Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- American Standard. American Standard provides the style and performance that fit perfectly in your customers’ lives. With options ranging from exquisite luxury to everyday style for the budget-conscious, American Standard’s exclusive technologies and innovative designs deliver ingenuity, quality and efficiency. American Standard is, quite simply, style that works better.
Visit www.americanstandard-us.com/waterefficiency for further information.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Phc News sales rep by visiting www.phcnews.com.
Low-Maintenance High-Efficiency Toilets and Urinals Provide Stylish Options for Homes and Buildings
 |
| Selectronic Allbrook HEU |
Standard has expanded its stylish selection of low-maintenance high efficiency toilets (HETs) and high efficiency urinals (HEUs) that save water while helping to achieve green building ratings in remodeling and new construction.
Twelve Design-savvy residential high-efficiency toilets (HETs) models meet the requirements for WaterSense labeling, using 20 percent less water than standard 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) models while offering superior flush performance. The new Compact Cadet® 3 One-Piece accomplishes this with space-saving flair incorporating a comfortable Right Height™ elongated bowl that fits in the same space as a round-front bowl. Its clean, dramatic look incorporates rolled-edge detail on the tank top and a slow-close seat, with the permanent EverClean™ surface that inhibits the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria, mold and mildew.
The Cadet 3 Two-Piece also offers these design hallmarks and water-saving performance, as does the fashion-forward Tropic Two-Piece, with its contemporary styling and a trip lever that perfectly coordinates with the Tropic Faucet’s handles, with performance driven by the Cadet 3 flushing system.
All Cadet 3 HETs are WaterSense certified and carry a five-year warranty on chinaware and parts. They are priced at $542 for the One-Piece, $224 to $329 for the Two-Piece and $281 to $386 for the Tropic Two-Piece, depending on whether a right-height elongated, elongated or round-front bowl is selected.
For commercial applications, American Standard’s popular Washbrook and Allbrook urinals are now available in HEU versions that do not exceed 0.5 gpf, or half the gpf allowed under current law. Both are designed for use with Selectronic hands-free flush valves for reliable performance throughout the pressure range. Both have the EverClean permanent finish, and are available in White or Black.
In commercial HETs, the Afwall wall-mounted and Madera floor-mounted models are available in 1.28 gpf, as well as standard 1.6 gpf. The permanent EverClean finish saves on maintenance time, while the sanitary Selectronic hands-free valve integrates easily and seamlessly across the entire Selectronic platform for hassle-free, motion-controlled metered water use in faucets and fixtures. Both Afwall and Madera are available in White, Bone, Silver and Linen with a choice of five coordinating seat colors.
The new Priolo Floor Mount is based on features of the Afwall and Madera bowl, but is specially engineered for bariatric specifications and incorporates a back outlet. The Priolo Floor Mount is available in White, Bone and Linen, and may be complemented with any of the five coordinating seat colors.
For more information on High-Efficiency Toilets, High-Efficiency Urinals, Commercial Bowls or other American Standard products, visit www.americanstandard-us.com or call (800) 899-2614.
MCAA members recognized for online labor estimating manual
Members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc.’s (MCAA) Labor Estimating Manual Committee were recognized during the committee’s fall meeting for their dedication and commitment throughout the creation of the WebLEM, the mechanical contractor’s source for web-based labor estimating units. Those receiving service awards were:
- Kevin Daubendiek (Humphrey Company, Inc., Houston),
- Paul De Bella (De Bella Mechanical, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif.),
- Robert Durr, Jr.( Durr Mechanical Construction, Inc., New York),
- David Gallo (Gallo Mechanical, LLC, Metairie, La.),
- Ron King (Accubid Systems, Concord, Ontario, Canada),
- Tim Moormeier (U.S. Engineering Company, Kansas City) and
- Emmett Reilly (John W. Danforth Company, Tonawanda, N.Y.).
Introduced at MCAA’s 2008 Annual Convention, the WebLEM is a web-based version of MCAA’s popular Labor Estimating Manual (LEM), which was first published by the committee in the early 1970s. This essential tool, which has been revised and expanded to keep pace with the industry, is provided to members of MCAA, including members of the Manufacturer/Supplier Council and members of MCAA’s Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) subsidiary, as a benefit of membership. Non-members are able to subscribe to the manual.
The transformation of the LEM into the WebLEM began in 2005 in response to committee concerns about keeping pace with the unprecedented rate at which new materials and joining methods were being introduced. The committee was also concerned about: providing information in a timely manner and simplifying the process of updating the labor hours for members and software company licensees alike. The time required to update the labor units into their software had the largest impact on some of the smallest mechanical contractors.
