver pressure in order to ensure sufficient pressure to push the liquid out to the metering devices.

The receiver pressure must be somewhat lower than the discharge in order to permit flow across the discharge and bypass regulators when the outdoor ambient temperature is low. This is due to the fact that regulators can only provide their rated flow rate at a pressure drop as specified by the valve manufacturer.

It is also important to remember that there will be a pressure drop associated with the condenser piping and any check valves present.

With the liquid or condensate drain method, a regulator is installed at the outlet of the condenser. This regulator throttles in order to elevate the condenser pressure to the desired minimum.

The bypass regulator or receiver pressure regulator used with this method is the same as mentioned with both methods.

MELTING THE ICE

ELECTRICAL

On most parallel systems, the EPR also serves as a suction stop valve during defrost. The valve must remain tightly closed during defrost. If the piping upstream of the suction header warms up significantly during defrost, this is likely a sign that the regulator is leaking and requires service.

Most parallel systems employ a reverse cycle defrosting method. This method eliminates the need for a third defrost gas pipe since the suction line is used to transport the hot gas out to the evaporator. Another advantage to this method is that liquid resulting from defrost will be sent to the liquid header and not the suction header.

In order to permit reverse refrigerant flow in the defrosting circuit, the pressure of the suction line must be increased to a higher level than the liquid header on the system. This may be accomplished in a few different ways. Two common methods include the use of a discharge differential regulator or a liquid line differential regulator.

With the first method it is possible, and quite common, to use a dual-mode type of regulator. This permits the regulator to operate fully open when there are no evaporators on defrost, and to operate in a differential mode when any of the circuit are in defrost. This method eliminates the need for two discharge regulators.

With the second method, a differential pressure regulator is installed in the liquid line between the receiver and the liquid header. The purpose of this approach is to maintain a receiver pressure at a higher value than the liquid header pressure.

The most important thing to ensure with both of these differential regulators is that a sufficient pressure is maintained in order to provide adequate defrost gas flow to the evaporators when needed.

In theory, the pressure could be held at the common value of 20 to 25 psi higher than the liquid header pressure at all times. However, this is not an efficient approach.

M e c h a n i c a l

There are some basic electrical system checks that should be considered during service. Make sure that all fan motors are operational. Look for signs of overheating in wiring and connections.

Thermal imaging cameras are a great way to quickly reveal hot spots in the electrical circuit, and can save some valuable time.

Overheating can be due to a number of issues. Refer to the compressor manufacturer’s data to see what amperage should be expected for the operating pressures and suction superheat present. Higher amperages can be the result of low voltage, bad wiring connections, undersized conductors, incorrectly sized contactors, motor/compressor issues, etc.

Remember, it is considered good service practice to ensure that all components are correctly sized. This includes motor contactors. A compressor contactor must be capable of carrying the compressor rated load amps (RLA) published by the compressor manufacturer at a minimum. Additionally, the contactor must also be capable of carrying the locked rotor amperage (LRA).

Phil Boudreau is the Ontario sales manager for Bitzer Canada Inc. and provides training and technical support for Bitzer’s clientele. He can be contacted at pboudreau@bitzer.ca.

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REFRIGERATION

B y K evin Gill

Working with winter

W

hile most of Canada experiences some of the coldest and longest winters in the world, as many of you can attest as we emerge from one of the coldest in recent memory, remember that these extreme temperatures don’t only affect us humans. Our mechanical equipment has to suffer through the cold as well.

When temperatures head below freezing for prolonged periods, a refrigeration system needs some special care and consideration with respect to its winter maintenance and refrigerant charge.

In cold weather, refrigeration systems will run with a flooded condenser, and we typically cycle the condenser fan off either by pressure switch or a temperature sensor. Flooded head pressure controls and head master valves should be installed on your condensing unit, should you wish for it to run in these low ambient conditions.

In addition, a proper winter refrigerant charge will be required to ensure proper operation of your equipment during low ambient conditions. This is due to the refrigerant migrating to the condenser, and the refrigerant pressure lowering.

This, amongst other symptoms, can cause insufficient pressure to toggle the pressure switch, and if there is an insufficient refrigerant charge, can starve a compressor for suction and lead to system failure.

Typically, the system can be charged to a clear sight glass under normal ambient conditions. Depending on the application(s), and the capacity of the condenser and receiver, an additional calculated percentile of refrigerant, by weight, needs to be added to the system in cold weather. This additional charge, which is dependent on condenser capacity, needs to calculated to ensure that the charge is sufficient to allow operation in sub-zero ambient conditions.

A winter refrigerant charge must be either calculated or, in most cases, you can contact your refrigeration wholesaler or equipment manufacturer for the calculation chart based on your refrigerant.

When designing the system, ensure that a suction accumulator is installed on the unit, to help prevent any liquid from returning to the compressor.

Heated and insulated receivers are also a compulsory option if your intentions are to have the unit operate 365 days a year, or if it is outdoors.

Fixed, adjustable or electronic head master control(s) are essential in maintaining a constant head pressure to ensure proper operation of the system and circumvent issues down the road.

Kevin Gill is an outside sales rep for refrigeration and commercial HVAC in Southern Ontario with The Master Group Inc. He can be reached at kgill@master.ca.

THE 80% RULE When it comes to receiver selection and capacity for a winter charge, the receiver must be selected based on being 80 per cent full when the full refrigerant charge is in the system. The additional 20 per cent of free volume will allow the refrigerant to expand into the gaseous region, avoiding the risk of rupturing the receiver when an increase of refrigerant temperature occurs.

Bob Dikeos of Zero Zone Mechanical and Kevin Gill of The Master Group on a recent jobsite.

LINE CHARGING CALCULATIONS REFERENCE

CAN THE SYSTEM TAKE THE CHARGE? Before we connect our lines and start adding refrigerant we need to ensure the receiver capacity is large enough to store the winter charge during summer operation, and to allow for a pump down without exceeding the receiver’s maximum allowable capacity.

An optional oversized receiver may be required, and can be field installed, or can be requested at the time of system design.

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smooth retroďŹ t “The plant is running absolutely fantastic.

We’re running less horsepower with the same amount of capacity.�

Eric Merrell Vice President of Operations Alliance Industrial Refrigeration Services

To protect the food it houses, a cold storage warehouse chose the refrigeration performance of Honeywell Genetron Performax ÂŽ LT (R-407F).

To solve R-22 refrigeration issues and get the refrigeration performance needed to attract new tenants, the owners of a cold storage and foodprocessing warehouse in Los Angeles, California, turned to Alliance Industrial Refrigeration Services for help. “We needed the compressor 3FmMMBCMF DZMJOEFST BWBJMBCMF JO $BOBEB

to pull the same capacity, and Genetron Performax LT lets that happen,� said Eric Merrell. “It’s also very stable in a low-temperature application

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Read the case study

Watch the video

TECH TOOLBOX

By S c ot t Ba l l

TAKING AIM AGAINST DISTRACTED DRIVING

I

t’s the nightmare no business wants to have: one of its service vehicles gets into an accident because the driver was distracted. Not only is there a liability issue, there’s the human toll on both the driver and the victims, plus the effect on customer service and company reputation.

Distracted driving is both dangerous and illegal. You’d think people would have figured that out, yet it remains one of the top causes of fatal accidents. In Ontario, three people died because of it in the first three weeks of 2015 alone.

But distracted driving is not just an issue with phone use (both talk and text).

Everything from swilling coffee and messing with the GPS, to responding to a dispatch summons on an in-vehicle computer also qualifies.

Yet despite the risks, people still allow themselves to be sidetracked from concentrating on driving safely. Thankfully, there’s technology that a business owner can have installed to help keep his technicians’ eyes on the road.

In-Vehicle Display Management Systems Even with the best mount, a computer can still be unsafe if the technician tries to use it while driving. That’s where app design comes in. An app that wants the user to type while driving is an accident waiting to happen. Any app used in a vehicle has to be designed for safety first. For example, when the vehicle is in motion, the use of a “blank-it” type of software can blank out the tablet screen and disable the keyboard and other input devices, helping enhance the safety for connected field workers.

TIPS FOR MOUNTING COMPUTER DEVICES • • • • •

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Attach to the dashboard, not the floor Don’t use mounts that allow the device to swing sideways Install the device so that it is “airbag safe” Ensure that the device can be easily undocked and replaced Ensure that use of the device, when mounted, is ergonomically correct

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GOOD DEVICE MOUNTS REMOVE PROJECTILES While it’s often critical to a business to have a computer in a service vehicle – it is, after all, the technician’s mobile office – safety always has to be a priority. Part of the solution is in employee training, but there are hardware and software considerations as well.

It starts with proper mounting of necessary equipment. Industrial Velcro is not an option, nor is tossing the computer on the passenger seat.

In a sudden stop, an unsecured or improperly secured computer can become a lethal projectile.

The mount needs to be a good fit for the vehicle.

If it interferes with its safe operation, obstructs the deployment of air bags, or encroaches on passenger space, it becomes a hazard. If it’s ergonomically unsound, the technician could suffer repetitive stress injury (RSI), meaning lessened productivity, and time off to recover.

And in our litigious world, that could lead to lawsuits against the company.

A good mount needs to be easy to use. It should tilt and rotate to let the user adjust the operating position. Securing and removing the computer needs to be a one-handed operation; if it’s too difficult, chances are a technician in a hurry will just drop the device on the passenger seat and ignore the mount. If the mount swivels so both driver and passenger can use the device, it needs to be designed so the device won’t swing, uncontrolled, and injure someone. And the mount has to have been crash tested to ensure that it’s safe in case of an emergency.

Scott Ball is the Canadian manager of Motion Computing, a company that provides integrated mobile technologies for the construction market, as well as other industries with mobile workforces. He can be reached at sball@motioncomputing.com.

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ARE YOU READY? New Energy Efficiency Standards Are Here On April 16, 2015 and April 1, 2016, there will be

technologies. Training on the new products will

The installer

significant changes in the energy efficiencies of

be critical. While Bradford White and its

will have to

virtually all residential water heaters. Increases to

representatives will provide resources to train

understand

gas and oil water heater Energy Factor (EF)

installers, a significant amount of time will be

local codes

requirements and decreases to electric water

required for training. This can reduce revenue

with respect to

heater maximum allowable Standby Loss (SBL)

generating production time for installers. Many

condensate

ratings are expected to generate considerable

installations that were once a one-person job may

disposal.

savings in both energy and money for the

now require two people as water heaters get

Plumbing

consumer. The changes are the result of updates

larger and heavier. Not only will the larger models

contractors will

issued by the National Resources Canada

possibly require two people, the contractor or

have to invest

(NRCan) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE).

business owner may need a larger truck to

Important New Energy Efficiency Effective Dates

in electrical

transport the water heater. For

equipment (such as multi-meters) for

example, the height of a heat pump

installations and troubleshooting, and installers

water heater may exceed the height

will have to become well-versed in electronic

of the installer’s van. If the product

control systems.

Oil Water Heaters All of Canada

April 16, 2015

cannot be laid down horizontally, the

Electric Water Heaters Ontario Only All of Canada

April 16, 2015 April 1, 2016

only solution may be to acquire a

Gas Water Heaters All of Canada

April 1, 2016

larger box van or open truck.

Condensing gas water heaters extract enough heat from the exhaust that it is generally cool enough to vent with plastic pipe, either through the sidewall or through the roof. Some models even require a plastic pipe for combustion air

What Changes?

(intake). Ultimately, the required venting system

In order to meet the new SBL requirements,

will have to be constructed by the installer.

electric water heater models will require more

The location of the old water heater may not be

insulation. This will increase the diameter and

appropriate for the new one. A heat pump water

height of the water heater. Additional insulation

heater generally requires a 10 ft. x 10 ft. room, or

may be required for piping and components,

a duct to an adjoining room, to operate properly.

such as drain and T&P valves.

The installer must also be cognizant of the impact

To the meet the required minimum EF, gas

of noise that might be generated when using an

models will require additional insulation,

alternate product to the original.

incorporate new flue baffling technologies (including flue dampers), incorporate electronic ignition in lieu of the standing pilot, or combination of these. A likely impact will be an

NOTE: The new EF and SBL ratings vary by fuel source and capacity. For a precise breakdown of the new energy efficiency standards by product, please visit www.bradfordwhite.com.

increase in the overall tank size, especially in diameter.

Similar changes are faced with the oil-fired products. Much like gas products, oil-fired water heaters will require additional insulation or completely new combustion systems.

