Delta Plumbing Contactors

This new accessory from Canadian manufacturer WETSTYLE solves freestanding tub owners' dilemma: where to stash the soap?

Blue Angel Pumps features Cap Switch technology for plumbers that ensures worry-free, reliable sump pump operation.

The portable, new EelCam EC-8SD Camera Inspection System from Electric Eel records directly on an SD card.

California Faucets' two square models of its StyleDrain combine design with fast draining capability.

Thrush Co. Inc. introduces the patent-pending Aar-O-Vent™ high-performance air and dirt separator.

Geberit’s new Concealed Tank and Carrier System for a wall-mounted urinal provides in-wall technology for design flexibility, water savings and reliable performance.

Home Care® by Moen introduces new L-shaped grab bars with SecureMount™, which provide an ideal solution for all public buildings with ADA-compliance needs.

Upgrading an existing showerhead is easy with the new Flipside™ handshower from Kohler Co.

The next generation Tempra® and new Tempra Plus tankless, on-demand electric water heaters are now available from Stiebel Eltron.

A new RIDGID Model 65S Stainless-Steel Quick-Acting tubing cutter makes quicker cuts to stainless steel and other metallic tubes.

What happens when Quality Service Contractors (QSC) and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC) join forces? You get the expanded power tools you need to electrify your business, brought to you via one industry-specific convenient meeting, CONNECT 2010 — the only national event for the p-h-c industry.

The joint gathering is scheduled for Oct. 27-30, 2010, at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas, and will offer plumbing and HVACR service and repair contractors top-of-the-line educational and networking opportunities — for a smaller and more efficient investment of time and money than two separate meetings.

If you want to enhance your business expertise and improve your company’s bottom line, you simply cannot afford to miss CONNECT 2010. Where else can you take full advantage of the PHCC annual convention’s valuable educational sessions and networking events, as well as QSC’s focused Power Meeting programming, all in the span of just four days?

In the QSC portion of the meeting alone, there will be several dynamic sessions that will focus on harnessing the power of the Internet to promote and build your business. Industry specialists will present strategies on building a successful Web site, brand and lead generation, search engine optimization, social media and more.

You’ll also have access to many other seminars focusing on topics like marketing and selling strategies, social media, taxes, workforce training, and customer service. Plus, keynote presentations from best-selling author Ross Shafer on “Is Your Business Staying Relevant?” and Keni Thomas of Blackhawk Down fame on “Train as You Fight, Fight as You Train.”  There also will be a one-day opportunity to meet one-on-one with exhibitors at the Product and Technology Showcase to explore the latest industry trends, view product demonstrations and participate in learning labs.

CONNECT 2010 is a networker’s dream, with numerous receptions and social gatherings geared toward building relationships between contractors as well as with key industry leaders.  If you attend any industry event this year, make sure it’s PHCC’s CONNECT 2010. For more information or to register, visit www.phccweb.org/connect, e-mail Connect2010@naphcc.org, or call (800) 533-7694.

Ann Arbor, Mich. — NSF International announced the following three Italian-based companies, K.M.E Brass S.R.L., S.A. Eredi Gnutti Metalli S.P.A., and Trafilerie Carlo Gnutti S.P.A., the first European brass manufacturers certified to NSF’s low lead content requirements for plumbing products (NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G). The standard outlines the testing requirements for any product that comes into contact with drinking water to ensure the product does not contribute excessive levels of contaminants, including lead, to drinking water.

NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G – Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure to a 0.25 Percent Lead Requirement – was developed to help protect the public from exposure to lead by mandating a maximum weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25 percent in products that come into contact with drinking water. The requirements for Annex G also include compliance with NSF/ANSI Standard 61, the American National Standard for drinking water products.

These lead requirements apply to manufacturers of faucets, valves, pipes, water fittings, and any product that comes in contact with drinking water. Products made from an NSF-certified brass alloy require separate testing and certification to NSF 61, Annex G to ensure contamination does not occur during processing.

