Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Grundfos. Grundfos Pumps Corporation is a global pumps and pumping systems leader serving the residential, commercial-building and process-industry markets, as well as being a major supplier to the water-supply and water-treatment industries. Grundfos is known for advanced products, technology and brands including Alldos, Hilge, PACO Pumps, Peerless Pumps, and Yeomans Chicago Corporation.
Grundfos strives to improve reliability and energy savings, and to exceed customer needs. Grundfos is focused on innovative, sustainable solutions while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Visit www.grundfos.us for more information.
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Grundfos Pumps Unveils New Generation of Circulators,
With Power-Consumption Savings of up to 80%
Making its North American debut, ALPHA™ from Grundfos Pumps is an energy-optimized, 115-volt circulator featuring a permanent magnet motor design that will cut power consumption by a minimum of 50%, as compared with other circulators in its class. Designed for hydronic heating applications in residential and light-commercial applications, the compact ALPHA is equipped with the unique Grundfos AUTOADAPT™ function that automatically modulates circulator performance to match ever-changing system demand.
Healthcare Reform Bill passes House
Washington — With 218 “yes” votes needed to pass, the Healthcare Reform Bill (Affordable Health Care for America Act) narrow passed the House of Representatives 220-215. Now the bill heads to the Senate for approval.
According to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC), “While PHCC supports affordable, quality health care through broader coverage, choice and competition in the marketplace, the association opposed the $1 trillion health care package. PHCC believes the bill fails to address the root cause of rising costs and that it will likely eliminate competition and restrict economic growth with punitive penalties for employers.”
The Stanley Works and Black & Decker merge to create industrial leader
New Britain, Conn. & Towson, MD. — The Stanley Works, a worldwide supplier of quality tools and engineered solutions for industrial, construction and do-it-yourself use, and security solutions for commercial applications, and The Black & Decker Corporation, a global manufacturer and marketer of quality power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology-based fastening systems, announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create Stanley Black & Decker, an $8.4 billion global industrial leader in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.5 billion.
The combination brings together two highly complementary companies with iconic brands and strong growth prospects. Founded in 1843, Stanley is a diversified industrial company with a global leadership position in hand tools and strong construction and do-it-yourself (CDIY), security and industrial businesses with well-known brand names such as Stanley, FatMax, Bostitch, Facom, Proto, Mac Tools, Sonitrol, Stanley Security Solutions, Best, and Vidmar. With roots dating back to 1910, Black & Decker brings a global leadership position in power tools and a diverse product offering under an array of renowned brands including Black & Decker, DeWalt, Porter-Cable, Emhart Teknologies, Kwikset, Baldwin and Price Pfister.
Uniform Solar Energy Code named an American National Standard
Ontario, Calif. — The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has formally bestowed the designation of American National Standard upon the 2009 Uniform Solar Energy Code (USEC). Developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), the USEC is the only model code governing the installation, inspection and maintenance of solar energy systems and their component products to be designated as such.
The USEC joins the 2009 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®) as the only codes of their kind to be designated American National Standards. The 2003 and 2006 editions of the UPC and UMC also earned the designation; this is the first time for the USEC.
The advantages of a Uniform Solar Energy Code, acceptable in various jurisdictions as a means of promoting the public's health, safety and welfare, had long been recognized, prompting IAPMO to pass a resolution at its 1975 annual business conference that directed the president to form a committee to develop a basic solar energy document. After months of concerted endeavor, this committee, composed of representatives from industry and public utility companies, inspectors, plumbers and engineers, successfully completed the first edition of the USEC, which was officially adopted by IAPMO in September 1976.
MSS publishes standard practice for pipe hangers and supports
Vienna, Va. — The Manufactures Standardization Society (MSS) has published a newly revised and enhanced Standard Practice, SP-58-2009, Pipe Hangers and Supports –Materials, Design, Manufacture, Selection, Application, and Installation.
This comprehensive Standard Practice combines all of the content of five Pipe Hanger and Support standards into a single document. MSS SP-58-2009 will serve as a “complete guide” for pipe hanger and support design, manufacture, selection, and installation; enabling the user to specify a minimum level of acceptance for pipe hanger design and performance, in addition to defining the types of hangers and supports.
MSS SP-58-2009 includes all of the information from ANSI/MSS SP-69, Selection and Application; MSS SP-77, Guidelines for Pipe Support Contractual Relations; MSS SP-89, Fabrication and Installation Practices; and MSS SP-90, Guidelines on Terminology for Pipe Hangers and Supports.
The scope of this revised Standard Practice:
- Establishes the material, design, fabrication, and inspection criteria to be used in the manufacture of standard types of pipe hanger components;
- Establishes the allowable stress values for materials used in standard types of pipe support components and unique hanger design assemblies;
- Establishes minimum design load ratings for rigid pipe hanger assemblies;
- Presents the recommended practice for the selection and application of pipe hangers and supports for all service temperatures;
- Establishes recommended procedures for detailing, fabrication, and installation of pipe hangers and supports;
- Serves as a pipe hanger and support specification for selection and application;
- Serves as a guide to proven industry practice during engineering design and writing of job specifications covering the hanging, supporting and controlling the movement of piping systems;
- Provides the erector with information on types of hanger and support components to be used for specific application and installations, where such information is not otherwise provided; and
- Serves as a companion document to MSS SP-127, which provides recommendations for the design, selection, and application of bracing for piping systems subject to seismic– wind — dynamic loading.
New Products
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The Bucket The JG Speedfit Bucket is a practical, attractive, high-value “toolbox,” that contains 47 pieces of best-selling fittings in one reusable 5-gallon bucket with a bucket seat. Offers safe, reliable pipe connections without tools or sealant, saving time and money. Fittings are lead free and meet the applicable upc, iapmo and nsf/ansi code requirements, from an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer. John Guest. |
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Hand shower New ActivTouch touch-activated hand shower combines innovation and functionality to create a unique and invigorating shower experience. ActivTouch allows consumers to relax and control their shower with one hand and three simple buttons. It is designed with sleek style and made to have durable, dependent performance for years. Alsons.
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Geothermal heat pump adapts to weather Prestige Series™ 27 to 31 eer geothermal heat pump — with Comfort Control System™ serial communicating feature — offers the ultimate in energy savings and flexibility. Geothermal units supply heating, central air conditioning and domestic hot water while costing less to operate than any other heating and cooling system. Prestige Geothermal heat pump is offered in package and split system configurations. Package products are available in 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 ton capacities; split systems are available in 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-ton capacities. Ensuring optimum comfort, pumps feature two-stage compressors and advanced variable speed air delivery that automatically adjusts to changing weather conditions. Rheem.
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