THE ICI ISSUE Institutional, Commercial, Industrial
INSIDE ■ North America’s largest HVAC show grows ■ Quebec care home requirements cause concern ■ Building permits exceed pre-recession levels Publication Mail Agreement #40063170. Return postage guaranteed NEWCOM Business Media Inc. 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario M9W 5C4
■ New battery technologies boost cordless tools
Auto dealership upgrade Specialized buildings demand unique approach to mechanical systems
MARCH 2013
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■ Contents
ICI Issue
Departments Hot Seat .........................................5 The high cost of returns
Industry News ..............................7 AHR Expo draws record crowd
People & Places............................43 CIPH celebrates 80 years
Coming Events.............................45 Montreal gears up for MCEE 2013
Shop Management......................46 To go into business, or not…
Products & Technologies Pipes, Valves & Fittings ..............17 Tools & Instruments ....................18 Heating ........................................23
Refrigerant reclamation
Nova Scotia company pioneered process
Features
Indoor Air Quality .......................26 Plumbing ......................................31 Trucks for the Trade.....................34 Refrigeration ...............................36 Building Green.............................40
Auto dealership upgrade
12
Unique requirements dictate specialized mechanical systems
Cover: Industrial, commercial and institutional buildings require a different approach to mechanical systems.
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Rapid evolution New battery technologies revolutionize cordless tools
18
Hydronic missteps
23
Common errors in radiant floor design and installation
March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
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■ Hot Seat
March 2013 Volume 23, Number 2 ISSN 1919-0395
Publisher Mark Vreugdenhil (416) 614-5819 mark@plumbingandhvac.ca
Competitive bidding Competitive bidding can throw a wrench into the best designs by the best mechanical engineers. Too often in new construction a mechanical contractor, or the general, wins the job with a bid so low that if they were to build the project exactly to the specifications in the engineer’s drawings, they would lose money. So they find shortcuts and substitute equipment to put some profit back into the job. And yet building codes have become more performance based in recent years, recognizing that engineers generally know what is best for the particular project. In December the Quebec government bucked this trend by being very particular about the type of tub and shower-balancing valves that it wants installed in care homes to limit hot water at the tap to 43C. Specifically, the revised Quebec Safety and Construction codes require thermostatic or combined thermostatic and pressure balancing valves. “These types of mixing valves are required because they are not sensitive to seasonal fluctuations in cold water temperature,” stated the Quebec building ministry (Regie du Batiment du Quebec). The long accepted and reliable pressurebalancing valve is not allowed. Not surprisingly, the plumbing industry questions the science and the lack of consultation with industry. As well, the industry believes the new rules will lead to confusion and that a measurable performance based code would be a better solution. It’s difficult to disagree. However, one can imagine Quebec construction
officials thinking that the engineer can specify whatever they want, but that doesn’t mean it will actually be used in the building. We have seen so many relatively new buildings here in Toronto having to be re-piped because the pipes installed in the building were not the same grade as that specified on the drawings. Quebec officials are probably also thinking that where there’s a safety concern, they need to be very specific about what equipment is installed and where it’s installed in the system. That being said, this is once again a case of a province going it’s own direction, which causes problems for manufacturers that have to either make specific products for that market or abandon it. The National Plumbing Code requires that water coming out of a hot water tank be 60C – critical to prevent the formation of Legionella bacteria that can survive to 55C – but reduced to 49C at the tap to prevent scalding. Most provinces have adopted this and it is difficult to see why Quebec feels the need to go its own direction. But it’s likely that the differences between “as-built” and the original engineer’s drawings and specifications may have been a factor.
Editor Simon Blake (416) 614-5820 simon@plumbingandhvac.ca Design and Production Tim Norton production@plumbingandhvac.ca Production Manager Lilianna Kantor (416) 614-5815 lily@newcom.ca Circulation Manager Pat Glionna Corporate Services Anthony Evangelista
PLUMBING & HVAC Magazine is published eight times annually by NEWCOM Business Media Inc. and is written for individuals who purchase/ specify/approve the selection of plumbing, piping, hot water heating, fire protection, warm air heating, air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, controls and related systems and products throughout Canada.
NEWCOM Business Media Inc. 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 5C4 Tel: (416) 242-8088 • Fax (416) 614-8861
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POSTMASTER: Send all address changes and circulation inquiries to: Plumbing & HVAC Product News magazine, 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 5C4. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40063170. Postage paid at Toronto, ON. Annual Subscription Canada: $40.00 plus applicable taxes, single copy $5.00 plus applicable taxes. Annual Subscription United States: $60.00 U.S. Annual Subscription foreign: $90.00 U.S. Copyright 2013. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without the prior written permission of the Publisher.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. A member of: Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating Canadian Circulation Audit Board Mechanical Contractors Assoc. of Canada Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association American Society of Heating Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of Canada
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■ Industry News
AHR Expo draws record crowd Almost 2,000 exhibitors pack Dallas Convention Center By Simon Blake It was more than a half hour bus ride from the Marriott Las Colinas Hotel in Irving, Texas to the 65th Annual International Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Exposition (AHR Expo) in downtown Dallas. On a warm muggy Monday one of the shuttle buses is packed with attendees on the way to the show and they are complaining loudly. It was just the driver’s bad luck to find himself with a bus full of air conditioning engineers when the cooling stopped working. But such was the popularity of the AHR Expo this year that all the hotels in the city were booked up long before the event and many visitors – and exhibitors – found themselves staying a long way from the Dallas Convention Center. And if the mood on the bus was somber, it was anything but at the show where just about everybody was upbeat as the U.S. economy is showing ever stronger signs of recovery. This year, North America’s largest HVAC trade show attracted 34,000 visitors over its threeday run Jan. 28-30, a record for a show in the U.S. Southwest. They viewed products from 1,951 exhibitors – who had to find hotel space for their 17,000 employees as well. Meanwhile, some 2,840 people attended the ASHRAE Winter Conference that was taking place at the same time. The show floor was, needless to say, busy. There were large exhibitors with huge booths and many, many smaller single-booth displays. In fact the show was so busy that the underground parking garage had been converted into a makeshift exhibit hall. Trane, founded in 1913 by James Trane and son
Reuben, celebrated 100 years at the show with an impressive display. Innovation awards were presented in a number of categories, with Rheem Manufacturing Co. winning the Product of the Year with its H2AC Rooftop Unit, an integrated air conditioning and water heater system geared to the needs of restaurants. Many manufacturers presented seminars. At the Emerson Climate Technologies booth, for example, director of educational services Larry Banas was explaining how the company tracked returns on one model of Copeland compressor over four years from
2007 through 2010. A total of 15,423 compressors were returned under warranty. Each was shipped back to the factory, torn down and inspected at a total cost to Copeland of $4.6 million. That’s a lot of money by anyone’s standards! And what really bothered the folks at Copeland was that 37 percent had absolutely nothing wrong with them. The solution, said Banas, is better education to improve trouble-shooting skills among technicians. The chance to see leading edge HVAC technologies and chat with the people that develop them keeps drawing people from around the globe to the AHR Expo. Next year’s AHR Expo will take place Jan. 21-23 in New York. Visit www.ahrexpo.com for more information. ✚
Trane celebrated 100 years at this year’s AHR Expo.
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March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
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■ Industry News
Quebec bans pressure balancing valves in care facilities here is considerable concern in the plumbing industry after Quebec quietly changed its building codes on Dec. 27 to ban pressurebalancing valves (PBVs) in care facilities in an effort to reduce bath and shower scalding incidents among seniors. The new Quebec regulations require keeping water temperatures at a maximum of 43C for bathtub taps and showerheads through the use of thermostatic mixing or combined thermostatic and pressure balancing valves. Care homes are required to test and record water temperatures at least once a year. Plumbing organizations - the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and U.S.-based Plumbing Manufacturer’s International (PMI) – say these changes were made without giving the industry adequate time to respond and that they are not based on science. The organizations point to two specific errors in the assumptions made by the Regie du Batiment du Quebec in its changes to the Quebec Construction Code and the Quebec Safety Code. The first is that changes in plumbing system water pressures do occur and happen ten times or more often than temperature imbalance situations. As well,
T
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both thermostatic (TX) and PBVs need to be seasonably adjusted to compensate for water temperatures in Quebec as low as 5C in winter and as high as 25C in summer. The organizations suggest that Quebec adopt performance-based standards as in Ontario, which limits water temperature to 49C at the tap, rather than specifying specific equipment. They also suggest that care facilities monitor and record water temperatures to confirm compliance and that the ban on PBVs be removed “as these devices provide a level of safety against pressure imbalance events that TX valves cannot.” In a letter to the Quebec ministry, the organizations note: “The difficulty in making regulatory changes for any societal issue lies in prescribing performance requirements, not design requirements. In this case, licensed plumbing engineers have the training and experience to provide safe and sanitary water systems when given performance-based code requirements. Design restrictive code changes can result in unintended consequences and confusion by designers, installers and maintenance professionals.” ✚
In Brief Prompt payment blueprint Ontario trade and general contractors have stepped closer to their goal of having the government implement prompt payment legislation. After more than a year of collaboration, the Ontario caucus of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada and the Ontario General Contractors Association has agreed on a blueprint of what could become Canada’s first legislation governing prompt payment. A joint task force will present the recommendation to government.
