The
Training Issue
Today’s training NNew technologi Ne technologies h l ies ddrive dri e continuous contin o s upgrading pgrading d
INSIDE Q Plumbing industry celebrates in Ottawa Q New website connects technicians to trainers Q Reducing leaks in commercial refrigeration Q Customer service basics for contractors
JULY/AUGUST 2017
WWW.PLUMBINGANDHVAC.CA
Q Contents
The Training Issue Departments Hot Seat .........................................5 The tool revolution
Industry News ..............................6 CIPH celebrates in Ottawa
People & Places ...........................43 Wolseley consolidates Saint John branch
Shop Management .....................44 Keeping your customers
Coming Events ............................46 CIPH Roadshow seminars announced
Products & Technologies Air Conditioning..........................18 HVAC Roundup............................23 Hot Water Heating ......................27
Addressing today’s skill requirements Trade colleges gear up as industry goes high tech
Refrigeration ...............................32
Features
Tools & Instruments ....................39 Pipes, Valves & Fittings ...............41
Hydronics training advances
27
More options than ever for contractors
Cover: As equipment goes high tech, even the most experienced technicians are taking update training in courses like this Wolseley event.
Minimizing refrigerant leaks Better testing and inspection helps
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32
Keeping your customers
44
Good manners, product knowledge go a long way
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Q Hot Seat
July/August 2017 Volume 27, Number 5 ISSN 1919-0395
The tool revolution Twenty years ago few people would have predicted that today the vast majority of tools used in this industry would be cordless. Today it’s a reality. Twenty years ago cordless tools were primarily drills. Today virtually every tool we use is available in a cordless version. Twenty years ago, when a tradesman needed ‘real power’ he went back to the truck and dug out his corded tool – always carried because he knew he would come up against a situation where the battery version would run out of juice or just not have enough power. That’s all changed. New batter y technologies, brushless DC motors and computerized controls have made many of the cordless tools better than corded versions. Probably the biggest step forward came with the adoption of lithium ion batteries. The old nickel cadmium (Ni-cad) batteries had to be charged immediately before use because they lost charge when left sitting in the truck for a week or two. Not so with lithium ion batteries; they can hold a charge for months. Brushless DC motors and sophisticated computer controls, which control battery operation, charging, motor, etc. came along
and allowed manufacturers to optimize both the operation of the tool and battery life. This created an ever more powerful and practical cordless technology that has been extended to an ever-widening range of tools. And it’s not just the corded tools like drills, saws, etc. that have been replaced. Heavy-duty air powered tools like impact drivers and gasoline powered tools like chainsaws are now available in high performance cordless versions. We see cordless technology being extended to tools that most of us could never imagine it would be, such as cable type drain cleaning machines. At the same time, at least one manufacturer has introduced a technology for larger tools that allows them to operate either on batteries or plugged into a wall outlet. And they are designed to work equally well either way. What’s next? It’s hard to say, but I do know that the manufacturers of cordless tools are constantly scrutinizing the plumbing and HVAC industry for opportunities to expand their range. If the tool in your hand isn’t cordless, it’s likely there is a version or soon will be.
Publisher Mark Vreugdenhil (416) 614-5819 mark@plumbingandhvac.ca Editor Simon Blake (416) 614-5820 simon@plumbingandhvac.ca Design and Production Tim Norton/Janet Popadiuk production@plumbingandhvac.ca Circulation Manager Dorothy Lai
PLUMBING & HVAC Magazine is published eight times annually by Marked 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.
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POSTMASTER: Send all address changes and circulation inquiries to: Plumbing & HVAC Magazine, 451 Attwell Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9W 5C4. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 43029513. 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 2017. 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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Q Industry News
Impact of Trump on business top-of-mind for many By Simon Blake
CIPH
celebrates
T
in Ottawa
he Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) held its 85th Annual Business Conference in Ottawa June 25-27 with 286 delegates and companions attending – including 44 new delegates. The effect of U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist ambitions on Canadian business was top-of-mind for several speakers and many delegates. “I had hoped things would be a bit clearer or calmer by now. Silly me; (Trump) thrives in a period of chaos,” remarked David B u r n e y, f o r m e r Canadian ambassador to the U.S. He was involved in the original free trade negotiations as well as NAFTA. “Trump will be erratic, but he’s a David Burney deal maker,” noted John Baird, former foreign affairs minister in the Stephen Harper government. While renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a priority, “he will be looking for a face saving agreement (with Canada),” he added. He praised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his low-key approach. “It loathes me to
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Plumbing & HVAC – July/August 2017
say that Trudeau has handled the file with great skill and care. In the first six months o f ( t h e Tr u m p ) administ ration, I think we are off to a very good start.” The danger, noted Burney, is that NAFTA John Baird negotiations may drag on indefinitely until one partner quits. He added that no deal is better than a bad deal. “Canada needs to know above all when and how to say no.” In Canada’s favour, about nine million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada, he added.
Dealing with climate change Baird also noted that the Liberal climate change agenda may put Canada at an economic disadvantage. “They are true believers; it’s religion to them. They will go ahead with their agenda despite the U-turn in Washington, which will be a huge challenge for Canadian business.” Climate change is real, he added, but “the biggest challenge is that we’re not solving the problem” because Canada and other Western nations can’t do it alone. “It’s like we’re bailing out the rowboat, but China and India are
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Succession planning
Bill Palamar, right, passed the CIPH chairman’s gavel to Joe Senese at the group’s annual meeting. using fire hoses to fill it up.” CIPH president Ralph Suppa noted that while CIPH generally supports the climate change objectives of federal and provincial governments, the organization’s focus is on providing “practical solutions” that work for both industry and government. Burney praised CIPH for the work it is doing to harmonize codes and standards between Canada and the U.S. and between provinces. “If we could have interprovincial free trade, wouldn’t that be a bonanza,” he added.
Working with others On many of these issues, CIPH works closely with other associations. Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) president Del Pawliuk (R.F. Contracting, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) pointed to the progress on prompt payment, the Day on the Hill where every year CIPH and MCAC members and staff meet with federal politicians in Ottawa, World Plumbing Day and other joint activities. “The accomplishments that we achieve together could not have been done if we did not have such a strong partnership,” he added.
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Rick Ellul (B elimo Air Controls, Mississauga, Ont.), chair of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), agreed. He noted that the two organizations are “dealing with a lengthy list of environmental issues” with the added challenge of a patchwork of different regulations between municipalities, provinces and the federal government. Over the past 15 months, a joint CIPH/ HRAI task team has worked to establish closer relations between staff, develop a process to meet and discuss issues and to assign a lead organization for each issue. Senator and former mechanical contractor – his sons now run Landmark Mechanical, Landmark, Man. – Don Plett told urged the audience to keep the pressure on their federal politicians to get prompt payment legislation passed. While it has all-party support, the federal cabinet may be reluctant to move it Don Plett along, he said.