Conclusion Certainly, the new water heater EF and SBL standards will pose challenges for manufacturers, wholesalers, installers, and customers alike, but

Additionally, installation requirements may

when products become more sophisticated, it is

change if the new compliant water heater selected

less likely that they will be purchased and

is technologically different from the previous

installed by the do-it-yourself consumer.

model. For instance, 120 VAC is required for

Therefore, a potential impact of the changes will

condensing, damper equipped, and power vented

be an increase in the share sold through

models. Both heat pump and condensing gas

wholesale distribution, thereby increasing

Impact on the Installer

water heaters produce condensate. These

installer opportunities.

Plumbing contractors will strongly feel the effects

installations will require a drain in the vicinity of

To learn more about the new

of water heater changes mandated by the new

the water heater or a condensate pump.

EF and SBL requirements, visit

NRCan requirements. First, there are real costs associated with getting up to speed on the new

www.bradfordwhite.com

ROAD WARRIOR

B y A n d r ew S n ook

Name: Stéphane Paradis Company: Plomberie & Chauffage Alain Daigle Job title: Foreman Been there: 20 years Age: 49 Born in: Montreal, Que. Lives in: Lavaltrie, Que.

Photos: François LeClair

W

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hen Stéphane Paradis was laid off from the brewery where he had spent 12 years of his life, he told himself his next career would give him the flexibility to work anywhere.

“I decided to go into construction because you can move anywhere and you don’t have strings attached,” Paradis said from a recent jobsite, Hôpital MaisonneuveRosemont in Montreal.

After obtaining his plumbing ticket from a trade school in Laval, Que., he went to work in the construction sector for

M e c h a n i c a l

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Plomberie & Chauffage Alain Daigle. Turns out, he didn’t need the flexibility to move around. With more than 20 years working for the company under his tool belt, including the past 15 as foreman, Paradis still enjoys the new challenges that present themselves regularly in this sector.

We took Paradis away from his work for a few minutes to ask him a little about his passion for plumbing.

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Favourite Tool in your toolbox: My tape measure.

What’s your favourite thing about the job?

The mechanical room work, as well as the coordination with the other sub-trades.

Fondest job: The border patrol school in Rigaud. It was great to deliver the project on time, after it was handed to me very behind schedule.

Favourite performer: Pink Floyd

Favourite place to vacation: Virginia Beach One place in the world you would like to visit: Australia When I was a kid, I wanted to... travel around the world.

One word that describes you: Easy going

• St SStéphane ép éphane ép loves to play gags on people.

Biggest pet peeve: I hate traffic.

• He is a grandfather of two and an d a father of four.

Best concert: Pink Floyd at the Olympic Stadium

If I was Prime Minister for a day, I would... kick a lot of ass.

Favourite cartoon as a kid: Albatar

If I had tomorrow off work, I would spend the day... looking for antiques and refurbishing old things.

Favourite place to hang out: Near the fire with family.

Favourite drive-thru restaurant: I’m a great cook, so I prefer cooking for people at my house.

Favourite food to cook: Smoked meat

DID D ID YOU KNOW?

• He doesn’t plan to ever qui qu it working. “I love to quit acccomplish things with ac accomplish y hands. I’m not a paper my guyy.” gu guy.”

If I had $100,000 to invest in my company, I would... become a partner.

The best advice somebody has given you is: Don’t trust anybody.

Favourite movie: The Godfather Favourite beverage: Sortilege whisky Favourite website to browse: Used sales sites like eBay. I love to buy and re-sell antiques.

Favourite TV show: Antiques Roadshow

If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

Gandhi M e c h a n i c a l

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PLUMBING

David Pelletier is a plumber in Manitoba who offers consulting services in pre-construction planning. He can be reached at david@sw5.ca.

David Pe l l e t i e r

FINDING EFFICIENCIES WITH DETAILED PRE-CONSTRUCTION PLANNING

D

etailed pre-construction planning (DPCP) requires close coordination in the material acquisition stage of pre-construction planning, when the selection of equipment, fixtures, valves and other materials is required. Way too much emphasis tends to be put on only the cost of these items, and not enough on the overall costs, which include everything from handling to installation to turn-over and commissioning. And if the client is one that we are trying to satisfy in the long-term, include on-going maintenance costs in there too.

By Definition Pre-construction Planning (PCP) – The big picture of what has to be done on a construction project, including, but not limited to a look at timelines, man-power and the selection of equipment, fixtures, valves, devices, and more.

Detailed Pre-construction Planning (DPCP) – Looks at the aspects of a build addressed in Pre-construction planning, breaking them down to find the most efficient way to do these.

WORKING WELL WITH OTHERS WITH DPCP In my experience, the steel stud contractor loves when he knows he doesn’t have to keep moving and repairing his studs after the plumber is finished. Many will also supply the mechanical contractor with all the steel studs and screws needed to fabricate the wall section, whether it’s pre-fabricated on or off site.

Detailed pre-construction planning has to work handin-hand with the PCP team to get the most out of any project.

Let’s look at a simple, commonly used DPCP project that most plumbers use: tub and shower valves.

Most plumbers pre-fabricate this before they install the valve in the wall. They will cut the pieces for the tub spout and showerhead, and assemble this on a bench, on the floor or on top of their toolbox. They then install it as a single unit into the wall. Contractors that do lots of apartments in a year will take this a step further and pre-assemble this in a factory-like setting, either on-site or in their shops.

The smartest ones – maybe the wrong word here – the most efficient ones (smart people aren’t always efficient) will actually build the section of the wall that the tub and shower valve will sit in and do the above factory-like pre-fabrication of these. They will install it into a 12” section of wall that can be transported to the room where it will be installed with four or eight screws to the existing steel studs.

This has to be discussed with all concerned, including the general contractor and any subtrade that could be affected by the prefabricated item being installed, so

consult with the framers, electrical, ventilation and sprinkler contractors, as well as anyone else who might be working in the same space.

Detailed pre-construction planning is most effective for subsystems and procedures that are used over and over again. It is especially effective when all the steps of the planning, testing and building are properly documented, whether it’s documented with video, digital or on paper.

And once a procedure is known to work, it can be used on many projects, especially with the same client or engineering firm.

PRO TIP: Photos courtesy of www.sw5.ca

It’s a great idea to keep a record of all mistakes or variations of how an aspect of a job can be done so that when the process is reviewed later, or when items change or people leave the firm, others can then understand why certain procedures are done the way they are.

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PLUMBING

continued from page 68

REPETITION IN THE LAV A great opportunity to put detailed pre-construction planning to the test was with a hospital renovation and addition that I recently worked on.

Two things came together for this project that featured wall-hung lavatories with wall carriers and electronic faucets. First was that the superintendent on the project, Rob, let me pursue my idea. The second was that we actually got to rough-in and finish two of these washrooms in the renovation stage, before we got to the addition that contained 92 lavs.

Both of the lavatory renovations ended up being a challenge to finish. The carrier uprights were either out of plumb, or arms were not parallel or level. One of these took six hours to straighten out and make fairly acceptable.

We explained to the journeymen what had to be done and why, and backed it up with shop drawings, but we couldn’t ensure quality of workmanship nor protect against a shortage of supervision, so it was decided that a new plan was needed.

In most cases, the person doing the rough-in isn’t the same one doing the finishing, so the consistency of the workmanship can be a challenge. We were facing either having someone we could completely count on to do all the finish work, or all of the prefabrication. Rob and I picked prefabrication. We wanted our best workers

to lead small crews during the rough-in so that we would have consistent rough-ins, which would make finishing by anyone exactly the same.

The first step was to build a mockup of the wall with all components installed to the finish stage. We reviewed this with several of the journeymen and apprentices for their input. Once we decided we had a good layout, we reviewed that with all other trades that would be involved with this fixture.

The final step was to review the mockup with the architect and engineer.

At this point we had a solid plan, and all we had to do was refine this at the shop and make it a cookie-cutter, assembly-line process.

We eventually came up with a very easy, reliable and quick method to do this. Total time for developing this was about 15 full days for a journeyman, along with my input of a few hours each day, spread over six weeks.

These carriers were put together months before any rough-in started in the addition, as available spare man-power allowed. Ultimately, we calculated a savings of about $35,000 on this component, not including any savings stemming from a lack of finishing problems.

Watch for the next DPCP article in an upcoming edition of Mechanical Business, where we outline how to build a detailed pre-construction planning team, and who to include on the team. Hint: The person or people who suggest annoying ideas all the time and are usually frustrated and whining about why things are done this way or that way are usually your greatest asset, and not your biggest headache.

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COVER CASE STUDY

Owner: City of Montreal, Borough of Saint-Laurent General contractor: Pomerleau Mechanical engineering firm: Beaudoin Hurens Lead mechanical engineers: Maxime Boisclair and Benoit Lemire

By Andrew Snook

D

o you enjoy a good book? The people residing in the Montreal borough of Saint-Laurent certainly do, and thanks to the use of geoexchange technology, they can enjoy those books in comfort year-round.

Research by the City of Montreal identified a need for a second library in the area so planning began in 2009 for the construction of the Bibliothèque du Boisé, a 67,000sq. ft. library and museum reserve, which was opened to the public in July 2013.

When the doors opened to the neighbourhood’s eager bookworms, there were approximately 140,000 books, periodicals, films, CDs and DVDs ready to be loaned out, an impressive figure, but not enough for the area’s residents, showcasing the need for the facility.

“When we opened the building, there were so many people that there were almost no books left on the shelves after the first three days,” said François Beaudoin, engineer for the City of Montréal’s department of public works’ real estate assets development division in the Borough of Saint-Laurent.

The facility is comprised of a two-storey library, a museum reserve featuring a climate-controlled basement for the storage of museum artifacts, several multipurpose rooms, an exhibition space, and a glass atrium.

The library is heated and cooled almost entirely through the use of a geoexchange system that is fuelled by 44 wells, drilled 500 feet underground, with the majority of wells drilled five metres apart from one another. The library has five water-to-water heat pumps, centrally located in the heat plant that can produce upwards of 200 tons

Photos: Steve Wilkie

of cooling, and which have a heating capacity of 1.8 million BTUH. The only other heating source is a very small number of electric baseboard heaters that run along part of the library’s perimeter.

To keep up to date on all of Brent’s projects, follow him on Twitter @BrentButt.

Cont’d on page 74

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$24.7 million – Total cost to build Bibliothèque du Boisé 140,000 - Number of books, periodicals, films, CDs and DVDs in the library 67,000 – Approximate square footage of library 10,600 feet – Amount of PEX tubing installed for radiant flooring 1,600 – Average number of books returned per day 1,200 – Daily number of visitors 50 – Internet stations 4 – Self-service book renewal and register machines 1 – Smart book sorting system that automatically records the return of documents

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COVER CASE STUDY

continued from page 72

By Adam Freill

A comfortable crawl To ensure the comfort of the library’s youngest bookworms, radiant floor heating, supplied by the geothermal system, was installed in the children’s section.

A total of 10,600 feet of radiant tubing was installed there and along the perimeter of the library, with a slightly higher heating density for the children’s section.

The radiant flooring system required some careful planning to ensure that any other equipment that needed to be fixed into the slab could be installed without For the main heating of the library, Virtual Moveable causing any damage to the pipes, once the casting process of Endcap (VME) technology was used in the operation of the the slab began, explained Oliver Levesque, assistant project heat pumps. This project marks the first heat pump with manager for Pomerleau.

VME technology for heat pumps

VME technology being used in Quebec.

“Traditionally, a water-to-water heat pump system coupled

Getting ventilated

to a geothermal well field needs a lot of piping, valves

The architectural constraints created by the library’s large skylights forced the designers of the facility’s mechanicals to create two separate mechanical rooms and install some of the chilled water piping and hot water piping underground.

“It was not possible to run piping or ductwork from the west side of the building to the east side,” says Maxime Boisclair, the lead mechanical engineer on the project. “And it was not an option to create two heat plants for the building, so we found a way to run piping underground to reach the other side of the building.”

The solution was pre-insulated pipe that is designed to be buried underground.

“For the ductwork, we asked the architect to create a mechanical room on the east side of the building to install ventilation systems for that part of the building.”

Getting mechanical equipment into the mechanical room located in the basement of the library required careful consideration due to space constraints.

“The space available between the foundation wall and structural slab floor was not big enough to move the equipment inside in one piece,” explains Pomerleau’s Oliver Levesque.

“We had to bring in all the parts for the ventilation unit and assemble it while inside the mechanical room.”

In addition to holding several coordination meetings, 3-D drawings of the mechanical rooms were created to ensure the necessary space was made available for the equipment.

“We had to coordinate the various trades to make sure there was enough space in the ceiling entries,” says Levesque. “In some places, we had to remove metal spacers in the metal structure to gain space.”

