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As an engineering manager, I have a responsibility to maintain a high level of quality in our 'product' But it's my opinion that consulting engineers don't really have a product [...]

Careful implementation of optimal tools and techniques is a focus of Optikos Corp. (Wakefield, MA), an optical engineering and manufacturing company working to eliminate waste in product movement, downtime, and [...]

The article evaluates several plumbing products, including Caleffi North America's Vacuum Relief Valve, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co.'s Large Diameter Fittings, and Matco-Norca's Eccentric Plug Valve, each offering specific features and benefits for various plumbing applications.

The article emphasizes the importance of proper water dam heights for emergency roof drains, particularly in siphonic drainage systems. Siphonic drains, due to their efficiency and lack of air in the pipework, require careful consideration of water dam heights to prevent overflow engagement, enhance drainage performance and contribute to safer buildings.

The article features several water heaters, including the Innovation tankless water heater from AERCO, the Cyclone XL commercial gas water heater from A. O. Smith Corp. and the ARMOR Condensing Water Heater from Lochinvar.

The article presents information on a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Watts Water Technologies to celebrate the grand opening of its training center in Fort Worth, Texas in April 2023. Topics discussed include features of the facility, a range of product manufacturing and assembly at the facility, and other training facilities owned by Watts across the U.S.

The article explores the benefits of the use of PEX as a hydronic distribution pipe over metallic piping systems for heating hot water and chilled water applications. Topics discussed include the profitability potential of a PEX, job-site safety and productivity when installing PEX, and an increase in its durability.

The article details the installation of a heating and cooling system at a new secondary school in North Vancouver, British Columbia, centered around six 50-ton TruClimate 100 water-to-water heat pumps. It emphasizes the units' reliability, energy efficiency, and contribution to decarbonization efforts, meeting both performance and environmental sustainability goals for the school.

The article introduces IGC 325, a new industry standard by IAPMO that sets a minimum performance level for High-Efficiency Oil/Water Separators, defining them as devices with a minimum 90 percent capture rate for hydrocarbons. Topics include the standard's testing requirements, its impact on health and safety standards, and the importance of oil separators in protecting waterways from hazardous oils.

The article highlights findings from Bradley Corp.'s Healthy Handwashing Survey 2024, revealing that 70 percent of Americans feel public restroom stalls lack sufficient coverage, with 58 percent desiring the elimination of gaps around stall doors and walls. It also discusses the emergence of privacy concerns in plumbing codes, particularly addressing partitions for water closets and urinals, emphasizing need for engineers to prioritize privacy in restroom design for enhanced user experience.

It is once again time to gather nominations for PM Engineer's Next Gen All Stars Top 20 Under 40 list. BNP Media's Plumbing Group--PM Engineer, Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply [...]

Happy 2023, PM Engineer readers! Thank you for spending this part of your day with me as I discuss topics in compliance. Let me introduce myself. I, Misty Guard, am [...]

CENOS CENOS redesigned and launched IH 4.0. The application is the first and only of its kind that specifically addresses the needs of induction heating engineers, offering a high-quality simulation [...]

Editor's note: The International Code Council will post a Call for Committee on iccsafe.org for the 2024 Code Cycle in February 2023 with an application deadline of June 1, 2023. [...]

Happy New Year! This month marks the 28th anniversary of the founding of PM Engineer magazine. The magazine was started by four individuals: George Zebrowski, my publisher; Tim Fausch, the [...]

Somewhere along the way, fossil fuels have gotten a bad rap. Coal, oil, natural gas--you name it. We use fossil fuels for everything from creating electricity, warming the shelters we [...]

The article evaluates plumbing, piping and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) products including the Rebel Applied packaged rooftop HVAC system from Daikin Applied, AIRSTAGE Cloud building management system from Fujitsu and AquaPEX Blue pipe from Uponor.

The author shares his views on why architects should eliminate some plumbing fixtures when developing the fixture layout of a hospital. The author points that some plumbing fixtures are infrequently used in several areas of hospitals. Some of these fixtures that are infrequently used are staff sinks in patient rooms, showers and toilet fixtures in intensive care unit (ICU) patient room, and sinks in exam rooms.

The author shares her reflections on how mentorship can help prepare the next generation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineers. The author points that mentorship serves as a conduit for knowledge, insights and industry best practices and can foster a culture of camaraderie and collaboration through open communication. The author also calls on engineering firms to create their own in-house mentorship programs.

The article discusses the Binghampton University Baseball Stadium renovation project, particularly the focus on sustainable restroom design and the products used. Also cited are the Sloan products used in the project like the next-generation AER-DEC integrated sink systems including the sensor-activated BASYS faucets, soap dispensers, and high-speed hand dryers.

In the article, the author discusses how to determine the appropriate size of plumbing systems. Also cited are the efforts by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to address the issue like the introduction of the water demand calculator tool for correct size piping and its collaboration with the University of Cincinnati (UC) and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) to develop solutions to issues.

The article reports on updates in the operation of precision metal and tooling manufacturer AJ Rose Mfg. after suffering a fire in its facility in Cleveland, Ohio in March 2023. Also cited are the key role played by Chris Sbrocco and his firm Pro Service Plumbing in replacing the facility's damaged cooling tower and the products used in the project like the Viega ProPress manual balancing valves and the XL ProPress fittings.

In the article, the author discusses updates in the development of energy, water systems, refrigerants and product standards, particularly the accomplishments of the Standards Development Organizations (SDO) in 2023. Also cited is a list of proposed and revised standards like the standard performance rating of central station air-handling unit, standards for safety of refrigeration systems, and the standards for water-cooled refrigerant condensers.

