Mechanical Business September/October 2021 by Mechanical Business

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CIPHEX WEST 2021 SHOW GUIDE

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CUT THE CORD AND KEEP ON WORKING

Gen-Eye X-POD Plus

Now you can inspect drain lines far from a power source. The Gen-Pack battery adapter allows up to 12 hours of remote operation with limited access to power. The Gen-Pack is also sold separately. But wait, there’s more. You can now record onto a ﬂash drive or send the recording to your customers with the built-in Wi-Fi transmitter. Also, you can track just how far the camera has traveled down the line with the on-screen distance counter.

NEW Gen-Pack™ Battery Adapter. (Battery not included)

For more information, visit www.drainbrain.com/XPodPlus, or call the Drain Brains® at 800-245-6200

Visit us at CIPHEX West - Booth #301

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CONTENTS O F

48COVER STORY

The master of suspense’s own story is full of twists and turns, and a slow steady build to his becoming one of Canada’s most successful living writers. Kerry Turner

Can employees be terminated for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Linwood Barclay: MASTER OF HIS GENRE

56MANAGEMENT

Can employees be terminated for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Are employees required to provide proof of vaccination and what recourse will employers have if an employee fails or refuses to provide this information? Juan Echavarria

Top five ways of dealing with root incursions sions

108PLUMBING

Most contractors do not lock themselves into using just one strategy when dealing with root incursions and as technology progresses, contractors have an array of drain cleaning options available to them. Dave Dunbar

2021 Pickup Truck Roundup:

Emerging from a turbulent year

88COMMERCIAL SERVICE VEHICLES ack this The market has roared back erience the year – just in time to experience full pain of plant shutdowns, ns, limited parts supply, and a worldwide micro-processor shortage. Howard J Elmer

CIPHEX West to welcome in-person attendees to new venue

73CIPHEX WEST 2021

More than 150 companies have signed on to exhibit since the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) announced in June that its trade show will go ahead as planned on November 3 and 4. Schedules, seminars and workshops, exhibitors list, and products are available here.

On the cover: Linwood Barclay talks about his love of writing and his rise to international bestselling author. Cover photo: Ellis Parinder

F E A T U R E S

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66JOBSITE JARGON

Try your hand at this contest for a chance to win a FLIR TG165-X thermal camera.

68ROAD WARRIOR: MARY-ANNE BOWCOTT Shattering stereotypes Carolyn Cooper

CONTENTS O F

ELECTRIFICATION OF THE HVAC INDUSTRY

How will this policy impact contractors’ businesses?

70HYDRONICS

How to choose the right balancing valve 'PUWTG FGUKIP ƃQY TCVGU CTG CEJKGXGF Ryan Coppola

100LOOKING AHEAD

Escalating carbon tax should drive equipment selection Victor Hyman

102PLUMBING

Marrying style and functionality Considerations when selecting linear drains. Josh Hopkins

106VENTILATION

110HEATING

Contractors need to understand the importance of the policy and differentiate themselves by offering products that meet its environmental objectives. Jonathon Harp

You won’t even know we are here 64PROJECT PROFILE

iÃÌÀ>Ì wV>Ì v> Ã Technology shines in heating season. Matthew Magee

114METERING

Targeting actual energy use – Part II Map out smarter ways to operate buildings’ thermal energy. Rick Ellul

Jasper Park Lodge faced two challenges: a complete removal and replacement of existing systems, all while providing services such as hot and cold water to its guests. Nick McRoberts

118HUMAN RESOURCES

Help wanted: make the right call Selecting candidates and winning strategies for interviewing. Sue Sodek

SAINT-LAURENT TAKES ON CLIMATE CHANGE WITH MUNICIPAL UPGRADES

121GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Ontario and BC focus on skilled trades ViÀÌ wV>Ì Provinces revamp apprenticeship systems. Carolyn Cooper

54SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT D E P A R T M E N T S 8Worth A Look 10-30News, Movers & Shakers, People 122,123The info page 126By the numbers P R O D U C T S 38-42Heating Product Showcase 80CIPHEX Product Showcase 4

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Saint-Laurent has completed energy GHƂEKGPE[ KORTQXGOGPVU

A PERFECT FIT

60WORK WEAR Professionals weigh KP QP ƂV EQOHQTV CPF blending in. Carolyn Cooper

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NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE AT CIPHEX BOOTH #907

HIGH EFFICIENCY CONDENSING RESIDENTIAL BOILERS

Combining IBC’s proven condensing technology with an updated intuitive V-10 controller, the VX™ offers the same great quality, control features, and efficiency you expect from an IBC stainless steel fire-tube boiler but with a more compact design saving time, space and money.

COMMERCIAL CONDENSING BOILER OR VOLUME WATER HEATER

With the launch of the IFIRE™, IBC is uniquely positioned to offer unprecedented value in the commercial new construction or retrofit marketplace by providing a stainless-steel water tube option for heat and volume water heating applications. Both Hydronic IFIRE™, options have 6 models from 300,000 to 1,000,000 Btu/hr and achieves a thermal efficiency of up to 96.5%.

THE SM MART CHO OIC CE FOR HEAT AND HOT WATER www.ibcboiler.com | 1-844-HEAT IBC

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC 6i Ì } V > i }iÃ «iÀÃ ÃÌ Ì i wi ` Gord Cooke 6JGTG UJQWNF DG HGY NKOKVCVKQPU NGHV KP ƂPFKPI reliable, safe and unobtrusive vent termination NQECVKQPU HQT GXGP VJG OQUV FKHƂEWNV CRRNKECVKQPU

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PLUMBING iÜ ÌiV }Þ > ` «À `ÕVÌÃ v À ÃÌ> >Ì > ` Ài«> ÀÃ Fred Bretzke Plumbers share their favourite haves and ‘want to JCXGUo KP VJGKT VQQNDQZGU

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MARKETING / i « ÜiÀ v «>ÀÌ iÀÃ «Ã Doug MacMillan More intimate connections between local DWUKPGUUGU KU MG[ VQ UWEEGUU

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PressFits.

Think of your business as a big tool chest. You have to work smarter every day to fill it with the right products, the right tools and the right people for every job. When making reliable HVAC/R pipe connections, press fitting technology belongs in your tool chest. With greater efficiency, consistency and safety at every connection, press technology is the next tool of the trade and a perfect fit for greater productivity.

Rapid Locking System™

press-ﬁts.com

Fast. Durable. Reliable.

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SEAMLESS INTEGRATION. ALL YOUR HYDRONIC NEEDS IN ONE PLACE. From hydronic heating controls to mixing valves, Resideo Water Solutions are designed to work together to make your job easier. And now with our newly expanded hydronic portfolio you can get all your hydronic parts in one place – saving you time, labor, parts and money. Visit at Resideo.com/pro/water

resideo.com

Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 Canada Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com September/October 2021 Issue Published 6 times per year. For All Subscription Inquiries Shila Naik Circulation Director 905-272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Editor: Kerry Turner, C 416-435-1193 kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com National Sales Manager: Kyle Badder, C 416-735-1375 kyle.badder@mechanicalbusiness.com Operations Manager: Caroline Bexﬁeld, C 647-217-2076 caroline.bexﬁeld@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: Fourteen Orange Graphic Design Inc. davem@fourteenorange.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, C 416-457-9563 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com PM:41536047 ISSN 1916-0674 MB (Print) ISSN 1906-0682 MB (Online)

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

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, engineers, 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 like your name excluded from these mailings, please notify the publisher. © Copyright 2021. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher. Proud members of:

WORTH

LOOK

Study confirms low apprenticeship registrations and impact of COVID A study, Pathways indicators for registered apprentices in Canada, 2019, from Statistics Canada was based on apprentices who began training in 2013, and where they were in their programs in 2019. Statistics Canada used this baseline to show the impact of COVID-19 on apprentices finishing their programs, as well as on new apprenticeship registrations and certifications.

Pathways of registered apprentices in Canada, Most apprentices who registered in 2011 took more than four years—the most common program duration—to certify

4 years after 6 years after registration (2015) registration (2017)

Discontinuation

8 years after registration (2019)

36.7% 22.2% 41.1%

41.2% 14.3% 44.4%

In 2019, 8 years after registration, only 7 of the 25 selected Red Seal trades1 KDG FHUWLǓFDWLRQ UDWHV RYHU

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56.6%

Red Seal trades with the highest FHUWLǓFDWLRQ rates for

It found that COVID-19 has impacted individuals currently in apprenticeship training, through school closures, lay-offs and loss of on-the-job hours. Registration for apprenticeship programs also dropped 43 per cent in eight months in 2020, while certiﬁcations fell 48.7 per cent, compared to the same period in 2019.

22.4% 46.0% 31.6%

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female apprentices in 2019, 8 years after registration

50.0% 44.7% 40.4%

From 2011 to 2019, the number of

Hairstylist Industrial electrician

female apprentices registered in a predominately male trade2 grew

Welder Construction electrician

by 71.6%.

Red Seal trades with the highest

discontinuation rates in 2019, 8 years after registration

Motor M t vehicle hi l body repairer

61.6%

Painter and decorator

59.2%

Cook

Roofer

Ironworker

54.0%

53.9%

52.5%

Discontinuation rate

The COVID-19 pandemic could impact the pathways of registered apprentices for years to come A recent Statistics Canada article suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had an impact on certifications in the trades. Preliminary data on registered apprenticeships reveal that certifications declined by almost half (-48.7%) over an eight-month period3 in 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. 1. Red Seal trades: Trades with common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. Tradespeople who pass the exam and meet Red Seal standards receive a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial or territorial trade certificate. 2. Trades are classified as predominately male or predominately female when men or women, respectively, make up 80% or more of new registrations. 3. The eight-month period includes the preliminary data for months February through September of 2020. Notes: Cohort: A group of newly registered apprentices in an apprenticeship program in a given calendar year. Rates were measured for the 2011 cohort, eight years after registration (2019).

Source: Statistics Canada, Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019.

www.statcan.gc.ca

According to the report, 93,430 apprentices began their training in 2013. By 2019 that cohort of apprentices “were less likely to certify in their trade and more likely to discontinue, compared with those who had registered in 2011 and 2012.” The report found that the length of apprenticeships varied depending on factors such as the trade, previous training, the province and its economic conditions and unemployment rates, and whether certification is mandatory or not. While Statistics Canada says most trade programs take three to four years to complete, the study found that by 2017 just 20.9 per cent of the cohort had finished training, while 35.4 per cent had dropped out. By 2019, 32.9 per cent had been certified, while 45.4 per cent had ended their training. Certification rates were higher for Red Seal trades (33.6 per cent overall) and certain trades including plumbers (35.1 per cent), and refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics (40.9 per cent). Women accounted for 15.1 per cent of all apprenticeship registrants in 2013, but by 2019 were less likely to be certified than their male cohorts if they were working in trades in which 80 per cent of apprentices were male, such as plumbing. At the same time, the report shows more women are certifying in the trades than ever before, with 7.8 per cent more women certified in male-dominated trades in 2019 than in 2013, compared to a 23.3-per cent decrease for men. That means there was a certification rate of 18.8 per cent for female plumbers and 35.7 for male plumbers. To read the report, visit Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) and search Pathway Indicators.

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Power. Performance. Endurance. PVI’s Dynamic Water Heating® A revolutionary water heating system design and application approach that features greater BTU input for quick reaction, an optimized storage buffer for extra power when needed, the benefit of high water turnover, and exclusive duplex stainless steel AquaPLEX® construction for unmatched performance and longevity. Learn more about PVI’s Dynamic Water Heaters at pvi.com.

OptiSize® will help you select an optimally-sized water heater for your next project

10.21

News

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Louis St-Laurent wins Quebec Entrepreneur of the Year Award Louis St-Laurent, CEO of The Master Group, was recognized with the EY2021 Quebec Entrepreneur of the Year Award. St-Laurent is LoWKU 5V .CWTGPV one of nine winners from Quebec. The award recognizes entrepreneurs from different industries who are visionary leaders, and who deliver innovation, growth and prosperity for their companies, and connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world.

Vancouver moves forward with Climate Emergency Action Plan The City of Vancouver says it is ready to go ahead with its Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), which was launched in November 2020. The Vancouver CEAP is a four-part approach to reducing the city’s carbon pollution by more than 50 per cent by 2030. Because 54 per cent of this carbon pollution comes from natural gas use in buildings, the city is requiring new low-rise residential buildings to have zero emissions equipment for heating, and additional roof insulation as of January 1, 2022. Vancouver city council considered delaying the new building by-law due to staff backlog, but after industry and stakeholder presentations it agreed to move forward with the requirement. Other goals for the building industry include reducing carbon pollution from hot water heating, and building with lower-carbon materials and practices. vancouver.ca

Hydro-Quebec partners with Énergir to reduce GHG emissions Hydro-Quebec and Énergir have announced a partnership to help reduce natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the increased electriﬁcation of buildings with dual energy – natural gas and electricity. By replacing heating systems fuelled only by natural gas with dual-energy systems a building can be heated with electricity most of the year, but can be heated with natural gas in winter. This takes pressure off Hydro-Quebec’s energy system during a peak use time. According to the utilities, natural gas consumption among participating customers heating residential, commercial and institutional buildings should decrease 70 per cent through the use of dual energy. hydroquebec.com energir.com

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master.ca

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Wardlaw Heating & Cooling wins Employer of the Year award Sault Ste. Marie, ON-based Wardlaw Heating & Cooling Inc. has been named Employer of the Year at the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce 2020 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. The Employer of the Year award recognizes an employer who has created cultures and communities through all aspects of their business. Wardlaw Heating & Cooling has been a leading HVAC contractor in Northern Ontario since 1981. “What a year to be employer of the year,” said Derek Jackson, chief information and marketing ofﬁcer for Wardlaw Heating & Cooling, when presented with the award. “It was a tough year for everyone, but we can’t do anything without our team, so thank you to all of them for working with us for all these years.” wardlawheatingandcooling.ca

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A PERFECT BOILER FOR EVERY NEED

Whatever the space, whatever the use, whatever the need - Lochinvar has a residential boiler for your application. EPIC® Firetube Combination Gas Boiler offers DHW and space heating abilities with the ease of the tried and true SMART CONTROL™ operating control while the always dependable KNIGHT™ Heating Boiler has a multitude of easy-to-setup options available through its interface, the SMART SYSTEM™ operating control.

No One Brings It All Together Like Lochinvar. Visit Lochinvar.com to learn more.

10.21

News

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Manitoba Métis Federation undertakes climate action initiatives

CCOHS launches online COVID assessment course

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is undertaking two initiatives that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support environmental protection. The projects include a $3.5-million upgrade to the Federation’s Winnipeg ofﬁce building to improve energy efﬁciency. That will mean installing solar panels, and upgrading the building envelope and its HVAC systems. The second initiative is the Métis Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow project that will bring Métis youth together with Elders and Traditional Knowledge Holders to learn about the cultural environmental traditions that have protected their lands for centuries.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has created an online program to help employers conduct an effective COVID-19 workplace risk assessment and safety plan. The free course, COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment and Safety Plan, outlines the steps companies should take when conducting a workplace risk assessment, including personal factors to consider, as well as how to properly evaluate their workplace safety plan so that it is up to date with current COVID-19 guidelines. The course is available in English and French, and according to CCOHS, takes about 20 minutes to complete. ccohs.ca

manitobametis.com

Virtual, in-person or hybrid? V

Check out mechanicalbusiness.com C for the latest information on industry events.

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10.21

News

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CAF-FCA establishes national research agenda The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) has introduced a National Apprenticeship Research Agenda. The research agenda outlines a three-year framework for key areas of research relating to the Canadian apprenticeship system, while supporting the goals of CAF-FCA’s 2021-2024 strategic plan. Those goals are: to increase the participation of under-represented people in apprenticeship; to increase the number of youths entering trades careers through apprenticeship; to increase the number of employers who hire and train apprentices; and to support the completion of apprenticeship programs through the testing of innovative training approaches.

Moncton focuses on green community upgrades The City of Moncton is investing in 10 green community infrastructure initiatives. Building improvements include the addition of accessible washrooms downtown, repairs to the Moncton Coliseum roof, and upgrades to the senior’s centre’s HVAC system. The current HVAC system will transition from electric heat to a VRF heat pump with the inclusion of room diffusers, ducts and piping. The projects are co-funded by Moncton and the federal government, with more than $1 million coming from the city and over $4 million in federal funding. moncton.ca

Good indoor air quality key to safe classrooms The Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) has set up a public health task force to raise awareness of the importance of proper ventilation and indoor air filtration in classrooms. Managing indoor air quality has been identified as a possible way to stop transmission of airborne pathogens, and the task force intends to communicate this message to public health officials and school boards across Canada. The task force will also communicate: the benefits of hydronic heating and cooling; case studies of system applications and their impact on air quality and energy efficiency; the application and adoption of green energy options; and messaging ideas to influence decision makers. ciph.com

caf-fca.org

Report calls for more innovative approach to retrofits Efficiency Canada’s new report, “Canada’s Climate Retrofit Mission,” says current government policies for building retrofits are making the process unnecessarily slow. According to Efficiency Canada, a policy advocacy and research group at Carleton University’s Sustainable Energy Research Centre, government policies “are focused on short-term results, and markets are segmented and uncoordinated.” As a result, it says it will take almost 150 years to complete the millions of low-rise residential and commercial buildings required to achieve Canada’s greenhouse gas emission targets. The report instead calls for a more creative approach to the retrofit market, and a “policy framework focused on triggering economies of scale and innovations to reduce costs, increase speed and enhance value.” efficiencycanada.org

Honeywell and Trane field test R-410A alternative Honeywell has announced that its Solstice N41 (R-466A) refrigerant, an R-410A alternative, has begun field trials for residential and light commercial air conditioning applications. Solstice N41 is a reduced global warming, non-flammable alternative refrigerant to R-410A. Honeywell’s one-year field trial of the refrigerant is in partnership with manufacturer Trane Technologies, which will deploy and test the refrigerant in three client buildings in the U.S. honeywell.com tranetechnologies.com

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Designed for today and the future. Easily identiﬁable with blue housings, Victaulic offers a potable water product line designed for use on Schedules 10S and 40S stainless steel and Schedules 10 and 40 galvanized carbon steel potable water piping systems.

Installation-Ready™ Couplings Victaulic patented InstallationReady technology provides fast, easy installation and visual veriﬁcation of correct assembly.

Rigid Style 807N Flexible Style 877N

Next Generation Grade P Gasket Technology Grade P gasket material offers improved resistance to typical potable water disinfectants.

Complete System Offering Victaulic valves, expansion joints, ﬂange adapters and PRV stations are among a wide range of products available for your potable water system.

Watch our YouTube video to learn more about the Style 807N coupling.

10.21

News

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RMC increases refrigerant disposal fee on CFC-11 Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC) has increased the fee for accepting CFC-11 refrigerant into its disposal program to $20/ kg. RMC has partially subsidized this cost since 2010 but can no longer do so. RMC recommends that contractors discuss disposal fees with customers, and remind them “as the equipment and refrigerant owner, they are obliged to comply with the provincial and federal regulations regarding the proper handling, storage and disposal of CFC-11 refrigerant. Additionally, equipment owners should be asking their contractor how they intend to dispose of the CFC-11 refrigerant if a disposal fee is not quoted.” hrai.ca

Apply now for the CanadaSaskatchewan Job Grant The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant is now accepting applications for funding from eligible employers. Through the program employers pay for one-third of the training, and are reimbursed for the remainder by the provincial and federal governments. Employers can apply for the grant multiple times, up to a maximum of $100,000 per ﬁscal year, and up to $10,000 per individual trainee. Employers can choose the training program and how it will be delivered, although it must be at least 24 hours per trainee; be completed within 52 weeks; it must result in a credential such as record of completion or certiﬁcate; and it shouldn’t replace an employer’s existing investment in training. saskatchewan.ca

Energy provider FortisBC Energy Inc. and ThermoLift Inc. are beginning the first North American field tests of residential fuel-flexible heat pumps for single-family homes. The pilot sites, which were selected after a screening process by FortisBC’s Conservation and Energy Management Team and ThermoLift, are a cross-section of residential properties in British Columbia. A ThermoLift Thermal Compression Climate Control (TC3) unit for space and water heating will be installed at each home to test its operational efficiency in the province’s diverse weather conditions. Stony Brook, NY-based ThermoLift says the TC3 is powered by hydrogen, biofuels or natural gas, and works as a boiler, furnace, water heater and air conditioner. Final evaluation reports on the test pilot are expected shortly. fortisbc.com thermoliftenergy.com

BC releases Canada’s ﬁrst provincial hydrogen strategy

The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new brand identity designed to show that propane is a critical part of Canada’s sustainable, low-carbon energy plan. According to the CPA, the new logo reﬂects the fact that propane balances the need to safeguard the environment with Canada’s need for green, affordable energy sources. Additional branding that tells the history of the propane industry, and that emphasizes propane as a modern and sustainable energy solution, will also be coming.

The Government of British Columbia has released a hydrogen strategy outlining how the province will reach its climate goals of net-zero emissions by 2050 through the use of renewable hydrogen, while creating jobs in the clean-tech sector. The hydrogen strategy is part of the province’s CleanBC plan, and includes 63 actions that must be taken by government, industry and innovators to reach short-, medium- and long-term goals in transitioning to clean energy sources. Immediate initiatives will include “scaling up production of renewable hydrogen, establishing regional hydrogen hubs and deploying medium- and heavy-duty fuel-cell vehicles.” BC Hydro recently launched a discounted electricity rate for renewable hydrogen production, while its subsidiary, Powertech Labs, will build a light-duty hydrogen-fuelling station to produce hydrogen on-site through electrolysis to support a BC Hydro hydrogen fuel-cell pilot. Editor’s note: For more information on hydrogen, see Is hydrogen entering the NG mix? in the March/April 2021 issue of Mechanical Business.

propane.ca

cleanbc.com

Canadian Propane Association rebrands for 10th anniversary

FortisBC and ThermoLift launch residential gas heat pump trials

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10.21

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The bad and the ugly contest announces winners The Western Canada Section of the American Water Works Association (WCSAWWA) has selected the winners of its 2021 Bad and Ugly contest to find the worst cross connections for potable water in Canada. The winning photos were submitted by Xavier Lamoureux, a backflow tester from Saint-Hubert, QC in the active tester category, and cross connection control inspector Robert Glowacki from Winnipeg in the inspector/regulator category. Lamoureux won a Watts differential gauge, while Glowacki received a WCSAWWA gift certificate.

(left) The winning photos from Xavier Lamoureux, and (right) Robert Glowacki.

wcsawwa.net

Imagine a Refrigeration System that… • uses 100% “plug & play” controls over secure connection • uses less than half the refrigerant charge of conventional platforms • incorporates Vapour Drive™ … oil free, magnetic drive, 0-100% modulation, semi hermetic scroll compressors • XVHV 9)' FRPSUHVVRU PRGXODWLRQ WR PDWFK ORDG SURÀOH

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EDFN³RZ prevention

innovative products that help protect the clean potable water supply; offering superior pressure drop ratings, best-in-class ease of maintenance, minimal size and shape, and proudly made in the U.S.A.

new products

new FDUERQDWHG EHYHUDJH EDFN³RZ preventer - 4C-100A Series • body and connection made from non-rusting durable. Noryl/GFN2 resin. • maximum supply pressure: 200 psig. • made in the U.S.A.