Performance protocols published The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published a new guide with tools and techniques for measuring, managing and improving the performance of a building as demonstrated by its energy and water use and indoor environmental quality. The Performance Measurement Procedures for Commercial Buildings: Best Practices Guide serves as the how-to guide for continuously evaluating and improving the performance of commercial buildings throughout their service life. Visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore for more information.
March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
9
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â– Industry News
Building permits exceed pre-recession levels he construction industry finally stepped out of its recession driven funk in 2012, according to Statistics Canada. In 2012, municipalities issued building permits worth $80.5 billion, up 8.9 percent from 2011 and surpassing the peak of $74.4 billion reached in 2007 before the recession. Contractors took out residential construction permits worth $48.3 billion in 2012, up 8.6 percent over 2011. Construction intentions for non-residential buildings were also up, rising 9.2 percent from 2011 to $32.2 billion in 2012. However, things may not be as bright in 2013 as construction slowed significantly towards the end of last year. The total value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities declined 11.2 percent to $5.7 billion in December, following a 14.5 percent decline in November. Construction intentions in the residential sector fell 13.1 percent to $3.3 billion, following a seven percent decrease the previous month. Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba accounted for much of the decline. In the non-residential sector, the value of permits
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In Brief U.S. standards bodies recognized The Standards Council of Canada has announced the accreditation of ASTM International and UL to develop national standards in Canada. They believe this will aid in increasing standards harmonization with the U.S., reports HRAI.
declined 8.5 percent to $2.5 billion in December, the third decrease in four months. Manitoba posted the largest decline, followed by Alberta. Quebec had the largest increase with Ontario a distant second.
New Quebec rebate program Quebec has launched a new energy efficiency rebate program to help homeowners install new HVAC equipment and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The Renoclimat incentive program will run for three years. Eligible home owners will receive an energy assessment of their home at lower cost and financial assistance to make upgrades.
Lower housing starts The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) also predicts lower housing starts in 2013 as a result of slower economic and employment growth in the second half of 2012. “CMHC expects housing construction activity will trend lower in the first half of 2013, before gaining more momentum by the end of the year as economic and employment growth remain supportive of the Canadian housing market,� said Mathieu Laberge, CMHC deputy chief economist. “In 2014, improving economic conditions may be partially offset by a slight moderation in the number of first-time homebuyers, and potential small and steady increases in mortgage interest rates.� On an annual basis, housing starts are expected to range between 178,600 to 202,000 units in 2013, following a level of 214,827 units in 2012. In 2014, housing starts are expected to range from 171,200 to 217,000 units. ✚
Test meter recall The Fluke Corporation is voluntarily recalling certain digital clamp meters that were manufactured between Sept. 1, 2010 and Oct. 31, 2012. The printed circuit assembly in some 373, 374, 375, and 376 models may not be properly fastened to the test lead input jack, resulting in inaccurate readings and other issues. Any serial number preceded or followed by the letter “R� is not affected. For more information, visit www.fluke.com.
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■ ICI Mechanical
Auto dealership
upgrade
Before the renovation, the service area was a cold, dark and dingy pit.
Specialized buildings require different approach to mechanical systems By Mike McCartney, P.Eng.
or the last 16 years I have been associated, as design and installing engineer, with a firm that specializes in optimizing the productivity of car dealerships, Autoplan Plus Inc. Company president Gord Manock has formed a consortium of design professionals to work on car dealerships.
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We handle new and renovation projects to maximize their profitability through efficient space planning and environmental enhancements. I come into the picture as mechanical engineer specializing in HVAC and plumbing design. The company I am now with, E. S. Fox Ltd., is installing
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Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
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service department and drive-through area to everyone’s satisfaction. Subsequent to that project we incorporated air conditioning to the retrofit of a service garage in Guelph. Skeptics told us that it would never work; the techs would lose all the cool air when opening and closing doors. How wrong they were! The techs learned not to leave the doors open too long, the system worked well, and the dealer was happy. Since that time we have cooperated on hundreds of car dealerships, with projects ranging from, at the low end, carbon monoxide system installations, to entire dealerships.
hottest of summer days is essential; otherwise customers will not stay and make the purchase. Modern showrooms usually feature high ceilings and windows that tend to generate condensate in winter if there is not enough heat sent to the floor at the perimeter. To that end, I always try to arrange supply ducts along the perimeter of the showroom, and equip them with 10x6 double-deflection supply grilles, mounted in a down-blast configuration, to send the airstream to the floor at an initial velocity of 600 feet per minute. That eliminates the need for supplemental heating in the form of electric baseboard heaters and provides the showroom with good air movement and ventilation. By the time the air hits floor level, the velocity will have dropped to the point where it causes no discomfort to the occupants. Some dealerships are now incorporating snack bars and cafeterias, which need NFPA-96- compatible ducts and exhaust fans. These systems have to be sized in accordance with the types of equipment in place, the canopy length,
Business basics A new HVAC system along with new paint makes the service area a comfortable and profitable place to work. systems along with other Autoplan consortium members on an ongoing basis. I am also engineer of record on several dealerships currently under construction. I did my first car dealership in 1986 at the 401-Dixie Auto Mall in Mississauga,
Ont. Three dealerships later, I had a pretty firm grasp on the Ontario Building Code and the Ministry of Labour requirements. Autoplan and I first worked together in 1995 on a GM dealership that had suffered a loss due to fire. We rebuilt the
It is important to recognize a few basic business-related factors when designing systems for a car dealership. With any car dealership, there are four different profit centers: new car sales, used car sales, parts sales and service. The purchase of a new car is, along with that of a new house, often the most significant purchase many people make. A clean, efficient looking showroom with good climate control even in the
Please see “Customer’ on page 15
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■ ICI Mechanical
Customer comfort is critical Continued from page 13 etc. and are to be left in the hands of qualified professional engineers. Gas fireplaces are becoming common items, as are comfortable lounge areas, all of which need to have good climate control within a fairly narrow temperature band.
Different departments Used car areas are good profit generators for dealers. People who shop for used cars tend to be of two types: people who, for whatever reason, are looking for good cars they can put a lot of miles on without undue depreciation costs, like sales people; and, of course, those who have a hankering for a particular model of car, for whatever reason. Most of the dealerships we have worked on in the last few years have incorporated their used car sales areas under the same roof as the main dealership, thus indicating a high regard for this type of customer. The days of the separate, small, used car shack are fading fast. Parts buyers are in general people who are do-ityourselfers, folks who may choose to change their own oil and do minor repairs in their garage. In a well laid out dealership, the parts department will be accessible from the showroom, enabling customers to be exposed to any new cars on display en route to the counter.
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The service department is what really makes any dealership profitable. It is important to understand what makes a well-run service department generate profits for the owner. For the most part, technicians are hired on a piecework basis. That is, that they are paid a certain dollar per assignment, and the faster and more accurately they
Skeptics told us that it would never work; the techs would lose all the cool air when opening and closing doors. How wrong they were!
flow slows to a standstill. Under Occupational Health and Safety Act rules, in fact, if the temperature within a working environment exceeds a certain maximum, the employees are entitled to leave the place. That explains why our air conditioning systems have become such a good selling point. We don’t try to cool down service departments to office-like conditions, but instead to keep the tops off the peaks of the cooling season. A service department maintained at 78F on a hot summer day in Toronto, where it can get to 95F with 90 percent relative humidity, is a godsend to those who must labour under such conditions. In Ontario, and I’d like to think it’s because of our efforts in 1995 at that car store in Guelph, it is difficult for a dealer to find good hires unless he has an air conditioned service department. (Editor’s note: In the next issue Mike will get into nuts and bolts of designing these systems.) ✚
Mike McCartney is a mechanical engineer and project manager with E. S. Fox Limited in Vaughan, Ont. He can be reached at MMcceng77@aol.com.