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and temperature sensors,” explains Maxime Boisclair, of Beaudoin Hurens, the mechanical engineering firm for the Bibliothèque du Boisé project.

“Heat pumps always produce hot water and chilled water simultaneously, so the building automation system needs to evaluate whether we send the water in the heating network, cooling network or geothermal loop. This decision is normally made with the temperature sensors, and the flow is directed to the proper network with the valves. With the VME technology, this operation is not necessary from the building automation system. It’s all done within the heat pump.”

There are three sets of connections on the VME heat pump: one for the chilled water, one for the hot water and one for the geothermal loop.

“All the operations are performed in the heat pump,” says Boisclair. “It simplified the operation of the system and it simplified the piping in the mechanical room.”

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC HYDRONICS

B yB yDan Go rHo d Cloohoan ke

Dan Holohan is an author, speaker, steam heating expert, and founder of heatinghelp.com, a highly regarded industry site that shares information about heating systems old and new. He can be reached at dan@heatinghelp.com.

TO TREAT, OR NOT TO TREAT I recently got to wondering about out boiler tractors, if any, chemicals and how many contractors, were using them on brand new w systems.

Among my musings was whether her we needed these chemicals. Hydronic systems are closed to the atmosphere, so what are we treating?

I also wondered about the water we’re using. Is that any different these days versus what we had as fill water in years gone by?

To find some answers, I asked some contractor friends for advice on the subject.

One said, “I think all new systems need, at the very least, to be power flushed.

A cleaner would be even better because it would help cut the oils, greases, and fluxes, but how much of that is in there really depends on how careful the pipefitters are.

“As for treatment and fill-water, it really depends on the quality of the job-site water. I look at hardness, pH, total dissolved solids and chlorides at the very least. I’m not sure how many city or rural water systems supply water that meets the specifications that boiler manufacturers and tank manufacturers insist on these days. When hydronic systems combine copper, brass, iron, steel, plastic, aluminum alloys and various stainless alloys, the issue of water quality becomes much more important.

“I also think potable water quality is changing, not to mention the chemicals continues on page 78

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THE RULES OF TREATMENT I asked a guy I respect for some treatment rules of the road and here’s what he had to say: “Unless there was a problem, I would only check for hardness in the water and its pH. If I can keep the pH at 8.5, I know I can eliminate iron corrosion at 82°C. That’s a big deal.

“I would also keep the hardness in bicarbonate form less than 10 parts per million. If there’s no copper piping in the system, I treat hardness and pH with straight caustic. For me, caustic is like a one-stop shop and it’s pretty cheap.

It will take all the carbon dioxide out of water in exchange for carbonate, and it will remove temporary hardness in exchange for more carbonate. It also converts permanent magnesium hardness to milk of magnesia, sodium sulphate, table salt and salt peter.

“If there’s copper in the system, I won’t use caustic; I’ll use phosphate. High pH in soft water with sulphates and nitrates can eat copper’s oxide layer, which is never a good thing.

“And since hot water systems don’t cycle up in concentration like steam boilers will, it is not something I would habitually watch.”

And speaking of steam, should you happen to work on those systems, keep the pH of the water between 7 and 9. A pH of 10 won’t allow the pipes to corrode, but if the pH gets to 11, the water will foam and that will ruin the steam.

continued from page 76 HVAC HYDRONICS HIGH-PERFORMANCE

B y Go r d C o o ke

they add at treatment plants, and how they work in hydronic systems.”

This actually got me thinking about the domestic hot-water copper opper wice in tubing in our house. We’ve replaced the same length of pipe twice three years. The water ate right through it. Scary stuff.

Another friend commented, “I have been using cleaning and treatment products for the past 10 years in systems that have a lot of rubber radiant tubing, and it’s been a great help.

“As for treating a new system as part of the install, it depends on the system. If it’s an old cast-iron or steel system, I’ll treat it. Iff it’s a newer system with copper fintube radiators I won’t.

AN EASY SELL? Another guy I respect is a strong believer in water treatment.

Another contractor friend added, “I would not recommend makeupwater purification without first having everyone understanding that we are about to shift the chemical equilibrium of this system, regardless of whether it’s in good shape or bad shape.

“I carry pints of cleaner on my truck and sell them when I do a boiler cleaning,” he says. “People like the idea of a clean system, inside and out. I go back a week or so later and flush it out and add the inhibitor. It’s an easy sell and people get lots of benefits from it.

“Taking an old scaled- or corroded boiler and swapping it over to treated water is going to have a very real and very immediate impact that can be interpreted as bad. Long-term water purification is good, but who is going to maintain it?

“I have also had success using these products on nonoxygen-barrier systems and open, wood-boiler systems.

When checking the inhibitor levels several years later, I have found the water clean and clear.

“Motivation is key here. If you have a boiler or a system that has on, you might failed a few times from corrosion, lay ball have a client that is willing to p play ee aan n with you. But if you show up and see thee first tim ttime me impending disaster, and this is th eew w, it’s happening, or if the owner is n new, ob vvery ver ery r then selling chemicals is going to bee ve difficult.” ot of So bring an open mind and a lot questions to all of this because it can get messy.

ENGINEERING HUMOUR

“Every new system I install gets some form of treatment.

They deserve it. Ask yourself one question: When you replace a com component in a hydronic system, did it fail from the inside insi or from the outside?

“I also read o old books about the pioneers that first explored explore ed the rolling hills and valleys where I work. Over the years, we ha have turned these areas into an overpopulated, indu ustrial wasteland. Those old books describe clear industrial blu blue ue lak lakes and crystal-clear rippling brooks filled with tr w trout. Those very same brooks are now called cricks and they are fishless, brown and dirty. We are pollut polluting the water, above and below ground.

“Ther “There are a few contractors in the area that are us using chemical treatments. There would be more using it if someone told them about it and expla explained that it works something like the way that in industry affected the water quality in those untrea untreated and unprotected waterways the pioneers encou encountered.”

A plant worker was told to add one scoop of a chemical to the system every day. Lest he forget, he added seven scoops each Monday.

Whoa!

[D.H. Note: I think he just did.]

Quick Tip: Contractors have been known to add glycol to a hydronic system and then forget to tell anyone. The glycol gets old, diluted, useless and very corrosive. Check the water’s pH on every job!

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Jeff House is an experienced industry professional and hydronics trainer. He handles the sales territory from the Niagara region to the Greater Toronto Area for Jess-Don Dunford, a manufacturers’ rep in Ontario. He can be reached at jhouse@jessdondunford.com.

Piping confusion You have been doing maintenance on a small apartment building for years.

When the boilerss need to be replaced, you get the job. It is an upgrade from the old units, which hich were heavy mid-efficient ent (79%) cast iron boilers, to 95%+ high efficiency stainless steel mod/con boilers. To simplify the install you put in a low loss header to connect the building to one side and create a boiler heating engine on the other side. This is so that the flow conditions that the building pumps see will be the same. The boilers have 1-1/2” connections on each of the 500,000 BTUH boilers, and the low loss header has 3” connections to match the flow rate of the building.

You also upgrade the domestic hot water system, replacing the direct fired water heaters with a double coil indirect. The boiler connections on the tank are 1” but to get the required volume out, the manufacturer says you need to put 250,000 BTUH into two coils in the tank.

After multiple site visits, you call for some help. Circle the problem areas and explain what you would do to fix this.

Looking for Jan/Feb answers?

There were a number of possible items to circle on last issue’s puzzle, but the ones we spotted included: • The boiler circulators were pumping away from the condensing boilers instead of towards the boiler as per the install manual (today’s mod/con boilers almost always pump towards the heat exchanger to minimize the risk of kettling or flashing);

FAX YOUR ANSWER TO 905-465-2913

• The two boilers should never be joined using bullhead tees.

This has been done on both the supply and return piping. Unless flow and head conditions are identical, flow will be stronger in one of the boilers. Reverse/return piping is the preferred method of piping multiple boilers.

Bonus Question: D) Over 70%

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Kicking up the tunes, on the job!

We gave away a Milwaukee Jobsite Backpack loaded with Milwaukee Ba Tools last issue, a prize that has Brad To Arnold being the envy of the jobsite.

A This issue we want to make you T tthe life of the jobsite or party with a Milwaukee M18 Jobsite Radio/ Charger with Bluetooth. So get C yyour submission in and get ready to boogie! Send your solution by May 1. bo And be sure to pick up the next edition of Mechanical Business for the next installment of Find the Fix!

If you want to have a look at the quiz, check it out in our issue archive, available at www.mechanicalbusiness.com.

• That the flow requirement of 22 GPM for each boiler results in 1-1/2” piping, and the two 1-1/2” pipes should then be joined onto a 2”common supply and return pipe. To stay within the recommended ASHRAE hydronic standard it should be 2-1/2” diameter piping; and

and Circle Win!

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or snap a picture with your smartphone and email it to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com

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Venting for High-Efficiency equipment

W

hen newer high-efficiency furnaces came to market, venting requirements changed. Whereas pre-1990 furnaces generally got their combustion air from the basement (aka natural draft appliances), highefficiency furnaces are direct draft units – which brought new standards and installation procedures.

In the early rush of homeowners swapping old furnaces for new, there were countless installation stories around improper vent runs and other mishaps.

Those stories are Although PVC accounts for the lion’s share of the venting now in the past market in residential applications, a growing number of North as a new set of American manufacturers have been looking to Europe, where industry standards polypropylene venting has been used for more than 25 years. has taken hold.

While it comes at a slightly higher price premium, Venting in Canada selling features include the fact that itt is lighter must be certified ket sealed than PVC and is fusion-welded or gasket to the ULC S636 rather than solvent-welded. safety standard, “There’s been a growing demand for polyproand options can kly and is pylene because it goes together quickly vary depending flexible to work with,” Jim Molloy of Centrotherm on the appliance and the temperature of the or Eco Systems notes. “It also eliminatess the need fo for air as it leaves the appliance. exhaust ai primers and solvents.” vent type to be approved For a ven Since polypropylene was designed to be used with an appliance, the appliance gned and as a vent system, it has been pre-designed manufacturer needs to list it as manuf engineered with all the necessary components, mponents, being approved for use with that including test ports and concentric terminations, rmin rm inat atio ions ns, model of furnace or boiler.

Molloy adds. contractors are choosing When co Many of the polypropylene venting options ptions on material, decisions typically venting m the market are also gasketed (like stainless nless depend on such key factors as steel) which eliminates the need for couplers. oupl ou pler erss. cost, product availability, perforThis not only reduces labour time and costs, mance and application. In some manc it provides flexibility to change configuucases, environmental concerns cases rations after the fact. It is also rated for or can also come into play. higher operating temperatures than PVC and CPVC (230°F) and can be recycled, he notes.

Photo: Gravenhurstplumbing.com

Polypropylene making inroads

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• Pol y prop y l e n e m a k i n g i n r o ad s • P last ic t o p s fo r r esid en t ial

Plastic tops for residential The front runners for residential installations are PVC and CPVC, hands down. PVC started gaining popularity rity when high-efficiency furnaces hit the market, yet codes only approved pproved it for use as a vent material around 2008, says Jim Molloy of Centrotherm Eco Systems. “At that time, equipment manufacturers rewrote the code to include material that was tested with the appliance when it got certified.”

These plastic options gained popularity in the residential segment of the market, in large part, because they are significantly cheaper than stainless steel. The low material costs combined with their light weight and flexibility make them a simple, straightforward option.

Gordon Lefort, of IPEX Inc., says his company certifies two vent pipe materials within its System 636 product line: PVC to Class IIA and CPVC to Class IIB of the industry standard ULC S636.

“Each class has an operating temperature limit as dictated by the standard,” he says. “The choice of appropriate vent material for installations is dictated by the appliance manufacturer in their installation manual through factory-testing and flue gas temperature analysis.”

Installation manuals also provide guidance for proper sizing. The main factor is length of vent pipe required for exiting the building, Lefort explains. “Longer lengths would generate higher friction losses for air flow. This would be remedied by using one nominal size larger pipe.” continues on page 84

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HVAC

continued froon page 83

Square the edge

When measuring the pipe length of a vent, installers should account for all bends through an equivalent pipe length, as calculated by the appliance manufacturer, he adds. Longer radius bends are often used to minimize the friction effect of bends and prevent the need for upsizing.

When installing, keep in mind that horizontal supports for PVC or CPVC flue gas venting should have a maximum span of five feet (1.2 m), and it must have a minimum grade of a quarter-inch per foot, to allow for proper drainage of condensate back to the appliance.