“NSF International developed NSF/ANSI 61, Annex G through a consensus-based process that included input from industry, regulators and other experts. Annex G provides a means of evaluating and certifying low lead products to ensure they also comply with the National Standard,” said Bob Ferguson, Vice President of NSF International’s Water Programs. “By achieving Annex G certification, these manufacturers can provide assurance to regulators, consumers, and plumbing product manufacturers that these brass products have been tested and comply with the low lead requirements in various U.S. states.”

Ann Arbor, Mich. — NSF International announced the following three Italian-based companies, K.M.E Brass S.R.L., S.A. Eredi Gnutti Metalli S.P.A., and Trafilerie Carlo Gnutti S.P.A., the first European brass manufacturers certified to NSF’s low lead content requirements for plumbing products (NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G). The standard outlines the testing requirements for any product that comes into contact with drinking water to ensure the product does not contribute excessive levels of contaminants, including lead, to drinking water.

NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G – Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure to a 0.25 Percent Lead Requirement – was developed to help protect the public from exposure to lead by mandating a maximum weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25 percent in products that come into contact with drinking water. The requirements for Annex G also include compliance with NSF/ANSI Standard 61, the American National Standard for drinking water products.

These lead requirements apply to manufacturers of faucets, valves, pipes, water fittings, and any product that comes in contact with drinking water. Products made from an NSF-certified brass alloy require separate testing and certification to NSF 61, Annex G to ensure contamination does not occur during processing.

“NSF International developed NSF/ANSI 61, Annex G through a consensus-based process that included input from industry, regulators and other experts. Annex G provides a means of evaluating and certifying low lead products to ensure they also comply with the National Standard,” said Bob Ferguson, Vice President of NSF International’s Water Programs. “By achieving Annex G certification, these manufacturers can provide assurance to regulators, consumers, and plumbing product manufacturers that these brass products have been tested and comply with the low lead requirements in various U.S. states.”

Bangalore, India — A special ribbon cutting ceremony attended by company officials, dealers, and customers marked the official opening of A. O. Smith’s newest manufacturing operation, a residential water heater plant in Bangalore, India.

A. O. Smith Chairman and chief executive officer Paul W. Jones and A. O. Smith Water Products Company President Ajita G. Rajendra hosted the event, which included more than 150 dealers and customers from throughout India. A. O. Smith is the first U.S. water heater company to establish a manufacturing presence in the country.

The 76,000-square-foot plant, located in the Harohali Karnataka Industrial Area, will manufacture glass-lined residential water heaters for the Indian market in sizes ranging from six liters up to 100 liters. The plant is located on 20 acres just outside of Bangalore; the site also will serve as the headquarters for A. O. Smith’s Indian business.

Bangalore, India — A special ribbon cutting ceremony attended by company officials, dealers, and customers marked the official opening of A. O. Smith’s newest manufacturing operation, a residential water heater plant in Bangalore, India.

A. O. Smith Chairman and chief executive officer Paul W. Jones and A. O. Smith Water Products Company President Ajita G. Rajendra hosted the event, which included more than 150 dealers and customers from throughout India. A. O. Smith is the first U.S. water heater company to establish a manufacturing presence in the country.

The 76,000-square-foot plant, located in the Harohali Karnataka Industrial Area, will manufacture glass-lined residential water heaters for the Indian market in sizes ranging from six liters up to 100 liters. The plant is located on 20 acres just outside of Bangalore; the site also will serve as the headquarters for A. O. Smith’s Indian business.

Jerry Yudelson’s latest book, Dry Run: Preventing the Next Urban Water Crisis (New Society Publishers, June 2010).  explains water issues and proposes design solutions for homes, buildings, facilities and schools, as well as policy changes for public agencies. It is the first book to link the green building movement to the emerging water crisis in North America and to showcase actual solutions. The book also contains case studies of how seven U.S. Metropolitan areas as well as the country of Australia have responded to urban water crises in the past decade.