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Ontario launches new online business registry Ontario’s new business registry launched on October 19, 2021, allowing companies across the province to interact with the government online 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The province will allow businesses and not-forproﬁts to complete more than 90 transactions through the registry, including registering a new business or dissolving an old one. ontario.ca

Build a Dream gives women the tools to succeed in the trades

Carbon monoxide exposure linked to gas furnaces Technical Safety BC has received multiple incident reports of carbon monoxide exposures that involved a common product line of residential gas-burning furnaces manufactured between 1989 and 2011 by the Carrier Corporation. It found that each of the incidents investigated resulted from furnaces that had a common design feature, which contributed to the carbon monoxide exposures, namely polypropylene lined secondary heat exchangers. Carrier Corporation manufactured these furnaces under the brand names Carrier, Bryant, Payne and Day & Night. Technical Safety BC recommends conducting combustion analysis to detect the production of elevated carbon monoxide levels, and inspect and repair affected heat exchangers as part of regular servicing of these affected units. Contractors should warn clients who own these units of the risks and advise them to install CO detectors if they continue to operate them. technicalsafetybc.ca

Elkay celebrates one millionth bottle ﬁlling station

Chillventa returns in 2022 Chillventa, the international exhibition for refrigeration technology, will take place in person October 11 to 13, 2022 at the Nuremburg exhibition grounds in Nuremburg, Germany. The last Chillventa took place in 2018 (the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic), and was attended by 1,019 exhibitors and 35,490 visitors. chillventa.de

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Qualify to bid on green federal projects Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is opening opportunities for contracting companies to become a qualified Energy Service Company (ESCO) and bid on federal Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs). Companies that qualify as ESCOs can then apply to be added to the Qualified Bidders list, enabling them to deliver EPCs with federal organizations. The ESCO qualification lasts three years. nrcan.gc.ca

Elkay Plumbing, a manufacturer of drinking water products, is celebrating the production of its one millionth ezH2O rapid water bottle ﬁlling station. Multiple school boards across Canada have selected and installed the bottle ﬁlling stations, representing over 3,000 individual facilities. elkay.com

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A new program from Build a Dream hopes to encourage more young women to enter skilled trades by giving them the tools they’ll need to work in the industry. The initiative, #HerPower Tools, is sponsored by distributor WFS Ltd. and manufacturer Milwaukee Tool, and is designed to “provide resources and encouragement for individuals who are under-represented in these pathways and may leave a program if they are unsure of where to find support.” Young women and gender non-conforming students registered in a youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship or registered apprenticeship program can register with Build a Dream and apply for the chance to win one of 100 tool bags filled with essential job tools. Windsor, ON-based Build a Dream is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in the skilled trades. The program runs until May 2022. webuildadream.com

Nova Scotia invests in community building upgrades The Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater, NS is receiving a $1.8-million renovation to increase its energy efﬁciency while improving operations. The initiative will include upgrades to lighting and heating systems, ice plant operations and pool facilities, and the installation of solar energy equipment. The result will be lower greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs, allowing the centre to operate year-round and redirect funds back into community services and programs. infrastructure.gc.ca lclc.ca

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10.21

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Granby Industries acquires ECR International Cowansville, ON-based Granby Industries LP, a division of TerraVest Industries Inc., has purchased ECR International Inc. ECR is a division of BDR Thermea, and manufactures heating and cooling products under the brand names Utica, Dunkirk, and Olsen. It has two facilities in New York state, and distribution across Canada and the U.S. Granby Industries manufactures HVAC equipment and residential, light commercial and light industrial tanks for the safe storage and distribution of combustible liquids. granbyindustries.com

NCI Canada is now a Webstone distributor Oakville, ON-based NCI Canada Inc. is now an authorized distributor of Webstone plumbing products. The company specializes in the development, manufacturing and distribution of pipe, valves and ﬁttings, and has three distribution centres and numerous sales ofﬁces across Canada. ncicanada.com

MSA Safety buys Bacharach, Inc. MSA Safety Inc. has ﬁnalized its purchase of New Kensington, PA-based Bacharach, Inc. and its afﬁliated companies. Bacharach produces gas detection technology used in the HVAC/R industry, and has approximately 200 employees in Canada, the U.S. and Ireland. MSA manufactures safety products for a wide range of industries, including construction. The company is headquartered in Cranberry Township, PA, and has 40 locations and approximately 5,000 employees worldwide. msasafety.com

Lowe Agencies to offer De Dietrich Boilers Lowe Agencies Sales & Marketing Inc. has announced a partnership with Cambridge, ON-based De Dietrich Boilers to carry the company’s GT Series commercial and industrial eutectic/ﬂexible cast iron boilers in Alberta and Northwest Territories. The boilers range from 400,000 BTU input to 8.1 million BTU input. Lowe Agencies serves Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and NWT. loweagencies.ca dedietrichboilers.com

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Kohler expands p Canadian distribution Kohler Canada has announced national distribution partnerships with Victoria, BC-based Andrew Sheret Ltd. and Burlington, ON-based Wolseley Canada beginning in January 2022. The two wholesale distributors will become authorized stocking dealers for Kohler bathroom and kitchen products, including the Kohler, Sterling, Kallista and Hytec brands. sheret.com wolseleyinc.ca kohler.ca

Deschênes Group p Inc. acquires PMF Plumbing Supplies Montreal-based Deschênes Group Inc. (DGI) has purchased PMF Plumbing Supplies Toronto and Matériaux de Plomberie PMF in Montreal. PMF sells luxury brand plumbing products from its two locations. groupedeschenes.com

Kontrol ﬁnalizes purchase p of Global HVAC & Automation Toronto-based Kontrol Technologies Corp. has completed its acquisition of Global HVAC & Automation Inc. Global, which will operate as a subsidiary of Kontrol, provides integrated installations of HVAC and building automation systems. While the company has focused mainly on larger projects with one-time revenues, Kontrol says it will grow the service and asset business “through vertical integration with current software and ongoing service agreements.” Kontrol’s BioCloud can also be integrated into each of Global’s HVAC installations to provide real-time monitoring for viruses and pathogens. kontrolcorp.com

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Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Budderﬂy partners with Lennox International

Doug g Tarry y Homes buys y Hy-Mark’s London operation

Budderfly is partnering with Lennox International to distribute Lennox’s Model L ultra-high efficiency rooftop HVAC unit, as well as service and maintenance, for Lennox and other HVAC brands in Canada and the U.S. Shelton, CT-based Budderfly is an Energy Efficiency as a Service (EEaaS) company that offers customers a no up-front cost HVAC replacement program. Companies that are eligible for HVAC upgrades will receive new HVAC units and a dedicated Lennox support team for each of their locations at no up-front cost. budderfly.com lennoxinternational.com

St. Thomas, ON-based Doug Tarry Homes has acquired Hy-Mark’s London, ON, HVAC operation. The acquisition represents a new business area for Doug Tarry Homes, which has used Hy-Mark’s HVAC services for more than ﬁve years. Guelph, ON-based Hy-Mark, a full-service mechanical company, will continue to service the surrounding southern Ontario region, as well as the Owen Sound/Collingwood area. dougtarryhomes.com

FLIR Systems now known as Teledyne FLIR

Ouellet Group p strengthens g foothold in U.S. market

Teledyne Technologies Inc. has ﬁnalized its acquisition of FLIR Systems, Inc. The company will now operate under the name Teledyne FLIR, and will become part of Teledyne’s Digital Imaging segment. ﬂir.ca

O’Dell Associates acquires Walmar Ventilation Burlington, ON-based O’Dell Associates Inc. has purchased Nepean, ON’s Walmar Ventilation. Walmar, which provides ﬁltration, and heating and cooling equipment services, will become a division of O’Dell under the Walmar name, led by former Walmar president Randy Cavill, who will now be vice president of sales – Ottawa. O’Dell Associates offers HVAC equipment throughout southern Ontario. odellassoc.com

Right Time continues growth with two Ontario acquisitions St. Catharines, ON-based Right Time Group of Companies has acquired Haven Home ClimateCare, which will now operate under the name Haven Home. Kingston, ON-based Haven Home offers residential HVAC, air quality, and hot water services. Right Time has also purchased Anchor Home Comfort in Ottawa, the ninth acquisition by Right Time. The company now has locations in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. right-time.ca

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L’Islet, QC-based Ouellet Group Canada Inc. has acquired Miami-based Innovair Corporation, a manufacturer of air conditioning products, and Delta-Therm, a Crystal Lake, IL-based manufacturer of heat tracing solutions. Innovair will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary and operate as it always has, with management in Florida remaining intact. Delta-Therm will operate as a stand-alone subsidiary, and its products will continue to be distributed through its Chicago outlet. Ouellet also owns Dettson Industries in Sherbrooke, QC, Hazloc Heaters in Calgary, AB Britech Inc. in Toronto, ON and Ouellet Nanjing (Canada) Electrical Co., Ltd. in China. ouellet.com

Uponor p upgrades, pg renovates to expand manufacturing capacity Uponor North America has begun a $5-million upgrade of its Lakeville Distribution Center in Minnesota that will add 57,000 sq. ft. to the facility. Uponor’s Hutchinson, MN facility will also undergo a $5-million renovation, adding 25,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space. The projects are scheduled to ﬁnish in June and May 2022 respectively. uponor.ca

NTI names Barclay y Sales as Western Canada rep Port Coquitlam, BC-based Barclay Sales is now representing NTI’s boiler line in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. As well as working closely with NTI’s regional sales managers, Rob Johnston and Travis Loewen, Barclay will provide additional customer service and quotation resources. ntiboilers.com barclaysales.com

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Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Noble Ontario opens two locations Toronto-based Noble has opened new locations in Huntsville, ON and Concord, ON. The new 15,000-sq.-ft. Concord facility includes a self-serve area, as well as a dedicated advanced order pick up counter. noble.ca

R.W. Beckett purchases Westwood Products R.W. Beckett Corporation has acquired Westwood Products Inc., including its Tigerloop fuel de-aerator brand. Based in South River, NJ, Westwood Products produces fuel ﬁlters, electrodes, tank accessories and other specialty heating products for the oil heat and HVAC industries. tigerloop.beckettcorp.com

Rheem acquires Friedrich Air Conditioning

Calefactio breaks ground on new Quebec HQ Calefactio Solutions Inc. has officially broken ground on its new Blainville, QC headquarters. The 36,000-sq.-ft. facility will include additional space designed to improve employees’ quality of life, such as lounge area, gym and patio, as well as energy-efficient technologies and a radiant heating system integrated in the concrete floor on two levels. The facility will allow the company to increase production between 20 and 25 per cent while creating new jobs. Move in is scheduled for March 2022. Calefactio manufactures hydronic heating products. calefactio.com

Rheem Manufacturing Company has purchased San Antonio, TX-based Friedrich Air Conditioning. Friedrich will operate as a standalone business unit under the Rheem Global Air business. rheem.com

Nexstar Network partners with Navien, XOi Vision Vaughan, ON-based Navien Canada is partnering with the Nexstar Network to bring Navien’s condensing tankless water heaters, combiboilers and wall-hung boilers to Nexstar’s Canadian members. Navien is also teaming up with XOi Technologies to offer Nexstar technician members direct access to education, coaching, documents, and technical manuals through the XOi Vision app. navieninc.com xoi.io nexstarnetwork.com

(L-R) Jean-Philippe Pichette, associate and director of national sales, Catherine Pichette, associate and managing director, and Jean Pichette, director of engineering, celebrate ground breaking on Calefactio's new facility.

3D architectural drawings of IPEX’s planned state-of-the-art moulding plant.

Jones Goodridge now represents SFA Saniﬂo Canada

IPEX announces new plastics moulding plant

Cambridge, ON-based SFA Saniflo Canada has named Jones Goodridge as its plumbing wholesale channel representative in mid-Western Canada. Jones Goodridge is a manufacturing agent representing the residential, commercial and luxury plumbing and HVAC product markets, with offices in Winnipeg, MB Regina and Saskatoon, SK. saniflo.ca jonesgoodridge.com

IPEX is investing in a new moulding plant at its Pineville, NC, C location. The 200,000-sq.-ft. facility will include industry 4.0 features such as AI and flexible automation capabilities to significantly increase the company’s production capacity. Construction is expected to finish in late 2022, with operations scheduled to start in early 2023. This is IPEX’s fourth recent expansion, following the opening of new distribution centres in Winnipeg, MB, Dartmouth, NS and Garland, TX. ipexna.com

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People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Viessmann Manufacturing Company has named Jerry Leyte as president and general manager of Canadian Viessmann operations, effective January 1, 2022. Leyte replaces Harald Prell, who is retiring. Leyte has been a director of sales and marketing with Viessmann for three years. Based in Waterloo, ON, he will oversee all departments, lead operational and transformational changes, and assist in business development, ﬁnancial planning and strategies for customer growth and sales. Harry Kandilas is now national sales manager for Brampton, ON-based Zurn Canada. He has more than 25 years of sales and leadership experience.

Viega LLC has named two new district sales managers: Bill Durka (1) is now district sales manager for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, based in Edmonton; and Hicham Ballaoui (2) is now district sales manager for Quebec, based in Montreal. Joe Choﬂet has been promoted to vice-president of sales for NIBCO. Choﬂet has been with NIBCO since 2017, most recently as vice president, retail sales, and director, wholesale sales west. Marc Gagnon has been promoted to vice president, sales, business solutions, Eastern Canada, for The Master Group.

XOi Technologies has named Amanda Harp as its senior strategic partnerships manager for North America and the UK.

NAVAC has hired Luis Ochoa as regional sales manager of its new eastern region. He will oversee expansion of the company’s customers in Eastern Canada and the U.S.

Fowler Sales Agency has several additions to its team. Danielle Caudle (1) joins Fowler as inside sales representative; Tara 4 Townson (2) is sales representative, Ottawa; Steve Stafford (3) is sales representative, Golden Horseshoe and GTA; Rebecca Henderson (4) is sales representative, GTA/ 5 Northern Ontario; and Mark Devlin (5) is sales representative, southwest/eastern Ontario.

Chris Manzara is now general manager for Deﬂecto Canada. Manzara has been with Deﬂecto for 15 years as sales manager.

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Burlington, ON-based Wolseley Canada Inc. has named Mark Gallant (1) vice president, supply chain, and Michael Tizard (2) category sales specialist – HVAC/R. Daniel Johnson (3) has joined the company in a counter sales position in Ottawa.

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Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc. has named Paul McDonald as its national sales manager, focusing on wholesale distribution.

10.21

People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com Rinnai America has hired Shelley Kiley (1) as vice president of operations. Renee Eddy (2) has joined the company as vice president of innovation. Eddy will lead the R&D team towards new technologies and market growth in North America.

Modine Manufacturing Company has named Adrian Peace (1) vice president of commercial and industrial solutions, and Eric McGinnis (2) vice president of building HVAC systems.

Kristy Bell has been promoted to national sales manager at Oakville Stamping & Bending Ltd.

2 Mike Cornelius has been promoted to heating manager for Desco Plumbing and Heating Supply, overseeing the HVAC and hydronic business for the company. Cornelius succeeds Doug Goetz, who has retired after 27 years with Desco. Toronto-based EnerQuality Corporation has appointed Monica Curtis president and CEO. She was most recently CEO of Energy Efﬁciency Alberta.

M e c h a n i c a l

Haven IAQ has hired Scott Krasman as sales account manager in Vancouver.

Matt Rafferty has been appointed sales representative for British Columbia for Toronto-based Ontor Ltd.

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Laura McPherson is now talent acquisition specialist at St. Catharine’s, ON-based Right Time Group of Companies.

Blossom Pangowish is now program manager for the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating.

Woodbridge, ON-based Unilux HVAC Industries Inc. has promoted Gerry Ball to vice president of operations, responsible for all manufacturing activities for Unilux VFC and Unilux VHP.

Nicole Wall returns to Kitchener, ON-based Marks Supply Inc. in the position of sales specialist.

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) has hired Pedro Cerna Serrano as its technical advisor. Cerna Serrano, who is based in Rustico, PE, is a licensed Red Seal refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic and gas technician. He also has a BA in business administration.

Brandon Summers has joined Andrew Sheret Ltd. as commercial manager, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Opera Gas Monitors

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

Venting CHALLENGES PERSIST IN THE FIELD

was recently looking at a planned renovation project with a builder and their mechanical contractor. The project is for a quaint century home that has undergone many modifications over the years. Part of the plan requires removing a couple of old masonry chimneys, one of which accommodates the flue for an older, B-vented gas boiler. As the mechanical contractor contemplated routing alternatives for a new direct vent boiler through messy crawlspaces and the 18-in. thick rubble stone foundation, the homeowner asked why venting was an issue at all. The owners had been doing some reading and noted, given that climate change action plans were calling for reducing the reliance on fossil fuels for space heating, they would be interested in switching to a heat pump heating and cooling strategy. They were happy to eliminate the hot water system and the associated old cast iron radiators in favour of a system with a variety of mini-split heat/cool heads to improve the carbon foot print of their home. This was with a full understanding that their energy bills might go up. Indeed, the federal government’s Greener Homes program provides space heating incentives only for heat pump-based systems, that is systems greater than 100 per cent efficient. When thinking about resolving difficult venting situations for combustion appliances, forward thinking contractors may want to first consider heating options that

Gord Cooke

M e c h a n i c a l

The ﬂush mounted vent on the left tripped a ventblocked sensor four times in one particularly cold winter in southern Ontario. The neighbour’s goose neck vent did not result in any shutdowns. It was possible the water vapour from the gooseneck vent was exacerbating the frosting over of the ﬂush mounted grille. The occurrences were so infrequent and random that we weren’t able to correlate a cause and effect.

Gord is a professional engineer who has spent 20 years helping builders and HVAC contractors implement innovative technologies into high-performance homes. He has particular expertise in IAQ and airﬂow management in houses, and can be contacted at gordc@buildingknowledge.ca.

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Comfort your customers with Clean Comfort

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC Cont’d from pg. 32

don’t require venting of combustion products at all. With 25 or more years of industry experience with the venting of highefficiency furnaces and water heaters, there should be few limitations left in finding reliable, safe and unobtrusive vent termination locations for even the most difficult remaining applications. However, there is an urgency now to move past the challenge of venting combustion products and to find reasons to install technologies that leap-frog both the efficiency of gas appliances and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC Cont’d from pg. 34

Manufacturers respond 6Q HWTVJGT GCUG XGPVKPI EJCNNGPIGU OCPWHCEVWTGTU TCEGF VQ ƂPF YC[U VQ KPETGCUG VJG CNNQYCDNG NGPIVJU CPF TGFWEG VJG FKCOGVGT QH XGPVKPI RKRGU (QT GZCORNG + RWTEJCUGF C EQPFGPUKPI VCPMNGUU YCVGT JGCVGT KP CPF VJG OCZKOWO XGPV NGPIVJ CV VJCV VKOG YCU O HV 9JKNG YTKVKPI VJKU CTVKENG + YCU KPVTKIWGF VQ NGCTP VJG WRFCVGF XGTUKQP QH VJG UCOG YCVGT JGCVGT PQY JCU C O HV OCZKOWO XGPV NGPIVJ 6JKU KU YKVJ C OO KP RKRG FKCOGVGT 6JG UCOG YCVGT JGCVGT ECP DG XGPVGF WR VQ O HV YKVJ C OO KP FKCOGVGT RKRG 6JGUG CFFKVKQPCN NGPIVJU CNNQY EQPVTCEVQTU OQTG ƃGZKDKNKV[ KP ƂPFKPI UWKVCDNG XGPVKPI NQECVKQPU (QT GZCORNG KP QNFGT WTDCP VCNN VQYPJQOGU IQKPI WR VJTQWIJ C TQQH OC[ DG VJG QPN[ QRVKQP UQ CU VQ CXQKF YCNMYC[U TCKUGF RQTEJGU FGEMU CPF FTKXGYC[U VJCV YQWNFPoV RTQXKFG VJG TGSWKTGF ENGCTCPEG CDQXG ITCFG +P UOCNN EQOOGTEKCN CRRNKECVKQPU VJGTG JCU DGGP RTQITGUU KP EQODKPCVKQP QT EQ XGPVKPI QH YCNN JWPI DQKNGTU CPF VCPMNGUU YCVGT JGCVGTU UWEJ VJCV VJG XGPVKPI HQT VYQ QT OQTG WPKVU ECP DG EQODKPGF KPVQ QPG RGPGVTCVKQP VJTQWIJ CP GZVGTKQT YCNN 6JKU KU WUGHWN YJGP WRITCFKPI VJG GHƂEKGPE[ QH NCTIG ECRCEKV[ QNF YCVGT JGCVGTU QT DQKNGTU CPF VQ GPCDNG UVCIKPI CPF OQFWNCVKQP QH OWNVKRNG UOCNNGT CRRNKCPEGU TCVJGT VJCP QPG NCTIGT DQKNGT (NGZKDKNKV[ KP XGPV NQECVKQPU KU CPQVJGT DGPGƂV This is typical of the diagrams used by many

6JGTG KU C IQQF UGNGEVKQP QH XGPV VGTOKPCVKQPU VJCV CNNQY HQT C UKPING RGPGVTCVKQP HQT manufacturers to show appropriate vent locations. VJG CKT KPNGV CPF EQODWUVKQP GZJCWUV YJKNG KORTQXKPI VJG CGUVJGVKEU QP VJG QWVUKFG YCNN 6JG NQECVKQP QH VJG GZJCWUV QH RTQFWEVU QH EQODWUVKQP KU UVKNN NKOKVGF D[ QVJGT CKT KPNGVU OGVGTU CPF XCTKQWU CTEJKVGEVWTCN CPF JCTFUECRG GNGOGPVU *QYGXGT XGPVU UWEJ CU VJG ƃWUJ OQWPVGF XGPV UJQYP QP RI OC[ JGNR KP ƂPFKPI CP CEEGRVCDNG NQECVKQP 5KOKNCTN[ VJGTG CTG EQPEGPVTKE XGPV MKVU HQT DQVJ UKFGYCNN CPF TQQH VGTOKPCVKQPU UJQYP JGTG CU YGNN +V JCU DGGP O[ GZRGTKGPEG VJCV VJGUG VGTOKPCVKQPU CTG OQTG RTQPG VQ KEG WR KP XGT[ EQNF CPF FCOR YGCVJGT (QTVWPCVGN[ VJG ICU CRRNKCPEGU VJG[ CTG EQPPGEVGF VQ CNN JCXG UCHGV[ UJWV QHHU VJCV FGVGEV XGPV DNQEMCIGU #FXKUG JQOGQYPGTU QH VJKU PWKUCPEG QEEWTTGPEG s VJG[ OWUV MGGR VJG XGPV VGTOKPCVKQP ENGCT UQ CU VQ CXQKF PQ JGCV QT PQ JQV YCVGT ECNNU KH VJG[ EJQQUG VJGUG NGUU QDVTWUKXG NQQMKPI XGPVU

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Unit heaters 5VGTNKPI *8#%oU :( :% 5GTKGU WPKV JGCVGTU CTG UKPING WPKVU ECRCDNG QH GKVJGT UVCPFCTF QT UGRCTCVGF EQODWUVKQP TKIJV QWV QH VJG DQZ YKVJQWV VJG PGGF HQT CP[ RJ[UKECN OQFKƂECVKQPU QT UGRCTCVG MKVU 'CEJ VWDWNCT WPKV JGCVGT EQOGU EQORNGVG YKVJ C [GCT JGCV GZEJCPIGT ƃWG EQNNGEVQT CPF DWTPGT YCTTCPV[ 7PKVU CTG CXCKNCDNG KP VQ /$* UK\GU UVGTNKPIJXCE EQO

&TCKP RTQVGEVKQP &TCKP )WCTF RTQVGEVU CICKPUV VJG YJKVG UNKOG CNICG HWPIWU CPF DCEVGTKC VJCV EQOOQPN[ ECWUG HCKNWTGU KP EQPFGPUCVG FTCKP NKPGU 1PEG KPUVCNNGF VJG 6 $QF[ CUUGODN[ CPF ECTVTKFIG TGNGCUG IG TGNGCUG C HQTOWNC VJCV RTQVGEVU NKPGU HQT WR VQ UKZ OQPVJU CV YJKEJ VKOG WUGTU OG WUGTU ECP UYKVEJ VQ C MKV QH VYQ ECTVTKFIGU HQT WR VQ OQPVJU QH RTQVGEVKQP TQVGEVKQP TGEVQTUGCN EQO

/KPK URNKV U[UVGOU *KVCEJKoU PGY NKPG QH OKPK URNKV U[UVGOU WUG CP KPVGNNKIGPV JWOCP UGPUQT U[UVGO VJCV OQPKVQTU CPF TGURQPFU VQ VJG GPXKTQPOGPV C FGJWOKFKƂECVKQP OQFG VQ EQPVTQN VGORGTCVWTG CPF JWOKFKV[ NGXGNU CPF XGEVQT &% KPXGTVGTU VQ CEJKGXG JKIJ RGTHQTOCPEG GPGTI[ GHƂEKGPE[ 5KPING \QPG U[UVGOU CTG CXCKNCDNG KP 8 QT 8 YKVJ ECRCDKNKVKGU QH DGVYGGP VQ VJTGG VQPU /WNVK \QPG U[UVGOU EQOG YKVJ 8 CPF ECRCDKNKVKGU QH DGVYGGP CPF VQPU WU JKVCEJKCKTEQP EQO

