la

Scorpion launches AI chat solution designed for local services businesses

Scorpion's AI Chat incorporates industry- and business-specific knowledge into each chat response, creating a personalized experience for every new conversation. 




la

Peterman Brothers partners with Interplay Learning to standardize and scale technical training across service branches

The partnership between Interplay and Peterman comes at a pivotal time as Peterman continues to expand its operations and scale its technical training efforts.




la

Trimble ranks #3 on Fast Company’s Annual List of Best Workplaces for Innovators, wins Science and Technology category

Trimble recognized for commitment to innovation across projects, processes and company culture.




la

Trimble opens Technology Lab at Florida A&M University, marking new HBCU collaboration

The lab includes a broad range of Trimble’s industry-leading geospatial and construction solutions.




la

KOHLER partners with Remedy Place, announces new ice bath

The Ice Bath provides optional plumbing integration for easy filling and draining and is intended for both indoor and outdoor use. 




la

PM Profile: QuickDrain USA launches SquareDrain point drain

As an extension of the QuickDrain USA total shower solution, aimed to reimagine how drains should look and perform, the company recently launched its new SquareDrain point drain. Plumbing & Mechanical attended the virtual product launch event in April. 




la

PM Profile: Niagara launches more than 100 new products

In April, Niagara held a virtual launch event, announcing its new Niagara Wholesale Program and more than 100 new products designed to help wholesalers serve the needs of their plumbing professional clients by offering advanced technology and high performance for those looking for a wide variety of water-efficient products.




la

PM Profile: Grundfos launches next generation of circulator pumps

Grundfos announced the launch of the next generation of small circulators for the residential heating market with the introduction of the Grundfos Digital NEXT range — starting with the UPSe 15-58 in late 2022, followed by the release of the new, digital ALPHA 15-58 in early 2023.




la

Examining plastic pipe trends in commercial markets

PM Engineer Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke sits down with Lance MacNevin, director of engineering, building and construction division of the Plastics Pipe Institute, to discuss top trends influencing the use of plastic pipes in commercial applications.




la

PMI applauds House Appropriations Committee

Plumbing Manufacturers International applauded the House Appropriations Committee for approving its fiscal year 2020 Department of the Interior-EPA spending bill.




la

Taco Comfort Solutions high efficiency circulator

The 0018e high-efficiency, Bluetooth-enabled circulator brings a new level of control to residential and light commercial hydronic systems.




la

Wilo USA solar borehole pumps

Wilo USA offers a range of solar borehole pumps, including a new 4” solar submersible pump.




la

IAPMO seeks Technical Correlating Committee members

The deadline to submit an application is May 3.




la

Solar thermal: Why not utilize what we got?

When most people think about solar, they think about photovoltaic panels that generate electricity, but they don’t often think about solar thermal. When considering heating water, solar thermal is incredibly efficient by comparison.




la

Thermostatic mixing valve: Temperature control for solar heat

Webstone, a brand of NIBCO, introduces the new Thermostatic Mixing Valve for high-temperature solar heat sources.




la

IAPMO publishes Installation Standard for Residential Solar Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems

The 2021 USHGC is scheduled to be published in early 2021.




la

Propane and solar energy: How using both can improve sustainability and comfort

Hybrid systems that run on propane and solar can be tailored to a project’s unique needs, providing lower first costs and reduced ongoing energy costs and emissions.




la

Ross Goldstein: Creating cooling and dehumidification using solar thermal or waste heat

There are multiple ways to dehumidify a space — mechanical, reheat and desiccant to name a few. The biggest issue has been that conventional air conditioning units are only 10% effective at removing humidity. Until now, standard de-humidification systems were expensive to purchase and install.




la

Ross Goldstein: Waste heat recovery from solar PV

A little-known fact about solar electric panels is that the hotter the panel itself, the less efficient it becomes. Studies have found a 0.05% efficiency loss for every degree of temperature that is increased. The reverse is true in that efficiency increases by 0.05% for every degree temperature decreases.




la

New Geothermal GSHP Piping Systems document available

PPI MS-7 includes detailed specifications for four plastic piping materials which have been proven in ground-source heat exchange systems: HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and PP (PP-R and PP-RCT).




la

Dave Viola to succeed Russ Chaney as IAPMO CEO

Viola has more than 25 years of senior management experience within the plumbing and mechanical industry. 




la

The changing landscape of fire protection

The world is changing quickly, and transformative technologies are introducing new requirements for safety. 




la

Codes Corner: The benefits of the UPC and Installation Standards

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) has a long history of providing useful information that is not offered by other model codes. 




la

PM Profile: IAPMO’s Dave Viola

Last fall, IAPMO announced its CEO of 25 years, Russ Chaney, would be retiring at the end of the year, and former COO and Executive Vice President Dave Viola would succeed Chaney at the helm of the 95-year-old association. 




la

IAPMO code change monographs now available

The Technical Committee Meeting Monographs contain every code change proposal submitted for the 2027 editions of the UPC and UMC as part of the ANSI-accredited consensus code development process employed by IAPMO.




la

IAPMO makes Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) available for public comment

The deadline to submit comments is Sept. 5.




la

The heat pump renaissance — exploring the latest trends shaping sustainable building solutions

Heat pumps are growing in importance due to climate change. Extensive investment in heat pump technology has led to higher heating capacities and smaller equipment sizes.




la

IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator included in AWWA M22 Manual

AWWA M22 is a manual of water supply practices that covers the basic principles and methods of water distribution system design and operation.