When solvent welding, installers need to ensure they cut the pipe squarely, remove raised edges, bevel the front edge, apply sufficient quantities of cement (and primer if required), and rotate it a quarter-turn after inserting the pipe fully into the socket. Most installation issues are addressed in greater detail in the installation guide of the vent pipe manufacturer.

STAINLESS STEEL FOR INDUSTRIAL Stainless steel venting may have been the first material to meet safety standards ndards and codes for high-efficiency appliances, but it represents a very small portion of residential ential applications.

Where stainless steel excels is on the commercial/industrial side, says Keith th Page, product manager with Selkirk Corporation.

“Installers will typically gravitate to stainless steel when it comes to bigger er commercial applications for a variety of reasons, for example, safety and engineering specifications,” he says. Since metal conducts heat, a single-wall pipe ipe would require higher clearance to combustibles than plastic options. To combat this, stainless steel vent manufacturers offer double-wall systems.

“AL29-4C stainless steel never really made its way into the residential market for furnaces,” he adds. “A lot of that was just the price point, especially when you are talking two- or three-inch h sizes. There isn’t even a two-inch stainless ess option, and costs for residential sizes can run up to four times more than PVC plastic.”

One advantage with AL29-4C stainless steel, specifically, is that it is impervious to the effects of chlorides, making it an appropriate choice for high-efficiency condensing appliances that have a high concentration of chlorides from the combustion process.

Check for gas It is good practice for HVAC installers and maintenance technicians to periodically check the flue gas for critical measurements, such as temperature and CO content, either by drilling a hole in the pipe wall or using certified access tees with removable plugs. Access tees are the most advisable choice of the two options says Lefort, however, as, “Drilling of pipe is not permitted in most provinces.”

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Page summarizes venting materials this way: “For residential furnaces, PVC rules the roost, by far. Polypropylene is making headway because of its extra safety features and flexible liner pipe. For smaller boilers it’s all three: PVC, polypropylene or stainless steel, with much emphasis on polypropylene or stainless, stressing extra safety; for larger commercial boiler applications stainless steel rules, no question.”

NOTE: When referencing PVC and CPVC, this article is referencing ULC S636 certified pipe.

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HIGH PERFORMANCE HVAC

B y Go r d C o o ke

Gord Cooke is a professional engineer who has spent 20 years helping builders and HVAC contractors implement innovative technologies into highperformance homes. He has particular expertise in IAQ and air flow management in houses, and can be contacted at gcooke@airsolutions.ca.

OPPORTUNITIES IN

AIR CONDITIONING

A

s our industry turns its attention to the upcoming air conditioning season, I started to think about opportunities for professional HVAC contractors, so I took a quick look back at an article I wrote in April of 2008, titled High Performance, Green Air Conditioning. As a fellow who always likes to think about change, I was struck by the number of changes that have occurred in our industry in those short seven years.

SEALING DUCTS While not national in scope, the 2012 Ontario Building Code includes a new requirement that all transverse joints of sheet metal ducts be sealed. This is referred to as a Class C seal level in accordance with the SMACNA, HVAC Duct Construction Standards – Metal and Flexible. This is indicative of where codes are moving.

Don’t despair though, these changes present great new win-win opportunities for contractors and homeowners. I am sure each reader will have their own list of specific product features that make new AC systems more efficient, quieter and more durable, but I want to outline five: duct sealing, windows and heat gain, controls, intermittent and variable loads, and zoning.

As you get into the 2015 air conditioning season, remember most of your clients are way beyond those simpler days of just opening the fridge door or sleeping in the basement to get a little cooling. They are expecting and are willing to pay for much finer degrees of cooling comfort, something that meets their specific needs.

Their 200 cubic-foot SUV has three cooling zones (or more). We should be able to do better than one system, one control for their 30,000 cubic-foot home.

Fortunately we can do better testing and monitoring to determine specific needs, and we have zoning, dehumidification, ventilation, variable output, sealing and control techniques, and technology opportunities to offer.

In testing a few duct systems, done in production housing, we have found that the typical duct leakage under this new requirement falls in the range of 10 to 15 per cent. This is a significant improvement over the 25 to 35 per cent leakage of a standard sheet metal duct system that we have measured in hundreds of systems over the past 20 years.

Most importantly in these new, sealed systems, we found that it was far easier to balance or change the airflow from room to room. Finally, it may be possible to actually drive more cool air to upper floors.

Of course, that’s just in Ontario, and just in new homes, but there are opportunities in existing houses as duct sealing systems are available for those homes too.

This spring and summer, assess the performance of the air distribution systems of the houses you service and recommend duct sealing as appropriate.

To do this, test duct pressures, velocity at selected outlets and overall duct leakage.

Thousands of professional HVAC contractors in the U.S. have and use duct leakage testing equipment; in Canada I can say with authority it would be less than a dozen or two contractors that can thoroughly assess duct leakage and the resulting opportunities for improvement.

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• Se•a lEx i ngc i d t iuncgt sa d•v aLnocoeks a•t tTh hee win in flu d oen wsce• oBf et bu t er ildsyst in g em d esign co n t r o l

LOOK AT THE WINDOWS In the past seven to 10 years, low emissivity coatings on windows have become the norm, if not a code requirement, in both new construction and in the replacement window industry. This is significant because windows can account for as much as 50 per cent of the total sensible cooling load, and the solar heat gain of commonly available windows can vary from at least 0.25 to 0.6.

This spells new opportunities for properly sizing air conditioning systems. Indeed, to properly assess the air conditioning needs of homes knowing windows and window coatings better would give you a head start.

Photo: Innotech

For less than $400 you can buy a test device ce to determine the solar e nha an ncce yo yyour u ur heat gain characteristics of in-situ windowss and thus en enhance errs. professional standing with cool-conscious customer customers.

TEM BETTER SYSTEM CONTROL Controls opportunities have also exploded over the past seven years.

For example, it was 2007 when the first practical Wi-Fi enabled thermostat, from Ecobee, was introduced. Now, of course, there are many such devices available – some designed for the professional contractor and some lighter duty retail versions. Don’t let this opportunity get away from our industry.

Specifically related to the air conditioning market, the leading controls offer great features for HVAC contractors and their clients. In my mind the most important is the monitoring capabilities. More and more, clients are going to want you, even expect you, to monitor their systems remotely for them.

Imagine if, last summer, you had installed and monitored a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat for a client and this year it happens they need a new air conditioner. Now you could retrieve last year’s AC run times, RH levels and temperature profiles. You are now in position to far more accurately size the overall system, and also present ideas for better humidity control – whole-house dehumidifiers, ERVs or variable speed fan motors and compressors to adjust the sensible to latent performance of the AC system.

Rather than competing with six other contractors for a three-ton sale, you can offer a comprehensive comfort solution based on your clients specific needs. And that’s just the AC opportunities related to the monitoring capabilities of these new controls.

HANDLING VARIABILITY In staying with the air conditioning theme, it may be useful to remember that AC loads are typically far more variable than heating loads. The intermittent nature of solar gain and internal, occupant loads represent a much higher percentage of the total AC load than the typical heating load in the same house.

There are new, or at least more commonly available, technologies and techniques available to manage or target these intermittent and variable loads.

I am thinking specifically of the popularity of variable-speed fan motors and two-stage air conditioners that make it easier to install duct-zoning systems.

In the past, a big barrier to retrofitting duct-zoning systems was the complexity of by-pass air. Being able to modulate airflows and cooling capacity more effectively makes zoning far less complex. That, combined with the enhancements of the leading zoning companies, like plug-and-play controls, insert dampers and wireless temperature sensors means zoning should be on every contractors list of comfort solutions for ever more discerning clients.

Of course, the profusion of ductless or mini-split cooling options into the mainstream is another viable way to manage intermittent or isolated cooling loads.

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HVAC/R Products P Ventilation cabinett Stelpro’s SCV Ventilation Cabinet net for residential and commercial use is flow offered in four sizes with an airflow range of 400 to 2,200 pcm. The he units ariable- or are equipped with a choice of variablefixed-speed motors. They can be e installed in multiple positions on a floor or ceiling.

www. stelpro.com

Commerciall rooftop C f Trane’s Foundation light-commercial rooftop units are offered in 15- to 25-ton models. They are built with a tubular heat exchanger, gas ignition system and an aluminum microchannel condenser coil. Other features include colour-coded and numbered wiring, a discharge line thermostat and an electrical phase monitor. The units are compatible with multiple roof curbs without adapters or other modifications.

www. trane.com

Heat pump The DSZ18 split system heat pump from Goodman has a cooling capacity of 35,000 to 56,500 BTUH and a heating capacity of 33,600 to 56,400 BTUH. It offers efficiencies up to 18 SEER. The unit features a two-stage Copeland scroll compressor and an ECM condenser fan motor. It has diagnostic indicator lights and storage of up to six fault codes.

Infrared heater Brant Radiant’s Re-Verber-Ray HL3 series two-stage infrared tube heater features tools-free serviceability while in operation.

It is available in lengths ranging from 20 to 70 feet with heating inputs ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 BTUH. The unit features aluminum radiant tubes and an aluminum or titanium combustion chamber.

www. brantradiant.com

goodmanmfg.com

Small footprint furnace Dettson’s Chinook Compact gas furnace is 10” wide and 22” tall.

The units have a heating input range of 6,000 to 15,000 BTUH and an efficiency rating of 96% AFUE. Additional features include stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers. It can be used in combination with a cooling unit to offer 3/4 to 1 ton of cooling capacity.

www. dettson.ca 88

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ERVs The Topvex TR series of energy recovery ventilators from Systemair are built with ECM motors. They offer airflows of 300 to 4,000 cfm.

The units support common communication standards for building management systems.

systemair.net

CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER

A glowing renovation On his various deck-building and design shows, Lafrance has created some of the most creative outdoor creations ever seen on HGTV. One of his personal favourites was an outdoor kitchen that featured a barbecue station with a glow-in-thedark sink, glass countertop and glass bar with a 600-pound engineered glass and metal housing. Despite the price tag that came with the project, it still ranks as one of his favourites.

“There were a lot of dry runs [during the install] that cost me a lot of money,” he laughs.

By Andrew Snook

W

Photos courtesy of HGTV Canada; DeWalt

ith more than 15 years of custom deck design under his tool belt, celebrity tradesman Paul Lafrance is ready to take his passion for creative carpentry and design indoors.

In addition to being the star on such popular HGTV shows as Decked Out, Disaster Decks, Deck Wars and Canada’s Handyman Challenge, Lafrance now hosts Custom Built, a new series where he uses his creativity to tackle interior designs and renovations ranging from full kitchen and bathroom renovations to taking on an entire house.

Lafrance says that shifting his focus from outdoor projects to home interiors, as well as full renovations on his new show, has required no major learning curve for him, although he’s still largely known as “the deck guy.”

“I think that’s kind of the illusion,” he says. “The reality is I’ve been doing interior renos for as long as I’ve been doing exterior transformations.”

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Although he still enjoys working on his shows that focus on custom deck designs, Lafrance feels he has little more to prove when it comes to outdoor projects, and he is looking forward to the challenge of focusing more of his time on the inside of people’s homes.

And much like his deck designs turned heads with curves rather than right angles, and multiple materials combining to create unique outdoor spaces, he says he’s bringing the fight against traditions and the way that things have been done for decades to his indoor projects too.

“We as human beings don’t even realize that we are creatures of habit and we just kind of follow the patterns of the way things have been done before,” he says. “I’m the kind of guy that likes to break moulds and introduce new ideas, so that’s why I love the new show. We’re doing every room in the house and doing it in a way that people may not have seen done before.”

Disaster Decks star Paul Lafrance (middle) brings his crew on Custom Built

Rain in Paris On his new show, Custom Built, Lafrance sometimes renovates an entire home’s interior. When asked about plumbing challenges he has experienced on the show to date, a homeowner with a taste for France stood out.

“We were doing a Parisian bathroom for a couple that had been using the same bathroom for about 30 years, and they wanted their bathroom to feel like Paris,” he explains.

To add to the challenge, the husband’s height demanded special considerations when it came to the shower’s design.

“The guy was 6’6”, and the shower he was using for the past 30 years forced him to get in on one side, wash, then get out, turn around and get back in and wash the other side [of his body],” he says. “The shower I built him was about the size of a small basketball court – complete with outdoor window inside the shower. The guy can do pirouettes in this place.”

When it comes to making a design work in a home, Lafrance never lets the plumbing get in the way.

“We’ll find a way to make the plumbing work,” he says. “That usually involves a lot more ripping and tearing then I would like, but one thing about me, once I have an idea in my head it’s going to take hell on Earth to stop me from achieving it.”

