The first-ever @plumbingnationals wrapped up on Friday (10/27/23) in Tampa Bay, Florida, and boy was it a blast. The energy was high as family and friends cheered on the five finalists who completed the last plumbing challenge of the competition. https://youtu.be/ZG5sNkp9g3k?si=lEHO5wTdywSjIl5D The Plumbing National Championship was created to provide a one-of-a-kind platform to recognize the plumbing trade Read more
Industry News
The first-ever @plumbingnationals wrapped up on Friday (10/27/23) in Tampa Bay, Florida, and boy was it a blast. The energy was high as family and friends cheered on the five finalists who completed the last plumbing challenge of the competition.
The Plumbing National Championship was created to provide a one-of-a-kind platform to recognize the plumbing trade and the people who keep the country moving every day. The competition provides a platform for men and women in the industry to showcase their incredible training, dedication and skills in a series of head-to-head dynamic challenges showcasing the world-class skills of the trade.
The competition’s first round started in July 2023 in the form of a digital qualifying challenge. Competitors took a three-minute multiple-choice quiz that tested their knowledge across all areas of the plumbing trade. The top 20 scorers advanced to Round 2 in September and received a custom at-home challenge kit designed by industry experts to test their skills on a unique and dynamic task.
SharkBite Plumbing Solutions brand is showing its support for the trades by sponsoring the inaugural Plumbing National Championship, which culminated on October 27 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. Over four months, the field whittled down to the top 5 plumbers now competing for plumbing glory by winning the title of first-ever Plumbing National Champion and their share of a $20,000 prize.
The finalists were: Craig Childress from Massachusetts, David McDonough from Indiana, Joe Jaspers from Ohio, Justin Coutu from Virginia and David Shanor from Virginia. One of these lucky plumbers won this week’s final round of competition in a custom-built arena along with a $10,000 prize and a unique trophy. Second place won $7,000 and third won $3,000. The winners will be revealed on the television broadcast.
In December, CBS Sports Network will provide national exposure for the plumbing trade, telling the competitors’ personal stories and bringing them all the fun moments of the national championship competition where one plumber won the title of best plumber in the U.S., claiming the industry’s ultimate bragging rights. In addition to the opportunity to win cash prizes, each finalist received a custom VIP prize package from sponsors like SharkBite Plumbing Solutions. You can watch the finals on CBS Sports in December, specifc date yet to be announced.
Beginning in early 2020, supply-chain disruptions and unprecedented construction-materials demand resulted in an influx of F1960 engineered polymer (EP) fittings from various manufacturers and suppliers located around the globe. Unfortunately, some of these “F1960” fittings are not actually manufactured or tested to the same standards as the Uponor ProPEX® F1960 fittings, and contractors are learning a Read more
Beginning in early 2020, supply-chain disruptions and unprecedented construction-materials demand resulted in an influx of F1960 engineered polymer (EP) fittings from various manufacturers and suppliers located around the globe. Unfortunately, some of these “F1960” fittings are not actually manufactured or tested to the same standards as the Uponor ProPEX® F1960 fittings, and contractors are learning a hard lesson about the differences when they experience a failure in their piping system.
In truth, not all fittings conforming to the ASTM F1960 standard are the same. Manufacturers and suppliers that claim their fittings are compliant to ASTM F1960 feel that, in their opinion, they meet the standard. However, there is no third-party agency to confirm that compliance. Uponor ProPEX fittings are a highly engineered product certified by a third-party agency — NSF — to ensure the raw materials, manufacturing process, and resulting product accurately meet the ASTM F1960 standard. In fact, the companies that mold ProPEX EP fittings are partners that are integrated into the codes, helping ensure the highest-quality product. ProPEX fittings also undergo internal quality testing that extends beyond the ASTM F1960 standard requirements to provide customers with the strongest value available on the market.
“It’s important that installers are aware they need to ask for the Uponor brand name from distribution and make sure they are getting what they are paying for in ProPEX fittings,” says Ann Studnicka, director, Channel Marketing at Uponor. “The differences are far beyond just the brand name. Uponor testing on generic F1960 fittings has exposed various manufacturing design and quality inconsistencies, and some fittings can’t even pass the ASTM F1960 standard requirements. This is putting projects at considerable risk for failures and potentially voids the associated system warranties.”
Over the past two years, Uponor has seen a significant increase in claims for failed connections that turned out to be other suppliers’ F1960 fittings. This trend confirms the theory that many contractors simply are not aware of the visual differences between ProPEX and generic F1960 fittings.
“Contractors and distributors need to be aware of the visual differences between ProPEX and low-quality F1960 fittings,” says Studnicka. “How can you tell? The easiest way is to look for the Uponor logo on the fitting.”
Other markers of ProPEX fittings include thicker tube stops and thicker sealing barbs. The thin tube stops on the generic, low-quality fittings are especially problematic as the expanded PEX pipe can extend past the stops and cause leaks.
With more than 150 variations of couplings, tees, elbows, plugs, and multiports in sizes up to 3″, Uponor provides the most comprehensive offering of F1960 EP fittings in the market. The ProPEX connection system is also covered by an industry-leading, 25-year limited transferable warranty when used with Uponor PEX-a pipe and ProPEX rings. And, it is important to note that mixing different suppliers’ fittings, rings, and pipe will lower the term or even void the warranty in some cases.
For further details about the differences with ProPEX connection systems, visit uponor.com/askforuponor. For information about all other Uponor products, systems, services, and solutions, visit uponor.com.