work, the more money they can make in a day. We estimated the benefit to the dealer of adding a service bay to an existing service garage to be of the order of $500,000 per year. You can see how important a revenue generator a well-run service department can be. On a hot summer afternoon, in non-air conditioned service departments, productivity and therefore revenue
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■ Pipes, Valves & Fittings
Product Profile
Smart commercial circulator
Not only is it efficient, but the Magna also brings considerable style to the mechanical room. Grundfos unveiled its new Magna 3 commercial hydronic pump at the AHR Expo in Dallas, Texas Jan. 28. This high efficiency pump is “an energy optimized, variablespeed wet rotor circulator that features a permanent magnet motor design that will cut power consumption up to 85 percent, as compared with other circulators in its class,” reports the manufacturer. The company’s AutoAdapt function adjusts circulator performance to meet demand and “learns” the operating characteristics of the system. The FlowAdapt control mode reduces the need for pump throttling valves. There is a differential pressure sensor incorporated into the pump housing. A system sensor allows the pump to monitor flow temperature and, if required, operate in constant temperature mode. This, in turn, enables the pump to slow down when hot water demand is low or nonexistent — a big energy saver in applications like schools and hotels where the need for hot water varies greatly. The on-pump display screen provides clear readable data, even the pump performance curve, without the need to look up codes. The installer can request “assisted setup” at the time of pump commissioning, while a service technician can use the same feature to troubleshoot problems. An easily rotated power head also eases installation. The Magna 3 also offers excellent cold weather performance for a wet rotor pump, easily handling temperatures as low as -9C (15F), making it suitable for cooling as well as heating applications. Scheduled to be on the market this summer, the line includes more than 35 single and twin circulators in cast iron or stainless steel. Grundfos Canada u ca.grundfos.com
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Pressure reducing valve The Taco 3350 valve is used to automatically feed water to a hydronic system whenever pressure in the system drops below the pressure setting of the valve. If the system pressure drops below the valve’s set point, it will automatically add water to the system. It is suitable for systems with fill pressure requirements between 10-50 PSI and features a fast-fill button with automatic reset. Taco Canada u www.taco-hvac.com
High temperature sump pump The submersible high temperature sump pump from the Bell & Gossett division of Xylem Inc. is designed to handle applications where liquids are too hot for conventional submersible pumps up to 93C (200F), such as wastewater from high temperature processes like boiler blow down and hot water rinses. It is built to pump corrosive, non-corrosive and clear or solid laden liquids up to 70 gpm and 27 feet of head. Xylem Inc. u www.xylemappliedwater.com
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■ Tools & Instruments
Rapid evolution Improved battery technology makes cordless tools better than ever
By Simon Blake rofessional cordless tools have evolved dramatically over the past 10 years. They offer longer run times, faster charging, more power and lighter more ergonomic design thanks, in large part, to rapid advances in battery technology. “Lithium ion is definitely the technology of choice when it comes to power tools at this point. Five years ago there may have still been some debate,” remarked Paul Fry, vice president, cordless tools, for the Milwaukee Tool Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Manufacturers passed a significant hurdle when they increased battery run time to the point where it is longer than the charge time. “If you have two batteries, one will charge before you’ve depleted the one you are using,” noted Rob Trefz, director of marketing for pipe installation and maintenance products for The Ridge Tool Co., Elyria, Ohio. That means a tradesman can use a tool all day long, day after day. Lithium ion has a number of advantages over older battery technologies, like nickel cadmium. It has
P Tools like this PVC shear wouldn’t have been possible with older battery technology.
power tools. The previous generation nickel cadmium (ni-cad) tools are basically “dumb” tools – just a battery, motor and switch – while lithium ion tools are “smart” tools because of their electronics. And those electronics can also be used to offer other features. “Now you’ve got a world where you can have, if you so choose, intelligent chargers, intelligent packs and intelligent tools,” said Fry. At the end of its life, lithium ion offers a considerable environment benefit in that nickel cadmium – a heavy metal – is not going into landfills. In fact there is already legislation in Europe forbidding the sale of cadmium, noted Ward Smith, cordless tools product manager for DeWalt Tools, Baltimore, Maryland.
On the jobsite Lithium technology has additional benefits beyond lighter weight and better ergonomics. It doesn’t “leak” energy. If a tradesman leaves his ni-cad tool in the truck for a week, it would need to be recharged before use. Not so with lithium ion. “Lithium has virtually no discharge. It would take you something
Now you’ve got a world where you can have, if you so choose, intelligent chargers, intelligent packs and intelligent tools.
Thanks to lithium ion technology, a relatively small tool can make a big hole!
18
Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
a substantially higher power density – or power to weight ratio – resulting in smaller lighter battery packs that offer up to twice the run time, along with a longer lifespan and better operating characteristics. However, this is largely the result of the sophisticated electronics required to make lithium ion technology work in
ridiculous like 10 years for the pack to run itself down,” remarked Smith. The other major problem with ni-cads was that they had a “memory.” If the tradesman recharged his ni-cad pack after only using 80 percent of its capacity, 80 percent would become the new maximum. Lithium ion can be recharged regardless of its state of discharge.
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Sophisticated electronics tailor power characteristics to the unique requirements of pressing tools.
“One of the things I get asked a lot is ‘why are the battery packs so expensive?’” added Smith. “(It’s because) every battery pack has to have electronics in there to control, maintain and talk to the tool,” said Smith. The electronics can also be used to do other things. They control the light emitting diodes (LEDs) or “fuel gauge” that shows the state of the battery and they allow the use of other sophisticated technologies, like brushless motors. The electronics also make it easier to tailor the tool to the particular application. For example, pressing tools have a very high load for a short period of time, while a drill might have a slower ramp-up but require a longer running duration, explained Trefz. Some manufacturers put electronics into both the battery pack and the tool, which “opens up communication between the two,” noted Fry. The electronics are optimized for the particular tool, say a drill driver that draws 50 amps versus a reciprocating saw that might draw 70, or an older generation tool with a brushed motor versus a new tool with a brushless motor. It is also important to keep in mind that not all lithium ion technologies are the same. There are many different “recipes,” unlike with nickel cadmium, which is a pretty standard formula. There are also differences in cell design, number and configuration of cells in a pack and, of particular importance, the electronics that control the battery. “There’s a buyer beware factor. Different qualities of lithium and different types of lithium have different discharge levels,” said Fry.
in a cold truck overnight and then use it the next morning, not just taking it from a warm building and using it outside, said Fry.
Continued development As good as it is now, manufacturers expect that lithium ion technology will continue to improve. Smith expects that users will see higher amp/hour packs that will last longer. Ridgid is launching a new 18-volt lithium ion platform in April that has about twice the power and run time of the previous generation. However, manufacturers have to be careful in how fast they push new technology forward. A professional tool typically lasts five to seven years in regular use and yet battery technology seems to evolve every year, noted Smith. “Because DeWalt has a very large presence (in the construction industry) we tend to be very slow in adopting changes like that, where as a smaller competitor can do different things because he doesn’t have a big tool system.” And there is only so much a tradesman will pay for a tool. “We do extensive testing to ensure that we are not doing anything too crazy. The user will always want more power and more run time, but there is always tradeoffs,” said Trefz. That being said, the significant productivity and worker comfort benefits of the new lithium ion powered tools make them well worth a look for any tradesman. ✚
Threaded Rod Cutters
Powerful tools
Milwaukee introduced professional tools with lithium ion batteries in 2005 and, like many manufacturers, it offered a lithium pack for its older ni-cad tools. “But it was always a compromise,” says Fry. “The reality was that you were trying to tie cutting edge technology to 15-yearold tools and technology.” In 2007 the company launched its M18 format and broke ties with the old technology. DeWalt offers a lithium ion pack that works in every 18-volt tool it has ever made. Because the old tools are “dumb,” the electronics are built into the battery pack.
Manufacturers have used the power and weight benefits of lithium ion in a number of ways. It has allowed them to “redefine the role of cordless tools on the job site, some of which wouldn’t have worked ergonomically and wouldn’t have made sense if we’d had to do it with ni-cad,” said Fry. Milwaukee’s M12 (12-volt) line, for example, offers tools with the power of many 18-volt tools in compact designs that are easily carried on a tool belt. This includes some that were previously manual tools like copper tubing cutters and PVC shears, along with test instruments. And then there’s the heated jacket. “That’s not something you would have tried with an 18volt ni-cad battery that weighed two and a half pounds,” remarked Fry. At the other end of the power range, the DeWalt 36volt lithium ion battery pack is the same size and weight as the company’s old 18-volt ni-cad pack. “We doubled the voltage without changing the weight,” remarked Smith. “That’s probably the most extreme example of showing the ergonomic benefit.” The company also went the other way, making the tools in its 20-volt line smaller and lighter.
Delicate technology
Cold weather performance
Lithium ion technology is a more volatile chemistry and operates at a smaller temperature range than ni-cad. It requires a protection circuit built into the electronics to control the charge and discharge rate along with battery temperature. As a result, manufacturers put sophisticated electronics – basically a microprocessor – into the tool, the battery pack, or both to safeguard and control the battery.
Initially, ni-cad powered tools maintained an advantage in cold weather. But that’s no longer the case. “Early on lithium ion had a significant challenge with cold weather performance,” reported Fry. But the company’s latest lithium ion technology – the sixth generation – is designed to give good performance down to -18C. And that means being able to leave the tool out
Today’s cordless tools are powerful and compact.
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www.raptorcutting.com March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Freezeless AND Anti-Rupture? What’s the difference? A freezeless faucet has the shut off mechanism well within the heated portion of the home – but what if a garden hose or other device is inadvertently left connected to a faucet during freezing temperatures? Water in the tube fails to drain, this water then begins to freeze and pressure in the tube is increased as ice forms and tries to compress the water trapped in the tube. The tube ruptures and the next time the faucet is used the wall fill with water. Woodford Model 19 Freezeless Faucets have a patented pressure relief valve which allows for expansion during freezing temperatures, saving the faucet and preventing a costly repair or call back. With Woodford’s Model 19, you’re protected – even from other people’s mistakes!
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■ Tools & Instruments
Product Profile Versatile and compact The new Gen-Eye Micro-Scope compact handheld colour inspection camera from General Pipe Cleaners gives the technician the versatility to inspect small drain lines and toilet traps, or hard to reach places in duct work, furnaces, and crawl spaces.
The monitor features a bright 3.5” LCD screen, built-in SD card reader with one-touch recording button to record photos or videos. It also includes a digital zoom, rotatable picture, voice over recording capability, LED brightness control, and USB port. On-screen status indicators include date and time, SD card capacity, and battery strength. The rechargeable battery powers the unit for up to four hours. The monitor attaches to the reel with an adjustable mount to give the best viewing angle.
The reel carries up to 100 ft. of micro push rod. A 39-inch probe rod lets the technician inspect in hard to reach places. Three attachments are included to improve viewing angle or to retrieve objects. General Pipe Cleaners u www.drainbrain.com
This small camera can inspect up to 30 meters of pipe.