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2021 Heating Product Showcase Combustion analyzer 6JG VGUVQ EQODWUVKQP CPCN[\GT CXCKNCDNG HTQO 1PVQT UKORNKƂGU OGCUWTGOGPV QH ƃWG ICU FTCHV RTGUUWTG CODKGPV %1 CPF differential temperature. Features include intuitive measurement OGPWU CPF HCUV TGURQPUG VQWEJ FKURNC[ 12 and CO sensor up to RRO ƂXG KP *& FKURNC[ CPF FQEWOGPVCVKQP ETGCVKQP CPF email capabilities. testo.com ontor.com

Infrared gas heaters Rinnai America Corporation introduces a line of high- and low-intensity infrared gas heaters for indoor and outdoor heating. The line includes the Rinnai SE and SE+ infrared patio heaters in single and two-stage models for outdoor commercial use; VJG *' 5GTKGU KPHTCTGF VWDG JGCVGT HQT ICTCIGU CPF UOCNNGT URCEGU CPF VJG *' 5GTKGU KPHTCTGF TCFKCPV VWDG JGCVGTU with EC motor technology for use in larger industrial spaces. rinnai.us

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2021 Heating Product Showcase

Magnetic separator %CNGHƂ 0QTVJ #OGTKEC KPVTQFWEGU VJG &KTVOCI2TQ magnetic separator for residential and EQOOGTEKCN J[FTQPKE U[UVGOU 6JG WPKV HGCVWTGU FWCN OCIPGVKE ƂGNFU VQ TGOQXG HGTTQWU QZKFG impurities, and a particle separation mesh to capture non-ferrous materials such as copper UJCXKPIU 6JG 5GTKGU &KTVOCI 2TQ EQOGU KP QPG VQ VYQ KPEJ RKRG UK\GU YKVJ UYGCV 026 HGOCNG CPF RTGUU EQPPGEVKQP QRVKQPU ECNGHƂ EQO

Heat pump 6JG ;QTM */* TGUKFGPVKCN JGCV FGPVKCN JGCV pump is designed to work with YORK XCTKCDNG URGGF QT UVCPFCTF '%/ indoor air handling GSWKROGPV 6JG */* JGCV RWORU reach up to 18 SEER and up to *52( CPF come in two-, three-, HQWT CPF ƂXG VQP QRVKQPU VKQPU york.com

Smart thermostat ENA Solution launches the ENASTAT smart thermostat, which combines user-friendly features found on residential thermostats with the industrial design to withstand harsh, JKIJ VTCHƂE GPXKTQPOGPVU 6JG VJGTOQUVCV JCU C TWIIGF faceless design, as well as features such as sensors to measure temperature and humidity, WiFi and cellular EQPPGEVKXKV[ CPF CRR DCUGF UQHVYCTG enasolution.com

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Heat activator ,CIC %NKOCVG 5[UVGOUo F[PCOKE DQQUV J[DTKF &$* JGCV CEVKXCVQT ECP DG WUGF YKVJ NQY YCVGT VGORGTCVWTG U[UVGOU VQ TGFWEG KPEQOKPI YCVGT VGORGTCVWTGU WR VQ RGT EGPV 6JG &$* WPKV EQPPGEVU VQ C J[FTQPKE ƂP VWDG GNGOGPV HQTEKPI EQPXGEVKQP CPF KPETGCUKPI VJG GHƂEKGPE[ QH VJG FGXKEG 6JG unit works with a range of wall-mounted, free-standing and VTGPEJ UQNWVKQPU jaga-canada.com

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2021 Heating Product Showcase Inverter heat pump 6JG .[PZ 5''4 KPXGTVGT JGCV RWOR HTQO #NNKGF #KT 'PVGTRTKUGU YQTMU YKVJ OQUV EQPXGPVKQPCN 8 VJGTOQUVCVU CPF JCU ƂXG QRGTCVKPI OQFGU VJCV ECP JGNR KPETGCUG GPGTI[ UCXKPIU 6JG UKORNKƂGF RKRKPI U[UVGO OCMGU VJG .[PZ GCU[ VQ KPUVCNN CPF XKTVWCNN[ GNKOKPCVGU VJG ECWUGU QH RQVGPVKCN NGCMU alliedair.com

Unit heaters Nortek Global HVAC has redesigned its 4G\PQT DTCPF QH ICU ƂTGF WPKV JGCVGTU HQT KPFWUVTKCN EQOOGTEKCN CPF ICTCIG YQTMUJQR CRRNKECVKQPU 7RFCVGU KPENWFG CGUVJGVKEU KPVGITCVGF CKT FKTGEVKQP CEEGUUQTKGU CPF VGEJPQNQI[ UKORNKƂGU KPUVCNNCVKQP FKCIPQUVKEU CPF UGTXKEKPI 6JG TGFGUKIP KPENWFGU WPKV JGCVGT OQFGNU WR VQ /$* CPF WR VQ RGT EGPV VJGTOCN GHƂEKGPE[ nortekhvac.com

Heat exchanger panel 6JG *'2 46 KUQNCVKQP JGCV GZEJCPIGT RCPGN YKVJ VKOGT KU C RTG HCDTKECVGF RKRKPI CPF EQPVTQN UQNWVKQP HQT C TCFKCPV ƃQQT JGCVKPI U[UVGO 6JG RCPGN HTQO *GCV.KPM KPENWFGU C JGCV GZEJCPIGT HQT KUQNCVKQP RTKOCT[ CPF UGEQPFCT[ RWORU KUQNCVKQP DCNN XCNXGU RTGUUWTG TGNKGH XCNXG GZRCPUKQP VCPM EQPPGEVKQP UKORNG RKRKPI VQ OCPKHQNF CPF RNWI CPF RNC[ YKTKPI 6JG VKOGT GPUWTGU YCVGT KU EKTEWNCVGF GXGT[ JQWTU 6JG RCPGN ECP DG WUGF YKVJ CP[ JQV YCVGT JGCV UQWTEG CPF KU UWKVGF VQ ICTCIGU CPF DCUGOGPVU WR VQ US HV heatlink.com

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HYDRONICS

B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r

Feeling Separated? Fun fact:

My ﬁrst “aha” moment was learning about the point of no pressure changes (PONPC) by reading and re-reading Dan Holohan’s Pumping Away, which is a must read for all hydronic pros and wannabes. Just as that knowledge changed the way I understood and piped hydronic systems, so did the introduction to separation. I was learning how to properly pipe systems and those systems were working really well. Of course, my customers also reaped the beneﬁts. Another “aha” hydronic moment occurred when I was introduced to hydraulic separators. Note that low loss header is another term used to describe a separator device. Knowledge of hydraulic separators majorly changed the trajectory of my approach to hydronics.

correct dimensions for or vessel to d f a cylinder li allow ideal separation to be obtained. Along with providing this wide spot in the piping, the side beneﬁt of air removal was added. For the designer and installer, a single, fairly simple component became both the hydraulic separator and the central air elimination device.

Actually, the mechanics of hydraulic separation were wrapped up in the concept of primary secondary (P/S) piping. Credit is given to the Bell and Gossett folks for introducing P/S piping to the industry. It was conceived as a good work around for converted gravity piping systems in larger commercial jobs. As I recall, P/S piping and closely-spaced tees in residential applications came into play in the 1990s. As low temperature radiant systems became popular, P/S piping was one method to keep a high temperature boiler separated from the low temperature radiant temperatures. When properly designed and piped, the boiler could run without low return temperatures while supplying low temperatures to radiant slabs, for example.

Scalable with multiple functions

The key to that working properly lies in the closely-spaced tees in the circuit. It is the space between the tees that is critical to the workings of P/S piping. This space provides the hydraulic separation between the various piping circuits. If it is properly sized, installed and controlled, P/S piping remains an excellent piping option. It once again provides value with ﬂow restrictive mod con boilers. That P/S disconnect allowed the boiler to have the correctly sized “boiler” pump. The secondary piping and circulators were hydraulically separated so each side, primary and secondary, was assured proper and adequate ﬂow.

Once you have the calculations sorted out, hydraulic separators are very scalable. Commonly separators are found in sizes from one inch to 24 inches or larger. The hydraulic separator continues to evolve with the industry.

The P/S series circuit piping allowed for multiple distribution piping options. It allowed an indirect tank to be connected and properly pumped. It became the rage to pipe systems with P/S. Boiler installation manuals started showing P/S piping options. All was well in the hydronic world thanks in part to the proper piping P/S could provide.

• Dirt and particle removal down to a ﬁve-micron particle size.

Somewhere in the early 2000s I was introduced to a hydraulic separator device. A manufacturer arrived at my shop bearing gifts of steel vessels called separators. Basically all the important features of hydraulic separation were wrapped into a single steel tank or vessel. Hydronic specialty manufacturers did some number crunching to arrive at the 10 44

Why not give a separator a chance to prove its value on your next piping job? While you may not visually see a difference, the ﬂuids and transfers going on inside will beneﬁt.

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Multiple functions are now built into a single separator that provides: • Hydraulic separation. • Air removal, down to micro bubble size.

• Magnetic separation is now a feature providing ferrous material removal down to a .05 particle size. • Dry wells and wet wells – options for adding sensors or gauges. These features are available now in ﬁve-in-one devices.

24 x 32

SmartPlate Has EVolved Introducing SmartPlate EV. With its ultracompact 24" x 32" footprint, vertical piping connections and capacities up to 4500 MBH and 300 PSIG, the SmartPlate EV indirect water heater gives you greater design flexibility for standard and highpressure systems. It also easily integrates with AERCO’s Benchmark boilers and smart Edge Controllers for a powerful combination system. Join the EVolution. SmartPlate EV.

HYDRONICS

Cont’d from pg. 44

Inside a common hydraulic separator 6JG RTGOKUG KU XGT[ UKORNG RTQXKFG GPQWIJ URCEG QT TQQO HQT OWNVKRNG ƃQYU VQ pIGV CNQPI q Three conditions are possible: 1. 'SWCN # CPF $ UKFG ƃQY +P VJKU EQPFKVKQP ƃQY ETQUUGU FKTGEVN[ VJTQWIJ VJG UGRCTCVQT CPF PQ OKZKPI QEEWTU 2. %QPFKVKQP EQWNF DG OQTG ƃQY KP VJG # UKFG EQORCTGF VQ VJG $ UKFG UQ UQOG ƃWKF OKZKPI QEEWTU KPUKFG 3. .CUVN[ VJG $ UKFG EQWNF JCXG OQTG ƃQY EQORCTGF VQ VJG # UKFG +V KU KORQTVCPV VQ DG CYCTG VJCV WPFGT EQPFKVKQPU CPF VJG VGORGTCVWTGU OC[ DG OKZGF CV GKVJGT VJG KPRWV QT QWVRWV UKFG QH VJG UGRCTCVQT FGRGPFKPI QP ƃQY TCVGU 6JGUG VGORGTCVWTGU ECP DG ECNEWNCVGF 9G WUG C EQOOQP OKZGF ƃWKF VGORGTCVWTG HQTOWNC UGG (QTOWNC VQ RTGFKEV VGORGTCVWTG CV CP[ RQTV CV CP[ VGORGTCVWTG QT ƃQY EQPFKVKQP

FORMULA 1

#UUWOG IRO HTQO VJG DQKNGT KPVQ VJG UGRCTCVQT CV ( 6JG FKUVTKDWVKQP UKFG KU ƃQYKPI IRO TGVWTPKPI VQ VJG UGRCTCVQT CV ( 0QVKEG VJCV VJG UWRRN[ VQ VJG FKUVTKDWVKQP KU DNGPFGF FQYP HTQO VJG ( D[ VJG TGVWTPKPI ( HTQO VJG U[UVGO UKFG

A LOOK AT THE BENEFITS # DGPGƂV QH C J[FTCWNKE separator is all the UGEQPFCTKGU RKRGF QHH VJG $ side will see the same supply VGORGTCVWTG 6JKU KU PQV possible in a series primary loop as each set of tees downstream sees a lower mixed temperature caused D[ EQQNGT TGVWTP ƃWKF GPVGTKPI VJG NQQR Understanding what a multiple purpose separator does gives you a window into VJG DGPGƂVU KV RTQXKFGU 9G MPQY ENQUGF NQQR U[UVGOU need to be air free, as the smallest micro bubbles will drive down heat exchanger GHƂEKGPEKGU DQVJ KP VJG DQKNGT as well as inside the heat GOKVVGTU &KTV TWUV UGFKOGPV CP[ RCTVKENG ƃQYKPI VJTQWIJ the system, can cause harm CPF HCKNWTGU 2WORU XCNXGU and pipes all prefer a clean YQTMKPI GPXKTQPOGPV 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 manager of training and education with Calefﬁ North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@calefﬁ.com.

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With ECM wet rotor style circulators, adding the magnetic function helps prevent tiny particles from reducing or preventing adequate rotation of the motor KP VJG ƃWKF The connection point for “pumping away” is established CV VJG J[FTCWNKE UGRCTCVQT Conveniently, control sensors, pressure and temperature gauges can be centrally NQECVGF QP VJG UGRCTCVQT Size the device to the largest ƃQY TCVG GKVJGT # QT $ UKFG CPF FQ PQV CFF VJG VYQ ƃQY TCVGU VQ UGNGEV VJG UK\G /QWPV the unit on the wall and pipe as shown on the manual or the label attached to the UGRCTCVQT $QVJ JGCVGF QT EJKNNGF ƃWKF U[UVGOU YKNN VJCPM [QW 5GRCTCVQTU CFF VJGUG UCOG DGPGƂVU VQ EJKNNGF YCVGT systems, by the way, as they are PQV C DQKNGT URGEKƂE RTQFWEV

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COVER STORY

By Kerry Turner

“My daily chores included cutting nearly 10 acres of grass, cleaning toilets, ﬁxing broken pipes − there was always one bursting somewhere…”

Linwood Barclay: MASTER OF HIS GENRE

Photos Anton Koschany

t isn’t every author who can count Stephen King among their fans. King has referred to international bestselling author Linwood Barclay as “a master of suspense.” Barclay’s own story is full of twists and turns, and a slow steady build to his becoming one of Canada’s most successful living writers. Barclay was a columnist for the Toronto Star for many years, writing his novels sporadically with limited success before getting a big break in 2008. His fifth book, No Time for Goodbye, was featured on the BBC’s Richard & Judy summer reading list and took off in the UK, followed by Spain, Portugal and Japan. “That was almost like getting shot out of a cannon,” says Barclay. It wasn’t long after that he became well known and popular in North America. “That was really the point where I left my day job. I am a fiscally conservative person. Who leaves a job with a dental plan, a pension? Who would dare do such a thing? But I thought, I can do this now,” recounts Barclay. Since then, he has written more than 20 novels. Not to be pigeon-holed, his repertoire is impressive. He has written a memoir, children’s books, anthologies and political commentaries, along with what he is best known for, thrillers. Many of his books have been optioned for film and

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television, a series has been made in France, and he wrote the screenplay for the ﬁlm based on his novel Never Saw it Coming. “All I ever wanted to do when I was a teenager was to write movies for television,” says Barclay. “Now that I have the opportunity, I ﬁnd out it’s a bit frustrating. In the movie and TV world a lot of work gets done that never comes to fruition.” With a seemingly inexhaustible reservoir of ideas, Barclay’s aptitude for clever plots has fans eager for each new release. In the realm of how did they ever come up with that idea, Barclay has completed a book that is waiting in the wings and promises to deliver a healthy dose of suspense. “I did this other book about three years ago. It is different than anything I have done. I call it Jurassic Park with self-driving cars. We aren’t sure what we are going to do with it but we have come up with a title, Look Both Ways,” says Barclay. His most recently released book, Find You First, is full of twists and turns, and offers an inventive take on what could happen if …

Since this interview, Barclay has tweeted: “the title of my next novel, out in 2022, is (drum roll, please) Take Your Breath Away, because that’s exactly what it’s going to do when you read it.” The book will be released in Canada on May 17.

T The reluctant caretaker c

“Starts with a bang and ends with an even bigger one. Barclay is a terriﬁc writer, but he’s outdone himself with this. It’s the best book of his career. I couldn’t put it down, and you won’t be able to, either. If you enjoy thrillers, this is the real deal. It never lets up.” Stephen King on Find You First

Barclay was just four when his family moved Ba to Canada from the United States. His father fat was a talented commercial artist and a sskilled carpenter. “He worked in Toronto creating drawings of Fords and Chevrolets cre and an Cadillacs that would appear in the pages of Life, Look, The Saturday Evening Post. He even ev had the same agent as Salvador Dali for a time,” says Barclay. The o onset of photography created less demand for commercial artists and his dem father fathe found himself out of work. Barclay’s mother’s desire to leave the city to live mot her dream by owning a trailer park ruled. rule Barclay was 11 when the family made ma the move to Green Acres near Peterborough, ON. Pet

Last Resort A Memoir is a humorous and poignant account of Linwood Barclay’s experiences during his years at Green Acres.

At ﬁrst the cabins and trailers nestled on the banks of Pigeon Lake, along with w acres to explore, were the stuff of kids’ dreams, but when his father d died 16-year-old Barclay become the th caretaker and repair person on the t property. His mom didn’t like to hire h professionals, preferring to save money. Barclay notes he doesn’t ascribe to that thinking “we always call professionals.”

Train Therapy Barclay was ﬁrst introduced to model trains by his father when he was ﬁve or six. Today Barclay has an impressive train setup in his basement. A disciplined writer who puts in a full working day, he likes to unwind by working on it or just looking at it. “When you spend your whole day imagining a world on a computer screen, it is nice to work with your hands and clear your head.” After a move to Toronto a few years ago he had to reconstruct the layout. “I got a lot of help from our son Spencer. He is working for Little Canada building amazing things. When the pandemic restrictions aren’t in place, he has been over here building amazing things in my basement, like the Niagara Escarpment.”

“My daily chores included cutting nearly 10 acres of grass, cleaning toilets, fixing broken pipes − there was always one bursting somewhere, burying deep in the woods the fish guts left behind in a pail after our guests cleaned their catch at a table down by the lake, selling gas, scrubbing out boats littered with seaweed, worms and dirt, and ensuring there was a steady supply of toilet paper in the communal bathrooms,” recalls Barclay. With an interest in and a flair for writing from a very young age, Barclay would craft stories while on the riding-mower. He met his wife Neetha while attending Trent University. After graduating Barclay accepted a job at the local paper and was permanently relieved of his fix-it and caretaking duties at Green Acres. He moved to the Toronto Star in 1981 and eventually landed a gig there writing a humour column until he decided to become a full-time novelist.

*Little Canada is the Canadian landmarks in miniature attraction in Toronto.

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By Fred Bretzke

Fred Bretzke is a full-time pipe trades instructor with SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary. He can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.

PLUMBING

NEW TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS FOR INSTALLATION AND REPAIRS I

HEAR FROM THE PROFESSIONALS

have a lot of wild west plumbing stories, but to keep up to date, I occasionally will help out ut on a jobsite so I can write about what’s new w in the trade. There are many new tools and technology available today that make jobsite work easier and more efficient. This past summer I helped out with an extensive residential renovation. We did the underground for a five-bathroom house, which was fairly easy as my buddy had a laser level. It was certainly a change from using a plumb bob. I had to wear my work knee pads and I even did a little concrete sledge hammer breaking − something I swore I would never do again. The last work injury I had was a papercut. My biggest pet peeve was while working on a rough-in. The batteries on my friend’s reciprocating saw kept dying. We had a cord powered Reed saw but he wouldn’t use it. He said he just couldn’t go back to the old way. y. After a little debate I picked up the cord powered saw and we finished the job with it. It was either that or use a hacksaw. In order to get the best perspective on new, cool technology, I opened it up to former

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Jim Veinotte: I love my specialty tools. I actually wore out my copper cutters. Doing a kitchen sink ﬁnish and not having to sweep up ABS cuttings is the best. You have to get a rapid charger. You can get adapters to make batteries interchangeable between brands. I have an amazing backpack vacuum.

Klein

Milwaukee

Dewalt

students who are now certified s plumber/gasfitters on my SAIT p fourth year plumber/gasfitter f Facebook group. With their F permission for this article, this is what some of them had to say about their favourite work tools (edited for clarity and length).

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Makita

There are cordless redi rod cutters, very fun. If you have a roof job cordless threaders up to two-in. allow you to thread right on the roof. Pairing a drywall cutter with a HEPA vacuum is an effective combination. OSHA 1926.1153 compliant dust extraction tools are what you need on jobs.

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PLUMBING

Cont’d from pg. 50

Not only are the tools getting more specialized and time saving, they are making the environments plumbers have to work in so much safer. Let’s face it, we (plumbers) have been asked to get stuff done for a lot of years. Whether you are 12 ft. down in a hole hoping the ground is as solid as you think, touching what you shouldn’t: moulds, poop, needles and who knows what, or breathing what will kill you slowly and painfully.

Nichole Fitzpatrick: I got to use an exoskeleton. It deﬁnitely eliminated the weight on the shoulders and arms. It felt as if I had a constant arm rest. Hauling toilets with it would probably be a dream but I used it in a rough-in. Matt Duguid: In my opinion, the backpack style drain cleaning machine is better than the trolley style.

Now the cordless industry is making mainstream tools to protect our safety. Honestly, those tools are the hottest and most interesting things on the market.

Hilmor Hilti

TECHNOLOGY ADDRESSES HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES Let’s start with the exoskeleton and backpack.

Milwaukee

Andrew Ellefsen: Anything that makes my job easier and makes me more effective while doing it is a worthwhile tool in my opinion. The new cordless threaders are sick. Silica control is underrated and shop vacs are so underutilized it’s not even funny. I use my 2-1/2 in. compact band saw to cut copper DWV, rod and strut − it speeds things up dramatically. My pants with knee pad inserts are the best work pants I’ve ever owned. My mounting ﬂood light comes with me everywhere I go. Don’t even get me started on the pack-out. I must have eight different tool bags and boxes to keep everything organized, plus about 14 organizers for fasteners, ﬁttings, and so on.

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The exoskeleton reminds me of a light-duty version of the exoskeleton power loader used in the movie Alien. While a bit pricey, the exoskeleton could be well worth it for those with shoulder pain who need to continue to work in the trade. A monthly payment plan may make it more affordable. The exoskeleton would help relieve pain and fatigue, and as my former student Nichole claims, would probably be great for hauling toilets. I believe it would be very beneficial if you are drilling inserts on a step ladder all day. Matt likes his cordless backpack style drain cleaning machine. It would have been great when I had to do drain cleaning in my first year in the trade. A pet peeve of mine was the cord laying in water or whatever on the floor. In those situations, you had better make sure there are no frays in your cable. This technology seems to solve that problem. Another issue it seems to solve is transporting the machine into a finished jobsite. This could be less messy than a typical drain cleaning trolley type machine. The drum is also enclosed, which means no messy cleanup. It also has interchangeable drums for different needs. Some come with an extended capacity battery pack. Ultimately its power and battery life would be an important plus.

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PLUMBING ON THE JOBSITE Many of my former students, including Andrew and Jim, love cordless tools and I can understand why. I have a buddy who has so many cordless tools in his work trailer, it’s like a rolling home improvement store. I believe he has over 12 tape measures and almost every cordless tool known to man, all stacked in organized fashion in his trailer. He also has enough batteries and chargers to make the job easy. Jim mentioned a rapid charger. After questioning a few of my former apprentices and checking online reviews, it seems that a good rapid charger is the answer to my pet peeve. If you have a rapid charger there is no excuse for not getting the job done.

Dewalt

Jim also discusses a drywall cutter paired with a HEPA vacuum. I don’t know how many times, as a last measure, I have had to cut holes in drywall to ﬁnd a leak. I used to use a reciprocating saw and make a mess. Well things have changed with drywall cutters, which are said to cut nice, even holes in drywall.

The next thing is cleaning up all that drywall dust. There are cordless and cord powered vacuums rated for L class operations for plaster, china clay, and mica products. Look for a large capacity tank, commercial dust bags and HEPA type filters. There are also backpack vacuums available. As Andrew noted, shears for finishing with ABS or PVC saves the mess of shavings, as do plastic tubing cutters. Both of these high-tech tools save time and a mess. At SAIT we actually make our apprentices cut pipe the old-fashioned way with a hacksaw, or sometimes a reciprocating saw. They both make a mess of shavings. When you are doing a renovation in a finished house pipe cutters do a clean and fast job. The added bonus is that customers will remember a plumber they don’t have to clean up after.