For his Paris project, Lafrance and his team had to perform a serious redesign to get the plumbing to run from one end of the room to the other.

“I literally had to raise the tub up and do an elevated platform all the way across this bathroom, even though the ceiling height was already short, and somehow still be able to make it work so I could have the elevation to make the plumbing go where I wanted,” he says. “When there’s an issue like that, I’ll make the design, incorporate the technical, and no one would ever know it, and that’s part of the fun for me. It gives my sub-trades a migraine headache, but it’s good for me,” he laughs.

Dealing with labour shortages There’s an expected shortage of skilled tradespeople looming in Canada, but HGTV host Paul Lafrance has a solution.

“Women, get your butts out there,” he says. “We have a major crisis here in Canada. The trades crisis is looming and soon it’s going to cost people as much money to change a toilet as it is to hire lawyer.”

He says young people, of both genders, should be looking at this as an opportunity to enter the sector as it has a bright future with solid pay.

Since leaving the Dragons’ Den, Bruce has

beenprofessional, focused on his investment company Be Round 13 Capital. but be real “It’s basically a pool of money that we invest intoold early-to-growth stage companies The sales adage, “people buy from in Canada,” he explains. people,” is a saying that rings true to The companies he looks for have crunched the Lafrance. He says people selling their numbers and have a good idea of what it costs products or services should always make to acquire a user, as well as what that customer their best with might beeffort worthtotoremain them. authentic “They need money to their growclients. quickly once they have started to prove something.”

“Professionalism is taking a new turn in Among the companies he’s invested Western culture,” he says.

“People are in are a data analytics company, a warranty claims firm, very wary, nowadays, of anything that and a social marketing company called Knexx just feels plastic. They’re sick of it… I say Local. this to every young person “I look for companies that that haveisaout clear there starting a business.” understanding of what it costs to get a customer, and know skills that the cost is Xa number Having the necessary to perform of per cent less than what that job properly is an obvious givencustomer for secur-ends up spending with them, over the year, and ing someone’s business, but it’s building over their lifetime. If that gap is large enough, a relationship with their client that will and there is the potential to go get a pile more have the customers back.he says. of them, then I am coming interested,” “Let the from passion what you do “Aside thatforI am looking forcome people that I trust.” out and don’t hide who you really are, He why also looks people who canwhat weather a and you’refor passionate about storm or two in business. you do,” he says. “Tell your story. The “It sounds glamorous to own your own more a person tells their story, the more business and be your own boss, but as the other people want to shareno their stories as it readers of your magazine doubt know, well, the more buyscrap into you ain’t and all pretty, andthey’ll how you and as claw things are not going your way, I think awhen person.” is what separates the true small business entrepreneurs from the pretenders.”

Custom Built airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada, and catch Disaster Decks at 9 and 9:30 pm. ET/PT.

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Products

Modulating gas water heater The Cyclone Mxi condensing gas water heater from A. O. Smith is available in 60 to 119-gallon capacities, with BTUH inputs ranging from 120,000 to 500,000. The units use a fully modulating combustion design and a helical coil heat exchanger to achieve thermal efficiencies up to 98%.

Pullout faucet

www. hotwater.com

Moen’s STo kitchen faucet features a twofunction self-retracting wand. It has a flow rate of 5.7 lpm and is available in chrome, matte black and spot-resistant stainless steel finishes.

The faucet is available in both single-handle pulldown and bar/prep pulldown models.

www. moen.ca

Kitchen faucet

Bathtub drain

Belanger’s H2flo Chef kitchen faucet features a brass body, ceramic cartridge, swivel pull-down spout with push button diverter and 59” of braided nylon flexible hose. It has a maximum flow rate of 8.3 lpm at 60 psi. The unit comes with 3/8” connections and flexible stainless steel braided connectors.

The Universal NuFit bathtub drain cover from Watco is designed to fit over standard bathtub drains without requiring the removal of the strainer body. It is corrosion resistant and features a high flow grid strainer designed to prevent hair clogs. The drain cover comes in nine finishes.

watcomfg.com

belanger-upt.com

Legionella bacteria cells are not able to reproduce at temperatures above 122°F. They begin to die at temperatures above 131°F.

Toilet plunger Bathroom faucet Axor’s Starck Organic two-handle, single-hole faucet has a flow rate of 0.9 gpm with a flow boost setting that delivers 1.32 gpm. Features include ceramic cartridges for volume control and temperature control, and a pop-up drain assembly. The faucet comes in a chrome finish.

www. hansgrohe-usa.com

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The Clog Boss professional toilet plunger is equipped with a universal toilet tip that compresses into any toilet drain.

The tip is formed from waterproofed polyurethane foam and is designed to generate high pressures while preventing splashing.

clogboss.com

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PLUMBING

B y Fr ed B retzke Fred Bretzke is a full-time pipe trades instructor with SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary and the general manager of A&B Plumbing & Heating.

He can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.

The right tool

for the job T

echnology has a wonderful way of dating itself. Have you ever watched a movie and noticed what kind of computers or cell phones the actors are using?

If the actors were using a push-button, flip-top cell phone, the movie was probably filmed in the year 2001 or 2002. If they made their calls on a white brick phone, the film was likely made lat ’80s or early ’90s. Be it the monochrome in the late yyellow printing of a computer screen from the eearly ’90s, or a black and white T.V. with an ante tenna from the ’60s and ’70s, technology tends to come with a time stamp attached.

Do the same rules that apply to cell phones and computers work for plumbing tools? Has our industry changed that much over the y years?

Let’s discuss.

A walk down memory lane

WARRANTY WORK K A major benefit for companies offering video inspection services is that the technology can assist with warranty work and disputes.

In the ’50s and ’60s, it was still common to pour lead and oakum joints for cast iron piping. In the ’70s, my fi first commercial tool was a 65-R threader – I can still remember r manually threading black steel two inch pipin two-inch piping for heating lines for an entire apartment in southern Ontario at 17 years old. Nowadays, we need to demonstrate how to use a 65-R manual threader in the college, as it seems to be foreign to most apprentices I encounter.

Video inspecting sewer lines can bi compabe especially useful for plumbing nies during winter construction, after the bedding had been laid, to prove proper grade.

It’s been my experience that sewers would sometimes experience problems after the developer would run their skid steers and wheel loaders over sewer trenches, driving down the frost level and causing the sewer piping to bend or back grade.

When I was an apprentice, we broke open concrete floors with a sledgehammer and used the sledge for the whole job, and used ladders and come-a-longs to hoist unit heaters into ceilings. Now apprentices use concrete breakers and scissor lifts.

City inspections were sometimes not enough to satisfy companies; they wanted video inspection proof that piping was installed correctly.

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continues on page 96

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PLUMBING

continues from page 94

I remember digging long trenches for sewers in commercial buildings, now they use ditch-witches. After digging long deep trenches with a backhoe, we would use transit levels to find invert locations on sewer piping, now they use lasers.

The use of technology has certainly made commercial jobs more efficient.

Seeping Sewers If water is under pressure and is making a lot of noise, we can usually find it with the proper equipment.

Sewer leaks, on the other hand, have been more complicated to locate until a few years ago when line locating equipment technology improved dramatically.

With the use of stronger transmitters, sewers can be located with much more accuracy than ever before.

Locating water main breaks and sewer breaks with location equipment can save thousands of dollars for clients. And commercial video inspection equipment has been modernized from the original VHS tapes, to CDs and DVDs, and now, to digital recordings.

Drain doctors Over the years, I’ve had all sorts of calls from people looking for video inspection services. Police departments would sometimes call us out to use our video equipment to inspect sewer lines after drug raids.

When commercial marijuana grow-ops were discovered, perpetrators would sometimes try to flush their goods down the sewers via the cleanouts or straight down the toilets. It was always fun to video inspect and retrieve the goods.

One would be surprised as to what gets stuffed into a sewer pipe. Many stolen credit cards have been video located and retrieved from the building drains at bars and they now make a small pencil video camera that can go through the S trap of a toilet, making that job much easier too.

Just as medical staff use video inspection equipment for the anatomy, we plumbers use it for piping. Thus demonstrating, that we really are drain doctors.

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A

LONG WAY FROM WITCHING Commercial line locating has become very high tech in the past few years, but I feel that in order to understand the use of modern technology in line location, one must understand its history and where the need for this technology originated from.

My first experience with line locating was back in 1971. I was only 12 years old and the son of a jack-ofall-trades, European farmer. My Dad had erroneously purchased a pig farm in Dutton, Ont. – and when I say mistakenly, I mean he forgot to convince Mom it would be a good place to live when the wind blew the wrong way. This place was full of rats and smelled – well, it smelled like a pig farm.

There was a problem with not enough clean water on the farm, so Dad went in search of water the oldfashioned way. We would go out into the field, and with a Y-shaped wooden branch, my father would witch for water in search of a much needed well.

We covered 100 acres of land without y, got finding a drop of water, and eventually, ral out of the sale of the farm over a mineral rights dispute. Witching for water is stillll used today. However, these days there e are much quicker ways of finding waterr rushing under the ground.

The City of Calgary uses sound detection equipment to locate leaks underground. The use of high frequency transmitters properly placed on the water meters and curb cock casings allows the user to isolate high frequency sounds or leaks within a couple of metres. This method is very accurate with steel and copper underground piping.

©2015, RIDGID, Inc. The Emerson logo and RIDGID logo are registered trademarks of Emerson Electric Co. or RIDGID, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders. *Schedule 40 pipe with a diameter of 12” or less

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PIPING Hot and cold water distribution Constructed from resins produced in its own factory, ViegaPEX tubing from Viega is available in 3/8” to 2” sizes. Coils are available in 100 to 1,000-foot lengths, dependent upon tubing diameter. Ten to 20-foot straight lengths are also available. The tubing has a UV resistance rating of six months and may be bent to a minimum of five-times its outside diameter with approved bend supports.

www. viega.us

Cast iron soil pipe Bibby Ste-Croix manufactures a complete line of hub-less and hub and spigot cast iron soil pipe and fittings for storm and sanitary drain, waste and vent (DWV) plumbing systems. Available in 5 and 10-foot lengths in single hub, and 5, 8-1/2, and 10-foot lengths in hubless style, the company offers sizes ranging from 2” to 15”.

www. bibby-ste-croix.com

Pressurized ACR/Med R/Med tubing Purged and pressurized GL Plus ACR/Med copper tubing from Great Lakes Copper is available in 10, 12 and 20-foot lengths, in a variety of sizes. Offered in n both Type L and Type K copper,, the tubing is specially cleaned, deburred, purged and pressurized with h nitrogen gas. Plugs are included to maintain the nitrogen gas charge.

www. glcopper.com

Commercial PEX

Inner-grooved tubing Available in 3/8” OD, 1/2” OD and 5/8” OD in 60-foot, 100-foot and 250-foot coils, CuPro’s inner-grooved polyethylene coated copper tubing for gas is manufactured to meet ASTM B88 and ASTM B837 for installations above and below ground. The tubing meets the criteria of the B149 national gas code. Custom lengths are available.

M e c h a n i c a l

www. uponor.ca

Follow Us on Twitter @MechBusiness

www. cupro.ca

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Designed for use in hot and cold domestic potable water distribution, residential fire safety and radiant heating and cooling systems, Uponor’s 3” AquaPEX is available in 100-foot and 350-foot coils as well as 20-foot straight lengths. Custom-cut lengths are available to meet any application need. The pipe has an expansion rate of 1.10”/10°F/100’ and a standard grade hydrostatic rating of 200°F (93°C) at 80 psi (551 kPa).

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REFRIGERATION

By A ndr e Pa te n a u d e

CO2: I

n the first article of this series we introduced some of the key concepts associated with the use of R744 (CO2) as a refrigerant.

While its extremely low global warming potential (GWP) of 1 offers remarkable environmental advantages, the properties of R744 and its need to operate at higher pressures introduces new application and handling considerations compared to traditional systems.

R744 HAZARDS R744 is not flammable, but its high pressures, toxicity at high concentration and potential for dry ice formation must be taken into account when applying and handling. What follows is very general guidance. More detailed information relating to the design of systems to minimize the hazards will be provided in future articles.

The previous article summarized the properties of R744 and examined how it meets both traditional and emerging criteria for refrigerants. It also covered some of the reasons why CO2 refrigeration systems differ from conventional systems, notably the design considerations created by the need for transcritical operation at certain ambient temperatures.

This article continues this overview by touching on the potential hazards of R744.

Asphyxiation R744 is odourless, heavier than air and is an asphyxiant.

The practical limit of R744, as per ISO 5149 and EN378, is lower than hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) because of its potential for high toxicity, while HFCs are non-toxic.

