September/October 2011 by Mechanical Business

PM #41536047

SEPT/OCT 2011 $6.95

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TA B L E

2011

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CONTENTS O F

72COVER STORY

Heating Report

Bestselling author David Chilton talks about making every dollar count for mechanical contractors everywhere. Liz Mills

Seeking efficiency everywhere

22 From pushing the efficiency envelope in the forced air sector, to raising the bar in boilers and solar, efficiency is the name of the game, and there are still incentives to push the point. David Janzen

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KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN TRENDS 28The must-haves for 2011 Leading Canadian designer Meredith Heron provides her take on the must-have list for Canadian kitchens and bathrooms. Adam Freill

YES, YOU CAN DO FORCED AIR ZONING!

106 HVAC/R Although it is commonly used in hydronic heating, zoning is not often applied to forced air, and yet the technology has been around for many years, and works quite well. Carol Fey

WARMING UP TO

PANEL RADS 126Panel rads are an easy way to get heat into a room, or to add supplemental heat to a cold room. Eric Riml

On the cover: It has been more than 20 years since David Chiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Wealthy Barber was first published. His long awaited follow-up, The Wealthy Barber Returns: Significantly Older and Marginally Wiser, has just hit the shelves. Photo: Michael Rao

F E AT U R E S 60HYDRONICS In-joist radiant installations: Woes and solutions Eric Riml

68HVAC/R Earth Rangers taking the heat off gas-fired systems Denise Deveau

76CIPH ABC Event in Pictures

78MCAC CONFERENCE Pictures from Quebec

80PLUMBING Reliability on Campus Garry Scott

82COMMERCIAL PLUMBING Taking drainage to a loftier place Derrick Lundy

86ROAD WARRIOR: Roode and Rose Plumbing and Heating

88HVAC Solar air heating: An emerging niche Christian Vachon

92HVAC Venting solutions: Swapping mid-efficiency for an air handler Adam Freill

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COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS in a residential world

46PLUMBING Why can’t commercial hands-free products be used in the home? Manufacturers have begun to focus on style, convenience and ease of maintenance – all things that fit in very well with the goals of any homeowner looking at a new or remodelled bathroom. Jason Boyd

BEEFING UP THE PICKUP LINES 32VEHICLE REPORT – PART 2 The pickup truck segment continues to be a war zone on the horsepower and torque front. Howard J. Elmer

96PLUMBING Traps and vents: Getting it right Sam Steele

98FIND THE FIX 100PLUMBING Keeping the sump pumping properly John Cardiff and Denton Gaiser

110HYDRONICS Gettin’ into the Flow Bryan Payne and Jim Dinkel

MTS CENTRE KEEPS IT COOL FOR ITS CUSTOMERS

52HVAC/R

114COHA CLEANER HEAT

When you’re managing a facility that’s home to an NHL franchise like the Winnipeg Jets, it takes a fine balancing act between keeping fans comfortable and the ice surface in top form. Denise Deveau

Event in Pictures

116HRAI CONFERENCE Greetings from Niagara

120THE BOTTOM LINE Prepping for retirement David Cooke

130BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING Benefits of BIM Caesar Ruest

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INTRODUCING

BASYS

™

Any Application. Any Environment.™ Backed by a century of experience and proven Sloan technologies, Basys delivers a revolutionary approach to sensor faucets that meets the demands of the commercial plumbing industry. Fueled by two years of ﬁeld research and in-depth interviews with architects, engineers and plumbers, Basys has the strength and versatility to meet the needs of any application or environment.

Build a Basys online: sloanvalve.com/basys

T A B L E Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 CANADA Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com

M B

Assistant Editor: David Janzen, ext. 225 david.janzen@mechanicalbusiness.com

REFRIGERATION Avoiding the short cycle Phil Boudreau Contractors have been called upon to convert systems from one type of refrigerant to another. There are several key factors that should be looked at before undertaking such a conversion.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HVAC Five essential HVAC ingredients Gord Cooke For the building industry to take steps along the path of continual improvement it will require five essential ingredients for successful HVAC systems for high performance homes: right sizing, better distribution, fuel flexibility, integrated systems, and smarter controls.

HYDRONICS Fill ’er up! Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr The lifeblood of any hydronic system is its fluid – and this fluid has a big job to do.

ASK ROGER Handling employee communications Roger Grochmal Employee communication is essential. Information needs to come from the top, expressing management’s vision, values and business goals. It needs to be honest and transparent, frequent, and effective for everyone.

National Accounts Manager: Laura Goodwin, ext. 221 laura.goodwin@mechanicalbusiness.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: JJM Graphic Ltd. davem@jjmgraphic.com Circulation Manager: Shila Naik (905) 272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, ext. 222 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com PM:41536047 ISSN 1916-0674 MB (Print) ISSN 1906-0682 MB (Online)

Postmaster – Please send all address changes or undeliverable copies to: Mechanical Business, 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road, Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 We wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Submissions: Copyright in material submitted to the magazine and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Mechanical Business and its licensees may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. Mechanical Business also reserves the right to edit said submitted materials to suit the editorial needs and mandate of the publication. Notice: Mechanical Business is published for owners, managers and decision makers with mechanical contracting firms and the sector's supply chain partners in Canada. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Mechanical Business, Content Media Group Inc., its staff, directors, officers and shareholders (‘The Publisher’) assume no liability, obligation or responsibility for advertised claims, for errors and/or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over published editorial. The publisher reserves the right to publish a printed correction in a subsequent issue for editorial errors, omissions and oversights. Subscriptions are available for $90 plus taxes in Canada and the U.S. Single copies are $15.00. Outside Canada and the U.S., the rates are $150.00 (annual) and $25.00 (single copy). From time to time, Content Media Group Inc. makes subscribers’ names available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to readers. If you would like your name excluded from these mailings, please notify the publisher. © Copyright 2011. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher. Proud members of:

O F

S P E C I A L I S T S

September/October 2011 Issue Published 6 times per year. Editor: Adam Freill, ext. 224 adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com

CONTENTS

118 MARKETING Are you prepared for a crisis? Doug MacMillan When catastrophe strikes, the biggest casualty can be your reputation. Having a crisis management plan in place before something happens is your best defence against disaster.

141 WORLD VIEW After the dust settles Jeff Patchell Despite well-known health concerns, asbestos is still being mined in a number of countries around the world, and is encountered every day by contractors in the mechanical sector.

D E PA R T M E N T S 08From the editor’s desk 10News 20Profile: Ron Robinson 132Tool Tip 138The Info Page 140Calendar 142By the numbers M e c h a n i c a l

P R O D U C T S 22,133Heating 50,135Plumbing 108,124HVAC/R 42,129Hydronics 136Stuff you need

CHECK US OUT ONLINE

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Clears the room faster than Charlie Sheen. Vigör is worth a tweet or two. Our lowest priced HRV/ERV

FROM

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Dry charges, and drop-ins, and grants! Oh my! Another summer’s air conditioning season has come and gone, and it was an interesting one, that’s for sure. Early in the season, but not early enough for all customers to take full advantage, the ecoEnergy Retrofit – Homes program made its return. This threw a bit of a wrench in the works for customers who had upgraded between the previous edition of the program and this temporary reinstatement – not to mention the wholesalers who were suddenly being hit with additional orders.

Need a journeyman? Why not advertise your open positions on the industry’s careers job board? It’s online. It’s free to browse the ads. And best of all, it targets our industry. Check it out at our home on the web, mechanicalbusiness.com/Careers.php.

delivers powerful ventilation for small spaces. It’s so easy to install, you’ll wonder why you ever chose anything else.

Now that’s winning.

On the positive side, it does sound like many contractors were able to link their customers to the “found money.” If you do have customers looking to take advantage of the grants through this program (for heating season), don’t hesitate, since it was reinstated with a time or money expiry. The program will wrap up when one or the other is gone – so don’t wait until the last minute to get the paperwork in. For those of us at the HRAI conference in August (photos on page 116), we were treated to a whole boatload of issues on the A/C front. From the selling of dry-charged R-22 units (labelled as replacement components), to hydrocarbon-based drop-in refrigerants aimed directly at homeowner use, the industry continues to have its hands full. The availability of dry-charged condensing units is causing more mis-matched systems to be installed, which is not good news on the efficiency front. And consumer use of hydrocarbon drop-in refrigerants could spell disaster for a contractor called in to fix a homeowner’s attempted DIY air conditioning fix. So as we switch gears from cooling to heating, be sure to check out the annual heating report on page 22, as well as a few of the more interesting comfort conditioning systems in use across the country (page 52 for the MTS Centre, home of the Winnipeg Jets, and page 68 for the Earth Rangers Centre just north of Toronto), but leave room on your plate for a bit more A/C. I have a feeling we have a bit of news to come yet. Until next time,

Adam Freill, Editor

Visit vanee-ventilation.com to learn more.

Perfection. Cubed. 8

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1. Concentric Termination Kits (PVC & CPVC) 2", 3" & NEW 4" diameters

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3. Low Profile Termination Kits (PVC) Integral Fins prevent the cap from sitting flush to the wall, ensuring proper spacing needed for air flow.

Molded Cap with socket allows for vent screens and extensions. Cap can be mechanically fastened, allowing for quick removal and easy cleaning.

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Gas fired appliances are changing rapidly as they meet higher demands for energy efficiency. In its commitment to service the industry and its ever evolving needs, IPEX has added a new 4" Concentric Kit to our Termination Kit line-up in both PVC & CPVC. This, along with our complete line of pipe, fittings & cements, makes System 636® a truly complete package.

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10.11

News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Napoleon gives the gift of heat Napoleon Heating & Cooling is contributing 50 furnaces to Habitat for Humanity Canada. The donation accounts for $100,000 worth of equipment, and was presented to Habitat at the company’s launch of its 9600 high-efficiency gas furnace in October. “We are honoured to support the remarkable work that Habitat for Humanity Canada does for people in need,” said David Coulson of Napoleon Heating & Cooling. “We hope that this donation will make a real difference in people’s lives this fall and winter.” napoleonheatingandcooling.com habitat.ca

Plumbing spotlight shines on Scotland

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Camp Trillium, a summer camp run for children with cancer, has an extra $28,000 to spend on campers thanks to McKeough Supply. The company raised the funds through its 13th annual charity golf tournament, held this summer in memory of Bill Porteous, who served as the company’s general manager before succumbing to cancer. The funds will allow 35 families to spend a week at camp.

RMC reaches a milestone

worldplumbing.org

mech

Chipping in for kids

mckeoughsupply.com camptrillium.com

Plumbing experts from around the world recently gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland for the 9th World Plumbing Conference. More than 360 delegates attended the event, where the World Plumbing Council used the opportunity to strengthen its relationship with the World Health Organization, continue its support of the World Skills Plumbing Competition, and discuss a working agreement with the World Green Building Council. Russ Chaney, CEO of the IAPMO Group (pictured), was named chairman for the 2011 to 2013 term, and Hans Tiedemann of MCA Alberta retains his position as honorary secretary/treasurer. The next World Plumbing Conference will take place in New Delhi, India in November 2013.

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Front row, from left: Event co-ordinator Rhonda Craft, Camp Trillium representatives Fiona Fisher and Sandra McDonald, and McKeough general manager Bruce Passmore. Back row, from left: Platinum sponsors Rich Simpson of Rheem, Scott Waters of ICP, Michael Kurzawski of Wardflex, Gary Davis of Luxaire, and Jean-Guy Marchand of Venmar. Absent: Brent McFadden of Deflect-o.

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Refrigerant Management Canada recently celebrated a decade of environmental awareness and protection. The organization is an industry-led environmental care program committed to the responsible disposal of surplus ozone-depleting refrigerants from the stationary refrigeration and air conditioning industry in Canada. “RMC is thrilled with the success of the program over the past 10 years and is proud to have reached this milestone of 2.5 million kilograms of refrigerant collected and destroyed,” said Warren Heeley, president of RMC. “This volume is equivalent to taking 1.5 million cars off our roads for an entire year, which is a significant feat for the future of our environment.” refrigerantmanagement.ca

Ductless split shipments rise

Noble heats things up The T-shirts were flying at Noble’s annual customer appreciation barbecue, held in August at Noble’s head office in Concord, Ont. The event included product demonstrations, food, prizes and, of course, the 2011 edition of the Noble Tshirt – featuring the catchphrase, “Heating up the industry.” noble.ca

Second quarter shipment figures compiled by HRAI show ductless split system shipments increased 68 per cent, as compared to Q2 2010 figures. Other sectors showing gains included unit heater shipments, up seven per cent, and commercial air conditioning shipments, up three per cent. Residential air conditioning shipments fell by two per cent, from 107,124 units in Q2 of 2010, to 104,654 units this year. hrai.ca

Plumbing inspectors in Ontario gathered in Burlington for OPIA’s 81st annual meeting and educational seminar in midSeptember. Educational sessions addressed such topics as backflow prevention, pipe sizing and code changes. George Brown College instructor, Bryan Heyl (pictured) hosted a Tuesday afternoon seminar about Wet Venting. For more about the conference, or next year’s event scheduled for the Sarnia-Lambton region, visit the association’s website.

Photo courtesy of CIPH

Plumbing inspectors head to class

Bikers rally for support More than 50 riders took to Ontario’s roads on Saturday, August 20 as part of the Ride for Habitat, co-sponsored by CIPH and HRAI. The event, the second annual, raised more than $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity.

opia.info

rideforhabitat.com

Recognizing plumbing excellence Peter Cook of IPEX Inc. was named the eleventh J. K. Seidner Award winner during the annual Canadian Advisory Council on Plumbing meeting this past August in Regina. The award recognizes the commitment of a plumbing industry volunteer who has devoted time and expertise to improving plumbing codes and standards. “It was a complete surprise and I feel truly honoured. The recognition by my colleagues Looking to hire? in the industry means a lot to me,” Cook said Check out MB’s online career upon receiving the award. ciph.com

section, home of the latest industry job postings. mechanicalbusiness.com

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News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Green trends converge in Montreal This year’s ASHRAE Annual Conference, held in Montreal this past June, featured more than 100 technical sessions covering the latest trends in the HVAC/R industry. “The smart grid is coming, it’s already on its way,” proclaimed Calmac’s Brian Silvetti during his presentation on thermal energy storage and new ways of using and delivering energy. His co-presenter, Brian Parsonnet of Ice Energy (pictured), encouraged ASHRAE to include the latest thermal energy storage systems in its ratings. The ASHRAE Winter Conference will take place in Chicago in January 2012 with the AHR Expo. - - filed by Simon Côté-Lemaire

AtlasCare president, and Mechanical Business columnist, Roger Grochmal presents his company’s donation to John Wilkinson (left) and Rodway Daniels, both of Youth Unlimited.

Caring for the community Two organizations have each received $1,000 from Ontario-based HVAC firm AtlasCare. Through its Care to Share program, the company recently donated money to Youth Unlimited, a program which engages youth in the Greater Toronto Area through outdoor activities and mentorship, and Telecare Burlington, an organization providing Burlington, Ont., residents with personal support services.

ashrae.org

Keeping the boiler room under control

atlascare.ca

John Barba

“A system can get oversized and out of control in a hurry,” said Taco FloPro team leader John Barba to those attending his training session in Toronto in September. Sixty-two technicians took in Barba’s presentation, part of Taco Canada’s two-day “Compleat” Boiler Room program, hosted by representatives from Jess-Don Dunford Ltd. Among the topics of the day were heating capacity ratings, and the importance of getting the math right for each install. taco-hvac.com jessdondunford.ca

Dennis Louch, Eastern regional sales manager for engineered products at Grundfos, leads visitors through a product display.

New disposal fee for C FC-11 Pumps tour hits Oakville

The Grundfos Pumps on Tour truck stopped at the company’s Oakville, Ont., offices this summer. The fully-outfitted truck is a rolling showcase featuring numerous pump and controls offerings, and even includes a theatre where Grundfos personnel presented training videos and answered questions from visitors during tour stops across Canada.

An $8 per kilogram disposal fee now applies to CFC-11 entering the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program managed by Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC). “RMC will continue to subsidize approximately 50 per cent of the cost of collecting and destroying CFC-11 refrigerant, but can no longer absorb the entire expense, as it has done for the past 10 years,” said Warren Heeley, president of HRAI. The fee came into effect in August.

pumpsontour.com

refrigerantmanagement.ca

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Replacement can be easy The full line of Carrier Weather Series can satisfy nearly any light commercial application need. They are designed for direct replacement on existing Carrier Curbs dating back to the 1980’s*. This means there’s likely no need for curb adapters or changing utility connection locations. We stock units for fast delivery and have local expertise and support right here… How much easier could replacement be?

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10.11

News www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Photo courtesy of Construct Canada

CIPHEX hits the road

Construction show Toronto bound Canada's largest construction exposition, Construct Canada, hits the Metro Toronto Convention Centre November 30 to December 2. Last year, more than 23,000 guests attended the event. This year’s show has more than 1,000 registered exhibitors. Additionally, educational seminars will be presented by 450 speakers during the expo.

CIPHEX is on a road trip. The CIPHEX Road Show had its first stop in Edmonton, Alta., on October 18. Travelling west to east, the then tour hit Regina, Sask., on October 20. St. John’s, Nfld., is up next, on November 3. The one-day events offer guests a chance to attend free one-hour seminars and meet with manufacturers and other industry professionals. For more information, or to register, visit www.ciphexroadshow.com. For those in the water treatment business, CWQA is hosting training sessions coinciding with the upcoming Roadshow event. ciphexroadshow.com cwqa.com Professional hockey players play on a sheet of ice about 3/4" thick that is typically kept chilled at 16°F. The thicker the ice, the softer and slower it becomes.

constructcanada.com

CONDOR GEOTECH CHEMICAL FREE IRON & SULPHUR FILTER Chemical free iron and sulphur ﬁltration system removes and eliminates iron, hydrogen sulphide and sulphur (rotten egg smell).

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Aggressive Water Technologies - PROBLEM WATER SPECIALISTS Tel. 705 739 2224 TF. 888 224 4104 Fax. 705 739 2266 sales@aggressivewater.com www.aggressivewater.com 14

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Tools line-up expanding Corey Dickert, cordless tools product manager with Milwaukee Electric Tool, shows a plumbing application for the company’s camera technology during the 2011 New Product Symposium, which was held at the company’s head office just outside Milwaukee, Wis., over the summer. The company unveiled several new products during the media event, and will be introducing several additional new offerings to its line-up this fall.

Lunch with Coleman Heating & AC

milwaukeetool.com

Reggi to present at RS ES Six additional educational sessions have been added to the schedule for the 74th RSES annual conference, which takes place November 2 to November 5, including “SEERing up with R-410A for System Optimization,” presented by friend of Mechanical Business, Nick Reggi. The event will be held at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va. Further conference details can be obtained by contacting Jean Birch, RSES conference and seminars manager by phone at 800-297-5660 ext. 4046, or by email at jbirch@rses.org. rses.org

Tony Carrillo, national brand manager – Coleman HVAC, hands out a prize during Coleman Heating & Air Conditioning’s annual Dealer Appreciation Day barbecue and trade show, held at the company’s headquarters in Oakville, Ont., in July. In addition to food, prizes and displays, the day also featured a training workshop for dealers and displays from Coleman partners. colemanac.com

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Movers and Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

A. O. Smith purchases b oiler manufacturer Milwaukee-based water heater manufacturer A. O. Smith has acquired Lochinvar. The completion of the purchase took place in late August. The two companies have not indicated any plans to alter current operations.

Novanni adds pair of sales agencies

aosmith.com lochinvar.com

A Master reno The Master Group L.P. has expanded its Quebec City branch to 30,000 sq. ft. The branch features an updated sales counter, technical service counter, a pickup area at the front of the building and a conference room. The branch is located at 220 Fortin, Suite 130, Quebec City. The phone number is Tel. 418-683-2587.

Novanni Stainless Inc. has two new sales agencies for its Halsey Taylor water cooler and fountain product line in the Ontario marketplace. Cardinal Sales and Marketing will represent Halsey Taylor in Southwestern and Central Ontario, and Bergeron Sales will manage a territory spanning Ottawa, Kingston and Belleville. Cardinal Sales and Marketing can be reached at Tel. 905-829-3744. Bergeron Sales is at Tel. 613-445-4170. novanni.ca

master.ca

Goodman on the move Goodman has relocated its West Toronto location. The new and upgraded facility is located at 1055 Cardiff Blvd., Mississauga. Contact numbers are Tel. 905-564-9791, and Fax. 905-564-0506.

Mirolin expands Westwards

goodmanmfg.com

Ownership clarification

Oakville Stamping & Bending (OS&B) recently issued a statement explaining that it is no longer involved in the management of Novanni Stainless nor Supreme Metal Products. OS&B sold its ownership position in both companies last December. Located at 2200 Speers Rd. Oakville, Ont., OS&B can be contacted at Tel. 905-827-0320. osb.ca

Mirolin Industries Corp., a Masco Company, is expanding its operations to include a manufacturing facility in Western Canada. The 150,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution centre will be located in Airdrie, Alta. Production of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acrylic tubs and showers at the new facility is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2012. mirolin.com

Bacharach acquires Murco HVAC/R test and measurement instruments manufacturer Bacharach Inc. has acquired Murco Limited, a gas detection equipment manufacturer based in Dublin, Ireland. The two companies will continue to operate business separately under their respective corporate company names; however, Bacharach has plans to offer the Murco line under the Bacharach brand in North America. mybacharach.com murcogasdetection.com

Mexichem Fluor buys refrigerant plant Mexichem Fluor, the company that bought Ineos Fluor last year, has purchased an HFC plant in Kawasaki, Japan. The plant is scheduled to produce R-125 and R-134a and represents the only non-Chinese R-125 facility in Asia. mexichemfluor.com

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People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com LES SZARKA has been appointed vice-president of the commercial division of Carrier Sales & Distribution Canada. A 23-year veteran with Carrier Canada, Szarka was most recently market manager for the company’s central region, heading up the commercial and residential businesses in Ontario.

Oakville Stamping & Bending has appointed R.J. (BOB) EVANS vice-president of sales. He will be responsible for the company’s wholesale sales in both Canada and the U.S.

MICHAEL EBERLE has joined Novo Water Conditioning Products as technical support coordinator. Drawing upon his 19 years of product management and commercial assembly experience, he brings a wide range of expertise to his role.

Providing support to InSinkErator Canada’s wholesale builder and plumbing trade channels, DREW MOLNAR joins the company as national sales manager. He brings several years of sales and management experience, as well as a wealth of plumbing industry knowledge to his new role.

JUD ALEXANDER has been promoted to a newly created executive vice-president position at Continental Fan Manufacturing Inc. In addition to presently directing the engineering and marketing departments, he will also assume control of the sales and customer service portfolios. He joined the company in 2004 and has more than 25 years of HVAC industry experience.

M e c h a n i c a l

Overseeing growth and development of Wilo SE’s North, Central and South American subsidiaries, JEFF BREDESON has joined the company as senior vicepresident, sales for the Americas. He will be working from the company’s Chicago, Ill., facility.

RYAN KELLY (top right) has joined Emco as an outside sales representative, working out of the company’s Hamilton, Ont., branch. JOE PAMPLONA (centre) has been named manager at the company’s Oshawa branch. He brings 15 years of construction services experience to his role. A third addition to the company, STEVE WILSON, (bottom) has been appointed account manager for the company’s London and Sarnia territory.

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ANDREW CORDY-SIMPSON (left) has been named senior territory manager, wholesale for Moen Canada. He will be responsible for the Vancouver area in British Columbia. STEPHEN SUTCH (right) has also joined the company’s Vancouver wholesale department in the role of showroom consultant. RAJA MATHARU has joined Sime North America as the company’s North American sales manager.

With more than 30 years of hydronic industry experience, NICK PELLEGRINO has joined Wolseley Canada as Greater Toronto Area hydronics manager. He will manage the company’s GTA hydronic interests from its Etobicoke office. Pro Kontrol has added DAN MELOFF to its product solution sales force as an account representative. He will operate within Ontario and is based in Markham.

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10.11

Profile

Doin’ it right, all over town One of the nicest guys in the business, newly-elected HRAI chair Ron Robinson has a passion for finding fixes to problems. He’s not one to brag, so getting him to open up about some of the more challenging hydronic issues that he’s tackled over the years will rarely get more than a humble description of doing what it takes to get the job done. Ask one of his customers or colleagues, however, and they’ll tell you he’s one of the best in the business, and a great person to turn to to help get a heating or cooling system back up and running. We caught up with him between jobsites to talk about what’s in store during his tenure as HRAI chair. How did you get started in the industry?

Q A Q A Q

My father was in the heating business. He started Edward G. Robinson, and was an oil burner technician. He was part of the coal to oil conversion days. We worked on both forced air and boilers, but predominantly boilers. And our company had a large focus on pumps. We were a master service centre for S.A. Armstrong pumps for a long time.