Watts offers “Industrial Pipe Solutions: The Science Behind Making the Right Choice,” an ASPE-accredited webinar worth 0.1 CEUs. Many types of industrial facilities have specific drainage requirements for sanitation, contamination, chemical resistance, temperature, mechanical stress, and fire safety. The right choice of drainage materials, methods, and attention to proper engineering practices can help to mitigate Read more
Watts offers “Industrial Pipe Solutions: The Science Behind Making the Right Choice,” an ASPE-accredited webinar worth 0.1 CEUs.
Many types of industrial facilities have specific drainage requirements for sanitation, contamination, chemical resistance, temperature, mechanical stress, and fire safety. The right choice of drainage materials, methods, and attention to proper engineering practices can help to mitigate contamination and corrosion that can affect drainage systems while providing installation and operational benefits.
On Tuesday November 14th, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET, participants will learn how to:
- Identify the risks associated from improperly specified drainage materials
- Identify the primary considerations when selecting drainage materials for specific applications
- Analyze and evaluate the performance of various drainage materials
- Describe the unique advantages and benefits of various drainage systems
- Compare the cost ramifications of different drainage solutions
To register, visit Watts.com/PipeSolutionsWebinar.
A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment products, unveils its highly-anticipated fourth quarter promotion for valued wholesale channel partners and their customers. The promotion aims to further incentivize contractors to purchase select commercial gas water heaters from participating locations. The fourth quarter promotion begins on Oct. 16 and runs through Dec Read more
A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment products, unveils its highly-anticipated fourth quarter promotion for valued wholesale channel partners and their customers. The promotion aims to further incentivize contractors to purchase select commercial gas water heaters from participating locations.
The fourth quarter promotion begins on Oct. 16 and runs through Dec. 1, 2023. During this window, contractors will have the opportunity to receive a Pit Boss Fire Pit when they purchase any three commercial gas water heaters from participating wholesale partners, while supplies last.*
“We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm from contractors throughout the year, and we’re excited to close out the year on a high note by giving back to our dedicated customers,” stated Jeff Storie, A. O. Smith’s marketing director. “These promotions have also allowed us to further connect with our wholesale partners, whose relationships are incredibly important to A. O. Smith. We created the promotions so that they would benefit everyone involved and we are pleased with the results so far.”
*For full promotion details and a list of participating wholesalers, visit https://hotwater.com/q4promo.
Gripple, one of the leading manufacturers of suspension solutions for construction, is celebrating the success of its UniGrip 6 Hanger System for winning a Show Stopper Award at the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Show in Philadelphia. The 2023 NECA Showstopper Awards highlight the latest products and services on the market and included more than 170 Read more
Gripple, one of the leading manufacturers of suspension solutions for construction, is celebrating the success of its UniGrip 6 Hanger System for winning a Show Stopper Award at the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Show in Philadelphia.
The 2023 NECA Showstopper Awards highlight the latest products and services on the market and included more than 170 entries this year. Attendees to the NECA show are given the chance to explore the newest products, while an expert panel of judges decides on the winners.
The UniGrip 6 Hanger, which Gripple launched at NECA, is designed to support heavier services, such as multi-tier conduit racks and large diameter mechanical pipework. It is the only single-channel cable hanger capable of accommodating 1/4” cable and approved for an 800 lb Safe Working Load (SWL).
Sean Boyle, Product Manager at Gripple explains: “We’re very excited that our UniGrip 6 Hanger won a NECA Show Stopper award! With almost 200 other exciting products and innovations across the NECA exhibition, it is an honor to have our UniGrip 6 chosen for this award by electrical contractors!”
Gripple’s UniGrip 6 was released in response to demand for a heavier duty cable support hanger for major construction projects, such as hospitals, data centers, stadiums, and other large projects. The new system delivers huge contractor benefits for projects by replacing threaded rod, as well as being easy to use, lightweight, labor-saving and height-adjustable.
To meet safe working loads of 800 lbs, UniGrip 6 features a 5” long ¾” thread, designed for supporting double strut profiles with high load bearing capacity. The system is ICC and UL 2239 approved for the support of conduit.
Sean adds, “Boosted by this award, UniGrip 6 is already becoming highly sought after for major projects such as factories, data centers, hospitals, and other industrial facilities. UniGrip 6 truly offers the highest load rating capability of any cable suspension system of its type.”
The system speeds up the installation of heavy electrical conduit and containment, piping, ductwork, HVAC equipment and prefabricated modules by using galvanized steel aircraft cable and Gripple’s selection of pre-attached cable end fittings. These include loops for choking around structural beams and stud ends for attaching to concrete anchors.
With its compact design, contractors can fit ten x 10ft drops into one small box, significantly improving handling, with no on-site cutting required. The high strength steel cable helps lower the buildings embodied CO2, as part of enhancing sustainability.
First launched in 2017, Gripple’s UniGrip range has been utilized on major projects across the world and is renowned for being up to six times faster to install than traditional suspension systems. The new UniGrip 6 can be pre-fabricated on back-to-back strut on the ground or off site, using the included nut and square washers, to reduce time spent working at heights.
Easy to use, the UniGrip range features an ergonomically designed release button which allows for simple height adjustments to be made. This button also acts as a locking nut, to ensure the cable is locked in position for ultimate security and reassurance. The UniGrip range also offers great flexibility with a wide variety of sizes and foot attachments to suit various applications.
Gripple is committed to providing customers with greener solutions that reduce carbon and maximize use of recycled materials.
For more information about the Unigrip system visit: www.gripple.com