HOW TO SELECT A PRODUCT Ridgid

While sometimes paying a premium for a brand name is a waste of money, in the case of plumbing, if you want it to last long-term, a brand name and credibility become very important.

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

SAINT-LAURENT TAKES ON CLIMATE CHANGE WITH MUNICIPAL UPGRADES The Montreal borough of Saint-Laurent has completed energy efficiency improvements to several of its municipal buildings as part of the borough’s on-going fight against climate change. Saint-Laurent has a 20year history of promoting sustainable development and environmental protection. The borough is a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection Program, which helps cities set targets, identify strategies and put measures in place to reduce GHG emissions. Saint-Laurent is close to reaching its goal of achieving a 30-per cent reduction in GHG emissions compared to 1990 numbers. “We’re completing our final inventories right now for the past year, and I’m pretty confident that we landed our target of 30 per cent. I think we are at a stage where we can say that we’re a sustainable municipal territory. But it’s been driven by probably our number one priority over the years, which was to fight climate change,” says mayor Alan DeSousa. The borough also has more than 63 LEED certified buildings. “As a sustainable municipal territory since 2019, Saint-Laurent integrates sustainable development and environmental protection in all its decisions,” says DeSousa. “This principle therefore also applies to our choice of investment projects, including those for our municipal

LEED Platinum-certiﬁed Bibliothèque du Boisé is heated with geothermal energy so that its carbon footprint is virtually zero. facilities, whether in our buildings or for park and street lighting.” Recently completed projects include upgrades to the borough hall, which was built in 1966. The 6,500-sq.-m building’s HVAC system was replaced, and 45 photovoltaic solar panels were installed on the roof as part of a solar energy pilot project that if successful could be imported to other municipal buildings. Architectural and engineering plans were done by Bouthillette Parizeau, while electo-mechanical system repairs were completed by L’Heureux Mongeau J.C. Lauzon. Work was also undertaken by Hydro-Quebec to unify the electrical service entrances. “The heating and cooling systems are now 100 per cent electric, with no fossil fuel consumption,” says DeSousa. “We are estimating that GHG emissions will be reduced by about 14 metric tons per year, compared to the previous system, which was dual energy, oil and electricity.” A dry rooftop chiller system that doesn’t consume any potable water was also installed, saving an estimated 360 L of drinking water annually.

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DeSousa says lessons learned from this and other recent major projects, such as Saint-Laurent’s new sports centre and library La Bibliothèque du Boisé (which is LEED Platinum certified), is helping the city tackle additional sustainability measures for all its municipal buildings, whether through new builds or retrofits. Another building, the 57-year-old Parc Decelles chalet, underwent a major redevelopment, which earned the building LEED Gold certification for its green construction. Architect for the project was Réal Paul, and the contractor was FASRS Devcor. “Some of the work that was done was to make it naturally ventilated, there’s no air conditioning system. We completely redid the insulation of the walls of the building. All of the doors and windows were replaced, the roof insulation is also totally renovated,” says DeSousa. “So it was a very interesting way in which you can take a lot of these measures and export them to smaller buildings spread out through the community, to democratize the process.”

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MANAGEMENT | Juan Echavarria

Can employees be terminated for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine? A

s COVID-19 vaccines become more accessible throughout Canada, many businesses have begun to plan for the eventual return to the workplace, including setting up policy frameworks regarding health and safety. As a result, the most common questions in the minds of business owners across the country are whether employees can, and should, be required to provide proof of vaccination, and what recourse will employers have where an employee fails or refuses to provide this information. The answer to these questions varies depending on the nature and location of the employer.* Federally regulated employers must follow employment standards legislation set out by the federal government, while provincially regulated employers will be subject to the employment legislation defined by the specific province in which they operate. While there is generally some overlap between provincial legislation regulating employment standards, the laws of each province can vary in key aspects, which can significantly alter the approach that can be taken by employers in those provinces. Generally speaking, any policy requiring proof of vaccination from employees must take into consideration the employer’s privacy and human rights obligations under applicable legislation. For example, such policies must consider the employer’s duties when collecting and/or disclosing an employee’s private information, and the employer’s duty to accommodate its employees where there are religious exemptions or documented medical reasons preventing an employee from getting a vaccine.

*As legislation varies across the provinces regarding minimum employment standards, privacy, and human rights employers should seek legal advice speciﬁc to their circumstances, including industry, province, and applicable legislation.

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Workplace policies must be geared towards meeting a reasonable need of the employer. Policies requiring employees to comply with an illegal or unreasonable request may not be enforced by the courts. Whether a policy requiring employees to provide proof of vaccination will be reasonable may depend on the risk associated with employees failing to get a vaccine. For example, the government of Ontario has recently made it mandatory for some employers, considered to operate in high-risk settings, to have a vaccination policy. This included hospitals and other health care facilities, retirement homes, schools, and post-secondary institutions, among others. The recommendation of the government of Ontario regarding vaccination policies in highrisk settings was to require proof of either: (i) full vaccination against COVID-19; (ii) medical reason for not being vaccinated against COVID-19; or (iii) that employees who do not provide proof of vaccination, or a medical justiﬁcation, must complete a COVID-19 vaccination educational session. The government of Ontario will require employers in high-risk settings to obtain proof of negative COVID-19 test results on a regular basis from employees who do not provide proof of vaccination.

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Similarly, the federal government recently announced that it will require federal public service employees and those in federally regulated industries such as air, rail and marine travel, to be fully vaccinated. Employees in these sectors who do not provide proof of vaccination, other than those with a demonstrable medical reason for not being vaccinated, will risk losing their jobs.

WHEN IS VACCINATION A REASONABLE REQUIREMENT? Given the serious health concerns caused by the spread of COVID-19, employers must attempt to keep workplaces safe for employees, clients, and all others who are required to interact with employees as they carry out their duties. The extent to which employers may be allowed to implement vaccination policies could depend on the industry, and whether requiring proof of vaccination may be a reasonable TGSWKTGOGPV HQT C URGEKƂE LQD (QT GZCORNG requiring proof of vaccination of an employee who will continue working full-time on a work-from-home basis may not be reasonably necessary. On the contrary, employees working for employers who provide “essential services,” and thus remained operational throughout the pandemic, may be reasonably required to provide proof of vaccination. Likewise, proof of vaccination may be reasonably necessary in high-risk settings, such as where employees are required to interact with others in EQPƂPGF URCEGU QT YKVJ KPFKXKFWCNU YKVJ JGKIJVGPGF health risks.

While some essential services operated on a different basis before vaccines became available, for example, by requiring use of personal protective equipment, QT p22' q CPF TGIWNCVKPI HQQV VTCHƂE GORNQ[GTU providing such services are likely entitled to require proof of vaccination, as this is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace. This is especially true in light of the various provincial plans to fully reopen businesses, and the continued risk of COVID variants, such as the Delta variant.

FAILURE TO COMPLY Where employers decide to implement a vaccination policy requiring proof of vaccination, they must consider how they will seek to enforce the policy if an employee does not comply. Employers may decide to address noncompliance, for example, by terminating an employee’s employment for cause, terminating without cause, suspending such employees, or placing them on a work-from-home arrangement where possible. However, employers must be mindful of the legal risks associated with disciplining employees who do not comply with vaccination policies. Terminating, suspending, or modifying an employee’s employment may result in legal action by the employee, in the form of wrongful and constructive dismissal claims, as well as potential human rights claims. Where a business terminates an employee’s employment for cause, meaning without any severance pay or notice, the employer will be required, in the event litigation ensues, to demonstrate why it was entitled to effect such UGXGTG RWPKUJOGPV 6JKU KU C FKHƂEWNV VJTGUJQNF VQ OGGV A refusal to provide proof of vaccination is unlikely to justify termination for cause in most cases, with the exception perhaps of employees working in high-risk environments, such as employees providing care to immunocompromised individuals. However, this has not yet been decided in the courts, and so it may be that termination for cause for refusing to provide proof of vaccination will not be possible even in high-risk workplaces. As a result, employers who take this measure could face protracted and costly litigation. If the employer chooses a less severe form of discipline, such as suspension or OQFKƂGF FWVKGU GORNQ[GGU OC[ UVKNN VCMG VJG RQUKVKQP VJCV VJKU EQPUVKVWVGU C dismissal, because the employer has terminated the employment relationship by unilaterally changing a substantial or key aspect of the employee’s job, which is known as a “constructive dismissal.” Furthermore, employers must also consider the potential risk of human rights violations when disciplining employees. All provinces in Canada provide protection on the grounds of disability and religion, though in Ontario religion is encompassed under creed. This means that where an employee has a demonstrable medical reason and/or religious reason for not getting a vaccine, the employer may be expected to make the necessary accommodations. This might mean requiring ongoing COVID testing, and/or work-from-home arrangements, for example.

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MANAGEMENT | Cont’d from pg. 57

DISMISSAL WITHOUT CAUSE Where an employer has determined that it wishes to terminate employees who do not comply with a vaccination policy, it may also decide to dismiss such employees without cause. This will require the employer to pay the employee at least the appropriate amount of pay in lieu of notice and/or severance, as required by the applicable provincial legislation. This is generally known as the “minimum employment standards.” The amount of pay required varies depending on the province in which the employer is located. However, whether employers can dismiss an employee without cause by paying only the minimum employment standards YKNN FGRGPF QP VJG URGEKƂE EQPVGZV QH VJG employment relationship. Employers must also consider whether a valid employment whethe cont contract is in place, which allows the employer to all lilimit the amount of notice and severance n pa pay to the minimum

If the employer chooses a less severe form of discipline, such as ÃÕÃ«i Ã À ` wi` `ÕÌ iÃ] i « ÞiiÃ >Þ ÃÌ Ì> i Ì i « Ã Ì Ì >Ì this constitutes a dismissal.

employment standards. Where this is not the case, employees may be entitled to a greater amount of notice known as “reasonable notice.” In any event, the employer must still take into account human rights considerations prior to dismissing an employee with or without cause. )KXGP VJG PQXGNV[ CPF EQORNGZKV[ CUUQEKCVGF YKVJ KORNGOGPVKPI CPF GPHQTEKPI mandatory vaccination policies, some employers may instead choose to establish a discretionary policy. Such policies would allow employees to get vaccinated at their own discretion, and/or simply require disclosure of vaccination status to the employer, so that appropriate health and safety measures can be implemented.

Juan Echavarria is an associate lawyer at Wray Legal LLP, a law ﬁrm located in Toronto, ON, focused on civil litigation, with expertise in employment law, advising both employers and employees regarding all workplace legal matters. He can be reached at jechavarria@wraylegal.com.

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Thank you...

to our readers for being there for Canada during COVID

WORK WEAR By Carolyn Cooper

A PERFECT FIT

WOMEN IN THE TRADES FACE ENOUGH CHALLENGES – GETTING THE RIGHT WORK WEAR SHOULDN’T BE ONE OF THEM Brandi Ferenc remembers walking

onto one of her earliest job sites 17 years ago when she started her career as a refrigeration mechanic, wearing the only workwear she could find in her size. “It was men’s clothing, and it was very uncomfortable,” she recalls. “The pants were too long, the waist sat in a weird place, the shirts would go down to my knees and the sleeves were horrendously long. The overall fit was huge. One guy on site said I looked like I was coming to work in my dad’s clothes.” She laughs about it now, but adds “it’s a real safety hazard because I work around lots of moving equipment like fans and belts and pulleys, and sometimes we do have to troubleshoot while equipment is running.” Finding work wear that both fits and functions on the job is a common challenge for women working in the skilled trades. The good news is that manufacturers are realizing one-sizefits-all options and lower-quality women’s lines no longer cut it. Instead, more companies are offering more durable, functional and professional-looking work gear designed specifically for women.

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À> ` iÀi V Üi>ÀÃ > vÕ wÀi ÀiÃ ÃÌ> Ì À>Ìi` Õ v À vÀ

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Today Ferenc, who holds a 313 A Red Seal licence and Gas Technician 1 licence, is in-house mechanic at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, ON, where she is responsible for maintaining the hospital’s HVAC/R operations. Because she works in a variety of environments, including patient rooms, Ferenc wears a full fire resistant-rated uniform from Carhartt that includes a tapered shirt with shorter shoulder lines and sleeves, and smaller front pockets. “This is the first uniform I’ve had that really fits, which is great,” she says. “And they’re the same colours as the guys’ uniform so I look the same as everyone else in that respect.” Many companies avoid shirt sizing issues by ordering women’s T-shirts featuring the company logo, but durable work pants are often much harder to find, especially in retail stores, which tend to carry fewer sizes and choices for women due to more limited demand.

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Carhartt’ss ddurable Super Dux Relaxed Fit Insulated made from lighter, stronger nylon and Coat is m mad featu ure triple-stitched main seams. The features waate water-repellent and wind-resistant coat has an insulated in quilt lining, adjustable hood with wi ith chin guard, hidden drawstrings and rib-knit storm cuffs. ri bDovvet Workwear makes utility style pants and Dovetail overalls overa alls for women in a range of jobs, including trades and outdoor occupations. “The reason the ttra pants pan nts are Dovetail Workwear’s bread and butter because historically they were just inferior is b bec relative rel lat to male workwear,” says Mark Smith, marketing director at In-Sport Fashions Inc., mar m Dovetail’s Canadian distributor. “The canvas Do was always too thin, pant legs were too wide, w and sizes did not do a wide enough range.” an Carhartt

Smith Smi ith says Dovetail’s products are “designed based on the female ffem form. This allows us to shape the a unisex brand potentially won’t even products in areas areaas that t think about. We caree about everything, but again from a woman’s ab perspective, such as the t rise, numerous inseams to cater to, as many heights as possible, and comfort is of utmost importance.” He adds that the brand “also works hard on choosing colours and prints tradeswomen will like.”

Dovetail Workwear’s Christa DIY is a pull-on pant with seven pockets, double-layered knees, and a hammer loop made with a custom performance denim for durability, stretch and increased moisture wicking. The pants include a medium- to high-rise waist and ribbed elastic waistband. “I had a very hard time finding pants that were a good length and that fit me properly, that had good knee coverage and had the pockets that I need,” says Jessica Bannister, a level 3 HVAC apprentice and operations manager at Port Coquitlam, BC-based Cam Cool Refrigeration Inc. “I started out wearing a heavy-duty pair of jeans, but I figured out very quickly that they didn’t work,” she says, adding that finding the plain black work pants she needed for her uniform was difficult as well. Bannister also discovered that the quality of female versions of some products was often inferior, wearing out well before they should. Eventually she found Helly Hansen’s Luna Construction pants that she says have “solved all of my problems.”

Dovetail

Function, ﬁt and safety were key for Alicia Woods when she launched Covergalls in 2011, a Sudbury, ON-based manufacturer

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WORK WEAR Cont’d from pg. 61

of women’s work and safety wear. Woods, who has worked in the mining industry for more than 20 years, designed the first pair of industrial coveralls for herself after experiencing the hazards of working underground in ill-fitting clothing and PPE that isn’t designed with women in mind. Working with a local seamstress, Woods set out to redesign the men’s garment to fit properly and function on a job site.

As well as its signature overall, Covergalls now makes work shirts, cargo pants, bibs, safety vests, and highvisibility shirts and safety gloves, the latter designed with Mechanix Wear. “We’re also engaging with another Canadian glove manufacturer to expand the offering to look at welding gloves and maybe higher cut-resistant gloves,” says Woods, noting that a lot of new product development “comes from collaboration with clients who have a need and haven’t been able to ﬁnd anything.”

Covergalls

Better-ﬁtting clothing not only functions better, it’s simply safer, says Woods. “It just boggles my mind when we talk safety all the time and yet the most basic form of PPE doesn’t ﬁt or function. And we’ve heard so many stories from women getting their clothing caught in equipment.”

Made with acrylic fleece, cotton Basic PPE such as safety goggles and high-vis vests are and high-tenacity, flameoften hard to find in smaller widths, and gloves that are resistant thread, Covergalls’ small enough while offering the dexterity that techs high-visibility hoodie includes require is a particular issue. “I was complaining on adjustable waist, elasticized Instagram about having trouble finding gloves that fit Covergalls me and that didn’t fall apart, and Korean manufacturer cuffs, and features two-inch Lio Flex reached out to me,” says Bannister. “The silver retroreflective heatgloves are fantastic and they have a variety, including a applied segmented tape. cooling pair and a cut-resistant pair.”

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Dovetail

Jessica Bannister is a fan of Helly Hansen’s Luna Construction pants, which have double-lined hanging pockets; hand, thigh, knee and back pockets; and crotch gusset for freedom of movement. The pants have reinforcement fabric at the knee and bottom hem, with articulated knees for optimal mobility that can be adjusted up to 5 cm.

Helly Hansen

“We essentially took an idea from old-school long johns with a rear trapdoor, and incorporated it into the coverall, and we put a twoway zipper in the front so you could just zip up and not have to take everything down,” explains Woods. “We really focused on areas that hung down too far in the men’s version, the crotch, the armpits, the sleeves, so that it was more of a true female ﬁt rather than men’s made smaller.”

Dovetail’s multi-purpose work gloves are lightweight, stretchy and breathable, with palm and fingertip protection. Made to fit women’s hands, the gloves offer touchsensitive index fingers and high dexterity.

As an environmental site assessor, Constanza Maass works on construction sites making sure that contaminated soil is removed before projects begin. “So I need full PPE,” she says. “Starting out three years ago my employer would provide some of my gear, my shirts and jackets, and I started realizing that none of it ﬁt well. I had to roll up the jacket sleeves twice, it just looked really bad, and luckily I wasn’t working around machinery at the time because it’s just not safe to be wearing gear that is loose.” While she has found products that work, including pants from Dovetail Workwear and Duluth Trading Co., Maass says frustrating themes that keep coming back include quality, cost and colour schemes. “Just make the gear look like the men’s gear. I personally don’t want to stand out when I’m on site, I just want to show up and look professional. And for me this is a big aspect of it, the sense of belonging at work. And it’s a big part of the inclusivity that we’re trying to bring to our sites, looking the part and feeling good in your gear.”

Tiga

Tiga Workwear composite toe safety boots for women are Grade 1 CSA (Canada) safety approved with a metal-free (composite) toe and sole plate for a lightweight feel. Made of breathable suede leather, the boots feature a Goodyear welted non-slip sole with puncture protection.

Constanza Maass has turned iÀ Ãi>ÀV v À Üi wÌÌ } work wear into Instagram and YouTube on-the-job reviews under the handle technically.a.tech.

Helly Hansen launched its women’s Luna collection in winter 2019 with a base layer collection, then expanded into trades in spring 2020. “Most companies ‘shrink it and pink it,’ so to say, whereas at Helly Hansen we took feedback from professional women in the trades which focused on fit, comfort and blending in,” says company representative Matt Glass. “Our women’s collection features the same technology, innovations and fabric as the men’s line but is fitted to suit women’s silhouettes in terms of fit, movability and at times, pocket placements.” The collection will be expanded in fall 2022 with the company’s BRZ design concept. “With the use of lighter weight materials (250 g/m2 or less) and ventilation, we’ve built in climate regulating comfort,” says Glass. “This new product construction works best for those mixing their time working indoors and outdoors where temperatures can vary drastically.”

The Milwaukee M12 Heated Women’s AXIS vests use carbon ﬁbre heating elements to create and distribute heat using three heat settings. The vests are made with polyester for a light, compressible design that can be used as an outer shell or a mid layer. A M12 battery and charger is included.

Although there are now more clothing options available for women in the trades, there are still barriers such as cost and availability issues. Ferenc is hopeful those barriers will start to fall as more work wear manufacturers re-evaluate their women’s lines. “We’re out here in the workforce, and we’re doing the same job as our male counterparts, so we do need the same quality work wear, as well as the accessibility to be able to grab things off the shelf when you need it,” says Ferenc. “Because you need to make sure that you’re wearing clothing that ﬁts so you can work safely and comfortably, whatever climate you’re in.”

Milwaukee M e c h a n i c a l

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PROJECT PROFILE | Nick McRoberts

You won’t even know we are here INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS ALLOWED HISTORIC LODGE TO REMAIN FULLY OPEN WHILE HEATING AND DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEMS WERE MODERNIZED

ituated on 700 acres within a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta is an iconic piece of Canada’s building landscape. Built in 1922, the lodge draws visitors from around the world and is made up of 441 guest rooms and cabins. Given the age of this facility, renovations and improvements are required from time to time. Being an actively used facility, renovations could have a negative impact on guest experience − something which needed to be avoided when possible. In order to work within a tight schedule while minimizing disruptions, Modern Niagara and other partners were brought in to support the long-term revitalization of the historic property with construction management and design services, as well as a range of HVAC, refrigeration, controls, and plumbing services.

Existing systems were used to heat cabins.

Jasper Park Lodge faced two challenges: a complete removal and replacement of existing systems, all while providing services such as hot and cold water to its guests. Given the age of the facility, heating and domestic hot water infrastructure was beginning to become an obstacle. Maintenance staff were chasing down problems and providing quick ﬁxes, which contributed to system inefﬁciency and increased costs. Domestic cold-water systems were also aging and required critical upgrades. These projects are costly and a potentially huge disruption to day-to-day activities at the Lodge. Modern Niagara saw an opportunity to provide cost-effective and time sensitive solutions to the Lodge and approached engineering consultant MMM Group (WSP) with an alternate plan to bring the project closer to the planned budget.

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THE PLAN Modern Niagara’s plan was to utilize a new route for all supply lines through the Lodge. This new routing would not impact existing services and would leave the old infrastructure in place after the integration of the new system. Further, the ﬁrm aimed to reduce costs by limiting the replacement of all systems by utilizing existing systems in new ways, which resulted in the Lodge having a more cost effective and efﬁcient steam capacity. In Phase 1, Modern Niagara ran a new high-pressure steam, condensate, and domestic cold water feed from the powerhouse to the main tunnel of the Lodge. While running these main lines, branches were connected to cabins around the property. By doing this, existing systems could be used to heat these facilities. Systems were installed underneath each cabin to reduce pressure from the steam systems. Once this pressure was relieved, the steam provided heat and domestic hot water for each

NICK MCROBERTS IS A SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST WITH MODERN NIAGARA GROUP INC.

PROJECT PARTNERS PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT:

Photos courtesy of Tourism Victoria and Inn at Laurel Point.

WATTS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES JASPER ELECTRIC JASPER CONCRETE HENRY’S ELECTRIC (BANFF) BORDER PAVING LTD. (STONY PLAIN) SPRUCE GROVE SOD (SPRUCE GROVE)

cabin. An existing hot water vault was also upgraded to service domestic hot water for nine other cabins. Keeping the same design criteria in mind to utilize the property’s steam, Modern Niagara created a new hot water vault to service 12 additional cabins during Phase 2. Utilizing a pre-cast vault, a high-pressure steam system was installed to heat the exchange system, and then fed out to the 12 cabins to provide heating and domestic hot water.

THE KNOWLEDGE HOLDERS With historic buildings comes information hurdles. Keeping detailed records of renovations, building plans, or notes can be challenging over a 100-year history. Records have been handed down over the years and may lack important details. Luckily, on-site support was available from a dedicated group of journeypersons who, in some cases, have maintained the Jasper Park Lodge for the past 40 years. These professionals provided a wealth of knowledge to the team. The collaboration of project teams and building owners and operators is crucial to the success of any project, and that was seen in force at Jasper Park Lodge. Through a true team effort, and with the impactful help of other partners, the engineering ﬁrm was able to provide crucial upgrades to Jasper Park Lodge – upgrades which should enable this historic site to remain an iconic destination in Canada.

In Phase 3, Modern Niagara created a new central heating vault to provide heating and hot water supply for 21 outbuildings and cabins around the Lodge property. Each cabin or outbuilding was again equipped with an individual heat exchange system for domestic hot water production. Phase 3 also saw the introduction of a raw water line and the installation of a water softening system to treat all domestic cold water for the property. A raw water pumphouse upgrade included the installation of two new intake pumps, ﬂow control and monitoring valves, a PLC control panel, and HVAC upgrade. A new water intake line was also installed. This line was fed directly into Lac Beauvert, a freshwater lake used to supply the Lodge’s entire water supply. Modern Niagara’s success during this project was helped by several key innovations. Utilizing efﬁcient materials and processes is a crucial component to ensuring projects are completed on time and on budget. Pre-insulated piping, including steel and HDPE, allowed the M e c h a n i c a l

teams to save time during installs around the Lodge property. The project team was also able to use couplings to limit the amount of fusion required on the HDPE piping, once again helping to meet critical project milestones on schedule. Modern Niagara’s internal controls team also designed water-to-water HEX packages, which were then installed on-site. Obviously, adhering to a tight schedule on a project of this scale is never easy, but added to this stress was the amount of activity at the Lodge given that these renovations were scheduled during some of the busiest times of the year. Working in and amongst guests meant that the project teams had a limited window each day during which to work and had to pay special attention to cleanup. Ensuring minimal disruption and unrestricted public access to Lodge amenities was crucial.