Wit h many of t o d a y ’s i n d u s t r y leaders looking at retirement over the next ten years, a presentation on succession planning by Roger Greenberg of The Minto Group was well received. Roger Greenberg The Ottawa based real estate company is one of the largest homebuilders in North America and is also heavily involved in the rental market. Founded in 1955, the company was run by his father, who died suddenly in the 80s and his uncle, who died of cancer in 1991. “We did absolutely zero planning. We were afraid to ask…. At 35, my main qualification for becoming president of Minto was my last name,” said Greenberg. Between his siblings and cousins, there were now eight shareholders. They put rules in place that, among other things, ensured that they could only sell within the family. They brought in outside expertise with a board of directors, four of seven of whom are independent. They separated day-to-day operation from ownership – creating a new organization to run family business. “Make sure you recruit the strongest people you can and let them do what you hired them to do,” he advised. “Make sure they share your values, but they are not going to do everything the way you would.” Today, for the first time, a CEO who is not a family member runs the company. There were numerous other activities in addition to the speakers – the Ed Hardison Memorial Golf Tournament, a tour of former prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King’s summer retreat in the Gatineau Hills, and several tours of the Parliament Buildings. Please see ‘Not’ on page 9
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Q Industry News
Refrigerant Management Canada increases HCFC/HFC disposal levies
C
ontractors may have noticed an increase in the cost of disposing of HCFC and HFC refrigerants. On July 1, Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC) increased the levies following a review of current and future disposal costs. RMC started accepting HFCs for disposal Feb. 1 and applied a levy of $0.50/kg on HFCs sold for use in the stationary sector to fund their collection and disposal. HFC volumes now account for 35 percent of refrigerants received by RMC. The RMC board of directors conducted an in-depth financial analysis of the program
during their May meeting, reviewing program volumes, the impact the import prohibition of HCFCs will have in 2020, refrigerant inventories and industry trends. They determined that an increase in the HCFC and HFC levies were needed to ensure the RMC program has sufficient funds to handle the expected influx of refrigerants over the next couple of years. Therefore, on July 1, the environmental levy on the sales of new and reclaimed HCFCs or HCFC blends, as well as HFCs and HFC blends sold into the Canadian HVAC/R market, increased as follows:
Not the sexiest industry… Continued from page 7
New board elected Joe Senese, vice president, operations, Groupe Deschénes Inc., Montreal, was elected chairman for 2017-18. He noted that one of the challenges and one of his priorities will be to continue attracting talented young people to the industry.
They will go ahead with their agenda despite the U-turn in Washington, which will be a huge challenge for Canadian business. “As all of us have heard, plumbing and heating may not be the sexiest industry around, but it is fundamental to the health and well-being of Canadians.” This year’s conference chairman, Allen Taylor, (Taylor Pipe Supports, Burlington,
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Ont.), was elected first vice-chairman. Second vice chairmen are Andrew Dyck (Barclay Sales Ltd., Port Coquitlam, B.C.) and Gail Kaufman (Wolseley Canada, Burlington, Ont.). Bill Palamar moves into the past chair and treasurer’s role. Bill Hooper (Uponor, Mississauga, Ont.), was elected chairman of the Manufacturers’ Division and Matt Robinson (B.A. Robinson, Winnipeg) was elected chairman of the Wholesalers’ Division.
Looking forward The high attendance at the conference illustrates the strong support that CIPH continues to have from its members. Palamar noted that it takes a lot of work – by staff and volunteers – at the national and regional levels to keep the organization vibrant. “We wouldn’t be able to achieve what we have achieved without all those volunteers on a national scale… I see nothing but blue skies ahead for this organization.” The next CIPH Annual Business Conference will take place June 17-19, 2018 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Whistler, B.C. For more information, please visit www. ciph.com.
The HCFC levy increased to $4.50 per kilogram, up one dollar over the old rate. The HFC levy increased by 50 cents to one dollar per kilogram. In other RMC news, there is some confusion surrounding R-123 and its end of life management. R-123 is accepted into the RMC program for disposal free of charge. Contractors simply return it to their local wholesaler and RMC covers all associated costs from that point forward.
They determined that an increase in the HCFC and HFC levies were needed to ensure the RMC program has sufficient funds to handle the expected influx of refrigerants over the next couple of years. RMC has collected and destroyed over 3.6 million kilograms of surplus refrigerant waste over the years. To date, the cost to collect and properly dispose of the surplus refrigerant has been more than $56 million or $3.5 million per year of operation. RMC provides the HVAC/R industry with the means to easily comply with Halocarbon P2 Plan, which was approved by Environment and Climate Change Canada in May, 2016. It stipulates that all importers of halocarbon refrigerants used in the stationary sector be part of a stewardship program to manage them through to end of life. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) operates the Refrigeration Management Canada program. For more information, please contact April Heeley, manager, environmental services, at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 239 or by email at aheeley@hrai.ca.
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Q Industry News
TrainingTrades.ca will connect contractors to training Plumbing and HVAC Magazine has launched a new website designed to connect trades people seeking training with companies, colleges and organizations that offer it, all in one location. “The goal is to create one space where contractors can find all the training that is available to them,” remarked P&HVAC publisher Mark Vreugdenhil. And in case people think www. trainingtrades.ca is just another money making effort, he noted that the site is entirely free for users; there is no charge to post training programs and no charge for contractors and their technicians to view the site and arrange training. The concept is simple; a manufacturer, association or college will post the training
d % te s 0 0 te
1
ry o ct fa
it offers for the plumbing and mechanical trades. They also set the requirements for participation in their training programs, along with any costs. Those wishing to take training contact the trainer directly though the site, filling out an application with their qualifications. The trainer can then decide who they accept into the course. This allows those offering training to make sure that the people that sign up are actually qualified and keeps non-industry personnel from taking trade-only courses, noted Vreugdenhil. The site can also be used to offer plumbing and HVAC/R related business training. For more information, please visit www. trainingtrades.ca.
Trainingtrades.ca will connect those seeking training with those offering it. Brenda Egberts competed at Skills Ontario 2016.
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Q Training
Addressing the Colleges gear up for high tech trade careers that pay off By Bruce Nagy
W
Pipe welding methods and materials have changed dramatically in recent years. Colleges must teach the old and new. This young man learns pipe welding at New Brunswick Community College.
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Plumbing & HVAC – July/August 2017
e’ve all heard the old joke: What’s the difference between a university degree and a pizza? A pizza can feed a family of four. (Groan…) Youth unemployment is a problem in North America. However, perhaps more young people should pursue skilled trades rather than university degrees. Experts believe demand for trades people in plumbing, HVAC and refrigeration will grow by more than 20 percent every year for the next 5-10 years. Those who want a job offering decent wages have demographics to thank. The outsized ‘baby boom’ generation has reached retirement age.
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Mohawk College in Stoney Creek, Ont. features this state-of-the-art steam heating lab.
BCIT students learn about sophisticated electronic controls. Plumbing & HVAC recently talked to college instructors in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick about the demand for skilled trades. They noted that population growth in North America (about one percent annually) and the shift to cleaner, efficient building systems are also contributing to robust activity. Our industry is alive with mechanical upgrades, maintenance, innovation and new construction. Teachers reported that over 90 percent of their apprentices and grads are employed.
New technologies Alberta seems to be the only region where apprenticeship levels have softened, due to low oil prices. “Even with the oil industry being stingy, we don’t have enough resources to put every one through school who wants to
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go through,” reported Ken Helmer, academic chair, pipe trades, at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary. “Some might have to come in March instead of January. Our grads go where the work is. If they want to work in Fort McMurray there are jobs there, with all the rebuilding after the fire.” And SAIT has just opened its new Green Building Technologies (GBT) Lab and Demonstration Centre. New technologies and electronics may offer avenues for attracting young people. They are working their way into existing curriculums. Most trade schools have also created new green building programs offering content that overlaps with technician training in plumbing, HVAC and refrigeration. “We’re teaching programming, electronics, press fit, plastic pipe,” said Stefan
Tremblay, plumbing instructor at the Laurier Competency Development Centre (LCDC) in Laval, Quebec. “Also, more heat pumps and variable speed, ductless equipment and radiant heating.” “The heat pump business has really taken off in New Brunswick. Natural gas is important, but not like the levels in Ontario. We’re seeing very fast growth in electric heat pumps and mini-splits,” added Paul Carter, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) dean of trades, apprenticeship and preparatory.