A Q A

What’s the biggest change, on the hydronic front, that you’ve seen? I would say the PEX distribution systems, and the size of boilers. The floorspace shrinks, but now the more modern advanced stuff is taking up more wall space.

My father has been my mentor – my hero, the whole time. He started me in the industry. He taught me a lot about pumps. And that led me down the road to becoming a Wethead. Tell me about AtlasCare, and your role with the company. I merged my company E.G. Robinson Climatecare, with the Hamilton branch of Atlas, to create Atlas Robinson Climatecare. That was in 2003. We ran for three years as a merged company, and Roger Grochmal bought me out in 2006, at which point I became an employee of

What do you enjoy most about the industry?

What are the top three or four things that you’d like to see accomplished during your tenure as HRAI Chair?

. 1. Foremost is the implementation of the strategic plan. We are just coming into the first of a threeyear plan. Branding is a big part of that, as are environmental stewardship, establishing ourselves uniformly across Canada, and promoting our industry as a viable career option to our youth.

3. Determining where we sit with regards to renewable energy. We as an industry need to decide whether we are in the game with renewables, like solar. We need to see ourselves as a full energy industry, not just [traditional] heating and cooling.

Definitely the interaction with customers and colleagues. And helping find solutions to technical problems and comfort problems. Who have been some of your mentors over the years?

4. And as chair, I have to be unbiased, but I do look out for contractors – at least a little bit.

Name: Ron Robinson Titles: Healthy Homes Specialist, Hydronic Specialist Company: AtlasCare Location: Oakville, Ont. Age: 54 Born in: Hamilton, Ont. Resides in: Stoney Creek, Ont. Joined the industry in: 1975 Family: Ron married his high school sweetheart Marilyn 32 years ago. They have two children, a daughter, Jackie (28) and a son Eric (26).

M e c h a n i c a l

2. Hosting a solid CMX/CIPHEX Show.

BIO

Atlas [Ed Note: Atlas now operates as AtlasCare].

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Photo: Dave Chidley

Q A

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2011

Heating Report

Grants are back – for now

Finding forced air efficiency

omeowners in Canada have $400 million at their disposal to make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. The catch is that they only have until March 31, 2012 to take advantage of it. With the reinstatement of the ecoEnergy Retrofit – Homes program, the government has turned the funding taps back on, but if the $400 million limit is reached prior to the end date, the program will close without notice.

In the residential boiler market, John Goshulak of Weil-McLain Canada says that most people are excited that ecoEnergy has come back, but feels that “with the pause that occurred, it took a lot of momentum away from what was deemed a good program.” Having such a tight deadline, he says, will accelerate the decision making process, and push future sales into present sales. “It will be a scramble.”

Modulating gas furnaces Goodman’s modulating GMVM96 gasfired furnaces are sized between 60,000 and 100,000 BTUH, and are rated up to 96 per cent AFUE. The units feature variable speed circulator blowers, silicon nitride igniters and aluminized-steel tubular heat exchangers. They are designed for direct vent and non-direct vent applications.

goodmanmfg.com

B y David Janzen

Under the list of eligible ecoEnergy RetrofitHomes equipment, a gas furnace must be rated at least 92 per cent AFUE to qualify for a grant. Models with higher AFUE ratings can net more rebate dollars for the customers, however. “In addition to things like an insulated blower and two stage controls, the big seller is an ECM motor,” says Mark Robinet of Napoleon Heating and Cooling. “Customers are saving on their electricity costs by having a more efficient product.” On two-stage models, the low stage is used for up to 95 per cent of the heating requirements. Operating over a longer time period at the lower stage makes for an overall efficiency improvement, and can help to reduce stratification of air in a home.

From a forced air perspective, Rick Little of JCI says that while the residential HVAC market has been down this year, he is expecting the EcoEnergy program to impact the market positively. But, he adds, “Timing is relatively tight before the program is scheduled to end.”

Oil-fired boiler

Wall-mounted boilers

The Vitorond 100 oil-fired boiler from Viessmann is available in 91,000 to 245,000 BTUH sizes. It is rated up to 86.9 per cent AFUE. Compatible with the company’s Vitotronic 100 KW10A boiler control, the boiler features a cast-iron heat exchanger. It operates at a maximum pressure of 30 psig, and has either 1-1/2” or two-inch supply and return connections, depending on the model.

Rinnai’s E Series and Q Series of condensing gasor propane-fired boilers are available in four heating-only models and three combination models. Heating capacities range between 75,000 and 205,000 BTUH. An outdoor reset function with a sensor is included. The units have a stainless steel primary heat exchanger and are rated up to 96.5 per cent AFUE.

viessmann.ca

rinnai.ca

• F i ndi ng fo r c e d a i r e f f i c i e n cy • Boi l e rs g o i n g h i g h e r

Confirming oil’s efficiency BOILERS GOING HIGHER Regardless of motive, the shift to higher-efficiency boilers is a noticeable one. John Goshulak, of Weil-McLain Canada says that CIPH numbers show more than half of today’s business falls in the high-efficiency segment. “Five years ago it was less than a quarter.” He attributes the changes to lower equipment prices and the amount of available product. “Seven years ago there would have been four companies offering products in that category. Today it’s the other way around, there are only three or four companies left who do not offer high-efficiency options.” To realize the full benefits a highefficiency boiler provides, however, Goshulak says it is important to have it coupled with the proper system, taking into account such factors as the circulators, radiation losses, and insulating the near-boiler piping. With air intake and exhaust piping also affecting efficiency, Fulton’s Erin Sperry stresses the importance of ensuring pressure drops are in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations, and that the number of elbows and turns is minimized.

Under the ecoEnergy Retrofit – Homes program, the installer of an oil-burning product must verify that the site’s specific configuration, including the nozzle, venting and burner information, meets the grant eligibility requirements in terms of AFUE and Energy Star qualification. In the case of an oilburning furnace, it must have an AFUE of 85 per cent, or more. Bob Parsons of Wolseley says that a contractor has a number of resources at his disposal to document the necessary information. “A contractor can go to the NRCan website and look up the manufacturer and model and print off the certification. Also the required information can be found in the manufacturer’s manual as to its BTU rating, nozzle size, AFUE rating, burner, and whether it is chimney or direct vented. Another place to look is right on the unit’s rating plate.”

To access NRCan’s oil-burning equipment database for certification information, visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca

continued on page 24

Two-stage infrared heater

Condensing boiler

The HL3 series of two stage, gasburning infrared heaters from Brant Radiant feature polished aluminum reflectors and coated aluminized radiant tubes. Models are sized between 65,000 and 200,000 BTUH, with tube dimensions ranging from 20 to 70 ft. in length. Optional side-shield extensions and protective guards are also available.

Weil-McLain Canada’s GV90+ is a cast iron, gas-fired condensing boiler that can be vented with PVC pipe. It is rated up to 92 per cent AFUE and is available in 70,000 to 175,000 BTUH models. Each unit comes with a sidewall vent termination kit. A dual circulator system allows for return water temperatures down to 60°F (16°C) without requiring additional mixing vales and pumps.

brantradiant.com

weil-mclain.ca

Highefficiency furnace Napoleon’s twostage 9600 series of gas-fired furnaces are rated up to 96 per cent AFUE. The units are available in sizes from 45,000 to 120,000 BTUH. They feature an ECM blower motor, a triple-pass heat exchanger, and offer multi-position installation options.

napoleonheatingandcooling.com

2011

Heating Report

co n t in u ed fr o m p age 23

Getting the most from the sun When it comes to solar, efficiency begins at the design stage, says Rob Waters of Viessmann. “We see quite a few systems that are oversized,” he says. With too much collector area compared to the size of the load, there is risk of having the system stagnate, making for an inefficient system.

High-efficiency heat pump Offering a heating capacity of up to 40,000 BTUH, Mitsubishi’s Zuba-Central heat pump system has a HSPF rating of 9.4. In heating mode, the outdoor unit is designed to operate in ambient temperatures down to -30°C (-22°F). The system is available in four standard packages, with configurations allowing for optional auxiliary electric resistance heaters, or hydronic heating coils.

zuba-central.ca

Another challenge Waters sees affecting efficiency is the storage tank. Without sufficient storage, the system may run hot more often because there’s nowhere to store BTUs. “If you skimp on the storage tanks, it makes the system run far less efficiently.” While solar thermal systems are never designed to provide 100 per cent of the total base load, “you still do not want to design a system that leaves BTUs up on the roof.” Advancements in controls are also contributing to solar thermal efficiency. By measuring temperature drop across the loop and communicating with variable-speed pumps, the system can be optimized. Combine optimization with data-logging and energy metering, and “That’s how you really max out on capturing the energy from the sun,” says Waters.

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2011

Heating Report

c on t in u ed fr o m p age 24

Radiating heat efficiently

Water-source heat pump The Envision Console series of watersource heat pumps from Waterfurnace offer heating capacities up to 21,000 BTUH. The units are rated with a COP of up to 4.9 and operate with flow rates up to 5.5 gpm, depending on the model and loop configuration. Its fan runs with a dual shaft, two-speed PSC motor and delivers up to 500 cfm of airflow.

waterfurnace.com

While the industry has yet to establish a consistent efficiency rating for gasfired infrared heaters, a number of factors contribute to overall unit efficiency. In maximizing efficiency it comes down to burner design, reflector design, and the model’s Toronto Harbourfront Firehall emitter, reports Kevin Merritt of Superior Radiant Products. “If the heat doesn’t get where it’s needed, energy is wasted,” he explains. Mirroring those comments, Scott Aniol of Brant Radiant Heaters suggests that contractors compare fuel use, emissivity and reflection.

Applying for an ecoEnergy- Homes grant Register with NRCan at oee.nrcan.gc.ca/register, or call 800-622-6232 to obtain a registration number. Complete a post-retrofit evaluation no later than March 31, 2012. All receipts must be shown to the energy advisor during the evaluation to verify that purchases were made after June 6, 2011, and installed after the pre-retrofit evaluation.

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PLUMBING

B y A d am Fr eill

KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN TRENDS

Meredith Heron

with Leading Designer Meredith Heron

here are few rooms in a home that elicit such strong feelings as a kitchen or bathroom. A well-designed space can increase the value of a home, and can make for happy customers. Of course, styles and expectations change. That powder blue sink that was the “in” thing a few years back has now become the butt of jokes and the target of renovators.

To help keep up with what’s trendy on the plumbing scene, we turned to top designer Meredith Heron for her take on the must-have list for Canadian kitchens and bathrooms.

MB: What influences faucet selection?

TheKitchen MB: What are homeowners looking for in faucets for the kitchen? Is a pull-out or pulldown a must? MH: Homeowners have become increasingly savvy and want their kitchen appliances and fixtures to work for them, in addition to looking good. Pullouts and pull-downs are often at the top of the list in terms of functional items for their kitchens. Most clients find side sprayers to be less effective so they are requesting an integrated faucet and sprayer.

MH: Faucets, to me, are the jewellery of the kitchen – the accent the overall outfit if you will. We usually determine an overall look and feel of a kitchen first. I think that a door profile and the edge detail on the countertop are factors that determine the style of the faucet.

MB: What about faucets? Is it singlehole, three-hole, something else? MH: This really depends on the style the client is after. Clients who want a traditional look and feel will still tend to prefer a three-hole style. Single-hole faucets can tend toward being modern, though some do try to be a hybrid in terms of making a traditional style into a single hole.

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Brizo

MB: What faucet options are most popular in the kitchen? MH: I'm personally obsessed with polished brass fixtures and hardware in a kitchen. I can't get enough. On the

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A regular host and designer on numerous television shows, including Restaurant Makeover, Love by Design, Design Match, House & Home with Lynda Reeves and Save Us From Our House, Meredith Heron is one of Canada’s leading designers. A former elementary school teacher, Meredith brings passion, enthusiasm and an infectious love of design – not to mention a bit of sass and humour – t o each and every one of the projects that her design firm, Meredith Heron Design Inc., tackles. For more about her, or her design firm, visit meredithheron.com or send an e-mail to info@meredithheron.com. Brizo

trendy side, it’s new technologies. We have been specifying Smart Touch technology in the Venuto and Talo styles by Brizo because serious cooks want to be able to work hands-free. Clients are also becoming savvier about green technologies and water conservation. MB: Given the economic climate, are consumers still investing in luxury items? MH: Absolutely. If a client is going to the Delta time and expense to rip out an existing kitchen, adding in a pot filler isn't really going to make or break the overall budget. Not putting one in will often be a regret after the fact. Surprisingly, we've also noted that both kitchen and bath renovations are on the rise despite the economic climate. MB: If you are looking to update a kitchen on a budget, what are a few budget-conscience ideas to target for change? continued on page 30

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PLUMBING

continued from page 28

MH: My favourite trick to update a kitchen is to have the doors either resprayed or re-faced with new doors. This instantly updates a kitchen. And changing out your faucet to something that makes a statement, or is more contemporary, is a great way to create a new look.

of the buttons rather challenging, especially for little kids and the elderly. MB: What are the top choices in faucet style for the bathroom? MH: Three-hole, two handles and arc spouts continue to be the top choices for sure. Few people want to be daring in the bathroom, especially if resale is a consideration.

MB: Are homeowners looking for a large, single-bowl sink, or are doublebowls still the tried and true option? MH: Sink choice continues to be a deep and profound personal choice. Some swear by their double bowls, whereas others are devotees of the large single-bowl option. I'm a big fan of the big single bowl myself. Apron fronts are still very popular in both white cast iron and stainless steel options.

Brizo

MH: I'm a huge fan of polished nickel even polished stainless, but I've seen some matte blacks mixed with chrome that are stand-outs. As I mentioned, I'm campaigning for golds, brushed or polished, and even a blush-pink gold would be fabulous. I'm ahead of the trend there on that one, but if you want to back a winner...

DID YOU KNOW? Some kitchen faucets are now equipped with a multi-flow option that allows the user to control the flow rate of the aerator.

TheBath MB: What style influences are being seen in the bathroom? MH: Bathrooms are, and continue to be, extremely diverse in their styles. The one consistent is that people are tending toward making more classic choices – transitional walks the line between modern and traditional rather nicely. They want to make choices that won't date themselves. Colour-wise, greys, whites and pale blues are consistently the most requested hues for bathrooms. MB: Given the economy, have homeowners scaled back their “home spa” dreams? MH: I don't think that scaling back on the home spa has happened as a result of the economy, however I think people are changing their bathrooms to reflect their needs. People have less time to luxuriate in a tub, but won't hesitate to

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MB: Chrome tends to be the top seller, but what faucet finishes are leading the pack for style in the bathroom?

Delta

put in a custom shower system – specifically, a rain shower head, a wallmount shower head and the odd body jet here and there. Clients who travel and spend a lot of time in boutique hotels want to copy the showers they use there. MB: Is white the only choice for the bathroom suite? MH: To date, I've yet to have a homeowner stray from white unless it was to bone, or off-white. No other colours have crept in. I've seen a few suites here and there that appear lovely but then that voice comes over the loud speaker in my head that says nooooooo it will be the Harvest Gold of 2011. MB: One of the things that is sometimes overlooked in the bathroom is the toilet, but there are all kinds of options there. What’s popular? MH: Elongated, comfort height please. Once you go ECH you never go back. I'm not a huge fan of the dual flush, but only because I find the depressing

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Delta

WHAT’S IN MEREDITH’S HOUSE? “I myself have only just changed to a single-hole faucet in the kitchen, and I really do love it. We got a Brizo Solna faucet for my recent kitchen renovation. I love how the modern simplicity juxtaposes with my rather classic kitchen. “Delta also has some handsfree options. Their touch activation option is great for small children who have a harder time with working faucets independently, says the mother of a two-year-old who loves to wash his hands – go figure huh?”

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ROUNDUP – PART 2

BEEFING UP THE PICKUP LINES

Ho war d J Elmer

Wheelbase:

137”, 141.8”, 156.2”, 158”, 172.4”

Cab styles:

Regular, SuperCab, SuperCrew

Engine size:

5.4L V8, 6.8L V10, 6.4L V8 turbodiesel

Power (hp and torque): 300/365, 362/457, 350/650 Max. Payload: Max. Towing Capacity:

hile the headline for the van roundup last issue was the emergence

Box sizes:

6,120 lb. 24,000 lb. 6’4”, 8’

of a new entry in the sector, when it comes to the pickup truck

market the news is all about strengthening what’s already there. The HD

Ford Super Duty F250/F350/F450

pickup truck segment continues to be a war zone on the horsepower and

The 2011 SuperDuty is an all-new truck – one that was introduced early last year. Of note this year is the fifth-wheel hitch that can be ordered direct from the factory.

torque front with Ram being the latest builder to up the numbers on its 6.7L Cummins diesel. These actions have bumped up payload and tow capacities across the board. Of course, there is also the concern about the price of gas, and that has spawned several fuel saving initiatives from GM and Ford. And while we are talking adjustments within the playing field, the “Tradesman” name is back as part of Chrysler’s branding of the Ram 1500 pickup.

Wheelbase:

140.5”, 149.5”, 169.5”

Cab styles:

Regular, Crew, Mega Cab

Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Ram Truck has upgraded its veteran Cummins diesel to push out 800 lb.-ft. of torque, increasing its towing capacity to 22,700 lb. It will also come with a package of components that will increase GCWR to 30,000 lb.

Engine size: 5.7L V8 Hemi, 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel Power (hp and torque): Max. Payload:

383/400, 350/800 5,110 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

22,700 lb.

Box sizes:

6’4” or 8’

TOYOTA TUNDRA The Tundra remains largely unchanged going into 2011 except for minor changes to payload and towing limits. Toyota continues to tout its 4.6L V8 as a fuel-saver, offering an 11 per cent improvement in fuel consumption over the company’s old 4.7L engine. Wheelbase:

126.8”, 145.6”

Cab styles:

Regular, Double Cab, CrewMax

Engine size: Power (hp and torque): Max. Payload:

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B u s i n e s s

4.6L, 5.7L 310/327, 381/401 1,900 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

10,800 lb.

Box sizes:

5’, 6’5”, 8’

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FORD F150 The F150 gets a range of new engines for 2011, however the one making news is the V6 EcoBoost. Ford marketing says the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 has the power of a V8, yet offers good fuel economy – 14.7L city and 10.7L highway. This year, Ford has also introduced electric powerassisted steering (EPAS) on several models of its trucks.

• 2 0 1 1 c om m er cial p icku p s

GM Sierra/Silverado HD

DODGE RAM 1500 Ram has introduced a new Tradesman pickup based on the Ram 1500 ST trim package and a standard 5.7 litre HEMI engine with five-speed automatic transmission. This package also includes a standard Class IV hitch with four and seven-pin connector, HD engine cooling and an HD transmission oil cooler. It will tow 10,450 lb. Tradesman is available as a regular cab, short-bed (6 ft, 4 in) or long-bed (8 ft) with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4. The specs for the rest of the Ram half-ton lineup remain mainly unchanged this year.

Wheelbase:

133”, 143.5”, 157.5”, 167”

Cab Styles:

Regular Cab, Extended Cab, Crew Cab

Engine:

6L V8, 6.6 L V8 diesels

Power (hp and torque):

353/373, 365/660

Max payload:

6,635 lb.

Max tow Rating:

21,700 lb.

Box sizes:

6’6”, 8’

CHEVY SILVERADO/ GMC SIERRA GM 1500-SERIES GM has added a 6.2L engine to its 1500 lineup. This pushes up the payload and trailering limits. They are also offering a fuel economy package called XFE. Available on the 5.3L Sierra 1500 2WD (Crew Cab only) it combines a six-speed automatic transmission with AFM (Active Fuel Management). This system shuts off the fuel to four of the V8’s cylinders when not needed. GM claims a fuel consumption rating of 13.7L in the city and 9.1L on the highway for this truck.

120.5”, 140.5”

Cab style: Engine size:

The 2011 Sierra/Silverado HD is all-new this year. Among the highlights of this new truck are a Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel rated at 397 hp and 765 lb.-ft. of torque, and a maximum payload of 6,635 lb., thanks to a new frame and stronger suspension. The vehicles are B20 biodiesel capable, and incorporate trailer sway control, integrated trailer brake control, hill start assist, automatic grade braking and intelligent brake assist. New exterior design features include a louvered hood, and redesigned front bumper, grille and 20-inch wheels.

Wheelbase:

119”, 133”, 157.5”

Cab styles:

Regular, Extended, Crew Cab

Engine size:

4.3L V6, 4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8

Power (hp and torque):

315/335, 403/417 Max. Payload: Max. Towing Capacity: Box sizes:

Regular

195/260, 295/305, 1,980 lb. 10,600 lb. 5’7”, 6’5”, 8’

3.7L V6, 4.7L V8, 5.7L Hemi MDS

Power (hp and torque): 215/235, 310/330, 390/407 Max. Payload: Max. Towing Capacity: Box sizes:

1,900 lb. 10,450 lb. 5’7”, 6’4” & 8’

Wheelbase:

126”, 144”, 163”

Cab styles:

Regular, SuperCab, SuperCrew

Engine size:

3.5L V6 (EcoBoost), 3.7L V6, 5.0L V8, 6.2L V8

Power (hp and torque):

365/420, 302/278, 360/380, 411/434

Max. Payload: Max. Towing Capacity: Box sizes:

3,060 lb. 11,300 lb. 5’5”, 6’5”, 8’

Howard J. Elmer is a PowerSports editor, writer and author, based in Brampton, Ont. He has a transportation, newspaper and radio background, and is a member of the Truck Writers of North America, the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada and the creator of the Canadian Truck King Challenge. www.canadiantruckkingchallenge.ca

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REFRIGERATION

B y P h il J. B o udreau

Retrofitting Refrigeration Equipment Part I

s end-user system requirements, refrigerant policies, economic and other factors change, equipment owners have called upon contractors to convert systems from one type of refrigerant to another. There are several key factors that should be looked at before considering such a conversion, however.

A bit of presure relief According to the B52 code, all pressure vessels that have an internal gross volume exceeding three cubic feet and that can be isolated from the remainder of the system shall be equipped with a pressure-relief device that will not allow the pressure to exceed a point that is 10 per cent higher than the design working pressure of the vessel. Furthermore, on similar vessels having an internal gross volume that exceeds 10 ft3, two pressure-relief devices along with a three-way valve must be used. Relief valves must never be stacked and must never have shut-off valves that isolate the vessel from overpressure protection.

B52: The rules of the retrofit road All refrigeration technicians must be fully aware of the requirements established within the B51 and B52 codes. The B51 code covers boilers, pressure vessels and piping, while B52 is the safety code for mechanical refrigeration. Additionally, it is equally important to refer only to the latest version of these codes. Many of the requirements covered in these codes are basically subsets of other industry standards issued by industry organizations such as ASHRAE. Concerning the B52 code, it is very important to adhere to generally accepted refrigerants for specific applications. Within the B52 code, refrigerants are categorized based on their level of toxicity and flammability. This categorization basically mirrors those established in the ASHRAE 34 standard Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants. Additionally, refrigerants are rated based on their leakage potential and, in some cases, may only be used in certain types of occupied areas.

Watch the pressure ratings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of ALL components For safety considerations, all piping and components must be rated for the particular refrigerant that will be used. This is most important when converting to a higher pressure refrigerant. A full review of the system components must take place. For the various components used in the system, consult with the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technical information to ensure that the components are approved for the refrigerant and application temperature range. If the refrigerant is not listed, then the manufacturer should be contacted. For all pressure vessels used in the system, it is extremely important that the design working pressure of the component is not exceeded during system operation, standby mode or while servicing the equipment. The UL 984 standard has established requirements for all compressor manufacturers continued on page 54

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Phil Boudreau, is the Ontario sales manager for Bitzer Canada Inc. and also provides training and technical support for Bitzerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clientele. Phil is also a refrigeration instructor at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario. Phil may be contacted at pboudreau@bitzer.ca

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Starting from $30,998 For more information, visit ncv.nissan.ca *Available features. MSRP for 2012 NV 1500 (X41A72 AA00) is $30,998. Freight and PDE charges ($1,630), license, registration, insurance, duties and applicable taxes (including excise tax, fuel conservation tax, tire recycling tax and duties on new tires, where applicable) are extra. All prices are subject to change without notice. TMThe Nissan Commercial Vehicles names, logos, product names, feature names, and slogans are trademark owned by or licensed to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., and/or its North American subsidiaries.