Swift hydronic measurements The TA-Scope from Victaulic provides swift and accurate measurement of differential pressure, flow, temperature and power to ensure that hydronic heating and cooling systems operate at the most economic and comfortable settings. The TA Select makes valve selection easy as it takes the desired flow, pressure drop and flow rate into consideration during valve selection. Victaulic is the exclusive North American representative for Tour & Anderson (TA) instruments. Victaulic u www.victaulic.com
Close quarters PEX crimper The new Ridgid Close Quarters PEX crimp tools give contractors the ability to maneuver more easily in tight spaces thanks to handle openings up to 70 percent smaller than standard PEX crimp tools. They are available in ½” and ¾” sizes for use with ASTM F1807 copper crimp ring PEX tubing connections. A built-in Go/No-Go Gauge folds into the handle for easy access and storage. An adjustable lock screw provides easy tool calibration. RIDGID u www.ridgid.com
Productivity enhancing charger The M18 Six Pack Sequential Charger from Milwaukee Tools will charge up to six M18 lithium-ion battery packs. It features a compact design, integrated hang holes for vertical mounting, and a pass through plug to conserve outlet space. The new unit will charge M18 compact batteries in 30 minutes and extended capacity (XC) batteries in 60 minutes. Milwaukee Tool Co. u www.milwaukeetool.com
PEX stapler accessories Malco has recently launched two new accessories for its popular Form/Wood PEX staplers. A stapler weight adds pressure to ensure that the staples drop into the camber and reduces “bounce back.” A new stand means the installer does not have to leave the stapler on the floor between operations. Malco Tools are available in Canada from E.S. Gallagher. E.S. Gallagher u www.esgallagher.com
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March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
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■ Heating
Hydronic missteps
1. Sergio Cassarino from Caleffi discusses the importance of insulating tails with an engineer.
Five common mistakes in radiant floor design and installation
By Roy Collver
The hydronic radiant heating industry has changed in the last 20 years and I am glad to say that the issues in this article are increasingly rare, but they still happen and they can be nasty. If you don’t have a strict regulatory system in your region, it is important to get training and partner with a supplier/manufacturer combination that can help you avoid these common gaffes. Here are my top five picks for the most common problems that I see in the field:
Excessive tubing lengths
2. Multiple supply lines would result in a very hot hallway floor were they not insulated.
3. These boilers lasted less than half their expected lifetimes due to being improperly applied.
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Twenty-five years ago I was called to troubleshoot a radiant heating system for the first time. I wasn’t yet an “expert,” but as soon as I looked I saw big trouble. The house was a two storey with basement – approximately 2,400 square feet. There was a steel boiler with one-inch copper pipe to a pump and then a homemade copper manifold with four 1/2’” Poly B tubes. One tube went into the concrete floor of the basement, and the other three went up into the ceiling. A quick touch, look and listen review of the system showed: The boiler was commanded by a single thermostat on the main floor and running at an aquastat (supply temperature) setting of 180°F. The return to the boiler from the floor loop was ice cold, and from the ceiling loops it was not much warmer (I didn’t bother getting a thermometer out). The young couple that bought the house were worried and timidly asked me how they could get the system to work. They told me that the installer had been back twice, telling them everything was working properly – even though the house wouldn’t go above 12°C with the boiler running all the time. He told them that they were whiners and complainers, and he would charge them if he had to come back again. At the time, I prided myself with the belief that I could fix just about anything, but when the couple asked me what could be done to make it right, I thought about it for a minute and said: “Call your lawyer.” I just couldn’t figure out a way to easily fix that one. I knew what had to be done to fix it right, and it would have cost them many thousands of dollars, and they
would have had to rip their brand-new house apart to do it. The reason for number one on my list? Once the mistake is made, the proper fix comes at a huge price. I haven’t seen a professionally installed “system” with the single 1,000-foot ½-inch loop scenario in years now – people do learn. The consequences are
I haven’t seen a professionally installed “system” with the single 1,000-foot ½-inch loop scenario in years now – people do learn. grim, so pay close attention to the flow versus pressure drop ratings for the tubing you are using, and keep the loops short enough so that you can use a standard “off the shelf ” circulator. As a brief exercise – pick out your favourite ½-inch PEX pipe and calculate the pump head required to pump a measly one U.S. gallon per minute through 200 and 500 feet of pipe respectively. Now try two gpm. You get into “impossible” territory, really fast – don’t push your luck.
Poorly routed tubing layouts Most installers follow those nifty tubing layout drawings diligently, and get the spacing right as well. This effort should provide even and equal floor surface temperatures; but it can all go wrong with a simple distribution layout mistake. Here is how you might get caught (this really happened – and to a very knowledgeable designer to boot). The scenario was a perfect storm situation: slab-on grade with stone floors in the main living area and
Please see ‘Customers’ on page 25
March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
23
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■ Heating
Customers have high expectations Continued from page 23 kitchen, with the master bedroom on the far side of the house from the radiant distribution manifold. The bedroom had extensive windows and carpet on the floor, so the water had to be hotter than usual to match the wicked heat loss and punch through the carpet. The tubing to the bedroom had to go through the kitchen. The shortest route was along the front of the kitchen counter. Result? The floor in front of counter was too hot to stand on. This is some of the finesse that gets missed in radiant design at times, but it is also the result of poor practice. Looking at some radiant systems in Italy a few years ago, I noticed that ALL of the “tails” (tubing from boiler to manifold, and from manifold to heated space) were insulated before the concrete went in. Picture no.1 shows Sergio Cassarino from Caleffi (on left) discussing this with an Italian engineer. Picture no. 2 shows another clue as to why it is so important when you get multiple supply lines running down a common space like this hallway. Can you imagine how hot this space would get if the pipe were not insulated?
Poor customer communication This is not necessarily a nuts and bolts design issue, but it is related. Homeowners who choose to put radiant floor heating in their houses have very high expectations. Campaigns like “Beautiful Heat” along with people like me promote the fact that homes with radiant heating are more comfortable, healthier, quieter, use less energy – on it goes. All these things are true, but issues of perception need to be addressed, and poor design and installation choices can result in very cranky customers. For example, the customer may have the perception: “The floor will always be toasty warm, I can walk around in my bare feet.” The reality, however, is that cold spots are likely, even in the best systems. In warmer weather, a space can be heated at floor surface temperatures not much above room ambient. If the customer wants the floor to always feel warm, they will have to maintain a higher floor surface temperature. This overheats the air temperature and will require air conditioning and heating at the same time. Some cold spots occur
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systems, and these boilers simply flog themselves to an early grave, trying to meet the demands they were never designed for. Photo 3 shows two boilers that made it to less than half their expected life span. Good boilers – misapplied.
Uneven heat output Uneven heat output and the inability to balance flows is a 4. This system in a high-end home has no complex subject with a simple principle. The heat balancing – inexcusable today, says Roy. loss of a space should be most in floors with no surface covering matched with the heat output from its (tile, stone) and those with wider tube terminal unit (in this case, the floor). We spacing. Explain to the customer upcan try to get close with choosing the front that they will have to pay more for precise amount (lineal feet) of tubing closer tube spacing if they want to needed in each room, but then the eliminate cold spots. variables kick in. Perception: “The system will be And what variables there are: Tube quiet.” Reality: Yes it should be, but a spacing required for even surface common design mistake is to put the temperature, floor coverings, heat loss mechanical room directly below the master bedroom or home office. Boiler fans, air make-up fans, circulators, relays – all kinds of things can go bump in the night. Explain this to homeowners and architects so they can either make better choices, or accept the consequences and not blame you. I was told of one recalcitrant architect who refused to entertain the thought of a vent penetration through the roof. I suggested that the contractor have the architect sign a letter stating that he was aware this could result in an unsightly exhaust steam plume or annoying odour from a sidewall vent. When the liability was on his shoulders, he quickly relaxed the prohibition on roof penetration. Don’t you be the patsy!
variations, desired room temperature variations and on it goes. The only way we can fine-tune for most of these variables is to run the water hotter and put in many thermostats; or balance the flow in the loops, and have fewer thermostats. The second option is the best one – calibrated balancing valves for each loop is the solution. The last photo shows a system that has no balancing options at all – inexcusable in a high-end home where people have spent big bucks to get the best. Each one of these topics really deserves its own article in order to get into some of the finer details. If you feel you are in need of more info, drop me a note and I can expand on any one of them. ✚
Roy Collver is an author and consultant on hydronic heating based in Peachland, B.C. He can be reached at hoth2o@shaw.ca
Wrong choice of heat source Radiant heating likes low temperature water and, typically, multiple zoning requires a wide variation of flow rate and heat input. Enter the modern modulating-condensing boiler choices today. Prices have fallen precipitously over the last few years as technology has improved and competition heated up. These boilers are designed to operate at a low temperature and vary their firing rates to more closely match the heat required by a multi-zone heating system. Some installers are still putting in high temperature on/off boilers, with or without mixing systems for radiant
March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
25
■ Indoor Air Quality
Small UV air disinfection units are available for mini-split air conditioners.