More resources Mohawk College in Stoney Creek, Ont. offers a three-year diploma in green technology and, like SAIT, has invested in physical Please see ‘Working’ on page 15
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Students will still need to know how to braze copper for the foreseeable future.
Working with the private sector Continued from page 13
resources (or had them donated). It has a complete net-zero home within the facility that operates off-grid and is studied, modified and monitored by diploma and trades students, reported Angelo Cosca, associate dean, construction and building systems, skilled trades and apprenticeship. Simtronics software allows students to enter a system design to determine if it would operate correctly and safely. They can log in remotely and thus run simulations before coming to class. These and other resources are used to study geothermal, refrigeration, solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV), renewables, grey water and hydronics. New Brunswick Community College is involved in a new federal government software project that provides refrigeration simulators. “Students can practice their designs via the internet and instructors can monitor their progress,” explained Carter. “This has also led to some distance learning experimentation, such as a virtual class on Fridays. The goal is not to eliminate the
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brick and mortar school experience, because of the importance of the practical element with trades. But if we can make it easier for
students, who sometimes do a lot of travelling to get here, why wouldn’t we?”
Research and development
A BCIT refrigeration student works on a compressor under the watchful eye of his instructor.
At George Brown College in Toronto, sustainable building technologies have been integrated into the mechanical engineering technologist, apprenticeship, architecture, construction management, and IT programs for many years. In 2014 this culminated in the expansion of the Casa Loma campus in the form of a four-storey building to accommodate new student needs and, also, to allow the college to take advantage of an applied research opportunity, offering clean tech collaborations with private companies and governments. After the expansion, it had an immediate waiting list for projects and plenty of funding. Testing facilities and industry partnerships have been a major boon to engineering students, apprentices and architectural technologists. Quebec-based LCDC is also opening a new facility this year to provide modern, fully equipped labs and expand its course offering. Please see ‘Job’ on page 17
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Job ready grads Continued from page 15
“We are the only school in the province that will offer the option for courses in English,” added Tremblay. “We’re satisfying demand, especially around Montreal. For example, some immigrants have enough difficulty with English and, for them, it would be too much to learn French before their training in the trades.” Medicine Hat College in Alberta has replaced its outdated CAD program with Sometimes they a B u i l t E nv i r o n m e nt Engineering Technology are pushed program, reported Dennis Beaudoin, dean, trades and through kindergarten technologies. Students now learn to design systems that to Grade 12 with a include renewables, energy lot of hand-holding. saving technology like heat recovery ventilators, smart They give everyone an thermostats, and different ‘attaboy’ along the way. ways to build with tighter envelopes, new windows and But we have to provide solar panels.
independent thinkers to the job site.
Industry advice
Asked how they ensure they are teaching the right skills, most college instructors mentioned program advisory panels made up of representatives from local employers that meet with faculty quarterly or annually. “In our case, instructors also take a week of training in new industry tech each year,” said Glenn Walsh, chief instructor for refrigeration and air conditioning at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). “Manufacturers donate products. Students come in with questions about new systems and we explore the answers with them.” Among other things, BCIT is teaching radiant hydronic heating, heat recapture from refrigeration, water source energy, and energy recovery with HRVs and ERVs. “We do (global warming friendly) refrigerant systems like ammonia and CO2, but we don’t have CO2 equipment in the shop yet.” They also touch on tighter building envelopes and load sizing. “It is a challenge to keep up with all the new electronics and it’s more important than ever to ensure there is knowledge transfer from our aging population,” Walsh added.
Culture shock Walsh also noted that BCIT’s mandate is to provide job-ready grads, which can be difficult if young people are not prepared for the real world. “Sometimes they are pushed through kindergarten to Grade 12
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with a lot of hand-holding. They give everyone an ‘attaboy’ along the way. But we have to provide independent thinkers to the job site.” “We’re finding there’s a bit of a culture shock after grade 12,” agreed Greg Taylor, program coordinator, heating, refrigeration and AC at Fanshawe College, London, Ont. “Some kids are not ready to do the work to pass the exam. We have to teach technical material and we also have to teach expectations.” “These are compulsory trades, which means you have to be licensed. There’s no rolling average here,” said Mohawk’s Cosca. “They have to pass each and every course with a 60 percent average and they need 70 percent to pass their certification exams. They have to learn their onthe-job competencies and have them signed off by a journeyperson.” Although it requires focus and dedication, entering the trades is not a bad deal. Employment prospects are excellent nationwide. About five years after starting their training, they can Bruce Nagy is a Torontobe earning journeyman based freelance writer wages. That should buy that reports on green enough pizza to feed technologies and solutions. the family. (Please send He can be reached at bruce.nagy@rogers.com. this article to a young person!)
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Q Air Conditioning Filling one of these seats at a wholesaler HVAC training session will prove worthwhile.
HVAC
training
wholesaler H
AT THE
Keeping up to date on equipment critical for installing contractor By Bob Bettles and Brian Guttormson
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Plumbing & HVAC – July/August 2017
ave you been stuck on a job and had to call to the supplier where you got the parts or product for help? If after store hours, the manufacturers may be in a different time zone and be able to assist. You may even have an outside tech, or the buddy you work or worked with available? Issues may arise during a service call or when nearing the end of an installation of a product. It can be a real load of stress to not know where and whom you can turn to for help. Training does have its place even though it is not always at a convenient time or location and it does take time to attend. Counter staff at your favorite supplier have discovered the value of training. A high percentage of these counter persons are without trade certification, but they are often
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Portable operating equipment allows instructors and technicians to do reallife troubleshooting.
There’s a fascinating quirk to all this; the product will last longer because proper procedures are followed, including the start-up with the start-up sheets filled out. Manufacturers often choose training subjects by the rate of warranty claims. This is tracked very accurately these days with computers that alert the manufacturer immediately if there’s a spike in usage of a certain part. These spikes could be related to a part defect, an installation issue, or it’s just an easy change for some of the parts changers more educated in the products they sell and be provided by a wholesale staff member or a in the field. how they are to be installed than the licensed trainer direct from the manufacturer. Returned parts are tested if a high fail rate trades. appears. If a certain part is regularly replaced They are often aware of quirks not Why is it important? and tests find no fault with the returned highlighted in the installation manuals Why has training become so important? parts, a training session will likely occur. If involving their products, the peak is at one dealer only, making them almost a godthen we may hear from the There’s a fascinating quirk to all this; the like source to the purchasing manufacturer to follow up mechanics. with the dealer. product will last longer because proper They are also able to match The counter staff hear and select the necessary procedures are followed, including the from the mechanics items to make up the total with multiple questions start-up with the start-up sheets filled out installation material package re g ard i ng i nst a l l at i ons , required from the warehouse unclear manuals, or if the to the technicians. Did you ever wonder how Training has proven valuable in making products are new and introduced into the they got that way? Manufacturers today as part installations quick and efficient at the job field. Training meetings are also scheduled of their dealer package require the distributor site. The best installation procedures are if it has been a while since the last one and to provide training at the branch level for highlighted to save material and, in most their field customers. This field training may cases, create a safer installation. Please see 'Off-season' on page 21
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July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Installs like a dream. Works like a charm. 0HHW WKH VXSHU TXLHW DQG XOWUD HĐ? FLHQW Bosch Inverter Ducted System. With up to 18 SEER, variable capacity control to precisely match the cooling/heating load, and a 5-year Limited Parts Warranty, it delivers you and your customers the ultimate in comfort, ease, and energy savings.