la

PEXa plumbing system provides long-lasting toughness in dairy barn project

Dairy farming is vital for rural communities and household nutrition. Durable materials like REHAU PEXa plumbing systems are essential for dairy barn construction. Three WRC dairy barn projects feature these systems.




la

5 steps to building a strong banking relationship

A strong banking relationship is critical for securing loans and for establishing and maintaining lines of credit. Relationships are not built overnight. Here are the steps you need to build a good relationship with a bank.




la

Beating the scalding and legionella paradox

Scalding remains a hidden danger lurking in homes across the United States, particularly impacting the vulnerable. The plumber can avoid the unintended consequences of simply lowering water temperatures.




la

BuyFin payment processing and consumer financing now available to help business owners unlock growth

BuyFin Payment Processing, which is offered in conjunction with third-party partners, helps business owners get paid faster from customers with competitive processing rates and a best-in-class technology platform, the company states.




la

Applying the Water Demand Calculator: Public fixtures in multi-family buildings

The IAPMO Water Demand Calculator has faced challenges due to exclusions from its documentation and calculations, causing difficulties for engineers in luxury apartment buildings.




la

Circulator pump reliability in extreme conditions

On a military base in east-central Alaska — where the average winter temperature is 16° F with lows that fall well below minus 50° at times — dependable, low-maintenance winter heating systems are critical for the active-duty military families and Department of Defense civilians who live on the military post.




la

Kenny Chapman: Relationships matter more than results

As service business leaders, we often focus blindly on the results — key performance indicators, sales targets and other specific goals. But when it comes to success in any industry, relationships are often much more important than simply reaching a result-based goal. This is especially true for plumbing contractors who need trust and cooperation from our manufacturers, distributors, clients and other partners to succeed call after call, day after day.




la

Balancing data-driven decisions with human emotion

The service industry needs both data and emotion. Emotional intelligence is crucial to balance them. Strive to understand the 'why' behind the numbers, promote emotional intelligence, pilot programs, open feedback channels, and keep an eye on the long game.




la

Trust-filled culture builds happy workplace and boosts productivity

Trust-building in corporate culture often used to involve dramatic events like fire-walking retreats, placing the onus of risk and trust on team members. However, there's now a shift towards recognizing trust-building as a daily, intentional effort integral to creating positive workplace environments.




la

IAPMO commends Washington State Legislature’s passage of bill requiring testing water for lead in schools and daycare facilities

Lead contamination in drinking water poses serious health risks, and even low levels of lead exposure can cause permanent cognitive, academic and behavioral difficulties in children.




la

WQA launches Certified Treatment Designer program

To earn the certification, professionals must have at least two years’ experience in the field and complete the self-paced, online Water Treatment Design course before passing the WQA certification exam.




la

WQA opens new headquarters, laboratory in Illinois

The WQA Board of Directors officially approved the relocation plan in April 2019, after more than two years of research and planning, and the former headquarters was sold to another Lisle-based association in March 2020, right as the coronavirus pandemic hit.




la

How beleaguered water infrastructure can prepare for PFAS regulation

A proposed series of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other so-called ‘GenX chemicals’ are set to go into effect in the fall.




la

Best practices for Legionella prevention in plumbing systems

Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke sits down with Legionella expert Dr. Janet Stout, PhD, to discuss best practice strategies in the plumbing industry for implementing risk assessments and Water Management Programs.




la

California homebuilder leads the way as early adopter of IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator

Appendix M of the IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code, or the Water Demand Calculator, was integrated into the California Plumbing Code on July 1. It provides a new method for sizing water pipes in residential buildings. For Villara Corp., a leading plumbing and HVAC contractor in Northern California, it remains business as usual, having used the calculator for over five years to construct over 5,000 single-family homes.




la

EasyHeat self-regulating heater system

With user-friendly plug-in installation and energy-saving thermostat control, the system is ideal for preventing ice from forming inside 3/4-inch to 6-inch diameter water lines in temperatures below -40°F (-40° C).




la

Truck of the Month: Capital Plumbing Contractors, Tallahassee, Florida

Darrell Jones found himself in quite a pickle back in 1986. At the time, Jones was working for close friend and mentor Louie Garner at Garner’s contracting business.




la

Truck of the Month: Stuart's Plumbing, Lakeland, Florida

Stuart’s Plumbing has been a family business for more than 28 years. The company was established in 1990 by the late Stuart Baldick Jr. But after 10 years of owning the franchise, he decided to branch out and establish his own brand.




la

Truck of the Month: Atlas Plumbing

Growing up around the plumbing industry and watching their father, Bob Ray as he worked endless hours diligently growing his business, made the opportunity to purchase Atlas Plumbing for brother and sister, Rod and Sunshine Ray even more special. 




la

Truck of the Month: Old-Time Flair

“Anything worth doing is worth doing right.”

That’s the slogan of Pataskala, Ohio-based Crawford Mechanical Services (CMS). 




la

Hugo Aguilar: What's on the horizon for the Radiant Professionals Alliance

Ever since the RPA was formed, members have taken advantage of the great benefits the alliance has to offer, such as codes and standards advocacy, a job center network, obtaining and creating valuable education, the annual Radiant Flooring Guide, newsletter subscription, discounts for IAPMO products and services, access to webinars and more. RPA members are professionals from all facets of the radiant profession, including manufacturers, installers, engineers, architects, students, apprentices and inspectors.




la

Weil-McLain residential boiler

The Weil-McLain ECO Tec Series 2 features integrated control software that allows for multiple boiler configurations.