• Practical limit of R744: 0.1 kg/m3 (56,000 ppm); • Practical limit of R404A: 0.48 kg/m3 (120,000ppm)

If a leak of R744 could result in a concentration exceeding the practical limit in an enclosed occupied space, such as in a cold room, precautions must be taken to prevent asphyxiation. These include the use of permanent leak detection, which activates an alarm in the event of a leak.

The threshold limit value (TLV), or the highest concentration for an eight-hour period, for CO2 is 5,000 ppm (0.5%). For ammonia, the TLV is 25 ppm (0.0025%).

continues on page 102

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REFRIGERATION continued from page 100 systems can be fitted with a small auxiliary cooling system.

High pressures

This typically runs on an auxiliary uninterruptable power supply, and will switch on when the pressure rises above a set point – lower than maximum allowable suction pressure, but higher than the normal operating pressure.

R744 systems operate at significantly higher pressures compared to conventional systems, especially when ambient temperatures cause the system to operate above the critical point. As a result, system components, pipe work, tools and equipment must be rated to safely operate at these higher pressures (see Table 2).

The auxiliary cooling system is sized to remove sufficient heat to keep the standstill pressure below the safe low-side limit when there is no load on the system.

It should be noted that the standstill pressure on some systems (e.g., cascade systems) is higher than the maximum rated suction pressure. The pressure-relief valve will discharge in the event of a fault, such as a power failure.

Care must be taken when charging R744 systems. The maximum operating pressure of some systems, such as cascade systems and parts of transcritical systems, is normally below the R744 cylinder pressure. These systems must be charged slowly and carefully to prevent pressure relief valves discharging.

To ensure the pressure does not rise to the relief pressure in the event of a power failure or sudden system shutdown, these

Trapped liquid The coefficient of expansion for R744 is significantly higher than for other refrigerants. The practical impact of this on liquid R744 trapped between closed valves is shown in Graph 1 (below).

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Graph 1: Relationship between temperature and pressure of trapped liquid R744.

Source: Danish Technological Institute

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The graph shows the effect of a 20°C (36°F) temperature rise on liquid that is trapped at an initial temperature of -10°C (14°F).

The pressure will increase from 44 bar (638 psi) to approximately 240 bar (3,480 psi). This condition could potentially occur in a liquid line of a cascade system, and similar situations can arise in other parts of the system, and in other R744 systems.

As a rule of thumb, trapped R744 liquid will increase in pressure by 10 bar (145 psi) for every 1°C (1.8°F) temperature increase.

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B u s i n e s s

The pressure of trapped liquid refrigerant always increases, but the pressure increase of R744 is much greater than that of other refrigerants. This is exacerbated by the potential to trap R744 at low temperatures and hence for the liquid temperature to rise more than for other refrigerants.

Systems should be fitted with pressure-relief protection wherever liquid could be trapped, either during operation or service.

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Dry Ice

Freeze Burns

Dry ice (solid R744) is formed when R744 pressure and temperature are reduced to below the triple point (4.2 bar/60.9 psi, -56 °C/-68.8 °F).

Contact with solid or liquid R744 will cause freeze burns and should be avoided. Suitable gloves and goggles should always be worn when working with R744.

This will not occur within a properly working refrigeration system, but can occur when: • A pressure-relief valve discharges if it is venting vapour R744; • Venting R744 during service, for example during a component change or replacement; or • Charging a system which is below 4.2 bar/60.9 psi (e.g., an evacuated system).

Andre Patenaude is the director of CO2 business development for Emerson.

He can be reached at andre.patenaude@emerson.com.

Dry ice does not expand when it is formed, but dry ice will become gas as it absorbs heat. If the dry ice is trapped within the system, it will absorb heat from the surroundings and turn into gas.

This will result in a significant pressure increase.

Future articles in this series will cover additional topics concerning R744 in more detail, including the general aspects of R744 systems; more specific information about the design of R744 cascade, transcritical booster and secondary systems; and key points about their commissioning, operation and service.

Dry ice can block vent lines, so care must be taken to ensure that this cannot occur. Appropriate pressurerelief valves should be used. When R744 is vented from a system during service it should be vented as a liquid, and the pressure in the system monitored.

R744 should always be vented outside a building.

Re-Think Refrigeration.

E

merging technologies. Integrated Systems. Smart Controls... Is your refrigeration OEM up to the task?

Modern refrigeration requires a new kind of OEM partner. An OEM who is as comfortable in a processing plant, as they are in the CAD room. An OEM who understands that “field work” trumps “lab work”. And an OEM who delivers turn-key solutions that have been designed, tested and field proven in the real world.

Oxford Refrigeration can help expand your opportunities and introduce your customers to the most technically advanced systems in North America. Let us show you how.

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www.oxfordenergy.ca 519-532-6373 M e c h a n i c a l

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HVAC/R Products P Nitrogen purging Turbotorch’s high pressure nitrogen purge regulator is designed for use with HVAC and refrigeration systems. It delivers 800 psi and is built with a forged brass body, zinc aluminum housing cap, gauge guard, colour-coded knobs, and a 1-1/4” flare fitting.

Floor-mounted heat pumps Halcyon XLTH floor-mounted systems from Fujitsu are available in three models with heating input ranges from 3,100 to 20,800 BTUH with efficiencies up to 13.6 EER, and cooling input ranges from 3,100 to 17,700 BTUH with efficiencies up to 16.0 EER. They are available in single-zone and multi-zone configurations, and are designed for quiet operation with noise levels as low as 23 dB(A).

www. turbotorch.com

www. fujitsugeneral.com

Heat recovery system

The 400-hectare man-made island The PearlQatar, has a district cooling system with a refrigeration capacity of 130,000 tons.

Daikin’s VRV-IV heat recovery system features inverter compressors and inverter fan motors. It is offered with 1, 4, 8, 10 and 12 port branch selector boxes. The unit is offered in 6- to 38-ton sizes and has efficiencies up to 29.3 IEER.

www. daikin.com

Insulation Tape Premium Hi-Temp Cork Insulation Tape from Parker is designed for insulating hot piping in confined areas in refrigerators, freezers, heat pumps and solar applications up to 325°F (163°C). It can be used on cool pipes as low as -20°F (-29°C) to prevent condensation. The product moulds around valves and fittings and is UV resistant. It does not contain asphalt or VOCs.

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HVAC/R Products P In-line fans

Electric flooring Schluter’s Ditra-Heat electric floor warming system features uncoupling technology and floor warming in a single layer. The heating cables snap into place on top of the uncoupling mat with no clips or fasteners. The matting is available in rolls and sheets, and heating cables are available for 120V or 240V circuits.

Continental Fan’s AID Axial in-line fans are available in diameters from 12” through 27” with capacities up to 11,400 cfm. They are built with spark-resistant, cast aluminum airfoil axial impellers, corrosion-resistant steel housings, and NEMA motors. They have factory set, adjustable pitch blades and a fully reversible airflow option.

www. continentalfan.com

Pulse humidifier Available through Ontor, the Desert Spring DS Pro-Series Pulse XL humidifier uses an electronic water flow control that is designed to reduce demand for water.

When in operation, the water supply solenoid valve is pulsed on and off to prevent excess water flowing into the pad and down the drain.

schluter.com

Fan coils IEC’s ReStoraMOD modular high-rise replacement fan coil series is available in 300, 400 and 600 CFM capacities. Options include closed cell insulation, an ECM motor, anti-microbial coatings and humidity control. They are compatible with most modular high-rise units.

www. iec-okc.com

desertspringproducts.com

Air purifier Tempstar’s Deluxe Air Purifier is designed to electrostatically draw particles from the air to its charged filter fibres. It has a MERV 13 rating and features a disposable filter cartridge.

It can be installed in a horizontal or vertical position.

www. tempstar.com

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC BOILERS

B y Go rBdyCPoau o ke l R o hrs

NEXT GENERATION EQUIPMENT

Paul Rohrs is an application and design specialist at Lochinvar. He can be reached at prohrs@lochinvar.com.

The FAB world of

G

uest Wi-Fi has been around quite a while. Starbucks started officially offering this feature several years ago, and it’s just a guess on my part,, but I suspect many people using it did not need to be told what to do. It was ook, inherently known that once connected, a user could shop online, read a book, watch a YouTube video, or just surf the web.

With that “feature,” it is up to the user to define the use of the feature to attain the “advantages” and “benefits” (FAB).

Boilers currently on the market also offer several features, advantages and benefits, so let’s discuss how some of the functionality in our appliances is redefining the next generation of FABs, and how they can impact the systems we build for clients.

FAB: Features, Advantages and Benefits.

GOING REMOTE The next generation boilers are entering the market with remote connectivity.

Through the use of a wired or wireless connection, the ability to log into a boiler and see its current status is a powerful tool. You can view the current outdoor air temperature at that location, as well as track the target reset temperature when there is a call for heat and outdoor reset (OD) is being used.

On many systems, the remote connectivity feature also allows you to adjust the OD reset schedule via the min/max outdoor temps and min/max setpoints. This can be accomplished via computer or even on smartphones.

This provides instant feedback (visually) on how the reset schedule is set up.

The ability to log in and adjust outdoor reset schedules is a feature that will not intimidate veteran installers who may have previously shied away from programming.

What if you have an installation that is a few hours away and you want to know at a glance if it is running as designed or conversely if it is experiencing short-cycling issues? You can now view the run-time history feature.

continues on page 108

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Pumps are complex systems in which every detail is crucially important. Our test procedures analyse every single aspect. This allows us to continuously optimise the performance and lifespan of our excellent product portfolio.

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continued from page 106 HIGH-PERFORMANCE BOILERS HVAC

B y Go r d C o o ke

Pic 3 Picture 3 is a sample image showing how you can quickly navigate to the total number of ignition attempts and compare it with the run-time hours. You can see the boiler has responded to a call for heat 110 times and successfully ignited 109 (initial start-up with an un-purged natural gas line caused an unsuccessful attempt). With 1,304 run time hours, that equates to 11.96 hours of run time per ignition attempt.

This is another example of a feature that brings the advantage of being able to see that this boiler is experiencing very healthy run times and is not cy cycling more than six times an hour. This is a clear advantage in diagnostics when you have the ability to monitor, diagnose, and correct short cycling in heating systems.

ywheel. The tank absorbs the BTUs generated from the boiler and while at its lowest ďŹ ring rate, there is a larger load to absorb and re-distribute the BTUs.

INCREASED MASS TO REDUCE CYCLING The introduction of high mass heat exchangers to modulating/condensing boilers brought more toolss to the table in our efforts to deliver efďŹ cient comfort to our customers. When using the word mass, let’s make that synonymous with volume. There are mod/con boilers ers in the market today with very small mass, and some that are high mass.

In Figure 1 (below), we show how to calculate the buffer tank size needed low mass 800,000 BTUH boiler with a minimum ďŹ ring rate of 160,000 BTUH or 5:1 turndown, and a load of 40,000 BTUH for the heat emitter (Qload) that is operating at a 30°F6T.

Where high mass heat exchangers shine is their ability bility to handle smaller zones with less frequent cycling than an equally sized boiler with a low mass heat exchanger.

Think about a low mass heat emitter like a hot water coil residing in an air-handler. This low water content emitter can be further controlled as variable ow. Low ow requirements with low water content present the potential for short cycling.

Figure 1

Adding thermal mass to a system can offset the potential for short cycling.

For example, if we have an 800,000 BTUH boiler with a low water content heat-exchanger, the boiler can modulate down to its lowest possible ďŹ ring rate. If this lowest ďŹ ring rate is still above the current load, then the boiler will achieve its setpoint and shut the ame off in the boiler, even though the load has not satisďŹ ed. Adding more volume to this equation will allow the boiler the opportunity to run for a longer time.

Prior to the development of high mass heat exchangers, one option to handle this type of scenario was to add a buffer tank. The buffer tank is piped into the system as a thermal

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STANDARD BUFFER TANK SIZING V=

V=

T x (Q hs – Q Load 6T x 500

10 x (160,000 - 40,000) 30Âş6T x 500 1,200,000

V=

5,000 V= 80 Gallons

V= Minimum Volume of Tank T= Minutes of Heat Source On time Q hs = Heat Output rate of heat source Q load= rate of BTU extraction from tank

0 4 . 1 5

The beneďŹ ts of a boiler system that is not short-cycling is higher efďŹ ciency, less wear an and tear on components, and a better lifecycle cost that is in the best interest of the end-user and installer.