In the author discusses topics on water reuse, particularly wastewater reuse, in communities across the U.S., particularly on how the rise of water reuse systems can help address the strain on aging wastewater infrastructure. Also cited are the Water Reuse Association data showing that the volume of recycled water will increase to 6.6 billion gallons per day in 2027 from 4.8 billion as of 2024 and how water reuse could help alleviate water scarcity.

The article focuses on Joe Sargent's experience installing CircuitSolver balancing valves in a large e-commerce company's headquarters, highlighting their ease of installation and maintenance. Topics include the features of the CircuitSolver Union Assembly with Strainer (CSUAS), the quick installation and system balancing process, and the recommendation of CircuitSolver valves by Sargent due to their efficiency and lack of maintenance requirements.

The article focuses on the continued trend of sustainability and efficiency in engineering and construction industries for the year 2024 and highlights the importance of integrating sustainable practices and energy-efficient technologies. Topics include the use of eco-friendly materials, government initiatives promoting sustainability, and challenges in implementing sustainable solutions due to budget constraints and client preferences.

The methods for dispensing adhesives, grease, oils, sealants and other fluids cover a wide spectrum of techniques: from manual applications like squeeze bottles, toothpicks and syringes to semiautomatic tabletop robots. [...]

The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing young talent in plumbing engineering amidst technological integration, sustainability demands, and an aging workforce. It also discusses how young professionals bring essential qualities like energy, adaptability, and a willingness to learn, addressing industry skills gaps and ensuring a pipeline of future leaders.

The article focuses on the significance of point-of-use (POU) water disinfection systems as a pragmatic and efficient solution for managing water safety, particularly in addressing the global prevalence of waterborne diseases highlighted by organizations like the CDC and the Gates Foundation.

The article offers reviews of several products: PlushMate's automated flushing system, Hadrian's toilet partitions, and AGF Manufacturing's fire sprinkler solution, each providing enhanced features and functionalities for improved hygiene, durability, and efficiency.

The article focuses on the historical significance of radiant heating systems, particularly in Levittown, New York, where the first homes in the USA were radiantly heated in 1946 using copper tubing embedded in concrete. It also highlights the invaluable mentorship of Roy Sanders, an engineer renowned for his expertise in steam systems, who generously shared his knowledge and assisted fellow contractors without seeking any financial compensation.

The article focuses on diverter valves used in hydronic systems, which have a single inlet port and two outlet ports, allowing flow direction to be controlled manually or by a motorized actuator.

The article focuses on the advantages of Uponor PP-RCT piping systems, particularly their lightweight nature, faster installation, and enhanced jobsite safety, which proved beneficial for a university in western Wisconsin seeking an efficient solution for heating.

The article focuses on Legionella bacteria and the risks it poses to water safety, emphasizing thermal disinfection as the most effective method for controlling bacteria within plumbing systems, especially in combating Legionnaire's disease.

The article focuses on the challenges faced by engineers in incorporating third-party product standards into construction documents efficiently and effectively. Engineers express concerns about the slow adoption of new innovations and emphasize the importance of including references to innovative products in codes and specifications to facilitate quicker responses and the utilization of new technologies.

The article focuses on understanding the complex landscape of product compliance, emphasizing the importance of navigating the maze of regulations and standards to achieve successful product access in the US market. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, grasping these intricacies and seeking assistance from knowledgeable third parties, like consultants, is crucial for market entry and avoiding costly mistakes.

Automakers around the world are transforming their factories with digital technology. The goal is to improve productivity and increase the efficiency of both people and equipment. Engineers are using digital [...]

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Sept. 28, carving a path of destruction through the state and killing more than 100 people. The real magnitude of Hurricane Ian's death [...]

A Large combined resort and convention center in Colorado opened its doors in 2018. The sprawling complex houses 1,501 rooms, convention center space and an extensive indoor/outdoor water park. The [...]

The construction industry is always evolving, whether it be the technology we use to design and model the buildings and systems we install or even the way we execute the [...]

Dr. Saum Nour (Khosrow Nourmohammadi), PE, Ph.D., CPD, LEED AP, CFPE, AIA Allied, is a very welleducated man. Just a quick glance at all the acronyms after his name may [...]

Great first day full of booth appointments at the ASPE Expo 2022! T rends on the floor include ease of install, accessibility, elevated design in commercial spaces and on-demand training. [...]

With all the attention given to supply chain shortages, labor shortages, inflation and material price increases, it's sometimes hard to focus on the positives. Though the plumbing industry is aging, [...]

Heat pumps offer attractive solutions to energy-efficient heating and cooling, and the market is growing. According to a November 2021 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 180 million [...]

I know one thing, the moment you say 'Legionella' to a group of plumbing engineers, everyone pays attention. It's the likeliest word in our verbal repertoire to set off alarm [...]

Like it or not, the quality engineer is, and has been, a part of pop culture. Granted, the perception and depiction of the quality engineer has not always been accurate, [...]

Traditionally, electric traction motors use permanent magnets made with rare-earth metals. However, materials such as dysprosium and neodymium are a limited resource. In addition to their rarity, extracting and processing [...]

The article focuses on the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) engineering and construction. Topics discussed include the automation of MEP system design using AI, enhanced project management through AI-driven tools, and the integration of emerging technologies like drones and autonomous vehicles to improve industry practices.