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Q Air Conditioning
Off-season is the time to train The know-it-all
Learning about wiring is a necessary evil, even as manufacturers try to make equipment ‘plug and play.’ Continued from page 19
reviews are needed to update technicians on replacement or substituted parts. Wiring diagram coverage is a necessary evil, although very boring to most seasoned mechanics, it has become apparent to trainers that ‘letting the smoke out’ happens more than admitted. Again, the problem for trainers is getting the contractors in to do updates or classes. This trade is always evolving, new materials and products show up frequently, most saving time and effort and, oh yes, money.
Logistics can be an issue Scheduling is always a problem. Sessions have to be held at a time when the working contractor can attend. Manufacturers and wholesalers try to deliver them during slow times, season changes or evenings, often with a quick on-the-fly meal to get all materials across in a timely manner. Warehouses, board rooms or even sometimes rented hotel
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rooms serve as classrooms. If you book into a class, please attend. A lot of effort goes into preparation for these courses. If possible, trainers like to provide hands-on type classes even if it’s a small part of the event; most mechanics enjoy the hold it and tinker with it involvement. There is more learning absorbed and retained if there is the room to provide this type of class and equipment. Troubleshooting methods – often covered in handouts and computer programs that the technician can keep, are helpful out in the field. Training continues beyond the classroom. Most technical trainers provide either a connection by phone to the site with the contractor working on troubled equipment or, in some instances, actually visit the job site to advise the contractor with an on-the-job training seminar. One of the side-benefits of attending training is that you get to know the factory reps and they get to know you.
One of the most frustrating parts of the trainer’s role is the contractor that seems to know it all! This is the technician/contractor that, in his rush for a fast buck, will ‘shop the street’ for the best price. This usually results in a ‘bits ‘n bites’ combination from several different manufacturers that result in a combination none of the manufacturers will warranty! The creator of this potpourri of pieces, thrown in with no consideration for proper welding techniques or evacuation processes, will be the first to complain about the piece of junk he just bought. These cash-and-carry operations throw in the equipment, get the cash from their unsuspecting customer and ride off into the sunset. When the first breakdown occurs, they are missing in action and the homeowner contacts the manufacturer. The wholesaler gets a call from the factory asking, is this your customer? The wholesaler is then blessed with the corrections usually by one of their contractor customers, who are paid by the unfortunate homeowner. Training classes don’t cost, in the long run they pay! 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. 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.
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Q HVAC Roundup Efficient commercial boiler An award winner in the MCEE 2017 New Product Competition in Montreal, the Viessmann Vitocrossal 300, CA3 commercial condensing boiler features rated inputs of 3500 MBH to 6000 MBH, making it ideal for commercial and light industrial applications. Fully modulating premix cylinder burners with a wide modulation range and combined burner turndown ratio of up to 15:1 allow for precise matching of load conditions. With an efficiency of over 96 percent and a 160-psi pressure rating, this unit can be installed in almost any building. Viessmann Mfg. www.viessmann.ca
Chilled water air handler
The EZ Tankless Series from Noritz are designed to simplify the replacement of large residential water heaters. These ultra highefficiency models offer top-mount water connections and multiple venting and location options for faster, easier replacement. They are Energy Star-rated EZ98-DV and EZ111-DV (Energy Factor: 0.97). There are four versions in 180,000 Btu/h and 199,900 Btu/h with flow rates of 9.8 GPM and 11.1 GPM respectively. The larger model is intended for homes with up to four baths. Noritz www.noritz.com.
The Rebel from Daikin Applied provides a customizable chilled water solution for a complete single-sourced system. Combined with the company’s Pathfinder or Trailblazer air-cooled chillers, users capitalize on the 22+ IPLV performance of an air-cooled chiller. The Rebel gains up to 15 percent energy savings with standard direct drive airfoil supply and ECM fans. An energy recovery wheel captures and recycles lost energy, increasing the HVAC system efficiency and reducing the mechanical cooling capacity by as much as 30 percent. Daikin Applied www.DaikinApplied.com.
High efficiency water heater
Air curtain heating options
The new Polaris high efficiency condensing gas water heater from A.O. Smith operates at up to 96 percent thermal efficiency, installs easily and pairs with recirculating systems or domestic space heating. Available in 34 and 50-gallon models, an enhanced ultra-low NOx modulating gas burner ensures operation at lower input rates with a durable stainless steel tank and heat exchanger. The power direct vent design is compatible with PVC, CPVC or Polypropylene (solid core only) venting through a sidewall or roof. A concentric vent kit is optional. A.O. Smith www.hotwatercanada.ca
B erner International has received product performance certifications by the Air Movement & Control Association– International (AMCA) for heating options on two of its architectural air curtain series. This gives specifying engineers both heated and unheated options when selecting models to comply with the International Energy Conservation Code’s (IECC) Section C402.4.7 building code, which allows AMCAcertified air curtains as exceptions to entrance vestibules. Berner www.berner.com
Large tankless DHW units
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July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
23
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Q Hot Water Heating
The internet has its uses, but attending training in person allows hands-on learning and troubleshooting advice from an instructor.
W
hile currently compiling my past hot water heating articles, I looked right back to 1996 when I started writing for Ron Shuker – editor of the Mechanical Buyer and Specifier magazine, as Plumbing and HVAC was known in the day. I penned a series of articles (yes - actual pen and paper) covering the ver y first Calgary Foothills Conference in Calgary. In the ’90s, the introduction of new technology had simply outrun the ability of the existing hydronics training streams to keep up and the conference was all about improving training in hydronics design, installation and troubleshooting. Improvements have been impressive over the last two decades. This article will have a quick look at how the existing education channels have stepped up and also examine how the internet has helped those channels become more effective, while also setting up a whole new alternative education source (for better or worse) that could barely be imagined twenty years ago.
Hydronic training Contractors have far more options today By Roy Collver
Please see ‘Passionate’ on page 29
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
27
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Q Hot Water Heating
Passionate instructors key Continued from page 27
Institutions covering more hydronics
who
Formal training for the trades and engineers still falls short of providing them with enough knowledge to start designing and installing fullblown hydronic systems right out of school, but most institutions provide more hours of hydronic training these days and curriculums have caught up to the newest technology. Engineers and trades have always been expected to supplement their formal education with self-learning and supplemental training from more experienced colleagues. The trick is in finding a company to work for that has the inIf you want to be the best at hydronics, house resources and expertise you have to look for teachers to get you the knowledge you have a passion for the subject. want. I had some great conversations last week with some of the top hydronics educators in North America and they all agreed on one simple point: If you want to be the best at hydronics, you have to look for teachers who have a passion for the subject. If you can’t find that passion in-house, you have to look elsewhere, but unlike 1996, there is a lot more “elsewhere” available now. Early ‘wetheads’ of the ’90s can take pride in the knowledge that their volunteer efforts planted the seeds that grew into the diversity of today’s training options. Engineering schools and professional organizations like ASHRAE, technical schools and trade union schools all provide formal inclass training. They have also expanded their delivery methods to include correspondence, internet based and mixed-method delivery. The degree of activity for each of these groups
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varies widely depending on the territory and the requirements of their governing bodies (apprenticeship boards, professional organizations, etc.).