REFRIGERATION

Watch for Part 2 of this article as we continue the discussion with a look at motor horsepower relationships in the next issue of Mechanical Business.

continued from page 34

KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL RETROFIT B52 Refrigerant Code Acceptance Pressure Rating of Components Acceptance of the Alternative Refrigerant and Oil Combination Motor Horsepower versus Compressor Displacement Balance of Heat Exchanger to Compressor Displacement Heat-Exchanger Circuiting Metering Device Selection and Pipe Sizing Proper Commissioning Practices

for over-pressure protection of the compressor itself. Additionally, compressors have maximum allowable pressures listed for both the low and high sides. These pressures must always be considered. Ensure that the refrigerant is approved for the compressor at the operating conditions that the compressor will be exposed to.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical compressor operating envelope. Each compressor is provided with an operating envelope for each refrigerant that it may be used with. Note that there are upper and lower pressure limitations for both the suction and discharge of the compressor. Operating outside the envelope will place the compressor at risk. This should always be avoided. It is best to ensure that the application falls well within the operating envelope to ensure reliable and long-term operation. The upper-left corner of the operating envelope in Figure 1 illustrates the need for auxiliary cooling due to a high compression ratio.

For refrigerant piping, only approved seamless ACR tubing should be used. The B51 and B52 codes should be consulted if clarification on this subject is needed. High-pressure controls that are used for safety must not be adjusted any higher than the maximum point on the compressor operating envelope. These may vary between compressor models and also depends on the refrigerant type. In contrast to this, the high-pressure control setting should be low enough so that it does not permit the pressure relief device to open. For low-pressure controls, the saturation point of the new refrigerant must be considered. Also, the low-pressure setting must never allow the compressor to operate below the minimum point of the compressor operating envelope, especially in pump-down applications. If necessary, the compressor manufacturer should be consulted for this information.

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REFRIGERANT & OIL COMBINATIONS Once it has been verified that the compressor manufacturer approves the use of the alternative refrigerant being retrofitted into the system, that manufacturer will also recommend a specific oil type. From a compressor manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective, it is very important to ensure that you only use an approved lubricant in the compressor. With a myriad of refrigerants and applications in the marketplace, there are a great number of lubricants available. It is also important to remember that two oils of similar types and viscosity may have different additive packages. When these oils are mixed together, unusual foaming characteristics may appear. This oil foaming may lead to inadequate bearing lubrication and an increased oil carry over rate.

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top performer

Industry-leading Genetron® Performax™ LT refrigerant is the clear leader in its field. If your bottom line is a better bottom line, no other supermarket refrigerant comes close. From keeping fresh food fresher longer to energy savings to eco-friendly performance, the list of reasons to choose Genetron® Performax™ LT over R-438A or R-407A refrigerants goes on and on. Genetron Performax LT offers industry-leading capacity, industry-leading efficiency and low GWP values versus other popular supermarket refrigerants. This saves money in new installations and in R-22 retrofit projects. Plus, a mass flow that identically matches R-22, eliminates expensive expansion valve changes and adjustments in retrofit applications while maintaining superheat performance which protects costly compressors. So go with the gold standard. Go with Genetron Performax LT.

Maximize Performance with Performax LT.

Brenntag Canada Inc. Exclusive distributor of Genetron® refrigerants in Canada Ontario & Western Canada: Tel. No. (416) 243-9615 Fax: (416) 243-9731 Quebec & Maritime Provinces: Tel. No. (514) 636-9230 Fax: (514) 636-8229 To learn more, call 800-631-8138 or visit www.genetronperformaxlt.com. © 2010 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

CONDENSING BOILERS

B y R o b C lem en t s

for condensation n North America, low-temperature hot water heating systems have been traditionally designed with a supply temperature of 80°C (180°F) and a return of 70°C (160°F). Why 80/70°C? Well, these temperatures were selected for three reasons.

1. They were safely below the boiling point of water so there was little danger of over pressurising the system.

Rain in the boiler When flue gases drop below the dew point, condensation forms. This condensate is acidic and can quickly corrode standard ferrous boilers and flue materials. So, unlike traditional non-condensing boilers, which were built from steel or cast iron, many condensing boilers are now built from aluminum or stainless steel.

2. They were safely above the dew point of the flue gases so costly corrosion of the internal surfaces of the boiler was avoided.

3. They provided a fairly good LMTD (log mean temperature difference) for economic emitter sizing.

Legionella prevention

So, in a world where condensation of the flue gases was a real problem but a high surface temperature was not (and also where energy was relatively cheap) then the old order of 80/70°C was fine. But is that still appropriate?

To prevent the formation of Legionella bacteria, domestic hot water should be stored above 60°C. This would not be possible with a primary temperature of 50°C.

Today’s gas-fired condensing boilers are designed to be ultra-efficient by extracting latent heat from the flue gases. This is done by dropping the temperature of the flue gases below the dew point which, for natural gas, is around 54°C. But here’s the rub: Over 90 per cent of system designs that incorporate condensing boilers are still operating at 80/70°C. They will never condense. It’s just not physically possible at those settings.

Figure 1 shows some typical efficiencies that can be achieved at various loads and system temperatures.

Yes they will be more efficient than an older atmospheric boiler, but they will never reach the high efficiencies stated in the manufacturers’ literature unless the system temperature is below the dew point; ideally 50/30°C (122/86°F). The difference in efficiency can be as much as 10 per cent, depending upon boiler type and load.

These lower temperatures are ideal for underfloor heating and can work successfully with fan coils and air handling units. They also mean that standard radiators can be used in place of more expensive low surface temperature radiators in critical applications like hospitals, care homes and nurseries. The only thing they are not suitable for is domestic hot water generation. continued on page 40

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CONDENSING BOILERS

continued from page 38

Maxing out the controls Another area that’s often misunderstood is the best control strategy for condensing boilers. Condensing boilers are at their most efficient at low load. This varies from traditional boilers, where the opposite is true. Figure 2 graphically shows boiler efficiency at various loads.

The normally accepted control strategy for multiple boiler installations is to stage each boiler up to full load, and then sequentially bring in each of the other boilers until the load is satisfied. That’s perfect for traditional boilers. We’re switching them in and out at their peak efficiency point – full load (point 1). But, for condensing boilers it’s far from perfect. Condensing boilers are at their most efficient at part load (point 2).

This is because the heat exchanger surface remains constant but the fuel/air mixture is variable. So on low loads there is a greater surface area available to extract heat energy from the reduced gas/air mix.

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Talk to us before your next project, and be sure to visit us online. HPSI – Hydronic Panel Systems Inc. 12A – 50 Paxman Rd. Toronto, ON M9C 1B7 Tel: (416) 845-2587 Fax: (416) 622-5127

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Also, when a boiler is restarted it must go through a pre-purge sequence. This ensures that any un-burnt fuel and products of combustion are purged from the system. To achieve this, the fan blows cold air through the heat exchanger and up out through the flue losing heat on the way. This wastes small amounts of energy, but the costs mount up over the years.

If we sequence condensing boilers at peak load, we are actually switching them at their least efficient point (point 3). What we should do is run all multiple condensing boilers simultaneously at their lowest possible load to meet the building demand. This is called demand based control as opposed to the more widely used capacity based control.

Almost always part load Remember, space heating is a par t load application. We size the plant for design day conditions, but these conditions are rarely experienced in temperate climates. So it makes sense to try to match boiler load to the building demand rather than to the boiler’s capacity.

DESIGNING FOR BEST EFFICIENCY If the heating system is going to be equipped with condensing boilers, to maximize the efficiency of the heating plant the system designer should always try to ensure:

Let it run As well as making sense from an efficiency viewpoint, demand based control provides a few other benefits as well. A boiler is like any other machine, it likes to run. Constant stop/starting of any machine accelerates wear and tear. It’s a bit like driving a car flat out and braking with our left foot when we see a red light, all while still keeping our right foot on the gas. That’s not exactly fuel efficient, nor is it maintenance friendly.

1. That the boilers will operate in condensing mode by using system temperatures below dew point (preferably 50/30°C; 122/86°F). 2. A demand-based control philosophy is used instead of a capacity-based model.

Rob Clements is the business development manager at Armstrong. He can be reached at rclements@armlink.com.

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HYDRONIC Condensing cast iron boiler Hydrotherm’s KN-30 condensing cast iron boiler is available in sizes from 200,000 to 3 million BTUH. The units offer thermal efficiencies of up to 99 per cent and are compatible with the company’s HeatNet boiler management system. HeatNet is designed to manage up to 16 boilers and communicate with a local building management system.

www. hydrothermkn.com

Copper fin boilers

Pump panels DDirect pump panels deliver boiler temperature water to user-specified hydronic heating zones. They are designed for use in such applications as radiators, fan coils, space heaters, as well as in under-floor radiant systems. Panels are available with up to five independently and pre-wired zone pumps.

Futera XLF near-condensing, copper fin boilers from RBI are available in four sizes between 2.5 and 4 million BTUH. They offer full modulation, have a 5:1 turndown ratio and a four-pass design. The units have a variable speed blower and offer efficiencies up to 88 per cent.

www. rbiwaterheaters.com

www. wattscanada.ca

Cast iron boilers Granby’s Conforto cast iron boilers are available in sizes from 74,000 to 193,000 BTUH. The units are offered in oil, propane and natural gas models, with efficiency ratings up to 88.6 per cent AFUE. The boilers have a three-pass design, and are compatible with an optional outdoor reset system.

www. granbyindustries.com

Combined air and dirt separators Available in brass or steel body models, Spirotherm’s Spirovent Quad combined air and dirt separators allow for dirt to be flushed while the system is in operation. The units are available in one-inch to 12” sizes with threaded, sweat or flanged configurations. They have recommended flow rates ranging up to 1,400 gpm in the 12” model.

www. spirotherm.com

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

B y Go r d C o o ke

FIVE ESSENTIAL HVAC INGREDIENTS There are five essential ingredients necessary to successfully design HVAC systems for high performance homes: right sizing, better distribution, fuel flexibility, integrated systems, and smarter controls.

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

Each of these essential elements is, of course, a topic of its own for HVAC contractors to research and prepare for. The good news is that the 20 to 25 per cent of builders who are currently building under such programs as Energy Star, BuiltGreen, R-2000 or LEED for Homes, are being challenged to consider these elements.

Have you ever considered deploying an HVAC system that can accept inputs from different energy sources at different times of the day or year? It is clear that the cost of electricity will vary from inexpensive at night to cost prohibitive during peak hours. And options like solar thermal panels will be ever more cost effective as time goes by. So why not design HVAC systems that can take advantage of time of use rates and solar energy? Other choices available include such dual fuel systems as air source heat pumps matched with natural gas furnaces or water heaters.

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Smarter Controls The initiatives outlined here will all need more intelligent controls to sense and adjust to the partial loads in houses, the time-of-use rates available, and the lifestyles of ever-more demanding homeowners. Think of duplicating the energy management capabilities of large commercial buildings in the context of residential housing.There are already cost-effective residential thermostats available that are web-based, so a forward thinking HVAC contractor could offer monitoring and adjustment services from a remote location to hundreds of homes. At the very least, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;zone-readyâ&#x20AC;? concept should prompt HVAC contractors to start offering multiple temperature sensors in houses to allow for temperature averaging and future zoning control.

MULTIPLE FUEL OR ENERGY INPUTS

And they are looking for enlightened HVAC contractors to help them climb the steps towards higher performance, cost effectiveness, and ultimately, net-zero homes.

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• G e t t h e s i z e r i g h t • Im p r o ve yo u r d ist r ib u t io n

COMBINING AND INTEGRATING SYSTEMS Combining mechanical functions into integrated systems will be ever more attractive to improve overall efficiency and cost effectiveness. Combining a decreasing space heating load with [often] increasing water heating needs – due to lifestyle expectations for hurricane shower heads, steam cleaning, sanitizing dishwashers, and so forth – is already quiet common. These systems often use one efficient condensing water heating appliance to provide both space heating and domestic use. This also means one gas or oil line, and one vent. And it also ties in with the flexible distribution and multiple fuel initiatives in the other sidebars here. Want a little in-floor heat in some areas, a towel warmer to heat a basement bathroom, and the ability to heat hot water from multiple fuel sources? No problem. Similar integration can be done on the ventilation front – combining fresh air ventilation into heating air handlers – something that makes more sense as air flows and associated duct sizes needed for heating, get smaller. This means ventilation loads will become a much more significant portion of overall peak heating and cooling needs.

GET THE

SIZE RIGHT Improve your Distribution Hydronic heating pipes are water tight, so why shouldn’t air ducts be air tight? Start sealing all ducts. It is the only way to ensure accurate delivery of heating and cooling to ever-more efficient spaces. Imagine, as well, insulating all pipe and duct runs to ensure that the conditioned air is delivered to the space it is serving, rather than to the spaces along the way. As HVAC systems improved, the handling of part loads will lead to zoning of houses. Certainly redesigning duct systems now to be “zone-ready” is an easy start that some leading HVAC contractors are already doing. Also consider choosing area specific solutions. The best example probably comes from basements. They don’t need air conditioning, but they do demand lots of heat, and the biggest comfort complaint is cold floors. Infloor heat in basements is an obviously cost-effective choice given that there is already a concrete slab available, even if the rest of the house uses a traditional forced air heating and cooling system.

Clearly, as builders improve the energy efficiency of houses, the required size of heating and cooling systems to compensate for losses and gains is reduced. It has been the experience of virtually every building scientist in all areas of the country that HVAC systems are oversized. A dramatic reduction in load is possible as builders move up the EnerGuide scale. A proper starting point is to conduct a comprehensive heat load calculation, starting with getting the right information from your builder and using an up-to-date heat loss and gain calculations method. Air leakage in buildings accounts for more than 30 per cent of the winter heat loss peak load, so get the expected air tightness level from your builder – in high performance homes they will be testing this anyway. Windows can represent as much as 50 per cent of the summer heat gain, so get the specific window solar heat gain coefficients from the window supplier. Then input these results carefully into your chosen load calculation software. This may mean changing some of the default values or manipulating the inputs to reflect actual performance data Enlist the support of the energy rater used by your builder to do independent heat loss and gain calculations, and then compare them with the calculations you have done. The software used by energy efficiency programs, such as HOT 2000 Energy Simulation software, is often better suited to high performance homes, so it can be valuable to check your results against programs such as these. Conduct a thorough commissioning and test of at least the first few “right-sized” high performance HVAC systems you install. Measure the air flow at each outlet; the pressure and temperature rise in the main plenums; and check refrigerant charges in the air conditioning systems. Then encourage monitoring of a couple of systems during the coldest and warmest days of the year to demonstrate that the newly sized equipment is able to keep up and meet expectations. Many new advanced thermostats can report on percentage run times, and there are simple temperature monitoring devices that can be placed in critical rooms to show that temperatures remained consistent even in extreme weather. This provides everyone, including HVAC contractors, with assurances that properly down-sized equipment still meets the comfort needs of occupants. Take the savings afforded by smaller systems and invest it in enhancements that will meet the increasing comfort expectations of homeowners.

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PLUMBING

B y Jaso n B o yd

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL WORLD p r o d u c t s

i n

Jason Boyd is the LEED-accredited marketing manager for Dobbins Sales. He can be reached at jboyd@dobbinsales.com.

ensor operated products are easier to use, can greatly reduce germ transfer and they keep things much cleaner in busy public restrooms. Everything can be sensor operated, from the faucets, flush valves, soap dispensers, hand dryers, paper dispensers, even fragrance dispensers.

This begs the question, why can’t these types of products be used in the home? The two major obstacles have always been cost and style. Sensor operated products often carry a higher cost than basic residential products and more importantly, the “institutional” or “commercial” look doesn’t generally fit most homeowner expectations for style. Well, things have changed significantly! Manufacturers have begun to focus on style, convenience and ease of maintenance – all things that fit in very well with the goals of any homeowner looking at a new or remodelled bathroom. And the cost equation, when examined closely, really puts commercial products on a line no different than most high-end, designer faucets and fixtures.

The plumbing product category where the greatest degree of technological advancement has taken place is definitely the faucet. Infrared sensors were first used on commercial faucets over 30 years ago. In that time, manufacturers have made great strides in reliability and functionality. The two main sensor technologies in place today are active infrared and capacitance sensing. Both may seem complex and even intimidating to some users but their universal hands-free access outweighs any such concerns.

Style and function Antiseptic looking washrooms are great for some institutional applications but no one really wants this for their own private bathroom oasis. There are so many unique styles to choose from when it comes to sensor operated products, the sky is really the limit. Whether you are looking for wall mounted, angular and European or rounded and traditional, there is a product out there to meet the need.

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DEMYSTIFYING SENSING TECHNOLOGY

B u s i n e s s

AIR, or active infrared, detects the presence of objects by actively emitting infrared light and waiting for the light to come back to it. When the emitted light is reflected from a user’s hand, an electronic signal is sent to open the solenoid and allow water to flow. When the user moves away and there is no longer light reflection in the pre-set range, the solenoid closes and water flow stops. Faucets with capacitive sensing technology have an omni-directional detection zone surrounding the entire spout, rather than the small sensing window commonly used with AIR faucets. This zone becomes the detection area, with the entire faucet acting as an antenna. When the continued on page 48

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How does Aquarise® Answer the wishes of Contractors?

Ask Gary Cruikshanks of Saxon Mechanical

d system s a fully-integ. raAtequaRise AquaRise offer es lv and va of pipe, fittingents and primer allows for m ce t solven bly. fast, easy assem ®

“The installation AquaRise® was a pleasure - easy to handle, easy to cut, easy to join. Were there issues with AquaRise? Sure. But these were very minor issues, and all part of any piping system. They were certainly out-weighed by the labour saving installation costs, the pipe size reductions allowable with the high flow rate capacity, and the reduced need for insulation due to AquaRise high R-values.” For the full case study story visit www.ipexinc.com/aquarise

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PLUMBING continued from page 46

user enters the detection zone, water flow begins, when they leave the detection zone water stops. Both technologies have vastly improved in recent years, yet they still have some limitations in terms of sink materials (capacitance faucets are not intended for use on metal sinks) and light reflection of shiny surfaces. Regardless of these limitations, sensor operated faucets, valves and dispensers are all ideal for residential applications given the correct product selection.

CANADA’S BOOMING BOOMER POPULATION According to a report published by Health Canada, seniors (adults 65 years of age and older) constitute the fastest growing population group in the country. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the seniors population in Canada is expected to reach 6.7 million by 2021, and 9.2 million by 2041. That’s nearly one-in-four Canadians! When you consider the fact that the majority of this group is leading very active lifestyles and that Canada’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world, it would seem to point to having more and more people 65 and older choosing to live in their own spaces. Convenience and style in the restroom will be paramount and an important theme that any plumbing contractor will need to key on in order to be successful in the years to come. Public spaces are bound by the National Building Code of Canada, as well as provincial building codes, when it comes to providing barrier-free and universal access. This is also very relevant to the home washroom, because the features that have been designed to promote universal access for commercial plumbing products can also promote ease-of-use in the home.

HARVESTING POWER The “green” building trend has experienced rapid growth over the past 10 years, and like sensing technology for electronic faucets, power harvesting options have been developed to increase efficiency and conserve water. This trend encompasses not just the commercial sector, but certainly the home as well. Sensor operated plumbing products typically function from one of four technologies: traditional battery; wired or plugged in to electrical supply; solar cell; and water turbine. Different manufacturers specialize in different areas of the technology, and they all have unique advantages and application-specific

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OUR SELECTION WILL SURPRISE YOU.

benefits. The most common “green” technologies would be solar and turbine. With solar-operated products, the faucet or device is using natural and artificial light in the washroom space, which is stored and transformed into power which operates the solenoid and sensor. Turbine operated devices use the flow of the water to turn a turbine device that creates and stores power – much like Niagara Falls. It is important to remember that both of these technologies use back-up batteries to provide power if the regenerative source isn’t able to provide enough.

TO PRESERVE OR NOT TO PRESERVE? The green benefits of sensor operated faucets extend beyond power savings to overall water use reduction. Faucets equipped with low-flow outlets can significantly lower overall water usage by only turning on when a user is present. This is great for building owners but what about brushing your teeth or shaving? Today’s sensor faucets come equipped with “smart sensors” that are very easy to program for extended run time, sentinel activation, range adjustment, etc. All of these features would allow a homeowner to easily set the faucet to their specific requirements.

EASIER THAN EVER Many newer styles of sensor faucets come equipped with above deck electronics, meaning no modules or battery compartments need to be mounted below deck. This makes initial installation and future maintenance very simple. In some cases batteries and cartridges can be fully maintained without even turning the water supply off. It is this type of simplicity that when explained thoroughly can really appeal to the homeowner Another concern often raised about sensing technology at the faucet is water temperature. Scalding issues have long been addressed with pressure balanced shower valves in residential applications. The same is true for the faucet. Several options are available to prevent these types of situations. Below-deck thermostatic mixing valves would allow the hot side of the water supply to be tempered to a pre-determined safe level. Additionally, some faucets come equipped with an integral side mixer, allowing the user to manually mix the hot and cold water to a comfortable temperature. The latest technology has some faucets equipped with LCD display screens showing the user the water temperature and current run time. These types of features were originally designed for healthcare applications but are a great fit where safety of the user is a major concern in the home.

www.contrac.ca

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Requiring no electrical hook-ups to operate, Bradley’s Express Lavatory incorporates the company’s ndite technology that converts restroom lighting into energy to activate water flow. The sink serves up to three users at a time and is available in a variety of colours and finishes.

www. bradleycorp.com

The Governor 80M2 toilet fill valve and thermal expansion relief valve from Watts Canada is designed to provide surge relief by limiting supply line pressure to 80 psi. It is also designed to act as a backflow preventer keeping tank water from backing up into the potable water supply.

Contrac’s Carlton top-inlet wallmounted urinal features a 1.9 lpf rating and vitreous china construction. It protrudes 14-3/4” from the wall, measures 27” tall, is 17-1/2” wide, and includes mounting hardware.

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Sized from 160,000 BTUH to 180,000 BTUH, the NRC98 condensing tankless water heater from Noritz offers a maximum flow rate at up to 9.8 gpm. Water temperature can be set between 100°F and 140°F (38°C and 60°C) and the unit can be vented with CPVC piping. It has an energy factor rating of 0.93 and is designed to operate with a low NOx emission level of 20 ppm.

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Available in 3/8” or 1/2” MPT sizes, HeatLink’s HPP PEX insert elbows feature modified polyphenylsulfone construction. The units have an operating pressure rating of 100 psi at 180°F.

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HVAC/R

Nice Ice Baby: MTS CENTRE KEEPS IT COOL FOR ITS CUSTOMERS Now that hockey season is underway, Ed Meichsner director of facility operations for True North Sports & Entertainment in Winnipeg has one request if you’re anywhere near the ice surface under his watch. Hold your breath. While that may be an exaggeration, the fact is when you’re managing a facility that’s home to an NHL franchise like the Winnipeg Jets, it takes a fine balancing act between keeping fans comfortable and the ice surface in top form. Ask Meichsner what makes the event venue stand apart from most other facilities, and his answer is quite simple: it’s just one big box. “We’re one very large space – not a lot of little rooms with ducting all over the place. We heat and cool private suites and dressing rooms with heat pumps. Otherwise it’s one room that we need to pay very close attention to on event days.”

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When performers come into town, they usually have very different but specific temperature and air quality demands. Bring in monster trucks, and the ventilation requirements have to change again.

Look up, WAAAAAAAAAY UP The MTS facility team applies a combination of systems and processes that enable cross flow where it’s needed, and get rid of it where it isn’t. The building runs four rooftop units that circulate air through a single large ring duct suspended at an 80-foot elevation. Not all of the rooftops run at the same time since Meichsner says it generates far too much air movement. “We often run fewer units, but that’s still a big influx of air to control.” However, running only one or two units causes imbalances in how air is distributed within the arena. Technicians have tried redirecting air flow with simple things like changing the direction of louvers. “That worked somewhat,” Meichsner says. “But with ducts at an 80-foot elevation, there’s only so much direction you can do before you start getting things mixed into the environment.”

What that means for Meichsner and his team is constant readjustments of the HVAC system to accommodate very different needs. “In a nutshell, one of the biggest challenges is that we are a hockey building that has events that are not exclusive to hockey. At any given time we have 15,000 people coming into the building for three to four hours. Then it’s empty. But when they’re in the building they generate a lot of heat; so we have to keep them as comfortable as possible.”

Built in 2004, the MTS Centre is a 147,000 sq. ft. facility that seats thousands of eager fans who arrive to watch sports, concerts and other major events.

Photo: John Woods

B y Den ise Deveau

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continued from page 52

The answer he says, is installing variable speed drive motors. “We didn’t have them on the rooftop at first. But we realized you absolutely have to have them. With the units, it’s either on or off. But with variable speed drives, we can reduce the airflow to a point that it can be easily managed for whatever environment we need. We could run at 10 per cent and everything would be more evenly distributed than just running one or two units at full velocity.”