The next generation of features, advantages, and beneďŹ ts are out there, including in the hydronic marketplace. We print these FABs on our glossy advertisements and showcase them at trade shows, but there is more depth to individual features and they in turn, allow for more advantages with greater beneďŹ ts for those willing to investigate them.

In time, hopefully sooner rather than later, much like those customers at Starbucks, the use of these new technologies will be intuitive, automatic features and solutions to present to home and business owners.

MCEE

MÉCANEX/CLIMATEX/EXPOLECTRIQ/ÉCLAIRAGE

Canada’s largest trade show for plumbing, HVACR, hydronics, electricity and lighting.

Free Registration up to April 21 2015 120,000 square feet of new products, new technologies and new ideas.

APRIL 22 & 23 2015 Place Bonaventure Montréal, Québec

www.mcee.ca Produced by:

In collaboration with:

Marketing with DOUG MACMILLAN

Integrated Marketing: Are your activities connected together?

W

Doug MacMillan is president of The Letter M Marketing in Guelph, Ont. To reach him, email doug@thelettermmarketing.com.

e’ve been spending a lot of quality time me at the marketing DELI lately. Back in October we chilled for a while at the “Differentiate” cooler, made our way to the “Engage” counter in December and recently we sat for a spell at the “Leverage” bar. Our marketing meal wouldn’t be complete without a final gathering in the “Integrate” booth before we make our way home – full up with ideas and insights (I hope) to guide the year.

In the marketing world, integration is the concerted effort to unify different activities to reinforce a core strategy. It became critical in the 1990s when marketing shifted from a few mass advertising approaches (such as print campaigns, radio spots, direct mail and the Yellow Pages) to a huge range of specific niche tactics including SEO and social media activity, web advertising, blogging, YouTube, co-marketing... the list grows every week it seems.

The niche approach allows for a better use of marketing dollars, it’s true. Moving from the “spray and pray” model to a thoughtfully targeted program offers more assurance that efforts are reaching qualified prospects. However, often businesses have different people overseeing different tasks, with minimal strategic oversight.

Getting consistent To establish a steady narrative when audiences are hit by your messages from multiple channels, as they likely will be, it can help to communicate with everyone who will be working on the varied parts of the campaign.

Define the compelling messages that will be used on all marketing activity – from a print ad to the bottom of an invoice, a blog posts to a home show.

Print those key messages out and pin them to the bulletin boards (old school, I know) of everyone involved in marketing and ensure they stick to the script, tactic by tactic.

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Fragmentation happens easily in this environment, and it’s easy to start to see small (or sometimes big) differences in the look, voice and core brand tenets of the business.

Armed with a marketing plan with clear and measurable goals, the aim is for an individual effort’s goals to dovetail with core strategic expectations. Using consistent language will help knit everything together.

Applying a rigidly consistent visual strategy on everything you produce is another essential step. It’s tempting to accept the offers of anyone and everyone to put varied marketing pieces together for you, but be ready to ask yourself whether everything looks like it’s coming from the same business.

Instant recognition is a strong factor in connecting viewers to your company. If design work is being done by different people without a core understanding of your brand, careful attention should be paid to ensuring a recognizable and respectable look for your company.

This all sounds basic, I know.... “Of course, we’ll make certain everything is the same!” Trust me, once the wheels start turning and all of those other job demands start pressing in (after all, few marketing people in smaller businesses only do marketing stuff), it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of an integrated goal, message and identity.

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Measure, assess, apply The single most compelling evolution in marketing in the past 10 years is our ability to measure our work and learn from these efforts. It’s important to apply what you learn in one medium to the future direction of another medium.

Higher energy-efficiency ratings and lower cabinet heights

Goodman® high-efficiency gas furnaces now offer more features and benefits than ever. And all of them help to make Goodman gas furnaces easier to sell and install. Take a look at some of the enhancements you’ll find on select Goodman brand gas furnaces.

- Energy-efficiency performance ratings up to 97% AFUE

30,000 BTU AVAILABLE SOON!

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- Newly designed tubular heat exchanger with wrinkle bend technology - 20,000 BTU firing rate per burner to deliver capacities from 40,000 to 120,000 BTU - Vertical gas valve for easy field connection to either side of the cabinet

®

- ComfortNet communicating control system compatible

Our continuing commitment to quality products may mean a change in specifications without notice. © 2014 Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. · Houston, Texas

www.goodmanmfg.com

For a closer look at the new line of Goodman high-efficiency gas furnaces, simply visit www.goodmanmfg.com or contact your local Goodman brand distributor.

COMMERCIAL HVAC

B y A n d r ew S n ook Understanding MERV The most common value system used for commercial HVAC filters in North America is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), which is a reporting value from an evaluated air filter test under the ASHRAE 52.2 test standard.

This test shows the particle removal efficiencies of a wide variety of filters across a range of dust particle sizes.

A filter’s MERV rating is based on composite average particle removal efficiencies through a range of particle sizes from 0.3 to 10 microns.

Filtering out the

BIG PICTURE I

n the world of commercial HVAC equipment, the amount of money that building owners and operators need to spend can be considerable, so it is of little surprise that sometimes the less costly items go overlooked. Filters can be one of these items, despite the fact that they can be an important component within a system, and can help keep operational costs down.

“Sometimes we find that the customer is more focused on the cost per filter than the cost of equipment breakdown,” says Kevin Morrow, business development manager with Kimberly-Clark.

“In the grand scheme of things, the cost of the filters is very minimal. That’s the point we tryy to emphasize. Don’t focus on cost of the filter, but if you’re not protecting the equipment, that’s ’s a much bigger cost than the filter.”

The MERV values run on a scale ranging from MERV 1 to MERV 16. The higher the value, the better the filter is at catching small particles.

“MERV 1 is the type of furnace filter you can see through,” explains Kathleen Owens, vicechair of ASHRAE’s Standard 52.2. “A HEPA filter would be a MERV 16.”

Don’t thumb your sizing Following an HVAC manufacturer’s recommendations on filter use is vital for helping ensure that the equipment operates efficiently.

“It is very equipment specific,” says KimberlyClark’s Rob Martin. “One of the pain points is actually the huge number of different sizes that filter manufactures have to make.”

Improper filters can create a variety of problems for HVAC equipment.

“If a filter is too small then it’s definitely going to be less restrictive and unfiltered

air is going to get around it, or the filter is not going to do what it is designed to do,” explains Kevin Morrow.

He says proper design and fit is absolutely critical, especially in the commercial HVAC world.

“Things must fit properly for a filter to function properly,” he says. “That’s one the biggest problems that a lot of companies and customers overlook. If it doesn’t fit properly, you’re not going to get the proper ventilation.”

DID YOU KNOW? Pressure drop is measured either with a magneheilx gauge or a digital manometer.

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continues on page 115

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continued from continued from page 32page 112 COMMERCIAL HVAC

Potential health hazard

Swap ’em out

Improperly sized filters can create indoor air quality issues that have the potential to affect the health of a building’s inhabitants.

“If a filter is too small and air is bypassing it, the things you are trying to filter out of the air can just end up gumming up your system,” says Rob Martin. “In some cases, that can lead to coils fouling, or mould or other things growing in your HVAC system. So instead of filtering that out, in some cases you can end up having a breeding ground because you’re not actually keeping the system clean.”

Filters left in a system beyond their recommended lifespan can clog up and force fans to work significantly harder to push air through the system.

“If the filter is full, then you’re going to potentially increase the wear and tear of your equipment,” says Morrow. “Customers sometimes get caught up in cost per filter versus the wear and tear of equipment and cost of energy.”

So how often should you replace commercial HVAC filters? Well, it depends.

Standard office-type HVAC equipment should have its filters changed three to four times per year, while equipment for process applications or speciality applications might require monthly changes.

However, sticking to the manufacturer’s recommendations is the best way to determine the frequency of filter changes for any type of HVAC equipment.

Improper Ventilation Size is important, but Rob Martin says that improper ventilation may have more to do with selecting the wrong type of filter than incorrect sizing.

“In terms of not getting the ventilation, that’s a little bit less of a question of the filter size and more of a question of the pressure drop, or the amount of force that the HVAC system has to use to push air through the filter,” he says. “If that pressure is too high, what you’ll find is that your system can consume more energy.”

He says that HVAC systems tend to be designed to push out a set amount of air. The filter should be matched to that, as well as the recommended flow rates and ventilation rates that will be specified by a system designer or architect.

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SPOTLIGHT PROFILES

DRILL-POWERED HYDROSTATIC TEST PUMP Use of a cordless drill for power keeps weight off this hydrostatic test pump, making it lightweight and portable. The included 15-foot high pressure hose allows for easy system filling and features a quick disconnect fitting. The DPHTP500 uses a 1/2” 1,500 RPM electric or cordless drill, 18V or higher (drill not included). It is designed for pressure testing both residential and commercial water systems.

www.reedmfgco.com WON’T BURST IN THE WORST WEATHER WO The Woodford Model 19 Freezeless and Anti-Rupture Fau Faucet prevents bursting—even if the hose is attached.

The outdoor faucet features a patented pressure relief valv valve that prevents pressure build-up and burst tubes.

It is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

www.woodford.com BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING FROM ZOELLER COMPANY BUIL Zoelle Company is now offering Building Information Modeling (BIM) files for Zoeller engineers, architects, designers and contractors who use BIM for their projects. engin These 3-dimensional product renderings, complete with all necessary technical data, can be opened with Autodesk Revit from www.zoeller.com. Just look for the BIM Library under the Support tab.

www.zoeller.com MAKE OLD DRAINS LOOK NEW MAK The Universal U NuFit bathtub drain cover from Watco Manufacturing makes old drains d look new in minutes. The Universal NuFit fits over all bathtub drains (without requiring removal of strainer body), resists corrosion, is available in nine designer finishes, features a high flow grid strainer to availa prevent hair clogs and is a breeze to install. preve

Marketplace Ads

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Biasi Ecostyle hydronic radiator panels and towel bars provide exceptional radiant heat. Stylish, efficient and durable, the radiatorss are manufactured from high quality steel and finished with high gloss appliance enamel, making them scratch and corrosion resistant. Biasi radiators are the perfect choice for both new homess and renovations. For more information, call (800) 265-4484, or visit wardheating.com.

CANADA-WIDE DISTRIBUTOR

www.wardheating.com GRIND LIKE A PRO! The SANIBEST Pro from Saniflo comes equipped with a 1 hp grinder pump to offer users a combination of power and reliability. It offers a pumping distance of up to 25’ vertically or 150’ horizontally. The unit connects to toilets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, and indirectly to washing machines, and can handle the accidental flushing of sanitary items.

www.saniflo.ca NAVIEN INTRODUCES BOILER SERIES Navien has introduced the NHB (Navien Heating Boiler) series for residential and d light commercial use. Models are available in 4 sizes: NHB-55, NHB-80, NHB 110 0 and NHB-150, with turn-down-ratios respectively of 7:1, 10:1, 11:1, and 15:1. The e NHB smart control features offer an opportunity to achieve a true high-efficiencyy installation.

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PLUMBING

Products Tankless water heater

Wash basins Franke’s wall-mounted, single-bowl wash basins are built from 16 ga., 1.8-mm thick stainless steel. A 1-1/4” waste fitting is included with a vandal-resistant laser cut pyramid waste cover. The basins are installed using wall brackets with no separate carrier required.

www. frankekindred.com

Rheem’s Prestige RTGH series of condensing, tankless gas water heaters offer efficiencies up to 0.94 EF and have a heating input range of 11,000 to 199,900 BTUH. They feature a stainless steel heat exchanger, a built-in electric blower and digital display. They have a minimum flow rate of 0.26 gpm and a minimum activation flow rate of 0.40 gpm. w

ww. rheem.com

Couplings IPEX’s MJ Grey mechanical couplings are designed as an alternative to solvent cementing for large diameter joints when working in cold weather or from heights. The product’s flexibility allows for minor adjustments to piping alignments. They are available in 8”, 10” and 12” sizes.

Shower trim Delta’s VeroMonitor 17 Series tub and shower trim has a flow rate of 2.0 gpm at 80 psi. Available in four finishes, the valve features a forged brass body, level volume control handle and a dual-function pressure balance cartridge. The unit’s dial rotation can be adjusted between 90˚ and 180˚. www.

www. ipexinc.com

deltafaucet.ca

Drain cleaning Outdoor faucet

The Double U-Cutter drain cleaning head from General Pipe Cleaners features front and rear blades. The cutting starts as the cable feeds into the line and continues as it retracts. It comes in 3” and 4” sizes. The cutter can be adapted to sectional machines, or to other brands of cabletype drain cleaners.