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JOBSITE JARGON

This contest is the second edition of Jobsite Jargon, a regular MB feature. Match the terminology you hear in Ì i wi ` Ì Ì i V ÀÀiVÌ `iw Ì or function. Send your answers to kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com by November 15, 2021, or enter online e at mechanicalbusiness.com, for your chance nce to win a FLIR TG165-X thermal camera. a. In Ì i iÛi Ì v > Ì i] Ì i wÀÃÌ i ÌÀÞ Ü Li Li given the win, so don’t delay!

WIN!

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Road Warrior By Carolyn Cooper Tradesperson’s T Tr rad ades d Name: Mary-Anne Bowcott Company: Westcom Plumbing and Gas Ltd. Job title: Owner, journeyman plumber, Class B gasﬁtter Born in: Victoria, BC Lives in: Sooke, BC Age: 35 Spouse: Dale Stevens Pets: Bailey, a chocolate lab, and Buddha, a bearded dragon In the mechanical industry since: 2009 School: Camosun College in Victoria – plumbing, graduating in 2013

Mary-Anne Bowcott: Shattering stereotypes

“L

Jo-Ann Richards Works Photography Inc.

ife is a competition,” laughs Mary-Anne Bowcott, repeating an often-used line at work. “I say it strictly as a joke, but it’s so me in a nutshell. I’m super competitive, a super overachiever, and everything I do has to be better than anyone else!”

While Bowcott may be joking, it’s an attitude she lives by as owner of Westcom Plumbing and Gas Ltd. in Sooke, BC and as one of the few female journeyman plumbers working in the region. Since it was established in 2015 Westcom has won numerous awards, including the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Trades and Skilled Labour Excellence Award in 2017 and 2018, and in 2018 Bowcott was recognized with the BC Construction Industry Leader Award and the Canadian Construction Association’s Person of the Year Award. But being a trailblazer has also been challenging, and Bowcott is the ﬁrst to admit she had a tough start in the industry. “If you told me when I was getting into the trades that I’d be owning a business and getting awards, I would have deﬁnitely laughed in your face,” she says. “But it has been worth it. There’s no other job I’d rather be doing.” M e c h a n i c a l

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Bowcott became interested in the skilled trades in her late teens after learning she could earn a higher wage in construction than at her restaurant job. “I was raised on a farm, and I’ve worked hard all my life, so I thought it would be pretty sweet if I was to get a job in construction.” After struggling to find a company that would hire her, Bowcott began working for a roofing business doing shingling, before exploring plumbing. “I loved roofing, and it was only when I ended up on the big commercial sites that it got really monotonous,” she explains. Again, it took several years and hundreds of resumes before Bowcott found her first job in plumbing. After being taken on as an apprentice at Coast to Coast Mechanical, Bowcott eventually moved on to Gilmore Plumbing, where she worked for six years. “That got me into mechanical rooms and gas fitting,” she says. “You can make a mechanical room look like complete garbage or you can make it look absolutely stunning. It was that part that really caught my interest, because being an artist as well I love the visual appeal of things.”

Bowcott is also proud her success is an example for other young women interested in the trades, and she often talks at local schools and to groups such as Girl Guides about her career. “The best part is you’re giving the younger women somebody to look up to, and a goal for them if they’re thinking about getting into the building trades or are already in the trades.” Knowing the challenges she faced entering the industry, Bowcott says it’s important to shatter the stereotype of who can work in the industry. “Seeing a woman who is a successful business owner and only about 100 lbs. is important. You know, you don’t have to be this big, gnarly dude to be able to do the job. You have to learn how to use leverage and your body accordingly, and you do get stronger.”

Although she is known for her female crew, she says it’s because male plumbers rarely apply to work for her. “That is the biggest roadblock for me,” she says. “Our growth is at a standstill because I can’t get anybody to work for me who isn’t female.” She also notes that there are currently more female apprentices than there are journeymen. “And although I would love to take every woman with zero experience, it’s tough, because you can only have so many ﬁrst-year apprentices.” Not one to slow down, Bowcott recently opened a rooﬁng company. “My husband’s a roofer so I’ve never really detached myself 100 per cent from it,” she says. “But I really would love for the plumbing side to grow. We’re at the stage that we could use 20 more people.”

Favourite teacher: Mrs. Brooks at Edward Milne Community School

Favourite restaurant or local lunch hang out: The Hallway in Victoria, Route 14 in Sooke

Favourite class: Biology

Favourite food: Seafood, particularly Dungeness crab

Best advice you’ve ever received: You can do whatever you want to in life

Favourite place to be: On the water or in the mountains

The current work ride: 2019 Mercedes Sprinter high-roof extended body

Last book you read: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Service area: Port Renfrew to Sidney, BC

Favourite website: Surﬂine

Favourite part of the job? Being able to help people

Biggest pet peeve: Whistling

One phrase that describes you: My close girlfriends call me Mini Might, which I think is pretty ﬁtting

One place in the world you would like to visit: Java, Indonesia

The most useful tools in your toolbox: My portable Milwaukee band saw, Ridgid Propress, and Ridgid pipe wrenches, particularly my 10-in. end wrenches

One thing most people don’t know about you: I was a cheerleader in high school.

Tool that you wish you had: Milwaukee cordless compound mitre saw and generator

If you could meet anyone who would it be? Jane Goodall

Hobbies: Surﬁng, rock climbing, mountaineering, neer erin ng, g, painting Favourite vehicle: I like big trucks − I would ld really real re ally ly like a Ford F-350 Best concert you ever attended? Rob Zombie mb bie Favourite book: Mountaineering: The Freedom ed dom m of the Hills Favourite movie: Point Break Favourite season: Fall, which is the start off surf su urf season here M e c h a n i c a l

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HYDRONICS B y Ry a n Copp o l a

HOW TO CHOOSE OOSE THE RIGHT

BALANCING VALVE C

ircuit balancing valves (CBVs) CBVs) combine a double regulating valve with a primary measuring easuring element for determining and w. When the right valve is selected, CBVs adjusting hydronic fluid flow. are an effective means of ensuring suring occupant comfort in buildings incorporating hydronic heating or cooling systems. Correct system operation requires that a specified minimum flow rate of heated or chilled fluid be delivered to every part of the building. Accurate circuit balancing assures this design flow is available to each terminal unit throughout the system, for all anticipated operating conditions. The choice of CBV for any construction project makes an important difference to the long-term energy efficiency of the building and tenant satisfaction. Sizing and features, as well as ease of installation, are important considerations. In addition, contractors will want a balancing solution that offers benefits such as fitting easily into confined spaces, providing accurate flow control for fast and accurate balancing, and simplifying the process of adjusting and fine-tuning system flow. CBVs may be installed in vertical or horizontal piping with the valve flow direction arrow matching the system fluid flow direction. Provide sufficient clearance for the handle operation and removal, as well as the PT port access and drain port access.

BALANCING BASICS

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Ryan Coppola is an offering specialist – circulators, valves and hydronics with Armstrong Fluid Technology.

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CIPHEX West to welcome in-person attendees to new venue

ore than 150 companies have signed on to exhibit since the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) announced in June 2021 that the CIPHEX West 2021 trade show will go ahead as planned on November 3 and 4. The event has moved to the Pacific Coliseum of the PNE in Vancouver, BC. CIPHEX West last held an in-person event in 2018 in Calgary, AB. The 2020 show was postponed. “It’s exciting news that CIPHEX West is returning. This exceptional show will provide plumbing and heating manufacturers an opportunity to reconnect with Western Canadian customers, meet new prospects and promote their new products and technologies,” says CIPH chair of the board Bill Hooper of Uponor Ltd. “While the global pandemic put all CIPH live events on hold since March of 2020, industry members from manufacturers to wholesalers to contractors are telling us loud and clear that in-person events are critical to their business and they are eager to attend our trade shows again,” notes CIPH’s president and general manager Ralph Suppa.

The Pacific Coliseum at the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) is the new home for CIPHEX West in Vancouver. This new location offers easier access for attendees, with free parking for exhibitors and attendees.

Show hours Wednesday, November 3 Thursday, November 4

10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Health and safety guidelines will be followed as per instruction from the province of British Columbia (gov. bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/response). At press time, pre-registration is required, as is proof of full vaccination and the wearing of masks while inside the PNE. As a lead up to CIPHEX West 2021, CIPH continues to offer its CIPHEX Learning Labs to help manufacturers provide technical training for industry members, and to facilitate connections with customers. The most technological and advanced new products will be featured in the New Product Showcase. An industry jury will select the most innovative products from 48 contenders in 11 categories with the winners being announced on November 4 at the trade show. Products will be on display in the exhibitors’ booths.

For more CIPHEX West 2021 information check out: • Seminars & Workshops pg. 76 • List of Exhibitors pg. 78 • Product Showcase pg. 80

Come visit us at Booth #1507

ciphexwest.ca M e c h a n i c a l

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Water Conditioning

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CIPHEX West November 3-4 Vancouver, BC Visit us at Booth #206 to see the HTO in person.

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SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS Seminars will take place in the CIPHEX Theatre on the show floor.

Next generation intelligent pumping technology and its evolution Wednesday, November 3 Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This seminar discusses the evolution of pumping technology and will include a history of the development of variable speed technology, explaining the efficiency improvements associated with each advancement; the value and importance of best efficiency staging of pumps and partial redundancy as an alternative to the traditional duty/standby configuration for pumps; and concludes with a discussion on lifetime operating cost savings through pump connectivity, analytics and on-board diagnostics. Armstrong Fluid Technology.

Fighting the FOG: an overview of grease receptors Wednesday, November 3 Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

FOG (fat, oils and grease) is commonly found in the wastewater discharged as a result of commercial and institutional foodservice operations. Learn about the adverse effects FOG has on the sanitary sewer system, the principles of operation of grease interceptors, and the industry requirements for an effective grease management system in commercial foodservice applications.

Canplas Industries

Meeting the needs of the future: air to water heat pumps Wednesday, November 3 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

In a world that is leaning towards carbon neutral building technology, air to water heat pumps will possibly be the next big deal in hydronic comfort, and domestic water systems of the future. Discover how air to water heat pumps work, what their operating ranges and limits are, and the applications they will be used in.

Managing infrastructure resiliency − the role of non-metal systems in plumbing Wednesday, November 3 Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Disaster management and infrastructure resilience are important considerations in building design, particularly in terms of hardiness when faced with extreme climatic conditions, and survivability. The High River, AB case study will be discussed, as well as subtle design shifts as base and design climatic conditions change.

The changing hydronics landscape in Canada Wednesday, November 3 Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Join an expert panel, moderated by Jerry Leyte of Viessmann, as they discuss the challenges the industry has faced in recent years. Mark Evans (Viega), Mike Miller (Taco), Gerry Milligan (TECA), Phil White (City of Vancouver), and David Hughes (CIPH) will touch on how technology has changed the hydronics industry; how contractors can use technology to be more effective in business; and changes to codes and legislation. They will also discuss the City of Vancouver and electrification.

Taco Comfort Solutions

Uponor Ltd.

Canadian Hydronics Council

Cable versus threaded rod for the suspension and bracing of building services Thursday, November 4 Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cable hanging and bracing systems for the suspension and seismic supports of HVAC and MEP building services offer time and labour savings. Using real-life projects as examples, attendees will be shown the benefits these systems could bring to their next project.

Air to water heat pump − the future of heating is now Thursday, November 4 Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Attendees will hear how air to water heat pump systems provide high-efficiency solutions for low temperature radiant floor heating systems. Learn how an air source heat pump coupled with a coaxial heat exchanger and integrated electric boiler provide the ideal comfort solution for homeowners looking to future proof their heating systems.

Municipal Heat Pump Certification (MHPC) Thursday, November 4 Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

MHPC is a must have for hydronic designers to utilize the new TECA heat pump drawings and design projects involving air to water and water to water heat pumps. For hydronic installers, this session offers insight into the proper sizing, operation and logic of heat pumps when utilized in a hydronic heating or cooling system.

M e c h a n i c a l

Gripple Canada

Enercall Sales & Services

Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA)

B u s i n e s s

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HOME COMFORT AT ITS BEST

INTEGRATED SYSTEMS INTEGRATED AIR & WATER

CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE

LOCAL WEATHER

COMFORT MEETS CONVENIENCE

Visit us! CIPHEX West Booth #809 ruud-canada.ca

EXHIBITORS LIST* *As of press time. Companies in red have ads appearing in this edition of Mechanical Business.

A.M.T.S. Limited .................................... 407 A.O. Smith .............................................. 819 Aalberts IPS ............................................ 526 AIC Heat Exchangers ............................ 850 Aimco International ............................... 619 Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing/Lochinvar ............................. 813 Aquatherm Corporation ....................... 424 Armstrong Fluid Technology ............... 209 ASHRAE BC ......................................... 1518 Axiom Industries .................................... 623 Barclay Sales ...................................523-529 Bay Industrial ......................................... 223 Bell & Gossett ........................................ 410 Bibby-Ste-Croix ..................................... 401 BISAN/MARIC ........................................ 508 BMI Canada Inc ..................................... 848 Boshart Industries .................................. 622 Bradford White Canada ........................ 126 Brady ....................................................... 852 Calefactio ............................................... 605 Caleffi Hydronic Solutions .................... 723 Cameron Instruments ............................ 832 Canadian Hydronics Council .............. 1513 Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating ................................................. 1513 Canature WaterGroup .......................... 206 Canplas Industries ................................. 708 Carlo Gavazzi (Canada) ......................... 513 Cascade Flow Control Solutions .......... 405 CB Supplies ............................................ 611 Chemfax Products ................................. 506 Cool Air Rentals ..................................... 610 Cool Estate ............................................ 413 Crown Distributors ................................ 612 dahl Valve Limited ................................. 729 Dierks Equipment Sales ........................ 108 ECCO Group, The ................................. 951 E.P. Engineered Pump Systems ........... 931 Enercall Sales and Service .................... 824 Enervex ................................................... 725 Equipco ...........................................719-729 Fantech ................................................... 529 Fernco Connectors ................................ 524 Flexmaster Canada Limited .................. 509 Fluidmaster............................................. 522 Gastite..................................................... 204 General Pipe Cleaners .......................... 301 Gerber Canada ...................................... 404

MB Ciphex21v3.indd 6

M e c h a n i c a l

Gripple Canada ..................................... 614 Grundfos ................................................ 218 Hargassner GmbH ................................. 112 Haws ....................................................... 828 HeatLink Group ..................................... 303 High Sense Solutions ............................ 718 HPAC Magazine .................................. 1511 HVAC Rentals ......................................... 230 HVAC Xchanger ................................... 1509 Hy-Line Sales (2018) .............................. 828 IBC Technologies .................................. 907 ICC Industrial Chimney Company ....... 122 InSinkErator ............................................ 615 IPEX ......................................................... 313 IPS-International Power Systems .......... 834 IPS Corp. ................................................ 720 JSA Sales ................................................ 947 Liberty Pumps ........................................ 205 Little Giant/Franklin Electric ................. 511 Lixil Canada ............................................ 307 LynCar ..................................................... 629 M.A. Stewart & Sons ............................. 711 Mainline Backflow Products ................. 504 Maria Catherina Construction Prod ......... 709 Masco ..................................................... 106 Master Group, The ................................ 825 MCA of BC.............................................. 1506 Mechanical Business ..................... 1507 Mechanical Equipment Sales ............... 418 Mifab Manufacturing ............................. 510 Milwaukee Electric Tool ........................ 330 Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada ......... 625 Moen ...................................................... 518 Morris/Lee .............................................. 519 NAPCO Royal Pipe and Fittings .......... 118 Navien .................................................... 312 NCI Canada ........................................... 820 Nexus Valve ........................................... 945 Noritz America ....................................... 527 NTI .......................................................... 957 Oatey Canada SCS Co. ......................... 119 Onex Enterprises ................................... 213 OS&B ...................................................... 104 OS&B Industrial ..................................... 905 Pacaire HVAC Supplies ......................... 300 Pentair Canada ...................................... 626 Plumbing & HVAC ............................... 1504 Quotesoft ............................................... 123 Ratech Electronics ................................. 403

B u s i n e s s

Reed Manufacturing .............................. 800 REHAU .................................................... 607 Resideo ................................................... 110 Reversomatic .......................................... 422 Rheem Canada ............................... 608,809 Ridgid ..................................................... 127 Rinnai ...................................................... 105 Riobel ..................................................... 306 Robinson Supply (division of B.A. Robinson) ............................................... 200 Roth Industries ....................................... 621 Ruck Air Movement ............................... 627 RWC – SharkBite, HoldRite, CashAcme, John Guest ............................................. 714 Selkirk Canada ....................................... 618 Service Roundtable ............................... 225 ServiceTitan ............................................ 609 SFA Saniflo ............................................. 854 Sioux Chief Manufacturing ................... 227 SJE – Rhombus ...................................... 408 Spartan Peripheral Devices .................. 901 SpeedClean ........................................... 806 Stelpro .................................................... 713 Taco Comfort Solutions ........................ 318 Taylor Walravren .................................... 624 Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA) .............................. 1510 Thermo 2000 .......................................... 728 Thermo Manufacturing ......................... 515 Toto ........................................................ 722 Triangle Tube ......................................... 719 Trovac ..................................................... 712 UBS Industries ........................................ 949 UEi Test Instruments/Kane Canada ..... 804 Ultra-Fin .................................................. 959 Unified Alloys ......................................... 823 Uponor ................................................... 426 Victaulic .................................................. 939 Viega ....................................................... 412 Viessmann Manufacturing Company ... 324 Wassertek ............................................... 620 Watts Water Technologies ................... 224 Weil-McLain Canada ............................. 512 Wilo Canada .......................................... 811 Wolseley Canada ................................... 935 Zoeller Canada ...................................... 409 Zurn Industries Limited ......................... 212

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2021-10-14 8:13 PM

The best

just got Bigger!

The Cyclone® family of water heaters just got bigger with the addition of the LV and XL (coming soon) models. With Cyclone models now ranging from 50 to 250 gallons and 75,000 to 1,000,000 BTU’s, there is a Cyclone for virtually any commercial application!

Cyclone® LV

Cyclone® MXi BTH 60-119 USG 120,000 – 499,900 BTU

Cyclone® XL

BTHL 220 & 250 USG 150,000 – 499,900 BTU

BTHS 119 USG 750,000 1,000,000 BTU

To find out more visit

www.hotwatercanada.ca

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Digital backflow preventer test kit The Mako digital backflow preventer test kit from Arbiter provides a water-resistant digital solution and is USC FCCCHR Manual 10 approved. Features include a high visibility backlit display, a swivel hook and a capture button to store readings while testing. cameroninstruments.com

Polypropylene piping system Aquatherm Blue Pipe for large diameter mechanical applications is a polypropylene piping system sized from ½- to 24-in. It is rustproof, scale resistant, and lighter than steel. The pipe is installed using heat fusion. aquatherm.com

Fill Valve The PRO45H fill valve from Fluidmaster services all toilet types and is adjustable from nine to 14 in. It is able to withstand up to 120+ PSI. A dial adjusts the water level in the bowl. fluidmasterpro.com

Brass universal valve

Drain box

Plumbing performance app Zurn Connected Products use sensors to monitor plumbing performance and talk to maintenance teams in real time. The plumbSMART app manages and monitors operational status, analyzes performance trends, and ensures everything is operating as it should. zurn.ca

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

The MODA secondary drain box is suited to laundry room set-ups using a condensing or ventless dryer. It includes ssupply connections and a discharge port for the washing ed machine and has an integrated connection and funnel for a recessed condensate drain (with air gap). With the secured ed top on the funnel, it is also rated for high-flow (10 GPM) secondary applications such as drainage of a nearby water er m softener. oateycanada.com

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The MultiChoice forged brass universal valve from Delta Faucet facilitates shower upgrades without altering the plumbing behind the wall. Options are available with and without stops. Three connection types are offered: IPS, PEX and Universal. deltafaucet.com

Stronger together. Manufacturing is the backbone of the Canadian economy. Here at Bibby-Ste-Croix, our team members are working hard providing essential services by manufacturing plumbing and municipal products. The crisis we are facing has brought to the forefront the need to examine the need for Canada to bring back manufacturing jobs. We are all in this together. Buy Canadian made products. Thomas Leonard, President

418-926-3262 Bibby-Ste-Croix.com

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Gas condensing boiler The Vitodens 100-W offers a compact solution for heating and on-demand domestic hot water. Equipped with a Viessmann stainless steel heat exchanger, plus a fully modulating MatriX Plus cylinder gas burner, the wall-mounted gas condensing boiler has zero clearance to combustibles and quiet operation. The boiler software adjusts automatically for vent length with no added coding. The switch from natural gas to propane is at the push of a button. viessmann.ca

Grinder

Control valve Spartan Peripheral Devices has introduced its NSF Rated, UL certified, globe-style control valve for HVAC and plumbing applications. Cast from C87850 EcoBrass, the VN series features a G-type union compatible with quick install technologies to reduce labour and simplify installation. spartan-pd.com

Little Giant’s 16G 1hp Grinder is available as a standalone or as a packaged system with Pit+Plus. The grinder delivvers optimal power to prevent flushables, es, and other debris from clogging and causing downtime. littlegiant.com

Inspection system Milwaukee Tool’s modular pipeline inspection system has a 1080p HD self-levelling camera with 4X digital zoom and optimal light output. Users can digitally pan and zoom to narrow in on the point of interest. Powered by M18 REDLITHIUM batteries, the M18 500GB Control Hub powers the reels, stores recordings, and swaps between camera reel sizes. milwaukeetool.com

Bidet seats TOTO has redesigned and renamed its line of entry- and intermediate-level Washlet bidet seats. The Washlet C2 and Washlet C5 provide personalized cleansing with adjustable water temperature and volume, warm air drying with five variable temperature settings, and a heated seat with temperature control. Redesigns include a new lid that makes it easier to sit on and wipe down, and a simplified wand housing below the seat to make it easier to clean. washlet.totousa.com

Visit us at CIPHEX WEST Booth 1507 82

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

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ZZZ FDOHIÀ FRP

DIRTMAG PRO DIRT SEPARATOR WITH

40% MORE POWER

Caleffi pioneered the magnetic dirt separation market in North America over 10 years ago with DirtMag®. Now say hello to DirtMag® Pro – our latest advancement in ferrous and non-ferrous debris separation. Containing powerful, dual magnetic fields and a redesigned collision mesh, DirtMag Pro delivers 40% more power for greater efficiency in dirt removal. The debris blow-down valve makes serviceability simple, keeping your hands clean. CALEFFI GUARANTEED.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Gas-fired heat pump Robur’s GAHP-AR reversible gas-fired heat pump can provide 120,000 BTUs of heating, five tons of cooling, and supplemental DHW. Ambient rating conditions are 120°F/49°C down to -20°F/-29°C. roburcorp.com

Sewer Camera The Gen-Eye X-POD Plus sewer camera from General Pipe Cleaners includes the GenPack battery adapter, Wi-Fi transmitter, and on-screen distance counter. The battery adapter lets you operate the camera system remotely for up to 12 hours. The on-screen distance counter shows how far the camera has travelled down a line. drainbrain.com

Condensing boiler The VX Series high-efficiency modulating condensing boiler is suited to new residential and retrofit applications. The stainless steel fire tube boiler from IBC is available in three compact models. A vertical combustion chamber and down-firing burner allow free gravity drainage of condensate. ibcboiler.com

Touchless toilet Press Tool RIDGID has introduced the RP 351 in-line standard press tool. The tool operates with a brushless motor. The SlimGrip handle provides enhanced balance and control. Features include colour-coded status indicators and LED lighting. Weighing in at about eight pounds with battery, the tool is designed to make connections on carbon steel, copper, PEX and stainless-steel pipe on residential, commercial and industrial jobs. ridgid.com

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

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Studio and Cadet touchless toilets from American Standard combine reliable touchless technology with the Cadet flushing system. A slow wave of the hand within 1-1/2 in. of the sensor module will activate the flush. americanstandard.ca

Vertical firetube boiler Weil-McLain Canada’s SVF (stainless vertical firetube) boilers feature a stainless steel, high-water volume fire tube design. The SVF heat exchanger provides greater surface area for maximum heat transfer. Available in six sizes up to 3000 MBH, it is suited to commercial applications. weil-mclain.ca

EXPERIENCE the world of biomass heating systems with Hargassner • More than 37 years of experience • We export to 31 countries worldwide • More than 120,000 satisfied customers • International successful

• Maximum reduction of heating costs • Maximum flexibility with remote control

PELLET | WOOD CHIP BOILERS

• Maximum comfort for customers

• Maximum reduction of heating costs • Maximum flexibility with remote control • Maximum comfort for customers

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

REGIONAL HEATING MATERIAL

LOCAL ECONOMIC IM PACTS

CRISISRESISTANT

SAVE MONEY

The carbon that is released by Pellet or Wood Chip Boilers is already in the active carbon cycle in form of trees. It

Wood chips & pellets are a 100 % regional product made from residual wood from domestic forests and the sawmill industry.