The WebLEM was developed to address the committee’s concerns and to meet the needs of the next generation of users. The WebLEM project would not have been possible without the efforts of the dedicated members of the Labor Estimating Manual Committee and MCAA’s foresight in seeing the benefit of a web-based Labor Estimating Manual.
To learn more about the WebLEM, visit www.weblem.org.
Viega provides training after making donation to tornado-destroyed town
On May 4, 2007, a devastating EF-5 tornado destroyed 95 percent of the buildings in Greensburg, Kan. On Aug. 7, 2008, Viega announced it would help with rebuilding efforts by donating a MANABLOC® homerun water distribution system for every home being rebuilt in Greensburg and the surrounding area.
Presented to residents of Kiowa County, Kan. through the Greensburg GreenTown Initiative, residents who sustained losses in Kiowa County can sign up for a free MANABLOC homerun water distribution system at the Green Sustainability Visitor Center in Greensburg, Kan.
The Viega donation of $300,000 worth of plumbing products to tornado-ravaged Kiowa County residents will supply hot and cold water for a typical 1,200 square-foot home.
The entire package includes:
- A 24-port ViegaPEX Press MANABLOC
- 1/2”, 3/8” and 3/4” ViegaPEX tubing (in red and blue)
- All the Viega fittings required to make the system operate
To further solidify Viega’s commitment to rebuilding Greensburg, Viega district manager Darin Barnes, and Viega director of training Mark Parent traveled to Greensburg, Kan. on Oct. 8, 2008 to give a hands-on MANABLOC presentation to plumbers and contractors helping rebuild the city. Now the twelve plumbing installers who attended the training will have a better understanding how the MANABLOC operates, proper installation techniques and what makes the system green.
Viega has a long-standing commitment to manufacturing quality, energy and water-efficient, plumbing and heating products. It made sense for Viega to associate itself with a town committed to rebuilding, living and promoting a green message.
Tommy Gainey finishes second in PGA Tour’s final event
Tommy Gainey, a former employee at A. O. Smith’s McBee, S.C., water heater plant, concluded his rookie PGA Tour season with a second place finish in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, held Nov. 6–9 at Disney World’s Magnolia and Palm Golf Courses in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Edged out by one stroke by 20-time PGA Tour winner Davis Love III, Gainey carded 31 birdies, the most of any player in the field, and vaulted from No. 228 to No. 148 on the PGA Tour’s money list.
Gainey’s conditional status for finishing in the top 150 should earn him about 15 Tour starts next year and admittance into the final stage of PGA Q-School. “I had one week, and this was the week. I definitely assured myself of a place to play next year,” said Gainey.
New Products
 |
Free Snake Oil sample A free four-ounce sample bottle of Snake Oil™ is included with each floor model power drain cleaning machine. Snake Oil preserves and protects sewer cables against rust. It’s better than common lubricants because its special rust inhibitor cuts trough moisture and replaces it with a rust resistant coating. This significantly extends the life of the sewer cables and the machine, including the drum, bearings and power cable feed. In addition, Snake Oil includes a deodorant that gives the sewer cables a fresh, clean smell. General Pipe Cleaners. |
 |
Aqus greywater system Reclaims greywater from bathroom drains and reuses it in toilets, saving thousands of gallons of water annually. Installation of a Aqus greywater system contributes to LEED point certification. System funnels water that flows down lavatory sinks and routes it through a sanitizing device that disinfects and filters the water. The water then goes through a storage reservoir under the sink. When a toilet that is connected to the system flushes, water is pumped from the reservoir to the flush tank. Sloan Valve Co. |
 |
Home Guard Max Home Guard Max, to be released soon, is a high capacity, high efficiency water powered back-up system. With no electricity or batteries required, the Home Guard Max takes over seamlessly when your primary sump system fails and comes fully assembled for fast, easy and trouble-free installation. With superior performance and discharge capacity, it uses less water and costs less to operate. Zoeller. |
Movers & Shakers
Heat Transfer Products (HTP) announced that hydronics industry veteran Ed Nordstrom has joined the company as sales manager - Western region. Based in Santa Fe, N.M., Nordstrom will be responsible for all sales and technical training activities in the Western United States and Western Canada. Dale Townsend, who serves as Western region technical training manager, will report to him.
Midwest/South: Sales and marketing manager Steve Wilson has been named sales manager - Midwest/South Region, based in Red Lion, Pa. Wilson will also oversee the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Northeast: Technical training manager John Sawyer has been given the additional assignment of sales manager - Northeast region, based at company headquarters in East Freetown. He will also oversee the Maritime Provinces in Canada. |