The Woodford Model 19 anti-rupture faucet is designed to prevent bursting even if the hose is attached. It features a pressure relief valve and an integral backflow protection device. The faucet has a 3/4” male hose thread nozzle, stainless steel seat and an aluminum handle. It has a maximum operating pressure of 125 psi and a maximum temperature of 120°F.

www. drainbrain.com

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PLUMBING

Products

Carrier system Zurn’s EZCarry carrier system provides a standard load rating up to 500 lb. The unit has a 3” faceplate orifice and coupling combination. It is available in 4” and 3” waste line configurations.

Sump pumps

www. zurn.com

Saniflo’s Sanipump submersible sump pumps have cast iron housings and feature a top suction design.

They are built with corrosion-resistant, stainless steel fittings and impeller plates, a flow shield, and a non-wicking power cord. The units are offered with a 1/3-hp motor with a maximum flow rate of 60 gpm and a maximum lift of 22 feet, or a 1/2-hp motor with a maximum flow rate of 70 gpm and a maximum lift of 25 feet.

Filtration system

www. saniflo.ca

Tankless water heaters Infiniti condensing water heaters from Bradford White Canada feature a vertical modulating burner design, dual fan configuration, copper primary heat exchangers and aluminum secondary heat exchangers. The units have an input range of 19,900 to 199,000 BTUH and efficiencies up to 0.95 EF. They have built-in digital controls and can be cascaded with up to 24 units.

Novo’s NRV whole house use carbon filtration system m is designed to reduce chlorine, orine, chloramines and other bad tastes astes and odours in a home’s potable water ater supply. It features a non-backwashing shing distribution head and quick-connect nnect fittings.

Optional SharkBite push-fit sh-fit fittings are available.

novowater.com

www. bradfordwhite.com

There is evidence of plumbing systems that tha at dates d back to 6,000 B.C.

Composite pipe Multi-Flex Pipe (P-A-P) consist of five layers. The outside layer is high-density polyethylene, while the inside layer is made up of cross-linked polyethylene. The mid-layer of aluminum is longitudinally joined using an ultrasonic overlap welding technique. The company has tubing for water, gas, radiant and HVAC/R systems, with sizes ranging from 1/4” to 2”, depending on the application.

Cleaning brushes Masters’ 2-in-1 fitting and tube cleaning brushes are made with heavy-duty bristles. They clean the outside diameter and inside diameter of copper tubing and are designed to fit a broad range of power drills.

The brushes are offered in 1/2” and 3/4” sizes.

www. multiflexpipe.com

gfthompson.com

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HYDRONIC

Products

Snowmelt systems The Snow Melting Control 680 from Tekmar is designed to support communication with building automation systems using the BACnet or Modbus protocol for alert notification, remote monitoring and adjustments. The control allows for the integration of two snow or ice sensors. An optional flow sensor for metering energy consumption is available.

www. tekmarcontrols.com

Modulating boiler The MagnaTherm condensing boiler and volume water heater from Laars is available in six models with inputs ranging from 1,600,000 to 4,000,000 BTUH. They have thermal efficiencies up to 95%.

The units feature 5:1 turndown. Up to eight units can be controlled in a cascading boiler bank.

Lead-free fittings Uponor’s ProPEX lead-free brass CPVC adapter fittings are designed ed for transitioning from CPVC to PEX in hydronic distribution piping ng systems and commercial plumbing. g.

The fittings are available in 1-1/4”, 4”, 1-1/2” and 2” sizes, and are offered ered in a spigot and a socket adapter.

www. laars.com

www. uponor.ca

Condensing boiler Available in five sizes with heating inputs ranging from 550,000 to 2,000,000 BTUH, Weil-McLain’s SlimFit offers combustion efficiencies up to 96.1%. The unit comes wired, pre-programmed and test fired. Features include an aluminum heat exchanger, a stainless steel burner and a variable speed motor.

www. weil-mclain.com

Circulator Armstrong Astro 2 circulators are available with cast iron, lead-free bronze or stainless steel volute materials. They have a maximum flow rate of 64 gpm, maximum head up to 42 feet, and can operate in ambient temperatures of up to 40˚C, with a maximum fluid temperature of 110˚C. The circulators are offered with 1/2” to 3/4” sweat, 1-1/4” union, and standard two-bolt flange connections. They have a power range of 33W to 218W.

www. armstrongfluidtechnology.com 120 xx

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Zone valves Viega’s zone valves are available in 3/4” and 1” sizes with three different connection types. They have a fluid temperature range of 32°F to 212°F. The valves have a bronze body and feature a thermal electric motor for wiring in 2- or 4-wire applications.

www. viega.us

STUFF YOU NEED Reamers Reed’s PPR Series of plastic pipe fitting reamers fit into standard 1/2” drills and are available in seven sizes ranging from 3/4” to 4”. The tools are also designed to clean leftover pipe and solvent cement residue from PVC, CPVC or ABS fittings. They work on vent lines, drain lines and water lines.

Pipe beveller Ridgid’s B-500 transportable pipe beveller mounts to the end of pipes that are 4” or greater in diameter with a maximum wall thickness of 1/2”, as well as on flat plates up to 1/2” thick. It has interchangeable heads for bevel cuts at 30˚, 37.5˚ or 45˚.

It also features speed monitoring with LED indicator lights.

www. reedmfgco.com

www. ridgid.com

Impact driver river DeWalt’s 20V MAX XR brushless lithium ion impact act driver features a brushless motor and a one-handed loading chuck. It is built with an LED light ring surrounding the chuck. The lights remain illuminated ed for 20 seconds after trigger release. ase. The tool is built with an ergonomic onomic handle and is 5.55” in length. mes with The tool kit comes tery a lithium-ion battery pack with fuel gauge.

Leak detection n The Tritan 365 leak detection tection lamp from Spectroline features es three ultraviolet LEDs for fluorescent ent leak detection, as well as a white light LED D for general component inspection. The lamp provides rovides coverage up to 45” in diameter at a 20-foott distance. It is designed for use with the company’ss fluorescent dyes.

www. spectroline.com

www. dewalt.com

Battery pack Milwaukee’s M18 RedLithium XC5.0 extended capacity battery pack features vibration protection and drop protection, and is designed to operate in temperatures below -18°C. It also offers overload and discharge protection. The unit is fully compatible with all of the company’s M18 cordless tools.

Pliers Hilmor’s Quick-Adjusting Tongue & Groove Plier, which features a push button for quick positioning, also has a V-shaped jaw that’s designed to hold hex, square or round fasteners. The tool is built with over-moulded handles.

www. milwaukeetool.ca

www. hilmor.com

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Break Time

For this puzzle’s solution, visit mechanicalbusiness.com

Across 2. Cross-linked tubing.

4. _______ mass: A material’s ability to store heat.

7. Introduces outside air to an indoor space.

9. Organization based in B.C. that is all about thermal environmental comfort.

10. Product used to connect pipe ends together.

12. Common value system used for HVAC filters.

13. Dividing a building’s heating systems into multiple areas.

16. The line running back to a boiler.

17. The national association for the oil heat industry.

Down 1. ____ pumps: Air-to-air, water-to-air or water-to-water HVAC appliances.

3. City playing host to this year’s RSES Canada Conference.

5. Valve used to fix an uneven distribution of fluid in a heating system.

6. MB’s specialist who’s all about plumbing.

8. Software for smartphones, tablets or desktops.

11. Water heater without a burner.

14. A measure of heat.

15. Brings year-round fresh air to a home.

TOOL TIPS

A must in clean areas

The importance of dust collection

It is critical to have proper dust collection equipment for your tools when working in environments that need to be “clean” work areas, such as renos in hospitals and restaurants where dust can simply not be flying around.

Look for an efficient system that is attached to the tool and offers HEPA filtration.

T

he drilling of holes in concrete to create a passage for plumbing and HVAC/R piping runs, or perhaps for appliance venting, produces silica dust. This dust can be harmful to breathe in without proper protection.

Dust creation can also be a problem if you are drilling holes in concrete overhead, perhaps to install pipe supports or to hold strut channel, so finding a way to keep dust out of your face, and especially away from your eyes, can be a challenge.

While some contractors resort to jamming empty coffee cups on drill bits, and other less-than-perfect innovations, there are proper dust collection

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tools available that will fit a variety of drilling tools.

If you are in the market for a dust collection system, look for one that will work with the tools that you have. Some offer a variety of handles and mounts to allow you to use them on more than just proprietary tool offerings. These tools are designed to be in vacuum mode when drilling, although some have a mode that will only turn the vacuum on when the end of the bit assembly is depressed. This can be a power-saving feature for nonrepetitive drilling tasks.

0 4 . 1 5

Sponsored by Milwaukee Electric Tool – a proud partner with Mechanical Business. Look for video tips, tools and reviews at www.milwaukeetool.com.

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Tel: (877) 226-4255 www.acocan.ca 40

Tel: (866) 594-0767 www.aquatech.ws

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Tel: (800) 567-9791 www.hoodchemical.com

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Tel: (855) 446-5663 www.franke-commercial.com

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Tel: (320) 274-8246 www.malcotools.com

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Tel: (800) 245-6200 www.drainbrain.com

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Tel: (877) 780-3316 www.goodmanmfg.com

Tel: (414) 238-2360 www.caleffi.us

Tel: (800) 639-2474 www.mcee.ca

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Tel: (800) 265-9271 www.glcopper.com

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TM

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Tel: (719) 574-1101 www.woodfordmfg.com

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OXFORD ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.

Tel: (403) 276-9456 www.wilo-canada.com

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MCEE 2015 April 22-23, 2015 Montreal, Que. www.mcee.ca RSES Canada AGM May 21-23, 2015 Calgary, Alta. www.rsescanada.com CIPH Ontario Conference May 22-24, 2015 Niagara Falls, Ont. www.ciph.com HPBAC Symposium June 6-7, 2015 Toronto, Ont. www.hpbacontario.ca CIPH ABC June 14-16, 2015 Quebec City, Que. www.ciph.com OPIA Annual Meeting June 14-16, 2015 Barrie, Ont. www.opia.info

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125

bythenumbers

Compiled by Mechanical Business

CE TAG PAN AM PRICE

N $2.5 BILLION The estimated total cost of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games, including security, transportation and the athletes’ village.

BUILDING BILLIONS

$85.1 BILLION

AGING IN PLACE

Total value of building permits for 2014, up 5.2 per cent from 2013.

85% Percentage of Canadians over the age of 55 aiming to remain in their current homes for as long as possible.

FAMILY TIES

$24 BILLION The value of investment, construction and operation of multi-family rental buildings in Canada.

FINDING WORK-LIFE BALANCE

140,000

53%

Number of jobs supported by multi-family rental buildings market in Canada.

Percentage of small business owners who list balancing work and home life as one of their greatest challenges.

INNOVATIVE ONTARIO IO

BACTERIA BREEDING GROUND

43.7% The percentage of the top 100 research ch spending companies in Canada that are located in Ontario. Quebec takes second ond place at 39.9%.

68˚F TO 122˚F ˚F The temperature range e where Legionella bacteria teriia can colonize in stagnant water conditions.

BIG BUSINESS

3,760,855

Number of Canadian businesses (revenues greater than $30,000).

PM# 41536047 Postmaster: Please send all address changes or undeliverable copies to: Mechanical Business, 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road, Oakville, ON L6J 0B2

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M e c h a n i c a l

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TECH SPEC Flood Buzz™ Pro Water Leak Alarm Warns you of a leak before it becomes a flood...

Flood Buzz™ Pro is designed to detect water and sounds a 110dB alarm upon contact.

Place near any potential water leak or flood source, such as a sump pump, hot water tank, washing machine or dishwasher connectors and faucet/toilet tank connectors. t t t t t t

No buttons to push No programming to worry about No batteries to buy or replace Flood Buzz™ alarms have an internal battery and are good for a minimum of two years Reusable and simple to test by dipping the two bottom prongs in a small amount of water Turn Flood Buzz™ Pro into a silent Ad by affixing a 1.5” x 1” label with your contact info

Just place it and hope it never goes off!* * For best protection, Flood Buzz™ Pro should be replaced by the “Replace by” date as indicated on the unit.

Available from OS&B™ in Eastern Canada. s.com In Western Canada (including Thunder Bay), please contact Stringer Sales at www.stringersales.com

at See us - MCEE 14 Booth 2 Replace By: 7 /2017 12

floodbuzz.ca

EE C at M427 s U # See ooth B

Worry Free Flow Control

Our companies have been helping you convey & control water for 140 years. We’re the smart one-stop choice for everything from backflow preventers & valves to piping systems & fittings, and everything in between.

Learn more at OneWattsWater.com/FlowControl