Size doesn’t matter Again, it is often not the size of the institution as much as it is the passion of their instructors. A few outstanding instructors at smaller schools in Alberta come to mind. Danny Wilson at Medicine Hat College, Bert Reynolds at Fairview College, Glen Aspen at Alberta Pipe Trades College, have all brought a passion for hydronics to their programs that have allowed their schools to punch well above their weight. Passionate instructors and program directors aren’t exclusive to the schools either. Industry groups such as CIPH (through the Canadian Hydronics Council or CHC), HRAI, RPA, RHWHA (now TECA) have all gotten heavily involved in hydronics education - driven by the passion of many of their ‘wethead’ members, most of them volunteers.
New product training Sales engineers, wholesale personnel, manufacturers’ agents and factor ytrained technical support staff provide the engineering, technical support and much of the training in the industry as new products are developed and introduced into the marketplace. By definition, their training will be limited, and flavoured (“tainted”, some cynics might say) towards their own products and ideas, but they offer some of the best and most up-to-date training available and some of the most passionate and skilled teachers. You are going to be presented with the latest and greatest technology from these folks. This can often gain you a considerable jump on your competitors. Please see ‘Internet’ on page 31
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
29
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Q Hot Water Heating
Internet a blessing and a curse Continued from page 29
Most designers and installers are able to parse through the information offered, tease out the valuable stuff and judge the sales fluff for what it is. I urge you to participate in as many of these training sessions as you can find the time for. It’s never been easier. They will often come to you or you can catch up with them at a trade show. They might even pay your way to come to see them at the factory!
Trade only
to the
Many of these training channels are either closed platform (members only) or have strict prerequisites. The restrictions are in place so that the institutes have some measure of quality control in order to offer varying degrees of Anyone in the hydronics field today certification, from o u t r i g ht l i c e n s e simply must have access and TQA to the lowly, (but useful to Web to stay on top of things. some) “certificate of completion”. David Hughes of Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton told me that they do have a few homeowners and other “unqualified” folks taking some of their continuing education courses and it’s not a problem – they just aren’t certified to go out and do the work commercially.
Internet a game-changer And now we have the Internet. It has become a real game-changer in so many ways, especially in the ability to deliver quality training and technical materials to anyone, anywhere. Anyone in the hydronics field today simply must have access to the Web to stay on top of things. You can use it to access information (such as plans and specifications, technical literature, shop drawings and brochures from
www.plumbingandhvac.ca
manufacturers), or distribute information (such as this very article and associated photos or graphics). When it comes to research or training, the internet today is an outstanding portal to many excellent resources. Unfortunately, there is the Dark Side. One of the most disturbingly destructive forces today is – the very same Internet. It is lawless and cannot be tamed or fully trusted. If you simply Google “hydronic heating” – you are going to get a whole bunch of real bad stuff along with the good stuff. If you have enough knowledge and experience, you can bypass the dodgy sites. Some of the DIY sites and re-seller sites are downright dangerous. Is it possible for the industry to put together and manage a trusted, product neutral web site, to compile, categorize and catalogue the good on-line resources? Could we produce a one-stop site of hydronic excellence? Yes we can. Any volunteers? Meanwhile, consider the advice with which I ended my last article “Rule of thumb” – if a manufacturer is working through the plumbing & HVAC wholesale channel you can probably trust their on-line resources (just make sure you are on their legitimate web-site). Learning is a lifelong pursuit and learning from the best – the passionate ones – makes for a quality experience and superior result. As Plumbing & HVAC Magazine evolves its on-line presence, I hope to be able to put together a hydronics training resource page(s) so anyone can easily get to the passionate people I know and find out what they can offer. Roy Collver is an author and consultant on hydronic heating based in Qualicum Beach, B.C. He can be reached at hoth2o@shaw.ca
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
31
Q Refrigeration
An example of pitting corrosion on steel underneath wet flexible elastomer insulation.
MECHANICAL INTEGRITY, PART II
MINIMIZING
REFRIGERANT LEAKS
Better testing and inspection backstops maintenance program By Greg Scrivener
In the last issue, we discussed some fundamentals of mechanical integrity programs. We discussed design and construction requirements as well as some maintenance and operational information for refrigeration systems. The goal of any mechanical integrity program is to prevent leaks and therefore damage to the environment or injury to people. In this issue we are going to focus on a few particular areas that a contractor or maintenance team can add to the program in the way of better testing and inspections. Because this article is addressing commercial systems that typically use copper tubing, we won’t discuss pipe corrosion extensively. In many ammonia and large halocarbon facilities with steel piping, pipe corrosion is a serious issue. One of the cornerstones of a good mechanical integrity program is an annual inspection. These inspections should include
32
Plumbing & HVAC – July/August 2017
all major equipment, valves, piping, safety controls, and maintenance verification. We are going to take a look at just a few aspects of these.
Major equipment The major components such as compressors, condensers, pressure vessels and evaporators should be visually inspected for at least the following: • Excess vibration • Corrosion/chemical reaction • Proper supports • Impact damage Aside from damaging the motor or component that is causing the vibration, excess vibration in compressors, condensers, and evaporators is a leading cause of piping failure. Discharge headers on supermarket rack type systems are particularly susceptible Please see 'Vibration' on page 35
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Q Refrigeration
Vibration and corrosion damage Continued from page 32
to vibration leaks and many other piping joints fail as a result of vibration. Corrosion and chemical reactions on evaporator coils is another significant source of leaks. In many situations, chemicals in the refrigerated space will attack aluminum and other metals. For example, ammonia from animal waste or cleaning products will attack copper and brass very quickly. Standard corrosion does not generally affect copper tubing, but close attention should be paid to components that are made of steel. In particular, pressure vessels that are insulated with flexible elastomer insulation that has become wet can form pitting corrosion very quickly. The objective of an inspection is to identify corrosion and, when possible, provide treatment early in the life of the component so that the corrosion doesn’t cause a failure.
Proper support Examining equipment for proper support is important for obvious reasons; the physical damage from a falling evaporator or component is certainly not a good thing. Properly supported equipment and piping is also less susceptible to vibration damage. While it is quite common for small copper tubing to be supported by the equipment, proper piping practice is that pipe supports should bear the weight of all piping. This becomes increasingly important as the pipe size becomes larger, but can also be a concern with smaller pipe sizes where vibration transmission is a concern. Evaporator coils in particular are susceptible to impact damage and should be adequately protected when they are exposed. Condenser coils can have impact damage from hail, vandalism, or even a really bad power-washing job. This type of damage needs to be repaired. Recall the example in the last issue when we discovered how close a dirty condenser can be to increasing the pressure high enough
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Notice the location of the last pipe support. Piping should be supported at every change in direction. The equipment is also bearing the weight of this piping, which is putting unnecessary stress on the pipe connections. The piping is also installed in such a way that it is very susceptible to damage from a technician working on the machine. to cause the relief valve to open. Bent fins obviously cause the same symptoms.