Heating with biomass has other positiv impacts like:

Wood chips and pellets are crisis-resistant be-

New jobs or a better supplying of the local foresters.

cause they are a locally sourced fuel.

Lower heating costs than oil or gas. Additionally you can get financial support through subsi-

is moving in this cycle and not producing new carbon that is emitted to the atmosphere.

hargassner-northamerica.com

dies from your local government.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Air source heat pump Mitsubishi Electric’s QAHV air source heat pump utilizes CO2 (R744) refrigerant to supply high temperature hot water. Applications include institutional, commercial and multi-family residential. The unit is operable and can supply 80ºC hot water in ambient temperatures as low as 25ºC. mitsubishielectric.ca

Polyvinyl pipe and fittings NAPSYS polyvinyl pipe and fittings from Napco are suited to high- and low-rise applications. The HR products are available in 1-1/2- to 12-in. diameters and pipe is available in 12 ft. lengths, while the LR products are available in 1-1/2- to 18-in. diameters and pipe is available in 12- and 20-ft. lengths. napcopipe.com

Wall-mounted water heater NTI Boilers’ S20W high-performance wall-mounted 20-gallon indirect water heataters feature 444 stainless steel coils that proovide for higher heat recovery rates, and the he opportunity to run lower boiler temperatures ures for increased efficiency. All units are provided ded with a thermostatic mixing valve, tank sensor sor and T&P valve. ntiboilers.com

Cordless pipe beveler REED’s Bevel Boss cordless pipe beveler quickly and safely bevels 2-in. diameter and larger plastic pipe. The lightweight tool can be used on PVC and CPVC plastic pipe including cluding C900, CorzanCPVC, Bionaxx PVCO evels (C909) and ABS. It bevels on most PVC glued joints and some sizes of bell ell and gasket joints. It is adjustable justable for bevel lengths up to 1 in. Features include carbide bide router bits and a guide plate. reedmfgco.com

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

Watertube condensing boiler The Torus watertube condensing boiler and water heater has a four-pass stainless steel heat exchanger design. The units are available from 1,250 to 4,000 MBH. Features include a compact footprint, options of both NG/LP or dual fuel on all sizes, and a burner door system that provides full exposure to the combustion chamber. Torus utilizes a pressure-driven air/fuel mixing system to reliably provide up to 10:1 turndown. rbiwaterheaters.com

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TRADE SECRET A Valve that Sends Clogging Worries Down the Drain

ULTIMA™ DIAPHRAGM

FLUSH VALVE

DynaClean™ self-cleaning technology is engineered to stop valve run-on due to clogging. Chlorine-resistant EvoLast™ material provides superior performance and durability.

EXTENDED COMMERCIAL WARRANTY Extend your American Standard ﬁxture’s warranty by purchasing and installing with one of our ﬂush valves. LEARN MORE at americanstandard.ca/ultima

Visit us at CIPHEX booth 307

COMMERCIAL SERVICE VEHICLES

B y Ho war d J. Elmer

RAM heavy-duty family, 2500 and 3500 and the 2500 PowerWagon.

2021 Pickup Truck Roundup:

Emerging from a turbulent year fter an unprecedented plunge in sales last spring the market has roared back this year – just in time to experience the full pain of plant shutdowns, limited parts supply, and a worldwide microprocessor shortage. For buyers, these market factors have led to some of the highest resale prices in recent history.

Meanwhile, new trucks on dealer lots are selling at a premium; while those buyers who are willing to wait for custom orders are waiting, sometimes for months. As for new models, many are backed up, but worse is the fact that manufacturers are still rolling out the new iron with much fanfare without any real production dates to back them up. Still, the end of the pandemic seems to be in sight and that alone has buoyed the market and brightened the outlook of buyers despite delays and shortages. A future forecast worth mentioning is a just emerging compact truck market. Hyundai will bring its SUV/based pickup, the Santa Cruz, to market next year. It may be a small player, however Ford has leaked images of its own compact pickup to be called the Maverick due next year as well. This could be the start of something.

M e c h a n i c a l

2021 RAM TRUCK HD 2500 AND 3500

Wheelbases:

141 in., 150 in., 170 in.

Cab Styles: Regular, Crew Cab, Mega Cab For 2021 the HD Ram is a carryover. Engine Size: 5.7L V8 Hemi, 6.7L turbo-diesel, However, this year it’s Cummins 6.4L V8 Hemi 6.7L turbo-diesel has been boosted to 400hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque – a Power (hp/torque): 383/400, 400/1,075, 410/429 new high. In addition, they pushed Max. Payload: 7,680 lb. the max weight limit to 35,100 lb. Max. Towing Capacity: 37,100 lb. (gooseneck) Ram’s focus on making the truck more Box Sizes: 6 ft. 4 in., 8 ft. comfortable for the driver over the long haul continues. As does the special edition packages they will roll out over the model year. The Ram has a décor that includes real wood, real leather and 12-inch Uconnect onnect touchscreen. For 2021 a digital rear-view mirror has been added. Other items: blind-spot monitoring, including uding easy-to-use trailer coverage; trailer tire pressure monitoring; oring; auxiliary cameraa system supporting up to two different cameras; and a 50-gallon fuel tank optional on Crew Cab with an eight-foot ot bed.

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2021 RAM 1500

Wheelbases:

120.5 in., 141 in., 150 in., 170 in.

2021 is a carryover year for Ram Cab Styles: Regular, Quad Cab, Crew Cab 1500. However, they work to keep Engine Size: 5.7L V8 Hemi, 3.6L V6, 3.0L EcoDiesel that momentum going with new Power (hp/torque): 395/410, 305/269, 260/480 trim packages again this year. Also, Max. Payload: 2,300 lb. for 2021 the Ram Classic is still Max. Towing Capacity: (3L EcoDiesel): 12,560 lb.; being built. Since 2018, it soldiers (3.6L V6): 7,450 lb. (5.7L V8): 12,750 lb. on. For 2021 the Ram Classic is also available as the TRX. This special Box Sizes: 5 ft. 7 in., 6 ft. 4 in., 8 ft. desert racer features a 700 hp engine and unmatched suspension travel. The 3.0L EcoDiesel is back and is added to the V8 Hemi and V6 Pentastar engines for a stable of three. Payload is 2,300 lb. and the top tow rating is now 12,700 lb.

New trim packages have been introduced in this carry over year for Ram 1500.

2021 FORD F-150

The F-150 boasts several updates this year and they’re electrifying! F-150 now has a fully hybrid engine based on the 3.5L EcoBoost – now called the PowerBoost. Ford says it will have at least 12,000 lb of towing capacity and a further claim of approximately 1,100 km on a single tank of gas. The look for 2021 is updated as well, yet its instantly recognizable. The sheet Wheelbases: 122 in., 141 in., 145 in., 157 in., 163in. metal has been massaged, particularly around the nose with new grille designs Cab Styles: Regular, SuperCab, SuperCrew and a next-level look to the C-clamp Engine Size: 3.5 L (PowerBoost hybrid) 3.3L V6, 3.5L headlights. The interior also benefits from V6 (EcoBoost), 2.7L V6 (EcoBoost), 5.0L V8, new materials, colour choices and more 3.0L Power Stroke diesel, H.O. 3.5L V6 (EcoBoost) storage. The tailgate has been the focus of “work-related” updates basically creating a Power (hp/torque): 430/570 290/265, 375/470, usable work surface. A huge leap forward 325/400, 395/400, 250/440, 450/510 ,050 though is called Pro Power Onboard. This Max. Payload: 3,270lb. generator will push out enough power to Max. Towing Capacity: 13,200 lb. run 28 average refrigerators, says Ford. Ford F-150 has also debuted available Box Sizes: 5 ft. 5 in., 6 ft. 5 in., 8 ft Onboard Scales, which estimate cargo weight in real time as you are loading the truck. Also – just announced – the all-electric version of the F-150 – called the Lightning is coming next year. It will have fleet specific models available.

Ford’s F-150 hybrid

Pro Power Onboard will push out enough power to run 28 average refrigerators, says Ford.

2021 FORD RANGER Wheelbases:

126.8 in.

Cab Styles:

SuperCrew SuperCab

Engine Size:

2.3L I-4 (EcoBoost)

Power (hp/torque):

270/310

Max. Payload:

1,860 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

7,500 lb

Box Sizes:

5 ft. 1 in., 6 ft.

With the new for this year Tremor package.

For 2021 Ranger is adding off-road packages to its base truck. The Ranger Tremor is a suspension, tires setup meant to compete with Chevy’s ZR2 and the Toyota TRD Pro. Otherwise, Ranger remains the same this year. The body comes as either SuperCab or SuperCrew cab. Powered by a 2.3L EcoBoost engine it is mated to a 10-speed transmission. This is the only powertrain at the moment.

M s iun se is ns e 1s 0s . 0170 . 2 1 M ee cch ha an inci acl a Bl u B

89 3

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: TRUCKS

Cont’d from pg. 89

2021 JEEP GLADIATOR

Wheelbases:

142 in., 148 in., 164 in.,156 in., 159 in., 176 in.

Cab Styles:

Regular, SuperCab, SuperCrew

Engine Size:

6.2L V8, 7.3L V8, 6.7L turbo-diesel

Power (hp/torque):

385/430, 430/475, 475/1,050

Max. Payload:

7,850 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

37,000 (F450)-(5th wheel)

Box Sizes:

6 ft. 8 in., 8 ft.

2021 FORD SUPER DUTY F250 TO F450 2021 is a carryover year for Super Duty. It introduced some major changes last year; among them the new 7.3L gas engine. Along with the 6.2L V8 and the upgraded 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. These are now matched to a new 10-speed TorqShift automatic transmission.

The 2021 Gladiator is now available with either the 3.6L V6 or the 3.0L EcoDiesel with an eight-speed transmission. Gladiator offers the same trim packages and off-road capability of the Wrangler, though it does come with a 5-foot bed. The body-on-frame design offers the same four doors, but on a frame 31 inches longer than the Wrangler. The wheelbase is also 19.4 inches longer and the rear axle and suspension setup borrows heavily from the Ram 1500.

Wheelbases: Cab Styles: Engine Size: Power (hp/torque):

137.3 in. Crew cab 3.6L V6 3.0L EcoDiesel 285/260 260/442

Max. Payload:

1,600 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

7,650 lb.

Box Sizes:

5 ft.

2021 TOYOTA TACOMA

The base Tacoma changes little for 2021 but Toyota is increasing the number of available Tacoma versions (they now offer 16 models across three body configurations), such as the offroad TRD-Pro. Added last year Toyota is increasing the number of available was a base SR package. Its main Tacoma versions. engine is the 3.5L Atkinson cycle V6 with a six-speed manual, or six-speed automatic Super ECT with lockup torque converter. An available with a five-speed manual comes with the base 2.7L only.

Wheelbases:

127 in. 140 in.

Wheelbases:

137.3 in.

Cab Styles:

Access Cab, Double Cab

Cab Styles:

Crew cab

Engine Size:

2.7L I-4, 3.5L V6

Power (hp/torque):

3.6L V6 3.0L EcoDiesel 285/260 260/442

Max. Payload:

1,500 lb.

Max. Payload:

1,600 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

6,700 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

7,650 lb.

Box Sizes:

159/180, 278/265

Engine Size: Power (hp/torque):

5 ft., 6 ft.

M e c h a n i c a l

Box Sizes:

B u s i n e s s

5 ft.

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2021 TOYOTA TUNDRA

2021 will be the last year for the Tundra in its current form. This generation started in 2014. Toyota has officially announced the next generation saying the arrival of 2022 Tundra will be late this year, however details at this point are few. The most likely big change will be the powertrain. So, with the 5,7L V8 gone the replacement possibilities are almost endless. The most likely update will be a turbo charged engine with a better transmission. However, some type of hybrid is not out of the question. We expect the option packages will remain basically the same. A total of 17 trim configurations are now offered.

2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD 2500 & 3500

This is the first carry-over year of the next-generation Silverado 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD HD. The recent key changes to these HD’s 2021 CHEVY were powertrain Wheelbases: 133 in., 144 in., 154 in., 167 in. SILVERADO 1500 and driver-assist 2019 saw a generational 159 in., 176 in. electronics. Silverado interiors may get an update update of the Silverado Cab Styles: Regular, Double Cab, Crew Cab Towing capability this year. (and GMC Sierra). 2021 is increased a Engine Size: 6.6L V8, 6.6L turbo-diesel a carry-over year – though Wheelbases: 119 in., 133 in., 158 in. massive 52 per there is a rumour that the interiors Power (hp/torque): 401/464, 445/910 Cab Styles: Regular, Double Cab, Crew Cab cent to 36,000 lb. may get a mid-gen update later this Max. Payload: 7,374 lb. and GM’s camera Engine Size: 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, 2.7L turbo, year. The new Silverado offers eight Max. Towing Capacity: 36,000 lb. system now has trim levels and six different engine 3.0L turbo-diesel 15 around-truck Box Sizes: 6 ft. 5 in., 8 ft. and transmission combinations. Power (hp/torque): 285/305, 355/383, 420/460, views. The HD These trim packages not only offer has two new 310/348, 277/460 groups of conveniences but they powertrains: an all-new 6.6L gasoline engine with Max. Payload: 2,250 lb. also cover the very necessary work direct injection mated to a six-speed transmission, and truck (WT) market right up to the Max. Towing Capacity: 13,400 lb. an updated 6.6L Duramax V8 turbo-diesel and all-new opulent High Country. For 2021 Box Sizes: 5 ft. 8 in., 6 ft. 6 in., 8 ft. Allison 10-speed transmission. The all-new interiors they’ve tweaked a few offerings – were adopted from the 2019 1500-series trucks. The new trailer mirrors, adaptive cruise multi-flex tailgate (available on the 1500s) is coming to control and engine choices available across all trim packages. The new the HD trucks late this year. 10-speed transmission is also being added to the 5.3L V8.

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victoria

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winnipeg

toronto

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laval

montreal

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halifax

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: TRUCKS

Cont’d from pg. 91

2021 HONDA RIDGELINE

2021 CANYON AND COLORADO

For 2021 the Ridgeline is new. It features all-new styling from the front roof pillars forward; a new hood with sculpted styling, a new squared off nose and upright grille. A reshaped rear Wheelbases: bumper shows off new twin exhaust Cab Styles: pipes. Ridgelines’ track is wider (20 mm) Engine Size: giving it a more planted stance. What does not change is the powertrain. Along Power (hp/torque): with a nine-speed transmission it is the Max. Payload: only option. The interior too has been Max. Towing Capacity: updated nicely. This truck continues Box Sizes: to appeal to a select group with its carlike features and all-wheel drive. It has a unique fold-down and swinging tailgate and large, lockable trunk. 128 in., 140.5 in.

The twins remain largely the same for 2021. They are due for an update soon, however at this time there is no news. These twins sell Wheelbases: well and they continue to push the offroad capability of the trucks. Such as Cab Styles: Extended Cab, Crew Cab the ZR2 off-road version (featuring front Engine Size: 2.5L I-4, 3.6L V6, 2.8L turbo-diesel and rear electronic locking differentials; Power (hp/torque): 200/191, 305/269, 181/369 DSSVTM damper technology, a lifted frame and 31 in. Goodyear Duratrac offMax. Payload: 1,620 lb. road tires). Also, this mid-sizer is only Max. Towing Capacity: 7,700 lb. (w/diesel) one of two trucks (the other being the Box Sizes: 5 ft. 2 in., 6 ft. 2 in. Gladiator) that offers a diesel option.

— Brian Williams Ashton Service Group, Vancouver, BC Member since 2012

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Howard J. Elmer is an automotive journalist and the founder of the Canadian Truck King Challenge. Be sure to check out the test drives of these 2021 trucks at www.truckking.ca.

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REFRIGERATION

MAINTAINING REFRIGERATION SYSTEM OPERATING EFFICIENCY T

hroughout the lifetime of a refrigeration system there is a need for regular maintenance and repairs. Unfortunately, many systems only receive the attention they need when they break down. There are a number of checks that need to be done regularly to prevent system failure. For this discussion, we will focus on a split system, where there is a condensing unit along with one or more evaporators.

Coil surface Ensure that the condensing and evaporating coils are clean. A dirty evaporator will tend to reduce the suction pressure, while a dirty condenser will tend to increase the discharge pressure. Both conditions contribute to a loss in efficiency. Capacity and efficiency will also drop if the defrost cycle is not working correctly. If necessary, the defrost should be adjusted so all frost is removed from the coil. Additionally, the defrost cycle should allow sufficient drip and drain time to prevent refreezing of the water. Drain pans and drain lines should be cleaned if necessary. Where electric defrost heaters are used, confirm that all defrost and drain line heaters are operating during the defrost cycle.

Compressor oil level and condition Check the compressor oil level and appearance. Generally, the oil level should be at approximately one-half sight glass. If the oil is low, do not add any until it is determined why the level is low. If there are no signs of oil on the external surface of any of the system components or piping, it is quite likely the oill is held up somewhere else within the system. In this case, the refrigerant charge, superheat and subcoolingg values should be checked. In a system with multiple evaporators, it is possible one or more evaporators is starved of refrigerant. In o this case, there may be insufﬁcient liquid available to

Phil Boudreau 94

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LOW-TEMP CONDENSING UNIT WITH CRANKCASE PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE. feed the evaporators. By conﬁrming the presence of liquid by visually inspecting the sight glass just upstream of the expansion valve or by calculating the subcooling, it is relatively easy to conﬁrm whether the expansion valve has 100 per cent liquid available to it. There are other reasons why the coil may be starved of refrigerant, such as an incorrect setting of the expansion valve, partial or complete loss of the charge in the element or head of the valve, high load, and so on. If the o oil is dirty, it should be changed. However, before changing the oil oil, evaluate the condition and colour of the oil. If the oil has a grey greyish colour to it then the compressor has experienced some wea wear. Although it is possible to change the oil, the wear to the com compressor is irreversible and will likely continue to take place un until the oil pressure drops to a point where it is not possible to keep the compressor online. When changing the oil, clean

Phil 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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Canadian reﬁllable cylinders available

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REFRIGERATION

Cont’d from pg. 94

the magnetic plug and the screen if there is one. A dirty screen will restrict oil ﬂow to the inlet of the oil pump. A magnetic plug that has a lot of metallic debris on it is also an indication of internal compressor wear. For a comprehensive analysis of the oil, a sample can be sent to an oil testing facility. In this case, it is recommended to provide the oil testing laboratory with a copy of the data sheet listing the allowable limits. This information is available from your oil supplier.

Contactor and pressure controls Contactors are generally used to energize the compressor. The contactor is a mechanical device which can fail. It may not pull in evenly or has contacts that may become pitted and/or burned over time. A faulty contactor can also result in a single-phasing condition, which can destroy a motor. Contactors should be checked for voltage drop across the contacts. If unsure of its condition, replace the contactor. Ensure pressure controls are set to a value that will not allow the compressor to operate outside of its intended operating envelope. Generally, the low-pressure control is set to the highest value that is practical and the high-pressure control is set to the lowest practical value to support the application. It is also a good idea to visually inspect all the electrical wiring to ensure there are no loose connections or signs of overheating.

COMPRESSOR WITH MECHANICAL CAPACITY CONTROL UNLOADING ON MEDIUM-TEMP RACK.

Oil pressure On compressors that utilize an oil pump, the net oil pressure should be checked. The oil pressure can be affected by many factors such as a large amount of refrigerant in the oil, low oil, dirty screen, worn compressor, incorrect oil viscosity, among others. To check the net oil pressure, locate the two ports that provide access to the pump inlet and outlet pressures. The pump inlet is basically the crankcase pressure. Never use the suction line pressure to calculate the net oil pressure. Typically, there will be a suction screen after the suction service valve. This screen along with any variation between the motor barrel and crankcase pressures may result in an incorrect reading.

Piping Inspect the entire piping network for any visible damage or traces of oil and correct if necessary. Insulation on suction lines should be checked. If necessary, replace the insulation to reduce the amount of heat ingress from the surroundings. This also applies to the subcooled liquid lines in two-stage compressor systems.

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Motors and fan blades Fan blades that are showing signs of cracking or warpage, or that are separating from the hub, must be replaced. A damaged fan blade will not be correctly balanced and will place additional stress on the motor bearings. Also ensure that all fan blades are sitting correctly in their venturi so they will provide proper air ﬂow. A noisy motor is usually a sign of failing motor bearings. Even though the motor may be working, it must be replaced.

Operating conditions It is important to evaluate the operating conditions of the system. The suction and discharge pressures along with the suction and discharge temperatures, should be recorded along with the voltage and amperage. Use the compressor manufacturer’s software to compare the actual conditions to the expected conditions. Any anomalies will need to be investigated. For example, as mentioned already, a higher-than-expected discharge temperature is likely the sign of a worn compressor for a given set of conditions. A higher amperage can be due to low voltage, voltage imbalance, defective contactor, high load on the system, and so on.

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Marketing

with DOUG MACMILLAN

Doug MacMillan is president of The Letter M Marketing in Guelph, ON. To reach him, email doug@letterm.ca.

The power off partnerships

ooperation has been a foundation on for many businesses as they navigated thee pandemic. In my community, several food businesses esses used the downturn to come together and explore plore how each could reduce waste across their ir business processes by better sharing resources es and ideas. The experience led to permanent, positive change for most of the participatingg companies. Here at my agency, we strengthened d capacity and agility by expanding our network off specialized marketers who had dedicated more time to building freelance businesses. How will the marketing changes, which have occurred over the last 23 months progress? rogress? One area that has advanced signiﬁcantly is marketing localization localization. The pandemic brought out a renewed sense of community and compassion. There has been a strong drive to “shop local.” Many local businesses have been the hardest hit due to lockdowns and restrictions. We’ve seen an increase in consumer demand for locally-sourced ingredients and products, and in some cases more discretionary

Coming together

Creating trust I’ve read that the digital marketing world advanced a decade in one year because of the pandemic. Nearly all consumer needs and wants were executed digitally, increasing the use of digital tools and contributing to changes in consumer behaviours. Given that we have become accustomed to interacting with everything digitally, it is likely going to persist as we move forward.

One major shift in our everyday lives, of course, has been the amount of time we have spent at home. Consumers have become numb to digital marketing after being inside for the majority of the last 19 months. As we emerge together, attention to our surroundings will flourish and a need for creative out-of-home marketing and engagement will develop quickly. People are craving interaction and want to feel they are a part of something. This provides a unique opportunity for local businesses to come together with inventive ideas to connect with their community and attract new customers, while giving help to others through donations and charitable drives.

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spending to support them. This has led to an increase in personalization and localized branding. Supporting small businesses helps to build connection and trust with consumers, a shift that is important to acknowledge as businesses ensure empathy remains at the front of their messaging. There is conﬁdence that community over competition will continue, and the value of working together will remain strong.

This is both a challenge and an opportunity to create lasting trust, personalization, and cooperation through business ventures within digital landscapes. How are you going to reach your consumers, if not face-to-face? How are you going to adapt your service to be more accessible online? It is important to be transparent through this evolving phase to create trust and

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continue moving forward regardless of the platform being utilized. For example, a cooperative approach amongst non-competing trade businesses can lead to reduced marketing and advertising costs; crosstraining for employees to sustain their relevancy and skills; shared ideas and practices that improve business efficiencies and processes; and a greater impact on charitable giving initiatives at a time when local nonprofits are struggling to address demands for food security, mental health support and housing assistance.