U LT R A V I O L E T HVAC disinfection
Many residential contractors missing a sales opportunity By Bob Bettles and Brian Guttormson esidential HVAC contractors should not installed system. Mini-split evaporators are not missed, ignore UV or ultraviolet lighting, part of with UV assemblies sized for the minimal space the IAQ or indoor air quality group. available. The retrofit markets will find single and Homeowners have been getting turned multiple tube assemblies for installation in any product onto these products as an added value to moving air. Larger commercial units are available for the help with cleanliness and safety in the air breathed food industry and also many hospitals have been within the home. protected for many years to maintain clean rooms and Retail big box stores have filled their shelves to prevent airborne transfer of germs. promote these products to homeowners. Their Let’s discuss what UV systems can do within the “professional” crews may offer home. It should be mentioned installation or the that these systems are generally homeowner can take powered by either 115/120 volts the unit home and residentially or 208/230/1ph and Unbeknownst to complete a DIY 3/ph in large commercial usages. Saturday project on homeowners, pollutants UV’s work in both heating and their own! cooling modes, but are Commercial contrac- within their homes can reach recommended to be operating tors and their outside sales up to five times the levels all the time, running in personnel have been more conjunction with the circulation savvy to the markets with the of outdoor air. fan in a low speed constant usage of these units in governoperation in between either side ment buildings, hospitals and of its operating system in food trades to limit sicknesses heating or cooling mode. being passed back and forth. Some residential conThe purple or blue light, when illuminated, produces tractors and their sales forces have gained much UVC rays that instantly kill any impurities that pass by knowledge in a short period of time and the popularits lit surface, reducing reproduction of pollutants such as ity train has left the station, with annual sales growths bacteria, moulds, spores, viruses, allergens, general germs, being reported by manufactures. dust mites, pet dander, and cooking odours. This also includes most chemical smells.
R At the other end of the scale, this large commercial air handler uses multiple UV lamps. (Graphics courtesy of Fresh-Aire UV)
Different options There are many different UV options from bypass style HEPA filters with specialized internal filters to UV light(s) and efficient blowers to move a portion of the total airflow to prevent adding additional static to the
26
Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
Tighter homes We must remember that our home’s interiors have become more polluted than ever, leaving very dirty unsanitary air within the dwelling. The tightening of
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the building envelope along with added insulation during new home construction has created this condition. As discussed in past articles, the use of HRV systems has almost become a must in modern homes to help change the indoor air and keep the home and occupants healthy. Many new homes have the familiar smells of the interior finishes, furnishings and construction materials. These odours are part of the off-gassing of the materials used in the construction processes. Their scientific description is volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). These VOCs circulate throughout the building envelope, hitchhiking with the central air distribution system. Some of these odours do dissipate after a few months but the organisms can be circulated for many years after. These particulates are neutralized as they pass through the UV light’s field of treatment. Unbeknownst to homeowners, pollutants within their homes can reach up to five times the levels of outdoor air. UVC rays prevent microorganisms from reproducing. Sometimes a side effect can be the appearance of a dust-like substance that can recirculate back through the duct system into the home, leaving a residue on tabletops and smooth surfaces. Therefore, in most cases, a high quality air filtration system should also be applied into the system to catch such particles. In most cases a quality HEPA air purifier system is recommended. It should also be noted UV systems don’t produce ozone or smells, unlike some of the electronic air cleaning systems of the past.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) has conducted longterm laboratory testing to determine the effectiveness of UV assemblies at various temperatures, RH levels and Bob Bettles HVAC author and trainer Robert (Bob) Bettles is technical service adviser and product trainer for B&B Trade Distribution Centre. He can be reached at bbettles@bandbtrade.com.
air velocities. In selling homeowners on the benefits of UV, it may be helpful to show these test results. The complete OSTI UV report may be viewed at: www.osti.gov/energycitations/servlets/purl/810964. ✚ Brian Guttormson HVAC author and trainer Brian Guttormson is technical service advisor for Trent Metals Ltd. (Supply). He can be reached at techsupport@tmlsupply.com.
Improving technology Ultraviolet light bulbs typically have an operating lifespan of one to three years. This is improving with further development. It should be noted that just because the light shines doesn’t mean it’s doing its job. The bulbs lose intensity and effectiveness over time. Maintenance generally involves cleaning or replacing the bulb annually. Some manufacturers provide cleaning materials and gloves for handling the bulb. Bulbs shouldn’t be handled with bare hands because the oils transferred from human skin reduce the intensity of the UV rays. Like anything, it pays to read and follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules. One recent development is a carbon body element added in series with the UV lamp. These cells help in added purification, requiring fewer passes of the air past the UV lamp. When sizing or selecting units for homes or commercial properties, consult with an informed person either from the wholesaler or from the unit’s manufacturer to help with sizing. Some UV lamps are selected by blower capacities, but most are sized by total square footage of the home or building, including the basement. As well, consult the product literature for the placement of the UV unit. Some may work better before the filtration system and there are others that perform better placed after the air conditioning coil. Most are capable of working in either place depending on available mounting space. Avoid mounting them close to any plastic parts as UV rays can break down plastic and make it brittle.
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March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
27
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■ Heating
Product Profile New player in residential HVAC market A well-known name in professional tools and equipment has entered the residential HVAC market. Ingersoll Rand has launched a complete new line of gas furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, air handlers and indoor air quality products. And the company is establishing a dealer network across Canada, reported Bill The new line includes Davis, national sales a full range of resileader for Ingersoll dential heating and Rand HVAC. cooling equipment. “We’re being selective about the dealers who sell, install and service the products,” he added. “We’re creating the most trusted, highly trained group of dealers in the market. When homeowners call an Ingersoll Rand dealer, we want them to have peace of mind knowing that they’re getting a terrific product, installed by a dealer with the training, knowledge and experience to get the job done right, in a quick and costeffective manner.” Trane HVAC Supply will distribute the equipment to dealers from 22 locations across Canada. Each will carry a wide selection of Ingersoll Rand equipment and replacement parts. The company expects to have its dealer network established and will start selling products to homeowners in the spring. The company has designed some unique features into its products. For example, the Ingersoll Rand Ultra Series gas furnace features an integrated communicating control system, which makes the furnace capable of maintaining its full stated efficiency throughout its entire operating range. Other products include a filter that’s more effective than HEPA and capable of removing 99.98 percent of allergens from the air and a home intelligence system that allows for remote temperature control and home security integration. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business and the parent company for Trane, Thermo King, Club Car and Schlage. Ingersoll Rand u www.irco.com
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Economical indirect tanks
Radiator cabinet system
The new Vitocell 100-VH/BH series indirect DHW storage tanks from Viessmann are available in 300 and 450-litre sizes. They feature a large heat exchanger coil reaching to the cylinder floor to maximize energy transfer, utilize full tank capacity and ensure fast recovery rates. A second coil in the BH version allows integration of a solar thermal system and heating boiler for shared DHW production. An optional 220V electric heating element adds further flexibility. Viessmann u www.viessmann.ca
Calgary-based Flex Heating Products manufactures extruded aluminum cabinet systems for perimeter and stand-alone radiators. They can be supplied in room lengths (up to 20 feet), curved for certain architectural design applications and vertically interlocked to double or triple the height of the cabinet for multiple fin-tube runs. It can also be used to replace old steel cabinets without disrupting existing hydronic circuits. Flex Heating Products u www.flexheating.com
Potable Water Solutions for 2-8”/50-200mm systems
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Victaulic offers a variety of couplings, valves and fittings suitable for use on Copper and Stainless Steel potable water piping systems.
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March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
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■ Plumbing
Difficult profession A World Plumbing Day look at why young people still want to be plumbers By Mark P. Evans
M
y good friend and former apprentice nearly brought me to tears of joy the other day. He has become a very capable journeyman in his own right and is now a mentor to his own apprentices. One day a young trainee asked Greg why his friend would bother to write a plumbing column for a magazine. His response made me proud. He explained to the young man how important and long overdue it was that someone give this profession a voice – a forum that promotes trade awareness outside the industry and unity within it.
Apprentices compete in the Plumbing Skills Competition at the MEET Show in Moncton last May.
www.zurn.com
®
I am honoured by his kind words and will use this World Plumbing Day article to continue that work. March 11 will mark the fourth World Plumbing Day and it’s time to celebrate our profession. This year I would like to spotlight those experiencing their formative years in the business – the apprentices. These are the members of the trade that must carry the heavy loads and dig like machines but are seldom acknowledged for their contributions to the project. Kudos to them for their youthful pursuit of mechanical knowledge when it would be so much easier to make a living behind a keyboard these days! Actually, most other professions would be easier than this one, so why would one choose to pursue this line of work?
Mechanical aptitude For those with a mechanical aptitude and a strong back, a career in plumbing is a perfect choice because the knowledge and experience acquired here will help in all of life’s challenges. With guidance from an experienced journeyman like Greg and a thorough formal education from their trade college instructors like Dave Beitz of
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www.plumbingandhvac.ca
March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
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■Plumbing Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ont., tomorrow’s plumbers will gain valuable skills they can use even outside the trade. The lessons are many but, as an example, one simple trick Dave taught me for calculating lengths for 45 offsets trumped my entire high school Pythagorean theorem instruction and I’ve used it often. By multiplying the distance of the right-angled offset by 1.414 you get the length of the angled piece or “hypotenuse.� When building a multi-run piping layout, make each successive run protrude .414 units longer than the previous one before it starts the offset. Doing this will make the installation symmetrical and pleasing to the eye; just remember to subtract the fitting allowance before cutting
and threading. This little trick has also helped me when building decks, trimming baseboards and other areas where angles are needed.
Learning by association It is generally expected to take about five years to complete the number of practical hours, but in busy times can be finished sooner. Through the 9000 hours of experience an apprentice must complete to earn certification, many other skills will be learned by association. Just by being in the construction environment for that extended period, one becomes familiar with many associated trades such as framing, welding and wiring.