Piping inspection The piping inspection is the most time consuming and difficult. This is likely why it often isn’t included in a significant way in most preventative maintenance programs. Compared to steel piping, which has a lot more inspection requirements because of surface corrosion, copper piping is less demanding. The bigger challenge with copper is abrasion because the metal is soft. Copper can easily rub through pipe connections or be bent or kinked. I often tell a story about a leak in a grocery
store that took me forever to find (I may have even told it here before). Skipping to the end, a copper tube on a discharge line had rubbed through the strut it was clamped to and would only leak when the pipe was hot (i.e. not when I was there). Bare copper on steel strut with no protection is precisely the kind of thing that we should be looking for during a piping inspection. Because surface corrosion is much less of an issue with copper, we don’t generally get too excited about damaged insulation except when the water is on steel/copper connections and the steel is corroding. That said, the additional Please see ‘Last’ on page 37
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
35
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Q Refrigeration
Last line of defence Continued from page 33
super heat from damaged insulation on a low temperature system can be enormous. This additional super heat can easily lead to compressor overheating and failure. The other issue that can arise with damaged insulation is that the copper pushes through the insulation and rubs on the hangers. Damaged insulation should definitely be fixed. Piping is subject to a lot of different types of mechanical damage. It can be stepped on, hit with a forklift (or anything else for that matter), bent from expansion and contraction or missing pipe supports. The bottom line is that there is an opportunity to examine piping systems regularly and improve their reliability by continually improving hangers, pipe supports and addressing issues before they become a concern. It is unfortunate to see piping that is repeatedly stepped on for lack of a guard, ladder or other access platform.
they can suffer from internal corrosion and blockages. This requirement does not apply to all small systems and pressure vessels, but in general the requirement holds for systems that comply with CSA B52 and ASME B31.5. On ammonia systems and in industrial settings these replacements routinely occur. On commercial equipment, the relief valves are often neglected. Be absolutely sure that the relief valve set point does not exceed the pressure rating of what it is protecting. Regrettably, it’s not uncommon to see R22 air conditioning equipment with improperly sized relief valves that have been installed because of previous refrigerant releases at the lower setting. By introducing a mechanical integrity aspect to a preventative maintenance program you go above the ‘catch a leak when it happens’ and begin putting forward a serious effort to prevent leaks in the first place. In situations with toxic
or flammable refrigerants this type of program is incredibly valuable and, as I argued in the last article, halocarbons with large GWPs are of significant environmental concern that they should be treated this carefully as well. Most people are surprised when they learn that North American leak rates in commercial refrigeration systems are 15 to 30 percent per year. Thirty percent is extremely high and it’s becoming necessary for the industry to do something to reduce the leaks. Greg Scrivener is a refrigeration consultant for Cold Dynamics in Edmonton. He is a professional engineer, journeyman refrigeration mechanic and holds RSES CMS designation in commercial refrigeration. He can be reached at greg.scrivener@colddynamics.com
®
Safety controls Safety controls are probably one of the most important factors of a good mechanical integrity program. Proper inspection and calibration of safety controls is difficult and sometimes borders on impossible. However, these controls are often the last line of defence before a refrigerant release or equipment failure. All safety controls should be tested annually to confirm they work. For mechanical pressure switches, this generally means removing them and testing them with nitrogen to determine their setpoint. This might sound easy, but on some systems, this requires evacuating a significant amount of piping so that the control can be removed and it certainly involves shutting down the system. Electronic based pressure switches should have the transducer tested and be calibrated if necessary so that you are sure the control is indeed actuating at the correct pressure. Oil failure controls, temperature safeties, and overloads are a few of the other safeties that should be verified. Relief valves connected to the atmosphere require replacement every five years because
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Product Profile Rapid refrigerant recovery The lightweight MR45 digital refrigerant recovery machine from Fieldpiece uses a smart, variable speed one-horsepower DC motor to pull refrigerant. It operates based on load so that it runs at lower RPMs when pulling liquid and then switches to higher RPMs when pulling vapor to maximize vapor recovery. An extra-large condenser cools the refrigerant faster, especially on hot days. As well, the transformer steps up the supply voltage so that long extension cords can be used without risk of motor burnout. The digital display presents precise measurements and the large digits are easy to see and read from far A smart variable speed motor adjusts away. The display also provides added automatically for pulling liquid or gas. information like pressures and status messages that clarify operation. A bright blue backlit display makes reading easy, even in the dark. Both the display and electronics are well protected for ease of use in rain, cold, and heat. HVACR technicians will appreciate the added ease of direct access to ports when connecting and disconnecting hoses along with the locked input port for one handed connecting and disconnecting. In addition, the large rubberized dual-port routing knob makes operation comfortable even when wearing gloves. “We’ve packed a lot of features in this lightweight machine that has to be used to be appreciated. It is so light and so fast that the HVACR professional can do his job reliably and quickly then move on to the next one,” said Russ Harju, Fieldpiece product manager.
Ratcheting pipe cutter The new 1-5/8” and 2-3/8” ratcheting pipe cutters from Milwaukee Tool are engineered to deliver straight and easy cuts in PVC, CPVC, PEX, rubber hose, and ABS. The company spent an enormous amount of time developing a blade that is precision-ground to make straight clean cuts and last a very long time. A “pierce point” penetrates the pipe instead of crushing or cracking it. Milwaukee also focused on providing a more comfortable handle design for extended use. Milwaukee Tool Co. www.milwaukeetool.ca
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Refrigerant pipe flaring The PRO-Fit precision f laring kit from RectorSeal is designed to produce tubing flares in just seconds without splits, blemishes and burrs that can cause leaks. The kit consists of five bell-shaped, color-coded, size-inscribed flaring bits designed for 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4-inch (6, 7.5, 12, 16, 19-mm) tubing. The flaring process requires just seconds to complete using a (minimum) 12v drill or impact driver. The spinning bit forms the tube opening into a flare. RectorSeal www.rectorseal.com
Digital two-port manifold The new HD780 Digital Manifold/ Pressure Gauge from Extech provides HVAC technicians with a powerful compact tool that is more reliably accurate than analog gauges. The all-in-one tool measures suction line or liquid line pressure and line temperature to instantly get superheat and sub-cooling values. It also calculates differential pressure (P1-P2) and delta-T (T1-T2). It is designed to withstand the demands of everyday use with a durable rubber holster design and a three-year warranty. Extech Instruments www.extech.com
Unattended testing The Fluke 64 MAX IR thermometer captures measurements while unattende d, f re eing maintenance technicians to fo c us on ot he r issues. Temp erature events rarely occur while technicians are around to capture them, complicating the troubleshooting process. This unit’s Auto Capture feature allows technicians to set time and intervals to record up to 99 data points unattended so it can capture elusive temperature events. The thermometer can be mounted on a standard tripod using a tripod mount accessory. Fluke www.fluke.com
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
39
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Work in tight spaces without needing tools for crimping or clamping, avoiding potential leaks if crimp rings or clamps are not placed correctly on the fitting.
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Join multiple types of pipe with dependable, watertight connections using SharkBite® transition fittings.