THE

ICE FACTOR Maintaining an ideal ice surface come game time is perhaps the most demanding job of all, Meichsner says. “A two per cent difference in humidity can make a very big difference in ice conditions. Players struggle more, the game is slower, and the puck takes weird bounces. Once you lose optimum ice conditions during a game you can’t get them back. When that happens we get the evil eye from the players. And we definitely hear about it!” Restricting air flow on the ice is therefore a must. “You don’t want any whatsoever. But 15,000 people who generate a lot of demand for air flow can really hurt the ice over a twohour game. So you have to keep tight controls on everything to get the balance right.” continued on page 56

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Flocor carries thousands of combinations and styles of valves, pipe, fittings and hangers along with a premier line of fire protection sprinklers and related equipment as well as water works pipe, fittings and valves. With this comprehensive product lineup, Flocor can continuously meet the needs of the industrial, commercial, fire protection and municipal markets. No one knows the PVF market or products better than Flocor. Expertise and technical support is easily accessible through over 100 professionals across Canada ready to help you make the right choice. To find out more, or to reach the nearest FLOCOR distribution office, please call us toll free at 1-855-FLOCOR-1 (1-855-356-2671). Or visit us at www.flocor.ca

HVAC/R

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FINDING THE RIGHT

BALANCE Balance is everything, even in the boiler room. There, two gas-fired boilers share a common chimney. The room also has an electric boiler that serves as a primary or secondary system depending on the going gas or electricity rates. Exhausts for both boilers are joined in a Y configuration on an 80-foot horizontal run, connected to a 100-foot vertical run. But that led to another problem, Meichsner says. “We had flame failure problems at first. With that type of design, if one boiler was running there would be such a strong chimney effect it would suck the flame out on the other boiler.” The fix was to add a fan at the top of the chimney to ensure that negative pressure stays constant.

walkways attached to the building are large atriumlike spaces with open entryways rather than doors, which puts added pressure on maintaining the right balance throughout the building. “We don’t have a closed fire separation between the walkway and the building, so we can’t seal the building envelope in the usual way,” Meichsner explains. “Because we don’t have that seal we have to deal with the exterior environment at all times. It does affect the ice surface, so we’re constantly conditioning the air to optimize conditions for the benefit of the public and the ice surface.” A good rooftop smoke evacuation system is also a must, especially when events like monster track rallies come to town, he adds. “Those are quite demanding from a fresh air perspective. As soon as the fans are activated the doors in the facility open in order to draw makeup air throughout the venue. Otherwise there would be such a vacuum that the windows would be breaking.”

Negative pressure issues can also come into play with ventilation fans in concession areas. And the public

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WHAT’S ON ICE AT MTS • 2 DeDietrich GTE-516 Gas Boilers • 1 Caloritech Electric Boiler • 4 Aaon Industries Air Handling Units • 1 Event Level Fresh Air Makeup Air unit • 1 Toromont Cimco Refrigeration Ammonia NH3 Plant • 3 Mycom 6-Cylinder Compressors • 1 Mycom 8-Cylinder Compressor • 2 Alfa Laval Plate and Frame Chillers • 1 Toromont Cimco Refrigeration Evaporative Condenser

UP TO

NHL SNUFF Since the NHL has minimum requirements for tonnage of ice plant, Meichsner recently upgraded to a new compressor and increased the capacity of the condenser on the roof. “We have gone from regular to frame and plate chillers,” he explains. “It’s a fantastic invention, takes up less space in the compressor room and can do all the work in smaller footprint.”

Derek King, manager of ice operations, tapes down an Eye on the Ice sensor.

Meichsner has also set his sights on something that will hopefully keep him from getting the evil eye from players: wireless monitoring systems for the ice surface. Called Eye on the Ice, it involves numerous sensors on the slab that provide temperature and humidity readings. “The graphics are fantastic and the info collected will give us what we need to adjust the plant and building environment for optimum ice conditions. This technology was used for all ice events at the 2010 Olympics and was a great success. So we thought we would give it a try. After all, the more controls you have, the better the results.” M e c h a n i c a l

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HYDRONICS

B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r

Fill’er up! T

he lifeblood of any hydronic system is its fluid – and this fluid has a big job to do.

In addition to the features outlined in our list (see: The Ideal Fluid), the fluid should also be safe to handle, readily available and be cost effective. And while I’m creating my ideal solution, why not add a bit of corrosion protection if it is to be used in systems with metal components. Additional ingredients I might want include pH buffers to address any dilution water, and perhaps a film provider to coat the new metal surfaces for additional corrosion protection. A bright colour would be useful for pinpointing small leaks, and last, but not least, it should smell good.

various products, attend a training seminar or webinar, and don’t be afraid to seek out contractors with first-hand experience installing and maintaining the various products.

Quicktip

In today’s modern hydronic systems, the fluid needs to be compatible with many types of materials. Among them are: plastic, steel, iron, copper, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, and composites. Did I miss any? When selecting the heat transfer fluid for a system, use the same process used when choosing a boiler or control. Research the

The Ideal fluid An ideal or perfect hydronic fluid would have the following features: • It should be easy to push around (pump); • It should have good heat transfer qualities; • It should stay on the inside of the pipe (not seep out); and • It should be long lasting and trouble free.

Don’t forget to dispose of used or depleted products properly.

Understand the limitations of each product, and invest in the proper test equipment to maintain the fluid. And don’t forget to LABEL all of the systems in which you install a heat transfer fluid or inhibitors. There is a lot to know and learn about water treatment and heat transfer fluids. The good news is with the internet, the information is only a click away. Webinars and local training will be posted online. And there are discussion lists for just about any subject imaginable, so tune in for an earful of advice. The more you know, the more valuable you are to your customers, and they will gladly pay for that expertise.

FROM THE FIELD to your HEATING SYSTEM In many cases, freeze protection is required in a system. Glycols are one of the most common products used to provide freeze protection. If glycol fluids have potential to come into contact with potable water, be sure to select an approved product for that use. Recently, some anti-freeze products have been produced from plants. One goal of these bio-based fluids is to provide a product that is not as susceptible to oil price fluctuations, and that can be locally grown and produced. Many of these bio-products are advertised as less viscose at low operating temperatures, and they may need to be inhibited properly to provide the protection that multi-metal system components demand, so do a bit of homework when working with these morerecent additions to the field of fluids.

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• Mor e t h a n j u s t a d r i n k • P layin g in t h e su n • T r ad e- o ffs

TRADE-OFFS to consider Working from the ground up Geothermal systems have commonly used either glycols or alcohol-based ethanol and methanol products for heat transfer. While these do provide freeze protection, are readily available and easily circulated, there is a flammability issue to be concerned with. Any auto air vents used on these fluids should be vented to a safe location. Geothermal products should also contain an inhibitor package. I recently received a sample of a potassium formate fluid that is being promoted as a geothermal heat transfer fluid. This brought to mind another group of heat transfer fluids that was used back in the polybutylene radiant tubing days, when potassium-based product was offered.

Over the years, other heat transfer fluids have included oils and silicone based fluids. These were able to handle higher temperatures, but would often require more pumping power in cold conditions. The toxicity was also a concern in solar domestic hot water systems. So there are trade-offs to consider when you chose a heat transfer fluid.

Playing in the sun Solar thermal systems can present some rather unique requirements for a heat transfer fluid. Modern solar thermal systems can see some extreme stagnation temperatures. Glycols or other heat transfer fluids used in these systems must be able to handle temperatures in excess of 400°F. Solar fluids are sometimes listed as HD (heavy duty) or XT (extreme temperature) products. As the solar thermal industry heats up again, watch for some unique collectors to hit the marketplace. In Planning and Installing Solar Thermal Systems, authored by The German Energy Society, stagnation temperatures of 350° Celcius were noted as possible in evacuated tube systems – that’s 662°F! Small residential-sized concentrators and dishes are starting to appear in the market. These systems have extreme temperature heat transfer fluid requirements as well. Selecting a fluid to work in those temperature ranges may be a challenge.

More than just a drink There is one fluid that we all come in contact with on a daily basis that has been a staple of hydronic systems for years: Water! It moves energy well, is easily pumped and is readily available at a reasonable cost. Of course it does have a few drawbacks. At times it can freeze – generally in the heating season – and it boils at 212°F at sea level, which might be fine in a steamer, but it’s not such a good thing in a solar hydronic system. If water is being used as the hydronic or solar fluid, it is advisable to check a few basic numbers to ensure that it will serve as a long-lasting, trouble-free transfer fluid. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and pH are two numbers to watch. Small electronic pocket meters are available for testing water samples. Some contractors will even send a sample to a water treatment expert for a more in-depth analysis. Many, if not all, boiler and tank manufacturers will indicate acceptable

ranges in their installation manuals. If water is selected, it might be necessary to consider adding a hydronic conditioner. There are numerous manufacturers that can supply a conditioner based on the specific system requirements. Most modern hydronic systems contain a plethora of metals. It is not unusual to find steel, iron, copper, brass, stainless steel, aluminum and alloys in a single system. In addition, numerous plastic and composites as well as EPDM and other seals, are part of most systems. Be sure to check that the conditioner is compatible with all materials in the system. Generally, you get what you pay for with conditioners. Products that are blended to be friendly to the above list of materials are complex, and the price will reflect that “recipe” of chemicals.

Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 30 years. A long-time RPA member and columnist, he is manager of training and education with Caleffi North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@caleffi.com. M e c h a n i c a l

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B y E r ic R im l

PLAN FOR THE

FUTURE

Image courtesy of tekmar

While remote headers can minimize the number of leads you have to run back to the mechanical room, the need to service those manifolds at a later date can present a challenge. Try to avoid putting manifolds in deep closets, so that the service contractor doesn’t have to deal with masses of shoes or boxes when trying to find the manifold. Documentation and picture archives can also help.

IN-JOIST RADIANT INSTALLATIONS:

Woes & solutions T

he biggest mistake with in-joist heating is usually found after the house is finished and it’s too late to make easy changes. Normally, it’s the customer who calls and complains that the floors aren’t warm like they expected. So what do you do if you don’t have enough heat to a floor? And how can you prevent this situation? Here are a few situations where a good in-joist installation can go bad, and what to do about it.

The Floor SQUEAKS One of the most difficult problems to deal with cheaply is the post-installation complaint that the floors are creaking and squeaking. So how can you avoid this in the first place? • Use PEX-AL-PEX, or smooth-coated oxygen-barrier pipe; • When making a bend through a joist, use a corrugated plastic sleeve to stop the pipe from rubbing on the wood; • If using heat transfer plates, allow some expansion room between them; and • Avoid securing every inch of pipe – ensure that the pipe has somewhere to expand where it will not rub against anything. Inform your homeowner before the installation that some minor noise may occur, similar to the ticking of baseboard or radiators. Remember, you are not only there to install a system; you are there to manage their expectations too.

Where NOT to run pipe

FOR WANT OF FLOOR SENSORS Air-only thermostats may work just fine, however any area where the floor heat could be turned off because the thermostat is reacting to another heat source can result in cold floors. A prime example of this situation is floor heating in a bathroom. Whenever the shower steam heats up the bathroom, the floor turns off. When the homeowner gets out of the shower, expecting a nice warm floor… the floor fails to deliver. In the case of a bathroom, it could either be zoned as part of another zone that needs a lot of heat (one with lots of North-facing windows, for example), or a floor-sensor-compatible thermostat and floor sensor could be added to the bathroom. Floor sensors are available in many shapes, and should always be put in a sleeve (a piece of 1/2" PEX to an electrical box works well) so that the sensor can be replaced when it fails.

continued on page 62

Be aware of what’s above the pipe when doing in-joist installations. Don’t run pipe under pantries, wine rooms, or cabinets where food might be stored. It is especially important to avoid putting pipe near toilets, unless you want to upgrade the toilet seal to a plastic one when your wax melts!

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LLatest atest ‘buffed-up’ ‘buff ed--up’

007 7

New dir t barrier and impeller design with central filter

Our all-time favourite star has recently been given a real workout. Now the famous ‘007’ circulator is leaner, stronger and more refined than ever. We reduced the motor’s power slightly while increasing efficiency - to save energy dollars. Plus nem w meetallurgy means castings are thinner and lighter, yet stronger.

We’ve even redesigned the impellerm for maximum per formance and better dirt protection. It all adds up to the best circulator pump we’ve ever built. And for maximum flexibility, there’s also a 3-speed model. The all-new and improved 007, coming soon to a hydronic system near you.

T . TACO CANADA LTD 8450 Lawson Road, Milton, ON L9T 0J 8 Tel. 905-564-9422 Fax. 905-564-9436 www.taco-hvac.com

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HYDRONICS

continued from page 60

MANAGING THE

Partnering with professionals to create better human environments.

Our Mission:

OUTDOOR RESET What, you’re saying that outdoor reset can cause problems? Yes. But isn’t outdoor reset something that increases efficiency, and matches heat delivered to heat required? Yes. Does this always ensure that the floors are kept warm to the touch, like the homeowner expects? No. This issue is more about managing homeowner expectations, and designing for their desires. Despite the advantages of outdoor reset, your client may be happier if you set the in-joist system up as a set-point load, meaning that the same water temperature is delivered all the time. Yes, the rooms may overheat, and yes, the air conditioning may come on while the floors are delivering heat, but you told the customer they’d have warm floors, didn’t you? Well, those floors had better be warm when the customer expects them to be! If your controls are sophisticated enough, you might also be able to set a minimum supply temperature or minimum floor temperature, such that outdoor reset can still function, but the water temperature varies within tighter limits.

WORKING WITH

DIFFERENT FLOORING A change in floor covering can impede heat transfer significantly. For example, a system that may have worked with tile might not work very well if carpet is installed. It is also possible that the sub-flooring in the house is especially thick. In cases like this, you’ll need additional heat. But how does one generate additional heat? There are four main methods: increase the water temperature; add an additional run of pipe; add heat transfer plates; or add (more) insulation beneath the in-joist tubing. While the first solution seems easiest, beware! If you choose to turn up the water temperature, and the water temperature exceeds 150°F, there is risk of damaging the glues in the plywood sub-floor. To avoid this situation, run an additional loop of pipe through each joist space or add heat transfer plates. These measures will keep your original water temperature low, so you have some room to increase the water temperature if needed. It doesn’t cost much more to add a third run of pipe in each joist cavity, especially compared to having to rip down drywall to solve a preventable problem. Insulation is often something you can have the builder do for you. Make them aware that building code in some municipalities requires insulating beneath in-joist radiant pipes, and it’s a good idea regardless. You are trying to zone the space, such that you’re controlling heat in that zone without bleeding heat to other areas that the homeowner may not want heated at all, such as wine storage and exercise rooms beneath your installation. continued on page 64

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Al Crawford, General Contractor (Pinnacle)

Simply Innovative With almost 20 years of radiant Hydronics experience, Al Crawford is an expert when it comes to installing radiant heating systems. And when it comes to working with customers, Al’s philosophy has always been to do it once and do it right. That’s why Al prefers Uponor radiant heating systems when it comes toworking with his homebuilder customers. Innovation is at the heart of Uponor’s offerings. And teaming up with innovative thinkers, like Al Crawford ofPinnacle Home Environments, is just another example of how Uponor partners with professionals. That’s because at Uponor, we offer Simply More.

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HYDRONICS

Eric Riml works as a hydronic designer for Cronkhite Supply in Calgary, Alberta. He can be reached at feedback@hotwaterheating.info.

HANDLING HOT AND COLD SPOTS There are always installation issues that interfere with perfect heat coverage. Maybe the air conditioning or duct contractor filled up one joist cavity with ducting before you could get in there, or maybe the only practical remote manifold location creates a big trunk of pipes. Either way, you might have hot or cold spots.

One zone,

To deal with hot spots, it might be necessary to use smaller manifolds, and remote manifolds, and to use some of the returns from distant zones as floor heat for the through-zone, rather than filling up a joist run with 10 lengths of distribution piping.

When it comes to cold spots, it comes down to planning. Get in there first. Talk to your general contractor and plan the work. Find out what the flooring type is going to be, so you can add an extra run of pipe and heat transfer plates to get heat through slate or carpet.

When flooring changes within the same infloor zone, some loops can cross over flooring types. Thus, an area with carpet may be under-heated, while the adjacent tile is overheated. The preventative solution is to run loops in a manner that reflects the areas where the type of flooring may change, even if those areas are supposed to be treated as one zone:

The general contractor also needs to know that you need to be onsite before the HVAC ducting goes in, and that you may need to make provisions for remote manifolds before the framing is complete, in case you need a bulkhead built.

In this way, even if the heating zone crosses over a flooring change, you can balance the delivery of heat of each loop at the manifold.

You can also use perimeter returns, where the heat loss is greater, and where there is less chance for hotspots to be noticed by foot traffic. You can also sometimes run your distribution lines away from the heating surfaces, and insulate them separately.

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SPIROVENT

QUAD

AIR SEPARATOR • HYDRAULIC SEPARATOR DIRT SEPARATOR • LOW LOSS HEADER Over the past couple years we have had unprecedented requests to develop a hydraulic separator with real air elimination and dirt separation capabilities. You know, the features, benefits, and efficiencies of a Spirovent® and what has made it the industry standard that others are still trying to match. Not empty vessels with baffle plates, no optional baskets of random material, and certainly not simple empty vertical headers with an air vent stuck on top.

We Heard You. Spirotherm is proud to introduce the Spirovent Quad, a true hydraulic separator with world class Spirovent and Spirotrap® features in a low loss header. Years of research, development, and testing in many of the world’s hydronic capitals have resulted in a product you can trust, and the one you asked for. We don’t compromise on design so you don’t have to compromise your installations. Since the original design almost 40 years ago, we have tested all the ways to appease the cost reduction gurus, and shortcuts just won’t meet our standards. When you buy and install a Spirovent, you get a world class product backed by a family owned and operated company with factory trained representatives across North America.

The Spirovent Quad is available in the following conﬁgurations and construction: 1” thru 11⁄2” in Brass with Female Threads or Sweat Connections and the ability to use different size connections on each side to simplify your piping. 2” through 12” in Steel with Male Threads through 4” or Flanged Connections through 12” in standard ASME construction. All models include the full Spirotube® elements, problem free integral Spirotop® vent head and blow down valve.

T F W E

630-307-2662 630-307-3773 www.spirotherm.com info@spirotherm.com

with Roger Grochmal

Handling employee communications If you ask any employee in any company, you’ll likely hear the communication is not what they would like it to be – it’s either too much information, too little, or not in a style they prefer. How do you approach internal communications? Peter S., Ottawa, Ont. Roger Grochmal is the president of AtlasCare in Oakville, Ont. To submit a question about your company, business practices, or the industry in general, send an e-mail to Mechanical Business Magazine’s editor, Adam Freill, adam.freill@ mechanicalbusiness.com.

Meetings running long? A great book on how to managing meetings is Death by Meeting, by Patrick Lencioni.

M e c h a n i c a l

Employee communication is essential. Information needs to come from the top, expressing management’s vision, values and business goals. It needs to be honest and transparent, frequent, and effective for everyone. It’s important to remember that all of us process information in different ways. Choosing just one method can be risky.

We also have a quarterly town hall breakfast meeting with all staff to bring everyone up-todate. We strive for transparency to build trust with our people, and will answer any question that’s thrown at us. Regular notices are posted on three well-placed bulletin boards to keep people up-to-date on job openings, social events and news in the company. We also have dedicated boards for safety, customer feedback and key performance indicators (KPIs).

I happen to be very visual so I like things that are precisely written – charts, graphs and the like. Many people are auditory and like to be spoken to. They respond to an interpersonal, two-way communication. The third group is kinesthetic and likes to see it, hold it and play with it. The medium and It’s not enough to tell them about the message a new product or marketing I was recently in a meeting brochure, they need the hands-on, with software people describtactile experience. (There are lots ing a process they were planof people like this in the mechanining for our company. Most of cal trades, by the way.) us were “visuals” but the person who was most affected To reach everyone, we need to was a kinesthetic. He just couldn’t wrap his head communicate in multiple ways. around the concepts being discussed and was We do a number of things at becoming frustrated. Once I identified the issue AtlasCare. The first is a monthly and put the keyboard in his hands to explore the internal newsletter. It has a theme software, he was able to embrace the subject built around our core values and because he could now understand it. features people doing things that reinforce those values. We are experimenting with a daily huddle in a couple of areas of our business, to keep everyone on the same page. We also have a fair number of meetings, not only within departments but also across departments. I have a weekly operations meeting with my direct reports every Friday morning to review the past week and plan the next. Meetings usually have a singular focus so they can be kept short, and an action plan is always created for follow up. As managers, we are responsible for managing the meeting effectively.

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Lastly, I personally recognize all special events with our staff such as birthdays, work anniversaries and customer kudos by writing a personal note to them. This item alone probably gets me more positive feedback than any other thing we do. Of course, the most effective communication is an open door. When people know you’re always willing to communicate, they’ll come to you for the information they need.

Smart Just Got Smarter.

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Taking the heat off gas-fired systems ne day, Andy Schonberger got a call from Enbridge asking if there was a problem with his heating system. It seems the meter had been registering at zero for three months.

But it was no mistake, says the Director of Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainability located at the Kortright Centre in north Toronto. The heating and ventilation system for the 70,000 sq. ft. complex had been weaned off the gas-fired boiler in favour of solar and geothermal power sources – along with a few additional innovations like earth tubes.

be one of the lowest environmental impact properties in the country. “When it was designed in 2002, we were given the mandate to build something with as small an environmental footprint as possible,” Schonberger says. Now he’s setting his sights on achieving a LEED Platinum certification for Existing Buildings before year end. In fact, the engineering that went into the building’s infrastructure has drawn more visitors than the population of “animal ambassadors” it shelters on site. Schonberger says he has escorted more than 6,000 building professionals through the facility to see all the energy-saving innovations, from the below-ground mechanical room, all the way up to the green roof.

Certified Gold under LEED for New Construction, the centre is considered to

About Earth Rangers

HEATING FROM BELOW What makes the Earth Rangers Centre so special, says Schonberger, is the extra mile of integration to squeeze every watt for the highest savings possible. A big part of that is the property’s geothermal system, which has 44 wells, each 120 to 140 metres deep. “We managed to hack off one-fifth of our energy usage in 2010 by using geothermal,” he reports. continued on page 70

Earth Rangers is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring children to “Bring back the wild.” Its focus is to communicate a positive, science-based, message on the importance of protecting biodiversity and adopting more sustainable behaviours.

Advanced Advanced Geothermal Geothermal Technology T echnol e echnology Naturally, Naturally, by by B Bosch osch One of the leading names in advanced technology today, Bosch builds high-quality heat pumps and geothermal systems. Redmond/Williams carries the full Bosch Geothermal Heat Pump line, ranging from 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;6 ton water-to-air and water-to-water units. All heat pumps come with an ECM motor, 2-stage scroll compressor and quiet acoustic package.

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continued from page HVAC continued from page 6868

KEEPING THINGS FRESH

A compelling sight for the mechanical and technical types that wander the facility is the nine, 20-metre long, open-ended earth tubes made by Earth Rangers sponsor/partner Holcim (see sidebar: About Displacement Ventilation). These are buried three meters below ground and are the largest installation of their kind in North America. These play an important part in tempering fresh air to the building and keeping things at a constant temperature, Schonberger explains.

Another energy saving measure is demand control ventilation. Fresh air is circulated throughout the building using diffusers. Cool air is pushed into the space at floor level, and the stale air that rises is exhausted by the air handling system to the mechanical room where 75 per cent of the energy is recovered. “Most buildings are over ventilated, which adds to your energy costs,” Schonberger explains. An integral part of the whole exchange process is an enormous enthalpy wheel which pushes energy into the exhaust system in summer, and reverses the process in winter. It captures both latent and sensible energy that would otherwise be exhausted. “The only thing we need electricity for is the wheel and the fan, ” Schonberger says.

“Because the ground stays at a constant temperature, we can use the tubes to cool or heat the ventilation air without consuming electricity or gas. All we are doing is pulling air into the space with a fan and using the ground temperature to temper the air. There are virtually no mechanical systems at work. It’s probably the largest energy saving feature of this building.”

He points out that this type of heat recovery is nothing new. “The Air Canada Centre has two of them. What is neat however, is the integration of all this with the building automation system. Everything is on heat exchange cycles.”

In minus 30 degree weather for example, the earth tube system and heat recovery wheel are able to warm the ambient temperature to 18 degrees using only the ventilation fan and a 1/8 horsepower motor. As far as implementing this type of system he says, “It’s dead simple. You just lay the tubes in the ground. The initial projected payback was supposed to be seven years, but it will be far less.”

Enbridge would be happy to know that the facility does use a small amount of gas t o add humidity to the fresh air in the winter. On the rare occasions they might need the mechanical room’s natural gas boiler for backup, it runs at 95 per cent efficiency.

DID YOU KNOW? The on-site wastewater treatment plant at the Earth Rangers Centre can recycle up to 12,000 litres of wastewater per day for reuse in toilets, urinals, landscaping, and green roof irrigation.