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The old fashioned characteristic of having “gumption� will be instilled within the willing young mind.
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Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
Above all, the successful plumbing apprentice will learn the very valuable life skills of patience, tenacity and endurance through many hours of hard labour. After digging miles of trenches and carrying tons of heavy materials, a certain toughness will be acquired that will not only make them more employable but will diminish the hardships they will face in their everyday lives. Martial arts legend Bruce Lee advised: “Don’t pray for an easier life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.� Certainly he was referring to the plumbing business. I used to dread rolling up my muddy extension cords at the end of a hard day but learned to attack that chore with vigour and soon it became a non-issue. I still use that experience to help me when faced with any difficult task and it makes my day much easier. I believe that a vigorous daily routine throughout an apprenticeship helps build strong character and creates
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better members of the workforce and society at large. Completing the training portion of this trade is much like military boot camp in that it prepares future soldiers to face severe conditions they must not only endure but triumph over. Hitting the trenches at the crack of dawn even when the weather is nasty and everything is frozen will strengthen the apprentice’s resolve without having to face the horrors of war.
Going further It’s healthy for a young person to be pushed further than they would have otherwise gone. Often the hardest part of any job is getting over the psychological hurdle of just getting started but, as a plumbing apprentice, that problem will be cleared right up. The old fashioned characteristic of having “gumption� will be instilled within the willing young mind. The laws of physics dictate much of this business and one law in particular speaks to the attitude of a welltrained apprentice. Things in motion tend to stay in motion and things at rest tend to stay at rest. There is much to do to make a better world and we need aggressive, intelligent individuals that will take action to make it happen. I see that quality in a plumbing apprentice. Happy World Plumbing Day to the future of our trade! (I’d shake your hand but I don’t know where it’s been!) ✚
Mark P. Evans is a contractor, master plumber and heating technician based in Waterloo, Ont. He can be reached at mark.evans@live.ca www.plumbingandhvac.ca
Left to right: Nuno D. (Stantec), Jerry L. (Uponor), Erik W. (Klimar), Brian M. (The Morgan Group), Kaveesh P. (HTS)
Both organizations stand as examples of companies which create progressive approaches to today’s building challenges. We strive to provide solutions to allow them to meet their goals, and combine this with local support through partners like Brian Morgan, The Morgan Group and Erik Walesiak, Klimar Agency together with members of our team like Jerry Leyte, Commercial Business Development Manager, we look
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The Future Is Enabling At Uponor “enabling the environments we will create” is one of our values and goals. It means that all our solutions provide you the flexibility, comfort and efficiency your clients deserve. We are proud that many of our partners within the marketplace share this ideal. Partners like Nuno Duarte Practice Leader, at Stantec, or Kaveesh Padiachy, Ottawa Controls Manager at HTS Engineering Ltd.
■ Trucks for the Trade
Ford launches new vans Ford launched two new vans at the Canadian International Auto Show, which opened in Toronto Feb. 15. The company displayed its full-sized Transit van that will replace the popular E-Series van in 2014. But the real surprise was a completely re-designed Transit Connect small van. The new version addresses a number of contractor complaints with the original version, introduced in 2009 as a 2010 model. It holds the same 130 cubic feet of cargo. However, the cargo area is now nine inches longer, but has lost four inches off the height. And the new version is available with a right-hand sliding door only, allowing shelving
Less is more – the new Transit Connect is available without the driver’s side sliding door.
on the left side of the van like a conventional cargo van. The previous version had doors on both sides, making outfitting difficult. Payload is up to 1,600 lbs. (725 kg) and the new version can also tow a trailer up to 2,000 lbs. The popular barn door style rear doors remain, although a lift gate is also available. The standard engine is a 2.5 litre four cylinder. However, a turbo-charged Eco-Boost 1.6-litre engine is also available, stretching highway mileage to over 30 mpg. Second row seating is now available for contractors that need to haul a crew.
Full-sized van David Shuttleworth explains the features on the new Transit full-sized van.
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Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
The full-sized Transit is available in three body lengths, two wheelbases, three roof heights and in van, wagon,
chassis cab and cutaway versions. It will average 25 percent better fuel economy and carry 300 lbs. more than the current E-Series, reported David Shuttleworth, commercial marketing plans manager. And yet it’s considerably easier to drive and park than the old full-sized vans, he added. “The big Transit drives more car-like. People are surprised. It’s like night and day compared to the E-Series.” A 3.7-litre V-6 engine is standard. Also available are a turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine and a 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel, all tied to a six-speed automatic transmission. Cargo volume ranges from 250 to 500 cubic feet. Essentially, one high roof, long-wheelbase, long body version can carry twice the cargo of an E-Series. ✚
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
FOR THE THOUSANDS OF JOBS YOU DO, WE’VE GOT ONE. To get you what you need. When you need it. It’s our promise, and we’ve lived and breathed it every day for over 20 years. We know you’re busy, which is why we’ve created an incredibly efficient network to get you back on the job, fast. With a 98% fill-rate commitment, four distribution centres and over 1.5 million square feet of warehouse space, we offer the widest range of in-stock products in the business. Plus, our fleet of 200 delivery trucks and network of 50+ branches means you’re never far from us. Today, we’re uniquely equipped to provide solutions that support the entire lifecycle of a building, from the early stages of a design-build project through to maintenance and renovation. Still, our greatest asset isn’t inventory; it’s our people. They’re the backbone of our operations and the reason we’re able to look after yours. We know your business. It’s our job.
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■ Refrigeration
Refrigerant reclamation Nova Scotia company pioneered recycling process
by Simon Blake
Jim Thomas and Refrigerant Services have become world leaders in recycling refrigerants.
The reclaim machine processes refrigerant to 99.5 percent pure in one pass.
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Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
The idea of reclaiming and re-using coming back for reclamation were made up of all kinds refrigerants is relatively new. In fact, of mixtures, which had to be separated before they could it’s so new that the idea and the be reclaimed. requirements to reclaim and recycle After looking all around the world for processes and came before the technology had equipment to do this, the company had to develop its been perfected. However, a Nova own process and its own equipment. In the long-term, Scotia company has carved out a this proved beneficial as it made the company a world business by inventing both a leader in reclamation technology, becoming an process and the equipment to do equipment manufacturer and selling the equipment and just that. Today Refrigerant Services processes to other companies around the globe. Inc. in Dartmouth accepts reclaimed refrigerants from A complex process wholesalers across the country and either purifies and A casual visitor to the Refrigerant Services plant in re-sells them or sends them Dartmouth might be forgiven for away for disposal. thinking they’d walked into an The company started in 1990. It does take a lot of illegal moonshine operation. The “We knew there would be a process for separating refrigerants paperwork to get 30,000 lbs. demand for phasing out is a form of distillation and what refrigerants and we thought we appears to be a large “still” should get into it,” said Jim of dangerous substance dominates the plant floor, along Thomas, president, as he showed across the border. with pallets of refrigerant members of the Heating, cylinders that have been sent to Refrigeration and Air Refrigerant Services from Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) around the wholesalers across Canada. Or as Thomas notes, at any plant last August during that group’s annual conference. given time “this building is holding about 230 tons of In fact Nova Scotia was the first province to introduce dangerous goods.” Needless to say, safety and careful regulations aimed at reducing ozone-depleting handling procedures are paramount. substances. In January, 1993 it banned the long-standing The company processes and reclaims fluorocarbon practice of venting refrigerants into the atmosphere. refrigerants, separates mixtures, blends and packages But reclaiming refrigerants proved more complicated refrigerants and re-certifies refrigerant cylinders. The than expected. To be re-used, refrigerants must be taken pool of about 15,000 cylinders goes out to wholesalers back to 99.5 percent pure as required by the Air across Canada on a deposit basis. Each cylinder has to Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) 700 be tested and recertified every five years. reclamation standard. It’s not an easy process, especially The first step is always to run a test on the contents when one considers that “virgin” refrigerant is only 99.8 to determine exactly what they are. If it turns out to be percent pure. a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerant and thus can’t Refrigerant Services found existing reclamation be reclaimed or recycled, it is sent to Refrigerant equipment was primitive and that used refrigerants Management Canada for disposal.
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
HVAC & HYDRONICS A heat pump system moves the refrigerant through the process, eliminating the need for a compressor. This improves efficiency and reduces oil content in the finished product, allowing it to be reclaimed to 99.5 percent pure in just one pass. Reclaimed refrigerant is first offered back to the wholesaler that sent it in before making it available to others. Refrigerant Services has no difficulty selling all re-claimed refrigerant that it can produce. The limiting factor is the amount of refrigerant that is turned in. “Only a small percentage is actually recovered and returned for reclamation,� noted Thomas.
WHEN THE COOLING QUITS, WE DON’T.
Reclaiming R410a The company recently built this new R410a separator.