Community-focused ecosystem of proven businesses A key to all of this will continue to be cooperation. The current environment creates an ideal opportunity for locally-run, home-focused service businesses to come together to create a unique community-focused ecosystem of proven businesses. These localized trust pods would offer vetted one-door access to the services customers need from businesses, and the owners and employees they know and trust. I envision a shift from national or global databases of service companies, which draw on customer reviews,

to a more intimate connection between local businesses, the employees who coach our kids and shop where we shop, and the customers who come together to rebuild community resiliency. Working together brings many benefits, and some cautions too: every participant needs to see specific, bottom-line value while being open to the ideas and leadership of others who, in another time, may have seemed more like a competitor than a collaborator. If we can overcome those hurdles, the power of partnership can help us rebuild faster and better.

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LOOKING AHEAD

Victor Hyman is executive director of ClimateCare, a member-owned for-proﬁt cooperative.

By Victor Hyman

ESCALATING CARBON TAX SHOULD DRIVE EQUIPMENT SELECTION In the May/June and July/August issues of Mechanical Business the case was made for presenting customers with low-carbon heating solutions. Increases in the carbon tax will create post-purchase pain for those consumers who opt for the lowest installed cost option when replacing their furnace and air conditioner. Currently, the federal carbon tax sits at $0.0783/m3 of natural gas in 2021 and will increase to $0.3324/m3 in 2030. That’s a tax in 2030 that is three-times the cost of natural gas today. If everything else stays the same, it will cost four-times as much to heat your home with natural gas in 2030 as it did in 2018. The average homeowner will pay over $1,000 in carbon tax for their home heating if they are heating with natural gas. The purpose of the federal government’s carbon tax is to incentivize consumers to produce less carbon dioxide. By putting a price on carbon the assumption is that the “economic man” will look to ﬁnd ways to save money and reduce consumption of expensive carbon-based products. As HVAC contractors, the challenge is explaining to customers that what looks like the best option today will cost them a lot more money in the long run. If we can make a fact-based rational argument that resonates with consumers, we will hopefully save them a lot of disappointment down the road.

Benjamin Franklin said that “the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” I think the modern equivalent to that may be “the bitterness of the carbon tax will remain long after the sweetness of the cheapest installed option is forgotten.”

Heating contractors will have to start crunching the numbers for homeowners to show them not only the upfront cost of the equipment but also the total lifecycle cost. Having run the numbers myself, I can tell you that going for the cheapest upfront option will be the most expensive in the long run.

;OL ILZ[ ÄYZ[ TV]L There are a number of approaches to improving the building envelope to reduce the heat loss. Upgrading the attic insulation to R-60 and doing air-sealing is relatively cheap, maintenance-free, and minimizes the draftiness of the house by eliminating the chimney effect. A Manual J calculation, or better yet, an F280-12 calculation backed by a blowerdoor test, will show you the effectiveness of these changes on the heat loss. Even if the homeowner is only thinking of taking advantage of the Greener Homes Grant to make insulation, window and door improvements, you will likely ﬁnd the existing HVAC equipment is grossly oversized.

The next pressing questions are what efﬁciency of ASHP should you select, and would it be better to save on envelope improvements and pour that money into choosing a higher-end heat pump? This is where modelling becomes really important. Gone are the days of replacing like for like − even if the only reason is that modest envelope improvements will render the existing equipment grossly oversized, creating comfort issues and short-cycling, which will result in premature failure.

Now that some improvements have been made to the envelope, we can look at right-sizing the equipment and going with a hybrid-heat system utilizing an air source heat pump (ASHP) with a natural gas furnace (or hydronic air handler and natural gas combi boiler). The existing ductwork will limit the maximum capacity of the ASHP, and we need to ensure we aren’t oversizing the cooling capacity and creating new problems in the summer. A two-stage or inverter ASHP will allow us to up-size for heating without creating summertime issues.

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Improvements to the envelope are necessary to right-sizing equipment.

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MARRYING STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY: Y:

considerations when selecting linear drains

ON THE PLUS SIDE A linear drain offers ease of installation with a one-slope-to-one-plane design: no four-way, compound slope, as with a conventional four-way centre point drain. Linear drains can also extend the shower ﬂoor’s full length, promoting complete water evacuation in curbless enclosures. Consequently, there is less chance of water pooling and running out under the shower door into the bathroom.

lthough not initially perceived as an essential shower feature, the linear drain has surged in popularity in Canada in recent years. This can be attributed to its adaptability and suitability to fashionforward styles such as open-room concepts, curbless entries, larger tiles, and varied ﬁnish materials. Inspired by luxurious wet-room spa baths in upscale hotels and health clubs, consumers of all ages now want the same look and feel at home. A linear drain means cleaner lines in the shower and added accessibility. There are numerous factors to consider when specifying and purchasing the best linear shower drain. Take enough time to carefully consider all factors, determine whether you want to accomplish certain functionalities and always consider common installation challenges before selecting a linear drain.

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KEY FACTORS There are a number of factors to keep in mind when opting for a linear drain system in order to ensure optimal linear drain performance.

In addition, linear drains open up new tile opportunities, especially large-format tile and solid surface materials. The installer does not have to use smaller tiles to accommodate a conventional, four-way compound slope. The use of larger tiles throughout the room results in fewer grout joints to impede movement or drainage. Fewer grout lines also mean eliminating additional spaces where mould, mildew and grime can take hold.

1. Versatility When specifying or purchasing a linear drain, it might be necessary to opt for a system with a broad range of installation options. Choosing a linear drain system that offers on-site customization provides signiﬁcant cost and time savings.

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Some linear drain bodies can accommodate challenging changes in height via stackable levelling spaces, and in width via drain trough extensions. Drain trough extensions enable installers to move the drain body side-to-side to avoid any site obstructions.

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Cont’d from pg. 102

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3. Curbed versus curbless An important factor to consider when choosing a linear drain is the choice of a curbed or a curbless shower. Whether curbless or curbed, showers can be designed either with a centre-point drain or a linear drain. In a curbed shower, a linear drain should provide efficient drainage (after determining flow rate capacity), whether it’s located in the centre, along the back wall or at the entrance of the shower. However, in a curbless shower, the type of linear drain will have an impact on drainage. In a curbless shower, the linear drain should extend wall-to-wall to ensure the most efficient and effective drainage. Select a linear drain can be customized to provide wallto-wall coverage and be sure the linear drain has integrated slopes to efficiently and effectively evacuate water from the drain body. Select a drain that connects directly to the waste line.

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2. Flow rate capacity and drain location When selecting a linear drain, be sure it can handle the combined flow rate of the various water-delivery components installed in the shower, such as the showerhead, handheld shower and body sprays. The drain location will also impact a shower’s flow rate capacity, whether it be at the entrance, along the wall, or rS ai ho centred. Installing the linear drain at the entry of a curbless dr we n I r D ra le shower results in the shower’s flow rate capacity of five in wit h Ti gallons per minute (gpm). Today’s standard fixture flow rates are well within this five-gpm standard, most having been reduced to 1.5 gpm. However, if you have ceiling showerheads, body sprays and hand showers all activated at the same time you would exceed their combined flow rate of five gpm. In this instance, a back-wall drain install would be the ideal choice, as it will handle up to 10 gpm. L in

A situation that would likely benefit from a versatile linear drain system involves retrofitting a bathtub into a shower. Converting tubs to showers can present a unique set of challenges because, more often than not, when you demo-out tubs, you’ll run into different plumbing and fixture layout conditions. For example, rarely will you take out a tub and have a space that is exactly 30 in. by 60 in., as it says on the construction plans. An option would be to install a complete shower solution with a tile-ready, site-sizable pan and an on-site customizable linear drain body. Frequently, when removing an older tub, the existing drain is off-centre. Therefore, it would make sense to find a solution that will accommodate off-centre drains. Offset or off-centre waste-outlet drain bodies are particularly helpful. Site-sizable linear drain bodies can be customized to adapt to existing drain locations, while also covering the fact that the drain is off-centre. A range of decorative covers and finishes are compatible with linear drains, which provides design versatility for homeowners, designers, and installers.

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VENTILATION

Matthew Magee is an engineer in Continental Fan’s Mississauga, ON ofﬁce.

By M a t the w M a g e e

Destratiﬁcation fans D

SHINE IN HEATING SEASON

estratification fans are ventilation devices, typically suspended from the ceiling of a commercial or industrial building. Two main purposes of these fans are to achieve energy savings and provide a more comfortable environment for occupants in a building. Air is circulated from the ceiling to floor level, reducing the temperature difference between the highest and lowest points and creating an even temperature distribution. It is common knowledge that hot air rises due to the excitation of molecules. An increase in energy causes the air molecules to collide and spread out; the hot air is thereby less dense and begins to rise. In a large warehouse, this hot air can be trapped at the ceiling, providing little warmth to the occupants at floor level. This issue is exacerbated in buildings with high ceilings. The free space in a building normally contains distinct thermal air layers, called strata. Each stratum has a different average temperature, forming a temperature gradient from the floor to the ceiling. For every three-foot increment of height in a building, the temperature is assumed to increase by 1ºF. Considering that an average industrial building is approximately 30 ft. high, this would result in a significant 10ºF average temperature difference from floor to ceiling.

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Higher velocity round cased fans are effective when space and exposure are a concern.

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TECHNICAL CONCEPTS There are two key terms to understand when considering destratification: fan throw and fan spread. Fan throw is the distance air will travel. For destratification fans, this is the distance from the fan outlet to the ground floor. The ideal fan throw will allow the occupants to feel the comforting effect of the fan, but not to the point that it will be bothersome and promote the circulation of dust. This is done by choosing a fan that will provide an appropriate terminal velocity. Common terminal velocities used in the industry are 50-, 100- and 150-feet per minute (fpm). Depending on the application, destratification fan specifications may indicate the fan throw at one or all three terminal velocities listed above. Fan spread measures the amount of space one destratification fan unit will cover at a certain fan throw (distance) from the fan inlet. This is a key factor to note when determining fan location(s). Destratification fans should be installed in locations that target areas of high traffic and minimize any space outside of the fans’ spread. It is also important to ensure there is minimal obstruction of airflow caused by equipment and inventory storage. As a basic rule for an even airflow distribution, each fan should be installed half a fan spread diameter away from walls, and a full fan spread diameter away from neighbouring fans.

TYPES OF DESTRATIFICATION FANS Two common types of destratification fans are the paddle blade fan and the round cased fan. Paddle blade fans rely on large impeller blade blades d s to t move high volumes of air at relatively low rotational speeds. Typically, these fans are seen as the energyy efficient option, requiring smaller horsepower motors to move ove an equivalent pared to stanamount of air, when compared dard speed fans. Occasionally, nally, the height of a building or severe stratification may render these fans ineffective. An alternate method may be to use higher velocity round cased fans, which are effective when space and exposure are a concern. A rotating mounting bracket can allow the fan to be angled, directing the airflow to a desired location. In situations where objects may come into contact with the fans, critical components such as the impeller and motor are protected by the fan housing and guards.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF FAN TERMINOLOGY!

DETERMINING SIZE AND QUANTITY Knowing the height of a building and a fan’s recommended height range are key factors when determining which fan size and the number of fans to use. The number of units required for the destratiﬁcation of a building can be estimated by considering the entire volume of the controlled area. Note that this approximation does not take into consideration the coverage of each individual fan spread. Formula 1 addresses the minimum number of fans of a certain capacity (cfm) required for the destratiﬁcation of the total room volume, at a rate of one air change per hour.

Formula 1 Minimum number of Units = Length (ft.) x Height (ft.) x Width (ft.)/[cfm x 60] The result can then be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number, based on which whole number of fans will better service the layout of the building.

See Jobsite Jargon on pg 66 for your chance to win a Flir thermal camera.

A destratification fan’s value can be seen during the heating season. The airflow generated by a destratification fan provides the force necessary to circulate airflow through the strata, while distributing heat through convection. Destratification effectively moves hot air away from the roof and toward the occupied floor of the controlled area. In winter, condensation in a warehouse can be caused by a cold ceiling and warm rising air. As the roof conducts the cold outdoor air, it comes in contact with the warm indoor air and condensation forms on the ceiling. The condensation builds up and begins to drip on the floor. This effect is inherently evident in buildings with poor insulation.

A FAN FOR WINTER

Destratiﬁcation will mitigate condensation buildup by circulating the warm and humid air trapped near the ceiling toward the ground ﬂoor and reducing the relative humidity and temperature gradient at the top. M e c h a n i c a l

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PLUMBING

Top five ways of dealing with root incursions

By Dave Dunbar Du

oots are sewer pipes’ worst nightmare. Tree roots are constantly in a state of hunger and thirst, searching relentlessly for water and nutrients. Both are abundantly available inside the drainpipes that lead from our homes to the septic systems or municipal sewage treatment plants that process our waste. Root hairs are tiny, sometimes only a few cells wide, but they grow quickly and can sense the vibration of running water. When they squeeze through a small crack or crevice in a drainpipe and find what they are looking for, they begin to grow and expand. Over a period of months and years, this unrelenting pressure on the pipe expands the initial crack and begins to cause serious damage. Before you know it, you have a tree root blocking your drain and the pipe is leaking like a sieve. When a plumber or drain cleaner encounters a pipe in this condition, ignoring the problem is not an option. Depending on conditions and circumstances, there are several strategies that a professional can use to solve the problem. Most contractors do not lock themselves into using just one of these strategies when dealing with root incursions. More and more professional drain cleaners seem to have snakes, highpressure water jetters, flex shaft devices, root killing products, and sewer inspection cameras on every truck. As technology progresses in the field of plumbing and drain cleaning, contractors have more and more options available to them.

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If a drainpipe has lost its structural integrity, obviously, th he best solution would be to replace it. Modern the pla plastic pipe, when properly installed, will be far more waterproof and durable than what is in the ground at present. Or, if digging a trench through the customer’s property is not the most convenient solution, there are a multitude of pipe relining products and strategies that are almost as good. Because replacing or relining is a foolproof solution to the problem, a growing number of municipalities across North America mandate replacing leaking pipes whenever the property changes hands. If this is the case, the contractor and customer have no choice. However, despite replacement/relining being the best engineering solution to the customer’s problem, it will certainly be the most expensive. So, if the contractor’s plans are not mandated by the municipality, there may be a number of factors to consider before recommending this course of action. For example, are they on a limited budget? How long do they intend to keep the property? Are there geographic considerations that make other options more attractive? If none of these other considerations prevent it, then pipe replacement remains the best solution.

Drain D r cleaning option Although replacing or relining the pipes is a Alth Al foolproof solution, a commonly used method of removing and cutting roots is a cable style drain cleaning machine. Much of this has to do with cost and expediency. For a few hundred dollars and two hours’ time, the customer is usually rewarded with a functioning drainpipe.

Contrast this with enduring several messy construction days and perhaps tens of thousands of dollars for a pipe replacement job. It is a small wonder that, after doing the math, customers continue to pick the drain cleaning option despite the fact it does not ﬁx the underlying problems that allowed the root incursion in the ﬁrst place. Any cracks, crevices, or separations that

Staying abreast of developments in the industry will give you the ﬂexibility to successfully address the unique features of every job and every customer.

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existed in the pipe before using the snake are certainly still there. These openings act as inducements for more root incursion, as well as allowing inﬂow of rainwater, which contributes to sewage overﬂows into our rivers, lakes, and oceans. At best, snaking a drain to remove root incursions is a temporary solution. However, as we will see, there are things a contractor can do to increase the effectiveness of this option.

Mechanically M rremove e intrusion

they are used extensively in the pipe relining industry, and have also become popular with plumbers and drain cleaners whose only goal is to cut and remove root incursions. These machines tend to be used in tandem with pipe inspection systems, giving the contractor pinpoint control over the root cutting process. Like the snake-style machines and high-pressure water jetters previously described, using a ﬂex-shaft machine to cut roots is a temporary solution to the customer’s problem. They are often used for milling and pipe prep in the relining process. When utilizing the proper cutting tool, they leave the pipe in good condition to adhere to the material used in the pipe relining procedure.

Another A n tool that ccan a perform many of the ma same functions as the drain snake is a high-pressure water jetter, which has become me the go-to tool for many professionals essionals for issues in any large drain. As iss the case with a cable-style drain cleaning machine, jetters have ways to mechanically remove roots from the inside of a pipe. First, there are chainsaw nozzles that convert the kinetic energy of the high-pressure water generated by the pump to spin a chainsaw nozzle at the end of the hose. These chainsaws can rotate at speeds up to 30,000 RPM, more than enough to buzz through the toughest root incursions. If the pipe isn’t completely ﬁlled with wood, then a high-performance nozzle can often do the trick. These jetter nozzles are designed with the same technology used to make nuclear submarine propellers and convert almost 100 per cent of the water’s energy to high pressure streams that cut like razors. Although high-pressure water jetters are also a temporary solution to the problem of root incursion, they have the advantage of preparing the pipe for more thorough inspections or pipe relining. When a professional gets done jetting a drain line, it will look like a new pipe again.

Milling, pipe prep and root removal

FFlex-shaft le machines nes utilize a swiftly rotating wire coil inside sw a ﬂexible hollow tube or hose that is connected to a cutting g device on the front end. These cutters rotate at approximately 2,000 RPM. The machines are adept at milling, pipe prep and root removal. For this reason,,

Root killing R s solutions

Chemical C h or biological products can be int introduced into the affected pipe to kill ex existing roots and inhibit further growth. While there are quite a few products available to the professional, most recommend that they be used either within one hour after cutting the roots, or after eight weeks. Many contractors will recommend a thorough dr drain cleaning session with their snakes, jetters or fle flex-shaft machines coupled with a root kkilling product. They will then attempt to lock the customer into a bi-yearly or annual preventive maintenance contract tto reintroduce root killer to keep the pro problem at bay. This strategy can be a very effective alternative for customers who effe do no not wish to spend the money for a pipe replacemen replacement or pipe relining job, or who do not plan to own the property indefinitely. Dave Dunbar is a national sales manager who has 25 years of experience with General Pipe Cleaners.

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109

HEATING

B y Jo n at h o n H arp

ELECTRIFICATION OF THE HVAC INDUSTRY How will this policy impact contractors’ businesses? Electriﬁcation: a policy initiative to transition energy generation and end uses in sectors such as heating and transportation from fossil fuels to electricity; a cleaner energy option that reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the effects of climate change. A highly controversial policy, which some experts and stakeholders believe should be a hybrid plan blending electricity and natural gas. 110

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hat impact is the electrification policy going to have on HVAC contractors? On the surface, complete supply and demand electrification appears difficult to achieve for the foreseeable future without maintaining natural gas as a transition heating option. HVAC contractors need to get up to speed on the policy, stay informed of how it is unfolding, and consider how it may impact future business strategies. The electrification initiative will have a significant effect on the HVAC industry over the next 10 years. At present, the large majority of HVAC contractors have little or no understanding of what electrification means. This information gap needs to be bridged considering the majority of Canadian HVAC contractors have a significant portion of their business in the natural gas sector and this policy initiative is proposing the elimination of fossil-fuelled heating products. A key barrier to electrification is reluctance in the HVAC and general contractor communities to move their installation and service models away from fossil fuels. “Contractor training on the various equipment options is vital to the success of the electrification policy on the demand side,” stated Dan Curwin of Stash Energy, a new company in New Brunswick that manufactures mini-split heat pumps with energy storage capability. “Contractors need to understand the opportunity that these options present and be in a position to offer them to their customers.” According to Kelly Hearnsberger, vice president, residential products at Daikin North America, “Contractor training on the ‘big picture’ concerning electrification policy and the net societal benefits of offering heat pump technology is particularly important. It is not an issue of simple cost comparative between natural gas and electricity. Contractors need to understand the importance of the policy and differentiate themselves with their customers by offering products that meet its environmental objectives.” B u s i n e s s

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PUSHING FOR HYBRID SOLUTIONS Other barriers include electric service upgrades to handle systems in homes with insufficient capacity, finding more qualified technicians to meet the potential increase in demand, and low consumer awareness of the electrification initiative, as well as clean heating options. The timeframe for implementation of electrification policy will vary. Electricity generation decarbonization began decades ago as provinces moved away from coal fired generators. As it is within provincial jurisdiction, timelines for changing to low carbon heating products may be different in each province. Most importantly, electrification of heating is coming and contractors need to know how it will affect their businesses. Contact provincial authorities, keep an eye on where electrification is heading and prepare to respond to the potential new market as it unfolds. “Electrification is part of a rapidly evolving public policy landscape to reduce the effect of climate change,” said Sarah Petrevan, policy advisor for Clean Energy Canada. “HVAC contractors need to stay abreast of the changes to this landscape so they can make informed decisions about their businesses.”

+ORNGOGPVCVKQP QH VJG GNGEVTKƂECVKQP RQNKE[ KU PQV YKVJQWV QRRQUKVKQP HTQO UGEVQTU UWEJ CU VJG PCVWTCN ICU KPFWUVT[ YJKEJ FKUCITGGU YKVJ VJG FKTGEVKQP VJKU RQNKE[ KU VCMKPI *GCFKPI VJG NKUV QH EQPEGTPU CTG VJG HQTGECUVGF EQUV QH VJG RQNKE[ CPF YJGVJGT EQORNGVGN[ pGNGEVTKƂGFq GPGTI[ UWRRN[ CPF FGOCPF KP %CPCFC KU HGCUKDNG 6JG %CPCFKCP )CU #UUQEKCVKQPoU UVWF[ QP 6JG +ORCEV QH 2QNKE[ &TKXGP 'NGEVTKƂECVKQP KP %CPCFC UVCVGU p2QNKE[ FTKXGP GNGEVTKƂECVKQP EQWNF KPETGCUG VJG VQVCN GPGTI[ EQUV D[ DGVYGGP OKNNKQP CPF VTKNNKQP QXGT VJG [GCT RGTKQF HTQO VQ q 6JGUG UGEVQTU CNUQ HGGN UVTQPIN[ VJCV GNGEVTKH[KPI %CPCFCoU OCLQT GPGTI[ WUGU KU PQV HGCUKDNG CPF VJG QPN[ TGCNKUVKE CRRTQCEJ KU C J[DTKF RNCP VJCV KPENWFGU PCVWTCN ICU KP VJG OKZ DGECWUG QH KVU QXGTYJGNOKPI WUG KP OCP[ RCTVU QH VJG EQWPVT[ p'NGEVTKƂECVKQP KU CP GUUGPVKCN CPF XKCDNG ƂTUV UVGR VQYCTFU OGGVKPI )*) GOKUUKQP VCTIGVU HQT CPF q UVCVGF -GP 1IKNXKG CP GPXKTQPOGPVCN RQNKE[ EQPUWNVCPV YJQ UGTXGF QP VJG 'ZRGTV 4GXKGY 2CPGN HQT VJG 6TQVVKGT 'PGTI[ (WVWTGU 2TQLGEV p*QYGXGT CEJKGXKPI GNGEVTKƂECVKQP VJCV UKIPKƂECPVN[ TGFWEGU GOKUUKQPU CNUQ TGSWKTGU ƂPFKPI EQUV GHHGEVKXG CRRTQCEJGU TGEQIPK\KPI VJCV KPKVKCNN[ PCVWTCN ICU KPENWFKPI TGPGYCDNG PCVWTCN ICU CPF ECTDQP ECRVWTG CPF UVQTCIG YKNN DG RCTV QH VJG GPGTI[ OKZ q

What will electriﬁcation look like?

NRCan Energy Fact Book 2019-2020

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HEATING Cont’d from pg. 111

generation by 2030.” The report goes on to say electricity generation will become even less carbon intensive as the percentage generated by renewables increases. The plan’s initial focus is on decarbonizing electricity generation and GNGEVTKƂECVKQP QH VJG JGCVKPI and transportation sectors. “Canada is in good shape in regards to clean electricity generation,” stated Petrevan. “The main challenge to growing Canada’s clean electricity grid and reducing emissions is having the provinces and federal government work in partnership on this national policy.”

