From risers to mains to in-suite piping, PEX is gaining popularity in multifamily construction as contractors are seeing the benefits to their crews’ productivity and their businesses’ bottom line. With sizes up to 3″, PEX is the flexible, durable, cost-effective solution for both domestic water and hydronic heating and cooling systems. It does not pit Read more
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From risers to mains to in-suite piping, PEX is gaining popularity in multifamily construction as contractors are seeing the benefits to their crews’ productivity and their businesses’ bottom line.
With sizes up to 3″, PEX is the flexible, durable, cost-effective solution for both domestic water and hydronic heating and cooling systems. It does not pit, scale, or corrode, it offers more stable pricing for greater confidence when bidding a project, and it has no scrap value like copper, so there’s no concern about theft on the job site.
PEX is lighter in weight, which makes it easier for installers to move and adds to job-site safety. It also eliminates the need for heavy-lifting machinery or equipment, which can be costly and cumbersome.
The product is available in long, continuous coils, so installers can complete jobs faster and easier by just bending the pipe instead of stopping to make a connection with each change in direction. And for tight bends, there are bend supports available that simply snap onto the pipe to hold it firmly in place.
The flexible nature of PEX also makes it ideal for renovation, remodel, or re-pipe applications because it’s much easier to squeeze into tight areas and minimizes the need to alter the existing structure.
For connections, there are several options available. However, most professionals use the ASTM F1960 expansion method. This is because it provides a larger-ID fitting that does not restrict flow, and it can never be dry fit, adding peace of mind to installs.
PEX is a great alternative to traditional metallic systems for horizontal main piping. Using a steel support channel along with clamps and fixed points can help reduce linear expansion and contraction and can extend support hangers to be similar to that of metal piping.
PEX is also ideal for running below grade or in a slab. (Always follow local code as some jurisdictions require additional sleeving and protection.) For those types of applications, pre-sleeved PEX is available with color-coded red or blue HDPE sleeving for domestic-water systems.
Learn more about how PEX can benefit your multifamily installs with greater productivity and profitability potential.
When Colorado-based Olson Plumbing & Heating was awarded the plumbing, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, and refrigerant lines in the $60 million, 185,000-square-foot Centennial High School project in Pueblo, they needed additional BIM resources to manage their expanding project load. Being committed to BIM as a business model, with only a three-person CAD department and Read more
When Colorado-based Olson Plumbing & Heating was awarded the plumbing, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, and refrigerant lines in the $60 million, 185,000-square-foot Centennial High School project in Pueblo, they needed additional BIM resources to manage their expanding project load.
Being committed to BIM as a business model, with only a three-person CAD department and this type of skilled labor being extremely hard to find, they found it difficult to develop their in-house capabilities. Having many successful projects with Uponor Construction Services for estimation and design on projects in the past, Olson turned to Uponor BIM Services to help manage the workload on the new high school project.
Using a digital model provided by project architect MOA Architecture, Uponor BIM Services populated it with all the pipe, fittings, equipment, and other products specified. They then moved into the coordination phase to identify potential clashes with other trades on the project.
“With Uponor, we had a professional third party who could take their modeling and drawing to full, fabrication-level detailing,” explains Lana Marsh, project manager, Olson Plumbing & Heating.
Uponor BIM Services provided full plumbing modeling and coordination, full VRF system modeling and coordination, spool and install drawings, and hangers with points for field layout along with representation during multi-trade coordination with the general contractor.
When it came to installation time, this benefitted the Olson team with less rework, reduced job-site waste, and higher workforce productivity. In fact, one project change to raise an underground plumbing drainage line several feet spared Olson from having to dig a deeper trench, which saved significant labor as well as earth-moving equipment rental costs.
“Using Uponor’s resources has enabled us to grow our company without having to create a whole office floor of CAD specialists,” Marsh professes. “We are definitely planning to use them for future projects.”
Learn more about Uponor BIM Services.
Highest Performance Flow Curve in a Compact and Lightweight Design Zurn Industries, LLC announces the release of the new Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 Pressure Reducing Valve. The new Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) has a patented integral venturi enabling the valve to have best-in-class flow performance. It also has the shortest lay length and Read more
Highest Performance Flow Curve in a Compact and Lightweight Design
Zurn Industries, LLC announces the release of the new Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 Pressure Reducing Valve.
The new Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) has a patented integral venturi enabling the valve to have best-in-class flow performance. It also has the shortest lay length and is the most compact PRV on the market for increased design versatility and easier drop-in installation.
“The new Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 has industry-leading performance with the flattest flow curve on the market today,” said John Mankins, Zurn Product Manager, Water Safety & Control. “The 3” 500XL3 has a 13 PSI pressure advantage when compared to the leading competitor at the typical 8-foot per second velocity plumbing design limit.”
The new valve’s all-bronze body, stainless-steel stem, and corrosion-resistant cartridge internals withstand heavy wear and harsh environments. The Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 is available in six sizes from 1 inch to 3 inches and with multiple universal connection options, including single union, double union, female thread, and flanged.
The Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 meets lead-free environmental requirements and meets the requirements of NSF/ANSI 61 and is ASSE listed 1003, IAPMO listed, and CSA certified.
Learn more about the new Zurn Wilkins 500XL3 and Zurn’s complete line of pressure reducing valves at Zurn.com.