While most of the company’s work involves reclaiming R22, the company expected to have equipment to reclaim R410a up and running in February after overcoming some initial pump failures and other issues. Because R410a is a blend of R32 and R125, it is more difficult to reclaim. “Blends tend to fractionate during processing so you have to typically adjust them at the end of the process.� The other issue is that R410a usually comes in mixed with R22, which presents a further challenge. “The problem is, most of the contractors have only one recovery unit, so they use the same unit for Process technician Jeremy Baker analyzes refrigerant samples in the lab. everything,� noted Thomas. R410a is still a relatively new, so Several of RMC’s dozen 30,000 lb. tank/trailers can be the amounts coming back for reclamation are only found at Refrigerant Services at any given time to take about five percent of R22. “It is growing because every refrigerants that can’t be reclaimed. year there are more R410a systems in service, so as the Every trailer is tested before it arrives, refrigerants for R22 installed base drops off the R410a installed base is disposal are checked for PCBs before being transferred going up.� to the trailer and the contents are tested before the tanker leaves for a hazardous waste disposal facility in Their own refrigerants Alberta or in the U.S. “It does take a lot of paperwork to With so much knowledge along with very specialized get 30,000 lbs. of dangerous substance across the border,� equipment, it was only a matter of time before Refrigerant Thomas laughs. Services started manufacturing its own line of non-ozone depleting refrigerants. It developed RS24 as a drop-in The reclamation process replacement for R12 and RS44 as drop-in replacement for Once refrigerants have been identified, both as to the type R22 in a joint venture with a British company. These and whether or not they are reclaimable, they are put into refrigerants were phased out in Europe earlier than in 1,000 lb. tanks for separation and reclamation. They are North America. In the late 90s the two companies merged pumped through filters that remove oil, acids and other and went on to develop other non-ozone-depleting dropcontamination. Refrigerants are separated in a fractional in replacement refrigerants, such as RS45 (also to replace distillation system. Different refrigerants have different R22) and RS52 to replace R502. boiling points. Flow rate, temperature and the height of For what is a relatively small company in the world of column are adjusted to suit the refrigerant that is being refrigeration – only 14 employees – Refrigerant Services separated out. Finally, it goes into the reclamation process, continues to show how Canadian innovation can lead which is a straight distillation process. the world. ✚
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
When the unexpected happens, we know you feel it. That’s why we’ve put systems in place to get you up and running, fast. Systems like our After Hours Emergency Service. We carry a complete line of heating and cooling equipment for residential, commercial and specialty applications. And we’ll drop it wherever you need it, when you need it – at no charge! But that’s not all that sets us apart. We have one of the largest teams of JO IPVTF UFDIOJDBM TQFDJBMJTUT JO UIF industry. So if you’re looking to reduce your footprint or improve energy eďŹƒciencies, we can create custom solutions that’ll help you breathe a little easier.
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INDUSTRIAL
Efficient scroll compressor
R-410A replacement
The new VZH inverter scroll compressor from Danfoss uses a brushless interior permanent magnet (IPM) design and is optimized for different pressure ratios to deliver energy savings of more than 30 percent compared to a unit equipped with a fixed or mechanically modulating compressor. In addition, variable speed technology provides infinite and smooth capacity modulation, delivering precise temperature control within ¹0.3°C/0.1°F of the set point, reports the manufacturer. It is available in cooling capacities ranging from 13 to 26TR. Danfoss u www.danfoss.us
The new Solstice L-41 low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant from Honeywell is designed as a lower GWP alternative to R-410A. It offers a 75 percent reduction in GWP compared to R-410A and is intended for residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump applications. It offers excellent energy efficiency, is cost effective and can be used in existing equipment designs with minimal changes, reports the manufacturer. Honeywell, Genetron Div. u www.honeywell-refrigerants.com
Expanded range The next generation of Copeland Scroll Ultra Tech compressors offers improved performance and reliability, as well as improved sound performance. The new three-phase UltraTech compressor also offers enhanced system efficiency, comfort and reliability for commercial applications. The company’s CoreSense diagnostics module assists contractors in troubleshooting. Emerson Climate Technologies u www.emerson.com.
Isolation valve Steel isolation valves (SIV) from Mueller Refrigeration feature a unique design with a flexible three-port configuration that allows easy access to any service port, no matter where the valve may be mounted. Each SIV has dual ports on both sides of the valve that remain open during normal operation, and can also be used with pressure switches or gauges as required within system operation or service applications. Mueller Refrigeration u www.muellerindustries.com
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■ Building Green Evacuated tube collectors are mounted on temporary supports until the roof is redone in the spring.
Solar thermal for apprentices
College builds its own system to advance training
S
olar thermal technology is being introduced into the plumbing apprenticeship curriculum in Alberta. For officials at Medicine Hat College (MHC), which offers numerous construction apprenticeship programs, it made sense to incorporate solar into the college’s mechanical system to allow apprentices
hands-on access to a functioning solar thermal system as part of their training, reported plumbing instructor Danny Wilson. It provides domestic hot water to part of the Trades Wing. Walter Garrison, manager of innovation at MHC, adds: “While a number of post-secondary institutions in North America have installed
Makes the competition look soft. PEX-Flex may take a little more to put in the ground
utility costs. The system uses an evacuated tube solar collector system, which was chosen because of its efficiency and availability. It was mounted on a temporary metal structure because the roof is scheduled for replacement in the spring. It will then be mounted on sleepers as part of the new roof surface. Plumbing wholesaler Frontier donated the Apricus system and their staff, including Bill Marshall and Rob Howell, worked closely with the college to make the project happen. Wilson also credits Dan Rooney, product manager for Rheem Canada, who supplied a Rheemglas Solaraide 285-litre tank. This water heater has an internal heat exchanger and a 4500-Watt electric heating element. Also assisting with the project was Tom Dinkel of SunReports. The
but the extra effort pays off in long lasting durability.
The system
High system compressive properties keep the carrier
The project at MHC includes a small Apricus 30-tube residential solar thermal system, which has been installed on the Trades Wing roof. In addition, a Rheem 80-gallon solar water heater has been integrated into the system along with additional piping connections to a custom designed and built heat exchanger. It prewarms the domestic cold water entering the building’s gas-fired water heater and reduces the amount of heat needed to As one would expect in an institution that raise the domestic hot water teaches best practices, the installation temperature, thus reducing in the mechanical room is a tidy one.
pipe(s) centered under shallow buried live loads and along even the shortest radius turns. The smooth wall outer casing does not ‘catch’ obstacles or debris during installation. The UV Stable PE Jacket, eco-friendly PUR insulation and PEX pipe(s) are mechanically bonded creating a completely watertight system.
If you’re looking for a tough flexible pre-insulated pipe system – choose
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renewable energy systems in newly designed and constructed buildings, the MHC project integrated solar into the college’s existing grid, which presented its own challenges.” The college first became involved with solar energy technology when Wilson was chosen to be one of the peer reviewers of the National Research Council and Association of Community Colleges of Canada solar thermal curriculum. Since then, Wilson has become the trades innovation coordinator at the college and designed the solar thermal system. Participants in construction and commissioning included plumbing program faculty, staff, students and local contractors.
Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
company donated one of its Apollo2 solar energy monitoring systems to track performance. “We are developing a model that will demonstrate the energy savings by the use of this system,� said Wilson. System performance can be viewed online at: http://www.sunreports.com/app/portal/username/bhavi nvyasportal/type/thermal/view/dash/interactive/no.
A research opportunity The solar thermal installation is now operational and producing domestic hot water in addition to real-time
data for this applied research project measuring the performance, efficiency, and return on investment of the system. This research will produce many benefits to the college, local community, and beyond, said Wilson. The solar thermal performance output will be compiled with the sun’s intensity in lumens and ambient air temperature to produce data that will accurately reflect the solar heating potential. This data will allow the college to achieve its initial research objective: performance verification of solar thermal technology in the southern Alberta climate that will detail system performance with seasonal fluctuations in the sun’s intensity. “Consumer confidence in our region for this technology requires realtime performance metrics such as our system provides,� explained Wilson. Findings will be summarized in a future report in P&HVAC. In addition to conducting performance verification and fieldtesting, the college tested for bacterial growth and formation in the solar water heater. A first-year MHC engineering student monitored the heat output of the solar thermal system and obtained
Student Bhavin Vyas brazes one of the solar thermal glycol lines.
Consumer confidence in our region for this technology requires real-time performance metrics such as our system provides. water samples from the water heater under controlled settings. The student checked to see if bacterial growth had occurred in the solar heated tank, which was protected and isolated from the rest of the building’s water supply, when the electrical heating element that is used to maintain the water at a pre-set temperature was switched off. The initial phase of this research has recently been completed and results will be made public. Many local trades and industry people donated time and equipment to the project. In addition to those mentioned above, Marcus Campbell of Terralta Inc. and Dean Kopperud of Quickway Electric donated time and material. David Kelly of Sedmek Inc. provided support and guidance. Buck Heath of Padcar Mechanical supplied piping insulation. “This project is an excellent example of the close relationship that colleges have with industry and clearly shows the benefits to local companies, students and the environment,� said Garrison. ✚
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The ECO-Touch is a complete control providing the contractors and homeowners with a higher level of control over indoor air quality. The ECO-Touch is ECO-friendly by lowering energy consumption by up to 25%, it is simple and sleek and easy to install.
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■ People & Places
Plumbing Institute marks 80 years The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) celebrated 80 years on Feb. 13. The not-for-profit national trade organization was incorporated on Feb. 8, 1933 after its “founding fathers” recognized the need to lobby the Canadian government to amend the Dominion Housing Act to encourage renovation and housing starts. As individuals they had little influence, but collectively they made a difference. In 1933, Ivan Leger of the James Robertson Company was appointed the first president. The nine founding members left a legacy of purpose and commitment that continues to this day. The initial key
The
People Andrew Clark has joined Bonomi North America Inc., Oakville, Ont. as Canadian sales manager. HeatLink, Calgary, has named Andrew (Andy) Andrew Morrow to the position of Clark product manager. The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Ontario, Calif., has hired Jed Scheuermann as field services Andy Morrow manager for Region 12, which includes British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Barclay Sales, Edmonton, Alta., announces the adCarol dition of Carol Reivonen Reivonen to its sales team.