BRIDGING THE COST DIFFERENCE Low-cost natural gas is a serious barrier to electrical heating equipment in many parts of the country. To bridge the cost difference in the The existing building sector can achieve energy savings through new construction sector, upgrades but there will be little impact on carbon emissions without JKIJ GPGTI[ GHƂEKGPE[ EQUVN[ TGVTQƂVU building standards such as LEED and Passive *QWUG CTG DGKPI WUGF 6JGUG GHƂEKGPV DWKNFKPI FGUKIPU TGSWKTG OKPKOCN JGCVKPI CPF WUG extremely low energy use heating systems that can compete with natural gas. As a result, LEED and Passive House designs are getting more uptake in this sector. 6JG GZKUVKPI DWKNFKPI UGEVQT KU C FKHHGTGPV UVQT[ 6JQWIJ GPGTI[ TGVTQƂVU ECP CEJKGXG UKIPKƂECPV savings, these upgrades will typically not reduce carbon emissions without changing the DWKNFKPI JGCVKPI U[UVGO VQ GNGEVTKEKV[ Ũ C EQUVN[ TGVTQƂV FGEKUKQP 'NGEVTKƂECVKQP JCU C PWODGT QH EJCNNGPIGU KP VJG DWKNFKPIU UGEVQT QYPGTU PGGF VQ DG GFWECVGF QP VJG DGPGƂVU QH GNGEVTKE CNVGTPCVKXGU KPEGPVKXGU UJQWNF DG QHHGTGF HQT HWGN UYKVEJKPI CPF PGY HP applications such as air-to-water hydronic systems must become better known. )QXGTPOGPV TGIWNCVKQPU OWUV CNUQ ENGCTN[ QWVNKPG GNGEVTKƂECVKQP TGSWKTGOGPVU CPF VKOGNKPGU HQT TGFWEVKQP QH VJG WUG QH HQUUKN HWGN GSWKROGPV 'FWECVKQP QH DWKNFKPI QYPGTU QP GNGEVTKƂECVKQP should be spearheaded by government, the HVAC industry, and electric utilities.

THE ULTIMATE COMFORT IN THE COLDEST WEATHER EFFICIENT AND POWERFUL WITH NO HASSLE Ion™ 98 Variable-Speed Modulating Gas Furnace • Up to 98% AFUE • 60,000 – 120,000 BTUh • Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty • 10-Year No Hassle Replacement™ Limited Warranty Pair it with a compatible air conditioner for full functionality and a full communicating system using the Ion™ System Control. For increased efficiency, look for the Ion™ 96 Variable-Speed Gas Furnace with Two-Stage Operation at keeprite.com.

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The Daikin Fit System — Revolutionizing the Future of Condensing Units for Residential Applications AVAILABLE FOR AIR CONDITIONER, HEAT PUMP, AND DUAL FUEL APPLICATIONS!

For more info visit daikinﬁt.com 2021

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METERING

B y R ick E llul

Targeting actual energy use - PART II

Rick Ellul is the regional sales manager for Central and Western Canada at Belimo Aircontrols Canada Inc. He is also a member of the CSA 900 Technical committee for Thermal Energy Meters. Rick can be reached at rick.ellul@ca.belimo.com

When networks talk to each other, tools such as machine learning can be used to map out smarter ways to operate buildings’ thermal energy.

art I in the July/August issue of Mechanical Business (available at mechanicalbusiness. com) addressed the what, how, and types of thermal energy meters (TEMs). To fully understand TEMs it is important to look at where this technology is headed and the standards related to it. We know that 40 per cent of all energy consumed is from commercial buildings. Energy costs continue to rise and cities will put more pressure on buildings to consume less. With this in mind the measurement of energy will be more and more prevalent. The multi-unit residential sector is growing as urbanization is accelerating across the globe. Tenants and owners in residential buildings expect the same transparency they have with everything else they run from their smart phone and energy will be no different. Therefore, we will see more and more developers adopt thermal energy metering, particularly if they use centrally distributed hydronic systems. There is a future that is coming where there will be a convergence of the thermal energy metering and the building management system. In this future there is greater beneﬁt for both the building owner/management and the tenants. Greater energy efﬁciency will be possible when we synergize these networks all to talk to each other and we can use tools such as machine learning to map out smarter ways to operate buildings’ thermal energy.

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Metering standards and regulations There is a national standard for thermal energy metering for the purposes of energy management and control in Canada called CSA C900.3:21. CSA has released the latest version. This standard sets out the criteria for TEM construction, data exchange, testing, verification, installation operation, and maintenance. In the case of direct billing and allocation of energy costs, in addition to the CSA C900.3:21 standard, there are laws that regulate what kind of meters can be used for billing purposes in Canada. Meters must be certified by Measurement Canada if you want to use them to bill for energy. Measurement Canada will accept applications for meters meeting the European standards EN1434 or the Canadian Standard CSA900.

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Cont’d from pg. 114

Here is the excerpt from Measurement Canada:

The many languages of TEMs

As of July 1, 2019, all newly installed thermal energy meters used in trade must be approved, examined, and certified as meeting the requirements of the Act and Regulations. ic.gc.ca/eic/site/mc-mc.nsf/ eng/lm04915.html

TEMs can share data in many languages. Some meters only do one type, but others can handle multiple communication languages. It’s a good thing to know this in advance so you know if the TEM you want to use is compatible with the system you want to use it with.

Under the current requirement you cannot install a new uncertified TEM for billing purposes. Measurement Canada has laid out a timeline to make sure all TEMs that may have been installed in the past before the regulations came into effect will be replaced. As of January 1, 2026, meters that do not have a certification can no longer be used.

Pulse meter communication uses an electronic pulse that happens on a consistent frequency for the volume or energy. For example, a single pulse might mean a measurement of 1 gpm or 10 gpm or 1 BTU or kWh.

All certified TEMs will have a tamperproof seal on them to avoid any fraudulent use of the meter. It also gives consumers confidence in the validity of the meter.

M-Bus is also known as Meter Bus. This communication language was developed for the European heat meter industry to provide a low-cost solution to have multiple meters on the same bus. M-Bus has its own standard in Europe called EN13757. M-Bus is a two-wire bus, which uses a master and slave protocol that has the master poll the slaves. It allows devices to be addressed individually so we can know which meter is reporting. This is extremely important in tenant billing applications.

TEMs used for billing in commercial applications are typically a Class 2 TEM, which means it has a certain level of accuracy over a range of flow as defined in CSA900 (EN1434).

The following are the most common languages currently in the industry:

BACnet is an HVAC controls industry standard protocol developed by #5*4#' +V CNNQYU GCEJ FGXKEG VQ JCXG C URGEKƂE CFFTGUU CPF UJCTG URGEKƂE KPHQTOCVKQP CDQWV CPF HTQO VJG FGXKEG UWEJ CU KVU PCOG GPGTI[ TGCFKPI VGORGTCVWTGU ƃQY TCVGU GTTQT UVCVGU CPF UQ QP $#%PGV ECP be done in two forms: MSTP or IP. In its IP form the device could be EQPƂIWTGF VQ EQOOWPKECVG QWV VQ VJG KPVGTPGV VQ TGRQTV KVU FCVC VQ C cloud-based data aggregating site. The good and the bad In the thermal metering world, there is the good and bad about meter communication languages. While Pulse meters have been around the longest there are challenges with totalization and validation of data. M-Bus and BACnet seem to be better suited to accurate data collection VJCV JCU UKORNKƂGF XCNKFCVKQP 9KVJ $#%PGV VJG UCOG FCVC HTQO C VJGTOCN energy meter could have multiple uses in the total control of the building’s thermal energy management. If you consider that the meter management system and the building management system will be converged in the future, then BACnet will likely become the prevalent communication language.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

B y S u e Sodek Sue Sodek has over 20 years of human resource and management expertise. She can be reached at sue.sodek@gmail.com.

Getting the word out

Help wanted: make the right call W

hen it comes to conducting interviews, I have just about seen it all. I have had candidates show up hours early, hours late, or on the wrong day entirely. Visible tattoos and piercings for a conservative Bay Street ﬁrm? Check. Offering bribes? Check. Making threats? Check. Breaking down into tears? Check. I even had one poor (but memorable) soul shake my hand, throw up, apologize profusely and then fall in a dead faint at my feet. But it was all in day’s work, right? It is understandable that for most of us, approaching the hiring process is done with no small measure of trepidation. Posting a job, sorting through resumes, interviewing and hiring is time consuming. In addition, as a hiring manager you’ll need to navigate the often-tricky legalities of what you can and cannot ask, and bear the cost of any wrong decisions. But take heart, with a little careful planning, you will make the right call and ﬁnd the right person to work for you.

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requirements that are critical to the job; conversely, you should not be asking for 10-plus years of experience and a master’s degree if the role is entry level. " i w > Ì Õ} Ì Ì Ãi º Vi Ì >ÛiÃ°» / >L ÕÌ Þ ÕÀ VÕÀÀi Ì ÃÌ>vv° ƂÀi Ì iÀi > Þ ÃÃ } µÕ> wV>Ì Ã or skills that could help build your business? Is there a language gap or missing client base this role could attract and serve? Are there any additional services you could offer, or areas you plan to expand? Keep these ideas in mind throughout the hiring process to help guide your decision making and ensure you get the right person not just for now, but for the long term.

Diving into the candidate pool The rejections are fairly easy to spot – anyone missing VJG SWCNKƂECVKQPU QT GZRGTKGPEG PGGFGF QT YKVJ INCTKPI GTTQTU QT QOKUUKQPU ECP DG UGV CUKFG (QT VJG OQTG RTQOKUKPI ECPFKFCVGU VCMG C OQTG FGVCKNGF NQQM CPF UGG KH [QW URQV CP[ CTGCU [QW PGGF VQ ENCTKH[ UWEJ CU ICRU KP GORNQ[OGPV JKUVQT[ QT OKUUKPI GFWECVKQP QT NKEGPUKPI FGVCKNU 6JGUG OC[ PQV DG C TGCUQP VQ TGLGEV UQOGQPG QWV QH JCPF DWV YKNN DG CTGCU [QW UJQWNF KPXGUVKICVG DGHQTG EQOOKVVKPI VQ CP[ QPG ECPFKFCVG

Conducting pre-screens / Ã ÃÌ>}i v Ì i ÀiVÀÕ Ì i Ì «À ViÃÃ Ã vÌi ÛiÀ i`] LÕÌ > i ÕÃi v Ì° / Ã ` iÃ ½Ì >Ûi Ì Li > }] v À > discussion, but you can save yourself and your candidates stress and time by having a quick conversation, asking questions, and offering clear information on your needs. /> i > i Ì Ì ÌÀ `ÕVi Þ ÕÀÃi v > ` ÀiÛ iÜ Ì i À i° Remember, this may not be the only job they’ve applied to recently. Ask the candidate when they are looking to start – you don’t want to be surprised if you need them immediately and they plan to give three month’s notice. Ask why they are looking to leave their current employer À Ü Þ Ì iÞ >Ûi ivÌ®° Ƃ µÕ V º7 >Ì ` ` Þ Õ i >L ÕÌ Þ ÕÀ >ÃÌ L¶ 7 >Ì ` ` Þ Õ ` Ã i¶» V> «i Ì i y `}>ÌiÃ > ` «À Û ì Þ Õ Ü Ì Ì i V ÕiÃ Þ Õ ii` Ì ÃÌ>ÀÌ ìÌiÀ } Ü iÌ iÀ Ì Ã «iÀÃ Ã > } ` wÌ v À Ì i role and your company. 7 i > Ü>ÞÃ > « Ìi Ì > Þ ì V>Ìi ÃÕL iVÌ] Ì Ã Ã Ì i time to talk money. Offer a salary range, or ask for their expectations. Don’t wait until after you have met and v> i v À > V> ` `>Ìi Ì Ì> Ü>}iÃ Li V i>À v Þ Õ >Ài «i Ì i} Ì >Ì À >Ûi > ÃiÌ > Õ Ì] > ` V wÀ you are on the same page before proceeding any further.

THE HOT SEAT At this point, you should have a small pool of qualified people to meet with, so it’s time to book some meetings. Despite its prevalence, a formal interview may not always be the right path to finding the best candidate for your role. Interview conversations can be stilted, candidates can be on edge, and managers may be worried about what they can and cannot ask. Recently, some hiring managers are turning to what’s called a Realistic Job Preview as part of their decision-making process. This must of course be done within COVID protocols. A preview involves having a candidate complete a task or shadow an employee while work is being completed, and can provide both the hiring manager and the applicant with valuable information to help guide a hiring decision. If you do choose to have a formal interview, have a copy of the candidate’s resume and a list of prepared questions. Begin by introducing yourself to the candidate, providing some company background and describing how the available role fits into the company structure. These sorts of details will help put the applicant at ease and set the conversation off on the right foot. Follow your introductions with a review of the resume or application form. Clarify any areas of concern such as gaps in employment history, missing details around qualifications, and so on. Note that some applicants, especially those still currently employed, may be under non-competition or disclosure agreements, so ensure there are no barriers to employment should they be the successful candidate. Use open-ended, situational questions to get the most information possible out of every applicant. “Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult customer” or “Tell me about a problem you weren’t able to solve by yourself” will yield far more detail about what makes this person tick than just “Tell me about yourself.” Follow your list of prepared questions with every candidate, and be sure to leave time for them to ask questions. • Take notes. Whether you are meeting one candidate or a dozen, don’t just rely on your memory of what was discussed. • Keep it strictly work related. Steer well clear of any personal or protected grounds. It is inappropriate and illegal to ask about family or marital status, religion, political affiliation, and country of origin. Keep to the contents of the resume and the needs of the role and you won’t go wrong.

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HUMAN RESOURCES Cont’d from pg. 119

REFERENCE CHECKING

Some ﬁnal pointers: • Avoid language like “When you work here…” − you may be raising false expectations. Try the more neutral “The successful candidate/person hired will…” when discussing the job. • It can be worthwhile to involve potential colleagues, particularly those who will train or work directly with a hire. They know how the work will be done and the most common situations faced, which can provide valuable insights for both you and the applicant. • Recognize and avoid the “Halo” effect. We are all hardwired to make snap judgements about people, and it’s wonderful when you meet someone and you click. It’s extremely tempting to assume that because you like them, they must be the right person for your role. Keeping this natural bias in mind will help ensure you choose the best possible worker to represent your business, and make a hiring decision for the right reasons.

When you have narrowed down your candidate pool, but before you have made an offer, you may wish to conduct a reference check. Well-prepared candidates will ensure their references are ready to sing their praises, so while it’s not a foolproof practice, you can still gain valuable insights into potential hires. The key once again is being prepared and knowing what questions to ask. Much like the interview, make sure to do your prep work before you pick up the phone. Have the candidate’s resume on hand and have notes on any areas you want to clarify. Identify yourself and your company, explain your reason for calling, and keep the conversational tone friendly and the timing brief. If this is a personal reference (not someone they directly worked for), focus your questions around character, for example, how long have you known this person? How would you describe their work ethic? Avoid personal stories or details around family status, religion or age. Think about the soft skills such as time management and customer-service orientation that are critical to your role, and take the opportunity to dig for details. If this is a professional reference (including a former or current manager or client), confirm the details provided on the resume around timing and responsibilities for the job performed. Probe for specifics around attendance record, client complaints or teamwork, all of which will help you gain richer information on what to expect should you hire them. Always ask a former manager or client “Would you hire this person again?” Even if you keep the conversation brief, ensure you are taking notes you can refer to later. If you have taken care to screen and interview your candidate, and have been open about your expectations and needs, the reference check process will confirm you are making the right hiring call for your company.

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS B y Ca r ol y n Co o p e r

ONTARIO AND BC FOCUS ON SKILLED TRADES CERTIFICATION

health and safety, accessibility and continuing education,” has also concluded, and at press time the panel was ﬁnalizing its report.

The webinar was hosted by HRAI’s Martin Luymes, vice-president of government and stakeholder relations, and Chelsea Goberdhan, government relations specialist for Ontario, and included a presentation and Q&A session with the ministry’s deputy director of policy Jason Wang, and director of stakeholder relations Walid Abou-Hamde.

The STO is expected to have a CEO/registrar and an 11-member board of directors in place by the end of 2021, and will launch in January 2022 “as a nimble, responsive, industry-informed training authority to lead the promotion and marketing of the trades, lead the research and development of training and curriculum standards, and end the fragmentation of services under one roof,” says Wang. “This will help promote the trades as a rewarding and lucrative career of choice for the next generation, and help tradespeople get their registration, certiﬁcation, renewals, and other services from one streamlined organization.”

he Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) offered members a closer look at Ontario’s Bill 288, Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, through an interactive webinar with Ontario Ministry of Labour, Trades and Skills Development reps.

Bill 288 covers trades and apprenticeship in the province, and re-establishes the former Ontario College of Trades as Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), a new crown agency that will oversee the development of an agile, modern apprenticeship system that meets the needs of workers and employers. The Act is intended to streamline the apprenticeship and compliance process, and ensure that all tradespeople within designated skilled trades are certified to the same standards. Phase one of changing the apprenticeship system was the establishment of a five-member Skilled Trades Panel to look at a new service delivery model, which resulted in the STO. The agency will take over training and certification, while compliance and enforcement will remain under the ministry’s mandate. Wang says phase two of the mandate “dealing with matters of prescription and deprescription, the process of classifying certain trades as compulsory, and related matters of training such as

Meanwhile, British Columbia has launched a skilled trades certification system after not requiring tradespeople to be certified since 2003. By moving to certification, the province says it will help elevate the professionalism of the trades and ensure consistent safety training. Following public consultation, the system will begin implementation with 10 trades from the electrical, mechanical and automotive sectors. In the mechanical sector that includes gasfitter Class A and B, steamfitter/pipefitter, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic and sheet metal worker. Workers in these fields will become either a certified journeyperson or a registered apprentice. According to the BC government, “once a trade has been designated for certification, individuals will have at least one year to either register as apprentices, or challenge an exam to certify as a journeyperson, allowing uncertified workers to continue working while accessing any additional supports they may need to.” Since the end of June, Andrew Mercier, parliamentary secretary for advanced education and skills training, has consulted with workers, employers, contractors, and Indigenous peoples for feedback about how to best implement skilled trades certification in BC. “At this time, our government’s online public consultation process has wrapped up and results are being analyzed,” he says. “However, in coordination with government’s consultations, the Industry Training Authority has also conducted engagements online and in person.” While their survey has now closed, comments can still be sent to itacommunications@itabc.ca. In the coming months, highlights of engagement findings will be shared publicly.

ontario.ca/page/ministry-labour-training-skills-development engage.gov.bc.ca/skilledtrades M e c h a n i c a l

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with Roger Grochmal

What to do with the business – Part III Reflections on the e HVAC industry

I Roger Grochmal recently retired from his position as CEO of AtlasCare in Oakville, ON. Email Mechanical Business Magazine’s editor, Kerry Turner, kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness with questions about your company, business practices, or the industry in general.

never had any intention of getting ng into the HVAC industry. In fact, I wrote an essay for the final exam in the introductory course in thermodynamics in engineering d school on why the professor should pass me. I pointed out that I was never going to be in the business and he certainly wouldn’t want me back in his class the following year. He reluctantly agreed and passed me.

In a twist of fate, I spent my entiree working career, all 48 years of it, in n the HVAC business. While 48 years may seem m like a long time, it passes by in the blink of an eye. I am proud to say that I spent my career in HVAC. It provided a great living for me and my family and I would do it all over again. The next stage in my life has already begun with an appointment to the board of governors of George Brown College. I have always had an interest in education. I feel this is one way I can help shape the future of education for the next generation of HVAC professionals.

NEW CONTRACTOR BUSINESS MODELS We have repeatedly seen that industries who fail to change have been completely disrupted and marginalized by newer players. I have seen fax machines come and go. I don’t have a home phone anymore. There is more computing power in the watch on my wrist than I had access to 30 years ago. Ten years ago, companies such as Nest (Google) and ecobee came along and revolutionized the thermostat business. What is driving the technology boom and challenges in our industry? Net-zero buildings are coming. Decarbonization is happening. Disruption is coming. New contractor business models will be required to deliver to customers what they need, when they need it.

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Integration of services will happen. Windows and insulation will marry with HVAC. Building envelope and duct sealing technologies will have to be merged. What happens when customers don’t need a furnace any more to heat their homes? All of these factors are leading to a sea change in the skill sets required to be successful HVAC contractors. Change is very hard for contractors to deal with. HVAC is an applied science and not an appliance to be plugged in. We as

Other industries have raised expectations with respect to speed of

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fulfillment. Amazon can deliver almost anything within a day and customers are dumbfounded when they are told it will take 10 days to get a part for their furnace or air conditioner. We have to find a solution or someone outside the industry will figure it out and claim the business for themselves.

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contractors bear the brunt of a user’s displeasure if the solution we provided does not meet or exceed their expectations. As a result, we are often reluctant to embrace change as it can be painful and costly. Very few HVAC businesses want to be leading edge. The products are there, but contractors struggle to put them out there, myself included. If there is a financial incentive for the end user, and better yet the contractor, then products get adopted. When the incentives end, contractors usually revert back to the minimum code requirements. Complicating the issue is the belief on the part of many contractors that the only thing customers care about is cheap prices − the reality is far from it. I built a successful business by offering a premium customer experience for a premium price.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR Utilities used to have a dominant position in the industry because of their monopoly gas supply franchise. Deregulation changed all that. They are now required to compete with contractors on an even footing. When we were working to level the playing field with the gas utilities at the Ontario Energy Board, John Blair, the late owner of Bridlewood Heating, said that we always have to be careful what we ask for. Taking the gas utilities out of the contracting business caused spinoff businesses to develop that have become formidable competitors in our marketplace.

A BAKER’S DOZEN OF BE CAREFUL WHAT LESSONS YOU ASK FOR LEARNED

Price, not volume, matters. Manufacturers often advise contractors to reduce prices to sell more work to make more money. This is their formula for success because they have fixed costs. If a contractor cuts prices by 10 per cent, your business volume needs to double to make the same amount of money. This is the first lesson I learned in this business and it is still rule #1.

You can’t do it alone. You need partners. The world is far too complex. You can’t possibly stay on top of everything. I have had business partners, supplier partners and industry partners. Treat them like real partners and you will grow together.

Culture trumps strategy. Choose it well and feed it. It became so important in our company that we produced a “culture book” to proudly display it.

Hire staff for who they are and then train them to do what you need them to do.

Get engaged in the industry. This is where you will develop many of the relationships you will need over the course of time in your business. It will payy big dividends.

Learn to say “No!” Focus on ’t be what you do well. You can’t everything to everybody.

Mentor someone. They willl eatt ea never forget you. It is a great legacy.

8 9

is happening in the industry. Don’t be surprised when change happens.

Learn to be a good communicator with customers, staff and suppliers. Don’t be a black hole. People hate being ignored.

Be enthusiastic. People like doing business with people who really enjoy what they do.

Visit other contractors. To paraphrase American business tycoon Jack Welch: There are a lot of smart people out there. If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.

Talk to kids every opportunity you get and encourage them to get into the trades. This is our collective future.

Build a business that can function without you. You will really appreciate this when it comes time to take a vacation. tion. Commit to continuous education. ucation. Read and stay on top of what hat

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BTN

Compiled by Mechanical Business

BY THE NUMBERS

TAKE A BREATH 1 out of 3 Number of people who have concerns about the indoor air quality (IAQ) inside their workplace and public places, according to an August 2021 Vaisala survey.

DIGITAL SERVICE

Per cent of people who say they would feel safer returning to their workplace if they had more information on the building’s IAQ.

88 Per cent of millennials who say they would use a mobile app providing real-time IAQ information.

60 Per cent of people who say they want more information on IAQ in public spaces such as shopping centres, sports facilities and public transportation.

65 Per cent of millennials who use apps, devices, or air puriﬁers to monitor or improve IAQ in their homes.

4.2 The predicted percentage growth rate of smart building management systems by the end of 2021.

WHAT A WASTE 10 Per cent is the estimated leakage rate of Ontario municipal water systems due to leaky and broken pipes. A recent Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario report suggests some water systems may have leakage rates of up to 40 per cent.

16 & 11 Per cent of watermains in Toronto that are between 80 and 100 years old, and over 100 years old.

1400 Number of watermain breaks Toronto experiences each year.

PUMPKIN SPICE SEASON 2003 The year Starbucks introduced pumpkin spiced latte to its coffee menu. Since then the spice blend pops up each fall in everything from baked goods to body wash.

1934 The year McCormick & Company created the original pumpkin spice blend. The blend includes cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice.

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ENERGY CONSUMPTION 5.2 Per cent growth of electricity consumption in Canada as of May 2021, compared with May 2020.

44 Percentage of total energy consumption in U.S. homes used by space heating and cooling systems.

Per cent of watermains in North America installed 50 or more years ago.

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Mechanical Business September/October 2021

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