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Q Pipes, Valves & Fittings Static balancing valve line Caleffi has expanded its 132 Series Quicksetter valve line, designed to balance fluid flow in hydronic heating or cooling branch piping systems. The valve has ANSI 125 cast iron flanges for pipe sizes 2½”, 3” and 4” with adjustable flow ranges of 30 to 105 GPM, 38 to 148 GPM and 55 to 210 GPM respectively. An integral flowmeter with nonwetted flow scale permits fast and easy circuit balancing without the need for differential pressure gauges and charts. Caleffi www.caleffi.com
Lead-free brass valves Uponor has launched its re-engineered ProPEX lead-free (LF) brass valves for residential plumbing applications. They are constructed from “Eco Brass” and come with a 10-year warranty. There are six products in three different configurations – angle and straight stop for ½” pipe, copper to PEX for ½” and ¾” pipe, and PEX to PEX for ½” and ¾” pipe. They comply with the International Plumbing Code (IPC), Uniform Plumbing
Code (UPC) and International Residential Code (IRC) as well as being listed to NSF 14, NSF 61, NSF 359 and NSF 372. Uponor www.uponor.ca
Helix booster The helix booster system from Wilo features remote monitoring, full system kWh reporting and one variable frequency drive (VFD) per pump. It offers 550 USGPM of flow and 520 feet of head, real time diagnositcs, variable speed control, seveninch touchscreen and onboard ModBUS and optional BacNET and LonWorks interface. Wilo Canada www.wilo-canada.com
Introducing
IdealLav
TM
■
Only lav drain to include replaceable grid strainer and internal stopper. ■ No more clogs! Removeable grid strainer keeps jewelry and hair out of drain. ■ Internal stopper holds water overnight. ■ One-piece tube drops in for easy installation.
Level trench drains Watts Dead Level Trench Drains incorporate a frame-anchored design that provides structural stability and ease of installation. Self-aligning channels and anchors tie directly to the structural frame, enabling straight, level installations with little risk of floating. The flanged channel connections create solid joints and ensure proper alignment. They come in standard four foot sections; one foot straight and combination corner/tee sections provide flexibility. Watts www.watts.com.
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Useful. Innovation.
816.796.3900 Q watcomfg.com
Patent www.watcomfg.com/patents
July/August 2017 – Plumbing & HVAC
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Find industry related training near you! Trainingtrades.ca is a new website developed by Plumbing & HVAC that is designed to promote your training opportunities to mechanical contractors, free of charge! There are two sections: Find Training lists the actual courses that are offered and Learn Something is a library of training videos. Every section is searchable by keyword or industry category. Geolocation is also enabled so people can easily find training near them. It’s easy to get started!
Step 1 Log on and build your profile.
Step 2
Look for training that interests you and register for any desired courses.
Step 3
View and search for any type of training video in our Learn Something library.
We will be building the training course and video posts over the next few months. We will start promoting it to contractors this summer through Plumbing & HVAC print and digital properties. It’s all free of charge! It’s part of Plumbing & HVAC’s goal to help build your business and make this industry better! Please let us know if you have any questions or have any suggestions to make the site even better! powered by:
Call Mark at (416) 996-1031 or email Mark@plumbingandhvac.ca.
Q People & Places
Industry veteran Claude DesRosiers, left, has retired as vice president and general manager of Boone Plumbing and Heating Supply, Ottawa after 45 years. Réjean (Joe) Desjardins, right, has been named as his successor.
The
Companies
The team at Wolseley’s Saint John plumbing and HVAC/R branch includes, back row from left, Tyler Crane, Craig Fox, Josh King, Dwayne James, and Al Travis, branch manager. In the front row, from left, are Kirby Downing, Dan Bonnell, Jason Steeves, and Darren Farris.
Wolseley consolidates Saint John branch Wolseley Canada, Burlington, Ont., has opened a consolidated plumbing and HVAC/R branch in Saint John, N.B. Located at 45 Hanover St., (the previous HVAC/R branch), it now features the company’s complete line of plumbing and HVAC/R products. Al Travis is the branch manager
The
People Oakville Stamping & Bending (OS&B), Oakville, Ont. has appointed Brad Cornelissen to the position of national sales manager and Craig Smith as eastern regional manager. Brad Cornelissen Lisa Bateman has been named western regional rep for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). Based in Calgary, she will initially focus on growing Craig Smith membership numbers in and
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around Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and beyond. Bradford White Corp., Ambler, Pennsylvania, has appointed Rich Simons to the position of vice president Rich Simons and general manager for its subsidiary, Laars Heating Systems. A. O. Smith, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has named Kevin Wheeler president and chief operating officer. He joined the company in 1994 as a regional sales manager. Kevin Wheeler Warren Lowe has been promoted to president of CB Supplies and American Granby, Mississauga, Ont.
Sioux Chief has opened its new distribution centre in Brantford, Ont. to serve the Canadian market. “We are excited about this next step in the growth of our business in Canada. Our customers, covering the traditional wholesale and retail channels, will have greater access to Sioux Chief ’s vast product line, shipped in a timely manner anywhere in Canada,” remarked Howard Huss, director of sales, Canada.
In Memoriam Norm Fraser Norm Fraser, retired from E.S Gallagher Sales and a recipient of the HRAI Life Member award, died May 5 at 97. He was a long time supporter of the industry he worked in; particularly RSES Canada and HRAI. During his retirement, he was active in the formation and operations of the HVACR Heritage Centre of Canada.
Robert “Bob” Evans Bob Evans died on June 2 following a battle with cancer at age 64. Well respected within the plumbing industry, Bob spent the latter part of his career as vice president of sales at OS&B, Oakville, Ont., traveling extensively throughout North America. At OS&B he invented the IDT35 ABS Island Tub Drain testable rough-in for freestanding tubs. He was recognized posthumously at the recent CIPH Annual Business Conference with a 45-Year Service Award for his work in the industry.
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Q Shop Management
new customers HOW TO GET AND KEEP Good manners and product knowledge go a long way By Art Irwin
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Plumbing & HVAC – July/August 2017
In today’s very competitive field, it is not easy to survive in any business. The digital camera was a wonderful invention, but because it simplified picture taking it has made it very difficult for photographers to survive. All of the additional features in today’s automobile have made competition more difficult. In the plumbing and HVAC/R field, for many years, things changed rather slowly. Replacing boilers and furnaces was a rather routine trade and even with more competition that also changed rather slowly. The service business was booming for many years but, today, equipment has become very reliable with few breakdowns and service calls are far fewer. The ductless heat pump has become a booming business, but it is basically easy to install and the moonlighter has reared its ugly head, making it more difficult for
the legitimate contractor to survive. In every city, town or village, the long-time reliable installation company still exists but they must still try to outlive the moonlighter and survive. In all trades, there is ferocious competition. Not only is the moonlighter tough to deal with, there is also shady competition that consists of poorly or non trained people that perform in a shady manner leaving the consumer with a system that provides much dissatisfaction.
Keeping the faithful The long-time contractor has a faithful clientele that always call when they have a problem, but it is more difficult to keep these clients because of the shady advertiser with no interest charges, freebies tossed in and high pressure sales tactics. They bid low and, when the project is half completed, they present the customer with additional charges backed with some phony excuse. How does the honest contractor compete? If considerable respect is shown for the client, they will be inclined to stay on board.
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Installation crews should be briefed on a regular basis on how to treat the consumer. Do not spend considerable unnecessary time chatting and then present them with a lengthy hourly charge. Try to accurately estimate the cost of the project in advance and also mention unforeseen circumstances can arise and increase the cost. Always give an estimate in writing in advance and try to stick to the cost. Employees should always wear covers over their boots (or put down drop sheets) when in a residence. Contact the client in advance and ask what arrival time will be convenient without disturbing the household during the early morning rush hour. Little additional items such as bringing in the newspaper can be helpful.
Poor accounting causes one of the greatest failures.