INDEX to
ADVERTISERS A.O. Smith .............................................30 Aquatech ...............................................15 Bradford White Canada ..........................45 Brant Radiant .........................................39 Cash Acme.............................................27 Daikin.......................................................4 Delta Faucet ...........................................16 Fantech ..................................................41 Fujitsu ....................................................42 General Pipe Cleaners...............................8 Harsco Industrial.....................................10 Honeywell/Genetron Div. .......................47 Insulation Solutions ................................25 IPEX........................................................22 Jobs.ca** ...............................................38 Jonas Software .......................................21 Judo Water Treatment ..............................7 Liberty Pumps.........................................34 Madok Mfg. .....................................11, 13
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objectives of the Institute were to: 1. Raise the standards of the plumbing and heating industries; 2. Study matters of interest to manufacturers, wholesale distributors, jobbers or manufacturers agents and collect statistics; 3. Promote and conserve the rights of the industry; 4. Maintain and continue the good feeling at present existing in the industry. CIPH has now grown to include nine regions across Canada and represents the interests of more than 260 companies that employ over 20,000 people, with total sales exceeding $5 billion annually. It
Two veteran members of CIPH were honored recently. Lou Petro (Allied Technical Sales), left, and Terry Hutcheon (Wolseley), third from left, were recognized for 50 years in the industry at the CIPH Ontario Region October meeting. Ontario Region president Cathy Warner (Wolseley) and CIPH national chair John Hammill presented the awards. continues to actively represent its members, influencing government policies, codes and standards. It has become a trusted source of information on the industry, offers professional education and certification programs and is working to attract youth to the industry. “We serve our members best by serving
our industry first,” says current board chairman John Hammill of Moen Canada. The group’s 80th anniversary celebrations will culminate with this year’s Annual Business Conference, planned for Halifax June 16-18. For more information, visit www.ciph.com.
after a brief illness. David joined Black & McDonald in 1973 and held numerous positions throughout his 30 years of service. He also devoted much time in support of the industry with the Ontario Construction Secretariat, the Mechanical Contractors Associations of Toronto, Ontario and Canada along with the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada. He
was past president of the Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ORAC) and, after retiring from Black and McDonald, became the organization’s first full-time executive director in 2004. His funeral was held Feb. 28 in Oakville, Ont. Donations may be made in David’s memory to the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital.
The
Companies Sheldon Schiffner and Bill Lowe announce the formation of their new company, Shel-B Sales Inc., in Calgary, acting as Sheldon an agent/rep firm primarily Schiffner in Alberta. Currently, they represent Wade Drains. Cliplight Manufacturing Co., Toronto, presented its Merit Award 2012 – Best Comprehensive Sales, to Bill Lowe manufacturer’s representative, B.J. Williams & Associates, Kingston, Ont. at the AHR Expo in Dallas, Texas Jan. 29.
In Memoriam David Honsberger The industry lost a longtime friend when David Honsberger, P.Eng. died Feb. 17 Malco Products.......................................17 MCEE 2013 ............................................44 Mitsubishi Electric.....................................6 Mobilio.....................................................5 Napoleon ...............................................28 Noble .........................................35, 37, 39 RaptorCutting Tools................................19 Redmond/Williams*................................38 Rheem Canada.......................................24 RIDGID ...................................................48 Saniflo....................................................14 Sanuvox .................................................12 Taco Canada.............................................2 Trane Co...................................................9 Uponor...................................................33 Urecon ...................................................40 Victaulic .................................................29 Watco Mfg. ............................................32 Wiring Pro ..............................................43 Woodford Mfg. ......................................20 Zurn Industries........................................31 * Ontario only ** Outside Ontario
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■ Coming Events
Quebec’s largest mechanical show returns set aside for products judged to be the most innovative in their categories. Education is a major component of MCEE and once again a wide range of seminars has been announced: These include topics such as rainwater disposal systems, proposed plumbing code changes, building code energy efficiency requirements, steam system energy efficiency, avoiding noise problems in HVAC design, optimization of systems with wall ventilators, social media – tools for a profitable digital strategy and zoned HVAC system regulation – the benefits of an
MCEE attracts visitors from far away, like Dave Hughes of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, here chatting with Jane Kordyjaka, right, of A.M.T.S. at the 2011 event. Quebec’s largest trade show for the mechanical industry is returning to downtown Montreal. MCEE 2013 will take place a Place Bonaventure April 17-18. The Mecanex/Climatex/Expolectriq/Eclairage (MCEE) show will feature 420 exhibitors displaying the latest technology in plumbing, heating, hydronic heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, water treatment, kitchen and bath, pipe, valves and fittings, fire prevention, tools, software, electrical and lighting. Manufacturers will also highlight their cutting edge technologies in the New Product Showcase, a special area
Events
integrated approach. There will also be a number of seminars on lighting and other electrical subjects. MCEE, formerly known as Mecanex, is organized by four partners – the Corporation of Master Pipe Mechanics of Quebec (CMMTQ), the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), the Corporation des enterprises en traitement de l’air du froid (CETAF) and the Corporation of Master Electricians of Quebec (CMEQ). About 7,000 contractors and industry personnel are expected to attend this year’s event. For more information or to register, please visit www.mcee.ca.
APRIL 24-27:
Calendar MARCH 12-16: ISH 2013, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Please visit www.ish.messefrankfurt.com.
APRIL 17-18: MCEE 2013, Quebec’s largest trade show for the mechanical industry, Place Bonaventure, Montreal. Call Elizabeth McCullough at 1-800-639-2474 or visit www.mcee.ca for more information.
68th Annual RSES Canada Educational Conference, Fallsview Hilton Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ont. Visit www.rsesCanada.com for more information.
MAY 2-3: Canadian GeoExhange Conference and Trade Show, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Campus, Burnaby, B.C. Contact conference2013@geoexchangebc.com or call (604) 800-9091.
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March 2013 – Plumbing & HVAC
45
■ Shop Management
No easy answers Is it better to buy a business, or start from scratch? By Ron Coleman you can use initial profits to grow the business and, provided you stay in control, you will put the right people and the right systems in place from day one.
Careful planning
“Should I start my own business, buy an existing one or stay with my current employer?” I get asked that question a lot. I wish there was an easy answer. Let’s look at the statistics from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada’s (HRAI) benchmark program on the financial success of plumbing and HVAC contractors in Canada. • 25 percent make great money • 25 percent make okay money • 25 percent survive and make wages • 25 percent make less than they would working for someone else. Unless you can make it into the top 50 percent – be above average – you are better off working for someone else.
Build or renovate Now you have two options – buy an existing business or start a new business from scratch. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The analogy of comparing a renovation to building a custom home applies. In a reno you are constrained by many existing factors while by building a new home you start off with a clean sheet. Here are some guidelines that can be used in either case: But first of all there is a constant risk – do you own
46
Plumbing & HVAC – March 2013
your own business or does the business own you? Whichever way you go, make sure that you take a good salary, take vacations and work reasonable hours. I remember one contractor saying to me: “I like the 40hour week so much that most weeks I do it twice!” Buying an existing business means buying an infrastructure that is already in place. You really hit the ground running. Generally your hope is to “tweak” the existing business to make some more profit; maybe you want to get into that top 25 percent level.
Whichever way you go, make sure that you take a good salary, take vacations and work reasonable hours. Starting up your own business means you get to make all the initial decisions so that you are not constrained by any of the existing infrastructure. Often existing businesses contain too much baggage and it takes a long time to get rid of it. It is also very emotionally draining to have to lay off people or spend time breaking them of their bad habits. And that can include customers and suppliers as well. The money that you would spend buying a business will likely equate to the cost you will invest in a new business to get it up and running. The advantage to the start-up is that
The amount of pre-planning before starting a new business is very poorly understood. Most of the contractors I know have a trade background and they are hoping that their knowledge will be sufficient to ensure their success. They really don’t know how to structure their selling prices, how much sales they need to break even, what overhead they must have and how to get and retain customers. By spending more time on this many contractors would either not go into business or those that do would be a lot more successful. This is a win/win process. It is almost impossible for a plumbing or HVAC contractor to make profit unless annual sales are at least $750,000. This means having at least three technicians. Small businesses like this tend to be overhead heavy, or the owner spends at least 30 hours a week on the tools. Both options are undesirable. The most important advice I can give to someone setting up in business or even to someone in business is to forget about thinking about the plumbing and HVAC, think about the business. You are a businessman or woman; you are not a plumber. We all use different skills to make money and it’s all about making money so that we can enjoy the lifestyle rewards. Owning your own business can be quite prestigious and even more so if you make a success of it. As you progress in this process ask yourself: “Have I got myself a business or is this really just a job?” If the “business” can’t succeed without your everyday presence, then you have a job. Next month, in Part II, we will look at the nuts and bolts of setting up a business. Today I head off to Australia to visit family. I hope my business will still be here when I get back! ✚
Ronald Coleman is a Vancouverbased accountant, management consultant, author and educator specializing in the construction industry. He can be reached by e-mail at ronald@ronaldcoleman.ca.
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
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