Bosch Thermotechnology, a leading global source of high-quality heating, cooling, and hot water systems, debuted at two new versions within the IDS Family, IDS Premium Connected and IDS Light, and the third generation of the Climate 5000 ductless system mini-split heat pump. All three products are set to become available to the market in the Read more
Bosch Thermotechnology, a leading global source of high-quality heating, cooling, and hot water systems, debuted at two new versions within the IDS Family, IDS Premium Connected and IDS Light, and the third generation of the Climate 5000 ductless system mini-split heat pump. All three products are set to become available to the market in the first half of 2022.
“By expanding the Inverter Ducted Split (IDS) Family to include two additional versions by summer 2022, Bosch aims to extend accessibility to high-quality systems and boost connectivity,” said Goncalo Costa, Director of the AC Regional Business Unit at Bosch Thermotechnology. “We are excited to unveil the new game-changing IDS Light, the only 15-SEER inverter compressor solution on the market. It provides the comfort you expect from an IDS system at a more standard efficiency level and lower price point.”
The IDS Premium Connected provides the same high-quality comfort as the IDS Premium but also includes connected technology through a mobile app. The connected system was developed after extensive market research as a solution for the pain points that contractors and homeowners experience and offers installation guidance, remote monitoring, troubleshooting, easy warranty registration, and monthly energy usage monitoring.
As the market demand for ductless mini-splits continues to grow, Bosch will also showcase its newest mini-split heat pump, the Climate 5000 3.0. The highly efficient system provides ample residential heating and cooling up to 60,000 Btuh for single-zone and up to 48,000 Btuh for multi-zone applications. This inverter-driven heat pump is available in indoor and outdoor models and provides both regular and high heat solutions to suit any home. Additionally, it offers enhanced energy efficiency of up to a 28 SEER rating, which is a 6 point improvement from the 2.0 system, and improved humidity control.
Additional high quality heating and cooling solutions for both residential and commercial spaces to be featured at the Bosch booth include:
- QV (Commercial) and WQ (Residential) Heat Pumps
- Singular Combi Boiler Series
- Bosch Connected Controls – BCC100, BCC50
- Inverter Ducted Packaged System
- Buderus SSB with Low Loss Header
- Greenstar Boilers
- Greentherm 9000
For more information about Bosch Thermotechnology and our participation at AHR Expo 2022, visit https://www.boschheatingcooling.com/ahr2022.
Whether installing a new boiler or maintaining an existing one, it’s important to consider the inherent issues that can befall a hydronic system and impact the performance of its components. Anticipating these pitfalls and planning accordingly will result in a smarter installation. By choosing your boiler accessories wisely, you can extend the life of your Read more
Whether installing a new boiler or maintaining an existing one, it’s important to consider the inherent issues that can befall a hydronic system and impact the performance of its components. Anticipating these pitfalls and planning accordingly will result in a smarter installation. By choosing your boiler accessories wisely, you can extend the life of your boiler and maintain its efficiency while guarding against potential problems down the road.
One of the most common issues comes in the form of ferrous debris, a result of normal metal pipe wear that, when left unchecked, can cause major problems. Over time, rust particles and other debris in the heating loop build up, creating an iron sludge that reduces boiler efficiency or even stops it altogether from working. The resulting damage can require expensive repairs, increase heating costs, and reduce the overall lifespan of the boiler.
To combat the accumulated sludge in the pipes, a system flush may be required. Depending on the severity of the issue, this could be a costly and time-consuming process. Moreover, doing so will not reverse any damage that’s already been done to the boiler. By the same token, boiler manufacturers are becoming more stringent about their warranty claim requirements. Installing a boiler accessory as a precautionary measure is the most consistent way to ensure due diligence is being done. The best protection from iron sludge is to prevent it from ever reaching the appliance.
To protect the boiler, consider the Magnetic Boiler Filter (MBF) from Webstone®, a brand of NIBCO. It captures ferrous and non-ferrous debris before it can reach the boiler using a high-powered 12,000 Gauss magnet. Its internal filter knocks out sediment as it enters the unit, breaking down the sludge and maintaining optimal flow rate. The build-up is captured in the body, which has a large storage capacity to increase time between service. The strapped cap is also used to actuate the integrated drain valve, making it simple to remove accumulation when needed, and a service tool is included to help remove the filter housing with ease.
The MBF bodies feature G-thread ends for connection to your choice of MIP, FIP, sweat, or press union fittings. Unions and bodies can be purchased as an installation kit or as separate components depending on the installer’s preference. Optional lead-free dezincification-resistant brass isolation valves are also available to simplify future service. When installed in conjunction with a circulator pump, the flanged ball valve saves space, labor, and leak paths compared to the off-the-shelf assemblies that would normally be required to connect the two appliances. It also mitigates the risk of electrolysis and galvanic corrosion, while allowing virtually no air into the system upon pump replacement. For more simple isolation needs, Webstone offers straight and angled G-union ball valves with reversible handles.
For smaller systems, the ¾” and 1” models feature a universal diverter that allows the MBF to be used in both horizontal and vertical piping orientations on the system return line. For horizontal installations on the system run, the Magnetic Boiler Filter XL model is now available in sizes 1¼” or 1½”. Introduced in 2021, the patent-pending MBF XL is ideal for larger residential and light commercial boiler applications, with a robust 2-layer metal mesh filter and manual air vent.
Webstone offers a wide array of system performance products designed to support efficient operations and protect components. To learn more about how you can work smarter, visit WebstoneValves.com.