This book draws our attention to a critical, but often unrecognized, environmental challenge facing society in developed countries such as Australia and the United States: managing urban water supply.

Yudelson makes a crucial connection that global policy makers should be aware of: Increasingly people understand that a comprehensive approach to the climate change challenge must look at water issues as equally important as curbing excessive energy use.

Dry Run is a compelling analysis on the full spectrum of one of our most precious resources, water. Yudelson has the unique ability of synthesizing the historical, present day and available technologies/solutions for the impending struggle we are and will face in regards to water conservation.

Jerry Yudelson, PE, MS, MBA, LEED AP BD+C/O+M is president, Yudelson Associates.

Olathe, Kan. — Grundfos Pumps was recently recognized by the Kansas School of the Deaf (KSD) for the school year of 2009 – 2010. The recognized was for Grundfos Pumps continued involvement in the Career Training program offered to the students through the KSD.

Beginning in 2003, Grundfos in cooperation with the Kansas School of the Deaf has mentored six students in the Career Training program, two of which became KSD valedictorians. The Career Training program allows students who wish to pursue a certain field of interest an early start to their chosen career. The students have worked in a variety of roles at Grundfos including Finance, Human Resources, and Partner Services.

Potter Electric Signal Company, LLC of St. Louis and Nohmi Bosai, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan have partnered to provide a new direction in fire protection. Potter and Nohmi engineers have jointly designed a new line of intelligent fire protection systems that are flexible and easily adapted for diversified fire applications and installations. These new panels, detectors and modules complement and complete the existing fire protection line of products of both Potter and Nohmi.

Starting in the Fall of 2010, the fire protection industry will have a privately held company that will manufacture a full line of fire alarm, notification and sprinkler system monitoring products. While Potter and Nohmi have partnered to address the global needs in fire protection, both are positioned to provide you, the customer, with that individual attention and service that you would expect from a local supplier.

ERIE, PA —  Zurn Engineered Water Solutions, an innovator and manufacturer of commercial plumbing products, announced the HydroVantage™ sustainable hydro generator flush valve.

The HydroVantage™ flush valve is designed to create energy during each flush cycle. The valve is equipped with a hydro generator and a back-up battery. The hydro generator system harvests energy from the water as it passes through the valve. The turbine spins creating electrical energy which is then stored in a rechargeable cell. This stored energy then powers the electrical needs of the flush valve for subsequent flushes, eliminating the need for external electrical power or battery replacement for 10+ years under normal operating conditions.

The HydroVantage flush valve provides optimal energy efficiency, low maintenance and ease of installation compared to other available generator products. It also features Environmental Trending™ and 4.0 Sensor Technology™ that continuously monitors ambient light levels and traffic patterns within the restroom. These features minimize false flushing while maximizing power savings. The valve continually tracks activation statistics to optimize power savings based on the installation environment.

HydroVantage™ is a self-generating flush valve system which offers low life cycle costs. Innovative diagnostic features are designed into the product to guard against flooding and indicate sensor damage, low battery level or component failure. Zurn complements the HydroVantage flush valve with a five-year warranty for quality construction and dependability. It is designed for retrofit, new construction and LEED applications. To learn more, visit www.zurn.com.

Washington — Effective July 16, the Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC) will be the only codes of practice permitted by the federal government to be used for the establishment, expansion and improvement of State veterans cemeteries funded through

grants by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in instances where no local or state code exists or local/state codes are less stringent than the UPC/UMC.

The Department of Veterans Affairs on June 16 issued this final rule amending the regulations governing grants the VA makes to States for the above stated purposes. The ruling changes the referenced codes to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials’ (IAPMO) Uniform Codes from those produced by another code development organization.

The Uniform Plumbing Code® (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code® (UMC) are the only plumbing and mechanical codes of practice to be designated as American National Standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).