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“With geothermal, one unit of electricity can mo ve more than three units of thermal energy from the ground. The end r esult is that the geothermal system is, in effect, three times more efficient than the boiler was.” Geothermal is also four times more efficient than typical chilling/cooling systems during the summer, he adds.

• K e e p i n g t h i n g s fr esh • R u n n in g h o t an d co ld

RUNNING HOT AND COLD The Earth Rangers Centre was one of the first 100 per cent radiant heated and cooled buildings in North America. The building has 22 kilometres of radiant tubing within the concrete floors and ceiling through which flows a non-toxic, vegetablebased liquid (water/glycol) to thermally activate the concrete. In the warm seasons, cooled liquid is supplied to the concrete slabs. The heat from the computers, people and the sun is absorbed by the concrete, causing the cooled liquid in the tubing to warm up. The liquid is then cooled by rejecting heat to the ground source system or free-cooled by directly coupling it to the building’s cooling tower. In the colder months, the glycol is warmed by the ground source heat pump before it is supplied to the slab system. The pièce de resistance, however, is the integrated monitoring system that keeps tabs on 80 electrical, six water, one gas and nine thermal energy meters. “I can see what the building is consuming historically every 15 minutes, and in real time,” Schonberger explains. “According to the data we have, this past year we have operated 90 per cent more efficiently than the minimum energy code level for this building.” And that, he hopes, will be enough to get that platinum prize.

ABOUT DISPLACEMENT VENTILATION The Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainability is one of the few buildings in the country to use displacement ventilation – an air distribution system that supplies air through diffusers located near the floor level and displaces, or moves, the warmer, relatively stale used air into return ducts near the ceiling. The premise is simple: People within the premises disturb the supplied air by walking and breathing which aids in the displacement. When the air eventually becomes stale from heat, it rises to the ceiling where it is picked up by the central exhaust duct system. The building automation system monitors quality based on temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, determining how much fresh air to supply to the building. This decreases the amount of energy required for ventilation based on occupancy levels.

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t has been more than 20 years since David Chilton’s The Wealthy Barber was first published, but its message – pa y yourself first – holds true today more than ever. The long awaited follow-up, The Wealthy Barber Returns: Significantly Older and Marginally Wiser, has just hit the shelves. Unlike the first book, this one is a non-fiction tale. There is no narrative storyline, and the characters and their chatty dialogue are gone. Instead, Chilton writes about the world of money in his signature frank and witty style.

Sneak Peek The Wealthy Barber Returns In the first few pages of his new book, Chilton outlines a scenario where cutting spending by just 6.25 per cent can increase savings by 150 per cent. It’s amazing math, but it works!

Chilton’s perspective is unique because he hasn’t actually worked in the investment industry for more than two decades. But because of this, he has no bias towards one financial product versus another. He has no hidden agenda. He’s truly able to write with the reader’s best interest at heart. And the 54 chapters are short – just a few pages each – resulting in a very easy read. There are no graphs, no pie-charts, and even if you follow only a few of his numerous suggestions on saving, spending and planning for retirement, your “future you” will thank you.

Cover Story

Photos: Michael Rao and Terry Manzo

By Liz Mills

Given the current economic climate, there’s probably never been a better time to tune up your financial planning skills. Whether you own your own mechanical contracting firm or are an employee, everyone should take stock of their personal financial situation. David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber and the just released The Wealthy Barber Returns, has been advising people to do just that for the past 20 years. His advice is simple but profound: “Spend less than you make!” David Chilton was born in Kitchener, Ont. and currently resides just outside Waterloo, Ont. He has a son, Scott (22) and a daughter,

Mechanical Business (MB): So, you started out as a stockbroker?

MB: Speaking of spending, furnishing a home can be an easy target for money that could be directed to savings. How big is your house?

David Chilton (DC): I did, but I quickly r ealized that what I truly loved doing was helping the average Canadian manage his or her money – financial planning versus buying and selling stocks. I started doing speaking engagements and realized I liked teaching. It’s weird but I was a speaker first, which led to writing. Usually it’s the other way around. I was speaking recently and several people came up and told me how positively The Wealthy Barber had impacted their lives. Nothing will ever rival the satisfaction I get from hearing people tell me that. Except the Tigers winning the World Did you know? Series, of course.

DC: It’s 1,300 square feet, including the basement! And I don’t have a garage. MB: What kind of heating and pl umbing do you have in your house? DC: I have a septic tank and a well, and the house is heated with an oil furnace. I don’t understand how any of it works, and that’s why I’m so glad that people like your readers are around! MB: So you don’t try to save money by being your own handyman?

DC: No, I don’t. My father and I once t ook four hours Dave is a fan of spor ts and to install a dimmer switch, and you should have seen MB: Our readers are decision books, and is an avid supporter how proud we were after our efforts. makers at mechanical conof every Detroit sports team. tracting firms and supply MB: What’s your guilty pleasure? Do you have any chain partners, many of hobbies that are an Achilles’ heel in your financial picture? which are small business enterprises. What are some of the key aspects in The Wealthy Barber Returns that will appeal to DC: Books and sporting events. But it’s a big myth that good savers them? are emotional robots. It’s just not true. Most good savers have a hobby or passion that requires a lot of money. They realize that DC: Everything! I come from a small business background so resources aren’t infinite and therefore they’re very careful with other I tend to be a bit biased toward that group. Also, not having expenses. Some sacrifices have to be made! a pension myself, I subconsciously write for that group. You have to save more and pay more attention to investment MB: So, what advice would you offer a young person in the trades? costs and returns when you don’t have a pension. The money is decent and the toys are out there to be had. Why shouldn’t they buy the $2,000 rims for their car? MB: In today’s volatile market, what’s a solid investment strategy? DC: They have to do the saving while the saving’s good. Financial good times might not last forever. Marriage, kids, divorce, losing a DC: It’s a myth that you change strategies with the market. job, all these things have big finanWe don’t know where the markets are going. So, precisely cial impacts, so they shouldn’t because of this, we have to have a common sense, long-term get in the habit of spending approach. You simply can’t out-guess the market. The best 100 per cent of their income. As investors balance their portfolio to their needs, and stay out I said, saving first and spending of their own way. second is good. The other way around just doesn’t work. MB: Does money that might be needed in the shor t-term ever belong in the stock market? And what do you consider “short-term”? DC: No, short-term money should never be in the stock market. You need time on your side to weather the volatility of the markets. The outlook should be seven to 10 years at least, maybe even up to 12. MB: One of your main principles has always been to pay yourself first – to save at least 10 per cent of e very pay cheque. Why is this so difficult for most people? DC: Saving comes easily and naturally for only a small percentage of people – about 15 t o 20 per cent. The rest struggle. It’s fun to spend, and everyone wants us to spend. The first half of The Wealthy Barber Returns is all about saving and spending, and the constant challenge of striking the right balance. If someone finds it hard to save more, there’s a great way around it: they can spend less! The simple truth is this: Save first, spend the rest = good. Spend first, save the rest = bad.

FAST FACTS • It takes 10,000 copies of a book to achieve best-seller status in Canada. The Wealthy Barber has sold more than 2 million copies in Canada, making it the bestselling financial book ever by a Canadian author. • David Chilton is a true entrepreneur: he has never had a resume, never applied for a job, and never been on a job interview. • Chilton is not, and never has been, a barber.

Courtney (20). You can Tweet David @wealthy_barber.

Better Control. Better Systems.

tekmar offers an integrated system solution for heat

Leading the Way in Heat Pump Control With an increased focus on going green, heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative energy source in hydronic applications. Geothermal or air source heat pumps provide the beneﬁt of supplying up to 4 or 5 times the amount of energy put into them. This “free” energy comes from the ground or the outside air making it an attractive solution for heating or cooling systems. To get the best performance out of a heat pump system, the interaction between the zones, heat pump, domestic hot water and the back up heat source must be integrated in an organized and intelligent way. With the use of a single control, the entire system can be coordinated to seamlessly work together, improving system efﬁciency, reliability, and energy savings. House Control 406

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Integration Optimizes Heat Pump and Backup Operation Heat pump applications may require a backup heat source to provide additional capacity when a heat pump alone is not sufﬁcient. Common heat sources could include electric resistance, modulating condensing boiler or on/off non-condensing boiler. The House Control 406 will maximize operation of the heat pump by monitoring existing conditions. If conditions are not optimal, the control will enable the backup to satisfy the heating load.

Integration Improves Heat Pump Performance Current heat pump applications operating with stand-alone setpoint or outdoor reset controls do not achieve their highest performance. During heating, heat pump performance can be improved with lower return water temperatures. The House Control 406 will target the lowest water temperature possible while still maintaining a comfortable temperature in the space. This is achieved through integration of outdoor reset & communicating thermostats which provide indoor temperature feedback.

Heat/Cool Coil

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Radiant Zones Heat/Cool Storage Tank Water to Water Heat Pump

pump applications making the House Control 406

Expansion Tank

tekmar Control Systems Offers a Better Control The House Control 406 is a heat pump control that operates up to two stages of air-to-water or water-to-water heat pump, in either heating or cooling mode in a single storage tank, 2-pipe system. The 406 operates a boiler for Domestic Hot Water, set point load, boiler zones, and backup for the heat pump.

Integration Provides Intelligent Switchover A single tank 2-pipe system can only operate in either heating or cooling mode. The House Control 406 polls the thermostats to determine requirements for heating or cooling. When enough thermostats require the opposite mode, an automatic switchover occurs. In heating mode the 406 control forces the cooling zones off, likewise, if the control is in cooling mode, the heating zones are forced off. This more intelligent switchover maximizes overall system performance to better meet the requirements of the building.

DID YOU KNOW…

When a heat pump system has intelligent switchover to cooling through integration of the thermostats, any radiant floor zones have the potential to do floor cooling. Adding a humidity sensor to the system is all that is needed to calculate dew point in order to do floor cooling properly.

Leading the Way. New Innovation in Heat Pump Control Introducing the House Control 406. Finally you can operate heat pumps and boilers together in hydronic heating and cooling applications. Integrated zoning boosts system performance and allows intelligent switchover.

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PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES CIPH ABC 2011

Sustainability, from Sea to Sea to Sea More than 260 Delegates and Companions from across North America attended the CIPH 2011 Annual Business Conference, held June 26-29 in Victoria, B.C. This year’s conference was capped by former astronaut Dave Williams, who provided an entertaining keynote presentation that included images from his trips to space. In addition to the educational sessions and business meetings, the groundbreaking ceremony for CIPH’s Habitat for Humanity Home Build in Saanich was also held during the ABC. This marks the 8th Home Build that CIPH has sponsored in Canada to date. Next year’s event will be held in Montebello, Que. ciph.com

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1. Looking for clues during “The Ultimate Strategic Amazing Race”, one of the companion events during the conference. 2. Dan Milroy accepts a gavel from Russ Morgan in recognition of his service as chair of the Industrial Pipe, Valve and Fittings Council. 3. The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, B.C. 4. Breaking ground on the latest CIPH Habitat for Humanity build site. 5. Opening night featured a murder mystery. 6. Piping in the executive. 7. Ken Webster of Viessmann shows off his cowbell playing skills. 8. Sean Giberson of Taco receives an award from (now) past-CIPH chair Russ Morgan. 9. Rick Proulx of Cash Acme carries a tune during the Fun Night dinner. 10. John Hammill, chair of the ABC 2011 planning committee. 11. Kim Elliott interviews Cliff Sarjeant and Paul Blaik during the new delegates reception. 12. MCAC chair Brad Diggens brought greetings from his allied association. 13. A little stretch goes a long way. 14. Alan Beaulieu proved economists can have a sense of humour. 15. Canada’s first dual astronaut and aquanaut, Dave Williams was the keynote speaker.

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Three letters you know and trust. OS&Bâ&#x201E;˘ has been supplying the Canadian Plumbing Trade for over 36 years. Through your continuous support, we have earned a solid reputation for quality, dependability and innovation. Thank-you. The OS&BTM mark on each product is your guarantee.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada 1

Aloha from Quebec To offer a taste of its 2012 conference, MCAC held a Hawaiian-themed dinner to wrap up this year’s conference in Quebec City. The association hosted 240 delegates over the span of the four-day event, which featured a keynote speech by Michael “Pinball” Clemons, as well as numerous business sessions. Next year’s conference is destined for Hawaii. mcac.ca 2

4 1. Speaker Gregg Shoppman of FMI Management Consultants talks estimating. 2. Floral was the theme as delegates came out in droves for Hawaiian night 3. Pinball Clemons connects with Andrew Wong, Mike Ohlmann and Dean Loewen. 4. Keynote speaker Michael “Pinball” Clemons. 5. “Coach” Brad Diggens. 6. John Baker, president of MCA Saskatchewan, shows his Rider pride. 7. MCAC president Richard McKeagan shows his bubble hockey prowess. 8. John and Debra Goshulak during Hawaiian night. 9. MCAC chair Brad Diggens recalling the week that was. 10. Tim Meadows at the podium. 11. Steve Coleman shows the championship style of the Bruins. 12. Victaulic’s Tim Meadows really liked his referee’s shirt. 13. Comedian Paul Huschilt provided a quick, and hilarious, 45-minute wrap-up of the week’s events, much to the chagrin of Brad Diggens (see Photo 9). 14. Tania Johnston, executive director of the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation, hoists “The Cup”.

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Garry Scott is the vice-president of wholesale marketing with Moen Canada. He can be reached at garry.scott@moen.com.

Commercial faucets, flush valves and showerheads provide the right solution for Ontario’s largest Community College

With more than 17,000 full-time students enrolled at Humber College, it is one of the largest colleges in Canada and its washroom facilities are in constant use, especially in high-traffic areas like cafeterias and main hallways. Having washrooms out-ofservice is simply out of the question. So when the college’s plumber, Martin Kondrat, was faced with malfunctioning fixtures, he went looking for a commercial product that could stand up to the daily rigors, and yet still be easy-to-service. “I wanted to choose something that could withstand the wear and tear,” he says. Adding to the complexity of the retrofit was the need to convert the campus washrooms to hands-free facilities. Health issues, such as the potential for bugs like the H1N1 virus to spread through physical contact, were top-of-mind for the administration at the college.

spread of germs and bacteria from user to user. According to Griffin, water saving was also a factor when selecting products for the Humber College facilities. The selected faucets feature a 1.9 litres per minute (L/min) flow rate, which allows the college to decrease the number of daily litres used, which also translates into reduced sewage bills, less hot water consumption and energy savings. The flush valves now in use also feature a reduced flow rate, which provided water savings of 20 per cent over the previous valves, helping Humber College to meet its goal of reduced water consumption in its washrooms.

“With the issues surrounding H1N1, moving to an automated system made sense,” explains David Griffin, the college’s manager of maintenance and operation. “Such a high volume of people use the facilities each day; therefore, we knew we needed products that offered a hygienic solution, as well as provided water savings.” The maintenance team at Humber College was looking for faucets and flush valves that would be easy-to-use, as well as be a safe and reliable replacement option for manual products. The college decided on faucets and flush valves that feature motion sensors to provide hands-free activation. “Disease control is an issue in any commercial facility, especially one that sees roughly 20,000 individuals in it on a daily basis, ” says Griffin. Without handles to touch before and after use, the faucets and flush valves help prevent the

SAVING IN THE SHOWER,TOO

ON CAMPUS

Humber College also installed low-flow showering products in its athletic facility, reports Kondrat. “The showers there are running a minimum of 12 to 14 hours a day, so they’re under constant use, as well. We’ve seen additional watersavings there, too.”

David Griffin (left) and Martin Kondrat in one of the campus washrooms.

TRYING TO PITCH A RETROFIT? Some clients call asking for retrofit options, but others need a bit more of a push to consider replacing their existing manual plumbing faucets and fixtures. When preparing for a sales meeting to talk retrofits, some of the key points to raise in favour of hands-free commercial equipment include: • Water savings • Reliability • Simplified installation and service • Low maintenance requirements 80

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If you’re a plumbing and heating professional, you know that customers call

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PLUMBING

B y Der r ick L u n d y

TAKING DRAINAGE to a loftier place

very jobsite offers unique challenges. When it comes to higher-end residential or commercial installations, there are typically a few choices to make when selecting the right solution for plumbing, process, wash-down or exterior surface drainage. Ductile iron, PVC, copper and nickel bronze are the usual candidates.

As new products are rushing in to improve all facets of building performance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from hydronic efficiency to water use, re-use and backflow prevention â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it only makes sense that drainage technologies advance as well. But given their behind-the-wall, under-thefloor, behind-the-scenes status, the drain is often last on the list for specifier consideration. Recently, however, stainless steel and plastic technologies have started to make their way into the mix for designers, specifiers and installers.

STAINLESS ON THE HIGH SEAS Stainless steel sanitary discharge systems have proven their reliability in more than 10 million lineal feet of piping aboard cruise ships, ferries, luxury yachts, naval vessels, cargo vessels and offshore platforms.

continued on page 84

M Trusted Tr T rusted above al all.l.TTM

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SYSTEM XFR ® – The world’s first PVC DWV piping system rated for plenums & high rises

s any contractor or engineer knows, cast iron is heavy, cumbersome and prone to corrosion. That’s why we’ve created System XFR®, a revolutionary PVC Drain, Waste and Vent piping system rated for high rises and plenums. System XFR® is 75% lighter than equivalent lengths of cast iron, making it easier to handle and install. Very durable, it won’t rust, pit, scale or corrode like cast iron and its interior and exterior walls stay smooth, ensuring years of reliable service. And as the world’s first uncoated PVC DWV system fully approved for non-combustible applications, XFR® meets all fire-resistance and smoke development code requirements. Add up all the advantages and it’s clear that System XFR® is the preferred choice for DWV in non-combustible construction.

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PLUMBING continued from page 82

SHINING UP TO STAINLESS

Professional Series Sump Pumps

A recent entry onto the drainage “stage” has been the introduction of stainless steel systems. A wide variety of this product has entered the global market, many of which got their start in Europe. Stainless steel applications range from residential bathrooms to large industrial facilities, with product for standard and customized floor drains, and drainage pipes and channels. Properly treated, low-porosity stainless steel has a uniquely smooth surface that offers excellent hygienic performance and resistance to bacteria-laden biofilm. Stainless steel is also recyclable and non-toxic, making it an environmentally friendly solution, and one that can help with earning LEED certification. Stainless steel drainage systems are also well-suited for use in the food and beverage industries, as well in as pharmaceutical and chemical plants. Stainless steel floor drains with gas-tight covers, flushing-rim drains, dual-contained drains, pipes and channels can be used to provide fluid drainage from production areas, labs and clean rooms.

Engineered For Performance Features: Available in ¼", ⅓" & ½" hp 1 ¼" or 1 ½" discharge outlet Ver cal or tethered ﬂoat Raised suc on inlet prevents debris intake

Trench drains turn to plastics Lightweight, plastic trench drains are another example of commercial drainage innovation. Within this category of product are pre-sloped trench drain systems and neutral trench runs, which are frequently installed where the ground is already pitched, or where depth constraints restrict the use of deeper channel sections. Several of these drainage systems are available with some components pre-assembled from the manufacturers. For example channels are often available already assembled to frames. Grates, lockdowns, frame connectors and end caps are typically added in the field. Some even include construction covers that eliminate the unpleasant task of attempting to remove hardened concrete from the channel after the pour.

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Piping connections join the cast iron, plastic or o ther pipe material to the outlet of the drain. Closed outlets are on the bottom of each channel section and on the end caps. Runs ma y slope to the centre, away from the centre, or in multiple directions, with a corner, tee, or cross option.

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Derrick Lundy is the drains product manager with W atts Water Technologies (Canada), Inc. He can be reached at dlundy@wattscanada.ca.

A Division of Canature North America Inc.

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Is It TIME2RENEW? Check your label

SUB.# 123456789 - TIME2RENEW JOHN SMITH PRESIDENT ABC CONTRACTING LTD. 123 MAIN STREET TORONTO ON M1A 1A1

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ROAD WARRIORS

Photos: Chris Reardon

B y David Jan zen

The partnership of Roode and Rose Plumbing and Heating all started in 1992. At the time Clarence Rose was working for Frank Roode in FM Roode’s plumbing division. The two struck a deal, starting a new company with just three employees. Eric Foren joined the pair in 2007, making the company a true “Three Amigos” enterprise. Since its inception, Roode and Rose has grown to 30 employees, with all of it being “accomplished via an incredible amount of teamwork,” says Rose.

Name: Clarence Rose Title: Hydronics and plumbing specialist, partner Age: 52 In the mechanical industry since: 1976 Trade school: Nova Scotia Institute of Technology

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Name: Frank Roode Title: HVAC specialist, partner Age: 63 In the mechanical industry since: 1965 Trade school: Nova Scotia Institute of Technology

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Company: Roode and Rose Plumbing and Heating Specialists Ltd. Location: Dartmouth, N.S. Age of company: 19 years Number of employees: 30 Make and model of service vehicles: 3/4-ton GMC Savanas, 16 of them. Service area: 100 kilometre radius with the Halifax Regional Municipality as its centrepoint.

Name: Eric Foren Title: Operations mgr., partner Age: 51 In the mechanical industry since: 1979 Trade school: “The school of hard knocks. I was hired by my uncle at a wholesaler of plumbing and heating products.”

R o o d e an d R o se an d Fo r en What’s the best thing that has ever happened to you on the Job?

Any funny or embarrassing stories while working?

E.F. “Being thanked for a job well done — along with a Nova Scotia home award for the most energy efficient design and installation.” F.R. “A big kiss from an elderly lady for doing a good job.” C.R. “Having customers tell us that we reduced their heating bill by 50 per cent, or more.”

C.R. “I once dropped my cell phone into a customer’s toilet. I had to remove the toilet in order to retrieve it.”

What challenges does the East Coast climate present? E.F. “Hurricanes and tropical storms can delay outside work. Keep in mind, however, that the weather effects everything we do from cooling in the summer to heating and climate control in the winter.” Favourite sport to watch: F.R. Hockey and NASCAR E.F. Hockey C.R. Hockey Favourite local spot for lunch: E.F. & F.R. Brewdebaker’s Tap & Grill

How do you define customer service? F.R. It’s the satisfaction of knowing we did a good job, and that the customer will call us back. Favourite course to golf: F.R. River Oakes E.F. Grandview Golf & Country Club C.R. Glen Arbour My rule of thumb is... C.R. “It pays to be nice.” F.R. “Treat people as you like to be treated.” When I was a kid I wanted to be... F.R. “an adult.” E.F. “a fireman, of course.” C.R. “a fireman.”

Looking for Lobster? Franks’s choice: Fourchu, Cape Breton Eric’s choice: Sou’Wester Restaurant, Peggy’s Cove Clarence’s choice: Boondocks Dining Room & Lounge, Eastern Passage Best concert ever attended?

Places to visit in Nova Scotia: Biggest pet peeve: F.R. “Government over spending.”

Who do you want for your road hockey team? Unanimous: Sidney Crosby

F.R. Rankin Family E.F. “The Cabot Trail. Spectacular views and exciting drive.” C.R. “The Bay of Fundy to check out the highest tides in the world.” What’s your radio set to? F.R. CBC and 89.9 FM Favourite performer: F.R. Alan Jackson E.F. Bruce Springsteen C.R. Elton John If you could have lunch with any celebrity, who would it be?

Favourite car E.F. “My Camaro SS RS 2.” F.R. Dodge Viper The best advice somebody has given you is: C.R. “Fix your mistakes.” If you had $100,000 to invest in your business, you would... Unanimous: “Expand the company through acquisitions.”

C.R. Bill Gates M e c h a n i c a l

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HVAC

B y C h r ist ian Vach o n , P.E n g., M .S c.

SOLAR AIR HEATING: A profitable niche for HVAC contractors

Christian Vachon, P.Eng. is president of Enerconcept Technologies a solar air heating equipment manufacturer. Vachon is also chairman of the solar air heating committee of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CANSIA). He can be reached at info@enerconcept.com.

here are a lot of opportunities and profits in the booming solar energy contracting field, but mechanical contractors not involved in the hydronic sector may feel like they’ve been left out of the party. Canada has thousands of water-based solar thermal projects, not to mention the photovoltaic (PV) cell projects that have been popping up everywhere, but these typically fall under the domains of plumbing, hydronic and electrical contractors.

Solar water heating and PV have also gotten a disproportionate amount of solar news media coverage. However, a less publicized, but very efficient solar category spells good news for the mechanical contractor looking for additional business. The emerging market of solar air heating for commercial buildings is growing fast and represents a significant opportunity for HVAC contractors to get a piece of the lucrative solar business.

HOW SOLAR AIR HEATING WORKS Wall-mounted solar air collectors typically consist of a facade of metal or glazing that is mounted on cladding four to 12 inches from the building wall. Heat builds up inside the collector – either from the absorber (building wall) in glazing collectors or the facade itself in the case of metal collectors. The building's connected HVAC system draws the heat into the facility.