One contractor I know that has gained much respect contacts the customer a few weeks after the project is completed to ask if they are happy with the results and have any complaints. This simple gesture illustrates much respect for the customer and this good news spreads by word of mouth.
Poor accounting hurts Poor accounting causes one of the greatest failures. A person with reasonable skills can rent a truck, advertise their business and begin a new company. They are supposed to be licensed to operate but some seem to get by in their moonlighting world. They cut prices and manage to pay the suppliers for a short period but find they are not allowing for a profit margin to pay themselves. They then get behind in payments and can no longer get
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Attending trade shows helps keep product knowledge up to date. credit and must work on a cash basis only. They manage to get a down payment from their customers and then they go to the wholesaler and pay cash and purchase the necessary supplies to carry out the project. In the meantime, they are taking business away from the legitimate contractors, which in turn reduces their income. The legitimate contractor survives because they politely insist on getting paid at the time the project is finished and they are in a position to pay their suppliers and their staff and maintain a good reputation. Unfortunately, there have been too many cases where an honest, hard working contractor has not kept their eyes on the many small details of running a company and slowly lost business. Perhaps they did not have sufficient marketing skills to successfully survive. Today’s contractor must have a variety of skills beyond trade competence. These include people skills. Good manners and being able to pay strict attention to the client’s requirements is key. Product knowledge is important. The customer may have done some research on the internet, but they called you because you are the expert. It’s really important that you keep up to date on products and technologies. A showroom can help make the sale by allowing you to show the customer the
different options. It also makes your business seem more established and more reliable than the moonlighter who works out of his truck.
Keep the staff happy Another important issue is having a dedicated staff. If staff members are not treated properly, this is often reflected in their interaction with the client, not to mention that they are inclined to move to another company. Pay close attention to your employees and give credit where due. This does not always mean payment in dollars but satisfactory performance should be recognized. If an employee feels they are appreciated, this will go a long way in creating a lasting relationship. Little things, like a Christmas staff party or taking employees and their partners out for dinner can help. Being pleasant, honest and knowledgeable with the clientele and the staff can go a long way in helping to survive in the ever-changing marketplace of today. Arthur A. Irwin operates Irwin Energy Consulting Services in Halifax. He can be reached at irwin.a@ns.sympatico.ca.
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Q Coming Events
RoadShow seminars announced The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating has announced the seminar topics and speakers for its RoadShow trade show series, which travels across the country this fall. Seminar topics and speakers are as follows:
St. John’s – Sept. 21 • Heat Pump Design, presented by Gerald Morrissey (Source Atlantic) • Introduction to PEX – Plumbing Applications for Commercial and MultiFamily Buildings using PEX Pipe, presented by Jean-Claude Rémy (Uponor Ltd.)
Edmonton – Oct. 17 • Looking toward the 2020 National Plumbing Code of Canada - Reuse, Rainwater, Legionella and Lead, presented by Sidney Manning (Government of Alberta) • Decoding the Energy Code, presented by
Nabil Habashy (Alberta Government Ministry of Municipal Affairs - Community and Technical Support)
Regina – Oct. 19 • Hydronic Heating Regulations in Saskatchewan: Codes and Inspections, with panelists: William Hawkins (Saskatchewan Building Standards and Licensing Branch); Ron Schaan (Emco Corporation); and Dan Kirkpatrick (Uponor Ltd.). Moderated by Rob Waters (Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating) There is no charge for these seminars. Me a nw h i l e , i n t h e e x h i b i t h a l l s , manufacturers will display a wide variety of plumbing, hydronic, HVAC/R and water treatment products as well as tools and equipment. See the online show guide for a full list
Industry gears up for CMPX 2018 Organizers are gearing up for Canada’s national mechanical industry show. Scheduled for March 21-23, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, booth space at CMPX 2018 is rapidly selling out. Manufacturers of air-conditioning, heating equipment, plumbing, waterworks, water quality, piping, refrigeration and ventilation have already booked about 80 percent of the 200,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, reported show
of exhibitors and products. The Canadian Hydronics Conference will take place alongside the Edmonton RoadShow Oct. 1617. Registration information for all events can be found at www.ciphexroadshow.ca.
spokesman Andy Adams. The Canadian Mechanical & Plumbing Exposition (CMPX) and Learning Forum is jointly produced by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH). The show has occurred every two years since 1972. For more information, please visit www. cmpxshow.ca.
Events
Calendar AUG 16-18: HRAI Annual Meeting & Conference, Hilton Quebec, Quebec City. Please call 1-800-267-2231 or visit www.hrai.ca.
SEPT. 21: CIPHEX Roadshow, Holiday Inn St. John’s, Portugal Cove Road, St. John’s, Nfld. Visit www. ciphexroadshow.ca or call Elizabeth McCullough at 1-800-639-2474 for more information.
OCT. 12-13: Canadian Design-Build Institute National Design-Build Conference, Delta Hotels Downtown Calgary. Please call (613) 236-9455 or visit www.cdbi. org.
OCT. 16-17: Canadian Hydronics Conference, Marriott Resort Edmonton River Cree, Edmonton. Visit www.ciph.com or call 1-800-639-2474 for more information.
OCT. 17:
INDEX to ADVERTISERS Bibby Ste. Croix .................................. 26 Bosch Thermotechnology .................... 20 Canadian Distribution ........................... 5 Cash Acme ......................................... 40 CIPHEX Roadshow .............................. 38 Chrysler .............................................. 22 Duravent............................................. 37 Fieldpiece............................................ 23 Fujitsu ................................................... 8 General Pipe Cleaners ........................... 2 HE Industrial ....................................... 17 IBC Boilers ........................................... 4 ICP Canada ......................................... 16
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Plumbing & HVAC – July/August 2017
Liberty Pumps ..................................... 34 Lochinvar ............................................ 30 Master Group ................................... 33* Mitsubishi ........................................... 47 Napoleon ............................................ 36 Navien ................................................ 11 Noritz ................................................. 28 RIDGID................................................ 48 TrainingTrades.ca ................................ 42 Viega ............................................ 24, 25 Watco Mfg. ........................................ 41 Woodford Mfg. .................................. 14 Zoeller Pumps ..................................... 10 * Ontario only
CIPHEX Roadshow, Edmonton, Marriott Resort Edmonton River Cree, Enoch, Alta. Visit www. ciphexroadshow.ca or call Elizabeth McCullough at 1-800-639-2474 for more information.
OCT. 19: CIPHEX Roadshow, Queensbury Convention Centre at Evraz Place - Banner Hall, Regina, Sask. Visit www.ciphexroadshow.ca or call Elizabeth McCullough at 1-800-639-2474 for more information.
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*
*Includes tolerance. Typical units can operate in heating mode down to -27°C depending on conditions.
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Mseries.MrSlim.ca From the leader in comfort innovation comes our brand new floor-mounted design. This sleek and modern unit is available with Hyper-Heat technology to provide excellent heating performance in Canadian winters. Now available in single or multi-split, its high energy efficiency and extremely low operating noise make it the perfect fit for your next project.
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LOSE THE TWO-HAND HASSLE. Now press PEX easier and more efficiently with just one hand. Introducing the RIDGID® PEX-One™ battery-operated PEX tool. Its ergonomic design allows one-handed operation of both the pressing trigger and jaw trigger. Easily get into tight spaces and keep going at full power through 150+ crimps. Press up to one-inch fittings with a single tool. ©2017, RIDGID, Inc. The RIDGID logo is a registered trademark of RIDGID, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.
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