Solar air heating typically needs ductwork, building automation control, dampers and other connections. Thus, solar air heating is potentially another profitable niche HVAC contractors can add to their businesses.

Structure Wall

With some models of glazing collectors, temperatures of 81°F (45°C) above ambient are possible. And the Canadian Standards Association (CSAInternational) has rated some solar air heaters as high as 80.7 per cent efficient.

Solar Wall

The collector typically supplements the HVAC system’s air heating needs, but on optimum solar days it can provide up to 100 per cent of air heating requirements. Roof-mounted solar air heaters are also available.

FASTFACT Solar air heaters can help remedy negative building pressure problems in winter months, since the air exchange rate can be maintained or increased without incurring significant rises in energy costs that can be associated with conditioning the incoming outdoor air. With solar air, the incoming stream has already been pre-conditioned.

In retrofit situations, the HVAC contractor installs the ductwork, temperature controls, and fans (if needed) in coordination with an existing HVAC system. Some HVAC contractors may even choose to install the collector themselves. continued on page 90

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HVAC

continued continued from from page page 88 88

Most systems are delivered as kits and only involve anchoring the aluminum cladding structure to the wall and securing the metal facade or glazing to it. And most wall-mounted solar manufacturers can easily train any contractor to install the collector itself. The only major outside expense is a lift rental. In new industrial construction projects, the addition or inclusion of a solar air heating system can be addressed during design meetings, and the installing HVAC contractor can add that to the price of their contract.

BOMBARDIER GOES GREEN Laval, Que., based mechanical firm Lys Air Mecanic Inc. recently installed a Lubi wall-mounted solar air collector in an outdoor air retrofit of a 40,000 sq. ft., hangar-style building at the Mirabel Airport, northwest of Montreal. The building is a research and development facility owned by Bombardier, the world's third largest aircraft manufacturer. Bombardier's Serge Dumont, P.Eng., the plant engineering and tooling manager, opted for the equipment because of an estimated two-year payback â&#x20AC;&#x201C; made possible through incentives from Natural Resources Canada (NRC) and a rebate from the Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF) of the local natural gas utility, Gaz Metro. The 145-foot-wide and 12-foot-high solar collector aesthetically simulates architectural windows and covers about 25 per cent of the 7,600 sq. ft. masonry wall. The solar air collector supplements an existing 7,000 cfm Bousquet rooftop make-up air unit by preheating wintertime outdoor air. The collector delivers an annual 16-ton reduction of CO2 emissions and approximately $5,000 in natural gas savings. Over the course of its 20-year lifecycle, the natural gas savings could well rise past $100,000. Total lifecycle CO2 reductions are estimated at 320 tons. The solar collector's rising air culminates in a sheet metal mixing box hidden from view architecturally by a parapet. The mixing box also features a bypass damper manufactured by T. A. Morrison Co., which is controlled by a Honeywell building automation system. A black weather-resistant exterior duct coating was also applied to provide optimum solar radiation absorption and negates the need for duct insulation.

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REDUCING ENERGY COSTS Plastech Inc., a manufacturer of thermoplastic sealing and automotive components based in Sherbrooke, Que., wanted to reduce the annual energy costs associated with heating its shipping area with a propane-fired heater. To do this, local mechanical contractor Leprohon incorporated a 90-foot-long and 24-foot-high solar air collector into the outdoor air supply. The contractor also installed a mixing plenum with an outdoor air damper that introduces heat from the collector into the shipping area via DuctSox fabric ductwork. After government and utility incentives, the system is expected to provide a payback of four years, and has reduced Plastech's CO2 emissions by 15 tons per year.

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HVAC

B y A d am Fr eill

CASE STUDY

BEFORE

With the move to highefficiency heating equipment, venting has become a major challenge, especially in the retrofit and replacement market. In some buildings, finding an appropriate spot for one vent termination can be difficult enough, but add the venting needs of a highefficiency furnace to those of a direct-vent water heater, and that could mean trying to find appropriate locations for three holes in the wall. That can be enough to crack even the most seasoned technician. One option that some contractors have turned to is the use of a hydronic air handler rather than a furnace. By replacing or tapping into an existing – and appropriately rated – water heater, an air handler can be used to support the forced air heating needs of the structure. These systems use the existing ductwork, and sometimes even the existing exhaust location – meaning that drilling through foundation walls isn’t always necessary.

The Project Building Two-storey brick home, approximately 60 years old.

THE CHALLENGE The existing furnace and water heater were both close to the end of their natural service lives, so the homeowner was investigating the replacement of his aging mid-efficiency furnace and water heater. The existing mechanical room was at the far end of the basement, and the equipment was not located along an outside wall. In addition, the rest of the basement was finished living space, so locating vent runs, and finding appropriate locations for multiple vent penetrations made movement to a high-efficiency gas furnace and water heater problematic. In addition to finding an appropriate location for all the necessary vent terminations, the potential length of supply and exhaust vent piping was also a concern. The basement was finished, so relocating the mechanical equipment and all the supply and return sheet metal to shorten the vent run was not an attractive option. continued on page 94

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The Players Mechanical Contractor: Mike Trigiani, Home Air Systems Inc. Equipment Supplier: Redmond/Williams Distributing Equipment Manufacturer: Rinnai Existing Mechanicals • 21-year-old, 50 gallon natural vent, gas-fired storage-type water heater • 17-year-old, mid-efficiency 90,000 BTUH B-vent gas-fired furnace Replacement Equipment • Rinnai condensing 97% efficient tankless water heater • Rinnai 75,000 BTUH hydronic air handler

HVAC

continued continued from from page page 88 92

THE SOLUTION Since this was going to be a complete mechanical make-over, working off of one fuel-burning appliance was a serious contender for the retrofit. Once the concern with vent runs was included in the discussion, the use of a heating loop off the DHW source became the system of choice. The existing 21-year-old tank-style water heater (not rated for combo use) was removed and a tankless water heater was installed along an exterior wall with access to an area where vent clearances were not going to be a problem. The new system uses a single concentric vent to take care of both incoming air and exhaust.

AFTER

The furnace was swapped out with a hydronic air handler, which occupies a similar footprint and was placed in the same location as the existing furnace. The air handler is connected to the tankless water heater with 3/4" PEX supply and return lines running some 35 feet each. The maximum distance for such runs in the installed system is 75 feet in each direction, so the system is well within operating parameters.

Ideal candidates for AIR HANDLERBASED systems There are limits to the size of home that can make use of an air handler running off a hot water heating loop, but homes with multiple levels where the mechanical room is located in the basement work well for the application.

The air handler is connected to the existing ductwork, meaning that the existing air filtration system can still be used. And the homeowner opted to replace his air conditioner at the same time as the heating and DHW upgrade, providing greater efficiency for both heating and cooling seasons. Finding innovative solutions to HVAC problems is often associated with additional costs, but the installer of this system reports that the installed cost was very similar to that of a system where venting was not a concern.

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The size of the system is limited by the maximum BTUH output of the air handler, so a proper heat load calculation is a necessary first step. While the system outlined here operates on a tankless water heater, systems can make use of condensing boilers, keeping in mind that the air handler must be appropriately sized to handle the demands present during the heating season. Some contractors do mix and match brands of air handlers and water heaters/boilers, but matched systems are available in the marketplace.

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PLUMBING

B y S am S t eele Sam Steele is a professor of plumbing at Humber College in T oronto, he is also a member of the Metro Area Plumbing Advisory Committee as well as an executive member of the Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association. www.opia.info

Traps and vents:

Getting it right

ccording to code, a vent pipe that protects a fixture trap is required to be located so that the developed length of the trap arm is not less than twice the size of the f ixture drain.

There are a number of reasons for this to be included in the code, but the main purpose is to avoid clogs. The closer a vent is to a trap, the more likely it is to become clogged over time. A 1-1/4” waste pipe (trap arm) many not be able to accommodate all the water draining down it, so water may go up the vent. This could leave skin, soap and hair deposits, which will build up on the inner w all of the vent. Also, the closer the trap is to the vent, the faster the rate of evaporation for the water in that trap. This can cause the trap to dry. An example of this could be a floor drain that is not primed.

WHY THE MINIMUM?

THE FALL OF THE ARM The total fall of the trap arm cannot be greater than its inside diameter. For example, a five-foot (1.5 metre) arm graded at 1/4" (1:50) per foot equals 1-1/4” total fall. This would be the maximum allowable run length for 1-1/4” pipe. As the pipe size increases, the fall per foot over a five-foot run can increase.

The minimum of one waste pipe diameter fall is to ensure that the trap will not siphon itself.

A horizontal drainage pipe should have a fall, or slope, that is self-cleansing. This is when the liquid waste swirls around the perimeter of the inside of the pipe wall, with the inner core being air. All solids should be waterborne, meaning that all matter is in suspension. Too much fall results in the liquid waste travelling too fast, which may leave solids behind. This could cause a reduced inner bore size, and could result in a blockage as solid waste, hair, soap, skin and other solids build up. Too little fall results in the liquid waste travelling too slow, which may also lead to the waste settling on the bottom of the trap arm. Small bore pipes offer more resistance to flow because they run full, or nearly full. Consequently, a minimum fall of 1/4" per foot is required. There is no maximum stated, except the total of one waste pipe diameter. A lesser slope is allowed on four-inch and larger pipe. An absolute minimum slope that will permit a flow rate of at least two feet per second (0.6 m/sec) is allowed if the normal minimum cannot be achieved.

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CHANGES IN DIRECTION A trap arm should not have a cumulative change in direction of more than 135°. This can be the equivalent of one 90° and one 45° elbow, or three 45° elbows. This is so that air can penetrate the whole system. Too many changes of direction can cause friction, and sluggish flow.

Multiple Boiler Mishap

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Congratulations to Lyle McGill,

You have been called to help solve some comfort issues on a new large custom home. When you arrive you see there are five zones of heating. Zones 1, 3 and 5 are air handler zones with A/C. Zones 2 and 4 are infloor heating zones (for comfort only). The owners say that most of the winter everything is comfortable and working fine, however, when it gets really cold the house always seems to be a little cooler than they would like, and the boilers seem to come on and off a lot. The boilers and the gas piping are correct. The venting is correct. And all safeties and settings are correct. Based on the information on the rating plates, the air handlers are sized correctly.

owner of McGill Plumbing, Heating and Wiring in Southampton, Ont., a recent Find the Fix winner. He’s the proud new owner of a Milwaukee M12 Hammer Drill. Be sure to pick up the next edition of Mechanical Business to see who claims the next prize, and for the next edition of Find the Fix!!

Looking for the answers? The answer key for the July/August quiz is: 1-B, 2-D, 3-D (Could actually be 1-1/4"), 4-C, 5-C If you need the quiz, check it out in our issue archive at www.mechanicalbusiness.com.

3. Zone 3 checks out fine but you do the math and decide that:

BASED ON THIS INFORMATION: 1. You start at the boilers and they are piped correctly, or are they? The boilers are piped with 1-1/4” pipe and then tie into 1-1/2” pipe out to the 5 zones and back. What size piping would you choose? a) 1-1/4” to the 1-1/2” is fine. This is not the issue. b) It all should be piped with 1-1/2”, including the boilers. c) It should be piped with reverse-return on the boilers. d) The boiler piping is fine, but the main piping should be 2”. e) None of the above. 2. Zone 1 is a 70,000 BTUH air handler and has 1” supply/return piping. You do the math and decide: a) Everything is fine with this zone. b) To change the piping to 3/4" because the fittings on the A/H are only 3/4". c) You purge the unit, just in case there is still air trapped in the coils. d) To add an air vent by the A/H, located in the attic, just in case it is an air problem

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a) It is ok as the A/H fittings are 3/4" and it is piped with 1”. b) The piping should be 1-1/4”. c) You check for air but don’t get any. d) The pump isn’t matched to the BTUHs, so you suggest a larger pump. 4. Zones 2 and 4 are doing the infloor and everything seems fine. When running, there is a 20-degree delta T on both zones, and the rooms never seem to be a problem. This is because: a) A 20-degree delta is correct for all infloor heating jobs. b) They are connected with 3/4" supply/return piping, which is fine based on the inputs required. c) You could have piped this with 1/2" supply/return based on the BTUHs required. d) The manifold connections are 1”, so it should have been piped with 1”.

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

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PLUMBING

B y Jo h n C ar d iff an d Den t o n Gaiser

Keeping the

SUMP

DEALING WITH

pumping properly

TIGHT SPACES There are different types of sump pump float switches available that turn the pump on and off. For example, a wide angle switch typically requires a larger area for the float switch to work properly because it works in a swinging action.

ump pumps are pretty robust units designed to provide reliable performance for years, standing faithfully by to kick into action when the need arises. As trustworthy as they are, however, there are always things that can go wrong with a unit or an installation. Thankfully, there are practices that can be employed to help minimize the likelihood of a pump failure, or the need to troubleshoot a pump that’s having performance issues.

When replacing a vertical or columntype sump pump, make sure there is sufficient room for the float switch to operate properly. It might be beneficial, if space is tight, to consider using a submersible sump pump. These provide compact and tidy installations, as well as more efficient pumping. In smaller basins, we recommend units that use a vertical float switch over a wide angle style of switching mechanism.

When selecting and installing a sump correctly, the first thing to consider is whether the application is for residential or commercial use. Most residential applications are fairly similar, however, commercial applications can vary considerably. Residential applications can usually be satisfied by using a 1/4 or 1/3 horsepower submersible sump pump. Many manufacturers offer sump pumps in 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 hp sizes, however, the 1/2 hp models are usually called into action when higher flows and heads are required on certain applications.

A vertical type switch will work in a much smaller space because it has a float that rides up and down on the float rod, so this would be recommended for smaller tanks or pits.

Many new sump applications are plumbed to discharge out the side of the house, onto the lawn. It is important to make sure there are no obstructions that could affect the outlet. This is especially important during winter months, to ensure that the discharge piping of the pump does not freeze. Once the pump is installed, never allow it to run dry. Doing so may cause damage to the mechanical seal. So, remember to fill the sump basin with water before testing the pump for proper operation.

If a wide angle switch is chosen, it is important to ensure there is enough room for the wide angle switch to move freely in the sump basin and that it won’t get “hung up” on the side of the basin being used.

continued on page 102

SUMP PUMP TIP: When looking at possible pump models, selecting one with upper and lower heavy-duty, permanently-lubricated motor bearings can help ensure a long motor life.

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“I can’t take a leak.” “That’s why I only use Dahl valves.” Nothing makes my blood boil like going back on a job to replace a leaky valve that’s caused water damage. I just can’t stand it, and now I don’t have to because I’m using Dahl valves, covered by a 25-year warranty. With Dahl on our trucks, I sleep better at night. Want to know more? Call toll-free 1-855-423-4862. Josh, Gaylen or Thomas will answer your questions. Or visit us at www.dahlvalve.com

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PLUMBING continued from page 100

Join The Green Scene

KEEP IT CLEAN A common failure of a sump pump is caused by the pump being installed in a dirty sump pit that contains gravel or other debris that gets drawn into the impeller of the pump and jams it. To avoid this, the installer should clean the sump pit thoroughly. Then, when installing the sump pump, it is recommended to have the pump sit a couple inches off the bottom of the pit. And be sure to account for space to service the pump at a later date. Some submersible sump pumps have a “screened top inlet” where the inlet of the pump is elevated above the bottom of the pit to help eliminate this problem. Even with this type of pump, however, it is still best to mount the pump on a brick to raise it up and avoid any problems.

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The use of a dedicated outlet with separate circuit breaker is the best route to take, where and when possible. Extension cords should never be used to connect a sump pump to an electrical outlet.

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GETTING ELECTRIFIED When installing the sump pump, you will need to identify where the electrical outlet is located in relation to the sump basin. Check the local electrical and plumbing codes to ensure that the installation is in compliance with the local regulations.

WATCO

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A common issue with sump pumps stem from the float. If the pump does not start, the float may be stuck within the tank. Try repositioning the float. If this fails, the float may need to be replaced.

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• Keep it clean • Check your measurements • Getting electrified

CHECK YOUR MEASUREMENTS What is the vertical elevation of the application? Normally it will be no more than eight to 10 feet of vertical lift. Friction losses in the discharge pipe must be taken into consideration when the horizontal offset is greater than 50 feet. When dealing with such long lengths, the size of the discharge pipe may need to be increased.

FINDING YOUR CENTRE When installing any sump pump, it is recommended that the pump be installed in the centre of the basin to ensure there is proper clearance for the float switch to operate freely.

FASTFACT Sump pumps are usually installed for one of two reasons, either the basement is located in an area where frequent flooding may be a problem, or the water table is at or higher than the foundation.

John Cardiff is the vice-president of sales, and Denton Gaiser is the vice-president for water systems at Novo Water Conditioning Products. To contact the authors, send an email to denton.gaiser@novowater.com.

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w w w.glcopper.com

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ZubaHeat.ca

ZUBA-CENTRAL LLOW-AMBIENT PUMPS ZUBA-CENTRAL OW-AMBIENT HHEAT EAT PUMPS PROVIDE HHEAT EAT EEVEN VEN AATT --30ºC 30ºC AAND ND BEYOND. BEYOND. PROVIDE ZZuba-Central uba-Central is is an an extraordinary extraordinary heat heat pump pump that that ﬁts ﬁts into into new new or or existing existing dductwork uctwork with with ssavings avings ooff up up to to 60% 60% oonn aannual nnual home home heating heating aand nd ccooling ooling ** ** 2 With ith tthe he eexclusive xclusive H Hyper-Heat yper-Heat IInverter nverter (H (H ii)) ttechnology, echnology, iitt ccosts. osts. W pprovides rovides eexcellent xcellent heating heating pperformance erformance even even when when ambient ambient temperatures temperatures reach reach -30ºC -30ºC and and beyond. beyond. IIt’s t’s aann eenvironmentally nvironmentally ffriendly riendly aand nd effective effective geothermal geo thermal alt alternative ernative at only a fraction fraction of of the installed installed cost. cost. Plus Plus,, the outdoor outdoor unit is compact compact and quiet, quiet, so so it goes goes unno unnoticed. ticed.

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HVAC

B y C ar o l Fey

YES, YOU CAN DO FORCED AIR ZONING!

Carol Fey is a technical trainer who has worked as a heating mechanic in Antarctica and has published six books for the HVAC/R industry. She can be reached at carol@carolfey.com, or visit her website, www.carolfey.com.

Zoning solves several common forced air concerns, such as areas that are too hot or too cold, difficulty getting cooling upstairs, and reducing energy costs. Although it is commonly used in hydronic heating, zoning is not often applied to forced air, and yet the technology has been around for many years, and works quite well. The analogy most often used to speak about the value of zoning is household lighting. No one would ever consider having just one light switch for the whole house, with all lights being either on or off. Yet for HVAC we do have one switch — the thermostat. What a compromise in comfort, and a waste of energy! Forced air zoning is surprisingly simple. For a two-storey house it consists of two thermostats, two dampers and a simple control panel. Also recommended are a bypass damper and a discharge air temperature sensor.

Zoning by levels (upstairs/downstairs) is just common sense. There’s a law of nature that we often simplify to say hot air goes up, and cold air goes down. When the downstairs is warm enough, the upstairs gets too hot, wasting energy by overheating daytime unoccupied bedrooms. For cooling, the problem is in reverse. It’s sometimes impossible to get enough cooling upstairs. There’s a combination of inadequate ductwork and the resistance of cooling to go up. This is especially common in tri-levels. Zoning forces cooling to go where it is needed by giving it no choice. Another upstairs problem that zoning can fix is with the “room-over-the-garage.” This room is often exposed to outside temperatures on five out of six possible surfaces (three walls, the floor and the roof). With a vaulted ceiling, add another half wall to that count for the probably un-insulated knee-wall it shares with the attic. It has a heat loss like no other space.

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION VERSUS RETROFIT Zoning is best installed with the original construction of a house or building, but that is rarely when zoning is considered. After all, it’s cheaper to install HVAC with just one thermostat, no dampers, and little thought t o duct design. However, including zoning in new construction is surprisingly simple and inexpensive. Dampering for new construction can be very easy, using rectangular dampers coming right off the plenum. Running thermostat wire and damper wire in unfinished space is no challenge at all. A common HVAC industry mis-belief is that zoning cannot be added as a retrofit. But that is old information. Dependable wireless thermostats have made the previously very challenging wiring completely unnecessary. If the basement is unfinished, installing dampers is a matter of opening the duct, inserting appropriate round or rectangular dampers, and running wire back to the zoning control panel. Even octopus-like duct can be retrofitted with round dampers.

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• Han d l i n g e x c e s s a i r flo w • W h at kin d o f t h er m o st at s? And to complicate matters, it might have the most owner scrutiny — it’s probably the master bedroom. A single-storey house might benefit from zoning because of another law of nature: the sun is on one side of the home in the morning, and on the other in the afternoon. Or there may be excessive sun on the south, and none on the north. Zoning can work for a single level, even if it is predominantly open space, such as can be found in “open floor plan” houses. Although heat wants to rise, it isn’t very interested in moving sideways. So unless there is constant mechanical ventilation, heating and cooling will pretty much stay on the side of the building where conditioned air is delivered. In a ranch house, energy can be saved by having bedrooms on a different zone than the living area. Or the lived-in kitchen and den might be one zone, while the seldom-used dining room and formal living room might be another. A light commercial building can also benefit from zoning. Of course there’s the sun factor, just like with a house. But additionally, there is the “core” zone versus the perimeter. Heatgenerating office machines are usually in the core. The building perimeter, with windows and doors and sedentary people in offices, is a completely different HVAC load.

Occasionally there is a duct that, even in an unfinished area, cannot be reached. This duct becomes a “dump zone,” something that is sometimes intentionally designed into a zoning system for pressure relief. While not ideal, it’s not a deal killer. As for a finished basement, as one contractor I know says, “Heck, it’s just dry wall. Make sure the owner knows what’s going to happen, and put the cost of fixing it into the bid.”

THE DOWNSIDE OF INDIVIDUAL STATS I installed my zoning system as part of a training exercise. We wanted plenty of work for everyone involved in the project, so we made each bedroom a separate zone. I learned about the disadvantage of having too many zones when the furnace ended up running constantly one night. Turns out it was not a problem with the system. Rather, my young daughter had turned her thermostat up as high as it would go, got too hot, and opened the window.

HANDLING EXCESS AIRFLOW The bypass damper and discharge air temperature sensor are optional but important. The purpose of this damper is t o bypass excess airflow from the supply duct into the return. This happens when only one zone is calling. Otherwise excess pressure can result in noise and duct leakage. There’s also the possibility of freezing the coil or setting the furnace off on high limit. These latter two concerns can be addressed with discharge air temperature sensor. Upon sensing extreme supply temperature it allows only return air to circulate until normal supply temperature is achieved.

WHAT KIND OF THERMOSTATS? Once-upon-a-time zoning required special thermostats, but that day is long gone. For maximum comfort and energy savings, it only makes sense to use top-end thermostats that have tight temperature control (the cheap ones often don’t). Programmable thermostats are advisable. In addition to night setback, they allow for completely different temperatures in different parts of the house at different times. It might make sense to keep bedrooms at a low temperature during the day and then have the thermostat automatically warm the rooms up for an hour or so at bedtime and f irst thing in the morning.

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Two-stage infrared heaters Superior Radiant Products’ two-stage, gas-fired infrared tube heaters are available in T and L series models. The T series is designed for commercial and industrial use and is sized up to 222,000 BTUH, coming in 10 to 70 ft. tube lengths. The L series is designed for low clearance applications, as the tubes can operate with bottom clearances of 36 inches and are sized between 40,000 and 100,000 BTUH.

Condensate pump Equipped with a float to activate its motor, the Sanicondens condensate pump is designed for use with air conditioning systems, condensing boilers and refrigeration units. The 110-115 V, 60 W device can pump fluid to a vertical maximum of 15 feet and provides a maximum flow rate of 86 gallons per hour (326 litres per hour). It is fitted with an alarm that will trigger if water levels rise too high.

www. superiorradiant.com

Ventilation grille The Lifebreath TechGrille is a fully adjustable ventilation grille for ceiling or wall, with a centre cone that spins in and out. No screws are required, as compression spring tabs clip into 4”/5”/6” and 8” round ducts. Other grilles and fittings are also available. Combine with a Lifebreath HRV or ERV for a seamless end-to-end solution.

www. saniflo.ca

www. lifebreath.com

Commercial duct furnace

Pellet burner The burner head in Newmac’s Pellet Burner is designed with a primary and secondary air supply. The unit offers heating capacities up to 120,000 BTUH and has a two-stage thermostat for automatic lowand high-fire operation.

www. newmacfurnaces.com

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The gas-fired LD24 duct furnace from Lennox offers up to 80 per cent thermal efficiency and is available in 75,000 to 300,000 BTUH models. The unit is shipped fully assembled and features electric ignition, sidewall venting, aluminized steel inshot burners and a stainless steel heat exchanger. Air volume through the unit is rated up to 6,200 cfm, depending on the model.

www. lennoxcommercial.com

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Distributed by:

www.flirthermography.ca

1-800-430-6754

PUMPS

B y B r yan P ayn e P.E . an d Jim D inkel

Whether it’s flow on the heat-source side, or flow on the load side, there’s a huge focus on energy efficiency, and fluid flow is at the centre of the movement

Gettin’ into the Flow

A tight relationship: ΔT and flow When designing hydronic systems, whether radiant, snowmelt, or for high-temperature fan coils or baseboards, there’s a direct relationship between the ΔT and flow. If the ΔT is doubled, the flow can be cut in half while maintaining the same heat delivery.

Check your Delta Many things can be done to minimize flow while maintaining or optimizing comfort and performance. We often look at Delta Ts (ΔT) from a design standpoint, especially if it’s a commercial system like a shop, warehouse or snowmelt system. Installations like these call for larger ΔTs, often 30 degrees (F) or more, which reduces system pumping requirements. Cooler return water temperatures play nicely into the use of efficient heating systems, like modulatingcondensing boilers, geothermal heat pumps and watersourced heat pumps.

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EMERGING TRENDS 1. District heating and cooling with insulated PEX. Central, district heating applications have grown substantially over the past few years. These use super-insulated distribution lines to transfer heat-laden fluids between a central plant and living units and other buildings within the system. The use of insulated lines often accompanies the application of alternative energy sources such as biofuel, biogas, geothermal and solar, and these are often used at prisons, universities and apartment complexes.

Though the ideal ΔT for hydronic systems is often a comfort and consistency issue, by targeting 10, 15 or 20-degree ΔTs, many larger systems can be designed to meet basic comfort and performance requirements while conserving energy across the board.

2. Variable-speed pumping to enable variable flow. The application of variable frequency drives (VFDs) to constant speed pumps is now the fastest growing segment of the commercial pumping industry. This is a trend that improves the performance and efficiency of both large domestic water and hydronic heating and cooling systems.

The key exception to ΔT adjustment is with snowmelt systems where performance can’t be compromised. These include systems installed to remove ice and snow in critical ASHRAE Class III areas, like emergency room entries, hospital steps and helicopter landing pads. Typically it is not recommended to design for a ΔT greater than 30 degrees. For critical areas, the required ΔT should be 20 degrees.

The pumps most commonly retrofitted by upgrading the electrical starters to VFDs for quick payback are of larger horsepower, serving loads that vary. The benefits can be dramatic, so there has been a fairly quick response in the industry.

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The adoption of VFDs to even the smallest motors is happening in more and more applications as the cost of drives decreases, and as manufacturers add features and functionality.

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Jim Dinkel is the Canadian commercial manager, and Bryan Payne P.E. is the Southeast U.S. commercial regional manager with Taco, Inc. To reach the authors, send a note to jimdin@taco-hvac.com.

Balancing constant speed pumps with a drive

PUTTING VFDS TO THE TEST

A relatively new practice being adopted in the trade is to use a drive to balance the pump while using the discharge valve as a flow measuring point, not a throttling point. In very general terms, most pumps are designed with a safety factor of 10 to 20 per cent. This allows for flexibility to accommodate a different mix of equipment to be installed other than what was specified, or future expansion. But it also means that most pumps only need to run at 80 to 90 per cent of their rated top speed.

Let’s look at start-up, test and balance for a primary, constant speed, 60 HP chilled water pump designed to serve a 1,500-ton chiller. It has a duty point of 3,600 gpm at a head of 55 feet. A suitable pump for this job would be a 12-inch vertical, split coupled pump with a 12-inch diameter impeller. The differential pressure across the pump with no balancing or throttling is 51 feet total dynamic head (TDH). This results in an unbalanced flow of 3,800 gpm. The pump can be balanced by imparting “false head”, or an old-school balancing technique could be used by taking the “actual” system curve and laying it over the pump curve. The curve can be traced down to the required system flow (3,600 gpm), and then a trimmed impeller of 11.5 inches could be installed, spinning at 1,150. A more contemporary method of achieving system balance and pump set-up would be to choose pumps matched with a variable speed drive. At initial start-up, there would be an unbalanced differential across the pump of 51 feet, just as it was before. This permits the ability to plot the “actual system” curve as shown in the diagram below. The start-up point is labeled point B on this curve. The new, “actual system” curve is now traced to where it intersects with the design flow of 3,600 gpm. This point is labeled “C” in the diagram.

A variable-speed pump that is controlled with a drive consumes only 73 per cent of design horsepower if it has a 10 per cent safety factor.

This graphic shows the traditional response of a system pump HP in changes to demand/ flow.

By Definition: Pump affinity laws Pump affinity laws help us to evaluate what the savings are for most jobs. The laws say that the change in horsepower consumed is proportional to the cube of the change in speed. Also, the same relative changes in speed or impeller diameter yield the same effect on pump performance. In this case, the drive achieves optimal flow not by trimming an impeller, but by altering pump speed. The pump affinity laws let us use either: a.) a change in speed; or b.) a change in impeller diameter to alter pump performance. The laws also say that if you know how much you would need to change impeller diameter you would be allowed to change speed by that same amount and yield the same result. At start-up, the max speed in the drive was set for 60 HZ, equating to the curve speed of 1,150 rpm. The ratio of impeller trims will tell us the new speed.

It’s all about flow There’s no more important, allencompassing facet to the design, installation or retrofit of large, pumped water systems than to reduce flow to its essential need.

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We started with a 12-inch impeller. If done the old-school way, the impeller would’ve been trimmed down to 11.5 inches. Instead, the ratio of 11.5 to 12 can be used to tell us the new maximum speed. Taking 95.8 per cent of 60 HZ, the new max speed on the drive is 57.5 HZ. The 60 HP constant speed primary pump with a drive can be set up to pump exactly what the chiller needs without having to induce false head. The original horsepower rating at point A would have been 55.3 HP. The new HP at point C will be 45.1 HP, or a savings of 10.2 HP. If the application would be a hospital where the cooling load is present 24/7/365, the use of a drive would result in an annual energy savings of about $5,000.

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What’s New in the World of HVAC&R Technology? Find out from 1,900 Exhibitors from over 30 Countries

International Air-Conditioning s Heating s Refrigerating Exposition

January 23-25, 2012 McCormick Place North & South Chicago, Illinois

Attend the World’s Largest HVAC&R Marketplace!

COHA

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

Canadian Oil Heat Association 1

COHA heats up Niagara The Canadian Oil Heat Association held its annual conference in late June at the White Oaks Conference Resort in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. The 195 guests who attended Cleaner Heat 2011 were treated to two days of product displays, educational sessions and had the chance to participate in the first ever COHA Cup Golf Tournament. Next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event will take place in Mont Tremblant, Que. coha.ca

1. COHA president Veronica Yu leads a toast to a conference well done. 2. Conference delegates participated in numerous learning sessions. 3. Talking tank trucks with Eric Hilts and Dan Nothof of Robica, and Ryan Isensor of Bluewater Agencies. 4. Larry Richmond, of Avatas Payment Solutions, enjoys a glass of wine in the cellar. 5. COHA president Veronica Yu. 6. Consultant Ann Ward hosted a two-part Bridging the Generational Divide seminar. 7. Danick Lalonde of GAL Fuel Systems at the tabletop exhibition sessions. 8. Chris Guy of Guy Fuels. 9. Seanna Callaghan, partner at Gowlings, addressed how to build a risk management strategy. 10. Ken Webster of Viessmann talks to a symposium delegate during the product display session. 11. The winning team of COHAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural Golf Cup, from left, Ryan Shepherd of Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Henry Gruyters of Hazco Environmental Services, Dan Murray of Conestoga-Rovers and Harvey Livingston of Hazco. 12. Steve Wilson and Chris Guy at Jackson Triggs Winery Estate. 13. Sean Giberson, Debbie Jamieson, Mike Hennessey and Jim Wood.

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PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Institute of Canada 2

The sweet sound of success Mike “Pinball” Clemons was the keynote speaker at the HRAI annual conference, held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., in August, and he brought a message of how he defines success, and success, he says, “is sweet!” More than 310 guests attended the event, which had a running theme of “Planning for the Next Generation.” Next year’s event will be held out east, in Halifax. hrai.ca

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1. Tony Carrillo and John Williams at Hillebrand Winery. 2. Jim Flowers illustrates how easy it is for homeowners to get involved with refrigerants, and stresses the need to address the issue. 3. Keynote speaker Mike “Pinball” Clemons brought a message of inspiration about what it means to be there for others. 4. Ron Vogl of Honeywell talks about refrigeration trends. 5. All dressed up for the chairman’s reception. 6. Tom Boutette and Jim Thomas. 7. HRAI president Warren Heeley. 8. Incoming HRAI chair Ron Robinson, with outgoing chair Rusty Jennings. 9. Michael Grochmal and his wife Sophia. 10. Comedian Derek Edwards brought his wit to the closing chairman’s banquet. 11. Like a scene out of Entourage, Hillebrand Winery provided a nice, relaxed backdrop to sit back and see or be seen. 12. SkillTech Academy instructor Nick Reggi receives the Educational Leader award from Rusty Jennings past-chair of HRAI. 13. Keith Werner, of Independent Supply Company Inc., was appointed Chair of HRAI’s Wholesalers Division.

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LOCATIONS: N. TORONTO 905-760-2737

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W. TORONTO 905-606-2345

EDMONTON 780-443-3072

Marketing with DOUG MACMILLAN

Are you prepared for a crisis? here’s an old story in this business that still holds valuable lessons on crisis management. An oil dealer made a typical stop at an older home. However, the distributor accidentally filled a neighbouring homeowner’s basement that still had an old, and no longer conected, fill pipe. Needless to say, a major crisis ensued for the distributor. The result was a costly clean-up and a serious PR challenge.

When catastrophe strikes, the biggest casualty can be your reputation. One instance of bad luck can have a dramatic effect. Handled poorly, the damage may be irreparable. Handled properly, it can be actually strengthen the trust you’ve earned with your clients and community. Having a crisis management plan in place before something happens is your best defence against disaster. A crisis may never strike your business, but you will feel much better knowing that, if it does, you will be prepared. A clear, well-thought out plan will help get you past the crisis and back to work smoothly and quickly. Don’t wait. Be prepared.

thing, but it can help you hit the ground running in the event of an issue.

10 steps to crisis readiness

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Appoint a team – Choose a small team in advance with specific roles in a crisis. Make sure that each of these people is well-trained and ready for action. A few roles you should consider are: crisis manager, media spokesperson and internal communicator. Cross-train individuals so they can assume any role, should the crisis have affected a member of this team.

Anticipate scenarios – What are the most-likely crises that your business could face? You could probably name them right now. Spend some time playing the “What would we do if...” game. Having a plan for the most common problems your industry could face won’t make you ready for any-

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Train two spokespersons – You selected a designated person to deal with the media, trained them and brainstormed the potential issues they may have to face. Unfortunately, when one of your delivery guys backed an oil truck into a customer’s house, your spokesperson was gone for March Break. Train a back-up.

Be public immediately, and own the message –

Be genuine and authentic – In a crisis, no one wants to

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While avoiding or delaying comment in a crisis until all the details are known may seem smart, silence is your enemy. It makes you look guilty and it allows others to frame the issue. You need to communicate, and fast. You won’t have all the answers, and it’s okay to say so, but the perception is you’re on top of things and you will have more control over the message.

read a press release that appears like it was written by a robot. People are upset and want to have their feelings validated. You don’t need to admit guilt, but you can be understanding and compassionate toward what people are feeling. And most of importantly, be

who you are. Show real emotion and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lose what makes your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand so great. Use the crisis to reinforce your values.

Communicate regularly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; You may have nothing to report, but nothing scares people more than silence in a crisis. Update stakeholders every few hours with the latest details. Keep people up-to-date. Demonstrate that you are actively working to fix the problem.

Budget for it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; It may cost money to fix the problem. Worse, it may cost a lot of money. Your insurance may help, but a contingency fund will help to manage any number of unforeseen costs, including a lack of work, crisis-related communications items, and initial clean-up costs. Having dedicated funds will reduce the impact on your operations, and it creates a mindset that is less defensive.

Ensure staff are the first to know â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Your employees are absolutely

Call in industry leaders and experts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Remember, in a time of crisis,

essential in a crisis. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get as many calls as anybody. Treat them as essential ambassadors by clueing them in first. Have a briefing as soon as possible, and provide them with regular updates. If they are informed, your employees can be part of the solution. This is not to suggest they should be encouraged to discuss the matter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; quite the opposite â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but address communication protocols in that first briefing.

you are not alone. The experts in your industry have the knowledge and expertise to help you make it through to the other side. The faster you can get the pros on the ground, the more resources you will have at your disposal.

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Build your reputation every day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Your reputation is your number one defence against a crisis. Build a business that is trusted and respected. That way, if and when something happens, people are far more willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.

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ZZZ IXMLWVXJHQHUDO FRP Doug MacMillan is president of MacMillan Marketing Group in Guelph, Ont. To reach him, e-mail dmac@macmillanmarketing.com.

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BOTTOM

Line

Tied to GICs and bonds? It might be time to expand the armory. Here are just a few financial products that may be worth considering as you build your income portfolio:

with David Cooke

• Annuities are the sleepy uncle of the financial world, but structured properly, annuities can provide income and tax benefits over bonds and GICs.

Prepping for retirement Are you within 10 years of retirement? Here are some things that can be done to help ensure a proper income in your postwork life. If you are over 50 and in the final working years before retirement, the decisions you make now will have an impact on the income you enjoy once you stop working. If you’ve been putting off thinking about it, I encourage you to start thinking now. The challenge here is the environment in which you have been building your business and saving for the future. If you’ve been invested anywhere near stock markets, you’ve likely not made money over the past 10 years, and volatility in markets could mean uncertainty over the next 10 as well. Conventional retirement planning recommends strategies that grow assets during working years, and produce income during retirement years. This has typically meant riskier investments throughout working years, scaling down of risk as retirement approaches, then a transition to risk reduced, income producing assets such as bonds and GIC’s during retirement. This sounds easy enough, but between flat investment returns and low interest rates, the prospect of a secure income is less certain. Without alternatives, folks are often advised to accept more risk, live on less, or defer retirement until later. None of these are very appealing options, however.

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Your financial toolbox

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• New to the Canadian market, guaranteed income plans offer a fund investment with a guaranteed income wrapper. Plans and fees vary, but are well worth a look at over simple fund accounts. • Your home equity will have an income role to play for you. Consider strategies now to unlock the equity in your home, but preserve it at the end of your life. • Banks and insurance companies offer a number of principal protected investments allowing you to invest in markets, but avoid losses due to market downturns. • Permanent insurance plans offering investment guarantees and tax benefits while working, and produce a tax efficient income when retired.

On a jobsite, you need a tool for every task, and over time you likely end up using every tool in your belt. In the financial world, people are too often advised to use only one or two of the tools available, even when they have many more to put to work for them. Perhaps it is time to take a closer look at annuities or principal protected investments (see sidebar: Your financial toolbox). If you are the owner of your own business, you might be able to consider altercontinued on page 122

After years in the HVAC industry, David Cooke is now a partner with Qualified Financial’s Wealth Strategies Group. He can be reached at david@wsgcanada.com.

Out of this world technology in your toolbox...

In 1947 a UFO crashed in Roswell, New Mexico. In 1953 Vernon Krieble invented Loctite Threadlocker. No major UFO crashes have occurred ever since. Coincidence? Maybe. What isn’t a coincidence is how breakdowns caused by loose fasteners disappear after using Loctite® 243. Out of this world technology in your toolbox...believe it.

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Excellence Excellence is our Passion Passion Except as otherwise noted, all marks used are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Henkel and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and elsewhere. ® = registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. © Henkel Corporation, 2010. All rights reserved. AD-124-11 (09/11).

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natives to selling your business outright. Perhaps you own a building that you could lease to the person who buys your company, rather than selling it with your business. This could generate a reliable income. Maybe you have assets in a holding corporation available as part of your retirement income planning. In other words, business owners have all sort of planning options that others do not. In all cases, be sure to consult advisors, and be watchful of fees associated with the various strategies.

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If the bulk of your wealth is invested in your business, it can be challenging to transfer the value of the business to you personally. There is a strategy, however, where you can reduce your dependence on your business while providing a means to transfer wealth. First, secure a personal investment loan and make non-registered investments to diversify and grow wealth outside the company. These investments could be real estate, an investment portfolio, or even another business. The company then pays a taxable salary or bonus to you as owner that is deductible to the corporation. Then you, as owner, use the income to pay interest on the investment loan. Of course, the investment loan interest tax deduction offsets tax arising from income you received from your company. Over time, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pay back any loans and have a nice asset outside of your company. Properly structured, this strategy is one way to personally benefit from the growth of your company by moving the value of assets to you personally, while offsetting the tax effect of doing so.

Quiet as the crowd at fourth and inches. Vigör’s whisper-quiet blower lets homeowners enjoy every quiet moment. It’s our most compact and

HVAC/R Sized from two to 10 horsepower, the Performer MLZ/MLM 50 to 60 Hz series of scroll compressors from Danfoss are designed for use with a range of refrigerants, including R-404A, R-507, R-134A and R-22. They feature press-fit assembly with no threaded fasteners, and a disk check-valve designed to eliminate reverse-rotation noise caused at shutdown.

www. danfoss.ca

affordable HRV/ERV. Best of all? It installs like a dream.

Now that’s reason to

Operating at noise levels lower than two sones, Broan’s 784 exhaust fan removes air at up to 80 cfm. The 120 V unit has a housing that measures 81/4" long, eight-inches wide and 53/4" tall, and is designed to fit twoinch by six-inch ceiling construction. It is rated with a static pressure of 0.25” at 65 cfm.

make some noise.

www. broan.ca

Ventilation system Systemair’s MUB series of multibox inline fans are designed for supply or exhaust ventilation applications. Removable panels allow for straight-through or 90-degree airflow directions to be selected on site. Eight models are available, providing airflow up to 6,400 cfm.

www. systemair.net

Carrier’s modulating Infinity ICS variablespeed furnace is sized from 60,000 to 120,000 BTUH. It features two heat exchangers and is rated up to 95 per cent AFUE. The unit can be natural gas- or propane-fired, and is available with an optional air cleaner cabinet for added air filtration.

Visit vanee-ventilation.com to learn more.

www. carrier.com

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Every Moment Deserves Coleman Comfort! Flo-Trex valves from Armstrong are designed to be installed on the discharge side of a centrifugal pump. The valves act as shutoff, flow-throttling, and non-slam check valves, as well as a 90-degree elbow. Cast iron models come in 2-1/2” to 24” sizes and are rated to a maximum working pressure of 175 psi. Ductile iron models are available in sizes up to 12” and are rated to a maximum working pressure of 375 psi. Both materials are rated to a maximum working temperature of 300°F (150°C).

www. armstrongpumps.com

Coleman HVAC - The full line you can rely on.

Echelon Furnace • One of the highest efficient gas furnaces in Canada with up to 98% efficiency • Fully modulating in 100 stages for the ultimate in home comfort • Multi position for any application • Only 33" high 98% Efficiency!

LX Air Conditioner • TCJF model available up to 15 SEER when matched with TM9X furnace • MicroChannel coil technology for smaller footprint size • Attractive new louvered design looks great for life

LX Furnace The TM9X furnace is a single stage gas furnace that:

Sauermann’s SI 1730 mini condensate pump is designed for air conditioning units sized up to 8.5 tons with limited internal space. It offers a maximum flow rate of eight gallons per hour with maximum suction head ratings of 4.9 ft., and maximum discharge head ratings of 33 ft. The unit includes a six-way connector and a detector unit with a float.

• Qualifies for ecoENERGY

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grants with its high efficiency ECM motor • Has 95.5% efficiency rating • Now available ranging from 40-120 MBTUH

Featuring a 1-1/2” mounting flange, and a 1/8” double-sided adhesive gasket, the low profile Air Tight takeoff from Don Park is available in four-inch to 14” diameters. The galvanized steel unit with balanced damper assembly measures 3-1/2” in depth.ww

www. donpark.com

www.colemanac.com

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HYDRONICS

B y E r ic R im l

WARMING UP TO

Eric Riml works as a hydronic designer for Cronkhite Supply in Calgary, Alberta. He can be reached at feedback@hotwaterheating.info.

PANEL RADS simplified description of panel radiators would be rectangular metal boxes surrounding some metal heat distribution plates and a water coil. They operate similar to baseboards, except they contain more water and metal, and heat by both radiant and convective means.

So what’s so great about them? Well, panel rads are more compact, take up a lot less wall space than baseboards, and do not contain a noisy fan like some convectors with the same heat output. Panel rads can be painted, made in an assortment of decorative styles, and some even look like artwork. Because of these traits, they are becoming more and more popular with homeowners. For contractors, panel rads are an easy way to get heat into a room, or to add supplemental heat to a cold area. All you need is a set of supply and return pipes from your heat source, a panel radiator, a valve, and some available floor or wall space.

MAINTAINING CONTROL One of the choices a contractor must make when installing panel rads is the control method. Options include: zone valves and thermostats; thermostatic valves at the rad; or manual valves at the rad. The first two choices allow a user to either run the rad at the same time as another heat source, or simply let it run when the temperature drops in the room. The last method, manual, allows a user to treat the rad like a gas fireplace – just turn it on when the weather turns cold, and maybe just create a warm place for their wet gloves.

GREAT APPLICATIONS FOR PANEL RADIATORS

PREPPING FOR THE INSTALL

• Hydronic retrofit of an old house where you want to replace electric baseboard;

Contractors ordering panel rads should be aware that mounting kits and valves may not be included with the rad. Also needed will be coloured sleeves to cover the PEX or copper pipes feeding the radiator, and mounting screws or other minor hardware that may not be provided. Most panel rads are wall-mounted with a bracket, but it is possible to find floor-mounted models. When shopping for panel radiators, ask how they are continued on page 128

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• A sunroom addition on an existing house; • Supplemental heat for a great room with high ceilings and lots of glass; • Extra heat in an entry, where you want fast recovery or a warm surface; and • A reading area in a den. • Myriad commercial applications.

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HYDRONICS

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packaged for shipping, and where they are being shipped from. Panel rads are heavy, can be easily scratched and dented, and lead times can be long. While they aren’t a product that typically requires a lot of technical support, the ease and speed of sourcing replacement parts can be important if you get a faulty fitting out of the box. And remember these radiators are very popular in Europe, especially in the U.K., so your normal NPT fittings may not work with panel radiators. See manufacturers’ websites for details.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Although panel rads are fairly simple to install, one of the steps that requires some planning is locating and sizing the holes for the supply and return pipes. Joists and studs often get in the way of the perfect location for piping holes. When possible, buy radiators that have a width similar in increments to the joist spacing. Otherwise, moving the rad may solve your spacing problem for one pipe, only to cause a problem for the other. Planning for this requires knowledge of the building’s joist spacing, which can vary from 16 to 19”. And don’t overlook the direction of the joists. Sometimes a doubled-up joist near an outside wall can make it difficult to properly locate the holes for your pipe.

GETTING THE BENDS When a PEX pipe needs to bend to come out perpendicular to the wall or floor, use a bend support or “bend guide”. These are available from pipe manufacturers and make it much easier to fit the pipe into the fitting rather than attempting to straighten the pipe in the short distance between the floor and radiator. If the piping wants to kink rather than bend in the small radius, consider putting in a 90 degree coupling, instead.

AVOID THE FLAKES Although PEX and copper can be painted, high water temperatures can cause the paint to flake off. To avoid this, use plastic decorative sleeves to cover the piping. These sleeves are slit down one side so they can be snapped onto the pipe, are available in a minimum of chrome or white, and are usually sold by the same manufacturers that make the radiators.

NOISY PIPES It is possible for pipes to rub and squeak against the subfloor or flooring near the radiator if the holes are barely larger than the pipe. To avoid this, drill larger holes, and ensure the flooring contractor does too, so that the pipes do not touch any flooring. If you are worried about the looks, just cover the holes with escutcheons later.

Look to Runtal for INSPIRED RADIANT heating solutions. Comfort, style, durability, versatility and ENERGY EFFICIENCY are the hallmarks of residential and commercial building spaces designed the Runtal way. The worldwide LEADER in standard and custom designed radiators for over 50 YEARS our ENGINEERING ASSISTANCE takes the guess work out of every job. And when it comes to off-the-shelf solutions, you can rely on our IN-STOCK solutions.

1-888-829-4901 www.runtalradiators.com 128

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HYDRONIC Distribution manifold The SS-234i primary-secondary wall-hung manifold from iFasTrack features stainless steel construction with two-inch diameter primary/secondary pipes and a five-inch diameter low-loss header cap. Measuring 47” tall and 40” wide, it is designed for applications sized between 280,000 and 800,000 BTUH. The unit comes preassembled with connections for an injection loop, four low-temperature loops and three hightemperature loops.

Wet-rotor circulators Stratos D wet-rotor circulators from Wilo Canada have maximum flow rates of 480 gpm and fluid temperature ranges between 14˚F and 230˚F (-10˚C to 110˚C). The units have a maximum head rating of 43 feet and feature ECM motor technology. They are designed for such applications as geothermal or solar systems, closed cooling circuits and air conditioning.

www. controlsolutions4u.com

www. wilo-canada.com

PEX coils Uponor’s Punch&Pull PEX tubing coil packaging offers a centre-punch feature to easily access the tubing. The coils are available for the company’s AquaPEX and Wirsbo hePEX tubing in sizes from 5/16” to one-inch in 100-foot to 1,000foot lengths.

Solar pumps Variable speed 00 solar pumps with integral solar controls from Taco are designed to match solar collector output and continually adjust speed to reduce short-cycling. They are rated for a maximum operating pressure of 125 psi and are designed for use in drain-back, open- or closedloop solar systems, with one or two storage tanks.

www. taco-hvac.com

www. uponorpro.com

Communicating thermostat Energy-saving features of the tekmarNet 552 communicating touchscreen thermostat from tekmar include warm-weather shutdown, zone postpurge and a programmable schedule. It is designed to operate a single zone in a hydronic heating system, and has two auxiliary sensor inputs that can be set to measure room, floor or outdoor temperature. The backlit unit is rated for ambient operation conditions between 32 and 122°F (0 to 50°C).

www. tekmarcontrols.com

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HVAC

B y C aesar R u est

Embracing

HOLISTIC MEP DESIGN

THE BENEFITS OF BIM Today's demanding business environment is driving a push towards more efficiency and integration in building industry supply chains. Owners are demanding higher quality buildings for less money in less time. Architects, engineers and contractors are under pressure to streamline their building design and delivery process, searching for ways to improve productivity, lower costs, and deliver betterquality products. Enter Building Information Modelling, or BIM: a small acronym that’s creating a paradigm shift more significant than the shift from manual drafting to CAD. Indeed, the information-rich BIM process is redefining building owner expectations – and as a result, architects are contracting MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) engineers with BIM experience. BIM for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing is a methodology characterized by the creation and use of intelligent models for a building's mechanical and electrical equipment, components, and systems – coordinated, consistent information is used for better informed decision-making, production of accurate documentation, simulating and predicting performance, cost estimating, fabrication, construction planning, and, eventually, for managing and operating the facility.

BIM allows the MEP design to be developed within the context of the whole building. For example, since the electrical and mechanical systems "know" about each other, an electrical engineer can track the power requirements of the mechanical equipment included in the design and have the software automatically associate electrical load requirements to dynamically change in mechanical equipment specifications.

THE FUTURE IS BIM There’s no denying that the future of the industry is based on 3D design software and Building Information Modelling. With a BIM approach, MEP engineers can include themselves early and throughout building projects to achieve advanced functionality for building electrical and mechanical design, allowing their entire design team to create, manage and share design information more effectively. This in turn helps to contribute to increased profitability, reduced design and constructability risk and less inefficiency in building design. BIM helps minimize coordination errors in documentation sets and between engineering design teams — as well as architects 130

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and structural engineers within BIM workflows. Ultimately, firms can also transition from a workflow based on 2D drafting to the holistic approach of integrating whole systems in a 3D digital environment, facilitating digital information sharing for engineering analysis and digitally-driven design and construction for buildings. Industry and government clients are challenging the consulting industry to provide better visualization and coordination of all services, including mechanical and electrical disciplines. Three-dimensional conceptual renderings of buildings prior to construction are becoming standard and

• Th e f u t u r e o f B IM • Ho list ic M E P d esign

INTELLIGENT BUILDING MODELS Using a conventional CAD system for design, MEP engineers and designers visualize the 3D design but represent their ideas in 2D documentation. Some CAD systems fashioned specifically for MEP design allow the user to model the system geometry in 3D for the purposes of coordination and extracting drawings. But because the model isn't intelligent, the elements and systems don't know how to interact with each other.

BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPLEMENTING BIM

Ready to take a closer look at BIM? Her e are some top tips for implementation: • Levarage BIM advocates at your firm. Advocates are important for creating excitement and energy within project teams. They can take valuable lessons learned and help advance the cause for office-wide implementation. • Select individuals who can think “big picture.” An important part of leveraging information housed in intelligent 3D models is having a clear understanding of what value it has for customers. • Put the best MEP design professionals on the project – not the best CAD operators. The best BIM leaders for your firm are seasoned designers. 3D modelling technology is designed to work the way MEP design professionals think about buildings. • Organize project teams around functions like content creation, building design or documentation. Again, this may vary from the more traditional CAD approach.

With BIM, the model captures the functional relationships between building elements and systems. Walls, beams, ducts, pipes and distribution panels all "know" what they are and what they do, and designers can simulate and predict project performance before construction.

• Encourage agility with smaller teams. When preparing project budgets, consider that the project documentation effort may be reduced from what has been seen in the more traditional project delivery approach. • Choose the right BIM platform. Choose BIM tools that export to a neutral file format. Products that offer a complete suite of design applications on a purpose-built platform for BIM can enable effective collaboration between teams.

must include MEP impacts. There’s no doubt that the benefits of BIM are proven; now it’s up to the industry to fully embrace and implement this industr ychanging methodology. Caesar Ruest is the Autodesk BIM solutions executive for architecture, engineering and construction in Canada and is a member of Canada Green Build Council and Canada BIM Council. He can be reached at caesar.ruest@autodesk.com. M e c h a n i c a l

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TOOL TIPS

A little snip here and there... hen it comes to installing ductwork, it pays to have a good set of tools, and despite appearances being pretty straightforward, believe it or not, there is a lot more to a pair of snips than a couple of handles and blades.

Tinner’s snips are similar in style to traditional scissors, whereas aviation snips are a compound-action snip that use a mechanical linkage assembly to increase the cutting capabilities of the tool without increasing the length of its handles. There are three main cutting styles for aviation snips: straight, left-cutting and right-cutting. Straight snips will cut straight lines and wide curves, while left or right-cutting tools will handle tighter curves. If the handles are in-line with the blades, the tool is a straight snip. If the handles are at an angle, then the snips have an offset configuration. Many users prefer snips with offset handles, since they create an angle between the blade and the user’s hands. This helps make cutting faster and safer. In addition to straight and offset configurations, snips are also offered in upright and long-cut configurations. The upright snip has the blades rotated 90° from the handles. This configuration is commonly used in tight spaces. Long-cut snips have long blades that make it easier to make long straight cuts. Blades are generally offered in forged or cast steel. Forged alloy steel blades tend to offer longer life than cast blades, and hard chromeplated blades can also help on the longevity front, as they are designed to reduce corrosion. Some tools offer serrated jaws. These help keep the material from slipping during cutting. Finally, when shopping for a set of snips, look for ones that are ergonomically designed, so they fit comfortably in your hand. Extra features, like one-handed locking, and a flush bolt, can also make life a little easier on a jobsite.

Colour coded Not all manufacturers use the same colour pattern, but in general: • Straight-cutting snips have yellow grips; • Left-cutting snips have red grips; and • Right-cutting snips have green grips.

Sponsored by Milwaukee Electric Tool – a proud partner with Mechanical Business. Look for video tips, tools and reviews at www.milwaukeetool.com. Be sure to visit mechanicalbusiness.com for your chance to win valuable Milwaukee products and merchandise!

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Heating Products High-efficiency furnace The Plus 95s gas-fired furnace from Bryant is rated up to 95 per cent AFUE. The unit features a variable-speed blower motor and an aluminized steel primary heat exchanger. The multi-position furnace is available with heating capacities between 60,000 and 120,000 BTUH.

www. bryant.com

Wall furnaces Direct-vented wall furnaces from Rinnai feature stainless steel heat exchangers, modulating gas valves and variable-speed blowers. Designed for whole-house or zoned applications, the units are sized between 8,000 and 38,400 BTUH at up to 83 per cent AFUE. Vent terminals measure four inches in diameter and can be installed up to 13 feet from the unit.

www. rinnai.ca Operating at up to 95.6 per cent AFUE, Weil-McLain Canada’s gas-fired Ultra Series 3-UE boilers feature a cast-aluminum heat exchanger. The units offer a 5:1 turndown ratio and are available in 80,000 to 399,000 BTUH models.

www. weil-mclain.ca

Wall-mounted boilers Sime’s Murelle HE condensing wallhung boilers are offered in sizes up to 110,000 BTUH and offer thermal efficiency ratings up to 98 per cent. The units feature a stainlesssteel heat exchanger and are available in natural gas- or propane-fired models. A built-in circulator, expansion tank and air eliminator are included with each model.

www. simenorthamerica.com

M e c h a n i c a l

Gas-fired boiler Featuring outdoor temperature reset, the Trinity Lx boiler from NTI has a 5.7” colour touchscreen display. Depending on the model, it is rated to a maximum working pressure of 160 psi and is available in sizes from 150,000 to 800,000 BTUH with AFUE ratings up to 97 per cent.

www. nythermal.com

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Heating Products Modulating boiler Two-stage gas furnace The two-stage AMVC95/ACVC95 gas-fired furnace from Amana is designed for multi-position installation. It is rated up to 96 per cent AFUE and is available in sizes from 46,000 to 115,000 BTUH. Depending on the model, the units weigh between 121 and 165 lb., and are compatible with the company’s ComfortNet communications system.

The Power-Fin line of boilers from Lochinvar have a modulating burner offering a 5:1 turndown ratio. They are available in sizes between 500,000 to 2 million BTUH with up to 87 per cent thermal efficiency. Optional software is available for recording, tracking and analyzing system data for fine-tuning system performance and troubleshooting.

www. lochinvar.com

www. amana-hac.com

Unit heater Reznor’s V3 Model UEAS gas-fired unit heater is available in four sizes from 130,000 to 310,000 BTUH. It offers thermal efficiency up to 93 per cent and features a titanium stabilized steel primary heat exchanger. A propane conversion kit is included with each model.

www. rezspec.com

mo motors tors

MaxMotion 1HP to 300HP NEMA Premium Efficiency Motors

—Q Quality uality motors motors for for every every aapplication pplication

MaxMotion Belted Fan Split Phase & Capacitor Start motor

MaxMotion 1HP to 50HP JM-JP Close Coupled Motors

MaxMotion Single Phase Fractional to 10 HP P, HV VAC and Farm

* Availability * Expertise * Warranty * Complete product benefits at w www.motors.mep.ca w w.motors.mep.ca 1-877-812-7788 134

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PLUMBING Rinnai’s condensing tankless water heaters are available in four models sized up to 199,000 BTUH. The units offer hot water capacities up to 9.8 gpm and have efficiency ratings up to 97 per cent. They come factory-set with a 98°F to 120°F (37°C to 49°C) temperature range, but can be user adjusted up to 140°F (60°C). For desired hot water temperatures above 140°F, a commercial controller is required.

Novo Water Conditioning Product’s HTO Series of water softeners features a two-tank carbon system with a single control valve. The unit offers a flow rate up to 10 gpm, has a 230 lb. salt capacity and is rated to accommodate a maximum water temperature of 110°F (43°C). A wallmounted 120 V to 12 V transformer is included.

www. rinnai.ca

www. novowater.com

The Ono bathroom faucet from KWC is available in two models: an eight-inch faucet for rimmed and drop-in sinks, and a 12-1/16” pillar version for vessel sinks. The unit features a surgical-grade, stainless steel lever and has a flow rate of 1.5 gpm. It is rated to a maximum operating pressure of 70 psi, a maximum water temperature of 180°F (82°C) and is available in chrome and stainless steel finishes.

The RHY2 roof hydrant from Woodford Manufacturing features a 1/8” NPT drain port and a dual-check backflow preventer that is rated to 125 psi. The unit has a one-inch NPT female inlet connection and includes a two-degree shim for pitch adjustment when mounting. It is rated for a maximum working pressure of 100 psi and a 120°F maximum operating temperature.

www. kwc.com

Franklin Electric’s Little Giant 6EN and 10EN sump and effluent pumps feature stainless steel intake plates. The 6EN is a six-amp, 1/3 hp pump that provides 50 gpm of flow at five feet of head. The eight-amp, 1/2 hp 10EN model offers 67 gpm of flow at five feet of head and features a cast-iron cover on the manual and remote float-switch units.

www. woodfordmfg.com

www. franklin-electric.com

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Powered plastic tube cutter Ridgid’s TC-40 powered plastic tube and pipe cutter features a 75-watt motor and offers up to 250 cuts per charge of its 12 V lithium-ion battery. It is designed to cut polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PEX, PVC and CPVC measuring up to 1-5/8” in outer diameter.

Impact drivers

www. ridgid.com

Estimating software LiveCount Pro software from Accubid features an auto-count function, allowing an estimator to ensure previously counted objects are ignored. The software is designed for contractors to manage multiple bids, and mark-up digital image files during the quantification process. Imported drawings can be rotated, renamed and reviewed in setting up a new project file.

Featuring one-handed loading, Dewalt’s 20 Volt Max Lithium Ion 1/4” impact drivers are available in 1.5 and three ampere-hour models. Both units measure 5-1/2” from front to back, and weigh 2.8 lb. and 3.4 lb., respectively. The motor in each unit provides 2,800 rpm. Three LED lights help with workspace visibility in low-light conditions and remain lit for 20 seconds after the trigger has been released.

www. dewalt.com

www. accubid.com

Rough-in Blade

Trailer jet

The Rough-In Sawzall Blade from Milwaukee is designed for plumbing and HVAC rough-in work, and is designed to cut holes as small as 2-1/8” in diameter. It measures 7-3/8” in length and features the company’s Fang Tip design to plunge into material, and a nail guard system designed to protect the blade by keeping nails out of its gullets.

The Typhoon trailer jet from General Pipe Cleaners is designed to clear lines of grease and sediment. The unit pumps water at a flow rate of 12 gpm at 2,500 psi. It features a 200 gal. holding tank and two hose reels, a 400 ft. 1/2” jet hose, and a 150 ft. 3/4” water supply hose. The unit also has a 24 hp motor, rear fold-down stabilizers and a safety strobe light.

www. milwaukeetool.ca

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Literature

Web Reviews THE MOST EFFICIENT ANYWHERE

INFRARED HEATING: TWO-STAGE ADVANTAGES

The new eF Series is the most efficient tank-type commercial water heater in its class, with a thermal efficiency rating as high as 99.1 %. Noticeably quieter than any other water heater in its class, the eF’s patented stainless steel Hydrojet® Sediment Reduction System is proven to extend the life of the water heater, making it ideal for users with demands for large amounts of hot water and a desire to save energy.

Brant Radiant Heaters Limited’s two-stage infrared tube heaters feature a patented two-stage technology that provides improved fuel economies and increased comfort levels. Contact Brant Radiant Heaters today for information on the complete Re-Verber-Ray product line. Call 1-800-387-4478, or visit us online.

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EVERYTHING MADE EASY ONLINE

BOOST YOUR GROWTH WITH GRANBY

Have you seen the new lifebreath.com yet? We’ve made it even easier to find everything you need, quickly and easily. Lifebreath.com is open 24 hours a day, and is your one-stop source for all your Indoor Air Quality needs. Visit us today.

The leader in the manufacture and distribution of steel tanks for the storage of petroleum products since 1954, Granby Industries also specializes in a full range of residential furnaces, boilers and accessories. Be it an oil-fired, wood-fired or electric residential furnace you’re looking for, or a high-efficiency oil-fired, woodburning or gas-fired boiler, be sure to visit Granby’s website for details.

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ENERGY SAVING COMMERCIAL CONTROL

VALVE SYSTEM WITH EXTERNAL RESET

The ecobee Energy Management System (EMS) is the newest technology designed for the commercial market. It is ideal for applications where a simple thermostat does not provide adequate control and functionality, and where a full-scale building automation system would be too complex. The ecobee EMS is simple to install and program, reduces operating costs, and delivers increased energy conservation.

Viking’s G Series dry valve system is offered completely pre-trimmed, including the grooved butterfly valve, air supervisory switch and alarm pressure switch. The G Series dry valve system includes an innovative external reset feature. Additionally, the pre-trimmed valves weigh less and have a smaller footprint than competitive products. Viking dry valves are available in 2”, 3” and 4” sizes.

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Heating Refrigerating Exposition

Tel: (800) 268-5355 www.dahlvalve.com

Tel: (203) 221-9232 www.ahrexpo.com

Tel: (260) 824-2900 www.lgpc.com

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Tel: (519) 457-1904 www.lifebreath.com

Tel: (888) 256-7551 www.contrac.ca

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Tel: (905) 712-3030 www.deltafaucet.ca

Tel: (888) 888-3424 www.fujitsugeneral.com

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Tel: (315) 298-5121 www.fulton.com

Tel: (905) 264-5465 www.dobbinsales.com PAGE #

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Tel: (800) 665-6972 www.beckettcorp.com

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Tel: (800) 565-3548 www.fantech.net

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Tel: (800) 265-9271 www.glcopper.com

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Tel: (800) 553-9749 www.genetron.com

Tel: (714) 634-1844 www.fieldpiece.com

Tel: (800) 561-8178 www.carrier.com EE ## AG PAPG

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Tel: (800) 464-6372 www.extech.com

Tel: (877) 700-4242 www.sharkbitepro.com

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www.emcoltd.com

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Tel: (800) 387-4778 www.brantradiant.com

Tel: (416) 845-2587 www.hydronicpanels.com

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Tel: (877) 655-6686 www.novowater.com

Tel: (800) 558-5700 www.insinkerator.ca PAGE #

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Tel: (888) 488-4033 www.ittfpc.com PAGE #

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Tel: (877) 314-6040 www.osb.ca

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Tel: (888) 678-3709 www.thermopan.com

Tel: (888) 994-7726 www.uponorpro.com PAGE #

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Tel: (888) 829-4901 www.runtalradiators.com

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Tel: (877) 636-6748 www.noritz.com

Tel: (816) 796-3900 www.watcomfg.com

Tel: (877) 836-7772 www.simenorthamerica.com

www.ncv.nissan.ca

A Spiro Enterprises Company

Tel: (888) 208-8927 www.wattscanada.ca

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C A L E N D A R

O F

EVENTS

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GET ON THE INFO PAGE Contact: Bruce Meacock at bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com

RSES 2011 November 2-5, 2011 Norfolk, Va. www.rses.org

BUILDEX Vancouver 2012 February 8-9, 2012 Vancouver, B.C. www.buildexvancouver.com

CIPHEX Road Show 2011 November 3, 2011 St. John's, Nfld. www.ciphexroadshow.com

International Buildersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Show February 8-11, 2012 Orlando, Fla. www.buildersshow.com

CIPH Ontario Business Meeting November 10, 2011 Mississauga, Ont. February 9, 2012, Mississauga, Ont. April 12, 2012, Orillia, Ont. www.ciph.com

CMX/CIPHEX March 22-24, 2012 Toronto, Ont. www.cmxciphexshow.com

Construct Canada 2011 November 30-December 2, 2011 Toronto, Ont. www.constructcanada.com

MEET 2012 May 2-3, 2012 Moncton, N.B. www.masterpromotions.ca

Solar Canada 2011 December 5-6, 2011 Toronto, Ont. www.cansia.ca

CAF National Conference June 3-5, 2012 Regina, Sask. www.caf-fca.org

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CLASSIFIEDS Business For Sale - Established for over 20 years, full service HVAC & Plumbing company is for sale. Located in the Greater Toronto Area with sales of $5.5 million. Qualified buyers will be sent a full business review on our client.

AHR Expo January 23-25, 2012 Chicago, Ill. www.ahrexpo.com

M e c h a n i c a l

Cleaner Heat 2012 June 12-13, 2012 Mont Tremblant, Que. www.coha.ca

IDS 2012 January 26-29, 2012 Toronto, Ont. www.interiordesignshow.com

CIPH ABC June 24-27, 2012 Montebello, Que. www.ciph.com

GOT AN EVENT? SPREAD THE WORD! If your organization has a conference, trade show or other event coming up, send details to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com See it all online at www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Contact: Regelle Partners info@regelle.com 905-665-4913

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KBIS 2012 April 27-29, 2012 Chicago, Ill. www.kbis.com

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RLDVIEW Jeff Patchell

After the dust settles espite the well-known health concerns, asbestos is still being mined in a number of countries around the world, and used in the manufacture of commonly used products. Long known to be a cause of cancer, asbestos has killed millions of people in the world and is now banned or restricted in 55 countries.

A fibrous mineral that is strong, absorbs sound and is resistant to heat, asbestos was mined and commonly used here in Australia from the 1940s through to the 1980s. It is still being mined in Canada, although for export only. At one time, it was seen as somewhat of a wonder material, and many industrialised countries relied on it as the core ingredient for pipe and ceiling insulation, bricks, roofing, flooring, ship-building materials and automotive brake systems. Its use was finally prohibited in Australia in 2003. In Canada, most uses of asbestos have been banned. Unfortunately for many, it is a case of too little too late.

THE MESOTHELIOMA REGISTRY After intense public lobbying, Australia now has an Australian Mesothelioma Registry which aims to monitor the incidence and mortality of mesothelioma and better understand the relationship between asbestos exposure and the malignant cancer. In the past, Australia had the highest per capita consumption of asbestos. Today, it has one of the highest incidence rates of mesothelioma in the world. In 2007, there were 660 new cases diagnosed in the country, an increase from 156 in 1982. That same year, 551 deaths from mesothelioma were registered. Unfortunately, the survival rates are very poor, with only five per cent of patients alive five years after a diagnosis. Incidence rates are still on the rise, and are expected to peak in Australia in about six years.

Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer usually found in the lining of the lungs. Once asbestos fibres are inhaled, it can take 30 years plus for its presence to be felt in workers. The “One fibre can kill” theory is not accurate, however the idea that it represents – to take every precaution – is central to reducing risk.

As well as identifying groups of workers exposed to potentially dangerous levels of the material, an Australian registry is also helping develop policies to deal with the asbestos that is still lurking in the built environment. This information will contribute to the international policy debate on globally banning all forms of the deadly mineral, and will also help researchers who are trying to stop mesothelioma from occurring in the future. Despite the warnings, however, there are still some countries that continue to produce and use asbestos, and they have been doing so for decades. The World Health Organisation says 125 million people still encounter asbestos in the workplace and the International Labour Organisation estimates that 100,000 workers die each year from asbestos-related diseases. Thousands more perish from environmental exposure. China is now the world’s biggest user of the mineral, and is also a major producer of the silicate material, but China is not the only country engaged in asbestos mining and use. We all know that asbestos was widely used in the past, and that a large number of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) remain. Construction and maintenance workers are the most likely workers to be involved in work tasks that may disturb ACMs, so talk to your team. Constantly remind them of the dangers of this material, and where they may encounter it – not only for their own well-being, but also that of your company.

Jeff Patchell is managing director of Connection Magazines Pty Ltd. He operates www.worldplumbinginfo.com, an online plumbing industry knowledge bank. 141

Compiled by Mechanical Business

ARE YOU NETWORKING?

50%

of all Canadians now have a social networking profile on such sites as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

HOW LONG’S YOUR DRIVE?

26 MIN

HOW MANY HAVE YOU BEEN TO?

Average commuting time for a Canadian.

3169 1942

Number of Tim’s with drive-through windows

DOLLARS DRIPPING AWAY

GET WITH THE PROGRAMMABLE

49%

Number of Tim Hortons locations in Canada

52 GALLONS

of Canadian households with thermostats have programmable models.

Amount of water wasted each year from a faucet dripping just once a minute.

HAPPY IAQ CAMPERS 89%

of Canadian homeowners rated their IAQ as good, very good or excellent.

Sources: Mr. Rooter, StatsCan, epcor.ca, Ipsos Reid, Globe & Mail PM# 41536047 Postmaster: Please send all address changes or undeliverable copies to: Mechanical Business, 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road, Oakville, ON L6J 0B2

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12" Wide Trench Drain Just Got a Whole Lot Easier

Introducing the New Dead Level DX 12" Trench Drain TM

ustomers who have used our unique Dead Level™ Trench Drain system call it the best trench drain ever. And understandably so. The Dead Level™ system cuts installation time by more than half, and makes floating, pinching, and misalignment things of the past. Now we’ve made a great product even better. Dead Level™ Trench Drain is now available 12” wide. With radiused bottoms and smooth interiors, the new DX channels generate maximum hydraulic flow. For additional information, click on over to wattscanada.ca

A Watts Water Technologies Company